UDC to host water safety presentation

NARROWSBURG, NY — The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) will hear an update on the National Park Service’s water safety initiatives for the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River on Thursday, July 6, at 7 p.m. at the UDC office.

Ingrid Peterec, NPS Upper Delaware chief of interpretation, and Ron Babus, law enforcement park ranger, will present statistical information on the 78 drownings that have occurred on the river since 1980. In every case, the victims were not wearing properly fitted life jackets.

Peterec and Babus will discuss actions that the NPS Water Safety Committee and their partners have taken to understand and try to prevent these unnecessary fatalities.

The UDC business meeting that follows will include status reports, discussion of old and new business, and public comment.

The UDC office is located at 211 Bridge St. There is a Zoom option available for remote participation.

All UDC meetings are open to the public. 

For further information on how to participate, call 845/252-3022 or email laurie@upperdelawarecouncil.org.

Check www.upperdelawarecouncil.org or UDC social media pages for any meeting updates.

Learn to be a Master Gardener

NORTHEAST PA — Do you have a keen interest in gardening, a willingness to learn more and a strong desire to help others learn? 

If you’re in PA, you’re invited to become a Penn State Master Gardener.

The Penn State Master Gardener program is administered at the county level where recruitment, training and volunteer service take place.

Not every county schedules basic training classes every year. But if you contact the county extension office in your area, you can be added to a notification list.

Basic training class schedules vary based on location and include the following topics: botany, plant propagation, soil health and fertilizer management, composting, controlling pests safely, entomology, plant diseases, indoor plants, vegetables, lawn care, pruning, woody ornamentals, herbaceous plants, native plants, weeds and invasives.

Trainees must apply for the program in their county of residence.

Master gardener trainees are required to participate in a minimum of 40 hours of basic training. Each trainee is expected to attend all core classes. Any missed sessions are to be made up at the discretion of supervising coordinator.

Before completing the application, contact the county extension office in your area for an updated schedule of classes and program costs. Scholarships might be available through your local extension office. For questions about Wayne County’s program, email Diane Diffenderfer at dzd5229@psu.edu. In Pike County, email Jodi Hancock at jbh6002@psu.edu.

Sullivan Catskills dove trail unveils 65th dove

BARRYVILLE, NY — There’s a new dove in town.

This one is presented by Rent My Escape, and is located at 3512 State Rte. 97, the Sullivan Catskills Visitors Association (SCVA) announced. 

The dove was painted by local artist Catherine Four. It illustrates Rent My Escape owner Julius Robinson’s love of the Delaware River, an SCVA spokesperson said. One side depicts a canoe trip starting above the Roebling Bridge in Lackawaxen, and the other side represents the view from one of the Rent My Escape vacation rentals.

Robinson owned a canoe livery and campground in Barryville for many years, and was an active member of the Upper Delaware Council’s Water Use Committee. He was appointed by Congress to the Citizen’s Advisory Council. 

The dove will sit on Route 97 at the northern entrance to Barryville, just across from the Delaware River. It will be part of a larger landscaped area that includes a pond, water features and vibrant plants and trees created by Robinson, with grant funding from Sullivan Renaissance.

“I felt that this place has such importance to Sullivan County for its scenic beauty that it should be part of the Dove Trail,” Robinson said. 

For more information about the Sullivan Catskills Dove Trail, visit www.sullivancatskills.com or call 845/747-4449.