The Rover Reporter. President s Message. Inside this issue: Hello Everyone!

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1 The Rover Reporter The Newsletter of the Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 2015 Executive Officers President Sue Wheeler Vice Presidents Lester Miller Amy Trommer Marcy Lucas (acting) Secretary Regina Zapotosky Treasurer Gloria Grabenstein Executive Committee Members After Action Pat Eby Historian Vacant Membership Mary Watts Newsletter Pat Eby Publicity Vacant Sales Manager Amy Trommer Trailmasters Lester Miller Bill Rhoat Volunteer Coordinator Alice Eckardt Webmaster Regina Zapotosky Hello Everyone! President s Message February - March 2015 Edition As the icicles start to thaw out this winter season, let's get out there and hit the trails! For Valentine's Day we will be walking the lovely town of Lititz and enjoying The Fire and Ice Festival. There will be ice sculptures to enjoy and a chili cook off from 11am-3pm. I bet somewhere in the town of Lititz, Sue Wheeler can find a geocache or two? Anyone interested in joining me - let me know? 2015 looks like a very busy year for the Rovers. We discussed many traditional walk events that we would like to put on this coming year. With each walk event comes a lot of planning and a lot of work. I am reaching out to ALL our members to become actively involved in one way or another. We need constructive feedback and support from one another to continue to put on successful events. This year as your President I would like to challenge each and everyone of you to invite someone new to participate in 1 volksmarch event. This person can be entirely new to the sport or maybe it's a past member that has lost interest? What is the probability that we may retain a new walker or two? We won't know unless we try... See you on the trail! Sue Inside this issue: Meeting Times, 20/10 Challenge Program, New Members, Jackie Love Page 2 Shuffle Off to Buffalo Page 3 Time to Walk, Opps, Four State Park Weekend Page 4 Awards, Bus Trips, New Year s Day Page 5 AVA National Conv, PA State Parks and Forest Prog. Page 6 Schedule of Events Page 7

2 PAGE 2 THE ROVER REPORTER New Members Welcome to: Dave Brown of Collegeville Amanda Wright, John & Bailey Hartman of Duncannon 20/10 Challenge Pictured to the left is the award for the 20/10 Challenge. The 1 1/2 x 1 pin is Philadelphia Phillies Red and Blue. The Keystone State Volkssport Assn is sponsoring this special challenge once again to encourage participation in Pennsylvania member club AVA sanctioned events. Out of state walkers only have to walk 10 events in PA to obtain the award. Walkers that live in PA have to walk 20 events in PA to obtain the award. You can download the record book from the KSVA website: or the AVA website: Then go to Clubs, pick PA, then Keystone State Volkssport Assn. That will take you to the choice of the 20/10 Challenge. There is no fee to participate, but there is a fee to obtain the award. Once you complete the book, you can pay $4 or $5 to receive the award. If your award needs to be mailed, it will cost you the higher amount. Hand in your record book at a York White Rose Wanderer traditional event or a KSVA event, it will only cost you $4. The POC is Tom Jackson, 1287 Shippensburg Rd, Biglerville, PA thomasjackson@embarqmail.com or Phone: or Try it - you will be amazed at how quickly you walk 20 events. Set this as one of your goals for 2015! Meeting Time and Location Club meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM in the meeting room at Gander Mountain, 5005 Jonestown Rd (Route 22), Harrisburg Everyone is welcome to attend! The next meetings will be: February 24, 2015 March 31, 2015 April 28, nd Place-Knitting at Farm Show Rover member Jackie Love placed 2nd in knitting at this year s Farm Show. Way to go Jackie!! Volksmarching and Tourism If you need to have incentive in order to get out and volksmarch, then try looking up festivals and/or learning experiences on the internet. Or on the other hand, if you have to travel, then look to see if there are any walks in the area where you are traveling. Examples would be: Buffalo shown on page 3; Camp Hill has a Plein Air Art Festival May 29-31; Boalsburg has a Memorial Day Celebration with parade and military reenactments, the PA Military Museum, Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum to visit and they may have an Arts Festival at the same time there is one in State College July Harrisburg has many tourist attractions which you see on the walk-capitol Building, Metro Park (baseball field), State Museum of PA, John Harris-Simon Cameron Mansion, Segway Tours, ride the river boat. Also the second walk at Harrisburg is at Wildwood Park, north of Harrisburg. Lots of things to see and do while or after volksmarching. Check out the internet!

