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Outdoor Briefs

‘Step Outdoors’ and have some fun

The Step Outdoors Winter Outings series continues in Tioga County with two free outdoor events this weekend and two free indoor events next weekend. All four are free and open to people of all ages, including children with adult supervision.

To learn more about all series events or for updates, trail conditions, directions and more, visit www.stepoutdoors.org or call 570-724-0300 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

• Today — Hike, snowshoe and sledding events, 1 to 3 p.m. at Nessmuk Recreation Area on Route 287, 1 mile south of Wellsboro. Tom Oliver, Tioga State Forest recreation forester, will lead visitors on a hike to explore the trails around Lake Nessmuk if conditions allow. The hike begins in the parking area on the hill near the covered picnic pavilion overlooking the lake. Those who have their own snowshoes should bring them. A limited number of snowshoes and hiking traction devices will be available for children and adults to use free. From 1-3 p.m., youngsters who bring sleds, saucers, toboggans and tubes can go sledding down the hill behind the picnic pavilion if there is enough snow.

• Today — Mansfield University Kayak Club open house, 6 to 8 p.m. in Decker Gymnasium. All ages, swimmers and non-swimmers, may try kayaking in the university’s indoor pool. A responsible adult must accompany each child. Wear a swimsuit or clothes that can get wet, and bring a towel. The club will provide kayaks, paddles and other equipment to use for free.

• Thursday — Night Run, 6 p.m. The Tyoga Running Club has different pace groups with varying distances for runners of most ability levels. Participants will run in almost all weather conditions. Meet at the Packer Park parking lot adjacent to the Wellsboro Senior Center at 3 Queen St. For more details, see  www.Facebook.com/tyogarunningclub.

Conservancy offers snow activities

LEWISBURG — The Linn Conservancy will offer  a winter afternoon of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on the Dale’s Ridge Trail at the Dale/Engle/Walker property at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Snowshoes will be provided courtesy of R.B. Winter State Park’s Environmental Education Center. Skiers must bring their own equipment.

A fire, hot chocolate and, possibly, cookies will wrap up the afternoon, giving folks an opportunity to socialize with Linn Conservancy and Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance board members.

Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the Dale-Engle-Walker house for the approximately two-hour outing. The event is suitable for beginners, and a brief lesson will be offered for those interested.

The ski/snowshoe afternoon is free, but participants should register by Tuesday by calling 570-524-8666 or emailing Linn@ptd.net with “snowshoe/ski” in the subject line. Indicate the number in your party and if you will need snowshoes.

If there is a lack of snow, a guided hike will be offered.

Directions to the Dale/Engle/Walker property: From Route 15, take Route 192 west 1.7 miles to Strawbridge Road and turn right onto it. Travel 1.5 miles and turn left into the farm lane beside the trail parking lot.

Try yoga in the woods

TUNKHANNOCK — The Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, will offer hatha yoga, led by Annmarie Ciccarelli, through May. A fee applies per class.

Hatha yoga is a slow, meditative style of yoga, focused on breath awareness and proper alignment. The slow-flow class links breath with movement to help bring focus to the present moment and quiet the mind.

It is designed for all levels and beginners are welcome. Classes will be held from 10 to 11:15 a.m. and may be held indoors during the winter but outside on beautiful days.

Classes are planned for Saturday and Feb. 18; March 4 and 18; April 1 and 22; and May 6 and 20.

Ciccarelli received hatha yoga teaching certification from Shambhava Yoga Center in Rollinsville, Colorado and also is certified to teach yoga for wellness and meditation in the shambhava tradition. On some Saturdays, alternate teacher Matt Fox will lead a bikram-style yoga.

For more information, or to register, contact the center at EMNCinfo@yahoo.com or 570-836-3835.

PFBC official to speak at local meeting

Eric C. Hussar, vice president of the state Fish and Boat Commission, and local commission conservation officers Emmett Kyler and Chad Lauer, will be the guest speakers at the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited’s next public meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, rear of 102 E. Third St.

