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.
