April-May 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.
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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.
Waiting doesn’t come naturally to me. I like to keep moving, and I always have plenty to do. Often I have way too much to do, and not enough time to do it in.
Which is one of the reasons sometimes I’m impatient with myself, with others, even with the seasons. Winter has its bright spots, for sure, but by the end of February I’m tired of it, and while signs of spring are visible in March, that month just drags for me.
Meanwhile, there are all kinds of signs and signals that spring and summer are nearing, if only I slow down long enough to notice them. The buds on the trees, the warmer mornings, light longer into the evenings, all speak to the passage of time. Spring and summer are our busiest seasons. There are the most activities and events to attend and enjoy, and at the same time, the most work to be done. Anticipation of both the fun and the work can cause me to lose sight of the beauty of now. I go along day to day, just getting it all done.
Until one day, I walk out my front door to the scent of lilacs, and really see the blooming flowers, and notice just like that, it’s here.
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 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.
At Nick’s Lake House
May 4 – Kentucky Derby Party w/Dina Tulli Davis
May 16 – 25th Anniversary w/Fuzzy Park Band
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.
At Boulder View Tavern
Music 6 to 9 p.m.
May 2 - Erin McClelland
3 - Erin McClelland
4 - Seize Fire
9 - John Simoson
11 - Tony Alosi
12 - Kenny & Britt
16 - Regina Sayles
17 - Ashley Marquez
18 - Andrew Moses
23 – Bobby Ventura
24 - Bill Hoffman
25 – Tom Acker
30 – Brian Roder solo
31 – Adam McKinley
page 24
811Stoney Hollow Rd
Pocono Lake
570.442.7045
Artisan Breads Fridays & Saturday; Fresh Baked Goods for the Weekend; Locally Butchered Meat; Charcuterie; Alaskan-Caught Seasfood; Local Dairy; Italian Pastas from Philadelphia; Many More Locally-Sourced Food Items; Fresh Brewed Coffee and Herbal Teas served daily.
This is the final of three installments of my conversation with Tom “TJ” Martino. Born in Coaldale, Pennsylvania in 1933, TJ has been coming to Lake Harmony since he was 16 or 17. I wanted to learn about his experience at the lake, so we sat down for a chat in his kitchen one February afternoon.
MP: You are originally from the borough of Mauch Chunk, now Jim Thorpe. How did you end up living in Lake Harmony?
TJ: My father-in-law bought a house at the lake in the late 50’s. I was dating his daughter at that time, who became my wife. We liked it out here so much, and our family was growing, and we began to have friends…if we wanted to be as open as we wanted to, we had to buy our own place. And that’s what prompted us to go ahead and do that. I’ve owned this house for about 55 years.
MP: What are some of the memories you have of your time at the lake?
Open Tuesday through Saturday 9-5; Sunday 9-2. Closed Mondays until Memorial Day. hannasfarmmarket@gmail.com
TJ: The best time at the lake was when the kids were growing up because they all enjoyed the property like we did. I commuted to my employment in Allentown from Lake Harmony in See TALKING WITH TJ, page 6
Continued from page 5
the summer months when school was out. My wife, Monica, would actually relocate with the family out here. It was a migration. It’s difficult to go back and pinpoint any one thing that turned you on, or any one time frame. We migrated, and the children grew older, and they got friends that we got to be acquainted with. We got to know their parents, got to know the kids. I sort of say I grew up with them. (laughs)
MP: Were you at the lake when Split Rock Lodge burned down in August of 1970?
TJ: When the Lodge burned, I was at Edgar Smith’s at a dance that night. They had a band and they announced that any Lake Harmony firemen that were here, please respond to your station because Split Rock had a problem. Being accompanied by a state policeman at the time, I called Charles Neist at the jail, who had communications with the fire company. I believe George Maehrer might have been the fire chief at that time, he had requested aerial trucks, tankers, and other pumpers.
MP: What are some of the changes you have seen over the years?
TJ: Big changes have occurred very recently, but the biggest change was the development of Lake Harmony Estates. It was John Yamulla from Hazleton, a coal excavator at the time, who managed to acquire the land. And then development occurred with houses, and the building of the marina where they put the boats in. They took over any boat docking areas that had been used by the local people there, of which my father-in-law was one of them. We lost our boat
Continued from page 6
slip, so to speak, because of the construction and the manner with which they developed that boat launching. We later on were able to (because of “whiskers”) get a spot. It wasn’t just given to you; you had to go and fight for it.
