Carbon County Leaves Anthracite to Lead the - Pocono Business ...

THIS MONTH 

• Carbon County Leaves Anthracite to 

Lead the “Green Rush” ...........................p. 1 

• Next Green Wave Comes From 

The Ocean ...............................................p. 7 

• While You Wait: Business Introspection 

Can Lead To Opportunities ...................p. 15 

• Unique Offerings Keep Milford/Honesdale 

Bookstores In Business .........................p. 16 

• Bring On the Popcorn, Silver Screen 

Still Gleaming .......................................p. 19 

• PBJ Columnists 

Business Coach .....................................p. 15 

Commissioner’s Voice ...........................p. 18 

DCED ......................................................p. 5 

Healthy Workplace ................................ p.11 

IT In Today’s Economy ...........................p. 11 

Leadership Pike ....................................p. 12 

Pursuit of Excellence .............................p. 9 

Residential Real Estate ......................... p.14 

United Way ........................................... p.10 

QUOTE 

“We were totally bowled over by the 

amazing demand that has suddenly 

increased (for) raw material supplies 

to the organic market.” 

Full story on Page 7 

} 

Pocono Business Journal 

Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198 

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301 

POCONO 

Celebrating 3 Years of Award-Winning Journalism at PBJ 

Regional Business News & Resources 

Stephen Pheiffer, Cambrian 

Biotechnologies, Jim Thorpe 

OBSERVE 

American Heart Month 

Black History Month 

9 Clean Out Your Computer Day 

11 National Inventor’s Day 

12 Leadership Success Day 

14 Valentine’s Day 

16 President’s Day 

QUESTION 

How many family households 

are in Monroe County? 

See GPCC Business Magazine ad 

for the answer on page 12. 

please recycle this paper see GREEN page 8 

Best 

New Business 

www.pbjonline.com 

February 2009, Vol. 5, Issue 2 

Finding Opportunities In The Current Economy 

Carbon County Leaves 

Anthracite to Lead the 

“Green Rush” 

A conceptual illustration of Carbon’s new Pennsylvania Solar Farm, Visitor Center & Educational Facility. Artist’s renderings courtesy of 

BartonPartners, Norristown. 

By Patrick Bresnyan 

It’s “full sun” ahead for the Pennsylvania Solar Park 

in Carbon County. According to developers in charge of 

the project, groundbreaking for the 10.6 megawatt site in 

Nesquehoning should begin in May. 

John Curtis, founder and CEO of Green Energy 

Capital Partners in Philadelphia, is the driving force and 

vision behind the solar park. He says that this is a great 

opportunity for Pennsylvania and Carbon County to lead 

the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable, green energy. 

But during this economic downturn, Curtis notes, 

it’s the monetary impact that is also worth pointing out. Seeking solar, from left are John “Sonny” Kovatch, CEO 

Kovatch Enterprises; Rep. McCall; and John Curtis, CEO, 

Green Energy Capital Partners. Photo courtesy of PA House of 

Representatives. 

www.pbjonline.com Professional Profile - Unique Offerings Keep Bookstores in Business page 16

2 

POCONO 


Twin Willow Publishing Company 


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RR#5 Box 5198 

East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209 

570.421.0100 | fax 570.421.0404 


PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF 

Marynell Strunk 

EDITOR 

Debbie Burke 

REPORTERS 

Patrick Bresnyan 

Susan Jorstad 

Sharon Rothman 

Nicholas Sergi 

John Shortino 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Amy Berridge 

Robert F. Cormack 

Theresa Elliott 

Chris Grape-Garvey 

Donna Hamilton 

Scott Lifer 

Marc Littleton 

Victoria Mavis 

Richard Munson 

Dominick Sacci 

Lesley Smith 

Peter Wulfhorst 

EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS 

Danielle Eberhardt 

Chelsea McMahon 

SALES 

ads@pbjonline.com 

PRODUCTION/DESIGN 

Jason Trump 

CARTOONIST 

Tanya Kerkslag 

CIRCULATION 

circulation@pbjonline.com 


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Monthly Missive 

New Opportunities With 

Old-Fashioned Ideals 

I am writing this missive 

on the day of the 2009 Presidential 

inauguration. For so 

many reasons people from all 

over the world will be focused on this historic day 

in America. In the minds of many, today signifies 

the beginning of a new America and a lot is riding 

on the Obama administration. Stepping back from 

all the hoopla and looking at what is expected, 

to me, seems a bit unrealistic. Topping the to-do 

list are economic stability, healthcare reform and 

world peace. The images of Obama in superhero 

Pocono Business Journal | February 2009 

ARTICLES 

Bring On the Popcorn, Silver Screen Still Gleaming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 19 

Carbon County Leaves Anthracite To Lead the “Green Rush” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1 

DWG Super Recommended For Top Job Under Obama . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 19 

Kuck Takes Helm at PMC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 14 

Next Generation Of Job Search/Employer Matching Hits Carbon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.14 

Next Green Wave Comes From The Ocean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7 

No-Frills Craigslist Worth A Click . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 6 

Tangible Results Sought in Joining Students, Employers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 

Unique Offerings Keep Milford / Honesdale Bookstores In Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.16 

Where Do We Go From Here? Q&A With PA’s Top ED Exec . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 21 

While You Wait: Business Introspection Can Lead To Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 15 

DEPARTMENTS 

Book Review: ““Buying In: What We Buy And Who We Are” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 13 

Business Briefs – Who’s Who/ What’s What . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 23 

Business Cartoon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 26 

Legislative Roundup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 20 

Letter to the Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 3 

Reader’s Resource. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 

Columnists 

Business Coach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 15 

Commissioner’s Voice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 18 

DCED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 5 

Healthy Workplace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.11 

IT In Today’s Economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11 

Leadership Pike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 12 

Pursuit of Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 9 

Residential Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.14 

United Way . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.10 

Focus List – Computer Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 25 

Op Ed – Northeastern Economic Developers Assn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 

PA Chamber of Business and Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 4 

Register – Bankruptcies, Deeds, Mortgage Transactions and New Corporations/Fictitious Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 28 

Advertisers Index 

Associated Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Astraia Security Alliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania .....6 

ESSA Bank & Trust . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

Express Employment Professionals ........26 

First National Bank of Palmerton ..........10 

Greater Pocono Chamber of 

Commerce Business Expo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 

Greater Pocono Chamber of 

Commerce Business Magazine . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Holly Corcoran, CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 

Journal Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 

Keegan Tees, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Maid to Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 

Monroe County Career Link ..............14 

NEPA Ad Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 

Penn’s Peak Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 

Pennstar Bank ..........................9 

PenTeleData . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 

Pocono Arts Council ....................18 

Pocono Medical Center ..................32 

Sherman Theater ....................... 20 

Stone, Cypher, DeAngelo & Hornberger, LLP . 15 

Strunk-Albert Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 

TN Printing ...........................11 

University of Scranton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

costumes have taken the sublime to the subliminal. In 

some misguided minds, I feel that folks expect these 

layered and complex issues to be solved by summer. 

I have no doubt that there will be positive change, 

but not without some commitment and elbow grease 

from the American people. The road to change cannot 

be paved with hand-outs, bailouts and tax increases. It 

needs to be lined with motivation, self-sufficiency and 

ingenuity. The Obama team is not there to save us, 

but to build a framework that allows individuals and 

businesses to function successfully, making sure that 

the populace takes an active role in its accomplishments. 

This proactive mentality will allow us to take 

care of ourselves and those who are truly unable to do 

so. 

The framework is already there, buried under 

years of misinterpretation and manipulation. It will be 

President Obama’s job to unearth the good bones that 

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created this country. A job easier said than done. 

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new opportunities in the current market and attuned 

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POCONO 



Pocono Business Journal | February 2009 3 

NEWS 

Tangible Results Sought In Joining Students, Employers 

By Sharon Rothman 

As the New Year has begun so has a renewed effort 

to bring together workforce supply and demand with 

local students and business. The Weiler Corporation 

(Cresco) commissioned a study, titled “The Educational 

Skills Gap Problem,” about bridging the gap between 

business’ needs and the training and education being 

provided to ready our local students for the workplace. 

The yearlong study, conducted by Richard Hutchings 

(a former Grumman executive and a retired application 

engineer from Weiler Corp.) recognizes that area schools 

came up short in preparing students to enter into the 

workforce after graduating from high school or college. 

It’s not confined to the Poconos; nationally, many 

students are not meeting some of the basic skills necessary 

to obtain jobs that can support them and build a 

career. The report notes three categories of skills: Basic 

Skills, consisting of oral communication, math, writing 

and reading; Higher-Order Thinking Skills, which 

include problem solving, creative thinking, decision 

making, and learning; and Effective Skills/Traits such 

as dependability, positive outlook, enthusiasm, honesty/ 

integrity and the ability to work on one’s own. 

A pilot program to address this deficit is in its infancy. 

Karl Weiler, chairman of Weiler Corporation and 

the originator of this program, says, “We have seen a 

consistent lack of some basic skills of the local employees. 

The study reinforced this. The best way to obtain 

a viable workforce is to educate the teachers.” Mount 

Pocono High School is the pilot school for the summer 

program that will be training its three career counselors. 

“If the program is a success, we will be branching out 

to more schools and business for participation,” says 

Weiler. For many years, he admits, there has been a 

More Than Glue To 

Close This Skills Gap 

“It wasn’t more than a generation or two ago 

(40-50 years) in the 1960’s & 1970’s, when almost 

every American high school graduate, regardless of 

their academic and/or social deficiencies, could secure 

employment, if they wanted to, somewhere in the 

production economy which supplied the American 

consumer. This is no longer true. The majority of the 

high school graduates that chose not to [continue], or 

are not capable of continuing their education, but instead 

wish/need to enter the “workforce”, are just not 

properly prepared. They do not have the necessary… 

work or “employability” skills required by today’s 

employers. 

“Some believe that ‘skills gap’ is a State and/or 

Federal problem and should be addressed there; others 

believe that finding this agreement can probably 

Photo credit: Daniel Brodeen 

Karl and Ann Weiler, who head the Weiler Family Foundation. 

Karl Weiler commissioned a study on the skills gap and is 

working with local businesses and the Pocono Mountain School 

District to help close it. 

lot of “finger pointing” at the source of blame for this 

skills gap: educators fault employers, and vice versa. 

“What this program has created is a platform that will 

facilitate the end of the cycle, creating a forum to have 

the educators and businesses work hand in hand.” In 

the past, similar programs were funded by grants from 

the government; once the funding ran out, the program 

came to a halt. Now, funding will be supplied by local 

business, and employers themselves will directly influence 

which skills the educators are to focus on to pull 

students up to employability levels. Weiler believes that 

one of the most important stakeholders in this equation 

is the parents; getting them to buy in will be a particular 

challenge when both are commuting out of the area. 

Weiler continued, “In Europe students at age 

fourteen start training as journeymen, an apprentice 

best be made at the grassroots, local community level, 

through a strong committed and consistent collaborative 

effort of employers, school administrators, educators, 

parents and students working together to answer 

this question and develop the programs best suited 

to meet their needs…. Our objective should be to get 

back to where we were in the 60’s and 70’s, where 

every high school graduate who wanted to could 

secure a job in the American workforce. Only through 

the initiative described above will they be knowledgeable 

of, and equipped with the…employability skills 

needed to be a successful contributor in the modern 

workforce.” 

(Excerpt, “A Preliminary Review and Analysis of the 

Educational Skills Gap Problem 9-14-08, Conducted 

for Karl M. Weiler, Chairman, Weiler Corporation.” 

Report by Richard Hutchings.) 

please recycle this paper 

style education. The teen studies with, for example, a 

carpenter until the age of eighteen, and after learning 

the trade proceeds to step into the workforce. We have 

students graduating without viable skills needed to find 

a good wage. Educators, employers and parents need to 

reinforce at an early age, even before high school, the 

value of positive work ethics.” Weiler will be working 

closely with the school counselors this coming summer. 

Businesses like Sanfoi Pasteur, ESSA Bank & Trust and 

Weiler Manufacturing are currently participating. 

The school district plans to devote three guidance 

counselors to the program. According to Dr. Loree Guthrie, 

assistant superintendent of the Pocono Mountain 

School District, “We are looking forward to developing 

a program that will be very beneficial to our students at 

Pocono Mountain…[that] will likely become part of our 

guidance curriculum.” 

“When Karl first approached me several months ago 

to do the program it sounded like something new and 

unique,” Gary S. Olson President and CEO of ESSA, 

commented. “I believe it to be a good idea and we look 

forward to helping them accomplish this.” 

Editor’s note: “The Educational Skills Gap Problem” 

report has been posted on our Web site (www.pbjonline. 

com) and is excerpted below, at left. 

IRS Changes You Should Know: 

Self-Employment Tax For 2008 

The maximum amount of net earnings subject to 

the social security part of the self-employment 

tax for tax years beginning in 2008 has increased 

to $102,000. All net earnings of at least $400 are 

subject to the Medicare part of the tax. In 2008, 

the maximum social security coverage under the 

optional methods has increased to four credits, the 

equivalent of $4,200 of net earnings from selfemployment. 

In future years, the thresholds will 

be indexed to maintain that level of coverage. For 

more information visit http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=177958,00.html. 

Letter To The Editor 

Thank you so much for hosting tonight’s [Business 

and Books, “Editors on the Road” Part 2] 

seminar. It was very informative and a great 

setting as well. I look forward to next month’s 

discussion. 

Angela Tullo 

Tri-State Troopers Fund Inc. 

Swiftwater 

Editor’s note: PBJ’s next Business and Books 

presentation will be by CareerLink. It will be held 

at Borders in Stroudsburg on Thursday, February 

15, at 5:30 p.m. Please see our calendar of events 

in this issue for more information. 

Don’t Be Without Your “Taste” - Now Twice A Month! 

In order to bring you even more business news, the staff at Pocono Business Journal has 

increased the frequency of “Taste of PBJ: Business News Update.” This e-newsletter is now 

available twice each month. If you don’t already receive your “Taste” of more business 

news, please send your email address to circulation@pbjonline.com.

4 


OP ED 

Biz Tax Reforms Will Better Position Pennsylvania 

During Recovery And Beyond 

PA Chamber of 

Business and Industry 

Lesley Smith 

The business community recognizes that with 

the Commonwealth facing a potential $1 to 2- billion 

revenue shortfall in the 2009-10 fiscal year ($1.6 billion 

is the latest projection, with the revenue shortfall 

currently at $814 million), state lawmakers will have 

some difficult choices to make in the upcoming budget 

cycle. 

The preliminary good news for business is that 

state-elected officials appear reluctant to balance the 

budget on the backs of job creators, with the governor 

recently saying it was his goal to avoid a tax increase 

and Senate leaders saying they would not increase taxes. 

This is encouraging, considering job creators in PA 

have yet to fully recover from the multi-billion dollar 

1991 tax increase, then the largest in the state’s history 

and bad enough for US News and World Report to call 

it “the worst economic decision in the nation.” 

Pennsylvania’s Corporate Net Income tax remains 

at 9.99 percent – the second highest rate in the nation 

and well above the national average of 6.80 percent. 

PA lost a lot of ground against the competition in 1991 

and has been slow to catch up, with a Gross Domestic 

Product trending at half the national average. 

Economic Developers Offer Resources for Businesses 

Guest Columnist 

Robert F. Cormack 

NEDA 

Last year, we witnessed an astonishing series 

of events. Oil prices at historic highs... and historic 

lows. AIG; Merrill Lynch; Bear Stearns; Lehman 

Brothers; General Motors, Chrysler, WaMu – names 

symbolizing economic invincibility, suddenly either 

gone or at risk. Unemployment at a 35-year high, and 

almost $1 trillion in federal bailouts, put in motion by 

guys named Bush, Bernanke, and Paulsen, no less! 

Little wonder that this was the backdrop to one of the 

most unusual presidential elections in U.S. history. 

It’s anybody’s guess what’s next. Still, I find it 

encouraging that one of the first things the presidential 

transition team did was reach out to governors 

and to local government, asking for ideas and specific 

“shovel-ready” projects, i.e., public works and other 

infrastructure projects with plans drawn and awaiting 

only the investment capital to get under way. Every 

dollar has to be targeted to the kinds of meaningful 

investment needed to rebuild and sustain our 

economy going forward. This will be complicated by 

the urgent need to make things happen fast, getting 

people back to work and minimizing the harm from a 

continuing recession. 

It’s hard to imagine a time when the real work 

But as Pennsylvania and other states continue to 

deal with the effects of an ongoing national recession, 

elected officials need to look beyond merely holding 

the line on taxes and advance policies that will boost 

economic growth and job creation. 

Other states have already recognized that bold 

steps are needed to spur economic growth during these 

challenging economic times. New Jersey, for example, 

believes it can accomplish this goal through the enactment 

in December 2008 of tax credits for job creation 

and a temporary waiver of the state’s seven percent 

sales tax on capital investments. 

In Pennsylvania, the unified business community 

is urging elected officials to shore up our economic 

climate by enacting two targeted business tax reforms: 

basing the Corporate Net Income tax apportionment 

formula only on sales and eliminating the restrictive 

cap on Net Operating Losses. 

Interestingly, New Jersey also recently addressed 

its own uncompetitive NOL cap by significantly 

increasing the number of years companies can claim 

operating losses for tax purposes, moving from seven 

years to 20 years in an effort to make its business climate 

less hostile. 

In Pennsylvania, one of the only two states that 

actually cap NOLs, companies can claim losses of just 

$3 million, or 12.5 percent of taxable income. An NOL 

deduction free of uncompetitive restrictions will help 

potentially high-growth start-up companies get off the 

ground and balance the effects of volatile economic 

conditions on cyclical companies that face regular 

fluctuations in income. 

Adopting a Singles Sales Factor means the Commonwealth 

would no longer penalize companies for 

investing in their Pennsylvania operations and hiring 

workers here, which occurs now because the CNI is 

of economic developers has mattered more. Our job 

is to help businesses, developers, governments, and 

anyone else to get exactly this kind of work done. 

Whether we work for private-sector development 

organizations; state, county, or local government; 

or even core allied businesses including energy and 

other utilities, banks, and many others, economic 

developers are trained to understand what kinds of 

investments tend to generate even wider “multiplier” 

economic activity, and what tools and resources need 

to come together to get a project from proposal to 

ribbon-cutting. While many of us may specialize to 

some degree, economic developers are compulsive 

networkers – we know who to call in our territories 

to find answers about everything from buildings and 

sites, energy and infrastructure, to financing and 

incentives, and permits, planning, and taxes; from 

energy, transportation, and telecom to workforce 

training and recruitment. 

NEDA members stand ready and willing to help 

individuals grow or save a business, or create new 

investment and jobs. NEDA personnel can be located 

by organization, name or state at www.nedaonline. 

org/membership.asp or by city/town at http://www. 

nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/groupc/bf_neda2009/#/0. 

Robert F. Cormack is the immediate past president of 

the Northeastern Economic Developers Association, 

and executive director of the Bucks County Economic 

Development Corporation in Doylestown. NEDA is 

the regional professional association serving more 

than 500 economic developers throughout the eleven 

northeastern states and the District of Columbia. He 

can be reached at (215) 348-9031 or rfc@bcedc.com, 

or visit NEDA at www.nedaonline.org. 

calculated based on sales, property and payroll. There 

is no better time than in today’s difficult economy to 

give job creators the tools they need to prosper and 

grow. Both reforms –which enjoy overwhelming bipartisan 

support in the General Assembly – would better 

position the Commonwealth during recovery and for 

the long-term. 

Lesley Smith is the director of communications for the 

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the 

state’s largest broad-based business association, with 

a membership representing more than 50 percent of the 

private workforce. More information is available on 

the Chamber’s Web site at www.pachamber.org. 

| PBJ READER’S RESOURCE 

Business Humor by Stoosh 

NOTE TO READERS: Opinions expressed in any 

commentary published in PBJ are not necessarily a 

reflection of the opinions of PBJ. Likewise, PBJ will 

not be held responsible for any suggestion or advice 

published by PBJ and PBJ assumes no liability 

for actions that result based on such material. The 

publisher and staff welcome your opinions on issues. 

Write to PBJ at the address listed on the inside front 

cover or e-mail editor@pbjonline.com. 

www.investors.com 

Don’t miss the piece on economic optimism 

and the inching up of consumer confidence 

in Investor’s Business Daily’s “Economic Optimism 

Index.” Find financial news highlights in 

the “IBD Top 10,” and if you’re brave enough 

to stay in the stock market, the “CAN SLIM” 

array of indicators point to promising stocks. 

Use the glossary to sharpen your financial 

literacy (“gazump,” for example, is where the 

price of real estate is raised to a higher price 

than was previously verbally agreed upon). 

Debbie Burke


COLUMN 

Opportunities For Business Development Exist, Even In Challenging Economic Times 

Guest Columnist 

Theresa Elliott 

PA DCED 

Negative economic news is abundant these days as 

television viewers and newspaper readers are bombarded 

with stories of rising unemployment and companies downsizing. 

But even in the midst of this difficult economic 

environment, Pennsylvania remains vigilant in advancing 

job-creating initiatives that stimulate small-business development. 

“Governor Rendell and I are keenly aware of the 

vital role small businesses play in the commonwealth’s 

economy,” Department of Community and Economic 

Development acting Secretary John Blake said. “That is 

why Governor Rendell developed an impressive economic 

stimulus package to bring more business into the state, 

revitalize economically distressed areas, and to maintain 

and grow existing businesses.” 

Of the more than 70,000 new corporations registered 

within the commonwealth in 2008, many benefited from 

significant state economic development assistance packages 

that were designed to help them. Many of those 

programs are still available and are helping northeast PA 

businesses grow and stay afloat in this challenging climate. 

DCED offers a variety of grants, loans and tax incentive 

programs, as well as technical assistance, to encourage new 

business start-ups. For example: 

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• Job creation tax credits - a $1,000-per-job tax credit to 

create new jobs in the commonwealth within a company’s 

first three years. 

• First Industries Fund - a loan, loan guarantee, and grant 

program aimed at strengthening Pennsylvania’s agriculture 

and tourism industries. The program is administered 

by the Commonwealth Financing Authority and DCED. 

• Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority 

- provides low-interest loan financing to businesses 

owned and operated by ethnic minorities. 

