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  HAPPY RETIREMENT TO A GREAT TEACHER/NATURALIST On Wednesday evening, July 21st, a group of nature center teacher/naturalists, staff and volunteers quietly hid themselves amongst the brush and behind trees in the nature center director's yard. Two women who had been kayaking on Lake Galena came ashore and walked across a field. As they entered the director's yard, those who were hidden burst out and yelled "SURPRISE!!" Carolyn Constable, a teacher/naturalist at Peace Valley Nature Center for almost half her life, was at first puzzled. When she realized that the surprise was meant for her, her mouth dropped- she was stunned speechless! Once she recovered, her expression changed to one of delight as well wishers lined up to give her hugs and kisses. The surprise party was to honor Carolyn for her 28 years of service to PVNC. At the end of the evening she was presented with a gift of binoculars. Carolyn came to Peace Valley Nature Center in 1976 and initially assisted our Director, Carolyn Corey Jarin, with Doyle Elementary School programs and some trail work. Two years later she was teaching the WRAPS program to Central Bucks Schools 4th graders, and various programs for local preschools. Carolyn was an excellent teacher. Children took to her warm personality and felt her excitement when showing them the wonders of nature. She could teach any age and taught almost all of our programs. She particularly loved teaching her poetry class to summer students. Carolyn also taught some of the public programs like the Sunday Family Walks, Moonlight Walks, the Creepy Critters Halloween Walk and the Firefly Frolic, which was one of her favorites. PVNC records show that she taught over 2,200 classes since 1989. Amazing!!! As you can image, Carolyn has many memories of teaching. One of her earliest memories was of the "Winter Picnic" on a January day that was -10 degrees Fahrenheit. Carolyn and Shelley taught a frigid class to preschoolers that ended with a hot dog and marshmallow roast!! Another early memory was the famous "Smurf Incident." At the time, the Smurfs were a popular children's TV program. Hand painted cardboard Smurf characters were placed on the trails at various points of natural interest. One day, Carolyn and Shelley went to teach the class and found to their horror that the Smurf characters had been stolen!! They called the police and then had to explain the situation to the bemused officer. The perpetrators were quickly caught!! Carolyn still chuckles about the night she went on an owl walk and called for a Screech Owl. She was excited when one responded to her, only to later realize it was Assistant Naturalist Craig Olsen calling back from the group he was out with!! Carolyn had a soft spot for inner city children who experienced nature for the first time. She remembers one child asking if she could touch a white pine tree and another who was so overwhelmed by the plant life that he asked her "who waters all of this?" Carolyn's loyalty to the nature center goes beyond teaching. She served on the board of the Friends of PVNC in 1979, from 1981 -1985 (part of this time as the Secretary) and in 1991. She served as the Recording Secretary from 1995-1998 and hand wrote hundreds of thank you notes. She was also a weekend greeter for ten years, manning the store and assisting the public with their questions on Sunday afternoons. Although Carolyn has retired from teaching at PVNC, she will continue to be a presence. As our "resident poet" she will still contribute her beautiful poems to the newsletter. She will also keep up the children's library and help with public contact events like the Grange Fair. Thank you so much for all you have done for Peace Valley Nature Center Carolyn!! We love you!! Carolyn would like to thank all her fellow teacher/naturalists who are alive with appreciation of nature and extremely effective in passing on "love of our earth" to children. She would also like to thank Carolyn Corey Jarin who started it all. The Home Builders Association of Bucks/Montgomery Counties Make Solar Flare The Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center's motto for their Solar Renovation and Education Drive is "Be a Ray of Inspiration." George Kiriakidi, a past president of the Home Builders Association of Bucks/Montgomery Counties (HBA) and owner of Prime Building Group, heard about the serious need of the nature center to renovate the solar portion of our building. George and his wife, Terry, who are frequent visitors to the park, were interested in finding a way to assist with the renovations. George considered all of the previous work the HBA has done for our community in the past and thought this might also be a project their members would love to support. They have decided to support Peace Valley in a big way! The Home Builders Association has committed $100,000 in funds and materials for the Friends of PVNC in their efforts to renovate the solar portion of the nature center. This is a tremendous boost to our $300,00 the fund drive. We greatly appreciate their generous