Conservancy readies for annual dinner meeting
Wednesday is the last day to purchase reservations for the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy's annual dinner and meeting, which will be held May 9 at the Holiday Inn, 100 Pine St.
Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased by calling the conservancy at 323-6222.
A silent auction will be held during the event.
Register now for West Branch sojourn
Friday is the last day to register for the West Branch Susquehanna Sojourn, an 85-river mile-long expedition from Curwensville to Renovo that will be held May 19-24.
Break out the paddles, get campfire tales organized and organizers for an exciting trip through some of the most remote and lovely sections of the Upper West Branch of the Susquehanna River during a six-day educational canoe and kayak trip. Participants may paddle the entire trip or a few days.
Touted by National Geographic as a "Best Adventure Destination for 2012" and recently designated a National Recreation Trail by the National Park Service, the West Branch is a great place for exploration.
Full registration is $325 for adults and $165 for kids 12 and under. Partial registration is $65/day for adults and $33/day for kids 12 and under.
For more information, or to register, go to the www.susquehannagreenway.org/west-branch-sojourn-register-here webpage.
Business to open on Buffalo Valley Rail Trail
LEWISBURG - Vargo Outdoors will celebrate the grand opening of its new location at 2370 Old Turnpike Road on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail beginning at 10 a.m. Friday and lasting all weekend until 6 p.m. next Sunday.
Attendees will receive special discounts, an hourly door prize drawing will be held and prizes will be awarded to the winners of a tent set-up competition and a frozen yogurt eating contest. Free snacks and beverages will be provided.
After serving the area for nearly four years in the downtown Lewisburg location, Brian Vargo, owner of Vargo Outdoors, said the store's expansion into a new larger facility will provide customers with a broader variety of products and services.
Vargo Outdoors has been an innovator in designing and manufacturing backpacking gear since 2002. For a full list of products and more information, visit www.vargooutdoors.com or call 877-932-8546.
The store is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
Help clean up the Loyalsock Trail
Hikers who want to help clean up a segment of the Loyalsock Trail next Sunday and/or May 20 may sign up by calling Ruth Rode, of the Alpine Club of Williamsport.
Participants should bring their own gloves, lunch and beverage, as well as clippers, loppers and bow or folding saws. Some equipment also will be provided.
Hikers first should register by calling Rode at 322-5878. On each day of the hike, they should meet at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the Sovereign Bank, 251 S. Market St., South Williamsport.
Watershed associations to meet
HUGHESVILLE - The Black Hole Creek Watershed Association and the Muncy Creek Watershed Association will hold a joint meeting at 7 p.m. May 10 at Hughesville Library, 146 Fifth St.
Mark Stephens, a professional geologist with the state Department of Environmental Protection, and Megan Lehman, an environmental planner with Lycoming County, will deliver a presentation about the North Central Source Water Protection Alliance and its efforts to protect public water systems.
The alliance protects the region's drinking water sources from all potential sources of contamination by proactively evaluating susceptibility to contamination, working to minimize or eliminate specific potential threats, creating long-range strategies to protect sources, encouraging local planning and inter-municipal coordination efforts, and educating the public about source water protection.
The meeting is open to the public.
Plant exchange planned
JERSEY SHORE - Is your garden out of hand? Want to find some new plants and save money at the same time?
The Jersey Shore Public Library has just the ticket. It is holding a plant exchange from 10 a.m. to noon May 12. Bring three potted plants, shrubs or bulbs to exchange for three new ones.
To register, visit the library at 110 Oliver St. or call the library at 398-9891.
Hike to Fall Creek near Canton
The Friends of the Canton Green Free Library are sponsoring a hike to Fall Creek on May 12.
Participants will meet at 10 a.m. at the Manley-Bohlayer Farm on East Canton Crossroad. The group will carpool to the beginning of the trail. Children under age 12 should not attend.
The one-mile-long trail is not difficult and runs along the creek uphill. Hikers may bring a lunch.
Registration is required in advance by calling 673-5744.
Hike guide Gene Kennedy said three waterfalls are visible along the trail and a large coal mine was active at the top of the trail in the 1800s.
Environmental film series offered
BLOSSBURG - The Countryside Film Series will be held at the Victoria Theater, 222 Main St., at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month through at least June.
