You say there’s nothing to do in this county? Well, sit right down, kiddos, and let us point out some of the best things happening in Crawford County this month.
Audubon Christmas Bird Count
Those who want to watch something other than football over the holiday will have that 
opportunity this Sunday thanks to the Crawford Park District.
The annual Audubon Christmas bird count is being held Jan. 3. Those local bird watchers wishing to take part should meet Warren Uxley at 7 a.m. Sunday morning at the Bucyrus Bob Evans. The Audubon Christmas bird count collects data on bird populations throughout North America. If you are interested in counting birds in your backyard, please contact the Crawford Park District at 419-683-9000 for more information.
Bikes for Tikes Fundraiser
Ok, so you can ride your bike from Bucyrus to Galion. How about riding your bike for the Bikes for Tikes event? Did we mention that it’s 180 miles (from Cincinnati to Bowling Green) during a three-day span? If this sounds like it’s a little out of your exercise comfort zone, then don’t worry because Bri Rankins has you covered.
Rankins, a Bucyrus resident and a student at Bowling Green State University, is planning on competing in the Bikes for Tikes event this coming April. Before she can get to that point, however, the Colonel Crawford American Legion Post 181 in Bucyrus is lending a supporting hand.
The local American Legion Post will be holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser from 5 – 8 p.m. on Jan. 8 at the post located at 123 E. Rensselaer St., Bucyrus. The fundraiser will support the Bikes for Tikes event and the Children’s Miracle Network. Funds raised during the Bikes for Tikes event go to Mercy Children’s Hospital in Toledo for a Child Life-Play Room, an Autism Center, family services and counseling, and a hippotherapy barn.
Basketball: Colonel Crawford at Upper Sandusky
This boys basketball game between the N10 rivals should be one for the season. Both teams were preseason favorites and remain undefeated in N10 play despite the Eagles falling 44-33 to Crestview at a special game played at Bluffton University.
Upper Sandusky currently sits at the top of the N10 standings with an 8-0 (6-0) record. The Rams also have the league’s leading scorer in Wes Vent, who’s been averaging 21.9 points per game. The Eagles’ Owen Adams is nipping at his heels, however, with a 17.8 game average despite playing one less game than Vent.
Colonel Crawford took home the first win during last year’s heated battle between the two teams, 58-44, but the Rams were on fire when the teams met less than a month later. They defeated the N10 champs, 51-39.
Pack up your gear, Eagles fans, and be prepared to head down U.S. 30 for a game that’s shaping up to be pretty exciting. Varsity tipoff is set for 7:30 on Jan. 8. The teams will meet again for the second to last game of the season on Feb. 13.
PHOTO GALLERY: Colonel Crawford at Upper Sandusky | Upper Sandusky at Colonel Crawford
Rock ‘n Fossil Day
Is your inner rock hound clamoring to get out? Well, you’re in luck that the Park District’s 
Rock ‘n Fossil Day is just around the corner. The Crawford Park District is welcoming members of the Richland Lithic and Lapidary Society to Lowe-Volk Park to help identify pieces from your collection. The Society will also provide a special exhibit of fluorescent rocks and minerals. Added to that will be the many interesting displays by exhibitors.
Rock ‘n Fossil Day will take place from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Jan. 16 at Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center.
RELATED CONTENT: Fossils fun for everyone at Rock-n-Fossil Day | Minerals caught between a rock and a fossil at Lowe-Volk Park
Buckeye Central Athletic Hall of Fame
This season’s athletes may be putting up some serious performances but they are only following in the footsteps of the Bucks and Buckettes that came before them. Some of those memorable athletes will be honored at this year’s Buckeye Central Athletic Hall of Fame on Jan. 16. This year’s inductees include Mike Kempf, Kelly Forehand Carney, Tyler Kreim, and the 1998-1999 girls varsity volleyball team.
The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. and dinner scheduled to follow at 5. Tickets for the dinner at $10. Anyone interested in attending the event should contact Mike Martin or Jay Zeiter at 419-492-2266.
Let’s Go Sledding
Fingers crossed that Mother Nature finally gets things in order and sends us a snow day or two. For the kids, of course. And because we really want to go sledding with Crawford Park District Naturalist Logan Masters.
If the weather holds out, there will be a sledding day at Outhwaite Reservoir – hosted by the Crawford Park District – begging at noon on Jan. 23. Parents must be present with their children and all ages are welcome. Oh, and make sure to bring your sled! Last one down the hill is a rotten egg!
LEGO Contest
Legos were a popular gift this Christmas season and now the youngsters who may have found some under the Christmas tree can put those skills to use.
The Crawford Park District will host a “Make an Animal with Legos” contest for children ages 3 – 13. Contest winners will be chosen from three age groups: 3-5, 6-9, and 10-13. The top entry in each group will win a new Lego set.
Participants must design and build an animal made entirely of Lego bricks. All entries will have an opportunity to have their artwork displayed at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center through Feb. 20.
Submissions for the “Make an Animal with Legos Contest” are due on or before Jan. 23. Winners will be announced Jan. 25. on the Crawford Park District website and Facebook page.
Additional information is available by calling the Park District office at 419-683-9000.
Chili Cook-Off and Make & Bake Auction
Do the winter blues have you feeling a little chili? (Nope, not a typo.) Well, American Legion Post 181 can warm you right up. After the spaghetti fundraiser earlier this month, the American Legion is turning its food-group focus to chili and its Annual Chili Cook-Off set for Jan. 30.
Participants can bring their own chili to enter into the competition but the entries must be in before 4:30 p.m. that day. Donations from the chili tasting will support the Gifts for Yanks program.
Once all the chili is down and you’re feeling a hankering for something sweet, make sure to hang around for the Make and Bake Auction, which begins at 6:30 p.m. This is the Auxiliary’s annual fundraiser. Proceeds from this event will go toward Adam Carmen, Jericho House, and Loren’s Cancer Care Fund.
Both events will take place at the American Legion Post 181 located at 123 E. Rensselaer St., Bucyrus.
If your group, organization, business, or school has something coming up then send us an email at news@wbcowqel.com. Though it might not make it in our monthly Combing Crawford County for Something to Do article, we can promise to post it on our Events calendar.