the signal - march 2015, page 1 march 2015 the...

The Signal - March 2015,

The Signal March 2015

The Newsletter of The Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee:

P.O. Box 175, Andover, NJ 07821, Call 973-786-5768

Website: www.pvtc-kvsp.org

Janice Elsishans

By Roberta Bramhall

J anice Elsishans has submitted her intention of

resigning as president of the Paulinskill Valley

Trail Committee. Because her family has moved

to North Carolina, she will soon be leaving to reside

in that state. Needless to say, members of the com-

mittee will be so sorry to see her leave.

It was under her leadership that the interests

of the trail were forwarded to the New Jersey Horse

Council, National Trail symposiums, and the Sussex

County Chamber of Commerce. It was through the

efforts of many horse rider organizations that the

railroad bed became a trail back in 1992. Janice, dur-

ing her tenure as president, promoted the trail to the

Sussex County Chamber of Commerce, the Sussex

County Trail Partnership Committee, Sussex County

Fair, and Warren County’s White Lake Day. She

reached out to the Newton Town Manager to find

Some Snowstorms of Yesteryears

By Roberta Bramhall

W e have been besieged by winter storms

during the winter of 2015. They have

resulted in cancellations of plans and

fears of slipping and sliding. We, living in New Jer-

sey, have been thankful we don’t live in Boston

which has been hammered by snow storm after snow

storm. But, nothing compares with the severe storms

that impacted both the Sussex and The New York

Susquehanna and Western rail beds before they be-

came the trails we know and love.

When one travels the Slate Cut just past the

entrance to Kittatinny State Park, it is hard to imag-

ine the deep drifts of snow that resulted from the

snow storm of 1857. The cut was completely filled

with snow along its 500 feet length. The people of

Newton so wanted their train to arrive that eighty

volunteers walked the two miles of track and spent

the day shoveling out this immense ten to twenty

foot deep drift.

The Great Blizzard of 1888 which started on

Continued on page 11 Continued on page 6

Janice and her horse, Kid Rocker,

photographed on the Paulinskill Valley Trail new Waterwheel,

October 2014

Photo Source - 1888: Americas Greatest Snow Disaster

by Christopher Burk

, The Signal - March 2015

Activity Schedule 3 & 4

Hike and Bike Locations 4

Important Notice 2

It’s the Law 4

Janice Elsishans 1 & 6

KVSP Interpretive Programs 7, 8, 9 & 10

KVSP Information 2

PVTC Gift Order Form 12

PVTC Officers 2

PVT Gallery 5 & 6

Signal Advertisers 13

Snowstorms of Yesteryears 1 & 11

Thank You 13

Inside this issue:

Kittatinny Valley State Park Information

Office Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 621, Andover,

NJ 07821-0621;

Call: 973 786 6445; Fax: 973 786 6874

E-mail: [email protected]

Regional Superintendent Steve Ellis

Resource Interpretive Specialist Lynn Groves Lussier

Maintenance Supervisor Jim Scholts

State Park Police Dispatch 1-877-WARN-DEP

(1-877-927-6337)

Trail Emergency Call 911

(Note: There are no State Park Police stationed at KVSP)

Visit our new and improved web site at:

www.pvtc-kvsp.org

PVTC Officers:

President: Janice Elsishans.

Vice President: Roberta Bramhall.

Secretary: Open - TBA

Treasurer: Joanne Wojcik.

PVTC Board of Directors:

Marge Barrett Joy Fernbacher

Marty Grossman Gary Kazin

Max Klein Mary Cusack

IMPORTANT NOTICE

E ffective immediately, the PVTC com-

munication telephone number has

changed to 973-786-5768.


March 7, 2015 - January 1, 2016 PVT Activity Schedule

See page 5 for PVT Hike and Bike Locations.

STAY SAFE DURING HUNTING SEASON! WEAR BRIGHT COLORED CLOTHING. KEEP UP WITH THE GROUP. WHEN HIKING, MAKE NOISE EITHER BY TALKING, USING A BELL OR USING A WHISTLE.