The theme of each film will explore some aspect of the notion of "countryside" and will deliver a message of hope and respect for the country and the country folks who live there. Before the feature film, a segment from one of the oral histories gathered by the Pine Creek Watershed Council will be shown to highlight the history and culture of this region.
The suggested ticket price is $5.
Upcoming movies include:
May 16 - "Blue Planet" and "The Powers of 10"
June 20 - "Hope for Polluted Water"
ATV safety class scheduled
An all-terrain vehicle safety class will be held at 8:30 a.m. May 19 at Wheels of Williamsport Inc., 99 Grey Fox Drive, Montoursville.
Class size is limited and advance registration is required. Students - youths or adults - must provide their own ATVs.
State-certified safety instructors Bill and Nancy Stugart will teach the course.
Pennsylvania law requires that youths ages 8 through 15 take a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources-approved safety training course and earn a safety training certificate from it before operating an ATV off their parents' or legal guardian's property.
To register, call the Stugarts at 435-0923.
Fishing derby planned
MONTGOMERY - The Black Hole Creek Fishin' Derby will be held May 19, unless the weather is inclement. The rain date is June 2.
For more information, call Becky at 547-6289.
Watch birds, spot flowers at Rider Park
WARRENSVILLE - A free, public bird watching and wildflower walk will be held at 9 a.m. May 19 at Rider Park. Attendees should meet in the parking lot.
Considered an easy walk, the stroll will follow a stream and enter the forest, fields and meadows of Rider Park. Participants may bring binoculars and field guides.
The walk will last until about noon. It will be co-led by park leader Ron Beach and a member of the Lycoming Audubon Society.
For more information, call Beach at 368-2921.
Benefit motorcycle ride scheduled
The Friends of Paws Park and the Knight Crew Motorcycle Club have teamed up to hold their first benefit motorcycle ride, named Dog Gone MC Ride, on May 19. All proceeds will be split between the off-leash dog park and the new South Williamsport K9 Unit.
Registration will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Lions Pavilion at the South Williamsport Community Park. The cost is $15 per rider; $10 per rider if registered in advance; and $10 per rider for groups of 10 or more riders. Poker run is $5 per rider.
A barbecue chicken dinner is included in registration fee, and the event includes a blessing of the bikes and a Chinese auction.
To download a registration form, visit www.swpawspark.com or www.southwilliamsport.net.
Anglers club releases trout stocking schedule
TROUT RUN - The Lycoming Creek Anglers Club will stock trout on May 26. Volunteers should meet at 9 a.m. at the Trout Run Fire Co.
The club also will hold a children's fishing derby June 2 at the Sheshequin Campgrounds, north of here on Route 14 at the Marsh Hill Bridge. It will be held rain or shine.
Girls and boys up to age 13 may compete and each will receive a derby prize.
Registration times are:
3-4 years, 8:30 a.m., fishing 9 a.m.-10 a.m.;
5-6 years, 10 a.m., fishing 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.;
7-9 years, 11:30 a.m., fishing noon-1 p.m.;
10-13 years, 1 p.m., fishing, 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m.
Women, get ready for the outdoors
TARENTUM - The Allegheny Valley chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold a Women in the Outdoors event on June 2 at Bull Creek Rod & Gun Club.
Classes will include archery, rifle, shotgun, self defense.
Registration is required in advance. Register at www.womenintheoutdoors.org, then click on "PA WITO Event Manager Calendar" and search the calendar.
For more information, contact Leslie Smith at 484-634-0069 or lsmith@nwtf.net.
Group plans motorcycle ride
CASTANEA - The Durty Dabbers Dual Sport Motorcycle Ride will be held June 2-3 at the Castanea Fire Hall Picnic grounds, across the field from the William T. Piper Memorial Airport.
The ride involves about 100 miles of off-road, street-legal motorcycle riding.
For more information, call 748-9456 or 726-3343 or visit www.durtydabbers.com.
Women in the Outdoors event planned
DANVILLE - The White Deer Jakes, Col-mont Gobblers and Sun Area chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold a Tri-Chapter Women in the Outdoors event on June 9 at Montour Preserve/North Montour Sportsmen's Club. A fee will apply.
Advance registration is required by going to www.womenintheoutdoors.org, clicking on "PA WITO Event Manager Calendar" and then searching the calendar.
Through expert instruction and hands-on education, the NWTF's Women in the Outdoors program helps women develop outdoor skills in a safe environment.
