Farm Arts Collective expanding

DAMASCUS, PA — Farm Arts Collective is currently seeking new ensemble members to join the creative team for the development of “Dream on the Farm,” an annual site-specific performance taking place at Willow Wisp Organic Farm in August 2021.

The ensemble, led by artistic director Tannis Kowalchuk, meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. via Zoom for the winter months (spring/summer resumes outdoors) to work on performance creation practice.

Performers, musicians, writers, actors, dancers, designers and physical theatre specialists are invited to apply to join the collaborative project by emailing info@farmartscollective.org or by calling 917/566-7698.

For more information about Farm Arts Collective, visit www.farmartscollective.org.

Workshop on running for local office

ONLINE — The PennState Extension and the League of Women Voters of Pike County are teaming up to offer “Toss your Hat in the Ring,” an online webinar to instruct participants on how to run for local office. The presentation will take place on Tuesday, February 9 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The webinar will include an overview of Pennsylvania local government and the responsibilities of a township supervisor, a borough council member, or a school board director; instructions on how to run, including filing a petition, reporting campaign expenses and other important information; and a panel of local officials who will talk about why they decided to run for office and some of their experiences since they were elected.

“The workshop won’t offer campaign tips or strategies, but rather the focus is on understanding the roles, responsibilities and personal rewards that come with public service,” explained Penn State Extension Educator Peter Wulfhorst.

For more information and to register, visit www.lwvpike.org/event-registration.html. The registration deadline is Monday, February 8.

NEPA pen pals program

HONESDALE, PA — The Cooperage Project and Wayne County Public Library are teaming up to roll out a new program for folks of all ages, the NEPA Pen Pals program. This program aims to spread joy through reconnecting residents of NEPA via snail mail. The Cooperage Project and Wayne County Public Library will pair residents of Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Monroe and Lackawanna counties to write and receive letters from their pen pal.

Residents will have the opportunity to choose the age(s) they would like to write to and staff will pair up individuals with similar interests. Beginning as of February 1, the program aims to promote friendship and connection during a time when many are feeling very alone. Anyone interested can fill out the Google form (link provided below) to get started.  

The program has a standard safety and disclosure section that must be read and signed to join. After completing the form, a staff member will contact each pen pal with further information and a personalized welcome letter. Supplies to get started will be provided upon request.

For more information and to register, visit www.bit.ly/NEPApenpals.

Poetry reading, teaching and open mic with Lisa Caloro

ONLINE — On Monday, February 8 at 6 p.m., the Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library in Monticello will present Sullivan County Poet Laureate Lisa Caloro.

The evening, virtually presented, will be divided into three segments: Caloro will read her original poetry, conduct a short poetry lesson and welcome members of the Zoom audience to read their original poems. The Monday Night Writer’s group is sponsoring the night of reading, teaching and open mic. Caloro teaches college classes, bartends and writes in a small Catskill Mountain town. She is a recent Pushcart Prize nominee. Her poems have appeared or are forthcoming in Madcap Review, The Carolina Quarterly, The Packingtown Review, and elsewhere.

Registration is limited to 100 people.

For more information and to register, visit www.ebcpl.org and then click on “February 2021 Adult Calendar.”

Historical society offers eagle hike, scavenger hunt

MILFORD, PA — The Pike County Historical Society and Museum (PCHS) is offering two ongoing programs.

Eagle watch hikes with Courtney Barden will take place Sundays, February 7, 14, 21 and 28 starting at 9 a.m. along the old Towpath Road. The walk will be from three to five miles along the Lackawaxen River. Meet at Lock House 16 in Glen Eyre, PA. The cost is $15 per person and includes a continental breakfast, served at Lock House 16, after the walk.

The hike is limited to four people each week. Dress for the weather and wear a reflective jacket, vest, etc. for cars along the road to see you. Reserve your date by calling 570/296-8126 or emailing pikemuse@ptd.net

Additionally, as a follow up to PCHS’s first “Hunt for History with Abe Lincoln,” another historical trek with Abe is being offered. “On the Trail with Lincoln” will take participants to Rowe’s Mill, Forestry Camp and High Point State Park in search of answers to questions, tasks and riddles posed on the clue sheet.

A Lincoln bobblehead doll is included with the $25 entry fee; the bobblehead is important to the completion of several photo tasks included in the hunt.

The contest will run through March, so participants can complete it at their leisure. Answers may be submitted either in person or by email. Stop by the museum on Wednesday, Saturday or Sunday between 1 and 4 p.m. to register.

The art of the selfie

ONLINE — The Barryville Area Arts Association has created a video that traces the history of self-portraits from the first pre-human Neanderthal efforts through modern times. View it at www.bit.ly/artofselfie05.

A press release explaining the video states, “Viewing the world through the eyes of master artists can greatly enhance our own experiences. But this video reveals not how they view the outside world, but their inner selves. Self-portraits often tell us more about artists than they intended.”

 For more information, email BAAA@barryvilleareaarts.org.