MARCH 2018
Since 1998
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CONNECT MARCH 2018
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FEATURES HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT REAL ESTATE AGENT Picking the right agent can make all the difference in finding a comfortable home and making a sound investment. THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD DO WHEN MOVING INTO A NEW HOUSE As you make arrangements for a moving truck and coerce friends to help you lug your stuff up into the house, there are a few things you should be doing that you probably aren’t even thinking about. HOW TO GO FROM ZERO TO MILLIONAIRE IN 25 YEARS When you were a kid, a million dollars seemed like a milestone reserved just for rich people. But these days, it’s clear: If you want to retire in comfort, you need a seven-figure nest egg. TOP TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR THE SPRING SELLING SEASON Get rid of all the junk that irritates you… it will certainly turn off a buyer. Take a critical eye to your home. Maybe even have a third party do this. LIFT YOUR SPIRITS... US Route 6 in Pennsylvania has a solution for cabin fever – get out and taste some of the handiwork of our local brewmasters and vintners.
COLUMNS 5 16 18 20 22 24 25
WORDS FROM THE TEAM MONEY MRS. DOGOOD PRISON REFLECTIONS LIVING GREEN BOOK REVIEW BRIDAL SPOTLIGHT
26 28 30 32 34 36 37
POCONO SECRETS OUTDOOR RAMBLINGS CLASSIC CARS PETS BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE LASER VISION AREA EVENTS
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CONNECTIONS Magazine
president • publisher • editor in chief deborah bailey production manager meica drake account representatives barry weiss • dwight gregory editorial correction services kay marks assignment writer allison mowatt contributing writers fred cicetti, The Healthy Geezer 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
CONNECTIONS Magazine 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.
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 risks and to trust in their GOD will ever be made FREE.
© COPYRIGHT 2017 CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE
In 1997, Rev. Edwin E. Bailey, father of the editor, gave this poem to his daughter 8 days before he had a stroke and 3 weeks before he died. The poem was adapted from works by Leo Buscaglia. Edwin hand wrote this on a scrap of paper and gave it to his daughter, Deborah, saying the words, “Someday you’ll understand these words and use them. God bless sweetheart.” **These words were used in making the decision to purchase Connections Magazine in 2002. CONNECTIONS COPYRIGHTED 2007
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WORDS FROM THE TEAM
“
As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction.
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–An Irish Saying
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ren’t you lucky? We love St. Patrick's Day — That's why we've put together all the green Good Stuff for this month’s issue. Get off your couch and eat, drink and be Irish with everything happening in the area. Enjoy all the local potluck dinners, parades, parties and fun stuff St. Paddy’s Day brings. Put a little green in your pocket! From how to become a millionaire to getting your home SOLD by listing with one of the area pros, our March issue just might be your pot o' gold! Oh, don’t forget to go GREEN with YOUR BEER! : ) Cheers & Beers to a great day, The CM Team 570.647.0085 cmag@ptd.net
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THE RIGHT AGENT
By Anna Sachse | CTW Features 6 | CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE |
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who also represents the seller may not be here are many benefits to enlistin your best interest. Consider finding a ing an expert. Realtors - agents buyer's agent first and have that person who are members of the National help you pick out properties, Moore says. Association of Realtors and who adhere To ensure this process goes as smoothto its Code of Ethics and Standards of ly as possible, the Practice - are versed in experts agree it's also which homes are a good important to find somevalue in the current marBuying a house is one who is a good perket, what locations are probably the biggest sonality fit. "Buying a most desirable, what is probably the characteristics determine financial transaction house biggest financial transresale potential and how action most people will real estate law and conmost people will make in their lives, and tracts work. "If a buyer make in their lives... it can take a while," doesn't have extensive says Moore. "You knowledge of all the You should do it should do it with someaspects of a real estate with someone you one you can trust [and] transaction - such as spending time negotiating price terms can trust [and] enjoy enjoy with." and conditions of purspending time with. A good way to gauge if chase - they can easily you will get along is by be taken advantage of," interviewing potential says Mark Minnis, a broker/owner and agents in person.Ask about their areas of buyer's agent with InSight Real Estate expertise, the neighborhoods in which Portland, Ore. "But a Realtor is obligated the majority of their sales occur, if they by law to protect your interests." own any real estate themselves and Retaining a Realtor usually requires how long they've been in the no out-of-pocket expense on the business. part of the buyer, says Brady Keep in mind that many Moore, a Dallas-based (not all) agents may Realtor with Dave Perryrequire you to sign an Miller & Associates. An exclusive-representaagent's commission tion agreement, says will depend upon the Moore, the details listing and the conof which can vary. tract. In addition to readTo find a licensed ing over the conbroker or real estate tract, have a friend agent, your best bet who understands is to start with referreal estate also read rals from friends or it over. Keep in family, says Minnis, mind that a good especially if they are agent will work hard located where you are to meet your needs. looking. If new to a city, They may put in a lot use the "Find a REALof time helping you TOR" function at Realsearch, and they won't tor.org, the website for get paid until the sale. the NAR. Sometimes When they see that new buyers are tempted you are committed to working as a team, to find Realtors by calling listing agents they know they can dedicate all their for properties they like or stopping by effort to your home search. open houses in favorite neighborhoods, Area Real Estate Pros but be cautious. Working with an agent
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Area Real Estate Pros
Bridget Gelderman
Stephanie Matolyak
Davis R. Chant Realtors
Davis R. Chant Realtors
Bridget Gelderman, Realtor in Pike & Wayne Counties, PA is known for her innovative use of technology, social media and video in real estate. She uses cuttingedge technology to get homes sold!
Enthusiastic and very service oriented, Stephanie continues being a top agent as referrals keep rolling in! Establishing good relationships and cultivating a deep understanding of what her clients need results in a high level of sales.
e | bridget@geldermangroup.com c | 570.840.1314 o | 570.226.4518 w | www.sellingwallenpaupack.com
Tim, Heather & Paul Meagher RE/MAX Wayne & RE/MAX Best A local family-owned business that has helped thousands of families buy and sell real estate in Wayne & Pike Counties for over 30 years. Honesty, integrity, aggressive & innovative marketing. Supporting our community and 100% client satisfaction are the core values of our company. Our motto is "To treat everyone we work with as a member of our family." These principles help us to continue to be the top-selling real estate team in Wayne County year after year!
e | tim@remaxwayne.com c | 570.647.5045 Call/Text w | www.remaxwayne.com
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e | stephaniesfarm@yahoo.com c | 570.647.5353 o | 570.226.4518
Cindy Wildermuth Woodland Living Realty, LLC As a Realtor for over 20 years, Cindy recently established Woodland Living Realty, an independent brokerage, offering knowledgeable customized service. Cindy specializes in large rural acreages, and recreational opportunities with broad experience ranging from first-time homebuyers to real estate investments. e | cindywildermuth@gmail.com c | 570.470.4055
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NEW HOUSE TIPS
Things Everyone Should Do When Moving Into A
New House
{
Provided by Disaster Blaster
You’ve been packing your things with anticipation, and then it happens, the day you get handed the keys to your new house! It’s a moment that definitely ranks as one of the most exciting days of most people’s lives, and with good reason!
}
As you make arrange- Change the locks So if you’re like me, the one key the seller ments for a moving was able to find that opened the back door truck and coerce friends (because no one could find the key to the front to help you lug your door) likely isn’t going to be enough – plus, might want to actually use the front door! stuff up into the house, you So now’s a great time to go to the hardware there are a few things store for new locks (and extra keys!). If you had a seller that was a bit more organyou should be doing ized, you may have gotten more keys, but you that you probably aren’t still don’t know who they may have given a even thinking about. spare set to, or where a hide-a-key may be. 10 | CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE |
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Your best bet is to head to the hardware store for a new set of locks. You can purchase new deadbolts and install them yourself for as little as $ 10.00, and now you know who has keys to your house.
Prepare your house for your stuff Like most homeowners, we’re sure you’re eager to move all of your stuff in, but before you do, you may want to take a day to tidy up a bit first. Simple things like cleaning floors, vacuuming / steam cleaning carpets, etc., are far easier to do before your stuff is there. Take advantage of this rare opportunity to do the easiest house cleaning of your life! You can hire a carpet cleaning service to do this for you, or rent a carpet shampooer / steam cleaner from many hardware stores for about $ 30.00 per day.
Clean out your cabinets Putting your stuff in dirty cabinets can just be icky. Before you unpack the kitchen or bathroom, just take a few minutes to wipe out the cabinets and shelves so that you have a nice clean surface to put your glasses and plates on. Doesn’t that just feel better?