contribution. As we near the halfway point in the funding needed to complete our project, we hope you too will "Be a Ray of Inspiration," (or perhaps another solar flare!) Donations may be sent to the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center (Solar Fund), 170 Chapman Road, Doylestown, PA 18901. Call with any questions at 215-345-7860. WE ARE SUCCEEDING In our day to day lives, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the negativity of the media or by cumulative little things that may go wrong. If you are one who volunteers at the nature center, or take a stroll around the property, multiflora rose or signs of a leaky roof too can at times overwhelm you. Looking at the big picture, by participating to promote growth at Peace Valley Nature Center, even if it is to attend a lecture and socialize with the many participants, is a movement towards the positive; towards making the world a better place. The following note by Ralph Waldo Emerson is fitting to the mission of the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center and the activities of so many of its valued members, donors, staff and interns: To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Thank you for helping Peace Valley Nature Center succeed to benefit so many people and creatures in the corners of our garden, the schools in our County and the visitors who go out into this world. Phil Getty is the President of the Friends of PVNC. NATURE CENTER MORNS LOSS OF WILLIAM SUGDEN The nature center was saddened to hear of the passing of former board member Dr. William A. Sugden this past July. Bill was a nature lover who liked to fish and was skilled in woodcarving, especially birds. His Basswood Carving won worldwide fame in 1974 at a show in Salisbury, MD. Bill served on the board of the Friends of PVNC from 1980 - 1984, including a year as Vice President. He will be greatly missed. THE NATURALIST'S CORNER FLYING SQUIRRELS!? ARE YOU NUTS!? Yes it is true folks. In these very woods here at Peace Valley exists a mammal rarely seen by human eyes. It is not the fact that they are rare or endangered that keep our sightings low, but rather their nocturnal instincts. The Flying Squirrels that inhabit many areas of North America are found in most forests of Pennsylvania. They prefer mature deciduous or mixed deciduous/coniferous forests with an abundance of nut-producing trees. Flying Squirrels are one of four species of squirrels found in Pennsylvania, and the only one that is nocturnal. They have soft, grayish/brown fur on the back and sides with white underneath, a flattened tail and large, dark eyes for night vision. The loose folds of skin, or patagium, between the front and hind legs of these squirrels enable them to "fly." They do not actually fly; they glide, and can travel up to 80 yards or more from trees to the ground. Flying squirrels can be identified by their high-pitched, excited-sounding "cheeps", often heard within the first several hours after sunset. They use these sounds to keep track of one another and offer warnings. Sounds produced by flying squirrels can sometimes exceed the upper limits of frequencies heard by human ears. Flying squirrels feed on hickory nuts, acorns, wild cherry pits and other seeds. They also eat dormant insects, lichens and fungi. In warmer weather, they eat various types of vegetation, including mushrooms, persimmons, wild grapes and the bark of many hardwood trees. Like other squirrels, they are active year-round, are highly sociable, and will feed and den together, especially during periods of harsh weather. There are even reports that flying squirrels den with other animals, including screech owls and bats. Shaun Higgins attends Penn St. University. He is a Recreation and Parks Management major, and hopes to secure a position as an environmental interpreter after graduation. NATURE CENTER NOTES WISH LIST The nature center is looking for the following items: * Binoculars in excellent condition * New Digital Camera * New LCD Projector * Rowboat with oars Potential donors please call us at 215-345-7860. Thank You! RECYCLE INK JET CARTRIDGES The nature center is recycling ink jet cartridges. Deposit your used cartridges from home or work in the foyer of the solar building (see check list for acceptable brands). We've made $432 so far! Thanks to Chris Minnich for her help with this project. WANT TO BE ON OUR E-MAIL LIST? If you are a member and would like to receive updated information about PVNC and its activities via e-mail, send your e-mail address to: peacevalleynaturecenter@co.bucks.pa.us and we will add you to our list. This will help us improve our communication with you! YOU CAN HELP! These stores will donate a percentage of your purchase to PVNC: * Acme-save your register tapes and bring to the nature center * Genuardi's-register your Genuardi's Club Card - Call us or register online at www.escrip.com, or in the store. Designate the Friends of Peace Valley Nature Center, Group ID # 150301483. We'll receive a donation automatically each time you shop and use your card. Thanks to Marianna Hoffman for adding and preparing