Pocono Family Magazine - Mar/Apr 2025

Pocono Family MAGAZINE

> Photo courtesy of Geralyn Durham

Ranked Health Care Employer in the State

St. Luke’s is the area’s largest and most recognized health system and has received numerous awards as the region’s best healthcare employer. We are #StLukesProud to be recognized by Forbes Magazine as the TOP RANKED employer in the Lehigh Valley and one of the best employers in Pennsylvania for the second year in a row! St. Luke’s has also been named a Top Workplaces 2024 nationally, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

POCONO MAGAZINES

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.

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Larry R. Sebring

larry@poconomagazines.com

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES

larry@poconomagazines.com

MAGAZINE & WEB DESIGN

Smart Blonde Creative

Food & Wine Editor

Jamie Marra

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART

John Anzivino

Gayle C. Brooke

Ray Caswell

Pat Coyle

Randall FitzGerald

Ashley Hall

Maurice Harmon

Susan Hartman

Marlana Holsten

Ann H. LeFevre

Barbara Lewis

Marie Liu

Harry Loud

Regina Matarazzo

Janet Mishkin

John L. Moore

Michael Murphy

Justine Nearhood

Roseanna Santaniello

Tom Stone

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Kimberly Blaker

Roseanne Bottone

Kathy Dubin-Uhler

Sandra Gordon Tanni Haas

Rebecca Hasting

Amanda Kuhn

Amy Leiser

Marie Liu

Sara Lyons

Jamie Marra

Suzanne McCool

Janet Mishkin

John L. Moore

Allison Mowatt

Jim Werkheiser

Kim Williams

Marty Wilson

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS

Kristen Sebring

Linda Spalluto

PROUD MEMBERS OF

WHAT’S

FAMILY

• Sending Your Child to Camp

• The Benefits of Creativity

• Sweet Dreams

OUTDOORS

• Make an Impact this Earth Day

• Buying Your First Boat

PET

• Pet Friendly Spring Getaways

HEALTH

• Raising Health Conscious Kids

FOOD

• Lucky Mint Brownies

HOME

• Entertaining on Easter

• Outdoor Design Trends

LAWN & GARDEN

• Tips for Spring Yard Prep

• How to Pick the Right Plant

COMMUNITY

• Take Your Daughter & Sons to Work

• The Easter Hole

"Camps provide kids an opportunity to form friendships with a whole new group of peers they might never have met otherwise."

With summer calendars quickly filling up, it can be hard to try and squeeze in one more thing. But if you have never sent your kids to a summer camp, here are seven reasons why you should consider it!

Photo Courtesy of Ben White on

By: Mary Ann Blair

REASONS PARENTS SHOULD CONSIDER SENDING THEIR CHILD TO Camp

With so many options, it’s easy to find a great fit for your child. From sports camps and art camps to STEM-based camps and more traditional overnight options, summer camps are designed to serve a variety of ages and interests. The length of camp can range from a few mornings for younger kiddos to weeklong sleep-away camps for older kids. Local churches, school districts, and other organizations like the YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Camp Fire, and 4-H offer a wide range of camps. With a little bit of research, you can easily find a camp wellsuited for your child. Camps provide kids with experiences they might not have access to in “everyday” life.

Horseback riding. Paddling a canoe across the lake. Wilderness survival. Conquering a ropes course. Sleeping under the stars. Adventures are endless at camp, and your child will have an opportunity to try something brand new. For the youngest campers, trying a new craft activity or learning a new camp song can be so much fun!

• Camps are a safe place to practice social skills. It might be awkward or uncomfortable for your child during those first few hours of camp when they don’t know a single soul. After all, stepping into a new social environment can be challenging. But the ability to comfortably communicate with new people is a life skill that all kids need, and a camp is a great place to practice! Camps also provide kids an opportunity to form friendships with a whole new group of peers they might never have met otherwise.

• Camps give kids a much-needed technology break. No matter how old your child is, they could probably benefit from a screen hiatus, especially during the summer months. Spending time outdoors, learning a new skill, having fun, and forming new friendships is good for the body and soul!

• Sending kids to camp is beneficial for you, too. Driving away from your child(ren) on the first day might be a little gut-wrenching. But entrusting your kids to someone else for a while can be truly beneficial. Maybe it will free up time for some overdue self-care, or give you and your partner time to reconnect. Maybe it will provide an opportunity to hit the reset button with your tween or teen. After all, absence makes the heart grow fonder! Parenting is tough work, so don’t feel guilty if you enjoy this time to yourself. Chances are, your kids are having a blast without you!

• Experience as a camper could help land a summer job. Camps are staffed by amazing counselors who provide kids with all kinds of good, clean fun. Most of these counselors were campers once, too. Now they get to help a new set of youngsters make unforgettable summer memories, all while sharpening their own teamwork and leadership skills. Your child might have that same opportunity one day. What great way to spend a summer!

• Camp is just plain fun.

So many adults have fond memories from their days spent at camp, and kids who have been to camp often say it’s a favorite part of their summer. Odds are, your kids are going to love it! And for that reason alone, it’s worth sending them to camp.

About the Author

Mary Ann Blair is a mom of two boisterous boys. Besides chronicling her adventures in motherhood at maryannblair.com, she loves the outdoors, reading, and all things crafty.

Photo Courtesy of Pexels

THE UNEXPECTED BENEFITS OF creativity

NURTURING THIS TRAIT COULD BOLSTER KIDS’ CONFIDENCE

C reative expression not only helps children convey their thoughts and feelings, but it also helps build the self-esteem and resilience needed to navigate life’s complexities. Creativity can even serve as a powerful catalyst for educational, emotional and cognitive growth.

These findings are part of a Crayola-commissioned study conducted by YouGov of 702 6- to 12-year-olds that explored the connection between creativity and the development of essential life skills. The study revealed that when faced with challenges, children most often rely on their own creative ideas rather than depending on others or giving up. This instinct to turn inward for solutions demonstrates a natural tendency toward creative problem-solving.

More specifically, the study found 92% of participants believe being creative boosts their confidence, and 6 in 10 said participating in a creative activity gives them a sense of pride. What’s more, 65% of children shared that engaging in a creative activity makes them feel happy and excited to participate.

“Creative activities help children recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities – giving children an incredible sense of joy and accomplishment,” said Cheri Sterman, senior director of education, Crayola. “By prioritizing creativity, we not only enhance children’s immediate happiness

and sense of pride but also equip them with the confidence and skills they need for future challenges.”

The study supports the premise of Crayola’s Campaign for Creativity, an advocacy initiative championing the importance of childhood creativity as a critical life skill that empowers kids to reach their full potential and encouraging adults to nurture that creativity.

Parents and caregivers play a critical role in incorporating creative moments into their child’s day, whether it’s in a traditional form of artwork or reflected in a wide range of other activities, including storytelling, drama, dance, music and even sports.

Notably, more than half of survey participants (53%) shared they wished they could spend more time expressing themselves creatively with a parent or caretaker.

“Engaging in creative activities together is a powerful way for parents and children to strengthen their bond while helping children grow into confident, capable individuals,” Sterman said.

As a parent, you can tap into programs such as Crayola Creativity Week to gather ideas and inspiration for nurturing

“Creative activities help children recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities – giving children an incredible sense of joy and accomplishment”

creativity that promotes development of essential life skills, including:

Self-Expression: Engaging in creative activities allows children to express their thoughts, feelings and identities. This expression helps them better understand themselves and fosters a sense of ownership over their ideas and creations.

Confidence: Sparking creative moments with kids allows them to build their confidence through self-expression, idea exploration and problem solving. This, in turn, empowers them to tackle challenges, think independently and develop resilience.

Problem Solving: In the study, children reported often turning to their own creative ideas to face challenges. Fostering creative problem-solving empowers children to navigate obstacles independently.

Self-Esteem: When children feel free to create without fear of judgment, they develop a sense of accomplishment and pride

in their work, which can strengthen their self-esteem. Creative activities also help them recognize their unique talents and develop a deeper belief in their abilities.

