Penn Lines April 2014 by American MainStreet Publications

APRIL 2014

Time travel on the

Lincoln Highway Historic corridor starts its second century

PLUS From ho-hum to yum-yum Sealing up your home Looking for wilderness

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APRIL Vol. 49 • No. 4 Peter A. Fitzgerald EDITOR

Katherine Hackleman S E N I OR E D I T O R / W R I T E R

James Dulley Janette Hess Barbara Martin Marcus Schneck

A choice in the matter

C ON T R I B U T I N G C O L U M N I S TS

W. Douglas Shirk L AYOU T & DESI GN

FIRST WORD

KEEPING CURRENT News items from across the Commonwealth

Vonnie Kloss A D V E R T I S I N G & CI R C U L A T I O N

Michelle M. Smith M E D I A & M A R K E T I N G S P E CI A L I S T

Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 165,800 households of co-op consumermembers understand issues that affect the electric cooperative program, their local coops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and taxpaying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or local electric distribution cooperatives. Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.42 per year through their local electric distribution cooperative. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes with mailing label to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorsement of the product or services by the publisher or any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines, please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves the right to refuse any advertising.

F E AT U R E

Time travel on the Lincoln Highway Historic corridor starts its second century

SMART CIRCUITS

Improving the efficiency of older doors 14

T I M E PA S S A G E S Memories from our members

14A C O O P E R AT I V E

CO N N ECT I O N

Information and advice from your local electric cooperative

POWER PLANTS

Food for thought 16

16 24

COUNTRY KITCHEN

From ho-hum to yum-yum 18

TIME LINES Your newsmagazine through the years

E N E R G Y M AT T E R S

Sealing up your home and saving money Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman, Tim Burkett; Secretary, Lanny Rodgers; Treasurer, Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley © 2014 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.

Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, located at: www.prea.com/Content/ pennlines.asp. Penn Lines Online provides an email link to Penn Lines editorial staff, information on advertising rates, and an archive of past issues.

CLASSIFIEDS

O U T D O O R A DV E N T U R ES

Looking for wilderness in Pennsylvania 25

RURAL REFLECTIONS

Spring has sprung 26

PUNCH LINES

Thoughts from Earl Pitts– Uhmerikun! Don’t fall for this kind of advertisement

O N T H E COV E R This mural near Schellsburg in Bedford County is one of several similar paintings along the Lincoln Highway as it crosses through Pennsylvania. The roadside mural project was coordinated by the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. Photo by Kathy Hackleman

APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

FIRSTword

By Frank M. Betley

A choice in the matter AMERICANS like having a choice, that’s for sure. Having a choice is part of our heritage, our very identity as a democratic nation. Your electric cooperative, a local organization that is led by individuals chosen by you, is an example of that principle in action. Today, choice abounds in American culture, in ever-increasing fashion. Take a stroll down the cereal aisle of your local grocery store to see what I mean. For example, when I was growing up, there was only one kind of Cheerios® — the toasted oat little “O’s” in the bright yellow box. These days, you can take your pick from 14 different varieties, everything from Honey Nut Cheerios to Cinnamon Burst Cheerios to Dulce de Leche Cheerios (I’m not making this up). That’s a lot of choices. Choice has even worked its way into the energy industry. Today, electricity customers in Pennsylvania have a choice about who supplies their electric generation. In 1997, when the state deregulated the electric utility industry, it created a competitive marketplace in which electricity customers could switch generation providers. Your local electric company would still deliver the electricity, but the generation — the “juice” that

President & CEO Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. FRANK M. BETLEY

PENN

LINES • APRIL 2014

powers your lights and appliances — could be purchased on the open market. Seeing it as an opportunity for consumers to potentially achieve cost savings, electric cooperatives were at the forefront of efforts to ensure their members would have a choice in this marketplace. Cooperatives proactively advocated for a competition statute to allow for electric cooperative participation, opening the door for alternative electric generation suppliers (EGSs) to offer retail choice in cooperative service territories. Today, you, as a cooperative consumer, have a choice — in principle. Unfortunately, in practice, that choice has never really been there for you. Here’s why: over the past 17 years in this retail marketplace, no EGS has offered competitive service to any cooperative consumer. But this isn’t necessarily all bad news. There has been no EGS interest for one reason — cooperative generation rates have been consistently among the lowest and most stable in the region. Alternative suppliers simply can’t compete with your generation rates. This is a direct result of the member-focused cooperative business model, which is built on the concept of providing the greatest value for the consumer. Through this model, cooperatives are able to band together, aggregate their energy needs, and procure the least-cost and most reliable energy available in the wholesale marketplace — resulting in uniquely stable and affordable rates for their consumers. Additionally, cooperatives in Pennsylvania also own nearly 70 percent of the total generation resources required to serve their needs, protecting consumers like you from the volatility of the ever-changing energy marketplace. If you’ve seen the news reports this past winter about high bill complaints from customers of private power companies, you know what I mean about volatility. A lot of these complaints were from folks who took advantage of electric

choice and switched providers. In many cases, they switched to suppliers with variable rates, which have skyrocketed due to this winter’s cold temperatures and soaring demand. With thousands of complaints flooding the state’s Public Utility Commission, the agency has had to look into its retail choice program. Fortunately for cooperative consumers, cooperative generation rates are fixed annually and not subject to seasonal upheaval. In fact, while private power companies were busy contending with this winter’s volatile marketplace, electric cooperatives were already looking ahead and finalizing a wholesale power contract that will ensure a reliable flow of power for the next several decades. This member-driven focus on longterm stability has been one of the reasons electric cooperatives have been successfully serving the needs of their members for more than 75 years — through all kinds of changes in the industry. Though the intention of the electric competition statute for cooperatives was to provide consumers cost-saving options, history has shown that the cooperative business model has proven to be the most effective in providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to electric cooperative members. This brings us to the question: is retail choice right for electric cooperatives? Being in this marketplace subjects cooperatives to certain costs, including the cost to develop and maintain billing systems associated with retail choice. Despite this investment, cooperatives and their consumers — over the past 17 years — have yet to see any benefit to retail choice. It may be time to ask for a real choice in the matter, like whether or not electric cooperatives should remain in this marketplace. After all, paying to have a choice only in principle doesn’t seem to be much of a choice. l

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KEEPINGcurrent USS Somerset commissioned in Philadelphia The USS Somerset, the U.S. Navy’s newest amphibious transport dock, was commissioned during a formal ceremony at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia on March 1. Hundreds of Somerset County residents were among the thousands of attendees at the ceremony for the ship that was named to honor the heroic actions of the 40 passengers and crew members of United Airlines Flight 93. The plane crashed on Sept. 11, 2001, in Somerset County during a series of coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States. The ship’s commanding officer, Capt. Thomas L. Dearborn, spoke of the crew and the heroic actions of those the ship is named after. “We are here today to not only honor and pay tribute to the heroes of United Flight 93, but also to celebrate the commissioning of this great ship USS Somerset,” Dearborn said. “Somerset will leave a legacy that will never be forgotten by

those wishing to do harm to this country. A ship is but a steel vessel; it is the crew that brings the ship to life. USS Somerset is truly a fine warship and the crew that mans her is second to none.” At the conclusion of the official remarks, the ship’s sponsor, Mary Jo Myers, the wife of former Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. Richard Myers (retired), gave the time-honored command,

“Man our ship and bring her to life!” “(Flight 93 passengers and crew members) exemplified such courage and bravery that day as they sacrificed themselves to protect others and to rally our nation; they were indeed the first warriors in this war on terrorism,” Myers said. “Today we come together as families, but mostly as Americans to celebrate and witness this momentous occasion and wish the USS Somerset and her crew Godspeed.”

Marcellus Shale production continues to grow The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is reporting the state’s gas production increased in the final six months of 2013 compared to the first six months of the year. Drilling firms reported production of 3.1 trillion cubic feet of gas from the Marcellus Shale and other unconventional formations in 2013; 1.4 trillion cubic feet was produced January to June and 1.7 trillion cubic feet was produced July through December. At the July-December rate, Pennsylvania wells produced an average of 9.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates total natural gas consumption in the United States will average 70.2 billion cubic feet per day this year. The largest production numbers were reported in northeastern Pennsylvania with Susquehanna County producing the most gas, followed by Bradford and Lycoming counties.

