Enjoy a quarterly snapshot of our region with the latest edition of our quarterly digital magazine!
2026
Quarterly
Volume 20 April - June
Your All-Access Guide to Columbia & Montour Counties!
800.847.4810 iTourColumbiaMontour.com
@ALLYKELLYPHOTO
@WEIS_CENTER
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Little House on the Riverbank 6 Gone Fishing 12 Master Angler 16 Legacy: The Story of Cathy & Barry Beck 18 Bryce’s Baits: Reeling In a Dream 20 Events Calendar 30 Keeping Columbia & Montour Counties Green 32 Soil pH & Fertilizer: Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Columbia County
34 39
Keeping Berwick’s Legacy Alive
Member Spotlight
The McClure’s were the very first European settlers in what would eventually become Bloomsburg. Mrs. McClure (formerly Mary Espy) gave birth to four children there but sadly her husband, James, passed away sometime in late 1777 or early 1778. After the Battle of Wyoming upriver, the widow took her children and her friend Mrs. Stuart via raft to the safer Lancaster area. In the years that followed, the family returned, a stockade was built and completed by Moses Van Campen in 1781. Major Van Campen eventually married the eldest McClure daughter in 1783 and took charge of the McClure farm. The first room was probably not the original cabin, but it’s the oldest part of the property, with the rest of the house added later as hard work and perseverance
the river a constant threat of natural and man-made disasters. Or what it was like facing a snow storm and not knowing when it would end. Would the supplies last? What would you do if everyone got sick? My own grand-mother, in her cabin with two young children, had far more security than these folks. Beyond the first room, the house expanded in the 1800s with addition of the Federalist style rooms and second floor. The stockade that surrounded it when it was Fort McClure is lost to time. Over the years, it passed down through the family until it was sold to the Town in 1907 and in 1955 the deed was given to the Fort McClure Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR currently owns and maintains the McClure House.
There is far more fascinating history that goes with this unassuming little house by the river, but I’ll let the learned ladies from DAR tell you in person, they’ll do a far better job at bringing it alive than I can on the page. This beautiful and obviously very well-cared for house is a fantastic visit and we’re lucky to have such a place right here. It’s a must visit for the America 250 celebrations this year and is also home to one of the 67 Liberty Trees planted last year. These trees are in commemoration of the original Liberty Trees, gathering places for Sons of Liberty
"A family of six would have all lived and slept in that single room."
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE RIVERBANK Jenn Puckett,
allowed. The first and most obvious thing about the “Log Room” is the enormous fireplace and hearth. The stone behemoth occupies and entire wall and my very knowledgeable guide Gay told me the family would have never let the fire go out if it could be avoided, as fire was essential to all heating and cooking. A family of six would have all lived and slept in that single room. The house today is surrounded by roads, parks, fields and walking paths with the Susquehanna placidly flowing by. I tried to imagine no friendly neighbors for miles;
during the Revolutionary War. There is one tree for each Pennsylvania County; this is the location of the Columbia County Tree! (You can find the Montour County Liberty Tree at Canal Park.) One more fun fact: the birth of James McClure Jr. in 1774 was the first child of European settlers born in the area. My Grammy wasn’t around just yet, but as far as I could tell, there is no historical documentation about his ears. I’m sure Ma McClure had other things to worry about. ❚
When my grandmother met my then-infant son, her first comment after holding and cooing at him was “He’s got nice ears, they’re good and flat on his head. Some of these kids…” she shook her head, remembering the bat-eared babies of yesteryear. “Well, they used to tape them down back in my day.” I never knew what my Grammy would say about any given thing. After she was done thinking about household items for baby beauty enhancements, she asked how motherhood was treating me. I told her I was very tired, but getting the hang of it. I asked her what it was like for her when her first two children were born. She told me about the cabin she lived in, alone with two babies and no running water or electricity. She didn’t know if her husband would ever come home from the fighting overseas. She didn’t have a car or a telephone. She had a sister that came
once a week to take her to the store. I couldn’t imagine not having access to disposable diapers at that point in my motherhood journey, let alone having to haul water, then heat water, to wash them out with no help. It was a pretty humbling moment and certainly made me feel a lot more grateful for the relative ease of my life. I thought about that moment many years later when I was standing in the first room of the McClure House. I’ve toured mansions and visited notable historic places before and they are always fascinating to step back in time for just an hour or so. You can find yourself marveling at the gorgeous woodwork on the grand staircase and the complicated system of how servants were summoned. The McClure House was a place where everybody worked, nothing was certain and danger was everywhere.
Come out for the "Meet the Modern Patriots” festival on the front lawn of Ft. McClure on Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 16th from 10 am to 4 pm.) Free tours of the Fort McClure House throughout the day and the Catawissa Military Band Concert at 2pm. Attendees will include Civil Air Patrol Cadets - Blooms-burg Airport, Catawissa Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion Bloomsburg Post 273, Stuart Tank Museum and many others. Additional public tours of the house are scheduled for April 11, May 13 and July 2. Visit the dedicated America250 calendar of events on our website for more exciting happenings!
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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April–June • 2026
@BARRYANDCATHYBECK
Gone Fishing
Fishing season is here again! Opening Day of Trout season was Saturday, April 4th. Fishing in Columbia & Montour Counties is a wonderful way to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Here are all the resources you might need to hit the water this year and have a blast reeling in the big one.
Fish-For-Free Days Sunday, May 24, 2026 & Saturday, July 4, 2026 (Independence Day) are 2026 Fish-for-Free Days Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone (resident or non- resident) to legally fish on Pennsylvania waterways on the designated days with NO FISHING LICENSE REQUIRED (Trout/Salmon and Lake Erie permits are also NOT required). All other fishing regulations still apply. Fish-for-Free Days are great ways for families to “catch” the fun of fishing!
@BARRYANDCATHYBECK
STATEWIDE OPENING DAY OF TROUT April 4th End of Trout Regular Season – September 7th Extended Season: All stocked trout waters, streams plus lakes and ponds: September 8th to December 31st. TIME: 8 AM MINIMUM SIZE: 7 inches FISHING HOURS: 24 hrs after the 8AM opener Extended season regulations only apply to waters managed as Stocked Trout Waters (STW). All waters downstream of STW are no longer managed under extended season regulations. The complete list of STW can be found in the 2026 Summary of PA Fishing Laws and Regulations.
