Pocono Living Magazine Dec 20/Jan 21 by Pocono Magazines

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

The Pocono Mountains' Magazine

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Pocono Living M A G A Z I N E

The Story of John Muir Wildlife: Friends or Foes A Christmas Memory 1757 – George Ebert’s Adventure

Pocono Magazines, LLC PUBLISHING

Pocono Living Magazine© & Pocono Family Magazine© 1929 North 5th Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-424-1000 pmags@ptd.net www.poconomagazines.com PUBLISHER/EDITOR Larry R. Sebring larry@poconomagazines.com ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES larry@poconomagazines.com MAGAZINE & WEB DESIGN Smart Blonde Creative Food & Wine Editor Jamie Bowman PHOTOGRAPHY & ART John Anzivino Gayle C. Brooke Ray Caswell Pat Coyle Ann H. LeFevre Ashley Hall Maurice Harmon Susan Hartman Marlana Holsten

Barbara Lewis Marie Liu Harry Loud Regina Matarazzo Janet Mishkin John L. Moore Michael Murphy Justine Nearhood Roseanna Santaniello

Tom Stone CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roseanne Bottone Kimberly Blaker Marty Wilson Suzanne McCool John L. Moore Allison Mowatt Jim Werkheiser

Jamie Bowman Marra Kathy Dubin-Uhler Amy Leiser Marie Liu Amanda Kuhn William M. Williams Janet Mishkin

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS Kristen Sebring Linda Spalluto

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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.

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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.© 2016 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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> P hoto by Marlana Holsten

4 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

What’s Inside December 2020/January 2021 FEATURES 7 1757 — George Ebert’s Adventure 14 Weathering the Cold and Elements: A Winter Safety Guide for You and Your Family 20 Skiing and Riding in the Poconos 24 The Story of John Muir; a Farsighted Conservationist 34 The Van Campen Inn; Remembered by Those Who Once Lived There 38 Wildlife Friends and Foes 44 A Christmas Memory 48 What All Puppy Owners Should Know About Feeding Their Puppies 50 Gary Cee Named General Manager and Morning Host of Pocono 96.7 52 Yes Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

COVER By: Marlana Holsten

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 5

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kimberly Blaker is a parenting and lifestyle freelance writer. She also writes a blog, The Young Gma’s Guide to Parenting at www.theyounggma.com.

Suzanne is a native of the Poconos and a former schoolteacher and former Monroe County Commissioner. She has recently published her own book, and lives with her husband Terry in Stroudsburg. Today, Suzanne enjoys writing, traveling and visiting her grandchildren.

Marie Liu

John L. Moore

Marie Liu moved to Milford from New York State in 2009. Her work since then has been entirely focused on elements of the region that she seeks to reveal through her paintings.

John 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.

She was honored to be the Resident Artist of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for one year, from 2015 - 16. Focusing her creative energies on exploring and interpreting the Park through all four seasons, researching the history, and engaging with visitors was a highpoint of her professional life; culminating in exhibits at Kittatinny and Dingmans visitors centers. She not only portrayed the beauty of the Park, but was also cognizant of it's unique history, and strove to portray that in her paintings. Her work can be seen at the ARTery Gallery in Milford, a cooperative that is owned and operated by artists. Visit her website at https://mliuart.com and view videos about her experience as Resident Artist and her affinity for Pinchot and Grey Towers on her You Tube channel: Marie Liu Art.

Jamie Bowman Marra Jamie Bowman Marra is a freelance writer, Penn State graduate, and lifelong resident of the Poconos. A teacher by day and a writer by night, Jamie spends her free time running and cheering for the Nittany Lions on game day.

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.

KATHY DUBIN-UHLER Katherine Uhler is the director of the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center. She became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in 1980 and has been growing the nonprofit, all-volunteer PWREC since. In addition to running the Center with her husband and co-director, Eric, she has earned a Master’s Degree in Wildlife Biology and teaches Ecology at Stroudsburg High School.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Kimberly Blaker

Suzanne McCool

1757 GEORGE EBERT’S ADVENTURE By John L. Moore Photos courtesy of John L. Moore

> S ixteen-year-old George Ebert crossed the Blue Mountain at Wind Gap as part of a relief party going to aid Smithfield Township settlers following an Indian attack in April 1757.

s 16-year-old George Ebert headed north across the Blue Mountain at Wind Gap on May 2, 1757, he and his companions – “18 armed men” – intended to help settlers that Indians had raided in Monroe County the previous week. A farm boy, Ebert said later that the relief party “went with two wagons from Plainfield Township to assist the inhabitants of Lower Smithfield, who had a few days before been attacked by the enemy Indians.” It’s doubtful that Ebert anticipated that the Indians would capture him. But they did and forced him to walk nearly 150 miles – from the Poconos to a Native American town on the Chemung River near present-day Elmira, New York. As Ebert’s story illustrates, life in the Poconos was dangerous during the late 1750s, a time that England and France were fighting the French and Indian War. French military officers at Fort Niagara

on Lake Ontario and at Fort DuQuesne at present-day Pittsburgh encouraged their Native American allies to attack the frontier settlements of Pennsylvania and the other English colonies. The events that led to Ebert’s misadventure began in mid-April when a Monroe County farmer, Philip Bozart, stopped at Fort Norris, a frontier fort near present-day Kresgeville. The fort was one of four posts (Fort Hamilton was another) that Pennsylvania soldiers commanded by Benjamin Franklin had built in early 1756 to protect the region. Bozart’s farm was about 12 miles east of Fort Norris, along the road (today’s Route 209) that led to Fort Hamilton in present-day Stroudsburg. While visiting Fort Norris, Bozart learned that Major William Parsons of the Pennsylvania Regiment had warned “the garrison … that some enemy Indians intended shortly to come and attack the inhabitants …” DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 7

> I ndian warriors led George Ebert and other captives past the confluence of the Chemung River and the Susquehanna River’s North Branch south of Athens, Pa. Athens is more than 120 miles northwest of Stroudsburg. The Chemung is visible in the upper section of the photo.

The major’s warning proved to be timely. On April 20, Indians killed 17-year-old Andreas Gundryman who lived close to Fort Hamilton. He had taken two horses and a sleigh to fetch fire wood about 300 yards from his house.

News of the attack spread through the Poconos, terrifying the settlers. It prompted Bozart, who had a large and wellconstructed house, to invite neighboring families to move in with him until the danger had passed.

Suddenly two gunshots rang out. One of the soldiers at the fort, Conrad Friedenberg, “ran immediately upon hearing the firing towards the place where Andreas was gone for the firewood,” John Williamson reported later. Williamson lived near the fort and had also heard the shooting.

Bozart’s neighbors readily accepted the invitation. One was Michael Roup, a Lower Smithfield Township man who lived about half a mile away. Roup said later that “he immediately returned home and loaded his wagon as fast as he could with his most valuable effects, which he carried to Bozart's house.”

