December 2014/January 2015 by Pocono Magazines

December 2014/January 2015

The Pocono Mountains' Magazine

Complimentary

Pocono Magazines, LLC

Pocono Magazines

publishing Pocono Living Magazine© & Pocono Family Magazine© each 6 times per year.

Pocono Living

1929 North Fifth Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-424-1000 pmags@ptd.net

Magazine and Pocono Family Magazine, two

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Larry R. Sebring

regional publications

CREATIVE DIRECTOR/EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Barbara McMahon

filled with articles,

ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Terri Shelow

features and photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience. Our publications

WEB DESIGN/DIGITAL ISSUES Graphicus Design, LLC

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Amanda Belanger Devesh Ramdeo

CONSULTANTS Dr. Jonathan A. Goldner, DO, FCCP, FCCM Suzanne F. McCool, M.C. Commissioner

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART Andrea Rimberg Andrei Protsouk Doug McNeill Lisa Newberry James Chesnick James Smeltz Marlana Holsten Matt Siptroth Vinzon Lee

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roseanne Bottone Dr. Jonathan Goldner Kathy Dubin-Uhler Pete Pappalardo Amy Leiser Suzanne McCool

can be found at

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Linda Zak/484-264-7915

many locations

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Mandy Cunard

throughout the Pocono

Proud Members of

Mountains region, and are available by subscription.

JACOB STROUD CORPORATION

Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau The information published in this magazine is believed to be accurate, but in some instances, may represent opinion or judgment. The publication’s providers do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of amy of the information and shall not be held liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, by or from the information. © 2013 Pocono Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

2 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

December 2014/January 2015

What’s Inside 4 Wintertime Hikes in the Poconos

courtesy Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau

7 Wildlife Friends and Foes

by Kathy Uhler

10 History of the Stroud Mansion

by Amy Leiser

14 Annual Cookie Exchange 18 A Christmas Memory

by Suzanne McCool

20 A Special Visitor from the North Pole

by Kathy Uhler

26 The Origins of the Cat 28 Pocono Winter Sports

courtesy Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau

34 Tips for Holiday Car Travel

Veronica Murray photographed these three mallard ducks on a winter day in the Poconos. VERONICA MURRAY

DECEMBER NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY2014 2015 POCONO POCONO FAMILY LIVING MAGAZINE© 3

WINTER SUNSET VERONICA MURRAY

Wintertime Hikes in the Poconos courtesy of the POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU 4 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

Hickory Run State Park (Medium) courtesy PMVB

IKING is one of those alltime great activities. It is one of the few activities that can claim a close association with the outdoors while also being available year-round. As this winter grows older, there are 3 major areas that need to be on your winter hiking “To Do” list.

The McDade Trail in the DWGNRA (Easy) This trail is open to hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. It’s a wellblazed trail consisting of a gravel path and only a few changes in elevation. Following the Delaware River, the trail provides beautiful scenery throughout its duration. It flows through the beautiful Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, so expect to see wildlife. It’s not uncommon to see deer, bear, and even bald eagles on or around this trail. There are picnic areas and restrooms at various points as well, making it even more familyfriendly. Access points include the Turn Farm Trailhead, Smithfield Beach, and the Hialeah Picnic Area off River Road from Shawnee to Bushkill.

This park has over 40 miles of hiking trails. To get there; follow the signs off the Hickory Run Exit of Route 80 West. It is about a 30 minute drive from Stroudsburg. Hickory Run is one of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources “Twenty MustSee Pennsylvania State Parks”. It even boasts a national landmark, in the form of a boulder field that is one of the Pocono’s unique natural features. The aptly-named “Boulder Field Trail” is about 3.5 miles long. Pack a lunch and prepare for some calf-burning walks. Be sure to wear blaze orange during hunting seasons, and obey all usage rules and regulations.

Promised Land State Park (Difficult) You’ll find 50 miles of hiking trails in Promised Land State Park and the surrounding state forest. Recent logging projects have created a unique, diverse forest that features American beech trees, as well as many species of oak and maple. Designated recreation trails are marked with a blue blaze, where you’ll find information on the trail uses, distances, etc. There are several well-known hikes in the park. Bruce Lake Road will take you to a natural glacial lake. If waterfalls are your thing, you have to hit the Little Falls Trail. Promised Land State Park is about 10 miles north of Canadensis on PA Route 390.

Hiking is a great way to spend time in the outdoors, see Pennsylvania’s beautiful wildlife, and get some exercise at the same time. If you like some or all of these 3 main destinations, get out there and find more places to hike. As is often the case in the Pocono Mountains, the opportunities are endless. .P

Enjoy the Poconos in Winter! DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 5

Shopping & Dining for the Holidays

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6 POCONO POCONO LIVING LIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE©© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

Wildlife Friends and Foes BY KATHY UHLER, POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER

IVING IN THE POCONO MOUNTAINS is a dream come true for many of us, young and old, new to the area, or born here. The area is rich with beautiful views, forests, streams, and wildlife. Deer, rabbits, birds, bears, and others are abundant in our region like few others. As appreciative as I am of the creatures with which I share my yard, I also understand how difficult a few individuals can be. Wildlife can become a nuisance and even a danger under certain circumstances and the beginning of Spring brings the majority of problems for homeowners and wildlife. A little understanding can go a long way in preventing some problems while resolving others, allowing for an improved relationship with wildlife.

