Friends of the Delaware Canal
145 South Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938
Phone: 215.862.2021
Michael Ginder, Executive Director
June 19, 2019
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
The State Park maintenance staff turned on the pump at Centre Bridge late this morning. The rewatering of the Canal from Centre Bridge to Lock 11 in New Hope has begun.
Canal News – Spring 2019Good Riddance
Thanks to generous year-end contributions from our members, the Friends have been able to contract with T&T Tree Service for the removal of some of the most problematic trees along the Canal.
Ever since Hurricane Sandy, trees have been falling at much too rapid a rate. The Park staff has admirably persevered, but the removal of some of the trees requires special handling and equipment because of their sizes and locations. T&T Tree Service will have use lift trucks to access out- of-the-way limbs and wield chainsaws while floating in kayaks. A mulberry tree leaning “drastically” over the Canal in New Hope will be removed. A big box elder will be extracted from the water in Morrisville, and a large black locust teetering over the towpath in Lower Makefield will no longer be a threat. Also, T&T will be cutting down a swath of Ailanthus Altissima (Tree of Heaven) that is growing on a 400-foot section of canal bank in New Hope, and then they will treat the stumps with herbicide so that there is no regrowth. Tree of Heaven is the favorite food of the destructive Spotted Lanternfly, which invaded our area last year.
T&T hopes to begin work soon before the ground softens (although the guys in the kayaks are probably wishing for warmer weather.) If all goes well with this project, the Friends may contract for the removal of several leaning trees near Groundhog Lock in Raubsville.
The Friends are pleased to be of help with the Canal’s tree plague. And we thank everyone who clears manageable branches off the towpath to make way for visitors.
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A New One
When it comes to canal problems, many seem like déjà vu. We all know about sinkholes, collapses, overflows…, but now there’s a brand new issue – broken teeth. The feeder gate at Easton, which allows Lehigh River water to flow into the Delaware Canal, has several broken gear teeth. The lack of teeth makes it difficult to open and close the gate, therefore, the Park staff has been maintaining the gate at a half-open level resulting in a typical “winter maintenance level”.
The gear component needs to be removed and taken to a machine shop for tooth repair. To remove the component, the feeder gate must be fully opened, something that the Park staff does not want to do while there is still the threat of a winter solid freeze. (If the Canal freezes over with a full head of water in it, there is the very real possibility that the waste gates would freeze shut and heavy rain or snow would cause the Canal to overtop its banks.) As soon as the threat of frozen waste gates disappears, the gear component will be removed, sent to the repair shop, and, we hope, back in time to allow a full Canal in the spring.
In other news, heavy rain displaced the bypass channel liner at the Tinicum Aqueduct. To stop the liner from being undermined by overflowing water, the Park staff is currently diverting water out of the Canal at the waste gate by the Golden Pheasant Inn, just north of the aqueduct. The liner needs to be pulled back into place, but due to its fragility in freezing weather, the pulling needs to wait for warmer temperatures to arrive.
The Fry’s Run Aqueduct replacement project in Williams Township and the Tinicum Aqueduct repair project are still on track to be put out to bid this spring. The bidding and acceptance process generally takes approximately 90 days with commencement of the work beginning shortly thereafter.
This winter’s cold, rain, high winds, and flu have put a damper on progress along the Canal, but we’ll get beyond it.
Come on, Spring!
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A Familiar Face
George Calaba has been appointed as the new Park Operations Manager for Delaware Canal State Park Complex, which includes Ralph Stover State Park and associated resources such as the Nockamixon Cliffs and the Delaware River Island Natural Areas.
His name and face are familiar because he served as Assistant Park Manager at Delaware Canal under Rick Dalton and, up until March 1, was the Manager at Washington Crossing Historic Park.
George is a veteran of the US Navy and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Geography. Following a brief stint as a counselor for at-risk youth, he attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and earned a Master of Science degree in Geography and Regional Planning. Since joining the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in 2000, he has gained invaluable knowledge and skill while working as a manager at seven state parks.