Recently, a First Industries Tourism Planning grant for 

$60,000 was approved for the Switchback Gravity Railroad 

Foundation (Jim Thorpe) to determine the feasibility of 

reconstructing a portion of the former historic, 18-mile, 

roundtrip railroad as a tourism and recreation attraction in 

the Pocono region. 

There are also a variety of programs geared toward established 

businesses to provide opportunities for employee 

training and re-training, and to encourage business growth 

and expansion. Some of these resources include: 

• Customized job training, which provides grants for specialized 

job training for existing or newly hired employees. 

• Guaranteed free training 

that provides basic 

skills and information 

technology training for 

employees of new and 

expanding businesses. 

• Small Business First, 

which - provides lowinterest 

loan financing 

to promote the growth 

of small manufacturing, 

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industrial, agriculture enterprises, mining enterprises, 

export-related business, advanced technology and 

computer related services, hotels, motels, restaurants, 

commercial recyclers and defense-related companies. 

As one example of how DCED’s programs helped 

northeast Pennsylvania’s businesses, Architectural Polymers 

Inc. (of Palmerton) used a $200,000 Small Business 

First loan to build a 5,000-sq.-ft. addition to its state-ofthe-art, 

15,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility. The company 

designs and manufactures polyurethane forms for pre-cast 

concrete producers. 

Pennsylvania wants businesses to continue to prosper. 

DCED and the commonwealth offer business assistance 

tailored to help companies fund their projects or get off the 

ground, and to ensure the continued growth in our businesses 

and communities across Pennsylvania. 

Theresa Elliott is a deputy press secretary for the Department 

of Community and Economic Development. She can 

be reached at (717) 783-1132. DCED’s goal is to foster 

opportunities for businesses and communities to succeed 

and thrive in a global economy. Visit www.newpa.com for 

more information. 

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6 


NEWS 

No-Frills Craigslist Worth A Click 

By Nicholas Sergi 

“The Internet is the future. The Yellow Pages are 

dead. Newspapers are dead.” This, according to Vincent 

Dellarocco, a Milford-based businessman who 

works in insurance and real estate. For a little over 

a year, Dellarocco has been using Craigslist (www. 

craigslist.org) to advertise the services for his three 

companies. The site is well-known as an online classifieds 

venue that is - for the most part - free (there 

is a fee for certain services and for certain 

regions throughout the nation) and easy to 

use. “As people become more digitally acclimated,” 

Dellarocco says, “they will start 

to use this service more and more.” 

The question is whether or not advertising 

on Craigslist, which is light on graphics 

and simple to navigate, has paid any 

dividends for local companies. “We’ve had 

a few people (through Craigslist) but not a 

lot,” says Dellarocco. He’s seen more success 

using it for his real estate businesses 

(including LakeAdventure.org and http:// 

www.primepaland.com/) than his insurance 

services company (Jocoinsurance.org) simply 

because there isn’t a separate category 

listing for insurance services. 

Lou Perosi, owner of American Debtworks 

in Stroudsburg, tried to market 

products and services on the site but found 

that it wasn’t the best venue for his particular 

type of business. “Financial service 

businesses really don’t do well with normal 

types of advertising,” he said, about Craigslist 

or even a newspaper’s classified advertising 

section. The reason, he believes, 

is that Craigslist is more fit for traditional 

advertising of products (both used and new) 

rather than services. 

Barry Rizzo, whose Lords Valley-based 

company Rent-a-Chauffeur has an ad on 

Craigslist that links to the company’s own 

site, has been using the service since last 

summer. “I might have had five or six 

customers (from Craigslist),” he said. The 

number is low not so much because of the 

Web site itself but because of the current 

economic recession. “If I didn’t advertise 

on Craigslist, I wouldn’t have those customers. 

If the economy is good, well, then 

it will work.” 

Craigslist is a well-traveled meeting 

place for those looking to buy or sell automobiles, 

and it includes advertisements not 

only from private parties but from dealers 

as well, who select cars to put on the site. 

“I just started using it, and I did sell one car 

from it,” said Rob Clark, a spokesperson 

at Saylorsburg Auto Sales. “It’s free to use 

here in Pennsylvania.” 

Contact PBJ 

for Ad Rates. 


e-mail: ads@pbjonline.com 

POCONO 



Zipping Through Craigslist 

Find your city 

Choose a category – For Sale, Services, Housing, 

Personals, Jobs 

For business services – Includes tips (“Avoid Scams 

and Frauds”), licensing info, more 

Listing – simple description, effective date and/or 

expiration date, and contact info 

Why Blue? 

Safety Tips: 

When meeting someone for the first time, please 

remember to: 

• Insist on a public meeting place like a café 

• Tell a friend or family member where you’re going 

• Take your cell phone along if you have one 

• Consider having a friend accompany you 

• Trust your instincts 

Source: www.craigslist.org 

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’ 


NEWS 

Next Green Wave Comes From The Ocean 

By John Shortino 

A little-known species of kelp is helping Carbon County 

lead the way to a greener Poconos. 

As the field of green technology sprouts up, more companies 

are beginning to focus on meeting the emergent 

need for sustainable products. Here in our own backyard, 

Cambrian Biotechnologies, a Jim Thorpe presence for over 

a decade, has conducted years of research and innovation 

courtesy of a species of kelp known as Ecklonia Maxima. 

Using a technique that preserves the vitamins, enzymes, 

and amino acids found in this type of seaweed, and by 

avoiding the application of heat, freezing, dehydration, 

or chemicals, Cambrian Biotechnologies mechanically 

extracts fresh cytoplasm to use in a range of organic products. 

These products include organic animal feed and plant 

fertilizers, health and beauty products, and a line of pet care 

products. 

The company has been involved with green products 

for three decades, having started in the late 1970s in South 

Africa, and has seen the market grow and change over 

time. Stephen Pheiffer, who founded the company and is 

in charge of product development, says that the field has 

never been larger. He and Bruce Keltner, vice-president 

of marketing, recently returned from the Acres U.S.A. 

Conference, a national convention of organic farms and 

organic farming supplies. Pheiffer said they were “totally 

bowled over by the amazing demand that has suddenly 

increased regarding organic raw material supplies to the 

organic growing market.” In fact, the demand is reaching 

a point where the supplies are going to be strained, making 

additional growth in the market necessary and inevitable. 

Pheiffer knows this has potential to be a very good thing for 

Carbon County and the Poconos. It can be the tipping point 

for green industry, resulting in even more “green collar” 

jobs in the area. 

In addition to the low cost of operating a business in 

Carbon County, the Pocono Mountains are important for 

Cambrian Biotechnologies because of an ample supply of 

underground fresh water aquifers. The uncontaminated 

water that comes from these sources is used in the compa- 

Photo courtesy of Cambrian Biotechnologies 

The star of the show: the kelp that 

keeps on giving, with its biggest fan, 

Steven Pheiffer. 

ny’s health and beauty line; mixed with kelp cytoplasm 

and essential oils, the company produces, for example, 

its “Ocean Glow” nourishing hair and body mist, sold 

locally in organic health food stores. Such consumer 

products nourish dry skin, give hair a healthful and 

shiny look, and, he claims, even relieve eczema. Because 

the manufacturing process is so dependent upon 

the local underground water supply, it is beneficial to 

produce them locally. This in turn brings more jobs to 

the area. Cambrian currently employs five individuals 

and he is considering adding at least two more during 

2009. 

Pheiffer’s foray into e-commerce allows Cambrian 

Biotechnologies to expand to national and international 

markets. The company recently launched its updated 

website (www.cambrianproducts.com) which aims to 

reach a broader range of consumers and inform the 

public of its business mission and innovative processes. 

Pheiffer believes that with a growing consumer 

awareness of the benefits of organically produced food, 

and heightened interest in earth-friendly products, the 

demand for solutions like Cambrian Biotechnologies’ 

plant fertilizers could experience an upsurge. 

Photo courtesy of BNI 

Referral Group 

Reaches Milestone 

The Stroudsburg Chapter of BNI has reached 

its 9,000th referral. The Stroudsburg Chapter 

started in November 2002 and currently has 47 

members. Since 2004, the networking group has 

transacted over $2.2 million in business between 

its members and referees. In photo from left: Ed 

Kmetz, VP of Stroudsburg BNI, and owner of 

Pure Sight & Sound; Dennis Jeter, owner of A 

Sound Strategy, Inc.; and BNI Stroudsburg Club 

President, Tom Ostrow, also owner of Ostrow 

Home Improvements. 

please recycle this paper

8 

GREEN... cont. from page 1 

According to Curtis, the project “will bring in close 

to $175 million in investment to the state that would 

otherwise not be here.” 

However it’s not just a great opportunity for 

the state, but also for those who are investing in 

the project. That’s according to Joe Lawn, vice 

president for business development at Broadlands 

Financial, a construction risk management firm 

in Villanova. Lawn is the lead developer for the 

project. “A lot of people are looking to invest in 

something that is only going to keep growing in 

the future.” Lawn adds that because returns are 

contracted, investment in projects like this are often 

more attractive than Wall St. 

Lawn believes Pennsylvania is “in the forefront 

of something very important” and will be known for 

its commitment to alternative energy. 

The solar park is being built on land leased from 

fire truck manufacturer Kovatch Enterprises, Inc. 

in Nesquehoning. Steven Cormier is the general 

counsel for Kovatch Enterprises. He says that the 

company sees this opportunity as perfect in this 

economy, and perfect for the country. “We view the 

project as being not only recession-proof, but the 

type of project that if the Obama administration un- 

Rooftop view, PA Solar Park. 


FEATURE STORY 

dertakes any type of similar program, it will include 

renewable energy projects.” Cormier believes that 

would make Pennsylvania - specifically Carbon 

County - an example of how to get things done with 

sustainable energy. 

Cormier also points out that this project is a 

good opportunity for Kovatch because it allows 

them to lease land that has been vacant since 

the 1960’s, and that has not been well-suited for 

industry because it’s too far from the major highways. 

With its flat, southern exposure, however, it’s 

perfect for a solar park. 

Pennsylvania Solar Park will be more that just a 

source of renewable energy; it will also be a training 

center for workers in the green energy field, and 

a green education center for schools and the public. 

John Curtis says the economics of the project represent 

70 full-time and temporary employees and $3.5 

million in wages. 

What most excites Curtis is that the center will 

be able to train 1000-2000 “green workers” over 

the first eighteen months of operation. With those 

workers trained, Curtis says, it will be easy to “step 

and repeat” the process of employing a green workforce 

in other parts of Pennsylvania and around the 

country. 

Its potential for leading the way in green energy 

jobs and training has captured the support of state 

legislative leaders. The solar park 

is being built in the state legislative 

district of the new Democratic House 

Speaker Keith McCall of Summit Hill. 

Rep. McCall (D, 122) believes the 

solar park has many benefits. “Even 

beyond the jobs that will pay familysustaining 

wages and the companies 

that will grow and expand, we’re going 

to reclaim some of the $30 billion we 

spend every year buying foreign energy 

and keep those dollars at home.” 

McCall also sees a perfect irony in 

Carbon County being at the forefront 

of sustainable energy in Pennsylvania. 

“Carbon County’s anthracite coal was 

the engine that powered the industrial 

revolution and made this the greatest 

nation on earth. Now, we’re going 

to lead the nation again with green 

power and reclaiming our role. Carbon 

County powers America!” 

Steven Cormier (Kovatch Enterprises) 

notes, “People have quipped 

that Carbon County is changing to 

Carbon ‘Credit’ County,” making 

reference to the carbon credits that 

provide an incentive for businesses to 

go green. 

John Curtis, who describes himself 

as being “very passionate” about 

clean power - especially solar - says 

with sustainable energy, “It’s time to 

take the gloves off. The only way to 

do that is through education.” When 

coal contracts are reset, he says, it could lead to a 

“shipwreck.” The biggest threat to employment in 

Pennsylvania is in energy, where many jobs could 

be driven off shore. That’s why he says it’s important 

to educate the public about sustainable energy. 

It’s even more important to educate a green workforce 

because “green jobs do not leave the area.” 

Training is the most crucial part of the whole 

project according to Curtis. “Kids need to understand 

the idea of sustainability when they are 10, 

12, 18 years old.” The facility will in part serve as 

a community education center with a 50-person 

auditorium for school tours. Curtis is now working 

with the county and state to develop educational 

workshops. 

What recession? McCall says even in this down 

economy, the timing is perfect for a strong push 

towards alternative energy, green education and 

green worker training. “Right now we’re in the 

middle of the ‘green rush,’ a national (and international) 

investment in green energy to rival the gold 

rush. With tens of billions of dollars in investments 

available, we should be doing everything possible 

to promote high-tech, high-wage green jobs.” 

Carbon County’s part in the green rush is set to 

begin in full with operations starting this November. 

That’s also when the first class of green workers 

will be trained in sustainable energy technology at 

the facility. 

Currently, the Pennsylvania Solar Park is slated 

to generate 10.6 megawatts, enough electricity 

to power 1,450 homes. Additionally, according 

to the www.greenenergyfinder.com Web site, the 

Park “will eliminate more than 320,000 tons of 

greenhouse gas emissions over 30 years of operation 

– the equivalent of planting more than 25,000 

acres of trees. Green Energy Capital Partners plans 

additional solar facilities in the Commonwealth, but 

the Nesquehoning plant will be one of the biggest in 

North America.” 

John Curtis has told PBJ that with an almost immediate 

planned expansion, the Park will ultimately 

double in size and become the largest solar park in 

the country. 

Come Together! 

AAF Ad Club ADDY Awards 

Friday, February 20 • Westmoreland Club 

59 South Franklin Street • Wilkes Barre 

nepaadclub.com 

Things You’ll See At The Pennsylvania 

Solar Park Visitor’s Center According 

To John Curtis, CEO, Green Capital 

Energy Finders 

1. Full view of command and control center 

operating the solar plant 

2. Real-time information about how much 

power is being generated 

3. Documentary film about the solar park 

4. Renewable energy examples: wind, solar, 

and geothermal, with information about 

how much money they can save 

5. Energy-saving calculators 

6. Interactive videos to explain sustainability 

and the power grid



COLUMN 

Positive Thinking Is Key To Positive Outcome 

Most business people are familiar with Henry 

Ford’s statement, “Whether you think you can or think 

you can’t, you’re right.” Research is beginning to support 

Mr. Ford’s folksy wisdom. Physicists have shown 

that thoughts can affect the trajectory of particles. Medical 

research has demonstrated potential benefits ranging 

from reduced heart disease to increased resilience 

during hardship. Positive thoughts can improve your 

health, and they can improve your business. 

In spite of the gloomy economic forecast, you 

can positively impact the health of your business by 

monitoring your thoughts. There are many reasons for 

this, ranging from quantum physics to general psychology. 

The most practical explanation, however, is that 

your thoughts determine your actions. For example, 

if you believe customers have money to spend but are 

being more selective about using it, you might increase 

your advertising budget to attract them to your business. 

On the other hand, if you believe no one has 

any disposable income right now, you might cut your 

advertising budget in order to save money. There is a lot 

Photo courtesy of Dime Bank 

Pursuit of Excellence 

Donna L. Hamilton, 

MD, MS, FAAP 

How Much Does 

95 Pounds Of 

Dimes Come To? 

The Dime Bank (Honesdale) and 

local radio station WDNH (Honesdale) 

teamed up to make one 

listener very happy this past holiday 

season. Malinda Merck of Hawley 

won $1,900 by registering her DNH 

Deals card. The photo was taken at 

The Dime Bank’s newest branch on 

Welwood Avenue in the lake region 

of Hawley. Pictured left to right: Assistant 

Community Office Manager 

Koriann Gomez; George Schmitt, 

morning show host at WDNH; winner 

Malinda Merck; and Community 

Office Manager Diane Sarday. 

of anecdotal evidence indicating that during the Great 

Depression, advertising had a significant impact on the 

success or demise of a company. According to John 

A. Quelch, Senior Associate Dean and Lincoln Filene 

Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business 

School, “This is not the time to cut advertising. It 

is well documented that brands that increase advertising 

during a recession, when competitors are cutting back, 

can improve market share and return on investment at 

lower cost than during good economic times. Uncertain 

consumers need the reassurance of known brands, and 

more consumers at home watching television can deliver 

higher than expected audiences at lower cost-perthousand 

impressions.” 

Optimistic thinking does not mean ignoring reality. 

It means conditioning yourself to see opportunities instead 

of challenges. Now it is essential to hone this trait. 

A positive attitude combined with ingenuity will help 

you succeed. Your employees will also be healthier and 

more productive if they maintain a positive perspective. 

Here are some tips that will help you maintain a 

positive outlook regarding your business, foster hope 

among your staff, and identify new opportunities for 

success: 

Expand or modify your services to address needs 

created by the current economic climate. For example, 

sign companies have increased sales of “for sale” and 

“foreclosure” signs. A woman in California started a 

company where people release stress by breaking plates. 

A landscaper modified his business to include beautifying 

lawns of abandoned homes. 

Re-visit your company’s mission and vision statement. 

Is there a new strategy 

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for accomplishing the same goals? 

Make changes in your company that will save 

money or increase your customer appeal. For example, 

consider converting to a paperless office. It will save 

money, create a more efficient office, and appeal to 

clients who seek eco-friendly businesses. 

Do something that will encourage customer loyalty. 

Have a customer appreciation day where you invite 

clients to the office or offer a small “freebie.” 

Promote good cheer among your staff by offering 

a stress reduction program. 

Post inspirational quotations throughout your 

business. Quote authors who write about business success, 

such as Stephen Covey, Napoleon Hill, or T. Harv 

Ecker. 

Send out good news announcements (e.g. new 

customers, births, fun hobbies, 

etc.) via company e-mail. 

Positive thinking does more than make you feel 

better. It determines your actions, and your actions 

impact your outcome. Take steps toward a successful 

outcome by 

thinking positively. If you think you can, you can! 

Dr. Hamilton is V.P. of Health and Wellness services for 

Manifest Excellence, LLC (East Stroudsburg). Services 

include consultations, wellness program creation, 

and presentations about a variety of health promotion 

topics. For more information visit www.ManifestExcellence.com 

or contact Dr. Hamilton at AskME@ManifestExcellence.com 

or (732) 261-7032. 

smart business. 

smart bargain. 

smart benefits. 

smart banking. 

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10 


COLUMN 

Despite Economy, Support From Business Remains Strong 

United Way 

Chris Grape-Garvey 

There is no question that 2008 witnessed 

the worst economic downturn in years. Big and 

small businesses, employees, retirees and nonprofits 

all felt the ill effects of the downturn. 

Several United Way annual campaigns, which 

support human service programs in local communities, 

are having difficulty meeting their 

fundraising goals, especially in the manufacturing, 

real estate and building sectors. 

In the Poconos, the United Way of Monroe 

County is at 85 percent of its $1.3 million goal, 

with $200,000 still to go. The United Way of 

Pike County is at 43 percent of its $150,000 goal. 

Thanks to loyal donors and some new revenue 

streams, Carbon County’s United Way is optimistic 

it will raise $75,000. An exception is 

the United Way of Lackawanna County and its 

Wayne County division, where the $3.8 million 

goal was exceeded by nearly $97,000. 

Fortunately, in all these communities, many 

corporations/businesses and their employees 

have continued to give generously and in new 

ways. In Monroe County, for example, Ray Price 

Dealerships donated $4,600 to the United Way 

by contributing $25 from every vehicle test drive 

Our community. Our commitment. 

During times of concern, we all depend on trusted relationships for support and 

reassurance. For over 100 years, our family of depositors has relied on us for 

safe and stable monetary guidance. To continue earning your trust, we pledge 

to never relax our prudent standards when dealing with your � nancial assets. 

Additionally, we o� er you peace of mind knowing your deposits are insured by the 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to the maximum level. If we can be of any 

assistance during these unique times, we invite you to stop by any of our branches. 

Our promise to you is our century old commitment of protecting your family’s 

� nancial stability. 

during December. Horizon Milling and Sanofi 

Pasteur were just two local companies that set 

new records with their giving. 

With the start of 2009, there are many opportunities 

for the business sector to continue to 

partner with local United Ways. From a business 

standpoint, partnering with United Way provides 

tax benefits, positive public relations, and involvement 

in the local community. Community 

involvement also helps with workplace morale. 

Workplace campaigns and donations from 

businesses of all sizes are still the mainstay of 

United Way campaigns. The business community 

is also showing its support through special 

events, in-kind donations, sponsorships and contributions 

of prizes/gift certificates. In a difficult 

economy, diversity and novel ideas are key. 

In Monroe County, the United Way is finalizing 

guidelines and a special event worksheet to 

improve the process when businesses co-market 

with the United Way. The guidelines cover items 

such as event purpose, timeframe, fundraising 

goals, duties, budget and expectations. Marketing, 

partnership levels, promotion, checklists and 

post-event analysis are also addressed. 

Carbon County’s United Way compiles a 

booklet for each of its special events, which is 

then used as a planning and organizational tool. 

It has information such as advertising, responsibilities 

and logistics. 

All of the Pocono-area United Ways have 

special events to raise funds and build awareness. 

Upcoming fundraisers in Pike County include 

“Ski Big Bear” in Masthope from March 6-8 and 

a tricky tray on April 18 at Delaware Valley High 

School. Great Wolf Community Days will again 

be kicking off this spring in Monroe County. 

For more information on how your business 

can get involved, call your community United 

Way: Pike County, (570) 296-9980; Carbon 

County, (610) 377-6400; Monroe County (570) 

629-5657; and Wayne County, (570) 343-1267. 

Chris Grape-Garvey is the community outreach 

and special events director for United Way of 

Monroe County. 

HR Tidbit 

By Victoria Mavis 

Q. In these challenging economic times, we may 

have to reduce our payroll to avoid a cash crunch 

that many in our industry are facing. If we reduce 

a position to part-time, can that individual receive 

unemployment compensation? 

A. Many states provide partial unemployment 

benefits for employees that have reduced pay 

or reduced hours through no fault of their own. 

Because the amount of the benefit and the requirements 

to receive benefits vary greatly from state to 

state, contact your state unemployment agency to 

understand how it works, how it will affect your 

future UC tax rate, and the level of benefits that 

employees are eligible to receive. 


