Headwaters Conservation Group Welcomes New Director
Headwaters Resource Conservation and Development Council recently welcomed Dale E. Fox as its new executive director. Chairman Matt Marusiak said her diverse background and experience will help RC&D in its mission to address conservation needs in Potter, Cameron, McKean, Elk, Clinton, Centre, Clearfield and Jefferson counties. She has served on the Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. In addition to supporting ongoing projects, Fox will be responsible for fundraising and new initiatives to support environmental conservation in the areas of agriculture, forest resources, community development, environmental education, water resources and recreation.
“I am particularly interested in exploring how Headwaters can play a role related to the development of the shale gas industry,” she said. “We have a responsibility to help monitor and protect sensitive natural resources and to pursue research opportunities for cooperative conservation and community projects with industry partners.” Headwaters RC&D Council, which was formed in 1975, has most recently been engaged in free water quality testing for private wells and springs, acid mine remediation, grazing conferences, no-till workshops, a weed wildlife program, and alternative energy initiatives. Shown from left are Headwaters officers Todd Deluccia (Cameron County), Matt Marusiak and Dale Fox.
Business districts in Potter County communities are struggling and community leaders are looking for help in bringing them back to life. The Potter County Commissioners are hosting a program by a specialist in downtown revitalization, John Bry, in the Gunzburger Building auditorium at 7 pm on Thursday, March 29. Coudersport Area Chamber of Commerce and the Potter County Visitors Association (PCVA) are among organizations supporting the program.
Headwaters Amateur Radio Club of Potter County will hold weekly classes for the technician and general class amateur radio (HAM) FCC license beginning in February. Schedule will be determined in the coming days. Classes will be held from 6-9 pm at the Potter County Emergency Operations Center at 24 Maple View Lane, off Rt. 872 in Coudersport until the FCC exam is administered in May. There is no longer a Morse code requirement for the HAM license. There is no charge for the instruction, but attendees may wish to purchase a manual for a small charge. More information is available from Jim Centanni at (814) 274-9508 or jimcent@verizon.net.
A Municipal Checklist has been distributed to townships and boroughs across Potter County to help them deal with a myriad of issues that could arise as the result of natural gas drilling. Planning Director Charlotte Dietrich prepared the checklist, in response to requests from some municipalities that have seen natural gas drilling activity.
Prices for growers and dairy operators tend to fluctuate and profit margins can be slim, but there is one farm-related commercial opportunity that has been steadily growing — “agritourism.” It’s strictly defined as “the practice of touring agricultural areas to see farms and often to participate in farm activities.” At a practical level, it can cover everything from the Hamilton farm’s corn maze in Ulysses to the open house/alpaca petting event at the Howard family’s Cinco C’s farm out Sartwell Creek. Another element of agritourism is the marketing of farm-fresh vegetables and fruits to tourists through roadside stands, farmers’ markets or special promotions at the farm itself.
Potter County Area Agency on Aging has openings in its Family Caregiver Support Programs, which assist those who are caring for older relatives or friends so they can stay at home and remain as independent as possible. Programs provide monthly reimbursement for respite services, so that the caregiver can take a break and have someone else prepare meals, help with personal care, or clean.