Memorial Day is a solemn national holiday set aside to remember and honor our country’s Veterans. Many communities have special ceremonies and services honoring our nations military, too many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy. The day itself dates back to the Civil War era and enjoys a rich history and tradition. If you are able, fly our flag proudly, attend one of services in your community or even quietly visit a local cemetery; many, many graves this weekend are decorated with American Flags, thanks to many, many volunteers.
Thanks, to our Vets and their dedication and service.
Memorial Day weekend should be spectacular; there’s plenty of events and the weather looks like it will be super for outdoor activities, maybe even too hot for some. For many, it is time to get the garden planted or finish up any yard work.
Borage is a useful herb in the veggie garden and an attractive flowering plant.
I always like to plant the herb Borage close to the tomatoes. Also known as the “bee plant”, it attracts hundreds of bees. Some claim the herb makes the tomatoes even more flavorful. It is an easy plant to grow and will re-seed itself.
Remember, Memorial Day is a Fish for Free Day in Pennsylvania. It is a good opportunity for many families to enjoy our local waterways. Anyone can fish for free ( no license required)but all other fishing regulations must be followed. Check out the Northwestern PA Fishing report below.
The last day for spring gobbler is May 31. Hunters can remain in the woods until dark instead of the traditional noon deadline.
Be safe over the holiday weekend and enjoy.
Canadohta
There’s plenty happening at the lake over the Memorial Day weekend. Throughout the weekend along the lake and the general area, there will be a community wide garage – yard sale. The Canadohta Lake Breeze will become available today and throughout the year at various businesses at the lake and don’t forget the Canadohta Lake Area Business Association will have recycling bins in place for aluminum cans. It is a lot of work and time consuming for those who collect the cans (please not bottles or plastic. The money from the cans is used to help fund the traditional July 4 Fireworks display.
There will be a DJ at the Free Beach on Saturday starting at 5 p.m. and the music continues until whenever. The Frog Pond beach also official opens on Saturday at 11 a.m. And on Sunday the Book Swap will take place at Hawthorne Park from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. ( if the weather turns foul, the Swap will be held at the Canadohta Laundromat). On Monday try your luck fishing at Canadohta; it is a Fish for FreeDay and no license required.
For a complete listing of Memorial Day and all other summertime events, click CLABA.
Pymatuning
This is another great place to fish for Free on Memorial Day. There is a special event, GO Girls, coming up on June 14 from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Environmental Classroom
. For girls 10 to 15 years of age this outdoor program will feature hiking, casual birding, healthy snacks and more. Call the Park Office to register at 724-932-5142. For additional information, also check www.state.pa.us
Crawford County Conservation District – Woodcock Creek Nature Center
Note Please call the Conservation District to register for any of these events at 814-763-5269 (except for the Family Fishing event listed below where registration is made through the PA Fish and Boat Commission, see the post below.
Container Gardening – Tuesday June 5 from 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m. LIMITED to the first 15 families. This workshop will be led by Bertha Mesearch, Penn State Master Gardeners. She will demonstrate various ways to grow your veggies such as container gardening, grow boxes and square foot gardening.
Trail Walk/Nature “Cell Pics”, Tuesday June 7, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. LIMITED to the first 15 registrants. Take an hour long nature walk with Kathy Uglow , bring your cell phone or a digital camera. This is not an instructional photography class.
Terrific Terrariums, Tuesday June 19, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. LIMITED to 15 terrariums (one per family). Join Terry Lobdell and Kathy Uglow for a hands-on demonstration of how to make your own terrarium to take home using plastic containers. (These are always a fun project)
Plan ahead for this event now…
Family Fishing Tuesday June 26, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Stainbrook Park Shelter #2 NOTE: Registration for this program is through Chad Foster, PA Fish and Boat Commission, at 814-683-5126 or register online at http://pfbc.state.pa.us This program is open to all ages and will be held rain or shine. All supplies will be provided and there will be both casting practice and fishing.
