Lake News, May-June 2025 by canwinjournal

Lake News

May-June 2025

Ruth Isenberg, Editor

Seth Isenberg, Ads / Distribution Publishers

(Continuing the work of founders Frank Pieri and Mary Farnschlader, 1995 – 2018)

Lake News is published monthly for the enjoyment of Lake Harmony area residents and visitors. Copies are free and are mailed to Lake Harmony box holders. Find additional copies at The Country Peddler and at selected area businesses.

Subscriptions are also available, for $15 as a PDF via e-mail. Mail your check to CANWIN at 211 Main St., White Haven PA 18661.

E-mail us at lakenewslakeharmony@gmail.com

Call us at 570-215-0204, Seth x1 and Ruth x2

To submit an article or photo, use the above e-mail, or give us a call. Articles may be accepted or rejected. If accepted, they will be edited. Submitted items can be returned by arrangement. Articles appearing in Lake News may not be reprinted without permission of Lake News or CANWIN newspapers. Mailing address is 211 Main St., White Haven PA 18661.

LOCAL CONTACT INFORMATION

Kidder Township Office 570 722-0107

Kidder Township Police

(non-emergency #) 570 722-0192

Lake Harmony Vol. Fire Co. (non-emergency #) 570 722-8138

Lake Harmony Rescue Squad (non-emergency #) 570 722-1782

For emergencies, call 911. If you do not live in an area served by 911, call 570 325-9111.

KIDDER TOWNSHIP MEETINGS

Kidder Township Supervisor meetings are held the fourth Thursday of each month at the township building, and unless otherwise noted, begin at 6:00 PM. Notices of special meetings are posted at the township building and advertised Planning meetings are held the 1st Wednesday at 6 PM; Zoning meetings, the last Monday at 6 PM; EAC, the second Wednesday at 7 PM. The public is welcome.

This Month’s Cover

Mark Peterson captured this image toward the end of April of a reflecting cloud on The Lake. It captures a sense of peaceful contemplation and natural beauty.

If you have a picture of life at The Lake that you would like to share, please send it to: lakenewslakeharmony@gmail.com with some information about where and when the picture was taken, plus a few details about yourself. Caution very low resolution photos may look fine on your phone, but they need to be a higher resolution to print.

Steven Wasko, D.D.S.

Entertainment Around Lake Harmony

At Shenanigans Events at shenaniganslh.com

Karaoke, DJs and Dancing in Boomers Night Club Fri. & Sat. 9 p.m. -1 a.m.

June 20—NASCAR Meet & Greet with Keystone Light Driver Austin Cedric, 6:30-8 p.m.

At Nick’s Lake House (All 5-9 p.m. except as noted)

June 6 The Chosen Few

June 7 Fuzzy Park

June 8 John Simo (4-8 p.m.)

June 13 Who Knows Band

June 14 Subagrove Band

June 15 The Bikini Brothers (4-8 p.m.)

June 20 Friends of Roger

June 21 CC Music

June 22 Group d’Jour (4-8 p.m.)

June 27 Fuzzy Park

June 28 Bayou Risin

June 29 The Benny Band (4-8 p.m.)

Thurs., July 3 Boots and Bangs

July 4 Flaxy Morgan Band

July 5 Mystery City

July 6 John Simo (4-8 p.m.)

July 11 Who Knows Band

July 12 Group d’Jour

At Boulder View Tavern (All 6-9 p.m. except as noted)

June 6—Brian Roder

June 7—Ian Kirk

June 13—Sol Katana

June 14 Timmy Fitz & Mark Nouric

June 15 Fathers’ Day Cookout & Strawberry Jam

June 20 —Tony Alosi

June 21 Bill Hoffman

June 27 —Erin McClelland

June 28 Hannah Noel (8 a.m.-5 p.m.)

For more dates, www.boulderviewtavern.com/ events

See ENTERTAINMENT, page 18

For the Love of Kidder

by Mark Peterson

Kidder Township, covering nearly 70 square miles in the northern reaches of Carbon County, is a jewel of the Western Poconos. With its lush forests, abundant wildlife, pristine waterways, and endless outdoor opportunities including the 16,000-acre Hickory Run State Park and beautiful Lake Harmony Kidder has long been a haven for those who hike, ski, fish, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains.

But today, this natural beauty faces unprecedented threats.

Rapid commercial development, deforestation, and sprawling truck terminals threaten to replace birdsong with diesel engines, trout streams with runoff, and fresh mountain air with toxic fumes. In response, concerned residents and visitors have come together to form Love Kidder Township (LKT), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit determined to protect the community they love.

At LKT’s first annual meeting on May 17 at the Hub in Lake Harmony (special thanks to Jeff and Shelly Lutz), 16 attendees approved bylaws and elected Beth Hurley (president), Chuck Cutshall (vice-president), Kathy Lorigan (treasurer), and Paul Lorigan (secretary). The new board is actively seeking volunteers to lead fundraising and communication efforts because together we can make a difference.