Familiarize yourself with the house Do you know where the circuit breaker is? Are the breakers labeled and accurate (surprise! – mine weren’t)? Do you know where the water shutoff is and how to operate it? Starting with the breaker box, have one person stay upstairs while another goes downstairs and trips the breakers one at a time. Once the person upstairs figures out what turned off, you can label the breaker and move on to the next one. It’s less exciting than unpacking your stuff, but it’s one of the most important parts of moving into a new home. When looking for your water shutoff, keep in mind there may be multiple shutoffs. Sometimes there may be shutoffs under kitchen or bathroom sinks or behind toilets. These are handy to know about, but the main shutoff (often in the basement) is the one you want to locate. This allows you to shut off all of the water in the house should you go out of town for an extended period of time, or in the event of a pipe break.
Do a walkthrough of the house While this is particularly important for homes that were vacant for any length of time,
it is useful whenever moving in to a new home. Take some time to walk through the house periodically looking for anything of concern. Leaky pipes (which could result in water damage and mold growth), running toilets (which can add significant expense to your water bill), and damaged shingles are just a few things to look out for. It’s a good idea to conduct regular inspections on your house so you can catch these things early. We recommend a walkthrough in the Spring and Fall.
Complete your first round of maintenance Being a homeowner is all about taking care of your investment, so why not start right away? Change out the filters in your furnace, clean out the gutters, have your ductwork cleaned, clean your dryer exhaust hose, etc. Many of these tasks take very little time to complete and even less expense! Changing the air filters in your furnace for instance only takes a few minutes and costs about $15 - $30. Completing a little maintenance now will ensure that everything is running in tip top shape and will allow you to recognize any potential issues quickly.
Evict critters and pests When I bought my house, we had a serious bat problem in the attic. While they’re very beneficial creatures, they need to find their own house… After doing a great deal of research on the subject, I found a service that was able to humanely relocate my unwelcome guests and seal off the house so they couldn’t move back in. They’re now living happily in their own homes… Whether it’s mice, squirrels, or bats, both they and you will be much happier with them back outside. Congratulations on your new home! While a home comes with many new responsibilities, they also bring with them a lot of opportunities and some amazing memories. About Disaster Blaster Disaster Blaster is an indoor environmental firm serving the Northeastern PA Area. Having provided our local area with unparalleled water damage mitigation, mold remediation, asbestos abatement, and radon mitigation services for decades, we are proud to have been recently named The World’s Greatest company providing such services. For more about Disaster Blaster, as well as more helpful tips, please visit our website at: www.disasterblaster.com or call our office at (570) 963-1123.
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BECOME A MILLIONAIRE
How to Go From Zero to
Millionaire in 25 Years
Provided by Jonathan “Josh” Sheard, Sage Investments, LLC
When you were a kid, a million dollars seemed like a milestone reserved just for rich people. But these days, it’s clear: If you want to retire in comfort, you need a seven-figure nest egg.
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hat can be a daunting task if you’re 40 with a big fat zero in your retirement account. It’s much easier to bury your head in the sand and pretend the retirement fairy will come through in the end. We hate to break it to you, but pixie dust won’t do jack for your golden years. The good news is you don’t need magic to enjoy a big, beautiful future. Build it on your own with these three steps.
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Grab Hold of Opportunity Today
Did you know you’re heading into your best earning years? According to the Census Bureau, the typical household income peaks at nearly $71,000 between ages 45 and 54. If ever there was a time to go full throttle with your retirement savings, this is it! Just make sure you’re out of debt with three to six months of expenses in your emergency fund first. That way, you have more of your best wealth-building tool— your income—to work with.
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So what does it take to rack up a cool million by retirement? Invest in good growth stock mutual funds with a strong track record, and $800 a month could land you $1–1.4 million after 25 years. Not bad for a midlife start at saving! In fact, if you bring home $60,000 a year, that’s just a smidge over the 15% Dave recommends investing. Just know procrastination will cost you. Wait just five years to begin saving, and you’d have to invest an extra $500 a month to hit your million-dollar goal. Even then, your potential shrinks to $980,000–1.2 million.
2
Make the Most of Job Changes
You’ve still got a lot of working years ahead of you. And odds are, you’ll change jobs at least once before you retire. When you do, you’ll have a decision to make: cash out your 401(k), leave it where it is, or roll it over into an individual retirement account (IRA). So what’s the right choice?
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Let’s say you have $25,000 in your 401(k) account when you leave your job and decide to use that money to pay cash for a car. At a 25% tax rate, you’d pocket $16,250. But the $8,750 the government keeps for taxes and penalties isn’t the only money you miss out on at cash-out. You’re saying goodbye to $270,000 in potential growth over 25 years too. Nothing’s worth that kind of loss! What if you leave your old 401(k) put? Many 401(k) plans charge higher fees, and without an employer match to make it worth your while, you’ll just lose money. For example, a 1% difference in fees could reduce your nest egg by nearly $50,000 if you let a $25,000 balance collect dust in an old 401(k) for the next 25 years. That’s why it’s best to roll your 401(k) over into an IRA any time you change jobs. If you request a direct rollover, you won’t be charged taxes and penalties for an early withdrawal. Your old 401(k) provider will simply write a check for your balance payable to the new IRA.
3
Don’t Wing It
Every year, the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies takes a close look at retirement attitudes among American workers. Their latest report revealed a startling trend: Nearly
half of 40-somethings have no written retirement strategy. No wonder only 1 in 10 workers in their 40s are sure they’ll retire in comfort! Look, this is your future we are talking about! You can’t throw caution to the wind and hope your best guess at retirement works. It’s time to get real with your goals. Start by dreaming with your spouse and putting your future hopes to paper. © Lampo Licensing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Josh is a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider for this area. He specializes in retirement income strategies, investments strategies, as well as additional financial strategies. His focus is on lifelong financial guidance and his commitment is to place clients first and provide unmatched customer service. He would be glad to answer any questions regarding the content of this article as well as any others. Call today at 570-729-1020 or email Josh at sage@cfiemail.com. You can also visit www.sageinvestments.net. Jonathan Sheard offers securities and advisory services through Centaurus Financial, Inc. member FINRA and SIPA and a registered investment advisor. This is not an offer to sell securities, which may be done only after proper delivery of a prospectus and client suitability is reviewed and determined. Information relating to securities is intended for use by individuals residing in PA, NY, AR, VA, FL, NC, GA, CT. Sage Investments, Dave Ramsey and Centaurus Financial Inc are not affiliated.
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PREPARE YOUR HOME
1
Declutter
Get rid of all the junk that irritates you… it will certainly turn off a buyer. Take a critical eye to your home. Maybe even have a third party do this. Living somewhere daily reduces the things you notice that might be a problem, i.e., dirty walls, scuffs and scrapes, leaks, or even odors that might be present that you have become accustomed to.
2
Fix broken stuff
Yes, that garage door opener that doesn’t work or the ice maker on the fridge. If it is staying with the house, it needs to be fixed. You have learned to live with it or without it, but a buyer will view it as neglectful and judge your whole
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house’s upkeep and maintenance on those couple of broken items.
3
Know what is selling around you and why?
Are homes selling quickly in your price range? Maybe you can be aggressive with your price. If you use a realtor, they will help arrive at price but know yourself as well. A realtor may not be as familiar with your area.
4
Clean and organize the closets
With the modular closet items available today, it is easy and inexpensive to dress up your closets. Storage really does matter when considering a new home.
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Make sure the outside entry way is in tip top shape
This is the focus from the street and also the first thing prospective buyer’s see when entering your house. Fresh paint on the from door and fresh flowers can make a big difference.
If you are not going to sell your home by yourself, then interview several realtors
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Ask them about your area, what their marketing plan will be, and negotiate commission. There are thousands of realtors and not all of them are equal. Don’t get frustrated by the fact that you pick one that simply puts a sign in your yard and waits for the low hanging fruit. You are going to pay this person a lot of money… make them work for it and for you!
7
Deep clean the kitchen and bathrooms
These areas of the home are generally the most cluttered and dirty. Both of those things will turn off willing buyers. Deep clean stove tops and ovens, cabinets and sinks. Also spend some extra time if you have a dirty shower or bath tub. If they don’t already, you want these things to sparkle.
8
Pet waste and signs of damage
Clean up the backyard or whatever area your pets use outside. Buyers will walk around the yard; you don’t want them to be distracted from your home because they are maneuvering through a mine field of dog droppings. Also, you can’t conceal damage but that doesn’t mean you can’t fix stuff. If the dog has chewed a door or scratched a wall… fix it. These easy and inexpensive fixes will pay great dividends when you sell the house.
9
De-personalize your home
You want prospective buyers’ to be able to visualize their family in the home, and that is much harder to do with all of your family’s stuff. So go ahead and pack up most of the pictures, trophies, mementos. You are going to do it any way to move, just get a head start.