DAY DATE & TIME ACTIVITY & LOCATION 2015

SAT Mar 7, 10 am Warbasse Junction – FOUL WEATHER HIKE - (“March comes in like a lion…”) (or XC skiing -

weather permitting)

SAT Mar 21, 10 am Footbridge – HIKE - (or XC skiing - weather permitting)

TUE Mar 24, 7 pm PVTC QUARTERLY MEETING. Kittatinny Valley State Park Administration Building. Speaker

and refreshments. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT Apr 4, 10 am Warbasse Junction – HIKE

SAT Apr 11, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-

4332 or [email protected]. If no one contacts him, ride may be cancelled.

SAT Apr 18, 10 am Footbridge – HIKE

TUE Apr 28, 7 pm PVTC MONTHLY MEETING. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT May 2, 10 am Warbasse Junction – HIKE

SAT May 9, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-


SAT May 16, 10 am Footbridge – HIKE

TUE May 26, 7 pm PVTC MONTHLY MEETING. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT Jun 6, 10 am to 2

pm

NATIONAL TRAILS DAY CELEBRATION, Warbasse Junction on the trail. Visit our exhibit at the

junction of the two railroad lines.

SAT Jun 6, 10 am Warbasse Junction – NATIONAL TRAILS DAY HIKE

SAT Jun 13, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-


SAT Jun 20, 10 am Footbridge – HIKE

TUE Jun 23, 7 pm PVTC ANNUAL MEETING. Kittatinny Valley State Park Administration Building. Speaker and

refreshments, followed by elections. Call 973-786-5768.

TUE Jul 28, 7 pm PVTC MONTHLY MEETING. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT Aug 8, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-


TUE Aug 25, 7 pm PVTC MONTHLY MEETING. Call 973-786-5768.

MON Sep 7, 10 am Footbridge – LABOR DAY HIKE

SAT Sep 12, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-


SAT Sep 19, 10 am Warbasse Junction – HIKE

TUE Sep 22, 7 pm PVTC QUARTERLY MEETING. Kittatinny Valley State Park Administration Building. Speaker

and refreshments. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT Oct 3, 10 am Warbasse Junction – FALL FOLIAGE HIKE

SUN Oct 4, 10 am 22nd SADDLE UP for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital trail ride. Rain date Sunday October 11,

2015. 10 mile ride on the Paulinskill Valley Trail, 5 miles out and 5 miles back. Meet at Water Wheel

Farm, Fredon-Marksboro Road, Fredon Township, NJ. Provide your own horse with Negative Coggins.

Prizes awarded for top funds raised. Call Sandy at 973-691-8641 or email [email protected] for

more information.

SUN Oct 11, 10 am Rain date - 22nd SADDLE UP for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, see same activity for Sun-

day October 4, 2015 for description and information.

Continued on page 4


March 7, 2015 - January 1, 2016 PVT Activity Schedule - Continued from page 3

PVT HIKE AND BIKE LOCATIONS

A ll hikes and bike rides (helmets required) take place on the Paulinskill Valley Trail or on the Sussex Branch Trail, both of

which are part of Kittatinny Valley State Park. They are cinder-based rail trails that provide easy, level walking and riding.

There are two starting places for hikes and bike rides. This arrangement gives us the opportunity to cover the entire

27-mile PVT in several hikes. We offer 5, 7, 10, 20 (full Sussex Branch) or 30 (full PVT) mile hikes. Bring lunch and water, wear

comfortable shoes and enjoy.

FOOTBRIDGE PARK - 1 Footbridge Ln, Blairstown, NJ 07825. GPS Coordinates: 40.981345, -74.957191 Directions: Route 94,

Blairstown, NJ. Take Route 80 to Exit 12, Route 521. Go north on Route 521 for 5 miles to Route 94 in Blairstown. Turn left onto

Route 94 and take the second left into the park, designated by a small white sign with black lettering.

WARBASSE JUNCTION - Parking lot is diagonally across the road from: 280 Warbasse Junction Rd, Lafayette Township, NJ

07848. GPS Coordinates: 41.085293, -74.699741 Directions: Route 663, ½ mile south of Route 94 in Lafayette. Take Routes 206

and 94 through Newton and continue north for 2½ miles. At the light, turn right to follow Route 94 North. Continue two miles to

Warbasse Junction Road, Route 663 South. Turn right and go ½ mile to a parking lot on the right.

Note:

T he PVT schedule may be subject to change. For the most current information, please either call the activity contact number, access our web site at www.pvtc-

kvsp.org or call the PVTC phone number 973-786-5768. The Signal is published two times a year to share information. Articles and/or material may be submitted to the editor (Graham Finlayson, e-mail:

[email protected]) or to PVTC, P.O. Box 175, Andover, New Jersey 07821. We reserve the right to edit for space considerations.

