Pocono Mountains
Magazine
Priceless. Please take one! Health & Wellness | April & May 2014
I am in the game again.
Joan Peter, 84, leads an active lifestyle. Poker is her game of choice. After suddenly losing consciousness, Joan’s primary care doctor referred her to St. Luke’s cardiologist Dr. Arjinder Sethi. Dr. Sethi evaluated Joan’s complex medical history which includes cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and mitral valve disorder. He made modifications to Joan’s extensive medication list, got her a defibrillator implantation and recommended a low calorie / low sodium diet. Today, Joan’s lightheadedness episodes are gone, her blood pressure and cholesterol are under control, and she feels she’s been dealt a whole new hand. Joan is back in the game again.
Read more patient stories at sluhn.org/heart.
Heart & Vascular Center
sluhn.org/heart
– Arjinder Sethi, MD, Cardiology
CONTENTS
Publisher & Creative Director
Contents
Ali Schratt publisher@localflair.com
Editor
6 Letter from the Publisher
Karen Tetor karen@localflair.com
8 GO!
Project Coordinator
10 GIVE! Willing Workers of Paradise Valley
Juliet Dunham juliet@localflair.com
12 Joni Oye-Benintende: Earthen Contemplation
Graphic Designer
14 It’s (Not) Complicated!
Cathryn Hahn cathryn@localflair.com
16 Mixtura Hair Salon: Salon with a Soul
Photography
18 First Impressions
Regina Nicolardi
Distribution Coordinator
20-24 Women in Motion
Adam Schratt adam@localflair.com
Contributing Writers
26 The Lasting Beauty of a Farda Landscape 28-35 Spring Flair
Karen Tetor, Roseanne Bottone, Tina Beck, Susan Crowley, Laura Wilheims
36 Out & About at the Booklover’s Ball 38 On the Job of Being Human
Controller
Beverly Dyson beverly@localflair.com
42 Judicious & Delicious 46 GO! And Get Active
Sales
publisher@localflair.com
48 Q&A with Erb’s Landscaping 49 A BIG Collaboration Coming to Main Street
For a subscription send check or money order for $24.95 to address below. (6 issues/1 year)
50 The Bond Squad Column
Local Flair is published bi-monthly and distributed throughout the greater Pocono area. Local Flair reserves the right to refuse to sell space for any advertisement the staff deems inappropriate for the publication. Unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Letters to the Editor are welcome, but may be edited due to size limitations. Press releases must be received by the 15th of the prior month of publication.
Cover photo by James
All contents of this magazine including without limitation to the design, advertisements, art, photos, and editorial content, as well as the selection coordination and arrangement thereof is the Copyright of Local Flair Magazine Limited.
Chesnick
No portion of this magazine may be copied or reprinted without the express written consent of the publisher.
Mission
The mission of Local Flair magazine is to celebrate excellence in community businesses, services, and efforts by appealing to the tastes, sensibilities, and curiosities of its readers and advertisers alike. To this end, Local Flair strives to balance informative and inspirational editorial content with relevant and enlightening advertisement. –Ali Schratt, publisher
Contact Us
Local Flair Magazine 609 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 Phone 570.424.9600| Fax 570.424.9601
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LETTER
Letter from the Publisher Okay... I know I spouted off in February about how much I love winter and how much fun it was and blahbity, blah, blah, blah. Needless to say – after 2 more feet of snow, my enthusiasm ended abruptly with my shouting obscenities at my snow shovel. WOW... what a LOONNGG winter. I’m ready for spring and feeling the need to spend hours outdoors to fix my vitaminD-deficient self. I signed up for the St. Luke’s half marathon back in January... and haven’t had the motivation to really start training yet. I could be in big trouble here, but oh well... I won’t be setting any records, but I will finish the race. It seems everyone has a health & wellness regimen that they follow. Mine is quite simple... I run to find myself, and I do yoga to lose myself. Funny – but it works for me. The miles I log on the road are spent in deep thought and in organization mode while the hours I log on the mat are spent in quiet isolation and stillness. The Yin and Yang, if you will. It works for me – and I never overdo it anymore. I’m learning the fine art of balance after 41 years on this fine planet. Oh yeah... and I eat really well. Since this is our Health & Wellness issue, we are featuring some amazing women athletes and health care professionals who are leaders in our area. We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, keep it local!
Ali
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95 CRYSTAL ST EAST STROUDSBURG, PA | 570.424.3177
There’s always extra content online! For behind the scenes photos, blogs, and more....
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GO!
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GIVE!
WILLING workers of paradise valley
By Laura Wilhelms
“Grannie’s Flower Garden” is the name of this year’s Willing Workers quilt, stitched by master quilter Lillian Beers. Support Willing Workers’ many causes through $1 raffle tickets, available this spring at Lewis’ Supermarket in Mountainhome and Bill’s ShopRite of Mt Pocono. Times have changed since the first meeting of the Willing Workers of Paradise Valley back in 1938, but the group’s mission has not. Sheila Bortree, current president says, “We raise money for the purpose of giving it away.” The seventeen current members bake, cook, quilt and craft items to benefit a variety of causes, from student scholarships to nursing homes to the Barrett Township Library. The early years of fundraising included everything, from soup and baked good sales to play performances by the members. In 1958, the Willing Workers contributed the funds to purchase the land next to the Keokee Chapel. The late Clara De Pue, one of the original members of the group said, “The Willing Workers have raised the money, purchased the land and attended to all legal proceedings, now we are turning this over to the community. We need your help to build a community center.” Build it they did. The center was completed in 1967. Today it is known as “The Roof,” renamed by teenagers who enjoyed dances there. In 1945, Orpah Besecker, Willing Worker member and quilter, thought it would be a great idea to hand stitch and assemble a quilt to be raffled off as a way to raise money. Orpah made the first quilt, and the raffle became an annual tradition, crafted by the ladies who meet to stitch together. Longtime member, Betty Williams is especially passionate about the handmade quilt. “Please, please support us by buying some chances on a beautiful quilt,” she says. Betty says that this year’s quilt was handmade and donated by master quilter and honorary Willing Worker member, Lillian Beers. You will find these ladies selling chances on the quilt beginning in April at various locations in the community. July 12 is the annual Summer Bazaar held at The Roof. Willing Workers offer food platters, baked goods, an ice cream bar, and crafts; the highlight will be the drawing for the winner of this year’s quilt. This bazaar first began in 1940 and hasn’t missed a year since. Betty Williams reminisces about making homemade ice cream with her mother, Clara DePue. Now Betty and the other members nostalgically hold this fundraiser summer after summer. 6
New members are always welcome! For more information contact Sheila Bortree at 570-629-0279.
Willing Workers of Paradise Valley has supported:
Pocono Mountain Ecumenical Hunger Ministry Barrett Twp. Fire Department Barrett Twp. Library Pleasant Valley Manor Brookmont Nursing Home The Burnley Workshop Forrest Fire Crew #34 The American Legion Cornelia De Lange Syndrome Foundation Scholarships for Paradise Twp. Students
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M OR AV IA N AC A DE M Y I S P L E ASE D TO OF F E R
SPANISH IMMERSION IN THE FALL OF 2014-2015 BEGINNING IN KINDERGARTEN!
