Pocono Farms Weathervane April 2020

APRIL 2020

182

LAKE

ROAD

•

TOBYHANNA ,

PENNSYLVANIA

18466

Dear Members, Given the events today regarding the COVID-19 virus, the Board of Directors has agreed to the following actions until further notice to ensure the safety of our members, staff, and guests.

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All Administration offices will be closed.

All fitness classes and facilities will be closed All food and beverage, events and activities will be closed/postponed The golf course opening day will be deferred

For those that need to make a payment, we have a secured mail slot that is under video surveillance in the old administration building for you to drop off your payment. The mail slot is located in the green door on the lower level of the Clubhouse/Grill Room. You may also send your payment via the USPS. Residential garbage service will continue on Tuesdays as scheduled.

The compactor hours will remain the same for now. We can monitor this process while keeping our members and staff from personal contact.

We will send out a weekly update as information from the CDC and the State/Local government officials make it available to us.

We appreciate your cooperation and patience during these challenging events. If you need to contact the administration office, please do so via e-mail at admin@poconofarms.com or via phone at 570-894-4435 and your call will be returned.

IN THIS ISSUE OUR COMMUNITY From Your B.O.D.

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Neighborhood Watch

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In the Farms

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Notes from the Manager

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B.O.D. Meeting Dates

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B.O.D. Candidate Application

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Idea@poconofarms.com 5 Winter on Iroquois St.

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SPORTS Ladies Golf Application

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On behalf of The Board of Directors,

Dave Timko – General Manager PFCCA, Inc.

COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself Inside on Page 6

Visit Ou r WE B SIT E

poconofarms.com

182 Lake Road, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania 18466

Newburgh, NY 12550 PERMIT NO. 335

PAID

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

From You r Boa r d Of Dir ec tor s P O C O N O FA R M S

BY ANNETTE DOERR

COUNTRY CLUB ASSOCIATION INC. 182 Lake Road • Tobyhanna, PA 18466 www.poconofarms.com • admin@poconofarms.com

BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Director Director Director Director Director

Steve Bunker Frank Milano James Yando Wayne Meyers Richard McCormick Annette Doerr Brian Cavanaugh Peter Volpe James Ribardo

We get a lot of great ideas from our residents. One example is the project to improve the appearances of mailboxes on our cul-de-sacs, which was spearheaded by the late Larry Burlingame and his wife Penny. Due to their outreach at a monthly Board of Directors meeting, we have been improving and upgrading the appearance of mailboxes at our cul-de-sacs. The Burlingame family felt so passionate about the project that they donated the funds for the first set we improved. Several other families also stepped up and donated funds for other cul-de-sac mailbox locations to be improved to the same standards.

Richard McCormick James Yando James Ribardo

Since the fall, our staff has been busy upgrading mailboxes one cul-desacs at a time, and the improvement is dramatic.

Point being, we take suggestions seriously, whether you email us at idea@poconofarms.com, Keith Torregrossa or bring it up at a Board of Listing Agent Directors meeting.

Keith Torregrossa

COMMITTEES: • A & B/Environmental / Crime Watch • Finance • Golf • Recreation / Fitness / Tennis / Pool • Communications/ Long Range Planning

Annette Doerr Rich McCormick

DEPARTMENT HEADS General Manager 894-4435 ext. 100

There is no doubt about it, we live in an extraordinary community. Originally deemed “The Gem of the Poconos,” it is true, there is no community like Pocono Farms. Our amenities are second to none. Whether it is the golf course, the pool, tennis courts, our restaurant, or the lake, there is no place better than Pocono Farms. Above and beyond all of that, and the most important asset we share, are our residents.

