February/March 2014

“A Pocono Winter” Photography Feature

Pocono Living M A G A Z I N E©

is published bi-monthly in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania by

Pocono Magazines, LLC. 1929 North Fifth Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-424-1000 pmags@ptd.net PUBLISHER/EDITOR Larry R. Sebring CREATIVE DIRECTOR/EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Barbara McMahon ASSISTANT CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jane Cumberland WEB DESIGN/DIGITAL ISSUES Graphicus Design, LLC

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Amanda Belanger Jordan D. Lewis

CONSULTANTS Dr. Jonathan A. Goldner, DO, FCCP, FCCM Suzanne F. McCool, M.C. Commissioner

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART Andrea Rimberg Andrei Protsouk Doug McNeill Jordan D. Lewis James Chesnick James Smeltz Marlana Holsten Matt Siptroth Vinzon Lee

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Brian Hardiman Dr. Jonathan Goldner Kathy Dubin-Uhler Pete Pappalardo Amy Leiser Suzanne McCool ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Mandy Cunard DISTRIBUTION Mike Shepard

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JACOB STROUD CORPORATION

Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau 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 amy of the information and shall not be held liable for any loss or damage, directly or indirectly, by or from the information. © 2013 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.

2 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

www.graceparkseniorliving.com

February/March 2014

What’s Inside 6 A Different Kind of Love

by Katherine Uhler

8 Tips to Prepare for Winter Weather Emergencies 10 Classic, Comforting Soup 14 Help Protect Wildlife in Your Own Backyard 18 Gameday Party Tips for Football Fans 23 February & March at Pocono Environmental Education Center

26 Programs at Stroud Region Open Space 30 Winter Exercise Guidelines for Your Pet 34 February & March at Monroe County Environmental Education Center

36 Making Maple Syrup

by Boots McCoy

Our cover features a white-tailed deer in the snowy Pocono woods.

Photo by Marlana Holsten

photo: James Chesnick FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 2014 POCONO POCONO LIVING LIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE©© 33 FEBRUARY/MARCH

A Different Kind of Love

BY KATHERINE UHLER, POCONO WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AND EDUCATION CENTER

E

very year we are privileged to care for many, many animals. I am often asked what my favorite is, and, although I love most species of animals from reptiles to birds to mammals, there have always been several that I could answer that either fascinate me just a little more, have endearing or interesting qualities or something that just gives them a unique quality..... but this summer I can say, unequivocally, that my favorite animals are now bears.

In April of 2010, we received two very small cubs, just under 10 pounds each, a brother and sister, that were found by members of the public wandering separately within a 1⠄4 mile of each other. Handled and even publicly displayed, they were retrieved and delivered to the PWRC by Troy and Nancie Schoeneberger, our capture and transport volunteers. They were stabilized, fed well to begin regaining weight and were then removed by the PA Game Commission in order to attempt to foster them with another 4 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEŠ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

sow with cubs. A daring, and not-always- successful method, post-den fostering is a “better than nothing” attempt at allowing cubs a second chance for life in the wild, but most sows are not that accepting of foreign cubs once the denning season is over. We would find that out six weeks later, when the little male cub, emaciated and wandering for weeks, was hit by a car and killed. His sister was found in someone’s back yard, weighing what she did six weeks prior…skin and bones. The Wildlife Conservation Officer responding to that call met us (we just happened to be within ten minutes away while running an errand in Pike Cty) and the little sow cub was back in our hands. We know it was the same cub- she had been ear- tagged by the PGC upon her initial release.

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Soon after the first two cubs left us, a sow was hit by a car and had to be euthanized by the Conservation officer.

Her two cubs, also a male and female, scrambled up a tree. A construction worker retrieved them and the pair was delivered to the PWRC. They cried all night. Yes, bear cubs cry, they grieve, and they get lonely. Their comfort, however, does not lie with us, it lies in providing them with a cozy private place with natural scents, darkness, and quiet, and the comfort of each other. Once they quieted down and began to eat, they were released into our stockade bear pen.

Within a few weeks in June of the two bears’ arrival, another sow became the victim of a vehicle and her triplets were now orphaned. On his own time, the Conservation Officer and his deputy delivered the cubs and they joined our other two in the bear enclosure. Five cubs all under 25 pounds were now running, playing, climbing, eating, sleeping and swimming in an enclosure built for 2-3 cubs.

A week after all five cubs were settled in, the little girl cub from April was back in our care. Alone for maybe five weeks, she had managed to survive, but weighed only 10 pounds, about the same as she did six weeks earlier. She was weak and thin, but ate well and within a week was ready to join the other cubs. Would she be accepted? Would she get her share of food? Our enclosure is purposely built to provide as hands-off an experience as wildlife can get. Water for drinking and bathing is controlled from outside the pen. We entered twice a day, morning and evening, to put food in, and take leftovers and excrement out. There is an artificial den in the pen and all the bears would hide during the time we were working inside. A three by four foot one-way glass allowed us to watch the cubs without their knowledge, but if a problem arose, it would be very difficult with this handsoff approach to raising the cubs, to do much about it. I continued on next page FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 5

contacted several nationally-known bear rehabilitation facilities, and learned that the little female should be introduced with no problems at all. We took a deep breath, and in she went, with her new siblings that weighed more than twice her meager 12 or 13 pounds.

