The Rover Reporter. Rover s Message. Inside this issue:

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1 The Rover Reporter The Newsletter of the Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 2016 Executive Officers President Sharon Miller Vice Presidents Lester Miller Bill Rhoat Marcy Lucas Secretary Regina Zapotosky Treasurer Gloria Grabenstein Executive Committee Members After Action Pat Eby Map Maker Lester Miller Membership Mary Watts Newsletter Pat Eby Publicity Kimberly Rowe Sales Manager Amy Trommer Trailmasters Lester Miller Bill Rhoat Volunteer Coordinator Alice Eckardt Webmaster Regina Zapotosky Hello all, November - December 2016 Edition Rover s Message Beautiful fall weather is finally here and making walking a pleasure. I have been working on my counties and independent cities in Virginia. Such a big state to cover! There was a wonderful weekend at State College September Great trails and wonderful weather. There was a very good turnout and everybody had a great time. Look forward to it again in two years. The walk at the Carlisle Octoberfest started out with a rainy day, but quite a few people showed up. Sunday turned out to be a beautiful sunny fall day. A good number of people came on Sunday to make the walk a success. We had a great walk and lots of fun. Hope to see you next year. While home, Lester and I have been working on the trails for the Hershey Walkfest this November 25 and 26. This is The Rovers 29th year doing this weekend of walks. The trails and conditions have changed, but the holiday cheer still remains. We had to alter the Candy Lane walk due to major construction on Park Blvd. and the closed bridge at the zoo on Park Avenue (Rte. 743). Due to these obstacles, we had to shorten the start time for the Candy Lane walk from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm with a 5:00 pm finish so that everyone is finished before dark. We are so sorry for this inconvenience, but we are unable to offer a safe night walk. Come out and join us for a very different walk to Chocolate World and Candy Lane area. If you have a little time to spare, we could use your help. Also, all are welcome to bring a favorite baked good or treat to add to our menu of soups, hotdogs, etc. I am going to be in Taiwan and Indonesia walking in November in pursuit of filling my IML (International Marching League) book. I believe there will be at least 6 Americans attending these walks and it will be great to see some of the friends I have made through walking over the years. Will tell you all about it in my next letter. Keep walking and I look forward to seeing you at Hershey and on other trails! Best wishes, Sharon Inside this issue: Meeting Times, Carlisle Oktoberfest, Awards, AVA Conv 2017 Page 2 Hershey Walkfest Page 3 Online Start Box and Appalachian Trail event Page 4 Bike Events for 2017, Things you see on a Volksmarch, New Members Page 5 PA State Parks & Forest Challenge, Susq Rivertowns Weekend, Dues Page 6 Schedule of Events Page 7

PAGE 2 THE ROVER REPORTER Carlisle Barracks Oktoberfest and Army Heritage Education Center Volksmarch Carlisle PA October 8-9, 2016 10K or 5K Trail The Oktoberfest has morphed into quite an event.

2 PAGE 2 THE ROVER REPORTER Carlisle Barracks Oktoberfest and Army Heritage Education Center Volksmarch Carlisle PA October 8-9, K or 5K Trail The Oktoberfest has morphed into quite an event. There were amusement rides, face painting, keg tossing, wife carrying, apple pie eating and hot dog eating contests, music and of course our Volksmarch. Plus on Sunday, there was a zombie race. That was funny and interesting! It was a rainy but calm Saturday at the Oktoberfest, but we had 45 walkers. They seemed to have a good time. Sunday was pretty but cold and very windy. We had 52 more walkers. It was a fun event. The after action report included 97 total walkers with 81 walking for credit. 27 Rovers showed up - 14 of them volunteered. We had 17 from Maryland, 3 from Virginia and 1 from West Virginia. 34 did the 5K, 62 walked the 10K and 1 did the 10K twice.. We had 2 people become new members and 3 people wanted information. A special thanks to all of our volunteers: Marcy Lucas, Tom D Aprile, Sharon and Lester Miller, Bill Rhoat, Rich and Paula Bergstrasser, Amy Trommer, Cookie Little, Bob Gambert, Ed and Diane Sandnes, Gloria Grabenstein and Pat Eby. Above is Marcy Lucas, our Vice President, in authentic German attire. Ready for a great day at the Oktoberfest. A very big Thank You to the Army and especially Kevin Small for allowing us to join the fun. Hopefully they will allow us to join them next year. New! Meeting Location Meeting Time Club meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month at 6:00 PM at Bass Pro on Paxton St in Harrisburg in the Hunt Club Meeting Room on the second floor next to the gun counter. Everyone is welcome to attend! The next meetings will be: Events 100 Walter Spohn 125 Sandra Smith 325 Connie Peterson November 29, 2016 January 31, 2017 February 28, 2017 Distance 8000 Jan Lardizabal 2017 AVA Biennial Convention June 7-9, 2017 Billings, Montana Walks in Buffalo, Billings, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Red Lodge, all in Montana and Cody Wyoming 1 swim 1 bike Conference Hotel - Billings Hotel and Convention Center, 1223 Mullowney Lane, Billings MT Promo Code AVA avaconvention.org You can walk Crazy Horse the weekend before going to Billings.