The commission officials will present an update of fishing and boating programs and developments for the coming year.

The public is encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns and ideas concerning the commission and its regulations and policies with Hussar.

Take a hike under the full moon

TUNKHANNOCK — The Endless Mountains Nature Center, 1309 Vosburg Road, will hold a series of full moon hikes this year at its grounds in Wyoming County.

The center’s naturalist will lead each 90-minute hike on trails in the area. All ages are welcome.

Hikes are planned to begin at 6 p.m. Feb. 10, 7 p.m. March 12, 7:30 p.m. April 11, 8 p.m. May 10, 8:30 p.m. June 9, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5, 6 p.m. Nov. 4 and 5 p.m. Dec. 3.

Hikes will not be held in July or August.

For more information, contact the center at EMNCinfo@yahoo.com or 570-836-3835.

NRA chapter to hold trip to Outdoor Show

WELLSBORO — The Laurel Mountains Chapter of the Friends of the NRA is sponsoring a bus trip to The Great Outdoor Show in Harrisburg on Feb. 11. The bus will depart at 7:30 a.m. from Benedict’s Bus Terminal, 2166 Charlestown Road, with pickups available in Mansfield, Blossburg, Liberty and Williamsport.

The fee includes admission to the show. Reservations are required.

For a brochure or more information, call Richard Shire at 570-376-2681.

‘Coal Collections’ events continue

LEWISBURG — The Weis Center for the Performing Arts and the Place Studies program of the Bucknell Center for Sustainability and the Environment will hold a variety of events related to anthracite coal. “Coal Collections: Local, National and International Stories” will include a series of free noon lectures in the Weis Center Atrium lobby, 1 Dent Drive. The series includes:

•  Silencio Blanco Puppeteers, Feb. 16, Chilean puppeteers discuss coal mining and representing stories through puppetry;

“Art and Visual Culture of the Anthracite Coal Region,” March 23, Greg Stuart, Samek Art Museum;

“Immigrant Experiences of the Anthracite Coal Region,” March 28, a panel of community members and faculty discuss the enduring legacy of the immigrant experience;

“Pennsylvania’s Anthracite Coal Region: Present to Future,” March 30, an interdisciplinary panel of faculty and community members discuss present and future prospects of the state’s anthracite coal region;

“The Creation of Anthracite Fields,” March 31, G.C. Waldrep, associate professor of English, will interview Julia Wolfe, composer of Anthracite Fields; Laurie McCants, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble and adviser to the project; and Beth Willer, conductor for the Weis Center performance.

A “Coal Collections series” brochure is available for free. To request one, contact Lisa Leighton, Weis Center marketing and outreach director, at 570-577-3727 or email lisa.leighton@bucknell.edu.

Ruffed Grouse Society to hold banquet

The Susquehanna River Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will hold its inaugural Conservation and Sportsmen’s Banquet on Feb. 18 at the Genetti Hotel, 200 W. Fourth St.

A social hour will begin at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30. The evening will feature live and silent auctions, raffles, drawings and door prizes, highlighted with a selection of firearms, artwork and collectibles. In addition, two special guest speakers will deliver brief talks during the event.

Dr. Linda Ordiway, regional wildlife biologist with the Ruffed Grouse Society, will discuss how membership in the non-profit organization assists in the creation and enhancement of wildlife habitat.

Lisa Williams, game bird biologist with the stte Game Commission, will address the status and management of the ruffed grouse population in Pennsylvania. Williams leads an ongoing study examining the possible link between West Nile virus and a statewide decline in ruffed grouse numbers.

“Creating abundant, high-quality habitat is the most important safeguard we can provide to our state bird,” Williams wrote in an article, “What’s Wrong with Our Ruffed Grouse?” she penned for the September 2016 issue of Pennsylvania Game News.