IT’S THE LAW

P ursuant to New Jersey Statutes 39:4-10.1 et. seq., a person under 17 years of age shall not operate or ride a bicycle as a pas-

senger, unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet which meets the standards of the American

National Standards Institute (ANSI Z90.4 bicycle helmet standard) or the Snell Memorial Foundation’s 1990 Standard for

Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling. This requirement shall apply to a person who rides upon a bicycle while in a restraining

seat which is attached to the bicycle or in a trailer towed by the bicycle.

The Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee encourages the use of a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet by all bicycle

riders, regardless of age.


SAT Oct 17 30 MILE FULL TRAIL HIKE (Paulinskill Valley Trail), weather permitting, over by nightfall. Call

Bruce Rhinesmith at 201-274-9805 for details.

SAT Oct 17, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-


TUE Oct 27, 7 pm PVTC MONTHLY MEETING. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT Nov 14 20 MILE FULL TRAIL HIKE (Sussex Branch Trail), weather permitting, over by nightfall. Call

Bruce Rhinesmith at 201-274-9805 for details.

SAT Nov 14, 11:30 am Warbasse Junction – BIKE RIDE. Bring helmet, lunch & drink. Call or email Paul anytime: 973-887-


SAT Nov 21, 10 am Warbasse Junction – HIKE

TUE Nov 24, 7 pm PVTC MONTHLY MEETING. Call 973-786-5768.

SAT Dec 5 EXPLORER HIKE Call Bruce Rhinesmith at 201-274-9805 for details.

TBA Dec 2015 PVTC ANNUAL DINNER - Details to follow


FRI Jan 1, 10 am 2016 - Footbridge – 31st ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S DAY HIKE. Call 973-786-5768.


The 30th Annual PVTC New Year’s Day Hike attracted 46 hikers from near and far

- Photo courtesy of Marty & Susan Grossman

PVT GALLERY

Myra Snook and Bob Bodenstein

At the 2014 PVTC Annual Dinner

Joy Fernbacher



John & Janice Elsishans (President PVTC)


PVT

GALLERY out what is being done to connect Hicks Avenue to

Diller Avenue, a section of the Sussex Branch Trail.

To increase membership and awareness of the needs

of continued use of the trail, she spearheaded the

development of a new flyer advertising the superb

attributes of the Paulinskill Valley and Sussex

Branch trails.

Her passion is trail riding on her Spotted

Saddle horse, Kid Rocker. When she moved to New

Jersey in 1987, she soon became an owner of a six

year old Arab. She visited seventeen states trail rid-

ing and camping with him. In 1995, Glenn Vetrano,

a former Sussex Freeholder, requested that a horse

trail event be organized for Lusscroft Farms. The

first ride occurred on June 1995 for National Trails

Day with over forty riders attending. Some of the

riders traveled 120 miles one way for the event. She

joined the New Jersey Horse Council and was asked

to put together information on trails in New Jersey;

as a result the New Jersey Horse Trails book was

published in 2005.

Janice has two hopes for the future. She

would like to see that the three inter-connecting rail

trails that span over fifty miles, be extended. There

are approximately thirteen additional abandoned rail

beds that could be added in the future. Additionally,

she hopes that the trail use be made safer. When the

trains were running, there were fewer roads and traf-

fic traveled at a slower pace plus the cross bars and

warning signals stopped traffic as needed. Trails

now cross busy roads on which distracted drivers

travel at high rates of speed. Crossing these roads is

a definite challenge for all trail users. She would like

to see the county show more interest in identifying

these trail crossings to motorists. She doesn’t want a

serious accident to happen before this problem gets

the attention it deserves.

She will miss the many friendships she has

made in New Jersey. She will miss the dedicated

people volunteering their time and energy that made

this trail system a treasured memory of her time in

New Jersey.

Janice Elsishans - Continued from page 1

Sandy Rothschild Wolff - At the 22nd Saddle Up

for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 2014

- Photo courtesy of Michael Keough


KVSP Interpretive Programs March 2015 - September 2015

Pre-registration for all Park-sponsored programs is required by 3:30 PM of the day prior to the

program date as space is limited. Please call 973-786-6445 to register. Most programs are free of charge and

unless otherwise noted meet at the visitor center located 1.1 miles north of Route 206, off Goodale Road in

Andover Township. Please be prompt. Programs start at the time indicated. Children must be accompanied by

an adult at all times. Pets are not permitted during any program. In case of inclement weather, all participants

are urged to contact the visitor center to determine whether programs have been cancelled or rescheduled. All

programs are subject to change.

