Pesky skeeters still a risk

PIKE COUNTY — According to Nancy E. Grotevant, the Pike County West Nile Virus Coordinator, the dry weather the area has experienced lately is no excuse for being complacent about the spread of West Nile Virus.

Grotevant recommends the following measures for homeowners to decrease the risk of West Nile in their neighborhoods:

• Dispose of anything outside that can hold water such as broken toys, tin cans, containers, and ceramic pots.
• Eliminate any used tires you might have on your property. Unused, undiscarded tires have become prime mosquito breeding sites throughout the country.
• Drill holes in the bottoms of recycling containers left outdoors.
• Clean clogged roof gutters, especially if leaves tend to plug the drains.
• Turn over plastic swimming/wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
• Do not allow water to stagnate in birdbaths, ornamental pools, water gardens; and swimming pools or their covers. Ornamental pools can be aerated or stocked with fish, and swimming pools should be cleaned and chlorinated when not in use.
• Empty accumulated water from boats: and cargo trailers.
• Alter the landscape of your property to eliminate standing water. Keep in mind that during warm weather; mosquitoes can breed in any puddle of water.

Pike County is ready to A*Syst you

BLOOMING GROVE — On September 12 at 7:00 p.m., Penn State Cooperative Extension and the Pike County Conservation District will sponsor a Home*A*Syst Workshop at the Pike County Conservation District offices off Route 402.

Home*A*Syst is a program designed for homeowners, property owners and renters to help in identifying potential sources of pollution in and around the home.

Workshop participants will receive a free “Home*A*Syst Environmental Risk Assessment Guide for the Home” along with instruction on using the guide.

There is no fee for this event but pre-registration is required.

To register or for more information, call Pike County Cooperative Extension at 570/296-3400.

That Audubon Society is batty

HONESDALE — The North East Pennsylvania Audubon Society is giving a free public program on bats on September 18, at 7:00 p.m. in the Chamber of Commerce Building.

Such bats as Asia’s flying fox, which has a four-foot wingspan, large fruit bats from around the world and North American micro bats will be on display.

On September 19, the society will also lead a trip up Hawk Mountain, where about 17,000 raptors representing 16 species are sighted on migration each fall, and mid-September is peak season for broad wing hawks, bald eagles, osprey, and American kestrels.

Mountain climbers should meet at the Promised Land State Park’s office parking lot at 10:00 a.m. to carpool.

For more information on the Hawk Mountain trip, or to register the trip, call 570/676-9969.

For more information about the bat program, call the Audubon Society at 570-253-9250.

Foxy lady

LAKE HUNTINGTON — Red Fox Game Preserve will hold a Hunter Education Class at the Town Hall, on Saturday, October 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, October 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Hot dogs & soda sold for lunch, pre-registration and sign-up required at Lakeview Luncheonette, Lake Huntington, NY.

To register by phone, call 845/932-8766.

Issue of local concern at the Delaware River Basin Commission

AMBLER, PA -- The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold an informal conference followed by a public hearing on Thursday September 13, held at Temple University Ambler, on 580 Meetinghouse Road.

One issue of local concern that the commission will be discussing is a plan to replace Anthony E. Argiros failing sewage leach fields in Hancock, NY, with a secondary treatment plant. The new plant will continue to serve the Family School in Hancock, and will discharge to Abe Lord Creek, a tributary of the Delaware River.

If you have written comments on the issue, fax them to 609/883-9522 by noon or log on at www.drvc.net.