Penns Valley Conservation Association SPRING 2017

Penns Valley Conservation Association www.pennsvalley.net SPRING 2017

Rooted in Millheim Donate to PVCA May 9th 6-7pm By Cyndy Engle During Centre Gives There’s no place like home, they say, but growing Since 2012, Centre Gives has been raising aware- up I had many “homes” in my life as an army brat. Like pebbles skipping along the top of a lake, my County. Organizations participate in the 36-hour family hopped all over the globe. We had our toes onlineness and fundraising funds for campaign area nonprofits and compete in Centre for a in the sands of Hawaiian beaches, were airborne chance to win a portion of the $100,000 stretch in Fort Bragg, NC, crossed many bridges over the pool and special event prizes. three rivers in Pittsburgh, settled for awhile in PVCA will be trying for a prize this year for the the Catskills of the Hudson Valley at West Point, NY, went “overseas” and two miles high in Bo- fun-spirited competition. Support PVCA from 6pm-7pmvery first timeon Tuesday, and we Mayare super9th. We excited are attempt for this- headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. I was lucky ing to receive donations from the largest num- gotá, Colombia, and then had our final tour at the because I got to see a lot of this beautiful world. ber of individuals during that hour. We feel pret- But, like all armed forces families, we always ty lucky to be teaming up with Elk Creek Cafe + had to be ready to be transplanted and our roots Aleworks for this challenge and encourage you to never had a chance to grow deep. With this gyp- stop by and celebrate a special Taproom Tuesday at the place where I decided to go to college, but who makes a donation at Elk Creek that evening thesy-like moment upbringing, I crossed I never over expectedSeven Mountains to stay long for willto benefit receive PVCAa free duringpint! Centre Gives. Anybody Save the date, mark your calendars or set an alarm theThere first was time, something I knew I wasalmost finally, magical truly about home. this on your phone for 8am on May 9th until 8pm on place nestled deep in the Central Pennsylvania May 10th. Check out the brand new Centre Gives mountains. Who knew that such violent actions website (centregives.org) now and during the of continents colliding along with the slow strip- campaign for real time updates on your favorite ping of glaciers could someday produce such participating organizations. paradise? Flanked by two larger mountain rang- es, and then divided into smaller valleys by other mountains, Penns Valley is fortunate to have crystal clear waterways that originate here in our PVCA would like to thank all of our hills, to have rich soil that took millions of years 2017 members, and welcome every- to become perfect for farming, and fresh air that one that is new to our organization blows its way through the valleys, often bringing just the right amount of precipitation and moder- this year. To renew your member- ate temperatures to enjoy the four seasons that ship see page 3. come and go with pleasure. It is this idyllic landscape that inspired me to pick up a camera and Continued on p. 14 View From the Chair By Jim Pierce Lovely Valley. Lovely Community. This is a story about… It is compelling because… In preparation for the Centre Gives/Spring Appeal drive these hypo- Aaronsburg, PA 16820 theticals were posed to the congregants at the PVCA Spring Meeting. www.pennsvalley.net PO Box 165 As the forty or so of us broke into groups to brainstorm responses [email protected] the Aaronsburg Community Building was full with chatter and laugh-

theme song to the Brady Bunch. As summaries were read out it was no Board of Directors surpriseter. Ideas that flowed, our story scribes is compelling.scribbled, and, What thankfully, started over nobody twenty sang years the Chair: ago as a grassroots environmental pushback effort to a proposed lime- Jim Pierce, Haines Twp. stone quarry, has matured into a unique model of community support Vice Chair: and activity, and restoration and protection, and education and fun. Greg Williams, Gregg Twp. With success of course comes new challenges. The current Ten-Star

Treasurer: Board is managing more people, projects and priorities than ever. Ev- Ray Girouard, Penn Twp. ery month we struggle to move productively through a packed agenda Secretary: in a couple of hours. It’s (mostly) a good problem, prioritizing good Kat Alden, Gregg Twp. ideas :-) with limited funds :-( and we have so far adhered to our credo of always having at least some fun while we work. Martha Hoffman, Millheim The resurgence of gung-ho committee activity has been one of the Borough/Rochester, NY most interesting successes/challenges, as we work to channel the en- Tommy Frank, Millheim ergy of new folks and their ideas. The recently appointed, fully assim- Borough ilated, chair of the newly created Communications Committee (Team Kurt Grotz, Haines Twp. Comm-Comm), Board Member Kurt Grotz hit the bullseye when he - stated “PVCA needs to work as One Organization Together and not as ough a Confederation of Committees with individual missions”. HA! And so EliLexie Ward, Orr, Millheim Centre Hall Borough Bor we shall! Tess Weigand, Hartley Twp. Our easier-said-than-done theory is this: every committee is chaired Director of Operations: by a Board Member who is the communicative conduit between that Becky Bragg committee and the board. Each committee maintains two “lists”: a Environmental Education - Coordinator: namic list of members, friends, colleagues, pets etc. that are kept in- formedshort list and of activeinvited committed to jump in planner/leaders as activities precipitate. and a longer, Hopefully fluid/dy at Jim Flanagan this point lovely reader you are thinking “self? Which committee(s)’

Newsletter Editors: forward momentum would I like to be a part of?”. The how is easy; Becky Bragg, Martha Hoff- [email protected] or call Becky or I. man, Jim Pierce, Greta Haney Webmaster: Among the nuggets of truth, mirth and beauty in this newsletter we Charlie Boyer of Marcia Case and Karen Yanak. They, and others who are transition- Database: are recognizing and appreciating the long-term selfless commitments Karen Yanak (outgoing) and their muddy shovel, or humble cookie sheet, or mighty pen, to new Bill Torretti volunteersing from Muck because Boots of tothis house compelling slippers, story are ableof community to confidently that passthey 2 fostered, and that flourishes today. A Word from the Director By Becky Bragg Greetings and salutations from the PVCA Direc- tor of Operations. The last four months have been an interesting time to start working for an envi- changing climates, the need for environmental educationronmental and non-profit! projects Withhas become shifting more policies present and than ever. As I have transitioned over the past few Yes! I would like to help PVCA months from a volunteer to a staff member, I have preserve and protect our beautiful region! had the opportunity to learn an incredible amount Enclosed are my annual, of information about our watershed, the communi- tax deductible 2017 membership dues. ty that thrives here and what both the organization and our constituents feel are important priorities About You for this valley. Name

I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to Address - City al skills to work for PVCA. We have made major stridesuse my over financial the last management few months and within organization the orga- State Zip+4 nization. We’re trying new platforms and learning Home Phone new methods for getting our work done; there are so many amazing tools out there! And those tools Work Phone are helping us to take the concerns of our commu- Email

2017 Membership Dues This spring is shaping up to be a busy time for nity and address them efficiently and effectively. q $25 - $99 q $100 - $249 - q $250 - $499 q $500 + tivals, stream projects, buffer projects, mapping q Send me information about Business Memberships projects,PVCA: field OH trips,MY! I look community forward days, to seeing cleanups, new faces fes as well as many familiar ones at upcoming events PVCA is a 501(c3) tax exempt organization and talking more about what is important to you All memberships and contributions are tax deductible. and your family. We live in a beautiful place and it Pay with PayPal on our website: is inspiring to work to protect and preserve it! www.pennsvalley.net Or please make your check payable to “PVCA” and send to: PVCA’s Mission and Vision Penns Valley Conservation Association PO Box 165 PVCA serves as a steward for the natural and Aaronsburg, PA 16820 cultural communities in the Upper Penns Creek Questions? Watershed. We seek to preserve and honor the Email us at: [email protected] agricultural roots of Penns Valley by protecting and conserving its waters, farmlands, forests, Get more involved! Join our active members! and rural heritage. (Check your areas of special interest) q Stream Improvement q Publicity q Crickfest q Education PVCA envisions an engaged community, where growth is balanced with support for healthy natural systems that foster the local economy. Our Valley has dark night skies, clear streams, healthy forests, prosperous farms, and local jobs.

