LAKE NEWS
31, NO. 2
Lake News
February 2025
©2025, Lake News. All rights reserved. A CANWIN publication
Ruth Isenberg, Editor Seth Isenberg, Ads / Distribution Publishers
(Continuing the work of founders Frank Pieri and Mary Farnschlader, 1995 – 2018) Lake News is published monthly for the enjoyment of Lake Harmony area residents and visitors. Copies are free and are mailed to Lake Harmony box holders. Find additional copies at The Country Peddler and at selected area businesses.
Subscriptions are also available, for $15 as a PDF via e-mail. Mail your check to CANWIN at 211 Main St., White Haven PA 18661.
E-mail us at lakenewslakeharmony@gmail.com
Call us at 570-215-0204, Seth x1 and Ruth x2
To submit an article or photo, use the above e-mail, or give us a call. Articles may be accepted or rejected. If accepted, they will be edited. Submitted items can be returned by arrangement. Articles appearing in Lake News may not be reprinted without permission of Lake News or CANWIN newspapers. Mailing address is 211 Main St., White Haven PA 18661.
LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION
Kidder Township Office 570 722-0107
Kidder Township Police
(non-emergency #) 570 722-0192
Lake Harmony Vol. Fire Co. (non-emergency #) 570 722-8138
Lake Harmony Rescue Squad (non-emergency #) 570 722-1782
For emergencies, call 911. If you do not live in an area served by 911, call 570 325-9111.
KIDDER TOWNSHIP MEETINGS
Kidder Township Supervisor meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at the township building, and unless otherwise noted, begin at 6:00 PM. Notices of special meetings are posted at the township building and advertised. Planning meetings are held the 1st Wednesday at 6 PM; Zoning meetings, the last Monday at 6 PM; EAC, the second Wednesday at 7 PM. The public is welcome.
This Month’s Cover
Actually, this is not the cover shot. This is another version that we didn’t use because it was horizontal instead of vertical. Mark and Kathy Saxon submitted photos of their driveway after the first snowfall back in November or December. They are still appropriate in February, though signs of spring should appear soon. Send your photos to lakenewslakeharmony@gmail.com
Entertainment Around Lake Harmony
At Shenanigans
Events at shenaniganslh.com
Karaoke, DJs and Dancing in Boomers Night Club
Fri. & Sat. 9 p.m. -1 a.m.
Feb. 15 CC Music, 5-9 p.m.
Feb. 16 Ric Toole Band, 9 p.m.
Feb. 22 Who Knows Band, 5-9 p.m.
March 1 Who Knows Band, 5-9 p.m.
March 8 Bayou Risin, 5-9 p.m.
March 15 Mystery City- St Patty’s Day Celebration, 4-8 p.m.
March 22 Fuzzy Park Band, 5-9 p.m.
At Boulder View Tavern
(All 6-9 p.m. except as noted)
Feb. 14 Andrew Moses
Feb. 15 Timmy Fitz & Mark
Feb. 20 Erin McClelland
Feb. 21 The Frost Duo
Feb. 22 Sol Katana
Feb. 27 Ashley Marquez
Feb. 28 The Two Taboo
March 1 Erin McClellan
March 6 Erin McClellan
March 7 Andrew Tirado
March 8 Brian Roder Solo
Peterson Family Skiers
by Mark Peterson
Recently, while cleaning out some dresser drawers, I came across a newspaper clipping of an article by Steve Gillespie, a sports staff writer for the Times News, published on Thursday, March 24, 1988. The article, titled The Petersons Area Family Loves Its Skiing, was an interesting snapshot of our family at that time.
The article begins: “The children of Fran and Nancy Peterson of Lake Harmony are no strangers to the word ‘competition’, especially when it comes to skiing. This includes all forms of the sport.” It continues: “Twenty-six-year-old Eric Peterson enjoys telemark skiing, which is the oldest form of the sport.” Gillespie goes on to describe the telemark skiing method, noting that enthusiasts of the sport are called “pinheads” because of the three pins that attach the boot to the ski.
A highlight of the article reads: “On February 27, Eric captured the first-place trophy at the Second Annual Pinhead Classic held at Big Boulder with the fastest overall time of 41.54 in the giant slalom. Making the win even more special was the fact that it was his birthday.”
See PETERSON SKIERS, page 8
Peterson Skiers
Continued from page 6
I enjoyed finding a newspaper article that described what our family was like almost 40 years ago. At the time, I was living in New York City, and three of my sisters were doing other things besides skiing. Julie was raising two young children in
Maine (she now has five adult children and two grandkids), Mary was living in State College,
See PETERSON SKIERS, page 10
Peterson Skiers
Continued from page 8
and Beth was a full-time student at Penn State Hazleton.
