Union County Covid Update Lewisburg Children's Museum
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E LOCAL RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS TH Presorted Standard ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Sunbury, PA Union County Times 17801 The Area’s Largest Weekly Newspaper! Permit No. #17 A DIRECT MAIL PUBLICATION - 23RD YEAR - NO. 30 Friday, July 24, 2020 MIDDLEBURG, PA 17842 Union County Covid Update Merrill Linn Conservancy New Berlin Day In response to an employee testing positive for COV- ID-19 over the weekend, the Union County Commission- Receives PPL Foundation Grant NOT Cancelled ers and President Judge Hudock today advised all county Submitted by Barbara L. Stamm The Merrill Linn Conservancy has been awarded a employees to continue to follow the county’s COVID-19 Many years ago, the key members of the Heritage As- safety protocols. These protocols were developed with $3,500 grant from the PPL Foundation, according to Geoff Goodenow, coordinator of the land trust organi- sociation decided that due to their age and energy level, county staff input and approved by the Commissioners they could no longer sponsor “Heritage Day” in New Ber- in April. zation, which services Union, upper Northumberland, and contiguous counties. The grant will support the lin. Fortunately a new group of community individuals “In a conference call this morning,” Commission Board stepped up to the task, and the New Berlin Activities Com- Chair Preston Boop stated, “the Commissioners and Conservancy’s ongoing eff orts to connect people of all mittee was born. “Heritage Day” was renamed “New Ber- Judge Hudock advised county employees that Domestic ages with their local environment through tours, hikes, lin Day” and has continued to be held the 4th Saturday of Relations Offi ce staff that were working in the County events and public education programs that foster un- August each year since. Courthouse last week are now quarantined as a precau- derstanding and appreciation of our natural resources. This year we celebrate the 50th year of Heritage/New tion. The maintenance department had sanitized the of- The grant specifi cally will underwrite trail restora- Berlin Day ! It’s been a grand experience. Many New fi ce suite and several other areas. We asked employees, tion at the 28-acre Koons Trail property, a popular site Berlin organizations have benefi ted from their participa- in addition to continuing to follow our COVID-19 pro- tion in New Berlin Day as well. It has turned out to be tocols, to take their temperature twice daily and to im- that is the venue for many of the Conservancy’s out- door programs. The property, located within the bor- the major support of the Activities Committee’s treasury mediately report fevers or other COVID-19 symptoms to which has provided the Committee the aff ordability to also their supervisor.” ough of Miffl inburg and adjacent to Buff alo Creek, is protected by the Conservancy through a conservation sponsor activities, events, and projects such as the Spring and Fall Community Yard Sales, the 4th of July activities partnership with the owners. with fi reworks on the Commons, planting of the Butterfl y Lewisburg Children’s Museum The property has been severely impacted by both Garden on the Commons and replacement of Christmas fl ooding and an infestation of the emerald ash borer, tree between the Market street churches; “Art In the Park”, Brings Olympic Spirit Event an invasive insect that destroys ash trees by feeding on purchase of the Gazebo - the home of the New Berlin buf- The Lewisburg Children’s Museum (LCM) is inviting their inner bark. For safety reasons, removal of the ash falo on Water St., purchase of materials and crafting of children to participate in the 2020 Virtual Kid Olympics, trees was the landowner’s only option. In the process the homemade Christmas angel decorations that light our July 27 through July 31, sponsored by Miffl inburg Bank of cutting down and removing the Koons Trail’s many streets throughout the holiday season, support of several & Trust. While the offi cial 2020 Olympics has been post- ash trees, the trail suff ered collateral damage to foot- maintenance projects at the Community Center, monetary poned, now is the chance to participate as an Olympic ath- bridges, the parking area, and other aspects of the trail. support of the utility garage at the Recreation Complex, lete in this kid friendly, local event. The grant, according to Mr. Goodenow, will cover 70 and of the Fire Company’s Carnival ride wristband project “Participants will be emailed daily challenges during the for kids plus others too numerous to mention. week that the 2020 Olympics would have been held,” says percent of the estimated cost to restore the area for safe The 50th New Berlin Day event HAS NOT BEEN CAN- Anna