Newsletter-FALL '10 FINAL FINAL - Tinicum Conservancy

EARTH
Photo by
Kathleen Connally
As stars shine down upon
us in the night, I often
find myself gazing up.
Stargazing is a wonderful
pastime, especially in the
area in which we live. The
night sky appears to be a
massive canvas of blue
with tiny, serene white
spots that light up and
sparkle. Which leads me to the question, Why do stars
twinkle in the night? The twinkling is actually a scientific
phenomenon. It describes the rapid variations in apparent
brightness of a distant luminous object when viewed
through the earth’s atmosphere. Wind motion, turbulent
air and varying temperatures all play a role in the
refraction of these light rays. As they pass through the
atmosphere, the rays of light emitted from the stars are
refracted several times in random directions. This leads to
the effect of “twinkling,” which is merely how our eyes
interpret that refracted light. So the next time you are
outside on a fall evening, take a moment to look above
and wish upon a star. You may even see a shooting star.
- Kelly Kendall-Kelly
FIRE
Ready, Aim, FIRE! Deer season. Soon the woods will be
ringing with the sound of gunfire. And soon we will again hear
the familiar and passionate arguments about the pros and cons
of hunting. The simple fact is that hunting is legal and that
hunters have the right to hunt according to the rules. And
equally indisputable is the fact that private landowners have the
right to safety and security in their own homes and on their
own property.
This country was built on a strong belief in individual liberties.
And nowhere is that belief more apparent than in Tinicum
Township. The blessings of open space and less dense housing
in Tinicum usually allow us the freedom to pursue our
individual happiness without impinging on the happiness of our
neighbors. Live and let live seems to be the approach most of
us follow most of the time.
Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code
establishes a long list of rules and
regulations for hunting. We should all
expect that they be followed. But let's
not rely solely on the government to tell
us how to behave. The rules of courtesy,
respect for others, and common sense
are always a good guide, no matter
where you sit on this issue. Let's have a
safe hunting season. - Tom Casola
WIND
Breeze, gust, gale—whatever
you call the movement of
atmospheric air, it is a
physical force. Although you
can’t see wind, it powers
windmills and carries kites
aloft. It can be muggy with
moisture, as on a torrid
summer day, or nose-numbing and dry in the depths of
winter. Wind happens because of differences in air
pressure; air moves from areas of higher pressure to those
of lower pressure. And the greater the difference in
pressure, the faster the breeze that blows through the
treetops. This time of year brings the big winds of the
Atlantic, churning in extreme low pressure as hurricanes.
But the big winds of my Midwest childhood came in the
late spring and summer, when tornadoes could rip
through a town with only a few moments’ warning. When
meteorologists talk about wind direction, they mean the
direction the wind is blowing from—not the way it’s
headed. So, an east wind—the kind that brought Mary
Poppins to town—is coming from the east. Watch a
weathervane, and you’ll see: The arrow points the way.
- Dianna Sinovic
WATER
Water, elusive water, where are you? Here in Tinicum the
ponds are low, the streams are dry, and the trees, crops
and flowers are wilting. You, water, the sustenance of
life, are missed by the plants, animals and humans of
Tinicum. Oh, to experience a day of gentle rain, to hear
the birds rejoicing, to see the deer drinking from the
pond, to see the trees and flowers lifting their leaves in
gratitude, to witness a thunderstorm from my porch, to
walk by rapids in the streams, to see waterfalls flowing.
These are the precious moments that are part of living in
Tinicum. I have taken these for granted, but I will no
longer.
And so, water, here is my promise. When we have rain, I
promise to stop whatever I am doing, and to sit on my
porch and listen to, watch, smell, and treasure your
presence. I promise to express my gratitude to you for
your blessings to plants, animals and humans. And I
promise that I will forever
appreciate the role you play
in the paradise of Tinicum.
Water, precious water, come
back -- soon.
- Gail Whittenberger
Photo by
Kathleen Connally
Photo by
Kathleen Connally
Fall 2010 TI�ICUM CO�SERVA�CY Page 9