Ben Franklin Announces New Funding For Alternative, Clean Energy Technologies 

Ben Franklin Technology Partners (BFTP) has 

issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Pennsylvania 

companies capable of accelerating the commercialization 

of promising alternative and clean 

energy technologies. Multiple awards of up to 

$55,000 of investment in the company are available 

through a $250,000 grant provided by the United 

States Small Business Administration to Ben 

Franklin Technology Partners. Technology-based 

companies with fewer than 500 employees in the 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are eligible. 

The investments will support the costs of applied 

research activities including, but not limited 

to, technical/laboratory work, market and competitive 

technology research, examination/analysis 

of commercialization path options, and implementation 

of beta tests. In addition, the available 

funds will support development of market channel 

strategies and full-scale commercialization of 

new products or processes. For more information 

visit www.benfranklin.org or email Terry Singer 

(tsinger@benfranklin.org). Letters of intent are 

due to BFTP on March 13, 2009, and full proposals 

are due April 10, 2009. 

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COLUMNS 

When Employees Need To Stay Home 

As flu season goes into high gear, employers are 

gearing up for more sick employees dragging themselves 

– and their germs – into work. With the economy 

still in uncertain territory, many employees are hesitant 

to miss work. Some have few or no sick days left and 

can’t afford to miss time. Other employees are concerned 

that missing time will make them appear less 

valuable to the company and put their job at risk. This 

leads to presenteeism, which occurs when contagiously 

sick employees show up for work. 

Presenteeism can be more costly to a business than 

an absent employee. Aside from the increased time the 

affected employee is less than fully engaged, the spread 

of the illness to coworkers multiplies the cost. This is 

especially the case when the next person down the line 

also brings their germs to work with them. The migration 

of a cold or flu around an office can have lingering 

effects for months. 

According to a Cornell University study (Journal of 

Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 2004), 

presenteeism cost American businesses over $180 billion 

last year. While there are many ways to keep employees 

healthy and ill employees home until they are well, the 

most cost effective method is to isolate the illness from 

other employees. 

Basic cleanliness should be observed in every office, 

but might not be enough to combat every illness 

that comes along. Special areas of concern are the break 

area, restrooms, and shared office equipment. While 

the break room and restrooms certainly receive regular 

attention, what about the office copier? Just about 

everybody in the office will have an opportunity to touch 

the keys, but whose job is it to disinfect them? The same 

holds true for common computers and fax machines, 

doorknobs and security devices. 

A regular, comprehensive cleaning can stop germs 

and viruses from spreading throughout your office, saving 

your company time and money. 

Scott Lifer is the office manager and marketing direc- 

tor of Maid To Order Residential and Commercial 

Cleaning Services, LLC. He is also the publisher of 

Festivities of the Poconos Magazine and the managing 

partner of the West End Business Group, LLC. He can 

be reached at (610) 295-9227 or by email at scott@ 

mtopa.com. 

Workplace Wellness 

Tough economic times can be tough on 

employee morale. Keep productivity high by 

creating a collaborative environment for staff 

to discuss their fears. Keep managers “on 

message” when addressing issues like staff 

redirections. Substitute alternate currencies like 

flextime or in-office chair massages for raises 

and bonuses. 

Take The Long Range View Of Your IT 

IT In Today’s Economy 

Marc Littleton 

Healthy Workplace 

Scott Lifer 

Cutting is a great method for creating firewood, but 

it’s the wrong way to go about reviewing your technology 

resources and systems for possible downsizing in a 

down economy. Many companies are becoming reactive, 

throwing “proactive” to the woodpile. 

We are in the middle of one of the largest financial 

crisis in U.S. history and companies, understandably, are 

looking to control costs. One of the most common budget 

cuts that companies first look at is technology. But 

is it really the right area to cut? Don’t be too hasty with 

that yes; it could be the best time to consider investing 

in technology. When the economy bounces back - and it 

will bounce back - will your company be ready for the 

upswing or will you be scrambling to meet your customers’ 

needs? 

Technology is not a commodity but rather a necessity 

in today’s business. Consider a more practical and 

sensible approach, as follows: 

Review your IT needs: Examine your existing technology. 

Most companies are not utilizing their current 

applications and systems to their fullest extent, whether 

it is due to lack of training or understanding of what is 

currently in place. Knowledge is empowering, so visit 

your hardware and software vendors’ Web sites to understand 

the functionality of your products. Work with 

your IT staff to develop a business technology usage 

benchmark report that will match product capabilities to 

current use. Try to assess what other similar businesses 

are using and how they are using their technology infrastructure. 

In the end, technology has proven to provide 

a competitive advantage to successful companies if used 

efficiently and effectively. 

Review your strategic plan: It is worthwhile to build 

an IT plan that is aligned with the business processes 

and your overall strategic plan. 

Streamline Processes: Any automation initiatives 

driven by inefficient business processes that can be 

eliminated. Managers should work together to outline 

the functional business level. This will provide the 

guidelines to line up the business goals with the functional 

requirements. 

Consider reorganizing the schedule: Put short or 

highest expected ROI projects first and the larger scope 

projects later. Determine if there are projects that can 

be extended so it protects your technology 

investment. Such a strategy keeps the initiatives 

alive and spreads the expense over a 

longer period of time. 

Protect your technology and staff investments: 

Personnel, including consultants, are 

valuable assets to your company. They were 

chosen for their unique skill sets and have 

been trained on your business processes. 

Review your budget: Managers and 

owners need to be in control of the company 

and its budget, and cannot afford to be haphazardly 

reactive. Strategically control expenditures, 

determine if your budget is accurate, 

and use your IT plan to help determine 

the impact of not making that investment 

or expenditure. Can your company afford 

to operate without it? If making technology 

budget cuts are unavoidable, 

review the purpose of the 

planned expenditures defined 

in the IT strategic plan. Your 

budget must provide the ac- 

curate information you need 

to analyze these costs; if not, 

maybe it is time to invest in 

technology and define processes 

that will help to better 

track your costs so you know 

how and where to control 

them. 

The challenge is to 

weather this perfect economic 

storm without cutting 

so deep into the woodpile 

that you can’t do business 

and plan for the future. Taking 

a good long look at your 

IT situation will leave your 

business stronger and better 

prepared for your customers 

when the upswing happens. 

Marc Littleton has 15 years in the technology field, with 

a BA in Business Management and a Master’s of Science 

in Information Technology Management. He is based in 

Pocono Lake. 

Get your business straight 

www.monroepl.org 

remote database and business resource services 

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12 


COLUMN 

Leadership Pike Learns Teambuilding and Communication 

Leadership Pike 

Peter Wulfhorst 

The third class of Leadership Pike started its journey 

in September. The students were provided with a 

perspective on leadership by Dr. Candis Finan, Delaware 

Valley School District superintendent, and Richard 

Caridi, Pike County commissioner. Joann Kowalski, 

Penn State Cooperative Extension educator, engaged 

the class in finding out about the “Leader Within You.” 

Through hands-on exercises, Kowalski presented the 

idea that it is important to understand your own leadership 

style, priorities, beliefs and habits since they affect 

how you respond to the challenges of leadership. 

The students recently participated in a series of 

teambuilding activities at the Pocono Environmental 

Education Center. Designed to promote leadership, selfconfidence, 

communication and teamwork, the events 

consisted of a series of challenging outdoor problems 

which required the participation of all team members, 

who planned and executed solutions to physically and 

mentally stimulating tasks. For example, the students 

had to untie knots in a rope with limited use of their 

hands. They were able to increase their problem-solving 

abilities as they went from activity to activity. 

The students have been learning that effective 

leaders are not only good at communicating; they are 

also adept at listening and understanding non-verbal 

cues. Through several activities, they were taught 

how to use I-messages in solving problems, conflict 

negotiations and letting another person know what 

behavior is expected. 

The third class of Leadership Pike students 

include: Cena Block (small business owner), Lisa 

Marie Hall (University of Scranton Small Business 

Development Center), Amy Burke and Deborah 

Unflat (Dime Bank), Ethan Mindrebo and Eugene 

Ruzanski (McGoey, Hauser & Edsall Consulting Engineers), 

Deborah Crockett (adult student, Penn State 

University), Kathryn Murphy (Honesdale National 

Bank), Janice Kessler (Milford Wellness Center) and 

Thomas DeLuca (retired NYC firefighter). 

The Leadership Pike Class of 2009 meets 

monthly through May 2009 at various locations 

throughout Pike County. The program is a collaboration 

between the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, 

Northampton Community College and Penn 

State Cooperative Extension – Pike County. 

Peter Wulfhorst AICP is an Economic & Community 

Development Educator with Penn State Cooperative 

Extension in Pike County and is on the Leadership 

Pike steering committee. He can be reached at (570) 

296-3400 or ptw3@psu.edu. 


Photo credit: Pocono Business Journal 

Does your office 

measure up? 

Road Show Part 2 

January’s Business and Books presentation was 

“Editors on the Road Part 2: Using PBJ as a 

Tool to Grow Your Business.” PBJ Publisher 

Marynell Strunk and Editor Debbie Burke led a 

discussion to an audience of a dozen area professionals, 

covering networking, finding prospects 

and cultivating leads from the pages of PBJ. In 

photo, Strunk (at left) speaks to Cassandra Wiggins 

of NuSkin Enterprises of East Stroudsburg. 

Coming this month: CareerLink, The Employer, 

and The Job Seeker, on Thursday, February 19 

at 5:30 p.m. at Borders (Shoppes at Stroud). Call 

(570) 421-0100 or see our Calendar of Events in 

this issue for more information. 

Small Business Energy Efficiency 

Grant Program Now Open 

The new Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant Program provides a 25 

percent match, up to $25,000, for equipment or processes that significantly improve 

energy efficiency. The program is the first available through the Alternative 

Energy Investment Fund, part of Governor Edward G. Rendell’s Energy Independence 

Strategy. Grants will apply to energy efficiency improvements on systems 

such as lighting, heating, cooling, refrigeration and process machinery, as well as 

building insulation and weatherization improvement projects. 

An eligible applicant must be an independent, for-profit business with 100 

employees or fewer, located in Pennsylvania. The project must save at least 20 

percent annually in energy-related expenses, with a minimum savings of $1,000 

per year. Examples of eligible small businesses include manufacturers, retailers, 

service providers, mining businesses and agricultural operations. 

The grant application and guidelines are available online at www.depweb. 

state.pa.us, keyword: Small Business Energy Efficiency Grant, or by contacting 

the Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Technology 

Deployment, 15th Floor, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 400 Market Street, 

P. O. Box 8772, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8772, by e-mail at rasbgrants@state.pa.us, 

or call (717) 783-8411 for more information. 

Applications will be accepted through May 1, 2009. Grants will be awarded 

on a first-come, first-served basis. A total of $3 million is available for this grant 

round. In addition to the Small Business Energy Efficiency Program, the state 

will unveil a number of new energy conservation programs and alternative energy 

investment programs in the next couple of months that will benefit the state’s 

power consumers at work and at home and protect the environment. 

Save 10% on any 

weeknight service 

with this ad. 

Maid To Order 610-295-9227 www.MTOpa.com


SRO At West End Expo 

Held at the American Legion in Gilbert, the West End Business Group 

Expo last month saw an array of West End-based businesses offering 

accounting and business software, healthy living products, granite 

countertops, and catering, and also included the Monroe County 

Transit Authority, the PA Dept of Treasury and a representative from 

Sen. Patrick Browne’s office. The standing room only event is the first 

annual expo for the WEBG (www.westendbusinessgroup.com). Shown 

in photo (from left) are Janet Holmes of JanRich Enterprises (Bartonsville), 

and “Mr. Pork,” caterer Stuart Kessler from Royal Gourmet 

Foods (Nazareth). 

By Debbie Burke 


EDITOR’S PICK – BOOK REVIEW 


NEWS 

What We Buy And Who We Are” 

An insightful, narrative account of the ‘new’ 

consumer and how this isn’t your father’s advertising 

anymore. Rob Walker, former “Consumed” 

columnist for the New York Times Magazine, was 

on assignment to report on the beginnings of the 

energy drink 

trend (specifically, 

tracking 

the progress of, 

and consumers’ 

reception to, 

Red Bull) when 

he seized upon 

a notion. While 

the current 

wisdom tells us 

that consumers 

have become 

more savvy 

and seemingly 

impenetrable, 

our credit card 

debt is up and 

there is no lack 

of “logoed apparel on city streets and in malls.” Why 

is that? 

Walker talks about the “postclick” world, where 

because of today’s technology, traditional advertising 

methods are irrelevant. Consumers decide how 

to share their product experiences with a public they 

themselves define (think, a posting on your blog 

about a zippy little car that you love, or a photo you 

take with your cell phone and forward to your list of 

contacts, showing a restaurant whose food you hate). 

The DIY (Do-It-Yourself) movement endeavors 

to offer an alternative to the mass-produced, and, according 

to the author, provides an emotional and direct 

connection to its maker (artist, artisan, or craftsperson). 

The irony is that many of the DIYers are, when they 

crochet iPod covers or make their one-of-a-kind clunky 

jewelry, using raw materials that are – guess what – 

products of the global supply chain. 

Marketing professionals and business owners will 

not get tips for breaking through the public’s psyche, 

nor will this book provide answers to staying ahead of 

the curve by creating products that consumers don’t yet 

know that they need. But “Buying In” is definitely a 

worthy journey through early ad campaigns, viral marketing, 

how brands become their own pop culture, and 

the struggles that consumers have when they purchase. 

One can only hope to have the wild success that 

Tylenol enjoyed when BrainResrve (a trend-spotting 

and consulting company) was at the helm. Using a 

non-traditional strategy in building the Tylenol brand, 

BrainReserve enlisted so-called “pain partners” such as 

underground filmmakers and artists, built a skateboard 

park, and infiltrated youth e-zines (online magazines) 

that got the product an abundance of attention. So 

much that Saturday Night Live spoofed it in a phony 

commercial, spurring Fortune Magazine to say of the 

campaign, “That kind of exposure is priceless: It can’t 

be TiVoed out.” 

Image courtesy of Random House “Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between 

“Buying In: The Secret Dialogue Between What We 

Buy and Who We Are” 

Author: Rob Walker 

Publisher: Random House 

ISBN: 978-1-4000-6391-8 

Price: $25.00 

Book courtesy of Random House. PBJ’s review and this 

book are available at Borders Stroudsburg. 

Casey: Stimulus Should Be Timely, 

Targeted And Transformative 

U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, 

recently sent a letter to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and to 

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) outlining his priorities for 

the upcoming stimulus package. 

Casey’s specific suggestions included the following investment (among others 

not here noted) in the economic recovery package: 

Supporting Small Businesses and Manufacturing – “To help small businesses 

compete, I propose (1) increasing the availability of microloans for prospective 

small businesses and emerging entrepreneurs; (2) an extension of the Section 179 

business investment expense deduction, which will encourage small businesses to 

make investments; and, finally, (3) a low interest loan 

program through the Small Business Administration for 

small businesses involved in technology development. 

Additionally, in order to help the manufacturing sector 

adapt to changing markets, we should immediately 

inject more funding into the Manufacturing Extension 

Partnership program.”

14 


COLUMN 

One Man’s Loss Is Another Man’s Gain 

While many families are challenged with keeping 

up with their mortgage(s), many investors are benefiting 

from the opportunities that are presenting themselves 

in our local real estate market. 

Looking back, as the Pocono market “bottomed 

out” in the mid to late nineties, investors were purchasing 

properties in our area for pennies on the dollar. 

News had traveled to New York and New Jersey 

that you could buy a three-bedroom/two-bath 1800 

square foot home (in move-in condition) for $55,000; 

three- and four-bedroom condominiums in Tannersville 

were available for $30,000; and smaller properties 

in Mt. Pocono and Tobyhanna were selling for the 

price of a car. These properties may have only needed 

paint and carpet. It was a buyers’ market. When an 

area experiences a buyer’s market, the number of 

homes on the market increases (supply), buyer activ- 

Kuck Takes Helm At PMC 


In December, Kathleen Kuck was formally 

presented as the president and CEO 

of Pocono Health System. She was chosen 

out of 100 candidates in a national search. 

Endorsements were enthusiastic. Chief of 

the Medical Staff Jonathan Goldner called 

her “one of the most talented, energetic and 

vibrant persons I know.” 

Kuck said she was “instantly happy” 

with the appointment, calling it a long-time 

career goal of hers. Plans for PMC this year 

include opening a new electrophysiology 

lab, expanding outpatient care, and building 

a new cancer center. “Our vision is to 

extend our family to our community, build 

a healthier Monroe County, and be a model 

for the country,” says Kuck. 

Co-sponsored by Northeast 

Pennsylvania Chapter of the 

Society for Human Resources 

Management (NEPA SHRM ® ) 

Residential Real Estate 

Dominick J. Sacci 

ity is low (demand) and home values drop. Since you 

could not sell these homes for a quick profit, investors 

leased them. 

As these “steals” began to disappear in the early 

part of the 2000 decade, our local market began to 

recover. Fueled by the September 11th and sub-prime 

financing, the buyers’ market became a sellers’ market, 

and the “flip” was born in the Poconos. It was an 

amazing time to be selling real estate in the Poconos: 

everything was selling, everyone was making a profit. 

Many investors created a sizable fortune for themselves. 

When our market began to come down from the 

boom in 2006, the numbers no longer worked and 

“flipping” no longer made sense. Whatever you are 

investing in, you don’t maintain profits by purchasing 

at the high and selling at the low part of a business 

cycle. 

Transitioning to 2009, real estate cycles are predictable. 

We’re in 1999 all over again. In comparison, 

our current real estate market hasn’t burst, the bottom 

isn’t falling out, but the buying opportunities are 

available again. 

While the data suggests that our property values 

(overall) will not return to those we saw in the nineties, 

the “new” values are the current opportunities. 

In Monroe County (as of December 15, 2008), with 

approximately 2600 residential properties sold, the 

Kathleen Kuck 

SHRM Learning System 

• Prepares you for the PHR or SPHR Certification exam 

• Teaches the most current HR practices 

• Provides tips to sharpen your test-taking skills 

• Strengthens your competencies and productivity 

through effective HR training 

• Earns you 35 hours toward PHR/SPHR re-certification 

COST: SHRM members: $1,500; non-members: $1,650 

Fee includes all program materials — no hidden costs. 

DATE: Saturdays: February 7 & 21, 2009 

March 7 & 21, 2009 

April 4 & 8, 2009 

100% 

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TIME: 

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LOCATION: Monroe Career & Technical Institute 

66 Laurel Lake Drive • Bartonsville, Pa. 18321 

Center for Professional Training and Development Phone: (570) 941-7582 E-mail: cptd@scranton.edu Web: www.scranton.edu/cptd 

SHRM ad 4.8125x3.375.indd 1 11/12/08 4:07:33 PM 

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average sales price was $180,090. For the same time 

frame, we had approximately 500 foreclosure sales, 

with an average sales price of $125,000. We have 

a manageable 19% foreclosure rate in our current 

residential sales; this is affording many investors an 

opportunity that we have not witnessed in eight years. 

As I write this column, you can purchase 3 bedroom 

properties in the Mt. Pocono & Tobyhanna areas in 

the $30-40,000 range. 

If history repeats itself, we should see this buying 

opportunity continue for the next several years, with a 

bottoming out somewhere over the next couple years. 

While sellers are challenged with being patient for a 

real estate recovery, opportunity is once again knocking 

for buyers. In this economy, he who prepared for 

a rainy day and is able to answer the door will build 

himself a small fortune. 

Dominick J. Sacci is vice president and general 

manager for Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate 

Wilkins & Associates and has been tracking market 

statistics for the last nine years. Market data was 

compiled from the Pocono Mountain Association of 

Realtors MLS system. Readers can discuss the residential 

real estate market with Sacci at www.pbjonline.com/blog. 

Carbon County is now the home of a pilot program to gather input from students 

and educators which will eventually become a multi-faceted tool to get job 

seekers and employers together. 

Called eFolio Pennsylvania, it borrows from the Facebook or MySpace approach 

to social networking, and is aimed at getting the right résumés into the hands 

of interested employers. “It’s based on the system we launched in state of Minnesota 

several years ago,” says Eric Johnson, the CEO of software designer Avenet, which 

is also running the trials. “Pennsylvania will use it beyond what had been done. We 

want students to use this (now on a trial basis) and then transition it to the workforce.” 

Initial interest came from Sandy Vito, acting secretary of the PA Dept. of Labor 

and Industry, who attended a presentation on the system at Lehigh Carbon Community 

College (LCCC). Vito saw a huge potential in the platform’s ability to streamline 

how employers find the right individuals to fill jobs. “EFolio will give Pennsylvania 

residents a competitive advantage in today’s technologically driven labor 

market and support economic growth in Pennsylvania by connecting employers to 

the talent they need to be successful,” says Vito. 

“PA is an early adopter. It’s really blazing a trail in economic development,” 

adds Johnson. 

EFolio will be installed at test sites including East Stroudsburg University, 

Kutztown University, Northampton Community College and LCCC, and ultimately 

rolled out for full use in the Lehigh Valley. According to ESU’s Director of Career 

Services Dennis Steigerwalt, “Through this program, students will be able to develop 

Web-based portfolios at no cost. Students will manage their education and plan 

their careers by organizing, managing, and showcasing their education, skills, career 

achievements, and experience to potential employers using this cutting edge technology.” 

For more information, visit www.efoliopa.com or call 1-888-eFolioPA (1-888- 

336-5467). 

“Making Connections Happen” 

For All Your Workforce Training and 

Recruitment Needs 

570-620-2850 

www.cwds.state.pa.us


NEWS 

Polishing Your Time Management Skills 

Business Coach 

Richard Munson 

It’s hard to concentrate amidst all the news, political 

happenings, and financial troubles. It seems like every 

headline is predicting the end of the world as we know 

it. 

Stop listening…stop watching…stop worrying! The 

most important thing you can do for yourself and your 

business right now is to stay focused on your business. 

Here are a few tips that you may find useful: 

While at work, be AT work. Turn off the TV news, 

turn off talk radio, and turn off your RSS news feeds on 

your computer. Stay focused on work. 

