The Newsletter of the Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club

Pesident’s Message

October - November - December Edition

Meeting Times, Walkfest , Awards, New Member, Convention Page 2

Fall Foliage Festival Report, Punxsutawney Bus Trip Page 3

Hershey Walkfest Page 4

Rovers Info, Connections Page 5

Red Roof Inn Info, News from Region, Raccoon Creek State Park, Page 6

Schedule of Events Page 7

Inside this issue:

The Rover Reporter

2018 Executive Officers

President Sharon Miller 717-805-9540 millersd@ptd.net Vice Presidents Lester Miller 717-938-3488 millersd@ptd.net Bill Rhoat rhtpr@aol.com Marcy Lucas lucas_mj@hotmail.com Secretary Regina Zapotosky 717-939-2077 rmzapoto@aol.com Treasurer Gloria Grabenstein 717-652-1607

Executive Committee Members

After Action Pat Eby 717-379-8945 Map Maker Lester Miller 717-938-3488 Membership Mary Watts 717-234-7765 Newsletter Pat Eby patriciaeby@verizon.net Publicity Kimberly Rowe kimberly@1moresale.com Sales Manager Amy Trommer 717-991-5232 Trailmasters Lester Miller 717-938-3488 Bill Rhoat 717-733-6915 Volunteer Coordinator Vacant Webmaster Regina Zapotosky 717-939-2077

Hi everyone, Hope you all have been getting in some walks in the heat and rain. I traveled to Lithuania and Finland in August to do the IML’s there. It is always cool there. Yeah right. Not in 2018. It was a great experience visiting these countries. I had never been to Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia. To learn what the people went through when under communist rule is something I cannot get out of my mind. Met wonderful people. After the Lithuania IML we took a ferry boat to Finland. I think that was the first time I was ever on such a big ferry boat. Then we got on a train for a trip across Finland to Vassa for the Finnish IML that weekend. It was a great train ride, we didn’t have to worry about missing our stop in either direction. Vassa was the end of the line going out and we rode the train back to Helsinki and that was the end of that train trip. We stayed in Helsinki for several days and then got a train to the airport for our flights home. This was my first trip to Finland. The people were great. November 23 and 24, 2018. Please join us for our last weekend in the Hershey Rec Center as we know it. We understand it will be redone starting in March, 2019. Also, Hershey Park is embarking on a large construction project to finish sometime in 2020. Our first year for the walks in Hershey on Thanksgiving weekend was 1987. It has been a long tradition and has had many changes. Our signature walk to Candy Lane is the one that has gone thru the most changes the last couple years. It is not easy to get there by foot anymore. Please sign up to help and if possible, bring any baked goods you would like to share for us to sell. To volunteer to help, contact Cookie Little at (717) 567-6815 or email her at thistle4@comcast.net April 26, 27, and 28, 2019. Join the Rovers, Wanderers and Pacers for their Third Annual Susquehanna Rivertowns Weekend. June 1 and 2, 2019, a walk at HACC in conjunction with the Harrisburg Greenbelt Tour de Belt. More info to come.

Hope to see you on the trail.

Sharon

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 2

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 Office Conference Room on the second floor. Ask at the gun counter how to find it. Everyone is welcome to attend! The next meetings will be:

November 27, 2018 None in December January 29, 2019

Events Distance

2019 Seabreeze Walking Festival

Ocean Shores, WA Feb 16 - Feb 18

6 walks, 1 bike, plus 2 year round walks Group Walks daily

Saturday Night Social: Irish Music by The Burren Band Capitol Volkssport Club

www.capitolvolkssportclub.org

New Redemption Address!

AVA Special Programs: Take a Walk in a City Park

Make a Wish at a Water Fountain United State Post Offices Send completed books to:

Suzi Bentley, 1104 SE Alta Lane, Lawton OK 73501

Albany NY June 9-16, 2019

Hotel Reservations are now being accepted

Rd Lion Hotel Albany $109 plus tax per night

Includes Continental Breakfast No coffee pots in rooms.

