Lackawaxen Connection Spring/Summer 2018

S PR ING/S UM MER 2018

D IS COV E R YO U R TOW N S H I P

SIGN ORDINANCE QUICK FACTS GUIDE

IN THIS ISSUE

INSIDE PAGE 11 Township News

Swimming 101 Did you know that half of all Americans, approximately 54 percent, either can’t swim or have limited swimming skills.

There are so many benefits of Swimming! The health benefits are numerous, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Swimming is a fun, family and recreation activity. Knowing how to swim can save your life or allow you to save another.

Attention All Gardeners & Closet Cleaners!

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Pocono Mountains Performing Arts Camp 2018

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Forest Live-In Program

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Vets for Vets

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Living Lackawaxen

MAY is WATER SAFETY MONTH. Woodloch Springs Sports Complex is celebrating on MAY 19th with FREE Group Lessons and Water Safety Training.

Sea Sprites 10a and 10:30 (3-5 yrs old).

Sea Stars 11a and 11:30a (6-8 yrs old).

Star Babies and Star Tots 12noon (6 - 36 months). 12:30 – 4pm is an OPEN SWIM followed by safety instruction.

Drop-In Group Swim Classes for children available for the month of May: $8/member $10/non-member per class Jim after diet change and swimming (See “before” pictures inside page 8)

Monday May 7, 14, 21 4:30p Sea Sprites (3-5yr) • Tuesday May 8, 15, 22 5:00p Sea Sprites (3-5yr) • Wednesday, May 9, 16, 23 5:30p Sea Stars (6-8yr) • Friday May 11, 18 6:00p Sea Stars (6-8yr) Adult Swimming lessons are available. Don’t let another summer go by without enjoying the fun of swimming – maybe even enjoy a Boga class! Plus enjoy the many health benefits!

Olympic swimmers Michael Phelps and Dara Torres are each the picture of health. But, you ask, can swimming do that for me? Absolutely. While it might not shape your body exactly like Gold Medal Olympian athletes, the health benefits of swimming—at any speed and any age—are enormous. Swimming is simply one of the best forms of exercises.

Did You Know?

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Spring Foraging

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What’s Cookin’?

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Tasting Wine Isn’t Work, It’s Playtime, with Benefits

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The American Shad

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Pocono Mountains Music Festival 2018

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Walk on the Wild Side

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911 Sign Ordinance Quick Facts Guide

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Physically, swimming on a regular basis aids in weight loss and weight maintenance, is easier on the joints, strengthens muscles thanks to the greater resistance of water, makes your heart a better and more efficient Continued on Page 8

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LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION

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169 URBAN ROAD, HAWLEY, PA 18428 Main Office: 570-685-7288 Road Dept: 570-685-3200 After Hours: 570-685-7825 Building: 570-685-2990 Zoning: 570-685-2990 Sewage: 570-685-2990 MUNICIPAL MEETINGS: SUPERVISORS WORKSHOPS Are held on the third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Township Building on 169 Urban Rd, Hawley, PA 18428.

SUPERVISORS MEETINGS FOLLOW AT 7:00. Both meetings are open to the public.

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS Are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m.

We approve minutes from the previous month at our regular meetings. Our Supervisor meetings are where the regular business of the township are conducted. Comments from the public are of value and often influence public policy and our laws. We encourage residents to attend regular meetings, hearings, and workshops.

PUBLISHED BY NIKI JONES AGENCY, INC. 39 Front St., Port Jervis, New York 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: ads@nikijones.com Lackawaxen Connection is not responsible for typographical errors, mistakes or misprints. All advertising, including photographs are the property of Niki Jones Agency, Inc and not that of the advertiser. The advertiser has purchased rights of reproduction in Lackawaxen Township and does not have the right to reproduce ads in any other place or publication without written permission from the publisher. Lackawaxen Connection reserves the rights to exercise its discretion in the selection of advertisements.

Lackawaxen Township does not endorse or support any specific political candidate.

Attention All Gardeners and Closet Cleaners!

The Lackawaxen Garden Club is having a Community Tag Sale/ Swap and Plant Sale!

Saturday May 26th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Lackawaxen Veterans Memorial Park.

Clean the closets of household items, collectibles, children’s items, etc. Gather all your garden tools, pots, and other garden accoutrama. Update your garden and divide those plants that have become too large for their space. Sell or swap, your choice!

Spaces are per vehicle (trunk sale) – you can bring your own table and chair - $5/vehicle.

Reserve your spot by emailing Laurie@LackawaxenTownshipPA.gov with TrunkTag in the subject line.

Pocono Mountains Performing Arts Camp 2018 Registration is now open for the 2018 Pocono Mountains Music Festival Performing Arts Camp. The two-week program runs July 23-August 4, 2018 for students grades 9 through 12. In addition to a variety of daily musical and theatrical workshops, students receive master classes from industry professionals and the opportunity to perform in up to four Pocono Mountains Music Festival events alongside the festival’s headliners.

The 2018 Performing Arts Camp will be run by the new Artistic Director of the Pocono Mountains Music Festival, Scott Coulter. Scott is an award-winning performer, director, and producer who directed and starred in A Christmas Carol: The Symphonic Concert in its world premiere with the Baltimore Symphony.