Among LKT’s top concerns are three major truck

terminals along Route 940, totaling over 2 million square feet and potentially generating thousands of truck trips daily. One of these sites lies just 800 feet from the high-quality Black Creek, one of Pennsylvania’s top trout streams. Alarmingly, none of these developments have established the longterm stormwater maintenance funds required by Township Ordinance #148-79.

Instead of enforcing compliance, the Kidder Board of Supervisors has floated the idea of eliminating the ordinance entirely a move that would undermine protections for local waterways. Residents are urging Township officials to uphold and enforce this critical safeguard. It is important to note that of the 2% of Pennsylvania’s waterways that are designated by the DEP as “Exceptional Value” featuring the cleanest waters and healthiest ecosystems 80% are in the forests, wetlands, and mountains of the Poconos.

Adding to environmental concerns are two largescale solar projects. One, the 455-acre Mora Solar project near the Moseywood Girl Scout Camp, is moving forward despite widespread community opposition. Another, across from Harmony Beverage, was greenlit after receiving several zoning waivers despite not meeting minimum lot size and setback requirements. While renewable energy has its place, these projects come at the cost of deforestation and habitat destruction in some of the state’s most ecologically valuable land.

See LOVE OF KIDDER, page 7

Love of Kidder

Continued from page 6

If you love Kidder Township like I do, you could support LKT by sending a donation via check to Love Kidder Township, PO Box 338, Lake Harmony, PA 18624. You might want to consider attending a Board of Supervisors meeting, held on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Township Municipal Building our presence makes a difference. You could also call the township office at 570-722-0107 or write to the Kidder Township Board of Supervisors at P.O. Box 576 Lake Harmony, PA 18624. Stay connected through the Love Kidder

Township Facebook group or email LOVEKidderTownship@outlook.com to get involved. Membership is free just bring your love for Kidder Township and your desire to protect what makes it special. Together, we can preserve the forests, water, and wildlife that make Kidder a place like no other.

And speaking of a place like no other, did you know that Peterson’s Ski and Cycle is just next door to Kidder Township in Blakeslee? No kidding for over 30 years, PSC has been your go-to for bikes (including electric and mountain bikes), ski gear, T-shirts, hoodies, souvenirs, rentals and more. Stop in and say hi or visit us online at www.petersonsskiandcycle.com. We hope to “ski” you soon!

SRCOA holds annual meeting

Here are some scenes from the Split Rock Cottage Owners Association meeting that took place Saturday, May 24, at the Pavilion at Split Rock Lodge. Topics included efforts by Love Kidder Township to keep residents informed about warehouse and solar farm developments that impact Lake Harmony. Thanks to Mark Peterson for these photos.

See SRCOA, page 10

SRCOA

Continued from page 8

on page 12

RCOA president Kathy Saxon.

Chuck Cutshall, LOVE

Kidder Township vicepresident

More

Continued from page 10

Taking a moment to warm up in the sunshine.

and truck terminals in

Beth Hurley, LOVE Kidder Township president, spoke about warehouses

the township.

New fund will support First Responders

Golf Tournament Sept. 8 kicks off fundraising

The Carbon County Community Foundation announced the establishment of the Kidder

Lake

Fresh Produce

Artisan Breads Tuesdays & Fridays; Fresh Baked Baguettes Wednesdays & Sundays; Bagels, Muffins, Fresh-Baked Pies Too; Locally Butchered Meat; Charcuterie; Alaskan-Caught Seasfood; Local Dairy; Italian Pastas from Philadelphia; Many More Locally-Sourced Food Items; Fresh Brewed Coffee and Herbal Teas served daily.

Township First Responders Fund, made possible through the generosity and leadership of Blue Ridge Real Estate Company, during a press conference May 6 at Jack Frost National Golf Club. This charitable fund will support the critical work of four local emergency response organizations serving Kidder Township:

• Albrightsville Fire Company

• Lake Harmony Volunteer Rescue Squad & Ambulance

• Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company

• Kidder Township Police Department

To launch the fund and begin raising support, Blue Ridge Real Estate is hosting a charity golf tournament on September 8, at Jack Frost National Golf Club in Kidder Township. All proceeds will benefit the new fund.

Sponsorship opportunities are available now and golfer registration will open soon. Community members are also invited to make tax-deductible donations directly to the fund at www.cccfoundpa. org/kidder- township-first-responders-fund.

Open Monday through Thursday 9-5; Friday & Saturday, 9-6; Sunday 9-4. hannasfarmmarket@gmail.com

“First responder organizations are absolutely essential to the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Sharon Alexander, president of the Carbon County Community Foundation. “Recent wildfires in the Jim Thorpe area are a reminder of just how vital their presence and preparedness are. I’m thrilled to see this effort launched for Kidder Township, and I hope it

See FIRST RESPONDERS, page 16

First Responders

Continued from page 15

inspires similar partnerships and initiatives throughout the county.”

The Kidder Township First Responders Fund will provide ongoing, flexible support to the police, fire, and emergency response organizations in the region—helping them meet evolving needs, upgrade equipment, and continue training efforts.