Statewide Mentored Youth Trout Day Saturday, March 28, 2026
Youth anglers need a Mentored Youth Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission and to be accompanied by an licensed adult angler to participate. With their License OR Permit, they can take a total of 2 trout (combined species) with a minimum length of 7 inches. Adult anglers are prohibited from possessing trout. Anglers 16 years of age or older are adult anglers and need a valid Pennsylvania Fishing License and a current Trout Permit. To participate on MYTD, anglers over 16 must be accompanied by an eligible holder of a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit OR a Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Commission. The waters included in the Mentored Youth Fishing Day Program are the Stocked Trout Waters statewide.
OTHER IMPORTANT FISHING SEASON DATES
Opening Day of Walleye & Sauger Saturday, May 2
Bass & No Harvest Season – while Bass Season is open year round, there is a no harvest period from 12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in April (April 11, 2026) to 12:01 a.m. the second Saturday in June (June 12, 2026). During the no harvest season, anglers must immediately return any bass to the water and are prohibited from casting into spawning beds.
XANDER SMITH
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
STEVE DROSDICK
Locations in Montour County selling in-person fishing licenses:
• In addition to a fishing license, trout anglers 16 and older must posses a Trout Permit (or Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit) to fish for trout. • A Lake Erie Permit (or Combination Trout/Lake Erie Permit) is also needed to fish for trout, salmon and steelhead in Lake Erie and its tributaries. • Anglers do not need to display licenses , but must be able to provide them either in print or on their digital device upon request of an officer. Anglers must also be able to provide positive proof of identification (other than the fishing license) upon request of a Waterways Conservation Officer. • 2026 licenses and permits are valid Dec 1, 2025 through Dec 31, 2026 (except 1, 3 and 7-day licenses) and are available beginning Dec. 1, 2025 at issuing agents statewide and online at huntfish.pa.gov. • Non-resident students attending in-state universities now qualify for a discounted fishing license from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The price is $27.97, which is the same as an annual license for state residents and $33 less than an annual non-resident license.
DUNHAM’S SPORTS 225 Columbia Mall Dr,Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Phone: 570-389-9681 GUMPY’S CREEKSIDE CABIN 2861 Route 42, Millville, PA 17846 Phone: 570-458-5131 MAPLE RIDGE SPORTS CENTER 402 Main Street, Orangeville, PA 17859 Phone: 570-387-5099 RED ROCK CORNER STORE 121 State Route 118, Benton, PA 17814 Phone: 570-854-3622 WALMART BUCKHORN/BLOOMSBURG 100 Lunger Drive, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Phone: 570-389-5750
MONTOUR COUNTY TREASURER 435 East Front Street, Danville, PA 17821 Phone: 570-271-3016 Locations in Columbia County selling in-person fishing licenses: BLOOMSBURG TITLE TAG & NOTARY 550 East Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Phone: 570-416-0878 C.M. LAUBACH & SONS, INC. 547 East 8th Street, Berwick, PA 18603 Phone: 570-752-3620 COLUMBIA COUNTY TREASURER 11 West Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA 17815 Phone: 570-389-5626
FISHING LICENSE INFORMATION Fishing licenses are available to purchase online from the PA Fish & Boat Commission. You may also purchase a license in person at various locations throughout the state. To review pricing for all
available licenses, please click here.
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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April–June • 2026
SAM SWANK
STOCKING
VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP
In 2026, the PFBC will stock approximately 3.2 million adult trout in 684 streams, and 130 lakes open to public angling. These figures, which are consistent with the number of trout stocked over the past decade, include approx- imately 2.3 million Rainbow Trout; 698,000 Brown Trout; and 128,000 Brook Trout. As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length with an average weight of .58 pounds. Once again, this year, anglers will have an excellent chance to catch large, trophy-sized trout. During 2026, the PFBC will stock approximately 72,000 trophy-sized brood fish, which are 2 ½ year-old and 3 ½ year- old hatchery-raised Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Brook Trout measuring 14-20 inches. Roughly 75% of these large fish will be stocked into streams and lakes during the preseason prior to opening day of trout season, and 25% will be stocked during in- season replenishment stockings. The PFBC will stock approximately 18,000 golden Rainbow Trout during 2026. In addi- tion to being stocked during the preseason period before opening day, these highly prized fish featuring vibrant golden-orange pigmentation and weighing an average of 1.5 pounds will be stocked during in-season replenishment stockings. Approximately 75% of golden Rainbow Trout will be stocked during the preseason, and approximately 25% will be stocked in-season. In addition to trout raised at state fish hatch- eries, PFBC cooperative nurseries operated by sportsmen’s clubs and other groups across the state will add another 1.1 million trout to waters open to public angling throughout the year. Anglers looking for stocked trout fishing opportunities ahead of the opening day should explore Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters , a program where sections of 24 streams across the state are stocked with large trout measuring 14-20 inches and managed under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only or Miscellaneous Special regulations. Under the program, approx- imately 10,000 large trout will be distributed among the streams. The trout will be stocked at a rate of 175 to 225 per mile of stream, which is comparable to the numbers of similarly sized fish in Pennsylvania’s best wild trout waters.
Use the PA Fish & Boat Commission’s interactive map to find a stream, boat access, stocked trout lake and more.
2 Downstream of the I-80 Bridge on the Susquehanna River This stretch, for approximately one mile downstream of the I80 bridge in Columbia County, is accessible by most any watercraft, from multiple access points, and partially by shore anglers. It combines shallow elevation changes with moving
WHERE TO FISH In addition to the stocked waters, Pennsylvania also has
thousands of wild trout streams. These streams are a great resource and offer a different challenge and reward for anglers. Still looking for some suggestions of where to start? Here’s some ideas from a local expert, John “Toast” Oast. John “Toast” Oast is a professional kayak angler and host of the popular Fishyaker YouTube channel . His channel has received over 8.5 million video views, and John regularly posts videos with fishing tips, highlights, conditions, gear reviews, and more. A resident of Bloomsburg, Oast’s kayak fishing exploits have been featured in various regional and national publications, videos, and television shows, and he travels extensively competing in kayak fishing tournaments and promoting the sport. TOAST’S TOP 5 FISHING SPOTS IN COLUMBIA & MONTOUR COUNTIES 1 Kayak or canoe from Bloomsburg to Danville on the Susquehanna River For those interested in a beautiful, scenic downstream float or fishing trip, launch at the Bloomsburg Airport PFBC access and take out at the Danville PFBC access. This is a longer trip, so it is best accomplished in a full day during the longer summer months. This stretch is great for anyone, from the novice to the advanced paddler. This float is best by paddlecraft, as during summer and lower- water periods, there may be extremely shallow areas and submerged boulders and ledges. Anglers on this stretch may catch smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, catfish, and northern pike.
water, as well as deeper areas. Anglers on this stretch may catch smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, catfish, and northern pike. 3 Fishing Creek Fishing Creek is one of the Pennsylvania’s legendary fishing destinations for avid trout anglers. There are numerous public and private fishing areas along the creek, from I-80 northward. 4 Weiser State Forest Roaring Creek Tract This often overlooked chain of three lake reservoirs and connecting creek are great locations for anglers and owners of canoes and kayaks. Special regulations exist for each of these bodies of water, so check with current posted and online regulations. Anglers may catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, pickerel, catfish, and panfish. 5 Bloomsburg Town Park Looking for a great place to take the family for a picnic or to introduce a child to fishing? Bloomsburg Town Park has both access to the Susquehanna River and the park’s small lake impoundment. Anglers and paddlers may fish from the river’s shore or launch small watercraft, or fish from the shore at the relaxing environment of the park lake. Anglers along the river may catch smallmouth bass, muskellunge, walleye, catfish, and northern pike. Anglers in the lake may catch largemouth bass, catfish, panfish, and carp.