MP: How many people lived in Lake Harmony in those days?
TJ: We did not have that many full-time residents at the time. Residency occurs from the people who live in those dwellings that are up in the Estates. Now over here [on this side of the lake], there were a few families, maybe eight or ten if I really thought hard. Myrtle Dreisbach, up above me here was one.
Kenny Detweiler’s parents lived up here. There’s two that I personally knew. There were some up by Split Rock area but I’m going to have to plead ignorance because I don’t know. On the other side, yes on North Lake Drive there were probably three or four families that lived here.
MP: What do you see for the future of Lake Harmony?
TJ: We need to make sure that the body of water, Lake Harmony itself, remains stable, without filling up because of runoff and things of that type we have already gone there. We are more of a rental community now than a residential community, which is because of the size of the houses being built. And the older houses that are being bought and torn down, and bigger houses built
on the real estate property, pretty much paint the picture that the next 20 years we will be a rental type of community.
MP: Any final thoughts?
TJ: When you rest, you rust.
That concluded our chat. I wanted to ask TJ about Peterson’s Ski and Cycle, but since PSC has been in Blakeslee for “only” 30+ years, we did not discuss it. However, since I mentioned now, you should go check it out. The rental skis have been put away, but now the rental bikes are waiting for you! It’s the best place to get souvenirs, T-shirts, hoodies, biking gear, excellent service and more. Stop by or visit us online at www. petersonsskiandcycle.com We hope to “ski” you soon!
The Kidder Township Board of Supervisors moved their regular meeting to the Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Company’s social hall on primary election day, April 23. The township’s polling place took over the meeting room of the municipal building that day.
Audience participants asked about the curative
amendment process, and language planned to be added or changed.
Resolution #4 approving the process of implementing that amendment was passed unanimously as one of the first items on the agenda. In the resolution is language to “provide adequate definitions and/or regulations regarding warehouses,” with examples of likely changes describing “storage, distribution, infrastructure, size, and environmental effects…”
The Kidder Township Historical Society sent a letter asking supervisors to be able to use the historic Albrightsville Schoolhouse. There was discussion about getting the building inspected to determine any safety or structure issues. After that, the Historical Society will need to meet with the Albrightsville VFC, as the Schoolhouse is on the Fire Co. parking lot. It was decided to table this until the next meeting.
Regular business included ratifying Preservation Graystones LLC land development agreements, agreeing to pay for fuel for regular operations of emergency services vehicles (cost estimated at $16,000 per year), and the okay of See KIDDER, page 10
AeroCamp is designed to give young people a unique opportunity to explore the vast and exciting world of aviation and aerospace at their local airport. As a member of the Flight School Association of North America, our local flight school is proud to participate in the AeroCamp Program and make AeroCamp available to the kids in our community.
Continued from page 9
an emergency contract to repair an area of roof at the municipal building. Larue & Son Home Improvement quoted $9,585 for the repair, and this was ratified by supervisors as part of the April 23rd agenda.
Other business included approving a disabled veteran’s real property tax exemption, accepting the reports on Kidder Police and Non-Uniformed Pension Plans, accepting three new taxed parcels in Holiday Pocono as an investor bought these from the County tax claim bureau, and approving a bills list totaling $269,585. The big bill of the month is $35,650 for the tree trimming work of Princeton Tree Care. A total of $90,423 was disbursed to the Fire Companies and to Lake Harmony Rescue Squad. Other large payments go for health insurances and taxes.
Supervisor Noel Torres, as roadmaster, reported that the Meckes Lane bridge was reinspected and is back to an inspection every two years. A review of records put to rest the possibility that there was movement by the piers. The only repairs to do are for ‘minor’ scouring.
Kidder Police chief Matthew Kuzma reported that March calls were 221. Most of the batch, 89 calls, were for traffic enforcement. There were 10 civil complaints and 9 ‘parking problems.’ Extra traffic enforcement will start this week.
Township manager Suzanne Brooks thanked I.D. Logistics for their cleanup of trash along Route 940, and also thanked Century21 for their roadsides cleanup. Brooks will also look into updating the Emergency Operations Plan.
Supervisors will meet in May at the regular site, the township building in Lake Harmony.