Marty Basher is the home organization expert for Modular Closets. Modular Closets are high-quality and easyto-design closet systems you can order, assemble and install yourself, in no time at all. Using closet modules (closet pieces you can mix & match to design your own modular closet), homeowners everywhere are empowered to achieve the true custom closet look- for nearly 40% less than standard custom closets. Visit the site at https://www.modularclosets.com
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Money
Review Your Investment Objective Investment objective
Time horizon
Focusing on your investment objectives helps us align the other parts of your investment strategy – risk tolerance, time horizon, and liquidity needs – appropriately. Our asset allocation models are grouped within three overarching portfolio orientations: Income: Portfolios that emphasize current income with minimal consideration for capital appreciation. They usually have less exposure to historically more volatile growth assets. Growth and Income: Portfolios that emphasize a blend of current income and capital appreciation. They usually have some exposure to historically more volatile growth assets. Growth: Portfolios that emphasize capital appreciation with minimal consideration for current income. They usually have significant exposure to historically more volatile growth assets.
How long do you plan to invest before you’ll need the money? The answer, of course, depends on your stage in life and your goals. Time horizon is generally expressed as: • Immediate – Less than 1 year • Short-term – 1 to 3 years • Intermediate – 3 to 5 years • Moderate – 5 to 10 years • Long-term – More than 10 years
Risk tolerance
When building your portfolio, it can be tricky to figure out if you’re getting the best return for your risk level. Talk with your financial advisor to make sure your strategy is on track to help achieve your goals.
Everyone is different when it comes to factoring risk into their investment strategy. Risk tolerance is the amount of risk you’re willing and able to accept in order to help achieve your financial goals. Risk tolerance should be viewed along the following continuum: • Conservative investors accept the lowest amount of risk. • Moderate investors seek a balance between stability and appreciation in their portfolio. • Aggressive investors accept a higher risk for losses while seeking greater potential for returns.
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When checking your portfolio’s alignment, it’s also a good idea to make sure you’ve accounted for your liquidity needs. Liquidity measures the ease with which you can meet financial obligations with your available liquid assets. Liquidity needs include: • Significant (primary need is liquidity) • Moderate (may need quick access to cash) • None (have other sources of cash)
Our firm does not provide legal or tax advice. This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network and provided courtesy of Michael J Krupa, Krupa Wealth Management in Honesdale, PA 570-253-0121. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. Krupa Wealth Management is a separate entity from WFAFN. © 2017 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved.
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LOCAL BEER & WINE
LIFT YOUR SPIRITS WITH A TRIP ACROSS ROUTE 6 US Route 6 in Pennsylvania has Staggering Unicorn a solution for cabin fever – get Winery 10952 North Rome Rd., out and taste some of the Athens. Winery making handiwork of our local brewfruit and specialty wines masters and vintners. An including Cherry, Blackberry, increasing number of wine Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Strawberand craft beer trails are using ry-Pineapple, Cinnamon, Orange Spice, Cranberry, Honeysuckle and many more. Route 6 to link their members; http://www.staggeringunicorn.com while a few new breweries and wineries are popping up 2 Dogz and a Guy along the historic highway. Brewery Here are 6 new tasting adventures from west to east on Route 6:
Brokenstraw Wine Cellars 3 North Main St., Youngsville. A small winery, established in 2017, that makes a large selection of dry and sweet wines, specializing in sweet fruit wines.
Twisted Vine Winery 13106 Route 948, Kane. Located in the beautiful Allegheny National Forest, the winery specializes in fruit wines and special flavors. The two story tasting room invites you to linger and enjoy your time at the winery. Be sure to browse the gift shop. http://visitanf.com/twisted-vine-winery/
228 Church St, Montrose. Opened in September 2017, offering fresh locally brewed beer, ale and lagers in Montrose. www.2dogzandaguybrewing.com
Marilake Winery 209 Main St., Childs. Continuing the Old World tradition of winemaking, this restaurant and winery offer a variety of wines. www.marilakewinery.com/
Wallenpaupack Brewing Company 73 Welwood Avenue, Hawley. Wallenpaupack Brewing Company is a craft brewery and brewpub featuring our craft beers on tap, a menu of locally sourced, inhouse prepared food, and merchandise. Food and beverages are available through counter service.
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MRS. DOGOOD
IT’S TIME By The Reverend Mrs. Silence DoGood
Dear Editor, Small places can sometimes have big surprises. The farming hamlet of Halo, Pennsylvania is just such a place. I live in Halo, PA as The Senior Pastor of The First Church of God’s Love. Mr. Henry Jennifer and his wife Gladys moved to Halo about twenty five years ago. He retired as president and owner of AquaPort, Inc., a mechanical engineering firm that specializes in construction projects involving water. He sold his company after a very competitive bidding war. The Jennifers had spent their thirty one years of marriage in a suburban community, but they became restless. Everything seemed closer than before. Life was crowded. Traffic had become stressful. Suburban noise was relentless. More jets flew over their home on their way to the international airport which greyed the blue sky. So they decided to try something new. They decided to live in a farming community. After an extensive search, Henry and Gladys decided to live in Halo. They purchased the Hansen Farm which consists of over 130 acres. It has a beautiful farm house which sits on top of a hill overlooking a three acre pond. The farm also has several barns, silos and outbuildings. When Gladys saw the view from the farm house she said it looked like it should be on “the label of a cottage cheese package.” Henry knew then and there that Hansen Farm would be their new home. The farm had been in Charlie Hansen’s family for over one hundred and fifty years, but it was time for Charlie to move on. He and his two sons purchased a car wash in upstate New York. They were very tired of milking cows twice a day, seven days a week, and fifty-two weeks a year. After the closing, Henry sold off the cows and began to create the life of a country gentleman. He demolished several outbuildings and sold the exterior-weathered wood to a local artist. He converted one of the barns into his workshop. He volunteered on the fundraising committee of the local hospital and eventually was asked to join its board. Gladys became active in the local arts organization and library. One day when Henry was sitting on the patio
overlooking his three-acre round pond he noticed the swimming platform which he had placed in the middle of the pond had come loose. It had moved to the eastern edge of the pond which was the farthest from the house. Several days later it had moved to the southern edge of the pond. The wind and the springs that fed the pond were moving it. A few days later it was sitting closest to the house. Finally, it was at the northern edge. It had touched each of the four quadrants like the hands of a clock: the 12, the 3, the 6, and the 9 and in that order. After a few days of thinking about what he had seen, Henry wondered if he could build a clock in his pond. Using his degree as a mechanical engineer and his many years of experience at AquaPort, Inc. he did it. It took him almost three years but there it was. A submerged clock with a long thin row boat as the small hand and a pair of long oars as the big one. It even had wooden white numerals around the pond. Twenty years ago I wasn’t there the day he started the clock, but the boards of the hospital and the library were. They all drank champagne as he and Gladys renamed their farm to It’s Time Farm. The clock has been delighting the invited kids from the local camps during each summer. Henry made sure to teach the kids how to tell time on an old fashioned clock as many couldn’t in this digital age. I recently held the memorial service for Henry at my Church. After the service I asked Gladys if she was still going to run the clock. She said “No. It’s time.” Amen
The Reverend Mrs. Silence DoGood Senior Pastor Executive Director President Chairman Choir Master (part-time) The First Church of God’s Love
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Prison Reflections
“Fast Track to Addiction” By Terry Mooney
Part II
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his young man is still trying to find his way. He seems somewhat bewildered by his life so far, but is forging ahead to maturity and attempting to find answers to how he lost his way. He is participating in programs that will help him sort things out.
My Story I barely graduated from high school and immediately joined the Army. It was something I’d always wanted to do. My uncle was in the Army, and we would see him a couple of times a year at the holidays. I think the stories he told us impressed me. I didn’t want to go to college, so I figured I could travel and see different places. My first station was Jackson, South Carolina, then I went to Missouri and then from there I was in Queens, New York. So much for seeing the world! Towards the end of my contract of six years, I got into a car accident off base, rear ended on the Major Deagan Expressway. A mild concussion and two ruptured discs later, I was put on Percocet, prescribed to me for the next six months. Because it was all legal, no one had a problem with it, except for the effect it was having on me. I began to lose the drive for my dream, which was to make a career out of the military. In the seventh month, the doctor abruptly stopped the prescription. He was being investigated for overprescribing and began cutting back. Meanwhile, I had my first experience with opiate withdrawal, throwing up, fever, hot and cold flashes, sweating, restless legs, insomnia and depression, too. My brother was also taking pain killers, though recreationally, and saw me sick. He knew how bad it was and began selling me the pills. Eventually, even getting those pills became impossible since there was such a crackdown on the doctors. Welcome to heroin. Cheaper and easier to get, the high lasted longer. Incarcerated in the Pike County Correctional Facility, I’m in jail for the first time in my life. You see, I was charged with retail theft to feed my habit and put on probation which required me to submit to periodic drug testing. I came up dirty for heroin and, to my utter shock, I also came up dirty for fentanyl. Imagine being outraged that someone has added another type of poison to your poison of choice without your permission. Insane! I’ve fathered two children, both girls. I’ve lost all parental rights to the first one, who is now five years old, due to my drug use. The second child is seventeen months, and I do the Voices of Hope program offered by the jail where I read her a story and it is recorded on a CD that the jail sends her so she can hear my voice. I thought my life would be over being in jail, but then I realized I could make something good out of it. I am enrolled in the ARROW (Actively Reducing Recidivism Opens Windows) program, and I am working in the kitchen. Many retired male professionals are coming in as volunteers to help us reconstruct our lives, teaching us Money Management, Life Skills, Integrity, Parenting, Smart Recovery, to name a few. The Employment Skills program has helped me the most so far because we do mock interviews, and I will need a job when I get out. As long as I still have hope, I believe I can make something out of this.
