Maine Maple Weekend has arrived at last

By Kendra Raymond

With the recent warm temperatures, longer days, and some seasonal businesses seeking summer help, there is a glimmer of hope that spring may be soon to arrive. Associated with early spring is the arrival of Maine Maple Sunday, which always lands on the fourth Sunday in March all around the state.

Maple sap boils in an evaporator at Balsam Ridge Farm
in Raymond. Maine Maple Weekend is this Saturday and 
Sunday at locations across the Lakes Region. FILE PHOTO

Many local sugar houses even make an event of it by offering activities and celebrations during the entire weekend.

Sugar shacks in the Lakes Region are gearing up for the 42nd annual Maine Maple Sunday Weekend running March 22 and 23. The beloved tradition is popular with families, but anyone can partake in the early spring demonstrations and enjoy camaraderie while enjoying some yummy maple snacks.

So what can visitors to a participating sugar house do? The list is varied and vast and can include tours of the maple trees, watching boiling demonstrations, taking hayrides, and listening to musicians. Of course, who can leave out sampling the delicious maple goods such as candy, donuts, and ice cream?

The Maine Maple Producers Association website recently announced the upcoming weekend, “Spring is a great time to get out and enjoy the great State of Maine and everything that it has to offer, including Maine Maple Syrup.”

Most sugarhouses offer maple syrup samples and demonstrations about how pure Maine maple syrup is made. Many farms offer games, activities, treats, sugarbush tours, music, and so much more.

The MMPA website posts its mission as, “The Maine Maple Producers Association is interested in education, technology and friendship as well as the promotion of maple in today’s maple industry. The scope of the Maine Maple Producer’s Association is to promote the maple industry within the state of Maine, nationally and internationally. At MMPA we are committed to providing our members with a variety of different ways to help produce and market pure Maine maple syrup.”

The MMPA represents more than 250 of the 450 producers licensed to sell maple products in Maine. Producers range from small artisan producers to bulk syrup providers that serve major grocery store chains, foodservice distributors, retailers and international markets.

Many producers have products for sale direct to consumers throughout the year.

The state makes more than 575,000 gallons of syrup annually during a normal season, generating more than $55.6 million for the Maine economy and supporting more than 833 full-time and part-time jobs that generate more than $26.9 million in wages,” according to the MMPA website.

Sharon Lloy of Balsam Ridge Farm in Raymond is excited to promote maple syrup and products at the upcoming Maine Maple weekend events.

“We are getting ready for Maine Maple weekend. We will have tours where people can observe the process of maple syrup being made,” she said. “We always offer a pancake breakfast. And new this year we will have empanadas.”

Lloy said that there will be luncheons offered both Saturday and Sunday.

“You’ll be able to have hotdogs boiled in sap, baked beans, as well as all kinds of maple treats.,” she said. With the recent warm temperatures, Lloy says that the sap is really pouring in this week, so they are busy.

In addition to all the maple treats, Lloy says there will be entertainment on Sunday, March 23rd and blacksmith demonstrations all day.

The area is home to several other sugar houses such as Grandpa Joe’s Sugar House in East Baldwin, Jo’s Sugar House/Hartwell Farm in Gorham, Nash Valley Farm in Windham, Hilltop Boilers in Newfield, Cooper’s Maple Products in Windham, Merrifield Farm in Gorham, Sweet William’s in Casco, and Hilltop Boilers in Newfield – to name a few.

During a radio broadcast in 2024, Maine Gov. Janet Mills explained the importance of the maple syrup industry to the State of Maine.

“Our state is the third largest producer of maple syrup in the country. Somerset County alone actually produces more maple syrup than any other county in the United States,” she said. “That’s also where the Passamaquoddy have 40,000 acres of land in Somerset and Franklin County, where they run 14,000 taps and have a very vigorous and robust maple syrup industry.”

Mills recognizes the importance of maple syrup reminding residents that “since 2015, maple syrup has been Maine’s official state sweetener. Whether you use your Maine maple syrup on pancakes or waffles, on carrots or brussel sprouts, or on traditional maple snow candy – Maine maple syrup always makes life a little bit sweeter,” she said in her radio broadcast.

