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New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/news/pike-county-fair-housing-survey-deadline-to-respond-november-30

Pike County Fair Housing Survey Deadline to Respond November 30

PIKE COUNTY, PA — As a recipient of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Pike County is required to organize one fair housing activity each year. For 2020, the county’s Human Services Department is conducting an online fair housing survey with the assistance of consultant Hailstone Economic.

  The brief survey will help the county to:

understand residents’ attitudes and experiences related to fair housing,

understand business practices in housing-related industries, 

identify areas where the federal Fair Housing Act and Pennsylvania Human Relations Act are not being followed so that fair housing choices can be protected for all County residents.

The fair housing survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous. The deadline to respond to the survey is November 30.

  The survey can be found at MyHousingSurvey.com or on the county’s website www.pikepa.org under the What’s New section.

For more information or questions about the survey, email Jessica Dreistadt at jdreistadt@hailstoneeconomic.com or call (484) 225-4929.

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New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/calendar-of-events/quiet-valley-announces-its-30th-annual-old-time-christmas

Quiet Valley announces its 30th Annual Old Time Christmas

Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm will present its 30th annual Old Time Christmas event on December 5, 6 and December 12, 13 with continuous, self-guided tours from 2:00 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the last entrance to the farm at 7:00 p.m. Admission is $5 per person with children under 3 free.

More than any other holiday, Christmas celebrations center on the traditions of our families and our heritage.  Begin a new tradition with your family this year during an outing to Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, where the Christmas customs of the past are brought to life. From the softly glowing lantern light and luminaries to complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, Old Time Christmas is sure to become a favorite holiday pastime for many years to come.  

Due to COVID concerns we are making changes to Old Time Christmas needed for the safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff. This year there will be continuous, self-guided tours of the beautifully decorated farm. Candlelit lanterns and luminaries will abound and the farm will be decked out in festive holiday finery. Plenty of photo opportunities. Stop by the bonfire to get warm and listen to a story or two. Visit the Christmas putz, watch as the “farm family” makes special gifts for their loved ones and don’t miss the live Nativity in the lower barnyard. New this year, in celebration of the 30th anniversary of Old Time Christmas, is the Christmas Tree Forest where decorated trees sponsored by Quiet Valley families and local businesses will be on display. We are asking our visitors to vote for their favorite tree. Complimentary refreshments and the Holiday Gift Shop are a great way to finish your tour. The total time of your visit will be about an hour and a half. Please dress warmly. 

Those looking for a truly meaningful way to start their Christmas season will discover it at this very special event. Adjusts will be made to keep this event appropriately social-distanced. MASKS ARE REQUIRED. All funds raised support the mission of the non-profit farm museum.

To pre-buy tickets go to https://quiet-valley.ticketleap.com/old-time-christmas or call the farm at 570-992-6161. Limited tickets will be available at the gate. Old Time Christmas is held annually the first two full weekends of December.  No pets or smoking please.

For more information contact Quiet Valley at 570-992-6161, farm@quietvalley.org, or consult the website at www.quietvalley.org.  Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational corporation dedicated to the preservation and presentation of 19th century agricultural history. Quiet Valley is located 3 ½ miles south of Stroudsburg, Pa. off of Business Route 209. 

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/news/chamber/hellertown-lower-saucon-chamber-to-host-holiday-weekend-extravaganza

Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber to host Holiday Weekend Extravaganza

Lehigh Valley, PA: November 27th – November 29th, 2020

Event Information:

The holidays may look a little different this year, but the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce (HLSC) is hosting several events to get you and your loved ones in the holiday spirit! Don’t miss our Hellertown-Lower Saucon Holiday Weekend taking place from Friday, November 27th – Sunday, November 29th.

On November 27th, our festivities will kick off with our Light Up Night Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony presented in partnership with Mobile Technology Graphics. Tune in to this annual event from the comfort of your own home! At 7 PM, the ceremony will be broadcasted onto the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber’s Facebook Page.

The following evening, November 28th, we will host our Lights in Morris J. Dimmick from 6 PM – 8 PM in partnership with Mobile Technology Graphics. Drive-thru the park to see Santa Claus, other beloved characters, and decorations! Visitors will stay in their cars, collect goodies, and other surprises while getting into the holiday spirit. Guests will be able to tune in to a radio station, which will be announced on the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Facebook Page, during their time in the park. Our Holiday Coupon Booklets, which include specials from a variety of local establishments, will be available for pickup as guests drive-thru.

