Water For Breast Cancer Awareness

Century 21 Select Group Lake Harmony Office raised $350.00 for Breast Cancer during the “Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival” on June 12, 2010 held at Split Rock Resort.

Festival patrons were offered “free” bottled water for a donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. Parking is at a premium during the festival. Our prime location also generated donations in exchange for parking at our office. We thank all of those who made donations and look forward to seeing them again next year.

100% of the money raised went to the Northeast Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

LHWPG Holds Annual Benefit Dinner

The Lake Harmony Watershed Preservation Group is holding its Annual Benefit Dinner this year at Split Rock Lodge on the patio by Lake Harmony on Saturday June 19, 2010 from 6 to 10PM. This year the event is a “Taste of Lake Harmony” where many of the local restaurants are providing gourmet food for the buffet service dinner so you have a chance to get something from them all in your selections. The cost is $20 per person before 6/12/10 and $30 per person after that date. Children 6 and under are free. Two bands, Pair of Nuts and Project Buzz, will be providing music for your listening and dancing pleasure. There will be a silent auction for items donated to the event and many of those items may be familiar to those who have been in the area for any period of time. This is always a fun event so plan to attend and bring your family, friends and weekend guests for a good time at a reasonable cost. Rain accommodations will be at the Galleria at Split Rock. For tickets or more information, contact Danielle @ 570-722-2841. You can also contact Joyce at 570-401-2296.

On Saturday March 27, 2010, Local Volunteers once again sponsored an Easter Egg Hunt complete with a visit from the Easter Bunny and special prize baskets for age group winners. It is their way of saying thank you to local residents (and area visitors) who help to support their year long fund-raising efforts for the Volunteer Fire Companies and Rescue Squads in the community. The Easter Bunny arrived and was immediately greeted by some children who had been anxiously awaiting the visit so the Hunt could get started. After all, there were over 1600 eggs to find, collect and get the candy and toy prizes inside them!

The Hunt is divided into 4 age groups – under 3 years old, 4 to 5 years old, 6 to 9 years old and 10 to 12 years old. Each group had a minimum of 400 prize loaded eggs to find plus two special eggs (this year they were carrots) which get the lucky finder one of the special Easter Baskets prepared for the event. The Prize Winners were very happy with the results of their efforts but all of the 70+ children participating enjoyed the Hunt. Most said they planned to come back again next year.

The Hunt has been marked by typical early-spring in the Poconos type weather with snow, sometimes rain, and many times heavy mud. Despite those weather obstacles, the event has always gone on and the children had fun, which is the purpose of the day. This year, despite heavy snow melt and heavy rains the weeks before, we found Saturday as a cool but sunny and dry day with little or no mud involved. Volunteers and parents alike were happy to see that turn of weather for this year’s Hunt.

The event also provided the opportunity for the children to have their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny. Proud parents and Grandparents did most of the picture taking but we have a sampling of the children here. As you can see the children fit into all of the age groups. If you did not have a camera with you, you could copy the picture or pictures from here which may be of interest to you.

If you are in the area next year, please remember that the Easter Egg hunt is held on the Saturday before Palm Sunday each year -- so we hope to see YOU there.

3rd Annual Emergency Services Banquet

Kidder Township’s Third Annual Emergency Services Banquet will be again be held at the Galleria at The Resort at Split Rock on Friday May 7, 2010 starting at 6:00PM. This annual dinner honors the service provided by the Lake Harmony Volunteer Fire Co, Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Co, Kidder #1 Volunteer Fire Company and the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad and Ambulance Corps. The evening provides an inexpensive means for area residents, visitors, property owners and businesses to meet, greet and say Thank You to the many people who not only volunteer their time but risk their lives to serve their community. If you have been to either of the first two banquets, you know what a wonderful and inspiring evening it is. If have not had the chance to attaned before, please plan to join this year’s festivities – you will be glad you did.

