CALL FOR ENTRIES: Greenway Photo Contest

Grab your phone or your camera and submit your best shot in the 11th Annual Susquehanna Greenway Photo Contest: Treasured Towns and Landscapes of the Susquehanna.

This free-to-enter photo contest offers individuals of all ages and ability levels the opportunity to go outside, explore, and capture—via photography—the many landscapes, resources, and towns along the Susquehanna Greenway.  Cash Prizes will be awarded to the first through third place winners within each category: River Towns, Landscapes, Susquehanna Adventures, and Wildlife. Winning images will also be printed, framed, and added to a traveling gallery to be exhibited throughout the Susquehanna region within Pennsylvania, including the State Capitol Complex in Harrisburg. 

“SGP seeks to inspire and celebrate the connections that are shared between our communities and the Susquehanna River,” says SGP Executive Director, Corey Ellison. “Our annual photo contest provides one way of fostering this connection by encouraging people to get out on the Greenway and explore the Susquehanna through a camera lens.”

The deadline for photo submissions is June 30, 2022. Eligible participants can visit susquehannagreenway.org/photocontest to learn more and submit photographs in one or all four categories. Entries must be submitted electronically through the SGP portal and in accordance with contest guidelines.

The Susquehanna Greenway is a 500-mile corridor of connected trails, parks, river access points, and communities, linking people to the natural and cultural treasures of the Susquehanna River. The mission of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is to continue to grow the Greenway, inspiring people to engage with the outdoors and transforming communities into places where people want to live, work, and explore.

Exchange Gallery Seeks Work for “SITEexchange”

Contact: Oren B. Helbok, 570-317-2596, Exchange@ExchangeArts.org

What place in our region means the most to you?  One of our state parks?  Your special place along the Susquehanna River or deep in the woods?  A public historic site?  Where you had your first kiss?

We want YOU to participate in SITEexchange, a public art project conceived by artist Cindi Hron and produced by The Exchange to engage artists in the Central Pennsylvania region.  We want you to observe and record, through artistic means, a site within the region – a particular place, of each artist’s choosing, that exists in relationship to the landscape.  We encourage artists of all ages and levels of experience to submit their work, and each participant may determine how to interpret the idea of site.  Perhaps best of all, SITEexchange will present the art in a fun and novel way by distributing the work via novelty vending machines – gumball machines – located throughout our region.

We will display all the original artwork at the Exchange Gallery in October and November, and we will fold, encapsulate, and distribute copies of chosen submissions during those months through gumball machines at 25 venues in Berwick, Bloomsburg, Catawissa, Lewisburg, Laurelton, Mifflinburg, Milton, and Sunbury!

SITEexchange draws attention to our shared understanding of our multi-county region through its many well-known and maybe not-so-well-known sites.  We invite you to share a representation of a site that you find meaningful.  That 2-D representation, in any medium, must be flat and fit exactly the template size of 4” x 5.25”, either vertical or horizontal.  Each participant agrees to the submission size limitation and to the scanning of their submission and its reproduction and distribution through novelty vending machines.  Artists have the opportunity to sell their original work, at prices of their choosing, in the Exchange Gallery exhibition; each artist receives 80% of the sale price (the Gallery takes a 20% commission).  Artists will not receive compensation for having their work reproduced and distributed through the gumball machines.

Deadline for submission: Friday, August 19th, 2022.  Submissions must come to The Exchange, 24 East Main Street, Bloomsburg PA 17815, delivered in person or by U.S. Mail.  We will consider only submissions that ARRIVE no later than Friday, August 19th.  Please submit with your artwork the Loan Agreement form available on our Web site at ExchangeArts.org/calls-for-entry.

Vending machine sales: October-November 2022

The Gallery show of submitted work runs October 10th through November 18th, 2022, at the Exchange Gallery, 24 East Main Street, Bloomsburg.

Questions? Contact Oren at 570-317-2596, Exchange@ExchangeArts.org

Visit the Exchange Gallery Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (hours may vary from week to week; visit ExchangeArts.org/gallery-hours or give us a call before you drop in). For more information about The Exchange, visit ExchangeArts.org and Facebook.com/ExchangeArtsDotOrg or call 570-317-2596.

Finding a Farm Experience: Goats Will Steal Your Heart!

by Nancy Bishop

Finally, after what seemed like an endless winter, it looked like Spring. Since my friends were anxious for an outdoor adventure, off we headed to Barakah Heritage Farm near Benton.

