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Volume 4, Issue 6 (April 2011)
In This Issue...
"PA Culture Festival"
"Kakum National Park" by Sharon Stringer
"Wood Warblers" by Mark Smith
"Recycling on Earth Day" by Carroll Rhodes
"Stages of Environmentalism" by Carrie Shirk & Evan Reibsome
"Clinton County CleanScapes"
"Domestic Wind Turbines" by Adam Russo
"Smith's Rebellion" by Karen Ramsburg
"The Golden Eagle Trail" by Travis Weaver
"I go to Nature to be soothed and healed,
And to have my senses put in order."
--John Burroughs
Introduction
Grim budgetary news and a winter that refuses to accept the prognosticating of Pennsylvania's most famous
rodent have left many of us trying to preserve the optimistic sense of renewal that spring is supposed to
bring. But the recent weather does offer hope that better days are coming, and there is no more effective cure
for a case of political despair than a trip to the woods. So do what Pennsylvanians have done for centuries-get out and enjoy the pleasures of the Pennsylvania spring. And while you're there, think about ways to
preserve that beauty for future generations. We need lots of good ideas--fast.
This is our last issue of the academic year (we'll be back in the fall), and I'd like to thank our group of talented
contributors. It's been one of the highlights of my academic career to get to know so many interesting people
from so many different disciplines. And our student writers continue to amaze me and give me hope for the
future. Have a wonderful summer! --Bob
Pennsylvania Culture Festival
Lock Haven University's Environmental Focus Group is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania
Culture Festival. The series of events celebrating the culture and environment of Pennsylvania will be held
on campus during the week of April 11th-17th, 2011. All events are free and open to the public. For more
information about any event, contact Bob Myers.
On Tuesday, April 12th, at 7:00 p.m., the musical ensemble Black Bear
Crossing will perform traditional folk music. A wide variety of
instrumentation allows the ensemble to explore many musical expressions.
Their repertoire includes tunes found in the Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland
and Wales, selections with an Eastern European flavor, as well as traditional
and Old Timey American favorites. Musical styles include jigs, waltzes, aires,
hambos, polkas, swing and traditional vocal. This concert was arranged by
Melissa Becker and is sponsored by the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
(PUB MPR).
On Wednesday, April 13th, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. as part of the Stevenson Library
Book Talks series, author Guy Graybill will discuss his book Prohibition's Prince:
The Bizarre Life of America's Millionaire Moonshiner . Historian Graybill presents the
entertaining tale of one of America's most prolific moonshiners and bootleggers,
Prince David Farrington, who plied his trade through the early to mid 20th
century. Graybill follows Farrington from his roots in Guilford County, North
Carolina to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, detailing the decades of illicit
activity along the way. Farrington amassed a large fortune. His exploits remain
legendary to this day. Relive the rollicking life of Prohibition's Prince, as Graybill
presents numerous tales, legends, testimonials, news accounts, and still locations
(Stevenson Library). For more information, contact the Book Talk Team: Rick
Lilla, Brian Ardan, or Bernadette Heiney.
On Wednesday, April 13th, at 7:30 p.m. retired Sproul State Forester, Robert "Butch" Davey will deliver a
talk"The State Forest System: Promise and Peril." This talk is sponsored by LHU's Environmental Club
(Ulmer Planetarium). For more information, contact Bob Myers.
On Thursday, April 14th, at 5 p.m. Brad Daly, Director of the Recreation Center, will sponsor a kayak paddle
on the Susquehanna River (meet at the Woodward Twp. Boat Launch on the other side of the river). For
more information, contact Brad Daly.
On Friday, April 15th, at 2:00 p.m. the Environmental Focus Group will plant a tree on campus in honor of
Arbor Day (location to be announced). Lenny Long is coordinating this event with Dave Proctor.
On Sunday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Biology Club will celebrate Earth Day on Russell Lawn (rain
location--Rogers Gym). There will be displays, music, speakers, raffles, nature films, and activities for
children (face painting, bird feeder making). Recreation Management students from Professor Jeff Walsh's
Interpreting the Environment class will conduct interpretative nature walks on the campus. For more
information, contact Biology Club advisor, Barry Overton.
During the week of April 11th through 16th, students in Professor Melinda Hodge's classes will present an art
show. The show will include: 1) recycled art in the form of fashion accessories and utilitarian objects made
by introductory level art survey classes; 2) art shirts made by faculty and student members of the "SaveYour
Clothing" club and introductory level art survey classes; and 3) a textile and jewelry show featuring hand
painted textiles (including leather), jewelry, and clothing by advanced level art students. There will be a
silent auction of the art shirts (Stevenson Library). At the same time, Stevenson library will also host "Art of
the Natural World: A Magnified Perspective" featuring groupings of three different photos that collectively
show a closeup view of a variety of subject matter that in some way relates to nature. This show is a
collaborative venture between professors in the Arts and the Sciences, which include Professor Melinda
Hodge, Dr. Loretta Dickson, and Dr. Joe Calabrese. For more information, contact Melinda Hodge.
Kakum National Park
--Sharon Stringer (LHU Journalism Professor)
One of the best things about visiting sub-Saharan Africa is
the opportunity to explore its many national parks and
picturesque countryside. The day I went to Kakum
National Park was a perfect day for a hike: overcast and
low humidity.
After a three-hour ride from Legon, a suburb of the
nation’s capital city Accra, the seven of us de-boarded the
13-passenger van and joined the more than 60-70 people waiting for their tour.
Having been warned by several locals about the park’s feature attraction, a hanging bridge that swings high
from the trees, I knew what to expect, but wasn’t certain I’d be
adventurous enough to give it a try.
Kakum National Park, located in the Central region of Ghana, is home to Africa’s only canopy walkway. At
its highest point the bridge is suspended 12 stories above the ground, providing a bird’s eye view to the
rainforest below and the local habitat. Early morning hikers can expect to find Diana monkeys and bongos
among other species.
We arrived too late in the morning to see any wildlife, but just in time to join a small group about to begin a
hike through the forest to the bridge.
The tour includes a guide with extensive knowledge of the forest and the history of the living habitat. Of
special interest to me were the huge trees that sprinkled the forest floor. Over the centuries, the Akan people
have used the trees for a variety of medicinal purposes. Trees and their branches are used to heal wounds,
relieve stomach problems, fight infection, and to eliminate fever. We were told that the leaves of certain trees
have been used in roof making, with the roof lasting up to five years.
Used as a drum, another tree serves as a guide for someone lost in the forest.
Lost victims can bang the trunk of the tree to create a loud drumming sound that will help other hikers to
pinpoint their location.
The Kuntan tree is unusual in that much of its roots rise above the ground, making it a good place to take
cover for the night. The huge tree that was identified during our tour was more than 200 years old and had
above ground roots that spanned more than 10-feet high. Pairs of roots work to form triangular spaces,
which can serve as sleeping areas and hiding places from an enemy.
Friends from a hike earlier that morning said that they saw a few monkeys and birds in the
distance. However, I saw none. Not a seasoned hiker, I spent much of my walk focusing on the path ahead,
as part of the trail was lined with stone pavers that were a bit slippery under the morning dew.
What I noticed most upon approaching the bridge at Kakum is how narrow it is: approximately two feet
wide. In fact it’s not just a bridge it’s a series of bridges that I have since found is on several ‘most scariest
bridges in the world’ lists. The seven bridges span over 1080 feet long and 130 feet high. The only things I saw
while going across were the planks below me, the cables supporting me, and the observation point ahead.
The horseshoe-like pattern of the bridges is constructed of steel cables, netting and narrow wood planks, with
a few in need of replacement. Had it not been for a young lady suggesting that I could “do it,” there’s a good
chance I would have taken my leave from the hike after the first bridge.
The escape route is available only after the first bridge.
Observation points provide a good platform for taking photos and enjoying the view in Kakum. However,
only five people at a time are allowed on the small porches. Despite carrying a special equipment bag with
my camera and accessories, I only took a half dozen pictures. The bridge was so narrow that a camera
around my neck and a bag hanging on my hip was a bit clumsy. I quickly put the camera in my bag and
concentrated on getting across the bridge.
Each new person who enters the bridge causes it to sway. The sensation can be quit intimidating, I believe,
even for seasoned adventurists. As I proceeded across the bridges I didn’t appear to be the only person
intimidated. In fact, I noticed only two hikers who appeared to be fearless: two children, neither more than
about seven years old. Frequent prayers and those two little children were what kept me focused enough to
get to the other side of each new bridge.
After the bridges, we rejoined our tour guide who continued his description of the trees in the forest and
seem eager to answer our questions. Enough adventure for me for one day. I was ready for lunch.
If you come to Ghana and plan to visit the slave castle in Cape Coast, you might want to go the short extra
distance to Kakum National Park. But come early in the morning before for all the tourists chase away the
wildlife and the only movement you’ll observe is the swaying of a hanging bridge high up in the air.