“This fund is our way of giving back to the first responders who serve our community every day,” said Bruce Beaty, President of Blue Ridge Real Estate Company. “We’ve seen firsthand how important their work is whether responding to medical emergencies, protecting property from fires, or maintaining public safety. We hope this fund will make a meaningful difference for the people who keep us safe.”

The Carbon County Community Foundation is honored to serve as the steward of this fund and encourages individuals and businesses to get involved. For more information about the golf tournament, sponsorships, or making a donation, visit www.cccfoundpa.org or call 1-855-545-1311.

About the Carbon County Community Foundation

The Carbon County Community Foundation was formed in 2015 with the mission to improve the quality of life for all Carbon County residents, now and forever. We do this by offering individuals, families, and businesses the most effective charitable giving tools available in the marketplace today, combining that with expertise in philanthropic planning, nonprofit sector issues, and community priorities. Since 2016, the charitable funds at the Foundation have cumulatively awarded more than $1 million in grants and scholarships to nonprofit and community organizations, teachers, schools, and students in Carbon County. We are honored to work with hundreds of donors, nonprofits, advisors, and civic leaders to build resources and strengthen our community, forever. Learn more about the Carbon County Community Foundation at cccfoundpa.org or by calling 1-855-545-1311.

Entertainment Around Lake Harmony

At The Pub @ the hub

Music Friday and Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.

June 6—Justin Skylar

June 7—TBA

June 13—Dina Hall

June 14—TBA

June 20—Chris Zelenka

June 21 Sol Katana

June 27 John Simoson

June 28 Friends of Roger

July 4 Chris Thomas

July 5 Justin Skylar

July 11 Sol Katana

July 12 Andrew Moses

At Split Rock Hotel, 428 Moseywood Road

June 7 & 8, 12-5, Winefest 2025 Sandbar afterparty, June 7

At Pocono Raceway poconoraceway.com

June 20 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-Miller Tech Battery 200

June 21 NASCAR xfinity Series-Pocono Mountains 250

June 22 NASCAR Cup Series-The Great American Getaway 400

At Holy Ghost Distillery & Tasting House on Route 940 Tours, tasting experiences

May 4—Bourbon’s Birthday More info, www.holyghostdistillery.com

At Mauch Chunk Opera House mcohjt.com

June 14— Meet Loaf - The Ultimate Tribute

June 20— Donna the Buffalo

June 21 Steam Roller - The music of James Taylor

Entertainment Around Lake Harmony

June 28 Calamity Chang Presents: a Summer Fling Burlesque Revue

July 5 The Mighty Manatees perform the music of Bob Marley

July 11 & 12 Peace Frog - The Doors Tribute

July 13 The Original Psychic Stand-Up with Karen Rontowski

At Pennspeak.com

June 12—The “Happy Together” Tour 2025

June 13 Robin Trower

June 14

June 19

Summer Deck Party Big Bone Daddy

Summer Deck Party Boots and Bangs

June 20 Jefferson Starship

June 26

Summer Deck Party Mytery City

June 27 1964-The Tribute

June 28 Pink Talking Fish-a Fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads and Phish

July 3 J.D. Leonard-This Is Garth

July 5 Summer Deck Party Jake Kaligis Band

July 10 Summer Deck Party Who Knows Band

At Mount Airy Casino Resort mountairycasino.com

June 14 Hollywood Nights-The Bob Seger Experience

July 12 Earth to Mars-The Bruno Mars Experiencce

At F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes-Barre kirbycenter.org

June 13 The Magic of Motown

June 19 Josh Gates Live!

July 1 The U.S. Army Field Band

U.S. Army Field Band to perform free concert at F.M. Kirby Center

The U.S. Army Field Band will perform a free general admission concert at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre, on Tuesday, July 1, at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are free and are available now.

The public can pick up physical tickets at the F.M. Kirby Center box office, located at 71 Public Square in Wilkes-Barre, during the box office’s

normal operating hours of 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The public may also register for tickets at: https://US_Army_Field_Band_Kirby_Center. eventbrite.com. Attendees who register online will check in at a table in our box office lobby on the night of the event.

Tickets are limited to four per person. For accommodation requests or large group reservations, visit the box office or call 570-8261100 during normal operating hours.

About The U.S. Army Field Band:

The Concert Band is the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s four performing components. Founded in 1946, this elite 60-member instrumental ensemble has performed in all 50 states and 30 foreign countries for audiences totaling in the hundreds of millions. Tours have taken the band throughout the United States, North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

The Concert Band appears in a wide variety

See FIELD BAND, page 23

Field Band

of settings, from such famous concert halls as the Berliner Philharmonie and Carnegie Hall to state fairgrounds and high school gymnasiums. The Concert Band regularly travels and performs with the Soldiers’ Chorus, together presenting a powerful and diverse program of marches, overtures, popular music, patriotic selections, and instrumental and vocal solos. The organization has also performed joint concerts with many of the nation’s leading orchestras, including the Boston Pops, Cincinnati Pops, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and more.

The Concert Band has participated in numerous presidential inaugural parades and supported many diplomatic missions overseas. The dedication and musicianship of the members of The United States Army Field Band represent the professionalism that American Soldiers have embodied during nearly three centuries of proud service.

