Like many of us with a few years under our belt, Dave Bauer grew up in an era before video games and cellphones, when children enthusiastically played in the great outdoors until the streetlights went on. He thoroughly enjoyed exploring his natural surroundings, leaving no stone unturned and being completely intrigued by the creepy crawlers found in the soil beneath. 

Bauer’s youthful appreciation of nature led to a successful career as a teacher of environmental science and training others in creative thinking, change leadership and living sustainability. Following his retirement from the teaching profession, he turned his attention to several projects focused on reconnecting today’s youth with nature.

The 20th annual Drums Along the Waterfront - Tour of Champions event, featuring the top eight drum corps in the world, returns to New Era Field in Orchard Park at 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6.

Sanctioned by Drum Corps International (DCI), Western New York’s premier “music in motion” event will have a noticeable “blue” theme this year. Drum corps scheduled to compete include the reigning world champion Bluecoats of Canton, Ohio, along with the 17-time DCI World Champion Blue Devils of Concord, California. Also participating are the Blue Knights of Denver, Colorado; Blue Stars of La Crosse, Wisconsin; The Cadets of Allentown, Pennsylvania; Carolina Crown of Ft. Mills, South Carolina; Phantom Regiment of Rockford, Illinois; and Santa Clara Vanguard of Santa Clara, California. This colorful lineup has captured a total of 41 DCI World Champion titles!

Interested in rowing in the heart of Buffalo and enjoying unique sites such as the grain elevators and Canalside from the water? Looking for a good workout, want to learn a new skill or just have some fun with a great bunch of people?

The Buffalo Scholastic Rowing Association (BSRA) will host six Learn to Row classes for adults from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and 8 to 10 a.m. Sundays from Aug. 13-24. Participants will meet at the BSRA boathouse at 405 Ohio St. in Buffalo, and the cost is $200 for the six sessions. For more information or to register for Learn to Row, please email bsramasters@gmail.com or contact Meg Lauerman at 697-0950 or meglauerman@msn.com.