Programs especially for the young at EagleFest

NARROWSBURG, NY — EagleFest organizer Yoke Bauer DiGiorgio of Nature’s Art LLC has announced that this year’s festival will feature programs especially for the young.

The programs will begin with a presentation of “Live Birds of Prey” by Jean Stamey of The Raptor Trust. Her responsibilities at the rehabilitation center include hands-on care of injured and orphaned wild birds and her presentation will include one or two owls.

Next, John Crerand and his wife will use hand puppets to bring the characters of Crerand’s book, “The Adventures of Christopher Otter,” to life. Crerand brings his audience to a woodland setting and home of a river otter named Christopher and his friends. The book is the first of five in a series of books that teach family values, sharing, learning and helping others. Children learn about nature, its inhabitants and how they interact with each other, and that it is okay to be different.

A “Live Birds of Prey” presentation by Bill Streeter, executive director of The Delaware Valley Raptor Center will follow. The Raptor Center provides professional care for orphaned, ill and injured raptors so they can ultimately be returned to the wild.

New this year is a student EagleFest art poster contest. Created and sponsored by John and Yoke DiGiorgio of Nature’s Art LLC, this contest is open to Sullivan West at Narrowsburg students in grades K through 6. Students are asked to create a poster about eagles or other raptors and their behavior and environment. Submissions are due by January 7. The completed posters will be on display at the Sullivan West school in Narrowsburg. Prizes will be awarded by John DiGiorgio and Bank of America during the opening ceremony at EagleFest. First Prize is a $250 Savings Bond. Second Prize is a $150 Savings Bond. Third Prize is a $100 Savings Bond.

For more information on EagleFest visit narrowsburg.org or naturesartllc.com or call 888/252-7234 (Chamber of Commerce) or 845/252-6509 (Nature’s Art LLC).