December 2017
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LA KE
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TOBY H AN NA,
Sunday, December 10, 2017
P E NNS Y LVANIA
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GLACIER LAKE GRILL & PUB DECEMBER HOURS
11: 00 am Brunch With With Santa Santa Brunch Fresh Baked Items Station
Bagels Toast English Muffins Scones & Sweet Rolls With Butter, Cream Cheese and Jelly Fresh Fruit Salad Breakfast Items
Pancakes Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Scrambled Eggs Sausage Bacon Home Fried Potatoes Biscuits & Gravy
CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED 5pm - 10pm kitchen closes at 10pm 5pm - 11pm kitchen closes at 10pm 12pm - 11pm kitchen closes at 10pm 12pm - 7pm
Open Wednesday, Dec. 27 - 5pm - 10pm CLOSED Sunday, Dec. 24 CLOSED Monday, Dec. 25 Sunday, Dec. 31 - 7pm - Open only for New Year’s Eve Party - Reservations Required
Omelet Station Mushrooms Onions Bell peppers Olives Tomatoes Shredded cheese blend Ham Bacon
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
Kids…
Santa is bringing his mailbox with him so don’t forget to bring your letters!
Lunch Items
Carving Station of Honey Roasted Ham with Pineapple Glaze Creamy Macaroni and cheese Chicken Tenders
Juice Station Apple Orange
RESERVATIONS SUGGESTED 570-894-4435 x132 Our menu can be viewed at www.poconofarms.com
IN THIS ISSUE
Dessert Station
O U R COMM U NIT Y
Holiday Treats Hot Beverage Station Coffee Tea Hot Chocolate with all the toppings and Trimmings
Ages 12 and up ~$18.95 ● Ages 5 - 11 ~ $9.95 Kids 4 and under eat free! Price includes tax and gratuity Seating is limited! Reservations required!
Deadline for sign-up December 7, 2017 Contact Katrina Weithman 570-894-4435 x-132 or katrinaw@poconofarms.com Reservations canceled after 12/7/17 will result in a $10 cancellation fee
From Your B.O.D. B.O.D. Meeting Schedule Notes from the Manager Crime Watch Public Safety Women’s Club News Letter to Editor In the Farms A Horse with No Farm Then There Was Golf Katrina’s Food for Thought What Wonderful Residents We Have
CA LENDA R OF E V ENTS Pocono Farms Events December Calendar
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SPORTS Annual Denny Pig Roast Golf Course News Fun with Fitness A Man and His Chainsaw — Tom Sirolly Round by Round — Kyle Monahan Rockin’ Recreation
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Newburgh, NY 12550 PERMIT NO. 335
182 Lake Road, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania 18466
PAID
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
From Your Board of Directors BY COLLETTE HOUSTON ONG BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President Vice President Treasurer Secretary Director Director Director Director Director
As I begin this monthly report from the Board of Directors, I think we can finally say our unusual fall weather with the warm temperatures, sunny days, blue skies and plenty of extra time on the golf course is officially gone. The cold winter months are coming. Instead of worrying about winter, let’s cherish that extra warm and beautiful fall we had here in the Poconos.
Steve Bunker Neil Carlson Collette Houston-Ong Wayne Meyers Frank DeBrincat Harry Hamill Frank Milano Peter Volpe James Yando
COMMITTEE LIAISON ASSIGNMENTS: A & B/Environmental James Yando Communications Harry Hamill Crime Watch Peter Volpe Elections/Nominations Wayne Meyers Finance Collette Ong Fitness Frank Milano Golf Frank DeBrincat Long Range Planning Neil Carlson Pool Peter Volpe Recreation/Tennis Frank DeBrincat AD-HOCS New Member Welcoming Grill & Banquet Room
Harry Hamill Collette Ong
DEPARTMENT HEADS General Manager David Timko 894-4435 ext. 100 dtimko@poconofarms.com Controller Lorraine Daviduk 894-4435 ext. 103 ldaviduk@poconofarms.com Golf Pro Kyle Monahan 894-4435 ext. 110 golfshop@poconofarms.com Greens Superintendent Jeff Lesoine 894-4435 jeffreyl3@poconofarms.com Chef Bob 894-4435 ext. 130 pfchef@poconofarms.com Food & Beverage Director Katrina Weithman 894-4435 ext. 132 katrinaw@poconofarms.com Activities Director Joe Sprovkin 894-4435 ext. 113 recdir@poconofarms.com Director of Public Safety Artie Furman & Compliance 894-4435 ext. 105 afurman@poconofarms.com Maintenance Dave Winters 894-4435 pfmaint@poconofarms.com Fitness Kristen Aylward 894-4435 ext. 116 fitness@poconofarms.com Communications Susan Nevarez 894-4435 ext. 106 admin@poconofarms.com POCONO FARMS REALTY Lex Colon 894-0300 lex.colon.realtor@gmail.com
182 Lake Road • Tobyhanna, PA 18466 www.poconofarms.com • admin@poconofarms.com
Host Your Event in Your Community’s Picturesque Lakeside Banquet Facility With seating for 20 to 120 people
It is now time to prepare for winter and the coming of the new year, 2018. Many of us are making sure we have our “Plow Guy” set up, or fine-tuning the snow blower and purchasing Wet Melt. Soon, our fireplaces will be put to good use. Similar work and activities are happening throughout PFCCA, preparing our grounds for winter. The business side of preparing for 2018 includes the development, review and approval of the 2018 PFCCA budget. Our General Manager and Directors have prepared their budgets, gone through revisions and we are going through the appropriate steps, due-diligence and evaluations to approve the budget at the November 17th Board of Directors meeting. There are a lot of positives on how we, as a community, are ending 2017 and preparing for 2018. Our General Manager, Mr. Timko, has built up a solid team of Directors who are dedicated to and focused on the positive direction we are moving as a community. With that in mind, I will send my thanks to the team for an excellent 2017! Their thoughtful planning, new ideas, professionalism and hope for the future is exceptional. We have experienced new events and activities planned by our Recreation Director (Joe) and Director, Food and Beverage (Katrina). There have been new opportunities at our Fitness Center (Krissie) especially with new classes; I’ve even had the opportunity to enjoy a few. Rumor has it the golf course was in fantastic condition this season (Jeff), and our Golf Pro, (Kyle) provided a lot of new and fun events for all to enjoy. I unfortunately; did not get on the course this year except to watch my son compete as part of the Jr. PGA Team. Hoping to get out there next year, assuming I get my long overdue hand surgery this winter.
