'Friends' enjoy the Shikellamy State Park

By Wayne Laepple
The Daily Item

June 09, 2008 01:12 am

— SUNBURY — Last summer, a few people with a vision of raising awareness and encouraging more people to use Shikellamy State Park organized themselves as Friends of Shikellamy State Park.
During the summer, they sponsored a once-a-month Sunday brunch with live music in the park, which combined great food by a featured area restaurant with live music by noted area performers. The laid-back atmosphere, great food and good music was conducive to a relaxed Sunday.
Margaret Mitchell of Winfield said she was attracted to the Friends organization by her love for the river.
“I live by the river, and I love the river,” she said. “Anything I can do to promote others to see it, I’ll do.”
She said last year’s efforts were piloted by just a handful of people, but the group has grown and decided to take on more events.
With about 25 people actively engaged, the group has gotten more organized, Mitchell said, and they have developed a more ambitious program of events, expanding from the monthly brunches to include monthly community concerts, sunset drum circles and seasonal celebrations.
The first Sunday brunch of the season took place on June 1 and featured food by Emma’s Food For Life of Selinsgrove and music by SST, a newly-minted jazz trio.
“We had about 85 paid visitors,” said Mitchell. “We were pleased, and I think Emma’s was pleased, too.”
The Sunday brunch is a good deal, featuring three offerings. A continental breakfast is $4, a full breakfast is $6 and the full-blown brunch buffet is $8.
“We think people like the idea because it’s very accessible and relaxing, and they like the live music,” said Mitchell. “The park really is an under-utilized asset, and we hope to change that.”
The next event sponsored by the Friends is a sunset community concert scheduled for Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the Shikellamy overlook in Union County, across the river from Sunbury and Northumberland.
There is a natural amphitheater at the very top of the road into the park, and the Burgess-Mitchell-Seal Trio will be the first to perform there. A local contractor donated installation of electric service to a stage area for lights and amplifiers.
“Frank Nanna, the park superintendent, was able to get us permission to hold wine- and cheese-tastings, and wine will be available for sale, although you won’t be able to drink it in the park,” said Mitchell.
Later in June, on the 19th, a sunset drum circle will be held at the point from 7 to 8 p.m., featuring both freestyle and Afro/Cuban drumming. The drum circle will be facilitated by Hope Kopf and Stuart Shrawder, and while some drums will be available, people are encouraged to bring their own. Drum circles are also scheduled on July 17 and Aug. 21.
Mitchell emphasized that all events are free to the community. She said food and beverages will be available for sale. Events are all outdoors, and if the weather is rainy, tents and pavilions will be utilized.
All state park rules remain in effect, Mitchell said, so dogs on leash are welcome, but alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Upcoming Sunday brunches are on July 6, featuring food by Brew n’ Bytes of Danville and music by guitarist Lester Hirsh; Aug. 3, with food by Townside Garden Cafe, Northumberland and music by Celtica; and Sept. 7 with food by the Glass Onion of Sunbury and music by the Ann Kerstetter Trio. All brunches are from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Community concert and wine tasting dates are on June 12, with Burgess-Mitchell-Seal; June 10, with Bluesmoon; and Aug. 14 with the Blind Chitlin Kahunas. The concerts are from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and visitors should bring a blanket or lawn chair for seating.
Other events include a Summer Solstice Celebration on the overlook on June 21, a Fall Equinox, Harvest Festival and Christmas caroling, with dates yet to be set.

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