Inside Out - Spring 2008
Written by Joanne Arbogast
You've seen them. During the warmer months, especially if you are up early and live near the banks of the Susquehanna River. Silky threads of web art woven over the lawn and hedge tops, made visible thanks to the morning dew. It's rather spooky. Mostly because right in the center of all those beautiful little wet gossamer patterns are some big old hairy spiders. They are all over the place. And if they are all over outside ... is it unreasonable to presume they're inside too? Never mind.
Regardless of what you think about them, spiders are a good sign. We know because Matt Persons, in this issue's cover story, tells us so. Spiders are once again on schedule to start reappearing en mass as the temperatures rise. But should the morning come and the yard is void of creepy crawlies, know that something very bad is going on with the environment.
Something very bad happened to the environment in Centralia. A place that is literally burning from the inside out, it too is spooky. Most of its residents have fled, wisps of smoke dot the landscape and the air smells like rotten eggs. All that's left are memories and silence.And now litter.
Tossed garbage is beginning to show up on the empty streets, like it doesn't matter anymore. But not everyone is being disrespectful and in this issue we introduce you to some who will never abandon their nearly-dead town. One thing coming back from the dead is the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, or at least sections of it. The proof? More people are catching fish in it.
It may look beautiful but under its surface something very bad has taken a toll. For years, abandoned mine acid drainage polluted the river as well as many of its tributaries. One woman is on a mission: Meet Amy Wolfe, whose goal is to see people kayak and canoe down the West Branch and catch fish at the same time. This time around, we urge you to join the global bandwagon - respect the environment and do what you can to do less harm. Save the river, cry for what can't be saved, and remember not only what was and what might have been but what is and what will be. And don't squash spiders.
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