Lake News February-March 2024

Lake News

February-March 2024

©2024, 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 $24 by first class mail, or $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.

Let the sunshine in

by Ruth Isenberg

Each year in March, media organizations around the country celebrate Sunshine Week to highlight the importance of transparency in our government.

Public meetings happen because of the so-called Sunshine Law, which requires that the public be notified of, and permitted to attend, meetings of public agencies that are making decisions about their lives. Before the Sunshine Law, state agencies and elected officials were able to decide in private what was best for the people they served. Some still do, and it’s the job of journalists, and the public to challenge those decisions made in secret.

It can feel self-serving to write editorials about open records and public meetings. Newspapers and other media benefit from transparency. It makes our jobs easier when we don’t have to dig for information that affects the public. But the sunshine isn’t just for journalists. It’s the public that has the right to know journalists are just the primary way the information is made available to the public. Journalists are a bridge between government agencies, officials and the public.

This is a more serious comment than usual in this space. But even for publications that emphasize entertainment and recreation, sunshine is important.

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 Tuesday of each month at the township building, and unless otherwise noted, begin at 5:30 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.

Entertainment Around Lake Harmony

At Nick’s Lake House Weekend entertainment.

At Shenanigans

Karaoke, DJs and Dancing in Boomers Night Club

Fri. & Sat. 9 p.m. -1 a.m.

Strawberry Jam duo Sundays 4 – 7 p.m.

AFTER-SKI PARTY every Saturday 5 p.m.

CC Music Trio, Mar. 2 5-9 p.m.

Friends of Roger, Mar. 9 5-9 p.m.

BURN the Jukebox, St. Patty’s Day

Mar. 17, 4-8 p.m. Irish food and drink specials, hats, shades and beads.

At Boulder View Tavern

All from 6 to 9 p.m.

Mar 2nd – Erin McClelland

7th – Regina Sayles

8th – Tony Alosi

9th – Seize Fire

14th - Erin McClelland

15th – Tom Acker

16th – John Simoson

21st – Bill Hoffman

22nd – Roy Ramos

23rd - Andrew Moses

28th – Ashley Marquez

29th – Bobby Ventura

30th – Andrew Tirado

The Pub @ the hub

Music Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Mar 8 - Chris Fitzpatrick

Mar 9 - Hannah Noel

Mar 15 - Brian Smith

Mar 16 - John Simoson

Mar 22 - Justin Skylar

Mar 23 - Dina Hall

Mar 29 - Elizabeth Gillen

Mar 30 - Andrew Moses

See

LOVE Kidder Township sets St. Patric’s Day event

LOVE Kidder Township Steering Committee’s planning for the March 17th St. Patrick’s Day fund raiser is in full swing.

Thank you to Pat Bach, Jennifer Bartley and Mary Blay for working on many, many donations for basket raffles, including:

-Murphy’s Loft

-Harmony Beverage

-Hair Salon on 940

-Ahart’s

-Papa Santos

-Dom n Ali’s

-Alpina Ski Shop

-Jack Frost Ski Resort

-Holy Ghost Distillery

-Piggy’s

-Hair Gallery

-Country Peddler

-Cleaning essentials basket

-Terra Cottage restaurant,

-Terra Cottage gift shop

-Petersons Ski And Cycle

-Two hand-made stain glass designs

-Additional baskets…

There will be a 50/50 drawing and also TShirts for sale with the LOVE Kidder Township logo.

The event is from 2-4 p.m. at The Hub. There’ll be a snack package with green beer, pretzels and Irish soda bread in addition to the Hub menu and bar items available for food and beverage. Thank you to Shelly and Jeff Lutz, for making their terrific location available for this event.

Talking With TJ (Part One)

by Mark Peterson

On February 25 I sat down with Tom “TJ” Martino to talk about his time in Lake Harmony over the years. Born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania in 1933, TJ has been coming to Lake Harmony from Jim Thorpe (formerly Mauch Chunk) since he was 16 or 17. He has had a place in Lake Harmony for about 55 years, where he currently lives. This article is Part One.

MP: How long have you been coming up to Lake Harmony?

TJ: When I was 16 or 17 we came up to Split Rock Lodge to various functions that they had, square dancing at one time, Friday night was formal dancing, Tuesday was horse racing. They had functions and activities that we would come to and we knew some of the staff. We were accepted and we participated.

MP: Where did you stay?

TJ: We didn’t stay because we didn’t have a place at that time. We came up with friends and acquaintances but didn’t come to visit anyone in

particular. That was around 1950. Norb Hawk was the cook he was my [future] wife’s (Monica Lienhard’s) cousin. And I knew one or two other merchants who had Jim Thorpe businesses and who were up here and active at Split Rock. They were members of the Split Rock Club and were

Trisha Joyce,

David

Talking with TJ

Continued from page 6

given a decal which they would put on the vent window on the driver’s side. There was a toll booth at Split Rock Lodge itself only on this end. That decal permitted you to get in and out of the gate for free.

MP: Tell me about Big Boulder Ski Area back then.

TJ: Big Boulder was not yet as prominent as it is now. Snowmaking came about with Johnny Guresh in the 1950s. The skiing was done over at Hazard Run. They had a T-bar that you would set your behind on and it would pull you up the mountain. Jack Frost then came later, after Big Boulder became more prominent because of the snowmaking. The body of water that [Big Boulder] now uses to get the water to make the snow had difficulty holding the water in it. I recall them getting clay or mud from down around little Beaver Lake [near the turnpike entrance on Rte. 903], which later on in the ‘60s got to be developed. When the lake froze over, they would actually take truckloads of dirt and spread it on the ice. Then when the ice melted, it sank and sealed the lake up.