Wood-Warblers
--Mark A. Smith (LHU English Professor)
"How they filled the oriole’s elm, a twittering restless cloud, all one morning,
And I watched and watched till my eyes blurred from the bird shapes,
—Cape May , Blackburnian, Cerulean,—"
Theodore Roethke “The Far Field”
I suppose many non-birders know, in some nearly
abstract way, that such things as warblers exist, but I
doubt many have a good idea what one actually looks
like, and I’ll wager most have never seen one in the
wild and known it for what it was. That’s perfectly
understandable, for reasons I’ll get to shortly, but it’s
also sad because the warblers—or wood-warblers as
they are more properly called—are simply some of the
most beautiful, colorful birds you’ll ever get to see. I
look forward to their return every April and make sure
to devote a day for “warbling” as I like to call it (some
prefer “warblering”), which for me is an all-day,
leisurely stroll through the woods with a sandwich
and binoculars, just gazing up at these stunning gems of the bird world. After six or eight hours of craning,
my neck gets pretty stiff—birders call it “warbler neck”—but it’s definitely worth it.
So why do so few of us know about them? They are very small, for one thing, somewhere in the range of 4½6” long and weighing half an ounce or less. They are also very active, tirelessly darting after the insects that
make up the bulk of their diet. They generally won’t sit still for a good look. In addition, many of them spend
their days either high up in the forest canopy or deep in thickets, so that once the leaves are fully out it’s
almost impossible to find them unless you know their songs. As you might surmise, a good pair of binoculars
is pretty much required, and that means even fewer of us have a chance to see them. So warblers aren’t the
easiest birds to get to know, but they are definitely some of the most amazing.
There are about 112 species of warblers in the Americas, about 57 of which spend time in North America
above Mexico. A couple dozen of them are quite common in Pennsylvania. Warblers have been studied
extensively by ornithologists, which is nice because there’s no shortage of information if you want to learn
about them. One of my warbler guides runs to 650 pages, and yes, I like warblers enough to sit down and
read it for pleasure, especially at this time of year when I’m gearing up for warbler season. I also refresh my
memory of their songs by listening to recordings. What can I say? Warblers are a big deal for birders.
In fact, twelve years ago when I actually started looking warblers were a kind of revelation for me. Suddenly,
I saw them everywhere: the shocking black and orange of the Blackburnian male, the vibrant lemon-yellow
and coal-black bill of the Prothonotary, the bold stripes of the Black-and-White—they all just took my breath
away. I remember thinking: Where have these birds been all my life? Why haven’t I noticed them before?
Although many of the warblers aren’t great singers (by human standards anyway), I love their songs as well.
My wife and I both get a big kick out of the “zoo zee zoo-zoo zee” of the Black-throated Green. It sounds like
a bird with confidence and a swagger. And of course there’s the “teacher, teacher, teacher, TEACHER,” of the
Ovenbird, each iteration getting louder and more adamant until, at close range, you’d swear the thing was
about to smack you. Anyone who has spent time in Pennsylvania’s springtime woods has heard that one, by
the way, whether they recognized it or not. Or how about the sweet, drawling whistle of the Common
Yellowthroat: “wichity, wichity, wichity, wich,” the three syllables rising like the summer heat. In January I
can close my eyes while listening to a recording of that one and be transported to the humid heat of the wet
thickets the Yellowthroat prefers. Male warblers use all these songs to attract mates, of course, but also to
stake out and defend their territories (imagine if humans had the wisdom to defend their borders by
whistling tunes).
On top of their intricate beauties they are simply astonishing when it comes to their lifestyle. Those that breed
in North America generally winter in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, so the
migrations are epic for these tiny birds. In spring, many fly straight north across the Gulf of Mexico in an
exhausting twelve-hour, nighttime flight. When they reach the Gulf coast they often “fallout” by the millions.
Not surprisingly, birders come from everywhere to witness the spring migration.
After breeding they head south again, and the champion fall migrant is the Blackpoll, which may take a 2500
mile nonstop flight across the Atlantic to reach South America. But many warblers head south at a more
leisurely pace, tripping down the latitudes and island-hopping to reach their winter homes. Nonetheless,
there are still many challenges. One September morning while my wife and I were visiting downtown
Chicago, we found an exhausted warbler at the foot of a skyscraper. It might have been a female Pine Warbler
or maybe a first-year Blackpoll (because of a change in plumage, many warblers are hard to tell apart in the
fall). Perhaps it spent the night crossing Lake Michigan and then happened upon the city, instead of some
trees. Or maybe it hit a building in the darkness (this happens all the time—buildings, towers, and windmills
all take a heavy toll on birds migrating at night). But the bird appeared unharmed. I think it was simply
spent, and wouldn’t last the day without food. I picked it up and held it, a tiny, taut bird of the softest olive
tones. It looked at me briefly, then closed its eyes. My wife and I discussed going back for the car and driving
it out to the countryside, or at least a big city park, but I’m ashamed to report that I put it down again in a
square yard of dirt at the base of a spindly locust tree. It was a goner.
Around here, one of my favorite warblers is the Ovenbird I mentioned earlier, which is very common and
generally stays low to the ground in an open understory so it’s easy to see. It’s named for the nest it makes,
built right on the ground and shaped like a little domed Dutch oven with a side entrance. A nest on the
ground you say? What about predators? Well I have tried to find that nest a few times and have yet to
succeed. There must be some trick to it.
Speaking of nests, most of the warblers are victims of nest parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird. The
Cowbird lives in open country and builds no nest of its own, so it flies a short distance into the nearest woods
until it finds a likely nest, then lays its egg there. The warblers, who never dealt with Cowbirds in centuries
past, haven’t evolved defenses against the parasitism (some birds toss the Cowbird egg; others rebuild the
nest on top of it) so they end up raising Cowbirds instead of Warblers. Forest fragmentation is the culprit
here. When a big tract of woods is opened in some way, the Cowbirds gain access to the interior. All the
songbirds fall victim, none moreso than the warblers.
Another favorite of mine is the Canada warbler, aka the “necklaced” warbler, which frequents rhododendron
thickets alongside our streams. It’s a soft gray above, with a bright yellow breast across which dances a stark
black necklace. Quite a stunner, and a pretty good singer as well, though I won’t try putting it into words.
One of my guidebooks describes the song this way: “a sputtery descending jumble of high, clear, liquid notes
mixed with sharp chips.” You’re better off just listening to that one. It sparkles like sunshine falling on the
nearby streams, and I can’t wait to hear it again.
Tips for watching springtime warblers:
The best time is mid-April to mid-May.
It helps to watch on a calm day so the movement of the birds can be picked out from the leaves. On a
breezy day, your eyes dart all over chasing every fluttering leaf.
Binoculars. Pretty good ones can be had for $100-200. Unless you really want something small, a
bigger pair generally works better. 8x42mm is the most popular format.
Field guides. The Sibley and Peterson field guides to eastern birds are both excellent and small enough
to carry easily in the field, but there are many others to choose from.
Patience is definitely a virtue when looking for warblers, not so much for finding them (really, they’re
everywhere!) but for getting good views of them.
Some common warbler species around here include: Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia
Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellowrumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Blackpoll, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common
Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Canada Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and maybe a
Worm-eating Warbler if you’re lucky. There are others, but as a casual birder, these are the ones I can
generally count on every year.
Finally, be prepared to be dazzled by all the rest of the birds as well—the Tanagers, Grosbeaks, Vireos,
Orioles, etc.—that will be returning at the same time. And be forewarned: watching birds is addictive
and can turn you into a birder in no time. Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life.
At the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website you can see pictures, hear songs, and find out more information
about warblers.
Recycling on Earth Day, 2011
--Carroll Rhodes (Director of LHU's Student Support
Services Program)
Plans are in process for the annual LHU Earth Day
recycling event on Saturday, April 16. Colleen Meyer, in
the Facilities Department, will be promoting the event to
the University community. Colleen says, “Volunteers
are always welcome," and she will be able to verify
community service hours for students.
It’s a good time to start accumulating the following items
for recycling: cans (bi-metal and aluminum); office paper
(magazines, junk mail; newspaper); corrugated
cardboard; batteries; all electronics (computers, printers,
televisions, VCR’s and DVD players, stereos and cell
phones); appliances; metal; used oil; tires; and laser and
inkjet cartridges. Bring them all to the Hursh-Nevel Building between 8 am and 3 pm.
Stages of Environmentalism
--Carrie Shirk and Evan Reibsome (LHU English alumni)
Being truly green is often difficult, and contradictory, and overwhelming, and unpopular (depending where
you live), and expensive. It’s hard to know where to look for solid, reliable information, but by consulting
many blogs, books, magazines, etc., we’ve compiled a short list of steps that will aid you in becoming a
sustainable, green person. Obviously some of them are more feasible for people in their careers while others
are good for the college student. We've put the list in three easy stages, starting with the most basic and
cheapest changes, and building to the most time-intensive and expensive changes.
Stage One: The Developing Environmentalist
Switch from disposable bags to reusable bags and not just at the grocery store (liquor, clothing, etc).
Watch out for stores that try to put a pack of gum in a plastic bag.