3 T HE R O V E R R E P O R T E R PAGE 3 Shuffle off to Buffalo When I first started this article last November, I was watching the morning news reporting parts of Buffalo, NY had received up to six feet of snow and the snow would continue to fall over the next couple of days. I found it hard to visualize all of the beautiful gardens my Mom, Sandy Hidinger, and I had visited during the summer covered with this thick blanket of lake effect snow. We had traveled in July to western New York to attend the 20th Annual Garden Walk Buffalo. As with most trips, I try to find Volksmarch walks near where I am visiting. Most times, I find a year round event that can be included on my trip itinerary. With Buffalo, I was lucky; there were two seasonal events in the city, with several other walks in the surrounding towns. Based on conversations with Alice Eckardt from our club and Dave Brown from the Liberty Bell Wanderers, I contacted Barb Stafford, President of the Niagara Frontier Volksport Club for information about the Buffalo walks. Barb was very helpful and supplied us with information about her club s walks and the Garden Walk Buffalo. Our friendly host Barb met us Friday afternoon with several other club members to walk with us on the Buffalo City Walk. From the hotel start point; this walk goes downtown through the historic west village and the downtown city hall area to the revitalized waterfront and marina. Terry McFarland of Niagara Frontier Volksport Club The planning that these homeowners take to make their small yards seem expansive and private is hard to describe, it really needs to be experienced. In several of them, you would forget that you were in the middle of a major city with thousands of people around you. And, even though the same plants and trees were used, these gardens were all individual and as unique as the homes that they surrounded. As you would walk around a home, each view was beautiful. The textures and color combinations were so appealing. It was a lot of artistic energy to take in for one day. You do not even realize you have completed a 10k; you just want to see the next garden. I highly recommend visiting Buffalo during their Garden Walk in July, but if you do not want to wait. The Liberty Bell Wanderer s are having a bus tour to Niagara Falls and Western New York. They still have a couple of seats available. You can contact Bill Ridge by phone or wlridge@verizon.net. (See page 5 for more info.) On Saturday, our gracious host was Terry McFarland also from the Niagara Frontier Volksport Club. She met with us at the start point to walk the PanAmerican Expo of 1901 Walk. This walk is full of architectural history. The style of the commercial buildings, the parks designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead and the grand old ladies (turn of the century restored Victorians) are all an interesting piece of history to observe and then there were the gardens. (Continued on page 4)

4 PAGE 4 THE ROVER REPORTER (Continued from page 3) For more information about the seasonal walks in the Buffalo area, use the following link: Marcy Lucas National Event Time to Walk! Dec. 13 at Note: Garden Walk Buffalo is a free, self-guided tour of more than 380 Buffalo gardens, the largest garden tour in America. Held annually on the last weekend of July, in 2015 it will be Saturday and Sunday, July 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their website is If you can t get to Buffalo during that weekend but you like gardens, there is the National Garden Festival held July 5 to August 1, This is a 6 week garden party in the Buffalo area. Their calendar of events has not been updated since the 2014 event, but you could check it out to see if what type of things they offer. The website is: Opps! Our Membership Chair had a senior moment last year when she sent out the membership cards. She wrote as the expired date on the membership card, when she meant to write So sorry for the inconvenience. If she sent you a Time to Renew postcard, it is time to renew. Thanks for staying a member. AVA wanted us to get out and walk for this event. Here are a few of the walkers at Lititz. Alice Eckardt and Pat Eby are joined by York White Rose Wanderers and Penn Dutch Pacers. This event in PA was held at Lititz. It was a fun time and there were lots of folks that joined us by walking. AVA reports that there were over 3000 walkers in 46 states walking at WOW! Four State Park Weekend Oct The Liberty Bell Wanderers are trying to help you get finished with your PA State Park and Forest Challenge by holding four events in four different State Parks on one weekend. Wow!! Ft Washington State Park Tyler State Park Norristown Farm Park* Evansburg State Park All four walks will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. All registration will be at the Hampton Inn in Willow Grove. Then you will drive to the State Park of your choice. * this is one of the few parks without the name of State Park in the park system. It has been a continuously working farm since the 1700 s. Save the Date!