3 Building Bridges of Plastic By Jim Pierce Inspector. He knew that there would be a lot of plastic and anticipated a good response, so his One of the treasures of Penns Valley is the variety of our residents, and one of the jewels of that variety is our thriving Amish community. It is es- next step was to set up a crew of volunteers, and a timated that nearly one third of our residents and fleetThe callsof trucks/trailers. came in, the volunteers signed up, and about one half of our agricultural community is an overwhelming project became a fun, produc- Amish. Just as it is with schools, businesses and tive, community building, educational, undeni- civic leadership, an ongoing goal of PVCA is to in- able success. We kind of lost track statistically but clude the Amish Community in Our Community. PVCA Earlier this year longtime Valley Resident and volunteers.figure that we At collectedevery stop, 14 asloads the or crew about loaded 6-7 tons the PVCA Stalwart Bob Vernon took on a project that plastic,of plastic usually from 24with farms the help with of the the help farmer of 13 and his had been steaming from coffee mugs for months: to encourage the valley’s Amish Farmers to recycle their agricultural (Ag) plastic instead of land- burningfamily, Bob plastic would as gently he demonstrated but pointedly the explain baler. theHe alsodangers plugged to children the mission and animals and purpose of dioxins of PVCA, from in our farmscape as storage of livestock feed in filling or burning it. Ag plastic is commonly seen long snake-like tubes, and wrapped around hay (and offered free consulting to help the farmer bales creating giant marshmallows. Although all and described the benefits of organic farming of this plastic is recyclable, it is a logistical challenge since it is dirty, heavy, of little value and of- becomeA volunteer certified). organization like PVCA usually has ten has to be taken a long way to a collection point. many more good ideas than it has resources and We are fortunate to have S&S Recycling, Sam and energy. It is therefore all the more satisfying when Shem Esh in Brush Valley, who, with the help of a Champion like Bob takes on a project, and the PVCA, have set up a business to recycle all the var- rest of us rally together to make it succeed. Spe- ious types of Ag Plastic. You may have seen one of cial thanks to all the volunteers who braved the the Esh’s ag plastic balers, which PVCA owns, at elements, to the truck and trailer owners who Crickfest. let us pack them full repeatedly, to the Esh’s who were suddenly inundated with way more plastic than they were prepared for at the time, and most - of all to Bob Vernon for having the conviction, the So Bob wrote up a simple flyer offering a one time ary. He then hand delivered a flyer to every Amish tenacity, and the faith in both the Amish and the free pick-up during the first two weeks of Febru dairy farmer in the watershed, most of whom he PVCA community. knew through his work as a Farrier and Organic

4 Hidden Places: Chicory Lane Farm By Catherine Smith day or night, we see with fresh eyes. We encourage others to do the same. One summer day 17 Chicory Lane is an old 68-acre farm lying in the artists spent time at the farm drawing and paint- Upper Penns Creek watershed east of Spring Mills - hibiting the results at the Green Drake Gallery in off Brush Mountain Road reaches it. The farm’s Millheim.ing from One their spring differing evening perspectives in the cattail before marsh ex terrain,and Penn tributary Hall, north streams, of Highway and soil 45. conditions A dirt lane result in a wealth of varied landscapes, ecological percussion incorporating wildlife and weather diversity, and opportunities for education and re- sounds3 musicians in the improvised performance. with Toflute, see keyboard, farm scenes and - and hear farm sounds, select Gallery on the farm cess, select Events on the farm’s website. (http:// website. (http://chicorylane.com/gallery/gal- chicorylane.com/events/eventsWelcome.html)search. To find out about public activities and ac leryWelcome.html) Diversity. The farm now includes 10 different History. In 1766, in forest controlled by the Iro- quois confederacy, surveyor William Maclay act- (riparian, wet meadow, cattail marsh, old farm ing for William Penn’s sons marked out a 330-acre pond,plant communities;vernal pools); 5 a different 16-acre grasslandkinds of wetlands (warm- tract “situate on the headwaters of Penns Creek” and cool- season grasses); that he named Hopewell. Af- ter Indians ceded the region forest (remnant, succession- in 1768, Philadelphia Quak- al,a pollinatorand new), field;and native 3 kinds plant of er brewer and land specula- landscaping. Native plant spe- tor Reuben Haines acquired cies are released by clearing, Hopewell from the Penns. In compatible natives are intro- - duced by planting, and inva- smith Daniel Long acquired it sive species are actively man- and1775, “improved” a Scotch-Irish it, according black aged. Wildlife has increased. - out the 1800s and into the late there year-round or regular- 1900s,to early Pennsylvania tax records. Through- German lyWoodcock, returns to for mate example, and raise lives homesteaders and Penns Val- young. To see current list- ley families owned and lived ings of plants and birds found on it. They gradually reduced there, select Database on the the tract’s size by selling or giv- farm website. (http://chicorylane.com/database) ing parcels to family or neighbors and by donating sites for a church as well as a German school. They . Chicory Lane is rich Education and Research timbered its woods, drained its wetlands, planted with learning and research opportunities. Public apple trees on its hillsides, and grew grain or pas- events vary each year according to interest and

- theytured straightenedanimals on its the open meandering ground. To keeptributaries fields available expertise. Recent group events include - dry or to power sawmills and fill tanning ponds, landnative tours; plant painting identification and drawing walks; days.bird identifica Individu- alstion are walks; encouraged conservation to return practices for follow-up. field days; wet flowing from springs on Brush Mountain through- Aesthetics. We encourage awareness and ap- the farm to Penns Creek. Sometime before 1842, preciation of Chicory Lane’s natural landscape. farmingthey built stopped a log home and occupiedconservation since started 1974 by at presChic- “A wetland is not a wetland is not a wetland,” to oryent Lane. owners Since John then, and James Catherine Lesher Smith. has managed In 2005 paraphrase Gertrude Stein. There is not only di- and maintained projects while PVCA along with versity but also considerable beauty there. Every federal, state, and county agencies have provided season, every day or night, at different times of additional resources. 5 Remembering Marcia E. Case By Catherine F. Smith of the limestone mine, responsible for the mine’s After 31 years in Manhattan, Marcia retired to impacts on the community and the environment. Aaronsburg in 1996. A Pennsylvania German woman with family history in Centre and Brad- actions.) In the adjudicated settlement of a 2008 (PVCA contributed to expenses and fees for these ford counties, she left the city to return to her Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board ac- rural roots. She wanted to live among the peace, tion brought by Marcia Case, Nancy Parks, and quiet, prime farmland, historic buildings, neigh- William van den Berg, restrictions were applied bors, and friends in and around Haines Township. to mining operation that protect historic build- When the Aaronsburg she loved was threatened ings, air quality and water quality. By that agree- by nearby open pit limestone mining, Marcia ment and follow-up actions, blasting is limited fought with knowledge, tenacity, and wit to protect the village. reclaiming mined areas; stone transported by truckand monitored; on public roadstoxic mustwaste be is covered,no longer and used mine in joined her neighbors, the Aaronsburg Civic Club, andFor attorney ten years, Steve between Lachman 2004 in civil and and 2014, legal sheac- effluent filtration ponds are better constructed, tions to hold Con-Stone Inc, owner and operator fenced, and placed outside floodplains.Continued on p. 8

6 In Memoriam of Ron Temple By Tom Doman

Ron L. Temple, dedicated PVCA supporter and a longtime friend to so many in our community, passed away peacefully on March 28 2017 at his home in Providence Point in Upper Saint Clair, Pennsylvania. He was 79 years young.

