December / January 2017 Pocono Living Magazine

December 2016/January 2017

The Pocono Mountains' Magazine

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Pocono Magazines June/July 2016

The Pocono Mountains' Magazine

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Pocono Living Magazine© & Pocono Family Magazine©

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and Pocono Family Magazine, two regional publications filled with

PUBLISHER/EDITOR Larry R. Sebring

articles, features and

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Linda Zak 484-264-7915

photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience.

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entary

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ily m a F o n Poco e

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ain o Mount The Pocon

2015 /August

July

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FOOD & WINE EDITOR Linda Zak

Our publications

INTERN Avize Batalova

can be found at many locations throughout the Pocono Mountains region, and are available by subscription.

ANNUAL

E ERS ISSU PET LOV August/Sept ember 2016

The Pocono

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GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Amanda Belanger Devesh Ramdeo

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART Veronica Murray Andrei Protsouk David Sandt Lisa Newberry James Chesnick James Smeltz Marlana Holsten Matt Siptroth William McKee Barbara Lewis Linda Zak Nancy Tully Eric Goins Vinzon Lee

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Roseanne Bottone Kimberly Blaker Kathy Dubin-Uhler Amy Leiser Suzanne McCool ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kristen Sebring

Th e Ar t of An dr ei Pr ot so uk

2 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

The information published in this magazine is believed to be accurate, but in some instances, may represent opinion or judgment. The publication’s providers do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information and shall not be held liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, by or from the information. © 2016 Pocono Magazines. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

We’ve always had confidence in St. Luke’s. Dr. John Brinker of St. Luke’s Monroe Family Practice has been our family physician for years. So, when we learned about the new St. Luke’s hospital coming to Monroe County, we were thrilled. It adds a level of comfort, especially when we need emergency care.

– Skip and Stacy Cassady of Stroudsburg with daughter Emma

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December 2016/January 2017

What’s Inside 6 A Christmas Memory

by Suzanne Fretz McCool

10 Staying Healthy & Happy During the Holidays

by Katie Filicky

12 Winter Exercise Guidelines for Pets 16 The Poconos are Just Ducky

by Katherine Dubin Uhler

24 Winter in the Poconos 40 The Poconos Outdoors 44 Follow the Road to Safe Winter Driving

48 Winter Activities

by Jamie Bowman

50 Celebrate the Holidays on Main Street

by Katie Filicky

52 Visiting the Deer Camps

by Boots McCoy

Cover photo by Dave Sandt

Photo: Pixabay.com DECEMBER JANUARY 2017 2017 POCONO POCONOLIVING LIVINGMAGAZINE MAGAZINE©© 55 DECEMBER 2016/ 2016/JANUARY

6 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

A Christmas Memory

by Suzanne Fretz McCool

MY MEMORY OF MONROE COUNTY (The Poconos) more than fifty years ago was of forests and farms and beautiful quiet country roads with very little traffic. Growing up in Paradise Township when my sisters and I were young, there were lots of woods filled with evergreens, birches and a variety of other trees, beautiful mountain laurel and lots of rhododendron. The kids in our neighborhood often played in the woods building forts, picking flowers or greens for wreaths, or just generally running around in them and often seeing deer or other wildlife.  Photo: freeimages.com DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 7

I especially remember one crisp, clear winter’s day. There had been a snowfall earlier that week. My sister, Paulette, and I headed out for a walk with our dad, John Fretz. Leafless snow-dusted branches made jagged silhouettes against the bluegray winter sky. We took the sled, my dad with an ax, and headed into the snowy woods behind our house. We were looking for a Christmas tree.

I was probably ten and Paulette was eight years old at the time. Pulling the American Flyer, Daddy broke a trail through the snowy woods with Paulette and me trudging behind. We were probably less than a half mile from the house but it seemed really far for our short little legs.

My dad quickly cut the tree and put it on the sled while Paulette and I held it on with our mittened hands. I was so excited because Christmas was my favorite time of the year, not just because of the magic of the season, but because December 25, is my birthday as well! Christmas carols from the record player and Mom greeted us as we dragged the tree up the steps, across the front porch and into the house. My mother had hot chocolate waiting for us and the smell of her freshly baked apple tart wafted through the air. Our cheeks were rosy from the cold as we headed to the fireplace where a cheerful fire was burning to warm our little hands and fingers. Soon the tree trimming would begin!

I recall that all was quiet and almost ethereal that day, the only sounds the plowing of the sled, branches snapping underfoot, and the occasional thump of snow falling from limbs and branches.

A rabbit scurried past our track and up ahead in a small clearing stood a doe who somehow avoided the hunters’ guns that year. A ricocheting branch stung Paulette’s cheek and Daddy leaned down and kissed it to make it better.

