Journal Entry

I want to take a moment in this Journal Entry to thank the many people who have reached out to me after reading my tribute and poem to Martin Schmalenberg in our last issue. I’ve heard from friends, both old and new; acquaintances; and people I’ve never met or who never knew Martin.

Many told me that after reading that issue, they felt as if they’d come to know him a bit. Many told me that my poem touched their souls and brought tears to their eyes. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with me; your sweet words mean so much.

Well, it looks like we made it through the winter!

I’m sorry for all the cold-loving, snow-loving people out there, but no, I’m really not. They’ve certainly had their years. Personally, I am always ready for spring to come after fall; they’re my favorite seasons in the Northeast. It’s time to start tending to the earth again, so I’m including a poem here by a local poet that I think many spring gardeners can relate to.

Therapeutic Gardening • By Maureen Newman

Waiting for the warmth of the earth

To plant and cultivate seeds, Like a bird in a nest ready to give birth This serene ritual satisfies needs,

Spade in hand preparing the ground Beautiful surroundings bring peace, Butterflies and nature all around Can’t help but feel tension release,

Sun on my face and a gentle breeze

Now it’s time for seeds to get sown, Flowers, vegetables, many of these Will gratify when all are grown,

Weeding, watering, and nurturing all Plants thrive and to my delight, The garden flourishes and gets tall What an awesome, satisfying sight.

Happy Spring!

Hope Springs Eternal

‘‘The time is nearing,” Mother smiled, as her axis tipped once more, and she could feel the warmth of the sun, covering her breast. There was still hope for this world, she marveled. The system was still working.

The Spring thaw, once more, was giving birth to the earth’s agitation. Waterways, erupting through the winter ice, irrigating the earth in their noble fashion. Seeping into each nook and cranny, giving renewing substance to the roots, lying dormant under the soil.

“Wake up,” Mother is propelling. “Worms, do your duty. The earth needs your nourishment. Wake up, my seeds, bring forth your fauna. Your newborn cousins, animal, and human alike, have need of you.”

“Wake up,” Mother is saying, “your slumber is done, awaken my children, your work has begun.”

-Connie Martinez

April 27th

Thursday 5:30 p.m.

.............................

70th Anniversary Celebration. Lafayette House, Lafayette, NJ. Silent auction. $45. Dinner, auction & more. Hosted by the Sussex County Bird Club. Info: www.sussex countybirdclub.org.

April 29th

Saturday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

Spring Fling. Wurtsboro, NY. Crafts, bird show, duck race & more. Sponsored by Wurtsboro Board of Trade. Info: www. wurtsboro.org.

11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Earth Day Festival. PEEC, Dingmans Ferry, PA. $5/car. Hikes, crafts, food, music & more. Info: 570.828.2319, www.peec.org.

April 30th

Sunday 2–3 p.m.

.............................

Frederick Cook: Arctic Explorer. Time and the Valleys Museum, Grahamsville, NY. Illustrated lecture about Cook’s expeditions 1897–1908. Members/free, nonmembers/$5. Info: 845.985.7700, www. scnyhistory.org.

May 1st

Monday 6 p.m.

.............................

A Taste of Talent. Perona Farms, Andover, NJ. Tasting stations from local restaurants. Live music. $300. Benefits Project SelfSufficiency. Info: 973.940.3500, www. projectselfsufficiency.org.

May 4th

Thursday 5:30–9:00 p.m.

Ottaway Medal Dinner. The Barn at Villa Venezia, Middletown, NY. Sponsored by VISION Hudson Valley. Medal recipient: Donna Cornell. Info: 845.469.9459, vision hudsonvalley.org.

May 6th

Saturday 9 a.m.

.............................

Spring Antiques and Vintage Market. Sparta VFW, Sparta, NJ. Hosted by the Sparta Historical Society. Benefits Van Kirk Homestead Museum. Info: 973.726.0883, www.vankirkmuseum.org.

10 a.m.–2 p.m.

.............................

Community Marketplace: Opening Day–Family Fun. Netcong, NJ. Vendors, nonprofit & community organizations. Hosted by Netcong Community Partnership. Info: gonetcong.com.

10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Spring Vendor/Craft Fair. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Sparta, NJ. Free admission. Info: www.sothnj.org.

4–6 p.m. .............................

