Halloween weekend walk explores a South Jersey legend — the 'Blue Hole'
WENONAH -- The Gloucester County Nature Club will meet on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Holy Nativity Lutheran Church, 3 Lenape Trail, Wenonah. Lenape Trail is located just off of Mantua Avenue at Woodbury-Glassboro Road.
The October program will be "Tales from the Wood Wide Web (WWW): A Timeless Connection of People and Trees," presented by Erik Mollenhauer.
This program will explore the WWW and some of its members that reside here in the forests of Gloucester County. Testimony will be provided by club member Erik Mollenhauer and Otzi the Iceman," late of the Austrian Alps. Anyone participating in this month's "Mad Hatter's Tree Party" will find this program of interest.
Meetings are scheduled for the second Thursday of the month, September through June, and are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.gcnatureclub.org
October Field Trip - The Blue Hole, Saturday, Oct. 29, at 11 a.m.
Winslow Wildlife Management Area -- Join in a family friendly walk on Halloween weekend to one of South Jersey's legends -- the "Blue Hole." Situated one mile off Piney Hollow Road in a heavily wooded area of the Pine Barrens, the Blue Hole is a stone's throw from the Great Egg Harbor River. Unlike the brown tinted cedar water that is typical of the Pinelands, the water of the Blue Hole is crystal clear. The water is also surprisingly void of fish and other wildlife that usually is found in Pinelands ponds.
There are many legends about this circular pond with sky blue water, featuring the Jersey Devil and the hole's bottomless nature. Share stories of the Jersey Devil, the Blue Hole, and talk about some of the theories behind the formation of this unique body of water.
The walk will be approximately a half mile through the pines along sandy paths. Bring water and a repellent for insects, ticks and chiggers, is strongly recommended. Dress in layers according to the weather.
All ages are welcome. We will walk at a slow to moderate pace to enjoy the beautiful pinelands.
From Route 322, turn east onto Piney Hollow Road, then left onto the first unpaved road. Follow the unpaved road for about 500 feet to the parking area of the former gun range. There is no marker but two posts on the sides of the unpaved path. For more information, call/text 609-315-4759. Up to date field trip information can also be found on the Meetup website: www.meetup.com/Gloucester-County-Nature-Club
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The Mad Hatter will make a special appearance in Wenonah this October to host the "Mad Hatter's Tree Party" -- a celebration of autumn and trees. It is a chance for families and people of all ages to share a whimsical adventure in a community forest.
The party -- on Sunday, Oct. 23 from 1 to 4 p.m. rain or shine -- starts with a 45-minute self-guided walk in the Wenonah woods with stops along the way to learn as you go about the trees and their role in the forest.
Enjoy Celtic harp and dulcimer music as you walk to the historic Wenonah Tea House to finish the trip, with refreshments and tea served by the Mad Hatter himself! New for this year will be a children's story telling station near the Tea House.
The Mad Hatter's Tree Party is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required. Walk begins at Eldridge Trail, at the intersection of East Pine Street and South Princeton Avenue in Wenonah.
For more information go to: www.gcnatureclub.org or www.meetup.com/Gloucester-County-Nature-Club
The "Mad Hatter's Tree Party" is co-sponsored by the Wenonah Environmental Commission and the Gloucester County Nature Club.
This item submitted by Karen Kravchuck, Gloucester County Nature Club.