Penn Lines June 2011 by American MainStreet Publications

JUNE 2011

Season of the tick Pennsylvania tops nation in reported Lyme disease cases as summer begins

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JUNE Vol. 46 • No. 6 Peter A. Fitzgerald EDITOR

Katherine Hackleman S E N I OR E D I T O R / W R I T E R

James Dulley Janette Hess Barbara Martin Marcus Schneck

E N E R G Y M AT T E R S Cool energy costs with a new refrigerator

KEEPING CURRENT News items from across the Commonwealth

C ON T R I B U T I N G C O L U M N I S TS

W. Douglas Shirk L AYOU T & DESI GN

Vonnie Kloss

Season of the tick

A D V E R T I S I N G & CI R C U L A T I O N

Pennsylvania tops nation in reported Lyme disease cases as summer begins

Michelle M. Smith M E D I A & M A R K E T I N G S P E CI A L I S T

Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,400 households of co-op consumermembers understand issues that affect the electric cooperative program, their local coops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and taxpaying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or local electric distribution cooperatives. Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.42 per year through their local electric distribution cooperative. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes with mailing label to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorsement of the product or services by the publisher or any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines, please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, located at: www.prea.com/Content/ pennlines.asp. Penn Lines Online provides an email link to Penn Lines editorial staff, information on advertising rates, contributor’s guidelines, and an archive of past issues.

TIME LINES Your newsmagazine through the years

12A C O O P E R AT I V E

CO N N ECT I O N

Information and advice from your local electric cooperative

POWER PLANTS

Impressive garden taste 14

SMART CIRCUITS

Ventilation cuts cooling costs Properly ventilating your home can reduce the need for air conditioning

T I M E PA S S A G E S Remembering when the lights came on

COUNTRY KITCHEN

Oh, my! Strawberry pie! 18

O U T D O O R A DV E N T U R ES

Life in a puddle Nature ensures animals low on the food chain have high reproductive rates

CLASSIFIEDS

PUNCH LINES

Thoughts from Earl Pitts– Uhmerikun!

Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association: Chairman, S. Eugene Herritt; Vice Chairman, Kevin Barrett; Secretary, Lanny Rodgers; Treasurer, Leroy Walls; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley © 2011 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

F E AT U R E

Keys to a person’s inner thoughts also hang on his key chain

RURAL REFLECTIONS

Spring slides into summer

O N T H E COV E R Keep a close eye out for ticks this summer, as the tiny critters can carry Lyme disease, a growing problem in Pennsylvania. The typical disease carrier in this part of the United States is a deer tick (see photo illustration on page 10). Photo illustration by Doug Shirk.

JUNE 2011 • PENN

JUNE 2011

Season of the tick Pennsylvania tops nation in reported Lyme disease cases as residents head outdoors

LINES

ENERGYmatters Cool energy costs with a new refrigerator IT SITS in the kitchen, quietly humming away to keep your food cold. Most people don’t think much about their refrigerator — as long as it’s working. Most models will operate for a very long time without any problems, but that doesn’t mean it is performing at maximum efficiency. If your refrigerator dates from the 1980s, replacing it with a new model could cut your electric bill by $100 per year, according to Energy Star. Savings could be as much as $200 annually if you bought your refrigerator in the 1970s — but only if you dispose of the old unit. (Recycling an old appliance is preferable because it allows the metal, plastic, and glass to be reused, and prevents toxic chemicals from ending up in landfills.) To estimate how much energy your refrigerator consumes, visit www.energy star.gov and search for “Refrigerator Retirement Calculator.” Type your refrigerator’s model number into the calculator and you’ll receive an estimate of how much energy it uses and how much money a new one may save.

Hidden energy gobblers More than a quarter of U.S. households own a second refrigerator, a number that increases by 1 percent per year, according to a 2009 U.S. Department of Energy report. However, these appliances are often older and less efficient ― refrigerators manufactured prior to 1993 use two to three times more energy than today’s Energy Star-qualified models. In addition, a second refrigerator will increase your air-conditioning costs since it produces heat. And because fridges are designed to operate in conditioned rooms, 4

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GENERAL ELECTRIC

By B r i a n S l o b o da

RIGHT-SIZE IT: Larger refrigerators, especially those with bottom-mounted freezers, require more energy, so choose a size that fits your lifestyle.

keeping one in an area more exposed to temperature extremes, such as porches, garages, and basements will force it to draw more power to operate properly. In winter, you even run the risk of damaging the compressor because it will not be able to complete defrost cycles. Although convenient, a second refrigerator can mean $420 to $750 in additional energy costs over the lifetime of the appliance. If you can’t live without your second fridge, reduce its energy use substantially by plugging it in just to keep drinks and food cold during parties or other special events. However, you may want to consider a cheaper alternative ― filling a large bucket or cooler with ice and letting it melt slightly since icy water cools soda and beer faster than ice alone.

Buying a new fridge When shopping for a new refrigerator, look for one with a top-mounted freezer ― it typically uses 10 percent to 25 per-

cent less energy than bottom-mount or side-by-side models, according to Energy Star. Also, a larger refrigerator will require more energy, so purchase the size you really need to fit your lifestyle. Once your new refrigerator is up and running, you can do some simple things to keep it operating as efficiently as possible. Cooling coils, on the back or underneath the unit, act like dust collectors. So make sure to vacuum them once or twice a year. Over time, the gasket around the fridge door will loosen. If you notice that the gasket seal is loose or discolored, replace it. l Brian Sloboda is a senior program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network, a service of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. CRN monitors, evaluates, and applies technologies that help electric cooperatives control costs, increase productivity, and enhance service to their consumers. Additional content provided by ESource.

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KEEPINGcurrent Susquehanna River tabbed most endangered U.S. river “America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2011” ranks the Susquehanna River as the No. 1 most endangered river in the United States. Released in mid-May, the list, compiled for the group “American Rivers,” says the Susquehanna made the list due to natural gas development and potential hazards associated with hydraulic fracturing, also known as “fracking.” During fracking, drillers take large amounts of water, mix it with sand and chemicals, and insert it back into the earth to break up rock formations, enabling them to extract more of the valuable natural gas reserves. “We put the Susquehanna River at the top of this year’s list, citing the rush to develop natural gas reserves in the region without considering the significant risk to clean water and public health,” the report noted. Paul O. Swartz, executive director of the Susquehanna River Basin Commission (SRBC), issued a statement after the designation was published. “Today’s announcement … does not come as a surprise to the SRBC. We are well aware that the development of natural gas is foremost on the minds of citizens, policymakers, organizations and water management agencies,” Swartz noted. “As in 2005, when American Rivers last gave the Susquehanna the dubious distinction of being the most endangered due to concerns about combined sewer overflows, it is clear to us and others that the designation does not really mean the Susquehanna is the most polluted river. It is primarily meant to raise awareness of an issue with the underlying hope to effectuate policy changes.” Swartz goes on to say the commission believes the Susquehanna basin can accommodate the natural gas industry’s water needs, especially when waterways are at normal or high levels. He notes the organization’s regulations are compre6

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NO. 1 ENDANGERED RIVER: The group ‘American Rivers’ has named the Susquehanna as the No. 1 most endangered river in the United States.

hensive and designed to protect the environment, as well as other water users. The decision whether to continue or discontinue fracking practices is squarely the responsibility of SRBC’s members, not the commission itself, he added. The drilling industry has long maintained that although the chemicals used in the fracking process are typically kept secret, the likelihood of them coming into contact with groundwater or underground aquifers and causing a problem is remote.

and out-of-state visitors can benefit from the guide’s suggestions of places to visit. The guide is free, and is available online at www.visitpa.com/pa-vacationguide, or by calling 800/VISITPA. The Pennsylvania Tourism Office, a part of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, is dedicated to inspiring travel to the Commonwealth. For a free subscription to the department’s Pursuits magazine, go online to www.visitpa.com/pursuits.