For more information, contact Leslie Smith at 484-634-0069 or lsmith@nwtf.net or visit www.womenintheoutdoors.org.
ATV ride to raise funds
RENOVO - The second annual ATV Cruise for a Cure will be held June 9. The 50-mile guided tour will begin in Renovo's Heritage Park, traverse the Bloody Skillet ATV Trail Park and return to Renovo.
It will start with a pancake breakfast at 6 a.m. at the Renovo Fire Hall.
Registration will be available noon-8 p.m. June 8 and at 7 a.m. June 9, but is available online now at www.renovo.eventbrite.com.
Vendors, organizations and businesses will be on hand to support those dealing with cancer.
For more information, call 923-1000, ext. 2191, or email snestor@bucktailmed.org.
Bike tour, festival planned
PECKVILLE - The Heritage Explorer Bike Tour and Festival is set for June 16 at Mellow Park in Lackawanna County.
The tour is a family-friendly, non-competitive event that helps to raise funds for the continuing development of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail.
For more information, visit www.HeritageExplorer.org.
Outdoor discovery weekend set for women
AUSTIN - Ladies, are you tired of your typical weekend? Do you find yourself sitting in front of the television watching other people have fun? Well, here's the perfect opportunity to break out of your routine and try something new.
Sinnemahoning State Park is offering a weekend filled with opportunities to learn new outdoor skills. Programs will include biking, archery, kayaking, bird-banding, GPS/geo-caching, fly-fishing, camp cooking, outdoor survival and many others. Participants may choose up to eight sessions over the three days of the event, and all meals are included.
Grab your mom, sister, best friend or co-worker and join us and other aspiring woods-women for a new adventure in the heart of the Pennsylvania Wilds.
Call the park office at 814-647-8401 for information on registration, available lodging and fees.
Athletes prepare for adventure triathlon
LOCK HAVEN - The sixth annual Great Island Adventure Triathlon will be held June 23 at the Woodward Boat Launch, across the Jay Street Bridge.
Participants will paddle, pedal and run through a 23-mile course in the heart of the PA Wilds.
For more information, call 748-6727 or visit www.lockhavenymca.com.
Bass tourney registrations sought
BERWICK - The Columbia County Bassmasters is accepting registrations for the third annual Bassmasters Fishing Tournament, which will be held Jane 23-24 at the Berwick Test Track Park boat launch.
The boundaries on the Susquehanna River extend from the Danville/Riverside bridge to the Nanticoke bridge.
Teams of two anglers may register, but there is a limit of 100 boats. A fee of $140 per boat includes breakfast and a T-shirt. Registration forms are accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Once the 100-boat limit is reached, all other applications will be returned.
Cash prizes totaling $12,500 will be awarded. The first-place team will receive $5,000. Each day, lunker prizes will be awarded for adults and junior anglers.
Applications and rules may be downloaded from the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau's website -www.iTourColumbiaMontour.com/Bassmasters - or the Columbia County Bassmasters website - www.ColumbiaCountyBassmasters.com.
Applications also are available at Bo's Bait Barn, 1312 Raspberry Ave., Nescopeck; Smith's Outdoor Connection, 1901 Orange St., Berwick; Laubach's Sporting Goods, 547 E. Eighth St., Berwick; Halls Marine, 890 Lycoming Mall Drive, Muncy; and visitors bureau offices, 121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg, and 316 Mill St., Danville.
For more information, call Mike "Chuck" Monico, tournament director, at 752-3223.
Canoe, kayak races planned
HOWARD - The seventh annual Bricktown Challenge will be held July 14 at the Bald Eagle State Park beach, 149 Main Park Road.
The event offers canoe and kayak races for the serious paddler, youth and junior paddler races, and recreational races.
For more information, call 660-0382 or visit www.beechcreekwatershed.org.
Wildlife for Everyone 5-mile run scheduled
ALLENWOOD - The Wildlife for Everyone 5 Miler off-road run/walk will be held at 9 a.m. July 14 on State Game Lands 252.
The course encompasses dirt roads and grassy land. The roads will be closed to vehicles. Prizes and refreshments will be provided.
T-shirts will be given to all participants who register by June 25 and pay a $20 fee. Registration on race day is $25. Shirts will be limited on race day.
All proceeds will benefit the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation,
For more information, email Steven Schmit at wfe5M@windstream.net or natasharider@windstream.net.
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.
For more help, call 326-1551, ext. 3116.
