Inside Pennsylvania Magazine - Summer 2024

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

HIDDEN TREASURES

Bridges that were built to last

HIKING IT!

In the summer In the rain

Is coming to Lewisburg

TRAILS FOR ALL Ages, abilities and levels of fun

Inside Thoughts ...

SJean Knouse

chool is out until August. The 4th of July will be celebrated with picnics and fireworks and lots of folks will head to the beach, the mountains, or a long-planned special vacation. However, there are those among us who will be quite happy to stay at home enjoying their backyard oasis, thank you very much. Most of us like warm sunny days until the temperature reaches 90° and then we don’t enjoy it quite as much, but let’s try. Get ready. Here comes summer!

Sometimes — like when it finally stops raining or you, your children or grandchildren need a day away from your house — why not check out a few of the day trip possibilities included in this issue. Maybe you’ve visited one or two of these sites before, but have you taken your children or your grandchildren to experience them? And, perhaps, you’ll decide an overnight trip might be a better plan.

Planning a trip with children, often goes better if you plan ahead — at least a little. When my children were young, we always combined something “educational” with something “entertaining.” And, of course, choosing places to eat can be challenging — just make sure the restaurant has chicken fingers. And, finally, don’t try to do too much. If you can’t do everything you had planned, go back another day.

Covered bridges are historic treasures that provide a peek into our Valley’s history. There are more than 35 of them in our five-county region of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union. Pack a lunch and your camera/phone and spend a little time marveling at the beauty, majesty and distinctiveness of each. There’s often a shady spot nearby or a grassy spot next to the creek to enjoy your picnic. While you’re there, please take a few minutes to think about the folks who built the structure without any of today’s power tools or building supply stores.

“The Great Race” was a popular movie decades ago, but in June, the 2024 Great Race is coming to Lewisburg! Although this race takes place on public roads and highways, no one is going to be breaking the speed limit.

INDEPENDENTLI IN , PERSONALCARE,MEMORY CAREANDS ILLEDCARE... ALLONONECAMPUS.

library, and — well, you get the idea.

However you celebrate your summer, make sure there is lemonade, iced tea and beer in the refrigerator and burgers and hot dogs in the freezer. Any evening can turn into a special event if you’re prepared with the ingredients for celebrating! There are, of course, obvious reasons to fire up the grill and invite your friends to dine, but don’t overlook the joy of a child riding his/her bike without training wheels, the kid who scores his first soccer goal or first homerun, finishing the summer reading list at the library, and — well, you get the idea. Happy summer!

Jean L. Knouse, Editor

jknouse@dailyitem.com

INDEPENDENTLI IN AT T EMEADOWS

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MEMORYCAREAT NA ARET MEMORY CENTER

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TheHome e With a

CARROT CAKE CORRECTION

In April, a long-time reader of Inside PA, Ann Butler of Milton, wrote to tell me there was a mistake in the carrot cake recipe on page 41 of the Spring issue of IPA. The ingredients are correct as listed, but the instructions should have said baking powder rather than baking soda. The correct instructions are listed at right and Ann was kind enough to shoot a photo of the cake she made with the correct instructions.

Ann took the cake to her “Tacos and Testimony” event at her church. Everyone declared it delicious and one person asked for the recipe.

Finally, Ann asked me to tell you to use the “chop” setting on your food processor (rather than shred or grate) for the carrots. “That way, she said, the kids might not notice all the good stuff in there for them!”

Photo courtesy of Ann Butler

Ann Butler tested the recipe and said it is delicious.

CARROT CAKE ( SERVES 25 )

4 cups sugar

8 eggs

2 cups oil, canola or safflower

2 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla

4 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 pounds carrots, grated

2 cups nuts, chopped

2 1⁄2 cups raisins (optional)

Beat the sugar and eggs together until well blended. Stir in the oil and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Combine the egg mixture. Fold in carrots, nuts and raisins.

Divide the batter between two 9 X 13-inch or 4 8X8 inch round greased baking pans. Refrigerate the batter between baking times. Bake the cakes in a moderately hot oven (350 F) for approximately 40 minutes. Let cool completely.

Frost with cream cheese frosting. The cakes may be left in the pans for ease of serving.

Sunlight drapes tree blossoms at Keithan’s Bluebird Garden in Sunbury this spring.

Morning dew on flowers at Susquehanna University this spring.

Rob’s favorite spring photos

Robert Inglis is an award-winning photographer for The Daily Item. In 2023, Inglis’s 20-year Retrospective of Photographic Journalism was exhibited at the Degenstein Library in Sunbury.

Robert Inglis

Enjoylivingin yourownhomewithoutthe worriesofmaintining your property. Twoand threebedroomshomes,areavailablesso you don’t havetochange yourlifestyle.

Choose fromourgreatamenities:daytrips,wine &cheesesocials, fitnessareaandwellness programs including yoga,golfoutings,fishing, andexcursions.Stay homeandprepareyour mealsin abeautifulnewkitchenorenjoychef preparedmeals eitherinourdinningroomor deliveredtoyourdoor.Thechoicesare endless.

June

Summer unofficially begins on Memorial Day Weekend. The months of June, July and August are magical for kids of all ages, but if you can’t drive yet, bike rides with your friends, days at the pool, backyard campouts, and vacations with your family create memories to be treasured for a lifetime. There are a number of holidays in June. Flag Day and Father’s Day are days for celebration, while Juneteenth — June 19, 1865 — commemorates the actual date of

the emancipation of enslaved men, women and children in the United States. It was Major General Gordon Granger who read the Emancipation Proclamation in the Lone Star state. When he completed the reading, slavery in the United States was legally at an end.

By the end of June, the world’s best athletes of summer will be on their way to Paris for the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Olympics being held in Paris, France.

FRIENDS.

1817 WestMarketStreet

Lewisburg, PA 17837

570-505-1276

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Monday-Friday9:00to5:00

SaturdaysAppointmentOnly ContactMeAnytime.

I’mexcitedtobe aStateFarmagentinUnion/ColumbiaCountyand amheretohelpyouwithyourinsuranceandfinacialneeds.

THE BEST FROSÉ SLUSHIE RECIPE

You will need:

1 750 ml bottle of favorite rosé wine

8 large strawberries (about 1 1/2 cups ripe strawberries, halved), plus more for garnish

1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan)

June 10 is National Rosé Day, a perfect opportunity for enjoying rosé right out of the bottle, or freezing it and blending into a delicious “frosé” slushie.

With its pretty pink hue and delicate flavor, rosé can feel as if the essence of summer has been bottled. Recently, a frozen rosé drink dubbed “frosé” emerged and made rosé more popular.

There are different variations of frosé. Some concoctions pour rosé over sherbet while others mix the wine with various liqueurs before freezing. This “Best Frosé Recipe,” from husband and wife home cooking experts Sonja and Alex Overhiser, is frosé at its most basic — without skimping on flavor.

Directions:

Open the rosé and pour 2/3 cup into a glass measuring cup; set aside for serving.

Remove the tops of the strawberries and cut them in half.

In a blender, blend the remaining rosé, strawberries and honey until smooth and fully combined.

Pour the mixture through a strainer and into a covered baking dish.

Transfer the baking dish to the freezer and freeze at least 6 hours, or overnight. The alcohol in the mixture will keep a slushy texture instead of freezing solid. Blend the mixture again until it comes to a fluffy texture.

To serve, place the blended mixture into a glass. Then pour a splash of rosé into each glass (this step is important: it gives the final texture and brings in the character of the rosé). If desired, garnish with strawberries and serve.

July

When fireworks fill the sky to celebrate the Fourth of July, lots of people will comment that summer is half over. And, if you don’t look at the calendar, maybe you won’t notice the year is also half over.

Sweatshirts or T-shirts or hats from a recent trip will be worn whenever possible.

By the end of July, children and parents will be counting the days until school begins.

Community carnivals will be history, backyard campouts just memories and trips to the pool happy remembrances.

