Connections Magazine - June 2017 Issue

TUNE INTO THE LOCAL SUMMER MUSIC LINEUP – P 6

JUNE 2017

LARKIN POE SET AS ROOTS & RHYTHM HEADLINER – P 10

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE OF PARKINSON'S– P 14

Since 1998

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

1

2 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

june ‘17

contents

departments Ask the Vet

28

Behavioral Medicine

26

Book Review

22

Classic Cars

25

Events Calendar

29

Film Review

22

Healthy Geezer

27

Living Green

19

Money

20

OurTowns

JUNE ’17

VOL. 19 NO. 6

features

4

Outdoor Ramblings

24

Pocono Secrets

23

Reflections of Prison

18

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!

BECOME A FAN! Post Your Events On Our Page!

Subscribe Today!

Just $36 per year.

Call now 570.647.0085!

connectionsmagazine

6

TUNE INTO THE LOCAL SUMMER MUSIC LINEUP This summer, pull up a chair, spread a blanket on the lawn, grab a drink, and immerse yourself in everything Northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer for diverse live music. Whether it is a bustling outdoor festival, an intimate show at a wine bar, or a lively band in a pub, our scenic mountainous region has something for everyone...

10

ROOTS & RHYTHM HEADLINER: LARKIN POE

12 14

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CARE TIPS

According to the sisters themselves, 2015 was a defining year of growth for Larkin Poe, an Atlanta-based Roots Rock’n’Roll duo, comprised of Rebecca and Megan Lovell: "We feel lucky to have experienced a year of life-changing moments that shaped and crystallized our artistic direction. We’re entering our mid-twenties; we're coming into our own.

There’s nothing quite like coaxing a melody out of a musical instrument, but if not cared for properly, that can be nearly impossible. From bumps and drops to extreme temperatures, we’ve got you covered!

SHARING THE EXPERIENCE OF PARKINSON’S A friend with Parkinson’s Disease recently learned that her neighbor, a man she’s known for five years, has also been living with PD. The news surprised her, and she wishes she had known sooner. She’s active in the Parkinson’s community and has lots of information she could have been sharing with him, not to mention her personal experience and support.

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

3

ourtowns

artist workshop

connections

[YOUR] NEPA MAGAZINE president • publisher • editor in chief deborah bailey production manager meica drake account representative barry weiss editorial correction services sandi scull assignment writer allison mowatt contributing writers al hoff, Movie Review lucille norella, ArtScene

Free Workshop June 13th

Ellen Silberlicht Featured Artist at Roots & Rhythm

fred cicetti, The Healthy Geezer charles curtin, Finance terry mooney, Reflections of a Prison Inmate arthur middleton, MD, FAPA, Behavioral Medicine michael krupa, Finance josh sheard, Finance terri schlichenmeyer, Book Review la guzda, Pocono Secrets arnie milidantri, Classic Cars bill deaton, Outdoor Ramblings pike county conservation district, Living Green

onesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival, the region’s premier free music and arts event, is proud to announce that this year’s featured visual artist is Ellen Silberlicht. A no-charge workshop hosted by Ellen will take place on Tuesday, June 13th at The Cooperage, 1030 Main Street, Honesdale, at 7pm. Ellen, who creates both sophisticated and whimsical pieces in clay and felted fiber, will demonstrate the science of making clay whistles. She hopes some attendees will volunteer to make them with her!

H

“I am thrilled to be a part of Roots and Rhythm,” says Ellen, adding, “It’s hard to believe this event is marking its 12th year. I started out as an exhibitor on Artist Row the first three years of the festival.”

After receiving her Bachelor’s in Fine Art from The Rochester Institute of Technology, Ellen went on to acquire a Masters in Ceramic Arts and Art Certification from Marywood University. She shared her love and knowledge of pottery and art in general with her students in the Wayne Highlands School District for 15 years. Though retired now from teaching, Ellen continues to produce art and display her work in galleries around the country, including, most recently, her show “Fiber on Fire” at the Delaware Arts Center’s Alliance Gallery in Narrowsburg.

“As an artist, clay has always been my go-to medium,” Ellen admits, “although I always love the discovery and creativity in finding new materials to work with. Being an artist makes life-long learning certainly a joy. The arts bring strength to our lives and allow us to share our different viewpoints, feeling and visions. My artwork reflects my soul, my being. I try to live life with humor— it helps to soften the hard spots.”

You may visit Ellen’s website to view her current work at www.ellensilberlicht.com.

Everyone is invited to the workshop, which will also offer refreshments from Camp Umpy’s in Honesdale.

Honesdale Roots & Rhythm, launched in 2006, is a family-friendly event with music, arts, games and “surprises” such as last year’s flash mob. The event is produced by an all-volunteer staff and supported by donations and sponsors. If you would like to join the volunteer team, email Ryan at ryan.festivaltown@gmail.com.

For information about this year’s lineup for the Main Stage, visit honesdalerootsandrhythm.com.

cherry ridge veterinary clinic, 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

4 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

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

5

music

summer line up

This summer, pull up a chair, spread a blanket on the lawn, grab a drink, and immerse yourself in everything Northeastern Pennsylvania has to offer for diverse live music. Whether it is a bustling outdoor festival, an intimate show at a wine bar, or a lively band in a pub, our scenic mountainous region has something for everyone and attracts talented musicians of all styles and genres, from jazz and bluegrass to modern rock and folk. People of all ages enjoy celebrating summer with live music amid the lush landscape.

Here is just a taste of what is happening locally throughout the summer.

6 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

summer lineup

music

Kindred Spirits Arts Programs at Venues throughout the Region ounded in 2002 at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Kindred Spirits Arts Programs brings a variety of top quality events to wide audiences and enlightening music programs to local schools. This is a non-profit organization of volunteers supported partly by private donations from individuals and businesses, as well as aid from local and state agencies.

F

The Wayne County Creative Arts Council (WCCAC) Summer Festival Central Park, Honesdale

Summer Music Schedule:

ifty years is a long time for an organization in a small town to continue bringing entertainment to the community. However, the Wayne County Creative Arts Council has been doing just that in Honesdale. Begun in 1967 as the brainchild of Arthur Fasshauer and the Honesdale Chamber of Commerce, the Festival began with performances of the Wayne County Mixed Chorus, the Maple City Band, and the Old Time Fiddlers at the old Stourbridge School. The audience sat on planks that were supported by cinder blocks. The Anthracite Russian Male Chorus and the Modern Square Dancers of NE Pennsylvania also were on that first weekend’s program.

F

Over the years, the Wayne County Creative Arts Council has evolved into a summer of fourteen free concerts in Honesdale’s Central Park with the audience bringing their own, and more comfortable, chairs to enjoy the performances from the WCCAC’s new stage. In order to commemorate their Golden Anniversary, the Arts Council will have a celebration on June 12th, in conjunction with the Northeasters Barbershop Chorus. The barbershoppers will be marking their own anniversary of 38 years of park performances. Come and hear, not only the superb harmonies of the singers, but also a bit of history as well, narrated by Mark Zimmer.

In addition to the perennial favorites like the Old Time Fiddlers, The Wayne Choralaires, Joe Stanky and the Irish Balladeers, two new groups and one changed ensemble will perform. The sounds of swing and popular ballads are the forte of The Little Big Band that graces the WCCAC stage for the first time on June 15th. The VonStorch Project, featuring Bossa Nova, swing, and jazz standards, debuts on June 29th. Bob Wilson will be part of a different combo, The Jazz Assassins, on June 19th.

This year will celebrate the dedication of Mae Figura, who began her association with the Arts Council in 1969 as choreographer for the first musical, “Pajama Game.” Her involvement continued first as board member, then she took the reins as program director when Art Fasshauer retired. She continued to guide the organization until her death in January of this year.

Come and bring a chair or blanket and sit under the stars in Honesdale’s Central Park every Monday and Thursday from June 12th to July 27th.

Concerts begin at 7:30, but come early and grab a hotdog or slice of pizza. Homemade ice cream is also available. The only deviation from that schedule is for the annual Independence Day celebration, which is on Sunday, July 2nd this year.

Beginning at 6:30 the music of two bands will fill the park, while children will have fun on bounce houses, donated by Rent-E-Quip. Novelty and food vendors will fill Court Street with fun and delicious treats. The rain date is Monday July 3rd. There will be no concert on July 4th.

In case of inclement weather, the rain locations will be announced on the local radio stations and on WCCAC’s Facebook page.

May 20: 7:30 p.m., When Art Meets Music: Elizabethan Era at Milford Theatre June 17 & June 18: The London Trio: Flute, Violin & Cello. On Saturday, the performance takes place at 5:30 p.m. at Grey Towers, and Sunday, at 4 p.m. in the Hawley Silk Mill in Hawley.

July 15: 7:30 p.m., Sounds of Brazil with Os Clavelitos at Milford Theater August 19 & August 20: Song Stories by Kelley McRae Duo. On Saturday, the performance takes place at 5:30 at Grey Towers and on

Sunday, at 4 p.m. in the Hawley Silk Mill.

September 23: 7:30 p.m., David Gonzales’ City of Dreams at Milford Theatre October 7: 7:30 p.m., Reinventing Baroque with PubliQuartet at Milford Theatre November 4: 7:30 p.m., Tempest of the Heart: Ilya Yakushev at Milford Theatre December 16: 5:30 p.m., Operetta Holiday Concert at Milford Theatre For more information, visit www.kindredspiritsarts.org or call (570) 409-1269.

The Settlers Inn 4 Main Avenue, Hawley very summer, music lovers anticipate the Jazz on the Deck series as talented musicians entertain on the spacious deck overlooking the Inn’s abundant gardens. This eight-week series is held on Wednesday evenings throughout July and August from 6 to 9 p.m., rain or shine. There is no cover charge so relax and take in the sounds of jazz. While you’re listening, enjoy an invigorating beverage and a delectable farm-to-table snack or meal.

Summer Schedule:

E

July 5: Gypsy Jazz July 12: And All That Jazz July 19: Rick Lawn Trio July 26: Kelly Suttenfield August 2: Nick Niles August 9: Judi Silvano August 16: Stefan Bauer August 23: Robert Kopec August 25: Spencer & Nancy Reed (Wally Lake Fest Weekend) August 30: Thos Shipley Due to the popularity of this series, reservations are suggested. For more details, visit www.thesettlersinn.com or call (570) 226-2993.

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

7

music

summer lineup

Wildflower Music Festival The Amphitheater at Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary Long Ridge Road, White Mills he Wildflower Music Festival is an annual festival held on the grounds of the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition to the festival, the Sanctuary is also home to the Dorflinger Glass Museum and Gift Shop, the 1867 Glassworker’s House, and the Historic White Mills Firehouse.

T

Nestled among majestic pine trees and green ferns, this outdoor festival allows people to relax on a blanket or lawn chair and enjoy quality music. Picnics and beverages are permitted and light beverages are sold at the festival. In case of rain, the concerts will be moved to the Wallenpaupack Area High School.

All concerts are $24 for adults.

Students 6 to 18 years are $12 and anyone under six is free. Concerts are held at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Summer Music Schedule: July 1: Patriotic Brass Ensemble— Vets & Active Service Personnel Free Today This stirring 15-piece brass band is the only professional and national organization dedicated to serving veterans and military families by donating their time as a 501(c)(3) charity giving performances at a wide range of veterans’ organizations, events, and hospitals.

July 8: Tom Wopat—Dukes of Hazzard & Broadway Star The popular TV show, Dukes of Hazzard, ran for six years with Tom as co-star. He then went back to his roots as a singer, releasing six country albums and two of jazz-inspired renditions of contemporary classics including cuts from the Great American Songbook.

July 15: Flatt Lonesome—Fantastic Bluegrass Stellar picking and heartfelt songs centered around beautiful sibling harmony made Flatt Lonesome a hit

among bluegrass fans both young and old. Don’t miss their amazing vocal harmonies, along with a fretwork-heavy burst of mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, and acoustic guitars.

July 22: The Brothers Four— Legendary Folk Group These ‘60s folk singers just released their 24th album in 2014, showcasing their melodic harmony. Baby boomers will remember their hit “Greenfields,” which sold over a million records, plus “The Green Leaves of Summer,” “The John B. Sails,” and many more.

July 29: Paperback Writer—The Beatles Experience Return to the heyday of the Beatles and allow this group to transport you like a time-capsule. Keep alive these cherished memories of people, places, and songs like “Let It Be,” “Hey, Jude,” and “Yesterday.”

August 5: Catch A Wave- The Beach Boys Show Catch A Wave’s incredible show recreates the look and sound of a live Beach Boys concert circa 1964 to 1969. This group replicates the unique harmonic California sound that only The Beach Boys had.

August 12: The Cab Calloway Orchestra—Fabulous 30s Jazz Based at the exclusive Cotton Club in Harlem in the ‘30s and ‘40s, the original Cab Calloway Orchestra was one of the most important jazz bands in America.