About the F.M. Kirby Center

The F.M. Kirby Center is a historic Art DecoModerne-style performing arts center located in Wilkes-Barre. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

Patchtown Days celebrates 35 years at Eckley

Eckley Miners’ Village will mark the 35th anniversary of its signature event, Patchtown Days, on June 14 and 15. The festival showcases the vibrant Coalcracker culture of Pennsylvania’s anthracite region through immersive history, music, crafts, and local traditions.

The historic coal mining company town will bustle with reenactors, musicians, food vendors, and more than 20 crafters demonstrating and selling traditional wares. Highlights include a Civil War hospital encampment by the 143rd Volunteer Infantry, broom-making workshops, and cultural performances featuring Irish and Ukrainian dance.

Returning for a second year is Eckley’s Bluegrass Dispatch, a festival afterparty featuring performances by Wood Flower and American Buffalo Ghost, food trucks, and craft beer. The concert begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. Limited seating will be available, or guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs.

Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and

$8 for youth; children under 2 are free. Entry to the bluegrass concert is included with festival admission before 3 p.m. on Saturday or can be purchased separately for $18 at the gate.

Limited-edition event T-shirts can be preordered through June 1 at EckleyMinersVillage. com. T-shirts may not be available for purchase at the event.

Patchtown Days is presented by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission and sponsored by Blaschak Anthracite, Visit Luzerne County, and Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad.

Eckley Miners’ Village preserves and interprets the lives and culture of people from around the world who came to Northeastern Pennsylvania to mine anthracite coal and fuel America’s industrial might. Eckley is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, the Commonwealth’s official heritage agency. Eckley is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit Eckley Miners’ Village online or follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

Lots to do at Hickory Run State Park

Hickory Run State Park, just a few miles down the road, offers outdoor fun for the whole family. Here are just a few of the many activities available in spring and sumer.

Hiking

44 miles of trails

The trails lead through areas rich in historic and scenic interest. This is especially true from midJune until mid-July when the mountain laurel and rhododendron are in bloom and again in midOctober at the height of the fall foliage.

As you hike, think of all the people and families that have used these trails in the past. Preserve these trails for the use of future generations by using trails appropriately.

Biking is prohibited on all trails at Hickory Run State Park, but is permitted at nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park on the rail-trail.

Many of the trails were old roads from the towns of Hickory Run and Saylorsville that flourished in the area between 1830 and 1900. Most of the

Hickory Run

Continued from page 26

other park trails were created by the Civilian Conservation Corps under the guidance of the National Park Service between 1936 and 1945.

Trail Blazes

Yellow blazes are hiking only trails

Blue blazes are hiking and cross-country skiing trails

Orange blazes are hiking and snowmobiling trails

Biking is prohibited on all trails at Hickory Run State Park, but is permitted at nearby Lehigh Gorge State Park on the rail-trail.

Prepare for a Safe Hike

For every hike, even on trails less than a mile Always carry water, a park map, and wear appropriate footwear. Cell phones are unreliable in the forest and are not an alternative to a paper map. For longer adventures Pack high-energy snacks, more water, and layers for changing weather conditions. Stay well fueled and hydrated for a more enjoyable experience.

Before embarking on your next adventure, consider:

• Trail length, trail difficulty, and fitness level of your group On the park map, most trail lengths are one-way. Double the trail length to return to the starting location.

• Weather forecast Be aware of possible upcoming weather and pack accordingly.

• Time of day The park closes at sunset. Plan to leave the park well before sunset.

• Have a plan B Be flexible! Sometimes changing to a better day or a different trail results in a safer experience.

Trail Definitions

Difficulty Ratings

Easiest For beginner trail users. Grade is gentle with few obstacles.

More Difficult For the majority of trail users. Grade is steeper and trails narrower with embedded rocks or roots on the trail surface.

Most Difficult For trail users with advanced skills. Grade is steep and provides a definite physical challenge. Routes may not be well marked. Elevation gain or loss is severe.

Trail Route Type

Loop Start and end at the same location and follow a single trail to form a loop.

Out-and-back Start and end at a trailhead and

See HICKORY RUN, page 29

Hickory Run

Continued from page 28

follow a single trail to an endpoint or specific point of interest, then return along the same route.

Point-to-point Trails are generally longer in distance and parks may often contain only a portion of the trail within their boundary. Hiker starts and ends in different locations, often requiring a shuttle.

Connector Begin and end in connection with another trail or trails but do not terminate at a trailhead.

For a list of events and guided hikes, visit https://events.dcnr.pa.gov/hickory_run_state_ park/calendar

Here’s a GoogleMaps illustration of how to get to Hickory Run State Park from Lake Harmony. Once you arrive, look for signs for the visitor’s center and other attractions.

Planting community roots — terrarium fundraiser aids Lake Harmony Fire Co.

A Pop-Up Plant Bar at Split Rock Resort on Saturday, June 14 will not only allow you to pick out, plant and take home a hearty, healthy succulent in a terrarium, it will also benefit the Lake Harmony Fire Company. Century 21 Select Group is holding the event as a fund-raiser for the fire fighters from 1-3:30 p.m.

