Connections Magazine - April 2016 Issue

TWO PEOPLE, ONE HOME – P 6

NEW HOME, NEW LAWN – P 8

YOUR GARDEN, YOUR WAY – P 10

APRIL 2016

Since 1998

PLUS...

OurTowns – P 4 & 5 Home Spring Checkuo – P 12 Living Green – P 13 Reflections – P 14 Ask The Vet – P 15 Money – P 16 Entertainment – P 18 Pocono Secrets – P 19 Outdoor Ramblings – P 20 Classic Cars – P 21 Wellness – P 22 Area Events – P 24

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april ’16

contents

departments Ask the Vet

15

Behavioral Medicine

22

Book Review

18

Classic Cars

21

Events Calendar

24

Film Review

18

Healthy Geezer

23

Living Green

13

Money

16

OurTowns

4

Outdoor Ramblings

20

Pocono Secrets

19

Reflections of Prison

14

BE GREEN!

Please do your part by recycling your issue of Connections when finished or pass it along to your family and friends.

Just make sure they recycle it, too!

connectionsmagazine APRIL ’16

VOL. 18 NO. 4

features

6 8 10

TWO PEOPLE, ONE HOME You’ve got your stuff, your partner or spouse has more stuff, and the home you’ve started to share simply doesn’t have enough room to accommodate all the merged belongings.

NEW HOME, NEW LAWN Recent homeowners, relax. Figuring out what’s what in your first garden may be as easy as peering over your neighbor’s fence.

YOUR GARDEN, YOUR WAY Indoors or out, creating a garden that fits your life – and floorplan – is more feasible than you might think .Annette Silva had always enjoyed the large yard that surrounded her home in northern Virginia, but, she admits, she tended to take it for granted. That changed when she found herself living in a high-rise apartment in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

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ourtowns

connections

tricky tray

[YOUR] NEPA MAGAZINE

Pennies

From Heaven ENNIES FROM HEAVEN Caleb’s Foundation is holding their 7th Annual Tricky Tray fundraiser on Sunday May 1st from 12:00 pm-2:30 pm at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant (soon to be known as “The Dock” at the Silver Birches) in Hawley.

Over 150 themed baskets valued at $100+ for every family member including the pet will be raffled off. Admission is free, cash bar available, door prizes and desserts will be given out, and all ages are welcome!

General tickets will be sold at $8 for 25, value packs for $50, and specialty baskets valued greater than $250 will be available for $1 and $5 per chance. Don’t forget your extra pennies and change to toss into Caleb’s Wishing Well. *New for this year: Bring a brand new Children’s Board book and receive a free raffle ticket. Books will be donated this year to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia!

P

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN was started in loving memory of Caleb, a sweet little boy who found joy in simple things, such as his mommy’s guitar, his stuffed animal, Mr. Bear, and empty Gatorade bottles. He brought love and laughter to everyone he met with his amazing spirit, and his playful excitement for life. On February 25 2007, Caleb was granted his angel wings just five days after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. He was only two years old. Although his life ended much too soon, his mother started this foundation because she believes this is the legacy Caleb was destined to leave behind.

“No parent should have to prioritize a payment or job before the care of their sick child” is the motto the Foundation has lived by since day one. “Our mission has remained steadfast and that is to support parents in the care of their sick child by relieving the stress of financial burdens at home. We help by covering rent and mortgage payments, electric and medical

bills, other utility bills, and much more” said Caleb’s mom, Nichole. Since May 2010, more than 445 families with a critically ill child have received financial assistance from Caleb’s Foundation.

Due to outside support from many generous people and businesses, 98% of all donation money is able to go directly to families in need like Logan’s family.

Logan is a nine month old who has been hospitalized since birth. It was discovered he had a hypoplastic aortic arch and needed cardiac surgery. Numerous complications and additional procedures have kept him in the PICU for his whole life thus far (Mortgage bill paid).

Winter is a one year old with Jobert Syndrome, trach & G-tube dependence, and respiratory failure requiring chronic ventilator support. She has never been home from the hospital (Rent bill paid).

Nathaniel is a four year old diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma. Since hospitalization in April, he has remained in the hospital. He underwent a bone marrow transplant and is currently receiving radiation. He still has over six months of treatment to complete (Electric bill paid). Kimberley is a seventeen year old who was previously healthy before being emergently admitted in October. She was found to have a large cerebellar hemorrhage with herniation and had neurosurgical intervention. She had numerous complications and was in the PICU for over a month. Kimberley was eventually transferred to the In-patient Rehab Unit where she currently remains (Mortgage bill paid).

These are just a few of the families who have been financially assisted by Caleb’s Pennies From Heaven.

Last year’s Tricky Tray event brought in a recordbreaking total of $51,000! With your help, more money can be raised this year and given back to families who need it most.

Please visit www.calebspennies.org for more information or contact Nichole Granville at calebspennies18@gmail.com if you would like to make a monetary donation or become an event sponsor.

PENNIES FROM HEAVEN Caleb’s Foundation, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, contributions to which are tax deductible as permitted by law.

president • publisher • editor in chief deborah bailey production manager meica drake account representative barry weiss editorial correction services sandi scull assignment writers robin scandura allison mowatt contributing writers al hoff, Movie Review lucille norella, ArtScene fred cicetti, The Healthy Geezer charles curtin, Finance terry mooney, Reflections of a Prison Inmate arthur middleton, MD, FAPA, Behavioral Medicine michael krupa, Finance terri schlichenmeyer, Book Review la guzda, Pocono Secrets arnie milidantri, Classic Cars bill deaton, Outdoor Ramblings pike county conservation district, Living Green amy platko-williams, D.V.M, Ask the Vet

connectionsmagazine 3305 Lake Ariel Highway Honesdale, PA 18431 570.647.0085 • Fax 570.647.0086 cmag@ptd.net • thinkconnections@yahoo.com www.connections-magazine.com

Connections Magazine is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All advertising, including photographs, is the property of Connections Magazine and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction only in Connections Magazine and does not have the right to reproduce the ads in any other place or publication. Connections Magazine reserves its rights to exercise its discretion in the selection of advertisements. © COPYRIGHT 2006 CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE

WHAT A DILEMMA To laugh is to risk appearing a fool.

To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.

To reach out for another is to risk involvement.

To expose feelings is to risk rejection.

To place your visions before the crowd is to risk ridicule.

To love is to risk not being loved in return. **To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing.

We may avoid suffering and sorrow, but we cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or know GOD. Chained by our own self-assurances, we are a slave. We have forfeited our freedom.

Only the person who dares to take risk and to trust in their GOD will ever be made FREE.

In 1997,Rev. Edwin E. Bailey, father of the editor, gave this poem to his daughter 8 days before he had a stroke and 3 weeks before he died. The poem was adapted from works by Leo Buscaglia. Edwin hand wrote this on a scrap of paper and gave it to his daughter, Deborah, saying the words, “Someday you’ll understand these words and use them. God bless sweetheart.” **These words were used in making the decision to purchase Connections Magazine in 2002.

CONNECTIONS COPYRIGHTED 2007

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community dock foundation

Over $34,500

ourtowns

given back to families and local organizations

T h e L a k e R e g i o n C o m m u n i t y D o c k F o u n d a t i o n 2 0 1 5 Ye a r i n R e v i e w Jim Shook presents $2,000 to Sandy Gabrielson, money raised from the Community Golf Classic for the Ritz Bitz Children’s Program.

he Lake Region Community Dock Foundation (LRCDF) is a nonprofit organization supported by the Lake Region IGA. Jim Shook, founder of the Lake Region Community Dock Foundation, explains, “We often receive requests from local non-profit organizations for donations from the store, so I decided to organize these requests by creating the Lake Region Community Dock Foundation. By doing so, we are able to help individuals and families whose unexpected circumstances have burdened them beyond what they could have anticipated and planned. Our IGA store is committed to helping our community and the LRCDF is the way we give back to those who live in our area.” Here is a brief walk through our past year. Every year during graduation time, the LRCDF donates a scholarship fund to an employee of our store who demonstrates exceptional academic and professional skills. This year Colleen McDonald was the proud recipient of a $1000 scholarship to further her education.

T

In June of 2015 the foundation hosted three events all in one in order to raise money and increase awareness of the needs of our community; CruiseFest, the Hometown Pride Ride and the Classic Car Show. The foundation was able to help four families last year.

Money raised from the Count’s Kustoms Chopper Raffle and Cruisefest was $15,000 which was given to deserving families. This year’s families were the Worthingtons, the O’Heren family, Macey Hessling, and the Green family. Examples of the types of situations the foundation helps are victims of fires, a family that needed a medical chair lift for their grandson who is diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, a woman who is suffering from kidney failure, and a family who needed help to cover funeral costs for their terminally ill son.

All together the Hometown Pride Ride event raised $7,000 and was divided between Hawley Parks and Recreation, Hawley Fire Department, Hawley Ambulance, Hawley Police Department, Port Jervis National Night Out, and the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.

In September the LRCDF holds its annual Community Golf Classic at Paupack Hills. The tournament was played this year to benefit the Ritz Bitz Children’s program and to aid the Lake Region IGA in purchasing an AED, Automated External Defibrillator for the safety of our customers and employees. The Ritz Company

Playhouse received $2000 from proceeds from the tournament. Our “hole in one” sponsor was Baer’s Harley Davidson offering a 2015 Harley Davidson motorcycle as the main prize. The LRCDF also supports other local events every year and this year, funds were awarded to Toys for Tots through the Honesdale Harley Owners Group.

Throughout the year, the foundation gives money to local charities that are signed up through the Lake Region IGA. This allows Lake Region IGA customers to support the charity of their choice by donating 1% of their total sales to a charity. This past year the foundation continues to grow and was able to donate over $8,600 to over thirty local charities and non-profits.

The list of charities and non-profits that the foundation helps is as follows; Wallenpaupack North Primary School PTA, Hawley Public Library, First Presbyterian Deacons Fund Hawley, Forest Volunteer Fire Department, Knights of Columbus, Rev. Williams B. Healey Council 797, Tafton Fire Company, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Hawley United Methodist Church, Hawley Fire Department, Black Bear Conservancy of Music, Dessin Animal Shelter, Marley’s Mission, Bethel Lutheran Church, American Legion Aux Hawley, St. Ann’s Youth Group, Blooming Grove Baptist Church, Lake Region Youth Association, American Cancer Society, Paupack United Methodist Church, Wallenpaupack Historical Society, Paupack Preschool, New Covenant Fellowship Church, Hawley Ambulance and Rescue Co., Ritz Theatre, Lakeville United Methodist Church, WAHS Swim Booster Club, Boy Scout Troop 129, Hawley Women’s Club, Friend’s Embracing Friends, Cole Memorial Baptist Church, Paupack Attack Softball, Cystic Fibrosis of NEPA, Guardian of Mercy Animal League, Lacawac Sanctuary and Central Volunteer Fire Company.

The total amount for 2015 was over $34,500 in community support! Thank you for spending your year with us.

2016 CruiseFest to be held on Sunday, June 12th from 11-3pm in the Lake Region IGA parking lot where you can meet 2016’s deserving families!

Find out more at www.lrcdf.org.

Money from this year’s Hometown Pride Ride went to Hawley’s local emergency services.

Pictured here are Hawley Fire Chief Scott Mead, Joseph Faubel Finance for Hawley Borough Council, Hawley Police Chief Daniel Drake, Susan Baldwin, Hawley Ambulance President, and Jim Shook President of LRCDF

Macey Hessling receives money from the foundation to help cover medical expenses.

The Hometown Pride Ride which raises money for Hawley’s Emergency Services, snakes through the Hawk’s Nest every year.

The O’Heren Family receives a check to help with the burial of their terminally ill son Brandon Harkins, may he Rest In Peace.

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ONE

By Barbara Ballinger

ZERO

subsection

TWO

section

People, Home, Solutions?

C o m b i n i n g h o m e s i s n ’ t e a s y.

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H e r e ’s h o w t o m a k e i t w o r k .

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solutions

ou’ve got your stuff, your partner or spouse has more stuff, and the home you’ve started to share simply doesn’t have enough room to accommodate all the merged belongings.

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Whether you are young newlyweds moving into your first condo or baby boomers with decades of furnishings, blending household possessions can be a challenge due to space limitations. What makes this process tougher is that most of us develop a deep emotional attachment to our things, and we’re less than thrilled when a partner dislikes something we cherish and wants to banish it to an attic, basement, or worse – the dumpster.

Apryl Childs, an account executive with an Archer Malmo in Memphis, Tenn., understood this dilemma firsthand.

When she and fiancé Jason Potter, marketing director for the Memphis Red Birds minor-league baseball team, set up shared housekeeping in his 100-year-old home, she desperately wanted to discard many of his possessions that she considered “undesirable”: bobblehead dolls sitting on top of the refrigerator and on living room shelves, a hand-me-down Oriental rug looking out of place in an informal den, a handme-down 1967 plaid couch, and a painted folding screen depicting a horse race, accenting the living room mantel.

Whenever Childs brought up the idea, her fiancé resisted, saying, “You’re throwing away all my stuff,” she recalls.

