September always brings the traditional meteorological winter weather forecast  brawl. The Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts the winter will be very cold for much of the Great Lakes region with about average snowfall. The National Weather Service is predicting a somewhat more mild winter but with plenty of snow and then a mild end. But thats actually up to a groundhog named Phil to predict.

In northwestern Pennsylvania, winters are historically always cold and snowy with a period of some heavy snowstorms. If there was only a way to bottle some of the summer heat and keep it until mid January, that be great.

Many local weather forecasters have their own theories about the upcoming winter. We’ll see who was right sometime when spring returns. But certainly this past summer made history with the heat.

Historic Bridges – Titusville

The historic Perry Street Bridge in Titusville could be demolished. Thanks to Nathan Holth of www.historicbridges.org for sharing the photograph.

The Civil War Monument at Evergreen Cemetery in Union City is a gathering place for many memorial services. Next year begins the 150th commemoration of the war.

Trilliums and  Mayapples are good choices.

An avid angler, Sam Hossler is also an avid novelist releasing his third book, Frontier Preacher.

Sam Hossler, a former Canadohta Lake resident, has announced his new novel, Frontier Preacher, will be available in early September. Sam is a prolific and brilliant writer, a avid angler and hunter. For thirty some years, Sam has written extensively for Outdoor magazine’s and newspaper columns and served as the editor of the Canadohta Lake Breeze. For many years, he organized the Canadohta Lake Kid’s Fish day and helped with other Canadohta Lake Area Business Association’s events. Sam now lives in Florida.

The Frontier Preacher, is based on the historical life of  John Corbly (1733-1833) who was an important evangelist in the northwestern areas during the Whiskey Rebellion. Corbly lived an adventuresome frontier life, often marred by tragedy.
Meadville, for historical perspective, was founded in 1788 by a group of settlers led by David Mead. The site was chosen because of the convergence of French Creek with Cussewago. Meadville was the frontier and was also located on French Creek because of the ease of getting to Fort Franklin and safety.
I have read Sam’s first two fascinating novels, cover to cover: The Summer of 1763 and The Great Land Grab. I’m reading Frontier Preacher now, it is difficult to put it down and get work done.  Sam has a great ability to bring history alive. All three books are related and focus on the  time period  following the French and Indian Wars and life in this section of the state.
If your looking for some great, entertaining, and informative writing, stop by either at the Web site or at one of the locations mentioned and get a copy, or buy all three. It is well worth the investment and enjoyment.

Pomona Grange

Hall of Fame: Agricultural organizations and past recipients of the Hall of Fame and the Ag Industry awards can now submit nominations for this year’s selection. The nominations should be sent to Pomona Grange Master Chester Tau by September 9th.
The winners of the awards will be selected at the Hayfield Grange on Thursday Sept. 16th and the awards will be presented at the Hayfield Grange on Sunday Oct. 3rd at 2pm.

Atlantic

Grange members who wish to make the Sept. 11 tour should meet at Atlantic to car pool at 11 am. The tour includes stops at Kidds Mill Covered Bridge, Hillcrest Memorial Park, Daffin’s Candies and Kraynak’s followed by a Dutch treat dinner at Nick’s Inn 62.
After the tour, members will return to the Atlantic Grange Hall for the installation of Subordinate officers for 2010-2012 and a brief business meeting. Reservations must made by contacting Wilma Ferguson by Aug. 31st.

Firewood Ban

On August 10th, the Dept. of Agriculture banned the transportation of all firewood from 31 additional Pennsylvania counties which includes Crawford, Warren and Erie. In addition a quarantine was placed on all Ash wood products, wood chips, nursery stock and stumps. The exception is kiln dried firewood. The hope is that hunters and campers who enjoy the frontier aspects of our great recreational areas will not be transporting the insects in firewood and making matters worse.

The quarantine was placed in hopes of slowing the progress of the Emerald Ash Borer. The larvae of small dark green insects literally starve an Ash tree to death and can kill the tree within three years. The invasive beetles from Asia progressed rapidly since they were first discovered in 2006 in Michigan. They have few natural native predators which helped them to spread so rapidly. But there is some hope on the horizon from the USDA, Canadian researchers and forestry officials. But it doesn’t appear that it will be an overnight solution.

French Creek and the Creek Connection

A camper discovers a hellbender in historic French Creek.

Wild pigs can be dangerous to other farm animals as well as destroy farm crops.

