CANCELLED - Charles E. Fox Environmental Education Pavilion
The Mill Cove Board of Directors is please to announce that the Charles E. Fox Environmental Education Pavilion will be dedicated at the Annual Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 20th at 11:30AM Charlie was the guiding light of the Mill Cove Project from 1999 to 2022 when he passed. Mr. Bill Bower, Charlie's close friend and co-worker will be the dedication speaker. All of Charlie's Hunting buddies and YHEC supporters are invited to attend.
24th Annual Membership Meeting of Mill Cove, Inc.
Mill Cove pavilion work advances; board sees progress at annual meeting
MANSFIELD—The beautiful new Charles E. Fox Environmental Education Pavilion overlooking the Mill Cove Environmental Area was the site of the 24th Annual Membership Meeting of Mill Cove, Inc. on July 12.
President C. Fred LaVancher explained that work remaining to be completed on the approximately $360,000 pavilion project includes finishing the kitchen, restroom, and storage sections, the septic system, and the water system, but that all is well underway. A generator will be used for power and they also are looking into possible installation of solar panels.
The open pavilion was completed prior to Earth Day activities in April. The current phase adds the enclosed kitchen, restrooms and a storage room on one side. Eventually, LaVancher said, the plan is to enclose the building but still allow for the beautiful view down over the hill. He said more fundraising will be needed for that next phase. Matt Neal Construction is the contractor.
LaVancher and others from the organization said they hope the new pavilion will have many uses, including, of course, environmental education with school and college students and others, including Scout groups. There also will be possibilities for use for other meetings, retreats and events, maybe even family reunions or weddings, they said. Use permits are required for the various pavilions and facilities and can be obtained with a Special Permit Use Application available on their website millcoveinc.org. The phone number for information is 570-418-3593.
The pavilion’s namesake, Charles Fox of Troy, a longtime educator, outdoorsman and advocate for the Mill Cove area, died in 2022.
Throughout the annual meeting, organization officials noted their gratitude for financial and other assistance from area businesses, organizations, foundations, and individuals, as well as many government entities.
Mill Cove is a 200-acre area just outside of Mansfield, leased by Mill Cove, Inc. from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the purpose of environmental education, community recreation, and native flora and fauna conservation.
In addition to the new pavilion atop the hill, the area has eight smaller pavilions and a large pavilion on the lower area of the property, which is part of the flood basin for the Tioga-Hammond Dam.
The Mill Cove Environmental Area borders Pennsylvania State Game Lands and the Tioga Reservoir. Organization members said it offers unique opportunities for hiking on a fairly extensive trail system, hunting, fishing—including a handicapped-accessible fishing area—kayaking, canoeing, a shooting range, primitive camping, orienteering, bird watching, retreats, competitions and various other events. Mill Creek is stocked by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
The organization is working with the Pennsylvania Game Commission on an evasive species elimination project. They also are looking at development of a “food plot” with the planting of wildflowers down the hill in front of the new pavilion.
At the meeting, the current Mill Cove Corporation board of directors was approved for another two years. They are C. Fred LaVancher, president; Dr. David Flesch, vice president; Dina Henninger, secretary; Rob Carleton, treasurer, and Melvin Cummings, Charles Colby, David Lamphier, Dawn Hull, Phyllis Curren, Steve Steinbacher, Dr. Lee Stocks, Phyllis Curren, Leo Parchesky and Wendy Aumick. Advisory board members include Molly Wilson, park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tioga-Hammond & Cowanesque Lakes Project; Tioga County Commissioner Mark Hamilton, and Charles Dillon, field representative for Sen. Gene Yaw.
Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee Shares Update
MANSFIELD—Charlie and Joyce Andrews, officers of the Tioga County Concerned Citizens Committee, gave an update on the planned construction of a treatment plant for acid mine drainage affecting the Upper Tioga River Watershed.
They were the keynote speakers at the July 12 annual meeting of Mill Cove, Inc.
The Andrews, both officers of the concerned citizens committee, said they have been told that bids are to be sought in 2024 for the estimated $25 million project, including a treatment plant and approximately 12 miles of piping. The water to be treated would be from areas affected by acid mine drainage on Morris Run, Coal Creek and Fall Brook. The project then would be done in 2025, if all goes as planned, they said.
Joyce Andrews said the Susquehanna River Basin Commission will seek the bids. She noted that it is a Pennsylvania Bureau of Abandoned Mines Reclamation Project, under the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
The treatment plant is to be located on Bureau of Forestry land at Morris Run in Hamilton Township, Tioga County.
“This looks similar to a sewage treatment plant,” Joyce Andrews said, adding that it would use hydrated lime supplemented with soda ash in the treatment.