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“Little girl” bear not only was accepted by her new siblings, she was coddled and spoiled by them. She ate what she wanted, jumped all over them, and was given what seemed to us to be preferential treatment and tolerance. Now, with six bears in a relatively small enclosure, the main tasks were feeding, cleaning the pen and bathing and drinking containers, and monitoring their growth and behavior without having any contact with them at all. By far the biggest task was feeding... and six growing cubs needed lots of calories. Normally, mainly natural foods are provided for wildlife at the PWRC, but there was an eventual finish line for these bears, and we were approaching it quickly. Despite the protocol utilized by all the large and recognized bear rehab centers to release cubs in autumn or even hibernating them, ours were given a release date in August. In the wild, cubs stay with their mothers until the spring of their second year, but they certainly CAN survive if they lose their mother before winter. The biggest struggles are not the lack of a mother to provide food, but rather, they need to be large enough to have some protection against the male bears, called boars, and to be fat enough to survive in a den all winter without eating. So feed them we did. We were assured that non-native foods were ok as long as they were not released near access to these human-related food sources. So, the cubs had fruits- melons, apples, grapes, and berries. The cheapest dry dog food available was fed because it contains mostly grains, but has good protein and calcium levels, pastries and breads, sunflower and other seeds, and nuts of any kind provided fats and calories for rapid growth.

Obtaining all this food took an entire community.

Individuals and businesses donated bags of nuts, cases of fruit and bags of dog food. The cubs grew, and August came. The date was set for Friday, August 20th. It was as late a date as we could hope for... and at least most of the mating season was over and the male black bears would be a bit less aggressive. Bears were fed, watered, cleaned and watched through glass every single day. They grew, and began to take on the appearance of small adult bears.

All but the little girl... she grew, all right, but when she was tagged she was so small the ear tags made her ears droop, and although she almost tripled her weight, she was still half the size of her adopted siblings.

Needless to say, the ride home was even more quiet than the journey out. We wish to thank all the PGC employees who delivered bears, met and talked and planned their release, and took the time to professionally, and humanely tranquilize, transport, and release the cubs.

We are honored to be the ONLY wildlife care facility in PA raising injured and orphaned cubs, and we could not do it without their support, and your support. You can help! P

O

n August 20, three PGC vehicles pulled into our driveway, with a bear trap hitched to the rear of each.

Conservation officers and a biologist gathered and we conferred on best plan to tranquilize, procure biological data, and make them comfortable for their trip to Sullivan County, near Ricketts Glen State Park in State Game lands.

Biologist Kevin Wenner believed that the acorn crop this year was exceptional in this area, and there miles and miles of wilderness for the cubs to wander to adjust to their new home in the wilderness. Each bear was tranquilized, weighed and checked for general health.

If no ear tags had been placed, they were attached and the numbers recorded. Two cubs were placed in each bear trap to slowly awaken during their two hour ride. This processing time was the first time I had touched these animals since each cub’s arrival earlier in the summer.

It would also be the last time I’d see them at the wildlife center.

Eric and I followed the convoy, not saying much most of the way. We were both deep in thought, remembering the work, the joy of watching them grow, play, eat, bathe and be bear cubs. We were sad to see them go, and a little concerned, especially for the little sow cub who was still so far behind, but this is what we do, and freedom IS, after all, the ultimate goal and measure of success.

Arriving finally, after a long, dusty, bumpy ride deep into the Gamelands, the three vehicles carrying the bears lined up, bear traps facing into the woods. One WCO perched atop each trap and lifted the trap door in the back. Each bear peered out, looked around, then jumped down and ran straight into the woods, following one another to live their lives in the wild.

The PWREC is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization which treats all native species of wildlife, returning healthy individuals to the wild, provided education and advice to individuals and groups of all sizes and ages about many wildlife issues, and provided a buffer against disease and injury to the public by maintaining a professional facility to which animals in need of help can be brought. The PWREC holds licenses from the PA Game Commission, US Fish and Wildlife Service and US Dept of Agriculture, none of which fund our efforts, but provide us with mountains of paperwork that allow us to do our work legally!

Currently, this is the only all-volunteer, all-species facility in the Pocono region. The facility is funded by donations from individuals and from our live wildlife education programs. We have no corporate sponsors, as yet, but would be delighted to have that support. Please consider visiting our website, www.poconowildlife.org, providing a tax-deductible donation, requesting a live wildlife demonstration for your organization, community or school, or donating time to complete one of our projects.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 7

Tips to Prepare for Winter Weather Emergencies

I

magine living without heat, power or communication during the coldest days of the year. During a winter weather emergency, not only can these conditions be unpleasant, but dangerous too.

Making a plan, winterizing your home and stocking up on supplies are all essential steps to prepare for winter emergencies.

Use this crucial stay-safe checklist now to help your household prepare for blistering conditions all winter long:

Make a Plan Storm heading your way? Follow the news closely so you can make last minute preparations before the weather turns dangerous. As part of this process, create an emergency plan and review it with your family. The plan should also address specific scenarios, such as what to do if someone is separated from the group and is unable to call for help.

Stay Powered Up In the event that the power goes out, you will need a reliable alternative power source to charge essential communications equipment like your phone and computer, as well as heat sources, such as space heaters.

A durable and compact USB solar charger that’s compatible with smartphones, tablets and even laptops, can be a lifesaver. The pocketsized iLAND FLY or the higherpowered iLAND TREK are great for emergencies as they work on solar cell technology that runs in overcast or low-light situations. Should your power go out during a winter storm, for example, the TREK can provide electricity to portable devices for up to three days. iLAND products are the most efficient, light-weight and eco-friendly portable solar energy systems in the market, and both products are made of military grade and quality materials, and are water-, dust- and shock-resistant, which means you’ll have peace of 8 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

Pocono Magazines mind during those critical moments where powering your device will be crucial. More information about iLAND’s FLY and TREK can be found at www.iland-solar.us.

Winterize Ensuring that your home is protected from the elements can turn a bad situation into a life-saving scenario. Install storm windows and apply weather-stripping to help insulate your home. In the event the heat goes out, you’ll be trapping warm air in and keeping cold air out. And remember -- you can never have too many blankets and warm clothes.

Pack an Emergency Kit When extreme weather hits, it’s important to have essential supplies within an arm’s reach. Be sure that you have a well-stocked, up-to-date first aid kit and an extra supply of all family members’ prescription medications.