September 1st marks the beginning of fall hunting season in Pennsylvania for doves and Canadian geese.
The dove hunting season opens at noon every day and ends at sunset. The September hunt for doves ends on Sept 28. But reopens again on two other occasions. A second split will run from Oct. 23 to Nov. 27 and a third split runs from Dec. 27 to Jan. 1. Hunting is permitted within these dates from a half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily limit is 15 birds.
The schedule and regulations for the goose hunting season is a little more complicated and can change even within certain Wildlife Management Units (WMU). Crawford County has some different schedules and bag limits, for example. It is best to check.
Archery hunting or deer opens on October 3. Many good hunters have already been out scouting, practicing and getting the correct gear together.
With the opening a month away, there is again increasing talk about Pennsylvania’s deer management. There has been increased concern over trophy buck hunting and it’s impact on the deer herds and on hunting in general. It has been controversial for several years.
What should not be controversial are wild pigs in the northwestern Pennsylvania woodlands. One was reported dead along a highway north of Wattsburg recently. While Pennsylvania does have a wild pig population, the feral pigs have not been known to be living in the northwestern region.
Wild pigs are destructive to farmland crops and woodlands; they have huge appetites. While deer are a common highway hazard, wild pigs are also dangerous and have caused numerous traffic accidents in other states. And they are a danger to farm herds since the wild pigs are disease carriers. They should viewed as an unwanted invasive species.
In recent years the Crawford Pomona Grange and other local agricultural organizations have expressed concern over the wild pigs.

Late Summer Weather

There has been abundant sunshine, adequate rainfall  and hot temperatures for the last several weeks. There are plenty of roadside stands and farm markets around selling what appears to be a good harvest. Sweet corn seems to be really sweeter than normal. No one has to hunt for tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Support our local Crawford growers.
It has been perfect ice cream weather. Here is a good link to make homemade ice cream using plastic bags; it sounds like a fun family project. I was in contact with the author, Kathleen Richardson, and she mentioned two different sizes of coffee cans or similar cans can also be used. It is actually very simple to make.
Hopefully, the good weather will stick around for the upcoming fairs:

Crawford County Fair – Aug 21 – Aug. 28

Wattsburg – Erie County Fair – Aug. 30 – Sept. 4

and the first ever French Creek Float Sept. 18th

The good weather has made for a great year for many agricultural crops on the farms; hay, oats and corn all appear to be excellent harvests compared to last year.

Linesville

Pesticides kill local honeybees. Photo Credit: C. Vorisek

Charles Vorisek, of Linesville, is president of the Northwestern Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association. The bees are still in some serious trouble with mites and a mysterious killing disease called Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD).  PennState and other research organizations have been hunting for answers and, while no exact cause has been pinpointed,  lack of habitat and pesticide use could be part of the CCD problem. Many Crawford County beekeepers have been struggling with tremendous hive loss.
One step local homeowners can do is to be very careful when using pesticides especially around blooming plants, according to Vorisek. Pesticides kill bees and a lot of other good insects.
Bees are essential to our food supply; many crops need to be pollinated by the bees. It is also important for the sport of hunting; bees are needed to pollinate wild food crops for native wildlife
Another beneficial action to help the honeybees and the other native pollinators is to plant local native wildflowers. The Master Gardeners are a great source of help and information can be obtained from the Crawford Extension office.
Naturally, buying local honey is a big help as well.

Free Flower Show

Goldenrods are one of dozens of native wildflowers coming into bloom in September turning meadows, and fields into a sea of gold across Crawford County. Like dandelions, however, they have something of an undeserved  bad reputation. Dandelions often provide the first food source for the emerging bees, while goldenrods often provide the last meal before winter.
Hardly fifty years ago, there was some serious research into using the goldenrod for domestic rubber production. It is an interesting story.

Crawford County Historical Society – Meadville

John Brown lived and farmed in Crawford County for many years and a series of events are being planned as the anniversary of the Civil War approaches.

The 150th anniversary of the Civil War will begin next year. The lead organization for the commemorations is the Civil War Round Table. The group will also begin meeting again in September; it is free and open to the public.
In a related effort, CCHS is mapping all the cemeteries in Crawford County.
Both programs can always use some extra help, if your hunting for ways to volunteer.

Harvest season is well underway throughout Crawford County. Purchase smart and healthy, buy from local growers.

French Creek Float

French Creek is a valuable community resource. Enjoy the creek Saturday, September 18th for the first annual Fall French Creek Float. The Spring French Creek Float is always well attended despite the unpredictable and sometimes, cold weather. It has even snowed.

