LOTS TO DO OUTDOORS AT SPRINGFEST THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21
Rain or shine, there will be lots to do from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Springfest this Sunday, May 21 at Hills Creek State Park, 111 Spillway Road, seven miles northeast of Wellsboro in Charleston Township.
Anglers of all ages can learn how to tie a fly with fly tying materials and equipment provided free. Also available will be fly rods to practice casting at different distances and targets.
Youth, ages 15 and under can try their hand at fishing on Hills Creek Lake with help provided by park staff. Fishing poles, bait and lures will be provided free to those who want to learn basic fishing skills. Fishing licenses are required for anyone 16 and older.
A headwaters spring seep or spring outlet like those found in the woods will be set up on a small-scale with bryophytes, mosses, flat rocks, and several species of moist woodland salamanders for kids to find under rocks.
Youngsters can take clay, make a ball and cover it with native plant seeds to throw into an area at home and watch the seeds grow.
Stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing for all ages is offered with Kayak Club members, other volunteers and park staff available to assist. All equipment is free to use. “Springfest provides the perfect opportunity to try before you buy,” said organizer Bob Edkin, environmental education specialist. “We have youth-specific kayaks, which are easier to paddle and more maneuverable than what parents will find at most rental locations. Youngsters can also find out if they enjoy stand-up paddle boarding. We can help people of all ages, including adults, improve their paddling and enjoy it more.”
Available for purchase will be shrubs, small trees and flowering plants native to North Central Pennsylvania and ready for planting.
Visitors can go on a self-led hike using park maps as a guide or at 2 p.m. can go on a guided bird walk.
Children and adults are welcome to bring their bikes, wear helmets, as required by law and bike at the park.
To learn more about Springfest or for directions, email hillscreeksp@pa.gov or call 570-724-4246.
HAMILTON-GIBSON CHILDREN AND YOUTH SPRING CONCERT IS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21
The Hamilton-Gibson Children and Youth Choirs Spring Concert is This Sunday, May 21 at 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church at 130 Main Street in Wellsboro.
“We did not choose a yearlong theme but in the world we live in we were drawn to the songs that offered hope, and that hope is in recognizing how we are alike,” said Thomas Putnam.
“Many of the songs we’re singing explore our connectedness with each other, we are one,” he said. “We can’t make it through these challenging times without sticking together.
The concert will open with all three choirs singing “Amazing Grace,” “I Wanna Be Ready” and “Building Bridges.”
The Children’s Concert Choir for fifth through eighth graders and Youth Choir for ninth through twelfth graders, both directed by Thomas Putnam of Wellsboro, will then perform “Because All Men Are Brothers” followed by the Children’s Concert Choir singing “Yellow Submarine,” “Circle Round the Moon” and “Niska Banja” and the Youth Choir, “Yesterday,” “Eleanor Rigby” and “Hey Jude.”
The Children’s Concert Choir and Youth Choir will then join in performing “Let It Be” and “If Not Now, When?”
Choir Too for youngsters in the second through fourth grades directed by Cheryl Hein Walters of Mansfield will sing “Bombalina” and “Ear Worm.”
The Children’s Concert Choir and Youth Choir will perform “Draw the Circle” and “We Are Not Alone.”
Closing the concert will be the Children’s Concert Choir and Youth Choir singing “Song for Justice,” “Sisi Ni Moja” and “Scottish Blessing.”
Piano accompanist for the concert is Gary Citro.
Tickets at the door are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students, 18 and under.
UTV Accident With Entrapment in Canaseraga
Birdsall Fire Department
8:35 PM–As I post out some of our members have been called for mutual aid to Canaseraga. Canaseraga has requested our ATV to the scene of a UTV accident with entrapment in a creek bed. Chief 50 and crew responded with Truck 6 and the ATV and toboggan.
Life-Net 7-7 was airborne from the scene at 9:10 PM.
Work Has Begun For Key Infrastructure Improvements To Leonard Harrison State Park
Wellsboro, PA — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) announced that construction has begun on key infrastructure improvements at Leonard Harrison State Park.
“We are pleased to get this long-awaited infrastructure improvement project underway at Leonard Harrison,” State Parks Director John Hallas said. “Projects of this nature help keep our wonderful state parks system safe and enjoyable for all visitors. We appreciate the patience of the public as work is done to improve the park and are excited for what’s in store for the future.”