Cameron Temple; son, David; granddaughter, Sa- vannah;Ron is survivedsister, Vivian by his Treivel; wife nephews, of 48 years, Bob Joanand Warren; nieces, Sandra and Diane Kraat and de- voted companion Charlie, a West Highland Ter- rier.

After earning two degrees at the University of Pittsburgh, Ron had a very successful career in - poration and later with Ryan Homes he served in business and finance. Beginning at Calgon Cor - In addition to his volunteer service, Ron provid- berseveral him executivefor the interest positions he took until in has people retirement and his mentoringat age 55. Thoseof many who colleagues worked inwith advancement Ron remem of their careers. ed substantial financial support to PVCA. - His success in the business world notwithstand- catedHe was brown a self-proclaimed trout of Penns “dry Creek. fly addict” At Crickfest, and tied ing, Ron was an avid outdoorsman. He had a love the most exquisite dry flies for fooling the edu- of hunting with his faithful Labrador Retrievers: Sean, Brandy, Bonnie and Sam. Ron’s passion andRon thosetook a young particular at heart delight the inintricacies conducting of transfly ty- - ing demonstrations. He taught young fly anglers though, was for fly fishing. He spent many hap- withforming his fur,time feathers and enthusiastic and steel into support exact of replicas PVCA. ingpy hours camp. fly Love’s fishing Pool, on Penns upstream Creek of and Poe with Paddy, his Thankof flying you aquatic for your insects. help and He inspiration,was most generous Ron. wasfriends his atfavorite Hemlock place Acres on thewhere entire he hadstream. his fishRon Farewell old friend, you will be missed.

Donations to PVCA in memory of Ron will be probably forgot more about the nuances of fly know. gratefully accepted. fishing Penns Creek than most anglers will ever early days of the organization. He was a staunch advocateRon’s affiliation for a healthywith PVCA Penns went Creek ‘way back’watershed to the and for clean, cold water. His insights and counsel helping them to foster a growing and respected conservationguided many PVCAgroup. Board Ron served members on theand BoardOfficers, of

President for several terms during those years. 7 Directors from 1998 through 2005 and as Vice Remembering Marcia E. Case, cont’d from p. 6 views and the same opportunity was not afforded to others. This is a dangerous Marcia also held Haines Township government precedent that will ultimately destroy the accountable for its decisions pertaining to the newsletter . . . . . “ mine. The Board of Supervisors heard from Mar- cia when, in her view, they failed to perform their Here’s Marcia Case in 2012 asking supervisors duty to protect the public’s “right to clean air, pure to reconsider the township’s agreement to close water, and to the preservation of the natural, sce- nic, historic and aesthetic values of the environment” (Pennsylvania Commonwealth Constitution Broad Road“I am to requesting enable mine that expansion. you rescind the . . Article 1, Section 27). Using her skills as a former Agreement with Con-Stone Inc. for the business administrator, she with others scruti- reasons outlined below. [Authorization nized agreements between Haines Township and and evidence for each claim provided in the mining company; researched public records; the original letter is omitted here to save - space.] tary and non-monetary) to Aaronsburg residents, calculated profits to the miner and losses (mone 1. The Township failed in its duty to ensure making good objections to bad decisions. She reg- ularlyand wrote attended detailed township letters meetings. to the elected officials sound2. The Townshipfiscal management. failed in its duty to secure I remember Marcia when I read the observation the health, safety, and welfare of the citi- that “Good citizens test assumptions, question zens of Haines Township. leaders, argue details, research claims” (Los An- 3. The supervisors failed to do due dil- geles Times, April 3, 2017). igence in researching the impact of the You can read about her civic activism in Marcia’s Agreement on the residents. own words. You might not know that she had - multiple voices. Her public voice was Marcia Case, igence in researching the impact of the informed and concerned citizen. A private voice Agreement4. The supervisors on the environment. failed to do due dil was Aaron Levitas, Reporter at Large, Aaronsburg Underground. He is Marcia’s reinvention of the - 18th century village founder as a wry observer of formation. 21st century township government. 5. The Agreement was based on invalid in 6. The public was given inadequate notice Here’s Marcia Case asking to publish an article in of the Agreement.

The supervisors’ reply: Board of“Your Supervisors’ articles onnewsletter the proposed in 2004: township park . . .do not cover all the residents’ is- “. . .The Haines Township Board of Super- sues . . .I have prepared a small article to visors appreciates your concerns but does supplement your coverage. I think this is not recognize any stated opinions that only fair . . ..” warrant a change to the agreement.”

The Board of Supervisors chair’s reply: Here’s Aaron Levitas, Aaronsburg Underground, reporting on monthly township meetings:

of editorializing that I do not want to see in “At a public meeting on March 31, Haines the“[Your newsletter. article] represents As soon as exactly residents the readkind Township residents turned out in great the introduction, they will ask themselves numbers to learn about their township su- why one resident was able to publish her pervisors’ proposal for a Haines Township Park. The park would result from a land 8 swap with Con-Stone Inc, the local limestone mining company. Thank You Karen Yanak The chairman . . .started off by urging calm, PVCA bids a fond farewell to Karen Yanak who and right he was to do so, as the meet- is retiring from her position as database man- ing rapidly deteriorated into one huge ager and bookkeeper. We thank Karen for her groundswell of opposition. Over accusa- - tions of impropriety, [another] supervisor ly to the membership committee where she related how he nurtured the land swap servedmany years as our of servicedatabase to manager,PVCA and keeping specifical on

quarry offering to trade a portion of town- more. She kept the system running smoothly, ship-ownedidea and in JanuaryBroad Road2004 inapproached return for the a makingtop of mailing entries labels, and changes tax letters in FileMaker. and so much piece of quarry-owned land . . . As it turns out the proposed park is a swamp and part of it lies in another township. as our bookkeeper as we made the transition Karen also guided PVCA’s financials, serving [The land swap proposing supervisor] - stated the reason for vacating a portion of mitteefrom Excel changed spreadsheets and tweaked to the Quickbooks way things in were2010. formatted She was very or described.patient as theShe finance turned comover the bookkeeping duties in November when degreethe road turns was makingthat it wasit unsafe.’ ‘the worst A resident piece Becky Bragg took over Accounts Payable and inof attendanceroad in the statedtownship’ there and were has many ‘three oth 90- Receivable. er roads in the township with 90-degree turns but apparently none of these are being offered to the quarry. It seems that years of PVCA when we applied for IRS non Karen’s involvement goes way back to the first residents will just have to live with them.”