Open Bar cocktails start at 6 PM followed by a great dinner (choice of Beef, Chicken or Lasagna) with beer, wine and soda provided then dance the night away or just listen to the varied music provided by a disc jockey. Come out to Support and Honor your local Heroes. Ticket price is $25 per person and checks should be made payable to KTES Banquet. Tickets for this event can be obtained by contacting Joyce Bradley at 570-401-2296 or 570-722-9344 or from many of the fire fighters and rescue squad members themselves. Putting your reservation in early guarantees you a spot at the dinner and helps the organizers get an accurate early head count for table setups etc. This helps the evening run more smoothly and we sincerely appreciate your support of this community event. Look forward to seeing you there!

Beef and Beer Benefits Local Volunteer Fire Companies

Mark you calendar -- A Beef and Beer event will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at the Galleria at The Resort at Split Rock in Lake Harmony, Pa from 7PM to 11PM. The event will benefit both the Lake Harmony and Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Companies. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Joyce Bradley at 570-401-2296 and are also available at either of the two fire companies. A ticket for this fun evening includes beer and soda plus all-you-can-eat roast beef sandwiches (with or without horseradish sauce), various salads, and cake. A cash bar will be available for those who do not want the beer or soda. A DJ will provide music all evening for your listening and dancing pleasure – so bring your friends and/or relatives for an inexpensive good time while also supporting the volunteer local organizations which provide fire fighting protection to the area. They do a sometimes thankless job without compensation and often at great personal inconvenience and risk to provide a much needed service for the community. Here is a chance to say THANKS while also having a good time yourself.

Proceeds from the event will help support both fire company’s efforts in hosting the upcoming 2011 Pennsylvania State Fireman’s Association Convention and Parade which will be held right here in Lake Harmony! This event, to be held in September 2011, will be a source of local pride and provide a chance for area residents and visitors alike to see many different pieces of firefighting and rescue equipment from across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. An expected 700 pieces of apparatus will parade through Lake Harmony. It is the first time such an event has ever been held in the Poconos! Lake Harmony Fire Co and Albrightsville Fire Co successfully competed with many others across the State to win the opportunity to be the host of this prestigious event. More on that event in future notices.

HOLIDAY POCONO 2010 Flea Market Dates:

Saturday - May 8th - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - June 5th - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - July 31st - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - Aug 14th - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - Sep 11th - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Saturday - Oct 2nd - from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

All Flea Markets are held at our Fishing Lake on Holiday Drive.
All Crafters, Artisans, and Vendors are welcome. Contact the office at 570-722-9464 to register your participation.
Vendor Charge is FREE per space

FEAST AT HOLIDAY POCONO FLEA MARKETS!

Have you had breakfast or lunch at Holiday Pocono’s monthly flea markets? If you haven’t you are missing out on some really great stuff!
The second Saturday of every month from May thru Oct. you can enjoy your breakfast or lunch (or both!) outside by our beautiful Holiday Lake while browsing our fundraiser-flea markets. Or sit down and meet your neighbors over coffee! We are offering delicious egg sandwiches, with bacon/ sausage/ cheese; home fries and pancakes. Hamburgers, hot dogs, pierogis, and more. All available to eat on premises or to take out! Everyone who comes and eats agrees that it is the best food around! Everything is cooked to order ensuring a really tasty treat! Beverages and snacks are also available.
Come for breakfast or lunch! Have fun while browsing or rent a space and sell your unwanted items and make yourself some extra cash! Holiday Pocono Flea Market Fundraisers are getting very popular on the mountain! All proceeds go to benefit programs and projects in Holiday Pocono.

If anyone is interested in making donation of goods for sale and/or baked goods for the Flea Markets, please contact our office at 570-722-9464.

Submitted by: Marylouise Baldwin
Phone: 570-722-9464
Email: hpcainc@ptd.net

PennKidder Area Council of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce has joined with the PennKidder Campus of the Jim Thorpe School District in a Red Friday Project.

Red Friday is a grass roots effort that is moving across the nation with a simple statement, "Wear Red on Fridays to support the Troops" The Tobyhanna Army Depot took it a step further and made a red T-shirt that makes the Red Friday Statement. It will be personalized with "Carbon County supports the troops" and for students "Jim Thorpe School District supports the troops". Proceeds from the sale of these shirts will benefit the Fisher House at the Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC, local Military and their families, Operation Santa Claus, PennKidder Elementary School and the PennKidder Area Council.

