TS_CNG/SUBURBAN/PAGES [S01] | 06/19/19
10:07 | BAUMEISTER
Abington The
JUNE 20, 2019
SuburbaN
INSIDE
Family fun planned for today See page 6.
T H E VO I C E O F T H E A B I N G T O N S
AN EDITION OF THE TIMES-TRIBUNE • FREE • WWW.ABINGTONSUBURBAN.COM
Class of 2019
Emma BlaCk / StaFF PhOtOGraPhEr
Modupeoluwa Osuntokun and Jared Patten pose for a photo as the graduates prepare for the Abington Heights High School commencement ceremony Friday, June 14. For more photos and the list of graduates, see page 10.
Time for picking
Local strawberry farms open for season BY CLAYTON OVER StaFF WrItEr
It’s that time of year again. Strawberry fields at LaCoe’s Berry Nice Farms in Newton Township and Pallman Farm in South Abington Township are open for picking. Both sites opened to the public last week, though staff at both said especially wet weather last year and so far in 2019 has created some challenges for the fruit growing there. “Berries need warm nights and lots of sunshine to ripen,” said Regina LaCoe, who runs LaCoe’s Berry Nice Farm with her husband, Dick. “We have tons of green berries. We need warmer nights and more sunshine.” Strawberry season at the farm, 10041 Valley View Drive, opened on June 11 and the turnout over the first few days was good, LaCoe said. The uncertainty of the weather also prompted staff
there to evaluate their hours on a day to day basis. Anyone who wants to make the trip should to check to see if the farm is open by looking at their Facebook page or by calling 570-561-4031. Strawberries there cost $2.25 a pound. Only cash is accepted. Strawberry season there will last until the Fourth of July and possibly a little longer. After that, the farm’s blueberry, blackberry and raspberry fields will open for picking, LaCoe said. Strawberry picking at Pallman Farm, 1511 Summit Lake Road, opened Friday, the 33rd strawberry picking season there, said co-owner Craig Pallman. The weather affects operations where people come and pick their own fruit twofold, he said. Wet conditions last year, when the strawberry plants went into their hibernation phase, and this year has stressed the plants and left them weak, Pallman said. On top of that, poor weather could keep
patrons inside and out of the fields. However, with the constant rain, some people could end up with cabin fever, Pallman said. “It’s been so bad, we’re hoping that some people get tired of it, go out regardless and thumb their noses at the weather,” Pallman said. Pallman Farms will be open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices on strawberries there run $2.35 a pound for anything under 20 pounds and $2.10 a pound for anything over 20 pounds. Staff there hope to have strawberry picking available until at least the Fourth of July, Pallman said. Contact the writer: cover@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5363; @ClaytonOver on twitter
For more photos see page 12
ChrIStOPhEr DOlaN / StaFF PhOtOGraPhEr
Makayla Mason, 5, of Factoryville, is all smiles as she eats a strawberry at Pallman Farms in Clarks Summit on Saturday, June 15.
More info For more information on laCoe’s Berry Nice Farm and Pallman Farm, check out their Facebook pages.
ELIZABETH BAUMEISTER Suburban Subplots
A summer of music
Live music and the outdoors go together like cake and ice cream. They mix like iced tea and lemonade. And they blend like cereal and milk. A summer evening just can’t get any better than an open-air concert by a lake surrounded by trees and walking trails. Which is why the annual Lakeside Wednesday Concerts series at Hillside Park is one of my favorite things about summer in the Abingtons. This year’s free, 10-week series will run every Wednesday from June 26 to Aug. 28, 6-8 p.m. under the pavilion by Lake Eston Wilson at Hillside Park. The family-friendly events paint a classic picture of small-town America and the values held dear by the people of the Abingtons: community pride, tradition, simplicity, environmental awareness, neighborly kindness and good old-fashioned fun. The attendance each year is a testimony to that. The parking lot fills up fast, and so does the hillside. Lawn chairs, blankets and coolers are spread out over the grass, as people soak up the music and setting sun. Children roll down the hill, sway on the swing set and run along the path. Families share picnic dinners, go fishing and paddle canoes on the lake. Couples hold hands while strolling along the boardwalk trail around the lake and sit close while listening to the music. Friends gather around picnic tables and chat in small groups. Dogs and their humans explore the sights and sounds. The musicians interact with the audience, and dancing is encouraged to all. In fact, this summer’s lineup may make it difficult to stay in your seat (unless, like me, you don’t know how to dance): June 26: Paul LaBelle and the Exact Change July 3 (Kids’ Night): Fab 3 July 10: The John Stevens Polka Band July 17: Doug Smith Band with Erin Malloy July 24: FullCircle July 31: Chris DiMattio with Ken McGraw’s Brass and Ivory Orchestra Aug. 7: East Coast Trio Aug. 14: Presbybop Quintet Aug. 21 (Kids’ Night): The Wanabees Aug. 28: Friends of the Gypsy with Senator John Blake So let the countdown to the 2019 Lakeside Wednesday Concerts begin – only 6 days until sound off. See you at Hillside.
What’s inside Calendar ........................ 2 Contest .......................... 3 Obituary ......................... 4 Suburban Family ............. 6 Green Scene ................... 7 Just For Fun .................... 8 Sports ............................ 9 Schools ................... 10-11
JaSON FarmEr / StaFF PhOtOGraPhEr
Ryker Wood, 4, of Scranton, takes a break from picking strawberries and eats one while out with his grandparents at LaCoe’s Berry Nice Farm.
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