Pocono Living Magazine - April/May 2024

Pocono Living Magazine and Pocono Family Magazine, two regional publications filled with articles, features and photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience.

Our publications can be found at many locations throughout the Pocono Mountains region, and are available by subscription.

Larry

John Anzivino

Gayle C. Brooke

Ray Caswell

Pat Coyle

Randall FitzGerald

Ashley Hall

Maurice Harmon

Susan Hartman

Marlana Holsten

Ann H. LeFevre

Kimberly Blaker

Roseanne Bottone

Kathy Dubin-Uhler

Sandra Gordon

Tanni Haas

Rebecca Hasting

Amanda Kuhn

Amy Leiser

Marie Liu

Barbara Lewis

Marie Liu

Harry Loud

Regina Matarazzo

Janet Mishkin

John L. Moore

Michael Murphy

Justine Nearhood

Roseanna Santaniello

Tom Stone

Sara Lyons

Jamie Marra

Suzanne McCool

Janet Mishkin

John L. Moore

Allison Mowatt

Jim Werkheiser

Kim Williams

Marty Wilson

NOW EXPANDED!

The St. Luke’s Monroe Campus is doubling in size to meet the need for quality healthcare in Monroe County. The four-story 165,000-square-foot expansion includes:

• A 36 bed medical-surgical unit

• Additional operating and procedural space

• Expanded outpatient programs

100 St. Luke’s Lane

Stroudsburg, PA 18360

sluhn.org/monroe

• State-of-the-art interventional radiology suite

• Cardiac rehab

• HomeStar Pharmacy

“The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.”

― Harriet Ann Jacobs

>

Photo by Dave Trainer

April/May 2024

6 Emma Bucknell & the Titanic

20 The History and Future of the Monroe County Historical Association

30 Mother’s Day Traditions

34 Travel by Air Like a Pro This Summer

38 The Long Pond Preserve and The Hauser Nature Center

44 Tobyhanna State Park

48 Pocono Real Estate Pulse

50 How to Tackle Spring Cleaning, Even When You Have Pets

COVER by Marlana Holsten

> Tugboats guide the Titanic from the harbor at Belfast, Northern Ireland, on April 2, 1912. Eight days later, the ill-fated liner sailed from Southampton, England, on its maiden voyage across the North Atlantic Ocean.

EMMA BUCKNELL & THE TITANIC

By John L. Moore

The survivors of the Titanic disaster in April 1912 included a feisty and outspoken Pennsylvania woman, Emma Bucknell. She was returning to the U.S. after visiting her daughter in Rome.

Within days after her rescue from the iceberg-laden North Atlantic, Mrs. Bucknell began blasting away at the White Star Shipping Line. It had boasted that its luxurious ocean liner, built in Belfast, Ireland, at a cost of around £1.5 million, was “practically unsinkable.”

“Within days after her rescue from the iceberg-laden North Atlantic, Mrs. Bucknell began blasting away at the White Star Shipping Line.”

As nearly everybody knows, the RMS Titanic did sink. Around midnight on April 14, 1912, it rammed an iceberg, and, less than three hours later, descended to the bottom of the Atlantic. More than 1,500 crew members and passengers died.

One of 705 people who survived, Emma Bucknell returned to Pennsylvania several days after being rescued. When reporters for the Chester and Philadelphia newspapers interviewed her, she criticized the steamship company and top-level officers of the ill-fated ship.

“Mrs. E.W. Bucknell Says Carelessness Cost Many Lives,” said the Philadelphia Inquirer’s front-page headline on Saturday, April 20, 1912. “Survivor of Titanic Condemns Lack of Boats and Failure to Have Drills.”

“Life-Saving Facilities Were Grossly Inadequate,” said the headline in the Chester Times.

Mrs. Bucknell also told the reporters that the sailors in her lifeboat didn’t know how to row and that the women they were supposed to rescue had to show them.

Emma Bucknell was hardly a novice traveler. Born in India, the daughter of missionaries, “I have been across the ocean thirty or more times … and have seen many life boat drills, but I never saw one on board the Titanic,” she told the reporters.

“Right here I want to say something about the utter unpreparedness of the Titanic for a shipwreck,” Mrs. Bucknell said at one point.

On the Titanic and other ocean liners, ropes were used to lower and raise lifeboats, which were suspended from the sides of the ship. The ropes allowed experienced sailors to lower a lifeboat rapidly during an emergency. Mrs. Bucknell said this didn’t happen aboard the Titanic. Crew members “did not seem to understand how to operate the ropes, and the process of launching the lifeboat, which should not take more than two minutes, took 10.”

She described many of Titanic’s lifeboats as “collapsible,” made of material that was “so stiff that they could not be opened and were useless.”

Lifeboats of this type “that were not already opened and ready for use were unavailable … for none on board seemed to understand how they worked,” Mrs. Bucknell said. “Hundreds more could have been saved if these collapsible boats had worked properly.”

> William Bucknell, business tycoon

> Emma Ward Bucknell

2024 PHOTO CONTEST ENTER YOUR BEST SHOTS

Your photos could be seen by more than 26,000 readers when you enter them in Pocono Living Magazine’s Annual Photo Contest. The contest is open to amateur photographers only. (Those who do not earn a majority, over half, of their income as photographers).

You may enter no more than 15 images, so choose your best shots.

Categories are “Scenics”, “Wildlife”, “Florals”, and “Historical Structures”. Only photographs that are representative of the Pocono Mountains should be submitted. Individual photos should be attached to an email message and sent to: larry@poconomagazines.com. Photos submitted must be high resolution, (300 dpi), jpg or tiff files or they cannot be used. You must include your full name in the title with each photo submitted as you would like it to appear in the magazines. We will contact you for your mailing address to receive your prize if your photo is chosen as a winner in the contest.

Winning photos, along with the names, and hometowns if available, of each winner will appear in the October/November 2024 issue of PoconoLivingMagazine and the PoconoMagazines.com website. Some lucky participants may have their photo featured as a cover on Pocono LivingMagazine!

PRIZES AWARDED:

1st Place: $100.00 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants & Shoppes

2nd Place: $75.00 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants & Shoppes

3rd Place: $50.00 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants & Shoppes

Honorable Mentions: One year subscription to Pocono Living & Pocono Family Magazines.

In the event of a tie, prize money will be split among the winners.