This year, the Performing Arts Camp is introducing tap dance

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and we are thrilled to have one on NYC’s most celebrated tap teachers join our team: Germaine Goodson. She will work miracles with the students over this two-week period so be prepared to be blown away when you see the results of their hard work. Confirmed instructors for the 2018 Performing Arts Camp are: John Boswell (piano, music director); Klea Blackhurst (musical theater performance, vocal coaching) ; Vibecke Dahle (dance, movement, choreography) ; Germaine Goodson (tap dance) The camp performs in a spectacular showcase on Friday, August 3rd during the Pocono Mountains Music Festival. They will also perform on Saturday, August 4th in the Jerry Herman Broadway Legacy concert, appearing along side top Broadway and concert stars, including Klea Blackhurst and Ron Raines and the Music

Festival’s own orchestra, the Pocono Pops! Students will have an opportunity to participate in up to four Pocono Mountains Music Festival performances.

Classes are held Monday through Friday, 10am-5pm, at Pocono Mountain East High School, 231 Pocono Mountain School Rd Swiftwater, PA 18370. Cost for the 2-week program is $300; scholarships are available. For information and registration visit our website at: www.PoconoFest.org.

LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Forest Live-In Program Seven years ago, Forest VFD decided to implement a Live-In Program at its Firehouse. Based on similar programs that had been successfully tried elsewhere in Pennsylvania, the idea was a simple one: provide a dormitory type setting where people could live while they learned how to become a volunteer fire fighter. Open to a wide segment of the population such as students who might be going to a local college or job seekers relocating to the area, the only stipulation would be that if they were at the fire house when a call came in, they needed to respond with the regular volunteers. Seen as a win-win deal for everyone, Forest VFD would get additional manpower at a time when volunteerism was declining, while young men and women, who might never have thought about ever joining a volunteer fire department, had a place to stay while pursuing their education or professional careers.

With the aid of a grant and outside donations, work was begun on modifying a portion of the fire house to convert it into dormitory space, complete with sleeping, bath and recreational areas.

However, after almost two years, it became apparent that modifying the existing fire house was not going to work. Permitting problems, space considerations and funding constraints were all working against successful implementation of the program. As a result, everyone involved, from the Chief on down, brainstormed the problem and came up with another idea; erect an engineered stand alone building adjacent to the existing fire house.

After another two years of work, the Forest VFD Live-In facility opened its doors in June of 2015.

Big enough to accommodate six people comfortably, the building currently houses three enrollees in the program. While pursuing careers in nursing and firefighting, with one employed in the manufacturing field, they also train as volunteer fire fighters in their spare time. Equally important, though, they are often the first ones ready to respond when a call comes in. Living at the fire house means they can be in their turnout gear and have the equipment ready to respond in as little as two minutes. Time is critical when you’re an emergency responder and every second counts. Success for the Live-In Program is measured not only in terms of how many people are enrolled, but more importantly, how quickly volunteers can respond to an emergency call. Since the program’s implementation at Forest VFD, that metric has been met more often than not. So much so in fact, that they currently offer a duty crew program where a person who might not want to live at the station full time, but would be interested in staying a weekend or a couple days a week running calls, can be accommodated.

Unfortunately, by its very nature, the Live-In Program is a transitory one and the number of enrollees has varied since the facility was built. There is currently room for three more people and Forest VFD is always looking for potential candidates. Eligibility for the Live-In program is simple, it requires the candidate to either be enrolled in school or be employed. Aside from the obvious benefits of living rent free and the ability to receive costly training for free, they also get to share in a level of camaraderie that only exists in the fire service. In addition, this opens up the opportunity to transition amongst the other fire departments within Lackawaxen Township for those who are ready to move on, but want to continue serving as a volunteer. Besides Forest VFD, Central, Greeley and Lackawaxen VFD’s are also always looking for new members, both as active fire fighters as well as in various administrative support roles.

If you or someone you know might like to take advantage of all that the Live-In Program has to offer, contact Chief Tim Knapp at 570-906-5855 or, even better, stop by the fire house on a Thursday evening at 7:00 PM. That’s training night and you’ll have a chance to experience firsthand what it really means to be a member of a volunteer fire department. There’s no obligation, but we’re willing to bet that you’ll be glad you did!

Vets for Vets The Tanglwood Lakes Community Association in Pike County is Co-sponsoring a Golf Tournament for the benefit of veterans.

The tournament is being hosted by the Wallenpaupack Vets for Vets and will be held at Paupack Hills Golf Course, in Tanglwood Lakes.

This tournament is the fourth annual tournament the group has hosted. The tournaments have benefited, The Fisher House, Soldiers Angels, Wounded Warrior Project and Mercy Medical Angels. The past tournaments successfully raised approximately $32,000.00. The tournament will be held on Monday August 6, 2018 at the Paupack Hills Golf Course. The tax- deductible donation is $110.00 per golfer. All participants will receive an appreciation gift. There will be a variety of prizes for the golfers to win. In addition, chances on raffle baskets, golf foursomes, and assorted prizes will be available. There will be breakfast sandwiches, coffee and juices in the morning, hot dogs on the turn and a cocktail hour and buffet to follow the event. The Wallenpaupack Vets for Vets is comprised of volunteers who raise funds for nonprofit organizations that benefit veterans. This year’s benefactor will be Mercy Medical Angels and local area veterans.