2017-18 BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING SCHEDULE ALL MEETING TIMES ARE 7PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
D ecember 15, 2017 J anuary 26, 2018 F ebruary 23, 2018 W ork S ession
M arch 23, 2018 A pril 20, 2018 M ay 18, 2018 J une 29, 2018 J uly 13, 2018
S aturday , J uly 14, 2018 10 am A nnual M eeting
and share your opinions. I will always keep an open mind and open ears for listening. For my family, 2018 will be our 12th year as members of our great community, 11 years as full time members. It is amazing to me how quickly the time has passed, and we regularly appreciate and recognize all the amazing benefits we as a family, have received from Pocono Farms, most notably the wonderful friends we now consider like family. I will sign off by wishing all of you a wonderful and joyous holiday season! All the best.
The winter holds some of us up inside, but let
Contact Katrina me remind you of the upcoming events and Let us assist you in planning your next special event 570-894-4435 ext. 132 Baptism activities to put on your calendars: Holiday Party Bar / Bat Mitzvah katrinaw@poconofarms.com December 2; Santa Brunch December 10; Ugly
Confirmation Family Reunion Let us assist you in planning First Communion your next special event Quinceañera Rehearsal Dinner ~ Shower Baptism Quinceanera Bar / Bat Mitzvah Rehearsal Dinner 16 Sweet Confirmation Shower Wedding
Family Reunion First Communion
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Sweet 16 Wedding
Sweater Trivia December 30; and New Years Eve just to name a few. With all the craziness of the holiday season, it’s nice to know there are local events so close to home to celebrate with family and friends. I hope to be at many of these events. If you come please seek me out, say hello
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TO ADVERTISE CALL 845-456-1218 OR EMAIL POCONOFARMS @NIKIJONES.COM
Notes from the Manager BY DAVE TIMKO
Weather events at times cause all of us to look at how they affect our personal and professional lives. When extreme weather is forecasted, we should all take the necessary steps to ensure our safety and the safety of others.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE POCONO FARMS COUNTRY CLUB ASSOCIATION, INC.
During extreme weather events, we will try to communicate as much information to our members as we can. Using email is the quickest and most efficient way for us to communicate. When these extreme events happen, we will make every attempt to communicate the office and facility hours to you or any changes in hours. At times, the weather does require us to make decisions to either open or close the offices, or close them early, or open them later. We make those decisions based on the best available information provided to us. Although we are cautious not to overreact, we need to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the staff. We need to make sure that they can make it home safely, or at times, defer the opening of the offices so that they may get to work safely.
PUBLISHED BY NIKI JONES AGENCY, INC. 39 Front Street Port Jervis, New York 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: info@nikijones.com Articles appearing in The Weathervane are presented as a community service. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher or of the Pocono Farms Country Club Association, Inc. The publisher and the PFCCA disclaim any liability for any advertisements published herein, in no way endorse or guarantee these ads and reserve the right to reject any ads submitted. Position of advertising in the newspaper is not guaranteed.
Whether it is an extreme weather or snow event, the maintenance department will be on site clearing the roadways and plowing snow. Please understand that in either case, it does take time to get to 80+ cul-de-sacs. Especially if the snow is heavy or there is an abundance of it. We will get there. When it is really coming down quicker than we can plow it, we will make one pass through all of the cul-de-sacs to open the road up. We will obviously come back again to open up more and then usually a third time to push the snow back as far as we can in preparation for the next event. We understand that all of us have different work schedules and other commitments that require us to travel, even in inclement weather. We ask for your patience and cooperation during these times. Understand that the staff is out there and we will get to all of the Association owned roads in the most safe and efficient manner. We do rotate the starting point each and every snow fall so that you are not always the last to be plowed or always the first to be plowed. This has seemed to work well the past ten years. Wishing you an enjoyable Holiday Season with your family and friends. Have a Merry Christmas and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year!
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idea@poconofarms.com DO YOU HAVE A...
...COMMENT? ...QUESTION? ...SUGGESTION? Send an email to a current board member. Responses will be sent directly to the sender and periodically published in the Weathervane
idea@poconofarms.com
2017
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Crime Watch Activity Report
Public Safety
BY RUSS KELLY
BY A. FURMAN DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY PFCCA
Hello everyone. I can only hope as I am writing this that old man winter has not yet wrapped us in his cold icy grasp. This article may seem odd to some, because it was odd to me when I saw this thing. On three occasions I had run-ins with these things and I suppose it’s time to write about it. Drones. You have seen them in the stores and maybe your children or grandchildren have one already. The thing we need to discuss is the responsible use of them. A gentleman had one hovering over his home dropping down near his wife and children. Another one was near the pool and another was very close to the clubhouse a few weeks ago. I believe as they get more popular and the price keeps coming down, we will only be seeing more of them. I am sure they can be a lot of fun, but if poor judgment is used it can become dangerous and even illegal. I have seen comedy sketches about this (South Park). There is a commercial with Aaron Rodgers and a drone in the windshield of his truck. And God help the drone operator who peeps in my window. They will go blind! All of us who saw our wonderful video of the golf course can see by that footage in the proper hands, how useful they can be. Basically it comes down to keeping an eye on our kids to make sure they use these things in a responsible manner. Everyone try to keep warm and, as always, if you have questions or concerns, my door is always open.