RULES OF THE CONTEST:

1. Contest open to amateur photographers only.

2. Contest opens April 1, 2024 and closes August 1, 2024.

3. Enter electronic files by email to: larry@poconomagazines.com. One photo at a time.

4. Submitted photos must be as an attachment to an email message, (not within the body of the email), and be high resolution (300 dpi), jpeg or tiff files.

5. Please include your contact information (phone number, mailing address & email address) with the submission.

6. Each contestant may submit no more than 15 photographs. Choose any combination of categories.

7. Photos submitted may be judged for inclusion in this year’s contest, and in all future year’s contests, so you have several chances to be a winner.

8. Entered photos must have been taken recently, from January 2013 to present and be of a scene or subject found in the Pocono Mountains only.

9. Categories are: Scenics (landscapes, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, etc.), Wildlife, Florals, and Historical Structures.

10. Judging will take place in August and September 2024 and winners will appear in the October/November issue of Pocono Living Magazine.

11. Winners will receive gift certificates within 90 days after being published.

12. Contestants will retain all rights to their photography, but agree that Pocono Magazines, LLC and Pocono Mts. Publications, LLC may use their photos from time to time in the magazines that they publish and on the Pocono Magazines.com website provided proper credit is given to each photographer.

Questions? Email the editor at: larry@poconomagazines.com

Photo by Ray Caswell

> The drawing of the RMS Titanic shows its hull was painted red. Note the dark stains on the bottom of the iceberg suspected of colliding with the Titanic. This photo was taken on April 15, 1912, by an officer of the ocean liner Prinz Adalbert. He was puzzled to see what looked like large smears of red paint on the iceberg. The Prinz Adalbert had not yet learned the Titanic had sunk in nearby waters only hours earlier.

Nor was the lifeboat in which she was evacuated adequately provisioned. As the sailors prepared to lower the boat into the ocean, "Captain Smith himself picked up a big basket of bread and handed it across to me in the lifeboat. That was all the provisions I saw. There may have been water aboard, but I did not see it.”

A short while later, Captain Edward J. Smith went down with the ship.

The lifeboat also lacked a compass and matches that would be needed to reignite the boat’s oil lamp were it extinguished.

Reforms intended to make ocean travel safer followed in the wake of the disaster. Mrs. Bucknell’s comments–along with those of other survivors–made the public aware that “safety regulations had not caught up with these new massive liners,” according to the National Archives of the United Kingdom.

“A new regulation of 1913 required all vessels to carry enough lifeboats for every passenger.” Also, an “iceberg patrol was set up by the U.S. Coast Guard.”

“A new regulation of 1913 required all vessels to carry enough lifeboats for every passenger.” Also, an “iceberg patrol was set up by the U.S. Coast Guard.”

Born in 1852, Emma Ward Bucknell was 59 when the Titanic went down. When she died in 1927, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported in her obituary that she was a direct descendant of General Artemas Ward, the Revolutionary War general who served as second in command under General George Washington of the American troops at Boston in 1775.

> The Titanic’s captain, Edward J. Smith, shown in this 1911 photo, went down with his ship.

Emma was 20 or 21 when she married a 62-year-old Philadelphia business tycoon, William Bucknell, in 1873. He had been married twice before.

Born in 1811, he had amassed a fortune through dealings in railroads, real estate, and coal and iron mines. In 1886, in recognition of his financial contributions to the University of Lewisburg in central Pennsylvania, the school was renamed Bucknell University.

Over the next decade, the Bucknells had four children.

William Bucknell was 78 when he died on March 5, 1890. According to the university, “at the time of his death in 1890, he had given Bucknell University more than $268,000.”

In 1906, their daughter Margaret married an Italian nobleman, Count Daniele Pecorini, and moved to Rome.

> The Titanic left Southampton, England, on April 10.

> Bound for Europe, the RMS Carpathia heard a distress call from the Titanic, turned around and steamed toward the Titanic’s location. The ship had sunk by the time the Carpathia arrived and began rescuing people at sea in lifeboats from the Titanic.

In early 1912, Emma Bucknell went to Italy to visit her daughter. She returned on the Titanic, one of 1,300 passengers on the liner’s first voyage. With a crew of 900, it left Southampton, England, on April 10, and crossed the English Channel to Cherbourg, France, where Emma boarded.

As she waited for the ship at Cherbourg, Emma encountered a friend, Molly Brown, who was also traveling on the Titanic. Brown later told author Archibald Gracie about her conversation with Emma. “She said she feared boarding the ship because she had evil forebodings that something might happen.”

As Gracie reported in his 1913 book, The Truth About The Titanic, “Mrs. Brown laughed at her premonitions.”

Leaving France, the Titanic sailed to Ireland, stopped briefly at the Irish port of Queenstown, and then, on April 11, steamed into the North Atlantic, bound for New York.

Four days later– at 11:40 p.m. on April 14, a Sunday–the crew spotted an iceberg. The ship was unable to swerve in time to avoid it, and the two collided. The Titanic soon sank, with enormous loss of life.

Safely back in Pennsylvania five days later, Emma told reporters how she and 30 other women – including her friend Molly Brown – spent a long, frigid night in a lifeboat, and felt great relief when the sunrise revealed a ship, the RMS Carpathia, steaming to their rescue.

Emma also described the moment the Titanic crashed into the iceberg, an event that “sounded like a mixture of thunder and explosions.”

She and her maid dressed quickly, then hurried up to the deck. Emma saw Molly Brown and walked over to her. As Molly later told Archibald Gracie, the author, “Mrs. Bucknell approached and whispered, ‘Didn't I tell you something was going to happen?’ ”

Passengers gathering on the deck appeared calm, at least outwardly. “They were in groups talking to one another,” Emma told The Inquirer. “I saw Colonel and Mrs. John Jacob Astor … and a number of others talking about the collision.”

Colonel Astor perished when the ship sank. His wife, Madeleine, was evacuated in a lifeboat and survived.

At around 12:30, the crew began placing women passengers in the lifeboats. “I was put in the second lifeboat from the bow,” Emma said. Her maid accompanied her.

The officer in charge of loading these boats sought to reassure the women, saying, "It is only a matter of precaution … and there is really no danger."

Four sailors accompanied their boat, which had four large oars. They had orders to row away from the Titanic, but soon after the lifeboat was lowered into the ocean, the women realized the men

> Following their rescue, passengers from the Titanic gather on the deck of the Carpathia.

> Captain Arthur H. Rostron of the RMS Carpathia.