I will always remember this one perfect day in my life because within a few years from this day, my father would die from complications from surgery, and my mother would struggle to hold on to our home and to raise my sisters and me. She never remarried, but her youngest sister, our Aunt Audrey, would always be there to help and would always make Christmas special in our lives. P

Soon we saw what we were looking for – the most perfect Christmas tree on earth and just the right size for our living room, not too big or small – just right. In my mind’s eye I could already see it adorned and aglow with lights and tinsel and gaily colored balls and a shining star on top. We would put it in the front window, and it would sit in a big bucket of coal with my mother insisting it be secured with string because of the year our cats climbed the tree and knocked it over. That was when we lived at Airport Inn, my parent’s hotel in Mount Pocono, before we moved to Paradise Township.

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Shop On-Line too!

u’lloveeverymile Photo: Pixabay.com

This feature, and many others like it, may be found in the author’s recently released autobiography; Memoirs of Suzie Fretz McCool. Suzanne served as a Monroe County Commissioner for three terms from 2004 to 2015.

A delightful and memorable history of her family and the Poconos, it is available for $30.00 by contacting Suzanne at 570424-2363. 30% of the book sales will be donated to the Friends of Pleasant Valley Manor Gazebo Project.

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5&

TIPS

FOR STAYING HEALTHY

HAPPY DURING THE HOLIDAYS By: Katie Filicky

Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s— these are the times when we really want to feel our best. So we can celebrate the festivities and be fully present for our loved ones. Yet, like a snowsquall, the holidays can bring sudden challenges to our mental and physical wellness, from runny noses to anxiety attacks to weight gain. Here are five tips to help keep you and yours shinning bright throughout the season.

“Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.”

Create a “stress-free” zone in the house.

Traveling, scheduling, and gift shopping—this time of year can cause some major stress headaches. Designate an area in your home for total relaxation. Fill this space with healthy, go-to comforts like your favorite music, essential oil, prayer book, yoga mat, or herbal tea. Decorate with phrases like “you are now entering the stress free zone” as a reminder.

Use this place of tranquility when needed to catch your breath and clear your mind. Don’t forget to put the “do not disturb” sign on the door.

“Cooking with love provides food for the soul.”

Prep and plan healthy snacks together.

Fruits and vegetables are gifts from nature packed with antioxidants, which can help boost immunity against the 10 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

physical and mental challenges we face during the winter.

Incorporating them into daily snacks is a good way to help meet your dietary needs. Make a snack plan for the week and designate time for prep (washing, cutting, and storing).

This way you will have a refrigerator full of healthy snacks to grab on the go during the busy times.

“One kind word can change someone’s entire day.”

Cultivate kindness and help one another.

The holidays are a time of togetherness and celebration; however, depression and increases during the season. Keep an eye out for signs of depression among your loved ones.

Include those co-workers or neighbors who are alone in your festivities. Whether it’s time spent together or simply a holiday card left on their doorstep, you could be the one who brought them that ever-so needed holiday cheer.

About the writer...

Katie Filicky is a full time resident in the Poconos.

Her writing has appeared in Visit Poconos, Pittsburgh Post -Gazette, Pittsburgh City Paper, Chicago Now, and Carlow University's anthology, Voices in the Attic, Vol. XX. Her manuscript is being submitted for publication.

Visit katiefilicky.com for more information.

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“A family that exercises together stays together.”

Buddy-up to maintain (not gain) weight during this holiday season. Slices of nut roll, thumbprint cookies, and candy canes—this time of year is one of the easiest times to pack on the pounds. Don’t throw in the towel and waste all the hard work you did over the summer. And don’t wait until January to sweat off those treats. Buddy-up now with a loved one to help you stay on track.

“Buttons are to keep people warm.”

-Ruth Krauss, A Hole is to Dig Act proactively rather than reactively to illness and injury.

While some things are unavoidable, there’s plenty you can do to minimize risks of catching the flu or falling on ice. Wash your hands, stay warm, and watch your step— the tired but true—secrets to surviving the winter. When cooking, avoid cross contamination (when harmful bacteria or allergens spread to food).

Lastly, one of best remedies for continued health and happiness is to get plenty of restful sleep during the night.

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“With a few simple training tricks—and the right attire—pet parents can teach animal companions to be much more enthusiastic about playing outdoors in winter,” says ASPCA Animal Trainer Kristen Collins.

3 Offer your pet special treats during outdoor excursions. While on a brisk walk, pop something delicious into her mouth every now and then—or feed her breakfast by hand while outdoors.

4

Winter is a great time to enroll in indoor training classes. Sports like agility and flyball are often taught in heated facilities and are excellent exercise for the canine body and mind—and you’ll enjoy them, too!

6 Photo: Pixabay.com

1 Entice your pooch with off-leash exercise sessions, playing tug or fetch, or romping with canine buddies—the more aerobic the activity, the warmer the dog will be.

2

If your dog’s playing off-leash, you can use treats to reward her for fetching toys—even if you usually don’t have to. The extra incentive might further spark her interest in the great (and chilly!) outdoors.

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Walk your pet in wooded areas during the winter months. The forest not only provides protection from wind, but the rich smells, sights and sounds can be infinitely interesting for dogs to investigate, distracting them from chilly temperatures.