The workshop, held in conjunction with Terrarium Therapy, allows you to get your

T-one-eleven Coatings & Repairs

Coatings & Repairs

hands dirty and your creativity flowing, in a fun, educational experience. The 25-minute sessions are geared to every experience level, from beginner to expert.

Cost is $25 to reserve your spot—that $25 is applied to the terrarium you create to take home. Each succulent is $5, and planters vary in cost, so you can decide how much you want to spend on your creation.

Registration isn’t required, but it is recommended to avoid long wait times. Use the QR code at right:

Lisa Ivan of Century 21 is hosting the event for the fire company. She says there will also be a tricky tray with lots of gift cards and baskets from local businesses to be raffled off—all proceeds from the tricky tray go to the fire company, and a portion of the participant fees will be donated by Terrarium Therapy.

From Lake News

June 2000

From the Archives

The cover, in black and white, shows two views of a mule-drawn barge on the canal running from the White Haven/Jim Thorpe area to Easton. It also featured a new look to its masthead, designed by Paul Kane, assistant editor at This Week in the Poconos.

From 18624

Ralph Kline came all the way from Ocala, FL, to play in the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company annual golf tournament. He didn’t recognize too many familiar faces though. Relaph felt that more local golfers should play in the annual tournament to show their support for our fire company.

Sporting Field’s Second Chance a.k.a. Zorro, won first prize in Whippets-Open Dog and Winners Dog at the Pocono Mountain Kennel Club’s show at Gilbert May 12. Zorro resides with his owner, Mary Farnschlader and fellow whippets, Monty and Oliver, In Lake Harmony.

Dave Platzer Sr. and son Dave are new residents on North Lake Drive. Yes, they are the same Platz’s of TB’s 903 Pub (formerly Casey’s Landing).

Patrons of Nick’s Lake House enjoyed a sumptuous buffet in celebration of the restaurant’s first anniversary on Sunday, May 21. Angelo entertained with a medley of Neil Diamond favorites and Nick chimed in with some Sinatra classics.

The outside deck reopened for the summer season at Murphy’s Loft, who celebrated Customer Appreciation Day with 1/2 price menu items.

Chief Dave Klitsch of Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company requested that area residents with junk cars or building to be demolished contact the fire company. Both of these situations provide realistic training exercises for vehicle extrications, search and rescue of fire victims, and opportunities to practice fire fighting control.

The Kidder Township Supervisors dedicated the township building in memory of John J. Barni. His widow Honey and daughter Karen participated in the dedication of the long-needed expansion and renovation of the building.

The Lake Harmony Association scheduled a boater safety course, along with two road cleanups, a general membership meeting, a Nite at the Races at Pocono Downs, a trip to the Pocono Playhouse to see Me and My Girl, and the annual picnic at The Moutain’s Edge. Fishing stocking was completed, with a total of 300 4´6″ large mouth bass, 300 6-8″ large mouth bass, 12 8-10″ large mouth bass, 1,000 4-6´blue gills and 175 6-8″ blue gills were stocked, at a cost of almost $3,000.

In animal news, Carbon County K-9 officially opened in its new location adjacent to the prison in Nesquehoning. Carbon County Friends of Animals, devoted to rescuing cats, was located in the same building.

Trudie Maue, D.V.M. joined the staff of the See ARCHIVES, page 34

Post Office Notes

by Christine A. Gilliar-Feller

Today’s lesson: How to mail an egg

This high school teacher relies on USPS to help students learn physics

Ted Barbour, a physics teacher Montoursville, PA, displays an egg and shipping container from his classroom project.

A physics project at a Pennsylvania high school teaches students about the concept of freefalling —

but it also instills a valuable lesson in how to use the U.S. Mail.

During the past 30 years, teacher Ted Barbour’s egg mail design project has become well-known in Montoursville, a town of 4,700 in the north-central part of the state.

Students, mostly working in pairs, take a raw egg, create a package for it, mail it to the school and then drop the packaged egg 16.5 feet — where it will reach 20 miles per hour before hitting the concrete floor.

Points are awarded for how well the package is designed, how inexpensively it is mailed, and whether the egg survives without damage.

“For many of these kids, this will be their first visit to a Post Office,” said Barbour, a former mechanical engineer. “It can be a daunting experience for them.”

Steve Zondory has seen this firsthand in his 27 years as a retail associate at the Montoursville Post Office.

“The students get an education when they come here because they just don’t know how to use the See PO NOTES, page 37

PO Notes

Continued from page 35

mail system,” Zondory said. “They’ve never placed their return address on a parcel or letter.”

A few years ago, one of the students had to ask his mom for their address, even though he has lived there his whole life, Barbour said.

Meanwhile, a former student recently told Barbour that he went to the Post Office to mail a package, and he confidently knew how to do it.

“It’s one of the lasting and unintended consequences of a worthy physics project,” Barbour said.

