April/May 2019 Pocono Living Magazine by Pocono Magazines

APRIL/MAY 2019

The Pocono Mountains' Magazine

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Pocono Living M A G A Z I N E

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Welcome Spring Photography Barrett Township History The Fisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bad Reputation

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Pocono Living Magazine© & Pocono Family Magazine© 1929 North Fifth Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-424-1000 pmags@ptd.net www.poconomagazines.com PUBLISHER/EDITOR Larry R. Sebring ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Linda St. John, 570-856-8155 Linda Zak, 484-264-7915 MAGAZINE DESIGN Smart Blonde Creative WEB DESIGN Smart Blonde Creative Food & Wine Editor Jamie Bowman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brian Hunter Rebecca Sebring

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART Veronica Murray Andrei Protsouk David Sandt Lisa Newberry James Chesnick Barbara Hornstra Marlana Holsten Matt Siptroth William McKee Barbara Lewis Linda Zak Nancy Tully Maritza McFaline Vinzon Lee CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roseanne Bottone Kimberly Blaker Marty Wilson Kevin Conroy Suzanne McCool John C. Moore

Jamie Bowman Kathy Dubin-Uhler Amy Leiser William M. Williams Janet Mishkin Allison Mowatt

Jim Werkheiser ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kristen Sebring

Pocono Living Magazine and Pocono Family Magazine, two regional publications filled with articles, features

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and photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience.

Our publications can be found at many locations

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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 any information and shall not be held liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, by or from the information. © 2019 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.

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“Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind.”

Photo courtesy of Dave Trainer

– Theodore Roosevelt

4 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

What’s Inside April / May 2019

FEATURES 8

The Story of Fort Norris

History of Barrett Township

The Inn at Buck Hill Falls

The Real Science Behind Your Pet’s Food

Photo Gallery:

Monroe County Historical Society Preservation Awards

The Friendly Community Center in Barrett Township

The Fisher Can’t Shake Its Bad Reputation

Poem: River Bending

In & Around the Poconos

Events at the Pocono Environmental Education Center

Welcome Spring

COVER By: Marlana Holsten

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 5

Amy Leiser

Kevin Conroy Born in New York but raised in Barrett Township, Kevin Conroy attended East Stroudsburg State College as a townie majoring in fine art. After college, Kevin served a two-year apprenticeship with the American Culinary Federation and studied advanced baking at Culinary Institute of America. Kevin is a chef, pastry chef, artisan baker, culinary arts instructor, writer, and business owner. He writes on a wide array of topics for newspapers, magazines, trade journals, and blogs.

William M. William William M. Williams is a Wildlife Conservation Officer and the Information and Education Supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region. “Bill” is responsible for administering the Hunter/Trapper Education program for the 13 county region and serving as both media and legislative liaison for the agency. Prior to working for the PA Game Commission, Bill served in the U.S. Navy as a Hospital Corpsman and worked as an Environmental Education Specialist for the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. He is an active member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and Outdoor Writers Association of America. Bill lives near Bento and enjoys spending time on his hobby farm with his wife Michelle, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rocco, alpacas, goats, and chickens.

John L. Moore John L. Moore continues to pursue his lifelong interests in Pennsylvania’s colonial history and archaeology. The Northumberland writer has published 10 non-fiction books about Pennsylvania’s 16th and 17th century. Over the years he 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.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

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

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Pocono Living Magazine 2019 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: pmags@ptd.net. Photos submitted must be high resolution, (300 dpi), jpg or tiff files. Include your name and address in the first photo submitted so we may contact you if your photo is chosen as a winner in the contest. Winning photos, along with the names and hometowns of each winner, will appear in the October/November 2018 issue of Pocono Living Magazine and on the Pocono Magazines.com website.

PRIZES AWARDED:

RULES OF THE CONTEST: 1. Contest open to amateur photographers only. 2. Contest opens April 1, 2019 and closes August 1, 2019. 3. Enter electronic files by email to: pmags@ptd.net. One photo at a time. 4. S ubmitted 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. P lease include your contact information (phone number & email address) with the submission. 6. Each contestant may submit no more than 15 photographs. Choose any combination of categories. 7. Entered photos must have been taken recently, from January 2012 to present and be of a scene or subject found in the Pocono Mountains only. 8. Entered photos must have been taken recently, from January 2012 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.

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

10. Judging will take place in August and September 2019 and winners will appear in the October/November issue of Pocono Living Magazine.

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

11. Winners will receive gift certificates within 60 days after being published.

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

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 a that they publish and on the Pocono Magazines.com website provided proper credit is given to each photographer.

Honorable Mentions: One year subscription to Pocono Living & Pocono Family Magazines. In the event of a tie, prize money will be spilt among the winners.

Questions? Email the editor at: pmags@ptd.net

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 7

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore 8 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

> T he hill in the background is on the southern side of Pohopoco Creek. Pohopoco is a Native American word that may mean “rock beside rock.”

THE STORY OF

FORT NORRIS By John L. Moore

uilt near the intersection of two Native American trails that crossed the Poconos, Fort Norris occupied an important spot along a forest road that today links Stroudsburg and Lehighton. It was built in early 1756 during the first year of the French and Indian War. Pennsylvania soldiers commanded by Benjamin Franklin erected the post to act as a buffer against Indian warriors descending on frontier settlements from the north. These troops had already built similar defenses at Stroudsburg and at Weissport.

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ 9

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

The French and Indian War , which lasted eight years, had begun in western Pennsylvania. From their base in Canada, French soldiers had invaded western Pennsylvania and recruited many Indians to fight against the British. The story of Fort Norris begins as the war spread east from the Ohio River Valley. In late 1755, war parties of pro-French Indians caught Pennsylvania off-guard when they suddenly began attacking the colony’s frontier settlements along the Susquehanna, Lehigh and Delaware rivers. Until then, fighting had been confined to the Ohio River Valley, where the French had erected Fort DuQuesne at modern Pittsburgh in 1754. The war lurched eastward in October when Indians massacred settlers who had established homesteads along Penns Creek in the Susquehanna River Valley. In late November, they raided the Gnadenhutten mission that the Moravian Church operated on the Lehigh River at Lehighton. They killed five missionaries and set fire to the mission’s principal buildings. Terrified by this and subsequent raids, settlers abandoned their homesteads in the eastern Pennsylvania mountains and fled to the safety of Easton, Bethlehem and other villages south of the Blue Mountain. 10 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

> A long Route 209 near Kresgeville, this historical marker is located about a mile to the northwest of the site where Pennsylvania soldiers commanded by Benjamin Franklin built Fort Norris in early 1756.

Homesteaders who refused to leave did so at their peril. Indians raided the Poconos on December 10, 1755. “Among the victims of these attacks were Frederick Hoeth, his wife, and seven of their eight children, whose home stood near the site that Fort Norris later occupied,” historian William A. Hunter reported in Forts on the Pennsylvania Frontier, 1753-1758. In December, Gov. Robert H. Morris appointed Benjamin Franklin and two other influential men to leave Philadelphia and organize a defense of the colony’s northern frontier. By Dec. 25, Franklin and the others – James Hamilton and Joseph Fox – had traveled to Easton, where they sent militia troops into the Poconos to build Fort Hamilton at modern Stroudsburg. Back then, Pennsylvania was a province of Great Britain, and the governor represented the colony’s proprietors, the sons of William Penn. Other militia troops had been sent up the Lehigh to guard the Moravian mills that the Indians hadn’t destroyed at Gnadenhutten. Located along the Lehigh Path, a major northsouth trail that Indians used to travel between the Susquehanna

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

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> 1 945 monument states that Fort Norris was built on the southern side of Pohopoco Creek about a mile southeast of Kresgeville.

and Lehigh rivers, these mills were loaded with grain harvested from the mission farm. By New Year’s Day, the river had frozen over, and the militia commander, Captain William Hays, let some of his men go iceskating up the river. The soldiers soon skated into an ambush. Hidden in the woods along the river bank, Indian warriors

“Franklin had his soldiers construct four forts north of the Blue Mountain: Fort Allen on the Lehigh at Weissport; Fort Hamilton at present-day Stroudsburg; Fort Norris at a spot between Gilbert and Kresgeville; and Fort Franklin near Snyders in Schuylkill County.”

