Tremper Mountain fire tower will reopen

MOUNT TREMPER — On June 9, the fire tower atop Tremper Mountain became the last tower in the Catskills to be officially reopened to the public. Located in the Catskill Forest Preserve, between Mount Tremper and Phoenicia in the Town of Shandaken, the tower is one of five in the region that had been closed to the public for well over a decade.

The fire tower is believed to be the original structure built circa 1917, and was used for fire observation until 1971. The 47-foot tower was placed in its present location because of the vast sections of forest preserve not visible from the Hunter and/or Belleayre fire towers. While it was in use for fire observation, the tower was well maintained, but it has since fallen into a state of disrepair due to vandalism and neglect, and the observers’ cabin is now gone.

The state began to phase out the use of towers for spotting fires in the early 1980’s, and over the years many of them were dismantled and removed. Today only five steel towers built between 1917 and 1927 remain in the forest preserve. Three years ago, a volunteer-based initiative called the Catskill Fire Tower Restoration Project was formed to try to save the tower and four others like it in the Catskill Park. The reopening of the Tremper Mountain Fire Tower represents a key milestone in this project, a joint venture between the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), which owns the towers, and the non-profit Catskill Center for Conservation and Development.

Tremper Mountain joins the towers on Hunter Mountain, Overlook Mountain, Balsam Lake Mountain and Red Hill, which have already been reopened.

For more information visit www.catskilltowers.com or call 845/586-2611.

Learning made fun

LIVINGSTON MANOR — The Catskill Fly Fishing Center & Museum has announced the dates for the 2001 Environmental Education Programs. This is the 16th year of a full program of educational and recreational activities offered to youngsters at the center. The programs are designed to instill an appreciation for the environment in general, and more specifically, the water environment. The “hands on” approach to learning in a natural setting makes the learning fun.

The curriculum includes instruction in stream ecology, entomology, freshwater biology and the environmental issues resulting from acid rain, as well as the fundamentals of the sport of fly fishing.

The schedule and tuition are as follows:

July 7 to 8, for ages eight to 10, tuition $75
July 14 to 15, for ages 10 to 12, tuition $75
July 21 to 22, for ages 12 to 14, tuition $75
July 28 to 29, for advanced 11 to 14, tuition $75

Due to the popularity of the programs and class size being limited to 20 students, it is advisable to register early. Tuition includes overnight camping and meals for the weekend sessions. For reservation forms and information call Tracey or Sue at 845/439-4810 or write the Catskill Fly Fishing Center and Museum, P.O. Box 1295, Livingston Manor, NY 12758, or e-mail us at flyfish@catskill.net.

Share your heart and home

HONESDALE — Since 1977, more than 1.7 million disadvantaged New York City children have experienced free summer vacations in suburban and small town communities. The Fresh Air Fund is seeking more families in Honesdale to give inner-city children a two-week vacation this summer.

Help to give a child a break from the heat and noise of the crowded city streets by volunteering to become a Fresh Air host this summer. Last summer, 14 Fresh Air children visited volunteer hosts in Honesdale.

There are no financial requirements. Hosts can select the gender and approximate age of their visitor. First-time visitors are six to 12 years old, and re-invited youngsters may participate in the Friendly Town program through age 18.

For more information call Mary Swendsen at 570/488-6210, call The Fresh Air Fund at 800/367-0003 or visit www.freshair.org.

Wildflowers and water

LEDGEDALE — The public is invited to a series of educational, evening forums in June at Lacawac Sanctuary, a 500acre land preserve and environmental education center in Wayne County, PA.

Watershed Protection for Homeowners — A watershed is the entire land area that drains into a body of water. Everything that occurs on the land in the watershed ultimately affects the water quality. Because we all live in a watershed, what we do matters. This forum is sponsored by the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District and presented by watershed management specialists, F. X. Browne, Inc.

Scheduled for Wednesday, June 20, at 7:30 p.m., the twohour seminar is designed specifically for homeowners in the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed. Participants will receive information about watershed protection while learning property management techniques to improve both value and appearance. The program is free of charge, but registration is required.

Wildflowers of the Northeast — The northeast is blessed with an assortment of wildflowers and other interesting natural delights. Spend a pleasant evening with forester Al Huber, a member of the Society of American Foresters and fiveyear past president of the New Jersey Tree Farm Committee. Huber will present a slide program on northeast wildflowers and their stories, origins of flower names, old flower customs, curious uses by Indians and early settlers, as well as a review of invasive species and lichens.

The forum is scheduled for Wednesday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m.. A fee of $2 is requested. Admission is free to members and children under 12.

To register, to obtain directions or to receive information on other environmental, cultural and historical programs call 570/6899494.

Kids fish free

NARROWSBURG — The Beaver Brook Rod and Gun Club outdoor youth program presents a free fishing day on June 10, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Lake LaBarr (located at the intersection of Deep Hollow Road, Irishtown Road and Lackawaxen Road).

The event is open to all kids ages five to 15. Hamburgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and bait will be supplied at no charge. All that is required is a fishing pole and adult accompaniment.

For more information contact one of the following: Klendin Kirby at 845/557-8877, Terry Tenbus at 845/252-3500, JP Lang at 854/557-3329 or Jim Hanson at 845/557-3816.

Stock your pond

LIBERTY — It is the time of year again to start thinking about stocking your pond with fish. The Sullivan County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Bass and Minnow Fish Stocking Program has begun.

If you are interested in stocking your pond with largemouth bass, fathead minnows or grass carp, call 845/2926552, ext. 101 and ask for a brochure and order form. The district will be accepting orders until Friday, July 6.