For in interactive map of participating sugar houses visit the MMPA website: https://mainemapleproducers.com/events/maine-maple-weekend/#!directory/map <

Faith Lutheran Church to host Luau Mystery Dinner

By Kaysa Jalbert

If you’re a sleuther, a mystery solver and you like a tasty dinner, then you may enjoy a night of entertainment and fun at a Luau Mystery Dinner hosted by Faith Lutheran Church next month.

Faith Lutheran Church in Windham will host several 'Luau
Mystery Dinners' on April 12 to benefit local charitable
causes. FILE PHOTO  

The “Who Dunnit” dinner is themed Heist in Hawaii written by Betty McIntyre and will take place on Saturday, April 12. There will be two shows: the first at noon to benefit Maine Needs and the second at 5 p.m. to benefit Sebago Lake Fuller Center.

The cost of the dinner and entertainment is $25. For tickets, call Melinda at 207-749-9503 or email Beth Shirk at ewynnshirk2@gmailcom. No tickets will be sold at the door; they must be purchased in advance before the deadline.

The last day to purchase tickets will be April 1. This deadline allows the organizers to know how many people to cook for.

The Heist in Hawaii story begins when Magnum Matters invites his friends to his estate to show off the Aloha Crown Jewels, on loan from the National Museum of Hawaii. However, during the evening’s entertainment of ukulele music and jokes, the museum representative discovers that the jewels are “missing, stolen, gone.” The guests are asked to solve the mystery.

Guests are invited to wear their favorite Hawaiian shirts or grass skirts and Leis will be provided. To add to the fun, a Photo Booth will also be on site. The sanctuary will be decorated in a tropical theme and have posters available with the mission of each charity.

Dinner includes hors d’oeuvres, Hawaiian pineapple coleslaw, Hawaiian chicken served over rice, and a vegetable, followed by a dessert buffet. A vegetarian option will be available to those who request it when purchasing their ticket. There will be a cash Mocktail Tiki bar to benefit the Essentials Pantry.

The three nonprofits chosen to receive contributions from this event are Maine Needs, Sebago Lake Fuller Center for Housing, and the Windham Essentials Pantry.

Maine Needs is a statewide nonprofit that provides essentials to individuals in need whether it’s time and energy through volunteering, material goods, money, skills, or support.

The Sebago Lake Fuller Center for Housing is a local organization and its mission is to help seniors and veterans age safely in place by providing home repairs. Information can be found at https://sebagofullerhousing.org/.

Profits from the Mocktail Tiki bar will go to the Windham Essentials Pantry, a ministry of Christian hospitality and service to the community, started by Wendy and Dick Rozene, to provide personal and household items not covered by EBT cards. The pantry is open the last Saturday of every month from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

The church has held other Mystery Dinners in the past and they host an abundance of fundraisers for local nonprofits. Last year’s “Who Dunnit” Dinner was titled "Travel to France" for a Parisian theme. French Cuisine was served, and participants wore old French Fashion. The event last year had a great outcome of attendees, as seen in the videos on the Faith Lutheran Church Facebook Page.

Betty McIntyre serves Faith Lutheran Church as a pianist, choir director and music director. Additionally, she has taught chorus in South Dakota and Maine on and off for over 40 years. While in Maine, McIntyre was the band director at Windham High School for over 30 years and has been working with church choirs for about 25 years.

Faith Lutheran Church is located at 988 Roosevelt Trail, Windham and partners with St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, Sebago Lakes Region Fuller Center for Housing, and Wayside food programs. For more details, visit the website at www.flcwindham.com. <

Windham creates welcome packet for new residents

By Kaysa Jalbert

Moving into a new town can be stressful due to having to file paperwork and scout for resources. You may create a checklist of all the things you have to do with the little information you have gathered in the first few days in a new town.

Now when moving to Windham you will be greeted with a newly designed New Resident Guide welcome packet that includes this new resident to-do list and numbers and addresses for the local necessary resources so you can save time searching and focus on unpacking.

The New Resident Guide has been re-designed to be more congruent with the color pallet and logos of Windham as part of the towns recent efforts to redesign wayfinding signs, logos on websites and signs, color pallets on sites and signs, and overall working to create a more uniform look of the town.

Currently, the welcome packet is handed out to new residents at the town hall when one goes to submit a change of address, register a car, or whatever it may be that flags you as a new member of the town.