7

Many dogs dislike going outside during winter because snow, salt and chemical de-icers hurt their paws. Canine booties can protect paws, while keeping them warm— and disposable latex boots are available for dogs who don’t like the feel of thicker boots.

Musher’s Secret, a waxy substance that you can apply to your dog’s paws, can be an effective alternative to booties for protecting toes and paw pads in snow and ice.

8 Getting your dog to play outside may simply be a matter of keeping her warm: Dress puppies—who don’t have as much body fat as adults—in a coat or sweater.

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Get waterproof gear for wet days.

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Invest in a well-fitting coat that covers your dog’s back and underside. (Fleece is nice!)

Staying warm during winter takes more energy, so increased food intake may be necessary. Good body condition means you can feel, but not see, your dog’s bones.

If you can see his spine, hips and ribs, then he’s too thin and you should talk to your veterinarian about increasing his food intake.

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If you’ve tried everything and your dog still seems miserable when you take her outside, provide extra exercise indoors by playing games that involve physical exertion, like tug-of-war.

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Help your dog expend mental energy by feeding her meals in food-puzzle toys, giving her plenty of things to chew, teaching her new tricks and playing interactive games like hideand-seek.

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Make sure your dog has access to shelter and water at all times. And please remember, if you’re cold, your dog probably is, too, and it’s time to come home. P

DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 15

The Poconos are Just Ducky

by Katherine Dubin Uhler 16 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

Photo: Veronica Murray

It’s a funny thing, how we can grow up seeing things, but not really seeing them.

Most of us have spent time at a “duck pond”, tossing bread and giggling at the resulting feeding frenzy. We haven’t taken much time to think about these birds, the many kinds, the varied ways they go about living their lives, and how they impact us. My nephew Joshua, when he was four, recognized the uniqueness of ducks by noticing that they were the only creatures that could swim, walk AND fly.

they had been removed from the nest by a homeowner who had a swimming pool but no other water nearby and the person did not want baby ducks in the pool. He or she was kind enough to wait until the eggs had been incubated for approximately 25 days, then dropped them off in a box with a hot water bottle to keep the eggs warm. Luckily, we do have a small egg incubator and successfully hatched all nine! Watching bird eggs hatch is an amazing event. The baby bird has an “egg tooth” with which it cuts an almost perfect circle around the egg, allowing it to climb out, dry off, and with an hour or two to rest, begin to eat and drink on its own. 

I guess that is pretty special.

The most common duck we see and care for at the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation Center is the Mallard Duck. The male mallard, called a drake, is a handsome bird, especially during the mating season. The head is iridescent green with blue highlights, his bill yellow and his chest a warm chestnut.

The hen is less dramatic, but her markings are intricate and more well-suited to sitting wellcamouflaged on a nest for nearly a month. She has perfectly outlined feathers with blue patches in her wings.

We had a record-breaking year for mallard ducklings here at the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, raising more than fifty to release. One clutch of nine hadn’t even hatched. According to the note accompanying the eggs,

Photo: Veronica Murray

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A dapper wood duck drake is pictured to the left, with three wood ducklings in photo above.

The merganser ducklings have huge appetites for tiny feeder fish.

Merganser hen with ducklings Photo: Pixabay.com

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Another three clutches were “storm drain” rescues. You see these on the TV news, and it looks oh so easy…but let me tell you…Eric and I almost NEVER have time to go out and rescue animals. They nearly always are brought to us either by the public, or by one of our few trained amazing “capture and transport” volunteers.

This time it was our turn. A couple called describing a mallard duck desperately running from storm drain to storm drain where her babies had fallen and wandered from one pipe into another, and another. Gathering nets and pet carriers we drove into a lovely neighborhood in South Stroudsburg where, just as described, the poor mother was running from one grate to the other in an attempt to coax her helpless ducklings from the pipes.

These are the things they don’t show on the news.

First, the grates must be pried up with large prybars by very strong people. It was Sunday and contacting anyone from the municipality was not going to happen. Luckily, the Stroud Area Regional Police are becoming wellknown for their assistance with animal problems, and they came to our aid.

Using a heavy crowbar, they pried the drain open. Wonderful! Just catch the little guys and a picture perfect rescue,

right? Wrong! Storm drains are not dead-ends.

They interconnect, and the frightened ducklings ran from drain to drain avoiding eye contact with us. In the end, three grates were raised, and it took an hour to wait silently as each duckling peered out far enough to be captured in a net. Great! Now mom is supposed to be reunited with babies and swim off into the sunset.

Again– wrong! Not only was there no water nearby, but mom flew off leaving her ducklings in the dust, so to speak. So, we raised another brood.

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WOOD DUCKS are, in my opinion, the most beautiful nesting ducks in northeastern PA. They are shy, don’t hang out in flocks, or generally wait for bread handouts at public parks.

He is dapper. At first glance, the drake looks like a mallard, with its green head and chestnut breast.

But he has a crest and white feathers outlining his forehead, earline and neck. His eyes are red as is the base of his beak. His chest is a ruddy chestnut, rich and deeply colored.