The large scope of the project will cause temporary closures of the main day-use and parking areas, including the spectacular overlook area starting on May 15, 2023. The closure is anticipated to last for the summer, with the goal of full access to the 585-acre park in time for the fall foliage season starting early September.
Work will include making improvements to the park entrance, pedestrian walkways and expanded parking areas. An electric vehicle (EV) charging area in the new parking lot with space for four electric vehicles as part of a statewide initiative to support EV infrastructure in state parks and forests.
Additionally, there will be new walkways for pedestrians from the parking area to a newly renovated Leonard Harrison State Park Visitor Center, which includes exhibit hall, a PA Wilds Conservation Shop and outdoor seating.
The Leonard Harrison Turkey Path will remain open that connects the park to the Pine Creek Rail Trail. The campground will also remain open, with existing reservations being honored.
Site conditions may be noisy and dusty while contractors are performing the work, therefore campers with existing reservations will be offered an opportunity to cancel or transfer reservations. and no further reservations will be taken during this closure timeframe.
During this construction project, DCNR is asking park visitors to avoid active construction areas and visit other local State Parks.
Colton Point State Park on the western rim of the Pa Grand Canyon has five overlook areas and is a great alternative spot to enjoy spectacular views of the Pine Creek Gorge.
Another alternative local attraction is Hills Creek State Park, where visitors can enjoy the 137-acre lake, public beach, hiking trails and concessions this summer season.
Relocation of the existing PA Wilds Conservation Shop mobile unit to Hills Creek from Leonard Harrison has also occurred to serve visitors to the region during the summer season.
Construction is set to begin as DCNR is working to address its $1.4 billion infrastructure needs. Governor Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget would address outdated facilities and public safety preparedness across the state.
The Governor’s budget would provide $112 million to maintain and improve infrastructure in parks and forests, which would be the single largest investment in decades. In addition, the budget proposes $2.8 million to support operating needs for the management and safety of our public lands.
“We are pleased to begin work on this existing project and are eager to get working on other infrastructure needs across our 124-state park system,” DCNR Deputy Secretary John Norbeck said. “Just like at Leonard Harrison, our state parks and forests contain not only natural areas, but many roads, bridges and structures. Much of that infrastructure was built more than 50 years ago and we are working to address those critical needs.”
If you have questions, or need any additional information, please contact the Leonard Harrison State Park Office weekdays from 8am to 4pm; telephone 570-724-3061.
Find out more information about Leonard Harrison State Park on DCNR’s website. Check out DCNR’s Calendar of Events for events on public lands. For information on other state parks in the PA Wilds regionOpens In A New Window, visit the PA Wilds website..
Forest Landowner State Gamelands Tour
The Northcentral Forest Landowners Association is hosting a free program. Join us for a wildlife habitat tour on PA State Gamelands #44, near Ridgway.
PA Game Commission staff will lead the tour with various stops highlighting forest management and wildlife habitat improvements. The tour will also show early successional habitat and field management for pollinators and other wildlife.
The workshop will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 9:00 am.
We will meet in the parking lot at the top of Mead Run. Parking lot is along Mead Run Road, 1.5 miles from Shawmut Road. (Mead Run Road is on the west side of Shawmut Road, 0.6 mile north of town of Drummond, which is west of Route 219 and south of Ridgway.)
Please Pre-register by May 26 by calling 814-887-5121 (leave a clear message with your name and phone number) or by email ncfla2@gmail.com Registration is required to ensure there are enough participants to hold the event.
The workshop is free and open to all.
Event is sponsored by the NCFLA and PA Game Commission.
NPRC Celebrates Graduates at Annual Commencement Ceremony
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College celebrated their annual commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 20 at 2:00 p.m. The event took place at The Titusville Mill in Titusville, with seven students receiving their diplomas. Four additional students received their certificate in general studies. Two students graduated in absentia.
President Snelick opened the ceremony sharing words about the graduates and the milestone that they accomplished.
PennDOT McKean County Maintenance work schedule for the week of May 22 – May 26, 2023
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation McKean County Maintenance announces the following work schedule for the week of May 22 – May 26, 2023, weather permitting. Motorists should travel with extra caution in these and all work areas. Motorists should be aware that due to the nature of highway maintenance and emergency work, crews could be working on any highway at any time of the day or night.
