Connections Magazine - February 2016 Issue

ROMANTIC PAMPERING

HEART OF GOLD

Ultimate Love Experience – P 5

Keeping your heart healthy for love – P 8

"I FELL IN LOVE IN A HOPELESS PLACE"

Reflections of a prison inmate – P 12

FEBRUARY 2016

Since 1998

An Intimate

Getaway Bundle up with your sweetie—P6

PLUS...

Living Green – P 13 Money – P 14 Entertainment – P 10 Pocono Secrets – P 11 Outdoor Ramblings – P 16 Classic Cars – P 17 Ask The Vet – P 18 Area Events – P 22

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february ’16

contents

departments Ask the Vet

18

Behavioral Medicine

20

Book Review

10

Classic Cars

17

Events Calendar

22

Film Review

10

Living Green

13

Money

14

Outdoor Ramblings

16

Pocono Secrets

11

Reflections of Prison

12

connectionsmagazine FEBRUARY ’16 features

5

BECOME A FAN!

ROMANTIC PAMPERING For the ultimate romantic experience this Valentine’s Day or any other special, sweet occasion, walk through the doors of The Lodge at Woodloch and into the welcoming serene atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

6

AN INTIMATE GETAWAY

8

HEART OF GOLD

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!

VOL. 18 NO. 2

This Valentine’s Day, bundle up with your sweetie at a cozy bed and breakfast and relax in the comforts of a home away from home. Sit in front of a crackling fire and unwind in the warmth of its glow. Awaken to a wholesome and nutritious breakfast before setting out for the day’s adventures. Enjoy the many sights and sounds of our charming area, which boasts beautiful scenery and quaint towns.

Dying is your penultimate gift to civilization. Your eventual demise allows for a bit more elbow room on our planet, more oxygen made available to an ever-depleting atmosphere, and more food and fresh water for the rest of us. So when you belly up to the trough to inhale your daily triple bacon cheeseburger, the two-legged alfalfa vegans grazing at an adjoining table are quietly lauding your gluttony.

Post Your Events On Our Page!

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Call now 570.647.0085!

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ourtowns

connections

plunge

[YOUR] NEPA MAGAZINE president • publisher • editor in chief deborah bailey

Prepared by: Allison Mowatt

Take the Plunge During the Paupack Plunge on Lake Wallenpaupack

production manager meica drake account representative barry weiss editorial correction services sandi scull

D

ip into the icy lake next month for a good cause during the 5th Annual Paupack Plunge where plungers will be freezin’ for a reason.

Lighthouse Harbor Marina on Route 507 is hosting the event on February 13th, which is sure to be a chillingly fun adventure on the lake this winter.

With the lake newly frozen and the picture of glacial beauty, a Paupack Plunge couldn’t have come at a better time. The idea is to bring many brave people to the lake’s frigid waters to “plunge” for a good cause right from Lighthouse Harbor Marina’s shoreline. This unique charity event will raise money and awareness for two important local dive and rescue teams - the Tafton Water Rescue Team and the Ledgedale Dive Team. Last year, Paupack Plunge organizers were

thrilled with the turnout. About 100 people plunged, raising over $6,000 for these two important organizations. They hope to surpass that goal this year.

The excitement begins at 11 a.m. through 2:30 p.m.

With a hole cut in the ice, brave plungers will walk right into the frigid water from the sandy shore. They will only go in up to their shoulders with members of the Tafton Water Rescue Team assisting people in the water. About ten to twelve people can plunge every half hour.

To get started, potential plungers must first register and provide a minimum donation of $25. Early registration is encouraged to secure a spot. Plungers can donate the money themselves and find local businesses or individuals to sponsor them. In addition, area businesses are encouraged to donate door prizes or become a corporate sponsor for the event.

Each plunger will be presented with an official Paupack Plunge t-shirt and towel complete with

assignment writers robin scandura allison mowatt contributing writers al hoff, Movie Review lucille norella, ArtScene barry & hillary anthony, In the Company of Books fred cicetti, The Healthy Geezer the tevent’s eye-catching logo of a walrus wearing a scarf amid ice cubes with the words “Paupack Plunge” covered in ice. T-shirts and towels will be available to purchase that day to anyone else.

Adding to the afternoon’s excitement, people can take a break from the cold and warm up inside the marina where local musicians will provide live entertainment and refreshments like hot dogs and hot cocoa will be available. In addition, there will be special Plunge Day sales in the marina showroom and the Ship’s Store and people can meet Wally Walrus.

Anyone is welcome to come and watch the event.

Last year, spectators and participants really got into the light - hearted nature of the charity by dressing up in costume, which is encouraged again this year.

Carpooling is highly suggested due to limited parking. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian sign a waiver and be present during the plunge.

Lighthouse Harbor Marina is located at 969 Route 507 in Greentown, PA, four miles north of Interstate 84 off Exit 20. Participants are invited to stop in the showroom to drop off their registration or donation.

To register and find out what you will need to prepare for the plunge, visit www.paupackplunge.com or call (570) 857-0220. People can also register at the door the day of the event. Local businesses and individuals interested in being a sponsor can call this number or email paupackplunge@lighthouse harbor.com. Lighthouse Harbor Marina is accepting cash, credit card, or a check made out to “The Paupack Plunge.”

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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the lodge at woodloch

romance

Romantic Pampering F

or the ultimate romantic experience this Valentine’s Day or any other special, sweet occasion, walk through the doors of The Lodge at Woodloch and into the welcoming serene atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

Indulge in These Romantic Packages: Couples Retreat

Once you’re at this award - winning destination spa resort, expect a full-service, state-of-the-art haven where the staff makes it their goal to treat you like a treasured prize and you leave feeling rejuvenated, relaxed, and more connected with your special someone.

“The Lodge at Woodloch’s philosophy of Personal Awakening enables couples to shift from their day-to-day routine and take the time to refocus on each other,” said Spa Director, Nancy Deaton. “The experience encourages them to explore new hobbies and activities that make them stronger as a couple while allowing for a relaxing and stress free retreat.”

The Lodge at Woodloch features lavish and luxurious guestrooms and suites, a full pray of spa services, and many other amenities such as outdoor recreation, fitness classes, speakers, classes, workshops, and a gourmet dining experience at Tree, the on-site restaurant.

Special romance packages are available for couples who are looking to make the most out of their romantic escape.

Couples need to look no farther than The Lodge at Woodloch to sneak away for a little rest, relaxation, and romance.

Stay in a deluxe guest room with a romantic private veranda overlooking the private lake or waterfall. Love is in the air, so breathe deeply during one of the many fitness and wellness classes, guided or private hikes, or romantic walks along the onproperty nature trails.

The package includes a two-night stay in the veranda deluxe room, one spa service allowance of $125 per person for each night, three gourmet meals each evening, which include all non-alcoholic beverages, use of all spa and fitness facilities, scheduled group fitness classes, lectures and cooking demonstrations, guided group adventure excursions, and a Spa Concierge for personalized assistance with the program.

In the room upon arrival, there will be a bottle of sommelier selected red wine and Lodge at Woodloch wine key, two signature Riedel wine glasses, which guests can take with them, a Chef’s curated assortment of spice mixes and coordinating recipes, Chef’s delectable sweets, and a petal turndown the first night of arrival. *Exclusive for the month of February, couples will receive a keepsake handmade paper flower crafted from a love poem. If couples want the flower customized with a personal love letter or poem, two weeks’ notice is required.

Gourmand Getaway Package On your Gourmand Getaway, prepare to be pampered in fine dining, a lavish spa, and luxury accommodations. Indulge your appetite with fresh, innovative, and award - winning cuisine that excites your palate. Escape in a personalized spa experience that allows you to truly relax, renew, and rediscover your essential self in a beautiful and uplifting spa sanctuary.

Programs are dedicated to focusing the mind, nurturing the body, and uplifting the spirit in every way. Feel alive, lighthearted, aware, and awakened.

The package includes a bottle of wine, a Lodge at Woodloch wine key and cheese plate upon check-in, cooking and baking demonstrations, a one recipe notebook, a custom amuse bouche with dinner from the Chef, a Lodge at Woodloch cutting board and two aprons to take home, signature trail mix as a ride-home snack prepared by the Chef, lavish accommodations, three gourmet meals each night, stimulating speakers and workshops, experiences for the mind, body and soul, inspiring creative arts, personalized program assistance from the Spa Concierge, health and fitness amenities such as pools with hydro massage waterfalls, indoor and outdoor Jacuzzis, steam rooms, saunas, and a state-of-the-art 3,000 square foot cardio weight studio.

For more details on these packages including pricing, or to make a reservation, call 1-800WOODLOCH. www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com.

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romance

getaway

An Intimate Getaway

By Allison Mowatt

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intimate getaway

romance

T

his Valentine’s Day, bundle up with your sweetie at a cozy bed and breakfast and relax in the comforts of a home away from home. Sit in front of a crackling fire and unwind in the warmth of its glow. Awaken to a wholesome and nutritious breakfast before setting out for the day’s adventures. Enjoy the many sights and sounds of our charming area, which boasts beautiful scenery and quaint towns.

Bed and breakfasts are ideal for couples looking for a romantic getaway that is inexpensive but also has touches that make it exceptional. Inns are homey and comfortable, and the hosts welcome guests into their “home” as if they’re part of the family.

Make it a Valentine’s Day you’ll both remember forever. Escape from the everyday, step into one of these historic homes and make it your own for this special occasion.

The Mansion at Noble Lane The James Manning House 421 Wayne Street, Bethany

The Harrington House 208 West Harford, Milford Stre Located in the heart of town, The Harrington House is a large, cozy Victorian Bed and Breakfast, circa 1860, with a wraparound porch and deck and lush gardens, which look glorious in bloom. Innkeeper Adriane Wendell welcomes every guest with warmth and care.

Each room is unique and spacious, with a full range of amenities including thick robes and decadent chocolates. Rates include a nourishing breakfast each morning featuring a gourmet hot entrée and other delights. Try a little romance at The Harrington House and add this package to your stay.

Champagne and Roses Bring your own champagne and the Innkeeper will chill it and serve in a silver and crystal bucket with Waterford flutes along with strawberries in the room. Guests also enjoy one dozen roses in a vase from Myer the Florist in town. The package also includes dinner reservations at a restaurant of the guest’s choice. This package is available year-round.

