Conservancy sponsors forestry programs

DAMASCUS — Forest landowners and others interested in forestlands are invited to attend two programs on forest ecology and planning sponsored by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.

On Saturday, June 15, there will be a one-and-a-half mile forest walk titled “Penn’s Forests, Past, Present and Future,” led by Jack Gearhart, PA Service Forester. Walk through several forest habitats to learn tree identification and basic forest ecology, history, succession and habitats of PA forests and how deer are impacting their future. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Damascus Township Forest parking area on MacCubbin Road near the River Road in Milanville. For more information call 570/729-7053.

On Friday, June 28 there will be an all-day workshop at Grey Towers, home of Gifford Pinchot, in Milford, titled “Planning for Your Forest’s Future.” The workshop leader, Dr. James Finley of the Penn State School of Forest Resources, will discuss forest ecology, developing a forest stewardship plan for your land, understanding how harvesting effects the forest habitat and how to find the right professional to help you manage your forest and plan for the future.

Beginning with a tour of Grey Towers, the morning session features indoor discussions about forest dynamics and developing a stewardship plan. After lunch, Dr. Finley will lead the group outdoors through several different forest habitats for a practical exercise in planning.

Registration deadline is June 14. A $15 fee includes lunch. Call the Luzerne County Cooperative Extension at 570/825-1701 or 602-0600 for more information. Or send a check payable to Luzerne County Cooperative Extension with your name and address to: Planning for Your Forest’s Future, Luzerne County Cooperative Extension, 16 Luzerne Ave. Suite 200, West Pittston, PA 18643.

Plant invasion at wildlife sanctuary

WHITE MILLS — “Invasive Plants and Their Characteristics” is the title of a presentation by Donna Murphy at the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday, June 15 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. in the newly constructed building near the sanctuary’s parking lot. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Murphy is currently director of the Mid-Atlantic Center for Urban and Community Forestry, USDA Forest Service. She was born in Union Dale and graduated from Temple University in 1986. She earned her Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture/Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania in 1992.

Murphy’s talk and walk at the sanctuary will involve the identification and description of invasive plants and their impact on native species. Since the program involves an outdoor walk, appropriate clothing and footwear is recommended. Reservations are suggested to help plan for light refreshments. A question and answer period will follow the talk.

For more information call 570-253-1185.

Dancers and gymnasts in the park

HONESDALE — The 35th Annual Summer Festival of Events kicks off during the week of June 17 with two evenings spotlighting young local performers.

Monday evening, June 17, brings the students of the Honesdale Dance Studio, under the direction of Joann Florance, to Central Park. The dancers, ranging in age from toddlers to adults, will present a high-energy program blending classic and modern styles including tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet and pointe.

Appearing with the Honesdale Dance Studio will be the a-cappella trio The Willows. These three young women, all graduating seniors at Honesdale High School, have been singing together since their eighth grade year, when Rose D’Azzo taught her friends Danielle Fernandez and Jessica McDonough how to sing in tight three-part harmony on original songs that she had written. Their music teacher, Mr. Willow, let them use his space for rehearsals—hence their name. (They also perform under the name “Willow’s Band.”) Their program will feature some originals and some familiar covers. Their unique sound has been described as “somewhere between Enya and The Roches.” Thursday, June 20, the Honesdale YMCA will present a program of gymnastics and cheerleading, under the direction of Katie Firmstone and Sherrie Kimble. Some of these children have been practicing their craft for 7 to 8 years, says Katie. The gymnastics portion will feature tumbling, springboard, and floor routines. The YMCA’s new cheerleader team, the Wayne County Wizards, are a group of approximately 20 girls ranging from 6th to 9th grade who perform cheerleading routines incorporating pyramids, tumbling and dance.

All summer festival events begin at 7:30 p.m. and take place at the southern end of Honesdale’s Central Park. The rain location is the Honesdale High School Auditorium. The festival is a production of the Wayne County Creative Arts Council, Honesdale Chapter. The performances are free to the public but a freewill donation is collected during the evening. Nonprofit organizations that wish to sell refreshments during the events can call Mae Figura at 570/253-3855.

It’s a fishing classic

HURLEYVILLE — The second Annual Morningside Fishing Classic, sponsored by the Town of Fallsburg Parks and Recreation Program, the Hurleyville Fire Department and the Loch Sheidrake Fire Department, will be held Saturday, June 15 at the Morningside Lake. It will be from 5:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There will be trophies for first, second and third place in three different categories: bass, walleye and pickerel. In addition, there will be a Lunker prize of $50 for the largest bass, pickerel or walleye caught.

Registration will take place at the lake and will be $10 per person.

Fishing can be from boats with trolling motors only, and everyone in the boat must be registered from shore.

All proceeds from this event will go towards the walleye-stocking program at the Morningside Lake.

For further information call Jack at 845/436-5418, Ed at 845/436-1303, or Chris at 845/434-8320.

Free Orange County farm map

ORANGE COUNTY — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Orange County and Orange County Tourism combined their resources, along with Orange County farmers, to complete a free extensive four-seasons map of Orange County farms. This map is designed to bring farmers and consumers together so that people can enjoy fresh, locally grown products.

For more information call 845/344-1234.