On-line at www.locustlakevillage.org
SUMMER 2020
Covid-19 Information The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is the place to go to find out the latest information about recreation in the state. This link will take you to the site, where you can then find the link to park openings in Pennsylvania. https://www.dcnr. pa.gov/pages/default.aspx The Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society has tons of resources on Covid-19. Click here to find out about the Guidelines that Locust Lake is using.
For The Love Of Nature By Dee Kasarda Over the years I’ve been on the receiving end of phone calls to assist in saving or disposing of different birds impacted by the carelessness of residents in Locust Lake Village. All were the result of tangled fishing line carelessly left on the ground. Two ducks were caught in a figure 8 fishing line that was neatly wound up but not disposed of properly. The male was attempting to get up on the land and ice but was unable to, because his lifetime mate, now choked to death, was hopelessly attached and acted as an anchor. My husband and I were able to get him close to shore where my husband went into the ice water and grabbed the mallard, and with great difficulty, we were able to cut the line around his neck freeing him, and had security take care of his dead mate. Since ducks mate for life, he spent the next 2 summers alone. My neighbor asked me to check a dead bird in a tree in his back yard for his family. It turned out to be a bird with fishing line tangled in his talons and caught in the bark of the tree. What a slow death that was for this poor bird.
In October my neighbors’ three-month old puppy on a leash picked up and swallowed a fishing lure with two feet of fishing line left on the berm of Pines Lake. After hours of surgery and with only a 50% chance of survival, thankfully Murphy is still with us today. I walk Pines Lake almost daily and constantly pick up trash, animal feces, and most recently fishing line, including the lure pictured below. Please be aware these items are deadly to wild life and be proactive in disposing of them wisely.
Inside Highlights Beach & Waterfronts
See page 4
Crossword Puzzle See page 8
Newburgh, NY 12550 PERMIT NO. 335
PAID
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
Table of Contents
About the Village
Why Are My Ash Trees Dying?
About the Village
Why Are My Ash Trees Dying? 2 New Facebook Pages 2 Chairman’s Message 3 Beach and Waterfront Information 4 Health Care Providers 5 Houses of Worship 6 Crossword 8
To Advertise In Locust Lake Villager Call Crystal at 845-456-1218
Have you heard of the Emerald Ash Borer? It is a beetle that has been killing ash trees throughout the country, sparing only the western most states so far. It was first confirmed in Pennsylvania in 2007 and has killed over 40 million trees throughout the country, according to the Penn State Department of Entomology. What does it do? The following is from the Penn State Department of Entomology.
The foliage in the crown of EAB-infested trees begins to thin above infested portions of the trunk and major branches because the larval stage of this wood-boring insect destroys the water and nutrient conducting cells and tissues beneath the bark. Heavily infested trees exhibit canopy dieback usually starting at the top of the tree. One-third to one-half of the branches may die in one year. Most of the canopy will be dead within 2 years of when symptoms are first observed. Sometimes ash trees push out sprouts from the trunk after the upper portions of the tree dies. Although difficult to see, EAB adults leave a capital “D”-shaped emergence hole in the bark. This exit hole is approximately 1/8 inch in diameter. If you find one of these in your ash tree, please call Contact your local county Pennsylvania State University Cooperative Extension Office, the nearest Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture regional office, or the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry’s Division of Forest Pest Management office. You may also contact the Pennsylvania EAB hotline at 1-866-253-7189.
New Facebook Pages
Hey Villagers, check out the two Facebook pages for the Village. One is private and has the word Group at the end, and the other is public.
The public one is Locust Lake Village Property Owners Association and the private one for homeowners is Locust Lake Village Property Owners Association Group. If you go to the first one, there is an option to visit the Group. In the group one can buy and sell items to other villagers and participate in discussions.
PAGE 2 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
Looking for a contractor or curious as to who the Board Members are? Go to the LLV website at LocustLakeVillage.org to find the answers. You can also read the latest issue of The Villager. It is a work in progress but there is plenty of useful information on it.
Chair’s Message By Bob Christensen, LLV Board Chair First and foremost, I want to thank the membership for all your support and understanding these past few months. It has been a very challenging experience for myself, my fellow board members and the staff. Everyone pulled together as a team should and gave it their all. We should all be proud and thankful for that.
