by Nancy Bishop   Feeling the winter blues? Don’t despair – Spring is almost here even if it doesn’t look that way outside in this part of Pennsylvania just yet. And with the promise of Spring also comes a chance to get out and enjoy Restaurant Week 2019 happening March 29 – April 7. There are 23 restaurants participating this year and 10 days to enjoy them. (Maybe lunch and dinner out every day, to try them all in the interest of research??) And, all of the restaurants are offering deals ranging from free appetizers to special menus and live…

For the past several years, the Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau has held a photo contest geared specifically toward the 25 historic covered bridges in the area. This year’s contest is currently open for submissions, and photos will be accepted for consideration until June 1st.  Individuals who have taken photos of one of the counties’ covered bridges are encouraged to enter. There is no cost to submit. All entries will be judged primarily on their superior quality, composition, and lighting. Photos from all four seasons are encouraged.  To be considered, entries must feature one of the 25 covered bridges in Columbia &…

by Nancy Bishop   If you like trying craft beers, then you will definitely want to venture out on the River Rat Brew Trail. Not only will you find great beer – I particularly like the Pack Dog Peanut Butter Ale with its hint of roasted peanuts at Marley’s in Bloomsburg (that had me hooked from my first sip at a beer-tasting fundraiser) – but great food, too. The brainchild of the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau and the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, the River Rat Brew Trail takes you to 13 craft brewers in Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and…

by Nancy Bishop   Ahhh, February. It’s Valentine’s month and you know you want to do something better than the usual card and candy for your sweetheart. Lucky for you, there are a number of options in the Columbia & Montour Counties area that are sure to please. Wine and Chocolate Week Who could go wrong with wine and chocolate? From Friday, Feb. 8 to Sunday, Feb. 17, five wineries in the area will offer special chocolate pairings with their wines, and participants will have the chance to get tickets stamped at each location for chances to win a prize.…

by Nancy Bishop If you’re still yearning to be fishing even during this winter’s cold weather and snow, you might want to give ice fishing a try. With the right clothes and gear, you might even like it better than fishing on a hot summer day. Columbia and Montour counties offer a number of great ice-fishing locations, according to one of the area’s fishing experts, John “Toast” Oast. Host of the popular Fishyaker YouTube channel, Oast travels extensively competing in fishing tournaments and promoting the sport. His angling exploits have been featured in various regional and national publications, videos and…

This February, treat your sweetheart to a romantic outing filled with wine and chocolate. The “Wine & Chocolate Week” in Columbia & Montour Counties is a great way to celebrate the Valentine’s Day season with a loved one or significant other. From Friday, February 8th through Sunday, February 17th, five area wineries will offer special chocolate pairings with their wines, and participants will have the chance to get tickets stamped at each location for chances to win a prize.  Each winery will provide an individual prize basket and one large Grand Prize basket will be compiled with bottles of wine from each…

The 31st Annual Early Bird Sports Expo is quickly approaching!  The show will take place at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds on January 24-27, 2019.  The doors will open starting on Thursday, Jan 24th at 4 PM. Parking is free. The hours of the show are:  Thursday 4 PM – 9 PM, Friday 10 AM – 9 PM, Saturday 10 AM – 8 PM and Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM.  The event features over 120 vendors and showcases boats, RVs, ATVs, outfitters, hunting and fishing equipment, kayaks, the area’s finest taxidermy work, artists, sportsmen’s groups and archery suppliers. The PA Hunters Safety…

by: Nancy Bishop Nestled in picturesque northeastern Pennsylvania near the Pocono Mountains, Columbia & Montour counties offer things to do to satisfy everyone – from the outdoor enthusiast to the history buff. Here are my top 10, in no particular order: Ricketts Glen State Park Montour Preserve Knoebels Amusement Resort Historic Covered Bridges of Columbia & Montour Counties Covered Bridge & Arts Festival Briggs Farm Blues Festival Bloomsburg Fair Bill’s Old Bike Barn Berwick Christmas Boulevard & Winterfest Benton Rodeo 1. Ricketts Glen State Park With more than 13,000 acres, Ricketts Glen State Park, located at 695 State Route 487,…

