April / May 2018 Pocono Living Magazine by Pocono Magazines

April/May 2018

The Pocono Mountains' Magazine

Complimentary

Pocono Living M A G A Z I N E

WHAT’S INSIDE

• Devil’s Hole • Earth Day • Flying Squirrels & more!

POCONO MAGAZINES

Pocono Magazines, LLC PUBLISHING

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Larry R. Sebring ASSISTANT EDITOR Samantha J. Holbert ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Samantha J. Holbert, 570-856-7578 Linda St. John, 570-856-8155 Linda Zak, 484-264-7915 MAGAZINE DESIGN Smart Blonde Creative WEB DESIGN Smart Blonde Creative FOOD & WINE EDITOR Avize Batalova GRAPHIC DESIGNER Brian Hunter Chelsea McMahon

Pocono Living Magazine and Pocono Family Magazine, two regional publications filled with articles, features and photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience. Our publications can be found at many locations throughout the Pocono Mountains region, and are available by subscription.

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART Veronica Murray Andrei Protsouk David Sandt Lisa Newberry James Chesnick James Smeltz Marlana Holsten Matt Siptroth William McKee Barbara Lewis Linda Zak Nancy Tully Maritza McFaline Vinzon Lee

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roseanne Bottone Jamie Bowman Kimberly Blaker Kathy Dubin-Uhler Marty Wilson Amy Leiser Samantha J. Holbert William M. Williams Kevin Conroy Janet Mishkin Suzanne McCool Chelsea McMahon INTERN Rebecca Sebring, Susquehanna University ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kristen Sebring

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.

Introducing the new...

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To schedule an appointment, call St. Luke’s Central Scheduling toll-free: 1-800-801-7745

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE © APRIL/MAY 2018 3

“

”

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

We must be the change we wish to see.

4 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE © APRIL/MAY 2018

– Gandhi

What’s Inside April/May 2018

FEATURES 8

Memories of the Devil’s Hole in Paradise Township

2018 Winners of The Historic Preservation Awards

5 Easy Tips to Wake Up Your Lawn

Finding a Dog to Fit Your Family’s Lifestyle

Celebrate Our Mother Earth – April 2018

Spruce Plantings on Game Lands to Help Northern Flying Squirrel

Rail Tower in East Stroudsburg

McDade Recreational Trail

Our Pocono Mountains State Parks

NPS Road Closures and Public Use Limits

The Intervention of Nature

Tips to Protect Birds in Your Yard and Garden

In and Around the Poconos

COVER Great Horned Owl By: Marlana Holsten

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 7

AMY LEISER

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

John Serrao John Serrao has been a professional naturalist, writer, and photographer since receiving his M.S. degree from Cornell University in 1972. He conducted lectures and nature walks, and created selfguided trails throughout the Poconos, including the Pocono Environmental Education Center, the State Parks, Shawnee Inn, Pennsylvania Power and Light, many schools and private residential communities, The Nature Conservancy, and Skytop Lodge. John is the author of seven nature books and his color, candid photos have made their way into hundreds of publications.

Suzanne McCool This feature, and many others like it, may be found in the author’s recently released autobiography; Memoirs of Suzie Fretz McCool. Suzanne served as a Monroe County Commissioner for three terms from 2004 to 2015. A delightful and memorable history of her family and the Poconos, it is available for $30.00 by contacting Suzanne at 570-424-2363. 30% of the book sales will be donated to the Friends of Pleasant Valley Manor Gazebo Project.

Kimberly Blaker 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.

SAMANTHA J. HOLBERT Samantha is a Community Services Consultant who thrives on working to make connections and create solutions in our community. This led to her latest endeavors of editing and writing for Pocono Magazines, as well as grant writing for Integra Home Counseling. She has gained much of her experience working and volunteering in parks, greenways and schools in PA. She is also on the Board for Quiet Valley Farm. Samantha loves her home on the McMichael’s Creek in Stroud Twp. and being active in nature and experiencing music with her husband, Joe, and children: Acadia, Sierra and Oak.

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

WILLIAM M. WILLIAMS 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 Benton and enjoys spending time on his hobby farm with his wife Michelle, Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rocco, alpacas, goats, and chickens.

Pocono Living Magazine 2018 PHOTO CONTEST ENTER YOUR BEST SHOTS

Photo courtesy of Ashley Hall

RULES OF THE CONTEST:

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).

1. Contest open to amateur photographers only.

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

3. Enter electronic files by email to: pmags@ptd.net.

Categories are “Scenics”, “Wildlife”, “Children and/or Pets”, and “Historical Structures”.

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.

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: 1st Place: $100.00 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants 2nd Place: $75.00 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants

2. Contest opens April 1, 2018 and closes August 1, 2018.

5. Please 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. Categories are: Scenics (landscapes, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, etc.), Wildlife, Children and/or Pets, and Historical Structures. 9. Judging will take place in August and September 2018 and winners will be notified at that time. Winners will be asked to provide story information about the photo and provide a short bio for publishing in the October/November 2018 issue of Pocono Living Magazine.

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

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

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

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

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

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 7

Memories

nued from Page 1

th me residents and bo . Mary of George Bowman the d an e geography to of the area, referring ’s Hole vil De the ich wh e rg A canyon ed and carved out. lake were ep de ry ve lls and a Flood of until the infamous Contributed by Suzie Fretz McCool Devil’s the t folklore said tha ne yo an d an ess ml was botto and go to go in would sink d her an itz Hell. Helen De a, are s thi e hik ill used to m tto bo the see uld co id she y parents, my sisters, and I settled in Paradise I was probably about seven years old when I went with my is a are s thi e. Today much of ing, Township at the home my parents bought in 1949 father, John P. Fretz, to visit his friend, Mr. Monahan, who hik e lands and great for joying en t jus d an g, hin on Carlton Road, after their hotel business days lived in the Devil’s Hole and had a very nice house there. rout fis ful scenery. were over. My parents had owned businesses in Laceyville I remember their conversations about wild animals and elk to the er ref HA MC the of ves (The HotelleAngler) and before that in Mount Pocono, the and deer but didn’t pay much attention at the time. In later area uins in the Devil’s Ho ne w go Bailey’s). My sisters, Linda and Paulette, Airport Inn years, I developed an interest in history and the tales of the e (no(now g a former residenc the d lle ca 5) 195 of od and I were enrolled at the Paradise Township Elementary Devil’s Hole. However, the Flood of 1955 altered that area e Flo It is reported that nes Lodge.School which educated about 80 students in 6 grades. greatly. I was a kid during that terrible flood. d m a legen e took its name fro ) ns ca eri Am ing Indians (Native m seven fro ed ng ha d an ht ug We had a fairly long bus ride to school, considering the l has n, which is ne Fretz McCoo Seven Pines Mountai n za u S len He r, small size ve the Township. Part of that ride went into the weof t her he Devil’s Hole. Ho en a book abou to tt ri w this talIe remember ve lie be t no es do “Devil’s Hole.” the bus picking up the Depue Dietz growing up

of the Devil’s Hole in Paradise Township

The area was actually named for the ies of Devil’s Hole Creek, but everyone just memor kids on Grange Road, crossing Route 940 to Koerner Road be “Devil’s Hole” as it had a . It caitnthe called the Poconos in y Leiser, Executive to thank Am and picking up the Koerner kids, and traveling onto Devil’s y contacting unty obtained b r of the Monroe Co mysterious ring to it, and because of ng area was actually named for the Devil’s idi ov Hole Road. The pr for 363. ion -2 iat 24 soc 4 0 cal As 57 at her Hole Devil’sbut on theCreek, the steep gorge and very deep lake everyone just called it the “Devil’s Hole” as h the filesHole ir the for ry Ma d an Helen, Daitn,had a mysterious es. PHS ring to it, and because of the steep gorge which was said to be bottomless. butions to the archiv

and very deep lake which was said to be bottomless. Elementary adise Township

entary Paradise Township Elem 8 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE © APRIL/MAY 2018