‘Best of Pennsylvania’ guide now available

Census figures reveal aging Pennsylvania population

The Pennsylvania Tourism Office has sent people out all across Pennsylvania to hike trails, ski slopes, acquire artwork, drive scenic byways and visit the Commonwealth’s small towns and big cities in order to develop a list of the “Best of Pennsylvania.” The new publication lists best attractions, history, dining, culture and recreation in 10 regions. The new travel guide features a collection of narratives from Pursuits, the tourism office’s seasonal lifestyle magazine. It is set up so that both in-state

In the past decade, the median age of Pennsylvanians has increased more than two years — from 38 years in 2000 to 40.1 years — while the percentage of Pennsylvania homes with children has dipped to 29.9 percent, down from 32.6 percent in 2000, according to the latest 2010 Census figures released in May. Counties where the median age is the highest includes those in rural northern Pennsylvania and the western part of the state. Sullivan County, where Sullivan County Rural Electric Cooperative is

headquartered, has the highest median age in the state at 49.9. Nearly 25 percent of residents in Sullivan County are 65 and older, while only about 20 percent of the county’s households have children. The impacts of the state’s aging population will be significant as lawmakers try to meet the needs of an aging population — a group that often requires social services. Medicaid, a federal program that assists states in paying for medical and long-term care for the poor and disabled, accounts for more than 20 percent of the Commonwealth’s budget. Much of that funding in Pennsylvania is due to the number of elderly residents who need care, but can’t afford to pay for it. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, the elderly make up 14 percent of the state’s 2 million Medicaid recipients, but they represent 33 percent of the Medicaid funds spent.

STEVEN JACOBS, PENN STATE UNIVERSITY

Penn State has new tool to monitor stink bugs Pennsylvanians are bracing for another year of infestation by the brown marmorated stink bug, but they have a new ally in the fight against the invasive insect. Penn State researchers have developed a web-based tool they hope will help homeowners and crop growers to assist them to better understand the stink bug. Developed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the tool can be accessed online at BUGGY: Since first stinkbug-info.org. being logged near The goal is to learn Allentown in 1998, stink as much as possibugs have spread rapble about the popidly across the state. ulation dynamics of the stink bug, according to the developers of the tool — John Tooker, assistant professor of entomology at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences, and Douglas Miller, associate professor of geography and director of the Center for Environmental Informatics in Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.

In addition to providing information about the stink bug, including management tips, the mapping tool will enable fruit and vegetable growers, farmers, nursery operators and homeowners to report the location and size of the infestations and estimated dollar value of damages caused by the pest. To report an infestation, visitors to the website must register, create a user name and password and then enter information about their infestation, including county and municipality, date and number of stink bugs observed per plant or in the home. The brown marmorated stink bug was first found in Pennsylvania in 1998 near Allentown in Lehigh County, and it has rapidly become a nuisance for homeowners, as well as a threat to agricultural producers. In 2010, it caused serious damage to Pennsylvania’s apple and peach orchards, damaging an estimated 20 percent of all fruit grown in Pennsylvania (it does not destroy the fruit, but damaged fruit must be diverted to be processed instead of being sold as fresh fruit). It was also found in significant quantities on blackberry bushes, sweet corn, field corn and soybeans. It has no known natural enemies in the United States, which allows its growth to remain unchecked. The 2011 population of stink bugs is not yet known, and can vary due to weather and other environmental factors.

Game commission keeps close eye on wildlife diseases The Pennsylvania Game Commission is keeping a close eye on two diseases — one of which is already having a devastating effect on the state’s bat populations. According to a commission spokesman, White Nose Syndrome is continuing to spread in Pennsylvania with mortality incidents of over 90 percent in some individual hibernacula (winter quarters). White Nose Syndrome, first reported in New BATS IN DISTRESS: York in 2006 and White Nose Syndrome in Pennsylvania in continues to take a 2008, is named for heavy toll on the state’s bat population. a white fungus on

WATCHFUL EYE: Wildlife officials are keeping a close eye on the state’s deer population as Chronic Wasting Disease creeps closer to Pennsylvania.

the wings and muzzles of affected bats. Researchers still aren’t sure how the disease spreads or kills, but it is found more often among bats roused from hibernation. Officials estimate that nationwide, the disease has claimed between 1 million and 2 million bats, prompting some to theorize that bats may eventually become extinct. Although some homeowners — and lots of bugs — might appreciate that, it would be bad news for farmers who depend on bat populations to eat insects that would otherwise destroy crops. To show how serious this is — an estimated 10,000 bats hibernated in an abandoned mine in Durham Township in Bucks County just two years ago. Last year, the population was halved. This spring, only 192 bats were counted, many of which appeared to be ill. Commission members also are keeping a close eye on the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, a degenerative brain disease that affects elk, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Prevalent in the western United States, Chronic Wasting Disease has now been reported as close as West Virginia and Virginia. So far, using random testing of harvested deer and elk, Pennsylvania has not discovered any positive tests, however, commission spokesmen say it now appears it will not be a question of if Chronic Wasting Disease will spread into Pennsylvania, but when. l JUNE 2011 • PENN

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PENNlines

Season of the

tick Pennsylvania tops nation in reported Lyme disease cases as summer begins By Kathy Hackleman S e n i o r E d i t o r / Wr i t e r

IT’S USUALLY considered a good thing to be No. 1. But to lead the nation in the number of Lyme disease cases is no doubt a dubious distinction. However, that’s the spot Pennsylvania finds itself in as Lyme disease continues its relentless spread across the northeastern United States, as well as other parts of the country and world. “Lyme disease affects thousands of Pennsylvania residents each year,” says state Rep. Dick Hess (R-Bedford), a cooperative legislator who introduced a measure earlier this year to fight the disease. “It’s important for the medical community and state officials to work together to ensure the public is made aware of this illness and given the proper precautionary measures to avoid contracting this infection.” Spread through tick bites, Lyme disease is a relatively benign-sounding condition named after the city of Lyme, Conn., where it was first identified in the United States in 1975. However, Lyme disease can morph into a lifelong, life-altering, debilitating condition if not diagnosed promptly and treated properly. Treatment within 24 to 48 hours after the bite of an infected tick offers the best hope for a cure. “Lyme disease is a significant problem in Pennsylvania for several reasons,” says 8

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Pennsylvania Department of Health Acting Physician General Dr. Stephen Ostroff. “One, we experience thousands of cases every year, especially in younger age groups. Two, many cases are not appropriately diagnosed in the earliest stages of illness when treatment is easiest to administer and most effective. Three, the disease appears to be spreading westward and northward, placing larger proportions of our population at risk of disease. And fourth, we need much better tools to prevent exposure and to prevent infection if exposure occurs. The combination of these problems makes Lyme disease a significant public health problem in Pennsylvania.”

Grim statistics Beyond the thousands of new cases being diagnosed each year in Pennsylvania, there is no way to tally the number of residents with the disease who have gone undiagnosed and untreated for years. The statistics provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta are grim. Pennsylvania was sec-

CLOSE TO HOME: Black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks), often transported to rural and suburban lawns by deer, can be the carriers of Lyme disease, a growing medical crisis in Pennsylvania. The ticks also are prevalent in rural recreation areas.

ond only to New York in the number of reported new cases of Lyme disease in 2008, but it raced ahead of its neighbor to the north in 2009 (the latest year for which statistics are available). In 2008, there were 3,818 confirmed cases of Lyme disease in Pennsylvania, compared to 5,741 in New York. However, in 2009, Pennsylvania recorded 4,950 confirmed cases and 772 probable cases, while New York had 4,134 confirmed cases and 1,517 probable cases (2009 was the first year that changes in the CDC reporting criteria were reflected in the statistics, which now include confirmed and probable cases). While Pennsylvania had the largest number of Lyme disease cases reported or confirmed in 2009, the Commonwealth ranks eighth in the number of confirmed cases per 100,000 population,

according to the CDC. At 39.3, it ranks behind Delaware at 111.2, Connecticut at 78.2, New Hampshire at 75.2, Massachusetts at 61, Maine at 60, New Jersey at 52.8 and Vermont at 51.9. Although New York ranks right up there with Pennsylvania in total numbers, it only has 21.2 cases per 100,000 population. In contrast, there are 32 states that have fewer than one case per 100,000 residents. With the exception of Wisconsin and Minnesota, significantly fewer U.S. cases are reported in states other than those located in the northeast. Nationwide, in 2009, approximately 30,000 new cases of confirmed Lyme disease were reported with nearly 10,000 additional instances of probable cases reported.