1-844-248-7467

Details and forms are on ava.org/conv

900 Jane Snurr

1300 Lester Miller

3100 Sharon Miller

11,000K Betty Jo McCoy

Congrats to all!

New Member

Heather Jones of Enola

Welcome!

Hershey Walkfest Reminders

Please volunteer to help - Call Cookie Little at 717-275-5932 or email her at thistle4@comcast.net.

If you are coming on Friday, please bring snacks or baked goods for us to sell. This is where we make the most money for the club.

We will not be selling hot dogs or soup either day.

Give a special thanks to Sharon and Lester Miller for doing all of the hard work for this event and many years of events at Hershey.

As Sharon mentioned in her letter, we may be the last time that we hold this event. So if you can, please come.

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 3

Punxsutawney Year Round

The Start Point for this event has moved to Shop-n-Save, 201 Hampton Ave, Punxsutawney PA 15767. It is only a block and a few steps away from the former start point.

If you are looking for the box - enter the store and then go thru the first set of doors to leave the store and the box is under the Gum Ball machines before you go outside. The stamp is the lid of the box.

Marcy Lucas Met Bus at Punxsutawney

The Wandering Wheels from Ohio brought 41 people to walk the 5K historic portion of our Punxsutawney event. Besides seeing the Phantastic Phil statues, they had a chance to visit with the real Phil. The weather was cool and the rain held off until they left. It was an enjoyable day.

2018 Fall Foliage

Festival State College PA

Report

Sponsored by the Keystone State Volkssport Assn.

A whole crew of people led by Tom and Lorraine Jackson came up with 4 new trails for this event. Sorry if I miss someone-Dave Brown, Pat Graeber, and Ellie Kuntz. Pat and Fred Welch gave them some ideas for the Pearls walks We thank them all so very much!

Town & Gown Trail - This walk had 86 walkers.

Stone Valley Trail - This walk had 63 walkers. It was muddy.

State College North - This walk had 82 walkers.

Pearls of Penns Valley - This was everyone’s favorite. Some did as little as 3K and other did all 21K that was offered. It had 93 walkers

Socials - Pizza party & famous Meet ‘n Greet had about 84 people attending each night. Lots of fun and lots of food.

The Rovers also sponsor two year rounds in State College, one on campus and at the Arboretum and one in nearby Boalsburg. We had many walkers do these walks too.

Our club’s job at the event was to get volunteers to work the start finish. Thanks to: Jim Reedy, Rich Bergstrausser, Ellie Kuntz, Marcy Lucas, Bill Ridge, Nancy and Joyce Deibert, Ray and Gloria Rudacille, Joyce Krow, Tom D'Aprile, Alice Eckardt, Amy Trommer, Cookie Little, Jim and Pam Copenhaver, Pat Eby, Gene Geyer, Todd Allen and Bill Rhoat.

Special Thanks to

Sharon Miller

For all of your work as President and

event coordinator for the

Susquehanna Rovers.

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 4

Recreation Center.

Award and Fees: The award is a 1 inch hat pin shown on the next page. This is the actual size. The award may be earned by completing any of the 4 events. 100 awards will be ordered. There will be no reorder. Registration will be $7.00 for award and one IVV credit. 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 the $3.00 fee, courtesy of the Rovers. 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 www.christmasinhershey.com. 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 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. There are no hot foods this year.

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. Procedures: AVA policy requires that every participant, fee or non-fee, sign the insurance waiver and obtain a numbered start card which is stamped at control points along the course. At the Finish, the validated card is turned in and IVV books are stamped for official credit, if the credit fee has been paid. We need to know that everyone is safely off the trail. The trail may be walked a second time on the same day using the same start card at no additional cost.

Disclaimer: The American Volkssport Association or its subsidiary clubs are not responsible for theft or loss of personal belongings or property. The sponsor is not liable for accidents and/or material damage. Reasonable efforts will be made by the sponsor to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.

