HAWLEY HARVEST HOEDOWN – P 5
LOCAL-THEMED DOUBLE HEADER – P 6
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER BENEFIT CONCERT– P 9
HOME SAFETY TIPS FOR VACATION– P 10
Since 1998
SEPTEMBER 2017
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september ‘17
contents
departments Behavioral Medicine
18
Book Review
8
Classic Cars
17
Events Calendar
21
Film Review
connectionsmagazine SEPTEMBER ’17
VOL. 19 NO. 9
8
Healthy Geezer
19
Laser Vision
20
Living Green
13
Money
14
OurTowns
4
Outdoor Ramblings
16
Pocono Secrets
11
Reflections of Prison
12
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features
5
HAWLEY HARVEST HOEDOWN On Saturday, October 14th, families, friends, and visitors will gather in the charming town of Hawley, PA, for the town’s longest running seasonal festival. This event has something for everyone including cider tastings, brews, contests, demonstrations, family activities, crafts, day and night entertainment, fresh locally grown foods, and local business specials.
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LOCAL-THEMED DOUBLE HEADER
9
MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER BENEFIT CONCERT FOR PEEC
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The Big Eddy Film Festival (September 15 – 17) will showcase two new dramatic films shot in Sullivan County as a centerpiece event on Saturday, September 16, at the Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg, NY. ‘So B. It,’ directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, and ‘Halfway to Zen,’ directed by Toby Poser and John Adams, will be presented as a double header on Saturday night.
On Tuesday, October 24th, Harmony Presents is producing a benefit concert for Pocono Environmental Education Center. The concert features five-time Grammy Award-winning singersongwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Chapin Carpenter at Lackawanna College Theater.
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR HOME SAFE ON VACATION The Murphy’s Law of homeownership dictates that, if something is going to happen, it’s probably going to be when you’re not home. While this thought can be scary, it doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t leave your house or go on vacation. With a little advanced planning, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of arriving home to a disaster.
Just $36 per year. Call now 570.647.0085!
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ourtowns
wmh expansion
connections
[YOUR] NEPA MAGAZINE
Hist ric Groundbreaking Set for September 8th
president • publisher • editor in chief deborah bailey production manager meica drake account representative barry weiss editorial correction services sandi scull assignment writer allison mowatt contributing writers al hoff, Movie Review lucille norella, ArtScene fred cicetti, The Healthy Geezer charles curtin, Finance terry mooney, Reflections of a Prison Inmate arthur middleton, MD, FAPA, Behavioral Medicine michael krupa, Finance josh sheard, Finance terri schlichenmeyer, Book Review la guzda, Pocono Secrets arnie milidantri, Classic Cars bill deaton, Outdoor Ramblings pike county conservation district, Living Green
ayne Memorial Hospital is set to break ground for its biggest expansion project ever: an 85,000 square foot tower that will house 50 private patient rooms. On September 8th, from 4pm to 6pm, the hospital family will hold a special ceremony to mark the groundbreaking. The public is invited to attend and share in this history-making event.
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“This is an exciting moment for Wayne Memorial and the community we serve,” said WMH CEO David Hoff. “And we are very fortunate to be able to build private patient rooms. They’re safer – they help reduce the potential for infection – quieter, and have been shown to enhance communications between a patient and his/her clinical team. Families love them, too, because they’re roomy!” The private rooms will also have “smart” technology including a nurse call system that can locate the appropriate nurse immediately. The new three-story patient tower is being built astride Wayne Memorial’s Outpatient Services entrance at 601 Park Street. That entrance will become the new main entrance for the hospital. Other changes include a new glassed-in concourse between the main entrance and the former hospital entryway near the Emergency Department. Wayne Memorial is also renovating 35,000 square feet of its current building, which will include upgrades to its chemotherapy and wound care units. The Emergency Department and Laboratory Services will be better connected with
the installation of a pneumatic tube to rush specimens straight to the lab. The entire $40 million construction project is being funded by numerous sources, including bonds guaranteed by Wayne County. “This project grew out of our community needs assessments,” said Dirk Mumford, chairman of the board of WMH. “Patients told us they wanted private rooms. We are very pleased to make this happen.” During the construction, hospital officials say parking routes will be altered for employees, patients, and visitors. In the interest of safety, patients and visitors will be directed to park across the street, away from the construction. Wayne Memorial is hiring an additional security guard to help with street crossings. Wheelchairs will be available at the entryway to the parking lot. The groundbreaking will take place outside under a tent in the hospital parking lot near where the new tower is going up. The event will include refreshments, renderings of the new addition, a history contest, and more.
cherry ridge veterinary clinic, Ask the Vet
connectionsmagazine 3305 Lake Ariel Highway Honesdale, PA 18431 570.647.0085 • Fax 570.647.0086 cmag@ptd.net • thinkconnections@yahoo.com www.connections-magazine.com
Connections Magazine is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All advertising, including photographs, is the property of Connections Magazine and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased the right of reproduction only in Connections Magazine and does not have the right to reproduce the ads in any other place or publication. Connections Magazine reserves its rights to exercise its discretion in the selection of advertisements. © COPYRIGHT 2006 CONNECTIONS MAGAZINE
WHAT A DILEMMA To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk rejection. To place your visions before the crowd is to risk ridicule. To love is to risk not being loved in return. **To go forward in the face of overwhelming odds is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. We may avoid suffering and sorrow, but we cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love or know GOD. Chained by our own self-assurances, we are a slave. We have forfeited our freedom. Only the person who dares to take risk and to trust in their GOD will ever be made FREE.
In 1997,Rev. Edwin E. Bailey, father of the editor, gave this poem to his daughter 8 days before he had a stroke and 3 weeks before he died. The poem was adapted from works by Leo Buscaglia. Edwin hand wrote this on a scrap of paper and gave it to his daughter, Deborah, saying the words, “Someday you’ll understand these words and use them. God bless sweetheart.” **These words were used in making the decision to purchase Connections Magazine in 2002. CONNECTIONS COPYRIGHTED 2007
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hawley harvest hoedown
On Saturday, October 14th, families, friends and visitors will gather in the charming town of Hawley, PA, for the town’s longest running seasonal festival, the Hawley Harvest Hoedown. This event has something for everyone, including cider tastings, brews, contests, demonstrations, family activities, crafts, day and night entertainment, fresh locally grown foods, and local business specials.
New to this year’s festivities is a fall crawl beer tour which will take place over the entire Hawley Harvest Hoedown weekend. Participants win a commemorative beer mug upon completion of the fall crawl. Fall Crawl Beer Tour cards will be available at participating bars and at the Wallenpaupack Visitor’s Center. This year also marks the third annual Hawley Hoedown Bluegrass and Folk Concert at the Ritz Company Playhouse produced by the Downtown Hawley Partnership. Headlining this year’s talent is Driftwood, from Binghamton, New York, a bluegrass fusion band with a rock ‘n’ roll soul and a folk art mind. Showcasing their unique version of bluegrass music will be Mountain Ride from Great Valley of south-central Pennsylvania, and Colebrook Road, winners of the 2016 D. C. Bluegrass Union’s Mid Atlantic Bluegrass band contest. Christopher Kearney, lead vocalist and guitarist from the recently departed Coal Town Rounders, will emcee for the evening. “I couldn’t be more excited for this year’s con-
entertainment
cert featuring the region’s favorite bluegrass bands,” says concert organizer, Jill Carletti. She continues, “I expect the whole day to be fantastic. Our charming Hawley, PA, is a perfect place for a fall festival and a foot-stomping bluegrassfolk concert.” Many other Hawley Harvest Hoedown favorite activities will also be returning this year, including the petting zoo, fall craft vendors, and popular food vendors. For years, visitors and residents have enjoyed the beautifully decorated streets, the festive shop fronts, all against the backdrop of Hawley’s mountainous fall foliage. This not-to-be-missed event starts at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday. For more information on the festival or to purchase concert tickets, please visit www.hawleyharvesthoedown.com. For help purchasing tickets, please call (570) 588-8077. The Downtown Hawley Partnership is comprised of area businesses, organizations, and individuals working together to bring cohesiveness, aesthetics, and structure to the growth and development of downtown Hawley.
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entertainment
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big eddy film festival
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big eddy film festival
entertainment
Local-Themed Double Header at the Sixth Annual Big Eddy Film Festival September 15 – 17 in Narrowsburg, NY he Big Eddy Film Festival (September 15 – 17) will showcase two new dramatic films shot in Sullivan County as a centerpiece event on Saturday, September 16, at the Tusten Theatre in Narrowsburg, NY. ‘So B. It,’ directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, and ‘Halfway to Zen,’ directed by Toby Poser and John Adams, will be presented as a double header on Saturday night.
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“Over the past six years, we’ve noticed more and more movies are being shot in Sullivan County, thanks to our varied landscapes and locations, proximity to New York City, and the New York State Film Tax Credit Program. Last year, Liberty, NY, was used as a setting for two exciting narrative feature films, and it’s fantastic that they are both ready to premiere in Sullivan County at this year’s Big Eddy Film Fest,” says festival director Tina Spangler. “We’re thrilled that the creative talents behind both films will be in attendance and will conduct Q&As with the audience.”
stroke, this ragtag team of misfits joins forces to relearn everything they know about what makes a family. The road to peace is rugged, but the first step will get you halfway there. John Adams and Toby Poser are Sullivan County residents and have produced several films in the region through their production company, Wonderwheel Productions. Filmmakers and cast will be in attendance for a Q&A after the film.
Attend the Festival
SO B. IT Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal Cast: Alfre Woodard, John Heard, Cloris Leachman, and newcomer, Talitha Bateman Screens: Saturday, September 16 at 6:30 p.m. "So B. It" follows a 12-year-old girl named Heidi (Bateman) as she embarks on a journey across country to uncover the story of her mother’s past and discovers herself along the way. Directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, the movie is based on the New York Times best selling book of the same name by Sullivan County-based young adult writer, Sarah Weeks. Filmed in part in and around Liberty, NY, this is a special advance screening. “So B. It” premiered at the 2016 Los Angeles Film Festival and will be released in theaters in October 2017. The film is rated PG-13 and is appropriate for families. Sarah Weeks will be in attendance for a Q&A following the film.
HALFWAY TO ZEN Directors: John Adams & Toby Poser Cast: Zelda Adams, John Adams, Toby Poser, Robert Lund, Claire Denis Screens: Saturday, September 16 at 9 p.m. After release from prison, Nick (John Adams) is trying to walk a straight line, flipping burgers and taking care of his father, Pop, who's forgotten what a terrible dad he once was thanks to the onset of dementia. When Nick is reintroduced to his daughter Edie (who announces she's now a boy) and his ex-wife, Vick (Toby Poser), who recently experienced a
Individual film tickets are $10. All-Access Festival passes are $100 (a $60 savings), and include a guaranteed seat at all screenings, including opening night, admission to the Saturday evening “Meet the Filmmakers” cocktail party, and a complimentary BEFF tote bag. Six-Packs of tickets are available for $40 (which does not include opening night, nor the cocktail party). Tickets go on sale August 18. The sixth annual Big Eddy Film Festival takes place September 15 – 17, showing two dozen brand new feature films, documentaries, shorts, and videos for kids. All screenings take place at the Tusten Theatre, 210 Bridge Street in Narrowsburg, NY. For more information and tickets, visit BigEddyFilmFest.com or call 845-252-7576.
About the Big Eddy Film Festival Produced by Delaware Valley Arts Alliance of Narrowsburg, NY (DVAA), the Big Eddy Film Festival aims to advance the traditional art of storytelling by showing the newest and best independent films from around the world and our own backyard. Visit www.BigEddyFilmFest.com.
About the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance Delaware Valley Arts Alliance, founded in 1976, serves as Arts Council for Sullivan County, NY. DVAA’s mission is to advance the arts in the region through support and encouragement of artists, innovative programs, advocacy, and alliances with arts organizations, business, and government. DVAA also produces the Tusten Theatre Cultural Series, Alliance Gallery exhibitions, and Riverfest. Visit www.DelawareValleyArtsAlliance.org.