Beyond the numbers However sobering the statistics may be for Pennsylvania, they cannot tell the personal story of Lyme disease. Only people can do that. Linda Wales, a member of Mansfieldbased Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, serves as treasurer of NYPenn, a support group for Lyme disease patients who live in the northern tier of Pennsylvania or the southern tier of New York. NYPenn holds an annual walk to raise funds to spread the word about Lyme disease — how to prevent it, diagnose it and treat it — and assist patients actively

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undergoing treatment with transportation expenses. The organization’s website, www.ahope4lyme.org, reveals cheerful, lime-green limes personalized with “people features.” But the theme of this year’s walk reveals its serious nature: “Lyme Walk … for those who can’t.” Wales, a resident of the rural Millerton area, is a vocal advocate for fellow sufferers (she reports she personally knows of 142 Lyme patients within a 25-mile radius of her home). She vividly recalls the unusual black spot on her arm back in 1995 that would ultimately take her down this road. “I thought it was a boil,” Wales recalls. “I didn’t know anything about ticks or tick-borne diseases back then. It went away, and a ringworm-like rash came. I just ignored it, too. As time went on, I became sicker and sicker, but I never put two and two together.” Within a few months, she was practically incapacitated with unrelenting fatigue, aches and pains, flu-like symptoms and chest pains. “Doctors told me it was job-related stress and I was just getting older,” Wales notes, adding with more than a touch of exasperation, “I was 35!” She usually made it to work at her sedentary office job at an insurance company, but sometimes she would be so

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This illustration by the Pennsylvania Department of Health shows the average number of new cases of Lyme disease per 100,000 population by Pennsylvania A county from 2004 through 2008 (the latest information available).

PENNSYLVANIA’S FIVE-YEAR AVERAGE:

tired by the end of the day that she would need a ride home. At home after work, she would take a nap, prepare and eat dinner, and then go to bed. “I was working and sleeping,” she says. “That was it. I saw 20 doctors between 1995 and 2002. I was tested and tested and they didn’t find anything. Some of them even told me I needed psychiatric care because there was nothing wrong with me. … Sometimes I was in such pain I would be walking down the street and just fall down because it hit me so hard.” After seven years of unrelenting pain, a chiropractor proved to be her gateway to better health. “He’s the one who got me on the right track,” she says. “He knew my symptoms were very strange and he did some research. He took the time to ask me questions about where I lived and what my hobbies were, everything. He told me to go get tested for Lyme disease.” Sure enough, the test brought a positive diagnosis of Lyme disease. Wales traveled to Philadelphia where a specialist found she also had two tick-borne coinfections, babesia and bartonella. She’s been on antibiotics for most of the intervening nine years with a year off here and there when the symptoms were under control. Because her husband, Jeff, also experienced some unusual joint and muscle pains, he was tested for Lyme disease. Not only did he have it, plus the same two co-infections as his wife, he also had two other co-infections, anaplamo-

REPORTED CASES OF LYME DISEASE: Lyme disease cases reported in 2009 are concentrated in the Northeast and Upper Midwest, although there are reports scatted throughout the country. Illustration by the Centers for Disease Control.

JUNE 2011 • PENN

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PENNlines sis and ehrlichia, carried by ticks. He was treated for five years, and feels reasonably well now. Today, Wales works hard to spread the word about how debilitating Lyme disease can be if it goes untreated. The first step, she says, is to prevent tick bites (see article on Page 11). Even more important, she stresses, don’t “wait and see” like she did. Instead, show every rash to a physician (and take photos of the rash), and don’t assume you can’t have Lyme disease just because you haven’t had a rash. She advises people to insist on medical tests, but not to rely solely on them because false-negative test results are common, and to research and understand treatment options as standards of care vary.

Elusive disease Carol Padgett, also a member of TriCounty Rural Electric Cooperative, has a similar story. She remembers being treated in 1992 for what she thought was a spider bite with a rash, but she continued to have unexplained rashes, joint issues and eye problems. She, like Wales, sought medical help from numerous sources only to be told her physical problems stemmed from psychiatric issues. Then, two years ago, Padgett’s mother watched “Mystery Diagnosis” and encouraged her daughter to request a test for Lyme disease because she saw similarities between the case and her daughter. The test came back positive. Padgett’s husband, David, a construction worker, had complained of back and joint problems for years, although they attributed his pains to his physically demanding job. On the rec-

About 80 percent of people who are bitten by deer ticks carrying Lyme disease exhibit this characteristic bull’s-eye rash, but many people who are later confirmed to have the disease either did not have the rash, or it was small enough that they do not remember it. Photo by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. TICKING TIME BOMB:

ommendation of their family physician, David was tested for Lyme disease; his test was also positive. The couple’s children who were born after 1992 — Marc, 15, Christopher, 11, and Dylan, 7 — all show some symptoms of Lyme disease. Padgett says her doctors believe she passed the condition to the boys in utero. “Overall, this has had a huge impact on our family,” Padgett explains. “Financially, it’s been overwhelming. The appointments are so far away, and they recommend all kinds of prescriptions and supplements. I can’t afford to get all of the stuff they recommend. … I am only able to work part-time now. The doctors still hope things will improve. They have improved, but I don’t know to what degree they will continue to improve.” Both the Wales and Padgett families live in areas where Lyme disease is not as prevalent as it is in other parts LIFE STAGES OF DEER TICK: Deer ticks are very small, as shown of the state (see the Pennsylvain this illustration of the life stages of the pest that often carries Lyme disease. Illustration by the Centers for Disease Control. nia map on page 9). 10

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On the other hand, Marvin and Pat Snyder live in Shippensburg, an area where Lyme disease is more prevalent. Marvin, the line superintendent for the Shippensburg District of Gettysburgbased Adams Electric Cooperative, has a story similar to that of the Wales and Padgett families. Both he and his wife were diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease (meaning it wasn’t a recently acquired disease) in late 2007 after numerous visits to doctors over the course of several years for painful, undiagnosed ailments. Neither remembers a specific tick bite followed by a rash, although Marvin notes his decades as a lineman exposed him to ticks on a regular basis. After their diagnoses, both Marvin and Pat began a long-term course of antibiotics. After a trial-and-error period, they finally did better on the fifth antibiotic that was prescribed. Pat actually did well enough that she stopped the antibiotic, but soon found herself back in the same, if not slightly worse, situation as before the diagnosis. Although they both see a Lyme disease specialist in Philadelphia and still take antibiotics, they continue to suffer from severe fatigue and joint pain. Pat, an elementary school teacher, retired early after a 27-year career due to ongoing problems with the effects of Lyme disease. However, she knows things could be much worse. “We feel very fortunate,” Pat Snyder reports. “We are doing so much better than many people we know. If telling our story can help anyone else, we want to do that.”

