Recently the Greenville Sherwin Williams Paint Store partnered with the Darke County Park District to make Prairie Ridge Meadow a prettier, fresher, and nicer place to explore, learn, and enjoy. During the week of May 22nd through May 30th Sherwin Williams Paint Stores across the United States and Canada participated in National Paint Week where employees dedicated their time, effort, and Sherwin Williams products to refresh non-profits, churches, schools, and other deserving organizations that help make a difference. Employees selected projects to beautify valued community spaces and give back to deserving local organizations with a fresh coat of paint. Last year more than 4,600 people completed more than 250 projects around the United States and Canada.

At Prairie Ridge Meadow, Sherwin Williams employees Heather Ellis and Tanna Fyffe along with a few Darke County Parks’ volunteers stained the entire trestle bridge and the switch back railing leading to the park’s parking area. They also helped cover up some graffiti in the park. Sherwin Williams donated the remaining product, almost five gallons worth, to the Park District to touch up the work in the future.

Darke County Parks Director, Roger Van Frank said, “We would like to extend a tremendous thank you to Sherwin Williams and its employees for helping us start our visitor season off right with a fresh new look.” The Darke County Park District is grateful for all the support from business and community members that help them provide quality natural and cultural education for Darke County and the surrounding area.

For information on how groups or individuals can get involved and volunteer with Darke County Parks, please call or email Volunteer Coordinator, Kathi McQueen at (937) 548-0165 or kmcqueen@darkecountyparks.org.

Join Phill Hollinger, Darke County Parks’ fly fishing expert, on Saturday, June 18th at 1pm at the Shawnee Prairie Preserve Nature Center to learn the basics of fly fishing. Participants will discuss technique, flies (where and when to use them), where to fly fish locally, and more. After covering the basics, students will look into other supplies one may need, or desire, to make this sport their own. Phill has been fly fishing since 2002 when a friend got him “hooked”. Since then, he has fly fished in Colorado, Tennessee, Michigan, Wyoming, Montana, Washington, Alaska, and Ohio. One of Phill’s favorite aspects of the sport is the scenery. Space is very limited due to supplies, so sign up soon! A $5 fee for materials will be charged for this program, and preregistration is required.  

For questions about this program or any other program offered by the Darke County Parks or to register for Fly Fishing Basics, please stop by the nature center, or call (937) 548-0165.

Photo Caption:  Casting an almost weightless lure requires a vastly different technique than casting a traditional bobber and hook style lure.