Highland Lakes hosts winter carnival

VERNON — Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his den and missed his shadow declaring an early spring.
The infamous woodchuck has only predicted correctly 40 percent of the time in the recent decade according to CNN.
Wantage’s Stonewall Jackson the V of Space Farms saw his shadow on Feb. 2, therefore, Sussex County is in for six more weeks of winter. Whatever the climatic outcome, the Highland Lakes Clubhouse Committee held its fourth annual Winter Carnival on Groundhog Day February 2 celebrating winter and sidestepping cabin fever.
Family fun prevailed as kids and adults joined in the wintertime activities like the Otter Walk, Cube E Doo, the Penguin Waddle, the Marshmallow Race and an outdoor parachute obstacle course.
“We had a game of Musical Chairs from pre-schoolers to adults,” said carnival organizer Joyce Healy.
According to Healy, the adult version of Musical Chairs was very humorous.
Between festivities, participants were able to enjoy treats and snacks at the Klondike Café. A chili cookoff, with various entrants, allowed guests to sample and people’s choice vote. New this year to the carnival, was a children’s book swap, where youngsters could swap three or more of their own books for three or more others at the swap, encouraging reading. A representative from Skylands Ice World made ice sport information available to all interested.
The carnival also anticipated a visit from Herbie, the Miners’ baseball team mascot because spring and baseball are just around the corner.
During the last hour of the carnival ,children were entertained by Jungle Dave’s Magic of Clinton.