Finding support The Snyders are active in the Harrisburg Lyme Support Group in Mechanicsburg. The group meets monthly and anyone who has Lyme disease or wants to find out more about it is welcome. (Information about support groups in Pennsylvania can be found at www.lymenet.org, where you must click on the “Support Groups” tab on the left and follow instructions until you reach Pennsylvania groups.) There is a concerted effort under way by some Lyme disease patients and

medical personnel to bring Lyme disease awareness to a higher level. Also, both chambers of the General Assembly will consider legislation in the current session that would bring attention to the growing health crisis in Pennsylvania, as well as ensure medical personnel in Pennsylvania are educated in recognizing and appropriately treating the condition. “The key to preventing Lyme diseases is public awareness; the key to treatment is early detection,” says Hess of his measure in the state House. “House Bill 272 would bring together both of those elements by creating a task force of representatives from several

state agencies, Lyme disease experts and people who have been diagnosed with the disease to develop a public education campaign. Lyme disease can be elusive to diagnose. We want to empower people to avoid the illness, but also educate people about the symptoms so they can seek treatment.” In addition to Hess’ House bill, State Sen. Stewart Greenleaf (R-Montgomery) is sponsoring Lyme disease legislation in the Senate. His bill seeks to promote greater public awareness and education, as well as provide for insurance coverage for long-term antibiotic treatment of the disease. There are several critical points Lyme

disease sufferers want to stress: take steps to avoid being bitten by a tick, and promptly seek medical advice from a Lyme-literate physician if you know you have been bitten by a tick or have symptoms of Lyme disease (whether or not you remember a tick bite). Also, it’s important to remember that if you test negative for Lyme disease, it does not mean you do not have the disease as there are many false-negative test results. A diagnosis is based on past and present medical history, plus symptoms. But most of all, say those who have “been there,” don’t give up because treatment — even years after the tick bite — often can help. l

Lyme disease detection and prevention

Lyme hits pets, too

Reported cases of Lyme disease have been increasing steadily since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta began keeping statistics in 1982. In the northeastern United States, blacklegged ticks, also known as deer ticks, infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, are the most common way the disease is transmitted to people and animals. Although Lyme disease can be picked up in any outdoor location where ticks are located, including suburban lawns, Lyme disease is most prevalent in areas where there are woods with high populations of sedentary deer and a brushy understory, according to Steven Jacobs, an entomologist with Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences. Early stages of the disease are marked by one or more of the following symptoms and signs: fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and a rash called erythema migrans (sometimes called a bull’s-eye rash due to its shape). Antibiotics are usually effective for patients who receive prompt treatment. Late-stage Lyme disease symptoms are very different, and include arthritis-like aches and pains, nervous system abnormalities and more rarely, heart rhythm irregularities. Permanent damage is possible if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. Suggestions for Lyme disease prevention include: k Tick control: remove leaves, brush and tall grass around houses; remove plants that attract deer and build a fence to discourage deer “visits.” k Avoid tick-infested areas especially in May, June and July. k Wear light-colored clothing so ticks can be spotted more easily. k Tuck pant legs into socks or boots, and shirts into pants. k Tape the area where pants and socks meet so ticks cannot crawl under clothing. k Spray insect repellant containing DEET on clothes and exposed skin other than the face, or treat clothes with permethrin. k Wear a hat and long-sleeved shirt for added protection. k Walk in the center of trails to avoid overhanging grass and brush. k After being outdoors, remove clothing and wash and dry it at a high temperature. k After being outdoors, inspect all parts of your body carefully. If you find an attached tick, grasp the tick as close as possible to the skin surface with tweezers, pulling straight back with a slow, steady force (avoid crushing the tick’s body). This list provides general information only. Please contact a physician promptly for specific information after noticing a tick bite, or if you have symptoms of Lyme disease. For more information about Lyme disease, contact medical providers, Extension offices or health departments. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a section about Lyme disease at www.cdc.gov (click on “Diseases and conditions” and follow the commands).

While people are the focus of most Lyme disease studies, ticks latch onto anything with warm blood, so pets and farm animals are also at risk. Adams Electric Cooperative member George Taughinbaugh, who also serves as the cooperative’s manager of safety and energy use, lost a 2-year-old Labrador retriever on Christmas Eve. Taughinbaugh noticed Prugh began to slow down in late fall and her appetite wasn’t what it had been. They cared for her for about a week before taking her to the veterinarian, who did a blood test and confirmed Lyme disease. “Two weeks before, she had seemed perfectly healthy,” Taughinbaugh notes. “The vet told us it was already at the stage where her organs were shutting down, and he basically told us she was going to die from it.” Prugh was an indoor dog who was occasionally allowed to run on the rural property where the family lives. Familiar with tick-borne diseases, Taughinbaugh kept a close eye on Prugh, dousing her with tick and flea preventives on the suggested schedule. He even had turned some guineas, birds well-known for slurping up ticks, loose on his property to diminish the risks. “It was such a surprise to me when the vet said it was definitely Lyme disease, especially since she spent most of her time inside,” Taughinbaugh explains. “In this case, we just caught it too late to do anything. You really have to be aware of what can happen.”

JUNE 2011 • PENN

LINES

TIMElines

Yo u r N e w s m a g a z i n e T h r o u g h t h e Y e a r s

2001 BRIDGES THAT ARE structurally deficient (in need of costly repairs or replacement to bring it to current safety standards) or functionally obsolete (too narrow, low clearances or require turns that are too sharp) remain a problem 10 years after they were first highlighted in a Penn Lines article. In fact, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reports that despite a record level of investment since 2003, Pennsylvania has the largest number of structurally deficient bridges in the nation — nearly 6,000 of the approximately 25,000 state-owned bridges. Part of the issue is the number of bridges in the state — Pennsylvania has the third highest number of bridges of any state in the nation. The average age of a bridge in the state system is 50 years. PennDOT reports it has an aggressive bridge inspection program that includes regular inspections of all state-owned bridges once every two years. Structurally deficient bridges are inspected more frequently if their condition warrants. PennDOT occasionally imposes weight restrictions and closes bridges if the deterioration causes safety concerns. Structurally deficient bridges can cause significant problems in rural areas where truck drivers often have to go miles out of their way to find a suitable crossing before proceeding on their way. Funding for updating bridges remains a problem, and it is unknown how the state’s aging infrastructure will fare in the state’s Fiscal Year 2011-12 budget talks now under way in Harrisburg.

1971 Options for summertime fun are plentiful in rural Pennsylvania, including family resorts, wildlife preserves, water sports and hunt club activities. 12

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LINES • JUNE 2011

1981 More than 2,000 cooperative leaders from around the nation visit the U.S. capital to defend the Rural Electrification Administration program that brought them electricity.

1991 At any given moment, 2,000 thunderstorms are in progress somewhere in the world. Lightning within the storms present special challenges for rural electric cooperatives.

POWERplants

by Barbara Martin

Impressive garden taste WHEN YOU want to impress your non-gardening friends, you probably can’t brag about the bushels of compost you spread last weekend. But how about offering them some home-grown, home-made mint- or lemon-flavored herbal tea? If that seems a bit extreme, perhaps you could offer them some home-grown parsley or an aromatic bouquet of fresh mint sprigs. Parsley and mint are herbs many people instantly recognize and actually enjoy eating. Both are easy to grow in sun and average soil. Parsley will live one to two years; mint is a perennial. The especially flavorful flatleafed or Italian parsley and the more decorative “curly” parsley can be used as an attractive plate garnish, tossed with other leafy greens in a salad, minced in dips, or chopped and sprinkled over vegetables. Mint adds a cool burst of freshness when used to garnish iced tea, lemonade, and I’ve been told, certain adult cocktails. Additional tasty uses for fresh mint are as a garnish BARBARA MARTIN , who says she began gardening as a hobby “too many years ago to count,” currently works for the National Gardening Association as a horticulturist. A former member of Gettysburg-based Adams Electric Cooperative, her articles appear in magazines and on the internet.

for fruit salad, with chocolate ice cream, fruit sorbet or lemon cake, or minced and sprinkled over cooked vegetables. The many different types of mint are best distinguished in person because they all taste and smell and look, in essence, minty. In general, peppermint is a bit peppery, spearmint is very bright, and the cultivar “Kentucky Colonel” is considered best for mint juleps. The so-called “chocolate mint” has a hint of chocolate flavor. Once you’ve become acquainted with a few herbs on the plate, it’s time to experiment with tea. Note: parsley tea tastes a bit rough and historically had medicinal uses, so I wouldn’t recommend drinking it. Mint tea made with one, some or all of the above mints combined, is delicious, especially with a bit of honey. You can serve it hot or cold, or mix it with lemonade. It spreads voraciously and growers never hesitate to harvest the leaves. I suggest you grow it in a half barrel or other above-ground planter so you can control its spread. Lemonade drinkers will relish these lemony herb teas, or try mixing these with mint or regular tea. Lemon balm, related to spearmint and peppermint (and a self-seeding spreader in the garden), tastes like a blend of mint and lemon together. Delicious, but non-hardy, lemon verbena tastes distinctly lemony, as do blades of lemon grass. Lemon thyme is lemony, but also pungently spicy. When you first try an herb

in tea, begin with a weak brew and see how you like it. Herbs can be combined to create a secret formula house blend, or to use what is available. Tea-brewing directions are approximate: use one or two teaspoons of dried herb OR one to three tablespoons of fresh herb per cup of water. Place the herb in a prewarmed, non-reactive container such as a china teapot, add water that’s been heated to just below the boil, cover and steep 3 to 10 minutes. Strain into a pre-warmed drinking cup. Add honey or other sweetener if desired. Or, chill and serve over ice. Harvest plants that have not been treated with pesticide. To take sprigs for immediate use, simply snip, rinse and enjoy. This benefits the plant by encouraging denser new growth. For drying, harvest in

