Join Darke County Parks as they welcome back master broom maker, Frank Rouse to the Nature Center at Shawnee Prairie on Saturday August 13th at 9am. Frank has over 40 years of experience making brooms of all shapes and sizes and loves passing on the skill he learned from his grandfather. This time he will teach participants how to make a turkey wing whisk broom that is especially handy for sweeping out corners and tight spaces and originated as a broom to sweep the ashes out of the back corners of the hearth. A $12 materials fee will be charged for this workshop. Space is limited, so be sure to call and reserve your spot for this program today.

For questions about this program or any other program offered by the Darke County Parks or to register, please stop by the nature center, call (937) 548-0165, or email info@darkecountyparks.org.

Did you Know:  The turkey wing whisk broom is great for sweeping out a car, tent, or removing lint from clothes.

Did you know that out of more than 2,700 species of plants and animals found in Ohio, 100 are classified as invasive, or alien? From the emerald ash borer to honeysuckle and everywhere in between, invasive species are posing a threat to native wildlife everywhere by shading, eating, overcrowding, or outcompeting them. Join Jess Besecker, the Darke County Parks’ Summer Intern, on August 16th at 6:30pm as she discusses these invasive plants and animals, how to identify them, and how to remove them. Jess is a senior majoring in biology and is studying invasive alien species through her program at Wright State University.

For more information about this program or any other Park District program, please give the Nature Center a call at (937) 548-0165, or email info@darkecountyparks.org.

Did you know? The Emerald Ash Borer is a beetle native to China, Japan, Russia, and Korea and kills trees by eating the cambium layer of the bark starving the tree of nutrients.