David Timko dtimko@poconofarms.com

Asst. General Manager Katrina Weithman 894-4435 ext. 132 katrinaw@poconofarms.com Controller 894-4435 ext. 103

Thomas Franchetti controller@poconofarms.com

Golf Pro 894-4435 ext. 110

Kyle Monahan golfshop@poconofarms.com

Greens Superintendent Jeff Lesoine 894-4435 jeffreyl3@poconofarms.com Chef 894-4435 ext. 130

Len Iorio pfkitchen@poconofarms.com

Activities Director 894-4435 ext. 113

Nick Gallagher recdir@poconofarms.com

of ofthe thePoconos Poconos Experience and and Results Experience ResultsMatter!

Matter!

Keith Torregrossa Team Keith Torregrossa Team

Cheryl Ehrhart Listing Agent Buyer’s Agent Get involved, lend a (570) 421-2345 Office hand, volunteer. Each of us contributes to our community’s success, we can do amazing things when we work together!

Maintenance Dave Winters 894-4435 pfmaint@poconofarms.com Kristen Aylward fitness@poconofarms.com

Communications 894-4435 ext. 106

Susan Nevarez admin@poconofarms.com

Pocono Farms Realty Lex Colon 894-0300 lex.colon.realtor@gmail.com

Tara Tall Buyer’s Agent

Tara Tall

Coordinator

105 Blackfoot Lane I have Buyers in the area looking for different property types… Have you had any thoughts of selling?

1111 North Fifth Street-Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360 105 Blackfoot Lane remaxmtp@ptd.net I have Buyers inIndependently the area looking for different property Each Office Owned and Operated types… Have you had any thoughts of selling?

1111 North Fifth Street-Stroudsburg, Pa. 18360 remaxmtp@ptd.net

The official publication of the Pocono Farms Country Club Association, Inc. PUBLISHED BY NIKI JONES AGENCY, INC. 39 Front Street, Port Jervis, New York 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: info@nikijones.com Articles appearing in The Weathervane are presented as a community service. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher or of the Pocono Farms Country Club Association, Inc. The publisher and the PFCCA disclaim any liability for any advertisements published herein, in no way endorse or guarantee these ads and reserve the right to reject any ads submitted. Position of advertising in the newspaper is not guaranteed.

WEAT HERVANE

Linda Dross

Transaction (570) 424-1521 Direct Buyer’s Agent

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

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Linda Dross Transaction Coordinator

(570) 421-2345 Office (570) 424-1521 Direct

Public Safety & Compliance Director Artie Furman 894-4435 ext. 105 afurman@poconofarms.com

Fitness 894-4435 ext. 116

Cheryl Ehrhart Buyer’s Agent

APRIL

2020

Neighbor hood Watch R eport

BY RUSS KELLY It has finally arrived, the long-sought reach for April, the month of showers, green shoots and the opening of our golf course. Those of us that have not gone to the sunshine states have been waiting for the world of April and Spring.

Hopefully we will not have an early April snowstorm to deflate our bubble of enthusiasm. If only more of our snowbird drivers would return this month instead of May, the month would be complete.

Looking back over our driver comments of the months, we have kept our code official and the township busy with our reports of various litter of all sizes to be dealt with.

Over the last few months items such as bags, mattresses, recliners and an RV had to be removed from our roadways. There

are several untagged cars and commercial vehicles parked on properties that are still being dealt with. Loose dogs and loud neighbors add to the number of people that are receiving letters, stating they should take care of the problem or receive fines. The community does not want your fine money, just a nudge to take care of the problem.

Soon, we will all be out trying to make our lawns look like the magazines said we should be able to with just a little effort.

Many of us will meet at Lowes or Home Depot picking out the perfect seed or fertilizer that will ensure our success.

if we are going to be at all effective, we need more people to jump in during the winter months to help us maintain an effective patrol. Think about it, give Russ Kelly a call at 570894-4034 or the office to give it a try. No long-term commitments required.

An afterthought: I did okay in school, but I never remember winning a spelling bee. My dictionary is getting worn out, and the spell check on the computer seems to be unreliable.