Although the farm offers a variety of great tours and educational experiences, as soon as Joanne from our little group heard that you could get up close and personal with goats, she made it very clear that was the farm experience that we were choosing!

In Arabic, “barakah” means blessing. And Barakah Heritage Farm certainly is a blessing. As Carrie Eastman (who owns the business with husband Khalil) explained, Barakah Heritage Farm is dedicated to protecting and sustaining the old breeds of livestock and heirloom plants they raise and sell. It also focuses on “permaculture,” a sustainable agricultural concept in which “everything works together” as Carrie told us on our tour. That means the chickens we saw roaming around were controlling the bugs, particularly ticks, because that’s what they like to eat. And the goats work with the horses to keep the plants balanced in the pastures. No chemical weed killer is needed in the pasture on this farm because the goats are fond of weeds that the horses don’t eat. Goats actually love to eat poison ivy, for example.

One of the friendly Muscovy Ducks

When we arrived at the farm for the tour after a very scenic drive through the countryside northwest of Benton, we were greeted by a couple of Muscovy ducks. The Muscovy duck originated in South America, and while it is not a heritage breed, its job is to control slugs and snails.

Those chickens hanging out eating the bugs are Heritage breeds, too, Carrie told us. Two of the breeds we met were the Australorp and the Black Jersey Giant.

Beginning our goat tour with Carrie as our guide, we headed to an enclosure where two of the male “Fainting Goats” the farm is known for – O’Malley and Elijah Poe – were very happy to see us, probably because of the jars of feed we each had been given when we checked in for the tour! The pair are Myotonic Goats, a heritage breed that earned its nickname because of a genetic condition known as “myotonia congenita” that can cause its muscles to stiffen, making the goat fall down.

We were enthusiastically greeted!

When we visited, O’Malley and Elijah Poe, both males, were in their own enclosure to separate them from the females since it was mating season. After spending time with them and learning that Elijah Poe is the son of one of the females at the farm, we followed Carrie to a pasture where a large group of goats, including the farm’s newest breed, the British Golden Guernsey, eagerly met us when we entered their pasture. There Carrie introduced us to Raven, the mother of Elijah Poe, who was expecting a baby any day. She was in a small hut, but Joanne managed to coax her out so we all got to see her.

How can you not smile when you see this!? (PC: Joanne Kolkebeck)

In addition to the goats, chickens and ducks, there are rabbits, who will soon make “Bunnyville” their home. Bunnyville will be geared to young children, so plan to bring the kids.  

Due to Carrie’s lifelong love of horses, the farm also has Arabians and other horses as well as a donkey.

(PC: Barakah Heritage Farm)

In addition to livestock sales and the goat tour, Barakah Heritage Farm offers supervised horseback riding, scenic hikes and other farm tours. Also available are farm-stays at one of the onsite camping areas that allow you to experience the horses, donkey and other animals on the farm daily.

This is Carrie and Khalil’s fourth season operating Barakah Heritage Farm in Benton, although Carrie has been raising fainting goats for 14 years and working with horses for more than 40 years. A graduate of Penn State with a degree in Wildlife Science, Carrie had trained in alternate therapies and had treated horses at farms in the area. She had grown to love the area and was familiar with the property that the farm now occupies.

In addition to her work on the farm, Carrie is the author of “The Energetic Goat” and “The Healing Of Horses” – books about nutrition and energy healing.

Visits to the farm are by appointment only. Call (570) 285-5242. It’s definitely a “must-do” outdoor activity for kids and adults alike!

We had a wonderful visit at Barakah Heritage Farm!

Shoppers’ Shuttle Brings Transportation Option to Danville

Community and business officials gathered to celebrate the official launch of the Downtown Danville Shoppers’ Shuttle on Monday, May 9. The shuttle program will provide free transportation throughout the Danville area to community members and visitors.

The shuttle runs weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Riders will be picked up and dropped off at various locations throughout Danville including local shops, grocery stores, and healthcare facilities.

“This started as a labor of love and grew into a strategic partnership to provide free, convenient transportation for our community and visitors. It’s a wonderful opportunity to support our local businesses and the needs of our community,” said Rebecca Dressler, executive director of the Danville Business Alliance (DBA).

The Shoppers’ Shuttle is a collaboration between the Danville Borough, the DBA, FishingCreek Transportation and Geisinger.

