A boost for youth programming at Lacawac Sanctuary

LAKE ARIEL, PA — The Lacawac Sanctuary environmental education center was recently awarded a $5,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. The grant is administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation for its Youth Conservation in Action (YCA) program.

The YCA program is for students in grades three through 12, and focuses on learning about environmental issues.

Kids spend less time being outdoors, so there is an increased need, sanctuary staff said, to connect young people to nature. A nature-based program also supports a diverse group of future conservation leaders with hands-on, local environmental education opportunities.

“YCA works to support the next generation in becoming environmentally literate, with the knowledge to take care of nature in their communities,” a sanctuary spokesperson said.

“Young children today do not have as many direct experiences with nature, and it’s taking a toll,” said Craig Lukatch, Lacawac Sanctuary president. “As childhood has changed to include more time spent indoors, there is an increased need to connect kids to nature—for their health and for the planet.”

Lacawac’s YCA team, he continued, “supports a diverse group of future conservation leaders with hands-on, Next Generation Science Standards-aligned, and local environmental education opportunities… Today’s young people are tomorrow’s environmental leaders.”

Lacawac Sanctuary is a nonprofit founded in 1966 to protect a gift of the original Connell Park lands by Arthur and Isabel Watres. It also facilitates environmental education and research. Located on Lake Wallenpaupack, the Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation is concerned with the preservation of Lake Lacawac, which is one of the southernmost glacial lakes in the hemisphere. Lake Lacawac has been preserved in pristine condition, free from development and encroachment.

For more information visit www.lacawac.org.

A new home for the WCAA

But the community’s support is needed

HONESDALE, PA — The Wayne County Arts Alliance (WCAA) plans to purchase the building at 959 Main St. for a headquarters and new home for WCAA.

And they can do it with the help of the Wayne County Community Foundation.

The foundation’s board of directors approved a $75,000 matching grant for the WCAA, enabling it to purchase a new headquarters building. The arts alliance will also use its new building as an art gallery and artists’ space. The grant is contingent on the ability of the WCAA to raise a total of $75,000 in community support by mid-February 2023.

“This is really a step in the right direction, to help our local artists make their works more visible and provide a community hub for creative minds to meet, share their work and flourish,” said Ron Rowe, the community foundation’s board chair. The foundation believes this space will be an asset for the community, and support the continued revitalization of downtown Honesdale.

“The WCAA is thrilled with this community foundation grant to purchase this building, which will grow our organization by leaps and bounds as we step into our 20th year,” said Marguerite Fuller, board president of the WCAA. “A permanent home means many things for our thriving network of artists and volunteers, and we have come this far because of a wonderfully supportive community.”

Now, she said, “it’s time to roll up our sleeves as we continue our fundraising efforts, and make this dream a reality.”

The WCAA is reaching out to the public for support. To help the arts alliance reach the $75,000 goal, you can donate to it directly at waynecountyartsalliance.networkforgood.com/projects/180612-building-fund-a-home-for-wcaa, or email waynecountyartsalliance@gmail.com.

Watch eagles from a bus

LACKWAXEN, PA — The Delaware Highlands Conservancy invites the public on a guided eagle-viewing bus tour on Saturday, January 7. The trip takes you through the Upper Delaware River region, as you look for and learn about bald eagles and their habitats.

The trip lasts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Upper Delaware River region is one of the largest wintering habitats for eagles in the northeast United States, because of its abundant clean water and large, undisturbed stands of trees. Protected lands in Pike and Wayne counties in PA and Sullivan and Delaware counties in New York provide a safe haven for these migratory birds, as well as breeding grounds for eagles that live here year-round.

The trip begins at the conservancy’s winter field office at the Zane Grey Museum, located at 135 Scenic Dr.

The tour costs $20 for conservancy members and $30 for non-members, with no charge for kids 12 and under. Tickets can be purchased at www.delawarehighlands.org/events or by calling 570/226-3164 or 845/583-1010.

What’s happening between the bookends at EBCPL

MONTICELLO, NY — The Ethelbert B. Crawford Public Library (EBCPL) hosts a wide variety of projects, games and events each month for kids, teens and adults. Weekly events include adult game nights on Fridays, take-home kits for tots, kids and teens and storytime on Wednesdays.

On the first Thursday of the month and the third Monday of the month from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. come to the knitting and crocheting group. This program is for adults to stitch together and have a conversation.

On Monday, January 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. kids ages 7 and up are invited to a The library is located at 479 Broadway.

Registration for programs is required. To register and view more events, visit ebcpl.libcal.com/calendar.

For more information, call the library at 845/794-4660.

Episode eight of the Old Time Radio podcast

ONLINE — The Western Sullivan Public Library (WSPL) and Act Underground Theatre host an online podcast, titled “As the River Turns,” on its website, with a new episode appearing monthly.

This month’s episode is titled “Narrowsburg United.” It’s written and directed by Greg Triggs.

To listen in and catch up on the ongoing adventure, visit www.wsplonline.org.

Auditions open for DVO’s 2023 opera season

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Delaware Valley Opera (DVO) is seeking singers to audition for roles in the following operas: “Merry Widow,” “Faust,” and “Rape of Lucretia.”

If interested, email a resume and sound bites and/or video links to info@delawarevalleyopera.org.

Letters will go out in January to those who will be invited to audition in person at Lake Huntington and New York City in February.

Therapeutic riding at GAIT

MILFORD, PA — Registration is open for the first therapeutic riding session of the new year at GAIT Therapeutic Riding Center (GAIT). The first session runs on Saturdays from January 7 to January 28.

The center offers a variety of equine-assisted services in horsemanship, learning and therapy. The programs are designed to meet the needs of children and adults with developmental, physical and mental/ emotional challenges.

Classes consist of 30 minutes per week for four total weeks of riding. Lessons are taught by PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructors, who teach basic riding skills to participants with the assistance of trained volunteers.

To register, fill out an application form and call 570/409-1140.

Application form can be found at https://bit.ly/3jGZ1r7.

For more information, visit www.gaittrc.org.

Education programs from the Alzheimer’s Association

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — The Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley chapter offers a variety of free interactive programs, ranging from chair yoga to art and music. A few of its upcoming January programs are “Healthy Living for your Brain and Body,” “Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances, Understanding Alzheimers & Dementia,” “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease” and more.

Registration is required. Call 800/272-3900 or visit www.alz.org/hudsonvalley to see everything available.