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The Dingmans Ferry, Delaware Township Historical Society Board hopes that all of you are doing well and remain in good health. The unfortunate events we are now facing have caused us to cancel our public program schedule to date. Even though we are now designated as a yellow zone, we are strictly limited in what we can do. We sincerely hope that this pandemic will soon come to a complete end and we will be able to reschedule programs on a monthly basis. We are considering, if permitted, running public program on a monthly basis throughout the winter months.
New history is created every minute of every day. The present situation that we are dealing with today is tomorrows history. We must ask ourselves, is this more sever and different than what we have faced prior, or is it really similar to our past experiences?
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The 2020 Pandemic is really not very different than what we have faced in the past. The actions taken and their effects this time are new, not only to us here in the USA, but throughout the entire world.
In the nineteen fifties, here in the US, we faced the crisis of Polio. Many children became paralyzed and many died. Fortunately, a vaccine was developed to save the day. I can remember lining up in the school auditorium to receive the vaccine injection. A terrifying situation that was handled much differently than this crisis but the fears it created were not different. Even before this current event, we have faced annual flu and viruses and still do. Unfortunately, many of our citizens have died in great numbers from these diseases. The question we must ask is, will the extreme actions that have been invoked today become the normal approach.
As caretakers of Dingmans Ferry History, we are asking our members and our township residents to contribute their personal thoughts and experiences during this situation. We will archive this information for future generations. Who knows, by documenting the history of this pandemic and the steps that have been taken to combat it plus their resulting effects, review of today’s methods may aid us in a course of action in the future.
Your comments and opinions can be forwarded by mail to the Dingmans Ferry Historical Society, 116 Wilson Hill Rd. Dingmans Ferry, Pa. 18328 or e-mailed to admin@ dingmansferryhistoricalsociety.org .
Please remember to pay your 2020 dues for this year. I know that our schedule will be limited but annual funds are necessary to keep the organization in existence and functioning. Dues remain at only $5.00 per person and $ 10.00 per family. Dues may be sent to the address above.
We hope to be gathering again soon and thank you in advance for your contributions. Wishing you good health and safety.
Notice is hereby given that the meetings for the Delaware Township Board of Supervisors for 2020 will be on the second (2nd) and fourth (4th) Wednesday of each month on the following dates:
July 8th and 22nd September 9th and 23rd August12th and 26th October 14th and 28th.
November and December meetings ONLY will be on the first and third Wednesday of each month on the following dates: November 4th and November 18th, and December 2nd and December 16th. All meetings to be held at the Delaware Township Municipal Building(s), located at 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328. Workshops will begin at 6:00pm and regular meetings at 7:00pm.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS
The Delaware Township Planning Commission will hold regularly scheduled meetings on the first (1st) and third (3rd) Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m.; with the fourth (4th) Tuesday as a workshop on an as needed basis. These meetings will be held at the Delaware Township Municipal Building, located at 116 Wilson Hill Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328.
2020 Bulk Dump Disposal Days
The Delaware Township Bulk Disposal will be open the first and third Saturday of each month from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the Spring, Summer and Fall. Bulk will only be available the first Saturday of the month during the winter months.
July 18, 2020 August 1, 2020 and August 15, 2020 September 5, 2020 and September 19, 2020 October 3, 2020 (and October 17, 2020 November 7, 2020 December 5, 2020
PARKS & REC
Akenac Park | Summer 2020 Rules & Regulations Due To Covid-19
The beach is open, but there are no lifeguards on duty 6/19-6/25 only. Swimming is at your own risk on those dates.
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d. No flotation devices are permitted in the lake. No flipping or diving off docks. Do not hang off the ropes. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Parking will be limited. Once the parking area is full, the park gates will be closed.
Boat rentals are unavailable.
a. No personal watercrafts permitted into the park.
Beach chairs will not be provided.
The recreation hall is closed and unavailable for rental.
The bathhouse is closed.
a. Port-a-johns are provided.
Social distancing of at least 6ft is encouraged for the safety of staff and visitors.
Masks are encouraged when interacting with other residents and using port-a-johns.
No grilling. No open fires.
10. Use of the park for parties is prohibited until further notice
11. All individuals entering the Park are obligated to provide proof of residency of Pike County.
a. All Pike County residents shall enter the Park free of charge. b.
c. All Pennsylvania residents who reside outside of Pike County may enter the Park at a charge of $5.00 per person.
All out of State residents will be permitted to enter the Park at a charge of $20 per person.
12. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
13. Garbage is carry-in, carry-out.
14. No smoking. No vaping.
15. No pets.
16. No foul language.
17. No littering, dumping refuse or disposing of outside refuse.
18. No hunting.
19. No fireworks or explosives are permitted to be discharged or possessed in the park.
20. No solicitation or sale of goods without written approval.
21. Plant removal prohibited.
22. Harassment of wildlife is prohibited.
23. Defacing and/or removal of park property is prohibited.
24. No operation of motor vehicles outside designated parking and entrance area.
25. Noise and/or music should be kept to an acceptable level and not disturb normal sensitivities of other visitors.
26. Harassment of other visitors or disorderly conduct is prohibited.
TOWNSHIP STAFF RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE THE PARK IF ANY OF THE ABOVE GUIDELINES ARE NOT FOLLOWED. IF A RESIDENT REFUSES TO LEAVE THE PREMISES WHEN ASKED, THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE WILL BE CONTACTED IMMEDIATELY.