Lightman, LCM Visitor Services Coordinator. “All and enjoyable use by the general public and for nature CELED. It is the Committee’s fervent hope that the virus they have to do is submit video proof of them completing programming for children. “We are extremely grate- the challenge, and they will be entered into a random prize pandemic will not dictate cancellation. This year’s event drawing.” ful to the PPL Foundation for its support of our eff orts may look a bit diff erent as the Committee is looking into Daily challenges will be available for two age ranges: 3-5 to engage the public in nature,” Mr. Goodenow said. social distancing for the vendor’s and patron’s safety. The year olds and 6-10 year olds. Challenges will be easy for “The assistance allows the Conservancy to preserve annual Quilt raffl e will be held keeping in mind the color participants to complete around the house. its fi nancial resources for other land conservation ef- of Golden Anniversary. The quilt has been handcrafted by “The more challenges you submit the more chances you forts that will protect land and water resources and the Emily Reichard Kline - a native New Berlin gal. It’s name have to win,” says Lightman. “And the great thing about is “A Trip Around the World.” The Committee will be this event is that you can do it anywhere!” beauty of our area for generations to come.” PPL Foundation grants have provided support for selling a numbered (limited edition) 50th year emblemed “I think that kids are going to have a great time with crock and 50th year emblemed mugs. Pre-orders can be this activity because it gives them an opportunity to get many Conservancy programs over the years, A 2017 made by contacting Shirl Hummel at 570-966-2677 or any outside and fi nd new and creative ways to be active,” adds PPL Foundation grant was instrumental in the comple- Olivia Agosti, LCM AmeriCorp Service Member. “The other Activities Committee member. There will be only daily challenges can be adapted into games or maybe in- tion of a Conservancy native plant garden, located at 100 crocks sold. There will be more mugs which will not spire the participants to do activities that we haven’t even the East Buff alo Twp. municipal property—a project be numbered. thought of. The possibilities are endless for fun” that encourages local residents to include pollinator- And now, the sad news. Several members of the Activi- Participants have until Friday, July 31 at 5:00 pm to email sustaining native plants in their gardens. ties Committee have reached the arduous decision that due the museum their video submissions. Event is $5 per par- The PPL Foundation contributes more than $3 million to their age, health, and decreased energy level, it’s time ticipant and registration is required. annually to organizations working to create vibrant, to step back from their current level of participation in the The Museum has been closed since March 14 but plans to Activities Committee. It’s time for the younger generation reopen its doors for the public starting Wednesday, July 29 sustainable communities; promote diversity, equity with adjusted hours. The LCM is a non-profi t organization and inclusion; and empower each citizen to fulfi ll her individuals to take charge so the grand work of this orga- nization does not STOP. If the virus pandemic has done that relies on income from admissions, memberships, fi eld or his potential. trips, and events to support anything positive for the New Berlin residents or any small its mission. Individuals can The Merrill Linn Conservancy, a volunteer-driv- town for that matter, it has given us the opportunity to look support the museum by en organization, has protected 17 properties—1440 into the future. What did we fi nd ? Without volunteer or- purchasing gift certifi cates acres—within Union, Snyder, upper Northumberland ganizations such as the New Berlin Activities Committee, to use towards a future vis- and Lycoming counties through voluntary land protec- the world will look just like it did this 4th of July in New it, becoming a member, or tion/conservation partnerships with landowners. The Berlin - there was NOTHING. Please don’t allow that to making a donation. happen. Don’t allow living in small-town America such For more information Conservancy has also helped to expand Shikellamy about the LCM and to reg- State Park through the purchase and donation of 36- as New Berlin with its community activities cease to exist. ister for this event, visit acre parcel along Shikellamy Bluff s in southern Union www.lewisburgchildrens- County. museum.org. Contact the Museum by For more information about the Conservancy’s work GET SPECIAL email at lewisburgchild- or to learn how to become a member or volunteer visit [email protected] our website at www.linnconservancy.org, email linn@ SUMMER SAVINGS with any questions.