To celebrate Earth Day, the Pocono Lake United Women in Faith are hosting a Forest Health Town Meeting. Please join Logan Goddard, Service Forester for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Delaware Forest District, who will discuss the history of our forest, types of trees in our area, problems affecting our trees and what we can do about it.
The meeting will be held on May 14 from 7-8 p.m. at the Pocono Lake United Methodist Church. There will be a free 5-year Norway Spruce seedling given to the first 100 people who attend.
Pocono Lake United Methodist church is located on Route 940 between Pocono Pines and Blakeslee.
For more information, call the church 570646-2650 or email poconolakeumc@gmail. com. Please visit us on facebook or at www. poconolakeumc.org
PSP encourages the public to share information to help with active investigations, cold cases, and missing persons.
The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) today unveiled PSP Tips, a new way for the public to share information related to active investigations,
cold-cases, the apprehension of wanted persons, or locating missing persons.
“Assistance from the public is often vital to solving crimes or locating missing or wanted individuals,” said Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens, Deputy Commissioner of Operations. “The social media platforms, the toll-free number, and the online tip form are all easy ways to send us information that may solve a case or get a dangerous individual off the streets.”
PSP Tips includes information on nearly 100 cold case homicides, missing persons, and other unsolved crimes. New cases will be added frequently.
Featured cases include the 1973 homicide of an 8-year-old girl in Greene County, the unsolved killing in 1977 of a high school junior in Blair County, the 1981 disappearance of a Lackawanna County teenager, and the search for the children of Susan Reinert, a Montgomery County teacher
See PSP TIPS, page 14
Editor’s Note: Think you saw this story last month? You did, but when it jumped from page 15 to page 16, some important information dropped, and the resulting paragraphs didn’t make sense. Here is Mary’s story again, in its entirety.
The purpose of these inspections is not to inconvenience motor carriers entering or traveling
from page 13
found murdered near Harrisburg in 1979. Your tip could provide investigators with a long-awaited breakthrough that will finally bring closure and justice for the victim’s families.
All information submitted to PSP Tips can be provided anonymously, if desired.
All cases in which PSP requests public assistance can be viewed at the following social media sites: Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ PSPTips
Twitter: https:// twitter.com/PSP_TIPS
Each site provides a toll-free phone number, 1-800-4PATIPS (1-800-4728477), and a link to an online tip submission form, https://www. p3tips.com/tipform. aspx?ID=107.
through our township, but to reinforce safety requirements and make our PA and Kidder Township roadways safer for all who travel them. Several years ago, these inspections were performed by Chief Kuzma and Detective Yurchak. The inspections were discontinued in 2005 and resumed in 2023. Throughout Pennsylvania, more than 700 specially trained state and local officers inspect motor carriers for commercial safety regulations At this time, Patrolman Yaskiewicz is the only Kidder Police officer who is certified to do
See INSPECTIONS, page 16
Continued from page 14
these inspections.
To be certified, Officer Yaskiewicz entered a Mentor program which was completed November 3, 2023. Prior to entering the program, he completed 120 hours of rigorous classroom training. A total of 32 Level 1 Inspections were required to complete the certification process. These inspections were observed by the Pennsylvania State Police and signed off on completion. Although there were no major issues reported, of the 20 inspections completed, 38 citations were issued.
It was with that in mind, that, on a gloomy and dreary 37 degree morning on March 28, I was permitted to observe a current motor carrier inspection. This was a Level 3 inspection which was a Driver Only Inspection which included driver’s licensing, medical card, log book, vehicle registration and insurance as well as inspection of the co-driver if applicable. No part of the vehicle was inspected during a Level 3 inspection. The carrier this morning was a trash hauler. Busy on
INSPECTIONS, page 19
his computer, Officer Yaskiewicz was able to check the status of his driver’s license, any possible infractions, especially drug or alcohol, in his name or the vehicle’s record. Gone are the days when drivers’ logs were paper and the officer had limited access to much of the information which is available to him/her today.
In today’s inspection, the driver and carrier met the requirements of a Level 3 inspection and was free to resume travel with a computer generated paper indicated he had met all requirements of a Level 3 inspection.