I’m sure everyone who has driven past the front office noticed Century 21 is no longer doing business in Locust Lake Village. The owner, Bob Bossuyt, decided to close down and consolidate to his main office in Pocono Pines. At present time the board has decided to use that space in an effort to follow the CDC guidelines for reopening and to better serve the membership. With all the businesses in our area closed during the red phase, our projects came to a screeching halt, especially the 2020 asphalt roads project. With a little bit of luck and good weather we are very hopeful it will be
completed before July 4th. I have received numerous inquiries about the manager’s position and if there is a problem. This question was on the LLV Facebook page and I hope this will help everyone understand.
Q. Why can’t we seem to keep managers? There have been three managers in the five years I have lived here. Are there problems with the Board?
A. The problem is with the job. It is an extremely demanding position in terms of hours including nights and weekends often “putting out fires” or diffusing potentially dangerous situations. They have to deal with local Township authorities, environmental agencies, legal issues and vendors, while overseeing staff in five different areas. The buck stops at the manager for the safe, day to day operation of the Village. The manager must be responsive to residents and able to problem solve, provide conflict resolution and maintain good
working relationships with everyone he/ she deals with. The manager is accountable to the members of the Association (over 1,000), and the Board of Directors, while keeping within the LLVPOA budget, not to mention the required business transactions, paperwork and necessary communications. Don Fantry resigned for family reasons. Recently retired law enforcement, the job was taking away time he could be spending with family, and his wife was not happy living full time in the Poconos. Jack
Dobson was hired in good faith with due diligence. After a short time, it became evident that he was struggling with his expectations of the job and our expectations of him. Nothing more, simply not a good fit for either party. His employment separation was amiable.
The Board is looking at the manager’s job description and the organization chart and considering the best options going forward. Again, thank you all for your patience and understanding.
Gouldsboro Chimney & Furnace Cleaning
• Stainless Steel Liners & Caps • Woodstove & Fireplace Inserts Installed
• Masonry Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired
• Wooden Chase Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired • Fireplaces, Wood & Coal Stoves
• Animals & Any Other Blockages Removed
• Gas or Oil Chimney & Furnace Cleaning
CALL TODAY:
(570)676-5253
$10 OFF CHIMNEY REPAIRS & CLEANING WITH THIS AD
Locust Lake Village POA © Copyright 2019 1778 Lake Lane, Pocono Lake, PA 18347 P: 570.646.3616 F: 570.694.6690 www.locustlakevillage.org
SUMMER OFFICE HOURS: Monday thru Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm Saturday & Sunday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
PUBLISHER:
Niki Jones Agency, Inc. 39 Front St., Port Jer vis, NY 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: publisher@nikijones.com
Recreation Nicole Hill, Director Office: 570-843-7323 nhill@llvpoa.org Office Staff Lillian Bellis, Asst. Office Admin. Linda Buscavage Pat Ryan Office: 570-646-3616 llvpoa@ptd.net Office Administrator Mary Marucci Office: 570-843-7329 llvpoa@ptd.net Ranger Staff Office: 570.843-7326 24/7 dispatch: 570.646.3532 Fire & Police: 911
Tree Removal Tree Trimming Land Clearing Landscaping
Tree Removal
Light Excavation
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
Land Clearing Chipping
Landscaping Bucket Truck Services Light Excavation Stump Grinding Chipping Bucket Truck Services
PAGE 3 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
Maintenance Mike Larsen Office: 570-843-7327 mikelarsen@pdt.net Accounting Kathleen Benner Office: 570-843-7324 kathllv@ptd.net
Beaches & Waterfronts These are the guidelines the Board has been following to keep everyone in the Village safe. Ratios & Minimize Contact Groups
Sanitation & Cleaning
Hygiene
Equipment Sharing
Food & Beverage
Communications
Notes
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Frequently clean and disinfect restrooms and other commonly shared surfaces, spaces according to CDC guidance. Ensure vendors follow same.
Provide for wash stations, clean restrooms, hand sanitizer, etc.