➔

RED SQUIRREL JAKE DINGEL/PGC

DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 7

W I L D L IFE FR IE N DS AN D FO E S

Preventing wildlife entry into a home

First, remember that the animals were here before we were. They do not understand, nor need to understand our concept of “property”. Animals live where all their needs are met including access, food, water, shelter, and privacy. Examples of some of these places can include inside your chimney, attic, garage, or under your deck or shed.

The first line of defense against wildlife home invasion is to inspect the outside of the house each and every year, preferably in the autumn. Every gap or hole that can be found in roof, soffits, eaves, and foundation should be filled. Look for signs, such as teeth or claw marks to determine if entry has been made. Any cracks or small holes should be filled to prevent animals from enlarging them to gain entry. If the residence has an attic, go inside during a bright sunny day and cover any windows with very dark paper or towels. Look for any spots where you can see light and seal these with expanding foam or steel wool. Do this ONLY if the residence is not currently inhabited by bats or other wildlife. Be sure the dryer vent has a cover that opens only when the dryer is in use. The chimney should have a secure-fitting metal cap, which can be purchased at any hardware store.

Animals should never be allowed entry to chimneys, garages or attics. Some can present a danger to wiring (and cause a fire), or damage the home, as well as serving as a possible vector of disease to humans. Creatures living under a deck or shed may be acceptable, in which case, no action needs to be taken.

If animals are not currently living under the deck or shed, and are not welcome, dig a trench around the shed or deck and staple wire fencing to the deck down to the ground. Bend the fencing to make an “L” shape outward from the ground away from the deck so that digging creatures cannot enter, and cover this with soil. Be sure all trees have been trimmed back away from the house to prevent squirrels and raccoons from climbing onto the roof and gaining entry.

Removing animals from a home

STRIPED SKUNK JAKE DINGEL/PGC

8 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

It was stated before that all animals need food, water, shelter, and privacy/ safety. Removing any of these should make the place they have chosen less comfortable and they should leave. My favorite means of removing wildlife is to reduce their perception of privacy. Light and sound make an area uncomfortable for animals.

Simply turning a light on and placing a radio (preferably set on a hard rock or rap station) in an attic or under a crawl space will deter most creatures and make them find more suitable quarters. Be sure if you are sticking your arms under a crawlspace with a light or radio that the creature is not in residence at that moment. How do we be sure no one is home? Simply find the spot where the creature has gained entry and sprinkle some flour around the area. Check the spot frequently and when you see tracks leading out, but not back in, the critter is probably out getting dinner. Use a flashlight to check the area first, and then place the radio and/or light under the crawlspace or shed. The volume need not be loud enough for you to hear or to cause your neighbors to call the police! If placing the radio or light in the attic, you need not check to see if anyone is there. Simply make enough noise while entering the attic that the creature hides or leaves from the sudden noise, then set the devices. Food is another reason animals enter houses. Keep all garbage in sealed garbage cans. If you have a garage, this is where cans should be kept until trash day. Leaving garbage outside the house only lures raccoons, bears and opossums to the yard.

“First, remember that the animals were here before we were.”

RACCOON JAKE DINGEL/PGC One more idea that seems to drive unwanted creatures from attics, crawlspaces, and gardens is predator urine. Placing just a TINY amount of fox or coyote urine (available at Gemplers.com or local sporting good stores) in a jar lid with a cotton ball will fool the squirrel, groundhog, rabbit or raccoon into thinking a predator is near, and they may skedaddle. Not expensive, but don’t inhale too deeply. This stuff is POTENT. Live trapping is a commonly performed method of wildlife removal. Humane traps can be purchased or rented from many hardware stores. The positive side of live-trapping is that the animal is captured alive, but if taken far away from its home, it may perish in its new location from competition with “the locals”. If live trapping, please catch the animal, seal the spot where entry was made, and release the creature outside your home. Also, be sure you are not leaving behind babies that will perish without their mother.

