Tickets available: 2022 Quiz & Cuisine event combines trivia night and meal into a unique Earth Day celebration

As a fun way to raise awareness about important issues facing our river and the network of tributaries that feed into it along with celebrating the 50th anniversary of the nationwide Clean Water Act, the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association is holding a "Quiz & Cuisine" trivia night and meal on Earth Day.

Scheduled to run from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, April 22, 2022, at the Montour Preserve near Washingtonville, the trivia portion will focus on questions developed from stories available on the association's blog feed, which are also in the new paperback book, "Sentinels of the Susquehanna: Volume 1," which includes more than 50 stories about a wide variety of topics related to the river and the aquatic resources that depend on it. Links to free versions of each of the stories online are below.

"Through our book and online via our blog and podcast series, we have put out hundreds of stories, investigative reports and columns about important issues and the people who passionately protect our resources," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "We felt this would be a fun way to delve into some of those topics, have some open discussion, give out some prizes and celebrate the spirit of Earth Day."

Thanks to generous support from event sponsors Kathy's Cuisine (out of Lebanon) and Wild for Salmon (Bloomsburg), the evening's menu will include Wild for Salmon Feta Dill or Garlic Salmon Burgers,  Coconut Carrot Ginger Soup, Mediterranean Orzo Salad, Roasted Broccoli, Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding with raspberries and Rocky River Cookies.

Tickets for the evening are $25 each, our $45 per couple.

Prizes are being collected for this event and area businesses are encouraged to contact Riverkeeper John Zaktansky directly at [email protected]. Those that do get involved will be included in our growing list of Community Partners, an important effort to honor those who have supported our work.

Prior purchase of a copy of "Sentinels of the Susquehanna: Volume 1" is not necessary to be prepared for the trivia component. For links to the stories we will be including in the trivia, scroll to the end of this post.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of "Sentinels of the Susquehanna: Volume 1" ahead of the trivia night, you can do so in one of several ways.

First, you can use the platform on this page to purchase a copy for $15 and pick it up at the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association office at 112 Market Street, Sunbury, or at the event on April 22. 

Or, you can purchase a paperback copy of the book directly from Amazon.com for $20 or an online e-book version for $9.99 by clicking here.

Again, purchasing the book is not necessary to be prepared for the trivia competition. You can use the links at the end of this blog post to study ahead of time.

BOOK ORDER: Sentinels of the Susquehanna: Volume 1

$15.00

This 285-page book looks at some of the biggest issues facing the Middle Susquehanna River watershed and people who share a passion to promote and protect our aquatic resources. Cost is $15 if purchased here and picked up at the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association office (112 Market Street, Sunbury, PA). Or, it can be purchased directly through Amazon.com for $20 and shipped to your home.

Buy a book

Tickets sold out

As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, our available tickets for this event have sold out. Thanks to all who had interest ... we will likely do something like this again!

Event prizes ...

In addition to Wild for Salmon and Kathy's Cuisine, a growing number of local businesses are getting involved with this event via prizes for the trivia competition (and door prizes). The list includes:

• Voucher for a free kayak rental (value $50) from Five Mountain Outfitters, Shickshinny
• Special prize pack from the Rusty Rail in Mifflinburg, including a product sampler and collectible metal sign.
• Two pairs of free passes for the upcoming season aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat, Williamsport (to be used as two different prizes)
• Gift certificate for Otto's Bookstore, Williamsport
• Two tickets to any show during the fall season at the Weis Center for Performing Arts at Bucknell University. Season schedule will be released in August.
• Black & Decker Drill/Driver and Complete 49-piece project set with 20-volt lithium ion rechargeable battery ($100 value) from Cole's Hardware.
• Movie outing package from Campus Theatre in Lewisburg including two movie tickets along with vouchers for popcorn, sodas and candy.
• Okuma Safina Pro spinning reel and rod combo, decals and metal license plate package from Fishyaker.com
• Six-month subscription to The Daily Item newspaper, including print (for those who live in distribution area) and digital.
• Six-month digital subscription to The Standard-Journal newspaper out of Milton.
• One $25 gift card to Weis Markets.
• Two dozen Rocky River Cookies by Kathy's Cuisine (to be used as two prizes)
• Five professionally matted regional wildlife prints by photographer Ian Adrian (to be used as five different prizes)
• A North Branch Water Trail map from the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership.
• Songs of the Susquehanna volumes 1 and 2 CD two-pack from the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.

Check back regularly for an updated list of prizes and businesses who are sponsoring this event. If you'd like to donate a prize, email Riverkeeper John Zaktansky directly at [email protected].

The Quiz & Cuisine meal will include your choice of a Feta-Dill or Garlic Sockeye Salmon Burger.

The Quiz & Cuisine meal will include Coconut Carrot Ginger Soup.

Earth Day 's origins go back to the environmental movement of the 1970s, helping spark the nation's Clean Water Act 50 years ago this year, along with a number of other environmental milestones.

"I find it fascinating that Senator Gaylord Nelson (D, Wisconsin) started the movement by organizing 'teach-ins' on college campuses across the US," stated Kathy Snavely, a former college professor of entrepreneurship and president of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association.  "He watched the tactics used by the 70's anti-war movement, roped in partners Congressman Ed McCloskey (R, California) and grassroots activist Denis Hayes to help move the idea along, and initiated what became known as Earth Day on April 22."

