The Journal of the Pocono Plateau, December 18, 2020-January 8, 2021

THE

BOXHOLDER

JOURNAL of the POCONO PLATEAU ©2021, All Rights Reserved

VOLUME 25, NUMBER 15

December 18, 2020–January 8, 2021

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New office for PA Rep. Jack Rader now open Rep. Jack Rader officially opened his new district office in Tobyhanna Township on Friday, December 18. The office was recently relocated from another location in the township.

The new office can be found at the Blakeslee Medical Professional Complex, 395 Route 940, Suite 104, in Blakeslee.

The phone number remains the same as the old location:

570-643-7683. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“My staff and I are excited about the new office and look forward to delivering firstclass assistance to local residents there,” said Rader.

In an effort to safely and efficiently assist residents of the 176thLegislative District, Rep. Rader has limited visits to his district office in Effort to “by

appointment only.” Residents should call 570-620-4341 first to set up a time to meet with a staff member. The Effort office is located at 2785 Route 115, Suite 103.

State government-related services provided by Rader and his staff include: • Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals.

• Assistance with PennDOT

Rep. Jack Rader in his new office space in Blakeslee.

JP: Seth Isenberg

THE SLOPES ARE OPEN and skiers are skiing at Jack Frost Mountain. Shawnee Mountain, Blue Mountain and Camelback are both hosting skiers, and opening day had not yet been announced for Big Boulder as of press time, but snow was being made.

JP: Ruth Isenberg

paperwork (lost cards, changes, corrections, special registration plates, vanity plates and temporary placards for disabled persons).

• PACE and PACENET applications for seniors.

• Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications.

• Voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications.

• State tax forms.

• Student aid applications.

• Free state maps, state park information and PA Vacation Guides.

• Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters.

The 176th Legislative District is comprised of part of Monroe County, consisting of the townships of Chestnuthill, Eldred, Jackson, Pocono, Polk, Tobyhanna and Tunkhannock, and the borough of Mount Pocono.

PAGE 2 — THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021

New year, new ordinance updates in Tunkhannock Twp.

by Jeanine Hofbauer

said numerous complaints have been received around the township about chickens, Tunkhannock Township especially chickens roaming supervisors plan to expand freely. on ordinance details in the “I think we’ve done a good new year. At their Decemjob,” said George Ewald as ber 9 meeting, supervisors supervisors reported cost scheduled a public hearing cutting review of the townon ordinances regarding ship’s proposed 2021 budget of Temporary RV/Tent; Build$2,005,700. ing Codes; Driveway; and November’s treasurer’s Chicken regulations for Janreport listed a general fund uary 4.

A Clearview Road homeown- balance of $2,070,827.74 with income of $174,433.91 and er asked to be “grandfathered in,” saying his one-acre parcel expenses of $71,672.46. Bills approved for payment totaled has had chickens since 1975 $32,512.79. for his own use. He argued Supervisors Fran DePiathat recreation vehicle disturbance is worse than noise from no, George Ewald and Steve Malaico were present, along roosters.

Zoning officer Kate Lambert with solicitor Harry Coleman,

PUBLIC NOTICE

Topic: PMR EMS Board of Directors Meeting - January 21, 2020 - Reorganization Time: Jan 21, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting +1 929 205 6099 US Meeting ID: 847 3840 8313 Passcode: 202274 Nick DeWitt Business Manager

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Beth L. Raiola of Monroe County is filed with the Department of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania at Harrisburg as of November 17, 2019 to do business under the assumed or fictitious name of ABA Impact, said business to be based in Tobyhanna, PA 18466.

secretary/treasurer Tina Kernan, zoning officer Lambert and in-person spectators and Zoom observers.

Tunkhannock Township’s end of year meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. December 30; with reorganization/regular

meeting at 9 a.m. Monday, January 4 at municipal offices at 1557 Long Pond Road, Long Pond.

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THE JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2020–JANUARY 2021— PAGE 3

New fund helps Pocono hospitality & restaurant workers in response to new PA restrictions At a press conference December 17, Pocono Mountains United Way introduced its newly established Hospitality & Restaurant Worker Relief Fund. The goal is to financially support hospitality and restaurant employees across the four-county Pocono region who are out of work due to Pennsylvania’s new COVID-19 restrictions, which took effect December 12.

The Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau made a $50,000 kickstart donation toward the fund. United Way and chamber of commerce organizations across all four counties are partners in this initiative.

“For the past ten months, hospitality and restaurant workers have increased their

health and safety protocols while navigating the uncertainty of employment and the stressors of everyday living in a pandemic,” said Michael Tukeva, Pocono Mountains United Way President/CEO. “These individuals continue to show up. They smile while their hearts break. They offer discounts on their most prized dishes just to put bread on their own plates. Now, they need our help more than ever.”

As an offshoot of Pocono Mountains United Way’s Crisis Response Fund, 100% of all donations will be utilized in the form of direct mini-grants to workers. Hospitality and restaurant employees across the Pocono Mountains can apply online for financial assis-

tance. The application requires basic demographic information as well as a 2019 tax return and most recent paystub to determine income eligibility and verify recent employment.

Applications will be approved on a first come first serve basis and mini-grants of $250 will be issued until funds are depleted.