Please contact Ralph Graf, at the Tanglwood Chalet if you are interested in participating or making a donation. Telephone Number 570-857-1186.

Building Officer Rich Tussel, Building Inspector 570-685-2990 Ext: 17 Fax: 570-685-2550 building@lackawaxentownshippa.gov

Zoning/Code Officer Jim Dolan, Zoning Officer 570-685-2990 Ext. 12 Fax: 570-685-2550 code@lackawaxentownshippa.gov

Commercial Building / Electrical Inspector Todd Klikus 570-493-1229 Todd@lackawaxentownshippa.gov HOURS: By appointment only

Sewage Department Jim Dolan, Sewage Officer 570-685-2990 Ext. 12 Fax: 570-685-2550 code@lackawaxentownshippa.gov Hours: Mon.- 8:30-10:30 am Tues.- By Appt • Wed.- 8:30-10:30 am Thurs.- By Appt • Fri.- By Appt Sat. and Sun. CLOSED

Road Department Jay Knapp, Roadmaster 570-685-3200 Fax: 570-685-2550 Emergency/After Hours: 570-493-4584 Roadmaster@lackawaxentownshippa.gov HOURS: Mon.-Fri. 6 am-2 pm

Office Manager/Assistant Treasurer Denise Steuhl, Township Secretary Denise@lackawaxentownshippa.gov HOURS: Mon-Fri. 8 am-4:00 pm

Treasurer Jim Syre 570-685-7288 Jim@lackawaxentownshippa.gov HOURS: By appointment

Your Supervisors Chairman - Michael B. Mancino Mike@lackawaxentownshippa.gov Vice-Chairman - Jeffrey A. Shook Jeff@lackawaxentownshippa.gov Supervisor - John W. Beisel John@lackawaxentownshippa.gov

Office Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 am-4 pm 570-685-7288 169 Urban Road Hawley, PA 18428

LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

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Living Lackawaxen Did you know?

Parks & Recreation

Did you know there is a way to support your local community non-profit organizations just by shopping at Lake Region IGA? Yes that’s right! Just by shopping for groceries you were going to buy anyway, you could be giving money to charity through what’s called the Lake Region Community Dock Foundation.

The Lake Region Community Dock Foundation, otherwise known as the LRCDF, is a foundation run by the Lake

Region IGA in Hawley, PA. It was set up to perform two functions. The first is to fund local non-profit organizations by donating 1% of your grocery sales to the non-profit of your choice.

All you have to do is sign up at our Service Desk and link your Customer Card to one of the following organizations:

• American Cancer Society • American Legion Aux Hawley

• Bethel Lutheran Church

• Black Bear Conservatory of Music

• Blooming Grove Baptist Church

• Boy Scout Troop 129 • C Alley Cats of Lake Wallenpaupack

• Central Volunteer Fire Department

• Cystic Fibrosis of NEPA • Dessin Animal Shelter

• Tafton Fire Company

• First Baptist Church of

• WAHS Swim Booster

• First Presbyterian Deacons

• Wallenpaupack Historical

• Forest Volunteer Fire

• WANES PTA –

Hawley

Fund Hawley Department

• Friends Embracing Friends • Guardian of Mercy Animal League

• Hawley Ambulance & Rescue Co.

• Hawley Fire Department • Hawley Public Library

• Hawley United Methodist Church

• Hawley Woman’s Club

• Knights of Columbus, Rev. William B. Healey Council 797

• Lacawac Sanctuary

Club, Inc. Society

Wallenpaupack North Primary School

IGA Brand Product you buy goes into the foundation every Quarter. That means just by buying IGA Brand Products you are helping your community in more ways than you can imagine.

We help families every year at our annual CruiseFest event.

After your Customer Card is Please join us this year on linked to your favorite charity, Sunday June 10, 2018 from your donations will begin to 11am-3pm in the parking lot at stack up automatically. Then Lake Region IGA. There will every Quarter, a check will be be a Car Show, live music, a sent to the charity you picked Motorcycle Ride, and lots of also letting them know that you food and fun! were a part of that donation.

Find out more about families It’s that easy! and charities The Community The second function of the Dock Foundation has helped LRCDF is to help families that in the past at WWW.LRCDF. have fell victim to unforeseen ORG. For more information, tragedies. How is this funded contact Irene Marks, Project you may ask? Well that’s Manager, at 570-226-6000 or at simple too, 2¢ from every ireneatiga@gmail.com.

• Lackawaxen Township

Volunteer Fire Department

• Lakeville United Methodist Church

• Lakeville Volunteer Fire Company

• Marley’s Mission Inc.