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Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

“rushed forth from their hiding place and put them to death,” wrote Moravian chronicler John Heckewelder. Rather than fight back, Hays and his surviving men retreated some 30 miles south to the safety of Bethlehem. The Indians then torched the mills. The governor responded to this and other attacks by empowering Franklin to direct the defense of Northampton County, which then included Monroe County. To accomplish this, Franklin had his soldiers construct four forts north of the Blue Mountain: Fort Allen on the Lehigh at Weissport; Fort Hamilton at presentday Stroudsburg; Fort Norris at a spot between Gilbert and Kresgeville; and Fort Franklin near Snyders in Schuylkill County. The 50-year-old Franklin had never had any military experience, but his son William, then 24, had served with Pennsylvania troops in New York during King George’s War in the late 1740s. He had risen to the rank of captain. The younger Franklin accompanied the expedition as his father’s aide de camp. In letters home, Ben referred to his son as “Billy.”

> S tockade wall of old fort

Fort Allen and Fort Hamilton were the first forts to go up. Although Fort Hamilton was a square with sides 80 feet long, Fort Allen was built in the shape of a rectangle, 125 feet long and 50 feet wide. Its walls were built of upright logs that were 18 feet long. The logs were installed in a trench three feet deep so that the top of the wall was 15 feet above the ground.

“Not only did Fort Allen become the largest of the four forts, but its location along the north-south Lehigh Path made it the most strategically situated.” Not only did Fort Allen become the largest of the four forts, but its location along the north-south Lehigh Path made it the most strategically situated. “The security of the frontier demanded that the central fort be flanked by auxiliary posts marking a APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 13

Photo courtesy of John L. Moore 14 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

> P hoto shows Pohopoco Creek as it flows past the vicinity of Fort Norris. The creek is a tributary of the Lehigh River.

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“A Quaker, Norris belonged to a prominent Philadelphia merchant family. According to the University of Pennsylvania website, he and other Quakers, “as pacifists, were against the appropriation of public money for military use during the French and Indian War.”

cordon along the mountain wall,” historian J. Bennett Nolan reported in his book, General Benjamin Franklin, the Military Career of a Philosopher. As Fort Allen neared completion, “Franklin began to prepare for the construction of the subordinate fortresses,” Nolan said. Soldiers belonging to one company “were dispatched 15 miles to the westward where they built a clumsy stockade named Fort Franklin.”

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As the construction of Fort Hamilton neared completion, Franklin directed Captain John Trump, one of two officers responsible for Hamilton’s construction, to move down the valley toward Weissport so that his men could take part in building Fort Norris, between the current villages of Gilbert and Kresgeville. Franklin also sent troops from Fort Allen to work on this post. As he reported on January 24, “My son with Hay’s company and (Captain Jacob) Orndt’s marches in a few days … to erect another fort between this and Fort Hamilton.” Fort Norris was named after Isaac Norris, speaker of the Pennsylvania colonial assembly, Nolan reported in his 1936 book. A Quaker, Norris belonged to a prominent Philadelphia merchant family. According to the University of Pennsylvania website, he and other Quakers, “as pacifists, were against the appropriation of public money for military use during the French and Indian War.” As the soldiers began building these forts, some settlers felt sufficiently secure to return to their farms. One group of homesteaders even went back to the valley where Franklin

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Photo courtesy of John L. Moore

planned to erect Fort Norris. Nonetheless, the Indian raids continued. “On January 17 Indians wiped out a small party of settlers whom a few of Captain Trump’s soldiers had escorted to this place,” Hunter reported. Once Fort Norris and the other three forts were completed and garrisoned, rangers began patrolling the trails and roads connecting them. As Franklin advised Gov. Robert H. Morris on January 19, “in a week or ten days, weather favoring, those ... forts may be finished and the line of forts completed and garrisoned, the rangers in motion.” The presence of soldiers may have slowed but hadn’t stopped the Indian raids. On March 7, for instance, Orndt told Horsfield that “Indians had fired upon a detachment bringing in shingle wood” to Fort Norris, according to Hunter. Although wagon roads were non-existent north of Gnadenhutten, over the centuries Native Americans had created a comprehensive network of trails that crisscrossed the region’s mountains and valleys. One of these trails was the Wechquetank Path, which linked Bethlehem on the Lehigh with Wyoming (present-day Wilkes16 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

> T he car in the picture is driving along Route 209 near Kresgeville. The hill in the background is on the southern side of Pohopoco Creek. Pohopoco is a Native American word that may mean “rock beside rock.”

Barre) on the Susquehanna’s North Branch. This path had several branches. “It is probable that a branch of the path to Wyoming proceeded directly north from Fort Norris over Pohopoco Mountain,” Paul A.W. Wallace wrote in Indian Paths of Pennsylvania. As it did so, the trail crossed the Pohopoco Path, which ran from Fort Allen at modern Weissport on the Lehigh northeast to Stroudsburg and Shawnee on Delaware on the Delaware River. Route 209 follows much of the old Pohopoco trail today. Hunter’s 1960 book, Forts on the Pennsylvania Frontier, 17531758, provides many details about Fort Norris. “Planned in December 1755, and built a month or two later, Fort Norris stood between present Kresgeville and Gilbert,” Hunter said. “Garrisoned by Provincial troops until the fall of 1757, it consisted of a group of buildings surrounded by a stockade eighty feet square with four half bastions.” With a garrison of 50 men commanded by Captain Jacob Orndt, Fort Norris became operational in early February. Subsequent documents show the garrison adjusting itself into service. On February 19, Colonel William Clapham,

JAMES YOUNG’S VISIT IN 1756 By John L. Moore

ommissary General James Young of the Pennsylvania Regiment spent a week in June 1756 inspecting forts along the colony’s northern frontier. He arrived at Fort Norris on the fifth day of his journey – June 23 -- and “found here a sergeant commanding with 21 men.” The sergeant reported that the commander, Captain Jacob Orndt, had gone to Philadelphia to fetch the garrison’s pay. Also, “He told me the ensign with 12 men were gone out this morning to range the woods towards Fort Allen,” Young said. These soldiers returned in early afternoon. “They had seen nothing of any Indians,” the general said. Young described Fort Norris in his July 2 report:

“Pohopoco is a Native American word that may mean “rock beside rock.”

“This fort stands in a valley ... on the high road towards the Minisink (Valley). It is a square about 80 feet each way with four half bastions.” The post “very completely stockaded and finished and very defensible. ...” “On the bastions are two swivel guns mounted. Within is a good barrack, a guard room, store room, and kitchen.” There was also “a good well.”