USPS unveils a milestone marker

This graphic will be used for the organization’s 250th anniversary

The Eagle in Flight image depicts an eagle about to take wing, perched atop the phrase “USPS 250” in the traditional USPS colors of red, white and blue.

The Postal Service has released a special image the organization will use to

celebrate its 250th anniversary.

Known as Eagle in Flight, the image was designed in collaboration with the Turner Duckworth branding agency and is meant to symbolize the organization’s past, present and future.

On July 26, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established “a line of posts” from Maine to Georgia, to create a network of communications that kept Colonists’ messages from falling into the British Crown’s hands.

This postal system later became the Post Office Department and then the U.S. Postal Service.

The Eagle in Flight image depicts an eagle about to take wing, perched atop the phrase “USPS 250” in the traditional USPS colors of red, white and blue. It will be used for 250th anniversary activities and on branded products.

This image does not replace the “sonic eagle” logo that USPS has used since 1993 but will be used to help celebrate the organization’s anniversary throughout 2025.

“The founders of our great nation saw the intrinsic need of postal services as the United States was born even before the country itself was formed. Since that time, our universal mail system has strengthened the bonds of friendship, family and community,” said acting Postmaster General Doug Tulino.

See PO NOTES, page 38

PO Notes

Continued from page 37

“The Postal Service remains a great organization connecting our nation and helping power our economy. We are proud to help set the stage for the 250th anniversary of the United States next year, and we look forward to continuing to serve the American public for another 250 years.”

USPS will commemorate the milestone anniversary with special activities and releases throughout the year, including a coffee table book, a new edition of “The United States Postal Service: An American History,” branded merchandise, stamps and more.

As always, we “Thank you” for your business. April Shaner, Postmaster Christine A. Gilliar-Feller, Sales Service Associate, fancy for clerk

Window hours, Monday–Friday 8-11:30 a.m., 1-4:45 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Lobby hours 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 365 days a year, 7 days a week

Please call if you have any questions or concerns. 570-722-8524

Pop-Up Plant Bar in Lake Harmony

Plant Your Roots with Century 21 Select Group

Succulent Planting Workshop

Hosted by Century 21 Select Group & Terrarium Therapy to benefit Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company

• Date: Saturday, June 14

• Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM - 25 minute sessions

• Location: Split Rock Resort, 428 Moseywood Rd, Lake Harmony

Get Your Hands Dirty & Creativity Flowing! Join us for a fun, relaxing, and educational experience perfect for plant lovers of all skill levels!

Initial Fee: $25 (applied to your final payment) Succulents: $5 each Planters: Prices vary. You set your budget-Pricing available before each class

Proceeds from Tricky Tray and a portion of each registration benefit the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Company

Registration Recommended Reserve your spot to avoid long wait times!

Don’t miss this hands-on workshop in the beautiful surroundings of Split Rock Resort!

Traffic signal emitters finally coming to Kidder

by Ruth Isenberg

Kidder Township’s traffic signals will finally be equipped so that emergency vehicles like fire trucks and ambulance can control them. At the May 22 meeting, township supervisors approved a cost estimate from Signal Services to install emitters at the intersection of Route 940, Interstate 80 and the turnpike, and at the intersection of Route 904 and the Moseywood/ Jack Frost entrance. Lake Harmony Fire Company and Albrightsville Fire Company have been requesting the modification to the signal for several years.

Supervisor/ Roadmaster Wilson Klotzman reported that the timing on the signals have been adjusted at the Interstate 80/ Turnpike/Route 940 entrance, and that traffic seems to be flowing better, with no vehicles waiting more than one change. Supervisor Bruce Berger warned that once the work at the Turnpike entrance is complete, traffic may move faster at that point. Signal Services will be asked to check it.

Anna Shigo, the Open Space Coordinator for the Carbon County

Open Space Grant Program told the supervisors about the grant program that has resulted from the 2022 bond referendum. Regional workshops to explain the program, which provides fund for agricultural and open space improvements, are being held this summer. (The funds cannot be used for parks.) Kidder Township will be grouped with Penn Forest Township and East Side Borough sometime this summer.

A request to revise the letter of credit amount for PNK PS LLC for the warehouse on Route 940 toward Blakeslee was tabled for more information.

Blue Ridge Real Estate’s request for an extension until June 26 for the Lake Shore development was approved.

Cypress Creek Renewables’

request for a oneyear extension on it conditional use approval was granted, due to issues in obtaining permits from the state.

Solicitor Robert Yurchak explained the supervisors’ issue with the current stormwater management ordinance. He called the present language “unworkable,” saying it doesn’t specify that it just applies to commercial properties, so could also be required for residential properties. The formula in the ordinance requires too much money to be deposited, he said, since the money can only be used for inspections, not for repairs, and keeping the money collected in one fund could be an accounting nightmare.

Last year, he said, the township started working with the developers, requiring

570-636-0680

570-636-0197

them to do the inspections, thereby shifting the cost of inspection from the township to the developer.

In other business, supervisors approved the installation of a new crate engine to replace the existing one in a police vehicle for a cost not to exceed $7,500.00. A used engine was not available.