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He looks unreal. The hen is more drab, but her markings are subtly beautiful. What makes wood ducks really cool is that they nest off the ground in tree cavities DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 19

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or in human-made duck boxes. It is very safe from predators, and a cozy warm place to incubate eggs. However, there is a catch. When the babies hatch, they cannot yet fly, and so must leap from their home to the ground, which may be thirty or so feet. Luckily, they bounce!

You can tell a wood duckling from a mallard by the red tip on the bill of the woodie and also its eye stripe begins behind the eye, where in mallards the stripe runs through the eye. They also have black feet.

Wood ducklings require more care than mallards.

Keep mallards warm and clean, provide game bird starter, shallow water dishes, and a feather duster for “momma comfort” and they thrive.

Woodies live like pogo sticks. They hop and hop and hop, unwilling to eat or drink until their psychological needs are met. We meet this by placing woodies with mallards and the mallards make everything “just cool.” Once in a while I

hear of a nest of woodies getting ready to hatch and we can toss in one or two hatchlings and mom will adopt them.

MERGANSER babies are very endearing, but pinch the budget with their huge appetites for tiny feeder fish. Most people finding them do not realize that they aren’t mallards and wonder why they aren’t interested in eating baby duck food. 

Red-breasted Merganser Photo: Pixabay.com

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 21

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There are other ducks we get treat here from time to time, and some get into trouble as adults. In the wintertime, waterfowl that dive, such as LOONS and GREBES have special problems.

Their legs are so far back on their bodies to enable them to propel themselves downward when diving for food, that they do not walk well on land, and cannot take off without running across open water. If they land on an icy parking lot or on a frozen lake, they are literally “sitting ducks” unless they can be taken to open water.

The call comes in as a person having found “a duck with two broken legs”, since it cannot walk well on land, let alone on ice.

Following treatment for abrasions, cuts and maybe frostbite, and a few good meals of live minnows (thanks to Woehrle’s Bait Shop in Mt. Pocono) they can be released onto the Delaware River in an ice-free section. We love our native ducks here at the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, and we hope you enjoy them too! P

Katherine Uhler lives with her husband, Eric, in Cherry Valley, Monroe County. An MS in Wildlife Biology was earned at East Stroudsburg University of PA. She teaches high school Ecology and Bioethics at Stroudsburg High School, and received her license to rehabilitate wildlife in 1982. Her work has been recognized by her receipt of Conservation Educator of the Year both in PA and in Monroe County as well as receiving the Humane Educator of the Year award for PA.

Common Loon Photo: Pixabay.com

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 23

WINTER

in the Poconos

Above: 2015 Ice Harvest at Quiet Valley, Deb DiPasquale Top left: Indian Head in the Gap, James Chesnick Bottom left: Inquisitive Mallard, Marlana Holsten

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Top: Wintertime on the Farm, Dave Sandt Left: Watchful Eagle, Marlana Holsten Above, right: Frozen Swamp, James Chesnick Facing page: Magnificent Buck, James Chesnick

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Frozen Field, Veronica Murray 28 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017

DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 29

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Old Barn on a Winter Morning, Dave Sandt

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32 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

WINTER

in the Poconos

Above: Winter Spring House, Marlana Holsten Left: Winter Falls, Doug McNeil

DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 33

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Above: Frozen Barberries, James Chesnick Right: Winter in the River Valley, Marlana Holsten

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570-421-7700 www.StroudTVandAppliances.com 34 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

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Ice Jam on the Delaware, James Chesnick

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The Nature Conservancy announces aquisition of Cherry Valley Golf Course

A groundbreaking restoration project will benefit nature, water quality and the local economy.

THE NATURE CONSERVANCY announced in November that it intends to acquire the 193-acre Cherry Valley Golf Course.

Upon closing, the Conservancy will transfer the property, as a gift, to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to become part of the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

38 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

The announcement came a day after the ESSA Bank and Trust Foundation expressed support for the project in honor of the bank’s 100th anniversary.

“We are glad the Conservancy spearheaded this project and leveraged funds from many partners,” said Suzie Farley, Executive Director of the ESSA Bank and Trust Foundation. “ESSA Bank and Trust has invested in this community since 1916. This project to preserve green space that remains since the last century made it a meaningful cause to support in light of our centennial celebration and is absolutely the right thing to do.”

Nestled within the Pocono Mountains and located in Smithfield and Stroud townships, Monroe County, the golf course boasts a significant amount of healthy

forestland. Cherry Creek, a highquality stream, bisects the property.

The potential for reintroducing native wildlife habitat, including American chestnut trees, and its proximity to other protected areas is what attracted the Conservancy to the project.

“The project represents the same kind of partnership—with communities, government agencies, non-profits, private foundations and individual supporters—that formed to establish the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge in 2008,” says Bill Kunze, Executive Director of the Conservancy’s Pennsylvania Chapter. “We are glad to lead the effort to add this iconic property to the Refuge.”