Come to an Information Session to learn about the benefits of achieving fluency in a second language while receiving a stellar education!
For details and dates or to schedule a personal visit, go to www.moravianacademy.org or call 610-868-8571.
MORAVIAN ACADEMY Ignite a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
B E T H L E H E M , PA | P R E - K T H R O U G H G R A D E 12 | 610-868-8571
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artist
Joni Maya Oye-Benintende
By Susan Crowley
She manipulates clay not unlike the thousands of people before her, those who have told the story of time through their art made from earth. Joni Maya Oye-Benintende creates ceramic art that is “centered around the conscious, unconscious and cultural forces which shape thought and personality.” Philadelphia born and raised, Benintende knew she always wanted to be an artist. She received her BFA at Washington University and her MFA from Tama Fine Art University in Tokyo, Japan. Benintende’s early work was influenced by her interest in ideas that were philosophical and spiritual in nature. Her four years spent in Japan also had a profound effect on her work. As she matured, she “began to see the interconnectedness of everything, in that, everything has the potential to have meaning to someone in some way.” Her work echoed that philosophy and became more allegorical. Some artists reveal their thoughts behind their work, but Benintende practices “non-attachment,” allowing the viewers to draw their own conclusions and subsequent meaning when an artwork is complete and she must “let it go.” Benintende’s clay works are often unglazed. She enjoys the simplicity and “sense of ancient and ageless mystery” that comes with smoke carbon deposit and raku. Both these surface decorating processes are old world firing techniques, and they contribute to her works’ timeless allure. The other constant theme throughout all of her work is the concept of “solitude and aloneness and the state of mind in engenders; quiet contemplation, fear, or a mix of both.” Benintende enjoys the privacy of working in seclusion, but it often eludes her. She teaches art at East Stroudsburg University and is currently the Art Department Chair and Director of the Madelon Powers Art Gallery. She also has chaired the Pocono State Craft Festival and many other community projects. Benintende explains that she is like many other women whom she describes as “jugglers”—juggling jobs, children, and spouses. While she enjoys teaching, encouraging students to “be curious, to learn all you can about everything you can,” and nurturing nascent talent, she values the rare time working in her studio in desired solitude. Benintende describes the experience as “restorative.”
“Windows are the conduit that connects two worlds. One exists in the dwelling or outside it. Dreams, rituals and meditation are the vehicles by which I travel between them.” 12
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Her “Dwelling” series is a metaphor for where she lives. The artwork symbolizes the two aspects of existence: the outside where the everyday world exists and the inside where Benintende’s spirit and soul lives. The solid walls between the two make living in both worlds difficult. Other themes such as windows, niches, and reliquaries convey Benintende’s allegorical approach to connect her artistry to life. M.C. Richards wrote, “The hand and the clay speak to each other in a fecund dialogue which is not spoken through the tongue and lips, but by the whole body, the whole person speaking and listening.” No doubt, the relationship between Benintende and her art is profound. When asked the question “Art and you. What is your relationship?” Benintende answers, “I am.” 6 For more information, visit jmayaoye.com See Benintende’s work at Pocono Community Theater - April 27-June 29 and a two-woman show at AFA Gallery in Scranton August 1-30.
C E L E B R AT E M O M
WITH A LIMITED EDITION CHARM Available starting April 11 Give her the limited edition PANDORA “Vintage Heart” charm, presented in a porcelain box.*
*While supplies last. See store for details.
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PRECIOUS METAL COLLECTION | MADE IN AMERICA WITH LOVE ®
Rt 611 • Bartonsville, PA 18321 570.629.3388 • www.american-candle.com
RT 611 BARTONSVILLE, PA | 570.629.3388
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H E A LT H
Georgine To dd, PT
At Tannersville Physical Therapy
It’s (Not) Complicated! Ten years ago, Georgine Todd opened Tannersville Physical Therapy & Wellness Center with a vision. “I saw myself helping people in far more than a physical way, but also emotionally, mentally, “ she says. “I wanted to develop friendships, to have them trust me, to welcome me to their treatment table.” “We get patients who are complicated,” smiles Georgine. Some have had surgery. Some have chronic pain or dizziness. Some have personal weight loss fitness goals. They enter a serene office bathed in color and light. Yet every turn in both the Tannersville and Marshall’s Creek Centers presents an arsenal of treatment options— including myofascial release, joint mobilization, craniosacral therapy and massage therapy. “But the bottom line is that we help guide you to fix yourself,” she explains. “I can design a treatment plan that incorporates symptom management and patient participation. This is key to relief.” Relief for Lisa Lisa is a “complicated” patient who professes, “Coming to the Tannersville Physical Therapy Center was one of the best decisions I have ever made.” Lisa’s ailments included Chiari I Malformation, as well as other health challenges that equated to brain surgery and severe back pain. “I had given up due to depression and pain,” she admits. Georgine began with a complete exam, followed by a plan of action. Lisa now travels on “this new road of well being,” led by the staff that “educated me, motivated me, and have been a comfort to me.” Lisa also credits “compassion that is second to none.”
Tannersville Physical Therapy is located on Route 715 South in Tannersville. For more information, call 570.629.4921 or visit tannersvillept.com
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Not Just a Knee Complicated also means that a patient’s problems are not hinged only upon a knee or a neck. “We look at the whole person, not just one body part,” says Georgine. Back problems, for example, are often related to a need for weight loss and core strengthening. While cold laser, electric stimulation, ultrasound, or trigger-point release with Myofascial Tools offer welcomed relief, Georgine works to “empower patients to help themselves.” That power can come from yoga for increased flexibility and strength and/or colonics to alleviate symptoms of toxicity build-up, as well as a workout routine for toning and conditioning. Ahh-some Environment For those who expect a physical therapy center to have harsh florescent lighting, institutional white walls, and intimidating exercise equipment, Georgine offers a pleasant surprise. The office space befits a spa. Walls of windows and mirrors brighten a 1,700 square foot gym. The quiet yoga studio nestled on the upper level is conducive to the balancing of chi. Treatment rooms, accented in deep purple and sage, offer state-of-the-art equipment. In the summertime, yoga classes are conducted outside on the spacious lawn accompanied by the calming backdrop of the forest. Georgine and her staff are passionate and committed to health and wellness. She invites anyone to stop in any time, during normal business hours, for a tour of the facility. “We’re here for you! And that’s not complicated,” Georgine assures. 6
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PROFILE
Studio
Mixtura Hair
By Roseanne Bottone
Madeline Anderson is more than the Chief Executive Officer and owner of Mixtura Hair Studio in Stroudsburg; she’s also a good neighbor who is passionately dedicated to several worthy causes. “I should have been a social worker, but instead I became a hair dresser,” she jokes.
Prom Dress Drive Madeline helps to make prom dreams come true. The typical expenditure for attending a prom is upwards of $500 for tickets, suits or dresses, hair and makeup, transportation, and photographs. “This can be out of reach for so many kids,” Madeline laments. “I want to help a few young ladies be able to go.”