2026 ADULT TROUT STOCKING SCHEDULE
Navigate by county and date to review stocking schedule for the season throughout the state.
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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April–June • 2026
BARRY & CATHY BECK
Stickers will be awarded for each identified fish species caught. A GRAND PRIZE (~$1,000 value) will be drawn/awarded to one YOUTH & one ADULT that accomplished the Master Angler designation. Each identified species caught will earn one (1) entry into the GRAND PRIZE DRAWING. Each identified BONUS SPECIES caught will earn ten (10) entries into the GRAND PRIZE DRAWING. Please note – you can submit as many of each species as you’d like, but will only receive an entry per unique species. For instance, if someone catches and submits 10 of a single species, they will still just receive 1 Grand Prize entry. –––– Again, the Master Angler Passport is a “Catch, Photo and Release” tournament. We are fishing for FUN, and to help sustain the fish population in the waterways of Columbia & Montour counties. At the same time, our goal is to get people out and about in our area and on the water fishing. –––– Full rules and regulations can be found on the iAngler tournament website.
TOURNAMENT DIVISIONS: Youth – 15 years old (or younger) at time of registration Adult – 16 years old (or older) at time of registration. TOURNAMENT BOUNDARIES: All publicly accessible waterways in Columbia & Montour Counties in Pennsylvania
ELIGIBLE SPECIES:
April 4 - December 31, 2026
• Bass
• Catfish
The Columbia & Montour Counties: Master Angler Passport has returned for a second year! Organized through the popular fishing tournament company, iAngler, this program allows visitors and residents alike to get out on the water in our counties and record the fish species you catch in the iAngler mobile app. This is a FREE passport designed to be fun for the public. Those anglers who catch enough species throughout the year will be awarded the title of “Master Angler” for Columbia & Montour counties in 2026. They will also receive corresponding commem- orative prizes for reaching the Master Angler tier, and will be entered to win a year-end Grand Prize drawing. The Master Angler Passport is a “Catch, Photo and Release” tournament. We are fishing for FUN, and to help sustain the fish population in the waterways of Columbia & Montour counties. Each passport-holder must submit their scores via the iAngler Tournament app. Participants may only use cellphone cameras for recording fish. Location and date/time functions must be turned on. Photographs should be taken at maximum resolution.
• Largemouth bass • Smallmouth bass
• Channel catfish • Flathead catfish • Bullhead catfish
• Panfish
• Sunfish (Various Types) • Yellow perch • Rock bass • Crappie • Brook trout • Rainbow trout • Brown trout • Golden Rainbow/ Palomino trout
• Other
• Sucker • Carp
• Northern Pike • Chain Pickerel • Walleye
• Trout
• Bonus
• Muskellunge/ Tiger Muskellunge • American Eel
PRIZE CATEGORIES: YOUTH: Catch six (6) different identified fish species to be awarded a logo patch & commemorative lure package. ADULT: Catch nine (9) different identified fish species to be awarded a logo patch & commemorative lure package. GRAND PRIZES Our 2026 Grand Prize will be a Nucanoe kayak. Two kayaks will be given out; one in the Adult category and one in the Youth category. In addition to the Grand Prize kayak giveaways, a NEW Grand Prize will also be awarded this year: a weekend fishing experience in the counties, complete with overnight accommodations and multiple days of guided fishing excursions. More details will be provided later this spring.
SIGN UP NOW
STICKERS For each species caught, you will receive the
corresponding sticker in the mail by the end of the year. Only one sticker will be awarded for each species (Ex: you catch 5 smallmouth bass, you will receive 1 sticker).
Dale Harris and Carter Mench, 2025 Master Angler winners, with their kayak grand prizes
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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April–June • 2026
41st Annual Frontier Days Celebration July 14-19, 2026
3D Barrel Racing Wednesday
Fun Horse Show Tuesday
Voted “Best in the East”
Grounds Open At 4pm
APRA & IPRA Sanctioned Championship Rodeo Thur., Fri., & Sat.
Camping Available Great Food & Vendors
Bull-A-Rama Sunday
No Pets Allowed
385 Mendenhall Lane Benton, PA 17814
s Fall 24 - Half_Layout 1 9/17/24 3:21 PM Page 1
Call (570) 925-6536 Please Leave Message. bentonrodeo@yahoo.com • www.bentonrodeo.com
616 Walnut Street Danville, PA 570-275-1310
Lunch • Dinner • Takeout • Delivery Something for everyone... entrees, appetizers, burgers, salads, soup and don't forget the fresh cut fries! Offering a full bar with a variety of domestic, imported, craft, and seasonal beers. Family-friendly atmosphere with outdoor seating. Open for lunch and dinner.
www.ltevansrestaurant.com Online Ordering Available!
By this point, Cathy had been featured in all of the major fly-fishing magazines. Her skill as a fly fisher was being honed for what would become a career of teaching and fly-fishing travel around the world. Beck wrote her first book, Cathy Beck’s Fly Fishing Handbook , in 2002, with a revision in 2005. Her DVD, From First Cast to Double Haul (2008), has helped hundreds of people get started in fly fishing and has helped many others to unravel the mystery of the double haul. In addition, the Becks worked together to publish Fly Fishing the Flats (1999), Pennsylvania Blue-Ribbon Fly-Fishing Guide (2002), Outdoor Photographer’s Handbook (2004), and Fly Waters Near & Far (2005). Cathy and Barry lived in Benton, Pennsylvania, near their home stream of Fishing Creek. They offered guiding, and Cathy taught private casting classes. Together with Frontiers International, they hosted fly-fishing trips around the world, as well as safari photography trips to Africa. Cathy passed away in Argentina in 2024 while on the stream doing what she loved.
You can still book guided trips with Barry and his expert fly-fishing crew of guides.