For information on ticket prices and other details, call (570) 253-5500 or visit www.wildflowermusic.org.

8 spread the word... full issues available online

Glass— wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel 120 Falls Avenue, Hawley

his enchanting hotel used to be a historic glass factory and faces tranquil waterfalls and beautiful rock ledges. On Sundays, from 6 to 9 p.m., the on-site restaurant Glass will present its Blues, Brews & BBQ summer music series. The event combines a rotating lineup of live blues music on the deck, delicious BBQ style food, and a featured local craft brewery.

T

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

Summer Schedule: May 28: Lighten Up Blues Band June 4: Yasgur June 11: Randy Lipincott & Joey “Hotbox” Simon June 18: Bobby Kyle Band June 25: Dan Brother Band July 2: Teddy Young & The Aces July 9: Scott Weis Band July 16: Norman Taylor & Blue Soul July 23: Them Barn Cats July 30: Rare Form and Friends August 6: Slam Allen August 13: Gary Rixner Blues Band August 20: Merchants of Groove August 27: Scott Weis Band (Wally Lake Fest Weekend) September 3: Bobby Kyle Band The event is $32.50, which covers music, food, and beer tasting.

Reservations are suggested.

For more information, visit www.ledgeshotel.com or call (570) 226-1337. *The Dock at Silver Birches on Route 507 is featuring its Music Overlooking the Lake, with live music on the deck every Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m.

Other Area Live Music: The Cooperage Project 1030 Main Street, Honesdale (570) 253-2020 • www.thecooperageproject.org

Harmony Presents 8 Silk Mill Drive, Hawley (570) 588-8077 • www.silkmillharmony.com

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts 200 Hurd Road, Bethel, NY 1-866-781-2922 • www.bethelwoodscenter.org

Milford Music Festival Throughout Town, Milford www.milfordmusicfest.org • www.milfordpa.us

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

9

music

r&r headliner

10 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

r&r headliner

music

Headliner Set For Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival – June 17th “These Gals like their Gritty Southern Heritage with a Cosmopolitan Twist.” ccording to the sisters themselves, 2015 was a defining year of growth for Larkin Poe, an Atlanta-based Roots Rock’n’Roll duo, comprised of Rebecca and Megan Lovell: "We feel lucky to have experienced a year of life-changing moments that shaped and crystallized our artistic direction. We’re entering our mid-twenties; we're coming into our own. We've lost love; we've found love. We’ve lived loud, leaving little pieces of our hearts in every club we've played around the world - and we are really proud to have come out of 2015 with new songs that speak to that change."

A

This “change” they speak of is their second album, "RESKINNED," a re-release follow-up of the critically acclaimed debut album, ‘KIN’.

Voted as one of the Top-Ten albums released in 2014 by Huffington Post, Larkin Poe toured the world supporting the November 2014 release of ‘KIN’. Rebecca states: “As musicians, singers, songwriters, and performers, we learn something new with every show we play; last year we played hundreds of shows from big festivals to tiny radio stations, from backing Elvis Costello to backing Conor Oberst. We’ve learned to stay on our toes and keep our artistic approach fresh.” This perpetual innovation fueled a writing spurt that the sisters felt compelled to immediately record and share with their fans.

A Brief History of Larkin Poe: "We have a very colorful family history," explains lead singer/guitarist Rebecca, referencing the sisters’ familial connection to tortured artist and creative genius Edgar Allan Poe: "There have been a lot of creative, hotheaded, mentally unstable branches in our family tree. Growing up in the midst of their crazy stories has definitely shaded our perception of normal. As artists, I think some of those eccentricities, passed down from generation to generation, have been even further exaggerated in us!" Megan, who contributes lapsteel to the lineup, chimes in: "As sisters, we wanted to pick a band name that

had familial significance, so we decided pay tribute to our ancestors by taking on the name of our great-great-great-grandfather, Larkin Poe." The sisters celebrate that unique genealogy, and their own eccentricities, with their new release, ‘RESKINNED,’ on Restoration Hardware's label RH Music. Produced by Chris Seefried (Fitz and the Tantrums, Lana Del Rey) in Los Angeles, this fresh version of the original album ‘KIN’, includes new productions by Justin Warfield (She Wants Revenge, Nico Vega) and Wax LTD (Muse, Bon Iver, Miley Cyrus, Maroon 5) who produced the new single "Trouble In Mind." A sassy nod to the sisters’ southern heritage, “Trouble In Mind” features sassy, homegrown lyrics: "I'm a bad little angel.

I fell from grace, a Georgia Peach gone bad, yeah, you know the taste.”

“As Georgia girls, we came up listening to and soaking in the source music of the south: the blues, country, Americana, and mountain music; classic rock, and southern rock. That deep and gritty heritage has seeped into the bloodstream of our music,” explains Megan, “We've reached a point in our lives where we no longer care to be quite so polite, so "nice," so perfectionistic. Now is the time to be raw, unapologetically overdriven Larkin Poe. Deep

in our bones, we are rockers. We're ready to let the tiger out of the cage.”

The sisters’ southern identity was picked up and echoed by Huffington Post in a recent tagline: “These Gals like their Gritty Southern Heritage with a Cosmopolitan Twist.”

‘RESKINNED’ marks Larkin Poe’s second release with RH Music. After years of fierce independence (i.e., five self-released EPs and three years of international and domestic touring, without label support), the sisters decided to sign with RH Music. "We signed with RH Music because they wholeheartedly believe in our authenticity. They understand that we make music because we inherently need to make music, and they want to support that need," explains Megan, "They’re a 21st Century patron of the arts."

This new release will also be the first for their new relationship with Vertigo/Capitol/ Universal Germany in Europe. Rebecca comments: “We are honored to be working with Vertigo/Capitol/Universal in Europe. In the music industry, where “industry” sometimes takes precedence over “music,” the folks at Vertigo are tastemakers who still love music as much as we do.”

"Larkin Poe is our heart and soul, mashed up into a musical form. We live and breathe Larkin Poe,” says Megan, “Supercharged on that life commitment, we’ve been able to record music in studios across the country, to play our songs around the world, to perform onstage with our heroes - all of these experiences are deeply valuable to us and have built a strong foundation. Standing strong on that foundation, we are so proud to release ‘RESKINNED’ and see what 2016 has to bring.”

These sisters continue to create their own story; written their way; played and sung by them.

SAVE THE DATE Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival Saturday, June 17th 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM Downtown Honesdale 1:30 - 9:30 PM Central Park Rain or Shine

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

11

music

instrument care

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT Care Tips Submitted by Disaster Blaster

There’s nothing quite like coaxing a melody out of a musical instrument, but if not cared for properly, that can be nearly impossible. From bumps and drops to extreme temperatures, we’ve got you covered!

Here are tips for avoiding some of the most common causes of damage to musical instruments, as well as some maintenance and care best practices. Remember, with the proper care and maintenance, a musical instrument can be a lifelong investment.

Choose the right case While gig bags are popular, they offer little protection for your instrument. Instead, consider choosing a hardshell case that is able to provide your instrument with the protection it deserves. Not only do hard cases provide far superior protection against bumps and falls, but they discourage handling by curious fingers (a leading cause of damage).

Don’t overstuff your case Though it is tempting to throw your music book or other accessories in your case, this is generally not the best idea. In addition to the damage these items can inflict on your instrument by jostling around inside your case, they can also place stress on the instrument that can lead to damage.

Use a stand when not in the case While a case is always preferred, they may not always

12 spread the word... full issues available online

results and to ensure the longevity of your instrument, always allow an adequate amount of time for it to come to room temperature.

Avoid high humidity

be practical, such as when performing. When this is the case, always ensure that you are using an appropriate stand for your instrument. Using the incorrect stand or leaning your instrument against a wall or speaker can increase the likelihood of accidental damage.

Additionally, stands are designed to avoid placing undue stress on your instrument, something that leaning it against a wall does nothing to prevent. It is actually very easy to damage the neck of stringed instruments in this way.

High humidity can damage your instrument in a number of ways, from swelling and warping to mold growth!

In fact, humidity can be so destructive, that it’s often recommended to keep a packet of silica gel in your case.

Some instruments, such as pianos, are especially prone to humidity damage (both high and low humidity). While you should always consult the manufacturer to determine the ideal humidity range for your instrument, the recommended humidity range is generally between 45% and 70%. Equipment is available to monitor humidity levels and can be purchased online.

Keep instruments in their cases Keeping your instrument in its case is not only the best way to prevent damage that may result from bumps and falls. It also discourages curious fingers and helps keep your instrument clean. When not in use, it is always a good idea to keep it in its case.

Beware of extreme temperatures

Keep your instrument clean

What’s comfortable for you should be comfortable for your instrument. Cold and hot temperatures can take a toll on your instrument and can even cause permanent damage. While extreme cold makes wood brittle and can affect the tuning of many instruments, extreme heat can damage varnish and even soften glue and destroy joints!

Always avoid extreme temperatures when storing or transporting your instrument.

When cleaning your instrument, avoid cleaners that include alcohol, as they have the potential to dry it out and can damage the finish. Most general cleaning can be completed with a dry cloth, but mild cleaning products can be used with a slightly damp cloth if necessary.

Specialty cleaners are also available for everything from wood instruments to brass, making selection of the right product much easier.

We hope you found this information helpful and hope that your musical instrument is with you for years to come!

Allow your instrument to come to room temperature before playing A cold instrument can not only be prone to damage during play, but also produce a different sound. For best

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

If there’s something that YOU want to hear about, please e-mail us at news@disasterblaster.com!

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

13

special feature

parkinson’s

By Ann Kozak – aikozak@usa.net

friend with Parkinson’s Disease recently learned that her neighbor, a man she’s known for five years, has also been living with PD. The news surprised her, and she wishes she had known sooner. She’s active in the Parkinson’s community and has lots of information she could have been sharing with him, not to mention her personal experience and support.

A

But she understands. It’s not always easy to be open about a diagnosis of Parkinson’s. It takes time to process and come to terms with how the disease will affect your life. And yet, some of the most helpful advice we ever receive is from those who have walked in our shoes.

Finding someone else with Parkinson’s these days is regrettably all too easy. A million Americans now live with it, and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Most are over 60, making Parkinson’s one of the five most common diseases of the elderly. Currently, one percent of all 60year-olds and five percent of all 80-year-olds are afflicted with it. As the population ages, those numbers will grow—unless and until there’s a cure.

A cure for Parkinson’s is something medical science has been working on for 200 years—ever since Dr. James Parkinson, an English physician, published the first written description of the movement disorder that now bears his name.

14 spread the word... full issues available online

Today, we know a lot more about the nature of Parkinson’s than we did in 1817, but there are still far too many unknowns, including the underlying cause—why one person gets it and another doesn’t.

Researchers suspect both genetic and environmental factors, but until they know for sure, there’s no way to prevent the disease, or to slow it, stop it, or cure it.

There’s no easy way to diagnose Parkinson’s either: no blood or glucose test, no EKG or biopsy.

Diagnosis is still based on a physical examination by a neurologist.

Fortunately, organizations like the National Parkinson’s Foundation, the American Parkinson’s Disease Association, and The Michael J. Fox Foundation are working hard to solve the mysteries surrounding PD. Meanwhile, the challenges of living with Parkinson’s don’t have to be faced alone.

There are now hundreds of Parkinson’s support groups around the country, including groups in Honesdale and Milford, and in Harris, NY. A support group is a chance to compare notes on the full range of PD symptoms: the slow movement, the tremors, the rigid muscles, and unstable posture, and the long list of non-motor symptoms like insomnia, constipation, speech difficulties, cognitive impairments, skin and vision problems, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, and more. It’s a place to discuss medications, to learn about the latest adaptive equipment and devices, and the growing number of Parkinson’s-specific activities and therapies to increase mobility.

In the Honesdale area, these include physical therapy to improve gait and balance; speech thera-

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

py for voice intonation and volume; “Rock Steady Boxing” in Old Forge for greater agility, endurance, and hand-eye coordination; “Dance and Movement” classes at the Friendly Community Center in Mountainhome; “Spin for Parkinson’s” at the Wayne County YMCA; plus Pilates, yoga, tai chi, and qigong classes throughout the area, disciplines that are highly recommended for those with PD. The support group is also a place to relax and have fun, to laugh and exchange stories, and to make some great new friends—friends guaranteed to know what life with Parkinson’s is all about.

Equally important, local groups contribute to Parkinson’s research. With drastic budget cuts threatening the National Institute of Health and other federal funding sources, it’s up to the Parkinson’s community to come together and keep scientists working for a cure.

The upcoming Pocono FoxTrot is a chance to support not only our neighbors who are currently living with Parkinson’s, but the rest of us whose chances of a diagnosis will continue to increase until a cure is found.