In his first e-mail to the Friends upon his return, he wrote “ Looking forward to working with the Friends and doing good things for the Canal. I really enjoyed my time there under Rick and am excited to further the great work done thus far.”
Welcome Back, George!
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Win – Win
For more than 20 years, the Friends have had the great pleasure of taking part in two local festivals. Each January, we partner with the Delaware and Raritan Canal Watch to host a Two Canal, One River walking tour during the Lambertville-New Hope Winter Festival. This year, through the wonders of Facebook sharing, 300 people arrived ready to explore.
In July, the Friends are invited to set up a booth at the Tinicum Arts Festival where we share information about the Canal and sell some t-shirts and hats, too. Over the years, we’ve introduced thousands of people to the Delaware Canal.
Both festivals are excellent friend-making opportunities – a definite win.
Each year, after the festivals are over, we are privileged to receive generous contributions from the organizers – Twin Rivertown Projects, Inc. and the Tinicum Civic Association. With the objective of improving the community, the organizing groups share their event proceeds with non-profits working in their communities – a second win.
The Friends have benefited from our festival participation in so many ways. We’re very thankful and want to continue to be part of the fun for many years to come.
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The Difference is Clear
The efforts of our dedicated Canal Tenders, who take care of their sections of the waterway and towpath throughout the year, are clearly evident – trash collected, branches and debris cleared, and problems reported promptly to the State Park staff. We are so grateful for their diligence and hard work.
At the beginning of each year, we check in with all the Tenders. This year, four have decided to “retire.” We heartily thank David and Vicky Child, who tended between the Rabbit Run and Phillips’ Mill Bridges in New Hope; Jose Acevado, whose section was from Beaver Street to the Lagoon in Bristol Borough; and Harry Dozer, who helped care for the section of Canal from Bridge 2 to Bridge 3 in Smithtown, for their years of service.
Much of the Canal has been adopted by Tenders, but there are still some “orphan” stretches. Please consider volunteering to close these last gaps. Individuals, couples, and groups are very welcome.
- Bristol Borough – Riverfront Park to Green Lane
- Bristol Township – Green Lane to the south end of the Levittown Shopping Center
- Tullytown Borough/ Falls Township – Levittown Shopping Center to Wheatsheaf Road
- Solebury Township – Rabbit Run Bridge to Phillips’ Mill Bridge
These sections can be divided into smaller stretches.
To learn more about what’s involved in being a Canal Tender, visit fodc.org and click on Help. If you would like to volunteer, please contact us at 215-862-2021 or friends@fodc.org.
The Canal needs you!
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Delaware Canal Clean-Up Day Work Areas
Saturday, April 6, 2019
The list of this year’s work areas follows. The names of the Clean-Up Day Coordinators or Canal Tenders are included for each area. Help is especially needed in areas highlighted in red. Please contact your local coordinator to volunteer.
Bristol Borough: Lagoon Park to Riverfront Park
Mary Kehoe and Dave McGlynn jodi.marydave@verizon.net
Bristol Borough: Green Lane to Lagoon Park
Brett Webber, Coordinator – 215-840-2034 bw@bwadesign.com
Bristol Twp.: Levittown Shopping Center (former Sonic) to Green Lane
Ed Armstrong & GOAL (Greenbelt Overhaul Alliance of Levittown) –edarmstrong@verizon.net
Falls Twp./Tullytown: Mill Creek Road to Levittown Shopping Center
Jeff Connell, Canal Tender – 732-581-9464 jeffconnell@comcast.net
Falls Twp.: Falls Twp. Park to Mill Creek Road
Boy Scout Troop 46 – Renee Thompson, Coordinator
Falls Twp.: Tyburn Road to Wheatsheaf Road
Susan Taylor – 215-493-6625 susanhtaylor@verizon.net
Falls Twp.: Railroad Obstruction to Wheatsheaf Road
Alex Castner, Canal Tender
Morrisville: Bridge Street to the Railroad Obstruction
Lynn Vogel and Josh Gradwohl, Canal Tenders – 215-595-6114 lvogel419@comcast.net A volunteer with a boat / kayak would be welcome.