Focus on your customers. What do they need most 

right now? What can you do to increase your value to 

them? What can you do to get more customers? 

Focus on your employees. How can you improve 

their skills, knowledge, and ultimately their performance? 

Focus on your business. What are your goals? 

What are your strategies to achieve these goals? What is 

the most important thing to do today? 

The main key in business is focus. There have 

been a few books about the ultra successful businessman, 

John D. Rockefeller. The phrase he inspired, 

“The Rockefeller Habits,” refers to the fact that he was 

ultra-focused and always kept in mind his single most 

important goal for the day. Not three, not ten, but one. 

As business leaders we are guilty of chasing too 

many things at once. A wise man once said “Never 

chase two rabbits at one time, as both will surely get 

away.” 

The best thing we can do right now, today, is decide 

what our most important goals and strategies are to build 

our business and then focus on them. Focus on them 

singularly until accomplished. 

The next biggest challenge for the business leader 

is Time Management. The first step is to review the list 

above. The second step is to develop a Default Calendar 

for your daily activities. Interestingly enough, tasks that 

we are not particularly fond of, regardless how important, 

often get pushed off until later. Our typical excuse 

is having run out of time to do these tasks. 

The best way to tackle this issue is to set up scheduled 

times for certain activities. For example, I often 

encourage business leaders to pick an hour on Monday 

morning (usually a slow time for most businesses) to 

review the results of the past week. I also encourage 

leaders to review tomorrow’s schedule today so that you 

can be adequately prepared. 

Using a default calendar, schedule your day around 

your most important goal. For example, if acquiring 

new customers is your single biggest goal, how much 

time will you devote to that today? Any goal that you 

are really serious about should command the majority of 

your attention and time. 

Improve your focus and time management and 

improving your business will be easy. 

Richard Munson is a business coach at ActionCOACH 

NEPA. He works with businesses in NE Pennsylvania to 

improve their success and achieve their goals. He can be 

reached at richardmunson@actioncoach.com. 

While You Wait: Business Introspection Can Lead To Opportunities 

By Patrick Bresnyan 

According to marketing experts, business owners 

should seize the current economic situation as an opportunity. 

This is the time, they say, to do a full and 

honest evaluation of how you present yourself to your 

target audience. 

Krista Gromalski, co-founder of Heron’s Eye 

Communications in Greeley, says although the 

prevailing business climate provides motivation for 

businesses of all sizes to reassess their marketing 

goals and strategies, it’s wise to do this on a regular 

basis—even when the economy is healthy. 

One way to take stock now is by examining and 

tracking your data--where your clients are coming 

from and how they are finding you. Says Gromalski, 

“During leaner times, a company can use its tracking 

data to focus resources on areas that have been 

consistently growing or producing the most results. 

Essentially, you need to know if you’re hitting the 

right market.” If your marketing efforts are sending 

the right customers your way, that’s a good place to 

re-invest; if not, she advises, you need to readjust 

your efforts. But how? 

Rick Grant, a principal and founder of Rick 

Grant and Associates in Jim Thorpe, says you should 

examine your “real value proposition.” In other 

words, a business owner should market intelligently 

and specifically. “The old shotgun approach is not a 

good strategy today.” Explore new methods to reach 

your prospects, too: “It’s about really interfacing with 

your target market and engaging them in a two-way 

conversation.” This is where exploring social media 

can be extremely important. Grant explains that in addition 

to making the most out of your own Web site, 

such online tools (like Facebook or LinkedIn) allow 

businesses, customers and prospects to share information. 

Once your online presence is established, you 

then layer on additional functionality like multimedia 

presentations, chat-rooms and blogs. Although the online 

conversations are very difficult to control, when 

they are handled appropriately, “prospects will begin 

to feel like they know the company before they make 

a purchase, which makes it easier for them to do so.” 

Another ‘soft’ area that businesses should pay 

attention to is public relations — how they are viewed 

in the community. One way to build this is through 

Photo courtesy of Rick Grant 

Don’t wait; socially network 

now, says Rick Grant (Jim 

Thorpe). 

charitable and community-minded efforts. 

Tim Kelly, executive director of United Way 

of Monroe County, says that when a company is 

involved in charitable works, “it is more likely to 

be patronized by the 

community.” Even if 

a stretched budget will 

not allow you to donate 

money, you can give 

your time to help those 

in need. ”When a business 

steps up during hard 

times, it helps to rebuild 

spirit within the community 

and it shows the 

company still cares.” 

It’s okay if your main 

motivation is good PR, 

says Kelly; in fact he 

calls it “enlightened selfinterest.” 

While hoping 

such exposure will lead 

to increased profits or 

widening your prospects, 

the joy of doing the work 

soon takes over. 

Empower Yourself With A Four-Point 

Action Plan 

According to Joel Naroff, president of Naroff Economic 

Advisors, and Chief Economist at TD Bank in 

Cherry Hill, New Jersey, here are four things you can 

do to find the opportunities (you read it right) in the 

current market. 

1. Go defensive. Control expenses and look for the 

business strategies that have the biggest returns. 

Caution is the better part of valor. 

2. Recognize we will get out of this mess. Start to 

position yourself for the recovery. Are there other 

market niches to attack? 

3. Economies have a “Darwinian Aspect”: the weak 

die out, but the strong capitalize on opportunities. 

Learn lessons from the others’ mistakes while they 

are still fresh on the mind. 

4. Businesses tend to make big mistakes during the 

good times (they get sloppy), not the bad times. 

Take a good, hard look at where your own business 

might have faltered when things were good. 

STONE, CYPHERS, DEANGELO & HORNBERGER, LLP 

CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS 

• Audit, Review & Compilation Services 

• Tax Planning & Preparation for Business & Individuals 

• Business Advisory Services • Computerized Accounting Services 

421-4536 930 N. 9th Street • Stroudsburg scdh@ptd.net 

Fax: 421-4382 www.scdh.net

16 


PROFESSIONAL PROFILE 

Unique Offerings Keep 

Co-owner, Hillary Anthony. Photos courtesy of Barry Anthony. 

Books & Prints at Pear Alley 

220 Broad Street 

Milford, PA 18337 

Wednesday – Saturday 

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

(570) 296-4777 

(877) 881-2665 

Main Street Books 

923 Main Street 

Honesdale, PA 18431 

Wednesday – Saturday 

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 

(570) 253-6008 

(877) 507-7323 

25,000+ books in stock at each location. 

Antiquarian, collectible, contemporary fiction, children’s 

fiction, signed and inscribed books. Search the online 

inventory at TomFolio.com. Orders and inquiries can 

also be made directly by phone or by email to hilbar@ 

ptd.net. Mailing address: Hilbar, Inc., 412 Bishop 

Avenue, Hawley, PA 18428. 

Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. 

Owners: 

Barry & Hillary Anthony 

www.booksandbinding.com 

Much like the owner of the quaint bookshop in the film ‘You’ve Got Mail,’ 

bookstore entrepreneurs Barry and Hillary Anthony have found it tough to compete with 

such Internet giants as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Their ongoing success is due to adding 

hard-to-find services that put them in demand in the world of books. 

The Anthonys own and operate two establishments: Books & Prints, located in 

Milford, and Main Street Books in Honesdale. After purchasing a former Milford paperback 

chain in 1999, the couple turned it into a true bookstore offering every possible book (other 

than pornography), and immediately went online. Their Internet business did so well that in 

2000, they sought a second location to house their expanded stock. 

“It was never our intention to 

open a bookstore in Honesdale, but 

the walk-in business was tremendous,” 

recalls Barry, 65. “We started on Church 

St. and moved up to Main St. It became 

an immediate overnight success. Then the 

Internet business dropped off because of 

competition.” Diversification of services 

is what kept them in business. “We 

are not only a book store that offers a 

large selection of books (over 40,000 

in both stores), but also antique and 

contemporary art prints, engravings, 

etchings, and drawings.” 

Out-of-print, hard-to-find and 

collectible books are their specialty, as 

well as contemporary fiction, children’s 

fiction and signed and inscribed books. 

“We carry many books that are 

unavailable at new book stores and even 

libraries. We frequently are the ‘last hope’ 

when finding a title and enjoy being able 

to help customers find that special book they’ve been searching for, sometimes for years.” 

And then, four years ago, they began offering bookbinding, after Barry completed training 

under a world renowned bookbinder in the European tradition of formal German handbookbinding 

and restoration. 

Bookbinder’s Creed 

“A bookbinder is a craftsman of an 

perpetuated from master to apprentice 

taught the skills required to secure the 

While the armor can be beautifully a 

inside that is most important. The ul 

stewardship. The bookbinder is entru 

and to keep it from harm for generati 

The bindery at Books & Prints handles book restorations for antiquarian collectors, 

private libraries, conservatories, college libraries and historical societies. All work is done using 

a variety of hand-binding equipment and archival (acid-free) materials, including cloth, paper 

Barry Anthony 

-R


PROFESSIONAL PROFILE 

Bookstores In Business 

and leather. Surfaces are heat stamped and embossed with gold, silver and other colors. 

“Our mission is to provide an aesthetically pleasing, incomparable quality product 

at a reasonable cost, a single volume or an entire library. All books get the same close 

attention to detail and high quality workmanship, whether it’s a valuable rare collectible or 

a sentimental favorite,” says Barry. “People from New York and all over bring or ship their 

books. I think my prices are reasonable. Thank goodness we have the bookbinding because 

it does help us pick up the slack when sales are down.” 

Books & Prints also expanded to include expert custom framing, with work 

done by Hillary using archival mattes and moldings from fine woods to striking metals. 

Turnaround time is usually two weeks. The framing service complements their large 

selection of unframed vintage art prints and unique 19th century etchings and engravings 

by artists such as Jennie A. Brownscombe, Maxfield Parrish, Jessie Wilcox Smith and John J. 

Audubon. The Anthonys collaborate 

with print dealer Jeanott Barr, 

originally from Milford (now in 

Long Island). “I don’t know enough 

about art or prints – that’s an 

altogether different genre that 

you really need to study,” says 

Barry, noting the importance of 

being well-versed in one’s field of 

expertise. 

Rare books generally have 

precious value only to discerning 

collectors, a target market the 

Anthonys keep in mind with their 

promotional advertising. “It’s not a 

wide market. We’re not a traditional 

used bookstore. The bookstores 

are our biggest advertising for the 

bookbinding (side of the business) 

because tourists just browsing learn about the bookbinding and then send us stuff.” 

The business has received exposure from two other unexpected sources: their 

dog Molly, whom they dub “President of Dog Affairs,” and a surprise visit from former 

president Bill Clinton during a campaign trip last April. “People come in the store just to 

see Molly,” says Barry. “Clinton really liked her, and he spent a lot of time playing with her. 

He was with us for about forty minutes and bought nine books. Of all the stores in Milford, 

ours is the only one he went in.” 

ancient art, steeped in tradition and 

for centuries. The student must be 

fragile pages within a protective armor. 

nd skillfully made, it is the message 

timate role of the bookbinder is that of 

sted to protect the integrity of the text 

ons to come…It is a noble calling.” 

eprinted from Books and Prints Web site 

By Susan Jorstad 

Bookbinding before and after 

Molly serves as the literary mascot of Books & Print. 

What the Internet Giants Don’t Have: 

The Smell of Books 

It’s increasingly difficult for small independent 

bookstores to compete - or alone survive - amidst the vast 

Internet market, admits Barry Anthony of Books & Prints, 

Milford, and Main Street Books, Honesdale. 

Success in the current marketplace can be found by 

offering a unique product and knowing what the customer 

wants. 

“(Web business) is very difficult to compete with,” 

says Anthony. “People are leaning toward doing a lot of 

buying on the Internet. However, there’s a group of people 

who still want to handle books – to come in and experience 

the whole aspect of buying a book by touching, holding, and 

feeling it. 

“Our kind of business attracts book collectors, 

book lovers, who want to come in and look around. We 

have well over 25,000 books at each of our stores, ranging 

from antique to current books. Most of our books are used 

and antiquarian. When people start spending thousands of 

dollars for an antiquarian book, they want to see it, hold 

it. Especially with some of the mistrust that occurs on the 

Internet.” 

Recently, a customer came to the bindery at Books 

& Prints with several valuable sets he purchased online. The 

seller had neglected to mention that the rare books had 

broken bindings. 

“If you come into a store like ours, you’re able to 

decide after you actually see it and handle it. We work with 

book dealers also, who come to us to find (specific) books 

to resell. They’re particular about seeing what they’re buying.”

18 


ECONOMY 

Our Commissioners’ Voices 

Compiled by Debbie Burke 

What’s on the front burner for our county commissioners? 

They share their insights and outlook as 

2009 progresses. 

CARBON COUNTY 

William O’Gurek, Chair 

Declined to participate 

MONROE COUNTY 

Suzanne McCool, Chair 

“As many people know, 

growth has slowed down somewhat 

in Monroe County but has not 

stopped. We’re not seeing as many 

new homes being built but hopefully 

we are seeing other available homes being bought 

and renovated. Foreclosures have been up but again 

we are looking for the housing market to stabilize and 

for those homes to be refinanced by folks. 

“We know that there has been a downturn in the 

economy nationally; however we are looking for 

things to improve when President Obama takes office. 

He has a huge economic stimulus package ready to 

send to Congress the minute he takes office which 

will create millions of new jobs and put many people 

back to work. Our local economy has suffered with 

several large businesses downsizing, but we are not 

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as bad off as many areas of the country. With the ingenuity 

of the American businessperson, I believe we 

will see many of our small businesses prosper in 2009 

and will be looking at new ones to come along that 

will be focused on our present economic conditions to 

meet the needs that people have. 

“One thing that bothers me a lot is that several 

tourist-related businesses in our area employ many 

non-U.S. citizens. These folks are here legitimately 

on Visas, but shouldn’t we be offering these jobs 

to the local residents of Monroe County first? That 

disturbs me. However I believe it is a cost-saving 

measure for them as I believe they don’t have to pay 

benefits that way. This is why all Americans must 

have some type of insurance legislated. 

“Pennsylvania has unique problems that must 

be solved. We have an aging infrastructure that 

needs attention. We need to invest in Education and 

Workforce training, promote key industries, promote 

revitalization, improve brownfields, and encourage 

rehabilitation of older buildings, to name a few.” 

PIKE COUNTY 

Richard Caridi, Chair 

“As we welcome 2009, 

county commissioners across the 

state have faced tough budget decisions 

in light of the economy and 

its implications on federal and state 

budgets. Foreclosures have reached an all-time high. 

The headlines are full of dismal economic reports. In 

Pike County, the Board of 

Commissioners is sensitive 

to the economic hard- 

ships facing county taxpayers. 

We are proud to 

say that we worked very 

hard to enact a budget for 

Pike County that has only 

a small tax increase, for 

debt service on the referendum-approved 

Scenic 

Rural Character Preservation 

Program. It does not 

cut programs or personnel, 

provides for 4% pay 

increases to county staff 

and covers the cost of our 

health insurance and pen- 

sion plans. This budget is fiscally responsible to the 

taxpayers of Pike County. 

“Pike County’s rapid growth, over decades, has 

increased the demand for services. The commissioners 

are eagerly anticipating the construction of an 

Emergency Services Training Center this year. This 

facility will allow local volunteer emergency personnel 

to train close to home. Easing access to training 

for these critical volunteers will increase capacity to 

meet the growing demand for emergency services 

throughout the county. The Center will be centrally 

located in Blooming Grove Township and is currently 

going through the permitting process. Another priority 

for the county in 2009 is continuing to explore options 

for additional space to support growing county 

services, especially the growth in our judicial system. 

“These challenging economic times pose difficulties 

to many businesses. Bailouts are all over 

the news for major corporations in specific industries. 

Local businesses may wonder where they can 

get assistance. In Pike County, the county sponsors 

the Pike County Economic Development Authority, 

which is the place to call to find out what programs 

are accessible for your business needs. The University 

of Scranton Small Business Development Center 

offers assistance with business, financial and marketing 

plans, locally through its outreach at the EDA 

office, and the EDA will continue to conduct business 

retention and expansion efforts throughout 2009. The 

EDA can be reached at (570) 296-7332.” 

WAYNE COUNTY 

Anthony Herzog, 

Commissioner 

“2009 brings with it many 

challenges and many opportunities 

in Wayne County and across the 

Commonwealth. The challenges, 

of course, are led by a tight budget created by an ever 

increasing demand for mandated services and statefunded 

cutbacks. A slower building season last year 

also means less new revenue from property taxes. 

The opportunities include a chance to reevaluate all 

layers of county government from top to bottom. 

This would also include some reductions in personnel, 

review of county contracts and, with the cooperation 

of the other elected officials and department 

heads, a general belt-tightening of county operating 

expenses.” 

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NEWS 

Bring On the Popcorn, Silver Screen Still Gleaming 

By Nicholas Sergi 

When East Stroudsburg’s Grand Cinema (formerly 

Pocono Cinema) closed its doors last spring, 

some say it left a gaping cultural hole in the local 

entertainment scene. The venue was known for 

showing smaller films that movie buffs often find in 

the first-run multiplex theaters. With the theater’s 

recent reopening as Pocono Community Theater, that 

void has been filled. After its rebirth this past fall, the 

once for-profit venue is now a non-profit operation 

supervised by Ray Scheetz. 

As before, the theater will continue to offer quality 

“limited first run” films, ones that Scheetz says 

“you won’t see anywhere else.” He added that the 

art gallery, still an important part of the theater, has 

been improved by the use of professional hanging 

systems. The venue now also serves as a place for 

local playwrights to hold readings of their work. “We 

made changes to the café,” Scheetz added. “We offer 

organic coffee only.” The old bar has been replaced 

by a new one now past the lobby, with a new espresso 

machine. 

The new theater opened last November, complete 

with a red carpet gala event inside a heated tent. 

Now that Grand Cinema is a non-profit organization, 

Scheetz says, “We’ll do more with the community,” 

including partnering with East Stroudsburg 

University for its Summer Academy program. In the 

near future, ESU’s communication majors will be 

able to show their own films at the theater. 

One of the best parts of becoming a non-profit 

theater is that when local residents become members, 

they will save money on admission tickets and “they 

will also be supporting the theater that they love.” 

Scheetz is seeking corporate sponsorships, which 

have their own tailor-made benefits that can include 

on-screen advertising before a film begins in addition 

DWG Super Recommended For Top Job Under Obama 


Talk about working on some high-profile, household-name 

projects. John J. Donahue, the superintendent 

at our own Delaware Water Gap National Recreation 

Area, served as an Environmental Protection Specialist 

in the Washington DC Office of the National Parks 

Service as part of the oil spill response effort following 

the Exxon Valdez incident. When radon first rose to notoriety, 

Donahue became the first to handle radon issues 

in the northeast region as a Natural Resource Management 

Specialist at Morristown National Historical Park 

in New Jersey. He was the gardener at the John Muir 

home in the San Francisco Bay area and the gardener for 

the Cape Cod National Seashore. And he drove a cab in 

New York City. 

Now he has received the nod of recommendation 

from the environmental lobbying organization, Public 

Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) in 

Washington, DC, to be the new director of the National 

Park Service in the Obama administration. Donahue 

talked to PBJ about the necessity of a genuine partnership 

between industry and conservation. 

Business and environmental interests might be 

coming from different starting points, but there is most 

definitely a middle ground, says Donahue. “Everybody 

needs to work together. Business is about the wise use 

of resources. Conservation is about the wise use of 

resources. There have been hundreds of years of battles 

about what it means, but in the end we are trying to 

reach the same goal. We are in actually operating the 

same business model.” 

Donahue sees the page being turned to the next 

chapter of ‘green’ in this country, where economic 

development plays a vital role. “The new administration 

believes you can have a greener America and a more 

economically profitable America. The flip side of (the 

emphasis on environmentalism) is that to have wonder- 

Photo credit: Charles E. de Bourbon /BGAstudios.com 

to complimentary movie tickets. 

Another local theater that has found a unique 

niche in the entertainment market is the Casino Theatre 

and Entertainment Center in Mount Pocono. Unlike 

the Pocono Community Theater, Casino focuses 

on mainstream movies on its two screens. According 

to President Karen Struckle (who owns the facility 

along with her husband Donald), “Families can stay 

all day and find something to do.” This includes video 

games, a mini-golf course, a full service restaurant, 

an ice cream bar with a distinct 50’s décor, birthday 

parties, and perks like fully home-cooked meals that 

are made to order. Says Struckle, “They are served 

on special trays, and we will even serve them at your 

seat in the theater if you are running a little late for 

your movie.” The business is committed to offering 

patrons cheaper ticket prices and concessions than 

the major multiplexes on a daily basis, with special 

programs for seniors and families on Mondays and 

Tuesdays. 


Mt. Pocono’s Casino Theater owners, Donald and Karen 

Struckle. 

John Donahue 

ful natural resources you have to have an economy in 

the local area. Developers are very forward thinking. 

They buy land now for projects 20 years in the future. 

They’ve grown to appreciate what they sell- they’re 

selling the national park, the game lands, the river, the 

beauty and joy of recreation that surrounds us. They 

need to be part of the process. 

You want to have an 

economy for our children to 

return here and work here, 

but they also want to live 

here because it’s a beautiful 

place. The Parks Service 

cannot do it alone. The 

business community has to 

be part of it. It’s time we 

embrace them.” 

His brainchild, Mission 

2008 Stats Are In: People 

Still Go to the Movies 

The uncertain economic climate, coupled 

with ticket prices peaking at $10 a pop along 

with the prices that patrons face at theater 

concession stands, apparently hasn’t had a 

lasting effect on the film industry. “It’s still 

one of the cheaper forms of entertainment,” 

says Struckle. An avid devotee of the medium, 

Struckle hasn’t noticed a significant 

decline in ticket sales. In fact, according to 

The Hollywood Reporter, 2008 experienced 

“a furious gallop to post a 12-month domestic 

box office almost 2% higher than the yearearlier 

tally, with an unprecedented $9.78 billion 

in estimated grosses.” (“Box Office Sets 

Record in 2008,” Jan. 4, 2009.) 