Since she knew their happiness hinged on finding a tactful solution, she suggested each of them pick a few items from their prior living spaces that they couldn’t live without and buy new items they both loved.

They’ve started their new hunt and also found places for the possessions each couldn’t live without. They bought a new couch and slip-covered the old plaid one, bought a new rug for the living room and put the Oriental underneath the bed in the guest room, placed the bobble-head dolls in storage until they build a bar where they’ll display them, and put Child’s old sectional couch in storage, since Potter “despised it,” she says.

Her advice to others: “Strive for a balance. You can’t throw everything away, but you also should try to create a new vision,” she says.

Julie Feece, a graphic designer in Sycamore, Ill., faced a similar quandary. A widow with three children living in a three-bedroom ranch, she recently married a man with three children who also lived in a three-bedroom ranch. Because his home was larger, they moved into it, but they knew they didn’t need three couches, 10 TVs and two kitchen tables.

home & garden

Since Feece’s husband wanted to be involved in the re-decorating, Feece found that the best solution was to make blending a process. “I brought up what I wanted to keep, like my headboard and bed, and when he objected, I didn’t bring up the idea for a while. Then I raised it again. It took six months to convince him, but I did,” she says.

Instead of discarding items outright, the couple stored those they weren’t sure about at an off-site storage facility since they plan to buy a larger new home and may be able to incorporate more of their original possessions. “We also may buy new ones,” Feece says.

Her advice to others is to give a partner an equal say.

“The person’s feelings are more important than having everything your way.”

Shari L. Goldstein, a public relations practitioner in Suffolk County, N.Y., whose family recently moved in with her beau’s, says a willingness to try furniture in different arrangements and rooms can spark new, better layouts.

Design and relationship experts who’ve dealt with such situations offer additional tips. Mary Emmerling, creative director for Country Home magazine, suggests compromise.

“Marriage is about compromise and trade-offs. If differing opinions arise, one spouse chooses, and then the next time the other gets to choose. Keep it even and switch off.”

Madeline Roth with Pariscope Design in Geneva, Ill., prefers letting one person “get” one room and the other having a say over another, which she thinks works better long term than compromising so that neither is happy. “The living room becomes her look and the family room his,” she says. She also recommends transforming some items through paint for a more cohesive look.

Sue Aprill, an interior arranger and decorator in Canton, Mich., mediates such situations, trying to validate each per son’s belongings. For $125 an hour, she’ll begin a dialogue, saying to one spouse, for instance, “I know this isn’t your favorite piece, but it’s very important to your wife. Let’s display it here where you might not see it too often but where your wife can still appreciate it.” She also advises rotating furnishings.

Because conflicts may arise, relationship and love expert, Kathryn Alice, author of the book, “Love Will Find You” (Marlowe & Co., 2007), recommends knowing how you’ll deal with such situations before they occur.

She also suggests finding a private space that everyone can call their own. “Humans are very territorial and need a place to retreat,” she says. That haven may be the place to put your most favorite objects that your partner doesn’t like. © CTW Features

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your new lawn

home & garden

New Home, New Lawn

By Paige Bowi

ecent homeowners, relax. Figuring out what’s what in your first garden may be as easy as peering over your neighbor’s fence.

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There are few milestones in life as satisfying as buying your first home. Owning property creates a feeling of accomplishment, and decorating it with one’s personal style is exhilarating. Yet the same buyer who wouldn’t blink at painting their home in bold colors is often hesitant to fiddle with a yard.

“If there’s a tree in the garden that they can’t stand, they totally freeze up,” notes Katherine Whiteside, author of several gardening books and a gardening columnist for House Beautiful magazine. “People make changes on the inside all the time, but if it’s outside, it feels a little more daunting.”

Don’t panic if your new home comes with a garden that is mysterious and strange, or if the house doesn’t have a garden, don’t be too intimidated to start one. Either way, there are plenty of strategies for getting up to speed.

“You learn so much by looking at other people’s gardens and public gardens around you, which saves a lot of heartache in the long run,” says Nicola Ferguson, author of “Right Plant, Right Place” (Fireside/Simon & Schuster, 2005). “Take lots of notes. Take photos, too.

“Those who acquire an existing garden when they purchase a home should wait a full cycle of seasons before making changes,” Ferguson adds. “Take it slowly because novice gardeners really don’t know what they like and what they don’t, and you don’t want to have to replace those mature specimens that take years to grow because you ripped them out thinking they were boring.”

Also, if something’s thriving, resist the urge to pull it up even if it doesn’t initially knock your socks off, Ferguson cautions. “If it’s doing well, it’s doing well for a reason, and whatever you’re thinking of replacing it with may not thrive as well under the same conditions,” she says.

Most sellers are happy to do a walk through to help buyers identify what’s there, as well as offer tips and advice. “ Ask for a printout of any improvements to the property, including bills for landscaping, lawn maintenance, hedge trimming, and the like,” Whiteside says. “That will give you an idea of what your expenses are likely to be. It also allows for continuity if you want to stay with the same vendors, all of whom will be familiar with the unique quirks of the property.”

“Find out, too, what chemicals have been used on the lawn and garden,” says Gayla Trail, author of “You Grow Girl”, (Fireside, 2005). “That’s useful whether or not you plan to continue using those chemicals. Even organic gardeners need to know what’s been applied in the past.

“It’s also a good idea to try to find out the history of the land,” Trail says. “Ask if the soil has been tested for pollutants because you don’t know what the land was used for before there was a house there, and especially in the city; lots turn over quite a bit,” she says.

“If something comes up and you don’t know what it is, look it up in a book or ask a neighbor,” Trail suggests. “Neighbors will probably have the same sorts of weeds you do and can tell you if it’s just a weed or something you want to keep,” she says.

“Barring that, you can always take a sample to a garden center,” says Stacey Leon, a certified nursery professional and sales associate in the perennial department at Hicks Nurseries in Long Island, N.Y. “A certified professional ought to be able to identify the mystery plant,” she says. They also should be able to tell you how to maintain it, such as the best time to prune and which fertilizers to use.

If you’re starting a garden from scratch, your first order of business is to find out what kind of soil you have. Once you know whether your soil is acidic or alkaline, or has, say, lots of clay, you can choose plants that do well in that kind of soil.

Trail prefers to arrange plants in various configurations while they’re still in the pots. That’s a good way to get a reasonable preview of how they’ll look in the ground.

One caveat, though: Newly purchased plants usually aren’t mature, so leave plenty of room to make way for additional spread and height.

And once again, quiz the previous owner of the house.

Even if there’s no garden, they’ll still know which areas are shady, which are sunny, and where puddles form when it rains.

“It’s hard work, but it’s worth it. Once you get comfortable with it, gardening is very rewarding,” Trail says. “Even veteran gardeners are always discovering something new.

It’s a lifelong learning process,” she says. “It never stops.”

Copyright © CTW Features

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home & garden

indoor gardens

Your Garden, Your Way

By Patricia Rivera 10 spread the word... full issues available online

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indoor gardens

home & garden

ndoors or out, creating a garden that fits your life – and floorplan – is more feasible than you might think. Annette Silva had always enjoyed the large yard that surrounded her home in northern Virginia, but, she admits, she tended to take it for granted. That changed when she found herself living in a high-rise apartment in the Spanish capital of Madrid.

I

Suddenly, the days she'd enjoyed planting flowers and caring for them evaporated like rain water on hot pavement. Deprived of the hours she'd spent caring for her flowers and shrubs, her spirits fell.

They rose again, however, when she discovered that, with a little imagination, she could create an indoor garden. “I ended up with plants all over the house. The whole balcony was filled with evergreens and geraniums,” she says.

Experts ranging from psychologists to interior designers have long touted the benefits of connecting with nature. Coming into daily contact with green plants, they say, not only has emotional benefits but also physical, cognitive and spiritual ones. Taking care of plants gives most people a profound sense of contentment.

If you live in a place where you don't have a yard to garden in, or you have physical limitations that prevent you from caring for an outdoor garden, don't despair. As Silva found out when she lived in Madrid, it's possible to enjoy an indoor garden just as much as an outdoor one. An indoor garden can be elaborate – up to and including a greenhouse that's an extension of the house – or as simple as a coffee-table bonsai or a kitchen terrarium full of herbs.

are useful, Redman says, but you probably should not use them if you have children in the house because they get very hot very fast and burns could result.

Know your landscape.

Consider alternative gardens

Just as you would observe light patterns outdoors, determine how much natural light comes into the areas where you want to cultivate an indoor garden. Take notes if necessary. Silva, for example, focuses her energy on her back porch, which now resembles a garden room filled with a mixture of floor plants, colorful containers, hanging baskets and even draping vines. She finds that she can better care for her plants when they are in a well-lit central area.

Ensure adequate indoor light.

If your lighting is poor, you will need to boost it artificially.

Gordon Redman, vice president of Portland, Ore.-based American Agriculture, which specializes in selling indoor gardening products, suggests using metal halide lighting with kelvin rations of 3,000 to 6,000.

Avoid a lamp with a spectrum below 3,000 kelvins when your plants are in a vegetative stage. “That may signal the plant to prematurely prepare for winter's die-out,” Redman says. He recommends using a 400-watt MH lamp for every 4-by-4 area. He prefers using two 400-watt lamps or two 600-watt lamps instead of one 1,000-watt lamp. Distributing the light provides a garden better light coverage and even plant growth throughout it. Reflectors also

Water with caution.

There is a lot more to watering your indoor plants than most people realize. “You can't just pour a little water into the pot and think that you're done,” Redman says. First, you should add oxygen to the water to imitate a natural rainfall. You can do that by simply shaking a closed jug for a minute or so. A spray also will force the water to pick up air. Experts suggest that you take the time to determine how much water each plant needs.

Measuring the run-off left in a drip tray after watering can help you determine how much water is needed for each of your plants.

Experts warn that you should not recycle the runoff water into the same pot, but instead, pour it out or use it on outdoor plants. “You also should not let your plants stand in wastewater for long,” Redman adds.

Water gardens are a simple and fun alternative to traditional soil or rock gardens. To start a water garden, choose a sealed pot and some aqua plants such as water lettuce, feather grass, and anacharis. The grasses look great and help maintain the oxygen levels in your water garden.

Keep the garden free from algae and be careful not to overload the pot with too many plants. Some aquatic plants should be potted with sand or clay. Place them in the container first and then add the grasses. Remember to keep your water level topped.

Harvest the fruits of your labor Susanne Garris, a long-time gardener from Issaquah, Wash., enjoys homegrown produce year round in part because she has her own indoor vegetable garden. She notes that produce grows best in sunny windows, preferably those facing south. Some vegetables need light from other sources, such as fluorescent fixtures. Herbs are popular, she says, especially for novice gardeners because they are easy to grow and they come in handy in the kitchen.

Garris says she loves growing herbs and tomatoes indoors “and later sharing them with friends. That's a great pleasure of gardening that is not limited to what you grow outside.”

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home & garden

spring checkup

Putting Your Home Through a Spring

Checkup!

Submitted by Disaster Blaster

hile your Spring Checklist may include cleaning out the gutters and changing the filter in the HVAC system, make sure you don’t overlook other common hazards. It is important to do a thorough check of your property for hidden damage that may have been caused or worsened by the winter weather unbeknownst to you.

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Water Damage During the winter months, the harsh temperatures and weather can lead to roof leaks and stressed plumbing. It’s important during the check to look for any signs of damage or water intrusion. Things to look for include stained ceilings, warped flooring, and any signs of stress, bulging, or corrosion on plumbing, particularly copper plumbing. Any plumbing issues found during your Spring Check should be addressed by a plumber so as not to lead to a bigger issue later.

If water damage is found, it is recommended to call a professional mitigation company as this may be indicative of a larger problem. Often, what you see is only a small part of the problem. Water and moisture can be hidden in wall cavities. Water damage not properly dried and mitigated may result in further structural damage, mold growth, and rot. This makes prompt and appropriate response very important.

Mold When a house is sealed throughout the winter, humidity can be trapped and encourage mold growth. Due to the nature of mold, it can spread quickly under the right conditions, possibly contaminating previously unaffected areas. Mold has been attributed to various health problems depending on an individual’s allergic reaction and should be dealt with properly. There are different degrees of contamination. A mitigation company can tell you what steps may be necessary to remove the mold from your home, as well as addressing the underlying issue so that it doesn’t return.

Asbestos While asbestos pipe wrap or floor tile in good condition may not be cause for concern, the cold weather may encourage condensation and deterioration of these materials, which could result in an airborne release of asbestos fibers.

Given the well documented health hazards exposure to asbestos fibers may cause, prompt response is strongly advised any time asbestos is found to be damaged in any way. Common places where asbestos containing materials can be found include, but are not limited to, pipe insulation, boiler cement insulation, floor tile, and vermiculite insulation. These materials, to be considered in good condition, must be free of any damage or breakage, must not be falling or drooping, or wet. Should you discover asbestos that is in poor repair, it is recommended to seal off the area from occupants and contact an Asbestos Abatement Contractor properly licensed by the State of Pennsylvania to perform an evaluation. A properly licensed Asbestos Abatement Contractor will be able to go over available options for you and to perform this work safely and without risk of cross contaminating unaffected areas.

