Pocono Farms Weathervane January 2021

JANUARY 2021

182

LAKE

ROAD

•

TOBYHANNA,

Happy NewYear!

Wishing Everyone A Safe, Healthy and Happy New Year!

P E N N S Y LVA N I A

18466

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

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From the General Manager

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B.O.D. Meeting Dates

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Public Safety

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Neighborhood Watch

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Lakeside Grill & Pub Hours

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Round by Round

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Fun with Fitness

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Employee Spotlight

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Best Wishes

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From All of Us at PFCCA!

Visit Our New Website poconofarms.com

182 Lake Road, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania 18466

Newburgh, NY 12550 PERMIT NO. 335

PAID

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage

P O C O N O FA R M S

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 Steve Baker Peter Volpe James Ribardo

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

Richard McCormick James Yando James Ribardo Steve Baker Wayne Meyers

DEPARTMENT HEADS General Manager 894-4435 ext. 100

David Timko dtimko@poconofarms.com

Asst. General Manager 894-4435 ext. 132

Katrina Weithman katrinaw@poconofarms.com

Controller 894-4435 ext. 103

Milt Kwasnik 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

Recreation Director 894-4435 ext. 113

Nick Gallagher recdir@poconofarms.com

Public Safety & Compliance Director Artie Furman 894-4435 ext. 105 afurman@poconofarms.com Maintenance Dave Winters 894-4435 pfmaint@poconofarms.com Fitness 894-4435 ext. 116

Kristen Aylward fitness@poconofarms.com

Member Services 894-4435 ext. 106

Susan Nevarez admin@poconofarms.com

From You r Boa r d Of Dir ec tor s

BY ANNETTE DOERR

Good riddance to 2020, what a rough ride that was! A year ago, we could have never predicted all of the cancelations, regulations and changes Pocono Farms had to go through over the past 10 months. If it was predicted, we’d never have believed it! But guess what, we did it!

We adapted and overcame both in our personal lives and as an organization.

We learned new ways to do our jobs, new ways to comply with Pennsylvania State guidelines, ordinances and orders. It may have felt like a rollercoaster ride for a few months, but our management team and staff did a terrific job keeping our amenities as open as allowed, and our properties safe and secure.

Looking ahead into 2021, as a board we’re business as usual. Although we had to cancel our 2020 Annual Meeting, we’re planning our 2021 meeting as we normally would, hoping we’ll be allowed to meet next July.

Winter is always a quieter season at the Farms. I’m not sure what events will be able to be held over the next few months due to restrictions, but rest assured our staff is always looking to put together a fun time that follows State protocols. Anything planned will be sent out via email and placed on the Events section of our website (www.poconofarms.com). Winter is always a great time to grab dinner at the Lakeside Grill & Pub, it’s family-friendly and so convenient to have a terrific meal so close to home.

Speaking of winter, if this isn’t your first Tobyhanna winter, you know what’s coming! Stay prepared. Stock up on batteries, flashlights, medication, canned food and nonperishables BEFORE you need them!

Some of our winter storms can bring down power lines, and you may be in the dark for a few hours before PP&L can get your service restored. If your power does go out, make sure you report it directly to PP&L, never assume your neighbor did because they may be thinking the same thing! If you have pets, make sure you have extra provisions for them as well, better safe than sorry, right?

With a new year ahead of us all, on behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you a happy and healthy 2021! Stay safe everyone and we’ll see you around the Farms!

Pocono Farms Realty Lex Colon 894-0300 lex.colon.realtor@gmail.com Website/Communications Kathleen Nealon Coordinator webcomcord@poconofarms.com 894-4435 ext. 201

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.

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W E AT H E RVA N E

JANUARY

2021

From T he Gener a l M a n ager

2021

BY DAVE TIMKO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS

Weather events cause all of us to look at how they affect our personal and professional lives. When extreme weather is forecasted, we should all take the necessary steps to ensure our safety and the safety of others.