• New Covenant Fellowship Church

• Paupack Preschool

• Paupack United Methodist Church

• Queen of Peace Church • Ritz Theatre

• St. Ann’s Youth Group • St. John’s Neumann’s Parish

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LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Spring Foraging

By Ron Tussel With turkey hunting in full swing and all the fishing of the season tugging at your time, it is tough to decide what direction to go in as spring unfolds. These are all great pursuits and all will provide sound exercise and quality time in the outdoors. They will also serve up some of the tastiest basics for delicious game dinners. Whatever you land or tag for the table at this time of year, one thing is for sure; Mother Nature has also provided the side dishes to perfectly compliment your entrée choice. May is the perfect time for some foraging for wild edibles among the hills of Pike County.

There is no doubt dandelions have saved lives.

The common name for this weed comes from the French Dent de Lion, meaning “lion’s tooth.” This refers to the jagged points on the leaves, which look like sharp teeth. The French grow dandelions to eat, just as we grow lettuce in our gardens.

You can also purchase the lush greens in most any local supermarket, but if your yard is like mine, why not just gather a bunch for free.

(7%), Riboflavin (8%), Vitamin B6 (7%), Calcium (10%), Iron (9%), Potassium (6%) and Manganese (9%).

Next up at this time would be what some people refer to as “ramps” or wild leeks. Similar to the leeks you might buy in a store, the wild variety are much smaller and have a unique flavor. Ramps grow in moist but well drained soils, and stand out with their flat leaves of bright green color.

The entire plant is edible from the roots up — almost like a scallion. To prepare them, Dandelion greens are best when just chop off the very end picked young. The giant leaves of the root system and wash get tough and bitter. Simply them well to remove all the wash and drain and mix with soil. Some people separate the the rest of your usual salad First up on the list is a weed whit bulb from the leaves and fixings. You can eat these that some people pay money serve them separately. The greens raw or if you prefer, to attempt to eradicate from leaves themselves have a great cook them for a few minutes in garlicky flavor and can be their yards and gardens. boiling water, drain and serve Oddly enough however, the sautéed like spinach or pureed with butter on top. Better yet dandelion’s true name is into a pesto. All parts can be is to make a wilted salad with Taraxacum Officinale, which served raw, and I like to use the means “the official remedy for hot bacon dressing. How good leaves and bulbs when chopped disorders.” Legend has it that are they for you? Consider to make a super cream of leek the people of Atlantis used the that a “serving” is considered soup. Ramps are a member of dandelion as a food and a tonic. one cup, raw. Statistics show the onion family, the alliums, that dandelion greens are low The early colonists brought but they taste like some of the the dandelion to America from in Saturated Fat (0%), and most pleasant garlic and onion Europe. They used all parts of very low in Cholesterol (0%). flavor you could ever have. The the plant, even the roots, which They are also a good source maroon and the white parts are of Folate (4%), Magnesium they roasted and ground for a more for cooking. You toss coffee-like drink. The frontier (5%), Phosphorus (4%)and them with scrambled eggs or Copper (5%), and a very good home fries and bacon. healers often recommended source of Dietary Fiber (8%), dandelion greens as a spring As with any wild foraging, tonic. They are full of vitamins Vitamin A (112%), Vitamin C (32%), Vitamin E (9%), caution is always advised. If that were unavailable to Vitamin K (535%), Thiamin you are not sure what you pioneers during the winter.

LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

are picking, get help from an expert. Wild leeks or ramps have a dangerous “look-a-like”, the Lily of the Valley. Lily of the valley is toxic to humans and should not be consumed.

The way to tell is to crush a leaf in your fingers and smell it. Leeks have a strong onion smell and the lily does not.

you do you will not be likely to give up that location. You will also then understand why you could never get anyone to tell you where and if they have found any! Morels mushrooms have a distinct cone like appearance with their surface looking somewhat brain like.

These mushrooms prefer to grow in proximity to elm trees We can finish off today with and old apple orchards. Morels what is in my opinion the most sell for serious dollars in the delicious of all, but without a grocery store because they do doubt the hardest to come by. not cultivate well. Sautéed in Morel mushrooms make their butter, there are few foods that appearance at this time of year, will rival the morel in delicate, when they want and where they earthy mushroom flavor. All of want. They are not as common these wild edibles are available in our region as they are in the in the spring to sit beside western part of the state. It whatever game or fish dinner will take a lot of doing on your gracing your table. own to locate an area, and once

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Poppy Seed Lemon Crepes with Blueberry Cream Filling Ingredients: Crepes: 1 cup flour, sifted 3 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 3 eggs 2 cups of milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 tablespoon butter (melted) 2 teaspoon lemon juice 2 teaspoon poppy seeds

Filling: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup powered sugar 2 tablespoons lemon juice zest of 1/2 lemon 1 teaspoon vanilla 3/4 cup blueberries

Sift together flour, sugar, salt and set aside. In a large bowl combine milk, beaten eggs, vanilla, lemon, lemon zest and poppy seeds, whisk until combined. Beat in flour mixture until smooth with no lumps and then stir in melted butter.

In a separate bowl add softened cream cheese, powered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla and beat with an electric beater until smooth. Add blueberries and smash with a fork until combined. Set aside.