Gillespie mentions how Nina, the youngest of eight Peterson children, had won numerous medals while still a sophomore in high school. She, along with fellow ski team members Doug Howard and Tom Brisbane, placed at a race sponsored by Dr. Pepper at Camelback. In that competition, Nina even beat a girl who was an alternate for the Junior Olympics team. Scott is recognized for his talent in freestyle skiing, particularly moguls, while John is noted for competing in both telemark and freestyle races, including placing third in a telemark race at Big Boulder two years earlier.
Our mother is quoted in the article, reminiscing about how she used to ski before she met our father but saying she “doesn’t have time anymore.” As for our father, he never skied except for one memorable attempt when Eric tried to give him a lesson, which apparently did not go well.
The article concludes with our parents recalling how, as kids, we would always be late for the school bus because we never got our socks and shoes on until the last minute. But Saturdays and
Sundays, when the snow was fresh, they never had to worry about getting us up.
Getting kids up to go skiing shouldn’t be a hassle neither should renting skis for the day. You can get quality rental equipment at Peterson’s Ski and Cycle in Blakeslee, where you will get the personal attention that you won’t find anywhere else. Stop in and wish Eric a happy birthday help him celebrate for the entire month of February. While you’re there, you can pick up souvenirs, clothing, blankets, toys and more. Or you can visit PSC online at www.petersonsskiandcycle.com We hope to “ski” you soon!
Nominations now open for MCT’s 2025 Community Hero Volunteer Awards
Mauch Chunk Trust Company’s Community Heroes awards program honors four individuals each year from Carbon County or the Tamaqua area who have displayed outstanding service to their community, as selected by a volunteer committee. Do you know someone who devotes an extraordinary amount of volunteer time to a
non-profit or a charitable organization? Please share the story of their generosity with the rest of the community by nominating them before the deadline of March 31, 2025. Nomination criteria, program details, past heroes, and the link to the online nomination form are located at www.mct.bank/heroes.
The selected heroes will be announced at MCT’s Community Appreciation Day on Friday, May 23, at main office in Jim Thorpe. A formal award celebration will take place later in June for the newly selected Community Heroes, their families, friends and past Heroes. The selected heroes will receive an award from MCT, citations from both their State Representative and State Senators and a $200 donation to the organization/charity of their choice.
Entertainment Around Lake Harmony
At Boulder View Tavern
(All 6-9 p.m. except as noted)
March 13 Hannah Noel
March 14 Sol Katana
March 15 John Simoson
March 20 Erin McClellan
March 21 Bobby Ventura Duo
March 22 Gracie Jane
March 27 Tim Harakal
March 28 Zac Lawless
March 29 Timmy Fitz and Mark For more dates, www.boulderviewtavern.com/ events
The Pub @ the hub
Music Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.
Feb. 15 Nina Peterson
Feb. 16 John Simoson
Feb. 21 Hannah Noel
Feb. 22 Tim Fitzpatrick
Feb. 28 Sol Katana
March 1 Friends of Roger
March 7 Chris Zelenka
March 8 Justin Skylar
March 14 Hannah Noel
March 15 Nina Peterson
March 21 Hannah Noel
March 22 Zac Lawless
March 28 Hannah Noel
March 29 Zac Lawless
At Holy Ghost Distillery & Tasting House on Route 940 Tours, tasting experiences
Feb. 14 & 15 Bourbon and Chocolate Pairing with Janice “McNamee” Sepcoski, 11:30 a.m.
Feb. 14, 15 & 16 Cocktails for 2… For Friends, Lovers and others! 1 p.m.
Feb. 22 Bourbon and Smoked Cheeses
Pairing with Janice “McNamee” Sepcoski, 11 a.m.
Feb. 22 Bourbon and Smoked Cheeses
Pairing with Janice “McNamee” Sepcoski, 11 a.m.
March 15 Bourbon and Smoked/Savoury Cheeses, 11:30 a.m.