Special Note The Crawford County Senior Environmental Corps will meet at the Woodcock Nature Center on June 7. For details, Environmental Corps.
Northwestern PA Fishing Report by Darl Black
Get the most up to date information on the latest fishing reports with Darl Black as well as a lot of other information on the hot spots and what’s happening on our local creeks and lakes. Click, REPORT.
Grange
The Crawford County Pomona Grange meeting will be held Saturday June2 at 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Cochranton. There will be a tureen dinner at 5 p.m. and the meeting will resume at 6 p.m.
NOTE:The Hall of Fame Awards and the AG Industry awards will be presented during the Crawford County Fair. Nominations for the award from qualifying organizations and past recipients need to be made by June 7. For more information, Crawford Awards.
Goodell Gardens
There’s always plenty to do and enjoy at Goodell Gardens. Check out some of the events and join the fun, Goodell Gardens.
The Lily of the Valley plants are now blooming in many areas.
With the improving weather, farms and yards were busy places. It seems everywhere, tractors were plowing, spraying and mowing. Yards are being mowed and trimmed as warmer weather treats the region (though the nights have skirted with frosts in many areas. On Saturday evening, May 19 there will be a partial eclipse, called a Ring of Fire, as the moon gets in between the the sun and the earth. I’m not sure it will be visible here except in photographs, but from Asia to the western United States there are many large gathering planned for the solar event. The moon was in the news earlier on May 6 when we witnessed a huge Super Moon.
Next week, if the forecasts are on target, expect some eighty degree weather.
While it was busy on farms, yards and in the heavens, birds and plants are keeping everyone busy who enjoys Mother Nature. The hummingbirds came back earlier this week (always a good sign), the Lily of the Valley began to bloom as did the wild strawberries.
Lily of the Valley is an ancient plant which is mentioned 15 times in the Bible mainly in the Song of Solomon. For many this early spring flower is a sign of good luck and it is the National Flower in Finland.
There is a lot of folklore about the Lily of the Valley with it’s pure white cup shaped blossoms.
Wild strawberries are just plain flavorful although it seems to take forever to pick enough since the berries are a lot smaller than the one’s purchased at roadside stands, supermarkets or picked in pick your own field. But the wild version still remains superior to my taste buds. The leaves can also be used to brew a tea.
Wild strawberries are now in full bloom.
Canadohta
The Canadohta Lake Area Business Association (CLABA) is gearing up for the Memorial Day weekend and for a wide range of events throughout the upcoming summer months. For more information on some of the super busy events scheduled, click CLABA.
CLABA will meet on May 19 at 3 p.m. at the Frog Pond to review some of the events scheduled for Memorial Day and early June. Throughout the Memorial Day weekend, there will be yard sales throughout the community and the surrounding areas and the annual Canadohta Lake Breeze will be available next Friday.
The editor of the CLABA sponsored newspaper is Ann Bergheim who is also the current CLABA president and the chairperson for the Canadohta Art Society (they organize the weekly Book Swap).
While much of the history of the Breeze is not recorded at this time, it is known that it was first published on May 1, 1932. One of the longtime editors of the Breeze from 1991- to @2008 was Sam Hossler, who is a well known historical author who also did extensive outdoor writing. Sam’s novels can be found at samhossler.com and he also writes an interesting historical blog which can be found here, http://unclesamshistory.wordpress.com/author/unclesamshistory/
It is well worth the read as are Sam’s novels. Sam first moved to the lake region in 1990 and several years ago moved to Florida.
One new program for this summer will be a farmers market during the months of July and August, every Sunday from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Hawthorne Park.
Just a reminder – There will be no Book Swap during the month of June. The Swap will be back in July.
Goodell Gardens
Credit: Goodell Garden from their Facebook page. Thanks.
Goodell Gardens, a regional and super resource re-opened after the winter months on May 1st. They have a wide range of super activities on scheduled throughout the summer. For more information about he busy schedule, click GARDENS.