Brown Continues to Bring Awareness to Lyme Disease and Tick-Borne Illnesses in the Commonwealth
With most citizens focused COVID-19, Rep. Rosemary M. Brown (R-Monroe/Pike) wanted to highlight and bring awareness to Lyme disease and other tickborne illnesses. Currently, Brown is sponsoring House Resolution 760, which designates May 2020 as Lyme and Tick-borne Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania, and the House is expected to vote on the resolution this week. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted primarily by ticks and is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.
“The main focus right now is on the COVID-19 health crisis; however, I do not want residents to forget about other serious illnesses wreaking havoc in Pennsylvania like Lyme disease, especially since many are spending more time outside due to the current mitigation efforts,” said Brown. “It is important that residents check themselves and their pets for ticks after returning from the outdoors and contacting our tick research lab for a free tick test should any ticks be found. I continue to advocate on behalf of Pennsylvanians who are affected by this disease and other tickborne illnessesand fight for better policies that will aid our medical communities with further research and education initiatives related to this disease.” According to Nicole Chinnici, director of the Dr. Jane Huffman Wildlife Genetics Institute, after the launch of the free tick testing program in April 2019, the Tick Lab, located at East Stroudsburg University (ESU), has received and tested 17,135 ticks representing all 67 counties in the Commonwealth. The prevalence of tick-borne diseases is indicated on the map below. The counties with the highest percentage of ticks testing positive for a tick-borne disease include: Cameron – 44%, Clearfield – 41%, and Forest – 41%. In the Pocono Mountains region of northeast Pennsylvania, Wayne County had 32%, Monroe 31%, Carbon 30% and Pike 29%. On average, Lyme disease is detected in 32% of ticks in Pennsylvania. All county level data can be found at ticklab.org/statistics.
Brown would like to remind Pennsylvania residents that they may have ticks tested for FREE at Tick Research Lab after removing them. For more information about ESU’s Tick Research Lab and how to obtain free tick testing, residents can visit their website at ticklab.org.
DIG DELAWARE
Benefits of Community Gardening By Carol Padalino
“Community gardens are collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants share in the maintenance and products of the garden including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. Gardens may offer physical and mental health benefits by providing opportunities to eat healthy fresh fruits and vegetables. engage in physical activity , skill building and creating green space. beautify vacant lots. revive and beautify public parks .improve social well-being through strengthening social connections.”as published by the CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Delaware Township supervisors have been supporting local gardeners for 18 years by providing the space for a community garden. The Smith-Harker Community Garden, located on Wilson Hill Road, has become a haven for 20 local gardeners. Beside growing organic vegetables, participants share seeds and plants while informally teaching one another their favorite gardening tips.
The positive effect of community gardens is not only a venture that feeds and rejuvenates the body but also is one which nurtures the mind. Gardening is a physical activity and participation gives you the benefit of improved physical health. It is known to be a stress-reducing and relaxing activity. Also there is research that community gardeners are inclined to eat more fruits and vegetables. There is nothing more satisfying than enjoying the fruits of your own labor. We all know that home-grown tastes better than store bought!. Community gardens are aptly named because they do just that, they foster a sense of community. The gardens help people find common ground, bringing people of different ages and backgrounds together in one place with one common interest.
Robert, a gardener new to the Smith-Harker garden, has been working his plot since early spring. He planned areas for spinach, radicchio, peppers, onions and tomatoes. Robert was influenced early on by his grandfather who grew roses. Then, in Brooklyn, Robert’s father-in-law Ralph tended a large vegetable garden. Both men started Robert on his path to learning about plants and gardening. Robert also enjoys growing flowers, especially dahlias. Robert designed his plot incorporating areas of containers, raised beds and lattices to support climbing cucumbers and beans. When asked why he chose to participate in the community garden, Robert replied “the community garden gives me the chance to learn from the other gardeners.”
Diane and Obi have been part of the community garden for three years. While out hiking, they passed the garden and investigated the possibility of acquiring a plot. Obi explained that the area around their house is not suitable for gardening. The community garden is situated in full sun, fenced, and includes three perennial flower beds with an expanse of lawn. And Diane agrees that getting outdoors snd working in the garden is both a relaxing and stress relieving activity. They worked hard this spring relining their plot with bricks and preparing the soil. By summer this work will have paid off in the harvest of their many varieties of peppers and tomatoes.
Gardening is not only an activity associated with recreation but it has been found to have everlasting benefits. While the sense of connection to other people is important, so is the connection to nature. Gardening, even on a small plot, is a simple way to incorporate more nature into your everyday life.
“In Okinawa, they say that anybody who grows old healthfully needs an ikigari, or reason for living. Gardening gives you that something to get up for every day.” Dr. Bradley Willcox, University of Hawaii. It is no wonder then, for the first time in many years, all available plots in the community garden are occupied.