“News of the attack spread through the Poconos, terrifying the settlers” Some of the soldiers and neighbors heard the boy cry out and watched him “run down the hill towards the fort,” but the Indians chasing him ran faster and killed him with their tomahawks. They scalped him and ran off before rescuers could reach him, Williamson said. 8 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Roup added that “as soon as he had unloaded his wagon, he drove to his son-in-law Peter Soan's house, about two miles (away), and loaded as much of his effects as the time and hurry would admit, and took them also to Bozart's, where nine families were retired.” On the morning of April 23, Soan and Christian Klein, who was also staying at Bozart’s, ventured out to go to their respective houses “to look after their cattle and to bring off more effects.”

Klein's daughter was missing. She was still missing on the morning of May 2 when George Ebert and his companions crossed the mountain at Wind Gap from Plainfield Township, which lies on the southern side of Blue Mountain. The relief party traveled north of the mountain and by noon “came to the house of Conrad Bittenbender, who lived about a mile away from the Bozart farm. Many of Bittenbender’s neighbors had temporarily moved in. “Here one of the wagons with about 10 men … halted to load their wagon with the poor people's effects,” Ebert said. The 10 included Ebert. The rest of the company took the second wagon to Bozart’s house. When the wagon had been loaded at Bittenbender’s house, Ebert joined Bittenbender and six other men who went looking for horses that belonged to Bittenbender and his neighbors. They “went about two miles into the woods to seek the … horses, whereof they found six,” Ebert said. The men had led the horses to “within half a mile of Bittenbender's house” when suddenly “15 French Indians … fired upon them,” Ebert said. Bittenbender and two others – Jacob Both, and John Nolf – were killed.

For some reason, Klein had his daughter, a girl of about 13, accompany them. The Kleins and Soan had been gone about half an hour when another settler staying at Bozart’s, George Hartlieb, returned from his homestead – “about a mile from Soan's.” Hartlieb reported “that he had heard three guns fired very quick, one after the other, towards Soan's place.” The settlers feared that hostile Indians had killed Soan and the Kleins, but they “were afraid to … go and see what had happened that day, as they had many women and children to take care of, who if they had left might have fallen an easy prey to the enemy,” Roup said In the morning, “nine men of the neighborhood armed themselves as well as they could and went towards Peter Soan's place … When they came within about 300 yards of the house, they found the bodies of … Soan and Klein lying about 20 feet from each other, killed and scalped,” Roup reported.

“When they came within about 300 yards of the house, they found the bodies of Soan and Klein lying about 20 feet from each other, killed and scalped.” The war party quickly captured Ebert, who had survived the attack without injury, and Peter Sheaffer, who had been shot in an arm and shoulder. Once the shooting stopped, the Indians lost little time in leaving the area. “They set off immediately with their prisoners,” Ebert said. He added that the warriors “frequently talked French together.” It’s likely that when the warriors left the Poconos, they took the Pechoquealin Path, a well-used native trail that passed through from Stroudsburg, Tannersville, and Pocono Pines as it headed toward the Susquehanna River’s North Branch at Wilkes-Barre. When the Indians stopped for the night, they tied Ebert and Sheaffer so they couldn’t escape while the warriors slept. DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 9

> A rchaeology students excavated the site of Fort Hamilton in Stroudsburg during the summer of 2019. The dig was conducted by Dr. Jonathan Burns of Juniata College.

Late the next day, the war party ” fell in with another company of about 24 Indians,” Ebert said. These Indians had three prisoners, who included a young man named Abraham Miller. When they reached the Susquehanna, the travelers headed north along the Great Warriors Path that followed the river to presentday Athens, a locale that the Indians called Tioga. At Tioga, the Chemung River flows into the North Branch. “At this place the Indians separated,” Ebert said. Eight warriors took Ebert and Abraham Miller with them. They may have traveled up the Chemung and into what has since become New York State. As Ebert reported, “A day's journey beyond Tioga, they came to some French Indian cabins.” As they traveled, Ebert and Miller encountered two girls who had been abducted during previous raids. Near Tioga, “they saw Klein's daughter, who had been taken prisoner about a week before ...”

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At the French cabins, the captives “saw another prisoner, a girl about eight or nine years old.” She said “that she had been a prisoner ever since Christmas,” Ebert said. She added “that her name was Catharine Yager, that her father was a locksmith and lived at Allemangel,” a region that included sections of northern Berks and Lehigh counties.

When they reached the Susquehanna, the travelers headed north along the Great Warriors Path that followed the river to present-day Athens, a locale that the Indians called Tioga. After dark, as the warriors prepared to turn in, they “loosed the prisoners … who they had bound every night before,” Ebert said. As the warriors slept, Miller and Ebert, “… finding themselves at liberty, … made their escape in the night, and the next day afternoon, they came to French Margaret's at Tioga, having been prisoners nine days.”

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> 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. French Margaret was the niece of a well-known colonial interpreter, Madam Montour, according to the late historian Paul Wallace. Montour’s father was a Frenchman, and her mother was an Algonquin Indian. Writing in “Indians in Pennsylvania,” Wallace said that French Margaret married an Iroquois chief named Katarionegha. By 1755, Margaret and her husband were living along the Chemung, near Elmira, Wallace reported. If Ebert’s account is correct, French Margaret had moved down the Chemung to Tioga by May 1757. When her cousin, interpreter and scout Andrew Montour, passed through Tioga in 1756, he found the Indians there living in 50 cabins. Margaret welcomed the young fugitives, and Miller and Ebert stayed with her about four weeks, “during all which time she concealed them and supported them.” But when “some French Indians came in search of the prisoners,” Margaret told Ebert and Miller that “it was not safe for them to stay longer, and advised them to make the best of their way homewards.” Although Ebert reported that he and Miller took Margaret’s advice and went down the North Branch “by water,” he didn’t

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> M otorists who drive along Route 209 between Shawnee on Delaware and Lehighton are using the modern version of The Pohopoco Path, an Indian trail that ran between the Delaware and Lehigh Rivers. Fort Hamilton was built along this trail, as were Forts Norris near Kresgeville and Fort Allen at Weissport. When Europeans settled above the Blue Mountain, they widened the path so that horse-drawn wagons could use it. The map is from Paul Wallace’s 1971 book, “Indian Paths of Pennsylvania.”

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say whether they used a dugout log canoe or a raft. Traveling the 80 miles between Tioga and Wyoming (present-day Wilkes-Barre) took three days.

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Ebert reported that Indians they met at Wyoming had given them directions to Fort Allen, an important Pennsylvania post at Weissport, “but they missed their way and came the road to Fort Hamilton, where they arrived” in mid-June. Ebert’s account makes it clear that the Indians told them to take the Lehigh Path, a well-used trail that ran south from Wilkes-Barre through present-day Mountaintop, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton. Lehighton was just across the Lehigh River from Fort Allen. But Ebert and Miller likely followed the Pechoquealin Path, which led from Wilkes-Barre to Pocono Pines, Tannersville and Stroudsburg. Fort Hamilton stood along this trail just east of Pocono Creek.