The Edinboro Art and Music Festival is being held this weekend. Goodell Gardens is the headquarters for this free event and there qwill be live music on Friday (tonight) and Saturday among other events. Sounds like a great time! For more detailed information, Festival.
- Sunday May 20, 3p.m. – 4 pm. Tea Time Talk, Make and Take Miniature Fairy Gardens, cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Learn how to make a Fairy Garden to take home, all materials supplied. Registration for this workshop is required; either email info@goodellgardens.org or call 814-734-6699.
Many different events are scheduled at goodell Gardens throughout the summer. Photo credit Goodell Gardens from their Facebook page.
Regional Fishing Report by Darl Black
If you enjoy fishing, read some of the latest reports from regional waterways , here. The site also has a page dedicated to some trophy catches. This will be a good and valuable blog report as the Fish for Free Day approaches on May 28. During the day, while obeying all other regulations, people can fish without a license. The Fish for Free Days are popular with many individuals and families, so see what’s biting and where. Darl will have no report the week of May 14 but even so, the report is an excellent site to visit to get an overview of what is happening.
Crawford County Conservation District – Woodcock Creek Nature Center
The 33rd annual tree seedling sale was super this year. Read more about the this years sale, here.
Note: The following sessions are free and open to all but registration is required by calling the Center at 814- 763-5269.
Be Safe Outdoors…Intro to Youth Safety, Wednesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Stainbrook Park #1. Join Tracy Crawford and Brian Pilarcik of the Conservation District to become more informed about ATV safety, fire safety and more. You will also learn about handling animals properly and operating farm equipment safely.
Special Note: The Crawford County Senior Environmental Corps (CCSEC) will have their monthly meeting at the Woodcock Creek Nature Center at 1 p.m. on Thursday June 7. More on CCSEC next week.
Grange
Nominations are now being accepted for the Ag Industry Award and the Hall of Fame Awards. Past award winners and participating agricultural organization can make the nominations which should be given to John Hotchkiss by May 31. This year the awards will be presented suring the Crawford County Fair. More on this change next week.
Hunting
Turkey season remains open until May 31. This year hunters can legally hunt until dark the last two weeks of the season. Pictured is Bill Spellman with a nice bird he shot on May 16 . Thanks for the photo Bill! Bill also has a piebald deer on display at Gander Mountain.
Happy Mothers Day, enjoy your special day!
After some cool wet weather, it would appear we have a super nice weekend in store just in time for Mother’s Day this Sunday. It’s been so wet, at least in this neighborhood, it has been difficult to get the grass mowed and get some early spring veggies planted. The time will come.
The moon last weekend was spectacular and called a super moon. It was really bright outside, so much so not even a flashlight was needed. We were treated to a somewhat clear and cloudless night for the event. Anglers were also treated to some excellent fishing during the super moon. Read about it below in the fishing report.
If your in the Canadohta Lake region, be sure to take mom out to Happi Jax for a free ice cream sundae and read below about the free admission for mom’s at Goodell Gardens, 221 Waterford St., Edinboro below.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Super Mom’s
Goodell Gardens
Flowers are an important part of the magic at Goodell Gardens, stop by,relax and enjoy.
Goodell Gardens, a regional and super resource re-opened after the winter months on May 1st. They have a wide range of activities on scheduled throughout the summer. For more information, click GARDENS.
Upcoming in the near future
-Mothers Day, May 13 from 11 am. – 5 pm. – Free Admission to all mothers. The spring gardens are said to be really great this year.
- Sunday May 20, 3p.m. – 4 pm. Tea Time Talk, Make and Take Miniature Fairy Gardens, cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members. Learn how to make a Fairy Garden to take home, all materials supplied. Registration for this workshop is required; either email info@goodellgardens.org or call 814-734-6699.
Union City
The Friends of the Library will hold a Book and Bake Sale on Thursday May 17 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday May 18 from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and on May 19 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Bake Sale will be held only on Friday and Saturday. Numerous book titles will be available for purchase.