U.S. NAVY

Deer harvest up in 2013-14

SHIP COMMISSIONED: USS Somerset Commanding Officer Capt. Thomas L. Dearborn speaks at the commissioning of the amphibious transport dock on March 1. Carline Mitchell, director of marketing and member services at Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative, top, stands beside a display on board the ship after the commissioning ceremony. A copy of the January issue of Penn Lines, which featured the USS Somerset, is shown in the display beside her.

PENN

LINES • APRIL 2014

The Pennsylvania Game Commission reports in an early estimate that hunters in the state harvested nearly 353,000 deer in the 2013-14 season, an increase of about 3 percent from the previous year. The total includes about 134,280 antlered deer, similar to the total reported a year earlier, and about 218,640 antlerless deer, a 4 percent increase compared to the 2012-13 season. l

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PENNlines

Time travel on the

Lincoln Highway Historic corridor starts its second century By K at h y H ac k l e m a n S e n i o r E d i t o r / Wr i t e r

BACK IN the early 1900s, as automobiles were becoming more available — and more affordable — to increasing numbers of Americans, construction of roads and highways for these vehicles began in earnest. Gasoline stations, roadside motels and diners to serve those travelers were soon added. “Americans no longer had to journey only where railroad tracks took them, and the travel and tourism industry as we know it today was born,” says Olga Herbert, executive director of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, based in Latrobe. Pennsylvania landed right in the middle of that early travel and tourism industry when developers, led by Carl Fisher, created the Lincoln Highway Association SHIP IN THE NIGHT: One of artist Kevin Kutz’s favorite spots to paint along the Lincoln Highway, the Grand View Point Hotel (also known as the Ship Hotel), lights up the night in this painting published in the book, “Kevin Kutz’s Lincoln Highway.” Kutz is a member of Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative.

PENN

LINES • APRIL 2014

in 1913. Construction on the country’s first coast-to-coast highway that spanned the entire width of Pennsylvania on its way toward joining Times Square in New York City and San Francisco, Calif., would go on for several years.

Historic highway Now beginning its second century, the historic highway — which includes much of the current Route 30 in Pennsylvania — passes through territories served by Gettysburg-based Adams

Electric Cooperative, Huntingdon-based Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Bedford-based Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative and Somerset-based Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative. (In Bedford, the cooperative’s office is even located on the Lincoln Highway.) Modes of travel have changed significantly in the past 100 years, but many locations along the Lincoln Highway retain some of that initial mystique found by the early tourist in his motor vehicle, Herbert notes. As it meanders across the state, the Lincoln Highway passes through a variety of scenes from relatively flat farm fields to forested

mountains, and small communities to large cities. Sometimes the road is narrow, and vehicles are few and far between, but the Lincoln Highway also passes through the state’s most-congested population centers of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Early travelers heading west on the Lincoln Highway would have seen such historic sites as the Adams County fields where the Battle of Gettysburg was fought in 1863; the Franklin County

towns of Chambersburg, rebuilt after being burned in 1864 by the Confederates, and Fort Loudoun, an authentic French and Indian frontier period fort where the first armed uprising against royal troops took place in 1765; and Bedford County’s Jean Bonnet Tavern, an early French fort and trading post on the only road that connected Pennsylvania with the Ohio River and territories to the west. Those sites are all still there, along with another, more recent addition marking our nation’s history. The entrance to the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County is off of Route 30. Located at the site of United Airlines Flight 93 crash of Sept. 11, 2001, part of a coordinated terrorist attack against the United States, the site memorializes the passengers and crew members who fought back during the fourth and final hijacking that took place that day.

Show on the road Many sites focus on the historical aspects of specific areas along the Lincoln Highway, but there are also many locations geared just toward entertainment. In addition to the golf courses, theaters, parks and shopping centers, there are also more unusual features. Visitors to Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium, located on Route 30 midway between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, are encouraged to act like “a kid in a candy store.” The shop’s selection includes more than 70 flavors of homemade fudge, along with all the old favorites many seniors will remember from the days of “penny candy.” But that’s not all — visitors can check out the more than 12,000 elephants in owner Ed Gotwalt’s museum collection, and wander through several whimsical outdoor gardens, each with a different theme. And who wouldn’t want to have their photo taken beside an 18-foot high coffee pot? Now located at the entrance to the Bedford County Fairgrounds (relocated from its original, nearby spot), the coffee pot, built in the 1920s as a restaurant, was restored about a decade ago by the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. Businesses along the Lincoln Highway take their connection to the historic highway seriously. Karen Brantner, owner of Travelers Rest Motel, located four miles east of Everett, and the president of the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor Board of Directors, proudly calls her country motel a part of the “roadside museum” that is the Lincoln Highway. “My late husband’s family has had the motel since 1947,” the Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative member explains. “Of course, it’s undergone some changes and upgrades during the years, but we still have some of the original metal furniture in the rooms.” Brantner, who lives at the motel, also boasts of having the first all-electric building served by her local cooperative. The A-frame, built in 1964, was constructed to be the motel’s front office, as well as living quarters for the family. The unusual, all-electric facility was featured in the Bedford Rural Electric APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

PENNlines Cooperative’s newsletter, Hi-Line News, in the fall of 1965. Brantner opens her 10-room motel from mid-April through early December each year for tourists who are traveling the Lincoln Highway. In a nod to the past, she encourages tourists to sit on the porch and watch the antics of nearby donkeys, chickens and goats. The motel also has books, cards, puzzles and board games available for their guests. Aero Energy, a subsidiary of Adams Electric Cooperative located along the Lincoln Highway in New Oxford, also keeps reminders of its early days as a gasoline station — Aero Oil Company owned by D.M. De Tar — on hand. “The company was founded in 1929 in this same location,” says Tom Washburn, Aero Energy manager. “The original building is still here, and still used as offices, even though it was moved back from the highway a few years ago.” The company has expanded several times through the years, but maintains its ties to the past with displays of a 1929 Fleetwing gas pump, old photos and other memorabilia that tell the tale of the company’s 85-year history along the historic Lincoln Highway.

Huge murals, including this one in Somerset County, depicting life along the Lincoln Highway decades ago are scattered along the Pennsylvania section of the historic highway. Painted by different artists, the murals were coordinated by the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor.

TAKE A SECOND LOOK:

Economic development Both the Travelers Rest Motel and Aero Energy were selected as sites for a display that includes a model of an old gas pump. The pumps are scattered along the Lincoln Highway in 22 locations to draw the eye of the motoring public to historic sites as they pass by. The gas pump project is just one such undertaking initiated by the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor. One of 12 designated heritage areas in the Commonwealth, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor is basically a museum that stretches across the miles that make up the historic Lincoln Highway.

“Our mission is economic development through tourism,” Herbert notes. To accomplish that goal, the organization coordinated the gas pump displays, installed interpretive exhibits (plaques on pedestals), and arranged for artists to create murals on buildings along the Lincoln Highway corridor. There also are a number of displays where people can stand, and have their

Fort Loudoun, served by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative and located along the Lincoln Highway in Franklin County, is only one of several historic sites along the trail. Others include the site of the Battle of Gettysburg in Adams County, the Jean Bonnet Tavern, an early French fort and trading post in Bedford County, and the Flight 93 National Memorial in Somerset County.

HISTORIC TRAIL:

A QUARTER FOR YOUR THOUGHTS: Designed and built by the students of the Bedford County Technical Center, this much-larger-than-life quarter in Bedford County is one of the “roadside giants” installed in recent years to add interest along the historic Lincoln Highway.

PENN

LINES • APRIL 2014

photos taken in costumes typical of the highway’s early days. There are also hundreds of Lincoln Highway signs to alert travelers to look for nearby displays. “These projects all gave us the opportunity to work with different municipalities along the corridor,” Herbert explains. “Many people, when they are traveling, they just are driving along and they don’t really pay attention to what they are seeing. We wanted to draw attention to significant sites along the

Adams Electric Cooperative member Rhonda Thomas, an employee of Aero Energy, a subsidiary of the cooperative, shows the height of a 1920s gas pump on display in the Aero Energy office. Located along the Lincoln Highway in New Oxford, Aero Energy still uses its original gas station building as an office.