The event includes a 5K Walk/Fun Run, a 1-Mile Community Walk, and a Kids’ Dash, beginning at 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 17, at Ann Street Park in downtown Milford. The After-Party will feature free food, music, a gift basket raffle, and exhibitors with resources for PD patients and caregivers. All profits benefit The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

For details, visit: www.poconofoxtrot5k.org.

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

15

section

subsection

x16 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

subsection

section

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

17

reflections

from inside

Part I

“Way Below Bottom” Reflections of a Prison Inmate

By Terry Mooney

his man has lived a life beyond his thirty-one years. Using drugs at seven, having a baby at thirteen, he had no childhood. Now, he is finding nurturing in sobriety that he never got growing up, the peace that every human craves but not everyone attains.

T

My Story I was born in Scranton. One of eight children, we all had different fathers, and I never knew mine. When I was really small my mom and three of us children at the time moved to North Philadelphia. I don’t remember it but my mom always told me that I would bolt out of the apartment building wearing only my diaper and run like hell. She would chase me down or other people would grab me and bring me back. I did this every time the door opened. This was a foreshadowing of things to come. I often wonder how my life would have turned out if they’d just let me keep going.

I don’t know where my mother was born, but I do know that she was an orphan and would have grown up in an incredibly wealthy family if they had kept her. But in those days, it was more of a disgrace to have a baby out of wedlock than to give it up. She was adopted by a family with twelve to fifteen other adopted kids in a huge farmhouse in the Poconos. I don’t know why we moved to North Philadelphia; I was so young, but we did return to the Poconos at some point.

The one thing about my family is that we moved around a lot.

It wasn’t just one town. We bounced around the Poconos, but also the New York side in the Catskills. Each time she met a man, we ended up moving and having another baby. As far back as I can remember, my mother was drinking a lot and using other substances. She did coke and smoked weed in order to make it to work in the morning because she’d be up all night drinking. She was a head cook with twenty years experience working in fine restaurants. As long as she performed her job, that’s all they cared about.

I remember at least three of my stepdads. But they were always drinking and fighting with my mother. My older brother and I had to protect my mom from getting beaten up. We would chase the guy out of the house and he’d get in his car and go, sometimes for good.

My older sister and brother were more like parents to me than my real ones. It was as if my mother appointed them as surrogates since she was either out at work, or stoned at home. But it was hell. Two teenagers trying to be parents, we all were robbed of the natural bonding between siblings.

By the time I was seven, I was smoking weed. The deal was, if I went to school all five days, I would treat myself to a blunt that I got from my brother or sister. My mother didn’t openly condone it but I know that she knew. The teacher would smell it on me, and I’d be nodding out. That’s why I didn’t get much of an education. Eventually, by the time I was ten I was also drinking and smoking weed daily. One day, the principal called my mother to tell her I was using. She brought me home where I stayed for the day, and just smoked even more.

When I was eleven, a twenty-three-year old female took advantage of me. We were both really drunk, but this was just another part of the lifestyle. I wasn’t too shocked because I saw my older brother with numerous girls in one day when he was only fifteen.

Two girlfriends later, I was thirteen and she was sixteen, she became pregnant. Our mothers got together and we all decided to keep the baby. Dropping out of high school, we both got full

18 spread the word... full issues available online

time jobs. By the age of fourteen, I’d bought a trailer, a car and a truck working in construction. She worked in a deli while her mother took care of the baby.

Everybody used drugs, everyone we knew, and everyone in the trailer park. Lots and lots of trips to the city or people would come up from there and make drops. Around the time my daughter turned six, her mother and I split up. I was really convinced that she was cheating on me and at the same time I was trying to cut back on drinking but she wasn’t. One day, I came home and again she wasn’t there and I’d had enough. I just grabbed my clothes and left her literally everything. I went back to my mother’s. I’m now nineteen years old.

I dated one more female for about five years but it was the same as always. We constantly fought physical battles. We always drank and did drugs, non-stop. Life was just one big party, but it was no fun. By the time I was thirteen, I could drink myself sober, literally. When everyone was passed out, I couldn’t even get drunk. The more I drank, the more sober I got. I couldn’t seem to get high because I’d built such a tolerance. I should’ve known then that there was a problem. Then came jail.

From the age of twenty-one, I began getting arrested every six months for non-payment of child support. Because of my addiction, I went from pulling sixteen hour shifts to not even showing up. I just wore myself out. Staying up for days, eventually I would just crash and totally miss work. This wasn’t even dope sickness which is withdrawal. This was just sheer exhaustion.

Multiple stays in jail just put me farther behind financially with no work, fines and fees, although to an extent it would be the only time I was clean. Six times total I’ve been incarcerated for child support.

Upon release from jail and having been clean for a period of time, I would attempt to stay clean by attending recovery meetings. One evening, I met a woman whom I looked up to. We started talking regularly and ended up moving in together. We had two children. It lasted about four years.

One day she said to me, “I wanna get high.” I fed into it and after that we became drug buddies. As they say, “Two dead batteries don’t make a charge.” We both tried numerous times to get clean again, but we broke up while still using. I left her because we discussed not having another child and she became pregnant anyway against my wishes. It was more the situation we were in; I was constantly fighting with her and her family as well. The stress was off the charts. Again, I went back to live with my mother.

Looking back on a mostly dysfunctional childhood, there were some periods when my mother attempted sobriety. I remember as a small child going to recovery meetings with her, playing on the stairs with my match box cars while she was inside. She even started her own group at one time that still goes on to this day. But it’s like the movie “Ghost” where the demons come up from under the ground, grab you, and drag you down to hell. No matter how hard you struggle to get free, they won’t let you go.

One morning, I woke up for work and found her lying half off the bed, blood coming from her nose. She was dead. Fifty years old. I went off the deep end. In such desperate shape, I cared about nothing. You see, I blamed myself and so did my family.

I was supposed to protect my mother, and I didn’t. (To be continued).

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

subsection

Threats to Our

section

By Sarah Hall-Bagdonas

FORESTS pring has finally sprung, and now is a great time to get outside and evaluate your woodlands. After a long winter indoors, it can be healthy for both you and our forests. Whether taking a walk on your own property or enjoying a paddle down the river, you may notice that our forests are changing. Some of the biggest threats to our Pennsylvania forests are invasive pests – nonnative or exotic insects that spread rapidly and cause significant economic and ecological impacts to our forests.

S

Two of the many pest species that are getting a lot of buzz throughout our region are the Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. One has swept through the nation quite rapidly from the Mid-West to the Northeast, causing 99% mortality of ash species within 3-5 years of infestation.

The other has actually been around for quite some time, but is finally starting to take its toll on our state tree, the Eastern Hemlock.

The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was just officially confirmed in Wayne and Monroe counties for the first time by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). There are only three counties left in the state of Pennsylvania that do not have this exotic treekilling pest officially confirmed yet – Pike, Chester, and Delaware counties. It is only a matter of time before they are found, particularly in Pike County which is nearly surrounded by this destructive beetle.

The first tell-tale symptom that the beetle has

moved into your woodlands is woodpecker damage.

Woodpeckers strip the bark off infested trees to feed on the larval stage of EAB located just underneath the bark. This causes discoloration of the typically light gray bark, leaving the tree with a cream-colored appearance. Those larvae are what have killed tens of millions of ash across the country. Their feeding just below the bark essentially girdles and eventually kills all species of ash.

The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is another pest that is currently causing great concern throughout the state, even though it was first discovered here in the 1960s.

Adelgids are small, soft-bodied insects that are closely related to aphids. The hemlock woolly adelgid is found on the underside of branches and has an appearance of cotton or wool. They suck sap from the base of the needle, which results in premature needle drop and branch dieback.

While there are many factors that are playing into the eventual decline and mortality of our hemlock, our milder winters seem to have made the problem worse.

Infestation is better controlled when we have periods of extreme cold that can kill the adelgid. Mild winters can result in sharp increases in hemlock woolly adelgid populations, which we have seen in recent years.

There are several options for landowners to consider when dealing with dead or dying trees – cut it, treat it, or leave it alone. If you have enough ash or hemlock in your woodlot that has the potential to be valuable saw timber, it may be best to receive guidance from a professional forester or logger to do a timber harvest. Unfortunately, there is no doubt that the ash will die, so a good option is to salvage it before there is no value left. The fate of the hemlock is more dependent on how bad the adelgid infestation is.

Ash is an excellent firewood, but please use caution when cutting it yourself. EAB infests and feeds on the top of the tree first. Tops that are dead are known as “widow makers” because they can break and fall unexpectedly. Declining and dead ash is very dangerous to cut for this reason.

For most homeowners, insecticide treatment is not feasible on a larger landscape level, but can be used to prevent single tree mortality if the trees are still healthy (less than 25% die back in the canopy). Some insecticides are marketed for use by homeowners while others are intended for use only by professional applicators. Ultimately, the best option may be to consult with a professional applicator (foresters, arborists, etc.) on whether or not to treat your trees and what to treat them with.

Lastly, you do not have to treat or remove dead or dying trees. If your dead tree is located in your yard or along a street, it will likely pose a hazard over time and should be removed immediately.

However, when left standing in a woodlot, these trees provide excellent wildlife habitat, creating sheltered cavities for mammals, nesting sites for birds, and structure for a variety of other organisms.

However, safety is a top priority — if you think that the tree could be a hazard for you or others, please be safe and remove it.

Ultimately, the decisions regarding your trees are yours as a landowner. You can cut them, treat them, or leave them alone as wildlife habitat. A combination of the three may be the best tool for managing your landscape. For more information, please visit our website at nthardwoods.org and click on the references tab for the handout, “My Ash Trees are Dying, What Do I Do?” Sarah Hall-Bagdonas is the Program Manager for the Northern Tier Hardwood Association (NTHA). The NTHA is a non-profit organization supporting and promoting the forest product industry, sustainable forestry, and its supporters throughout Wayne, Pike, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Susquehanna, Bradford, Sullivan, and Tioga counties of Pennsylvania. You can reach Sarah at NTHA by phone at (570) 265-7753, e-mail nthapa@nthardwoods.org, or facebook.com/nthardwoods.

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

19

money

inheritance tax

PA INHERITANCE TAX

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

ost parents understand that dinner with small children at a restaurant is typically not a pleasurable experience. Little kids cannot sit still for more than a few seconds. They, amongst other things, spill drinks, lick salt and pepper shakers, or my least favorite of all - crawl underneath the table. Until recently, I cannot recall a time where I actually got to “eat” my meal with my sons at a restaurant. I would scarf something down and then proceed to chastise my boys to stop doing whatever naughty thing they were up to.

M

Yet, over the last few months, I have discovered the antidote to dining out with children. It is now so much more enjoyable. My recipe does not even involve an iPad or iPhone. All it takes is not expecting them to be idle.

You see…A local restaurant we frequent has a small, barely used room filled with video and sundry bar games. Our new routine consists of my wife and I first ordering dinner and drinks and then, with a bag of quarters in tow, letting our boys loose on the arcade. We take turns watching them play Skee Ball and Golden Tee, so that the other can eat their meal in quiet solitude. Ten minutes alone eating a hamburger is such a treat.

Just about everybody enjoys a good game. I can recall as a kid my father hogging my bedroom late into a school night playing Nintendo’s Zelda. It seems as a society we prefer to make the most mun-

20 spread the word... full issues available online

dane tasks, like taxes, a game.

Multinational corporations spend billions on tax advisors to “game” the system by legally moving assets and people around the world to save a few dollars. Individuals take advantage of tax deductions and credits on their personal tax returns. In Pennsylvania, there are even estate planning strategies you can utilize to reduce potential state inheritance tax. They merely involve putting the puzzle pieces of your estate in the right place.

Pennsylvania is one of the few states (six (6) in all) that charge a death tax. The tax is on property owned by a deceased Pennsylvania resident and assessed when such property is transferred to its beneficiary. The rate of tax is based on the relationship the decedent had with the beneficiary. The exact rates are as follows: 0% to a surviving spouse, 4.5% to children and grandchildren, 12% to siblings and 15% to all other heirs.

Like the rules of any other game, a savvy planner can use the rates to his or her advantage. For example, life insurance is exempt from Pennsylvania inheritance tax, meaning that no inheritance tax is assessed on the proceeds of a policy. This little rule can save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in inheritance tax.

Here is an illustration…imagine your estate comprises of $200,000 in cash and a $200,000 insurance policy. You desire to leave your estate to your son and your sister equally. If the assets are simply split down the middle, the Pennsylvania inheritance tax owed would be $16,500 (0% tax on the life insurance, $100,000 X 4.5% child rate = $4,500 and $100,000 X 12% sibling rate= $12,000). By simply rearranging the scheme and leaving the life insurance outright to your sister and the $200,000 cash outright to your son, your estate would owe $9,000 in inheritance tax (0% tax on life insurance, $200,000 X 4.5% child rate = $9,000). A $7,500 difference!