Creative Capacity: The act of creating something can empower children. When they conceptualize and execute their ideas, they realize they have the skills to turn their thoughts into reality.

Resilience: The creative process involves experimentation and failure. Children learn that setbacks are part of learning, which enhances their resilience. This experience fosters a belief in their ability to bounce back and tackle future challenges independently.

You can discover inspiration for nurturing your children’s creativity, including free creativity resources at Crayola.com/ CreativeMoments.

Courtesy of Family Features

Photo Courtesy of Family Features

Pocono Living Magazine 2025 PHOTO CONTEST

ENTER YOUR BEST SHOTS

Your photos could be seen by more than 26,000 readers when you enter them in Pocono Living Magazine’s Annual Photo Contest. The contest is open to amateur photographers only. (Those who do not earn a majority, over half, of their income as photographers).

You may enter no more than 15 images, so choose your best shots. Categories are “Scenics”, “Wildlife”, “Florals”, and “Historical Structures”.

Only photographs that are representative of the Pocono Mountains should be submitted. Individual photos should be attached to an email message and sent to: larry@poconomagazines.com. Photos submitted must be high resolution, (300 dpi), jpg or tiff files or they cannot be used. You must include your full name in the title with each photo submitted as you would like it to appear in the magazines. We will contact you for your mailing address to receive your prize if your photo is chosen as a winner in the contest.

Winning photos, along with the names, and hometowns if available, of each winner will appear in the October/November 2025 issue of PoconoLivingMagazine and the PoconoMagazines.com website. Some lucky participants may have their photo featured as a cover on Pocono LivingMagazine!

PRIZES AWARDED:

1st Place: $100 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants & Shoppes

2nd Place: $75 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants & Shoppes

3rd Place: $50 in Gift Certificates to Local Restaurants & Shoppes

Honorable Mentions: One year subscription to Pocono Living & Pocono Family Magazines.

In the event of a tie, prize money will be split among the winners.

RULES OF THE CONTEST:

1. Contest open to amateur photographers only.

2. Contest opens April 1, 2025 and closes August 1, 2025.

3. Enter electronic files by email to: larry@poconomagazines.com.

One photo at a time.

4. Submitted photos must be as an attachment to an email message, (not within the body of the email), and be high resolution (300 dpi), jpeg or tiff files.

5. Please include your contact information (phone number, mailing address & email address) with the submission.

6. Each contestant may submit no more than 15 photographs. Choose any combination of categories.

7. Photos submitted may be judged for inclusion in this year’s contest, and in all future year’s contests, so you have several chances to be a winner.

8. Entered photos must have been taken recently, from January 2014 to present and be of a scene or subject found in the Pocono Mountains only.

9. Categories are: Scenics (landscapes, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, etc.), Wildlife, Florals, and Historical Structures.

10. Judging will take place in August and September 2025 and winners will appear in the October/November issue of Pocono Living Magazine.

11. Winners will receive gift certificates within 90 days after being published.

12. Contestants will retain all rights to their photography, but agree that Pocono Magazines, LLC and Pocono Mts. Publications, LLC may use their photos from time to time in the magazines that they publish and on the Pocono Magazines.com website provided proper credit is given to each photographer.

Questions? Email the editor at: larry@poconomagazines.com

Photo by Ray Caswell

Sweet Dreams

HOW TO HELP YOUR KIDS GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

By: Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

"There are many steps parents can take to help their kids get a good night’s sleep."

Kids need to be well-rested to make it through the long school day ahead of them. Unfortunately, many kids have sleep issues. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, approximately 15 - 25% of kids struggle to fall or stay asleep on a regular basis. The good news is that there are many steps parents can take to help their kids get a good night’s sleep. Here’s what the experts suggest:

Keep a consistent sleep schedule

Help your kids keep a consistent sleep schedule. Child psychologist Dr. Alison Baker says that “consistency is really, really crucial in terms of building healthy sleep habits.” In other words, encourage your kids to go to sleep and wake up around the same time every day - and that includes weekends. “If a kid’s sleep schedule shifts dramatically on the weekends - staying up most of the night and sleeping until midafternoon Saturday and Sunday - the chances of getting back to normal Sunday night are slim,” says Professor Juliann Garey of NYU.

Limit afternoon naps

Limit afternoon naps no matter how tired the kids may be when they get back from school. Naps make it hard to fall asleep at night, in general, let alone at their regular bedtime. If they really can’t stay awake in the afternoon, encourage them to take a short nap. “Sleeping for more than 20 minutes,” says child psychologist Dr. Daniel Lewin, “can throw off their nighttime sleep schedule.”

Turn of electronics before bedtime

Cellphones and laptops also make it hard for kids to fall asleep at night. The problem isn’t just that they’re texting with friends, posting on social media, and playing videogames instead of sleeping: the so-called blue light that electronic devices emit sends a signal to their brains that suppresses the production of melatonin and prevents them from feeling tired. Experts agree that kids can avoid this problem by putting away these electronic devices well before bedtime. As Dr. Lewin says, “leave a buffer zone of at least an hour before going to bed.”

Parents may think that kids will rebel against this rule, but that’s not necessarily the case. According to Beata Mostafavi of C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, many kids “describe a sense of relief when their parents limit phone use because it takes away some of that pressure to keep up with social news and what their peers are up to.” In fact, says clinical psychologist Dr. Jeff Nalin, “not having access to electronics and social media just might cause your [kid] to become bored and decide to go to sleep on his or her own.”

And charge them outside their bedroom

Don’t tempt your kids to turn on their cellphones or laptops once they’re in bed. The best way to avoid that is to insist that they charge their devices anywhere in the house except their bedroom. “Consider having your [kid] leave their device in

Photo Courtesy of Ron Lach

an area of the house that’s not their bedroom,” says registered nurse Mary Sweeney. “That’ll discourage them from reaching for it after they’ve shut off the lights.”

Reorganize their homework

You can help your kids stay away from electronics before they go to bed by having them do the homework that requires online access in the afternoon, and leaving offline homework for the evening. Have them do most of their homework right after they get home from school so that they can relax and unwind in the evening. “Anything to prevent [kids] completing important deadlines at the end of the day,” says Ms. Mostafavi, “will make it easier to wind down for bed.”

Create an unwinding routine

When it’s time to wind down for the night, have your kids follow a set pattern. A nighttime routine, says Ms. Mostafavi, will “get their body into sleep mode and send the right signals to the brain that it’s time to snooze.” This could be anything from taking a hot bath or shower before they go to bed, to doing breathing exercises or writing in a journal.

Avoid caffeinated drinks

Encourage your kids to limit their caffeine intake, especially in the afternoon and evening. They should avoid energy drinks, which often have more caffeine than coffee and tea. “If they’re craving something hot to drink,” says Kevin Asp, the founder of SomnoSure, a sleep medicine company, “then recommend a warm cup of herbal tea. One or two strong cups of tea can help them mellow out.”

If they wake up during the night

If your kids wake up during the night and come to your bedroom for comfort, gently bring them back to their own bedroom, says clinical psychologist Dr. Anna Loiterstein. You want to make their bedroom, not yours, the ultimate place for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Outdoors

"There are countless ways you can make your contributions felt this Earth Day."

Photo Courtesy of Olena Bohovyk on Unsplash

Make an Impact This Earth Day

There are countless ways you can make your contributions felt this Earth Day. If you’d like to join millions of others in the fight for the environment, consider one of the most popular gifts given back to the world each year: planting a tree.

With hundreds of millions of trees planted since the first celebration in 1970, per earthday.org, you can be part of one of the largest civic events on the planet. Consider these tips to properly plant a tree in your own yard.

Choose the Right Tree & Location

Depending on where you live and your desired outcome, choosing the right tree and planting location are critical factors. Larger shade trees help cool homes in warmer climates, evergreens provide privacy and fruit trees offer a grocery store right in your backyard. Consider your available space along with conditions that will impact the tree itself, such as soil conditions, sun exposure, drainage and more.