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Another year is behind us with the anticipation next year will be even better than 2017. Crime watch volunteers have been busy helping to keep the Farms the place we all anticipated it would be when we first moved in. While crime watch has reported a few problems, much of the time we have become a neighborhood watch. We try to keep everyone aware of the pact we signed which describes what our responsibilities were in maintaining the quality of the community. During the year many received reminders that the lawns or front yards should be maintained, and garbage cans should be brought in by 6:00pm the day of pick up. The mysterious furniture that lined some of our streets, while taken care of, who put it there still remains a mystery. There were a few abandoned cars reported, and I believe the owners were tracked down. All vehicles are required to have plates if they are parked on a property and there have been a number of vehicles reported for the lack of plates. I know they have been notified by our code official. Once again the patrol of “mischief night” proved to be a lonely drive as no revelry was encountered. The only reported sightings were two doe, a buck and a pheasant. None of the drivers thought they were looking for trouble, so security wasn’t called. I understand the second “clean up” day was a success. Volunteers thought the Farms was looking good, and now encourage everyone to try to maintain their areas. I know the “Adopt a Spot” program can be helpful in maintaining our roadsides. I hope those that watched volunteers clean up their properties appreciate their efforts. The 15 volunteers patrolled 78 hours in October. We could use more volunteers to fill the gaps in our schedule and make up for the snowbirds that are away for the winter. If you’re interested, call Russ Kelly at 570-894-4034 or the office. Only a car and a little time are required.
Women’s Club News BY JOAN SCHIPPER, MEMBER
The Pocono Farms’ Women’s Club meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 12:00 noon. December 13th is our annual Christmas & Holiday Party hosted by our Board of Directors for 2017-2018. Join us for caroling. Our Board of Directors are: President – Lucille Dever; First Vice President and Ways & Means - Tressa Delli-Santi; Second Vice President and Programs – Ann Shincovich; Third Vice President and Membership – Penny Burlingame; Secretary – Maureen Graham; Treasurer - Jane Cirlurso. Just a reminder, the yearly dues were due in September. Please remit so we can update our membership list. For Pocono Farms’ women who would like to attend our meetings, you can contact our Head Caller, Pat Torregrossa, at 570-894-8752 to make a reservation. The 2018 Women’s Club meetings for January, February, and March will be held at different local restaurants, since the clubhouse is only open on weekends during this period. The scheduled dates are still the second Wednesday monthly. Members will be receiving calls from their regular caller.
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Letter to The Editor
IN THE FARMS PFCCA OFFICE HOURS Monday - Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm & 1:00pm - 4:30pm ID Badge Picture Hours: 8:30am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 4:00pm Capital Improvement Fees on transfer of property: House: $1,302 Lot: $651 BUILDING REGULATIONS: Permits are required from the township and from PFCCA. Please check with the office (570-894-4435) as to your specific needs. • Building permit required from respective township and PFCCA before construction begins • Construction permitted from 7am - 7pm Monday- Saturday – excluding major holidays • Resale certificates are required. Fee is $300.00. Resale and other related documents can be obtained at www.homewisedocs.com REFUSE COLLECTION: Curbside pick-up on household trash and recycling is done on Mondays and Tuesdays beginning at 6:00am by County Waste 570-382-3304. Please refer to the pickup list on our website www.poconofarms.com to determine your pickup day. County Waste will only pick up household trash and accepted recycling. If you have any other items to discard, please call them at 570382-3304 to set up arrangements. Major Holidays that will affect your collection days are: New Years Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Christmas. When those holidays fall on a Monday or Tuesday, garbage collection will shift by one day. ANIMALS: Dogs must be leashed or on owner’s property at all times. Wildlife, such as deer and black bear, are common at Pocono Farms. We ask that you NOT FEED any wild animals. EMERGENCIES: For ALL emergencies including medical or fire please contact 911 first, then contact Public Safety at 570894-4435 x105. Weathervane DEADLINE NOTICE In order to produce a better newspaper for the Community, a Weathervane submission deadline has been established. All articles, announcements, classified ads, etc. must be submitted to the Newsletter Coordinator on or before the 1st of each month for publication in the next issue of The Weathervane. Submissions made after this date will not be considered until the following month. Your cooperation is appreciated. Publication of articles is subject to the approval of the Communication Committee.
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A Horse With No Farm - Then There Was Golf BY EMILY DENNY
It seems odd, to set up facilities for a game that requires, above all else, a multitude of open space in the middle of the woods. Not to mention that anyone who’s golfed before will tell you that trees are a golfer’s worst enemy. People that haven’t golfed before find the whole thing perplexing. A friend of mine once said, “It doesn’t seem like fun, you hit a very small ball across a very big expanse of grass? Later in our conversation, he asked of the game’s mechanics, “So, you just whack it and hope for the best?” I grew up in a family of golfers who have been in Pocono Farms since the beginning. I spent many afternoons out on a golf course with my parents and grandparents trying -- and failing -- to whack a small ball into a slightly larger hole 400 yards away, so I understand that golf is a bit complicated. The grip of the club, the angle of the swing, the position of the hips and feet, on and on, there are many factors to consider. But, after some thought I told him, “Yeah, you just whack the ball and hope for the best.” In the beginning, Recra-del Corporation acquired land in 1965 with their vision of a community and country club built around a lake in the heart of the Pocono Mountains. Art Wall, Jr., an eastern Pennsylvania native and Golf Pro at Pocono Manor, along with Bob Sterrett, an agronomist and landscaper, were hired to build and design the golf course. Art Wall Jr. rose to fame after winning the 1959 Masters, during which he beat Arnold Palmer by two strokes. With the team assembled, it was time to start building. The front nine of Pocono Farms Country Club opening day was on July 8th, 1970. Cocktails and a buffet lunch awaited the crowd of local golf pros, politicians, bank dignitaries and, of course, Pocono Farms residents. It was a sunny day with low wind and good visibility, a golfer’s dream. The dream team was assembled on the first tee; Bob Sterrett, Ted Johnson, Art Wall Jr. and Bill Nixon. Art Wall Jr. was given the honor of taking the first swing and received a life long membership to the country club, beginning a new era of golf and recreation. Some early members to the golf community included: Joe Mayday, John Lee, Peter Kudyba, Ed Hummel, Joe Haywood, Jack Feeney, Peter Driscoll, Don DeRoo, and Jack Baldwin. It was a small close-knit community consisting of about 100 households. There were house parties
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dressed in knickers and Scottish tams. It was the first tournament which brought outside people to the golf course and community. The Nemeth Tournament established the “shotgun” format that became a popular tradition with future tournaments. Every foursome would be assigned a different hole to start, and, at the sound of a shotgun, everyone would tee off at once, and play through until they completed the course. Tournaments, cool summer weather, and the irreplaceable mountain breeze attracted golfers from around Pennsylvania and the tri-state area. Soon, it was becoming evident that the club’s appeal was attracting more golfers than the club could handle.