Joint ownership of assets is another planning tool.

The mere titling of bank accounts, real estate, and other financial assets can have a significant effect on potential inheritance tax liability. The Pennsylvania inheritance tax rules assess the rate of tax on the percent of the decedent’s ownership in the asset.

This means that if a deceased’s estate owns 100% of a bank account, the entire bank account’s proceeds are subject to tax. If instead the ownership of the account is joint with another, then only 50% of [ www.connections-magazine.com ]

proceeds are taxed.

Let’s take a look at another example showing potential savings.

Assume you own a house worth $300,000 and desire your only son to inherit it. If the house is left to your son under Will, the inheritance tax due would be $13,500 ($300,000 X 4.5%). If, instead, you add your son as a joint owner of the home during life, then the inheritance tax due would be $6,750 ($150,000 X 4.5%). You have just cut the estate’s inheritance tax liability on the house in half.

I do have a few words of caution when considering adding a name(s) to a bank account or other asset. First, be cognizant of your existing estate plan. Remember, for a joint account, upon the death of the first account owner, the surviving owner takes 100% possession of the property.

A Will often indicates something different. For instance, if your Will states that your two (2) children are to split the estate equally, a joint account with you and only one (1) child would be in direct conflict and unintentionally enrich one child over the other. Second, the addition of a second owner exposes the asset to the second owner’s warts, like creditors and/or disgruntled spouses, who could theoretically attach a lien or garnishment against the entire property. Finally, you must deeply trust the person you are adding because he or she will have a lot of control over the assets, especially bank accounts, wherein a 50% ownership stake gives the joint owner the ability to spend 100% of the account’s value.

I have yet to meet anyone who enjoys paying more in taxes, so with a little gamesmanship you and your estate can maneuver around the Pennsylvania inheritance tax. If you need help setting up, contact your local estate planning advisor 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.

ira choices

money

Comparing IRA Choices:

Roth vs. Traditional Which one is right for you?

With the decline of corporate pensions and the aging U.S. population putting stress on the Social Security system, the burden of saving and planning for retirement falls increasingly on individuals.

This is especially true for younger Americans. Yet, navigating the retirement savings account options, as well as investment choices, can be a daunting task. But taking the time to understand these choices can go a long way toward paving the way for a more secure retirement down the road.

Most financial planning experts agree one of the most important retirement savings steps to take is to fully fund your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. If you’re not able to contribute the maximum amount, consider contributing as least as much as the employer’s matching amount, if available. Otherwise, you’re leaving free money on the table.

If your employer doesn’t offer a retirement savings plan or you’re able to save more, consider contributing to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA).

Many people don’t realize you can contribute to an IRA even if you already partially or fully fund your 401(k) – you just may not be able to deduct your contribution.

There are two main types of IRAs – Traditional and Roth. One is not better than the other – each offers distinct features.

Traditional IRA With a Traditional IRA, you must be under age 70 1/2 to contribute and you or your spouse, if married filing jointly, has earned income.

Contributions may be tax deductible and earnings grow tax-deferred, meaning you pay taxes at the time the money is withdrawn or distributed, presumably in retirement. If you make non-deductible contributions, a portion of each distribution will not be taxable based on the percentage of before-tax and after-tax amounts in your Traditional IRA. Please note that distributions taken prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% IRA tax penalty.

There are no limits on income in order to be eligible to contribute, but account owners must begin taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) at age 70 1/2.

Roth IRA With a Roth IRA, there are no age restrictions for contributions. But you or your spouse, if married filing jointly, must have earned income. Contributions are not deductible.

However, earnings may be withdrawn tax and penalty-free provided: (1) the Roth

account has been open for at least five years and you are age 59 1/2 or older; or (2) the distribution is a result of your death, disability, or using the first-time homebuyer exception. Unlike Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs have no RMDs. Please note that distributions taken prior to age 59 1/2 may be subject to a 10% IRA tax penalty and ordinary income tax.

There are, however, limits on income in order to be eligible to contribute. If your income is too high to contribute to a Roth IRA, you can always contribute to a Traditional IRA, assuming you are eligible.

Even if you can’t deduct your Traditional IRA contribution, you can take advantage of tax-deferred growth potential.

How taxes affect your decision Now that you have an understanding of Traditional and Roth IRAs, you can decide which one works best for you. And, remember, you can contribute to both types of IRAs in any given year, as long as your total contributions don’t exceed the annual maximum.

The primary driver of your decision is taxes. Assuming you’re eligible to contribute to both a Traditional and a Roth IRA, you need to decide if you’d prefer to get a tax break now for contributing to a Traditional IRA or put after-tax dollars into a Roth IRA and take tax-free withdrawals later, assuming you have met conditions to do so.

If you believe you will be in a lower tax bracket in retirement or live in a state with no income tax, you may prefer to fund a Traditional IRA. If you expect your tax rate on withdrawals will be higher than or the same as your current tax rate, a Roth IRA may be the better choice.

Another potential advantage of a Roth IRA is that contributions (not earnings) can be withdrawn at any time for any purpose without tax or penalty. However, taking out contributions can carry a steep opportunity cost because you’ll rob your retirement savings and give up the potential for that money to grow on a tax-advantaged basis over time.

Evaluate your options There are a number of factors to take into account when evaluating your IRA options. Some financial service providers offer online calculators that can help you choose. Or, you may want to enlist the help of your tax advisor and Financial Advisor to help you decide. Regardless of which IRA – or IRAs – you choose, starting early and saving consistently can help build your retirement savings and help ensure you can lead the retirement you envision.

This article is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and provided to you by Michael J Krupa, Krupa Wealth Management, 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 Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

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

21

entertainment

book/film reviews

A QUIET PASSION

“Early Sunday Morning”

By Denene Millner Reviewed by Terri Schlichenmeyer

ach Sunday, your family has a routine they follow.

Everyone gets up early to the smells of a good breakfast that Mama makes; she serves all your favorites before you go to church to raise your voice and praise God. Church is also where people can go to pray. Some people get saved there. And in the new book, “Early Sunday Morning” by Denene Millner, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, some people get a dose of confidence.

E

Sunday is the day your family sets aside for the Lord, which makes it pretty special because everybody puts on their best clothes, shines their shoes, and goes to church together. It’s your favorite day of the week, especially when something like a solo in youth choir makes it even better.

Singing is fun, and it’s easy to practice when nobody’s around. It’s also fun when it’s done with someone else, but singing alone in front of a microphone, in front of the whole church? That’s scary, even though everybody tells you it’ll be okay. You’ll be looking extra-fine, you’ll have your hair in a beautiful crown.

They all have good advice but still, you’re awfully nervous. Mama says, “The angels will shout in Heaven,” when you sing. Daddy says to “pick a spot in the church and sing to it like you do in the mirror.” Their words make you feel a tiny bit more confident.

Once you’re at church, just getting through Sunday School is hard. Not looking at the microphone is hard. Not watching the clock is hard, too. And then, it’s time to put on the choir robe you’ve brought from home and walk to the front of the church with your friends. It’s time to open your mouth and sing… but you’re still nervous.

Mama thinks angels will shout. Daddy reminded you to pick a spot and don’t worry. You remember all that, so you take their advice and a deep breath….

Dry mouth. A little shaky in the knees. That funny feeling just below the ribcage. Yep, that’s a case of the nerves alright, but “Early Sunday Morning” shows your child that things have a way of turning out fine.

And that can take time, as this story indicates. The main character, unnamed but based on author Denene Millner’s own childhood, is ready-not-ready to tackle what’s obviously a big honor; through the expressive artistry of Vanessa Brantley-Newton, young readers can see the character dealing with Mean Kids and wrestling with her fears, and that reticence is easy to identify with no matter what your age.

But wait – that’s not all. Millner also tells a tale of a tight-knit community, a close family, and their collective faith. Of course, this book is about a little girl’s solo in choir, but you can’t discount the adults, who quietly support the story.

Children who love read-alouds will enjoy this book, while kids ages 8-to-10 may enjoy reading it themselves. It’s definitely a charmer; in fact, once you’ve read “Early Sunday Morning” once, you’ll be singing its praises, too.

22 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

It’s fun to imagine how the great American poet, Emily Dickinson (1830-1886), would have processed a film about her largely solitary life, and her portrayal by one of the stars of cheerfully raunchy Sex in the City.

But we can see for ourselves, in Terence Davies’ handsome bio-pic, in which Cynthia Nixon portrays the often-difficult Dickinson with great sympathy.

Dickinson lived in Amherst, Mass., often reclusively. Her few companions here include family members and a lively friend. She remains unmarried, and writes poetry, some of which is published.

As modern viewers, we pity the sensitive and yearning Dickinson her often sad life. Sequestered by societal mores and her own insecurities, she is unable to realize the fullest expression of her talents Davies’ film is a lyrical work and literally full of poetry. It is for those who appreciate an introspective and meditative biography of someone who rarely left her house. It is true parlor intrigue — a room where perhaps a quarter of the film takes place — in which the wickedest things are the barbed epigrams, and the dramas are life’s familiar woes: the death of a parent, the loss of a friend, an unresolved illness. A must-see for fans of Dickinson and 19th-Century arts and letters. out of 4

FREE FIRE One night in 1978, at an abandoned warehouse in an isolated part of Boston, two gangs meet to complete a standard business deal — a suitcase of cash for a van full of guns. What could possibly go wrong? Seasoned viewers of crime thrillers know the answer is: Everything. Spectacularly. In this iteration, directed and co-written by Ben Wheatley, the squabbling starts in the first moment and escalates quickly. From the greasy enforcer’s dudes, the local deal-makers (Armie Hammer, Brie Larson), to some international parties, including two Irishmen (Cillian Murphy, Michael Smiley), it’s a group of folks given to paranoia, profanity, and hair-trigger responses.

Larson mostly holds her own in this room full of scenery-chewers, though her character lacks much color for her to play with. Unlike Sharlto Copley, who steals the show as arms-merchant Vernon, a preening South African, who drops his catch phrase “Live and Vern,” to little effect.

Unsurprisingly, this one-room action movie is a non-stop parade of insults, snappy comebacks, and lots of shooting. It’s actually more fun when the bullets run out and weapons must be scavenged from the assorted debris. It’s a tidy 90 minutes, and perfect if you need nothing more than a silly non-stop shoot-out. out of 4

All of these ran previously in the Pittsburgh City Paper.

steampunk

Steampunk

By LA Guzda

hen I think of Steampunk, I think of the movie, “Wild Wild West” with Will Smith and Kevin Kline. I also think of HG Wells and time machines. Steampunk is a genre that reflects 19th Century style and technology. It is an inspired movement of creativity and imagination.

W

Although not a new genre, I became familiar with Steampunk through Burning Man, an inspirational gathering in the desert offering an explosion in the sharing of ideas.

People wear costumes, and Steampunk has its own subculture among a culture of innovation and vision.

The look of Steampunk is sexy. It looks good on a variety of shapes and sizes. Top hats, bloomers, corsets, gloves, and boots combine to create layers that compliment and move well. It hides problem areas while accentuating assets. The starched collars and tailored cuts matched with a contrary free-flowing pairing makes for an opportunity in creative fashion. Even Steampunk eyeglasses and goggles are distinct.

It’s not just the fashions that are creative opportunities. There are groups of like-minded individuals that meet globally for Steampunk

did you know?

themed events. The events highlight technology that is self-driven; Steam being the most obvious as in railroads and boats. Any alternative energy source is suitable, but Kinetic energy is ideal for Steampunk themed designs.

Some devices are quite clever, but most fall under the Rube Goldberg heading of creating a complicated system to perform a simple or mundane activity. Yet some create mesmerizing art installations. Steampunk is a retro look at a world on the brink of technology, when a natural curiosity was nurtured and available to anyone to explore. A time before time was structured and organized. Time zones were created in 1883 by the railroads.

The railroads are very “Steampunk,” and that’s why Honesdale Steampunk, an event scheduled for July 21 – 22 will be held throughout Honesdale. “A vibrant past meets an imaginative future!”

Steampunk is stylized and it is fun.

It is whimsical and creative. It’s a recreation and a reinventing. It’s polite and it’s romantic. It’s stimulating, creative, intelligent, and bizarre.

But, most of all, Steampunk is fun!

For more information and a schedule of events for Honesdale Steampunk, contact the Greater Honesdale Partnership at 570-2535492 or visit www.visithonesdalepa.com. Other resources for information include: www.ministryofpeculiaroccurrences.com and www.historicalemporium.com Follow us on Instagram @PoconoSecrets and on Facebook @PocoPike 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

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

23

lifestyle

outdoor ramblings

License plates from multiple states festoon a variety of vehicles parked at a riverside campground. Mixed with the menagerie of tents, a colorful collection of kayaks and canoes lies in wait for the water, some still strapped to rooftops, some resting on the damp May morning ground. Nearby, a group of paddlers, most sporting red fleece festooned with badges and embroidery, circle up for the morning meeting at Luke’s Landing. It’s training weekend for the National Canoe Safety Patrol, and within moments they’ll be taking to the river.