Your kit should also include several gallons of clean water, as well as enough non-perishable food to last three days, including formula for young children. Pick items that don’t require cooking or preparation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends replacing these stores every six months.

Lastly, make sure you have a battery-operated radio and plenty of batteries on hand.

Unless you enjoy treacherous roads, panicked crowds and long lines, don’t wait until that big storm comes your way to start preparing.

For a safe and happy winter season, follow these steps to ensure your family is ready for any winter weather emergency that comes your way. P

Pocono Living Magazine and Pocono Family Magazine, two regional publications filled with articles, features and photography exploring and capturing the real Pocono Mountains living experience.

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

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 9

Classic, Comforting Soup Barrett Paradise Friendly Library Cresco, PA 570-595-7171 www.barrettlibrary.org

Pocono Mountain Public Library Tobyhanna, PA 570-894-8860 www.poconomountpl.org

Clymer Library Pocono Pines, PA 570-646-0826 www.clymerlibrary.org

Western Pocono Community Library Brodheadsville, PA 570-992-7934 www.wpcl.lib.pa.us

Eastern Monroe Public Library Branches Hughes Library (main branch) Stroudsburg, PA 570-421-0800 www.monroepl.org Pocono Township Branch Tannersville, PA 570-629-5858 Smithfield Branch Marshalls Creek, PA 570-223-1881 Bookmobile 570-421-0880 x49

Gets a Pork-Inspired Twist

“I

f I wasn’t a BBQ expert, I’d be cooking soups like this one all day long,” said Chef Ray Lampe, BBQ expert and author of the just-released cookbook, “Pork Chop.” He’s referring to his modern interpretation of a classic comfort food dish, Pork Chop Noodle Soup - a dish he says is “a better cure for the common cold,” filled with chunks of juicy, perfectly seasoned pork as well as carrots, celery, a blend of savory herbs and tender rotini pasta.

Flavors that take you back Like many feel-good foods have the tendency to do, Chef Lampe’s pork chop soup recipe takes him back to his youth, when “soup day” was an extra-special time for his family.

10 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

“Anytime my mom took the big pot out of the cabinet and got all the different ingredients ready, we knew it was going to be a good day,” he said. “Today, when I get a craving for my mom’s cooking, I often add something that makes it allaround heartier and tastier - like bone-in ribeye pork chops.

The hardest part is not eating the chops before the soup is ready.”

Warm, comforting dishes After simmering all day on the stove, a bowl of Chef Lampe’s soothing, heart-warming, pork-filled soup is the perfect complement to a grilled Swiss cheese sandwich or a fresh salad - whether you’re feeling under the weather or just craving a little pick-me-up.

Pork Chop Noodle Soup Courtesy of Chef Ray Lampe, Dr. BBQ, from his cookbook “Pork Chop” (2013, Chronicle Books) Yield: 8-10 servings

3 ribeye pork chops, bone-in, about 3/4-inch thick Salt and pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 cups chicken broth or pork stock 4 cups unsalted vegetable broth 1 red onion, chopped 4 carrots, chopped 2 large celery sticks, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 1 cup dried rotini pasta

Remember, for juicy and tender chops as an ingredient or center-of-the-plate star, cook to an internal temperature between 145∞F (medium rare), followed by a three-minute rest and 160∞F (medium), using a digital thermometer to ensure accuracy.

For more inspiration on giving comfort food favorites past and present a fresh twist with pork, download the National Pork Board’s free “Cooking For Comfort” eCookbook at www.

PorkBeinspired.com/cookingforcomfort. Share your own comfort food recipes at www.PorkBeinspired.com/porksocial and look for Lampe’s “Pork Chop” cookbook wherever books are sold. P CONTENT: Family Features

Season pork chops with salt and pepper. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chops and cook for about 4 minutes, until golden brown. Flip and cook for 4 minutes more, until golden brown. Transfer chops to plate and set aside.

Pour half of chicken broth into pot, scraping all browned bits from bottom. Add remaining chicken broth, vegetable broth, onion, carrots, celery and garlic. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Add 1 quart water, thyme, basil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Mix well and bring to a simmer. Add chops back to pot and return to a simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally, being careful not to break up chops.

Transfer chops to plate, trying not to break them up.

Set aside to cool. Raise heat and bring soup to a boil.

Add pasta and cook for about 12 minutes, until tender.

When chops are cool, pull them apart, discarding all bones and fat. Add meat back to soup and stir well.

Taste for salt and pepper, and add if needed, before serving.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 11

12 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

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photo by Vinzon Lee FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 13

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here’s nothing like spending time outdoors in the woods. With some simple steps, you can make your woodlands a paradise for flora and fauna by creating a space for wildlife to thrive.

“As most of America’s forests are owned privately, landowners play a key role in our wildlife’s future.” says Mike Burns, forester and program resource manager with the American Forest Foundation. “Attracting wildlife is entirely within the power of woodlandowners, all they need to do is provide the right food and shelter for their desired species”.

In the Nation, people sleep easy.

One of the most important ingredients for thriving forest wildlife is dead wood. In fact, up to 20 percent of a forest’s wildlife may depend upon it for survival, according to wildlife conservationists.

No tossing. No turning. No staring at the ceiling. We believe in taking care of the big things, so you only have to worry about the little things. We put members first, because we don’t have shareholders.

The American Forest Foundation is offering tips on wildlife-friendly forest management on your property:

Join the Nation of the well-rested.

Snags Flooding, winds, ice storms, lightning, fire and drought can cause mortality in trees, as will insects, disease and other factors. Before carting off dead or dying trees for firewood or disposal, consider leaving a few of these tress, called snags, standing.

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“A snag, acts as a ‘condo’ for insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as a time-release compost stick, slowly releasing nutrients into the soil.” says Burns.