It is estimated that 10 percent of American citizens were engaged at some point during the first Earth Day in 1970. The event went global in 1990, organized by Hayes, giving a big boost to the recycling movement. Approximately 200 million people across the planet took part that year.

"How wonderful if we could raise that kind of dedication once again?" asked Snavely. "We cannot repay Senator Gaylord, Congressman McCloskey and Denis Hayes for awakening the nation to environmental concerns. That's as clear as the water we need to be drinking."

Intro: Becoming a Riverkeeper

• Eagle experience provides clarity, a catalyst for change, finding a voice

Forward: Terms and trends to know

• Watersheds, regulations and rights: How it all flows and our duty

 
Chapter 1: The Eastern hellbender

• Pilot project helps restore Eastern hellbenders to river basin
• Severing stereotypes offers a step toward saving salamander

Chapter 2: Microplastics

• Series of studies highlight reality of microplastics in watershed
• Column: Searching for more realistic next steps in the battle 

Chapter 3: Fracking

• Vet: Fracking potentially caused sick foals at Pennsylvania horse farm
• Column: Help us collect and connect fracking, health concern dots (included at link above) 

Chapter 4: Invasive species

• Exotic crayfish a growing issue in the middle Susquehanna watershed
• Invasive snakehead impacts aquatic ecosystems on many levels

Chapter 5: Abandoned mine issues

• The many faces of AMD: Issue scars waterways across region
• Specialist seeks funds to address Plainsville Borehole Discharge issue 

Chapter 6: Cost of construction

• Potential environmental impact of the Central Susquehanna Thruway
• Impact offers obligation to be involved and work together 

​Chapter 7: How fish kills are handled

• Fish kill investigations are a race against the clock and conditions

Chapter 8: Environmental reporting

• ‘Instagram for water quality:’ Start using Water Reporter app
• Susquehanna Survey provides valuable feedback for association

Chapter 9: Waterway conditions

• Color, smell can help determine if foamy substance is natural or not
• Algae, in various forms, can pose a multitude of issues 
• Assessment the first step in addressing a petroleum-based spill

Chapter 10: Endocrine disruptors

• Awareness, smart shopping key in reducing endocrine disruptors

Chapter 11: Following the flows

• Extremely low water table, changing temperatures impact river 
• Experts: Flooding impacts on ecosystem hinges on many variables

Chapter 12: Pandemic trash trends 

• Littering among threats facing Penns Creek, other tributaries
• Creating one pandemic while coping with another
• Anglers’ character is defined by what they leave behind
• As agencies back off duties, fifth-grader sets example

Chapter 13: Trees and erosion 

• Wanted: Landowners to plant free trees, protect our waterways
• Cub Scouts help protect region’s streambanks 

Chapter 14: Black fly spraying

• Biologist: Protecting aquatic ecosystems a critical part of program

Chapter 15: Vernal pools

• Filling a critical springtime niche, vernal pools require awareness, protection
• Earth Day everyday: Tweaks at home, engaging others can create cascade of improvement

Chapter 16: Protecting trout

• Unique trout rescue situation sparks discussion on region’s threats 
• Catch-and-release fishing tips to save one of our state’s treasures
• Excitement, dedication and big trout on display at stocking excursion

Chapter 17: Birds in our watershed

• Migration of ducks offers seasonal clock as species face various threats
• Herons play an important role in the aquatic ecosystem
• Patience, collaboration both lessons from raptor restoration

Chapter 18: Rescue tips

• Dancing with turtles: Lessons from helping a snapper cross a busy road

Chapter 19: Waterway safety

• Checklists, communication, common sense keys to boating safety
• Preparation, awareness among keys to cold-water kayaking safety
• Tech, clothing upgrades fuel ice fishing surge as experts urge safety

Chapter 20: Getting outdoors

• Families take on challenge to spend more time outside
• Canoe trip success highlights therapeutic element of waterways

Chapter 21: Outdoor education

• HERYN (Helping Engage our River’s Youth with Nature) connects 73 with kayaking, fishing, awareness
• HERYN Program success hinged on humble heroes’ enthusiasm
• Seven Floating Classroom sessions educate 407 people
• Waterway Exploration Training gets kids’ feet ‘wet’ via stations

​
Chapter 22: Engagement

• Riverkeeper podcast series marks anniversary with 50 episodes
• Riverkeeper Nature Book Club inspires discussion on environment

Chapter 23: Lessons from Montour

• Diversity of lake and preserve important to surrounding region
• Agreement shows commitment to clean water, reasons to support

In addition to stories from our book (and their online counterparts), here are a few more recent stories from which we may pull for trivia questions:

Study highlights live stake success as collaborative strives to improve streams
Montour Preserve land management specialist reflects on memorable moments
Lake sustainability study one of several advances made since settlement agreement
How winter storms, road salt and increasing salinity impact aquatic resources
Fracking companies extracting gas from under river, other waterways since 2010
Catawissa Creek an example of collaboration, persistence in tackling AMD issues