The vigilant volunteers of the NCSP have been looking out for paddlers and swimmers on the Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River since 1979. From May through October, their 100-some members act as waterway watchdogs, preventing accidents when they can and rescuing the unfortunate when things go bad. Aside from the annual skills refresher held in the spring, members are only required to provide four days of service to the patrol.

In 2016, 84 members logged 823 days on the water.

Obviously, the love of what they do drives many to do more than the minimum.

“When you ask little, you often get a lot,” said current Commodore Marc Magnus-Sharpe, a 10-year veteran of the patrol who resides in Ithaca, NY. He learned about the group a decade ago when working with the United Nations School, which frequently sends its students on a summer paddling trip where the NCSP adds assistance.

Although patrolling the Upper Delaware under the auspices of the National Park Service, mostly on weekends, but throughout the season, the NCSP aids with the annual Honesdale Jaycees Canoe Classic held on the Dyberry Creek and Lackawaxen River and also lends a hand with the yearly Delaware River Sojourn, which will be held from June 16-23 this year, travelling through stretches of the Upper Delaware, Delaware Water Gap, the Lehigh River, and a stretch of river near Easton.

The average NCSP member has about ten years of experience and annually, approximately ten new members come onboard. Aside from having a love of the river and a desire to help others, there is no other common demographic among the patrollers. Some, like Jacqui Wagner, hail from as far away as McVeytown, in Mifflin County, PA, some three hours away, while others, like Beach Lake’s Jeff Chorba, are as local as they come. Jacqui has been with the NCSP for three years and became involved after attending the Sojourn. Jeff, along with Honesdale’s Austin Wolfe, signed up last year after an incident at Skinners Falls made them want to boost their own paddling skills.

“I have been on the river for years,” said Chorba, “That day at Skinners made me realize the need for safety of the river. There used to be a lot of accidents on the river, bad ones, and this group has helped cut that number down.”

By the numbers, in 2016, the NCSP made 267 rescues, of which 155 were overturned boats. Additionally, patrol members made contact with over 1500 paddlers and

swimmers, largely as a courtesy, to check on their safety and to ensure they have the necessary equipment, such as life-jackets.

One who provides such contact, Fawn Lake Forest’s Nancy Nyitrai, a 4-year veteran, is largely a flatwater paddler but is a part of the NCSP’s Land Support Team.

Often, she is perched upriver from trouble spots and gives warning and direction to water travelers in order to avert an incident.

New this year is Honesdale’s Caleb LaVelle, an 8th grader at Wayne Highlands and a member of Boy Scout Troop 1. He found out about the NCSP during the 100th Birthday celebration for the National Park System and thinks the patrol is a place where he can combine his love for the outdoors with his desire to help other people.

“I’m looking forward to possibly saving someone and helping people,” LaVelle stated. Once a victim of a flipped canoe himself, no one was there to assist him, but he’s hoping to pay it forward with the patrol.

Getting involved with the NCSP is easy. Their website, nationalcanoesafetypatrol.com, has plenty of information about what one needs to do to join. The annual membership fees are just $30 for an individual and $60 for a family, which go largely to pay for food on the training weekend and help defray the costs of team equipment. Most members are self-sufficient, but occasionally the patrol will loan things such as rescue harnesses and wet suits to newer members until they can procure their own gear.

Members are required to have CPR and First Aid certifications, but the rest of the training is provided by the patrol.

So, this summer, when you hit the river, keep an eye out for the NCSP, they’re keeping an eye out for you, too.

If you see them, give a wave or stop to chat with them.

Hopefully, you won’t need their services, but they are ready to help if you get into trouble. williamjdeaton@yahoo.com

24 spread the word... full issues available online

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

classic cars

lifestyle

1941

Ford

Half-Ton

Pickup

By Arnie Milidantri

e are in the peak of car watching season, and for those of us who are enthusiasts, every trip to the local store seems to be rewarded with the sighting of a vehicle from another time. Years ago in the rural farm areas of our country, it was not unusual for the farmers to have only one vehicle that was both the farm’s all-purpose workhorse during the week and the family’s only transportation into town. The vehicle that best suited this dual role was the pickup truck. It hauled the feed, seed, and supplies to the farm, the crops and livestock to the town markets, and the family to church on Sunday.

W

Featured this month is an outstanding example of one of those cherished early pickups that help make this country great; a 1941 Ford half-ton Pickup truck owned by Gerry Milidantri of Durham, Connecticut, a frequent visitor to Northeast PA cruises and shows.

season, the V-8/60 was replaced by a 120-cid four-cylinder engine from the Ford 9N tractor, a curious and not very popular choice. A rarer option was the passenger car’s 226 cid inline six, a late-season no-cost option.

Background

The truck featured this month is a beautiful tan and black 1941 Ford half-ton pickup owned by Gerry Milidantri. Gerry bought his 1941 Ford pickup as a “period correct” tow vehicle for his antique midget and sprint race cars. All of the truck’s sheet metal is original Ford steel that has been meticulously restored as has the stainless trim. The truck’s tan body color was standard, but the black fenders and the body pin stripings were extras that could be ordered as options. The truck has the original (rebuilt) Ford 221 cid V8 flathead 90 hp engine (the valves are in the block and the heads are flat, hence the term “flathead” engine). The original rebuilt three speed manual transmission equipped with a floor mounted shifter gets the power to the rear. The ’41 rear-end came equipped with a differential gear set ratio of 4:55, great for low end traction but terrible for “cruising.” Gerry replaced the 4:55 gear set with a 3:55 gear set that is great for cruising. The following other mechanical handling/safety improvements were also made: The front end -The replacement of the original front I beam axle with a 4 inch drilled and dropped axle. A new reverse eye transverse spring and contemporary gas shocks were installed. The net effect of these modifications was the car was lowered 5 inches compared to it original stock height and because of its lower center of gravity, it has much improved handling.

Rear end – The rear transverse buggy spring was replaced with a new reverse eye shackle mount spring with Teflon pad inserts. Modern gas shocks were also installed.

The changes in suspension combined with the gear change noted above lowered the truck’s rear stance and greatly improved the overall ride.

Electrical – The truck’s electrical system was converted from 6 volt positive ground to 12 volt negative ground.

This upgrade and the use of a modern automotive alternator, 12 volt sealed beam headlights, and brighter taillight bulbs not only improved the electrical reliability of the truck but more importantly, the driving safety of its passengers.

Fords’ cars for 1941 were much more modern with wider bodies that nearly covered the running boards. The front and rear fenders were still large and round, but were now made in three sections and integrated more into the body, and the headlights were pushed way up and out over the front wheels. The 1941 grille had a tall center section sandwiched between two twin kidneys low on the fenders and vertical bars all around. The 1941 was a bigger car with a 194.3-in overall length. Body styles included twodoor and four-door sedans, a sedan coupe, a business coupe, convertible coupe, sedan delivery wagon, and woody station wagon. Thankfully, the pickup truck continued with the great 1940 Ford styling.

Improved engineering and handsome styling made the 1940-1941 Ford half-ton pickups a popular choice among truck buyers in the 1940’s. The new 1940 light-duty trucks had the crisp, clean, “plow front” styling of the 1939-1940 passenger cars, and this was carried over to the 1941 Ford truck line. The unique, fresh design has withstood the test of time beautifully. Complementing classic looks of the Pre-World War II 1940-1941 Ford half-ton pickups were several key mechanical improvements. Cab comfort was greatly improved; the structure was sturdier and wider.

The truck windshields were fixed with cowl-mounted wipers (a crank-open windshield was an available option).

Sealed-beam headlamps made for safer night driving, and mattress-type springs in the bench seat offered extra passenger comfort. The smart rectangular instrument cluster resembled that of Ford cars. The truck frames were the same as the car frame double-drop design with X-member bracing; however, they were stamped from heavier 10gauge steel instead of 11-gauge. The suspension still used transverse leaf springs front and rear, which dated from Ford Model T days, plus lever shocks and, on some models, a front stabilizer bar.

Although the 1941 Ford half-ton pickup looked almost identical to the successful 1940 model, the choice of engines was expanded. The standard engine in 1941 was Ford’s 221-cid flathead V-8 with 90 hp; a Mercury 239 cid 95 hp and the small Ford V-8/60 were optional. In mid-

Featured Truck

steel belted radials, which again enhanced the truck’s overall safety, reliability and handling.

Tachometer- The one “had-to-have” item Gerry installed on his truck was a vintage Sun tachometer (converted from using the 50’s battery powered sender box to a fully selfcontained transistor unit). It is functional and looks cool on the dash.

Gerry’s truck is truly a piece of our automotive history that has been restored and will be preserved for years to come. Never intended to be a show truck, you are more likely to see Gerry’s great 1941 Ford pickup with its HOOTERVILLE HOLLOW FARM logo on the doors parked outside a local hardware store or an ice cream stand than at a car show. He loves driving it with his grandkids by his side along the back roads in the small town of Durham, Connecticut.

The Owner Gerry retired in 2010 as CEO of an international metallurgical company that specialized in the repair of commercial turbine engines, moved to Durham, Connecticut, and formed his own consulting company, providing managerial and technical support to the aircraft and industrial turbine marketplace. When not in his office, he can usually be found in his huge barn (garage/workshop) doing what he loves, “anything that involves cars.”

Whether he is working on his latest car project, planning his next project or helping a family member or friend with their car, as long as it has an engine, he is happy. He has loved cars since he was able to walk. Some kids carried teddy bears; Gerry carried cars! Most kids got bored and lost interest and stopped playing with cars and trucks.

Gerry hasn’t stopped yet. He has owned and built numerous great cars across the spectrum of the car hobby including Corvettes, muscle cars, antiques, race cars, and street rods starting back to his early teens.

He is a perfectionist who enjoys the challenge and restoration/build journey as much as the final product. He is unselfish in giving of his time and expertise to help a fellow hobbyist. His friendship is cherished by those lucky enough to be considered his friends. Throughout the year, he hosts Tuesday night barn nights where his friends gather to share their projects, knowledge, and camaraderie.

So, if you happen to be cruising in Connecticut and see a 1941 pickup in front of an Agway store with a guy smiling, loading what looks like bags of feed in the back while a kid sits eating an ice cream cone in the cab, stop and say hi.

It’s probably Gerry getting a weekly supply of dog food for his grandkid’s Great Dane!

Tires – The old style Bias belted tires were replaced with

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

25

wellness

behavioral medicine

Medication Mindfulness

By Arthur Middleton, M.D., FAPA

Medicine sometimes snatches away health, sometimes gives it. ~Ovid

he practice of psychiatry today is largely pharmacologic. While talk therapy remains a valuable component of mental health treatment, many patients are treated by a variety of health care providers, not only psychiatrists. Medications are often prescribed after one visit. It is also important to note that patients see their providers with the expectation that medication will be prescribed and generally view this as necessary.

T

Prescribed medications that are used to treat psychiatric disorders are referred to as “psychotropic drugs,” or simply “psychotropics.” There are many classes of psychotropics, which are generally recognized by their functions. This includes Antidepressants, to treat depression; Antipsychotics, to treat psychotic disorders like Schizophrenia; Mood Stabilizers, to treat mood disorders such as Bipolar Disorder; Anxiolytics, to treat anxiety disorders, and Hypnotics, to treat sleep disorders. In addition, there is a class of Stimulants, to treat attention deficit disorders, and Cognitive Enhancers, to treat disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Depending how many different medications are prescribed, there may be side effects that are not desirable. Side effects may be treated with additional medications. This scenario becomes more complicated and consequential if the patient is older. As we age, we lose the ability to more easily tolerate side effects that would not have been as problematic for us when we were younger.

In a HealthDay article published by the National Institutes of Health / National Library of Medicine by Robert Preidt titled: Many Seniors Take Multiple Meds That Can Affect the Brain (February 13, 2017), the author writes about a study involving American seniors and the effects of polypharmacy or multiple medications. The study focused on the older population and their use of opiate medications for pain, antidepressant medications, tranquilizers, and antipsychotic medications. The article also cited data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), which found that people over the age of 65, who were using these medications, had doubled from 2004 to 2013. According to this article, “researchers estimated that approximately 3.7 million doctor visits a year are by seniors who were taking three or more of these drugs.”

26 spread the word... full issues available online

Further, it was reported that the largest increase was among the senior population in rural areas. Even more alarming was the finding that “nearly half of the senior population” that were taking these medications did not have a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, insomnia, or sleep disturbance or a pain condition. With the understanding that these medications were most likely not prescribed indiscriminately, it does lead one to question the prescribing guidelines used by providers. It is likely that physicians find it difficult to ignore a patient demand for medication.