“This program will be a huge benefit to our community, and we look forward to serving them. Whether you want to shop downtown, get groceries or need to go to a medical appointment, we’re here to help get you there,” said Fred Bennett, president of FishingCreek Transportation.

The pilot will go on throughout 2022 to gauge interest in the program and its benefit to county residents, visitors and businesses.

“Geisinger has been part of the Danville community for more than 100 years,” said Megan Brosious, chief administrative officer for Geisinger’s Central Region. “The Shoppers’ Shuttle will have a great impact on our local businesses and help easily connect the community with our services. We’re excited to partner with these great local organizations to provide this service.”

The shuttle will run a fixed route throughout the Danville area on weekdays. Stops include downtown Mill Street, Canal Park, Weis Markets, Giant supermarket, Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Healthplex Woodbine. Community members also can call 570-293-1966 to arrange a potential pick-up location that isn’t near the shuttle’s normal route.

Celebrating Earth Day: Thank a Tree!

by Nancy Bishop

Trees. All you have to do is look around this area to understand what earned the state the name Pennsylvania — literally meaning “Penn’s Woods.” But did you know that some of the biggest trees in the state can be found right here in our area?

From the state’s largest white cedar tree – found in Montour County – to a bitternut hickory tree in Bloomsburg’s Town Park that is one of the biggest of its kind in the whole country, this area can claim record-breaking trees.

My group of friends hugging the massive Bitternut Hickory at the Bloomsburg Town Park.

And with Earth Day just around the corner on April 22nd, it’s a good time to thank a tree for what it does for the environment, especially for what it does to remove the carbon dioxide – CO2—that is contributing to global warming. Trees absorb CO2, removing it from the air and storing it while releasing oxygen. Research has shown that an acre of trees in one year can absorb the amount of carbon dioxide equal to driving your car 26,000 miles. And one tree can produce enough oxygen for four people.

Trees also absorb odors, filter out particulates, reduce soil erosion, increase fertility and help soil retain moisture. Fallen tree leaves lower soil temperature and prevent soil from losing too much moisture. Decaying leaves that fall onto the ground also turn into food for tree growth.

Trees provide shade, wood for so many products we use, and they’re a renewable resource. They provide habitat for all kinds of wildlife. And who doesn’t love sitting by a cozy wood-burning fireplace on a cold winter night? Or roasting marshmallows over a campfire for s’mores!

Older, larger trees store a lot more carbon than young trees, so the big trees in this area are an important resource we need to protect.

When I was in 7th grade, my English teacher, Miss Shea, made us memorize poetry. One that has always stuck with me is “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer.

It goes like this:

“I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.”

And ends:

“Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.”

Written in 1913, it certainly describes the woods I see out my window as I write this.  Having lived in a big city during college with very few trees except in a downtown park, I’m so glad I’ve had the opportunity to live in “Penn’s Woods,” for most of my adult life. Watching the seasons change as the leaves begin to bud in the Spring, provide shade in the Summer, change color in the Fall and drop off signaling the start of Winter make me glad to call this area home! And remind me of a Robert Frost poem, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,” that I also had to memorize … “Whose woods these are, I think I know. His house is in the village though; so he’ll not see me stopping here to watch his woods fill up with snow.”

Black Cottonwood tree in Catawissa.

If you’d like to take your own tour of the big trees that are in this area, you can find a categorization of them on the PA Big Trees website. Under the Tree Listings section, type in the counties – Columbia or Montour – and you’ll find a list for each.

But I can recommend the Bitternut Hickory in Bloomsburg that’s reportedly more than 175 years old and several on the grounds of the Danville State Hospital (pictured above at top of blog) in addition to a Siberian Elm that’s number 1 in the state. Also there you’ll find a 102-foot European Copper Beech and a 108-foot Sweetgum.

So go thank a tree for Earth Day! And perhaps you’ll find enjoyment in a road trip to see some of these big trees for yourself.

American Pickers Filming in Pennsylvania

The American Pickers are excited to return to Pennsylvania! They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout the area in June of 2022. AMERICAN PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on The History Channel. The hit show follows skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, they want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items. They hope to give historically significant objects a new lease on life while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way. The Pickers have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them.

American Pickers will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming outlined by the state and CDC. Nevertheless, they are excited to continue reaching the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking and are eager to hear memorable stories! The American Pickers TV Show is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day looking through, send your name, phone number, location, and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@cineflix.com or call (646) 493-2184.

