Here are a couple of helpful ideas for emergency preparedness for those in PA:

PA Emergency Guide (pdf)

Website: ReadyPA

Here is a list of various helpful plans, guide and presentations from PEMA

Disaster Supplies Kit

Preparing Your Pet for Emergencies (also on readypa.org)

Red Cr0ss – Philly area

Red Cross – Southwestern PA

Red Cross – Susquehanna

Red Cross – North Central PA

Red Cross – Bradford/Sullivan Counties

Red Cross – Lehigh Valley

Red Cross – Monroe, PA

It’s almost that time of year again, and Pennsylvania has Punxsutawney Phil to tell us if we’re going to have an early spring! On February 2, 2009, he will either see his shadow or not, leaving us with cold or hopes of warmer weather.

Here is the “Punxsutawney Phil” website you can visit.

The story of how this all came about can be found here. Scroll down to the story.

Visit GROUNDHOG to discover the official website of the Groundhog club and tells of all the events planned for that weekend in the town of Gobblers Knob.

Here’s The Shadow Report that tells which years he did see and which he did not.

Phil Souvenirs - if you’re interested.

~Wendy

There are many equestrian organizations in Pennsylvania – some for learning about horses laws, some about veterinarians, and some about where to take lessons. Hope the links below help! (Remember, these are NOT recommendations from me…just some links I found about horses in PA that I am passing along to you! Check them out before deciding anything.)

Horsemanship (this leads to a page of a lot of other links for horsemanship in PA)

Equine Industry in PA

PA Equine Council

Yard and Groom (and apprenticeship program)

Professional Horse

Positively Riding

Crescendo Training Center

Triple Creek Farm

PA Arabian Horse Association

Fairfield Farm (Bucks County)

Shady Dell Stables (near York, PA)

Natural Horsemanship Training

For those in PA who may need a little help with the heating bills, (especially older Pennsylvanians) here are some tips and resources:

Stay warm in PA

This is an interesting place to visit, especially if you (or your children) enjoy trains.

Horseshoe curve

Those who live close to Harrisburg know about The Farm Show. First, it is a huge building that often holds various conventions (like a PA homeschool convention). But it also is a “farm show”…where those involved in agriculture meet and share their knowledge – sell animals, see new tractors and other equipment, watch competitions, taste food (!) and lots more.

This is from the site: Visitors have the chance to see nearly 6,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 270 commercial exhibitors.

One thing I remember from living around the Harrisburg area — it seemed that the week of the Farm Show often had inclement weather — so be sure to check the weather reports.

The Farm Show
~ Wendy

Some high schoolers (and those older!) may be looking into future schooling and/or jobs. I’ve listed a few sites with information about colleges in PA, financial aid and apprenticeships.

The High School Graduate — has career path articles, plus list of schools/programs (not just four year institutions)

Here are a couple of lists of colleges (and their websites) in PA:

PA VisNet

50 States

College View

Financial Aid for College:

PHEAA

Easy Aid for PA

FAFSA

Apprenticeship ideas:

The Dept. of Labor has a site that lists some apprenticeships available, according to county.

This is the PA Apprentice Coordinators Association – all are related to unions.

Western PA Laborers’ Construction Apprenticeship Program

PA Automotive Association

Boilermakers National Apprenticeship Program

Eastern PA Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee

Summer Apprenticeship with PA Historical and Museum Commission

Apprenticeship Farmers

Registered Apprenticeship Website

Steamfitters Apprenticeship Program

Lancaster County Career and Technology Center

Greater PA Carpenters Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee

Violin Making Apprenticeship Program

The Fabric Workshop and Museum Apprenticeship Program

Western PA Apprentice Operating Engineers

Apprentice Jockey, Exercise Rider

Silver Lining Farm Internship Program

Certification for Horse Training

Miracle Mountain Ranch (Horses/Bible training – in Western PA)

Farrier Apprenticeship Program

Home Study Farrier Program

Live-In Firefighter Apprentice program (Lancaster area)

Most chef apprenticeship programs can be found in connection with community colleges, as well as various health programs, such as LPN.

** If you have another website that might be helpful, please let us know!

~Wendy

Here’s a sight that has some great music and synchronized Christmas lights — you know — the kind you admire and love to watch, but are

really really glad you don’t live next door to!

Steel City Christmas

ENJOY!

~Wendy

Here is a free coloring book of PA Wildlife for your kids — from the PA government, no less!

Enjoy!

~ Wendy

There are so many places to visit in PA during the holiday season. Here are a few to enjoy…and always remember the real reason we celebrate Christmas.

National Christmas Center

Bethelehem, PA

Hershey at Christmas

Chanukah Celebration and Menorah Lighting at Longwood Gardens (December8, 2008)

Longwood Gardens

PA Tree Growers (Christmas trees)

Koziar’s Christmas Village

The Nutcracker by Pennsylvania Ballet

The Nutcracker by the PA Youth Ballet

The Nutcracker Ballet

Overly’s Country Christmas

PA Christmas and Gift Show

A Christmas Carol Play in Harrisburg

My favorites (along with all the lights..) are the live nativity scenes.

Here’s one at a church in Honeybrook

One at the American Civil War museum in Gettsyburg

Here’s one at Middletown Baptist Church in Pittsburgh (I love when those shepherds wear gloves!)

Here’s an “old time Christmas” at Quiet Valley Farms in Stroudsburg

A Brandywine Christmas at the Brandywine River Museum with lots of model trains and much more! A great way to spend an afternoon with the kids – or just to enjoy!

Beaver County has a Festival of Trees that is also a benefit to children.

Western PA’s Model Railroad Museum…open weekend from Nov. to Dec.

Hawley Winterfest

How about a Christmas vacation in the Poconos?

Read about PA German Christmas traditions

I’m willing to add more to the list since there are tons of other places I don’t know of! Just let me know.

ENJOY!

~ Wendy