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entertainment
book/film reviews
DUNKIRK
“The Song from Somewhere Else” By A.F. Harrold Illustrated by Levi Pinfold Reviewed by Terri Schlichenmeyer
here’s a kid in your class who’s just plain weird. He really sticks out because of his clothes, his hair, his words, and rumor has it that he has cooties. He’s full of brags, full of awkwardness, and, in “The Song from Somewhere Else” by A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold, he may be full of surprises.
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Frank hated to go to the park. It wasn’t the park, so much as it was that Neil Noble and his friends were always around and they loved to tease her. “Fwancethca,” they called her, and even though that was her real name, it made her so angry - but since Frank’s cat was missing and the park was the obvious place to put up posters, there she was. Of course, so were Noble and his friends. They started taunting. They pushed Frank down and threw her bag into the nettles. She was not going to cry. Then, much to Frank’s surprise, Nicholas Underbridge lumbered over from the edge of the park, all long arms and flat face, a foot taller than every other kid in Frank’s class. Nobody ever wanted to play with Nicholas. Nobody even wanted to be seen with him. Nobody wanted to catch his fleas. But Nicholas stood up to the bullies, and because Noble and his friends started chasing them, there was no other choice but for Frank to run with Nicholas to his house for safety’s sake. Wait: was she really going to go to “Stinky” Underbridge’s house? She was glad nobody saw her. That would be awful – and then something wonderful happened. While she was waiting for Noble and his evil henchmen to leave the neighborhood, Frank heard music. It was soft and calming, silvery, and it made her smile. She wanted to hear it again so the next day, she actually went back to Nicholas’ house, where she found a secret door and an even bigger secret. Nicholas, it turned out, wasn’t what he seemed to be… Remember the outcast in your class? It seems like there’s always the kid who struggles to make friends and fit in, just like there’s always the kid who sees that struggle and opens her heart. “The Song from Somewhere Else” gives this such a beautiful spin. At first, you could almost call this an anti-bullying book, since author A.F. Harrold starts it with a scene that, if you were ever the target of taunting, takes your breath away with remembering. The story quickly switches to another commonality: the misfit shows the kind of compassion he never sees from peers. That leads to literary magic: accompanied by elegant black-and-white illustrations by Levi Pinfold, this tale of friendship then spins around to offer a few chills, sadness, triumph, and a bit of a kid-challenge to look again at the outsider in the back row. Readers ages 7-to-12 will love this book for its dreamy, slightly-scary story. Parents will love it for its perfectly subtle message. For sure, “The Song from Somewhere Else” is full of goodness.
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Christopher Nolan’s ensemble drama depicts the historic events of May 1940, when more than 300,000 Allied troops were trapped in that titular French harbor town. Behind them, the German army, before them, the English Channel and above them, Germany bombers — and somewhere, a plan to slowly evacuate the men from the woefully exposed beach in small boats. The harrowing and fraught mission is told in three threads: “The Mole,” which covers a week’s time on the beach, where desperate young men scramble to find outward passage; “The Sea,” the events of a day on board a personal craft sailing from England to provide rescue; and “The Air,” in which British Spitfires battle with German Luftwaffe over the course of an hour. Nolan cuts between them, and the stories do intersect, but the overall effect is intentionally disorienting. No matter when and where you are — and Nolan puts viewers right in it — you are under attack and fighting for survival. Overall, the film is more experiential than plot-driven, unfolding in vignettes; most are immersive action, while a few are moments of quiet horror. Dunkirk employs some recognizable actors, but the stars are the collective nature of Britons rallying, and the minute-to-minute experience of war itself. out of 4
THE BIG SICK Kumail (Kumail Nanjiani) is a struggling standup comic. His immigrant parents want him to take the LSAT and marry a nice Pakistani girl. But, at the comedy club, Kumail meets the bubbly graduate student, Emily (Zoe Kazan), and they hit it off. They enjoy a few months of carefree fun; there is an ill-timed revelation or two, and they break up. Then, Emily gets really sick, and Kumail has to deal with her freaked-out parents (Holly Hunter and Ray Romano) that he doesn’t know. “Ex-girlfriend in a coma” sounds like a bummer set-up, but The Big Sick, directed by Michael Showalter, is anything but. It’s a hybridized rom-com that is equal parts funny, cringy, heartwarming, and wise (and you might even shed a tear or two). The film is written by Nanjiani and his wife, Emily V. Gordon, and it is loosely based on their courtship. Thus, though it follows the basic conventions of a rom-com — from meet-cute to montage of happiness to break-up to hopeful resolution — it’s grounded in some tough and relatable reality. Life is a glorious mess, in which people bungle stuff more often than not, and The Big Sick gets that sometimes the path forward is a funny, enraging, worrisome muddle. out of 4
All of these ran previously in the Pittsburgh City Paper.
PEEC benefit concert
entertainment
Mary Chapin Carpenter Benefit Concert for PEEC n Tuesday, October 24th, Harmony Presents is producing a benefit concert for Pocono Environmental Education Center. The concert features five-time Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, Mary Chapin Carpenter at Lackawanna College Theater.
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“We’re thrilled to have some exciting new developments for this concert. We’ve introduced an enter-to-win sweepstakes, which will award two random participants a grand prize of a pair of Gold seats to the concert. We’ve also announced the supporting artist, Emily Barker, a fantastic country-soul singer-songwriter from Western Australia,” says Jill Carletti, Managing Director of Harmony Presents. She continues, “We’re so thrilled with how all the pieces of this concert are coming together, and we’re thrilled to help make it happen for a worthy organization like Pocono Environmental Education Center. Mary Chapin Carpenter is one of those artists who has seen the sun rise and set on various trends in Americana-Country music. She is loved by fans and critics alike, and it’s simply an honor to feature her in this benefit concert. We hope to see a strong representation of Northeast Pennsylvania folks at this exciting, one-of-a-kind event.” Mary Chapin Carpenter will be performing songs from her expansive 14album catalog and new songs from her latest record, “The Things That We Are Made Of”, released May 6, 2016. Beloved by fans and critics alike, Carpenter has recorded 14 albums and sold over 14 million records. Previously, in 2014, Carpenter released her debut orchestral album, “Songs From The Movie”, which was arranged and co-produced by six-time Grammy winner, Vince Mendoza. Since its release, Carpenter has performed alongside the New York Philharmonic, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the London Concert Orchestra, the L.A. Philharmonic, and the National Symphony Orchestra among many others. The Mary Chapin Carpenter benefit concert for Pocono Environmental Education Center takes place at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 24, 2017. Tickets are $50, $60, and $70 and are available online at www.harmonypresents.com or www.peec.org or by calling (570) 588-8077. The Lackawanna College Theater is located at 501 Vine Street in Scranton, PA. Those interested in participating in the sweepstakes for a chance to win a pair of Gold level seats may learn more and enter at www.harmonypresents.com/ mcc-sweepstakes. Entries must be submitted by September 9th at 8 p.m. Foundation for Harmony Presents strengthens regional charitable organizations while enriching our local community through discovery of diverse, engaging, imaginative, and truly exceptional performing and fine artists.
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travel
home safety tips
Tips for Keeping Your
HOme Safe on Vacation Submitted by Disaster Blaster
The Murphy’s Law of homeownership dictates that, if something is going to happen, it’s probably going to be when you’re not home. While this thought can be scary, it doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t leave your house or go on vacation. With a little advanced planning, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of arriving home to a disaster. Turn the water off A broken pipe can cause a lot of damage in a relatively short period of time, so just imagine what you could come home to after being gone for a week or more. Turning the water off at a shut off as close to the main as possible can dramatically reduce the potential and likelihood of damage occurring while you’re away. Always inspect shut off valves to ensure that they are in good repair and not leaking, and have valves in poor condition replaced immediately. If traveling during the cold winter months, it’s important to take steps to prevent frozen pipes before you go. Homes that are left unheated, or that run out of heating oil or gas, are some of the most common causes of water damage that occurs while the homeowner is away. To make matters worse, there often is no insurance coverage for claims that result from heat not being maintained at a property. If you will be gone for an extended period of time, you may want to winterize the property before you leave.
Make it look like someone’s home Thieves often look for homes that look unoccupied, as they are less risky targets. One of the best ways of making your home look less desirable to criminals while you’re away is by making it look like someone is still home. Take a moment to consider the tasks you generally perform around your home such as getting the mail and mowing the lawn. Interruptions in these tasks may draw unwanted attention to your home. Here are a few tips to prevent your home from appearing unoccupied. • To prevent your mail from piling up at your mailbox or front porch, consider having it held at the post office or collected by a friend or neighbor. • Since your grass will continue to grow while you’re gone, you may want to ask a friend to mow the lawn a couple of times, or hire a professional service to care for
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your lawn while you’re away. • Setting a couple of lights on timers will make it look like someone is home and cause most burglars to think twice. • Asking a friend or neighbor to check on the house periodically will mean that people will be in and out of your house, making it appear more active.
Don’t post detailed trip plans on social media With the size of some friend lists and the potential for some posts to be public, you never really know who may see your travel plans or pictures. While we can completely understand your desire to tell everyone about your amazing vacation plans, it’s much safer to save those pictures and stories for after you return.
Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house Your neighbors are more than happy to keep an eye on your place while you’re gone, after all, they don’t want problems in their neighborhood either. Don’t hesitate to ask; you’ll have a much greater sense of peace of mind knowing someone is keeping an eye on things while you’re gone! Memories of your vacation should be about beaches, sights, and time with your family, not the mess you found when you returned home. Hopefully, these tips will not only allow you some peace of mind while you’re gone but reduce the chance of anything happening while you’re away. We hope you found this information helpful. If there’s something that YOU want to hear about, please e-mail us at news@disasterblaster.com.
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roots yoga
ROOTS Run Deep By LA Guzda
aggie (Lockwood) Lehrian grew up in Lackawaxen. She lived and worked in NYC after college but missed the peaceful lifestyle that Northeast PA offers. She returned and worked at the Himalayan Institute, where she was introduced to her love of yoga.
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It was the philosophy of yoga that resonated so strongly with Maggie. She had found her missing piece. Two years later, she found her other half and married. They honeymooned in Bali, and it was then that Maggie was clear on her direction. A friend quoted, “When you are on the right path, you just can’t quit it.” Yoga was definitely Maggie’s path. She began teaching at various locations, but to her it was important to create a space that reflected her own values. The next thing she knew, the space on the corner of Main and Keystone Streets in downtown Hawley became available. It was the right size and a great location. She dove in… Maggie lobbied her friends for feedback, and in the silence that followed when she revealed her name, Feel the Love Yoga, she knew she needed to rethink the name. Tossing around many ideas: Bluestone Yoga, Downtown Hawley Yoga, Sun Rising
did you know?
Over Lake Wallenpaupack Yoga… Maggie broke it down to basics on what she wanted her name to represent, and Roots Yoga was born. Roots Yoga offers restorative and yin yoga for all levels. In addition to traditional yoga, Roots offers Mommy and Me, Prenatal, Family, Office Yoga, Teen / Kids – age specific, Beach Yoga, and Paddle Board Yoga. The latter two were inspired by the lake. “So many people are drawn to the area because of the lake; I wanted to connect its beauty to their practice.” While shooting photos, I asked Maggie to do a tree pose. She said that was too hard to do on the board but did a headstand instead. To me, a tree is a lot easier than a handstand (although I have not tried one on a paddleboard), but it shows how we each respond differently to yoga, and that’s part of what excites Maggie and the team at Roots. Roots is more than yoga. Nathaniel Whitmore is a Naturalist and Ayurveda Herbalist who provides Shiatsu and Reflexology. Nathaniel offers edible nature walks in the area. There is a walk scheduled in Lackawaxen on Saturday, October 14th. Visit LackawaxenTownshipPA.gov for details. At Roots Yoga, they support area artists through gallery events. Stay tuned for an upcoming exhibit - November 412, featuring my images called, Inspired in Incredible India. Roots Yoga offers classes every morning and some evenings. You can enjoy 20% savings on your first class for new students when you mention that you saw this article. For more information on classes and schedules visit the website at: www.RootsYogaHawley.com or call 570-780-9371. Follow us on Instagram @PoconoSecrets and on Facebook @PocoPike Visit www.LAGuzda.com or www.PoconoSecrets.com for past articles. Do you have a Pocono Secret to share? Send an email to: PoconoSecrets@aol.com.