Morrisville: Trenton Avenue to Bridge Street
Mayor Dave Rivella, Coordinator – 215-295-5030 mayordaverivella@aol.com
Lower Makefield Twp. /Morrisville: Black Rock Road to Trenton Avenue
Hal Long & Morrisville-Yardley Area Rotary Club, Canal Tenders – 215-493-4962 hlong2306@gmail.com
Yardley/Lower Makefield Twp.: Afton Avenue to Black Rock Road
Ann and Keith Webb, Canal Tenders – 215-295-4063 wweebbss@hotmail.com
Lower Makefield Twp./Yardley: Woodside Road to Afton Avenue
Eileen Kileen & Yardley Friends Meeting – 609-947-4259 eileenk29@gmail.com
Lower Makefield Twp./Yardley: Mt. Eyre Road to Woodside Road
Bob Ketler, Canal Tender – 267-566-2759 rjktlr80@msn.com
Upper Makefield Twp.: Stoney Run Aqueduct to Mt. Eyre Road
Gordon Heisler & Traditions Volunteers, Canal Tenders
Solebury Twp./Upper Makefield Twp.: Bowman’s Hill to Stoney Run Aqueduct
Central Bucks Bicycle Club – Nora and Randy Schenk, Canal Tenders
New Hope: Lock 9 to Bowman’s Hill
Ray and Sara Altieri, Canal Tenders
New Hope: Rabbit Run to Lock 9
Pam Can & New Hope Garden Club
Solebury Twp.: Phillips’ Mill to Rabbit Run
Katie and Jim Wolf, Canal Tenders – wolfdoc70@comcast.net
Solebury Twp.: Centre Bridge to Phillips’ Mill
Marge Copenhaver and Aodan and Linda Peacock, Canal Tenders
Solebury Twp.: Virginia Forrest to Centre Bridge
Daniel Schwager, Canal Tender
Solebury Twp.: Lock 12 to Virginia Forrest Recreation Area
Sheree Cote and Tom Lurz – Canal Tenders
Point Pleasant: Mountainside Inn to Lock 12
Sally and Bill Getchell, Canal Tenders
Point Pleasant: Bridge 2 to Mountainside Inn
Hank Goldberg, Canal Tender
Tinicum Twp.: Bridge 3 to Bridge 2
Peter Shaw, Canal Tender
Tinicum Twp.: Lock 17 to Bridge 3
Thomas Fryer, Canal Tender
Tinicum Twp.: Uhlerstown to Lock 17
Appalachian Mountain Club, Del Val Chapter and the Housewives of Rolling Hills, Canal Tenders
Tinicum Twp.: Lodi to Uhlerstown
Happy & Sam Shipley, Canal Tenders
Upper Black Eddy: Berm Lane to Lodi
Janice Armstrong and Steve Schlosser – Canal Tenders
Upper Black Eddy: Indian Rock to Berm Lane
Larry Reinfeld and Upper Black Eddy Rapid Response Team
Riegelsville/ Upper Black Eddy: Mueller’s Store to Indian Rock Inn
Mark Greaney, Canal Tender
Williams Twp.: Wy-Hit-Tuk Park to Mueller’s Store
Carole Mebus, Canal Tender
Easton to Wy-Hit-Tuk Park
Pete Rosswaag – 610-982-9789 – ruswog@verizon.net
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Spring Returns
As the warblers return to the Canal in May, you will be receiving your Friends of the Delaware Canal membership renewal request for the year 2019.
Please support all that we do to improve the Canal in our ongoing quest to make it a better and more beautiful place for people (and Yellow Warblers) to return.
We welcome checks because we save on credit card fees, but also are happy to have you renew online. Just click Join on the main menu and navigate to the Renew Your Membership page.
Thank You!
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Welcome, New Friends
Mark Greaney
Lynne Kemler
Michael Pietsch
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Just in Case
We are hoping against hope that when spring arrives, the weather will get less quirky, but it doesn’t, here’s what to do. If you are in doubt about whether or not a Friends’ event will be held, please check the list of Coming Events on the homepage of fodc.org. A Go/No Go message will be posted at least 4 hours prior to the starting time.