Not only is going to the movies relatively 

inexpensive when compared to other recreational 

activities outside the household, but 

it can also fill a need that goes beyond mere 

entertainment, according to psychologist Jesse 

Tepper, who has offices in Lords Valley (Pike 

County) and Manhattan. “The movies level 

the playing field. Everyone is a viewer, and is 

an accepted member of society.” All moviegoers 

will share the same experience no matter 

how rich or how poor they are. 

Films can also be a way for some people 

to deal with their stress. “They can help an 

individual create and put into effect a solution 

to their situation. Films represent hope, and a 

different view on life.” Tepper believes it’s a 

safe form of escapism. “It talks to their need 

to get away from painful realities. It’s not 

money wasted.” 

2016, will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the National 

Parks Service. But his goal is to make it meaningful. 

“Let’s not wait until 2015 and just have a parade. Let’s 

look at issues: mining, timbering, the wilderness.” Procrastination 

has been pervasive; but for any real progress 

to be achieved, he says it’s time to move from theory 

to action. “There are 22 wilderness proposals sitting in 

Congress, some since Nixon. We should not be allowing 

things to sit around 30 years. It becomes absurd.” 

Whoever is chosen to head the NPS, Donahue feels 

“it’s a great moment in time for the nation and the National 

Parks Service.” What’s important is that the next 

director institutes policies that are in tune with the goals 

of the President and Vice President. 

The Dingmans Ferry resident has gotten more than 

a bird’s eye view of America, yet his fondest words are 

for northeast Pennsylvania. “Where else can you sit on 

your back porch and look at bear and deer and turkey, 

and have lunch at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or 

the Museum of Fine Art in Philadelphia? We have the 

best of both worlds and access to every kind of culture. 

It’s not a blend you can find in other places.” 

Editor’s Note: For immediate updates on this story, visit 

www.pbjonline.com. 

Holly R. Corcoran, 

CPA, Inc. 

Certified Public Accountant 

Quality professional accounting and tax services for 

businesses & individuals since 1991. 

QuickBooks ® Pro-Advisors 

For Appointment Call 

570-420-8656

20 


LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP 

Legislative Roundup 

Compiled by Debbie Burke 

For this issue we asked our elected officials: 

What pending or future pieces of legislation provide 

optimism to help Pocono business owners prepare for 

an economic upturn? 

Sen. Lisa Baker (R, 20) 

“Given the troubles in the economy and the serious 

shortfalls in state revenue, we have to look for ways and 

places to cut state spending. A lot of those tough choices 

involve deciding what state government can do well in 

terms of providing services. There is a clear imperative to 

discontinue state programs that are no longer productive or 

necessary. Our determination to hold the line on taxes is 

the most productive thing to be done to position employers 

for the recovery.” 

Sen. Lisa M. Boscola (D, 18) 

“The General Assembly in Harrisburg needs to closely 

examine legislation in the new 2009-2010 session that will 

bring job growth not only to the Pocono region, but to the 

entire Commonwealth. Helping our current small businesses 

will be key in this endeavor. I have always been 

a strong believer and supporter of our Small Business 

Development Centers (SBDC) throughout Pennsylvania. 

Now more than ever - and during the upcoming state 

budget cycle - the state legislature needs to continue this 

support. Even with the economic downturn clients who 

worked hand-in-hand with our SBDCs saw success. 80% 

of SBDC-assisted businesses are still in operation 6 to 8 

years after receiving assistance from their SBDC. These 

individuals survive at a rate 35% higher than the population 

of new businesses within the U.S. That is why we 

need to continue supporting the SBDC centers that serve 

the Pocono Mountain region.” 

Sen. Patrick M. Browne (R, 16) 

“The most effective way to help job creators in recessionary 

periods is to reduce the costs imposed on them by state 

government. Accordingly, at the beginning of the new 

session, I will be re-introducing the Tax Stimulus Package, 

which passed the Senate last year. The Tax Stimulus 

Package would expand the ability of businesses to use 

operating losses to offset their tax liabilities, increase the 

number of working families who would receive forgiveness 

from Pennsylvanian income taxes, double the amount (to 

$50,000) that small businesses may deduct for investment 

in property and equipment, and eliminate corporate net 

income taxes on investment in property and employees.” 

Rep. Mike Carroll (D, 118) 

“President Barack Obama is considering a federal stimulus 

package that would help create or save 3 million jobs over 

the next two years and provide funding to repair roads and 

bridges, support environmentally friendly technology and 

construction, and build and renovate schools. It would also 

offer tax cuts and help states pay for Medicaid health care, 

coverage for the poor. The Poconos have many bridge and 

road projects that could be started immediately with the 

infusion of federal funding, and our region would benefit 

from the job creation that would result in these and other 

projects.” 

Rep. Sandra Major 

(R, 111) 

“Many people in my 

legislative district are 

anticipating the economic 

benefits that will 

come from the Marcellus 

Shale gas deposit. I will 

reintroduce legislation 

that will encourage the 

development of our 

natural energy resources, 

while at the same time 

affording protections to 

Pennsylvania landowners 

situated in the 

Marcellus Shale region. 

Businesses in the region 

will benefit if we are 

successful stewards of 

this resource. The General 

Assembly convened 

on Jan. 6 and the governor 

(has presented) his 

budget in early February 

when formal consideration 

of legislation (has 

begun).” 

Rep. Keith McCall 

(D, 122) 

“While the House just 

reorganized for the 2009- 

2010 session and there 

are no formal pieces of 

legislation just yet, we 

are going to continue and 

expand our efforts to cut 

business taxes and invest 

in our infrastructure to 

give entrepreneurs the 

tools they need to create 

good-paying jobs and 

expand the economy in 

the fastest-growing area 

of our state. We’re going 

to do more for smaller start-ups with our continuing dedication 

to eliminating the Capital Stock & Franchise Tax 

and expand the Net Operating Loss Carry-Forward. We’re 

going to build on the record of success with the Keystone 

Opportunity Zones and do more for companies that choose 

to build and expand onto brownfields – protecting our 

green spaces while saving money on infrastructure needs. 

Lastly, we’re going to continue to invest in education and 

encourage more partnerships with businesses and our community 

colleges. We’ve already got the best location to do 

business, and the next priority is making sure we have a 

well-trained workforce ready to step into the high-tech jobs 

that will continue to drive our economy.” 

Sen. Robert J. Mellow (D, 22) 

“The combination of stimulus legislation on both the 

federal and state levels will churn the economy, generate 

optimism and stir growth in business opportunities in the 

Poconos. The new trillion dollar federal stimulus plan, 

likely to be adopted in the very near future, will include 

more dollars for individuals in their paychecks. This will 

free up cash in a tight market and quell short-term economic 

doubts while spurring the purchase of local products, 

boosting tourism to our destination spots and creating jobs 

in retail and services. On the state side, the new alternative 

fuels initiative that invests millions of state dollars in 

renewable energy projects is combined with hundreds of 

millions in funds for water and sewer upgrades to renew 

our infrastructure for immediate development. The result 

is that the development of the new ‘green jobs’ industry 

builds on our ample natural resources and serves as an 

economic pivot point for future generations.” 

Sen. Raphael J. Musto (D, 14) 

Unavailable for comment. 

Rep. Mike Peifer (R, 139) 

“We need to continue moving toward decreasing the 

taxes that businesses large and small pay, even as we face 

challenges in our state and national economy. We have to 

remember that small businesses are the engine of the economy, 

and they sometimes can benefit from state programs 

such as low-interest loans to help them to stay competitive 

and continue to create jobs.” 

Rep. Mario M. Scavello (R, 176) 

“Ideally, corporate tax rates will decrease in 2009, which 

will attract more businesses to locate in Pennsylvania. 

Decreases in the corporate net income tax, the capital 

stock and franchise tax and in workers’ compensation 

rates would do wonders to encourage businesses located in 

other states to create jobs in the Poconos. It’s going to be 

a tough economic climate this budget year, but that would 

offer the biggest stimulus to job creation in our region.” 

Rep. John J. Siptroth (D, 189) 


Rep. Edward G. Staback (D, 115) 



www.pbjonline.com


NEWS 

Where do we go from here? 

Q&A with PA’s Top Economic Development Exec 


How does the national economic picture play out 

on a local level? PBJ caught up with DCED’s Executive 

Deputy Secretary John Blake (now acting Secretary after 

the resignation of Secretary Dennis Yablonsky) to find 

out what we in Pennsylvania - and in the Pocono region 

- can expect; and how we can be prepared, and be part 

of, the economic turnaround. 

PBJ: You were most recently the director of 

the Governor’s Northeast Region, which geographically 

covers a wide swath. What issues 

and challenges do these counties have in common? 

And, how is NE different from the other 

regions in the state? 

John Blake: The Northeast Regional Office encompasses 

15 counties and at least four distinct areas: the 

Northern Tier, the Lackawanna-Luzerne Corridor, the 

Poconos, and the Lehigh Valley. Each has its own history 

and unique characteristics and attributes, and these 

distinctions are part of what make northeastern PA such 

a desirable place for people and for business. What also 

sets the region apart from other regions of the state are 

the transportation infrastructure, and its close proximity 

to several major cities along the eastern seaboard. 

All communities in the state and certainly those in 

northeastern PA are struggling with the recent economic 

slowdown. There is considerable anxiety due to recent 

job losses and the drop in revenues necessary to meet 

basic needs. That said, communities such as those in 

northeast PA that are unique and diverse and that offer a 

good quality of life and a very competitive cost of doing 

business will continue to attract people, families and 

new business investment. 

The land that is now the Valley View Business Park, 

near where I live in Archbald, is a good example of a 

challenge met in the region. Years of coal mining had 

left the land almost useless and with every rainfall the 

acid mine runoff from that acreage threatened the water 

quality of the Lackawanna River watershed. This site 

has been transformed as a direct result of the public-private 

partnership made possible by Governor Rendell’s 

economic stimulus package. We created and expanded 

resources like the Infrastructure and Facilities Improvement 

Program, Business in Our Sites and other site preparation 

and infrastructure funding to clean brownfield 

sites, install utilities, pave roads and complete other site 

improvements that have made these sites shovel-ready 

for new business. With the help of our more than $11 

million in new state investment, the Valley View Business 

Park is now attracting business and industry and it 

is expected to create at least 5,000 jobs in the long term. 

We have also allocated more than $16 million from various 

programs to assist in the development of Sterling 

Business Park in Wayne County; the Penn Regional 

Business Center; and the Pocono Mountains Corporate 

Center in Monroe County, projects that are expected to 

create another 5,000+ jobs. 

You will find that this story is playing itself out in 

many locations across the state. In southwestern PA, 

the steel industry also left a lot of scarred land needing 

remediation; in Erie, the former International Paper Mill 

site needed state assistance to restore it good use. As 

a direct result of significant state investment we have 

attracted millions of dollars in new private investment 

to the state at sites that once blighted - sites that were 

formerly environmental and economic liabilities to our 

local communities. 

The change in Pennsylvania’s economic profile has 

left us with another important challenge to address: how 

to educate and train workers in the 21st century skills 

demanded by advanced manufacturing, information 

technology, life science and other business service companies. 

DCED programs, such as WEDnet and Customized 

Job Training have helped meet this challenge. Our 

Photo courtesy of DCED 

John Blake of DCED 

Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Pocono Mountain Keystone 

Innovation Zones are bringing together education, community 

and economic development stakeholders for 

technology based economic development. These KIZs 

allow us to cultivate new business start ups that will be 

the future job creation engines in PA. 

Northeastern Pennsylvania and the Poconos also 

bring a substantial amount of tourist-related income to 

Pennsylvania. The dollars these visitors spend in restaurants, 

shops and attractions in the region are creating and 

sustaining jobs in the region. 

Our $880,000 investment from DCEDs Infrastructure 

Development Program assisted in the repair of a trestle 

at the bridge that straddles the Pike and Wayne County 

lines near Hawley. This state investment is helping 

to sustain that railroad as an attraction to both tourists 

and businesses. We are also actively involved with the 

Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau and are focusing 

and leveraging public and private investment in a large 

number of tourism-related assets in Carbon, Monroe, 

Pike and Wayne Counties. 

More information about these programs is available 

at www.newpa.com, our one-stop shop on the web 

for all the grants, loans and other programs available 

through DCED. 

As business owners brace for the worst, what 

encouraging signs do you see for 2009 that will 

help pull us through? 

There are several things that will help make the cost 

of doing business a little more affordable. On a relative 

basis, interest rates and energy prices are currently low. 

Business owners in northeastern PA have a large pool of 

available job seekers who are highly educated and hard 

working. 

It is also worth noting that long before infrastructure 

became the federal ‘buzzword,’ we were allocating 

funds to pave roads, install utilities, water and sewer 

lines, and cleanup our brownfields. Many Pennsylvania 

residents saw the importance of this as well and, in 

November, a majority of voters approved a $400 million 

bond issue that will allow the state to award grants and 

loans for essential water treatment systems and pipeline 

upgrades. 

We continue to expand programs like our Keystone 

Opportunity Zones, which offer tax incentives to spur 

private investment, economic development and job 

creation. This program was instrumental in convincing 

Olympus to locate in the Bethlehem area and Caremark 

to open in Wilkes-Barre. 

Our legislature recently passed the $650 million 

alternative energy fund, creating new resources that, 

when used to the fullest potential, will save families and 

small businesses money on their energy bills and drive 

new investment in growth in one of the fastest growing 

and most important new industries in the state -- alterna- 

tive and renewable energy. We are also aggressively 

targeting companies that manufacture products in the 

supply chain of this industry -- in the products that drive 

to energy conservation and energy efficiency so Pennsylvania 

can compete nationally and with countries around 

the world for the jobs and the investment in this space. 

This will assure economic growth, more stable and 

predictable energy costs for PA homes and businesses, 

and importantly, energy independence by reducing our 

reliance on foreign oil. 

By working with organizations such as the Northeast 

Pennsylvania Alliance, Pocono Mountains Industries, 

the Pike County Chamber of Commerce, and 

Wayne County Economic Development Corporation as 

well as with other chambers of commerce, economic 

development agencies in the region, and, of course, our 

businesses and academic communities, we have managed 

to stay on par or ahead of our competition. I am 

confident that the resilience of these working relationships 

will help us through the current economic downturn 

and ensure that northeastern PA be in great position 

to grow as our state and national economy turn around. 

If you had to prioritize, where’s the best place 

for small businesses to invest capital right 

now: machinery, technology, workforce development, 

or other? 

In today’s globalized economy, where capital flows 

to the most productive and profitable endeavors, investments 

in technology and workforce development are 

important for most small businesses hoping to grow. 

Human capital is one of a business’s most important 

assets. 

No two companies are alike in their funding needs; 

a business assistance plan that might work for one company 

may not work for another. Many companies that 

expand or locate in Pennsylvania are offered funding 

packages tailored to their needs and that are appropriate 

to the nature of the investment and jobs pledged for the 

project. For instance, Ideal Steel Supply Corporation 

[based in NYC] was offered an assistance package worth 

nearly $2.5 million from some of our job training, equipment 

funding and other business assistance programs 

to move from New York to Wayne County. The Weiler 

Corporation was offered an assistance package worth 

$2.2 million from similar programs to expand its operations 

in Monroe County. These public commitments 

are only possible when private business investment and 

job retention or job creation commitments are made for 

our state. 

Has the basic business model of success 

changed because of the current upheaval and 

uncertainty? If so, what does the new model 

look like? 

The basic business model has not changed, but what 

should be apparent from this current economic downturn 

is that debt-fueled demand is not good for individuals, 

businesses, or the economy as a whole. Business 

expansion should take into account real-income demand 

of customers, rather than debt-fueled demand, which is 

unsustainable. Part of the reason you are seeing businesses 

cut jobs and close stores is there was a misguided 

perception among business owners that consumers 

would continue to spend money at ever-increasing 

levels. Debt-fueled growth has led to a major economic 

correction that should bring spending back into line with 

real income growth. 

see BLAKE page 22

22 

BLAKE... cont. from page 21 

What’s the best way to reach today’s skittish 

consumers? 

Providing a quality product or service and being 

responsive to customers’ needs will translate to repeat 

customers. Word-of-mouth recommendations will also 

go a long way. People need to remember that there is a 

distinction between the stock market and larger economy. 

They should look to regional economic activity 

as a measure of confidence and not be discouraged by 

the daily volatility on Wall Street. There is lots of noise 

out there. The key is to cut through to the facts. There 

are great businesses and great business opportunities in 

PA. Our work ethic, productivity and the quality of our 

products and services will carry the day. 

Do you think job creation will be down significantly 

when we are able to take a full snapshot 

of 2009 at the end of the year? 

Job creation will continue to be a challenge in 

2009. However, the Obama administration’s economic 

recovery and investment package (once passed into law) 

should begin to instill more confidence in the American 

public, which in turn will lead to more investment on 

the part of small businesses and entrepreneurs. Small 

business investment and growth will be the key to job 

creation in 2009 and 2010. 

We do have history on our side as we begin 2009. 

As of November, the last month that we have a full 

picture of workforce data available, we learned that 

there have been more than 130,000 jobs created in the 

Commonwealth since Governor Rendell first took office 

in 2003. November’s state unemployment rate was also 

below the national average, which was the 69th time in 


FOCUS NEWS LIST 

the past 71 months that has happened. These results are 

largely because of the investments we have made in our 

businesses, infrastructure and our core communities. 

Later this year, we hope to notify those who have 

received allocations from gaming fund revenues in 

Luzerne County, Monroe County, and all the counties 

contiguous to Monroe to support their economic development, 

health and safety, public interest or community 

improvement. These projects will be yet another source 

of stimulus for the Poconos and northeastern Pennsylvania. 

We know that these and all our investments will 

continue to sustain and create good-paying jobs for 

residents of the northeast region of the state. 

What is your primary goal as acting 

Secretary? 

I am fortunate in that a great foundation for Pennsylvania’s 

prosperity was prepared for me by my 

predecessor, DCED Secretary Dennis Yablonsky. With 

the same dedication, commitment to excellence and 

performance expectations I want to sustain the success 

we’ve had over the past six years and meet the new challenges 

of this sluggish economy. This means focusing 

and leveraging scarce public resources, identifying the 

projects that are most value-adding and that will sustain 

positive economic impact over time and then finding 

ways to swift implementation of those projects. Under 

the Governor’s direction, we have committed more than 

$3.5 billion from his economic stimulus package to 

projects around the state. This investment has leveraged 

more than $8.5 billion in other non-state funding. We 

certainly intend to build on this – as the livelihood and 

the quality of life for more than 12 million Pennsylvanians 

depends on it. 

John Blake has over 25 years of experience in housing, community 

development and economic development in both the 

private and public sector. Prior to joining DCED, he was 

director for the Northeast Office of the Governor. He also 

served as vice president and Senior Development Advisor for 

PNC Bank; and was executive director for the Lackawanna 

County Redevelopment Authority. Blake will manage DCED’s 

$600 million budget. He will represent DCED on the Commonwealth 

Financing Authority, the PA Energy Development 

Authority, the Team PA Foundation, among others, and he will 

chair the Governor’s Economic Development Committee of the 

Cabinet. 

Shout the news from 

your “green” rooftop: 

The Second Annual PBJ 

“Green List” is coming! 

In our April 2009 issue, Pocono Business 

Journal highlights the top ten firms 

throughout the Pocono region that have demonstrably 

impacted our environment for 

the better. We seek businesses that are truly 

stewards of the environment, with programs 

to minimize waste, re-use resources, 

and encourage employees to be more 

environmentally responsible. Each of the 

top entries will be featured in a mini-profile 

and receive a certificate from PBJ, along 

with a complimentary subscription. Please 

send all nominations to editor@pbjonline. 

com. Nominations are due March 2, 2009. 

Look for criteria and other details online 

at http://www.pbjonline.com or download 

the application from http://www.pbjonline. 

com/documents/GreenListApplication.pdf.

Anderson- Bryant Anderson of the Tobyhanna Army Depot 

has been appointed chief of the CECOM Life Cycle Management 

Command Field Office and CECOM’s liaison to 

the depot and Defense Distribution Depot. Anderson fosters 

communication between the DDTP, the depot, and CECOM. 

Baker- Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) will hold her seat as chair 

of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness 

Committee. Baker will also serve as vice chair of the Communications 

and Technology Committee and as a member 

of the Appropriations, Aging and Youth, Environmental 

Resources and Energy, and Public Health and Welfare committees. 

She will play a role in helping provide legislative 

oversight for spending on state programs. 

Bartholomew - Jane Bartholomew joined Century 21 in 

Mountainhome as a sales associate. 

Cestone - June Cestone of Barbara Samet Real Estate was 

elected to the board of directors of Pocono Mountains 

Association of Realtors. She was also elected Community 

Services Committee Chairperson. 

Chaladoff - Eileen Chaladoff, an agent with Prudential Associates, 

has been re-elected president of Pocono Mountains 

Association of Realtors. 

D’Adamo - Heather D’Adamo, broker/owner of Coldwell 

Banker Phyllis Rubin Real Estate, was elected to the board 

of directors of Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors. 

Davis- Shala Davis, professor of exercise science at East 

Stroudsburg University, was awarded the Mid-Atlantic 

American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Award for 

Service at the Mid-Atlantic ACSM’s Regional Conference in 

Harrisburg. Dr. Davis has served the chapter for ten years as 

a board member, past president, and currently as the chapter 

liaison to the National ACSM. 

Davis – Wendy Davis has been promoted to community 

office manager of Wayne Bank’s Shohola branch. She had 

served as an assistant manager at Shohola. 

Demorizi-Ortiz – Rosie Demorizi-Ortiz has been promoted 

to community office manager of Wayne Bank’s Tannersville 

branch. Prior to that she served as customer service representative 

in the same branch. 

Dumback- Laura Dumback of the Tobyhanna Army Depot 

has earned the Army Materiel Command’s 2008 Outstanding 

Employee of the Year award. Dumback’s perseverance has 

earned the profoundly deaf employee two promotions and 

this formal recognition. 

Ertel- Dr. Pamela Kramer Ertel of East Stroudsburg University 

recently served as a contributing author for KDP Connect: 

Working Together to Support New Teachers’ Success: 

Module 1: Teacher Induction & Mentoring (New Teacher 

Workbook) and KDP Connect: Working Together to Support 

New Teachers’ Success: Module 1: Teacher Induction & 

Mentoring (Facilitator’s Guide). The KDP Connect assists 

educators in their first years of teaching. 