You may be asking, what additional inspections are required in Levels 1 and 2. Level 1: Full vehicle inspection, including tires, all lights, air hoses, electrical lines, vehicle frame, vehicle body, undercarriage, trailer inspection and general inspection conformity. Measurement of air brakes on each wheel along with inspection of the air brake chamber. Driver inspection: To include licensing, medical, log book, truck registration and insurance. Optional: Load inspection - contents and security. Level 2: Everything in a Level 1 Inspection requirement with the exception of the vehicle undercarriage and measurement of the brake.
Questions in your minds: What’s in it for the township? Most important is safety on our roadways. But yes, there is a financial benefit too. When a citation is issued, Kidder Township receives 50% of any income generated by the citation. It’s a Win/Win!
BTW, in approximately 30 inspections of trucks going to or from our warehouse, there were no citations.
Although National Bourbon Day is celebrated annually on June 14th and September was declared National Bourbon month by Congress, it is May 4th that bourbon enthusiasts need to honor the importance of bourbon whiskey, which is considered America’s “Native Spirit.”
It was on May 4, 1964, that the U.S. Congress passed a concurrent resolution designating bourbon whiskey as a “distinctive product of the United States.”
This resolution also established bourbon as a separate category of whiskey and prohibits the use of the term “bourbon” to describe or label any whiskey made outside of the U.S. Thus, May 4th is known as Bourbon Independence Day.
You can celebrate by enjoying a glass of bourbon neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail. Celebrate by visiting a distillery to learn about the history of bourbon, the process of making it, and how to taste it. You can even go out and celebrate and declare Bourbon Independence in your Star Wars costume. May the 4th be with you! Be sure to always drink responsibly, and never when behind the wheel.
A busload of Shenanigans’ friends departed for a day of fun on April 27, a good time was had by all.
The Mountain’s Edge plans a Masquerade Ball food & wine pairing on May 21. Wine is served with each course.
Ralph, the Wonder Dog, greeter with Pocono West Real Estate, is shown in a photo.
The Lake Harmony Association had their
first road clean-up of 2004 on April 24, filling a Split Rock Resort provided pickup truck to overflowing. - - -
The township anticipates mailing out Notice to Connect letters beginning in May to homeowners when their particular area has been tested and ready to “go live.” The tap-in fee of $1,500 is due upon receipt of the Notice. The yearly user fee of $550 will be due 90 days after your Notice to Connect.
Editor Mary Farnschlader wrote about three fatal accidents in nine days in April. She wrote: “Most of us cannot even begin to imagine what our Police, Fire and Rescue personnel have to go through when responding to accidents of this magnitude and frequency…To our Police, Fire and Rescue personnel we can only say a heartfelt Thank You. It isn’t enough, but know that your community appreciates your efforts…”
Parade: May 26th starts at 1pm and ends at Lehigh Park on Lehigh Street
• Christine Barnes - Bag Piper
• Ax Throwing
• Family size connect 4 games
• Trick Trays
• Crestwood Marching Band
• Inflatable obstacle course for the kids
• Face Painting
• Foam Party
• Memorial Ceremonies
• Poppy King and Queen
• Several floats celebrating the 200th Birthday of White Haven
• Music from 2 to 4 from the band “the Legends” There will
The Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Co. is buying a Fire Safety House this year with the help of a grant and local donations.
The Lake Harmony Rescue Squad lists these (now 20 yearsold) prices as part of its fundraising:
“New truck$158,000
Stretcher - $3,000
AED - $3,000
Pulse Oximeter$800
Paid Personnel$150,000
Saving Your Life –PRICELESS”
LAKE NEWS created a poster from the cover its September 2003 issue titled Pocono Privies. Copies were sold to benefit the Environmental Action Committee in Kidder Township.
A page in this issue tells the story of the two Hershey’s Kissmobiles. The vehicle, a truck chassis with three giant Kisses atop, including the drivers’ area in the first Kiss. These carry about a ton of chocolate more than 230,000 Hershey’s Kisses on travels to raise money for hospitals and the Children’s Miracle Network.
The Top-O-
Continued from page 4
The Pub @ the hub
Music Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.
May 3 – Friends of Roger
4 - Justin Skylar
10 – Tim Fitzpatrick
11 - Solkatana
17 – Chris Zelenak
18 – Nina Peterson
24 – Andrew Moses
25 – Chris Thomas
31 - Justin Skylar
June 1 – John Simoson
At The Sand Bar t
May 5- Cinco de Mayo Taco Party
25 - Toga Party Band 4-8 p.m.