For details on pricing or to inquire about a special Valentine’s Day offer, call (570) 296-2661 or visit www.harringtonhousemilford.com

Hosts Warren and Janet Heinly provide their guests with an experience they’ll never forget. The James Manning House is a Federal-style house in the quaint, charming village of Bethany, just minutes from historic Honesdale.

“For 196 years, people lived, laughed, and loved in our inn’s house,” says Janet.

“When you feel that good, the romance flows out.”

The Inn features modern amenities along with antique and country furnishings.

There are common rooms ideal for reading or conversation, gardens for strolling in season, and comfortable rooms with private baths. Guests can expect a hearty breakfast each morning featuring local farm produce.

Are you in love with chocolate and want to share it with your Valentine? This package is a sweet deal.

Chocolate Valentine Sweeten your Valentine’s Day and treat your love to a delightful chocolate getaway.

Your romantic retreat starts with a chocolate sampler waiting in your room. Relax and enjoy a private evening in the comfort of the Inn. Indulge in a champagne and chocolate Valentine breakfast. Pick your time to bask in sixty minutes of chocolate massage by Marie Donovan, LMT, without leaving the inn. Pamper your Valentine and have a sweet stay. For prices and more information, call (570) 253-5573 or go to www.jamesmanninhouse.com.

37 Noble Lane, Bethany The Mansion at Noble Lane is an elegant estate on 22 acres, formerly owned by founders of the FW Woolworth Five & Dime Company. The 25,000 square foot mansion was fully restored in 2013 and opened as an upscale, boutique resort featuring beautifully appointed guestrooms, an on-premises spa, and a separate recreational facility with an indoor, heated Olympic-sized pool, basketball court, and fully equipped gym.

“The Mansion was designed with romance in mind,” said Owner Monique Greenwood.

The spacious rooms feature en-suite bathrooms with whirlpool tubs or soaking tubs for two. The couple’s spa room has a whirlpool for two and a working fireplace,offering complete serenity.

Luxuriate at the Mansion this Valentine’s Day and re-connect with your love.

Valentine’s Special In addition to the themed decorations throughout the inn, all guests will receive a special evening turn-down featuring champagne, chocolates, candles, romantic music, and rose petals. Couples will also have fun filling out a revealing Valentine’s Day keepsake entitled “What I Love About You.” A complete, hot breakfast is included each morning in the price of the stay.

For more details, call (866) 466-3855 or visit www.akwaaba.com.

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Heart of GOLD

By Jake Laub

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heart health

romance

Women often ignore early symptoms of heart disease until a heart attack strikes.

Find out how to spot the warning signs and take steps to increase overall heart health!

H

ow do women most often respond to early signs of heart disease, the number one cause of death among women in the United States? They ignore them.

“Women often do not experience the crushing pain that men feel from a heart attack,” says Denise Barnard, director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program at University of California San Diego Medical Center. “Women’s symptoms of heart attack are sometimes more subtle and often dangerously dismissed for less serious ailments.”

The most common signs of heart attack for women are chest, mid-back or shoulder pain, deep aching in one or both arms, breathlessness, clamminess, dizziness and anxiousness. Other symptoms may include swelling of the ankles or lower legs, a fluttering heart, gastric upset, or a feeling of heaviness in the chest.

Susan Iliff, 59, a retired UC San Diego Medical Center nurse, was working on a stroke awareness TV commercial when she started feeling out of breath, but she attributed it to her hectic work schedule. Two days later she felt a shooting pain in her jaw. It was a heart attack. She now works as a leader of a support group for women heart patients.

“Somehow we have this idea in our heads that we’re desperately needed by everyone around us – except ourselves.

Yes, our kids need us. But more importantly, they need us to take care of our own health so that we can be there for them,” Iliff says. “Believe me. It’s easier to treat the early signs of heart disease than it is to wait and have a heart attack.”

Here are five ways to maintain a healthy heart at work according to University of Virginia WorkMed, Charlottesville, an occupational health clinic:

1}

Engage in exercise bursts

2}

Drink water throughout the day

3} 4}

5}

Even if you have a desk job, you can accumulate 2030 minutes of activity daily by exercising in short “bursts” all day. Walking briskly between your car and office can serve as two bursts. Taking the stairs can provide another burst. Walking 10 to 15 minutes at lunchtime can work wonders for your energy and mental acuity throughout the afternoon.

Proper hydration improves your body’s metabolic efficiency. Substitute water for soft drinks, tea, and coffee.

Stand and stretch frequently Stretching decreases the “peripheral resistance” of muscles, helping you relax. Stretches that target the upper back, neck, forearms and shoulders are particularly effective for those working at a desk.

Eat a “light” lunch Large, heavy meals require substantial blood flow to digest and can make you feel tired. They also decrease the volume of blood readily available to your brain, making cognitive function less efficient.

Recommended light foods include: Lean meats (fish, turkey, chicken), whole grain breads, fruits, vegetables, and nuts.

Maintain perspective As overwhelming as work can be, learn to categorize its role as part of your life. Don’t let work preempt other aspects of life that nurture your heart and soul: family and friends, hobbies, community and social activities, etc. © CTW Features

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entertainment

book/film reviews

THE BIG SHORT

“My First Book of Football”

By Brynn Baker Reviewed by Terri Schlich–enmeyer

Y

our dad says his team is doing well this year. Mom’s happy, too. As long as they don’t fumble, as long as they avoid being tackled, they might go to the playoffs, Dad says. But what does that mean? Is that in English? Read “My First Book of Football” by Beth Bugler and Mark Bechtel, illustrated by Bill Hinds, and you’ll catch on.

Every Sunday – and a few evenings of the week – for four or five months, your family is glued to the TV. It’s football season: time to wear your team gear and get ready to cheer because “football is an action-packed game…”

To begin, the game is played on a field that is as long as eight school buses lined up in a row. Though football teams have many members, only eleven players from each team are allowed to play at any one time, and each team member has a special job to do during the game. There’s a coin toss to see who gets the ball first for kickoff.

The kicker kicks the ball. Someone from the other team catches it and RUNS! That guy, the one with the ball, is on the offensive team. The other team, the one that’s trying to stop the runner, is the defense.

Part of the point of the game is to run to the end of the field, to the end zone belonging to your team, with the ball in your hands. The coach might have something to say about how it’s done; he’s the guy who tells the players how to play the game. The Quarterback, who is “the big cheese, the main man,” might also have some ideas.

As the game progresses, your team will have a “down” or two (or four!). The Quarterback will try to pass the ball over everybody’s head. There might be a fumble, a flag, or a penalty, if you’re unlucky. You might see a few interceptions. And at the end of the game, it could be time to celebrate. “Game over!”

So your child is eager to cheer on the family’s favorite team. You’re eager to teach her (or him!) how the game works. But “My First Book of Football” may not be the easiest way to do it.

To the good, authors Beth Bugler and Mark Bechtel include basic explanations to just about everything your child might hear during the game, explanations that are very kid-friendly. The illustrations by Bill Hinds are undeniably funny. The problem, therefore, isn’t within the book itself, but in its correlation (or not) to a complicated, fast-moving game. Yes, this book will give your youngster a better understanding of terms, but it’s going to lead to even more questions, I think. A mere read-through or two just won’t be enough.

Kids ages 5 to 10 may like this book very much, but parents might find it lacking. Still, it’s a good introduction to the game, and if that’s all you need, then having “My First Book of Football” may be a good goal.

Adam McKay’s biting, infuriating comedy, adapted from Michael Lewis’ eponymous book, takes on the 2008 mortgage crisis, and finds entertainment gold tracking the real-life “underdogs” who saw the collapse coming and made a fortune betting that the economy would tank .

It’s awkward because you’ll be cheering for these guys, in part because they’re portrayed by faves as Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Steve Carell and Brad Pitt, and the film taps generic expectations about rebels who succeed. They’re also right — and they’re motivated to take down even worse Wall Streeters.

The Big Short helpfully illuminates tricky financial stuff in amusing ways: Jenga shows how quickly an interconnected market can collapse, and celebrities make cameos to explain a particular instrument. The film is also funny — you’ll laugh through your tears of rage as you recall the epic mess Wall Street bankers made, and how you, me, and everybody else paid for it. (We’re not totally blameless: McKay periodically includes MTV-style montages of all the brainless pop culture that was otherwise consuming our attention at the time.) The film also finds a couple of quieter, emotional moments, such as a trip to Florida to see “dream homes,” and Carell’s character’s growing realization of how epically rotten the system is. out of 4

CONCUSSION Peter Landesman’s docudrama about the discovery of footballrelated brain trauma offers a mix of hard hits and softer solutions.

The disease, now known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), was discovered in Pittsburgh by Nigerian-born Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) during a post-mortem of former Steeler Mike Webster. Though Omalu convinces other medical professionals about CTE, the NFL is less open to his findings, and even obstructive.

Concussion excels in its procedural aspects, as Omalu unravels the mysteries of damaged brains and tries to turn his discoveries into actions; he is David running at the NFL, a Goliath backed by millions of fans and billions of dollars. The film is baggier and less compelling when it tries to fill in Omalu’s life outside the lab. And the narrowness of its approach — Omalu’s early-days fight — makes Concussion less informative about the full scope of CTE crisis. But this is the most high-profile outing CTE has had, and sports fans’ responses to this issue are still being formed.

Concussion is blunt in some ways, but leaves space for doubters and deniers. And more than anything — and the film cops to this frequently — people don’t want to give up being football fans. out of 4

All of these ran previously in the Pittsburgh City Paper.

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winter blues

Got Blues?

How to combat the Winter Blues?

Think, Summer Blues… and Jazz.

By LA Guzda

T

he Pocono Mountains are home to many great Jazz and Blues musicians. Maybe it’s affordable living with close proximity to New York and Philadelphia or the inspiration of its natural beauty. The Poconos celebrates America’s original art form in music.

A joke about jazz & blues: "A blues guitarist plays three chords in front of thousands of people, and a jazz guitarist plays thousands of chords in front of three people." The main focus of jazz music is the dynamics and improvisations of an ensemble, while blues music is usually centered on a single guitar or piano player/vocalist and the personal lyrical content of the song. Most jazz tunes are purely instrumental, while a blues song always contains lyrics.

