Have you ever wondered what a Grange is? We have your answer in this episode. Art King of Harvest Valley Farms joins the team in studio to talk about the Grange, the good it does in our community, and how you can join in on the action.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, July 15 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, July 22 @ 6:30pm

Township Bldg — Browns Hill Road

Art King President | Middlesex Township Grange

e: kings5@consolidated.net

What’s On

Jun 27-28

Freedom Farms Berry Festival & Craft Show

11am-5pm

Berry flavored everything, tractor rides, petting zoo, over 50 craft vendors, beer & wine garden

$10/per person; under 3 free

July 1
Adams Township Celebrating America’s 250

5pm-10PM

Celebration will span over nine acres of the park, with food, fun and entertainment for all ages. Dedicated Kids Zone; local food vendors; Block Party with live bands and beer garden; and of course, a spectacular fireworks display!

July 3-4

Mars July 4th & America250 Celebration

Downtown Mars and Marburger Field

July 3

Rides on the Mars Area History & Landmarks Society Shortline railroad and more

July 4

Vendor market with artisans, food trucks and kids games 2-6

Parade at 5pm

Marburger Field community cookout at 6:30

Fireworks begin at dusk - 88.1FM for music to go along with the fireworks

For much, much more, visit https://www.experiencebutler.com/events/

Seasonal Farmers Markets

Harvest Valley Farm Market & Bakery, 5820 William Flynn Highway

Freedom Farms Farmers Market, 779 Pittsburgh Rd. Butler

TML welcomes Jen Balsiger, founder of the Butler Birders Club to talk about who is a birder and why they do what they do. The township is filled with great experiences to observe and be a part of nature with birds being an incredible part of it. Peter lets us know just how far back birding goes in the township, and Patty keeps us informed of the fun things ahead on the calendar.

Podcast notes

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, Jun 17 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, Jun 24 @ 6:30pm

Township Bldg — Browns Hill Road

Jen Balsiger Founder | Butler Birders Club

FB: Butler Birders Club

w: butlerbirders.club

e: Jen@butlerbirders.club

Inside the Episode

Jennings Environmental Center

Audubon Society Master Birder Program

Merlin Bird app by Cornell Lab for iOS

What’s On

June 11
Picnic & Music in the Park - Succup Nature Park - Airport Rd 6:30pm-8:30pm - Free

Tables and seating under the pavilion, or bring a blanket and spread out on the lawn as you enjoy the beauty of the grounds and some great local talent!

Jun 12-14

15th Annual Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival

Downtown Butler & Coopers Lake, Slippery Rock

Trails, obstacles, vendors, Jeep history, and more; Honor our shared American spirit and Bantam’s incredible legacy.

June 13
Our Frontier Landscapes on the Road to Revolution and Beyond
9am - Free - Adults + kids over 12
Jennings Environmental Education Center, Prospect Rd, Slippery Rock

2 hours, 3 miles, varied terrain
From our geology, flora, and fauna to the evidence of human use throughout that time, participants will discover ways of seeing the landscape that help to unravel some of the myths and mysteries in our revolutionary history.

Seasonal Farmers Markets

Harvest Valley Farm Market & Bakery, 5820 William Flynn Highway

Freedom Farms Farmers Market, 779 Pittsburgh Rd. Butler

Scott and Peter are given the opportunity to talk with Jim Brown, President of MTVFC, and Greg Vikanovak, Chief of MTVFC to discuss the role the fire company plays in the township and the ways people can get involved.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, Jun 17 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, Jun 24 @ 6:30pm

Township Bldg — Browns Hill Road

Jim Brown & Greg Vikanovak President & Chief | Middlesex Twp Volunteer Fire Department

w: middlesexvfc.com

p: (724) 898-1480

Emergency: 911

130 Browns Hill Road

Valencia, PA 16059

What’s On

May 31
Goat Yoga on the Farm 5:30-7:30 (Multiple dates all summer) $40

One hour of outdoor yoga with the goats, then one hour of goat cuddling and cider or beer, and cheese tasting afterwards. Please bring your own mat and water.

Jun 6-7

Mars New Year - Celebrating the New Year on the red planet.