Water Level in the North Lowered
April 15, 2019
The water level in the north end of the Canal has been lowered to facilitate the repair of a sinkhole at Lock 20 south of Kintnersville.
Towpath Trail from New Hope to Centre Bridge is Open
April 11, 2019
The Phillips’ Mill Bridge project is finished,and the towpath has reopened! The New Hope to Centre Bridge to Stockton to Lambertville to New Hope PA/NJ Loop is back.
Canal News – Winter 2019Endings at the Beginning of 2019
Three projects that have been on the books or in progress throughout 2018 will be complete before the first daffodils start to bloom this spring.
There’s light at the end of the tunnel south of Morrisville. A pedestrian passageway has been drilled through the Conrail embankment. The liner is in place, concrete wing walls on the north and south sides have been poured, and finishing touches are underway. The completion of the passageway, preparations for which started in the fall of 2017, is a relief. The Conrail embankment was one the remaining major trail obstructions along the Canal and the most dangerous. To continue along the towpath, visitors either had to climb up, then down steep, slippery slopes or take a detour path that lay much too close to the active Amtrak and Septa tracks. The new passageway is a very welcome improvement, especially for those who use the towpath to commute to work in good weather.
Cars are already crossing the new bridge over the Canal at Phillips’ Mill. The design of the replacement incorporated faux camelback trusses and can accommodate the needs of the residences that are situated between the Canal and the Delaware River. Bi-State Construction is removing the extensive temporary access road and will paint the trusses traditional barn red when the temperatures allow. All should be done three months ahead of schedule. It will be great to have this section of the towpath back in use, especially since it is part of the PA/NJ Canal Loop system.
Taking advantage of the waterless state of the Canal through this area, the State Park maintenance staff is clearing vegetation that has grown up in the Canal prism and partially blocks water flow. It is anticipated that the Centre Bridge pump will be turned back on in the spring when all the bridge work is done and the clearing accomplished. The electricity to operate the Centre Bridge pump is paid by the community group New Hope for Our Canal working under the non-profit umbrella of the Friends.
The idea of improving the detour route around the Tyburn Road towpath trail obstruction in Falls Township has been simmering ever since the Friends commissioned a plan back in the 1990’s. The proposed route was simple, but the ownership issues were not. An upgrade was not pursued by DCNR, particularly since the old path was, sort of, usable. Then, in 2017, the stars aligned. PennDOT constructed an access for one of its projects that basically matched the route of the proposed towpath detour. The idea of recycling PennDOT’s access into a trail detour took hold, particularly since the Delaware Canal towpath is part of longer trail systems, such as the D&L Trail and the East Coast Greenway. Plans were prepared, and, late this fall, DCNR’s regional maintenance crew grubbed, graded, and laid two layers of stone. The new detour is now usable, but the application of the final layer of fine argillite stone will have to wait until the local quarries reopen in the spring. At the same time, fencing will be erected along the railroad property and a crossing will be marked at the intersection of the towpath and the entrance to Cresent U-Pull-It Auto Parts.
An unexpected ending was the departure of Delaware Canal State Park Manager Josh Swartley at the end of December. Josh has been promoted to the position of Assistant Regional Manager and will be responsible for the parks located centrally within Southeast PA Region 4. DCNR has received applications for the Delaware Canal State Park Manager position from managers at other locations within Pennsylvania. Interviews will take place at the end of January and hopes are that a new manager will be in place by mid-February. In the meantime, Assistant Park Manager Bethany Hare is in charge of the Canal Park. Many thanks to Josh for always endeavoring to improve the Park and make operations run smoothly.
In other news of the continuing sort:
• The final designs for both the Kleinhans Aqueduct replacement and the Tinicum Aqueduct bank and trough repairs have been approved. It is anticipated that the two projects will be put out to bid this spring.
• The initial scoping meetings for the replacement of the Lumberville Aqueduct and the rebuilding of the stone walls at High Falls Creek in Bridgeton Township have taken place.