26 - Kartune 6-10 p.m.
At Holy Ghost Distillery & Tasting House on Route 940
Entertainment, tasting experiences check www.holyghostdistillery.com
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 Fri, May 3 - HunkaJunk - Retro Dance Music
Sat, 4 - The Velvet Stardust Rock Show
Fri, 10 - Eaglemania - The World’s Greatest Eagles Tribute
Sat, 11 - Get Poison’d - A Tribute to Poison Sunday, 12 - The British Invasion Years –4 p.m.
Fri, 17 - The Weeklings - The Music of the Beatles & More
Sat, 18 - Boat House Row - Yacht Rock Experience
Thu, 23 - The Steepwater Band
Friday, 24 - The Guess Who Alumni
Sat & Sun, 25 & 26 - The Breakers Tribute to Tom Petty Fri, 31 - Meet Loaf - The Ultimate Tribute
Saturday, June 1, 2024
Calamity Chang Presents: Burlesque Through the Ages
At Pennspeak.com
May 2 – Saxon and Uriah Heep
3 – Lynch Mob
4 – Buddy Guy
9 – Gary Allen
At Pennspeak.com
May 17 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy 22 – Bill Haley Jr. & The Comets 24 – Christone “Kingfish” Ingram 31 – Leonid and Friends
Kirby Center for Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre KirbyCenter.org
May 4 – Arturo Sandoval Jazz 6 – Primus
18 - Peter Noone, Brooklyn Bridge, Bobby Wilson and The Happenings
MoheganSunArenaPA.com
May 10 – WWE Smackdown 11 – Tim McGraw
PPLCenter.com
May 2 – Sesame Street Live Phantoms playoff hockey 8th and 11th
The Bach and Handel Chorale will close out its 38th season with their final concert to be held in the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 526 Race St. in Jim Thorpe on Saturday, May 18, beginning at 3 pm. Tickets are $25.
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.
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.
mountairycasino.com
Glass Bar entertainment Fridays & Saturdays from 9 p.m.
May 3 – POP 2000 Tour w Otown and LFO 25 - PARROTBEACH –premier JIMMY BUFFET tribute
Continued from page 23
Pocono Rotary Club recently announced two scholarships one to support the costs of a year abroad as a Rotary Ambassador, and the other a Rotary World Peace Scholarship towards the cost of a two-year master’s degree in international relations, peace and conflict resolution.
Sports Writer Larry O’Rourke writes of an experience attending games 3 and 4 of Philadelphia Flyers versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. The airline had lost his luggage, and his warm clothes were inside.
There, he also learned that Canadians love Americans as people. Local hotel staff helped him until his luggage arrived it had been shipped to Nova Scotia.
He adds amusing stories like ordering a Molson Canadian at the bar…Barkeep’s reply “What part of the states are you from?” He also fussed over $2 and $1 coins. O’Rourke’s regular beat was covering the Philadelphia Eagles for the Morning Call. He proved to be a fast learner for these games, and the overall Toronto experience.
Beginning in April, the Split Rock Country Club will begin building its new English Tudor-style clubhouse. “When completed, the clubhouse will be the centerpiece of the golf course’s 27 holes…”
A history of the Resort at Split Rock starts with the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company buying 45,000 acres in the Poconos, about 190 years ago, to protect its headwater rights to the Lehigh River. In 1938 under new leadership in the company, it was decided to build a lodge in this beautiful area. It was done in 1941 and was “one of the East’s finest year-round sports resorts.” In 1967, the Lodge was sold. A fire destroyed most of the building in 1970. The building was rebuilt with the help of a group of Split Rock property owners, who bought the property and added 50 rooms to it. In 1981, Jack and Barbara Kalins bought the Resort and merged it into Vacation Charters.
In 2004, Jack Frost would host its 17th Annual Celtic/Irish Festival on May 29 and 30. Big Boulder would host the 13th annual Pocono Blues Festival July 23, 24, and 25.
David Simek sent this rainbow pic from July 21, 2023. “It was neat because the rainbow traveled down the lake as the showers passed by,” Simek reported. Send your pics to lakenewslakeharmony@gmail.com
Enjoy a free outdoor concert with Matt Miskie in the Amphitheater at Hickory Run State Park on Sunday, May 26, from 7 to 8 p.m.
