The  Poquessing Pathfinder Online
The Friends of Poquessing Watershed Inc. of Philadelphia and Bucks County
Dedicated to the Conservation and Beautification of the Poquessing Creek and Its Environs

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

Updates on the Park Development Project

 In our last Pathfinder,  I wrote about how Bensalem and Philadelphia had begun to implement joint
development plans for Poquessing Park.
 At our November General Membership Meeting, Jim Donaghy, FPC Director of Operations and Tony
Belfield, Chairman, Bensalem Environmental Advisory Council, updated you on what had happened to date. They
explained that Dr. Ann Rhoads, from the Morris Arboretum, University of PA, along with Nick Sambor, FPC, had
completed a vegetation survey and a cursory possible trail layout. Both reports are very positive; and although
overcoming some of the trail creek crossovers will be difficult, the solutions are feasible.
 On Tuesday, January 6, I spent the day on a field trip of the Poquessing Watershed with FPC Project
Administrator of the William Penn Grant Nancy Goldenberg and her staff;  Sam Curry, FPC District Manager and his
staff;  and staff from the Academy of Natural Sciences who have been retained as a professional scientific partner in
the implementation of the grant.
 The day was long and rainy but those things didn’t matter. There was so much to see and so much
information to absorb that we ran out of daylight much too early! It was a productive tour.

   Dianne Welsh-Retzback

Tour FOP Watershed with the Phila Water Department
 We tried this tour last year with modest success because of the rainy day. But we’re going to do bigger and better this year.
We have the date, Saturday May 9. The time is late morning or early afternoon; however PWD hasn’t worked out the details.
In the meantime, please contact us (by mail, phone, fax or email) or the PWD at 685-6300 and leave your info.
Someone will get back to you. Come on out and play in the creek with us!
 

TONY'S TRAVELS -  NOT A MICKEY MOUSE TRIP!

 Recently, my wife and I helped with my daughter’s move to Florida. We were there about 3 weeks and thought that we would like to see some of the attractions. She moved to the Orlando area which is just loaded with things to do and places to go. These were some options:  SEA WORLD=$38.65, UNIVERSAL=$40.00, DISNEY=$$$ ??? Did we really want(need) to be so entertained? And at these prices? While looking through a local paper we noticed a listing for the LEU GARDENS. Cost = $3.00! That’s right — Three (3) bucks!!
 Could this be for real? Yes, it was. For 3 dollars, we toured the nicest gardens you could imagine. With no crowds either.
They had over 2200 varieties of camellias. In full bloom. During the winter. There were also many other types of flowers and plants indigenous to a warmer climate. Maybe we are cheap or maybe we are sensible. But let me tell you, we thoroughly
enjoyed our visit.
Yes, the major attractions are entertaining. As well they should be at their prices. But that does not preclude the possibility of also having a good time at a much more reasonable price.
 So, if you find yourself in Orlando and become a little wallet-weary, look up the LEU GARDENS. Beautiful and inexpensive.
 In case you’re wondering — at three bucks a head, no, I do not get a commission for my endorsement.

I went to Florida and did not go to Disney World!!!

  Tony Eisele, Executive Vice President
 

Editor’s note: Tony’s article prompted me to again sing the praises of our 8700-acre Fairmount Park system with so many beautiful vistas, creeks, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, historical houses, gardens, sculpture, hiking paths, playing fields, bike trails and on and on.
Something for everyone and free — or, like Leu Gardens, very inexpensive. Call 215-685-0000 and find out what’s happening in Fairmount Park. You’ll beat the winter blahs with a change of pace; and it’s cheaper than the mall or a movie on the weekend!
 

We’re Trying to Train the Carrier Pigeons!!

(Well, not really) But we do want you to be able to stay in touch, so in addition to the regular (snail) mail address:

 P.O. Box 11552,  Phila, PA 19116

Phone: 215-972-6275           Fax: 215-632-2549

FOPW are happy to add Email: FriendsofPoquessing@usa.net
This email address will allow us to communicate with members across town or people across the world - all for the cost of a local phone call. If any of you know of an email address you feel FOPW would find of interest, PLEASE send it along to us.
 