Radon Radon levels fluctuate throughout the year, often spiking in the winter months as the house gets closed up and the furnace runs. For this reason, spring is a great time to test for radon and ensure that you get an accurate idea of the radon average in your home. Testing is relatively inexpensive, and the only way to determine if you do have a radon issue, as the gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Being the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country, should your radon level be above the acceptable range, it is strongly recommended by the EPA to have a radon mitigation system installed by a properly licensed and trained contractor.

While you may already have a Spring Checklist in place, adding these steps can improve the health of your indoor environment so you can enjoy the warmer months healthy and safe.

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taxes

money

The Vital Role of Pollinators How You Can Help Reverse a Dangerous Decline in Their Numbers By: Katharine Dodge

larm bells have been going off about the decline of pollinators across the globe, thanks to a recent two-year study by the United Nations Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity & Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

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This body relies upon the expertise ofthousands of scientists around the world and uses rigorous peer review to ensure that their work meets the highest scientific standards.

The mission of IPBES is to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

According to the report, loss of habitat and plant diversity, current land use practices, disease, invasive species, climate change, and use of pesticides (especially neonicotinoids) are all making life very difficult for them. This should be a concern as most of the food on our planet is here thanks to pollinators, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, herbs, clover, alfalfa, coffee, and chocolate: hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of crops each year.

Several of the scientists involved state that simple and relatively inexpensive solutions can be used to turn the situation around for pollinators.

Much can be accomplished at the local level by altering land use and farming practices, such as modifying pesticide use and providing more plant diversity, including wildflowers and biodiverse grasslands and meadows.

Here are some ways that you can help even if you only have a patio for potted plants, or a window box: Stop using harmful pesticides in your yard or on your farm. Try using companion planting and crop rotation techniques in your fields or garden to reduce pests naturally. Instead of using toxic herbicides, try a natural substitute. There are recipes on-line for making your own from vinegar as well as commercial versions using natural oils, etc. Be aware that some plants you might think of as weeds are actually helpful pollinator plants. Keep an open

mind.

Maintaining a diversity of wildflowers and other native plants and trees will help pollinators find food throughout the growing season.

Choosing a range of colors, scents, and shapes of flowers will attract a wider variety of pollinators.

Silky dogwood, cherry, blueberry, plum, willow, and poplar trees are a good food source early in spring when food is scarce. Also, it has been found that oak trees are home to more species than any other tree species in our region.

Include a variety of nectar and host plants for butterflies. Be willing to accept some plant damage by the larvae of butterflies and moths. Don’t forget to keep milkweed plants for the famous Monarch butterflies! Monarchs are in serious decline and can use all the help they can get.

Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the milkweed plant, making it vital to their survival. We highly recommend the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center plant database for detailed information on what plants are good for what creatures in your area. This site details the plants’ needs as well.

Buy or create a mason bee nest. Mason bees are native pollinators. The males do not sting and females only sting if handled roughly. These nests provide a group of holes or tubes in which the females deposit their eggs, plugging up the entrance afterwards with mud, thus the name “Mason Bee.” These nests also make great gifts.

Provide a source of water in your yard. It can be as simple as a flower pot dish or shallow bowl on a post or flat rock. Put a rock in it to serve as a perch. Change the water every three days to avoid hatching out mosquito larvae.

Butterflies appreciate sheltered places in a sunny spot out of the wind. Shrubbery or walls will suffice.

Dead or dying trees, known as den trees or snags, provide habitat and food source for a wide variety of species including some pollinators. Try to leave these to decay over time.

Some birds are pollinators, too. If your yard has a mix of cover including taller trees and plants, shorter plants and shrubs, open spaces, and flowers, birds will come. If you have cats, consider keeping them indoors. They are responsible for millions of bird deaths each year.

Did you know that wasps are also pollinators?

Try to stay away from them as they do their

important work.

Start a community garden that has an educational component on pollinators to help educate others on the subject. This could be a scout or school project.

Northeast Pa. Audubon might lend a hand with this.

Donate to organizations that support land conservation and environmental education.

Backyard habitats are becoming more and more important as development, habitat loss, and fragmentation continue to grow. If everyone follows even just a few of the steps above, pollinators will have better habitat corridors through our yards, and the proper food to help them make a comeback. It’s not just important for the pollinators themselves, but vital for us as well. Our yards can either hinder or help pollinators, so make yours a haven for them this spring. I’m sure that you will enjoy the bright colors and smells that come from the beautiful plants that support vital pollinators, not to mention the joy of watching them flutter and buzz around you.

Author & org info: Katharine Dodge has been on the board of the Northeast Pa. Audubon Society for 43 years. She is especially interested in environmental education and has designed and presented many programs over the years, including ones on backyard habitat. She lives on an old farm in Lake Ariel with her husband.

They have two adult sons, a greenhouse, big garden, and chickens. Northeast Pa. Audubon was founded in 1971 as a chapter of the National Audubon Society. It offers college and camp scholarships each year which are funded by Audubon’s annual Art & Craft Festival in Hawley, PA. This year, it will be on July 16 & 17 at the Wallenpaupack Area High School. For more information about these and other activities of the chapter, visit nepaaudubon.org, call 570-253-9250, or e-mail audubonworks@gmail.com.

Photo Credit: Here is attribution for pic of monarch photo:

By U.S. Geological Survey - http://www.flickr.com/photos/27784370@N05/14249007410/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=34570319 Pic of mason bee on apple blossom attribution: Photo by Red58bill Pic of mason bee coming out of hole attribution: Photo by Beatriz Moisset

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13

reflections

from inside

“The Snow Globe” Part 1

Reflections of a Prison Inmate

By Terry Mooney

his city girl has a calm demeanor, most likely from having raised four children.

She takes everything in stride and is not afraid to jump in and help, such as becoming a facility tailor or learning how to crochet little chicks for donation to our community seniors. Her story is not uncommon, but that doesn’t diminish its powerful message.

T

My Story I was born in Brooklyn, and spent the first thirty-five years of my life there. My parents adopted me when I was eighteen months old from an orphanage called the Angel Guardian Home.

From the beginning, we celebrated that date as a second birthday. I went to the best private Catholic schools for twelve years, graduating with a New York State Regents diploma and a full scholarship for nursing.

One day, my father told me to get in the car so he could speak to me about something. I didn’t think I’d done anything wrong, but you never know. He got on the Belt Parkway and started heading east. When I asked him where we were going, he pulled into the stable at Jamaica Bay. A giant grin came over his face, and then I realized I was going to pick my own horse!

I named him Dr. Felix. He was just about seventeen hands and was an Anglo-Trakehner, a hunter jumper, and he knew some dressage. This was a dream come true. Who gets that? I rode in the Hamptons Classics, riding until I was eight months pregnant with my first child. I think my father gave me the horse at a time when teenage girls could get into trouble with boys and drugs. Riding him kept me wonderfully busy, and he and I were great partners.

I chose to go to Wagner College in Staten Island, majoring in nursing for the first two years, but switched to Business Administration. In the 1980s, I felt that nurses were the peons to doctors at that time, and that turned me off. These days, nurses have the option to become Physician’s Assistants on par with others in the medical field and are allowed to give much more input into the care of patients. I think that’s so important.

It’s what I would have done had I been starting out in more modern times.

I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and, because of all of the science credits I had earned, I also hold a minor in Animal Behavior. My first job was on the ninety-seventh floor of the World Trade Center in Mergers and Acquisitions at a Japanese trading firm. It was too mundane for me, same thing different day.

I truly found my niche in Public Relations for the Pharmaceutical Industry, starting out as a secretary. With a nursing background, I was able to read and understand materials that I needed to create press kits. I stayed in Public Relations for eleven years and loved it. We had accounts the likes of Coca Cola and Mattel. I was even there to launch brand new medications onto the market. Eventually, I moved up to account executive.

When I was fifteen, I noticed the most beautiful boy I had ever seen in my life playing stick ball on Oliver Street. I was walking my Cocker Spaniel, Gigi, when I looked over. To be honest with you, he glowed. All the boys on the block were out, but he was the only one I saw. I happened to notice his name written on his jacket. So, of course, I ran home and called my girlfriend who knew everybody, and it just so happened that he lived three doors down from her. She told me to come to the park that night, and she would introduce us.

We’ve been together ever since, married in 1989 at Regina Pacis Church, which just happens to be directly across the street from where I was adopted. The nuns at the orphanage rang the bells as we left the church. Everything does come full circle.

While we waited nine years to get married, we traveled for a couple of years. Eventually we had four children, two boys and

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two girls. I felt it was like Noah’s Ark; they came two by two, girl boy, girl boy. That’s how I decorated the nursery, the Noah’s Ark theme going around the room.

When I had my first child, I simply knew that I wanted a large family. Meanwhile, the job was asking me to travel and travel often. In conversations with my dad, who was getting older, we looked at my options because he knew that being a mom was of the utmost importance to me. He offered me to take over the family business, which was everything to do with fireplaces, boilers, and chimneys. As unlikely as this may sound for a daughter, my father always joked that I was the son he never had. So, why not? It worked for us.

I was already familiar with the industry, having grown up in it, being in the office as well as on job sites on Saturdays, which was our day, my father and me. When we were done with work, he would take me to Rockefeller Center for ice skating lessons.

Sitting in the restaurant, he watched me from the glass, drinking his coffee, always with a hot cocoa ready for me at the end of my lesson. I think this is what made it possible for me to work with him. He and I were truly able to separate work from home. At work, we called each other by first name, and we screamed and cursed at each other over payroll and such, but after 5 p.m. he was daddy and I was his little girl.

I went to the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, studied for and received my home improvement contractor’s license. This was a big deal because it proved that I could do it.

Now fully licensed, I took over the family business as president.

My husband joined the New York City police force shortly before we were married. They all start as a beat cop, but the financial security plus the health benefits for the family that came with the job made it a good decision. My husband was an excellent officer because he never took himself or the job too seriously. His only goal was to come home to his family every night.

By 1997, we had all four children. My father owned property in the Poconos, and we convinced him to sell it and purchase a weekend home for the entire family, including my mother and him. It was the best of both worlds. We lived the quick-paced city life all week long, and come Friday night through Sunday, we were surrounded by pine trees and wild life. We used our weekends so well, teaching our children to ski in the winter, and they were on every baseball, softball, football, and cheerleading league the district offered. We would never miss a game, coming up every weekend without fail. Our children even did their CCD in the Poconos and not in the city. If my husband was working, I would bring the kids myself in a brand new Ford Expedition that my father bought us so that we would always make it safely.

My husband and I did all of the work together, removing thirty-five trees to prepare for a new driveway. We split the wood ourselves to have wood burning fires. My father even added a great room and a playroom, completing our dream. I called it our snow globe, that when you looked into it, there were all of our ideals in one place, our utopia. It was so perfect. Within two years, we had fully furnished the house. We had full sets of clothing for each child; the rooms were decorated. It had become equal to our home in the city.

We all made a lot of friends here, and we always looked forward to Friday. Sometimes when things are so good, we should be very, very vigilant. At any moment, it can all come crashing down. (To be continued)

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EMAIL US YOUR QUESTIONS FOR DR. PLATKO AT CMAG@PTD.NET

ASK THE VET:

your pets

Heartworms

Response to treatment:

Part 2

H

eartworms are large worms reaching 6-14 inches (15-36 cm) long.

They are primarily located in the right ventricle of the heart and adjacent blood vessels.The typical clinical signs of heartworm infection are fatigue, coughing, and poor physical condition.

How do heartworms get into the heart?

Adult heartworms live in the heart and pulmonary arteries of infected dogs. They have been found in other areas of the body, but this is unusual. They live up to five years, and during this time, the female produces millions of offspring called microfilaria. These microfilariae live mainly in the small vessels of the bloodstream. The immature heartworms cannot complete their life cycle in the dog. The mosquito is required for some stages of the heartworm life cycle.

The microfilariae are not infective (cannot grow to adulthood) in the dog although they do cause problems. As many as 30 species of mosquitoes can transmit heartworms. The female mosquito bites the infected dog and ingests the microfilariae during a blood meal.

The microfilariae develop further for 10 to 30 days in the mosquito and then enter the mouthparts of the mosquito. The microfilariae are now called infective larvae because at this stage of development, they will grow to adulthood when they enter a dog. The mosquito usually bites the dog where the hair coat is thinnest. However, having long hair does not prevent a dog from getting heartworms. When fully developed, the infective larvae enter the bloodstream and move to the heart and adjacent vessels where they grow to maturity in two to three months and start reproducing, thereby completing the full life cycle.

Where are heartworms found?

Canine heartworm disease occurs all over the world. In the United States, it was once limited to the south and southeast regions.

However, the disease is spreading and is now

lifestyle

found in most regions of the United States and Canada, particularly where mosquitoes are prevalent.

Treatment to kill adult heartworms: An injectable drug to kill adult heartworms is given. It kills the adult heartworms in the heart and adjacent vessels.

These injections may be divided and given thirty days apart.

Complete rest is essential after treatment: The adult worms die in a few days and start to decompose. As they break up, they are carried to the lungs, where they lodge in the small blood vessels and are eventually reabsorbed by the body. This can be a dangerous period so it is absolutely essential that the dog be kept quiet and not be allowed to exercise for one month following treatment.