In order to help as many people as possible, online contributions to the Hospitality & Restaurant Worker Relief Fund are greatly appreciated.

Or, donors can mail contributions to Pocono Mountains United Way 301 McConnell Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 and include “Hospitality & Restaurant Worker Relief Fund” in the memo.

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Editorial Shopping small, shopping local is more important than ever

by Ruth Isenberg Christmas has many facets. To Christians, it’s primarily a religious observance. For those more secular, it represents a season of goodwill, a time to celebrate the importance of family and friends. For many small businesses, a good Christmas season can mean a profitable year.

We’re not advocating the commercialization of Christmas, but we do think gift giving within one’s means is a lovely custom — a custom made even better when the gifts are purchased with care from small businesses and local merchants.

Those gifts require thinking about the recipients — and they help preserve the businesses that are the heart of the community, the businesses that donate to local organizations and support local charities.

This year supporting those businesses is more important than ever. Covid-19 shutdowns have made it much more difficult for them to compete against big box stores and on-line merchants — entities the shutdown rules seem to favor.

If you don’t know what to give, we suggest gift certificates to local restaurants and stores. Without community support, some of them may not be in business next year. They won’t be able to provide employment or offer services. Our communities will be poorer as a result.

Shopping small and shopping locally is a triple gift — to those we give to, to the merchants and restaurants we care about, and to our communities and ourselves.

PAGE 4 — THE JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2020–JANUARY 2021

Seth’s Sightings As I write this, I’m recovering from a lot of snow shoveling courtesy of the first BIG snowstorm on this winter season — a Nor’easter that dumped about 15 inches of snow in our front yard. It dumped more in other areas around the Pocono Plateau.

Our area is now a winter wonderland, and a “White Christmas” is guaranteed.

I was taking Ruth to a socially-distanced comedy show on the 12th. Our governor, Tom Wolf, dictated that shows were not to be the afternoon of the 10th — so the vassals that we are, we bowed and shuffled off home.

Well…we did complain. We also went out to support local restaurants, dining-in that Thursday (a planned personal celebration of a milestone), then dining outside on a deck that Saturday. We also have

been buying take-out (except during the snowstorm).

We’re shopping local as much as possible to support local businesses.

I feel strongly there are other good ways to keep us safe other than a restaurant and gatherings lockdown. Restaurants were already being careful, so if the state gave them resources to be safer, why not keep them open and their staffs working through the holidays? The same can be said for gyms, museums and gathering halls in counties where COVID hadn’t filled up the hospitals. As before, we should be color coded — red, yellow and green — so when a county has it bad and is declared “red,” lower the shutdown boom. Otherwise let businesses be. Right now, those of us in areas less infected feel as though we’re getting punished versus rescued.

by Seth Isenberg

As we did in the spring shutdown, we did some extra driving for fun, taking the long way to wherever we’d go to shop. With dogs, something we didn’t have in the spring, so now we’ll stop at an isolated spot to take them for a walk, or find a dog park along our way.

Sightings have been limited. We’ve been hunting for holiday displays. It seems to be a big year for inflatables… some of which are amazing, and others…we sighted inflatable racoons with Santa hats, dachshunds to labs to unidentifiable inflatable dogs and cartoon characters with Santa hats. There’s a giant gingerbread man with a Santa hat. There’s a hot air balloon in the shape of Santa Claus with a reindeer in the basket, the Bumble from the Rudolph cartoon, Santa Claus sitting in an outhouse where the door

opens and closes, Santa in a helicopter with a reindeer as pilot, and so much more.

There are even inflatable Christmas trees. Also of note, we sighted a display with lightup flamingoes wearing Santa hats.

Deer are still riled up from hunters in the woods. We’ve seen fewer bucks.

Over the weekend, as the weather warmed between snowstorms, our yard was full of winter birds — including a pileated woodpecker, cardinals, jays, finches and ones I cannot identify. Maybe they knew about the coming Nor’easter.

Jack Frost Mountain opened first of the local ski areas, followed by Shawnee, Blue Mountain and Camelback. Big Boulder was nearly ready to open at press time. It was nice to see the skiers around — our area can use the boost in business.

In sports, Penn State earned a deserved win versus Michigan State. As a reward for staying healthy, the BIG10 gave the team one more game, versus Illinois, to be played

at State College. It’s likely the final game of PSU’s season — though if they win, some bowl game lacking a second team might come calling. If that bowl game is in a normal state, fans might even be welcome.

Given that lots of PSU fans spent no money on going to games this season, they should have dollars set aside to attend a bowl.

The Eagles finally played their backup quarterback and eked out a win. The Eagles will be a team to watch now to see how the new guy does. The Patriots and Giants hurt their slim hopes for the playoffs with losses, with each staying with their QBs who took their teams down with them.

UConn’s Lady Huskies are finally playing basketball — starting with wins that show off the “puppies”…the freshman team members. It’s a good group, and could be a very good group.

Welcome to the people up in our area for the holidays. Consider staying…We have a great area to live in year ‘round.

Stay safe — shop local.

THE JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2020–JANUARY 2021— PAGE 5

F.M. Kirby Center presenting first virtual ‘Young People’s Theater’ show The F.M. Kirby Center has announced the first show in this season’s all virtual ‘Young People’s Theater Series,’ Santa’s Enchanted Workshop.