February had only fiftyeight hours of patrol. More drivers went south, some ice kept a few inside, and surgery cut into our overall coverage. As you can see,

Gouldsboro Chimney & Furnace Cleaning • Stainless Steel Liners & Caps • Woodstove & Fireplace Inserts Installed • Wooden Chase Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired • Fireplaces, Wood & Coal Stoves

• Masonry Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired • Gas or Oil Chimney & Furnace Cleaning • Animals & Any Other Blockages Removed CALL TODAY:

(570)676-5253

$10 OFF CHIMNEY REPAIRS & CLEANING WITH THIS AD

WEAT HERVANE

APRIL

2020

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Not es from t he M a n ager

BY D AVE TIMKO The foundation of the 4 pillars that the Board has laid out as the guiding principles to the management team will be the basis for this month’s article. These 4 pillars allow us to stay fundamentally focused on strategies aimed at achieving successes at each level. Aggressive approach towards bad debt – there are a few action items that we have or will be implementing that will have a positive impact on this item. We constantly communicate with our collection attorney to identify more aggressive approaches to collect outstanding debt, and the processes to follow if needed, into the court system.

When the Board moved forward with stopping garbage services for non-payment of dues, it did reap some positive benefits. Our Administrative staff have done a nice job in managing this process

involved with Fitness. Our Fitness Director can get you involved whether you are new to the community, or your schedule has not permitted you to get to the Fitness Center. Stop by and see what options she has available for you.

The amount of bad debt is slowly starting to swing in the Associations favor. As bad debt decreases, that puts more funds into the operating account, which allows us to do more for the community.

If you are thinking of taking up golf as a hobby or sport, we have some very attractive opportunities for membership from weekday to full time memberships at very affordable introductory prices. We even have a discount program for first year homeowners.

Please contact our PGA Professional – Kyle Monahan for more information.

One way in which we are trying to get you involved is through our fitness membership programs. There are a variety of memberships and opportunities to get

IN THE FARMS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE HOURS Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm & 1:00pm - 4:30pm ID Badge Picture Hours: 8:30am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 4:00pm Capital Improvement Fees on transfer of property: House: $1,415 Lot: $708 BUILDING REGULATIONS: Permits are required from the township and from PFCCA. Please check with the office (570-894-4435) as to your specific needs.

• Building permit required from respective township and PFCCA before construction begins • Construction permitted from 7am - 7pm Monday- Saturday – excluding major holidays • Resale certificates are required. Fee is $300.00. Resale and other related documents can be obtained at www.homewisedocs.com REFUSE COLLECTION: Curbside pick-up of household trash and recycling is done on Tuesdays beginning at 6:00am. County Waste picks up household trash and accepted recycling. If you have any other items to discard, please call them at 570-382-3304 to set up arrangements.

Major Holidays that will affect your collection days are: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Christmas. When those holidays fall on a Tuesday, garbage collection will be on Wednesday.

ANIMALS: Dogs must be leashed or on owner’s property at all times.

Wildlife, such as deer and black bear, are common at Pocono Farms. We ask that you NOT FEED any wild animals.

EMERGENCIES: For ALL emergencies including medical or fire please contact 911 first, then contact Public Safety at 570-894-4435 x105.

TRASH COMPACTOR INFORMATION: Hours: Wednesday: 8:00am to 12:00pm Friday:

8:00am to 12:00pm Sunday:

10:00am to 12:00pm The Compactor is located on Kilmer Road.

The Compactor ONLY accepts the following: Kitchen / Household Garbage Household garbage does NOT include any Bulk items.

We have a separate recycling container that is available for members during normal Compactor hours.

Please make sure all cardboard is folded or broken down prior to dumping at our location.

Items not broken down will NOT be accepted

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There are also a lot of opportunities to join a Pocono Farms Committee.

Some of our standing committees have current openings. The committees usually meet once a month for about an hour. Committees provide a vital role in the sustainability of Community Associations such as ours. If you are interested in joining a committee, or finding out more about one of them, please stop by our Administration office. All committee meetings are open to the membership.

