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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 September - October 2016 Edition Rover s Message Hi All, Once again I am on the go! Narah and I are on an Amtrak train to Connecticut to see my son, Mark and his family. Kate will be heading back to California to start her second year of college and Weston is still looking for colleges to attend next year. I am so anxious for this heat to leave so that I can get out walking again as I am behind in my walking goal for this year. Although I have done some trips abroad and did a lot of long distance walks, the event stamps have been slow to mount up. In May I went to the Europiade in Kitzbuhel, Austria. On our way to that event, we met in Bled, Slovenia and toured that country before traveling to a quaint village in southeastern Switzerland, then to Tyrol, Italy. Then we arrived in Austria. Those walks were the toughest I ever did. Only hoped that I would survive them. The Saturday walk was to be 19k. We took two gondola rides to get to the top of the Mountain. Then we proceeded to walk up and down the peaks on mountain goat trails, through snow, mud and rocks. Then we spent hours walking down the mountain and had to lean back in to the mountain to keep your balance. Went through 4 bottles water and never found any water at the checkpoints. Ended up spending the day walking and did at least 26k. My Fitbit said I did 183 floors both Friday and Saturday. They were done on top of the mountain! Absolutely not a part of the trip I want to repeat. After that we went to Germany and did a walk, toured Hitler s Eagle Nest and visited Lake Chemise, toured the Island of Man where there is a partially finished replica of Versailles, and the Island of Woman where there is a nunnery still in existence. In mid-july I flew to the Netherlands to do Nijmegen. The granddaddy of walks. This was the 100th Anniversary of the world s largest 4-day walk. Since I am over 60, I only had to do 30k each of the 4 days. This was another one of my experiences of a lifetime. Somehow I just keep having them. We started the week long celebration with an opening parade. There were about 2000 people that marched in the parade. Lots of spectators cheering as we marched past them. That was the tenor for the week. Each day that we walked we were cheered on as we walked thru the villages. The people would be out handing out snacks, spraying you with water, filling containers so that you could soak your towel for the back of your neck. Offering you a chair to rest. Never imagined anything like this. 50,000 people started the walk and about 5,000 dropped out, especially the first two days as it was very hot. I learned a lot about my body. For someone that doesn t eat much salt or sugar, I certainly learned that I needed both those things to do a long walk in the heat. This was good training for my trip to Asia in November. Once again it will be hot, but only need to do 20k. Don t forget our October 8 and 9 walk at the Carlisle Barracks Octoberfest at the Army Heritage Education Center. Then our 29th Hershey Walkfest November 25 and 26. Keep walking and I look forward to seeing you all on the trails! Best wishes, Sharon Miller Inside this issue: Meeting Times, 20/10 Challenge Program, Awards, AVA Conv 2017 Page 2 Carlisle Oktoberfest Page 3 Punxsutawney, HB&B Trail, Picture from Philly Page 4 Bike Events, Things you see on a Volksmarch, Ellicott City YR Page 5 PA State Parks and Forest Program, Fall Foliage Weekend Page 6 Schedule of Events Page 7

PAGE 2 THE ROVER REPORTER 20/10 Challenge - 2016 This is the fifth year for this Keystone State Volkssport Association to sponsor this special challenge for participating in our state s events.

2 PAGE 2 THE ROVER REPORTER 20/10 Challenge This is the fifth year for this Keystone State Volkssport Association to sponsor this special challenge for participating in our state s events. You still have plenty of time to complete this challenge for the 2016 Award Pin before the end of the year. The challenge is quite simple, all you have to do is participate in 20 events right here in Pennsylvania. No flying involved, just drive to your nearest club event and walk, snowshoe, bike or swim. You can do the same event 20 times or do 20 different events; you can do all of your clubs year rounds and traditional events or mix it up and do events from every club. You don t even have to stamp the book, you just need to fill in the date, location, and sponsoring club. Any Pennsylvania event you have done this year can be entered in the booklet for credit. At this point you are probably already done or half way done with completing this challenge. You just need to fill out the booklet and turn it in to the POC. Children and Volksmarchers from other states, only need to do 10 events in Pennsylvania. Acting like a child does not count, a child is considered age 12 and under. Also moving, so you don t have to complete as many events, will be considered cheating. However, we gladly welcome existing residents in our neighboring states to participate in this challenge. The challenge booklet is free. You can use the one on the back cover of the PA Year Round and Seasonal Event book; download one from the KSVA web site. or the POC for one. When you have completed the challenge, you have two options to turn in your booklet to receive the award pin. You can mail your completed booklet to the POC with $5.00 or you can turn it in with $4.00 at any of the upcoming traditional events in September and October. The POC is planning to attend most of them or have the pins available at them. The POC is Marcy Lucas, 870 Bucks Valley Rd, Newport PA or lucas_mj@hotmail.com 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: September 27, 2016 October 25, 2016 November 29, 2016 Events 225 Richard Little 325 Timothy Krow 375 Cookie Little 1150 Lester Miller 2800 Sharon Miller Distance 3000 Timothy Krow 3500 Joyce Krow 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.

