The
Journal of the POCONO PLATEAU
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VOLUME 27, NUMBER 9
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Mid-October, 2022
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Blakeslee Community Center renovations underway by Lori R. Cooper In 2019 the board of the Blakeslee Community Center at the intersection of Routes 940 and 115 started raising money to repair the historic building. The first grant came from the Pennsylvania Historical Commission after research by the board to get the site designated as a historic building. Work began on fixing the foundation. Then the pandemic hit, and everything
came to a halt. Repair of the building was put out for bid again in 2021 with only one bid received, and again in 2022. A contract was finally signed with David and Susan Bowersox of DB Construction on October 13. The company has been in business for 36 years. Part of the plan for the renovated building is to extend it 8 feet by knocking down the back wall, and also making the bathrooms ADA compliant. The building will
get new drywall, windows, doors, siding, paint and an HVAC system. The old wooden floors with a large burn from a potbelly stove will be restored, but that particular stain will remain as a reminder of the past history. The Community Center began 100 years ago when the Blakeslee family donated the land for this purpose. Board president Tammy Livziey noted that she “grew up here and had great events at the community center. It’s in our hearts to bring the community together.” A new community room is being created where free events and programs can be held. There will be holiday events, movie nights
and dinners cooked in the community center kitchen. Once completed the hope is to get new furniture.
Work began on October 14 and will take 7 to 8 months. Total cost of the project is $491,290.
PEC not on agenda for PMSB session by Pat Albano Pocono Mountain School Board president Marion Pyzik called the October 5 meeting to order by asking the solicitor to read a statement on Pocono Elementary Center. The statement informed the public that the board did not plan any further discussion of the PEC building in Tannersville
until it heard from Pocono Township, and that because the issue was not on the agenda for the evening’s meeting, comments on the issue would be limited to the portion of the meeting dealing with non-agenda items. Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Robison discussed Fall Fest, reporting Swiftwater Elementary’s book fair and food drive were
successful, with donations raised for families in need. She also mentioned Back to School Bowling Night with funds raised for suicide prevention and mental health. Robison noted that a number of PSMD seniors who applied to East Stroudsburg University were accepted on the spot. She concluded with a discussion of Flexible Instructional See PMSB, page 3