“It’s nice to have some information when you first move into a town, like who to contact and social services, knowing how to participate in parks and rec, and just overall having good access to the first things you want to know when you move into a town,” says Roger Cropley, Communication Director for the Town of Windham. “It makes life a little easier.”

According to Cropley, the guide has been around for several decades, but it has remained a simple packet of some photocopied papers with a general checklist. He has worked on updating the guide for a couple months now and is working on its final touches.

The front page of the packet includes a paragraph that welcomes new residents to the community and a short summary of the contents of the packet. Additionally, every page includes the address, phone number and website for the Town of Windham on the right-hand side.

The new resident checklist includes what to do in the first 10 days that includes registering children for school, filing a change of address, licenses any dogs and pick up trash and recycle carts at Windham Public Works.

This list is followed by another list of what to do in the first 30 days. This includes registering to vote, changing driver’s license addresses, updating car registration, and visiting the Windham Public Library.

Under each task is an address of where to go and a short explanation of what to bring. Further in the packet, there is also a full phone directory that includes the service, the phone number, and a short list of how that service can help you.

For example, by calling the Tax Collection number, you can sort through tax payments, make auto registrations, or call about passports. In short, it’s made simple to know who to call about what.

In addition, the guide ends with an explanation on curbside trash and recycling container placement, with general do’s, don’ts, such as don’t leave them lying down on the ground, and information on what to do with carts in the winter.

This also has a recycling guide with images and descriptions on what can be recycled and what cannot.

Also included in the guide is information on all the parks in Windham with descriptions of what activities can be done, and in-depth information on the East Windham Conservation Area.

Cropley says the town is currently working on redesigning the town’s website and once that’s done, they will make the New Resident Guide accessible online. <

Forum to discuss proposed Long-Term Care Insurance Rate hikes

AUGUSTA – The Maine Bureau of Insurance will hold a Public Forum March 3 to discuss proposed Genworth Long-Term Care Insurance Rate increases.

More than 3,000 Mainers are expected to be impacted by proposed increases ranging from 1.8 to 233 percent.

Maine Superintendent of Insurance Bob Carey has announced that the Bureau of Insurance will hold a public forum at 10 a.m. Monday, March 3 to discuss proposed rate increases sought by Genworth Life Insurance Company.

The forum is intended to provide affected Genworth policyholders with information on the long-term care insurance market, the rate approval process, and the reasons Genworth is seeking these increases.

Those who wish to attend the forum virtually or in person must preregister through a form on the Bureau's website at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/news-public-notices/public-event-notices.

Participants may offer comments and ask questions about the proposed increases. Representatives from both Genworth and the Maine Bureau of Insurance will provide information and answer questions about the rate review process. Written comments as well as questions about registration should be directed to insurance.pfr@maine.gov.

The proposed rate increases range from 1.8 to 233 percent and affect 3,057 Maine policyholders across seven blocks of long-term care insurance. The largest block has 1,274 Maine policyholders and has a proposed increase of 233 percent.

Genworth's filings have been under review since early November 2024. Following the forum, the Bureau will complete its review and determine whether and how much of an increase is actuarially justified. In addition to Genworth's rate filing request, the Bureau will consider policyholders comments made at the forum and submitted in writing. If a rate increase is approved by the Bureau, policyholders will receive another notice from the company explaining the increase and any options available to policyholders to mitigate the increase.

Companies must give 90-days notice before the increase takes effect and may specify a timeframe in which reduced benefit options need to be selected.

"The Bureau will only approve rate increases that are actuarially justified," said Carey. We strive to maintain a competitive insurance market with solvent insurers that can pay claims, while also making sure premiums are affordable. At times it can be a difficult balancing act."

"Though some of these proposed rate increases are quite high, the Bureau generally requires insurers to provide policyholders with benefit change options, which may lessen the amount of the premium increase. Policyholders should keep in mind that they will receive an additional notice from the insurer with specific information about the approved rate change as well as the date it takes effect," Carey added.

To learn more about potential plan options that may assist with affording long-term care insurance, please consult the Bureaus Long-Term Care Rate Increases FAQs web page at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/node/977.

For a general overview of long-term care insurance, please visit the Bureaus Long-Term Care Insurance web page at https://www.maine.gov/pfr/insurance/consumers/long-term-care-insurance.