Don’t drink bottled water, and in general, try to cut down on your bottled beverages.
Don’t let your car idle. If you’re at a stop for more than one minute it’s more efficient to turn off your
car.
Turn off the lights in rooms when you leave them.
Unplug products when they aren’t in use, including coffee pots, toasters, microwaves, and
televisions. If possible, unplug your stove, dishwasher, dryer, and washer. Use power strips to make
this a quick, easy process.
Use energy-efficient light bulbs.
Turn down the heat and put on a sweater (Jimmy Carter was right).
Open the windows in the summer to cut down on your air conditioning use.
Recycle.
Read green literature (fiction and nonfiction; local and national; blogs; newspapers; how-to’s).
Turn the temperature on your water heater down to 120 degrees. Conserve water.
Shop at Goodwill, local vintage stores, etsy vintage and handmade (this is an online site where you can
choose your local area to shop), eBay, and Craigslist.
Air dry the laundry. Either hang it outside or on a drying rack, or string a rope across your basement.
Write local, state, and federal politicians addressing your local or national environmental concerns.
Use your library.
Start composting. There are a variety of ways including indoor composting using worms (for those of
us without a yard).
Look into your travel options: car pools, ride a bike, walk, & mass transit (good luck w. that last one).
Look at where your food and commercial purchases are made and the policies of your favorite stores
and then do your best to pick the most sustainable products (for e.g., Wegmans frozen haddock fish is
processed in China and packaged in the US while the brand, Healthy Harvest pasta, is made in
Harrisburg, PA).
Eat less meat.
Stage Two: The Dedicated Environmentalist
Buy humanely-raised, grass-fed, local meat.
Limit your packaging. Reuse bags for coffee, nuts, vegetables, fruits, cereal.
Make homemade cleaning products. There are many recipes online.
Give up a creature comfort habits (for example, we opted for showers over baths).
Start a garden or join Community Supported Agriculture.
Volunteer.
Patronize local businesses and restaurants that have sustainable practices.
Collect rainwater to water your gardens.
Stage Three: The Deep-Pocketed Environmentalist (this stage requires the most research so you can determine
what is truly the most efficient for your home and yourself).
Weatherize your house.
Look into additional, supplemental energy options for your home (solar panels, wind mills, wood
burning stove, etc).
Buy an instant hot water heater.
Look into making your water system more efficient.
Get a green car.
Look into eco-traveling for vacations.
Buy carbon credits.
Donate money to your favorite causes.
Install a living roof.
We would rank ourselves at stage two, with a long way to go to get to stage three.
Clinton County CleanScapes
Clinton County CleanScapes (CCC) will kick off the 2011 cleanup season with the 3 rd Annual Fishing Creek
and Rt. 150 event on Saturday April 9 from 9:30 am to 12 noon in the Borough of Mill Hall, Clinton
County. Pre-registration is requested by 12 noon April 7--contact Elizabeth Lynch McCoy. Registered
participants will be provided gloves, bags, orange safety vests, donuts and refreshments.
This summer CCC is anticipating 4 West Branch Susquehanna River cleanup events: two in Clinton County
and two in Lycoming County. For more information, visit the CCC website.
A Case for Domestic Wind Turbines
--Adam Russon (LHU English Major)
One of my favorite drives in Pennsylvania takes me up and down the
twisted highways in between Lock Haven and Altoona. After zoning
out on Interstate-80 and Route 220, I usually perk my head up and start
taking in the deep valleys and rolling mountains that slowly climb until
hitting the Allegheny Plateau. Just after Altoona, I hop onto Route 22 for
about fifteen miles until I take Route 422 all the way to Indiana (or, as I
like to say, the land of Jimmy Stewart monuments). My favorite sites on
this road are the wind farms.
From a young age, I’ve always had a fascination with the big wind
turbines. In fact, I remember seeing the 1.5 Mw wind turbines first go
up in 2001 as my parents drove through Somerset on their way to see
our family in New Castle. The blades spun around and around—almost
like the mountains had hands that waved the way a friend waves after a
long separation: always in big, arching strokes that excitedly move from
side to side. Now I experience pleasure as an adult in seeing the
potential that wind technology holds for a consumer culture enslaved to
oil and natural gas.
But I’m not satisfied with our progress in switching to alternative energy. America’s demand for wind
technology has yet to develop. The installed capacity of domestic wind power only equals 40,000
megawatts—a mere 3 percent of electricity on the grid. There have been efforts to improve that
percentage. Section 48C of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave 2.3 billion dollars of tax credit
to domestic manufacturers who supplied clean energy. But consumers have resisted the higher prices for this
green energy. NSTAR Electric in Massachusetts uses electricity from wind farms in upstate New York and
Maine, but on March 1st, 2011, the company was forced to add a premium for customers who received fifty to
one hundred percent of their electricity from the wind farms.
Since large-scale wind farms have yet to provide a significant impact, there’s another option in using wind:
the domestic wind turbine. A 3.5 Kw wind turbine provides enough energy for the average household—and
while there are bigger turbines which allow a homeowner to sell greater amounts of electricity back to the
grid—the 3.5 Kw works just fine. New models of domestic turbines require little wind, but if you live in area
with higher wind speeds, the results increase dramatically. A small-scale turbine stands about fifty to sixty
feet tall, produces nearly no sound, and requires basically no maintenance. All the while, the turbine
produces enough energy to heat your home and water, power all your appliances and lights, and even
provide excess energy that is easily stored in batteries. While the price of these turbines runs about 15,000
dollars, many companies that produce small-scale turbines provide financing plans. After an initial
investment of several thousand dollars, the cost can easily be paid off within a couple of years.
I remain optimistic when thinking about the direction of wind technology because—according to the
Department of Energy—America's accessible wind resources total 12 times the current electricity
consumption of the United States. Parts of these accessible wind resources include our very own backyards.
Pennsylvania History: Smith’s Rebellion and Modern Politics
--Karen Ramsburg (Past President of the Committee to Save the Smith House, and Independent Candidate
for PA's 9th Congressional District)
March 6th 1765 dawned snowy and cold. James Smith and ten BlackBoys (so called because they painted their faces black to avoid
identification) waited for George Croghan’s eighty-one horse pack
train in this early spring snow storm. Croghan’s pack train carried
legal goods belonging to Col. Henry Bouquet, who hoped to use
these presents to conclude a treaty with the Shawnee Indians.
However, this pack train also carried sixty three horse loads of
tomahawks, scalping knives, gun powder and lead. These articles
were still illegal because no formal peace treaty had been signed
ending Pontiac’s War.
Smith and his men believed that these goods would rearm the Indians and enable them to renew the almost
constant state of war which had existed since 1756. The massacre of Schoolmaster Enoch Brown and ten
school children was still fresh in the minds of these men as they waited in the snow.
At approximately 1 pm the pack train finally reached Smith and his men near the summit of Sideling
Hill. From their concealed places the men fired two volleys killing four horses but purposely avoided killing
any of the drivers who were then ordered to take their possessions and leave. Smith’s men then destroyed
the illegal goods. Thus begins what historian Patrick Griffin author of American Leviathan refers to as “the
beginning of the end of British Rule in the American Colonies.”
If you have never heard of the Sideling Hill affair you are not alone. While James Smith and his cousin Justice
William Smith lit the spark that ultimately would create our nation, they also had no one named Jefferson,
Adams, Hancock or Washington leading them. Thus we learn that a Tea Party in Boston and not a rebellion
on the Pennsylvania frontier was the spark of Revolution.
Smith’s Rebellion in 1765 was the first armed resistance against British military authority in the American
colonies. The Smiths and their cohorts drove the Royal Highland Regiment out of Fort Loudoun. By the end
of the nine month rebellion, Justice William Smith, concluded they could govern themselves. It is this last
belief that gives form to the idea of a new and independent nation. William Smith based his ideas of rebellion
on John Locke’s 2nd Treatise of Government written in 1690. Here, Locke took the ideas of John Calvin
regarding the right of individual conscience and put mens’ souls into a secular and political framework. If
men had the right to interpret God for themselves, surely they had a right to be involved in the daily
decisions that impacted their lives.
Smith’s Rebellion was predicated on the idea that government was a contract between all men to reject some
of their natural rights in favor of a frame work that would secure each man’s rights to live, liberty and
property. The breach of contract clause was that if government failed in its duty to protect each man’s right
to life, liberty and property the contract would then be null and void and government could be replaced by
force if necessary.
This argument was Justice William Smith’s defense of Sideling Hill before Govenor John Penn on July 30 th
1765. It is the same breach of contract language contained in our Declaration of Independence.
If you fast forward to today, the issues that animated James and William Smith stemming from the Sideling
Hill affair are the same issues that animate protesters in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. John
Locke’s contract theory of government is the ancestor of today’s defense of the rights of each man to
collectively bargain. If government was constituted to provide for each person’s rights to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness then all men would have the right to a say in the decisions that affect their lives. That
was true of the illegal trade in tomahawks, scalping knives, gun powder and lead and it is true of our right to
a fair wage, to retire in dignity and to a safe work place. What began as a simple act of self-defense became
the spark that created a nation.