The Devil’s Hole had an unusual history. Shirley P. Wheeler, who wrote the book Dr. Nina and the Panther, referred to it on page 91, “…outside the tiny town of Mt. Pocono, and just on the edge of a privately-owned property locally known as the Devil’s Hole. The entire tract encompassing the Devil’s Hole, more than 500 acres of forest land, had been bought by a New York banker, enclosed by a chain-link fence, and stocked with Canadian elk. The elk multiplied, and when fully matured, were dangerous animals.” My research at the Monroe County Historical Association (MCHA), suggested that Carl Tielenius, a New York business person, came

ines Lodge lenius’ Seven P

a 3.2 mile Devil's Hole Trail is ed out and back moderately traffick e 940 and trail located off Rout in Cresco. It is Devil’s Hole Road Game Lands located on the State res beautiful 221. The trail featu fers a number wild flowers and of It is rated as of activity options. lty and is best moderate in difficu October. used from April until rned that your Some users have wa en you use this feet will get wet wh trail.

il/us/ www.alltrails.com/tra hole-trail pennsylvania/devils-

Tielenius’ Seven Pines

Lodge

Creek ng Devil’s Hole T he dam cr ossi

955 er plant 1919-1 Mt. Pocono pow

to Mount Pocono (called the “Forks” at that time) in 1918 and loved the Pocono Mountains. Mr. Tielenius set up a riding academy next to his home at the corner of Route 611 and Route 940. The riding stable was enclosed and he had good horses and an excellent German riding master who trained the horses to perform by voice command only. The show horses of the Ringling Brothers Circus came here for training. Then Tielenius bought 1,000 acres of land in the nearby Devils Hole area of Paradise Valley and created “Deer Park” where he maintained a large herd of elk. It is said that the first elk was presented to him by President Theodore Roosevelt. Wire fences were strung by hand over the acreage to control the elk. He also built a Hunter’s Retreat in the Devil’s Hole. It burned down many years later leaving only ruins remaining.

Helen Stapff Deitz contributed to the file on the Devil’s Hole at MCHA. Her father, Jules Stapff, moved to Paradise Valley in 1919. He heard about the elk range when he moved here. Eventually the 8 to 12-foot fences went to “rack and ruin”, Helen reported. The animals became aggressive and a nuisance to farmers, and locals started hunting them. Helen’s childhood was in the 1940s and she remembers the Tielenius house still standing, and didn’t recall when it burned. Mr. Tielenius liked to bring in city friends to his retreat. He never commercialized it. However, the Flood of 1955 washed out his road and the beautiful landscaping. Helen’s research referred to a power plant which generated the power for Mount Pocono in the days before rural areas were electrified. The Flood of 1955 destroyed this too. Helen’s dad bought the Paradise Inn in 1919 and the Inn had its own generator at that time, and its own unique history. POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 9

Helen’s ancestors on her mother’s side of the family were Bowmans. George Bowman arrived in this area with his wife and children in the spring of 1822 and called the area “Paradise Valley”. The area often played host to drovers coming off the mountain headed to Easton to put the cattle on canal boats headed for the New York and Philadelphia markets. The Bowman family built a tavern in 1835 to accommodate the drovers, which ultimately became the Paradise Inn. Helen indicated that the Hamblin family were direct descendants of George Bowman. Helen indicated that the railroad was built in 1856. In 1987, a college student from Clarion College, Mary Rebscher, wrote a paper on the Devil’s Hole. She was also exploring the folklore, myths, and legends of this interesting area. She contacted Helen Stapff Dietz and Dan Hamblin who were knowledgeable about the Devil’s Hole, as they were both longtime residents of the area and descendants of George Bowman. Mary described the geography and the topography of the area, referring to the steep gorge which the Devil’s Hole Creek eroded and carved out. A canyon, waterfalls and a very deep lake were evident up until the infamous Flood of 1955. Local folklore said that the Devil’s Hole Lake was bottomless and anyone who dared to go in would sink and go straight to Hell. Helen Deitz and her husband Bill used to hike this area, and commented that they could see the bottom of the lake. Today much of this area is state game lands and great for hiking, hunting, trout fishing, and just enjoying the beautiful scenery. The archives of the MCHA refer to the various ruins in the Devil’s Hole area including a former residence (now gone due to the Flood of 1955) called the Seven Pines Lodge. It is said that the lodge took its name from a legend that raiding Native Americans were caught and hanged from seven trees on Seven Pines Mountain; part of the Devil’s Hole. Helen Stapff Dietz does not believe this tale to be true. Per www.atlasobscura.com, some locals believe the ruins was originally a speakeasy from the Prohibition era. I’d like to thank Amy Leiser, Executive Director of the Monroe County Historical Association for providing me with the files on the Devil’s Hole and to Helen, Dan, and Mary for their contributions to the archives. 

Suzanne Fretz McCool

The dam crossing Devil’s Hole Creek

has written a book about her memories of growing up in the Poconos. It can be obtained by contacting her at 570.424.2363.

l has 10 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE © APRIL/MAY 2018 cCoo M retz t her nne F abou up Suza n a book ng e rowi writt s of g an be

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Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Society

Winners of 2018

historic preservation awards

he Monroe County Historical Association is pleased to announce the 2018 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 who were honored at the Monroe County Historical Association’s Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Three categories of buildings were judged: Commercial, Non-Profit, and Private Residence. The 2018 winners in 12 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

the three categories are: Commercial Property – Young & Haros, LLC, Main Street, Borough of Stroudsburg; NonProfit – Dansbury Depot, Crystal Street, Borough of East Stroudsburg; and Residential Property – “Meadowbrook Farm” owned by William and Jo Rinehart, Hamilton Township. The Heritage Resource Award will be given to the volunteers of the Marker Advocates of Tobyhanna Township in recognition of their efforts to erect 25 roadside historical markers throughout the township.

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Left: Residential Property — “Meadowbrook Farm,” owned by

2 locations

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William and Jo Rinehart

570.620.0600

Below: Non-Profit — Dansbury Depot

2800 ROUTE 611 | TANNERSVILLE, PA S L IK E U

570.424.1431 940 UNIT B, ANN ST. | STROUDSBURG, PA

Visit AndreiArt.com to order online or visit the Studio Gallery 7 N. 6th Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 AndreiProtsouk@gmail.com 570.476.4407

Stroud Television & Appliances 219 N. 9th Street Stroudsburg, PA

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“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.”

www.StroudTVandAppliances.com

—Amy Leiser, Executive Director Monroe County Historical Association POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 13

Left: Tobyhanna Township roadside historical marker

Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Society

Right: Commercial Property —Young & Haros, LLC

Leiser also commented, “This is the 13th 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 MCHA’s Meeting and Awards Luncheon meeting that was open to MCHA members and the public at a fee. For more information on that event, please contact the office at (570) 421-7703 or admin@MonroeHistorical.org. 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. 

14 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

Photo courtesy of the Monroe County Historical Society

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.”

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2018 15

5 easy steps to wake up your lawn

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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grass.

here are a lot of things people miss during the winter - flip-flops, shorts and warm sunshine. But one of the things homeowners miss the most is the sight of green

For months their lawns go into hibernation and disappear under a blanket of snow. Once the temperature starts to rise and the days start getting longer, many are eager to get outside and restore their lawns to their former glory. But in order to get a lush green lawn that is the envy of your block, it’s crucial to get to work at the beginning of spring. The lawn experts at Lowe’s have shared five key steps you can take right now to ensure you have a beautiful and healthy yard all year long.

1. Tune up your equipment Before you start work on your lawn, you want to make sure your mower is ready for the season. This means changing out the oil, tightening up any loose bolts or fasteners and starting the season with fresh spark plugs. You should also make sure the air filter is clean, and don’t forget to have your blade sharpened. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

2. Evaluate your lawn (570) 476-7931 | @POCONOBIKECOMPANY 601 MAIN STREET | STROUDSBURG, PA 18360 16 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

Once all the snow has melted, set aside some time to walk over your lawn. Take note of any dead spots, snow mold or

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

raw patches of earth that need reseeding. Bring a rake with you to clean up dead leaves or break up any thatched areas that may have formed over the winter.