> Margaret Bucknell Pecorini, the daughter of Emma and William Bucknell, lived in Rome after marrying an Italian nobleman, Count Daniele Pecorini. Her mother had been visiting her prior to her voyage on the RMS Titanic.

> Note that passengers in this lifeboat from the Titanic are wearing life jackets. The photo was taken by a passenger aboard the Carpathia.

didn’t know how to row. So Emma and several other women taught them. “I have known how to row for a great many years … and I slipped into the seat beside a man and showed him how to work the oar,” Emma said.

When the sun came up, “off about 10 miles we could make out the Carpathia,” she said.

It took a while for the lifeboat to reach the Carpathia, and “on all sides of us, of course, there was ice.”

Other lifeboats also made their way to the Carpathia. “The passengers turned out to help us. The sailors, the stewards, the stewardesses, and everybody did nothing but attend to the wants to those from the Titanic,” Emma said.

On the morning of April 15, a German ocean liner out of Hamburg, the Prinz Adalbert, was a short distance south of where the Titanic had gone down. Bound for Philadelphia, it had accommodations for nearly 1,300 passengers.

News of the Titanic’s sinking had not yet reached the Prinz Adalbert when, at daybreak, its officers and crew “saw a huge field of ice containing many large (ice)bergs, extending in a horseshoe shape from north to south as far as the eye could see,” according to The Titanic Inquiry Project, a website devoted to the Titanic disaster.

The captain changed course and safely began navigating past the icebergs.

“During the transit of the ice field, the chief steward took a photograph of an iceberg that showed a scar of red paint along its base, as though it had been in recent collision with a ship.”

The black and white photo shows large dark areas just above the iceberg’s waterline.

J ohn L. Moore continues to pursue his lifelong interests in Pennsylvania’s colonial history and archaeology. The Northumberland writer has published 11 non-fiction books about Pennsylvania’s 16th and 17th century. John’s latest book, 1780: Year of Revenge, is currently available in book stores or from the online bookstore Sunbury Press Inc. This book is the 3rd volume in his Revolutionary Pennsylvania Series and tells the story of Indian raids all across the Pennsylvania Frontier — including the Poconos and Minisinks — in the year following General Sullivan’s 1779 invasion of the Iroquios homeland. Over the years John has participated in archaeological excavations of Native American sites along the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers. A professional storyteller, he recently took part in the Heritage Festival at Frances Slocum State Park near Wilkes-Barre. He told the true story of Frances Slocum, a 5-year-old girl who lived as a Native American after being kidnapped by Indians during the American Revolution. The park was named for her.

TITANIC SURVIVOR RECOUNTS SHIPWRECK, RESCUE FROM ICY NORTH ATLANTIC

By Emma Bucknell

As told to The Delaware County Daily Times

APRIL 14, 1912: I was asleep in my cabin when the crash came … I cannot explain just what the noise was like, except that it was horrible and sounded like a mixture of thunder and explosions.

In a moment there was a roaring sound and I knew that something serious was the matter. The corridors filled rapidly with frightened passengers and then the stewards and officers came, reassuring us with the announcement that everything was all right and that “only a small hole had been stove in the bow.”

As I stepped out of my stateroom I saw lying before me on the floor a number of fragments of ice as big as my fists. More was crumbled about the porthole, and it flashed over me at once just what had happened.

“My fears were realized a few minutes later when a steward walked briskly down the corridor, calling to the passengers who had retired again to hurry into their clothes and get on deck at once.”

> Emma Ward at about age 18

once. I could see by this man’s drawn and haggard face that something dreadful had happened.

There was very little confusion on the deck. Once a group of men shouted that they would not be separated from their wives if it became necessary to take to lifeboats and made a rush to find accommodations for themselves.

The captain seemed to straighten out his shoulders and his face was set with determination.

“Get back there, you cowards,” he roared. “Behave yourselves like men. Look at these women. Can you not be as brave as they?”

“We have hit an iceberg,” I said to my maid. “Get dressed at once.”

We hurried into our clothes and I took the precaution to get fully dressed. So did my maid. I even thought to wrap myself in my warm fur coat, for even then I felt sure we would have to take to the lifeboats. Something told me the damage was greater than we had been told.

My fears were realized a few minutes later when a steward walked briskly down the corridor, calling to the passengers who had retired again to hurry into their clothes and get on deck at

The men fell back and from that moment there seemed to be a spirit of resignation all over the ship. Husbands and wives clasped each other and burst into tears. Then a few minutes later came the order for the women and children to take to the boats.

I did not hear an outcry from the women or men. Wives left their husbands’ sides and without a word were led to the boats. One little Spanish girl, a bride, was the only exception. She wept bitterly, and it was almost necessary to drag her into the boat. Her husband went down with the ship. …

Nothing impressed me more about the whole terrible affair than the absolute absence of panic. They tell me that something of a panic ensured after our boat had pulled away, but I do not know anything about it.

“As we rowed we looked back at the lights of the Titanic. There was not a sound from her, only the lights began to get lower and lower, and finally she sank.”

We rowed all night. I took an oar and sat beside the Countess De Rothe. Her maid had an oar and so did mine.

The air was freezing cold, and it was not long before the only man that appeared to know anything about rowing commenced to complain that his hands were freezing. A woman back of him handed him a shawl from about her shoulders.

I took it, sat beside him and wrapped my hands with his, and we pulled together.

As we rowed we looked back at the lights of the Titanic. There was not a sound from her, only the lights began to get lower and lower, and finally she sank. Then we heard a muffled explosion and a dull roar caused by the great suction of water.

As we passed over the spot where the Titanic had gone down, we saw nothing but a sheet of yellow scum and a solitary log. There was not a body, not a thing to indicate that there had been a wreck. The sun was shining brightly then, and we were near to the Carpathia.

Editor’s notes:

• This article is excerpted from the April 20, 1912 edition of the Delaware County Daily Times.

• The RMS Carpathia rescued 705 passengers and crew members from the Titanic.

• Emma Bucknell died in 1927 at Upper Saranac Lake, N.Y. She was 74.

THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF THE MONROE COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

By Amy Leiser, Executive Director

> 1930s Stroud Mansion

When members of the Stroudsburg Civic Club purchased the Stroud Mansion at the corner of Main and 9th Streets in Stroudsburg for $20,430.50 in 1920, their intention was to provide local community organizations with a dedicated place to hold their meetings. Rooms in the historic Georgian structure served as headquarters of and meeting spaces for a number of groups, including the Civic Club, the Monroe County Public Library, the Women's Club, the Junior Women's Club, the Red Cross, the Girl Scouts, the Jacob Stroud Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Monroe County Historical Society.