Consumers with questions about insurance matters can obtain information and assistance from the Maine Bureau of Insurance by visiting www.maine.gov/insurance, calling 800-300-5000 (TTY call Maine Relay 711), or by e-mailing Insurance.PFR@maine.gov. <

Now is the time to get your Valentine’s houseplant

By Kendra Raymond

Just as in many things, the availably of certain plants can be seasonal, temporary, or just plain difficult. Of course, everyone knows that you can’t buy bedding annuals in December, nor can you find many Norfolk pine during the summer. This is just how the greenhouse industry works – and consumers seem satisfied with this model.

A variegated Hoya Kerii, also known as the 
heart hoya or Valentine plant, takes in the
morning sun on a Raymond windowsill.
PHOTO BY KENDRA RAYMOND

The heart hoya, officially known as Hoya Kerrii is one of those plants. When you see one, you can’t miss it – the waxy leaves are notably heart-shaped – a perfect gift for someone special during the Valentine’s season.

If you are lucky enough to encounter a heart hoya, it will likely be offered as a single heart-shaped leaf cutting planted in a pot. While this is perfectly viable, this is all that you will likely ever see.

A better choice might be the vine form of the plant, rooted as a stem cutting. This means that there is more than one leaf present, the plant is starting to vine, and there are the infamous “nodes.” If you want to have the plant grow and vine, you must have the nodes. Furthermore, the presence of the nodes allows you to take cuttings from your heart hoya to root and create new plants and Voila – Valentine’s gifts for all your family and friends.

Native to southeast Asia, the Hoya Kerrii is a succulent plant, so it thrives on neglect, especially infrequent watering. Let’s look at the culture of this easy-to-grow plant.

Light

The hoya thrives in bright direct sunlight for several hours a day in a south or west facing window. If you don’t have that kind of lighting available, perhaps consider purchasing a grow light.

Soil and Water

Your hoya will be happiest in a custom mixed soil that is light and fluffy. A mixture of potting soil, a bit of sand, and even some wood chips or vermiculite will help lighten up the growing medium. The plant will do best if it is allowed to dry out between waterings. In fact, it is best to wait for the leaves to appear less plump and even wrinkly. High humidity is favorable for your hoya, so placing the plant near a humidifier or spritzing it occasionally can be beneficial.

Propagation

The spruce.com website offers the following steps to grow additional plants:

Hoya Kerrii can be propagated using stem cuttings. You can either propagate Hoya Kerrii in water or in sphagnum moss. Both methods can be successful, but some people have more success with one medium over another.

Here is how you can propagate your Hoya Kerrii using water or sphagnum moss.

Take a stem cutting from a mature hoya kerrii using a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors. Each cutting should have at least three nodes along the stem. The nodes are where the leaves and roots will grow from.

Remove the bottom one to two leaves from each cutting, so those nodes are left exposed. Ensure that each cutting has at least one leaf left at the top of the stem.

If you are using water, fill a small container with water and place the bottom of the cutting in the water, ensuring that the leaves on the stem remain above the surface. If you are using sphagnum moss, soak the moss in water for 10 minutes and then squeeze out the excess water. Add the moss into a container and gently pack it around the base of the cutting, ensuring the moss covers the nodes, but the leaves remain uncovered.

Place the cutting(s) in a location that receives bright, indirect light.

If you are using water, the water should be refreshed once a week. If you are using sphagnum moss, ensure that the moss remains moist and does not dry out

After a couple of weeks, small roots should begin to form. Wait until the roots are at least 1 to 2 inches long before planting the cuttings.

Pot the rooted cuttings in a well-draining potting mixture and water well. Keep the soil moist for the first couple of weeks to help the new roots acclimate to the soil. Return the potted cuttings to their previous location. They can be moved into a brighter spot to encourage more vigorous growth now that they are established but do so gradually to avoid burning the leaves.

Where can I get one?

Acquiring a Hoya Kerrii may be your greatest challenge. As a horticulturist myself, I am always on the lookout for this precious cargo. Oftentimes, single-leaf cuttings can be found at the local grocery or big box stores. This is probably not the best option, unless they happen to have one with a stem and multiple leaves.

Your best bet can be a local greenhouse that is open during the winter. Just make sure to call ahead to see if they are available. You may be to do some calling around to find one with the leaves and vine.

Another option is online shopping. There are several options available but keep an eye on whether you are buying a leaf or vine, reviews, and shipping costs.