3. Take care of snow mold If you find a spot of snow mold and other types of lawn fungus that are common in early spring, take a rake and gently break up the matted grass so it can dry. Oftentimes, this will be enough to dry out the mold and get the grass in the area growing again. However, depending on the extent of the damage, you might have to patch or reseed the area.

4. Reseed where needed For the bare spots as well as areas of your lawn that are looking a little thin, overseeding is a great way to return it to its full, lush state. Spread grass seed over the area you want to patch, add some fertilizer and about a half inch of topsoil and gently rake the mixture in with the grass and soil. Thoroughly water these patches every day until the seeds begin to germinate.

5. Plant while it’s still cool The cooler temperatures in spring are ideal for roots to take hold before the hot summer weather arrives. This is why spring is the best time to seed your lawn. Also, if you’ve been thinking of planting any shrubs or trees, you should do it before it gets too warm. Courtesy of BrandPoint

BILLY’S

Lawn & Garden

TIPS Warmer weather is coming and so is your lawn’s worst enemy - crabgrass. The key to controlling crabgrass is preventing those pesky crabgrass seeds from germinating in the first place. Here’s how.

Crabgrass loves sunshine, so while you should mow your lawn regularly, don’t cut the grass too short. Thick, long grass will keep sunlight from reaching the soil surface and thus help prevent crabgrass from germinating. Purchase a pre-emergent herbicide in order to stave off crabgrass before it becomes an issue. A pre-emergent should be applied evenly across the entire lawn before soil temperatures rise above 55°F. Not sure how to check the soil temperature? Budding shrubs and trees are usually a good indicator of when to apply a preemergent, or check out gddtracker.net, an online tool that gives ideal pre-emergent application times based on the air temperature in your area. If your lawn is freshly seeded, apply the pre-emergent once you’ve mowed three times. Otherwise, you risk killing the grass you’re trying to grow! Are you too late? Has crabgrass already started to set up shop in your yard? Use a post-emergent herbicide to rid yourself of this pesky problem. Post-emergents should only be applied to visible crabgrass, not the entire lawn. And remember, even with the use of a pre-emergent, you may still need to spot treat with a post-emergent.  Edited by: Jamie Bowman

Canfield’s Pet & Farm

315 Main Street, Stroudsburg, PA 570-421-1821

Finding a Dog to Fit Your Family's Lifestyle: Plan Ahead to Reap the Rewards of a Loving Family Pet

By Kimberly Blaker

very year thousands of dogs are turned over to animal shelters because they were given as a gift without first consulting the gift recipient – or families discover they brought home a biter, barker, digger, or jumper. When pets are given away, the pets, their owners, and children all suffer. So before selecting your dog, do your homework. With a little pre-planning, you can find the dog that most closely fits your family's or gift recipient’s lifestyle.

Variety of dogs, variety of nuisances

Dogs can create many nuisances. Some of these are more common in particular breeds. A barking dog helps protect against intruders. But excessive barking can become a problem. Some breeds known for their barking include the Alaskan Malamute, American Water Spaniel, Bassett Hound, Finnish Spitz, Fox and other Terriers, Great Pyrenees, and Miniature Schnauzer. A playful, energetic puppy can make a great playmate for your child. But as your puppy grows, that hyperactivity could become overwhelming. High-strung dogs often jump on people and tear through the house. Certain breeds tend to maintain that high energy level well into their adult size bodies. Such breeds include Airedale Terriers, Boxer, Brittany, Cocker Spaniel, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Irish Setter, Jack Russell Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, and Schnauzer. Dogs dig for many reasons—to bury a bone, to escape from a fenced yard, to keep cool, or out of boredom. A torn-up yard can be the last straw for many dog owners. The following breeds tend to be diggers: Fox Terriers, Norwich Terrier, and Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. 18 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

Dogs can be aggressive for a variety of reasons. Poor breeding, physical abuse, and even disease can cause aggression in a dog. Certain dominant breeds can also tend toward aggressiveness if not handled by a firm and skilled handler. These dogs should be chosen with caution and the understanding they require strong leadership: Akita, American Pit Bull Terrier, Bulldog, Bullmastiff, Chow Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Schnauzer, Shih Tzu, Siberian Husky, and Weimaraner. Grooming is another consideration. While it may sound painless, the upkeep of certain breeds can be overwhelming. In addition to keeping claws trimmed and an occasional bath, some dogs require lengthy daily brushing to remove tangles or trapped fur in double coats. High maintenance breeds include the American Eskimo, Cocker Spaniel, Collie, Great Pyrenees, Llaso Apso, Old English Sheepdog, Poodle, Schnauzer, and Terriers.

Traits to look for in a family dog

Many unforeseen problems can be avoided by finding a dog that’ll be easy for your child to handle so your child can assist in training. Easy trainers include American Water Spaniel, Australian Shepherd, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, Irish Setter, Italian Greyhound, Maltese, and Shetland Sheepdog. Calm, gentle breeds are important for families with small children. Keep in mind size alone doesn’t dictate these traits. Gentle breeds you might consider are Bassett Hound, Beagle, Bearded Collie, Chinese Crested, Great Dane, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundland, and Mastiff.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

“Before bringing home your puppy, read a book or articles about the breed that interests you to determine if it will fit your family’s lifestyle.”

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

“Certain breeds tend to maintain that high energy level well into their adult size bodies.”

Playful and energetic puppies work well for older children who won’t feel threatened by the dog’s full-grown size. Consider an American Eskimo, Bloodhound, Brittany, Dalmatian, Golden Retriever, Irish Wolfhound, Labrador Retriever, Pointer, Poodle, Saint Bernard, or Schnauzer. There are many other traits to consider in choosing a new dog. Before bringing home your puppy, read a book or articles about the breed that interests you to determine if it will fit your family’s lifestyle. For personalized assistance in choosing a breed, go to www.selectsmart.com/DOG or one of the many other breed selection sites. You’ll be guided through a series of questions and receive a free personalized list of matches.

Special considerations

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 800,000 people, mostly children, are bitten annually severely enough to require medical attention. Infants and small children shouldn’t be left alone with a dog. It may be difficult to picture your lovable Fido as capable of hurting your child. But even the gentlest dogs have been known to bite. Little kids sometimes get too close to a dog while it’s eating or chewing a bone or startle a dog while it’s sleeping. Sometimes, small children hang on dogs, pull their tails, or threaten a dog’s safety. This can lead to injury to either the dog or your child. In addition, dogs view their family as part of its pack. A properly trained dog should view adults and older children as alpha (top dog). But a dog isn't likely to view 20 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

a small child in this light and may wield its authority when no one’s around. Apartment living is another consideration. The size dog you choose is important to both your dog’s well being and to maintaining your sanity. High energy and medium to large breeds generally need large areas to romp. Without it, your apartment could become a round-the-clock racetrack. Planning regular walks for these dogs may not be sufficient. You’ll tire long before your dog. Also, there will be occasions when you just won’t be able to accommodate your puppy’s need to exercise. The costs of pet ownership should also be weighed out. First, there are the obvious costs such as purchasing pet food and annual vaccinations. Other expenses include licensing, monthly heart worm pills, chew toys, damaged belongings, fencing, training, unexpected veterinary expense, grooming, kenneling, and more. If your family has members with bad allergies or asthma, check with your doctor before bringing any furred, feathered, or finned pet into your home. Finally, keep in mind no matter how sincere your child’s intent to care for his new pet, it’s a big responsibility. Ultimately, parents take the brunt of the work.

