Coming Events

"We Love the Canal" Walk

Sunday, February 12

2 p.m.

Meet in the parking area adjacent to the Canal in Tinicum Park River Road, Erwinna. (Follow the entrance road all the way to its end.)

There are so many things to love about the Delaware Canal - its scenery, its history, its wildlife..... February is the month when we're all ready for some fresh air and diversion, so we'll venture out on the towpath for a 2-1/4-mile walk and see how many of the Canal's lovable qualities we can find. Our route from Tinicum Park south to the Golden Pheasant Inn and back offers lots of possibilities. From the waterfowl that live in the widewaters to the intriguing history of the pretty village of Erwinna to Jacob Oberracker's Tap Room to the Spiderman House perched above the River, we have much to explore.

Join us for a Sunday afternoon out on the Canal. We'll have Valentine's treats, too, because the Friends love Canal walkers! The walk will be held unless the weather is exceedingly foul. If in doubt, check for a go/no go message on the www. fodc.org homepage or call 215-862-2021 for a recorded message.

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General Meeting

The Delaware Canal in Art

Tuesday, March 13

7:30 p.m.

Stone Hall in the Feinstone Conference Center, The David Library of the American Revolution, 1201 River Road, Washington Crossing, PA

The Delaware Canal has been an inspiration throughout its history. Thousands of works of art have been created by artists whose styles range from photo-realism to abstraction and all points in between. Today among the best known Canal paintings are those done by the New Hope School artists in the early 1900's.

Will Rivinus, author, historian, and member of the Friends' Board of Directors, has compiled a slide show featuring more than 75 paintings that depict the Delaware Canal. The works encompass the days when the canal bustled with boats and mule teams as well as more recent times when the Canal offers idyllic landscapes. Among the artists represented in the show are Baum, Bredin, Bye, Ceglia, Child, Coppedge, Folinsbee, Garber, Hargens, Leith-Ross, Lipes, McClellan, Ney, Pickett, Redfield, Spencer, and Yoder. Descriptions and stories about the artists and their works will be included in Will's lively narration.

Don't miss this opportunity to see the Canal in so many different ways.

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Lunch and Walk

Saturday, March 24

10:30 a.m.

Meet at the train station parking lot opposite the Lagoon Park on Jefferson Avenue in Bristol Borough.

This year historic Bristol Borough is luring us back with changes both on the Canal's route and in the dining scene. Our 2-mile roundtrip trek will begin at the beautifully restored Lagoon Park, an excellent example of the power of partnerships and volunteer efforts. From the Lagoon we will follow a trail that was once the Canal towpath. Our first landmark will be the Grundy Mill and Clock Tower followed by handsome old woolen mill buildings that have been converted to new uses.

Next comes a change in the streetscape. The old Snyder-Girotti Elementary School that was built over the canal has been demolished and a new, larger school built to the east of the old site. One of the impediments to reopening the Canal in Bristol is gone. We'll then proceed to the three Bristol locks and the Basin where canal boats waited their turns to be towed down the Delaware River to Philadelphia.

After exploring Waterfront Park, we'll hurry to the newly reopened King Gorge Inn for lunch. The Inn's rich history (its name was changed to the Fountain House during the American Revolution, a time when being associated with the King wasn't too popular), wonderful River views, and hospitality have made it a Bucks County icon.

Menu

A cup of the Soup du jour

Your choice of Sandwiches

Tavern Burger - "8 oz. house-ground beef, lettuce, tomato, and

onion" with French fries.

Turkey Club - "Shaved turkey, smoked bacon, tomato,

avocado, mayonnaise on toasted wheat" with French fries.

Tuna Salad Melt - "Tuna salad on English muffin with tomato

and melted Cheddar" with French fries.

Coffee, Tea or Iced Tea

After lunch, we will head back to the train station by way of Radcliffe Street, which parallels the Delaware River and is lined with many of Bristol's most beautiful and historic homes and buildings. Cookies en route will help us with our stamina.

Donation - $25 per person. Reservations are required. Please be prepared with your choice of sandwiches when you reserve. Please call 215-862-2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org no later than March 16th. If it is snowing or raining, we won't be walking, but we will meet at the King George Inn at noon for lunch and lively conversation.

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Mark Your Calendars

The Friends' two-pronged approach to our annual spring cleaning effort worked last year, so we're going to try it again.

Saturday, April 14 - On-Land Clean-Up

This traditional effort will focus on specific areas of the Canal, particularly the southern 9 miles and the central section. The Work Areas will be listed in the spring issue of Canal News and will be posted at www.fodc.org.

Saturday, May 19 - In-Water (and Un-Watered) Clean-Up

The Canal prism (the ditch that holds water) is always a cleaning challenge. To take care of the trash and debris that lies in or on the berm bank of the watered sections of the Canal, volunteers are encouraged to launch their canoes, kayaks, or rowboats and embark on search - and - bag missions. In those unwatered sections of the Canal where tree saplings are growing within the prism, volunteers can use loppers or hand saws to cut down the interlopers.

The specific Work Areas for water and sapling work also will be listed in Canal News and at www.fodc.org.

Please lend a hand to these efforts that always leave the canal looking so much better. If you have questions or would like to volunteer either as a worker or a crew coordinator, please call 215-862-2021 or e-mail friends@fodc.org. And if you know of a group that may be able to participate, please let us know.