The first week after the injections is critical because the worms are dying. A cough is noticeable for seven to eight weeks after treatment in many heavily infected dogs.

Prompt treatment is essential if the dog has a significant reaction in the weeks following the initial treatment, although such reactions are rare. If a dog shows loss of appetite, shortness of breath, severe coughing, coughing up blood, fever, and/or depression, you should notify your vet.

Response to antibiotics, cage rest, and supportive care and intravenous fluids is usually good in these cases.

Dog owners are usually pleasantly surprised at the change in their dog following treatment for heartworms, especially if the dog had been showing signs of heartworm disease. The dog has a renewed vigor and vitality, improved appetite, and weight gain.

Are changes made in the treatment protocol for dogs that have severe heartworm disease?

Yes. The state of heart failure is treated as described above. However, we also treat the adult heartworms in a two-stage process.

Only one treatment with the drug to kill the worms is given initially. This causes the death of approximately half of the worms.

One month later, the full treatment is given to kill the remaining worms. By killing them in two stages, the severe effects on the lungs are much less likely to occur. This protocol is also used in moderate cases to provide a safer treatment.

How can I prevent this from happening again?

When a dog has been successfully treated for heartworms, it is essential to begin a heartworm prevention program to prevent future recurrence. With the safe and affordable heart preventives available today, no pet should ever have to endure this dreaded disease.

Treatment to kill microfilariae: Approximately one month following treatment to kill the adults, the dog is returned to the hospital for administration of a drug to kill the baby heartworms or microfilariae. Your dog needs to stay in the hospital for the day. Your dog is started on heartworm preventive after this treatment.

Other treatments: In dogs with severe heartworm disease, it may be necessary to treat them with antibiotics, special diets, diuretics to remove fluid accumulations, and drugs to improve heart function prior to treatment for the heartworms. Dogs with severe heart disease may need lifetime treatment for the heart failure, even after the heartworms have been killed. This includes the use of diuretics, heart drugs, and special low salt, low protein diets.

–Amy Platko-Williams, D.V.M Dr. Platko is one of the four full time veterarians at the Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Honesdale.

Send your questions to Dr. Platko, c/o Connections Magazine, 3305 Lake Ariel Highway, Honesdale, Pa. 18431 or e-mail them to cmag@ptd.net and type 'Ask the Vet' in the subject line.

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money

bonds

TICKING

TIME B ON DS Charles Curtin, JD, LLM, CTFA – Trust Officer, The Honesdale National Bank am a big fan of garage and tag sales. I peruse the paper on Saturday morning to see if there are any sales in my area. Once at the chosen event, I like to poke around the old Bee Gees records, used baby clothes, and broken utensils in search of that true antique to purchase. I don’t know what happens, but the cheap prices overpower me, and just like that, I am buying an old metal filing cabinet for $15.

As a garage sale pro and buyer of all fine things, I fancy myself a savvy collector. My wife has another (not so nice) name for my behavior… hoarder. Perhaps true, since my garage is filled with junk I will likely never use and my closet is littered with clothes I surely will never fit back into (yes, I am talking to you size 32 jeans), but all of that “stuff” has meaning to me.

My various collections make me happy, so despite my wife’s cajoling, everything is staying where it is for now!

I

In my professional life, I often encounter my customer’s stash of lifetime financial treasures. For example, 30-year-old utility bills, bank statements, and ancient cancelled stock certificates are commonplace. These customers have so much information squirreled away they often lose track of what is important. When I see a box of ancient papers, I first roll my eyes, but deep down I understand why they kept everything, because I have similar proclivities.

U.S. Savings Bonds purchased or received as gifts decades ago in particular have a tendency to be tucked in a drawer or safety box never to be seen from again. It is certainly admirable to let the interest on a bond accrue until maturity, but you might have in fact created a ticking tax time bomb if not handled properly. So, if you have U.S. Savings Bonds from years ago collecting dust, it is probably time to review them before April 15, 2016.

According to IRS rules, when taxable interest is deferred on a U.S. Savings Bond (most taxpayers elect deferral) the accrued interest must be reported on Form 1040 and is taxable in the year the bond is redeemed or the year it matures. This simply means that income tax is owed in the year a U.S. Saving Bond comes due, no matter if it is cashed in or not. The IRS does not care that taxpayers forget to redeem the bonds or report their interest in the year of maturity. Those U.S. Savings Bonds hidden in the drawer for the last fifty years may owe some serious taxes and even penalties if they are not redeemed in the year of maturity.

An additional kick in the pants from the IRS is that they are not going to tell bondholders they owe tax. Bondholders only receive a 1099-INT IRS reporting form for the accumulated interest upon the redemption of the U.S. Savings Bond - not automatically upon maturity.

Let’s say you are like me and forget to redeem your U.S. Savings Bonds until years after they become due. The IRS is not going to be happy.

Unfortunately, you can’t just report the forgotten interest on your Form 1040 in the year you discover the oversight. The IRS technically wants you to amend your tax returns for the years the U.S. Savings Bonds matured via a Form 1040X. This could mean going back a few forgotten years.

How can one avoid tax issues with their U.S. Savings Bonds? Well, the Treasury Department can actually help. Its website allows you to check on maturity dates of Series E U.S. Savings Bonds issued since 1974. The website (http://www.savingsbonds.gov/indiv/ tools/tools_treasuryhunt.htm) can assist in checking on maturity dates of bonds in your possession that may have been overlooked for a while. It is a great resource.

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If you have piles and piles of old bonds that are both matured and un-matured, it can be daunting to determine which particular ones you should redeem.

First, it is important to redeem any and all bonds that are past their maturity date because their interest is subject to immediate income tax as described above.

Next, for un-matured bonds that you are considering cashing, it is advised to check out the Savings Bond Wizard (http://www.treasurydirect.gov/indiv/tools/tools_savingsbondwizard.htm), a great free resource for download offered by the Treasury Department. The software allows you to enter your U.S. Savings Bond’s serial number and other pertinent information and the system will then crunch the numbers and tell you the bond’s current value, interest payment date and what I like the best - the yield. Once you have entered all of your U.S. Savings Bonds into the software take a look at which ones currently have the best and worst yields. The U.S. Savings Bonds with the lower yields should likely be liquidated first since they are not making you the most money.

When you find that hidden U.S. Savings Bond in your drawer, hopefully, you can dig into the recesses of your mind and recall this article. Perhaps, you will even remember something other than the fact that I like to buy junk at garage sales. If you think you need assistance with your U.S. Savings Bonds or other money matters, there are many great financial advisors to talk to here in Northeast Pennsylvania to help, because as I like to say, “Local advice is often the best advice.”

The Honesdale National Bank and its employees do not render legal, tax, or accounting advice. Accordingly, you and your attorneys and accountants are ultimately responsible for determining the legal, tax, and accounting consequences of any suggestions offered herein. Furthermore, all decisions regarding financial, tax, and estate planning will ultimately rest with you and your legal, tax, and accounting advisors. Any description pertaining to federal taxation contained herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. This disclosure is made in accordance with the rules of Treasury Department Circular 230 governing standards of practice before the Internal Revenue Service.

debt

money

Investing vs.

Paying Off DEBT! he debt dilemma:: The process for eliminating debt is anything but an easy-to-solve financial equation. Many people wonder if they should pay off their debt as quickly as possible or invest their money, letting debt payments run their course.

T

The answer depends on whom you ask. Theories about balancing investing with debt vary widely.

Some financial experts say freedom from debt is the most important goal.

Others say it’s more about the math: Your money should go toward investing if your investments earn a higher rate of return than your debts cost you.

Still others focus on the emotional aspect: how comfortable are you with a certain level of debt?

Neither one nor the other Better yet, perhaps, is a balanced approach to wealth management. If you’re like most people, you’ll need to manage finances for both present and future needs. That means paying off some debt today while simultaneously investing with an eye on the future.

Although your decisions should take into account your own needs and circumstances, consider the following guidelines for handling debt in light of investing goals:

Save for a rainy day Before paying down debt (beyond required payments) or settling on an investment strategy, make it your first priority to put funds aside for an emergency reserve. We recommend six months or more of living expenses; an absolute minimum is three months’ worth. These funds should be in traditional savings or very short-term, highly liquid, non-volatile investments.

Your future first As a general rule, your long-term investment plan should take priority over applying extra amounts toward debt. Be careful as well not to let “lifestyle creep,” a tendency toward more expensive tastes and luxury consumption, impede your investment outlook.

By contributing to a long-term investment plan as early as possible, you may set yourself up for a brighter future. If paying down debt is also a priority, you’ll want to examine your personal budget to decide how much to direct each month toward investing and how much toward debt repayment.

Just remember, there are no magic numbers. In general, the best advice is to make sure your investment strategy fits your financial expectations for the future.

Prioritize your debts With an emergency fund in place and your investment strategy up and running, putting any extra money toward your debts is also a smart way to go. But how do you decide which debts to pay down first?

One approach is to start with the smallest debts first to eliminate at least some of your debt burden and interest payments in a timely manner. It also makes sense to pay off high-interest debts like private student loans and credit card debt more quickly.

Federal student loans and mortgages might be lower priorities, because their rates are often lower and their terms are longer. Vehicle loans might fall somewhere in the middle. Tax considerations might also come into play.

It’s personal As you divide and conquer debt, don’t forget to consider the emotional side of your strategy. If paying off a certain debt will help you feel more secure, you might want to go with your gut feeling.

You’ll enjoy a growing sense of financial freedom as you stay on course and get your debt under control.

As it shrinks over time, you may find you have more funds available for enjoying the present and focusing on the future.

This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Michael J Krupa, Krupa Wealth Management, 614 Church Street, Honesdale PA 570-253-0121.

Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE.

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Krupa Wealth Mangement is a separate entity from WFAFN. ©2015 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved.

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17

entertainment

book/film reviews

THE WITCH.

“Dear Pope Francis” By: Pope Francis, in conversation with Antonio Spadaro, S.J.; Tom McGrath, Project Managing Editor.

Reviewed by Terri Schlichenmeyer

etting something in the mail is a lot of fun, isn’t it? What was the last thing you got from the mailman? Maybe a birthday card with money. Maybe you got a postcard from Grandma or a package from your Auntie. Getting mail is a nice surprise, even for Pope Francis. He receives letters from all over the world, as you’ll see in “Dear Pope Francis.”

G

Imagine being the guy who brings mail to Pope Francis. That’s what Antonio Spadaro did one day: on a “hot August afternoon,” he took thirty letters written by children from all over the world, and gave them to the Pope. Then Spadaro waited for answers, which he knew the Pope was eager to give. “…these are tough questions!” the Pope said. Even so, he knew just what to say.

Pope Francis loves children, and he likes to talk with them and see their drawings. He remembers how it was when he was young: he liked to dance the tango, he liked soccer, and he recalls what it’s like when people you love argue.

Don’t argue, he says. “That will be good for everyone.”

In his answers to the letters, the Pope explains a few mysteries: a Canadian boy wanted to know what God did before the world was created. A boy from Argentina wanted to know how Jesus decided on twelve men as Apostles, instead of more. A Nicaraguan girl wanted to know if bad people have guardian angels. A boy from Syria asked the Pope if the world might be “as it was in the past…”

Lots of kids asked personal questions of the Pope: What makes him happy? Does the Holy Father feel like a father? What was the hardest thing he ever had to do? If he could perform miracles, what would he change?

And then there are the really tough things: a Chinese boy asked if his grandpa will go to heaven. One child wanted to know if God can feed poor people. A Peruvian boy wanted to know where the miracles are.

And an Australian boy asked if his mum in heaven has grown angel wings…

Out of the mouths of babes? I think so; the questions inside “Dear Pope Francis” are sweet and innocent, but heavy in nature and they may be issues that you wrestle with, too. That means you’ll likely enjoy what you read, just as much as your child will.

The Pope you see from video and visits is inside this book: there’s love and joy here, as well as gentle humor and a delightful amount of insight on his life and personal thoughts.

Fr. Spadaro, in his afterword, tells what it was like to spend an afternoon with the Pope, where the letters came from, and how this book came to be.

For 6-to-13-year-olds, that makes the Pope more accessible. For adults, there’s a lot of comfort and wisdom in this book. For both of you together, “Dear Pope Francis” will get your stamp of approval.

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Writer-director Robert Eggers’ psychological horror film takes place in 1630, among the earliest settlers of New England. There, a family of immigrant Puritans heads out into the wilderness. They establish a hardscrabble farm on the edge of the woods, but all is not well. There is a tragedy of mysterious circumstances and the crops fail. Living in isolation, the family fractures and its members grow variously mad, fearful, resentful and angry. The two eldest children venture, against orders, into the woods, which do indeed prove terrifying.

Eggers’s film is a slow-burner, full of tension, long silences and bleak scenery, with its horror by way of human frailty than jumpscares. From our perspective, one can imagine how easily the privation and isolation of such settlements — already steeped in religious myth — could conjure the supernatural. It’s here that the individual, stripped of traditional support systems (family, community, the comfort of religion), proves ill-equipped to deal with the new world and whatever terrors it harbors.