While she was a persistent watchdog of the quar- daysprofit PVCA designation. didn’t have She a traditional was also there accounting when ry, Marcia also lived fully. She was a good cook, we applied for our first grant in 2000. In those generous host, and versatile artist in quilting, was a time consuming task, but Karen did it calligraphy, and gardening. She collaborated with all.system. She has Tracking been a the tireless organization’s volunteer working finances local carpenter Elam Beiler, his barn-building quietly behind the scenes with no fanfare, al- sons, and his gardening wife Mary and daughters ways pleasant and willing to help wherever to restore and maintain her historic Aaronsburg she could. “Unmatchable” is how one early PVCA board chairman described Karen’s con- photographs, paintings, furniture, glass, and nee- tribution of time. dleworkhouse and by flowerbeds. local artists She and filled artisans. that homeShe volun with- teered for Aaronsburg Civic Club events. She par- She and Phil have headed the “Clean the High- ticipated in Penn State’s Osher Life Long Learning the past ten years, sometimes without addi- (OLLI) classes. tionalway” task help. for PVCA’s section on Route 45 for When Marcia died of lung cancer in 2016, Penns PVCA has been blessed with the dedication Valley communities in and around Aaronsburg of volunteers and members like Karen who lost a good citizen. show such devotion to our mission and proj- PVCA’s mission and vision are in line with the ects. These people are true strength for a small work that Marcia did in the world. Donations to organization like ours. Thank you, Karen, for PVCA in Marcia’s memory can be made at pennsvalley.net are so appreciative of your time and skills! your exceptional contributions to PVCA, we 9 Hedgerows: Pathways of Cooperation With Nature By Cathy Pierce ceous plants, including trees, shrubs, grasses and “The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is today.” forbsHedgerows (or flowers), come in and many often forms including and serve vines. a num - ber of different purposes. The celebrated hedge- What do you picture in your mind when you see rows of Britain served as fences for livestock. The the word “hedgerow”? For me, it’s a solid thicket urban/suburban hedge marks a boundary and of Privet, lining the edges of the narrow country provides privacy for swimming pools and mov- roads of Great Britain. Or, as I’d occasionally see ie stars. As a response to the Dust Bowl, hedges as a child in Illinois, a long line of gnarly looking were planted on American farms to act as wind- Osage Orange trees, with all manner of “weeds” breaks, preventing soil erosion. Some hedges are and “brush” growing in amongst them, creating planted simply for their ornamental value! a sort of fence. Appearing to have had that purpose at one time, but long since neglected and But hedgerows have been declining in America degraded into what a potential property buyer - would consider an opportunity to lower the offer- appearance is as much a corollary of the eternal ing price. Like most things in life, the true nature strugglealmost to of thethe pointsalt of of the nonexistence. earth versus Theirthe three dis of the hedgerow lies somewhere between Great Britain and Illinois... and discarded technology. Thanks in part to a piv- martini lunch as it is a reflection of antiquated- - ministration, many hedgerows, as well as pretty tion forthcoming if you want. Particularly if you muchotal change any arable in farm land policy in the during U.S., were the Nixonput under Ad Now, you old timers can just skip the explana the plow. Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz, patron to write this article, it occurred to me that most saint of the “Fast Food Nation”, envisioned a hy- peoplewere never probably much aren’t for textbooks. sure what But a inhedgerow preparing is anymore. So here is my best shot at bringing en- lightenment to those who’ve spent their lifetime And,per-efficient, in 1971 centralizedas now, what food agribusiness system, one wanted that wascould for profitably farmers to and plant cheaply lots and “feed lots of the corn world”. and soy. Problem was, the ag policies of the day en- wondering, “What exactly is a hedgerow?” - cated yet wild area in the landscape. The broadest couraged restraint. After the Great Depression — I suppose the simplest explanation is, a domesti a hedgerow consists of a long, fairly narrow ar- grain surpluses, widespread hunger, and a tide rangementdefinition is of (and usually here native, is the textbookwoody and part) herba that- ofwhich farm featured failures the— the stunning Roosevelt confluence Administration of huge