The stream is available to homeschoolers, pre school-age children and older children through their school curriculum.

Teachers and parents can visit kirbycenter.org for more information. Questions and access to the stream can be directed to marketing@kirbycenter.org.

“We can’t wait to open our doors again, but in the meantime, finding a way to offer a full Young People’s Theater

Series virtually and free, available for in-school or at-home learning, helps connect the F.M. Kirby Center to our supportive community and our mission,” said artistic director Anne Rodella. “We look forward to presenting more virtual school shows in the new year.”

2020-2021 marks the fifth consecutive season that the F.M. Kirby Center has presented their ‘Young People’s Theater Series’ free of charge.

Over the past four seasons, more than 40,000 schoolaged students have experienced live theatre as a result of this important component

of the venue’s Arts in Education program. This season will be the first time that ‘YPTS’ shows are available to classrooms and homeschoolers virtually.

YPTS virtual programming is thanks to F.M. Kirby Center contributors through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program and to Procter & Gamble.

In Santa’s Enchanted Workshop, Stanley and his baby sister, SuSu, don’t know whether or not to believe in Santa Claus, so they set out for the North Pole. Trapped in a blizzard, they wind up in a dilapidated gas station run by a mysterious old man named Nick. Could this be Santa’s Enchanted Workshop?

Imagination is the key in this joyous holiday musical, which features a singing robot, a dancing rag doll and one of the silliest villains you’ll ever see!

The book, music and lyrics of Santa’s Enchanted Workshop are by Richard Giersch, with additional lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller.

PAGE 6 — THE JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2020–JANUARY 2021

Garden of Giving needs volunteers — even in winter As the Garden of Giving farmland sleeps through the Winter, the pace has slowed, but the need for volunteers hasn’t ceased. The office has a need for desk workers, too. Data entry, bookkeeping and other inside jobs need to be done throughout the year. There are also two board positions which must be filled. This would be a great way for those who like to be indoors to assist The Garden, while keeping hands clean.

The Garden is also seeking three bids on building an extensive senior area complex of 27 raised beds. We hope that area general contractors will contact us with their estimates. A volunteer handyman is also needed to install flooring in the Education Shed.

Outdoors, the chickens are still laying eggs. It’s at a much slower rate, but they still must be collected, cleaned and packed into cartons.

As always, donations are needed to prepare for spring and the 2021 planting projects.

2020 was a very good year, despite the difficulty caused by Covid-19 and the restrictions on volunteer participation.

The garden was productive enough to supply five local pantries each week, with fresh vegetables, fruit and eggs. This allowed over 2,000 families in need to have access to fresh, healthy food; quite an accomplishment.

Big thanks goes out to all the current volunteers who continue to wash eggs for food pantry delivery. On December 11 alone, an impressive 46 dozen cartons were readied for distribution. Coops and chickens still need to be cared for every day, and the need for egg cartons continues; please save your empties for us.

We hope that everyone in our community enjoyed their holidays, and that wll will be blessed with peace and love in 2021.

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THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021— PAGE 7

PMRPD holiday contest encourages kids to help classmates

by Jeanine Hofbauer

confidentiality remains key for those families, the three win‘Tis the season to write with ning writers, third grader good reason as Pocono Moun- Erika Cooper from Agora tain Regional Police ComCyber School, fourth grader mission recognized PMRP Emilio Hernandez from TobyFoundation’s Holiday Writing hanna Elementary Center; and Contest winning students from seventh grader Marving in and around the Pocono Dienhoue Pocono Mountain Mountain School District on West Junior High, will also December 8. Sharing “How get an awesome gift of their the holidays mean more than own — a Pocono Raceway exgifts” with a unique twist on perience next race season. the prize, students in grade Pocono Mountain Regioncategories K-3, 4-6, and 7-8 al Police Chief Chris Wagner presented their points in hopes explained, “As our community’s law enforcement repof winning a $500 holiday shopping spree for a family in resentatives, we look to the holiday season and reflect on need from their school. While

2020 Holiday Writing Contest winners receive congratulations from PMRP Chief Chris Wagner, left, with Marving Dienhoue, Emilio Hernandez, and Erika Cooper. the meaning of holiday spirit.

To make the holidays a little brighter for those who need it most, we’ve again partnered the incredible abilities of our students and the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Foundation. By combining the resources of the Foundation with the thoughts, expressions and writing skills of these students we hope to achieve the spirit of giving and bring smiles to those in need.”

PMRPC activity Mandatory masking at all responses — maintaining social distancing during calls — avoiding non-essential EMS call assists — all are ways

to help curb department cases in PMRP’s COVID Response Plan.

The department’s $8,011,175 budget passed for 2021 with approval by all five member municipalities. Expenses include hiring one additional police officer.

The department will proceed with the purchase of four new fleet vehicles with upfit and Watchguard digital radios.

Each 3.3 liter V6 cruiser with Eco Boost, including upfit, will cost $58,159.20. Chief Wagner explained insurance reimbursement would assist in the purchase.

December’s bill pack totaling $113,568.71 was approved for payment, including

$104,585.37 from the general fund, $8,983.34 from the capital projects fund, and $8,983.34 ESSA December mortgage payment.