 

 3rd Annual Philadelphia Cares About Fairmount Park Day — Saturday May 16

 On this day from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, hundreds of park lovers will mobilize at many project locations to “give back” to the “City’s largest playground" by contributing their time, energy, and expertise. By doing this, they hope to raise public awareness of Fairmount Park as an incredible asset and resource; in addition to accomplishing much needed beautification and maintenance.
 FOPW’s site for May 16 is Academy and Torrey Roads across from the Stephen Decatur School. We are extremely heartened to have the school’s participation this year. Besides the support of Fairmount Park and Philadelphia Cares, the Philadelphia Water Department has promised some “strong arms” to remove abandoned autos and heavy items from the creek.  The work should begin at 9 AM. And after we finish our toil, we’ll be “rewarded” with lunch — Correction, although we will be served lunch, our best “reward” will be the great improvement we’ve made to help the Park!  Also, May 9 to 16 is National Rivers Cleanup Week, which includes all waterways which lead to rivers. So, come on members, sign up to make May 16 an exceptional day. Call, fax   or email. Leave your name and how we can contact you. We’ll get back to you with details.
 

Water Snapshot ‘98

 For the third year the Delaware River Basin Commission is coordinating this event from April 17 through April 26 - including Earth Day, April 22.  Participants, which include individuals, groups, agencies, businesses and school groups, are asked to collect
and sample water within the 10-day time period and report findings to DRBC. In 1997, 400 individuals representing 79 organizations collected more than 2000 pieces of data at 380 stations throughout the entire Delaware River Basin.  FOPW’s faithful water monitoring team will again participate in this event which brings attention to the Basin and the public’s zeal in protecting water resources.
 

Glen Foerd Gatherings

“Hot Jazz for a Cold Night”  Saturday, February 28, from 7:30 PM ‘til midnight the Bob Fant Trio will play “hot” and
“sweet” jazz in the drawing room. In the Rathskellar, there will be dancing to DJ music. And, in the dining room, made-to-order pasta, Caesar salad, Italian bread, cheese and crudite followed by decadent sweets. Wine, beer and soft drinks will quell the
thirst you work up dancing!

An Irish Afternoon  Sunday, March 15, from 2:00 to 5:00 PM, the Celtic Crossroads will entertain. Light fare will be served.

Lunch with the Easter Bunny  Saturday, April 4, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, will feature live entertainment, Easter Egg hunt, boxed lunches and prizes.

Proceeds from these events benefit restoration work at the Glen Foerd Mansion on the Delaware. Please call 215-632- 5330
for more information and tickets.
 

 FROM THE CREEK’S EDGE

Editor’s note:  Jo Edwards, our Vice President of Ways and Means, and her husband Bob own and operate Creek Edge Nursery on Byberry Road (now almost in Franklin Mills). Jo has lived on the Creekmost of her life. Her love of the area is evident in the effort she and Bob put forth to help keep our group going.

Houseplants May Remove Indoor Mold, Research Shows

  New research shows that houseplants don’t necessarily add mold and mildew to the indoor atmosphere. In fact,
these plants may remove mold particles.
 “Most plants used for indoor purposes evolved under the canopy of the tropical rainforest where it’s warm, dark and damp -
an optimum atmosphere for mold. The plants had to develop ways of protecting themselves. We just don’t know what that is yet,” said Bill Wolverton, environmental research scientist and owner of Wolverton Environmental Sciences Inc. in Picayune, Miss.
 Wolverton, who has studied the effects of plants on interior environments for more than 20 years, said he believes foliage plants release a chemical that acts as a mold suppressant.  Wolverton compared levels of aerial microbes in rooms with and without plants. Rooms without plants had as much as 50 percent more airborne mold than rooms with plants. This is good news for foliage growers since plants have been falsely blamed for adding mold and mildew to indoor environments.  Doctors have blamed plants for contributing to allergy problems due to mold, Wolverton said. More than likely, if mold increases in a room with an indoor plant, it is because the plant’s growing medium is being overwatered and kept constantly damp. This problem can be overcome by using lightweight, soilless media and water gauges to accurately water the plants, he said.

          Jo Edwards
 

Fire at the Farm

 By now, everyone must be aware of the tragic fire last fall at Fox Chase Farm, and many of us have been part of
community fund raising support to help them “Rebuild the Barns”. There is a long way to go to get to the goal,
but if we keep the momentum, the goal will be reached.

 We urge you to support Fox Chase Farm’s spring events:

 March 7  - Maple Sugar Day      - 12-4 PM

 April 18  -  Sheep Shearing Day - 12-4 PM

 May 9     -  Spring Plant Sale       - 9AM - 4PM