During extreme weather events, we will try and communicate as much information to our members as we can. Using email is the quickest and most efficient way for us to communicate. When these extreme events happen, we will make every attempt to communicate the office and facility hours to you or any changes in those hours. At times, the weather does require us to make decisions to either open or close the offices, close them early, or open them later. We make those decisions based on the best available information provided to us. Although we are cautious not to overreact, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the staff. We need to make sure that they can make it home safely, or at times defer the opening of the offices so that they may get to work safely.

ALL MEETING TIMES ARE 7PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

Friday, January 29th Friday, February 26th Work Session Friday, March 26th Friday, April 30th Friday, May 21st

Friday, June 18th Friday, July 16th

Saturday, July 17th Annual Meeting 10am

Whether it is an extreme weather or snow event, the maintenance department will be on site clearing the roadways and plowing snow. Please understand that in either case, it does take time to get to 80+ cul de sacs. Especially if the snow is heavy or there is an abundance of it. We will get there. When it is really coming down quicker than we can plow it, we will make one pass through all of the cul de sacs to open the road up. We will then come back a second time, and then usually a third time to push the snow back as far as we can in preparation for the next event.

We understand that all of us have different work schedules and other commitments that require us to travel, even in inclement weather. We ask for your patience and cooperation during these times.

Please understand that the staff is out there and we will get to all of the Association owned roads in the most safe and efficient manner. We do rotate the starting point each and every snow fall so that you are not always the last to be plowed or always the first to be plowed. This has seemed to work well the past.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

To Advertise in the Weathervane Call Crystal at 845-456-1218 W E AT H E RVA N E

JANUARY

2021

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Neighbor hood Watch P u blic Sa fet y

BY EDWARD KELLY

BY ARTIE FURMAN

Writing for the January edition is like looking back at the future. We anticipate what may happen in December, but we’re just going by past events and holiday happenings. Unlike like Micheal Fox in the famous movie, we don’t get to speed into the future then return for a fix or commentary. The best we can do is hope that all goes well, and everyone comes out whole when the month is over.

As you all read this, it seems that Father Time has gone and done it again. The aged fellow has left, and baby New Year is here. I hate to say it, but I for one are not sad to see the old fellow go. 2020 was a tough one for sure.

Let all hope, pray, keep our fingers crossed, whatever works that 2021 will be a better year.

Each year brings us new challenges and old ones too. I know it may not seem like it to some of you, but most of the usual complaints or issues were down last year. Things like barking dogs, loose dogs, and garbage problems really were not too bad. Noise issues were up, but it was mainly due to short term rentals and not knowing the rules.

This year we hope to have a better grasp on the short-term renters, not that they were out of hand, but to better educate them upon arrival so things do not become an issue. I will get a start on the next issue now at the beginning of the year.

Fireworks. They are not allowed here inside of Pocono Farms. Small stuff, ground stuff things that you would let a preschooler use are ok.

Now I know I am going to get (but I always let my toddler use dynamite and C-4, they love it). Uh, no! If it flies in the air, goes bang or boom or shoots things (roman candles) you cannot have them. We had people dueling with roman candles last year. Again, No. One last thing about garbage. We live in the woods and in those woods are, you guessed it animals. Foraging in the woods is tough.

When people put their trash out to early, do not secure the lids, or just put out bags - those hungry creatures are going to come and eat.

It happens. But when it happens, please clean it up. It cannot sit there for days or longer. The creatures will just come back and spread it out more. If your trash is ripped apart and it is all over 3 different properties, you really should not expect your neighbors to have to clean up that mess.

As always if you have questions or concerns, I am only a phone call away. Stay safe and keep vigilant and we will get through these most trying of times.

though. We’ve had to report a few abandoned cars in the past month.

In each case, the police were notified, and they were able to contact the owners. One was owned by a resident that apparently lost control and was unable to move the car. Another was dumped here by a resident of Pocono Country Place, once ownership was established, the police could arrange for the pick up and removal of the vehicle. Residents still stop our drivers to report loud parties going on in rented homes. We encourage them to call the office, although we do report them when asked. The management is dealing

In November, the drivers have logged 116 hours.