Canadohta
Sam Hosssler, a former editor of the Canadohta Breeze, is an avid fisherman, historian and novelist.
The Canadohta Lake Breeze has been sent to the printer and will be available on Memorial Day weekend, according to Ann Bergheim, the editor of the Breeze and president of the Canadohta Lake Area Business Association (CLABA). There’ll be much more information next Friday on the events and happenings at the lake during the upcoming summer.
While much of the history of the Breeze is not recorded at this time, it is known that it was first published on May 1, 1932. One of the longtime editors of the Breeze from 1991- to @2008 was Sam Hossler who is a well known historical author who also done extensive outdoor writing. Sam’s hisorical novels, and the newest werewolf mystery called the Silversmith Chronicles, can be found at samhossler.com
Sam also writes an interesting historical blog which can be found here, http://unclesamshistory.wordpress.com/author/unclesamshistory/
It is well worth the read as are Sam’s novels. Sam first moved to the lake region in 1990 and several years ago moved to Florida.
Regional Fishing Report by Darl Black
If you enjoy fishing, read some of the latest reports from regional waterways , here. The site also has a page dedicated to some trophy catches. This will be a good and valuable blog report as the Fish for Free Day approaches on May 28. During the day, while obeying all other regulations, people can fish without a license. The Fish for Free Days are popular with many individuals and families, so see what’s biting and where. Darl will have no report the week of May 14 but even so, the report is an excellent sire to visit to get an overview of what is happening.
Crawford County Conservation District – Woodcock Creek Nature Center
The 33rd annual tree seedling sale was super this year. Read more about the this years sale, TREE SALE.
Note: The following sessions are free and open to all but registration is required by calling the Center at 814- 763-5269.
Spiders Tuesday May 15, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. YIKES! Find out all about spiders from Matt Foradi, Department of Biology and Health Services, Edinboro University. (This should be a fun session!)
Be Safe Outdoors…Intro to Youth Safety, Wednesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Stainbrook Park #1. Join Tracy Crawford and Brian Pilarcik of the Conservation District to become more informed about ATV safety, fire safety and more. You will also learn about handling animals properly and operating farm equipment safely.
Canadohta Lake
Remember the Book Swap held every Sunday at the Canadohta Laundromat from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. This is a great chance to get some inexpensive summer reading material. There are books for all ages. Simply bring a book to trade and take a new book home. NOTE: There will be no Swap during the month of June. The program starts up again in July at Hawthorne Park weather permitting. More information next week on the action packed schedule planned for this summer at the lake.
Winter didn’t let go without a fight the last week of April. But now, the weather has warmed nicely. Checking the blueberries and apples, they seem to have escaped the late frosts in my neighborhood. Nor did the cold and snow bother the trillium which are now blooming in the woods.
The woods are turning more colorful as the wildflowers, like these white trillium begin to bloom.
It’s hard to imagine April flew by so quickly and now we are already into May. Be sure to watch the Full Moon this Saturday, May 6; it will be the closest the moon is to Earth during 2012 (the moon will be some 221,802 miles away). The average distance between the Moon and Earth is listed s 230,000 miles. Because the Moon’s orbit will bring it closer to Earth the Moon will be brighter and appear larger than usual. It is called a “Super Moon”.
Turkey season is in full swing until the end of the month. The last two weeks of the season hunters can hunt until sunset; during the opening weeks hunting is allowed only until noon.
Sunday May 13th is also Mother’s Day, don’t forget. It is a Super Sunday for all moms. May 28 marks Memorial Day, another super holiday in honor of our Veterans, their dedication and service to the nation.
Regional Fishing Report by Darl Black
If you enjoy fishing, read some of the latest fishing reports from regional waterways , here. The site also has a page dedicated to some trophy catches. This will be a good and valuable blog report as the Fish for Free Day approaches on May 28. During the day, while obey all other regulations, people can fish without a license. The Fish for Free Days are popular with many individuals and families, so see what’s biting and where.
