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.