After the transfer of ownership, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to convert the current clubhouse

into a headquarters and visitor’s center for the Refuge. The Service also plans to establish a trail system and restore Cherry Creek before opening both to the public for hiking and fishing. Plans also include transforming greens and fairways into native habitat to attract species found within the broader Refuge including bats, bald eagles and other birds of prey, fresh water mussels, wildflowers and migratory birds.

“The Open Space Institute was glad to support this project through our Delaware River Watershed Protection Fund, which is made possible with funding from the William Penn Foundation," said Executive Vice President Peter Howell. "Restoring forest around this portion of Cherry Creek will play an important role in filtering and recharging waters flowing into the Delaware that supply drinking water to downstream users."

Adding this parcel to the Refuge involved an 18-month fundraising campaign jump-started with a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund.

“The importance of this almost 200-acre addition to the Refuge drives home the value of our long-time partnerships with The Nature Conservancy and other conservancies across the state,” said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. “With this acreage comes invaluable watershed and wildlife habitat protection, and enhancement of an area this department already had deemed most unique with its Pocono

Forests and Waters Landscape designation. DCNR is proud to be a key player in the process.”

The DCNR grant attracted broad support from private foundations, public agencies, non-profit organizations and private donors eager to leverage that funding to raise the $1.7 million required for the purchase.

“This project serves as a great example of how partners with limited resources can work together to achieve meaningful goals,” said Michael Horne, Ph.D., Manager at the Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge. “We look forward to achieving the partners’ shared vision and the access that it will provide to visitors.”

dedicated more than $100 million to conserving nearly 30,000 acres connecting existing conservation lands available for public use.

“We are pleased to use a portion of the county’s hotel tax allocation toward acquisition of the Cherry Valley Golf Course because it meets all the goals set out in our comprehensive plan,” adds Moyer.

Moyer’s sentiments mirror many partners who found the project attractive due to the benefit it would offer people seeking the diverse recreational opportunities that will be offered there. It also comes with economic benefits for local communities. In fact, across the country, the Service’s 553 Refuges provide thousands of jobs and generate more than a billion dollars every year.

“Stroud Township is pleased to dedicate a portion of an earned income tax fund, approved by voters, for a conservation project like this,” says Edward Cramer, Chairman of the Stroud Township Supervisors. “It will bring many benefits to wildlife and people who live in and visit our rapidly developing community.”

The project also benefited from a grassroots fundraising campaign that included a pig roast at a neighboring property and an internet campaign spearheaded

by Friends of Cherry Valley, a local conservation group.

“This project reflects a vision by leaders who recognize the need to conserve and protect our natural resources,” said Monroe County Commissioner John Moyer, who adds that the acquisition falls in line with Monroe 2030, the County’s comprehensive plan which, with matching grants, has

Bud Cook, the Conservancy manager spearheading the project, highlighted the partners and donors, “Beyond the important goal of conserving and restoring wildlife habitat in one of Pennsylvania’s special places, it’s gratifying to see so many people and organizations working together to make great things happen.” P

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 39

The Poconos Outdoors Thursdays, December 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 FRIENDS OF BELTZVILLE STATE PARK - WALKING GROUP 11 AM - These free weekly walks will be 1 hour. Please wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes and bring water. An opportunity to enjoy nature in the company of other adults without the distraction of cell phones and children. Rain will cancel walks. This program is lead by volunteers. If a volunteer is not present, please walk on your own.

Check out our Friends Group. We meet the First Monday of each month. · Walking is greatly beneficial for the body and mind. · Walking in nature promotes total health, both physical and mental · Regular walking can have a tremendous positive impact on overall health and well-being. MEET: Beltzville State Park - EIC Parking Lot. Beltzville State Park, 2100-2196 Pohopoco Drive, Lehighton, PA 18235

Saturday, December 10 HIKE MT NEBO 10 AM-2 PM: Hike the Mt. Nebo area: Typically around the hill and the lake and up into the surrounding area.

Call Bob Wacker to register 570629-5293.Organized by the Pocono Outdoor Club, poconooutdoorclub.org

Saturday, December 3 DELAWARE HIGHLANDS CONSERVANCY 9am-1pm, Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy for an overview of the EAGLE WATCH volunteer program followed by visits to monitoring sites. The winter Eagle Watch program runs through January and February, weekends only. Volunteers cover morning or afternoon shifts. Main monitoring areas are Mongaup Reservoir and the Delaware River at Minisink Falls and the Zane Grey boat launch at Lackawaxen. Volunteers are also needed to help staff our field office on weekends. On site, volunteers collect data on wintering eagles and resident pairs, and educate the public in “Eagle Etiquette” and how to have the best eagle watching experience. Volunteers are also needed to help staff booths, do workshops, and participate in other eagle-related events.

To register or for more information, email jason@delawarehighlands. org or call 570-226-3164 ext. 6.