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Recycling as Part of Your Household Routine By Jocelyn Cramer
Let’s be honest. Recycling is like eating healthy. We know it’s a good idea, but time and money affect our decisions about how often we do both. 22 | CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE |
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ost of us recycle, one way or another - whether it is passing down clothing from one child to a younger one, or sharing your favorite book with a friend when you’ve finished. Sharing these recycling facts may help you implement better practices into your household routine and make recycling easier for you. Recycling sets a good example for all. Teach your children to: #1 Refuse – don’t take what you don’t need (take-out cutlery, straws, travel shampoos; catalogues etc.); #2 Reduce – cut down on products and/or packaging you do not need (just say no to styrofoam and plastic grocery bags); #3 Reuse or
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Recycling
Repurpose; #4 Recycle. This hierarchy reinforces the same lessons we teach children about not wasting food or money. Recycling allows every individual to help the environment in a significant way. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 75% of what American throw away can be recycled, and we are currently only recycling about 30% of what is possible. Recycling reduces carbon emissions. Here is a paragraph from the EPA’s website that demonstrates what recycling Americans are accomplishing: “Recycling and composting prevented 87.2 million tons of material from being disposed of in 2013, up from 15 million tons in 1980. This prevented the release of approximately 186 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the air in 2013— equivalent to taking over 39 million cars off the road for a year”.1 Wayne County supports recycling. The county owns a recycling center in Berlin Township that operates 6 days a week. Additionally, they offer collection in municipalities throughout the county on various Saturdays. There is no charge. Helpful volunteers help carry and/or sort items. Accepted items include glass/plastic bottles, clothing, newspapers, magazines, metal cans, cardboard boxes and junk mail as well as shoes and clothing.2 If you use county collection sites, sort as they do. Take some time to set up boxes in your home/garage. You can support Wayne County. The county receives funds for recycling. The more recycling the county collects, the more revenue it collects.
Lastly, here are a few tips to encourage more recycling and further reduce waste: • Ask that your employer implement recycling practices or increase recycling efforts. • Shop with waste in mind. At the grocery store, consider how foods are packaged, and purchase items that are in recyclable packaging. Bring your own reusable bags. • Take your own doggie bag container to the restaurant. JUST SAY NO to styrofoam. Styrofoam and other plastics contain harmful chemicals3 and have been banned in some cities. DID YOU KNOW? Wayne and Pike Counties are home to many environmental organizations, working to preserve and protect our natural resources. Those organizations are part of the Pike Wayne Conservation Partnership and offer many free events throughout the year.4 #1–https://archive.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal/web/html/ #2–http://waynecountypa.gov/330/Recycling #3–http://www8.nationalacademies.org/ onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=18725 #4–https://pikeconservation.org/about/partners-in-conservation/ Visit SEEDS (Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support) at www.seedsgroup.net and sign up for our free monthly enewsletter with lots more tips, updates on our free forums and sustainable initiatives in our area.
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Jocelyn Cramer is the Executive Director of SEEDS: 1030 Main Street, Honesdale. Phone: (570) 245-1256.
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Book Review WHAT IF YOUR ENTIRE FUTURE WAS MAPPED OUT FOR YOU?
friend, too, which was something Justyce couldn’t understand. He didn’t get why All you’d have to do is show up, keep Manny agreed with Jared’s comments or your nose clean and your mouth shut. But why he hung out with Jared’s crowd. what if you couldn’t? What if the color of Manny was black. He had a cousin who your skin had some bearing on it, and was gang-banging, but he stayed friends your outrage and need for understanding with a fool. made you speak up? As in the new No matter. Justyce had his own issues, novel, “Dear Martin” by and he wondered what Nic Stone, WWMLKD? Martin would do. Surely, It was supposed to Dr. King wouldn’t stay have been a nice thing. quiet about racial profilWhen Justyce McAllising. Would Martin fall ter saw his ex-girlfriend, for a white girl? And Melo, next to her car, this: Martin chose to be drunk and half-dressed, nonviolent, but what he knew there was no about everybody else? way she could drive herWhat can you say self home, and he wasn’t about a book that surabout to leave her in prises, gives you goosethat neighborhood. She bumps, makes you hollered when he took happy, and then makes her keys. She smacked you sad? If it’s “Dear him as he poured her Martin,” you say, “Yes, into the passenger’s seat, please.” which was nothing comThrough an observant pared to what happened narrator and the spot-on when the cops stopped voice of a teenage boy, and cuffed him, thinking author Nic Stone takes that he was hurting Mel, national news and gently whose skin was more twists it into a believable light than black. tale that’s smooth and He’d never forget the somewhat unruffled By Nic Stone feel of those cuffs, which until – bam! – Stone Reviewed by led him to a search for drops a gigantic stone Terri Schlichenmeyer understanding through into the story. If you the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. haven’t fallen for her perfectly-created Justyce felt if he could live like Martin, he characters by that point, she’ll have your might be able to tolerate things like being compete attention there. What happens guilty until proven innocent because of next, and next after that, is unexpected – his race. don’t even try to guess – and it’ll have you He might also be able to withstand guys turning pages. Indeed, you’ll absolutely like Jared, who was in Justyce’s debate need to know how this tale ends and how class. From his head to his toes, Jared was a man who’s been dead nearly five racist, hiding behind fake equality in his decades impacted it. pathetic arguments and complaints about reverse discrimination. This may be one of the most truthful, Couldn’t everybody see through people chilling novels your teenager may read like that? this winter, but you need to find it anyNo, Manny couldn’t. Manny was way. “Dear Martin” is a winner, and what Justyce’s best friend, but he was Jared’s if you miss it…?
“Dear Martin: A Novel”
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Title
S
eptember is a busy time of year in northeast PA. Children go back to school, fields and flowers are in their last full flush, and celebrations abound to take advantage of late summer weather. Jessica and Adam's wedding day was a perfect amalgamation of all the good things about September. They even had two events we consider very lucky; just a bit of rain and our neighborhood eagle swooping down to pay respects. Family and friends gathered from near and far and everyone played a part in making the day memorable. Jessica and Adam, having almost reached their 10th anniversary, were relaxed and clearly more in love than ever. Ollie Grey provided a yummy meal followed by a scrumptious cake and cupcakes from renowned Beach Lake Bakery. The photographer, Merrisa Caroline, captured the true essence of the farm and of her long time friends. Adam's dapper attire, from Arts for Him, was the perfect combination for their late afternoon party, and A Touch of Class DJ got him and his guests on the dance floor for hours. We were thrilled to share the beautiful September day with Jessica, Adam and their family here at the farm!
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Two Rivers Marathon
L AC K AWA X E N ’ S TWO R I V E R S M A R AT H O N MARCH 24 & 25, 2018 By LA Guzda
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m not sure what surprised me more – to learn there was a Lackawaxen Marathon or the fact that there are people who run back-to-back marathons! I didn’t even know that was possible. But some of the 600+ participants will be doing so for the 7th annual Two Rivers Marathon Race Festival, the weekend of March 24 and 25, 2018.
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In fact, that’s one reason this is such a unique festival; races are held on both Saturday and Sunday. An athlete can run a marathon, half-marathon, 10k or 5k on Saturday and Sunday. They can run any combination of races on each day. The Marathon Maniacs Running Club has many members who run a marathon on both Saturday and Sunday, hence the appropriate name of
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their group. The Saturday marathon will be the fourth consecutive year that it has been named as the Pennsylvania State Marathon Championship Event. The events feature the pristine beauty of Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and the Delaware and Lackawaxen Rivers. The marathon and half-marathon both feature a net elevation loss of 620 feet, which makes for very fast times. Many athletes have qualified for the Boston Marathon at this race. The principal beneficiary of the event is the Lackawaxen Volunteer Fire Department. The Woodloch Springs Sports Complex, also located in Lackawaxen, has created a “Runner’s Club” to inspire and help condition folks for the event. Whether you are a seasoned runner or a newbie, their package includes a personal fitness program, full use of the facilities as well as the registration fee for the 5k or 10k. Further race information is available at www.tworiversmarathon.com For Sports Complex info visit www.woodlochsportscomplex.com or call 570.685.8143.