Matt’s repertoire is family-friendly, instantly recognizable, and enjoyed by audiences of all ages familiar folk classics that you can sing along with as well as songs of local and regional history, punctuated with thoughtful and melodic original music inspired by nature, adventure, family, and coming of age. A few songs will be included to commemorate Memorial Day.
No reservations are required.
The Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company hosted a Wide-Area Search and Rescue training class for mutual aid partners on February 19 and 24 at the I.D. Logistics warehouse building on Route 940. The class attracted a total of 25 firefighters - 13 firefighters from mutual aid partners including from Tunkhannock Township VFD, Penn Forest Township #2 VFD, Weatherly Citizens Fire Co., and a few singles, plus 12 firefighters from Lake Harmony.
The 12-hour program was taught by adjunct instructors from the PA State Fire Academy including lieutenant Matthew Miller of the host fire company. There were four hours of classroom work, then training out in the warehouse using a Searching Large Scale Buildings program developed by the Jersey City Fire Department. The photos show search ropes techniques in a nice and brightly lit setting. The techniques are used often in dark, smoky environments. Participants wore black-out goggles to mimic those conditions.
The program was free. Instructors were paid through the fire academy.
The program gave Lake Harmony VFC officers lieutenant Miller, department chief Joe Lennon, captain Lee DiSimone, chief Ralph Lennon, and lieutenant Noel Torres a chance to become familiar with the building at 880 Route 940, to set up alarm cards, and get familiar with the water system there.
Editor’s Note: This article from last month needed a bit of clarification. Here’s the full scoop on a remarkable career.
MaryAnn Soriano begin her real estate career in 1987. In 2012, she celebrated 25 years in the real estate industry, working all those years with Pocono Resorts Realty. In 2024, she is still selling real estate, now with The Real Estate Group in Pocono Lake.
By the time of that 25 year anniversary, she had been living in the area for 37 years, a primary property owner in the Poconos since 1980. She and her husband Joseph were living in White Haven. MaryAnn’s local roots run deep, through Hazleton. She still has her grandmother Tarrone’s 1917 marriage license. Husband Joseph passed in 2014. Before joining Pocono Resorts Realty, she was a manager at Holiday Inn, then Split Rock Resort. In May of 1987, she made the move to real estate. She stayed with Pocono Resorts Realty for 33 years, until it closed in 2020 and the owners moved to beautiful Naples, Florida. At that time, MaryAnn started working for the Terra Cottage See SORIANO, page 35
your nest is bursting at the seams and needs more breathing room or your chicks have spread their wings, Spring is the perfect season to dive into the
or
Continued from page 34
Realty Group LLC, just across the road on the other side of Route 940. In 2023, the Broker there retired, and MaryAnn had to move again.
“I am with the Real Estate Group LLC, still listing and selling in Lake Harmony and surrounding areas,” she says.
“I owned a Lakefront on Lake Harmony from 2002, also a Lakefront at Midlake on Big Boulder. Both are sold now, plus other properties. I have hands-on experience. I will be happy to help you sell or purchase in these beautiful Pocono
Mountains and surrounding areas. I sell mountain lake lifestyles let me introduce you to it! Looking forward to being of service to you. I now do STR and property management too.”
Soriano has received many awards over the years including Outstanding Realtor and Top Salesperson. She says, “I will continue in the industry that I love,” ready to be of service to her previous clientele as their lives change, and to future clients, whether buyers, sellers, or shortterm-rental owners. Call her or text her at 570-4019558, or email her at MaryAnnSorianoRealtor@ gmail.com to learn more.
A big congratulations to all the members of a very special generation, which will be “ The UNIQUE..”
Many have passed away, and those who are still here are called “the elderly.”
We were born in the 40s-50s-60s.
We grew up in the 50s-60s-70s
We studied in the 60s-70s-80s.
We were together in the 70s-80s-90s.
We got married or not and discovered the world in the 70s-80s-90s.
Adventuring into the 80s - 90s.
We’re settling in to the 2000s.
We became wiser in 2010s.
And we’re going strong into 2020 and beyond. Turns out we went through EIGHT different decades...
TWO different centuries...
TWO different millennials...
We’ve gone from phone that hung on our walls with operator for long distance calls, pay booths, to video calls worldwide.