MP: Our conversation continued, but curiously TJ didn’t bring up Peterson’s Ski and Cycle in Blakeslee. If he had mentioned it, he would have said how awesome it is. Get some end-of-season bargains on skiwear and equipment, and as long as the ski areas are open, you can rent ski equipment. You will always find cool souvenirs, T-shirts, hoodies, and excellent service. Now is a great time to get an early start for spring cycling. Visit us online at www.petersonsskiandcycle.com or stop in our store. We hope to “ski” you soon!

Love Kidder Twp gets delay in third warehouse approval

Story & photo by Seth Isenberg

Kidder Township supervisors saw a full house, overflowing into the hall, for their February 27 monthly meeting. Members of Love Kidder Township (LKT) attended to speak about slowing the approval process for a third warehouse.

Ahead of speaking, LKT presented a 30-page document to supervisors, made up of 19 pages of LKT comments and challenges about the Trucking Terminals, a five-page engineer’s review of the proposed third terminal, plus five pages of drawings from the project.

As part of public comment, eight members of the group spoke out opposing truck terminals in general, and the specific 420,000 square-foot building being proposed for construction now (Route 940 at the Francis Walter Road). These citizens were

See KIDDER TWP, page 10

Kidder Twp.

Continued from page 9

uniformly opposed to the agenda item to grant conditional approval to the Blue Ridge Real Estate – sponsored project.

A speaker described an eight truck backup at the bottom of the hill during the last snowstorm, mostly blocking the road for everyone. (Trucks also got stuck on the shallow hill going through East Side during that storm.)

About these comments, the LKT document, and a petition that is circulating, board of supervisors chairman Ray Gluck announced that the board wants to hold a public workshop about truck terminals, at a date to be announced.

Citizen Raylene Eckley is hoping to re-start the Kidder Township Historical Society. She hopes the group can meet again at the Albrightsville School House.

Al Blue, fire chief of the Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company, reported that their new tanker truck has arrived and is in service, and the new ‘squirt’ (fire tower) truck is due in by later this week.

Bills of $158,618 were approved.

Kidder Twp. will advertise for proposals for tree trimming along North Lake Drive, Fern Street and Harmony Avenue.

Supervisors welcomed Cindy Norato as the township’s new treasurer. She is also secretary,

and was serving in this role and as timekeeper during this meeting.

The Graystone Preserve conditional approval of their final land development was approved unanimously.

The Wisser minor subdivision was given approval to use blue ink to sign documents, versus the required black.

When Blue Ridge Real Estate (BRRE) came up for discussion of their preliminary land development, chairman Gluck asked them to consider returning in

Love Kidder Township supporters came out in force at this meeting.

Kidder Twp.

Continued from page 10

a month. BRRE principals, their lawyer and engineer met outside the meeting briefly, then returned to ask to be able to present about the waivers being requested. They were invited to proceed.

Chris McDermott, engineer, from Reilly and Associates, explained the 420,000 square foot building and how it fits on the lot. The pad site and parking is built into the hillside on the east, and material from the site will be used as pad material for the building and parking lots as they reach westward. The driveway into the site cuts a “v” into the hill, downward to the building. Truck parking and loading are north and south, and employee parking at the east and west. There is an emergency access gated road at the east of the property that reaches to Route 940. All traffic is to go in the main road, which will have a lefthand turning lane on Route 940 from the west.

The site has two open ponds for stormwater, and four “spring rain gardens” – three located alongside the building.

Sewage will go to the Jack Frost treatment facility, connecting into the line built for both this project and the warehouse across the street.

Waivers requested include accommodating the local firefighters by providing two access stairways to the roof, and a standpipe with fireman access at ground level, and also on the roof. The project is asking for a waiver to go to 25’ tall light poles, versus 20’.

Landscaping will be extensive on the west side (Francis Walter Dam roadside and some along Route 940). Most of the building will be buffered by existing trees – and the hill itself.

Supervisor Noel Torres asked for time “to take a closer look” and to look over the LKT engineer’s report. The topic would be tabled until next month’s meeting. He was given unanimous support.

Other business included accepting that two properties are returning to taxable from the tax claim list, and an ask to PennDOT to repair or replace the highway sensors on Route 940 that PennDOT work destroyed on the state road. The Moseywood/ Jack Frost Drive sensor strips are still in place.

A new police pickup truck is due to arrive midMarch.

On the Road Fighter’s Heaven provides special journey back in time

by Steve Stallone Sports Editor, The Journal-Herald

DEER LAKE–When I set out on a little day trip to the Schuylkill County borough of Deer Lake (pop. 795) recently, little did I know I’d be getting a little slice of heaven in return.

That day I was in search of Fighter’s Heaven, where boxing great Mohammad Ali trained for many of his most memorable fights through the 1970s and into the early ’80s.

Having watched many of Ali’s fights through that time period and following heavyweight boxing closely during those days, I was excited to see where the man many called the greatest boxer of all-time spent time perfecting his craft and preparing for those monster fights.