The film gives credence that there is a supernatural evil force lurking in the woods, but there is also a fair argument that any such witch is just a convenient manifestation — a comprehensible vessel to contain and explain all the awfulness of this life. out of 4

THE LADY IN THE VAN. This “mostly true story” begins in 1970, in the Camden Town area of London. Playwright Alan Bennett (Alex Bennett) moves into the neighborhood, and discovers a fixture in his street: a homeless woman known as Mary (Maggie Smith), who lives in a van. Bennett is a bit of a pushover, and in time, Mary and her van are ensconced in his driveway, “just until you get sorted out.” And there she stays for 15 years.

Nicholas Hytner’s film is an adaptation of Bennett’s work. One might fear that a “inspired by” feel-good dramedy about a nervous Nellie of a playwright who forms an unlikely, but ultimately satisfying, bond with a mentally ill homeless woman could easily tip over into sentimentality, preachiness or both. Fortunately, Lady in the Van narrowly avoids those traps, while still delivering the sort of wry but cozy British vibe that keeps the arthouse matinees viable.

Jennings is good, and he has the trickier role of being both the story’s tour guide and the generous straight man to Smith’s livelier, funnier role. But Smith also delivers — with her expressive face, and from beneath Mary’s many protective layers — the humanity of a woman, battered by circumstances and tragedies, but still gamely and fiercely going on. out of 4

All of these ran previously in the Pittsburgh City Paper.

breweries

HOPPINESS IS BREWING

By LA Guzda

In 1829, David G. Yuengling arrived from Germany to open America’s oldest running, familyowned brewery in America, Yuengling & Son Brewing Company, in nearby Pottsville, PA. Surviving prohibition (1919-1933) by producing ice cream, Yuengling created the Winner Beer to celebrate the end of prohibition and sent a case to Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House.

Beer was the Evian of its day.

Commercial water treatment plants did not exist nor was refrigeration easily accessible for the majority of homes. Beer, grog, ale had been the drink of choice since the middle ages. It’s no wonder it’s rapidly becoming an American favorite once again.

The Irving Cliff Brewery in Honesdale was born in 1851, not so long after Yuengling. However, like many breweries, they were unable to survive the prohibition years.

A few years ago, Brian Cobb sold his screen printing business. The purchasing company didn’t need

did you know?

his building so with what remained, Brian reinvented himself as a screen printer of craft beer bottles, an art form unto itself. Brian hand delivered the bottles and through his contacts and personal relationships, he began to understand the business of brewing and what it takes to craft a truly special beer. A year later, Brian re-opened the Irving Cliff Brewery.

Located behind Roman’s Meats and The Cooperage on Chapel Street, Irving Cliff serves a variety of craft beers. Unlike a tasting room, beers are brewed on site. They offer a wide selection so it may take a few visits to taste them all. Jeff George art murals decorate the walls along with old photos and local history. They serve food and great conversation. If you love beer, you will love Irving Cliff Brewery.

Other microbrews in the Pocono Mountains include Pocono Brewing Company in Swiftwater, PA and Barley Creek Brewing Company in Tannersville, PA. According to the Brewers Assoc iation, at the end of November 2015, there were 4,144 breweries in the United States.

The previous high number of breweries was set back in 1873 at 4,131 – Ulysses S. Grant was President and the telephone and electric light bulb had not yet been invented.

The rise of the burgeoning craft beer industry is evident in websites such as www.brewhopping.com and the 100+ apps available such as Craftbeer, Brewery Passport and Beer Citizen. Just remember that many craft beers contain high alcohol content.

Be smart, be safe – don’t drink and drive.

Visit www.LAGuzda.com or www.PoconoSecrets.com for past articles. Do you have a Pocono Secret to share? Send an email to: PoconoSecrets@aol.com

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19

lifestyle

outdoor ramblings

Stocking UP For

TROUT SEASON Bill Deaton

Outdoor Ramblings

ust about this time, mostly everyone in the area is itching for spring. Some people keep an eye out for the robins to return or listen for the song of a bluebird.

Others are on the watch for skunk cabbage and daffodils popping up from the newly thawed ground.

Still others note skunks and bears stirring from their winter nap.

While all those signs are plausible heralds to springtime, anglers look for big trucks marked with Fish & Boat Commission livery, pulled off near a sweet fishing hole, dumping various quantities of trout into the nearby stream.

J

Each year, Fish & Boat Conservation officers head up the efforts to fill the local waterways with hatchery raised trout. Each stream gets species specifically selected for that body of water and the amount of fish released into each creek, river, or lake is determined by the capacity of that waterway to harbor a healthy population. What fish go where is determined

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by several factors, and a location could receive and combination of Rainbow, Brown, or Brook Trout.

Volunteers form the backbone of the trout stocking efforts. While certain locations do allow for the fish to be stocked right into the water via a large tube, a lot of the fish stocking, especially along streams and creeks, involves filling 5-gallon buckets full of fish, lugging them through the woods a number of yards, and then dumping them into the water.

Another tool in the inventory that helps deliver fish into some hard-to-get spots is a small tank, not much bigger than a chest freezer, that slips into the bed of a Bureau of Forestry pick-up truck.

Once the smaller truck is loaded with trout it can be driven over some rougher state forest roads to reach locations the big fish tanker could never go.

Frequently, you’ll see some of the same people come out to assist us every year. Some people wait for the truck to show up at their favorite holes and just help with one stop, and others will follow the trucks around all day lugging buckets of fish from the truck to the steam at every place they go. More help is always welcome, and turnout varies from areato-area and depending on the time or weather.

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If you’ve never helped out with a project like this but think it might be something you want to try, there are a few things you need to know. First, you’ll need your own transportation. Second, if you are unfamiliar with the stream, it’s best to meet the WCOs at the designated starting place and follow along. Third, be prepared to get wet and muddy. Rubber boots are a good idea and wool or waterproof gloves are suggested. Fish stocking events go rain or shine and will only be cancelled if there is a big snowstorm, major flooding, or hazardous weather or road conditions.

Generally, it takes three hours to complete one stocking. There is a lot of time in the vehicles travelling from spot to spot, and at each stop, typically they unload four to six buckets of fish. Depending on how many people come to help also determines how long the project takes.

A full list of dates, times, locations, and types of fish to be stocked is available on the PA Fish & Boat website http://fishandboat.com/stock.htm.

williamjdeaton@yahoo.com

classics

lifestyle

Deluxe Sports

C h e v r o l e t 1951

By Arnie Milidantri

aving depleted my reserve of cars to write about from the 2015 Northeast PA cruise/show season, I’m forced to subject myself to the blazing heat and to once again venture south to Florida in search of pampered treasures basking in the sun. I love cars, and no matter where I am, if I see an old car, I have to stop. If I’m lucky, I get to meet the owner/s and learn something about their car and its story. One of the many beautiful cars that caught my eye at a late February Florida car show was a Moonlight Cream 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe Sports Coupe. The car owners, Dickand Sue Adams, are former Elysburg, PA, natives now living in Florida. Dick and Sue’s car is a great example of a piece of preserved auto history. Their “51” Chevy generates smiles and turns heads as it cruises the small towns and streets of The Villages, Florida. The car’s sparkling stainless and chrome trim, along with its all original appearance are reminiscent of a much different time, and for those of us who love cars, we can’t help but wave, smile, and remember!

H

Background General Motors’ Chevrolet division introduced the Deluxe trim line of Chevrolet automobiles from 1941 to 1952. Offered first was a 4-door sedan, the line growing to include a fastback 2-door “aerosedan” and other body styles. The first series ran from 1941 to 1948. A new and improved body style was introduced for 1949 and ran through 1952. The Deluxe range was Chevrolet’s sales leader during the post-war years and continued throughout the early 1950’s. The cars offered unique style and luxury appointments previously unavailable in the base Special series. The new car line-up included a Sport Coupe hardtop (starting in 1950), a regular sports coupe, a convertible, two and four-door sedans, and four-door station wagons. Chevrolet’s first new styling took place after the war in 1949. The Deluxe was the brand new upperend model for Chevrolet. The cheapest Deluxe, the Deluxe Styleline 6-passenger sedan, sold for $1,492.00.

Standard features included brakes with 11-inch drums, full instrumentation, and front suspension equipped with stabilizers.

The 1950 Deluxe cars introduced many changes, starting with a new model, the luxuriously-appointed hardtop coupe called the Bel Air. The Bel Air featured upgraded cord and leather-grain vinyl trim, full carpeting, and other

appointments not available in even the Deluxe series and a wide range of two-tone paint schemes. In 1950-1952, the Bel Air was officially part of the Deluxe range, but it only shared their its sheet metal ahead of the A-pillar with the rest of the range. The windshield, doors, glass, and trunk were common with the Styleline convertible, but the roof, rear quarters, and rear windows were unique.

The big option introduced in 1950 was the availability of Powerglide, a two-speed automatic transmission, exclusively in the Deluxe and Bel Air models. It was powered by a 235-cubic inch six-cylinder engine developing 105 horsepower and had a 3.55:1 rear differential; the engine went on to become the “Blue Flame six.” Models sold with the standard three-speed manual transmission got the usual 216.5-cubic inch engine, developing 92 horsepower.

The 1951 Chevrolet Sports Coupe and Deluxe Sport Coupe cars had distinct bodies different from the Chevy 2door sedan, similar to the 1950 Chevy Business Coupe.

The 2-door 1950 Chevy sedan was usually made with a 4door sedan roof panel and seating package. Only the number and size of the doors distinguished the two. The 1951 Chevrolet Sport Coupe and Deluxe Sport Coupe had a shorter cabin area and a longer rear deck. These cars were favored by traveling salesmen that wanted a backseat for carrying children. The Two coupes can be identified by their different trim packages. The 1951 Chevy Deluxe Sport Coupe had stainless trim along the front fender, Deluxe script on the front fender, and stainless gravel guards on the rear fenders. Other popular dress-up options were front and rear bumpers chrome “tips” and chrome bumper guards, post mounted spot lights (great for finding addresses in the night), curb feelers (saved the white walls when parking) and a very popular non-factory offered Chevrolet option, a large external sunshade that protected the driver from glare off the metal dash.

In 1950, the cost of the Special Sport Coupe was $1,408.00 with a production number of 28,328. The Deluxe Sport Coupe cost was slightly more at $1,498.00 with 81,536 produced. The cost of a 1951 Special Sport coupe was $1,545.00 of which 18,981 were produced. The 1951 Deluxe Sport Coupe was priced at $1,647.00 and 64,976 were produced. Part of Dick’s car’s documentation is a copy of the original California bill of sale for the delivered price including options and tax for $2,050.98. Many cars of the mid-1950s that were called Sport Coupes often turned out to be 2-door sedans with sportier trim packages on mid-priced cars.

Featured Car You just never know when or where you might find your next treasure. Last year, Dick Adams was having his pickup serviced and noticed an early model Chevrolet on the lift next to his car. He asked who owned the car and was told the gentleman who had the car had passed away

and his wife now owned the car. Dick got her contact info and called Joann Wilson. When asked if she would consider selling the car, she told Dick others had inquired to buy it and when she asked what they planned to do with it, they said they wanted to turn it into a “street rod.” She told Dick that her husband wanted the car to remain an original. Dick assured her if he bought it he would keep and maintain it as an original.

The deal was made and Dick and Sue became the proud owners of a beautiful 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe Sports Coupe. The car is a rust free 91,500 mile original survivor.

The car was originally from California, spent a short time in New England, and in 1992 was moved to Florida. The car, other than one great paint job done years ago, is totally stock and has its original interior. The Blue Flame six 216.5 cu in 92 hp engine coupled to the standard three speed manual transmission with its column mounted shifter purrs like a kitten. All of the car’s mechanicals (brakes, front end, rear end, etc) have been meticulously maintained over the years. The car’s exterior appearance is outstanding; its rust free body, chrome, and stainless are excellent. The car has optional front and rear bumper ends, full bumper guards, and amber fog lights. Curb kissers bring back memories, as do the full white-wall tires. It has a chrome mounted spotlight, a large external sunshade that protects the driver from glare off the metal dash, and a much needed dash mounted prism to see the changing streetlights. This beautiful 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe sports coupe is a reminder of Chevrolet’s post-war market dominance and one couple’s commitment to the preservation of a great car.

The Owner It doesn’t take long to determine if a car’s owner is just an owner or if they’re a car enthusiast (someone who loves cars and has been around them all their life). Dick Adams is a car enthusiast! He retired in 2010 from Paul Stine Chevrolet from the position of New Car Manager. Sue Adams also shares her husband’s enthusiasm for their 1951 Chevrolet and enjoys cruising and attending car shows. Before retiring, she ran her own a small restaurant in Elysburg, PA. They moved to the Villages, Florida, and return to PA during the summer. To make room for their Chevrolet Deluxe sports coupe, Dick sold his pickup.

Something had to go and it wasn’t going to be his New Chevy SUV or his prized (26,000 mile) 1990 Turbo Charger Pontiac Sunbird convertible that he brought new.

Dick is one of the “car hobby” gentlemen who love cars and sharing car stories. So if you happen to be in the Villages, Florida, and see a beautiful Cream 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe Coupe at a car show, stop, take a minute, and say hi to two great people; you just might learn something. I did!

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21

wellness

behavioral medicine

Addiction...