Commission members present during included Dave Moyer and Dave Carbone for Tobyhanna Township; Fran DePiano and Crayson Cheung for Tunkhannock Township; John Seese for Barrett Township; by phone, Mayor Michael Penn and Claudette Williams for Mount Pocono; and Lynn Kelly for Coolbaugh Township.

PMRPC’s next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. January 12 at police headquarters on Route 940 in Pocono Summit.

PAGE 8 — THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021

COVID-19 vaccinations hitting Pennsylvania nursing homes Dec. 28 to decompress the hospitals.”

Otherwise, the department said the majority of the outbreaks seen in senior living facilities were “unwittingly” transmitted by “brave, but unfortunately asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic staff.”

Even so, nursing home adopted strict guidelines about testing, quarantining and visitor policies as deaths within the population soared.

Levine said Thursday that shipments of the “more stable” Moderna vaccine that just received FDA approval could speed up its immunization program. Pennsylvania received just under 100,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine earlier this week that was distributed to 83 hospitals – those with the capability to store the

In this November 6, 2015 file photo, an elderly couple walks down a hall of a nursing home in Easton.

by Christen Smith The Center Square (The Center Square) – COVID-19 vaccinations will begin across Pennsylvania’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities on Dec. 28, the Department of Health confirmed Thursday.

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said the state, through partnerships with Walgreens and CVS, will begin vaccinating residents of these facilities after the successful rollout of a massive effort to immunize health care workers launched Monday. How quickly the state cycles through the rest of its plan is uncertain, for now.

“It very much depends upon the production and manufacturing capabilities of pharmaceutical companies and how many vaccinations we get,” Levine said.

Of the residents live scat-

tered among more than 2,000 nursing homes and licensed personal care facilities in Pennsylvania, more than 48,000 have tested positive for COVID-19 and more than 7,800 have died, comprising two-thirds of the state’s total virus-related fatalities. Another 8,400 workers have also become infected, according to the Department of Health.

The virus’s lethality in

nursing homes remains the subject of intense scrutiny after the department advised facilities to readmit recovered COVID-19 patients. Levine said in June that this guidance, handed down from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only applied to a “few” cases that “were sent to rehab facilities that had the full ability to take care of them because we had

product at -70 degrees Celsius – in 66 counties. Philadelphia County anticipates receiving a shipment of 15,000 vaccines for several prioritized hospitals throughout the city.

So far, Levine said, more than 1,200 health care workers have been vaccinated. Phase 1B of the state plan includes other front line workers and residents with high-risk conditions. Phase two expands to other vulnerable populations and phase three targets the general public.

Levine said the state will work with health care providers and pharmacies to get residents immunized. Vaccine clinics will also be available, though she warned enough doses likely won’t be available until spring, at the earliest.

THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021— PAGE 9

Luna awarded state-wide honor Christina Luna, a Spanish immigrant who came to the Poconos and found success as a media star, has been honored by the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Latino Affairs (GACLA) with state-wide recognition for her service to the growing Latino population of Pennsylvania. At a virtual ceremony sponsored from Harrisburg on October 21 at the close of Hispanic Heritage Month, Ms. Luna’s ceaseless advocacy was celebrated for how it has transformed the image of the Latino community in the Poconos. She received GACLA’s first ever Communications Award in recognition of her dedication to delivering critical information to the Spanish speaking community, especially during the pandemic.

Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodríguez, GACLA Commissioner for the Poconos, was instrumental in alerting the rest of Pennsylvania to the quality of Latino leadership in this part of Northeast Pennsylvania.

Among her membership in various civic service organi-

zations in the Poconos, Bonilla-Rodríguez has a highly visible role on the Community Board of FLECHA (Federation of Latinos about the Cultures of Hispanic America). Commenting about her advocacy for this award to Christina Luna, Dr. Bonilla-Rodríguez said: “Christina represents the energy and optimism that characterizes much of the Latino community here in the Poconos. I think the rest of the state is catching on.”

In her typical “people-first” fashion, Ms. Luna declined to give the type of acceptance speech delivered by other honorees at the ceremony. She graciously invited Martha Liliana Gomez, a local Columbian singer and composer to perform a musical tribute to Latin American culture. Christina’s closing words praised the people of the Poconos for opening their hearts and offering her the stories she celebrated in the media.

Although her media career started in Spain and grew after she arrived in New York, Ms. Luna confesses her greatest satisfaction has been as creator of a vibrant Latino presence in the Poconos.

She began with a radio show while still a graduate student

at East Stroudsburg University and entered commercial radio with her own shows on Pocono 96.7 and WSBG 93.5. Currently, she can be seen and heard at her posting of Café with Christina. Her most recent successes have been in cooperation with the Pocono Mountains’ Visitors’ Bureau that has partnered with FLECHA and GACLA in promoting the growing Latino presence here.

FLECHA has been honored with a citation from Governor Wolf on the occasion of inaugurating an archive for the history of Latinos and Latinas in the Poconos, now officially part of the Monroe County Historical Association collections held at the Stroud Mansion on Main Street.

Presently, as Chairperson of the FLECHA Community Board, Ms. Luna is helping organize a pandemic safe gift-giving event for January 9 in honor of the traditional Feast of the Three Kings, or Los Reyes Magos in 2021.

This is the second state-wide recognition of the Poconos Hispanic community, following a Lifetime Achievement Award delivered by Governor Wolf last year to Prof. Anthony M. Stevens-Arroyo, also a FLECHA Board member.