Hike of the Month: The Golden Eagle Trail
--Travis Weaver (LHU History Major)
Oh, April! T.S. Elliot was dead right when he said that April is the
cruelest month, for no other month has such a precarious balance of
expectation as this one. April is the gateway into spring, the awakening
of the vegetable gods and the start of baseball. However, she can be
cruel mistress as well, blessing the landscape with a blizzard as easily as
a perfect day. It doesn't matter though, for even the worst rain-drenched
April brings the promise of summer right around the corner with it, and
if the foul weather holds off it can be one of the finest months for hiking.
Unless you are one of the hardy all-year outdoor fanatics, April is
probably the first time it is actually nice enough to go on a hike longer
than a couple of hours. If you have time in between frantically writing all of those papers you have been
putting off for the last few months, you should consider hiking of the best day trails that I know of, the famed
Golden Eagle Trail.
The Golden Eagle Trail is the queen of one day hikes in central Pennsylvania, a ten-mile loop that features
some of the best views in the area--and it is a real challenge to boot. You are going to want a good pair of
sturdy, well-broken in boots for this endavour, along with plenty of water and a couple of apples to keep you
going. Depending on what time of year you attempt to do this the trail, it will have a completely different
character: spring is the optimum time, preferably after the water has gone down a little, but fall is good as
well. Summertime, while offering ample opportunities to forage on countless blueberry and huckleberry
bushes, transforms the trail into a stroll through Satan's garden thanks to hundreds of Stinging Nettle plants
and mosquitoes. I would highly recommend taking some sort of insect repellent to keep ticks at bay, for I
found a couple crawling on me already this season and they will grow much worse in the coming weeks.
There are a couple of ways to get to the Golden Eagle Trail, the entrance to which lies just about a mile south
of Slate Run on Route 414 in the Pine Creek Valley area. If you are coming from Lock Haven and are with
someone who knows the roads it would probably be faster to take the Coudersport Pike north until it
intersects with Route 44 at Haneyville, whereby you would then cross over to 414 and head north around 11
miles or so until you come to Clark Farm/Uticer Station. There you would park to acess the trailhead across
the road. Alternatively, you could get on 220 heading east until you come to the Pine Creek Exit and then
head north on 414 for around twenty miles until you arrive at Clark Farm, whichever you would prefer.
Either way beware of the numerous gas trucks who do not know what a yellow line is for, and for the fools
who will pass you going 80 on a double line around a blind turn.
When you finally make it to the parking area at Clark Farm, put on your gear and head across the bridge and
enter the trailhead which is marked with a sign and yellow blazes. This is an extremely well-worn and
marked trail, so you should have no trouble at all finding your way. Follow the run for around a quarter of a
mile until you come to a branch in the path designated by a tree with orange markings. At this point you will
have to decide which way to go around the loop: personally, I prefer to head to the right (counter-clockwise)
and get the hardest section of the trail over first, but the choice is yours. Assuming you are doing the trail
counter-clockwise, head up and to the right through a nice pine-meadow and prepare yourself for an arduous
ascent. The next half mile is a battle up Jeep trails and a very steep and narrow path that will make you wish
for death before it is over. My friends and I call this section of the trail Hamburger Hill for a good reason, but
persevere--the view is more than the worth it. At the top of this mountain lies the Raven's Horn, a jutting slab
of naked rock that soars out from the mountain and allows those hardy enough to reach it an unparalled view
of the sweeping forested valley below. The word "awesome" gets thrown around a lot these days, but it more
than applies to the feeling of sitting on the Horn, feet dangling over the side and munching on a crisp apple.
Make sure you backtrack a little and follow the somewhat innocuous path that branches off towards the left,
as it leads to another picturesque rock that affords good view of Wolf Run and its environs.
After you have drunk your fill of the view, get back on the path which leads downward and to your right.
The next section winds through some nice rock formations and then makes a relaxing descent down the back
of the mountain. After around half a mile of going down you will be following the concourse of the run for
around two and a half miles. Depending on what time of year you get there, you will either find a
picturesque, coolly flowing mountain run; a roaring beast that angrily chafes its banks and is a nightmare to
cross; or a valley filled with Stinging Nettle and dotted with stagnant Mosquito pools. Hope for A, as you will
be mighty sick of walking in runs before this day is passed. Keep your eyes peeled for traces of the old slate
quarrying operation in the area as you go, as well as an old pot-bellied stove that some poor mule had to
bring in on his back for some cold loggers. After a very long time you will come into a large stand of hemlock
and pine trees and lose the run. At this point you will begin gradually going uphill again, but the grade is
nothing at all compared to what you have faced earlier. By this point fatigue may have begun to rear its ugly
head, but hang in there! After a mile or so of winding your way through the woods and up a few hills, you
will suddenly find yourself on another wide Jeep trail. Follow it and you will come to the Beulahland Vista,
which while not quite as good as the Raven's Horn is still pretty picturesque.
When you are ready to leave, follow the Jeep trail as it begins to descend down the hill and keep your eye out
for a sign off to the left of the trail. When you find it, follow the little path off into the woods, which will lead
you to a very steep and rocky descent down to Bonnell Run. This next section is basically a repeat of your
walk along Wolf Run, and while very tranquil when it is not a hellish field of stings. After what seems like an
eternity, the trail will start ascending up to your left, and lo and behold you will find yourself walking on the
same path that brought you in. Keep going for a quarter mile or so and you will be back at the trailhead and
the comfortable mercy of your car. Next, drive all the way back to Jersey Shore and go to the Number 1
Chinese Restaurant on Allegheny Street for some twice-cooked chicken and a Dr. Pepper--the best Szechuan
in the county!
Beech Creek Watershed Events
April 23 th Annual Watershed Cleanup. Volunteers needed to cleanup railgrade between Monument and
Orviston Several Enthusiastic and energetic people are needed to help cleanup a large site at the Breon Farm
in Romola. Contact Jamie Walker (jrwalker@lhup.edu) for details by April 16th. With great support from
Wayne Township Landfill and our volunteers we have been able to remove more than ~40 tons of debris
from the watershed in the last 3 years!
Saturday April 30 th. Tree planting in Sproul State Forest. Our annual effort coordinated by Butch Davey has
helped to reforest many acres in the watershed. Contact Jamie Walker (jrwalker@lhup.edu) for details by
April 21st.
Friday May 20th – Trout Unlimited/BCWA/Mount Nittany Middle School Watershed Field Day – BCWA
has collaborated with Trout Unlimited and Mount Nittany Middle School teacher Joe Walker (LHU Alum)to
develop a field day in the watershed to expose 7th and 8th grade students to impacts of resource extraction in
the Beech Creek watershed. Three sites will be visited including the Jonathan Run acid mine drainage(AMD)
treatement system construction site, acid mine drainage(AMD) impacted section of the North Fork of Beech
Creek and the Three Points Sportsmen Cooperative Trout Nursery on Little Sandy Run, an unimpacted
tributary to the North Fork of Beech Creek. A few “field guides” are needed to help students collect and
assess water quality and macrobenthic samples. If you are interested in helping that day please contact Jamie
Walker (jrwalker@lhup.edu).
Saturday July 16 th – Third Annual Bricktown Challenge Canoe and Kayak Race at the Bald Eagle State Park.
Racing (~7 miles)and Recreational Classes (~4 miles). Recreational class involves a poker run with the grand
prize being a new kayak. Watch the Beech Creek Watershed Website
(http://beechcreekwatershed.com/bricktown.html) for 2011 race details and updates. This year we are
hosting the PACK (Pennsylvania Association of Canoers and Kayakers) Championship. Proceeds from the
event will be used for construction of the Bricktown Trail a proposed 24 mile rail connecting the bricktowns
of Orviston, Monument, Beech Creek, Howard, and the Curtin Village Historic Site near Milesburg, PA. The
trail will follow abandoned railgrades, old sections of rte 120, and the shoreline of Fosters Joseph Sayers Lake.
More details on the BCWA website.
Environmental Focus Group
Bob Myers (Chair), Md. Khalequzzaman, Lenny Long, Jeff Walsh, Danielle Tolton, John Crossen, Clayton
Snyder, David White, Tom Ormond, Ralph Harnishfeger, Barrie Overton , Melinda Hodge, Melissa Becker,
Brad Daly, Kathy McQuaid, Janet Irons, Steve Guthrie, Sharon Stringer, Todd Nesbitt, Doug Wion, and Josh
Drouin. The committee is charged with promoting and supporting activities, experiences, and structures that
encourage students, faculty, and staff to develop a stronger sense of place for Lock Haven University and
central Pennsylvania. Such a sense of place involves a stewardship of natural resources (environmentalism),
meaningful outdoor experiences, and appreciation for the heritage of the region.
In This Issue...
