IN Millcreek Winter 2018 | Page 36

WHAT’S NEWS IN MILLCREEK understanding of the natural world. This program will meet at 6 p.m. on every third Thursday of the month through March 21. A different topic will be presented during each programming time. Topics will include forestry, aqua-ponics, Fibonacci, bio-mimicry, winter ecology, and more. No fee. Registration is required at http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/presque_ isle_state_park. PRESQUE ISLE 8TH ANNUAL ART COMPETITION: ‘ALL THINGS FOREST’ Many visitors to Presque Isle State Park express their experiences in different ways. As an artist, share your natural impressions through Presque Isle’s 8th annual mixed-media student art competition, All Things Forest – Presque Isle. Open to all students from first grade through college currently enrolled in a public, private, or home school, categories include 8 x 10 photography, mixed media, oil/acrylic/pastel, pencil/ pen, watercolor, and sculpture. Register online by March 22, 2019, at events.dcnr.pa.gov/presque_isle_state_ park. Artwork will be judged and an awards presentation for artists and guests will take place on April 19, 2019, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the TREC. Each category will have a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner and a “Best in Show” will receive the Chairman’s Award, sponsored by the Presque Isle Advisory Board. All artwork entered will be displayed on the 2nd floor of the TREC from April 20 to May 28. UPCOMING EVENTS AT THE TOM RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER Family STEM Night! Bring the whole family for hands-on fun and interactive STEM activities at the TREC – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics with an environmental emphasis! Learn how STEM is applied to environmental situations and how it is relevant to our 34 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ Presque Isle After Dark Join the park naturalists for an evening stroll through the interior trails of Presque Isle and learn about nocturnal wildlife. Meet at the lighthouse parking lot. Please dress accordingly, with proper footwear and clothing. Terrain may be muddy and uneven. The walk is approximately 2 miles. No fee or registration required. Tuesday, Nov. 20, 6:30 p.m. Families Go Hiking Bundle-up the family and visit Presque Isle State Park for a kid-focused walk along the natural trails. Walk is approximately 1 mile in length. Dress in layers with comfortable, treaded, sturdy boots. Meet at the lighthouse parking area. No fee or registration required. Saturday, Nov. 24, 11 a.m. ERIE TO HOST PENNSYLVANIA STATE USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP THIS SPRING The Erie Sports Commission and the Pennsylvania chapter of the United States Bowling Congress have announced that the 80th Annual PA USBC Open icmags.com Championship will be held in Erie. The statewide championship will begin Saturday, April 6, 2019, and span 10 weekends, April 6 through June 16. The ESC has estimated the economic impact of the tournament, county-wide, to exceed $3.5 million. “This tournament is the largest tourism generator, in terms of economic impact, that we have ever hosted,” said Mark Jeanneret, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “Every year, bowlers and their families from across the state travel to compete in this tournament, regardless of where the event is held. When Erie last hosted in 2014, we saw more than 5,000 bowlers attend. We have great support from the PA USBC in Erie, as well as the Northwestern PA USBC. Traveling families have a lot to look forward to when attending the championship in Erie.” Participants traveled from across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Texas and Florida to participate in the 2018 tournament, which was held in Wilkes- Barre. Nearly 5,000 bowlers are expected to take part in the 2019 tournament in Erie. Rolling Meadow Lanes will host the five-person team event. The minor events, consisting of doubles and singles tournaments, will be conducted at Eastway Lanes. Bowlers will be competing for a prize fund in excess of $170,000 in both scratch and handicap divisions. The tournament is open to any member of the PA USBC who is interested in competing. Spectator admission is free. Participants can obtain information and register for the tournament at bowlpa.com. n