We will close out this weekend, that is jam-packed with holiday cheer, on November 29th with our Sit Down with Santa initiative presented in partnership with David Heintzelman & Family. From 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, families can virtually “Sit Down with Santa” to let him know what is on their wish list for this Christmas! To register for a time slot, click here. Each interaction will last three (3) minutes and will include three (3) photos with Santa Claus. This event is free to sign up for, however, donations can be made to support the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber’s Scholarship Fund, which supports our future business and community leaders of the Saucon Valley School District. To make a donation, click here and hit the red “Register Now” button. In the “Organization” section of registration, those contributing can simply write “Community Resident”.

Jessica O’Donnell, EVP of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, commented, “When 2020 throws a snowball at H/LS’s Light Up Night, we make beautiful holiday decorations from it! That is exactly what we are doing this year for our Hellertown & Lower Saucon Community. We are so excited to still be able to hold our annual Light Up Night Celebration. Albeit a little different this year, we have expanded it to occur over 3 days making it an extra jolly event!  We promise that all of our events–some virtual and some physically distanced from the comfort of your own vehicle—will still put all of us in the holiday spirit and smiles on the faces of all ages just as we always have done. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss out!”

Mayor David Heintzelman said, “As we embark on a holiday season unlike any other, we are grateful to still host events for the residents of our community. May the radiance of the Christmas lights continue to brighten your positive choices throughout this festive season and the New Year.”

Zac Estojak, Co-Owner of Mobile Technology Graphics, commented, “While COVID-19 has uprooted many of our traditions in 2020, we are pleased to contribute to this year’s Holiday Light Up Night in its new temporary format. We are doing our best to bring as much normalcy to the event as possible and we look forward to next year when we can bring back the traditional event that we’ve all come to enjoy and love.”

Ricky Gower, Chair of the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber’s Board, said, “We are excited to present a very fun and creative weekend to help get our Hellertown/Lower Saucon Community into the holiday spirit. Hats off to our Chamber Staff and our Light Up Night Committee for all the work they have done to still hold this popular annual event with safety as the number one priority. Be sure to check out all of the events taking place in Dimmick Park and virtually—you won’t want to miss out!”

Lauren Bertucci, Manager of Affiliated Chambers for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, commented, “Our Hellertown-Lower Saucon Holiday Weekend is sure to get you in the holiday spirit! We are thrilled to be able to host these events for our community and are so grateful to our committee, sponsors, and the Borough of Hellertown for making all these initiatives possible this year. It has truly been a team effort. We look forward to everyone being able to enjoy the festivities!”

When: Light Up Night Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony – November 27th at 7 PM, Lights in Morris J. Dimmick Park – November 28th from 6 PM – 8 PM, Sit Down with Santa – November 29th from 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM (interaction time is determined by registration)

  Where: Light Up Night Virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony – Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber’s Facebook Page, Lights in Morris J. Dimmick Park – Morris J. Dimmick Park (Hellertown, PA), Sit Down with Santa – Online via Fundo

  Pricing Information: All events are free to attend. Registration is required for the Virtual Sit Down with Santa and can be completed here. Participants can also opt to make a donation to the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber’s Scholarship Fund here.

Sponsors:

  Presenting Sponsor: Mobile Technology Graphics

Sit Down with Santa Presenting Sponsor: David Heintzelman & Family

Holiday Shopping Booklet Presenting Sponsor: Designing Wealth Management of Raymond James & Associates (The LaBuda Team)

Toy Giveaway Sponsors: Lost Tavern Brewing & Quest Termite & Pest

Craft Kit Sponsors: BB&T now Truist, Evoke Solar, Hellertown Dental Group, & Steel Club

Hot Chocolate Kit Sponsor: Farmers Insurance – The Wimbish Agency

Candy Cane Sponsors: ASR Media Productions, Bucks Run Oil LLC, Saucon Valley Bikes

Information Tent Sponsor: Magical Travel by Pam

Holiday Kick-Off Supporting Sponsors: 412 Auto-Tags-Notary & Crayola Experience

Cookie Sponsor: Giant of Hellertown

Decoration Sponsors: 412 Auto-Tags-Notary, Lost River Caverns, Maple Street Woodworking, The Goddard School Center Valley, Saucon Valley Karate Academy, & Saucon Valley Manor

Photography Sponsor: Mike Robinson Productions

  Interested in getting involved with or supporting the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber? Contact either Jessica O’Donnell (JessicaO@lehighvalleychamber.org) or Lauren Bertucci (LaurenB@lehighvalleychamber.org) for more information.

  For more information on this event and any upcoming events, visit the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber Facebook page, or the Affiliated Chamber’s Instagram or LinkedIn pages.