TEA TO IMPRESS: Guests will be impressed to be offered home-grown, home-made herbal teas.

quantity. Trim the plant when it has put on good growth but before it blooms; harvest again once it regrows. Discard leaves or stems with signs of pest, disease or discoloration. To dry, use string or rubber bands to bundle cut stems together and hang upside down in a dark, dry, airy place. When dried, strip off the foliage and store in an airtight container in a dark place. Herbs must be totally dry before storing or they will turn moldy. Herbs lose potency over time, so use them up! Once you begin to enjoy herbs in the kitchen and as tea, you may need to start a specialty herb garden all your own. Surely that would impress gardeners and nongardeners alike! l

JUNE 2011 • PENN

LINES

SMARTcircuits

by James Dulley

Ventilation cuts cooling costs Properly ventilating your home can reduce the need for air conditioning AIR CONDITIONING can account for a significant portion of a family’s utility bills even in so-called “cool” regions. Not every region has below-zero temperatures, but most areas easily reach above 90 degrees. No matter how much heat you can block from your windows and doors and how effective the ventilation is in a house without air conditioning, an air-conditioned house with a reasonable humidity level will be more comfortable. Direct and indirect heat coming in windows and doors increases the inside temperature significantly. Even the most energy-efficient windows and doors have an insulation R-value much less than the typical house wall. There also are gaps around doors and windows which, even though sealed with weatherstripping and caulk, allow in some hot, humid outdoor air. Because you can’t stop all the energy gain at the windows and doors, you might as well make maximum use of ventilation through them. This ventilation can be cross-ventilation from window to window on the same floor or throughventilation from a window to an upper vent. The air coming in will be warm and perhaps humid, but it will make you feel cooler as it flows over your skin. The wind blowing over your house creates higher pressure on the upwind side and lower pressure on the downwind side. Open your windows completely on the downwind side. Open them only half way or less on the upwind side. If you have casement windows, crank them out at a partial angle to catch more breezes. 14

PENN

LINES • JUNE 2011

For through-ventilation, open windows on the upwind side of your house. Lift the attic access opening cover and rotate it over the opening to create gaps. The less-dense warm air will naturally exhaust out the opening. Don’t totally remove the cover because that would allow a direct route down for the radiant heat from the roof into the room. If a room has a vaulted ceiling, consider installing a venting skylight. If security is not an issue, open your doors and allow air in through a screen door. If you do not like the appearance of screen doors or cannot afford the expense of installing them, consider installing a retractable screen. This is a spring-loaded screen that pulls horizontally across the door to the magnetic strip on the other side. The vertical housing that holds the screen is only a couple of inches wide so it is barely noticeable. The spring holds the screening taut over the door. Adding awnings is a good method to reduce heat coming in through windows. The proper size of the awning depends upon the latitude angle of your area and its orientation to the sun. An awning contractor should be able to

help you determine the proper size. Installing an awning over a door also helps reduce heat gain. First, the awning blocks the direct sun’s rays from heating the door or shining in an open screened door. Secondly, the sun’s heat on the outside of an insulated composite door may cause it to bow. When this happens, the weatherstripping may not seal well when you are air conditioning. If your windows are exposed to the sun, install sun-control window screening. This is often made from strong polymers and has a dense weave to block more than half of the sun’s heat. You can still see through the screening. If you have blinds, rotate the slats so they slope to the outdoors from bottom to top. As the air between the window and blind slats gets hot, it tends to flow upward. During the winter, reverse the slat angle so the cold air stays against the window. l Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to JAMES DULLEY , Penn Lines, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

TIMEpassages m e m o r i e s

from our members

(EDITOR’S NOTE: In observance of 75 years of rural electrification in Pennsylvania, throughout the year Penn Lines will feature personal accounts of “when the lights came on” from our readers. This is one of those accounts.)

When the lights came on I THINK ELECTRICITY came on in our home around 1950. I was in the sixth grade in a one-room schoolhouse, where our teacher taught grades five through eight. I remember the electric crew cutting the trees for the rightof-way, and then setting up the poles and stringing the wire. I don’t remember why I wasn’t more curious as to what was going on — too busy climbing trees and rocks, I guess! We always had oil lamps in our home to do our homework by. I recall one evening when my sister and brother and I were all sitting around the kitchen table — it was time to do our school work. Our father came in and flipped a switch and on came the electric lights! WOW! Then, of course, came a radio and even later, this thing called a television. Thank you, REA! — Submitted by Nellie Hunter Miller, Tidioute, Pa. l

HUNTER FAMILY: Nellie Hunter Miller, left front, is shown in this photo, circa late 1940s, with her family. Her parents, Helen and Glenn Hunter, are in the back row with her brother, George Hunter. Nellie’s sister, Arletta Hunter, is seated next to her.

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JUNE 2011 • PENN

LINES

COUNTRYkitchen

by Janette He ss

Oh, my! Strawberry pie! STRAWBERRY SEASON is upon us. Delicious and plentiful, strawberries are showing up in farmer’s markets and roadside stands. Strawberries have been available for months in supermarkets, of course, but now is when they’re reaching their peak flavor. Strawberries make great salads and desserts, but when served in pies they become almost irresistible. Fresh Strawberry Pie and Strawberries ‘n’ Cream Pie depend upon ripe, juicy strawberries for their exquisite flavor, so make sure, when selecting your fruit, to carefully avoid any anemic-looking berries. The recipe for Strawberry-Almond Wedges combines strawberries and almonds in one sweet, tasty concoction. While obviously not a pie, it is baked in a pie plate and served in pie-shaped wedges, so it, too, embodies that special “pie mystique.” Because the wedges mimic a rich coffee cake, they are best served for breakfast or brunch. When slicing strawberries for this month’s recipes, go ahead and pop one or two berries into your mouth. The recipes certainly won’t suffer, but you might if you resist! l A trained journalist, JANETTE HESS focuses her writing on interesting people and interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer with her local extension service and enjoys collecting, testing and sharing recipes.

STRAWBERRY-ALMOND WEDG ES

1 egg 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 6 tablespoons sugar 1/4 cup milk 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 cup flour 1/4 cup almond meal (very finely grou nd blanched almonds) 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 5-6 strawberries, cleaned and dice d TOPPING 1/4 cup sugar 3 tablespoons flour 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup slivered almonds

Prepare topping by cutting butter into sugar and flour. Add almonds and blend well with fingertips. Set aside. In medium bowl, thoroughly mix egg, butter and sugar. Beat in milk and almo nd extract. Combine dry ingredients and add to mixture. Mix well. Gently fold in strawberries. Immediately transfer mixture to greased, 9-inch pie plate. Sprinkle with topping mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 to 30 minu tes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

PENN

LINES • JUNE 2011

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE 4 cups sliced strawberries (approximately 20 ounces whole berries) 1 cup water 5 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons strawberry gelatin 1/4 teaspoon almond extract Pinch of salt 1 9-inch baked pie crust Sweetened whipped cream or whipped topping Prepare strawberries and place in refrigerator until needed . Mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan; add water. Cook and stir over medium heat until thick and clear. Add gelatin. Stir to dissolve. Add almond extract and salt. Cool to room temperature. Toss with chilled strawberries and spoon into baked pie crust. Chill to set. Garnish with whipped toppin g or sweetened whipped cream.

