CARNIVAL Carnival has been White Oak's community outdoor party for 30 years. A couple of years ago, after our February date was whited-out by a blizzard, we turned it into a spring thing. This year it will be on the last Sunday of April, April 27th. The setting is Holden's hundred-acre outdoor playground, Trout Brook, on Manning Street. We'll start in late morning and continue until 3 p.m. The spring date lets us add a fishing experience, thanks to the Angler Education program of the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Their volunteers bring rods to loan, and bait, and lots of patience, and the pond is ringed by (mostly) children trying to catch the lively trout stocked just that week. Some even make their catch! Our traditional Carnival events continue, including guided hiking, live musicians and a sing-along, a Treasure Hunt and nature arts and

crafts for kids, a cross cut saw contest with separate events for kids and adults, and story telling. By April critter life has begun in the pond, vernal pools and the river, and local biologists will be on hand to show visitors who's in the swim. We'll again serve chili lunch, Starbucks coffee, and home made desserts. White Oak members do the baking and the serving. Give us a call at 508 829-5739 to volunteer to help, or we'll be calling you ! A NEW PROPERTY WE NEED YOUR HELP Look in the latest copy of The Oakleaf, for details of our (soon to become) newest conservation property : Porcupine Hill.   - 50 acres of mature woodland with lots of wildlife. Please help us with fundraising for the purchase by making your generous contribution soon.  We are more than halfway there!