‘Take A Hike!’ on the Damascus Forest Trail and more

What's going on in your community August 19 to 25

Posted 8/17/21

‘Take A Hike!’ on the Damascus Forest Trail

DAMASCUS TOWNSHIP, PA — If you like to hike, the Damascus Forest trail offers a two-mile loop trail in Damascus Township. There is a …

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‘Take A Hike!’ on the Damascus Forest Trail and more

What's going on in your community August 19 to 25

Posted

‘Take A Hike!’ on the Damascus Forest Trail

DAMASCUS TOWNSHIP, PA — If you like to hike, the Damascus Forest trail offers a two-mile loop trail in Damascus Township. There is a varied landscape of wetlands, hemlock forest, uplands and lowlands. The trail is located just off River Road, about .6 miles up MacCubbins Road near Beach Lake.

The trail is fine for all skill levels, but watch for downed trees across the path.

Dogs are permitted but must be leashed.

The “Take a Hike!” program showcases six local trails as a way to get people to enjoy the outdoors. There are varied levels of difficulty.

When hiking the Damascus Forest Trail, or any other trail, be prepared by wearing sturdy shoes or hiking boots and by bringing plenty of water, snacks, sunglasses, tick/insect repellant, binoculars, and a hat.  Do a thorough tick check once you’re off the trail. What you bring in needs to be carried out. Don’t litter.

For more hiking opportunities, look at the Trail Keeper (www.trailkeeper.org) page for hiking options in Sullivan County, NY.

For more information, see the National Park Service’s Upper Delaware site at https://www.nps.gov/upde

Congregation Beth Israel celebrates High Holy Days

HONESDALE, PA — Honesdale’s historic 172-year-old Congregation Beth Israel will soon celebrate the Jewish New Year and all are welcome to join.

Rabbi Elliott Kleinman will conduct the services beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on Monday evening, September 6 at 8 p.m. and continuing on September 7 at 10 a.m. Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, will begin with the Kol Nidre service on Wednesday, September 15 at 8 p.m. and will continue on Thursday, September 16 at 10 a.m.

Founded in 1849, the congregation met in homes until the synagogue was built in 1856 on land on what is now Court Street, donated by the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company. It is the oldest synagogue in Northeastern Pennsylvania and Congregation Beth Israel is the oldest continually operating synagogue in its original building in North America.

Reservations for the services are open now and are required. To make reservations or learn more, call 570/253-2222 or email bethisraelhonesdale@gmail.com.

First Baptist Church of Damascus celebrates 200 years

DAMASCUS, PA — The First Baptist Church of Damascus will hold its 200th anniversary celebration  on August 22.

It begins at 9:45 a.m. with Sunday school classes for anyone, followed by an 11 a.m. worship service, complimentary lunch, and an anniversary service at 2 p.m.

The speaker will be evangelist Dan Brubaker of Lancaster, PA.

At 3 p.m. there will be a reception and display of historical records.

For more information, contact the church at 570/224-4022. Learn about the church at https://firstbaptistchurchofdamascus.webs.com.

Advocates for the Delaware River at a recent press conference in Callicoon.
Advocates for the Delaware River at a recent press conference in Callicoon.

River advocates launch funding campaign

CALLICOON, NY — Calling the Delaware “an environmental jewel and an economic engine for our region,” the Friends of the Upper Delaware launched an awareness campaign focused on securing support from New York to protect  the Upper Delaware.

Along with the New York League of Conservation Voters, the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed and allied organizations, they hosted a press conference at the new Callicoon Creek Park in Callicoon on August 5.

The alliance, which includes more than 30 organizations and individuals, wants to generate state funding and technical resources that will support and institutionalize a comprehensive and ongoing watershed protection program for the river.

The river has much to offer, they say, including a “world class wild trout fishery anchors a robust tourism economy that generates hundreds of millions of dollars each year to support local communities and residents.” But it has been overshadowed, they add, by other waterways in the state.

For more information, see www.fudr.org.

Greater Pike reaches one million dollars in gifting

MILFORD, PA — Over a million dollars in giving just might make an enormous difference.