3 THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 3 Hershey Walkfest November 25 & 26, 2016 Hershey, PA B Award Four walks are available for your walking pleasure! Candylane Trail AT16/ K or 5K rated 1B South Hershey Trail AT16/ /20K, 10K or 5K rated 1B Palmyra Trail AT16/ K or 5K rated 1B Hummelstown Trail AT16/ k or 5K rated 1B Start Point: Hershey Recreation Center, 605 Cocoa Avenue (Route 743), Hershey PA Start Times for both days: Candylane Trail - Start between 8 am and 2:00 pm, finish by 5:00 pm. Palmyra Trail - Start between 8 am and 1:30 pm, finish by 4:30 pm. Hummelstown Trail - Start between 8 am and 1:30 pm, finish by 4:30 pm. South Hershey Trail - Start between 8 am and 1:30 pm, finish by 4:30 pm. Trails: The Candylane Trail has been changed as there is a lot of construction around Candylane including a bridge that is out close to the Zoo. Therefore we have had to change the start times for this trail and because of safety concerns can not allow the walk to be done in the dark. It does consist mostly of sidewalks and paved walkways with some roadside walking. The Palmyra, South and Hummelstown Trails consist of a variety of paved and natural surfaces with some inclines. Not all sidewalks have curb cuts and some sidewalks are old and uneven, so the trails will be difficult for wheelchairs. Strollers will be able to maneuver the terrain. Our South Trail goes to the quiet neighborhood areas and close to the massive Penn State Hershey Medical Center. This town is in Dauphin County. Palmyra is a small town about 2 mile east of Hershey. This town is in Lebanon County. You will drive to Palmyra after registering at the Hershey Recreation Center. Hummelstown in Dauphin County is a small town a bout 3 miles west of Hershey. It was founded in 1762 by Frederik and Rosina Hummel. Its quarry boasted that it was the largest provider of brownstone on the East Coast. You will drive to Hummelstown after registering at the Hershey Recreation Center. Award and Fees: There are a wide variety of past awards - some are patches and some are pins of various sizes. The fee is $4.00 for a B award and IVV Credit per event. For IVV credit only, the fee is $3.00 per event. These events are free to those who wish to participate without receipt of award or IVV credit. Children 12 and under walking for IVV credit will not be charged courtesy of the Rovers. If a child wishes to walk for a B Award and IVV Credit the charge will be $1.00, Everyone is welcome.. General Information: Because of the fee to enter Candylane, the trail will not take you inside the park. Of course if you wish to pay their fee, you may as long as you return by the finish time for the trail. For accurate listing of Candylane s hours and fees check out You will pass Chocolate World which is open for free on Thursday at 5 pm and the rest of weekend at 9 am. Water, hard candy and restrooms are available at the start point and checkpoints. There will be soups, hot dogs, baked goods and hot and cold drinks for sale at the start point. Water should be carried on the trail. There is also plenty of free parking available. Conditions: Pets are allowed on the trails, but they are not allowed in the Hershey Recreation Center, Candylane, or Chocolate World. There are leash and clean-up laws in effect. Please, no littering along the trail. This event will be held rain or shine. Special Programs: Hummelstown- Honoring Our Flag, Trekking With Trees, You ll Never Walk Alone, Fountains, National Register of Historic Places, Walking the USA A-Z. Palmyra - Honoring Our Flag, Walking USA A-Z. Candylane - Honoring Our Flag, You ll Never Walk Alone, Trekking With Trees, Food for Thought. South Hershey Trail - Honoring Our Flag, You ll Never Walk Alone, Fraternal Organizations, Trekking With Trees, Food for Thought. If you are coming on Friday, please bring a baked good or snack for us to sell at our food table. Our food sales help to pay the $375 that we are charged to use the Hershey Recreation Center. So as you can see, your donations are very helpful. Once again: you can start the Candylane Trail between 8 am and 2 pm and you need to finish it by 5 pm. Thanks for your support and understanding.

PAGE 4 THE ROVER REPORTER Online Start Box There is a new way to register for an event. It is using an Online Start Box. The following event is using this new way to register.

If that doesn t help, then contact the point of contact for the events. Info may not be available until the new year.