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 3 Carlisle Barracks Oktoberfest and Army Heritage Education Center Volksmarch Carlisle PA Cumberland County October 8-9, 2016 10K or 5K Trail Trail Ratings: 2A Sanction

10K only: National Register of Historic Places, Water Towers, Walk the US Street by Street, and You ll Never Walk Alone Start/Finish: Army Heritage Education Center (AHEC) at 950 Soldiers Drive,

Eligibility: Everyone is welcome to participate. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

3 THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 3 Carlisle Barracks Oktoberfest and Army Heritage Education Center Volksmarch Carlisle PA Cumberland County October 8-9, K or 5K Trail Trail Ratings: 2A Sanction AT16/ Special Programs - Both trails: Civil War Battlefields, Honoring Our Flag, Trekking with Trees. 10K only: National Register of Historic Places, Water Towers, Walk the US Street by Street, and You ll Never Walk Alone Start/Finish: Army Heritage Education Center (AHEC) at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle, PA There is plenty of free parking. Look for the Volksmarch sign and table. We will be close to the music. Start Time: 8 am to 1 pm Finish Time: All walkers must finish by 4 pm. Eligibility: Everyone is welcome to participate. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Trail: The walk passes through the Army Heritage Trail, around the Carlisle Barracks Golf Course and enters the Carlisle Barracks where it passes numerous historic sites, and view the back of the Wilson Grist Mill. The walk is on sidewalks, paved and natural surfaces and is suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. The 5K trail does not enter the Barracks. The 10K trail may change depending on regulations at the Carlisle Barracks at the time of the event. Both strollers and wheelchairs can manage the trail. Fee/Award: This event is Free to those who wish to participate without IVV credit. IVV Credit is $3.00. (Children 12 and under will not be charged to receive IVV Credit.) The fee is $4.00 for the B award and IVV Credit. The B award is a 4 x4 fully embroidered patch of the Wilson Grist Mill. There are only 10 awards and there will be no reorders. There will be no refunds. Conditions: All 10K walkers, age 15 and above, must have a government issued, photo ID to enter the military installation (School IDs are acceptable forms of ID for children). No littering along the trail. Pets are permitted but must be leashed at all times. Restrooms are available at the Start/Finish and along the trail. Water and hard candy will be available at the Start/ Finish and the checkpoint. The event is held rain or shine. Food: Food service will be provided for a fee at the Oktoberfest by several vendors. Additional Information: call Pat Eby or her at patriciaeby@verizon.net, 19 N 27th St, Camp Hill PA Oktoberfest: This event starts at the Army Heritage Education Center. There will be carnival rides, games - food stuffing, barrel tossing, wife carrying etc, live music, food, drink, beer and wine garden, craft show, living history re-enactors on history of US Army, and the museum will be open. On Sunday there will also be a Zombie run. Directions from Harrisburg: Go southwest on I-81 to Exit 49. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto Trindle Road. At next stoplight, turn left onto Army Heritage Drive. You will cross over I-81, USAHEC/USAMHI is located on the left side of the road. If you proceed to the railroad tracks, you have gone too far. In other words, come for the Volksmarch and stay to enjoy the festival!

PAGE 4 THE ROVER REPORTER Punxsutawney Seasonal Walk The seasonal event in Punxsutawney will be closing October 30, of this year. Fall is a beautiful time of the year in Western Pennsylvania.

If not, do not worry; the Susquehanna Rovers have sanctioned this event in 2017 as a year round event with a bike distance too.