Whichever way you choose to go, keep in mind that a healthy heart hoya vine will be a bit of an investment, with the average price ranging from $20 to $30 dollars. The investment though is well worth it considering the numerous plants you can eventually grow to sell or share with others. <

WHS students engage in dialogue during Yarmouth High School’s Civil Tea Club meeting

By Lorraine Glowczak

Five Windham High School students tackled complex and thought-provoking conversations with peers from five area high schools during a special event at Yarmouth High School on Friday, Jan. 31. Through open discussions, they embraced diverse perspectives, honed their listening skills, and felt inspired to take meaningful action based on their experiences.

Windham High senior Abigail Dumont, center, listens to
two students from other schools as they share thoughts
about hard topics at the Yarmouth High School Civil 
Tea gathering. Dumont and four other WHS students
who attended the event say they were inspired by the 
experience and plan to invite the Yarmouth High club
to WHS in the future.
PHOTO BY LORRAINE GLOWCZAK  

The students were invited by YHS’s Civil Tea Club, which extended the opportunity to schools involved in the Can We? Project. The Can We? initiative encourages civil dialogue, fosters empathy, and empowers young people to create positive change in their communities. By utilizing storytelling and compassionate communication, the project equips students with the skills needed to navigate challenging discussions and ensure that all voices are heard.

WHS students voluntarily participated in the Can We? Project, which has been running for three years.

When the invitation arrived from YHS, five dedicated WHS Can We? participants eagerly accepted, ready to engage in a respectful exchange of ideas and broaden their understanding of important social issues.

“I have been involved with the Can We? Project since it first came to Windham,” WHS junior Gemma Evans said. “I have always believed in the goal of the project, so seeing another extension of the project was an opportunity I couldn't miss.”

Evans said that the Civil Tea Club kept the general mood of the Can We? Project, but made it more intimate.

Jen Dumont, WHS Teacher and JMG Specialist, is the school’s Can We? Project Liaison. She said that the students share a passion for social justice and a strong desire to contribute to their communities. She is proud of her students' abilities to be respectful among any differing opinions.

“I wasn't concerned at all about challenges, such as strong disagreements or emotional reactions because over the past few years, facilitating the Can We? Project, I have consistently witnessed students come together and successfully navigate complex conversations with differing perspectives,” she said.

The students agreed, saying it was good to hear different opinions and to gain different perspectives.

“When one of my group members had a different opinion than I did, I listened intently, I did not get angry or interrupt, I just listened,” WHS Senior, Abigail Dumont said. “As the conversation went on, I circled back around to the topic and let him know why I felt the way that I did. I did not try to change his opinion.”

WHS junior Kendra Eubanks agreed, saying that she has never felt so respected from both sides of the political spectrum as she did at Yarmouth’s Civil Tea Club.

“It made me feel heard and accepted,” she said. “I wish America could come together and talk about their different point of views respectfully and hear the other side and not make it turn into an argument. I feel that all political sides were heard at the Civil Tea.”

Jen Dumont said that the intent is never to have anyone's perspective change, but rather to facilitate a deeper understanding of the topic, relying on active listening, candid and vulnerable sharing of personal story, and empathy.

WHS senior Brooklyn Boucher said she enjoys having tough conversations and explained how she does that.

“Instead of listening to respond, it's very important to just listen,” Boucher said. “Not everything needs a response. It was at first hard to hear people with different opinions than mine, but this experience has truly changed my way of thinking about politics, in the way of not always looking for a right or wrong but understanding that everyone has a reason to believe the things they do, and to hear that instead of belittling others. It can open your knowledge to both ends of issues. I really emphasize the saying “I hear you” because a simple agreement like “oh yea” or a head nod can be just brushed over, and sometimes it’s just nice to be told that every word you said was heard by someone in the group.”

Jen Dumont says that she couldn’t be prouder of her students for their participation.

“Every student reflected that the experience was tremendously powerful and impactful. As an educator, any opportunity I can provide students to engage in authentic, solution-oriented dialogue is critical for their personal growth and self-confidence. Seeing the students so inspired after an event is truly edifying, and it provides much hope and faith in regard to this next generation of leaders.” <

Snowshoeing remains a favorite activity for Mainers during winter

By Abby Wilson

If you’re looking to get outside this winter but the pace of the ski slopes is not for you, you might consider snowshoeing, a favorite activity of Mainers for generations.