Sign up for watershed stewardship training The Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward program is now accepting applications for the Spring 2021 training program.

Join us virtually Wednesday, January 6, or Wednesday, January 13. at 6:30 p.m. for information about the Monroe County program and to learn more about how you can partake in this exciting opportunity.

The program provides extensive coursework in water and natural resources with ongoing volunteer and educational opportunities that allow participants to make a difference in their communities. We are seeking individuals who enjoy learning, have the desire and time to volunteer and appreciate working with others.

This spring’s training will be held virtually via Zoom

on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. starting March 3 and running through June 2.

Optional in-person field trips will be scheduled locally with Covid-19 safety measures in place.

In addition to 40 hours of classroom instruction, candidates must agree to contribute 50 hours of volunteer service their first year, followed by 20 hours per year thereafter.

Activities include organizing educational events, designing demonstration rain gardens, organizing stream cleanups, planting riparian forest buffers, monitoring streams and more.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the program, please contact Jim Vogt at (570) 421-6430 or jav45@ psu.edu.

PAGE 10 — THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021

From the Statehouse

Family caregivers reminded about state resources available to them during pandemic

by State Rep. Jack Rader The Pennsylvania Departments of Aging (PDA) and Human Services (DHS) are reminding residents who serve as caregivers for either a family member or a close friend that there are resources available to help them as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise.

PDA oversees the Caregiver Support Program, which helps to ease the stresses of caregiving. All of these resources can

be found at www.aging.pa.gov.

Improving and increasing support for caregivers in Pennsylvania is one of PDA’s objectives in its State Plan on Aging, which went into effect on October 1.

In September, the PDA and DHS jointly announced the launching of www.Kin Connector.org, a resource designed to help kinship care families connect to services and supports that can help children and their caregivers. KinConnector also runs a

helpline that can be reached by calling 1-866-546-2111.

Earlier this year, DHS launched the statewide Support and Referral Helpline — a free resource staffed by skilled and compassionate caseworkers available to counsel residents struggling with anxiety and other challenging emotions. Caseworkers can help counsel and refer callers to community-based resources to provide further assistance to meet individual needs. The helpline can be reached by

calling 1-855-284-2494. For TTY, dial 724-631-5600.

Pennsylvania residents can also apply for programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),

Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and other public assistance programs online at www.compass.state.pa.us.

UNITED WITH YOU

Madden: Over $450K awarded to Monroe County in crime and delinquency grants State Rep. Maureen Madden has been instrumental in securing over $450K in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.

“I’m thrilled these programs have received grants because they serve some of the most vulnerable populations in our community,” Madden said.

The grants are as follows: • $331,617 to the Monroe County Commissioners to support the responsibilities assigned to the Prosecution and Juvenile Probation. The funding is provided through the Rights and Services Act and Victims of Juvenile Offenders grant programs.

• $78,258 for adult probation services.

• $46,996 for the Monroe Women’s Resources Center. The Children’s Advocacy

Center of Monroe County had requested the funding to provide services to the child victims and their non-offending caregivers in their community, promote community awareness on issues related to child abuse, assist multidisciplinary investigative team members with training on

issues in the field, and facilitate efficient and meaningful case review while continuing to move towards National Children’s Alliance accreditation. Funds will be used to partially support the salaries of the executive director and intake specialist/administrative support position.

New local AA meetings at Weslyan Church Pocono Lake Wesleyan Church, located at 203 Spur Road in Pocono Lake, PA is serving as a host site for three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings each week. These groups are meeting at 6:00 PM Monday nights in the church’s Cuppa Cafe, Wednesday Nights at 6:00 PM in the church’s

Children’s Ministry area, and on Fridays at 6:00 PM in the churches Cuppa Cafe. The meetings are open to anyone who is seeking encouragement and help with their desire to stay sober. Enter through the single door at the front of the church and look for arrows pointing the way.

Pennsylvania newspapers stand united with healthcare workers and urge readers to take smart steps this holiday season. As we yearn to get together with family and friends, small gatherings are contributing to the rise in COVID-19 cases.

This year, please do not travel and limit your gathering to your household.

ONLY YOU CAN STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 Together our actions can help prevent more illness and hospitalization and show support of our dedicated health care workers. Please help us protect our families, neighbors and communities, by doing your part.

The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Medical Society LeadingAge PA

Pennsylvania Health Care Association Pennsylvania Home Care Association Pennsylvania State Nurses Association

PENNSYLVANIA NEWSPAPERS COVERING THE ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST

THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021— PAGE 11

Woods and water conservation: Price Township man makes a gift to the future

by Carol Hillstad

With his chocolate lab, Annie, gallivanting in the lead, Bart Bartolacci is showing me around his 40-acre private preserve along Stony Run in Price Township.

He’s already explained the backstory. It was the dearest wish of his wife, Vivian, to keep this land protected.

She loved fly fishing here and at a nearby fishing club, and wanted to be sure this wild woodland would never become lawns and McMansions. Together, she and Bart made plans with a land trust to conserve the land permanently.

But conservation easements take time; fate intervened, and Vivian didn’t live quite long enough to see her wish fulfilled.

“She knew it was in the works. That gave her peace,” Bart says.