Ebert’s account makes it clear that the Indians told them to take the Lehigh Path, a well-used trail that ran south from Wilkes-Barre through present-day Mountaintop, Jim Thorpe and Lehighton. It was mid-June by the time Ebert returned to his family’s farm in Plainfield Township. By June 27, 1757, Ebert had sufficiently recovered from his ordeal to travel to Easton to see Major Parsons. The major, who was also a justice of the peace, interviewed him at length, then took a detailed statement of the lad’s experiences. Parsons forwarded Ebert’s statement to colonial officials in Philadelphia who included it in the Pennsylvania colony’s official records for 1757. Among many other things, the document noted that as Ebert and Miller hurried back to Pennsylvania, “all the Indians at … Tioga” and all along the North Branch south of Tioga “were very kind to them, and helped and directed them on their way.” It also reported that at Tioga, Ebert had lost track of Peter Sheaffer, the man who had been captured with Ebert, and that Klein’s daughter was still with the Indians when Ebert last saw her. 

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay

WEATHERING THE COLD AND ELEMENTS: A WINTER SAFETY GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY By Kimberly Blaker

very year 25,000 kids under the age of 15 are treated for sledding related injuries, according to Mayo Clinic. A U.S. emergency room analysis reveals an alarming 9% result in traumatic brain injuries. But these aren't the only dangers associated with winter. Travel, snow removal, heating, and even walking pose risks to kids and adults alike. Whether you live in a cold climate or plan to travel to one, the following tips will reduce yours and your family's risk of injury.

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 WINTER PLAY  SLEDDING

This favorite winter activity can result in injuries from falls, collisions, or loss of control. So abide by these rules. • Dress in layers with waterproof outerwear. • Make sure sledding equipment is in good condition. • Don't sled in frigid temperatures or wind chills. • Never sled toward railroad tracks, roads, parking lots, or bodies of water. • Stick to gradual hills with plenty of runoff.

• Look for trees, signs, rocks, and other sledders before taking off. • Never sled on icy surfaces or when visibility is poor. • Never stand or go down headfirst, and keep clothing, arms, and legs within the sled. • If you stop or fall, quickly move out of others’ way. • Never sled behind or be pulled by a vehicle. • Supervise children under twelve, and ride along if they're under five.

ICE RECREATION

Frozen lakes and ponds are a big winter temptation. So follow these rules. • Never skate or walk on ice less than 4” thick and that an adult hasn't approved. • Never go on ice alone. • If ice skating, follow the same direction of other skaters and don't cut directly in front of someone. • Make sure ice skates are neither too tight nor too loose. Blades should be sharpened and clean. • When playing hockey, wear a face mask, helmet, and pads. • If a child or adult falls through thin ice, don't attempt to pull them out because you could also fall through. If the ice is thick enough, have the person try to crawl out by reaching their arms across the ice while kicking for momentum. If that doesn't work, quickly go for help.

SNOWMOBILES, SNOWBOARDING, AND SKIING

These activities pose the risk of fractures, abdominal injuries, and even death. So follow these safety guidelines. • Get basic instruction from a professional on how to prevent and break falls before skiing or snowboarding. • Check that boots and bindings fit properly, and all equipment is in good condition. • Wear helmets, goggles, and waterproof outerwear. • Never go on slopes alone. Make sure they’re approved for the specific activity, and only go on those for which you have adequate experience. • Don't allow children under sixteen to drive snowmobiles.

 BATTLING THE ELEMENTS  WALKING IN WINTER COLD AND ELEMENTS

Kids should wear hats, mittens, scarves, waterproof boots, and bright or reflective (but not white) outerwear when they go outdoors. Also, inform kids: • If under ten, don’t cross streets alone in slippery conditions. • Walk on sidewalks when possible. If snow and ice make

he author was born in N.Y.C, He lived and was educated in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

at private schools, including military academies and Columbia University. Before the age of 10, he had traveled throughout most of Europe with his father and grandfather. After his military service in Vietnam and Europe he continued traveling around the world. His professional career in the Optical industry included a Far East trade mission, to South America, and Europe, with the U.S Department of Commerce. This global travel has given him a unique view of life and the world we live in. However, it was his Grandfather’s home in a small Pennsylvania Valley in the Pocono Mountains that imprinted his soul and spirit. For many years, he with his large family and friends would enjoy his most endearing and memorable times there. While serving in Vietnam during his darkest moments, it was the images of the peaceful valley in Pennsylvania that would sustain him, and inspire his writing. The charm and natural surroundings of the forest and beautiful lake that the home abutted was never to be forgotten. He also utilizes his expertise as a former wine broker to skillfully weave that knowledge into his story. But it’s the author’s deep respect for the American Veteran, love of God and Country that is his greatest inspiration.

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 15

sidewalks impassible, walk on the street close to the curb and against traffic. • Don’t wear anything that hinders vision or hearing when walking on or crossing streets. Also, never cross roads until cars are at a complete stop.

WINTER DRIVING AND TRAVEL

Snow-covered and icy roads drastically increase the risk of an accident or getting stranded. Automobiles also lead to thousands of carbon monoxide poisonings during the winter months. More than 200 deaths each year from auto-related carbon monoxide poisonings according to the Centers for Disease Control. Here's how to play it safe. Have your vehicle tuned up and the following items inspected before winter arrives: brakes, tire tread, battery, antifreeze, lights and signals, wiper blades, spare tire, heater, and defroster. Also, always keep your gas tank at least half full. Be prepared for the unexpected. Keep extra hats, mittens, scarves, boots, chemical hand warmers, additional layers of clothing, and blankets in your vehicle to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Also, keep flares or reflectors, repair tools, flashlight, batteries, shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, towrope or chain, and a fire extinguisher in your vehicle. For distant 16 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

travel or heading outside populated areas, bring drinking water, food, and medications on hand in case of an extended wait. Take a cell phone for emergency use, and know how to speed dial 911 from the phone. Put sandbags in your trunk for better handling on snow and ice. Add 75 to 150 pounds, depending on vehicle size. Don’t lower your tire pressure. This can make handling difficult and cause additional wear on tires. Pay attention to weather reports. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, if your vehicle is parked in the open, make sure snow hasn’t built up in or around the exhaust. Don't drive in winter storms unless necessary. If you do, drive slowly. Also, tell someone your travel plans, including your route and estimated travel time. Never sit in a parked car that’s running unless a window is open or leave your vehicle running in a garage. Don't slam on your breaks on ice or snow. Slow down early. If you do not have an automatic brake system (ABS), pump the brakes to prevent skidding.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Be prepared for the unexpected. Keep extra hats, mittens, scarves, boots, chemical hand warmers, additional layers of clothing, and blankets in your vehicle to prevent frostbite and hypothermia.

If you get stuck in the snow, try to rock your vehicle out. Shift back and forth between forward and reverse. Make sure your wheels come to a complete stop before shifting. Also, never floor the gas on snow or ice. If your car skids, take your foot off the gas and steer in the direction you're sliding. Then once your car begins to straighten out, slowly steer in the direction you need to go.

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SHOP LOCAL .

If you get stranded, put warning devices in front and back of your car. Layer on clothing and blankets to keep warm. Then run your vehicle only periodically for heat, and open a window while it's running. Don't leave your car unless there's an occupied home or business within sight.

BLIZZARDS AND OTHER WINTER STORMS

Prepare in advance for power outages and snow-ins. Have a generator with plenty of fuel or another backup heating method. Keep a supply of non-perishable food that doesn't require cooking. Also, have a supply of essential medicines, drinking water, first aid, flashlights and batteries, firewood and matches, extra blankets, and other everyday necessities. Dress in layers and cover up with blankets if room temperature can't be maintained. If the room temperature drops below 65 degrees, babies and the elderly should stay somewhere else.