Madeline Anderson
Do you have a gently used prom dress, bridesmaid gown or other formal wear that’s in good condition taking up space in your closet? Consider donating it to help a young woman look beautiful for her high school prom. Madeline is accepting clean formal wear at the studio and says, “We’re going to sponsor two girls from each of the Pleasant Valley, Pocono Mountain, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg high schools whose families are experiencing financial hardship.” She will also provide the girls with hairstyling and makeup for the occasion. “The prom is the highlight of the high school experience,” Madeline explains. “My passion is helping teenagers,” Madeline says. She was pregnant in her senior year of high school and worked three jobs. “I still wanted to go to the prom, though.” She went, but her partner (who later became her husband) was unable to attend because he could not take off from his second job. “The experience of being a teen mom was difficult, but it made me stronger. It made me the woman I am today. I understand what financial hardship is all about for a young woman.”
American Cancer Society (ACS) Facilitator Madeline volunteers for the ACS and presents monthly beauty and skin care classes for cancer patients. Chemotherapy wreaks havoc with the skin and hair. “I teach women how to care for their skin that may be dry and going through changes—and how to apply makeup and take care of their hair. We also talk about wigs, and how to use scarves and turbans stylishly.” The classes are free for cancer patients. Registration is required. “We need to ask for information about the attendee’s complexion so we can have a personalized kit ready for her,” insists Madeline. Call 1-800-227-2345 for class times and locations.
Hair Dresser Extraordinaire “I love talking to my clients,” Madeline says. “It’s a great time for them to unwind and chat about what’s on their minds.” The Mixtura Hair Studio is a “retreat to replenish and expose beauty in a diverse world.” The façade of their facility will be undergoing a facelift this spring, but inside is an oasis where clients can splurge on a day of beauty. They escape the stress of daily obligations with a mani-pedi package, scalp massage (heavenly!) or a haircut/styling to recharge. Gentlemen are welcome, too. Madeline invites clients to come in for a glass of wine, a nosh, or a hot tea. Every in-depth consultation is meant to ensure that the Mixtura staff uncovers expectations and meets needs and desires. 6
Mixtura Hair Studio is located at 1322 North 5th Street in Stroudsburg. For information, call 570-730-4949 or visit mixturahairstudio.com 16
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PROFILE
First Impressions By Roseanne Bottone
When you chat with a new acquaintances, you will initially make eye contact. During the rest of the conversation, you’ll watch his or her mouth and notice the teeth. Dr. Helfst is an oral and facial surgeon who creates or restores his clients’ beauty and integrity from the neck up. Even in today’s economic climate, people are still electing to have cosmetic eye surgery and face or neck lifts. Dr. Helfst says, “People want to look and feel good to improve their chances of getting a good job.” Younger people in their 30s and 40s are just as interested in having minor procedures and Botox treatments. A desire to look good goes well beyond vanity; psychology researchers at New York University in the field of impression management say, "In spite of the congeniality of many professional gatherings, judgments are being made and impressions formed all the time." Dr. Helfst also works with trauma patients referred to him from the Pocono Medical Center and local dentists. He specializes in rebuilding bone structure with minimal surgical intervention and a focus on patient comfort. He’s currently working with a teenager who fractured her jaw and broke seven teeth in an accident. Dental implants will restore her bright, white smile and a lovely aesthetic. “We’re restoring her face and mouth to its natural state. This is particularly important for a teenager’s self-esteem,” Dr. Helfst says. He’s also treating an Iraqi veteran whose nose, eye socket, upper pallet and upper jaw were injured from ballistics. “We…diagnose and treat facial pain, facial injuries, and fractures. Our goal is to provide top quality service to our clients and follow-up with them closely for life.”
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Dr. Helfst was a biology and chemistry major in college. “I always knew I wanted to go into a medical field,” he reflects. As is common with young people, he was influenced by a mentor – an oral and facial surgeon. He studied dentistry at Stony Brook University on Long Island. “I was in a program where there were only 28 students,” he says. “We had one-on-one instruction, and I received a quality education.” In addition, oral and maxillofacial surgery requires hospital-based surgical and anesthesia training after graduation from dental school. He moved to the Poconos in 1999 and opened his own practice in 2001. Dr. Helfst’s surgical staff is comprised of experienced, certified oral and maxillofacial surgical assistants. “Coming into a medical office can be intimidating. Sometimes people feel fearful. I want my patients to be as comfortable as possible so we have taken care to create a calming environment,” Dr. Helfst says. “We have over-stuffed, comfy couches in our waiting room, a soothing fountain, and candles. We even make sure our place smells pleasant!” There’s no need to go through life with broken or missing teeth or a sagging neck, if you desire a change. The choice is personal, and whether it’s medically necessary or elective, Dr. Helfst and his staff invite you in for a consultation so you can discuss your options for looking and feeling better. 6 Stroud Oral & Facial Surgery is located at 208 Lifeline Road, Suite 202 in Stroudsburg. For more information, visit drhelfst.com or call 570-420-8180.
“Coming into a medical office can be intimidating. Sometimes people feel fearful. I want my patients to be as comfortable as possible, so we have taken care to create a calming environment.” -Dr. Helfst
F eat u re
Women in
MOTION By Karen Tetor
Laura Van Gilder Cyclocross Superstar Age: 49 A Change of Course When the winningest North American female road cyclist of all time – with more than 300 career wins and countless podium placings – decides to reinvent herself, she changes the game. Six years ago, Laura Van Gilder parked her road bike and entered her first Cyclocross competition. “I no longer wanted to focus on the finish,” she says. Cyclocross involves many laps of varied conditions, including grass, pavement, rock, mud or snow. The timed event also requires competitors to dismount in order to navigate obstacles. Turning Pro Now representing Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers, an Atlanta-based business with over 150 franchises nationwide, Laura marvels that she didn’t start to compete until she was 26 years old. “That’s later in life for such a high-level sport,” she says. Laura now averages about 60 races a year;
this past year she competed in 74. “With my travel days, I am typically away from home 200 days a year,” she explains. “While most of the races are on US turf, Laura has also competed in Australia and New Zealand. Loved Ones Off the Trail Laura’s first event was a benefit for Multiple Sclerosis. In that event, she raised $1,500. Laura’s mother had been diagnosed with MS. Laura then started MTB and met a road-racing enthusiast who would become her coach and her partner. “My boyfriend nurtures the strategy. His coaching took me to a new level,” she says. “For over 20 years, he has supported me.” The couple enjoys nurturing their beloved dogs. Laura is an active advocate for homeless animals. “Adopt; don’t shop,” she professes.
