ONGOING
• Packer Historical Center, 112 W. Main St., Anna, is open Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Martial arts classes teaching karate and jujitsu will be held for children aged 6 through adults at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA. Classes will be held on Fridays from 6 to 7 p.m. for beginners at a cost of $22 for members and $40 for non-members for four classes. Advanced classes will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. and cost $44 for members and $80 for non-members for four classes. All classes are taught by Sensei David Smith, in partnership with Jukido-Kai School-Martial Arts.
• Kinetics classes are available at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and include: Mommy & Me (parent & child, ages 10 to 24 months); Pre-School Gymnastics (ages 2 to 5); Youth Gymnastics (ages 6+); Pre-Team Gymnastics; Acrobatic Gymnastics; Cheerleading classes; Tumbling classes; and Competitive Gymnastics Team. For days, times and cost, visit www.sidney-ymca.org.
• Aquatics classes are available at the Sidney-Shelby County YMCA and include: Water Discovery/Exploration (parent & child, ages 6 months to 3 years); Preschool Swim Lessons (ages 3 to 6; swimmers in levels 1 through 3 must have a parent or adult in the water with the child); Youth Swim Lessons (ages 6+); Competitive Swim Team (Y Stingrays); Adult Swim Lessons (by appointment only); and Private & Semi-private Lessons available. For days, times and cost, visit www.sidney-ymca.org.
• Home-school Nature Club at the Brukner Nature Center Staff naturalists have developed hands-on educational lesson plans using live wildlife and outdoor exploration. The club is for home-schooled students aged 5-11 and costs $5/child each month for BNC members and $8/child each month for non-members. The Home-school Nature Club will meet on the third Wednesday of each month starting Sept. 21 and through May. Pre-registration is required and can be done via phone by calling 937-698-6493 Monday through Friday or by emailing [email protected]. Parents may register and pay for one month or several at a time. All fees are non-refundable.
• The Brukner Nature Center invites you to come enjoy their Winter Art Exhibit featuring the artwork of Maria Burke. Burke is a Hocking Hills based artist, who pulls her inspiration from Ohio’s native wildlife. Her unique gouache paintings on black paper, and lifelike museum-quality sculptures, recreate Ohio’s plants, animals and environments that are often underappreciated. Burke’s goal is to foster a curiosity and appreciation for the nature we find in our own backyards and beyond. She will also have a selection of giclee prints, magnets, vinyl stickers, postcards and woven throws in the Nature Shop at BNC. A portion of all sales will support BNC’s mission of wildlife conservation. Burke’s art will be on exhibit through March 19, 2023.
• Orchard Light Candle Co. makes hand-crafted natural soy wax candles that will be available to purchase during the month of January at Brukner Nature Center. It is their desire to provide clean burning candles that also smell amazing. Candles are available in three color options: white, black and amber and also provide wax melt clamshells. The black and amber containers are 13 oz. and the white are in 11 oz. containers; they do have similar burn times. Orchard Light Candle Co. is a local family business operating from their home in Brookville. Prices are $6.50 for wax melt clamshells and candles are $22.50. A percentage of all sales will be donated back to Brukner Nature Center.
• Children in grades Kindergarten through fourth grade may register for the Brukner Nature Center’s Winter Night Adventure on Friday, Feb. 24 from 7 – 9 p.m. (please note: this is a drop-off program.) Have you ever wondered how certain animals survive the frigid winter temperatures here in Ohio? Then join BNC for a fun and educational evening this February. Through live wildlife encounters and hands-on games, we’ll discover some cold weather adaptations of local wildlife. Remember to dress for the weather as guests will be spending a large amount of time outside. Program fee is $20/child for BNC Members and $30/child for nonmembers (cash or check preferred). Registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 22, by 5 p.m. Call 937-698-6493 or e-mail [email protected] to register. Scout packs/troops are also invited to pre-register for this public program. Please call for scout pricing for your pack/troop (minimum of 6 scouts must attend in order to be placed in one group with your leader).
FRIDAY, JAN. 13
• The Sidney Knights of Columbus will host a fish fry from 5 to 7 p.m. at 1300 Fourth Ave., Sidney. The fish fry is drive-thru only and meals come with fish, a choice of two sides and a dinner roll. Meals are $10 for adults and $7 for children and seniors.
SATURDAY, JAN. 14
• The Darke County Parks are hosting a Winter Bird Walk at 9 a.m. at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve, 4267 State Route 502, Greenville. Guests will walk the trails of the park in search of winter bird flocks. This event is perfect for all levels of birdwatchers. Registration is required, but the event is free. Call 937-548-0165 or visit www.darkecountyparks.org to register.
• Rock Swap and Talk, hosted by Darke County Parks, will be held at 2 p.m. at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve, 4267 State Route 502, Greenville. Guests will have the opportunity to share their personal rock collections and even trade with other guests. The event is free, but registration is required. Call 937-548-0165 or visit www.darkecountyparks.org to register.
TUESDAY, JAN. 17
• Darke County Parks is welcoming local hiker-extraordinaire Andy Niekamp to the Nature Center to discuss his recent thru-hike of the Florida Trail. Guests will learn how Niekamp endured his 1,100 mile hike from the Everglades to Pensacola over two and a half months. The presentation is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve, 4267 State Route 502, Greenville. Registration is required, but the event is free. Call 937-548-0165 or visit www.darkecountyparks.org to register.
