Susquehanna currents: News & Views of the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
Issue 5
September 1, 2010
  
Upcoming Events
SGHA Lecture Series:
PA German Gravestones: Art and History in Stone
By Michael Emery of Landis Valley Museum
Thursday Oct. 14
6:30pm
 
Partner Events 
Susquehanna
Valley Chamber Business Expo
Tuesday, Sept. 21
5-8pm
 Columbia Market House
Visit our table
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Rivertowns USA
Bus Trip 
 Yuengling & Easton 
 Saturday Sept. 25
Click here for Registration
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Keystone Trails Assoc. Super Hike & Ultra Trail Run
Saturday Sept. 11
7am
Click Here for Info
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 SVCC Bridge Bust
Saturday Oct. 2
8am-4pm.
 Columbia/Wrightsville
Bridge
SGHA
 booth #146
Water Trail Maps will be available for purchase!
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York Hiking Club Short Hike
Hike Chickie's Point to Columbia River Park followed by presentation by author of "Columbia Marietta Wrightsville"
Sunday October 24
 Time TBD

 Board of Directors 
 
Julie McNamara 
 Chair
 David VanArsdale
Vice Chair
James D. Warner
Treasurer
Alex Snyder
Secretary
 
William W. Adams
Senator Mike Brubaker
Charles E. Douts, Jr. 
Al Duncan
Comm. Doug Hoke
David Keller 
 Juan A. Kimble 
Timothea M. Kirchner
Daniel G. Meckley III
Carol A. Park
Dr. Joel M. Rodney
 Fred Uffelman
 Lori Yeich
 
Directors Emeritus
 
Sam Allen 
Louis Appell
Nevin Cooley
Rufus Fulton
Jan Herrold
Robert Kinsley 
Richard Kneedler, Ph.D. Eric Menzer
 Sharron Nelson, Ph.D.
Willis Shenk
 George Waldner, Ph.D.
Judy Ware
Tom Wolf
 
Staff
 
Mark Platts
President
 
Jonathan Pinkerton
Vice President
 
Marie Cartwright
 Outreach & Communications
Coordinator 
 
Pam Kilgore
Administrative Coordinator
 
 
HeritagePA logo and link
 
 
We're the Regional Lead Organization for the Susquehanna Greenway.
 
Susquehanna Greenway Logo 
Dog Days of Summer
While sometimes the end of summer is a bit of a let-down because it marks the end of leisurely days and vacations, SGHA is anxiously looking forward to the fall.  In this issue we've included a list of upcoming events that we are participating in, hosting, or partner organizations are sponsoring. We are especially excited to kick off our Susquehanna Heritage Lecture Series with a presentation on Pennsylvania German Gravestones presented by the Landis Valley Museum.  Please see below for more details. A complete list of fall events will be released in September.  
 
We would also like to thank everyone who attended our Zimmerman Center open house on August 7th. We estimate over 200 visitors stopped by to tour the home, see the artwork, and check out our plans for future site improvements.  SGHA is thrilled to have had the opportunity to introduce more people to the Zimmerman Center and our work of preserving the history and heritage of the Susquehanna River region, which is keeping with John and Kathryn Zimmerman's goal when they donated the home. "The whole idea that it's been saved [the home] and is receiving money to better the property for people to enjoy would be very meaningful to her [Kathryn]", said John Zimmerman in a recent York Dispatch article.
NEWS
SGHA Lecture Series
We are pleased to kick off our new Susquehanna Heritage Lecture Series at the Zimmerman Center on October 14, 2010 at 6:30pm, with a presentation on  Pennsylvania German Gravestones: Art and History in Stone, presented by Michael Emery, Museum Educator, from Landis Valley Museum. The program examines the gravestones of the Pennsylvania Germans as accessible pieces of public art as well as historic markers. This presentation will focus on the sandstone markers of Lancaster, Lebanon, and Berks Counties of the 18th and 19th centuries. 
 
York Co Comm FoundThis event will take place at our office, the Zimmerman Center for Heritage, located at 1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368. Light refreshments will be provided. The presentation will conclude with a short walk to the Dritt Cemetery, located behind the Zimmerman Center in Native Lands County Park, to examine the tombstones. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring a flashlight.
 
