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Your Guide to Winter Fun in Schuylkill County
As I write, the temps are hovering in the single digits. It is so easy to convince myself to stay inside with a good book. And the partial truth of it is, that is definitely one aspect of this season’s purpose. When wintering we take rest, just as the earth does. But being open to the natural experiences of the season is an often-overlooked aspect of wintering, too.
Sweet Arrow Lake County Park
Our partners at Sweet Arrow Lake County Park in Pine Grove are providing that little extra nudge to get out of doors in nature with their Fire and Ice Winter Fest on January 26th. You can fire up hotdogs over an open fire, compete, taste, and/or vote in the annual Fire Hot Chili Cook-off, sample homemade ice-cream, try some healthy hot chocolate, enjoy live music, and much more. Advance registration is required to participate in the chili competition by calling Susan at (570) 624-3018.
The park will also be home to Suess Speaks for the Trees: Lorax Led Hike on March 4th. The hike is an easy walk on varying terrain of gravel and dirt where you will identify trees on this Dr. Suess Day with none other than the Lorax!
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
Enjoying winter’s natural gifts is easy at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, where they are once again offering their Winter Artisan Series. You will explore a diverse array of hands-on artisan workshops instructed by local, talented professional artists. Some of the workshops are: Children’s Basket Weaving: Pencil Holder Basket on Saturday, February 2nd, a Printmaking Workshop on Saturday, February 22nd, and Lampwork Glass Beadmaking on Saturday, March 8th.
Visit their website for more information and registration. Outside you’ll enjoy the peace and solitude of the mountain, have the lookout and views all to yourself, and feel rejuvenated in the fresh air. There is plenty of winter songbird action at the feeding station, and the native garden is interesting even in winter!
Mud & Maker
Another excellent venue for fun and creativity is Mud & Maker in Port Carbon. Mud and Maker specializes in pottery for your everyday life with pottery workshops, handcrafted wholesale and brick and mortar store. They are loaded with workshops this winter and spring.
At their Build Your Own Ceramic Birdhouse Workshop on April 10th prepare to unleash your creativity while you design and craft your very own ceramic birdhouse! Perfect for beginners and seasoned creators alike, this class will guide you step-by-step through the process of hand-building a unique birdhouse using clay. Once completed, your creation will be kiln-fired to ensure its durability and weather-resistance, and be ready to beautify your garden and welcome feathered friends!
The same goes for the Pottery Flower Pots Workshop on February 13th and the Garden Gnomes Workshop on March 15th. Tickets and information are available on Facebook.
Galentine Celebrations
Heading into February, our calendar is full of Valentine celebrations. Actually, Galentine celebrations seem to be the order of the day. Benigna’s Creek Vineyard and Winery in Klingerstown is hosting a Galentines to Valentines Truffle Making Class on February 8th.
Gather your gal pals or special someone(s) for a delicious afternoon learning how to make ganache truffles and enjoying the fruits of your labor with a lovely wine flight pairing. With instruction from pastry chef Chela Nolan, you will learn to make classic, orange, espresso, or raspberry ganache. From there, you will be able to dip them in your choice of chocolate and top them with a variety of delicious options.
You will delight in tasting the chocolates as they are paired with wines at the vineyard, and will leave with an assortment of 8 truffles and half a dozen chocolate covered strawberries in decorative boxes to enjoy at home. Grab your favorite bottle of Benigna’s Creek wine and your Valentine’s celebration is all set.
Galentines Night at Pilger Ruh Brewing in Pottsville is on February 7th. There is no admission price, and the night is packed with fun vendors and activities like build your own flower bouquets, Flash Tattoos by Amber Collins, Tarot Cards by Michaela, Aura Explorer Photography, permanent jewelry, candle workshop, specialty cocktails and beers, foods, and much more!
Pottsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade
As we creep closer to spring, March is the traditional month for celebrating the “Wearin’ O’ the Green.” Coincidentally, this is often the month where we begin to see the first sprouts and sprigs of green outdoors, too. The Pottsville St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 15th is full of green and packed with over 50 performance groups, bands, entertainers, food trucks, and organizations. The parade will be followed by many grand Irish celebrations throughout the downtown businesses and organizations.
Schuylkill County Historical Society
Another sure sign of spring in Schuylkill County is the decorative pysanky egg. They are quite popular and prized here due to our coal region heritage and the immigrants who arrived from all parts of Europe, especially eastern Europe. The Schuylkill County Historical Society is hosting a Pysanky Egg Workshop on March 27th.
If you have ever wondered how they’re made, this is your golden ticket! The workshop is led by Georgine Postupak-Borchick, who has some of her pysanky egg creations in the Smithsonian. Registration is required at (570) 622-7540. I am wicked excited for this one, folks! I have been to it before, and I find that each year, I gain a bit more skill as well as appreciation.
Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5K
I almost forgot the one and only race that starts and ends at America’s Oldest Brewery – the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger 5k on April 26th! This is an awesome race full of challenging hills, tons of swag, and the best after-party with live music, delicious food, local vendors, and the best beer.
I hope I’ve demonstrated just how much there is to do right here in our own Northeastern Pennsylvania backyard to keep you busy and engaged this winter. Explore and enjoy!