5-10 Saturday; 2-10 Sunday

Fun, and immersive activities for all ages, with exhibits from organizations like NASA, Astrobotic; speakers including cosmonauts, NASA and planetary scientists; rocket launches; educational STEAM activities; maker space, costume contest, music, and night time drone show! Plus the 11th Annual Mars Brewfest

Every Saturday May-October
Mars Farm Market - Woodland Valley Church parking lot - 9-Noon

Details on their Facebook Page

Also visit

Harvest Valley Farm Market & Bakery, 5820 William Flynn Highway

Freedom Farms Farmers Market, 779 Pittsburgh Rd. Butler

Peter is joined by Susie Salter to go for a walk through her property examining some of the old oil wells still remaining, and we get to go along for the conversation! Jill Sweet then gives us all a picture of what it's like to own a dance studio and bring her passion for people and the performing arts to Middlesex Township.

Peter and Patty also give a review of the MCA's Woodland Workshop in case you missed it.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, May 20 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, May 27 @ 6:30pm

Susie Salter | A Walk Among Oil Wells

Jill Sweet Owner | Pine Center Performing Arts

FB: PineTreePerformingArts

Insta:

YouTube:

w: PineTreeCenter.com

e: jsweet@pinetreecenter.com

p: (724) 898-1122

What’s On

May 21
Saxonburg Mingle on Main

Main St. Saxonburg

5:30pm-8:30pm

Family friendly, all things local, food, drinks, vendors, car cruise, music, fun

May 23

Butler Birders Club’s Bird by Ear Workshop

Alameda Park Butler, meet at Jaycee Shelter

9am-10am

Learn tips and tricks to listen to birdsong and identify birds

Flat paved path

Free but register

Questions? jen@butlerbirders.club

Found an injured bird?
Contact Stormy Oaks Nature Conservancy by phone only - leave a message

(724) 898-1788

Birds only - Passerines (Songbirds, Swifts, Swallows) and Raptors (Birds of Prey)

Please do not take birds without talking to someone there first

This episode the team talks with Appleseed Events owner and founder, Amanda Becker. They discuss some of the challenges of running an events planning business and the types of people who naturally love this kind of work. Maybe you're one of them!

They also talk about the growth of agriculture and the historical context of how the area's farms came to be.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, May 20 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, May 27 @ 6:30pm

Amanda Becker Owner | Appleseed Events

FB: AppleseedEvents

Insta: appleseedevents

YouTube:

w: Appleseed Events

w: AllGreen Outdoor Living

e: amanda@appleseedeventspgh.com

p: (724) 931-2507

Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Village

What’s On

Saturday May 2

PA Geology Tour (Self-Driven) 9-2PM

$15/members- $25/non-members

This driving tour will meet at the Miller Esker Natural Area (also known as Jacksville Esker), Worth Township, near Portersville. Then drive to McConnell’s Mill State Park and look at 300 million year old rock formations. Then travel to Cleland rock overlook and learn how melting glacial water ripped out a deep gorge in a geologic instant. (Eskers form when melting ice carves a river-like tunnel within a glacier; as the glacier recedes, sand and gravel are deposited and leave behind a serpentine mound that becomes covered with soil and vegetation.)

Contact Ryan Stauffer at rstauffer@aswp.org

Those who sign up will receive a detailed email that will include all locations, directions, and a list of what to bring.

Saturday May 9

How to care for your woodland property

FREE workshop for Middlesex Township residents

Organized by Middlesex Community Action & Jess Pierce, DCNR Forestry

Township offices 133 Browns Hill Road • 1-4PM

Learn about

How to care for your woodland property

How to keep invasive plants under control

How well-managed woodland can give you a source of income

Register by emailing Peter Walker peterjcwalker@gmail.com

This week the team delves into the fascinating world of virtual assistants with Priscilla Green, owner and founder of Freedom To Focus. And some exciting things are coming up for you to join in with! Check the podcast notes for details.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, May 4 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, April 22 @ 6:30pm

Priscilla Green Owner | Freedom To Focus

FB: freedomtofocus

Insta: freedomtofocus

w: Freedom To Focus

e: hello@freedomtofocusbiz.com

Global Sisterhood Online

What’s On

I Map Invasives — Learn about invasive species in your community!