The Greater Pike Community Foundation announced that it had surpassed $1 million in grants and scholarships given since its founding in 2012.

Grants to nonprofits have covered food and housing, education, support for the disabled, animal welfare, arts and cultural events, historic preservation and emergency services.

Scholarships have been awarded for both preschool and post-high school tuition.

In COVID relief alone, funds established at Greater Pike raised more than $70,000 for businesses and charities that struggled to keep the doors open during the pandemic.

“I think the $1 million mark is incredibly exciting and demonstrates the collective power of charitable giving,” said Jenni Hamill, Greater Pike’s executive director.  “As our endowment grows, so too does our ability to support our community in a way that no other local charitable organization can.  I am already looking forward to gifting the next million.”

For more information about the Greater Pike Community Foundation, see its website at greaterpike.org

Jakob Burlein receives Megan E. Wilcox memorial scholarship

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation announced that Jakob Burlein received the first $500 Megan E. Wilcox Memorial scholarship, which was established this spring in honor of the late 1993 Honesdale graduate.

He is slated to enroll in Lafayette College in Easton in the fall, where he plans to study mechanical engineering and minor in political science.

Launched by Wilcox’s friends and family, the scholarship is awarded to a Honesdale High School senior pursuing a degree in Christian ministry or education, or to the class salutatorian, each year. Wilcox earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Penn State University and her master’s degree in women’s Christian ministries from Dallas Theological Seminary.

Those who wish to contribute to the endowment, which is managed by the Wayne County Community Foundation, can donate online at https://bit.ly/35chrFD; by check payable to Wayne County Community Foundation, with “Megan E. Wilcox scholarship” in the memo line; or sign up for the first annual Megan Wilcox memorial golf tournament.

The golf tournament will be held on Saturday, September 11 at 9 a.m. at the Red Maples golf course in Waymart.

For more information, visit waynefoundation.org.

Penn State looking for master gardeners

HONESDALE, PA — If you have a keen interest in gardening, a willingness to learn more, a love of teaching and a solid volunteer ethic, the Penn State extension wants you.

Applications are now being accepted for their master gardeners basic training classes, which begin in October and end in March of 2022.

Topics to be covered include botany, plant propagation, soil health, fertilizer management, composting, safe pest control, plant diseases, pruning, and much more.

The training fee is $200 and includes the master gardener manual, training supplies, and webinars. Financial aid may be available. Classes are held at the Honesdale Extension Office, but may also be held virtually.

Applications are now being accepted, and an interview will be held after receipt.

For additional information about the Master Gardener program, its mission, volunteer expectations and requirements or to access the application, please  visit https://bit.ly/3CRtisr. For information about Wayne County’s training program, call Diane Diffenderfer at 215/837-3120 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

The email address is: waynemg@psu.edu.

Equinunk Historical Society annual meeting

EQUINUNK, PA — The Equinunk Historical Society, which collects and preserves the local history of Equinunk, nearby communities and rural areas of Northern Wayne County, PA, will hold its annual meeting on Saturday, August 21 at 12 noon. For more information, call the society at 570/224-6722.

Robert M. Dufour, district superintendent and chief executive officer, Sullivan BOCES.
Robert M. Dufour, district superintendent and chief executive officer, Sullivan BOCES.

Dufour elected to board of New Hope Community

LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Sullivan BOCES superintendent Robert Dufour has been appointed to the board at New Hope Community.

New Hope is a not-for-profit in Loch Sheldrake that provides services and support for people with developmental disabilities.

Dufour lives in Pond Eddy and has worked in Sullivan County for 20 years. Before joining BOCES, he was superintendent of the Eldred Central School District.

For more information about New Hope Community, visit newhopecommunity.org.

Damascus Forest Trail, Take a Hike!, Trail Keeper, National Park Service, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River, Congregation Beth Israel, First Baptist Church of Damascus, Friends of the Upper Delaware, New York LEague of Conservation Voters, Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed, Greater Pike Community Foundation, Wayne County Community Foundation, Penn State master gardeners, Equinunk Historical Society, New Hope Community

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