Heat a lightly greased pan over medium heat and pour 2-3 tablespoons of batter into the pan, spread into a thin circle. Cook about 2-3 minutes on each side. Serve hot with blueberry filling.

Potato, Spinach & Red Pepper Frittata Ingredients: 1 lb medium waxy potatoes 1/4 cup olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 small red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons thinly sliced basil 8 eggs, beaten 2 cups baby spinach 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed Salt and Pepper to taste

Boil 1� water in a 4qt saucepan fitted with steamer insert. Steam potatoes, covered, adding more boiling water as needed, until tender. 1 hour. Let cool, then peel and thinly slice.

Heat oven broiler. Heat oil in an ovenproof 12� non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, pepper and onion until soft, 3-4 minutes. Add spinach; cook until wilted, about 1 minute. Stir in reserved potatoes, butter,. Salt and pepper. Stir in half the basil and eggs. Reduce heat to medium; cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 8-10 minutes. Broil until set and golden on top, about 3 minutes. Garnish with remaining basil.

If you would like to submit a recipe for our newsletter., please send it to mike@lackawaxentownshippa.gov

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LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Tasting Wine Isn’t Work.

It’s Playtime, With Benefits.

Using our Senses to Evaluate Wine We find our way around in life by our perceptions from our senses.

Five are the most common: sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing.

In sensory evaluation of wine, we rely on four of these to help us form a description of the wine (hearing being the odd one out).

Let us then consider more closely what information each of these four senses can give us pertaining to wine tasting: Sight Determining color, opacity and clarity are normally the first steps in a wine evaluation. Often, these visual characteristics are cues to what flavors one can expect from the wine. When you look at the wine, sometimes it helps to hold a sheet of white paper behind it to set off the color of the wine.

Observe the color of young wines beside older wines of the same grape varietal. Young reds are often more purple, older reds grow brownish or brick-colored. Some whites are a warm honey color, particularly if they’ve spent time in oak barrels; others are very light and bright, almost totally clear, or even greenish hued.

Here are a few appearance-related words you might keep in mind: Bright, dull, clear, dense, hazy, luminous, flat, deep, opaque.

Smell The nose knows! Give the glass a good swirl, as this will help release aromas. Go ahead and put your nose right in there. And breathe deeply. Smell is, of course, a critical part of taste, and as you get a sense of a wine’s aroma it stimulates the palate. A wine’s aromas can tell you a lot.

Primary Aromas are grapederivative and include fruits, spices, herbs, and floral notes.

Secondary Aromas come from winemaking practices. The most common aromas are yeast-derivative and are most easy to spot in white wines: cheese rind, nut husk (almond, peanut), or stale beer.

Tertiary Aromas come from aging, usually in bottle, or possibly in oak. These aromas are mostly savory: roasted nuts, baking spices, vanilla, autumn leaves, old tobacco, cured leather, cedar, and even coconut.

Bouquet Aromas refers to a group of aromas (as a bouquet refers to a group of flowers, from the French bousquet for a thicket). The bouquet may therefore be considered as a group of smells, either in young or old wine, as a group. As the bouquet increases, the singular aromas tend to become less distinct or identifiable.

Taste Assess both the taste sensations ild

mouth water?) Is it pleasantly weighty? The alcohol will give it the “body” that is felt in the mouth as viscosity or weight. (A highly alcoholic wine is often described as “hot.”) Is there a drying sensation in the mouth?

That indicates the presence of tannin. Interestingly, we tend to perceive tannins and alcohol as feelings, not flavors.

TIP: A great example of “finish” from the world outside of wine is the sappy, oily feeling 20 seconds after taking a sip of Coca-Cola.

Touch Your tongue can “touch” the wine and perceive its texture.

Touch is an important sense for evaluating a wine, even though we don’t often think about it in those terms. Our sense of touch includes temperature, viscosity or body and chemical irritation. While the wine is in the mouth, allow it to set for moment on the tongue and feel the weight of it. A hot sensation might indicate an increased alcohol level, while a drying or gripping sensation indicates the presence of tannins. Bubbles from sparkling wines are felt as vibration. When

we put all of these observations and sensations together, we can create an accurate description of our experience of the wine.

acid-driven finish? Jammy fruits with oak and a broad, rich texture?

Did the wine taste balanced or out of balance (i.e. too acidic, too alcoholic, too tannic)? Did Don’t Be Afraid to Try you like the wine? Was this wine Something New unique or unmemorable? Were Just because you had a chardonnay there any characteristics that you didn’t like once it doesn’t shined through and impressed you. mean that you shouldn’t be openWine tasting shouldn’t be overly minded to trying new wines. You serious. If you can’t tell the may be surprised to find just how difference between two wines or different certain wines can taste don’t know which is a sauvignon and you may be surprised to find blanc and which is a syrah, it is what ends up being your new all right. By activating our brains favorite. Ask for suggestions and when we taste, we alter the way don’t be afraid to expand your we consume. Relax, have fun and horizons, it is a tasting after all. enjoy yourself.