Dig Safely

Before digging, remember that proper tree placement requires factoring in underground utility lines, overhead power lines and proximity to sidewalks, driveways and homes. Dial 811, the national call-before-you-dig number, to locate underground utilities and consider contacting an arborist or tree care professional to make sure you’ve weighed all the important factors.

Break Ground

Dig a hole that’s roughly 2-3 times wider than the root ball of your tree and equally as deep as the root ball. Be sure the trunk flare (where the trunk expands at the base of the tree) is partially visible when planted. Remove any wrapping or cover from the root ball and trunk. Lift from the root ball, not the trunk, to place in the hole then straighten vertically and firmly backfill soil around the root ball to stabilize.

Add Mulch

Mulching helps maintain moisture and improve soil conditions while controlling weed growth. Place a 2-3-inch layer in a 3-foot radius around the base of the tree without touching the trunk itself.

Keep Soil Moist

Make sure your tree has enough water to grow strong by keeping the soil moist. Typically, this means watering just once per week, barring rain, but may require more frequency during especially hot weather.

Find more tips for giving back to Mother Earth at eLivingtoday.com.

Courtesy of Family Features

Buying Your First Boat

Navigating the exciting journey of buying a boat requires careful planning. With various costs beyond purchase price, such as maintenance, insurance, storage and unexpected expenses, understanding how to budget for a boat is essential for a smooth sailing experience.

Here to guide you through the process are the experts at Boatmart, a marketplace for buying and selling boats of every shape and size.

Boat Types

First, determine what type of boat will align with your hobbies, lifestyle and budget. From small dinghies to luxury yachts, the spectrum is broad. Factors to consider include:

1. Intended Use. If you’re planning to use your boat for lake fishing, a simple fishing boat will suffice. But if you’re into water sports or ocean cruising, you might need a specialized, more expensive model. Consider your needs and go from there.

2. New vs. Used. While a new boat may require a higher upfront cost, it’s likely to demand less maintenance during

"Purchasing a boat is a thrilling journey. With good planning, you can avoid financial worries and enjoy lifelong memories on the water."

the initial years. On the other hand, a used boat may be more affordable, but could potentially necessitate additional upkeep in the long run.

3. Size. Larger boats tend to come with a higher price tag for both the initial purchase and ongoing expenses, such as maintenance, insurance and storage fees. Take these factors into consideration when evaluating the overall costs of ownership.

Upkeep

Just like cars, boats need regular maintenance to preserve your investment. Regular upkeep consists of engine tune-ups, antifouling, cleaning and winterization. Here are some ways to minimize maintenance costs:

1. DIY Upkeep: Simple upkeep and maintenance can be completed by you, if you feel confident enough to tackle those things. However, for more involved tasks, it’s advisable to utilize experts.

2. Regular Care: Regular checkups to spot problems early can help you avoid larger repairs later.

Photo Courtesy of Ivan Ragozin on Unsplash

Insurance

Insurance is a big piece of owning a boat. Your choice of coverage will affect the total overall cost of your insurance. Here are some things to consider:

1. Coverage Type: In terms of insurance, third-party liability could be a good option, as it’s generally less expensive than full coverage. This insurance prevents you from having to pay for any potential accidents or harm caused by your boat.

2. Boat Value: Your boat’s value affects the price of insurance. In general, more expensive boats require more expensive insurance.

3. Boat Use: Use frequency, where you go boating, and the boat’s main location can change the premium. For instance, if you use your boat for low-key lake trips, you might pay less than someone who goes offshore fishing. Understanding these factors helps you choose the correct coverage.

Storage and Transportation

Where you choose to store your boat and how you decide to transport it between bodies of water factor into overall boat ownership costs. Consider the following:

1. Storage: Keeping your boat at a marina is generally more expensive than keeping it at home, if you live on the water and have a dock. The cost of marina storage depends on boat size and type, location, and services. Choosing between outdoor or indoor storage can also impact price. Indoor storage is often pricier, due to offering more protection and security.

2. Transportation: Towing your boat? Remember to include the cost of a trailer into your budget, as well as the added cost of vehicle fuel when towing.

Unexpected Costs

Like with any major purchase, setting some money aside for emergencies is key. Unanticipated expenses can include sudden repairs, part replacements and damages from bad weather. A useful guideline is to set aside 10-20% of your boat’s worth each year for these expenses.

To search for boats and to learn more, visit boatmart.com.

Purchasing a boat is a thrilling journey. With good planning, you can avoid financial worries and enjoy lifelong memories on the water.

Find Your Perfect Spring Escape

Pet-friendly & affordable spring getaways

Whether you’re a family with kids or a young professional looking for a getaway, it isn’t too late – or out of budget – to plan a memorable spring trip. All you need is a full tank of gas and your furry best friend to make an unforgettable getaway.

Data from online travel agency Booking.com shows that half of traveler’s plan to choose vacation destinations where the cost of living is less than their hometowns. Exploring lesser-known destinations with a variety of outdoor activities, opting for a road trip with your pet rather than a large group and traveling outside of peak season can all help make adventures more affordable.

To help travelers feel confident selecting their road trip destinations this spring, Motel 6, where pets always stay for free, and Bert Sperling’s Best Places recommend these undiscovered destinations that offer sight-seeing, access to dog parks, cultural experiences, green spaces, authentic cuisine, dog-friendly restaurants and affordable lodging.

> Santa Fe, New Mexico

Dive into desert culture in Santa Fe with stunning views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, Pueblo-style architecture, historic landmarks and pet-friendly dining patios. With near-endless activities like shopping for handcrafted jewelry, visiting the Museum of International Art Folk or walking the Santa Fe Plaza, there are entertainment options for everyone to enjoy. There

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

are also plenty of affordable lodging options within walking distance of downtown attractions.

> Branson, Missouri

Situated in the iconic Lake of the Ozarks, Branson is a dream small-town getaway for family vacations with a plethora of dining and entertainment options such as Silver Dollar City, Dolly Parton’s Stampede and the Titanic Museum. The city has a dog-friendly culture with plenty of parks and outdoor activities. Located just two miles from many of these local attractions, Motel 6 Branson welcomes the whole family, including those on four legs, at no additional cost. This location also offers amenities like free Wi-Fi, an expansive cable channel selection, a microwave and refrigerator in each room and guest laundry facilities.

> Tempe, Arizona

If you’re seeking sunshine and fresh air, look no further than Tempe, a vibrant city located just south of Phoenix. From festivals and outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding on Tempe Town Lake to visiting the Tempe Center for the Arts or local pet-friendly eateries, there are plenty of things to do in the low desert valley.

"Exploring lesser-known destinations with a variety of outdoor activities, opting for a road trip with your pet can help make adventures more affordable."

> Chattanooga, Tennessee

For those looking to escape fast-paced city life with an outdoor getaway, Chattanooga is a perfect destination to enjoy outdoor activities, such as exploring Lookout Mountain or walking along the Tennessee River. In a city full of culture and history, visitors can enjoy local artwork at the Hunter Museum of American Art or go sightseeing in the historic Bluff View Art District. As the temperatures rise, embrace the rays at the seasonal pool alongside pet-friendly lodging at Motel 6 Chattanooga.

As you look to plan your getaway, visit Motel6.com to find pet-friendly and affordable lodging accommodations as well as more ideas to point you in the right direction on your spring excursion.

Courtesy of Family Features

Photo Courtesy of Roberto Nickson on Unsplash

Photos Courtesy of Monstera Production

Raising Health-Conscious Kids

By: Tanni Haas, Ph.D.

An important issue many parents face is how to motivate their kids to make healthy choices. One solution could be to engage the kids in something they already enjoy: technology. Here’s a list of some of the most informative and entertaining apps, movies, and podcasts (as well as books, for kids who love reading) about healthy living.

Apps

There are many excellent and completely free apps that might inspire your kids to take good care of their physical and mental health (available from the Apple Appstore, Google Play, and other places.) Eat-And-Move-O-Matic is great for making kids aware of the consequences of what they eat and drink. This app lets them compare the calories in their food with the type and length of time of physical activities like biking, running, or walking needed to burn off those calories.