What happens when you lose your fishing buddy, business partner, your muse, and your loving wife all in one moment? Award-winning filmmaker Joshua Caldwell, director of the Netflix hit “Mending the Line,” once again tackles the subjects of loss, healing, and recovery in the sweeping story of fly-fishing’s best-known and influential couple. Cathy was a longtime area resident and world- renowned fly fisherwoman who passed away in 2024, and this is the story of her lasting legacy.
Wandell Inn Winter 24-Half_Layout 1 12/11/23 6:06 PM Page 1
BOOK YOUR TRIP TODAY
Six Luxury rooms for today’s distinguished travelers who are looking for a comfortable home away from home! Wandell Inn 240 Main Street Benton, PA 17814 570-394-7033 www.wandellinn.com
Documentary produced by Fly Fisherman Magazine Bio by the American Museum of Fly Fishing
CATHY BECK (1952-2024) One name that is synonymous with fly fishing and casting instruction is Cathy Beck. Beck was born and raised in northeastern Pennsylvania. Her family owned a farm, and it was not unusual for Beck and her siblings to be found fishing in the ponds and local streams. She began to fly fish in 1978 after receiving casting instruction from another Pennsylvania native, Barry Beck. The pair had been inseparable since. The couple eventually purchased his parents’ sporting goods store in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and decided to expand some of the store’s offerings. A fly-fishing school and guiding services were added, and the focus of the retail merchandise was changed. While operating this store, the Becks traveled in pursuit of photographic oppor- tunities and began to have images published. The Becks sold the store in 1992 so that they could pursue careers centered on fly fishing and photography.
A Picturesque Inn Nestled in the charming Village of Benton Pennsylvania... just a short drive from both Ricketts Glen State Park and Bloomsburg University. Each one of our six guest rooms is uniquely designed and features works by local artists. Our complimentary coffee bar awaits your visit.
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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BRYCE’S BAITS Reeling In a Dream Linda Sones,
On Bryce’s Instagram page , he decided to run an offer. If you acquired some of his baits and caught a fish, post it to Instagram with his page tagged, he would collect those posts and draw one person’s name, and that person “won” more baits! It seems this young man understands how to market his product, or at least gamify it. In the Spring of 2025, Bryce decided to try hardened baits like Crank Baits and Topwater Baits. This process takes a lot longer. It would take a full day to just make one or two. This led Bryce to try Flies in the summer
What do you say to your 12-year-old when he asks for a GAS MASK and MICROWAVE for his 13th Birthday?? For the Orzoleks, the answer was “Sure”! Why? Because they knew that their son, Bryce, had taken a strong interest in making fishing baits, just like he saw on YouTube. He received these items and Bryce’s Baits, a small fishing lure business, was born. Bryce, a passionate fisherman, started his enterprise by making swimbaits. They swim like a fish, imitating their motion, and are very effective at catching a variety of fish, especially Bass. They come in different types, sizes, colors, and tail structures, making them suitable for various conditions. Bryce studied these soft lures and became so good at it that he received requests for special types and colors. He asked friends to assist him at times to handle the requests that were coming in. But having the molds, his gas mask, microwave, and friends wasn’t enough to get the job done. Pouring the liquid plastic into the molds became problematic and messy. He needed an injector. With the blessing of his parents, the injector was purchased, and he was in mass production. Now, Bryce has a bunch of baits available to others, so he developed a logo and packaged them for others to use. He asked to have them available at a friend’s business, Mountain Marksmen Gun Shop in Mainville. There, shoppers could acquire them and try them out for themselves.
of 2025. Tying flies for fly fishing is truly an art. You can make many flies in a day once you are good at it, and they can be very beautiful. Fly baits mimic fly hatches and insects. They are used in Fly Fishing, which is another art. Mastering the 10-to-2 casting is very difficult for some, including me. Now at 14 years old, Bryce manages Instagram, YouTube , and Facebook pages, showcasing his art. He also attends farmers’ markets and outdoor shows. He will also have a booth at the Bloomsburg Renaissance Jamboree this year. With Bryce not being the only child and not having a driver’s license, he, at times, needs to recruit his grandparents to chauffeur him to his shows. At one of the shows, a Florida company saw his product and bought his entire stock! He also has a person in North Carolina who asked to have some shipped to him. Yes, Bryce will ship. A newer marketing idea Bryce uses is making “Mystery bags”. Let him know what you plan on fishing for, and he’ll get you a mystery bag with something in it for that
type of fishing. These are popular, and I’ve seen other crafters use this idea at craft shows. He will also take special requests so if you are looking for a specific color type, fly, whatever, if he can make it, he will create it. I asked Bryce where he plans on going from here. He stated that he will continue making baits through high school and college. But he isn’t sure after that. This summer, he plans on making jigs (which means he needs to acquire a toaster oven) and spinners, which are my personal favorites. He also thought it would be a good idea to make Fly packages (set of four for specific fish/season), tackle bags/boxes, and promote stocking stuffers. He also is looking at becoming an LLC. Our 2026 Master Angler Passport has started, so if you are looking for some new baits, support this inspiring young man. You can contact him through his social media pages or just give him a call at 570- 441-8386. Fishing season is now open, so get your baits and I’ll see you on the water! ❚
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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April–June • 2026
APRIL
@570SOAPCO
BLOOM YARNIES Every second and fourth Saturday Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 - bloomsburgpl.org KOMODO DRAGON FEEDING Last Saturday of the month Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland 570-538-1869 - reptiland.com BREWSKIS’ BLUEGRASS BRUNCH Last Sunday of the month Brewskis Coffee and Bar 570-317-2865