The woods are managed mostly by nature. Most

storm-toppled trees lie where they fall, eventually becoming “nurse logs” that host lichens, ferns, saplings, and countless small creatures. Dry, brown curlicues are all that’s left of summer’s hay-scented fern, and wintergreen grows in the leaf litter beneath red stems of blueberries.

A long stretch of crystalclear Stony Run meanders in and out of view. Its many braided strands come together as the water runs downstream into Brodhead Creek. From a wetland high on the Pocono Plateau, through this preserved land, it makes its way to the Delaware River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Nature is in charge here, but humans have left traces, too.

Old stone walls mark boundary lines, and Bart points out a less common marker: a white oak, intentionally bent as a sapling, now grown into a conspicuous, L-shaped sentinel tree, about 130 years old — its purpose a mystery.

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We circle around the perimeter, which abuts another 400acre property that has also been protected by a land trust.

In fact, several landowners in the area have conserved their property with conservation easements.

“Every conservation easement is different,” commented Louise Troutman, director of Pocono Heritage Land Trust, a local non-profit. “Some owners want to carve out an area in case children, grandchildren or a future owner wants to build a home one day. Others want to ensure there will be no future development at all.”

Each easement is tailored to the property and the property owner’s wishes.

What conservation easements have in common is protecting land permanently.

“You still own the land — you can sell it, for instance, or bequeath it to anyone you choose. The restrictions on development become part of the deed, so you, your heirs, or any other future owner will be bound by them,” Troutman says. As holder of the easement, part of a land trust’s job is to monitor the property and

ensure it is protected “basically forever,” she adds.

Benefits to All The land remains private, but we all benefit when someone conserves land.

Natural forest land keeps drinking water from creeks and private wells safe and pure. It protects against floods and erosion. Neighboring property values tend to increase. Beautiful views remain undisturbed. Air quality stays high. Wildlife thrives on pure water, natural habitat, and room to roam.

We’re nearly back to where we started when Bart stops at an upright, head-high boulder.

“When her illness got hard to bear,” Bart said, “this is where Vivian would come, to rest against this rock in the stillness.”

It’s good to know that thanks to two special people, this land will support healthy forest and pristine waters, as far as the future flows.

ABOUT EASEMENTS A conservation easement is a tool for conserving land. In

our area, conserved land protects water quality and quantity, views, working farmland, forestland, and other public interests.

In fact, thousands of acres of farms, forests, scenic hillsides, historic landscapes, and town green spaces have been conserved with conservation easements. An easement is created by mutual agreement between a landowner and a private land trust. With conservation goals in mind, the easement limits certain uses of the land, while keeping the land in the owner’s control. Owners continue to use the land as they wish, within the constraints they agree on when establishing the easement.

Conservation easements don’t include public access unless the owner establishes that in the agreement. Conservation easements are designed to be perpetual. They become part of the deed to the land, and future owners will be bound by the terms.

The property in this story is protected by Natural Lands Trust. For information, see natlands.org or call 610353-5587.

Pocono Heritage Land Trust was founded 35 years ago to protect environmentally important lands. Today, it protects more than 4,400 acres.

For information, see phlt. org or call 570-424-1514.

BWA was founded in 1989 to protect water from activities that degrade water quality and quantity. The best, cheapest and most effective way to keep drinking water safe and plentiful is to protect the woodlands our creeks and streams depend on.

PAGE 12 — THE JOURNAL, DECEMBER 2020–JANUARY 2021

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PAGE 14 — THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021

Police Beat About 7:08 p.m. on 12-17, Pocono Mountain Regional Police were dispatched to report of a shooting of a man at a home in the 7400 block of Ventnor Drive, A Pocono Country Place, Coolbaugh Township. Police had been at the home before for a domestic dispute. When officers arrived, they found a man there with a gunshot wound to his chest.

Investigation revealed that the victim and Zasha Sanchez, 32, had been arguing, when she brought out a handgun and shot him. There were children nearby at the time.

Police arrested Sanchez without incident and brought her to the Monroe County jail, to be held without bail on a charge of criminal homicide (attempt), along with charges of simple and aggravated assault, reckless endangering and endangering the welfare of a child. The victim was taken to Lehigh Valley Medical Center - Pocono in stable condition. In Pennsylvania, attempted homicide is charged under PA. 18 2501 (a) Criminal Homicide. She was arraigned via video before District Judge Travagline, and will have a preliminary hearing before Judge Travagline on the 23rd.

12-11, a 27 y/o Stroudsburg area man was arrested after an argument over rent money at an apartment in Tunkhannock Township led to the 27 y/o pulling a knife and stabbing the 24 y/o man he was arguing with, twice. PA State Police-Fern Ridge asked District Judge Claypool to issue a warrant for Matthew Valot on the charge of assault.

12-6, a 51 y/o Sierra View, Effort Mountain, Blakeslee man shot himself in the basement of the home he shared

by Seth Isenberg

with his girlfriend. An autopsy was scheduled, PSP-F. A Brodheadsville business was ticketed for having eight false alarms at their location within the past year.

Crashes included the first set from this year’s snows.

