Published June 30, 2009, 7:52 AM EST

by AD CRABLE, Outdoor Trails

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Pennsylvania could be largely devoid of bats within two to three years. That's the startling and sad outlook foreseen by Greg Turner as the sudden and mysterious white-nose syndrome fungus sweeps through the state. "I don't think anyone thinks we can stop it. We'll easil......

Published June 23, 2009, 6:58 AM EST

by AD CRABLE, Outdoor Trails

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - On the surface, there's something decidedly lifeless about the Eastern Penn Mushroomers. I mean the object of their fascination mostly live on dead, rotting things, for heaven's sake. On a recent club foray in the woods of Gifford Pinchot State Park in York County, Cathy Cholmel......

Published June 21, 2009, 12:21 AM EST

by MIKE GROSS, Assistant Sports Editor

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - This goes back to the nascent stages of the Lyndon Johnson administration, just after the Beatles came to America. Forty-five years ago. Father's Day 1964. A lot has happened since, even if you haven't been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame and elected to the U.S. Senate....

Published June 21, 2009, 12:14 AM EST

by PAULA WOLF, Wheelchair Quarterback

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - With the NBA draft next Friday, here are the players most mentioned as possible first-round selections by the Sixers. Even though Philadelphia picks 17th, there doesn't seem to be much variation in what mock drafts are predicting — probably because the team has made no secret it wants......

Published June 21, 2009, 12:02 AM EST

by P.J. REILLY, Woods and Waters

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - I got mine Wednesday. Buying my annual hunting license is somewhat of a ritual.Is that weird?I buy it every year the first week licenses go on sale and always from The Sportsman's Shop in New Holland. Through my entire hunting career over the past tw......

Published June 16, 2009, 9:42 AM EST

by AD CRABLE, Outdoor Trails

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - Unquestionably, the half-mile that Pequea Creek alternately rushes, then languidly meanders, through a glen of cliffs, boulders and tall, shading trees is one of Lancaster County's natural gems. Where else in Lancaster County is there such a compression of wild water in such an un-Lancaster......

Published June 14, 2009, 12:21 AM EST

by MIKE GROSS, Assistant Sports Editor

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - The Phillies' Raul Ibanez has 21 home runs through Friday, among overall offensive numbers that, if the season ended today, would make him a serious candidate for National League MVP. He's 37, and has never hit more than 33 homers in a season, and more than 24 only once. Jerod Morris &mdas......

Published June 14, 2009, 12:14 AM EST

by PAULA WOLF, Wheelchair Quarterback

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. - It's been a busy week in Philadelphia sports on several fronts, so here's my take on some of these developments: • I was perhaps the least surprised person in the world when the Phillies chose to put closer Brad Lidge on the disabled list. There had been stories in the papers for a......

Published June 14, 2009, 12:01 AM EST

by P.J. REILLY, Woods and Waters

PENNSYLVANIA - Weary from a long day of travel by air and by car last Nov. 15, 4 a.m. seemed to come earlier than normal Nov. 16. Still, I heeded my alarm clock's incessant beeping, got out of bed and got things squared away for a full day in the tree stand. By dawn, I was seated in a hang-on stand p......

Published June 9, 2009, 7:57 AM EST

by AD CRABLE, Outdoor Trails

BREEZEWOOD, Pa. - You're riding along on your bike. The multiple lanes of straight paved highway are there. But so are the trees crowding in, chunks of pavement lying about. The two tunnels are dark and drips of water splatter on your head. And the quiet. "It's very familiar to you. You can s......