Construction Detour Set to Begin in Bloomsburg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Pennsylvania Department Of Transportation

March 30, 2022

Construction on the Route 11 / 487 project in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, will continue this week.  The roadwork improvement project will continue near the intersection of Sixth Street / Columbia Boulevard and East Street and will continue to East Main Street. 

Upcoming Work

On Thursday, March 31, the contractor, HRI, Inc. will begin to prepare the intersection of Main Street and Market Street, which will be used during the upcoming detour., Market Street will be closed between Main Street and Ridge Avenue with parking accessed from Ridge Avenue.  Signs and modified traffic signals at that intersection will control traffic for the duration of the project.

Once in place, there will be a long-term closure of Route 11 southbound / 487 northbound (East Street) between Fourth Street and Sixth Street.  The following detour routes will be implemented, with signs and message boards leading up to and throughout the detours:

  • Route 487 southbound CAR traffic coming from Lightstreet and continuing to Route 11 North and 487 South will follow Route 11 South (Main Street) to Market Street to East Sixth Street to the Route 11 / Route 487 intersection at Columbia Boulevard.
  • Route 487 southbound TRUCK traffic coming from Lightstreet and continuing to Route 487 South will follow Route 11 South (Main Street) to Market Street to Fort McClure Boulevard to Route 487.
  • Route 487 southbound TRUCK traffic coming from Lightstreet and continuing to Route 11 North will follow Route 11 South (Main Street) to Market Street to Fort McClure Boulevard to Route 487 north to Route 11.
  • Route 11 northbound CAR traffic coming from Danville and continuing to Route 11 North and 487 South will follow Market Street to East Sixth Street to the Route 11 / Route 487 intersection at Columbia Boulevard.
  • Route 11 northbound TRUCK traffic coming from Danville direction continuing to Route 11 North will follow Market Street to Fort McClure Boulevard to Route 487 north to Route 11.
  • Route 11 northbound TRUCK traffic coming from Danville and continuing to Route 487 South will follow Market Street to Fort McClure Boulevard to Route 487.
  • Route 11 southbound from Lime Ridge and continuing to Route 487 northbound from Catawissa will continue those routes through the work area, with temporary traffic control devices maintaining a one-way condition.
  • Tractor trailers (including Kawneer deliveries) must follow the detours explicitly,as there will be no access / exit points using local streets between Main Street and Sixth Street.
Click to view the map full screen (larger).

Week of Monday, April 4

On Monday April 4, Phase 6 of the reconstruction project will begin on East Street between Fourth Street and Sixth Street.  Work includes removal and reconstruction of the existing roadway, replacement of curb, sidewalk, overhead street lighting, parking meters and drainage features.  New traffic signals will be installed at the Fifth Street intersection.  Upon completion of the Route 11 southbound / 487 northbound lane, construction will switch to the Route 11 northbound / 487 southbound lane for the same process with one-way traffic switching to the completed lane.  The construction of this two-block section is expected to be completed by June 2022, weather permitting. 

Upon completion of Phase 6, the construction will continue to Phase 7, which will take place on East Street between Third Street and Fourth Street. Phase 8 will follow on East Street between Main Street and Fourth Street.  Information and schedules about those phases will be announced as they get closer.  The final roadway wearing course will be placed upon completion of Phase 8 and cover the entire roadway of the three phases.

Motorists should be alert, slow down, expect travel delays, watch for lane changes, and drive with caution.

Work on this project is expected to be completed by the fall of 2022. HRI, Inc., is the primary contractor for the $6.8 million reconstruction project, which includes drainage improvements, roadway resurfacing, tree removal and replacement, new concrete curb and sidewalks, traffic signal upgrades, highway lighting, and other miscellaneous work. For more information including maps of the detours and construction area visit: https://www.penndot.gov/RegionalOffices/district-3/ConstructionsProjectsAndRoadwork/Pages/default.aspx or enter Bloomsburg 0011-114 into your web browser.

Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

2022 Area Easter Egg Hunts

April 2

  • Berwick Police Benevolent Association, 11 a.m., Ber-Vaughn Park.

April 3

  • Berwick Youth Football League, 1 p.m., Eaton Street football field behind former Kmart plaza, for up to age 13; area for special-needs children.
  • Glen Brook Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, East 16th Street (former Berwick Retirement Village), 1:30 p.m., for age groups: 2-4; 5-7, and 8-10. Golden ticket prizes per age group.