Where to find your dog

The Humane Society, an animal shelter, or an accidental litter of pups is a great place to find your dog at an affordable price. Giving a home to a dog that might otherwise be put to sleep or caged indefinitely and not

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contributing to the over population of dogs are good reasons to go this route. Another way to find your new puppy is through a breeder. Taking home a puppy whose history is known and hasn’t been exposed to a poor environment is a plus. But caution should be used even when buying from a breeder. While most are in the business for their love of the breed, there are exceptions. Some breeders are only interested in profits and have little knowledge or concern for good breeding and proper care of pups. This can lead to dogs with poor temperaments, genetic disorders, or disease. Ask plenty of questions, request references, and ask to see the puppies in their normal environment. According to the American Kennel Club, some things to watch for when selecting your puppy include: a runny nose, watery eyes, fever, or disease in the litter. If any of these conditions are present, look elsewhere. Avoid a puppy that trembles and is shy or one that shows a bad temper. Also, understand that a kennel designated “AKC Reg.” doesn’t mean it has the American Kennel Club’s stamp of approval. It simply means the dogs have been registered. Finally, keep in mind that puppies shouldn’t be removed from their litter before 6 weeks of age, and preferably 8.  Kimberly Blaker is the author of a kid’s STEM book, Horoscopes: Reality or Trickery? She also writes a blog, Modern FamilyStyle at modernfamilystyle.com

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CELEBRATE OUR

Mother Earth

THIS YEAR – APRIL 2018 By: Samantha J. Holbert, Assistant Editor With contributions by William Guest

“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.”

—Albert Einstein

ne of the best ways to connect one’s consciousness to the cycle and circle of life is to celebrate Earth Day. An enthusiastic embrace of the focus of Earth Day makes it easier to fully and deeply comprehend the environmental challenges of our time and gives impetus to the creation of successful and lasting responses to those challenges.

each year. It also led to landmark legislation that created the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. Needless to say, Earth Day has rapidly become the largest observance of a civic cause in the world. The Earth Day Network’s strategy is to broaden the definition of “environment” to include issues that relate to our health and to the ecological integrity of our communities. The Network also works with communities globally to bring awareness to the fact that climate change will affect our most vulnerable populations first and most severely. The Earth Day Network’s approach to effecting change is to recruit new members worldwide and inspire our youth to become tomorrow’s leaders in the mission to heal, restore, preserve and protect all of the world’s fragile eco-systems.

The history of Earth Day is a story of evolving awareness of our symbiotic relationship with the planet and the consequent calls for concerted and urgent action. The first “The first Earth Earth Day was held in the United States Here, in the Poconos, there are many Day was held in on April 22, 1970. The event inspired ways to participate in Earth Day events in the United States 20 million Americans to become part 2018. Those who like to work with the of an environmental movement. They soil can choose from numerous activities on April 22, 1970” marched in the streets and protested the that offer the opportunity to do so. Those negative impact on our environment from who would rather celebrate in other ways almost 150 years of unregulated industrial will have a lot of options to pique their development. We learned on that landmark interest- like hiking, or even exchanging unwanted day that “the power of an individual is multiplied by ‘treasures’ with someone else. Participants may be able the power of the collective.” The celebration of Earth Day to select more than one activity, because varying dates and became global 20 years later and today attracts more than times from region to region and community to community give 1 billion people from almost 195 countries to participate celebrants some flexibility. 22 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

One outstanding example of an entity that honors the tradition of Earth Day and fosters public engagement in that tradition is the Pocono Environmental Education Center. The PEEC, located within the 77,000-acre Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area along the Delaware River, is blessed with scenic lowland and upland forests, fields, ponds, streams, waterfalls, hemlock gorges, a quarry containing 400million-year-old fossils, and the majestic Delaware River. This non-profit organization has been offering hands-on recreation and environmental education opportunities in the National Park for 44 years. The Center was established in 1972 with a partnership between Keystone Junior College and the National Park Service to use “The Earth Day Network’s the property and its facilities for environmental education. The property, formerly the Honeymoon Haven Resort, had strategy is to broaden the been acquired by the Army Corp of Engineers as part of definition of “environment” the Tocks Island Dam project. The purpose of that project to include issues that relate was to construct a dam across the Delaware River north to our health and to the of Stroudsburg and create a reservoir that would provide a protected water supply, hydroelectric power, recreation and ecological integrity of our flood control. The dam was never built, but PEEC has remained communities.” to serve visitors and residents alike.

county-trails.html www.mcearthday.org/monroeMap ils Tra Monroe County

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 23

Photo courtesy of Pocono Living Magazine

the Buckwood Inn, now the Shawnee Inn. The Kirkwood Family purchased the resort in 1978 and launched an extensive restoration of the property that same year.

PEEC operates and teaches environmental sustainability; so it lives the mission of Earth Day every day. The PEEC’s Earth Day Festival will be held on Saturday, April 28, from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry. The Festival observes Earth Day with interpretive hikes, handson learning stations, conservation exhibits, crafts, food, music and much more. Pre-registration is not required, but there is a $5.00 fee per car load. Information is available at 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. Special Events Coordinator Ricky Bennett reports, “Our Earth Day festival is more than a festival; it is time spent with family and friends, time to enjoy nature. Come be a part of our community; we have something for everyone.” The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort is another major center in the Poconos for significant Earth Day tributes and events. The Shawnee Inn’s history dates back to the 1890s, when native New Yorker and successful business owner Charles Campbell Worthington decided to summer in Shawnee. Being an outdoorsman who never enjoyed city life, he relocated permanently to his summer home. In 1904 he built Worthington Hall, now home of the Shawnee Playhouse and

Charles Campbell Worthington would certainly have agreed with and applauded the Resort’s current “Green Pledge” – a vow to make a conscious effort to recycle, turn off lights when not needed, and monitor climate control systems to conserve energy. What’s more, only all-natural and organic products are used in their spa- and the golf course includes the Rain Bird System for irrigation, habitat-friendly areas for wildlife, and (in cooperation with Audubon International) protected bird sanctuaries. The restaurant serves seasonal, locally-sourced fare and seafood, including fare from the Shawnee Island Farm and herb gardens. They have even established the Shawnee Apiary to produce their own honey and assist in the pollination process. As you can see, Shawnee is a ‘natural’ when it comes to keeping faith with Mother Earth and paying homage on ‘her’ special day. That’s why you might want to note that the Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort will host its 15th annual River Road Clean Up from 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, April 21. Arrive at 8:00 A.M. at the Shawnee River Sanctuary to prepare for the clean-up and enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. Traditionally, about 100 community volunteers gather at the Inn biannually to clear the litter from an 11-mile stretch of River Road in the National Recreation Area. If you are among the first 50 to preregister, you’ll receive a free T-shirt. All volunteers receive protective gloves and vests provided by Keep PA Beautiful. Children must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian. The reward for your efforts, other than a feeling of accomplishment, is an appreciation lunch after the clean-up, at The Gem and Keystone Brewpub.

To pre-register to volunteer, contact Tamara Pettite at 570-424-4050, ext. 1405, or sales@shawneeinn.com. The staff notes that this event is great for families with children, because River Road is closed to traffic to ensure safety and fun for all! 24 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

Photo

azin ing Mag iv L o n o of Poc courtesy

In other Earth Day festivities in the Poconos to local non-profit organizations who can re-gift them or participants, Monroe County, which has been observing re-sell those items as a fundraiser. For more details on Earth Day through a 3-year partnership between the the Give and Take Day and what items are eligible, visit Monroe County Conservation District and www.closetheloop.com. the Northampton County Community College, will host a celebration on What is special about this event is April 21 from 10 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. that it attracts people of all ages “Act rather than wait; at the Monroe Campus on Warner and income levels; because innovate rather than Road in Tannersville. The day everyone likes saving money. It will include exhibits and handsis an awesome way to reuse and accept the status quo; on activities by community repurpose items. It also brings believe in the power agencies, organizations and the local community together of the collective”. businesses, as well as children’s and reinforces environmental – Earth Day Network activities, informative stations for awareness in Monroe County. adults, and music by Katie Rubino. You can get more information on the Monroe County Earth Day by Feel free to bring your retired PC or bald visiting www.mcearthday.org or snow tires for a free electronics recycling and calling 570-629-3061. tire amnesty drop-off, being sponsored by the Monroe County Waste Management Authority. You can also It’s clear that there are many ways to celebrate Earth Day bring your gently-used items from 10:00 A.M. to 1:00 in the Poconos. However, more important than where P.M. to give away, as part of Close the Loop’s 10th you celebrate or even how you celebrate is that you annual Give and Take Day. After you’re through with remember to honor and nurture our cosmic home every the giving, you can take away anything you want from day of the year. Be a steward of our Mother Earth and 1:30 to 3 P.M. for free! Anything remaining is donated participate in an Earth Day event. 