1920S GAS PUMP:

highway.” Herbert says the most interest in the highway and its attractions traditionally comes from people who are 55 and older. In an effort to create a new set of fans, her organization set out to work with technology students in five area school districts to create a new crop of “roadside giants” that would tell the tale of the Lincoln Highway in a fresh way.

Future travelers

In 2008, the supersized sculptures — designed and created by each school’s graphic arts, welding and building trades students — were unveiled. From east to west, they include: a 1921 Selden pickup by the Franklin County Career and Technology students located west of Chambersburg, a half-ton quarter by the Bedford County Technical Center students

PICTURE YOURSELF ON THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY:

Travelers on the Lincoln Highway can stop, put their faces in the openings and have their photos taken in clothes reminiscent of long ago. This photo stop is located at the Lincoln Motor Court near Manns Choice in Bedford County.

Road signs By K at h y H ac k l e m a n

Kevin Kutz didn’t start out to document sites along the Lincoln Highway. It just turned out that way. Kutz, a member of Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, is an award-winning artist who began painting at the age of 8. Although his subjects are many and varied, he has become well-known in Pennsylvania for his scenes of the historic cross-country highway that bisects his hometown of Bedford. Many of his highway paintings are featured in the book, “Kevin Kutz’s Lincoln Highway,” published in 2006 by Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg. As his hobby turned into a fulltime painting career back in the 1980s, Kutz began spending more time on the road, which often turned out to be the Lincoln Highway. His favorite technique by far is plein air (a French phrase meaning “in the open air”) painting, where he sets up an easel onsite and setALL ABOUT THE HIGHWAY: “Kevin Kutz’s Lincoln tles in to paint for as long as the Highway” features paintings and drawings of scenes light is right. He does both oil and along the highway by the Bedford Rural Electric watercolor. Cooperative member. The book is published by “I began painting interesting Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg. things, things that caught my eye,” Kutz recalls. “I wasn’t aware for a while that all the places I had been painting were on the same road. Then later, I thought it would be interesting to document the road, how it has evolved.” As the decades have passed, many of the scenes he has painted along the Lincoln Highway have changed, or even disappeared. One of his all-time favorites remains the Grand View Point Hotel, named for the area’s sweeping vistas, but better known as the “Ship Hotel” for its nautical shape. The Bedford County landmark burned in 2001. “I could stand at that hotel and paint for days,” he says. “It and some of the other historic buildings along the highway are gone now, but I feel like my paintings are a form of preservation and a tribute to the people who built them, a whole era of people who were individual thinkers, before chain restaurants and hotels became commonplace.” Samples of Kutz’s paintings may be viewed at www.kevinkutzart.com, but he says the easiest way to purchase a piece is to contact him by writing Kevin Kutz, 134 Somerset Avenue, Bedford, PA 15522. His 128-page, paperback book is available online through www.amazon.com or www.barnesandnoble.com.

located east of Everett, an 1,800-pound bicycle built for two by the Somerset County Technology Center students located near the junction of Route 30 and Route 219, a 25-foot high, 4,900pound replica of a 1940s Bennett gas pump by the Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center located at the intersection of Route 30 and Route 259 near Latrobe, and a 12-foot high 1920s Packard car and driver by the Central Westmoreland Career and Technology Center located on Tollgate Hill Road near Greensburg.

“For the rest of their lives, the kids who were involved in these will drive by and say, ‘I was a part of that,’” Herbert says. In addition to all of the displays along the highway itself, the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor has a museum near Latrobe in a 200-year-old building that was originally a stagecoach stop. The museum, which is open on weekdays, houses displays related to the highway. Visitors can view an award-winning, 13minute DVD that is a “through the (feature continues on page 19) APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

SMARTcircuits

by James Dulley

Improving the efficiency of older doors ENERGY LOSS from inefficient entry doors can account for a significant portion of your monthly utility bills. When leaky doors create drafts, people tend to set the furnace thermostat higher. This wastes even more energy. There are ways to improve the efficiency of old doors, but don’t immediately eliminate the possibility of installing new ones if your older ones are inefficient. The cost of some well-insulated steel and fiberglass doors, especially those for the back door without glass, is very reasonable. A pre-hung door in its own frame is not difficult to install yourself. Before making a decision, carefully inspect your old doors. If they are in very bad condition, it will be difficult to improve their efficiency by a meaningful amount. First, make sure the wood door is not rotting. Then place a long straight edge across the door to see if it is badly warped. The most common problem with metal doors is rust, not warping. The first place to check is along the bottom by the weatherstripping on either side. Rainwater tends to collect there, and it is not always painted well. If you find small holes rusted through, they can be repaired with car body filler and then painted. First, try to determine the reason water is collecting there and correct the problem. Clean out as much rust as possible and fill with automobile body filler. If the doors are reasonably sound, check for the location of the air leaks. At night, have someone shine a flashlight from outdoors around the seals and check for light indoors. This will highlight significant leaks. On a windy day, move a stick of lighted incense around the seals 12

PENN

LINES • APRIL 2014

and watch the trail of the smoke to find the minor leaky areas. Check the astragal on double doors. This is usually the raised half-round overlap where pairs of doors meet that acts as a seal between them. Often with wood doors, especially ones with compression weatherstripping, the main problem is simply the latch plate is not holding the door tightly closed against the weatherstripping. One solution is to reposition the latch plate. This will require filling in the old screw holes and drilling new ones. Chisel away some of the wood in the recess for the latch plate. Another option is to install an adjustable latch plate. You may want to reposition it for summer and winter as the door and frame expand and contract from seasonal temperature and humidity. Steel doors should feature magnetic weatherstripping, so this is not a major issue because the weatherstripping is drawn against the door edge. Just make sure the surface of the door and the weatherstripping are clean and smooth. Paint on the door edge can sometimes come loose in small pieces and create a gap that leaks air. Check the condition of the hinges, and replace them if needed. If the hinges and pins are worn, the door will not hang

square in the opening, and therefore, will not seal properly. There are many different sizes of hinges, so take an old one along to the store and get an exact match. Don’t just buy the cheapest ones, because there are many to choose from, and quality varies. It is almost certain the seal on the bottom of the doors against the floor threshold is worn. If it is not worn, adjust the floor threshold higher. There are several heightadjustment screws across the threshold, but after years of use, they may be filled in with dirt. Poke around to find them. If the seal itself is bad, there are many generic replacement seals you can install. Another option is an add-on retractable threshold seal that is effective if carpeting is on the floor by the door. The threshold seal is mounted on the inside surface of the lower door edge. When the door starts to open, a pin against the door frame is released and the seal automatically lifts to clear the carpeting. It is easy to install and adjust. l Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to JAMES DULLEY , Penn Lines, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.

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TIMEpassages m e m o r i e s

from our members

(EDITOR’S NOTE: In observance of 50 years of the electric cooperative Youth Tour program in Pennsylvania, throughout the year Penn Lines will feature personal accounts of former Youth Tour participants. To share your Youth Tour memories, write Stephanie Okuniewski at Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108 or email Stephanie_Okuniewskil@prea.com.)