DAN TEPFER (JAZZ/PIANO) April 2 Weis Center for the Performing Arts 570-577-1000 - bucknell.edu
“THE POTENTIAL OF IMMIGRATION TO REVITALIZE COMMUNITIES AND REDUCE CRIME” April 2 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
OPENING DAY OF TROUT April 4 Pennsylvania Waterways
EVENTS CALENDAR RECURRING EVENTS
MONTGOMERY/BOYD HOUSE TOURS Every Sunday, April 19 through October
5TH ANNUAL ADULT EASTER EGG HUNT April 4 Three Dogs Vino 570-204-0895 - threedogsvino.com ARTIST SERIES PRESENTS: JOHN HOLIDAY April 4 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
Montgomery House Museum & Boyd House Museum 570-271-0830 - montourcountyhistoricalsociety.org
BELIEF Through May 1 The Exchange Gallery 570-317-2596 – exchangearts.org
IndianHeadCampground-Spring26-HalfPg_Layout 1 3/18/26 5:15 PM Page 1
BLOOMSBURG LIBRARY BRIDGE CLUB Every Monday Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 – bloomsburgpl.org BERWICK AREA VETERANS CENTER Every Monday & Wednesday McBride Memorial Library 570-752-2241 - mcbridelibary.org CRAFT PIZZA NIGHT Every Monday Craft Catering at the Links at Hemlock Creek 570-594-8134 - craftcateringllc.com
QUAKER STEAK & LUBE BIKE NITE Every Wednesday Quaker Steak & Lube 570-389-9464 – quakersteakandlube.com
2-1/2 miles from I-80, Exit 232 At the Intersection of Fishing Creek & the Susquehanna River
PLAY TRADITIONAL MAHJONG Every Thursday Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 – bloomsburgpl.org RIVER POETS First Thursday of the month Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 – bloomsburgpl.org
AMERICAN MAH JONGG Every Tuesday Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 – bloomsburgpl.org DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS Every Tuesday Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 – bloomsburgpl.org
FIRST FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN BLOOMSBURG First Friday of the month Downtown Bloomsburg 570-661-1936 - downtownbloomsburg.org
• WiFi • Drive-throughs • Camper Rentals • New Playground (2023) • Hay Wagon Rides for All
• Clean,
• Camping • Fishing • Shaded Level Sites • Water &Sewer • Electric • Laundry Facilities
Modern Bathrooms Tenting & Club Area • Camp Store • Special
OPEN MIC AT ROCK GOD BREWING Last Friday of the month Rock God Brewing 570-284-4096 FERRY STREET GROWERS MARKET Every Saturday, beginning May 2 Ferry Street in Danville 570-284-4502 - visitdanvillepa.org
MONTOUR COUNTY GENEALOGICAL ROOM Every Wednesday Boyd House Museum 570-271-0830 - montourcountyhistoricalsociety.org
Bloomsburg, PA (570) 441-8628 www.indianheadcampgroundllc.com
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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GREATER BENTON SOUP COOK-OFF April 11 Waller United Methodist Church “KING LEAR” BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE April 11 & 12 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
New 26-27 Season Coming Soon! Announcement and Ticket Sales: July Join us for our last performance of the season!
Orchestra of Indigenous Instruments and New Technologies Friday, April 17, 7:30 p.m.
UNIVERSITY JAZZ ENSEMBLE April 11 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu COMBINED CHORAL ENSEMBLES April 11 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu OPENING DAY OF MONTGOMERY AND BOYD HOUSE MUSEUMS April 12
@WEIS_CENTER
ORCHESTRA OF INDIGENOUS INSTRUMENTS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES (WORLD MUSIC) April 17 Weis Center for the Performing Arts 570-577-1000 - bucknell.edu MIFFLINVILLE SPRING FESTIVAL April 18 & 19 Mifflinville Carnival Grounds facebook.com/groups/361209226154417/
BUCKNELL.EDU/WEISCENTER BUCKNELL.EDU/BOXOFFICE 570-577-1000
Montgomery House Museum, Boyd House Museum 570-271-0830 – montourcountyhistoricalsociety.org
“FRIES REBELLION” SCREENING April 12 St. Gabriel in The Pines facebook.com/groups/1742878933151066/ “USING ADVERSITY AS MOTIVATION,” PRESENTED BY CHAD LAUER April 13 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu 2026 GARDENING SERIES IN BERWICK April 15 Berwick Innovation Center 570-316-6519 - extension.psu.edu SCCHS PRESENTS: “CREATION OF WOODWIND FLUTES” April 15 Elk Hollow Lodge facebook.com/groups/1717924578495303/
APRIL (continued)
NACHO AVERAGE FUNDRAISER April 10 Rohrbach’s Farm 570-356-7654 - rohrbachsfarm.net DCDC’S DINNER AND SHOW FEATURING DUELING PIANOS April 10 The Pine Barn Inn 570-284-4955 – danvillecdc.org
LOCAL PATRIOTS: GUEST APPEARANCE FROM THE JOSEPH PREISTLY HOUSE April 8 Bloomsburg Children’s Museum 570-389-9206 - the-childrens-museum.org
PAINTED FLOWER WINE GLASSES April 8
AQUILA THEATRE: HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES April 10 Arts In Bloom – Commonwealth University, Bloomsburg 570-389-4409 – commonwealthu.edu
Unida Pizza – Bloomsburg jotandtittlestudios.com
THE COFFEEHOUSE SERIES PRESENTS: DAVE PULIZZI April 8 Anomaly Craft Brewing 570-317-2596 – exchangearts.org
CHOREOPOEM April 10 & 11 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
WILL YOU BE MY PALANTINE? April 16 Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society 570-784-1600 - colcohist-gensoc.org RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE GARDEN PARTY April 17 AEREA in Milton 570-271-6300 - rmhdanville.org
BEAVER RUN AUCTION April 18 Beaver Run School Anthony Township, Danville BIRDS OF PREY DAY April 18 Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland 570-538-1869 - reptiland.com
LITTLE WOMEN April 9 - 26 Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble 570-784-5530 - bte.org
FORT MCCLURE HOUSE PUBLIC TOURS April 11 McClure Blvd., Bloomsburg CENTRAL PA PRETZEL FEST April 11 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds/ Industrial Arts Building centralpapretzelfest.com
CIRCA: HUMANS 2.0 (CONTEMPORARY CIRQUE) April 9 Weis Center for the Performing Arts 570-577-1000 - bucknell.edu
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APRIL (continued)
MAY
A LANDMARK STORY April 18 Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 - bloomsburgpl.org AGRICULTURE AWARENESS DAY AT THE BLOOMSBURG FAIRGROUNDS April 18 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds 570-356-7654 - rohrbachsfarm.net
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: OUR MOST INVENTIVE FOUNDING FATHER April 22 Bloomsburg Children’s Museum 570-389-9206 - the-childrens-museum.org
RENAISSANCE JAMBOREE April 25 Downtown Bloomsburg 570-661-1936 - downtownbloomsburg.org
