Coming shortly after Rogers Center's Winter Living Celebration will be two of our area's highly popular winter events. The NYS Crappie Derby at Whitney Point Lake, followed by the Oxford Lions Club's Perch Derby at Chenango Lake. Events such as these help motivate people to escape the mental lockup that's often referred to as “cabin fever” and to get outdoors in the fresh winter air.
Sometimes we get a mental block at this time of the year and the thought of bundling up and facing those cold temperatures is sufficient to keep us in a nearly hibernating mental state. I'm often amused that once people dress sufficiently warm and venture out, they discover they can actually enjoy being outside in what the National Weather Service calls the “Dead of Winter” period, which is January 4 to February 4.
One doesn't necessarily have to be an ice fisherman, skier or other popular wintertime enthusiast to leave that stale indoor air behind. Just being outdoors, walking and enjoying all the sights and sounds that go with organized winter events can be refreshing in itself. You don't have to turn the outing into a marathon event by staying out most of the day, but just spend whatever time you feel comfortable and not feel any unpleasant chill. Of course there will be some days that the temperature and wind chills will be worse than others, and you'll want to limit the time you spend outdoors. Conversely, there'll be others that are comfortably moderate to be out for longer periods.
If you don't have any wintertime outdoor activities you do regularly, you might want to consider photography. Winter, with its blanket of snow, can produce some spectacular images, especially early and late in the day if the lower sun angle generates outstanding light and shadow effects. Days when a fresh snow fall clings to trees and shrubs is another opportune time to get great photos. Many of today's digital cameras have special auto settings for wintertime shooting against an all-white backdrop. Two things to keep in mind – cold temperatures drain battery energy quicker than normal, and don't carry your camera inside your clothing where it stays warm. This will cause its lens to fog up when it's exposed to the cold air.
Staying warm in the winter outdoors starts with a warm hat, then goes to gloves or mittens and, lastly, warm boots or insulated shoes over heavy socks. Keep your body extremities warm and it's much easier to keep your entire body warm. Chemical hand and body warmers are also a great aid. Polarized sunglasses will cut the snow glare and avoid eye strain and even a headache often associated with long-term exposure to bright glare. Applying a light layer of sunscreen lotion to your exposed facial areas will help avoid sunburn and windburn. And avoid overdoing whatever outdoor activity you choose since your energy level is sapped faster in cold weather, just as it is in hot weather.
Some creatures were designed by nature to hibernate in winter. Humans were not. So keep the following activities in mind and also consider being on the other side of your home's door once in a while. Otherwise, winter can be a darn long season.
The 2010 running of the Almost-Annual New York State Crappie Derby at Whitney Point Lake is scheduled for Saturday, January 30, 2010. The Derby is a family oriented event that allows everyone to get outdoors after a couple of months of being cooped up inside. Although it is primarily an Ice Fishing event, other attractions will also be provided for spectators. There are usually far more spectators than registered contestants. Prize categories exist for those not successful in catching fish.
The entry fee is $2.00 for those over 12 years -- FREE 12 and under. It is sponsored by the Whitney Point Sportsmen’s Association and the Broome County Department of Parks and Recreation. Free parking is available at Dorchester Park in Whitney Point as well as Kiebel Road extension on the west side of Whitney Point Lake. Thousands of dollars in prizes will be awarded throughout the day with a significant amount set aside for the kids. We’ll find a reason to give them a prize.
Thousands of people attend each year that we’re lucky enough to develop safe ice. In January of 2009, 1830 registered to fish and compete for prizes and, including spectators, over 4,000 people were in attendance. The purse last year was over $10,000.
There is something for everyone: an excellent fishing lake, prizes for fish along with Door Prizes, a midway with a number of exhibits, refreshments and port-a-johns on the ice. Some of the organizations participating will be the Ross Park Zoo (with some live animals or birds), Finch Hollow Nature Center, the National Weather Service (with a real-time digital weather station) and we’re currently working on planning free craft Kit Assembly Workshops for Kids.
Prizes are donated by local merchants and organizations, with some sponsors from outside New York State. For more info visit WWW.CRAPPIEDERBY.COM
The Oxford Lions Club is pleased to announce the date for 11th Chenango Lake Perch Derby is set for Feb. 6, 2010 with a postponement date of Feb. 20. Last year the Derby attracted over 800 registrants and spectators to Chenango Lake in the town of New Berlin, Chenango County. Proceeds from the Chenango Lake Perch Derby are used to maintain the many community and area projects that the Oxford Lions Club supports, such as eye examinations and eyeglasses for those in need.
More information and registration forms will be available shortly at www.oxfordlions.org and at Mayhood Sporting Goods in Norwich. For more info visit www.frontiernet.net/~madouglass/events.html