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F eat u re Photo by Scott Martin scottmartinimages.com
Brynn Benson
Whitewater conqueror Age: 18
Brynn Benson tucks her pigtails into her pink helmet, flashes her Cover-Girl smile, and slips her baby-blue kayak into turbulent rapids of the Youghiogheny, the Lower Gauley, or her home river—the Lehigh. Two years ago, at only 16 years old, Brynn placed sixth in the US women’s kayaking Olympic trials. Brynn says that training at the Lake Placid Olympic facility prepared her for the competition: “I trained with the same women I competed with,” says Brynn. “Then, at the Charlotte, North Carolina Olympic trials, I was pitted against the best of the best.” Now in her senior year at North Pocono High School, Brynn is enjoying her decision to “step away from racing to be a regular high school student for a while.” For years, she focused upon competition. “It was about getting in the water in one spot and practicing maneuvers,” she says. “Now, I get on the river and paddle.” As a ski instructor at Skytop, she enjoys earning money while waiting for the spring rapids. In the summer, she works as a camp counselor at River Sports School of Paddling on the Youghiogheny River. Soon after Brynn entered elementary school, Brynn’s parents, Gretchin and Stewart, became river guides for Whitewater Challengers. Their young daughter soon took to the water; by the time Brynn was nine, she was carting her own boat and gear. Next year, Brynn will leave the family nest to attend a college “that is hopefully near whitewater.”
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Cathy Laughna A PILGRIM ASCENDING Age: 62
When she was in her 20s, Cathy Laughna’s youthful embrace of technical climbing and hiking took hold in the Tetons, as a perk for her summer job in Yellowstone. For almost four decades, her hiking boots trekked summits that included Grand Teton in Wyoming, Katahdin in Maine, Mt. Rainier in Washington, Cerro Chirripó in Costa Rica, Machu Picchu, Kilimanjaro, and 500 miles of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. In the summer of 2012, Cathy’s global pinnacle seeking came to a tragic standstill. Her beloved husband and hiking companion, Michael, died of a heart attack. “The last year and a half has been filled with challenges that have tested me to my core,” says Cathy. “I have felt like Job, torn by trials, and have become a searcher for answers.” Carrying her heavy heart, Cathy is once again packing her backpack to hike the Amalfi Coast in Italy this spring. This summer, she will hike the 212 mile John Muir Trail and summit Mt. Whitney; next summer, she will take on the Camino del Norte, along the coastline from France to Spain. “My doctor encourages these pilgrimages; she knows that they help to heal my battered spirit and body,” says Cathy. When Cathy’s sons, Ryan and Brendan, were only five and seven years old, she hitched their gear to a mule and hiked 200 miles from Tahoe to Yosemite, with her 70-yearold father along side. As adults, the boys have accompanied her on some of her journeys. Her husband Michael, however, was her trail mate and soul mate. “I am doing what Michael would want me to do – ‘Carry On,” she says.
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F eat u re
Jocelyn “J-Rok” Shilling World Class Duathlete/Triathlete Age: 53
Jocelyn “J-Rok” Shilling, a multisport athlete, Personal Trainer, and Substitute Teacher, says her first priority is her husband Mark and two sons, Alec and Kelly. Her healthy and active lifestyle involves eating healthy organic foods, keeping physically and mentally fit, and competing at the local level as well as the national and international levels. As a member of Team USA since 2010, she has competed at Duathlon World Championships, travelling from her Saylorsburg home to international destinations in Scotland, Spain, France, and Canada. Jocelyn trains for duathlons (run/bike/run) and triathlons (swim/bike/run) at home and at Unlimited Personal Training. She says her former coach, Don Messing, “prepared me for my first Duathlon Nationals in Virginia. He recognized my potential and took me under his wing.” Since Don’s passing in 2012, she has been coached by Adam Coffman. “Don and Adam were both pivotal in my success as a world class athlete, and Adam continues to be a huge part of my success,” she explains. Along with hard work and dedication, she attributes her success to her “coach, family, and friends who provide patience, support, and encouragement.” J-Rok says, “I do what I enjoy and enjoy doing it. I want to inspire and motivate people to find their passion and enjoy the journey.” She suggests that others set short and long term goals and strive to do their best to accomplish them. “I am adamant about promoting a healthy lifestyle. Life is amazing, and I love to live it to the fullest. Stay focused and dedicated and watch your dreams come true.”
Chris Loebsack YOGA GODDESS Age: 41
For nine years, Chris Loebsack kept busy as an independent yoga instructor conducting weekly classes in NYC, NJ, and PA. In 2012 this “Goddess of Strength and Wisdom,” (as one student hailed her), grounded her feet and purchased the former Sundari studio in Stroudsburg. Rebranded as Boundless Yoga, the studio offers a plethora of choices, such as pranayama, chanting, outdoor yoga retreats, and Hatha yoga, Chris keeps a focus on “anatomy and safety.” And in such specialty classes as AcroYoga®, she teaches students “to step back and really play.” Chris’s RTY 500 hour certification and an additional 3,000 hours of yoga specialty instruction enables Chris to conduct teacher-training throughout the globe. As one of the only five mentor teachers in the world certified to teach AcroYoga®, she led classes in Australia and New Zealand this past February. In April she will be teaching at the Yoga Journal Conference in NYC. “As a beginning student at the conference, I remember being amazed at the master teachers and their platter of knowledge,” she says. “It is now an honor to be counted among their ranks.” “Our physical bodies are linked to our emotions and our thoughts,” says Chris. Her mantra of Clarity, Integrity and Love infuses students with “trust, playfulness, and Divine connection with themselves and the community.” Chris’s mother introduced her to yoga, and Chris credits her philosophy to Mom, who “has an internal strength like no one else. Her heart has enabled me to see the best in all things.” 6
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GYMNASTICS SWIMMING PADDLE BOATING SPACEBALL CLIMBING WALL KAYAKING . .and much more!!
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HOME
Since 1977, Farda Landscaping & Excavating has been a leading Pocono region landscaper creating distinctive and admired landscape designs for both residential and commercial properties alike. Farda Landscaping & Excavating provides professional landscaping and excavating contractor services, working with their clients from beginning to end from completing the initial site excavation to realizing the final landscape design and handling the most delicate of hand plantings. Led by company owner Anthony Farda, Farda Landscaping & Excavating has earned a reputation for completing jobs right the first time – both on schedule and on budget. Anthony is celebrated throughout the local community as a business man of integrity, a reputation earned not only for his hard work and attention to customer service but also as a reflection of his active membership in multiple community organizations. Farda Landscaping & Excavating is a true family-owned and operated business. Anthony has worked alongside his wife Teri since the company’s founding, with Teri managing back-end operations and marketing for the firm. In 2013, Anthony and Teri were extremely proud to have their son Nicholas join them in management of the company. Nicholas has quickly become an integral part of the Farda Landscaping & Excavating team, taking a leadership role in day to day company activities and working directly with customers and managing job site activities.
A Banner Year for the Farda Team 2013 will go down as a significant year in Farda Landscaping & Excavating’s company history as they achieved numerous milestones which solidified their presence as an industry leader. Farda Landscaping was honored to have received four awards of excellence at the 2013 Pocono Builders Awards – more than any other Pocono landscaping firm. The awards received by Farda Landscaping & Excavating included Residential Renovation over $10,000, Commercial Bid-Build Landscape, Specialty Stonework, and Marketing Social Media. It was a great honor and privilege for the Farda team to be recognized by industry peers for the quality craftsmanship, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence that are the hallmarks of every Farda Landscaping & Excavating project. Also in 2013, Farda Landscaping & Excavating evolved their business with new innovations to better serve their customers, the most important of which was the introduction of the Farda Landscaping 0% down financing offer. This flexible financing opportunity allows qualified customers to plan and complete the landscaping projects they have dreamed of while retaining the flexibility to pay for them over time. Many of Farda Landscaping’s clients have taken advantage of this opportunity and the Farda Landscaping & Excavating team will continue to offer this flexible financing program in 2014.