Another great app that might encourage healthy eating is Space Chef. This app teaches kids important facts about healthy foods and even goes one step further: it has more than 60 kid-friendly recipes.

"An important issue many parents face is how to motivate their kids to make healthy choices."

When it comes to physical exercise, have them download Stretch Break for Kids. This app is especially useful if your kids spend hours hunched over their laptops or phones without getting up. It has various stretching exercises designed to relax the neck and back muscles that are most affected by bad posture and repetitive strain. These exercises are demonstrated by other

kids, who prompt viewers at regular intervals to keep moving through the exercises.

If your kids enjoy sports, especially football, but it’s hard to get them to actually exercise, NFL Play 60 is just the right app for them. This app lets kids pretend that they’re professional football players. But instead of simply making their on-screen avatars run and jump, they must get off the couch and run, jump, catch and turn to make their avatars move. The app also lets kids count the steps they’ve taken while playing the game.

There are also many great apps that can help improve kids’ mental health. One app, which is especially useful for younger kids, is Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame Street. This app teaches kids how to relax so that they can better cope with everyday, stressful situations. Divided into five interactive

scenarios, kids help Cookie Monster take deep breaths, come up with plans for addressing stressful situations, and then try out those plans.

Emotionary is a great mental health app for older kids. This app enhances kids’ emotional intelligence by featuring more than 100 short, simple, dictionary-style definitions of common emotions, each accompanied by a unique emoticon. It helps kids to develop a richer, more expansive vocabulary of emotions, and teaches them how to deal with those emotions so that they don’t become overwhelmed by their feelings. Kids can create and add their own emoticons for feelings that aren’t included in the app.

Finally, a great way for kids to relax their minds and bodies for optimal health is to practice yoga. Super Stretch Yoga, created by Jessica Rosenberg, a well-known yoga instructor, teaches kids yoga through video demonstrations by other kids, with a focus on breathing and movement. It’s narrated by a character named Super Stretch and features 12 poses with different skill levels. Kids can use the built-in camera to take pictures of themselves doing the poses.

Books

It’s no big secret that it can be difficult to get kids to pick up any book that hasn’t been assigned by their teachers. Here are two excellent books, one geared towards tweens and teens, the other for younger kids, that I’m sure they’ll enjoy:

• The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to Being Super Healthy: What You Need To Know About Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep, Hygiene, Stress, Screen Time, and More by Nina Shapiro. Publisher: Sky Pony Press. As the title suggests, this engaging book covers everything parents would want their kids to know about maintaining good physical and mental health. Chapters cover all aspects of healthy living - from proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep to the importance of preventative health care and stress and screen time management. The author, Nina Shapiro, MD, is a graduate of Harvard Medical School and a regular expert guest on CBS, CNN, and NPR, among other places.

• This Is How We Stay Healthy by Dorling Kindersley. Publisher: Penguin Random House.

Photos Courtesy of Yan Krukau

For younger kids, especially preschoolers, consider getting a copy of This Is How We Stay Healthy, written by a group of authors employed by Dorling Kindersley, a subsidiary of Penguin Random House. Written in a style that young kids will find engaging, and with lots of illustrations, this book covers basic topics like the different parts of the body and what they do, which foods are good for you, the many ways you can move your body and stay in shape, and the importance of cleanliness. The book is part of a four-part series, called “First Skills For Pre-School.” The other titles deal with how to get ready for preschool, make friends, and stay safe.

Movies

There are many excellent documentaries on healthy living that you can enjoy with your kids. One of the most well-known is Cooked by the bestselling environmental author Michael Pollan (available on Netflix). Divided into four parts that correspond to the four “classical elements” – Fire, Water, Air, and Earth – Pollan explores how these elements historically have been used to transform raw ingredients into nutritious meals. Kids will learn that there are lots of healthy alternatives to processed foods.

Another informative documentary is Forks Over Knives (also available on Netflix.) Written and directed by Lee Fulkerson, an award-winning filmmaker, this documentary explores the health benefits of adopting a plant-based diet. It features expert testimony and follows the journeys of ordinary people who consume plant-based foods. Chances are that, after watching this documentary, your kids will appreciate the importance of eating more fruits and vegetables, in addition to other plantbased foods like beans, grains, lentils, nuts, and seeds.

Podcasts

Finally, there are many podcasts aimed at improving kids’ mental health. One great podcast is Peace Out. This podcast features stories, breathing and visualization exercises, and meditation techniques to help kids become less anxious and stressed. Another similar podcast, aimed at younger kids, is Be Calm on Ahway Island. This podcast features relaxing stories as well as guided meditations with positive messages.

Lucky Mint Brownie Perfection

How lucky you must be to come across this recipe just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. This one is a twisted combination of mint and sweet chocolate that’s sure to have almost anyone’s taste buds screaming “yum.” This dessert might just be the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow this year.

These Mint Brownies have three delicious layers. First, a supreme brownie on bottom. Then a fluffy, green mint layer that’s full of flavor and color. Last, but definitely not least, a chocolate layer on top made with chocolate chips, butter and a little whipping cream.

All of these layers create a smooth, sweet, minty, bitesized dessert perfect for any occasion but especially St. Patrick’s Day. The green mint color really pops off the plate, giving it some extra flare and an appetizing glow.

To start, create the soft, chocolate filled brownie. Combine brownie mix, vegetable oil, one egg, water and the chocolate syrup pouch. Bake and cool completely.

Then it’s time for some colorful, festive fun. Make the filling with powdered sugar, butter, whipping cream, softened cream cheese, a splash of peppermint extract and a few drops of green food coloring. Beat and pour over the cooled brownie pan.

The last layer is simple. In a saucepan, melt whipping cream, chocolate chips and butter until smooth. When it’s cooled to lukewarm, pour it over the filling for the final layer.

Refrigerate the Mint Brownies for two hours before serving. Cut them into bite-size pieces for small chunks that will melt in your mouth.

Find more seasonal dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Courtesy of Family Features & Culinary.net

Mint Brownies

Servings: 9-12

 Nonstick cooking spray

 1 box supreme brownie mix with chocolate syrup pouch

 3 tablespoons water

 1/3 cup vegetable oil

 1 egg

Filling:

 3 ½ cups powdered sugar

 ¼ cup butter, softened

 ¼ cup whipping cream

 5 ounces cream cheese, softened

 ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

 5 drops green food color

Topping:

 ½ cup whipping cream

 1 bag (12 ounces) chocolate chips

 ½ cup butter

Heat oven to 350 F.

Spray 8-by-8-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In large bowl, mix brownie mix, water, oil and egg until combined. Pour into prepared baking pan. Bake 35 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

To make filling: In large bowl, beat powdered sugar, butter, whipping cream, cream cheese, peppermint extract and food coloring. Spread over cooled brownies. Refrigerate 1 hour, or until set.

To make topping: In saucepan, melt whipping cream, chocolate chips and butter until smooth. Cool until lukewarm, about 10 minutes. Pour over filling; spread to cover. Refrigerate 2 hours, or until set.

Before serving, let brownies set 10 minutes at room temperature. Tips: Cut brownies with wet knife for cleaner cuts. Store covered in refrigerator.

"Easter signals springtime and provides an opportunity to gather with loved ones to celebrate."

Photos courtesy of Unsplash

ENTERTAINING ON EASTER

TIPS TO MAKE HOLIDAY HOSTING SIMPLE

Easter signals springtime and provides an opportunity to gather with loved ones to celebrate. However, hosting the gettogether – whether brunch, lunch or dinner – requires planning and preparation to ensure the event is enjoyable.

From the guest list and menu to the decor and activities for the kiddos, consider these steps to get ready for Easter hosting duties.

MAKE A GUEST LIST

When planning your gathering, first think about how many people your space can accommodate. Ensure there’s a place for everyone to sit and eat, even if that means bringing in extra tables and chairs or designating a “kids table” so all the adults can sit together. Once you know how many people you can invite – and have a plan for seating – send out festive invitations or create a group on social media with your preferred guests to gather RSVPs.