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11
reflections
from inside
Part II
“Tip of the Iceberg” Reflections of a Prison Inmate By Terry Mooney
his is a story told by a woman with a sweet smile and positive outlook on life. She is a successful business woman, struggling with a dependence on alcohol as a coping mechanism in her personal life. She attends every program available to her here at the Pike County Correctional Facility.
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My Story He intrigued me because he was from New York City and was in the Teamsters, more sophisticated than I was used to meeting in the country. He was goal-oriented, restoring a house he bought with the plan of moving here and commuting to the city. The house was next door to his parents, who were weekenders, but this would become an issue later on. We dated a year and a half before we got engaged. We were both working, and I helped him finish restoring the home he bought. Eventually, we moved in. We went boating, water skiing, everything you could do on a huge lake. We made friends with another couple and began hanging out with them on the weekends, which became longer and longer as the partying spilled over into weeknights. We both commuted and had to get up early. So, I ended up going to bed and he would stay up. Getting less and less sleep, he began doing more and more drinking. The partying evolved for him into drinking and pills. The wife of our neighbor worked at a dentist’s office and she stole script pads, writing prescriptions for pain killers for herself and my husband. They began spending more and more time together, both filling bogus prescriptions at various pharmacies. Her husband was known to run around with other women, and drinking a lot. I began to suspect that his wife was doing the same, only it was my husband she was running with. The party atmosphere began to attract a larger group of locals who would already be at our house when we got home from our long commute. He was happy to see them, but I was not. His father also liked them there because it gave him something to do at night. Ultimately, I could either beat ‘em or join ‘em, and I ended up joining them. It affected my ability to get up in the morning, to feel fresh and perform well at my job. But it was easier than confronting them or my husband as I did not want to appear to be a shrew. Previously, I was very goal-oriented, reporting to a senior executive, but at this point I was virtually unapproachable. I was becoming introverted, mostly because I was hung over a lot of the time. I knew what I was doing wasn’t right for my future endeavors, even though my boss did not seem to notice. But some of my colleagues saw the inconsistency with which I met my many deadlines. I could tell that they were not happy that I was no longer pulling my weight. At this time, my husband met a guy at one of the local parties who knew where to get heroin. As a result of all the pill use in the group, it started attracting local heroin users as well. I was clueless; all the while the parties to me were just a lot of drinking. At this time, my husband shelved his membership in the Teamsters to go into business with one of the group, using every last penny of our savings, without consulting me. It was auto repair, but that garage became headquarters for the drugs. I found out that he had cleaned us out when the bank was trying to repossess our boat. With nothing coming in, he was not paying the bills, and my salary was going for food, gas, and cigarettes. He did, however, keep the mortgage current
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by refinancing it three different times. He also liquidated his pension. Over and over, I tried to talk sense into him but he would not listen, and eventually he just shut me out. I became belligerent and rude to all of them, and when they would descend on the house, I would get in the car and start driving to nowhere on the backcountry roads, slowly getting drunk as I drove. This went on for a couple of years. I just went to work and when I got home, I would escape. To this day, I am still unsure why I kept giving him the benefit of the doubt. I think it’s because he sent me mixed signals. In spite of everything, I still loved him, and he played on that. He wanted his cake and eat it, too. All told, I’d suffered six miscarriages. That really took a toll on me emotionally. I had so wanted to become a mother and, classically, I thought that would make things better in my marriage. One day, he met me for lunch. Again, we were three months behind on the mortgage, and he had told me we were current. Now, again, he was out of money and did not know what to do. I had just started a new job and the paycheck hadn’t come in yet. I walked out of the restaurant and went back to work. I never came home that night. Driving around again, all night long drinking and driving, I found out that weekend that I was a month pregnant. I figured I would miscarry again, so I wasn’t excited about it. I did go through the medical treatments necessary to keep the baby, and this time it worked. He was really happy about her arrival, and seemed to lighten up on the partying. I didn’t know that he was still doing heroin. The baby was born with Blount’s disease, which affects growth plates in the legs. It took many major surgeries and home care to help her. I had to quit my job. Her dad had to get a real job now, but at the same time, he was stealing his baby daughter’s pain pills. Looking back, I avoided reality, as bad as it got, by drinking. I never established what was important to me in my life and my goals. I was so smitten by this man, and so impressed with the fact I was part of something bigger than life as I knew it, yet what I was part of was a sinking ship. I refused to face reality, and it just kept getting worse. Two DUIs later, I had already left my husband, got another good job and landed in a sober living place. I attended AA five times a week. My daughter was walking and doing really well. Everything in my life was going great, until I met a man who was worse than my husband in his emotional abuse. Immediately, I went to my fall-back, drinking and driving. This time, I went to jail. The last ninety-five days in the Pike County Correctional Facility have been crucial in my gaining the tools to learn about self-awareness, stress management, and emotional thinking versus cognitive thinking. When emotional thinking comes into play, behavioral risks increase, leading to anger and resentments that ultimately lead to poor decisions. I am now confident to be released to a world of opportunities knowing better who I am, and who is out there. I am the captain of my own ship, knowing how to avoid the stowaways and baggage and, most importantly, the iceberg!
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POINT or NON-POINT? By Sally Corrigan
hen someone says water pollution, often the image that comes to mind is a pipe discharging into a river. This type of pollution is referred to as point source pollution since you can literally point to and readily identify the source.
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However, another type of water pollution known as non-point source pollution is actually more prevalent and has a farther reaching impact to water resources. According to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, non-point source pollution accounts for over 77% of the total water pollution problem in Pennsylvania. Non-point source pollution originates from many diverse sources, is more difficult to control, and is a much less obvious source of water degradation than point sources of pollution. In Pike County, soil sediments released from human activities on the land, eroding stream banks, leachate from malfunctioning septic systems, de-icing salts applied to roads and sidewalks, pesticides and fertilizers applied to lawns and gardens, improperly disposed of household hazardous wastes (paints, paint thinners, drain cleaners, used motor oil, etc.), and stormwater run-off from road surfaces carrying automotive fluids including motor oil, gasoline, and antifreeze are all examples of non-point source pollutants that can adversely impact surface water and groundwater resources. Any one of these different sources by itself presents a threat to water quality. However, the cumulative effect of these pollutants can have a much greater negative impact. The good news is that there are many things we can do – often through simple changes in lifestyle to limit or eliminate contributions we may inadvertently be making to non-point source pollution. Starting around the home, consider the application of pesticides and fertilizers. An inexpensive and simple soil test available from your local Penn State Extension Office (570-296-3400) will tell you the appropriate amounts of fertilizer needed for a lawn or garden. Applying only the amount recommended will reduce the risk of excess fertilizer running off into surface waters or leaching down into groundwater resulting in drinking water contamination. With insecticides and
Avoid mowing your lawn down to the edge of a stream or lake. Maintain a streamside buffer – a strip of undisturbed/unmowed vegetation. A buffer helps remove non-point source pollutants from runoff entering water bodies.
herbicides (weed killers), follow the label directions – do not over apply - or consider alternatives including gardening with less or no chemicals and using bio-controls that generally degrade quickly and have less environmental impact. When applying chemicals to a lawn or garden, remember more is not necessarily better. Dispose of household hazardous wastes properly. Poured down a drain or dumped on the ground, these wastes may contaminate groundwater. Remember that what goes down the drain and out into your septic system can end up in your groundwater, potentially contaminating your own or a neighbor’s well. Remediation of groundwater after it is contaminated can be an arduous and very expensive task and in some cases depending on the contaminant cannot be corrected. One gallon of used motor oil improperly disposed can contaminate 1 million gallons of water. Take used motor oil to a recycling center or have your vehicle serviced at a garage that makes use of the used oil for heating or disposes of the oil in the proper manner. Repair automotive fluid leaks. While the oil, antifreeze, or transmission fluid leaking from your car may not seem significant, consider the cumulative impact of automotive fluids leaking from thousands of cars. These fluids are picked up in stormwater runoff from roads, driveways, and parking lots and can be washed into surface waters or can leach down through the soil into groundwater reserves. Have your septic system inspected periodically and your tank pumped regularly, at least every three years or
according to your local sewage management program, which may require more frequent pumping, are good guidelines for this regular maintenance of your septic. A properly functioning and maintained system will last longer and will be less likely to malfunction, potentially releasing leachate to surface or groundwater. Avoid mowing your lawn down to the edge of a stream or lake. Instead, maintain a streamside buffer (strip of undisturbed/unmowed vegetation). The further the buffer extends away from the water’s edge the better. Streamside vegetative buffers stabilize stream banks preventing erosion, and they can trap and remove up to 95% of non-point source pollution that would otherwise enter a stream. Soil sediment carried in stormwater into streams and rivers degrades habitat for fish and other aquatic life and causes a decrease in oxygen for these organisms. When planning activities involving any removal of vegetative cover and exposure of soil to erosion by stormwater, check first with your County Conservation District. Conservation Districts can provide assistance on the types of best management practices (BMPs) that can be used to minimize erosion and protect water resources. Additionally, most activities that disturb the vegetative cover along or in close proximity to a stream or wetland require state and/or federal permits to complete. Your local Conservation District can assist you in finding out what permits may be needed and provide technical assistance on erosion and sediment control BMPs, which can protect our water resources. The actions of each individual doing his or her part to reduce non-point source pollution can add up to significant protection and improvement of our local water resources. For more information visit www.pikeconservation.org, LIKE us on Facebook, sign up for our monthly E-newsletter to regularly learn more about conservation. Pike County Conservation District (570) 226-8220 is available to assist. Sally Corrigan is the Executive Director of the Pike County Conservation District. Pike County Conservation District is committed to natural resources conservation through leadership, education, technical assistance, planning, and enforcement to ensure the long term protection and sustainable use of Pike County’s natural resources and implementation of environmentally sound development and land use practices.
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13
money
spending
A TIME TO
$PEND
Charles Curtin, JD, LLM, CTFA – Trust Officer, The Honesdale National Bank
admittedly spent my twenties and early thirties a tad directionless. Yes, I got a law degree and worked at different jobs, but nothing was permanent. I was transient both professionally and physically. I lived in four cities and spent most of the time enjoying myself as opposed to climbing the corporate ladder. Nothing really stuck until I discovered banking. I finally found the right vocation after years of selfinflicted aimlessness.