Stealin’ PSP stopped an eastbound car that was traveling at 103 miles per hour on Interstate 80 through Kidder Twp. just after 10 p.m. on 11-28. The couple in the car, Desean and Diamond Carmichael, 27 and 26, of Akron, Ohio, gave consent to search the car. Police found a credit card printing machine and fraudulent credit cards. They were arrested and taken to the Carbon County jail to face fraud and theft charges, and the ’19 Toyota was towed.

An Albrightsville, Penn Forest Twp. woman reported to police there were unauthorized cell phone accounts on her credit, 12-7.

A Pawnee Dr., Penn Forest Twp. woman reported that a 34 y/o man, a relative also from Albrightsville, had taken her ’09 Honda CRV, 12-10, PSP. About 1:30 p.m. on 12/14, an Effort homeowner saw an Albrightsville man break into his house – watching on a security camera from his home in Brooklyn. He called 911,

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reporting there was a man in his kitchen who had broken in. PSP-F responded. Via the security system, the victim told the burglar to leave the house — and he ran. Police arrived to find a car at the home, running, but no burglar. Police were able to identify the man from the video, and an arrest warrant was issued. PSPLehighton located the 39 y/o Albrightsville man the next day, arrested him, and took him to the Monroe County jail.

The Pocono Plateau is not HIGH enough for some A 40 y/o Allentown-area man was stopped by PSP-F and found to be both drugged and drunk behind the wheel

after a stop on Route 534 in Penn Forest Twp. He refused chemical testing. He was released, and charges of DUI will be filed before District Judge Homanko, 12-7. This was the start of a busy night for PSP-F, who made three more DUI arrests later that night.

PennDOT notes The traffic signal at the end of Route 903 where it meets Route 115 in Fern Ridge, Tunkhannock Township, is finally installed and operating. Be cautious around this intersection as motorists learn about the light. Once drivers

are familiar with it, the intersection should be much safer.

Traffic had been backing up at the intersection without the light. There’s now an orderly movement of vehicles.

Next on Route 903 will be a new traffic signal at Old Stage Road in Penn Forest.

Weather permitting, PennDOT crews will be patching potholes on various roads in Monroe and Carbon Counties.

Also, there will be a bridge inspection crew on Interstate 80 looking over bridges from Carbon County east to East Stroudsburg just prior to Christmas, then to the state line.

Deadline for the next edition is January 5.

Happy New Year to our readers!

Puzzle Answers FINANCING AVAILABLE

THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021— PAGE 15

Obituaries

WILLIAM J. MOORE William J. Moore, 66, of Victory, 27 Cherry Lane Road, Tobyhanna, died Monday, De- Tannersville. The Reverend cember 14, 2020 at St. Luke’s Father Gregory Loughney will Hospital - Monroe in Bartons- celebrate a Mass of Christian ville. In addition to his wife, Burial at 11 a.m. at the church.

Carol (Helle) Moore, he is sur- Burial will follow at St. Cathervived by his children, Matthew ine’s Cemetery, Moscow. and Julia; and three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, memoriThere will be a viewing al donations may be made to from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday, Most Holy Trinity Parish, 236 December 21, at Our Lady of Route 390, Cresco, PA 18326.

HARRY D. RIDER Harry was selected by the Harry D. Rider, Jr, 86, Secretary of the Army to conpassed away peacefully on tinue his service beyond 30 December 17, 2020 at Allied years and was instrumental Services Hospice Center in in forming a program to train Scranton. and place an Army Warrant Born on July 13, 1934 in Officer in every SF “A” Team.

Delaware Water Gap, he was The Army continued to honor a son of the late Harry D. and him after retirement by apCatharine (Hulitt) Rider. pointing him the 1st Honorary Harry had been a resident Warrant Officer of the A.G. of the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center since 2018 and prior to Corps for three years and also as the Honorary Warrant Ofthat had resided in TobyhanMICHAEL F. BAKER ficer of S.F., a position he held na.

Michael was an avid skateMichael F. Baker, 27, of for 15 years.

He graduated from Barrett Tobyhanna, died unexpectedly boarder and snowboarder, He is survived by his Consolidated High School and you would often find him from an accidental overdose daughter, Sandra Rider and at the age of 16 and enlisted spending the winter months at in the United States Army at on Wednesday, December 9, Jeff of Manassas, Virginia; Big Boulder Mountain in Lake the age of 19 where he spent 2020. son, Bradley Rider and his Born in Livingston, New Jer- Harmony. wife, Cindi of Tobyhanna; 33 years. Harry was a proud In addition to his mother, he veteran of the Army Special sey, Michael was the youngest daughter-in-law, Kristin son of Sharon A. (Duva) Baker is survived by brother Charles Forces and retired as a CWO4. Rider of Tannersville; grandS. Baker II and his wife, of Tobyhanna, and the late He served in Korea, 173rd Air- children Harry D. Rider V, Patricia of Tobyhanna; niece Charles “Steve” Baker Sr. Briana B. Rider, Paul W. borne unit in Vietnam, 508th and nephews Riley, Charlie, Michael was a Pocono Infantry Regiment in Panama, Rider, Anthony Pulli and and Ryan.

Mountain West High School and several other duty stations Brent Pulli, and Gage Haas; The Reverend Father Sean graduate. He worked for Dog great-grandchildren Jamisen with the 6th, 7th, and 10th Carpenter conducted a blessGoods USA in Tobyhanna.