On our side Wildlife can be beneficial to have on one’s property. My opinion isanything that eats bugs or mice is okay by me. Bats can eat their own weight

in mosquitoes each and every night. That’s a wonderful thing considering that mosquitoes can harbor illnesses such as West Nile Virus. Skunks can decimate populations of grubs destroying your lawn, and one of their favorite foods is the Yellow Jacket. Entire nests of these ground-dwelling pain inflictors can be dug up and consumed by a hungry skunk, much in the way I dig into a fresh pint of Ben and Jerry’s. Raccoons, opossums, hawks and owls make short work of the mice you are feeding at your bird feeder while you sleep. Snakes also reduce rodent populations, and venomous snakes are not common in the Poconos. P

DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 9

History of the

STROUD MANSION

BY AMY LEISER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MONROE COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

10 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

HE STROUD MANSION, located on the corner of Main and 9th Streets in downtown Stroudsburg, was build by Colonel Jacob Stroud in 1795. The Georgianstyle home was originally built for Jacob’s oldest son, John. Jacob had hoped that John would work alongside him in both the family’s many business ventures and in the ongoing efforts to continue to develop Stroudsburg. John, however, “preferred the life of a farmer” and moved from the Main Street residence to a farmhouse one mile west of Stroudsburg, now known as Glen Brook. Jacob then requested his second oldest son, Daniel to move back to Stroudsburg from Easton to live in the Stroud Mansion. From 1800 to 1835, Daniel Stroud lived in the Stroud Mansion where he and his first wife, Elizabeth (Shoemaker) Stroud had 12 children. Elizabeth Stroud died in 1809 and Daniel married his second wife, Mary (Paul) Stroud in 1811. Together, Daniel and Mary had one daughter. Daniel worked tirelessly with his father to develop Stroudsburg. Daniel laid out the streets of Stroudsburg, donated land for churches and schools, and promoted business ventures. In 1815, Daniel had successfully persuaded the Pennsylvania State Legislature to make Stroudsburg an official town.

In 1837, Daniel leased the Stroud Mansion to Joseph Snyder who opened the old Stroud home as a tavern serving “choice liquors.” Three years later, Daniel Stroud leased the Stroud Mansion to Charles and John Malvern who operated an alcohol free public house known as the Temperance House. It is believed that Snyder’s lease was terminated by Daniel Stroud who became the head of the local temperance society that had formed in the newly-founded Monroe County. In 1847, Margaret Eagles ran the Stroud Mansion as a hotel that not only provided overnight accommodations, but served food and drinks as well. Daniel Stroud had died the year before, and his daughter, Elizabeth Robeson (who lived in New Jersey) inherited the Stroud Mansion and apparently placed no restrictions on the business. By 1858, Elizabeth Stroud Robeson sold the Stroud Mansion to her brothers, James H. Stroud and George Stroud, and her half-sister Martha Stroud Shotwell for $6,500. The Stroud family lived in the Stroud Mansion until 1879 when ownership passed to George Stroud’s daughters who lived in Philadelphia The Reverend Theophilus Heilig and his family rented the Stroud Mansion in 1880 from the Philadelphia Stroud’s. Heilig was the pastor of Craig’s Meadow and Zion Lutheran Church in Middle Smithfield Township and often preached at St. John’s Lutheran Church behind the Stroud Mansion. The Heilig family moved out of the Stroud Mansion in 1889. The old home remained vacant for the next three years and fell into disrepair until descendants of the Philadelphia Stroud’s sold the home to Timothy and Josephine Everitt for $8,500. The

“Daniel laid out the streets of Stroudsburg, donated land for churches and schools, and promoted business ventures.” Everitt’s worked to restore the Stroud Mansion by repainting the exterior and modified the home to house two families. Over the next 28 years, many Monroe County families lived in apartments in the Stroud Mansion including the Hibshman’s, Williams’ and Staples’ families. In 1920, the Women’s Club of the Stroudsburgs bought the Stroud Mansion to be used as a meeting and community center and became known as the Stroud Community House. The Monroe Public Library and the Monroe County Historical Society had their beginnings in the Stroud Mansion. In the early 1990s, the Community House Board of Directors transferred ownership of the entire Stroud Mansion to the Monroe County Historical Association.

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Shopping & Dining for the Holidays

HTheOUSE of CANDLES Oldest Candle Shop in the Poconos Candle Making Demos (10a-4p Daily) Gifts Jewelry Art Wood Carvings Mon-Sat 9a-5p 570-629-1953

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12 POCONO POCONO LIVING LIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE©© DECEMBER DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2014/JANUARY 2015 2015

• Where Locals have been enjoying good food in a relaxed, safe & fresh atmosphere for over 40 years Route 611 (834 N. 9th St) Stroudsburg, PA

570-421-2329

HISTORY OF TH E S T R O U D M AN S I O N

Currently, the Monroe County Historical Association’s headquarters is the historic 1795 Stroud Mansion. The building serves as museum with four floors of exhibit space highlighting the history of Monroe County. The Elizabeth D. Walters research library is also located in the building. The Walters library features a unique and extensive collection of genealogical materials on Monroe County families in addition to many other primary resources. The Stroud Mansion is open to the public Tuesdays through Fridays from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm and the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. One-hour guided tours of the Stroud Mansion are offered at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm. The current exhibit is “Fred Waring: a Pennsylvania Treasure.” For more information on the Monroe County Historical Association, please visit the Web site at www. monroehistorical.org..P

photos courtesy Monroe County Historical Association

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DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 13

Why wait until the holidays?