Event Location, Upper Delaware Visitor Center, 176 Scenic Drive, Lackawaxen, PA 18435. www. delawarehighlands.org WINTER ECOLOGY HIKE 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM Learn how different plants & animals survive the winter. Join us for a hike and experience PEEC in the wintertime. Pocono Environmental Education Center, 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328. www. peec.org

Photo: Marlana Holsten

40 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

Catering

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Angels Cafe` &

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DINING IN THE POCONOS

Join us at the Cinder for our fantastic Lunch Specials

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42 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017

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Route 209 South | Kresgeville 610-681-4482 | CherrysFamilyRestaurant.com DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 43

Follow the road to safe winter driving FROM LOWER AIR TEMPERATURES and falling snow to icy roads and even reduced visibility due to fewer daylight hours, winter driving poses a number of challenges. While you can’t change the driving conditions, you can help ensure your vehicle is prepared to navigate them safely.

Photo: Maritza McFaline, Content: ARA

44 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

Consider the following tips for getting your car in shape before colder temperatures hit:

❄

MAXIMIZE your visibility. Replace worn wiper blades - generally, they should

be replaced every six months - and ensure that your heater and defroster are working properly to aid in window clearing. Before you start driving, always remove all snow and ice from the hood, roof and trunk surfaces of your vehicle, not just the windshield, and defrost all windows.

❄

CHECK your tire pressure. Recommended tire pressures for your car can usually

be found on the inside of your driver’s-side door frame. Properly inflated tires will help ensure you have the best traction possible on wet or icy roads.

Have a professional check the tire pressure often, as tires lose approximately one pound per square inch of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature drop.

❄

PREVENT fluid freezing. A variety of fluids are needed to keep your car running

efficiently, and require different techniques to prevent them from freezing. Fill your windshield washer reservoir with a winter-rated washing solution. Keep your gas tank as full as possible.

Have a shop check for your manufacturer’s recommended mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator.

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 45

❄

LIGHT the way. Make sure your headlights, taillights and turn

signals are all in working order. Clear them of snow each time you drive. If driving in fog, heavy rain or snow, be sure to not overdrive the beams of your headlights.

Drive at a speed that keeps you within your field of vision.

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INVEST in preventive maintenance. Consult your

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preventive maintenance according to the odometer reading you’re approaching. If an oil change is called for, make sure you receive oil with the correct viscosity for your vehicle at this time of year. Oil tends to thicken as it gets colder, and oil that’s too thick won’t do its job properly.

❄

EXAMINE under the hood. Have a shop take a look at your belts and

hoses and test the battery. Battery cables should be properly connected and free of corrosion or harsh wear and tear. If they’re not, fix them now.

PoconoFourWheelDrive.com

46 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

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CONSIDER putting on snow tires.

If you live in an area that’s prone

to heavy snow, particularly if you have

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PACK an emergency kit in your car. Even the well-maintained car

can get stranded in deep snow or inclement weather. Some things you might want to keep in the car: blankets, first aid kit, windshield scraper, jumper cables, safety goggles, small shovel, bag of sand or cat litter or even tire chains for traction, tool kit, waterproof matches, highway flares, brightly colored cloth or “help” sign, bottled water and energy bars.

❄

PLAN extra driving time. Whether it’s rainy, snowy or icy, your car is

at risk of hydroplaning, slipping or sliding if

Ken’s Auto Service Center Quality Repair

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DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 47

We offer a variety of training programs & special events!

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SNYDER SHOES

OH THE WEATHER OUTSIDE is frightful, but the fire is so delightful. And since we’ve no place to go…wait a minute!

There are tons of things to see and do in the Pocono Mountains this time of year.

Yes, let it snow, but we have places to go!

& Shoe Repair

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48 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

Jamie Bowman is a freelance writer, Penn State graduate, and lifelong resident of the Poconos. A teacher by day and a writer by night, Jamie spends her free time running and cheering for the Nittany Lions on game day.

ARE VISIONS OF SUGAR PLUMS dancing in your head? Satisfy your sweet tooth with a visit to Callie’s Pretzel Factory in Cresco to see how candy canes are made. Demonstrations take place every Saturday and Sunday at 2PM through December 18th. By the way, admission and samples are FREE!

EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS at the Pocono Environmental Education Center on Saturday, December 3rd. Bring the whole family for a hike from 1-3PM and learn how various plant and animal life survive the cold, Pocono winters. PEEC members hike for free, while the cost for non-members is just $5 per person.

DON’T MISS HAWLEY’S 18TH ANNUAL WINTERFEST WEEKEND December 9th-11th. Take part in a variety of seasonal activities, including ice carving and gingerbread decorating. Enjoy tasty holiday treats, festive music, and home tours as you explore the quaint town of Hawley. Visiting from out of town? Special rates and packages are available for the weekend at several local establishments, including The Settlers Inn and Woodloch Resort.

IF YOU PREFER TO WATCH THE SNOW FALL from a cozy, warm place, you’ll love Kalahari Resorts & Conventions. Pamper yourself at the spa or spend a day splashing around in the indoor waterpark. (Did I mention there’s a swim-up bar?) Don’t forget to check out the 30,000 square foot arcade where you can play miniature Photo: Marlana Holsten

golf year round. You’ll have so much fun at Kalahari that you’ll want to spend the night. Keep an eye out for spa specials and reduced room rates and book your “staycation!”