every weekend, where adults would drink brown liquor and beer while their kids ran around. Everyone noshed on pimento cheese spread and deviled eggs. In the homes of select gourmets, you might also get to sample a fondue, a crowd pleasing recipe from Julia Child’s cookbook. Everyone knew everyone and hope and optimism about the future of the country club was everywhere. There wasn’t much of a budget in the early years to cover the cost of golf maintenance. In the early 1970s, the entire golf crew was just 2 people: the golf superintendent and one crewmember. Without a full staff, all they had time to do was cut the fairways and the greens. There was long rough; brush and natural grass everywhere. Everyone of all ages pitched in to keep the course pristine: adding color by planting geraniums, cutting trees and brush, and raking and edging sand-traps. In this tight knit community everyone helped out. My father, my uncle, and some of their friends -- Frank Clark Jr. and Joe Salvatore Jr. -- recall volunteering under the guidance of Stan Lindstrom. Golf superintendents came and went, most of them only staying a few short years before moving on for one reason or another. Harvey Stout, Helen Beers, Jim Ireland. Jim, one of the early superintendents, was the heir to the Ireland Coffee Estate, which included Pocono Manor just up the road from Pocono Farms. He joined The Farms as a favor to his grandmother who was befriended by pro Ted Johnson after he relocated to the Manor. The golf course was filled almost every weekend for golfing events. The Presidents Cup, Member/ Member, Member/Guest and Club Championship were among the first organized tournaments. In the early days, the club championship was match play. It took 4 matches to win a flight. Each flight consisted of 8 people with no handicap strokes given. Unlike today, the golf championship took more than one weekend as golfers scheduled their own matches based on their availability. Because of this, it was not uncommon for tournaments to span over a couple weekends to crown a flight winner. The first invitational tournament at The Farms was the Joe Nemeth Tournament, which began in 1974 and continued for about 20 years. It featured (in addition to golf) lunch at the clubhouse and a few old reliable participants
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The supply and use of golf carts became a recurring issue. When the course opened, Pocono Farms had a limited number of electric golf carts. Because of golf ’s popularity, there were never enough carts to accommodate everyone who wanted to play. The first solution was to add Maynards, a battery powered golf trolley that could follow a golfer around the course. The idea was far ahead of the technology of the day, and the Maynards were prone to accidents. They would follow golfers into the woods, toppling over rocks and trees, and tipping over in sand traps, more of a liability than a solution. Even if you did get a golf cart the potential for error was just as large. The electric powered carts would frequently die along the course. If your cart died, you would have to wait until a ranger came by and noticed you, then wait for a bag boy to come bring you a new cart. The dead cart would then have to be towed back to the clubhouse to be refueled. By 1975, the Pro Shop had been built and moved to its new location across the street. It was a smaller version of what it is today. The carts continued to be stored in the basement of the club house My grandfather’s account of the early days of Pocono Farms golf resembles the genealogy verses in the Bible. Ed begat friendship to Jim, who begat friendship to John, who played golf on Tuesdays and went for dinner on Thursdays. Names are not always easily remembered, not unless that person made a significant impact on you. Golf is a complicated game, yet as secretly simple as whacking a tiny ball and hoping for the best. But, I think, what attracts people to a golf course -- and to a community -- is the people you get to walk (or cart) your way across four miles of grass. People come for the golf, but there are lots of places to golf. There are factors to consider: the size of the course, the difficulty, the ratio of sand to grass, hills, water, birds, trees, foxes, temperature. But, when you build a golf course you take a whack, and the best you hope for are good people to play. Because the reason people come back to a golf course is that they like the people they get to share those four miles of grass with. In the beginning, there was a swath of trees and rocks, and Recra-Dell said, “Let there be golf!” And then there was golf. And then there were residents. And then there was tennis and swimming. And everyone saw that it was good.