Blues is a genre and musical form that originated in African-American communities in the "Deep South" around the end of the 19th Century. The genre developed from a fusion of traditional African music and European folk music that incorporated spirituals, work songs, field hollers, chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads. The blues form - ubiquitous in jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll - is characterized by the blues scale and specific chord progressions, of which the twelve-bar blues is the most common. The blue notes (or "worried notes"), which are often thirds or fifths and flatter in pitch than other styles, are also an important part of the sound.

Jazz is a genre of music that also originated in African American communities in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, after the blues. It emerged from African American and European American musical parentage with a performance orientation. Jazz spans a period of over a hundred years, encompassing a range of music from ragtime to jazz-rock fusion, swing, blues, improvisational or free jazz, gypsy, cool, smooth, Latin and Cuban jazz, and has proved to be difficult to define. Jazz makes heavy use of improvisation, polyrhythms, syncopation, and the swung note.

Of the area festivals, the big daddy of the blues is the Pocono Blues Festival. Previously held at Big Boulder, The

did you know?

Pocono Blues Festival’s – now the Pennsylvania Blues Festival -- new home for the past five years is Split Rock in Lake Harmony. Celebrating its 25th year, the event will be held September 16-18, 2016. VIP tickets are already available as the 2016 lineup is currently under production. Visit http://www.splitrockresort.com/events/blues-festival/ for more information.The music season kicks off June 24-26, 2016 with the Milford Music Festival http://www.milfordmusicfest.org/ in Milford and is a free event. Also that weekend is the Pocono Mountain Bluegrass Festival, which is located at the Newfoundland GDS Fairgrounds. Admission for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is $45 with day ticket prices also available. http://scotteager.com/Festival/.

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm takes place in Honesdale. This year’s free event is scheduled for June 18, 2016. Visit http://www.honesdalerootsandrhythm.com for details and don’t forget the Midnight Ramble that continues after the festival at The Cooperage on Main Street.

BushStock takes place in Bushkill, PA, the weekend following Labor Day and features some of the area’s best musicians. Proceeds from last year’s event benefitted Monroe County Diabetes. http://thebluesdude.com/category/bushstock/ And, the big daddy of jazz is the COTA Jazz & Arts Festival in the Delaware Water Gap. COTA – Celebration of the Arts – is scheduled for September 9-11, 2016. This event features great jazz talent. Last year, the event honored Bob Dorough, who was presented by his friend, Peter Coyote.

Bob Dorough is a world respected jazzman. He was writing jingles for a New York ad agency in the 1970s when the company president approached him with a request. The man’s son was having a difficult time learning his multiplication tables, but the father noticed the boy knew all of the words to his Beatle’s songs. The president asked Dorough to write songs that reviewed his son’s math lessons and thus, was born, the original Schoolhouse Rock, which Dorough wrote and produced for ABC throughout the 1980s. He’s worked with many great legends, including Miles Davis.

Dorough currently has a fantastic jazz CD titled, Bob Dorough Duets. All of the proceeds benefit COTA. To purchase, visit www.BobDoroughDuets.com.

If you are interested in learning more about the history of jazz in the Pocono Mountains, I recommend Deborah Burke’s book, The Poconos in B Flat. It can be purchased at Barnes and Noble or on Amazon.com.

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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reflections

from inside

“I Fell in Love in a Hopeless Place” Reflections of a Prison Inmate

By Terry Mooney

T

his young woman looks as wholesome as the girl next door, a healthy cheerleader. In fact, it is easy to see how, in a true state of recovery, she will be a cheerleader for herself and all those she comes in contact with.

My Story My father was an alcoholic. He went to work every day as a heavy equipment operator. In a labor union, he made good money. He provided for us in a limited way, but he was never home. My mother worked as an office coordinator in a hospital lab, then part time at night as a secretary in a land surveying company. She managed to cook us dinner, peeling potatoes every night, just to please my father.

With his drinking and also gambling, there was never enough money, so we lived in a rented trailer.

Although he spent every night in the local bar, he still managed to show me affection when he finally came home. I was Daddy’s little girl, watching football on his lap while he drank his beer and smoked his Winstons.

In the wintertime, my father was supposed to pick me up from Kindergarten every day because it was only a half a day. This is how I remember my Kindergarten experience. I cried every single day because he would be late because he was somewhere drinking. I would get anxiety ridden and nervous as the time came for school to be over for the day. When he finally would show up, he would be wasted. Only five years old, it was so embarrassing to me. Sometimes my mother would have to leave work to get me because he would be passed out drunk on the couch. Winters were the worst because there was no work and he could drink all day. I now have huge abandonment and trust issues. Three DUIs later, totaling two of my mom’s cars and ruining her credit with his gambling debts, she kicked him out.

At that time, I was eight years old. We went to court for a custody battle, while he slashed my mom’s tires, broke into the house, and stole our possessions. He left hateful notes for us. At the end, my mom got full custody and my dad got visitation rights. He had to pay child support and did, for a while. Then he picked us up one weekend and immediately pulled over. He was drunk. I’ll never forget the smell; still it makes my eyes water. He told us he could not come to get us anymore, that it was just too much trouble, then he dropped us right back off at my mom’s. Our little suitcases in hand, we watched him drive away. We never saw him again.

In the beginning, I had wanted to know what it would be like to live with him. He’d bought us bunk beds. He’d bought me Incredible Hulk bed sheets and a Tasmanian devil alarm clock, my two favorite cartoons. He’d bought my brother a play station. He didn’t know how to cook, so every night we ate Spaghetti Os or hot dogs. I was sick all the time, between all the anxiety that something bad was going to happen, the sadness between my parents and the junk food. But that was not the worst of it. Because of what he did during the custody fight, I was afraid of him. He’d left notes in our house that called my mother horrible names, leaving hateful messages over the phone. By trying to hurt my mother, he was hurting us as well. So when he left, it was a blessing in disguise. But still we were sad.

Life with my mom made me independent because she worked so much. I was involved in softball and cheerleading and my brother played football and baseball. I played well. It was a great outlet for us to stay busy while my mom worked two jobs. She consistently made dinner for us every night, in between the two jobs, which, thankfully, kept us together as a family.

I got straight As all through high school, then went on to a private college to study nursing. It was close by asI didn’t want to go too far from my mom. This is when I first started drinking, allowing myself to indulge in the party scene. It’s true what they say; one is too many and

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a thousand is not enough. Everything I enjoyed I wanted a lot of. I moved on to narcotics that I felt wouldn’t be as evident to others.

It went from partying on the weekends to Thirsty Thursdays to Wasted Wednesdays to all of a sudden any day that ended in the word “day.” I was no longer a functioning addict but in full blown addiction, which does not discriminate. I couldn’t brush my teeth without being high, let alone show up at class. My grades suffered miserably. I got my first B which quickly turned into a C. I became an “average” student while maintaining the party scene.

My addiction progressed. I was going home and waitressing on weekends while still using. I was dating one of my coworkers who had been my best friend, introducing me to the world of narcotics. Up until now, I was a heavy drinker and a regular in the party scene. Ten years older than me, he was the first person I ever felt I could rely on, a father figure I never really had. It was a dark world that cost me all of my friends, my job, dream career, and my family. Completely isolated from the world, I plunged into the depths of addiction.

I began working in a hospital as a graduate nurse. One day when I went into work, I was withdrawing from something I had taken before I got there. There is a two person nurse count, so when a nurse “wastes” a narcotic which means disposing of what is left after the dose is given, another nurse has to be a witness to it. In order to keep from becoming dope sick, I took what was left. I lost my license to practice.

My life’s dream was to become a nurse. When I was four, I used to take care of my great grandmother, propping her feet up on my little kid’s chair and we would play doctor. I had a stethoscope and one of those little doctor’s kits with the red cross on the front. I would put band aids on her pretend wounds. I was so devastated when I lost my job at the hospital. My addiction became the worst it’s ever been after that. It took me to the lowest depths.

People mock the addiction they don’t have. They think that their addiction is less shameful, such as a drunk slurring words and falling down, versus the temporary rush of euphoria from heroin, which is so brief it is not even worth the aftermath. Alcohol destroys you while you’re using it while heroin destroys you when you stop.

I fell in love in a hopeless place. First came our friendship, then came the drugs, then came the love, or so I thought. It was so sad. We never would have made it, so we had to separate. Our brain on drugs is not clear thinking. Decisions we make under the influence are not reality based. We just like to tell ourselves that we are more capable and can take on more when we are using. In all actuality, our best foot forward in sobriety, chasing recovery as much as we used to chase the dope man, our possibilities are endless. I moved out of the condo we got from his parents as an engagement gift. Only then could I get clean.

It was hard because he was my one and only. We are still friends today.

While in recovery on the outside, I got into Alcoholics Anonymous.

I am living proof that AA and NA work, if you work it. While incarcerated in the Pike County Correctional Facility, I have been humbled by the experience, but like every other hardship in my life, I intend to learn something from this. I think that my higher power sent me here to save my life and make me stronger. It has given me the time out that I need to actually grow. I’ve learned about who I am and have become okay with and even love myself now, and have given up the illusion of being in control. A grateful addict stays clean. Some see the glass half empty; some see the glass half full. I am grateful to even have a glass.

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Long Term to Present Day

WATER QUALITY MONITORING In Pike County By: Emily Rinaldi

I

n the early 1930’s, an ecological disaster known as the “Dust Bowl” plagued the United States. The Dust Bowl was a result of a severe and sustained drought in the Great Plains causing the region’s soil to erode and blow away, thus creating huge black dust storms that blotted out the sun and swallowed the countryside.

Once the storms reached Washington D.C., Congress unanimously passed legislation declaring soil and water conservation a national policy and priority. In 1937, President Roosevelt wrote the governors of all the states recommending legislation that would allow local landowners to form soil conservation districts. Throughout the country, the district-enabling legislation passed in every state. Pike County joined the group of nearly 3,000 conservation districts nationwide in 1956.

“Pike County Conservation District is committed to natural resources conservation through leadership, education, technical assistance, planning, and enforcement to ensure the long term protection and sustainable use of Pike County’s natural resources and environmentally sound development and land use practices.”

Water is one of the most important elements of every living thing. The Pike County Conservation District dedicates a large amount of duties to ground water and surface water quality and quantity. The Conservation District’s watershed program is involved in many water quality programs, including but not limited to USGS Groundwater level study, USGS ground water quality/ well Study, fish/macroinvertebrate surface water quality monitoring, assistance to citizens watershed associations, and public education programs on water resources.