A bid received from the Carbon County Tax Claim Bureau for $896 was approved. Purchaser is Susana G. Carpio.

Police committee chair/supervisor Noel Torres reported that they are receiving lots more calls this year than last, and the officers are doing a terrific job. Chief Matthew Kuzma said the township has received an LSA grant of $35,000 which will be used for additional license plate readers and a mobile, solar

See KIDDER, page 41

Kidder

Continued from page 40

speed notification trailer.

Manager Suzanne Brooks also praised the police department, and urged people to sign up for the Kidder Connect mobile app, which is linked to the website, currently being revamped.

Bills of $263,609.43 were approved for payment.

Present were supervisors Berger, Ray Gluck, Klotzman and Torres; Louis Pantages was absent.

The next meeting is Thursday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the township building.

Visit pocononewspapers.com and sign up for a FREE E-subscription to the Journal of Penn-Kidder/Journal of the Pocono Plateau

Lake Harmony Rescue Squad Report

Lake Harmony Rescue Squad Ambulance Corp Monthly Operations Report for May 2025

Unit 1760 was used for 755.9 miles; Unit 1761 was used for 999.4 miles.

Fuel was generously donated by Kidder Township.

We show a total of 26 calls in May 2025. We had 29 calls in May 2024.This is a decrease of 3 calls from this point last year.

Call total year to date as of May 31 was 202.

Calls responded to in May were all in Lake Harmony.

Staffing is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The siren was replaced and volt meter fixed on 1761. A shock was repaired on 1760

Reported by Scott Wuttke, Director of Operations for Lake Harmony Rescue Squad Ambulance Corp Inc.

Mark McBrien Construction

Christmas in July open house for model RR

The Carbon Model Railroad Society is happy to announce that it will once again hold its Christmas in July Open House at 529 Ore Street in Bowmanstown (PA 18030) on Saturdays and Sundays, July 12 & 13, 19 & 20, and 26 & 27 from 1 to 4 p.m.

The club’s O Gauge, HO and N scale displays will be in operation on the second floor, along with the sale of new and pre-owned trains and accessories. The club’s Traveling Caboose with its HO Scale operating display can be visited in the back yard, conditions permitting. Admission is free; donations are welcome. The building is airconditioned. Visit us at www@cmrs.info. For more info call Garry at 610-554-4110.

We want your input

Civic organizations, religious groups, libraries, any group, business or organization that wants to get the word out. Tell us what’s happening—a dinner, craft event, rummage sale, musical event, a special party.

Does an individual deserve some recognition? School honor roll, scouts, awards, let us know. Send your information to journalnews@ pa.metrocast.net or call 570-215-0204 xt2 and leave a message.

Baseball’s “Brave New World”

by Matthew Sieger

British author Aldous Huxley described his 1931 novel, Brave New World, as a “negative utopia,” a parody of novels that portrayed a hopeful vision of the future. Set in a futuristic World State whose citizens are environmentally engineered into an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the book lays out a dystopian society that is challenged by two protagonists, Bernard and John.

Might we apply Huxley’s fiction to baseball? Yes, we can, and for some changes, I am too late.

We already have the pitch timer, which speeds up the game but takes away the tension of dramatic moments when the pitcher might need extra time to compose himself. Some pitchers work faster than others. Does anyone remember Luis Tiant’s endless windup? Mark “The Bird” Fidrych talking to the ball? Al “The Mad Hungarian” Hrabosky walking off the back of the mound, then turning back and charging to the rubber? Now we have uniformity – baseball’s Brave New World.

In addition, MLB has already increased the size of the bases (which Red Sox

manager Alex Cora says look like pizza boxes) eliminated defensive shifts extended the designated hitter rule to the National League limited mound visits imposed a three-batter minimum for relief pitchers (greatly reducing the lefty-righty mental chess that managers employ and I enjoy) allowed managers to signal for an intentional walk instead of making the pitcher throw four balls (doing away with the possible drama of a wild pitch)

required batters to keep one foot in the batter’s box during their at-bat (eliminating the natural tendency for a batter to step out to refocus in a tense moment) limited the pitcher to three pickoff attempts, and (the crown jewel) started extra innings with a man on second base, which I put right up there with Huxley’s depiction of citizens being engineered through artificial wombs!

MLB is not done yet. They have experimented in See BASEBALL, page 44

Baseball

Continued from page 43

the minors with moving the rubber one foot back, increasing the pitching distance to 61 feet, six inches. MLB can sure spin a ridiculous gimmick, calling the change “meaningful without being disruptive.” Fortunately, MLB hasn’t adopted that one yet—the goal of fewer strikeouts.

I want someone to create a graph. The Y-axis would be the number of strikeouts. The X-axis (although too subjective to chart) would be the number of hitters who are more concerned with launch angle and hitting the ball out of the park than getting on base. I predict the graph would show a direct correlation.

Baseball has become “hit a home run, strike out, or walk,” and neither the players nor the managers — and especially not the sabermetric-guided general managers—seem to care much about the strikeouts.