“Without snags, a forest just isn’t the same for wildlife who use the cavities to nest, attract mates and find food.”

Logs When you leave downed trees or logs on your property, you are starting a life cycle fueled by the decomposing wood.

Plants, fungi and animals rely upon logs as food sources and places to live. Decomposing

Help Protect Wildlife in Your Own Backyard

logs enrich the soil and provide places for tree saplings and other plants to take root, as well as shelter and denning sites for animals.

Decomposers found on or in logs provide food for amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Brushpiles Brushpiles provide a micro-habitat for the more stealthy creatures hiding from predators. If you want to boost biodiversity on your land while recycling extra trimmings, branches and logs, try “installing” a few brushpiles for wildlife.

You can build a teepee-shaped brushpile by placing several five- to six-foot-long logs or large branches in a square. Leave some gaps between the foundation pieces so rabbits or other small creatures can scamper in and out. Next, lean several large branches, leaves pointed downward, so the cut, open ends meet at the top. Then incorporate smaller branches to fill many gaps, but not all. Leave some openings so birds and small animals can enter and exit. A good brushpile is usually about four feet high or taller and ten to 15 feet wide.

For more tips on creating a healthy habitat for wildlife on your land, visit www.MyLandPlan.org which also offers information for mitigating the increased risk of forest fires that dead wood can introduce.

There are few things more exciting than seeing animals in the wild. By being considerate of the critters and birds inhabiting your land, you can help protect the resources they need to thrive. P

CONTENT: StatePoint

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 15

A Pocono Winter photo by James Chesnick

16 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

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Game Day Party Tips for Football Fans

E

ntertaining this football season? To make your gatherings memorable, you’ll need to do more than just turn on the game and hope for the best. With the right party plays, you can treat your guests to a spirited game day and a memorable football feast.

Try incorporating these game changing ideas into your regular party playbook:

Team Spirit Get your friends geared up for game time from the moment they arrive. Hang a team banner in your entryway and adorn your yard with your team’s colors.

Pump up your crowd by playing your favorite gametime tunes.

Even if all your guests are rooting for the same team, spice it up with some friendly competition, like wagering on who hosts the crowd for the next game.

18 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

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Have face paint on hand and encourage your guests to arrive early so the party is well underway at kick-off.

Scoring Big with Dips Food is usually the main attraction at most festivities, and football-themed “home-gating” parties are no exception. Give your spread a thematic look by making a mini football field out of your table. Use AstroTurf as your tablecloth. Then space white tape stripes at intervals for the yard lines.

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So please your crowd and make game day delicious with a quick, easy and zesty dip. If you’re one of the many that have never heard of or made queso dip, try this simple crowd-pleasing recipe, made with only two ingredients, RO★TEL and VELVEETA: Ingredients • 1 can (10 oz.) RO★TEL Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies, undrained • 1 lb. (16 oz.) VELVEETA, cut into 1/2-inch cubes Directions • Combine undrained tomatoes and cheese in microwaveable bowl.

• Microwave on high for 5 minutes or until VELVEETA is melted completely and mixture is blended, stirring after 3 minutes.

• Serve warm as a dip with tortilla chips, crackers or cut-up fresh vegetables.

Ultimate Queso Bash No matter where the football festivities take place, queso dip is a fan favorite. The VELVEETA & RO★TEL Quesobago, an RV loaded with queso dip, is making a cross-country tour to college football’s hottest rivalries to introduce queso to a new crowd. While it only takes two ingredients to create crowd-pleasing Famous Queso Dip, you can make it your own with a pinch of personality. For queso customizations, visit www.quesoforall.com.

For the perfect pigskin party, make your football fete fun, festive and creatively delicious. P

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A Pocono Winter photo by Vinzon Lee

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A Pocono Winter photo by Vinzon Lee POCONO LIVING LIVING MAGAZINE MAGAZINE©© FEBRUARY/MARCH FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 22 POCONO

February & March at Pocono Environmental Education Center The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) is located at 538 Emery Road, Dingmans Ferry, PA. You can call them at 570-828-2319, or visit their website at www.peec.org for more information on their programming.

Eagle Watch

Cross Country Skiing

Vegetable Gardening Weekend!

Winter Waterfalls

Cross Country Skiing

“Winter Wonderland” Family Nature Getaway Weekend

Sunday, February 2, 2014, 9:00am-3:00pm. Join Jan Lokuta on a trip north in search of eagles. Visit the Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River, and the Eagle Institute to look for winter residents and nesting pairs.

Bring a lunch, camera, and warm clothes. Call to reserve a seat in van. $20 From Saturday, February 8, 2014 to Sunday, February 9, 2014. Join us for a weekend full of great gardening information. Learn how to design, prepare, and cultivate a vegetable garden. Classes taught by the Pike County Master Gardeners. Commuter and day use rates available ‚ call for details. $150 includes lodging, meals, and programming

Saturday, February 8, 2014, 9:00am-11:00am. Enjoy the winter woods with beginner ski lessons. Learn the basics of cross country skiing and practice on an old logging road loop. You decide how many loops to ski.

Skis, poles & boots provided - register w/shoe size to guarantee a spot. $20 adult/$10 child

Sunday, February 9, 2014, 1:00pm-3:00pm. Enjoy the winter woods with beginner ski lessons. Learn the basics of cross country skiing and practice on an old logging road loop. You decide how many loops to ski.

Skis, poles & boots provided - register w/shoe size to guarantee a spot. $20 adult/$10 child Sunday, February 9, 2014, 1:00pm-3:30pm. This is a great time of year to enjoy the waterfalls. See them as they cascade down through chunks of frozen ice and snow. Dress warmly, wear sturdy boots, and bring a camera! Call to reserve a seat in the van. $12

From Friday, February 14, 2014 to Monday, February 17, 2014. President’s Day Weekend. Bring your friends and family to experience PEEC in the wintertime.

