www.the-papers.com
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Serving Elkhart County and parts of Noble, LaGrange & Marshall Counties Know Your Neighbor. . . . . 2➤ Speak Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Good Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Wrap Up Christmas . . . . 6-10 Vol. 49 No. 36
Goshen (574) 534-2591
134 S. Main, Goshen, Indiana 46526
),1$/ 352'8&7 ³ 6KRZQ LV RQH RI WKH JLQ JHUELUG KRXVHV EXLOW ODVW \HDU E\ (ONKDUW &RXQW\ 3DUNV VWDII $ SURJUDP IRU WKH SXEOLF ZDV QRW KHOG GXH WR WKH SDQGHPLF 3KRWR SURYLGHG E\ (ONKDUW &RXQW\ 3DUNV
+20( )25 %,5'6 ³ 3KHOLFLD -R]ZLDN RI (ONKDUW &RXQW\ 3DUNV GHPRQVWUDWHV KRZ WR EXLOG D JLQJHUELUG KRXVH 3KRWR E\ 7LP $VKOH\
%\ 7,0 $6+/(< 6WDII :ULWHU Building a gingerbread house has for a long time been a staple of the Christmas season. But have you considered, or are even aware of, a gingerbird house? There is such a thing and Elkhart County Parks will host a program at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in the Ox Bow Haus Shelter at Ox Bow County Park where you can learn about gingerbird houses. Phelicia Jozwiak, interpretive naturalist for Elkhart County Parks,
Circulars In Select Areas HARDINGS • KROGER MARTIN’S SUPERMARKET McDONALD’S NEIGHBORHOOD FRESH
said her mother works at an assisted living facility in Illinois. “They did it (gingerbird houses) and I thought it would be fun to do,” she said. “It definitely fits into the mission of the parks. There is an environmental twist and it is practical and useful.” A program was originally planned for 2020 but fell victim to the pandemic. Instead the three naturalists for the parks department had a friendly competition amongst themselves and posted their creations online. Ingredients used to build gingerbird houses are peanut butter, graham crackers, a seed and nut mixture with a variety of both, cranberries, pine cones, bark and twigs. When finished, it will look similar to a gingerbread house but instead obviously birds will be attra tracted to it. There is also an educational compon component to the program and Jozwiak will teach abou about what birds eat and birds have preferen erences. She will tal talk about regional bird birds and their diet “and how you can help them in the winter.” The location of the Ox Bow Haus
Shelter, near the main entrance of the park, was specifically chosen because birds are already being fed just outside the shelter. Birds can be watched from inside the shelter as they come to the feeders. Although it may be assumed most birds fly to warmer climates in the winter months “during the winter time there is a lot of life here,” Jozwiak said, even though most people may be thinking migration or hibernation for birds. There is the connection with Christmas, too, as people are making gingerbread houses. Also it is a time when many bird feeders are being put in place so birds can get the energy they need during the winter months. She noted “there is no reason (for birds) to leave if there is food year round.” Bird watching is popular in the local area, she commented, and there are many “birders” at Ox Bow year round. In addition there is a Wednesday bird walk at Ox Bow for bird watchers of all levels. Some parks have bird feeding stations. All of the other parks in the Elkhart County system are also popular spots for bird watchers. Cardinals and blue jays are the easiest birds to identify at feeders in the winter months, Jozwiak noted.
Chickadees and woodpeckers are also common to see this time of the year. And dark-eyed juncos actually migrate here during the winter months. Getting a feeder is a good place to start for new birders, she said. “Because you can see them (birds) up close,” she said. “A limited number of birds are attracted to feeders, so you have a small pool of birds to choose from.” Gingerbird houses can be put near a feeder or hung from a tree because it offers cover. Jozwiak cautioned the gingerbird houses should not be put close to your house. During the program the houses will be built and “we would love to see pics of houses completed” shared on social media sites. Tag Elkhart County Parks and they will share some of the photos. There is room to be creative when building a gingerbird house. “We want them to be safe for the birds and biodegradable and not leave a lot of waste,” she said. Registration deadline for the program is Dec. 16 and the cost is $2 per person. There is a limit of 12 who can attend. For more information, visit elkhartcountyparks.org or call (574) 535-6458.