4 PAGE 4 THE ROVER REPORTER Punxsutawney Seasonal Walk The seasonal event in Punxsutawney will be closing October 30, of this year. Fall is a beautiful time of the year in Western Pennsylvania. Maybe plan a day in Punxsutawney before or after the Fall Foliage Weekend (Sept 23-25) in State College. If not, do not worry; the Susquehanna Rovers have sanctioned this event in 2017 as a year round event with a bike distance too. The walk event will qualify for the new Underground Railroad AVA special program and the bike event will qualify for the new Ice Cream Parlors AVA special program. The walk starts at the Mahoning East Civic Center, the Police Dispatch Foyer, 301 East Mahoning Street, Punxsutawney PA There are three options for your walking pleasure - 5K trail will be on uneven sidewalks through town; 10K trail will be through town with a moderate hill up to Gobbler s Knob; 15K trail will follow parts of the Mahoning Shadow Rail Trail with a paved surface and crushed limestone surface. The ratings are 1A for the 5K and 2B for the 10K or 15K. There is a Weather Discovery Center at 201 N Finley Street and the Historical Society at 401 West Mahoning Street that are well worth the time to visit. Marcy Lucas is the point of contact lucas_mj@hotmail.com New Seasonal Walk Penn Mary Walkers have started a new 5K or 10K seasonal walk on the HB & T Rail Trail. It is rated 1B. It is open until Dec. 31st. The trail is composed of fine crushed gravel and less that a 3 percent grade on the whole trail. It is very easy for strollers or bicycles. The Registration area is the Kontry Kettle Restaurant, 2841 Raystown Rd, Hopewell PA Start by 7 am and finish by 8 pm. It will be open again next year. Special Programs are Bridges and Lakes and Reservoirs. Point of Contact is Sarah Garcia, 1723 Lutzville Rd, Everett PA sarahgrc@yahoo.com This club also hosts two other Year Round Events nearby: Bedford - Shawnee State Park and Ft Loudon - Cowan's Gap State Park. Group Walk in Philly Liberty Bell Wanderers hosted a group walk to find and count some of the fiberglass donkeys that were gracing Philly this summer. There were abut 24 brave souls in the scorching heat. Diane and Ed Sandnes went with me to join the search. We found 37 of them. It was great fun to find them. This one was at the historic City Tavern. There were 57 of them around town. We also found the best ice cream in Philly. Just ask us. Susquehanna Rover s greeted by the town Mayor at the Punxsutawney start point. Pictured L to R: Marcy Lucas, Louise Clouser, Alice Eckardt, Cookie Little, Mayor Richard Alexander, & Pat Eby

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 5 Things you see on a volksmarch! This sign was on a row house wall in Lebanon. Thought it was interesting, then saw the smaller sign on the steps of the same house.

A route using Residential Streets one-mile North of downtown Ellicott City is available as an alternative.

Bike Events There were two lawn chairs on the porch and a small cooler. It was touching. Great news on a hot summer day. Hershey Walkfest November 25 and 26. Please come.

5 THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 5 Things you see on a volksmarch! This sign was on a row house wall in Lebanon. Thought it was interesting, then saw the smaller sign on the steps of the same house. Ellicott City MD Year Round DUE to the DEVASTATING FLOODING of July 30, 0216, the original Ellicott City Walk which used Main Street WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE FORESEE- ABLE FUTURE. A route using Residential Streets one-mile North of downtown Ellicott City is available as an alternative. From the Registration Point at the Roger Carter Center, you need to drive approximately one-mile to the Walk Start Point. This information will be on the directions. Bike Events There were two lawn chairs on the porch and a small cooler. It was touching. Great news on a hot summer day. Hershey Walkfest November 25 and 26. Please come. Sat/Sun Oct Rehoboth Beach Sea Witch Festival, DE sponsored by the First State Webfooters. The Guided Bike events are group bike rides with one guide in front and another in the rear. The guides will stay with you no matter how slow you are. Afterwards, we usually have lunch together. A Guided Bike event will be sanctioned on Saturday September 17, in Burke VA and one on Thursday, September 22, in Damascus, VA on the Virginia Creeper Trail. This event is scheduled to accommodate a group from the Asheville Amblers. We will probably also sanction another Guided Bike event on Friday, September 23 on the New River Trail just south of Wytheville, VA. November 11,The Loudon Walking & Volkssport Club is sponsoring a traditional volkswalk in Leesburg, VA on Veterans Day, Friday,. The walk has a late start. I plan to organize a group bike ride on the W&OD Trail in the morning prior to the walk. The Guided Bike concept is being tested by the AVA National Executive Committee. In addition to what we are doing in the Atlantic Region, there are Guided Bike events in 2016 in Texas and Iowa. The seasonal bike event in Ansonia Tioga State Forest, PA on the Pine Creek Trail will not be renewed for It will be replaced by another seasonal bike event on the Pine Creek Trail to the south in Tiadaghton State Forest. The entire Pine Creek Trail is currently sanctioned as an Extended Distance Bike Event so this change will really not make much difference. There will also be a bike at Punxsutawney For more information contact Tom Jackson thomasjackson@embarqmail.com

PAGE 6 THE ROVER REPORTER Fall Foliage Weekend in State College September 23 to 25, 2016 Nittany Nomads are hosting 4 walking events in September. Penn State Campus Walk that goes by the Creamery.

