Spring is closing in fast and it is hard to imagine that PCPA is already gearing up for a new season of activities. At the request of many members, a Saturday meeting featured a hands on presentation of Pennsylvania’s invasive species. Throughout the year, several guest speakers educated members on bears including their natural habits and habitat and devastation of the disease of mange in bears. The participation at the Apple Butter festival netted 42 new and renewal memberships to crown another successful year. We have been sorting through old files and paperwork in an effort to consolidate all of our records in our designated room at the DCNR building.
Retirements of Paul Hoffmaster, past VP and his wife Barb and Charlene Sawyer, the assistant to the secretary retired with many well wishes for their new endeavors. All were long time members of the PCPA. At the same time, there is a warm welcome to the newest Vice President, Jeff Campbell who is no stranger to the PCPA.
We have a great lineup of guest speakers this year, including the Jersey Shore High School Outdoor Club, John Childe’s update on PEDF, an expert on fishing in Pine Creek, a Trout Unlimited spokesperson, and a short film on the relocation of the Bob Webber cabin.
A big change for this year is that the annual PCPA picnic will be held at the Barn at Pine Creek, the same location of the July meeting of last year. This facility allows us to have the picnic rain or shine, offers handicapped accessibility, has plenty of parking, and restrooms are available within the facility. The owners of the Barn, Tim and Cami Mahaffey, have graciously donated the use of the facility for the picnic at no charge to the organization!
I look forward to another successful year of activities and learning opportunities, and hope to see you at the meetings..
Information on Area Broadband!
PA Senate passes a bill to boost the availability of broadband.
The link is on Sen Yaw's webpage. https://www.senatorgeneyaw.com/2020/10/21/senator-yaw-supports-measures-to-boost-availability-of-broadband/
PCPA Wearables are Available
Please email the secretary at lgasperine@verizon.net
for the order form.
Items available are hats, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hoodies.
Fun facts about the Pine Creek Valley
Do you know…..?
1. The rails to trails is based on the railroad path through the Pine Creek Valley. Do you know when the last train ran on the rails in the valley?
2. Potter County is the only place east of the Rocky Mountains where a Triple Continental Divide occurs. Into which major body of water does Pine Creek waters eventually empty?
3. What is the largest tributary of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River?
4. Can you name the four counties the Pine Creek flows through?
5. Which tributary of the West Branch Susquehanna River has the largest watershed?
6. The Iroquois called Pine Creek Tiadaghton. What does Tiadaghtonmean?
7. What is the largest “creek” in the United States?
8. The Fair Play Men were illegal squatters along the West Bank of the Susquehanna near Jersey Shore from 1773-1785. For what are the Fair Play Men most noted?
9. Waterville was originally a seasonal hunting camp established by which tribe of native Americans?
10. In 1780, a Scotch-Irish Revolutionary War veteran was given land near Waterville as a reward for military service. Who was this hero?
(Answers on next page)
Meeting dates:
April 20 - 7 pm -
May 18 - 7 pm -
June 15 - 7 pm -
July 20 - 7 pm -
Aug 1 - Picnic at noon - The Barn on Route 44
Sept 21 - 7 pm -
Oct 19 - 7 pm -
All meetings will be held at the DCNR Building in Waterville unless otherwise posted.
There are other environmental and conservation oriented organizations in the Pine Creek Valley.
Brown Trout Club
Slate Run Sportsmen
Please patronize our businesses "Up the Creek". Come for the beauty of the valley and stay for dinner or overnight.
Venture Inn Pine Creek Inn
Waterville Hotel Happy Acres
McConnell's Store Hotel Manor
Slate Run Store Up the Creek