But a September float will likely be much nicer and scenic. The September float, like the spring float, is headquartered at the Wattsburg Fairgrounds; registration is required by September 13. The fee is $20 per person, $25 the day of the float. Included are camping at the fairgrounds, live music, by “DeKan” and a pig roast. The gates will open at 9 am on Friday so there’s plenty of time to get a camp set-up.

Remember to leave pets, dirt bikes and ATV’s at home. It is also important to bring along life vests. Each person participating is required to wear a vest in all watercraft. The entry fee forms can be obtained at any local business.

The float benefits the Wattsburg Agricultural Society which sponsors the Erie County Fair.

The Erie County Fair will open on August 30th and run through Sept. 4th. Buttons are now on sale at many businesses and at the fairgrounds. Wear the button and you can go to the fair all week for that price.

The Crawford County Fair opens on August 21 and runs through August 28. Crawford is largest agricultural fair in Pennsylvania.

Union City

Homecoming is set for October 1st and 2nd. The Parade will be on the 2nd followed by a banquet and dance.

Titusville

There is some talk about closing the Titusville City Hall as well as other city owned properties. The City Hall building was constructed in 1862 by Nelson Kingsley. It was heralded at the time as one of the most elegant homes in Titusville. It was sold and was converted into a hotel known as the Bush House. It was popular social gathering place until the city purchased the building in 1872. Certainly, some rich oilmen spent sometime in the place.

It looks like the city will have a major supermarket sometime soon. Giant Eagle is moving into the former Quality Market store. Certainly, the residents, hunters and anglers will enjoy the convenience.

Titusville is also celebrating Oil Fest 2010 this weekend. It is always a great family time and the parade is a good one.

The monument and grave site of Col. Edwin Drake needs some immediate, costly repairs. While not visible in the photograph, the granite and the bronze statue "The Driller" were constructed in 1901.

Crawford County has many famous and notable monuments. Among them most elegant is the large monument and burial site of Col. Edwin Drake at Woodlawn Cemetery in Titusville. Erected in 1901, both Drake and his second wife, Laura Dowd Drake, were buried in front of the monument. The Colonel died in Bethlehem, PA in 1901 and was re interred at Woodlawn in 1902. Dowd was buried after her death in 1916. Drake’s first wife, Phelina, died in childbirth in 1854; he then married Dowd in 1857.

Drake was instrumental in changing world history with his first successful oil well on August 27,1859. The well was 69 feet deep, an amazing feat in that era. Drake, when he died, was pretty much broke; he never received any money from his successful well.

The historic monument, erected by the citizens of Titusville and Henry R. Rogers, a then executive of the Standard Oil Company, is in serious need of repair. The repair work is so serious, according to reports, it may not last much longer, perhaps a year or two.

The bulk of the monument is made of Yosemite granite and includes a bronze statue of the oilman. It was dedicated, or at least opened to viewing, on Oct. 4, 1901. Harsh winter weather conditions have taken their toll. The granite stones are heaving and moving and the bronze statue, “The Driller” needs to be recast.

Fisk and Sons, a well known company from the Erie area, has been working with the Woodlawn Cemetery Board in an effort to preserve the historic monument. It is a costly repair job standing at an estimated $50,000. Donations to the repair work can be sent to Woodlawn Cemetery, P.O. Box 97, Titusville, PA, 16354.

Drake’s successful well changed the country and the world. Oil was king and soon automobiles became a part of everyday life; Pennsylvania was the keystone state for energy driving the Industrial Revolution and America’s role in world affairs.

Often overlooked is the cheap and abundant oil made reading possible after the sun went down. Before kerosene, whale oil was used for lighting and it was expensive and in short supply. Drake’s success meant that many families, particularly on the farm after chores, could read books, newspapers and magazines. It was the very beginnings of the Information Age. Drake’s work helped to make Pennsylvania an energy producing state, one of the leading energy states in the world.

There were a lot of problems with oil. For many years, the environment was trashed. There are stories of Oil Creek burning and huge oil spills. The giant oil companies were no saints. Muckraker Ida Tarbell exposed many abuses. Even today, oil plays a key role in world conflicts and catastrophic environmental problems.

Yet Drake’s discovery and work should be remembered and honored and the monument needs the repair money. It is an important story which needs to be known in the future.

Marcellus

Pennsylvania, for many years, was a leader in oil production; rich deposits of coal also helped to fuel the US economy. Now, rich deposits of gas in the Marcellus formation are spurring a new source of energy in the state and in the local region.