Cross country skiing, animal tracking, nature hikes, crafts, campfire and more! Price includes three nights of lodging and meals from Friday dinner to Monday lunch. Join us for a wonderful winter weekend! Commuter and day rates available call for details. Adults $210/ 25% off ages 7-10/50% off ages 4-6/ free under 3

Cross Country Skiing

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 9:00am11:00am. Enjoy the winter woods with beginner ski lessons. Learn the basics of cross country skiing and practice on an old logging road loop. You decide how many loops to ski. Skis, poles & boots provided - register w/shoe size to guarantee a spot. $20 adult/$10 child

Animal Tracking

Saturday, February 8, 2014, 10:00am-12:00pm.

Animals leave behind clues that give us glimpses into their lives. Explore our natural areas for tracks, trails, scat, territory marks, eat marks, and other signs that animals leave as they travel through the fields and forests of the Poconos. Free for members/$5 for non-members

Family Ice Fishing

Saturday, February 22, 2014, 1:00pm-3:30pm. Learn the basics of ice fishing and try your luck on our ponds. We provide all of the equipment. Dress in warm layers. No fishing licenses required. Spaces limited.

Call to reserve your spot! $10 child/$5 adult

continued on next page FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 23

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Primitive Fire Building

Sunday, February 23, 2014, 10:00am-12:00pm. Learn some primitive fire making skills. Try your hand at a flint and steel fire, a bow drill fire, and more! Ages 10+ please.

Cross Country Skiing

Sunday, February 23, 2014, 1:00pm-3:00pm. Enjoy the winter woods with beginner ski lessons. Learn the basics of cross country skiing and practice on an old logging road loop. You decide how many loops to ski.

Skis, poles & boots provided - register w/shoe size to guarantee a spot. $20 adult/$10 child

Sugar Shack Scramble

Saturday, March 08, 2014, 9:00am-12:30pm. Take an orienteering expedition to the “Two Saps” Sugar Shack. Use a map and compass to reach the sugar shack and then enjoy hot cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup! Sign up for a 9am or 9:30am start time. Spaces limited! $15 adult/$10 child

Amphibian Search

Sunday, March 09, 2014, 1:00pm-3:00pm. Warming temperatures bring out the frogs & salamanders. Join us on our search! Wear boots & clothes that can get muddy. $5 per person

Fossil Trail Hike

Saturday, March 15, 2014, 1:30pm-3:00pm. This 1+ mile trail passes a vernal pool and descends into a mature hardwood ravine. Moderate with a final, steep climb.

Free for members / $5 for non-members

Woodcock Walk

Saturday, March 15, 2014, 6:30pm-8:00pm. Join us for a walk to see the mysterious woodcock and its spectacular springtime mating display. Ages 10+ please. $5

Black & White Photography Tour

Sunday, March 16, 2014, 9:00am-4:00pm. Grab your camera and join us for a tour of the historic buildings in the Park. This is the perfect time of year to shoot black and white photos. Pack a lunch and dress warm.

Call to reserve a seat in the van. $20

Wild Edibles Walk

Sunday, March 16, 2014, 0:00am-12:00pm. Nature provides food for us in the form of many plants. Join us on a hike focused on wild edibles. No collecting will be done within the Park. Call to reserve a seat in the van. $10

Volunteer in the Greenhouse

Sunday, March 23, 2014, 10:00am-12:00pm. Join us for some gardening work in the PEEC’s new greenhouse!

Lend a hand on our springtime projects and plant some seeds. Pre-registration encouraged. Free

24 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

A Pocono Winter photo by Vinzon Lee FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 25

Programs at Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation

Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation offers many programs year-round at their Day Street center and in the various parks in the Stroudsburg/East Stroudsburg area. Visit their website at www.srosrc.org or call 570-426-1839 for more information. The following is just a short listing of some up-coming events. Their recreational, educational, cultural and environmental program offerings are for toddlers through adults and include everything from sports, fitness, sewing, steel drum instruction, and Red Cross training to dog obedience.

Philadelphia Flower Show Bus Trip

Stroud Television & Appliances 219 N. 9th Street Stroudsburg, PA

570-421-7700 www.StroudTVandAppliances.com 26 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINEŠ FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

You don’t have to have a green thumb to appreciate the stunning displays of flowers and plants at the annual Philadelphia Flower Show held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center! Stroud Region Open Space and Recreation is planning a bus trip to the show on Monday, March 3, 2014. Please register for this trip by February 24, 2014.

The fee for the trip is $65 per person. The bus will depart from Dansbury Park at 7:00 am and will depart from Ross Township at 7:30 am. Lunch is on your own at the Convention Center or at any of the nearby local eateries including the popular Reading Terminal Market. The return bus will arrive at Ross Township at 6:00 pm and Dansbury Park at 6:30 pm. Visit www.theflowershow.com to learn the latest information about the show.

Yoga with Nadya, All Levels

We will explore a broad range of movement. Tap into and release the energy that is buried deep within you.

Take your mind to a neutral place and discover how proper breath & alignment of the body can create more energy & focus for you off the mat! Both novice and experienced yogis will find this class accessible & inspiring. Nadya is affiliated with Rosewood Counseling Services & is a Certified Yoga Instructor. Please bring your mat, a hand towel and water. Register at least one week in advance. Session 2: Mondays, March 10-May 5 (except April 21). Time: 6:307:30 pm. Fee: $80/session. Ages: 18 and older

Chair Yoga with Nadya

Nadya makes yoga enjoyable for levels of limited movement. Learn easily accessible ways to increase flexibility; relieve tightness and create space in the spine; emphasis on breath and moderate neuro-muscular movement. Also appropriate for injury recovery, injury prevention and seniors! No mat work; no prior experience required. Register at least one week in advance. Session 2: Wednesdays, March 12-April 16. Time: 11:30 am-12:30 pm Fee: $60.

