Shirley and Eugene Goles and their family, from Baltimore, Md., have camped at the Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Quarryville, Pa. almost every Easter for nearly 40 years.

 ”That’s when our family starts our summer camping trips,” Shirley said, adding that the tradition started even before the 175-site campground joined the Jellystone Park chain in 1991.

“We just love the park and the area that it’s in,” Shirley said, adding that their children, grandchildren and many other family members have all grown up having their Easter egg hunts and other holiday activities at the Quarryville Jellystone Park.

Jellystone Parks are nationally famous for their family friendly activities, which take place most weekends throughout late spring, summer and fall.

But while most activities are geared toward children and teenagers, some Jellystone Parks also have Easter activities specifically for adults, including the Jellystone Park in Hagerstown, Md., which holds separate egg hunts for men and women with about 200 to 300 plastic eggs that are stuffed with coupons that can be redeemed for soda, candy, game room tickets and other assorted adult beverages.

“We have to hold these egg hunts separately. Otherwise, the men will push the women out of the way to get the eggs,” said park co-owner Vicki Vitkun.

The Quarryville Jellystone Park also offers separate Easter egg hunts for children and adults as well as an egg rolling and decorating contest, a visit by the Easter bunny, and nighttime DJ dancing with a light show.

•  Here’s a sampling of what’s being planned at Jellystone Parks in several cities east of the Rockies: Bremen, Ga.: This park’s Easter egg hunt involves hayrides with an antique tractor and real bunnies. The park is also planning train rides, Easter egg basket making and other children’s activities. www.georgiajellystone.com
• Burleson, Texas: Activities include making an Easter basket, and parents will have the option of filling them up or having Yogi Bear deliver them to their children. A big egg hunt is also planned. Additionally, a local church hosts a live Easter Pageant, and they will send their cast members – including a high priest, a blind man and Jesus – will come to the park in costume to share their experiences.

www.rusticcreekranch.com

• Canyon Lake, Texas: Activities at this park include a nighttime flashlight Easter egg hunt for the older kids with thousands of eggs and a church service on Sunday. www.jellystonehillcountry.com
• Frankenmuth, Mich.: This park mirror’s the Osterbrunnen Easter decorating traditions of Franconia, Germany, and decorates the park with thousands of eggs and ribbon. The park will also have an Easter egg hunt, Easter decorating, movies, games and crafts. www.frankenmuthjellystone.com
• Fremont, Ind.: This park will have egg dying and an egg hunt as well as other activities, including bingo, cartoons, wagon rides and free pancakes. Real baby chicks and bunnies will also be on hand. www.jellystonesbest.com
• Horn Lake, Miss.: This park is planning egg dying, an Easter egg hunt, spoon races and a coloring contest. www.memphisjellystone.com
• Nashville, Tenn.: This park’s activities include crafts, such as decorating you own Easter basket, egg games and an Easter egg hunt. www.nashvillejellystone.com

The Goles Family doesn’t limit their Jellystone camping to the Quarryville Park at Easter. They also visit the Jellystone Park in Hagerstown, though they have a tradition of closing out the camping season with a visit to the Quarryville Park in October, when the park hosts its Halloween themed weekends, with costume contests, trick or treating and campsite decorating.

“About 15 families will join us for camping for Halloween. At times we have had as many as 65 in our group,” Shirley said. For more information on activities and events at the Quarryville Jellystone, visit www.jellystonepa.com. Activities listings for the Hagerstown Jellystone is available at www.jellystonemaryland.com.

About Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™ Camp-Resorts

Launched in 1969, the Jellystone Park system now boasts 75 campgrounds with more than 15,000 campsites in 30 states and three Canadian provinces.  Its Camp-Resorts are among the best campgrounds in the industry with a quality reputation for being fun, friendly, clean and customer service-oriented parks. Additionally, each Jellystone Park is themed with Yogi Bear elements providing instant recognition and consumer appeal.  It is truly a place “Where You Camp With Friends.”®   

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts are franchised through Leisure Systems, Inc. (LSI), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Park River Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio. For more information, visit www.campjellystone.com.