The office can provide you a schedule so that you may attend a meeting to get more familiar with it.

Team (People) Development – this is an ongoing process here at Pocono Farms. We are very fortunate that we have a solid core group of managers and staff. With all of the water parks and large hotels, etc. opening in our region, attracting qualified candidates to join our team is sometimes difficult.

We will be embarking on the implementation of a succession and retention plan to assist in the retention and development of the talent we have. This will include some focused cross training and opportunities to attend classes, seminars, web training and certifications to increase their value to us (Pocono Farms) so that we may bring more value and services to our members.

communicating the opportunities available.

There are over 1,450 homes within Pocono Farms that we must communicate with and to.

plan for Pocono Farms a few years ago. We reference this plan each year when the budget gets developed to ensure we are staying consistent with the plan. The plan We must also look to is a guide and could be fill the open nights in modified based on the the banquet room with current and future needs outside functions. This is a of the community. very competitive market; however one must admit These 4 Pillars are all tied that we are a very unique together to build value in property with a great your community. Getting backdrop of a lake for members involved, ceremonies and functions. collecting dues, and We will be spending more generating revenue to of our marketing dollars provide the services/ this year in our efforts products our members to attract that banquet expect and deserve. business. We are also Attracting and retaining starting to expand our talented staff members to exposure and presence provide those services. in the Realty social media realm. We want to attract It is nice to see things families that are looking trending in a more positive for everything we have to direction. Our goal is to offer as a community. continue to improve on these trends. Property As stated in a previous values are starting to tick report, we did engage up once again, albeit slowly.

Management Matters However, the Board and to assist the Board and Management will continue Management in the to plan and implement the development of a long strategies necessary to term strategic and master maintain this trend.

2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS ALL MEETING TIMES ARE 7PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

Friday - April 24, 2020 Thursday - May 21, 2020 Friday - June 19, 2020

Better and Increased Marketing – we need to constantly look for ways of getting our members involved and

WEAT HERVANE

APRIL

2020

Friday - July 17, 2020 ANNUAL MEETING Saturday - July 18, 2020 - 10 AM

CALLING ALL RESIDENTS INTERESTED IN SERVING ON THE PFCCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS!

Pocono Farms Country Club Association, Inc. 182 Lake Road, Tobyhanna, PA 18466 570-894-4435 • 570-894-3529 fax Website: www.poconofarms.com • Email: admin@poconofarms.com

BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S CANDIDATE APPLICATION The Nominating and Elections Committee request from all board candidates, a completed candidate profile - see form below which can also be obtained on the website or picked up at the Administration Office. You may submit a separate sheet of paper with your responses. Your information will be published in upcoming issues of the Weathervane and on the website.

Please be aware that one very important requirement for candidacy is the attendance. You will be required to attend monthly Board Meetings, General Membership Meeting and assigned Committee Meetings. As stated in the By-Laws (Section 5.7) “Any Director who is absent from either a total of four (4) regular meetings or three (3) regular meetings in succession, of a twelve-month period, commencing with the organizational meeting, shall be deemed to have resigned...”

DID YOU KNOW? •

The PFCCA Board of Directors is made up of nine (9) PFCCA members

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Each year, three (3) seats expire

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After the expiration of a director’s first three (3) year term, he/she may seek a second term through the normal election process.

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This year, there are three seats available on the Board of Directors for a three (3) year term.

Board candidates must be 21 years of age, an owner of record and be a member in good standing.

Name:_______________________________________________________________________________________ Pocono Farms Address:__________________________________________________________________________ Permanent Address:____________________________________________________________________________ (If seasonal or weekend member)

Primary Phone Number:_________________________________________________________________________

All directors may not succeed themselves at the expiration of two (2) consecutive elected terms.