Continued on page 8

SAT Mar 7, 11 am to

noon

GEOCACHING FOR BEGINNERS, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP.

NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $10 GPS rental, pre-registration is required. For adults and children

ages 9 and older. Partially ADA accessible. Discover how your family can enjoy this worldwide scav-

enger hunt! An indoor tutorial provides the tools and information necessary to embark on fun family

adventures in the park to find “hidden treasures” along our educational geo-trail!

WED Mar 11, 6 to 7 pm YOGA FOR BEGINNERS, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE:

Group size is limited. Fee: $10 adults, pre-registration is required. For adults. Great for beginners, this

Hatha yoga class will help develop strength and flexibility while relaxing your body and quieting your

mind with guided meditation, gentle stretching, easy postures and breathing techniques.

THU Mar 12, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited.

Free, pre-registration is required. For adults with children ages 5 and younger. Share the afternoon with

your little one in the Great Outdoors on this naturalist-guided, 1-mile hike. Important: Babies must be

carried in a front-pack or back-pack. No strollers or older siblings, please!

THU Apr 9, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited.

Free, pre-registration is required. For adults with children ages 5 and younger. See description for Mar

12, 2015.

SAT Apr 11, 1 to 2:30

pm

THE NATURE OF VERNAL POOLS, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP.

NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $3 Adults and children 12 and older; $1 Children ages 6 to 11, pre-

registration is required. For adults and children ages 6 and older. Partially ADA accessible. Learn all

about New Jersey’s awesome amphibians, then explore a vernal pool to meet its inhabitants and dis-

cover how you can help protect this unique and vital resource.

SAT Apr 18, 11 am to

noon



ages 9 and older. Partially ADA accessible. See description for Mar 7, 2015.

WED Apr 22, 6:30 to

7:30 pm

BEGINNER YOGA: HONORING THE EARTH, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Spon-

sor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $10 adults, pre-registration is required. For adults. Cele-

brate Earth Day with yoga in the park! See description for Mar 11, 2015.

THU Apr 23, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited.


12, 2015.

SAT May 2, 10 to

11:30 am

SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size

is limited. Fee: $3 Adults, pre-registration is required. For adults. Discover the natural history, edibility

and folklore of the spring beauties in bloom around the visitor center. Indoor presentation will take

place in the event of inclement weather.

THU May 7, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited.


12, 2015.

SAT May 9, 11 am to

noon

WOLF VISIONS, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is

limited. Fee: $3 Adults and children 12 and older; $1 ages 6 to 11, under 6 free, pre-registration is re-

quired. Family program - all ages. ADA accessible. Vinnie Reo will dispel the myths about the “Big

Bad Wolf” and teach the importance of the wolf’s role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. The pres-

entation features a slide show, Q&A session and the opportunity to meet a real live wolf!


KVSP Interpretive Programs March 2015 - September 2015 - Continued from page 7

Continued on page 9


THU May 14, 6:30 to

7:30 pm

SUNSET YOGA, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is

limited. Fee: $10 adults, pre-registration is required. For adults. Wind down your busy day with a yoga

session at sunset. See description for Mar 11, 2015

SAT May 16, 11 am to

noon




THU May 21, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited.


12, 2015.

THU May 28, 6:30 to

7:30 pm



session at sunset. See description for Mar 11, 2015.

SAT May 30, 10 am to

2 pm

BIKE-TO-LUNCH TOUR: THE CHATTERBOX DRIVE-IN, Warbasse Junction Road parking

area. Sponsor: Kittatinny Valley State Park. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults and children

12 and older; $3 children 6 to 11; children under 6 free (lunch additional), pre-registration is required.

Family program. Bring your own bike. Children under 17 must wear a bike helmet. Shake, rattle and

roll along Sussex County’s only 13-mile rail-trail loop, learning about the railroad history along the

way. A one-hour long rest-stop will offer well deserved refreshment near the end of the trip.

