Kulick: Family-friendly program on dinosaurs, prehistory set for May 24
This Sunday is the day when Hallmark and the phone companies remind you, 'Call your mother!' I'm here to remind you the same: Call, visit, have dinner, just make sure you take the time to appreciate the mom or mom-like person or persons in your life.
But first, highlighting an upcoming event that is a favorite of those of us who grew up with Dino of the Flintstones, Barney and Jurassic Park's dinosaurs in our childhood.
On Saturday, May 24, beginning at 2 p.m., the Friends of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area are hosting a great program that highlights the return of "Mastodons, Trilobites, and Dinosaurs" at the Middle Smithfield Township Community Center at 5200 Milford Road, East Stroudsburg. Fact: Pennsylvania's best preserved giant mastodon was discovered right here in our backyard!
This is a family-friendly event presented by Dr. Paul Kovalski. The program covers the prehistoric sites within the Delaware Water Gap area as well as the greater view of the treasures and diversity of our prehistoric past within the national park system.
Children and adults will enjoy the enthusiasm and knowledge that Dr. Paul brings to his presentation, and active participation is encouraged! He engages children and adults deeply into his presentations and loves to share his extensive knowledge of the earth's history with all ages.
There will be a large display of skulls, bones, and a real dinosaur footprint that Dr. Paul has collected over the years. Plus, there will even be real dinosaur age fossils that will be given to the attendees! Plus, he has exciting new information on the Marshalls Creek Mastodon! Yep, found right here in our backyard! Dr. Paul has an exciting story on each of his examples of Earth's creature's past within his display.
Adults and children will all be entertained with stories and learn how to properly start a collection of your own. Etiquette is key and you will learn how to properly alert local geologists and anthropologists when and if you do find something. You never know how important it could be!
Dr. Paul Kovalski is a retired dentist and forensic scientist with a background in paleontology. He is very passionate about our national parks and earned the nickname "Dr. Dinosaur" after discovering a hadrosaur bone at a fossil dig. In 2016 he finished visiting every unit in the national park system and was also named "Volunteer of the Year" at our own park, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area!
The event is free to members of the Friends of DWGNRA as well as those under 18. (Bring the kids!) Non-members are welcome and there is a suggested $5 per person donation.
Finally, if you would indulge me for a bit, I am giving a shout out and sincere and loving 'thank you' to my mom.
Although women are often known to defer answering their age, at 92, Mom is more than willing to proudly admit to hers. Sharp as a tack, she puts me to shame when it comes to current affairs, how to stay healthy, remembering all the family birthdays and events, and notable is that she is now celebrating her 50th year as a volunteer for Bushkill Emergency Corps.
Her current 'job' is meticulously keeping the books (by hand) as the financial secretary. It's a valuable job and she takes it very seriously. Thank goodness for that, since the CPA appreciates her work for sure. So, wishing a very happy Mother's Day with love to my Mom!
Sending happy Mother's Day wishes as well to all those who have been there as a mom or mom stand-in and have made both the sacrifices and shared their loving care for those near and dear to them!
Debbie Kulick is an EMT who writes a weekly news column for the Pocono Record.
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Kulick: Program on dinosaurs, prehistory is May 24 in Middle Smithfield
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