“When mixed with the acid mine drainage water, it will kind of bond with the minerals that we don’t want in the water, such as iron, aluminum and manganese, and form a sludge,” she explained. “The sludge will be pumped into dry mine caverns on state forest land, as an inert material.”
Goals of the concerned citizens committee include improving water quality in the mainstem of the Tioga River so that it once again supports aquatic life and stocked trout, creating recreational fishing opportunities. They also hope to improve, over time, the health and appearance of the river corridor through reduction/elimination of mineral deposits.
Annual Earth Day at Mill Cove is Returning in 2023
1/23/2023
Mill Cove is pleased to announce that the Annual Earth Day at Mill Cove is returning in 2023!
Mill Cove Board Members are currently organizing the event to be held on Saturday, April 22 from 10AM to 4 PM at the Mill Cove Environmental Area. The event is free and open to the public.
Earth Day at Mill Cove will feature the same format as past events with a full day of new and returning activities. Fishing rods, kayaks, archery equipment and safety gear will be provided. Hiking shoes and rain gear are recommended.
A schedule of events will be announced in February.
EDMC will host an array of vendors that will be showcasing their knowledge and skills on all things related to our natural environment.
Interested in becoming a vendor? Please check out our website and complete a registration form.
On site parking is available, but limited.
A free shuttle bus will be offered from Mansfield University Campus and the North Main Street Plaza.
For more information and directions to Mill Cove, visit millcoveinc.org.
Kinder-Morgan Makes $20,000 Grant to Mill Cove
Kinder-Morgan Makes $20,000 Grant to Mill Cove
12/21/2022
Kinder Morgan, Inc., owner and operator of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline in this area, has awarded Mill Cove, Inc. a grant of $20,000 to assist with the construction of the Environmental Education Pavilion at the Mill Cove Environmental Area. “We are very excited to receive this very generous donation as it will continue to move forward the final element of our Mill Cove Master Plan,” according to Fred LaVancher, President of the Board.
Kinder Morgan, Inc. is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America. Access to reliable, affordable energy is a critical component for improving lives around the world. The company iscommitted to providing energy transportation and storage services in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner. Kinder Morgan’s Tennessee Gas Pipeline is an approximately 11,750-mile pipeline system that transports natural gas from Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico to the Northeast section of the U.S,, including Northern Pennsylvania Storage Facilities.
Allen Fore, Vice-President of Kinder Morgan, noted that “we are pleased that our Company continues to support Mill Cove, and making this investment in the area that we serve.” Fore noted that Kinder Morgan has supported Mill Cove projects in the past with the construction of the Kinder Morgan Trail. Mr. Fore, along with Ken Collins, Manager of Public Affairs, traveled to Tioga County Wednesday morning to make the check presentation.
Dave Flesch, Rob Carleton, Allen Fore, VP Kinder-Morgan, Fred Lavancher
WARD GRANT TO MILL COVE
WARD GRANT TO MILL COVE
8/10/2022
Ward Manufacturing, LLC of Blossburg has awarded Mill Cove, Inc. a grant of $60,000 to assist with the construction of the Charles E. Fox Environmental Education Pavilion at the Mill Cove Environmental Area. “We are very excited to receive this very generous donation as it will continue to move forward the final element of our Mill Cove Master Plan,” according to Fred LaVancher, a member of the Board.
Pete Guidi, President & CEO of Ward Manufacturing noted that “we are pleased that our Company continues to support Mill Cove, and making this investment in our community.” Guidi noted that Ward has support several Mill Cove projects in the past including: needed site work for the Environmental Center, trail development, and the bridge replacement over Cabin Run. He has been instrumental in providing funding suggestions to the Mill Cove Board over the past several years.
When contacted about assisting with the construction of the Charles E. Fox Environmental Education Pavilion and the mission of Mill Cove, Ward Manufacturing did not hesitate to become a partner in that endeavor.
Charles Fox, President of Mill Cove stated that “We are eternally grateful to Ward Manufacturing for its very generous gift and continued support over the years.”
For Additional Information:
Fred LaVancher -- 570-337-3818
Mill Cove’s Involvement with Clays for Kids
Mill Cove’s Involvement with Clays for Kids
2021
September 25, 2021
Clays for Kids was back after a hiatus in 2020. The event, held annually, with the assistance of the Mill Cove Board of Directors, raises funds to benefit the County’s youth programs. The proceeds from each Clays for Kids event go to local nonprofit organizations whose programs are dedicated to helping to nurture local youth and shape their futures. Clays for Kids 2021 raised $25,700 for the local YMCA and the Mill Cove Environmental Center. Mill Cove was thrilled to be involved with such an admirable cause and the event that enables these agencies to assist our kids.