SNOW REMOVAL

Snowblowers result in 1,000 amputations, and 5,300 emergency room visits annually, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A study of 30,000 snowblower injuries by Dr. Bart Hammig, a researcher at the University of Arkansas found a primary cause of the injuries. When snow blowers become clogged, people often stick their hand into the chute to dislodge the snow. Even when the snowblower power is turned off, there is enough rotational force that once the snow or debris is removed, the blade can do a quarter to half turn. • Don't allow kids to run snow blowers. • Never clean clogged snow from the blower with your hand. Turn off the power, let it sit for a minute, then use a broom handle or similar object to loosen snow. • Don't add fuel to a snowblower while it's hot. • Shoveling and pushing snow blowers is strenuous. If you have a history of heart trouble, don’t remove snow yourself without your doctor’s consent. • Never leave a running snow blower unattended.

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DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 17

• Make sure animals and young children are out of the way before engaging the blower. • When shoveling, push snow forward instead of lifting. If lifting is necessary, shovel small amounts and use your legs rather than your back to lift.

 KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING  HEATING

All heating elements pose dangers to your family. To keep them safe: • Don't leave children or pets unsupervised around space heaters. Also, keep space heaters three feet from anything that could catch fire, such as clothing or furniture. • Get an annual furnace inspection and tune-up. • Clean and inspect your fireplace chimney and flues annually. Never burn treated wood, pine branches, or paper, and keep fires covered with a screen. • When using kerosene heaters, ventilate your home by cracking a window. Only use the recommended fuel and not gasoline, which can cause an explosion.

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, clumsiness, numbness, a glassy stare, loss of memory or ability to use reason, and loss of consciousness.

• Don’t use an oven or range to heat your home even for brief periods.

CARBON MONOXIDE AND SMOKE ALARMS

Protect your family from carbon monoxide poisoning and fire by installing carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors on each floor and near bedrooms. Signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue. If you experience these symptoms without explanation, get fresh air, and seek medical help. If your CO alarm goes off, head for fresh air and call 911.

 AFTER THE COLD HAS SET IN  FROSTBITE

Frostnip and frostbite occur when limbs or skin is exposed to the cold for too long. Severe cases of frostbite can lead to amputation. According to the American Red Cross, signs include numbness or white, yellow, blue, flushed, or waxy appearing skin. To prevent frostbite: • Layer clothing, including thermal underwear and waterproof outerwear.

• Don’t allow kids to play outside for long periods. Have them occasionally warm up inside by removing outerwear, replacing damp clothing, and drinking hot cocoa. • Pay attention to the wind chill factor. • If possible, keep infants inside when temperatures or wind chill falls below 40 degrees. If frostbite occurs, don't rub it. Soak the area in warm water (99 to 104 degrees F). The water temperature shouldn't be uncomfortable for a person without frostbite. Don't use high heat sources such as a furnace or fireplace, which can damage frozen tissue. When the skin warms and appears red, bandage it with loose sterile gauze, and separate toes and fingers with cotton. If blisters appear, don't break them. Then contact your doctor or visit an emergency room.

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HYPOTHERMIA

More than 700 deaths result annually from hypothermia, according to the CDC. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature cools and can even happen in poorly heated homes. To prevent hypothermia, dress for the weather, and avoid being the cold for extended periods.

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If you become stranded in cold weather, sleep when necessary, but only briefly. Eat just before falling asleep, and avoid medications that cause drowsiness. Stretch and move about occasionally, but don’t do activities that could cause even a light sweat. Signs of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, clumsiness, numbness, a glassy stare, loss of memory or ability to use reason, and loss of consciousness. If you or someone you're with experiences these symptoms, call for emergency help. Then warm the body gradually to prevent heart problems. If the victim’s clothing is damp, remove it. Wrap the victim in blankets or warm, dry clothing, and get them to a warm place. Use heating pads (with a towel or blanket between the heating pad and body), hot water bottles, or chemical packs. Don’t place the victim in warm water since this could cause rapid warming. If no heat source is available, remove the victim's clothing and have two other unclothed people wrap in a blanket or sleeping bag with the victim. Don’t rub the victim, and keep their movement to a minimum. Warm beverages, excluding alcohol, can also help warm a conscious victim. Finally, save this winter safety guide, and review it annually to keep you and your family safe the winter through. 

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DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 19

SKIING AND RIDING IN THE POCONOS Courtesy Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau ~ 800POCONOS.COM

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BLUE MOUNTAIN SKI AREA

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Ski or Ride PA’s highest vertical with 37 trails (3 new for this year including Glade skiing and a children’s learning trail)! Blue has the regions only BigAirBag (a huge air-filled pad cushions the landing for aerial maneuvers) and six and four passenger high speed lifts. Five awesome terrain parks for all abilities. 21 tubing slides. Groups welcome. 1660 Blue Mountain Dr., Palmerton, PA 18071 ~ 610-825-7700 Web Site: skibluemt.com ~ Email: information@skibluemt.com

20 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

CAMELBACK MOUNTAIN RESORT 15 LIFTS ~ 34 TRAILS ~ VERTICLE 800’

Two high speed quads, only halfpipe in area; 100% snowmaking. 100% Night Skiing; two terrain parks. Groups welcome. Snow tubing with single and double tubes. One Camelback Road, Tannersville, PA 18372 ~ 570-629-1661 Web Site: skicamelback.com Email: sales@camelback.com

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22 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

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SHAWNEE MOUNTAIN

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SKI BIG BEAR

6 LIFTS ~ 18 TRAILS ~ VERTICLE 650’ Make memories at Ski big Bear at Masthope Mountain. Offering skiing, snowboarding and tubing. On-site rental shop and lessons available. Eighteen trails, six lifts, terrain park and 100% snowmaking makes sure there is something for the whole family to enjoy. HC 1 – 1A353, 192 Karl Hope Blvd., Lackawaxen, PA 18435 570-685-1400 ~ (Snow Report and Phone Number) Web Site: ski-bigbear.com Email: bigbear@Ltis.net

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 23

> J ohn Muir at Yosemite

24 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

THE STORY OF JOHN MUIR; A FARSIGHTED CONSERVATIONIST By Marie Liu

scaping from the relentless hardships of his youth at the hands of his Scottish father’s strict religious authoritarianism, John Muir took to nature and found his own salvation in its divine and perfect order. Born again through connection with nature, free from religious orthodoxy, family pressure and social morays, he would spend solitary years living in the wilds of California. He would ultimately become a foremost advocate for saving what had fed his soul, but would find himself at odds with the prevailing trend in the age of industrialization – the Gilded Age.

