Family river fun

BARRYVILLE — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will host its 13th annual Family Raft Trip and Summer Picnic on Saturday, August 4. Reservations are due by July 20.

The eight-mile section of the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River between the Ten Mile River Access and Luke’s Landing in Barryville is the selected route. This section includes four sets of rapids.

Kittatinny Canoes will supply the paddles, life vests, safety instructions and rafts that can accommodate four to six people. Children accompanied by adults must be at least four years old, weigh 40 pounds and wear a life vest securely fastened at all times.

Participants will check in between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m., August 4, at the Kittatinny Adventure Center parking lot. Shuttle buses will depart for the Ten Mile River Access at 10:30 a.m. for a planned 11:00 a.m. launch. The float is estimated to take four and one half hours.

Following the raft trip will be the UDC’s summer picnic served from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Kittatinny Campground Pavilion in Barryville. The public is welcome to take part in either or both fun activities.

Advance reservations are needed by July 20. The cost for the raft trip is $17 for adults, $10 for children ages  eight to 18, and free for kids ages four to seven. The cost for the picnic is $10 for adults and $6.50 for children ages eight and under.

Reservation forms are available by contacting Laurie Ramie at PO Box 192, 211 Bridge St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764, calling 845/252-3022 or e-mailing udcramie@ezaccess.net.

Train wreck veteran victims remembered

BARRYVILLE —The Sons of Union Veterans’ second annual observance will honor Union soldiers killed in 1864 when a prison train headed to Elmira collided with an eastbound coal train near Shohola, PA. As descendants of Union Veterans, “we owe this to our ancestors who fought to save the nation” said Camp 124 Past Camp Commander Michael S. Bennett of White Plains.”

The remembrance will be held Sunday, July 15, at 1:00 p.m. at the old Congregational Church on Rt. 97 in Barryville. The graves of all veterans will be decorated, and an appropriate salute will be fired. The history of the train wreck will be told by Pike County Historian George Fluhr. Following the ceremonies, Elliott Zucker of the Shohola Railroad and Historical Society will lead the assembled group on a tour to the site of the wreck.

Comfortable walking shoes and casual attire are suggested. For more information call 914/949-4679, e-mail spangler@mindspring.com or visit their web site at www.suvew/ny/ellis/home.htm.

Bring your gardening questions

MILFORD — Beginning in July, a master gardener will be at the Pike County Cooperative Extension office each week to help answer your questions on most Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, on the basement level of the County Administration Building.

This service is free. If a master gardener is not available, leave a sample and he or she will get back to you. For more information call 570/2963400 or e-mail PikeExt@psu.edu.

A world of adventure

PORT JERVIS — On June 29 more than 90 inner-city youngsters arrived for the first summer session at Morry’s Camp, a non-profit, educationally-based, residential camp located in Glen Spey.

In 1996, Morry’s Camp was established to continue the vision and values of Morry Stein, whose life was dedicated to the enrichment of children’s lives through the residential camp experience. Morry fostered a dream for a scholarship camping program, with the ultimate hope to develop a camp completely devoted to underprivileged children. Morry lost his life in a plane crash on October 31, 1994.

Inspired by his dream, Morry’s friends, colleagues and family created Morry’s Camp. Youngsters attend the camp each summer for a minimum of four weeks and return for four consecutive summers.

For more information, call 845/856-3572.

Diving for trash

DINGMANS FERRY — Kittatinny Canoes will hold its 12th annual “On and Under the Delaware River Cleanup” on July 17, 18, 19 and 20.

During the 2000 cleanup a total of 18.47 tons, of tires, aluminum cans, scrap metal and just plain garbage was collected and properly disposed of by 452 devoted volunteers, plus Kittatinny staff members.

Canoeing, wading, snorkeling and diving, the cleanup crew covers 70 underwater and shoreline miles from Ten Mile River, NY to Delaware Water Gap in. PA and NJ.

For more information or to volunteer call 570/828-2338 or 800/FLOAT-KC.

Pennsylvania’s forest health

LAKE ARIEL — Learn about past and current insects and diseases affecting the forests of the Pocono Region during a special presentation, “Pennsylvania Forest Health Update,” delivered by Michael Blumenthal, of the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

On Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m., at Lacawac Sanctuary Blumenthal will discuss the status of the PA Bureau of Forestry spray and biological control programs as well as forecasts of future pest impacts. Special emphasis will be placed on pests affecting the Poconos, including the gypsy moth, hemlock woolly adelgid, hemlock borer and others. Handouts will be provided to participants.

A $2 donation is requested from adults. Members and children under 12 are admitted free. For directions or more information call 570/689-9494.

Water use meeting

NARROWSBURG — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will hold the next monthly meeting of the Water Use/Resource Management Committee (WU/RM) on Tuesday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m., at the UDC office, 211 Bridge Street.

The agenda will include new and old business, updates on ongoing projects, reports of recent meetings and notices of upcoming events. All committee meetings are open to the public. For more information call 845/252-3022.

Find the Indian pipes

MAMAKATING — The Basha Kill Association’s naturalist Gary Keeton will lead a nature walk to search for fairy-like Indian pipes and to learn about the Basha Kill’s summer flora and fauna.

The group will meet at the Haven Road parking area off Route 209. For more information call 845/888-4361.