Darke County Parks Board Commissioner L. Stephen Shaltry has served Darke County for over 24 years as a board member of the Darke County Park District, but as 2016 draws to a close so do the last of his obligations as a commissioner. On January 1st Shaltry will be officially retired, but his years of service were honored recently at the Friends of the Darke County Park District annual Christmas carry-in dinner.

During the festivities, former park board members Susan Gray and Dan Schipfer praised Shaltry’s efforts, patience, and diligence during his tenure, and he was presented with commendations from both the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives of the 131st General Assembly as well as State Representative Jim Buchy for his service to the county.

Park Commissioner Shaltry has been a resident of Darke County since moving here in 1973. Before retiring from his regular occupation as a high school biology teacher at Northmont High School in Clayton, he balanced school obligations and raising a young family while continuing to provide excellent council and management of board responsibilities. During his tenure, the Darke County Parks District has grown exponentially. When he first began, the parks owned a meager 200 acres, and now they have expanded to over 1,000 acres. Other improvements, under his direction include building the Shawnee Prairie Nature Education Center in 1997, establishing most of the prairies and wetlands featured in the park, and the continuing construction of the Tecumseh Multi-Use Trail running from Bradford almost to the Greenville City limits.

Darke County Park District Director, Roger Van Frank praised Shaltry and his efforts for the parks saying, “Steve has been not only a mentor and an educator to me, he has also become a valued friend. I wish him well in his retirement from our parks, and I will sincerely miss his reassuring presence in the office.”

Tina White, a long time park volunteer, will be stepping into Shaltry’s vacant position on the board in January and has expressed excitement about the challenge, citing that she has “big shoes to fill.” The rest of the Darke County Park Board of Commissioners, staff, and volunteers would like to wish Steve Shaltry a happy retirement, and they know that they will continue seeing him at the parks and on the trails indulging his love of nature. 

Darke County Parks’ annual Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland holiday event saw one of the largest crowds ever on Saturday December 3rd. This was the 9th year Darke County Parks has hosted this public and staff favorite event. Over 700 people made their way through the half mile trail of Shawnee Prairie Preserve lit with nearly 500 luminaries and crisp with the hint of the coming winter on the air. Attendees also enjoyed decorating gingerbread men, delighting in the 14 decorated Christmas trees, and constructing Christmas ornaments in the Nature Center. The Friends of the Darke County Parks Gift Shop was open selling stocking stuffers, Christmas tree ornaments, and much more. St. Nick even stopped in to see what was going on and visit with some good little girls and boys.

At the log house, “200 year old” staff and volunteers welcomed the chilly travelers in true historic style with spiced cider warmed at the hearth and ginger molasses cookies. A mountain dulcimer filled the air with Christmas peace, and even inspired some singing. Upstairs visitors were invited to string popcorn and cranberries to decorate their trees or feed their birds at home. Outside at the blacksmith shop, the anvil rang, and the forged glowed bright.  

Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland has proven time and again to be the staff’s favorite event, and this year was no exception.

Roger Van Frank, Director, said, “The weather was perfect. I would like to thank all the volunteers, staff, and public for making this such a successful event yet again.” If you missed it this year, next year will be the 10th annual and will be held the first Saturday in December 2017. The staff is already planning to make it extra special with an extended trail and new activities. The Darke County Park District staff wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. 

Did you know? Santa said he had “never gotten so many requests for farms, fields, or farm equipment before” as he passed out candy canes to the children of Darke County.