A Disease of Self-Destruction

By Arthur Middleton, M.D., FAPA

“Remember that just because you hit bottom doesn't mean you have to stay there.” ~ Robert Downey Jr./Healthyplace.com

rug Abuse and dependency is an issue of increased concern for the nation. As a result medical providers have begun to carefully evaluate their patients for the possibility that drug or alcohol abuse might be a problem. A primary care doctor will ask a patient the following questions: Have you ever Cut down on your drinking? Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking? Have you ever felt bad or Guilty about your drinking? Have you ever had a drink the first thing in the morning, as an Eye-opener, to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

D

CAGE is an acronym for the four questions in a screening tool that is used to assess whether a patient might have a drinking problem. Each question that is answered by a “yes” is scored as “1.”

Scores of “2” or more warrant follow-up.

Obviously this is not a scientific screening tool, as it is based entirely on the cooperation of the patient, but it does help a clinician to determine if alcohol abuse might an issue.

While the term “dependence,” when referencing drug abuse, reflects continued use of a drug because of its biological effects, the term “addiction” or “addict” has a different social context.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is defined as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences.”

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is a “brain disease.” This is an important consideration as it has been demonstrated that drugs, “in individuals who are addicted, change the way the brain works, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs.”

In a HealthDay News Report from the National Institutes of Health (November 18, 2015), it was reported that “nearly one in 10 Americans has some type of lifelong drug use disorder.” This was based on a survey of American Adults. The report goes on to state that only a quarter of this population is getting the treatment required and that “more than 23 million adults in the United States have struggled with problematic drug abuse.” In a subsequent HealthDay News Report (November 25, 2015), the National Institutes of Health reported that “Americans in their 50’s have now been found to be the largest group battling addiction.”

The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that “the overall costs of substance abuse in the United States, including productivity and health and crime related costs, exceed 600 billion dollars annually.” This is estimated as “approximately 193 billion dollars for illicit drugs, 193 billion for tobacco and 235 billion for alcohol.” The negative consequences for our society are staggering.

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According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration “drug use disorder occurs when the consistent use of a drug causes clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home.” The following fictional vignette is presented to highlight the face of drug addiction.

JT is a 58 y/o divorced father of two teenaged sons, ages 13 and 15. He is a certified accountant and is currently unemployed and again looking for work in his chosen profession. If asked why he is unemployed, JT will freely answer that he is a recovering drug addict.

This might be surprising to some, but for many years, JT would not honestly respond to this question. JT had a promising career after he finished at the head of his class in a prestigious university. He majored in mathematics and always planned to be a college professor. During college, he experimented with drugs, mostly cannabis or pot and drank alcohol excessively at times at parties, but JT was resistant to taking cocaine or heroin. He had some friends who had succumbed to narcotic experimentation and subsequently dropped out. JT liked to think that he had the self control to avoid becoming addicted and as such had the ability to continue to drink and smoke pot.

In his junior year, JT discovered stimulants. His college roommate had been prescribed Ritalin for Attention Deficit Disorder and gave him a few of his pills to help him “focus” and study for examinations. JT liked the way he felt when he took this drug. Within three months, he was a regular user of stimulants, which he found were readily available at college. JT graduated while still using pot, stimulants, and alcohol. He felt that he could control his drug usage and did not feel that he was addicted because he felt he could stop.

When he married, his wife initially did not know about his drug usage, which he kept secret. At the age of 35, JT had a car accident in inclement weather. He sustained serious injuries to his legs, which warranted pain medication for a limited period of time. His doctor prescribed a narcotic pain medication for him with the understanding that JT did not have a history of drug abuse. He was prescribed OxyContin or oxycodone for [ www.connections-magazine.com ]

pain. The pain relief was both immediate and pleasurable. While he was prescribed a limited amount of the narcotic, he quickly used the pills in a few days as opposed to the two-week prescription he was given.

His doctor counseled him to take the medication as directed and cautiously prescribed additional OxyContin. JT again took more pills than he was supposed to take, but he did not ask his doctor for another prescription. Instead he bought a supply of the medication on the street. JT was arrested after he purchased OxyContin from a police decoy. He was incarcerated and lost his job. After release, and despite treatment in a drug rehabilitation program, shortly after his discharge he was again purchasing OxyContin on the street.

After many years, a divorce, and losing several jobs, JT has been able to admit to himself and others that he was addicted to drugs. He is living in the basement of his parent’s home, continues to look for work, and has been able to abstain from returning to drugs and alcohol. He is currently maintained on the drug Suboxone.

JT goes to counseling on a regular basis and attends Narcotics Anonymous as well. He is not depressed with respect to his life circumstances, but grateful that he is “not dead,” as he tells others. With the support of his family, he is looking for work, determined to be honest with whomever he is employed by, and hopeful that he can rebuild his life and reestablish a relationship with his sons.

Addiction is a disease that affects the brain. However, there is a pattern of behavior that precedes addiction.

More often than not, the individual first begins to use drugs on a voluntary basis. The risk of physical dependence on a drug is also related to the drug itself.

Commonly recognized drugs that are abused include prescription medications to treat pain: Oxycontin and Vicodin, which are controlled drugs also known as opiates. Medications to treat attention deficit disorder: Adderall and Ritalin are stimulants which are also controlled medications. Benzodiazepines are anti-anxiety medications which include Valium and Xanax. These medications can only be obtained by prescription but unfortunately are also available as drugs sold on the streets illegally. Cocaine is a stimulant that is accompanied by a “high,” which although perhaps pleasurable to the individual, can quickly lead to dependency. Heroin is a commonly recognized opiate drug that is often synonymous with the term “addict” as it is frequently injected when used.

Drugs affect the brain neural pathways, also referred

big ears to as “brain circuitry” and over time may lead to permanent and negative effects on one’s health. Long term drug abuse is associated with mental disorders, heart problems, as well as stroke, cancer, HIV/AIDS, and lung disease. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the “injection of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine currently accounts for about 12 percent of new AIDS cases.” It is also important to recognize that injection drug use is also related to the spread of Hepatitis C. There are opioid receptors in the brain.

When given opiate drugs, individuals with low opiate receptor activity might be more prone to dependency.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a chemical in the brain that is central to feelings of pleasure. Drugs like the opiates increase the production of dopamine.

The limbic system is an area in the brain in which the “reward circuitry” is located and is stimulated by dopamine.

For those addicted to opiates, achieving abstinence is more than “just saying no.” This type of drug dependency warrants treatment with medications that are designed to target the biological changes that have taken place in the brain.

Methadone is a synthetic narcotic that is used as a maintenance and detoxification medication for opioid dependency. It does not cause the patient to feel “high,” allowing one to function normally while on the medication. Methadone is taken on a daily basis and is ordinarily obtained in Methadone Maintenance Treatment Programs. Suboxone is a medication that is a combination of the medications buprenorphine and naloxone.

Naloxone is a narcotic antagonist, or narcotic blocker, which causes a withdrawal reaction if the medication is injected, reducing the possibility of abuse.

Suboxone is taken under the tongue on a daily basis. This medication is available in office settings, prescribed by doctors who have a special license to prescribe it. ReVia or naltrexone is an FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approved medication that is used to treat alcohol dependence and opiate dependence.

In a New York Times article titled “Staying Sober After Treatment Ends, by Tina Rosenberg (February 9, 2016),” the author writes about the difficulties of attaining, then maintaining sobriety from drug and alcohol abuse and dependency.

The author cites a statistic that “only 46% of people who attended residential

drug treatment stay in recovery.” The article describes various programs to treat substance abuse and notes that there is a medication (monthly injectable naltrexone) that is a promising treatment for opioid and alcohol dependence.

In summary, the disease of drug abuse and dependence is a major health concern for the United States affecting nearly 1 in 10 Americans. There are over 23 million Americans who are struggling with drug abuse, according to the NIH. Drug addiction is defined as a “chronic, relapsing brain disease as a result of the changes that drugs make to the nerve pathways to the brain.” Medications are available for detoxification and maintenance of sobriety. If you, a friend or family member have a drug addiction problem, you are encouraged to contact your medical provider. Treatment is available.

The following references are provided for the informed consumer: FamiilyDoctor.org: Naltrexone for Alcoholism http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/drugsprocedures-devices/prescription-medicines/naltrexone-for-alcoholism.printerview.all.html National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drug Facts: Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-over-counter-medications National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drug Abuse and Addiction https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugsbrains-behavior-science-addiction/preface Dr. Middleton is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, and a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He received his undergraduate training at New York University and an MD degree from Rutgers Medical School. Dr. Middleton completed his psychiatric residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital & Medical Center, in NYC. He is on the honorary medical staff (retired) of Hackensack University Medical Center in NJ, where he is also Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Middleton has been on the voluntary teaching faculty of Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Brown Medical School.

He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Middleton is retired as an Associate in the Department of Psychiatry in the Geisinger Health System formerly practicing at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Dr. Middleton lives in Dingmans Ferry, PA, and Manhattan, NY.

wellness

The Healthy

Gee z er

By Fred Cicetti

Q. Why do old men have big ears? didn't believe the premise of this question. Well, it turns out that old men—and women—have bigger ears than they had as young adults. In short, your ears grow larger as you age. I know this sounds like a myth, but it’s been proven by scientific studies.

I

Examples: * Researchers at the VA Medical Center/Texas Tech University found that ear circumference increases an average of 0.51 millimeters per year.

“This study,” the Texas scientists reported, “supports the view that as people age, their ears get larger, particularly the ear circumference, which increases on average 0.51 mm per year.

This enlargement is likely associated with aging changes of collagen. The knowledge from this study allows us to calculate the age of an individual based on ear size: Subject's age = 1.96 x (Ear circumference in millimeters 88.1).”

The researchers were not clear about how the "circumference" was measured. They didn't use the complete outer ear to determine this measurement, so don't get out your tape measure to check this.

(Definition: Collagen is the fibrous protein part of bone, cartilage, tendon, and other connective tissue. It is converted into gelatin by boiling.) * Physicians at the Royal College of General Practitioners in England measured their patients’ ears. They found that, as we get older, our ears grow about 0.22 mm a year.

“A chance observation—that older people have bigger ears—was at first controversial, but has been shown to be true,” Dr. James A. Heathcote reported. “For the researchers, the experience of involving patients in business beyond their presenting symptoms proved to be a positive one, and it was rewarding to find a clear result. Why ears should get bigger when the rest of the body stops growing is

not answered by this research. Nor did we consider whether this change in a particular part of the anatomy is a marker of something less easily measurable elsewhere or throughout the body.” * Dr Yashhiro Asai, a physician at the Futanazu Clinic in Misaki, Japan, along with three colleagues, agreed with the British analysis. Their study of 400 consecutive patients aged 20 and older concluded that “ear length correlates significantly with age, as Heathcote showed, in Japanese people.” * A computer analysis at the University of Milan documented how facial structures change as people age.

Ears, the researchers found, get larger with age. Dr V.F. Ferrario and four colleagues from the Functional Anatomy Research Centre at the university presented evidence that not only do ears get longer with age, but this phenomenon applies to both women and men. * Doctors from the Medical Branch of the University of Rostock in Germany measured the ears of 1,271 children and adolescents. They reported that ear length increases “steadily and annually,” but ear width remains the same.

So, there is strong evidence about geezer ear growth. The cause of the enlargement is still a subject of debate in the scientific community. There are many theories. My personal favorite is that skin loses elasticity as we age.

This tendency and gravity make ears get longer and wobble.

Kay-Tee Khaw, a professor of clinical gerontology, said it may be that “big ears predict survival. Men with smaller ears may die selectively at younger ages. Ear size or pattern, or both, may be a marker of some biological process related to health.

While this may sound far-fetched, many studies have shown that men with a diagonal crease in both ear lobes may have an increased risk of heart attacks.

If you would like to ask a question, write to fred@healthygeezer.com All Rights Reserved © 2016 by Fred Cicetti

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23

get connected

area events

a+r+e Y O U

C O N N E C T E D

Ongoing Events DAILY

ARTS, RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT

APRIL ’16

tion. All genres & levels of writing welcome. Free admission. Info: 570-833-5246.

Public Art Displays Nature’s Grace, Dime Bank & Wayne Bank, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Harvey Insurance, Honesdale. & Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, Hawley. Wayne County Arts Alliance artists display their work monthly.

THURSDAYS

MONDAYS

FRIDAYS

Chair Yoga 10–11:15 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 18 & up. All the benefits of yoga for anyone who may feel challenged by a traditional yoga class. Free. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

Live Music Friday 8–11 p.m. Glass — wine. bar. kitchen. at Ledges Hotel, Hawley. No cover charge. Info: info@ledgeshotel.com or 570-226-1337.

MONDAYS (EXC. APR. 11)

Kundalini Yoga 5:30–6:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Ages 16–adult.

Experience the gifts that Kundalini yoga has to offer as you explore breath, movement & mantra. Bring a yoga mat & blanket. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

TUESDAYS

Bingo American Legion Post 311, Hawley.

Doors open 10:30 a.m., games begin at Noon. Info: legionpost311@qmail.com.

TUESDAYS

Nia 5:30–6:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up.