  About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area.  We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises.  With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/business-spotlight/thread-bioscience-wins-ben-franklin-venture-idol

Thread Bioscience Wins Ben Franklin Venture Idol

Thread Bioscience, Inc.  was selected as the winner of the 2020 Ben Franklin Venture Idol competition. The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania hosted its 17th annual Ben Franklin Venture Idol, held virtually this year, on Tuesday evening, November 17. More than 200 guests attended free-of-charge.

Thread Bioscience, Bethlehem, is poised to disrupt the urinary tract infection (UTI) testing market with its innovative new diagnostic test, CultureStat. Using patented technology, CultureStat detects UTIs at the Point of Care faster, more accurately, and at a lower cost than current testing methods.

UTIs are the number one infection afflicting women, and are responsible for the largest number of antibiotics prescriptions. Delays inherent in current testing methods lead to the greatest number of improperly prescribed antibiotics for any infection. There is an urgent need for a rapid, reliable, cost effective test for UTIs to provide results quickly to improve patient care and support proper antimicrobial stewardship by reducing the frequency of improperly prescribed antibiotics. With an estimated 150 million UTIs worldwide annually and accounting for $6 billion in health care expenditures, there is a global market for a more efficient test for UTIs to reduce the incidence of improperly prescribed antibiotics.

Ben Franklin Venture Idol is a cross between Shark Tank® and American Idol®, but with entrepreneurs and investors instead of vocalists and celebrities. The event illustrates a significant way in which early-stage entrepreneurs seek and obtain seed capital. Ben Franklin Venture Idol was also a “crowdfunding” event.

The Venture Idol event started with a keynote panel presentation by Joe Blair, Cota Capital; Paul Martino, Bullpen Capital; and Todd Pietri, Activate Ventures on What Has 2020 Taught Us About Start-Ups And Funding Them In 2021?” Wayne Barz, Chief Investment Officer, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, moderated.

The panelists observed that business in general slowed down for the first six to eight weeks after the pandemic started, in a sort of triage period. After that, entrepreneurial deal flow increased and is robust now. Many companies were hurt by COVID, but others that were able to pivot or adjust rapidly have come back and some have even benefitted. Because innovative thinking and nimbleness are emblematic of startups, these firms are uniquely positioned to generate rapid solutions to this pandemic and future crises.

It may be harder for new founders to garner seed capital than pre-COVID, as there is a “flight to the familiar,” a greater propensity for investing in proven entrepreneurs versus first timers. Investors themselves had to change their way of doing business, including their due diligence in evaluating prospective portfolio companies. Paul Martino noted about investors, “If you weren’t willing to be nimble the way our companies had to be nimble, business passed you by.”

In addition to Thread Bioscience, Rocket Cloud, Inc. and studio BE Mindfulness, LLC presented as finalists at Ben Franklin Venture Idol. The finalists were evaluated in a panel discussion by investors Dan Loikits,  Lehigh Valley Angel Investors; Michael March, 1855 Capital; Margot Matouk, Next Act Fund, and Katherine O’Neill, Broad Street Angels, which was emceed by Don Yount, Activate Venture Partners. The investors commented on the company presentations and audience members then “funded” the companies, crowdfunding style.

Ben Franklin will allocate a total of $15,000 in investment funding among the three finalists based on the audience vote. The event concluded with post-event chat rooms at which guests could speak directly with the entrepreneurs.

This year’s Venture Idol program book is available at https://bit.ly/2U8N3Xb. The program includes venture profiles of each of the seven competitors, an article by Paul Martino, upon which the keynote was based, bios on investor panelists and emcees, a listing of regional venture capital resources, and event sponsors.

About the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP) creates and retains highly paid, sustainable jobs by investing in and linking companies with experts, universities, follow-on funding, and other resources to help them prosper through innovation. It is part of a four-center economic development initiative of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and is funded by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority.

BFTP/NEP’s strategy encompasses three key areas:

developing and growing early-stage technology-oriented companies;

supporting established manufacturers as they creatively apply new technology to help them succeed globally by producing better, faster, and at a lower cost;

promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that supports Pennsylvania’s business technology ecosystem.

Since beginning operations in 1983, BFTP/NEP has helped to create 19,257 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 43,880 existing jobs, to start 525 new companies, and to develop 2,113 new products and processes. Since 2007, BFTP/NEP clients have generated more than $1.6 billion in follow-on funding. The Pennsylvania Ben Franklin Technology Partners network has returned $3.90 to the state treasury for every $1.00 invested in the program.

BFTP/NEP owns, manages, and is headquartered in Ben Franklin TechVentures®, an award-winning business incubator/post-incubator facility on Lehigh University’s campus in Bethlehem. BFTP/NEP also owns and manages the Bloomsburg Regional Technology Center. Applying more than 35 years of experience and two international awards for excellence in business incubation, BFTP/NEP leads a 13-member business incubator network that is among the largest in the nation.

