Learn about bonsai art
Seats still are available for a five-week "Introduction to Bonsai" class that will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, beginning this week and concluding on Oct. 4.
The class is offered by Saint John's School of the Arts, 2101 Newberry St., Williamsport.
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Bonsai is a combination of art and gardening. Students will learn about what kinds of trees and shrubs will work for bonsai, plus how to style and care for them.
Classes will include lecture, demonstration, tree selection and working on trees. Tools and materials are provided during class. Students will keep their potted trees. The class is limited to 10 students.
For registration and cost information, call the School of the Arts at 327-5575.
Master Gardeners plan Garden Fest
Penn State Cooperative Extension's Master Gardeners of Lycoming County will hold a free Garden Fest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday on the lawns of the Lysock View Complex, 542 County Farm Road, Montoursville.
Free workshops will be held, including:
10 a.m. - Carl Bower will discuss the art of bonsai;
11 a.m. - Paul Solomon, also known as the Garlic Guy, is back by popular demand;
Noon - Sharon Bitler will show how to keep birds from harming your garden with bird deflectors you can make from CDs.
1 p.m. - Learn how to press and mount flowers with Janet Sherman.
Throughout the day, there will be demonstrations on how to start new plants from cuttings with Master Gardener Helen Grosso near the Knot Garden.
The Master Gardeners also will have a perennial plant sale, including many bee-pollinator friendly plants from their own gardens, along with some of their garden treasures. New this year are garden gloves and the Cobra Head tool.
Check out the rose, native plant, vegetable and knot gardens. Bring your gardening questions and samples to the "Ask the Experts" stand. There will be door prizes and free refreshments. Educational displays will teach about pollinators, square foot gardening and backyard berries, among other topics.
For more information, call the Extension office at 433-3040, or search for Lycoming County Master Gardeners on Facebook.
Families can learn how to kayak
TIOGA - Looking for a great way to enjoy Pennsylvania waterways with your family? Discover kayaking during a state Fish and Boat Commission program from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday at Hammond Lake. It will begin with on-land instruction and end with on-water experience.
The program is designed for people ages 12 and older, but children 11 or younger will be considered on a case-to-case basis.
All equipment is provided.
For more information, call Allan Schreffler at 814-359-5127. Space is limited and registration is required by calling or visiting www.fishandboat.com/calendar.htm. The program will be held rain or shine.
Take a hike with regional group
The Otzinachson Regional Group of the Sierra Club and the Edward Abbey Hiking Society will hold a number of hikes throughout the region in the fall.
They are open to the public, but hikers must contact the hike leader prior to the event. Participants are advised to bring lunch and water on every hike.
Hikes will be held:
Saturday - Hunter Mountain, Catskills, N.Y., four miles, moderate. See the magnificent scenery of the Catskill Mountains in southern New York with great views of the Hudson Valley. Meet in back of Wegmans in Williamsport at 6 a.m. The trip will take 4 1/2 hours each way, but hikers will share driving. After the hike, a dinner stop will be held in Woodstock, N.Y. Leader: Richard Sahn, 435-2401 or Richardsahn5@aol.com.
Next Sunday - Sierra Club Gathering, R.B. Winter State Park, Union County. The Otzinachson Group is having an informal membership get-together from 2 to 4 p.m. at the park's Pavilion No. 1. A hike might be held earlier in the day by Roy Fontaine. For more information, email Jack Miller at jmiller1018@yahoo.com.
Sept. 23 - Loyalsock Trail, Lycoming County, 13.5 miles, strenuous. Hike from Miller Road to Route 87 and see views of the Loyalsock Creek Valley from Smith's Knob. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Minit Mart/Sovereign Bank parking lot along Route 87 (off of Route 220) in Montoursville. Leader: Roy Fontaine, 220-4707.
Sept. 30 - Gillespie Point Figure 8 Loop, Tioga County, 11 miles, strenuous. From Blackwell, we will climb to the top of Pennsylvania's Matterhorn, Gillespie Point, with fine views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. After looping back to Blackwell, we will continue on the Bohen Run Falls Trail to the West Rim Trail, then back to Blackwell on the Pine Creek Rail Trail. Meet at parking lot behind Lewisburg Post Office at 7:45 a.m. or boat launch parking lot in Blackwell at 9:30. Leader: Duane Button, 596-3454.
Learn how to safely use a chain saw
DANVILLE - The Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association will hold a "Chain saw Techniques and Safety Demonstration" at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at the Cole Woodlands, near here in Point Township, Northumberland County.
The demonstration, which is open to the public, presents tree felling techniques, basic bar and chain maintenance, the art of chain sharpening, basic chain saw operating procedures and safety equipment to use when operating chain saws. It is designed for the forest landowner with minimal to moderate prior chain saw experience.
Gerald Hoy, service forester for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will lead the demonstration.