DANVILLE SPRING FLING May 2 Downtown Danville 570-284-4502 - visitdanvillepa.org
KNOEBELS OPENING WEEKEND April 25 & 26 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
GLENDA AND SCOTT’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM AT MAPES MULCH
BLOOMSBURG MAKER FEST May 2 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds 570-389-9206 - the-childrens-museum.org AMERICA 250 PA MOBILE UNIT – TRIVIA GAME, PRIZE WHEEL May 2 Mill Street, Downtown Danville facebook.com/America250CM ROCK GOD BREWING COMPANY’S 9TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY May 2 Rock God Brewing 570-284-4096
April 22 – 25 Mapes Mulch 570-204-6282 - facebook.com/100070785026715
RIBBON CUTTING FOR THE BRIAR CREEK LAKE DISK GOLF COURSE April 18 Briar Creek Lake Park 570-784-8279 - heartofpa.com UNIVERSITY SYMPHONIC BAND & WIND ENSEMBLE April 18 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
TEXTURED PAINTING WORKSHOP April 22
Unida Pizza, Bloomsburg jotandtittlestudios.com
ROHRBACH’S OPENING WEEKEND April 24 & 25 Rohrbach’s Farm 570-356-7654 - rohrbachsfarm.net
WILDLIFE PROGRAM: RODENTS April 21 McBride Memorial Library 570-752-2241 - mcbridelibrary.org
“THE LION IN WINTER” BY JAMES GOLDMAN April 24 & 25 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
LATE NIGHT CATECHISM May 2 Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble 570-784-5530 - bte.org AMERICA 250 BIKE PARADE May 3 Mill Street, Downtown Danville 570-284-4502 - visitdanvillepa.org EXCHANGE OF TALENTS May 4 – June 12 The Exchange Gallery 570-317-2596 - exchangearts.org
@BRIGGSFARMBLUES
LIBERTY TREE NATIONWIDE PROJECT FOR AMERICA 250 April 25 Historic Warrior Run Church 570-538-1756 - freelandfarm.org
UNIVERSITY ORCHESTRA April 25 Susquehanna University 570-372-4237 - susqu.edu
ECO RESIN WORKSHOP WITH DINNER – DIY JEWELRY TRAYS May 6 Unida Pizza of Bloomsburg jotandtittlestudios.com BLOOMSBURG COMIC CON May 9 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds 570-447-5243 - greaterpaconventions.com SUPPORT LOCAL – MEET OUR MAKERS AND ARTISANS May 9 Rohrbach’s Farm 570-356-7654 - rohrbachsfarm.net
HISTORIC WARRIOR RUN CHURCH HYMN SING-ALL WELCOMED! April 26 Historic Warrior Run Church 570-538-1756 - freelandfarm.org BRET ALEXANDER AT THE EXCHANGE LISTENING ROOM April 29 The Exchange Gallery 570-317-2596 – exchangearts.org BLOOMSBURG FIREMAN’S CARNIVAL April 29 – May 2 Bloomsburg Fire Department
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DIY UV RESIN JEWELRY WORKSHOP May 20 Unida Pizza of Bloomsburg jotandtittlestudios.com
MAY (continued)
WINE SHINE ‘N TACO DE MAYO PALOOZA May 9 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds clickershows.com
MIFFLINVILLE CARNIVAL May 21 – 24 Mifflinville Carnival Grounds FORT MCCLURE WITH VINNY HIPPENSTIEL May 21 Columbia County Historical and Genealogical Society 570-784-1600 - colcohist-gensoc.org
MOTHER’S DAY AT KNOEBELS May 10 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
GLENDA & SCOTT’S HOMEMADE ICE CREAM AT THE BERVAUGHN POOL CARNIVAL May 12 - 16
BENEFIT BIKE RUN May 23 Folk’s Butterfly Farm 570-394-7298 - folksbutterflyfarm.com CRYSTAL POOL OPENS AT KNOEBELS May 23 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
Ber Vaughn Park 570-204-6282
FORT MCCLURE HOUSE PUBLIC TOURS May 13 Fort McClure McClure Blvd., Bloomsburg THE COFFEEHOUSE SERIES PRESENTS: STEW CUTLER May 13 Anomaly Craft Brewing 570-317-2596 - exchangearts.org EAGLE ARMS GUN SHOW May 16 & 17 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds/ Industrial Arts Building 610-393-3047 - eaglearms.com
ANNUAL MUSIC, FOOD, FRIENDS AND FUN AT THREE DOGS VINO May 23 Three Dogs Vino 570-204-0895 - threedogsvino.com
CAR SHOW May 24
Montour Delong Community Fairgrounds 570-437-2178 – montourdelongfair.com
DEAF DAY AT KNOEBELS May 30 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
JUNE
MEMORIAL DAY IN DANVILLE May 25 Downtown Danville 570-284-4502 - visitdanvillepa.org
KNOEBELS ARMED FORCES DAY May 16 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
MUSIC IN THE PARK Every Tuesday beginning in June Canal Park - Danville 570-284-4502 - visitdanvillepa.org BOGO DAYS AT KNOEBELS June 2, 9, 16 & 23 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
MOORESBURG OPEN HOUSE May 31 Mooresburg One Room School House 570-271-0830 - montourcountyhistoricalsociety.org
THE BIG FRANK AND MIKE SMITH JUKE JOINT DUO AT THE EXCHANGE LISTENING ROOM May 27 The Exchange Gallery 570-317-2596 - exchangearts.org
MEET THE MODERN PATRIOTS May 16 Fort McClure Chapter Daughters of the American Revo- lution McClure Blvd., Bloomsburg
AUTISM ACCEPTANCE DAY AT KNOEBELS May 31 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
COLOR RUN FOR THE BLOOMSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY May 30 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds 570-784-0883 - bloomsburgpl.org COUNTRYFEST MUSIC FESTIVAL May 30 The Farm in Bloom 570-784-6625 - thefarminbloom.com
EXPLORE THE SUSQUEHANNA WITH THE MIDDLE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER KEEPERS June 3 Bloomsburg Children’s Museum 570-389-9206 - the-childrens-museum.org
UNCORK THE PAST WINE FESTIVAL May 16 Historic Warrior Run Church 570-538-1756 - freelandfarm.org 2026 GARDENING SERIES IN BERWICK May 20 Berwick Innovation Center 570-316-6519 - extension.psu.edu
SENIOR CITIZEN’S DAY AT KNOEBELS June 3 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
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@KNOEBELS
JUNE (continued) BLOOMSBURG TOWN PARK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES Every Wednesday beginning in June Bloomsburg Town Park 570-784-7123 - bloomsburgpa.org GOLF FOR VICTORY June 4 Frosty Valley Country Club 570-458-6530 – campvictory.org SUMMER CONCERTS ON THE LAWN OF THE JACKSON MANSION Every Thursday beginning in June Market Street – Berwick 570-752-2723 - berwickborough.org KIDS AGRICULTURE CAMP June 8 –12 Rohrbach’s Farm 570-356-7654 - rohrbachsfarm.net WEAPONS IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR June 8 Bloomsburg Children’s Museum 570-389-9206 - the-childrens-museum.org
FATHER’S DAY AT KNOEBELS June 21 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
MILLVILLE FIREMAN’S CARNIVAL June 26 – July 4
@ROHRBACHSFARM
Millville Carnival Grounds millvillefirecompany.com
AMERICA: 250 YEARS IN THE MAKING June 13 Danville Airport
LEARN TO SWIM WEEKS AT KNOEBELS June 22 – 26 & June 29 – July 3 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com MUSIC IN THE GARDEN – ALLAN COMBS June 24 Folk’s Butterfly Farm 570-394-7298 - folksbutterflyfarm.com DAVID PULIZZI AT THE EXCHANGE LISTENING ROOM June 24 The Exchange Gallery 570-317-2596 – exchangearts.org