Crawford County Conservation District – Woodcock Creek Nature Center
Note: These sessions are free and open to all but registration is required by calling the Center at 814- 763-5269.
Audubon at Home Healthy Yard Program: Tuesday May 8, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Judy Acker, Audubon French Creek Outreach Coordinator, will help you learn what you can do to create an outdoor space that’s healthy for wildlife, for birds, for your family and for the environment.
Spiders Tuesday May 15, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. YIKES! Find out all about spiders from Matt Foradi, Department of Biology and Health Services, Edinboro University. (Note: This should be a fun session!)
Be Safe Outdoors…Intro to Youth Safety, Wednesday, May 23, 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Stainbrook Park #1. Join Tracy Crawford and Brian Pilarcik of the Conservation District to become more informed about ATV safety, fire safety and more. You will also learn about handling animals properly and operating farm equipment safely.
Canadohta Lake
Remember the Book Swap held every Sunday at the Canadohta Laundromat from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. This is a great chance to get some inexpensive summer reading material. There are books for all ages. Simply bring a book to trade and take a new book home.
Super Fun Outdoors in May and All Free
May is a super month for outdoor fun like trying to see who can catch the biggest frog in the net.
There are many events and activities during the month of May for residents to get out and enjoy the arrival of spring. The flower show in our regional woodlands are now just beginning and it’s all free of charge. May signals it’s time to think about that backyard veggie garden and hundreds will be turning over the dirt in preparation for Memorial Day plantings.
Happy Friday the 13th!
Snow is rather common in April but this snowfall was something of a surprise the morning of April 11 (pictured above). By the end of the day, however, it had mostly melted. Beginning this weekend milder temps are forecast to return, however, there remains a chance of rain throughout much of the upcoming week. Although, the weather does look decent for the opening day of trout, Saturday April 14.
Last week I saw my first spring dandelions, a sign, according to many, it’s time to plant potatoes in the garden. Well, with the cold weather, thinking I am going to hold off until it warms up next week. Dandelions are amazing early spring plants. They are nutritious to eat, make a fine wine and are an important food source for the emerging pollinators like the honeybees. The trillium are also beginning to emerge; they are great flowers to add to those hard to maintain yard areas in the home landscape. Just beginning to emerge are the pre-historic looking Mayapples.
April 21 marks Earth Day, a yearly tradition which began in 1970. Numerous communities have events scheduled. Below are two , one at Conneaut Lake, the other at Pymatuning.
Conneaut Lake Earth Day
This free event is being sponsored by Crawford Area Residents for the Environment (CARE). CARE is leading the fight to appeal the air quality permit issued for the tire incinerator proposed for Greenwood Township. The Earth Day event is a fundraiser to ensure the best possible legal arguments against the tire burning facility.
Other organizations involved in the event include the Geneva Marsh Legal Defense and the Erie Peace and Justice Center.
The event will feature live music from several locally very popular bands and will include numerous activities for children. There will be plenty of great food and drink specials, a Chinese auction, a 50/50 cash drawing and some great raffles on various items such as a kayak, iPod and portable DVD player list among the items.
The event will be held at the Dockside, next to the Beach Club beginning at 2 p.m. For more information, http://www.stopburningtires.com/EarthDay.htm
Pymatuning – Creek Critters
At 10 a.m. On April 21 meet at the Park office to explore and learn about creek critters and their role in water quality. Be sure to wear some creek sneakers or water boots. Participants will take a short to drive from the park office to enjoy the wonders of a nearby creek.
After exploring the creek, consider going to Earth Fest 2012 at the Penn State Shenango Campus in downtown Sharon.
For more information on Creek Critters, call the park office at 724-932-3142 and for more information on Earth Fest 2012, call 724-983-2836.
Crawford County Conservation – Woodcock Creek Nature Center
All events are free and open to everyone. Registration, however, is required. Simply call the Woodcock Nature Center to register at 814- 763-5269.
If you ordered trees from the 33 annual tree sale, remember the pick-up date is April 20 from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Crawford County Fairgrounds.