Start planning your annual cookie exchange

‘T

is the season for delicious treats and festive gatherings. The fun of baking, sharing recipes and getting together for holiday parties such as a cookie exchange are what make the season extra-special. If you’re looking for party ideas, tips and recipes, visit www.HersheysCookies.com. It’s the ultimate online destination to find and share recipes, as well as learn hints and tips from Hershey’s baking expert, Linda Stahl: “We’ve created the ultimate resource for holiday hosts this year - an online community where holiday entertaining enthusiasts can swap recipes, share photos and connect about their holiday baking traditions.” Plan your party this season by visiting www.HersheysCookies.com where tasty recipes feature holiday staple baking ingredients like Hershey’s

Kisses Brand Chocolates, Cocoa and Baking Chips. Visitors will also have an opportunity to apply to host one of 1,000 cookie exchanges. If selected, applicants will receive event party packs complete with the necessary ingredients to host the ultimate cookie exchange, including: baking products, recipe booklets to share with guests and a special hostess gift.

Stahl offers the following tips to host a cookie exchange: n Provide each guest with a sample recipe in their invitation for ideas to help get them baking. n Set up an e-mail list allowing guests to share what cookies they will bring, so duplicates aren’t an issue. If your guests prefer a surprise, have them RSVP with both their attendance response and the cookie they plan to bring to the exchange. CONTENT: ARA

14 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

n Once you know how many guests are coming, let party attendees know how many cookies to bring. n Since cookies are at the center of your gathering, offer simple refreshments like hot cocoa or warm apple cider. n Provide containers or ask guests to bring festively decorated tins to ensure cookies can be brought home easily without breaking. Can’t decide what holiday cookie you should make as the host? Try the Kisses Cocoa Cookies or the classic Peanut Butter Blossoms. P

Kisses Cocoa Cookies Makes 54 cookies Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup Hershey’s Cocoa 1 cup finely chopped pecans About 54 Hershey’s Kisses Brand Milk Chocolates Powdered sugar

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Beat butter, granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl until creamy. Stir together flour and cocoa; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until blended. Add pecans; beat until well blended. Refrigerate dough about 1 hour or until firm enough to handle. Heat oven to 375 F. Remove wrappers from chocolates. Mold scant tablespoon of dough around each chocolate, covering completely. Shape into balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool about 1 minute; remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. Roll in powdered sugar. Roll in powdered sugar again just before serving, if desired.

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DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 15

CO O K IE E X CHAN G E

Peanut Butter Blossoms Makes 48 cookies Ingredients:

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48 Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates 1/2 cup shortening 3/4 cup Reese’s Creamy Peanut Butter 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar 1 egg 2 tablespoons milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt Granulated sugar Directions:

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16 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

Heat oven to 375 F. Remove wrappers from chocolates. Beat shortening and peanut butter in large bowl until well blended. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

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DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 17

A Christmas Memory

y memory of Monroe County (The Poconos) more than fifty years ago was of forests and farms and beautiful quiet country roads with very little traffic. Growing up in Paradise Township when my sisters and I were young, there were lots of woods filled with evergreens, birches and a variety of other trees, beautiful mountain laurel and lots of rhododendron. The kids in our neighborhood often played in the woods building forts, picking flowers or greens for wreaths, or just generally running around in them and often seeing deer or other wildlife.

BY SUZANNE McCOOL

18 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

I especially remember one crisp, clear winterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day. There had been a snowfall earlier that week. My sister, Paulette, and I headed out for a walk with our dad, John Fretz. Leafless snow-dusted branches made jagged silhouettes against the blue-gray winter sky. We took the sled, my dad with an ax, and headed into the snowy woods behind our house. We were looking for a Christmas tree. I was probably ten and Paulette was eight years old at the time. Pulling the American Flyer, Daddy broke a trail through the snowy woods with Paulette and me trudging behind. We were probably less than half mile from the house but it seemed really far for our short little legs.

recall that all was quiet and almost ethereal that day, the only sounds the plowing of the sled, branches snapping underfoot, and the occasional thump of snow falling from limbs and branches. A rabbit scurried past our track and up ahead in a small clearing stood a doe who somehow avoided the hunters’ guns that year. A ricocheting branch stung Paulette’s cheek and Daddy leaned down and kissed it to make it better. Soon we saw what we were looking for – the most perfect Christmas tree on earth and just the right size for our living room, not too big or small – just right. In my mind’s eye I could already see it adorned and aglow with lights and tinsel and gaily colored balls and a shining star on top. We would put it in the front window, and it would sit in a big bucket of coal with my mother insisting it be secured with string because of the year our cats climbed the tree and knocked it over. That was when we lived at Airport Inn, my parent’s hotel in Mount Pocono, before we moved to Paradise Township.

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My dad quickly cut the tree and put it on the sled while Paulette and I held it on with our mittened hands. I was so excited because Christmas was my favorite time of the year, not just because of the magic of the season, but because December 25, is my birthday as well! Christmas carols from the record player and Mom greeted us as we dragged the tree up the steps, across the front porch and into the house. My mother had hot chocolate waiting for us and the smell of her freshly baked apple tart wafted though the air. Our cheeks were rosy from the cold as we headed to the fireplace where a cheerful fire was burning to warm our little hands and fingers. Soon the tree trimming would begin!