PAINTED PONY INTERTRIBAL POW WOW June 27 & 28 Benton Rodeo Grounds 570-256-3241 BATTLE IN THE BURG June 27 Bloomsburg Fair Grounds 570-389-9206 - the-childrens-museum.org TOO HOT FOR LEATHER AT THE FARM IN BLOOM June 27 The Farm in Bloom 570-784-6625 - thefarminbloom.com MOORESBURG OPEN HOUSE June 28 Mooresburg One Room School House 570-271-0830 – montourcountyhistoricalsociety.org
DREAM MACHINES MOTOR CLUB AUTO SHOW June 14 Catawissa Boat Club 570-784-9665 - thedmmc.org
ANNUAL STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL June 14 Historic Warrior Run Church 570-538-1756 - freelandfarm.org
ROARING CREEK VALLEY CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION SHOW June 15 – July 24 The Exchange Gallery 570-317-2596 - exchangearts.org SNOWBALL MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE VBS AT THE BRIDGE June 15 – 19 The Bridge UMC 570-784-9271 - lightstreetumc.org WHEEL WEDNESDAY POTTERY CLASS June 17 Folk’s Butterfly Farm 570-394-7298 - folksbutterflyfarm.com 2026 GARDENING SERIES IN BERWICK June 17 Berwick Innovation Center 570-316-6519 - extension.psu.edu CATAWISSA CELEBRATES AMERICA 250! June 18 – 20 Town Park Catawissa 570-336-4913 DINO DAYS AT REPTILAND June 19 – 21 Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland 570-538-1869 - reptiland.com CAROUSAL ORGAN ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA RALLY June 20 & 21 Knoebels Amusement Resort 800-487-4386 – knoebels.com
SILO DECK PARTY AT THE FARM IN BLOOM June 25 The Farm in Bloom 570-784-6625 - thefarminbloom.com Ponduce Farms-Spring26-HalfPg._Layout 1 3/18/26 11:03 AM Page 1
570-799-5888 Hours:
SUMMER BOOK SALE June 9 – 13 Bloomsburg Public Library 570-784-0883 - bloomsburgpl.org ZOO CAMP AT REPTILAND June 10 – 16 Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland 570-538-1869 - reptiland.com
Wednesday: 7:30am-2pm • Thursday: 7:30am-5pm Friday: 7:30am-7:30pm • Saturday: 7:30am-5pm Sunday: 7:30am-4pm Serving Breakfast 7:30-11am Restaurant & Farm Market Banquet Hall with available Catering Christmas Tree Farm Check Website for Special Events!
MUSIC IN THE GARDEN, AN EVENING WITH JOHNNY LEE. June 10 Folk’s Butterfly Farm 570-394-7298 - folksbutterflyfarm.com THE COFFEEHOUSE SERIES PRESENTS: BOB ALONGE June 10 Anomaly Craft Brewing 570-317-2596 – exchangearts.org SILO DECK PARTY AT THE FARM IN BLOOM June 11 The Farm in Bloom 570-784-6625 - thefarminbloom.com
Located 1 Mile Off Rt. 42 In Numidia 270 White Church Rd, Elysburg, PA
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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INDIVIDUAL One point will be awarded for each trash item identified. Prizes will be awarded to one individual each month from March-November who has collected and logged trash during that month. A random drawing will be conducted of all eligible individuals. Every month, one individual will win their choice of a $50 Visa gift card OR the opportunity to select a local environmental charity of their choice to have a $50 donation made in their name. TEAM We are encouraging area businesses to create corporate teams to participate in this year’s program. You can also choose to create a team if you wish to just collect trash as a family or group of friends. One team that has collected the most trash at the conclusion of the calendar year will receive a $500 award for the winning cleanup team and trailhead recognition for the corporation/team. After signing up, if your team needs ideas of locations to clean, please either join one of the scheduled events below or reach out to Bob Stoudt at rstoudt@montourrec.com for cleanup suggestions.
PRIZES Individual: One point will be awarded for each trash item identified. Prizes will be awarded to one individual each month from March-November who has collected and logged trash during that month. A random drawing will be conducted of all eligible individuals. Every month, one individual will win their choice of a $50 Visa gift card OR the opportunity to select a local environmental charity of their choice to have a $50 donation made in their name. Team: One team that has collected the most trash at the conclusion of the calendar year will receive a $500 award for the winning cleanup team and trailhead recognition for the corporation/team. After signing up, if your team needs ideas of locations to clean, please either join one of the scheduled events or reach out to Bob Stoudt at rstoudt@montourrec.com.
Keep Columbia & Montour Counties GREEN! T he community is invited to join these 2026 cleanup events to help beautify our region, in partnership with the If you have a cleanup event planned, please contact us at
RULES AND REGISTRATION
info@heartofpa.com and rstoudt@montourrec.com to get it listed and organized.
Bloomsburg Community Creek Cleanup Group! Please also plan to participate in our 2026 “Keep Columbia & Montour Counties Green” passport program, where you can collect trash in our area parks and communities for a chance to win prizes or earn money for your favorite local environmental charity. This year’s program is now running through November 30, 2026.
Planned by the Bloomsburg Community Creek Cleanup Group and Montour Area Recreation Commission APRIL NO WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026 Earth Day Cleanup Johnson Flats/Roadside/Kocher Park Meet time: 12 pm
JULY WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2026
Hot spot areas impacted by summer activity Float downstream check from Hoffman. Meet time: 9 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, July 26, 2026 AUGUST WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2026 Large-Scale Cleanup (River) Location TBD Meet time: 9 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, August 23, 2026 SEPTEMBER WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026 Location TBD Meet time: 10 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, September 20, 2026 OCTOBER NO WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2026 Creek Road Cleanup Meet time: 11 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, October 25, 2026 NOVEMBER NO WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026 End-of-the-Year Cleanup Location TBD Meet time: 12pm Rain date: Sunday, November 15, 2026
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2026 Earth Day Town Cleanup
Downtown area (maybe), Boat launch, BART Trail walking cleanup, Creek Spot Check Meet time: 12pm
If you build a place people want to visit,
you’ll build a place where people want to live.