“The newly-formed Historical Society was founded by a group of 40 “deeply interested and enthusiastic” citizens who originally met at the Monroe County Courthouse.”

An article in the Morning Press stated that the Historical Society "will be given one room [in the Stroud Mansion] in which may be preserved records, and relics of the early days." The Historical Society was initially given two rooms and the basement of the three-story Stroud Mansion to establish a museum and archives. The newlyformed Historical Society was founded by a group of 40 "deeply interested and enthusiastic" citizens who originally met at the Monroe County Courthouse. The first meeting was presided over by Robert B. Keller, who offered the citizens an "aspiring address," and guest speakers provided remarks to support forming such a historical society. With growing collections and overwhelming support from the community, the Historical Society grew to become the Historical Association and expanded to occupy the entire Stroud Mansion.

> 1930s Stroud Mansion

> Scan to learn more and donate

Since its founding on April 8, 1921, the Monroe County Historical Association has operated out of the 1795 Stroud Mansion. For the past 103 years, your organization has actively worked to promote, protect, and preserve all of Monroe County's past through museum exhibitions, library and archival materials, and educational programming.

The Monroe County Historical Association is a homegrown success story. From an original “aspiring address,” two small rooms, and a basement to an entire museum and library building filled with thousands of artifacts and archives, your Historical Association has thrived because of you and your dedication to preserving local history.

“The new year is the perfect time to look forward and to renew our commitment to preserving our region’s rich cultures and history. As we look to the future, your Historical Association remains committed to preserving our past while expanding our facility and making our collections available to everyone.”

> Heritage Center groundbreaking

The new year is the perfect time to look forward and to renew our commitment to preserving our region’s rich cultures and history. As we look to the future, your Historical Association remains committed to preserving our past while expanding our facility and making our collections available to everyone. On June 1, 2023, the MCHA broke ground on the new 7,000-squarefoot Heritage Center. This addition to the rear of the Stroud Mansion will add much-needed amenities, including modern HVAC systems throughout both the old and new buildings, an elevator for accessibility, and a larger community room. All of these improvements are intended to provide future visitors an immersive and inclusive experience as they visit our building.

We are so close to reaching our fundraising goal!

The past and the future meet today.

To date, we have secured $7 million in support of the new Heritage Center. This is an outstanding accomplishment, but we’re not quite at the finish line. Our goal is to raise the entire $7.25 million needed to build the Heritage Center. This means that we’ve only got $250,000 left to raise, and I know we can do it!

I am grateful to the many members and friends who contribute to the Monroe County Historical Association through membership dues, donations, gifts, and volunteering. If you have ever used our library resources, experienced our tours, attended our events, or participated in our workshops, you recognize the importance of the Monroe County Historical Association in encouraging an appreciation of local history within our community.

> The Stroud Mansion

I feel even more hopeful about the possibilities the future will bring for our Monroe County community through the construction of the Heritage Center. This is an exciting time not only for our organization but also for all of Monroe County. Over one hundred years ago, our community decided our past was important. They joined together to save the Stroud Mansion from being razed and founded the Historical Association. With the construction of the Heritage Center underway, we are building on their efforts. Through your continued generosity, we will succeed in expanding our facilities to share more of Monroe County's past with our residents and visitors.

“To date, we have secured $7 million in support of the new Heritage Center. This is an outstanding accomplishment, but we’re not quite at the finish line. Our goal is to raise the entire $7.25 million needed to build the Heritage Center.”

We can all be inspired by the progress and resilience of the Monroe County Historical Association and the hope we all have for a new year. Please be a caretaker of Monroe County's rich history and remarkable future by donating today.

I look forward to welcoming you to our new space!

Amy Leiser is a local resident and historian who has been working with the Monroe County Historical Association for 19 years. In addition to the live tours, research assistance, and museum that the organization keeps available, Leiser offers her knowledge and assistance with family charting and genealogy. Visit www. monroehistorical.org

MOTHER’S DAY TRADITIONS

By Kerrie McLoughlin

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Ah, it’s time for my favorite holiday: Mother’s Day! I always feel relaxed and pampered on this one day of the year and I definitely milk it and enjoy it. Here are some ideas for Mother’s Day traditions you might like to see in your house this year – or any year!

Note: Please don’t feel like your loved ones should hit all six or you’ll go on a laundry strike. Just print these ideas out, leave them lying around and surely they’ll take the hint!

“I love the handmade notes and cards from my kids on Mother’s Day. Leave some construction paper and colored pencils, crayons and glitter glue on a table and see what happens.”

Flower Mom with love

Flowers are a favorite – and very easy – way to make a mom feel special. My favorite flower is Lily of the Valley because it reminds me of my own mother. One year my husband planted some in front of our house, and they bloom every year as a reminder of what he did for me on Mother’s Day. Consider hitting the local florist for a bigger bouquet in a colorful vase. A potted flowering plant or hanging basket of petunias would be low-maintenance and long-lasting.

“Letter” know how you feel

I love the handmade notes and cards from my kids on Mother’s Day. Leave some construction paper and colored pencils, crayons and glitter glue on a table and see what happens.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Eat your heart out

What’s Mother’s Day without breakfast in bed? It doesn’t have to be fancy; it can be as easy as store-bought doughnuts and orange juice or as extensive as biscuits and gravy with fresh fruit and coffee. The point is Mom will know she is being thought of and cared for like she cares for everyone else each day of the year.

“Put together a basket of her favorite things. Ideas include a favorite candy bar, a candle, a gift card, homemade coupons for special hugs and favors –the sky is the limit!”

Picture this!

Find a fabulous photo of mother and child and buy or make a cool frame. On Mother’s Day, make sure more pictures are being taken of that special duo to be treasured always. Then, consider putting together a scrapbook to enjoy for years to come.

Basket case

Put together a basket of her favorite things. Ideas include a favorite candy bar, a candle, a gift card, homemade coupons for special hugs and favors – the sky is the limit! Just make sure to pick things out that Mom would like.

Time is on your side

I want to throttle those coaches who schedule baseball games or Team Picture Day on Mother’s Day … don’t they know who they are dealing with?! Try to boycott any activities that are not mother-child related. Even watching a favorite or new movie in the evening, while snuggled up together eating popcorn, is bonding time!