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As a life wanderer, I never had much money. No, I did not go hungry, but sometimes I had to forego a few creature comforts, like new socks to replace the old hole-riddled pairs in my dresser. You can imagine that payday back then was always an extra special occasion. My wallet would become fat with cash for a day or two – then after paying my rent and grocery bill, I would waste what was left on movies, clothes, and the occasional glass of beer. The money would be gone faster than a Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookie Pack stays in my freezer. In just about all financial newsletters, it seems how to save money is a consistent topic. Saving money is good! However, in certain instances it is actually beneficial to spend wantonly just like I did back in the day. The Medicaid system is one such example. If you are not familiar, Medicaid is a government health insurance program for persons whose income and resources are insufficient. The elderly often utilize Medicaid to pay for nursing home care. This is because skilled nursing costs can
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run over $10,000 a month. The enormous costs of a nursing home can wipe out a lifetime of savings in a matter of months. After savings are exhausted, Medicaid steps in as a safety net and takes over the responsibility of paying. Medicaid is allowed for applicants with a certain small amount of income and assets, not including the applicant’s house, car, and personal possessions. If an applicant’s income and assets are valued more than maximum, they will not qualify for Medicaid and will have to private pay for nursing home care. In order to qualify for Medicaid quicker, people often “spend down” their savings to qualify for Medicaid. The process of spending down assets is not as simple as it seems. You can’t be like my younger self and spend like crazy because the Medicaid system restricts the type of transfers during the five years before applying. It is called the “look back” period. If the expenditures are not legitimate and instead merely wealth transfers (i.e., gifts or sales made for less than fair market value) made in order to qualify for Medicaid quicker, the applicant will be disqualified for a period of time covering the value of the transfer. As a result, if a nursing home stay and having Medicaid pay for the care are anticipated, the following are several spend down options which are acceptable during the five year “look back” period. First, Pennsylvania exempts de-minimis gifts made within the “look back” period. Gifts of $500 or less per month are deemed de-minimis. Thus, by simply giving small monthly amounts to family or friends, a person can “spend down” their estate by $6,000 per year during the five years before applying for Medicaid without penalty. In my experience, people often confuse the annual federal gift tax exemption of $14,000 with the Medicaid gifting exemption. Unfortunately, a gift of $14,000 utilizing the federal estate gift tax exemption is not recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, and all amounts over $6,000 will need to be repaid before Medicaid kicks in. Next, Medicaid applicants during the five years prior to entering a nursing home can transform assets normally considered “countable” (e.g. bank accounts, investments, etc.) into assets that are exempt and not counted by Medicaid. The purchase of an irrevocable burial account with a local bank is a rather easy way to convert an asset to a “non-countable” resource. Moribund for sure, but these accounts [ www.connections-magazine.com ]
allow for the prepayment of funeral expenses. The account can only be used for funeral purposes and nothing else. The amount of the reserve varies from county to county, but is typically within the $8,000 to $12,000 range. Also, Medicaid does not consider certain expenditures made in the “look back” period to be disqualifying. If a nursing home stay is projected, Medicaid does not prohibit the purchase of a new car or significant home improvements like a new roof or siding. The most aggressive strategy to convert assets from “countable” to “non-countable” during the five year “look back” period is the utilization of an annuity. There are various different forms of annuities, but only one that can be used for Medicaid planning in Pennsylvania. As you may know, annuities are a contract where an individual pays a sum of cash up front to the annuity company in return for a future income stream. For Medicaid qualification purposes, the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare measures the applicant’s resources (i.e., assets) and does not count his or her income. Since the law provides that a Medicaid qualifying annuity is “income” and not a “resource,” the Medicaid applicant can immediately transform assets once considered available to pay for Medicaid to exempt assets. Medicaid qualifying annuities are especially useful in the case where a spouse is expected to enter a nursing home in the near future. It is vital to speak to an annuity representative that understands and purchases Medicaid qualifying annuities frequently. They are unique financial products that require skillful expertise. The expense of nursing home care is tremendous. These few tips could perhaps provide a modicum of asset protection. However, if you do need help in planning for your golden years, contact a local advisor in your area because as I like to say, “Local advice is often the best advice.” The Honesdale National Bank and its employees do not render legal, tax, or accounting advice. Accordingly, you and your attorneys and accountants are ultimately responsible for determining the legal, tax, and accounting consequences of any suggestions offered herein. Furthermore, all decisions regarding financial, tax, and estate planning will ultimately rest with you and your legal, tax, and accounting advisors. Any description pertaining to federal taxation contained herein is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by you or any other person, for the purpose of avoiding any penalties that may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. This disclosure is made in accordance with the rules of Treasury Department.
compound interest
money
How Teens Can Become
MILLIONAIRES –Provided by Jonathan “Josh” Sheard, Sage Investments, LLC
s you approach adulthood and start to think about your future, are you ready to be financially responsible for yourself? If you answered yes, congratulations—you’re ahead of the game! But if you answered no, don’t worry—there’s still plenty of time to set yourself up for success.
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Whether you’ve never stepped foot in a bank or you are actively saving and investing for your future, all it takes is a little effort and a lot of patience to become confident in your financial decisions.
A Millionaire’s Best Friend One awesome thing you can take advantage of is compound interest. It may sound like an intimidating term, but it won’t be once you know what it means. Here’s a little secret: Compound interest is a millionaire’s best friend. It’s really free money. Seriously. But don’t take our word for it. Just check out this story of Ben and Arthur to understand the power of compound interest. Ben and Arthur were friends who grew up together. They both knew they needed to start thinking about the future. At age 19, Ben decided to invest $2,000 every year for eight years. He picked investment funds that averaged a 12% interest rate. Then, at age 26, Ben stopped putting money into his investments. So, he put a total of $16,000 into his investment funds. Now Arthur didn’t start investing until age 27. Just like Ben, he put $2,000 into his investment funds every year until he turned 65. He got the same 12% interest rate as Ben, but he invested for 31 more years than Ben did. So, Arthur invested a total of $78,000 over 39 years. When both Ben and Arthur turned 65, they decided to compare their investment accounts. Who do you think had more? Ben, with his total of $16,000 invested over eight years, or Arthur, who invested $78,000 over 39 years? Believe it or not, Ben came out ahead . . . $700,000 ahead! Arthur had a total of $1,532,166 while Ben
had a total of $2,288,996. How did he do it? Starting early is the key. He put in less money but started eight years earlier. That’s compound interest for you! It turns $16,000 into almost $2.3 million! Since Ben invested earlier, the interest kicked in sooner
What You Can Do Now The trick is to start as soon as possible. Talk to your parents or teachers about how to open a long-term investment account so you can become a millionaire, too. And remember, waiting just means you make less money in the end. So get moving! © Lampo Licensing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Josh is a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider for this area. He specializes in retirement income strategies, investments strategies, as well as additional financial strategies. His focus is on lifelong financial guidance and his commitment is to place clients first and provide unmatched customer service. He would be glad to answer any questions regarding the content of this article as well as any others. Call today at 570-729-1020 or email Josh at sage@cfiemail.com. You can also visit www.sageinvestments.net. Jonathan Sheard offers securities and advisory services through Centaurus Financial, Inc. member FINRA and SIPA and a registered investment advisor. This is not an offer to sell securities, which may be done only after proper delivery of a prospectus and client suitability is reviewed and determined. Information relating to securities is intended for use by individuals residing in PA, NY, AR, VA, FL, NC, GA, CT. Sage Investments, Dave Ramsey and Centaurus Financial Inc are not affiliated.
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15
lifestyle
outdoor ramblings
Armed with paint brushes some days and pick-axes on others, young people throughout the commonwealth spent their summer toiling in the parks and trails of Penn’s Woods. Some, mostly high school and young college students, spent six weeks cleaning up our state parks and forests while others ranging in age from 18-25 signed up for a ten-month stint engaged in similar projects. All are a part of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps, a program managed by the Student Conservation Association and funded by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the PA Department of Labor and Industry.
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This year, both the young adult and the youth crews that work out of the Wilkes-Barre area undertook several projects in the state parks and state forests of Northeastern PA. I had a chance to meet up with the 18-25-year-olds back in early May when they were working at the White Deer Lake boat access in Pike County. Most were freshly graduated college students with degrees in a myriad of conservation related subjects looking to gain some experience while waiting to begin careers in the outdoor field. These crews work from February through November in the Philadelphia, Greensburg, WilkesBarre, and Williamsport areas. They work a 37.5hour week and receive $10.25-per-hour compensation as well as health insurance. The youth crews are based out of Erie, Meadville, Pittsburgh, Uniontown, Altoona, McConnellsburg, Saint Marys, Renovo, Williamsport, Harrisburg, York, WilkesBarre, Reading, and Philadelphia. Many of them are exploring environmental vocations as well. They, too, put in a 37.5-hour week and receive $10.15-per-hour compensation. Both the young adult and youth crews get daily transportation to and from the work site, and breakfast and lunch also will be provided. Fridays for the youth crews are education days. Around mid-July, after putting in four days of work clearing brush and repainting signs on the Egypt Meadow Trail in the Delaware State Forest, Bill Delling, the DCNR Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor based in Pike County, and I spent a morning with the group. With the green forest far below, the student-workers learned about wildland firefighting as they toured the lookout tower at High Knob and got some hose time on one of the DCNR fire engines.
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Inside the tower, they learned how Bureau of Forestry employees look for wildfires and got to try their hands at using the map and alidade to determine the distance and degrees of a purported smoke sighting. Just below the lookout station, they got to see the tools wildland firefighters use to battle and investigate woodland blazes, as well as experiencing what it’s like to manage the nozzle of the fire hose. Following the morning education session, we adjourned for lunch at Peck’s Pond and discussed, for well over an hour, careers in wildland firefighting and the Bureau of Forestry. The kids also spoke about their summer, so far, and some of the projects they worked on and where they had been. In addition to the Delaware State Forest, they also worked on projects at Lackawanna State Park, Prompton State Park, Nescopeck State Park, Moon Lake, and the Seven Tubs Natural Area. Some jobs took a day or two while others were weeklong efforts. While it’s the inaugural year for the young adult crews, the youth team out of Wilkes-Barre started up last summer, and some of the kids are back for their second season. They paid us another visit in early August when we put them through an abbreviated mock Search and Rescue program on the trails just north of Promised Land State Park. Hopefully, the Delaware State Forest will be an annual stop for group. They made some significant contributions to the maintenance of the local trails while learning about what it’s like to work in the wilds of Pennsylvania. williamjdeaton@yahoo.com
classic cars
lifestyle
1940
Ford
Convertible By Arnie Milidantri
ar enthusiasts approach each new car season excited to see what new cars have entered the car shows or cruises this year. Sometimes, it is a complete surprise or it can be the first showing of a long term work in progress build. This year, those of us who have known about a long term build and waited patiently were rewarded to finally see a truly beautiful custom car make its debut after seven years of on again off again work. The car is a true one-of-a-kind 1940 Ford convertible custom street rod owned by Rich Locklin of Hamlin, PA. This beautiful, metallic lime green car is an outstanding example of one man’s commitment to and love of creating unique pieces of art! The 1940 Ford convertible has been an instant show/cruise favorite since its debut this year and draws crowds wherever it goes.
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Background Ford, starting with its 1937 models, introduced a more rounded look with horizontal bars in the convex front and hood-side grilles. The V-shaped front grille and faired-in headlights were a major modernization found on the Standard and Deluxe trim versions, though much of the rest of the design was shared between Ford’s two lines. A larger water pump was used to help aid in cooling. ‘Slantback’ sedans gained a rear trunk door, though space was limited, and ‘Trunkback’ versions continued gaining sales. The station wagon had seating for eight passengers. A 4-door “convertible sedan” with roll up windows was offered in small numbers in the Deluxe series. Ford’s response to a sluggish market was to continue the basic 1937 car design into 1938, including most body panels. The 1938 Deluxe models were differentiated with a heart-shaped grille, though standard models retained the 1937 look. The Slantback sedan design was cancelled for good. Only a V8 was offered, either a 60 hp V8 or an 85 hp V8. A new dash was used, with recessed controls for safety. In 1939, Ford again modernized its car line; the Deluxe used a low pointed grille with heavier vertical slats and the standard Ford had a higher grille with horizontal dividers. The headlights were moved farther apart, now sitting almost in front of the wheels. The side grilles and louvers were removed in favor of chrome strips on Deluxe models. The “alligator” hood opened deep from the top of the grille back, eliminating the side panels found on previous models. The phaeton, club coupe, and convertible club coupe models were discontinued. The engine was also revised for 1939 with downdraft carburetors widening the torque band but leaving power unchanged at 85 hp. Hydraulic brakes were a major advancement across the Ford line. In 1940, Ford introduced a high, flat-topped hood that dominated the front look of their car models. The grille spread out to reach the fenders to differentiate the Deluxe line, and the headlights were pushed wider still. The standard Ford inherited the grille of the 1939 model with blackout on each side of a heavy chrome center; heavier headlight surrounds were another major differentiator from the 1939. The sergeant stripe taillights were unique to the 1940 Fords, as well as the move of the wipers down to the cowl. 1940 was the last year of the 1937 design and its smaller V8 engine. Sealed-beam headlights were one of the few major advances for 1940,
while a hydraulic top was new on the convertible. The 1937-1940 generation of Fords continues to be one of the most popular automobiles for hot rodding. Its legacy, as a favorite for early stock car racing drivers, is well documented as part of our country’s dirt track and stock car racing history.