Combination of yoga, martial arts & dance, for your health, wellness & fitness. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

WEDNESDAYS

Simply Yoga 10–11:15 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up. Suitable for all levels. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat, towel or blanket, & water. Series of 6 or per class.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

WEDNESDAYS

Trivia Thursdays 8 p.m. Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Banquet Center, Hawley. Hilarious combination of trivia & physical challenges.

Compete with teams to win a gift certificate, gold medal & bragging rights.

Info: 570-226-7355.

FRIDAYS

Live Music 8 p.m.–Midnight. Ehrhardt’s Pub, Hawley. Great drink specials, delicious food & live music. Info: 570-226-2124 or waterfront@ehrhardts.com.

SATURDAYS

Monroe Farmers’ Market 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Newberry Building, Stroudsburg. Produce, plants, flowers, eggs, raw milk & dairy products, raw natural honey, fresh baked goods, jams, jellies, syrups, gourmet coffee, homemade pasta, sauces, fine wines, meats, herbs, more. Info: 570-595-2321.

SATURDAYS

Pastel Painting 10 a.m.–Noon. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up. Learn from renowned master pastel painter Millie Schelling in a series focused on still life. Millie will guide you in the purchase of your own materials. Call for list of supplies. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

SATURDAYS

The Main Street Farmers’ Market 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Indoor market offering fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, breads & more. The Market Café featuring The Anthill Farm Kitchen. Info: 570-2532020 or thecooperageproject.org.

Lego Club 4:30–5:30 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Create, share ideas, make new friends. Free, open to public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook.

Registration: 570-296-8211.

SATURDAYS

THURSDAYS

Glassworks Demonstration 11:30 a.m.–3 p.m. B. Madigan, Hawley.

See glass stretched & made into beautiful items, including watching the glass worked, learning how glass is made & what creates the colors.

Info: 570-561-3629.

Writers’ Group 7–8:30 p.m.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 18 & up. Ongoing group. Come read your work or listen & be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write toward a goal of publica-

FREE Tastings and Demos 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Mill Market, in the Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Info: info@MillMarketPA.com or 570-390-4440.

SATURDAYS

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SATURDAYS

APR. 1–29

Live Piano Music in the Dining Room 6–9 p.m. The Settlers Inn, Hawley.

Info: 570-226-2993 or desk@thesettlersinn.com.

Illuminations: The Art of Samuel Bak The Hope Horn Gallery, The University of Scranton. Polish Holocaust survivor Bak’s symbolic images reference a shattered world to address issues of history, identity, justice, destruction & rebuilding. Gallery lecture: Apr. 1, 5–6 p.m., Brennan Hall. Public reception, Apr. 1, 6–8 p.m. Info: 570-941-4214 or www.scranton.edu/gallery.

SATURDAYS

Live Music at Barley Creek 8–11 p.m. Barley Creek Brewing Company, Tannersville. The Pocono Mountains’ Original Brewpub. Great food & handcrafted beer brewed onsite. Free brewery tours daily at 12:30 p.m. No cover charge.

Info: 570-629-9399.

APR. 3

Live Music 9 p.m.–1 a.m. Ehrhardt’s Pub, Hawley.

Great drink specials, delicious food & live music. Info: 570-226-2124 or waterfront@ehrhardts.com.

Spring Waterfalls 9 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

With rising temperatures & early spring snowmelts the waterfalls in the park are quite impressive. Dress warm, wear sturdy boots & bring a camera.

Call to reserve a seat in the van. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

THROUGH APR. 3

APR. 3

SATURDAYS

NARRATIVES SEEN Mahady Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton. Exhibition features painters whose work ranges from the realistic to the abstract, from the timeless to the political, personal, & immediate. Info: 570-348-6278 or www.marywood.edu.

THROUGH MAY 8

Clipped, Ripped and Reassembled: New Works in Paper Collage by Pamela M. Parsons Suraci Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton. Collaged paper on panel.

Parsons repurposes diverse graphic matter, juxtaposing color & image to create new intricate designs and offbeat narratives. Info: 570-348-6278 or www.marywood.edu.

April 1– April 9 APR. 1–17

The Full Monty The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, Swoyersville. Produced by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. Call the box office for ticket info & times: 570-283-2195. Info: www.musicbox.org.

APR. 1–3, 8–10, 15–17

The Diary of Anne Frank Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. Gripping adaptation of newly discovered writings from the diary of Anne Frank, as well as survivor accounts. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

APR. 1–21

2016 Spring Film Festival Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. A different selection of movies every day, throughout the day. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

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Eagle Day 3–5 p.m. Endless Mountains Nature Center, Tunkhannock. Carbon Cty. Environmental Ed. Center’s live eagle presentation with stories about the birds’ & eagles’ roles in history & the opportunity to see Bald & Golden Eagles. Children make & take home a craft & do activities. Register early; space is limited.

Info: EndlessNature.org.

APR. 3

Straight No Chaser 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Male a cappella group with an eclectic array of songs. Info: 570-8261100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 4

Red Green 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Comedy from the handyman who believes that “anything is possible if you use enough duct tape.” Info: 570826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 5

Moonlight on the Poconos Big Band 7–9:30 p.m.

The Cooperage, Honesdale. Music ensemble whose mission is to recreate & perpetuate the big-band sound popular during the ’30s, ’40s & ’50s. Basic beginner swing dance class at 7 p.m., then the dance floor is open. Plenty of chairs for those who don’t dance, but love big band music. Donations collected at the door.

Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

APR. 5

Popovich Comedy Pet Theater 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Family-oriented blend of unique physical comedy, juggling & balancing skills of Gregory Popovich & his more

area events

get connected

APR. 9

Early Spring Bird Walk APRIL 9 9:30–11:30 a.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Bird migration is just getting underway. Stroll along Kettle Creek trails searching for early spring arrivals as well as lingering wintering species. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.

. than 30 pets rescued from animal shelters. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 5, 12, 19, 26

Open Studio 7–8:30 p.m.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Students of all levels of experience can work at their own pace with the medium of their choice, whether it be pottery, sculpture, drawing or painting. Learn how to create a portfolio to showcase your work for college, professional or personal reasons. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 6

Drumming 101 10–11:30 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Build upon the natural sense of rhythm that we all have in an atmosphere that is relaxed & userfriendly. Work on basic rhythmic skills followed by group drumming. All drums & percussion instruments provided. Free. Info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 6

Peppa Pig Live!

6 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

More fun than a muddy puddle — live show based on the popular television series. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 6, 13, 20, 27

Mommy and Me 10–11 a.m.

Riverside Park, Tunkhannock. For kids 21⁄2–5 years old with a favorite adult. Rebecca Lesko helps little ones search for critters, observe what they find, run & play games & explore the outside.

Opportunities to role-play, sing songs or do a craft. Free, but donations appreciated. Canceled if raining that day.

Info & registration: EndlessNature.org.

APR. 7

Carousel Kings — The Living Room Series 7:30 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With The Slow Surrender, Above The Mendoza. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 7

Keller Williams KWahtro 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Performance art at its best with some of the funkiest, liveliest, most effervescent music to ever pulse through your body. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 8

Float The Boat: A Benefit Concert for the Sloop Clearwater 7–10 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Rewind the Crisis — The Living Room Series 7:30 p.m.

Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Teraveer, Hymnal, the Red Panda, No Stranger. Info: 570420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 9

Enter The Haggis 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Eclectic Celtic rock band from Canada, with bagpipes, fiddle, whistle, harmonica, trumpet & a roots rock rhythm section. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

A joyful evening of folk, Americana & bluegrass music featuring performances by Little Sparrow, The Dirty Stay Out Skifflers, RJ Storm & Old School, & The Rock Hill Ramblers. Donation suggested. Benefits the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. Visit www.Clearwater.org/float-the-boat to read more about the project. Info: 570253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

APR. 9

APR. 8

APR. 10

Matt Nakoa 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Internationally touring singer/songwriter. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

APR. 8

Statues & Stories — The Living Room Series 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

With Cassius, Steve Frank, Plumcocks, Sociopath Anatomy. Info: 570-4202808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 9

Early Spring Bird Walk 9:30–11:30 a.m.

Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Bird migration is just getting underway. Stroll along Kettle Creek trails searching for early spring arrivals as well as lingering wintering species. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.

APR. 9

Spring Awake Hike 10 a.m.–Noon. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Take a walk through the forest to an aquatic habitat in search of movement and growth. All ages welcome on an exploratory adventure hike. Info & registration: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org.

APR. 9

Romping Radishes: A Healthy Living Class for Kids 10 a.m.–3 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Two sessions: K–2nd, 10 a.m.– Noon; 3rd–5th, 1–3 p.m. Series of workshops for kids, with a variety of hands-on & interactive activities shining the spotlight on food, farming & healthy living. Donation suggested, no one turned away. Space limited, reserve a spot(s): 570-253-2020.

APR. 9

Jann Klose 7:30–10 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Presented by RiverFolk Concerts.

Born in Germany & raised in South Africa but his music is all-American pop rock of the finest order. Donations collected. Reservations & info: Jill, 845-252-6783.

Dom Flemons 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. He’s the “American Songster,” pulling from traditions of old-time folk music to create new sounds. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

April 10–April 19 Bridge the Gap: Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. A hike focused on wild edible & medicinal plants. No collecting will be done within the park. Free. Info: 570-8282319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 10

Geology Hike 1–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Take a short hike & talk about rocks, fossils, glacial deposits & what makes the park unique.

Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 10

Heather Masse an evening with 7 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. A member of the The Wailin’ Jennys, her training as a jazz singer informs her distinct approach to singing folk, pop & blues. Info: 570325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 10

BRIT FLOYD 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. An amazing journey through fifty years of Pink Floyd, & the vast & incredible catalogue of music they have given us. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 11

khannock. See description at Apr. 6.

Info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 13

Open Mic Night 7–10 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by The Cooperage Project.

Led by Anthony McDevitt & John Rocklin. Come to perform. Come to listen & watch. Donations make this possible. BYOB. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

APR. 13

Dancing in the Streets 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Spectacular celebration of classic music from the heart of the Motor City — Detroit. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 14

Tom Knight Puppet Show 11 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Join Tom Knight & his puppets for a collection of songs & skits for children about the environment, animals, food & books. Free admission. Tickets available by calling 570-996-1500 or at the door while they last. Reservations recommended.

APR. 14

Ghost 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Black Metal at its most original & deceiving. Featuring The Shrine. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 15

Fine Wine, Fine Art 7–9 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Gather up friends & learn to paint. Materials & instruction included in cost. Bring your own snacks & wine.

Ages 21 & older only; ID required.

Reservations requested. Space limited.

Reservations & info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 15

John Nemeth Band 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Innovative & unique while epitomizing the absolute best of the Soul Blues genre. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 15

Ace Frehley 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Former KISS guitarist & one of the most influential guitar players of the last four decades. Opening act: KILLCODE. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

Warrior Writers 6:30–8:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 18 & up. Writing workshop supports artistic exploration & expression & provides a safe space to share experiences in the military culture. Open to all veterans & service members.

Empowering veterans through creativity. Free. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 15

APR. 12, 19

Lapumzik — The Living Room Series 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

With Poor Luthers Bones. Info: 570420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

Open Studio 7–8:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. See description at Apr. 5.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 13

Drumming 101 10–11:30 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tun-

The Sea The Sea 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. If life is measured by our leaps of faith, then singer-songwriter duo Chuck e. Costa and Mira Stanley have found a way to catch us midair as we jump headlong into the infinite abyss. Info: 570-5888077 or harmonypresents.com.

APR. 15

APR. 15

PnB Rock 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

23-year-old hip-hop artist from

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25

get connected Philadelphia who has rapidly emerged onto the Rap scene. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 16

Monroe County Conservation District Rain Barrel Sale Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Roof runoff collected in rain barrels provides an ample supply of naturally soft water for a variety of outdoor uses. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.

APR. 16

Earth Day Festival 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Help celebrate the Earth with hands-on learning stations, interpretive hikes, conservation exhibits, crafts, food, music & much more. Pre-registration not required. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 16

area events

APR. 16

APR. 19

APR. 22

Drew Thomas Magic 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

“America’s Got Talent” finalist lets you see inside the box, up his sleeve, be part of the magic & experience inexplicable illusions unlike ever before. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

Are You My Mother?

10 a.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Newly hatched Baby Bird sets out in search of Mother Bird with the help of Dog, Cat & Hen in a colorful musical adventure based on P.D. Eastman’s whimsical & well-loved picture book. Grades K–2. Info: 570-8261100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

Open Mic-Old Time Radio!

7 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Open to audiences & performers of all ages. Musicians, poets, comedians & performers of all types are invited to share their talents. After the open mic portion of the evening, actors Owen Frazier & Rich Ryczak take the stage to entertain with some comic examples of Old Time Radio. Free admission. Info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 16

An Evening with David Lindley 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe.

Effortlessly combines American folk, blues & bluegrass traditions with elements from African, Arabic, Asian, Celtic, Malagasy & Turkish musical sources. Info: 570-3250249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 16

King Dead — The Living Room Series 9 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

With King Buffalo, Dead Men. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 19

Earth Day Fair 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The DeNaples Center Patio, University of Scranton. Students display research & projects to the campus community. Local sustainable businesses display & talk about their products & services. Rain date: Apr. 21. Info: 570-941-6267 or mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

April 20–April 30 APR. 20

New Exhibit Opening 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Wayne County Historical Society, Honesdale. New exhibits include The Dairy Industry of Wayne County, Hitch a Ride on the Gravity interactive exhibit, Honesdale Train Table N-gauge exhibit. Info: 570253-3240 or wchs@ptd.net.