The Fisher House is the rehabilitation Center for Military personnel who return home injured and in need of rehabilitation.

Operation Santa Claus each year reaches out into the Community with an invitation to school districts to send their physically and mentally challenged children to a special Holiday party at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. Last year they entertained over 750 children and adults! The children are treated to a special day of food and fun that includes a visit to Santa's House, multiple gifts and entertainment by local mascots and cartoon characters.

Our hope is that schools and places of business in Carbon County will suspend dress code for Fridays only and allow students and employees to wear red.

Plans are being made to have a picture taken (time and place to be determined) of everyone wearing red gathered together. Our goal would be to have everyone in Carbon County wear red and attend.

The Wilkes Barre Scranton Pioneers Arena Football Team is also helping out with the Red Friday project. They will have a Military Night Red-Out at one of their games (TBA), They will provide discounted tickets for the game and donate money from the ticket sales back to the Fisher House.

Shirts are available in adult sizes, small, medium, large, X-large, XX-large and 3X; childrens sizes are 2-4, 6-8, 10-12 and 14-16. These are Hanes shirts and seem to run true to size. All shirts are $10.

If you or someone you know is interested in purchasing a shirt, please use the attached order form.

Make checks payable to: Operation Santa Claus and mail to: c/o Maureen Kennedy, Box 782, Lake Harmony, PA 18624.
Any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at 570-814-3433.

The Lake Harmony Office of CENTURY 21 Select Group offered free battled water to visitors arriving at the 19th Annual Great Tastes of Pennsylvania Wine & Food Festival held at The Resort at Split Rock. At the “Water for Breast Cancer Awareness” stand, outside the office across from Split Rock Lodge, the group had literature from the Susan G. Komen For The Cure® organization. Donations were also being accepted as part of the service with the proceeds going to that vital breast cancer awareness organization. 100% of the money raised will be donated to the NEPA Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

The Indoor Water Park at Split Rock, called H2Ooooh!, had its grand opening and ribbon – cutting on 10/30/08. The event provided an opportunity for a “soft-opening” trial by the invited guests and news media. Developer W Jack Kalins and State Representative Keith McCall spoke at the opening about the newest tourist and recreation venue in Carbon County. Opening day highlighted the beauty of an Indoor Water Park – as it followed on the heels of an early 12 inch snow fall on 10/26/08! All inside were comfy and warm, even in their wet swimming gear, while seeing the snow covered trees and ground just outside the glass!! For pictures of the park taken on opening day, click here.

In addition to a Tiki-Bar and a food court, the Park has a wave generating pool, three choices of waterslides, a water obstacle course, a water-oriented jungle gym called Tim-Buk-Tu (complete with slides, user-operated water cannons and a LARGE water bucket periodically spilling copious amounts of water down on unsuspecting passers-by), the Park has the first and only indoor FlowRider in the State of Pennsylvania. The FlowRider pushes large amounts of water at high speed up a wave shaped ride and allows users to “surf” or Boogey-board as though they were at the ocean’s shore. The water slide choices include a 1 or 2 person rubber tube/slide (the red tube), another 1 to 2 person rubber tube/slide which features a complete light blackout (the blue tube), or the 4 person rubber tube/slide (the yellow tube). There are some stairs to reach the top of the tubes and users of the yellow tube have the large rubber tubes taken up for them by “a tube-lift”.

Greeted by the H2Ooooh! Dragon mascot, invited attendees included various Resort employees, the Kidder Township Board of Supervisors, staff members of the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, local Volunteer Fire Companies, Lake Harmony Ambulance and Rescue Squad, Kidder Township Police Department, various Scout Troops and Cub Packs. Beverages and food were provided courtesy of the Resort and all was very good indeed. The Park opened at 3PM that day and remained open to 9 or 10 o’clock that evening. Friday morning had the final official inspections completed and the Park was officially scheduled for Public Opening later that day. Normal operating hours can be found on the Resort’s Website but scheduled to be 10AM to 8PM during the week and 10AM to 10PM on weekends. Daily, multi-day, and special category entry rate information is also available through the website.