The Pike County Conservation District in conjunction with the US Geological Survey (USGS) has been monitoring groundwater levels across the county since 2007. The Pike County Comprehensive Groundwater Assessment established this ground-

water level monitoring network and completed an exploration of groundwater quality. These studies provide baseline information on county groundwater resources to support current and future water resource planning, management, and protection initiatives. A total of 24 wells are included in this network stretched across Pike County. The water level in each individual well is recorded once a month by the Pike County Conservation District Watershed Specialist. As of the end of 2015, a new round of grant money has been awarded by the Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program to continue the groundwater level study until 2018. These three additional years of data collection will result in over ten years of recorded ground water level data in Pike County that could help estimate ground water recharge time and potentially predict future drought conditions.

The Conservation District also partnered with USGS in 2015-2016 to conduct water quality sampling at approximately 80 wells across the county.

This program provided participating homeowners with a variety of well water quality testing. Results from this study are currently being processed and expected to be completed in mid-winter.

Since 1995, the Pike County Conservation District has also collected stream/surface water quality data by using fish and benthic macroinvertebrate collection and observation. These organisms are observed and collected at approximately 26 stream sites in Pike County. Surface Water samples are analyzed

using the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s protocol and compared against DEP’s criteria for designated use, such as high quality or exceptional value. Along with biological sampling, the District also takes field measurements of water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, pH, alkalinity, and conductivity at the sampling sites to add for comparison. The District’s surface water monitoring is an on-going program.

In addition to special water quality studies, the Pike County Conservation District also provides assistance to multiple watershed associations within the county and across the Delaware River Watershed Area. This includes but is not limited to supporting public trainings for stream monitoring through different watershed associations. The District’s Water Resource Conservation public outreach and education does not stop there. The district regularly is invited to local high schools to present a ground water flow model to students.

The ground water flow model is an excellent way for students to acquire a hands-on approach to learning about the importance of ground water conservation and also grasp an understanding of how the water cycle works.

The Pike County Conservation District is involved with many programs that support the legislation from the 1930’s to protect the county’s soil and water. The watershed stewardship program through the conservation district is an active monitoring and outreach program with nature’s best interest as its highest priority.

Emily Rinaldi is the Watershed Specialist for the Pike County Conservation District. Pike County Conservation District is committed to natural resource conservation through leadership, education, technical assistance, planning, and enforcement to ensure the long term protection and sustainable use of Pike County’s natural resources and implementation of environmentally sound development and land use practices. Emily is a Mid Valley High School graduate (Lackawanna County), has a Bachelors’ degree in Environmental Resource Management from Keystone College, and resides in Throop, PA. She can be contacted at the Pike County Conservation District, 556 Route 402, Hawley, PA 18428; 570-226-2880; or email erinaldi@pikepa.org.

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13

money

investment

The Investment

COMMUTE Charles Curtin, JD, LLM, CTFA – Trust Officer, The Honesdale National Bank

O

ne of my closest friends works with me at The Honesdale National Bank.

We grew up together. At one time, we were even sort of cousins via marriage.

Alas, that particular relationship unfortunately ended decades ago, but despite the familial rancor, our bond has remained to middle age.

We currently live a few blocks away from each other in Clarks Summit and commute to Honesdale Monday through Friday.

Since we have busy family lives, we rarely car pool for the drive to work. Yet, on a recent morning, while my Civic was at the shop, my buddy picked me up for the morning slog. During our drive, we talked about sports, kids, and the bank until we passed one of our colleagues on the Casey Highway. My friend looked over and told me that he had a theory about the commute. He basically said that no matter how fast you try to drive to Honesdale from the Scranton area, you will always get there in about the same amount of time. I did not think much of his assertion, but once we arrived at our destination, our slower colleague pulled in right behind us, thereby proving my friend’s theory correct! His notion holds true because once off of the Casey Highway, Route 6 becomes one lane in either direction. Traffic is then normally impeded by various tractor trailers, farm vehicles, and slow pokes out for a Sunday drive in the middle of the work

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week! It really does not matter how fast you drive.

I have a similar theory about investing, which is that being slow and methodical will get an investor to the same or better place than an investor who is frequently trading and chasing the latest fa d. You can invest in that hot biotech IPO, hedge fund, lost inheritance email all you want, but generating real return on your investments takes patience and time. I will show below why my theory is correct.

Dividend reinvestment is an incredible wealth creation mechanism. Many publicly traded corporations often pass excess earnings to its shareholders, called a dividend. When distributing the earnings, corporations offer shareholders the option of receiving cash or the option to purchase additional shares of the corporation on the dividend date. If the option to purchase shares is elected, the shareholder receives more stock instead of cash. The shares purchased with the dividend money are often discounted and have no brokerage charges.

Further, the investor is forced to continue to invest in all sorts of market conditions, so just by electing dividend reinvestment, the investor is following a disciplined, long term investment approach.

Let us take a look at an example of the power of dividend reinvestment. According to Bloomberg, if you purchased a share of Apple, Steve Jobs’ empire of gadgets, in 1982 and held it until 2014, you would have realized a whopping share price increase of 20,591%. Sounds amazing. Well, what if in 1982 you invested in one share of the not so glamorous Altria, formerly Philip Morris International? You would have realized a price gain of 8,415% on your share, not bad, but nowhere near Apple’s gaudy return. It seems to be a no brainer to invest in the Apple stock then, right? Well, not so fast… Apple pays meager dividends to its shareholders. It currently has more cash on its books than some small countries. If you combine the share price increase with the total return if you have reinvested all of your Apple dividends since 1982 until 2014 you would have generated a total return on that share of 23,758%. How about Altria - a consistent big dividend payer? If you reinvested all of your Altria dividends since 1982 until 2014, you would have generated a total return of

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34,044%. Now, that is amazing! The tortoise does outpace the hare.

Dividend reinvesting is an offspring of the most potent investing concept that I know compounding interest. Albert Einstein, a pretty smart guy, called compounding, “the Eighth Wonder of the World.”

Compounding interest is defined as interest earned on interest.

What does that mean? Well, an example is the best way to describe it.

Suppose you deposit $100 into some sort of investment, be it a bond or a money market that earns 10% per year (note this is a hypothetical - no investment is paying 10% right now in this low interest world) . At the end of year one, your $100 would be worth $110. At the end of year two, your $100 would be worth $121. At the end of year three, your $100 would be worth $133.10.

You don’t earn a mere $10.00 on 10% a year for an initial investment of $100. Your initial $100 is like a snowball rolling down a hill, each year getting bigger and bigger. The longer the money compounds, the more it will grow. You can see why Einstein was so keen on the wonders of compounding.

As you can see, time is on your side when investing. Merely by being patient and disciplined your investments will likely grow. You do not have to be like me and my buddy on the Casey Highway racing to work. Let the miracles of reinvestment, compounding, and father time do their magic. However, if you think you do need some assistance with your portfolio, there are many great financial advisors 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.

Part 1

Manage Your Portfolio, Help Control Your Tax Bill!

taxes

money

K

eep tax costs top-of-mind. Investors need to consider many factors in the process of choosing investments.

One at the top of the list is an investment’s tax cost.

In fact, for some individuals, this issue may be among the more influential factors when selecting investments.

The following are some points to consider about the tax efficiency of different investments you may hold in taxable accounts. Effective Jan. 1, 2013, Congress implemented a new Medicare surtax of 3.8% on net investment income. The tax will affect taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income in excess of $200,000 for single individuals and $250,000 for married couples.

The appeal of some of these investments may change depending on whether you are subject to this additional tax.

The appeal of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds Stocks.

If your goal is tax efficiency, consider stocks geared more toward growth with a low dividend yield to reduce your current taxable income. The growth is tax-deferred until you sell the stock.

This ability to defer tax provides some flexibility because you can manage your gains and losses based on when you sell your stock. If you hold the stock for more than one year, the gain will be eligible for a lower long-term capital gain rate as opposed to the ordinary income tax rate.

If you need an income-producing stock, consider one that will pay dividends that qualify for the reduced qualified-dividend rates versus ordinary income rates. The rate for qualified dividends is the applicable capital gains rate. Bear in mind, dividends are not guaranteed. A company may reduce or eliminate its dividend at any time.

Qualified dividends are paid by U.S. corporations and some foreign corporations. A qualified foreign corporation is one incorporated in a U.S. possession, eligible for tax-treaty benefits with the United States, or traded on an established United States securities market.

Income from preferred instruments qualifies to the extent it represents an equity instrument rather than a debt instrument. Mutual fund dividends do not qualify unless the dividends passed through are from qualified corporations, as described above. It’s important to note that real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends do not qualify for the reduced rate.

Keep in mind, the return and principal value of an investment in stocks fluctuates with changes in market con-

ditions. Upon redemption, it may be worth more or less than the original investment.

Bonds Municipal bonds, which state and local governments issue, pay interest that’s exempt from federal income taxes – although some may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT).

The interest is also often exempt from state taxation if you purchase bonds issued by either the state in which you reside or a local government within that state. Although the interest income is tax-free, capital gains, if any, are subject to taxes.

Before purchasing a municipal bond, you must consider whether the tax-free interest is a big enough advantage to overcome the potential for higher yield a taxable government or corporate bond may provide. To compare a tax-free versus a taxable bond, consider the taxableequivalent yield.

Generally, a municipal bond with a 4% yield, for example, would compare to a corporate bond with a 5.3% equivalent yield (assuming you are in the 25% income tax bracket and excluding state tax). A decision between these two bonds might still favor the tax-free bond because the taxable bond would add to adjusted gross income (AGI) and the calculations related to AGI and AMT. In addition, tax-free municipal bond interest is not included in investment income for the 3.8% Medicare surtax.

Interest from taxable bonds is included for the tax computation.

Investing in fixed income securities involves certain risks, such as market risk, if sold prior to maturity and credit risk, especially if investing in high yield bonds, which have lower ratings and are subject to greater volatility. All fixed income investments may be worth less than original cost upon redemption or maturity. Bond prices fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates. Therefore, a general rise in interest rates can result in the decline of the value of your investment.

PART 2 NEXT ISSUE Wells Fargo Advisors is not a legal or tax advisor. You should consult with an attorney, accountant and/or estate planner before taking any action.