"PA Culture Festival"
"Kakum National Park" by Sharon Stringer
"Wood Warblers" by Mark Smith
"Recycling on Earth Day" by Carroll Rhodes
"Stages of Environmentalism" by Carrie Shirk & Evan Reibsome
"Clinton County CleanScapes"
"Domestic Wind Turbines" by Adam Russo
"Smith's Rebellion" by Karen Ramsburg
"The Golden Eagle Trail" by Travis Weaver
"I go to Nature to be soothed and healed,
And to have my senses put in order."
--John Burroughs
Introduction
Grim budgetary news and a winter that refuses to accept the prognosticating of Pennsylvania's most famous
rodent have left many of us trying to preserve the optimistic sense of renewal that spring is supposed to
bring. But the recent weather does offer hope that better days are coming, and there is no more effective cure
for a case of political despair than a trip to the woods. So do what Pennsylvanians have done for centuries-get out and enjoy the pleasures of the Pennsylvania spring. And while you're there, think about ways to
preserve that beauty for future generations. We need lots of good ideas--fast.
This is our last issue of the academic year (we'll be back in the fall), and I'd like to thank our group of talented
contributors. It's been one of the highlights of my academic career to get to know so many interesting people
from so many different disciplines. And our student writers continue to amaze me and give me hope for the
future. Have a wonderful summer! --Bob
Pennsylvania Culture Festival
Lock Haven University's Environmental Focus Group is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Pennsylvania
Culture Festival. The series of events celebrating the culture and environment of Pennsylvania will be held
on campus during the week of April 11th-17th, 2011. All events are free and open to the public. For more
information about any event, contact Bob Myers.
On Tuesday, April 12th, at 7:00 p.m., the musical ensemble Black Bear
Crossing will perform traditional folk music. A wide variety of
instrumentation allows the ensemble to explore many musical expressions.
Their repertoire includes tunes found in the Celtic lands of Ireland, Scotland
and Wales, selections with an Eastern European flavor, as well as traditional
and Old Timey American favorites. Musical styles include jigs, waltzes, aires,
hambos, polkas, swing and traditional vocal. This concert was arranged by
Melissa Becker and is sponsored by the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences
(PUB MPR).
On Wednesday, April 13th, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. as part of the Stevenson Library
Book Talks series, author Guy Graybill will discuss his book Prohibition's Prince:
The Bizarre Life of America's Millionaire Moonshiner . Historian Graybill presents the
entertaining tale of one of America's most prolific moonshiners and bootleggers,
Prince David Farrington, who plied his trade through the early to mid 20th
century. Graybill follows Farrington from his roots in Guilford County, North
Carolina to Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, detailing the decades of illicit
activity along the way. Farrington amassed a large fortune. His exploits remain
legendary to this day. Relive the rollicking life of Prohibition's Prince, as Graybill
presents numerous tales, legends, testimonials, news accounts, and still locations
(Stevenson Library). For more information, contact the Book Talk Team: Rick
Lilla, Brian Ardan, or Bernadette Heiney.
On Wednesday, April 13th, at 7:30 p.m. retired Sproul State Forester, Robert "Butch" Davey will deliver a
talk"The State Forest System: Promise and Peril." This talk is sponsored by LHU's Environmental Club
(Ulmer Planetarium). For more information, contact Bob Myers.
On Thursday, April 14th, at 5 p.m. Brad Daly, Director of the Recreation Center, will sponsor a kayak paddle
on the Susquehanna River (meet at the Woodward Twp. Boat Launch on the other side of the river). For
more information, contact Brad Daly.
On Friday, April 15th, at 2:00 p.m. the Environmental Focus Group will plant a tree on campus in honor of
Arbor Day (location to be announced). Lenny Long is coordinating this event with Dave Proctor.
On Sunday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Biology Club will celebrate Earth Day on Russell Lawn (rain
location--Rogers Gym). There will be displays, music, speakers, raffles, nature films, and activities for
children (face painting, bird feeder making). Recreation Management students from Professor Jeff Walsh's
Interpreting the Environment class will conduct interpretative nature walks on the campus. For more
information, contact Biology Club advisor, Barry Overton.
During the week of April 11th through 16th, students in Professor Melinda Hodge's classes will present an art
show. The show will include: 1) recycled art in the form of fashion accessories and utilitarian objects made
by introductory level art survey classes; 2) art shirts made by faculty and student members of the "SaveYour
Clothing" club and introductory level art survey classes; and 3) a textile and jewelry show featuring hand
painted textiles (including leather), jewelry, and clothing by advanced level art students. There will be a
silent auction of the art shirts (Stevenson Library). At the same time, Stevenson library will also host "Art of
the Natural World: A Magnified Perspective" featuring groupings of three different photos that collectively
show a closeup view of a variety of subject matter that in some way relates to nature. This show is a
collaborative venture between professors in the Arts and the Sciences, which include Professor Melinda
Hodge, Dr. Loretta Dickson, and Dr. Joe Calabrese. For more information, contact Melinda Hodge.
Kakum National Park
--Sharon Stringer (LHU Journalism Professor)
One of the best things about visiting sub-Saharan Africa is
the opportunity to explore its many national parks and
picturesque countryside. The day I went to Kakum
National Park was a perfect day for a hike: overcast and
low humidity.
After a three-hour ride from Legon, a suburb of the
nation’s capital city Accra, the seven of us de-boarded the
13-passenger van and joined the more than 60-70 people waiting for their tour.
Having been warned by several locals about the park’s feature attraction, a hanging bridge that swings high
from the trees, I knew what to expect, but wasn’t certain I’d be
adventurous enough to give it a try.
Kakum National Park, located in the Central region of Ghana, is home to Africa’s only canopy walkway. At
its highest point the bridge is suspended 12 stories above the ground, providing a bird’s eye view to the
rainforest below and the local habitat. Early morning hikers can expect to find Diana monkeys and bongos
among other species.
We arrived too late in the morning to see any wildlife, but just in time to join a small group about to begin a
hike through the forest to the bridge.
The tour includes a guide with extensive knowledge of the forest and the history of the living habitat. Of
special interest to me were the huge trees that sprinkled the forest floor. Over the centuries, the Akan people
have used the trees for a variety of medicinal purposes. Trees and their branches are used to heal wounds,
relieve stomach problems, fight infection, and to eliminate fever. We were told that the leaves of certain trees
have been used in roof making, with the roof lasting up to five years.
Used as a drum, another tree serves as a guide for someone lost in the forest.
Lost victims can bang the trunk of the tree to create a loud drumming sound that will help other hikers to
pinpoint their location.
The Kuntan tree is unusual in that much of its roots rise above the ground, making it a good place to take
cover for the night. The huge tree that was identified during our tour was more than 200 years old and had
above ground roots that spanned more than 10-feet high. Pairs of roots work to form triangular spaces,
which can serve as sleeping areas and hiding places from an enemy.
Friends from a hike earlier that morning said that they saw a few monkeys and birds in the
distance. However, I saw none. Not a seasoned hiker, I spent much of my walk focusing on the path ahead,
as part of the trail was lined with stone pavers that were a bit slippery under the morning dew.
What I noticed most upon approaching the bridge at Kakum is how narrow it is: approximately two feet
wide. In fact it’s not just a bridge it’s a series of bridges that I have since found is on several ‘most scariest
bridges in the world’ lists. The seven bridges span over 1080 feet long and 130 feet high. The only things I saw
while going across were the planks below me, the cables supporting me, and the observation point ahead.
The horseshoe-like pattern of the bridges is constructed of steel cables, netting and narrow wood planks, with
a few in need of replacement. Had it not been for a young lady suggesting that I could “do it,” there’s a good
chance I would have taken my leave from the hike after the first bridge.
The escape route is available only after the first bridge.
Observation points provide a good platform for taking photos and enjoying the view in Kakum. However,
only five people at a time are allowed on the small porches. Despite carrying a special equipment bag with
my camera and accessories, I only took a half dozen pictures. The bridge was so narrow that a camera
around my neck and a bag hanging on my hip was a bit clumsy. I quickly put the camera in my bag and
concentrated on getting across the bridge.
Each new person who enters the bridge causes it to sway. The sensation can be quit intimidating, I believe,
even for seasoned adventurists. As I proceeded across the bridges I didn’t appear to be the only person
intimidated. In fact, I noticed only two hikers who appeared to be fearless: two children, neither more than
about seven years old. Frequent prayers and those two little children were what kept me focused enough to
get to the other side of each new bridge.
After the bridges, we rejoined our tour guide who continued his description of the trees in the forest and
seem eager to answer our questions. Enough adventure for me for one day. I was ready for lunch.
If you come to Ghana and plan to visit the slave castle in Cape Coast, you might want to go the short extra
distance to Kakum National Park. But come early in the morning before for all the tourists chase away the
wildlife and the only movement you’ll observe is the swaying of a hanging bridge high up in the air.