TAKE INVENTORY OF NECESSITIES

Once you have your guest list set, take inventory of serving dishes, utensils, linens and glassware. Depending on the number of guests, you may need to invest in extra supplies or borrow from a friend or relative to ensure you have everything you need. If you don’t have enough of one set of plates and flatware, mixing and matching is a trendy move and can serve as an additional aspect of your decor.

PLAN THE MENU

When setting your menu, traditional favorites like ham or lamb are almost always a hit but remember to consider any diet accommodations that may need to be made for any vegan or

vegetarian guests. Dishes featuring eggs, carrots, ginger and other ingredients that call spring to mind like quiches, soups, galette and more can be a perfect complement to the traditional main course. Serving the meal family-style with platters and bowls for everyone to share or hosting a potluck with guests bringing assigned dishes can help reduce the stress of trying to prepare the entire meal yourself.

DECORATE IN ADVANCE

From a seasonal wreath on the front door to a well-dressed table complete with place settings and a festive centerpiece, getting your decorating done early can not only reduce stress on the day of your event but also get you into the proper mindset for the celebration. A pastel or light-colored hue can add to the springtime vibes, and flowers, seasonal fruits in bowls and decorated eggs can all add to the tablescape.

KEEP THE KIDS IN MIND

While the meal is likely a highlight of the event for many, the younger guests often look forward to the activities, such as decorating eggs or an Easter egg hunt. You can hard-boil eggs in advance and set up a decorating station, complete with dyes, markers, stickers and more. Or while you’re finishing up inside, designate another adult or older children to hide pre-filled plastic eggs around the yard (weather permitting) and manage the hunt.

Find more ideas for hosting Easter festivities at eLivingtoday.com.

Courtesy of Family Features

Courtesy

Top 2025 outdoor design trends

Americans are spending more time in their outdoor spaces - and want to maximize those spaces. Studies show that nearly 90% of homeowners consider their outdoor areas to be important to their health and well-being. Design trends reflect that people are showing more interest in connecting with nature in their own backyard and enjoying the comforts of indoor living while gathering outdoors. This means creating environments that are comfortable, multifunctional and costeffective.

The outdoor design experts at Belgard®, the trusted leader in hardscape solutions from pavers to retaining walls, share exclusive insights into 2025 outdoor design trends to help homeowners plan their dream outdoor spaces.

Privacy and spaces of solitude

As property footprints continue to shrink year over year, homeowners are looking for aesthetically pleasing ways to incorporate more privacy from neighbors or their surroundings. Decorative screen panels, pergolas, built-in planters and other structures can add elements of both beauty and functionality that provide a sense of solitude, even in urban environments.

Sound gardens and water features can further enhance a feeling of solitude by adding audible privacy from neighbors or street traffic. For example, even a simple fountain or water bowl can enhance the ambiance and help muffle sound.

Photos

of BPT

Shifting back to classic style

While minimalism remains a popular trend, there's also been a shift back to a more classic style in indoor and outdoor home design. Mixed materials and warm colors such as beige and sepia are re-emerging, which lend themselves to a more traditional aesthetic.

With modular options from Belgard, a mix of different materials with multiple textures and sizes can create limitless possibilities while keeping with a classic design aesthetic. Because they're available in many styles, shapes, and sizes designed to work together, a variety of paver patterns can be combined seamlessly to achieve any desired overall look.

Convenience in design

As outdoor spaces are now a must-have for homeowners, they must be convenient to access and offer the same amenities as the home's indoor spaces. Homeowners are looking for their outdoor space to transition easily from the house to the built environment while offering the same modern conveniences of lighting, eating, Wi-Fi, quality furnishing and accessories.

Health and wellness

Using outdoor spaces to improve your well-being is a top focus for many people today. Americans are looking to be more balanced and in harmony with their environment, favoring the use of native plants and sustainable materials like permeable pavers, which promote better water drainage and reduce environmental impact.

Gardening is also a popular hobby that helps improve people's feeling of well-being, so enthusiasts can opt for raised garden beds or planters to pursue their growing goals in their outdoor spaces. For example, Belgard offers options to create built-in planters as part of your overall hardscape design with its Belgard Artforms modular outdoor panel system. You can use the panels, which are sized in modular shapes, to quickly and efficiently construct planters, seating, outdoor kitchens, fire features and more.

NO

Celebrate the holidays surrounded by great company and even better cuisine in the Pocono Mountains. From romantic dinners by candlelight to farm-to-table experiences, our local chefs are serving up something for every palate. Visit PoconoMountains.com to see all of our mouth-watering dining options and make your reservation.

By designing outdoor environments that support their health and wellness, individuals can cultivate spaces that provide a retreat in their own backyard to improve their quality of life.

Value-added features

In every metro area, property sizes are smaller than ever. With this shift plus budget considerations, homeowners want to maximize small spaces through modular components that serve multiple purposes, like built-in seat walls, fire features, water features and planters that seamlessly blend into a living spaceoffering both functionality and visual appeal.

Homeowners can get creative with outdoor spaces with the right hardscape materials. For example, a small space can be transformed into a lush oasis by adding a vertical garden, or

underutilized spaces like side or front yards can become cozy sitting areas. Even a small patio can serve as an al fresco dining space, and it doesn't take a lot to add an outdoor workstation with the right tools and tech. Patio pavers and wall units help define spaces, making them serve more than one purpose for any household.

These strategic investments not only increase the functionality and enjoyment of outdoor areas but also significantly boost curb appeal and the home's property value, making them a smart choice for homeowners looking to maximize their limited spaces.

Tips for Spring Yard Prep

After winter's last gasp, spring is just around the corner. That means it's time to get out into the yard and tackle some spring cleaning. With a little DIY prep work now, your yard will be your family's oasis for months to come.

Here are seven spring cleanup tasks from ECHO Inc. to put on your to-do list, along with the right tools to get the job done.

Clean up debris. Gather up any stray branches, twigs and trash that have blown into your yard. Tool tip: Keep two bags handy, one that you regularly use for garbage and a bag specifically designed for yard waste. Garbage services in many cities have specific windows of time in which they'll pick up yard waste in the spring, so check with yours and make sure you get your debris to the curb on time!

Rake the lawn. Didn't get to those leaves before the first snowfall? Now's the time to rake them up. This will let sunlight and air reach your grass, sparking it to grow. Tool tip: They go in that same yard waste bag you're using for debris.

Do you need to aerate? Take a hard look at your lawn. Is the soil too compacted? Do you have bare patches? It could mean you need to aerate the soil. Tool tip: You can do this job yourself by renting an aerator from your local hardware store. Or, bring in a lawn service to do it for you. This is also the time to apply fertilizer if your yard needs it.

Photo Courtesy of Dianne on pexels

Photo Courtesy of Pixabay

Deal with downed trees or branches. After this unpredictable winter, many people are faced with downed trees or large branches in their yards. Cutting them up and disposing of them now will save lawn headaches later. Tool tip: This is a job for a chainsaw. The battery-powered ECHO eFORCE DCS-5000 chainsaw is quiet, easy to use and you don't have to mess with gas and oil. Or a power cord. You'll get 200 cuts on a single charge delivering professional-grade power via the ECHO eFORCE 56V battery system.

"You can spruce up your yard, making it ready for your family to enjoy until the snow falls again."

Trim up shrubs. Since you've got that ECHO chainsaw powered up, take a look at your shrubs. Did you find any dead or diseased branches? Zip them off. Now is also a good time to shape your bushes and plants, cutting away any stray branches for a clean look.

Prune your trees. If you have low-hanging or dead branches, the time to clean those up is early spring, before the leaves start budding out. Tool tip: An extendable pruner is the safest tool for this job. It allows you to prune branches without climbing onto a ladder. Read more about it in this article from Almanac. One important rule to remember when doing this task: Stay away from branches that are anywhere near a power line. That is a job for the pros, period.

Tend your garden. Whether you have an in-ground garden or containers, remove any dead plants and other debris like sticks from those beds. Also, cut your perennials back to just a few inches off the ground. This will facilitate new growth. Tool tip: Turn over or till your soil with a simple hoe if your garden is small. For bigger plots, you'll want to use a tiller.