Basic Dog Obedience

This class is for dogs over four months of age with no formal training. Controlled walking, sit, down, stay and come commands as well as dealing with common problem behaviors. The dogs are trained in a class atmosphere with other dogs, spectators and distractions. Register at least one week in advance. Session 4: Wednesdays, March 5-April 9. Time: 6:00-7:00 pm. Fee: $85/session.

Ages: 18 and older.

Advanced Basic Dog Obedience

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This class is for dogs and owners that have completed the basic obedience class successfully. The class will review skills learned in the basic class and train your dog to become a Canine Good Citizen. Register at least one week in advance. Session 4: Wednesdays, March 5-April 9. Time: 7:00-8:00 pm. Fee: $85/session.

Ages: 18 and older.

Showhandling for Dogs

Showhandling class is for people interested to show their dog in confirmation at dog shows. Register at least one week in advance. Session 3: Wednesdays, March 5-April 9. Time: 8:00-9:00 pm. Fee: $85/session.

Ages: 18 and older.

American Red Cross Training All American Red Cross Classes are taught by a certified American Red Cross Instructor. Do you have a group of 6 or more participants?

We will come out to your facility to train or we can arrange a class at the Day Street Community Center at your convenience! Fees are subject to change due to possible changes in American Red Cross certification requirements.

Pediatric CPR and First Aid Training

A great class for parents and child care workers! Learn CPR for infants and children, how to care for choking victims, and ventilation techniques.

In addition, learn the basics of first aid including how to recognize an emergency, controlling bleeding and how to treat for shock. Register at least one week in advance. Date: Thursday, March 6‚ Time: 5:30-9:30 pm‚ Ages: 16 and older‚ Fee: $60 (includes certification card).

Zumba

Zumba on the new floor at Day Street Community Center is what you’ve been waiting for all year! This 6-week Zumba class is designed to be a high energy workout that adds variety to your exercise choices. Enjoy the music, move your body and have fun at the same time! Session 4: Mondays and Fridays, March 3-April 11. Time: 6:00-6:45 pm. Age: 13 and older. Fee: $6 per class, or preregister by buying 10 classes and you’ll receive 2 classes for free ($60 for full session of 12 classes). Time: 6:00-9:30 pm‚ Ages: 16 and older‚ Fee: $80

www.hillcrestretirement.com

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 27

A Pocono Winter photo by Marlana Holsten 28 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 29

home of the double “triple play” 570-424-6909

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Winter Exercise Guidelines for Your Pet

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PROVIDED BY THE ASPCA, www.aspca.org

etting pets who dislike the cold to go outside in winter can be a challenge, but chilly weather or not, pets need fresh air and exercise. ASPCA experts assure us that while short-haired and smaller breeds may require cozy apparel to protect them from winter’s bite, others simply need a little training to learn how to enjoy a cold-weather romp “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.

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.

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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.

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!

5.

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.

6.

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.

30 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

7.

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. • Get waterproof gear for wet days. • 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.

9.

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.

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 hide-and-seek.

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

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February & March Programs at Monroe County Environmental Education Center The Monroe County Conservation District’s Environmental Education Center, at Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary on Running Valley Road near Bartonsville, offers many educational programs year-round. Visit their website at www.mcconservation.org or call 570-629-3061 for more information.

Eagle Watch

Fridays, February 7 & 14 - Join Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman on these field trips to the upper Delaware River in search of wintering and resident bald eagles and learn about this species dramatic comeback. This scenic region provides outstanding opportunities for viewing these magnificent birds of prey. Participants will meet at the EE Center at 8:30 am and return 5:30 pm. Cost: $20/non-member, $14/ EE Center member and includes bus transportation.

Participants should pack a lunch and binoculars and dress for the weather. Stops will be made for coffee and snacks. Pre-registration and payment are required and limited. Refunds will be given only if notification is made at least one week in advance.

Intermediate Fly Tying Course

Saturdays February 8, 15 - Sign up for this fabulous two week intermediate fly-tying course spearheaded

by Scott Cesari. It will be held at the EE Center from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and instruction is free. There is a $15/ material cost. Please contact Tom at (570) 236 - 1734 to register. Space is limited!

32 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

Brodhead Watershed Association (BWA) Intro to Geocaching

Saturday, February 8 - 9 am-12 noon. Geocaching is an outdoor treasure hunting game using GPSenabled devices. This is a BEGINNERS class. BWA members and EE Center members free, all others $5.

Participants must have a Geocaching application for their smartphone/ipad (approximately $10 cost), and must go online and complete the free registration at www.geocaching.com prior to the class date. To register for class: brodheadwatershed@gmail.com Dress for the outdoors. Limited to 15 participants.

The Lorax

Saturday, February 15 - Environmental Educator, Darryl Speicher, is a big fan of Dr. Suess. Join him as he recites many of his favorites from the Lorax to Yertle the Turtle. A wonderful time will be had by children of all ages. This 1-hour program begins at 11 am. Cost: $5/non-member, $3/children under 12. EE Center members free.

Public Bog Walk

Saturday, February 15 - Join an Environmental Educator at 2 p.m. at the Bog parking lot and take a 2 ½ hour journey into the Bog environment. Please wear appropriate footwear. Cost: $6/non-member, $4/EE and Nature Conservancy members and children under 12. Pre-registration is required. Directions: Route 611, at the light at the Tannersville Inn turn onto Cherry Lane Road. The parking lot is 1.9 miles on your right from Route 611.

Cooking Up Some Clean

Saturday, February 22 - From 10 a.m. to 12 noon Learn how to cook up some safe alternatives to the toxic cleaners often found in our homes with Environmental Educator Jenifer Rituper. Each participant will make and take home three homemade products; laundry cleaner, glass cleaner and hair shampoo!