In a New York Times article by Austin Frakt titled: How Many Pills Are Too Many? (April 10, 2017), the author writes about older Americans who suffer from multiple chronic medical conditions and that many of them are taking medications they may not need or take medications with side effects that occur from the interactions of other drugs that they are taking. The author focuses on medications such as “benzodiazepines” citing as examples, Valium or diazepam and Ativan or lorazepam, which can lead to an increased risk of “falls” or “cognitive impairment” such as memory deterioration and problems with thinking and concentration.

According to the article, in the older population or Medicare beneficiaries, “over a year almost 20% take ten or more drugs or supplements.“ Supplements include vitamins, minerals and herbs. While patients are often reluctant to discontinue long standing medications, even if they no longer need them, as the article points out, physicians are encouraged to “deprescribe,” or discontinue medications in order to improve the well-being and “safety” of this older patient population.

The following fictional clinical vignette is presented to highlight the issues associated with multiple medications in the senior population.

JT is a 72-year-old retired construction worker. He and his wife have settled comfortably into a lifestyle that works well for them. His wife is a 5th grade teacher who greatly enjoys her work and has no plans to ever retire.

As he has aged, JT has had to cope with chronic medical conditions. In his forties, he developed hypertension or high blood pressure, which did not improve with weight loss. Initially, he was prescribed

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

a diuretic, often called a water pill; Hydrochlorthiazide. This was marginally effective. After a year, he was prescribed another medication; Bystolic or nebivolol and a year later, Norvasc or amlopidine and then Cozaar or losartan. His blood pressure is now under control, but it requires four different medications.

Because he was having difficulty sleeping, his doctor prescribed a low dose of Desyrel or trazodone. His doctor explained to JT that this medication is an antidepressant, but it was prescribed for him because it was sedating and not addictive. Still unable to sleep, JT went to his pharmacy for an over-the-counter sleeping medication. The pharmacist told him that Benadryl or diphenhydramine would be a safe medication to take. He began taking Benadryl at bedtime for sleep. Getting some results, he increased the dosage.

While he felt that he was getting some benefit from the sedating effects of the medication, he also experienced dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation.

He saw his primary care doctor and explained to him that he was still having difficulty sleeping. He did not share with his doctor that he was taking Benadryl because he felt that it was an over-the-counter medication; not prescribed, and therefore, was not important to include in the list of medications that he was taking chronically. He also did not share with his doctor that he was periodically taking one of his wife’s prescribed pain medications, a narcotic, on occasion for a chronic back injury that he had sustained some years earlier. He told his doctor about his back pain, which he felt was increasing. Even though he had been taking a narcotic, which could be addicting, he shared with his doctor that he feared taking a pain medication that could cause dependency. His doctor prescribed Topamax or topiramate, which is an anticonvulsant used to treat seizures. His doctor explained to JT that this medication was also often helpful in alleviating neuropathic pain; pain caused by injured nerves.

Over the course of the next several weeks, JT began to feel worse instead of better. He still was not sleeping well, despite the medications that he was taking for sleep; Trazodone and Benadryl. Rather than contacting his doctor who had prescribed Trazodone for his insomnia, he increased the Benadryl again. His wife noticed the difference and was startled when JT

epilepsy shared with her how many medications he was taking. When JT backed the car through the garage door, both JT and his wife knew that he needed to see his doctor.

Prior to seeing his doctor, JT prepared a list of his medications also including the side effects that he was experiencing. He included the narcotic pain reliever, that was prescribed for his wife, which he was taking without her knowledge. Before going to the doctor, JT shared with his wife his concern that he was developing dementia. He was finding it hard to concentrate, could not easily remember things, and on more than one occasion had left the car running with the keys in it. For this reason, both JT and his wife decided that he would see a neurologist. When he did see the doctor, it was explained to JT that he was taking an over the counter medication, Benadryl or diphenhydramine, which had “anticholinergic side effects.” This explained the dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. However, the neurologist also explained to JT that it was likely that he had been taking more Benadryl than he had admitted to, and in older patients, mild confusion could also be a side effect of this medication.

The medications that were prescribed to lower his blood pressure also contributed to his lethargy or tiredness.

He saw his primary care doctor who carefully reviewed all of his medications, including the narcotic pain reliever. The narcotic was eliminated as well as the Benadryl. JT saw a psychiatrist who adjusted the Trazodone dosage and helped him with sleep hygiene. JT has been relieved that his memory seems better. He has a better understanding of the limits of medications and the potential hazards of taking over-the-counter medications without consulting his doctors.

The fictional clinical vignette highlights several issues, one of which is the “off label use of prescribed medications.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established a rigorous process to approve medications for a specific purpose. An example is the use of Desyrel or trazodone for sleep. While it is FDA approved for the treatment of depression, it is also widely prescribed by clinicians for the treatment of insomnia. This has been established over time, and it is generally accepted as standard treatment today.

It is also important for clinicians to explain to patients why medications are being prescribed and what these medications are used for. This is also the case for Topamax or topiramate, an anticonvulsant, which is also prescribed for chronic pain and mood disorder.

It is also important to consider the effects of Over-The-Counter medications, especially if they are being taken with prescribed medications. Just because they do not need a prescription does not mean that they can be taken without consequence. There are “drugdrug interactions” that can occur when two or more medications interact with

one another, resulting in unwanted side effects. The sedating effects of Benadryl or diphenhydramine and trazodone, both being prescribed for sleep, are additive. Also, dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation arising from the high dosage of the Benadryl contribute to the complications of side effects. For the older population, it is likely that, more often than not, multiple prescribed medications will be taken along with over-the-counter medications.

It is important to recognize the impact of controlled pain medications that may be used by an individual for whom they were not prescribed. Apart from the potential harm caused by taking medications that were prescribed for someone else, there is also the danger of taking medications that may be out of date.

In summary, while clinicians prescribe medications that are FDA approved for the symptoms that the patient is presenting, there are also medications that are prescribed “offlabel” but are deemed medically appropriate. Clinicians must explain to their patients why these medications are prescribed and what conditions they are expected to treat. Clinicians are also encouraged to “deprescribe” when possible, eliminating medications that may not be necessary. Patients, especially in the senior population, should be familiar with all medications that are prescribed. Finally, old and unused medications should be discarded and never taken by anyone other than the patient for whom they were prescribed.

The following references are provided for the informed consumer: Medline Plus: ‘Off-Label’ Antidepressants Common, But Where’s the Evidence? https://medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_163729.h tml National Institutes of Health: Sleep and Aging: Insomnia https://nihseniorhealth.gov/sleepandaging/insom nia/01.html U.S. Food & Drug Administration: As You Age: You and Your Medications https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/ucm143566.htm Dr. Middleton is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, and a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He received his undergraduate training at New York University and an MD degree from Rutgers Medical School. Dr. Middleton completed his psychiatric residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital & Medical Center, in NYC. He is on the honorary medical staff (retired) of Hackensack University Medical Center in NJ, where he is also Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Middleton has been on the voluntary teaching faculty of Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Brown Medical School.

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

wellness

The Healthy

Gee z er

By Fred Cicetti

Q.

A friend of mine said you can get epilepsy when you get old. I always thought this was something that came on you when you were a kid. What’s the story?

Epilepsy, which is sometimes called a seizure disorder, can strike at any age, but it usually starts during childhood and after age 65.

A.

People with epilepsy suffer from abnormal signals in the brain that can affect the senses and emotions. These faulty signals can also generate convulsions, muscle spasms, and loss of consciousness.

The common image of epilepsy is of someone on the floor, unconscious and suffering wild convulsions. This is only one scenario created by epilepsy. Doctors have described more than 30 different types of seizures. An epileptic seizure can also create less intense symptoms, such as confusion, a staring spell, lapse of awareness, and jerking movements by the limbs.

More than two million people in the United States have been diagnosed with epilepsy or had an unprovoked seizure. You must have two or more seizures to be diagnosed with epilepsy. Seizures can be controlled with drugs and surgery in about 80% of cases of epilepsy.

There are seizures that may not be associated with epilepsy. Many people have a single seizure without a sequel. Children sometimes have a seizure with a high fever.

Eclampsia, which can develop in pregnant women, produces sudden elevations of blood pressure and seizures. Then there are pseudo-seizures that produce no evidence in the brain.

There’s no cure yet for epilepsy. However, in some cases, epilepsy just goes away. The likelihood of becoming seizure-free spontaneously is better for children than adults.

The onset of epilepsy is often traced to a head trauma, disease or stroke— something that injures your brain or deprives it of oxygen. About onethird of all cases of newly developed epilepsy in the elderly appears to be caused by disease that reduces the supply of oxygen to brain cells.

Many types of epilepsy tend to run in families. However, epilepsy has no identifiable cause in about half the cases.

The following are some instructions if you see someone having a seizure: • First, call immediately for medical help.

• Roll the person on his/her side to prevent choking on any fluids.

• Cushion the person’s head.

• Loosen any tight clothing around the neck.

• Do not put anything into the person’s mouth, especially your fingers. It’s a myth that people are in danger of swallowing their tongues during a seizure.

• Keep the person’s airway open. If necessary, grip the person’s jaw gently and tilt his/her head back.

• Don’t try to restrain or wake some one having a seizure.

• If the person is moving, clear away dangerous objects.

• Stay with the person until medical personnel arrive. If possible, observe the person closely so that you can provide details on what happened.

• Look for a medical alert bracelet.

The bracelet should have an emergency contact and names of medications the person uses.

• After the seizure ends, the person will probably be groggy and tired. He or she also may have a headache and be confused or embarrassed.

All Rights Reserved © 2017 by Fred Cicetti

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

27

E M A I L U S Y O U R Q U E S T I O N S AT C M A G @ P T D . N E T

ASK THE VET:

lifestyle

pets

THE 2017 FORECASTS ARE IN:

Big Year for Heartworm Disease Heartworm Disease This year, the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) is forecasting higher levels of heartworm transmission nationwide. The United States as a whole experienced above average precipitation and seasonal temperatures in 2016, leading to perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes that transmit heartworms. Last year's forecasted heartworm outbreak in Northern California unfortunately came to fruition. Given the ongoing trend toward above average temperatures and rainfall, CAPC is forecasting high levels of heartworm disease activity in 2017 for most of the country, with an especially active year for the Western United States. Of great concern is the ongoing precipitation that the West observed this winter, leading to the prediction that heartworm disease will continue to increase even farther beyond its endemic range in 2017.

Overall, CAPC is forecasting above average heartworm disease activity nationwide. Key areas of concern include: • The Lower Mississippi Valley, where heartworm disease is rampant, is expected to observe more cases of disease than normal.

• Locations in the Rockies and westward, where heartworm disease may not be foremost on the mind of pet owners, are forecasted to be problematic in 2017 • New England, the Ohio River Valley, the Upper Midwest, and the Atlantic Coast States are predicted to see above normal heartworm disease activity.

28 spread the word... full issues available online

• Western Texans from Amarillo to Laredo may observe static to lower than average burden of heartworm disease in 2017.

What is heartworm disease?

A serious and potentially fatal condition, heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states of the country. It only takes a single mosquito bite for pets to become infected with heartworm larvae.

In dogs, the larvae mature into adult worms in the heart and nearby blood vessels, often leading to heart and lung failure. Signs may include coughing, trouble breathing and exercise intolerance, although some dogs may show no signs at all.

Cats can get heartworm disease too. While cats are less likely to develop large numbers of adult worms, immature heartworms can damage the lungs, leading to coughing, asthma-like signs or vomiting.

Even indoor cats are at risk — studies show that up to 30% of cats diagnosed with heartworm disease were described as strictly indoor.

Should your pet be on year-round heartworm preventive, even during the winter months?

The answer is yes. Mosquito numbers are tied closely to heat and humidity. An early spring or warm, wet fall can cause mosquitoes to emerge early or be active later in the season. Major weather events, such as hurricane Matthew last year, can also cause extensive changes in mos-

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

quito prevalence. The single most effective way to avoid timing mistakes with Heartworm preventive is to keep dogs and cats on medication year round and have your dog tested at least once a year. Your veterinarian can recommend an effective preventive that’s right for your pet.

Annual Testing is critical for the health of your pet CAPC recommends that all dogs be tested annually for both heartworm antigens and microfilariae, even if they are on year-round preventives.

Cats should be tested for the presence of heartworm antigen and antibody before starting them on preventive.

Column Provided by Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic in Honesdale.

Send your questions to Pet Column, 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.

a+r+e Y O U

C O N N E C T E D

Ongoing Events DAILY

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.

area events

ARTS, RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT

JUNE ’17

WEDNESDAYS

Lego Club 4:30–5:30 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Create, share ideas, make new friends. Free & open to the public, registration requested.

Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook.

Registration: 570-296-8211.

THURSDAYS

Public Art Display REMAX Wayne, Honesdale. Art displays of local artists all year long.

Info: 570-253-9566.

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.

WEEKLY

THURSDAYS

DAILY

Table Tennis in Honesdale Lakeside Elementary School, Honesdale. Join a group of table tennis enthusiasts who play weekly.

Info: John Babyak, 570-253-4379 or jbabyak1@ptd.net.

MONDAYS & FRIDAYS

Pub-O-Lympics 8 p.m. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Hilarious combination of trivia & physical challenges. Compete with teams to win a gift certificate, gold medal & bragging rights.

Info: 570-226-2124.

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.

FRIDAYS

MONDAYS (EXC. JUN. 26)

FRIDAYS

Kundalini Yoga 5:30–6:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up. Experience the gifts that Kundalini yoga has to offer as you explore breath, movement & mantra. Bring a yoga mat & blanket.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

TUESDAYS

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.

Live Music 8 p.m.–Midnight. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Great drink specials, delicious food & live music.

Info: 570-226-2124 or silverbirchesresortpa.com.

SATURDAYS

Bingo American Legion Post 311, Hawley.

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

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.

TUESDAYS

SATURDAYS

Bingo Texas #4 Fire Company, Honesdale.

Doors open 5:30 p.m. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Plenty of parking.

Info: 570-253-5467.

TUESDAYS

Nia 5:30–6:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up. Combination of yoga, martial arts & dance, for your health, wellness & fitness.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

WEDNESDAYS

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

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

get connected

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.

SATURDAYS

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

Info: 570-629-9399.

SATURDAYS

Live Music 9 p.m.–1 a.m. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Great drink specials,

delicious food & live music. Info: 570226-2124 or silverbirchesresortpa.com.

THROUGH JUN. 5

River Valley Artist’s Guild Exhibition ARTery Gallery, Milford. Members hail from NY, NJ & Pa. communities bordering the Delaware River, along with some from Middletown & Monticello.

Info: 570-409-1234 or www.arterygallerymilford.com.

THROUGH JUN. 10

“Spring Metamorphism” The Art Factory of White Mills, White Mills. Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. A collection of butterfly paintings by Debbie Gioello. Info: 570-251-1181.

June 1– June 9 JUN. 1

Canoe/Kayak Trip at the Bog 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Monroe County Conservation District Cranberry Bog, Tannersville. Join a paddling trip into the Bog Preserve on Cranberry Creek. Provide your own kayak or canoe. Pre-registration required & limited.

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

JUN. 1

Shakespeare on Film: Pericles 7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Introduced with a brief background & orientation. Followed by impressions & sharing. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

JUN. 1, 8, 15

Historic Tunkhannock Walking Tours 5 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Two-mile walk through the neighborhoods & downtown of the Tunkhannock Historic District takes about 2 hours. Tour booklets available at the theater for those interested in self-guided tours. Space limited. Free, preregistration required. Info: 570-996-1500.

JUN. 2

First Friday Scranton 6–9 p.m. Scranton. Artwalk featuring over 25 venues, local, regional & nationally recognized artists, live music & more. Admission & trolley between venues free. Info & monthly map: www.firstfridayscranton.com.

JUN. 2

Exhibit & Reception: “Photography & Ceramics” 7–9 p.m. Alliance Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Ed Marritz & Anthony Biancoviso. Free.

Exhibit runs through Jun. 24. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

JUN. 2

Exhibit & Reception: Theresa Hackett, Mixed Media Paintings 7–9 p.m. Loft Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Free. Exhibit runs through Jun. 24. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

JUN. 2

Assuming We Survive — Sherman Showcase 7:30 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Becoming the new face of pop punk with raw passion & good old hard work. With Moonwalker.

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

JUN. 2

Zoso — the Ultimate LED ZEPPELIN Experience 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Embodies Page, Plant, Bonham & Jones in their spirit, tightly wound talent & authenticity. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 2

Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Coming to fame in 1962 as the lead singer of the Four Seasons, he is hotter than ever in the 21st Century.

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

JUN. 2

Magician Denny Corby and Comedian Adam Lucidi 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

JUN. 2–4

No Sex Please We’re British Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. A young bride innocently mail orders Scandinavian glassware, but what arrives is simply scandalous.

The man’s mother, his boss, a bank inspector, a police superintendent & a muddled friend get involved, leading to a riotous ending. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

JUN. 3

Bell Tower Auction 9 a.m. Former Hefty Custom Canvas building, Sterling. Refreshments available.

Benefits Sterling United Methodist Church bell tower repairs & Building Fund. Rain or shine. Info: Jeff Olsommer, 570-689-9600 ext. 15 or www.auctionzip.com.

JUN. 3

Vintage Costume Jewelry Show 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sparta Avenue Stage, Sparta, NJ. Vintage dazzling necklaces, brooches, rings, bracelets & earrings

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

29

get connected

area events

available. Open to public; no fee.

Handicapped-accessible.

Info: Joyce Simmons, 201-213-2146 or simmonsjo@yahoo.com.

formance that belies the use of only one instrument. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

JUN. 3

Oliver The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, Swoyersville. Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens Info: 570-283-2195 or www.musicbox.org.

Bridge the Gap: Day Paddle 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Free paddle down the Delaware. Bring a lunch & a water bottle & dress for the weather. Extra water & snacks provided. Choose a canoe or kayak.

Registration & info: 570-828-2319.

JUN. 3

Poking in a Pond 10 a.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. A great family activity at Kettle Creek’s pond to learn about cool pond critters. Wear shoes that can get muddy or wet.

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

JUN. 3

Art Opening: Terry Flatt — “Favorite Images from Around the World” 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg.

Exhibit includes beautiful photos from countries including Great Britain, Europe, Africa, South America, Australia/New Zealand, Iceland & Norway. Runs through Jun. 29.

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

JUN. 3

JUN. 3–18

JUN. 4

Create Your Own Walking Stick 1–4 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Wood, tools, gloves & aprons provided, as well as suggestions & pointers on how to personalize your stick. Preregistration required. Maximum of 14 spaces.

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

JUN. 4

Classical Guitar Plays the Classics 3 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Classical guitarist Jay Steveskey performs. From Classic Rock arrangements to Classic movie themes, the Classic American Songbook to the Classical repertoire. Free admission. Info: 570996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com. bigSOUND presents: Japan!

4–5 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Afternoon of recorded music: Kabuki & other traditional music by Ensemble Nipponia. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

JUN. 4

JUN. 3

JUN. 4

Jacob Johnson 8 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Amazingly talented guitarist & songwriter, part virtuoso & part storyteller, gives a wildly impressive stage performance. Presented by RiverFolk Concerts.

Reservations & info: 845-252-6783 or riverfolkconcerts@frontier.com.

JUN. 3

Laurence Juber 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. A solo performer, recording artist, composer & arranger whose playing fuses folk, jazz, blues, pop & classical styles, creating a multi-faceted per-

Native American Stories with Live Animals!

5:30 p.m. Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, Covington Township. Storyteller Rebecca Lesko brings traditional Native American animal stories to life through her animated narratives. Get up close & personal with the live animals interwoven throughout the stories. All ages.

Info: 570-842-1506.

JUN. 8

Canoe/Kayak Trip at the Bog 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Monroe County Conservation District Cranberry Bog, Tannersville. See description at Jun. 1.

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

JUN. 8

Romping Radishes 4 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Exciting afternoon of Art in Nature! A healthy snack will be provided. Geared to students K–2, but all children are welcome. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

JUN. 8

JUN. 4

Rain Garden “How To” 11 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Create your very own backyard rain garden & help improve the environment & reduce flooding. After the program, visit the rain garden at the Dietrich. Free admission. Free admission. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

JUN. 7

40 Story Radio Tower With Vermilion 6:30 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. A totally unique brand of theater. Also featuring new musical guest’s influences of blues, country & classic, led by powerful, sensitive & emotional vocals. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

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

Influential Scottish singer, songwriter & guitarist in a solo acoustic show. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

JUN. 7

Public Bog Walk 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Monroe County Conservation District Cranberry Bog, Tannersville. Environmental Educators explain the Bog’s formation & its interesting plant & animal life. Wear appropriate footwear. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.

Stourbridge Pie 4–7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Superb local agricultural products, artisanal goods, locally produced art & live entertainment: the Well Bottomers, Robert Dugan & the Crackers. Free entry. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

JUN. 8–11

The Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. First annual JTIFF welcomes over 100 films from all over the world covering every genre & subject, from gritty underground & experimental films to well-funded traditional works.

Special late night grindhouse program on Fri. & Sat. nights. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

JUN. 9

Warrior Writers 7–9 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. Free.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

June 10–June 19 JUN. 10

5th Annual Pike/Wayne Benefit Dinner and Auction JUNE 9 Settler’s Inn, Hawley. In support of Marley’s Mission, a non-profit providing equine-based therapy free to children who have experienced trauma. Cocktail hour with unlimited beer & wine, four-course gourmet dinner, live & silent auctions. Tickets & info: www.marleysmission.com.

30 spread the word... full issues available online

Bird Banding and Breakfast 8–11 a.m. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Join university professors to check mist nets & learn about birdbanding birds. Afterward, a sit-down breakfast & presentation on parental bird behavior. Registration limited.

Info: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org.

JUN. 10

Kettle Creek Bird Fest 8 a.m.–1 p.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville.

A celebration of everything avian.

Learn about what makes birds so special with a lot of fun activities: games & bird walks, banding demos & the bird call competition.

[ www.connections-magazine.com ]

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

JUN. 10

Annual Arts & Crafts Fair in Bingham Park 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Bingham Park, Hawley.

Free admission. Entertainment in the Gazebo at 11 a.m. Info: 570-253-1960 or chamber@northernpoconoschamber.com JUN. 10

Bridge the Gap: Pond Paddle 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Beginners welcome. Dress appropriately — you may get wet. Spaces limited; call to reserve a canoe or kayak. Free.

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

JUN. 10

Pastel Painting Workshop 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up.

Accomplished pastel painter helps you produce a still life painting. Call for a supplies list: 570-996-1500.

JUN. 10

Annual Trout Parade 11 a.m.–3 p.m., Main Street, Livingston Manor, NY. Sponsored by Catskill Arts Society. Info: 845-436-4227 or catskillartsociety.org.

JUN. 10

Second Saturday Honesdale 6–9 p.m. Downtown Honesdale.

Festivaltown happening filled with music, art, comedy & community support. Info on Facebook.

JUN. 10

Milford After Dark Downtown Milford. Extended shopping hours, gallery events, live music & diverse dining options.

Info: www.milfordpa.us.

JUN. 10

Shadows of the 60s, a Tribute to Motown 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre.

Highly interactive & visually stunning production with top industry musicians & singers performing hits that span several decades, dressed in exquisitely designed costumes & with dazzling choreography.

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

JUN. 10, 11

The World Will Stop if We Make a Mistake The Cooperage, Honesdale. The New Vintage Ensemble begins their summer residency with a performance combining live-action, puppetry & time-lapse film. Reservations & info: info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020.

JUN. 11

Geology Hike 1–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Take a short hike & talk about rocks, fossils, glacial deposits, and what makes the park unique. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

JUN. 11

Public Bog Walk 1–3:30 p.m. Monroe County Conservation District Cranberry Bog, Tannersville. See description at Jun. 7.

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

area events

get connected

JUN. 11

JUN. 15

Golden Days of Radio Players Performance 2 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Dietrich Theater Radio Players’ live performance of favorite radio plays.

Experience the “theatre of the mind.”

Free admission. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

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

Board games, brain games, card games, more. Bring your own game, or choose from the collection. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.

12th Annual Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival

JUN. 15

JUNE 17

JUN. 11

Cruise-in The Park Dingman Township Park, Milford.

Info: www.dingmantownship.org.

JUN. 11

Three Dog Night 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

Legendary music icons celebrating nearly five decades. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 12

Northeasters Barbershoppers 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale.

Wayne County Creative Arts Council 50th Summer Festival. Refreshments available. No alcohol allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Main rain location: Grace Episcopal Parish Hall. Info: Mitzi Kielar, 570-785-3674 or Facebook.

JUN. 13

The Little Big Band 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale.

Wayne County Creative Arts Council 50th Summer Festival. Refreshments available. No alcohol allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Main rain location: Grace Episcopal Parish Hall. Info: Mitzi Kielar, 570-785-3674 or Facebook.

JUN. 15

Vince Gill 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Country Music Hall of Fame inductee with his latest solo album & more. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

JUN. 15

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

With special guests New Breed Brass Band. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

Free Workshop with Artist Ellen Silberlicht 7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale.