Discourage shared equipment outside of same household. Close off certain equipment, including playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipt., others difficult to clean, disinfect, or challenging to monitor distancing. Ensure all shared equipment, inc. rentals, are cleaned, and disinfected between uses (chair, umbrellas, kayaks, etc.)
Only prepackaged individual servings of consumable food or beverages may be sold or sampled.
Post clear signage outlining allowable activities, use and enforcement. Ensure public is aware of health and safety measures that in place including limits on certain activities and gatherings, encouraging good hygiene, staying home when sick and wearing face coverings. Prepare a plan to reinstate mitigation measures, including closures if the public is not adhering to recommendations or if transmission increases.
Lifeguards should not be responsible for monitoring physical distancing; they need to focus on water safety.
Clean, sanitize, and disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the day. Maintain daily opening and closing sanitation schedule.
Provide for wash stations, clean restrooms, hand sanitizer, etc.
Discourage shared equipment outside of same household. Close off certain equipment, including playgrounds, outdoor exercise equipt., others difficult to clean, disinfect, or challenging to monitor distancing. Ensure all shared equipment, inc. rentals, are cleaned, and disinfected between uses (chair, umbrellas, kayaks, etc.)
Only prepackaged individual servings of consumable food or beverages may be sold or sampled.
Post clear signage outlining allowable activities, use and enforcement. Ensure public is aware of health and safety measures that in place including limits on certain activities and gatherings, encouraging good hygiene, staying home when sick and wearing face coverings. Prepare a plan to reinstate mitigation measures, including closures if the public is not adhering to recommendations or if transmission increases.
Lifeguards should not be responsible for monitoring physical distancing; they need to focus on water safety.
Adhere to facility guidelines
Adhere to facility guidelines
Adhere to facility guidelines
Adhere to facility guidelines
Adhere to facility guidelines
Red Phase Closed
N/A
Yellow Phase 36 sq. ft. per person; 25 people per active use zone
Monitor, enforce distancing, including limiting capacity on the beach. Strategies include: a timed pass system, limit parking spaces and access points, train, deploy beach ambassadors at access points to educate beachgoers about distancing; public service announcements over speakers; use tape or cones to mark 6 ft. intervals in popular areas on boardwalks, beach access points
Green Phase 36 sq. ft. per person; 90 people per active use zone
Monitor, enforce distancing, including limiting capacity on the beach. Strategies include: a timed pass system, limit parking spaces and access points, train, deploy beach ambassadors at access points to educate beachgoers about distancing; public service announcements over speakers; use tape or cones to mark 6 ft. intervals in popular areas on boardwalks, beach access points
Phase Out Open at full capacity
Open at full capacity
PAGE 4 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
Mother & Child
Local Health Care Providers Compiled from Hospital Websites Geisinger
Geisinger.org Events: GeisingerEvents@geisinger.edu Online Calendar
Geisinger at Wyoming Valley 570-808-7300 1000 E. Mountain Rd, Wilkes-Barre Geisinger South - 570-808-3100 25 Church Street, Wilkes-Barre
Geisinger North - 570-271-6211 100 N. Academy Avenue, Danville
Lehigh Valley Health Network Lvhn.org
Lehigh Valley Hospital - Pocono 570-421-4800 206 E. Brown St., East Stroudsburg Health Center at Blakeslee 570-355-7230 5683 Route 115, Blakeslee (Next to Blakeslee Post Office)
Health Center at Bartonsville 600 Commerce Blvd. Stroudsburg Xpress Care
Mountain Health Care at Tannersville - 888-402-5846 2838 Route 611, Tannersville
Heath Center at Tobyhanna 100 Community Dr. Tobyhanna
St. Luke’s University Hospital Slhn.org
Main Campus - 484-526-4000 802 Ostrum St. Bethlehem
St. Luke’s Hospital Monroe Campus 800-801-7745 100 St. Luke’s Lane, Stroudsburg (Across from Sonic) Physical Therapy at St. Luke’s (Includes fitness programs) 570-643-3706 Route 940 & Maple Rd, Blakeslee
PAGE 5 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
Houses of Worship