Featured Car The car featured this month is Rich Locklin’s beautiful, custom-built 1940 Ford convertible street rod. Over the last seven years, Rich transformed an all steel stock 1940 Ford Convertible into his vision of the ultimate, totally reengineered and redesigned custom street rod. Starting from the bottom up, the car sits on a frame equipped with air ride suspension designed and fabricated by Rich Nagle located in Southeastern PA. The 15” inch rims and classic looking whitewalls mount up to power disc brakes all around to give the car great handling and stopping. The car is powered by a reworked Chevrolet 350 cubic inch small block engine equipped with a 1962 Corvette tri- power carburetor set up, coupled to a high performance R4 automatic transmission. The power meets the road via a four-link mounted 9” Ford rear. The custom dual exhaust system adds a great mellow sound. The all steel body has received some great old school modifications. Starting with the front, Rich went old school and “frenched” the headlights (eliminated the trim and mounted them from the rear), “nosed” (removed all hood chrome and opening latch) the hood, installed an inside release, and louvered the hood. He also installed a one-piece windshield and installed a “narrowed” 1949 Plymouth chrome bumper. Moving to the car’s sides, all the body chrome trim and door handles were removed (electric openers were installed); the rear fenders were welded to the body, eliminating the seams, and full fender skirts were “fitted” into the fenders. The old surface-mounted gas filler was removed, and a filler door was molded into the fender. The finishing touch to the fenders was recessing the original “Sergeant Strip” taillights flush with the fender instead of being surface-mounted. The flow of the 1940 Convertible’s rear view has been radically changed compared to any other 1940 Ford convertible. Rich wanted a smoother flow and achieved it by installing a 1940 Ford Coupe deck lid that is 8 inches longer than the convertibles. He cut the trunk cowl and moved it forward, which enabled him to install, as a per-
fect fit, a 1939 Ford convertible top (chopped 2 ? inches and its rear bows reworked) that gives it a one of a kind “Smooth” look! The trunk lid is “decked” (Chrome and license plate mount removed), a custom contoured plate mount was created, and a front matching 1949 “narrowed” chrome Plymouth bumper installed. The car’s beautiful one-of-a-kind metallic lime green paint job and finish work were done by “Blast from the Past” shop located in Pottstown, PA. Complementing the car’s outstanding stance (thanks to its air ride suspension, it can be lowered to the ground), the outstanding finish is just enough “bling,” The functioning chrome “teardrop” spotlights, old school fifties Olds-type hubcaps, chrome window frames, and Mercedes Benz material convertible top complete the stylish finish. The car’s beautiful pumpkin colored leather interior, a great combination with the metallic green paint color, was installed by Ray’s Upholstery outside of Honesdale, PA, who also installed a great fitting top. The interior also includes a custom 1958 Chevrolet armrest, front fitted with end lights, a retro gauge cluster, and a custom tilt steering column fitted with the original 1940 steering wheel. The car has both power steering and vintage air conditioning and a hidden in dash stereo. Seven years is a long time in coming, but the end result is truly an amazing car that is timeless!
The Owner Rich Locklin is a long time successful local businessman who owns and manages several businesses: Locklin’s Bottled Gas, Locklin Auto Sales, and Hamlin Auto Parts (NAPA) all located on Route 590 in Hamlin, PA. He has been restoring and collecting cars throughout his life and has a unique and varied personal collection spanning the 30’s through the 50’s, including street rods, customs, and classics. Rich’s lifetime passion for creating unique cars continues, and his next long term build is just about complete, a custom 1949 Mercury Convertible that has been a work in progress alongside Rich’s just finished 1940 Ford Convertible. Rumor has it that it may also debut late this season as well. During the cruising season, Rich will host a well-attended event and will open his collection for viewing to the cruise participants. He is a mild spoken gentleman who loves cars and the challenge of the build. His talent and vision of what makes a great car are reflected in his unique builds and personal collection.
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17
wellness
behavioral medicine
Treating Mental Illness with
Integrated Care By Arthur Middleton, M.D., FAPA
“The part can never be well unless the whole is well.” ~Plato he Oxford English Dictionary defines illness as: “a disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.” With regard to the use of the term “mental illness,” over the course of time, the literature often uses the term mental disorders. While the term “disorder” might be more palatable, the fact remains that any illness is neither wanted nor experienced easily.
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It is quite likely that many of us are more than familiar with the mental disorders that are experienced by nearly “10 Million Adults in the United States,” according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The list includes anxiety disorders such as Panic Disorder and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, mood disturbances such as Bipolar Disorder and Depression, psychotic disorders such as Schizophrenia and Personality disorders, which affect many individuals. The NIH also reports that “15.7 million Americans abuse alcohol and 7.7 million abuse illicit drugs.” It is further reported by the NIH that “12.5 million people are estimated to have misused prescription painkillers such as oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet) or hydrocodone (Vicopro-fen).” Despite these alarming numbers and the fact that the numbers appear to be growing, it is estimated, by a researcher from the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality of Life (at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration or SAMHSA), that “about a third of those who need help aren’t getting it.” This is a disturbing statistic because effective treatment is available. It is long been established that there is stigma associated with mental disorders, but this also holds true for a number of other diseases as well. The suffering that is experienced by having a disease is not limited to the individual. It affects the society at large, resulting in emergency room visits, inability to work, and in some instances, homelessness. The following fictional clinical vignette is presented to highlight some of the issues associated with the treatment of mental illness and the obstacles that some face in trying to obtain it.
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JT is 35 years old, single, and living in a onebedroom apartment that is paid for by his parents. He is currently working as a stock clerk in a large store and has managed to hold on to this job for the past year. His parents are hopeful that this will continue. If asked why, they will tell you that they have all been through a lot. JT was always somewhat of a loner, but did complete high school. He did not have any specific interests with respect to a vocation, but did work with his father for a brief period, helping to paint homes as his father was a house painter. JT seemed pre-occupied and often did not report to work. By the age of twenty, it was apparent that he was not well mentally. He finally admitted to his parents that he had been hearing voices that were telling him to kill himself. He had tried to ignore the voices and had begun to drink alcohol during the day to diminish the increasing urge to take his life. He was taken to an emergency room, which was followed by a psychiatric hospitalization. JT would generally respond to treatment but would quickly relapse as he was not compliant with his medication or appointments. He told his parents that he felt that people were looking at him when he went to a “mental health clinic,” which made it clear to others that he had mental problems. Despite the efforts of his clinical providers and his parents, JT could not sustain a prolonged period of stability. However, his parents would not abandon hope, even after he stole from them in order to buy drugs, which he subsequently overdosed on. JT had many diagnoses over the course of time, but it was established early on that he had Schizophrenia. JT was embarrassed by this diagnosis and would not share it with anyone. He often had difficulties with his medications; the inability to sit still, described by his doctor as an “akathisia,” as one example. There appeared to be a breakthrough when he was prescribed an older medication, Haldol Decanoate, which was given as an injection on a once a month basis. JT had previously been prescribed newer medications, which
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he did not like, but this medication, Haldol Decanoate, worked for him. JT shocked his parents when he told them that he wanted to move to another state and start his life over. His father helped to find him an apartment, but made it clear to JT that he had to remain in treatment. JT had developed diabetes, which required that he be on medication, which he did not like. He knew that he had to follow through with a primary care doctor but remained unhappy with the need to also go to a mental health clinic. When he went to his new primary care doctor for an appointment, he was gratified to learn that his primary care doctor offered “integrated care.” JT now had a “care manager” who maintained contact with JT to make sure that he was taking all of his medications and a primary care doctor who managed the care of his diabetes as well as his medications for treatment of Schizophrenia. JT sees a psychiatric nurse clinician in the office of his primary care doctor, and a treating psychiatrist is available for further consultation. This is the first time that JT has received both medical and psychiatric treatment in one setting. When his parents came to visit, they were surprised and relieved that JT seems to be happy that he is finally able to live on his own. The fictional clinical vignette highlights two issuesschizophrenia and the complexities of this mental disorder, which is often coexistent with substance abuse, and the struggle for those with mental disorders to be compliant with treatment. In this case, the treatment approach is called “Integrated Care.” Schizophrenia is a term that is familiar to many. This is a mental health disorder that is chronic, “affecting 7 or 8 individuals out of 1,000 in their lifetime,” according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). It is also described as a “brain illness.” Individuals with schizophrenia experience auditory hallucinations; the experience of hearing voices that are not real. These individuals also have “psychotic” episodes that involve disorganized behavior as well as auditory hallucinations, which generally result in inpa-
genetic testing tient psychiatric hospitalizations. Treatment of schizophrenia typically involves antipsychotic medications and talk therapy. The older medications are called “first generation” antipsychotics and include medications such as Thorazine or chlorpromazine and Haldol or haloperidol. Haldol is available as a long acting injectable form (decanoate), which is typically given on a once a month basis. There are also second generation antipsychotic medications also referred to as “atypical antipsychotics.” This includes medications such as Risperdal or risperidone and Abilify or aripiprazole, both of which are also available as long acting injectable preparations. Schizophrenia is also associated with the experience of embarrassment often referred to as “stigma.” In a New York Times article by Edward Larkin and Irene Hurford titled: Perpetuating Schizophrenia’s Stigma (August 12, 2014), the authors write about this illness from the perspective of psychiatric clinical caregivers. They describe the side effects and cost of psychiatric medications and the difficulty that some patients face with respect to affording the care that they need to keep their illness at a manageable state. The article also notes a 2002 study that showed that “70% of those with well-controlled schizophrenia still worried about being viewed unfavorably because of their illness.” The ability to properly treat any illness is based on the ability to provide proper medication and other therapies, but one cannot ignore the impact of the illness on the patient. For many mental disorders, access to treatment is critical, but it has been widely accepted that there must be other ways to provide comprehensive psychiatric treatment, which includes the treatment of other medical conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension, as common examples. The NIMH notes that primary care offices, such as a family doctor, “provide about half of all mental health care for common psychiatric disorders.” These providers typically treat individuals with anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. It is also important to note that individuals with serious mental illnesses have “higher rates of chronic physical illnesses and die earlier than the general population.” The NIMH also notes that “75% of adult patients with depression see primary care providers but only half are accurately diagnosed.” The NIMH also notes that “combining mental health services/ expertise with primary care can reduce costs, increase the quality of care, and ultimately save lives.” Integrated Care is an approach to patient care which addresses the “whole” patient. It is a team approach to care that provides both mental health care and physical health care in one setting. With the understanding that adult patients are generally seen in primary care settings, the integrated care model makes certain that patients with mental health disorders receive mental health treatment that is provided by clinicians with mental health expertise, as well as making certain that there is proper com-
munication among all involved. While this is a novel approach, it is easy to see that it would be ideal in rural settings where substance abuse and mental disorders are often not treated. The integrated care approach also helps to mitigate the issue of stigma for those with mental illness, as they are seen in regular primary care offices as opposed to mental health clinics. An article titled: Integrated Care: Meeting Mental Health Needs After the Gulf Oil Spill, published in Psychiatric Services (March 1, 2014) by H.J. Osofsy, J.D. Osofsy, J.H. Wells and Carl Weems, describes an “integrated behavioral health initiative” in primary clinics in Louisiana after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The article describes the success of this approach; treating mental health symptoms and physical health symptoms using telemedicine services, as one example. The article notes that this approach would be useful for rural communities with limited mental health resources. In summary, as reported by the National Institutes of Mental Health, mental disorders are experienced by nearly “10 Million Adults in the United States.” At the same time, it has also been reported that “about a third of those who need help aren’t getting it.” It has been established that adults are more likely to be seen in a primary care setting as opposed to a mental health setting. Integrated care is an innovative approach to provide care to the “whole” patient, incorporating mental health clinicians to both provide and assist with the care for mental disorders in the primary care setting. Comprehensive care leads to better results, and it is also cost effective. The following references are provided for the informed consumer: National Institute of Mental Health: What is Schizophrenia? https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/ schizophrenia-booklet/nih-15-3517_151858.pdf National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255) http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org American Psychiatric Association: Warning Signs of Mental Illness https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ warning-signs-of-mental-illness Dr. Middleton is a diplomate of the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology, and a Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He received his undergraduate training at New York University and an MD degree from Rutgers Medical School. Dr. Middleton completed his psychiatric residency at St. Vincent’s Hospital & Medical Center, in NYC. He is on the honorary medical staff (retired) of Hackensack University Medical Center in NJ, where he is also Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Middleton has been on the voluntary teaching faculty of Mount Sinai School of Medicine and Brown Medical School. He is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School. Dr. Middleton is retired as an Associate in the Department of Psychiatry in the Geisinger Health System formerly practicing at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Dr. Middleton lives in Dingmans Ferry, PA, and Manhattan, NY.
wellness
The Healthy
Gee z er
By Fred Cicetti
[My last column was on medical genealogy. This is a follow-up on genetic testing.] any of the causes of our illnesses are inherited from our ancestors. Almost a third of known diseases have genetic links. These include colon cancer, heart disease, alcoholism, and high blood pressure.