Youth Tour memories Sisters Adriene and Lindsey Walls represented New Enterprise Rural Electric Cooperative on Youth Tour in 2011 and 2006, respectively. Adriene is currently a sophomore at California University of Pennsylvania studying for a degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. Lindsey has an associate degree in dental hygiene from Allegany College of Maryland and will graduate this spring from Colorado State University with a degree in health care administration. Penn Lines: How did your Youth Tour experience help with your career direction? Lindsey Walls: Youth Tour made me more familiar with Washington, D.C., and gave me a greater appreciation for history, and those who work hard every day to keep it alive. I would say Youth Tour made me a more well-rounded individual and, because of that, resulted in my choosing a career path where I can help others. Penn Lines: How did your Youth Tour experience influence your educational goals? Adriene Walls: I came to the realization that one day I want to get a degree that allows me to lead business endeavors, and this trip opened my Adriene Walls, top, and eyes to having a career in business. Lindsey Walls in 2014. Penn Lines: What did it mean to you to have the opportunity to meet with your congressional representative? Lindsey Walls: Meeting our congressional representative was something I wasn’t particularly excited about, but the end result turned out to be very rewarding. I learned a lot about my representative, and even got to see Hillary Clinton walking down the street after we finished. Penn Lines: In what ways has your Youth Tour experience helped you as a person? Adriene Walls: Youth Tour challenged me to step outside of my box and not only meet new people from all over the world, but to really get to know them and their stories. The trip shaped me into a very social person who is not afraid to talk to anyone who crosses my path in life. Penn Lines: What advice would you give someone going on Youth Tour today? 14

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IN WASHINGTON:

Left: Lindsey Walls, left, is shown on Youth Tour in 2006. Below: Adriene Walls, center, is shown on Youth Tour in 2011.

Lindsey Walls: Don’t miss out on any opportunities to participate in all the wonderful events going on. There is something for everyone, and it is a very rewarding trip that you will remember for a lifetime. Penn Lines: How has the opportunity to meet people from all over the country influenced you? Adriene Walls: Living in the same area all of my life, you tend to cling to your county and even your state, but you don’t get to see who else is out there in the country. Youth Tour allowed me to meet teenagers from all over, and aided in my understanding of the fact that, even though we may live in different areas of the country, we are still one, and maybe this country really is a small world. Penn Lines: What would you change about Youth Tour if you could? Lindsey Walls: I wish the trip could have been longer; we got to see and do so much but after you meet so many great people, it’s hard to leave. Penn Lines: What did you learn on Youth Tour that surprised you? Adriene Walls: I was surprised to learn everything about co-ops and the electricity that powers our homes. l

POWERplants

Food for thought IN MANY back yards, the functional areas are clearly laid out: here is the seating area, the lawn, the vegetable garden. But if you are new to your property or new to landscaping, such designations aren’t clear yet. And if you’ve gardened in one place for decades, it may be time to reassess. So let’s review the basics for siting vegetable gardens. As a rule, vegetable plants require sun and lots of it. Full sun all day long is optimal; six hours or more, including the hour of noon, is good. If your veggie patch tends to be shaded much of the day, you can’t grow a full selection of vegetables. Sad, but true. Next, root competition hinders vegetable production. Planting next to a hedge or beneath/beside a tree forces the little vegetable roots to compete against the well-established, large and greedy roots of the woody plants. Lousy rooting leads to lousy yield. Next basic issue: find out if the soil at your proposed site is decent. Check texture, drainage BARBARA MARTIN ,

who says she began gardening as a hobby “too many years ago to count,” currently works for the National Gardening Association as a horticulturist. A former member of Gettysburg-based Adams Electric Cooperative, her articles appear in magazines and on the internet.

by Barbara Martin

and soil test results. If not, consider a raised-bed setup. How much space do your vegetables need? Many optimistic gardeners begin with too much space and end up feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. Some hard-working gardeners harvest all they grow, but end up disappointed when the yield is insufficient for freezing or canning in quantity. The real question here is: why are you growing your own vegetables? You will only need a small area under intensive cultivation to enjoy a few homegrown fresh greens and yummy salad tomatoes during the growing season. If you want to grow most of the fresh vegetables your family eats from spring through fall, you will need to cultivate a larger area. And for the ambitious gardener who wants all of the fresh food above plus ample quantities of vegetables best suited to freezing, canning and preserving for winter use, the required space is even more substantial. A tiny plot about 4-foot-by8-foot can produce a surprisingly large amount of fresh vegetables when planted using intensive square-foot gardening techniques. A moderate plot of 30-footby-40-foot planted in wide/ matted rows and using successive planting methods can produce plenty of fresh vegetables for a family to eat during the growing season. But if you wish to grow virtually all of your vegetables for

the year, meaning to eat fresh and to preserve for later, then you need a much larger garden space. If your ultimate goal is to raise all your own vegetables for year-round eating, locate your starter garden in a spot where it can be expanded over time. Besides seasonal and quantity concerns, your growing methods also determine how much space is needed. Keep in mind that using wide paths and planting each crop in a single file straight line of individual plants set out one by one takes far more space than planting by either wide/matted row or square-foot techniques. Yet another caveat is that sweet corn requires a relatively huge space. If you are able to purchase fresh sweet corn from local growers, consider doing that. Another consideration in locating the vegetable garden is convenience. Vegetables require constant tending; you will be bringing your harvest into the kitchen (or storage

PLANNING IS IMPORTANT: Consider the basics of siting a garden and determining your needs before you begin to plant.

space such as a root cellar), so a spot near the house is good. You will also need water for irrigation and a place to store tools and equipment. Finally, it saves time if your composting operation is nearby. In terms of design and aesthetics, the general shape and size of the vegetable plot should mesh seamlessly into your overall master plan. Highlight the garden perimeter with a good-looking fence to enhance the winter view — and exclude deer, groundhogs and rabbits. Select trellis, edging, path materials and so on to coordinate with other features in your yard. When the springtime hours I’ve set aside for gardening turn out to be either rainy or the soil is still too wet to be worked, I’ll be using the so-called “down” time for some detailed planning. How about you? l

APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

COUNTRYkitchen

by Janette He ss

From ho-hum to yum-yum WHEN circumstances call for a sandwich, why not skip the ho-hum deli meat and instead concoct a more flavorful filling? Pulled pork is an easy favorite, but instead of going the barbecue route, try slow-cooking the pork in pineapple juice and serving it with internationally inspired sauces. It’s been a long winter, so it’s time to let your taste buds travel! Red Pepper Cheese, often called Pimento Cheese, is a versatile treat that may be served as a sandwich or a party spread. Either way, jazz it up with chopped pepperoncini, red onion and horseradish. If you choose to grill it between slices of buttered French bread, “ho-hum” definitely is not a phrase that will be used to describe the hot, cheesy result. Tuna salad can be traditional or it can be unexpected, so why not, in honor of a new season, go with the unexpected? Wake up your sandwich with the flavors of Italy. The tuna salad, of course, may be served in the traditional style between two slices of soft, fresh bread, or it may be turned into something a bit more special under the broiler. Yum! l A trained journalist, JANETTE HESS focuses her writing on interesting people and interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer with her local extension service and enjoys collecting, testing and sharing recipes.

GRILLED SANDWICHES WITH

RED PEPPER CHEESE

3/4 cup chopped roasted red peppers (approximately 6 ounces dra ined weight) 1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredd ed mild cheddar or Colby cheese 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese 2 generous tablespoons fine ly diced pepperoncini Generous 1 tablespoon fine ly minced red onion 1/3 to 1/2 cup regular or red uced-fat mayonnaise 1 teaspoon horseradish 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard 16 slices French bread Soft butter or butter spread Drain and rinse roasted red pep pers. Discard any charred piec es before chopping. Combine with cheeses, pepperoncini and red onion. In separate bowl, combine 1/3 cup mayonnaise, horseradish and mustard. Stir into pep cheese mixture, adding addition al mayonnaise as needed to crea per and spreadable mixture. Divide amo te an easily ng 8 slices of bread. Top with remaining slices. Butter and grill until bread is nicely browned and cheese is warmed.

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ITALIAN TUNA MELTS 1 4.5-ounce can solid white albacore tuna, packed in water 1/4 cup regular or reduced-fat mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Italian salad dressing 1/4 cup finely chopped celery 2 tablespoons finely chopped pepperoncini 2 teaspoons dried parsley 3 or 4 thick slices Italian bread 3 or 4 slices provolone cheese

Drain tuna and combine with remaining ingredient s. Spread on slices of lightly toasted Italian bread. Top with provolone cheese. Place under broiler until cheese begins to melt. Serve immediatel y.

