Avast, matey, park offering several September programs

September brings several community events offered by the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department.

From walking with friends to feel fit to rolling your "R's" like a pirate exclaiming "Argh!" to cooking up some champion chili, the City Park Department has a lot to offer the public this month.

For example, each Wednesday the park will offer the ongoing program Mommy & Me from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

The program will meet at several different locations. Persons may contact the Park Department or check www.cityofgreencastle.com for specific dates and locations.

Walking Wednesdays will meet from 5-6 p.m. to walk various trails at DePauw's Nature Park. The group will meet in the parking lot and will choose a path to walk.

The Park Department also will be offering something for all ages in September.

"What's That Bug?" is scheduled for 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10 at the Manning Field Station within the DePauw University Nature Park.

Along with the DePauw Entomology Club and Purdue Extension Service, the program will demonstrate how to find, collect, identify, mount, label and display insects.

Although the program is open to anyone grade 4 and up, it will be of special interest to Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H members completing insect collections, Park Assistant Director Troy Scott said.

The $15 fee includes an insect display box, pins and labels. To ensure proper supplies, are avaliable, pre-registration is required by Monday, Sept. 9.

Meanwhile, the Park Department will hold "Talk like a Pirate Day" on Thursday, Sept. 19 at the Putnam County Public Library.

Sponsored by Long John Silver's, the event is set for 4-5:30 p.m. at a fee of $5 per youngster. Registration deadline is Monday, Sept. 16.

Participants are urged to come dressed as a pirate and enter the Best Dressed Pirate Contest.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, the inaugural Robe-Ann Park Chili Cook Off is on tap at shelterhouse No. 1 on top of the hill above the bandshell.

Groups competing to win a complimentary two-night hotel package will pay a $10 entry fee.

Free chili (donation jars on site) will be available for tasting from 12:30 to 3 p.m. or as long as the chili lasts. The public is welcome to attend, sample the chili and help pick a winner.

Complete rules are currently available at tscott@cityofgreencastle.com. The registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 25.

For more information on any park program, registration forms or future events, persons may contact Troy Scott at 653-3395 or by e-mail at tscott@cityofgreen-castle.com.

Registrations forms and information can be found on the Parks and Recreation link at www.cityofgreencastle.com, on the Friends of the Park page on Facebook, at the Putnam County Museum, the Putnam County Public Library, Dr. Park Firebaugh's office and Greencastle Pediatric Dentistry.