Mother’s Day is just one short day that only happens once a year, and moms deserve to be showered with love and to be treated special all day long.

Kerrie McLoughlin, mom of 5 and blogger at TheKerrieShow.com, looks forward to chillin’ out every Mother’s Day and playing the Mom Card.

MARKETING TOOL QUANTIFI MEDIA DESIGNS AND DEVELOPS WEBSITES THAT ARE 100% CUSTOMIZED TO YOU

GETTING YOUR BRAND TO THE TOP OF THE SEARCH RESULTS IS OUR #1 PRIORITY WE COLLABORATE WITH BUSINESS OWNERS AND MARKETING MANAGERS TO APPLY THE BEST SEO STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE FIRSTCLASS RESULTS

GOOGLE ADS (PPC)

WE HELP COMPANIES GROW THEIR REVENUE THROUGH ROI-DRIVEN DIGITAL MARKETING PROGRAMS THAT MAKE CLIENTS SMILE AS A GOOGLE PARTNER AND THE POWER OF GOOGLE BEHIND US, WE GET THE RESULTS YOU NEED

SOCIAL MEDIA IS WHERE WE CHOOSE TO BE AT QUANTIFI MEDIA, WE KNOW HOW TO PUT THE RIGHT KINDS OF ADVERTISING AND POSTS IN FRONT OF YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE WITH THE HIGHEST CONVERSION

IF ITS DIGITAL, WE CAN HELP GRAPHIC DESIGN, CALL TRACKING, EMAIL MARKETING, LOGO DESIGN CONTENT WRITING AND MORE! WE RE HERE FOR YOU

TRAVEL BY AIR LIKE A PRO THIS SUMMER

By Roseanne Bottone

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

You’ve heard this admonition a million times, “plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight.” Why? Because if it’s not one thing, it’s another. And if it’s not that, it’s something else. On the day you choose to cut it short because you don’t want to “waste time” hanging around the airport before your flight, you will inevitably get stuck on the highway behind an accident, or find your exit blocked by construction with a detour that takes you through a time eating maze, or a security line that snakes back to Timbuktu. Trust me! I’ve been traveling the country for 20 years for my job and sometimes I was on the road for 75% of the year. The last thing you want to do is miss your flight; it’s common for a rebooking to be unavailable for days!

What follows are several of my tips and tricks to make your flying experience more enjoyable.

TripIt ® Free Trip Planner

This free service was my best discovery! I don’t know how I would have stayed organized without it. Visit www.tripit.com to sign up and keep all your travel plans in one place for easy viewing on the go. All you do is forward your reservations for air travel, hotels, car rentals, shuttle services, and train to TripIt and it will be organized for you by day and time in a simple, easy-to-read format. Through the site you can add directions, phone numbers, website links, notes, photos, and much more. You can share your itinerary with fellow travelers or anyone of your choice for emergencies. Download the app to your phone to access your info at any time.

Airline Apps

Download the app for the airline(s) you’ll use on your trip too. You’ll be able to check flight status in real time, check in online, change seats, and pay your luggage fee. It really speeds things up at the ticket counter at the airport.

The airlines have transitioned to “contactless” payments on board the plane. If you might want to purchase an alcoholic beverage or food during your flight, you’ll have to put your credit card info into the app. The flight crew cannot accept cash or credit cards during the flight.

Luggage

You can also track your luggage on the airline app. The luggage handlers scan loading, transfers, and unloading. I must be the luckiest traveler ever; in two decades of flying, the airlines lost my luggage only once and it was right in the middle of the Continental/United merger. It is highly probable that your luggage will arrive when you do. Occasionally, it may arrive on a later flight. When that happens, the airline will deliver it to you. As an added precaution, take a photo of your luggage and make a note of the brand/logo, a description of your luggage tag, and special features in the event you must report a problem.

“Either bring small enough hand luggage that can fit under the seat in front of you or be prepared to “gate check” your roll aboard. The gate agent will check it through to your final destination at no charge.”

Flying in Comfort

If you have a confirmed seat, don’t rush to board the plane. I always try to be last (or very near the end of the line).

Depending on the size of the aircraft, from the beginning of the boarding process to take-off can take upwards of 45 minutes. That’s a long time to sit in a tight space without going anywhere.

The trick to being able to do this successfully depends on your carry-on luggage because there probably won’t be overhead storage space left for us clever stragglers. So, either bring small enough hand luggage that can fit under the seat in front of you or be prepared to “gate check” your roll aboard. The gate agent will check it through to your final destination at no charge. If you have a laptop or other device, put your meds or other valuables in its carrying case, remove that before the bag is checked and keep it with you. Put a luggage tag on it too.

Are you a tad large, slightly claustrophobic, long legged, or do you just wish for a little extra room? Consider upgrading to a premium coach seat. The standard U.S. airline seat is 17 inches

wide with between 30-32 inches of legroom. The extra fee can be worth it on long flight. Choose a seat as close to the front of the plane as possible – or at least in front of the wing – for a quieter ride. Book an early morning flight too; there’s less turbulence (and the bonus of fewer cancellations).

Adjust the air vent so it is not blowing onto your head but right in front of your face instead. This helps keep germs away. Dress in layers so you can peel or add as needed. I always travel with a large wrap type scarf that can double as a shawl. Gentleman should have a button up sweater or front zip sweatshirt (for easy on and off). The air in the cabin is very dry. Have easy access to a small hand & face cream and lip balm.

Do not wear flip flops, high heels, or flimsy sandals. Wear shoes you can run in - just in case of an emergency, but more likely, to

sprint from a late arriving flight to your connection. Murphy’s law always kicks in here too. When this happens, the connecting flight is never one gate over; it’s always all the way at the other end of the airport. This I know for sure!

Snacks & Beverages

How do you feel about spending $4 to $6 for a bottle of water or juice? Bring an empty reusable, plastic water bottle with you. After you go through security fill it up at a water fountain. Many airports have nice bottle filling stations. It’s an environmentally friendly thing to do too.

Bring your favorite snacks from home. Load up the zip locks with nuts, cheese and crackers, granola bars, cut veggies, and your favorites. They will save you big bucks when you’re not tempted to make impulse purchases in the snack shops.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Many airports have wonderful restaurants – some of them offering local cuisine. Pull up the website for your departing and connecting airports to check out the list of venues and their menus. If it’s within your budget, plan to have a sit-down meal as part of your big adventure.