GET INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT every Friday,

THIS DECEMBER, THE SHAWNEE PLAYHOUSE

Saturday, and Sunday through December 25th at Pocono

presents the holiday classic, The Nutcracker Ballet. At

Manor’s Magical Fireside Christmas. Pocono Manor offers

The Shawnee Playhouse you’ll experience top-notch

a wide array of family-friendly activities each weekend,

performances at an affordable price. The full version and

including ornament making, holiday light displays, and

the children’s version of The Nutcracker are featured

a life-sized gingerbread house. Visit Santa’s Workshop

on select dates December 2nd-23rd. Tickets can be

for photos with Saint Nick and his elves, then venture

purchased in advance online or at the door. Visit www.

outdoors for a live deer feeding with Rudolph and the

theshawneeplayhouse.com for dates, times, and ticket

gang. Warm up with a cup of hot cocoa after dashing

prices.

through the snow on a sleigh ride. Admission is just $10 and children age 4 and under are free. Pocono Manor is

No matter how you choose to spend your days in this winter

also collecting Toys for Tots, so bring an unwrapped gift if

wonderland known as the Pocono Mountains, remember - it’s the

you’d like to help make a child’s Christmas special.

most wonderful time of the year! P

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 49

Photo: Pixabay.com

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www.DreherInsurance.com 50 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017

THERE IS PLENTY OF JOY to discover in downtown Stroudsburg during the holiday season. Like a brisk evening walk, snuggling close to your loved ones, sipping on a warm cup of hot chocolate. All while the festive décor illuminates the trees and storefronts.

You just might find a group of carolers singing. Yet even the tiniest delights take time and money— two things that often run low during the holidays.

Share the simple joys of the season— without over spending— with these four tips.

1.

SHOP SMART WITH REWARD PROGRAMS

If you are going to spend this season, why not earn cash back?

Designate a credit card with a cash back reward program for your holiday purchases. Many credit cards offer anywhere from 1% to 5% cash back on purchases. This means if you spend $1,000 in one month, you will receive anywhere from $10.00- $50.00 cash back. Most programs allow you to transfer earned cash back toward the credit card balance.

Before you start swiping, establish a budget, read the rules, and plan accordingly. A smart spending budget means a credit card bill you can pay off every month to avoid interest fees. To maximize your spending, know what purchases qualify for the most cash back in the reward program.

2. VISIT DURING OFF-PEAK TIMES

Located in Eagle Valley Mall, East Stroudsburg (at the intersection of Rtes. 447 & 209) Behind PNC Bank

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Long lines and wait times can suck the holiday cheer from even the most festive soul. Take advantage of off-peak shopping times to preserve your patience. Typically, the best

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times to avoid the rush are early in the morning and during the week. If you can’t go during the week, try the early hours on the weekend. Also, many stores in Stroudsburg have extended holiday hours. These times are often a good time to go, too.

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3. AVOID PARKING FEES Parking fees, parking tickets, and towing bills are the last things we want to spend money on, especially during the holidays. The best way to avoid them is to visit Main Street on Sunday or after 6pm when parking is free. Or car pool with a friend and spilt the modest cost of meter parking. One quarter gets you 30 minutes. The meters only take quarters and dimes, so make sure to stock your coin purse. It’s always best to over-estimate your time. Just one extra quarter or two may

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prevent that moment when you see paper flapping on your windshield.

4. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF GIFT WRAPPING SERVICES

Typically, some of the stores on Main Street offer free giftwrapping service with purchase. While this might seem like an extra step when you are shopping, it will save you time later on. When you have a pile of bare gifts on the floor, wrapping paper stuck to your fingers, and ink on your hands. Those one or two pre-wrapped gifts, sitting in the corner ready to go,

Katie Filicky is a full time resident in the Poconos. Her writing has appeared in Visit Poconos, Pittsburgh Post -Gazette, Pittsburgh City Paper, Chicago Now, and Carlow University's anthology, Voices in the Attic, Vol. XX. Her manuscript is being submitted for publication. Visit katiefilicky.com for more information.

might just bring you an ever so needed sense of relief.

DECEMBER 2016/ JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 51

But, it sure do make fer some congenial visitin’ to swap tall tales of huntin’ & fishin’, and tell other assorted lies, with these good ole boys. And, while I’m at these here camps, I always do a little horse tradin’. You know, my moonshine or applejack fer some bullets, bacon or hides. Anythin’ that might come in handy over the winter.

VISITING THE DEER CAMPS

By Boots McCoy Hi Folks, how it’s been going?

Right now I want to tell ya all ‘bout a little journey that I make every year.

‘Round ‘bout the middle of December, the Pennsylvany big game huntin’ seasons are a comin’ to a close. When that happens, it makes fer a good time to go visitin’ some of the deer camps in my neck of the woods to see how the gangs fared, and do a little tradin’ at the same time.

‘Though my cabin is the only one here on the lake, there’s many more cabins & camps ‘bout 5 miles to the North, as the old crow flies, on the state game lands in Pike County.