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A Look Ahead Farda Landscaping & Excavating prides themselves on staying on top of industry trends and new methods and techniques for creating unique and inviting outdoor living spaces. 2014 is predicted to see a return to fashioning outdoor environments focused on comfort and entertaining, boasting such accents as custom stonework, unique lighting fixtures, and gourmet kitchen stations including outdoor grills and pizza ovens. To prepare to meet these design needs for their clients, Farda Landscaping & Excavating invested in Kevin Brown and Nicholas Farda completing an extensive EP Henry training course in outdoor kitchen installation, pizza oven construction, and installing concrete pavers in pool settings. Additionally, long time Farda team member Dennis Caputo completes regular training courses to stay current on the latest in landscaping design trends. The education and unique skills both Kevin, Dennis, and Nicholas received during their trainings will prove a valuable resource to Farda customers in realizing their dream landscape surroundings.
Make the Right Call the First Time Farda Landscaping & Excavating offers free estimates for all landscaping and excavating projects, meeting directly with clients to outline the objectives for their projects, timelines, and budgets. No matter the scale or scope of the project you envision, Farda Landscaping & Excavating is qualified to handle the work from lawn care and maintenance, custom stone and lighting, trees and shrubs, flowering plants, patio design, outdoor cooking areas, and more. With Farda Landscaping & Excavating as your contractor you can rest assured that your work will be completed right the first time and that your dream landscape will be yours to enjoy for years to come. For more information on Farda Landscaping & Excavating, or to view a portfolio of their award-winning landscaping projects, we invite you to visit the Farda Landscaping website at www.fardalandscaping.com. 6 If you are interested in meeting with one of Farda Landscaping’s professionals for a free estimate please contact 570-421-5376.
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g n i r p S
STYLE
r i a Fl
Sara Sara Ferguson is a local voice teacher. She is styled by Claire Cohen at Shear Design. Zar royal blue top Alisha black legging Brighton earrings available in two styles; Versailles Garden and Mars Clothing & jewelry available at Dunkelbergers for Women in Stroudsburg, dunkelbergers.com
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Hair and make-up: Shear Design in Stroudsburg www.sheardesignspa.com Clothing: Dunkelbergers for Women of Stroudsburg: www.dunkelbergers.com and by The Apple on Main in Stroudsburg www.theappletreeonmain.com Photos: By Regina Nicolardi www.reginanicolardi.com
Marie Marie Porcano is a bodybuilder. She will soon be competing in Fitness America New England. Her motto is “Lift heavy, eat sane, and sleep well.� Marie is styled by Bria Orley of Shear Design. Lisette tummy control pants Bailey 44 pop-up tank top Triad leather circles bracelet Lisa Freed ebony stack bracelet JH curved Dia center cuff AF Jewelry LG open teardrop earrings Clothing & jewelry available at The Apple Tree on Main in Stroudsburg, theappletreeonmain.com
Local Flair
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STYLE
Linnea Linnea Pond is a yoga and pilates instructor at the YMCA Spinning and Pilates Studio, and at Boundless Yoga in Stroudsburg. She also teaches stand-up yoga at Mauka Nalu Pilates & Stand-Up Paddleboard. She is styled by Bria Orley at Shear Design. Pendleton Black/Ivory Print Dress Classic Pearl Accessories Clothing & jewelry available at Dunkelbergers for Women in Stroudsburg, dunkelbergers.com
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Experience isn’t expensive, it’s priceless.
Don’t call any Real Estate Office when you’re ready to sell or buy. Call Jennifer — a Real Estate Agent with Consistent Success!
Call Jennifer Direct 570.460.3111 jenace@ptd.net
CROSSROADS 805 Seven Bridge Road Suite 101 East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570.424.8850
Local Flair
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STYLE
Deena Deena Miller is the owner of Deena Miller Productions, a five-star live music weddings and entertainment company. Visit deenamillerproductions.com for information. She is styled by Nicole Malachawski of Shear Design.
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Joseph Ribkoff zipper ruches dress Simon Sebbag curved hoop earrings Triad blue teardrop dangle bracelet Clothing & jewelry available at The Apple Tree on Main in Stroudsburg, theappletreeonmain.com
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STYLE
Brittany
Ursula
Brittany Visconti, 19, is a health coach and independent distributor of Advocare products. After a former coach of Brittany’s persuaded her to go further and become a coach herself, she was inspired to help people get healthy and fit. She is styled by Bria Orley of Shear Design.
Ursula Machalick-Trusczkowski owns Aura, a fabric store in Effort, PA. Aura offers custom tailoring and upholstery. She is styled by Peg Zukawski at Shear Design.
Michael Stars Heather mesh sweatshirt & purple tee Tractr denim jacket & Jeans Triad necklace & earrings Clothing & jewelry available at The Apple Tree on Main in Stroudsburg, theappletreeonmain.com
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Sympli halo tunic with 3/4 sleeves Sympli legging Simon Sebbag onyx stretch bracelet Simon Sebbag crocodile earrings Clothing & jewelry available at The Apple Tree on Main in Stroudsburg, theappletreeonmain.com
Judy Judy Palma is a pianist to the stars. She is styled by Peg Zukawski of Shear Design. Black Cheryl Nash pant Black Cheryl Nash tank Black Lagoon stripe Cheryl Nash jacket Black Brighton Rose belt Carissima Bijoux brushed silver clip earring Carissima Bijoux brushed silver chain link necklace
Clothing & jewelry available at Dunkelbergers for Women in Stroudsburg, dunkelbergers.com
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Out & About
2014 Book Lovers Ball
Photos by Ken Schurmann of VIP Studios
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1. Trip & Eileen Ruvane, 2. Steve & Margaret Mazza, 3. Charles & Kasia Petchel, 4. Bob and Min Hwa Kupfer, 5. Peter & Buffy Pipolo, 6. Cindy DeLuca, Librarian, 7. Ron & Joan Vican, 8. Rick & Jodey Mutchler, 9. Dave & Maureen DeAngelis, 10. Charles & Michelle Barzydlo, 11. Annie Messina, 12. The Ruvane family: Trip, Mary, Joan, Eileen, and Pat, 13. Marie and Allen Young, 14. Ralph Megliola, 15. Karen & Donald Struckle, 16. Jim & Jean Bibber, 17. Wendy Price, Mary Ruvane, Karen Struckle, Cindy DeLuca, Roseanne Walters, Mia Megliola, Joy Warren & TJ Price, 18. Rick Golden and Csilla Laslo, 19. Adrianne & Rich Price, 20. Bill & Christine Henry, 21. Barbara & Mia Megliola, 22. Tom and Joyce Wild, 23. Jim & Maureen Siglin, 24. Jamie Pipolo & Michael Cohen, 25. Annalise, Kaitlyn & Glenn Taylor, 26. Walter & TJ Price, 27. Drake & Nancy Hooke, 28. John & Laura Layton, 29. Mike & Tricia Fritz, Gail Dunkleberger & David Parker, 30. Rich & Wendy Nicolais, 31. Blake & Rita Martin, 32. Charles and Marilou Conlin
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Private Homestead
215 Spencer Road • Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328
Take a virtual tour of this property at www.realestateshows.com/700018
4 yr. old New England ‘’Country Carpenters’’ custom built 1750s replica farmhouse on 50 acres! Family retreat! Post & beam construction; 4 BRs, 2 1/2 BA; imported 50 yr simulated shake shingle rf; period correct 12 x 12 Lincoln windows w/ custom trim; hardware hand-forged by a New England blacksmith; spacious eat-in kitchen w/ SS appliances, Liebherr ref/freezer, 2-zone wine fridge; spacious handmade open-hearth brick fireplace. “Beehive” baking oven; 2-zone central air. See deer, bear, and turkey from your own quad trails! Very private setting.