Contact Person: Sharon Miller, 717-805-9540 millersd@ptd.net. www.avaclubs.org/SRVC Accommodations: The Sleep Inn and Suites, 631 Eisenhower Blvd, Harrisburg PA 17111. Call 717-564-8888, ask for Susquehanna Rovers Group Rate of $79 for up to 4 people in a room with a deluxe continental breakfast. There Is a limited number of rooms so reserve early. Call before Nov. 10, 2018 for group rates. These rates are good for Friday and Saturday nights only. Notice some brochures went out with the wrong date. The event is Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th.

Susquehanna Rovers Presents

Hershey Walkfest - 2018 November 23 & 24, 2018

Hershey, PA Dauphin County

Four walks are available for your walking pleasure! Candylane Trail AT18/110874 10K or 7K rated 1A South Hershey Trail AT18/110871 22/20K, 10K or 5K rated 1A Three Subway Trail AT18/110873 10K or 5K rated 1A Hummelstown Trail AT18/110876 10k or 5K rated 1A Start Point: Hershey Recreation Center, 605 Cocoa Avenue (Route 743), Hershey PA 17033 Start Times for both Friday and Saturday and for all walks: Start between 8 am and 1:30 pm, finish by 4:30 pm. Trails: The Candylane Trail consists mostly of sidewalks and paved walkways with some roadside walking. The Hershey 3 Subway, 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.

Candylane Trail Hershey is the “Sweetest Place on Earth” or “Chocolate Town USA”. Candylane is the name that Hersheypark uses for the Christmas Holidays. It will be decked out in its holiday finest with thousands of lights. Close by is Chocolate World where you can take a free virtual tour of how cocoa beans turn into delicious Hershey chocolate, Zoo America (fee) and the Hershey Story Museum (fee). This trail was new last year.

Our South Trail goes to the quiet neighborhood areas and close to the massive Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

Hershey 3 Subway Trail was a new trail last year that takes you through downtown Hershey and passes the hedge “Hershey” sign, the three smokestacks and navigates the three subways under the busy streets and railroad.

Hummelstown is a small town a few 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

THE ROVER REPORTER

Rovers

Sharon Miller’s term is up the end of December. If you or you know someone who would hold this position, please contact: Marcy Lucas. Bill Rhoat has accepted this position for the next two years. He has been a vice president for several years.

The success of the Rovers -

Some want it to happen

Some wish it would happen

Some make it happen

Which are you?

I had some thoughts as I attended the Fall Foliage Weekend Event in State College last weekend. It reminded me as to why I originally started volksmarching: adventure, learning, meeting new people with the same hobby, and exercise. Also when I started walking and not knowing anyone and walking alone, I felt safe participating by myself. Very important!

This weekend, all the walkers were happy to be there and to be going on an adventure. The Super 8 was clean and reasonable ($53.00 a night). Many people worked very hard to develop new trails for the walkers pleasure. Many walkers went to Trader Joe’s and other stores that were not in their home area. Many also walked the one or all of the three year round events that start at the Super 8.

There was a pizza meal for $5 that over 80 enjoyed. There were lots of gabbing and laughs with pizza left over for the workers for lunch the next day. Saturday night there was a meet and greet for $10 with hoagies, salad, veggies, fruit and sodas. This night there were again door prizes. Eleanor Garcia was the one that took the prizes to the winners. She was the only one small enough to fit through the space between the tables. Again there were left overs for the workers the next day.

But the biggest thing was the socializing. Traditional events are wonderful for getting to know other walkers. Some people had problems leaving their new or old friends to get out on the trail. This is something that a year round will never do. Try to remember what brought you to volksmarching. It probably started with the walking but moved on to the fellowship. This is the true treasure in volksmarching. -Pat Eby

PAGE 5

Have you ever thought of how much things are connected?