The general had found fault with some of the other posts on his tour because their officers had allowed trees to remain close to the forts, but this wasn’t an issue at Fort Norris. “The woods are clear 400 yards round it,” Young said. Young had the garrison turn out. There were 34 “stout, able men,” he said. Their muskets were “loaded and clean,” and each carried a cartridge box “filled with 12 rounds per man.” When Young inspected the fort’s provisions, he found “a large quantity of beef, very ill cured, standing in tubs; a quantity of biscuit and flour, and about 50 gallons (of) rum.” Young stayed overnight at Fort Norris, and departed for Fort Hamilton at presentday Stroudsburg the next afternoon. Another officer accompanied him. Along the way, they passed “three plantations deserted and the houses burnt down.” Eventually, they came to the farm of Philip Bosarts. They accepted Bosarts’ invitation to spend the night. The farmer must have had a large farmhouse because Young wrote that the overnight guests also included “six families from other plantations.” It was nearly sunrise on June 24 when Young set out for Fort Hamilton some seven miles away, traveling along “a good wagon road, and the land better than any I had seen on the north side of the (Blue) Mountain. Fort Hamilton stands in a cornfield by a farmhouse.” APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 17

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whom Benjamin Franklin had appointed to command Pennsylvania’s new military force, directed Timothy Horsfield, the justice of the peace at Bethlehem, “to send 18 barrels of bread, six barrels of beef, one of pork, two of fish and three kegs of rum to Fort Norris.” Based in Easton, William Parsons was a long-time friend of Benjamin Franklin and the man who laid out the village of Easton in 1752. When the Indian war broke out, Parsons became a major in the Pennsylvania regiment and “made periodic trips to the Provincial forts along the Blue Mountains,” according to Robert B. Swift, author of The Mid-Appalachian Frontier: A Guide to Historic Sites of the French and Indian War. One such trip occurred on Friday, June 11, 1756. Parsons reported that a detachment of colonial soldiers had accompanied him when he “set out from Easton ... and arrived at Fort Norris about 6 afternoon.”

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“Based in Easton, William Parsons was a long-time friend of Benjamin Franklin and the man who laid out the village of Easton in 1752.” Parsons quickly formed a positive first impression. “It is a well-built fort and kept very clean; commanded by Captain Orndt, who appears to be a very good officer. … He has dug a well within the fort and almost walled it up but for want of stones. The well is not quite finished,” the major said. Orndt had sent a patrol out on a scout prior to Parsons arrival at Fort Norris. “Late in the evening his ensign, who had been out with a party of men, returned home without discover(ing) anything extraordinary,” Parsons said.

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“Things in general had a good appearance,” Parsons noted. He added that he had spotted one important weakness: “There is a large hill to the southward of the fort from whence I imagine an enemy might discover most that passes at the fort.” The Pennsylvania Regiment used Fort Norris for about a year and a half. In The Mid-Appalachian Frontier, Swift reported that it was evacuated in 1757 and that its garrison was reassigned to a blockhouse at Wind Gap. n

Photo courtesy of The Library of Congress Photo courtesy of The University of Pennsylvania Photo Courtesy of John L. Moore

> Top right: Benjamin Franklin Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

> M iddle right: Isaac Norris Photo c ourtesy of the University of Pennsylvania

> B ottom right: Fort Norris Historical Marker Photo Courtesy of John L. Moore

Photo courtesy of The University of Pennsylvania

> Top left: Map of the Lehigh River

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 19

HISTORY OF BARRETT TOWNSHIP By Amy Leiser, Executive Director

Monroe County Historical Association Edited by Pocono Magazines

his northern Monroe County township was officially created from parts of Price and Paradise Townships on December 31, 1859, although the area had been settled much earlier.

Barrett’s appointment was unpopular as he was neither from nor a resident of the judicial district. Six months later, Barrett, who had only been temporary, refused to run as a candidate.

John and Mary Price of Bucks County, Pennsylvania settled in present-day Barrett Township in 1756. Their first visit did not last long. Ill feelings between European settlers and the Native Americans persisted in the region as a result of the infamous Walking Purchase that had occurred less than 20 years before. The Price family was forced to leave when hostile relations became overwhelming. The Prices would return in 1764, where they remained and raised 12 children; many of their descendants are still in the area.

“The Prices would return in 1764, where they remained and raised 12 children; many of their descendants are still in the area.”

Other early settlers included the Albert, Bender, Boyer, Deubler, Gravel, Ink, Leek, Long, Seese, Smith, Sommers, Stright, and Utt families. The three largest villages in the township are Canadensis (named for the scientific name for the hemlock tree, Tsugas canadensis), Cresco (once known as Oakland), and Mountainhome (once known as White’s Tannery). Barrett Township was named for George Rodden Barrett. Barrett was a lawyer in Clearfield County, Pa., and was appointed judge in April of 1853 to fill a vacancy left open by the resignation of the Honorable Nathaniel P. Eldred. 20 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

Over the next two years, the office of president judge would pass from Judge James Madison Porter (who resigned following an “attack of paralysis”) to Thomas S. Bell of Chester County, Pa. Bell’s appointment had been even more unpopular than Barrett’s was a year earlier. By 1855, Barrett declared his candidacy for the position and was elected without opposition. He presided as president judge of Monroe County from 1855 to 1869. It was Judge Barrett who signed the documents creating Barrett Township. Over its past 160 years, Barrett Township was recognized for its dense forests and clean steams. The early industries

Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Association

of the township reflected the abundance of these natural resources. Bark from Barrett Township trees was used in the tanneries to process leather and pelts. Numerous lumber mills produced not only timber to be floated down the Delaware River to Philadelphia markets, but created items such as clothes pins, roof shingles, shoe pegs, barrels and spragues (used for braking cars in coal mines).Â In 1856, the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad created its only stop in Barrett Township in Cresco. In addition to businesses benefiting from the rail line, the resort industry also flourished and promoted the beauty of the area. Vacationers traveled from New York and Philadelphia and further to experience the outdoors and to breathe the clean mountain air. Early owners of area boarding houses and

> G eorge Rodden Barrett

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ 21

BARRETT TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY 142 Sand Spring Road Cresco, PA 18326 Postal Address Contact Information P.O. Box 358 Mountainhome, 18342 Barrett TownshipPennsylvania Historical Society  142 Sand Spring Road  Cresco, PA 18326

Phone: (570) 595-6157

Postal Address  P.O. Box 358  Email: stationmuseum@gmail.com Mountainhome, Pennsylvania 18342 Phone: (570) 595-6157

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“Vacationers traveled from New York and Philadelphia and further to experience the outdoors and to breathe the clean mountain air.”

resorts entertained their guests exploiting the outdoors: picnicking and fishing in the summer; tobogganing and skiing in the winter. When the township was formed in 1859, the population was 701 residents. By the 1880s, the population had increased to 1,149. Today, Barrett Township has more than 4,100 residents. Members in this northern community continue to work to safeguard Barrett Township’s past and its important place in Monroe County’s history. The Cresco Station Museum, run by the Barrett Township Historical Society, features displays relating to the township’s history. For more information on the history of Barrett Township, please contact the Barrett Township Historical Society at (570) 595-6157. Information for this article was provided by the archival holdings at the Monroe County Historical Association and the Monroe County Archives. n

> HERE IS A LIST OF HISTORICALLY INTERESTING PLACE NAMES LOCATED THROUGHOUT BARRETT TOWNSHIP: • Beartown

• Preacher Hill

• Brinker’s Ridge

• Purgatory

• Hardytown

• R attlesnake or Pleasant Ridge

• Hoot Owl • Pochunk

22 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

• Skunk’s Misery • Wildcat Hollow

Photos courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Association

THE INN AT BUCK HILL FALLS By Ralph Harrison

he Inn at Buckhill Falls has been recognized as one of the “Grande Olde Dames” of the Pocono Resort Industry.

History reports that the Inn was built in the last century by Quakers of the Philadelphia area. It represented a society that was kind, gentle, respectful, civil, and, in part, sophisticated. Before water parks and zip lines, resort amenities included golf, tennis, walks by the Falls and at Buckhill, of all things, a lawn bowling court! Guests contemplating a stay at the Inn would inquiry as to what concert violinist (or what) concert pianist or opera personality would be “in house” that particular week. My favorite memories of times at the Inn were as a member of the Tommy Cullen combo playing through the American Songbook for listeners and dancers in the more intimate setting of the Lounge.