The Award is a 1 hat which is inspired by an ice cream cone. There are only 100 pins available. Award and credit will be $7.00. Credit only is $3 and you may walk for free.

the 24th from 5 to 6 pm at the hotel. Cost is $10 per person and space is limited. Send money to Harvey Holter, Foxdale Village, 500 Marylyn Ave, Cottage #H120, State College, PA 16803.

6 PAGE 6 THE ROVER REPORTER Fall Foliage Weekend in State College September 23 to 25, 2016 Nittany Nomads are hosting 4 walking events in September. Penn State Campus Walk that goes by the Creamery. State College West Walk that goes through Foxdale Village. The other two walks you must drive to after registering - Boalsburg and Bellefonte. All trails will have a 5K or 10K length. The Award is a 1 hat which is inspired by an ice cream cone. There are only 100 pins available. Award and credit will be $7.00. Credit only is $3 and you may walk for free. The Super 8 State College is the registration point. Just as it is for the three year rounds. Nice place to stay. Just come for a day or for the weekend. Join the Nomads for a Meet and Greet on Sat. the 24th from 5 to 6 pm at the hotel. Cost is $10 per person and space is limited. Send money to Harvey Holter, Foxdale Village, 500 Marylyn Ave, Cottage #H120, State College, PA This is a fun event that should not be missed. For more info: Bob Shepherd or tadpoleroad@comcast.net Look for new club in PA - Chester County Red Rovers. 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 22 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 and a bike. You can get either the first time challenge book or the 2nd time challenge book on line at Get started is here! On the left is the Completion Patch for walking 10 state parks in the State Parks and Forests Challenge Program. On the right is the Completion Patch for completing the 2nd time Challenge Program. The Rovers State Park is Little Buffalo State Park which 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 August 17, 2016 September 3 W Dublin VA (Pulaski Cty) Virginia Volkssport Assn W Buchanan VA (Botetourt Cty) Virginia Volkssport Assn W Huddleston VA (Bedford Cty) Virginia Volkssport Assn W Kennett Square PA (Mushroom Fest) Liberty Bell Wanderers GB Burke VA York White Rose Wanderers W Burke VA (Oktoberfest) Northern VA Volksmarchers W Newmanstown PA (Camp Mack) Penn-Dutch Pacers W Princeton NJ (1st Bldg, Campus) Princeton Area Walkers GB Damascus VA (VA Creeper Trail) York White Rose Wanderers W State College PA (Fall Walks) Nittany Nomads W Lovettsville VA (Oktoberfest) Loudoun Walking & Volkssport Club W Annapolis MD (West A. Octoberfest) Annapolis Amblers NW Alexandria VA Washington DC Area Volksmarch Club M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers October 1 W Frederick MD (Fairgrounds) Seneca Valley Sugarloafers W Ft Belvoir VA (Oktoberfest) Ft Belvoir DFMWR W Boyce VA (Blandy Exper. Farm) Loudoun Walking & Volkssport Club w Victoria VA (Railroad Park) Lee Lupus Volksverband W Carlisle PA (Barracks Oktoberfest) Susquehanna Rovers W Virginia Beach VA (Waterman Grille) Gator Volksmarsch Club WS Arlington VA FreedomWalk Fest U Freedom Walk Festival Club W Havre de Grace MD (Octoberfest) Baltimore Walking Club W Manassas Park VA (Signal Hill Pk) Wood & Dale Wanderers M Harrisburg PA (6 pm BassPro) Susquehanna Rovers W Virginia Beach VA (Spooky Stroll) Gator Volksmarsch Club WB Rehoboth Beach DE (Sea Witch) First State Webfooters November 6 W Natural Bridge VA (NB Park) Canterbury Trails 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 Alexandria VA Northern VA Volksmarchers W Savage MD Freestate Happy Wanderers W Smithfield VA Gator Volksmarsch Club January 1 2W Savage MD Freestate Happy Wanderers W Smithfield VA 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 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 September - October 2016 Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 390 Old Quaker Road Etters PA Dated Materials

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

The Rover Reporter. Rover s Message. Inside this issue: The Rover Reporter The Newsletter of the Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 2016 Executive Officers President Sharon Miller 717-805-9540 millersd@ptd.net Vice Presidents Lester Miller 717-938-3488 millersd@ptd.net