O.W.L.S. (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors)
Looking for an excuse to get out of the
house, make some new friends, enjoy a good meal and learn about the exciting world
of nature? Then join us!
These programs are held the first Tuesday of each month. The nature program will
start at 11:00 a.m. at the Jester Park Lodge (Map and park information).
An optional luncheon follows the program at noon in which pre-registration is required.
The cost of the catered lunch is $7.00. Luncheon reservations are being taken on-line
at www.mycountyparks.com.
Iowa’s
Woodland Wildflowers
May
5
Take a visual journey with a Polk County Naturalist of an
Iowa
woodland. Woodland wildflowers bloom early in the spring to take advantage of the
sunlight reaching the forest floor. Learn how to identify some of these small beauties
and some history about them. Luncheon registration deadline is May 1.
Civilian
Conservation Corps (CCC)
June
2
Larry Wilson, former director of the
DNR
, will give a brief history of the
CCC
and Glen L. Britt will tell of his actual experiences. The
CCC
was a public works program
that put over three million young men to work in the
1930’s and 40’s during the depression when many men could not find work. The
CCC
’s had an important presence in
Iowa
. CC projects included building nearly 1,000 structures on state park lands, planting
waterways, windbreaks, and building silt dam structures to prevent soil erosion
and create wildlife habitats. Luncheon registration deadline is May 29.
Iowa
Grape and Wine Industry
July
7
Jean Groben with Jasper Winery will share information about
Iowa
’s growing wine industry. 2008 wine sales are estimated to be more than $22 million.
Iowa
currently boasts 70 licensed wineries, up from just 18 in 2002. Luncheon registration
deadline is July 2.
STAR
-1
Search and Rescue
August
4
Angela Tague and her dog, Sage, are members of
STAR
-1 Search and Rescue Team. Angela will discus the team’s capabilities and will focus
on why the “nose knows” and how dogs do what they do. Sage will be present to provide
demonstrations of her capabilities and training. Luncheon registration deadline is
July 31.