May your summer fun create lifelong memories!

Int’l Chess Day

Nat’l Ice Cream Day

Amelia Earhart Day

VEHICLE ENTHUSIASTS, DRIVERS WELCOME

Nationally recognized race to stop in Lewisburg

by Nicholas Williams

The Hemmings Motor News Great Race (HMNGR) is named after the 1965 blockbuster film, “The Great Race.” It has brought race enthusiasts and motorists together to celebrate and enjoy the history of automobilia.

This year’s race begins June 22 in Owensboro, Kentucky. From there, competitors will set out to be the first to arrive in Gardiner, Maine on June 30.

Throughout the race, there will be 17 scheduled stops in various cities and states.

Two of those stops will take place in Pennsylvania. Around 4:45 p.m. on June 28, racers will be arriving in Gettysburg, where they will be spending the evening. The following day takes

them to Lewisburg, where they will be eating lunch before their departure to Binghamton, New York.

Tom McRae and Norman Miller started the race in 1983. Initially, only cars manufactured in the United States before World War II were permitted in the race.

Since then,

Photo provided John Wells, of Florida, drives his truck during last year’s race.

2024 GREAT RACE SCHEDULED STOPS

JUNE 22

n Start: Veterans Blvd., Owensboro, KY — 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

n Overnight: Walnut Street, Lawrenceburg, IN — 5:15 p.m.

JUNE 23

n Lunch: South Broad Street, downtown Lancaster, OH — 12:30 p.m.

n Overnight: Front Street Historic Downtown Marietta, OH — 4:15 p.m.

JUNE 24

n Lunch: High Street, downtown Morgantown WV — 12:15 p.m.

n Overnight: Gunter Hotel,

Frostburg, MD — 4:45 p.m.

JUNE 25

n Lunch: Ken Walsh Farm, Purcelbille, VA — 12:15 p.m.

n Overnight: Gateway Gettysburg, PA — 4:45 p.m.

JUNE 26

n Lunch: Hufnagle Park, downtown Lewisburg, PA — 12:05 p.m.

n Overnight: Washington Street, downtown Binghamton, NY — 4:45 p.m.

JUNE 27

n Lunch: Clinton Street, downtown Montgomery, NY — 11:20 a.m.

provided The planned route for this year’s race, which will make stops in 17 different cities.

n Overnight: State Capitol, downtown Providence, RI — 5:30 p.m.

JUNE 28

n Lunch: New England Racing Museum, Loudon, NH — 11:30 a.m.

n Overnight: Main Street, Historic Downtown Freeport, ME — 4 p.m.

JUNE 29

n Lunch: Seal Cove Auto Museum, Seal Cove, ME — 11:35 a.m.

n Overnight: Owls Head Transportation Museum, Owls Head, ME — 1 p.m.

Source: Greatrace.com

Photo

rule changes have allowed for the admission of cars built on or before 1974. However, there is a scoring factor that awards additional points to vehicles manufactured before 1955.

While this is a “race,” speed doesn’t mean much in terms of claiming victory. Rather, this race is scored on time and distance. Each vehicle team includes a driver and a navigator and they are given a set of very specific instructions each day during the race’s duration, detailing their actions down to the second.

The teams are scored throughout the race via secret roadside checkpoints. They are penalized if they reach those destinations even a second too late/early. This adds a layer of strategy into the race as a team’s timing must be impeccable to have success.

Jeff Stumb, director of the race, says impromptu repairs and roadside motor rebuilds are commonplace as these vehicles are advanced in years. So, the phrase “to finish it to win” was born, said Stumb.

While this race is, of course, competitive, it is also a lot of fun, but there is nothing funny about the prizes awarded. The Grand Championship team will win $50,000 and ultimate bragging rights.

Additionally, another $100,000 that will be

provided Chuck Jones the “master mechanic,” pictured in front of the team’s truck after it is torn apart for a rebuild.

awarded for a variety of challenges throughout the five racing classes.

Stumb also said across the various fees, lodging and fuel, teams spend upward of $10,000 on the competition.

Throughout its tenure as a nationally recognized event, the race has drawn competitors from all over the world. Teams from the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia have been among the competitors in recent years. And, multiple car-

Photo

WATCH THE CARS ARRIVE!

by Nicholas D. Williams

The first car in the Great Race will arrive in Lewisburg at 12:20 p.m. on June 26. After that, one car will arrive every minute for the first hour. Each driver-team will have exactly one hour to eat and rest before their departure. Cars will begin leaving in the same time-order they arrived in, with the last departing at 3:20.

When they arrive in the borough, the drivers are scheduled to mark the halfway point of their journey, both in distance and chronology.

Amy Thomas, of the Lewisburg Downtown

loving celebrities have attended. Jack Roush, Humpy Wheeler, Wayne Carini and Tony Curtis have all made appearances for at least a portion of the race.

From a young age, Florida resident John Wells has loved vintage Ford pickup trucks. He, and his best friend Charlie Sharon spent time with Sharon’s father and his 1965 Ford pickup.

When they heard about the Great Race, they began searching for a truck so they could enter. Sharon located a 1965 Ford F350 on Facebook Marketplace.

The truck, which has, as Wells says, “the original legendary Ford 300 inline six-cylinder motor and original 4-speed top loader transmission,” was perfect for them. As it exemplifies their childhood, they decided to travel to Pottstown to make the purchase. Wells planned to drive the truck back to Florida as it was running — and driving. One issue they encountered was the truck’s gears. It had “farm gears.” Essentially, this means since the truck was meant for farm-use, the transmission was made for power and not speed, so the truck was able to reach speeds upwards of 45 miles per hour. Considering this, they rented a trailer and took the truck back that way.

After they arrived, Chuck Jones, Wells’ “mastermechanic,” stripped the truck completely to assess its condition. After finding large amounts of structural rust and motor issues, they knew it would require a full rebuild. After roughly four years of hard work, they were able to have the truck ready to enter the 2023

Partnership (LDP), says an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 fans will converge in Lewisburg on the day of the stop. To feed these hungry folks — spectators and racers — the partnership has organized a food truck event.

Spectators will have the opportunity to purchase food as they wander the streets observing the arrival and departure of the competitors. The food trucks will be set up by 8 a.m. and will not depart until long after the racers leave the borough.

At noon, a pre-arrival ceremony will take place on 6th Street with the Lewisburg Area Veterans Honor Guard and Mayor Kendy Alvarez. All cars will be parked along South 6th Street, which runs parallel to Hufnagle Park.

For more information on the race and the town’s preparations, contact LDP by calling (570) 523-1743, or email info@lewisburgpa. com.

race. Their efforts earned them the Doc Fuson Trucking Award, which recognized their team’s dedication to compete in the race.

With Wells driving and Sharon as the navigator, the two friends said their focus was to complete the run. Wells said tensions can run high amid the competition, with some teams turning against one another. They aim to avoid that, which will allow them to enjoy the race as the best friends they are.

Photo by Robert Inglis Lewisburg Mayor Kendy Alvarez will speak during a pre-arrival ceremony on June 26.

Photo provided

Johnny Van Zant, of the band Lynyrd Skynyrd, sits with his wife, Lisa, in his truck’s cab during the Great Race.

The pair is also followed by Virgil Adkins, a close friend and sponsor. He provides any additional support they may need, along with cheering them on.

Wells is no stranger to antique car cruises. As the organizer of Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Springfield Main Street cruise, he thoroughly enjoys vintage vehicles and meeting those who drive them.

With more than $5 million worth of vintage cars, this year’s Great Race boasts the largest number of participants since its conception. Among the vehicles, are multiple 1916 Hudsons, a 1918 American LaFrance and 40 vehicles made prior to World War II.

For more information, visit www.greatrace.com, call 1-800-989-7223 or email communications@greatrace.com.

Photo provided

From left, John Wells, Virgil Adkins and Charlie Sharon stand in front of a truck they purchased in Pennsylvania.

