Seems our local parks are pulling out all the stops to celebrate the first signs of autumn. Take a break from your end-of-the-summer picnic this weekend to enjoy one of the many events happening. And if not this weekend, the entire month is jam-packed with activities the whole family will enjoy. All the events except the Bat Program are shine only. Call Robin Tracey at 570-467-2506 for more information on all hikes and Locust Lake programs..

September 1
Salamanders are back! Robin Tracey is hosting another program to educate us about salamanders (including a catch and release portion -- bring a plastic container). Meet at the Locust Lake State Park amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.

September 2
Salamanders not your thing? Then how about bats! Come back to the Locust Lake State Park amphitheater at 6 p.m. for a talk about bats, myths, White Nose Syndrome and more with naturalist Susan Gallagher.
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September 4
Begin your Labor Day with a 5.5 mile hike along the Crow and Lake View Trials (rated moderate). It will explore two creeks, Locust Lake, the dam and the spillway pond. Meet at Crow Trail parking lot off of Tuscarora Mountain Road at 9:30 a.m. Leashed dogs friendly with other dogs AND people are welcome.

September 6
Have you ever wanted to meet an eagle? Now's your chance! Meet at the large pavilion at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park at 7 p.m. to meet a Bald Eagle and a Golden Eagle and learn more about predators. Bring a lawn chair. Rain date is September 7. Call 570-345-8952 for information.

September 6-7
Sweet Arrow Lake County Park is more known for hikes, boating and nature programs but on the 6th and 7th it will be transforming into an art gallery -- or at least its clubhouse. Stop by between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. to enjoy the work of Dave Kintzel, focusing on the animals of Pennsylvania.




September 9
Meet at the parking lot on Sand Sliding Road just off of Route 443 in Suudberg at 10:30 a.m. for an 8 mile hike in Swatara State Park rated moderate. Bring lunch and, of course, water. Lots of interesting sites on this hike including an old steel bridge and the Bordner Cabin. Leashed dogs are welcome.

September 13
Meet at the north end of the Wal-Mart parking lot off of PA Route 61 in the Coal Creek Commerce Center at 10:30 a.m. for a 7 mile hike rated difficult -- but the payoff is worth it: Wolf Creek Falls. Bring lunch and water. ****Registration is required. Call Robin at 570-467-2506.****

 

 

 

 
Wolf Creek Falls Hike
Join Park Naturalist from Tuscarora State Park on Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. for a spectacular hike to Wolf Creek Falls in Saint Clair.  We will meet at the north end of the Wal-Mart parking lot off of PA Route 61 in the Coal Creek Commerce Center.  This hike is seven miles and rated difficult.  The hike is dog-friendly but all pets must be leashed and get along well with people and other pets.  Bring water and a lunch.  Due to limited space, registration is required by contacting Robin at 570-467-2506. Shine only. 

Just a heads up -- if you, your company or your organization is a supporter of the arts and the community you still have time to become a sponsor of Kick Up Your Heels -- with Salvador Dali at the Walk In Art Center on Saturday, September 23. The are various sponsorship pachakes, all including admission to Kick Up Your Heels, an ad in the program as well as other promotional opportunities. Get more details  here

From a few  social media posts I see, some kids are already back in school but for most of us the big day is Monday. So what to do with your one final weekend? If it doesn't rain, there'll be football this weekend. But there are quite a few other outdoor events to enjoy this weekend.

Saturday, August 26

Landingville Marsh Hike
​ Meet at the Advance Auto Parts store in the Cressona Mall parking lot at 10:00 a.m. for a  4 mile hike rated easy.  Bring you lunch and your dog --if he's leashed and is people and dog friendly.

Salamander Program
Although I have since developed an aversion to all things creepy, crawly and reptile-y, there was a time when I LOVED salamanders and caught many at Locust Lake State Park. If you know someone who is also a salamander fan don't miss the program at the Locust Lake amphitheatre at 3:30 p.m. There will also be a catch and release event -- bring a plastic container.

Orienteering Program
There is no GPS in the woods (OK, technically there is) but everyone should give a try at reading topographical maps. Members of the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association are presenting a program in the Locust Lake shelter (near the camp store) at 4 p.m. including a walk around the lake.

Wildlife Trapping Program
Come to the Locust Lake amphitheatre at 6 p.m. for a talk about the benefits of wildlife trapping. The program will be at the shelter near the camp store if it rains.


 




 

 

The man in our house got a special Father's Day gift this year -- a year's membership to the AACA Hershey Car Museum (which incidentally has some murals by our native son, the late Dave Naydock). If you have a vehicle lover in your family you can find fun closer to home.

First start out this Friday in Ashland or Shenandoah. Ashland is having their Night Out from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The historica preservation society will have the Station House and Jail open but best of all there will be fire trucks, police cars and ambulances to "check out". The Rescue Hook and Ladder Company will be having a fire truck parade in Shenandoah at 7:30 p.m. as part of their block party. The block party will be on Friday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Still in a vroom, vroom kind of mood? how about a vintage truck museum tour at 19 Municipal Road, Orwigsburg on Thursday, August 17 at 7 p.m. It's free for members of the Orwigsburg Historical Society with non-members asked to give a donation. Then of course there's the new version of the Pottsville Cruise -- Cruisin Pottsville on Saturday, August 19 from  6 p.m. to 9 p.m.. Registration from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Jerry's Classic Cars & Collectibles Museum. Finally on Sunday, August 20 there's a car/truck show at the Tremont Elementary Baseball Field, 139 Clay Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Then, to celebrate the beginning of the school year head to Heisler's for an ice cream cone and a classic car show on September 9 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

That should be enough vehicles to make any car buff happy!