Search for spring peepers

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — Spring peepers—tiny tree frogs—have thawed out and are active again in our forested wetlands; all are invited to learn about peepers on Sunday, April 23 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC).

You’ll be able to “listen to the impressive choir made by these vocal amphibians as we carefully catch, study and release them,” a spokesperson said. Don’t forget a flashlight!

PEEC is located at 539 Emery Rd.

There is no charge to attend, thanks to support by the William Penn Foundation.

Call to register at 570/828-2319.

Help VIP, donate home goods

HONESDALE, PA — On Sunday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Parish Hall, the Honesdale Rotary will host a first-time-ever housewarming shower for clients of the Victims Intervention Program (VIP).

VIP offers professional and confidential help to victims of domestic abuse.

Many of these victims have to start new lives in new places as they recover from their trauma, a spokesperson said. The community is invited to bring housewarming gifts and donations for a good cause.

Wondering what to bring? Donations are welcome, but desired items include comforters, pack-n-play sheets, portable baby bouncer, non-stick bakeware, tumblers and kitchen utensils.

“We’ll have games, raffle baskets, light fare and refreshments,” said Alycia Schwartz, co-chair of the event.

The Grace Episcopal Church parish hall is located at 827 Church St.

Donated home goods and stuffed toys provide comfort to families fleeing domestic violence.

“This is a very worthy cause,” added Schwartz. “Sometimes VIP clients escape abuse with no more than the shirts on their back. And many of them have children who are also in need.”

Michelle Minor Wolf, VIP executive director, is looking forward to the event. “We are very grateful for this opportunity, which has not been done before. When victims of domestic violence or human trafficking come to our shelter, we give them a full set of new bedding, including sheets, pillows, towels and a comforter. When they exit the shelter, they can take these with them. We also give a few things to the children that they can call their own.”

VIP has a wish list on Amazon. Click on a.co/bh63tT3 to find out more.

Emergency services are available from VIP 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. Call 570/253-4401 or 570/ 296-HELP.

To RSVP, visit Honesdale Rotary on Facebook or email awscpa@ptd.net.

Pick some ramps, why don’t ya

EQINUNK, PA — Delaware Valley Ramps will host its second annual U-Pick from Friday, April 21 to Sunday, May 14 at its farm, located at 5476 Hancock Hwy. The available days within the time frame are Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Ramps are the first edible green plant of spring. Also known as wild leeks, they are related to garlic and onions, and grow wild in the forests of the Upper Delaware River watershed. Highly prized by locals and chefs, ramps can be used in a variety of dishes to herald the arrival of spring.

“Digging ramps is a way of experiencing the arrival of spring in the woods with the reward of putting fresh local food on the table” said Steven Schwartz, chief forager of Delaware Valley Ramps.

Recipes will be available to take home to cook up the ramps you’ve dug up. Free treats, like ramp hummus, pickled ramps and ramp quiche, will be served. Tools and equipment are provided on site.

Tickets cost $60 per person, and children under 14 are admitted at no cost. Purchase tickets at ramps-u-pick.eventbrite.com.

Actors: audition for River Rep Theatre’s ‘WE’

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — River Rep Theatre will hold auditions for the world premiere production of the dystopian classic “WE,” adapted and directed by Christopher Peditto, on Sunday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Delaware Valley Opera, 6692 State Rte. 52.

All ages and types are sought. The theatre has an open-door, color-blind casting policy, and is open to Actors’ Equity Association and non-union actors, including first-time performers.

Send a headshot or recent photo and reel (if available) to riverreptheatre@gmail.com. A selection of scenes from the play will be sent to applicants, from which you can choose a scene or monologue for your audition.

For more information, call 718/490-3050.

Celebrate Earth Day at the Basha Kill and the Mamakating Environmental Education Center.

Spend Earth Day at the Basha Kill

The Basha Kill Area Association will hold its annual cleanup at the wetlands on Saturday, April 22 beginning at 9:30 a.m.; meet at the Haven Road parking lot.

Bring sturdy boots and gloves.

Lunch will be provided.

Then at 1 p.m., head over to the Mamakating Environmental Education Center (MEEC) for crafts, stories and activities that will teach kids and their guardians how to be responsible Earthlings.

MEEC is located at 762 South Rd.

For more information, call 845/644-5014.

‘There, There’ at the Callicoon book club

CALLICOON, NY — The Delaware Free branch of the Western Sullivan Public Library will host its next book club meeting on Tuesday, April 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss “There There” by Tommy Orange, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

He has said that “Native people are pretty invisible,” and that their varied stories needed to be told.

The library branch is located at 45 Lower Main St.

For more information, call the library at 845/887-4040.

Farm-friendly zoning workshop at CCE

FERNDALE, NY — The next part of the Agricultural Training Series for officials and Realtors will be held on Wednesday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m at Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County (CCE).

Many communities in Sullivan County are experiencing a loss of farms, farmland and open space due to increased residential development, solar facilities, retirement of farmers and other factors.

Nan Stolzenburg, the principal planner/founder of community planning and environmental associates, and CCE will teach municipal officials, code enforcement officers and Realtors about implementing farm-friendly land use and zoning tools.

There is no fee, but preregistration is required. To register, visit sullivancce.org/events and select the “Tools and Techniques to Help Your Zoning be Farm-friendly” event.

Learn more at sullivancce.org/events.

Latin dance party at the DVO

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — The Delaware Valley Opera (DVO) is holding a Latin dance party on Saturday, April 29 from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Delaware Valley Opera Center, 6692 State Rte. 52.

Tickets cost $33 in advance or $38 at the door. There will be music and dancing, plus food prepared by Nana’s Empanadas. The cost of the food is included in the ticket price, and a cash bar will be available.

For more information, visit www.delawarevalleyopera.com, or call 845/887-3083.

Conservancy dinner/benefit celebrates local food

HAWLEY, PA — Foods of the Delaware Highlands is the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s primary benefit event in 2023, and it will be held beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at the Inn at Woodloch.

It includes a four-course menu from Chef Dan Corcoran featuring seasonal ingredients from local farms, including vegan and plant-based options.

Tickets cost $185 per person, which includes a $80 charitable gift to the conservancy. Purchase tickets, or to find other ways to support the group, visit www.delawarehighlands.org.

Volunteers welcome at National Historic Marker Day

NATIONWIDE — Volunteers across the U.S. can give back to their communities by participating in the third annual National Historic Marker Day on Friday, April 28.

The day is a service-oriented event that encourages residents to help beautify their communities by cleaning historic markers and to learn about local history.

Learn more and register at wgpfoundation.org. You’ll find a downloadable volunteer kit that includes a step-by-step guide to cleaning markers, information about how to plan your service project, lesson plans and kid-friendly activities for students, and tips for publicizing your volunteer efforts.