THURSDAY, APRIL 30 Hess Recreation Area Cleanup Hess Recreation Area 9am – 12pm MAY WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026 Creek float cleanup Rupert to the Confluence Meet time: 11 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, May 31, 2026 JUNE WATER ENTRY SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2026 River cleanup at BART Boat Launch Meet time: 10 a.m. Rain date: Sunday, June 28, 2026
Build a place where people want to live,
and you’ll build a place where people want to work.
Build a place where people want to work,
and you’ll build a place where business has to be.
Build a place where business has to be, and you’ll build a place where people have to visit.
COLUMBIA MONTOUR Quarterly
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MARY JO R GIBSON
formed into a small pellet designed for use with a spinner-type spreader. Use a drop-type spreader to apply pulverized lime. Both work equally well. Lime can severely hinder plants like blueberry, azalea, and rhododendron, which prefer a low pH. These plants often benefit from a light application of sulfur. How do you know if you should apply sulfur to your acid-loving plants? Invest in a separate soil test for each specialized area. When the soil pH is correct, essential nutrients will be available to plants if they are present in
pH levels also reduce the availability of calcium and phosphorus. Minor elements are seldom lacking in soil. Most minor elements are already present. Organic matter and commercial fertilizers are good sources. Some minor elements are toxic to plants when applied in excess. Fertilizer comes in two basic forms: organic, often called natural, and inorganic, often called chemical or synthetic. Organic materials originate from living organisms. Bacteria break them down in the soil into inorganic, water-soluble forms. Inorganic materials are mineral salts that are
the soil. How do you know if nutrients are present in the correct proportions? The soil fertility test report, of course! Organic matter is the most effective material for improving the soil. Compost and other plant residues increase soil
"Organic matter is the most effective material for improving the soil"
already water-soluble. When a nutrient is in an inorganic form, it is helpful to the plant, whether it originated from organic matter or inorganic fertilizer. Natural organic fertilizer includes all animal manure and
SOIL p H & FERTILIZER Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Columbia County Mary Jo R. Gibson, Dirt is what we vacuum from our carpets and
water-holding capacity and provide pore space when incorporated into the soil. Organic matter prevents tiny clay particles from cementing themselves into a solid mass. It increases the cation exchange capacity or C.E.C. The C.E.C. is a measurement of a soil’s ability to hold nutrients. Organic matter also promotes the growth of microorganisms to condition the soil.
compost. Commercial organic fertilizers include dried manures, feather, bone, and blood meals, and cottonseed and soybean meals. The nutrients become available over a longer period and are less likely to be leached from the soil. Organic fertilizers generally cost more than inorganic types and are unavailable to plants until soil microbes break them down. What do those numbers on a bag of fertilizer represent? By law, the label on the fertilizer package must indicate the amount of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) in the product in that order. Each number equals the percentage of the element in the bag. A bag of 5-10-5 contains 5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 5% potassium. The rest of the bag is filler. Before you think such low percentages are wasteful, remember that concentrated nutrients will damage the plants we want to nourish. Fertilizer formulations suitable for general garden use are 5-10-10 and 5-10-5. For the most part, fertilizers with a 1:2:2 or 1:2:1 nutrient ratio of N, P, and K will meet your needs. For planting vegetable and flower transplants, you may wish to use a high- ratio, water-soluble fertilizer, such as 10-55-10 (1:5:1). Test every three to five years to make the best use of your soil. Apply lime and fertilizer only as indicated by the soil test report. Over-fertilization is more serious than under-fertilization. Remember: More is not better. Soil test, don’t guess! ❚
After you receive the soil fertility report, apply the nutrients recommended in the soil test so your plants will thrive. Applying more soil nutrients than recommended is detrimental to your plants, reduces crop quality, harms the environment, and wastes your money.
wash off our cars. A gardener distinguishes dirt from the soil, that wonderful earth where we grow our plants. So, what is soil? Soil anchors plant roots and serves as a nutrient storehouse. Minerals, air, water, dead organic matter, and living organisms make up soil. The mineral portion consists of tiny fragments of weathered rock, such as sand, silt, and clay. The percentage of each determines the soil’s texture. The amount of water and air that soil can contain depends on its texture and structure. The more intensive the gardening, especially in vegetable plots or flower beds, the more critical it is to understand the soil. The information from a soil fertility test is valuable before the ground is planted for the first time. Making changes in soil quality is more challenging once you’ve planted a landscape. Testing soil fertility every three to five years is usually sufficient. Sampling in early spring or late fall ensures you will have soil test results and recommendations before buying lime and fertilizer. Late-fall sampling will allow you to adjust soil pH in time for next year’s crop. You can obtain Penn State Agricultural Analytical Services Laboratory soil fertility test kits from your local Penn State Extension office. There is a $10.00 fee for the analysis and fertilizer recommendations. The kit contains an information sheet for each soil sample, which the lab needs to make lime and fertilizer recommendations. Receive soil test results and recommendations in about ten days.
DOWNLOAD THE INFORMATION SHEET
It is essential to apply the correct amount of lime. Most plants do well when the soil pH is between 6.2 and 6.8. The pH is a measure of a material’s alkalinity. The pH range is 0 (extremely acidic) to 14 (extremely alkaline), with 7 being neutral. When acidic soil is neutralized by liming, soil nutrients become more available for plants to absorb through their roots. Usually, when we see a micronutrient deficiency in a plant, it is because the soil’s pH has limited the availability of that nutrient. In addition to raising the soil pH, lime also supplies calcium and magnesium to the soil. Calcium is critical to avoid blossom end rot on tomatoes. Tree fruits are sensitive to shortages of calcium. Lime is the most inexpensive way to supply these nutrients. Lime is classified as high calcium (calcitic) or high magnesium (dolomitic) lime. High calcium lime contains 3% or less magnesium. Which type of lime do you need? Read your soil test results. Pelletized lime is pulverized lime, moistened, and
@ROHRBACHSFARM
Add organic matter such as manure, compost, peat moss, humus, or mushroom compost to the soil. Some organic matter, especially manure, is relatively high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Use only enough to meet your plants’ needs. Excessive soil fertility is a problem. Extra nutrients can reduce the quality and yield of produce and wash away. Pollution causes harmful effects on fish and other aquatic animals. Remember that soil pH directly affects the availability of plant nutrients. Calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, iron, and boron are most available to plants when the soil pH is 6.0 to 6.8. Low
Mary Jo R. Gibson has been a Penn State Extension Master Gardener of Columbia County since 2003.
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