I nvesting in foreign securities presents certain risks not associated with domestic investments, such as currency fluctuation, political and economic instability, and different accounting standards. This may result in greater share price volatility.

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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15

lifestyle

outdoor ramblings

Rough Outdoor Ramblings:

Cut Diamonds

Bill Deaton

J

ust about every ski resort has at least one. You may be the type of person who tackles them with gusto. Perhaps you ski them reluctantly due to peer pressure or stumble onto one accidentally and timidly make your way down. Maybe you see the trail sign and just avoid them all together. It’s a black diamond run!

Eastern US skiers (and skiing) will always be the brunt of jokes by the Rocky Mountain and West Coast crowds. Their mountains are bigger, the ski seasons are longer, and they have fantastic, powdery snow.

There’s one truth that the born-and-bred western skier hates to admit, skiers that cut their teeth on the gnarly, icy, crusty, narrow, and sometimes thinly covered expert pistes of the east generally are better skiers than those who have never had to deal with the aforementioned conditions.

Given the fact that if you put a bunch of skiers and riders in a room and ask them to come up with a list of the toughest terrain within a day’s drive of the Poconos, you would never get a consensus, so the easiest way to assemble this litany is to just pop off some of the nastiest trails I’ve encountered over the past thirty years that I could drive to and ski in the same day from the greater Scranton area (or vise-versa.).

I’ve driven to Snowshoe WV from Hawley in one day,

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but did not ski the same day. I have skied Jay Peak VT and made it back to the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack in a 16-hour span. As for a there-andback trip in one day, Gore Mountain NY just north of Lake George is as far as I’d push it. The only other criteria I placed on the requirements is that I’ve skied it at least three times on different days.

Local Scene I’ve got a short list of nasty terrain in the Poconos.

It would be a lot longer if the local resorts opened up more woods and groomed a lot less, but it’s a battle I’ll never win on my own. In no particular order of fierceness, you have the short, but steep and bumpy (and generally hard and icy) White Lightning at Montage, the long and bumpy but wide and usually soft Tunkhannock at Elk Mountain, and the unpredictable, steep, and quick drops of Floyd’s Folly and Rivershot at Jack Frost. None of them offer much in the way of trees to navigate around, although there are lift towers on Tunkhannock and just off River Shot.

Tunkhannock offers a bail-out but the others do not, so once committed, you’d better be in it to win it.

Empire State Steeps As you head more northeasterly, the stakes go up, but the tougher trails are still generally known to be sans-woods. Both the straight-shot bumps of Annapurna and the windy twists of K-27 at Hunter Mountain can pose a challenge for anyone. The Rumor and Lies at Gore are steep and can be really a hardpacked, but farther down the mountain is Lower Steilhang, which can become thin and twisty as it winds its way down the mid-mountain area. I’ve found various challenges on the upper sections of Wolverine, Wedel, and Wheelchair as well as Wipeout and Wayout at Windham. Steep? Yes. Bumpy?

Generally. Icy? Sometimes. Then there’s Plattekill.

There is “no one trail” at Platty. I once found myself skiing down a mountain bike trail. I discovered that

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fact when I encountered the ramps and wooden bridges. What gets groomed really depends on how ambitious the staff is, or how demanding the locals are about keeping it bumpy.

Go Green Living in Vermont for six years allowed me to explore a lot of terrain. Without a doubt my favorite place is Mad River Glen. (See Connections January 2015 for my nauseating homage.) At next-door Sugarbush, Ripcord and Paradise are twin pistes that bump and thump the whole way while Middle Earth and Rumble will have you feeling as though you may never make it back to the lodge. Up at Burke (which I’ve only been to twice but decided to add them anyway), Birches and Caveman are fantastic woods runs that offer steeps, twists, turns, and trees. Jay Peak has a number of chutes, glades, and narrow steeps.

People rant and rave about Outer Limits and Superstar at Killington, but truth be told, these are fabricated mogul runs. Expert skiing no doubt, but the real fun is a few trails skier’s right of Outer Limits.

The Devil’s Fiddle/Devil’s Woods combo is the real deal. Mostly natural snow, almost always ungroomed, steep, thinly covered, and when you add the glade, you have a nice thicket of trees to play in. Way up top, there’s Patsy’s too, a glade favored by locals and the ski patrol. williamjdeaton@yahoo.com

Ski these with poise and confidence and you can probably ski just about anything. Have fun and happy skiing!

classics

1970

lifestyle

Dodge Super

Bee

By Arnie Milidantri

F

ebruary in Eastern Pennsylvania is cold, the days are short, and car enthusiasts, who depend on attending car cruises and or shows to get their “chrome fix,” are resigned to watching reality car shows or national car auctions on TV to prevent withdrawals. On the other side of the coin, the various car owners are either spending time tinkering with their hibernating treasures or vigorously working on their next project.

This month’s featured car that spent more than a couple of winters as that next project is a beautifully restored Burnt Orange 1970 Dodge Super Bee owned by Steve Esposito.

Background: During the height of the true muscle car era, one of the unique entries was the Dodge Super Bee that was produced from 1968 through 1971 model years. The original Super Bee was based on the Dodge Coronet two-door coupe, Dodge’s low-priced powerful muscle car and a renamed version of the Plymouth Road Runner. Chrysler’s Senior designer, Harvey J. Winn, won a "contest" with the name "Super Bee" (originates from the "B" Body designation unique to Chrysler's mid-sized cars, including the Road Runner and Chargers) and a new logo design based on the Dodge "Scat Pack" Bee medallion.

Although the Dodge Coronet and Dodge Super Bee are similar in external appearance; the Super Bee was slightly heavier and rode on a 117-inch wheelbase compared to the Road Runner's 116-inch wheelbase. Other minor external differences included larger rear wheel openings, the bumblebee tail-stripe, a fancier grille, taillight ornamentation, and die-cast chrome-plated "Bee" medallions mounted in a raised position in the grille/hood area and the trunk-lid/taillight area for the first three model years. The Super Bee used the same dash cluster as the Dodge Charger. The four-speed tranny cars received a Hurst Competition-Plus shifter linkage, a big upgrade compared to the Road Runner's less expensive Inland shifter and linkage.

The 1968 model was only sold as a two-door coupe, with two engine options, the base 335 hp 383 Magnum, and the 426 Hemi, rated at 425 hp. The optional hemi engine raised the price by 33%, and only 125 were sold. The Super Bee included a heavy-duty suspension, an optional MOPAR A-833 four-speed tranny, highperformance tires and its signature stripe (with the bee logo) that wrapped around the tail. In 1969 a hardtop body style was added and a new optional twin-scooped air induction hood, the

"Ramcharger," option became available and was the counterpart to the Plymouth Road Runner's "Coyote Duster" air induction hood. In mid year, a "six-pack" (three two-barrel carburetors) version of Dodge's 440 cubic-inch engine was offered bringing the 1969 engine options to three; the base 383 Magnum, 440 Six Pack, and the 426 Hemi (the 440 Magnum (4bbl) was reserved for the Coronet R/T).

The 1970 Super Bee featured a new front-end that consisted of a twin-looped front bumper (Dodge Public Relations referred to as "bumble bee wings"), the same three engine choices, and "Ramcharger" hood as the 1969 models. 1970 Super Bee featured several new or improved Dodge options: a "C- stripe" variant of the bumble stripe, new high-back bucket seats, a steering column-mounted ignition and a "pistol-grip" Hurst shifter on four-speed models. In 1970, 15,506 Super Bees were sold, but sales continued to drop to only 5,054 in 1971, victim to the high cost of fuel and government emission regulation.

Dodge introduced a Dodge Charger Super Bee model for the 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, and 2013 model years.

Featured Car: The car featured this month is a beautifully restored original 58,000 mile 1970 Dodge Super Bee owned by Steve Esposito of Lake Ariel, PA, that looks like it just came off the showroom floor. In 1992, Steve located the car in Brooklyn, New York, and purchased his much-in-need of a major restoration Super Bee. Steve shipped the car in 2005 to Muscle Car restoration located in Wisconsin, and during its year-long visit there, every inch of body was meticulously restored.

All the car’s glass and chrome was replaced.

The car received an all new interior. Steve’s Super Bee is unique; it is one of only 182 with pop-out rear quarter windows, has a bench front seat and an automatic tranny shift on the col-

umn. Steve installed a 440 cu in six pack equipped engine that was rebuilt by his engine shop of choice, The Engine Shop of Brooklyn, New York. A rebuilt 727 Torque-flight tranny brings the power to the 8-3/4 rear. Steve’s Burnt Orange 1970 Super Bee is an outstanding example of a no expense spared total nut and bolt frame off restoration, resulting in a flawless car that is truly as shiny on the bottom as it is on the top.

The Owner: Steve is a retired New York Police Department Detective who has been part of the Lake Ariel community since 1989. He is the ultimate MOPAR muscle car fan. Like most car enthusiasts, Steve picked his favorite car early in life.

Steve picked MOP, and he hasn’t stopped yet.

His collection includes a 1970 convertible Challenger 440 cu in six pack “B” stock drag car, a MAX wedge 413 cu in powered 1962 Dodge Dart, a wild Hemi powered 1932 Chrysler Three window coupe, and his beautiful 1970 Super Bee 440 six pack. If you happen to be at a local car show or cruise and happen to see a terrific Burnt Orange 1970 Super Bee y,ou might be lucky enough to meet Steve. He is a great resource on Chrysler muscle cars and always willing to help a fellow car enthusiast. Stop and say hi to one of our hobby’s devoted enthusiasts!

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17

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

ASK THE VET:

lifestyle

your pets

DENTAL DISEASE

How Common is Dental Disease in Cats?

D

ental disease is one of the most common conditions seen by veterinarians. Approximately two-thirds of cats over three years of age have some degree of dental disease. The most common problems are due to periodontal disease, gingivitis, and cervical neck lesions, also called oral resorptive lesions.

What are the clinical signs of dental disease?

There are a number of signs that should alert you to dental disease or other mouth problems in your cat. Your cat may show a decreased interest in food or approach the food bowl and then show a reluctance to eat. It may chew with obvious caution and discomfort, drop food from the mouth, or may swallow with difficulty.