“The wedges of development, are being driven hard and none of the obstacles or defenses of nature can long withstand the onset of this immeasurable industry.” He came to believe, after witnessing destruction of pristine natural areas and waterways by prospecting, mining, lumbering, cattle grazing, industrialization and a overall lack of regard for nature, that government must be given the responsibility of setting aside national parks, forests and wildlife sanctuaries for our own good, for we cannot live without the forces, creatures, plants and resources of the natural world. Needing to understand the delicate dynamics of the natural world with an eye to protecting it, we are ensuring our own physical and spiritual wellbeing and future. As one example, deforestation leads to soil erosion, leading to suffocation of waterways and its aquatic life, which in turn adversely affects human water and

food supply. The bottom line being that the natural world has no need for us, yet we absolutely need it for our survival, so we must learn to adapt ourselves to its laws. An idea that was new and not surprisingly so, as mankind had come so far with its technology and mastery of the environment. Muir and others would warn before it was too late. “One must start by resolving to conserve the natural world for the sake of human beings and other forms of life. Conservation offered both an economic and aesthetic program of social reform – learning to use natural resources more carefully, for long-term renewability, and learning to preserve wild places where humans could go to learn about how nature constructs harmony.” Donald Worster ‘The Life of John Muir’. Yet Muir also saw the value of nature as more than sustaining our physical survival, he believed the natural world provided humans with a spiritual connection to the great creator. After years of living a solitary life in the Sierras of California and becoming intimately knowledgeable of the Yosemite Valley, he began writing about it and advocate for its protection. He believed it was Gods cathedral and in these places the public could receive great spiritual benefit and relief from the soul killing effect of civilization’s drive to achieve and dominate. Riding on the current of the burgeoning environmental awareness inspired by writers such as Thoreau, Emerson and James Fenimore Cooper, and the painters of the Hudson River School such as Cole, Church and Bierstadt, he added his powerful and unique voice to an environmental movement that would help bring balance to unheeded industrialization and create one of Americans greatest original ideas - our national parks. DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 25

> Yosemite Valley by Albert Bierstadt

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, overcivilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.”

In 1864, some politicians were heeding the call to protect wild areas. California Senator John Conness sponsored an act to transfer Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove to the state to protect them from commercial development. President Abraham Lincoln signed this act on the condition that they would be held for public use, resort and recreation for all time. This was the first instance of park land being set aside specifically for preservation and public use by action of the U.S. federal government and set a precedent for the 1872 creation of Yellowstone National Park. Located in Wyoming Territory, rather than a state, it becomes Americas first national park.

Wilkes Barre Pennsylvania native-born, George Catlin, (b. 1796) is credited with the idea. A lawyer, artists and author, he frequently traveled to the mid-west in the 1830’s to live amongst, study and paint images of Indian tribes. Becoming concerned by the destruction of the Indian civilization, wildlife, and wilderness as settlements spread westward, he wrote "by some great protecting policy of government...a nation's park, containing man and beast, in all the wildness and freshness of nature's beauty!" Ahead of its time, his idea would not gain traction for many years, but worth mentioning for us readers here in the Poconos.

Muir would become an author whose descriptions of Yosemite’s mountains, valley, flora and fauna, waterfalls and waterways would be pivotal in the efforts to preserve it as a national park. Although not a formally trained scientist, he exhibited a strong intellect and a passion for nature at a young age. His ingenious boyhood inventions garnered attention at the Wisconsin State Fair and led to his enrollment at the University of Wisconsin where he would be introduced to the natural sciences. He would not earn a degree, leaving after only two years. Wandering for years and trekking many hundreds of miles, nature and the world became his teacher. In 1868 he arrived in San Francisco

26 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

> Yosemite by Albert Bierstadt

and walked all the way to the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Enthralled by the dramatic features and pristine beauty, it became his spiritual home. Spending 4 years there, much of it alone, he allowed his curious mind to lead him through flower laden meadows, scaling mountains, following canyon rivers to their source, studying groves of giant sequoia. Driven by curiosity, his only plan was to intimately know everything about the Yosemite Valley and mountainous region which he loved. Whether climbing mountains or reveling over wildflowers, Muir was obsessed with nature and natural history. Wherever he wandered he collected samples, wrote notes and sketched pictures in his journal about the types of plants, trees, wildlife and scenery he found. These notes would serve him in the future when he was compelled to write of this unique habitat and advocate for its conservation. Published in popular periodicals such as Harper’s, Scribner’s and Century magazines, Boston’s Atlantic Monthly, San Francisco’s Uplands Monthly and Evening Bulletin, these articles would introduce the whole country to this unique place and similarly unique person, both forged by tremendous forces that created otherworldly beauty. Curiosity in the forces that formed the magnificent granite structures, sculpted precipices and spired peaks surrounding the

valley, he took notice of the polished rock surfaces and stratified markings, glacial moraines and erratic boulders. Clues which led Muir to believe that slow moving glaciers sculpted the valley rather than earthquakes, which was the prevailing theory. In 1871, Muir discovered an active glacier in the high-mountain ice fields, which helped his theory gain acceptance. Often alone in these remote areas of the backcountry, Muir explored and climbed these glacial remains, planting stakes to measure their yearly movement. He published his first essay on the subject in Horace Greeley’s New York Daily Tribune, titled “Yosemite Glaciers”. His magazine series “Studies in the Sierra” laid out the mechanics in greater detail. He and his theory received much criticism from many geologists until this theory was eventually proven. His intrigue with glaciers would become a lifelong passion, traveling far and wide to study them. Although never to completely leave, after four years Muir descends from his mountain temple to live in the San Francisco area and begin his writing in earnest, at the urging of many, including lifelong friend Jeanne Carr and the kindred Ralph Waldo Emerson. Although he found writing laborious and tedious, he understood that his knowledge and message was too important to keep only to himself. Little did he know how large an impact his writing would make on the world one day. DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 27

> Yosemite Valley from Tunnel Esplanade By Randell FitzGerald

DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© 29

> Yosemite by Randell FitzGerald Regardless of his wandering lifestyle, Muir marries Louisa Strentzel in 1880. A match orchestrated by Jeanne Carr who saw in ‘Louie’ the perfect match for the forty two year old wandering bachelor. Although Muir was determined to manage the large Strentzel family estate of orchards and vineyards in the Alhambra Valley of Martinez, California and devote himself to his new responsibilities as husband and father to his daughters Wanda and Helen, his wife Louie accepted (but not without worry) his need for exploration and immersion in the wildest places. Unable to be contented with society life he often sojourned back to the wilderness for weeks or months at a time, urging others do the same for “Nature’s rest time”.

“Coming down from the mountains to men I always feel out of place. I am always glad to touch the living rock again and dip my head in high mountain sky.”