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/news/rgb-custom-builders-win-top-honors-again

RGB Custom Builders Win Top Honors Again

The Poconos have spoken! For the eighth year in a row they have declared RGB the Best Custom Home Builder, in addition to naming RGB as the winner of Best General Contractor and winner of Best Real Estate Company, setting a new standard for custom home building. RGB is continually honored for their outstanding home craftsmanship by the Pocono Builders Association as well. Each year building projects are reviewed and judged blindly by professional builders from outside the region. RGB has won over 130 different awards over the years including the prestigious “Award of Excellence" three times.  “We could not have achieved any of this without the satisfaction, trust and unfaltering support from our customers and subcontractors. For 35 years RGB has been A Builder to Believe In ”.  – Robert Brown, President

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/featured/pocono-kindness-rocks

Pocono Kindness Rocks

Reason #492 to stop staring at your phone while traversing the Poconos: painted rocks. They’ve become ubiquitous, these artfully decorated stones, which are often adorned with inspiring messages. But if apps and texts distract, you’re likely to walk right past them.

Placed around town – on sidewalks, in parking lots, outside of stores, and other public spaces – the “kindness rocks” meld scavenger hunting with a drive to make people happier. The idea that finding one of these rocks embossed with a child’s drawing or a motivational phrase like, “Great things take time!” will surely lift your spirits.

As enthusiasts track them down, they’re encouraged to move the rocks to different locations or replace them with stones of their own. Group members will often leave hints or pictures on social media for others to discover along their quest. “It’s kind of like putting a message in a bottle and seeing where it goes, but on a different level,” extolls Lynn Brothers, a Tobyhanna-based rock painter. “To me, it’s rewarding when you see someone post a rock of yours and how it brought them joy.”  

Started in 2015 by women’s empowerment coach Megan Murphy, the Kindness Rocks Project began as Murphy placed hand-painted missives along the shores of her Cape Cod, MA, hometown. When friends mentioned how finding her stones touched their hearts, a movement was born.  

Anna Kaszupski, an artist and art instructor who hails from Delaware Water Gap, no sooner heard about the initiative when she hosted a rock painting get-together, a departure from her usual soirées involving canvases. “It’s awesome. I was drawn to the idea as soon as I heard about it. Now, the whole concept is like an epidemic,” she notes. Seeing people venture out of their comfort zones through art is often difficult, Kaszupski feels, adding that the most winsome part of this objective is its simplicity. “I love the stones with words. That’s mostly what I like doing. Something like a positive word can instantly change a person’s bad day.”

When you happen upon a kindness rock in the Stroudsburg area, chances are it’s been painted by Joanne Evans. The Pocono resident started crafting stones three years ago when her young daughter discovered one outside of Target. Evans now paints and hides over 1,800 of them a year, routinely posting her designs on the Pocono Kindness Rocks Facebook page. She’s become such a prolific rocker, in fact, that people have started asking her to prepare special creations for holidays and other events. Evans recently applied her skills toward wedding-themed rocks for a friend who attended her sister’s nuptials in Niagara Falls — she planned to stash them along her travel route. 

“Every school year, I paint a rock for each student in my children’s homeroom classes,” Evans states. “With four kids in school, I paint approximately 120 for Valentine’s Day.” And, despite the effort, it’s all a labor of love. “Knowing that my kindness rocks bring a smile to someone’s face is priceless. Spreading kindness was never so fun and easy.”

Or such a short stone’s throw away.  

Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Article by: Tom Eccleston Freelance Writer 570.269.9107 tomeccleston777@yahoo.com

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/columnist/tom-eccleston/callies-pretzel-factory-closing-in-the-poconos

Callie’s Pretzel Factory Closing in the Poconos

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Getting into a twist isn’t always a bad thing, especially when making pretzels. And if you churned out knotted dough for over three decades, that twist came with a high measure of satisfaction.

Christmas Eve marked the end of the road for Barrett Township mainstay Callie’s Pretzel Factory, which began baking its deliciousness in 1985, just three miles south of an eponymous Candy Kitchen. It wasn’t long before pretzel-making turned into high art, with versions adhered to sticks, cloaked around hot dogs, and morphed into pizzas becoming in-demand staples.

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

“If you could imagine it, we made it,” enthuses Mark Reisenwitz, who, along with wife Gretchen, ran the Factory since day one. While he baked pretzels, she also worked at her late father’s candy store. “It was a crazy, but wonderful ride,” Callie-Reisenwitz adds.

