Southern Tier Life: Outdoors

Chemung River Friends’ to Host Free Program this Saturday with Jim Pfiffer

The Friends of the Chemung River Watershed will host its second of seven opportunities for the public to engage with local experts in 2024 during their speaking series, Coffee with Friends, Saturday, Feb. 10, at 9 a.m. at its offices in Elmira. Each engagement invites the community to participate in a casual discussion with a master gardener, master paddler, master naturalist, and more. A light breakfast is provided at no cost, and a $10 donation is suggested.

If you have never canoed, kayaked, or paddle-boarded a river or haven’t done so in a long time, this talk is for you. Speaker Jim Pfiffer has paddled the Chemung River and other waterways for more than 50 years and has enjoyed every trip. He loves to share that joy with others through videos, photos, stories, and personal experiences. During this talk, you will discover how paddling a river improves your health, mind, and spirit in ways you may not have considered.

• It’s a great way to escape the stresses of life, have a fun-filled time in the peace and beauty of nature and rejuvenate.

• You see a zoo full of wildlife, beautiful tree-lined cliffs and wild-flower meadows. Along the shore, you see people fishing, farming, walking their dogs and jogging the river trails.

• Paddling is great aerobic and strength-developing fresh-air exercise through self-propelled transportation that’s easy, quiet and doesn’t burn fossil fuels.

• You share and enjoy an intimate and educational visit with nature and leave with a greater respect and understanding of how rivers work and why we need to protect them.

Jim Pfiffer enjoying river life via his canoe. Catch him speak about the joys of paddling the river Saturday, Feb. 10 in Elmira.

The Chemung River Friends claims it's always a pleasure to have Jim host and, if you’ve never attended one of his engagements, you’re in for a treat! You’ll leave with a lot of knowledge and a big smile.

Doors will open at 8:30 a.m., and a light breakfast and beverages will be provided. The program will begin promptly at 9 a.m., ending at 10 a.m..

For more information, please visit Chemung River Friends' website.