SAT Jun 6, Race time

TBD

“OFF THE BEATEN TRACK” 5K TRAIL RUN/WALK, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor:

Sussex County Chamber of Commerce. Fee: TBD. Celebrate National Trails Day with a trail run/walk

through this beautiful state park and enjoy the splendor of the outdoors in Sussex County!

THU Jun 11, 6:30 to

7:30 pm

BEGINNER YOGA, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size

is limited. Fee: $10 adults, pre-registration is required. For adults. Wind down your busy day with a

yoga session at sunset. See description for Mar 11, 2015.

FRI Jun 19, 10 am to 2

pm

HIKE-TO-LUNCH: SALT GASTOPUB, Waterloo Road / Sussex Branch Trail parking area. Spon-

sor: Kittatinny Valley State Park. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults (lunch additional), pre-

registration is required. For adults. Celebrate “World Sauntering Day” with a 4-mile hike in the beauti-

ful Sussex Skylands. A one-hour long rest-stop will offer well deserved refreshment midway through

the trip.

SAT Jun 20, 11 am to

noon




THU Jun 25, 6:30 to

7:30 pm




SAT Jun 27, 9 to 10:30

am

LAKE AEROFLEX PADDLING EXCURSION, Kittatinny Valley State Park, Lake Aeroflex boat

launch. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults and teens, pre-registration is re-

quired. For adults and teens with previous canoeing or kayaking experience. Bring your own canoe or

kayak, PFD and paddle for this scenic exploration of the deepest natural lake in New Jersey. Enjoy a

leisurely tour while learning about lake ecology and park history from a new perspective.

WED Jul 1, 1 to 2:30

pm

THE MAGIC OF MONARCHS, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center and Butterfly Garden.

Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $3 adults and children 12 and older; $1 children 6

to 11, pre-registration is required. For adults and children ages 6 and older. ADA accessible. Experi-

ence the life of a monarch butterfly, learn what you can do to help this imperiled species and explore

our award-winning butterfly garden!

FRI Jul 3, 9:30 am to

1:30 pm

BIKE-TO-LUNCH TOUR: THE LAFAYETTE HOUSE, Warbasse Junction Road parking area.

Sponsor: Kittatinny Valley State Park. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults and children 12 and

older; $3 children 6 to 11; children under 6 free (lunch additional), pre-registration is required. Family

program. Bring your own bike. Children under 17 must wear a bike helmet. Bike along Sussex

County’s only 13-mile rail-trail loop, learning about the railroad history along the way. A one-hour

long rest-stop will offer well deserved refreshment near the end of the trip.



Continued on page 10


SAT Jul 4, 9 to 10:30

am




kayak, PFD and paddle for this scenic exploration of the deepest natural lake in New Jersey. See de-

scription for Jun 27, 2015.

TUE Jul 7, 6:30 to 7:30

pm




THU Jul 9, 11 am to

noon

CAT-TALES STORY HOUR, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE:

Group size is limited. Fee: $3 adults; children under 6 free, pre-registration is required. For children

ages 4 and 5. ADA accessible. Stories, finger plays and crafts will develop an awareness and apprecia-

tion for nature in children and their care-givers.

SAT Jul 11, 11 am to

noon




WED Jul 15, 10 to

11:30 am



to 11, pre-registration is required. For adults and children ages 6 and older. ADA accessible. Se de-

scription for Jul 1, 2015.

TUE Jul 21, 6:30 to

7:30 pm




THU Jul 23, 11 am to

noon



ages 4 and 5. ADA accessible. See description for Jul 9, 2015.

SAT Aug 8, 9 to 10:30

am






TUE Aug 11, 6:30 to

7:30 pm




THU Aug 13, 11 am to

noon




SAT Aug 15, 11 am to

noon




SAT Aug 15, 7:30 to

8:30 pm

THE MOTHS OF NEW JERSEY, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP.

NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $3 adults and children ages 9 and older, pre-registration is required.

For adults and children ages 9 and older. ADA accessible. Join Blaine Rothauser on a journey of dis-

covery into the magical and mysterious world of moths. After the indoor presentation, we’ll head out-

side to attract and potentially identify over 100 species of moths!

TUE Aug 25, 6:30 to

7:30 pm




THU Aug 27, 11 am to

noon







FRI Aug 28, 9 am to 1

pm

BIKE-TO-LUNCH TOUR: MILLSIDE CAFE, Warbasse Junction Road parking area. Sponsor: Kit-

tatinny Valley State Park. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults and children 12 and older; $3

children 6 to 11; children under 6 free (lunch additional), pre-registration is required. Family program.