Snowshoeing is a favorite winter 
activity for many in the Lakes Region
of Maine with plentiful trails and
local places to explore.
SUBMITTED PHOTO 

In fact, Norway Maine was once known as the “The Snowshoe Town of America.” According to the Western Foothills Land Trust (WFLT) website, “Norway was home to four major snowshoe industries between 1850 and 1980: Snocraft, Tubbs, H.H.Hosmer and Dunham.” WFLT celebrates the sport with an annual Snowshoe Festival featuring snowshoe games, races, a fashion show, and more. This year’s festival is scheduled for Feb. 14 and Feb. 15.

Further south, the Lakes Region of Maine boasts generous opportunities to continue the snowshoeing tradition.

“My favorite time to snowshoe is late season in early March when the deep snow firms up at night and softens in the warming sun,” said Jon Evans, Stewardship Manager of Loon Echo Land Trust (LELT).

Evans said that once the snow flies, grab your snowshoes and check out the 40 miles that LELT has to offer including a variety of trails with a range of difficulty for any ability or age. He suggests Crooked River Preserve in Harrison.

“There’s plenty of parking with about 3 miles of flat trails. Some are groomed for snowmobiles and it’s a vibrant forest full of white and red pine, spruce and hemlock,” Evans said. “Good birding opportunities here too. The cold valley holds snow and may provide snowshoeing opportunities while other preserves may not. I find this place magical, full of life and spirit.”

If you don’t have snowshoes, you can rent or borrow them. Snowshoes are available from LELT and if conditions allow the land trust will also offer guided snowshoe hikes so you can learn from the professionals.

At Windham Parks and Recreation, you can borrow snowshoes for free. The loan program features pairs in kids and adult sizes. Residents can pick them up at the parks and at the recreation office at Windham Town Hall.

“You can call ahead to just make sure we have enough for your family or just stop in our office. With no snow right now, we have many pairs available,” says Kelsey Crowe, Deputy Director of Windham Parks and Recreation.

You can also pick up a brochure at the town hall with information about local trails.

“I would suggest Mountain Division, Lowell and Lippman. Or if you want a challenging trail, the East Windham Conservation Area which is new to Windham,” says Crowe.

Will Sedlack, Executive Director of Presumpscot Regional Land Trust (PRLT) agrees that the East Windham Conservation area is a fun spot for snowshoeing. PRLT also manages several other trails that make winter recreation easy and accessible.

“With plowed and accessible trailheads all season long, it's easy to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature during the colder months. From the flat and family-friendly paths at Frazier Preserve to the more adventurous climbs at the East Windham Conservation Area and Mill Brook Preserve, there's a trail waiting for you this winter,” says Sedlack.

While snowshoeing is a fun way to get outside, it is also strenuous exercise. This increases the importance of having the right gear and easing into snowshoeing.

“I enjoy many types of outdoor sports but to me, snowshoeing is a great way to stay fit and enjoy the wonders of nature,” Evans said. “Poles are very handy to have, and I recommend them. A small backpack is also great to store the layers of clothing that will come off as you get warmed up. Drink water, you can dehydrate in winter too.”

If you’re looking to jump right in and purchase your own pair of snowshoes, there are a few things to consider.

Using your weight and shoe size, you can select a snowshoe model, which are usually sized as length in inches. Every snowshoe has a weight capacity listed in the specifications. Remember to consider the weight of your gear as well.

Once you’ve selected your size, then you should consider where you are snowshoeing.

In Maine, conditions vary based on the year and the region. If you are mostly snowshoeing in the Lakes Region which receives a low to moderate amount of snow, you might select an average length.

If you decide to head north to Sugarloaf or other snowier parts of the Northeast, you can purchase a flotation tail. This is an extension that connects to the back of the snowshoe, giving the user the ability to accommodate for changing conditions.

While there is a lot to consider and to plan for, snowshoeing is a great hobby and a fun way to get outside in the winter.

“Grab your snowshoes, snow permitting, pack your sense of adventure, and come discover the magic of the winter season on our PRLT preserves," Sedlack said.

Beginners should be excited to embark on their snowshoeing journey and are invited to explore miles of free and accessible trails here this winter. <