INTERNATIONAL PULLED PORK SLIDERS 2 to 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin or pork roast 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon garlic powder Freshly ground pepper 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon liquid smoke 20-24 cocktail buns, lightly buttered and toasted Mayonnaise of choice (see below)

powder and freshly Place pork in slow cooker and rub with salt, garlic . Cook on low for 7 to smoke liquid and sauce soy juice, Add r. ground peppe cooker and discard slow from e Remov r. 8 hours, or until pork is very tende manageable into shreds chop forks; two with pork Shred all visible fat. n pork if moiste to juice Use fat. skim pieces. Strain juice from cooker and with mayonbuns il cockta d toaste lightly on pork Serve d. desire needed or naise of choice. with 2 tablespoons Cuban Mojo Mayonnaise: Combine 1/2 cup mayonnaise pulled pork sliders. with Serve n). sectio foods ic Hispan in (found mojo sauce naise, 1 1/2 teaspoons Asian Cilantro Mayonnaise: Combine 1/2 cup mayon heaping tablespoons 2 and sauce soy Asian hot chili sauce, 2 tablespoons . sliders pork pulled with Serve o. cilantr ed finely chopp

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TIMElines

Yo u r N e w s m a g a z i n e T h r o u g h t h e Y e a r s

2004 HUNDREDS of thousands of anglers annually pick up their rods to try their luck at reeling in some trout, along with other types of fish, in streams across Pennsylvania. They have a good chance of heading home with some fish thanks to a state troutstocking program. The stocking program — supported by revenue from fishing licenses and trout stamps — is one of the largest in the nation as the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission raises and releases over 4 million trout before and during the season. The anglers add much to the economy of rural Pennsylvania, especially in some of the rural areas served by electric cooperatives. Many of those dollars are spent at tackle and bait shops, along with general stores and gas stations. Although the weather can limit the success of anglers, it seldom dampens opening day of trout season, which is traditionally just as much about ritual as it is about fishing. Some liken the start of trout season with the first sighting of a robin in the spring — a sure sign of better days to come anticipated endlessly by anglers during the long, bleak months of winter. This year, opening day for 18 southeastern Pennsylvania counties was on March 29, but for the remainder of the state, the date is April 12.

1974 U.S. Sen. Richard Schweiker (R-Pa.), reacting to the Nixon Administration’s attempt to end the Rural Electrification Administration’s low-interest loan program, writes about the importance of cooperatives. 18

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1984 Pysanky (from the Ukrainian word meaning

1994 Woodland wildflowers like this white trillium

“to write”) is a seasonal art form that involves intricately decorated eggs rich in symbolism often given as gifts to celebrate Easter and the arrival of spring.

are among the signs that spring has arrived in rural Pennsylvania. This spring ephemeral is most common in rich, mixed upland forests.

(continued from page 11) windshield” view of the highway. Other displays include gas pumps from earlier eras, giveaways that used to be popular at gas stations, an exhibit of early women drivers (including a “duster,” goggles and driving gloves worn by an early female driver), along with artwork and memorabilia tied to the highway. They also sell gifts made by artisans located along the highway. Plans are in the works to expand the museum with a restored diner and tourist cabin. The organization also plans at least two bus trips along the Lincoln Highway each year. The 2014 trips are scheduled for May 21 (heading west from Everett) and Sept. 25 (heading west from Ligonier). For more information about the trips or historic sites along the highway, contact the Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor office at 724-879-4241. Herbert notes it is difficult to view all of the historic sites in Pennsylvania without a Lincoln Highway guide, as the route does stray slightly off Route 30 in

There are numerous spots along the Lincoln Highway where unusual décor rules the day, including Mr. Ed’s Elephant Museum and Candy Emporium, located on Route 30 midway between Gettysburg and Chambersburg.

UNUSUAL DECORATIONS:

numerous places. Guides are available at the organization’s office or online at www.lhhc.org (under Lincoln Highway Road Trip Tour). Information about the highway in other parts of the United States is available from the Lincoln Highway Association at www.lincolnhighwayassoc.org. “It’s important to tell the history of the Lincoln Highway,” Herbert empha-

sizes. “It was the first coast-to-coast highway, but its story has not been told. It is 10 years older than Route 66 and twice as long, but Route 66 is more wellknown. It’s up to us who live, work and travel on the Lincoln Highway to make sure people understand the historical significance of the highway and how it remains a vital part of the economy of Pennsylvania.” l

Clogged, Backed—up Septic System…Can anything Restore It? Dear Darryl

DEAR DARRYL: My home is about 10 years old, and so is my septic system. I have always taken pride in keeping my home and property in top shape. In fact, my neighbors and I are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow.

My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of dollars, I hate to explore that option. I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep it maintained? Clogged and Smelly – Allentown, PA

DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the drain field as well. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up. This fast-acting bacteria multiplies within minutes of application and is specifically designed to withstand many of today’s anti-bacterial cleaners, soaps and detergents. It comes in dissolvable plastic packs, that you just flush down your toilets. It’s so cool. Plus, they actually Guarantee that it restores ANY system, no matter how bad the problem is. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I have personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before spending any money on repairs. SeptiCleanse products are available online at www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll free at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code “PASEP4”, you can get a free shock treatment, added to your order, which normally costs $169. So, make sure you use that code when you call or buy online.

APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

ENERGYmatters Sealing up your home and saving money By B r i a n S l o b o da

STAYING comfortable in your home often means turning up the heat or the air conditioning, but that is costly and wasteful if your home is not properly sealed from the elements. Since roughly half of the energy a home uses goes to heating and cooling, detecting and sealing leaks can save you money. Cold air seeps into homes through small openings. To find those spots, take an incense stick or a lighted match and move it around the edge of windows and doors. Air infiltration will be obvious. There are several remedies for fixing problems: k Add weather stripping to the edges of windows and doors. Stripping typically uses sticky tape to adhere to the side of the window and fill the gaps. k If your home uses single-pane windows, consider adding storm windows to the exterior as an added barrier between you and the elements. k Remove old cracked caulking and replace with new caulking designed for the application. Caulking can be designated for exterior, interior, and bathroom applications, and you donâ€™t want to use

As the research and development arm of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, CRN pursues innovative solutions that helQ 1FOOTZM WBOJB electric cooperatives deliver safe, reliable, and affordable power to their consumer-members.

PENN

LINES â€˘ APRIL 2014

Before making large investments in energy-efficiency improvements, take the time to seal small leaks, and you could see significant savings.

SEAL THE ENVELOPE:

bathroom caulk on the outside of your home. Also, make sure the caulk can be painted if you want it to blend in with colors used in the rest of your home. k Use insulated curtains to prevent further heat loss. k Remove window air conditioning units when summer is over. A quick walk around the outside of your home will reveal other areas that are prime candidates for quick and easy repairs. Any time a hole is drilled into a home, it creates an opportunity for energy loss. Start by checking pipe and wire penetrations. They should be sealed on the exterior and interior walls. This not only helps to prevent energy loss, but also will keep critters from making their home inside yours. The ductwork of a forced air furnace, central air conditioning unit or heat pump can be another source of energy loss. According to Energy StarÂŽ, sealing and insulating those ducts can improve the efficiency of your system by as much as 20 percent. They recommend first focusing on ducts that run through unconditioned areas such as crawl spaces, garages and attics. You should first seal the ducts

using a special duct sealant or metal tape that can be found at most home improvement stores. Regular duct tape on your air ducts just wonâ€™t work or last like sealant or metal tape. Once the ducts are sealed, check the connections at bends and the registers, making sure connections are tight. Next, wrap the ducts in insulation. This is often a dirty and time-consuming job. Many homeowners will turn to a HVAC company or professional to perform this work. Sealing your home doesnâ€™t have to be complicated or expensive. You can even turn it into a fun activity. Have each member of the family explore the house and write down how many problem areas they find. Whoever finds the most areas to fix gets to be the foreman while the rest of the family is assigned to fixing the problems. It is a creative and simple way to get the entire family involved while taking some of the boredom out of an otherwise unexciting chore. l Brian Sloboda is a program manager specializing in energy efficiency for the Cooperative Research Network, a service of the Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

Financing for Your Lifestyle No farming operation is too big or too small for Farm Credit. Even if you have offfarm careers, we can finance your lifestyle farming needs. For some it may mean an equipment loan for a tractor, for others taking care of a couple head of livestock. We know that everyone’s lifestyle is different, and we are dedicated to covering your agricultural and rural financing needs. Call us today to learn more about our small farm loan packages.