Tommy was the quintessential Irish man! – Twinkling eyes, an infectious smile, a quick wit and a consummate musician. One year, Tommy was Grand Marshall of the Irish American Parade and festivities. He was also the right-hand man for Fred Waring in the glory days of the Pennsylvanians choral group. I also remember visiting the refreshment area when a boy of 11 or 12 (years old) appeared in suit, shirt and tie telling the attendant that his parents gave permission for him to come and request a “plate” of ice cream. A quaint phrase now, but once again, an expression of sophistication of the times. This “Grande Olde Dame” stands as a reminder that society has seen a kinder, gentler, more civil and genteel expression of itself. If this essay is thought by some to be a requiem for things gone but not forgotten, then perhaps an “Amen” is due. n APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 23

“Based on a quality and safety Purina survey conducted in 2017, 84 percent of pet owners are concerned about the ingredients in their pet’s food, and more than four out of five pet owners are likely to read the list of ingredients in pet food before buying it.”

24 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

THE REAL SCIENCE BEHIND YOUR PET’S FOOD P

Photo courtesy of BPT

et owners will do just about anything they can to keep their furry friends happy and healthy, which is why the vast majority of pet owners say they’re concerned about the ingredients in their pet’s food. Based on a quality and safety Purina survey conducted in 2017, 84 percent of pet owners are concerned about the ingredients in their pet’s food, and more than four out of five pet owners are likely to read the list of ingredients in pet food before buying it. Yet many dog and cat owners are often confused about what constitutes safe and healthy food, have misperceptions about ingredients, and aren’t clear about what types of nutrients their pets need. A lot of thought has been put into the ingredients in the pet food you see on shelves and online, including many backed by full teams of scientists who work every day to create nutritional breakthroughs that will help pets of all ages live their best life.

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 25

PET FOOD SCIENCE

A lot of research goes into developing food - both for pets and humans - and much of this innovation was born out of necessity. Since pets clearly have different nutritional needs than their owners, pet food scientists have developed complete and balanced meals that give pets all the nutrition they need in one product. Pet food companies like Purina employ hundreds of scientists to research different ingredients, combinations of ingredients and the nutritional needs of pets of different breed, size, age and lifestyle. Ultimately, they look beyond the latest ingredient fad and develop pet food based on a smart blend of nutrients that supports pets' overall health.

TARGETED NUTRITION

When developing pet food formulas, scientists keep in mind that some pets have unique dietary needs. They also account for pets who have ongoing concerns and formulate pet food based on age (whether a pet is in the early or later stages in life). Simply put, puppies and kittens have much different dietary needs than older dogs and cats. 26 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

“What’s sometimes lost on pet owners is the ingredient benefits, and how varied a pet’s nutritional requirements are based on age, activity level and overall health.” In response, pet food companies have put increasing resources into developing life stage-specific pet food formulas. For example, Purina's Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ product contains enhanced botanical oils, and is a source of MediumChain Triglycerides (MCTs), which promote alertness and mental sharpness in older pets. These enhanced botanical oils can be used as an additional energy source for the brain in dogs age 7+. What's sometimes lost on pet owners is the ingredient benefits, and how varied a pet's nutritional requirements are based on age, activity level and overall health.

Photo courtesy of BPT

A trained dog is a happy dog.

KNOWLEDGE GAP

The knowledge gap related to food science isn't limited to pet food. Misinformation and lack of clarity about food science techniques have prompted people to change how they eat. In the pet world, this has led some owners to develop their own DIY food plans. But despite their best intentions, they may actually be depriving their pets of critical nutrients they need to stay healthy. This is where knowing your pet's nutritional needs comes into play.

Dog Training & Obedience in Stroudsburg

www.SitStayNPlay.net

570.872.9748 1501 North 5th Street â&#x20AC;˘ Stroudsburg, PA 18360

NUTRITION FOR YOUR PET

When it comes to feeding your pet, it's important to understand that high-quality nutrition starts with nutrients, not just ingredients. Although the level of research may be similar among brands, the actual formulas can be quite different. To keep your pet feeling their best, try to match their food with their lifestyle and activity level. For example, if your dog is your daily running buddy, make sure they are getting enough protein and fat in their diet - try feeding them a formula like Purina Pro Plan Sport. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian to better understand the specific needs of your pet. They can tell you when to feed, how much to feed, and which formula is best suited to keep your pet as healthy as possible. n

Courtesy of Brand Point

Creekside

PET CREMATORY

Compassionate Care That Lasts Forever Located at Stroudsburg Cemetery on Dreher Avenue 570-420-9599www.CreeksidePet.net / 570-421-4501 www.CreeksidePet.net APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ 27

WELCOME

SPRING Photo gallery

> Fawn in Spring Lynn Prior

NIKON COOLPIX P610

28 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

> Caterpillar Feasting On a Leaf Dave Trainer NIKON D800

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 29

> Beaver Gliding Through Water Barbara Lewis NIKON D3100

> Grape Hyacinth James Chesnick NIKON D3200

> Mom and Baby Raccoon 30 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

Barbara Lewis NIKON D3100

> Hawk Sitting in Tree John Galarza

Canon PowerShot SX530 HS

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 31

> Purple Crocus Maritza McFaline Apple iPhone 6

32 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

> Spring Reflection Dave Trainer

NIKON COOLPIX AW110

> Pair of Black Bears Barbara Lewis NIKON D3100

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 33

> Gliding Geese Vinzon Lee NIKON D800

> Black Bear Taking a Swim Marlana Holsten

> Spring Pansy and Mountain Lily 34 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

Linda Zak

KODAK EASYSHARE C180

> Waterfalls Dave Trainer OLYMPUS E-M1

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 35

> Green Heron Kevin J. Furst SONY SLT-A77V

> Duck Family Sue Heckel

KODAK EASYSHARE Z915

> Daffodils Along Fence Marlana Holsten Canon EOS 10D

36 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

> Five Bear Cubs Rebecca Fry

> Doe with Her Fawn Lynn Prior

NIKON COOLPIX P610

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 37

> Delaware River from Cliff Trail Kevin J. Furst SONY SLT-A77V

> Napping Fawn Lisa Newberry

38 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

> Resica Falls David Sandt NIKON D610

> Squirrel Perched on Tree > Salamander Dave Trainer Olympus E-M1

Marlana Holsten

Canon PowerShot A710 IS APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 39

> N ONPROFIT

Cattell Cabin & the Friends of Big Pocono

Photos courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Association

Jackson Township

40 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

MONROE COUNTY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION

HISTORICAL PRESERVATION AWARDS

By Amy Leiser, Executive Director

Monroe County Historical Association

he Monroe County Historical Association is pleased to announce the 2019 P.E.P (Preserve, Enhance, Promote) Historical Preservation awards. Owners of historic buildings who have shown their dedication to preserving, enhancing, and promoting Monroe County’s wealth of historic structures were honored at the Monroe County Historical Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Sunday, February 24, 2019, at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware.

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 41

42 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2019

Photos courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Association

“ We are always looking for additional structures to highlight and we welcome suggestions of other Monroe County sites that deserve recognition.”

SHOP NEW. SHOP VINTAGE .

SHOP LOCAL .

Three categories of buildings were judged: Commercial, Nonprofit, and Private Residence. The 2019 winners in the three categories are: Commercial Property – Ken & Company, Main Street, Borough of Stroudsburg; Nonprofit – Cattell Cabin and the Friends of Big Pocono, Jackson Township; and Residential Property – “Colonel Peter Snyder Home” owned by Elizabeth Tilley, Hamilton Township. The Heritage Resource Award was given to the Monroe County Archives, Borough of Stroudsburg. Monroe County Historical Association Executive Director Amy Leiser said, “Our organization is pleased to recognize the owners of these historic properties, cultural sites, and the volunteers who help keep our past alive. We appreciate their dedication in helping to maintain the historic fabric of our community.”