Entertainment

Larger planes have in-seat screens to watch movies and TV. Bring your own headphones. Some smaller planes have the same viewing options, but you’ll have to watch on your own device through the airline app. Make sure you bring your charger with a detachable USB cord. Some seats have a regular plug-in outlets, and others have a USB port. A few of the smaller planes and basic coach seats have no charging available. While you’re waiting at the gate, charge up there. If you have a Kindle or iPad, download a movie or two at home while you have access to the internet.

This might seem like the simplest advice of all; if you like to do crossword puzzles or Sudoku in the airline magazine (always an interesting read), have a pen handy!

For a low-cost reading option, visit the local library before you trip and check out a book or two. If you have plenty of time after you go through security, peruse a bookstore for your next thriller.

Bonus Advice for a Long Layover

Even if you are not an elite traveler, look into gaining access to a VIP lounge if you have a long layover. My granddaughter and I flew to Paraguay with a 7-hour connection in Argentina. We paid $50 each for a lounge day pass in the Buenos Aires airport. We ate breakfast, lunch, and snacks all day. We drank champagne in a luxurious ambiance, read the paper, and took showers and changed our clothes. We didn’t want to leave!

Roseanne Bottone is a regulatory compliance training instructor, former Peace Corps Volunteer, cancer survivor, grandmother, MBA, and freelance writer. She travels the country teaching business people about environmental and transportation safety regulations, and is a newspaper columnist. She’s a homeowner in East Stroudsburg and lives with her daughter, grandchildren, two cats and a Rottweiler.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY’S “LAST GREAT PLACES”

THE LONG POND PRESERVE AND HAUSER NATURE CENTER

By Amanda Kuhn

Photos courtesy of The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy has been tackling climate change; protecting our land and water; providing food and water sustainably; and building healthy cities since 1951. As discussed in the last issue of Pocono Living Magazine, the efforts of the Nature Conservancy (TNC) can be felt all around the world by communities of all size. Through partnerships with local organizations, the people tied to an area’s natural systems become actively engaged. Because their voices are heard, the community is able to successfully impact conservation. In Pennsylvania, TNC is actively working on a variety of programs, and the impact of these programs can be recognized in our own backyard.

We had the opportunity to discuss local efforts plus the impact of statewide programs with TNC’s Conservation Lands Project Manager, Ellen Lott. “Personally, I’m pleased that an organization with a global scope and an urgent mission has identified the Poconos as a priority for protection. Over decades, the Conservancy has made a significant investment in resources, time and staff to protect the lands and waters of this region. That speaks to how truly exceptional this landscape is. I feel lucky to live and work here.” explains Lott.

One of the most notable TNC preserves in our area is The Long Pond Preserve and Hauser Nature Center. In 1993, The

Nature Conservancy named the Pocono Plateau and surrounding mountaintop ridges one of the world's "Last Great Places” because of it’s high concentration of globally rare plants, animals, and habitats. This designation makes the Pocono Plateau one of fewer than 100 sites worldwide to receive such a distinction. Similar to northern Canada, Long Pond harbors species that are tolerant to cooler temperatures, a reminder of the area’s glacial past. Representing the only natural community of its kind in the world, the globally rare mesic till barrens at Long Pond are interspersed in a vast landscape of swamps, bogs, marshes, and shallow ponds surrounded by red spruce, balsam fir and eastern hemlock — woodlands more characteristic of Canada’s northern climate, explains Lott.

In addition, Lott also shares that numerous bushes and shrubs found throughout the landscape spark interest throughout the year and attract a variety of birds making Long Pond one of the Audubon Society’s “Important Bird Areas of Pennsylvania.” Rhododendron, mountain laurel, high bush blueberry and

huckleberry bushes create a perfect habitat for songbirds migrating from their winter homes in Latin America and the Caribbean. The area also hosts American Bittern and Northern Harrier – bird species not commonly observed in other parts of the region. These moor-like heath lands also boast Rhodora — a rare, pink-flowered, wild azalea that attracts photographers from around the world and makes Long Pond one of the most important moth and butterfly habitats in the state. Visitors might see rare sights of snowshoe hares in winter, white coyotes, fishers, foxes and of course, black bears.

Similar to northern Canada, Long Pond harbors species that are tolerant to cooler temperatures, a reminder of the area’s glacial past.

Meadow Restoration at Long Pond

Kids making pollinator houses at the Hauser Nature Center

Because the Long Pond barrens are a fire-dependent system, the suppression of brush fires has jeopardized much of what makes this landscape unique. According to Lott, without this natural disturbance, the shrubland transforms into fireintolerant forest that does not support the rare species known to reside here. In response to this threat, TNC has worked with partners to establish a prescribed fire program to restore and maintain this unique landscape. With the Pennsylvania Game Commission, The Nature Conservancy has employed prescribed burning to restore more than 2,000 acres in the barrens over the past decade.

In 2011, in agreement with the Bethlehem Authority, the TNC signed a conservation easement that protected most of the rarest landscapes in Long Pond including 22,000 Pocono

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE THE MOUNTAINS FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

Celebrate the holidays surrounded by great company and even better cuisine in the Pocono Mountains. From romantic dinners by candlelight to farm-to-table experiences, our local chefs are serving up something for every palate. Visit PoconoMountains.com to see all of our mouth-watering dining options and make your reservation.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

↑ Newt at Long Pond by Josephine Gingerich

↑ Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense) blooming at the Long Pond Preserve, by Pat McElhenny

acres and more than 8,500 acres in the Long Pond watershed. TNC continues to work with partners to protect Long Pond’s exceptional landscape and provide public access to quality outdoor recreation.

Like the Bethlehem Authority, The Nature Conservancy works closely with many other local organizations that share their goals of protecting the lands and waters in our area. These local organization include, Pocono Heritage Land Trust and Brodhead Watershed Association, as well as Monroe County Conservation District, Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Tobyhanna/Tunkhannock Creeks Watershed Association and North Pocono CARE. Lott explains, “We helped launch the new non-profit, 1% for Nature, in Monroe County. East Stroudsburg University students are involved with stream monitoring

and stream restoration in Cherry Valley. We also work with municipalities and counties that provide funding for local land conservation. We worked closely with Friends of Cherry Valley and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to establish the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge 12 years ago. Since then, more than 6,000 acres have been protected at Cherry Valley through the collaborative efforts of The Nature Conservancy, other conservation organizations, as well as the USFWS, the Commonwealth, Monroe County, Stroud Township and private foundations, plus many people who donated funds to preserve land in Cherry Valley”.