As I exited Route 61 near Orwigsburg and made the steep climb up winding Sculps Hill Road, I came upon the remote piece of property Ali had converted into his boxing “home” to train for his showdown fights.

Situated high above the highway with a view of the valley below, it already felt like I was halfway to heaven.

On the Road

I can say without question, a simple 50-minute drive that day flipped back the pages of time 50 years.

But before I take you on a mini-tour of the grounds of Fighter’s Heaven, first a little history on how Ali got there in the first place, its ultimate restoration years later, and its mission statement for the future.

Kilroy was here

Through a connection with his business manager Gene “Bucko” Kilroy of Mahanoy City, Ali was invited to train on the Schuylkill County mink farm owned by Bernie Pollack. Pollack was the area’s biggest furrier, and also an avid boxing fan who had an outdoor covered boxing ring on the property, and had a number of boxers come there to train.

Ali took him up on the invitation to get away from the distractions of training in Atlantic City or elsewhere.

When Ali did some training there in 1971, outdoor weather conditions made for a lot of weather-related training cancellations. While he liked the remote training idea, Ali wanted, instead, to build his own boxing camp the way he wanted it to be.

Continued from page 13 See ON THE ROAD, page 15

On the Road

Continued from page 14

Pollack had a small tract of land near his mink camp, located up on a hill in Deer Lake. Ali purchased the 5.5-acre piece of land, and the camp he would name Fighter’s Heaven was born.

Directly involved

Ali oversaw the construction of the main building that

would house the boxing ring and everything he would need to train. The log cabin theme continued to the kitchen/dining building, Ali’s living area cabin, and seven other cabins that would house members of his boxing team, and boxers who would come in to spar with Ali.

Ali also had a mosque built on the property.

“I am more at home with my log cabins than I am in my house in Cherry Hill,” Ali was quoted as saying at the time.

Ali began training there in 1972 and continued for nearly a decade.

Boulder view

“They started the building from scratch. There was nothing here. The roads coming up here were all dirt,” noted Sam Matta, longtime area sportswriter and one of many behind the restoration of Fighter’s Heaven. Sam served as my tour guide for the day.

The most distinct things you see when you arrive at Fighter’s Heaven are the giant boulders that line the property along the stone pathway leading into the main building.

Ali’s father had the idea of bringing in the large boulders, each devoted to a boxing legend that Ali looked up to: Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, Joe Louis, Floyd Patterson, Archie

On the Road

Continued from page 15

Moore, and even Ali’s long-time rival, Joe Frazier had a rock.

Each of the massive rocks bears the name of a boxing great the original hand-painted version on them as well as a short biography on an accompanying kiosk. Long-time Ali trainer Angelo Dundee also has a boulder there in his honor.

“All these rocks, Muhammad’s father painted them. They haven’t been touched since,” Matta said. “They all have a significance. Ali was inspired by a lot of the fighters on these rocks.”

Main Building

Stepping into the main building was like a step back in time.

A boxing ring dominates the center of the main room where Ali trained, with sparring sessions against the likes of future heavyweight champ Larry Holmes of Easton, and many smaller fighters who helped Ali sharpen his speed and footwork skills.

Next to it, a heavy bag.

Looking around the room, it’s like a huge scrapbook of the life and times of the man who was born Cassius Clay and would later take the name Muhammad Ali.

There are photo collages spanning the long and colorful history of Ali. From the building of Fighters Heaven and the training sessions there, to his family and boxing inner circle, and the many fighters and dignitaries who shared in his life’s journey, they’re all there to view.

There’s Kilroy’s Corner, including many colorful shots of Ali and his business manager and great friend over many years. There are also several of Ali’s famous quotes highlighted in the main building, and posters of some of Ali’s biggest fights.

While touring the room, you can hear the magic as well. In one corner of the room, there are videos playing back past interviews with Ali and Howard

See ON THE ROAD, page 18

On the Road

Cosell, and snippets from some of the great moments of many of his biggest fights.

In a side room there is the rubdown room, where Ali cooled down and got his rubdown after each training session. Some of Ali’s writings and thoughts can still be seen scratched into the walls. Around camp

Ali had a special kitchen/dining room building built right next to the main building. The kitchen includes all of the original appliances, and the same large wooden table that Ali and others from the camp would gather to eat.

And right next to that was Ali’s quarters, a oneroom cabin which included a coal stove, running water pumped from the well, and a view of the valley below.

“I like old things, antique things. And I like this rough look, and way of living,” Ali told Dick Cavett during a 1970s interview playing, as Ali showed him around those very quarters.

Above the main buildings, across Sculps Road, are other cabins where Ali’s boxing team and sparring partners would bunk.

There’s another chalet on the property that was devoted to Ali’s family when they would be there.

Bringing Fighters Heaven back to life

Continued from page 16 See

After Ali retired from boxing in the 1980s, the property was eventually purchased by karate and martial arts guru Ronald Dillman, who owned it until 2017.

Enter Mike Madden, the son of longtime NFL coach and broadcaster John Madden, who was a lifelong Ali fan, and was once introduced to Ali by Kilroy.

Following Ali’s death on June 3, 2016, Mike Madden looked up Fighter’s Heaven on his computer, and saw that the property was for sale. After contemplating for a while, Madden decided he wanted to purchase it.