Follow these eco traveling tips when booking your next vacation. How you choose your trip can make a significant difference to our environment. In this link, from the ecotourism.org website, you can get the real answers to several myths about traveling responsibly. You do not have to be a fanatic; just do your little part. Take any one of these tips and use them. If everyone did this, results would be hugely evident. While you are at this site, check out the many options that you can take advantage of when planning your trip. There are many cool destinations and tips when making your decisions. There is an interactive tool called the Ecotourism Explorer that will guide you in finding all the countries where the members of the Society are located. You can also view or download the Travel Green Guide 2010/11, a 104 page guide on the story behind TIES, travel choices, Do’s and Don’ts and the membership directory. You can get involved if you wish or just educate yourself on the cause.

Ever notice how the air changes in August? It takes on a crisp feel and the humidity takes a back seat. I am from the mid-atlantic region where the sun gets brighter and the leaves turn scarlet and gold. Autumn is a nice season because it isn’t too cold or too hot; it’s very pretty and makes you feel nostalgic. I am not sure why that is, but it is. I have taken this list from STORMFAX Guide to Fall Foliage. It covers most of the U.S. and offers state website links and phone numbers that will be helpful when planning your fall foliage tour. Use this guide to commune with Mother Nature and enjoy some peace.

• Mid-Atlantic Region: 

PENNSYLVANIA  Fall Foliage/Events Hotline  1-800-FALL-INPA
 NEW JERSEY  Fall Foliage/Events  1-800-VISIT-NJ
 DELAWARE | (alt) Fall Foliage/Events  1-800-441-8846
 MARYLAND | (alt) Fall Foliage/Events  1-800-LEAVES-1
 VIRGINIA | (alt) Fall Foliage/Events  1-800-434-LEAF
 WEST VIRGINIA Fall Foliage/Events  1-800-CALL-WVA
 NORTH CAROLINA | (alt) Fall Foliage/Events  1-800-VISIT-NC

• New England Region: 

CONNECTICUT Fall Vacation Hotline  1-800-CT-BOUND
 MAINE Publicity Hotline  1-800-533-9595 or 1-888-MAINE-45
 MASSACHUSETTS | (alt) Fall Foliage Hotline  1-800-227-MASS (6277)
 NEW HAMPSHIRE |Fall Color Hotline  1-800-262-6660 or 1-800-258-3608
 NEW YORK | (alt) Fall Foliage Hotline  1-800-225-5697 or 1-800-CALL-NYS
 RHODE ISLAND | (alt) Fall Vacation Hotline  1-800-556-2484
 VERMONT | (alt) Fall Foliage Hotline  1-800-VERMONT or 1-800-828-3239

• Midwest, West & South: 

ARKANSAS | (alt)  Fall Foliage  1-800-NATURAL
 CALIFORNIA | (alt)  Fall Foliage  1-800-354-4595
 COLORADO | (alt) Travel/Events Hotline  1-800-COLORADO
 GEORGIA Travel/Events Hotline  1-800-864-7275
 ILLINOIS | (alt) Travel/Events Hotline  1-800-2CONNECT
 INDIANA | (alt) | (alt) Travel/Events Hotline  1-888-ENJOY-IN
 KENTUCKY Color Connection  1-800-225-8747
 MICHIGAN Foliage Hotline  1-800-644-3255
 MINNESOTA Foliage Hotline  1-800-657-3700
 MISSOURI Fall Report  1-800-NATURAL
 MONTANA | (alt) Travel/Events Hotline  1-800-847-4868
 OHIO Foliage & Travel Hotline  1-800-282-5393
 OREGON | (alt) Foliage Hotline  1-800-547-5445
 TENNESSEE Fall Color Hotline  1-800-697-4200
 TEXAS | (alt) State Park Hotline  1-800-792-1112
 WASHINGTON | (alt) State Foliage Information  1-800-354-4595
 WISCONSIN Foliage Hotline  1-800-432-TRIP
 WYOMING | (alt) Travel Hotline  1-800-225-5996

Health is Coming Back to our Bay.