Dribbling may be seen, possibly with blood, and there may be a marked unpleasant odor to the breath. In some cases, the cats may be seen pawing at their mouths or shaking their heads.

A reluctance to eat may lead to weight loss, which can become quite marked. Many cats will refuse dry food and demonstrate a preference for moist or canned foods. Dental disease and oral pain may account for the “finicky appetites” that many cats display.

What causes dental disease?

The most common cause of dental disease in cats is due to tartar and calculus accumulation.

As in humans, cats accumulate bacterial plaque on the surface of their teeth. If the plaque is not removed quickly, it becomes mineralized to form tartar and calculus. The bacterial products and decaying food stuck to tartar are one potential cause of bad breath.

Tartar is easily identified by its tan or brown color. It normally starts at the gum edge, especially on the back teeth called the premolars and molars. In severe cases, tartar and calculus may cover the entire tooth.

The accumulation of tartar and bacteria on the teeth surfaces lead to infection and gingivitis or inflammation of the gums. If the disease is caught at an early stage and a thorough veterinary dental scaling and polishing performed, most of the teeth and gums will have a full recovery. However, if gingivitis is allowed to persist untreated, then irreversible periodontal disease will occur. During this process, the bone and ligaments that support the tooth are destroyed, leading to excessive tooth mobility and eventual tooth loss.

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Infection around the socket causes the formation of pus and a foul odor and may spread deep into the tooth socket creating an abscess, or even more severe problems.

Once periodontal disease starts, the degenerative changes to the tooth and its support structures cannot be reversed. These changes also make it easier for more plaque and tartar to collect, resulting in further disease.

Is gingivitis always associated with dental disease?

A slight degree of redness seen as a thin line just below the edge of the gum may be considered normal in some kittens and adult cats with no evidence of dental disease.

Some cats develop severe gingivitis with minimal signs of accompanying dental disease.

The affected areas may extend beyond the gums to other areas of the mouth, such as the throat or tongue. The cause of this condition is not fully understood, but it is likely to be multi-factorial and may differ between individual cases. This condition is often very difficult to control and may require repeated or constant treatment, and its accurate diagnosis can involve extensive investigative procedures.

What are cervical neck lesions?

Cervical neck lesions result from a progressive destruction of the enamel resulting in slowly deepening “holes” in affected teeth.

Once the sensitive parts of the tooth are exposed, these lesions are intensely painful, and the only proven available treatment is to extract the tooth. The cause of this disease is unknown; however, poor oral hygiene is suspected to play a role in the disease-process.

likely to damage the tooth surface by creating microscopic scratches, which will provide areas for bacteria to cling to and encourage more rapid plaque formation, thus making the problem worse.

What can I do to help prevent dental disease in my cat?

The prime aim to help prevent dental disease is to keep the mouth as hygienic as possible and to reduce the rate at which tartar builds up on the teeth.

Recent advances in nutrition have resulted in diets that reduce tartar accumulation. Your veterinarian can give you specific dietary recommendations that will benefit your pet’s dental health.

The most effective way of reducing plaque and tartar is to brush the teeth. A number of toothpastes and brushes are available from your veterinarian that are specially designed for a cat’s mouth. With gentleness, patience, and perseverance it is possible to regularly clean some cats’ teeth in this way. In addition, or as an alternative to brushing if this cannot be achieved, a range of antibacterial mouthwashes and gels can be applied to the teeth and mouth to reduce the number of bacteria present.

Please ask your veterinarian for further details regarding available dental products for your cat.

Never use human toothpaste on cats as these are not designed to be regularly swallowed and could cause problems.

This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest Ward, DVM © Copyright 2005 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. January 4, 2016

What should I do if my cat has signs of dental problems?

If you see that your cat has evidence of tartar accumulation, gingivitis, or is exhibiting any signs of mouth pain or discomfort, you should take it to your veterinarian for an examination. You will be advised of the most appropriate course of treatment, which may involve having the cat’s teeth examined and cleaned under short-acting general anesthesia.

The rate of tartar accumulation is very variable between individual cats, and in some cases, this may necessitate professional cleaning on a regular basis such as every six to twelve months.

Do not try to remove tartar from the teeth yourself using any form of metallic instrument. Aside from potentially harming your cat’s mouth or the cat harming you, you are

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–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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19

wellness

behavioral medicine

When Violence Comes Home

By Arthur Middleton, M.D., FAPA

“In violence we forget who we are. ” ~Mary McCarthy

I

n our society, violence has become an issue of increasing concern. We see violence in the media, both real and fictional.

With technology, violence in action movies, which is heralded by the viewing audiences with cheers, correctly acknowledges that the characters and the consequences of violence in this instance are fictional. However, we are also exposed to reports in the media of everyday violence, which is having an impact on the mental health of many people.

The Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines “violence” as: (1) exertion of physical force so as to injure or abuse, (2) great destructive force or energy. While many have not experienced violence in a physical sense, a sizeable number have in a variety of recognizable instances. As reported by an FBI report in 2011 in a Unified Crime Report or UCR: 1.2 million violent crimes took place in the United States. The acts of violence, apart from physical injury, also have psychiatric consequences.

According to The World Health Organization (WHO) in a December 10, 2014 news release, the consequences of violence on physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health often last a lifetime.

The topic of “violence” can typically be found in a standard psychiatric text. However, it is important to consider that violence is not simply a psychiatric phenomenon. At the same time, there is an association of mental illness with some episodes of violence, which warrants careful scrutiny as opposed to coming to a conclusion that all violent acts are committed by the mentally ill, which is not the case. Violence in and of itself is damaging to the individual who commits the act and the victim who is the target, but violence clearly has a psychological impact on the victim.

There are many forms of violence with which we are generally familiar. Violent crime, often reported as assault, is one. Within this context, there is aggravated assault, which according to the United Crime Report is the most commonly reported. Murder is included and is viewed as the most serious act of violence. Rape, which involves forcing a victim who is unwilling to engage in a sexual act, is another form of violence. Stalking, which is a form of harassment or threatening behavior, is also viewed as an act of violence.

Workplace violence is a term that is widely recognized.

The U.S Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration describes it as “violence or the threat of violence against workers.” As reported in a 2009 study by the National Crime Victimization Survey, 572,000 acts of violence took place in the workplace. It is important to note that workplace violence is not uncommon,

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even in health care settings. In a 1999 report issued by the United States Department of Labor, it was estimated that 2,637 nonfatal assaults on hospital workers occurred.

This is a rate of 8.3 assaults per 10,000 workers.

We are exposed to violence in many different public settings.

However, violence can also occur between two individuals who are in a committed relationship. The following fictional clinical vignette is provided to highlight another face of violence.

JT is a 39-year-old soon-to-bedivorced mother of two sons, ages 10 and 15. She works as a dental technician and lives with her female companion of 5 years. Her companion is 51 and is employed as a teacher. JT continues to live in the home that she and her husband bought many years ago. Initially, her divorce was going to be amicable, but it slowly deteriorated as she and her husband became involved in a contentious divorce that centered on the ownership of the home.

Initially when she began to share the home with her female companion, the relationship was platonic.

Over the next several years, it had evolved into an intimate partner relationship. JT was happy to have emotional support, and her children appeared to benefit from the stability that was afforded by having a second loving adult in the home, but JT did not share with anyone the emerging difficulties in the relationship over the past year.

She always struggled with depression, and over the course of ten years was prescribed numerous antidepressant medications, which included Prozac or fluoxetine, Zoloft or sertraline, and Wellbutrin or bupropion. For a period of time, her doctor thought she might have a bipolar disorder and prescribed Lithium, but her response to these medications was generally complicated by her inability to tolerate the side effects and she eventually discontinued them. It was her primary care doctor who initiated treatment, always encouraging her to see a psychiatrist, which JT resisted. It was during this time that JT was confronting the fact that she lived with an abusive husband and had an attraction to women, which she resisted and did not share with anyone. Her husband’s violent behavior

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and physical abuse, which resulted in repeated calls to the police, finally led to her decision to file for divorce.

Now, after living with her female companion, she was again experiencing violence in her relationship. Working as a dental technician, her co-workers were surprised when she came to the office with a cracked tooth. JT told her coworkers that she had fallen. In fact, she was struck by her companion. This was not first time. She didn’t tell anyone and worked hard to shield her children from the truth.

JT became fearful as her companion had become more threatening, telling her that she would tell her employer that she is gay, which JT was not willing to disclose. JT began to miss work and was asked by her employer to see her physician as it was thought that JT should consider short-term disability.

When JT saw her physician, she was surprised that she was given more time for a medical evaluation that she thought would be brief. What she didn’t know is that her doctor had reviewed her file and was focused on the possibility that JT was a victim of Domestic Violence. After determining that this was most likely the case, her doctor made an effort to assure JT that she was neither “crazy nor alone.” He also made a point of telling her that the violence that was directed at her “was a crime.” JT was given the telephone number of a local domestic violence hotline that was for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) victims of same-sex relationship violence.

It took time to get her life back in order. She had to hire a lawyer for a court order of protection and was in counseling. One year later, JT is healthy both mentally and physically. She has come to a better understanding of her sexual orientation and is dating another woman. She has resolved the divorce issues with her husband and is living with her two children in an apartment that she is renting and enjoying her work as a dental technician. She continues in therapy and volunteers her services to help victims of domestic violence.

This fictional clinical vignette describes violence in the context of Domestic Violence, and in this case “Intimate Partner Violence,” or IPV. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control describes IPV as “occurring between two people in a close relationship.” “IPV exists along a continuum from a single episode of violence to ongoing battering.” There are four types of behavior which constitutes IPV: physical violence, sexual violence, threats of sexual or physical violence, and emotional abuse.

According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that “nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the United States have experi-

wellness

heart attack enced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by a partner in an intimate relationship.”

Quite often, both women and men, who are victims of domestic violence, have the experience of not being believed. It is for this reason that the American Medical Association has established treatment guidelines on domestic violence. These guidelines provide the clinician with a means of identifying victims of domestic violence by emphasizing “nonjudgmental listening,” and proper assessment of the danger that the patient is facing; making certain to provide proper referrals, in addition to support and follow-up. While the victims of domestic violence are often uncomfortable with reporting the abuse to their clinicians, it is important to convey to the victim that the violence perpetrated upon them is “a crime.” The clinician must also convey to the victim of domestic abuse that they are “not at fault.”

