Jacobsburg is site for big celebration

Jacobsburg Historical Society is beginning the Bicentennial of its historic Boulton site along the banks of the Bushkill Creek with a living history celebration of Northampton County heritage on the grounds of the Henry Homestead, Friday through Sunday, June 15-17.

Located just west of the Belfast Exit, Route 33, at the intersection of Henry and Schoeneck, the hills above the banks of the Bushkill Creek will come alive with costumed living history participants who will be celebrating the 200 years of history brought to this area by the Henry Gun Works.

Historically accurate tents, lodges and log cabins will detail the lifestyles of a bygone era. Buckskins, linsey-woolsey and homespun clothing will join with the more refined silks and cottons from the post-Civil War era, all depicting lifestyles from the French and Indian War up to the Victorian Era, when muzzleloader guns passed into history.

Flintlock longrifle competition will be joined by a knife and tomahawk venue and a on-the-hour cannonade. Primitive archery, fire starting with flint and steel and old-fashioned children's games will add to the ambiance of centuries past.

Open will be the Nicholas Hawk log cabin gunshop, Early American Crafts and Education Center, 1832 John Joseph Henry House and 1740 Homestead that serves as the Pennsylvania Long Rifle Museum. And while rifle frolics and fur trade rendezvous have occurred on or near the property since 1981, the Historical Society has added a new dimension for visitors with a market faire.

Scores of historic sutlers, period merchants, and antique tools and historic arms dealers will be set up along the historic John Jacob Astor Road between the J.J. Henry House and Long Rifle Museum. Ringing sounds from blacksmith anvils will join with the period music of the era.

Visitors will have the opportunity to visit three museums, interact with rendezvous games, help their children complete scavenger hunts or watch as the kids are challenged by the outdoor games. Unusual gifts, antiques and curious will be available during the full day of activities at the Early American Craft Center and 18th/19th Century Market Faire.

For information, contact Lyndsey Frigm at 610-759-9029 or access the website at www.jacobsburg.org.

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A 29-pound, 4-ounce lake trout, caught by Todd Young of Nazareth, is now the state record for the species after certification by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. He caught the fish May 6, while fishing Lake Erie aboard the charter boat Eyecon II and bettered the previous state record held by Tom Illar Jr. of Apollo of 27-13, also caught in Lake Erie, by 1-7.

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Registration is underway for the Norm Thornburg Youth Conservation Camp for youngsters between the ages of 13-15 at the Schuylkill County Fairground, Summit Station, Thursday-Saturday, June 14-16. Camp scholarships are available from area sportsmen's clubs through the conservation district office. For registration and more information, contact "Porcupine Pat" McKinney at the Schuylkill Conservation District by calling 570-622-4124, ext. 113 or emailing porcupinepat@yahoo.com.

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Valley Gun and Country Club, Elysburg, is the site of the Pennsylvania State Shooting Association annual seven-day event, Monday-Sunday, June 11-17. Prior to the state shoot, the Colonial Classic will be today and Sunday.

A complete schedule of events is on the PSSA website at www.pssatrap.org.

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There will be a Family Fishing Program by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Sunday, June 10, from 9 a.m. to noon, in the program shelter at Locust Lake State Park. Designed for families with little or no fishing experience, the program teaches basic fishing skills with an opportunity to practice those skills while fishing together during the program. In addition to Family Fishing, there are specialized programs for family ice fishing, family fly-fishing and a SMART angler program for youth between the ages of 8-12.

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There will be a muzzleloader shoot Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., by First Frontier Militia, at Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 248.

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Sunday's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," hosted by award-winning Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz, at 7 a.m. on 1410 WLSH and 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5, will feature outdoors writer, author and lecturer Bob Ballantyne.

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Bear's Head 3-D course is open daily through Friday, Oct. 12, from dawn to dusk daily, except from 2-6 p.m. Sundays, on club grounds located off I-81 exit 134, 148 Lofty Road, Delano. For information, call the association at 570-467-0331.

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A series of basic kayaking courses will be at Tuscarora State Park and prepaid registration is required. All equipment is provided, those 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult and there is a maximum weight limit of 275 pounds.

Courses are Friday, June 22, 5 p.m.; Friday, June 29, 5 p.m.; Wednesday, July 4, 10 a.m. For information and registration, call the park office at 570-467-2506 or register in person at the office.