Pocono Wesleyan Church 203 Spur Road, Pocono Lake, PA 570-646-7456 Poconolakewesleyan.org St. Maximillian Kolbe RC 5112 Pocono Crest Rd., Pocono Pines, PA 570-646-6424 Stmaxkolbepoconos.org St. Mark RC Church 1052 Bear Lake Road, Thornhurst, PA 570-472-3061 Churchofstelizabeth stmark.org Thornhurst United Methodist Church 342 Old River Road, Thornhurst, PA 570-842-1434 Facebook: Thornhurst Umc Congregation B’nai Harim Reformed 5349 Pocono Crest Boulevard Pocono Pines, PA 570-355-5350 Bnaiharimpoconos.org Community Bible Church of Pocono Lake 899 Route 940, Pocono Lake, PA 570-646-8995 Poconolakechurch.org Faith Lutheran Church of Blakeslee Route 940 & Robyn Lane, Blakeslee, PA 570-646-0309 Email: faithlut@epix.net FB: Faith Lutheran Church, Blakeslee PA Mt. Pocono United Methodist Church 12 Church St., Mt. Pocono, PA 570-839-9902 Email: mtpumc@ptd.net Sundays: 8:15am w/communion 9:30am contemporary 11am traditional Pocono Lake United Methodist Church 1188 PA-940 Pocono Lake, PA 570-646-2650 Email: plpumc@epix.net Sundays 8:15am
PAGE 6 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
PAGE 7 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
Who Was Who Was the Author? The Author?
Down Across
Across 4. Anna and Vronsky 5. Man becomes Roach 4. Anna and Vronsky 8. Frankenstein 5. Man Becomes Roach 11. Tom Joad 8. Frankenstein 12. Amy, Beth, Meg,Jo 14. Heathcliff 11. Tom Joad 16. Mr. Darcy 12. Amy, Beth, Meg, Jo 17. Pip 18. Yossarian14. Heathcliff
16. Mr. Darcy 17. Pip
Down1. Atticus Finch 1. Atticus2.Finch Call Me Ishmael 2. Call me Ishmael 3. Ulysses 3. Ulysses Just-So Stories 5. Just-So5.Stories 6. On the6. Road On the Road 7. Tom Buchanan 7. Tom Buchanan 9. Hiroshima Hiroshima 10. Holden9.Caulfield 13. Jumping 10.frog Holden Caulfield 14. Toto 13. Jumping Frog 15. Newspeak
14. Toto
18. Yossarian
15. Newspeak
PAGE 8 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
To Advertise in Locust Lake Villager Call 845-456-1218
PAGE 9 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
THEY’RE NOT YOGI OR BOO BOO
The Bear Facts of Summer From the National Park Service and the Pennsylvania Game Commission Oh, they’re out here in the Village. How cute and cuddly are they! The bears are back, and we’re not talking about the Chicago Bears or the Chicago Cubs. But beware: Bears and their cubs are wild animals and can be unpredictable. It’s easy to say “Don’t Feed the Bears,” but make sure you practice what is preached. Are you prepared for bear country, i.e., the Poconos? The National Park Service advises: • Be alert for bears. • While hiking or out for a walk, make noise in areas where visibility is limited. Let them know you are in their neighborhood. • Young bears that appear to be alone usually have a mother waiting nearby. Never get between a mother and her cub. Chances of an attack escalate greatly if she perceives you as a danger to her cubs. • Carry bear spray and know how to use it. • Avoid hiking alone. Hike with three or more people. • Leave pets at home. • Do not run. If you have a surprise encounter with a bear, slowly back away. According to the park service, bear spray is proven effective. If you encounter a bear: • Stay calm; remember most bears do not want to attack you. Talk to the bear in low tones. This will help you stay calmer and will not be threatening to the bear. A scream or sudden movement may trigger an attack. Never imitate bear sounds or make a high-pitch squeal. • If the bear charges, stand your ground and use bear spray. The Pennsylvania Game Commission offers similar advice tailored more to the state. While there are three species of bear found in North America, only the black bear is found in Pennsylvania. A state survey conducted in 2015 found that approximately 20,000 black bears live in the commonwealth. An adult bear weighs around 200 pounds, but some can weigh as much as 600 pounds. Here’s an amazing fact. Even with that much weight, a bear can run up to 35 miles an hour, climb trees and swim rather well. If out on a trail, you can spot bear prints in mud or soft earth. Their prints are similar to human prints with five toes with the front feet shorter than the rear which is short and narrow. The commission also notes that a bear’s sizeable droppings are easily recognizable and can contain partly digested berries, vegetation, corn, or animal hair. Claw marks on smooth-bark trees or rotten logs that have been ripped apart for insects are signs that a bear is or has been in the neighborhood. It’s the summer season at LLV. Village officials advise keeping your trash safely stored and out of the scent and reach of bears and other wildlife before taking it to the Village’s trash compactor. The game commission points out that bears have an acute sense of smell. For more information, go to www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/ safety htm and www. pgc.pa.gov/WildlifeSpecies/BlackBear/ Pages/LivingwithBlackBears.aspx.