Al & Maria Elena Premuto
www.OurPoconoHomes.com Office: (570) 226-8240 | Cell: (570) 470-0141 Shown by appointment only
Join us for a “Taste of Italy”
Every Thursday Night Enjoy 3 courses for $20.95
Women & Wine April 9th & May 14th
Mens Night
April 23rd & May 28th
Open Sunday thru Thursday 4 – 9:30 p.m. Friday & Saturday 4 – 10:30 p.m. Closed on Mondays & Tuesdays
www.dinelakeharmonypa.com Special Mother’s Day Menu Available *Every Mother receives a free dessert!
134 Lake Harmony Rd., Lake Harmony, PA 18624
570.722.3990 For Reservations
Local Flair
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PROFILE
Griswold Home Care
On the Job of
Being Human By Susan Crowley
“The word
caregiver is not only a job description, but a definition of who these remarkable people truly are.”
“A smile is the light in your window that tells others that there is a caring, sharing person inside,” says motivational speaker Denis Waitley. Two caregivers referred by Griswold Home Care of the Pocono Mountains bring their smiles to their clients every day. The word caregiver is not only a job description, but a definition of who these remarkable people truly are. Professional caregivers start their day with a mission to provide quality care for people in need. The Griswold philosophy ensures clients that they will receive “outstanding, compassionate service while maintaining dignity, comfort and well-being, at an affordable cost.” It is the caregivers’ obligation to uphold the company’s values and coalesce their own unique, personal qualities that make them the “givers of care.”
Doris
Doris began her journey with Griswold four years ago after moving to the United States from Kenya. According to her, compassion, love of God, and extreme patience are important qualities when working with her clients. “You know that you have them under your care it’s a great responsibility. They are depending on me,” Doris states respectfully. At the end of the day, she is happy to have helped, pleased, and comforted, knowing that she is leaving those she cares for in a better place than they had been in the beginning of their day. The attachment that Doris forms with her clients is rewarding, but also sometimes painful. She says that when clients are very ill, it is heartbreaking knowing that she may not
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be with them in the near future. At times like these, Doris says she lets God know that she is happy that He chose her to spend the last days with them.
Henry
Henry’s description with Griswold defines him as a “live in”; one who moves into the client’s home and becomes an integral part of his or her life. The bond that develops is very close. Henry says, without hesitation, that being a good caregiver means that “sacrificing yourself to abide by the needs of others is number one.” He explains that “changing your way of life to accept and deal with what is going on with the client is what’s important. It’s no longer about you.” Like any job, there are good days and bad days. With a smile and a little laugh Henry confesses, “Some days I wake up and pray to the Lord, God please give us a good day!” American author Leo Buscalglia says, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” According to Henry, “You never expect to encounter a time when you cannot help yourself. It is important that we as human beings help one another.” 6 Griswold Home Care of the Pocono Mountains is located at 78 South Courtland Street in East Stroudsburg, PA 18301. For more information, call (570) 424-7678 or visit www. griswoldhomecare.com.
Family Compound
156 3 Legged Swamp Rd • Greentown, PA 18426 Looking for privacy?
Take a virtual tour of this property at www.realestateshows.com/677479
Nestled in the heart of the Pocono Mts. is this rare find! 221 Acres! Has a separate fully functional, hunting camp on top of mountain! Food plots. Valuable timber - red & white oaks! 105’x40’ continuous heated garages for all the toys. Mountain stream. Pond site. Has a separate 2 BR, 1 BA fully landscaped home with detached garage. Adjoins very large parcels and very private. Again, this is a rare find and an excellent opportunity. Great investment!! Excellent Hunting! Has a driveable woods road that leads to the hunting camp on top of the mountain. Excellent views!
Al & Maria Elena Premuto
www.OurPoconoHomes.com Office: (570) 226-8240 | Cell: (570) 470-0141 Shown by appointment only
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health
It’s a stall world after all. Do you spend an inordinate amount of time in the bathroom stall? Voiding disorders affect urine storage and release because both are controlled by the same muscle mechanisms. Overactive bladder (OAB) and other voiding disorders can keep you from doing the things you love because you constantly live in fear of being too far away from a restroom. Using the restroom so frequently can also be embarrassing. In general, voiding disorders can affect your overall quality of life, lead to embarrassment, and force you to live in a “stall world.”
What Is Overactive Bladder?
Overactive bladder (OAB) is considered a voiding disorder and is characterized by the bladder squeezing urine out at the wrong time. OAB is fairly common; one in six adults in the United States has symptoms of overactive bladder. Symptoms of overactive bladder include: • Urinating eight or more times per day or two or more times per night • Sudden, strong urges to urinate immediately • Leaking urine after a sudden, strong urge to urinate OAB may be caused by spasms in the bladder that give you that sudden urge to use the restroom. Your everyday routine could be contributing to these spasms without you even knowing it. Foods that are known bladder irritants, medicines such as diuretics, urinary tract infections, extra weight pushing on your bladder, and arthritis are all conditions that can affect your everyday voiding schedule. Even going to the restroom “just in case” trains your bladder to hold less urine and can cause you to go more frequently.
OAB Treatments
Many people believe that OAB symptoms are just a fact of life after a certain age and therefore do not mention it to their physician. OAB, however, can affect anyone at any age. The good news is that you don’t have to put up with these symptoms. OAB is a treatable medical condition that you and your physician can work through. Medicines that treat OAB are called antimuscarinics. These medicines effectively treat the symptoms of OAB by helping to calm the bladder muscle and reduce spasms. In addition to medications, everyday choices and changes to your routine can help you manage your overactive bladder.
