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Reflections in Nature: The mule is far from a stubborn animal

One day in early summer, Mary Alice and I stopped at a friend’s farm/greenhouse to purchase flowers. On the way to the greenhouses, we passed the chickens, goats, horses, pigs, cattle and one donkey. As usual, Mary Alice had a question for me, wanting to know whether the animal was a donkey or a burro. Now I was stumped. Although I believed they were the same animal, I told her that I would check and I did. I remembered Jesus Christ was placed on a wild burro which no one had sat on to ride into Jerusalem. Then I checked my Ryre Study Bible, where in Matthew 21:1-11 states Jesus ...

Community Outdoors calendar for Week of July 22

FREE BIRDING EVENTS IN SULLIVAN COUNTY WHERE: Various locations (read below) WHEN: Throughout July and August NOTES: Loyalsock Foundation is partnering with local bird enthusiasts and the Lycoming Audubon Society to deliver a series of birding walks and programs this summer. We invite the community to celebrate our winged friends at The Summit: Center for Wellness campus in Laporte. • JULY 1-31: Summit Bird Safari photo challenge (online) • JULY-AUGUST: Backyard Bird Chronicles Book Club • JULY 17: Creating bird collages • AUGUST 14: Birding Walk led by Sara ...

Reflections in Nature: Flies are important part of nature’s cleanup crew

In his two-line poem, Ogden Nash wrote that “God in his wisdom made the fly and then forgot to tell us why.” One Sunday a fly was buzzing around our church. I’m sure I was not the only parishioner that found it hard to concentrate on the Pastor’s sermon. With the wave of a hand, the annoying fly went from one person to another. When the fly landed on the head of an elderly gentleman sitting in front of me, my first instinct was to swat it, however, good common sense — which sometimes leaves me — took over, and I simply chased the fly away. I recall an instance during a ...

Shapiro admin highlights Lyme disease, tick bite prevention at recent visit

NEWPORT — Representatives from the Pennsylvania Departments of Health, Conservation and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection visited Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County recently to highlight the importance of taking precautions to prevent Lyme disease and tick bites. “Spending time outdoors supports physical and mental well-being. When outdoors, I encourage Pennsylvanians to take some simple steps to protect their health,” said DOH Secretary Dr. Debra Bogen. “Take a few extra minutes before heading out the door to apply and carry sunscreen to prevent sunburns, ...