“Running is a mental sport, and we are all insane.” 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
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Outdoor Ramblings
Fun in the Fleeting Days of Winter By Bill Deaton |
williamjdeaton@yahoo.com
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ost folks that enjoy the outdoors, by this time of the year are itching for warmer days after three months of wintery weather. Snow enthusiasts, on the other hand, typically can be found offering sacrifices to Jack Frost for one more nor’easter to blanket the region before the inevitable spring thaw. Thankfully, for all parties involved, March tends to be fickle. While spring-like conditions sometimes may tease, keep in mind that wholly 21 days of the month lie in winter. Truth be told, I generally log ten or so days of skiing during March, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t strap my snowshoes on at least five times through the course of the month. Largely for those facts, I have a hard time relegating this month to the season of “spring”, but the warmer days do tend to afford me the luxury of not having to bundle up like an Eskimo in order to enjoy myself. If the weather permits, and usually it does, you can ski in short sleeves and snowshoe wearing shorts. If you’re willing to embrace the craziness of March, it can be the best of both worlds. Just keep in mind a few things:
your gloves on. You don’t necessarily need heavy, insulated gloves, but 1} Keep lighter liner gloves or ones made of a thin fleece should be a requirement. Spring snow is still cold and the daily freeze-thaw cycle that goes on can turn the snow into tiny, icy shards that could leave your dukes a bloody mess if you take a spill. your poles snowshoeing. Hidden dangers can be found under the snow 2} Take more so during this time of the year than anytime else. Flowing water will erode the surface from the bottom up creating gaps over creeks and streams. If you hear water under the snow, use the poles to probe for pockets. If you do bust through, your poles can help you get out of the drink and back on your feet. your shades, lip balm, and sunscreen. Sunlight is getting stronger as we 3} Take head towards the equinox, and the light bouncing off the snow is getting brighter and can do more damage than it did a few weeks ago. dry below. Waterproof boots for hiking or snowshoeing are a must. Knee 4} Stay high waterproof gaiters are probably a good idea as well. You could ski in your shorts, but a lightweight pair of rain pants can serve as an ideal springtime substitute for snowpants. They will keep you cooler and offer more protection from the slush and ice crystals. a tarp. It doesn’t have to be a big one. Have something waterproof to sit on 5} Pack while taking a break from your snowshoe trek. If you need to remove your boots to change socks or shed layers, you also have a changing platform to stay out of the snow. prepared for thin cover. On the slopes, rocks and grass can present obstacles 6} Be especially later in the day. Unless you like dripping P-Tex into your bases and tuning your edges, try to steer clear. If you are snowshoeing, take some webbing or enough cord to fashion a make-shift carrier if you have to defrock your snowshoes and haul them over your shoulders. More than once I’ve snowshoed up the shady side of a hill only to find a mile of bare trail on the sunny side downhill. While it can be hit-or-miss for snowshoeing this month, most of the local ski areas should be going strong at least through mid-March. Enjoy the fleeting days of winter! Soon enough you’ll have to stash the snow gear in the basement for a few months. www.connections-magazine.com
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Classic Cars
1958
Chevrolet
Corvette By Arnie Milidantri
For anyone who has ever dreamt of owning a sports car, an “American made muscle sports car,” the ownership of a 1958 Chevrolet Corvette made for one great dream! They’re low to the ground, noisy, ride a little bouncy, and are difficult to get in and out of for the more mature driver. They’re also extremely rare, fiercely protected by their owners, and coveted by young and not so young. Car enthusiasts with a passion for great looking fast cars would agree there is only one true American made sports car, the Chevrolet Corvette! 30 | CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE |
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As I have stated before: “For those of us lucky enough to have owned one, still own one, or have ridden in one, the sound, feel, and thrill are a tap of the gas away. It doesn’t matter if you have long hair, short hair, blonde, black, grey hair or no hair; if you’re driving an old or new “Vette,” you’re cool! As we get ready to enter the cooler fall season, in addition to viewing great leaves, we are entering some of the best car cruising weather. And for those of us lucky enough to witness another Northeast Pennsylvanian seasonal transition, we just might see a rare sight; a 1958 Corvette being driven by its owner who is enjoying his dream car! The car featured in this month’s article is a rare 1958 Chevrolet Corvette owned by Mr. Jeff Sias of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, a regular at Northeastern PA cruises and shows. The Corvette is a true “head turning” sports car: low to the ground, noisy, rides a little bouncy, is difficult to get in and out of for the more mature driver, extremely rare, fiercely protected by its owner and yes, coveted by young and not so young car enthusiasts.
1958 in the near future. Because of life’s ever-changing commitments and priorities, the 1958 Corvette would spend the next 32 years of its life being shuffled through a variety of storage places in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Jeff, though tempted, never gave up his dream of someday again driving his 1958 Corvette. Finally, in 2010 Jeff, with the help a mechanic friend, started a mechanical restoration on a rare 1958 Corvette. The engine is not original to the car but is era correct. Originally a 283 cu in was stretched to 292, and all new internal parts installed. The suspension, braking and fuel systems were completely refreshed. After almost nine months in the shop, the 1958 was ready to cruise. In talking to Jeff, he stated that he plans to start the car’s cosmetic restoration, some plastic surgery to repair 45 years of living, installing the correct washboard louvered hood, the continued restoration of all body chrome, and a new “foot deep” paint job are some of what Jeff hopes to focus on in the near future.
Featured Car The 1958 Corvette was purchased in 1972 by Jeff, the second car he ever owned and was his everyday car. For the next six years, the car served Jeff well, providing a cool ride for his college activities (classroom and beyond), and as station car as he started his engineering career. In 1978, Jeff’s 1958 Corvette’s engine started knocking (later discovered to a bad bearing). The engine was pulled, and just when Jeff was ready to install the rebuilt engine back in the 1958, he purchased a 1971 LT-1 Corvette (which he still owns). Unable to afford having two Vettes on the road, he chose to enjoy his new ride and restore the www.connections-magazine.com
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Pets
To Fly or Not To Fly: Is Air Travel the Right Choice for Your Pet? – Part II
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ong-distance options for traveling with pets are very limited, and flying is sometimes the best alternative. Flying is a fast and convenient way to get to your pet to their destination - rather than spending hours in a car, they will spend just a short time on a plane.
If you're unsure about whether flying is the right decision for you, here are some additional questions you should ask yourself. Will your pet fly with you in the cabin or in the cargo hold? Checking your pet as cargo is a bit more complicated and not without risk. Loss and injury to your pet are possible. However, 2 million pets take to the skies each year, and the vast majority arrive safely to their destinations, without incident. If you have concerns, you can view the Department of Transportation's Animal Incident Report. Airlines are required to post information each month about any incidents that occur regarding pets. Keep in mind the reports are posted about a month after the month in which they occurred, so incidents in February will be posted in April.
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Every airline has different procedures, and cargo areas and capacities and conditions vary from plane to plane. In most cases, baggage handlers strap animal crates in place in the cargo area. Some airlines wrap the crate with perforated air-cushioned rolls, while others don't. In many cases, pets are held in cargo areas directly below the passengers. Every compartment of every plane is pressurized for safety. The section of the cargo area that houses perishables and pets is temperature-controlled. In spite of this, temperatures can and do vary; however, during average weather they don't generally fall into an unsafe range. Some airlines provide a small climate-controlled compartment specifically for animals just under the cockpit. If your dog is particularly sensitive to temperature or pressure, or has breathing issues, the cargo area may not be safe.
Do you have a health certificate for your pet? All airlines require you to present a valid health certificate completed by a licensed veterinarian for any pets that will be traveling in the cargo area. Some will accept health certificates completed within 30 days of travel, while others require certificates completed within 10 days. It's better to hedge your bets and have your pet checked out 10 days before you travel. A health certificate is not necessarily required for pets traveling in cabins with their owners (although you should check with your airline to be sure of their specific rules). That being said, most states do require that pets who cross into their borders have proof of up-to-date rabies vaccines and valid, recent health certificates. To be on the safe side, it's wisest to get a health certificate for your pet, even if he'll be flying in the cabin.
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Are you flying during extreme temperatures? While the cargo area that carries your pets is climate controlled during flight, there is no temperature control while the plane is parked on the ramp with the engines off. While many airlines have a first-on, first-off rule for pets to minimize the time they stay in inclement weather, there's still no guarantee they will be safe from heat or cold. Most U.S. airlines won't even accept pets in the cargo area if the forecast calls for temperatures below 45 degrees or above 85 degrees, although they may accept an acclimation certificate for some animals. If you plan to fly during periods of extreme cold or heat, your pet may be better off left at home.
When will you be traveling? If you need to fly during peak hours, such as mid-afternoon, or during peak seasons, such as summer or spring break, expect more crowds, more noise, more stress and less space for your pet. Because airlines restrict the number of pets that board, you may also have a harder time getting on your flight. Late-night and early-morning flights are less likely to be crowded, as are fall and winter flights (provided they don't coincide with holidays).