M
A medical genealogy or medical family tree can reveal patterns. If you have prepared a medical genealogy and found that a disease seems to run in your family, you might want to consider genetic testing. This form of testing can help you plan. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is in the genes you get from your parents. DNA guides the cells in your body. If your DNA contains a mutation, you could develop a medical condition. A test can reveal mutations that raise the risk of developing a disease. Positive results for certain diseases can induce people to take preventive action, such as surgical removal of endangered organs. About 900 genetic tests are now offered by diagnostic laboratories. The tests cost from less than $100 to a few thousand dollars. Your health insurance may not cover testing. Testing usually requires a blood sample, but may require hair, skin, or other tissue samples, such as cells from the inside of your cheek. Genetic testing should be viewed as a fallible tool. A positive result for a mutation doesn’t
mean you’ll get a disease. And a negative result doesn’t mean you are immune. Multiple mutations can cause a disease. Multiple genes can be responsible for a single disease. There are gene changes that develop without any link to your ancestors; they happen because you smoke or get too much sun or sometimes for no known reason. If you decide to try genetic testing, remember that what you learn about yourself could be reassuring, but it could also be upsetting. Genetic testing is a subject to discuss first with your personal physician. You may be referred to a medical-genetics specialist, who is trained to interpret the results of tests. To find genetics professionals in your area, contact the National Society of Genetic Counselors at www.nsgc.org; GeneTests at www.genetests.org; or the American Society of Human Genetics at www.ashg.org. To find more information about the medical conditions present in your family and about support groups, contact the Genetic Alliance at www.geneticalliance.org. You may also want to consult a lawyer to protect your interests. Results of genetic tests are usually kept in your medical records. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) is a Federal law that prohibits discrimination in health coverage and employment based on genetic information. All Rights Reserved © 2017 by Fred Cicetti
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wellness
your vision
HERE’S LOOKING AT YOU By Dr. Frank A. Bucci, Jr.
Frequently Asked Questions Who is Your “typical” patient? Depending on the procedure, a LASIK patient starts at the age of 18 as long as their prescription hasn't changed within the past year, but the typical age range is 24-44. LASIK corrects distance vision. MultiLx -or a multifocal lens implant (not to be confused with bifocal contacts) patients are typically 50+ looking to eliminate or reduce their dependency on reading glasses or bifocals. With Cataract and Premium Cataract, based on their diagnosis, some patients with genetic history could be as young as 30-40s, but the average age is 55 - 75. Both men and women equally seek out elective eye surgeries (LASIK and Multifocal Lens Implants) based on personal needs, which can range from frustrated with the hassle of glasses or contacts to an active outdoor lifestyle (camping, hunting, sports) to safety (employment, ease of readiness/response) police, first responders to young professionals or new parents.
What are the biggest misconceptions about Laser eye surgery (LASIK), and cataracts? Actually, that sentence, often times we encounter patients who think LASIK and Cataract surgeries are one and the same. I suppose the industry has caused this confusion. LASIK is typically performed on younger patients who want to reduce or eliminate their need for distance glasses/contacts. However, as the patient ages, reading glasses will be required just as in the natural aging of the eye. But people often think that LASIK wears off or reverts and that is not the case. Your distance vision will remain corrected. However, the natural aging of the eye may cause patients to need reading glasses just as those people who have always had naturally good distance vision may need readers. Multifocal lens implants are often confused with the bifocal or trifocal contact lenses that are now available. This is a huge misconception. Since the multifocal lenses are actually implanted inside the eye, they don't require that annoying adjustment of finding the line where the prescription changes, but rather correct the vision as the light rays enter the eye and transmit to the retina, similar to the lens of a camera. Having this procedure to eliminate your need for bifocals (prior to cataracts ) will also stop the natural aging of the eye; therefore, you will never develop cataracts as you age. The confusion with Cataracts is years ago you'd hear doctors reference "your cataract isn't ripe enough yet for surgery," partially due to the antiquated techniques, long required hospital stays, and limited mobility afterwards. But with today’s advanced technology combined with my experience (having performed over 26,000 microsurgical eye procedures) with noninvasive microsurgical technology, combined with Femtosecond Lasers, which guide the surgeon and assist with the initial steps of the procedure, most of our patients resume full activity the following day. Combined with our active lifestyles and longer life expectancy, today’s cataract patient can eliminate their cataract as soon as it is diagnosed, preventing the loss or reduction of their vision while taking advantage of the premium lens choices and eliminating their need for bifocals at the same time.
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a+r+e Y O U
C O N N E C T E D
Ongoing Events DAILY
Public Art Displays Nature’s Grace, Dime Bank & Wayne Bank, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Harvey Insurance, Honesdale. & Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce, Hawley. Wayne County Arts Alliance artists display their work monthly.
area events
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ARTS, RECREATION & ENTERTAINMENT
SEPT ’17
THURSDAYS
Writers’ Group 7–8:30 p.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 18 & up. Ongoing group. Come read your work or listen & be inspired. Learn the craft of writing as you write toward a goal of publication. All genres & levels of writing welcome. Free admission. Info: 570-833-5246. THURSDAYS
site. Free brewery tours daily at 12:30 p.m. No cover charge. Info: 570-629-9399. SATURDAYS
Live Music 9 p.m.–1 a.m. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Great drink specials, delicious food & live music. Info: 570226-2124 or silverbirchesresortpa.com. SUNDAYS
Public Art Display REMAX Wayne, Honesdale. Art displays of local artists all year long. Info: 570-253-9566.
Pub-O-Lympics 8 p.m. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Hilarious combination of trivia & physical challenges. Compete with teams to win a gift certificate, gold medal & bragging rights. Info: 570-226-2124.
DAILY
FRIDAYS
100th Greene Dreher Sterling Fair Greene Dreher Sterling Fair Grounds, Newfoundland. Old-fashioned country fair with all-new entertainment, kids’ activities, live bands, pie eating contests, demolition derby, exhibits. Info: 570-676-4047 or www.gdsfair.com.
DAILY
Kids Art Display Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Bartonsville. Artwork created by students from all over Monroe County is featured in a month-long exhibit. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. WEEKLY
Table Tennis in Honesdale Lakeside Elementary School, Honesdale. Join a group of table tennis enthusiasts who play weekly. Info: John Babyak, 570-253-4379 or jbabyak1@ptd.net. \TUESDAYS
Hawley Farmer’s Market 2–6 p.m. Bingham Park, Hawley. Meat, poultry, eggs, baked goods, fresh produce, plants, candy & crafts. Penn State info table & master gardeners to answer your garden questions. Info: 570-226-1644. FRIDAYS
Live Music Friday 8–11 p.m. Glass — wine. bar. kitchen. at Ledges Hotel, Hawley. No cover charge. Info: info@ledgeshotel.com or 570-226-1337. FRIDAYS
Bingo American Legion Post 311, Hawley. Doors open 10:30 a.m., games begin at Noon. Info: legionpost311@qmail.com.
Live Music 8 p.m.–Midnight. The Dock on Wallenpaupack, Hawley. Great drink specials, delicious food & live music. Info: 570226-2124 or silverbirchesresortpa.com.
TUESDAYS
SATURDAYS
Bingo Texas #4 Fire Company, Honesdale. Doors open 5:30 p.m. Games start at 6:30 p.m. Plenty of parking. Info: 570-253-5467. WEDNESDAYS
Lego Club 4:30–5:30 p.m. Pike County Public Library, Milford. Create, share ideas, make new friends. Free & open to the public, registration requested. Info: www.pcpl.org or Facebook. Registration: 570-296-8211. WEDNESDAYS
Jazz on the Deck The Settlers Inn, Hawley. Cool music & great food. Info: 570-226-2993 or desk@thesettlersinn.com. THURSDAYS, SEPT. 14–NOV. 16
Writers Retreat 10:30–11:30 a.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Sandy Meagher facilitates a writing seminar. Space is limited. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
Monroe Farmers Market 8 a.m.–Noon. Courthouse Square, Downtown Stroudsburg. Produce, plants, flowers, eggs, raw natural honey, fresh baked breads & pastries, jams, jellies, syrups & more. Live music, free parking. Info: 917-716-6489 or www.monroefarmersmarket.com. SATURDAYS
Wayne County Farmers’ Market 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Willow Ave. (next to Dave’s Foodtown), Honesdale. & eggs, homemade baked goods, handmade crafts & more, all locally grown or produced.Info: 570-488-5435. SATURDAYS
FREE Tastings and Demos Noon–2 p.m. Mill Market, in the Hawley Silk Mill, Hawley. Info: 570-390-4440. SATURDAYS
Live Music at Barley Creek 8–11 p.m. Barley Creek Brewing Company, Tannersville. The Pocono Mountains’ Original Brewpub. Great food & handcrafted beer brewed on-
Milford Farmers Market 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The Columns Museum, Milford. Farm food, music, education, fun. Rain or shine. Info: www.milfordfarmersmarket.org. THROUGH SEPT. 3
THROUGH SEPT. 4
Wyoming County Community Fair Meshoppen, Wyoming County. Brothers Osborne (Sept. 2). World of Wonders, Wild World of Animals, wood carver, truck & tractor pulls, petting zoo, rides, baking contests, helicopter rides, entertainment. Info: www.wyomingcountyfair.com. THROUGH SEPT. 4
166th Annual Sullivan County Fair Sullivan County Fairgrounds, Forksville. Theme: “Country Scenes and Blue Ribbon Dreams.” 4-H Exhibitions, contests, Demolition Derby, tractor & 4x4 pulls, rides, livestock judging, music, food. Info: 570-924-3843 or www.sullivancountyfair.com.
September 1– September 9 SEPT. 1
Chair Yoga 10–11:15 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 18 & up. All the benefits of yoga for anyone who may feel challenged by a traditional yoga class. Free. Registration & info: 570-996-1500. SEPT. 1
First Friday Scranton 6–9 p.m. Scranton. Artwalk featuring over 25 venues, local, regional & nationally recognized artists, live music & more. Admission & trolley between venues free. Info & monthly map: www.firstfridayscranton.com. SEPT. 1
Exhibit & Reception: Melinda Wallach Paintings 7–9 p.m. Alliance Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Free.