Now, though, the couple is eyeing retirement in year-round warmth. “We’re moving to Florida, primarily because of the cold weather. Pennsylvania’s four seasons just aren’t appealing anymore,” Gretchen says. While Mark is sad about the Factory closing, he won’t miss his daily pace. “No more making pretzels anytime soon, or for a long time.”

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

They’ll always acknowledge the customers who sustained them, and are deeply grateful for their loyalty. “It has been a pleasure to provide residents and visitors of the Pocono Mountains with a wide variety of pretzels and popcorn,” the company announced on its Facebook page.

Callie’s Pretzel Factory also housed the ���Lefty Shop”, a nook dedicated to left-handers. Here, a variety of items crafted specifically for southpaws, including scissors, mugs, notebooks, and potholders, were sold to lefties.

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Gretchen’s sister will continue to oversee operations at the Candy Kitchen. “We’ve done this our whole lives, and have carried on in our parents’ memory as best we could,” says Callie-Reisenwitz.

“That place was an integral part of this community and beyond,” declares Jill Beacham, 52, of Cresco. “My family started buying pretzels from the Factory when I was a teenager. Of course, my own kids loved everything made there. That really is a long-standing tradition.”

Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Article by: Tom Eccleston Freelance Writer 570.269.9107 tomeccleston777@yahoo.com

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

Callie’s Pretzel Factory, Photos credit: Tom Eccleston

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/featured/ross-ross-nursery-leading-vegetation-center-in-the-poconos

Ross & Ross Nursery, Leading Vegetation Center in the Poconos

By: Tom Eccleston

Freelance Writer

570.269.9107

tomeccleston777@yahoo.com

One needn’t be a discerning gardener, a top-notch landscaper, or even an ardent botanist to appreciate the horticultural trappings at Ross & Ross Nursery. This Cresco stalwart, owned and operated by the same family since 1932, has wholeheartedly earned its status as a leading vegetation center planted in the Pocono Mountains. Indeed, what’s sold here makes even casual greenskeepers long for enduring agrarian bliss.

Jefferson Ross remains fulfilled through the calling undertaken by his father, Robert, nearly nine decades ago. What started as vending herbs inched its way to today’s premier enterprise. “Even at 85, my dad still grows much of what the Nursery sells, right from home,” says third generation owner Linda Ross Besecker who, along with brother Wayne, carries on the clan heritage.

Houseplants and bonsai simmer under paned greenhouse glass. Rustic chic abounds in a country store featuring kitschy home accents and gifts; among these are pottery and children’s clothing, forged by area purveyors. An adjoining thrift room tenders a plethora of new-to-you collectables. There’s even a mini-mart, spooning out idyllic yumminess with an assortment of jams, jellies, honey, and local baked goods.

Ross & Ross offers a range of flora tutorials throughout the year, including succulent and miniature gardens, along with courses on hypertufa, kokedama, and terrariums. At Christmas, the Nursery’s make-your-own-wreath class is very popular. “We loved each phase of the Mommy and Me Teacup Garden event – it was a nice bonding experience with my daughter. Of course, having wine on hand didn’t hurt,” laughs Stroudsburg’s Angela Chatham. The petal pushers also let their clientele decorate cupcakes and stroll through a whimsical Once Upon a Fairy forest walk.

To build upon their sylvan abundance, the Rosses opened Monroe County’s first lavender farm in 2017, across from the Nursery. “My grandparents instilled an appreciation of herbs in me, and I always wanted to do more with them. The land on which the Lavender Farm sits was a gift from my dear friend and teaching partner, Ruth Henry. I thought an open space where I share something meaningful with others would be the ultimate way to honor her,” Linda recalls.

The Farm’s addition has only magnified an already bucolic climate, becoming an instant hit with tourists and locals alike. “Ross & Ross has a large selection of lavender products, and a knowledgeable staff to help customers answer questions,” says June Cosgrove, of Philadelphia. “Their lavender truffles are divine, and the lavender-infused tea is calming. While there, I bought a cactus which has grown quite a bit since transplanting.”

So much more than a plethora of flowers, mulch, stone, and other garden essentials, the Nursery strives to achieve a single goal: to enrich one’s mind, body, and spirit. “We’re a place of rural calmness, surrounded by the best of what nature has to offer,” says Linda. That mom-and-pop calmness hibernates before New Year’s and emerges in April, as weather permits.

“This really is a perfect nursery. I visited with my family and bought several items to remind us of our Pocono vacation. While here, we gained much information from Linda, and will definitely be back in the near future,” enthuses Chet Cohen, a resident of Rochester, NY. “I wish there were more little places like this around. The world needs businesses like these.”