 By Dena Fritz

Pollution control efforts in the Chesapeake Bay are continuing to prove effective according to Maryland’s governor, Martin O’Malley. 2009 was the third year that demonstrated growth of all-important bay grasses. The bay grasses provide a vital habitat for fish and wildlife. Bay health can be measured by the health of the grasses and is on the incline. With a 12% increase in the abundance of bay grasses, it is the second highest level seen since 1984.   Contaminated runoff flowing into the Bay contains nutrients that can fuel algal blooms and sediments that block sunlight needed for bay grass growth.

The governor also announced earlier in the year that the Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab population has increased substantially for the second straight year. A dramatic 60% increase in population indicating that management measures in place are paying dividends. The blue crab population is at its highest level since 1997. The population boost can be directly attributed to healthy bay grasses and the more crabs that procreate, the more grasses will be needed. Relief from stringent crabbing restrictions are not in the immediate future however, it is too soon to predict that this is a long term trend.

The best news is that when we put our minds to it, we can make a difference in protecting our environment. I am a boater on the bay and I enjoy seeing the bay grasses, which look the best they have in the more than 10 years that I have spent there. I also have enjoyed eating Maryland Blues at our local establishments on the bay and I have to say that this year, the crabs are bigger and better than I have seen! As a boater, my family and I do our part to preserve the bay; we are environmentally conscious and revere the waters that we traverse with respect and amazement.

• Water Efficiency
• Waste Reduction and Recycling
• Sustainable Furnishings and Building Materials
• Sustainable Food
• Energy
• Disposables
• Chemical and Pollution Reduction

The GRA also rates on new builds and renovation projects and events with required minimum points to earn a certificate. The GRA website gives you several ways that you, as a consumer, can green your dining experience. You can also sign up for their newsletter to get updated information on all Green Restaurant Association news.

By Dena Fritz

Energizer LED Rechargeable Flashlight

With our active lifestyle, we use flashlights for many purposes several times a week. We are always disappointed that our flashlights die out after just a few uses. It seems that just when we need them most, they fail us and leave us with frustration. On weekends, we are frequently away, to our boat on the Chesapeake or to our daughter’s cabin in the mountains. When we travel, we are always in need of a flashlight to turn the power on, or to row across a creek, or just to walk in the dark. After fruitless searches for the most economical and green way to light our path, I found this handy little tool that runs 8 hours on one charge and gives off a bright white Nichia LED light. It has two levels of luminescence and is very lightweight. The best part about it is that it plugs in the wall to be recharged and does not use costly wasteful batteries that harm our environment. We liked them so much, we bought two! We carry them with us every weekend in our luggage and upon arrival of wherever we go; we just plug them in to ensure that they are always fully charged. When we get home, we plug them back in and viola! We have charged up flashlights in case of an at-home emergency. This flashlight really fits our way of life and we wouldn’t want to be without them. Using them is responsible and cost effective.

Each year, over 3 billion dry-cell household batteries are purchased in the United States. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consumer batteries contribute more mercury and cadmium to municipal solid waste than any other source. Long-term exposure to heavy metals can lead to serious health problems. Cadmium can cause lung, circulatory system, or reproductive system damage. Mercury can damage the brain, kidneys, or fetuses, as well as cause genetic, neurological, or psychological disorders. Cadmium, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, and zinc have each been linked to cancer, developmental disorders, and immune deficiency. So needless to say, the less we use them, the better and the better for our environment.

Coral Reef Alliance

By Dena Fritz

It is predicted that within just a few decades our coral reefs will be reduced to piles of rubble on our sea floors. Sound shocking and over-dramatic? No it’s not. It is really happening and it’s coming at an alarming rate. Coral reefs are dying and scientists cannot pinpoint one cause in particular. It seems that the deterioration of our coral reef structure falls victim to global warming, sewage, inland agricultural run-off, overfishing, industrial waste, urban run-off, tourism, oil and gas exploration, to name a few.