S P RU C E PLANTINGS ON GAME LANDS TO HELP NORTHERN FLYING SQUIRREL By: William M. Williams, PA Game Commission, NE Region Information and Education Supervisor

State endangered mammal requires oldgrowth conifers for food and shelter

cattered remnants of a diminishing boreal forest are the last footholds for the state-endangered northern flying squirrel in northeastern Pennsylvania. The diminutive nocturnal rodent, with its disproportionately large eyes and unique ability to glide through the air, is in trouble. Forest fragmentation, the loss of trees necessary for food and shelter, and competition with a close cousin have kept this species precariously clinging to survival in the commonwealth. But help may be on the way in the form of a habitat-improvement project taking shape on state game lands in the Poconos.

SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT

Pennsylvania is home to two species of flying squirrels. Both weigh less than 3 ounces, are 8 to 10 inches long including the tail, and appear identical. The southern flying squirrel (SFS) and northern flying squirrel (NFS) are brown on the back â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the northern sporting a slightly reddish tint. The key differentiating physical characteristic is the SFS has belly hairs that are all white, while the NFS has belly hairs that are whitish at the tip, but grayish at the base. 26 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ APRIL/MAY 2018

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Northern flying squirrel gliding. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

The SFS is a habitat generalist found in hardwood forests throughout the state where it eats a steady diet of nuts, seeds and insects. In contrast, the NFS is a habitat specialist that requires unbroken stands of coniferous forests for survival. An ongoing study in Pennsylvania initiated in 2001 found the NFS only in the Pocono region and at isolated sites in Warren and Potter counties. While the NFS’s diet is somewhat varied, it is partial to consuming lichens and underground fungi found in hemlock/spruce forests. The specific habitat requirements of the NFS made this species especially vulnerable to population declines.

NIGHT GLIDERS

Northern flying squirrels are most active during the evening hours and their large eyes are an adaptation for nocturnal activity. Flying squirrels have skin flaps that extend between the wrists and ankles, and tails that are flattened top to bottom and used for steering when gliding from tree to tree. Northern flying squirrels travel principally by gliding (traveling an average distance of 65 feet) and take short jumps while on the ground. Tree cavities provide the best nest sites and one litter of young is produced in mid- to late May, with an average litter size of two. The young 28 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

squirrels are fully weaned and ready for “test flights” at about three months. Pennsylvania’s flying squirrels are active year-round and they may cluster together in cold weather to keep warm. Predators include owls, hawks, bobcats, raccoons and snakes.

SHRINKING HABITAT

Factors influencing the northern flying squirrels decline in Pennsylvania include: • Mass clearcutting and wildfires that removed conifer trees, especially eastern hemlock and red spruce, from the landscape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. • Loss of older conifer stands to development across the NFS range. • The recent declining health of hemlock forest stands caused by hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA). • Competition with the SFS in marginal habitat. Research suggests that the SFS may carry and transmit an intestinal parasite lethal to the NFS.

THE NFS-FUNGUS CONNECTION

The primary food source of the NFS is the fruiting body (truffle) of an underground fungus that grows on the roots of conifer trees. Hemlock and spruce trees depend on the fungi for efficient water uptake and the fungi rely on their tree hosts as a source of carbohydrates. Maintaining this threecomponent beneficial relationship was a key consideration when Game Commission foresters and biologists developed a plan to improve habitat conditions for the NFS.

STATE GAME LANDS 149

State Game Lands (SGL) 149 encompasses approximately 1,991 acres within the Pocono Plateau region in Foster Township, Luzerne County. The game lands has documented populations of NFS along the hemlock-dominated Sandy Run stream corridor and adjoining uplands that provide the habitat necessary for this species to exist. The SGL 149 Management Plan identified the need to maintain and expand the game lands’ existing boreal forest component to support NFS populations. In 2011, Northeast Region foresters, mammal biologists, and region biologists delineated existing core NFS habitat along Sandy Run. A 300-foot buffer zone was then designated around the core habitat to meet NFS foraging needs, bringing the total project area to 650 acres.

The rare Northern flying squirrel is a fascinating member of Pennsylvania’s wildlife community that is rarely observed in a natural state.

THE IDEAL TREE

While red spruce is scattered throughout SGL 149, it is not present in great numbers or found forming established stands. Red spruce can act as a “surrogate” tree species for birds and mammals that depend on eastern hemlock. Red spruce is immune to HWA and is shade tolerant. Seedlings planted under a hemlock understory can persist over 40 years, awaiting to be “released” with additional amounts of

Northern flying squirrel in nesting box. Photo courtesy of Greg Turner

sunlight. When Game Commission biologists conduct NFS studies, most of the squirrels are captured within 50 feet of a red spruce. The continuing destruction of Pennsylvania’s hemlocks caused by HWA made this tree the perfect choice to plant and improve NFS habitat.

PLANTING WITH A PURPOSE

Planting red spruce trees to improve NFS habitat on SGL 149 was initiated by Game Commission personnel before the ravages of HWA affected hemlock stands along Sandy Run. But the anticipated spread of the disease to this game lands was at the forefront of habitat-improvement planning. Red spruce seedlings were raised at the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery from seed-producing cones collected at isolated stand locations in northeastern Pennsylvania. Over 2,000 bare-root trees were introduced into the soil by agency foresters, biologists, and habitatimprovement personnel in the spring of 2011. Many were planted directly under the core NFS habitat hemlock canopy. Foresters reasoned that the inevitable thinning of the hemlock branches would result in increased sunlight reaching the red spruce seedlings below – and allow them to reach for the sky. Other seedlings were planted in “canopy gaps” within the surrounding buffer zone with the hopes of extending the core area along Sandy Run to nearby conifer stands. POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 29

Map of documented Northern flying squirrels in PA Photo courtesy of Kathy Haffner

THE PRESENT

Game Commission Northeast Region forester Zach Wismer recently made a site visit to evaluate the project area. He discovered that seedlings from the 2011 plantings are well established and persisting in areas with full conifer shade – although they show no noticeable growth. “This speaks to their extreme shade tolerance and low palatability to white-tailed deer,” said Wismer. As predicted, HWA is now present in the Sandy Run drainage and affecting mature hemlock in the core NFS habitat. Thinning of hemlock crowns is beginning and the increased sunlight will soon facilitate spruce tree growth. Most seedlings planted in canopy gaps receiving partial sunlight have grown to over 3 feet and they may indeed help realize the goal of extending NFS habitat to nearby conifer stands. Similar NFS habitat improvement projects were initiated by the Game Commission on state game lands in Carbon and Monroe counties in 2012. 30 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

WHERE ARE THEY?

Game Commission biologists gather information on NFS populations while providing squirrels with a place for raising their young by installing and monitoring nesting boxes in and around known NFS habitat. These artificial tree cavities decrease the risk of predation and increase juvenile survival rate. A network of over 750 boxes are in place at historic and potential NFS sites. Through the use of nesting boxes, biologists have verified new populations and confirmed several more historic ones.

THE FUTURE

“The rare Northern flying squirrel is a fascinating member of Pennsylvania’s wildlife community that is rarely observed in a natural state,” said Wismer. “We are working hard to keep it thriving here in Pennsylvania.” This living relic of the northern forests may have been given the opportunity to continue gliding in our woodlands through the dedicated work of Game Commission personnel who looked to the future – and planted a few thousand trees. 

