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.