Ross & Ross Nursery 5801 Paradise Valley Road, Cresco 18326 (570) 595-9760 rossandrossnursery.com

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/business-spotlight/holley-ross-pottery-a-shimmering-wonderland

Holley Ross Pottery, a Shimmering Wonderland

By: Tom Eccleston

Freelance Writer

570.269.9107

tomeccleston777@yahoo.com

Any grandma worth her salt has hutches brimming with collectibles. After the overflow jams its way into parlor curios, she gets creative: A figurine or two rests atop an end table, the periwinkle-laced teacups dangle from hooks beneath kitchen cabinets, that stack of holiday china now occupies a lower cupboard. But despite a dearth of storage, granny wants to amass more treasure.

Enter Holley Ross Pottery, a shimmering wonderland of all things delicate, breakable, and non-childproof. This country-style trove has spent decades fulfilling the wish lists of those celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and the love of Parian perishables. “At any time, visitors will find several thousand pieces on display here, awaiting their permanent homes,” notes Charlotte Laing, whose family has owned and operated the showroom since the early 60s.

Nestled in the hamlet of LaAnna, between Cresco and Newfoundland, Holley Ross opens to the public in May and shutters in mid-December. From strawberry jars and wall items to cookie molds and canister sets, the houseware emporium may stand ready to lighten your wallet, but will do so gently, with discounts as deep as 70 percent off retail prices. And don’t worry, outdoor enthusiasts can rejoice in a plethora of gazing balls, stepping stones, and cement statuary.

Pottery making demonstrations, which are offered Tuesday through Friday mornings, let you see how creations are made, right before your eyes. “They’re free, and certainly educational as well as entertaining,” says Laing. The vase being kilned one day could become your dining table centerpiece the next.

While a range of vendors inhabit shelf space, the mini-armory boasts a selection of Fiesta dinnerware that’s hard to match. “This design has become the most sought-after in America,” the matriarch states. “Its distinctive, bright colors and art deco styling make Fiesta a true stand-out. We sell hundreds each year.”  Another merchant in the mix is Ceramika Artystczna, Polish crafters who hawk their goods on QVC. Not to be outdone, Fenton and Pilgrim parade glassware skills in a kaleidoscope of softened hues. Altogether, Laing stocks about 150 manufactured brands within her artisan’s repository.

After sating your shopping fix, traverse a swinging bridge to explore Holley Ross’ own bucolic woodland forest, featuring sawdust trails that lead to picnic tables and an expansive lake. Unplug from reality, if only for a few moments, and bask in sheer peacefulness.

Souvenir hunters routinely trek to this Pocono mainstay and scoop up remembrances of their mountain adventures. “The place is always a must-see whenever we’re in the area,” declares grandmother Marianne Trachtenberg, of Tarrytown, NY. “Truly, if you can’t find it at Holley Ross, you won’t find it anywhere.”

    Holley Ross Pottery

167 Route 191 LaAnna / Cresco, PA 18326

(570) 676-3248

www.holleyross.com

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New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/news/spotted-lanternfly-workshop-to-be-held

Spotted Lanternfly Workshop to be Held

What’s going on with spotted lanternflies? What do we need to know? Can they do damage?

To find out more, attend the workshop on Friday, October 18, Butler Township Municipal Building, 83 Corporate Drive, Drums, PA 18222.

The program begins at 9:50 am and ends at noon. Admission is free.

The Spotted Lanternfly is an invasive species native to Southeast Asia. In 2014 it was found in Pennsylvania, and has since spread to 14 counties which are now quarantined.

The Spotted Lanternfly presents a significant threat to Pennsylvania agriculture, including the grape, tree-fruit, hardwood and nursery industries. Learn the history, economic danger, current quarantine area, and life cycle of this invader.  Learn about controls, herbicide treatments, and ‘trap’ trees.

The program is being offered by Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development Council (PNERCD) and Luzerne Conservation District. This workshop is funded by USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and sponsored by Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Admission is free. Refreshments will be provided. Register online at pnercd.org or call (570) 234-3577. Registration beforehand is encouraged. Walk-ins are welcomed. 

Schedule:

9:45 am        Registration

9:50 am        Welcome, George Kauffman, Executive Dir., Pocono Northeast Resource Conservation & Development (PNERCD); and Josh Longmore, Executive Dir., Luzerne Conservation District

10:00 am      Overview – The Spotted Lanternfly and Its Impact, Krystal Snyder, Penn State Extension

11:00 am        Permits for Working in a SLF Quarantined Area, Kristen Cease, PA Dept. of Agriculture – (Permitting requirements & administration of permit test for those interested in obtaining a permit)

11:45 am      Questions & discussion

12:00 pm      Workshop ends

PNERCD has been in operation for more than forty years, carrying out many environmentally-related projects. Current projects include:

Contracts with the US National Resources Conservation Center (NRCS) to carry out a variety of tasks in the environmental field, related to water quality and soil health.