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.

> C OMMERCIAL PROPERTY Ken & Company

Main Street, Borough of Stroudsburg APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 43

> R ESIDENTIAL PROPERTY Colonel Peter Snyder Home

Owned by Elizabeth Tilly, Hamilton Township Leiser also commented, “This is the 14th year we’ve acknowledged owners of historic properties. We are always looking for additional structures to highlight and we welcome suggestions of other Monroe County sites that deserve recognition.” The Monroe County Historical Association is a cultural and learning center that assists our diverse community of residents and visitors in connecting the county’s past with the present. Visit the website at www.monroehistorical.org for more information on the organization. n 44 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

www.saylorsburglumberpa.com

> Monroe County Archives

Pocono Slate Belt Shooting Association A trapshooting club located in Bangor, Pennsylvania

Open to the public. Practice on Tuesdays. 9am till 2pm 4pm to 8pm (after April 1st)

Kitchen 7am - 3pm Trap shooting 9am - 3pm

610.588.7888

•

psbsa.com

744 Lake Minsi Dr., Bangor, PA 18013

APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 45

THE FRIENDLY COMMUNITY CENTER IN BARRETT TOWNSHIP By Kevin Conroy

No. No! It’s not what you think. It’s a place to get fit, stay healthy, and have fun.

“W

e’re a community hub,” smiles Nicole Abrams, director of The Friendly Community Center, where participants serve one another with support, learning, and friendship. But the Friendly Community Center is having an identity crisis, and many people remain confused about what this center is. Let’s start with what the Community Center is not. Friendly Community Center is not part of any library, is not exclusive to residents of Barrett Township, nor is it an average senior center.

46 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

Photo courtesy of Kevin Conroy APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 47

Photos courtesy of Kevin Conroy

Yes, the building at 6683 Route 191 in Mountainhome, PA, was dedicated as the Barrett Friendly Library in 1913, but there is nothing library left about the place. Architect Bill Raczko, whose accomplishments include projects at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Smithsonian Institution, and Yankee Stadium among many others, saw to that in an $820,000 renovation spanning two years. Old shelving was removed down to bare timbers, and the building repurposed to become an inviting, open space for another century of service. A timber-vaulted ceiling and old stone fireplaces remain to add character in the bright, clean span. “We were part of a wonderful, dedicated team of members in the community who made the Center possible,” say Bill and his wife Joyce. And, yes, the Friendly Community Center does lease their facility to the Monroe County Area Agency on Aging to serve lunch and provide wellness programs for seniors. Board member Nancy Hooke calls the Community Center the senior center of the future. “We don’t just focus on the elderly, but also on generations living well,” Nancy says. “We are so much more than just a senior center.” Well the seniors must be good sharers, because the Friendly Community Center arranges other activities morning noon and night. People of all stripes meet up there, people of contrasting interests and ages, whether they’re into travel and history, snowshoeing, or the thrill of catching and banding Saw-whet owls. 48 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

“You get to see a lot of people you don’t see every day,” says Elaine Bubb, who teaches gardening there. “It brings in a wide array of folks. FCC offers a lot more than what people are thinking.” She’s right. In fact, membership includes so many programs we can’t present all of them here; what follows is only a cross section of their offerings.

People of all stripes meet up there, people of contrasting interests and ages, whether they’re into travel and history, snowshoeing, or the thrill of catching and banding Saw-whet owls. “I guarantee you’ll make new friends,” says Barrett Bird Club founder Darryl Speicher, who joins with local bird enthusiasts at Friendly Community Center. “The gist of Barrett Bird Club is to get together and share our love of birds. We gather to share photos, recent sightings, and become more knowledgeable on where to go locally to see birds in varying habitats. We have themes and programs, and invite guests to speak about what birds we might see in the winter, say, that we can’t see any other time of year. We also organize birding adventures that meet at FCC on a Saturday or Sunday, and go from there.”

Fitness classes, including Cardio Sculpt, Barre Fitness, Zumba, Yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, some of which are designed for people coping with mobility issues, require varying levels of membership to join. So what is it about the community center that makes it a good place to hold the Men Get Fit program? “The people of Barrett Township and the surrounding area,” says National Academy of Sports Medicine-certified Bob Larsen. “Great people, great community!” Bob’s style of interval instruction is one of the most effective ways to get fit quickly, and allows men of any age or health level to exercise without feeling they’re competing. “The room we work out in is spacious and clean,” adds Bob. “FCC also has an outdoor exercise circuit we use on nice weather days.” The group has had substantial gains in overall fitness, with the cardiovascular conditioning of the participants increased tremendously.

BANKS’ VACUUM We Sell & Service All Makes of Vacuums Residential, Commercial & Central ~FAMILY OWNED SINCE 1988~

Monday - Friday: 9-5:30 • Saturday: 9-3 www.BanksVacuumPA.com

(570) 629-4065

3280 Rte. 611, Bartonsville, PA 18321

Great Decisions, a national program of thought-provoking discussions sponsored by the Foreign Policy Association, is held at the Friendly Community Center. “Truthfully, our group almost invariably comes away from each discussion with the conclusion that there are a few clear answers to most issues,” says 2018 moderator Karen Tetor. “The discussions give us greater insight into the challenge of developing foreign policies, and the danger of not understanding the complexities.” Many programs do not require membership to join. The Women’s Circle is a sisterhood run by Colleen LaScala and Sue Ruskin-Mayher. “Our women’s circle is the perfect fit,” says Colleen. “Women of all ages meet in an informal gathering where we greet one another without judgement. It’s an opportunity to share about our day, week, family life, maybe even health concerns. It’s a nice way to show support and learn from the wisdom of others. Friendships continue to develop as word gets out about what a fun and caring group we have here at the Center.” Cub Scout Pack 89, established in 1955, is a living part of Pocono community history. At its first meeting, the Pack 89 boys put on a skit called “Westward Ho!” Today, Scouting is for both boys and girls. “Our Scouting program is a fun, hands-on learning experience. It truly builds character and leadership skills,” says Leslie Petroff, who is den leader along with husband Nick. “The FCC provides a safe environment to conduct our meetings, and our Scouts love meeting there. I can’t begin to tell you how fortunate and grateful we are to be able to have our meetings at the Friendly Community Center. FCC is a hidden gem!”

6683 Route 191 in the heart of Mountainhome, PA • Alzheimer’s & Dementia Memory Cafe - New Program • Music Therapy for People living with Dementia Call for • Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group s! ail

det These FREE programs are offered in partnership with: Pocono Mountains Community Fundraiser 570.481.4330 • www.thefriendlycommunitycenter.org

P&S GARAGE Servicing the Poconos since 1975

Scott Dreisbach owner

570-223-8874

9080 Franklin Hill Road East Stroudsburg, Pa www.psgaragepa.com APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 49