Take Notes Rob and his wife Christine are Wine tasting is all about learning opening Whitehall Winery in about different wines, and after a late Spring of 2018 at historic few samples, it may be difficult Whitehall Corners, located at 877 to remember which is which, so Welcome Lake Road in Hawley. make sure that you take notes.

Visit facebook.com/ Your notes can be detailed about flavors or they can be as simple as whitehallwinery. Email us at “like” or “didn’t like.” Make sure infowhitehallwinery@gmail.com. to write down the names of your * References: 1. Ronald S. favorite wines so you can have Jackson. Wine Science, Principles them again in the future. and Applications. 2. Bruce W. Zoecklein, Wine Analysis and Have Fun Production. 3. Web sources.

What was the overall profile of the wine? Fresh fruits with an

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It should be noted that while we traditionally think of smell

such as sour, sweet, bitter, salty & savory and flavors derived from retronasal olfaction (e.g. breathing with the back of your nose). Take a sip. But before you swallow the wine (or spit it out), let it linger a bit in the mouth. Taste is how we use our tongues to observe the When you first start smelling wine, wine, but also, once you swallow think big to small. Are there fruits? the wine, the aromas may change Think of broad categories first, i.e. because you’re receiving them citrus, orchard, or tropical fruits in retro-nasally. At this point, you whites or, when tasting reds, red can tighten the mouth and breathe fruits, blue fruits, or black fruits. in over the wine to send the Getting too specific or looking for aromas into the back of the nasal one particular note can lead cavity or you can “chew” on the to frustration. wine a bit to move it around the tongue. However you do it, let This is also where wine tastings the flavors wash over your palate. can begin to feel intimidating.

Do you find that the first flavor Most of us feel lucky if we can sensation remains constant? Or pick out a single overriding aroma. does it change a bit? Did other “Mmm, this Cabernet Sauvignon flavors move to the forefront? smells like black cherries!”

Were the flavors the same as the aromas you picked out?

Broadly, you can divide the nose of a wine into four primary Do you have a sense of the wine’s categories: acidity? (Does it make your as occurring through the nose (orthonasal), it also comes into play once the wine is in our mouth where the volatile chemicals pass to the receptors through the retronasal passage at the back of the throat.

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There’s a ritual to wine tasting that can seem stilted and stiff and leave you feeling intimidated. Tasting wines can be an easy, fun way to try something new, but you want to make sure that you make the most of your experience.

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LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

PAGE 7

THE AMERICAN SHAD

By Ron Tussel The annual run of American shad in the Delaware River has been celebrated for a very long time. The Lenape Indians of the Upper Delaware counted on the bounty of the shad for their families, and it is said that George Washington’s troops were saved from starvation by the shad. Today the arrival of the silver-sided-slammers is still celebrated in festivals such as the Annual Forks of the Delaware Shad Fishing Tournament and Festival, held in Easton PA. Folks will gather ‘round for a couple of days of fishing, eating and just plain fun, all centered on the arrival of the shad.

Shad fishing can be fun for almost anyone willing to give it a try, as they do not require a lot of specialized tackle.

Shad can be taken with spinning gear, fly rods or even bait-casting equipment. Shad are notoriously softmouthed, and this must be considered when choosing your tackle to allow for finesse fishing rather than horsing them to the boatside where most fish are lost in the netting process.

This well known “paper mouth” is the reason why many shad fishermen use medium to ultralight rods or flyrods to handle shad. Reels are usually strung with six-pound monofilament or even the zero-stretch braided lines, which provide maximum “feel”.

Many anglers think of ultralight rods in terms of the 5to 5 1/2-foot factory rods found at most sporting goods stores, but I have been having fun with one of my rods normally seen on the Great Lakes tributaries in the hands of the steelie anglers. A noodle rod is a super long and limber rod that can be rigged to an ultralight reel and four-pound test line and it will handle any shad, even a huge old roe. The action is what makes shad fishing so much fun, and so long as you don’t play them until they are totally spent, the fish can go on to perform its task.

The American shad or white shad is the best known of the six species of shad and herring that swim in the Chesapeake Bay. It is a beautiful fish, with a metallic blue-green back that lightens to silver along its sides and a black spot at the shoulder, with several smaller spots behind. The American shad can reach a length of 30 inches, and is the largest–and considered the most delicious to eat–of all the shads.

There are a number of shad “hot-spots” as you venture north along the Delaware River from the Gap. Here the river begins its natural narrowing, confining the run and making the shad more accessible to anglers. There are about 12 public boat launches in the region between Monroe, Pike and Wayne Counties.

The most popular lure selections are shad darts and flutter spoons. These come in all colors and sizes, and the best bet is to bring a handful and keep switching to see what will work on a given day. Cast your bait slightly upstream and pump the rod as you retrieve. From an anchored boat, let one line out back about twenty yards to bounce in the current while you cast another.

Swimming 101 Continued from Page 1 pump, improves flexibility, slows down the aging process, improves muscle imbalances, works nearly every muscle in the body, especially if you swim all four strokes, and lowers cortisol levels.

