Church news

Syrian troops advance in Aleppo amid war's heaviest bombing

<p>BLAKESLEE &#8212; Rounding a bend on the Highland Trail in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, a dozen hikers paused to admire a Norway Spruce decorated with glass ornaments.</p><p>It looked as if a previous passer-by, with a touch of whimsy, had decided a home Christmas tree should share its bounty with this brother in the woods.</p><p>&#8220;Look underneath, to see if there are any gifts,&#8221; John Bero, of Pocono Pines, said with a laugh.</p><p>While there weren&#8217;t any presents wrapped in paper and ribbons, the hikers, who accompanied leaders, Tina Fiorani and Charlene Wildes, on a recent North Branch Land Trust outing, considered the fresh air, the natural area&#8217;s 130 acres of permanently protected land, and the flowing water of Tobyhanna Creek all to be gifts.</p><p>&#8220;I&#8217;d like to come here again in the fall, and in the winter,&#8221; said Louise Edwards, of Sweet Valley, one of several hikers who removed her shoes and socks and splashed her feet in the creek, just above a rushing waterfall.</p><p>She is free to return. The Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, located one mile south of Blakeslee Corners on Route 115, is open year round for &#8220;passive recreation&#8221; such as hiking and picnicking.</p><p>Once the scene of Harrison Park and later, Toby Park, the area used to be a place where people could dance, swim, roller skate and ride hand-carved wooden horses on a carousel. A flood swept away the amusements in 1955, and now quiet trails lead through forested acres to a creek that anglers enjoy.</p><p>According to a plaque at the site, the 130-acre natural area was preserved by Tunkhannock and Tobyhanna townships and the Top of the Mountain Open Space Committee.</p><p>Members of the North Branch Land Trust approve; since 1995 the non-profit organization has similarly safeguarded more than 17,000 acres, primarily in the watershed of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, most often by accepting donations of the right to sub-divide or develop land.</p><p>The Land Trust also sponsors activities to give people new ways to appreciate the outdoors.</p><p>&#8220;We have a lot of people interested in nature, and we try to give them a chance to get together,&#8221; said Wildes, one of the hike leaders. &#8220;We try to have at least two activities a month.&#8221;</p><p>Upcoming North Branch Land Trust activities include:</p><p><strong>Taste the Local Harvest dinner,</strong> 5 to 9 p.m., Oct. 2, Huntsville Golf Club, Dallas, a chance to feast on the produce of area farmers, growers, vintners and brewmasters, with entertainment by the band Strawberry Jam. Tickets $50 adults, $15 children. Call 570-310-1781.</p><p><strong>Art in Nature Walk with Illustrated Journaling</strong>, 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 9 at Bear Creek Camp. Led by artist Deb Dick, participants will have a chance to explore the natural world and express themselves through writing and sketching in a journal. Event is free to members, $5 for non members. Call 570-696-5545 to register or register at nblt.org/events.</p><p><strong>Full Moon Hike,</strong> 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 16 at Bear Creek Camp. Led by Charlene Wildes, it includes a moderate, two-mile walk and a campfire with snacks. Call 570-310-1781 to register or register at nblt.org/events.</p><p><strong>Natural Creations Workshop,</strong> 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 6 at Bear Creek Preserve. Participants will use materials from the forest to create wreaths, table decorations, gift tags and more. Event is free to members, $10 for non members. Call 570-310-1781 to register or register at nblt.org/events.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_waterfall.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Hikers relax by a waterfall in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, a protected area near Blakeslee Corners in Monroe County. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_waterfall.jpg</photo0><caption0>Hikers relax by a waterfall in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area, a protected area near Blakeslee Corners in Monroe County. </caption0><photoCredit0>Mark Guydish | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_burl.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A burl, or unusual growth, on a tree captures the group&#8217;s attention. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_burl.jpg</photo1><caption1>A burl, or unusual growth, on a tree captures the group&#8217;s attention. </caption1><photoCredit1>Mark Guydish | Times Leader </photoCredit1></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_intothewoods.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">The hikers start down on a path that leads into the 130 protected acres in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo2>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_intothewoods.jpg</photo2><caption2>The hikers start down on a path that leads into the 130 protected acres in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area. </caption2><photoCredit2>Mark Guydish | Times Leader </photoCredit2></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_fatherdaughter.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Jim Wolfe and his daughter, Rebecca, admire Tobyhanna Creek in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo3>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_fatherdaughter.jpg</photo3><caption3>Jim Wolfe and his daughter, Rebecca, admire Tobyhanna Creek in the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area. </caption3><photoCredit3>Mark Guydish | Times Leader </photoCredit3></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_chrstmasball.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">A whimsical person or persons placed holiday ornaments on a Norway spruce in the Blakeslee Natural Area, giving it a festive, Christmasy appearance. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo4>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_chrstmasball.jpg</photo4><caption4>A whimsical person or persons placed holiday ornaments on a Norway spruce in the Blakeslee Natural Area, giving it a festive, Christmasy appearance. </caption4><photoCredit4>Mark Guydish | Times Leader </photoCredit4></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_ruth.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Hike participants take photos to record their experience at Tobyhanna Creek. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo5>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/web1_ruth.jpg</photo5><caption5>Hike participants take photos to record their experience at Tobyhanna Creek. </caption5><photoCredit5>Mark Guydish | Times Leader </photoCredit5></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta></subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p><strong>By Mary Therese Biebel</strong></p><p>mbiebel@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Mary Therese Biebel at 570-991-6109 or on Twitter @BiebelMT</p></shirttailMeta></div>

A visit to the Austin T. Blakeslee Natural Area in Blakeslee