The 2012 GBBC will take place Friday, February 17, through Monday, February 20. Please join us for the 15th annual count!

The Great Backyard Bird Count is an annual four-day event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are across the continent. Anyone can participate, from beginning bird watchers to experts. It takes as little as 15 minutes on one day, or you can count for as long as you like each day of the event. It’s free, fun, and easy—and it helps the birds.

Nathaniel Hernandez has started a NJ Young Birders' Club. He has created a great web site, which you can check out by taking this link-

http://njyoungbirders.weebly.com/

They have an eagle trip coming soon.

February 19, 2012  •  SUSSEX / NY STATE TRIP
All-day "eagling" trip starting in Sussex County and then going into neighboring NY. It will be cold, so be prepared.
Target bird: Bald Eagle (and lots of 'em!)

For more information: http://njyoungbirders.weebly.com/

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Your work will be featured on patches; the Refuge
website, flyers, t-shirts, pins etc., and you will
receive national recognition for your hard work!

This is for high school and college students. Entries must be received by February 20th 2012

Download details from the web site-

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/wallkillriver/

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Feb. 29th felted soap classes will be offered for our first series of felting.  It is geared towards beginners and is great for children ages 5-105, boy or girl.  Felted soap is fun, easy to make and very useful, it is almost like enclosing the organic soap in a washcloth.  As the soap dissolves, which can last 3 weeks if properly cared for, the felted pouch can be reused.  Classes are $10 including materials and will last approximately 45 minutes.  I am aiming at a 10:30 start time but can be flexible if there is a more appropriate time that will accommodate more families.  When classes are held at the Blairstown location we will take time to go out and visit with our fiber source, our 4 alpacas.

The weeks following we will work on projects such as:
Painting with felt, making tapestries
Making a cellphone/ipod camera case
Make a felted bag
Felting a book cover

Prices will vary as the amount of supplies will change with the size of the project.  Prices will be kept as low as possible to only cover the materials, I will gladly give my time to teach this great fiber technique to both children and adults who are also interested.

For more information please feel free to contact me, I will gladly answer all inquiries!  Please feel free to forward this to anyone who might be interested.  We will also hold after school classes for school children or working parents, too.

Natashia
Hilly Hollow Alpaca Farm
Route 94
Blairstown, NJ 07825
kruse@ptd.net

Sunday March 18, 2012-  12:30 to 4:00 pm.  Come for some – stay for all!
Don’t miss this exciting day celebrating the arts of traditional storytelling & music!!
Bring the whole family!! Appropriate for ages 5 to 95.
    
12:30 pm– Musical Warm-up featuring the multi-talented Larry Siegel on
guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and harmonica.
1-3:00 pm - Master New Jersey Storyteller/Musicians for all ages performing on three stages - with favorites Ken Galipeau, Anne Lemay, and Julie Pasqual.
3-4:00 pm – Music/Storytelling Performance for All – with Larry Siegel & Ken Galipeau.  Both musicians have award winning CDs for adults and children to their credit. Larry provides the music for the popular "Hard Hat Harry" DVD series. Sample Larry at www.larrysiegel.com and Ken at www.storyNsong.com.
    
Tickets are $6 for all ages and are available at the door. What a deal!!
Go to ccm.edu for directions to the college.
    
PLUS - Storytelling Festival Workshop Available for Educators
{To register for morning workshop see below.}

Workshop 10 am to 12 noon.
Professional Development Credits available from CCM
“Storytelling: A Tool for Preventing and Healing Bullying and Other Violence”
with Helen Wise - Storyteller/Educator

$28 including lunch and afternoon performances. What a deal!

Go to www.njstorynet.org. Click on Events tab for workshop description and directions to register and pay for workshop
OR call Carol Titus at 973 625 8548 for registration help.
OR Call the college during business hours at 973 328-5076
{Workshop walk-ins accepted at the door but registration recommended.}