Cycling trails abound in Valley

Outdoor fun and exercise for all ages

by Lisa Z. Leighton

Learning to ride a twowheeler is — always has been — a rite of passage for children. If you can ride, you have earned the right to a bit of freedom, bike rides with your family or an easy way to get to school.

While biking around your neighborhood is fun, the Susquehanna River Valley offers many bike trails for novice and seasoned bikers alike.

If you’re new to cycling — whether you’re eight years old or 80 years old, one way to classify bike trails is by “road” trails and “off-road” trails. There are top trails in both categories in the Valley and there are plenty of hidden gems in the mix.

THE EASIEST RIDES

Local bicyclist and outdoor enthusiast Dave Decoteau’s first recommendation for easy, scenic road biking is anything around the Montour Preserve. Decoteau saod. “Rides around the Preserve can be turned into a very enjoyable time for families and enthusiasts.”

In Danville, the new park be-

Photo provided by Peter Zubowiwitz

Etta Leighton, 9, Millville and her grandma, Mary Zubowicz, Danville, head out for a ride on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail. Tucked into Etta’s basket are Baby Stinky and Baby Bumpy.

hind the middle school welcomes bike riders to the track and it’s a great, flat area, for children to improve their biking skills and for someone of any age who likes to ride on flat surfaces. Also, in Danville, the dike provides a great cycling opportunity from the Hartman Fields to the bridge. If you want to ride the dike from the Hartman Fields to the Washies Playground, you will need to carefully cross Route 54 and walk your bike one block to Water St. You can ride on the street around Jacobs Landing until you rejoin the dike and ride all the way to the Washies Playground.

The Marina in Sunbury offers beautiful biking along the river and, if you bring a picnic, you can enjoy riding and then enjoy a lunch while you watch the boats come and go around the Marina.

In Lewisburg, the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail is 10.2 miles of finished surfaces with trail heads, facilities, and parking at a variety of spots along the way. You can bike from Lewisburg to Mifflinburg.

OFF - ROAD TRAILS

Perhaps the easiest and most historic off-road

Photo courtesy of CANISTER Studio LLC

Lewisburg Neighborhoods Director Taylor Lightman and Samantha Pearson, the Healthy Communities Program manager for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and board member of Lewisburg Neighborhoods, bike on the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail.

trail locally is the Robbins Trail in Danville. It was organized in the late 1800s by a cycling club and may be the oldest Rail-To-Trail in the country. This loop trail is almost exactly 4 kilometers in length and features a scenic, although new, covered bridge. The Robbins Trail surrounds Hess Field Park which offers an additional two miles of trails. It also leads visitors to two local favorite fishing spots on both the north and south end of Mahoning Creek. At the trailhead, you will find plenty of parking as well as picnic opportunities and restrooms.

Decoteau said another Montour County option is the North Branch Canal Trail. The 6.2 mile-long Danville to Catawissa portion of the North Branch Canal Trail (NBCT) has been constructed as a semi-natural pathway on the former towpath of the North Branch Canal. The trail is designed for use by pedestrians and offroad bicyclists.

The trail surface is mowed grass, with an average width of 5 feet, but it is narrower in places to protect natural resources.

“It’s as flat as you can get, because it’s the old tow path the mules used to walk to pull canal boats along the NBCT in the mid-1800s. It’s also my vote for ‘hidden gem’ because it gets used very little. It has so many things to see and enjoy, and almost no one does,” said Decoteau.

“That being said, it’s not for everyone. It’s not a paved rail trail. It’s flat, but it’s mowed grass and takes some effort to ride it. It’s a little bumpy. We left it like a path, so it didn’t lose its historical relevance; it is unapologetically…what it is,” said Decoteau.

According to Decoteau, an “insane” mountain bike trail is Natalie Mountain in the Elysburg area. and, in terms of off-road trails, Weiser State Forest trail is an out-and-back ride that is “beautiful, partially paved, but gravel, and very doable.”

For more adventurous mountain bike riders who enjoy some challenging hills, woods, and rocky areas, Decoteau suggested Hopewell Park and Geisinger Stewardship Forest.

“You can fly through the air. You can ride endless roots and rocks of all sizes. There are about 80 miles of trails here. It’s not for beginners, but a beginner could have a great ride there if they ride within themselves and safely walk things outside of their skill level. Adrenaline folks can have the time of their life here… or get badly hurt if they are not careful. It’s as good as any ‘riding destination’ I have ridden in the U.S.,” said Decoteau.

UNPAVED

Cimarron Chacon, president, GRO Promotions LLC,

Photo by Jerri Brouse/For Inside PA

Rachael Sage of Philadelphia, left, and Jennifer Scala, of State College, take a breather at the 2022 UnPAved finish awards in Lewisburg.

Inside PA file photo

Hannah Hafer, member of Danville Hammers Mountain Bike Team, rides her bike during a competition.

Photo provided by Bob Stoudt

The shaded areas of the Bloomsburg Rail Trail provide a gentle walking/biking trail.

Consider goals, budget, where to ride, before you buy

Dr. Daniel Zimmerman | Brookside Bikes LLC.

Before you head to a shop to buy a bike, decide on your goals for riding. If you can describe what you want to do with your new bike, you’ll immediately start to narrow down your options. Think about where you plan to ride and over what type of terrain. For example, do you want to ride rail trails, bike paths and around town, or do you want to try road riding and racing, gravel roads and locations such as unpaved, single-track mountain trails?

How much?

Your budget will vary considerably based on the level of performance you’re looking to achieve. However, here’s a starting point for value-priced options:

Traditional bikes: $800 - $1,500.

E-bikes/electric-assist bikes: $2,000 - $3,500.

Visit local bike shops

While there may be certain monetary savings when purchasing online, local shops are often valuable resources for several reasons:

If you go to a shop, you will likely be able to check out the bikes in person and try them out before purchasing.

At competent shops, knowledgeable staff will also help you determine the correct frame size. In-person support, as well as repairs and

manages a popular biking event called unPAved, which takes place in the three-county Susquehanna River Valley region in October. Chacon suggested Buffalo Valley Rail Trail as a “go to” because it has a round-trip distance of 20 miles and is very flat and has about 60% gravel surface.

She said R.B. Winter State Park is also popular with local gravel riders. Starting at the park, there are a variety of interconnected routes that create a perfect 30-mile loop. This ride has the classic rolling hills, amazing vistas, and the perfect weekend ride distance, according to Chacon.

“If you are looking for a tougher ride or a way to train, the Jones Mountain Loop has it all. Starting and finishing at the Rusty Rail Brewery in Mifflinburg the climb up Brandon and Jones Mountain using roads

regular maintenance, are important benefits to buying locally

If possible, take a test ride.

Trying out your top picks is an important part of a new bike purchase and most shops will allow you to test ride in their parking lots or a street nearby. Some also offer demos or extended test rides so you can try it out on familiar terrain.

A good test ride will help you get a better feel for the fit and handling. Also in the case of ebikes, you’ll gain a better understanding of the motor’s real-life performance — whether it is smooth and intuitive or lurchy and unnatural.

that exceed a 10% grade. The route is roughly 30 miles in distance with a descent down Old Shingle road that is just as steep as the climb up,” Chacon said.

The October UnPAved Event “has it all.”

Every October, nearly 1,000 bicyclists gather in the Susquehanna River Valley for an event called unPaved, which includes mostly off-pavement courses that are 125-, 90-, or 50-miles, all set against the backdrop of flaming fall foliage. Chacon said the courses feature great gravel, serious climbs, amazing descents, fantastic foliage, and breathtaking vistas.

Chacon said the challenge of the event is not the road surface, but the elevation gain.

“Pennsylvania mountains are notorious for their never-ending climbs. The average ride will dish out

Photo provided

close to 1,000 feet of climbing for every 10 miles ridden. Participants taking on the unPAved routes need a strong level of fitness and endurance to complete the event. Finish times range from 6 to 11 hours,” she said.

