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The Champaign County Animal Welfare League's Dog Park and Trails will be having its grand opening on Sunday, September 26th from 2:00pm-5:00pm! There will be food prepared by Recovery Zone of Urbana, live music by Charlie Tatman, prizes, and 10% off new memberships! Come out to see the new dog park and walking trails and have some fun! Located at 3858 ST RT 56, Mechanicsburg.
This ceremony will be held at Freedom Grove in Urbana, gathering at 4:30 p.m. and ceremony beginning at 5 p.m.. Building upon a tradition started when Freedom Grove’s World Trade Center Beam arrived, the Scouts of Champaign County have gathered every year to honor the memory of those lost on 9/11. With 2021 being the 20th anniversary of this tragic event, the Scouts of 258 would like to invite anyone who is interested to come and observe this solemn occasion with us.
United States Flag Code states: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” The Boy Scouts of America is one of several organizations that is frequently asked to complete this task. Scouts are honored to be entrusted with such an important ceremony. The ceremony at Freedom Grove will involve Scouts retiring worn out American flags by burning them until there is nothing left recognizable as a flag. At the end, the only thing that will be left are the flag grommets, lying within the ashes. The flags that will be retired are American flags that are well worn and no longer fitting for display. Some examples of worn out flags include: severe color fading, stains, holes in the fabric, shredded stripes, rips, and tears. If anyone has a flag that meets this criteria, the Scouts request you bring it out to Freedom Grove to be retired. The Scouts will also be, in partnership with local Veterans and Civic groups, changing out flags at Freedom Grove, as well as conducting a flag raising at dusk, when flags are to return to full staff. In addition, there will be a general memorial for all of the victims of 9/11 at the conclusion of the retirement ceremony. While the public is invited, no one is obligated to stay for the entirety of the ceremony. Anyone can come and go as they see fit, the Scouts simply ask anyone attending to remain respectful during the ceremony. If anyone simply wants to drop off a flag for retirement, that is welcomed as well. Pack, Troop and Crew 258 also is asking for any Scouts who wish to participate to wear their best uniforms and arrive by 4:30 p.m. Due to Covid recommendations, all participants and viewers are encouraged to wear masks or social distance as best they can if they are not vaccinated. Any questions or requests for information about Scouting, can be messaged to the “BSA Troop 258 Concord Methodist Church” Facebook page or emailed to “moltonmemorialuniformproject@gmail.com”. Troop and Crew 258 are two Scout units for young men and women, ages 11 through 18, and 14 through 20. Pack 258 is for boys and girls between ages 5 through 10. Scouting is an important part of the community, and this memorial event is just one of many different community service events put on by Scouts. New recreational opportunity in the works
The 225-acre park is a destination due to its valuable biodiversity and breadth of life forms, making it unique from other natural parks in the state.
Dr. Dave Smith, owner of Freshwater Farms and the committee’s aquaculture expert, described the “rich seasonal palette of natural beauty” resulting from six lakes and miles of hiking trails. On July 18, the park will be open for a preview day with a plethora of events to welcome families, educators, corporate partners and others to experience the park. While guests won’t be allowed to fish or enter the water on this preview day, activities will abound for all age groups and nature enthusiasts. Other educational displays and activities will be provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and three local libraries. Water demonstrations of paddleboard yoga, kayaking, and canoeing with Birch Bark Canoe Livery will be seen from the big lake. Hands-on nature exploration with Tinkergarten therapists to promote wellness in children will also be a must-see. Attendees can learn about amphibians, dragonflies, invasive plants, goats as sustainable weed control, and hike a number of trails all at the event. Advisory committee member Allison Cox says she joined the re-opening effort to help create “generational change and bring together nature and wellness.” The other members reflect similar interests in nature, wildlife habitats, hiking, camping, and community partnerships. Future events are being developed, and community members are encouraged to visit the City of Urbana’s website under the Parks and Recreation section if they have questions or wish to volunteer. The park is trash-free, so attendees should not bring any disposables onto the property. Those attending on Sunday are encouraged to wear sunscreen, bring a reusable water bottle and wear comfortable walking shoes to the park. To volunteer at this event, click here!
The building capacity will be greatly reduced during this time. Extra staff will be available to help direct visitors. If you see a group in the building, please wait outside until they leave the building. Please help us by following all directions on signs on the doors and around the building. Please follow all social distancing guidelines while in the Nature Center and Preserve. Visitors are encouraged to wear a face covering.
Credit card use is preferred for admission fees at this time. The gift shop will be open to ADULTS ONLY. Please help by keeping children out of the gift shop. Inventory will be somewhat reduced at this time. The boardwalk will remain accessible Wednesday - Sunday from 9:00am - 5:00pm. Please remember, restrooms will not be available except when the Nature Center is open.
The trail adjacent to Mosquito Creek goes through the heart of the remaining wetland, an ideal location for these birds of prey.
The hike will begin at the trail head near the kiosk, 3975 Kiser Lake Road, St. Paris. For more information, contact Michelle Comer, the West District regional manager for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, at michelle.comer@dnr.state.oh.us or 937-537-6173. Click here to read full article on Urbana Daily Citizen.  Submitted story to Urbana Daily Citizen
The Urbana Shade Tree Commission is accepting applications for its annual Memorial Tree Program in anticipation of tree planting at Oak Dale Cemetery and Melvin Miller Park this fall. This program started in 2015 and is an opportunity to create a lasting remembrance of a loved one, commemorate a special achievement or honor a deserving person or organization. Since the program’s inception and through the generosity of donors locally, statewide and nationwide, a total of 35 new trees have been planted at the cemetery and park. The cost to purchase a memorial tree is $350, and this cost includes the purchase and planting of a balled and burlapped tree with two-inch average trunk diameter. In addition, an engraved paver block is placed beside the tree to denote the donor and honoree. The following trees are being offered through this year’s program: Swamp White Oak, Scarlet Oak, Burr Oak, Baldcypress, Black Oak, Shingle Oak, Silver Linden, Shumard Oak, Chinkapin Oak, Red Oak, London Planetree, and Dawn Redwood. Applications are due Sept. 15. The application form, and further information, is available on the city’s website under the Urbana Shade Tree Commission’s webpage. For additional information or questions, contact Community Development Manager Doug Crabill at 937-652-4305 or doug.crabill@ci.urbana.oh.us. |
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