Recipes for other safe home cleaning products will be shared. Before the cooking begins there will be a screening of the documentary “Chemiracle” in which an average American family is challenged to remove toxic chemicals from their home and try the homemade alternatives. Do you think they succeed?

Pre-registration is required by Wednesday, February 19. Cost: $8/non-member, $6/children under 12, $4/EE Center members. All prices include materials.

Public Maple Sugaring Day

Saturday, March 1. Our 37th  Public Maple Sugaring Day will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Meesing Outdoor Site in Marshalls Creek.The day will feature a tour of the sugar bush including stops to learn about Native American and early pioneer methods of making maple syrup, our evaporator process and methods of identifying and tapping a maple tree.After the tour, everyone will get a chance to taste some of our syrup on freshly made pancakes. Cost:$5/adult and $3/ children under 12; all members of the EE Center and tree sponsors attend free of charge.

Fly Fishing

Saturday, March 8. Join several members of the Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited for a program on fly fishing. Equipment, casting, strategy, fly tying, basic entomology, and local fishing areas will be discussed. A film, slide program and several raffles are included with admission. The 3-hour program will run from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost: $8/non-member, $5/EE Center member and children under 12. Pre-registration is required by Friday, March 7, 2014.

Tuesday, March 25. Timberdoodle, Bogsucker, and Big Eye are some of the strange nicknames given to the equally strange American Woodcock. Join Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman for this program where you will learn about the life history and amazing courtship displays of this fascinating and entertaining bird. Participants will meet at the EE Center at 6:30 p.m. for a brief classroom presentation before traveling to the Tannersville Bog area to observe the woodcock’s love-sick antics. Cost: $5/non-member, $3/children under 12. EE Center members free.

Annual Members and Friends Dinner at Stroudsmoor

Friday, March 28. Please make your plans for our Annual Members and Friends of Conservation Dinner to be held at the Stroudsmoor Inn. We are currently putting together the plans for a fun-filled evening, and look forward to sharing it with all our supporters.

Invitations will be mailed to all members in February, or you can call us at 570-629-3061 to receive more information.

Art Opening

Saturday, March 8. Tom Storm - Photographer “Scenes from the Top” - Tom Storm has spent the past three winters hiking the peaks, ridges and overlooks of Carbon County. With camera in hand, he grants visual access to some of the more remote and unique vistas and vantage points the area has to offer.

Opening Reception: 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

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Wednesday, March 5. Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is a major stop-over for tremendous numbers of snow geese. Their huge flocks in flight at times create a “blizzard” of birds.

Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman will lead this trip to observe this stunning spectacle of nature.The area’s wetlands, fields, and woodlots also provide opportunities to see a host of waterfowl, raptors, and other bird species. Participants will meet at the EE Center at 8:30 a.m. and return 6 p.m. Cost: $24/ non-member, $18/EE Center member and includes bus transportation. Participants should pack a lunch and binoculars and dress appropriately for the weather. Pre-registration and payment are required and limited. Refunds will be given only if notification is made at least one week prior to the trip.

Woodcock Watch

Brodhead

Middle Creek Birding Field Trip

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Where in the Watershed

walk to Lower Brodhead Creek’s Forgotten Canyon on Saturday, February 8, from 1 to 4 pm The Brodhead Watershed Association and the Pocono Heritage Land Trust are sponsoring a series of monthly “Where in the Watershed” walks to little known places throughout the Brodhead Creek Watershed. This month’s walk is through the Lower Brodhead Creek’s Forgotten Canyon on Saturday, February 8, from 1 to 4 pm.

Join two of the area’s finest naturalists and friends, Don Miller and Bill Sweeney, for an exploration of the beautiful, wild Brodhead Canyon. This little known stretch of the Brodhead Creek is a great place to go hiking, biking, birding or fly-fishing, with “wild scenery rivaling the large boulder rivers of the West”.

Mystery Birding Field Trip

Friday, March 21. Join Environmental Educator Brian Hardiman on this popular and fun adventure where the birding destinations and target birds are not revealed until the day of the trip. Pre-trip scouting and local reports will determine where we go in order to see the best avian goodies. Mystery birds “revealed” on past trips include snowy owl, northern shrike, rough-legged hawk, and nesting great-horned owls.

Participants will meet at the EE Center at 8:30 a.m. and return 5:30 p.m. Cost $24/non-member, $18/ EE Center member and includes bus transportation, plenty of birds, and a good time! Participants should pack a lunch and dress for the weather. Stops will be made for coffee and snacks. Pre-registration and payment are required and limited. Refunds will be given only if notification is made at least one week prior to the trip.

This easy hike is on a level forested old railroad bed trail (maybe snow covered) on Stroudsburg Borough and Monroe County Open Space property above and along this “canyon” area of the Brodhead Creek. Appropriate outdoor winter attire and hiking boots are recommended.

Feeder Fidelity

Saturday, March 22. For the last 2 years the Pocono Avian Research Center has been involved in a bird banding project to see if the birds we see at feeders this year are the same as the birds we saw last year. Join, Darryl Speicher as he bands birds at Kettle Creek’s bird feeders and explains what we are learning about feeder fidelity. This 1-hour program begins at 10 am. Cost: $5/non-member, $3/children under 12. EE Center members free.

A Pocono Winter photo by Vinzon Lee

The walk will start in the parking area for Glen Park, located at the end of Collins Street, in south Stroudsburg (see www.srosrc.org for a Glen Park map and more directions details). Fee is $3.00 per BWA/PHLT member, $5.00 per nonmember, children are free, to be collected at the start of the hike.

To register for this hike please call the Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) office at 570-424-1514 from Monday to Friday 8:30 to 4:30. Visit www. brodheadwatershed.org to learn dates and places of other walks.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 33

A Pocono Winter photo by Marlana Holsten

Look for More to Come in Our Next Issue…

April/May 2014

You May Also Enjoy the New

Pocono Family Magazine

Available at Local Businesses and by Subscription Pocono Mts Publications, LLC 1929 North Fifth Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-424-1000 • pmags@ptd.net 34 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 35

“MAKING MAPLE SYRUP” By: Boots McCoy Hi folks, how’s it been goin’?