Depending on the state in which the violence occurs, the clinician has a responsibility to report abuse; child abuse and elder abuse as examples.

Clinically, it is important to recognize that the emotional consequences of violence can include symptoms frequently seen in patients who are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder or PTSD. This would include having the experience of flashbacks and panic attacks. The victims of domestic violence can also experience symptoms of depression, as well as eating disorders and sleep disturbance.

There is also the risk of suicide, substance abuse, and engaging in risky or unprotected sexual activities. It has been reported that children who have experienced abuse are at risk of becoming abusers as adults.

Treatment for victims of violence includes psychiatric hospitalization for symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. In the event that the victim becomes homicidal, psychiatric hospitalization becomes equally critical. For assault victims who need continued medical treatment following discharge from a psychiatric inpatient setting, it is important to coordinate a transition to outpatient treatment which includes social work involvement, as well as making certain that medical follow-up is available as well.

In summary, the issue of violence has generated world-wide concern. It is estimated that 1.2 million violent crimes occurred in the United States in 2011.

Violence occurs in many forms and has been experienced by individuals in many settings. In addition to the violence that we see depicted in the media as entertainment, there is also violence that is directed

to individuals in relationships.

Recognizing that intimacy in relationships is not limited to a man and a woman, Intimate Partner Violence or IPV is a term that refers to same sex partners as well. It is estimated that nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men in the US has experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner in an intimate partner relationship. The impact of violence can have lifelong psychological consequences for victims as well as children and families. The world medical community has recognized the importance of addressing the causes violence and treatment of the victims. If you have issues of anger and have abused a partner, or if you are a victim of abuse, you are encouraged to contact your medical professional. Help is available.

The following references are provided for the informed consumer: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Understanding Intimate Partner Violence http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/ipv-factsheet.pdf Womenshealth.gov: Violence Against Women / Same-sex relationship violence http://www.womenshealth.gov/violence-againstwomen/types-of-violence/same-sex-relationshipviolence.html NIH – U.S. National Library of Medicine: Domestic Violence https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/domesticviolence.html 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.

The Healthy

Gee z er

By Fred Cicetti

Q. What causes a heart attack?

A

blood clot in a narrowed coronary artery is the usual cause of a heart attack. The clogged artery prevents oxygenated blood from nourishing the heart. This can lead to pain, the death of heart cells, scar tissue, and fatal arrythmias.

to high blood cholesterol levels.

Exercise also prevents obesity and lowers blood pressure. The more vigorous the activity, the greater your benefits, but any exercise can benefit your health.

6}

Obesity. Obesity is associated with high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In addition, excess weight forces the heart to work harder.

7}

Diabetes. This disease accelerates atherosclerosis. Diabetes strikes more often in middle age. It is also more common in people who are overweight. About three-quarters of people with diabetes die of heart or blood-vessel disease.

The following are some of the leading causes of heart attacks:

8}

Stress. This can elevate your blood pressure. It may also lead you to gain weight from overeating and make you smoke to relieve tension.

1}

Genetics. If early heart attacks run in your family, you may be at risk to have one. You may have inherited the tendencies to have high blood cholesterol and high blood pressure.

9}

2}

Cholesterol and triglycerides.

These can lead to deposit build-up in the arteries, which constricts the flow of blood. High levels of these substances are dangerous to the heart.

Alcohol. Too much drinking can raise blood pressure and triglyceride levels. However, the risk of heart disease in people who drink moderately is lower than in nondrinkers. Moderate drinking means one to two drinks a day for a man, and one drink daily for a woman.

A drink is equivalent to 12 ounces of beer, 4 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of an 80-proof liquor.

3}

Smoking. This habit damages the inside walls of arteries allowing cholesterol to collect on them.

And, smoking can increase the risk of clots forming. The risk of getting coronary artery disease is two to four times greater if you smoke.

There is a variety of causes that lead to the narrowing of arteries, which is called “atherosclerosis.” This, in turn, increases the likelihood of a heart attack.

4}

5}

High blood pressure. Also known as hypertension, this can damage arteries and speed up atherosclerosis. High blood pressure makes the heart work harder. The added effort makes the heart thicken and become stiffer.

The risk of high blood pressure increases as you age.

A sedentary lifestyle.

Insufficient exercise contributes

10}

Diet. Too much saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet can narrow the arteries to your heart.

11}

Age. More than eight out of ten people who die of coronary heart disease are 65 or older.

12}

Gender. Men are at greater risk than women of having a heart attack.

13}

Race. African-Americans suffer from higher blood pressure and a higher risk of heart disease than Caucasians. Heart-disease risk is also higher among MexicanAmericans and Native Americans.

If you would like to ask a question, write to fred@healthygeezer.com.

All Rights Reserved © 2015

by Fred Cicetti

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21

get connected

area events

a+r+e Y O U

C O N N E C T E D

Ongoing Events

ARTS, RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT

FEBRUARY ’16

Facebook. R e g i s t r a t i o n : 570-296-8211.

DAILY

THURSDAYS

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.

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 publication. All genres & levels of writing welcome. Free admission.

Info: 570-833-5246.

MONDAYS

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.

MONDAYS

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.

THURSDAYS

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.

WEDNESDAYS

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.

WEDNESDAYS

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

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.

SATURDAYS

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.

Pike County Arts and Crafts 65th Annual Members Exhibit ARTery Gallery, Milford. Exhibit & holiday sale from local artists & craftspeople. Paintings, prints, photography, jewelry, pottery, stained glass, sculpture & woodworking are among the offerings of 30 some artists. Info: 570409-1234 or www.arterygallerymilford.com.

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.

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.

SATURDAYS

THROUGH FEB. 7

FRIDAYS

WEDNESDAYS

Eagle Watch Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Field trip to upper Delaware River in search of our national symbol, the Bald Eagle. Meet at EE Center 8:30 a.m. Pack lunch & binoculars. Dress for the weather.

Stops for coffee & snacks. Pre-registration required & limited. Info: 570-6293061 or www.mcconservation.org.

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.

Bingo American Legion Post 311, Hawley.

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

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.

FEB. 5

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

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

FRIDAYS

TUESDAYS

TUESDAYS

SATURDAYS

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

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: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

SATURDAYS

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

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.

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THROUGH FEB. 21

Guys and Dolls The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, Swoyersville. Based on The Idyll of Sarah Brown and characters by Damon Runyon. Call the box office for ticket info & times: 570-283-2195. www.musicbox.org.

THROUGH FEB. 28

TEREZIN and KURDISTAN — A Journey Suraci Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton. A journey, through photographs by Michael Mirabito, which paints a view of sites of past & recent genocide. Info: 570-348-6278 or www.marywood.edu.

FEB. 5

“Empty Bowls Project” 5–8 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by Central United Methodist Church. Purchase a ticket & receive a hand-made bowl to sample soups & chilis provided by area restaurants.

Keep the bowl as a memento. Drinks provided. Live music. All monies collected go to the CUMC Summer Food Program. Tickets: 570-253-3291 or visit the CUMC office in Honesdale.

FEB. 5

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.

FEB. 5

Reading: “The Vagina Monologues” 7 p.m. Delaware Arts Center, 37 Main Street, Narrowsburg, NY. Reception follows. Free admission. Snow date, Feb. 7, 2 p.m. Info: 252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

FEB. 5

God Save the Queen 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

The Closest to Queen you will ever get, this band brings some of the greatest moments in rock history vividly back to life. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

FEB. 5

February 1– February 9 FEB. 2

Kids Book Club 5–6 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Join in a book chat & games.

Free, open to public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook. Registration: 570-296-8211.

FEB. 4

WXPN Welcomes: An Evening With Todd Rundgren 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

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

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LMAO Celebrity Comedy and Music for the Soul 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

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

FEB. 5

Comedy Night 9 p.m. Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Banquet Center, Hawley. Hosted by Adam Lucidi and co-headliners Kevin Israel & Richie Byrne. Have dinner at the restaurant before the show & get $5 off your ticket. Info: 570-226-2124 or www.Ehrhardts.com.

area events info: 570-996-1500.

Simply Yoga

FEB. 9

WEDNESDAYS 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.

FEB. 5, 6, 7

The Two Georgias Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. See description at Jan. 22.

Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

FEB. 5–7

Broadway Theatre League presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton.

Info: 570-344-1111 or www.scrantonculturalcenter.org.

FEB. 5–28

Crystal Cabin Fever Thur.–Mon., 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Sculpted Ice Works, Lakeville. BBQ & fire pit, free hot chocolate, S’mores kits, free wine tasting, factory tour & Natural Ice Harvest Museum, ice carving daily, icecarving competitions. Info: 570-2266246 or www.crystalcabinfever.com.

FEB. 6

Eagle Watch 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Join a trip north in search of eagles & other rare wintering birds, such as ravens.

Bring a lunch, camera & warm clothes.

Call to reserve a seat in the van: 570-828-2319.

FEB. 6

Read to Bailey 10:30–11:30 a.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Join in a book chat & games. Free, open to public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook. Registration: 570-296-8211.

FEB. 6

Art Opening: Jim & Denise Thomson: “Wildlife of the Water Gap & Beyond” Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Photo exhibit of animals that come from near & far.

Opening reception: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.

FEB. 6

The Main Street Farmers’ Market 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Indoor market offering fresh vegetables, meats, breads & more.

The Market Café featuring The Anthill Farm Kitchen. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

FEB. 6

Oren Fader 7:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by the Classical Guitar Society of Northeastern Pa. & The Cooperage Project. Highly regarded as a performer of classical & electric guitar repertoire, from Bach to Babbitt.

get connected

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

Tuesdays with Nellie — Mystery Book Club 5:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Solve a mystery each month. Registration & info: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.

FEB. 9

Adult Congenital Heart Association Informational talk.

6–7 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Free, open to public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook. Registration: 570-296-8211.

Hawthorne 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Folkbased project weaving together various acoustic styles — folk rock, country, gypsy jazz & americana — around Nat Osborn’s stellar songs. Info: 570-5888077 or harmonypresents.com.

FEB. 10

The Three Stooges — Dietrich Film Favorites Series 1 & 7 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Free admission. Info: 570-9961500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

FEB. 10

FEB. 6

Eric Mintel Quartet Does TV 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Jazz pianist in a special performance focusing his remarkable talent on classic scores. Info: 570-3250249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

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

Presented by The Cooperage Project.