Marcellus gets it’s name from Marcellus, New York, near Syracuse where black rocks were discovered from the formation in 1839. The town of Marcellus was named after an old Roman general Marcus Claudius Marcellus.

Marcellus Gas drilling has contaminated some streams and rivers in Pennsylvania raising serious safety concerns.

The gas deposits are enormous and will bring much needed revenue to landowners, school districts, towns, counties and the state. But like oil and coal, gas drilling comes with some serious problems. The Marcellus water contamination problems and related issues need to be resolved reasonably and to the benefit of all. The Marcellus range helps Pennsylvania and the region; the energy state is cleary a good title.

Wattsburg

Matt Pattison enjoyed his hunt in Alberta, Canada and died several months later from a serious illness. His mother founded Hunt for a Lifetime in his memory and to help others enjoy a hunting or fishing adventure.

Hunt of a Lifetime has a fund raiser at the Wattsburg Fairgrounds from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The non profit organization is dedicated to helping those under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with illness and want to experience a hunting or fishing adventure. The Wattsburg event promises to be a fun event.

The organization was founded by Tina Pattison of Harborcreek, for more information please see last weeks post Crawford Community Blog, H.O.A.L. , Facebook or Koyote Hill. It is an organization rich in dedication and energy.

The organization has chapters in several other states. A special welcome and thanks to Matt Minshall of the Arizona Chapter for the contact after the last post about H.O.L.A.

Canadohta

Canna Doo Wop Weekend! This is a fun family festival and opens on August 7^th. There will be plenty of activities, arts and crafts shows, a classic car, truck and motorcycle show (a must see), auctions, rides and entertainment. From 6 to 8 pm on August 7th at Happi Jax’s – a street dance. Check the schedule and attend. There is plenty to see and do or just relax next to one of the nicest inland lakes around.

Canna Doo Wop is sponsored by the Canadohta Lake Area Business Association (CLABA).

Titusville

The speeder car will be rumbling down the OC&T tracks during Oil Fest 2010.

Oil Fest 2010 is set to kick-off on August 9 ending with a day long celebration and a mammoth parade on Saturday, August 14^th. The parade marches at 11 am on Main Street from Petroleum to Second Street. There will be plenty of vendors (the pizza is some of the best around) and crafters, a farmer’s market, races and all sorts of fun activities. The speeders will also be chugging along the tracks of the OC&T tracks. That is a fascinating, fun ride for people of all ages. This festival should be on the “must attend” list.

Celebrate the beginnings of PA energy.

Support Local Growers

Harvest season is here and the bounty is plentiful. Support your neighborhood and buy fresh produce from our local markets.

Grange Scholarship

Applications are available for a Grange Scholarship for qualified students who have completed at least one semester of post high school studies and are under the age of 21 and who have active family members in any Crawford County Grange. The deadline for the application to be submitted is Nov.1. The scholarship award will be presented on Dec. 4^th. Applications can be obtained from Susan Tau or Mary Lou Pardee. For contact information, send an email to this blog.

We Were Lucky

William Hill, a former Erie County Commissioner and a long time Veterans Affairs Director died several days ago. Bill had a distinguished military career and a career as a public servant. Bill was a great friend and it was always enjoyable to visit him in his office at the courthouse. He was a good man. He always had plenty of energy for everyone, particularly for veterans.

Matthew Pattison enjoyed his hunt in Alberta and the host family. His mother, Tina, founded Hunt of a Lifetime.

Hunt of a Lifetime is one of those exceptional organizations that deserves all of our support. Here is a good chance to help and have some fun.  August 7, at the Wattsburg Fairgrounds, the organization will have a fund raiser/get together from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. This will be the sixth year the event has been held at the Fairgrounds.

“Nobody will get bored and nobody goes away hungry,” Tina Pattison, the founder of the organization said. “ It’s a great time for everyone and a good fund raiser.”

The non-profit organization is dedicated to persons 21 years and younger who are suffering from a serious illness and who want to enjoy a hunting or fishing experience. Hundreds of people have been helped by the organization which was founded by Tina Pattison of the Harborceek area shortly after her son, Matthew pictured above, died a few short months after returning from a hunting trip near Nordegg, Alberta Canada.

The hunting trip began to take shape through the efforts of Don Fetteroff of the Safari Club International Pittsburgh, PA Chapter. Matthew stayed with and enjoyed a successful hunt with Clayton and Gene Grosso of Nordegg.

“They were just great people,” Pattison said. “My son was even able to enjoy a Thanksgiving Day dinner with them. Thanksgiving is early there, October 6^th and he really enjoyed himself. The entire village of Nordegg really turned out for my son. They were just great.”