Wood-Warblers
--Mark A. Smith (LHU English Professor)
"How they filled the oriole’s elm, a twittering restless cloud, all one morning,
And I watched and watched till my eyes blurred from the bird shapes,
—Cape May , Blackburnian, Cerulean,—"
Theodore Roethke “The Far Field”
I suppose many non-birders know, in some nearly
abstract way, that such things as warblers exist, but I
doubt many have a good idea what one actually looks
like, and I’ll wager most have never seen one in the
wild and known it for what it was. That’s perfectly
understandable, for reasons I’ll get to shortly, but it’s
also sad because the warblers—or wood-warblers as
they are more properly called—are simply some of the
most beautiful, colorful birds you’ll ever get to see. I
look forward to their return every April and make sure
to devote a day for “warbling” as I like to call it (some
prefer “warblering”), which for me is an all-day,
leisurely stroll through the woods with a sandwich
and binoculars, just gazing up at these stunning gems of the bird world. After six or eight hours of craning,
my neck gets pretty stiff—birders call it “warbler neck”—but it’s definitely worth it.
So why do so few of us know about them? They are very small, for one thing, somewhere in the range of 4½6” long and weighing half an ounce or less. They are also very active, tirelessly darting after the insects that
make up the bulk of their diet. They generally won’t sit still for a good look. In addition, many of them spend
their days either high up in the forest canopy or deep in thickets, so that once the leaves are fully out it’s
almost impossible to find them unless you know their songs. As you might surmise, a good pair of binoculars
is pretty much required, and that means even fewer of us have a chance to see them. So warblers aren’t the
easiest birds to get to know, but they are definitely some of the most amazing.
There are about 112 species of warblers in the Americas, about 57 of which spend time in North America
above Mexico. A couple dozen of them are quite common in Pennsylvania. Warblers have been studied
extensively by ornithologists, which is nice because there’s no shortage of information if you want to learn
about them. One of my warbler guides runs to 650 pages, and yes, I like warblers enough to sit down and
read it for pleasure, especially at this time of year when I’m gearing up for warbler season. I also refresh my
memory of their songs by listening to recordings. What can I say? Warblers are a big deal for birders.
In fact, twelve years ago when I actually started looking warblers were a kind of revelation for me. Suddenly,
I saw them everywhere: the shocking black and orange of the Blackburnian male, the vibrant lemon-yellow
and coal-black bill of the Prothonotary, the bold stripes of the Black-and-White—they all just took my breath
away. I remember thinking: Where have these birds been all my life? Why haven’t I noticed them before?
Although many of the warblers aren’t great singers (by human standards anyway), I love their songs as well.
My wife and I both get a big kick out of the “zoo zee zoo-zoo zee” of the Black-throated Green. It sounds like
a bird with confidence and a swagger. And of course there’s the “teacher, teacher, teacher, TEACHER,” of the
Ovenbird, each iteration getting louder and more adamant until, at close range, you’d swear the thing was
about to smack you. Anyone who has spent time in Pennsylvania’s springtime woods has heard that one, by
the way, whether they recognized it or not. Or how about the sweet, drawling whistle of the Common
Yellowthroat: “wichity, wichity, wichity, wich,” the three syllables rising like the summer heat. In January I
can close my eyes while listening to a recording of that one and be transported to the humid heat of the wet
thickets the Yellowthroat prefers. Male warblers use all these songs to attract mates, of course, but also to
stake out and defend their territories (imagine if humans had the wisdom to defend their borders by
whistling tunes).
On top of their intricate beauties they are simply astonishing when it comes to their lifestyle. Those that breed
in North America generally winter in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean, so the
migrations are epic for these tiny birds. In spring, many fly straight north across the Gulf of Mexico in an
exhausting twelve-hour, nighttime flight. When they reach the Gulf coast they often “fallout” by the millions.
Not surprisingly, birders come from everywhere to witness the spring migration.
After breeding they head south again, and the champion fall migrant is the Blackpoll, which may take a 2500
mile nonstop flight across the Atlantic to reach South America. But many warblers head south at a more
leisurely pace, tripping down the latitudes and island-hopping to reach their winter homes. Nonetheless,
there are still many challenges. One September morning while my wife and I were visiting downtown
Chicago, we found an exhausted warbler at the foot of a skyscraper. It might have been a female Pine Warbler
or maybe a first-year Blackpoll (because of a change in plumage, many warblers are hard to tell apart in the
fall). Perhaps it spent the night crossing Lake Michigan and then happened upon the city, instead of some
trees. Or maybe it hit a building in the darkness (this happens all the time—buildings, towers, and windmills
all take a heavy toll on birds migrating at night). But the bird appeared unharmed. I think it was simply
spent, and wouldn’t last the day without food. I picked it up and held it, a tiny, taut bird of the softest olive
tones. It looked at me briefly, then closed its eyes. My wife and I discussed going back for the car and driving
it out to the countryside, or at least a big city park, but I’m ashamed to report that I put it down again in a
square yard of dirt at the base of a spindly locust tree. It was a goner.
Around here, one of my favorite warblers is the Ovenbird I mentioned earlier, which is very common and
generally stays low to the ground in an open understory so it’s easy to see. It’s named for the nest it makes,
built right on the ground and shaped like a little domed Dutch oven with a side entrance. A nest on the
ground you say? What about predators? Well I have tried to find that nest a few times and have yet to
succeed. There must be some trick to it.
Speaking of nests, most of the warblers are victims of nest parasitism by the Brown-headed Cowbird. The
Cowbird lives in open country and builds no nest of its own, so it flies a short distance into the nearest woods
until it finds a likely nest, then lays its egg there. The warblers, who never dealt with Cowbirds in centuries
past, haven’t evolved defenses against the parasitism (some birds toss the Cowbird egg; others rebuild the
nest on top of it) so they end up raising Cowbirds instead of Warblers. Forest fragmentation is the culprit
here. When a big tract of woods is opened in some way, the Cowbirds gain access to the interior. All the
songbirds fall victim, none moreso than the warblers.
Another favorite of mine is the Canada warbler, aka the “necklaced” warbler, which frequents rhododendron
thickets alongside our streams. It’s a soft gray above, with a bright yellow breast across which dances a stark
black necklace. Quite a stunner, and a pretty good singer as well, though I won’t try putting it into words.
One of my guidebooks describes the song this way: “a sputtery descending jumble of high, clear, liquid notes
mixed with sharp chips.” You’re better off just listening to that one. It sparkles like sunshine falling on the
nearby streams, and I can’t wait to hear it again.
Tips for watching springtime warblers:
The best time is mid-April to mid-May.
It helps to watch on a calm day so the movement of the birds can be picked out from the leaves. On a
breezy day, your eyes dart all over chasing every fluttering leaf.
Binoculars. Pretty good ones can be had for $100-200. Unless you really want something small, a
bigger pair generally works better. 8x42mm is the most popular format.
Field guides. The Sibley and Peterson field guides to eastern birds are both excellent and small enough
to carry easily in the field, but there are many others to choose from.
Patience is definitely a virtue when looking for warblers, not so much for finding them (really, they’re
everywhere!) but for getting good views of them.
Some common warbler species around here include: Northern Parula, Yellow Warbler, Magnolia
Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellowrumped Warbler, Pine Warbler, Blackpoll, Black-and-white Warbler, American Redstart, Common
Yellowthroat, Ovenbird, Louisiana Waterthrush, Canada Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, and maybe a
Worm-eating Warbler if you’re lucky. There are others, but as a casual birder, these are the ones I can
generally count on every year.
Finally, be prepared to be dazzled by all the rest of the birds as well—the Tanagers, Grosbeaks, Vireos,
Orioles, etc.—that will be returning at the same time. And be forewarned: watching birds is addictive
and can turn you into a birder in no time. Once you’re hooked, you’re hooked for life.
At the Cornell Lab of Ornithology website you can see pictures, hear songs, and find out more information
about warblers.
Recycling on Earth Day, 2011
--Carroll Rhodes (Director of LHU's Student Support
Services Program)
Plans are in process for the annual LHU Earth Day
recycling event on Saturday, April 16. Colleen Meyer, in
the Facilities Department, will be promoting the event to
the University community. Colleen says, “Volunteers
are always welcome," and she will be able to verify
community service hours for students.
It’s a good time to start accumulating the following items
for recycling: cans (bi-metal and aluminum); office paper
(magazines, junk mail; newspaper); corrugated
cardboard; batteries; all electronics (computers, printers,
televisions, VCR’s and DVD players, stereos and cell
phones); appliances; metal; used oil; tires; and laser and
inkjet cartridges. Bring them all to the Hursh-Nevel Building between 8 am and 3 pm.
Stages of Environmentalism
--Carrie Shirk and Evan Reibsome (LHU English alumni)
Being truly green is often difficult, and contradictory, and overwhelming, and unpopular (depending where
you live), and expensive. It’s hard to know where to look for solid, reliable information, but by consulting
many blogs, books, magazines, etc., we’ve compiled a short list of steps that will aid you in becoming a
sustainable, green person. Obviously some of them are more feasible for people in their careers while others
are good for the college student. We've put the list in three easy stages, starting with the most basic and
cheapest changes, and building to the most time-intensive and expensive changes.