30 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

A decade of managing the orchards and business was taking its toll on John’s spirit and health. His health would often deteriorate when confined and miraculously improve when he returned to wild nature. Wanting to free himself to return to his wilderness exploration and efforts to save it, he steps away from the daily management of the farm, employing several of his siblings for those responsibilities and selling or leasing parts of the vast 800-acre farm. In 1879 he had begun to explore the northern reaches of the continent, making a total of 7 trips to Alaska, one going as far as the Arctic. He explored the vast glacial landscape in order to further understand these forces, studied the plant life and the indigenous cultures, sending dispatches back to the San Francisco’s Evening Bulletin newspaper. John’s discovery of a glacier in Alaska was memorialized by its naming - Muir’s Glacier. In 1899 Muir returns to Alaska for the last time with the Harriman Scientific Expedition with railroad magnate E. H. Harriman and a large interdisciplinary team which included naturalist John Burroughs, geologist Henry Gannett and biologist C. Hart Marriam. Muir and Harriman developed an unexpectedly strong friendship and Harriman would be

> Cathedral Rocks by Randell FitzGerald instrumental in helping Muir in his future efforts to lobby for preserved public lands. Visitors to the Yosemite Valley often included scientists, artists, and celebrities, many of whom requested a meeting with Muir. In 1889 Muir (who had not been back to the valley for some years) camped with Robert Underwood Johnson, editor of the influential Century magazine, in the Sierra high country Tuolumne Meadows. But not before staying briefly in the Yosemite Valley where both men were disturbed by the shoddy over-commercialization which the state-appointed Yosemite Commission had allowed. Johnson would write, “The treatment of the floor of the valley should have been put in the hands of the very best experts to preserve and enhance the composition, unity and natural charm…” but sadly that was not the case. California attorney George McKenzie would also write of

that situation, “There are places in the valley where one is forced to wonder why the axes themselves did not turn and smite the men who were putting them to such base uses.”

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> T heodore Roosevelt and John Muir at Yosemite by an unknown artist During this fated camping trip, Muir and the influential Johnson devised a plan to create a 1,200 square-mile Yosemite National Park. The following year the proposal passed Congress and President Benjamin Harrison signed it, creating Americas second national park. But Yosemite National Park would have a curious hole in the middle of it, the valley itself, which would remain in state hands for sixteen more years. As luck would have it, when Theodore Roosevelt became President, conservation became the first order of business in Washington D.C. An avid outdoorsman, Teddy requested a wilderness trip in 1903 with Muir to help him understand the western wilderness. On this trip the President was convinced by Muir that both Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove should be placed under federal protection and unified with Yosemite National Park, to guard against further degradation and preserve California’s public and agricultural water supply. During the winter of 1905 Muir campaigned hard for the placement of Yosemite Valley into federal hands, testifying before California legislature and the US Legislature. In 1906 Congress passed a bill making the valley part of Yosemite National Park. 32 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Further spurred by Johnson, an organization of naturalists and scientists would be created to oversee the management, advise and advocate for the federal park’s role in managing land holdings. In 1892 the Sierra Club was established and Muir elected its president, a position he would hold for the rest of his life. This would increase his ability to influence politicians, government policy, and public opinion, served by his wellplaced and timely articles. In his later years, Muir would use his considerable voice and well-deserved influence to help preserve many other areas in the west – Kings Canyon, Glacier Bay, Petrified Forest National Monument, Sequoia National Park, Mount Rainier National Park. His writings and letters were frequently published in books (many after his death) inspiring countless artists, explorers, environmentalists and politicians for generations. Until his death in 1914, he continued his lifelong passion of traveling and studying the botany and glaciology around the world, going to South America, Europe, Africa, Russia, China, India, Egypt, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the Philippines.

> Drawing of King’s Canyon by John Muir

> John Muir He had become a renowned naturalist, his name and reputation known world-wide as a prophet who preached the gospel of the natural world. A life’s journey that had led him from obscurity to international acclaim, an austere simple life to one of wealth and comfort, a farmer’s son who received honorary degrees from Yale, Harvard and University of Wisconsin, from seeking solitude to keeping company with the country’s most influential, yet all the while keeping his sights on his main objective, to prevent America from destroying its natural treasures. Today he is known as the ‘Father of the National Parks’ because of his lifelong advocacy. His legacy, The Sierra Club, continues his work as one of the world’s leading environmental organizations with nearly 4 million members. Americas love affair with its national parks is proof of his vision and wisdom. 

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DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 33

THE VAN CAMPEN INN;

REMEMBERED BY THOSE WHO ONCE LIVED THERE.

By Jamie Bowman Marra Photos courtesy of Marie Liu

ust across the Delaware River in Walpack, New Jersey, lies the Van Campen Inn. Originally constructed in the 1740s, the Van Campen Inn underwent an extensive restoration in 1984. According to Donald Stieh, President of the Walpack Historical Society, the Inn is believed to be the oldest building in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. “It's important to present history as something more than just what you read in books. It’s something that you can see and touch and get the true sense of its importance,” explains Stieh, noting the importance of preserving the Inn.

34 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Despite its name, the Van Campen Inn functioned as a residence, with numerous farming families and even historical figures calling it home over the years. Of course, one of the best ways to learn about history is from those who experienced it firsthand. Keith Utter is one of those people, with the Van Campen Inn being his first home at birth. Utter’s family lived and farmed at the Inn for several years. “A lot of farmers in those days, especially after the depression, rented farms,” Utter notes, and farm life was tough. But perhaps even more challenging was the Flood of 1955. Utter recalls stories told by his parents of the

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floodwaters rising to the front steps of the Inn. Fortunately, the house remained unscathed and was able to serve as a place of refuge for cottagers living along the Delaware. At four years old, Donald Stieh was one of those cottagers whose family headed to the Inn for shelter. With part of the road washed out, Utter’s father traveled to the Walpack Store by bulldozer to secure provisions for his family and their new guests. Years later, the Van Campen Inn continues to hold a special place in the hearts and minds of its former residents, and

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36 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Susan Cooper, owner of the Village Farmer & Bakery in Delaware Water Gap, is no different. “My experience was wonder,” she remarks, as she reminisces about days spent outdoors and the intricacies of the Inn. From hand-carved cabinets to the kitchen’s fireplace, one of Cooper’s favorite spots, the Inn is still full of traditional touches that the National Park Service has worked hard to preserve. Even the andirons from the fireplace are originals from Cooper’s time at the Inn, as her father saved and returned them to the Park Service upon its restoration.

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“It’s important to present history as something more than just what you read in books. It’s something that you can see and touch and get the true sense of its importance.” For Jim and Helen Price, winters at the Van Campen Inn were especially challenging. The Inn was drafty and nearly impossible to heat, with the Prices burning 17 tons of coal from 1951-1952. Price reminisces about a year when the Christmas tree stayed up until March, the needles preserved by the chill of the living room. Nonetheless, the experience of living at the Inn was memorable. And even then, the Inn was a place of interest, with the Historical Society bringing groups for tours. Today, visitors continue to tour the Van Campen Inn, and the Walpack Historical Society hosts “Van Campen Day” every October. In addition to tours of the Inn and surrounding area, reenactments also take place to transport visitors back in time. While this year’s Van Campen Day was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Historical Society looks forward to continuing the tradition once it is safe to do so. In the meantime, check out A Place Called Home...A History of the Van Campen Inn and the Families who Lived There by Arlene Aust Hutson and Robert L. Williams. Its pages are filled with the rich history and personal accounts of days past at the Van Campen Inn. 

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WILDLIFE FRIENDS AND FOES By Katherine Uhler Photos by Marlana Holsten

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

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“First, remember that the animals were here before we were. They do not understand, nor need to understand our concept of ‘property’”. First, remember that the animals were here before we were. They do not understand, nor need to understand our concept of “property”. Animals live where all their needs are met including access, food, water, shelter, and privacy. Examples of some of these places can include inside your chimney, attic, garage, or under your deck or shed. Animals should never be allowed entry to chimneys, garages or attics. Some can present a danger to wiring (and cause a fire), or damage the home, as well as serving as a possible vector of disease to humans. Creatures living under a deck or shed may be acceptable, in which case, no action needs to be taken.