All interested parties should read and fill out the Board of Director’s Candidate Application and return it to the Administration Office no later than April 17, 2020.

CANDIDATE PROFILE How many years have you been a member of the farms? _____________ What is your occupation?______________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Applications can also be obtained in the Administration Office or can filled out online at www.poconofarms.com (you must log in first to access the e-forms).

All accepted candidate profiles along with a picture will be published in the May, June and July issues of the Weathervane and will be posted on the website.

This year’s ANNUAL MEETING will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00am

Please describe committees, clubs, volunteer work and other activities in which you have participated. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Describe any skills, talents, or specialized training, which as a Board Member, you feel will be beneficial to the community. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ What is your motivation for seeking a seat on the Board of Directors? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ If elected, in what areas do you hope to influence the Board concerning the direction and governance of this community? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Why should the membership elect you to the Board of Directors? __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tree Removal Tree Trimming

CERTIFICATION:I,________________________________________,ifelected,willbearmyfullshareoftheworkoftheBoardand

Land Clearing

intend to serve a full term.

Landscaping

Date:_________________________________Signature:___________________________________________________________________________

Tree Removal

Light Excavation

NOTE: Applications must be submitted to the Nominating/Elections Committee, c/o the Association Office by April 17, 2020

Tree Trimming

Stump Grinding

Land Clearing Chipping

Landscaping Bucket Truck Services

idea@poconofarms.com

Light Excavation Stump Grinding Chipping Bucket Truck Services

Our community needs a means by which the membership can freely and easily communicate with the board of directors. The board has created an email address that residents may use to submit comments, questions, and suggestions. Valid emails must include the full name and Pocono Farms address of the sender, which will then be forwarded to a current board member.

Reponses to emails will be sent directly to the sender and periodically published in the Weathervane or included in regular email blasts.

Publication of submitted questions and answers will help you and your fellow community members stay current with what is happening within the community. Two-way communication is vital to a health and inclusive community. We hope you find that \this is a helpful means to stay in touch with your board of directors.

WEAT HERVANE

APRIL

2020

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COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself Information from cdc.gov Know How it Spreads There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

Take steps to protect yourself Between people who are in close contact with one another Clean your hands often (within about 6 feet).

Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact Avoid close contact with people who are sick Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.

This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others Stay home if you’re sick

POCONO FARMS LADIES GOLF ASSOCIATION

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

Throw used tissues in the trash.

Dear Member: We welcome you to be a part of the Pocono Farms Ladies Golf League. As a Member of the ladies league, you are also a member of the NEPWGA, which allows you to play in open days and tournaments at 13 premier private clubs in Northeast, PA. In order to ensure an early printing of our membership directory and for you to have your name included, please fill out the form and submit with your check payable to: PFLGA and mail to:

LADIES GOLF LEAGUE c/o Pocono Farms Country Club Assoc.

182 Lake Rd., Tobyhanna, PA 18466 Please return your application with payment before April 1, 2020 I will be a member for 2020. Enclosed is my check for membership as indicated below.

PLEASE CHECK ONE:

18 hole League - $60

9 hole League - $25

Name ____________________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________________ Email_____________________________________________________________________ Phone# (for booklet)________________________________________________________ **No Refunds after June 1, 2020**

Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.

If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.

If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

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WEAT HERVANE

APRIL

2020

To Advertise in Pocono Farms Call Crystal at 845.456.1218

Are you receiving our e-mail blasts?

If not please check the following: 1. Make sure we are not going to your spam or junk folder 2. Make sure we are an approved recipient on your list (just add us to your address book ~ webmaster@ poconofarms.com) If you are still not receiving e-mails let us know at admin@poconofarms.com or call the office: 570-894-4435 or drop us a line at: Pocono Farms Country Club - 182 Lake Rd., Tobyhanna, PA 18466

WEAT HERVANE

APRIL

2020

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Winter on Iroquois St.

Submitted by: Kenneth W. Mills