4 PAGE 4 THE ROVER REPORTER Online Start Box There is a new way to register for an event. It is using an Online Start Box. The following event is using this new way to register. The new event for Milford and Ricketts Glen State Park will also be using this Online Start Box. I m sure there will be questions, but you will be able to go to to find your answers. If that doesn t help, then contact the point of contact for the events. Info may not be available until the new year. Appalachian Trail Year Round Walk January 1 to December 31, K to 42K Trail Rating 4D An Extended Distance Event AT17/Y0088 register for this event. Payments for event credit, $3.00 and directions use PayPal. The directions and insert cards are PDFs that you can download and print as needed. The POC does not provide event directions or accept alternate payment methods. The entire online process should take less than 10 minutes for a first time user. START/FINISH TIMES: Please walk daylight hours only FEES: The A award is a 3x3 inch embroidered patch featuring a downy woodpecker on a white blazed tree as shown to the left and IVV credit is $7.00. IVV Credit Only is $3.00. You must register and pay $3 for IVV Credit for each day you walk. You can take event credit for each day and take distance credit for the amount walked that day. COUNTIES: Counties the AT covers include: Franklin, Cumberland, Perry, Dauphin, Lebanon, Schuylkill, Berks, Lehigh, Carbon, Northampton, and Monroe. CONDITIONS: For these trails, wheelchairs or strollers are not allowed. Pets are welcome, but need to be kept on leashes and you must follow clean-up laws. Bring extra water, wear sturdy shoes, and the use of hiking sticks is highly recommended. Use insect repellent - Lyme Disease is a major problem here. TRAIL: The Appalachian Trail (AT) in Pennsylvania is where the trail maintainers sharpen the rocks and hiking boots go to die. Many sections of the AT are very rocky and/or have lots of tree roots. The terrain is up and down in most areas and trail difficulty is anywhere from 3B to a 4D. Allow extra time to complete your hike. Do not hike when there is snow on the ground or very muddy. You are advised to hike with someone else and not alone and carry water. The entire miles (369.5K) of the AT in PA is sanctioned as an extended distance event. The KSVA website ( has a link that identifies 21 segments that can each be day hiked if you are able to place a car at each end. You can also do an out and back hike, either southbound or northbound, anywhere you can access the trail. Obviously, the trailheads identified at the link on the KSVA website are the best places to access the trail. Additional Information: Jane Holmes jensenholmespa@gmail.com PA APPALACHIAN TRAIL CHALLENGE This new challenge sponsored by the KSVA requires participants to hike in 10 of the 21 segments. There is a link explaining this challenge at The award for completing the challenge is shown below. More information will be forthcoming. Jane will also be the contact for this Challenge. START POINT: WEB REGISTRATION ONLY ( PROCEDURES: Please use the online start box provided by the California Volkssport Assn website ( Follow the left side link, Online Start Box, and the instructions provided to sign a waiver and

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 5 Things You See on a Volksmarch! Welcome to these New Members Beverly Frye - Harrisburg Claudia Wilson - Middletown We hope to see them at our walks.

There will be nine chances to do year round or seasonal bikes in 2017 in Pennsylvania. When you see this painting out of the corner of your eye, it looks soooooo real.

New seasonal bikes will be held in Bird In Hand, Punxsutawney, Cook Forest State Park, Pine Creek Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest and the entire Pine Creek Trail is currently sanctioned as an

5 THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 5 Things You See on a Volksmarch! Welcome to these New Members Beverly Frye - Harrisburg Claudia Wilson - Middletown We hope to see them at our walks. Bike Events The Guided Bike concept is being tested by the AVA National Executive Committee. There are no Guided Bike events currently scheduled. There will be nine chances to do year round or seasonal bikes in 2017 in Pennsylvania. When you see this painting out of the corner of your eye, it looks soooooo real. You will find it along the street in Frederick,Maryland. The house below was spooky right before Halloween. It is in Allentown. This walk will not be available in New seasonal bikes will be held in Bird In Hand, Punxsutawney, Cook Forest State Park, Pine Creek Trail in Tiadaghton State Forest and the entire Pine Creek Trail is currently sanctioned as an Extended Distance Bike Event, A new year round bike will be held in Easton and Mount Joy, There will be still be year round bike events in Gettysburg, Valley Forge, and the 2 on the York Heritage Rail Trail. For more information contact Tom Jackson thomasjackson@embarqmail.com Snow Shoe Events There are still 2 seasonal snow shoe events in Michaux State Forest or 2017.