Sheeba 1 and a half year old short-haired female cat who is very sweet and loving. She has been at our shelter her whole life (over a year) and is good with children, cats, dogs, and is litter box trained.
Are you planning to take a direct flight? Multiple layovers increase the chances of something going awry. In addition, taking a direct flight will minimize stress on your pet. The choice to take your pet on a flight is yours alone to make. After all, you know your pet and your needs best. However you travel, always follow established safety guidelines for your pet to ensure that he has a happy, healthy and fun trip.
About TripsWithPets.com TripsWithPets.com is the #1 online resource for pet travel. Named best pet travel site by Consumer Reports, TripsWithPets.com's mission is to offer resources that ensure pets are welcome, happy, and safe while traveling. The website features a directory of pet friendly hotels and accommodations across the United States and Canada, as well as airline & car rental pet policies; pet friendly restaurants, beaches, and events; a user-friendly route search option; pet travel tips; pet travel supplies; and other pet travel resources. About the Author Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.
Dallas 3 year old Hound/Retriever mix. He is very sweet and playful and loves to go for walks. He gets along well with other dogs and is house trained. Dallas would do best in a home with no cats and no small children.
Available for adoption at Dessin Animal Shelter! Call 570-253-4037.
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BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE
When Medications Really
Don’t Work By Arthur Middleton, M.D., FAPA
A miracle drug is any drug that will do what the label says it will do.
I
~ Eric Hodgins
n a New York Times article by Richard A. Friedman, M.D. (A Dry Pipeline for Psychiatric Drugs – August 19, 2013), the author cites data with regard to the use of psychiatric drugs in the United States population. According to a report from Medco Health Solutions, Inc., it is estimated that one-infive adults is taking at least one medication to treat a psychological and behavioral disorder. The medications are antidepressants, antipsychotics, attention deficit disorder drugs, and anti-anxiety medications. The N.Y. Times author references a report from the National Institute of Mental Health; The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. This report gives the details of mental disorders that are experienced by the American population numbering 57.5 million people. While this article goes on to describe the author’s opinion about the lack of innovation in the development of new psychiatric drugs, it also points to another issue; that many of the medications that are prescribed to treat psychiatric disorders such as Schizo-phrenia, Major Depression and Bipolar Disorder often have significant side effects and may not work as effectively as they are expected to. According to the National Institute of Health, Major Depressive Disorder is the leading cause of disability in the United States affecting 14.8 million American adults, or 6.7 percent of the population in the United States (age 18 or older in any given year). Focusing exclusively on Major Depressive Disorder, as cited in a psychiatric text; Treatment Resistant Depression (J.F. Greden, M.D., M.B. Riba, M.D., M.G. McInnia, M.D.), the authors’ note that while Major Depressive Disor-
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der affects as many as 300 million individuals worldwide at some point in their lifetimes, it is estimated that 30% to 40% of this population will be resistant to the medication. This is identified as Treatment Resistant Depression or TRD, and it affects 4% to 5% of the U.S. population treated for depression. Considering there is no laboratory test to determine to what extent a clinical depression exists to begin with, how is Treatment Resistant Depression identified and is there a course of treatment for TRD? The following fictional clinical vignette is presented to highlight the issues involved in identification of Treatment Resistant Depression and treatment strategies that may be considered. JT is a 45-year-old married father of two children, ages 8 and 13. JT is a plumber. He has worked in this line of work since he was a teenager as his business was started by his father. His father, now in his late sixties, is looking forward to retiring and turning the business over to his son. However, JT has had a long struggle with depression, which has made it difficult for his father to retire. JT first experienced depression at the age of 18 following the death of his mother. It was an unexpected death; his mother was hit by a car when the family was in the parking lot of a shopping mall. While his two older brothers were able to recover and move on, JT never got over tragedy of this event. He went to his primary care doctor, who referred him to a therapist. JT did improve with therapy, which he continued for several years. At that time, he did not require medication. He attended college and was planning to study to become an architect but was reluctant to go into debt, and his father, struggling to keep his plumbing business afloat, could
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not afford to pay for the continued cost of his son’s education. JT dropped out of college and decided to join his father in the plumbing business. He and his wife, a school teacher, had two children and began to grow the business. Over the last ten years, he had several episodes of depression that required medication. At the age of 35, JT was first treated with an antidepressant that was prescribed by his primary care doctor. JT was finding it difficult to go to work as he began to recall the details of his mother’s death. He was unable to finish large projects that often involved working with contractors building homes. His primary care doctor prescribed Prozac or fluoxetine, which seemed to be effective initially. However, after he began to experience a return of the symptoms he associated with depression, the Prozac dosage was increased and again he seemed to do well only later to slip into another depression. Over the course of time, JT was treated with a number of antidepressants owing to his insistence that the medication stopped working. Eventually he was treated with all of the SSRIs or selective serotonin inhibitors; citalopram or Celexa, escitalopram or Lexapro, fluoxetine or Prozac, paroxetine or Paxil and sertraline or Zoloft. JT could not work a full day, which made it increasingly difficult for his father. JT’s marriage was suffering as well. His wife was frustrated by his failure to respond to the medication and began to wonder aloud if her husband was really trying to get better. JT’s primary care doctor had also prescribed additional antidepressants, including nortiptyline or Pamelor, which is a tricyclic antidepressant. This class of antidepressants is no longer a first line treatment as it is an older medication with many side effects; dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation, which made it impossible for JT to do his work. Other antidepressant medications included Effexor or venlafaxine, which works by increasing two chemicals in the brain; serotonin and norepinephrine and Wellbutrin or bupropion, which works by increasing norepinephrine and dopamine. JT had always been resistant to seeing a psychiatrist because he felt that if he did so, it would mean that he was “crazy.” His primary care doctor and family convinced him that this line of thinking was not in his best interest. JT did see a psychiatrist who carefully reviewed the long list of medications that had been prescribed in the past. His psychiatrist wanted to make sure that the medications had been prescribed at appropriate dosages. It was explained to JT that
his inability to experience remission after multiple treatment courses in addition to evidence that he had not regained functional performance satisfied clinical criteria for Treatment Resistant Depression. At the time that JT was seen by his psychiatrist, he had been maintained on Celexa or citalopram at 40 mg a daily. His psychiatrist explained to JT that there were several medications that could be added to augment the effects of the citalopram or Celexa. His psychiatrist discussed adding a second antidepressant, Wellbutrin or bupropion. In addition, a vitamin, omega-3, 1000 mg daily was also added. To JT’s surprise, he began to feel better. He began to see a therapist in addition to taking his prescribed antidepressant medications. While he is dealing with the side effects of the medication, JT believes that the benefit outweighs the side effects, and he is working in therapy and with his psychiatrist to maximize his treatment. His father has largely retired from the plumbing business. JT found a young plumber who is interested in partnering in the business, and JT feels that he is on the verge of reaching a balance in his home life and his business. Visit CM’s website for more on Medications. The following references are provided for the informed consumer: U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services: Treatment Options When Your SSRI Antidepressant Is Not Working Well http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/search-for-guides-reviewsand-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=1591 NIH: National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): Omega-3 Supplements: An Introduction http://nccam.nih.gov/health/omega3/introduction.htm U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Therapies for Treatment Resistant Depression: A Review of the Research http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guidesreviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=1011
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.
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Laser Vision
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU By Dr. Frank A. Bucci, Jr.
{
Medical Technology Breakthrough for Glaucoma Patients available locally. XEN gel stent - covered by Medicare.
F
rank A. Bucci, Jr., MD, performed the first XEN glaucoma gel stent procedure at his ambulatory surgery center in Wilkes Barre, last August. The Xen gel stent is designed for patients with moderate to severe glaucoma who are using multiple pressure lowering eye drops or who have mildly to moderately uncontrollable intraocular eye pressure. This new stent replaces more invasive glaucoma surgeries. The XEN implant is the size of an eyelash. The procedure is painless and less invasive than cataract surgery. It is performed under mild sedation and takes less than five minutes as performed by Dr. Bucci. One of the first patients who underwent the XEN gel stent procedure in August prior to the procedure, was using two eyedrop medications which achieved an intraocular eye pressure of
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}
21. One week following the procedure, the eye pressure was 7 and she is not using any pressure lowering eye drops. The XEN gel stent is approved by the FDA. Dr. Bucci has extensive experience in performing the XEN gel stent procedure having contributed to its research and development as early as 2012 in clinical trials. The XEN gel stent is covered by Medicare. People who usually qualify for this advanced glaucoma stent are: • Those using 2 or more glaucoma drops • Those who are becoming allergic or intolerant to their glaucoma medications • Those who have had previous glaucoma surgery that has failed • Those who are experiencing progressive vision loss from glaucoma
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EVENTS
a+r+e MAR ’18 RECREATION
ARTS
Y O U
THE AREA’S GOOD STUFF
C O N N E C T E D
TUESDAYS
Ongoing Events DAILY
Art-a-Pelago Loose Leaf Pages, Black & Brass Coffee Co., & D.J. Harvey Agency, Honesdale. One art gallery in three locations (Thasos-LesvosParos). Info: waynecountyartsalliance.org. 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. DAILY
Public Art Display REMAX Wayne, Honesdale. Art displays of local artists all year long. Info: 570-253-9566. DAILY
Kids Art Display Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. Artwork created by students from all over Monroe County is featured in a month-long exhibit. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. WEEKLY
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. WEDNESDAYS
Story Time 10:30–11:30 a.m. Pleasant Mount Public Library, Pleasant Mount. Bring your young children & grandchildren to the library for a fun-filled story time. Included will be crafts, games, songs &, of course, a story. Info: 570-448-2573 or www.waynelibraries.org. 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
Writer’s Retreat 10:30–11:30 a.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Writing seminar — share ideas, memories & life experiences in written words. Limited to 12 participants. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org. THURSDAYS
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.