Led by The Crackers. BYOB. Donations make this possible. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

FEB. 6

FEB. 11–14

Billy Gibbons & The BFG’s 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Rescheduled from Nov. 21. Legendary master of the six-string, regarded as one of America’s finest guitarists in the blues-rock idiom. Perfectamundo Tour with special guests Tyler Bryant & the Shakedown. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

FEB. 6–MAR. 26

Exhibit: “About Face” Mixed media group show. Alliance Gallery, Narrowsburg, NY. Opening reception Feb. 6, 2–4 pm. Gallery hrs.: Tues.–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–4 pm. Info: 252-7576.

Celebrate Valentines Day All Weekend The Settlers Inn, Hawley. Info & reservations: 570-226-2993 or www.thesettlersinn.com.

FEB. 12

Hershey Kiss Bingo 2 p.m. Belle Reve Senior Living, Milford. Celebrate Valentine’s Day for a chance to win some “sweet” prizes.

Also enjoy Hershey’s ice cream, take a tour & socialize with new friends. This event is free and open to seniors; however, seating is limited. Please RSVP by calling 570-409-9191.

FEB. 12

Ladies Auxiliary “All You Can Eat” Breakfast 8–11:30 a.m. VFW Post 531, Honesdale. Kids 5 & under free. Takeout available; call ahead. Info: 570-2535373 or eap3573@gmail.com.

Winter Fest Opening Night 6 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Enjoy an evening of acclaimed films — “Meet the Patels” & “Grandma” — popcorn, cheese & crackers, wine, beer & a brownie a la mode dessert.

Reservations required. Reservations & info: 570-996-1500.

FEB. 7

FEB. 12

FEB. 7

The Audience — National Theatre Live on Screen 2 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

For 60 years, Queen Elizabeth II has met with each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a private weekly meeting known as The Audience. In these, we see glimpses of the woman behind the crown & witness the moments that shaped a monarch. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

RUNA 7:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by The Cooperage Project.

Interweaving the haunting melodies & exuberant tunes of Ireland & Scotland with the lush harmonies & intoxicating rhythms of bluegrass, flamenco, blues, jazz. Donations collected at door. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

FEB. 8

Session Americana 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. A rock band in a tea cup, or possibly a folk band in a whiskey bottle, they craft a musical experience unlike any other, in a freewheeling modern hootenanny.

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

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 &

Tusk – Fleetwood Mac Tribute 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. A sweet ride down memory lane with gorgeous renditions of Fleetwood Mac’s well-known hits & deep cuts. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

FEB. 12, 13, 14

Valentine’s Dinner Theater 9 p.m. Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Banquet Center, Hawley. Dinner & a show. Bring your loved one to experience the lighthearted play, “The Amorous Ambassador.” Cash bar. Reservations required: 570-226-7355.

FEB. 12–15, 2016

February 10–February 19

FEB. 6

FEB. 12, 13

FEB. 12

Clarks Summit Festival of Ice: The Frozen Frontier Clarks Summit. Live ice carving, over 50 ice sculptures, live music. Parade, Feb. 12. Free admission & parking.

Info: 570-587-9045 or TheABPA.com.

FEB. 12–25

Winter Fest — New Film Festival!

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Enjoy 14 foreign, independent & art films in 14 days during the winter months. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

FEB. 13

Winter Tree ID Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Trees are easy to identify in the summer with their leaves, but do you know how to identify them in the winter? Info: 570-6293061 or www.mcconservation.org.

FEB. 13

Seth Glier 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. 24year-old singer, pianist & guitarist aims straight for the gut with emotive, rocking songs about the challenges of adult life. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

FEB. 13

The NEPA Philharmonic: Music from Latin America 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Guest Artists: Mambo Kings. A fascinating journey through the music of Latin America & the U.S. Info: 570-8261100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

FEB. 13

Labyrinth *Special Screening* 10 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Celebrate the life of David Bowie with a special movie screening. Info: 570-4202808 or www.shermantheater.com.

FEB. 14

Yarnslingers 3 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by The Cooperage Project, Yarnslingers & WJFF Radio Catskill.

Sullivan County-based group of traveling storytellers. Donations collected at door. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

FEB. 14

A BROADWAY VALENTINE: Symphonic Chorus & Soloists 4–6 p.m. Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton. Choruses, ensembles & solos combine to celebrate romance through Broadway’s greatest hits amid cabaretstyle seating, cash bar, & of course, lots of chocolate. Info: 570-344-1111 or

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area events

Mudge” that you can take to the performance at 11 a.m. Info: 570-344-1111 or www.scrantonculturalcenter.org.

the human condition. Opening act: Salim Nourallah. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

FEB. 20

FEB. 20

Children’s Series: Henry and Mudge 11 a.m.–Noon. Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton. Recommended for grades Pre-K–3. Based on the best-selling series of books by Cynthia Rylant.

Info: 570-344-1111 or www.scrantonculturalcenter.org.

Adrianna Ciccone (Trio) 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Few young Canadian fiddlers today can show off the breadth & range of North American fiddling like Adrianna Ciccone. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

FEB. 17

FEB. 20

FEB. 20

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

Led by Buckshot Jenkins & Ron Penska.

This jam is entirely acoustic. All players welcome: young, old, beginners & seasoned professionals. Donations make this possible. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

The Main Street Farmers’ Market 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. See description at Feb. 6.

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

Popa Chubby 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. His latest collection of jetfueled originals exemplifies his bluesrock guitar mastery. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

FEB. 15

the Menu — local.fresh.delicious 7–8 p.m. Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton. Cocktail hour, 6 p.m.

Featuring culinary creations from local chefs & restaurants, providing you with fresh & exciting ideas to try in your kitchen, & festive concepts for special occasions. Info: 570-344-1111 or www.scrantonculturalcenter.org.

FEB. 18

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

Presented by The Cooperage Project.

All kinds of games available, or bring your favorite game if you’d like.

Donations make this possible. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

FEB. 19

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.

FEB. 19

Twising Life — The Living Room Series 7:30 p.m.

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

FEB. 19

Peter Mulvey 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Ardent, tireless traveler on the path of music, poetry, history, empathy, his playing ranges from tender acoustic picking to rootsy blues & jazz. Info: 570-588-8077or harmonypresents.com.

February 20–February 29 FEB. 20

Wiggles and Giggles Workshop 10–10:45 a.m. Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton.

Create an artpiece/craft inspired by “Henry and

FEB. 20

Block Party Noon–2 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Build with a huge new set of wooden blocks, cars & figures. Free, open to public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook. Registration: 570-296-8211.

FEB. 20

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.

FEB. 21

25th Annual Ice Tee Golf Tournament 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Ehrhardt’s Waterfront, Lake Wallenpaupack. Nine holes of golf on two tree-lined courses. Closest to Wally driving contest. Prizes for wackiest hat & craziest sled. For golfers of all ages & abilities. One of a kind icesculpted tee signs. Info: www.northernpoconoschamber.com.

FEB. 21

The Audience — National Theatre Live on Screen 2 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

See description at Feb. 7. Info: 570-9961500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

FEB. 20

FEB. 21

Zombie Film Class 3–4:30 p.m.

Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. For ages 7–14. Get your zombie freak on. Learn to create cuts, scars, third-degree burns & a dead & rotting flesh effect. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

Covenant Public Concert: Mainstreet Brass Quintet 3 p.m. Covenant Presbyterian Church, Scranton. Thrilling afternoon of classical favorites & original compositions written or arranged for brass ensemble.

Concert is free; food donations for the Safety Net Food Pantry are welcomed.

Info: 570-346-6400.

FEB. 20

Sloan Wainwright 7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Presented by RiverFolk Concerts.

Singer/songwriter demonstrates a unique & soulful hybrid of pop, folk & blues. BYOB. Donations collected.

Reservations & info: Jill, 845-252-6783.

FEB. 20

The Annual Sherman Winter Jam 7:30 p.m.

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

FEB. 20

Rhett Miller 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Accomplished guitarist & lyricist produces moving & pointed songs about

Writers’ Group THURSDAYS 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 publication. All genres & levels of writing welcome.

Free admission. Info: 570-833-5246.

FEB. 25

A Moon for the Misbegotten 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

The final play, & only true love story, written by Eugene O’Neill. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

FEB. 25 & 26

Libations & Creations: Paint This & Drink Wine!

7 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Learn to re-create & interpret the spring awakening painting “Cherry Blossom Mountainside” in a step-by-step howto. Supplies provided — just bring your own wine (or beverage of choice).

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

FEB. 26

Winter Fest Post Discussion 1 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Join a post-fest discussion of the content & significance of some of the film festival movies with others who have seen them or ask questions about festival films you have seen. No registration required. Info: 570-996-1500.

FEB. 26

Ten – The Tribute to Pearl Jam 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. The nation’s premier fan tribute to the legendary rock band. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

FEB. 27

The Cream of Clapton — An AllCream Musical Tribute 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Explosive tribute show that includes all of Cream’s greatest hits.

Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

FEB. 27

Gypsy Jazz Supper Club The Settlers Inn, Hawley. Info & reservations: 570-226-2993 or www.thesettlersinn.com.

Hank & Pattie 8 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Original & energetic new soulgrass band, taking traditional bluegrass & infusing it with their own flair, drawing from a melting pot of styles including Latin & Jazz. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

FEB. 22

FEB. 27–APR. 3 [2016]

FEB. 21

Maker Monday 5:30-7:00 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Craft & chat with other crafters. Free, open to public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook. Registration: 570-296-8211.

FEB. 24

February Fiesta Noon. Belle Reve Senior Living, Milford. Beat the winter blues with a celebration. Build your own fajita.

Entertainment by Frankie Musumici.

Enter a raffle to win a gift basket. Free & open to seniors. Seating limited.

RSVP by calling 570-409-9191.

FEB. 24

Karaoke at The Cooperage 7–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. A low-key & fun evening. Donations make this possible. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

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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.

FEB. 28

THIRD DAY with Brandon Heath 6 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Longtime Christian rock & worship band. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

FEB. 28

Broadway Theatre League presents Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles 6:30–8:30 p.m. Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton. Live multi-media spectacular that takes you on a musical journey through the life & times of the world’s most celebrated band. Info: 570-344-1111 or www.scrantonculturalcenter.org.