Exhibit runs through Sept. 30. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org. SEPT. 1
Exhibit & Reception: Rodney White, Installation 7–9 p.m. Loft Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Free. Exhibit runs through Sept. 30. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org. SEPT. 1
Group du Jour 7:30–10 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Celebrate Labor Day weekend at a dance party with Group du Jour, a group of musicians, vocalists & performers based in NEPa, who perform at various venues throughout the NE USA. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 1
CSN Songs (The Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Exciting dialog adds expression to a musically dynamic performance. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com. SEPT. 1, 2
101 Dalmatians – Kids Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. Fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil & 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage. Certain to charm & delight all audiences. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com. SEPT. 1–3
Pull the Other One The Ritz Co. Playhouse, Hawley. Comedy by Norman Robbins. Info: 570226-9752 or www.ritzplayhouse.com. SEPT. 1–3
One More For My Baby Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. Latest Frank Sinatra revue fashioned by David Grapes has aging Sinatra impersonator Jack DeCarlo struggling with his personal life & determined to find his own voice within the body of an impersonator. Features 32 classic Sinatra tunes. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com. SEPT. 1–4
La Festa Italiana Courthouse Square, Scranton. More than 80 vendors offer a wide variety of foods & displays. The finest Italian cuisine cooked & served daily. Continuous live entertainment for both young &
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area events
older tastes. No pets. Info: 570-348-4921 or lafestaitaliana.org.
Pre-registration required. Info: 570629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.
SEPT. 2
Simply Yoga 10–11:15 a.m. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. Ages 16 & up. Suitable for all levels. Wear comfortable clothes, bring a mat, towel or blanket, & water. Series of 6 or per class. Registration & info: 570-996-1500.
Stroudfest Main Street, Stroudsburg. Over 100 vendors & crafters, special guests, festival food & more. Live music on multiple stages & activities for the whole family. Free admission. Info: 570-420-2808 or festivals@shermantheater.com.
SEPT. 6
SEPT. 6
Eilen Jewell 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Powerful versatility, musical stories & images, with a gorgeous voice. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.
Tannersville Cranberry Bog Walk 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, Stroudsburg. Environmental Educators explain the Bog’s formation & its interesting plant & animal life. Wear appropriate footwear. Pre-registration required. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.
SEPT. 2
SEPT. 6
Plumcocks CD Release featuring Eternal Boy — Sherman Showcase 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Eternal Boy, Blind Choice, Strength In Allies. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.
Lunch and Learn: Caregivers’ Stress Noon–1 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Marty McGurrin of Hospice of the Sacred Heart presenting. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
SEPT. 2
SEPT. 2–3
Pocono Garlic Festival 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Shawnee Mountain Ski Area, Shawnee on Delaware. Home-grown Poconos entertainment, music, artists & of course, regional garlic growers. Each vendor serving unique garlic dishes. Info: 570-421-7231 or PoconoGarlic@gmail.com or www.poconogarlic.com. SEPT. 4
Labor Day Brunch at the Inn 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. The Settlers Inn, Hawley. Prix fixe menu. Info & reservations: 570-226-2993. SEPT. 5
Full Moon Tannesrville Bog Walk 6:30–9 p.m. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, Stroudsburg. Explore the bog under the light of a full moon. Bring a flashlight. Wear appropriate footwear.
SEPT. 7–11
51st Annual Luzerne County Fair Dallas, Luzerne County. Agriculture, livestock, arts & crafts exhibits. Info: 570-675-3247 or www.luzernecountyfair.com. SEPT. 8
An Evening with Nyke Van Wyk and Friends 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. With his diverse musical background & unique blend of styles, you’re bound to hear a violin performed as you’ve never heard before, along with a company of all-star musicians. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com. SEPT. 8–10
Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts 40th Annual COTA Festival Annual Jazz Festival in & around Delaware Water Gap. Info: www.cotajazz.org. Gallery Lecture: “Anthra-Sight” 5 p.m. Brennan Hall, The University of Scranton. Presented by Denis Yanashot, exhibiting artist. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery. Free. Info: 570-941-7624 or darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. SEPT. 8
In Your Memory With Special Guests 7 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Purcell, E57. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.
SEPT. 9 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Varden Conservation Area, Greentown. Guided hikes, children’s fishing tournament, silent auction, wildlife rehabilitation, food, live music, homemade ice cream, prizes. Info: 570-676-3428 ext. 0.
SEPT. 8–10
WXPN Welcomes: 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Arts Festival 6 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. For more details visit www.cotajazz.org. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 8–OCT. 6
Art Exhibit: “Anthra-Sight: Sculpture by Denis Yanashot” Hope Horn Gallery, The University of Scranton. Free during gallery hours. Info: 570-941-4214 or darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu.
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Septemberfest Milford. Arts & crafts, food & music. Info: www.milfordpa.us or milfordmusicfest@gmail.com. SEPT. 9
Annual Arts & Crafts Fair in Bingham Park 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Bingham Park, Hawley. Over 100 vendors with handcrafted items. Music in the Gazebo at 11 a.m. Free admission. Rain or shine. Info: www.northernpoconoschamber.com. SEPT. 9
Volunteer Day — Pike County Day of Caring 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. The perfect day to become involved with the volunteer program. Preregistration required. Lunch provided. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. SEPT. 9
Geology Hike 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Join Paul Kovalski, aka Dr. Dinosaur, for a program based on the geology of the area. Take a short hike & talk about rocks, fossils, glacial deposits & what makes the park unique. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. SEPT. 9
SEPT. 8
8th Annual Varden Conservation Day
SEPT. 9
Simple. Natural. Healing. — Remove Foggy Thinking 10 a.m.–Noon. Dietrich Theater, Tunkhannock. How to eat to gain clarity, remove foggy thinking, improve cognitive thinking & increase energy. Explore the new science of neuro-plasticity. Donation suggested. Info: 570996-1500 or www.dietrichtheater.com. SEPT. 9
Art Opening Reception: Joan Lech — “Wood as an Art Medium” 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. Joan uses reclaimed wood from nature to create usable items and works of art through woodcarving and woodturning. Runs Sept. 1–Oct. 2. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. SEPT. 9
Ladies Afternoon Tea 12:30–2:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Bring a teacup & saucer. Space limited. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org. SEPT. 9
The Cooperage on Tap 3–6 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Honesdale’s first craft beer festival with a lineup of breweries brewing beer or growing hops in the N. Pocono region. Non-taster tickets available. Sample bites from local restaurants & businesses. Live music by Mountain Wave. Info: 570-253-2020 or info@thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 9
The Pike County Developmental Center Tricky Tray Delaware Valley High School Cafeteria. Doors open 4 p.m.; calling starts 6 p.m. Trays, grand prizes, 50/50 raffle. Food
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& beverages avail. No entry fee. Proceeds benefit PCDC participants. Info: pcdc14@gmail.com or 570-296-6319. SEPT. 9
Garden Grove Festival Featuring Badfish 4 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. With Ballyhoo, Roots Of Creation, Yesai, Danny Pease and the Regulators, Joon. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 9
Milford After Dark Downtown Milford. Extended shopping hours, gallery events, live music & diverse dining options. Info: www.milfordpa.us. SEPT. 9
Second Saturday Honesdale 6–9 p.m. Downtown Honesdale. Festivaltown happening filled with music, art, comedy & community support. Info on Facebook. SEPT. 9
Like The River & More! — Sherman Showcase 7 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.
September 10–September 19 SEPT. 10
Nature Photography 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Program offers an overview on lighting, camera settings & tricks of the trade for capturing once-in-a-lifetime shots, then applies those lessons in the field. Bring a digital camera & any other equipment you see fit. Preregistration required. Maximum 20 spaces. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. SEPT. 10
Performance Music: “In Concert” 7:30 p.m. Houlihan-McLean Center, The University of Scranton. Featuring The Peter & Will Anderson Trio, woodwind masters with guitarist Alex Wintz. Free. Info: 570-941-7624 or music@scranton.edu. SEPT. 11
9/11 Documentary 6 p.m. DeNaples Center, The University of Scranton. Free. Info: 570-941-7659 or teresa.grettano@scranton.edu. SEPT. 12
Volunteer Fair 11 a.m. DeNaples Center, The University of Scranton. See area nonprofit agencies offering volunteer opportunities for students. Pre-registration is required. Info: 570-941-7429 or ellen.judge@scranton.edu. SEPT. 12
Latin American Film Festival: “Neruda” 7 p.m. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Chile, 2016. Free. Info: 570-941-7778 or yamile.silva@scranton.edu. SEPT. 13
Tannersville Cranberry Bog Walk 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, Stroudsburg. See
area events description at Sept. 6. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. SEPT. 14
Stourbridge Pie 4–7 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Superb local agricultural products, artisanal goods, locally produced art & live entertainment: the Bright Shiny Objects, Mike Vreeland, & Linus Myers. Free entry. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 14
Romping Radishes 4 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Celebrating being back to school with fun activities, healthy snacks & recipes, & a musical guest: Mike Vreeland. Geared to students K–2, but all children are welcome. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 14
Ignatian Values in Action Lecture 7 p.m. Keynote speaker: James Martin, S.J., contributing editor to America magazine & author. Byron Recreation Complex, The University of Scranton. Free. Info: 570-941-7659 or teresa.grettano@scranton.edu. SEPT. 15
Third Friday Wilkes-Barre 5–8 p.m. Downtown Wilkes-Barre. Enjoy original artwork & music, & meet artists, musicians & friends in a casual, family friendly atmosphere at participating galleries & businesses. Info: thirdfridaywb@gmail.com or www.thirdfridaywb.com. SEPT. 15
Wine Dinner The Settlers Inn, Hawley. Info & reservations: 570-226-2993. SEPT. 15
Kilmaine Saints: 1/2 Way to St. Patty’s Day 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Equal parts Irish swagger & Scottish pride, this explosive Celtic rock band from central PA will steal your heart, your spirit, & your pint when you’re not looking. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com. SEPT. 15–17
Milford Readers & Writers Festival Milford Theater & other sites around Milford. Inspiring & igniting conversations between people who love to read books & people who write them, sharing insights, queries & responses directly with authors. Info: www.milfordreadersandwriters.com.
ing birds passing through Lacawac on their long journey south. Wear comfortable shoes. All ages welcome. Registration appreciated. Free. Info: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org.
SEPT. 17 4–6 p.m. Woodloch Pines Night Club, Hawley. “Legends of POP”: the music of the Beatles, Elvis, Willie Nelson, & many more legends performed by the renowned tribute artists. Profits benefit Wayne Memorial Hospital Nurse Call System. Info: 570-647-6427 or 570-226-9750.
13th Annual Wyalusing Valley Wine Festival Noon–5 p.m. Wyalusing Valley Museum. Sample the tastes of Pa. wineries, browse craft vendors, enjoy music. Rain or shine. Info: WyalusingWineFestival.com or 570-746-3979. SEPT. 16
Songwriters Anonymous 2–3 p.m.. Artists Market Community Center, Shohola. Monthly songwriters’ gathering. Info: 845-557-8713 or artistsmarketcc.com. SEPT. 16
Moonlit Drummin 6:30–9:30 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Introductory lesson & a drumming circle under the moonlit sky around a campfire. No experience necessary. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. SEPT. 16
The Stranger (Billy Joel Tribute) 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Founder/frontman Mike Santoro, on piano & lead vocals, delivers a remarkable replication of Joel’s timeless music, crowning it with soulful, spot-on vocals. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.
SEPT. 20
SEPT. 17
Sunday Tannersville Bog Walk 1–3:30 p.m. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, Stroudsburg. See description at Sept. 6. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. SEPT. 17
Create Your Own Walking Stick 1–4 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Create a handcrafted walking stick. Wood, tools, gloves & aprons provided, as well as suggestions & pointers on how to personalize your stick. Preregistration required. Maximum 14 spaces. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. SEPT. 17
SEPT. 16 & 17
Bedminster Traditional Artisan Show 10 a.m. Delaware Valley University, Doylestown. Traditional American Folk Art show has everything from fine art to American Folk Art. Everything is hand crafted. Info: 570-807-8100 or www.bedminstertraditionalartisanshow.com. SEPT. 16, 17, 23, 24
I’m Still Slightly Confused Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. S.O.P.S. Full Length Winner is a tongue-in-cheek (& somewhat autobiographical) comedy about a poor schlep that has lived in Bethlehem all his life & is now a senior citizen who does not understand what’s happening. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com. SEPT. 16–OCT. 1
The Best Little * The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, Swoyersville. Info: 570-283-2195 or www.musicbox.org. SEPT. 17
6th Annual Big Eddy Film Festival Tusten Theatre, Narrowsburg, NY. Like the pool of water in the Delaware River that inspired its name, the Festival flows against the main current, providing a thoughtful & entertaining viewing experience for the Catskills, Delaware & Hudson River Valleys, & beyond. Info: 845-252-7576 or www.bigeddyfilmfest.com or Facebook.