“Mike called the realtor in Reading,” Sam Matta

On the Road

Continued from page 18

explained, “and said ‘I’ll give you $500,000, sight unseen’ and the realtor said ‘No, that’s not going to do it.’ So Mike said ‘I’ll make one final offer: $520,000.’ And the realtor said ‘Sold.’

“In July of 2017 he bought it.”

Restoration begins

When Madden came to see his new purchase, it was in disrepair. One of the walls of the main building was leaning in so far, they thought it might even cave in.

A construction company was hired, and they came in and repaired the wall and brought it to square, repaired the chinking that holds the logs together where needed, worked on flooring and water issues, and got the camp’s buildings ready for what would lie ahead.

Although he could have turned the property into a destination for other fighters to train, and made a good deal of money doing so, Madden chose to preserve the history and legacy of Ali instead.

As Fighter’s Heaven mission statement reads:

“Through the preservation and restoration of the Training Camp in Deer Lake, create a destination that will, for decades to come, remind some, and educate others, about the remarkable and inspirational life of Muhammad Ali.”

“That’s what’s most important, and what we want to remind people,” stated Mick Stefanick, general manager of Fighter’s Heaven.

The property is now listed on the Pennsylvania Historical Registry.

Come visit

With the restoration now complete, the camp has been open to visitors for a few years now, and hundreds have already seen this great piece of history right in our backyard.

It is free and open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays starting in May through October, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and year-round by appointment. You can set up an educational tour, and corporate retreats to the camp are also available.

To learn more about Fighter’s Heaven or to schedule a visit or tour, go to www.fightersheaven. com or info@fightersheaven.com. You can also visit the Facebook page at: Fighter’s Heaven; or on Instagram at: @fighters.heaven

To reach out by phone, call 570-968-2961.

Rachel Wild, Saylorsburg, Pa.

Nourishing youth: Mission to educate our future

March is National Nutrition Month. At Pocono Organics the belief that healthy food starts with healthy soil is at the core of everything we do. As a global center of research, education, and discovery, it’s our mission to sow the seeds of knowledge to everyone who visits our farm. We recognize that to ensure the future of our planet is focused on regenerating the earth, we need to focus on educating our youth, who will soon be the ones charged with the stewardship of the planet.

We are educating children with hands-on, experiential learning on the farm and in the community using three pillars of action that support the regenerative movement.

1. At the Farm: The Clean Food Dirty Hands Initiative

Clean Food Dirty Hands is a series of experiential learning classes focused on teaching our youth regenerative organic agricultural practices. Through hands-on experiences and sensory play, Pocono Organics gives children the opportunity to plant and tend to their own garden plots and explore the wonders of plants. Students

have the chance to share stories, taste new foods, and create nature-based crafts.

2. In the Community: Farm to School

When Ashley Walsh founded Pocono Organics in 2015, she did so with the goal of providing good quality, nutrient dense organic food to the community. Currently, Pocono Organics is keeping that dream alive by working with local school

See NOURISHING YOUTH, page 21

Nourishing Youth

Continued from page 20

districts to provide healthy, fresh, organically grown produce within their Farm to School grant success, allowing schools to serve up some of the most nutrient dense school lunches around. We also partner with schools by providing educational collateral for cafeterias and classrooms, video shorts, flyers, and class visits to further educate students on living a healthy lifestyle.

Art MinissA  PAinting

Free Estimates & Insured INTERIOR & EXTERIOR

570-325-3572

T-one-eleven Coatings & Repairs

Deck Coatings & Repairs

Log Home Coatings

Power Washing

Quality Work Since 1980

CUTOMER SATISFACTION GUARANTEED PAOAGHIC 003458

3. Hands-on-in-Homes: Mini Mushroom Farms

Pocono Organics Mini Mushroom Farm Kits allow students to bring the farm directly into their classrooms and homes. Each kit comes with organic mushroom spawn started by our farmers, growing instructions, and recipes. Students are directly involved in caring for the mushrooms and engaged in the growth process, watching the pins evolve until harvest day. Once harvested, students are encouraged to put Pocono Organics Executive Chef Lindsay McClain’s recipes to the test and turn their yield into a meal.

These three pillars are only the beginning. Pocono Organics is committed to educating the community and the world at large about the benefits of regenerative agriculture. If we don’t start repairing the damage done to the soil, our beautiful planet will continue to suffer. It is our responsibility to give our children the tools needed to respect and care for the earth.

Learn more about our Clean Food Dirty Hands program and other youth initiatives.

Visit poconoorganics.com/kids

Entertainment

Continued from page 4

At The Thirsty Moose

All from 8 to 12 midnight

Mar 23 – All That Glitters band

Apr 6 - Kartune

Apr 20 – North of 40

At PoconoOrganics.com, Long Pond Guided Farm Tours Saturdays and Sundays

At Mauch Chunk Opera House mcohjt.com

Doors open at 7, shows at 8 unless noted Rescheduled – Killer Queen to June

Fri 3/8 - The Sensational Soul Cruisers

Sat 3/9 - Kilmaine Saints

Wed 3/13 - Mike Zito

Fri 3/15 - Mystery City - Classic Rock Hits

Sat 3/16 - The Tartan Terrors

Sat 3/23 - Kashmir - The Live Led Zeppelin show

Fri 3/29 - Alternative Fix - An electrifying tribute to the 90s

Sat 3/30 - Creedence Revived

Thurs 4/4 - WXPN Welcomes GA-20

Fri 4/5- Popa Chubby

At Pennspeak.com

Mar 2 – Tusk – Fleetwood Mac tribute

Mar 9 – 1964 – Beatles tribute

Mar 16 - The Machine performs Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here, Animals, and Dark Side of the Moon