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PREVENTING WILDLIFE ENTRY INTO A HOME

The first line of defense against wildlife home invasion is to inspect the outside of the house each and every year, preferably in the autumn. Every gap or hole that can be found in roof, soffets, eaves, and foundation should be filled. Look for signs, such as teeth or claw marks to determine if entry has been made. Any cracks or small holes should be filled to prevent animals from enlarging them to gain entry. If the residence has an attic, go inside during a bright sunny day and cover any windows with very dark paper or towels. Look for any spots where you can see light and seal these with expanding foam or steel wool. Do this ONLY if the residence is not currently inhabited by bats or other wildlife. Be sure the dryer vent has a cover that opens only when the dryer is in use. The chimney should have a secure-fitting metal cap, which can be purchased at any hardware store. 40 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

If animals are not currently living under the deck or shed, and are not welcome, dig a trench around the shed or deck and staple wire fencing to the deck down to the ground. Bend the fencing to make an “L” shape outward from the ground away from the deck so that digging creatures cannot enter, and cover this with soil. Be sure all trees have been trimmed back away from the house to prevent squirrels and raccoons from climbing onto the roof and gaining entry. From “The Family Handyman” September 2000

REMOVING ANIMALS FROM A HOME

It was stated before that all animals need food, water, shelter, and privacy/safety. Removing any of these should make the place they have chosen less comfortable and they should leave.

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“First, remember that the animals were here before we were.” My favorite means of removing wildlife is to reduce their perception of privacy. Light and sound make an area uncomfortable for animals. Simply turning a light on and placing a radio (preferably set on a hard rock or rap station) in an attic or under a crawl space will deter most creatures and make them find more suitable quarters. Be sure if you are sticking your arms under a crawlspace with a light or radio that the creature is not in residence at that moment. How do we be sure no one is home? Simply find the spot where the creature has gained entry and sprinkle some flour around the area. Check the spot frequently and when you see tracks leading out, but

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“The area is rich with beautiful views, forests, streams, and wildlife. Deer, rabbits, birds, bears, and others are abundant in our region like few others.”

not back in, the critter is probably out getting dinner. Use a flashlight to check the area first, and then place the radio and/ or light under the crawlspace or shed. The volume need not be loud enough for you to hear or to cause your neighbors to call the police! If placing the radio or light in the attic, you need not check to see if anyone is there. Simply make enough noise while entering the attic that the creature hides or leaves from the sudden noise, then set the devices. Food is another reason animals enter houses. Keep all garbage in sealed garbage cans. If you have a garage, this is where cans should be kept until trash day. Leaving garbage outside the house only lures raccoons, bears and opossums to the yard. One more idea that seems to drive unwanted creatures from attics, crawlspaces, and gardens is predator urine. Placing just a TINY amount of fox or coyote urine (available at Gemplers. com or local sporting good stores) in a jar lid with a cotton ball will fool the squirrel, groundhog, rabbit or raccoon into thinking a predator is near, and they may skedaddle. Not expensive, but don’t inhale too deeply. This stuff is POTENT. Live trapping is a commonly performed method of wildlife removal. Humane traps can be purchased or rented from many hardware stores. The positive side of live-trapping is that the animal is captured alive, but if taken far away from its home, it may perish in its new location from competition with “the locals”. If live trapping, please catch the animal, seal the spot where entry was made, and release the creature outside your home. Also, be sure you are not leaving behind babies that will perish without their mother.

ON OUR SIDE

Wildlife can be beneficial to have on one’s property. My opinion is- anything that eats bugs or mice is okay by me. Bats can eat their own weight in mosquitoes each and every night. That’s a wonderful thing considering that mosquitoes can harbor illnesses such as West Nile Virus. Skunks can decimate populations of grubs destroying your lawn, and one of their favorite foods is the Yellow Jacket. Entire nests of these ground-dwelling pain inflictors can be dug up and consumed by a hungry skunk, much in the way I dig into a fresh pint of Ben and Jerry’s.

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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.

Raccoons, opossums, hawks and owls make short work of the mice you are feeding at your bird feeder while you sleep. Snakes also reduce rodent populations, and venomous snakes are not common in the Poconos.  DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 43

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY By Suzanne McCool

y memory of Monroe County (The Poconos) more than fifty years ago was of forests and farms and beautiful quiet country roads with very little traffic. Growing up in Paradise Township when my sisters and I were young, there were lots of woods filled with evergreens, birches and a variety of other trees, beautiful mountain laurel and lots of rhododendron. The kids in our neighborhood often played in the woods building forts, picking flowers or greens for wreaths, or just generally running around in them and often seeing deer or other wildlife. I especially remember one crisp, clear winter’s day. There had been a snowfall earlier that week. My sister, Paulette, and I headed out for a walk with our dad, John Fretz. Leafless snow-dusted branches made jagged silhouettes against the blue-gray winter sky. We took the sled, my dad with an ax, and headed into the snowy woods behind our house. We were looking for a Christmas tree. I was probably ten and Paulette was eight years old at the time. Pulling the American Flyer, Daddy broke a trail through the snowy woods with Paulette and me trudging behind. We were probably less than half mile from the house but it seemed really far for our short little legs.

“Soon we saw what we were looking for — the most perfect Christmas tree on earth and just the right size for our living room, not too big or small — just right.”

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In my mind’s eye I could already see it adorned and aglow with lights and tinsel and gaily colored balls and a shining star on top.

I recall that all was quiet and almost ethereal that day, the only sounds the plowing of the sled, branches snapping underfoot, and the occasional thump of snow falling from limbs and branches. A rabbit scurried past our track and up ahead in a small clearing stood a doe who somehow avoided the hunters’ guns that year. A ricocheting branch stung Paulette’s cheek and Daddy leaned down and kissed it to make it better. Soon we saw what we were looking for — the most perfect Christmas tree on earth and just the right size for our living room, not too big or small — just right. In my mind’s eye I could already see it adorned and aglow with lights and tinsel and gaily colored balls and a shining star on top. We would put it in the front window, and it would sit in a big bucket of coal with 46 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

my mother insisting it be secured with string because of the year our cats climbed the tree and knocked it over. That was when we lived at Airport Inn, my parent’s hotel in Mount Pocono, before we moved to Paradise Township. My dad quickly cut the tree and put it on the sled while Paulette and I held it on with our mittened hands. I was so excited because Christmas was my favorite time of the year, not just because of the magic of the season, but because December 25, is my birthday as well! Christmas carols from the record player and Mom greeted us as we dragged the tree up the steps, across the front porch and into the house. My mother had hot chocolate waiting for us and the smell of her freshly baked apple tart wafted though the air.

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Our cheeks were rosy from the cold as we headed to the fireplace where a cheerful fire was burning to warm our little hands and fingers. Soon the tree trimming would begin! I will always remember this one perfect day in my life because within a few years from this day, my father would die from complications from surgery, and my mother would struggle to hold on to our home and to raise my sisters and me. She never remarried, but her youngest sister, our Aunt Audrey, would always be there to help and would always make Christmas special in our lives. 

