Join Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman on this hike to Raccoon Ridge, a spectacular mountain-top lookout along the Appalachian Trail in N.J.  Participants will observe the hawk migration while enjoying a nearly 360 degree view from this stunning perch high above the Delaware River.  Meet at MCEEC at 8:30am and return at 5:30pm.  Cost: $20/non-member, $14/EE Center member and includes van transportation.  Pre-registration and payment are required and limited.  Refunds will be given only if notification is made at least one week in advance.  Access to Raccoon Ridge involves a challenging, strenuous, and rocky uphill hike of 1.5 miles to the lookout.  Binoculars, food, water, camera, sturdy hiking shoes, and warm layered clothing is recommended.

To pre-register for the program, please call the Center at (570) 629-3061, Monday – Friday from 8am to 4:30pm and most Saturdays from 9am to 1pm. For more information on other programs we offer visit our website at mcconservation.org.
Directions to Monroe County Environmental Education Center: From Stroudsburg (or Exit 302 from I-80 West or 302B from I-80 East) go North on Route 611, travel half mile to the 2nd traffic light in Bartonsville, and turn left onto Rimrock Drive.  Follow Rimrock Drive for 0.4 mile, bear right onto North Easton-Belmont Pike, go 0.2 mile, then bear right onto Running Valley Road.  The Center is 0.7 mile on left.

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Shawnee on Delaware, PA With the picturesque mountain as a backdrop during prime fall foliage time, the Autumn Timber Festival offers a weekend full of family friendly entertainment, music, food and festivities.  Featured entertainment is the 2011 Timber Team Ironjack Shows.  Each 40 minute show thrills spectators with both demonstration and competition as World Class Lumberjacks pole climb, log roll, chop, saw and chainsaw.  A colorful announcer combines folk lore, comedy and history into each show to encourage a rowdy frontier spirit.  Three shows will be performed daily.

New for 2011, come see the high flying Ultimate Air Dogs, one of the premier canine dock jumping events in the country. Milt Wilcox, the former Detroit Tiger Pitcher famous for winning the 1984 World Series, is the Ultimate Air Dog’s president and main announcer.

On stage live musical entertainment will be provided Saturday and Sunday by The Cramer Brothers, a country show band with six multi-talented musicians performing contemporary country, classic country and Blue Grass.  The Lost Ramblers, will stroll the festival grounds both Saturday and Sunday playing high energy Appalachian music that runs the gamut from bluegrass to gospel, swing and old time music in three part harmonies.

Festival Americana and novelty entertainers include David Feimster’s “Sue Wee” Pig Racing, Magician Stephen Christopher’s Traveling Medicine Show, Paul Bunyon Stilt Walker, “Pie Man” the Living Statue, and balloon art by Aardvark Entertainment.  Several Chainsaw Carvers will demonstrate and display chainsaw sculptures throughout the weekend.

Along with dozens of specialty food vendors, beverages will be available outdoors as well as indoors in the EZ Bumpps Saloon.   The indoor Hope Lodge Café will also be open during the festival.

Autumn Timber Festival hours are 11AM to 6PM on both Saturday and Sunday.  Advance discount tickets are available online at www.shawneemt.com- $12 Adult, $10 Child for either Saturday or Sunday.  Toddlers 4 and under are admitted FREE.  Group rates for 15 or more and Festival Lodging packages are also available online at www.shawneemt.com.

For a spectacular view of the Pocono fall foliage, Scenic Chairlift Rides on Shawnee Mountain’s new Tomahawk Express Quad Lift will be available from noon to 4pm each day at an additional cost of $8 Adult and $6 for children (minimum height 48 inches).

Shawnee Mountain is located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania just off Exit 309 of Interstate 80.  General information call 570-421-7231.  For lodging information, call 800-SHAWNEE (Shawnee Inn), or 800-POCONOS (visitor’s bureau).  Or visit Shawnee Mountain on-line at www.shawneemt.com.

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Friday, September 30 at 5 pm to Saturday, October 1 at 5 pm. The Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt is back. This 24-hour birding adventure pits teams in competition for the coveted Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt Trophy. Think of it as a scavenger hunt for birds. Each bird species is given a weighted point value, the rarer the bird the greater its worth. The team with the highest point total wins.  The event begins at 5pm on Friday evening and ends at the District’s EE Center on the grounds of the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary in Bartonsville Saturday evening at 5pm. Tally sheets are then scored and the winning team is announced. Participants will enjoy sharing stories of their adventures over pizza and refreshments while scoring is being conducted. For a copy of the official Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt rules and registration information contact the EE Center. Cost: $15/team member. All participating team members will receive an official Great Monroe County Snipe Hunt license. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 28.

For more information or to pre-register for the program, please call the Center at (570) 629-3061, Monday – Friday from 8am to 4:30pm, and most Saturdays 9am- 1pm.  For more information on other programs we offer visit our website at mcconservation.org.

Directions to Monroe County Environmental Education Center: From Stroudsburg (or Exit 302 from I-80 West or 302B from I-80 East) go N. on Rte. 611, travel half mile to the second traffic light in Bartonsville, and turn left onto Rimrock Dr.  Follow Rimrock Dr. for 0.4 mile, bear right onto N. Easton-Belmont Pike, go 0.2 mile, then bear right onto Running Valley Road.  The Center is 0.7 mile on left.

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