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.
TUESDAYS
FRIDAYS
Teen Club 3:30–5:30 p.m. Hawley Public Library, Hawley. Hang out, play games, socialize. Info: 570-226-4620 or www.waynelibraries.org. TUESDAYS
Bingo American Legion Post 311, Hawley. Doors open 10:30 a.m., games begin at Noon. Info: legionpost311@qmail.com.
Job Search and Resume Assistance 1–3 p.m. Hawley Public Library, Hawley. A professional from Pike County Workforce Development is available. Info: 570-2264620 or www.waynelibraries.org. FRIDAYS
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.
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EVENTS FRIDAYS
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
Saturday Family Story Time 11 a.m.–Noon. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Join Miss Melanie for a story, followed by a fun craft for the whole family to enjoy. Info: 570-253-1220 or www.waynelibraries.org. SATURDAYS
FREE Tastings and Demos Noon–2 p.m. Mill Market, in the Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Info: 570-390-4440. SATURDAYS
Live Music 9 p.m.–1 a.m. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Great drink specials, delicious food & live music. Info: 570-226-2124 or silverbirchesresortpa.com.
March 4– March 9 MAR. 4
African Fiddle Fusion 7–10 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Inspiring cross-cultural performance by multi-instrumentalist, All-Ireland fiddle finalist Andrew “Finn the Fiddler” Magill & Malawi pop icon Peter Mawanga, who cowrote & co-produced an album that musically captures ten experiences of HIV/AIDS in Malawi, Southern Africa, through song, with the sales invested in programs to keep vulnerable Malawian children in school & empower them through the arts. Reservations & info: info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020. MAR. 6
DIY Bone Broth 6–8 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Learn how to get the most from the food you buy with a simple, yet nutrient-dense, flavorful broth that is made from foodstuffs generally regarded as “waste.” Discuss the remarkable health benefits & the many ways a broth can be utilized, & identify some of the wonderful “storage crops” local farmers grew this past year. Registration required: info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020.
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MAR. 4
Chili Wing Cook Off Noon–4 p.m. The Waterfront at Silver Birches, Hawley. 20–25 participants including local restaurants & independent chefs. Prizes & trophies. Vendors & beer tasting on the deck. Live music. Anyone may enter: download forms at silverbirchesresortpa.com. Proceeds benefit Chamber of the N. Poconos. Info: 570-226-4388 or info@silverbirchesresortpa.com. MAR. 7
Adult Story Time Noon–1 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Do you remember how much you enjoyed being read to as a child? Now is your chance to recapture that feeling. Coffee, tea & water provided. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org. MAR. 7
Andrea Beaton & Troy MacGillivray 7:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Two of the finest fiddlers from the East Coast of Canada, together in concert. Nova Scotia’s MacGillivray has a roots-centered approach to his fiddling & piano playing with the power to inspire any audience. Beaton’s deeply rooted in the Cape Breton tradition, & is known for her powerful bow & driving style. Reservations & info: info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020.
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EVENTS MAR. 9–APR. 9
“Unplugged — The Timeless Joy of Making Art” ARTery Gallery, Milford. Reception: Mar. 10, 6–9 p.m. Fifth annual exhibit of the Delaware Valley HS art students’ creations. These exhibits prove that in a landscape of manufactured & mass-produced goods the soul longs to make & possess unique objects that speak to a higher purpose than just sheer consumerism. Info: 570-409-1234 or www.arterygallerymilford.com.
March 10–March 19 MAR. 10
Maple Sugaring Day for Scouts 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. Scouts &
kids’ rock concert to get kids up & moving & thinking about healthy living. The band travels with a selection of diverse instruments & offers an exciting, entertaining & educational show for kids. Free admission with a donation of a canned or dried good for the Wayne Cty. Pantry Program. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. MAR. 10
Food for Thought: The ABC’s of GMO’s for YOU 10:30–11:45 a.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Phyllis Rubin of the PA chapter of GMO Free USA defines genetically modified organisms (GMOs) & speaks about testing, safety & labeling issues involving them. Info & registration: 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
MAR. 10
Saint Patrick’s Parade Downtown Scranton. The second largest parade in the country, celebrating the day when everyone is Irish. Parade Day Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral begins at 10 a.m. Brian P. Kelly memorial 2-mile footrace starts 11 a.m. Parade steps off at 11:45 a.m. Info: stpatparade.com or scrantonstpatrickparade@gmail.com.
their families invited to attend at the Meesing Sugarbush outside of Marshall’s Creek. Programs can be scheduled between 9 a.m.–2 p.m. & open to any level of scout. Pre-registration required by Mar. 7. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. MAR. 10
History of Ice Harvesting 10 a.m–Noon. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Special presentation by the experts at Ice Works on the once-booming trade here in the Poconos. Interact with the tools used while observing the process through pictures from the past. Registration recommended. All ages welcome. Indoor/outdoor program — dress for the weather. Info: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org. MAR. 10
Romping Radishes Rocks with Michael & The Rockness Monsters 10:30 a.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. A
MAR. 10
People, Planet, Politics: Artist Talk and Panel Discussion 2 p.m. Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Narrowsburg, NY. In conjunction with the group gallery show, artists speak about their work, & local politicians & environmental advocates join in to discuss big questions about the world around us — & how art can make an impact. No tickets or reservations required; first come, first served. Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org. MAR. 10
Ilusha Tsinadze 7:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Georgian-born singer & guitarist Tsinadze brings his multicultural story of dreams & discovery to the stage through a captivating take on Georgia’s venerable music traditions, for a show unlike any other. Reservations & info:
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EVENTS info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020.
MAR. 17
MAR. 11
Daylight Saving Time begins 2 a.m. Set your clocks forward one hour. Check the batteries in your smoke & carbon monoxide detectors. MAR. 11
Introduction to Orienteering 1–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Learn how to use a map & compass on the orienteering course. Learn the basics before you try & find all the points. Space is limited; call early. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.
Red Cross Blood Drive 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. For more information call Barbara at MCCD at 570-629-3060. MAR. 17
Introduction to Fly Fishing 9 a.m.–Noon. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. Equipment, casting, strategy, fly-tying, basic trout stream macro-invertebrate entomology & local fishing will be covered & demonstrated. Pre-registration required by Mar. 16. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. MAR. 17
MAR. 11
St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2 p.m. 38th Annual parade. Info: 570-208-4149 or wilkes-barre.city/special-events/. MAR. 13
Women’s Health Physical Therapy 10–11:30 a.m. Newfoundland Area Public Library, Newfoundland. Topics include bladder & bowel dysfunction, dispelling women’s health myths, treatment for pelvic floor dysfunction & pelvic pain. Women’s groups welcomed & encouraged to attend. Free. Info: Debbi Tereschak, 570-676-0700 or dtereschak@pivotphysicaltherapy.com. MAR. 13
Food for Thought: Working Organics into Your Home Garden 10:30–11:45 a.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Diane Diffenderfer of Wayne Co. Master Gardeners Program reviews methods for introducing organic practices into the home garden. Learn tips for sustainably growing your own healthy, pesticide free produce. Info & registration: ewilson@waynelibraries.org or 570-253-1220. MAR. 17
Main Street Farmers’ Market 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. See description at Mar. 3. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.
Tuesdays With Nellie: Cozy Mystery Book Club 5:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Help solve the mystery with Annelle Snyder. Info: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
MAR. 17
MAR. 14
MAR. 17
Open Mic Night 7–10 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Presented by The Cooperage Project. Hosted by Rich Faschan, aka Clumsy Fingers. Come to perform or come to listen & watch. BYOB. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.