2017
Katrina’s Food for Thought - A Word from the Grill & Pub BY KATRINA WEITHMAN
Happy Holidays and thank you to each and every one of the Pocono Farms Country Club residents for your continued support of the Glacier Lake Grill and Pub. We strive each year to meet the expectations of our community members with specialized service and a quality product. Our experienced kitchen staff works tirelessly to create new and innovative menus along with fun and exciting food choices oriented toward the theme of our community events. The regular compliments we receive let us know that we are hitting the mark in providing the intended experience. In 2017 we offered a variety of brand new events to complement our already busy calendar of traditional favorites! These included Mardi Gras, Reggae Night, Elvis Night, San Genaro Festival, and Harvest Fest. Each event brought new faces to the Grill & Pub that we hope to see more of along with providing a different experience for our continued supporters. Also, we continued for a second year to offer one of our most popular new events, Murder Mystery Dinner Theater. The Live Music Concert Series was extended with even more acts over more evenings in the Grill Room. Our performers this year included Billy Rooth, Regina Sayles, Gary Dillon, Christian Porter, and Joe O’Malley. The success of each of these new events keeps us striving to find new ways to help you enjoy your community restaurant. My time with Pocono Farms has also showed me how important tradition is to our membership and how much the community looks forward to annual and monthly events. Bunny Brunch, the Clam Bake on the Beach, Freedom Fest, and the Rodeo continue to be member favorites. Our theme nights in the restaurant, including Prime
Rib Night, Seafood Buffet, Italian Night, and Trivia are also stalwart events which continue to be well attended. If you missed out on any of these, please check out our monthly calendar for the next time they are offered. Although the weather turns cold in December we are still busy in the restaurant with many different events occurring throughout the month. Mark your calendars for the annual Holiday Party, December 2nd followed by Santa Brunch, December 10th, Prime Rib Night, December 23rd, Italian Night, December 27, Ugly Sweater December 30th and the New Year’s Eve Bash, December 31st. Any of these events will be sure to offer everyone a relaxing night out amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Don’t forget our catering options either. Next time you have the need for a catered event let us host your party in our picturesque banquet room. We are happy to accommodate large and small groups and will tailor the menu to your individual needs. Also, beginning this year we are now offering catering services at your location. If you have any questions about any of our catering options on site or off, please contact the restaurant. If you have any ideas for new events you would like to see at Pocono Farms please email idea@ poconofarms.com. Thank you all for another great year and we wish you a happy and healthy 2018.
TO ADVERTISE CALL 845-456-1218 OR EMAIL POCONOFARMS@NIKIJONES.COM
Bounce Houses Ninja Warrior Course Rock Climbing Wall
Breakfast all day Homemade food Softserve ve ice crea cream
Food & FUN
ALL AG for ES!
1428 Pocono Blvd. (Rt. 611), Mt. Pocono, PA 18344 WWW.POCONOROCKS.COM (570) 580-4100
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What Wonderful Residents We Have BY LINDA PENETT
I wanted to write a short submission for the Weathervane to express my thanks and gratitude to the 44 families who signed up for the new Adopt A Spot Program. It’s wonderful to see how many of our residents are willing to spend a little time to help keep Pocono Farms as free of litter as possible. If you see them cleaning up in your area, please stop and thank them for their time and effort. The program’s only criteria is for individuals to volunteer to clean up a certain section of a street or area, preferably near their home and at their convenience. I personally have noticed a big difference in the amount of litter since the program first started earlier this past summer. I hope you have too. If anyone reading this article would like to sign up for the program, please see the ladies in the Administration Office to register. The more volunteers we have, the easier and less there will be to clean up. I honestly find it hard to fathom how people can be so inconsiderate by throwing empty bottles and fast food containers out their car windows
but, unfortunately, it happens day after day. The other biggest contributor to our litter problem is home owners who put their garbage out too early or don’t secure the garbage cans, making them easy targets for the bears and other scavengers. If keeping your trash bins in the garage is not an option, please consider alternative ways to deter the animals like spraying the garbage bags and bins with Windex or ammonia. Keeping your trash bins as close to the house as possible and securing the lids with bungee cords also helps. Perhaps even consider building some sort of container to store your bins. While driving around the Farms on crime watch, we have seen plenty of trash cans out before pick up days. Also leaving your trash bins continuously by the road is a violation of PFCCA regulations. One last area of concern is the school bus stops. We find all sorts of juice containers, water bottles and snack food containers at almost every school bus stop, but thankfully not too many beer bottles. Parents, please talk to your children about the importance of keeping the environment clean and litter free. Bring a garbage bag with you and besides picking up your children, pick up some of their trash and
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help make our volunteers’ job easier. Thanks again to all volunteers who have helped to make this program such a success. With the winter months quickly approaching, it will make cleaning up a little harder but hopefully we’ll be able to keep the amount of trash to a minimum and resume in full force come the spring.
2017
Pocono Farms
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• - Chair Yoga • - Holiday Party • - Mahjong • - Dumpster Open
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• - Football • - Mahjong Sunday • - Dumpster Open • - Hatha Yoga
• - Brunch with • - Mahjong Santa • - Football Sunday • - Dumpster Open • - Hatha Yoga
• - Football Sunday • - Dumpster Open
• - Clubhouse CLOSED • - Dumpster Open
• - Mahjong
• - OFFICE CLOSED • - Mahjong
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
• - Mommy & • - Dumpster Me Open • - Chair Yoga • - Bowling League
• - Mommy & • - Women's Me Club Luncheon • - Chair Yoga • - Pool Committee Meeting • - Dumpster Open • - Bowling League
• - Mommy & • - Dumpster Me Open • - Chair Yoga • - Bowling League
• - OFFICE CLOSED • - Mommy & Me • - Chair Yoga
• - Italian Night Buffet • - Dumpster Open • - Bowling League
• - Mommy & • - Golf • - Private Me Committee Mtg Party • - Thirsty • - Crime • - Bus TripThursday Watch Mtg Longwood • - Recreation • - Chair Yoga Gardens Committee Mtg • - Mahjong • - Dumpster Open
• - Mommy & Me • - Thirsty Thursday
• - Mommy & Me • - Thirsty Thursday
• - Mommy & Me • - Thirsty Thursday
• - Board of • - Private Directors Party meeting • - Chair Yoga • - Mahjong • - Fitness Comm.Mtg • - Dumpster Open
• - Chair Yoga • - Prime Rib Night • - Mahjong • - Dumpster Open
• - Chair Yoga • - Ugly Sweater Trivia • - Mahjong • - Dumpster Open
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• - New Year's Eve Party • - Dumpster Open
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The Annual Denny Pig Roast
THIRSTY THURSDAYS
BY DENNY OUTING COMMITTEE
The 27th annual Denny Invitational Pig Roast and Golf Tournament was held on Saturday September 16, 2017. Kyle Monahan read the rules to over 90 golfers to kick off the day. Harold Thompson, a 20 year veteran of the tournament poured liberal amounts of Uncle Bud’s Blazin’ Bloodies and cut fresh tuna sashimi.