Photo courtesy of iStock POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2018 31

Photo courtesy of Dave Sandt 32 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂ© APRIL/MAY 2018

RAIL TOWER in

EAST STROUDSBURG Co-written by Amy Leiser, Monroe County Historical Association Executive Director and Kendrick Bisset, East Stroudsburg Railroad Tower Society President

he history of Monroe County’s rail lines began over 150 years ago. The Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad established tracks on the east side of the Brodhead Creek, and the first train to New York from Scranton passed through East Stroudsburg on May 13, 1856. Near the corner of Lackawanna and Analomink Streets in East Stroudsburg stands a strange, small building located just next to the railroad tracks. With a footprint of only about 15 by 21 feet, the tower stands two stories tall. This is the railroad signal tower. With its many windows in the upper floor, the tower provided a man working inside with a clear view of the tracks. The man could also be easily seen from below, but the structure was private, not open to the public, and perhaps there was a bit of a mystery about what the building was for and why the man was working there. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the tower was not as private or as restricted as the railroad company would have liked, and there are many local stories of the tower’s illicit visitors. The visitors were likely even more curious, and perhaps a bit mystified about the tower’s workings after they got inside.

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 33

In 1917, there were over 4,000 mechanical towers across the United States. Today, there are none in service, and only a handful have been preserved. The East Stroudsburg Tower controlled the switches and signals on the main tracks between Broad Street and Federal Street. When the tower was built in 1908, there were two main tracks from Federal Street to Hoboken, NJ, four tracks from Broad Street to Henryville (about 9 miles north of the tower), and at least two other tracks. There were several other tracks and switches in the area, but these were not controlled from the tower. Large levers inside the tower operated the switches and signals through mechanical connections. Through links and cranks, the levers pushed and pulled rods alongside the track to move switches, signals, and locking devices. The levers were equipped with mechanical locking so that they could only be moved in the correct sequence. First, the switches were positioned and then locked. Only then, could a signal be cleared. Once the signal was cleared, the switches and locks could not be moved. The interlocking between the levers gave the name “interlocking machine” to the assembly of levers. The power to move the levers, switches, locks, and signals came from the tower operator’s arms - hence, the nickname for this type of interlocking: an “armstrong” machine. The East Stroudsburg tower has 38 levers, and when the tower was first built, all 38 levers were used. This was unusual; most towers were provided with spare levers, or at least spare spaces for levers. Over the years, some switches and signals were removed, leaving a few levers as spares. A major reason for the change to the operation was made in about 1937, when the mechanical signals (“semaphores”) were replaced

34 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

by color light signals (red, yellow, and green lights). The relays and circuits for this change required the installation of the concrete relay house next to the tower. Since only one lever was needed to control a signal (instead of as many as three levers for the three semaphore arms on a signal), many more levers became spares. Two of the levers in the tower operated mechanical crossing gates across Analomink Street, just outside the tower. There were four gates, two on each side of the tracks. When lowered, the gates provided a barricade to road traffic. Today, the mechanical gates have been replaced by automatic electrically-operated gates with flashing lights. The tower was manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Only one man (women almost never worked as tower operators) was on duty at a time. The tower was equipped with a toilet and a sink, although in 1908, there may just have been an outhouse. Heat was provided by a coal stove in the downstairs room, but originally there was a central steam boiler for the Stroudsburg area which probably heated the tower (as well as several other buildings). In 1917, there were over 4,000 mechanical towers across the United States. Today, there are none in service, and only a handful have been preserved. Where did all of these towers go? Some were replaced with power interlocking machines while others were abandoned when tracks were abandoned. The East Stroudsburg tower contained an example of a signal system which replaced many other towers.

Photo courtesy of Dave Sandt

Photo courtesy of Dave Sandt There were several other towers in the area. West Henryville controlled the west end of tracks 3 and 4. Analomink controlled the entrance to the small yard there. Gravel Place (near present Mill Creek Road) controlled connections to the roundhouse for helper locomotives, and Slateford Junction controlled the junction between the “old main” and the new (in 1911) cutoff across to New Jersey. These towers were all manned full time. In 1942, the towers at West Henryville and Analomink were replaced by electric interlockings, remotely controlled from the Gravel Place tower. The new system, known as Centralized Traffic Control (CTC), allowed one operator to control several interlockings, with controls and indications transmitted over a single pair of wires. Small levers and indication lights allowed operation without much physical effort; the switches were equipped with electric motors, and the locking was performed electrically instead of mechanically. The small CTC machine was moved from Gravel Place to East Stroudsburg in 1950, and the interlocking at Gravel Place was replaced by CTC. Finally, the interlocking at Slateford Junction was 36 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

added to the CTC machine in 1951, closing that tower. The Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western railroad carried a significant amount of traffic, both freight and passenger. As late as 1958, there were seven passenger trains a day in each direction past the East Stroudsburg tower, and many more freight trains. The main line was double track all the way from Hoboken to Buffalo, and these tracks received heavy use. Even with this level of traffic, the Lackawanna, along with other railroads in the northeast, was in financial trouble even before hurricanes Connie and Diane hit the Poconos in August, 1955. The rainfall from the two hurricanes destroyed several areas of the Lackawanna’s track, and brought all rail traffic in the Poconos to a halt for several weeks. Among much other damage, Bell’s Bridge, about two and a half miles east of Stroudsburg, was destroyed. This double track bridge was replaced by a single track bridge in September 1955.

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The weakened Lackawanna finally merged with the Erie Railroad in October, 1960 to form the Erie Lackawanna. Passenger service through Stroudsburg ended in January, 1970. The Erie Lackawanna, in turn, merged with other railroads to form Conrail on April 1, 1976. During this time, rail traffic declined, and track and signal systems were removed. As far as we know, the tower was finally removed from service in 1986. That the tower has survived since its closure is something of a miracle. Conrail seemed to have a policy of scrapping abandoned facilities, but for some reason, the tower did not suffer this fate. The largest piece of equipment in the tower, the mechanical interlocking machine, is largely intact. When one thinks of a rail system, pictures of large engines pulling multiple cars and train stations that picked up and dropped off passengers and freight come to mind, but it is important to recognize the small, unassuming buildings that actually ensured the safety and efficiency of the entire rail system.  POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 37

l i a r T l a n o i t a e r c e R e d a D c M

ottone B e n n a e s o R By:

Take the Challenge

A Little History

Grab your mountain bike, don your hiking shoes, or break out the cross-country skis or snow shoes and head out for an adventure on the McDade Recreational Trail within the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Take in stunning views of the Delaware River; enjoy the peacefulness of forests, sprawling fields, and babbling streams; and discover historic landmarks along the way.

The 32-mile trail is a project of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy – a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors. It’s named after Joseph Michael McDade who represented the 10th congressional district of Pennsylvania in the US House of Representatives from 1963 – 1999.

How to Get There

Joe McDade was the chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development and a member of the Subcommittee on the Interior. During his 36-year tenure in the House, he was instrumental in establishing the Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area, the Steamtown National Historic Site, and the National Fishery Laboratory in Wellsboro.

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area spans a long, narrow trek between Interstate 80 in the south and I-84 in the north. The main north/south thoroughfare is US 209 in eastern Pennsylvania.

38 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

The Nitty Gritty

ing!

About 90% of the trail is a 5-foot to 8-foot wide gravel road, and the rest is an occasional, well-manicured “path.” You’ll find trailheads for entering and exiting the trail at about every half-mile to five-mile intervals. If you enter at the Hialeah Trailhead – the southernmost trail end point and travel up to the Turn Farm Trailhead along River Road, you’ll find the terrain is mostly level with a few gentle hills and is easy-to-moderate to navigate. The Conservancy describes part of the trail further north between Owens Trailhead and Bushkill as “more challenging with a steep hill and a section where you will have to travel on the roadway for a few tenths of a mile.” Cross-country skiers will enjoy the 10 miles of flat trail between the Eshback Trailhead and the White Pines Trailhead. Some sections of the trail north of the White Pines Trailhead are designated for hiking only. Pets are welcome! Bikers have a 15 mph speed limit and must yield to pedestrians. The the trail between Pittman Orchard and the northern-most trail end point at Milford Beach promises stunning vistas of rural landscapes and a view of the Snyder Farm silo.

et Go G d n a n la P a Make

How far do you want to go? Use this guide for pointto-point distances and take along these 10 essential items in your day pack:

1. 2.

