Robert Wagner

They are more commonly referred to as EAB. Why are we writing about them? Have you seen the billboards that say, "I promise not to move firewood?" They started appearing locally a few months back and made us wonder, "What's behind that unusual message?"

Shortly after that we started to notice purple hanging boxes in the trees. Turns out they are traps set only in Ash trees to determine if the EAB is here. In fact there's one on County Line road as you're headed up to Seven Springs on the right and several on Rt 31.

We owe all of this promotional marketing to the Emerald Ash Borer. In 2002 Michigan residents first identified this vibrant green beetle. Over 700 million dead trees later, (in Michigan ALONE) the fight to contain this pest wages on. Destroying Ash trees in twelve other states, Ontario, and Quebec, the EAB beetle has now been found in Westmoreland County.

Here's their MO. Adults lay their eggs on the Ash tree BARK from mid-May through mid August. Eggs hatch into larvae and tunnel into the tree. The larvae live UNDER the bark and create S-shaped paths. This stage is where the damage is done. Their feeding disrupts the water flow from the roots to the crown and within a year to four the tree is dead. THERE IS NO CURE.

Getting back to the billboards the beetles are transferred from one area to another by moving infected firewood. ALWAYS use LOCAL FIREWOOD to help stop the spread of the EAB. Ash trees have been popular for landscaping as they grow quickly and can be found throughout the grounds at BOTH Hidden Valley and Seven Springs. To identify an ash tree look at the leaves. This site shows the different types of Ash trees. If you begin to notice the crown of your trees thinning out take a closer look at your bark!! PLEASE DON'T MOVE FIREWOOD!

Don’t be surprised to see the paparazzi lurking about the resort this week! Tomorrow, Wednesday (June 24) will welcome Irlene Mandrell and her sisters, Barbara and Louise to our mountains! Specifically to Seven Springs newly finished shooting lodge for Irlene’s Irlenes Celebrity Shoot 2009. There are several registration catagories and prices.

Thursday is Kid’s Day with celebrities signing autographs. According to her web site, “competition is 200 rounds of Sporting Clays with side games including, 9mm pistol side event, Paintball Challenge, Wobble Trap, 5 Stand, Tomahawk Throw, 22 revolver, Gamo air rifle, Two man flush, Terrible teal, and the Cotton ball drop.”

Wag’s has been shooting and watching the new facility go up and took some pictures for you! He says it’s awesome! There’s seven thousand square feet in the timber framed lodge that takes advantage of geo-thermal heating. Look for private lessons, tournaments, corporate and non-profit events to be on the line up! Even if you are not a shooter you need to visit this lodge on top of the mountain and overlooking a lake. Check out the new restaurant hours for a most enjoyable visit.

Here’s a list of the celebs listed on Irlene’s web site as attending, “David Caruso, Emily Procter, Rex Linn, Lee Horsley, Frankie Anne, Alan Dysert, Leslie Easterbrook, Dan Wilcox, Steve Kanaly, James E. Partee, Jr., Branscombe Richmond, Charles Napier, Kevin Blake Weldon, Michael Gregory, Scott Shepherd, Tim Abell, Tracy Lawrence, Anne Lockhart, Zane Taylor, Brian Gates, Marshall Teague, Lindy Teague, Congressman Sam Graves, John Di Santi, Robert Guy Miranda, TJ Klay, Ray Kelly, Michael Stern, Lyle Omori, Chuck Stapel, Sherol L. Engel, Jeffrey L. Engel, Steve Scott, T Bubba, Michael Collins, Buck McNeely, Jack Allocco, Stacie Randall, Lu Parker, Mike Rogers, Congressman Bill Shuster, Jim Scoutten and many more ...”

Irlene’s site says, “In the past her shoot has supported Wish Upon a Star, Inc and the Boy Scouts of America.” There’s a charity auction with some very interesting offerings! Here’s to much success and wonderful weather!

Still trying to figure out what to get Dad for Father's Day? At Hidden Valley Dad's get to eat for half price! From 10 to 2 this Sunday take advantage of the first time offered Sunday Brunch at the Clock Tower! Kids have to accompany DAD to take advantage of this special offering! Extra bonus, kids age 4 and under get to eat free! According to their e-mail update this kicks off "a new era in the resort's food and beverage service."

Stew Ireland, Hidden Valley's new food and beverage manager shares that "Father's Day seemed to be the perfect occasion to introduce guests to our new and improved quality, guest service and the resort's new Sunday Brunch, which will be offered every Sunday though out the season." Yes, reservations are recommended 814-443-8000 extension 259.

And there's more!! Treat Dad to 18 holes of GOLF, when you buy one round after 11 am you get another FREE!! This special for Dad is only available on Sunday, June 21 after 11 a.m., based on availability. Please contact the Golf Shop at 814-443-8000, ext. 350 to reserve your tee time. How's this for making his day extraordinary!! Check out more things to do Hidden Valley!

Fishermen friends have shared stories about the water running thigh high, not anymore. American Rivers (a Washington DC non profit) has listed this Pennsylvania treasure a seven out of ten in "America's Most Endangered Rivers in 2009." This year's edition highlights missing safeguards that they feel are necessary to protect this creek from "excessive water withdrawals for development and energy extraction."

According to River Facts, Laurel Hill Creek is "16.2 miles long and has been determined by American Whitewater to be a class II+ section." The creek is a tributary of the Youghiogheny River. Here's a map of how it runs through Laurel Hill State Park. (Make sure you increase the size!)

According to an article in the Tribune Democrat, before ‘09 is over, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will determine if this watershed "deserves a "critical" label that would guide future decisions on how much of its water can be consumed." Timely... considering there are currently three pending tap in applications. Two are renewals for Somerset Boro and Seven Springs.

In fact, Monday night, June 22^nd, at the Bakersville Fire Hall, there will be a public hearing on the third permit application for Cooper Springs, a water bottling company. They would like to draw 108,000 gallons daily from Laurel Hill Creek. DEP has had this application since June 2008. In March, Pennsylvania's new State Water Plan was signed.

If you can't make it, here's a link to help you take action.

As all budgets are being seriously slashed we thought you should know about the possibility of 35 State Parks and 1,000 miles of State Forestry Roads under consideration of closing through Senate Bill 850. The Senate's budget would force this action. Here's what happened. The Governor cut $7 million from DCNR's budget and the Senate Appropriations Committee cut an additional $19 million.

Here's the DCNR press release for your review. We know the money has to come from somewhere but surely with everyone watching their pennies our State Parks could be spared. Hikers who use the Mid-State Trail from Maryland to New York would find most of the nine State Parks linked by that trail not open for safe parking. I saw a statistic from the Pa Forest Coalition quoting, "Closing 35 State Parks would turn away more than 3 million visitors. That would wipe out at lease $57 million in visitor spending in nearby communities."

We know the squeaky wheel gets oiled! in other words WRITE TO YOUR SENATOR TODAY! Here's how to find contact information for your SENATOR. Hope to see you on the trails!!