6:00—8:00pm BEER SPECIALS:
Bill Eckart, Bob Ruland and Jim Eckardt won the day with a score of 57. First flight winners were Marty Kehoe, Sevan Jessourian, Michael Kehoe and Wes Neal with a 64. With a score of 68, the second flight winners John Sowalski, Danny Sowalski, Brendan Gebert, and Tom Gebert rounded out the winners circle. Longest drive went to Sean Eckenrode and closest to the pin (17 inches) was awarded to Peter Shepherd.
Leinekigel Anniversary Lager Samuel Adams Winter Lager DECEMBER 7th Roasted BBQ Chicken $10.95
The Chef prepared an excellent meal including two roasted pigs, side dishes and dessert. Katrina and her staff did a great job keeping everyone well hydrated and nourished throughout the day.
With rosemary red potatoes, winter vegetable medley, mixed green salad & rolls.
DECEMBER 14th Cod Oreganato $11.95
Freshly topped cod served with rice pilaf, grilled zucchini, mixed green salad and rolls.
DECEMBER 21st Patty Melts $10.95
Seasoned ground beef with sauteed onions and cheddar cheese sauce on the side. Served with crispy straight cut fries, fresh cut green beans, toasted marble rye and cole slaw.
DECEMBER 29th Chicken Marsala $12.95
The tournament raised over $5,800 for the Pocono Farms Golf Scholarship fund, given annually to college bound students from our community. The scholarship money comes from a variety of activities held during the tournament including hole sponsorships by local businesses and community members, raffles, and auctions. The Denny tournament has contributed over $80,000 to the scholarship fund since 2002. A huge thank you to all our sponsors, local community members and businesses, and especially all the friends and members who continue to support the Annual Denny Pig Roast. Additional thanks to Jeff Lesoine, Greens Superintendant, Susan Nevarez , Communications, Lorraine Daviduk, Accounting/Office Manager and all the volunteers who helped make this tournament a success. See you again next year.
Chicken breasts simmered in a delicate mushroom and marsala wine sauce. Served with mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, chefs selection of soup and rolls.
Golf Course News
To reserve a table call Katrina at 570-894-4435 x132 or e-mail katrinaw@poconofarms.com
BY JEFFREY LESOINE, PFCCA GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENT
The leaves came down like rain, assuring us that fall is officially over. Unfortunately, this also means that the 2017 golf season has ended. The official close date for the golf course was November 12th. If you are one of the diehard golfers and venture out to play, you may have seen some winter preparations on the course. Greens surface drains are in place on those that have them and sod was cut out from the low areas around the greens. I apologize if you had to play around these obstacles, but they are very important for our winter preparations. By November 17th, the greens were covered with tarps for the winter.
Football Sunday
Join us in the glacier lake grill & pub
12-6PM
Looking back on the 2017 golf season, we started off with a pretty nice April that was followed by a dreary May. May, a normally sunny month with decent temperatures was full of clouds, rain, and cool temps. June through October were beautiful months that left the golf course in great condition. I hope everyone who was able to get on the course to play, enjoyed it. Summer was not overly hot, and fall was very mild. Overall, it was a great growing season for the golf course. With any luck Mother Nature will be kind to us this winter! In addition, I would like to thank everyone who helped the “Monday Morning Club” and volunteered many hours on the golf course. The “Club,” along with the maintenance staff, have made some huge improvements on the course by clearing brush from the tree lines. Opening the tree lines made many areas of the course more playable. We will be continuing with these improvements and more in the following season. I hope to see all of the familiar faces and some new ones on the golf course next season. Have a great winter, and thank you everyone for your tremendous support this year.
FOOD SPECIALS during every game
BEER SPECIALS throughout the season Continuing our 7th year tradition of remembering the victims of September 11th we will be selling 50/50 tickets during all games throughout the football season. The proceeds of the 50/50 will go to benefit the construction of the National Memorial in Shanksville, PA, the site of the flight 93 crash. For information on the Flight 93 memorial visit www.honorflight93.org Questions contact Katrina at 570.894.4435 x 132 or katrinaw@poconofarms.com
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2017
Fun With Fitness BY KRISSIE AYLWARD, PFCCA FITNESS DIRECTOR
WOW!! I can’t believe this year is almost over. Like most, it flew by and we are beginning to start a brand new year. The new year brings a fresh start and a clean slate. The goals and tasks we didn’t quite reach are in the past and we begin to set new goals and make new to do lists. I want to be sure that the fitness center is ready with fresh ideas and events to help you reach your health and fitness goals. 2018 is going to bring so many new and exciting things like a Couch to 5k Challenge to get you ready to run/walk our second annual PFCCA 5k fun run/walk. A 30 day boot camp with indoor and outdoor cardio and weight training classes, designed to get you into the best shape of your life. The brand new Flex Card for those of you who love classes but don’t want to pay for a full gym membership. A Glo Turbo event with fun music, cardio kickboxing moves and glow in the dark accessories to get your heart pumping and ease those cabin fever blues. That’s just to name a few. What about a Tween fitness program? I’m so glad you asked! I feel it’s very important to instill healthy habits in our youth and educate them on different ways to stay fit and have fun doing it. Please watch for updates as we head into spring. I’m very excited to see where the fitness center goes in 2018 and I encourage you to give the gift of fitness whether it be for a holiday, birthday, or just because. Gift certificates are available in the Administration Office during regular hours so please stop in and grab yours today!!! As always, thank you for your continued support. I appreciate it more than you know J Happy Holidays and best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!!!!
Nicholas P. Maro D.P.M.
Nicholas P. Maro, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S.
FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALIST
Dr. Nicholas Maro is a Board Certified Foot Surgeon & Fellow of The American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons. Diplomate, American Board of Podiatric Surgery.