6 PAGE 6 THE ROVER REPORTER Susquehanna Rivertowns Weekend April 28-30th, 2017 There will be 4 events along the Susquehanna River that weekend. Columbia, Marietta and Wrightsville will each have a walking event and Columbia will have a biking event. A chance to get lots of stamps in your books. All the events will start at the Columbia Crossing River Trails Center in Columbia PA. The bike will be 15K to 25K rated 1B. Penn Dutch Pacers will host the Columbia trail - there will be a 5K and 10K rated 1A. We will host the Marietta trail - there will be a 5K and 10K rated 1A. And York White Rose Wanderers will host the Wrightsville trail - a 5K and 10K rated 1A. There will be a 3 separate A award patches, one for each town. There will be more information later, but mark your calendar for a fun, long weekend. Please join us. Memberships are due! You can mail your dues to Mary Watts at 3848 Green St, Harrisburg PA Dues are still $ But if you renew at the Hershey Walkfest, you can save $2 and only pay $8.00. Either way, your membership helps the club and you will get a membership card that will entitle you to pay $.50 less for a Susquehanna Rovers event. You can use the card five times in a year. If you mail them early or pay at Hershey, you will save the Membership Chair aka Mary Watts time and the club money, when she doesn't have to mail you a reminder card. PA State Parks and Forest Challenge Keystone State Volkssport Assn will again sponsor this challenge program to encourage participation in events in our State Parks and State Forests. 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 and bikes. You can get either the first time challenge book or the 2nd time challenge book on line at The list of qualifying State Parks and Forests for 2017 Year Round or Seasonal events are as follows: Shawnee State Park Ricketts Glen State Park Michaux State Forest 2 Snow Shoes and a walk Susquehannock State Park Presque Isle State Park Caledonia State Park walk and swim Mont Alto State Park Pine Grove Furnace State Park Cowan s Gap State Park Delaware Canal State Park in Morrisville and New Hope Little Buffalo State Park Cook Forest State Park walk and bike Tiadaghton State Forest walk and bike A couple of these are new for Access information about the State Parks and Forest Challenge at To find information about these walks, you can get our new KSVA Year Round and Seasonal Booklet at the Hershey Walkfest or go to

7 THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE ATLANTIC REGION CALENDAR of EVENTS From AVA.ORG as of November 1, 2016 November 11 W Leesburg VA Loudoun Walking & Volkssport Club W Front Royal VA (Warren Cty) VA Volkssport Assn W Savage MD (Savage Park) Columbia Volksmarch Club NW Gaithersburg MD (Moonlight Walk) Seneca Valley Sugarloafers W Darlington MD (Conowingo Dam) Baltimore Walking Club W Hershey PA (Holiday Walkfest) Susquehanna Rovers M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers December 3 W Alexandria VA (Barrett Library) Washington DC Areas Volksmarchers WS Williamsburg VA (Clarion Hotel) Peninsula Pathfinders W Ephrata PA (Holiday Walk) Penn Dutch Pacers W Annapolis MD (Lighted Boat Parade) Annapolis Amblers NW Columbia MD (Christmas Party) Columbia Volksmarch Club W Fredericksburg VA (Holiday Lights) Germanna Volkssport Assn W Alexandria VA (Holiday Walk) Northern VA Volksmarchers NW Baltimore MD (Christmas Lights) Baltimore Walking Club W Savage MD Freestate Happy Wanderers W Smithfield VA (Porcine Parade II) Gator Volksmarsch Club January 1 2W Savage MD Freestate Happy Wanderers W Smithfield VA (Porcine Parade II) Gator Volksmarsch Club W Hampton VA (Amer. Legion Post) VA Vagabonds W Cabin John MD Seneca Valley Sugarloafers M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers February 4-5 WS York PA (Athletic Club) York White Rose Wanderers M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers March 28 M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers April 1 W Gloucester VA (Daffodil Festival) Virginia Vagabonds W Amelia VA (JL Hamner Pub Lib) Lee Lepus Volksverband W Catonsville MD (St Paul Luth. Church) Columbia Volksmarch club W Charlottesville VA (Morven Farms) Cavalier Volkssporting Club W College Park MD (Airport) Great Greenbelt Volksmarchers W Williamsburg VA (Newtown walk) Peninsula Pathfinders of VA W Newark DE (White Clay State Park) Liberty Bell Wanderers W Rockville MD (Swim & Fitness Center) Seneca Valley Sugarloafers M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers W Columbia PA (Susq River Towns) Penn-Dutch Pacers B Columbia PA (Susq River Towns) Susquehanna Rovers W Marietta PA (Susq River Towns) Susquehanna Rovers W Wrightsville PA (Susq River Towns) York White Rose Wanderers W Laurel MD (Herb & Tea Festival Freestate Happy Wanderers Legend: W=Walk, GRP= Group Walk, GW=Guided Walk, NW=Night Walk, M=Meeting, S= Swim, B=Bike GB=Guided Bike

8 The Rover Reporter November - December 2016 Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 390 Old Quaker Road Etters PA Dated Materials

The Rover Reporter. Rover s Message. Inside this issue: Hello all,

The Rover Reporter. Rover s Message. Inside this issue: Hello all, The Rover Reporter The Newsletter of the Volksmarch Club 2017 Executive Officers President Sharon Miller 717-805-9540 millersd@ptd.net Vice Presidents Lester Miller 717-938-3488 millersd@ptd.net Bill Rhoat