• The solution of filling sinkholes in the Canal prism with flowable concrete continues to work well. Unfortunately, new sinkholes keep dropping down. In the last 3-4 months, eight sinkholes have been discovered and filled between Bridges 2 and 3 north of Point Pleasant. This section of the Canal has been notoriously problematic over the years.
• The original River House/Odette’s structure has been moved from its original site between the Canal and the River to a triangle of land at the intersection of South Main Street and Riverwoods Drive in New Hope. The move and exterior rehabilitation of the building are being done by Gateway to New Hope, the developer of the four-story hotel and event venue planned for the original Odette’s site. DCNR will then acquire ownership of the building. Plans for its future use are in process.
And, of course, there are many more things going on along the Canal. Thanks to the generosity of those who contributed to the Friends’ year-end appeal, we will be able to deal with the removal of, at least, some of the huge trees that have fallen into the Canal and are too much for the Park staff to handle.
And on we go!
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Whole Again
Marking the individual miles along the 58.9-mile-long Delaware Canal is a service appreciated by State Park visitors and staff alike. The history of how those miles were marked is long, complicated and reflects the generosity of donors and thousands of hours of work by volunteers.
The latest system of markers – engraved granite stones set flush with the towpath surface – had its birth back in 2002 fathered by Board member Pete Sperry. Friends’ members willingly contributed the cost of the stones and materials, often to honor friends, relatives, and pets. Volunteers under the leadership of Pete Sperry began the laborious job of installing the new stones in 2004, the same year that the first of four major Delaware River floods struck. Naturally, the flood damage drastically slowed down the mile marker project, but the volunteers kept at it, putting in markers in the sections that were unaffected by the floods. Ironically, the floods didn’t damage the stones as much as the heavy equipment used to repair the Canal did. Some of the markers were buried and broken. But the volunteers were undaunted.
This fall the last of the replacement mile markers was installed. Mile Marker 57 is in the ground, and all of the Canal’s 58.9 miles have their engraved granite markers back.
When you’re out on the towpath, keep your eyes open for them. #1 is by the Grundy Mill in Bristol; #58.9 is at the Forks of the Delaware in Easton.
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New Canal Tenders!
Where there are more people, there is more trash, so we’re pleased to announce that two heavily used sections of the Canal now have more Canal Tenders.
David Nay has volunteered to tend the section from Bridge Street to East Maple Avenue in Morrisville Borough.
Melissa, Steven, and James Leiby will be caring for the Canal from East Maple Avenue to Ferry Road also in Morrisville Borough.
The New Hope-Solebury High School Environmental Club is covering the stretch from Lock 11 in New Hope Borough to Phillips’ Mill in Solebury Township.
Thank you for helping to make the Canal a better place to visit and to live, if you’re a critter.
Three sections of the Canal remain without Tenders.
- Bristol Riverfront Park to Beaver Street in Bristol Borough
- Bristol Lagoon Park to Home Depot/Levittown Shopping Center
- Levittown Shopping Center to Wheatsheaf Road
Please let us know if you can fill one of these gaps. Being a Canal Tender is a rewarding experience in many ways. To find out more about what’s involved, visit the HELP page at www.fodc.org or call 215-862-2021.
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Stories on the Way
The new three-panel interpretive sign for the Groundhog Lock aka Theodore Roosevelt Recreation Area is ready to be installed this spring. The panels tell the stories of the lost town of Uhlersville, the electric power house, and the impact of the Canal and the trolley line on the area. Many thanks to Williams Township for making a donation to cover the cost of the sign and to local historians Beth Weaver and Ned Heindel for sharing their knowledge and resources.
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At the Board Table
During our Annual Meeting on November 13, several actions were taken concerning the Friends’ Board of Directors.
Pam Can and Lynn Vogel were honored for their service as Board members. Both were officers – Pam, Vice-President and Lynn, Secretary. Enthusiastic about fundraising, Pam brainstormed and coordinated many an event and was a Canal Clean-Up Day community organizer. Lynn’s professional experience with the NJ DEP was invaluable, and she and her husband Josh Gradwohl are outstanding Canal Tenders and CAT volunteers.