A few months later, Pattison took a hundred dollars she was given from fellow school bus drivers following Matthews funeral and founded the organization.

“I was thinking about the other mothers who didn’t know about outdoor activities and how to get things like that organized,” she said. “I had a lot of experience with six boys.”

Pattison is extremely grateful to all of the volunteers and the outfitters who help make the dreams come true. Meadville graduate Mitch Parker is one. He helped to raise a lot of funds.

“For his senior class project, he helped organize a spaghetti dinner which was a very successful fund raiser,” Pattison said. “Now, the Meadville Field Archers Club will continue the tradition and sponsor the dinners.”

For more information, Hunt of a Lifetime.

Back To School

Summer is going too fast. Hard to believe July is slipping and it is almost August.  Time to think school. The Crawford County Pomona Grange does have a scholarship award available for qualified students who have completed one semester of after high school education. The deadline for filing for the scholarship grant is November 1^st.

Applications can be obtained from Susan Tau or Patty lee Pardee. If you need the contact information, please send an email to this blog. The scholarship will be awarded at the Pomona Grange meeting on December 4^th at the Hayfield Grange Hall.

On August 5, all Grange Family Activities contests will be judged at the Hayfield Hall beginning at 7 p.m. All entries should be in the Hall at 6:30 p.m

Gas Well Explosion Kills Two Workers

Last week, a gas well exploded in Indiana County killing two workers. Gas wells are common throughout our region and it is often too easy to forget they can be dangerous and pose significant environmental risks.

The explosion is the second in Pennsylvania within the month. A well near Clearfield blew sky high in early July. In another incident in Tioga County, cattle were quarantined after drinking contaminated water used in fracturing a Marcellus well. The cattle will be unfit for human consumption for quite a few months. Maybe drilling a little too fast?

Tomato Gardeners Be Aware

Harvest season is just getting underway; support your local growers

Reports of late tomato blight continue to surface in nearby regions. The latest reports of late blight are coming from Johnstown, Somerset and Blair counties.

The late blight can kill tomatoes and potatoes in the backyard garden, but there are some steps a gardener can take to protect home grown tomatoes and potatoes. The blight is not harmful to human, but a disaster for growers.

Many home gardens are producing plenty of vegetables. Don’t forget those who may need the extra veggies in senior centers and food banks.

Even the summer vegetables gardens seem to be producing too fast this season. Blueberries and garlic are now ready in many places as wellas sweet corn and some tomatoes and peppers. Support your local roadside stand, support local growers.

Bees are important this time of the year. Be careful with pesticides it they have to be used at all. Help the bees instead.

Canadohta Lake History Update

Maybe I was typing too fast in the last blog but Anne Stewart of the Crawford County Historical Society added some pointers on the history of Canadohta Lake.

Anne said that Chief Canadaughta of the Cornplanter Family, had three sons; Standing Stone, Big Sun and Flying Cloud, who was mentioned last week. The Cornplanters, members of the Seneca Nation and the great Iroquois Confederation worked closely with David Mead and the early settlers on economic and diplomatic issues as well as mutual protection, particularly from the Delaware Nation.

Last week, mentioned was made of the fort at Meadville, however, it was a “stockade”; the only forts in the region were Presque Isle, LeBoeuf, and Franklin.

While Canadohta Lake was once called “Washington Lake”, it was also called Oil Creek Lake for a time period. The outlet of Oil Creek is Canadohta and is a great fishing spot.

Anne also notes the early settlers were largely Revolutionary War veterans who settled the land.

Pesticides are fatal to the helpful bees.

Just say no when it comes to using pesticides especially when the flowers are in bloom. That is the advice from Charles Vorisek, a beekeeper in Linesville and the president of the northwestern Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association. Vorisek shared the picture above, thanks.

Pesticides and chemicals sprays are designed to kill and are fatal to the much needed bees.  Bees, honeybees and our native bees, are important for pollination of many of our food crops, are necessary for the pollinating food sources for our native wildlife, and vital those who flower garden.

The native wild flowers are an important source of food for these pollinators. Wild flowers have evolved for centuries with the bees. Try to leave a patch along and allow those hedge rows and pastures rows alone. They are important for these insects.

Some of the fascinating wildflower plants important to the bees, but called weeds by many, are the dandelion and the golden rod.  Both of these plants have a fascinating history and both have a lot of potential for other uses, including rubber production.

Wildflowers are important food sources for many of the important pollinators.