Franc - John Franc of Keller Williams Realty was elected 

to the board of directors of Pocono Mountains Association 

of Realtors. He was also elected MLS Committee Vice 

Chairperson. 

Freeman - Douglas A. Freeman, Realty World Becky 

Freeman and Associates, was elected Government Affairs 

Committee Chairperson for Pocono Mountains Association 

of Realtors. 

Glamann – Marianne Glamann has been promoted to vice 

president and regional manager of the Monroe County market 

at Wayne Bank. She had served as a community office 

manager at the Marshalls Creek branch. 

Graver – Christina Graver, Marketing Coordinator of 

Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate & 

Property Management (MB&A) was presented with the 

third-annual “Tammy Miller Memorial Team Player” award 


BUSINESS BRIEFS 

WHO’s WHO 

ANDERSON BAKER DUMBACK GRAVER ORBINATI PELLINGTON PERICH SAAR STARRETT 

at MB&A’s annual holiday celebration. The award is in 

remembrance of Tammy Miller, the company’s former Marketing 

Director. 

Grippe – Peggy Grippe of Weichert Realtors Ruffino Real 

Estate earned the Realtor of the Month title in December 

2008 for moving the most listings into a “Pending Sale” 

status at the company. 

Hawkes- Dr. Peter Hawkes, the Dean of Arts and Sciences 

at East Stroudsburg University, recently published an article 

in the Writing Center Journal titled “Vietnam Protests, Open 

Admissions, Peer Tutor Training, and the Brooklyn Institute: 

Tracing Kenneth Bruffee’s Collaborative Learning.” The article 

describes how Vietnam War protests and Open Admissions 

came to Brooklyn College in the late 60s and early 70s, 

challenging the status quo and creating conditions for change 

in the teaching of writing. 

Hoeffner- East Stroudsburg University recently awarded 

the late Warren E. Hoeffner a posthumous Honorary Doctor 

of Public Service degree at its December commencement 

ceremonies. The doctorate honors Hoeffner’s dedication and 

contributions to the university. 

Holahan- John Holahan III, president of Liberty Homes 

Custom Builders (Stroudsburg), was presented with the 2008 

Builder of the Year award by the Pocono Builders Association. 

Holahan is active in government affairs and the Penn 

State Housing Research area, and was also recently recognized 

by the Pennsylvania Builders Association by being 

voted as a Life Director. 

Kim - Dr. Yun K. Kim has been named Associate Provost of 

Academic and Institutional Effectiveness at East Stroudsburg 

University. In her position Dr. Kim will be responsible 

for supporting and facilitating the initiatives associated 

with the university-wide strategic planning process, and for 

developing, implementing and maintaining an academic 

and institutional effectiveness assessment system in support 

of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Accountability 

Plan. 

Kuen – Julie Kuen has been promoted to electronic banking 

officer with Wayne Bank. Prior to this, she was electronic 

banking supervisor. 

McMullin- Dr. Robert A. McMullin, professor of hotel, 

restaurant and tourism management at East Stroudsburg 

University, wrote a chapter titled “Historical Development 

Reflects The Changing Competitive Environment” 

in the textbook Casino Management A Strategic Approach 

by Kathryn Hashimoto. Dr. McMullin also wrote another 

chapter in “Physical Plant Management in the Thirteenth 

Edition of Hospitality An Introduction by Robert A. Brymer 

and Kathryn Hashimoto.” 

Miele- Psychology professor Joe Miele of East Stroudsburg 

University recently co-authored a paper titled “Student 

opinions of the quality of teaching activities poorly predict 

pedagogical effectiveness” in a special issue on the scholarship 

of teaching in the journal Teaching of Psychology. 

Montgomery - Dave Montgomery, Jr., owner/broker of 

David Montgomery Real Estate, was elected to the board of 

directors of Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors. He 

was also elected MLS Committee Chairperson. 

Orbinati- Barry Orbinati of the Tobyhanna Army Depot 

has been appointed chief of the Surveillance, Threat Emitter 

Branch. Orbinati oversees eight production controllers and a 

logistics specialist who schedule and manage the repair and 

overhaul of Air Force and Air National Guard threat emitter 

assets. 

Pellington- Carl Pellington has recently joined design/ 

build firm Richard Henry Construction (Pocono Pines) as an 

architectural design consultant. He has an Associate’s degree 

from Penn State Worthington Scranton in Architectural 

Engineering. 

Perich - Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real 

Estate & Property Management (MB&A) announced Daniel 

Perich, CCIM, Associate Broker as the 2008 Top Producer. 

This is his fifth year in a row receiving this award. 

Primrose- Christina Primrose, broker/owner of RE/MAX/ 

Results, was re-elected treasurer of Pocono Mountains Association 


Rutkowsky - John Rutkowsky, Jr., of Keller Williams 

Realty, was elected to the board of directors of Pocono 

Mountains Association of Realtors. 

Saar- Dirk Saar of the Tobyhanna Army Depot was recently 

appointed chief of the Electronic Warfare/Electro-Optics 

Night Vision Branch. Saar will be responsible for the oversight 

of nine employees who manage, repair, and overhaul 

deployable electronic warfare, vision equipment, and associated 

components. 

Samet - Barbara G. Samet, broker/owner of Barbara Samet 

Real Estate and founder of the Pocono Real Estate Academy, 

was re-elected vice-president of Pocono Mountains Association 


Sanderson - Lisa Sanderson of BOBHAY.COM Realtors 

was elected secretary of Pocono Mountains Association of 

Realtors. 

Smith - Paulette Smith, Realty World Becky Freeman and 

Associates, was elected Web-Site Committee Chairperson 

for Pocono Mountains Association of Realtors. 

Starrett –Robert Starrett, CRB, Associate Broker of Michael 

Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate & Property 

Management (MB&A) was presented with the third-annual 

“Tammy Miller Memorial Team Player” award at MB&A’s 

annual holiday celebration. The award is in remembrance of 

Tammy Miller, the company’s former Marketing Director. 

Steigerwalt- Dr. Dennis B. Steigerwalt of East Stroudsburg 

University recently served as a presenter at the fall conference 

of the Mid-Atlantic Association for Employment in 

Education. His topic was “Digital Portfolios: Strategies for 

educating our students and implementing programs on our 

campuses.” 

Van Meter- Linda L. Van Meter of East Stroudsburg University 

recently presented her research paper “Alcohol Use and 

Depression in NCAA Division II Collegiate Student-Athletes” 

at the 116th Annual American Psychological Association 

(APA) Conference in Boston, Mass. This presentation 

was part of a symposium in conjunction with three other 

major universities including Ohio State University, University 

of Albany, and Brooklyn Polytechnic University. 

Waters- Dr. Faith Waters of East Stroudsburg University 

recently served as a contributing author in KDP Connect: 

Working Together to Support New Teachers’ Success: 

Module 1: Teacher Induction & Mentoring (New Teacher 

Workbook) and KDP Connect: Working Together to Support 

New Teachers’ Success: Module 1: Teacher Induction & 

Mentoring (Facilitator’s Guide). The KDP Connect assists 

educators in their first years of teaching. 

Wells- Kim Wells has joined Better Homes and Gardens 

Real Estate, Wilkins & Associates (Naomi Pines). She is 

most proud of her affiliation with Samaritans Purse Inc. 

where she works on residential facilities and homeless 

programs. 

Wesp- Psychology professor Rick Wesp of East Stroudsburg 

University recently co-authored a paper titled “Student 

opinions of the quality of teaching activities poorly predict 

pedagogical effectiveness” in a special issue on the scholarship 

of teaching in the journal Teaching of Psychology. 

Please send all press releases for 

consideration to editor@pbjonline.com

24 

Access Office Technologies (Stroudsburg) has been 

certified by Kyocera Mita America to sell and service the 

newly released TASKalfa Color Multifunction Product 

Series. The TASKalfa Series is built with Kyocera’s 

long-life independent mono and color consumable technology 

and features 8-bit color output and incorporating 

Kyocera’s new micro-particle toner. 

The hospitals of the Blue Mountain Health System, 

Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital in Lehighton, and 

Palmerton Hospital in Palmerton have earned Quality 

Respiratory Care Recognition (QRCR) under a national 

program aimed at helping patients and families make 

informed decisions about the quality of the respiratory 

care services available in hospitals. The QRCR program 

was started by the American Association for Respiratory 

Care in 2003 to help consumers identify those facilities 

using qualified respiratory therapists to provide respiratory 

care. 

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BUSINESS BRIEFS 

WHAT’s WHAT 

BlueStone Gallery opened last month in Milford. 

Gallery owner Robert Levine features a collection of 

fine and functional art, and wants BlueStone Gallery to 

become a center for intimate cultural events in Milford. 

The Dale & Frances Hughes Cancer Center (Pocono 

Medical Center) recently received a Three-Year Approval 

with Commendation from The Commission on 

Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons 

(ACoS). Only one in four hospitals have attained this 

commendation and only 10% of those who applied this 

year received the commendation. A physician surveyor 

reached the decision after an extensive on-site evaluation, 

which included a review of the full scope of the 

cancer program. The program elements reviewed were 

the cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, 

clinical services, research, community outreach, 

and quality improvement. 

Dime Bank opened its sixth branch, this one in the lake 

region of Hawley. 

Dingmans Flowers has just re-opened to a new location 

in Dingmans Ferry. The business is owned and operated 

by Cathy Ryle and her daughter Joanne May. The business 

is the only full-service florist located in Dingmans 

and serving the surrounding areas. 

Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital campus (Lehighton) 

has recently opened its new Adult Behavioral 

Health Center. The program offers short-term, intensive 

treatment for adults 18 to 54 years of age diagnosed with 

mental illnesses such as major depression, anxiety, bipolar 

illness, and schizophrenia. 

The Heart Care Group, P.C., the largest independent 

cardiology practice serving the Greater Lehigh Valley, 

is opening a new office in Lehighton, PA. The office has 

21 cardiologists who are affiliated with Blue Mountain 

Health System’s Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital and 

Palmerton Hospital, and St. Luke’s Miners Memorial 

Hospital, and the major hospitals in the Lehigh Valley. 

Hotel Fauchère (Milford) was recently selected as a 

top property in Relais & Chateaux, a collection of the 

world’s finest intimate hotels and gourmet restaurants. 

Relais & Chateaux reviewed 100 finalist candidates 

around the world, and Hotel Fauchère was one of four 

United States properties to earn the distinction. Built 

in 1880, Hotel Fauchère was restored and re-opened in 

2006. The hotel has been included in the 2009 Relais and 

Chateaux guide, of which 800,000 copies are distributed 

in 60 countries. 

KKPR Marketing and Public Relations (Milford) has 

added two new services. ASK KATRINA, similar to an 

advice-column in a newspaper, will be a blog on KKPR’s 

Web site (www.kkmpr.com) where businesses can post 

questions about marketing and public relations. KKU 

(Kconceptual Kreations University) has a new topic, 

chosen each month, that will be turned into an online 

tutorial posted on KKPR’s Web site complete with video 

and downloadable materials. 

Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau is celebrating its 

75th Anniversary this year. In celebration it has created 

an online album where visitors can add their pictures to 

the ‘Pocono Mountains Family Album,’ where guests are 

POCONO 

Coming Next Month ... March 2009 Regional Business News & Resources 


Infrastructure Supreme 

encouraged to tell their stories and share their images of 

Pocono Mountains’ vacations and adventures through the 

decades. 

The Ray Price Dealerships presented The United Way 

of Monroe County with a check of $4600 on Tuesday, 

January 6. The donation is the result of the dealership’s 

‘Give Back’ campaign. From December 8-31, 2008, with 

every test drive at any Ray Price dealership, Ray Price 

donated $25 to the United Way of Monroe County. 

Maid To Order Residential and Commercial Cleaning 

LLC is expanding its commercial cleaning services into 

the Poconos. The company has over 5 years of residential 

and commercial cleaning experience in the Lehigh Valley. 

Maid To Order Residential and Commercial Cleaning 

LLC is fully insured and bonded. 

Northampton Community College is one of 119 colleges 

and universities nationwide designated by the Carnegie 

Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as 

outstanding in terms of engagement with the community. 

Community engagement has been one of three priorities 

for Northampton Community College since 2004 and has 

recently been reaffirmed as a priority for the next five 

years. 

Penn’s Northeast (Pittston) recently won two literature 

and promotion awards for Excellence from the Northeast 

Economic Developers Association. The first award is for 

an international marketing brochure that highlights the 

many advantages of relocating or expanding a foreignowned 

business in the Penn’s Northeast area. The second 

award is a marketing piece promoting available office 

space in the Penn’s Northeast region. The pocket-sized 

piece features available office buildings and land sites 

along with other appealing factors such as availability of 

a skilled workforce, prime location, a sophisticated transportation 

network and a great overall quality of life. 

Pike County Hardwood Floors and Advanced Wood 

Floors, both of Milford, has donated its services in 

refurbishing the floors of The Pike County Historical 

Society’s “Columns Museum.” 

Four Tobyhanna Army Depot organizations earned 

2008 Safety Area of Year Awards. The Tactical Vehicle 

Branch, Systems Integration and Support Directorate, 

took top honors in the Heavy Industrial Area; the Communications 

Systems Directorate’s Microwave Branch, 

earned first place in Medium/Light Industrial Area; the 

Materiel Accountability and Analysis Branch, Production 

Management Directorate, prevailed in the Administrative 

area; and the U.S. Army Test, Measurement and Diagnostic 

Equipment (TMDE) Support Center-Tobyhanna 

(TSC) walked away with the Tenant Activity Award. 

Wayne Bank (Honesdale) donated $2,000 to the Wayne 

County YMCA. Part of the contributions will go towards 

the organization’s newest projects including its expansion 

into the Wallenpaupack School District, growth of 

the Summer Day Camp and licensing of the After School 

Program. 

Please send all press releases for 

consideration to editor@pbjonline.com 

• Comprehensive Plans In The Poconos: County by county snapshot 

• Getting Around: Update on roads, tolls, bridges and bypasses 

• Through The Pipes: A close-up look at sewer capacity vs. need 

• As The Rails Drive Commerce Forward: Rail transport in the Poconos 

• Professional Profile: Power lines bring power struggle as local communities react 

www.pbjonline.com

By County: Carbon Monroe Pike Wayne 

Wayne Pike Monroe Carbon 

Computer Pals, Inc. 

E.J. Zipp Computer 

Leztek Systems 

Salsa Technologies 


FOCUS LIST 

IT SERVICES/HARDWARE 

Organization Address Phone Contact Web Site Services 

Access Office Technologies 

PC Extras 

1470 Interchange Rd. 

Lehighton, PA 18235 

973 Mahoning Rd. 

Lehighton, PA 18235 

42 W. Chipmunk Trail 

Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 

76 Bear Creek Dr. 

Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 

1070 W. Main St. 

Stroudsburg, PA 18360 



(610) 377-5321, 

(610) 377-8385 

George or Debbie www.computerpals.com 

(610) 379-9555 Edwin J. Zipp www.ejzipp.com 

(610) 730-3064 Jeffrey Leslie www.leztek.com 

(570) 325-3355 Jack Fraker www.salsatech.net 

(570) 421-0648 Jim Becker www.accessoe.com 

Sales, service, 

installation, repairs 

Online shopping, PC 

upgrades, repairs, and 

custom built machines 

Networking, upgrades, 

service, data recovery, 

security 

IT infrastructure 

services, planning, 

technical support 

Network and software 

support, hardware 

maintenance, rentals, 

equipment, training, 

research design 

(215) 243-4573 Cables, adaptors, parts 

PC Issues Corporation On-site services (845) 313-2262 Ron Colavito www.pcissues.com 

Smart Solutions 

Computing Solutions 

Tri-State Computer Center, Ltd. 

Marshall Consulting 

Radio Shack 

Stanton Office Equipment 

145 N. Ninth Street 


115 Decker Ln. 

Matamoras, PA 18336 

103 Pennsylvania Ave. 

Matamoras, PA 18336 

IGA Complex Rt. 6 

Hawley, PA 18336 

1199 Texas Palmyra 

Highway #L 




(570) 420-1104 www.icomputerhelp.com 

(570) 491-2786 

(570) 491-2959 

www.computingsolutionsus.com 

Jerry Nolte www.thisplace.com 

(570) 253-1209 marshallconsulting.biz 

(570) 253-2101 www.radioshack.com 

(570) 253-2711 

Fred Stanton 

www.stantonofficeequipment.com 

Upgrades, networking, 

training, tuneup 

Setup, security, server 

installation, data backup, 

web services 

Computer sales and 

service, networking, 

cabling, custom 

programming, 

hosting 

20 point tuneup, virus 

and spyware removal, 

data recovery, 

diagnostics, upgrades, 

desktop builds, sales, 

repair 

Servers, Networking, 

software, Web services, 

Hardware and Software 

Upgrades, Spy-Ware and 

Virus Removal 

Computer and 

equipment sales, data 

equipment maintenance, 

electronics 

Computer repairs, 

copiers, printers, 

computers, office 

furniture, supplies 

Disclaimer: If your organization is located within Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne in northeastern Pennsylvania and was not included in the listing, please contact Pocono 

Business Journal so we can ensure it is included in future editions of this focus list.

26 

February 2 

Trade Mission to Australia & New Zealand registration deadline. Travel 

to Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland, March 2-10. Cost: $500. Email 

Debbie Phillips at dphillips@nepa-alliance.org for more information. 

Brown Bag Monday, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 12:00 

p.m. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations 

required. Call (610) 379-5000 for more information. 

February 2 - 23 

Microsoft Word 2007 – Level 1, University of Scranton, Mondays, 9:00 

a.m. – 12:00 noon. Cost: $150. Call (570) 941-7582 for more information. 

Microsoft Access 2007 – Level 1, University of Scranton, Mondays, 

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $50. Call (570) 941-7582 for more information. 

February 2 – April 2 

Real Estate Salesperson Package, University of Scranton, Mondays and 

Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $385. Call (570) 941-7582 or 

email cptd@scranton.edu for more information.. 

February 3 

Navigating The Economic Storm, 7:15 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Held by 

ActionCoach of Greater Lehigh Valley/Berks, at Tek Park in Breinigsville. 

Cost: free, but registration is required. Call (610) 438-4666 for 


Business for Breakfast, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, presentation 

on Cost Accounting In These Economic Times, presented by Paul 

Conforti of Riley and Company. Cost: $10. Registration required. Call 

(570) 421-4433 for more information. 

Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Mock Interviews, 

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 

p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or 

visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for 



Only Beginning Computer Course, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Lehigh 

Carbon Community College, Schnecksville. Cost: $229. Call (610) 

799-1500 for more information.. 

Five Secrets of Successful Job Hunting, 9:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. Held 

at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit 

www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more 

information. 


Water Treatment Plant Operator Volume 1, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 

Lehigh Carbon Community College, Community Education Council. 

Cost: $459. Call (610) 799-1500 for more information. 

February 4 

LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., JR’s, Green Tree Drive, 

East Stroudsburg. Call (570) 588-4113 for more information. 

BNI Milford, 7:00 a.m., Mount Haven Resort, 123 Log Tavern Rd., 

Milford. Call Carl Pallini at (570) 296-7176 for more information. 

The Anti-Aging Benefits of Exercise, Borders Book Store in Stroudsburg, 

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Wellness programs in the workplace have 

been shown to increase productivity and employee retention. Cost: free. 

Call Jason Cronan at (570) 504-5522 for more information. 

Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 8:00 

a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 

620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org 

for more information. 

February 4 – 25 

Learn to Use Your Computer, University of Scranton, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 

p.m. Cost: $150. Call (570) 941-7582 or email cptd@scranton.edu for 


February 5 

BNI Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Burnley Workshop, Snydersville. 

Call Jim Connor at (570) 237-5869 for more information. 


CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

February 

Pesticide Applicator Certification Examinations, Monroe County 

Cooperative Extension office, 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Call the Monroe 

County Cooperative Extension office to register (570) 421-6430 or 

Chris Santore at the PA Dept. of Agriculture at (570) 836-2181 for more 

information. 

Exceptional Customer Service, Northampton Community College, 

Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Call ldi@northampton. 

edu or (610) 861-5590 for more information. 

Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink 

in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us for 


PA Small Business Portfolio Manager Training, Webinar, 10:00 a.m. 

Call (717) 783-8411 or email sbell@energyandsecurity.com for more 

information. 

February 5-26 

Microsoft Access 2008 – Level 1, University of Scranton, Thursdays, 

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $150. Call (570) 941-7582 for more information. 

February 6 

BNI Shawnee-on-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., Inn at Shawnee, 

River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or email hrccpa@ptd.net 


Beginning Access, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Lehigh Carbon Community 

College, Schnecksville campus, Call (610) 799-1500 for more information. 

Introduction to Access, Northampton Community College, Fowler 

Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Call ldi@northampton.edu or 

(610)861-5590 for more information. 

The Lost Art of Workplace Coaching, University of Scranton, 9:00 a.m. 

– 1:00 p.m. Cost: $95. Call (570) 941-7582 or email cptd@scranton.edu 


Résumé Critique, 9:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m., Employer Website Assistance, 

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state. 

pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. 


SHRM Learning System, Monroe County Career Technical Center, 

Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost: $1,500 SHRM members; $1,650 

non-members. Call (570) 629-2001 or visit www.monroecti.org for 


February 9 

Working with Teams, Northampton Community College, Fowler Center, 

8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $315. Call ldi@northampton.edu or (610) 

861-5590. 

Microsoft Project Level 1 Seminar, Northampton Community College, 

Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration 

deadline: February 2. Call (610) 861-4550 for more information. 


noon. Informal lunch with CCCC management at CCCC Office. Reservations 


Résumés & Cover Letters, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Held at the PA Career- 

Link in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us 

or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. 

February 9 -10 

ISO 9001: 2008 Internal Auditor Training, NEPIRC Training Facility, 

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Cost: $800. Call Nancy Markovich at (570) 704- 

0003 for more information. 

February 9 – March 2 

Computers for the Terrified, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Lehigh Carbon 

Community College, Schnecksville. Cost: $129. Call (610) 799-1500 


February 10 

Coaching for Improved Performance, Northampton Community 

College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $315. Call ldi@ 

northampton.edu or (610) 861-5590 for more information. 