Photos courtesy of Kevin Conroy

The Barrett Township Historical Society’s Cresco station museum is so chockablock full of displays they choose to hold their meetings at the Friendly Center. Because BTHS doesn’t know beforehand if they will have a large or small gathering, the Community Center’s flexibility makes their setup easy. The sound system connected to a large display screen is HDMI ready for presentations from any laptop, whether it be about the train “Phoebe Snow” or the old Buck Hill Inn. “The FCC is welcoming,” says BTHS President Donna Bisset. “If one is new in town, it’s a great way to make friends and find out what this area has to offer. It supports and nourishes our community, and keeps us connected.” Northeast PA Area Health Education Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the quality of health for people in our region. Their “Diabetes – Prevent T2” program, held at the Friendly Community Center, has helped people lose weight and control their diabetes. Some participants lowered their A1C. Some are no longer on insulin. Weight Watchers has been losing weight - 500 pounds in 12 weeks for 15 participants! “I find that this is one of the best meetings of Weight Watchers I have ever attended,” says one member. “The support we give each other is beyond expectation.” That speaks volumes about the Center and the community it lives in. “The Community Center welcomed us with open arms,” says a member of Alcoholics Anonymous with nearly forty years of 50 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

sobriety. “When the church we were meeting in closed, there was a very real chance AA would no longer have a presence here in Barrett Township.” How many drivers are not driving drunk due to those meetings. This is an example of how the Community Center reaches far beyond its doors and into society. The Friendly Community Center offers its building for lease, too, and is generally available Saturdays and Sundays for 3½ or 8 hours. Linda Langdon rented the building for her daughter’s bridal shower. “Nicole was wonderful to work with,” says Linda. “The kitchen is large and a number of people can work in it at the same time. The two rooms were perfect and easy to decorate for the occasion. You basically had to bring decorations and food; the rest was there.” “We rented the FCC for our daughter’s first birthday,” adds Dora Pereda. “Nicole was so helpful and insightful. It was a pleasure to rent, decorate, and celebrate in it.” A number of events are presented periodically at the Community Center, like line dancing; some require membership, some don’t. Armchair Travel, free and open to the public, offers travelogues from all over the world, from national parks to South African safaris. “Not everyone can afford or is able to travel,” says series originator Jane Bartholomew. “Here they can journey vicariously, learning about foreign culture, society, and even foods.” If you really are traveling, French for Fun might be the thing.

Serving Breakfast & Lunch “If one is new in town, it’s a great way to make friends and find out what this area has to offer. It supports and nourishes our community, and keeps us connected.”

Open 7:30am - 2:30pm • Closed Tuesdays • B.Y.O.B (570) 664-2888 • 517 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA

facebook.com/thecurecafe

Fruit Pies, Burgers, Pot Pies, Sandwiches, Pastries, Gifts, Jams & Jellies

www.VillageFarmer.com

The class is for people who know some French, to pure beginners, and its goal is to have students learn basic French expressions. “We have a lot of fun, so don’t be afraid to come join us,” says instructor Yvonne LeBlanc. Last year, the class did a chocolate tasting in French. n

A membership would be the best course if you’re ready to participate in what the Friendly Community Center has to offer. All the information you need, including facts on programs for seniors and their caregivers, is at www.thefriendlycommunitycenter.org/ programsandevents You’ll be glad you subscribed to the newsletter for upcoming special events and reminders, too. « Notre centre communautaire invite ses membres à se réunir pour continuera se développer et à se supporter les uns les autres, » dit Yvonne.

“Our community center invites its members to come together to continue to grow and to support each other,” says Yvonne.

1/2 mile off of Rt. 80 exit 310 GPS Broad St. Delaware Water Gap 570-476-9440

m -8p am y!! 8 n da Ope ever ting! Sea ide s ek Cre Hot Dog & Slice of Apple Pie always $2.95! Over 30 Flavors of pies baked fresh daily No High Fructose Corn Syrup!!!

Serving fine food & spirits in an elegant setting

owtree Inn Will

(570) 476-0211 • www.thewillowtreeinn.net 601 Ann Street, Stroudsburg, PA

Rudy’s

Your Neighborhood Tavern Established in 1933 90 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570-424-1131

> Fisher on ground Courtesy of Emily Brouwer/National Park Service

THE FISHER CANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T SHAKE ITS BAD REPUTATION By William M. Williams Pennsylvania Game Commission Reports of fishers wreaking havoc on game populations occasionally circulate among hunters and trappers, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. This predatory furbearer has been blamed for decimating turkey populations, reviled for gleefully dining on spotted fawns, and despised for its perceived unquenchable thirst for hot blood. The number of colorful metaphors used to describe them is endless â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and very few are flattering.

Strunk C. Tree Service 570 - 350 - 3966

24/7 Emergency Service - Fully Insured Tree Removal - Tree Trimming - Stump Grinding Cabling - Bucket Truck Service - Landscaping

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Come join our family join our family ofCome happy healthy pets! of happy healthy pets!

However, when this furbearer is examined without emotional bias, what emerges is a fascinating animal deserving of a little more understanding. The name fisher offers no description of the animal itself. Known as fisher cat, fisher weasel, and even tree otter, the secretive predator is saddled with an identity issue. It rarely eats fish and is certainly no cat.

Schedule an Schedule an appointment appointment Phone: (570) 421-0931 Phone: (570) 421-0931

WHERE YOUR PET IS TOP PRIORITY WHERE YOUR PET IS TOP PRIORITY

So why the confusing moniker? The name was likely derived from a corruption of the antiquated word “fichet,” a polecat found in Europe. The common use of “fisher cat” seems to validate the theory, much to the chagrin of biologists and game wardens trying to explain its name to a confused audience.

HANDSOME DEVILS?

The fisher is an omnivorous predator of the family Mustelidae animals that are characteristically nocturnal, solitary and active year-round. Other mustelids include weasels, martens, mink, badgers and wolverines. Fishers are more closely related to the wolverine than to any of the other weasel species. It has a well-furred long body with a full tail that makes up one third of its length. The striking coat of the fisher is mostly chocolate with legs, tail and rump a midnight black. Fur on the shoulders and head is grizzled with gold and silver, enhanced by tricolored guard hairs. The head is triangular with wide, rounded ears. A fisher’s eyes have horizontal oval pupils that produce a green eyeshine at night. Five toes on each paw sport formidable sharp, curved, semi-retractable claws. Adult males tip the scales at 7-15 pounds while females weigh significantly less.

“The name fisher offers no description of the animal itself. Known as fisher cat, fisher weasel, and even tree otter, the secretive predator is saddled with an identity issue. It rarely eats fish and is certainly no cat.” The female usually gives birth to one to six cubs high up in a tree cavity in late March or early April. She will cycle into estrous and breed again within 10 days after giving birth, resulting in most adult females being pregnant for nearly the entire year! The pregnant fisher develops a small fertilized egg mass called a blastocyst that floats freely in the uterus. The blastocyst does not increase in size until it attaches to the wall of the placenta around 40 days prior to birth. This adaptation, known as delayed-implantation, also is seen in bears and bats. It allows young of the year to be born under the most favorable environmental conditions. Fisher cubs weigh less than two ounces at birth with eyes closed and completely dependent on maternal care. They initially sport silver-gray fur until their coat transitions into chocolate brown at 3-4 weeks. Canine teeth erupt at 7-9 weeks and, at four months, fishers are already developing into efficient predators, attacking the head and neck region of small mammals. 54 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

> F isher in tree cavity Courtesy of Zane Miller/ U.S. Forest Service Photo

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

DISAPPEARING ACT

Ideal fisher habitat is older conifer and deciduous forests with good overhead cover and an abundance of woody vegetation on the forest floor. Their population once spread throughout Pennsylvania forests, but fisher numbers sharply declined as a result of unregulated trapping and intensive deforestation that peaked in the late 1800s. The last remnant populations were found in Clearfield, Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Potter and Sullivan counties. When fishers entirely disappeared from Pennsylvania has been lost to history. The return of the fisher in Pennsylvania became possible when much of the state became reforested through natural succession providing suitable fisher habitat. Successful reintroduction efforts by conservation agencies in West Virginia and New York were already expanding fisher populations into the state by the mid-1990s. The Game Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fisher reintroduction started in 1994 and continued for four more years releasing 190 fishers trapped in New Hampshire at six release sites throughout northern Pennsylvania.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A fisher is a diet generalist and opportunistic predator, taking whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easiest to catch. The ability to forage effectively within the forest canopy and on the forest floor offers them a diversity of food options. A fisher diet study conducted by biologists from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the Game Commission between 2002 and 2014, revealed some fascinating information. Ninety one fisher carcasses were collected from road-killed, incidental trapper-killed and legally harvested fishers from 30 Pennsylvania counties. Their stomach contents were rinsed, separated, dried, examined and identified. The results were eye-opening. Mammal species were found in 83 percent, and bird species were found in 12 percent, of fisher stomachs. Fruit and seeds (12 percent), foliage (12 percent), egg shells (4 percent), reptiles, amphibians and insects (all round 1 percent) rounded