Introduction to Orienteering 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Using a map & compass on the orienteering course. Learn the basics before you try & find all the points. Space limited. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org.
In Search of Song Birds 8–10 a.m. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Join experts from the Pa. Audubon Society in search of migrat-
The Mahoney Brothers
SEPT. 16
SEPT. 15–17
SEPT. 16
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SEPT. 17
Lebanese Heritage Festival Noon–7 p.m. St. Ann Maronite Church, Scranton. Homemade Lebanese food & pastry, Turkish coffee, raffle, auction, gifts, music, fun. Info: 570-344-2129 or www.LebFest.org.
The Levins with Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes 5 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Harmony-driven acoustic duo with sun-splashed, peace-filled folk-pop that connects on a universal level with a lighthearted depth while celebrating our common humanity. Reservations & info: Jill, 845-252-6783 or riverfolkconcerts@frontier.com.
Acoustic Bluegrass Jam 7–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Presented by The Cooperage Project. Guitar-strummin’, banjo-pickin’, closeharmony singin’ open jam led by Ron Penska & Buckshot Jenkins. All levels of players welcome. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 21
Third Thursday 6–9 p.m. Downtown Scranton. Actors, writers, musicians, & improvisational groups perform at various venues. Info & monthly map: www.firstfridayscranton.com. SEPT. 21
Game Night 6–9 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Board games, brain games, card games, more. Bring your own game or choose from the collection. Info: 570-253-2020 or thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 21
WXPN Welcomes: An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories with Graham Nash 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Singer-songwriter & musician who formed The Hollies & Crosby, Stills & Nash. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.
SEPT. 18
SEPT. 22
Wayne Highlands Quilt Guild 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Chamber of Commerce, Honesdale. Welcoming quilters all ages & skill levels. Make new friends who share your passion for quilting. Show & Tell & refreshments. Info: Deb, 570-224-4914 or debszoo@gmail.com.
Evening Walk and Stargazing at Quiet Valley 6:30–9 p.m. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg. Hike at dusk to discuss the nighttime creatures & their sounds, & end with stargazing in the field (weather permitting). Dress to be outside. Children under 12 free. Info & pre-registration: 570-629-3061.
September 20–September 30 SEPT. 20
Tannersville Cranberry Bog Walk 1–3:30 p.m. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, Stroudsburg. See description at Sept. 6. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. SEPT. 20
Get Smart About Credit! 5:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Lorenzo Cascia of Wells Fargo Bank, Hawley, discusses credit basics, costs of APR, credit statements, credit scores, credit reports, protecting your credit & more. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
SEPT. 22
The Brevet, Chris Shulz, The Barren Pines, & More! — Sherman Showcase 7 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 22
David Bromberg 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. He can lead a raucous big band or hold an audience silent with a solo acoustic blues. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 22
David Bromberg 8 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. He can lead a raucous big band or hold an audience silent with a solo acoustic blues. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com.
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The Damn Truth 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Montreal band is keeping rock honest, doubling down on the bruising blues-based, blue-collar rock that distinguishes them, & makes them something of a musical anomaly. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com. SEPT. 22–24
14th Annual Fall Carve In Cherry Ridge Campsites. Cherry Ridge Carvers–sponsored event is an opportunity to learn the art & craft of woodcarving, & share experiences & ideas. No set schedule or pre-registration. Room or campsite reservations: 570488-6654. Carve In info: cherryridgecarvers.org or rmuller@nep.net. SEPT. 23
Mount Pocono HarvestFest 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pocono Mountain Carnival Grounds, Mount Pocono. A day of fall fun with food, beer, arts & crafts vendors, exhibits, children’s activities & live music. Free admission. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 23
Mount Pocono HarvestFest 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Pocono Mtn. Carnival Grounds, Mount Pocono. A full day of fall fun including food, beer, arts & crafts vendors, exhibits, children’s activities & live music. Free admission & parking. Rain or shine. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 23
St. Joseph’s Annual Tricky Tray Delaware Valley High School, Milford. Doors open 11:30 a.m. Rapid calling starts at 2 p.m. Info: 570-491-2618. SEPT. 23
Beginner’s Watercolor Workshop 1–4 p.m. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Ages 16+. No experience necessary. Go over drawing basics before moving to watercolors & finish with an
area events
original painting of Lake Lacawac. Registration appreciated. Info: 570-6899494 or info@lacawac.org. SEPT. 23
Andi Rae and the Back River Bullies 7 p.m. Tusten Theatre, Narrowsburg, NY. Boot-stomping indie country band. Tickets available at www.delawarevalleyartsalliance.org or 845-252-7576. SEPT. 23
A Contra Dance 7:15 p.m. The Cooperage, Honesdale. Live music by Laura Cartright & Craig Gehrig, with caller Laurie B. Info: 570-253-2020 or info@thecooperageproject.org. SEPT. 23
David Gonzales’ City of Dreams 7:30 p.m. Milford Theater, Milford. Storyteller, poet & musician Gonzales along with the Poetic License Latin Jazz Band puts on a multimedia show exploding with passion, intelligence & energy. Info: 570-409-1269 or www.kindredspiritsarts.org. SEPT. 23
Performance Music: “In Concert” 7:30 p.m. Houlihan-McLean Center, The University of Scranton. “Louis, Louis, Louis!” featuring trumpeter/ vocalist Jumaane Smith & Friends with an appearance by The Univ. of Scranton Singers. Free. Info: 570-941-7624 or music@scranton.edu. SEPT. 23
Willy Porter & Carmen Nickerson 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. Porter’s searing finger-picking guitar style deftly blends with Nickerson’s lush vocals to create an unforgettable sound that resonates long after the last chord fades. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com. SEPT. 23
Earth Wind and Fire Tribute starring Shining Star 8 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. The essence of the EWF experience is authentically channeled by Shining Star’s inspiring performance. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org. SEPT. 23, 24
I’m Still Slightly Confused Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. See description at Sept. 16. Info: 570-421-5093 or www.TheShawneePlayhouse.com. SEPT. 24
162nd Annual Bloomsburg Fair SEPT. 22-30 Bloomsburg, Columbia County. Live music, entertainment, demo derby, motocross, Figure 8 Race, truck & tractor pulling, Pirates High Wire Thrill Show, Sky Ride, Bengal tigers, rides, horse pulling, more. Info: 570-784-4949 or www.bloomsburgfair.com.
Fungus Among Us 10 a.m.–Noon. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Search for fungus & lichen as you learn about the amazing world of decomposition & nutrient cycling. No collecting will be done within the Park. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. SEPT. 26
Emergency Preparedness 5:30 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Steven Price, Dir. of Wayne County Emergency Management Agency, advises. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
SEPT. 27
Tannersville Cranberry Bog Walk 1–3:30 p.m. Tannersville Cranberry Bog, Stroudsburg. See description at Sept. 6. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org.
favorite performers onstage. Info: 570-325-0249 or mauchchunkoperahouse.com.
October 1–October 8
SEPT. 27
OCT. 4
Stephen Stills & Judy Collins 7:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Iconic singer-songwriters reunite to celebrate the golden anniversary of their formative relationship for an unforgettable evening. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org.
Lunch and Learn: Lyme Disease Noon–1 p.m. Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. Roy Harrity of Dept. of Health will speak about Lyme Disease, its effects & what to do. Info & registration: Elizabeth, 570-253-1220 or ewilson@waynelibraries.org.
SEPT. 27
OCT. 6
Performance Music: “In Recital” 7:30 p.m. featuring The University of Houlihan-McLean Center. Scranton Performance Music student musicians, solo, duo, trio & small ensemble performances. Info: 570-941-7624 or music@scranton.edu.
Exhibit & Reception: Jill Mackie Paintings 7–9 p.m. Alliance Gallery, Delaware Arts Center, Narrowsburg, NY. Free. Exhibit runs through Oct. 28. Gallery hours: Tues.–Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info: 845-252-7576 or delawarevalleyartsalliance.org.
SEPT. 28
Unique Pathways Program Series 5:30 p.m. Hawley Public Library, Hawley. Brian, raised in England, & Lisa, in Manhattan, met on a kibbutz in Israel. Both had a love of cooking & baking. So started the journey of the Woods family to become owners of the Beach Lake Bakery. Hear how they followed their dream. Free. Info: 570-226-4620.
OCT. 6–8
SEPT. 29
“The Crafty Flea” 9 a.m.–3 p.m. At Church, Shohola. clear your clutter, bake & soup sale. 570-559-7685.
Shopkins Live! 6:30 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, WilkesBarre. Based on the popular toy brand, features The Shoppies & Shopkins characters taking the stage with an allnew storyline, original pop music & video highlights. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org. SEPT. 30
Bird Feeding Basics Program 10–11 a.m. Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center, Stroudsburg. Learn about winter bird identification, types of birdfeeders & the different birdseed available at Kettle Creek. Info: 570-629-3061 or www.mcconservation.org. SEPT. 30
Mushroom Hike 10 am.–Noon. Lacawac Sanctuary, Lake Ariel. Nathaniel Whitmore shares his wealth of knowledge about wild edibles. Wear comfortable footwear for a short-distance hike. All ages welcome. Registration appreciated. Info: 570-689-9494 or info@lacawac.org. SEPT. 30
Matthew West — All In Tour 7 p.m. F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. Christian recording artist, with special guest Jordan Feliz. Info: 570-826-1100 or www.kirbycenter.org. SEPT. 30
Maverick MMA III 7 p.m. Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. Info: 570-420-2808 or www.shermantheater.com. SEPT. 30
70’s Flashback 8 p.m. Mauch Chunk Opera House, Jim Thorpe. They perform remarkable enactments of the greatest music of the 1970s — it’s almost like seeing your
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Legally Gray Shawnee Playhouse, Shawnee On Delaware. Mike & Marie, who plan to retire & travel, have their lives changed overnight when their 30-yr.-old daughter & Marie’s 83-yr.-old mother come to live with them. Info: 570-420-9404 or www.TheShawneeGallery.com. OCT. 7
St. Jacobi Lutheran Sell your crafts or or both. Includes a Info: Petra (Paytra),
OCT. 7
Fall Family Fun Day 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Pocono Environmental Education Center, Dingmans Ferry. Spend the day at PEEC & celebrate the fall season with arts & crafts, hands-on activities, exhibits, live music, local food, old-timey activities & more. Info: 570-828-2319 or www.peec.org. OCT. 7
Reinventing Baroque with PUBLIQuartet 7:30 p.m. Milford Theater, Milford. Young quartet plays music of Bach, Villa-Lobos & emerging composers through the prism of improvisation. Info: 570-409-1269 or www.kindredspiritsarts.org. OCT. 7 & 8
Harvest & Heritage Days Downtown Honesdale. Main St. is alive with the sound of street music, craft vendors & old-fashioned horse-drawn hayrides as Historic Hones-dale rolls out pumpkins, hay bales & fall colors. Info: 570-253-5492 or ghp@visithonesdalepa.com.
On the Horizon OCT. 13
A Night at the Races Tafton Fire Hall, Tafton. Tickets sold in advance & include 1 horse, food, beer & soda. Cash prizes. Must be 21 or older. Proceeds benefit Wayne-Pike Penn State Scholarship Fund. Info: waynepikepsualimni on Facebook or Casey, 570-352-3042.