The park is decorated in an island theme with real plantings of palms, and various exotic tropical bushes and plants. Plenty of chaises are provided for lounging “on the beach” by the zero degree entrance wave pool, and plenty of tables and chairs allow for food consumption and relaxing as well.

If you are ever in the area, H2Ooooh! is worth a visit – its even better if you are staying at the Resort in the Lodge or one of the Time-Share units. Shuttle buses are available to get you around the various venues at The Resort at Split Rock if you do not want to use you car once at your destination. Come see the newest, and in some cases the first, water-fun attractions in PA – right there in Carbon County! – you’ll be glad you did.

I only would like to take a few moments to notify everyone that our ambulance service is now online with a very nice website. We'll be using this as a tool to inform the community of many things happening with the ambulance and also to advertise events in the area.

Currently it is up and running, however I am working on adding many more features, such as an area in which donations and subscriptions can be made online, along with our fund drive information and much more. There are also links to our members so you may have the chance to meet each and every one that is associated with the ambulance.

I hope this serves as a very useful tool not only for our service, but also to the community in hopes that you see what your years of support have done for us.

Myself, along with every member of the Lake Harmony Rescue Squad thanks you for your support.

The website can be found at the following address.

http://www.lakeharmonyems.com Click Here to see it

Thank you,

Jason

Submitted by: Jason Steranko
Phone: 570-722-1782
Email: chief@lakeharmonyems.com

The Resort at Split Rock held its 18th Annual Wine Festival this weekend. There were an estimated 12,000 people in attendance on Saturday and an estimated 4-5,000 on Sunday (which had a few passing showers thrown in to dampen the crowd, no pun intended). Wineries from all over the state (31 of them) had booths set up for tastings and bottle/case sales (for picnic area consumption immediately or to be picked up as you left). Click here to view photos of the 16 tasting tents.

There were also about 80 vendors there selling everything from cigars; to birdhouses; to arts and crafts items; to pottery; to glassware; to wine related gadgets, clothes and paraphernalia; to food of all descriptions; specialty food stuffs (like hot sauces, wine jams and jellies, pepper jams); to tee shirts; etc. Click here for photos of a few of the many vendors present.

One of the vendors had a great Jalapeno Jam as well as a chocolate raspberry chipotle sauce that was good on ice cream! (Carriage House Creations). Another had a glass bowl which fit into the neck of a wine bottle like a stopper (called the Soiree aerator) and allowed you to pour the wine. As you did, the construction of the Soiree super-aerated the wine and a still tight red would taste as though you had decanted it an hour earlier. Great way to make a less expensive wine taste better and a better wine, taste great! (No Tony the Tiger either)

Five bands were performing on three different stages providing continuous music ranging from reggae (George Wesley & The Irietations), to semi-psychedelic (CRUSH), to Country & Western (Farmers Daughter), to Blues (BC & The Blues Crew) to the unique sounds of The Daisy Jug Band playing an eclectic mix of musical genres. DJB combines a blend of vocal harmonies with unique instrumentation (the traditional guitars, keyboards, banjoes, mandolins and violins as expected with the surprisingly unexpected kazoos, scrub board, wash tub, and garden hoses!). Click here for some band shots.

All in all, the weekend was a great success and everyone seemed to have a wonderful time. Maybe next year we'll see you there -- it is an experience that is worth the trip. Plenty of places to stay in the area (private home rentals, hotels, motels, Time Share Villas and Condos for rent, and camping in nearby Hickory Run State Park). Venue is easy to get to being close to I-80 and I-476 off PA Rt 940 or Pa Rt 903 in Lake Harmony (in Kidder Township in Carbon County) in the Pocono Mountains of NE PA.

Maybe some relief from Tax Assessment Issue

Just read an article in the June edition of The Pennsylvania REALTOR® about two companion pieces of legislation being taken through the process in the State Legislature. The House version was introduced by Rep Tim Seip of Schuylkill County (HB 1438 and 1439) and the Senate version was introduced by Sen James Rhoades also of Schulykill County (SB 1247 and 1258).