10 put in place mechanisms to help farmers “manage big or get out.” So they took on debt, buying more supply.” land, bigger machinery, more fertilizers and pesticides. I remember the 1970’s being very lucrative The program that Butz inherited worked like this: for my father. When farmers began to produce too much and prices began to fall, the government would pay Unfortunately, after this initial boom grain pric- farmers to leave some land fallow, with the goal of pushing prices up the following season. When being produced and plummeted. While farmers prices threatened to go too high, the payments struggledes eventually to paybegan their to reflect bills and the overabundancethousands lost would end and the land would go back into cul- their farms during the 1980’s, agribusiness made tivation. obscene amounts of money off the cheap grain, transforming it into such highly nutritious and desirable products as High Fructose Corn Syr- farmers and store it. In lean years — say, when up, Quarter Pounders and Chicken Nuggets. The The government would also buy excess grain from drought struck — the government would release character of the once pastoral landscapes of the some of that stored grain, mitigating sudden price hikes. The overall goal was to stop prices from falling too low (hurting farmers) or jumping too monotonousMidwest was toexchanged even drive for through. the vast And monoculture ironically, high (squeezing consumers). A side goal was to go thefields people of Flyover who liveCountry, there, the like place the birds considered and other too easy on the land. The New Deal policy makers had seen how high-production agriculture could dev- become marginalized and diminished. So for this astate land’s productivity. The “dust bowl” was a Illinoiscreatures farm that girl, formerly the disappearance inhabited the of fields,hedgerows have fresh memory. For Butz and his agribusiness cronies, the pro- over people, over land, and over nature itself. is a symptom of farm policy that values profits gram amounted to socialism — an intolerable Now that we understand what went wrong, what’s check on farmers’ ability to plant and harvest as redeeming about hedgerows? Are they the key to much as possible (sarcasm intended). To make the policy shift palatable in the Mid- has long been and remains the dominant and west, Butz needed to convince farmers that they mostsaving widespread family farms? interaction Not exactly. between But agriculture humans weren’t risking a return to Depression-era condi- and the environment. And hedgerows accentuate tions: vast overproduction, low prices, and fore- the mutual dependence which binds the farmer closures (foreshadowing…). So he dangled the and indeed all of us to the land. Afterall, for eons promise of foreign trade as a panacea. Don’t wor- ry about overproduction, Butz told farmers on cut through the sod, nature was creating fertility trips through the Midwest. Produce all you can, frombefore the the ongoing trees were process cleared of lifeand and the deathfirst plow and and we’ll sell the surplus overseas! Providing a seasons of both. So this place that brings together the untamed engineered a massive grain sale to the Soviets in and the civilized is central to the formation of grand example of how his vision might work, Butz 1972. The move worked splendidly. The Soviets symbiosis between the two worlds. If we merely essentially bought up the U.S. grain reserve — just observe the interactions of a mature hedgerow as a widespread drought hit the Midwest (womp, womp..). all the services they provide. and its surrounding fields, we become aware of With the grain reserve now far across the seas In addition to adding beauty and character to the and the drought decimating the 1973 harvest, landscape, hedgerows are of considerable value grain prices jumped and farmers scrambled to in helping to conserve soil. Here in Penns Valley plant as much as they could to take advantage. (all the surrounding valleys for that matter) we Butz fanned their frenzy. “Plant fence row to fence are wide open to the prevailing westerly winds. row,” he bellowed from his bully pulpit. In other words, plow up and plant every bit of land you can Continued on p. 12 get your tractor on. He tolerated no dissent. “Get 11 Hedgerows, cont’d from p. 11 hedgerows provide nesting and perching sites for hawks and owls, whose principal prey is rodents. A fact we’ve been well aware of lately! Recall how Each pair of raptors must catch hundreds of mice, brown the snowdrifts were last month, then con- rats and voles to successfully raise their young. - Yet another group of rodent predators commonly tion of the wind erosion occurring on a more or found along hedges is snakes. Makes sense to me. lesssider continuous that the snow basis. was Hedgerows reflecting only also a conservetiny frac Snakes are pretty edgy. - cess rainwater to seep into the ground and help Mentioning all the plants that need pollinators soil by mitigating surface runoff, facilitating ex decreased likelihood of agricultural pollutants income by selecting native shrubs and trees that avert flash flooding. Less runoff translates into- producereminds me;edible hedgerows fruits and can berries. be sources The additionof extra ing into streams and rivers. of conifers in your hedge will provide consistent such as manure, pesticides and herbicides flow shade needed for the production of mushrooms Hedgerows can be very effective at regulating from seeded logs placed underneath. decreasing wind speed over the ground surface, - hedgerowswater supply reduce for crop water fields loss in through several ways.evapora By- tion. There’s not much data available, but it stands tion. And, because of their deep roots, hedgerows toA finalreason benefit that over I’ll mentiontime, a hedgerow is carbon could sequestra sink a not only remove water faster from the soil than - trationsignificant in corn amount and forestof carbon. land Stunningly,seemed to indicatethe one crops do during periods of excessive rainfall, they thatstudy because I was able of the to findapplication comparing of nitrogen carbon sequesfertiliz- duringcan actually rainy store periods water for for slow later release use. For down example, the er, an acre of corn actually sunk more carbon than slope,a field duringwith a dryhedgerow periods. at This the effecttop collects is greatest water in an acre of forest. However, I would not advocate soils rich in clay or organic matter. for spraying forests with ammonia to help miti- gate the effects of climate change any more than I Have you noticed yet that hedgerow contains the would farming with chemicals. place where two environments meet. In nature, So as I draw this diatribe to a close, there is one word “edge”? In ecology, an edge is defined as the- last aspect of hedgerows I’d like you to consider, itat and species diversity. No wonder the best and that is what they aren’t. Agriculture is and al- huntingthat’s where on the you farm will findwas thetraditionally highest level along of hab the ways has been anthropocentric. Hedgerows nei- hedgerows! They form connections between iso- ther conform to nor respect our notions of supe- lated patches of habitat and all manner of critters riority. In their untidy appearance they stand in will live in and travel through these corridors. An- - cillary to good hunting are the predators and pol- ture. In our desire to subdue the wilderness and linators attracted by the native plants of a careful- controlpassive ourdefiance, circumstances, refugees inwe our have war pushed against aside na ly planted hedgerow. Although corn and soybeans the natural systems and organisms that worked in harmony for millions of years to create and most fruits and vegetables grown here do, includ- sustain what we now claim as manifest desti- ingdo notsuch require favorites an asexternal apples, vector peaches, for pears,pollination, rasp- ny. Knowing what we do now, and regardless of berries, squash, melons, tomatoes, string beans, the many blessings we stand to gain, can we not and lots more. Furthermore, pollinators rely on the shelter provided by hedgerows to travel safe- withfind thethe compassionremaining patches and decency of habitat to provide they need and of nectar. Hedges also attract parasitic insects torestore reproduce at least and a survive? matrix forWe wildlifeneed to toremember connect whichly and withjoin lessforces effort with from birds field to to consume field in search pests our humble beginnings. Despite our efforts, we do not control the forces of nature. And the modest thrips, squash bugs, stink bugs, codling moths, hedgerow beckons us to accept and appreciate cornlike aphids, earworms leaf hoppers,and other scales, caterpillars. mites, whiteflies, Trees in our reliance on the wisdom of nature, before it’s too late. 12 Start of the Pollinator Habitat Project The PVCA Watershed Committee planted a Pictured (l to r): Diane Mitchell Martin, Jim Pierce (PVCA president), Bill Martin, Mark Thom- Martin Farm Old Mountain Road wetland resto- as (Wetland Biologist, Habitat Forever), George ration/pollinatorsymbolic “first shrub” habitat - black project chokeberry in Pine Creekat the Kelly (Watershed Com chair emeritus), Tess Wie- watershed. gand, (Watershed Com chair).

PVCA would like to thank the following businesses for sponsoring Riversongs:

Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks (Millheim) Linn Realty (Bellefonte) Creative Design & Printing (Millheim) Commonwealth Hops (Coburn) Nittany Lawn and Property Maintenance Envinity (State College) (Boalsburg) Over the Moon Farm (Rebersburg) Black Walnut Body Works (Bellefonte) Millheim Small Engine (Spring Mills) Trail2Creek (Millheim) Pinnacle Erosion Control (Centre Hall) Bobbie’s Kitchen (Coburn) Brush Mountain Lodge (Spring Mills) Purple Lizard Maps (Centre Hall)

Bryant & Cantorna (Millheim) Beloved Sunlily Designs (Coburn) Mifflinburg Bank & Trust (Millheim) Your contributions make our environmental education programming possible! Thank you.

