Local foot and mouth meetings

MILFORD — Penn State Cooperative Extension will hold meetings on foreign animal diseases, including foot and mouth disease, on May 22. The informational meetings will be held at two locations in including: the NIER Building in Mayfield, Lackawanna County, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., and the West End Fire Hall in Brodheadsville, Monroe County, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Topics include: “What the Devil are Foreign Animal Diseases,” “Foot and Mouth Disease and the British Mess,” “Mad Cows, BSE and Sheep in Vermont” and “Travel Plan Do’s and Don’ts.” Dr. Dave Wolfgang, PSU Extension Veterinarian, and Dr. Lawrence Hutchinson, PSU Veterinary Science Extension Coordinator, will be on hand to present the information and answer questions.

Advanced registration is not required. For more information call Dwane Miller at 570/421-6430 or David Messersmith at 570/253-5970, ext. 239.

Farmer’s market is growing, again

HONESDALE — The Farmer’s Market in Honesdale launches something new this year. The “Pre-Season No Frills” Farmer’s Market will begin Saturday, May 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and run every Saturday through June 9, track-side at the Honesdale Visitor’s Center.

The Pre-Season Market was created to meet the requests of the local gardening public: namely, to supply a variety of quality garden stock meant for this geographic growing area. Organic heirloom and standard variety annual starts, bedding plants, perennials, trees and shrubs will be available, as well as potting soil, fertilizers and amendments.

Several market members will be on hand throughout the day to answer gardening questions and offer tips and ideas. Some vendors with early produce, eggs, cheese and crafts will also be present.

Those interested in becoming a vendor should contact Jo Clearwater at 570/224-7687.

Take a walk on the wild side

WHITE MILLS — Penn State Master Gardeners Len and Gerry Janus will guide a leisurely walk through the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary, identifying spring wildflowers as well as non-flowering plants on Saturday, May 12, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. The program is free and open to the public.

The Januses own and operate Vileniki-An Herb Farm in Montdale. They are known for their plant walks, programs and slide shows on herbs, having done programs both locally and at state and international herb conferences. As part of their presentation, they will explain which plants are edible and those with traditional medicinal uses. They’ll also share some of the folklore associated with the plant kingdom.

As members of the Herb Growing and Marketing Network, the Pennsylvania Herb Business Association and other related organizations, they are well known for their efforts to promote herbs throughout the region. While serving as members of the International Herb Association Committee, they were responsible for choosing “The Herb of the Year” for the years 1997 through 2002.

In addition to their herb related activities, the Januses are members of the Northeast Audubon Society, having served on its board for several years. They are also members of the Massachusetts and Lackawanna Audubon Societies. As active participants in the Lackawanna Audubon Society Annual Wildflower Count, last year they were part of a three-person team, which identified more than 350 species of northeastern Pennsylvania wildflowers in a 24-hour period.

The Sanctuary is on Long Ridge Road. It is located off Route 6, halfway between Hawley and Honesdale. Since it will be an outdoor affair, suitable clothing and footwear is recommended. Reservations are suggested. For information or directions call 570/253-1185.

Nature, past and present

HONESDALE — On Tuesday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m., environmental educator Karen N. Boyle, from Monroe County Conservation District, will present a slide program for the Northeast PA Audubon Society on the history of Pocono Wildlife. The program will be presented at the Chamber of Commerce Building on Commercial Street in Honesdale.

What was the Pocono area like a few hundred years ago? What kind of animals inhabited the area? How have we learned from the past to ensure an environmentally sound future? Learn about the answers to all of these questions during the one-hour slideshow presentation.

Monroe County Conservation District’s Environmental Education Center is located in the heart of the Poconos, on a 120-acre wildlife sanctuary, in Bartonsville, PA. The center conducts school programs, day camps, teacher workshops and more.

For more information call Boyle at 570/629 3061

Also, on Saturday, May 19, the Northeast PA Audubon Society will lead a trip to the Basha Kill, the largest fresh water wetland in NY. Meet at Dutch’s Market in Hawley, at 8:00 a.m., to car pool. Please bring bird guides, binoculars and scopes if you have them. The public is welcome.

For more information call Bob Campbell at 570/676 9969.

Spring surprises

MAMAKATING — Explore the surprises of spring at the Basha Kill with Gary Keeton. The Basha Kill Association’s enthusiastic environmental naturalist will be the guide of a walk through the area on Saturday, May 19, at 10:00 a.m.

Meet at the Haven Road parking area, off Route 209.

For more information call 845/296-4892.