“Projecting human characteristics upon wild animals is unfortunate and unreasonable. The fisher is no more evil than an owl is wise, no meaner than a fox is sly, and no nastier than a newborn fawn is adorable.”

out other documented food items. Rodents were the most common order of animal consumed and porcupine (a large rodent) parts were found in 11 percent of the stomachs. Fishers are considered effective porcupine predators but, as food generalists with multiple options, are not believed to greatly reduce porcupine populations. White-tailed deer was found in 13 percent of the samples. Fishers preying on fawns has been documented, but is considered a rare event. Scavenging road-killed deer, and entrails left in the woods during hunting seasons, (most fishers for this study were collected in the fall and winter) likely account for this finding. Despite the fisher’s notoriety for slaughtering wild turkeys, not a trace of turkey parts turned up in the study samples. Fisher predation on adult turkeys and turkey poults is likely minor.

POPULATION DYNAMICS

The oddest finding of the diet study was that 12 percent of fisher stomachs contained the remains of other fishers, including hair, feet, claws, flesh and bone. Such cannibalistic behavior among fishers hadn’t been reported in scientific literature. The majority of fisher stomachs containing fisher remains were from adults collected between November and February, a period of fisher dispersal. Fishers defending their territories might play a role in cannibalism and this behavior might reflect increasing population densities within a geographical area. Because they are secretive and occur at low population densities, determining a reliable estimate of Pennsylvania’s current fisher population is difficult. However, Game Commission biologists use a number of techniques to monitor changes in fisher distribution and relative abundance. Techniques include monitoring the number of fishers sightings reported to game wardens, incidental

captures by trappers, roadkill data, and fishers harvested during the trapping season. The Game Commission created a fisher trapping season in 2011 and the harvest limit has been one fisher per trapper each year since. Furtakers harvested 126 fishers in that initial year. The 2018 fisher trapping season that ran from Dec. 15-26 saw a record high of 503 fishers taken in 15 of 23 Pennsylvania wildlife management units. “Fishers continue to expand numerically and geographically in Pennsylvania,” said Game Commission Furbearer Management Section Chief Matt Lovallo. “It was once thought that they required large tracts of unbroken forests to thrive. However, they can now be found everywhere from big woods to small suburban woodlots.” The Game Commission’s 10-year fisher management plan is due to be updated in the near future. Lovallo expects there will be some changes contained in the plan that will provide sportsmen with more opportunities to take fishers.

EVIL, MEAN, AND NASTY?

Projecting human characteristics upon wild animals is unfortunate and unreasonable. The fisher is no more evil than an owl is wise, no meaner than a fox is sly, and no nastier than a newborn fawn is adorable. Many find elements of fisher behavior boorish and their eating habits downright unpalatable. But in contemporary parlance, the fisher “is what it is” – a fascinating furbearer, diet generalist and efficient predator that has returned to resume its place among Pennsylvania’s wildlife community. If you are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one bounding around in Penn’s Woods, consider yourself fortunate. And if you have to choose some adjectives to describe this fascinating furbearer - try to be nice. n APRIL/MAY 2019 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 57

Shawnee General Store Since 1859

In the heart of Shawnee on the Delaware! (570) 421-0956 542 River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA

Voice of Business Since 1910 556 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570.421.4433

www.GreaterPoconoChamber.com

Located in Eagle Valley Mall, East Stroudsburg (at the intersection of Rtes. 447 & 209) Behind PNC Bank

RIVER BENDING Posted by Tom Johnson-Medland Photo courtesy of DWGNRA

We are not here long enough to watch the river change her shape. But she does. I have felt it. We can see her swell and dry, but we do not get to see her curl and cut and grow old. She is an old thing. She goes back a thousand, thousand years. We cannot see all the changes, but we can feel them. They are in there.

CAR & TRUCK REPAIRS PA STATE INSPECTION LICENSE PLATES TITLE TRANSFERS ACE TRUCKING & REPAIRS, INC. 316 CLAY AVENUE STROUDSBURG, PA

(570) 421-2704

Air Tours

of the Poconos

IN & AROUND THE POCONOS ECOZONE DISCOVERY ROOM!

Sunday, April 7 1:00-4:00pm

Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave, explore a beaver lodge, and dig in a fossil pit! Explore this indoor discovery room and enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. No registration required. peec.org

BTG: SPRING PEEPER SEARCH

Charter Flights Flight Training Other Air Services

Gift Certificates Available

Pocono Mountains Airport - 188 Airport Drive, Tobyhanna, PA

1-800-321-5890

MoyerAviation.com

Sunday, April 7 7:30-9:00pm

These tiny tree frogs have thawed out and are active again in our forested wetlands. Listen to the impressive choir made by these vocal amphibians as we carefully catch, study, and release them. Bring a flashlight for better searching! Funding for this program provided by the William Penn Foundation. peec.org

SALAMANDERS, FROGS, AND MORE!

Sunday, April 14 10:00am-12:00pm

Amphibians are stirring in the woods! Join us as we explore nearby breeding pools for salamanders, frogs, and egg masses. We’ll provide nets and collection jars for gentle, up-close study. Wear boots and clothes that can get muddy or wet. peec.org

NUNO FELTING & KNITTING

April 26-28

In this workshop, led by Patti Shreiner, knit a “Faded Glory” shawl using between 5 and 9 100g skeins of sock/fingering weight yarn in a variety of colors. Other fun activities include dyeing a yarn blank (kit available). Includes lodging and meals! peec.org

EARTH DAY FESTIVAL

Saturday, April 27 11:00am-4:00pm

Help us celebrate the Earth! There will be hands-on learning stations, interpretive hikes, conservation exhibits, crafts, food, music, and much more! Pre-registration is NOT required. peec.org

2019 EARTH DAY CELEBRATION Saturday, April 27 10am – 3pm

Organizations, businesses and local agencies throughout Monroe County have organized a county-wide event to celebrate the conservation successes of the past 20+ years in Monroe County. The day includes: Musical Entertainment featuring Renard Cohen, The SteelCreek Duo, Delwin Fiddler Jr. and Woodrow! There will also be children’s activities, a Give and Take sponsored by Close the Loop, electronics recycling and tire amnesty sponsored by The Waste Authority, speakersand exhibits highlighting local environmental businesses, organizations and agencies. New this year will be the Pocono Arts Council Earth Speaks Exhibit from 1- 3pm. Free Admission! It’s a day you won’t want to miss! For more information about Earth Day, visit http://www.mcearthday. org or call the Monroe County Conservation District at (570) 629-3061, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information on other programs we offer visit our website at mcconservation.org.

BIRDS AND BREWS

May 3-5 Spring migration has begun! Join us for a wonderful weekend of bird watching and beer tasting. Enjoy guided hikes that teach how to identify birds by sight, sound and habitat. Program is geared towards beginners and experts alike. Saturday night we’ll provide transportation to one of our local breweries and the 1st round is on us! Includes two nights of lodging and meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. peec.org

RUN, HIKE, CRAWL: PEEC 5K

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.

