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Sojourners brave a surging Delaware
By CHARLIE
BUTERBAUGH
CALLICOON, NY — Paddlers of the 2003 Delaware River Sojourn
set out on a surging Delaware River in canoes, kayaks and rafts on Saturday,
June 14. They embarked at the mouth of the Callicoon Creek, placid by comparison
to the mighty Delaware, which looked muddy as it churned the riverbed.
Sojourners were nonetheless enthusiastic as they left Callicoon
around 11:00 a.m. on a sunny day.
“The trip was a wonderful experience. The rapids at Skinners
Falls were very high,” said Alan Sorensen, Sullivan County’s Commissioner
of Planning and Community Development, who was designated as one of two Lord
High Admirals for the 2003 Sojourn.
With his wife, Jane, his son, Christopher and fellow sojourners,
Sorensen camped in Narrowsburg on Friday and Saturday nights.
“At one point, a bald eagle swooped down and caught a fish
close by. The fish was so big that the eagle had to use its wings as oars
to swim to the shore,” he said.
During a one-hour lunch in Damascus, PA, Sorensen said the
river’s height rose an entire foot. According to the Callicoon gauging station
(waterdata.usgs.gov/ny/nwis/uv/?site_no=01427510), the river’s height peaked
on Saturday afternoon at roughly 7.65 feet, and as water gushed from the
highlands, the river’s discharge (volume of flow) climbed to 20,000 cubic
feet per second.
Leaders of the trip plan to arrive in Philadelphia via the
Delaware on June 21.
Eco-conscious center opens
EAST STROUDSBURG, PA — The new Henry A. Ahnert, Jr. Alumni
Center, nestled in the wooded setting by the old Spangenburg Farm, is an
architectural showcase of environmentally sensitive design and engineering.
Technology and green construction techniques were incorporated into a functional
and attractive structure that now houses the university’s advancement and
alumni offices and its historical archives.
The Architectural Studio of Easton, Strunk-Albert Engineering
of East Stroudsburg and MSG Associates, Inc. of Wind Gap, worked with university
administrators over the past two years to create the 8,000-square-foot building.
Efficient indirect lighting, low volatile organic compound
(VOC) paint, recycled fiber carpet and local slate complements the environmental
sensitivity of the building, which is in harmony with the existing campus
architecture.
Balsam Lake Tower needs interpreters
ARKVILLE, NY — Does the thought of spending a warm summer
day on a balsam-fir summit with a 360-degree view sound appealing? The Balsam
Lake Mountain Fire Tower—easily accessible from the trailhead outside of
Arkville—is in need of local citizens who can volunteer time to provide visitors
with interpretive information about the region. The program is designed to
promote an appreciation of the history of the Balsam Lake Mountain Fire Tower
and the four other towers in the Catskill Park.
For information call 845/778-5346.
Callicoon Canoe Regatta gears up
CALLICOON, NY — The annual Callicoon Canoe Regatta, a benefit
for The Delaware Youth Center, begins in Hankins, NY at the Red Barn Campgrounds
and ends in Callicoon at the interstate bridge.
The June 22 race is for novice paddlers and competition circuit
racers. Paddlers will be divided appropriately. Canoes are available for
rent from the Red Barn Campgrounds for $20.
The race begins at 11:00 a.m., but registration begins at
9:30 a.m. The first 50 registrants will receive a free T-shirt. It takes
about one-and-a-half hours to complete the race. Afterwards, there will be
a chicken barbeque and band, which is free to paddlers. Awards for the top
three finishers will be given and an Old Town Otter kayak will be raffled.
For more information call Tom Freda at 845/887-5640 or email
tomfreda@catskill.net.
Basha Kill Association focuses on ferns
MAMAKATING, PA — The Basha Kill Area Association will sponsor
a fern program on Sunday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. John Gebhards, an expert
on ferns in New York State will demystify these ancient and beautiful plants.
Meet at the Haven Road parking area on the east side of the Kill, off Route
209 in the Town of Mamakating.
For more information call 845/386-4892.
Bird habitat and identification walk
LAKE WALLENPAUPACK, PA — Pat Walters, an experienced birder,
will lead a walk through the meadow at the 500-acre Lacawac Sanctuary on
Saturday, June 21 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Learn some basic identification
skills and how to use field guides. Bring your own binoculars. Children six
to 13 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information call 570/689-9494.
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