13 Rooted in Millheim, cont’d from p. 1 can grow and thrive. document its beauty on a nearly daily basis for We need to be careful, though. Don Henley once many years now ~ each day bringing a new view wrote in his song, “The Last Resort” that if you to light, almost as if it is born again every morn- “call someplace paradise, kiss it goodbye.” As the ing. larger cities to the east and west of Penns Valley While these natural resources create a special haven for Penns Valley residents and visitors, beautiful area, Penns Valley is being newly dis- its greatest asset is its people, and they’re why I coveredexpand, andby many as social and mediabecoming freely a destinationadvertises our for am so glad we chose Millheim for our kids to call entertainment, business, and development. The - - perienced, and inspiring people who also acted as ing available, the establishment of an art com- ourhome. kids’ This mentors. area is overflowing Our kids had with PV educated,Ram pride ex in munity,word is andout thatwide we open have spaces great forfishing healthy and living.hunt They say the healthiest of trees is the one that has were active in organizations like Boy Scouts and both deep roots and strong branches; we need to FFA,the classrooms they looked and forward on the to fields annual and traditions courts, they like the Grange Fair and Dutch Fall Festival, and they opportunities and be aware that what comes to worked for neighborhood businesses learning usfind and a balance what leaves between us can the have social a huge and impacteconomic on and earning. But the most important thing they the natural resources that make Penns Valley so were taught was to respect their environment special. To create this balance effectively with long term results, we need to consider the whole home for granted. Even as they became adults world as one big backyard. and to never take this magnificent place they call and productive citizens of their own, Penns Valley We can discuss many issues, but none of them is still ingrained in their bodies and souls. matter if we cannot breathe clean air, drink clean Perhaps it was when they dropped their kayaks in water, or grow food in healthy soil. None of them. And the best way we can ensure that we have cleaned the banks of Millheim’s Millrace every these essentials is to stand together as a nation, EarthPenns DayCreek that for the an watersafternoon became float likeor when the blood they because unless we are all in this together, it just doesn’t matter. The environment is one issue that the many times they camped in Poe affects us all, no matter where live. It’s our com- that flows in their veins. Or maybe it was one of Paddy or took a hike up through the Narrows to who live down the street, across state lines, and Phillips Creek when the mountains became their overmon vastground. oceans. Our We neighbors need to are be concerneddefined as oneswith bones. Maybe it was one of the long bike rides the guy who burns trash in his backyard as much that made the air their lungs, or when they test- as we are with the conglomerate that burns fossil ed soils in the marshes that the wetlands became fuels in its factory. We need to understand more their kidneys. The community gardens certainly about the processes of using chemicals and genet- inspired their sense of taste. There were so many ics to grow our food whether it be in a community instances of their interaction with the landscape - here, it naturally became a part of who they are. sands of acres. We need to make food security a garden or in belts of fields that stretch for thou Our story may seem unique, but it is not. Every daily conversation whether it is making sure kids family in Penns Valley is fortunate to have a simi- have lunch at school or about protecting the land lar tale. Each may have a little different emphasis from invasive entities. We have to care if the polar major cities even if we live in the comfort of the ice caps are melting and potentially flooding our their~ perhaps list ~ having but we hunting, all share fishing, the incredible family cabins, gift of interior lands. It all matters. And while today we havingraising alivestock, pristine naturalor planting environment fields at thewhere top we of may seem relatively safe from many of these dan- gers, unless we act, and we act together as one, 14 we could lose all we hold near and dear. they will also become a guidepost for other communities, our neighbors near and wide, to show I am not a doomsdayer. Indeed, despite the neg- our investments pay incredible dividends for all. - member when many of our cities were choking Penns Valley is a wonderful place to raise a family underative prospects, black clouds I am of extremely smog that optimistic. are now much I re and to have a business, a great place to put down cleaner and even more prosperous. I see com- roots. To keep those roots growing and strong, munity learning gardens popping up in many we need to nurture the environment in which neighborhoods where people are growing their they are planted. We need to recognize our roots own food with pride and safe practices. I read are part of a bigger system, a bigger world with about schools incorporating local and seasonal foods into their lunch programs. I witness a new blows into our valley and then moves onto oth- generation who automatically looks for recycling ers.fields We that need grow, to both waters respect that flow,and protect and air those that bins when throwing away their trash. None of roots because a tree without roots is just a piece these things just happened. It took a small group of wood. As we celebrate Spring and Earth Day, of people who collectively made bigger groups plant a seed of your own and keep these words of people who then decided these things are im- from Walt Whitman in mind: portant and made them priorities. They planted the seeds of change, and, with time, those roots grew strong and spread. “CALAMUS NO. 13 (ROOTS AND LEAVES THEM- SELVES ALONE) (from Leaves of Grass, 1860) The Penns Valley Conservation Association is one small group that is making big things happen. It is Roots and leaves themselves alone are these; keeping our waterways clean and healthy, helping Scents brought to men and women from the wild our farmers to reduce their environmental impact woods, and from the pond-side, while becoming more productive, creating events to keep our Main Streets busy, working with our wind around tighter than vines, school district to educate a new generation of en- Breast-sorrel and pinks of love--fingers that vironmentally-minded students, and sponsoring Gushes from the throats of birds, hid in the foli- - age of trees, as the sun is risen; munity radio station. Whether your family has Breezes of land and love--breezes set from living livedexciting in Pennsprojects Valley like forWSOV, generations our soon-to-be or you comare a shores out to you on the living sea--to you, O newcomer to the area, the PVCA makes your life sailors! here better, today and tomorrow. Frost-mellow’d berries, and Third-month twigs, offer’d fresh to young persons wandering out in animal lover, local business owner, Penns Valley residentIf you are or a visitor,hunter, reachfisherman, out and gardener, tell the farmer, PVCA Love-buds, put before you and within you, who- the fields when the winter breaks up, about your interests and how it can serve you ever you are, better. Become a member of the PVCA ~ annu- Buds to be unfolded on the old terms; are already a member, make sure you are partic- If you bring the warmth of the sun to them, they ipatingal memberships in the great start PVCA at just events $25 andper year.bring Ifalong you will open, and bring form, color, perfume, to you; a nonmember to show them the fun we have. To- If you become the aliment and the wet, they will gether, we can all make a difference. It may be too ambitious to think we can change the world, but we can take care of this amazing place we are become flowers, fruits, tall branches and trees.” so fortunate to call home (or a home away from home). Our efforts and actions will not only preserve and conserve our natural resources, but 15 What’s Simmering in the Stock Pot? By Jennifer Tucker Recipe for dandelion leaves: This article assumes our readers know how to ● make homemade vegetable stock, beef bone or aside. chicken bone stock. My intention is to educate or Cook 1 cup Quinoa - 10 to 15 minutes - set ● Heat olive oil in a heavy frying pan. remind readers of the value in early garden weed plants we might otherwise compost; instead ● add them to the stockpot and strain them out at the end of cooking time…then compost! Putting theChop leaves 3 to wilt. 5 generous Add chopped handfuls garlic, of salt, leaf the plants we label weeds into stock adds body, pepperbunches and finely. fresh Add herbs to hot(optional). oil and stir as blood and bone-building: over-all spring tonic for ● Transfer cooked dandelions to a bowl. Add strengthening the immune system and the best a dash or two of white wine vinegar to way to “eat local” for FREE! (besides your time your taste, and let it sit for a few minutes and labor).

Gardens are greening up with edible weeds. ● toStir absorb in the flavors. warm Quinoa toss together, These early “in season” plants strengthen bones, check for seasoning. Enjoy!! tone our immune system, invigorate us and wake- The tender chive-like shoots of the Wild Onions up our taste buds; they are healthful additions to and the young Garlic Greens - our local spring diets. Take advantage today of vorful for soup, salads and as garnish on potatoes; young wild greens packed with nutrients. They add a handful to the stockpot.are They pungent help winter’s and fla transition us from winter into spring and summer. gunk clean out of arteries. Get your basket and pocketknife, small spade and let’s go foraging in your garden, back yard or her- Chickweed is a tiny green plant hugging the earth and a great energy boost for blood. It is delicious in soup, raw in smoothies, in pesto spread or sal- bicide-freeDandelions: fields! Early roots can be eaten raw, they are sweeter in the early spring. Add them to stock, soup, stew, stir-fry or as herbal decoction; dry ads. It jives up the metabolism to help shed extra or roast the root. Supreme “food” for the health of liver, blood and bones. Dandelions are high in protein, calcium, vitamin A and minerals. I har- vested a big bowl of dandelion greens this week by using a pocketknife to cut beneath the basal leaves, taking the crown of the root to keep all the leaves together. The taproot is left in the ground to grow another set of leaves while the deep taproot brings up minerals to feed the garden soil, buds are amazing raw in salads or petals pulled off thetoo! green The flower base are sweet and delicious in salads, tealightly or soups!cooked. The yellow flower bucket full of dandelion leaf bunches, half-hour to washIt took and me trim, fifteen and minutesanother 20 to minutes harvest to a make small them into healthful food.