The cost for this unique presentation is $10/person in advance or $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit the operations and programs of the Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area. Registration can be completed online www.susquehannaheritage.org or by mail.Please click here for mail-in form.
 
Future lectures include topics such as Native American Petroglyphs in the Susquehanna, The History of Pleasant Garden, and other hands-on workshops.
 
Facility Rental Program
Enjoy your next corporate event or group meeting at the historic Zimmerman Center for Heritage. Our nearly 300 year old facility boasts two meetings rooms, a large foyer, access to a full modern kitchen, picturesque views of the river, large patio, and a permanent river art collection adorning the walls.

The facility is available for weekday or weekend rentals and special pricing is available for nonprofits. A large screen TV with DVD player and video projector are also available for use.

The Zimmerman Center provides a beautiful setting for:
Corporate Meetings, Seminars, Workshops, Office Holiday Meals, Board Retreats, Business Receptions, Donor/Member recognition events, or Annual Meetings.
 
Please contact Marie Cartwright, Outreach & Communications Coordinator, to discuss your next event mcartwright@susquehananheritage.org or
717-252-0229 ext. 4
 
Reminder: New Water Trail Website
SGHA, in conjunction with the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,  is pleased to unveil the new Susquehanna River Water Trail website for the Lower Susquehanna, www.SusquehannaWatertrail.org
This website offers guidance on river and trail accessibility, an online showcase of river heritage interpretive panels, and information on purchasing a water trail map and guide
 
This new resource is a must-see first stop for residents and visitors looking forward to enjoying the Susquehanna River in our region. 
Hidden Heritage
 
There are so many unique opportunities for heritage and outdoor experiences in the Susquehanna region.  Visitors may not know about some of the "local secrets" and for life-long residents it's easy to forget about the great experiences right in our own backyard. So with this issue we would like to start sharing some of our discovered (or rediscovered) experiences.
 
Hiking Clubs - By Marie Cartwright
Anyone who knew me growing up would chuckle at the idea of me being outside, enjoying nature. My family's idea of roughing it was staying at a motel with no pool and limited cable channels.  However, as I've gotten older, I've come to appreciate and actually embrace spending time outside and the occasional tent camping weekend.
 
In June I attended the dedication of the Mason-Dixon Trail as a National Recreation Trail and went on a short hike from the York Hiking Club (YHC) cabin up to Urey Overlook as part of the event. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the hiking club is not just for folks looking to take strenuous week-long hikes. The York Hiking Club is comprised of families and adults of all ages. They organize weekly hikes, usually on a Sunday afternoon, that range from shorter 2-5 mile hikes all the way to longer 10 mile, or multi-day hikes.
 
Founded in 1932, YHC's mission is to promote hiking and appropriate use of outdoor recreational assets.  They also help maintain a section of the Appalachian Trail Northeast of Harrisburg and a stretch of the Mason-Dixon trail in York County. Their website has all of their upcoming activities listed as well as copies of their newsletters.  If you're looking for a great way to spend some time on a weekend and to meet a bunch of friendly outdoor enthusiasts, join YHC for one of their hikes! www.YorkHikingClub.com
 
The Lancaster County Hiking Club also has regular organized hikes and helps maintain a section of the Conestoga Trail System. Learn more at http://lancasterhikingclub.angelfire.com/
Take Advantage of Your Local Parks
 
As we move into the fall season, this is a beautiful time to visit the numerous county parks in both Lancaster and York.  Both counties offer a variety of programming and events in addition to beautiful facilities. Click on the links below to start your parks adventure:

Lancaster County Parks                York County Parks
 
If you're planning a visit to the Zimmerman Center, take a few extra minutes to walk through the Native Lands County Park, accessed by trail directly behind our offices.  The one mile Native Lands Heritage Trail connects to Klines Run Park and provides access to the site of the last known Susquehannock Indian village. Just up the road is Highpoint Scenic Vista and Heritage Trail. Hike to the pinnacle of this half-mile trail to enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of the land and river. A map and waystop guide is available at each of the trailheads.

Additional information about  Native Lands and Highpoint can be found on our website.
 
Zimmerman Center for HeritageContact Us 
Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area
The John & Kathryn Zimmerman Center for Heritage 
1706 Long Level Road, Wrightsville, PA 17368
 Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area logo