Saturday April 25
10:00AM – 12:00PM

Jennings Environmental Education Center Classroom

2951 Prospect Rd. Slippery Rock, PA 16057

Free; No Registration Required

April is Invasive Pest and Disease Awareness Month!

Curious about invasive plants and insects in your community? iMapInvasives is an online tool for professionals and citizen scientists to track and record invasive species. The Pennsylvania Coordinator for this project will talk about this website and mobile app, and how you can use it to help protect our natural resources. In addition, you will meet Ruby the Spotted-Lanternfly-sniffing dog and her handler Shelby!

MCA Woodlands Workshop

Saturday May 9

1:00PM - 4:00PM

Township offices: 133 Browns Hill Road

How to care for your woodland property

FREE workshop for Middlesex Township residents

Organized by Middlesex Community Action & Jess Pierce, DCNR Forestry

Learn about:
How to care for your woodland property

How to keep invasive plants under control

How well-managed woodland can give you a source of income

Register by emailing Peter Walker peterjcwalker@gmail.com

Peter sits down for a rare on-site conversation with Jimi Dean, owner of Jimi's Sunnyside Up Diner, and the team talks about 300 million years worth of soil. You have to hear it to believe it.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, April 15 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, April 22 @ 6:30pm

Jimi Dean, Owner | Jimi’s Sunnyside Up Diner

Address: 1318 Pittsburgh Rd, Valencia, PA 16059

FB: Jimi's Sunnyside Up Diner

p: (724) 898-0000

What’s On

Butler Birders Club Book Discussion

April 17

The Comfort of Crows by Margaret Renkl

5-6 Succop Nature Park - The House

185 Airport Rd.

Gather with fellow readers for a cup of tea and a thoughtful discussion of the book of the month

Washington’s Trail 1753 - Annual Summit

April 16

8:30am-4:00pm

Butler Country Club

310 Country Club Rd, Butler, PA

The area of Washington’s Trail that Washington explored and traveled became an important part of the Revolutionary War. This event will look at the people, places and things that helped Washington evolve a fledgling army into a forceful one. Hear how the inhabitants and the frontier that they guarded became an important part of Washington’s success.

$75 - Must register

Includes day of speakers, networking, continental breakfast, buffet lunch, displays, vendors, door prize drawings. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. Program begins promptly at 9 a.m.

Peter starts us off by taking a walk in the woods with Jessica Pierce, Middlesex native and Forester for PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources. They discuss the nature of the area and the uniqueness of our township. Then the team has a chat with Melissa Sullivan, owner of Valencia Donut Co and world traveler, who decided to put down community roots in Middlesex Township by buying the business.

Email us: TheMiddlesexLife@Gmail.com

Middlesex Community Action (website)

Sign up for official Middlesex Twp notifications here

Next Board of Supervisors Township Meeting: Wed, April 15 @ 6:30pm

Next Planning Commission Meeting: Wed, Mar 25 @ 6:30pm

Jessica Pierce, Forester | PA Dept of Conservation and Natural Resources

FB: PaDCNR

Insta: PaDCNR

Melissa Sullivan, Owner | Valencia Donut Co

w: ValenciaDonutCo.com

FB: Valencia Donut Co

Insta: ValenciaDonutCo

YouTube:

e: Order Online Here!

p: (724) 903-0400

What’s On

Native Seed Paper Making - Succop Nature Preserve

March 21, 10am - 12pm

$10 member, $15 nonmember

Learn the process of up-cycling junk mail and scrap paper and try your hand at making some sheets to take home and hand-harvested native wildflower seeds to create seed paper. Use as a gift tag, card, or card insert. Family friendly (school age and up), registration required.

Butler County Career Fair

Free and open to the community!

March 25, 10am - 2pm

Butler Community College Field House

107 College Drive, Butler Campus

Meet employers from the Greater Pittsburgh region. Attendees do not need to pre-register. If you are job hunting, please bring copies of your updated resume to distribute to employers. Professional dress is expected.