Job and Transfer Fair, Lehigh Carbon Community College. Local employers 

needed to participate in job fair event that includes information 

for students on transferring to a four-year college. Call (610) 799-1136 


Business Card Exchange, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, 5:00 

p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Cherry Valley Bistro. Cost in advance: $10 Chamber 

members, $20 non-members; walk-ins: $15 Chamber members, $25 

non-members. Call (570) 421-4433 for more information. 

Women in Business Luncheon, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, 

Sycamore Grille, 12:00 noon. Topic: “Women’s Healthy Heart 

Awareness.” Presented by Dr. Ann Cahill of Pocono Medical Center. 

Sponsored by Nancy Cross of ESSA Bank & Trust. Cost: $15 Chamber 

Members, $18 non-members and walk-ins. Call (570) 421-4433 to 

register or for more information. 

Business 911, University of Scranton, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Topics 

include cost analysis, cash flow analysis, reducing costs and increasing 

sales, new opportunities, new marketing strategies, etc. Call (570) 941- 


Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Interview Basics, 

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 pm., Salary Negotiation, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., 

Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink 

in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or 

www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. 

February 10 – February 17 

World Wide Web Safety, University of Scranton, Tuesdays, 1:00 p.m. 

– 4:00 p.m. Cost: $99. Call (570) 941-7582 or email cptd@scranton. 

edu for more information. 


Pipefitting I, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., 

Northampton Community College, Main Campus. Cost: $240 plus 

textbook. Call Sharon Jordan at (800) 498-6158 ext. 5577 for more 

information. 

February 11 





RavingFANS, 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Scranton Area – TBD. Cost: $50. 

Call Action COACH of NEPA at (570) 517-7100 or email allisonanderson@actioncoach.com 





Principles of Lean Enterprise with Simulation, NEPIRC Training 

Facility, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $275. Call Nancy Markovich at 


Managing the Performance of Others, Northampton Community 

College, Fowler Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $315. Call (610) 

861-5590 or email ldi@northampton.edu for more information. 

Beginning Access, Lehigh Carbon Community College, Donley Center, 

8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Call (610) 799-1500 for more information. 

Microsoft PowerPoint Seminar, Northampton Community College, 

Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). Registration 


Building Your Business, Mount Pocono Borough Building, 10:00 

a.m. – 12:30 p.m. This session covers the basics needed to get started 

in business, plus an in-depth look at the business plan. Cost: $15 per 

person; pre-registration is required. Call (570) 941-7588 for more 

information. 

The First Step: Starting Your Business, University of Scranton, 5:00 

p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Covers registrations, licenses, business structures, 

taxation, assessing start-up costs, financing, and more. Cost: $10 per 

person; pre-registration is required. Call (570) 941-7588 for more 

information. 


Upgrading to MS2007 Programs, University of Scranton, Wednesdays, 

9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Cost: $99. Call (570) 941-7582 or email cptd@ 

scranton.edu for more information. 


Destination Lehigh Valley, Northampton Community College, Fowler 

Center, Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 2/25 8:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. 

This course provides training for professionals who meet visitors and 

the general public. Registration deadline: February 4. Cost: $35. Call 



Level 1 Lean Certification, NEPIRC Training Facility, Wednesdays, 

8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $1,800. Call Nancy Markovich at (570) 

704-0003 for more information. 


Only Beginning Computer Course, 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Lehigh Carbon 

Community College, Whitehall-Coplay High School. Cost: $229. 

Call (610) 799-1500 for more information. 

February 11-12 

17th Annual Pennsylvania Housing and Land Development Conference, 

Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. Visit www.engr.psu. 

edu/phrc or contact The Wayne County Builders Association at (570) 


February 12 



Situational Leadership, Northampton Community College, Fowler 

Center, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $315. Call (610) 861-5590 or email 

ldi@northampton.edu for more information. 




So You Want to be an Event Planner, Northampton Community College, 

Fowler Center, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $29. Registration 


Microsoft Excel 2007 Beginning Seminar, Northampton Community 

College, Hartzell Hall, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $95 (includes text). 

Registration deadline: February 5. Call (610) 861-4550 for more 

information. 

February 12 – February 19 

Mail Merge, University of Scranton, Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 

p.m. Cost: $125. Call (570) 941-7582 or email cptd@scranton.edu for 


see CALENDAR page 27

CALENDAR... cont. from page 26 


Computers for the Terrified, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., Lehigh Carbon 

Community College, Donley Center. Cost: $129. Call (610) 799-1500 



30-Hr. General Industry OSHA Training, Northampton Community 

College, Hartzell Hall, Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $435. 

Registration deadline: February 5. Call Sharon Jordan at (610) 861- 


February 13 




Better Business Writing, Northampton Community College, Fowler 

Center, Bethlehem. 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Call (610) 610- 


Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Employer Website Assistance, 


pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. 


Food Service Sanitation, Northampton Community College, Fowler 

Center, Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Cost: $120. Registration 

deadline: February 6. Call Deborah Maurer at (610) 332-6536 for more 

information. 

February 16 





Working in the Casino Industry, Northampton Community College, 

Fowler Center, Bethlehem. 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Cost: $35. Call (610) 


February 17 

Trade Mission to Mexico registration deadline. Travel to Mexico City, 

Guadalajara, and Monterrey, March 23-27. Cost: $250. Email Debbie 

Phillips at dphillips@nepa-alliance.org for more information. 

Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Mock Interviews, 

1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 

p.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or 

visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for 



CPR/First Aid for the Workplace, Monroe County Career & Technical 

Institute, 6:00 – 9:30 p.m. Cost: $55. Call (570) 629-2001 or visit www. 

monroecti.org for more information. 


Hands-On Mechanical Maintenance, NEPIRC Training Facility, 

Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Cost: $895. Call Nancy Markovich 

at (570) 704-0003 for more information. 


Basic Measurement Skills, NEPIRC Training Facility, Tuesdays and 

Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $495. Call Nancy Markovich 



Pharmacy Technician Basic Skills, Lehigh Carbon Community College. 

8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $799; also requires purchase of textbook. 

Call (570) 669-7010 for more information. 

February 18 

Wedding Planning Certification, Lehigh Carbon Community College, 

main campus. Cost: $750. Call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc.edu 






Value Stream Mapping, NEPIRC Training Facility, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 

p.m. Cost: $275. Call Nancy Markovich at (570) 704-0003 for more 

information. 

Building Green in PA, Pike County Builders office, 9:00 a.m. Cost: 

$10 PCBA members, $20 non-members. Light breakfast included. Call 


Career Exploration, 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Website Enrollment, 8:00 

a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. Call (570) 

620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org 


United Way of Monroe County’s Annual Awards and Community Appreciation 

Banquet, Terrace Ballroom at Pocono Manor, 5:30 p.m. Call 


The Second Step: Developing Your Business Plan, University of Scranton, 

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Covers the metrics and rules of developing a 

business plan, composing a researched narrative, financial projections, 

the lending process and documentation that lenders request, and more. 

Cost is $10 per person and pre-registration is required. Call (570) 941- 


February 19 




CALENDAR OF EVENTS 

Making Effective Presentations, Northampton Community College, 

Fowler Center, Bethlehem. 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $210. Call (610) 


5S: Workplace Organization & Standardization, Manufacturers Resource 

Center, Bethlehem, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Cost: $300. Includes 

continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and materials. Call Angie 

Bove at (610) 758-4588 or angieb@mrcpa.org for more information. 

Succession Planning for Trusted Advisors, Glenmaura National Golf 

Club, 10:00 a.m. Cost: free. Lunch provided. Call Nancy Markovich of 

NEPIRC at (570) 704-0003 for more information. 

Effective Management of Safety and Health Programs, NEPIRC Training 

Facility, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Cost: $275. Call Nancy Markovich 


Childcare provider training/Child Observation Level 2 - Unit 2: Using 

Observation to Support Children’s Development, Pike County Administration 

Building, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Cost: $5. Pre-registration is 

required on the PAKeys Web site at http://www.pakeys.org/private/ 

login_temp.asp or call (800) 528-7222. 

Website Enrollment, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Computerized O’Net 

Assessments, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink in Tannersville. 

Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state.pa.us or www. 

monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. 

Pocono Business Journal’s Business and Books series, “Career- 

Link, The Employer, and the Job Seeker,” held at Borders Shoppes 

at Stroud, 5:30 p.m. Cost: free. Presented by John Casella of 

Monroe County CareerLink. In the event of inclement weather, this 

presentation will be held on February 26. Call (570) 421-0100 for 


February 20 




Monthly Breakfast, Greater Pocono Chamber of Commerce, Pocono 

Inne Towne, 7:30 a.m. Sponsored by New Beginnings Financial Consulting, 

Inc. Cost at the door: $12 Chamber members; $18 non-members 

at the door. Call (570) 421-4433 for more information. 

Intermediate Access 2007, Carbon Community College, Schnecksville 

campus, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Call (610) 799-1500 or visit www.lccc. 

edu for more information. 

Résumé Critique, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Employer Website Assistance, 

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds. 

state.pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org for more information. 

QuickBooks Basics, Carbondale Technology Transfer Center, 9:00 a.m. 

– 4:00 p.m. This is a hands-on installation example process, as well as 

a look into payroll, reporting, and how to get the information you will 

need to run your business. Cost: $99. Basic computer skills and preregistration 

are required. Call (570) 941-7588 for more information. 

Succession Planning Event, Glenmaura National Golf Club, 10:00 a.m. 

Cost: free. Lunch provided. Call Nancy Markovich of NEPIRC at (570) 


February 21 

NEC Seminar for Licensed Electricians, Transformers & Motor Series, 

Northampton Community College, Center for Business and Industry. 

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: $65, includes lunch. Call (610) 610-691- 


February 23 




Valuing People’s Differences, Northampton Community College, The 

Learning Connection, Fowler Center, Bethlehem. Covers the importance 

of valuing all people in the workplace. 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

Cost: $210. Call (610) 861-5590 for more information. 

Résumés & Cover Letters, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Held at the PA CareerLink 

in Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state. 

pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org 

for more information 

February 24 

PA Health Information Exchange 

Summit, TechQuest PA. Held at 

Harrisburg Hilton & Towers, Market 

Square, Harrisburg, 7:30 a.m. 

– 10:00 a.m. Cost: $50. Call (717) 

635-2172 or visit techquestpa.com 


Understanding NFPA 79, NEPIRC 

Training Facility, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 

p.m. Cost: $295. Call Nancy Markovich 

at (570) 704-0003 for more 

information. 

Intro to CareerLink Services, 10:00 

a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Interview Basics, 

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., Salary 

Negotiation, 1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., 

Website Enrollment, 3:00 p.m. – 

4:00 p.m. Held at the PA Career- 

Link in Tannersville. Call (570) 

620-2850 or visit www.cwds.state. 

pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org 


Financing Your Business During Tough Economic Times, University of 

Scranton, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Representatives from traditional and 

non-traditional lending institutions will be on hand to discuss funding 

opportunities for businesses. Cost: free. Pre-registration required. Call 


February 25 





Lean for Office, NEPIRC Training Facility, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Cost: 

$275. Call Nancy Markovich at (570) 704-0003 for more information. 




Creative Options for Business, Pocono Mountains Economic Development 

Corp., held at The Inn at Pocono Manor, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

Cost: $20, includes lunch. Alternative financing for businesses; includes 

featured speakers from business, NEPA Alliance, and state government. 

Call (570) 839-1992 for more information. In case of inclement 

weather, the event will be held on Feb. 26. 

The Second Step: Developing Your Business Plan, East Stroudsburg 

University, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Covers the metrics and rules of 

developing a business plan, composing a researched narrative, financial 

projections, the lending process and documentation that lenders request, 

and more. Cost is $10 per person; pre-registration is required. Call 


February 26 






Childcare provider training - What To Do With The Mad That You Feel, 

Pike County Administration Building, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Explore 

anger and how young children can learn how to channel it into productive 

activities. Cost: $5. Pre-registration is required on the PAKeys 

Web site at http://www.pakeys.org/private/ login_temp.asp or call (800) 


February 27 


River Road, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Call (570) 420-8656 or email hrccpa@ptd.net. 

Building Your Food Business, Carbondale Technology Transfer Center, 

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Learn about developing a business plan, finding a 

niche market, safe food handling, regulatory agencies, labeling, packaging 

and pricing products. Cost: $35 per person and pre-registration is 


Computer Basics, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Employer Website Assistance, 


pa.us or www.monroecountycareerlink.org. 

Permitting and Approval Process, hosted by the Greater Pocono Chamber 

of Commerce. Includes presentations from PA Dept. of Environmental 

Protection, and PennDOT. Held at Pocono Inne Town from 9:00 

a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Call (570) 421-4433 for more information. 


SHRM Learning System, University of Scranton, Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. 

– 3:00 p.m. Cost: Cost: SHRM members $1500; non-members, $1650. 

Includes text. Call (570) 941-7582 or email cptd@scranton.edu for 


February 28 

Building Your Business, PIDCO/Pike County Chamber of Commerce, 

10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Basics needed to get started in business; indepth 

look at the business plan. Cost: $15 per person; pre-registration is 


POCONO 

BUSINESS JOURNAL 


BUSINESS TODAY 

Monday — Wednesday — Friday 

8:40 P.M. 

pennspeakradio.com 

Tune in weekly to hear the latest business news 

in the Poconos.

28 

BANKRUPTCIES 

Carbon County 

Charles A. Holland, Holland Electrical 

Contracting, Lehighton, Chapter 7 Voluntary, 

filed 1/5/09 

Monroe County 

Pardee Place,II; Pardee Place, 2nd; Pardee 

Place Construction, East Stroudsburg, Chapter 

7 Voluntary, filed 12/18/09 

Randy Chan and Barbara Chan, Nova Associates, 

Inc.; Everybody’s Cuisine, Inc., 

Stroudsburg, Chapter 13 Voluntary, filed 

12/23/08 

John A. Camacho, Pet City #3, Homeprofitslive.com, 

East Stroudsburg, Chapter 7 

Voluntary, filed 12/23/08 

Nicholas D. Tarabocchia, Shpgbg.com, 

Bushkill, Chapter 13 Voluntary, filed 

12/29/08 

Pocono Packaging Specialties, Inc., East 

Stroudsburg, Chapter 7 Voluntary, filed 

12/31/08 

William Davis Titus and Kathleen Titus, 

Crazy Ladies Dollar Plus, Stroudsburg, 

Chapter 7 Voluntary, filed 1/14/09 

Pike County 

Scott J. March and Tracy A. March, Enchantment 

LLP Milford, Chapter 13 Voluntary, 

filed 12/18/08. 

Wayne County 

Elias Forin and Ruth O. Forin, Bargain 

Finder; Reel Deal Video; Real Deal, Lake 

Ariel, Chapter 13 Voluntary, filed 12/18/08 

Elaine Errico, Land Creation, Beach Lake, 

Chapter 13 Voluntary, filed 1/8/09 

DEEDS 


East Penn Township 

Linda Becker to Charles and Lai Sin Price, 

$455,000 

Carl and Fern Troxell to Kenneth and Carlin 

Troxell, $678,000 

Kidder Township South 

Paul and Carolyn Kouroupas to Stanley 

Koreyva, $600,000 

Vito and Elizabeth Benenati to Donald Taggart 

III, $325,000 

Big Boulder Corporation to Benjamin and 

Gina Marie Chrnelich, $435,771 

Vacation Charters Ltd to Vacation Cahrters 

Ltd., $1,129,867 

Lehighton Borough 

Matthew and Patricia Millen to Millen Family 

LLC, $1,045,120 

Matthew and Patricia Millen to Millen Family 

LLC, $426,880 


Chestnuthill Township 

William and Barbara Shiffer to Chestnuthill 

Township, $560,000 

Coolbaugh Township 

Pocono Realty Company, Mount Pocono 

Campground, $480,000 

Pocono Eco Industrial Park Inc to Monroe 

County Municipal Waste Management Authority, 

$460,000 

East Stroudsburg Borough 

Harold Pascal to Pocono Medical Center, 

$385,500 

Eldred Township 

Randy Bachman and Patrick Haftl to Richard 

and Lorie Zilmer, $625,000 

Jackson Township 

LTS Development LLC to Jeffrey and Juana 

Kolmos, $414,800 

Larry and Nancy Hilliard to Jackson Township, 

$500,000 

Middle Smithfield Township 

Leslie and Louis Frye to Caesar and Rolanda 

Carter, $370,000 

HDD Land LLC to Oriental Builders and 

Developers Inc., $522,000 


LTS Development LLC to Dwayne Murray 

and Lavonda Edwards, $319,300 

Pocono Township 

PNC Bank NA to ARC PA-QRS Trust, 

$857,143 

Patrick and Brenda Chambers to Michael 

and Carla Crapp, $440,000 

Stroudsburg Borough 

Coleman-Kennedy Partners LP to MP 

Florida Inc., $448,600 

Stroud Township 

LTS Development LLC to Doris Benjamin, 

$386,400 

Walter and Janice Peeney to Borough of 

Stroudsburg, $360,000 

Tobyhanna Township 

Adriana and Edison Perez to David and 

Cynthia Albertson, $400,000 

Fanny and Garman Ho to Anne and Brian 

Hartman, $319,000 

Thomas and Jusith White to Roy and Susan 

Lomas, $332,000 

Paul Dillon and Timothy Scanlon to George 

and Celia Martella, $430,000 

GMAC Mortgage LLC to Deutsche bank 

National Trust Company, $301,544 


Dingman Township 

Patricia Koyce Wanniski to Cory and Andrea 

Brennan, $625,000 

Vannatta Realty and Builders Inc. to Diana 

Burns, $315,000 

Milford West Development LLC to John and 

Carel Duffy, $305,000 

Lackawaxen Township 

Todd and Gina Fearn to David and Bonnie 

Reining, $365,000 

Woodloch Pines Inc. to Thomas and Debra 

Manzione, $809,500 

Palmyra Township 

James and Kathleen Cox to Robert and Ellen 

Somogyi, $485,000 

Kathy Wheatley to Timothy and Brenda 

Winters, $550,000 

George and Janet Cabel, Green Circle Real 

Estate LLC, $1,500,000 

Green Circle Real Estate LLC to John and 

Janine Evanish III, $2,375,000 

Tully and Thomas Wood, Liberty Home 

Development Corporation, $680,000 

Andrew and Florence Taranto to David and 

Cynthia English, $390,000 

Deer Haven LLC to Summit Estates LLC, 

$300,000 

Ellen Page O’Donnell to Fairview Lake 

Partners LP, $1,200,000 

John and Patrice Reinhardt to Robert and 

Ella Palmer, $485,000 


Dyberry Township 

Debra Ranner to Clinton Dennis Sr., 

$325,000 

Paupack Twp 

SNIP to Paul and Nina Elgart, $340,000 

Ronald and Judith Cirillo to Paul and Susan 

Genovese, $425,000 

Sterling Township 

Anthony and Guiseppa DeMelas to Wojciech 

and Malgorzata Zajkowski, $500,000 

MORTGAGES 


Kidder Township South 

Richard and Kathryn Hughes, MERS/UBS 

AG Tampa Branch, $333,000 

John and Linda Lalusis, MERS/American 

Home Bank, $417,000 

Lehighton Borough 

KF & BB Real Estate LLC, First National 

Bank of Pa, $500,000 

Lower Towamensing Township 

Dennis and Donna Smith, New Tripoli Bank, 

$425,000 

Mahoning Township 

KF & BB Real Estate LLC, First National 

PBJ REGISTER 

Bank of Pa, $500,000 

Kenneth and Carlin Roxell, Carl and Fern 

Troxell, $678,000 

Palmerton Borough 

David Masenheimer, Pencor Services 

Inc, First National Bank of Palmerton, 

$3,200,000 

Penn Forest Township 

Neil Castro, JP Morgan Chase Bank, 

$318,202 

Summit Hill Borough 

Redco Group, Susquehanna Bank, $460,000 


Barrett Township 

Brian and Diane Murray, Community Bank 

and Trust, $400,000 

Chestnuthill Township 

Helen and Joseph Buhagiar, Wells Fargo 

Bank, $337,500 

Helen and Joseph Buhagiar, Housing and 

Urban Development, $337,500 

Alfred and Catherine Natale, MERS/Wachovia 

Bank, $417,000 

Joshmor Inc., Richard and Beverly Frantz, 

$2,224,919 

Coolbaugh Township 

Mount Pocono Campground, Pocono Community 

Bank, $800,000 

Monroe County Municipal Waste Management 

Authority, Penn Star Bank, $470,000 

Delaware Water Gap Borough 

Women’s Resources of Monroe County, 

ESSA Bank and Trust, $1,200,000 

East Stroudsburg Borough 

Lucy Benjamin, M&T Bank, $303,000 

Lucy Benjamin, Housing and Urban Development, 

$303,000 

Eldred Township 

Richard and Lorie Zilmer, Navy Federal 

Credit Union, $625,000 

Jackson Township 

Jeffrey and Juana Kolmos, JP Morgan Chase 

Bank, $393,800 

Chase-Mutual Inc, Citizens Bank, $400,000 

Jeffrey and Beth Thomas, Community Bank 

and Trust Company, $388,000 

Middle Smithfield Township 

Mikhail Veygman and Alona Gofman, 

MERS/Suntrust Bank, $307,300 

Richard and Diane Hudack, PNC Bank NA, 

$300,000 

Ceasar and Rolanda Carter, MERS/Prime 

Time Mortgage Company, $351,500 

Kent and Constance Matsumoto, Bank of 

America, $300,000 

Dwayne Murray and Lavonda Edwards, JP 

Morgan Chase Bank, $303,300 

Hara Corporation/Fernwood Inc., Whitebriar 

Financial Corp, $1,123,571 

Charles Strunck III and Carmen Figueroa, 

Washington Mutual Bank, $358,501 

Paradise Township 

Pasquale Capozzolo, Merchants Bank of 

Bangor, $384,820 

Pocono Twp 

Jeffrey and Gail Wert, MERS/Wachovia 

Bank, $378,000 

Pangea Hotel Group Inc, Unity Bank, 

$1,150,000 

Reginald Brown, LG Financial Consultants 

Inc., $330,000 

ARC PA-QRS Trust LLC, TD Bank, 

$33,398,902 

Michael and Carla Crapp, Wells Fargo Bank, 

$351,000 

Satyasai Inc, Penn Security Bank, $990,000 

Ross Township 

Mary Joan and Joseph Gaiotti Wells Fargo 

Bank, $514,500 

Mary Joan and Joseph Gaiotti, Housing and 


Smithfield Township 

Lorraine Kirk, World Alliance Financial 

Corp, $390,000 

Lorraine Kirk, Housing and Urban Development, 

$390,000 

Pocono Stroudsburg Airport Inc, Marvin 

Papillion, $500,000 

Twin Lake Estates Development LLC, 

Wayne Bank, $1,900,000 

Stroudsburg Borough 

Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, KNBT/ 

National Penn Bank, $1,000,000 

Stroud Township 

Jere Dunkelberger, Samuel Newman, 

$300,000 

Christine Bianco, Trident Mortgage Co., 

$499,500 

Christine Bianco, Housing and Urban Development, 

$499,500 

Posh Properties No. 13, Bancorp Bank, 

$3,300,000 

Tobyhanna Township 

David and Cynthia Albertson, Wells Fargo 

Bank, $320,000 

George, Celia, and Robert Martella, Bethpage 

Federal Credit Union, $387,000 

Ross and Elizabeth Engelman, MERS/ 

Amtrust Mortgage, $350,000 


Damascus Township 

Aqua Pennsylvania Inc, Bank of New York 

Mellon Trust Company, $9,000,000 

Dingman Township 

David and Margaret Webster, MERS/A Great 

Mortgage Company, $367,317 

Cory and Andrea Brennan, MERS, $500,000 

Darlene and Edwin Cortez, MERS/MLD 

Mortgage, $311,253 

Vannatta Realty and Builders Inc., Sussex 

Bank, $360,000 

Stanley and Johanna Cieplinski, James B. 