I went on a walk at Mont Alto this summer. I only did the 5K because I have a failing knee. But walking by myself in this beautiful place got me to thinking. The 5K trail is only on a dirt trail for a short time at the start and finish. But the rest is on the Penn State Mont Alto Campus. As I walked by the sign boards, I stopped to read them and ponder. The campus used to be the Pennsylvania Forest Academy from 1903 until the late 1920’s. The third in the country. George Wirt, the grandfather of a friend of mine has a historic marker there. He was sent by the Dr. Joseph Rothrock, who started this school to learn from the Biltmore school of forestry and then to Germany to learn how they managed their forests. When he returned, the school was started and he drew up the all of the courses to be taught. Then moved to have many important roles in the state. A connection. Maurice Goddard was part of the forestry school, in fact he had a house there. He was very important to forestry in the state and in fact has a state park named after him. After he retired, he had a home in Camp Hill where I live. Another connection. There is a small grove of American Chestnut trees on the campus. Most of the American Chestnut trees died in the 30’s due to a disease that was on some trees that were imported from another country. There is an American Chestnut tree in the yard next to mine. There have been many folks from many states studying that tree since I have lived here. Some of the nuts were taken and grown in a grove in Maryland. Another connection. But before there was a school, there was a sanitarium for the treatment of tuberculous at Mont Alto which was run by the same doctor that started the forestry school. My grandfather was treated there and was cured. I don’t know the dates, but this is another connection. So look around when you walk. You may learn something new and how you have a connection to the world around you. -Pat Eby

THE ROVER REPORTER PAGE 6

Assorted News from the Region

# Because of privacy issues, you no longer have to include your address on a seasonal or year round log sheet. Just print and sign your name, plus mark if you are walking for credit or free. A walker should still provide both name and address on the start card for a YRE/SE that is later sent to club with payment for the walk. Leaving one's address in a log book in a walk box in a public location is perhaps not a wise thing to do in this day and age, where such info can be collected and used for nefarious purposes.

# This does not apply to Traditional Walks as these logs are collected by the club at the end of the event and are not exposed to the general public so both your name and address are required on the log sheet and start card. # If you have a stamp on an insert card, you may now cut it out and paste it in your IVV distance and credit books. Please use tape or glue, no staples. # Beginning in April 2019, “The American Wanderer” will only be printed four times a year instead of six. This means that you need to submit articles earlier than in the past.

# There is a NEW required Youth Participation Waiver form that must be signed by the adult responsible for any person under the age of 18 participating in an AVA Traditional Event who is not accompanied by a guardian or parent. (An example would be scouts)

# Clubs are advised to not take or post any pictures of underage AVA event participants.

Red Roof Inn Plus In case you don’t look at the AVA Checkpoint, you wouldn’t know about this special discount for AVA National and Club Members plus helping the AVA. Red Roof Inn’s great rates and quality rooms means that you won’t be breaking the bank to afford a comfortable room. Through the AVA, Red Roof Inn is also offering additional value. When you book your reservation using Volume Plus Number 623002, you’ll save 15% off Red Roof Inn’s available rate. Red Roof Inn’s Volume Plus Number works just like an online coupon code. Use this link - https://www.redroof.com/deals/partner/American_Volkssport_Association and the Red Roof Inn’s online discount code will automatically be filled in for you. Or go to www.RedRoof.com to make a reservation. All you have to do to receive the discount at participating inns is enter Volume Plus Number 623002 in the VP+/ID# slot. You can also call the Inn directly by calling 1-800-RED-ROOF (1-800-733-7663) You are required to provide the Volume Plus Number 623002 to the reservationist when you make your reservation, not when you get to the Inn. The AVA will also receive 5% of all room revenues when you book at a Red Roof Inn using the Volume Plus Number 623002!

Raccoon Creek State Park Seasonal is open until end of year.

If you are looking for a walk in Beaver County, this is the one. The start is at the Wildflower Reserve Interpretive Center, 482 State Route 30, Clinton PA. There is a 5k or 10k trail with a rating of 3C. There are over 700 species of flowering plants that can be found along the trails. The start point is open every day of week from sunrise to sunset. There are no free walkers. The entrance to the Wildflower Reserve is marked with a small sign on US 30.