The beekeepers have had a tough time lately with a mysterious disease called Colony Collapse Disorder or CCD and mites. Some beekeepers have been totally wiped out; others, like Vorisek, have suffered significant losses upwards of sixty percent of their hives.

This Saturday the Beekeepers Association will have their traditional summer get together at Asbury Nature Center. Some state officials will be present as well as the reigning HoneyBee Queen.

Here is a link on good plants to grow for the bees and another on what some call a nasty weed, the dandelion.

While on the subject of pesticides and harmful chemicals, this is also flea and tick season. Be careful with some of the treatments, they can be  dangerous to pets and children, read more here on fleas and ticks.

Maple Syrup and Blueberry Pancakes

The blueberry crop is ripening throughout Crawford County. Organic blueberries are one of the healthiest gifts of nature.

Blueberries, one of natures healthiest gifts,  are ripening quick and are readily available at many roadside stands, farm markets, the Meadville Market House, the Titusville Farmer’s Market and Goodell Gardens and Homestead.

Support our local growers. Honey is good with blueberries as is maple syrup. The local maple syrup producers have also had a tough year. The late winter runs were short and quick because of the weather.

However, maple products are still available at your local, neighborhood sugar shack, according to Laura Dengler, the president of the Northwestern Maple Syrup Producers Association.

Maple products from local growers will be available at the Spartansburg Community Fair, the Wattsburg Erie County Fair and the Crawford County Fair.

Canadohta

Sunday July 25 is the Miss Canadohta Lake Pagent. The contest has several catagories for girls ages 6-19 and is open to anyone who lives within a 35 miles radius of the lake. For more information, www.canadohtalake.org

Don’t forget the Book Swap at the Hawthorne at the lake evry Sunday from 11 -2 pm

Art in the Park for kids 4 – 12 years old is held every Saturday at the pavilions in front of the Frog Pond. The last session is August 1st.

Canna Doo Wop- is a fun time with a lot of activities including an Arts and Craft Show, truck and motorcycle show, street dance and chinese auctions. The big weekend event is set for August 7 and 8. More information at www.canadohtalake.org.

Once Called Lake Washington

The Cornplanter tribe of the Seneca Nation frequently camped along the shores of what is now called Canadohta Lake. Some of the warriors likely were involved in saving the early settlers at the Meadville Fort.

Canadohta Lake was once named after George Washington and was called Washinton Lake until 1894.

The lake was then named after a Cornplanter Chief Candaughta. The Cornplanter people were frequent visitors to the lake. They hunted and fished, and it is said even collected oil off of the surface with their balnkets. The oil was used for medicinal purposes. They often camped along the shores during the good weather months.

One of Candaughta’s sons was named “Flying Cloud”.  He was largely responsible for the 1791 action by the Nation which saved the settlers in a small fort, now Meadville.  The settlers were given protection by Flying Cloud as they escaped from the Meadville Fort, down French Creek to Franklin and the safety of that fort during a period of hostile action against the early settlers by other Native American tribes.

All of Crawford County enjoys a rich heritage and it is a heritage which should always be recalled. There are some fascinating stories right in our own backyards.

Spartansburg

The Spartansburg Community Fair is scheduled for September 5 – 11th. This is a great, small town fair well worth the family visit.

Goodell Gardens and Homestead

Sunday July 25th at 3 pm – meet the Butterfly Guy or  really Rick Mikula. He is the owner/operator of Hole-in-Hand Butterfly Farm in Hazelton. He has made appearances on the Animal Planet and Discovery Channel. Registration is required; call 814-734-6699. Admission for non-members – $5.00; garden members $2.00.

Titusville – Staycation

There are many, many activities right to do in our own region; really no reason to drive or fly hundreds of miles.

At Drakes Well – Saturday July 24 Coopering for Kids. Learn the basic of transporting oil and learn to be a cooper. More information at www.drakewell.org

At Drakes Well – For adults 18 years and older , learn blacksmithing skills on August 7.  For more information www.drakeswell.org

And don’t forget to visit Pithole and Oil Creek State Park

Then, there is the Oil Creek and Titusville Train. It is enjoyable, relaxing and fascinating fun for the entire family.

All Aboard: enjoy this special train this summer with the family.

Kids Fish and Fun will be this weekend at Canadohta Lake.

Canadohta Lake will be the fun place this weekend for kid’s of all ages. It is the annual Kid’s Fish and Fun Day on Saturday. The event is sponsored by the Canadohta Lake Area Business Association (CLABA).