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Everyday choices that can help you treat your OAB symptoms include: 1. Watch your fluid intake. Drinking too much or too little water can affect your bladder symptoms. Most people should drink at least six 8-oz. cups of fluid every day — with half of those cups being water. If you are not drinking enough, constipation can also affect your OAB symptoms. Talk with your physician before you make any significant changes to your eating or drinking schedule. 2. Work to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). The pelvic floor is a series of muscles that help you to hold urine in your bladder. Over time, age and childbirth can weaken these muscles. Your pelvic floor muscles help stop the flow of urine. Work to squeeze and hold them and then release them for an equal amount of time. 3. Make dietary changes. There are some foods that irritate your bladder and can exacerbate the symptoms of OAB. Caffeine, citrus fruits and juices, artificial sweeteners, tomato-based foods, sodas, alcohol, and spicy foods all have the ability to irritate your bladder and force you to visit the “stall world” more frequently. The most important thing to remember is that OAB does not have to run your life. Overactive bladder is a treatable medical condition that can be managed through medicine and lifestyle changes. You and your physician can discuss any more serious treatments if the lifestyle changes and medicines are not working for you.
PoconoMedicalCenter.org/Spirit
Cro ssr oa ds Ma ll
The all-new Bartonsville Healthcare Center was designed to provide you and your family with a wide range of healthcare specialists and services in one convenient location.
Franz Rd
Sonic
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• Primary Care
Bartonsville Plaza
PMC Immediate Care
611
Dick’s Sporting Goods
There’s no easier way to get personalized care with a focus on your health and wellness. The Bartonsville Healthcare Center features:
W O N N PE O
Our family caring for yours in Bartonsville
Bartonsville Square
Commerce Blvd Bluebird Dr
PMC Bartonsville Healthcare Center P
EXIT 302B
80
Hampton Inn
EXIT 302
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• Women’s Breast Health Center • OB/GYN • Urogynecology • Advanced Wound Care Center • Vascular Surgery and Lab • Endocrinology • Pulmonology • Imaging Center To learn more visit our website or to schedule an appointment call (570) 426-6800. Located on Route 611 just off the intersection of Routes 80 and 33.
Bartonsville Healthcare Center Bartonsville Square 600 Commerce Blvd Stroudsburg, PA (570) 426-6800
PoconoMedicalCenter.org
flavor
Judicious & Delicious
A restaurant menu is not your enemy if you are a devotee of healthy eating. These local restaurant picks will treat your palate and nourish your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. And they partner with your healthy lifestyle.
SCI - The Restaurant at Stroudsmoor
Fruited Quinoa is the creation of Stroudsmoor Chef “G”erard and Pocono Medical Center Nutritionist Paula Schott. Quinoa is complemented by steamed spinach, raisins and dried apricots—then finished with fresh lemon and toasted pine nuts. Diners love the healthy menu options now available from the restaurant’s partnership with the medical center. 570.421.6431 stroudsmoor.com Stroudsburg, PA
Quench Café & Juice Bar
Nicole DeFour, owner of Quench, says, “Kale is one of our favorite ingredients. We juice it, sautee’ it, make sandwiches with it and even use it raw as in this delicious Kale & Chick Pea Salad.” DeFour adds the juice of a fresh lemon, olive oil and some shaved parmesan! Kale is high in vitamins K&E and helps lower cholesterol. Chick peas are a good source of protein, soluble fiber and iron. 570.872.9292 quenchjuicecafe.com Stroudsburg, PA
Van Gilder’s Jubilee
The Jubilee’s Brady’s Lake Salad is just one of nine entree salads on the lunch and dinner menu. This gluten free salad has healthy benefits from the pecan-encrusted chicken breast, feta cheese and fruit. The salad is chock full of vitamins & minerals which provide anti-oxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds. The Jubilee’s low fat and fat free dressings further make this choice a healthy one. 570.646.2377 breakfastking.com Pocono Pines, PA
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Sweet Creams Café
Colorful means healthy, and this Red White and Blue Salad from Sweet Creams Cafe is loaded with antioxidants, super foods, and nutrients along with a lower fat alternative to regular cheese. Strawberries, blueberries, artichoke hearts, goat cheese, chick peas, and red onions top a bed of arugula. 570.421.7929 On Facebook, search “Sweet Creams Café” Stroudsburg, PA
Rediscover the art of dining at...
SCI
The Restaurant at Stroudsmoor Country Inn
Sophisticated, Classic & Inspired
The Frogtown Inn & 6 Acres Restaurant
Chef Bryan Wallace of The Frogtown Inn & 6 Acres Restaurant says, “I wanted to keep this scallop salad light and healthy.” It consists of mixed greens tossed in an orange vinaigrette and topped with candied walnuts and seared sea scallops. Diners can substitute scallops for another choice such as shrimp. 570.595.6282 thefrogtowninn.com Canadensis, PA
Menu information and reservations, call...
570-421-6431
Take Route 80 West Exit 307 to PA Route 191 South, turn right onto Stroudsmoor Road, Stroudsburg, PA Lat. 40.966456 Long. -75.204596 www.stroudsmoor.com ~ www.scidining.com
Easter Dinner - April 20th Mother’s Day Buffet - May 11th
570-421-6431
Call our Restaurant Concierge to reserve your table! Reservations Please.
Visit our Bakery Café to place your holiday orders for our specialty baked goods, ready to heat meals and custom cakes. Located on Broad Street in Stroudsburg, near Routes 191 & 611. Phone (570) 517-0663
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April 24 -30 th
th
The official Pocono Mountains Restaurant Week is back! Dine at one of these great restaurants for a unique lunch or dinner pre fixe menu. Go to poconorestaurantweek.com and browse the menus and vote for your Flavorites!
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Local Flair
Dine Out and Dig In April 24-30
At these Participating Restaurants:
Media Sponsors:
Don’t forget to vote for your
Flavorite poconorestaurantweek.com
GO! May 3
Krell
April 19-20
Tough Mudder
Pocono Raceway Hardcore obstacle courses to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. toughmudder.com/events/poconos-2014
Adventure Games
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Near Harmony Beverage in Blakeslee, PA Admission: $75 per person; $150 per team through April 25 Think Hunger Games meets Survivor meets the Amazing Race.Teams of two enter the arena with a map; each team chooses its own course and obstacles, both physical and mental. info@krelladventures.com
917.856.7018
krelladventures.com
Get Active!
Walk MS May 4
May 24
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Pocono Raceway Admission: Fundraising Goal Along with hundreds of local walkers who are part of the MS movement, stride along three miles around the raceway. Laurie.Zerumsky@nmss.org
May 3
215.271.1500 Ext. 24118 walkpae.nationalmssociety.org
Pocono XTERRA
Big Pocono Race
Registration 9 a.m.; Race 10 a.m. Big Pocono State Park, Tannersville Rocks, climbs, and breathtaking scenery as you descend from winter into spring and then back again!
Pocono XTERRA Hickory Run State Park Race
Registration 9 a.m.; Race 10 a.m. Courses descend to the Lehigh River, pass along miles of trout stream, & encounter numerous waterfalls, woodland meadows, & unique rhododendron tunnels; stream crossings & sections of rocky single track.