Members’ Exhibition: Artists Reception. Pocono Arts Council. Stroudsburg, PA. Exhibit: May 6th–June 24th. Info: 570.476.4460, poconoarts.org.

May 6th–7th

10 a.m.–6 p.m. .............................

Sugar Loaf Spring Festival. Sugar Loaf Art & Craft Village, Sugar Loaf, NY. Vendors, music, food, drinks & more. Info: 845.570.5189, www.sugarloaf.com.

May 7th

Sunday 1–3 p.m.

Spring Beauties: Wildflower Walk. Brandwein Nature Learning Preserve, Port Jervis, NY. Learn how to identify wildflowers. Best for ages 5 and up. $5. Registration required: brandwein.org.

1–4 p.m.

Walk N’ Wags. Pine Island Park, Pine Island, NJ. Dog walk-a-thon. Food, music, activities. $25–$30. Benefits Warwick Valley Humane Society. Info: 845.986.2473, wvhumane.org.

May 10th

Wednesday 6:30–8:00 p.m.

Wild Edibles. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel, PA. A walk around Lacawac looking for perennial vegetables, medicinal herbs, mushrooms, and other edibles in the forest. $7. Registration required. Info: 570.689.9494, www.lacawac.org.

May 11th

Thursday 5–10 p.m.

Girls Night Out. Honesdale, PA. Business specials, discounts & giveaways. Registration required. Hosted by Greater Honesdale Partnership. Info: 570.253.5492, visit honesdalepa.com.

5:30 p.m.

Awards Dinner. Farmstead Golf and Country Club, Lafayette, NJ. Honoring local businesses & individuals. $60. Hosted by the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce. Info: 973.300.0433, www.greater newtoncc.com.

May 13th

Saturday 8 a.m.–10 p.m. .............................

Toast to Milford. Milford, PA. Celebration of food & drink, free tastings. Hosted by Milford Presents. Info: milfordpa.us.

10 a.m.–noon.

Spring Has Sprung Bike Ride. High Point State Park, Sussex, NJ. 8-mile loop. $5 donation. Sponsored by Friends of High Point State Park. Registration/Info: 973.875.1471, www.friendsofhighpointstatepark.org.

5–6 p.m. .............................

Art in Bloom: Reception. ARTery Gallery, Milford, PA. Milford Garden Club’s floral interpretations of art. Exhibit: May 11th–June 6th. Info: 570.409.1234.

May 20th

Saturday 4 p.m.

Music of Sibelius, Mozart, and Dvorak. First United Methodist Church, Newton, NJ. Performance by New Sussex Symphony. $10–$15. Info: 973.579.6465, www. newsussexsymphonynj.org.

4–6 p.m.

Community Takeout Chicken BBQ. Time and the Valleys Museum, Grahamsville, NY. $15. Info: 845.985.7700, www.time andthevalleysmuseum.org.

May 20th & 21st

Saturday & Sunday 7 a.m.–4 p.m.

Warbler Weekend. PEEC, Dingmans Ferry, PA. Guided birding excursions. $30 per day. Bring a lunch. Info: 570.828.2319, www.peec.org.

10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Farm Animal Frolic. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg, PA. Baby farm animals, games, refreshments & more. $10–$18. Also May 27th & May 28th. Info: 570.992.6161, www.quietvalley.org.

May 21

Sunday 10:30 a.m.

Gordon & Ginny Shelton Memorial Walka-thon. Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta NJ. 1.8-mile walk benefits SCARC and SCARC Guardianship Services. Info: 973.383.7442, www.scarcfoundation.org.

May 24th

Wednesday 4–5 p.m.

Boundin’ Furbearers. Van Scott Nature Reserve, Beach Lake, PA. Learn about furry animals that live nearby. $5/members, $10/non-members. Info: 570.226.3164, Delaware Highlands.org.

May 27th

Saturday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. .............................

A Moveable Feast: A Historic Tour of Milford with the Pinchot Family. Milford Community House, Milford, PA. Lecture, tour & food tastings. Hosted by Grey Towers Heritage Association. $25–$35. Info: 570.296.9630, greytowers.org.

May 28th

Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.

Art in the Park Day. Peters Valley School of Craft, Layton, NJ. Studio tours, fine craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, food & live music. Free. Info: 973.948.5200, www. petersvalley.org.