‘Round ‘bout the middle of February, when the daytime temps rise to 40 degrees on a sunny day, but the nite time temps are still below freezin’; the sap starts to runnin’ in the sugar maple trees in my neck of the woods.

Don’t ask why it is like this, it’s just the way Mother Nature does it.

Anyways, ‘bout a half mile as the old crow flies, south of my cabin, is 10 acres of the finest sugar bush in the Poconos. It’s part of my sister’s and her idiot son’s lands. Two hundred and twenty acres in all, which butts agin my 730 acres ‘round the lake. (I’ll tell ya why her sons are idiots in a little bit.)

So, we pretty much have it all to ourselves, but sometimes gits trespassers who try to steal our sap and have to be run off. Usually a couple rounds of double-ought buckshot fired over their heads is all it takes to scare ‘em off our lands.

Now, about these sons of my sister ... my idiot nephews.

It takes a lot of hands to gather the sap and boil it down into syrup, so every year I have to “enlist” the help of these two nitwits.

Their names are Durwood and Durwood.

36 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

Yep, that’s right, both named Durwood ‘cause they’re identical twins. Their mom, my ole sister, kinda fancied that stupid name when they were born, so she called ‘em both Durwood. Of course, sis herself didn’t make it much past 6th grade in school.

It was always difficult to tell them apart, so their father, gave them each nicknames to tell them apart, after somethin’ happened that made the identifyin’ of each one easy.

One he called “Dim-Witted Durwood”, and the other he called “Dumb-Bell Durwood”. This was easy for him to come up with because “Dumb-Bell” was missing his right hand trigger finger from the time he was 12 years old.

Here’s what happened: One day it seems their mom had sent them to the woodshed to chop kindlin’ for the cook stove and they got to a foolin’ around.

Dumb-Bell put his finger on the choppin’ block and told his brother Dim-Wit to chop it off. Of course, he was just kiddin’, but Dim-Wit took to a swingin’ the hatchet and thought Dumb-Bell would move his finger, and Dumb-Bell thought Dim-Wit would stop the swing just short of the block. Well … neither happened.

So now, all anyone has to do is look at the hand with no finger and they know that is Dumb-Bell and the other one is Dim-Wit. Of

course unless they have their hands in their pockets and then it’s anybody’s guess again.

Shortly after that, their father ran off from embarrassment and hasn’t been seen since.

Well, now that you know that part, so let’s git on with the making of the syrup. We tap ‘bout 100 trees. And as a rule of thumb, each tree will put out enough sap in the 2 or 3 week season to boil down into a quart of syrup. It takes about 30 to 40 gallons of sap to boil down into a single gallon of syrup. So, from the 100 trees, we winds up with ‘bout 25 gallons of the sweetest, purist, golden light amber maple syrup to be had in the mountains.

Sellin’ it wholesale to Gary’s Market town, we gits about 20 bucks a quart. Gary then sells it to the flatlanders, tourists and city slickers for 30 bucks a quart and we all makes a nice profit.

To gather up all the sap in buckets is a lot of leg work, so I make the Durwood twins do all that. I watch the boilin’pot and keep the fires a goin’ all day until it renders down into syrup. Sometimes, the twins can’t wait until the syrup is made and they gits anxious and start to drinkin’ the sap right out of the buckets. All I have to do is waive the hatchet ‘round a bit and they settle right down.

good at … drinkin’ whisky that is … and they ain’t even much past puberty.

We don’t even bother takin’ the labels off the whiskey bottles. We just puts our own labels on the backside which read: “Boots McCoy’s Pocono Gold Maple Syrup”. Gary at the store says the tourists and flatlanders just love it and think its “cute” to have a bottle on the breakfast table that says “Jack Daniels” on one side and “Pocono Gold Maple Syrup” on the other. Ain’t they a bunch of damn fools?

Well, when the season it all over and done, I give my idiot nephews their share of the profits, two bucks a piece, and send them off back to their mom, my poor ole sister. Dumb-Bell has been a savin’ up to git himself an artificial finger, but I think it’s gonna take him some time.

Thanks for stopping by folks, and remember; “If you’re lucky enough to live in the mountains, you’re lucky enough”.

Boots

Then there was the time when Dim-Witted Durwood and Dumb-Bell Durwood got to a fightin’ over the syrup and I had to tie them to a tree fer a bit. I thought about leavin’ them tied there for a week or so, but I’m sure their mom would have missed them sooner or later, although probably later.

Now, once the sap turns into syrup, it has to be put into bottles. Findin’ bottles can be pretty tough in these parts, so we just put it up in whisky bottles that we have emptied (hic, hic,) and saved during the year. At least this is one thing those idiots nephews of mine are

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.

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 37

A Pocono Winter photo by James Chesnick

38 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014

FEBRUARY/MARCH 2014 POCONO LIVING MAGAZINE© 39

Pocono Living Magazine©

Pocono Living Magazine

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whole♥HEART♥ed Pocono Medical Center (PMC) and East Stroudsburg University joined hearts and minds to support heart health and celebrate the month of February, Heart Month

The ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute at Pocono Medical Center offers the full breadth of state-of-the-art cardiovascular services and has been nationally recognized for providing world-class care, close to home.

Some of our cardiac services include: • Heart Valve Clinic • Electrophysiology and Catheterization lab • Minimally Invasive Surgery Tom Fisch underwent successful minimally invasive surgery with Dr. Fuzesi last spring.

Find out more by watching his video at our website: PoconoMedicalCenter.org

Find out more about Tom and minimally invasive cardiac surgery at Pocono Medical Center.org/ESSA-heart

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