The membership re-elected Judy Franlin, Joan Fullerton, and David Schaeffer to additional two-year terms. Elected to their first terms were Nancy Small and Jack Torres. Jack Donohue was elected to return to the Board after a hiatus.
Here’s a bit about them.
Jack Donohue
Jack and his wife Claire moved to Bucks County thirteen years ago and were fortunate to find a home on the Canal and the River in Lumberville. They soon started walking and bike riding on the towpath and, later, began cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Early on, Jack bought a used rowboat to paddle on the Canal, but it has mainly sat on its sawhorses awaiting a nice steady flow of water, and it’s still waiting.
Over the years, he has walked the entire length of the Canal and would recommend it to everyone. All the diversity of Bucks County’s communities and scenery is played out along the waterway.
This will be Jack’s second stint on the Friends’ Board, which he joined about ten years ago, even serving as President for a few years. Lately, he has been looking for a way to again become involved with the activities along the Canal, and he knows that becoming more active with the Friends is the best way to do that.
Nancy Small
Nancy, and her husband, Roger Keller, and their black lab, Samantha live between the Delaware Canal and the Delaware River in Upper Black Eddy. Nancy has been a resident of Bridgeton Township for three years, yet has enjoyed the benefits of the Canal and its towpath for over a decade.
Having lived in Vermont for 20 years, Nancy has a good appreciation for the value of outdoor recreation, preservation of natural spaces, and advocating for policies and programs that allow important historic places to be preserved. This “last towpath canal in America capable of being fully-watered and restored” is a prize that she hopes to assist in building and preserving as well.
In retirement, Nancy serves on several boards, is an Auditor and the Majority Inspector for Bridgeton Township, a Master Gardener, and a regular yoga practitioner. She hopes to put her decades of professional experience in marketing and publishing to use to benefit the Friends through engaging members in fulfilling activities and bringing the benefits of the Canal to an ever wider audience.
Jack Torres
Jack’s earliest memories of the Canal are of family day trips to New Hope to take rides on the mule barge. After moving to Bucks County, he learned that the Canal was, indeed, more than just an attraction in New Hope.
Jack resides in Erwinna, just above the Canal, and enjoys walking and biking on the towpath in what he considers to be one of the most scenic areas along the waterway’s entire length. He became involved with the Friends through Canal Clean-Up Days. Since then, he has served on the Fundraising Committee, as well as the Advocacy, Restoration and Maintenance Committee, and is also a business member of the Friends.
Jack is a Real Estate Agent, licensed in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and enjoys telling his clients about the Canal, the Friends, and all of the many activities that make this area a special place to live.
At its first meeting of the new year the Board of Directors elected its officers.
Brett Webber – President
Laure Duval – Vice-President
Jack Torres – Secretary
Larry Reinfeld – Treasurer
The Board welcomes your questions, input and help!
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Welcome, New Friends
Sally and Bruce Blair
Daniel Bornstein
Debra and Kenneth Breslin
Ann Church
Jack Torres, Coldwell Banker Hearthside Realtors – Doylestown
Thora Faigle
Jason Goldstein
David Harper
Michael Hurle
Paula Hynes
George Miller
Rich Laughlin
Pam Murray
John Ramelli
Linda Schneider
Chris Shebest
Steven Shelly
Robert Sherry
Susan Ward-Huerkens
Sandy Weber
POP-UPs This Winter
January 8, 2019
Last winter, bad weather foiled nearly all of our attempts to get outdoors on the Delaware Canal. So, this year, we’re going to try a different tactic.
Rather than scheduling dates in advance, we’re going to do POP-UP activities. When the forecasters say that the skies will be sunny, the temperatures above frostbite, and the winds relatively calm OR we have a perfect snowfall, we’ll send out a message letting you know what we’ll be doing and where we’ll be doing it along the Canal’s length. We might be hiking. We might be cross-country skiing or snowshoeing or maybe something completely new. (Wouldn’t it be great to have a skating party?)
We’ll be waiting for the right opportunities and will notify you with the details by sending an e-mail message and posting on the Events page and our Friends of the Delaware Canal Facebook page.
Here’s hoping for lots of fun on the Canal this winter.