Mar 23 – Diamond Rio

Mar 28 - Sammy Kershaw with South Penn Dixie

Apr 27 – Todd Rundgren

Kirby Center for Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre

KirbyCenter.org

Mar 5 – Call of the Wild - play (recommended for children)

Mar 12 – Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Mar 15 & 16 – Dark Star Orchestra

Mar 28 – Disco Biscuits

Apr 2 – Dot, Dot, Dot – a new musical Apr 11 – Old Crow Medicine Show

MoheganSunArenaPA.com

Penguins Ice Hockey Wed., Fri., Sat. eves & Sun afternoon

Mar 16 – Gabriel Iglesias

Apr 19-21 – Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey

PPLCenter.com

Phantoms hockey, most games at 7 p.m.

Mar 28-31 – Cirque de Soleil Corteo

mountairycasino.com

Glass Bar entertainment

Fridays & Saturdays from 9 p.m.

What’s happening at Hickory Run State Park

Mar 16 9am

Fresh Air Stitching with Thimbleberry

We’re excited to host Thimbleberry Yarn and Craft’s Fresh Air Stitching once again. As part of our collaboration, park staff will provide a program about the fiber felting...

Mar 16 3pm

Spring Walk in the Park Registration requested! Spring is here and the park is coming alive once again! People of all ages and abilities are invited on this walk outside to explore the natural...

Busy March at CCEEC

The Carbon County Environmental Education Center has released a schedule of programs for March. Anyone interested in registering or receiving more information can call the center at (570) 645-8597.

CCEEC is located at the west end of Mauch Chunk Lake Park, just outside Jim Thorpe along the Lentz Trail highway.

Photo Contest and Display, Throughout March

Entries into CCEEC’s annual photo contest are on display throughout the month of March. Visitors are invited to vote for “People’s Choice” from among photos in landscape, wildlife, and macro categories. Exhibit is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Yarn Tuesdays, Every Tuesday in March, 6-7:30 p.m.

Participants can come learn to knit or crochet with all materials supplied, or bring their own project and enjoy the company of fellow crafters. A $15 donation covers all sessions. Light refreshments. Bird Brains—Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m.

Participants will learn about backyard birds, play a few games, and meet one of the CCEEC’s resident owls. The program is family-friendly, suitable for all ages, and free of charge.

Mar 21 1pm

Family Storytime

Children and their caregivers are invited to our special events with Conservation Volunteer Pat. She will read a story and have a craft for everyone to make and take.

Heffley announces reelection bid

State Rep. Doyle Heffley has announced he will seek reelection in the 122nd Legislative District.

“Serving as state representative is one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Heffley. “As a Carbon County native, I am grateful to be the voice of my neighbors in Harrisburg, while demonstrating the work ethic our community offers.”

In the 2023-24 Legislative Session, Heffley serves as chairman of the House Human Services Committee. In this position, he has led multiple committee hearings on the on-going drug crisis including Fentanyl and Xylazine. He recently introduced legislation that would enhance the scheduling of controlled substances in Pennsylvania.

Heffley aligns with the shared values of the residents in Carbon County. During his tenure,

he has refined the state pension program, helped increase funding to public schools, prioritized after-school programs and passed multiple pieces of legislation. As he achieved these goals, he ensured taxes were not increased for hardworking families.

After graduating from Lehighton Area High School, Heffley studied at Lincoln Technical Institute, where he received his Associate Degree in Architectural Drafting and Design. He has nearly 20 years of private sector work experience, including 10 years in the trucking industry, both as a CDL truck driver and terminal manager.

As an active member in the community, Heffley attends Jerusalem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Trachsville and is a member of several community-based and fraternal organizations.

Doyle resides in Palmerton with his wife, Kellie. He is the proud father of two daughters, Angela and Elizabeth (wife of Joey Blose), and a proud grandfather to his granddaughter, Logan Marie.

Post Office Notes

by Christine A. Gilliar-Feller

FUN FACTS about the USPS

On average, 9.9 million people visit usps.com each day.

On average, the Postal Service processes 50,227 address changes each day.

There are 6,600 carriers who deliver mail entirely on foot. These carriers are our Fleet of Feet.

On average, the Postal Service processes and delivers 23.8 million packages each day.

On average, the Postal Service processes 4,877 pieces of mail each second.

The Postal Service processes an average of 292,628 pieces of mail each minute.

The Postal Service processed and delivered an average of 421.4 M mail pieces daily in 2022.

Each day the Postal Service picks up, processes and delivers millions of letters and packages. No single operation in the world comes close to this level of connectivity for so many households and businesses.

The Postal Service uses 140 domestic airports to fly six million pounds of mail each day.

The Postal Service added an average of 5,844 addresses to its delivery network every day in 2022.

On average, the Postal Service processes and delivers 162.1 million pieces of First-Class Mail each day.

On average, the Postal Service processes 421.4

POST OFFICE REPORT, page 29

PO Notes

Continued from page 28

million mail pieces each day, 17.6 million each hour, 292,628 each minute and 4,877 each second.

Adressing Adressing

In order to get your mail delivered promptly please always use a THREE line address.

