Across the area

Forestry, wildlife conference set

BEDFORD -- The Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies (WOSA) will hold its 23rd annual Forestry and Wildlife Conference, "Managing Forests and Wildlife," from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. March 14 at the Bedford American Legion Post.

The conference, which includes a buffet lunch, is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers.

The keynote speaker is Ryan Reed, natural resource program specialist for DCNR Bureau of Forestry, who will share impacts of climate change on Pennsylvania forests and what landowners can do to mitigate impacts.

Laura Jackson, Juniata Valley Audubon Society vice president, will share information on birds that rely on healthy forests and how climate change is affecting both forests and bird populations.

Jared Shippey, supervisory district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Matt Heffner, NRCS forester, will share information on funding that is available for forest landowners who want to work in their woods.

Pennsylvania's Woodland Stewardship Coordinator Gary Gilmore will offer insights on carbon capture using charcoal.

Attendees will also get a wildlife update from PGC Game Warden Supervisor Jeremy Coughenour.

Jill Rose, plant pathologist at the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, will review insects and diseases that might affect forests.

Participants will have the chance to win numerous door prizes and bid on silent auction items. A Stihl MS 170 chainsaw with personal protection gear will be raffled at the end of the conference. Attendees can purchase 10 raffle tickets for $10.

Foresters and loggers who attend the entire program can apply for two pesticide credits, four SFI continuing education credits and SAF CFE credits.

Conference reservation and payment must be mailed by March 6 to reserve lunch, and can be found on www.theWOSA.org.

Call Jackson at 652-9268 or Dave Scamardella at 717-485-3148 for more information or for a copy of the reservation form. The form is on the WOSA website: www.theWOSA.org

Resident to receive Quilt of Valor

EVERETT -- Phil Smith, a resident of Homewood at Spring House Estates, will be awarded a Quilt of Valor at a ceremony held at Spring House Estates in March.

Smith was nominated by staff at Kirkland Hospice, who submitted the application.

Quilts of Valor started with the dream of Catherine Roberts in 2003, whose son was deployed in Iraq. Catherine had definite ideas about the standards of excellence for the Quilts of Valor. It had to be a quality-made quilt, assembled by a volunteer team who would donate their time and materials to make the quilt. The team consisted of a quilt-topper, a person who pieces the top from various fabrics and a quilter who uses a "longarm" quilting machine to create beautiful machine quilting. It would say "Thank you for your service, sacrifice and valor in serving our nation."

The Quilt of Valor foundation is a national, non-profit organization formed in 2005 with the mission statement and purpose "to cover service members touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor." The foundation is a 501(c)(3) based in Winterset, Iowa.

Smith served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Enterprise from September 1965 through October 1968. Smith and his wife reside in an apartment at Homewood at Spring House Estates in Everett.

Bellwood library to host events

BELLWOOD -- The Bellwood-Antis Public Library will host a meeting of the World War II Interest Group at 7 p.m. March 16.

The group is for promoting an interest in World War II history and those who served. At the meeting, participants will preview the group's 2020 events, learn how to help honor local World War II veterans and research and present topics related to World War II history.

This month's topics include: local veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice; The Mosquito, a wooden plane that was one of the fastest planes used during the War; Celebrities who served World War II, urban legends vs fact; Film preview of World War II ships.

World War II Interest Group meetings are open to the public and new members are always welcome.

In addition, the library will welcome local author Bethany Marshall for a special storytime at 6:30 p.m. March 31 featuring her new book "Pickles & Prayer." This storytime is for children of all ages.