April 17, Tuesday, from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Salamanders. Learn about these amazing animals with Scott Wissinger from the Allegheny College Biology Department.
April 24, Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Leave No Trace, with Linda Armstrong from Pymatuning State Park. Get some pointers on how to enjoy our unique environmental resources while minimizing our impact.
Northwest PA Fishing by Darl Black
Get the latest updates and reports on fishing in Northwestern PA with Darl Black. This is a useful and informative report well worth the time spent. Click, Report. Then, click on Northwest PA Fishing report.
Canadohta Lake
Don’t forget about the Book Swap held every Sunday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Canadohta Laundromat. Bring a book, take a new book home.
The Canadohta Lake Area Business Association will meet at 3 p.m. at the Frog Pond on April 28.
Today, April 8 is Easter Sunday. Hope everyone who celebrates this most important religious holiday has a blessed and happy day and future.
The weather so far today has been a pleasant surprise; it is warm and mild. But that is all going to change starting Monday and it is going to get cold with even snow showers in the forecast for much of the new week. Next weekend begins another gradual warm-up and likely better fishing weather.
This is a good place to introduce Darl Black, of Cochranton, and his fishing reports on a variety of local waters in Crawford County and some in Erie and Mercer County. It is an informative and well written blog,
Northwest PA Fishing Report. Click on the Northwest PA Fishing Reports. There are also some great photos included. I will be linking to it frequently in this community blog.
According to some reports, the crappie won’t be biting much until the warm weather comes back. Myself and a friend tried our luck at some pond fishing one day and got skunked in a normal “hot” spot. But then again it was a windy, 30 degree something day.
Trout season opens at 8 a.m. next Saturday.
Beekeepers
With the mild winter and somewhat mild temperatures, the local beekeepers had some issues to deal with as the bees woke up early. Many had to use a supplemental food since the bees ate most of their winter supply and began laying eggs.
Bears have also been a nuisance problems, according to Linesville beekeeper Charles Vorisek. Bear like honey and will go to great lengths to get, including smashing the hive . For more information on the early spring and the bees, click abuzz.
Crawford County Conservation District
These events are free and open to all but registration is required. If you want to join in the fun and learn, simply call the Woodcock Creek Nature Center at 814-763-5269.
Wed. April 11 4:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m. Friends and Foes – Some Six Legged Creatures You Are Likely to Meet -Scott Sjolander will lead this discussion about some good and bad insects. The workshop will include a hands-on session insect lab.
Tuesday, April 17, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Salamanders – Learn all about these amazing creatures from Scott Wissinger of the Allegheny College Biology Department.
Ponds
Thinking about constructing your own backyard pond or make improvements to an existing pond? There will be a special workshop designed to help pond owners deal with all of the issues involved. For more information, http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/search?Category=GOCRAWFORD
Hickernell
The Hickernell United Methodist Church will hold a rummage and bake sale on Saturday, April 12 from 7 a.m. -2 p.m. at the church located on Springboro Road. Delicious homemade baked goods will be available and there will be free coffee. Proceeds of the sale will be used for the July mission trip. The Church is located three miles west of Route 98 on Springboro Road and is completely handicapped accessible.
French Creek Float
The 14 annual French Creek Float will be held Saturday May 19.General Admission is $25 per person in advance or $30 the day of the event. The event opens at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Wattsburg, includes camping, entertainment and food. Enjoy our Creek and join in the fun. More on this popular float next week.
Seems like it has been a battle of the seasons this past week with some very cold temperatures. Many locations recorded temperatures of 20 degrees and below. Hopefully, we all escaped a lot of frost damage. The upcoming week looks to be warmer and it is hard to believe that Sunday (Palm Sunday)marks the beginning of April.
Easter is early this year and will be celebrated next Sunday April 8. Ham is always good with the leeks which are now thriving in wet woodland areas. Also up and growing in woodland areas are the marsh marigolds and the skunk cabbages. It is a great time of the year to get outside and enjoy and even dig some fresh wild leeks.