All events are free of charge. The day opens with a fishing contest at 8 am. Registration will be held at 8  am in the pavilions near the Frog Pond. The contest is for kid’s ages 8 thru 12; all fish must be of legal limit and must be caught in the lake between 8 am and noon.

The event has been held for the last 20 years or so, according to former CLABA president Dave Cherry. Dave owns and operates Sally’s on the lake with his wife.  Bait will be sold at Sally’s as well as at several other stores in the area.

There has been some amazing stories over the last 20 years. The event is sponsored by CLABA. Cgerry and writer Sam Hossler both recall one big fish story. Sam was one of the fish organizers for many years.  In 2994 he recalled hearing shouts and screams and thought something tragic was happening. When he investigated, a young girl was trying to land a huge muskie which took her bait. After a 20 minute battle, the muskie lost. Hossler says it was the biggest fish ever caught during the Kid’s Fish Day

Cherry says it was also the most expensive. It cost the girl’s dad $350 to have the fish mounted.

Here is a picture of the girl and the fish. For the moment, no one can recall her name. But if you have the information, please forward it along. Thanks.

The largest and most expensive fish caught at Kid's Fish Day.

Following the fishing contest, even more fun is set to begin at noon.

The Frog Jumping contest this weekend is a popular event.

The frog jumping contest and a watermelon eating contest are on tap as part of a fun filled afternoon. There are numerous other events and activities planned.

It is a great family fun filled Saturday and free.

Fireworks – well not so free

Support the Canadohta Fireworks Display.

Donations are still need to fund next year’s fireworks display at Canadohta. The annual July Fourth display, which attracts hundreds of people every year, costs about $10,000. The event is sponsored by CLABA and more donations are needed.

Donations can be made to:

CLABA, 22978 Shreve Ridge Rd., Union City, 16439

The organization is also collecting aluminum cans which will be turned into local scrap yards. The proceeds will also help fund the fireworks display for next year.

Local Art Show

Cambells Pottery Lily Show opens Saturday July 17 from 1 to 3 pm. Thans to Kathy Ludwin Welten for the information and invite.

Local Harvest

Roadside stands are becoming more numerous as the local harvest season begins.  Support our local growers. The growers work hard, the vegetables are fresher, more flavorful and in many cases safer to eat.

Besides the vegetable and fruit stands along the roads:

Meadville Market House

Titusville Farmers Market

Goodell Gardens and Homestead – every Wednesday from 3 to 6

Sunchokes – good stuff

Sunchokes can grow upwards of ten feet tall.

Sometimes they are called Jerusalem artichokes. But these tubers which grow locally have nothing to do with Jerusalem, nor are they artichokes.  They are actually sunflowers and the tubers are a respected health food. Learn more about this native crop:

Sunchokes: Go Native

Crawford County Gardening Resources

Things to know about growing tomatoes.

Blueberries

The blueberries are ripening fast and the birds, turkey and bears seem to like them as much as we do.  Below are some wildflowers blooming on a path heading towards a wild patch of blueberries. Even the bugs didn’t seem so bad. Have a great weekend.

The Canadohta Queen was one of decorated boats chugging along in the popular Canadohta Lake Boat Parade.

The weather was perfect for the Fourth of July celebrations held throughout the region. Many enjoyed the events held at Canadohta Lake over the holiday. Besides the Boat Parade, there was a Kid’s bike parade held on the morning of July 3rd, followed by the boat parade.  held at 2 pm. Hundreds were awed as darkness fell and the fireworks display lit  and boomed the lake region.

The Kid's Bike Parade is a popular tradition at Canadohta.

On July Fourth, the popular Book Swap program was held at Hawthorne Park which included a folk music concert in the park.

A special thanks goes to Ann Bergheim for sharing her photographs above. Ann does a lot of great community work and works hard organizing many events including the Book Swap, Art in the Park programs and the Bloomfield Rec Board.

The Farm

Besides all the festivities, a lot of farm work was done by others over the hot weekend.

It is an excellent hay crop this year, according to Ginny Shreve at the Erie Crawford Co-op. In some cases, the first cutting was a little mature but the second cutting was just excellent.

“The hot, dry weather was just perfect, a blessing actually,” she said. “We usually don’t get that many days in a row. but now a little rain won’t hurt.”

According to Shreve, the corn crop appears to ahead of schedule and was chest high, instead of knee high July Fourth. Other crops which are ahead of schedule are potatoes. According to Shreve, many are already blooming.

The strawberry crop was earlier than usual this year as well. Many hunters were convinced that the turkey started mating earlier than normal this season. Mating was almost over when spring gobbler season arrived.