Pocono Living

I will always remember this one perfect day in my life because within a few years from this day, my father would die from complications from surgery, and my mother would struggle to hold on to our home and to raise my sisters and me. She never remarried, but her youngest sister, our Aunt Audrey, would always be there to help and would always make Christmas special in our lives..P

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A Special Visitor fr om the Nor th Pole BY KATHY UHLER, POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER

ORKING WITH WILDLIFE does not allow for much in the way of celebrating holidays. Injured owls and hawks, foxes and raccoons come through our clinic doors needing treatment no matter the day or the time. My husband, Eric, and I have learned that our holidays are different from most people’s but that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. In fact, two years ago, we received a visitor from the far North, and received from him a holiday gift we will never forget. The phone call came on Christmas Eve, in the afternoon. A couple saw a hawk lying in a cornfield in Center Valley. Captured by his finders, he arrived in a plain cardboard box, lying almost motionless, and barely breathing. Wearing heavy gloves, I picked up the bird and cradled him in my arms. He looked at me – right in the eyes – and I, him. A moment passed, and I whispered “What are you?” With that, Eric, preparing fluids and pain medication, turned to see why I was asking the question. "Isn’t it a Red-tail?”, he responded. “No- look at his feet. They’re tiny! His coloring isn’t right either. His body looks like a Red-tail, but he’s smaller and his belly is dark and his tail, light…it’s like backwards coloring”.

20 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE©© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

“Holding this

ut came our Sibley Guide to birds. Using our knowledge that the bird’s major features placed it in the family of hawks called Buteos, which include our local Red-tailed, Redshouldered and Broad-wing hawks, we were able to determine that what I was holding in my arms was a visitor straight from the Arctic, a Rough-legged hawk! He had broad soaring wings and a wide tail, made for scanning the tundra for lemmings and other small rodents. We were now noticing his dark wing patches and light tail tipped in brown. Rough-legged hawks are native to northern Canada up to the North Pole. They migrate into our area when winters are severe or food scarce in their native tundra. Their wingspan is 52–54.3 inches and they weigh 1.5 to 3 pounds. Unlike the local hawks, these birds have feathers covering their legs to provide some insulation, giving them their name.

magnificent bird, we

paused to

contemplate the things

this bird had experienced

in his Arctic world."

➔ DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 21

Shopping & Dining for the Holidays

Rudy’s

The PoTTing Shed ' Creative, Unique designs Silk Florals, Live Plants & All Your Craft needs!

Directly Behind American Ribbon on Ann Street, Stroudsburg, PA

570-424-1174

762 main street stroudsburg, pa 570.872.9088 www.verticalearthinc.com

The Original Vinny D’s Presents:

Vincent's Deli & Catering

The place to go in the Poconos for high quality food, exceptional customer service, and extraordinary value!

Cherry’s Restaurant

Kresgeville

featuring

OPEN LATE!

Car Quest Plaza 1 Route 611 1 Tannersville, PA 18372 570-213-4529 1 www.VincentsDeli.net

Dale's

serves fresh food 8am - 4pm every day • Route 611 Bartonsville dalescafeandgrill.com

22 POCONO POCONO LIVING LIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE©© DECEMBER DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2014/JANUARY 2015

Large Selection of IPA & Craft Beers Daily Dinner Specials

Flat Breads Soups & Salads Tapas Slider Sandwhiches Live Entertainment Every Weekend! Route 209 South Downtown Kresgeville 610-681-4482

CherrysFamilyRestaurant.com

A SPECIA L VIS ITO R F R O M T HE N O RT H P O LE

➔

DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 23

A SPE CIAL VISITO R FR O M THE N O RTH POLE

PoconoFourWheelDrive.com

www.saylorsburglumberpa.com

ric carefully inserted a tube down the bird’s throat containing rehydrating fluids, an antibiotic, and medicine to prevent a serious lung infection many raptors get when they are under the stress of captivity. An anti-inflammatory pain medication was provided to relieve pain and swelling. I inspected the bird’s eyes to check his pupils. His wings were palpated to search for fractures, as were his legs. Nothinggood news. The hawk, named “Legs” for the feathering that goes all the way down their legs, was placed in a veterinary cage on a towel to provide him with a gentle resting place. He could not stand, but sat motionless- a strong sign that he was suffering from a pelvic injury. Rest and anti-inflammatories were the course of treatment. For each of the next several days, Eric and I hand-fed the two-pound hawk five mice and administered medications. On December 31st, we arrived to find Legs standing up and ready to help himself to his breakfast. His pelvic injury was not critical after all! After four more quiet, rest days, Legs was moved to a flight enclosure outdoors to exercise and rebuild muscles to ensure successful flight and return to the wild. A week later, Legs was transported to a large field. Holding this magnificent bird, we paused to contemplate the things this bird had experienced in his Arctic world. One birder related to us that caribou bones are sometimes included in nesting material. Arms raised, a quick lift and release and Legs was off, soaring across the field. He circled twice, headed north, and disappeared from view. I hope he tells Santa that we were good boys and girls here at Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center! .P The Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization. Providing care for 32 years, support comes strictly from donations. Your donation can help us provide this wildlife care and education facility in eastern PA. Please consider a taxdeductible donation by visiting www.poconowildlife.org. or sending by mail to PWRC, 1161 Cherry Dr, Stroudsburg PA 18360