The purpose of the Bills is to close the loophole in current law which is being exploited by school districts in the State (including Jim Thorpe School District right here in Carbon County) to appeal assessments based upon sales price thereby creating inequities in the assessment structure and among homeowners. This practice has hit Carbon County especially hard in the Towamensing Trails, Split Rock and Lake Harmony areas but I am sure elsewhere as well.

The Pa Association of REALTORS® is supporting the legislation as it has had a chilling effect on real estate transactions for a while in this area and that is in addition to the effect caused by the current worries about the economy, gas prices, and the general reluctance to commit to real estate investment caused by those worries. A past President of the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS® has provided testimony that there is evidence that prospective “buyers strongly reconsider looking at homes in districts that are appealing assessments after the sale”, according to the article. Part of the issue is that many Counties had delayed their County-wide reassessments for so long that an imbalance built into the system. However, this is only further exacerbated by the current practice of after sale appeals by the Taxing Authority.

The point here is that there may be some light at the end of this tunnel based upon the legislation proposed. The trail of this issue through the court system has not yielded very satisfactory results from the homeowner perspective and MAYBE legislation can correct what judicial fiat has done. If you are interested in this topic, you can follow the Legislative process to keep abreast of it and we will try to keep you up to date from a REALTOR® perspective as we get more information.

An interesting meeting presentation and discussion was held on 6/9/08 at the Penn-Kidder Campus Elementary School on Rt 903. The Planning Consultants, SSM, (hired by the Township to conduct the surveys, analyze the results, recommend action items based upon public input and finally write a new Comprehensive Plan for Kidder Township) conducted the first public update on the work so far and solicited public input in addition to the surveys mailed to area residents and property owners. The mailed surveys had a very good 31% response rate which allows the results to be seen as having a 95% confidence rate as to being representative of area feelings on the subjects.

There will be other such sessions conducted over the next 8-10 months so plan to be there and provide you input while also learning what the results to date are. The new Comprehensive Plan will set the vision for the Township for the next 10-20 years and establish the criteria for new Subdivision and Land Ordinances and Zoning Ordinances for the future. This is the time to see what the vision is and influence that vision with your input.

Copies of the presentation and data to date will be made available on the Township website (click here to get to the site)

We've added another web link to the useful links page. It's in the entertainment section of the Useful Links page, try it to see if it fits your music likes (the music only ranges from 1950 to 1982 so it may not be for everybody).

It can be used for background music while you are on the computer, working or surfing. As you will see when you click on this site, there is a Jukebox- but it is no ordinary jukebox. It will play all of your favorite songs from 1950 through 1982. Each year has a scroll or drop down box that shows all the great songs for that year. Most years have over 40 songs.

Once you click on a song it will play and when it finishes it automatically plays the next song in the list and continues until it has played all the songs.
One of the best features is that it will play in the background. That means you can be doing other computer work on a different screen.

Congratulations are due to Lake Harmony and Albrightsville Volunteer Fire Companies! They jointly pursued being the hosts for the 131st Annual Convention and Parade of the Fireman’s Association of the State of Pennsylvania AND they were chosen from amongst the many areas of the State which submitted proposals to hold that event!! A press conference was held at The Galleria on Monday 2/25/08 to announce the awarding of the event to the area. It was covered by and aired on Channel 13, plus the Times News. Speaking at the press conference, in addition to Chief Bruce Berger from Albrightsville Fire Co and Larry Polansky of Lake Harmony Fire Co (Chief Ralph Lennon was unfortunately unable to attend), were Fireman’s Association Vice-President James Mullanne to make the formal announcement of their decision to hold the Convention here, State Representative Keith McCall, the Carbon County Commissioners (William O’Gurek, Charles Getz, and Wayne Nothstein), Kidder Township Manager John Finnerty on behalf of the Township Supervisors (Supervisors Larry Polansky and Tom Bradley were in attendance), Alicia Crane of the Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau, and Chuck Dickinson of Split Rock Resort and Vacation Charters, Inc.