Fire Building 1–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Ages 10+. Learn some primitive & modern fire-making skills. Try your hand at a flint & steel & more. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. MAR. 17
MAR. 15
Lunch & Learn: Healthy Skin Noon–1 p.m. Apple Day Spa & Hair Restoration Salon, Honesdale. Topic: Healthy Skin with Hydra Facial & Age Defying Facial. Lunch provided by Alley Whey. Reservations & info: 570-253-4770.
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Romping Radishes 11 a.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Geared to students K–2, but all children are welcome. Talking all about dental health. A healthy snack will be provided. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.
Boost Your Digestive System Health Seminar 5–6 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Join Dr. David Slade, founder of Beyond Organics Garden, for the first of a three-part series on Natural Health, focusing on the latest cutting edge information on the science of nutrition & natural health. Bring friends & family, & a pen to take notes. A Q&A session
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EVENTS MAR. 18
41st Annual PIAC St. Patrick’s Day Parade 1:30 Stroudsburg/East Stroudsburg. MAR. 18
Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade 1:30–4:30 p.m. Allentown. 61st year. Info: allentownstpatricksparade.com. MAR. 18
St. Patrick’s Celebration The Settlers Inn, Hawley. Irish dinner specials. Music by Dan Bradley. Info & reservations: 570-226-2993. MAR. 19
MAR. 18 DIY Birdfeeders 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Spend the morning putting together your own unique & custom bird feeder from a variety of recycled materials just in time for spring. Everything you need is provided, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. follows. Donations collected at door. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. MAR. 17
Woodcock Walk 6:30–8 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Ages 10+. Join a walk to see the mysterious woodcock & its spectacular springtime mating display. Bring a flashlight for better searching. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. MAR. 18
Ecozone Discovery Room! 1–4 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Explore the indoor discovery room & enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability & the local environment. No registration required. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.
Wayne Highlands Quilt Guild — New Location 6:30 p.m. Honesdale Community Church, 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.
March 20–March 31 MAR. 20
Awareness Through Poetry 5:30–6:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Glenn of Trees guides a reading & sharing of insights from the spiritual likes of Rumi & Hafiz and other spiritual poets. Info & registration: 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org. MAR. 20
Film Screening: Farmers For America 7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. The average age of the U.S. farmer is 60. Half of America’s farmland will change hands in the next 12 years. 20% of our food is imported. This is the story of young people who are stepping up. After the film a panel of farmers will be available for conversation & discussion. Free; open to the public. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. MAR. 21
Acoustic Bluegrass Jam 7–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Presented by The Cooperage Project. Guitarstrummin’, banjo-pickin’, close-harmony singin’ open jam led by Ron Penska & Buckshot Jenkins. All levels of players welcome. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.
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EVENTS MAR. 22
Unique Pathways Program Series 5:30 p.m. Hawley Public Library, Hawley. How did Jim Asselstine, an attorney who served on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission & established a career on Wall Street, find his way to pursuing his vision to renovate & restore the Dorflinger Factory Museum in White Mills? Hear his story. Info: 570-226-4620 or www.waynelibraries.org. MAR. 22
Trivia Night at WCPL 5:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Jump into spring with trivia. Gather a team of 4–6 adults. Prizes, snacks & fun. Info & registration: 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org. MAR. 22
Game Night 6–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. All ages welcome. Board games, brain games, card games & more. Bring your own to share & teach, or choose from the collection. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. MAR. 23
Project Linus 4–5:45 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Make blankets for children. No sewing skills needed. Teens & adults welcome. Blankets go to the local shelter, VIP & Wayne Memorial Hospital. Info: Danielle, dbrussel@waynelibraries.org or 570-253-1220. MAR. 24
Dirt & Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. Learn how to identify signs & causes of erosion. Discover long-lasting solutions to sustainable gravel road design & how they work. Learn about the different types of stone aggregate, underground drainage systems to improve road base & more. Info & registration: 570-629-3060. MAR. 24
Little Eco Explorers: Frogs 10–11:30 a.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Fun, handson program for young children, with a story, craft & activity focusing on frogs. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. MAR. 24
Food for Thought: Probiotics for the Garden & Orchard 10:30–11:45 a.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Properly made compost
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MAR. 24
Spring Babies Egg Hunt & Hike 10 a.m–Noon. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Enjoy a family-friendly hike while looking for new life at Lacawac. Use your observational skills to search for informative “eggs” along the way. Wear comfortable shoes. All ages welcome. Registration appreciated. Free. Info: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org. can bring life back to your soil. Roger Hill of Treeline Farms & O’Neill’s Organic Orchards discusses how to boost your soil’s immune system with compost, compost teas, compost extracts & soil re-mineralization. Info & registration: 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org. MAR. 24
Salamanders, Frogs, & More. 1–3 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Explore nearby breeding pools for salamanders, frogs, & egg masses. Nets & collection jars provided for gentle, up-close study. Wear boots & clothes that can get muddy or wet. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. MAR. 24
Big Eddy Selects Film Screening: BOMBSHELL: The Hedy Lamarr Story 2 p.m. Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, Narrowsburg, NY. New documentary. Not just an actress, she was a genius inventor. She is now credited with discovering the technolo-
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EVENTS gy that makes modern WiFi possible. No tickets or reservations required; first come, first served seating. Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org. MAR. 24
Scott Sharrard 7:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Presented by The Cooperage Project. GRAMMY-nominated Blues/R&B guitarist, & longtime writing partner, musical director & guitarist for Gregg Allman. BYOB. Reservations & info: info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020. MAR. 25
Bridge the Gap: Edible & Medicinal Plant Walk 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Nature provides food & natural remedies for us in the form of many plants. Join a hike focused on wild edible & medicinal plants. No collecting will be done within the Park. Free. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. MAR. 25
RiverFolk Concert: Ellis with Joshua Garcia 5 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Ellis is known for her stirring lyrics, openhearted performances & contagious laughter. Garcia is a folk-singer/songwriter drawing from the influences of his musical heroes Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, & Johnny Cash. BYOB. Reservations & info: 845-252-6783 or riverfolkconcerts@frontier.com. MAR. 29
Shakespeare on Film: The Taming of the Shrew 7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Introduced with a brief background & orientation. Followed by impressions & sharing. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.
MAR. 31
Food for Thought: Gleaning: Connecting Local Farms with Neighbors in Need 10:30–11:45 a.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Cathy Snyder of Rolling Harvest Food Rescue discusses their successful food rescue program, which gathers & distributes leftover & unsold farm produce to people in need. Info & registration: ewilson@waynelibraries.org or 570-253-1220. MAR. 31
Main Street Farmers’ Market 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. See description at Mar. 3. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. MAR. 31
Romping Radishes 11 a.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Geared to students K–2, but all children are welcome. Talking anti-bullying with John Potraz. A healthy snack will be provided. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org.
April 1–April 8 APR. 1
Easter Buffet Noon–4 p.m. The Waterfront at Silver Birches Resort, Hawley. Reservations required: 570-226-4388. APR. 1
Easter at The Settlers Inn Prix fixe dinner served from 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Music by Dan Bradley. Reservations & info: 570-226-2993. APR. 2–30
Art Exhibit: Miharu Lane, “Great Trees” Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. The series began in 2015
MAR. 25
EASTER EGG HUNT 1:30–3:30 p.m. Central Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary, Hawley. Check in at 1:30 p.m. Egg hunt starts at 1:45 p.m. Prizes & games. Snacks & drinks. Free for ages 1–12. Must be accompanied by an adult. Info: 570-685-7344.
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EVENTS when Miharu visited Japan after 58 years. From “Old Sycamore” by the ruined Parrish Church circa 1784 in Maryland to “Lady Sycamore” in Tannersville, PA, she found an abundance of subject matter. Opening reception Apr. 7, 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. APR. 7
Cause for the Paws 5:30 p.m. Bryn Mawr Conference Center, Honesdale. Buffet dinner. Tickets available at Dessin Animal Shelter & The Cat's Pajamas, Honesdale. Benefits the shelter. Info: message Lisa Palmer Weber on Dessin’s Facebook page. APR. 7
Farm to Table Dinner 6–8 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Welcome the coming of spring with PEEC’s 2nd Farm to Table Dinner. Features local produce perfect for the season. Bring friends & family to enjoy a cozy evening. Payment required at registration. Space limited; call early. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. APR. 7
Don White 7:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. He is a storyteller-comedian-authortroubadour-folk singer-songwriter whose approach to music is a unique blend. It’s not just folk music; he has invented his own genre with a mix of humor & powerful songwriting. BYOB. Reservations & info: 570.253.2020 or info@thecooperageproject.org. APR. 8
Main Wear Expo: A Fashion Fundraiser 2:30 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Curated by Velvet Maple Lifestyle Shoppe. Local model duets walk the platform runway sporting local Wayne County wears for all shapes, sizes & ages. Proceeds benefit The Cooperage Project. Cash bar. Do not BYOB. Tickets go on sale Mar. 1. Reservations & info: info@thecooperageproject.org or 570-253-2020.
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