Name

House# Street Name OR PO Box #

City State Zip Code

To avoid delay return address should always go on the FRONT of the envelope top left side. USPS Stamp 68¢ goes on the top right side for all of you new to sending out bills or letters.

Postal Products

Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through the Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-7377826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at select Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. As always, We thank you for your business

April Shaner, Postmaster

Christine A.

Gilliar-Feller, Sales Service Associate, fancy for clerk

Details on first-day-of-issue cities/ceremony locations for other 2024 stamps will be released throughout the year. Dates and locations are subject to change

Window hours, Monday–Friday 8-11:30 a.m., 1-4:45 p.m.;

Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Lobby hours

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Archives from LAKE NEWS

February/March 1998

On the front page is a photo of a very frozen Lake Harmony at the Lake Harmony Estates marina. There’s a boat frozen into the lake, leading editor Mary to quip that the owner now has the dubious distinction of being the first boat in the water in 1998.

18624

Volunteers of the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company were sitting down to enjoy their holiday dinner at the firehouse on January 17 when a call came in. Off went the dedicated volunteers to Split Rock where children had burnt a thermometer over a stove, causing a mercury spill.

This was the second year in a row that the firefighter’s holiday dinner was delayed by a call. “Hopefully, the community appreciates their unfaltering dedication and commitment.”

Klaus Woodeshick celebrated his sixth birthday with a tubing party at Big Boulder. Klaus is the son

of Alison and Tom Woodeshik.

Eunice and Larry Polansky returned from a December trip to Hong Kong.

Shelly Kalins recently returned from three weeks in Indonesia.

Area resident Margaret Polek’s grandfathers, Thomas Walker and John Atkinson, both worked to build the Titanic when it was built in Belfast.

The Wednesday Women enjoyed a Holiday covered dish luncheon on January 7 hosted by Eileen Duggan and Margaret Polek.

Joanne Joyce was in from West Chester for her first ski lesson, and the Super Bowl party at Shenanigans. She is the sister of Ann Marie Joyce.

The Sportsman Restaurant announced the arrival of Chef Doyle Lewis, formerly the executive chef at Celestine’s in Dupont. His new menu, featuring a taste from the old world and some new recipes (in continental cuisine) will go into effect February 21. ***

Al Klitsch, LHVFC’s fire chief for the past 10 years, decided not to seek reelection due to health reasons. David Klitsch, his son, was elected to replace him.

Al gave the 1997 annual report, that the company responded to 183 calls, a 26% increase over 1996. Of note are 81 mutual aid calls with Albrightsville and the two Penn Forest Fire Companies.

In February 1997, the LHVFC added a ’87 GMC “special service unit” for $85,000, purchased from Glenside Fire Co. A new set of Jaws of Life has

Archives

Continued from page 30

been ordered, and is expected to arrive this month (Feb. 1998).

The Scuba Diving Team is practicing some of its underwater training by recovering, then selling “experienced golf balls” at $6 a dozen.

Lake News urges residents to respond generously to the fire company’s membership drive.

The Lake Harmony Rescue Squad responded to 588 calls in 1997, compared to 446 in 1996.

State representative Keith McCall is to speak to the Jim Thorpe Area PTA on Wednesday, March 18. He will then take questions.

This issue contained four recipes reprinted from the Tunkhannock Township VFC’s Cook Book, with their permission. Recipes included Carol Carey’s Mushrooms Mornay, Millie Holahan’s Creamy Potato Soup, Piety Brandes’ Quick Clam Chowder and Val Goumakos’ Baked Fish.

A story in this issue featured a write-up of a visit to the Asa and Harry Packer Mansions in Jim Thorpe, and highlights of walking the borough in a bit more than a page and a half.

The Second Annual Great Brews of the World weekend will be April 3 and 4 at the Resort at Split Rock.

The Lake Harmony Association will hold a Boater Safety Class May 16 and 17 – four hours each day.

Among the advertisements were Fast Tax of NEPA, Marty Frankel realtor with Wilkins & Associates, 940 Auto, Norwest Mortgage, Kitchens by Kennedy, Brenda’s Craft Gallery, Pet Supplies Unlimited, Sharon Lachette VMD, Penn First Financial, The Sportsman Restaurant, Red Run arts & crafts, The Blue Heron & The Cellar, LandBank, First Federal Savings, The Village Squire Steakhouse, and Sparky Electrical. (Many of the advertisers in this, the 2024 issue, are also advertising including Peterson’s Ski Shop, Joe Geiser State Farm, Richard Montemuro, Mauch Chunk Trust, Murphy’s Loft, Piggy’s, Split Rock Resort, and Shenanigan’s.)

Terra Cottage submitted a pun-filled article titled: your thyme to bee creative.

Tris Sutrisno added a humorous take on ski area fashions titled: Looking Good at 2,000 feet.

March BOGO

Bach and Handel Chorale to present 39th Spring Concert with orchestra

The Bach and Handel Chorale and Festival Orchestra, based out of Jim Thorpe, will present its 39 th Spring concert on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 3 p.m. The performance will be in the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 526 North Street in Jim Thorpe. The chorale will be accompanied by the Festival Orchestra whose members come from Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Schuylkill and Bucks counties.

The concert will open with the Concerto in F Minor, BWV 1056 performed by Maestro Perry on the Harpsichord and accompanied by the Festival Orchestra.