16 winter pounds, springtime allergies, and upper respiratory colds. Chickweed is high in calcium, potassium, ascorbic acid and minerals. PVCA would like to thank the following individuals and businesses for their Chew some tiny slippery leaf shoots of Yellow support with various tasks including: Dock and Curly Dock for a tart lemon taste while Ag Plastic Pick Up, in-kind donations to you forage. Or graze on French Sorrel, a peren- events, assistance to our Environmental nial vegetable in the garden. (Ask Henry to show Education program, helping organize you where to pick and eat French Sorrel leaves in events, and more. the Penn’s Valley Learning Garden.) The leaves Erica Kotula are tart with a lemon sour taste. They will quench your thirst and give you a boost of natural vitamin Karen Yanak C. Add them to salads, soups, or smoothies; sorrel Dan Shimp awakens tastebuds. Phil Yanak Last but not least, WATCH OUT! Stinging Net- tles is a power plant full of vitamins, minerals, Jeremy Tosten proteins and iron to build muscle and energy to Dennis Whittenhill work… and you will forgive them if they sting you, Dave Atkins it’s their nature. Add them to the stockpot, soup, or teakettle but do NOT EAT THEM RAW. Always Warren Leitzel cook to neutralize the sting! Use the root and leaf Karen Daystar - ples of food as medicine; it re-invigorates, tones Elaine Gustus andin the balances stockpot. thyroid Nettles and is adrenal one of glandsthe best and exam kid- Martha Ruhe ney function. Combine nettle leaf and dandelion leaf and root for a tonic for liver and kidneys… Asa Myers spring-cleaning and rejuvenation!! Craig Shroyer Want to learn more about those pesky “weeds” Elmer Z. King that are growing in your garden rows or more Aaronsburg Community Building and about how to inter-plant medicinal herbs in your Civic Club vegetable gardens? Hosterman and Stover’s Or maybe you want to learn more about gardening and growing your own food? Elk Creek Cafe + Aleworks Beloved Sunlily Design Join us at the amazing Penns Valley Learning Garden and Farmers Market starting May 6th, Creative Design & Printing every Saturday from 10:00 to 1:00 or inquire The Centre Foundation and join our Vigorous Volunteers work-and-share PVLG. Freeze Thaw Cycles Come see what we are doing this year and get involved!or plant-a-row Food is Life! programs specific to the The Feathered Hook Contact: Jennifer Tucker (Jenniferanne.tucker@ Tussey Mountain Outfitters Karl Eric Leitzel com) to get on our mailing list of garden volun- Penns Valley Veterinary Clinic teersgmail.com) for spring, or Jim summer,Pierce (jimpierce2015@gmail. fall work schedules. The IngleBean Coffee House WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to continue growing the Learning Garden… a Penns Valley destination! Triangle Organic Farm Jennifer Tucker, herbalist, artist and founder of the Medicinal garden in the PVLG. 17 Improving Health by Going Back to Nature By Kelleen Lanagan prove physical strength by building and training muscle, and by being outside, you are absorbing Kelleen is a 2013 Penn State graduate. She is cur- the necessary sunlight to metabolize vitamin rently finishing up her Masters of Education. D—a vitamin that is crucial in building strong The average American child spends around seven bones. Being active outside releases endorphins, hours a day interacting with a screen and just four a hormone in the human body that makes you feel - good. ties of the natural world. This can lead to restless- Certain chemicals released by plants as a pro- to seven minutes outside exploring the possibili tection against insects can boost our immune screens for hours a day, and having a jam-packed systems when we breath them. Trees and plants ness and even stifled creativity. Sitting in front of schedule contributes to the feeling of being over- - whelmed and depressed. In recent years, the ide and other harmful compounds from the air. United States has seen an alarming increase in the Airact pollutionas a natural is a air particular filter, removing problem carbon in urban diox ar- number of youth prescriptions for ADHD medica- eas, and this pollution can cause or contribute to tion and antidepres- respiratory issues sants. With so many like asthma. Living diseases being the closer to a forest, or result of stress and being around trees inactivity, one way more often can not to combat many of only alleviate the the health problems symptoms of asth- today is simply to get ma, it can increase up, and get outside. our quality of health Studies continue to in general. - Aside from trees side and in nature is and sunlight, there find that being out linked to many men- are other aspects of tal, physical, and so- nature that can im- prove health. Gar- in both adults and dening can boost cial heath benefits children. Getting your immune sys- outside and enjoying tem because rich nature is a refresh- soil contains mi- ing activity that people can do to recharge. It is crobes—tiny microscopic organisms. Some of why some go for hikes to clear their heads, and it these microbes, like Mycobacterium vaccae, have been found to have a similar effect on the human vacations. People not only desire nature when brain as antidepressant medications. Garden- is why many people flock to national parks over given a choice between natural and urban land- ing decreases the level of cortisol in your brain, scapes, we actually need it. which is a hormone that is involved in responding What can nature do for physical health? to stress. The Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture reported that adolescents engaging in a therapeu- Being outdoors and engaging often with nature tic gardening program noticed that their self-es- is a way to become active. Outdoor activity has teem grew, and they became better at handling - emotional and behavioral stressors. Many of the sential component in battling obesity, lowering bloodmany pressure, positive health and decreasing effects. Exercise the risk isof an other es gardening after the program ended. weight-related health concerns. It can also im- participants expressed their desire to continue 18 How can nature help our mental and social http://www.clearwaterconservancy.org/events/ health? References:

Even just going for a walk around a park can have (2007, April 2) Getting dirty may lift your mood. aExploring calming effectnature on is thea great mind. way Our to natural relieve curiosstress.- University of Bristol. http://www.bristol.ac.uk/ ity as humans draws us to the outdoors, and this - news/2007/5384.html nation. Imagination can increase creativity and Wellness through Access to Nature. https:// positiveexploration thinking, is key both to fosteringof which are a healthy important imagi for www.apha.org/policies-and-advocacy/pub(2013, November 5) Improving Health and- keeping an active and healthy mind. lic-health-policy-statements/policy-data- There is something about the “great outdoors” that continues to inspire creativity in everyone and-wellness-through-access-to-nature base/2014/07/08/09/18/improving-health- from painters and writers, to scientists and engi- (2016) How Does Nature Impact Our Wellbeing? neers. Plants have a calming effect on our minds https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/en- that has been found to increase the speed and hance-your-wellbeing/environment/nature-and- accuracy with which we do tasks. Having plants us/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing - ry retention and task performance. Schools that havein the adopted office orenvironmental classroom can education increase programs memo Trees. The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/ have observed an increase in testing scores, while Hamblin, J. (2014, July 29) The Health Benefit of workplaces that have gardens for employees to health/archive/2014/07/trees-good/375129/Husted, K. (2012, February 22) Can Gardening visit during breaks see an increase in productivity. Help Troubled Minds Heal? http://www.npr.org/ As more people become involved with nature programs and outdoor activities, getting outside gardening-help-troubled-minds-heal sections/thesalt/2012/02/17/147050691/can- could increase the time we spend socializing with Kingsley, J. Y., Townsend, M., & Henderson‐Wilson, others. When many people are involved with na- C. (2009). Cultivating health and wellbeing: mem- ture, it also becomes an opportunity to enhance social connections and forge lasting friendships. Melbourne community garden. Leisure Studies, What can you do? 28(2),bers’ perceptions 207-219. of the health benefits of a Port If you have ever felt overwhelmed by work, stud- Maller, C., Townsend, M., Pryor, A., Brown, P., & ies, or the bustle of a tight schedule, it may seem St Leger, L. (2006). Healthy nature healthy peo-