For more information and directions, contact Henry Williams at CSWOA1@gmail.com or 458-0157.
The Central Susquehanna Woodland Owners Association is open to anyone interested in sound woodland management.
Fly fishing program planned for women
BELLEFONTE - Sept. 14 is the last day to register for a women's fly fishing program that will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 22 at the state Fish and Boat Commission's Stackhouse Facility along Fly Fisherman's Paradise, 1150 Spring Creek Road.
It is for women who are interested in "getting their feet wet" with the sport of fly fishing. They will learn about the basics of equipment, knot tying, flies, casting and fishing.
Registration is required by visiting fishandboat.com/fish_fundamentals.htm.
For more information, contact Amidea Daniel at adaniel@pa.gov or 814-359-5127.
Rail trail committee to meet
WATERVILLE - The Pine Creek Rail Trail Advisory Committee meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the conference room at the Tiadaghton State Forest Resource Management Center.
For more information, contact the Tiadaghton State Forest District Office at 753-5409 or fd12@pa.gov.
Mother Earth News Fair planned at Pa. resort
SEVEN SPRINGS - Seven Springs Mountain Resort will host the third annual Mother Earth News Fair on Sept. 21-23.
Dozens of hands-on workshops will cover organic gardening, real food, renewable energy, small-scale livestock, green building and remodeling, do-it-yourself projects, natural health, green transportation and related topics. Sustainable and rural lifestyle experts from across the country will lead the sessions.
Nationally known keynote speakers will offer attendees a broader perspective on today's environmental issues, including:
Animal welfare activist Dr. Temple Grandin will teach attendees how animals think and feel to create strategies for improving their overall welfare.
Organic farmer and author Joel Salatin will discuss ways to use technology to regain a relationship with our food, energy, water, air, soil, fabric and shelter.
Barbara Pleasant, a Mother Earth News contributing editor, will share how to become more self-sufficient and save money by growing crops that store well.
Self-taught fermentation expert and author Sandor Katz will show attendees the scope of fermentation beyond food and beverages.
Food historian Dr. William Woys Weaver will cover the history and nutritional ramifications of heirloom food plants. Weaver owns the Roughwood Seed Collection in Devon and is a Mother Earth News contributing editor.
In addition to workshops, the fair will host an heirloom seed display, children's activities, vendor and livestock demonstrations, a green shopping pavilion, and local and organic food options.
Adult tickets cost $30 for the weekend or $15 for a one-day pass in advance, or $35 and $20, respectively, at the gate. Children 17 and under get in free.
To purchase advance tickets, go to www.MotherEarthNewsFair.com or call toll-free 800-234-3368.
Gates will open at noon Sept. 21 and close at 7 p.m. The fair hours will be 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 22 and 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 23.
Game commissioners plan quarterly meeting
FRANKLIN - The state Board of Game Commissioners will hold its final quarterly meeting of 2012 on Sept. 24-25 in the Venango Room of the Quality Inn and Conference Center, 1411 Liberty St., in Venango County.
On Sept. 24, the board will gather public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors to the meeting room will open at 7:45. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony also will begin at that time.
On Sept. 25, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the commission will take up its prepared agenda, which will be posted on the agency's website prior to the meeting. Doors to the meeting room will open at 7:45.
The meeting will be videotaped and rebroadcast later on the agency's website, www.pgc.state.pa.us.
Game Commission to conduct game farm tours
The state Game Commission will offer public tours of its four pheasant game farms in Armstrong, Crawford and Lycoming counties from noon to 3 p.m. Sept. 30, rain or shine.
Tour stops will include hatcheries, brooder houses, and rearing, "grow-out" and over-wintering pens. Workshop discussions will focus on objectives in propagation management, including sportsmen's organizations participating in raising day-old chicks provided by the farms to increase local hunting opportunities and surplus day-old hen chicks that are sold to the public. Also, after registration and before taking the tour, visitors may view a brief DVD highlighting farm operations throughout the year.
When visitors arrive, they will register before game farm personnel take them on a guided tour. In order to maintain biosecurity and minimize human contact with the birds, visitors must remain with tour groups.
For directions to the game farms, visit www.pgc.state.pa.us or call the particular regional office.
PA Wilds plans annual trails conference
BRADFORD - The 2012 PA Wilds Trails Conference will be held 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. The theme is "Land and Water Trails: Trailing Across the PA Wilds, Strengthening Connections."
It is designed for revitalization partners, small businesses and trail advocates. Attendees will meet the members of the newly formed PA Trails Advisory Committee and will learn:
About the benefits of forming a regional trail group;
About trail startups;
About advanced trail design;
How to promote and market a trail using social media and trail apps; and
How to map a trail.
For more information, visit www.PAwildsResources.org.
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.
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 326-1551, ext. 3116.