Educating and providing technical assistance through six partner organizations to Pennsylvania-based watershed and conservation organizations.

A renewable energy project which showed how warm season grasses could be used by farmers for their own heating needs.

Educational workshops for the public on environmental issues. During 2019 PNERCD has already held a workshops on bats and another on warblers. Each of these species have been experiencing major decreases in population in Pennsylvania. This will be the third workshop for 2019.

The Council covers a 10-county region in northeastern Pennsylvania, including Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, and Wayne. It is a non-profit charitable organization composed of community leaders who have worked with renewable energy, land conservation, water management and environmental enhancement, and accepts tax-deductible contributions.

The Luzerne Conservation District is a local agency with the mission of conserving land and water resources in Luzerne County by promoting public awareness, providing technical assistance, and encouraging regulatory compliance.  Its mission is accomplished through cooperation with landowners and land users; by working with other public and private organizations; and by conducting education and outreach efforts on natural resource conservation. For more information about the District, visit www.luzcd.org.

[pocono-business-journal-blog]

New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/featured/meatloafs-kitchen-your-hungry-canine-can-stay-ahead-of-the-pack

Meatloaf’s Kitchen - Your Hungry Canine Can Stay Ahead of the Pack

Ever have a late-night staredown with the pantry or refrigerator doors and wonder if poochie feels those same cravings? Unlike your own witching hour munchies, though, you can always control the food that fuels Fido.

And, with a little help from Meatloaf’s Kitchen, your hungry canine can stay ahead of the pack with vegan and vegetarian snacks that promote doggone good health. Since 2012, Melanie Stracko and her faithful sidekick, Meatloaf, have been generating a bounty of recipes whose hallmark is tasty nutrition. Never frozen, their rations eschew preservatives, and are made upon ordering. “We offer customizable treats and cakes that let owners pick each ingredient. This takes the guesswork out of what your companion is eating,” says Stracko.

While Meatloaf may now be cresting the wave of his eponymous Kitchen, the puppyhood stage of his life brimmed with uncertainty. Imagine a baby boxer mix, trembling and afraid, in the middle of a Pennsylvania highway. Upon seeing him, Stracko and her husband took young Meatloaf to a shelter, and hoped fate would intervene. “We fell instantly in love, but had to wait two days for him to be claimed,” Stracko remembers. “We called every hour to see if he was still at the shelter and to our joy, on the second day, he was ours.”

After Meatloaf became her newest family member, Stracko realized the mutt had several food allergies. So, she put her thinking cap on, and applied pastry skills learned at Johnson & Wales University to practical use. Before long, the doyenne was churning out baked items agreeable with Meatloaf’s tummy. And, by doing so, she became the de facto owner/maker/designer of a nifty little Pocono Mountain business, nestled in the hamlet of Canadensis.

For his part, Meatloaf oversees the company’s Research and Development Division and relishes his role as Quality Control Officer. “If he doesn’t like something I whip up, then it’s not for sale,” declares Stracko, whose batches of doggie deliciousness are fortified with human-grade ingredients. “We never prepare a bite we wouldn’t eat ourselves.”

To that end, Meatloaf’s Kitchen is fully licensed through the commonwealth’s Department of Agriculture, and all edibles are sent to a private lab for testing. But the plethora of oats, kelp, blueberries, turmeric, carrots, lavender, and other wholesome tidbits always ensure a passing grade. Assorted furbaby ailments – arthritis, cancer, and diabetes among them – may be alleviated via the Kitchen’s beneficial selections. While ginger, for example, possesses antioxidants that target motion sickness, dandelion, Stracko’s newest go-to, stimulates the appetite while serving as a mild diuretic.

Veterinary benefits aside, who can argue with the clever labeling of flavors like pea-mut butter, grrr-nola, cinnabone, and bark-b-que? For good measure, your persnickety pup can sample wheat-furrie morsels that steer clear of wheat, soy, and dairy. Local Pocono merchants stocked up on Stracko’s delectable fare include the Farmer’s Basket in Stroudsburg and the Barley Creek Brewing Company in Tannersville. By far, however, Stracko has seen her biggest retail boon delivered by Etsy, and its influence on the global market; here, you’ll find over 150 products homemade for your hound.

When he’s not fulfilling his duties as Chief Taste Tester, Meatloaf prizes the simple pleasures around him. “He enjoys long walks and lazy Sundays on the couch, watching television. At night, you will find him curled up in bed, snoring away under the covers,” Stracko enthuses. Always a good thing, letting sated sleeping dogs lie.