Bring your own bike. Children under 17 must wear a bike helmet. Bike along Sussex County’s only 13-

mile rail-trail loop, learning about the railroad history along the way. A one-hour long rest-stop will

offer well deserved refreshment near the end of the trip.

SAT Aug 29, 11 am to

12:30 pm





THU Sep 10, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited.


12, 2015.

SAT Sep 12, 10 am to

5 pm

MEGA GEOCACHING EVENT, Waterloo Village. Sponsor: Northern New Jersey Cachers. Free.

Family program - all ages. Everyone is welcome to join the NJ geocaching community to learn more

about this hi-tech scavenger hunt and participate in a day of family fun and games at historic Waterloo

Village Visit www.metrogathering.org for more information.

TUE Sep 15, 6 to 7 pm SUNSET YOGA, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is



THU Sep 17, 4 to 5:30

pm





SAT Sep 19, 10 to

11:30 am






WED Sep 23, 5:30 to

6:30 pm

AUTUMN EQUINOX: CELEBRATION OF THE HARVEST, Kittatinny Valley State Park Visitor

Center. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults, pre-registration is required. For

adults. ADA accessible. This indoor program features harvest festivals from around the world and illu-

minates time-honored customs celebrating this season of change. Light refreshments provided.

THU Sep 24, 4 to 5 pm L’IL TYKES AUTUMN HIKE, Kittatinny Valley State Park. Sponsor: KVSP. NOTE: Group size is

limited. Free, pre-registration is required. For adults with children ages 5 and younger. See description

for Mar 12, 2015.

SAT Sep 26, 10 am to

1:30 pm

HIKE-TO-LUNCH: STONEWOOD TAVERN, Cranberry Lake Park & Ride. Sponsor: Kittatinny

Valley State Park. NOTE: Group size is limited. Fee: $5 adults (lunch additional), pre-registration is

required. For adults. Kick off the fall season with a 2.5 mile hike along the scenic Sussex Branch Trail.

A one-hour long rest-stop will offer well deserved refreshment near the end of the trip.

TUE Sep 29, 5:30 to

6:30 pm




In Kittatinny Valley State Park


March 11 and continued to March 14 is considered

one of the most severe recorded blizzards in the his-

tory of the United States. Snowfalls of twenty to

sixty inches fell in New York, Massachusetts, Rhode

Island and Connecticut with New Jersey’s total be-

ing forty inches. Clocked at more than forty-five

miles per hour winds, the storm has been labeled

“The Great White Hurricane”. Some snowdrifts ex-

ceeded fifty feet. Railroads were shut down and peo-

ple were confined to their houses for up to a week. It

caused twenty-five million dollars in damage which

would be equivalent to $660 million in 2015. Four

hundred fatalities were recorded.

Trains derailed in the deep snowdrifts or

stalled. Such an event occurred near Andover where

the passenger train derailed. It took two days before

rescue crews could reach the survivors. In the North-

east, two hundred fatalities were attributed to the

blizzard. Basically passengers and train crews at-

tempted to walk to nearby towns and froze to death.

Luckily, the twenty–four railroad men whose trains

that stalled at Warbasse Station for days; were

housed and fed by the Warbasse family that owned

the farm through which the railroad passed. Since

the farmers did not get to the town stores very often,

the farmhouses were well stocked with provisions of

all kinds, often enough to last for several weeks. The

only food they depleted during their extended stay

was bread, and buckwheat pancakes were substi-

tuted, which made a bigger hit than bread would

have. There also was a supply of wood and coal so

that the steam was kept up in the engines until res-

cue crews arrived to shovel out the stalled trains.

Remember, all this occurred before there

were snow blowers in most homes. The storm did

result in the construction of the New York subway

system and the burying of communication and elec-

trical lines. And, the fear that a recent storm that

purported to be extremely severe caused the gover-

nors of New York and New Jersey to halt train

travel, bus travel and even traveling by car.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Info Please

Susquehanna Reflector

Snowstorms of Yesteryears - Continued from page 1

T hinking of moving? In the process of mov-

ing? Have moved? Please do not forget to

let the PVTC know your new home address.