AM PIE IES ‘N’ CRE R R E B W A R T S CRUST ur tablespoons flo 1/2 cup plus 2 r ga su n 1/4 cup brow butter 6 tablespoons cans ely chopped pe fin 1/3 cup very FILLING strawberries 16 ounces fresh r 1/2 cup suga vored gelatin 1 envelope unfla water ld co s 2 tablespoon juice on m le on po es 1 tabl lt Pinch of sa cream, whipped ns. 3/4 cup heavy n sugar and peca with flour, brow 350 degrees, ne bi m co ly ick qu ie sheet. Bake at minutes. Cool. Melt butter and ick, rimmed cook t 15 Spread on non-st with fork until crumbly, abou d sides of 9lly an na m sio tto ca bo oc e g lin in , stirr p of mixture cu 1/3 e id as ng After setti umbs. th remaining cr gar inch pie plate wi , sprinkle with su ace in large bowl ain juice into Pl s. rie er wb ra st Dr Clean and dice potato masher. ghly crush with ushed berries in refrigerator. In and then thorou cr e g. Stir in gelatin container; plac ice just to boilin ju microwave-safe d ry er wb ra st d lemon juice an , heat microwave oven ned in 2 tablespoons water. Ad whisk, beat mixfte nd that has been so til just partially set. Using ha strawberries. d re un salt. Chill mixtu ld in whipped cream and crushe desired, garnish Fo If y. ill. th Ch . fro bs til um un cr re tu rved t; top with rese eam. Spoon over crus ries and additional whipped cr er wb ra st sh fre th wi

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OUTDOORadventures

by Marcus Schneck

Life in a mud puddle Nature ensures animals low on the food chain have high reproductive rates THE MUD puddle in the dirt parking lot at the side of the lake was quaking with life, as hundreds of tiny, black tadpoles jostled for the dwindling water. The puddle had been drying up for several days, and the tadpoles probably had just another day or two before their aquatic world would disappear. That would not be enough time for their full metamorphosis into land-dwelling toads, which we had determined them to be from the twisting, curling, gelatinous, tube-like strands from which the tadpoles had hatched. That usually takes a little less than two months, and the mud puddle denizens weren’t even half-way there. A kid being raised on nature and the “connected” sports like fishing, hunting and trapping has a fairly strong aversion to unnecesSCHNECK is outdoor editor for The (Harrisburg, Pa.) PatriotNews, a contributor to many outdoor publications and websites, and author of more than two dozen books.

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sary death in the wild. So, my relatively new and not-socheap travel mug was put into service for the last time as a scoop, lifting as many of the tadpoles from their disappearing puddle into a much deeper pool off to the side of the parking lot. The birth puddle was just about dry by the time he finished his intercession. I couldn’t see any tadpoles he had missed. Gas was much cheaper back then and we lived only 10 miles or so away, but we spent plenty making trips back to the parking lot to check on the progress of the rescued horde. The water levels in the puddle dropped, but held on long enough for a few of the tadpoles to develop all four of their legs, drop their tails and hop off into the surrounding forest.

LINES • JUNE 2011

Most didn’t make it; just the few that nature needed to continue, and maybe slightly expand, the local toad population. Backswimmers and other predatory waterbugs showed up in the puddle. On one visit, we spotted a garter snake next to the puddle. It was a great lesson in the balance that nature maintains through temporary and declining over-abundance of prey species, much like the peak rabbit population that most of us are seeing in our backyards just now. The rabbits have two, maybe three litters, already in the can for this year. Any bunnies that made it out of the nest have swollen the population and, in some instances, may be on the verge of producing their first litters. On any given site, there

TADPOLES STRUGGLE TO LIVE: It’s a perilous life for tadpoles before they mature enough to hop from their watery birthplace.

likely are more rabbits right now than there will be at any other time of the year until next year at this same point on the calendar. Gradually the population will be reduced by predators ranging from your housecat to foxes to passing cars until it hits its low mark near the end of next winter. Rabbits, like tadpoles, are low on the food chain. Lots of things eat them, and even more things kill them. Nature compensates for that with an extremely high reproductive rate. And, the cycle continues, even without any cup-wielding interventions by us. l

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=I<< ?\X[è^j J\c\Zk Fe\ 1 q 8ifle[ k_\ ?flj\ q 9ljè\jj Fggfikle`k`\j q <dgcfpd\ek Fggfikle`k`\j q >`]k Xe[ :iX]k @[\Xj q C`m\jkfZb Xe[ G\kj q D`jZ\ccXe\flj q Dfkfi M\_`Zc\j Xe[ 9fXkj q Elij\ip Xe[ >Xi[\e q I\Xc <jkXk\ q I\Z`g\j Xe[ =ff[ q Kffcj Xe[ <hl`gd\ek q MXZXk`fej Xe[ :Xdgj`k\j q NXek\[ kf 9lp JG<:@8C ?<8;@E>1 % JG<:@8C ?<8;@E> =<<1 , ]fi Zf$fg d\dY\ij# (' ]fi efe$d\dY\ij% 8ggc`\j \m\e `] _\X[è^ `j Xci\X[p Xgg\Xiè^ è G\ee Cè\j% @ej\ik`fe f] ZcXjj`Ă&#x201D;\[ X[ j\im\j Xj giff] f] glYc`ZXk`fe2 ef giff]j jlggc`\[% J<E; =FID KF1 G\ee Cè\j :cXjj`Ă&#x201D;\[j# G%F% 9fo ()--# ?Xii`jYli^# G8 (.('/% Gc\Xj\ dXb\ :?<:B&DFE<P FI;<I gXpXYc\ kf1 GI<8&G\ee Cè\j% AROUND THE HOUSE â&#x20AC;&#x153;COUNTRY COOKING,â&#x20AC;? Volume 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $8, including postage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;RECIPES REMEMBERED,â&#x20AC;? Volume 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $12, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. Volume 1 of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Country Cookingâ&#x20AC;? is SOLD OUT. OUTSIDE WOOD HEATER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $1,595. Forced air system. Rated 100K BTU. Heats up to 2,400 square feet. Houses, mobiles or shops. Low-cost shipping. Easy install. 417-581-7755 Missouri. www.heatbywood.com. CLOCK REPAIR: If you have an antique grandfather clock, mantel clock or old pocket watch that needs restored, we can fix any timepiece. Macks Clock Repair: 814-421-7992. H. KELSEY ENTERPRISES can beautify your home and make it more energy efficient with new replacement windows, new siding or a new deck. Call today for free estimate. PA030117. 866-622-9551. Need help around the house? HIRE A PATRIOT! Post one or multiple day jobs for free and get help from local service members or veterans. Post your jobs at www.Pennsylvania.HirePatriots.com. RUBBER MULCH: Recycled rubber mulch for landscaping and playgrounds. Black or white/gray mix. Call 814-623-1163.

METAL BUILDINGS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 24 x 40 x 8, $9,900 installed. 30 x 40 x 8, $11,900 installed. Includes one walk door and one garage door. All sizes available. 800-464-3333. www.factorysteelbuildings.com. FACTORY SECONDS of insulation, 4 x 8 sheets, foil back. Also reflective foil bubble wrap. 814-442-6032. BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

PIANO TUNING PAYS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Learn at home with American School of Piano Tuning home-study course in piano tuning and repair. Tools included. Diploma granted. Call for free brochure 800497-9793.

WATERLESS TOILETS, Septic Inspections, No-Salt Water Treatment, Sulfur, Iron Chemical-Free Water Treatment, Septic Remediation. 717-337-9325.