The multitude of health benefits for older adults shown from a more recent study and how it enhances eye-hand coordination, improves cognitive ability, and lowers blood pressure. In addition to the physical benefits, swimming offers relaxation through the repetitive nature of movement.

This reduces stress and allows you to disconnect in an increasingly over-connected world.

Learning to Swim …

We associate learning to swim as something you do at a very young age. Many people claim, “If I didn’t learn as a child, it’s too late.” It’s never too late to learn how to swim. There are many swim programs out there that can help adults learn at any age.

After suffering from severe back issues for over 6 years, Jim Panto, took up swimming to help him improve his overall health. Jim’s journey started less than a year ago at the Woodloch Spring Sports Complex. He committed to swimming 6-7x a week for about 1 to 1.5 hours each day. In less than a year, Jim has lost 60 plus pounds, decreased his back pain and has met several new “swim friends.” Swimming is his “outlet” for overall better health.

Approximately five years ago I had my first back surgery. Then, one year later, I had the second -lasting 10 hours. After almost three and a half years of recovery I had gained weight from little to no activity. As I became more active and going places with friends I started to notice my photo in social media posts.

It was humiliating to see what I had become. Up to this point Jim before diet change I truly did not even look at mirrors for fear of its reflection. and swimming.

So, I decided to change my dietary intake to smaller portions; foods consisting of whole grains, seeds, nuts, fruits and veggies; and limiting carbohydrates to every other day. I then began to take up swimming. Starting one lap at a time. The swim was short and slow at first but after the first 4-6 weeks I did not feel that 911 had to be called. As the months passed, I began to increase my time in the pool, intensity and incorporating different types of stroke styles. With encouragement from friends, family and, most of all, the staff at Woodloch Springs Sports Complex, I have obtained many of the goals that I set to show my progress. The weight goals had been set at 10lb increments - to make it feel more obtainable.

Today, I am feeling healthier. Now, I look in the mirror and proudly accept the change. I strive to erase the mental image of what I looked like and celebrate the image that I now see reflected back at me.

I thank you all at Woodloch for providing me, and others who use your facility, such a safe, clean and family like atmosphere that only helps to achieve your best and encourages all to keep coming back. I find myself anxious to go to the gym now, rather than being reluctant.

Fondly, James Panto Rn Take the plunge! There is no age limit on learning to swim, picking up swimming as a recreation activity or an exercise you can do on a regular basis.

Shad action seems to be best early and late in the day.

Fishing during periods of bright sunshine seems to be less productive. Whether you fish from the shore or out of a boat, stick with fishing the deepest part of the main channel for best results. Shad seem to hunker close to the bottom and follow the current as they make their way up the river. Keeping your darts or flutter spoons in this zone will keep you on more fish.

The American shad is truly a unique resource and one we should all cherish. While one or two for the table are OK, catch and release should be practiced here. Their meat is delicious when prepared properly, which includes everything from plank baking over open coals to oven baking or pickling them like other herring.

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LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

Pocono Mountains Music Festival 2018 The POCONO MOUNTAINS MUSIC FESTIVAL (PMMF) is pleased to announce its 2018 schedule of events. Audiences will enjoy world-class entertainment with Award-winning performers including film and theater star, Tony Roberts, Drama Desk nominee, Barbara Andres and Broadway, film and television’s, Andrew Keenan-Bolger along with many of New York’s top Broadway and cabaret vocalists.

PMMF is proud to be one of four organizations in the US to participate in the prestigious ASCAP Foundation Jerry Herman Broadway Legacy Prize. During the two-week Performing Arts Camp, award winning Broadway performers teach a master class culminating in two students receiving the Herman Legacy Prize honor. The two student winners will perform with the Broadway stars the following evening with our own orchestra, the POCONO POPS!.

The season kicks off on Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Evergreen Ballroom, Skytop Lodge, Skytop, PA with: “THE MARCY & ZINA SHOW”. Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich make up one of NYC’s most successful and popular composing teams— and they are phenomenal performers as well. “The Marcy & Zina Show” celebrates their witty, sophisticated, hilarious and touching songbook including hits “Taylor, the Latte Boy” and “Alto’s Lament” as well as favorites from their musicals Ever After, Dear Edwina, and Junie B. Jones.

On, Friday, June 15, 2018 join PMMF at The Cooperage, Honesdale, PA for: “YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND: THE MUSIC OF THE BRILL BUILDING”.

In the middle of New York City, in the heart of Times Square,

sits The Brill Building, home to songwriters Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Lieber & Stoller, Neil Diamond, and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill among others.

The songs they wrote changed the sound of popular music and became some of the most iconic songs of all time.

PMMF’s first full weekend of programming takes place at East Stroudsburg University’s Smith Theater, East Stroudsburg, PA.

On Friday, July 27, 2018 the PMMF presents: “CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF SONG”.

It’s been about 100 years since the birth of Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonius Monk, Desi Arnaz and Dean Martin. A cast of New York City’s top vocalists will be joined by current and former residents of the Pocono Mountains in a concert that will bring together world-class talent from around the world and our own backyard.

Saturday, July 28, 2018 is the night to celebrate the glory of country music with: “SOUTHERN COMFORT: A COUNTRY MUSIC CELEBRATION”.