Take time for yourself and remind yourself what promotion intervention for populations. Health itcounterintuitive, means to be outside but connecting take a break. with Go nature explore. and ple:‘contact with nature’as an upstream health the people in it. One way to do this is by checking promotionMatthews, D.international, M., & Jenks, 21(1), S. M. (2013).45-54. Ingestion out local parks and environmental organizations - for events lated behavior and improves learning in mice. Be- of Mycobacterium vaccae decreases anxiety-re out the door and to become part of a communi- haviouralNational Wildlifeprocesses, Federation. 96, 27-35. There’s a reason tyEvents of people are a whowonderful love being way tooutside. get that The first key foot to they call it the great outdoors. http://www.nwf. a happier and healthier life could in fact be your org/~/media/PDFs/Be%20Out%20There/ own back yard. Getting out into nature not only improves health and relationships with the community, it allows us to reconnect with a part of our MindBodySpirit_FactSheet_May2010.ashx very own nature. Thank you to ClearWater Conservancy for allowing Check out events at Clearwater Conservancy: us to reprint this article. 19 Build a Species Project

The Build a Species Project is designed to allow students to use their creativity. The assignment is to create and “discover” a new, unknown species. The challenge of this project is to blend fantastic creativity with reality. All designed creatures must have a life cycle and live in a habitat where the creature can get ev- erything it needs to survive: Food, Water, Shelter, Air and Space. The rest is up to the student. The project starts as a discussion of what all living things need to survive and how real species adapt to their ecosystems. Then the students develop and draw their creature’s habitat, as well as its physical form and adapta- Some eat insects, some are carnivores. But all tion to the environment. havemust claws,be able some to survive live in in extreme their ecosystem. heat or cold. Af- ter the students come up with their species they The students have dreamt up animals that live are given limited materials (pom poms, feathers, pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks) to build a 3D version of their species. in ice, water, space, and Mars. Some fly, some We are continuously amazed at what the students dream up for their species and they always seem to fully engaged in the process. The project cul- minates in a story of discov- ery with the guidance of their teachers. The Build a Species project challenges the students to fully understand the needs of living creatures while enhancing their engagement with biology, art and writing as well as the relationships between them.

20 Lava Mander!

Lava Mander has the same colors as before. the narvo starts to grow it starts to fly, and it still Class, Penns Valley Elementary) The fourth life stage is called Acid Ander because By Maura Horner (4th Grade, Mrs. Fragassi’s it grows into an adult and starts making acid Hi, I’m Maura and I found a new species! It’s and it also can become a shadow. It has smoky called Lava Mander, and was discovered in a vol- breath and smoke comes out of it’s nose. It still has the lightning bolt on it’s leg, but it’s larger than ever before. cano. It has 4 life stages. orange, green like acid, blue like ice, black like a Now let’s get on to where it lives, it lives in a vol- Theshadow, first with stage a islightning an egg bolt.and the colors are red, cano with acid crystals and on the top of the vol- It’s second stage is a Narvo, in this stage the egg cano, with thunder and lightning everywhere. It hatches and the new species comes out. It’s like also has a dragon statue! It eats insects, bugs, crickets and sometimes colors as it’s egg. meat like ducks and stuff. That is my new spe- a dragon but it can’t fly, it also keeps the same The third life stage is called Mander because as cies, the Lava Mander. 21 Spring in the Penns Valley Courtyard Garden By Jim Flanagan carefully and consistently watered (there have been numerous seed/sprout casualties) and they As this is being written spring has sprung, and have realized that gardening takes patience and by the time this article is published the Penns Valley Elementary Garden Project will be nearly the last remaining raised beds, and have moved complete and the students will be busy planting, gravelplanning. around Student to create groups a levelalso helped surface. build and fill weeding and enjoying their new garden space. The garden will include 8 raised beds, 1 raised bed cold frame, a garden tool shed and a sitting and we get closer to turning this project into a liv- area. This project started in July 2016 as a weed ingAs thelearning structural zone, we elements look forward of the to garden developing finish covered, unkempt courtyard and by late May 2017 programs that meet the needs of the classrooms PVCA and Mountainside Homestead will have all - Penns Valley kindergarten class- ample, it will be great to take stu- and engage studentsdents into (and the get garden them todirty). identify For theex trips. The Penns Valley Elementary parts of a plant as well as see the studentses visit the with garden the guidance space forof many field variety of forms these parts take. PVCA volunteers, helpful school We will continue to plant and will administration and teachers, and PVCA and Mountainside Homestead to test what plants work best in the educators have worked hard to get gardenlikely have space. some We experimental also look forward plots this space ready. to harvesting the plants and allowing the students to taste the fruits of This past fall and winter students their labor. The learning activities came up with a variety of garden in the garden space are wide open plans including a pie garden, a rain- and the garden will add an outdoor bow garden, a food garden, and a hands-on dimension to what stu- climbing plant garden, and they are dents are doing in the classroom. designing the space not only to be As the garden space is used more anxious to get in and plant. We are often, we will be able to better determine how the students and teachers to visit when they need to plots are used by the students and teachers and takean extension a break fromof the their classroom day. but to be a place for we will be able to work out new ideas and programs. Some ideas that the teachers, students It has taken a lot of work to get to this point. and educators have had include creating reading - Master Class Students and the PVE 1st graders ers. This has been a wonderful project to be a part Throughout April and May, 3rd and 4th grade were busy starting seeds using some grow lights ofnooks, and butterflyhas provided houses, PVCA bird with boxes a consistentand bird feed op- the school district had on hand. Seed starting has portunity to work with and learn from the future leaders of the Penns Valley community and we are have learned that seeds and sprouts need to be been a great learning experience. The students excited about what these students will do next. Calling for School Garden Volunteers Looking for some way to help out PVCA? Do you enjoy gardening? We are looking for a few volunteers to help maintain the garden at the Penns Valley Elementary and Intermediate School. We hope to meet 2 or 3 mornings each summer month (June, July and August) to help keep the garden going while the students are on summer break -- all ages welcome. Please contact Jim Flanagan at [email protected] if you are interested. 22 KIDS’ CORNER! - Signs of Spring in Penns Valley

Word Search Find these words in the puzzle on the right:

BIRD BUG FLOWER KITE NEST PUDDLE RAIN SPRING SUN WIND HATCH BLOOM CREEK MAYFLY

Crossword Puzzle

ACROSS 1. 9. you know spring has surely arrived. looking cloudy and grey. It’s always hard ManyThe first people night in you Penns hear Valley these have amphibians, a ______toBest predict to take thunderstorms one of these if in you the find spring the andsky and enthusiasts can’t wait to get their this will keep you dry. 4. hands dirty once the snow melts. 7. Children and dogs are often seen jumping DOWN in these after a spring rain. 2. On April 22 every year we take the day 8. As the snow and ice begin to ______the to celebrate the planet we live on and do environmentally friendly activities. This holiday is called ______. first flowers of spring, crocuses, pop their 3. One of the earliest signs of spring is brilliantly colored flowers through the soil. when the days start to get above freez- ing but the nights remain cool and the

that sweet, yummy syrup. treeWhether ____ flows you from choose maples to do to itmake on Penns, Pine, Sinking or Elk, this is a 5.family and valley sport that really gets revved up in the middle of April. 6. of ______can really help with cabin fever.The A firstlittle warm Vitamin day D with never a bursthurts to lighten the mood!

in7. Themonth official of ______. start of spring, also known as the vernal equinox, happens 23 US POSTAGE PAID StateNon-Profit College, Org PA Permit No. 213 PO Box 165 Aaronsburg, PA 16820 www.pennsvalley.net

#TapRoomTuesday Takeover at Elk Creek Cafe Supports PVCA Centre Gives Fundraiser SAVE THE DATE! Tuesday, May 9th MAY 9 & 10 6pm-7pm LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE? GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE! #CENTREGIVES WWW.CENTREGIVES.ORG