The event was the brainchild of Dave Pryor and Mike Kunz in 2018 and had the goal of showing off the amazing gravel roads and scenery of central Pennsylvania. The team worked closely with the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau for two years to develop the race plan.

The first year the event saw more than 500 riders and it has grown every year since with 800 in 2023.

There are many fun, social elements sprinkled into the event mix, including gatherings in the evenings at local pubs and restaurants and local treats along the way — such as pierogies at one aid station and whoopie pies at the finish line.

Chacon said, “The weekend starts on Friday with a pub crawl and games, then on Saturday attendees can enjoy the Fall Fest with thousands of booths, guided rides, the start of the Big Lick unPAved 200, and the unPAved film festival. If they still have spunk in them, they can conclude the weekend with a huge after party at the Miller Center on Sunday evening.”

The event also offers alternative, smaller options for less seasoned riders: Gravelly-30 which starts and finishes on the 30-mile route to R.B. Winter State Park, SlumberPArty

FIND THE PERFECT HELMET

Helmets come in various sizes. Size can vary between manufacturers. It may take time to ensure a proper helmet fit, but your life is worth it. It’s usually easier to look in the mirror or have someone else adjust the straps. For the most comprehensive list of helmet sizes according to manufacturers, go the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute (BHSI) website at: www.bhsi.org/.

SIZE: Measure your head to find your size. Try on several helmets in your size until one feels right. Now put the helmet level on your head and adjust the sizing pads or fit ring until the helmet is snug.

POSITION: The helmet should sit level on your head and low on your forehead—one or two finger-widths above your eyebrow.

SIDE STRAP: Adjust the slider on both straps to form a “V” shape under, and slightly in front of, the ears. Lock the slider if possible.

BUCKLES: Center the left buckle under the chin. On most helmets, the straps can be pulled from the back of the helmet to lengthen or shorten the chin straps. This task is easier if you take the helmet off to make these adjustments.

CHIN STRAP: Buckle your chin strap. Tighten the strap until it is snug, so that no more than one or two fingers fit under the strap.

— National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Robert Inglis/Inside PA file photo Evangelical Community Health and Wellness educator Ann Dzwonchyk, left, puts a bike helmet on Eleni Dearing, 5, Lewisburg, at a 2021 helmet giveaway.

Courtesy of the Susquehanna Valley Visitors Bureau Cyclists participating in the annual gravel event in Lewisburg’s “unPAved of the Susquehanna River Valley.”

PREPARE FOR BIKING

Dr. Matthew McElroy | Geisinger physician of sports medicine

Strengthen major muscle groups such as quadriceps, hamstring, gluteus and low back with resistance exercises or weightlifting. Most injuries are from riding too hard or too fast the first time out, so plan to start slow and easy.

Ride with a friend. There is safety in numbers and if one of you is hurt, you always have someone to help you or call for help.

A couple of thoughts when you first ride:

Make sure you have a bike

that is properly fit, including the right seat height, and reach for the handlebars.

If you’re new to biking or haven’t biked in a while, start with a flatter and more reliable surface such as a rail trail.

Wear comfortable shorts, preferably shorts that have a pad to prevent against saddle sore, and gloves to help with grip of the handle bar and reduce hand fatigue.

Wear a helmet that fits you properly.

Make sure you take a few minutes to cool down at the end of a hard ride and stretch, especially larger muscle groups, such as your hamstring and low back.

which includes a ride on Saturday with overnight camping at R.B. Winter State Park and FUNpaved, a collection of small-group guided rides during the Lewisburg Fall Festival on Saturday. Each ride has a different theme, challenge and route.

Chacon said the event utilizes Segment Timing, where riders are only timed on part of the course, with “time outs” at the aid stations.

“Racers love this because they can actually ride with their friends,” she said.

For visitors and backyard tourists alike, cyclists should start their research with the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau and Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau websites. Both feature ample biking resources, maps and suggested routes.

SINCE PRIESTLEY DISCOVERED OXYGEN

Joseph Priestley discovered — produced, identified and characterized — oxygen.

The Priestley Medal is the highest honor conferred by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and is awarded for distinguished service in the field of chemistry. Established in 1922, the award is named after Joseph Priestley, one of the

discoverers of oxygen, who immigrated to the United States in 1794.

The Priestley Medal is one of the most distinguished awards in the chemical sciences. When the ACS started presenting the Priestley Medal in 1923, the organization intended to award it every three years. This continued until 1944, when it became an annual award.

PRIESTLEY

The Humber is a tidal flow That exits England’s North Sea side. For land beyond its northern bank The name, Northumberland, applied.

Some bold Northumbrians set forth, When local fortune turned unkind. They traveled t’ward a distant land; But kept their homeland’s name in mind.

Where rivers join in ageless flow, In Pennsylvania’s virgin stand, The trav’lers found their haven-site And christened it “Northumberland.”

The town took root. The settlers thrived, Enjoying profits from their stake; While back in England lived a man Who was to follow in their wake.

Our subject was a Yorkshire man –A linguist, preacher, scientist, sage –A man of letters and of thought; Exceptional in any age.

When not involved in rev’rent cause, He’d study gases freshly found, Then write his thoughtful monographs, And, on their properties, expound.

When his exper’mentation seemed To reach the point of no advance, Two lab companions would step forth: The Studied Hunch and Happenstance.

His isolated oxygen The Lords would have done well to share. To puff their speeches on the floor With dephlogisticated air!

Conviction made him speak of change, But some find change a fearsome threat; So he and other thoughtful men Were scathed and scorned and much beset.

With chapel burned and house defiled, He moved to London for a spell. Unwelcome there, he chose to sail. Northumberland is where he’d dwell.

Far safer is the raging sea Than where a riot may occur. One’s homeland is no longer home With primal ignorance astir.

They watched another century turn Before the Yorkshire genius died; His corpse interred – and yet remains –In William Penn’s fair countryside.

He balanced well, within his thought –And so his writing indicates –True Science and Religious Faith; Those two elusive counterweights.

So, speak a word on his behalf When some conforming soul complains. ‘Though nonconformists are condemned, They parent most of progress’ gains.

A prophet, says a sacred verse, Is shunned within his native land; But, whether he was shunned or praised, The Priestley legacy will stand!

Guy Graybill, educator, author and poet, lives in Selinsgrove.

Cindy O. Herman

Photo courtesy of Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau

Build a bridge and make it last

Covered spans hidden regional gems

by Cindy O. Herman

Mifflinburg, in Union County, is home to three covered bridges.

When Mayor David Cooney was asked what people like about them, he joked, “You can get in out of the rain. What’s not to like about that?”

He was more correct than he realized; however, several online sites explained that early bridges were covered to protect their trusses and decks from rain and snow. Why build a wooden bridge that might last 20 years when covering it can extend its usefulness to more than a hundred?

“Visiting the area’s covered bridges is a special occasion; these are historic treasures that were built before any of us were born,” said Shane Kiefer, director of marketing, Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau. “A day spent visiting the area’s bridges is like a day

spent taking a trip back in time.”

That can also give visitors an appreciation for the craftsmanship of older days, said Jack Lindermuth, librarian at the Northumberland County Historical Society.

“Anyone who’s interested in woodworking would be interested in covered bridges,” he said. “And then there’s the stone and mortar work, too. We don’t have craftsmen like that anymore.”

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, an estimated 1,000 covered bridges still stand across the country, with Pennsylvania boasting the highest number at more than 200 — still not high enough to make them an everyday sight.

“There just aren’t that many around anymore. They’re special,” Cooney said. “There

TRUSS TYPES

The true truss system consists of massive timbers assembled in a triangle – the only two-dimensional figure that cannot be distorted under stress. Each bridge consists of two truss systems, one on each side of the structure.

n The Kingpost Truss is the oldest truss design used in bridge construction, initially used under the roadway rather than above. It consists of a stringer, a Kingpost (vertical beam), and two diagonals and is used primarily for short spans of approximately 20 to 30 feet.

n The Queenpost Truss system followed the Kingpost in design chronology. It was also used to span long distances, frequently up to 75 feet. The Queenpost truss is really an expansion of the Kingpost design because of an additional rectangular panel in the center, which is placed between the two triangles that originally faced the center vertical Kingpost timber. The upper horizontal member of that rectangle, however, had to be placed below the horizontal upper chord of the exterior side framework.