Meatloaf’s Kitchen

(570)676-3627

meatloafskitchen@hotmail.com

meatloafsdogtreats.com

www.etsy.com/shop/MeatloafsKitchen

[pocono-business-journal-blog]

New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/news/food-dining/south-mountain-cycle-cafe-grand-opening

South Mountain Cycle & Café Grand Opening

Lehigh Valley, PA – Saturday June 15, 2019 

  Event Information: South Mountain Cycle & Café Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

  When: Saturday June 15, 2019; 9am

  Where: South Mountain Cycle & Café,

  Pricing Information: FREE!

  After having hopped from rental space to rental space on Main St, South Mountain Cycle & Café has found their home at 318 Main St at the old VFW. Owners Heather and Chad Balliet purchased the VFW and took on the challenge of renovating the spacious location to aptly suit their needs as a bike and coffee shop. After months of hard work, they opened the doors for their loyal community, friends, and supporters. Emmaus Main Street Partners is excited to help celebrate their hard work and dedication to the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony. On Saturday June 15, join us at 9am for a ribbon cutting ceremony acknowledging their decision to stay in Emmaus and recognizing the hard work that goes into owning a small business. Corporate GIANT Bicycles will be there to honor Heather and Chad as well for this undertaking.

  South Mountain Cycle & Café website

South Mountain Cycle & Café Facebook page

  About the Chamber: The mission of The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce is to improve the economy and quality of life in the Lehigh Valley Metropolitan Area.  We accomplish this through business-to-business networking events and marketing products, affinity programs and exclusive, money saving member benefits, training programs, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises.  With nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000, the Chamber is the largest in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and in the top ten nationwide.

[pocono-business-journal-blog]

New Post has been published on poconobusinessjournal.com

New Post has been published on https://www.poconobusinessjournal.com/manufacturing/weiler-abrasives-employees-celebrate-75th-anniversary

Weiler Abrasives Employees Celebrate 75th Anniversary

Weiler Abrasives, a leading provider of abrasives, power brushes and maintenance products for surface conditioning kicked off what will be a months-long celebration of its 75th anniversary with its National Sales Meeting the week of April 22. The celebration is geared toward thanking its customers, coworkers and community for contributing to the growth and longevity of the company — once a small jewelry polishing brush business and today a global abrasives leader.

Founded by Karl E. Weiler in 1944 as the Weiler Brush Company in Long Island — with only fifty dollars and a big dream — the company continues to be privately-owned and operated at its current headquarters in Cresco, Pa. under the fourth-generation leadership of Chris Weiler, CEO. Chris’ father, Karl M. Weiler serves as chairman.

The company now has 1300 employees across eight different countries and still stands by its key values: integrity, customer focus, accountability, learning and competence, and passion.

“We are proud of the growth Weiler Abrasives has undergone in its 75 years in business and the innovation it brings to the global marketplace,” says Chris Weiler, president and CEO Weiler Abrasives. “We also recognize that it’s the hard work of our more than 300 local employees and the support of our Poconos community that have served as the backbone of our success.”

“Weiler has been like a rocket ship. We’ve always gone forward, always gone upwards. There’s no standing still here, no going back. I think as co-workers, we’ve all gone along for the ride – and what a ride it’s been,” said Jim Gilpin, a current Weiler Abrasives employee hired in 1973.

Weiler Abrasives’ commitment to manufacturing excellence ensures the delivery of high-performance, quality products and innovative solutions. At the foundation of its success is a commitment to collaborating with its customers and fostering mutual growth. The company has made a top priority of developing long-term partnerships, while also addressing customers’ toughest cleaning, grinding, cutting, de-burring and finishing challenges. In fact, after 75 years Weiler Abrasives still does business with its very first customer.

To continue the anniversary celebration throughout the year, Weiler Abrasives will host employee activities, including a family Fall Harvest Celebration in October at its headquarters, as well as several community engagement activities.

Weiler Abrasives, an employer of more than 300 local employees and the leading provider of abrasives, power brushes and maintenance products for surface conditioning, kicked off what will be a months-long celebration of its 75th anniversary this spring. The celebration is geared toward thanking its customers, coworkers and community for contributing to the growth and longevity of the company.

To learn more about Weiler Abrasives, its history and goals for the future, watch this video.

About Weiler Abrasives Group As an industry leader and global manufacturer of surface conditioning solutions, Weiler Abrasives Group is dedicated to forging collaborative relationships with our customers in diverse markets — Metal Fabrication; Industrial Production; and Maintenance, Repair and Operations — to tackle their toughest cleaning, grinding, cutting, deburring and finishing challenges.

Weiler Abrasives, One Weiler Dr., Cresco, Pa., 18326-0149 • (800) 835-9999 • www.weilerabrasives.com.