DATE: Friday, October 24, 1997              TAG: 9710240637

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   31 lines

HOFFLER CREEK REFUGE TO MARK 2ND ANNIVERSARY

The Hoffler Creek Wildlife Refuge, a 142-acre parcel of wilderness being developed and managed by volunteers who fought to save it from development, will celebrate its second anniversary with an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

The most common animals in the habitat, off Twin Pines Road near River Shore Road in Churchland, include deer, foxes, raccoons, woodchucks, river otters, turtles and snakes.

According to the foundation's quarterly newsletter, the ``weather should be cool; the mosquitoes should be gone; and the foliage should be showing brilliant colors.''

Birthday cake and hot apple cider (or cold lemonade, depending on the weather) will be served.

Visitors will be able to meet with the foundation's directors and city officials who obtained title to the preserve and are actively involved in its development.

Those attending also will be able to walk around the preserve's central lake for a view of the mouth of Hoffler Creek and the Hampton Roads harbor beyond. Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation T-shirts will be sold for $15 each. MEMO: WANT TO GO?

For details on the open house at Hoffler Creek Wildlife Refuge, call

483-3054 or 393-5394.

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