The concert will continue with several choruses from Bach cantatas and oratorios as well as some choral works by Handel.

The Church of St. Joseph is a beautiful cathedral-like church with beautiful Stations of the Cross, wonderful acoustics and large and comfortable seating.

Admission to the concert is $25, and tickets are available by mail by calling the chorale office at (570) 325–4794. Please consult the chorale website: www.bhchorale.org for additional information on tickets or the chorale.

Protecting Clean Water Together: What’s the big deal about water anyway?

by Carol Hillestad for the Brodhead Watershed Association

Clean water, yada yada. Why do we worry about water anyway? It’s everywhere. It comes out of the sky. It comes out of the ground.

Here, in the watershed of the Brodhead Creek, it’s true that water is abundant. We have more miles of creeks and streams in Pennsylvania than any other state except Alaska.

And thanks to local vigilance, of all the creeks in Pennsylvania, ours are the cleanest and most pristine. By far.

When there’s so much of it, it’s hard to remember that water is a highly delicate

resource. It doesn’t take much to impair it or to pollute it. And with every acre of woods that’s clearcut, not to mention every new load of winter road salt, drinking water in our area is at risk.

If you paid attention after the heavy rains this past December, you saw creek water running brown. Some people may shrug it off, thinking “that’s natural” or “it’ll clear up.” They’re missing an important truth: that much muddy sediment is definitely not “normal.”

Some cloudiness is natural — heavy rain means more friction between the fastflowing water and

the creek bed and banks. That stirs up particles of soil and organic matter from the bottom of the creek itself.

But when the water looks like milk chocolate, that’s not natural. Brown water means heavy erosion from creek banks that have been mowed and stripped of vegetation, killing the natural net of roots that keeps the bank in place. Brown water means stormwater runoff is pouring from rooftops, miles of strip malls and paved parking lots, from overflowing detention basins and swales, and from expanses of onceforested, now-denuded land. Treating winter roads with salt adds another contaminant

to oil, gas, and road debris.

All the water that ever existed on planet Earth is here now, naturally recycled and reused, endlessly, down the eons, since water first formed. Older than the hills, it is a gift from the past that we owe to the future.

You can help. If you see something that doesn’t seem right in a stream, go to www. brodheadwatershed. org and click on Who to Call When You See a Problem in a Stream.

Brodhead Watershed Association is a nonprofit environmental organization formed in 1989. BWA is dedicated to protecting and preserving water resources and the environment of the Brodhead watershed, and the water quality of the Brodhead, Cherry, Marshalls, McMichael, Paradise and Pocono creeks and their tributaries. BWA assists municipalities, residents, businesses and groups with protecting natural resources through education, workshops, seminars, public programs and stream monitoring. For information: info@ brodheadwatershed. org or 570-839-1120.

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Out in the Open Marten or Martian?

by Alex Zidock

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking to reintroduce the American Pine Marten in Pennsylvania. The pine marten was a native species of Pennsylvania but was extirpated about 100 years ago due to deforestation, trapping, and hunting. While the state can claim victory reintroducing white-tailed deer, wild turkey, elk, river otter, beaver, osprey, and bald eagles back into our forests, some say bringing another weasel into the ecosystem could be more like a sci-fi bodysnatching Martian that could negatively impact the efforts of preserving and protecting other of Pennsylvania’s wild and domestic animals.

“The basis of my concern is spending over two million of our precious sportsman’s dollars to import an additional grouse predator when we are working diligently to restore our greatly decreased

The American Pine Marten is an agile climber and vicious predator. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is considering reintroducing the weasel in Pennsylvania. See

grouse population,” said Timothy Flanigan, author of Grouse and Woodcock, Birds of My Life (Wild River Press). “We lead the nation in grouse research. How foolish it is for us to import another grouse predator at this time,” he says.

Out in the Open

Continued from page 38

Flanigan is referring to the marten’s diet. While the marten is about the size of a mink, about 1-3 pounds, it is an agile climber and vicious predator. Pine martens are omnivores, while their main diet consists of insects and small mammals such as voles, mice, or rabbits; they eat fungi, berries, eggs, and almost anything else they can kill. Ground nesting birds, including turkey, grouse, and their eggs, are easy meals.

Thomas Keller, furbearer biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission studying the introduction of the marten, says, “Its reintroduction is important for various reasons, such as rodent population management control and seed dispersal.”

“But we also see consumptive users like hunters and trappers spending millions of dollars to hunt deer, turkey, or trap river otter, beaver, fisher, and others reintroduced at one time,” he says. “And then, of course, the idea that there’s a legacy in Pennsylvania of generations of Pennsylvanians valuing wildlife enough to bring them back for the future generation.”

Farmers raising domestic poultry say they have enough of a problem protecting their chickens and ducks from weasels, raccoons, mink, and other predators. But Keller says the martens would be introduced in the big woods area of northcentral Pennsylvania known as the Pennsylvania Wilds. “If your chickens are protected from some of the predators we have now, like raccoons, mink, or weasels, they are definitely going to be protected against martens,” he said.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission polled 1000 Pennsylvania residents; most favor the reintroduction plan. However, of 9,000 hunters polled, only 37 percent were in support, 32 percent against, and 31 percent neutral. Some of the hunters showed concern over the impact of the martin on small game such as rabbits.