Get ready for some foot-stomping, down-home music featuring the “The Honky-Tonk Tenors” (NY Daily News) performing classic country tunes from the 1940s to the hottest contemporary hits. An award winning vocal trio performs chart-toppers by Glen Campbell, Vince Gill, Patti Loveless, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis and many more!

A very special event on Sunday, July 29, 2018 brings two award winning stars to PMMF. Join us for: “LOVE LETTERS”.

This is a special presentation of A.R. Gurney’s classic play, Love Letters, a finalist for the

Pulitzer Prize for Drama. A favorite of audiences all over the world, we are pleased to bring it to the festival starring Drama Desk nominee and PMMF board member Barbara Andres and film and stage star Tony Roberts. Tony will be recreating the role he performed on Broadway with Carol Burnett and also Lucie Arnaz.

Weekend two opens on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at the Tennis Tea in Buck Hill Falls, PA. You won’t want to miss CABARET NIGHT with Broadway’s ANDREW KEENAN-BOLGER New York fun and sophistication comes to the Tennis Tea with a performance by one of New York’s brightest young stars, Andrew Keenan-Bolger. You’ve seen him on Broadway (Newsies, Tuck Everlasting, Mary Poppins), film (Newsies), television (Nurse Jackie, MTV’s FNMTV) and the internet where he serves as director and editor of the hit web series Submissions Only.

On Friday, August 3, 2018 at Poconos Mountain East High School, East Stroudsburg, PA, the talented young people from the Festival Performing Arts Camp present their PERFORMING ARTS CAMP SHOWCASE. The festival is thrilled to present a roof-raising concert featuring the students from the Performing Arts Camp along with their awardwinning faculty, including Klea Blackhurst, John Boswell, Vibecke Dahle, and Germaine Goodson.

Our 2018 Festival closes on Saturday, August 4, 2018 at Pocono Mountain East High School, East Stroudsburg, PA, with “JERRY HERMAN: THE BROADWAY LEGACY CONCERT Featuring the POCONO POPS! Orchestra”.

PMMF’s closing event brings together students from the

Festival’s Performing Arts Camp and industry professionals, as well as the debut of our own orchestra, the POCONO POPS! Jerry Herman is a legendary composer/ lyricist of the American Musical Theater and one of Broadway’s most beloved icons. A cast of top Broadway and concert stars, including Tony Award-winner Debbie Gravitte, two time Tony nominee Ron Raines, Broadway star Jason Graae, Klea Blackhurst and John Boswell celebrate the songs and stories of one of the true giants of the theatre. This concert is a blockbuster way to close our 2018 season.

For more information and to make a tax deductible donation to the Pocono Mountains Music Festival and the Festival’s Performing Arts Camp, please visit our website www.PoconoFest. org or Facebook @ PoconoMountainsMusicFestival

Call me today for a noobligation quote!

570.828.6145 Rebecca Gray Your Local Farmers Agent 100 MARY LOUS WAY (Route 739) DINGMANS FERRY, PA 18328 RGRAY1@FARMERSAGENT.COM

LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

PAGE 9

WALK ON THE WILDSIDE with Nathaniel Whitmore

June 16th, 2018 – 10a – 11:30a

Attention Gardeners and Interested Others!

I am looking for members of our community for help. A few years ago a rain garden was installed at the Lackawaxen Firehouse & Senior Center along Beisel Rd. This was originally planted with a Pike County Conservation District Environmental mini grant and the help of the Seniors of Lackawaxen Twp.; unfortunately, it is in need of some TLC to restore and maintain it to a functioning rain garden. I am looking for a few good folks who would be willing to work along with myself and the seniors who meet at the firehouse. This would be a great way for the fledgling Lackawaxen Garden Club to become involved in a community project. I will handle the details of organizing a “work group” and obtaining any supplies we may need. Contact: Laurie@ LackawaxenTownshipPA.gov - Attn: Marianna Quartararo.

Back by popular demand! Learn about the many edible wildflowers, herbs and mushrooms that grow wild and abundant in our backyards. $10 adults/ $5 teens and senior citizens – children under 12 FREE. Registration is required. It’s a family-friendly, non-strenuous hike/walk.

Meet at the Township Office Building, 169 Urban Road.

To register messenger us on Facebook Lackawaxen Garden Club (@Lacktown) or email Laurie@LackawaxenTownshipPA.gov

FREE VISION SCREENING at the Hawley Senior Center Park Pl., Hawley PA Wednesday, April 25 from 10am-3pm

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LACKAWAXEN CONNECTION | SPRING/SUMMER 2018

SIGN ORDINANCE QUICK FACTS GUIDE HAVE QUESTIONS? CONTACT US AT: Lackawaxentownshippa.gov code@lackawannatownshippa.gov 570-685-7288 phone 570-685-2550 fax Lackawaxen Township 169 Urban Road Hawley, PA 18428

Effective February 24, 2014: All residents of Lackawaxen Township, Pike County, shall display their 911 addresses in accordance with the guidelines above.

Contact the Township to Install 911 Numbers for $25

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