CHURCH LIFT SYSTEMS Make your church, business or home wheelchair accessible. We offer platform lifting systems, stair lifts, porch lifts and ramps. References. Free estimates. Get Up & Go Mobility Inc. 724-746-0992 or 814-926-3622. COAL FIRED BOILERS/FURNACES Heather Coal Fired Furnaces and Boilers are a good way to beat the high price of oil, 22â&#x20AC;?, 24â&#x20AC;? and 27â&#x20AC;? furnaces and 150,000 and 220,000 BTU boilers. We stock a large selection of grates and parts for coal furnaces and boilers including firebrick, kidneys and kidney repair. CURWENSVILLE Heating and Plumbing, PA026408. 814-236-1711. www.heatherfurnace.com. CONSULTING FORESTRY SERVICES

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR HIGH COUNTRY Arts and Crafts Fair. S. B. Elliott State Park. 160 vendors, food, entertainment. 1/2 mile off I-80, Exit 111 (old 18). July 10th, 10-5. For more information call 814-765-5667. BUILDING SUPPLIES STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING. Discount Prices. Corrugated sheets (cut to length) 52Â˘ per square foot. Also seconds, heavy gauges, odd lots, etc. Located in northwestern Pennsylvania. 814-398-4052.

PENN

LINES â&#x20AC;˘ JUNE 2011

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES EARN $60,000/yr Part Time in the livestock or equipment appraisal business. Agricultural background required. Classroom or home study courses available. 800-488-7570. www.amagappraisers.com.

NOLLâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FORESTRY SERVICES, INC. performs Timber Marketing, Timber Appraisals, Forest Management Planning, and Forest Improvement Work. FREE Timber Land Recommendations. 30 years experience. Call 814-472-8560. CENTRE FOREST RESOURCES. Maximizing present and future timber values, Forest Management Services, Managing Timber Taxation, Timber Sales, Quality Deer Management. FREE Timber Consultation. College educated, professional, ethical. 814-867-7052.

FENCING FREE Fence Guide/Catalog â&#x20AC;&#x201C; High-tensile fence, horse fence, rotational grazing, twine, wire, electric netting â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cattle, deer, garden, poultry. Kencove Farm Fence Supplies: 800-536-2683. www.kencove.com. 7,000 PLUS FEET of four-rail, white vinyl fencing with extras. Call 717-776-7228 for details. GIFT AND CRAFT IDEAS â&#x20AC;&#x153;COUNTRY COOKING,â&#x20AC;? Volume 2 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $8, including postage. â&#x20AC;&#x153;RECIPES REMEMBERED,â&#x20AC;? Volume 3 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; $12, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. Volume 1 of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Country Cookingâ&#x20AC;? is SOLD OUT. LIGHTHOUSE LOVERS: Matted, framed or wood mounted lighthouse pictures of Maine available. Beautiful pictures make great gifts, varied sizes and prices. All reasonable. Call Foxport Lights 814-695-9304. Attention SHEEP and LLAMA OWNERS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Your raw fleece processed by hand into ready-to-use yarn. Reasonable rates. 570-835-5094.

PENNLINESclassified HANDCRAFTED FURNITURE

MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE

TREE TRIMMING/REMOVAL

COUNTRY CRAFTED bentwood oak/hickory rockers. Swings, gliders, double rockers, coffee/end tables, bar stools, kitchen sets, cedar log outdoor furniture, log bedrooms, SPECIAL queen log bed, $599. 814-733-9116. www.zimmermanenterprise.com.

For the best INSURANCE RATES call R & R Insurance Associates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-442-6832 (PA).

TOM’S TREE SERVICE – Tree Trimming/Removal – Storm Cleanup – Stump Grinding – Land Clearing – Bucket Truck and Chipper – Fully Insured – Free Estimates – Call 24/7 – 814-4483052 – 814-627-0550 – 26 Years Experience.

HARDWARE/LUMBER RETAIL

RAYSTOWN LAKE — $275,000, 35 acres, build-ready, mountaintop vista, close to boat launch. Call 814-599-0790.

REAL ESTATE

LEE’S Hardware ─ CRESSON 814-886-2377. Plumbing, electrical, hardware, paint, tools, wood pellets. PATTON 814-674-5122. Lumber, roofing, plywood, windows, doors, shale, sand, blocks, delivery, boom lift trucks, estimates. Full service hometown stores.

TIOGA COUNTY CAMP, Elk Township. 3988 Leetonia Rd., Leetonia. Close to Cedar Run and west rim of Grand Canyon. Must see to appreciate location and area. Sleeps 16, two baths, extra large kitchen new. Trophy trout, hunting, hiking, right out your door. Call 215-947-3079.

HAY AND FORAGE

POTTER COUNTY — Log cabin, Keating Summit area. Seven acres, sleeps six. Furnished, full basement, deck three sides, satellite TV, wood heat. Serious only $85,000. Call 610-2941062.

ALFALFA HAY for sale — different qualities to fit your needs. 3x3, 3x4 or 4x8 large square bales delivered to you in semitruck load amounts. Call toll-free 800-835-2096 or 877-2858200. HEALTH AND NUTRITION Tired of all those medicines — Still not feeling better? Do you want to feel better, have more energy, better digestion, less joint stiffness, healthier heart/circulation and cholesterol levels? Find out how to empower your own immune system — start I-26 today! It’s safe, affordable, and it works. Call 800557-8477: ID#528390. 90-day money back on first-time orders or call me 724-454-5586. www.mylegacyforlife.net/believeit. HEALTH INSURANCE DO YOU HAVE THE BLUES regarding your Health Insurance? We cater to rural America's health insurance needs. For more information, call 800-628-7804 (PA). Call us regarding Medicare supplements, too. INFRARED SAUNAS Removes toxins, burns calories, relieves joint pain, relaxes muscles, increases flexibility, strengthens immune system. Many more HEALTH BENEFITS with infrared radiant heat saunas. Economical to operate. Barron’s Furniture, Somerset, PA. 814-443-3115. LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL – SALES – SERVICE – PARTS. Compact Loaders & Attachments, Mowers, Chainsaws, Tillers, etc. We sell BCS, Boxer, Dixon, Ferris, Hustler, Grasshopper, Shindaiwa and more. HARRINGTON’S, Taneytown, MD. 410-756-2506. www.harringtonsservicecenter.com. LIVESTOCK AND PETS GERMAN SHEPHERD puppies $900-$1,500. Young Adult $800 and Adult dogs $500 from imported blood lines. 814-967-2159. Email: rick@petrusohaus.com Web: www.petrusohaus.com. PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI Puppies — AKC, adorable, intelligent, highly trainable. Excellent family choice. Reputable licensed breeder guaranteed “Last breed you’ll ever own.” 814-5873449.

SOMERSET COUNTY — Five acres. Wood lot in Shade Township, build ready. Off Route 30. New sand mount, electric ready, driveway installed. 1/2 acre cleared of rocks and stumps. $45,000. 814-926-2399. CRAWFORD COUNTY — Three or four bedroom country home, attached double garage, out-buildings. Eight acres with natural gas and electric utilities. New roof and furnace. $195,000. 814398-4731 or 814-440-4144. RUSTIC LOG HOME — Three bedroom, one and one-half bath, open floor plan, large kitchen, stone fireplace, four acres, private road. Near Wilmore, Forest Hills School District. $320,000. Owner/Licensed PA Real Estate Agent. 814-472-7144. 11+ ACRES POTTER COUNTY — Log cabin, metal roof, two bedrooms, loft (master bedroom) 1 1/2 baths, kitchen, great room, laundry room, two-car garage, four-stall stable, large pasture w/round pen. Own hunting grounds, propane or wood furnaces, beautiful location. $220,000. 814-697-6984 or 215680-4597. RECIPES AND FOOD “COUNTRY COOKING,” Volume 2 — $8, including postage. “RECIPES REMEMBERED,” Volume 3 — $12, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. Volume 1 of “Country Cooking” is SOLD OUT.

RAYSTOWN LAKE — Four Little Log Cabin rentals in a private mountain setting at one end of Raystown Lake. Sleeps 4-6. May through October. Call 717-838-1688 or visit www.logcabins4.50webs.com. SPACIOUS VACATION RENTAL House at Lake Raystown. Sleeps eleven. Large table for family gatherings. Boat parking. Air conditioning. $220/night; $1,400/week. Call 814-931-6562. See www.laurelwoodsretreat.com. MYRTLE BEACH Front Condo — Aug. 14-21. Fourth floor – elevator – balcony with sunrise, beach, ocean, water temp 80’s. Myrtle Beach has everything – entertainment, restaurants. Reduced $625/week. 610-358-1776.

