The Dallas Post Sunday, July 3, 2005 Breeding bird atlas survey documents important changes More than 1,400 volunteers have already signed up to participate in the most extensive nesting bird survey ever attempted in the state, the 2nd Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas (PBBA), a five-year project being directed and coordinated jointly by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The coordinators of the state’s largest and most important breeding bird sur- vey in 15 years still are looking for vol- unteers to help record information about the myriad species that nest in the Commonwealth's forests, fields and wetlands. The first Pennsylvania Breeding Bird Atlas was conducted from 1983 to 1989 and more than 2,000 people participat- ed in the undertaking. The second Atlas started last spring and will continue through summer 2008. Participants sign up to search for or report on nesting birds in specific 10- square mile geographic grids of Pennsylvania’s nearly 45,000 square miles. Every individual who decides to help with the survey can choose his or her level of involvement. “Truly, anyone can help; birdwatch- ers of all age, skill and experience levels are welcome,” noted Bob Mulvihill, a field ornithologist at Carnegie Museum’s Powdermill Nature Preserve, who is serving as the Atlas project coor- dinator. Added help is most urgently needed in the state’s rural areas, espe- cially in the northern counties. Since second Atlas survey work start- ed one year ago, more than 70,000 bird sightings — representing 189 species — have been logged on the Atlas web- site at www.carnegiemnh.org/atlas/home.ht m and more than 165 species have been confirmed nesting in the state. In the first Atlas, 210 species were observed and 180 were confirmed to be nesting at the end of the six-year project. Two new species documented in new Atlas surveys that weren't recorded in the 1980s effort are the Sandhill crane and the Eurasian collared dove. Atlas workers also have reported some 30 “species of special concern” including least bittern, sedge wren, black tern, Swainson’s thrush, dickcissel, yellow- bellied flycatcher, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, osprey and black-crowned night heron. The second Atlas includes a new, spe- cialized statewide owl and whip-poor- ~ will survey component that is being implemented this year. Experienced volunteer birders will be using a pre- recorded saw-whet owl call to docu- ment the presence, status and distribu- tion of this secretive species. Wetland birds also will receive spe- cial attention because they are typically overlooked in fieldwork for nesting in relatively secretive and hard-to-reach places. Wetland species monitoring is particularly important because they predominantly comprise Pennsylvania’s lists of endangered and threatened species. The survey work will focus on species such as Virginia and Sora rails, least and American bitterns, and marsh wren. Every single breeding bird observa- tion, whether a common species, such as a robin, mourning dove or house sparrow seen by beginning “backyard” birdwatchers or a real rarity, such as a sandpiper or loggerhead shrike, docu- mented by an expert and avid birder, will improve the Atlas and measurably add to knowledge of the occurrence, status and distribution of Pennsylvania’s birdlife. When completed in 2008, the second Atlas will show changes in the occur- rence and distribution of the state’s nearly 200 species of nesting birds, and promises to provide much additional information. GLENWOOD PRODUCTS (PATIO SETS 2 & 3 SEAT GLIDERS SWIVEL ROCKERS — CHAISES — WICKER RAINCOVERS — REPLACEMENT CUSHIONS ‘Low-interest loans available® to buy and repair homes USDA Rural Development offers a subsidized government program designed to assist low-income, credit- worthy families and individuals in pur- chasing or building homes in rural areas. To qualify, applicants must have a household income less than 80 per- cent of the county median, have an acceptable credit history and meet certain debt to income ratios. Annual income limits in Luzerne and Wyoming counties are $28,750 for a single person and $41,050 for a fami- ly of four. The home purchased must be modest, in good repair and in an eligible rural area. The loan limit is $149,300 to $181,900, depending on the county. No down payment is required, and funds for repairs (and sometimes closing costs) may be included in the loan. Payments may be subsidized, or reduced, based on the applicant’s income. Applications also are being taken for home repairs. To qualify, applicants must have a household income less than 50 percent of the county median and own and occupy the property. The interest rate is 1 percent. Call the Wyoming office at 836- 4157, ext. 4, for more information. USDA Rural Development does not compete with other lenders, and will participate in a joint loan where anoth- er lender contributes part of the money as a first mortgage, and USDA Rural Development contributes the balance as a second mortgage. For more information, www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa. FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK United Water Pennsylvania set up portable water tanks on Center Hill Road and on Marywood Drive for use by residents affected by shortages last week. A new well has alleviated the shortages. WATER Continued from Page 1 Pack said a nearly five-inch deficit in rainfall wasn’t noticed in May. But May wasn’t hot. “You ended up with dry and hot in June. We had excessive demand for four or five weeks in a row.” The new well will allow the compa- ny to discontinue sending 40,000 to 50,000 gallons per day from its Shavertown wells to Dallas customers. The connection will be maintained for use when necessary. Next, United Water will improve its ability to trans- fer water between