From MePush EMAIL SAFETY TIPS – A MUST READ FOR EVERY EMPLOYEE Unfortunately, email has become the biggest concern regarding virus related incidents.  While there are measures in place to catch most viruses (spam filters and antivirus) the easiest way to prevent them is through proper handling of spam/malicious email. I will assume that most of you receive spam email.  Spam filters will catch about 99% of spam that flows to your organization.  It’s the ones that get through that we need to worry about.  Below are some tips on how to avoid compromising your accounts, your computer, and your…

Lace up those running shoes – the Bloomsburg Area YMCA is getting ready for their annual New Year’s Eve Run! All proceeds will benefit Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility in the Bloomsburg community, including LIVESTRONG at the YMCA, an evidence-based program supporting cancer survivors throughout our community.  This year, they’re going further than ever before and invite participants to double their distance for a 10K. Bring the family! Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome, and childcare will be available for kids who won’t be running. Online Registration and more information is available here: http://bloomsburgy.org/run/ Race Day Registration…

Briggs Farm Blues Festival in Nescopeck, PA has confirmed several headliner acts – Donna the Buffalo and Southern Avenue – to play at the 2019 festival. The festival will run for four days: Thursday July 11, Friday July 12, Saturday July 13, & Sunday July 14, 2019. Tickets are on sale now at the Briggs Farm Blues Festival website. It may be cold outside, but on Briggs Farm, festival planners are thinking of warmer days ahead and planning The Best Weekend of the Year, the 22nd annual Briggs Farm Blues Festival. One of the most awarded blues festivals in the country, Briggs…

December, 2019 The Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau recently received a number of Covered Bridge related items from both the Theodore Burr Covered Bridge Society and also the Columbia County Covered Bridge Association.  All items are currently available at the Welcome Center (121 Papermill Road, Bloomsburg) while supplies last.  Items can be purchased at the Welcome Center during normal business hours, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (Monday – Friday).  Certain items may be shipped at an additional charge – please call the Welcome Center at 570-784-8279 to place an order and/or request a shipping quote. Covered Bridge Christmas Ornaments, Red or Natural…

Get ready for the holiday season in Berwick this Saturday with the annual grand opening of the Berwick Holiday Boulevard and the Berwick Winterfest.  Downtown activities include free cookie decorating, horse & carriage rides, gingerbread house contest, crafts, face painting  and marshmallow roasting stations. The sidewalks will be packed with delicious foods, warm toasty drinks and some super cool items for sale – perfect for Christmas gifts! Stop into many of the Downtown businesses for things such as; cookie decorating, crafts for kids, face painting, Gingerbread House Contest, special sales and so much more! While walking the streets – enjoy…

The River Rat Brew Trail recently announced sales of holiday gift cards. They’re redeemable for store merchandise or for 2019 Summer Passports! Passports will be available for purchase from the online store in May of 2019. Brew Trail gift cards will make great stocking stuffers or Secret Santa gifts for the craft beer enthusiasts in your life. Check out the store to purchase gift cards, or other seasonal apparel and merchandise.

The holidays are a great time of year to spend time with friends and family. If your Thanksgiving travels bring you into Columbia & Montour Counties this week, there are plenty of great events and area activities planned this week that will provide fun for the whole family. Thursday, November 22nd – Thanksgiving Day Berwick’s 109th Annual “Run for the Diamonds” Race – Before the turkey dinner finds its way to the table, head over to Berwick to be a part of an incredible Thanksgiving Day Tradition – the 109th Annual Run for the Diamonds. Spectators will come out early to…

2019 MONTOUR PRESERVE BROCHURE COVER PHOTO CONTEST Calling all Montour Preserve photographers! It’s time to print a new batch of brochures for the Montour Preserve and they are looking for a new cover photo. If you have a high quality photo of the Montour Preserve that you’d like them to consider, please contact Bob Stoudt, MARC Director, at RStoudt@MontourRec.com before midnight on Sunday, November 4. They’ll review all submissions on Monday, November 5, and will post their top five choices to the Montour Preserve’s Facebook page for visitor feedback. The winning photo will be featured on the cover of the new…

Looking for Halloween Happenings around our area in the next week? We’ve got a list of upcoming events, including trick or treat times for various communities in Columbia & Montour counties. Oct. 29 BERWICK — Trick or Treat 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Berwick YMCA, more than a dozen stations, donations for local food bank voluntary ORANGEVILLE —Trunk-’n’-treat, 5:00 PM – 7:00 p.m., Ebenezer UM Church, 687 Route 93 Oct. 30 BENTON — Halloween Parade forms at 6:00 pm, moves at 7:00 pm BERWICK BOROUGH/SALEM TOWNSHIP – Trick or Treat, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm BERWICK – Trunk or Treat,…