See what a difference it makes…

Advertise in Penn Lines Classifieds

SHAKLEE FREE SAMPLE Shaklee’s Energy Tea. Combination red, green and white teas that are natural, delicious, refreshing, safe. For sample or more information on tea or other Shaklee Nutrition/Weight Loss Products: 800-403-3381 or www.sbarton.myshaklee.com. TIMBER FRAME HOMES SETTLEMENT POST & BEAM BUILDING COMPANY uses timehonored mortise, tenon and peg construction paired with modern engineering standards. Master Craftsman and owner, Greg Sickler, brings over two decades of timber-framing experience to helping you create your dream. We use highquality timbers harvested from sustainable forests for all of our projects. Visit our model home, located on Historic Route 6, Sylvania, in North Central Pennsylvania. For more information phone 570-297-0164 or go to www.settlementpostbeam.com or contact us at cggksick@epix.net.

NEEDED — One acre of land tilled, Pleasant Road near Sawmill Road. 814-726-1690. Warren, PA.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC Time Share, Floating week, Deeded week 40. Two bedrooms, two baths, Shearton owner, one mile from beach, center of attractions, lazy river on property. Valued at $26,000, asking $12,500. 814-726-1690.

SAWMILLS

VILLAGE RESTORATIONS & CONSULTING specializes in 17th and 18th century log, stone and timber structures. We dismantle, move, re-erect, restore, construct and consult all over the country. Period building materials available. Chestnut boards, hardware, etc. Thirty years experience, fully insured. Call 814696-1379. www.villagerestorations.com.

BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER, Correspondence study. The harvest truly is great, the laborers are few, Luke 10:2. Free info. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7549 West Cactus Road, #104207, Peoria, AZ 85381. www.ordination.org.

FREEDOM RV RENTALS — Create some great family memories! Renting late model RV’s and Travel Trailers. 814-695-9408, toll-free 800-474-8110. www.freedomrentals.com.

USED PORTABLE Sawmills and COMMERCIAL Sawmill Equipment! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148. USA and Canada. www.sawmillexchange.com.

LOG CABIN RESTORATIONS

MISCELLANEOUS

VACATIONS AND CAMPSITES FALL FOLIAGE CRUISE — Tour to Canada. Sept. 28 to Oct. 8. Sailing from New York City. Christian based. Bus from Western PA. 814-444-8800 or 800-462-1592 and ask for John. jnljaunts@floodcity.net.

TRACTOR PARTS – REPAIR/RESTORATION ARTHURS TRACTORS, specializing in vintage Ford tractors, 30years experience, on-line parts catalog/prices, shipped via UPS. Contact us at 877-254-FORD (3673) or www.arthurstractors.com.

EARL PITTS “Feels Your Pain” $12.95

+ S/H

EXCLUSIVELY at

earlpitts.us JUNE 2011 • PENN

LINES

PUNCHlines

Thoughts from Earl Pitts, UHMERIKUN! Keys to a person’s inner thoughts also hang on his key chain

Social commentary from Earl Pitts —— a.k.a. GARY BUR BANK , a nationally syndicated radio personality —— can be heard on the following radio stations that cover electric cooperative service territories in Pennsylvania: WANB-FM 103.1 Pittsburgh; WARM-AM 590 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; WIOO-AM 1000 Carlisle; WEEO-AM 1480 Shippensburg; WMTZ-FM 96.5 Johnstown; WQBR-FM 99.9/92.7 McElhattan; WLMI-FM 103.9 Kane; and WVNW-FM 96.7 Burnham-Lewistown.

PENN

LINES • JUNE 2011

I seen this commercial the other night. It was a truck commercial an’ it started out like this — “You can tell a lot about a man by lookin’ at his keys.” I submit to you, ladies an’ gentlemen that truer words were never spoken. I’m like a key-chain psychic. You show me somebody’s key chain, and I can tell you about that person’s life. For a sample, look at my key chain. You know what it says about me? I gotta lot of stuff locked up. Fact is, I got 10 keys on this key chain. I use maybe three of them, an’ I ain’t got no idea what the other seven ones go to. I might have a key to the house I grew up in on here. I might have a key to the back door at the White House. I just don’t know. But I figger the minute I get rid of a key on my key chain — that’s the minute I’m gonna have to unlock whatever it fits. Plus, if I was to just throw them keys away, how do I know some miscreant won’t find ’em an’ break in? To where — I don’t know. But that would be a bad way to find out. Then you got your basic key chain accessory — the trinket or the fob or the memento or the suveneer. You know — the thing that tells you — that’s your key chain. You know, keys all look the same so you gotta personalize. I guess that’s in case you’re diggin’ around in your pocket an’ pull out two key chains, so you can tell which one is yours. Now your women, they’ll either have a can a’ pepper spray or a picture of a baby on there. They might have their own name in beads or a tiny flashlight or what looks like a giant Monopoly game piece on there. Women will have their names etched in silver or the name of the last place they went on vacation or a little piece of metal says “Sexy Grandma.” Guys will have whatever the car dealer gave ’em. Wake up, America. Dub Meeker actually bought hisself a truck a couple months back, and it don’t even use a key. So now he’s got a keyless chain. I’m not sure it changed anything.

Today I want to say somethin’ for a group a’ people I know an’ respect. I, ladies an’ gentlemen, am a proud back-pew Christian. We’re the people huddled back by the doors — the last-in, first-out believers. We ain’t got nuthin’ against you Biblethumpers an’ holy-rollers in the front row. We just figger you don’t sit in the front row at church for the same reason you don’t sit in the front row at a comedy club. The guy with the microphone might start pickin’ on you. I mean, he might start doin’ a bit on sinnin’ an’ start lookin’ around for examples. Back-pew Christians is also NOT the same as three-times-in-your-life Christians. That’s people that say they’re Christians but only show up in church three times — when they’re hatched, matched and dispatched. No sir, we’re there every week, or at least every week we need it. We just happen to sit in back. For me, it’s a proud family tradition. When we was kids, my parents always sat in the back pew in case me an’ my brothers started actin’ up. That way they could yank us out the door an’ beat us outside. Apparently it’s either frowned upon or considered bad luck to beat a child in church. Then when we got older, my Daddy said we still had to sit in back so we could get home faster. He said if you had to stand around after church an’ talk to people, that could ruin your whole Sunday. Christian fellowship was not gonna stand in the way of a 1 p.m. kick-off. Another reason I like settin’ in back — just in case the Lord was to suddenly appear in church an’ start smotin’ sinners. I figger I might need real quick access to a’ exit. Wake up, America. One time the preacher said — real funny like — “and have a great day if you get to the back door before me.” Son, you wanna hit the door before me, you better leave halfways through the service. I’m Earl Pitts, Uhmerikun. l

RURALreflections Spring slides into summer TAKING THE TIME to enjoy the beauty that Pennsylvania offers each summer is not idleness. Choosing to hike to a waterfall, to watch for spotted fawns in the forest or smell the flowers in your yard is time well spent as the daylight hours are at their peak this month. Be sure to take your camera along on your summer adventures, and plan to share those photographs with “Rural Reflections.” At the end of the year, five lucky winners will receive a $75 prize in the categories of: most artistic, best landscape, best human subject, best animal subject and editor’s choice. Send your photos (no digital files, please) to: Penn Lines Photos, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg PA 17108-1266. On the back of each photo, include your name, address, phone number and the name of the electric cooperative that serves your home, business or seasonal residence. (The best way to include this information is by affixing an address label to the back of the photo. Please do not use ink gel or roller pens to write on the photo.) Remember, our publication deadlines require that we work ahead, so send your seasonal photos in early. We need fall photos before mid-July and winter photos before mid-September. Photos that do not reflect any season may be sent at any time during the year. Please note: photos will not be returned unless a selfaddressed, stamped envelope is included. l

Casey Hess Sullivan County REC

Gertrude DeVore Warren EC

Valerie Golubic United EC

Kevin Byers Adams EC

JUNE 2011 • PENN

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