Hydration, lunch or snacks Layers of clothing that can be added or removed for temperature control

Sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses

Equipment such as a GPS device, binoculars, a flashlight, multi-tool and emergency repair items

A first aid kit and matches in a waterproof case A journal for note-taking is optional, but don’t forget your camera!

courtes Photos

abay y of Pix

POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 39

ail r T l a n io t a e r c McDade Re

Selected Trips Here are a few selected trips recommended by Trail Links. For a map containing additional information, including geo-coded photographs, vista points and parking places visit www.traillink.com/trail-maps/mcdade-recreational-trail.aspx. 

40 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018

Selected Trip Trailhead/Parking Round Trip Difficulty/Description Short, flat bike ride

Bushkill Village north to Egypt Mills

Up to 8 miles

Flat run in Bushkill, including farmed flats, wetlands, shale cliffs, river access, and Tom’s Creek. Restrooms at Bushkill Village and Egypt Mills

Best explored on foot. Steep History Hiking: Old

roads, houses and barns

Turn Farm Spur north to Bushkill Village

Up to 6.4 miles

switchbacks up to the boardwalk over the swamp, then rolling trail.

Restrooms at Turn Farm and Bushkill Village

Photos courtesy of Pixabay

OUR

POCONO MOUNTAINS STATE PARKS By John Serrao

he Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania had more than its share of state parks. Within a 45 minute drive from the center of the Pocono Plateau there are 9 different State Parks that offer splendid opportunities for boating, swimming, picnicking, fishing, camping, bicycling, hiking, and just about every other outdoor pursuit. Each of these parks has its own unique character and offerings. Lehigh Gorge State Park, for example, is a 4500-acre park in Luzerne and Carbon Counties that’s famous for its whitewater rafting. Exciting trips of various lengths can be arranged with outfitters that take groups down the rapids and pools, past magnificent scenery. The Gorge is also well-known for its 26-mile, flat, level abandoned railroad grade, and a popular trail for bicyclists, runners, and walkers. Adjoining Lehigh Gorge is Hickory Run State Park, at 15,500 acres the largest state park in the Poconos. Although the park’s most famous feature is its huge boulder field (a National Natural Landmark and a relict of the glacial era), it’s also a hikers’ paradise, with 60 miles of trails. For those seeking a more relaxing experience, Hickory Run also has a lake with swimming and beach, excellent camping, and fishing in several streams that flow into the Lehigh River. Not far from these two state parks, just outside White Haven, one of Pennsylvania’s newest parks opened a beautiful Environmental Education Center in 2005. The 3550-acre Nescopeck State Park offers nature programs by a staff of professional environmental educators year-round. For fishermen, the park contains two lakes and the scenic Nescopeck Creek, which flows through its entire length.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

Monroe County has three state parks that operate under the same administrative office in Tobyhanna. The 5400-acre Tobyhanna State Park, on Route 423, is perhaps the most popular of the three, especially on summer weekends when people flock to the beach, picnic areas, boat rental, and primitive campgrounds. With elevations up to 2200 feet above sea level, Tobyhanna State Park is situated at the very top of the Pocono Plateau, and contains several Canadian plants (balsam fir, tamarack, Labrador tea) and animals (snowshoe hare, Canada warbler, northern flying squirrel) that are at home in its cooler climate. A 5.2mile trail encircles the lake, and two rougher trails lead from this to other sections of the park. POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 43

Connected to Tobyhanna State Park, the 2800-acre Gouldsboro State Park has a large beach at its 250-acre lake (due to reopen in 2008 after being emptied for repairs to its dam). The park lacks camping facilities but its trails (including several miles of abandoned roadways) provide easy access to interesting wetlands and mature hardwood forests with big maples, beeches, birches, and black cherry trees.

For scenic vistas, the 1300-acre Big Pocono State Park can’t be beat. For scenic vistas, the 1300-acre Big Pocono State Park can’t be beat. Located on top of Camelback Mountain at an elevation of 2131 feet, the park has magnificent views of the Poconos, Delaware Water Gap, and parts of New York and New Jersey. There are picnic

areas at several parking lots in the park, as well as hiking trails leading down below the summit, but the main reason people visit the park is simply the view from the top. In June, the abundant mountain laurel’s pink and white flowers decorate the park’s unique pine barrens woodlands – so different from the northern forests of Tobyhanna and Gouldsboro State Parks. Pike County’s only state park is Promised Land. This 3000-acre park is a major recreational locale, with excellent beaches, swimming, boat rentals, camping (tents and cabins), and picnicking, all off Route 390 which runs through the center of the park. Even though Promised Land’s beaches and adjoining picnic-playground facilities can get crowded on summer weekends, vast forests of pines, oaks, and northern hardwoods (both within the park itself and in the Delaware State Forest which surrounds it with 12,600 additional acres of woods) permit hikers to escape on 50 miles of trails leading to glacial lakes, swamps, and ponds. If these seven parks can’t satisfy your craving for outdoor recreation, there are two others just south of the Pocono Plateau. Carbon County’s 3000-acre Beltsville State Park (near Lehighton) centers around a huge 950-acre lake created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Besides swimming and fishing, motor-boating and water-skiing are permitted here -- the only state park in our region in which these activities can be pursued. And, finally, near Wind Gap, the 1168-acre Jacobsburg State Park is one of only four Pennsylvania state parks designated an Environmental Education Center. The park’s staff of naturalists conducts programs for schools, organized groups, and the general public all year long, focusing on every possible outdoor subject. For those interested in a more solitary outdoor experience the park contains 2 ½ miles of Bushkill Creek and its tributary, Sobers Run, and 18 miles of trails, including 2 miles through one of the last primeval old-growth forests in the region – Henry’s Woods.  This article first appeared in our April/May 2010 issue of Pocono Living Magazine and is repeated here by popular demand.

Photo courtesy of Tom Wildoner

If these seven parks can’t satisfy your craving for outdoor recreation, there are two others just south of the Pocono Plateau.

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NPS Will Close River Road to Protect Breeding Amphibians Courtesy of the Delaware Water Gap NRA

otorists can expect River Road within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to be closed on several evenings over the next few weeks to protect breeding amphibians. The closures are contingent on the weather and may come earlier than usual this season, as the region has experienced a relatively mild winter. Lack of snow cover on the ground and few snaps of consistently warm temperatures mean that the ground is no longer frozen, a trigger to wildlife that spring is near.

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Each year the National Park Service take steps to protect migrating amphibians by closing River Road in Middle Smithfield Township between park headquarters and Hialeah Picnic Area on several mild, rainy nights from March to midApril. This closure allows vulnerable amphibians to crawl or hop from distances of a few hundred feet to sometimes more than a quarter mile, to moist breeding pools without the risk of being crushed by vehicle tires. The trigger for the road closures will be forecasts calling for evening rain with mild temperatures- usually in the 50’s. Since the amphibians are active principally at night and have completed their treks by dawn, the road will be closed at approximately 4:00 p.m. and will remain closed until approximately 6:30 a.m. 

Photo Courtesy of Rebecca Fry

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

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Since the amphibians are active principally at night and have completed their treks by dawn, the road will be closed at approximately 4:00 p.m. and will remain closed until approximately 6:30 a.m. For more information on Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area or updates on road closures call park headquarters at (570) 426-2452, Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm; visit our website at www.nps.gov/dewa; or follow us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS.