Frequently, additional diagonal timbers were placed between the corners of the central rectangle.

n The Burr Truss is named for one of the earliest and most prominent bridge builders in the country, Theodore Burr, from Connecticut. His career began in New York where he built a bridge spanning the Hudson River in 1804.

The Burr Truss design soon became one of the more frequently used systems in bridge building. The Burr Arch Truss, as the design became known, used two long arches, resting on the abutments on either end, which typically sandwiched a multiple Kingpost structure.

There are more bridges in Pennsylvania using the Burr Truss design than all other truss designs combined.

Truss information above comes from the book “Pennsylvania’s Covered Bridges, A Complete Guide” by Benjamin D. Evans and June R. Evans.

Source: Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau

Dreese’s Covered Bridge, a 103-foot Burr Truss bridge built in 1870, crosses Middle Creek in Snyder County.

Photos by Cindy O. Herman

The Rishel Covered Bridge, with a Burr Truss constructed in 1830, crosses the Chillisquaque Creek just east of Montandon, in Northumberland County.

The inside of the Klinepeter Covered Bridge in Snyder County.

“THERE JUST AREN’T THAT MANY AROUND ANYMORE. THEY’RE SPECIAL. THERE ARE BRIDGES ALL OVER THE PLACE, BUT ONLY A HANDFUL OF COVERED BRIDGES.”

MIFFLINBURG

MAYOR DAVID COONEY

are bridges all over the place, but only a handful of covered bridges.”

Because many are located in the rural countryside, part of the fun is appreciating the beauty you see along the way, Kiefer said.

“Sometimes in life, it’s the simple things that can provide the greatest joy,” he said. “Taking a day or two off from work to explore some of Central Pennsylvania’s back roads and sightsee the covered bridges is a great way to reset and relax.”

That highlights a secondary draw of covered bridges, their serene yet significant surroundings. Whether they span a creek or a river, the water flowing beneath them can be home to fish, frogs, turtles, ducks and other water animals and insects. Birds, rabbits, raccoons and even deer can be sighted along their grassy banks or in the nearby brush.

Randy Snyder, co-owner of Brushstrokes Gallery, Art Supplies, and Framing, in Lewisburg, loves taking his grandchildren to see covered bridges, especially Mifflinburg’s Hassenplug Bridge, built in 1825 — the oldest existing covered bridge in Pennsylvania.

“The cool thing is, it’s in active use,” Snyder said. “I mean, how impressive is that?”

Cooney grew up in Mifflinburg and splashed around

Timeless &picturesque,the coveredbridgesofColumbia &MontourCountiesinCentral Pennsylvaniaharken back to simplertimes.This year,tourthe counties to seeall25historic coveredbridgesvia aFREEmobile passport experience!Onceyou’vesignedup,simplynavigatethe countrysideandcheckinateachbridge.Aftervisiting 13 bridges, redeem your points forahandmade wooden coveredbridgeornament,createdas areplicamodelof the West PadenCoveredBridge. Visitall25and you’ll be enteredintoayear-endGrand Prizedrawing!

Afewdaysinthequiet countrysidearethe perfectway to getawayfromthe toilsofdailylife,andthearea’s iconicbridgeswillserveasareminderthatsometimes,it’sthesimplethingsinlifethat canmakeyouhappiest.

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Part of the allure of covered bridges, such as the Rishel Covered Bridge near Montandon, is the chance of finding wildlife along their grassy banks or in the water beneath the structures.

with friends at that bridge.

“As a kid, we used to go down and play in the bridge and climb on the beams inside,” he said.

Although the bridge was restored with a wooden deck in 2022, in 1959 the original wood floor had been replaced with a metal grid.

“We could fish from the inside of the bridge,” Cooney said. “Just drop your line right through the grid.”

Photo by Cindy O. Herman/For Inside PA

The Hassenplug Covered Bridge, in Mifflinburg, uses Burr, Bowstring and Howe trusses.

Photo by Cindy O. Herman/For Inside PA

The Gottlieb Brown Covered Bridge, also known as the Sam Wagner Covered Bridge, is built over Chillisquaque Creek, just northeast of Potts Grove, in Northumberland County.

Traditional lore held that bridges were covered to ease the fears of skittish horses crossing the water. Current thinking is that the roof and walls protected the wooden bridges, allowing them to last decades longer.

In April, Randy Snyder, co-owner of Brushstrokes Art Gallery, in Lewisburg, took his grandchildren to see Everhart Covered Bridge, known locally as Fort Hunter Covered Bridge in Dauphin County. The sign says, “If you would have your wish come true, the Covered Bridge you must go through.” – Margaret Wister Meigs, 1941. From left: Snyder with Madeline, Eloise, Rose, Jessamine and Violet Kerr.

Photo by Cindy O. Herman

Photo by Cindy O. Herman

Photo provided

Teenagers are willing to take a brief lesson before hitting the Pickleball courts. Front left: Justin Arnold, of Rockville, Maryland, asked his friends to come and play pickleball to celebrate his birthday.

PICKLEBALL GAINING STEAM

Sport encourages movement, social activity and mental

stimulation for all ages

by Lisa Z. Leighton

If you’ve spent any time in a gym or community center recently, you know pickleball is all the rage — for people of all ages. Pickleball fans say the sport is easy to learn, fun to play, and contributes to physical, mental and social health.

Pickleball can be played indoors or outdoors, in singles or doubles, and resembles tennis or table tennis. Played on a smaller badmintonsized court with a perforated plastic ball and a paddle, the game provides the benefits of aerobic exercise and mental stimulation, with the added benefit of social activity, said a number of local players.

According to USA Pickleball, 2024 marks the 59th anniversary of the game, which was devel-

oped by three enterprising dads, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell and Barney McCallum.

The origin of the game’s name is interesting. According to Joel Pritchard’s wife Joan, she started calling the game pickleball because “the combination of different sports reminded me of the pickle boat in crew where oarsmen were chosen from the leftovers of other boats.”

However, according to McCallum, the game was officially named after the Pritchards’ dog Pickles who would chase the ball and run off with it.

LOCALLY

Ken Huling is a certified coach with the Professional Pickleball Registry and gives les-

Laurence Arnold/For Inside PA

sons at the Miller Center in Lewisburg and other venues locally. The Miller Center offers open pickleball courts daily, and monthly clinics where people can learn how to play the game in just a few hours. Huling is also a volunteer ambassador for USA Pickleball.

He said, “I started playing in 2016, around age 61. I liked the idea of having some competition like tennis, but not having to worry as much about the physical demands since it was on a smaller court.”

Huling said he enjoys getting out, moving around, having to concentrate on his skills and meeting new people. He said pickleball is also helping him to keep his weight down.

“I never liked walking, running, biking or swimming — just too boring and repetitious,” he said.

Laurence Arnold/For Inside PA Heather Arnold, originally of Danville, thought pickle attire was required to play.

Huling teaches the basics at the Miller Center in a two-hour clinic, including tips on how to direct or push the ball with the paddle, how to have a good standing form, and how to position the wrists and paddles correctly. He has also taught players at the Danville Area Community Center (DACC), which has a robust and active pickleball following of all ages.

The DACC basketball court becomes three pickleball courts on various days and times during the week. It’s pickleball only on Sunday from 3-4:45 p.m., Tuesday/Thursday/Friday mornings from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and Thursday and Friday evening from 7-8:45 p.m.

Playing is free for members, or anyone can “drop-in” to play for $5.

