Here goes, my best attempt to channel my inner Bing, possibly the Andrew Sisters, but Bing is more likely with the longest (and arguably least-loved) traditional Christmas song. Rather than an exhaustive laundry list of gifts given by a true love to the singer of the song, mine will be ideas for things to do and to enjoy right here in our valley.
What are the 12 Days of Gifts of the Greater Susquehanna Valley this year?
- Day 1: That partridge in a pear tree reminds me of the dessert served by the SUN Tech Quality Foods students which topped off your Chamber’s recent Innovations Summit held in the Cherry Bistro. The Bistro has wrapped up for this year, but come 2023, please plan to stop by for a delicious and memorable lunch made by some of valley’s future great chefs.
- Day 2: In my mind, it’s the turtles, as in turtle doves, who have always caught my fancy. A fun winter activity for me and my family is a walk in the woods. May I suggest to you a forest stroll in search of vernal ponds? The Merrill Linn Conservancy maintains several nearby world class walking trails. Have some fun, take a stroll, breath some fresh air, stop by a vernal pool, and see who is the first in your group to catch a glimpse of the bubbles rising from turtle buried deep in the mud at the bottom of the pool waiting for the warmer temperatures of spring to emerge.
- Day 3: You will likely find three or three dozen aficionados of all things French, including hens, at Brasserie Louis in Lewisburg this time of year. Friday nights are particularly fun as your evening will be accompanied by Greg Burgess tinkling the ivories with piano tunes reminiscent of years gone by.
- Day 4: Back to reality for me as I ponder those four calling birds and the nagging gaps which we still experience with rural broadband here in our valley. This time of year, it’s not just fun and games with your Chamber. We will not ease up on our advocacy of ‘broadband for all’ until we can exclaim with confidence that every person in our valley is fully connected to 21st Century modern, affordable, and compatible internet services.
- Day 5: If I’m following the calendar correctly, today will be a great day to finalize New Year’s Eve plans. My, oh my, for my wife and me last year’s decision to ring in the New Year at Oliver’s in Shamokin was truly golden. Sure, we saw plenty of cigar rings and sipped the finest beverages from the rings of crystal glasses, but it was the hospitality of the owners, Ed and Wendy Manning which made the evening memorable and ringing in the New Year that was golden for us. Notice: Get your reservations soon. This secret gem isn’t much of a secret anymore, and it’s the place to be for New Year’s Eve.
- Day 6: Geese, laying or not, suggest to me a CSA or Community Supported Agriculture. Call me silly, but I really like the idea of ‘knowing my farmer.’ With CSAs, consumers (that would be you and me) ‘invest’ in crops or livestock early on in the process. For example, my family just invested in the farm from which most of our vegetables will come next year. In a few weeks, we will begin to get reports from ‘our farmer’ on seed prices, soil updates, and possible winter damage. Early next spring we will hear about plowing and planting. We will wait with great anticipation to hear news of ‘first sprouts.’ Before long, small bags of salad greens and other products from our farmers’ hot frames will become available. The dividends from our investment will be enjoyed and savored as our supper. Our valley is fortunate to have several community supported agriculture opportunities, and one that I can suggest is Owens Farm, just outside of Sunbury. David and Caroline (our farmers) Owens would love to hear from you.
- Day 7: Why not join me for a Polar Dip this year? Together we can try to figure out how those seven swans a-swimming are able to swim around so gracefully in such cold water. However, let’s have that conversation after we get out of the water, over a hot toddy. As a veteran dipper, let me tell you that it’s hard to be graceful while dipping. Pick your dip, but one that’s upcoming will be during the Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival the first weekend of February. See you at the ‘dip.
- Day 8: Honestly, I only know one ‘maid a-milking’ and its Jenny Mapes who owns and operates Mapes Farm Fresh just outside of New Berlin. Jenny and my son Jamie grew up together and our families have been friends for decades. Jenny, who goes by Jennifer now, has blended three generations of dairy knowledge, a Penn State business degree, together to create one of our valley’s most unique farm-to-table outlets. Stop by for everything fresh and soak in some New Berlin heritage and hospitality.
- Day 9: This afternoon nine million ladies and many more lads will be dancing, as the Nittany Lions bring home the roses with a victory in the 109th Tournament of Roses football classic. Let’s go State!
- Day 10: Today, lords and ladies will go ‘a-leaping’ back to work. Kendra Aucker, President & CEO of the Evangelical Community Hospital stopped by your Chamber’s December Board Meeting and provided us with a first-hand observation of how things are going in the world of healthcare. She said that we’re all learning to live with Covid among us. Also, she pointed to evidence that RSV, especially among young people, is seeming to have peaked. This year’s flu is nothing to mess with. Her main message was that healthcare workers have worked through some of the most difficult times ever experienced and that they’re holding up. On behalf of Kendra, and the thousands of healthcare heroes in our valley, we say: Thanks, Thanks, and a thousand times Thanks!
- Day 11: How does this suggestion connect to eleven pipers piping—I have no idea. However, have you ever checked out Brian’s Susquehanna Thruway Project on Facebook. Brian’s nearly daily postings will keep you coming back for more and more beautiful sights and Thruway construction updates.
- Day 12: Finally, on the twelfth day of Christmas, please let me invite you to join your fellow Chamber members at the 107th Pennsylvania Farm Show. On Saturday, December 7th from 1:00-3:00 pm in the Susquehanna Room of the Farm Show Building in Harrisburg, you and your family are invited to listen in as our Congressman G.T. Thompson (PA-15th) interacts with farmers, farm families, and those of us who support farms and farming. He wants to hear from you on what should be included in the next federal Ag Bill. Democracy is a participant sport, and we need you to help us beat the drum for our valley’s farms and our valley’s prosperity.