Podiatric Surgeon
POCONO COUNTY PLACE
Treating Conditions Related to: · Foot & Ankle Pain/Injury · Diabetes Foot Care · Skin & Nail Conditions · Wound Care
· Fabrication of Foot & Ankle Appliances · Foot Deformities (bunions & hammertoes)
POCONO FARMS
196 Nicholas P. Maro D.P.M.
FOOT & ANKLE SPECIALIST
(Handicapped Accessible with Vascular Testing and X-Rays on Premises)
Podiatrist Serving the Tobyhanna & Pocono Region for Over 25 Years!
Podiatric Surgeon
GREEN ROAD
TO MOUNT POCONO
452 Route 196 · Tobyhanna PA, 18466 · p: 570-839-7005 Surgicenter & Hospital Affliated · Most insurances accepted PA, NY, NJ. WEAT H ERVA NE
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Saturday, December 30, 2017 Trivia starts at 8pm
Food Available: Fine Dining* Cafe Beer Garden
Come in your ugliest sweater to play Trivia! Prize award for ugliest and most creative sweater!
Regular Grill Room Menu will be Available
*Reservations Required . Make reservations through opentable.com
For additional information check out the website:
www.longwoodgardens.org
Bus will depart from the Pool Parking lot at 11:30am and return at approx. 9:00pm
Sign-up DEADLINE Dec. 1, 2017 Sign-up in the Administration Office Payment due at time of sign-up
Call Katrina today to reserve your table! 570-894-4435 x 132 or e-mail katrinaw@poconofarms.com
Cash or check only
Contact: Joe Sprovkin, Recreation Director (570)-894-4435 x113 or recdir@poconofarms.com
Includes a Complimentary Mimosa or Bloody Mary FRESH BAKED ITEMS Bagels Sticky Buns Doughnuts With Butter, Cream Cheese and Jelly
OMELET STATION Mushrooms Onions Bell peppers Olives Mixed Cheeses Ham Tomatoes Bacon
BREAKFAST ITEMS Cinnamon Swirl French Toast Casserole Eggs Benedict LUNCH ITEMS Scrambled Eggs Slow Cooked Pork and Sauerkraut Home Fries For Good Luck in 2018! Sausage Chef’s Selection of Carving Station Bacon Bowtie Primavera HOT BEVERAGE STATION Sliced Fresh Fruit Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate with all the toppings and trimmings
Sweet & Savory Dessert Display
Adults age 12 & up $18.95 plus tax & gratuity Children ages 5-11 $8.95 plus tax & gratuity Under 4-Free
The Glacier Lake Grill & Pub will be closing at 2:00pm after brunch on January 1, 2018
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$20.95 plus tax & gratuity $9.95 plus tax & gratuity for kids under 12
Fresh baked Garlic & Herb Breadsticks Caesar Salad Pasta Fagiole Beef Bolognese with Penne Pasta Cheese Filled Manicotti with Plum tomato sauce Herb Broiled Cod stuffed with spinach and sundried tomatoes Vegetable Lasagna Roll Ups Sweet Italian Sausage & Peppers with linguini in garlic & olive oil Chicken Parmesan Herb Seasoned Vegetable Medley
Reservations Required Contact Katrina by 12/23/17 570-894-4435 x 132 or e-mail katrinaw@poconofarms.com
Prime Rib Night Saturday, December 23, 2017 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm
$
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Dinner Includes: Fresh Baked Artisan Bread Choice of Beef Barley Soup or Mixed Green Salad Slow Roasted 12oz. Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus Choice of: Potatoes Au Gratin or Garlic Mashed Potatoes Served with Green Beans Almandine Dessert: Chocolate Mousse with Minted Whipped Cream
95 plus tax & gratuity
Enhance your meal by adding Half Pound of Snow Crab Legs or Crab Cake - Your Choice only $9.95 ea.
Reservations required by December 20, 2017 Contact Katrina at 570-894-4435 x 132 or email at katrinaw@poconofarms.com
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Round by Round BY TOM SIROLLY
Note: This article was inadvertently not printed in the November Weathervane
A M A N A ND HIS CH A INSAW I remember the sound of the chainsaw like it was yesterday. I heard the rumbling saw through my 2nd floor bedroom window on a crisp, Pocono Farms morning in 1983. I lived in what was then known as Fairway Villas, the small row of town-homes that sit across Fairway drive from the 18th hole. The back nine had only opened two years prior. Although the new nine was universally accepted as having the proper mix of both challenge and beauty, there were issues. It seemed that every time we played, we tossed rocks from the fairways into the woods. The grass underneath the rocks wasn’t much better. Even when we hit the fairway, we would have to move our ball around areas of less than playable condition to find a patch of grass to hit from. The course suffered from inadequate drainage, patchy grass, washout areas, and fairways that seemed to birth rocks nonstop. We dreamed of well-manicured fairways and slick, smooth greens. We dreamed of the mature course that we enjoy today. But then there was 18. The 18th hole was always our problem child. Some speculated that we simply ran out of money when we got to 18. Regardless of how it got that way, the 18th hole started out vastly different then it is today. The fairway has been widened, two tee areas added , the trap that was on the left side has been removed. By most accounts, the hole is far superior to any one of its earlier versions. In 1983, the fairway ran straight downhill into the woods. The area at the bottom of hill (where the flag pole now sits) was hard, flat earth. The row of mounds referred to as the “Dolly Partons” had not yet been constructed and the tree line came up closer to the fairway then it
does today. If you hit your ball straight down the middle and on the rare occasion it was lucky enough to sit short of the tree line, another daunting task awaited. A giant oak that stood about 40 yards from the green. Its canopy hung over the fairway between the right green side bunker and the Fairway bunker. The great tree made the shot to the green extremely difficult. One way was to sail a shot 40 feet in the air over the giant oak. Another was to try and jam a hooded 2 iron (who remembers those) underneath the branches and hope it hit the lip of green-side bunker, slowing it down just enough to keep it off the road. The third, a soft fade that played around the tree, proper execution would be rewarded with a makeable birdie putt. The membership hated it and felt it unfair. The buzz around the club was that something should be
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Log Home?