We’ve gone from slides to YouTube, vinyls to online music, handwritten letters to emails, texting, and Apps. See PO NOTES, page 38
Continued from page 36
Live games on the radio, black and white TV, color TV, then HD 3D TV.
We went to the video store and now watching Netflix, Prime etc.
We’ve known the first computers, punch cards, disks and now we have gigabytes, megabytes, the occasional mosquito bite to smartphones that some can’t put down!
We wore shorts all through our childhood, then trousers, ep pants or mini-skirts, Oxfords, Clarks, Palestinian scarves, jumpsuits, and blue jeans.
We avoided childhood paralysis, meningitis, poliomyelitis, tuberculosis, swine flu and now COVID-19.
We’ve done roller skating, ice skating, tricycle, bicycle, moped, gasoline, or diesel and now some drive hybrids or electric.
We played with the little one’s horses and checkers, ostrich, and marbles, 1000 threshold and monopoly, now there’s candy crush & others on our smartphones.
And we read... much and our schoolmate’s religion was not a subject...
We used to drink tap water and lemonade in glass bottles, and the vegetables on our plate were always fresh, today we get meals delivered. Yes, we have been through a lot but what a beautiful life we have had!
They might describe us as “ex-annuals”; people who were born in this 50s world, who had an analog childhood and digital adulthood.
We should add the Biological Revolution that we have witnessed. In 1960, biology was very descriptive. We have witnessed the event of Molecular Biology: the molecules of Life have been discovered: DNA, RNA etc. When you see everything that has come from it: gene therapy, gene fingerprints, and others the progress is considerable.
We kind of have “seen it all”!
Our generation has literally lived and witnessed more than any other in every dimension of life. This is our generation that has literally adapted to “CHANGE”.
When I started my job at the Post Office here in 1996 in Lake Harmony, we had to use our brains and math skills. We had scales to weigh letters and an even bigger scale to weigh packages. We had adhesive or gum on a water-activated stamp known as lick & stick stamps. We had a cash book to keep track of sales for the day. We had a swiping credit card machine and a hand pulled money
PO Notes, page 39
order machine. If the power went out we could still work with lanterns to see. Today if the power goes out we’re useless! No weighing anything. No sales of any kind. No handing out packages either because there’s no way to scan them out.
It’s sad but over time we have gone through several different kinds of computer systems.
No more lick & stick stamps. In fact, the firstclass stamps no longer have the prices on them because someone thought of the forever stamps. I used to joke with customers if they would like the scratch & sniff stamps and bam someone must have overheard me because that came out also! Just an FYI A first class mail postage stamp cost 32¢ in 1996. Stamps are planned on going up again in July to 73¢, but if you think about it, it’s still cheaper to mail anything than to drive it.
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
John William Healey, 70, of Lake Harmony, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 21, 2024 at Bayonet Point Hospital in Hudson, Florida. Born to the late John and Muriel (Gwinnett) Healey, in Hoboken, New Jersey, John resided in Jersey City for many years before moving to Pennsylvania in the mid-1980s with his family.
John is survived by his two children, Jacqueline Romano (Joseph) and John Healey (Lindsay); siblings Maureen Healey of Pottsville, and Eileen Healey of Danville, California; beloved grandchildren, Giuliana Romano and Shane Stoeckel; his dear Aunt “Peggy” Kelly of Chester, New Jersey; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loyal friends.
John worked as a truck driver for many years for R.G. Delivery Services in Hoboken (Harrison), New Jersey and was a member of the Teamsters Union Local #641 from which he retired in 2010. Upon retirement, he enjoyed traveling, mostly to California and Florida to visit family and friends.
John was an avid reader, who loved photography, music, and Corvettes. He also enjoyed spending time with his granddaughter, going on adventures and taking train rides. John was incredibly intelligent and thoughtful, had a wealth of knowledge and helped all of those who surrounded him. He will be forever remembered, loved, and missed.
John’s funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Bolock Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Memorial services will be held at a later date.
The Lake Harmony Rescue Squad is holding its annual breakfast at Split Rock Galleria on May 26 from 7 to 11 a.m.
Tel: 570-636-0680
Fax: 570-636-0197
pauren01@pauinsurance.com
606 E. Butler Drive, Freeland (Freeland-Drums Highway)
Tickets are $10 – all you can eat. Kids under 5 are free. Buy online pickup tickets at the Rescue Squad or pay when you come.