www.huffmanselectric.com

24 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

Happy Holidays, Kathy and Eric Uhler, Directors

GEORGE W. CHILDS PARK-DINGMANS FERRY VINZON LEE

The Origins of the Cat T

BY STEPHEN L. ZAWISTOWSKI,

aspca science advisor

HE ORIGINS of our canine companions are often debated among academics and dog lovers alike. But although there is still much to know about how the first dogs came to be, the introduction of cats into the human world seems better established. Cats became part of our lives 7,000 to 8,000 years ago, after people had already begun to live in permanent communities. Apparently attracted to rodents who came to feed on stored grain, the ancestor of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cat, the African wildcat, became a frequent and welcome visitor. The cat, as we know her, played an important part in Egyptian culture and lore. It was also at this time that felines and humans began a curious relationship that has proven to be both good and bad for the cat.

The Cultured Cat

The Egyptians thought so highly of cats that the goddess Bastet was depicted as one. Strict limits were placed on taking cats outside of Egypt, and families actively mourned the deaths of beloved household felines. At the same time, however, thousands of cats were bred and raised for sacrifice. Their

26 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

mummies have been found in huge numbers. Egypt was at the crossroads of great trading enterprises, and cats soon found their way both east and west. Short-haired cats arrived in Italy 2,100 years ago and moved across Europe quickly, finally reaching England some 1,900 years ago. Almost everywhere they went, cats were welcomed for their ability to control rodent populations. In many places, they were also appreciated for their companionship. Their darkest hour probably came during the Middle Ages in Europe. Christian religious leaders linked cats with the practice of witchcraft, and sanctioned their wholesale slaughter. This is a particular irony, as cats likely played an important role in helping to protect Europe from even greater devastation during the Black Plague, by killing the rats that carried infected

fleas from home to home. The Renaissance, which brought new light to many areas of human endeavor, benefited cats, too. They began to appear in paintings and literature as objects of affection. Later, settlement of the New World brought cats across the Atlantic, and they followed the colonists as they spread across the continent.

The Cat as Companion

Unlike our friend the dog, the cat’s evolution took place largely without the assistance or presence of a human partner. They did not undergo the longterm genetic selection that produced specialized canine breeds for hunting, herding

Cats have avoided many of the problems that dogs have faced due to selection for exaggerated physical characteristics. There have been just a handful of unusual physical traits fixed as breed characteristics. The shortened muzzle of the Persian family, the ears of the Scottish Fold, and the tailless Manx are among the few examples. It may be important to stay vigilant in this area, however, since the ever-growing popularity of cats may stimulate an expanded desire for “new and different” breeds and varieties, such as the Munchkins and Twisty Cats of recent years.

uch like dogs, cats have adapted to our lives independent of a need we may have for them to work for us. Instead of mice, they now capture our imagination and affection. And while the world may forever remain divided into dedicated dog people and cat lovers, many of us revel in the fun and complexity of having both dogs and cats in our homes. If nothing else, we may want to heed the old Irish proverb that warns, “Beware of people who dislike cats.”.P

Dog Training & Obedience in Stroudsburg

og A trainepdyddog! is a hap

1501 North 5th Street, Stroudsburg PA 18360-6782

Sitstaynplay.net • (570) 872-9748

Can

field’s Pet &

315 Main St. Str oud sb

m g, PA

It was the development of the middle class that profoundly changed the role of felines in our society and homes. Cats were no longer relegated to the role of rodent wrangler, and came more and more to fill that of companion. Their appeal is such that over the past ten years, they have supplanted dogs as the most common companion animal in the United States. Yet as a continued reflection of our mixed appreciation of cats, research shows that we are less likely to take cats to the veterinarian, provide proper identification or keep them indoors where they will be safe. A variety of sources suggest that there may be as many cats living homeless, as strays and ferals, as there are in homes.

or guarding. As a result, domestic cats have retained many aspects of their original feline behaviors. This may further the mistaken impression that cats can do fine on their own and require limited attention from human caretakers.

570-421-1821

Ken’s Auto Service Center Quality Repair

With a Price That’s Fair Rte. 447 & Brushy Mt. Rd., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301

570-424-2258 www.kensautoservicecenter.net Oil Change State Inspections Tune Ups

Maintenance Brakes Tires

DOG SLEDDING AT SKYTOP LODGE BEN BIRK|PMVB

Pocono Winter Sports Old & N New O MATTER WHAT YOU’RE INTO, you can find it in the Pocono Mountains. The winter months bring countless opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. From the tried and true staples of winter activities to some new “oddball” options, you’ll never run out of things to do or places to go. Let’s start with the most familiar.