WEAT HERVA NE
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done. And so back to the chainsaw that I awoke to that morning. I looked out my window and saw the club President going after that tree with a vengeance of a man who had clearly been affected by that tree one too many times. There was no maintenance crew about, just another member, Paul Preston, who I think fittingly and comically may have been retired from Weyerhaeuser the giant lumber company. It didn’t seem exactly the right task for the President of the club, but heck, I was in the Poconos now and maybe that’s just how they do things round here. That was the end of our giant Oak. Through the next few decades, the 18th hole changed many more times. Each change made the hole more enjoyable to play. Today it is a beautiful and fair finishing hole. This year the tradition of making Pocono Farms better continued through a group of members under the organizational push of Mr. Jim Ribardo. The Monday Morning Breakfast Crew has been busy making the course more playable by removing excess growth that has occurred through the years. They have spent many hours in the hope of making playing our course more enjoyable for us all. One more thing worth the mention. That chainsaw wielding president in 1983 is still out there, cutting down trees. I think Mr. Bob Denny has cut damn near as many trees as Paul Bunyan. Just now he gets to do it with the Monday Morning Breakfast Crew. Pocono Farms Country Club indeed has benefited from his years of service and effort with this and many other issues through the years.
2017
Round by Round
Rockin’ Recreation
BY KYL E MONAHAN
BY JOE SPROVKIN
Happy December! Another year in the books here for the golf course. What a great year we had. This season went by way to fast. The weather was mild, and the golf course was excellent. We shared many laughs, met new friends, played good rounds, played crummy rounds, became victorious, and found defeat. In the end no matter what happened, we had a great year. I would just like to thank everyone for an incredible season. To the golfing membership who supports us day in and day out. You are the reason in why I enjoy my career. I am happy to call you all family and look forward to an even better 2018 golf season. I would also like to thank our golf committee. They spend many hours throughout the year brainstorming and solving our club issues. They all have the membership’s interest at heart and try to come up with new and improved ways to make this place we call home, better and better each and every year. Our golf committee consists of, Tim Holland, Jerry Halloran, Jodi Gaudette, Mark Pascoe, Patti Callahan, Tom Sirolly, and Carolyn DeBrincat. Please do me a favor and if you see any of them tell them thank you. Also
we are here for you. If you have any concerns or ideas please contact one of us or come to one of our meetings, we meet the second Friday of the month at 6:00 PM. Thank you to the rest of the staff here at Pocono Farms. All of the managers and staff here at Pocono Farms help me run this successful golf course. Whether it is promoting, cooking, creating Flyers, mowing or servicing the membership here. We all have one focus, and that is to take care of our Members and Guests so they continue to enjoy their time here at the Farms. Winter is near and the 2018 golf season will be here before we know it. Make sure to continue to think golf. Do yourself a favor and work out and stretch on a weekly basis. Golf is an athletic sport and you need to make sure your body is ready for it. When you are at home relaxing, grab a putter and hit some putts. Putting is half of your score. The more we practice the better we will become. Who doesn’t want to improve their scores? The pro shop will continue to be open throughout the Holiday Season and during the winter, the hours will change throughout the off season but if you need anything do not hesitate to send me an email or call me in the pro shop. Give the best Holiday gift to your favorite golfer by purchasing them a lesson package. All golfers including PGA Professionals need lessons. When my students come to me they always talk about their swing flaws that others have shared with them. I would say that 98% of those comments are incorrect. Do yourself a favor and get rid of those frustrating rounds on the golf course. I take much pride in my instruction and would be more than happy to help you get better. If you have any questions just give me a call. Hope everyone enjoys their off season. Spend some time with your family and friends. I will see you all soon.
Happy Holidays! November was a busy month with lots of great events offered. There was a trip to a wine school in New Jersey, a craft fair in the clubhouse, a bus trip to see A Christmas Story The Musical at the Scranton Cultural Center, and the annual tree lighting to name a few. There are many more fun events to kick off the December holiday season. •
The holiday party is Saturday, December 2nd.
•
Brunch with Santa will be Sunday, December 10th.
Please make reservations with Katrina and don’t forget to drop off your kids gifts to the administrative office so Santa is ready! Trivia night is scheduled for Saturday December 30th. Lastly, if you’re interested in joining the dart league, please contact Joe for details. We will be starting in January. Thank you everyone for a great year and we are looking forward to what’s to come in 2018!
Your PGA Head Golf Professional, Kyle Monahan
TO ADVERTISE CALL 845-456-1218 OR EMAIL POCONOFARMS@ NIKIJONES.COM WEAT H ERVA NE
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Looking to buy, rent or sell your home in Your Exclusive Pocono Farms Country Club Realtor Contact Us Today
Pocono Farms Country Club ??? Cocktail Hour Begins at 6pm with a cash bar and a selection of appetizers Buffet Dinner at 7pm
Lex Colon License # RS323827 Cell (917) 939-1045 Office (570) 894-0300
$48 includes tax & gratuity Jackets required • Cash Bar No Jeans
Website: www.poconofarmsrealty.com Email: Lex.Colon.Realtor@gmail.com
We have Exclusive Homes, Lots, Rentals & more !. Broker: James H. Ott
License # RM423546
OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY
DECEMBER 2, 2017 6:00 -11:00 PM One Team, One Dream
DJ Hits with Pocono Farms favorite MATT ARNOLD Dancing Children’s Program Available
Pocono Farms Realty
Reservation Deadline 11/28/17 Contact Katrina 570-894-4435 or katrinaw@poconofarms.com Reservations cancelled after 11/28/17 will result in $10 cancellation fee
Ring in the New Year at The Glacier Lake Grill & Pub Champagne Toast At Midnight Jackets Required
Entertainment Make your Reservation with Katrina