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Closures and Public Use Limits Enacted to Protect Peregrine Falcons Courtesy of the Delaware Water Gap NRA

eregrine falcons, considered the fastest species on Earth, continue to re-inhabit historic natural territories in Pennsylvania and other states where recovery from the brink of extinction has been a symbol of hope. Once a federally listed endangered species, peregrines were delisted in 1999 because of their highly successful recovery in many places in North America, most prominently on manmade structures. The species still remains listed as an endangered species in the state of Pennsylvania. Within Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, two pair have been observed defending natural high-cliff nesting territories. Since first detected nesting in 2003, the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Game Commission have worked in close coordination each year to monitor a peregrine nest on the cliffs of Mount Minsi. In an exciting step towards recovery, peregrine territorial activity is taking place at another historic location in the park along the Milford Cliffs, where historic nesting pairs were documented in the1940’s and 1950’s prior to the sudden and dramatic decline of the species. By order of the Superintendent of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and under the authority of Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 1.5(a) and Section (a)(1), areas in and around these cliffs have been closed as of February 23, 2018 to all visitor and operational activities in order to protect the nesting and pre-fledging

Photo courtesy of Pixabay periods from inadvertent disturbance or harassment. Trails bordering the closure remain open. The closed cliff areas are clearly marked with signs at trailheads or trail junctions. The opening of these closed areas is expected in late July or early August if the nesting attempt is successful. We ask for assistance from our visitors to please respect the closures. Falcons are particularly vulnerable to human activities that disturb or threaten the adults causing them to be less attentive and caring of the eggs or chicks. Disturbance can lead to temporary or permanent abandonment of the nest by the adults, leading to hypothermia, starvation, or predation by other birds. Any human disturbance that leads to chick mortality or complete nest failure only slows the recovery of the species and is in violation of state and federal law and policy, which will be enforced.

Biologists will closely monitor the areas throughout the nesting season. Reopening of closed areas will be announced when it is determined that human activity will not disturb the young birds. For updated information about the closures visit the park’s website, www.nps.gov/dewa or follow the park on www.facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS. 

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Presents

The Earth Speaks IV April 6 - 28, 2018

Opening Reception, April 21, 2018 5 – 7pm poconoarts.org

Artistic works in several mediums will be on display and for sale by artists and students from 13 states throughout the Northeast US region; each depicting messages and creative interpretations of the theme

PLUS Live Music Jury Awards Presentation Refreshments Challenges Educational Talks and Poetry on the Environment … and more!

Pocono Arts Council 18 North 7th Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 To become an Event Sponsor or for more info, call 570-476-4460 or email info@poconoarts.org

ROSIE’S REVIEWS

THE INVENTION of NATURE

ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT’S NEW WORLD BY ANDREA WULF

he name Humboldt ubiquitously graces four counties, thirteen towns (including one in PA), a river, parks, bays, lakes, mountains, and waterfalls throughout the United States. So, who is this guy that glaciers, a current, schools, ships, a University in Berlin, a lunar mare (a sea formed from a volcanic eruption) and even a species of skunk is named after? Alexander von Humboldt (1769 -1859) is a German naturalist whose visionary contributions to environmentalism is the most astounding, best-kept, right-in-your-face secret.

An Earth Day recommendation for the little ones. The series is titled, “White Feather Flier Adventures,” by Julian Lennon (Beatle John Lennon’s eldest son) for the benefit of the White Feather Foundation to heal the earth and provide humanitarian aid. The books are coauthored by Bart Davis and stunningly illustrated by Smiljana Coh. The imaginative and interactive stories engage children in saving the environment and loving the earth. The playful and inspiring adventures are more fun when read out loud.

Review by: Roseanne Bottone

Author Andrea Wulf revisits the life and times of this intrepid explorer, thinker, naturalist and writer in The Invention of Nature; Alexander Von Humboldt’s New World, one of the New York Times ten best books of the year. Follow Humboldt as he climbs the highest volcanos in the world, fords the Orinoco in South America, wears out 12,000 horses to cross anthrax plagued Siberia – all to study and record the climate and vegetation around the world. Humboldt’s understanding of the complexities of the natural world laid the groundwork for viewing all life on earth as interconnected organisms. He was the first to predict the negative impact human activities such as farming, and industrialization would have on the earth – including the potential for global warming. Humboldt’s ground-breaking books that wove together science and imagination profoundly influenced Charles Darwin, Wordsworth, and Goethe. His works sparked John Muir’s interest in preservation, Ralph Waldo Emerson’s love of nature, and Thoreau’s desire to write his classic book Walden. Over 100 pages of endnotes and sources are a testament to Wulf’s meticulous research. The writing has a slight tendency to be a bit academic at times, but it’s a read well-worth the effort. It is best enjoyed in a quiet, restful ambiance devoid of distractions.  POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 51

TIPS TO PROTECT BIRDS

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in Your Yard and Garden

Pocono Living Magazine Subscriptions Available

ne of the best parts of backyard living in the warmer months is all the potential for bird watching that comes with it. You may have even installed a birdfeeder in your garden in an attempt to attract more birds to your property.

Having difficulty finding your copy of Pocono Living Magazine? We know... they go fast! So, we offer subscriptions for $29.95 - six issues (one year).

But did you know, your home poses dangerous risks to the birds that visit your yard and garden? Window strikes are common among many species of migrating birds, and millions of wild birds are killed annually flying into windows.

A great way to stay in touch with the Poconos.

Cut out and mail the form along with your check for $29.95 to:

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POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEÂŠ APRIL/MAY 2018 53

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Whether you are an avid amateur ornithologist or just a casual observer of feathered friends in flight, by taking precautions your home need not be part of the problem. Take advantage of the fact that birds can see certain light frequencies that humans cannot to make windows visible to birds in a way that won’t obstruct your own view. Doing so can be a simple home project completed in just an afternoon. Try applying UV decals and UV liquid to your home’s windows and sliding glass doors. Those from WindowAlert, for example, have been proven to effectively alter the flight path of birds to prevent window strikes. While the coating will look like etched glass to the human eye, it will

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“Turning your home into a refuge for birds is a simple way to save lives and protect the creatures that beautify your yard and, in the case of hummingbirds, pollinate your garden,” says Spencer Schock, founder of WindowAlert.

look very visible to a bird. As UV reflectivity may fade over time, it’s important to replace the decals and liquid every four months. Application techniques can be found by visiting WindowAlert.com. Schock also recommends planting trees, shrubs and flowers that provide birds with nourishment and shelter, as well as paying attention to pet cats when they are outdoors, to ensure they don’t hunt the birds that visit. This season, be a better friend to birds by taking a few simple measures in your home and garden. Courtesy of State Point

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Your Neighborhood Tavern Established in 1933 90 Washington Street, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 570-424-1131 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© APRIL/MAY 2018 55

Art Opening Miharu Lane ‘Great Trees’

Farm to Table Dinner

The “Great Trees” series began in 2015 when Miharu visited Japan after 58 years. From “Old Sycamore” by the ruins of the Parrish Church circa 1784 in Maryland to “Lady Sycamore” in Tannersville, PA, she found abundance of subject matters. Opening reception 11a.m. -1p.m. Exhibit runs April 2nd through 30th. www.mcconservation.org

Welcome the coming of spring with PEEC’s 2nd Farm to Table Dinner. This dinner features local produce perfect for the season! Bring your friends & family to enjoy this cozy evening. Payment is required at registration. Space is limited - call early! www.peec.org

Boy Scout Badge Festival

April 8 10am - 12pm

April 7 11am - 1pm

April 7 9:30am - 4pm

Attention all Bears, Webelos and Boy Scouts! Join us for a fun day of badge work and ask us about turning it into an overnight! Bears will work on the Bear Necessities adventure (pre-req 5 and 9). Webelos will work on Castaway adventure (pre-req 2a: assemble and bring a survival kit). Boy Scouts will work towards their Nature Merit Badge (pre-req 4.a.2, 4.d.1-collect 10 insects/spiders). Scouts must be supervised at all times by a parent or troop leader. Payment is required at registration. Space is limited - call early! www.peec.org

April 7 6 - 8pm

Salamanders, Frogs, and More! 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. www.peec.org

EcoZone Discovery Room April 8

1 - 4pm 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. www.peec.org

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

In & Around the Poconos

23 Annual rd

Community Aviation Day

Fly-Ins Fuel 25c/gal Discount

Fly-In Drive-In Breakfast

F R Plane EE

Public Welcome

Pancake Breakfast Tickets $10 Adults

Rides For Kid s

$6 Children 12 & under

Ages 817 9 a m to 1 p P m Young E rovided by agles EA A Progr am

Sunday, May 27, 2018 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

570-421-5020 papillon-moyer.com