these tapes for redemption. ATTENTION FORMER STUDENTS, INTERNS, VOLUNTEERS AND TEACHERS! Peace Valley Nature Center's 30th Anniversary will be celebrated next year in May. If you are a former student of the nature center's school programs, summer nature adventures, or any other program geared for children, we would love for you to share the impact that the nature center's programs had on you. You can send your responses to our mailing address, our email at peacevalleynaturecenter@co.bucks.pa.us or call us at 215-345-7860. We would also like input from former teachers, interns and volunteers. We can't wait to hear from you!! CHUCK'S TALLY FROM THE VALLEY Hey, I've got some news for you. Birds are already moving south. Many factors influence migration this time of year. There are seasonal changes that include shorter days and cooler weather. There are physical changes to a bird's anatomy such as a decrease in their hormones associated with mating and nesting behavior. There are changes in the food supply, for example, a lack of insects, which induce movement southward. Most songbirds are affected first. In late summer and early fall warblers, vireos and flycatchers all begin to look for their wintering grounds. Magnolia Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Canada Warbler, Northern Parula, American Redstart, Warbling Vireo, Yellow-throated Vireo, Great-crested Flycatcher and Eastern Wood-Pewee are all September migrants at PVNC. Others passing through the park early include Eastern Kingbird, Tree Swallow, House Wren, Wood Thrush, Scarlet Tanager and Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Raptors soon follow. Hundreds of Broad-winged Hawks pass high overhead in mid-September. Merlin often whiz by low to the ground, hunting as they go. On a windy day in early October, you can see Sharp-shinned Hawks, Cooper's Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Osprey, Bald Eagle and even Peregrine Falcon on the move. October is sparrow month. White-throated, Fox, American Tree and White-crowned Sparrows and Dark-eyed Juncos are all birds that choose to migrate south and winter here at Peace Valley. Other sparrows seen include Savannah, Swamp, Chipping and Lincoln_s. Also showing up by now are the Ruby-crowned and Golden-crowned Kinglets, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Brown Creeper, Hermit Thrush and Purple Finch. Waterfowl are the last group to arrive in numbers. During November you can expect to see American Wigeon, Bufflehead, Ruddy Duck, Common Merganser, Green-winged Teal, Pied-billed Grebe and Common Loon on Lake Galena. Birds that winter along the coast of Eastern North America pass through here briefly and these might include White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, Bonaparte_s Gull and Snow Goose. So, from the end of summer to the beginning of winter, there is a large shift in the population and type of birds present at Peace Valley. The fall season is truly a marvelous time to see migration in all it's splendor. Chuck Crunkleton leads our bird watching field trips and shares the Saturday morning bird walk duties with August Mirabella. Thank You to * Bob Schaffer for his pick and shovel work on our trails * August Mirabella for his Purple Loosestrife removal by the bridge * Gardeners and trailkeepers for weeding and clearing the trails Welcome to New Members: Terry Arnholt Diane Biedrzycka Terri Colbert Sheila Davis Linda Frederick Boyd W. Ghering Donna Ginsberg Ralph and Kathleen Ingoglia Karthaus Family Sharon Kennedy Kathy Klusman Richard J. Landgreen Paul and Pauline Liechty Steve and Laura McCrory Kay Pepper Jo Ann Petro Hart Richard and Jeanne Pfaff Jo An Phillips Lisa and Brian Pitts Elaine Radiss Gina and Scott Rubel AJ and Antonia Russell Runa W. Schlaffer Sandy Smith George and Anike Somkuti Patricia Trevino Brian and Elizabeth Vetter Lesley Weissman-Cook Mark Ezzo and Pat Will COLD WEATHER CRITTERS November 28 and December 5 Winter is just weeks away! Plants and animals have now settled in for the cold weather. A naturalist will help you discover the physical and behavioral tricks they use to survive this rugged season. WINTER BIRDS December 12 and 19 Winter birds are back! We'll start at the bird blind and look for White- throated Sparrows and Juncos. Year round residents like Chickadees and Titmice should also be active at the feeders. We will then check the lake for waterfowl and walk the trails searching for other species. Bring your binoculars! Many thanks to the following people who responded so far to our Ray of Inspiration Campaign as part of the Solar Renovation and Education Fund Drive: $150 Fred Janet Gagnon $100 Sharon Henis and Hartford Customer Services Group George Kline Dave and Patty Long Don and Grace McClintock Dr. and Mrs. Vincent J. Menna Kathleen and Eric Muth Sarah and James Nangeroni Jon and Cathy Rosenwald Judy Shaub Robyn Walsh Up to $99 Nancy Belheimer Jesse Gehris Robert Hess and Frances Sherr William and Evelyn Leingang Click [HERE] to view back issues of our newsletter. |
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Black-eyed Susans