As Spring and Summer arrive, we encourage you to get out, observe, and appreciate the work of The Nature Conservancy and the many other organizations that protect our lands and waters.

L ong Pond aerial by George C. Gress

Although the Hauser Nature Center is temporarily closed due to the pandemic, the public can enjoy two trails behind the center; a half-mile meadow walk and a 1.65 mile woodland/meadow walk. For more information visit www.nature.org. Interested in becoming a volunteer? The Nature Conservancy is always looking for individuals who share their passion for protecting and conserving our environment. By joining their efforts, we can become one step closer to living in a place where people and nature thrive.

The Long Pond Preserve & Hauser Nature Center

1567 Long Pond Road, P.O. Box 55

Long Pond, PA 18334

570-643-7922

TOBYHANNA STATE PARK

By Amanda Kuhn

Living in the Poconos you quickly learn that March might be the official start of spring but really, April is when we can finally put away those hats and gloves for good. After months of snow and ice, warmer temperatures send us running for the outdoors….just don’t forget your rain boots! While it may be muddy, witnessing the first signs of spring is enough to help anyone shake those winter blues. If you feel the outdoors calling your name, Tobyhanna State Park is the perfect spot to get you back into nature. Whether it’s a hike through the mountains or a bike ride around the lake, Tobyhanna State Park is the breath of fresh air you need.

Located in Monroe and Wayne Counties, Tobyhanna State Park spans 5,440 acres and includes a 170 acre lake and portion of the Tobyhanna Creek. Open year-round, there are a variety of seasonal activities to enjoy during every visit. In the spring

months when the ground is saturated, the park’s Lakeside Trail is the perfect place for a hike or bike ride. The partially paved, 5.1 mile path wraps around the lake, offering beautiful scenery along the way. Looking for a more challenging hike? The Range Trail is a 6.6 mile stretch that leads to Route 196 and back. Along this trail you’ll find the Black Bear and Bender Swamps Natural Area. During summer months visitors can enjoy the trails as well as camping, boating, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and more.

One of Tobyhanna State Park’s most notable qualities is the presence of rare wildlife and plant-life. Located on the Pocono Plateau, the rocky soil and nutrient-poor bogs provide a habitat for a diversity of animals and plants. According to the PA Department of Natural Resources, blackburnian warbler, redbreasted nuthatch, and northern waterthrush are common in this area. In the spring, spotted and Jefferson salamanders and

wood frogs migrate to the bogs to breed. You can also find interesting plants like the carnivorous pitcher plant, cotton grass, and many sedges that inhabit the bogs.

Whether it’s a hike through the mountains or a bike ride around the lake, Tobyhanna State Park is the breath of fresh air you need.

In addition to the remarkable wildlife you can find at Tobyhanna State Park, you may also encounter some artifacts reminiscent of the park’s interesting history. During the early 1900’s the federal government acquired land which

The beach at Tobyhanna State Park

Courtesy of PMVB

became the Tobyhanna Military Reservation. During World War I, the army used this area as a training center for tank and ambulance corps as well as National Guard artillerytraining. The reservation continued to be used as an artillery training center throughout the 1930’s and early 1940’s. During World War II, the reservation housed German prisoners-of-war. Then, in April 1949, the Commonwealth of PA was given most of the 26,000 acres. The remaining area become the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Of the land that was acquired, two thirds became game lands and the remaining third became the Gouldsboro and Tobyhanna State Parks.

Today, DCNR informs park visitors that if they are using more remote and undeveloped areas of Tobyhanna State Park to be aware that they could encounter old, unexploded artillery shells.

Shells are found in severely rusted condition without any recognizable markings or imprints. Their overall appearance is that of a pointed cylinder of rusted steel. Visitors encountering such items should not touch, attempt to move, or otherwise disturb the items, and should call the park office to report the location for proper disposal.

Tobyhanna State Park is a great place to get back into nature. The park’s main entrance is 2.1 miles north of the community of Tobyhanna on PA 423. PA 423 intersects with I-380, 2.5 miles south of the park entrance. The park can also be reached from I-84 via PA 507, PA 191 and PA 423, a total distance of 11.4 miles. For more information, visit the DCNR website.

TOBYHANNA STATE PARK

114 Campground Road, Tobyhanna, PA 18466-0387

PHONE: 570-894-8336

www.dcnr.pa.gov/StateParks

SHOP NEW. SHOP VINTAGE. SHOP LOCAL.

It’s not just a day of shopping here in the Pocono Mountains—it’s an experience. Wander our historic streets. Explore our art galleries. Find unique local goods. And stop for a bite at one of our top-rated neighborhood restaurants along the way. Discover all of our shopping and sights now at PoconoMountains.com.

Scenic fall lake at Tobyhanna State Park Courtesy of PMVB

POCONO REAL ESTATE PULSE

By Bob Hay

Bob is a lifelong resident of the Pocono Mountains and has been in the real estate business for over 45 years. He is a Trusted Real Estate Advisor to buyers, sellers, other agents and brokers. He specializes in residential and investment properties.

Bob is a mentor to other agents and regularly conducts contracts classes for new and experienced agents. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors where he has received numerous awards.

He is considered a community leader where he serves as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority, Vice-Chairman of the Pocono

Mountain Economic Development Corp. and a Board Member of the Pocono Chamber of Commerce. A past Chief of the Pocono Mountain Volunteer Fire Company and is a Vietnam War Veteran.

Bob lives in Mount Pocono with his wife of 48 years, Beverly. He enjoys classic cars, photography, birding and road trips.

There continue to be challenges in the housing market nationally and the same holds true for the Pocono region. Interest rates are higher than last year and the number of homes on the market remains low. Here are the February statistics for Monroe County as published by the Pocono Mountains Multiple Listing service.

Median Sale Price: $290,000 up 6.8% over last year.

• This indicates the middle value of all homes sold in Monroe County. It's a good indicator of the overall pricing trend in the area.

Median Days on Market: 47 days up 4.4% over last year.

• This is the median number of days it takes for a home to sell after being listed on the market. A lower number typically suggests a faster-moving market.