TRADITIONAL

courtesy of the POCONO MOUNTAINS VISITORS BUREAU

Year after year, the Poconos draw skiers and snowboarders from all over the country. For many reasons, this market has and always will be the breadwinner around here. There are 7 major ski areas featuring a total of over 160 trails. Thanks to our location and advances in snow making, our ski season is long-lived and stays around for several months. All of the 7 resorts also offer another common activity, snow tubing. Snow tubing is a great way for families to have fun together. Parents like it because it allows the adults to remain close with their children, and the good times are shared by the entire family. In addition to families, many diehard skiers can be found cruising downhill in a tube after a tough day on

the slopes. It’s a high-intensity, low-risk activity. And tubing is the best way to introduce youngsters to winter activities. Snowmobiling is a sport that has found its way into the mainstream winter scene. The general conception, thanks to the X Games, is that snowmobilers are wild, speed-crazy guys. But the fact is that men, women and children of all ages can enjoy this hobby. It’s a fun, exciting way to spend an afternoon. Fortunately, there are fourteen properties that offer snowmobiling. Before heading out, call 1-877-SNOMBLE (1-877-766-6253) for condition updates.

UP AND COMING Snowshoeing is a pastime that’s gaining headway in the Pocono Mountains. Resorts like the Inn at Pocono Manor and Skytop can provide rentals for most ages. Snowshoeing gives us a glimpse of what life was like a long time ago. If you want to take step back in time, strap on some snowshoes and trek across the beautiful landscape. Horse-drawn sleigh rides are a real fan favorite. It’s a great option for couples who want to try something a little different. You’ll enjoy each other’s company and be the envy of any onlookers. And because it’s in the Pocono Mountains, you’ll be assured of some great scenery along the way. There are six properties for horse-drawn sleigh rides. Triple W Riding Stable in Honesdale or Woodloch Pines Resort in Hawley are two of your best options.

➔

Join me in Stroudsburg. Michael J Frailey Frailey Insurance and Financial Services (570) 421-7447 www.fraileyinsurance.com

www.BucciVision.com

courtesy PMVB

POCO N O W INTER S P O RT S

Tobogganing and sledding will remind you of the good ole days sledding in your backyard. In my opinion, this is still the most fun way to spend time in the snow. The beauty about sledding is that it can be as intense or relaxing as you like. And, it’s the most accessible outdoor activity, just find a hill and have some fun.

REALLY? Iceboating is a new, interesting hobby for outdoor aficionados. The general rules of boating remain the same. The differences are that the lake is now ice and the boat has been equipped with skis. You’ll probably want to research this sport a little bit before diving in headfirst. Beltzville State Park in Lehighton welcomes this unique pastime. Here’s one you probably didn’t think about: disc golf. It’s golf with Frisbees, and it’s a lot of fun. You can throw them or roll them in any way possible while trying to make birdies and finish under par. This is a year-round sport, but is particularly challenging in the snow. Once you play it, you’ll be itching to go back. Contact the Bear Claws Disc Golf Association at www.bearclaws.org for more information. There’s something about dogsledding that appeals to the adventurer in us. Images of Alaska and the deep woods immediately conjure up in our minds. If you want an ultimate outdoor experience, one you’ll be talking about for years to come, check out Artic Paws Dogsled Tours at the Inn at Pocono Manor or the Adventure Center at Skytop Lodge, and sign up for some dogsledding. Whether you choose to stick to the classics or branch out to the unfamiliar, make sure you get outside this winter, even if it’s just to build a snowman with your family. We’re fortunate to have so many interesting options here in the Pocono Mountains. Take advantage. I’ll see you outside. P

“…the lake is now ice and the boat has been equipped with skis.”

Kresgeville

Cherry Valley Vineyard

OPEN LATE!

featuring

Brick Oven Pizza

sit, relax & dine among the grapevines

Large Selection of IPA & Craft Beers

Tours, Tastings & Special Events

Daily Dinner Specials

Flat Breads Soups & Salads Tapas Slider Sandwhiches

Wine with Heart

Live Entertainment Every Weekend!

130 Lower Cherry Valley Road Saylorsburg, PA 18353 570-992-2255

Route 209 South Downtown Kresgeville 610-681-4482

www.CherryValleyVineyards.com

Handcrafted Soap • Gifts Bulk Soapmaking Supplies Classes & Birthday Parties 10 North 7th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 • PoconoSoap@yahoo.com

CherrysFamilyRestaurant.com

Shopping & Dining for the Holidays

Cherry’s Restaurant

the only authentic irish pub in the poconos Siamsairishpub.com • 570-421-8434 636 Main St. Stroudsburg, pa 18360

Angels Cafe` &

D1124 Boutique

Edgy and Stylish Clothing for Women and Men 350 Main St., Stroudsburg PA 18360 (Entrance in Rear on McConnell St between McDonalds & Wells Fargo) PH: 570-213-9142 or 570-420-4124 Email: shopd1124@gmail.com Website: www.d1124boutique-shop.com Open: Tues - Fri 11- 5 Sat 10 - 6

