Penns Valley Conservation Association SPRING 2017
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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 PVCA a 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 oth- er 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 land- scape 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 andnon-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 overfinancial 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 lookcommunity 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 vari- ety of our residents, and one of the jewels of that variety is our thriving Amish community.