5 Bus Trips THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 5 Liberty Bell Wanderers at Niagara Falls May 28 thru May 31, 2015 Passport or Passport Card Required Thursday May 28 - leave the Vereinigung Erzebirge Club, 130 Davisville Rd, Warminster PA at 7 am and travel to Binghamton NY for their City walk (5/10K). After lunch, travel to Niagara Falls NY and the hotel (Hampton Inn on Rainbow Blvd) Friday May 29 - drive to nearby Buffalo for their 5/6/10K trail. In the afternoon, return to Niagara Falls for the exciting Maid of the Mist boat ride. Saturday May 30 - stay in Niagara Falls for the US/ Canada walk (6/15K) passing attractions on both sides of the river. In the afternoon, don raingear for the Cave of the Winds tour near the falls. Sunday May 31 - After hotel checkout, make the 90 minute drive to Canandaigua, a charming town on Lake Canandaigua (the westernmost major finger lake). Three walks are available (5/6/10K). After lunch begin the six hour ride back to the VE Club and should arrive about 8 pm. Prices depend on occupancy but includes bus, bus driver tip, snacks enroute, lodging for 3 nights, 3 breakfasts, four walks, tickets for Maid of Mist and Cave of the Winds. Prices range from $350 to $770. Non Liberty Bell Wanderers have an extra $10 fee. Questions and form: contact Bill Ridge or wlridge@verizon.net. A deposit is due as soon as possible. Full payment by York White Rose Wanderers See the Lighthouses. May 1 - May walks in 3 days Philadelphia, Cape May, Atlantic City, Barnegat Light, Spring Lake and Asbury Park. Hotel accommodations are at a Casino on the boardwalk in Atlantic City with plenty of vouchers for meals of your choice. Price includes walk fees, transportation, 2 nights lodging, luggage handling, $25 slot voucher, $60 food vouchers, taxes, Dinner at Vuca Di Beppo in Exton PA on way home. Leave from York at 6 am Friday and return about 9:30 pm on Sunday. Prices range from $327 to $577 depending on occupancy. $50 due as soon as possible. Questions and form? Please contact Keith Choiniere at ktmanpa@comcast.net Events 50 John Satterlee 225 Jackie Love Distance 6500K Jan Lardizabal New Years Day Group Walk What a fine bunch of walkers! We gathered at 9 at the Comfort Inn in Harrisburg and headed off for the first walk of the new year. Not all the walkers are pictured here. Some walked a 5K, some walked our normal 10K, and some did our special walk where we stop for breakfast and then watch the Penguin Plungers at City Island. This group that is very social and watching the folks run into the river makes us feel not so strange being out on a cold New Years Day.. Pictured are Barb Fisher, Julie Geuer and Judy Reed from the Hanover area, Paula Bergstasser from Hbg, Marcy Lucas from Newport, Pat and Fred Welch from State College, Sharon Miller from Etters, Sheri Little, Rose Grumbling from Penn Dutch Pacers, Grant Bollen from Hbg, Ellen and Dawn Buller from Enola, Sue Wheeler from Middletown, Trish Bowra from Hbg, and down front is Bailey Hartman and Amanda Wright. Pat Eby from Camp Hill took the picture (I promised Ellen that I would use the picture she took, but it was blurry). Not shown are Lester Miller from Etters, Louise Clouser from Newport, Alice Eckardt from Hbg, Cookie and Rich Little from Newport, and Gloria Grabenstein from Hbg. Feeling left out, join us next year. It is a fun way to start off the new year.

6 PAGE 6 THE ROVER REPORTER Things you see on the trail. As I have mentioned before, you never know what or who you will see on the trail. The day that I decided to walk Little Buffalo State Park was very cold and very, very windy. As I was walking by the lake, I was thinking that I was not too smart being out on the trail beside a windy lake. Well as you can see I was not alone in my craziness. I felt much better. At least I wasn t sitting fishing. PA State Parks and Forest Challenge Keystone State Volkssport Assn is sponsoring this challenge program to encourage participation in events in our State Parks and State Forests. You will only need to complete 10 qualifying events. As of this moment, there are 20 year round or seasonal events scheduled with some more traditional ones to be scheduled. All of them have a lovely and colorful patch. Are you up to the challenge! We have so many wonderful parks and forests and this will be the year to get out and enjoy them. But be sure to wear bug spray in the summer. Many of these walks can be snow shoed. So that would be a new adventure. There is even a swim. Pick up a KSVA Year Round and Seasonal Booklet and the tear off the covers. These are your booklets for this challenge and the 20/10 Challenge. This program is also run the same as the 20/10 Challenge. Get started is here! AVA National Convention June 1321, 2014 Salem Oregon There will many activities and walks to keep you busy. The brochure is not out yet, but the host hotel is already filled. So get your plans in action if you want to attend. The walks sound great! 13th walk in Bend Oregon 14th Clear Lake 15th Silver Falls State Park with 10 waterfalls 16th Vancouver Washington 17th Eugene Oregon 18th Lincoln City Oregon (ocean front) 19th Salem Oregon - Capital 20th Mt Saint Helens 21st Portland Oregon Plus three year rounds that start at the hotel and three more that are close. You can walk your socks off! On the left is the award patch for walking Little Buffalo State Park. On the right is the Completion Patch for walking 10 state parks in the State Parks and Forests Challenge Program. Little Buffalo State Park is in Perry County. You register at Sharar s Grocery, 19 S 2nd St, Newport (great deli sandwiches). The walk box is on the bottom shelf in front of you as you enter the store. Hours are Monday- Saturday 8 am to 10 pm. Sunday 9 to 9. Closed Christmas. The park opens at 8 and closes at dusk. The award and credit is $7.00. Credit only is $3 and of course you can walk for free. You will sign in and pick up your directions for the walk and then drive to the park. The park is 3 miles away. The trail is rated 1A as most of it is on paved roads. Some is through the woods, grassy areas by Shoaff s Mill, Clay s Covered Bridge and by the lake. The trail misses the great views, but the tranquility can still be enjoyed. Little Buffalo is only about 36 miles from Harrisburg. Get started on the PA State Park and Forest Challenge and enjoy Little Buffalo.