Rider and Carson Rider; Special Forces. ing service December 13 at His military decorations in- sisters, Effie Vranka, Bonnie Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 clude the Legion of Merit with Rine; brother, James Rider Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, as well as many nieces and In lieu of flowers, memorial Bronze Star with Valor and nephews. He was preceded in donations may be made to his three Oak Leaf Clusters, Merdeath by his wife of 59 years, family through the Go Fund Shirley (Keiper) Rider; sons itorious Service Medal with Me account already set up with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Harry D. Rider IV, and Brian deepest gratitude, by visiting K. Rider; granddaughter Master Parachutist Badge, gofundme.com/f/please-help- Vietnamese and German Para- Megan A. Rider; and sisters the-family-of-mike-baker. chutists’ Badge, along with the Carletta Rider and Kathleen Private cremation has been Special Forces Tab, and many Buckley. entrusted to Bolock Funeral There will be a viewing from other campaign and service Home Crematory.

12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Demedals. cember 20, at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. Reverend John Keretzman will conduct a prayer service at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment with Military Honors will follow at Keoke Chapel Cemetery, Cresco.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Special Forces Charitable Trust, P.O. Box 53, Essex, CT 06426 or by visiting info@special forceschartiabletrust.org.

NICHOLAS R. RAYMOND Nicholas R. Raymond, age 51 of Chestnuthill Township, Blakeslee, passed away Sunday, December 6, 2020 in Effort.

Nicholas was born in Philadelphia on April 28, 1969, the son of Nicholas V. Raymond of Effort and Marcy (Atkinson) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

He served our country with dedication and courage in the United States Marines.

Nicholas had worked as a machinist all his life, most recently at the Crayola Factory in Easton. He had also worked at Arlington Industries in Scranton.

We remember the beauty of the way Nicholas touched all our lives. He will be deeply missed by his father, Nicholas, of Effort; his mother, Marcy Atkinson of New Smyrna Beach, FL; his daughter, Kourtney Raymond of Naples, FL; his granddaughter, Madison Isernia of Thornhurst;his siblings, Mark Raymond and his wife Donna Marie Whitman of Kunkletown, Marcy Raymond of Effort, and Christa Moore-Raymond and her husband Gary of Kunkletown.

Nicholas was preceded in death by a daughter, Brittany Raymond.

Interment will be private and at the convenience of the family.

PAGE 16 — THE JOURNAL OF THE POCONO PLATEAU, DECEMBER 18, 2020–JANUARY 7, 2021

Coolbaugh creates litter corridor plan

by Jeanine Hofbauer

shade trees, plus maintenance protocols will aid in improving parking area aesthetics.

Supervisors took a stand on Enforcement officer Tomas December 15 making litter corridor plans intended to detour Keane’s code report revealed over 1,030 court filings from sewer debris culprits out of Coolbaugh enforcement.

Township. The evening’s public Current bills totaling hearing had solicitor Patrick $90,389.62 were approved for Armstrong giving details about payment. ordinance additions listing varAttending the meeting were ious roads where perpetrators supervisors Bill Weimer, will face doubled fines. From Anthony Lamantia, Lynn Laurel Drive and Echo Lake, to Green, Industrial Park Drive and Kelly, and Claire Colgan; Atty. beyond, the action later approved Armstrong; business manager is intended to fight illegal dump- Meredith Thompson; controller Darren Dixon; and secretary Erin ing’s negative effects.

Subdivision and Land Develop- Masker.

Coolbaugh’s reorganization ment requirements were added meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Januto township ordinances. An extensive list of approved plantings ary 4. See Coolbaughtwp.org for info on attending. such as evergreen and canopy

Obituary

MARLENE VERA FISHER Institute of Education.

Marlene Vera Fisher, 84, of PoShe is survived by a son, cono Lake, died Sunday, December Willis Raymond Fisher Jr. and 13, 2020 at Lehigh Valley Hospihis wife, Laura McMillan of Costa tal - Pocono in East Stroudsburg.

Mesa, California; daughters, Jill She was the loving wife of the late Jenkins and her husband, Brian Willis Raymond Fisher Sr., who of Uniondale, Sherry Genest of passed away in 1999.

Born in Shades Creek, she was Woonsocket, Rhode Island, and Holly Clapper and her husband, a daughter of the late Lloyd and Reginald of Stroudsburg; brothHilda (Altemose) Blakeslee.

Marlene attended Buck Town- ers Harvey Blakeslee of York, and Eugene Blakeslee and his wife, ship Shades Creek School until Barbara of Berwick; sisters the 8th grade and graduated from Tobyhanna Township High Loretta Willmann of Scranton, and Nancy Blakeslee of Rome.

School in 1954. She and Willis In addition to her husband, married in 1955 and lived in Key Marlene was preceded in death West, Florida, where Willis was by her daughter, Kimberly stationed while serving in the Shirley Fisher, who passed away United States Navy. After his in 1959, and Marlene’s brother, honorable discharge from the Earl Blakeslee, who passed away Navy they moved back to the in 1934.

Poconos and built their home in Services were held December Pocono Lake.

18 at Bolock Funeral Home, 6148 During Marlene’s working Paradise Valley Road, Cresco. career, she was a seamstress Burial followed at Blakeslee for various factories in the area.

United Methodist Church She later obtained a diploma in Cemetery. accounting from the Northeast