Many of the DACC’s players communicate through a mobile app called Team Reach. By

A group participates in a “Pickleball 101” clinic at the Miller Center in Lewisburg. Ken Huling, third from right, is a certified coach

simply searching for Danville Pickleball, you will find more than 250 members are displayed. Viewers can see local court times, RSVP for specific times, and network with one another.

Heather Laubach, chief operating officer at the DACC, said she enjoys seeing the variety of ages and skill levels, all playing together in the facility, which started offering pickleball in 2017. She said some of the players live part-time in Florida, where pickleball courts are ubiquitous and most people have familiarity with the game. Laubach added that children in the Danville Area School District are learning how to play pickleball in gym classes in middle school and

The Danville Area Community Center uses its basketball court for three simultaneous pickleball courts. Courts are open on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

Lisa Z. Leighton

Lisa Z. Leighton

high school.

One frequent player is Karen Tinstman, of Danville. She is one of the leaders working to bring a series of eight outdoor courts to Sunnybrook Park on 2.3 acres of land owned by the park.

Tinstman and Diane Sones started working with Sunnybrook one year ago in January to build outdoor courts that will be free, accessible, and open to all ages. However, the number of courts will provide opportunities for tournaments, lessons and leagues, since Danville is easily-accessible by Interstate 80.

The courts will have an asphalt base, topped with acrylic, and will have 8-foot fencing around the area and in-between courts, plus lighting and security cameras, as

The cost for adding eight Pickleball courts to the Sunnybrook complex in Danville is $700,000.

Lisa Z. Leighton

well as easy access to existing parking, restrooms and pool concessions.

The group has already raised $100,000 through local personal and business donations and a $25,000 grant from the Montour County Commissioners’ Tourism Fund. The project will cost $700,000 and donations for Sunnybrook’s pickleball courts can be sent to Jeff Lemon’s attention, 42 Clearview Drive, Danville, with checks made out to Sunnybrook Park, Memo: Pickleball courts.

BENEFITS AND FUN?

Heather Baranoski, of Muncy, said, “I started playing pickleball five years ago, over the winter of 2019, with some friends.”

“We had been watching others play and it looked like fun, so we signed up for Pickleball 101 lessons at the Miller Center,” she said.

“Pickleball seemed very similar to other sports like tennis and pingpong that I also enjoy, so I assumed it wouldn’t be that difficult for me to learn how to play and that I might also enjoy it. I was immediately hooked.”

She continued, “I find pickleball to be more enjoyable … as the underhand or drop serve is easier to execute than the overhand tennis serve and even though the rallies in pickleball can be quick like in ping-pong, the ball, paddle and playing area are larger making it easier to keep the ball in play longer — which makes the game fun!”

“For me, pickleball is less frustrating and provides more enjoyment as the techniques are easier to master even now that I’m over 50, and I find I am happier with my performance which, unlike most other sports, my age doesn’t seem

to be a negative factor. I also get to play with people of all ages, genders and abilities and it’s always fun,” she said.

Baranoski said the enjoyment comes from being able to rally with players younger than she is and win some points, and at the same time play with her mother, and win some points against her as well.

“We can play as a family and everyone has fun,” she said.

She noted that she has been able to gain a moderate-intensity level, which is good for the heart, and maintain balance and coordination. It also helps keep the mind sharp, keeping track of scores and whose turn it is to serve, and thinking about strategy, she said.

For more information, search for Pickleball Forum Group on Facebook, or visit the Miller Center or DACC in-person or online.

Splendor and wretchedness on the Appalachian Trail

Photo provided Sara Turner, a 2014 Danville Area High School graduate, hiked for 135 days on the Appalachian Trail.

Danville graduate reflects on 3-month wilderness experience

by Cindy O. Herman

What’s it like to hike the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail alone? There’s beauty and there’s misery — sometimes both at the same time.

Sara Turner, a 2014 Danville Area High School graduate, started trekking the trail April 29, 2023, at Amicalola Falls, in Georgia. She finished 135 days later in Katahdin, Maine, on Sept. 10 for a four-month total. The average hiking time is five to seven months.

As she entered the Great Smoky Mountains, Sara ditched her tent in favor of sleeping between two quilts on a hammock strung beneath a tarp. She went through six trekking poles and six pairs of trail running shoes, which dry quickly. And, last year that was an important feature.

“We heard on the trail that it was the second wettest year since 2003,” she said. “Because it was wet constantly, you had to put on wet socks every morning. And then when you stopped for lunch or a snack you had to take your shoes and socks off, not because

they were going to dry, but because you were going to get trench foot otherwise. You had to let your feet dry out for little 10-minute increments at a time.”

She had one pair of sleep socks she never hiked in.

“There were times I might have quit if I didn’t know I had dry clothes to put on for the night,” she said.

BEAR SIGHTINGS

Turner’s first black bear encounter happened in the Smoky Mountains, when she saw what she thought was just another lightning-struck, rotted log.

“Then I tripped a little bit and it sort of perked up a little bit. I craned my neck to the side, and it craned its neck to the side to mirror me,” she said. “It was so funny in hindsight, but it definitely freaked me out.”

She banged her poles together and shouted, “Hey, bear!” until it trundled up the hill.

Several bears later, in New Jersey, Turner

APPALACHIAN TRAIL AT A GLANCE

2,197.4 miles: Total length of the Appalachian Trail in 2024

464,500 feet: Approximate gain/loss in elevation

14 states: Number the Appalachian Trail traverses

3+ million: Visitors each year

Source: appalachiantrail.org

NATURAL SIGHTS ABOUND

Sara Turner walked through 2,190 miles of raindrenched trails, miserable chill, and yes, occasionally beautiful forest wonderlands.

As challenging and exhausting as the Appalachian Trail was, it also offered unforgettably beautiful sights.

came within 15 feet of one.

“It was almost up to my chest on all fours, and I could see the individual hairs and dust motes and how the light caught it,” she said, realizing some time later that she hadn’t even broken her stride. “It registered to me that my heart wasn’t even beating any faster. It’s so funny what you can get used to out there.”

UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT

One of the precious items she allowed herself to carry was the “wings” given to her by Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Dave Hall, of Lewisburg, with whom Turner had taken flying lessons as a teenager.

Turner experienced her first bear sighting while hiking in the Smoky Mountains.

“He’s always been one of those people that, when I doubt myself, I think if someone like Dave believes in me in whatever way, then I can probably do the thing, whatever it is,” she said.

Hall explained the significance of the wings and their promise of unconditional support.

“Sara was actually the fourth pilot I gave a pair of my wings to,” he said. “The first three were local students of mine who are now flying for the U.S. Air Force.

“Though Sara chose a different path, she chose me as a mentor, and the wings mean ‘I will always be there for you.’ It was a way to say thank you for the trust she placed in me.”

REFUSING TO QUIT

Asked about the thrill of her adventure, Turner recalled two contrasting moments. In Shenandoah, she and two new buddies sat for a few hours on a high hillside “watching the light change as evening fell over the valley.”

“It was one of those moments when I thought, this is what people talk about when they talk

Photos provided

Above: When Sara Turner stopped for breaks she removed her shoes and socks. She knew they wouldn’t dry, but giving her feet 10-minute increments to dry off helped prevent trench foot. Right: A tarp positioned over her hammock provided Sara Turner with a cozy sleeping space at night.

Photos provided

“THAT WAS A BIG MOMENT FOR ME, TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE AND TO KNOW THAT I CAN DO THE THING. NOT BEING HAPPY, NOT ENJOYING IT, IS NOT A REASON TO QUIT.”

SARA TURNER

about the trail. It’s beautiful, it’s serene, it’s majestic, it feels big,” she said.

But then there was the time, soaking wet and tired, she reached a dark, rundown shelter. Shivering and miserable, she just wanted to don her dry pajamas, eat and sleep.

“But I had one last chore to do,” she said. “And it was all I could do to make myself go back out in the rain and go and get water.”