With these tips and the right tools, you can spruce up your yard, making it ready for your family to enjoy until the snow falls again. For more information about how to use ECHO's line of outdoor power tools, visit their website at www.echo-usa.com.

Otter Lake Otter Lake

CAMP RESORT

• 60 acre lake with 300 campsites

• Paved roads

• Electric, water and cable TV hook-ups; 100 campsites have sewer hook-ups

• 8 heated bathouses, store, laundry and propane

• Boating, boat rentals and fishing (no fishing license required)

• Indoor pool with 2 Jacuzzis and Sauna

• Outdoor Pool

• Swimming Beach

• Lighted tennis, racquetball and basketball courts

• Softball field

• Game room, planned activities

• Open all year

• Woodall 5W rated

P.O. Box 850 • Marshalls Creek, PA 18301 570-223-0123

Reservations only: 800-345-1369 www.otterlake.com

Courtesy of BPT

"Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions such as drought, flooding, heat and cold."

HOW TO PICK THE

Right Plants

FOR YOUR LOCATION

When planning your yard or garden, you likely focus on the what and the where. After all, a beautiful plant in a prime location enhances curb appeal and even bragging rights.

You may pay less attention though to understanding how your location, or plant hardiness zone, impacts your garden’s success. To help ensure your plants don’t just survive, but thrive, the experts at lawn care equipment manufacturer Exmark are sharing the following insights about plant hardiness:

What is Plant Hardiness?

Plant hardiness is the secret sauce of any healthy outdoor space. Plant hardiness is the ability of a plant to survive adverse growing conditions such as drought, flooding, heat and cold. Have you ever watched with frustration as a late-season temperature dip leaves your beautiful buds with a serious case of frostbite? Plant hardiness zones were developed to help landscapers, gardeners and lawn care enthusiasts avoid this heartache.

American farming contributes billions of dollars to the gross national product annually, which is one reason why the USDA has long monitored weather data. If determining when the average final frost may occur for every region in the country is worth billions, what could that same knowledge mean for your garden? Well, choosing plants with hardiness levels appropriate to specific planting zones gives you the best chance of cultivating healthy, beautiful plants.

What is My Growing Zone?

The United States is divided into 13 zones. Zones 1-6 being the coldest, and 7-13 the warmest. Zone 1 averages -60 degrees F while zone 13 never drops below 70 degrees F. A general guideline is to plant anything designated for your zone or lower, but never higher. Know what zone you live in and make a point of checking the tag on the back of the plant or seed pack before planting.

Perennials Versus Annuals

There’s a reason you see palm trees in Sarasota, Florida, not Saginaw, Michigan. When it comes to perennials, it’s not about when the first frost is, but how cold it gets, and whether that plant can survive and thrive through winter.

Plant hardiness zones are less important however when it comes to annuals. Because these plants are only meant to last one growing season; waiting until after the average first frost date will save you from having to re-plant. Know that even if your plant survives the frost, it may never match the photo you saw advertised at the nursery.

Planting Zone Rule of Thumb

Plant hardiness zone maps are, well, all over the map. Consider the number assigned to your zip code as a starting point. You may live right at the break between one zone and the other. When in doubt, guess too low, rather than too high. In the South, the heat stress a plant not made for the conditions. Your particular geography can also affect your hardiness zone, like if you live on a hill or in a valley.

For more insights, check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, and watch “Find Your Plant Hardiness Zone,” an episode of “Backyard Smart,” an original series from lawn care equipment manufacturer, Exmark. To watch the video, visit Backyard Life, which is part of a unique multimedia destination with a focus on helping homeowners improve their outdoor living spaces. There you can also download additional tips and view other Exmark Original Series videos.

Understanding what plants will thrive in your climate is essential to a healthy landscape. Fortunately, free resources abound to help you plant successfully.

Courtesy of StatePoint

Courtesy of cottonbro studio

HOW GRANDPARENTS CAN MAKE THE MOST OF

Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day

By: Kimberly Blaker

Take Our Daughters to Work Day was created in 1993 by the Ms. Foundation. The purpose was to help girls realize the importance of their abilities, so they can reach their full potential.

In 2003, the observation was officially changed to Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, to be inclusive of all kids. Now, kids have the opportunity to experience the workforce one day each year, helping them to envision what tomorrow has to offer them.

Not all kids will get the opportunity to go to work with their parents. So on April 23, 2020, be a part of this nationwide event and empower your granddaughters and grandsons for a bright and fulfilling future.

A day at work with your grandkids

On Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, get your grandchild off to a good start by having your them dress accordingly and arriving on time. Avoid having your grandchild just observe. Prepare in advance and have some work and tasks set aside to keep your him or her busy throughout the day.

Also, try some of the following ideas:

Have your grandkid keep a journal throughout the day and describe different aspects of the occupation they like, dislike, and why.

Ask your granddaughter or grandson to compose questions about the occupation and interview coworkers. Questions might include the pros and cons of the job, why coworkers chose this

Photos

occupation, and what their day entails. If your grandchild is shy or opposed to the idea, don't force it. You want them to leave with positive feelings about the day.

Describe hypothetical situations or problems that might arise in your job. Then ask your grandchild for ideas and solutions.

Help your grandkid write a letter and an occupational questionnaire. Then have them prepare it to mail to businesses and professionals in occupations of interest. Be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a response, and take them to the post office at the end of the day.

Give your grandkid a camera, a Polaroid, if possible, to take photos throughout the day. Then have themcompile a Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day scrapbook. They can include descriptions of each photo and what was learned or discovered.

Visit yourfreecareertest.com, where kids can do a free online survey to discover what careers fit their personality and interests. Then they can go to kids.usa.gov/teens/jobs/ for career information that's designed for young teens.

Help your grandchild create a career folder and design forms to track school classes, grades, career interests and experiences, honors and awards, and other relevant information for preparing for secondary education or joining the workforce.

Alternatives to taking grandkids to work

If you're unable to take your grandchild to work, consider volunteer work for the day. Offer to assist a teacher, help with a political campaign, or another community service project in which your grandchild can join you.

Give your grandchild alternative opportunities related to their interest in a particular occupation. If you know someone in the field, ask if your grandchild can go to work with them. Or ask a nearby company what it's planning for the day and how your grandchild can participate.

Other ways grandparents can promote the day

Not all kids will have the opportunity to participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Talk with family and

friends and mention you'd like to volunteer to take a child to work who otherwise won't have the opportunity.

Taking kids to work isn't the only way grandparents can participate in the observance. Make the most of the day for all kids by doing any of the following.

Promote Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day by writing a letter to the editor to create awareness.

"Prepare in advance and have some work and tasks set aside to keep your grandchild busy throughout the day."

Form a committee in your community or at work to promote the day and plan events to make it a success.

Create fliers to remind parents and grandparents of the upcoming day, and post them on community bulletin boards in libraries, grocery stores, and banks. Also, ask companies to post them in their break rooms or on employee bulletin boards.

Ask your employer to support the event, and discuss ways the company can help make the day a success. Assist in planning special activities for girls throughout the day, such as speakers, group discussions, or a luncheon.

Organize a speaking engagement in your community on the topic of Taking Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Use the event to explain the importance and significance of the day, suggest ways people can participate in the day, and what they can do when they take their kids to work.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance family writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com

The Easter Hole

By: Suzanne McCool

Long years ago when the Poconos was a very rural area, I lived in the village of Mount Pocono with my sisters where our parents owned a small hotel called the Airport Inn. My older sister, Linda, was born during World War II. I was born at the end of the war and Paulette two years later. My mother was the daughter of a German immigrant, and my father’s ancestors (The Fretz’s), also German, were here since the 1700s in the Bucks County region. He considered himself “Pennsylvania Dutch”.