McKean County 0250
Sign Repairs and Upgrades:
- Various State Routes throughout the County
Bridge Repair:
- Various State Routes throughout the County
Patching:
- State Route: 2004 (Christian Hollow Road)
Crack Sealing:
- State Route: 46 (Farmers Valley to Rew)
Pipe Replacement:
- State Route: 1015 (Columbia Hill Road)
Pipe Repair:
- State Route: 146 (Red Mill Road)
Ditching:
- State Route: 146 (Red Mill Road)
- State Route: 346 (Marilla Brook to Stickney)
- State Route: 246 (Bradford side of Looker Mountain Trail)
The following work is scheduled to be completed by contractor, weather permitting:
L.C. Whitford- Bridge Replacement
State Route: 1011 (Barnum Road)
Traffic control: Contractor will be utilizing flaggers on SR 1011 during work hours to control the flow of traffic
Jefferson Paving– Roadway repairs
State Route: 146 (Red Mill Road)
Traffic control: Contractor will be utilizing flaggers on SR 146 during work hours to control the flow of traffic
William P. “Bill” Knight, 76, of St. Marys., PA.
William P. “Bill” Knight, 76, passed away at his home on Monday, May 15, 2023, following a lengthy illness.
He was born on August 25, 1946 in St. Marys, a son of the Othmar and Adeline Emmert Knight.
Bill was a graduate of Elk County Christian High School, class of 1964 and a member of Queen of the World Church. He served in the U.S. Army National Guard and then retired from Keystone Carbon Company after many years of service. An avid golfer, Bill loved spending time on the golf course course with his friend Gary Smith. He also enjoyed hunting and following sports.
Bill is survived by three children; Melissa Risch of Towanda, PA, David Knight of Ridgway, and Brian Knight of Saco, Maine; and by his five beloved grandchildren; Lauren, Ryan, Hannah, Derek, and Brianne and by two great-grandchildren; Kinsley and Callan.
He is also survived by two sisters; Diane (John) Bauer and Marsha (Steve) Gabor, both of St. Marys, and by numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a sister; Nancy Charleson.
A Memorial Mass of Christian for William P. Knight is being celebrated privately at Queen of the World Church.
Burial will be in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial Contirbutions may be made to the Elk County Catholic School System, 600 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael St., St. Marys, PA 15857 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com
Betty M. Erich-Hanes, 94, formerly of Poplar Road, St. Marys, PA.
Betty M. Erich-Hanes, 94, formerly of Poplar Road, St. Marys, passed away on Thursday, May 18, 2023 at Pinecrest Manor.
She was born on October 10, 1928 in St. Marys, a daughter of the late Salome and Mildred Gerg Dornish.
On February 14, 1947, she married the late Raymond C. Erich, who preceded her in death on December 4, 1995. in 1999, she married the late John W. Hanes, who preceded her in death on June 7, 2012.
Betty attended St. Marys Area Schools and was a member of Sacred Heart Church. She retired from Uni-Mart after many years as the manager. Over the years, she was active with the St. Ann’s Society, the Rosary Altar Society, and the Senior Center, where she loved to play cards with her friends. Always the social butterfly who made friends everywhere she went, she enjoyed volunteering her time at the hospital gift shop, the Resale Shop, and at the Senior Center. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother who loved spending time with her family.
She is survived by 5 children; Yvonne (Gene) Hooper of St. Marys, Leah (Rich) Meyer of St. Marys, Susan (George) Wendel of Erie, Mary Kay (Ernest) Kronenwetter of St. Marys, and Charles (Anna) Erich of Lexington, KY; and by 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by 2 step-sons, as well as by numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and her first and second husbands, Betty was preceded in death by a step-daughter, by two brothers; James Dornish and Charles Dornish, and by one sister; Leah Redmond.
A Mass of Christian Burial for Betty M. Erich-Hanes will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 22, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church, 337 Center Street, St. Marys, PA 15857 with Fr. Thomas Curry, OSB, as celebrant.
Visitation will be at the Lynch-Green Funeral Home on Monday, Monday, May 22, 2023 from 8:30 AM until 9:30 AM.
Burial will be in St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the St. Marys Senior Center.
Lynch-Green Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 151 N. Michael St., St. Marys, PA 15857 is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.lynchgreenfuneralhome.com