Saturday, May 4 8:00am Registration / 10:00am Race Begins Take a journey through the woods of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Our 5k runs through our main campus and a variety of different woodland habitats on two of our gorgeous trail loops. Top 3 participants for male and female in each age group receive awards. Early Bird Registration by April 13th guarantees participants a t-shirt. Call for more details – Maximum of 100 spaces! peec.org

ECOZONE DISCOVERY ROOM!

Sunday, May 5 1:00-4:00pm

COSTUMING THE CROWN

Tuesday, May 7th

The Monroe County Historical Association will offer a bus trip fundraiser to Winterthur Museum and Gardens in Wilmington, Delaware on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. The bus trip includes general admission to the museum with a tram tour of the gardens, entrance to the “Costuming the Crown” special exhibition with a 30-minute presentation by the Winterthur curator, lunch in the Garden Café, and chartered bus transportation. Winterthur’s special exhibit Costuming The Crown will feature 40 iconic costumes from the beloved and Emmy award-winning Netflix series The Crown, a dramatized history of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, II. The cost of the bus trip is $90.00 for Monroe County Historical Association members and $95.00 for non-members. The chartered bus will depart from BJ’s Wholesale Club, Rt. 611 in Stroudsburg, PA at 7:00 a.m. and will return by approximately 7:30 p.m. An additional bus pick-up will be offered at the Lower Nazareth Target parking lot, Route 248 in Wilson with a morning pick-up at 7:45 a.m. and an evening drop-off at approximately 6:45 p.m. Reservations with payment must be made by Friday, April 26, 2019, and are accepted on a first come, first served basis as space is limited. Tickets are non-refundable. For additional information, or to make a reservation, please contact the Monroe County Historical Association at (570) 421-7703 or e-mail at admin@monroehistorical.org. Please visit www. MonroeHistorical.org for additional details.

PLANT SALE!

May 11 & 12 9:00am-4:00pm Choose from a variety of native and deer resistant flowers and grasses to beautify your yard at our annual plant sale! Sun loving 62 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2019

and shade loving plants will be available. Remaining plants will be sold through the following week so stop by to check them out! PEEC Members will be able to join us for a pre-sale on May 10th from 5 – 7pm. peec.org

31ST ANNUAL FARM ANIMAL FROLIC AT QUIET VALLEY

Voice of Business Since 1910 556 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570.421.4433

www.GreaterPoconoChamber.com

May 18, 19, 25, 26

See and touch the baby farm animals. Pocono Wildlife Program 5/18; Civil War Detachment of Engineers 5/18 - 5/19; Sheep Shearing 5/25; PA WoodMobile 5/25. Children’s Gamesl Storytelling; Refreshments & more. Enjoy wagon and pony rides for a small additional fee. quietvalley.org

5K9 FUN TRAIL RUN/WALK

733 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA Cupcake Shop & Nostalgic Candy

Exciting “How-to” Culinary Classes

570-730-4944 ldiemer@ptd.net www.Kitchen-Chemistry.com

Saturday, May 18th

All proceeds will fund the NEW West End Regional Leash-Free Dog Park located off Merwine-Hilltop Drive. The dog park will be completely fenced with areas for both large and small dogs. This project represents Phase II of the development of the 244 acre West End Regional Park. The 3.1 mile trail run winds through the open space property and includes a flat trail, an open field and woods trails. Walkers are invited to use the 5/8 mile portion of the flat trail, and/or the 3/4 mile field trail or the entire running course. Registration is $20/pp and children under 12 are FREE! The first 100 pre-registrants will receive a Bandana. Door Prizes, Raffles, Vendors and Refreshments will be available. Register at RunSignUp.comhttps://runsignup.com/Race/PA/ Brodheadsville/5K9FunTrailRunWalk. Forms are available at the Chestnuthill Park, Ross and Chestnuthill Township Buildings and area businesses. Complete the form, make entry payment to Friends of WEPOSC and mail to P O Box 276, Saylorsburg, PA 18353. For additional information, contact Bernie Kozen at 570992-9733 or bkozen@weposc.org

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

The West End Park and Open Space Commission is pleased to announce the annual 5K9 Fun Trail Run/Walk at the West End Regional Park on 578 Evergreen Hollow Road in Chestnuthill Township on Saturday, May 18th at 10am (registration begins at 9am). The run/walk is open to all ages and abilities and the “Dave Fleetwood Memorial Trail” will be available for those wishing a leisurely walk on a firm and stable surface accessible to all wheeled devices. Dogs are WELCOME as long as they remain on a leash (6’ max.)

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

William H. Clark Funeral Home, Inc. The Caring Professionals

1003 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-421-9000 | www.wmhclarkfuneralhome.com Gary A. Raish, Supervisor

SPRING FLING FAMILY CAMP WEEKEND

Memorial Day Weekend: May 24th-27th

Bring your family and friends to experience the best of what PEEC has to offer. Interpretive hikes, animal presentations, canoeing, campfire and more! Includes three nights of lodging and meals from Friday dinner to Monday lunch. peec.org www.farmers-basket.com

GARY’S

MEAT MARKET Good, Old Fashioned Quality Meats Fresh Cut Daily

Famous for Our Homemade Ring Bologna & Kielbasi. Fully Stocked Deli with Everyday Reasonable Prices!! Phone: 570-420-9764 | M-F 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm 1411-B Chipperfield Dr, Stroudsburg, PA 18360

GREAT PIKE COUNTY BIRDING WEEKEND

May 31 - June 2

Explore Pike County with us to try and spot as many species of birds as possible. There are a number of secret birding locations that are fantastic for amateurs or visiting experts. We can guarantee that you’ll see at least 75 different species over the course of the weekend! Includes two nights of lodging and meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. peec.org

CONSERVATION CAMP

July 20 - 27th

Monroe County Conservation District and Monroe County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs Sponsors Exciting and Challenging Residential Camp Offered for Teens Ages 14 Through 2019 High School Graduate. Are you interested in Pocono Wildlife, how about archery or fishing? If you enjoy the out-of-doors then Conservation Camp is for you! The 2019 Monroe County Conservation Camp is being held from Saturday, July 20, 2019 through Saturday, July 27, 2019. Generously supported by the Kettle Creek Environmental Fund and numerous service organizations, conservation camp is a residential camp for students ages 14 through this year’s high school graduate. The intensive schedule of classroom and hands-on instruction covers many aspects of the conservation and natural resource fields. One highlight of the week is an overnight canoe trip on the Delaware River.

Conservation Camp is held at Stony Acres, a 119-acre Wildlife Sanctuary/Recreational Facility owned by the students of East Stroudsburg University in Marshalls Creek. Cost: $200 per student, which includes a $75 application fee and $125 camp fee. The application fee must be paid by the student and must accompany a completed application form. The $125 camp fee may be paid by either the student, a sponsoring organization, or through a scholarship. Scholarships are available each year upon request. For application forms and more information, contact the Monroe County Conservation District at 570-6293061, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or visit our website at www.mcconservation.org.

24 Annual th

Community Aviation Day Fly-In Drive-In Breakfast

Fly-Ins Fuel 25c/gal Discount

F R Plane EE

Public Welcome

Rides For Kid s

Pancake Breakfast Tickets $10 Adults ~ $6 Children 12 & under

Ages 8-1 7 9a m to 1 Young E Provided by pm agles EA A Progr am

Tickets at the gate or go to RotaryFlyInBreakfast.com

Sunday, May 26, 2019 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Rain or Shine

Helicopter & Airplane Rides ~ Airplane & Military Displays Kids Activities ~ Antique Cars ~ Pocono Raceway Pace Car 1:30 pm Memorial Day Veterans Ceremony with Parachute Jump

PM &PAPILLON MOYER Sponsored by

MoyerAviation.com