She headed for a cascading waterfall along a trail with a steep drop to one side. After almost tumbling down a mountain side and nearly slipping down the waterfall, she had had enough for the day. Dripping wet, she acknowledged the beauty of the area and sat down in the freezing, falling water.

“That was a big moment for me,” she said. “To be uncomfortable and to know that I can do the thing. Not being happy, not enjoying it, is not a reason to quit.”

Post-Appalachian Trail, Turner has noticed she’s less concerned with pleasing others than with being authentic to herself.

She recalled hiking Mount Washington, exhausted but forcing herself to keep going. Afterward, she appreciated the fact that she was able to draw on “a deeper sort of self-efficacy.”

Hall never doubted Turner’s resilience and was proud when she completed the trip.

“I did not realize she had taken my wings with her until I saw the picture of her on top of Mount Katahdin, in Maine,” he said. “Yeah, I cried, I was so overcome by what she had accomplished.”

Turner sometimes misses the moments when she needed to read the weather or tie a particular kind of knot.

“The version of myself that I am now is not Tink (her trail name). I’m Sara now,” she said. “But knowing that I have Tink around when I need her, number one is reassuring, but number two … how many other versions of myself can I draw out when I need them in different situations? You can do more than you think you can, is the point.”

Photo provided

Hiking the Appalachian Trail involves stepping along rock-strewn paths and puddles of water.

cold and tired, Sara Turner finally reached Maine’s Katahdin Mountain, the end of the Appalachian Trail.

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Photo provided

Muddy,

SOUTHERN PEACH COBBLER

Peaches are a summertime favorite and eating one provides antioxidents, a multitude of vitamins and lots of fiber.

Cobbler dessert gained popularity in the United States during the 19th century. It is made by putting fruit in a deep baking dish and then topping it with a drop biscuit batter and sometimes a crumb topping.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

1 stick butter

1/2 cup water

2 cups sugar, divided

4 cups peaches, peeled and sliced

1 cup milk

Ground cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

Any number of fruits work well in cobblers, including apples, pears and various berries.

Cobbler gets its name from the fact that early American settlers didn’t have strict recipes with exact measurements for ingredients, so they took what they had and “cobbled” them together. This recipe for “Southern Peach Cobbler” comes courtesy of Paula Deen.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Combine peaches, 1 cup sugar, and water in a saucepan and mix well. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat. Put the butter in a 3-quart baking dish and place dish in oven. Mix remaining 1 cup sugar, flour, and milk slowly to prevent clumping. Pour mixture over melted butter. Do not stir.

Spoon fruit on top, gently pouring in syrup. Sprinkle top with ground cinnamon, if using. Batter will rise to top during baking. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes.

To serve, scoop onto a plate and serve with your choice of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

ACROSS

4. Payroll firm

CROSSWORD PA

1. Sr. enlisted Army member

7. Monetary unit of Macao

10. Cooking vessel

11. Cow sound

12. Hairpiece

13. Spoon-shaped surgical instrument

15. Mother

16. Remove from record

19. Foolish

21. Mailman

23. Unit of data size

24. Stirred

25. Deceptive movement

26. We all have one

27. Direct from pasture beef animal

30. A person’s own self

34. Helps little firms

35. Deep, red-brown sea bream

36. Tumbler

41. A short section of a musical composition

45. Young woman (French)

46. Wings

47. Wine bottles

50. Thin layers of rock

54. Opposite to

55. American state

56. Uncertainty about something

57. Basics

59. Indian seaport

60. Owed as a debt

61. Buffer solution

62. Unit of work or energy

63. Soviet Socialist Republic

64. One point south of due east

65. Born of DOWN

1. Small stem bearing leaves

2. Female Bacchanalians

3. Mediterranean city

4. Measures electric current

5. Arrived extinct

6. Edible butterfish

7. Causing wonder or astonishment

8. Behaviors showing high moral standards

9. Ancient Irish alphabets

13. Footballer Newton

14. Utilize

17. Sum of absolute errors

18. Opposite of the beginning

20. Shoe company

22. Algerian port city

27. Girls organization (abbr.)

28. Type of cell (abbr.)

29. Swiss river

31. When you hope to get there

32. Fall behind

33. Expresses distaste, disapproval

37. Volume containing several novels

38. Less sharp

39. Food for the poor

40. Having made a valid will

41. Royal estates

42. Relating to wings

43. Japanese three-stringed lute

44. Taking something through force

47. Angry

48. Before the present

49. Showy ornaments

51. Norway

52. Comedienne Gasteyer

53. Consume

58. Founder of Babism

— See puzzle answers on Page 7.

Have you been to …

by Deb Brubaker

Day trip ideas don’t have to be grand. There are lots of treasures within a two-hour drive of Sunbury. On these pages, we’ve selected some places that would make great day trips. Although we’ve included two or three ideas for one trip, you don’t need to do all of them. Not only will you

be hurrying when you should be taking in the sights, but the day can get quite expensive. Have fun. See some place new or take your children/grandchildren to visit some place you have enjoyed! Seeing the sights with people who are important to you is the goal!

#1

STRASBURG AREA

SHADY MAPLE SMORGASBOARD — $ shady-maple.com

129 Toddy Drive, Earl; 800-238-7363

Dine at the US’s largest smorgasbord featuring 200’ of authentic PA Dutch cooking. How many different options for breakfast, lunch or dinner can you display?

Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

STRASBURG SCOOTERS $ strasburgscooters.com

Enjoy a guided tour of Strasburg and the surrounding Amish countryside on scooters. This is not your boring bus tour of Lancaster County. You can drive or be a passenger. Pick a tour: custom Tour of Lancaster, Covered Bridge Tour, Bridges & Brunch, Ice Cream Experience, Date Night in Amish Country Roads Excursion, Scootin for Scoops … of Ice Cream. Tours vary in length from 2-4 hours.

For information about driver and/ or passenger requirements and ADA Accessibility, please visit the website. All guests must wear a helmet (provided) and eye protection is suggested (bring your own).

Photo provided Strasburg Scooters offers a guided tour of the Strasburg area and Amish countryside on scooters.

WOLF SANCTUARY OF PA — $ wolfsanctuarypa.org 465 Speedwell Forge Road, Lititz; 717-626-4617

“We are devoted to assuring the highest quality of care and enrichment for our wolves.” Wolf Sanctuary PA.

Bill and Barbara Darlington began the sanctuary in 1980. Their daughter Dawn, who describes herself as “a cog in the wheel,” continues their work to maintain the well-being of wolves. Situated on 80+ woodland acres, the only way to visit with the wolves is to book a tour.

To schedule a visit, review guidelines, and to understand ADA accessibiity, please visit their website.

#2 CORNING, NY

CORNING MUSEUM OF GLASS — $ cmog.org

1 Museum Way, Corning, NY; 800-732-6845

Open 7 days/week: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit a display of glass from ancient Egypt to present-day contemporary glass art. Enjoy live hot-glass demonstrations, glass-blowing demonstrations/ workshops.

The coolest thing to do? Make your own glass object or jewelry! (Reservations required)

The Associated Press file photo

Corning Museum of Glass is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day.

THE ROCKWELL MUSEUM AND KIDS ROCKWELL ART LAB — $ rockwellmuseum.org

11 Cedar Street, Corning, NY; 607-937-5386

Open 7 days/week; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Kids Rockwell Art Lab, 36 East Market Street, Corning Open Thursday-Monday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The museums are a destination for authentic, unplugged play and art exploration. A diverse collection of American paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography.

Kids Rockwell offers kid-centric experiences for young art explorers who love getting creative with hands-on projects, gallery games, etc. A free shuttle runs between the two museums. There is an adult admission. Children 17 and under are free.

Photo provided by Alison Usavage

Photo courtesy of Wellsboro Chamber of Commerce

#3 SELINSGROVE

AND VICINITY

T&D CATS OF THE WORLD — $

Tdscats.com/home

363 Mountain Road

Penns Creek

570-837-3377

If you would like to visit on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, you can choose to join the 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. guided tour.

On Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 6 p.m. (no one admitted after 5 p.m.), the tours are self-guided. Volunteers are located throughout the facility to answer questions.

TALL TIMBERS AND SNYDER - MIDDLESWARTH

NATURAL AREAS

Visitcentralpa.org

Located near the town of Troxelville, Tall Timbers and SnyderMiddleswarth Natural Areas host lovely picnic spots and a 3.4-mile hiking loop to an extensive stand of old-growth hemlock, along Swift Run in Bald Eagle State forest. According to a May 2002 report, Tall Timbers was noted as having one of the tallest trees in the state, an eastern hemlock, at 145.5 feet. The 660-acre area is covered with a second-growth forest of oak, white pine, hemlock and hard pine. Snyder-Middleswarth is a 500-acre tract containing virgin white pine, hemlock and pitch pine. Photo provided

TRAIL OF TREES

758 Old Colony Road, Selinsgrove

The Trail Of Trees was made possible through a grant from the Trails and Recreation Grant from the Commonwealth Finance Authority. On the property is a 1½ mile nature trail with interpretive tree identification markers. There are 23 full-color plates that identify the leaf, bark, twig, and bud. The trail is very popular with birders.

ADA Accessible: Trail is through the woods and may be difficult for those with mobility issues.

Special notes: Bring bug spray.

Robert Inglis/Inside PA file photo T&D Cats of the World provides a sanctuary for abused, mistreated or unwanted animals.

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ROUTE 192 AT CENTRE HALL

PENN’S CAVERN TOUR AND FARM/NATURE/WILDLIFE TOUR, PROSPECTOR PETE’S MINERS MAZE — $

222 Penn’s Cave Road, Centre Hall: 814-364-1664

www.pennscave.com

The cavern tour is entirely by boat, and the wildlife tour is entirely by bus. Gemstone panning and a maze are also available, but there is an additional fee.

ADA Accessible: Cavern and Wildlife tours are not accessible.

Special notes: Backpacks, large bags, and child carriers/seats are not permitted on the tours. Minimal walking during the wildlife tour; comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The Wildlife and Cavern tours are given rain or shine. The year-round inside cave temperature remains a constant 52 degrees, so a jacket or sweatshirt is recommended; comfortable shoes are

advised as a 350-foot 45-degree incline and 48 steps that lead to the dock where visitors must step onto the flat bottom boat. Free parking.

The dam at R.B. Winter State Park is open seven days a week.

Old Mill Creamery is a family-run business.

OLD MILL CREAMERY — $ 6542 Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg; 570-966-4143

justplainbusiness. com/old-mill-creamery

Monday-Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A single-family farm has been producing milk since 1993 and was looking for an opportunity to grow its business. It now produces a local brand of ice cream and bottled milk, along with yogurts and drinkable yogurts.

R.B. WINTER STATE PARK/HALFWAY DAM 17215 Buffalo Road, Mifflinburg; 570-966-1455

www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks/FindAPark/ RaymondBWinterStatePark/

7 days/week; 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (dawn to dusk)

After the Penn’s Cavern Tour, swimming at the lake, educational programs, playground, etc. are available to keep active children involved.

ADA Accessible: If you need accommodations to participate in park activities due to a disability, contact the park.

Inside PA file photo

Courtesy of Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau

Courtesy of Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau

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MILLERSBURG/HALIFAX

NED SMITH CENTER FOR NATURE AND ART

176 Water Company Road, Millersburg; 717-692-3699

nedsmithcenter.org

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 500 acres of outdoor experiences, three galleries, and an ampitheater celebrate the life and works of its namesake, the nationally recognized wildlife artist, naturalist, and writer, Ned Smith.

The Center is accessible. Admission is by donation.

This year’s annual Nature & Arts Festival will be held on July 27

1 North Street, Millersburg; 717-692-2442

Call, text, or visit Facebook page to get daily schedule updates

MILLERSBURG FERRY — $ millersburgferry.org

The oldest known wooden double sternwheel pad boat still in operation in the U.S. and the only one operating on the Susquehanna River. There are two boats in the little fleet at Millersburg that are

still in service along the entirety of the 464 mile-long Susquehanna River.

You can approach the ferry from Millersburg or on the opposite side of the river just south of Liverpool.

ADA Accesible: Yes

LAKE TOBIAS WILDLIFE PARK — $ 760 Tobias Road, Halifax; 717-362-9126

www.laketobias.com

Monday-Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday/Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Family activities and animal attractions for all ages on 150-acre park and zoo. Road among wildlife park and zoo, take a Safari Tour, hand-feed wildlife, etc. Additionally, there are food concessions and five picnic pavilions where you enoy a meal together.

Children love the hands-on experiences at the Baby Animal Exhibits and Petting Zoo.

ADA Accessible: Yes. However, the park grounds are gravel covered and there are some inclines. For Safari Tour: Use of wheelchair accessible tour bus must be scheduled at the Safari Station. For Zoo Exhibits - Visitors with difficulty walking, golf cart transportation is available.

Inside PA file photo

Lemurs are among the animals in residence at Lake Tobias.

Photo provided

Whether it’s a planned destination or you happen to be passing by, a stop at The Fence is always a good choice. Famous for the delicious fish dinners, you can be served in your car by a car hop or there are picnic tables so you can eat and enjoy the beautiful view. And, if the weather is inclement, there is a small dining room.

Inside PA file photo

The Fence Drive-In is the only car-hop service in the Valley.

Events around the Valley

Through June 21, 2024

SUSQUEHANNA GREENWAY ART CONTEST, SUSQUEHANNA RIVER

The 2024 Susquehanna Greenway Expo Art Contest invites members of the public to design a piece of art, following the prompt “What do you love most about the Susquehanna River?” The winner of the art contest will get the design placed on a water bottle, along with the artwork featured on a sticker.

For additional information: susquehannagreenway.org

April 29, 2024 - June 7, 2024

EXHIBIT: ART OF THE ROARING CREEK VALLEY, THE EXCHANGE, 24 E. MAIN ST., BLOOMSBURG

Recurring weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

The “Art of the Roaring Creek Valley” show at the Exchange Gallery in Bloomsburg has 60 pieces by 22 artists. They include paintings, drawings, photographs and works in local hardwoods. The show is possible through a collaboration with the Roaring Creek Valley Conservation Association. The public is invited and there is no fee to view the exhibit.

For more information: 570-317-2596

June 21-23, 2024

DINO DAYS AT REPTILAND

11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland, 18628 U.S. 15, Allenwood Journey back in time to the land of the lost! Join an actual paleontologist on a dinosaur expedition, and learn about the site’s fascinating fossil collection. Embark on a prehistoric journey through Dinosaurs Come to Life, and enjoy other Jurassic festivities and treats (while supplies last). Children 11 and under can also enter to win a Prehistoric Prize Pack filled with goodies.

Admission: Zoo Member: Free; Under 2: Free; Ages 3-11: $16; Ages 12 & Up: $20

For additional information: https://reptiland.com/ and 570538-1869.

Eric Smithgall, of Williamsport, and his son Ezra, 16 months, meet Victor the Velociraptor at Dino Days at Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland in 2021.

July 27, 2024

CHRISTMAS IN JULY, BROWN AVENUE PARK, LARGE PAVILION AND FIELD BEHIND THE PAVILION, MILTON

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Candy cane hunt, games, facepainting, craft and food vendors.

For more information: miltonwinterfest.com or on Facebook.

July 21, 2024

35TH ANNUAL ANTIQUES IN THE GROVE, ROTARY FIELD, SELINSGROVE

Open 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Whether you’re an antique lover or just looking to enjoy a fun event, you won’t want to miss the 35th Annual Antiques in the Grove!

Free admission. Sponsored by the Selinsgrove Area Chamber of Commerce

For additional information: www.DiscoverSelinsgrove. com or follow Selinsgrove Area Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

Inglis/Inside PA

Inside PA file photo

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