7 THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE ATLANTIC REGION CALENDAR of EVENTS AVA as of February 21 W Beltsville MD (UM Church) Freestate Happy Wanderers M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn - 6) Susquehanna Rovers March 21 W Columbia MD (Cedar Lane Park) Columbia Volksmarch Club W Baltimore MD Baltimore Walking Club W Hampton VA Virginia Vagabonds M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn - 6) Susquehanna Rovers April 11 W Richmond VA (Zacharias Ganey HI) Lee Lepus Volksverband W Charlottesville VA (The Park) Cavalier Volkssporting Club W Victoria British Columbia Canada Phoenix Festival W Darlington MD (Conowingo Dam) Baltimore Walking Club W Hampton VA (Sandy Bottom Nat Pk) Peninsula Pathfinders W Wyomissing PA (Bailiwick Hair Cter) Liberty Bell Wanderers W Smyrna DE (Blackbird State Forest) First State Webfooters W Laurel MD (Montpelier) Freestate Happy Wanderers W Chesapeake VA (NW River Park) Gator Volksmarch Club W Princeton NJ (First Campus Center) Princeton Area Walkers M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn - 6) Susquehanna Rovers May 1-3 W Bus Trip to see the Lighthouses York White Rose Wanderers see page 5 2 W Westminster MD (Ascension Church) Seneca Valley Sugarloafers W Quantico VA (USMC Museum) Germanna Volkssport Assoc W Newport News VA (Newport News Pk) Virginia Vagabonds W Washington DC US Freedom Walk Festival Club 16 W Huntington Valley PA (Lorimer Pk) Liberty Bell Wanderers W Lorton VA (Occoquan Riverfest) Northern VA Volksmarchers W Stuarts Draft VA (Hardees) Virginia Volkssport Assn W Monterey VA (Haps High Rest) Virginia Volkssport Assn W Harrisonburg VA (Universalist Church) Virginia Volkssport Assn M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn - 6) Susquehanna Rovers W Bus Trip to Niagara Falls Liberty Bell Wanderers W Glouchester VA (Pavilion 606) Peninsula Pathfinders W Sterling VA (Old Vestals Gap Rd) Loudoun Walking Club June 6 W Millersville MD (Kinder Farm Park Freestate Happy Wanderers W Salem OR AVA National Convention 20 W Chesapeake VA (Arboretum) Gator Volksmarch Club M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn-6) Susquehanna Rovers July 11 W Williamsburg VA (Sal s by Victor) Virginia Vagabonds M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn-6) Susquehanna Rovers August 1 W Columbia MD (Blandair Park) Columbia Volksmarch Club W Montrose PA (Blueberry Festival) Finger Lakes Volkssport Club W Greenbelt MD Great Greenbelt Volksmarchers M Harrisburg PA (Gander Mtn-6) Susquehanna Rovers September 11 W Hillsborough NJ (Duke Farms) Princeton Area Walkers W Mt Holly Springs PA (Trine Mem Pav) Cumberland Valley Lead Foot Club Legend: W=Walk, GRP= Group Walk, GW=Guided Walk, NW=Night Walk, M=Meeting, S= Swim

8 The Rover Reporter February - March 2015 Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 1820 Brentwood Drive Middletown, Pennsylvania Dated Materials