The Barn At Jacobsburg In June ...

“June is the gateway to summer …”

             ~ Jean Hershey 

       ~ born in 1902 and living in the Eastern United States, in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, was a prolific writer of magazine articles for Woman’s Day and various gardening and houseplant periodicals.

An historic barn nestled in the beauty of a late June afternoon paints a picturesque summer scene in Henry’s Woods at Jacobsburg State Park, which spans between Wind Gap and Nazareth, Pennsylvania.

The barn is part of Boulton, an early American industrial community in the heart of the Jacobsburg National Historic District – once the site where the famous Henry Rifle was made – which lies almost entirely in the park. Henry’s Woods offers very scenic hikes and the rest of the center grounds have multi-use trails.

The barn was built by William Henry III circa 1821 to house grain and livestock.

Jacobsburg State Park offers environmental education programs from the preschool environmental awareness programs to high school level environmental problem solving programs, historical programs, teacher workshops and public interpretive programs.

The park surrounds the Bushkill Creek.

The original land for the center was purchased by the Department of Forests and Waters from the City of Easton in 1959. In 1969, additional land was purchased using funds from Project 70. This brought the total land area of the center to its present size of 1,168 acres.

For more information on the Henry family visit the Jacobsburg Historical Society’s website at http://www.jacobsburghistory.com/.

Going The Distance ...

“Going the distance.”

   ~ complete a difficult task or endure an ordeal. Go the distance is a metaphor from boxing that means, when used of a boxer, “complete a fight without being knocked out.”

An artistic view of the new “Get Distant On The D&L” sign along the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor (D&L Trail) against the backdrop of the Kittatinny Ridge under bright spring skies on an early April 2020 afternoon at Lehigh Gap.

Being able to enjoy the beauty of the D&L and other trails and parks – while still observing social distancing – is a true blessing to me and many others during the novel coronavirus (COVID19) pandemic. The fresh air, sunshine and watching the rebirth of life in spring blossoms and newborn birds and wildlife in God’s creation is a wonderful reminder that the United States and the rest of the world are “going the distance” to triumph over this insidious pandemic.

In the shadow of the Kittatinny Ridge, also called Blue Mountain, The Lehigh Gap in Slatington, Pennsylvania, is a crossroads where the Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s trails connect two historic trails – the Appalachian Trail and the D&L Trail.

The Appalachian Trail, a foot path, follows the ridge on both sides of the Lehigh Gap, running 1,245 miles south to Georgia and 930 miles north to Maine. Running from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol, the D&L Trail passes through the Lehigh and Delaware rivers and their canals in Pennsylvania.

This sign is one of a number of signs now found at different trailheads to caution trail users to practice social distancing in light of the COVID19 outbreak.

Underneath the top design featured in this image, the sign includes trail etiquette for times of social distancing, such as don’t recreate in groups – limit interactions with other trail users; be safe – our medical systems are at their limit, do our part to limit the need; don’ t touch public services like benches or water fountains unless necessary, and if you must, wash your hands/sanitize thoroughly before and after; avoid touching your face, eyes and nose; and cover your nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing with a flexed elbow.

It also cautions to observe distance of 6 feet from persons at all times.

The sign encourages trail users to always share the trail and be friendly – a smile, wave or hello can go a long way. And that’s good advice for any day!

Dixieland Rock ...

“… The Dixieland rock (Dixieland rock)

Well, the Dixieland rock (Dixieland rock)

Let your hair down, sugar shake it free

And do the Dixieland rock with me …”

                          ~ “Dixieland Rock”

              ~ recorded by the great Elvis Presley 

              for the “King Creole” soundtrack

                                ~ 1958

The rhythm of local musicians brings a touch of Dixieland rock to the Bluffton Farmer’s Market on a warm October afternoon in the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

On a personal note, I brought a dried cotton stalk bought at the market home with me to Pennsylvania, and luckily it survived the airplane flight without getting crushed! Today it is in a vase in my livingroom reminding me of Dixie, “the land of cotton.”

Fresh, locally grown vegetables, fruits, flowers, plants and herbs abound at the Farmers Market of Bluffton, a weekly community event where locals and tourists gather not only to buy excellent produce but also to enjoy delicious food, listen to entertainment, and relax with friends. Located in historic downtown Bluffton along Calhoun and Lawrence Streets and through Carson Cottages, this family friendly market showcases local growers, local food vendors, local entertainment, local community causes and local information about the Bluffton area.

The outcome of a grassroots movement that began in 2006, this vibrant market opened in 2008 at the Bluffton Oyster Company Park on the May River and was managed by volunteers. Because of the huge public response and its potential growth, the market moved to its present location. The current site not only serves the public better but also promotes downtown Bluffton merchants to tourists and locals alike.

The market, located in the Historic Bluffton Arts District in Old Town Bluffton, has been an overwhelming success. The Arts District features distinct galleries and offers an experience of eclectic mix of art and artists located in South Carolina’s Lowcountry tucked between Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.