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PENNLINESclassified ISSUE MONTH: AD DEADLINE: Penn Lines classified advertisements reach more than 165,800 rural Pennsylvania households! June 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . April 17 Please note ads must be received by the due date to be included in the requested issue month. Ads July 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 19 received beyond the due date will run in the next available issue. Written notice of changes and cancellations must be received 30 days prior to the issue month. Classified ads will not be accepted August 2014 . . . . . . . . . June 17 by phone, fax or email. For more information please contact Vonnie Kloss at 717$233-5704. CLASSIFIED AD SUBMISSION/RATES: Please use the form below or submit a separate sheet with required information. Electric co-op members: $20 per month for 30 words or less, plus 50¢ for each additional word. Non-members: $70 per month for 30 words or less, plus $1.50 for each additional word. Ad in all CAPITAL letters: Add 20 percent to total cost. Please print my ad in all CAPITAL letters. PLACE AD IN THE MONTHS OF: . WORD COUNT: I am an electric co-op member. Attached is my Penn Lines mailing label. Name/Address or Mailing Label Here: Enclosed is payment in the amount of $ . I am a non-member. Address is noted or attached at right. Enclosed is payment in the amount of $ . 1

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FREE Headings (Select One): Around the House Business Opportunities Employment Opportunities Gift and Craft Ideas Livestock and Pets Miscellaneous Motor Vehicles and Boats Nursery and Garden Real Estate Recipes and Food Tools and Equipment Vacations and Campsites Wanted to Buy SPECIAL HEADING: . SPECIAL HEADING FEE: $5 for co-op members, $10 for non-members. Applies even if heading is already appearing in Penn Lines. Insertion of classified ad serves as proof of publication; no proofs supplied. SEND FORM TO: Penn Lines Classifieds, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Please make CHECK/MONEY ORDER payable to: PREA/Penn Lines.

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PIANO TUNING PAYS — Learn at home with American School of Piano Tuning home-study course in piano tuning and repair. Tools included. Diploma granted. Call for free brochure 800-497-9793.

AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITY — Our top Livestock and Equipment Appraisers earn $100,000 - $200,000/year. Agricultural background required. Home Study course available. Call 800-488-7570. www.amagappraisers.com.

ANTIQUE BUTCHERING KETTLE

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Cow and corn kettle/stove. Buckwalter & Co. Pat’d 1880. No. 28. 48 gallon. Excellent condition. Call evenings 570-924-4779.

Make your church, business or home wheelchair accessible. We offer platform lifting systems, stair lifts, porch lifts and ramps. References. Free estimates. Get Up & Go Mobility Inc. 724-746-0992 or 814-926-3622.

HYDRAULIC POST DRIVER FOR RENT. Easy hookup and transportation. Safe, simple operation. Convenient, costeffective alternative for setting wood posts by hand. $200 for first day, $175/additional day. 1-800-KENCOVE.

AROUND THE HOUSE SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking,” Volume 2 — $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered,” Volume 3 — $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. Volume 1 of “Country Cooking” is SOLD OUT.

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

GIFT AND CRAFT IDEAS

58,000 Sq. Ft. BUSINESS COMPLEX. Solid brick construction, full commercial kitchen and dining hall. New gymnasium, high efficiency HVAC, elevators, 100+ parking. Build to suit. Available, very flexible terms. 200+ office suites. 570-605-0308. Tiogacountyrentals@gmail.com.

SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking,” Volume 2 — $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered,” Volume 3 — $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. Volume 1 of “Country Cooking” is SOLD OUT.

CONSULTING FORESTRY SERVICES CLOCK REPAIR: If you have an antique grandfather clock, mantel clock or old pocket watch that needs restored, we can fix any timepiece. Macks Clock Repair: 814-421-7992. OPEN HOUSE SHOP — Brookville, PA. Country and farm custom-made tables. Buying and selling. Unusual Home Décor. 814-541-1484. View on web: www.theopenhouseshop.com. BUILDING SUPPLIES STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING. Over 25 years in business. Several profiles - cut to length. Residential roofing $2.20/lineal foot. Seconds, heavy gauges, accessories, etc. Installation available. Located - northwestern Pennsylvania. 814-398-4052. FACTORY SECONDS of insulation, 4 x 8 sheets, foil back. RValue 6.5 per inch. Great for pole buildings, garages, etc. Also prime grade A foil bubble wrap insulation. 814-442-6032.

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LINES • APRIL 2014

NOLL’S FORESTRY SERVICES, INC. performs Timber Marketing, Timber Appraisals, Forest Management Planning, and Forest Improvement Work. FREE Timber Land Recommendations. 30 years experience. Call 814-472-8560. CENTRE FOREST RESOURCES. Maximizing present and future timber values, Forest Management Services, Managing Timber Taxation, Timber Sales, Quality Deer Management. FREE Timber Consultation. College educated, professional, ethical. 814-867-7052. CRANE SERVICE NEED A LIFT? Crane service for all your lifting needs. Experienced, fully insured, Owner-Operated and OSHA Certified. Precision Crane, Linesville, PA 814-282-9133.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION Tired of all those medicines — Still not feeling better? Do you want to feel better, have more energy, better digestion, less joint stiffness, healthier heart/circulation and cholesterol levels? Find out how to empower your own immune system — start I-26 today! It’s safe, affordable, and it works. Call 800557-8477: ID#528390. 90-day money back on first time orders or call me 724-454-5586. www.mylegacyforlife.net/believeit. HEALTH INSURANCE DO YOU HAVE THE BLUES regarding your Health Insurance? We cater to rural America's health insurance needs. For more information, call 800-628-7804 (PA). Call us regarding Medicare supplements, too.

PENNLINESclassified HUNTING

MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE

SHAKLEE

CUSTOM HAND MADE to order or in-stock wooden turkey calls of various woods and sizes. 814-267-5489 leave message for Precision Unlimited Inc., Berlin, PA.

For the best INSURANCE RATES call R & R Insurance Associates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-442-6832 (PA).

FREE SAMPLE Shaklee’s Energy Tea. Combination red, green and white teas that are natural, delicious, refreshing, safe. For sample or more information on tea or other Shaklee Nutrition/Weight Loss Products: 800-4033381 or www.sbarton.myshaklee.com.

PA HISTORICAL NOVEL 5-Day Spring BEAR HUNT in New Brunswick, Canada. Excellent accommodations, great food. Plenty of big bear. Package deal. 35-years experience. Passport necessary or USA Card. Call 814-448-3679. INFRARED SAUNAS Removes toxins, burns calories, relieves joint pain, relaxes muscles, increases flexibility, strengthens immune system. Many more HEALTH BENEFITS with infrared radiant heat saunas. Economical to operate. Barron’s Furniture, Somerset, PA. 814-443-3115. LANDOWNER INCOME OPPORTUNITY OUR SPORTSMEN will Pay Top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 866-3091507. www.BaseCampLeasing.com. LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT HARRINGTONS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 475 Orchard Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320. 717-642-6001 or 410-756-2506. Lawn & Garden equipment, Sales – Service - Parts. www.HarringtonsEquipment.com LEGAL SERVICES WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: Injured and want to know your rights? Call us at 877-291-9675 for FREE advice or visit our website for your FREE book at www.workinjuryinpa.com. LIVESTOCK AND PETS PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI Puppies — AKC, adorable, intelligent, highly trainable. Excellent family choice. Reputable licensed breeder guaranteed “Last breed you’ll ever own.” 814-587-3449. HONEY BEES — Complete hives or NUCS. Call 814-715-1907 to discuss details. Glad to help beginners get started. LOCAL BOOK PATCH, King of Pymatuning Lake, is a tale for all ages about the seasons of life, its joys and its losses as told through a few precious dogs at Pymatuning Lake. Written by Millie Buza Gronek, it is available locally at Ray’s Marketplace in Linesville, Pennsylvania. The paperback book and the ebook are online at www.Amazon.com, www.walmart.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.