This holiday season, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble is taking patrons over the rainbow with the classic MGM musical version of The Wizard of Oz, beginning November 23 and ending December 29, 2018.  The Wizard of Oz is by L. Frank Baum, with music and lyrics by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, and is directed by ensemble member, Richard Cannaday. When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away to the magical land of Oz.  With help from a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion, they dodge witches and talking apple trees in search of…

Saturday, Nov. 3 – Weis Center for the Performing Arts Showtime: 11 a.m. Pre-show activities and refreshments from 10-11 a.m. in the Weis Center Atrium. Suggested for ages 3-7 Run time: 60 minutes; no intermission Ticket Information: Adults: $20 Seniors 62+ and subscribers: $16 Youth 18 and under: $10 Bucknell employees and retirees (limit 2): $10 Bucknell students (limit 2): $10 Non-Bucknell college students (limit 2): $10 Tickets can be purchased by: Visiting the Campus Box Office Online. Calling the Campus Box Office at 570.577.1000, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Visiting a Campus Box Office location, Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. About the…

On Friday, October 26th from 5:30 – 8:00 PM, Bloomsburg will transform into “BOO!burg” as a group of non-profit organizations invite families to enjoy Halloween festivities on 7th Street. Various activities will be hosted by AGAPE, the Bloomsburg YMCA, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, The Children’s Museum, Bloomsburg Public Library, and The Exchange. Over 3,000 people attended the 2017 event! 2018 Events: YMCA — “Trunk or Treat” with DJ Tom Rood, 5:30-8:00 Children’s Museum — family crafts and activities, 5:30-8:00, including trick-or-treating in the Museum gift shop. The Exchange — costume contest for kids up to 12 years old, one round at 7 p.m. (with…

ELYSBURG – This week, the ever-popular Covered Bridge & Arts Festival returns to Knoebels Amusement Resort. The event is organized by the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, and celebrates the region’s beloved covered bridges in a four-day extravaganza. This year’s festival will feature more than 400 crafters and over 35 food vendors.  As it is one of the largest craft festivals in the state, visitors can expect to spend a full day exploring the park and vendors. You won’t go home empty-handed! The fun kicks off Thursday, October 4th at 10 AM and runs through Sunday, October 7th at 5 PM.…

The Montour Preserve’s Autumn Newsletter has been released.  The publication provides seasonal updates on events and goings-on at the Preserve for the months of October – December. An update is given on red-tailed hawks, various waterfowl migrations, fall wildflowers, and owl species. There is also a feature on the what to watch for in the fall night sky, including meteor showers and moon cycles. Regarding upcoming events at the Preserve, there will be a “Colors of Autumn” hike taking place from 10:00 – 11:30 AM on Saturday, October 13th. On Saturday, November 10th and Sunday November 11th, there will be a…

Excited for the Bloomsburg Fair?  The Fair runs from Saturday, September 22nd thru Saturday, September 29th. Updated Admission Information 2018 ADMISSION TO GROUNDS – $8 ADVANCED GATE ADMISSION Available at the Grandstand Ticket Office, Online and at your local Berwick, Bloomsburg and Danville Giant Markets. Single Ticket – $7 8 Individual tickets – $48 – Can be torn apart and distributed to 8 people (25% Savings) Weekly Pass Badge – $35 – Good for ONE admission EACH DAY OF FAIR (46% Savings) CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS FAIR ADMISSION TO GROUNDS – $8 Children 12 & under admitted FREE every day.…

Food Service Industry Leader Reveals New Name and Look DANVILLE, PA (September 10, 2018) – Atlantic Equipment Specialists, Inc., a leader in the commercial food service industry, has changed its name to Atlantic Culinary Environments, Inc. Operating under the same leadership group since 1985, Atlantic Culinary Environments, Inc. will continue to move forward in the same direction they began… to be the best at serving their customers. “This re-branding initiative provides Atlantic Culinary Environments the opportunity to more accurately reflect the ideals with which the company started.”, says Craig Roadarmel, president of Atlantic Culinary Environments. “We are very excited to…