The reason everyone is striking out is that they are jumping out of their spikes, trying to hit the ball out of the park. It is simple geometry to recognize that when you are uppercutting rather than swinging on an even plane, your odds of hitting the ball decline drastically. Also, if you are holding the bat down at the knob, you have less control and are less likely to make contact. I see this tendency at the high school level in softball and baseball, where even the smallest hitters hold

the bat down at the very end, often resulting in a longer time to move the bat through the strike zone.

Yes, pitchers have increased velocity and spin rate. But I’m sure bat speed has increased for all these MLB hitters who lift weights and work out year-round. They need to apply that speed to making contact instead of trying to hit the ball out of the yard with every swing.

I used to care a lot if I struck out. It is something that is actually under the control of the batter to a great degree by simply prioritizing making contact. But players don’t seem too bothered by getting rung up anymore.

MLB has also experimented in the minors with a designated pinch runner who can be substituted at any point in the game as a baserunner. Does anyone remember sprinter Herb Washington, who played in 105 MLB games for the Oakland As without batting, pitching, or fielding, playing exclusively as a pinch runner? The “double-hook” designated hitter eliminated a team’s right to use a DH if the starting pitcher doesn’t go five innings, meaning pitchers would then have to hit for themselves.

THEME: SOCCER

ACROSS

1. Heidi’s footwear, pl.

6. *____ Hamm

9. Humorous anecdote

13. It doesn’t take away tomorrow’s troubles

14. Like Mother Hubbard

15. Popular pie nut

16. Hiker’s path

17. Court

18. Makes better

19. *Number of soccer players on field for each team

21. *Winningest FIFA World Cup country

23. Common inquiries, acr.

24. Carmy Berzatto’s restaurant, with The

25. Cul-de-____

28. In the buff

30. Preacher’s platform

35. Poking instrument

37. Smidge

39. Sashay

40. Bald eagle’s nest

41. *a.k.a. soccer field

43. Lice eggs

44. Located within

46. 3 squared

47. High rocky hills

48. Post-roller coaster ride state

50. Captain of Nautilus

52. ____ chi

53. Unforeseen obstacle

55. Acronym, abbr.

57. *FIFA headquarters location

60. *Soccer footwear

63. Uninterested

64. Hundred Acre Wood’s wise resident

66. Parkinson’s drug

68. Pool problem, pl.

69. Romanian money

70. Wooden ship caulking

71. Celt

72. Cotillion ball’s main attraction

73. *____ Alexander-Arnold

DOWN

1. 100 lbs.

2. Elders’ teachings

3. Kind of history

4. Widower’s feelings

5. Forest spirit

6. Worked over with scythe

7. UN labor org.

8. Sun-dried brick 9. Exclamation, with Louise

Palm tree berry

11. ____ Mall, London

12. Ensign, for short

15. a.k.a. Lighthouse of Alexandria

20. *Provide with shin guards, socks and uniform, e.g.

22. Drake’s genre

24. Playing roulette

25. *FIFA Women’s World Cup current champion

26. Rome’s Colosseum, e.g.

27. Singular of cornua

29. Kill (2 words)

31. “By ____ of” or “by means of”

32. “The ____,” Dostoyevsky’s novel

33. U in UV

34. *Lionel ____

36. Coloring substances

38. Teenager’s breakout

42. Relating to blood

45. Dwell

49. African National Congress

51. Central American wildcat

54. Get ____ ____ of someone

56. Highway patrolman’s gun

57. “Germinal” author mile ____

58. Desire

59. *____ Madrid

60. *C in AFC Richmond

61. Puff of marijuana

62. Spin, past tense

63. The Herm s Kelly, e.g.

65. Itty-bitty

67. Invoice qty.

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Baseball

Continued from page 44

The goal, according to ESPN, is “to see starters pitch longer into games, creating more value for them and increasing late-game strategy.”

Isn’t that what National League fans have been saying all along, that the DH killed not only lategame but all in-game strategy? So, all of a sudden, MLB wants that strategy back?

Next up: the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System. In other words, robot umpires. Rather than completely remove the umpire from the process, MLB experimented in this year’s spring training games with a hybrid challenge system. Umpires called the game as usual, but each team had two chances to challenge a pitch per game.

When challenged, the ABS determined whether the call should be overturned. I can live with that, just as I already live with the timeouts

for challenges in the NBA. But this could be the slippery slope to ABS for every pitch, thus eliminating the human element. I have to admit I enjoy watching batters, pitches, and managers react to the occasional awful umpire call.

Coming soon: the automated check-swing call. The only problem is that the MLB rulebook doesn’t define a checked swing. It just says a swing is “an attempt to swing at the ball.”

But I’m afraid all my protests, like those of Bernard and John in Brave New World, will be in vain. Baseball rules are not set in stone like the Ten Commandments. But neither should they be at the mercy of today’s sabermetric gurus.

Matthew Sieger, a retired sportswriter, wrote for the Cortland (NY) Standard and Vacaville (CA) Reporter. He is the author of The God Squad: The Born-Again San Francisco Giants of 1978. In retirement, Matthew writes for The Sports Column.