The Game Commission has tabled moving ahead with securing martens from neighboring states, voting 6-3 to table the plan. The commissioners said that the final figure is highly unusual, and while the commission’s marten plan is wellresearched, the survey results indicate the agency has some work to do with hunters before moving forward.

For more information and to comment, go to www.pamarten.pa.gov

Lake Harmony Rescue Squad

Lake Harmony Rescue Squad ambulances were out 35 times in the township last month, plus went out on 10 calls with the fire companies. The units were on the road a total of 1,882 miles. Donations are coming in steadily in response to the current letter campaign. The goal of raising $60,000 by this summer is within sight. LHRS is buying another 4-wheel drive ambulance this year, same specs as the 1760. The new unit should arrive later in in the year if all goes well with the order and

customizing. So by then, the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad will have the most modern fleet in the area.

The LHRS is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

To donate to the 2024 campaign send a check to: LAKE HARMONY RESCUE SQUAD and AMBULANCE CORPS, Inc., P.O. Box 564, Lake Harmony, PA 18624, or go on to lakeharmonyambulance.com to make a payment with a credit card.

Kidder Township Police

In the police department report, 11 parking tickets were written at Wawa, there were no speeding tickets but 13 moving violations on Route 940. Trucks were ticketed 14 times for equipment violations. 22 warnings were written in the last month.

There were 14 hazardous conditions reports, 13 motorist assists, 9 false alarms, 5 trespassing, 4 welfare checks and two wires down – among 208 totals calls for police in the month of January.

BOULDER FIELD, HICKORY RUN STATE PARK, JANUARY 2024

LN: Ruth Isenberg

This Month’s Cover

This month’s cover shot is the iconic splt rock of Split Rock, on a foggy day in February. Ann Martino took this photo, and also supplied the shot at left of a child enjoying the rocks at Boulder Field, to go with our shot of Boulder Field on the facing page.

Send your photos to us at lakenewslakeharmony@gmail.com

FUN ON THE ROCKS at Boulder Field. Photo by Ann Martino

Bus trip to Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival

Thimbleberry Yarn and The Working Yarn Shop in Avoca are offering a one-day bus trip to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival on Saturday, May 4. AJ Limo Coach will be departing from two locations: the Park & Ride at 213 Route 315 in Pittston at 6 a.m. and the Route 940 Park & Ride in White Haven at 6:30 a.m. Arrival at the Howard County Fairgrounds is expected to be by approximately 10 a.m.

Find details about the festival (and purchase admission ticket) at www.sheepandwool.org. The S&W Festival is held rain or shine.

Take a trip with us to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, Saturday, May 4 Bus leaves White Haven Park & Ride at 6:30 a.m., arrives Howard County Fairgrounds 10 a.m., returns 7:30 p.m. Save your seat; call today.

322 Main Street, White Haven PA 18661 (570) 401-3239

Thimbleberryyarn.com

Tickets can be purchased at Thimbleberry Yarn in White Haven or by going to Thimbleberryyarn. com. The non-refundable ticket registration includes bus transportation, and a reusable market bag and swag to the first 40 to sign up. Not included: Festival entry, $12.50 when purchased on-line, $15 at the gate.

We recommend checking the weather, dressing in layers, and choosing footwear for uneven and sometimes muddy ground.

There are lots of fun activities for the whole family, not just knitters and fabric fans.

ACROSS

1. Shady

4. Look over quickly

8. Deadly snakes

12. Yes vote

13. Record

14. Nibble

15. Tooth fixers

17. Luau dance

18. Exasperate

19. ____ questions

21. Inclines

24. Letter before dee

25. Highway sign

26. Schedules

31. Plus

32. Jazz booking

33. Opera solo

34. Hopelessness

36. Sharp flavor

37. ‘60s do

38. Oven gloves

39. Fiesta item

43. Lone Ranger and Tonto, e.g.

44. Client

45. Explanatory comment

50. Piece of wood

51. Folder

52. Be sickly

53. Towel marking

54. Additions

55. Ump’s relative

DOWN

1. Cheerless

2. Caustic material

3. Tokyo currency

4. Arouses

5. Keg

6. Competent

7. Emergency funds: 2 wds.

8. Pain

9. Ignore

10. Hit repeatedly

11. Influence

16. Excellent

20. Itty-bitty

21. Understand writing

22. Shaft

23. Young girl

24. Egypt’s capital

27. Country

28. Darn!

29. “____ That a Shame”

30. Droops

32. Zoo attraction

35. Fore-and-____

38. Softens

39. Shove

40. Emerald

41. Pretty close

42. Martial ____

43. Toy figure

46. Furnace fuel

47. Dinghy blade

48. Ascot, e.g.

49. Santa’s aide

baldeagle basketball

BigBoulder

biking birdwatching bluejays

BoulderField breakfast cardinals

championships

college crocuses

daffodils

daylight Devils

dineout Easter family

February firetrucks flurries

Flyers frozenfour geese

Harmony hiking

homeowners icehockey

JackFrost

Kidder

Lake

LAKENEWS

LHVFC

lightning

Madness

March

Mets

migration NCAAs

neighbors

Penguins

Phantoms

Phillies pigeons

Police

quiet rainshowers

Rangers realtors

renters

RescueSquad

saving

skiing skilift

snowsquall

SplitRock

spring

springbaseball

StPatricks

sunset thunder treetrim

vees

visitors waterpark

welcome windy woodpeckers

Yankees

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