The event is scheduled for September 21 to 24, 2011. That’s right 2011 – that is how early these events are awarded so that the host area can properly plan for the influx of people and equipment. It is expected that over 300 pieces of fire fighting and rescue apparatus, 3000 or so marching Fire Fighters, many marching bands and others will be in the parade. This will be a parade not likely to be forgotten in this area any time soon. The parade route will go from the Big Boulder area down Lake Harmony Rd and South Lake Dr to the Galleria at Split Rock. Judging will take place for the prizes and awards given in many categories for the apparatus and these are fiercely competed for by the state-wide Fire Companies attending. The two local fire companies have their work cut-out for them over the next couple years as the planning, logistical, and coordination effort required to carry this event is enormous. It speaks volumes to the dedication of and commitment made by these outstanding local resident volunteers.

This is the first time the Convention and Parade will ever be held in the Pocono Mountains area. The event itself, the visitors and the publicity will be an economic, tourism, and prestige enhancer for the entire area. Not to mention the fun it will generate for locals and visitors alike during the parade and surrounding activities.

Plan to attend this gala event as it will be a fun and inspiring day and the Association uses it as fundraiser for many worthy causes supported by the state-wide Fireman’s Association. Click the link below to see pictures from the press conference, courtesy of Maureen Kennedy.

The newly formed CCCC is looking for additional members so if you or your business are interested, learn more about the organization & contact them via their website at www.carboncountychamber.org or the local Chapter at www.PennKidderChamber.org. Phone them at 610-379-5000. Several local businesses have already joined this vital organization which will be promoting the area and business benefits to citizens, tourists and businesses alike. They sponsor major local events like a golf tournamnet and the annual Lake Harmony Boat Regatta. Participate with them and get other events sponsored as well.

Submitted by: Tom Bradley

If you have any junk vehicles or scrap metal you need picked up (FREON DOES NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED)Call L N L Haulin at 570-643-3579 or 570-620-7404 and speak with Leniece. They will arrange to pick it up and remove it for you at no charge to you. Vehicles must have wheels and tires. This noticed placed based upon input from the material movers - Note that neither Century21 Select Group nor Joyce or Tom Bradley have actually used the service so do not have first hand knowledge of them or the service.

Submitted by: Leniece Aber
Phone: 570-643-3579
Email: campingout18610@yahoo.com

Operation Touch of Home is seeking the names and addresses of Monroe County troops currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan to be recipients of November essentials shipment. Family members or friends with this information please contact: touchofhome@hotmail.com or call Dean 977-1724 or Grace 977-4437.

Why not also include any Carbon County troops as well. Maybe we can get the project going here as well

Submitted by: Maureen Kennedy
Phone: 570-606-3452
Email: ria140@pa.metrocast.net

This organization has been very active in the area and has done a lot of good for the lake itself and our very important watershed.
They now have a website. It provides data on their events and activities plus information on and history of the lake itself.

Go to http://www.lakeharmony.org/ or go the Useful Links page on this site and look under Local Organizations for direct connection to their site to see more about this organization and Lake Harmony.

Submitted by: Thomas Bradley
Phone: 570-722-9629
Email: thomas.bradley@century21.com

If you have completed CERT Training or will complete such trtaining, please consider getting CART Training as well. This is essentially similar to the CERT Program but covers unique issues relative to animals during emergency situations - often pets are left to fend for themselves during a major emergency event like Hurricane Katrina and Community Animal Response Team Training expands the services which can be provided by the CERT Trained teams in the area.

The State ART is trying to get a group of people intersted in CART training together so if you are interested or know someone who may be, contact Megan Snyder at Carbon County EMA at 570-624-3097 or email via www.carboncounty.com/emergency.

Submitted by: Tom Bradley
Phone: 570-722-9629
Email: thomas.bradley@century21.com

Don't toss out used cell phones or your empty ink and laser cartriges. Drop them off at the Lake Harmony office of Century 21 Select Group. Help Kids with disabilities through EASTER SEALS!

Submitted by: Lucille Richmond