April 9

  • Bloomsburg YMCA, 10 a.m., Seventh Street, Bloomsburg
  • Montour Township Fire Department Easter Egg Hunt, 2 p.m., empty lot on Perry Avenue, Bloomsburg; rain date: April 10 at 2 p.m.
  • BU Program Board and Kehr Union Operations and Student Involvement staff Easter Egg Hunt, Academic Quad (rain location: Kehr Student Union multipurpose rooms A and B). Start times: 2 p.m.: ages 7-12; 2:20 p.m.: ages newborn-3; 2:40 p.m.: ages 4-6; 3 p.m.: ages 13 and older, including college students.
  • Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m., Sunnybrook Park, Danville; rain date: April 16.
  • Espy Fire Company, 9 a.m., 300 Tenny Street, Bloomsburg

April 10

  • Giuseppe Garibaldi Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Garibaldi Women’s Auxiliary, 1 p.m., Sponsler’s Park, Berwick for ages 2-10; three age categories, one big prize awarded per category
  • Easter Egg Hunt, Unityville Fire Company grounds, four age groups up to age 12, register 1 p.m., hunt starts at 2.
  • Berwick VFW Post 821, 1 p.m., 1408 West Front Street, Berwick

April 16

  •  East End Fire Company, 10 a.m. at Maria Hall on the Campus of St. Cyril.
  • Southside Fire Company, 270 Ave D, Riverside.  10 a.m. start.
  • American Legion Auxiliary Egg Hunt, 10 a.m., at Bloomsburg Fairgrounds Industrial Arts and Educational Buildings at Gate 2.
  • Washies Fire Company, 10: a.m. at Washies Playground, Danville
  • Continental Fire Company, 10 a.m, Hess Field, Danville
  • Buckhorn Fire Company Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m., Fernville Park, Bloomsburg
  • Goodwill House Company, 10 a.m., Memorial Park, Bloom Road, Danville
  • Salem Township Fire Department and Berwick AG Community Egg Hunt, 11 a.m., Salem Township Park, Berwick 
  • St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 11 a.m., 9 St. Lukes Way, Bloomsburg for preschool to elementary school age.
  • Benton VFW Post 8317 Easter Egg Hunt, L.R. Appleman soccer fields near elementary school, Green Acres Road, Benton, 1 p.m.

April 17

  • Lime Ridge Fire Company Easter Egg Hunt, 2 p.m., Columbia Park, for up to age 12.

“Witch” Comes to Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Plays and literature about Faustian bargains of selling one’s soul are as old as time, but in Jen Silverman’s ‘Witch’ the script is turned on its head by the clever Elizabeth, the village outcast who many already believe is a witch. The forces of power, gender, succession, and more drive the play that StageScene LA called “devilishly clever, deliciously laugh-packed, decidedly dark.”

BTE’s ‘Witch’ is helmed by director and resident acting company member Amy Rene Byrne in her mainstage directing debut. The resident acting company members Elizabeth Dowd, Eric Wunsch, and Andrew Hubatsek are joined by guest artists Kimie Muroya and Dre’Land Goar, as well as membership candidate Aaron White.

The performances begin March 31st and run through April 16th at 7:30pm on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and Sunday matinees at 3:00pm. Season tickets and subscription packages can be purchased by calling the BTE Box Office at 570-784-8181. Single tickets are on sale now at the Box Office and online at www.bte.org. Some COVID protocols are in place at the theatre, please see our website for details.

Special ‘Pay What You Decide’ performances will be held on Thursday, March 31st, Friday, April 1st, and Saturday, April 2nd. Reserve your seat for free and choose your own price after the show. All single ticket income from the April 8th 7:30pm show will benefit relief efforts in Ukraine.

School matinees are available for high school students on April 5th, 6th, 12th, and 13th. Matinees begin at 10:00 am and ticket prices are $9.50 per individual. For booking information, contact BTE’s School Programs Director, Paula Henry at 570-458-4075 or email phenry@bte.org.

Founded in 1978 as an artist-driven, community-based resident ensemble, BTE creates innovative work with local and national impact. Today, BTE produces a lively mix of classic and contemporary plays as well as original theatre education programs for all ages. For more information about upcoming shows and programs, please visit bte.org.