Catering

All you can eat “Soup-er” Bar Tuesday-Friday

Hours:

Sunday Breakfast Buffet

Tue.-Fri. 9:30a-5:00p Sat & Sun 8:30a-1:30p

9am-1pm

A Full Breakfast & Lunch Menu Everyday

Find out more at:

www.LittleAngelsCafe.com

901 Main St., Stroudsburg, PA

570-424-8810

WINTER WHIRLPOOL AND MOON MATT SIPTROTH

Tips For Holiday Car Travel ColonialAutoSales

.com

A Local Favorite for over 30 Years

I We Have Something for Everybody 1331 Golden Slipper Rd at Rt 611 Bartonsville

1-800-421-3350

T`S ALMOST TIME to pack the kids and presents into the car and head out to visit family for the holidays. Whether your trip will take you over the river or through the woods, getting to grandmother‚Äôs house can mean overcrowded roads, tough driving conditions and many repetitions of ‚ÄúAre we there yet?‚Äù A little preparation can help make your holiday car trip safer and more pleasurable. n KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES PROTECTED. Holiday road trips can be dangerous due to slippery conditions and additional motorists on the road. Many of the newest child seats rely on innovative plastic materials for safety features -- three- and fivepoint harness systems, shock absorbing foam padding, head impact protection and fire-resistant upholstery -- that help protect your children on the road.

n FUEL-UP IN ADVANCE ON GAS -- a full tank helps avoid extra stops along the way. And consider installing a cell phone app that geo-locates gas stations with lower gas prices. n LIGHTER VEHICLES OFTEN ARE MORE FUELEFFICIENT. So if your family can fit comfortably, a smaller, lighter car could save on gas money. One reason is that today‚Äôs cars employ many design, comfort and safety features made with lightweight plastics, which helps reduce overall vehicle weight to improve fuel economy. Modern automobiles now are made of 50 percent plastics by volume, but only 10 percent by weight. n IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONSIDERING PURCHASING A NEW CAR, THERE MAY BE NO BETTER TIME THAN THE HOLIDAYS. Many dealers offer significant holiday discounts, so this could be a great time to prepare for that upcoming holiday road trip.

n PACK HEALTHFUL ROAD SNACKS. Consider foods such as cheese sticks, carrots and dried fruits. Buy in bulk and pack individual portions in convenient re-sealable plastic bags and containers. Avoid overly sugary treats that may make it harder for kids to sit still. n TRANSPORT FOOD SAFELY. Bring holiday dishes in coolers and containers so you can safely go straight from your kitchen to the car to the holiday table. Lightweight plastic coolers are easy to transport and help keep prepared foods cold by trapping cool air inside and keeping out warmer air. Airtight plastic containers help keep individual dishes fresh.

fresh and save space – this could even cut down on the number of bulky suitcases that could block the driver's visibility. n RECYCLE ALONG THE WAY. When snacking on the road, reuse plastic grocery bags to collect your recyclable plastic bottles, containers, bags and wraps until you can drop them in a recycling bin. For additional tips on car safety, recycling and more, visit www. plasticsmakeitpossible.com. But above all, pack a map or bring a GPS so the kids can answer the question: ‚“are we there yet?” Learning to read a map is a valuable life skill! P

n USE SPACE-SAVING PACKAGING. Packing for a holiday trip can be challenging, so consider using airtight plastic “space saver” bags that prevent wrinkles, keep your clothes

P&S GARAGE Servicing the Poconos since 1975

Scott Dreisbach owner

570-223-8874

9080 Franklin Hill Road East Stroudsburg, Pa www.psgaragepa.com CONTENT: STATEPOINT | PHOTOS: iSTOCK

“Yes, Virginia,

There is a Santa Claus” Eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote a letter to the editor of New York’s Sun, and the quick response was printed as an unsigned editorial Sept. 21, 1897. The work of veteran newsman Francis Pharcellus Church has since become history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps. Dear Editor: I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus? Virgina O’Hanlon 115 West Ninety-Fifth Street

Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men’s or children’s, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that’s no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby’s rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood. 36 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015

Barrett Paradise Friendly Library Cresco, PA 570-595-7171 www.barrettlibrary.org

Pocono Mountain Public Library Tobyhanna, PA 570-894-8860 www.poconomountpl.org

Clymer Library Pocono Pines, PA 570-646-0826 www.clymerlibrary.org

Western Pocono Community Library Brodheadsville, PA 570-992-7934 www.wpcl.lib.pa.us

Eastern Monroe Public Library Branches Hughes Library (main branch) Stroudsburg, PA 570-421-0800 www.monroepl.org Pocono Township Branch Tannersville, PA 570-629-5858 Smithfield Branch Marshalls Creek, PA 570-223-1881 Bookmobile 570-421-0880 x49

DECEMBER 2014/JANUARY 2015 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ 37