Photo Courtesy of Monika Grabkowska on Unsplash

I’ve been told that the custom of the “Easter Hole” came from the old country. We girls anxiously awaited the arrival of Easter each year. We started getting very excited after our big shopping trip to Scranton to acquire our Easter outfits at Samters, Scranton Dry Goods, or the Globe Store. We would each get a pretty Easter dress, a matching hat, little white gloves, shiny new shoes, and a new spring coat if we were lucky. We were outfitted from head to toe by the nice sales ladies in Scranton. Usually our Aunt Audrey would engineer these shopping excursions because our parents were very busy running the hotel and catering to our guests. We were then ready for Easter morning Church and Sunday School.

"The biggest excitement for us was digging our Easter hole at the edge of the woods and preparing for the Easter Rabbit..."

However the biggest excitement for us was digging our Easter hole at the edge of the woods and preparing for the Easter Rabbit to deposit pretty colored eggs and candy in it for Easter morning. We would dig a hole in the ground about 12 inches wide and 6 inches deep. Next we would search for moss and line it with the soft green moss. Finally we would search for a nice big flat rock to lie on the top of it as a lid. Then it was ready for the big day. We were told to stay away from it or the Easter Rabbit wouldn’t come.

First thing Easter morning we would find a colored egg in our shoes when we got up. Once dressed, out to the Easter hole we ran, always to find beautiful colored eggs, little yellow marshmallow peeps, and chocolate bunnies, coconut eggs, and jelly beans. Then we hunted for Easter eggs hidden around the lawn. Of course we also had pretty Easter baskets waiting for us inside too, although we were not allowed to eat too much candy at one time.

Upon returning from church, the delicious aroma of the Easter Ham our mother was baking wafted through the air at the Inn. The big table in the dining room was beautifully set for at least 12 people, since we invited the few guests who were staying over plus a few relatives to share our meal.

I remember going out to check the Easter Hole later that day in case the Easter Rabbit came back and filled it with treats again, but no such luck!

not just a day of shopping here in the Pocono Mountains—it’s an experience. Wander our historic streets. Explore our art galleries. Find unique local goods. And stop for a bite at one of our top-rated neighborhood restaurants along the way. Discover

Healthy Aging with Medicare Advantage Plans

Your health plan plays a big role in keeping you healthy as you age. It can support key parts of healthy aging, like preventive care, taking prescribed medications, regular exercise and staying socially active. Medicare Advantage plans, for example, offer a more complete approach to health and wellness, helping you manage these important areas of your life. Choosing the right Medicare Advantage plan is important during this year's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), when Medicare-eligible people can sign up or make changes to their coverage.

Dr. Ali Khan, chief medical officer for Aetna® Medicare, is a practicing board-certified internist who sees primarily Medicare patients and discusses these aspects of healthy aging with them nearly every day. To help people understand how these plans support healthy aging, Dr. Khan shares four key tips:

Focus on preventive care

Getting regular checkups and screenings from your doctor can help catch health problems early, which can stop them from becoming more serious. It's important to review your Medicare Advantage plan as many cover various health screenings, such as colonoscopies and mammograms, at no additional cost.

Don't forget about the importance of regular dental, vision and hearing care, too. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include dental, vision and hearing benefits. Poor oral health can harm other parts of the body as you age, which can lead to heart disease, stroke and certain cancers. It can also reduce your quality of life and impact your overall health. Poor vision or hearing can sometimes point to bigger health conditions such as dementia.

"This is an important time of year to be thinking about your health plan and what health benefits matter most to your overall health and wellness."

You might not even have to leave your own home for some preventive care. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer an annual Healthy Home Visit from a licensed clinician with Signify Health®. During these visits, a clinician can assess your health and check your home for fall risks and social support needs, helping to keep you safe and healthy. After the visit, the clinician will share a summary report with your doctor and help coordinate any care needs.

Courtesy of BPT

An Aetna Medicare Advantage plan member shared feedback related to their preventive care experience: "I believe Aetna's focus on health care versus sick care is a better way to go. They understand that maintaining a person's health is better than trying to get them healthy after they're sick."

Stay physically active

Regular physical exercise is a big part of healthy aging. Not only does it help keep muscles and bones strong, but it also helps improve heart health and lowers the risk of chronic conditions. Medicare Advantage plans can also provide benefits related to exercise, such as offering a SilverSneakers® basic fitness membership. Many older adults experience social isolation or loneliness, so signing up for group fitness classes also helps to stay socially connected.

Take medications as prescribed

It's important to follow your doctor's instructions when taking medications. Life's demands can make it easy to forget to take medications. However, setting up a daily routine can help you remember to take them, such as taking your medicine at the same time every day or pairing it with a task like brushing your teeth. Pill organizers can also help ensure you take the right dose at the right time.

Prevent falls

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says falls are the leading cause of injury for adults ages 65 years and older and over 14 million older adults report falling every year. To prevent falls, stay active to help maintain balance, get your vision and hearing checked regularly, and remove hazards like loose rugs from your home.

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer home health assessments to identify risks, and they may cover vision and hearing tests that can increase awareness of the surrounding environment.

This is an important time of year to be thinking about your health plan and what health benefits matter most to your overall health and wellness. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is already underway and runs through December 7. People who are eligible can sign up for Medicare or switch plans during this time. To learn more about 2025 Aetna Medicare plans, call Aetna at 1-844-588-0041 (TTY: 711).

See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area.

Community

In & Around the Poconos

Sugar Shack Scramble

Saturday, March 1 • 9am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Join us for a short hike through the woods out to the “Two Saps” Sugar Shack. Afterwards, enjoy hot cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup at our Dining Hall! Sign up for a 9am or 9:30am start time. Spaces are limited! $15 per person. peec.org

Maple Sugaring Public Day

Saturday, March 1 • 10am - 2pm

Meesing Outdoor Site

Take a 90-minute tour of our Meesing sugarbush focusing on the history of maple syrup from the Native Americans to the early settlers in this region. Learn how to 'tap' a maple tree to obtain sap, and watch as we demonstrate how to cook the sap until it is sweet maple syrup. You'll complete the tour at

our pancake station where the finished product is served over freshly made pancakes. Please dress appropriately for the weather, including shoes appropriate for trail walking! Preregistration is required, call 570-629-3061. Participants may choose a time from 9:30am to 2pm for their 90-minute tour. Cost: $6/adults, $4/children under 12, payable day of program. Tree sponsors attend free of charge. Please call us or refer to our website for written directions to Meesing. mcconservation.org

Sugar Shack Scramble

Sunday, March 2 • 9am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Join us for a short hike through the woods out to the “Two Saps” Sugar Shack. Afterwards, enjoy hot cocoa and pancakes with fresh maple syrup at our Dining Hall! Sign up for a 9am or 9:30am start time. Spaces are limited! $15 per person. peec.org

Intro to Orienteering

Sunday, March 2 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Come learn how to use a map & compass on our orienteering course. We’ll show you the basics before you try to find all the points. Space is limited – call early. Please call to register. $5 per person. peec.org

Ecozone Discovery Room!