Most of them cabins & camps were built during the great depression of the `30’s by the CCC boys. Today, many are rented from the state by guys who use them as huntin’ & fishin’ clubs.

These guys usually all meet at these camps the same time each year fer huntin’ season. Leavin’ their cranky ole wives fer a few weeks to hang out with the boys. Many of these fine fellas show up at camp each year all decked out in their Woolrich Red & Black plaid huntin’ jackets and britches, commonly referred to as “The Pennsylvany Tuxedo”.

At near every cabin there’s always a “camp boss”, a “camp cook”, and of course, a “camp nit-wit”…. so more ‘bout ‘em later.

52 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017

The quickest way fer me and Ginger (my Golden Retriever) to git to these camps is to head off cross country thru the woods and swamps on foot. It takes me and her the better part of a day so we always ask to stay at the camps overnight as quests.

So, at the crack of dawn on a cold winter’s morn, we stuff the pack basket with trade goods, pull on the wool mackinaw, shoulder the .32 Winchester Special, lash on the snow shoes and strike out thru the hardwoods a headin’ due north. Some years there’s snow, some years not, but we take what we gits in stride and keeps a travlin’ along.

The goin’ does git kinda tough however when we run into the “Dead Man’s Ghost Swamp”, which is thick with peat, red brush and tumblehomes. This here swamp is so named ‘cause sometime during the American Revolution a British Spy was caught and thrown in there after receiving some “justice” from a few of my patriot ancestors during the revolution. They say his body was never found, and his ghost still haunts the swamp to this day. But I think it’s all just a bunch of crap.

Yet, the swamp is a treacherous place.

Full of snakes, bears, badgers, cougars and other unsavory critters. And if’n you’re not careful, it’s easy to get turned around in. So I just let Ginger lead ‘cause her nose knows the way. We comes out of it after ‘bout an hour and then it’s clear sailin’ thru the hemlocks to the first camp.

The first camp we come to is called the “Dew Drop Inn” and it’s run by a camp boss named “Sasquatch Sam”. He is one mean, old, ugly codger and covered with long smelly hair from head to toe, hence the name “Sas-

quatch”. But, he’s a damn straight shooter and runs a damn tight camp and there’s always meat on the board when I git there.

The camp cook there is called “Crazy Hatchet Jack”. So named ‘cause he uses a hatchet to butcher his meat instead of a knife. No fancy cuts from this cookie, just big venison & bear roasts on the table. And, he can be a little crackers at times, especially when he gits into my moonshine. One time after drinkin’ a few gallons he was so damn drunk that he whacked off his left thumb with the hatchet while cuttin’ up meat fer supper. Anyways, he just threw it into the grinder along with the rest of the hamburger meat we were havin’ fer supper that nite.

The camp nit-wit here is “Fuzz-Nuts”, and we won’t go into how he got that name, but he’s kinda strange too! I spend the night as their guest, and me and Ginger get the best bunk in the cabin close to the wood stove.

Next day, after our tradin’ is done here, we head out on down the trail to one of our fav’rite camps. This one is called “The Stumble Inn”, because most of these guys are always so drunk they can’t walk or talk straight. And there ain’t much meat here either, ‘cause these boys never sober up long enough to go huntin’ to git any meat. The camp boss, a tee- totaler called “Preacher Tom” is always yellin’ and a screamin’ at these guys to put their guns away until they sober up. But, they already got the camp all shot full of holes, so it really takes a tough boss just to keep this bunch of misfits from shootin’ each other.

We all have a good time nonetheless, and when tradin’ with this bunch I usually come out ahead, ‘cause they can’t count right when they’re drunk. Some of ‘em can’t even count right when they’re sober.

And ever since “Crazy Hatchet Jack” whacked off his thumb with the hatchet, he can only count up to 4 now ‘cause that’s all the fingers he has left.

The last camp me and Ginger visit is one called the “Wiggle Inn”. That’s because it’s owned by a bunch of fat guys that are so big they have to “wiggle” thru the front door, and the door is 4 feet wide. The camp boss here is “Ferocious Frank ‘Madman’ Kelly”. He’s part Irish, part French, part Injun, part Wolf and some other parts nobody can figure out.

He’s big, ugly, dumb and mean as hell but can shoot the tail off a squirrel at 100 paces with his old .50 caliber Hawken Flintlock. He makes fur coats out of the squirrel’s tails and sells them to city slickers for a small fortune telling them its mink stoles. Damn fools.

Over the next few days, we visit several more camps and wrap up our tradin’ before headin’ back to our own camp on the lake.

It’s a simple life for us, but a good one.

You all have a nice Christmas!

And remember, if you’re lucky enough to live in the mountains’, you’re lucky enough!

Boots

Illustrations by Bruce Hutchison Boots McCoy is a Pocono native and lives in a log cabin deep in the woods of Canadensis with his dog, “Ginger.” He spends most of his time hunting and fishing, but sometimes when he gets into the homemade whisky from his still, he takes naps that last for three days and nights.

DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 53

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