Clinton Township Newsletter

2 4 f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 3 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Happy Valenne's Day! "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." ~ The 14th Dalai Lama "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace." ~ Jimi Hendrix HOMESCHOOL: MOON & OTHER FEATURES Wednesday, February 1, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Hoffman Park, ages 7 and up, $3 /child, accompanying adult attends for free. This night, we will use the telescope to look at objects beyond the solar system and then look at the closest object to us. Focus will be on the life of a star. We will view the famous Orion Nebula, the Pleiades Star Cluster, and other objects if time permits. We will then close the program by taking a close look at the Moon. FULL MOON HIKE AND CAMPFIRE Sunday, February 5, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, Teetertown Preserve, all ages, $5/person. The hush of a winter night, one of the most stunning times of the year. Come out and watch the sunset while going for a walk in the park. Take some time to reflect, while encompassed in the beautiful tranquility that surrounds you in winter. Find out what is happening in nature during this transition from day light to darkness. We will end with a campfire and some nighttime activities. SENIOR STROLL at Riverfield Section of the South Branch River Wednesday, February 8, 9:30 am to 11:00 am, adults, free! Take a deep relaxing breath as we visit the river and listen to what the lowlands are sharing. Settlers of these river lands harnessed this river's power! Parking is in the Clinton Health Campus of the Hunterdon Health and Wellness Center: pull in and turn right to the trailhead. Type of walking surface: flat, dirt path with some roots; sometimes it's very muddy so please take note to wear the appropriate footwear for the weather. TOT WALKS: ROCKS! Echo Hill, ages 2 to 3 with adult, each walk $5/child (adult free). Discover nature at your local park! Leave the strollers behind as we take a walk to learn about the nature around us. We will also do a story and craft (indoors) on the same theme. Please select Session A, B, C, or D for one or more themes. Session A: Wednesday February 8 9:30-10:30 am Session B: Wednesday February 8 11:00-12:00 pm Session C: Thursday February 9 9:30-10:30 am Session D: Thursday February 9 11:00-12:00 pm MAPLE SAP COLLECTION Saturday, February 11, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm, Echo Hill, Ages 6 through adult, $3/person. Collecting the sap is a crucial step of the maple sugaring process! Many methods are used on commercial farms, but the basic idea is the same, moving the sap from the maple trees to the stove. Come participate in the process at Echo Hill! We will meet at the playground and then walk to the sugar bush (a five- or ten-minute walk). This program will also be available to groups during weekdays in February—please call us to schedule a group. This program will also be available to groups during weekdays in February—please call us to schedule a group. FREE RECREATION WALKS: Wednesday, February 15, 9:30 am to 11:00 am, adults, free, Echo Hill. Meet Patrick Eckard at each location and he will introduce you to the beauty of the parks as he inspects the trail systems. He will tell you the history of each park as you get some fresh air and exercise. Then come back on your own to hike the trails at your leisure. These trails are easy to moderate hikes. CPR AND FIRST AID FOR THE COMMUNITY COURSE at ECHO HILL: Session B: Sunday, February 19. CPR 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and First Aid 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. Ages 12 - adult, CPR $30; First W H a t ' s H a p p e n i n g t H i s m o n t H a t H u n t e r d o n p a r k s a n d r e C r e a t i o n ? Hunterdon Parks & Recreation | County Arboretum, 1020 Highway 31, Lebanon, NJ 08833 www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/depts/parks/parks.htm | email: parks@co.hunterdon.nj.u Aid $30; or both for $55. If you have ever wanted to learn CPR and First Aid, this is the time. These courses are taught by an American Heart Association (AHA) instructor. You will learn Adult, Child, and Infant CPR, Choking, and First Aid, allowing you to help anyone of any age. This is not a course for health care personnel. Sign up for CPR and/or First Aid. Bring a lunch if you are doing both classes. ENDANGERED WILDLIFE OF NEW JERSEY WEBINAR Sunday, February 19, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Ages 8 through adult, free! OWLS OF HUNTERDON WEBINAR Wednesday, February 22, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, ages 8 through adult, free! GAIL'S BASKET PICK Thursday, February 23, 9:00 am to 4:30 pm, Echo Hill, adults, $25. Skill Level: Some basket making experience helpful. Make a handsome Easter Basket shaped basket. We will use round reed spokes woven with two sets of 3 rod wale chase, with one set being seagrass. We will cover how to make a wicker basket handle. EVENING WALK FOR SCREECH-OWLS Friday, February 24, 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm, Sunnyside Section of the South Branch, ages: 12 through adult, $3/person. February is the time for owls. This nighttime walk will focus on owling etiquette. During this walk, Tom will attempt to call to Eastern Screech-Owls for a response. Depending on the assumed distance, he will try to draw one in for viewing. The group is not permitted to bring flashlights or headlamps. The trail at Sunnyside is wide and flat and Tom will provide red lights for the limited walking that will be done for the program. WALK FOR WATERFOWL Sunday, February 26, 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm, Wings section of South Branch, adults, $3/person. Wood ducks arrive in Hunterdon at the beginning of March to raise their young. Join Debra Reed to learn about these ducks, and other waterfowl that frequent the area. While walking along the river we will examine and prepare their nesting boxes for the soon-approaching mating season. Perhaps, if we are lucky, we will spot an early migrant to the area. Binoculars are available to borrow. MAPLE SUGARING LIVING HISTORY PROGRAM Saturday, March 18, Sessions run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, All Ages, Free, Echo Hill. Experience first-hand the North American tradition of maple sugaring at Hunterdon County's Maple Sugaring Program. You'll take a trip through time to experience the art of the sugaring process. Along the way you will see an early American Frontiersman taping his trees, visit a sugar "farmer" at his evaporator, and enjoy a Native American story about the discovery of maple sap. Collecting the sap is a crucial step of the maple sugaring process! Many methods are used on commercial farms, but the basic idea is the same, moving the sap from the maple trees to the stove. Come participate in the process at Echo Hill! We will meet at the playground and then walk to the sugar bush (a five- or ten-minute walk). This program will also be available to groups during weekdays in February—please call us to schedule a group. GROUP PROGRAMS are available! Contact us by calling: 908.782.1158 or emailing: parks@co.hunterdon.nj.us if you're interested in booking a program.

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