FAIR MINDED

FAIR MINDED
By Cindy Kerschner
The Times News, © 2003

July 19, 2003

What do funnel cakes, livestock, music and the Groundwater Guardians have in common?

The Carbon County Fair of course!

Each August, fair patrons stroll the aisles of booths, games and rides. Mouth-watering scents of cheese steaks and fries can tempt the strictest dieter. You can sip cold lemonade while shopping for unique crafts from many of the local vendors. Take the kids on a ride, tour the livestock area or include a show or two, and don’t forget to visit us in the non-profit tent.

The tent is located near the livestock area, adjacent to the far end of the parking lot. Here you’ll find valuable information and displays from local civic organizations. This information is free and a great way to find out about what Carbon County has to offer.

What do the Groundwater Guardians have to offer Carbon County?

The Guardians are a non-profit group dealing with education on groundwater issues. Besides “The Watering Whole” column here in TIMES NEWS, we offer many community oriented activities.

We help sponsor an area high school water-testing program, where students bring samples from home to their respective schools and learn about their drinking water. We offer discounts on Homeowner’s water testing kits.

Speakers are available to come to your club, church or community organization to speak on groundwater topics. An annual “Groundwater Day” held at the Carbon County Environmental Education Center (CCEEC) teaches 4th grade students the value of clean groundwater.

For adults, we will be holding a “Know Your Well Water” seminar at CCEEC on Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. To register, call the CCEEC at 570-645-8597.

Members of the Carbon County Groundwater Guardians will be on hand at the fair nightly from 4 to 7 p.m. to answer questions. Free lectures and demonstrations featuring a groundwater flow model and septic tank model are on the agenda. Schedules to be announced.

Can’t make it between 4 and 7 p.m.? Stop by anytime during fair hours and browse through the many pamphlets on water, wells, septic systems or waste oil disposal. Interested in finding out what is causing a funny smell or strange color in your water? Maybe your family seems to be ill more than usual? Or maybe, you just want to know your water is safe to drink. Fill out a questionnaire, send it in, and we’ll let you know which water test is recommended for your water.

Don’t forget to enter our drawing for a FREE homeowner’s water test kit. The test kit is processed by Wilkes University, an area leader in water and environmental education.

The Carbon County Fair runs from Wednesday, Aug. 6 to Sunday, Aug. 10. The fairground is located on Little Gap Road in Palmerton, PA.

The Guardians welcome comments or questions on this column, or other water-related topics.