Months Supply: 2.9 months Up 31.8% over last year

• The months' supply of homes indicates how many months it would take to sell all the homes currently on the market, given the current pace of sales. A lower supply generally means a seller's market, where demand exceeds supply. A balanced market is six months supply.

Homes for Sale: 615 up 15.8% over last year.

• This is the total number of homes currently listed for sale in Monroe County. It gives an idea of the inventory available to potential buyers. Overall, with a median sale price of $290,000 and a relatively low median days on market and months supply, it seems like Monroe County's real estate market is active and possibly favoring sellers due to the limited supply of homes compared to demand.

3 Must-Do’s When Selling Your House in 2024

1. Price Your Home Right

The housing market shifted in 2023 as mortgage rates rose and home price appreciation started to normalize once again. As a seller, you still need to recognize how important it is to price your house appropriately based on where the market is today.

2. Keep Your Emotions in Check

Today, homeowners are staying in their houses longer than they used to. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), since 1985, the average time a homeowner has owned their home has increased from 6 to 10 years.

This is much more than what used to be the norm. The side effect, however, is when you stay in one place for so long, you may get even more emotionally attached to your space. If it’s the first home you bought or the house where your loved ones grew up, it very likely means something extra special to you. Every room has memories, and it’s hard to detach from the sentimental value.

For some homeowners, that makes it even tougher to separate the emotional value of the house from fair market price. That’s why you need a real estate professional to help you with the negotiations and the best pricing strategy along the way. Trust the professionals who have your best interests in mind.

3. Stage Your Home Properly

While you may love your decor and how you’ve customized your house over the years, not all buyers will feel the same way about your vibe. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you focus on your home’s first impression, so it appeals to as many buyers as possible.

Buyers want to be able to picture themselves in the home. They need to see themselves inside with their furniture and keepsakes – not your pictures and decorations.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Photo courtesy of BPT

HOW TO TACKLE SPRING CLEANING, EVEN WHEN YOU HAVE PETS

Courtesy of BPT

The idea of giving your home a thorough cleaning each spring is very appealing, but can also be overwhelming. It may even seem impossible, given today's busy lifestyles, active children - and especially pets. You may love your pets, but the fur and stains they leave behind make it even more challenging to keep your home as clean as you'd like.

To get you started, the experts at Libman Company, manufacturer of household cleaning products made in the U.S.A. since 1896, offer these helpful spring cleaning tips that can even conquer the messes your beloved pets may create.

“To avoid feeling overwhelmed, develop a plan that takes into account the time, energy and tools you need to get the job done.”

1. PLAN FIRST

To avoid feeling overwhelmed, develop a plan that takes into account the time, energy and tools you need to get the job done.

Consider setting aside a weekend or two, so you'll have plenty of time. Divide your home into zones, addressing the most frequently used areas of your home first, like the entryway, kitchen or bathrooms. Make sure to enlist help from your family!

Pro tip: For multi-story homes, have a set of cleaning supplies/ equipment on each floor, saving you from lugging mops and brooms up and down stairs.

2. USE THE BEST TOOLS

Trying to clean with old, worn-out brooms or mops adds time and frustration to your task. Instead, make cleaning easier with tools expertly made for the job.

For example, Libman's PetPlus Angle Broom with Dustpan is specially designed to tackle pet hair, dander, litter box dust and tracked-in dirt. The all-surface broom fibers remove over 99% of dust, dirt and hair in one sweep, with over 137,000 6-inchlong split-tip fibers that attract and hold pet hair. Together with the 12.5-inch wide dustpan with 1.5-inch built-in "teeth" to help remove hair, dirt and debris from broom fibers, this is the perfect combo to help you clean up after pets.

After sweeping, clean floors thoroughly with Libman's Freedom Dual-Sided Microfiber Spray Mop. The dual-sided microfiber pad offers double the cleaning power, saving time and money. The removable and reusable microfiber pad is machine washable up to 50 times - reducing needless waste. The TripleGrip Microfiber absorbs and deep cleans, removing 99% of bacteria with only water. The mop's 360-degree swivel neck lets you reach into the toughest and tightest corners, and you can use it on wood, laminate, tile, vinyl, stone and linoleum floors, choosing your own cleaning solution for the refillable tank. When done cleaning, simply remove the mop head and toss in the laundry.

For carpeted floors and upholstered furniture, use a vacuum cleaner designed for pet hair. Make sure to frequently empty the canister or change the bag, as fur quickly clogs up any vacuum, making it less effective.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

3. DO A QUICK DE-CLUTTER

It's easier to address chores like mopping and dusting after clearing away miscellaneous items. Walk through target areas with trash/recycling bags first, removing items that need to be discarded. Then use a box or basket to collect things that belong in other rooms. Kids can help with this task, looking for items that belong in their rooms. Before you know it, your surfaces will be clearer and ready for deep cleaning.

4. START HIGH

Start cleaning at the top - otherwise you could dislodge dust, pet hair and cobwebs to dirty your newly cleaned floors. For each room, tackle ceiling fans or light fixtures before walls or windows. Then clean horizontal surfaces like tables and shelves, saving floors for last.

Once you get to the floors, you'll be ready to put your new Libman broom and mop to work to easily remove pet hair and other debris.

“It’s easier to address chores like mopping and dusting after clearing away miscellaneous items. Walk through target areas with trash/recycling bags first, removing items that need to be discarded.”

5. SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

To preserve your newly cleaned rooms and floors, consider adding high-quality mats for inside and outside entries, easy-toaccess waste bins or recycling containers and/or a basket system for items that need relocating. Planning ahead will make next season's cleaning that much easier!

Pro tip: Designate an area for regular pet brushing (or visit a groomer), especially during shedding seasons. This can reduce the fur ending up all over your house, and will keep your pets looking and feeling great.

With a solid plan and effective tools, spring cleaning can be a pleasure, and your whole family - including the four-legged members - will enjoy the results even more.

Visit Libman.com for more helpful products for cleaning your home.

Photo courtesy of Marlana Holsten

AT NEW FREQUENCIES! YOUR FAVORITE MUSIC

Leading the Poconos in surgical excellence.

Eric Wilson, MD Vascular surgery

When you need surgery, excellence matters. At Lehigh Valley Hospital–Pocono, you get the compassionate, leading-edge care you deserve. And being part of LVHN’s Institute for Surgical Excellence provides you access to the latest technology, including robotic-assisted surgery. This means a quicker recovery and better results.

Experience matters. The more you do, the better you are, and the faster we get you back to being you.