Mammal, Bird, Amphibian or Reptile?

Do you like to observe animals where we live? How are they alike or different from each other? What do they eat and how are their homes built? What good things do they do for the earth? A representative from the Darke County Parks will teach us about a surprise animal on Saturday, March 25, from 1-3 p.m. Come and see what animal is visiting the Preble County Park District’s Garber Nature Center. Meet in the Mary Hayes Pavilion at the main parking lot of the Garber Nature Center, 9691 Ohio 503 North, Lewisburg.

Guided wildflower walks return to Silvoor

Wildflower walks will be held at 1 p.m. on Sundays beginning April 2 and ending May 14 at Silvoor Biological Sanctuary in Oxford. Meet at Miami University’s Peffer Park shelter, located off U.S. 27. Free and open to the public. For more information, contact Bentley Brymer at [email protected].

Hunter education

Two area hunter education courses will be offered in April. The first will be held on Saturday, April 1, at Twin Valley Rod & Gun Club, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. The second will be held on Sunday, April 2, at Hueston Woods State Park in the meeting room which is behind the park ranger’s office. Class size for each class is 20 students. Students 17 years of age and younger are required to complete and to bring to class all the nine chapter review items to be admitted to class of instructions. To register call 1-800-Wildlife or online at wildohio.gov.

PCRTA meetings

Preble County Retired Teachers Association President Harold Niehaus announced the dates for 2017 PCRTA meeting as follows: April 11, June 13, Sept. 12 and Nov. 14. All meeting dates are on the second Tuesday of the month, and all begin at noon at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Enterprise Rd., Ingomar, near West Alexandria. All retired educators are encouraged to attend. In addition to socializing and a meal, PCRTA shares news of interest to all retirees, information regarding STRS and ORTA benefits, legislation, local community and school interests, the Tools for Schools initiative, entertainment and much more. For more information, visist the website, www.pcrta.org.

Tornado siren testing

Testing of all sirens in the county will be conducted on the first Wednesday of each month at noon. In the event of inclement weather, sirens will not be tested that month.

Twin Valley Schools kindergarten registration

Twin Valley Community Schools’ spring 2017 kindergarten registration and free spaghetti dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, from 5:30-7 p.m. in the TVS Elementary commons. Additional registration dates are Tuesday, April 11-Friday, April 16, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. daily. Children who will be five years old on or before Aug. 1 are eligible to enter kindergarten. Families should come to the elementary school office at Door 26. The child’s birth certificate, immunization record, custody papers (if applicable) and two forms of proof of residence are necessary. Proof of residence can be a local utility bill, lease, voter or vehicle registration, bank or insurance statement, or a pay stub with current address within the TVS school district. If attending the April 6 dinner, RSVP is requested to the elementary office, at 937-839-4315.

National Trail BOE meeting

The March regular meeting of the National Trail Local Schools Board of Education has been changed to Monday, March 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the National Trail School’s K-12 facility.

Humane society wish list

The Humane Society of Preble County is always in need of the following items: cat litter (scoopable or non-scoopable), dry kitten food, canned puppy food, Clorox bleach, liquid Lysol or Fabuloso, liquid laundry detergent, air freshener, trash bags (33 gallon or tall kitchen bags), large Nyla bones and fabric softener sheets for dryers. Drop off these much-needed items to the shelter during operating hours. The Humane Society of Preble County is located at 951 S. Barron St, Eaton.

Relay for Life set

The Preble County Relay for Life this year will be Saturday, June 10, from 3 p.m-midnight at the Preble County Fairgrounds. Organizational meetings are the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m., at Bruce Elementary School in Eaton. Anyone interested in forming a team for this family event and raising money for cancer research is invited to attend the meetings or call 937-733-9534 for additional details. This event allows everyone in the community to celebrate those who have survived, grieve for those lost to cancer and empower others to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

PCESC meetings

The regular monthly meetings of the Preble County Educational Service Center Governing Board will be held the fourth Wednesday of each month, with noted exceptions, at the PCESC facility located at 597 Hillcrest Drive, Eaton, at 5:30 p.m. Meeting dates are: March 22, April 26 (at the ESC Alternative School;) May 24, June 28, July 26, Aug. 16 (moved to the third Wednesday;) Sept. 27, Oct. 25, Nov. 15 (third Wednesday;) Dec. 15 (fourth Friday, time changed to 3:30 p.m.)

NT Alumni Car Show

The National Trail Alumni Car Show is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, at National Trail High School, 6940 Oxford-Gettysburg Rd., New Paris. Top 20 and dash plaques will be awarded. All makes and motorcycles welcome. Registration will be from 10 a.m.-noon. Awards will be distributed at 3 p.m. All proceeds go toward alumni scholarships. There will be food, music, door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. Visit www.ntalumniassociation.com for more information.

Mote & Associates Inc. Scholarship

Mote & Associates, Inc., Engineers and Land Surveyors, located in Greenville, established a scholarship in October of 2002 at a celebration to honor the founder of the firm, Richard Mote, for his 30 years of dedicated leadership and his passion for engineering and surveying. The scholarship is for a commendable student seeking a post high school education or enrolled in an accredited college program in the field of engineering, surveying, architecture, or a closely related field of study. High school and college undergraduate scholarship applications for the 2016-2017 academic year can be accessed and completed on-line at www.moteassociates.com; or may be requested by contacting the company office in Greenville. Mote & Associates, Inc., in business for over 45 years, encourages all qualifying students to apply. Applications must be returned to the office of Mote & Associates, Inc., 214 West Fourth Street, Greenville, OH by Friday, April 7. For more information, contact Mote & Associates Inc. at 937-548-7511 or by e-mail at [email protected].

PSWCD scholarship available

The Preble Soil and Water Conservation District is once again offering a $1,000 college scholarship to a resident of Preble County entering his or her sophomore year or above at an accredited college. Students pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in the field of agriculture or natural resources and who are registered for classes in fall 2017 are eligible. The full criteria and application for the scholarship can be found on the website at www.prebleswcd.org or by stopping by the office at 1651 N. Barron Street, Eaton. Applications are due Friday, April 7. For more information call 937-56-5159.

Addiction help for loved one

DAYTON — Narconon reminds families that abuse of heroin and opioid drugs has become a national health crisis. Learn to recognize the signs of heroin abuse and get loved ones help if they are at risk. Visit www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/naloxone-availability.html to learn about the overdose reversing drug known as naloxone and find out its availability the area. Narconon can help individuals take steps to overcome addiction in the family. Call 1- 800-431-1754 for free screenings or referrals.

Delta Theta Tau bingo

Delta Theta Tau Sorority will be holding its annual Spring Bingo at the National Trail High School cafeteria on Tuesday, April 11. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the games begin at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased pre-sale from sorority members for $15. The ticket price at the door is $20. As always, all of the profit from this event goes towards scholarships for National Trail graduating seniors.

Easter egg hunt

Kiwanis and Delta Theta Tau will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 15 at 1 p.m. rain or shine. The event will be held at the Old Jefferson School Grounds in New Paris. There will be candy and prizes for the following age groups: five and under, six to eight, nine to 11, 13 and above.

NT Kindergarten registration

National Trail Schools will have its kindergarten registration on Thursday, April 20 and Friday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Required paperwork can be found on the National Trail Local School website. Registered students will need to be five years old on or before Aug. 1.