A Tragic Parade

The local area was fortunately spared any serious problems. In Iowa, however, when two horses bolted and killed a sixty year old woman. Read the story by Linda Nickerson.

There is a related and odd twist to this tragic  story.

Many folks throughout the Crawford region keep and ride horses. It is important to follow all safety precautions when dealing with animals. And even doing so, unfortunate and unpredictable events can happen.

Union City –  The Gathering at French Creek

The Gathering at French Creek festival opens on July 9 and ends on July 11th. Click above for the complete schedule.  The festival celebrates Union City’s historic role as a gathering place and there are a wide range of activities for the entire family from watermelon seed spitting contests to pie eating and Civil War artillery displays. If you can, the Union City Fire Department has a chicken barbeque which begins Saturday afternoon and the group does a fantastic job.

Department of Ag Quarantines 28 Cattle

A gas well, water retaining pond leaked in Tioga County forcing the Department of Agriculture to quarantine 28 cattle which drank the contaminated water.

The main concern was the presence of stronium, a heavy metal known to be toxic to humans. This follows a problem with another Marcellus Shale Gas Well in Clearfield.

In the Tioga County leak, the cattle were attracted to the salty leaking water, according to the Department of Ag.

My thinking: Now if cattle are attracted to salty water, so are the deer as any hunter knows. Will the deer be contaminated and be unfit for human consumption?

While gas deposits could be an economic boom for some rural communities, there are serious potential risks involved.

Tires for Energy

Proposed for Greenwood Township,  just not a good idea. It made no common sense to have the plant along the Lake Erie shoreline, and it makes no sense to have it in Crawford County.  Water will likely be a key issue, along with property values, and transportation issues.

Home Vegetable Gardens

Late blight has been discovered in Allegheny County.

The blight has appeared in Allegheny County recently. The late blight can  be fatal to both tomatoes and potatoes.  It did a lot of damage to many home gardens last year. Click the link above for additional information or contact the Crawford County Extension Office. The late blight can travel quickly and Allegheny County is not that far away.

The time to begin a spray program to save tomato and potato crops is now before the late blight arrives. The late blight is not harmful to humans.

Crawford County has abundant agricultural resource, for both the commercial farms and for the home gardener. Crawford County is something of an organic gardening hub. All of the great resources could not be possibly mentioned in the link, but hopefully some of the major players are mentioned with links to others.

Goodell Gardens and Homestead

The new Farmer’s Market opens the first Wednesday in July and will run until September 22. Support local growers every week on Wednesdays from 3 pm to 6 pm.

There are many other activities happening all summer including a childrens folk sing along every Tuesday at Goodell Gardens and Homestead

Fireworks will celebrate Independence Day throughout Crawford County.

Fireworks, picnics and parades will be commonplace this week. At Canadohta Lake it will be busy. The ever popular Kid’s Bike Parade peddles off at 10:30 am on July 3rd, followed by the Boat Parade at 2:30 pm. The theme of this year’s boat parade should be amusing: “My Favorite Movie”. Lot of possibilities with this one!

The Fireworks display, funded entirely on donations will blast into the night air on July 3 beginning at 10pm. It is always a great show,

The Canadohta Book Swap, from 11 am to 2pm,  will be held on July 4th at Hawthorne Park.

Diamond Park – Meadville

Today, July 1 at noon a special plaque honoring former Gov. Shafer will be dedicated in the park. The event has been organized by the Crawford County Historical Society, the City of Meadville, Allegheny College, the Shafer Law Firm and the Historical and Museum Commission.

Goodell Gardens and Homestead

Opening July 7 and held every Wednesday until September 22 from 3 pm to 6pm will be the areas newest Farmers Market.  The farms participating in the gala opening are: Hurry Hill Farms, maple products; Skelton Farms, grass fed beef and alpuca wool; Honeycutt Nursery, annuals and perennials; B&R Greenhouse, perennials and fresh produce; Hunter Farms, blueberries, hand made soap; Windover Farms, perennials, fresh produce, berries; Rick Walker Farms, hydroponic tomatoes and cukes.

Union City

The 5th annual Gathering at French Creek kicks off  on July 9 and closes on the 11th. The popular festival is held on the Union City Area School District campus. This is a great festival with plenty to see and do.

Hunting

This fox squirrel was harvested in a beech woods last fall.

New hunting licenses become available on July 1st. They are valid until June 30th 2011.   What in the heck happened to June?

Have a great Fourth of July!