25
THE ABINGTON s
t en
c
The Voice of The AbingTons
Around Town
School News
What’s going on with your favorite student Page 6
Community Calendar
Plan some fun for the family this weekend Page 11
Sports
News about local athletes Page 10
Times-shamrock communiTy newspapers 149 Penn Avenue Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: (570) 348-9185 Fax: (570) 207-3448
April 28, 2016
abingtonsuburban.com
Pedal Power
ON THE INSIDE The latest happenings in our area Page 2
SUBURBAN
Rotary club sponsors two bike-related events this weekend by Linda Scott
SPECIAL TO THE ABINGTON SUBURBAN
Cycling season is here, and the Rotary Club of the Abingtons is sponsoring two events involving bicycles. The first is a bike ride on Saturday, April 30. The first ride is a 7-mile family fun ride starting at 9:30 a.m. at Sickler’s Bike Shop, 298 Noble Road in Clarks Summit. The riders will follow the Countryside Conservatory Trolley Trail and end back at Sickler’s. This gravel trail runs between Clarks Summit, Glenburn and Dalton. This event will support the addition of a new bike service station at the trail head.The ride is best suited for those over 5 years old. A fee of $25 covers up to four participants. For the more adventurous (and fit), there will be a 30-mile ride. These riders will ride along with Sicklers’ regular Saturday morning riders. Road bikes and helmets are required. The ride will regroup at intersections so nobody is left behind. The cost of this ride is $35 per person. The first 100 participants to sign up receive a T-shirt and a swag bag of goodies. “We will be doing what is needed to get everyone ready for the bike ride,” Sickler employee Cindy Copley said. Sickler’s employees will make sure everyone is registered, their bike is in good working order, they have helmets and know how to shift. “We want to make sure everyone has a safe ride.” Check your attic, basements and garages for bicycles and sewing machines no longer being used. Bicycles and sewing machines will be collected for Pedals for Progress that same morning at Sickler’s, 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday, May 1, noon to 3 p.m. at the South Abington Recreation Park. A $10 handling fee to ship the bikes is suggested, which is tax deductible. This is the second year of the event; last year the Rotary Club collected 25 bicycles and five sewing machines. The bikes will be sent to Nicaragua, Ghana, Albania, Costa Rica and Guatemala. Pedals for Progress has received, processed
TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 04/27/16
11:21 | CORNELLCHR
Kids get their bikes checked out at last Bike Fest.
and donated more than 146,000 bicycles, 3,200 used sewing machines and $10.8 million in new spare parts to partner charities in 38 developing countries. The bikes are reconditioned by partner agencies and distributed to poor working adults. “I discovered Pedals for Progress online while trying to think of an event that in-
volved bicycles,” Abington Rotary member Kim Harrington said. “I love how something as simple as a bike can change lives overseas. One bike can get children to schools several miles away or can get them to medical clinics for immunization. The bikes can also get a family member to a market to sell their homemade items or produce. They are also taught how to maintain the bikes, which gives them employment to help others with their knowledge. The sewing machines, if you think about it, can be invaluable to families needing clothes or income.” Last weekend, the bike shop held its spring Bike Fest. Boy Scouts had the opportunity to work toward their cycling merit badge and Cub Scouts for their cycling requirements. “Everyone learned how to ride a bike safely,” store employee Phil Cable said. “There were bikes to rent, a bike demonstration and an obstacle course participants maneuvered.” Attendees learned how week’s spring to fix a flat, basic bike maintence, road safety and about proper clothing and gear needed for riding. A South Abington Township bike officer taught road safety and laws, and South Abington Township EMS taught first aid. “Information was provided on local bike organizations such as Anthracite Mountain Peddlers, and local riding events,” Cable said.