Nutter and Company, $420,000 

Stanley and Johanna Cieplinski, Housing and 


Greene Township 

Douglas C. Witt, Wells Fargo Bank NA, 

$459,000 

Douglas C. Witt, Housing and Urban Development, 

$459,000 

David and Cheryl Beil, MERS/Quicken 

loans Inc., $355,000 

Anita and Clarence Shargay, Metlife Home 

Loans, $300,000 

Anita and Clarence Shargay, Housing and 


Lackawaxen Township 

Summer Recreation for Children Inc., First 

Constitution Bank, $343,000 

Gregory and Veronica Gorbulsky, Bank of 

America, $558,000 

Gregory and Veronica Gorbulsky, Housing 

and Urban Development, $558,000 

John Shindledecker, Home Consultants Inc, 

$307,500 

John Shindledecker, Housing and Urban 

Development, $307,500 

Martin Karsh, JP Morgan Chase Bank, 

$383,607 

Milford Township 

Donald Quick, Wayne Bank, $390,000 

Palmyra Township 

Robert and Ellen Somogyi, Ing Bank FSB, 

$388,000 

John and Janine Evanish III, Fidelity Deposit 

and Discount Bank, $2,375,000 

509 Central North LLC, First National Bank 

of Palmerton, $1,200,000 

Pine Crest Lakeview Homes LLC, Dime 

Bank, $2,500,000 

Fairview Lake Partners LP, Wayne Bank, 

$960,000 

Heather and Matthew Martin, Richard and 

Beatrice Martin, $482,684 

Robert and Ella Palmer, Wells Fargo Bank, 

$417,000 


Cherry Ridge Township 

Tap Realty Inc, First National Community 

Bank, $750,000 

Hawley Borough 

Strong Enterprises Inc, Dime Bank, 

$505,000 

Robert and Loretta Kazawic, Wayne Bank, 

$448,000

Lehigh Township 

Peter Bilyk, Mary E Kelley Living Trust, 

$300,000 

Palmyra Twp 

Marilyn and Wayne Kmieczak, MERS, 

$305,500 

Paupack Township 

Sarah and Mitchell Wilson, MERS/First Tennessee 

Bank NA, $417,000 

Cheryl and John Ruse, Citibank, $720,000 

Patrick and Mary Murray, MERS, $417,000 

Paul and Nina Elgart, SNIP, $300,000 

William Magnus and Beverly Huck, First 

Colonial National Bank, $300,000 

Paul and Susan Genovese, Wells Fargo 

Bank, $340,000 

Salem Township 

Julius and Joan Dobitsch, M&T Bank, 

$472,500 

Julius and Joan Dobitsch, Housing and 


Sterling Township 

Lisa Palazzo, Citibank, $350,000 

Texas Township 

Russell and Marie palmer, Dime Bank, 

$500,000 

Indian Orchard Holdings Company, Dime 

Bank, $1,750,000 

Indian Orchard Holdings Company, Dime 

Bank, $2,255,627 

Waymart Borough 

R John Thorpe, Wayne Bank, $500,000 

NEW CORPORATIONS / 

FICTITIOUS NAMES 


Broadway Restaurant Group Inc., restaurant, 

bar, catering, 169 East White Bear Drive, 

Summit Hill 

CR Lawn Care, lawn care maintenance, 286 

Main Street, Parryville, Ronald Zuber 

Dam Run Camp, Inc., social sportsmen club, 

129 Penrose Street, Beaver Meadows 

Felix Land Exchange, LLC, land investment, 

56 Broadway, Jim Thorpe 

Galerie B, art gallery, 108 Broadway, Jim 

Thorpe, Sandra Knoll 

GoPetFriendly.com, LLC, market, sell and 

distribute pet travel products and informational 

resources, 74 Spring Meadow Drive, 

Weatherly 

Green’s Improvements LLC, construction, 

home improvements, 30 Margaret Street, 

Palmerton 

John McLaughlin Flooring Installations 

Incorporated, floor covering, installation, 233 

North 4th Street, Lehighton 

KM Sency Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, 

LLC, installation & service, 312 

Windy Oaks Lane, Weatherly 

Lead Recycle, Inc., 1340 Lippo Way, Albrightsville 

Nev and Nise Produce, Inc., retail sales of 

produce, 445 Stewart Creek Road, Lehighton 

OCB Enterprises, internet, mail order marketing 

services, 1178 S Stagecoach Road, 

Weatherly, Brian Hoffman 

Panja Corner, Inc., e-commerce, 473 North 

8th Street, Lehighton 

Sapphire Unlimited Holdings Corporation, 

skilled nursing facility, 397 Hemlock Drive, 

Lehighton 

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee of Jim 

Thorpe/Carbon County, Inc., 823 Center 

Avenue PO Box 282, Jim Thorpe 

Sunrise Terrace Land Owners Association, 

property owners association, 966 Summer 

Mountain Rd, Lehighton 

The Dilldown Group, LLC, real estate, 748 

Route 534 South, Albrightsville 

WritingWorks, Ltd., creative services firm, 

432 Airport Road, Lehighton 


Aerospace Transparencies Repair & Restoration, 

repair and restore aircraft, RR 5, Box 

5643, Saylorsburg, Anthony T Baldwin 

All Boro Management, LLC, a/p and medical 

billing processing, 6519 Runnymeade 

Lane, Tobyhanna 

All Cylinders Automotive Repair, Inc., automotive 

repair, RR1 Box 1584 Kleintop Lane, 

Saylorsburg 

All Phases Construction, construction, RR 2 


Box 2126, Stroudsburg, William C Grant 

Annie’s Acres, Farm vegetable crops, 2107 

Brink Road, Effort, Ann Marie Blackwell 

ATPA Limited Liability Company, RR 4 Box 

4096 Hemlock Drive, Kunkletown 

Avgorou, LLC, soft ice cream business, 22 

North Seventh Street, Stroudsburg 

Bed Pro LLC, 2273 Learn Road, Tannersville 

Bensinger and Weekes, LLC, practice law, 

529 Sarah Street, Stroudsburg 

Bertie’s Green Acres, rental and operation of 

trailer park, 704 Neola Road, Stroudsburg, 

Anna Jane Meckes 

Bonifacic, LLC, property, RR 1 Box 1650 

Route 314, Henryville 

Bossland, Inc., aquire real estate and home 

construction, 55 Mandy Ridge, East Stroudsburg 

Burke Construction, LLC, construction, RR 

2 Box 2023 Route 442, Canadensis 

Christopher Barnes LLC, entertainment, 1 

Horseshoe Drive, Swiftwater, 

Clouds from Heaven, selling jewelry, 815 

Sioux Drive, East Stroudsburg, Ruth Cahill 

Crashtek Services, accident reconstruction 

consultant, 16 Pleasant Valley Lane, Brodheadsville, 

Brian Vadell 

Creation Holdings Inc., holding company 

for equipment, 290 Mount Nebo Road, East 

Stroudsburg 

Cyber Sewing School, teaching sewing, 

RR 4 / Box 4305, Saylorsburg, Kathleen S 

Klapatch 

D&D Mechanical & Construction LLC, 32 

Lake Valhalla Drive, East Stroudsburg 

David Schwartz Casting, LLC, feature film, 

television casting, 1154 W Main Street, 

Stroudsburg 

Delaware Water Gap Station Preservation 

Partnership, Inc., restore, maintain and operate 

Delaware Water Gap Railroad Station, 

192 Oak Street, Delaware Water Gap, Justine 

Sebring and Randy Snow 

East Stroudsburg Family Medicine, healthcare 

services, 505 Independence Road Suite 

D, East Stroudsburg, Northampton Clinic 

Company, LLC 

Electronic Bookkeeping Service, LLC, 

bookkeeping services, HC 1 Box 2337, Tannersville 

Embroidery Hutch, embroidery and printing 

of various materials, 230 Glade Drive, Long 

Pond, Gloria Dumois 

Emerald Tile Works, LLC, tile work, 3291 

Penn Estates, East Stroudsburg 

Emerging Paths Center for Spirituality, Inc., 

church ministry, HC 87 Box 205 408 Selig 

Road, Pocono Lake 

Energy Edge LLC, consulting, RR 5 BOX 

5072 Twins Hills Terrace, Stroudsburg 

Fast Track Professional Bail Bond Investigator 

Inc., Professional bail bondsman, 2005 

North 5th Street, Stroudsburg 

Foley Floor LLC, 1181 A Big Ridge Drive, 

Marshalls Creek 

Furino’s Pizza, Inc., sell pizza, beverages 

and related items, 12 Fish Hill Road, Tannersville 

Global Aviation Risk Management LLC, 214 

Glade Drive, Long Pond 

Globel Tech, Inc., 401 Analomink Point, East 

Stroudsburg 

Great Bear Resort, LLC, golf resort, 6810 

Keystone Road RR21 Box 6810, East 

Stroudsburg 

Health Care Maintenance Group, LLC, 1104 

Gap View Hollow Road, Stroudsburg 

J Mechanical Supply, LLC, agent broker, 

1670 Astolat Road, Effort 

Jane’s Ice Cream & Eatery, Inc., sale of 

ice cream and fast food items, 12 Fish Hill 

Road, Tannersville 

JPM, LLC, tanning salon, 15 Fish Hill Road, 

Tannersville 

Karkut Entertainment Group, LLC, entertainment 

services, 4 South Marguerite Street, 

East Stroudsburg 

Kellogg Mountain Properties, LLC, hunting 

club, HC1 Box 24, Kresgeville 

Keyanna’s Hair Studio Inc., African hair 

braiding and weaving, 730 MilfoRd.Road 

Unit 10, East Stroudsburg 

Krisp, LLC, unknown, 14 Woodchuck Lane, 


LCB Products, LLC, home internet business, 

1121 Heritage Boulevard, Stroudsburg 

Lemon Tree, hair salon, 1240 North 9th 

Street, Stroudsburg, Alissa Najat 

Mars Property Management LLC, rental 

property management, 221 Tom-X Road, 


MKM1 Inc., 61 North Green Street, East 

Stroudsburg 

PBJ REGISTER 

Mladenov, Inc., pizzeria restaurant, 37 Fawn 

Road, East Stroudsburg 

Mobile Aggregate Recycling Services, Inc., 

mining, crushing, recycling, HC#1 Box 

1374, Brodheadsville 

Monroe Property Management, LLC, 

property management, 738 Main Street, 

Stroudsburg 

Mountain View Holdings, Inc., real estate, 

30 Phyllis Ct, Stroudsburg 

New Life Personal Care Foundation LLC, 

consulting, 19 Whispering Hills Estates, East 

Stroudsburg 

Overnight News Service LLC, RR 3 / Box 

2003, Effort 

Paskiet Martial Arts Academy Inc., karate 

instruction, martial arts, 101 Barren Road, 


Pike Hospitality, LLC, real estate property, 

712 Monroe Street, Stroudsburg 

PoconoMP3, electronic wholesale goods, 17 

Silver Fox Drive, Kresgeville, Angle Entertainment 

LLC / Michael Majeski 

Polish Taxi, transportation services, 72 Fernwood 

Avenue, Bartonsville, Karol Pragacz 

Red Diamond Graphics, sign making, 

8879 Chipmunk Drive, Tobyhanna, Kevin 

Ambrogio 

RF Consulting & Associates, LLC, technical, 

management and educational services, 286 

Big Ridge Drive, East Stroudsburg 

RichaRd.D. Abbazio Enterprises LLC, 1215 

Sawmill Road / PO Box I, Pocono Lake 

Ronald PitchfoRd.LLC, Chiropractor, RR 6, 

Box 6565, Saylorsburg 

Sammy Boy’s Pizza Plus LLC, food sales, 

1019 Station Hill Road, Henryville 

Sarina, Inc., 1541 Kunkletown Road, Saylorsburg 

Seed of Faith Ministries, house of worship, 

RR 3 BOX 123, Kunkletown 

Serendipity Accounting & Tax Services, 

Accounting, bookkeeping, tax and payroll 

services, RR 2 Box 2344, Mountainhome, 

Lois and Robert Pugh 

Stars and Stripes Auto Corporation, buy 

and sell used cars and parts, 5125 Memorial 

Boulevard, Tobyhanna 

Tacos Viva Mexico, Inc., restaurant, 424 

Main Street, Stroudsburg 

Terrys Loft Enterprises LLC, e-commerce, 

212 Seminole Trail, Tobyhanna 

The Corner Store, convenience store/gas station, 

RR 12 BOX 8229, Stroudsburg, Donna 

Marie and Keith Coyne 

The Cove at Beaver Meadows, Inc., bar, 

restaurant, RR 4, Box 4441, 424 Hemlock 

Lane, Kunkletown 

The Wishmakers, fundraising music, HC 1 

BOX 165, Sciota, Bryan Schmidt 

Trintek Product Integration, Corp., product 

engineering, 66-68 Analomink Street Suite 

D-2, East Stroudsburg 

Westfall Hospitality Holding, LLC, Real 

estate, 712 Monroe St, Stroudsburg 

Westfall Hospitality Operating, LLC, Real 

estate, 712 Monroe St, Stroudsburg 

Windgap Assets, LLC, real estate, 100 Mc- 

Connell Street, Stroudsburg 

Windgap Market, Inc., retail business, 100 

McConnell Street, Stroudsburg 

Wing Hwa Restaurant Inc., Route 209 Pleasant 

Valley Plaza - Suite 8 & 9 PO Box 953, 

Brodheadsville 

Wyoming County Landowners, Inc., oil, gas 

leasing opportunities, 33 Holly Forest Road, 

Mount Pocono 


111 Pa Avenue, LLC, real estate, 111 Pennsylvania 

Avenue, Matamoras 

4 Sale Realty LLC, Unknown, 147 Pedersen 

Ridge Rd., Milford 

All Better Central, L.L.C., nutrition counseling, 

128 Birch Leaf Drive, Milford 

Better Way Finance, LLC, business consulting, 

104 Pocono Mountain Lake Est., 

Bushkill 

Biondo Family, LLC, investment management, 

544 Routes 6 and 209 PO Box 909, 

Milford 

Cash Tree Corp., investment cash management, 

111 Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras 

Community Garden Center, Inc., nursery/ 

flower sales, 1313 Route 507, Greentown 

Delaware Valley Association of Housing Cooperatives, 

provide information and support 

to housing co-ops, 4063 Conashaugh Lakes, 

Milford 

Good Question Gallery, LLC, display and 

sale of art work, 210 East Harford.Street, 

Milford 

Grampa’s Woods Estates, LLC, Mobile home 

park rentals, 194 Egypt Road, Tafton, 

Historic Walls, interior renovations, 114 

Shawnee Road, Shohola, John A Kazmierczak 

Hot Dang Country Music, Internet music 

and apparel sales, 244 Locust Dr, Milford, 

Costello & Loshen LLC 

Janet’s Travel Agency LLC, travel service, 

Schoonover Court, Bushkill 

Jon Kameen, LLC, small business management 

and sales consulting, 214 E. High St., 

Milford 

KimPrints, LLC, 1510 Route 507, Greentown 

Lackawaxen EMS, emergency medical services, 

109 Route 590, Greeley, Lackawaxen 

Township Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc 

MilfoRd.Equities, LLC, real estate, 113 

Heaters Hill Road, Matamoras 

MilfoRd.Militaria, LLC, purveyor of military 

related equipment, 152 Mountain Spring 

Road, Milford 

Oh! Marketing & Media, strategic planning 

and consultancy, branding, public relations, 

advertising and direct mail, 198 Wickes 

Road, Bushkill, Our House Publications, 

LLC 

On The Road Convenience Store, Inc., 

general retail and convenience store, 111 

Pennsylvania Avenue, Matamoras 

Pocono Oral Surgery, P.C., oral and maxillofacial 

surgery, 16 Pennsylvania Ave, 

Matamoras 

Priscilla A. Miller, LLC, psychotherapy, 

1256 Hemlock Farms, Lords Valley 

Rough Cut Contracting, Inc., general landscaping, 

235 Route 434, Shohola, 

SMCW LLC, sales, investments, etc., 417 

West Ann Street, Milford 

Tippylu LLC, leasing company manager, 182 

Route 6 & 209, Milford 

Versaplex, Inc., plastic recycling, 115 Mozzette 

Road, Greentown 


BRIXX Realty Group, LLC, real estate, 623 

Main Street, Honesdale 

Brooks Realty Group, LLC, real estate management, 

623 Main Street, Honesdale 

Church Street Laundromat of Hawley, 612 

Church Street, Hawley, CR Grabow & Family 

Inc 

DRC Painting, LLC, painting, 203 Club 

Road PO Box 1004, Greentown 

DS Landscaping, landscaping & property 

maintenance, 111 Mohn Rd, Beach Lake, 

David W Spry, Sr. 

Dyberry Inn Inc., restaurant/bar, 2864 Hancock 

Highway, Equinunk 

Grooters Cottage, LLC, real estate, 918 

Church Street, Honesdale 

Hadden Holding, LLC, investment in a partnership, 

RR 1 BOX 333, Hawley 

Honesdale Trolley Company, transportation, 

742 Main Street, Honesdale, James P Ankin 

LMB Cabinetry, Inc., design, sell cabinets 

and kitchen, bathroom accessories, 444 

Cortez Road, Lake Ariel 

NCC Drivers Education, Inc., driving 

instructions, 341 Stockfarm Road, Lake Ariel 

One Child Too Many, a Brendan Kizer Foundation, 

non-profit charitable foundation, 359 

Ridge Avenue, Hawley, Timothy Hughes and 

Robbin Kizer 

Panessa Services LLC, 14 Evergeen Dr, 

Lake Ariel 

PennDragon Enterprises, sell mobile text 

broadcasting services, RR 1 / Box 1278 A 

Jubilee Rd, Gouldsboro, Adele L. Kellogg 

Smith 

RAKSIM, LLC, real estate, 449 Watts Hill 

Road, Honesdale 

Rapid Waters Development LLC, Web consulting, 

168 Mountain Lake Estates, Hawley 

Rusty Palmer’s, retail sales, 1103 Texas 

Palmyra Hwy., Honesdale, Russell M Palmer 

Skydog Systems, IT and business project 

management consulting, 184 Mountainside 

Drive, Gouldsboro, Barry Zion 

Smaka, LLC, real estate, 47 Roberts Road, 

Starlight 

Texas Terminal Company, LLC, real estate, 

100 4th Street Suite 24, Honesdale 

The Forest Lake Association, LLC, investment 

in a partnership, RR 1 BOX 333, 

Hawley 

Zefran Dental Group, PC, practice of dentistry, 

711 Church Street, Honesdale 

MERS = Mortgage Electronic Registration 

Systems 

Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages are recorded 

as accurately as possible adhering to the cover 

dates in the County Recorders’ office.

30 

COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 

& PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 

(570) 421-7666 

www.BaxCommercial.com 


COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE MARKETPLACE 

MB&A 

Understanding the Difference 

Why is Michael Baxter & Associates the #1 commercial real estate 

firm in the Pocono Mountains? Because for over 10 years, we have 

used our knowledge & experience to handle the complex transactions in 

the commercial real estate market. 

LARGEST INVENTORY 

OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE 

Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate and 

Property Management has the most comprehensive database 

of Pocono commercial real estate, including investment 

properties, industrial space, offices, and retail properties. 

Whether you want to list your property or you’re looking to 

buy, call the true Commercial Advisors to assist you today! 

Our inventory is full of opportunities for you!

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32 


meet the new face of Heart Care 

ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute 

www.PoconoMedicalCenter.org 

When you work in a cardiac catheterization lab, timing is everything. Every second of a cardiac 

event tests the heart muscle, and early diagnosis could mean the difference between life and death. 

That’s why I’m proud to be a part of Pocono Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization team. With 

an average door-to-balloon time of less than 64 minutes—a figure that beats the 90-minute national 

average—we diagnose our patients faster than most hospitals in the country. With our advanced 

technology, we’re able to pinpoint and treat blockages with exceptional speed. Everyday, our 

patients tell us how thankful they are to have PMC’s cath lab so close-to-home. Knowing that I’m part 

of a team that is so important to a community is why I joined PMC in the first place. And, like most of 

my patients, I’d choose PMC again in a heartbeat. 

Meet John Polishan, RN, PMC cardiac catheterization lab, and the new face of heart care.

Carbon County Leaves Anthracite to Lead the - Pocono Business ...

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