C hanged your Internet Provider? Changed

your e-mail address? Using a new e-mail

address? Please do not forget to let the

PVTC know your new e-mail address.

N ot receiving PVTC Monthly Meeting e-mail

notices? Not receiving The Signal? Maybe

you moved or changed your e-mail address?

Please do not forget to let the PVTC know your new

home address and / or your new e-mail address if

they have changed. Thank you from the PVTC.


Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee Gift Order Form

Looking for a gift for that special hiker or nature lover in your life?

Purchase a gift from the Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee and sup-

port your multi-use rail trail at the same time

T-shirts, golf shirts, books and maps are a major source of income for the

PVTC as well as our way of publicizing the trail. Please consider helping our cause through the purchase of these items for your-

self, a family member or friend. T-shirts are silk--screened with a design portraying the users of the trail on the front (horse rider,

hiker, jogger, cyclist and cross-country skier) and our trail map on the back. Golf shirts have our original logo embroidered on the

left front. Send your order to: PVTC, PO Box 175, Andover, NJ 07821. Make your check payable to the Paulinskill Valley Trail

Committee (or just PVTC). All items include shipping via U.S.P.S. Please include ship-to information (please clearly print ship-

ping name and address). Thank you!

The Paulinskill Valley Trail (PVT) and the Sussex Branch Trail (SBT) are part of the Kittatinny Valley State Park (KVSP). Together they make up 48

miles of cinder-based rail-trails which lend themselves to multi-use, excluding motorized vehicles. The Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee (PVTC) is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers dedicated to promoting the public interest, appreciation and conservation of the resources of KVSP with emphasis on its rail-

trails. For information regarding the PVTC, please call 973-786-5768, write to PVTC, Box 175, Andover, NJ 07821, or access our website at www.pvtc-

GIFT ORDER FORM

Books

Title Price with Shipping Quantity Total

The Paulinskill Valley Trail, Before and After.

A 59 page book with text and pictures about the PVT. $13.00

T-shirts - Available in green with the design in yellow or white. Sizes: medium, large, extra large, and extra-extra large.

Size Price with Shipping Quantity Total

$14.00

$14.00

Golf shirts (Closeout Special) - Available in green with the design embroidered. Sizes: small, large, and extra large.

Size Price with Shipping Quantity Total

$18.00

$18.00

Trail Maps: Regular

Item Price with Shipping Quantity Total

Paulinskill Valley Trail & Sussex Branch Trail Only 2 Sets Left

Color, laminated Set of 2 double sided, 8 ½”x11” $7.50

Trail Maps: Topographical

Item Price with Shipping Quantity Total

Sussex Branch Trail

Set of 4: 8 ½”x14”, 2 sheets, heavy paper $3.50 OUT OF STOCK OUT OF STOCK

Sussex Branch Laminated

Set of 4: 8 ½”x14”, 2 sheets, heavy paper laminated $6.25

Paulinskill Valley Trail

Set of 8: 8 ½”x14”, 4 sheets, heavy paper $3.75 OUT OF STOCK OUT OF STOCK

Paulinskill Valley Trail Laminated

Set of 8: 8 ½”x14”, 4 sheets, heavy paper $9.00


Please say thanks to our advertisers by patronizing their business

Thank You

T hank you from the editor to Marge Barrett, Roberta Bramhall, Joe Burgiel, Janet Carter of Graphics

Depot, Janice Elsishans, Susan and Marty Grossman, Tom Halliwell, Lynn Groves Lussier, Bruce

Rhinesmith, Paul Rottmann, Lou Turse, Sandy Rothschild Wolff and The Signal Advertisers for their

contribution and assistance with this issue of The Signal.


PAULINSKILL VALLEY TRAIL COMMITTEE

Membership Application

The annual membership contribution is $10 for an individual and $20 for a family.

Larger contributions are encouraged to help carry out our programs. Please make checks

payable to “Paulinskill Valley Trail Committee” or “PVTC” and mail to PVTC, P.O. Box

175, Andover, NJ 07821.

Please print clearly.

Name________________________________________________Tel. (______)-______-______________

Address_______________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code____________________________________________________________________

E-mail Address_________________________________________________________________________

Membership year is from Jan. 1 To Dec. 31.

PVTC

P.O. Box 175

Andover, NJ 07821

Visit our new and improved

web site at: www.pvtc-kvsp.org

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