March 15 Irish Coffee to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, starts 1 p.m. and continues all week
Reservations needed for all events. More info, www.holyghostdistillery.com
At Mauch Chunk Opera House
mcohjt.com
Feb. 14 33 1/3 LIVE’s Killer Queen
Experience
Feb. 15 The ELO Tribute Show
Feb. 21 Neighbor
Feb. 22 Savoy Truffle - the Music of George Harrison
Entertainment Around Lake Harmony
At Mauch Chunk Opera House mcohjt.com
Feb. 28 The Stranger - Tribute to Billy Joel
March 1 The Linda Ronstadt Experience
March 7 Splintered Sunlight
March 8 Kilmaine Saints
March 14 Chest Fever - the Official Revival of the Band
March 15 Tartan Terrors
March 21 The Smiths Tribute NYC
March 22 Dancin Machine - The Ultimate 70s Disco Tribute
March 27 Selwyn Birchwood
March 28 The McCartney Years
March 29 Classic Stones Live
At Pennspeak.com
Doors open at 7, shows at 8 unless noted
Feb. 14 Atmosphere - Imagine the Fun Tour
Feb. 15 Sugar Mountain - Celebrating the Genius of Neil Young
At MoheganSunArenaPA.com Wilkes-Barre Penguins Ice Hockey
Feb. 20 Jeff Dunham
Feb. 23 Harlem Globetrotters
Feb. 27-March 1 PIAA District II High School Basketball Championships
March 11—Dropkick Murphys St. Patrick’s Day Tour
March 28-30—Monster Jam
Lake Harmony Watershed Preservation Group.... uniting
The goal of the Lake Harmony Watershed Preservation Group (LHWPG) is to maintain and improve the integrity of the Lake Harmony Watershed. We are a non-profit corporation supported by charitable donations. Your donations are used for the scientific, educational, research and preservation initiatives required to assure the Lake Harmony Watershed and its surrounding community will survive.
Striving to unite our homeowners, businesses, vacationers, renters, guests and our many visitors, together we can find the best solutions for preserving the Lake Harmony Watershed integrity, now and for future generations.
As residents and property owners we are confident you know that Lake Harmony is a
See LHWPG, page 18
unique environment combining natural beauty and amenities for community enjoyment. Let’s preserve this natural treasure together.
Why Do We Need Healthy Watersheds?
Earth is covered in 70% water. And 40-50% of our nation’s waters are impaired or threatened. “Impaired” means that the water body does not support one or more of its intended uses. This could mean that the water is not suitable to drink, swim in or to consume the fish caught there.
The leading causes of pollution in our waterways are sediments, bacteria and excess nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorous). Although “nutrients” potentially belong in a healthy environment, they can cause big problems in a poorly managed watershed. Sediment can suffocate fish by clogging their gills and the presence of bacteria alone can indicate that other viruses and germs can be found in the water as well. Erosion, runoff of animal (or human) waste and overflowing of combined sewers are just a few of these pollutants reaching our waters. Watersheds
LHWPG
Continued from page 18
fiber, manufactured goods and tourism depend on clean, healthy watersheds (US Environmental Protection Agency). Protecting a lake, river, or stream by managing the entire watershed that drains into it is critical. Clean, healthy watersheds depend on informed public to make the right decisions and to take the right actions for the environment and the community.
The Lake Harmony Watershed
“Lake Harmony is a natural glacial lake which has a very low watershed to lake basin ratio, with no significant streams contributing flow. The hydrology of the lake is supported primarily by rainfall runoff and springs within the lake bed. As such the flushing rate is very low; or conversely, the hydraulic retention time is very high. Therefore, materials which enter the lake and settle to the bottom, and particularly the nutrients, commonly may increase in concentration within the water column and support excessive growth of algae and aquatic plants.
“The primary source of the sediments is from
uncontrolled stormwater within the lake’s watershed, and particularly from dirt and gravel roads in areas with no or insufficient stormwater management controls.
“Steep slopes on both sides of the lake have been developed with homes, lawns, and roadways, with little or no consideration for stormwater runoff which goes directly into the lake, carrying land-based pollutants such as roadway materials, eroded soils, organic matter, lawn fertilizers, pesticides, animal waste, and other materials.
“Preventing erosion and sedimentation through proper stormwater management within the Lake Harmony watershed is critical to protecting the lake from these impacts, including deteriorated water quality, excessive algae and plant growth, and high turbidity from wind.” (Hanover Engineering Associates, Inc., November 2015 page 3).
Let’s all focus together on the the Lake Harmony Watershed now and into the future. Peruse the LHWPG website and learn more about the history and methods for maintaining Lake Harmony, review the current engineering reports, consider the various ongoing projects and how you can contribute, attend our annual meeting, and provide your feedback on our website, lhwpg.org
New meeting dates for Kidder supervisors
by Ruth Isenberg
At their annual reorganization meeting on January 6, the Kidder Township supervisors set their meeting dates for the year as the fourth Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, January 28, they changed that decision, voting unanimously to hold meetings on the fourth Thursday of the month, starting at 6 p.m. Supervisor Bruce Berger had suggested the alternate time at the reorganization, but supervisors had to check to see if solicitor Robert Yurchak had a conflict on the fourth Thursday; he does not.
In other business, supervisors voted to put the old Code Enforcement vehicle out for bids.