Several drivers are volunteering for extra patrols, so while the hours are up, there is room for any additional volunteers.

Come on, try it, call russ Kelly at 570-894-4034 or the office.

On many of our minds, did the promised vaccines reach America in December as the media projected in November? I think if father Christmas offered me one wish, it would be that the projected virus spike that would come after the heavy traveling that was done at thanksgiving, would not come to pass. To date, none of the crime watch Keith Torregrossa TorregrossaTeam Team Keith volunteers have come down with the virus, but a number of their family members have had to quarantine or Keith Torregrossa Renata deal with the effects. As Linda Dross Tara Tall Mavrogiorgos Broker/Owner Transaction many of our activities have Buyer’s Agent Buyer’s Agent Coordinator Keith Torregrossa Renata Keith Torregrossa Renata Tara Tall Linda Dross Linda Dross been canceled or curtailed, Keith Torregrossa Tara Tall Cheryl Ehrhart Linda Dross Mavrogiorgos Broker/Owner Tara Tall Broker/Owner Mavrogiorgos Buyer’s Agent Transaction Coordinator Transaction Listing Agent Buyer’s Agent Buyer’s Agent volunteering for crime watch Buyer’s Agent Transaction Buyer’s Agent Buyer’s Agent Coordinator Coordinator Torregrossa patrol is not one of them.Keith (570) 421-2345 Office Direct Cheryl Ehrhart (570) Linda Dross Tara424-1521 Tall (570) 421-2345 Office (570) 424-1521 Direct Listing Agent Many are enjoying getting Buyer’s Agent Transaction (570) 421-2345 (570) 424-1521 Direct (570) 421-2345Office Office (570) 424-1521 Buyer’s Agent Direct out of the house and driving Coordinator around the farms.

of the Poconos Experience and Results Matter! the Poconos of the Poconos of the Poconos Keith Torregrossa Team of the Poconos Experience and Results Matter!

Experience and Results Matter!

Experience Results Matter!

Experience and and Results Matter!

Keith Torregrossa Team Keith Torregrossa Team

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

Many of our volunteers have mentioned how many of the previously empty or run down properties are being occupied and fixed up. Also, if you have been driving through the farms, SOLD MORE THEN LISTING PRICE there are quite a few new PRICE Sales are strong, homes being built. It’s Summer sales are strong, 105 Blackfoot HOME SALES callFARMS toLane find out what your home is worth! been a few years since Sales areyour strong, call to find out what home is worth!

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with this problem as well as the township. We do want to remind residents that garbage barrels have to be taken in by 6pm, on Wednesday. Also, they should not be put out sooner than Monday.

And if the bears get to them before they can be picked up, clean up the mess they leave, and remove from a neighbors property if it occurs.

W E AT H E RVA N E

JANUARY

Fully Insured/Free Estimates

2021

License #PA041576

TO ADVERTISE CALL CRYSTAL AT 845.456.1218

Tree Removal Tree Trimming Land Clearing Landscaping

Tree Removal

Light Excavation

Tree Trimming

Stump Grinding

Land Clearing Chipping

Landscaping Bucket Truck Services Light Excavation Stump Grinding Chipping Bucket Truck Services

W E AT H E RVA N E

JANUARY

2021

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R ound by R ound

BY KYLE MONAHAN

Happy New Years! Golf is back and it is better than ever. Although we ended on top, the beginning of 2020 was in fact concerning.

We came out of winter with the thoughts of having an early start. The winter was over and it looked like we were going to be opening our golf course in March. Most years we are excited when we open within the first few weeks of April. This past year was finally looking up for us. We were anticipating opening the golf course up near the end of May. That is when Covid snuck up on us and put us at a standstill. Covid came in and literally rained on our Parade.

We finally opened our doors on Friday May 1st. It was not at all easy. The fact is this whole entire year was not easy at all. We had to learn new ways of operating the golf course. At first people were not allowed in the Pro Shop. My staff was not allowed to touch golf clubs. We were cleaning golf carts three to four times a day with some major disinfecting chemicals. In the end we survived. Our number one goal was to keep our members and their guests safe. We not only accomplished that, but we had one of the best years in my history at the club.