Acclaimed historical novel set at French Azilum in 1793, “Waiting for the Queen,” in hardcover, makes a perfect gift for readers 9 to 16 as well as for adults interested in regional history. Unsigned copies available through Amazon.com and Milkweed.org. For a signed and personalized copy ($20 includes shipping), email: jjhigginsblfs1@gmail.com.

TRACTOR PARTS – REPAIR/RESTORATION ARTHURS TRACTORS, specializing in vintage Ford tractors, 30-years experience, online parts catalog/prices, Indiana, PA 15701. Contact us at 877-254-FORD (3673) or www.arthurstractors.com.

REAL ESTATE

VACATIONS AND CAMPSITES

LAKE FRONT CABIN for sale — Susquehanna County. Fully furnished. For more information call 215-350-9941 or see it by entering 490 SR 2005 Springville PA 18844 on www.zillow.com.

RAYSTOWN VACATION House Rental. Sleeps 11, four bedrooms, large dining table, central A/C, two full baths, two half baths, linens/towels provided, large parking area, near boat launch. Call 814-931-6562. Visit www.laurelwoodsretreat.com.

HOME OR CABIN — Huntingdon County. Borders State Forest and Penn State University hunting grounds. Great hunting and fishing. Seven miles to Penn State football. 4 bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths, family room, fireplace, new appliances, all furnishings stay. $125,000. 717-348-5045.

BEAUTIFUL LAKE ERIE COTTAGE — Enjoy swimming, fishing and sunsets at their finest. Sleeps eight, 20 miles west of Erie. Available May to November. Call 814-333-9669. Visit our website at www.curleycottage.com.

THREE BEDROOM, one bath vacation home on secluded acre includes large boat storage and shed. Near Cassville, minutes to good hunting, fishing and Lake Raystown boat ramps. 717-495-4654. 717-916-3772. $79,900. 54 WOODED ACRES with mountain views less than mile from Shy Beaver Boat Launch at Raystown Lake. Has gravel road, underground electric and telephone. Approved sewage area for one building site. Adjacent to federal land with over 25,000 acres of hunting, hiking and outdoor recreation. $199,900. Call 814-658-3144 or email: 1daylodge@aol.com. RECIPES AND FOOD SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking,” Volume 2 — $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered,” Volume 3 — $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. Volume 1 of “Country Cooking” is SOLD OUT. RV FOR SALE: 39’ Wild Wood RV. 19’ slide-in living area, slidein bedroom, front-end kitchen. Set up in park, could be moved. Please call 814-440-8472.

LOG CABIN RESTORATIONS

SAWMILLS

VILLAGE RESTORATIONS & CONSULTING specializes in 17th and 18th century log, stone and timber structures. We dismantle, move, re-erect, restore, construct and consult all over the country. Period building materials available. Chestnut boards, hardware, etc. Thirty years experience, fully insured. Call 814-696-1379. www.villagerestorations.com.

USED PORTABLE Sawmills and COMMERCIAL Sawmill Equipment! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148. USA and Canada. www.sawmillexchange.com.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida condo. Two bedrooms, two baths. Heated pool. Lovely small historical town. 200 yards from beach. $500 weekly, $1,800 monthly. Call 814-6354020. HEMLOCK HIDEAWAY CAMPGROUND only one mile from Raystown Lake! Yearly full amenity campsites now available. Rental campers, cabins, and campsites ready to be reserved for upcoming camping season. We are a full amenities resort: heated pool, mini-golf, store, ice cream parlor, game room, and much more!! 814-658-3663. www.hemlockhidecamp.com. COLORADO Elk, Mule Deer Hunts — Archery and Rifle season. Call 970-858-9555 day or 970-245-7774 evenings. VIRGINIA BEACH VACATION VIRGINIA BEACH CONDO — June 28 – July 5, Turtle Cay Resorts. Studio $1,000, two bedroom $2,000. Payment with PayPal only. Call 717-642-6603, leave message. To see amenities visit www.goldkeyresorts.com. WANTED TO BUY CARBIDE – Paying cash/lb. – Some examples of items that have carbide pieces at their tips for cutting or drilling are: coal mining machinery – roof bits – road bits – gas/oil/water well drill bits – machining inserts as well as many others. We will pick up your materials containing carbide pieces. We will extract the carbide item from the part in which it is held in most cases. 814-395-0415. OLD GAS PUMPS wanted. Also, small hand-crank oil and kero tanks, porcelain signs, old glass oil bottles. 570-2472657 and leave message.

MEDICARE INSURANCE Medicare insurance does not have to be confusing! And one plan does not fit all! Going on Medicare soon? Already on Medicare and confused? We have the answers. CATHERINE BURNS INSURANCE SERVICES offering Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans, Pre-Paid Burial, Life and Final Expense Insurance, Annuities, assistance qualifying for Pace/Pacenet. No charge, no obligation, no pressure! Call 877-327-1598 or email: ceburnsins@verizon.net.

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MISCELLANEOUS BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER — Correspondence Study. The harvest truly is great, the laborers are few, Luke 10:2. Free information. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7558 West Thunderbird Rd., Ste. 1 - #114, Peoria, Arizona 85381. www.ordination.org.

APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

OUTDOORadventures

by Marcus Schneck

Looking for wilderness in Pennsylvania WITH THE kayaks beached and tied off to trees, I set about gathering firewood for the night, an easy task given the abundance of bone-dry driftwood scattered across the island. My partner rigged the rods for an evening of catfishing and tossed the baited crayfish-trap into the shallows. The fire was soon blazing. A pot of coffee was nearing a boil. Skewers of potato, cattail root, celery, carrot, pepper and tomato chunks were ready for the flames. Biscuits were baking in aluminumfoil ovens. Fish baskets were waiting for fresh-caught catfish. And, a large pot of Old Bay-seasoned water was heating in preparation for a mess of crayfish. The over-abundant crustaceans were quick to oblige, packing into the wire trap for a nibble of day-old catfish chunk — leftovers from our island meal the previous evening. In a scene that sadly can be repeated along many is is outdoor and nature writer at PennLive.com, the website of The Harrisburg, Pa., PatriotNews. He also writes for a range of magazines and websites, and has written more than two dozen books. For more of his writing, visit www.marcusschneck.com. MARCUS SCHNECK

PENN

of Pennsylvania’s rivers and larger streams today, the trap produced a mass of writhing and clacking rusty crayfish. Rusty crayfish, a larger, more aggressive species of crayfish, have been making their way to the Northeast from their native streams in the Midwest. The non-native invaders may be devastating many of our river ecosystems, but they grow big, and their tails and claws boil into sweet, minilobster feasts, as well as any native species they may have replaced. Whenever we make a river float, we do our best to eat our way through as many of the invaders as possible. Every now and then, we’ll add fire-baked catfish fillets to the menu. And, back in the day, before frog populations fell on hard times, we would have a few pairs of tender, roasted legs. But we no longer hunt frogs, and most evenings on the river, the crayfish are so easy to gather

LINES • APRIL 2014

quickly in abundance that our catfishing becomes a catch-and-release sport. Beyond the ease and speed of collecting more than enough crayfish, there is the choice of eating either fish or lobster, which has never been a tough decision for me. The meal was nearly prepared and daylight was making its escape to the west as we erected our tents and tugged the sleeping bags from their waterproof bags. Frogs were croaking. Birds were settling into the trees on other parts of the island. Unseen things were splashing in the dusk-shrouded river. The sounds of human comings and goings were faint and scattered, drifting from the highway along the far side of the river and dissipating mostly on the opposite side of the island before vibrating our eardrums at a greatly diluted volume. The rivers of Pennsylvania provide one of the last

INVADERS: Rusty crayfish have spread from their Midwest habitat into Pennsylvania, and often displace native crayfish.

remaining wilderness experiences left in an otherwise highly developed state. With planning, a river traveler can pass miles of shoreline bearing only a hint that other humans are already there. As much as possible, we try to make our float trips near the side of the river with the least development, the side most removed from the highways. We look for something we describe as the backsides of the islands. Most river islands have an east, west, north or south side facing away from civilization to provide that maximum wilderness feel. An island without a backside is just not as worthwhile in our mostly subconscious rating system. I can’t remember ever camping on an island without a backside. l