PAGE 10 | LOCUST LAKE VILLAGER | SUMMER 2020
As You Can See WE Are Low On Inventory Please Call If YOU are Looking To Sell!
SOLD 54 DAYS
SOLD 10 DAYS
$130,000; 235 Elk Run MLS #PM-64822
$93,500; 37 Mountain View MLS #PM-68999
SOLD SOLD
SOLD 31 DAYS
$125,000; 131 Wagner Way MLS #PM-65882
$237,500; 325 Ridge Road MLS #PM-65630
SOLD $205,000; 114 Fawn Road MLS #PM-66966
SOLD $104,000; 167 Tommys Lane MLS #PM-54935
LAKEFRONT $300,000; 142 Cottontail Ln MLS #PM-62752
SOLD 16 DAYS $131,300; 342 Ridge Road MLS $PM-71587
PENDING
PENDING $125,000; 279 Mountain View Dr MLS #PM-68850
$139,900; 1751 Stag Run MLS #PM-71761
$187,000; 30 Mountain View Dr MLS #PM-73769
$12,900; 509 Ridge Rd MLS #PM-43628 $12,900; 306 Tommy Ln MLS #PM-43633 $12,900; 112 Fawn Rd MLS #PM-43632 $12,900; 523 Beech Ln MLS #PM-43631 $7,500; 403 Ridge Rd MLS #PM-44151 $7,500; 404 Ridge Rd MLS #PM-44152 $7,500; 405 Ridge Rd MLS #PM-44154 $10,000; 1512 Selig Rd MLS #PM-69653 $6,500; 108 Lake Ln MLS #PM-69653
NEW LISTING $90,000; 1513 Locust Lane MLS #PM-76747
$245,900; 363 Ridge Rd MLS #PM-75000
Heather Rickert Cell 215.850.9640
$175,000; 196 Mountain View Dr MLS #PM-73154
Jeff Rickert Cell 267.456.8844
"Our PASSION for Real Estate became our PROFESSION!"
Century 21 select Group
wishes all of our Locust Lake village neighbors a fun-packed
r e m Sum
ExPERiENCE aNd REsulTs CouNT List with the professionals who have sold more homes in Locust Lake Village in the past 45 years than any other RealtorŠ
Century 21 Select Group Pocono Lake Office Because of Covid-19 we have found it necessary to close our office at Locust Lake Village after 45 years. The requirements for Covid-19 make it impossible for us to meet all of the guidelines and also social distance in such a small space. Therefore we have merged Locust Lake Village with our Pocono Pines office which has a much larger space.
dot Gallagher, Barbara Timmeney, and Jeff Kalinock have moved to the Pocono Pines office located 4
miles east on Route 940, just past the traffic light at Route 423 on the right. Our phone number 570 646-8844 still remains the same, and they will be working with their clients and friends at Locust Lake Village.
sales & Rentals agents:
dorothy gallagher, Barbara timmeney, and Jeff kalinock
WEBsiTE: www.c21poconolake.com EMail: info@c21poconolake.com
PhoNE:
570 646-8844 Toll FREE:
1 800 588-1808
Proud to Serve LocuSt Lake viLLage and aLL of the Pocono Lake area for 45 YearS.
Century 21 - The Most Prominent Name in Real Estate Š