Did you know that by August golf had increased over 20 percent since the previous August? The National Golf Foundation and Golf Datatech released a report stating rounds played in August in the U.S. were up 20.6 percent over 2019. That was roughly 10 million more rounds played in August 2020 than in August 2019. The report said that was the largest year-over-year monthly increase since Golf Datatech began tracking rounds two decades ago. The last time I saw golf like this was in the early 90s!

The report went on to say records were set in five equipment categories: balls, irons, wedges, gloves and golf bags, which were the best performing category with a 55 percent jump over 2019. But overall, golf retail sales are still down 4.1 percent this year versus 2019 because of huge retail and supply chain shutdowns in March, April and May. The other issue we were having was getting inventory from our venders. It was taking up to 3 months to get orders in. Golf balls were in such demand that golf courses were literally out of balls.

Looking back 2020 was a hard year for everyone. We are still dealing with this crazy disease. Let’s hope we can finally get back to a normal life sooner than later. As for golf, we will continue with this momentum. Golf will continue to grow. We learned this year, golf is one sport you can not only play your entire life, but you can continue to play while practicing social distancing. Have a safe and healthy winter and see you in the Spring.

Your Pro and friend, Kyle Monahan

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W E AT H E RVA N E

JANUARY

2021

F un w it h Fitness

BY KRISSIE AYLWARD, PFCCA FITNESS DIRECTOR

HAPPY 2021! I have some super exciting news to share with all of you.

We are getting some upgraded cardio machines!! I am so excited for our new addition to the fitness center; a Life Fitness IC 5 exercise bike has arrived and is ready to use. Like the ever-popular Peloton bike, the Life Fitness bike has Bluetooth capability so you can use your favorite app or download the Life Fitness interactive app on your smart device.

We are also getting two new elliptical trainers to replace the current machines. These will still have the TV so do not worry your favorite shows are not going anywhere. However much like the treadmills, these upgraded machines will have an HD console so you can bring the outdoors inside, watch TV, connect to Pandora or Netflix and more.

Classes will remain the same going into 2021 with some possible “upgrades� to come. Right now, we can safely distance our participants with the classes we have, and I would like to keep it that way. I am hoping that we may be able to take some of our classes outside when the nicer weather hits.

If you have been on the fence about joining the fitness center maybe this will sway you. Our new member rates are FANTASIC!! $375 ALL INCLUSIVE for a single person yearly membership and $550 ALL INCLUSIVE couple yearly membership both can be broken into monthly payments making it easier on the wallet.

Cheers to a New Year and a New YOU!! I look forward to seeing you soon!

To Advertise in the Weathervane Call Crystal at 845-456-1218 W E AT H E RVA N E

JANUARY

2021

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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT This month, we would like to welcome our new Controller, Milt Kwasnik! Milt lives in Knowlton Township, New Jersey. Milt and his wife, Terri, are the proud parents of children, Matthew, and Jessica. They also have 2 pit bull dogs – Brooklyn & Jada. Milt graduated from Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ and has previously worked as Director of Finance at businesses around the Poconos that include: Paradise Stream Resort & Resorts USA / Bushkill Group / Club Exploria! In his free time, he enjoys playing golf, hiking, and spending time with his friends & family! We are excited to welcome Milt to our team here at Pocono Farms!

Best Wishes Our controller of 3 years, Tom Franchetti, will be retiring as of January 2021. Tom is a longtime resident of Scranton, PA where he resides with his wife, Joanne. Tom & Joanne raised three wonderful children - Nicole, Chris, & Craig. They also have 2 adorable grandchildren – Claire & Noah. Tom graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Accounting and went on to work for a CPA company for 38 years before joining the team at Pocono Farms Country Club. In his retirement, Tom looks forward to playing golf, spending winters in the south, and to continue working on small side projects. We are grateful to have had Tom’s accounting expertise guide us here at Pocono Farms for the past 3 years. We wish him a safe, happy, and healthy retirement!

Congratulations Tom!