APR. 16

The Garcia Project 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Performing classic Jerry Garcia Band shows from the ’70s, ’80s & ’90s, creating the Jerry Garcia Band experience for old & new fans. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

Acoustic Bluegrass Jam 7–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by The Cooperage Project.

Led by Ron Penska & Buckshot Jenkins.

Focusing entirely on bluegrass.

Donations make this possible.

Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

APR. 16

APR. 16–MAY 1

Keep the Beat: Music for Kids 11 a.m.–Noon. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by The Cooperage Project. Led by Robbi K. Interactive cultural program for kids in grades K–5th. Bring your dancing shoes. Donations collected at door.

Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

Senior Art Exhibition 2016 Mahady Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton. Group exhibition of undergraduate art students receiving bachelor of arts & fine arts degrees in art education, art therapy, graphic design, illustration, painting, & photography.

Reception Apr. 16, 2–4 p.m.

Info: 570-348-6278.

APR. 21

APR. 16

APR. 17

The Robbi K Ensemble 7:30–9:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. An evening of reflection, song, & humor. Everyone has a story; Robbi has many tales & tattles about being a baby boomer in the music industry. Donations collected at door.

Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

Pond Explorers 1–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Explore the ponds with nets. Collect fish, macro-invertebrates, amphibians & anything else in buckets for up-close study. Wear boots & plan on getting a little wet & muddy. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 16

APR. 18

Heather Maloney 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Singer-songwriter’s new music has a definite edge, but it also has a classically trained voice that delivers well-crafted lyrics over a technical arrangement.

Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

Jamie Tworkowski 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Founder of “To Write Love on Her Arms” a non-profit group to help those who suffer from depression, addiction, self-injury & suicidal tendencies.

Special guest: singer-songwriter Matt Wertz. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

Earth Day Fair APRIL 19 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The DeNaples Center Patio, University of Scranton. Students display research & projects to the campus community. Local sustainable businesses display & talk about their products & services. Rain date: Apr. 21. Info: 570-941-6267 or mark.murphy@scranton.edu.

Game Night 6–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by The Cooperage Project Donations make this happen. Info: 570253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

APR. 21

Alton Brown Live 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Eat Your Science Tour, featuring comedy, talk-show antics & multimedia presentations mixing science, music & food into two hours of pure entertainment. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 21–24

APR. 22

Haley & Dylan Richardson 7:30–9:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Young sibling duo of traditional Irish musicians who are making their mark in the Irish music world with a long list of accomplishments.

Donations collected. Info: 570-2532020 or thecooperageproject.org.

APR. 22

Adam Ezra Group 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Finely tuned songs with the conviction of “do it yourself,” grassroots work ethic. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APRIL 22, 23, 24

Hawley Earth Fest Hawley. Local businesses, individuals & organizations offer programs, activities & events for celebrating, learning, & exploring. Walk in the #WildHawley Parade in Bingham Park, join the Predator Run, create art, make crafts, meet guest speakers & explore handson activities at the Environmental Expo. Info: www.hawleyearthfest.com.

APR. 23

Salamanders, Frogs & More!

10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Explore nearby breeding pools for salamanders, frogs & egg masses. Wear boots & clothes that can get a little muddy or wet. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

Knitting Workshop Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. A relaxing weekend in the Poconos. Fiber enthusiasts of all stripes (knitting, crochet, quilting, spinning, rug hooking, etc.) are also welcome. Supply list will be provided. Includes lodging & meals.

Commuter rates available. Info: 570828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 23

APR. 22

Monroe County Earth Day 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

Northampton Community College Monroe campus, Tannersville.

Celebrate Monroe County’s environmental efforts & successes with ongoing live music, speakers, exhibitors, workshops, give & take, tire amnesty, e-cycling, children’s activities, food & more. Info: 570-6293061 or www.mcconservation.org.

Post-Festival Film Discussion 1 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Discuss the content & significance of some of the film festival movies with others who have seen them. Facilitated

by Ronnie Harvey. No need to register.

Just show up. Info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 22

Nunsense, the Musical Cocktails 5:30 p.m., dinner 6:30, play begins 8:30. Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Banquet Center, Hawley. Comedy & delicious cuisine with the story of The Little Sisters of Hoboken, who are putting on a musical variety show to raise money to bury four sisters. Seating by reservation only. Info & reservations: 570-226-7355.

26 spread the word... full issues available online [ www.connections-magazine.com ] 26 spread the word... full issues available online [ www.connections-magazine.com ]

Collage-in-a-Box Workshop 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Missing Pieces, Honesdale. Build a “Collage-in-a-Box” while learning about color, balance & the best adhesives with artist Ramona Jan. Boxes & found objects provided, but you may also bring your own. Preregistration required: 570-224-7511.

APR. 23

APR. 23

Jim Thorpe Earth Day 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Jim Thorpe. Lehigh River Cleanup, free live music in the Josiah White Park, Dimmick Memorial Library & Mauch Chunk Opera House, crafters with handmade crafts, Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl, Earth Day raffle, Kids Recycled Craft Area, & hooping, face painting, workshops, environmental information, rock climb, good food

area events & good vibes. Free to the public. Rain date: Apr. 24. Info: jimthorpeearthday.com.

The next best thing to Johnny Cash.

Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 23

APR. 26

Robotics: Battle Bots 1–2:30 p.m.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. For ages 7–14. Build robots that crash into one another.

Learn about force, momentum, traction & more. Put your bot faces on & get ready to rumble. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

Open Studio 7–8:30 p.m.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. See description at Apr. 5. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 23

Sarah Blacker — The Living Room Series 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Skillful rhythm guitar, piano & ukulele, & sung with a uniquely soulful voice.

With Jordyn Kenzie. Info: 570-4202808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 23

The Sons & Heirs: A Tribute to The Smiths & Morrissey 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. With special guests, Lower Wolves: Tribute to Early R.E.M. Show includes a video tribute to David Bowie. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 23

Grand Ole’ Ditch 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. All about having some new fun with that old Appalachian sound from a homebrewed bluegrass band out of the mountain town of Cumberland, MD. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

APR. 24

Introduction to Fly Fishing 9 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Learn the basics. Practice knot tying & casting.

Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 24

Ecozone Discovery Room!

1–4 pm. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Explore the indoor discovery room & enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability & the local environment.

No registration required. Info: 570-8282319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 24

Active Adventures — Introduction to Tai Chi & QiGong 2–4:30 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese internal martial art, excellent for improving physical health & mental awareness. QiGong is a gentle & low impact form of exercise appropriate for anyone. Learn the basics of these ancient forms. Info: 570828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 24

40 Story Radio Tower – Guests: Skip Monday 4 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Talent, infectious melodies & an avalanche of soul-stirring lyrical creations. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 26

Cash’d Out: A Tribute to Johnny Cash — The Living Room Series 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Salamanders, Frogs & More APRIL 29 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Explore nearby breeding pools for salamanders, frogs & egg masses. Wear boots & clothes that can get a little muddy or wet. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

APR. 27

Sandlot — Favorite Film Series 1 & 7 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Free admission. Info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 28

Swapapalooza: SEEDS Annual “FUN”draiser 6 p.m. SEEDS at the Cooperage, Honesdale. Bring any item in good/working condition (except used clothing or shoes) & take home another Swapapalooza item for free. Silent auction. Food & drink available. Info: 570245-1256.

APR. 29

APR. 30

These Elk Forever — The Living Room Series 7:30 p.m.

Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Better Days, Second Chances, Centralia Moving Company.

Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

Fine Wine, Fine Art 7–9 p.m.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Gather up friends & learn to create pottery. Materials & instruction included in cost. Bring your own snacks & wine. Ages 21 & older only; ID required. Reservations requested. Space limited. Reservations & info: 570-996-1500.

APR. 30

APR. 29

APR. 30

Casting Crowns 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Chart-topping, Grammy Award–winning Christian band. Info: 570-8261100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

APR. 29

Spottiswoode & His Enemies 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. A pastoral collection of songs about nature, love, childhood & the other side of the pond — sometimes idyllic & sometimes a bit scary. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

APR. 29

Addi & Jacq 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Armed with nothing more than vocals & a harp, they have created a diverse & compelling body of music, grounded by skilled writing, singing & playing.

Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

Max Headroom 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Tribute act delivers a total ’80s experience, including costumes, giveaways & audience participation. Info: 570-4202808 or www.shermantheater.com.

APR. 30

Hot Buttered Rum 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Happy, upbeat tunes telling tales about everyday life. Info: 570-3250249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

May 1–May 7

Alexis P. Suter & the Ministers of Sound 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Blues Music Award nominee is a powerhouse bass/baritone vocalist with the ability to go to “that other place” where singers go when they are lost in the music. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

MAY 1

APR. 29–MAY 1

MAY 1

Arsenic and Old Lace 7 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Community theatre production of the rollicking comedy revolving around Mortimer Brewster, a drama critic who must deal with his crazy, homicidal family & local police in Brooklyn, NY. Info & tickets: 570996-1500.

APR. 30

Gaelic Storm 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Chart-topping, multi-national Celtic band. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

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Tweets & Treats 9–11 a.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Ages 10+. After breakfast snacks & beverages, head out on a hike that focuses on bird ID & their unique natural history.

Binoculars & field guides provided.

Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

Bridge the Gap: Wildflower Walk 1–4 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. A walk in the woods with identification tips & natural history of local flowers. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

MAY 1

Free Range Folk Spring Jam 6 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Earthy rock band with a cagefree organic sound shares the stage with Philadelphia Americana Rock Band. Appetizers prepared & served by 14 Acre Farm. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

MAY 1

Kane Brown 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

One of the breakout stars in the next generation of country music. Info: 570420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

MAY 5

USAF Heritage of America Band FREE CONCERT 7:30 p.m.

Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Inspiring & entertaining Concert Band comprised of over 40 professional Airman-musicians. Call to reserve tickets. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

MAY 5

King Radio 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Stunning blend of southern soul with gritty elements of country, folk, bluegrass & rock & roll. Special guest: Suze. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

MAY 6

The Frequency Collage — The Living Room Series 7:30 p.m.

Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

MAY 6

Ruthie Foster 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. With a soul-filled voice honed in Texas churches, she can move audiences to tears or ecstasy. Info: 570-3250249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

MAY 7

Joe Nardone Presents The Best of Doo Wop & Rock 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Star-studded, nostalgic line-up of oldtime favorites includes Chubby Checker, The Duprees & the Platters.

Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

MAY 7

David Bromberg Quintet 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Based in the folk & blues idioms, his music continually expands to encompass bluegrass, ragtime, country & ethnic music. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

MAY 7

The Suitcase Junket 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Throat-singing, slide-guitar playing one-man-band on a pile of homemade junkdrums, Matt Lorenz is the Suitcase Junket. This incredible sound, spirit & style will leave you convinced there is a full but invisible band playing along.

Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

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To Make The Best Better!

By: Sandi Scull Author’s Note: The content of this article was much different just forty-eight hours ago before Governor Tom Wolf put down his red-lining pen and allowed the 2015-16 budget to be adopted without his signature.

he 4-H pledge above, read it please, has been part of my life since I turned eight. My family lineage included several dairy farmers, growers, and a grandmother involved in the local grange. 4-H was my destiny. I didn’t raise animals as a project, except for a rabbit, but I learned to sew, and sow, arrange flowers, collect and identify bugs, my favorite, and other useful skills not learned in school. 4H continues to provide those opportunities to today’s youth, building a sense of self-worth, responsibility, sense of community, and a work ethic to be appreciated.

T

Come May 1, had the budget remained in limbo, The Penn State Extension, funded through the Land Scrip Fund would have to shut down; 90,000 4-H youth would have seen their program close its doors. No county coordinators to work with their clubs, no projects, no county fair exhibits, no livestock auction for college money, no scholarships awarded, not to mention, the loss of the technical assistance, research, and services offered to the agricultural community, including the Master Gardeners program.

Kudos go to the entire agricultural community across the state, which with united reserve organized and directed a multi-faceted campaign to bring the consequences and impact of non-decision to the forefront in Harrisburg. From passing information through social media, to petitions, lots of them, to rallying in Harrisburg on March 9, to calling, writing, texting every state legislator, perhaps the drumbeat was finally heard, loudly. Well done. Let’s move on.

To the 4-Hers, it’s time to focus on those piglets and lambs, check on your young steer, plant seeds, and start projects in earnest. We’re safe, for now.

To those who are hiring, if the applicant has 4-H in the resumé, take note and hire him/her; you won’t be disappointed.

To those businesses and individuals who have steadfastly supported 4-H programs, we thank you for your continued interest and generous contributions throughout the year and at the 4-H livestock auctions. Your monetary contributions alone have provided much deserved scholarships to future doctors, veterinarians, biologists, engineers, and business owners.

And to our Governor and the state legislators in Harrisburg, perhaps it is time to start the day with, “I Pledge my Head to clearer thinking…

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