Stage One: The Developing Environmentalist
Switch from disposable bags to reusable bags and not just at the grocery store (liquor, clothing, etc).
Watch out for stores that try to put a pack of gum in a plastic bag.
Don’t drink bottled water, and in general, try to cut down on your bottled beverages.
Don’t let your car idle. If you’re at a stop for more than one minute it’s more efficient to turn off your
car.
Turn off the lights in rooms when you leave them.
Unplug products when they aren’t in use, including coffee pots, toasters, microwaves, and
televisions. If possible, unplug your stove, dishwasher, dryer, and washer. Use power strips to make
this a quick, easy process.
Use energy-efficient light bulbs.
Turn down the heat and put on a sweater (Jimmy Carter was right).
Open the windows in the summer to cut down on your air conditioning use.
Recycle.
Read green literature (fiction and nonfiction; local and national; blogs; newspapers; how-to’s).
Turn the temperature on your water heater down to 120 degrees. Conserve water.
Shop at Goodwill, local vintage stores, etsy vintage and handmade (this is an online site where you can
choose your local area to shop), eBay, and Craigslist.
Air dry the laundry. Either hang it outside or on a drying rack, or string a rope across your basement.
Write local, state, and federal politicians addressing your local or national environmental concerns.
Use your library.
Start composting. There are a variety of ways including indoor composting using worms (for those of
us without a yard).
Look into your travel options: car pools, ride a bike, walk, & mass transit (good luck w. that last one).
Look at where your food and commercial purchases are made and the policies of your favorite stores
and then do your best to pick the most sustainable products (for e.g., Wegmans frozen haddock fish is
processed in China and packaged in the US while the brand, Healthy Harvest pasta, is made in
Harrisburg, PA).
Eat less meat.
Stage Two: The Dedicated Environmentalist
Buy humanely-raised, grass-fed, local meat.
Limit your packaging. Reuse bags for coffee, nuts, vegetables, fruits, cereal.
Make homemade cleaning products. There are many recipes online.
Give up a creature comfort habits (for example, we opted for showers over baths).
Start a garden or join Community Supported Agriculture.
Volunteer.
Patronize local businesses and restaurants that have sustainable practices.
Collect rainwater to water your gardens.
Stage Three: The Deep-Pocketed Environmentalist (this stage requires the most research so you can determine
what is truly the most efficient for your home and yourself).
Weatherize your house.
Look into additional, supplemental energy options for your home (solar panels, wind mills, wood
burning stove, etc).
Buy an instant hot water heater.
Look into making your water system more efficient.
Get a green car.
Look into eco-traveling for vacations.
Buy carbon credits.
Donate money to your favorite causes.
Install a living roof.
We would rank ourselves at stage two, with a long way to go to get to stage three.
Clinton County CleanScapes
Clinton County CleanScapes (CCC) will kick off the 2011 cleanup season with the 3 rd Annual Fishing Creek
and Rt. 150 event on Saturday April 9 from 9:30 am to 12 noon in the Borough of Mill Hall, Clinton
County. Pre-registration is requested by 12 noon April 7--contact Elizabeth Lynch McCoy. Registered
participants will be provided gloves, bags, orange safety vests, donuts and refreshments.
This summer CCC is anticipating 4 West Branch Susquehanna River cleanup events: two in Clinton County
and two in Lycoming County. For more information, visit the CCC website.
A Case for Domestic Wind Turbines
--Adam Russon (LHU English Major)
One of my favorite drives in Pennsylvania takes me up and down the
twisted highways in between Lock Haven and Altoona. After zoning
out on Interstate-80 and Route 220, I usually perk my head up and start
taking in the deep valleys and rolling mountains that slowly climb until
hitting the Allegheny Plateau. Just after Altoona, I hop onto Route 22 for
about fifteen miles until I take Route 422 all the way to Indiana (or, as I
like to say, the land of Jimmy Stewart monuments). My favorite sites on
this road are the wind farms.
From a young age, I’ve always had a fascination with the big wind
turbines. In fact, I remember seeing the 1.5 Mw wind turbines first go
up in 2001 as my parents drove through Somerset on their way to see
our family in New Castle. The blades spun around and around—almost
like the mountains had hands that waved the way a friend waves after a
long separation: always in big, arching strokes that excitedly move from
side to side. Now I experience pleasure as an adult in seeing the
potential that wind technology holds for a consumer culture enslaved to
oil and natural gas.
But I’m not satisfied with our progress in switching to alternative energy. America’s demand for wind
technology has yet to develop. The installed capacity of domestic wind power only equals 40,000
megawatts—a mere 3 percent of electricity on the grid. There have been efforts to improve that
percentage. Section 48C of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave 2.3 billion dollars of tax credit
to domestic manufacturers who supplied clean energy. But consumers have resisted the higher prices for this
green energy. NSTAR Electric in Massachusetts uses electricity from wind farms in upstate New York and
Maine, but on March 1st, 2011, the company was forced to add a premium for customers who received fifty to
one hundred percent of their electricity from the wind farms.
Since large-scale wind farms have yet to provide a significant impact, there’s another option in using wind:
the domestic wind turbine. A 3.5 Kw wind turbine provides enough energy for the average household—and
while there are bigger turbines which allow a homeowner to sell greater amounts of electricity back to the
grid—the 3.5 Kw works just fine. New models of domestic turbines require little wind, but if you live in area
with higher wind speeds, the results increase dramatically. A small-scale turbine stands about fifty to sixty
feet tall, produces nearly no sound, and requires basically no maintenance. All the while, the turbine
produces enough energy to heat your home and water, power all your appliances and lights, and even
provide excess energy that is easily stored in batteries. While the price of these turbines runs about 15,000
dollars, many companies that produce small-scale turbines provide financing plans. After an initial
investment of several thousand dollars, the cost can easily be paid off within a couple of years.
I remain optimistic when thinking about the direction of wind technology because—according to the
Department of Energy—America's accessible wind resources total 12 times the current electricity
consumption of the United States. Parts of these accessible wind resources include our very own backyards.
Pennsylvania History: Smith’s Rebellion and Modern Politics
--Karen Ramsburg (Past President of the Committee to Save the Smith House, and Independent Candidate
for PA's 9th Congressional District)
March 6th 1765 dawned snowy and cold. James Smith and ten BlackBoys (so called because they painted their faces black to avoid
identification) waited for George Croghan’s eighty-one horse pack
train in this early spring snow storm. Croghan’s pack train carried
legal goods belonging to Col. Henry Bouquet, who hoped to use
these presents to conclude a treaty with the Shawnee Indians.
However, this pack train also carried sixty three horse loads of
tomahawks, scalping knives, gun powder and lead. These articles
were still illegal because no formal peace treaty had been signed
ending Pontiac’s War.
Smith and his men believed that these goods would rearm the Indians and enable them to renew the almost
constant state of war which had existed since 1756. The massacre of Schoolmaster Enoch Brown and ten
school children was still fresh in the minds of these men as they waited in the snow.
At approximately 1 pm the pack train finally reached Smith and his men near the summit of Sideling
Hill. From their concealed places the men fired two volleys killing four horses but purposely avoided killing
any of the drivers who were then ordered to take their possessions and leave. Smith’s men then destroyed
the illegal goods. Thus begins what historian Patrick Griffin author of American Leviathan refers to as “the
beginning of the end of British Rule in the American Colonies.”
If you have never heard of the Sideling Hill affair you are not alone. While James Smith and his cousin Justice
William Smith lit the spark that ultimately would create our nation, they also had no one named Jefferson,
Adams, Hancock or Washington leading them. Thus we learn that a Tea Party in Boston and not a rebellion
on the Pennsylvania frontier was the spark of Revolution.
Smith’s Rebellion in 1765 was the first armed resistance against British military authority in the American
colonies. The Smiths and their cohorts drove the Royal Highland Regiment out of Fort Loudoun. By the end
of the nine month rebellion, Justice William Smith, concluded they could govern themselves. It is this last
belief that gives form to the idea of a new and independent nation. William Smith based his ideas of rebellion
on John Locke’s 2nd Treatise of Government written in 1690. Here, Locke took the ideas of John Calvin
regarding the right of individual conscience and put mens’ souls into a secular and political framework. If
men had the right to interpret God for themselves, surely they had a right to be involved in the daily
decisions that impacted their lives.
Smith’s Rebellion was predicated on the idea that government was a contract between all men to reject some
of their natural rights in favor of a frame work that would secure each man’s rights to live, liberty and
property. The breach of contract clause was that if government failed in its duty to protect each man’s right
to life, liberty and property the contract would then be null and void and government could be replaced by
force if necessary.
This argument was Justice William Smith’s defense of Sideling Hill before Govenor John Penn on July 30 th
1765. It is the same breach of contract language contained in our Declaration of Independence.
If you fast forward to today, the issues that animated James and William Smith stemming from the Sideling
Hill affair are the same issues that animate protesters in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. John
Locke’s contract theory of government is the ancestor of today’s defense of the rights of each man to
collectively bargain. If government was constituted to provide for each person’s rights to life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness then all men would have the right to a say in the decisions that affect their lives. That
was true of the illegal trade in tomahawks, scalping knives, gun powder and lead and it is true of our right to
a fair wage, to retire in dignity and to a safe work place. What began as a simple act of self-defense became
the spark that created a nation.