570.814.0346
wilkesbarreracing.com/ PoconoXterraSeries/hickoryRun.php
570.814.0346
wilkesbarreracing.com/PoconoXterraSeries
May 17
Civilian Military
Combine
Registration 9 a.m Camelback Mountain Resort Admission: $110-$160 3 to 7 miles of military-inspired obstacle course racing with CMC’s very own, revolutionary first obstacle, THE PIT. Civilian athletes team up with military personnel & first responders in the ultimate physical and mental tests.
civilianmilitarycombine.com
Lehigh Gorge May 18
Triathlon
noon - finish Adventure Center at Whitewater Challengers $45 per person before 5/1/14; $60 per person after 5/1/14 Three elements: running, rafting, and biking. Registered teams of 4, 5, or 6 members. Fundraiser for Branden’s Heart
800.443.8554
whitewaterchallengers.com May 18
Pocono Mountains
Run for the Red Marathon
8 a.m./Marathon and Marathon Relay; 8:30 a.m./5k Road Race Begins at Stroudsburg High School Stadium 26.2 mile marathon through Monroe County. Includes a 5k Road Race and a Two Person Marathon Relay.100% of entry fee goes toward disaster relief in Monroe County.
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570.476.3800
poconomarathon.org
June 1
Black Bear
Triathlon
7:30 a.m Beltzville State Park $120-$205 Calm swim in Beltzville Reservoir followed by a rolling hills bike course, and finishing with a run course along hard packed trails & paved roads
cgiracing.com/blackbeartri/Home.aspx
Come visit the ALL NEW
Everything you should expect in a dealership!
On North 9th Street in Stroudsburg 800-455-8129 | GrayChevrolet.com Local Flair
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Q&A
Q&A with Erb’s Landscaping
Organic is the buzzword of the century, but is it important for your lawn to go green? Dan Erb from Erb’s Landscaping thinks so and he has brought on a new fertilizer line to help us get our Pocono lawns in good health. This new line, Holganix, is like a probiotic for plant health. Probiotics play an important role in human health, generally incorporated through diet (think Activia or Greek yogurt). Probiotics for humans and plants alike are microorganisms, non-harmful bacteria that keep “bad bacteria” in check. It’s all about keeping the balance between the good and the bad bacteria in harmony. When you use Holganix, you’re reducing the use of nitrates and phosphates by as much as 90%, and helping to reduce the impact of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on our environment. The products and ingredients that make up Holganix are guaranteed 100% natural and organic. Holganix contains no animal or human by-products. It’s made exclusively of plant-based botanical extracts and products. There are no chemical by-products used in the process of making Holganix.
Q: What can I expect if I start using Holganix on my lawn?
A: Going the natural route with your property won’t always give you the instant gratification such as “TruGreen® (for example) would. Usually it takes 2-3 applications to see major results. The results will include a large, rapid decline in weeds, lusher turf, and a more disease resistant yard. What is occurring in the soil, however, is absolutely amazing. The bio-stimulants encourage root growth, and the soil condition is truly being changed. The typical big box store bagged fertilizer cannot boast any of that. We also have a tree and shrub Holganix program that is tailored to the specific needs of shrubs, flowers, and trees in the landscape. The treatment of the landscape beds is very different than the needs of the turf. We typically include this treatment in most of our packages to bring great results across the board.
Q: As a landscape professional, why do you believe in Holganix?
A: Over the last few years we have focused on creating a great maintenance program for our existing clients. I personally felt like standard lawn spray or granular products were good but the emphasis for creating results was always on pesticides or chemicals. The risk of contamination and pollution is always at the forefront. Nothing was ever done to create a better atmosphere for the lawn to thrive. We have had the ability to directly work with Holganix to create a program that will fit the Poconos and the specific needs that our area requires.
Q: How long until I see results you mentioned?
A: 2-3 applications will be needed to start to see some results. Our typical program is 5-7 applications a year.
Q: Can you give me a ballpark on cost?
A: Most treatments will run in the range of $50-$80 per application, depending on the size of the yard.
Q: Are you working on any exciting landscapes for 2014?
A: We have many unique opportunities this year with our work. One of the main themes for our projects this year is outdoor living. One particular project that comes to mind is removing the deck from a house and building a raised outdoor living area terracing itself back to the original grade. 6 Schedule your spring or summer project with Erb’s Landscaping by calling at 570.839.8901. Or for more information, visit erbslandscaping.com
Very big plans are in the works for the empty chain link fence row currently standing at the 600 block of Main Street in Stroudsburg. A community-based mural wall will be created by Shane Izykowski and local art committee members, made from eighteen 4-foot by 8-foot panels. The goal is to introduce street art as a means to improve the overall look of the town. This project will aid in bringing street art into the public eye, without invasively taking over. Each picture will depict a building in town, to create one long, abstract Downtown Stroudsburg street scene. The project is currently scheduled for May 24th, 2014 from 11:00-5:00.
Digital mockup by Sonia Leticia Art & Design
Local Flair
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The Fixed Income Files
The Truth is Out There For the past year (or two), investors have been told (in many instances preached to) that there is no place in investment portfolios for bonds. The thinking behind this thesis is that the 30-year bull market in bonds is over, that rates cannot fall any further and that rising interest rates will have deleterious effects on the prices of fixed income investments. Adding to the alleged negatives of bond investing is that investors might shift assets away from fixed income assets and into equity assets. These theses seem logical and simple. In fact they might be too simple. Allow us to explain by addressing the some of the common misconceptions and misunderstandings of the fixed income market and fixed income investing.
Thomas Byrne
Director of Fixed Income Wealth Strategies & Management LLC 570-424-1555 Office 570-234-6350 Cell E-mail: thomas.byrne@ wsandm.com www.bond-squad.com
Misunderstanding #1: Investing in fixed income (bonds) is a bad idea because rates will rise and rising rates usually equal lower bond prices. Reality: Although that it is true that bond prices tend to decline as interest rates rise, this simplistic investment strategies ignores two realities. 1) Unlike stocks and most other investments, bonds usually have a maturity date. This means that they will return 100% of their face value on their maturity dates (as long as the bond issuer is solvent) regardless of interest rate conditions. This means even if interest rates rise precipitously and bond prices decline, investors should have their entire principal returned at maturity. The result is as long as the bond issuer maintains the ability to pay, price volatility is almost meaningless. This is important when investing in corporate bonds, municipal bonds and bonds issued by foreign governments. 2) Interest rates might not rise (or rise much). Interest rates can rise and interest rates can fall. With long-term interest rates rising off their lowest levels since the 1950s during the past year, we can understand why many investors became fearful of higher interest rates. However, interest rates do not rise without a just cause. Longer-term interest rates (bond yields) are most sensitive to inflation. With inflation pressures tame (due to poor wage growth, global labor competition and the safety of the U. S. dollar). Longterm interest rate might not have all that much room to rise.
Read more misconceptions of the fixed income market online at flairmag.com/fixedincomefiles High yield/junk bonds (grade BB or below) are not investment grade securities, and are subject to higher interest rate, credit, and liquidity risks than those graded BBB and above. They generally should be part of a diversified portfolio for sophisticated investors. International and emerging market investment involves special risks, such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors. Municipal bonds are subject to availability and change in price. They are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values may decline as interest rates rise. Interest income may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. Many Municipal bonds are federally tax-free but other state and local taxes may apply. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly. Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC
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