Take a hike with regional group
The Otzinachson Regional Group of the Sierra Club and the Edward Abbey Hiking Society will hold a number of hikes throughout the region in the fall.
They are open to the public, but hikers must contact the hike leader prior to the event. Participants are advised to bring lunch and water on every hike.
Hikes will be held:
Today - Appalachian Trail, Perry County, 12 miles, strenuous. The hike begins at Route 944 and climbs to the top of Cove Mountain, following the ridgeline to Hawk Rock with spectacular views of the Juniata and Susquehanna rivers and Duncannon. Meet at the Kmart parking lot along Route 15 in Shamokin Dam at 8:30 a.m. or at Sheetz along Route 322 just north of Duncannon at 9. Leader: Paul Shaw, 717-215-8339 or pshaw@ptd.net.
Dec. 16 - R.B. Winter State Park, Union County, 10 miles, moderate to strenuous. Meet at the parking lot at the breast of the dam along Route 192 at 8:30 a.m. Leader: Joe Rebar, 259-0134.
Discover Santa's Secret Garden in Hershey
HERSHEY - This December, Hershey Gardens will introduce a new family event for the holiday season. An array of children's activities will link a traditional Christmas celebration with a message that shares the importance of taking care of each other and the green earth. Santa's Secret Garden will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 and 15.
During this first-time event, families will be greeted by Santa's elves as they travel along a path of twinkling lights to discover Santa and his secret winter garden. Visitors can explore Santa's Greenhouse, where they'll see some of the plants that Santa and Mrs. Claus cultivate during the winter season. Some plants include flowering kale, cabbage and perennials, such as evergreen Christmas ferns and wintergreen.
Children will create take-home crafts, including reindeer food, in Santa's Workshop, located in the Gardens' Education Center. After leaving the workshop, families can visit with Santa at the heart-shaped fountain in The Children's Garden, where he will surprise each child with a sapling Norway spruce tree to take home.
During the event, guests can visit with Mrs. Claus, listen to music and warm up by a fire. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.
The cost for Santa's Secret Garden is included in general admission; regular (ages 13 to 61) at $10, seniors (ages 62 and older) at $9, juniors (ages 3 to 12) at $7, and children ages 2 and younger are free. For more information about Hershey Gardens, visit www.HersheyGardens.org or call 717-534-3492.
Count the birds
HAWLEY - Join birders and staff at Lake Wallenpaupack Preserve for the 113th Christmas Bird Count on Saturday. For details, email pplpreserves@pplweb.com or call 253-7001.
NWTF chapter plans annual event
STATE COLLEGE - The Pennsylvania chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its 38th annual rendezvous and awards banquet on Jan. 5 at the Ramada Inn.
Seminars include:
Habitat-Martin Run Project, 12:30-1:30 p.m. - Learn about this project in the Allegheny National Forest that included oak release, opening construction and restoration, herbicides, native warm season grasses, vernal pond construction, and installation of nesting and roosting structures.
Outreach workshop, 2-3 p.m. - Share ideas to improve local outreach programs such as JAKES, Women in the Outdoors and Wheelin' events and hunts. Discover how to grow committees and fund events.
Understanding the New Super Fund Split, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
A prime rib and stuffed chicken dinner follows, with raffles and silent and live auctions. A variety of prizes are up for grabs.
Attendees may purchase the early bird raffle package by Dec. 31 and receive $300 worth of tickets for $100. Donations may be submitted for prizes.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, write to: Jim Panaro, 224 Buck Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931.
Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show nears
HARRISBURG - Everything you love about the Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show plus hundreds of new exhibitors, features and celebrities makes the 58th edition the can't-miss event of the year. It will be held Feb. 2-10 at the State Farm Show Complex.
More than 200 new exhibitors showcasing guns, archery, fishing and boating, along with many new products, show specials and a new Tactical Gun and Accessories Section highlight this year's event. In addition, the show has made it easier to navigate the floor with color-coded halls, an online pre-show mapping program, and an easy-to-use mobile app.
Returning by popular demand will be the "Sportsman's Shop Gun Alley" featuring more gun manufacturers, gun representatives and gun retailers than ever before.
For information, visit www.easternsportshow.com.
Outdoor events sought
Do you have a meeting or outdoor event you'd like to publicize in the Sun-Gazette?
Announcements must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the date of the event, preferably earlier.
Information and news releases may be:
Mailed to Outdoor editor, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport PA 17701
Emailed to outdoors@sungazette.com
Dropped off at the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport
Submitted through the Outdoor section of the Virtual Newsroom on the paper's website, www.sungazette.com.
All submissions must contain the name, telephone number and, if available, email address of a contact person.
Photographs by area residents of trophy fish or game animals or other interesting outdoor occurrences also will be considered. Digital photos may be sent by email.
Hard-copy glossy prints, negatives or slides may be dropped off or mailed. Polaroid prints typically cannot be reprinted in the newspaper.
Only photos sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope will be returned.
Announcements published in the "Outdoor Briefs" section will print in chronological order as space permits.
The Outdoors section is published weekly on Sundays, but it goes to print early on Wednesday mornings.
Therefore, all information for publication on any given Sunday must be submitted by noon on the Monday prior.
For more help, call 326-1551, ext. 3116.