The creation of high-quality habitat is at the heart of the Ruffed Grouse Society’s mission, according to banquet chairman Seth Heasley, who notes that proceeds from the fundraiser meal will be used to enhance habitat on public lands for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife.

The Susquehanna River Valley Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society plans to focus its habitat work and member-recruitment efforts in the counties of Lycoming, Sullivan, Clinton, Potter, Tioga, Bradford, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Union and Snyder.

Individual memberships, dinner tickets and various packages may be purchased by contacting ticket chairman Jeff Fetzer at 570-324-2627 or 570-885-6112 or by email at fetzer@epix.net.

Deer group plans fundraiser

Whitetails Unlimited, a nonprofit conservation organization, will hold its West Branch Hunters Night-out on Feb. 20 at the Genetti Hotel, 200 W. Fourth St. The social hour begins at 4 p.m.; dinner follows at 6.

The event features a two-meat buffet, auction and prizes such as firearms, outfitter packages, hunting and outdoor-related equipment, artwork, and collectibles.

Proceeds will fund a grant for local habitat improvement and youth firearm and archery programs.

Tickets must be ordered by Feb. 16 by calling David Huffman at 570-772-0312, the organization’s national headquarters at 800-274-5471, Dave Ellison at 570-435-5525 or Gene Cahn at 570-447-6541 or by visiting www.whitetailsunlimited.com.

Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited dedicates its resources to the betterment of white-tailed deer and their environment.

Susquehanna TU chapter offers fly-tying classes

The Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold a seven-week fly-tying course from Feb. 21 to April 4. It is open to the public and will be held weekly from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, rear of 102 E. Third St.

The free course will include an instructive manual, tools and materials to be used during the sessions. Beginners and all skill levels are welcomed. Instructors will include notable local fly tiers.

To register, email a request to susquehannatu@gmail.com or reply from the link on the Susquehanna TU Facebook page.

Knife show returns to area

LEWISBURG — The Keystone Blade Association will hold its annual knife show at the Country Cupboard Inn in February. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 25 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 26.

For more information, call Marlyn at 570-584-4835 or Skip at 570-204-1544.

MARCH 25-26

48th annual rock, mineral show at new site

WYSOX — The Che-Hanna Rock & Mineral Club will hold its 48th annual show at a new location in 2017. The show is planned for March 25-26 at the Wysox Volunteer Fire Co., 111 Lake Road.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the following day. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for youth and free for those under age 8.

Club members and museums will have their exhibits on display; lapidary and geode-cutting demonstrations will be given; and door prizes will be awarded.

For children, a scavenger hunt and mini mine will be offered. A fluorescent show will be held.

Dealers will sell minerals, fossils, jewelry and lapidary.

For more details, see www.chehannarocks.com.

Outdoor events sought

Do you have a meeting or outdoor event you’d like to publicize in the Sun-Gazette?

Announcements must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the date of the event, preferably earlier.

Information and news releases may be:

• Mailed to Outdoor editor, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport PA 17701

• Emailed to outdoors@sungazette.com

• Dropped off at the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport

• Submitted through the Outdoor section of the Virtual Newsroom on the paper’s website, www.sungazette.com.

All submissions must contain the name, telephone number and, if available, email address of a contact person.

News releases submitted in all capital letters will not be accepted.

Photographs by area residents of trophy fish or game animals or other interesting outdoor occurrences also will be considered. Digital photos may be sent by email.

Hard-copy glossy prints, negatives or slides may be dropped off or mailed. Polaroid prints typically cannot be reprinted in the newspaper.

Only photos sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope will be returned.

Announcements published in the “Outdoor Briefs” section will print in chronological order as space permits.

The Outdoors section is published weekly on Sundays, but it goes to print early on Wednesday mornings.

Therefore, all information for publication on any given Sunday must be submitted by noon on the Monday prior.

For more help, call 570-326-1551, ext. 3116.

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