WHAT’ S NEWS IN WEST COUNTY
TOM RIDGE ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER PROGRAMMING
LAGOON BY PONTOON
The lagoon at Presque Isle is full of natural surprises such as sun-basking turtles, wading great blue herons, beavers slapping their tails on the water, and many other natural wonders. Join the park staff and volunteers on a one-hour interpretive pontoon boat ride to discover the natural history and beauty of the interior. Sign-up begins at 10 a. m. in person at the pontoon station and is on a first-come, first served basis. Sign-up is limited to 6 seats per person regardless of age on all rides. This is a free program. Daily, through Sept. 4, at 11 a. m., 1 and 2 p. m. Go to events. dcnr. pa. gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park for early-bird and evening ride times.
PRIMITIVE SKILLS SERIES: FOOD AND WATER
What would you do without food or water? Join the park naturalists at the Erie Bluffs State Park to learn how to find food and water using a variety of primitive methods. Registration is required online by visiting: events. dcnr. pa. gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park. Space is limited. No fee. Aug. 12 from 10 a. m. to noon.
ACA INTRO TO KAYAKING INSTRUCTION COURSE
For those of you who spend a lot of time on the water or just wish you felt more comfortable in your kayak, we have the course for you! Join certified ACA kayak instructors for a two-day course on Aug. 18 & 19, covering the essentials of kayaking. You will be instructed on water safety, paddling
techniques and strokes, self-rescue, and more. Friday evening will be class instruction from 6 to 8:30 p. m., at the AAUW Pavilion at TREC. Saturday will be on the water, meeting at Beach 11 from 9 a. m. to 3 p. m. Registration is required, with a fee of $ 75 payable at registration. Space is limited. To register, please visit: events. dcnr. pa. gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park. To make a payment, please call the park office at 814.833.7424, Monday through Friday from 8 a. m. to 4 p. m.
PURPLE MARTIN ROOST KAYAK TOUR
Every fall the Purple Martin makes a 5,000- mile journey to Brazil while its northern nesting grounds gets covered in snow. The Martins begin to prepare for this migration by congregating at the head of Presque Isle Bay, feeding on insects and roosting in the cattails for the evening. This is one of the largest roosts in Pennsylvania and there have been estimates of 40,000 birds flying at the roost at one time. Experience this natural phenomenon with the park naturalists as we kayak to their roost. Meet at Vista 3 parking lot. This is for experienced adult paddlers. Bring your own kayak and life jacket with whistle. Headlamp or kayak light needed. Space is limited. Aug. 22 from 7 to 9 p. m. There is no fee, but registration is required by visiting: events. dcnr. pa. gov / presque _ isle _ state _ park.
FISHING ROD LOANER PROGRAM AT TREC
If you like to fish or want to try fishing, you can borrow a rod, reel, and basic tackle from the TREC on a first-come, first-served basis. This is made possible through a partnership with the PA Fish and Boat Commission and Presque Isle State Park. To borrow equipment, visit the main desk at the TREC and sign out the needed equipment. A driver’ s license is required. Borrowers are responsible for bait. A fishing license is required for those 16 years and older. All equipment is due back before 6 p. m. No fee.
LEAF HOSTING SUMMER CONCERT & THEATRE SERIES INCLUDING NEW CLASSICAL CONCERTS
The Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier( LEAF) is presenting the Arts in the Arboretum Concert & Theatre Series, a free series of music and theater performances in the intimate setting of the Patricia McCain Outdoor Classroom( Amphitheater) in Frontier Park( 1501 W 6th Street). The series features a wide variety of local talent. New this year are two Sunday noon classical concerts featuring the Erie Philharmonic Brass & Woodwind Quintets. Attendees may sit on LEAF’ s stone risers or bring their own blanket or chairs.
Aug. 10, 7 to 8:30 p. m. – Tennessee Back Porch
Aug. 13, Noon to 1 p. m.– Erie Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet
The concerts are also supported in part by the McCain Family Foundation, American Federation of Musicians, Local 17, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. Want to learn more? Visit leaferie. org, call 814.453. LEAF, or e-mail info @ leaferie. org.
LAKE ERIE CYCLE FEST TO SHOWCASE ERIE REGION BIKEABILITY
The Erie Sports Commission announced Lake Erie Cycle Fest, a four-day event highlighting the Erie region’ s bikeability, which will debut Thursday, Aug. 10, through Sunday, Aug. 13. The event will include EmergyCare’ s annual Tour de West County, a long-standing summer bike tour already popular in the region, on Saturday, Aug. 12. Proceeds from the weekend-long event will
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