The early spring and mild winter meant different things to different professions from bait shops, farming and the maple producers. For more insights, http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120210/GOCRAWFORD0101/302109970
The winter kept the beekeepers busy, more on the early spring and honeybees next week..
But back to the calendar, other important April dates: Passover begins on April 7; we will also see a Friday the 13 and federal taxes this year are due April 17. April 22 marks Earth Day and April 26 is Take Your Daughter to Work Day followed by Arbor Day celebrated on April 27.
Trout season in western Pennsylvania opens Saturday April 14 at 8 a.m. For more information,
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/fact_fast_trout.htm
There are many fun activities taking place this month including the Open House at the Linesville Fish Hatchery, A Day at the Hatchery, listed below.
Linesville
Get ready for opening day of trout season on April 14 by attending the Open House at the Linesville Hatchery on April 7.
The annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery will be held on Saturday, April 7 from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.. The hatchery is located at 13300 Hartstown Rd. There are plenty of events, activities, demonstrations and plenty to observe.
One popular stop for persons of all ages is the 10,000 gallon viewing tank which has numerous native species in it. Another, are the tanks where visitors can observe Walleye spawning demonstrations. There will also be reptile and amphibian displays and demonstrations regarding boat safety and how to tell the age of a fish, various fishing techniques and demonstrations.
There will be fly tying and casting demonstration, Fish print T-shirts for the children along with numerous other activities geared for the younger people. Helpful information and demonstrations on fish filleting and cooking. The retail store will be open and will feature many helpful items including the 2012 Fishing Licenses (just in time for the opening of trout season in our region April 14).
This is a popular event and attracts between 2,000 – 3,000 visitors. The open house began in 1965 and has been a spring ritual ever since.
For more information call 814-336-2426, or 814-683-5126 or email Fish and Boat contact Chad Foster at chfoster@pa.gov. Additional information can also be found at http://www.fishandboat.com/
Senior Environmental Corps
The next meeting of the Crawford County Senior Environmental Corps (CCSEC) will be on Thursday, April 5 at the Woodcock Creek Nature Center on German Rd. Starting time is 1 p.m. and meetings typically last an hour. The meeting is open to the public. If you enjoy being outdoors, and working on projects such as stream quality, tree planting, fish habitat and other outdoor activities, stop by. Prospective members and guests are always welcome to attend to see and learn more about CCSEC.
The topics include programs sponsored by the Conservation District, Allegheny College and the Creek Connections Program, including the upcoming “Student Symposium” at the College on April 20; future guest speakers and future water quality test site activity.
The guest speaker for the April meeting will be Lewis Walker from Penn Soil RC&D. He will be speaking on the “Wetland Reserve Program, Outreach Assistance”. For more information, call Dick Runnels, 814-336-5891; Gary Mason, 814-336-3625; or Brian Pilarcik, Watershed Specialist at the Conservation District, 814-763-526
Crawford County Conservation District
These events are free and open to all but registration is required. If you want to join in the fun and learn, simply call the Woodcock Creek Nature Center at 814-763-5269.
Wed. April 11 4:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m. Friends and Foes – Some Six Legged Creatures You Are Likely to Meet -Scott Sjolander will lead this discussion about some good and bad insects. The workshop will include a hands-on session insect lab.
Tuesday, April 17, 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Salamanders – Learn all about these amazing creatures from Scott Wissinger of the Allegheny College Biology Department.
Ponds
Thinking about constructing your own backyard pond or make improvements to an existing pond? There will be a special workshop designed to help pond owners deal with all of the issues involved. For more information, http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/search?Category=GOCRAWFORD
French Creek Float
The 14 annual French Creek Float will be held Saturday May 19.General Admission is $25 per person in advance or $30 the day of the event. The event opens at the Erie County Fairgrounds in Wattsburg, includes camping, entertainment and food. Enjoy our Creek and join in the fun. More on this popular float next week.