Saturday, March 8 • 1pm - 4pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave, explore a beaver lodge, and dig in a fossil pit! Explore this indoor discovery room and enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. No registration required. $3 per person. peec.org

Wacky Science Adventures

Sunday, March 9 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Put on your lab coats and prepare to conduct some crazy experiments! You’ll get to create your very own slime, oobleck, and attempt to launch a rocket into space. Please call to register. $8 per child. peec.org

Photo courtesy of Lynne Shelly

Kettle Creek For Kids-Mystery

Tuesday, March 11 • 10am - 11am

Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center

To be Announced (Ages 3-6) Check back to see the theme of this program. Please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear. Program is for ages 3-6. Parent or guardian must attend with their child. Cost: $7 per child, cash or check only, payable day of program. Must pre-register, call 570-6293061. mcconservation.org

Star Party

Friday, March 14 • 7pm - 9:30pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend a session in our Planetarium for a live and lively, interactive lesson of what is up there to find and observe. From identifying the North Star (and why it is so important), to the current stars, planets, and constellations visible early in the evening, to observing how the Earth’s rotation gives us new wonders to enjoy the later you stay up, you will have a whole new understanding of the gems of the night to take along with you and find from your home location. $10. Please call to register. peec.org

Animal Tracking & Stalking

Saturday, March 15 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Look for animal tracks & signs, learn how to identify animals via their footprints, and how animals adapt to stalk and hunt their prey. Please call to register. $5 per person. peec.org

Beaver Ecology Hike

Saturday, March 15 • 7pm - 8:30pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Look for animal tracks and signs, learn how to identify animals from their footprints, and how animals adapt to stalk and hunt their prey. All ages welcome. Please call to register. $5 per person. peec.org

Bird Bonanza

Sunday, March 16 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend time watching our feeders and putting together your own unique and custom bird feeder from a variety of recycled materials just in time for winter. We’ll provide everything you need, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Nature Photography

Sunday, March 16 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Learn some beginner techniques on how to frame a picture and then apply those skills on our trails. Great for children and those starting from scratch. Participants will need a camera for pictures, even a phone camera will do! Please call to register. $10. peec.org

Intro to Camping

Saturday, March 22 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Learn the basic skills that will get you camping confidently! We will cover the essential equipment needed for a successful camping trip, as well as Leave No Trace ethics, introductory knot tying and setting up a tarp shelter, and campsite set up such as building campfires and hanging food bags. Space is limited –call early. Please call to register. peec.org

Intro to Orienteering

Saturday, March 22 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Come learn how to use a map & compass on our orienteering course. We’ll show you the basics before you try to find all the points. Space is limited – call early. Please call to register. $5 per person. peec.org

Introduction to Fly Fishing

Saturday, March 22 • 9am - 12pm

Brodhead Creek Heritage Center

Hosted by Trout Unlimited. Volunteers from the Brodhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited, are going to hold an introduction to fly fishing class! the $5 event fee supports Kettle Creek Environmental Education Center. We will once again be hosting the class portion at Brodhead Creek Heritage Center. Instruction includes: basic equipment, knot tying, fly casting, types of flies

and what they imitate, reading water. After the classes we will then head over to Zacharias Pond for an afternoon of fishing so students can apply what they have learned. Pre-registration is required and we have a 32 student limit. This program is for adults and children 12 and older. Children must be accompanied by an adult. mcconservation.org

Moss ID Hike

Sunday, March 23 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Join us for an exciting exploration of the various mosses that cover our local grounds. Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Terrarium Workshop

Sunday, March 23 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Create your own custom terrarium from recycled materials! Join Olivia and Alyssa from Club Moss to create your own mini ecosystem in a jar. Class will cover the set up and care of your terrarium. Please call to register. $20 per person. peec.org

Frog Frolic

Saturday, March 29 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend the afternoon with us at our ponds and streams! Learn about some of our frog friends as we gently catch and release these hopping amphibians. Wear boots and plan on getting wet and muddy. Please call to register. $5 per person. peec.org

Wacky Science Adventures

Saturday, March 29 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Put on your lab coats and prepare to conduct some crazy experiments! You’ll get to create build your own rocket, create a cushion for an egg, and more. Prepare to get your hands a little dirty! Great for kids! Please call to register. $8/person. peec.org

Ecozone Discovery Room!

Sunday, March 30 • 1pm - 4pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Climb into a bald eagle’s nest, crawl into a bat cave, explore a beaver lodge, and dig in a fossil pit! Explore this indoor

discovery room and enjoy hands-on exhibits on natural history, sustainability and the local environment. No registration required. $3 per person. peec.org

Woodcock Walk

Sunday, March 30 • 6:30pm - 8pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Join us for a walk to see the mysterious woodcock and its spectacular springtime mating display. Bring a flashlight for better searching! Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Scouts BSA Badge Festival

Saturday, April 5 • 9:30am - 4pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Bears will work on their Bear Habitat merit badge. Weblelos will complete their Earth Rocks merit badge. Arrow of Light will work on Into the Wild and Into the Woods adventures. Payment is required at registration. Space is limited – call early! Don’t forget to bring a lunch. $25 Full Day. peec.org

Nature at Night

Sunday, April 6 • 7:30pm - 9pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

A pleasant spring evening is the perfect time to head outside. Take a walk in the woods to listen for owls, look at stars, and enjoy the music of the night. Enjoy fun activities that test your night vision. We recommend you bring a flashlight! Please call to register. $5 per person. peec.org

Pocono Fiber Arts Retreat

Thursday, April 10 • 2pm - April 13 • 2pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend a relaxing weekend creating and conversing with the PEEC Stitchers! Bring your own in progress projects, or join in and learn how to make something new. A materials list for the weekend will be provided. Includes lodging and meals! Please call to register. $300 Full Workshop. peec.org

Spring Peeper Search

Friday, April 11 • 7:30pm - 9pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

THE POTTING SHED

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These tiny tree frogs have thawed out and are active again in our forested wetlands. Listen to the impressive choir made

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1/2 mile off of Rt. 80 exit 310 GPS Broad St. Delaware Water Gap 570-476-9440

Fruit Pies, Burgers, Pot Pies, Sandwiches, Pastries, Gifts, Jams & Jellies

by these vocal amphibians as we carefully catch, study, and release them. Bring a flashlight for better searching! Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Girl Scout Badge Festival

Saturday, April 12 • 9:30am - 4pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Brownies will complete their Trail Adventure Badge. Juniors will complete their Animal Habitat Badge. Cadettes will complete their Trail Blazing Badge. Seniors will be working on their Eco Explorer Badge. Overnight options are available for all age levels, ask for more information! Payment is required at registration. Space is limited – call early!Don’t forget to bring a lunch. $25/Scout. peec.org

Full Moon Bog Hike

Thursday, April 11 • 6:30pm - 9pm

Tannersville Bog

Explore the bog under the light of a full moon. The walk begins at 6:30pm and participants should bring a flashlight. Please wear appropriate footwear. Pre-registration is required and limited, call 570-629-3061. Meet at the Tannersville Bog parking lot. Cost: $6 per person, cash or check only. mcconservation.org

Pond Paddle

Saturday, April 12 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Join us for a paddle around our ponds! Beginners are welcome – we teach you everything you need to know! Dress appropriately you may get wet. Call in advance to reserve a boat. $5. peec.org

Frog Frolic

Sunday, April 13 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend the afternoon with us at our ponds and streams! Learn about some of our frog friends as we gently catch and release these hopping amphibians. Wear boots and plan on getting wet and muddy. Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Wacky Science Adventures

Sunday, April 13 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Put on your lab coats and prepare to conduct some crazy experiments! You’ll get to build your own rocket, create a cushion for an egg, and more. Prepare to get your hands a little dirty! Great for kids! $8/Child. peec.org

Bird Bonanza

Saturday, April 19 • 10am - 12pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend time watching our feeders and putting together your own unique and custom bird feeder from a variety of recycled materials just in time for winter. We’ll provide everything you need, but you are welcome to bring your own supplies. Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Frogs, Salamanders, & More!

Saturday, April 19 • 1pm - 3pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Spend the afternoon with us at our ponds and streams! Learn about some of our amphibious friends as we gently catch and release these slimy critters. Wear boots and plan on getting wet and muddy. Please call to register. $5. peec.org

Earth Day Festival

Saturday, April 26 • 11am - 4pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

Help us celebrate the Earth! There will be hands-on learning stations, interpretive hikes, conservation exhibits, crafts, food, music, and much more! No registration needed. $5 per car. peec.org

Waterfall Tour

Sunday, April 27 • 12pm - 4pm

Pocono Environmental Education Center

The Delaware Water Gap has quite a few waterfalls within the park that all flow into the Delaware River. Join us for the morning as we check out some of the larger and well known falls in the park. Spaces are limited so call early! Payment is due at registration. $10/person. peec.org

> Photo courtesy of Joan Willis

Barrett Paradise Friendly Library

Cresco, PA

570-595-7171 www.barrettlibrary.org

Clymer Library Pocono Pines, PA

570-646-0826 www.clymerlibrary.org

Pocono Mountain Public Library

Tobyhanna, PA

570-894-8860 www.poconomountpl.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

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