Hike of the Month: The Golden Eagle Trail
--Travis Weaver (LHU History Major)
Oh, April! T.S. Elliot was dead right when he said that April is the
cruelest month, for no other month has such a precarious balance of
expectation as this one. April is the gateway into spring, the awakening
of the vegetable gods and the start of baseball. However, she can be
cruel mistress as well, blessing the landscape with a blizzard as easily as
a perfect day. It doesn't matter though, for even the worst rain-drenched
April brings the promise of summer right around the corner with it, and
if the foul weather holds off it can be one of the finest months for hiking.
Unless you are one of the hardy all-year outdoor fanatics, April is
probably the first time it is actually nice enough to go on a hike longer
than a couple of hours. If you have time in between frantically writing all of those papers you have been
putting off for the last few months, you should consider hiking of the best day trails that I know of, the famed
Golden Eagle Trail.
The Golden Eagle Trail is the queen of one day hikes in central Pennsylvania, a ten-mile loop that features
some of the best views in the area--and it is a real challenge to boot. You are going to want a good pair of
sturdy, well-broken in boots for this endavour, along with plenty of water and a couple of apples to keep you
going. Depending on what time of year you attempt to do this the trail, it will have a completely different
character: spring is the optimum time, preferably after the water has gone down a little, but fall is good as
well. Summertime, while offering ample opportunities to forage on countless blueberry and huckleberry
bushes, transforms the trail into a stroll through Satan's garden thanks to hundreds of Stinging Nettle plants
and mosquitoes. I would highly recommend taking some sort of insect repellent to keep ticks at bay, for I
found a couple crawling on me already this season and they will grow much worse in the coming weeks.
There are a couple of ways to get to the Golden Eagle Trail, the entrance to which lies just about a mile south
of Slate Run on Route 414 in the Pine Creek Valley area. If you are coming from Lock Haven and are with
someone who knows the roads it would probably be faster to take the Coudersport Pike north until it
intersects with Route 44 at Haneyville, whereby you would then cross over to 414 and head north around 11
miles or so until you come to Clark Farm/Uticer Station. There you would park to acess the trailhead across
the road. Alternatively, you could get on 220 heading east until you come to the Pine Creek Exit and then
head north on 414 for around twenty miles until you arrive at Clark Farm, whichever you would prefer.
Either way beware of the numerous gas trucks who do not know what a yellow line is for, and for the fools
who will pass you going 80 on a double line around a blind turn.
When you finally make it to the parking area at Clark Farm, put on your gear and head across the bridge and
enter the trailhead which is marked with a sign and yellow blazes. This is an extremely well-worn and
marked trail, so you should have no trouble at all finding your way. Follow the run for around a quarter of a
mile until you come to a branch in the path designated by a tree with orange markings. At this point you will
have to decide which way to go around the loop: personally, I prefer to head to the right (counter-clockwise)
and get the hardest section of the trail over first, but the choice is yours. Assuming you are doing the trail
counter-clockwise, head up and to the right through a nice pine-meadow and prepare yourself for an arduous
ascent. The next half mile is a battle up Jeep trails and a very steep and narrow path that will make you wish
for death before it is over. My friends and I call this section of the trail Hamburger Hill for a good reason, but
persevere--the view is more than the worth it. At the top of this mountain lies the Raven's Horn, a jutting slab
of naked rock that soars out from the mountain and allows those hardy enough to reach it an unparalled view
of the sweeping forested valley below. The word "awesome" gets thrown around a lot these days, but it more
than applies to the feeling of sitting on the Horn, feet dangling over the side and munching on a crisp apple.
Make sure you backtrack a little and follow the somewhat innocuous path that branches off towards the left,
as it leads to another picturesque rock that affords good view of Wolf Run and its environs.
After you have drunk your fill of the view, get back on the path which leads downward and to your right.
The next section winds through some nice rock formations and then makes a relaxing descent down the back
of the mountain. After around half a mile of going down you will be following the concourse of the run for
around two and a half miles. Depending on what time of year you get there, you will either find a
picturesque, coolly flowing mountain run; a roaring beast that angrily chafes its banks and is a nightmare to
cross; or a valley filled with Stinging Nettle and dotted with stagnant Mosquito pools. Hope for A, as you will
be mighty sick of walking in runs before this day is passed. Keep your eyes peeled for traces of the old slate
quarrying operation in the area as you go, as well as an old pot-bellied stove that some poor mule had to
bring in on his back for some cold loggers. After a very long time you will come into a large stand of hemlock
and pine trees and lose the run. At this point you will begin gradually going uphill again, but the grade is
nothing at all compared to what you have faced earlier. By this point fatigue may have begun to rear its ugly
head, but hang in there! After a mile or so of winding your way through the woods and up a few hills, you
will suddenly find yourself on another wide Jeep trail. Follow it and you will come to the Beulahland Vista,
which while not quite as good as the Raven's Horn is still pretty picturesque.
When you are ready to leave, follow the Jeep trail as it begins to descend down the hill and keep your eye out
for a sign off to the left of the trail. When you find it, follow the little path off into the woods, which will lead
you to a very steep and rocky descent down to Bonnell Run. This next section is basically a repeat of your
walk along Wolf Run, and while very tranquil when it is not a hellish field of stings. After what seems like an
eternity, the trail will start ascending up to your left, and lo and behold you will find yourself walking on the
same path that brought you in. Keep going for a quarter mile or so and you will be back at the trailhead and
the comfortable mercy of your car. Next, drive all the way back to Jersey Shore and go to the Number 1
Chinese Restaurant on Allegheny Street for some twice-cooked chicken and a Dr. Pepper--the best Szechuan
in the county!
Beech Creek Watershed Events
April 23 th Annual Watershed Cleanup. Volunteers needed to cleanup railgrade between Monument and
Orviston Several Enthusiastic and energetic people are needed to help cleanup a large site at the Breon Farm
in Romola. Contact Jamie Walker (jrwalker@lhup.edu) for details by April 16th. With great support from
Wayne Township Landfill and our volunteers we have been able to remove more than ~40 tons of debris
from the watershed in the last 3 years!
Saturday April 30 th. Tree planting in Sproul State Forest. Our annual effort coordinated by Butch Davey has
helped to reforest many acres in the watershed. Contact Jamie Walker (jrwalker@lhup.edu) for details by
April 21st.
Friday May 20th – Trout Unlimited/BCWA/Mount Nittany Middle School Watershed Field Day – BCWA
has collaborated with Trout Unlimited and Mount Nittany Middle School teacher Joe Walker (LHU Alum)to
develop a field day in the watershed to expose 7th and 8th grade students to impacts of resource extraction in
the Beech Creek watershed. Three sites will be visited including the Jonathan Run acid mine drainage(AMD)
treatement system construction site, acid mine drainage(AMD) impacted section of the North Fork of Beech
Creek and the Three Points Sportsmen Cooperative Trout Nursery on Little Sandy Run, an unimpacted
tributary to the North Fork of Beech Creek. A few “field guides” are needed to help students collect and
assess water quality and macrobenthic samples. If you are interested in helping that day please contact Jamie
Walker (jrwalker@lhup.edu).
Saturday July 16 th – Third Annual Bricktown Challenge Canoe and Kayak Race at the Bald Eagle State Park.
Racing (~7 miles)and Recreational Classes (~4 miles). Recreational class involves a poker run with the grand
prize being a new kayak. Watch the Beech Creek Watershed Website
(http://beechcreekwatershed.com/bricktown.html) for 2011 race details and updates. This year we are
hosting the PACK (Pennsylvania Association of Canoers and Kayakers) Championship. Proceeds from the
event will be used for construction of the Bricktown Trail a proposed 24 mile rail connecting the bricktowns
of Orviston, Monument, Beech Creek, Howard, and the Curtin Village Historic Site near Milesburg, PA. The
trail will follow abandoned railgrades, old sections of rte 120, and the shoreline of Fosters Joseph Sayers Lake.
More details on the BCWA website.
Environmental Focus Group
Bob Myers (Chair), Md. Khalequzzaman, Lenny Long, Jeff Walsh, Danielle Tolton, John Crossen, Clayton
Snyder, David White, Tom Ormond, Ralph Harnishfeger, Barrie Overton , Melinda Hodge, Melissa Becker,
Brad Daly, Kathy McQuaid, Janet Irons, Steve Guthrie, Sharon Stringer, Todd Nesbitt, Doug Wion, and Josh
Drouin. The committee is charged with promoting and supporting activities, experiences, and structures that
encourage students, faculty, and staff to develop a stronger sense of place for Lock Haven University and
central Pennsylvania. Such a sense of place involves a stewardship of natural resources (environmentalism),
meaningful outdoor experiences, and appreciation for the heritage of the region.
Media of