The Lake Harmony Rescue Squad’s ’23-’24 fundraising campaign letters were mailed earlier this fall. People have been generous. As of April 1, the campaign has raised nearly $52,200. In 2024, the goal is to exceed $60,000 because the LHRS is buying another 4-wheel drive ambulance, same specs as #1760, which will cost over $260,000. The new unit should arrive late this year if all goes well with the
See LHRS, page 43
Continued from page 42
order and customizing. So, by late 2024, 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.
In March, the units were out a total of 1,458 miles, making
18 calls in Lake Harmony, one in White Haven and three into Weatherly. The LHRS was also out 5 times with the fire companies on alarm calls.
If you wish to donate to the new campaign, and towards the new ambulance, please send a check to:
LAKE HARMONY RESCUE SQUAD AND AMBULANCE CORPS, INC.
P.O. Box 564, Lake Harmony, PA 18624, or go on to lakeharmony ambulance.com to make a payment with a credit card.
Consider buying a LHRS hat, shirt, or sweatshirt for a gift. Visit the LHRS tent at the upcoming Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival at the Split Rock Resort on June 22 and 23 to buy LHRS shirts etc.
Annual Hot Dog fundraiser will be July 12 and 13 at Harmony Beverage on Route 940.
Golden Oaks Village community yard sale will be held on Saturday, May 25, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The sale will be held in the individual home driveways this year, and not in the clubhouse parking lot.
1. Bars
6. Escape or flee
9. Green gemstone or Heather Graham in “The Hangover”
13. Turning point
14. 34th U.S. Pres
15. Actress Sophia ____
16. Each and all
17. Lake, in France
18. Roof overhangs
19. *Lovable mother of seven in “Harry Potter” Mrs. ____
21. *Mother in “The Terminator,” Sarah
23. Not safe, in baseball
24. “Hold on!”
25. Uno ____, in Mexico
28. Iranian monarch
30. Be a go-between
35. Kind of cuckoos
37. Passing mention
39. Dwelled
40. TV show “____ 911!”
41. *”Beloved” mother
43. Like a tennis skirt
44. Scottish kinship groups
46. Spare in car
47. Email folder
48. Vertical dimension
50. Turf alternative
52. Morse Code dash
53. Hippocratic ____
55. Three, to Caesar
57. *Margaret White’s telekinetic daughter
60. *Elizabeth Zott of “____ in Chemistry”
64. Vernacular
65. R&R hot spot
67. Capital of Vietnam
68. Yours is as good as mine?
69. Tennis retry
70. Cause anxiety (2 words)
71. Bookie’s quote
72. Well-kept secret, for some
73. Teatime treat
1. Do like volcano
2. Honey home
3. Iris holder
4. Human trunk
5. iPad “pen”
6. *Matriarch, ____ Munster of “The Munsters”
7. *Nadezhda of “The Americans,” ____ Elizabeth Jennings, acr.
8. Muhammad’s birthplace
9. Melissa Rivers’ mom
10. Australian slang for afteroon
11. Widely hunted ruminant
12. Follow ems
15. A particular legume
20. Not pathos
22. Second O in EVOO
24. Kinda white
25. *Mrs. ____, a.k.a. Marmee
26. Anoint
27. Red Sea peninsula
29. Drive a getaway car, e.g.
31. Goals
32. Like a Harvard building?
33. Plant-based laxative
34. *____ Bunker, mom to Gloria in “All in the Family”
36. Dance partner
38. Drive-____, for short
42. Like a haunted house
45. Daisy dukes, e.g.
49. ____ chi
51. Casts a line
54. Popular electric car
56. Newton’s first name
57. Foul substance
58. Matured
59. Bob of “The Joy of Painting” fame
60. Better than never?
61. On top of
62. “High” time
63. Cosine’s counterpart
64. In the past
66. *”Married... with Children” mom
April archives bears
Harmony hiking Jets
Boulder brunch bucks dineout does Eagles firemen flies flowers Flyers flyfishing foxes friends Giants golf
May mayflies Mets neighbors Patriots Phillies quiet RedSox spring stamps visitors welcome wine Yankees Find the words below in
Kidder Lake LAKENEWS livemusic
Sweet April showers do spring May flowers.
Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil.