RURALreflections Spring has sprung I THINK we all can agree that it’s been a long winter, and we’re ready for spring. The sunshine, flowers and kids playing outside make it a perfect time to get out your camera and take some outdoor photos. On those cloudy, rainy spring days, spend some time going through your file of earlier photos. Select your favorites and send those, too. We are looking for creative photos taken by amateur photographers that feature the people, animals and landscapes of Pennsylvania. This year, five amateur photographers will be named winners of our $75 prize in the categories of: most artistic, best landscape, best human subject, best animal subject and editor’s choice. To be eligible for the 2014 contest prizes, send your photos (no digital files, please) to: Penn Lines Photos, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg PA 17108-1266. On the back of each photo, include your name, address, phone number and the name of the electric cooperative that serves your home, business or seasonal residence. (The best way to include this information is by affixing an address label to the back of the photo. Please do not use ink gel or roller pens to write on the photo as they bleed onto other photos.) Remember, our publication deadlines require that we work ahead, so send your seasonal photos in early. We need summer photos before mid-May; fall photos before mid-July and winter photos before mid-September (keep your spring photos to enter in the 2015 contest). Photos that don’t reflect a season may be sent at any time. Please note: photos will be returned if you include a self-addressed, self-stamped envelope. l

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APRIL 2014 • PENN

LINES

PUNCHlines

Thoughts from Earl Pitts, UHMERIKUN! Don’t fall for this kind of advertisement

Social commentary from Earl Pitts —— a.k.a. GARY BUR BANK , a nationally syndicated radio personality —— can be heard on the following radio stations that cover electric cooperative service territories in Pennsylvania: WANB-FM 103.1 Pittsburgh; WARM-AM 590 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; WIOO-AM 1000 Carlisle; WEEO-AM 1480 Shippensburg; WMTZ-FM 96.5 Johnstown; WQBR-FM 99.9/92.7 McElhattan; WLMI-FM 103.9 Kane; and WVNW-FM 96.7 Burnham-Lewistown. You can also find him at Earlpittsamerican.com.

PENN

LINES • APRIL 2014

I was doin’ kind of a winter thing a few weeks ago. Wastin’ a whole day in front of the TV. The only thing gloomier than the weather was my attitude. I can’t even tell you what I was watchin’ on account of — I was looking at it — but I wasn’t watchin’ any of it. And I believe every American man out there knows exactly what I’m talkin’ ‘bout. Anyhow, there’s one thing I did notice. Over the course of eight hours in front of the boob tube, I did make one incredible observation. Did you know there’s a huge chunk of the U.S. economy built on the fact people are going to fall over? It’s true. All you got to do is watch your cable TV. They got your hurry canes so you don’t fall over. They got your life-alert buttons in case you do. They got walk-in bathtubs and stair-lift chairs and motorized chairscooters in case you’re not all that steady, and possibly could fall over. They even got a visiting angel that will come to your house and show you how to smooth out the rugs so you don’t trip and fall over. Falling over in America is an industry! Which is weird because 95 percent of us don’t fall over. Not sober anyways. Think about it. You fall over a lot the first couple years of your life. Then onct you get the standing part down, you’re pretty much upright the rest of your life. But here’s the scary part. Apparently at some point in our lives, we’re gonna start falling over. I mean, the way they make it sound, if you go to a bingo hall tonight, you’re gonna be stepping over bodies. Wake up, America. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinkin’, “That’s not for me; that’s for some old people.” Well, guess what, Grandma. We’re getting there.

Somethin’ happened down at the Duck Inn last night an’ well, let’s just call this a cautionary tale we can all learn from. We was sittin’ there, drainin’ long-

necks an’ watchin’ the big screen when some ole boy walks in there madder than a wet hen. He punches Junior Meeker in the arm an’ then he goes, “Junior, you told me how to fix my furnace an’ I dang near blew up my house! I done everything you said, and I could’a blow’d up my entire family, you idiot!” And he marches right back out, cussin’ to beat the band. Me and Dub look at Junior, and I go, “Junior, you don’t know nothin’ about furnaces. You ain’t no Dave Lennox, son.” And Junior kind of shrugs an’ goes, “How tough could it be?” And here’s the lesson, ladies and gentlemen. Never take fixin’ advice from a redneck. Because “I don’t know” is not in the redneck vocabulary. We will tell you how to do something — even if we don’t know how to do it. We will give you five minutes of detailed instructions on how to get your car runnin’ and we won’t even know why it won’t. We will give you detailed directions how to get someplace we ain’t never been. We will crack open the back of your cell phone an’ start pullin’ little pieces out, little pieces that we ain’t got a clue how to get back in there. Hey, you want proof? Just go to a redneck’s house. He’s got two cars in the yard that don’t run. A little TV on top of the big TV that don’t work. A washer that don’t got a spin cycle. The only thing in his house running is the toilet. But if you got a problem, he’s “the helpful hardware man.” Wake up, America! The only stuff in a redneck house that does work is probably McGyver’ed together with duct tape and bread-bag twist ties. You might think you know a guy who knows how to fix stuff. But chances are, you don’t. I’m Earl Pitts, Uhmerikun. And you can catch my new blog at Earlpittsamerican.com. l

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Introducing the all-new Jitterbug® Plus. We’ve made it even better… without making it harder to use. All my friends have new cell phones. They carry them around with them all day, like mini computers, with little tiny keyboards and hundreds of programs which are supposed to make their life easier. Trouble is… my friends can’t use them. The keypads are too small, the displays are hard to see and the phones are so complicated that my friends end up borrowing my Jitterbug when they need to make a call. I don’t mind… I just got a new phone too… the new Jitterbug Plus. Now I have all the things I loved about my Jitterbug phone along with some great new features that make it even better!

Monthly Minutes Monthly Rate

Order now and receive a FREE Car Charger for your Jitterbug – a $24.99 value. Call now!

Basic 19

was 100 NOW 200

$14.99

$19.99

Operator Assistance

24/7

911 Access

FREE

No add’l charge

FREE

Long Distance Calls Voice Dial Nationwide Coverage Friendly Return Policy1

YES

30 days

More minute plans available. Ask your Jitterbug expert for details.

the problem with prepaid phones. Since there is no contract to sign, you are not locked in for years at a time and won’t be subject to early termination fees. The U.S.-based customer service is knowledgeable and helpful and the phone gets service virtually anywhere in the continental U.S. Above all, you’ll get one-touch access to a friendly, and helpful GreatCall operator. They can look up numbers, and even dial them for you! They are always there to help you when you need them.

GreatCall® created the Jitterbug with one thing in mind – to offer people a cell phone that’s easy to see and hear, simple to use and affordable. Now, they’ve made the cell phone experience even better with the Jitterbug Plus. It features a lightweight, comfortable design with a backlit keypad and big, legible numbers. There is even a dial tone so you know the phone is ready to use. You can also increase the volume with one touch and the speaker’s been improved so you get great audio quality and can hear every word. The battery has been improved too– it’s the longest-lasting– so you won’t have to charge it as often. The phone comes to you with your account already set up and is easy to activate. The rate plans are simple too. Why pay for minutes you’ll never use? There are a variety of affordable plans. Plus, you don’t have to worry about finding yourself stuck with no minutes– that’s

Basic 14

Available in Silver and Red.

Call now and receive a FREE Car Charger – a $24.99 value. Try the Jitterbug Plus for yourself for 30 days and if you don’t love it, just return it for a refund1 of the product purchase price. Call now – helpful Jitterbug experts are ready to answer your questions.

Jitterbug Plus Cell Phone Call today to get your own Jitterbug Plus. Please mention promotional code 58137.

1-877-690-7890 www.jitterbugdirect.com

47586

We proudly accept the following credit cards.

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screen images simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes. Monthly minutes carry over and are available for 60 days. If you exceed the minute balance on your account, you will be billed at 35¢ for each minute used over the balance. Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1We will refund the full price of the GreatCall phone and the activation fee (or set-up fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. ©2014 Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC. ©2014 GreatCall, Inc. ©2014 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.