WHAT ALL PUPPY OWNERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FEEDING THEIR PUPPIES Article and photo courtesy of BPT

ew puppy owners have plenty of questions when it comes to their new pet - about training their puppy, puppy-proofing their home and what behaviors are considered "normal" for a growing dog. Perhaps the most important question, which is commonly misunderstood, is how to feed your puppy to make sure he or she grows up to be a healthy and happy adult dog. In fact, a recent survey by Purina found that many dog owners were unsure about how to correctly feed their growing pup. For example, the majority of puppy owners did not realize that breed size determines how long a dog is considered a puppy, and ultimately, how long their dog needs to be fed puppy food. “Puppies have specific nutritional requirements to help support their rapid growth and development,” said veterinarian at Purina Dr. Callie Harris, DVM. “Similar to babies, puppies' bodies are fast-growing, but unlike babies, puppies pack all their growth into one to two years.” Here's a guide to common questions about feeding your pup.

WHY SHOULD YOU FEED YOUR GROWING DOG ONLY PUPPY FOOD?

Puppies' growing bodies need 25% more protein, 40% more fat and 140% more calcium than adult dogs. In addition, smaller kibble pieces are easier for a young dog with a smaller mouth to eat, especially smaller breeds. 48 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Dr. Harris explains that high-quality puppy food is balanced with essential nutrients like: • Protein to help support growing muscles • Minerals like calcium and phosphorous to support growing bones and teeth • Antioxidants to help support your puppy's developing immune system • DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, to help support brain and vision development

UNTIL WHAT AGE IS YOUR PUPPY STILL CONSIDERED A PUPPY?

Your dog's breed size determines how long they're considered a puppy. If you didn't know this, you're not alone. In the survey, 47% of small breed dog owners didn't realize their dog needs to be fed puppy food for up to a year, and a whopping 92% of large breed dog owners didn't realize their dog is actually considered a puppy for up to two years and needs to be fed puppy food for that period of time. If you're unclear exactly how long to feed puppy food, it's best to speak to your veterinarian to ensure you're meeting your puppy's specific nutritional requirements.

HOW MUCH FOOD DO THEY NEED?

The amount of food your puppy needs depends on how much they'll weigh at maturity - not their current weight. For example, a Labrador retriever will weigh more at maturity than a Russell terrier, so the larger breed size dog will require more food as a puppy. To avoid overfeeding, offer your pup three equal-sized meals each day, based on their daily caloric requirement recommendations split into three. Additionally, it's important to establish a feeding routine at the same times each day to help keep a puppy's digestive system regular, which can also make house training easier. For a comprehensive feeding chart to help determine how much to feed your puppy, along with lots of other information about caring for puppies, visit Purina.com/Puppy. Review the feeding instructions on the back of your puppy's food bag and consult your veterinarian for questions regarding your specific puppy's diet.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO TRANSITION TO ADULT DOG FOOD?

If you're wondering why you can't stick with puppy food for adult dogs, one reason is that puppy food is much higher in calories to help support your puppy's growth, development and high energy levels. Continuing to feed puppy food past the point of maturity could result in weight gain, which can lead to other health problems, so transitioning to a balanced adult food once your puppy has grown into adulthood is important. When your dog becomes an adult, a gradual transition from puppy food to adult food helps avoid an upset stomach. Over 7-10 days, gradually introduce more and more of the new food mixed in with the old.

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“Similar to babies, puppies' bodies are fast-growing, but unlike babies, puppies pack all their growth into one to two years.” Adult dogs may only need two meals per day, depending on their breed, size and activity level. Follow the feeding instructions on the food package to know how much food to feed your dog each day and split that into two meals. To ensure your dog is eating the right amount, it's best to monitor their body condition or consult with your veterinarian. Following these guidelines will help you keep your young dog happy, healthy and growing strong. Visit Purina.com/puppy for more tips and to explore all of the wet, dry and treat options Purina has for your puppy. 

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GARY CEE NAMED GENERAL MANAGER AND MORNING HOST OF POCONO 96.7

eteran radio programmer Gary Cee has been named General Manager and Morning Host of Pocono 96.7, it was announced today by Bud Williamson, Managing Member at Neversink Media Group, LLC.

Mr. Cee was most recently Senior VP of Programming for iHeartMedia in Sussex, New Jersey where he oversaw WNNJ, WSUS and WHCY. He programmed WNNJ and hosted afternoons. His previous programming stops include WPDH in Poughkeepsie and WLIR on Long Island. Mr. Cee also served as Managing Editor of CIRCUS Magazine and hosted programs on WDRE and WRCN. “Bud and Juli have given me a golden opportunity to helm the station that is the radio fixture here in the Pocono community,” said Mr. Cee. “We’re independently owned, our hosts are all local and we cover all things Pocono. Plus, I’ll be relocating to one of the most beautiful regions in the Northeast, in a new home with a heart-shaped tub.” “We’re very pleased to be able to bring Gary on board and fill such an important role in our company,” said Mr. Williamson. “Gary and I have spent hours talking about ideas to grow the station and I am very excited as to what the future holds!” Pocono 96.7, the Pocono’s Greatest Hits, is available at 96.7 and 97.3 on the FM dial, at Pocono967.com, on its own Pocono 96.7 app, and on the TuneIn Radio and iheartRadio apps. Neversink Media Group also controls WALL in Middletown, NY, WDLC Country in Port Jervis, NY and WYNY in Milford PA. Mr. Cee will begin duties on Monday, October 5th, and debut on-air on Tuesday morning, October 13th. He will continue to construct crossword puzzles for The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

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He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy.

YES VIRGINIA, THERE IS A SANTA CLAUS "Is There a Santa Claus?" reprinted from the September 21, 1897, number of The New York Sun.

n 1897, Dr. Philip O'Hanlon, a coroner's assistant on Manhattan's Upper West Side, was asked by his then eight-yearold daughter, Virginia O'Hanlon (1889–1971), whether Santa Claus really existed. O'Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time, assuring her that "If you see it in The Sun, it's so."[3] In so doing, Dr. O'Hanlon had unwittingly given one of the paper's editors, Francis Pharcellus Church, an opportunity to rise above the simple question and address the philosophical issues behind it. Church was a war correspondent during the American Civil War, a time that saw great suffering and a corresponding lack of hope and faith in much of society. Although the paper ran the editorial in the seventh place on the page, below even one on the newly invented "chainless bicycle", it was both noticed and well received by readers. According to an anecdote on the radio program The Rest of the Story, Church was a hardened cynic and an atheist who had little patience for superstitious beliefs, did not want to write the editorial, and refused to allow his name to be attached to the piece. [4] More than a century later it is the most reprinted editorial in any newspaper in the English language.[1][2]

Dear Editor— I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, "If you see it in The Sun, it's so." Please tell me the truth, is there a Santa Claus? Virginia O'Hanlon 115 West Ninety Fifth Street Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or

children's, are little. In this great universe of ours, man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly

as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The external light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies. You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if you did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived could tear apart. Only faith, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! He lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay 10 times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.  DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 53