 Supporting MPAs (Marine protected areas) appears to be the best and most effective way to slow the large scale threat to the reefs. What this means is to actively monitor and manage the reefs for recreational damage and negative outside influences on or around endangered coral reefs.

 Did you know that your actions right here in your local world can affect our coral reefs? Sustainability is of utmost importance of anything that you can do. Make an effort; it’s worth it and will affect this ever-delicate and precious gem that our world holds.

 Things that you can do to help our coral reefs:

1. Make a donation
2. Become a friend of the reef
3. Be a smart consumer
4. Show you support for CORAL
5. Become an Advocate
6. Live Sustainably
7. Join CORAL online communities
8. Enter the CORAL Photo Contest
9. Raise Money for CORAL
10. Educate others – Twitter and FaceBook awareness

For camping enthusiasts there is a wonderful place on the island of St. John, USVI. It is called Cinnamon Bay Campground and truly, it is paradise. With some of the most beautiful scenery and the best snorkeling in the world, Cinnamon Bay offers serenity, beauty and affordability. Camping on St. John offers an opportunity to explore, hike, swim and sight-see. Open year-round, Cinnamon Bay is a campground that provides all that you will need for the trip of a lifetime. There are several selections of tent site locations. Some nestled in the trees while some boast an incredible beach-side view. If you are the keep-to-yourself type you will manage just fine and if you are the social butterfly, there are group gatherings for those who like to share in the adventure of making new friends. To make your life easier, camping gear is available at the resort but you certainly can bring your own. It is not recommended that you travel with a cook stove as you may not get past airport security. Cottages, baresites and tents are private and tranquil.

 Several amenities that are available include, a general store on the premises, water sports, T’ree Lizard Restaurant located on-site (Caribbean/American cuisine), beach shop and plenty of campsites with easy access to nearby bathhouses.

 St. John is part of the United States Virgin Islands and it stands alone in its quiet, remote and stress-free setting. Unlike its sister islands, St. Thomas and St. Croix, St. John is virtually an untouched secret. In the 1950’s the Rockefellers bought up most of the island and donated it to the National Park Service which covers over 7,000 acres. While there, you must experience the Virgin Island Ecotours, an expert guide will show you hundreds of tropical fish while hiking, kayaking and snorkeling in the beautiful Caneel Bay an all-important bio-reserve. Nearby Trunk Bay has been ranked among the “Ten Best Beaches in The World” by Conde’ Nast Traveler, National Geographic, and many other publications.

More and more today we are looking at ways to develop alternative fuels. There is a desire to stop the price gouging of the oil industry and the control that it has over us. We want to be free of the ties that bind us to OPEC and avoid tragedies like the Gulf oil spill.

 There are many ways to do this. We can carpool, take public transportation, and develop clean sources of energy to run our vehicles (which is no small task). I read an article about a restaurant owner who actually uses his deep fryer oil to power his car! Now this is ingenuity. If we all took on the enthusiasm that the restaurant owner did with the grease from his fryers (he found a way, didn’t he?) and applied it, I believe we could make a significant difference to free us of our dependence on fossil fuels.

 Hybrid cars are becoming enormously popular, are moderate in price and are low on fuel usage and exhaust emissions. Not to mention, you get the satisfaction of doing your part to help with the effort of minimizing global warming.

I wrote a little poem to help you to remember how important it is!

Let’s Do Our Part

Drive a hybrid

Refer a friend

Lower emissions

The globe will mend

Drive a hybrid

Save on expenses

Conserve our energy

Come to our senses

Drive a hybrid

Save our land

And free us at last

By taking a stand

Whether you are commuting to/from work or going to a business function, hitch a ride with your co-workers. Not only is it going to be a greener ride, but you will develop stongers bonds, increasing productivity in your work. So talk to your office-mates and arrange to carpool whenever you can. Who can argue team work and greener traveling?