THE ROVER REPORTER

Legend: W=Walk, GRP= Group Walk, GW=Guided Walk, NW=Night Walk, M=Meeting, S= Swim , B=Bike GB=Guided Bike

2018 - 2019 ATLANTIC REGION CALENDAR of EVENTS From ava.org as of Oct 30, 2018

November 3 W Finleyville PA (Mingo Creek Park) Mon Valley Trailblazers 724-858-5965 3 W Fredericksburg VA (Wag Walk) Germanna Volkssport Assn 540-809-6227 3 W Darlington MD (Conowingo Dam) Baltimore Walking Club 410-638-7043 10 WB Reading PA (Angelica Creek Park) Liberty Bell Wanderers 610-906-6252 17 W Sandy Spring MD (Underground RR) Seneca Valley Sugarloafers 301-980-8932 23-24 4W Hershey PA (Holiday Walkfest) Susquehanna Rovers 717-805-8540 27 M Harrisburg PA (BassPro - 6pm) Susquehanna Rovers 717-805-9540

December 1 W Alexandria VA (Old Town Scottish) Northern VA Volksmarchers 571-243-2573 7-9 S Williamsburg VA (Christmas Swim) Peninsula Pathfinders 757-814-1417 7-8 NW Williamsburg VA (Christmas Night W) Peninsula Pathfinders 757-814-1417 8-9 W Williamsburg VA (Christmas Day W) Peninsula Pathfinders 757-814-1417 8 W Annapolis MD (Lighted Boat Parade) Annapolis Amblers 301-509-6748 10 W Columbia MD (Walk & Party) Columbia Volksmarchers 410-290-6570 15 W Baltimore MD (Lights at Hampden) Baltimore Walking Club 410-825-4008 15 W Fredericksburg VA (Holiday Lights) Germanna Volkssport Assn 540-809-6227 31 W Smithfield VA (25th Annv) Gator Volksmarsch Club 757-576-0966 31 2W Savage MD ( New Years Eve) Freestate Happy Wanderers 410-437-2164

January 1 GW Harrisburg PA (YR Start Point) Susquehanna Rovers 717-379-8945 1 W Smithfield VA (25th Annv) Gator Volksmarsch Club 757-576-0966 1 2W Savage MD ( New Years Eve) Freestate Happy Wanderers 410-437-2164 8 W Lancaster PA (Downtown) Penn Dutch Pacers 717-626-6103 12 W Hampton VA (walk eat meet) VA Vagabonds 757-814-1417 19 W Cabin John MD Seneca Valley Sugarloafers 301-385-0054

February 2 WS York PA (Winter walk and swim) York White Rose Wanderers 717-624-5627

March 9-10 W Washington DC (Conv Ctr) Us Freedom Walk Festival 703-209-0174 30 W Newport News VA VA Vagabonds 757-814-1417 30 W Baltimore MD ( Patterson Park) Baltimore Walking Club 410-592-3171 30 W Baltimore MD (Harbor East) Baltimore Walking Club 410-592-3171

April 6 W Gloucester VA (Daffodil Fest) VA Vagabonds 757-814-1417 13 W Rockville MD (Glenview Mansion) Seneca Valley Sugarloafers 240-753-0119 26-28 B Columbia PA (Susq Rivertown Wked) Susquehanna Rovers 717-805-9540 26-28 W Columbia PA (Susq Rivertown Wked) Penn Dutch Pacers 717-330-8751 26-28 W Marietta PA (Susq Rivertown Wked) Susquehanna Rovers 717-814-1417 26-28 W Wrightsville PA (Rivertown Wked) York White Rose Wanderers 717-817-9724 27 W Laurel MD Freestate Happy Wanderers 301-776-6484

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Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Club 390 Old Quaker Road Etters PA 17319

Dated Materials

The R

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