Roots & Rhythm featured visual artist demonstrates the science of making clay whistles. She hopes some attendees will volunteer to make them with her. Info: 570-253-5492 or honesdalerootsandrhythm.com.

JUN. 16

JUN. 13

JUN. 16

Bryan Adams at the Mohegan Sun Arena 8 p.m. Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

Third Thursday 6–9 p.m. Downtown Scranton. Actors, writers, musicians, & improvisational groups perform at various venues.

Info & monthly map: www.firstfridayscranton.com.

JUN. 14

Public Bog Walk 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Monroe County Conservation District Cranberry Bog, Tannersville. See description at Jun. 7.

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

JUN. 14

Dirty Dancing — Dietrich Film Favorites Series 1 & 7 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Free. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

JUN. 14

Travel the U.S. with Food: Hawaiian/Pacific Coast Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Culinary Book Club 2017: share recipes, food tastings. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.

JUN. 14

Movie Night in the Park Dingman Township Park, Milford.

Info: www.dingmantownship.org.

JUN. 15

Historic Tunkhannock Walking Tours 5 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

See description at Jun. 1.

Info: 570-996-1500.

Third Friday Wilkes-Barre 5–8 p.m. Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Enjoy original artwork & music, & meet artists, musicians & friends in a casual, family friendly atmosphere at participating galleries & businesses.

Info: thirdfridaywb@gmail.com or www.thirdfridaywb.com.

JUN. 16

Spanish Wine Dinner 7 p.m. The Settlers Inn, Hawley.

Featuring the culinary experience of Sommelier Claude Briere’s recent trip through Spain. Info & reservations: 570226-2993 or www.thesettlersinn.com.

JUN. 16

Al Stewart 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Al & musical partner Dave Nachmanoff take a trip through Stewart’s musical back pages, in terms of both the musical catalogue & performance style. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

JUN. 16

El Caribefunk 8–10 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Exotic fusion of Salsa, Funk, & Caribbean music, where undeniable rhythm & poetry express intense color and feeling. Info: 570-588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

JUN. 16–18

Bye Bye Birdie Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. A loving send-up of the 1960s, small-town America, teenagers, and rock & roll. High-energy score & a hilarious script. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

Honesdale. Free music & arts event features Bruce Katz, Thomas Wynn and the Believers, No Good Sister & headliner Larkin Poe in Central Park starting around 1:30 p.m. Opens at 10:30 a.m. with local bands along Main St., then moves to Central Park, where you can enjoy arts, crafts, games & food. Bring a blanket or chair. Info: 570-253-5492 or ghp@visithonesdalepa.com or honesdalerootsandrhythm.com.

JUN. 17

JUN. 18

Run, Hike, Crawl 5k Trail Run 8 a.m.–Noon. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Registration 8–9:30 a.m. Race 10 a.m. Awards ceremony 11:30 a.m. Runs through main campus & a variety of woodland habitats on two gorgeous trail loops, over pavement, dirt, rock & gravel. Rain or shine. Proceeds benefit Pocono Environmental Education Center.

Info: Derek Scott, DScott@peec.org or 570-828-2310 ext. 234.

Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Hike focused on wild edible & medicinal plants. No collecting will be done in the Park. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

JUN. 17

“Why-So” Stories with Hal Pratt 11 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

“Why-so” stories have all the answers, & storyteller Pratt shares them with you in a program for the entire family. Free admission. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

JUN. 17

The London Trio: Flute, Violin & Cello 5:30 p.m. Grey Towers N.H.S., Milford.

NJ-based group with works by Haydn & de Boismortier, & pieces specially written for the trio by Corneille & Cohn.

Info: 570-409-1269 or www.kindredspiritsarts.org.

JUN. 17

Lenape at Lacawac 7–9 p.m. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Presentation about the Lenape people & their lives in Eastern Pa., followed by a night hike on the Maurice Broun Trail. Bring a head lamp or flashlight & wear comfortable hiking shoes.

Registration appreciated. Free.

Info: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org.

JUN. 17

Water Street — Sherman Showcase 7:30 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 17

Sal “the Voice” Valentinetti 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg.

From “America's Got Talent.” Info: 570420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 17

Romeo Delight 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. The Ultimate Van Halen Tribute Band performs Van Halen’s Diamond-selling album “1984” & their greatest hits. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

JUN. 18

Father’s Day Brunch and Dinner The Settlers Inn, Hawley.

Info & reservations: 570-226-2993 or www.thesettlersinn.com.

JUN. 18

St. Joan — National Theatre Live on Screen 2 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Josie Rourke directs Gemma Arterton as Joan of Arc in an electrifying masterpiece.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

JUN. 18

The London Trio: Flute, Violin & Cello 4 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. NJbased group with works by Haydn & de Boismortier, & pieces specially written for the trio by Corneille & Cohn.

Info: 570-409-1269 or www.kindredspiritsarts.org.

JUN. 18

TOTO 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Performance features repertoire of their latest album XIV, classic hits, & both band & fan favorites from their vast catalog. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.

JUN. 19

Fun and Easy Stained Glass Jewelry 6–9 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up. Have fun & create a few pieces of unique wearable jewelry. No experience necessary. Cost includes all materials & tools.

Registration & info: 570-996-1500.

JUN. 19

Jazz Assassins 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale.

Wayne County Creative Arts Council 50th Summer Festival. Refreshments available. No alcohol allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Main rain location: Grace Episcopal Parish Hall. Info: Mitzi Kielar, 570-785-3674 or Facebook.

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

31

get connected June 20–June 30 JUN. 20–25

2017 Northeast Fair Grimes Industrial Park, Pittston Township. Musical entertainment, rides, motor sports, family attractions, special contests, exhibitors & vendors, & lots of delicious food.

Info: 570-654-2503 or www.northeastfair.com.

JUN. 21

Wayne Highlands Quilt Guild 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Chamber of Commerce, Honesdale. Welcoming quilters all ages & skill levels. Make new friends who share your passion for quilting. Show & Tell & refreshments.

Info: Deb, 570-224-4914 or debszoo@gmail.com.

JUN. 22

Unique Pathways Program Series 5:30 p.m. Hawley Public Library, Hawley. Mary Sue Sweeney Price began her career at the Newark Museum & rose to the position of Director & CEO. Hear the amazing story of how she made a significant impact in the art world. Free. Light refreshments served. Info: 570-226-4620.

JUN. 23

Dorflinger Salute to Summer Dinner 4:30 p.m. Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary, White Mills. Guided walk around Trout Lake, museum tour, dinner (7 p.m.), & presentation of the Rutherford award. Tickets & info: 570-253-1185 or shop.dorflinger.org.

JUN. 23

Open Mic Night — Jason Vo 7 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Performers of all types are invited to share their talents. Featured artist: guitarist Jason Vo. Free.

Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

JUN. 23

I Hate Heroes — Sherman Showcase 7:30 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Awake At Last, Zoume, We The People. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 23 & 24

Annual Rummage Sale 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Damascus Manor United Methodist Church, Damascus. Sponsored by United Methodist Women.

Lunch available. Info: 570-224-4217.

area events

JUN. 23–25

JUN. 24

Milford Music Festival Milford. Boro-wide music festival with traditional jazz as well as blues, rock, & pop. Local restaurants, artisans & shops set up on the streets.

Info: www.milfordpa.us.

Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo and Juliet 7 p.m. Riverside Park, Tunkhannock.

Free. Presented by Gamut Theatre Group. Followed by a talk-back session with the actors. Bring a blanket or chair. Info: 570-996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com.

JUN. 23–25, 29, 30

Bye Bye Birdie Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. See description at Jun. 16.

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

JUN. 23, 24, 29, 30

101 Dalmatians – Kids Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. Fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil & 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage. Certain to charm & delight all audiences. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com.

JUN. 24

Native Plants Walk 9 a.m.–Noon. Camp Speers YMCA, Dingmans Ferry. Botanist Dr. Ann Rhoads leads the Delaware Highlands Conservancy walk & answers questions about native plants & their habitats.

Wear sturdy footwear & dress for the weather. Free. Registration required: 570-226-3164 or 845-583-1010 or email info@delawarehighlands.org.

JUN. 24

2017 Tour of Back Mountain Gardens 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Back Mountain Bloomers Garden Club tour of at least seven beautiful private gardens located within a 5mile radius of Dallas. Horticulture DIY display & Design Exhibit with a Downton Abbey theme at Back Mountain Regional EMA center, & more. Info: www.backmountainbloomers.org or Angela Vitkoski, avitkoski@pecpa.org or 570-718-6507.

JUN. 24

Tunkhannock’s Founders Day 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tunkhannock. Over 150 specialty vendors, demos, entertainment & great regional food.

Info: ww.tunkhannockbusiness.com JUN. 24

Gardening with Native Species 1–2:30 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry.

Discusses the best way to make use of native species when planning & planting your garden. Free.

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

Fiddlin’ Around JUNE 22 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale. Wayne County Creative Arts Council 50th Summer Festival. Refreshments available.

No alcohol allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Main rain location: Grace Episcopal Parish Hall. Info: Mitzi Kielar, 570-785-3674 or Facebook.

JUN. 24

The Ballroom Thieves 8–10 p.m. Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley.

Acoustic show of harmony-driven Americana, Indie & Pop. Pent-up energy transmuted into a heftier, expanded sound, & self-examination. Info: 570588-8077 or harmonypresents.com.

JUN. 24

Craig Thatcher’s Eric Clapton Retrospective 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. The Craig Thatcher Band covers all of Clapton’s creative periods, from his early days with the Yardbirds & John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, through the classic Derek & the Dominoes years, to the present day. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.

JUN. 25

Introduction to Blacksmithing 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. A look at the history & basics of blacksmithing. Program includes live demos over a forge. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

JUN. 25

Doug Smith’s Dixieland All-Stars Concert 3 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock.

Light reception follows. Free admission. Tickets available by calling 570996-1500 or at the door while they last.

JUN. 25

Wayne Choralaires 50th Anniversary Concert 6 p.m. Queen of Peace Church, Hawley.

Show tunes, spirituals, patriotic songs.

Info: 270-253-2782.

JUN. 26

Wayne Choralaires 50th Anniversary Concert 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale.

Show tunes, spirituals, patriotic songs.

Bring seating. Rain location: Central United Methodist Church.

Info: 270-253-2782.

JUN. 26

Mac Seal — Sherman Showcase 6:30 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Harmony Woods, Head Spell, Spur, Beach Bod. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 27

Dirty Heads & SOJA 6:30 p.m. Levitt Pavillion Steel Stacks, Bethlehem. Leaning heavily on reggae fused with hip-hop cornerstones & scaling back for more acoustic fare.

With special guests The Green.

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

JUN. 29

The Von Storch Project 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale.

Wayne County Creative Arts Council 50th Summer Festival. Refreshments

32 spread the word... full issues available online [ www.connections-magazine.com ] 32 spread the word... full issues available online [ www.connections-magazine.com ]

available. No alcohol allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Main rain location: Grace Episcopal Parish Hall. Info: Mitzi Kielar, 570-785-3674 or Facebook.

JUN. 30

Exhibit & Reception: Peter Fiore Paintings 7–9 p.m. Alliance Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Free.

Exhibit runs through Jul. 29. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

JUN. 30

Exhibit & Reception: “Night Watch” 7–9 p.m. Loft Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Free. Exhibit runs through Jul. 29. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.

JUN. 30

Alternative Prom ’17 — Sherman Showcase 7:30 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Dorkasaurus, Sympotico, Amora. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.

JUN. 30–JUL. 3

Celebration with a Bang Family Nature Getaway Weekend Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Nature hikes, animal presentations, swimming, canoeing, fireworks, campfire & more.

Commuter & day rates available. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.

JUN. 30–JUL. 2, 7–9, 14–16

Curtains The Ritz Co. Playhouse, Hawley.

Musical. Info: 570-226-9752 or www.ritzplayhouse.com.

July 1–July 8 JUL. 1, 6, 13, 20, 28, 29

101 Dalmatians – Kids Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. See description at Jun. 23.

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

JUL. 2

Independence Day Celebration 7:30 p.m. Central Park, Honesdale.

Wayne Cty. Dixieland All-Stars 6:30–8 p.m. Crystal Band 8 p.m. to fireworks (approx. 9:30). Refreshments available.

No alcohol allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Rain date Jul. 3. Info: Mitzi Kielar, 570-785-3674 or Facebook.

JUL. 2, 6–9

Bye Bye Birdie Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. See description at Jun. 16.

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

JUL. 4

Fireworks over Lake Wallenpaupack 9:15 p.m. Fireworks display over the Big Lake. Parking & seating available at the Wallenpaupack High School. Free.

Rain date Jul. 5. Info: 570-253-1960 or chamber@northernpoconoschamber.com JUL. 5

Wednesday Night Jazz on the Deck The Settlers Inn, Hawley.

Info & reservations: 570-226-2993 or www.thesettlersinn.com.