The ordinance creating a Volunteer Service credit/stipend was approved; the resolution that would have set forth the qualifications was tabled for fine-tuning.
Supervisors also approved an ordinance that will increase supervisors’ compensation, but only for those who are elected after this year; sitting supervisors are not affected.
Bids were received by the Carbon County Tax Claim Bureau on 10 properties, which will be returned to the tax rolls.
Final minor subdivision/lot joiner plan was approved for Todd & Jennifer Newton.
Timbering ordinance to be advertised
by Ruth Isenberg
Forests are important features of the Lake Harmony/Kidder Township landscape. At the January 28 meeting, supervisors voted to advertise an ordinance regulating timbering within the township, and encouraging good forestry practices.
The regulations apply to commercial operations and harvesting areas of over 5 acres, not individual trees on private property. The goal is to preserve and properly manage forested open space areas.
Any property owner wishing to harvest timber from a forested area of more than 5 acres must prepare and submit a plan in writing to the township Code Enforcement Officer at least 60 days ahead of the operation, and another 20 days before completion. The CEO is given inspection rights, and going ahead without approval can result in having the operation suspended and fines of at least $100 per day but not more than $600 per day imposed.
The supervisors will vote on the proposal at the February 27 meeting.
Change of use OKed
by Ruth Isenberg
The Zoning Hearing Board approved a change of use of the former Joe Geiser Insurance Agency building at a meeting on December 30.
Jeremiah Noll requested a special exception, explaining that he was purchasing the property for a property management business. The state requires the operator to also have a Real Estate broker license, so he will have two businesses in the location, and two names on the sign.
The board approved the change, after concerns about an upstairs area were allayed.
McBrien Construction
Post Office Notes
by Christine A. Gilliar-Feller
USPS deals with disaster in California
The ongoing wildfires in Southern California are affecting Postal Service operations there.
Three districts have been affected by the fires. Six Post Offices were closed at first; by Jan. 27, that was down to four.
Ismael Reynoso toured the damage in Pacific Palisades with a group of postmasters and
Steven Wasko, D.D.S.
Accepting New Patients
Evening Hours Available
(570) 722-8545
Office Hours
3920 State Route 903 By Appointment Lake Harmony PA 18624
Postal Police officers Roderick Rocha and Cesar Guerrero display a soot-stained U.S. flag that survived a fire at the Pacific Palisades, CA, Post Office.
managers on Jan. 10. The acting editor of the WestPac Bulletin was surprised to see how fickle the fire was — an untouched building might stand next to one that burned to the ground.
Reynoso said he was happy to see that, except for a layer of ash and soot, the Post Office there was among the lucky ones. But “next door — nothing,” he said.
Forty miles away, Phuc “Tony” Le, a letter carrier who publishes an employee newsletter, took photographs at what remains of the Altadena Post Office. That facility had burned to the ground.
See PO NOTES, page 28
PO Notes
from page 27
Both Pacific Palisades and Altadena are directing customers to nearby Post Offices.
According to USPS, all employees have been accounted for, although 16 lost their homes and 49 had to be evacuated.
The organization has provided all affected employees with information about the Postal Employees’ Relief Fund and the USPS Employee Assistance Program.
The USPS service alerts page on usps. com has more information about affected Post Offices.
USPS announces more 2025 stamps
The releases will spotlight battlefields, powwows and more
The Postal Service’s stamp releases will includ, Battlefields of the American Revolution, Powwows, Freshwater Fishing Lures, Star Cluster and Spiral Galaxy.
• Freshwater Fishing Lures, five stamps that will feature brightly detailed photographs of five lures;
• Battlefields of the American Revolution, a pane of 15 stamps that will mark the 250th anniversary of the start
of the revolution;
• Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture, four stamps that will showcase the Native American social and ceremonial gatherings that feature music and dance;
See PO NOTES, page 29
PO Notes
from page 28
• Spiral Galaxy, a Priority Mail stamp that will show an extremely highdefinition image of a spiral galaxy 32 million light-years from Earth; and
• Star Cluster, a Priority Mail Express stamp that will show a star cluster approximately 1,000 light-years from Earth. USPS announced the
stamps Dec. 16. The designs are preliminary and may change.
In November, the Postal Service announced other 2025 stamps, including releases honoring Betty White, Allen Toussaint, a Love stamp featuring artwork by Keith Haring and Year of the Snake, next year’s Lunar New Year release.
As always, We thank you for your business April Shaner, Postmaster Christine A. Gilliar-Feller, Sales Service Associate, fancy for clerk
Window hours, Monday–Friday 8-11:30 a.m., 1-4:45 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Lobby hours 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
365 days a year, 7 days a week
570-722-8524