2019
October 5, 2019
Mill Cove Environmental Center assisted in organizing the 2nd Annual Clays for Kids fundraiser at Thunder Ridge on October 5, 2019. The proceeds from the event benefit organizations that focus on helping kids, whether through providing funds to agencies or local groups that primarily benefit children. The event raised $22,600. The beneficiaries of those funds were Mill Cove Environmental Center and Tioga County Children’s Advocacy Center, an Asa’s Place program, which serves child abuse victims ages 4 to 18.
2018
October 13, 2018
Mill Cove Environmental Center sponsored its first Clays for Kids fundraiser Saturday, October 13, 2018, at Thunder Ridge Sporting Clays & Game Farm. The event raised $14,000, which was divided between Mill Cove and Asa’s Place. Mill Cove is an outdoor recreation destination where children learn about nature up close and personal and Asa’s Place is a new 501c3 organization that provides a care facility in Wellsboro to help infants born dependent on opioids receive the best possible care.
On November 23, Mill Cove presented $7,000 to Robin Adams in support of Asa’s Place, a care facility she’s developing to care for children like the facility’s namesake Asa, who was born to drug-dependent parents. “We’re gonna save a lot of babies together,” said Adams at the presentation.
NRA Foundation Awards $3,416.75 to Mill Cove
NRA Foundation Awards $3,416.75 to Mill Cove
11/24/2020
The NRA Foundation awarded Mill Cove, Inc. a grant totaling $3,416.75 to purchase ammunition. The ammunition will be used by NRA course instructors and by Mansfield University instructors with MU’s Public Safety Training Institute and Police Academy. It will enable the instructors to train and educate the general public and MU students. These instructors use the Mill Cove shooting range to train their students in the proper and safe use of firearms.
"We are very excited that Mill Cove, Inc. received this grant and pleased that the NRA is making an investment in our community,” said Marilyn Jones, Chair of the Tioga County Women’s Shooting Society and one of the NRA-certified instructors.
“Typically an instructor would have between 10 and 15 people in a class. Each participant usually shoots 100 to 150 rounds. Based on that and the average number of classes held in prior years, the ammunition should last about one year,” said Ms. Jones.
The Friends of the NRA holds an annual banquet at Whitneyville with a portion of the funds raised through live and silent auctions donated to the NRA Foundation’s statewide grant program. “This was the fourth time Mill Cove applied for a foundation grant. We submitted the application between November and December of 2019,” she said.
Gas Field Specialists Award $130,000 to Mill Cove Inc.
Gas Field Specialists Award $130,000 to Mill Cove Inc.
Gas Field Specialists has awarded Mill Cove, Inc. a grant totaling $130,000 to fund the site work for the Environmental Education Center at Mill Cove Environmental Area. "We are very excited about receiving this donation as it will continue to move forward the construction of the Environmental Education Center" said David Lamphier, Assistant Treasurer and board member of Mill Cove Inc. We are pleased that the Gas Field Specialists company is making an investment in our community."Mill Cove, Inc. is a 501c3 corporation with the mission of enhancing the Mill Cove Environmental Area for recreation and environmental educational purposes. Mill Cove, Inc. has been in existence since 1999 and has hosted the Annual Earth Day Event for the past 7 years, Earth Camp for past 4 years and many other environmental education day events as well as the Youth Hunter Education Challenge (Y.H.E.C.) every even numbered year since 1999. When Gas Field Specialists were contacted by Mill Cove, Inc. about the Education Center and the mission of Mill Cove, Inc., they were not hesitant to partner with Mill Cove to build the center for the better of the community, for young and mature. Greg West, President presented the check for $130,000 at Mill Cove Inc's regular monthly board of directors meeting on Wednesday, September 12th. The opportunity for Mill Cove, Inc. to get the first phase for the construction of the Education Center was made possible by this donation, which is for the site work of the building location, parking lot and road to the building. Mill Cove, Inc. is eternally grateful to Gas Field Specialists for this donation.
Glenn O. Hawbaker Charity Golf Tournament
Glenn O. Hawbaker Charity Golf Tournament
Mill Cove Environmental Area and Education Center representatives experienced a beautiful day in State College, Pa. on the White and Blue Courses volunteering for a charity golf tournament. Mill Cove, Inc. will be one of the benefactors of the tournament.
This event was hosted by Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc with several participating generous sponsors.
A huge thank you to the ten Mill Cove, Inc. Volunteers who gave their time representing this organization that will benefit from this event.