the Stonehedge and high school tanks by installing a larger line. DIE There may be more to come. “We are at this moment exploring additional supply,” Pack said, which may include more wells or surface supply. The goal is to have 150 percent of average daily demand in storage TANKS ARE KEY United Water Pennsylvania has 11 wells and three storage tanks serving its Dallas and Shavertown customers. Here are the tank locations and capac- ities: Stonehedge, 313,000 gallons Near Dallas High School, 250,000 gal- lons Off Mount Airy Road 286,000 gallons The combined total is more than one and one-half days’ normal demand. The systems are interconnected. New lines will soon be installed between ‘the two Dallas tanks to make transfer easier. while being able to pump that much to customers. The company now has 11 wells in operation. Pack said the new well will allow them to be used less intensely. \& UMBRELLAS & MORE! if Hours: Monday-Saturday 11-5 Closed Wednesdays 24 Salina Street, Moosic — 457-5469 Meadows seeks volunteers The Volunteer Department at the Meadows Nursing Center, Dallas, is seeking volunteers to fill the following positions: To escort residents in wheelchairs to the Meadows in-house beauty shop and be on call as needed, morning and afternoon hours, Monday through Friday, or regular schedule for weekday afternoons from 1:30 to 4 p.m. Training is provid- ed To help the Activities Department escort residents in wheelchairs to and from daily activities, 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Assignments include coffee hour, manicures, bingo, etc. Weekend and evening hours are also available. Training is provided. Also, groups or individuals are invited to share their musical or other talents to entertain residents. Day, evening, and weekend hours are available. For more information, call 675-8600, etx. 195. Harveys Lake Lions invite new members The Harveys Lake Lions Club is accepting applications for new members. Meetings are held twice monthly. Applications can be obtained by calling J. Peter Farrell at 639-1235 or Jeff Smith at 696-5026. homecrest GARDEN Continued from Page 1 reach and pick the weeds out easily,” says Schuler. A quick glance around while walking the handmade paths makes you want to roam around and see more. Schuler has planned it that way. “I try to arrange the flow- ers so that it keeps your eyes mov- ing, you want to see more,” he says. Though his garden is somewhat planned, Schuler does not ignore the creative virtue of serendipity. “I'll sometimes just let them (flowers) pop up wherever they want, because you're never really in control in'a garden. Some days you can’t count on anything going right. There are always insects, weather and water problems.” To arrange to see this and other interesting gardens and share the gardeners’ experiences and knowl- edge, purchase a ticket for $15 from the Pa Environmental Council office, Main St., Luzerne, the Back Mountain Memorial Library, Dallas, or from the Bloomers Garden Show, P. O. Box 125, Dallas, PA 18612. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. For more information call 675-9016. FOR THE POST/CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK Combinations of color and texture draw the eye in and make you want to see more. This garden will be included in the Back Mountain Bloomers garden tour July 16th. visit @ across the country & around the corner. careerhuilder Search 75+ sites for jobs from TIMESLEADER#com (digital photos, too) to: thepost@leader.net Coverage Area: The Post covers the “Back Mountain” area of Luzerne County, including the Dallas and Lake-Lehman school districts, and southern Wyoming County. We try to get to as many events as possible, but staff and space limitations make it impossible to cover everything. If you have news about your family, town or organization, please send it to us and we'll try to get it in. Photographs are welcome. You may send items to the address above, or drop them off at the Uni-Mart in Dallas near the intersection of Routes 309 and 415. E-mail is the best and most timely method for submissions. Send items Deadline is noon, Wednesday prior to publication. Corrections, clarifications: The Post will correct errors of fact or clarify any misunderstandings created by a story. Call 675-5211. Have a story idea? Please call, we'd like to hear about it. Letters: The Post prints letters of local interest. Send letters to: Editor, The Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre PA 18711. All letters must be signed and include a phone number at which we can reach the author. 15 N. MAIN ST, WILKES-BARRE PA 18711 + 570-675-5211 thepost@leader.net Display Advertising Deadline: Mondays at 5 p.m.. Call (570) 970-7101 We have a variety of rates and programs to suit your advertising needs. The Post satisfies most.co-op ad programs. Creative services at no charge. Combination rates with The Abington Journal, Clarks Summit, and the Sunday Dispatch, Pittston available. We can provide color prints of photos taken by our staff. Only 8x10 is available, at $25 for the first print and $15 each thereafter. Prepayment required. Call, mail in, or stop by to order. Orders for subscriptions received by Friday at noon will begin the following week. Please inform us of damage or delay, call 829-5000. The Post (ISSN - 1551-1650) Published weekly by Cypress Media, LLC. $26 per year, in Luzerne and Wyoming counties (PA). Call 829-7141 for rates to other areas. Barre PA 18711 Periodicals postage paid at Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701-9998 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Post, 15 N. Main St., Wilkes- ©COPYRIGHT 2005: Entire contents copyrighted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the express written consent of the publisher. v I" [rr
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers