November 2006 - poconobusinessjournal.com

Transcription

Pocono Business Journal
Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
CELEBRATING ONE YEAR
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
• Blue Mountain Health Systems
Gets New CEO .................................. page 8
• Businesses Can Create Healthy
Communities .................................. page 16
• Country Junction Fire........................ page 11
• Field of Dreams Catches Eye
of Wall Street . ................................ page 18
• Leadership Pocono Kick-off ............... page 6
• Penn’s Northeast Festival................... page 8
• Philanthropy Award Winners............. page 17
• Op-Ed:
Cover All Kids................................... page 4
• PBJ Columnist:
Marketing Momentum...................... page 9
Regional Healthcare Report........... page 10
Residential Real Estate Quarterly..... page 7
QUOTE
“To ensure good health: eat
lightly, breathe deeply, live
moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an
interest in life.”
— William Londen
OBSERVE
National Rose Month
1
7
15
17
23
Family Literacy Day
Election Day
America Recycles Day
Take a Hike Day
Thanksgiving Day
QUESTION
As of 2005, which industry in
Monroe County employs the
most workers?
See PMCC Business Magazine ad
for the answer on page 10.
please recycle this paper
www.pbjonline.com
|
50 cents
Healthcare
GROWING PAINS
Challenges Faced by Regional Healthcare Providers
Photo Credit: Submitted by Pocono Medical Center/David Coulter
THIS MONTH
November 2006, Vol. 2, Issue 11
Proud to be a part of the new ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute, this team is equipped to combat the leading killer in America; heart disease. The addition of the
catheterization lab makes Pocono Medical Center the only facility to offer diagnostic services in the region. The ‘catheterization team’ above is; (left to right)
Tom Gaylets, RN, BSN, manager; Eileen Nah; John Polishan, RN; Paul Perchansky, RT, (R), (CI) (VI); Andrew Lefever, RCIS; Linda Porter, RN. The center is
opening in three phases. Phase One began in May 2006 with diagnostic cardiac catheterizations. Phase Two will add cardiac angioplasties to the service line and
Phase Three, scheduled to open this winter, will allow surgeons to perform coronary bypass surgery and valve replacement surgery.
By Kathy Ruff
The health care climate in Pennsylvania’s hospitals mirrors
that across the nation with continual volatility and growth in
costs and concerns about stable access to care.
The Pocono Mountains are no exception. But they also face
the added challenge of providing care for a continually growing
population as well as an annual tourism base of nearly 8 million
people.
“Wayne Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in Wayne
County, and a major resource for communities in Pike County
and nearby Sullivan County in New York,” says David Hoff,
CEO of Wayne Memorial Health System. “The population of
our service area all along the Upper Delaware region is exploding. By some estimates, it could expand by as much as 30
percent to 50 percent in the next decade.”
Those predictions led to the hospital’s decision to invest $22
million to improve its facility and services to meet the expected
health care needs of that population. Projects undertaken to expand services and offerings to its rural population base included
opening an in-patient rehabilitation unit, wound care clinic and
sleep lab, as well as purchasing a CT scanner to offer new cardiac
imaging services.
“The population is growing at the same time the health care
landscape is changing radically,” says Lisa Champeau, spokeswoman for Wayne Memorial Health System. “In Pennsylvania, we
have probably one of the most critical malpractice insurance crises
in the country. That means that it’s very difficult to recruit and retain
physicians.”
To meet these challenges, WMHS purchased a picture archiving
communication system, which is hardware that allows physicians to
see, for example, a radiology scan almost as soon as it happens.
“Our board of directors, which is all volunteer, said we can either
fold up and die, let some big system take us over, or do what needs
to be done,” says Champeau. “They dug in their heels and built a
brand-new emergency room that can accommodate three times our
previous patient load in a brand new building. We also expanded our
dental clinic for young children, particularly those without insurance.”
Wayne Memorial met the financial challenges created by its
see GROWING
PAINS page 8
Professional Profile - Brain Gym Program Designed for Aging Workforce
page 12
2
Pocono Business Journal | November 2006
MONTHLY MISSIVE
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Twin Willow Publishing Company
REPORTERS
Ken Clark
Robin Gaffney
Kathy Ruff
There’s a daunting statistic that well over 50 percent of new businesses fail within the first year
of existence. So…for those of you who have been paying attention, this month is Pocono Business
Journal’s one year anniversary. Pocono Business Journal has defied the odds and is moving at a determined and diligent pace into an amazing second year. We have some great plans for 2007 that will
not disappoint our readers.
As for this one-year anniversary issue, healthcare proved, not surprisingly, to be an overwhelmingly popular topic to wrap our minds around. So first off, we chose to focus on the growth of the
area and the challenges faced by our local hospitals. Workplace wellness, another trendy and current
topic, is discussed along with tips to help you balance work and physical fitness.
It is also exciting and appropriate to introduce a new monthly column, Report on Regional
Heathcare, with this issue. Our columnist, Richard J. Henley, FACHE, FHFMA, President and CEO
of Pocono Medical Center and Pocono Health System, will be providing his insights on healthcare
issues and how they relate to the business community.
Readers, next month we’ll be introducing another column that will, once again, guarantee to
inform, inquire and inspire.
Lastly, I want to thank the talented staff, the quality advertisers and loyal readers for a fantastic
first year.
CONTRIBUTORS
Richard Henley
Heidi Hewlett
Dominick Sacci
Lesley Smith
Seven Bridge Road
RR#5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209
570.421.0100 | fax 570.421.0404
www.pbjonline.com
PUBLISHER / EDITOR
Marynell Strunk
PHOTOGRAPHER
Lynne Bookey
Marynell K. Strunk
Publisher/Editor
Contact me at [email protected]
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COPY EDITOR
Deborah Schiffer
• Healthy Employees Keep Your Profits in Good Shape. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
• Status Report on Regional Hospitals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
• Professional Survey Question: What can employees do at the workplace to stay physically fit?. . . . . . . 15
SALES
Phyllis M. Hilkert
• Brain Gym Designed for Aging Workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 - 13
Danielle Eberhardt
Robin Gaffney
ARTICLES
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
DEPARTMENTS
PRODUCTION/DESIGN
Jason Trump
CIRCULATION
Robin Gaffney
COPYRIGHT: PBJ is protected under the federal Copyright Act.
Reproductions of any part by any means or facsimiles without
the express written permission of the publisher are not permitted.
Reprints of PBJ articles are available. For rates and information
visit http://www.pbjonline.com/reprints.html. PBJ cannot be
responsible for the return of unsolicited material, manuscripts and
photographs without the inclusion of a self-addressed stamped
envelope. Information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of
the information cannot be guaranteed. Submission of information
does not guarantee inclusion. PBJ is published monthly from offices located at Seven Bridge Road, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301.
PBJ serves business owners, managers and professionals in the
four county Pocono region: Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne.
Subscriptions are available for $30 per year or $60 for two years.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Pocono Business
Journal, RR#5 Box 5198, East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
• Business Briefs - Who’s Who/What’s What. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
• Calendar of Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
• Columnists
Marketing Momentum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Regional Heathcare Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Residential Real Estate Quarterly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
• Editorial: PA Chamber of Commerce: Cover All Kids. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• Focus List – Medical Supply Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
• HR Tip of the Month. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
• Reader’s Resource . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• Register – Deeds and Mortgage Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 - 23
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
If you would like to guarantee receiving the Pocono Business Journal monthly,
please mail subscription form along with check made payable to:
Seven Bridge Road
RR#5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-9209
Name:___________________________Title:____________________________
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Address:_ __________________________________ Phone:________________
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____ 1 year (12 issues): $30.00
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Thank you for choosing Pocono Business Journal
Advertisers Index
ASSI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Associated Libraries of Monroe County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
C & M Homes, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
ESU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
For Your Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Geisinger Health System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Howell’s Flowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Journal Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
JTdesigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Liberty Homes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
LTS Builders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate. . . . . . . . . 12
Nassau Broadcasting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
PenTeleData . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Pocono Medical Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Pocono Personnel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Pocono Mountains Business Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
RGB Home Builders, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Sherman Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Summit Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Strunk-Albert Engineering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Target Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
TN Printing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Wayne Memorial Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
3
NEWS
Status Report on Regional Hospitals
By Kathy Ruff
Hospitals located in the Poconos have undertaken changes to cope with a growing population and a changing health care industry in order to stay vibrant and react to the needs of
the community:
Honesdale’s Wayne Memorial Health System embarked
upon a $22 million capital expansion project in 2004. Since
that time, it has completed a
brand new $10 million threestory building that houses an
emergency department that can
handle three times the patient
load as the former one, an in-patient rehabilitation unit, a sleep
laboratory and a wound care
clinic.
The hospital’s improvements also include the purchase of a WAYNE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
new MRI machine and a state-
of-the-art 64-slice CT Scanner,
which will allow expanded offerings into specialized cardiac imaging services and speed up
procedure times.
Wayne Memorial Health System expanded its youth dental clinic and opened the Pike
County Medical Center in Lords Valley in 2004. WMHS broke ground in August for a new
primary medical care facility in Waymart expected to open in February 2007. In October,
Wayne Memorial Hospital launched its tobacco-free campus initiative.
In the past year, the hospital received over $634,000 in federal grants for patient safety,
emergency preparedness and rural healthcare outreach, $320,000 for patient safety initiatives
and health care access projects from private foundations and more than $11,000 from the
Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for a medical advocacy program for
victims of domestic violence.
In the past few years, the hospital was cited for excellence by Solucient, a health care
quality group; and it was rated as one of the best in the nation for general surgery by Healthgrades in 2006.
East Stroudsburg’s Pocono Medical Center added a
new 100,000 square foot fourstory wing at a price tag of $53
million. The centerpiece of the
wing, the ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute, is an inpatient
heart care treatment center
with two cardiac catheterization labs, two cardiovascular
operating suites and cardiovas
cular recovery care and telem
POCONO MEDICAL CENTER
etry units. The additions en
able PMC to treat an estimated
1,500 patients a year who previously had to travel to other facilities for those services. One
cardiac catherization lab opened in May with a second lab scheduled to open this month.
The center will begin performing angioplasty, valve repair and replacement and open-heart
surgery in the near future.
PMC’s expansion project includes the new Mattioli Emergency Center, which opened
earlier this year. Enhancements in the emergency center include two general radiology
rooms onsite and implementation of a wireless, electronic patient record system that includes
bedside registration and allows a physician to access and review patient records from anywhere instantaneously. “Our strategic plan also includes consideration of a Women’s Health
Center. Local developer Larry Simon and his wife, Monica have offered a generous donation.
This is one alternative that will be considered. We are too early in the process to comment
further,” says a spokesperson for PMC.
Certifications/designations: PMC’s Emergency Department recently was named a “User
of the Year” by Picis, a software company that designed its IBEX wireless patient safety and
tracking system. PMC placed second nationally out of 180 hospitals.
Pocono’s Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center received designation as a Comprehensive Community Center, accreditation from the American College of Surgeons, and re-accreditation by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology
Group.
see STATUS REPORT ... on page 19
Skilled
Physicians
ADVANCED HEART CARE
State-of-the-art heart care has arrived at Pocono Medical
Center. At the new ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute, we take
your healthcare to heart. Diagnostic cardiac catheterizations are
now performed in our new, world-class facility, with angioplasty
and other interventional cardiac procedures, including openheart surgery, coming this winter. Our team of experienced
cardiologists, utilizing the latest technology available, obtain the
most accurate and detailed images of the heart possible. Our
combination of physician expertise, a world-class facility and
the most advanced technology is a clear indication that Pocono
Medical Center is the right choice for cardiac care.
www.poconohealthsystem.org
4
EDITORIAL
‘Cover All Kids’ a Concern for Business
By Lesley Smith
The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry,
along with other business groups, recently participated in
a series of stakeholder meetings regarding the Governor’s
proposed “Cover All Kids” insurance program, which
would use state and federal dollars in an attempt to provide
affordable, comprehensive health care coverage for uninsured children. The 2006-07 state budget includes $4.4
million in state funds and $10.2 million in federal funds to
cover the first-year costs of the program. Cover All Kids
would assist parents of children whose combined family income exceeds the income eligibility limits of the Children’s
Health Insurance Program, yet cannot afford to purchase
insurance for their children.
Of concern to Pennsylvania employers is language
recently proposed by the administration that would make
it make it an unfair labor practice for an employer to refer
an individual employee or an employee’s dependent to the
newly created program. The proposed language also would
make it an unfair labor practice if an employer alters his
contribution to the employee’s health care or modifies the
employee’s health care plan and that employee’s dependent
subsequently enrolls in coverage under the new program.
The proposal could prohibit an employer from merely
switching health care plans, adjusting existing health care
coverage to allow for greater employee flexibility, or sharing costs with employees in an attempt to maintain some
semblance of coverage for employees. It also does not
address a scenario in which an employee voluntarily opts to
drop coverage.
This overly-broad, punitive language demonstrates a
lack of understanding of the current private marketplace in
Pennsylvania and the pressures that employers are increasingly finding themselves under in our health care system.
While the issue was discussed during the stakeholder
process, only one party in the dialogue suggested using
the language which mirrors a California plan. The suggestion to penalize employers was met with opposition by the
business community. While there are legitimate issues surrounding the program, one of them being that of healthcare
“dumping,” the business community encourages more
forthright dialogue on the best approach to addressing these
concerns. However, the PA Chamber and business groups
involved in the stakeholder process do not support the unfair labor practice legislation as proposed by the Governor.
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
www.welcoa.org
The Wellness Council of America
If you’ve ever thought of implementing a workplace wellness program at your business this
Web site will prove to be a good place to start
and a valuable tool. Your first click should be on
‘Well Workplace’ and start reviewing the free
resources for incentive campaigns, PowerPoint
presentations and return on investment data.
You also have the option of becoming a member,
gain valuable benefits, and access to reproducible health bulletins, audio seminars and several
newsletters. WELCOA can also provide a training
and consulting team to further assist business
executives develop
an effective wellness
program.
Have something to say ???
Send Letters to the Editor at [email protected].
Remember to include your contact information.
Liberty Rings Through with
Quality, Choice & Value.
©Copley News Service. Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
please recycle
this paper
James Radenhausen
PBJ BLOG
“Blogging for Business”
Whether it’s a year ‘round dream home or that vacation get-away, there
has never been a better time to talk to Liberty Homes. For over 27 years,
Liberty has been building more than just great homes in the beautiful
Poconos...they’ve been Building Trust. See the award-winning homes
and the four season communities close to skiing, rafting, hiking, great
schools and easy access to I-476, I-80, I-380, Rt. 33 & I-78.
See the award winning homes today!
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866-4 YOUR HOME
Office - Rt. 940, Pocono Lake
In The Beautiful Poconos
www.pbjonline.com/blog
Correction: In the October 2006 issue, Pocono Business Journal listed two Bizzy Award winners incorrectly. The correct information is; Best Small Business was awarded to Access Office Technologies and Best Medium Size Business was
awarded to Elevations Health Club. Pocono Business Journal apologizes for this error.
www.pbjonline.com
5
6
NEWS
Leadership Pocono Kicks Off with Retreat at Stoney Acres
By Leadership Pocono Media Committee
The Leadership Pocono Program facilitated by the
Pocono Mountain Chamber of Commerce presents a
unique opportunity for select individuals to learn about
leadership and community involvement. The program
exposes future leaders to influential individuals from
some major Pocono businesses, who share their business
insight as well as their commitment to the community.
The Leadership Program began with orientation
on August 23rd and presentations by
Glenn Watt, president and CEO of
Backbone Security, and Daisy Gallagher, president and CEO of Gallagher
& Gallagher. The
speakers
discussed
their
backgrounds
and
shared
how they
came to
become
business
leaders,
Kevin Yurko
addding that the primary characteristic
of a true leader is one who gives back
to the community.
The next session was a weekend
retreat at Stoney Acres. Gene Dickison,
financial advisor with Valley National
Financial Advisors and host of the
television and radio show “More Than
Money with Gene Dickison,” used his
natural charisma and enthusiasm to set
the upbeat tone of the weekend.
The next day started with a variety
of challenges, teaching us to work together in
difficult
situations and
achieving
goals we
had just
received.
In the afternoon,
the staff
at Stoney
Acres
led us up
Dennis Jeter
trees and down “zip cords” and had us
leaping through the air on the ropes
course. By the end of the two-day
retreat we were amazed at what we accomplished as a team and everyone is
excited about the months ahead.
“I am proud of the work that we
have begun to do in the community to
support businesses and non-profits. In
the one month we have worked together, we’ve already supported the United
Way and Packs for Backs and we’re
currently working with the Sherman
Theater on two concerts - Arlo Guthrie
and Schooner Fare. Both also benefit
the United Way of Monroe County,”
said Kevin Yurko, a financial advisor
for Smith Barney in Stroudsburg.
“My goals for the future include
becoming a strong leader in my personal, community and business life,
said Dennis Jeter president and CEO
of A Sound Strategy, Inc. in Stroudsburg. “Leadership
Pocono has already proved itself to be the catalyst to
making this happen.” Prior to owning his own company,
Jeter was the director of special projects and touring for
Pulitzer Prize-winning trumpet player Wynton Marsalis.
Leadership Pocono will cover its next meeting in
the December issue of Pocono Business Journal. It will
focus on leadership skills, styles, and philosophies.
“Leadership Pocono,” written by the Leadership Pocono Media Committee, will be a monthly contribution
that will chronicle the progress of Leadership Pocono
Class of 2006/2007. The members of the Leadership
Pocono Media Committee include Marianne Chester,
Nicole Foleno, Jennifer Hall, Julius Kollar and Kevin
Yurko.
7
NEWS
Third Quarter Reflects the Start of a Market Correction
Residential Real
Estate Quarterly
Dominick J. Sacci
When a real estate market is on the upswing, the
third quarter is always the busiest time of the year. It
has always been referred to as our ‘selling season.’
This is the time of the year that the winter/spring
inventory of homes listed typically sell and the buyer
activity is at an annual high. It seems that behind every
family looking for a home is another family looking
to do the same. It also sets up the end of the year with
sales, and Realtors® have to start marketing for homes
to sell, because inventory is sold out.
Real estate is cyclical, and the scenario previously
explained would not describe the third quarter of 2006.
The Pocono market began to quietly transition out of
its boom in late fall 2005; the number of homes on the
market actually began to increase when they typically
would decline. The slowdown continued through this
past July, and for the first time the closed year-to-date
sales dropped from the previous year.
Through August, the average sales price of homes
dropped from July’s all time high of $206,111, and
closed at $189,219. While this was a 9% decrease,
Realtors® were not concerned with one ‘off month’
and thus looked to September’s numbers. Although
the average sales price bumped up to $200,004, a 5%
increase, it would appear that this is the beginning of
the value correction. Overpriced homes didn’t sell in
the ‘selling season’ and are just sitting, for the time being. There are aggressive price reductions and commission bonuses in the MLS system, as sellers try to attract
buyers from what’s left of the already shrunken pool.
Even with all of that being said, the three most
important things in real estate are, location, location,
location, and there couldn’t be a better location than
the Poconos. While you watch the national coverage of
bubbles bursting, foreclosure increases, and dead markets, ask yourself, “How does this apply to the Pocono
market?”
The home values, while off from the 14% the area
has grown accustomed to each year for the last four
years, are still up 8.4% YTD. As inventory increases
and values adjust, regional real estate will be able to
accommodate buyers that were priced right out of the
market.
At this moment we are experiencing a transition
into a ‘new’ market: new to the Poconos as we have
not yet seen this phenomenon. The last cycle in the
mid- eighties was controlled by a vacation market, and
the last five years has been driven by primary housing. In addition the market does not solely depend on
local factors and 65% of our area’s real estate business
comes from New York and New Jersey. While buyers
are quicker to realize the adjustment, sellers are holding
onto a market that isn’t available anymore.
In closing, values will drop then stabilize. Homes
will take longer to sell, but they will sell. Sellers will
accept the market that we are in and buyers will keep
moving to the Poconos. Then in four to six years we’ll
catch the next cycle.
In my next column I will report on the year end
statistics, which will paint a more accurate picture of
our regional residential real estate market after one year
of data.
Dominick J. Sacci is Vice President and General
Manager for Wilkins & Associates Real Estate, Inc. Mr.
Sacci has been tracking market statistics for the last
four years. Market data was compiled from the Pocono
Mountain Association of Realtors MLS system. Readers
can discuss the residential real estate market with Mr.
Sacci at www.pbjonline.com/blog.
PBJ BLOG
“Blogging for
Business”
Talk about business
online with PBJ
columnists.
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Call Us at 570-854-0355
or e-mail [email protected]
“Whatever you are, be a good one.”
Abraham Lincoln
8
NEWS
expansion by hiring a grant writer, whose mission is to
secure funding for preventive and in-house patient services
as well as patient safety initiatives.
The financial challenges caused by the growing aging
population is a challenge being faced by Carbon County’s
Blue Mountain Health Care System.
“The population is aging up,” says Mark Gregson, Blue
Mountain’s interim CEO. “There is an ongoing need for
access to hospital and health care resources because those
are the folks who use health care services more. With the
aging up, there is going to be more demand on resources.
We are now focused on addressing the services that we’ll
need in the community.”
To accomplish the goal, Blue Mountain plans to offer
a variety of elder care programs at its Palmerton campus
including a geriatric psychiatric program.
“In Palmerton, we are introducing an elder health program,” says Gregson. “There is a growing population base
in this area causing an increased need for elder health programs, and part of the focus is a geriatric psych program.
We believe there is a higher concentration of seniors here
including those who need these types of programs.”
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The program would provide short-stay visits to help
seniors with acute psychiatric and dementia-type ailments.
The program would complement its two adult day care
centers at Palmerton and Brodheadsville.
“We are looking at expanding several other outpatient
services and programs,” says Gregson. “The future of the
health care system is to make services available out in the
community and on an outpatient basis, beyond the acute
care inpatient programs.”
For the inpatient population, Blue Mountain recently
began offering a hospitalist service to provide dedicated
on-site physicians to care for inpatients.
“A model that’s increasing around the country with
great value and success is to have physicians who basically
take care of inpatients full time,” says Gregson. “We are
also working with the medical staff to recruit specialists
and physicians to areas where we have collectively identified the need.”
Keeping up with the needs of a burgeoning population
is a challenge also evident in Monroe County, the secondfastest growing county in the state. Once a small community hospital in the Poconos, East Stroudsburg’s Pocono
Medical Center has transformed over the past decade to
meet the real and expected demands resulting from the
continued population growth in the area.
“The continued extraordinary population growth in
Pocono Medical Center’s service area has created great
opportunity,” says Richard J. Henley, PMC’s president and
CEO. “The medical center has embraced the challenges
with new programs such as the ESSA Heart and Vascular
Institute.”
The institute represents one part of center’s most recent
$53 million expansion project that includes a new 100,000
square-foot wing.
“We have also faced an increase in the number of under- and uninsured members of our community,” says Henley. “Pocono Medical Center remains committed to serving
all those in need of health services and will continue our
role as a partner to find unique and creative solutions to
ensure services for those whose health coverage, or lack of
it, reduces or eliminates many care options.”
The hospital credits Henley’s visionary leadership with
meeting these challenges by, for example, the implementation of PMC’s patient safety initiative using state-of-the-art
technology designed to improve the accuracy and efficiency of patient care, as well as other revolutionary technologies and programs.
New CEO for Blue Mountain Health System
By Kathy Ruff
Carbon County’s Blue Mountain Health System
recently appointed Andrew E. Harris as its chief
executive officer.
Harris brings over 25 years of health care experience to Blue Mountain including being CEO at Philadelphia’s Warminster Hospital, Elkins Park Hospital
and Mercy Community Hospital. He also served as
corporate officer of Mercy Health System, focusing
on increasing admissions and expanding outpatient
services. His expertise includes hospital turnarounds,
medical staff development, contract negotiating, ambulatory care program development, surgery centers
and facility and construction management.
Harris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from
the State University of New York at Buffalo, and
Master of Science degree in Health Service Administration from Wagner College, Staten Island, New
York.
Blue Mountain Health System is a partnership
between Palmerton Hospital and Gnaden Huetten
Memorial Hospital and provides a continuum of
care with a full range of comprehensive health care
services.
Photo Credit: Submitted by Blue Mountain Health System
GROWING PAINS ... cont. from page 1
Andrew E. Harris
Penn’s Northeast Annual Festival Aims to Attract Business
By Ken Clark
More than 100 real estate brokers, corporate executives and developers from New York and New Jersey
turned out for Penn Northeast’s Fall Festival, held
recently at Skytop Lodge. There, they were wined and
dined in a sales campaign Penn’s Northeast President
Jim Cummings hopes will bring many of them back to
stay.
“Each year, the event gets bigger and bigger,” Cummings said. “There has been a noticeable increase in the
number of developers who attend this event and then
invest in our region, and that is a really good sign.”
Penn’s Northeast, a non-profit economic development organization representing Pike, Wayne, Monroe,
Luzerne and Lackawanna counties, is charged with
recruiting new business and industry to northeastern
Pennsylvania. Cummings declined to name business
entities showing genuine interest in moving operations
to the area after a day of golf, skeet- shooting and fishing before an evening banquet and awards ceremony, but
he did say that as ever, manufacturers led the potential
business parade.
“Of companies that have contacted us that we’ve
actually spoken to, which would be in the vicinity of 250
since March 2003, 48 percent have been manufacturers,” he said. “About 35 percent have been logistics and
17 percent have been office or commercial, with a small
uptick in office activity.”
Cummings said inquiries in the logistics category
have included retailers looking for “big box” sites.
“The average size sought is 450,000 square feet, and 31
of them need in excess of half a million square feet,” he
said. “There is no specific trend among manufacturers.
They range from food processing and pharmaceuticals to
electronics and metal fabricating, and it’s from all different parts of the country.”
Cummings said once a corporation becomes genuinely interested in locating a facility in the region, the
work to close the deal really begins. Surveys define three
prime selling points in persuading a business to locate
in any area: proximity to major interstate highways,
availability of skilled workers and operating costs. But
even when all of those criteria are met, other factors, not
the least of which are environmental concerns, must be
considered.
“One other factor is, ‘How long will it take me to
get my permits, construct a building and make the move,
because time is money?’” Cummings said. “The longer
it takes to develop a project that meets all the environmentally sensitive criteria, the less likely it is that you’re
going to win the project because the executives are going to say, ‘That’s going to take too long; that’s going to
cost too much; I’m going to go somewhere else.’
“It’s a matter of balancing economic development
with environmental concerns with smart growth and
trying to find a way to get them to work together so
that you get a quality product in the end, developed in
a timely manner. That’s the kind of win-win situation
we’re looking for.”
9
What About Branding?
Marketing Momentum
Heidi Hewlett
It is a pretty recognizable brand name. Originally
it was “Jerry’s Guide to the World Wide Web” but we
settled on “Yahoo”. Jerry Yang, Co-founder of Yahoo!
Inc.
When it comes to branding, it may be most important to remember that the consumer ultimately determines the meaning of your brand. A brand is a name,
design, slogan, visual cue or color scheme associated
with the goods or services of a seller. Collectively
these items are considered the “brand elements.” In
planning your brand strategy, you must choose your
brand elements wisely. Just as Jerry Yang of Yahoo!
realized, the shorter the name, the better. You want
to make it memorable, meaningful and likeable. In
an effort to manage the perceptions of consumers,
companies begin the branding process by teaching the
consumer “who” the product is, “what” the product
does and “why” they should care. Since branding is all
about creating differences, if consumers don’t perceive
a difference in the product category, the branding
process was not successful. Take a look at this list of
the top 10 out of the Top 100 Global Brands as reported
by Business Week and mentally audit your personal
NEWS
brand knowledge (thoughts, feelings, beliefs and so on)
associated with that brand.
1. Coca Cola
2. Microsoft
3. IBM
4. GE
5. Intel
6. Nokia
7. Toyota
8. Disney
9. McDonald’s
10. Mercedes-Benz
US
US
US
US
US
Netherlands
Japan
US
US
Germany
Even the 100th brand on the list, Levis, probably
evokes some strong associations. As evidenced by that
top 10 list, the branding process can involve millions
of marketing and advertising dollars. But what about
the small, emerging company working on a shoestring
budget? Luckily, the basic tenets apply to everyone
and with the goal of “creating differences,” consumer
education can be achieved by all. The Harvard Business Review (2000) published some of the attributes
shared by the world’s strongest brands.
- the brand excels at delivering the benefits
consumers desire
- the brand stays relevant
- the brand is consistent
- the brand is properly positioned
With the increase in marketing communication
channels and the narrowing of customer segments, the
traditional advertising agency model of branding has
diminished. In its place we find an emphasis on build-
ing the customer experience not only in service industries but in product businesses with plans such as “after
market service,” “support” and “customer solutions.”
This emphasis on customer experience also spotlights
the often overlooked issue of the important role that
internal employees play in the branding strategy. Not
only must you create perceived differences in the minds
of your potential customers, you must also convince
your employees of the brand’s promise. Consistent
delivery of the brand promise by the employees and the
company as a whole works to strengthen the brand and
create differences within the product category.
Regardless of the size or nature of your business,
branding will come into play. In order to stay on the
path to success, keep in mind that the perceptions of
the consumer are most important, not your vision of
what the brand will provide to the consumer. Conversely, your vision of what the brand will provide
(brand promise) must be delivered to the customer on
a regular basis in order to reinforce the value of your
brand. Learn a valuable lesson from the infamously
failed brands of New Coke, Crystal Pepsi and Cracker
Jack cereal. Take the time to review your target market,
brand elements, brand promise and delivery system.
Heidi Hewlett is the owner of BladeHewlett Marketing
& Development. BladeHewlett offers outsourced marketing services to companies without a full-time marketing staff and especially small to medium size businesses.
Heidi invites readers to discuss business concerns with
her at www.pbjonline.com/blog.
10
NEWS
PA Healthcare Provider Retention Program Extended Through 2007
Regional Healthcare
Report
By Richard J. Henley,
FACHE, FHFMA
As President and CEO of Pocono Medical Center,
I share the responsibility of ensuring the highest quality healthcare for all residents in our area. Healthcare
is a unique business, and through this monthly column
I will explore various aspects of the healthcare industry. And, healthcare is a part of every business that exists through healthcare benefits, having a healthy and
able workforce, and helping care for employees’ loved
ones.
In any industry, it is the skill, dedication and hard
work of the employees that makes an organization
thrive. Ours is a world of ever-changing technology
and electronic systems, but those tools are only as
good as those who are able to use them. Nationwide,
there is a shortage of physicians in all specialty areas.
At Pocono, one of our top priorities is recruiting and
retaining a medical staff that is up-to-date on the latest
treatment techniques and cutting edge medical technol-
ogy. Currently, we have more than 200 highly skilled
physicians in 35 specialties. Our Dale and Frances
Hughes Cancer Center was one of the first 50 in the
world to use Image-Guided Radiation Therapy, the
newest and best cancer treatment available. Our new
catheterization labs have the latest equipment that
improves image clarity dramatically, while reducing
the dose of radiation by 40 percent. Our new operating
suites are designed with newly designed lighting and
imaging systems that create the optimal environment
for specific procedures.
The addition of these leading-edge technologies
is setting us apart as a regional leader in healthcare,
so we also must meet the challenge of having the best
physicians and staff to use these treatments to their
fullest potential. Due to a shortage of specialists, we
face intense competition when recruiting physicians.
And recruiting physicians to Pennsylvania is even
more difficult because of the state’s higher medical
malpractice premiums and decreased reimbursements.
Resident physicians in high-risk fields cite malpractice costs three times more often than any other
factor in the decision to leave Pennsylvania to practice
elsewhere. As a result, some hospitals are forced to
curtail or stop providing certain healthcare services,
adversely impacting Pennsylvanians’ access to medical
care.
Among the solutions to address the medical liability issue in Pennsylvania is the implementation of
the Health Care Provider Retention Program (Mcare
abatement). Under the abatement, high-risk specialists
(orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, certified nurse
midwives, OB/GYNs among others) have 100 percent
of their Mcare payment abated. All other physicians
receive 50 percent abatement. In 2005, nursing homes
became eligible to receive 50 percent abatement. Funding for this program is from the tax on cigarettes and a
surcharge on moving traffic violations. This results in
about $224 million annually that is available to fund
the program. These funds are deposited in a special
account known as the Health Care Provider Retention
Account.
The program was established for 2003 and 2004,
and was later extended through 2006. The program
was set to expire December 31, but as of October 18,
the House and Senate both passed legislation that
extends Mcare abatement through 2007. The bill also
expands the definition of an emergency physician to
encompass more physicians who are eligible to receive
100 percent abatement. It is now pending approval by
Governor Rendell.
With the help of this recent reevaluation of legislation, Pennsylvania is making strides toward becoming a more attractive place for physicians to practice;
however, we still have much room for improvement.
Richard J. Henley, FACHE, FHFMA is the president
and CEO of Pocono Medical Center and Pocono
Health System. He has more than 25 years experience
in heathcare executive leadership, strategic planning,
and operations and finance. Henley also serves on
the Board of Governors of the American College of
Healthcare Executives, an international professional
society of 30,000 healthcare executives who lead
hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare
organizations
11
NEWS
Landmark Retailer Deals with Devastating Fire
HR Tip of the Month
By Kathy Ruff
They may be down but they are not out.
On Oct. 3, a fire leveled Carbon County’s Country
Junction. A 170,000 square-foot structure that, until
the fire was billed as the “World’s Largest General
Store.”
Estimated capital and inventory losses may exceed $10 million. Although no one was hurt and most
of the petting zoo animals survived, the fire killed
animals located in the pet store.
Co-owner James Everett’s entrepreneurial spirit is confirmed with his resilience to immediately begin
picking up the pieces and move forward. Tents were
pitched to begin the reopening process, and employees were shuffled to make sure the month-long Great
Pocono Pumpkin Festival, with its haunted house,
hayrides, pumpkin patch and carnival, continues.
None of the company’s nearly 200 people who
worked at the Towamensing Township facility were
laid off. Everett repositioned all of the facility’s
employees to its four other stores located in Hazleton,
Wilkes-Barre, Wind Gap and Quakertown.
The company also owns a warehouse about
a mile away from the burned site.
“We are going to be making Wind Gap
our flagship store for a year or two until we
rebuild,” says Everett. “I am repositioning
employees to other stores because most of
our customers live within 40 minutes of the
other stores.”
Country Junction evolved in 1997 from
the roots of The Service Team, a company
that began installing insulation in 1984. As
customers sought additional products and
services, the store transformed into an allinclusive home center with everything from
hardware and lawn and garden supplies to a
food court, furniture and other home décor
items, gifts and pets.
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
We want to hear from you.
Tell Pocono Business Journal about your business.
Send press releases
and story ideas to
[email protected]
Experts know employees’ mental and physical
health can decrease their work performance, sour their
attitudes and compromise attendance – ingredients
that can cast a negative shadow over your business
operations and profitability.
Creating a healthy work environment requires
more than putting apples in the vending machines.
For example, if employees are upset about something
going on in the company, their jobs or their personal
lives, and the issue remains unresolved, emotional and
mental baggage can detract from their performance
and eventually affect their physical health.
For a nominal fee each year, employers can
offer confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
services to their employees to give them access to
professionals who can help them cope with those
issues. Start now to have healthier employees – and a
healthier bottom line by looking into an EAP.
Success
Expansions
Seminars
Promotions
Growth
PBJ Nov
New Ideas
2006
10/13/06
www.corepeopleresouces.com
11:55 AM
Page 1
An LTS Perspective… on Health
Walking and Talking
A famous author once quipped that
“everybody talks about the weather, but
nobody does anything about it.”
Sometimes, it seems the same could be
said about the need to ensure quality
health care for all American workers.
At LTS, we’ve long encouraged
preventive health with a free employee
Fitness Center and regular health-andfitness events for our employees and their
families. We’ve helped our people get
into everything from yoga to circuit
training to heart-healthy Salsa dancing.
And recently, we decided to undertake a
new exercise of our own: to stand up and
“walk the talk” — providing fully paid
health insurance benefits for every LTS
employee, starting on their first day.
Announced at a company-wide breakfast
meeting — along with an expanded
vacation policy — the news energized the
LTS team more than a year’s worth of
Pilates classes. And as they rose to a
standing ovation, one thing became clear:
that “walking the talk” can truly do the
heart good.
Building a better tomorrow… today.
P.O. Box 160
Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA 18356
(570) 424-5372
Part of a series of LTS perspectives on topics of interest to the business community
12
Brain Gym Program Designed
for Aging Workforce
By Ken Clark
First, you find that your glasses and car
keys are missing, though you had both when
you walked through the door 15 minutes ago.
Next, you find yourself peering into the refrigerator without a clue as to what you were looking for when you opened it.
Then, you’re alarmed to realize that your
vocabulary is dwindling down toward total
inarticulation and you have to check the newspaper to be sure what day of the week it is.
By now, your spouse is seething with
frustration, people are mad at you for all the
appointments you’ve missed and you seriously are considering asking your doctor for an
Alzheimer’s test, except … you keep forgetting
to do it.
Memory loss: the natural progression of old
age, right?
“Wrong,” says Bruce Harding, owner and
manager of Twin Cedars Assisted Living in
Shohola. Harding is using a state-of-the-art
shield against looming dementia called the
Brain Fitness Program from Posit Science, a
California company whose neuroscientists have
developed a video game designed to restore
lost memory and fading cognitive skills over a
40-day period of play, five days a week for up
to an hour and a half a day.
“What Posit Science and brain scientists
around the world are telling us is that mental
confusion and senility are not normal aging processes,” Harding said as he prepared
to demonstrate the program in which he has
enrolled several of his elderly residents. “It’s a
lack of exercise, the same as with the body.
“If I don’t walk every day more than I need
to, then my legs are going to get weaker,” he
said. “I have seen older people who could just
barely get along on a walker come in here and
sit on a recumbent stepper and work out. One
guy went from using a walker to using a cane
to striding down the halls independently.
“On the mental side, I have seen people
so dull and discouraged that they weren’t even
reading. After taking the course, they get back
up to where they started reading books again
and talking and thinking about what’s going on
and remembering where they’ve been and what
they’ve been doing.”
Here is how the brain gym works:
The person working out (it can be called
nothing else) sits before a computer screen,
dons a headset and attempts to follow an increasingly difficult string of commands, starting with what Harding calls “the smallest piece
of speech,” which is the ability to determine
the inflected difference between a rising and a
descending tone. As each tone is played, slowly
at first, then more rapidly, the subject uses the
computer mouse to click an up or down arrow.
From simple inflection, the program takes
the subject through increasingly complex exercises, ranging from discernment of “confusable pairs” of words, such as “Bo” and “Do,”
through a sequential memory workout, involving the order in which words are arranged.
Groupings start at four and work up to 20 or
30, at which point the brain is doing the equivalent of jumping jacks on the gym floor. Each
successful call is rewarded with a cheerful
chime, while each miss draws a derisive gong.
“Continuous repetition of the basic foundations of speech helps the brain actually rebuild
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13
Above, Bruce Harding, owner and manager of Twin Cedars Assisted Living in Shohola, is using a state-of-the-art shield against looming dementia called the Brain Fitness Program from Posit
Science, a California company whose neuroscientists have developed a video game designed to restore lost memory and fading cognitive skills. The program has proved to improve cognitive
skills and is a great tool to keep an aging workforce at top-level productivity.
the pathways to increase the memory, cognition
and quite often speech,” Harding said. “It’s a
form of psychofeedback, just like biofeedback
in the treatment of physical trauma. It really
focuses your mind.”
Now, a screen appears on which human
figures are aligned before a row of buildings.
Using the mouse to drag the images, the person
playing the game is given such commands as,
“Move the boy in the blue shorts to the market
and move the tall policeman to the hospital.”
As before, these commands become increasingly complex as the pace picks up until the
subject playing the game is in a real cognitive
sprint.
Meanwhile, throughout the program, a series of dazzling computer graphics flows across
the screen at the successful conclusion of each
segment, giving the player a warm sense of accomplishment.
In the final exercise, the cyber narrator tells
a story, illustrated on screen, then poses a series
of questions about what the player has just
heard. The questions that follow each plot twist
come fast and furious, forcing the memory to
respond.
“The brain is actually making new neural
pathways,” Harding said of the series. “I’ve
seen actual memory improvement (among his
subjects). It comes out in following instruc-
tions. It comes out in conversations around the
dinner table and with their families. Families
have actually commented, ‘Mom was telling
me about the program the other day.’ Well, that
means Mom was in the program and remembers what she was doing and is now telling her
family about it.”
“Our brains actually seem to atrophy when
they’re not challenged,” Harding said. “Our
brains were built to be challenged by new
material, but in our educational system and in
our society, we tend to get through college and
go to work, then function on what we know.
In this program, we build the neurons to get us
to think sharper and quicker and to catch the
sounds and ideas quicker. Our brain has to get
speeded up.
“I run into a lot of people who, by the time
they’re in their 80s, are just sitting on the sofa
watching TV. They’re no longer going out to
meetings with their friends. They’ve stopped
driving. They aren’t really eating well and there
are some physical things wrong with their bodies, so the mind becomes vague. After they’ve
taken the course, they can follow instructions
and take care of themselves. Now they’re making real decisions about their lives.”
As proprietor of an assisted living home,
Harding is working with an aged population,
but Posit Science’s Brain Fitness Program isn’t
Photo Credit: Lynne Bookey
exclusively for the elderly. Peggy Jara, Director of Communications for Posit Science, said
their researchers have concluded that the brain
exercises improve mental performance at any
age and that cognitive gains achieved endure
even after training ends.
“When you look at the ages of the workforce in the next 20 years, consider what would
happen if you could keep and harness all the
experience, wisdom and pattern recognition
of an older worker with the brain speed of a
younger worker,” she said. “Wow -- what a
win!”
“One of the things we’ve talked about doing here ideally is finding a company that has a
reputation for having an older work force and
donating it to them to do it for eight weeks to
see if their employees are more productive afterwards,” Jara said. “We think there is a huge
opportunity here because, as you know, the
workforce is aging.”
Individuals can buy the program for home
use for $395, through the Posit Science Website, www.positscience.com.
If you would like Pocono Business Journal to profile your company, please
contact us at 421-0100 or [email protected].
14
NEWS
Healthy Employees Keep Your Profits in Good Shape
By Ken Clark
It’s axiomatic in business today that a healthy
workforce is a productive workforce, and since high
productivity is the pathway to fiscal success, companies increasingly are working to keep their employees
in shape.
Throughout the Poconos, major corporations are
providing on-site wellness programs for their workers, or subcontracting the services of outside agencies
ranging from conventional fitness approaches to such
alternative practices as massage therapy, Reike and
acupuncture. Though not directly involved in on-site
fitness programs, Shelba Sheffner, executive director
of the East Central Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center in Lehighton, praises the trend.
“I’m certainly aware that there is a big move
toward employers recognizing that it’s in their best
interests to keep their workforce healthy in a variety
of ways -- not just physically, but emotionally as
well,” she said. “Most jobs these days don’t involve
any kind of physical activity, so that’s a growing trend
and a growing need. It’s an important point because
we’re seeing rates of Type 2 diabetes and obesity in
children going up and that’s only going to get worse
because kids sit in school, the parents sit at desk jobs
and many times on weekends, they all just transfer
that into sitting in front of the TV or the computer.”
The mission of Sheffner’s agency is to work for
access to health care, “especially for the rural and underserved population.” To that end, her team actively
recruits future health care workers in schools all the
way from kindergarten through high school, trying
to steer students into careers in the field. Meanwhile,
across the Poconos, employers are trying to steer their
own employees into the gyms and fitness programs
they sponsor. Such unrelated entities as ESSA Bank,
Sanofi Pasteur, LTS Builders and the Tobyhanna
Army Depot all have state-of-the-art gymnasia, with
accompanying programs for good health and fitness.
“We certainly promote and encourage good health
for all of our employees and family members,” said
Tom Grayuski, vice president of human resources
at ESSA. “We have a fitness center with all the
treadmills and machines and it’s free of charge to
employees and their immediate families. We also run
Wednesday night aerobics and yoga classes and we
do smoking cessation classes. In addition, we give a
subscription to Prevention magazine to every employee. It promotes wellness, so they all get that on a
monthly basis.”
Health concerns are a natural for Sanofi Pasteur,
the nation’s largest manufacturer of vaccines. Public
Relations executive Ellen Schindler said in addition
to free vaccinations, Sanofi Pasteur workers have access to a fully equipped gym as well as walking trails
through the firm’s extensive campus.
“We also, through a subcontractor, have a health
center on site where employees can go for a number
of health related issues,” she said. “Vaccines are all
about prevention. This is simply an extension of that.”
The company also holds an annual health fair,
featuring massage therapy, screenings for cholesterol
and nutritional counseling.
Jan Farole, former fitness trainer and member of
LTS Builders’ fitness committee, said the company
put in its first gym eight years ago, then increased its
size and sophistication as the workforce grew from 80
employees to more than 250.
“It has a free weight area for those who like to
work out the old fashioned way, and it has a select-aweight area with the same machines that a rehab place
would have,” she said. “Then we have a cardio area
which has four treadmills, two lifecycles, a stepper
and a brand new Pilates machine. The new workout
craze is Pilates.”
She said LTS also sponsors a fitness week twice a
year, with massage therapy and motivational speakers. The gym is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.,
seven days a week.
Tobyhanna Army Depot boasts three gyms -- one
featuring a full array of workout equipment in the
Mack Field House and two satellite facilities in the
industrial operations area. In addition, the staff is
offered health screenings for thyroid, body fat and
carotid artery problems which, according to Public
Affairs Officer Kevin Toolan, “actually enabled an
employee to identify an early stage cancer.” He said
the Depot also has a worker conditioning program designed to improve the physical capabilities of workers
performing tasks involving work-related musculoskeletal risk factors.
“Once at-risk jobs are identified through ergonomic worksite analysis, employees are referred to
participation in the program,” he said.
The program involves two hour-long sessions per
week for one to six weeks during which the employee
learns proper lifting techniques, back injury prevention, stretching, strengthening and cardiovascular
exercises.
Healing and preventive medicine also go handin-hand at the Pocono Medical Center. Not only do
all staff members get all immunizations required by
law, but the hospital actively pursues smoking cessation programs, nutrition and weight loss. Anthony
Matrisciano, Community Relations Coordinator, said
this year, 38 teams from the center participated in the
Shape Up PA program.
“The program called for groups of friends, coworkers and relatives to form teams and participate in
fun activities to help reach their goals,” he said. “One
team received the gold medal for overall weight loss
in the state of Pennsylvania.”
Even companies that lack space for on-site fitness
centers still provide services for their employees.
Commercial Real Estate broker Michael Baxter
calls in a massage therapist for his staff before every
monthly sales meeting.
“I’ve been doing this since the day we opened our
doors eight years ago,” he said. “I bring in a massage
therapist and she does a 15-minute chair massage for
every person in the office. I consider it stress management. The people love it here. It’s just another little
perk we give our employees and agents.”
Not all therapies are so mainstream and not all
subcontractors are on a company’s payroll. Most, in
fact, routinely are called in to supply services and,
like Jason Cronan, owner of Four Corners Health
and Fitness Center on Stroudsburg’s Main Street, are
eager to comply.
Cronan is an emergency medical technician
certified as a stress conditioning coach and health
fitness instructor with the American College of Sports
Medicine. He holds a Master’s degree from ESU
in exercise science and runs a staff of specialists in
reflexology, acupuncture, Swedish massage and deep
tissue massage. He said he soon will add hypnotherapy, aroma therapy, cranial spatial therapy, sports
medicine and a host of other holistic approaches to
his roster, which is available to any company wishing to bring them in for on-site wellness programs.
Cronan said the deviation from conventional medical
treatment now is well accepted, even within the allopathic medical community.
“There are a lot of MDs now changing over to
homeopathic medicine,” Cronan said. “It has limited
side effects, and where there are side effects, they’re
very mild.”
Another alternative treatment center serving as an
outside subcontractor to health programs is Wellspring Holistic Center, also on Stroudsburg’s Main
Street.
“We do retreats, depending on what someone
might want,” said acupuncturist, nutritional counselor
and yoga instructor Louise Bowman. “We can put
together a retreat at the work site, or we could find a
place with a nice setting if they really want a nice getaway for their employees. We would procure a place
where they could come and spend a whole day.”
Even Eva Berend, practitioner of the 2,500-yearold Chinese science of acupuncture, has one outside
client. She said Liztek Jewelers, on Crystal Street in
East Stroudsburg, frequently sends employees to her
for treatment.
Berend said the World Health Organization has
listed some 75 ailments approved for treatment by
acupuncture, among them, allergies, anxiety, back
pain, chronic headaches, asthma and carpal tunnel
syndrome. Berend, who has practiced in East Stroudsburg for a decade, said acceptance of the ancient art
has been a long time coming, but that now, some
insurance companies, notably in California and New
Jersey, finally are starting to cover it.
“There are still a couple of southern states in
which you can go to jail for practicing acupuncture
because they say it’s voodoo,” Berend said. “There
has been a lot of energy spent by the medical associations to keep us down, too. They’re against it, they
say, to protect the public because you cannot do the
double blind test. For me, if something works and
somebody comes in here and tells me they feel better
after this treatment, that’s proof enough.”
Employers interested in on-site wellness
programs for their workers can refer to Blue
Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s 16page “tool kit” offering advice on setting up
health fairs and promoting health programs
to employees. This blueprint for fitness and
preventive medicine also deals with such
workplace afflictions as asthma, osteoporosis,
diabetes, depression, heart disease, and smoking. A direct link to the site is:
www.bcnepa.com/PDF/HealthyWorkforce/
Hlth_Toolkit_1-05.pdf.
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15
PROFESSIONAL SURVEY QUESTION
What can employees do at work to stay physically fit?
By Ken Clark
In a world plagued by obesity, hypertension and diabetes -- all the consequences of the sedentary lifestyle -- we
know we should join a health club, or run or walk every
day. Most of us, however, would complain, “There is no
time.” So what is the average working man or woman, sitting in a cubicle or in front of a computer screen for eight to
ten hours a day, to do to maintain some measure of activity
while on the job? The question was put to several experts at
health and fitness clubs across the Poconos.
Here are their answers:
Rob Bishop, General Manager of
Elevations in Scotrun:
“The key for someone like that is to try
to get activity interspersed throughout
the day. If you don’t have an hour set
aside, say at 6 p.m., to go into your exercise routine, you need to take advantage
of smaller chunks of time throughout
the day. In the morning, if you have 10
or 15 minutes, go for a walk. If, during
lunch break, you have another 10 or 15
minutes, get up and do something active.
If you can do that two or three times
throughout the day, it would accumulate
20, 30 or even 40 minutes of exercise.
It’s trying to be activity focused, rather
than thinking of it as just another hour of
exercise.”
Bob Thuemmel, Manager of Butterfly
in Palmerton:
“The best advice I could give anyone
would be to do some kind of aerobic or
isometric exercise. If you have a desk
where you have a side board, as most
do, push one knee against one side and
hold it. You can do any number of stomach presses and flexing muscles in various parts of your body, using isometric
leveraging wherever you can. You can
do golf exercises where you just turn in
place and hold the stretch. You can turn
your neck from side to side while making faces. That’s good for your skin and
neck muscles.”
Will Jusino, Fitness Director at Pocmont Fitness Center in Bushkill:
“One of the biggest mistakes is the
tendency to snack all day, so I would
say watch what you eat when you’re at
work. Cutting back on snacks is one of
the best things you could possibly do. If
you’re on the second or third floor, take
the steps instead of the elevator. During
lunch, if you get an hour or so you want
to walk as much as possible. Short of
having an exercise regimen, you have to
avoid the negative side, which is eating.
Some people can eat anything they want,
as much as they want, as long as they
exercise, but if they don’t exercise, they
really have got to watch what they’re
eating.”
Ryan Van Noy, Fitness Director at the
YMCA in Stroudsburg:
If you work in a building with a big
parking lot, park at the furthest spot
away from the building so that you get
a brisk walk in the morning and in the
afternoon just walking back to your
car. Sitting at your desk, you probably
could get away with using a Thera-band.
Essentially, it’s a big rubber band, and
you can get a total body workout with it.
During breaks you can stand up and hold
it down at your side and do bicep curls.
You can sit on the band and do shoulder
presses up above your head.. You can do
tricep extensions behind your back. It’s
an extremely effective tool, especially
for a situation like this.”
Beth Marx, owner of Kole’s Aerobic
and Fitness Center in Honesdale:
“What is recommended is to get 30 min-
utes or more of moderate to intense activity all days of the
week. To do this (while in the office) one should purchase a
pedometer and try to accumulate about 10,000 steps a day.
There are several ways to do that. One would be, instead
of taking escalators, make sure you take the stairs. When
you have to talk to someone in the office, instead of calling
them, walk over to them. When you park, park as far away
from the building as you can so that you get a good walk
into that. Take a brisk walk during the day -- at lunchtime
or after dinner or before work. And what’s more important
is make sure what you bring to eat is healthy and low-fat.”
Mary Ann Ruby, owner and Fitness Director at Bodies
in Balance Fitness Center in Milford:
“Take stretching breaks. Stand to extend your spine in sort
of a back bend. Stretch and roll your shoulders, then work
your back muscles in a runner’s stretch. Take frequent
breaks. Get up and walk around -- take five minutes outside
or get a crew together at lunch time and walk. Also, make
sure that you’re well hydrated and that your food choices
are healthy. Reducing stress in your life also is a pathway to
wellness, and for many people, a half hour of breathing or
meditation or a yoga class can go a long way too.”
16
NEWS
Businesses Called to Contribute to Healthy Communities
By Robin Gaffney
Pocono Healthy Communities Alliance (PHCA)
recently held its Annual Report to the Community
Breakfast Event at the Best Western Pocono Inn in
Stroudsburg. PHCA is a community-planning organization with a focus on health and human services programs and system changes that support residents as
they strive to improve their quality of life. There are
five main areas that PHCA provides assistance with:
children’s early care and education; health; housing;
information and referral; and transportation.
Guest speaker Elizabeth Hersh, Executive Director of the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, told the
audience that “a healthy community provides people
with a variety of choices and places to live, and businesses have to support housing qualities.” She added,
“Homes should be within reach of every community
member.” The most successful and healthy communities, she believes, are those where the market provides
a variety of options, including single family homes,
low cost homes, and rentals. Hersh maintains that the
houses being built in the community do not match the
local incomes. When incomes do not match housing
costs, many working people find themselves with
long commutes, taking them away from their families. An engaged leadership in the community, she
concluded, will result in a healthier environment.
Eve Wenger, Executive Director for PCHA, cites
four components of a good alliance to achieve a
healthy community. These include staff, board, committee, and those who fund. Wenger states, “In order
to have stability in the workforce, you must have a
healthy community.” Businesses can help produce a
healthy community with donations and event sponsorbe sensitive and supportive of their employee’s needs,
ships, demonstrating their support of the individuals
such as finding proper child care and providing adin the community. Proper health care and other social
equate health coverage. More critically, it is important
service issues impact businesses on a daily basis.
for businesses to think about the cost of not providChildcare, health, housing and transportation are ining health coverage and what that is costing their
terrelated, a fact that business would be well advised
employees. “Businesses should join forces to support
to take note of. Wenger believes, for example, if you
certain fundamental requirement standards that we all
have an unhealthy child, it will affect your perforagree upon to constitute a healthy community,” states
mance at work; also, employees might leave their
Wenger. One suggestion she proposed is for busijobs if they are under-insured.
nesses to co-sponsor a housing summit in the com Economic development issues also play an immunity. With community involvement, it is possible
portant role in attaining a healthy community. Even
to tie together growth and economic development for
when there are new employment opportunities, some
a healthy community.
individuals cannot afford to live where the businesses
are located and need to move outside
the community. Everything from road
conditions to the weather to the cost of

gasoline can affect the choice of wheth



er or not to take a job that requires

commuting. According to Wenger, Po
cono Mountain School District reports
close to a hundred employees a year
leaving their school district jobs due to

housing issues, where employees are

unable to afford the housing in those

communities or they live too far that
the extensive commuting is a turnoff.

Providing the community with low cost

housing and subsidies so employees

can live closer is just one solution to a
healthy community.
                    
Wenger believes businesses should
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Get connected to a Geisinger doctor—even on a Saturday.
Geisinger Medical Group–Mt. Pocono is conveniently located off route 940
and has office hours 8 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and until 8 pm weekdays.
Get in, get out- then, get on with your weekend.
Now that’s peace of mind.
For more information, or to learn about scheduling same-day and
Saturday appointments, call 570.839.3633 today.
Most major insurances accepted.
21 Commerce Cour t, Mt. Pocono
REDEFINING BOUNDARIES
SM
17
NEWS
First Annual Philanthropy Award Winners Announced
By Marynell Strunk
The following winners were selected
based on exhibited outstanding philanthropic generosity.
• Outstanding Corporation: sanofi pasteur was nominated by YMCA and
United Way of Monroe County.
• Outstanding Foundation: ESSA
Bank and Trust was nominated by
YMCA, Devereux Pocono Center
and Salvation Army.
• Outstanding Philanthropist: Lester
Abeloff was nominated by Pocono
Health Foundation.
Photo Credit: Submitted by Wayne
County Chamber of Commerce
The Monroe County National Philanthropy Day
Committee recently announced the winners for the
first annual Philanthropy Awards.
The committee formed by representatives from
The Salvations Army, Pocono Health Foundation,
United Way of Monroe County, Pocono Healthy
Community Alliance and a certified fund raising
executive began meeting in the Spring of 2006 to
organize the first event of its kind in the Poconos.
“These award ceremonies are present throughout
the nation. We would be remiss if we didn’t honor
our own outstanding philanthropists,” says Marianne
Heeter, CFRE and committee person.
After receiving numerous nominations, three
judges; Robert Philips, President/CEO, Pocono
Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Robert Uguccioni,
Executive Director, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau and Mary Frances Postupack, COO, ESU Center
for Research and Economic Development went
through the applications to match those nominated
with awards.
The award winners will be honored at an awards
ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 14th,
2006 at 6:00pm at Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort.
Honorees, their guests, area agencies, corporations
and individuals are invited to attend the event. A
table of eight can be purchased for $300.00. Individuals are $50.00 per person. Please Contact Marianne
Heeter (at 992-7992 OR 242-3603) for reservations
and further information.
Businesses Honored for 50 Plus
Years of Chamber Membership
Seated L to R – Kent Brown- Senior Editor of Highlights For
Children, Fred Stanton and Dave Stanton – Owners of Stanton
Office Equipment Company, Inc. and Tom Fasshauer – Owner
of Art’s For Him
Standing L to R – Gary Beilman – CEO of the Dime Bank
& Committee Co-Chair, Annetta DeYoung- Wayne County
Chamber Executive Director, Sal G iglio- Owl Chrysler Jeep,
Inc & President of Wayne County Chamber and Dan CardManager of Waste Management & Committee Co-Chair
Honesdale - The Wayne County Chamber of Commerce recently held the Sixth Annual Half-Century
Member Award Recognition Banquet at Ehrhardt’s
Waterfront Restaurant with the social hour sponsored
by Dime Bank.
The evening honored businesses that have been members of the Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
for 50 years or more. The honorees this year are;
Art’s For Him, a men’s apparel store, Highlights for
Children, a nationally recognized children’s publication and Stanton Office Equipment Company, office
supply retailer. All of these businesses are located in
Honesdale.
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18
NEWS
By Marynell Strunk
Photo Credit: Submitted by PRBC
If you build it, they will come…..and for many firms
from the New York City financial district the Penn Regional Business Center (PRBC) in Monroe County is the
project that is piquing their interest to consider locating
their back-up facilities as part of the Wall Street West
initiative.
In the case of PRBC, the building isn’t even built
and there is already a commitment of a first tenant.
Although no details could be divulged, the power team
behind this project is confident that more will follow.
ect makes sense. Simon stated to the Wall Street guests
that PRBC is a specific solution to a specific problem.
Motivated by the continued threat of terrorist attacks,
the federal government and the securities industry has
strongly suggested back-up facilities for the country’s financial hub, citing prime criteria including being outside
the ‘blast zone’ of 50 miles from New York City, but
less than 125 miles to ensure synchronous data transmission via fiber optic; having direct, dual fiber optic cable;
being on a separate watershed than NYC; and a different
power grid with dual back-up. Thus far, the PRBC is the
only project uniquely qualified in all these respects.
“Some 30,000 workers commute daily from
this area. They spend four
hours a day in the car. Let’s
take them off that concrete
highway,” says Simon as he
touted the vast pool of qualified workers.
“Most impressive. It
was well thought out,” says
Steve Giuca, vice president
for Global Technology and
Infrastructure for Merrill
Lynch & Company.
Giuca was also
impressed with the concentration on relocating people
and families to the area.
Simon stated his vision for
PRBC is more than just a
box to store data. It’ll
Larry Simon speaking at a press conference about Wall Street West and the Penn Regional Business Center outside the Shawnee Inn. Standing to his left is Dennis Yablonsky, Secretary of the
PA Department of Community and Economic Development; and at the other side of Mr. Simon
are at left, Rep. John Siptroth and at right, US
Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski.
Over 24 Wall Street executives were
transported by helicopter in mid-October
for a day-long briefing at Shawnee Inn
and Conference Center. The group included representatives from Merrill Lynch,
Morgan Stanley, Prudential Financial,
State Farm and more Fortune 500 firms to
address the issue and solution of maintaining business continuity in the event of any
future disruptions to the American financial
center.
“We can’t control the disaster, but
we can control the recovery,” says Larry
Simon, founder of LTS Builders and future
landlord of PRBC.
Simon initiated conversations among
federal, state and local government to
get this project the attention and funding
it needs and pave a smooth road for the
development which could be the largest public/private commercial project in
the history of Pennsylvania. If the project
continues to move forward the total price
tag is estimated at $2.5 billion. Currently
phase one is in the final stages of approval
and is scheduled to have a tenant or tenants
in place in June 2008 with over 2000 jobs
created by the completion of this phase.
“This will certainly be a boon to the
local economy,” says State Representative
John Siptroth. “Both East Stroudsburg Area
School district and Smithfield Township are
projected to receive $1.9 billion in tax revenue based on earned income and property
taxes.”
“The project has the potential to have
a very positive impact on the township. It
will raise taxes [revenues] for the township and the East Stroudsburg Area School
District, and some jobs for local residents,”
says Vince DellaFera, vice-chairperson for
Smithfield Township Supervisors.
To Simon and his supporters this proj-
Photo Credit: Marynell Strunk
Field of Dreams Catches Eye of Wall Streeters
The architectural model of Penn Regional Business Center was
on display at the day-long information session for Wall Street
guests. This new complex will host numerous amenities: on-site
fitness center, day-care center, on-site banking and conference
facilities.
provide a great view from the office window, a shorter
commute and a 12,000 square foot daycare facility for
employees to enhance their quality of life. In addition
to the anticipation of the growth, the design team has
also been formulating plans for a ‘walkable village’ in
Smithfield Township with a footprint of 1300 acres or
two square miles. Simon stated his plans to donate 45
acres for a new school within the East Stroudsburg Area
School district, property for a new ambulance center and
additional donations towards a women’s center intended
for the Pocono Medical Center.
“It’s about life attributes, not just data,” says Simon.
PRBC will be constructed on Route 209 a few yards
south of the LTS Corporate Complex. Additional
properties have also been secured for further expansion
of PRBC on Route 447 and further up Route 209 in
Marshalls Creek.
19
FOCUS LIST
MEDICAL SUPPLY COMPANIES
Business Name
Address
Phone
Web site / Email
Contact Name
Air Products/Young’s Medical Equipment
7400 Route 611, Suite 200
Stroud Commons
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-424-5900
www.airproductshealthcare.com
Larry Perry, Manager
Easy Access Medical Supply
2 Columbia Dr.
Jay Park
Marshalls Creek, PA 18335
570-223-6044
www.foryourhealthmed.com
Melissa Driscoll, Manager
Figliomeni Home Health Care
64 Fallbrook St.
Carbondale, PA 18407
570-282-1402
[email protected]
Mary Nicolosi, Manager
For Your Health Medical Supply
2 Columbia Dr.
Jay Park
Marshalls Creek, PA 18335
570-223-4191
www.foryourhealthmed.com
Tone Hellstrom, Manager
Keystone Medical Equipment
422 Center St.
Jim Thorpe. PA 18229
800-351-5600
www.keystonemedicalequipment.com
Jennifer Fayash, Co-Manager
Northeast Medical Equipment
101 Main St.
Honesdale, PA 18431
570-253-7700
www.stephenspharmacy.com
Tina Augello, Manager
Total Home Health Care
437 Main St.
Stroudsburg, PA 18360
570-421-1110
www.poconosbest.com/Eldercare.htm
Neil, Manager
Wayne Health Services
600 Maple Ave.
Honesdale, PA 18431
570-253-6770
www.wmh.com
Barrie Latzko, Manager
Disclaimer: The companies listed above are located in the four counties that serve the Pocono region; Carbon, Monroe, Pike and Wayne. If you know of a company that offers this
product or service and was not included on the list, please contact Pocono Business Journal to be included in future Focus Lists.
STATUS REPORT ... cont. from page 3
PALMERTON HOSPITAL
Blue Mountain Health System, a partnership
between Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital and
Palmerton Hospital, continues its transition into one
entity. The hospitals merged July 1, 2004 and have
undergone an overall assessment to develop an imple-
mentation plan and strategy to move forward. Blue
Mountain anticipates realizing between $7 and $11
million in benefits as a result of its operational improvements that included consolidating its obstetrics
unit, sharing best practices, modifying its purchasing
and billing processes and other efficiency measures
designed to consolidate and expand its resources.
Earlier this year, Blue Mountain discontinued its
traditional behavioral health service offerings as part
of its reorganization plan. BMHS expects to invest
$1.5 million to open a geriatric psychiatric program
at its Palmerton campus by next July and expand its
offerings with other elder health care programs.
BMHS plans to offer other outpatient services and
programs to expand its market beyond acute care inpatient services and enhance its medical professional
network to enlarge its pool of primary care physicians
and specialists.
This fall, Blue Mountain began a voluntary hospitalist service with dedicated physicians that exclu-
GNADEN HUETTEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
sively care for the inpatient population.
Blue Mountain’s Next Step acute inpatient rehabilitation center received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
this year for its stroke specialty program.
20
BUSINESS BRIEFS
WHO’s WHO
BROAD
DiCINDIO
HAY
MICKENS
OTT
SHRADERD
VANNEMAN
Broad - The Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS (PMAR) named Timme Broad of Saylorsburg,
REALTOR of the Year during their recent annual dinner.
Broad is an agent with Century 21 Harvest Real Estate
in Brodheadsville, Licensed in 1987, she specializes in
home, land and horse farm sales.
Mickens - Coldwell Banker Commercial Phyllis Rubin
Real Estate in Stroudsburg has named Teresa A. Cuomo
Mickens of Sciota to its team of commercial real estate
experts. Mickens grew up in East Providence, R.I., and
earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Rhode Island.
prehensive Real Estate Management company, which
provides services and resources to developers, planned
communities, resorts, municipalities, lending institutions
and marketing/sales concerns for over 10,000 families
in the Carbon, Wayne, Pike, Monroe, and Lackawanna
County area.
DiCindio - CENTURY 21 Select Group is pleased to
announce that Gloria DiCindio has joined the team of
professional REALTORS in CENTURY 21’s Moscow
Office. Gloria completed her real estate training at the
University of Scranton in 2004. She is a member of the
National Association of REALTORS, Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS Greater Scranton Board of REALTORS, the Pike/Wayne Association of REALTORS
and the Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS.
Miller - In an article titled “The Worst is Yet to Come”
author Molly Brennan quoted Scott Miller’s tips on
financial forecasting and budgeting for a disaster contingency fund. Scott A. Miller, CPA, CFE, a shareholder of
John J. Riley, Inc. shared with Ms. Brennan his financial
recommendations for associations’ preparedness when it
comes to natural disaster in the September/October Issue
of CAI’s Magazine for Community Association Leaders,
Common Ground, the Disaster Issue. Scott A. Miller,
CPA, CFE is both a Certified Public Accountant and a
Certified Fraud Examiner.
Schrader - Bill Davis, President and Chief Executive
Officer of Norwood Financial Corp., is pleased to announce that Jeffrey R. Schrader joined Wayne Bank as
Vice President and Regional Manager for all of Wayne
Bank’s Monroe County Offices. Jeff will be primarily
located in the new Tannersville office when it is opens
later this year. Jeff is a graduate of the Pennsylvania
State University with a B.S. degree in Accounting and is
also a graduate of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association
Banking School. Jeff has over 30 years of retail bank
experience in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Ott- James H. Ott, CMCA®, PCAM®, Principal of
Appletree Management Group, Inc., AAMC has earned
the designation of Large Scale Manager (LSM) Certification through Community Associations Institute,
Alexandria, VA. Jim is also the Executive Vice President
and General Manager of the Eagle Lake Community Association and President of E.L.C.A. Development Corp.
He earned a Master’s Degree in School Administration
and graduated from North Carolina State University
Revenue and Maintenance Management Schools. The
Appletree Management Group, Inc., AAMC, is a com-
Vanneman - Maureen Vanneman of East Stroudsburg
has successfully completed the course to become an
Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR), announces
Wilkins & Associates Real Estate Inc. Vice President/
General Manager Dominick J. Sacci. Originally from
Baltimore, Md., Vanneman graduated from Loyola
Weekend College for Women in Baltimore with a B.S.
in Information Systems Technology. Before joining
Wilkins & Associates last August, Maureen was a Senior
Vice President/ Senior Project Manager at Bank of
America, where she worked for 23 years.
Hay - Beverly A. Hay, of BOBHAY.COM REALTORS® in Stroudsburg, has been named a recipient of a
2006 Pennsylvania REALTORS® Education Foundation
Scholarship. This scholarship is applied to the cost of
tuition for designated courses offered by the Pennsylvania REALTORS® Institute and other REALTOR®
schools. Recipients of the scholarships are chosen on
the basis of business accomplishments, REALTOR®
activities, community involvement, and career goals.
Kieselat - Susan Kieselat has joined the Dingmans
Ferry office of Wilkins & Associates Real Estate Inc.,
announces Vice President/General Manager Dominick
J. Sacci. Originally from Pompton Plains, NJ, Kieselat
has lived in the Poconos for seven years and is a 2005
graduate of Pocono Real Estate Academy.
WHAT’s WHAT
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
has awarded “Excellent” Accreditation to First Priority
Health. This is the eighth consecutive year Blue Cross
of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s managed care organization has received this distinction by the premier managed care oversight organization in the United States.
The Excellent Accreditation status is based on the results
of the HEDIS® (for clinical outcomes) and CAHPS®
(for member satisfaction) surveys. FPH particularly was
notable in key areas supporting community health, including childhood and adolescent immunizations, breast
cancer screening, diabetic management and follow-up
for behavioral health issues.
The Pocono Mountains Association of REALTORS
(PMAR) installed board officers and new directors to
its board of directors during the annual Installation and
Past President’s Dinner held Thursday, October 5 at the
Stroudsmoor Country Inn. Newly installed directors
of the board are Arthur Jenkins of Patt, White GMAC
Real Estate in Stroudsburg; Patti Hein and John Franc,
both with Keller Williams Realty in Stroudsburg; and
David Montgomery, Jr., owner and broker of David
Montgomery Real Estate in East Stroudsburg. Each
will serve two years. Elected officers of the PMAR
board were also installed October 5. Veronica Brockelman, broker/owner of Coldwell Banker Phyllis Rubin
Real Estate in Stroudsburg, was re-elected as president;
Eileen Chaladoff, an agent with Prudential Associates
also in Stroudsburg was re-elected as vice president;
Cristina Primrose, associate broker with RE/MAX of the
Poconos in Sciota, was named treasurer; and Barbara
G. Samet, broker/owner of Barbara Samet Real Estate in
Stroudsburg, was named secretary.
Resorts USA Inc. (RUSA), a recognized provider of
vacation and leisure experiences in the Pocono Mountains, donated new Dell Desktop Computers to seventeen employees and their families for use in their homes.
The winning families picked them up in time for the
new school year. Along with the computer, families
were also provided with a Training Service, purchased
from Dell, to teach them how to use the computers. The
program, “Computers for Kids,” was introduced in May
in the company’s employee newsletter. To be eligible,
the applicant had to be a Resorts USA employee with
a child or children in grades kindergarten to 12. All 17
employee applicants and their families were rewarded
with a Dell desktop computer.
Tobyhanna Army Depot celebrated its Shingo Prize
during a Sept. 26 ceremony. The Depot is the recipient
of the bronze level of the 2006 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing (Public Sector). The Shingo
recognizes private and public sector organizations that
have successfully applied Lean Six Sigma techniques to
improve the quality and efficiency of their operations.
Tobyhanna was recognized for achieving a 31 percent
reduction in repair cycle time and a 25 percent reduction
in repair costs on the Air Force’s primary air defense
radar system, the AN/TPS-75. The plaque was presented
to Depot Commander Col. Ron Alberto by Robert
Katulka, director of the Productivity Improvement and
Innovation Directorate, the lead organization for the
Depot’s Lean Six Sigma efforts. Frank Zardecki, deputy
commander, opened the ceremony by thanking those
involved in establishing Lean at Tobyhanna.
Tobyhanna Army Depot has earned the 2006 Best
Manufacturing Practices Excellence Award. Larry
Halbig, chairman of the Best Manufacturing Practices
survey team, recently presented the award, noting that
61 percent of Tobyhanna’s processes were certified as
best practices. The Best Manufacturing Practices Center
of Excellence (BMPCOE) is part of the Navy’s Office of
Naval Research. The Center works with the University
of Maryland and the Department of Commerce to help
companies by identifying, researching, and promoting exceptional manufacturing practices, methods, and
procedures.
Please send all press releases for
consideration to [email protected]
21
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
November 1
LeTip of Stroudsburg, 7:01-8:31 a.m., Serengeti Restaurant at Howard
Johnson Hotel, Rt. 611 (I80 Exit 302), Bartonsville. Professional organization dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service, whose
purpose is the exchange of business tips (referrals). Bring business cards.
Contact Louise Bach (570) 588-4113 or Carole Miller (570) 426-1676.
November 1, 3 and 8
Practical Desktop Publishing Using QuarkXpress 6, Level I, 9:00 a.m.
- 4:00 p.m. The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education.
Fee: $295. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 1, 8, 15 and 22
MS Excel Level III, 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. The University of Scranton,
Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $180. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit
www.scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 1
Career Exploration and Assessment, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monroe County
CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.
state.pa.us.
November 1
Maximizing Health Savings Accounts Opportunities, NAIFA-Poconos
(National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors). For more
information call (570) 595-9640 or (570) 722-3291 or email Richard@
insurancedevelopment.com.
November 2
BNI (Business Network International), Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
Howard Johnson, Rt. 611 & I-80 Exit 302B, Bartonsville. Contact Karen
Sherrill, (570) 895-4242.
November 2
Why Should I Hire You?, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.; and Microsoft Word
Basics, 2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m. Monroe County CareerLink, Tannersville.
Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
November 2, 9, and 16
MS Access Level III, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The University of Scranton,
Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $150. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit
www.scranton.edu/cce.an.
Learn To Use Your Computer, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. The University of
Scranton, Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $150. Call (570) 9417582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 2, 9 and 16
Flash 8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $295. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.
edu/cce.an.
November 3
BNI (Business Network International), The Shawnee Inn, Shawnee-onDelaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Mike Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up, (570) 619-8228.
November 3
Employer Website Assistance, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monroe County
state.pa.us.
November 5 - November 19
Food Service Sanitation, Northampton Community College, Sundays, 12
Noon - 5:30 p.m., Sundays. Cost: $120. Main Campus, 3835 Green Pond
Road, Bethlehem Township. Includes instruction in the safe preparation, storing, serving, and reheating of food; how to train employees.
Participants will take the certification test during the last class. Call (877)
543-0998 or visit www.northampton.edu.
November 6
Computer Basics, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monroe County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
November 6 - November 16
Access Level 1, Northampton Community College, Fountain Court, Bartonsville, Mondays and Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $132. Call
(877) 543-0998 or (610) 861-4550.
November 7 and 9
MS Excel Level I, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. The University of Scranton,
Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $165 (includes lunch). Call (570)
941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 7
Job Search Attitude and Barriers Assessment, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.
Monroe County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit
www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
Quickbooks, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The University of Scranton, Center
for Continuing Education. Fee: $165. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 8
November 8
Realtors Workshop, 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Pike County Conservation
District Education Building, Route 402, Blooming Grove. Geared for the
Real Estate professional; provides information on the value of conservation practices, the basics of environmental regulations and permitting
requirements, liabilities of non-compliance and the programs and resources available to landowners. Call (570) 226-8220 to register or email
[email protected].
November 8
Resumes and Cover Letters, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Monroe County
November
state.pa.us.
November 9
Sherrill, (570) 895-4242.
November 9
Salary Negotiation, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Monroe County CareerLink,
Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
November 9 - February 22, 2007
Planning and Maintaining an MS Window Server 2003 Network Infrastructure, Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The University of Scranton, Center
for Continuing Education. Fee: $1,755. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 10
BNI (Business Network International), The Shawnee Inn, Shawnee-onDelaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Mike Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up, (570) 619-8228.
November 12 - December 3
Internet Basics, Northampton Community College, Sundays, 9:00 a.m. - 12
Noon. Cost: $132. Call (877) 543-0998 or (610) 861-4550.
November 13
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Business Card Exchange, 5:00
p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Caesar’s Palace, Marshalls Creek. Hot and cold hors
d’oeuvres and networking. Advance registration $10 Chamber members,
$20 non-members. At the door, $15 Chamber members, $25 non-members.
Call (570) 421-4433.
MS Excel Level I, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. The
University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $150. Call
(570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.an.
November 14
Job Applications, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. Monroe County CareerLink,
November 14
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Women in Business, 12:00
Noon. Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, Shawnee-on-Delaware. Topic: Makeover: From Dull to Dazzling, Sponsored by Hair Alternatives, Cate Jewelry
and Mary Kay Cosmetics. Cost: $13 Chamber members in advance, $16
non-members and walk-ins. Call (570) 421-4433.
November 14
Cash, Customers, & Ads that Sell, Stroudsburg Action Coaching Team,
Stroudsburg. Cost: $79.95.Provides information on marketing and advertising your most valuable business investment. Call (570) 992-2442.
November 15
November 15
Networking Breakfast, 7:45 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Carbon County Chamber of
Commerce, at Blue Ridge Country Club. Speaker” Carlos Ojeda, Jr. Topic:
Small Business Development. Call (610) 379-5000.
November 15
Healthcare Employer Symposium, 9:00 a.m. -12:00 Noon. Monroe County
state.pa.us.
November 15
Board Meeting, NAIFA-Poconos (National Association of Insurance and
Financial Advisors). For more information call (570) 595-9640 or 570-7223291 or email [email protected].
November 15
Before the next flood: Actions your community can take, 6:30 p.m. to
9:00 p.m., Delaware Valley High School, Matamoras. Presentations by
local, regional and federal agencies followed by question and answer panel
discussions. Discussions will focus on local and county hazard plans,
flood plain mapping efforts, model flood plain development ordinances and
programs to guide new development. Contact Michele Ulmer, Education
Coordinator, Pike County Conservation District, (570) 226-8220, or email
[email protected].
November 16
Sherrill, (570) 895-4242.
November 16
Business Resource Information Session, 8:00 a.m., Eastern Monroe Public
Library, Route 611, Stroudsburg. Introduction to Morningstar.com Library
Edition, which provides tools for stock and mutual fund investors. Analyst
reports on many stocks and mutual funds are also available. Participants
should be familiar with the Internet. Call (570) 421-0800 ext. 39 to
register.
November 16
Healthcare Career Training Opportunities, 9:00 a.m. -12 Noon. Monroe
County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
November 16
A Quick Look at QuickBooks, 12 Noon - 2:00 p.m. University of Scranton,
Brennan Hall, Room 509. Cost: $35 per person without lunch or $45 per
person bag lunch included. Call MetroAction, Inc. at (570) 342-7711 or
Gretchen Kukuchka at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center (570) 941-7588, or register online at www.metroaction.
org or www.scrantonsbdc.com.
November 17
BNI (Business Network International), The Shawnee Inn, Shawneeon-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Mike
Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up, (570) 619-8228.
November 17
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Monthly Breakfast, 7:30
a.m., Best Western Pocono Inn, Stroudsburg. Sponsor: Unity Bank,
Special Program Visiting Nurse, Hospice of Monroe County. Advance
registration $10 Chamber members, $14 non-members. At the door, $12
Chamber members, $18 non-members. Call (570) 421-4433.
November 17
Resume Critique (by appointment only), 9:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. Monroe
County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
November 18
QuickBooks Introduction Seminar, Northampton Community College,
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Cost: $121. Call (877) 543-0998 or (610) 861-4550.
November 20
Computer Basics, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monroe County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
November 21
Job Search Attitude & Barriers Assessment, 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. Monroe County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.
November 22
Johnson Hotel, Rt. 611 (I80 Exit 302), Bartonsville. Professional organization dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service,
whose purpose is the exchange of business tips (referrals). Bring business
cards. Contact Louise Bach (570) 588-4113 or Carole Miller (570) 4261676.
November 22
Career Exploration & Assessment, 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Monroe County
state.pa.us.
November 23
BNI (Business Network International), Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30
a.m. Howard Johnson, Rt. 611 & I-80 Exit 302B, Bartonsville. Contact
Karen Sherrill, (570) 895-4242.
November 24
BNI (Business Network International), The Shawnee Inn, Shawneeon-Delaware, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $10. Contact Mike
Gillenkirk, Kitchen Tune-Up, (570) 619-8228.
November 28
The First-Second Step Combo: Learn the Steps Needed to Start Your
Own Business. The First Step: How to Start Your Business, 10:00 a.m.
-12:00 Noon; The Second Step: How to Develop Your Business Plan,
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Fee: First Step, $10; Second Step, free of charge.
Topics for First Step include registration, licenses, business structure,
taxation, research tools, and more. Recommended for all start-ups seeking a consultation with our center, and is the preliminary portion of our
educational series. The Second Step covers developing a business plan,
including layout, content, facts and figures of the business plan. Recommended for those who wish to continue with consultations and apply
for financing. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Call (800)
829-7232 or visit www.scrantonsbdc.com.
November 28
Job Applications, 11:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. Monroe County CareerLink,
November 29
Johnson Hotel, Rt. 611 (I80 Exit 302), Bartonsville. Professional organization dedicated to the highest standards of competence and service,
whose purpose is the exchange of business tips (referrals). Bring business
cards. Contact Louise Bach (570) 588-4113 or Carole Miller (570) 4261676.
November 29
Interview Basics, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Monroe County CareerLink,
November 30
BNI (Business Network International), Bartonsville, 7:00 a.m. – 8:30
a.m. Howard Johnson, Rt. 611 & I-80 Exit 302B, Bartonsville. Contact
Karen Sherrill, (570) 895-4242.
November 30 - December 21
Food Service Sanitation, Northampton Community College, Thursdays,
8:00 a.m. - 12 Noon. Family Southside Center, 511 E. Third Street,
Bethlehem. Includes instruction in the safe preparation, storing, serving,
and reheating of food; how to train employees. Participants will take the
certification test during the last class. Call (877) 543-0998 or visit www.
northampton.edu.
November 30
E-Resumes, 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Monroe County CareerLink, Tannersville. Call (570) 620-2850 or visit www.pacareerlink.state.pa.us.
If you would like to have your business event listed in the PBJ
Calendar of Events, please submit information to [email protected].
22
PBJ REGISTER
NEW CORPORATIONS
The Corporation Bureau at The Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Department of State has informed
the Pocono Business Journal that it is in the
process of revising the database access for this
information. Therefore New Incorporation listings
will not be available until further notice.
FICTITIOUS NAMES
The Corporation Bureau at The Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, Department of State has informed
the Pocono Business Journal that it is in the
process of revising the database access for this
information. Therefore New Incorporation listings
will not be available until further notice.
DEEDS
(September 2006 - Over $250,000)
Carbon County
East Penn Township
James Schleicher to Duane Schleicher, $285,000.
Kidder Township South
William Spellacy to Camillo Deprato, $305,000.
Michael Giuliani to Frank Markley, $322,850.
Mahoning Township
Donald Fahringer to Arthur Linko, $256,700.
Grace Rudelitch to St Lukes of Bethlehem,
$375,000. Norman Frantz to St Lukes of Bethlehem, $375,000.
Palmerton Borough
Premier Equity Pittsburgh to John Stange III,
$1,425,000. Premier Equity Pittsburgh to John
Stange III, $875,000. Cristobal Jimenez to Darren
Wenner, $275,000.
Penn Forest Township
Falcon Crest Homes to Roberto Grandini,
$267,800. US Bank NA to Barbara Nisley,
$261,000.
Towamensing Township
Ronald Stubbs to Prateek Patnaik, $350,000.
Richard Fraley to Carol Miller, $405,000. Sandra
Canavesio to Michael Greehy, $387,000.
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Stewart and Gloria Martin to Odyssey International Corp, $290,000. Joan Taylor and Nancy Hayden
to Corey and Jonne Smith, $280,800. Langhorne 1
Property Partners to Jaguar Real Estate, $367,500.
Chestnuthill Township
Jason and Valerie Szulborski to Ricardo Pereya,
$269,900. Anthony Jacondino to Kara and Lynn
LaTorre, $279,000. Adalberto and Olga Ramirez
to Pasquale and Paula Oliva, $300,000. Kathryn
Robinson to James Matthews, $301,000. Linda
and John Carper to Jason Miller, $267,500. Arthur
and Katherine Albertson to Christine Marie Coleman, $342,500. Dixon and Kari Strayer to Douglas
Strunz, $310,000. Louis and Theresa Apostolopoulos to Timothy Subotkowski and Lori Kale,
$323,000. L&P Homes Inc to Jacinto Rodriguez
and Sarah Klein, $280,000.
Coolbaugh Township
Allen and Nancy Geiwitz to Robert and Theresa
Blum, $420,000. Karen Root to Leslaw Sarzynski, $263,374. Joan Hyman to Marion Kelly,
$265,000. Edgar and Elisabeth Toro to Fareeda
Cook, $259,900. David and Emma Wengerd to
Peter Woelfle, $289,000. Elizabeth Li to Stephen
Hydeck, $255,000.
East Stroudsburg Borough
Nikolaos and Mary Ann Menegatos to B&Fs LLC,
$270,000. Leonard and Tracy Sturmak to Pocono
Medical Center, $359,000.
Eldred Township
Edward and Eloise Boyce to Mark Johnson,
$275,000. Blue Mountain Manor to Steven J Inc,
$450,000.
Hamilton Township
Bank of NY to Steve and Kristy Griffith,
$335,000. Pamela Radick to Randi Troescher,
$282,000. Howard and Leah Fritz to Christopher
Cameron, $325,000.
Jackson Township
Keith Dunn to George and Margaret Sproul,
$320,000. Big Pocono Development Company to
Four Seasons at Camelback, $625,396. Winston
and Yvonne Smith to Geovanny and Gladys Barreno, $287,000.
Middle Smithfield Township
LTS Development to Manuel and Lilibeth Brana,
$443,800. Toll PA IV to Sphia Spence, $443,115.
Toll PA IV to Joseph Saracco, $333,635. Yvette
and Radames Perez to Gregorio Hernandez,
$270,300. Toll PA IV to Anita Burch, $339,813.
Toll PA IV to Gayle Paulsen, $312,286. William
and Sonya Rake to Toll PA IX, $1,290,000. Delroy
and Kristeen Farquharson to Ronald McTighe,
$255,000. LTS Development to Francisco and
Dolores Santana, $375,500. NVR Inc to Charles
Strunck, $581,950. Toll PA IV to Guillermo
and Lucena Marquez, $401,996. Geffrey and
Beverly Kerwin to Pawel and Edyta Maciejew-
ski, $290,000. Ronald and Virginia Melhorn to
Eviarna Toussaint, $288,250. Toll PA IV to Chad
and Alexis Wilkinson, $526,035. Last Frontier
Inc to Edlyn and April Jones, $349,900. Toll PA
III to Vivekananda Ramana, $660,642. Toll PA
IV to Newton and Norma Gabbidon, $531,244.
LTS Development to Michael and Lillian Farrell,
$399,800. LTS Development LLC to Jeremy
McDermott, $364,800. Charles and Lisa Hale to
Marjory Scott, $415,000. Toll PA IV to Darren and
Olivia Johnson, $506,490. Toll PA IV to Philip and
Regina Mingle, $369,475. Richs Promise LLC to
J D Eckman Inc, $450,000. Wiliam and Shirley
Koller to Edna Schoenberger, $290,000. Toll PA
IV to Luis and Stella Anzola, $300,059. C&M
Homes at CCP to Charles Seecharan, $408,700.
LTS Development LLC to Jason and Kelly Jensen,
$384,700. Toll PA IV to Vikas and Archana
Kapoor, $284,686. LTS Development to Marius
and Marivi Acosta, $411,800. LTS Development
to Lerar McLain, $403,800. LTS Development to
Lloyd and Aldith Brown, $397,800. Toll PA IV to
Mekia Siraj, $369,537.
Mount Pocono Borough
Michael and Gina Spero to David and Rebekah
Crosby, $265,000. Progressive Construction to
Elizabeth Wiggins, $441,000.
Paradise Township
Yang Shik and Sea Young Kim Yi to M&M Realty
Partners, $1,600,000.
Pocono Township
Jimmy Schlier and William Wittkop to James Ertle
and Robert Furino, $600,000. Future Century Inc
to Michael Berardi Revocable Trust, $335,000.
William and Lucia Buro to Maximiliano and Kelly
Concepcion, $363,000. Jimmy Schlier to Bridge
Associates of Tannersville, $400,000. Carolyn
Yetter to Sullivan Trail Park of Pocono Township, $495,000. Youssef and Olivia Homsi to Paul
and Cassia Nelson, $441,500. John and Margaret
Giacolone to Edwin Poole, $354,900. Julius and
Deborah Vaughn to Mohamed Alli, $278,000.
Polk Township
Lawrence Keiper to Duarte and Maria Alexandre, $313,000. Dwight and Sharon Redline to
Jeremiah and Doris Brokaw, $337,500. Peter and
Janet DiGavero to Joseph and Lucille Borruso,
$265,000. Penn Pro Builders Inc to Herbert Ortiz
and Gladys Gaton, $344,800.
Price Township
David and Emma Wengerd to Anthony and Rita
Serrano, $260,000.
Ross Township
Kevin and Kathy Respass to Eisler Family Trust,
$464,000. James, Gaele, Kenneth and Joanne Barthold to Todd Detrick, $460,000. Kramer & Jackett
Enterprises to Greenhouse Enterprises, $810,000.
eric and Merissa Stohr to Gene and Kelly Hillyer,
$302,000. John and Marianne Turner to Noel Lamberty and Sandrine Laurent, $330,000.
Smithfield Township
Isat and Marija Ukaj to Deborah Ehling, $370,000.
Robert Whalen Jr. and Linda DeJesus to Daniel
Reyes, $299,900. Wanda Phillips to Reynoldson
Joseph and Jacqueline Pilgrim, $295,000. All
Seasons East Stroudsburg to DBOB Stroudsburg,
$4,465,000. Stroudstor LP to DBOB Stroudstor,
$3,400,000. Frankstor LP to DBOB Frankstor,
$2,382,500. Kim Drayton to Khemchandra and
Chandrakala Ramhulas, $280,000. Charles Halada
to Natividad Sierra, $269,900.
Stroud Township
Meadow Run Builders to Mahrose and Bernadette Bolis, $409,000. Victor and Deborah Golat
to Alan and Makya Jackson, $271,000. Shirley
Gutierrez to Paul Pemberton, $325,000. Martin
and Doris Setzer to Frank and Susan Ruggerio,
$257,500. Henry and Melissa Delsoin to Francisco
Justiniano, $252,350. Dennis and Judith Douds to
Ahmad and Antonella Ahmadi, $260,000. BML
at Mountainview to CDF Investments, $288,878.
CDF Investments to George Jordan, $359,900.
LTS Development LLC to Enrique Diaz and Erica
and Christopher Lyden, $421,945. Fred Olmsted to
Jacinda Brumant, $269,900. LTS Development to
Betty Adekoje, $406,800. Khaled and Hoda Soliman to Jeffrey and Ermelinda Bascomb, $283,250.
Tunkhannock Township
Coral Rock Investments to Gwendolyn Roberts,
$255,000. Donna Quante to Robert and Deborah McArthur, $280,000. Tomasz Jaroszczyk to
Miriam Weston, $252,350.
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Elizabeth Lee to Kenneth Wilson, $350,000. David
Marshall to Thomas and Karen Horoszewski,
$270,000. Children’s Palace Day Care to John
Fisher, $353,500.
Delaware Township
Eli and Lorraine Candelario to Kevin and Karen
Willis, $337,500. Joseph and Marilyn Grabowski
to Martin Leutgeb, $250,000.
Dingman Township
Steven Ovens to James and Mary Pacifico,
$252,000. Vannatta Realty and Builders to James
Busse, $250,000. Jose and Toni Matias to Richard
and Janine Freer, $265,000. Jack and Jennifer Frey
to Robert and Brenda Schick, $388,000. Isaac
Raz to Jean Frison, $250,000. Eugene Figurella
to James and Sandra Titcomb, $310,000. Kerry
Irwin to Joseph and Cara McGinnis, $265,000.
NP Dodge Jr. to Donald and Roberta Breder,
$330,000. David Iverson to Linda Wall, $253,000.
Sunnylands Inc to Leila Cunningham, $287,000.
Lance Cormier to Lorie Guerrera, $255,000.
Greene Township
Hamilton Moore, Jr. to Janina Maciurzynski,
$292,500.
Lackawaxen Township
Richard and Margaret Baffa to Charles and Leanne
Cipolla, $487,450. Stephen and Isabelle Skira to
Gerard and Rosemary Connelly, $277,500. Harry
and Kristin Montauredes to Susan and Joseph
DeVita, $260,000. Pasquale and Nancy Gaeta to
Robert and Karen Rich, $255,000. E-Builders iNc
to James and Joy Patire, $332,850.
Lehman Township
Evelyn and Sandrine Laurent to Marc and Robin
Deveaux, $330,000. Kenneth and Erin Polakowski
to Thomas and Grezel Campbell, $265,500. Kalian
at Poconos to Dominika Wierzbowzka, $275,814.
Matamoras Borough
Badhiar Corp to Alvaro Farace, $268,000.
Milford Borough
Edward and Judith Anchel to Letita Fonda,
$337,000.
Palmyra Township
Theresa and Robert Silvetz to Harold and Donna
Hagen, $500,000. Nemanie Village to John and
Mary Curley, $550,000. Wallace Askins to Stevens
Irrevocable Trust, $643,500. Jack and eddi Gorman to Peter and Kathleen Daniti, $269,000.
Michael and Christine Newman to Cartus Financial Corporation, $260,000. Cartus Financial Corporation to James and Susan Mowatt,
$260,000. Else and Volker Hildebrandt to Michael
Southerton, $250,0000. John and Diane Gibbons
to Vincent and Nancy Valentino, $550,000. Linda
and Allan Jones to Donna Pittenger, $490,000.
Paupack Township
Marie DiCanto to Gerald and Carmela Resnick,
$335,000. Leon and Barbara Borsack to Jane
Miller, $340,000. Robert and Florence Maurer
to Scott and Erlinda Lemly, $325,000. Laurence
and Constance Cranch to John and Abby Packer,
$798,060. John and Ann Gilleran to Frank and
Emma Grace Carillo, $300,000. David Dulay
Inc to Big D Management Associates, $370,000.
Vincent and Margaret Morelli to Frederick and
Kathryn Showers, $475,000. George and Heather
McCurdy to Joseph and Dorothy Valeriano,
$445,000.
Preston Township
Eric and Lourdes Schaffroth to Andrew and Denise Clibanoff, $288,000.
Salem Township
Charles and Ruth Mackenzie to John and Constance McTigue, $576,000. Thomas and Audrey
Riggle to John Davis, $700,000.
Texas Township
Paul and Patricia Klinkiewicz to Christopher and
Anita Decker, $310,000.
Waymart Borough
Frank Sargent to Presque Isle Harbor Water Co,
$325,000.
MORTGAGES
(September 2006 – Over $250,000)
Carbon County
East Penn Township
Duane Schleicher, Neffs National Bank, $285,000.
Franklin Township
Lon Day, MERS, 419,000. Joseph Connaughton,
$285,000.
Kidder Township South
Donald Palmucci, Indymac Bank, $262,000.
Richard Murphy, Wachovia Bank, $252,761. Larry
Maddy, Mauch Chunk Trust Co, $375,000. Frank
Markley, MERS, $306,700.
Lausanne Township
Gary Yewdall, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust,
$300,000.
Lehighton Borough
Gwen Thomas, Mauch Chunk Trust Co,
$930,000. Bruce Rehrig, Jim Thorpe National
Bank, $415,000. Richard Miller, M&T Trust Co,
$1,100,000.
Shohola Township
Heike Dubacher to Robert and Tara Ann Hommel, $339,000. En Swaa Inc to Anthony Farula,
$385,000.
Lower Towamensing Township
P&H Georges Inc, 1st National Bank of Palmerton, $400,000. Low-Car Commons LLC, Mauch
Chunk Trust Co, $665,000.
Westfall Township
Linda and Larry Grossman to Michael Harris,
$350,000. Greg Tonkin to Zoldan Family Ohio
Limited Trust, $1,100,000. Gary and Patricia Haas
to Arthur Thompson III, $301,600. Linda Wall to
Michael and Linda Torborg, $320,000.
Mahoning Township
Marina Galkina, MERS, $413,250. Laura Moyer,
1st National Bank of Palmerton, $278,000. Warren
Kromer, Mauch Chunk Trust Co, $388,000. Bruce
Rehrig, Jim Thorpe National Bank, $415,000.
Wayne County
Berlin Township
David Dulay Inc to Frank Mazotta III, $270,000.
Robert and Lori Wall to Dennis and Susan Eisloeffel, $260,000.
Buckingham Township
Arthur and Sari Schwartz to Sarron and Joan Roy,
$515,000.
Damascus Township
Debra Wander to Michael and Stephanie Lukan,
$373,000. Steven Hodas to James Hine, $420,000.
Richard Socher to Frank and Susan Sargent,
$985,000.
Stroudsburg Borough
TM Builders Inc to Brendan Fitzpatrick, $304,220.
Hugh Hodge to Eric Silverman, $310,000. Martin
and Judith Cortez to Eric Rivera, $265,000. T&T
LLC to Steven and Sharon Braithwaite, $265,900.
R Clifford and Margaret Kelsey to Terry and Lois
Binikos, $305,000. Anthony and Theresa Farda to
CKR scott Street LP, $425,000.
Dreher Township
Robert and Beth Ann Taraba to Richard and Dawn
Marie Tavalsky, $439,000. Edith Pearsall to Patricia Suave, $299,000.
Tobyhanna Township
Francis and Lucille Houston to Dennis and Mary
Anne Boyer, $445,000. Alphonse Friscia to Jeffrey
and Mitzi Joss, $285,000. Christopher and Anthony Nebbia to Patrick and Patricia Reilly, $355,500.
Joseph Skrabak to Richard and Michiko Williams,
$252,500. Walter and Marsha Melnik to Thomas
and Susan Giachetti, $367,500. Eric Hanna to
Witold and Konrad Bolkun, $320,000. Steven and
Sandra Ladin to Mark and Carol Rodenhausen,
$397,500. Paul and Anna May Snyder to Shen
Dai and Xing Zhou, $329,000. Douglas and Sonia
Bendt to John and Odalys Stefandis, $397,500.
Lake Township
Stuart and Antonia DeJonge to William and Susan
Broadhurst, $350,000. Alexander and Susan Valcic
to Stephen and Bernadette Haken, $360,000.
Richard and Gina McDonnell to Diane Dugan,
$350,000.
Dyberry Township
Adam Irwin to John Mulqueen, $350,000. Vincent
and Susan Griffis to James Conway, $335,000.
Lehigh Township
Richard and Marilyn Andres to Kevin and Elizabeth O’Connor, $532,000. Kevin and Janice Stout
to Wendy Abramowitz, $500,000.
Palmyra Township
Palmerton Borough
John Stange III, North Penn Bank, $2,900,000.
John Stange III, North Penn Bank, $2,900,000.
Penn Forest Township
Desantis Development Inc, Madison Bank,
$300,000. Desantis Development Inc, Madison
Bank, $300,000. Colleen Davidson, MERS,
$278,000. Kevin McGrath, MERS, $410,000.
Roseanne Logan, MERS, $300,000. Charles
Quarles, MERS, $283,500. John Costa, MERS,
$252,000.
Towamensing Township
Prateek Patnaik, MERS, $280,000. Scott Hillegass, Harleysville National Bank & Trust,
$480,000. Carol Miller, MERS, $405,000. Charles
Laviolette, MERS, $329,000.
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Brian and Diane Murray, Community Bank &
Trust, $414,298. Angele and Stanley Parker, Wachovia Bank, $339,545.
Chestnuthill Township
Ricardo Perega, MERS, $269,900. Angela Menza,
Wells Fargo Bank, $300,240. Angela Menza,
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
$300,240. Khald and Nosheen Hayat, Village
Capital and Investment, $415,000. Catherine
Barone, MERS, $326,021. Kara and Lynn Latorre,
MERS, $264,000. Pasquale and Paula Oliva,
National City Bank, $285,000. Douglas Strunz,
Wells Fargo Bank, $279,000. David and Lynette
Quarismo, Susquehanna Patriot Bank, $1,541,800.
Laura Couvertheir, MERS, $252,000. Michael and
Diana Ferris, Wells Fargo Bank, $338,787. Robert
Wines Jr. and Robert Wines Sr. and Diane Wines
23
PBJ REGISTER
and Robyn Wines, MERS, $448,000. Timothy
Subutkowski and Lori Kale, MERS, $256,000. Joseph and Barbara Reed, MERS, $337,500. Ronald
and Kathy Callahan, MERS, $251,000. Ronald
and Brenda Russell, MERS, $264,000. Tyrone and
Yolanda Kelly, MERS, $321,600.
Coolbaugh Township
Robert and Theresa Blum, MERS, $250,000.
Andre Nanton, MERS, $273,600. Marion Kelly, JP
Morgan Chase Bank, $251,750. 297 Getty Avenue
Associates, Genworth Life Insurance, $1,500,000.
Fareeda Cook, MERS, $259,900. Peter Woelfle,
MERS, $285,000. Kenny and Marcia Shaw,
MERS, $253,700. Claude Slue and Keitha Samms,
MERS, $270,000.
East Stroudsburg Borough
Joel and Guinevere Nordmeyer, 1st National
Bank of Palmerton, $315,000. Budget Motel,
ESSA Bank & Trust, $500,000. Shannon and Luis
Maldonado, MERS, $254,100. Mildred Baj, Wells
Fargo Bank, $335,500.
Hamilton Township
Rocco and Angela Beard, MERS, $280,000.
Richard Anderson, ESSA Bank & Trust, $250,000.
Charles and Audrey DeHaven, All Pennsylvania
Reverse Mortgage, $300,240. Charles and Audrey
DeHaven, Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development, $300,240. Steve and Kristy Griffith,
MERS, $268,000. John Accetta and Jennifer
Brody, Wayne Bank, $600,000. Michael and Maria
Dempsey, MERS, $324,800. W. Peter Ahnert and
Patricia Schiavore, Pocono Community Bank,
$520,000. Ronald Rosario, MERS, $321,594.
Christopher Cameron, MERS, $308,750.
Jackson Township
Kenneth and Sylvia Marohc, ABN Amro Mortgage
Group, $325,000. Michael Faunce and Mary Jo
Melon, Indymac Bank, $450,000. Kevin Mason
and Ronneane Reeves-Mason, MERS, $271,500.
Geovanny and Gladys Barreno, MERS, $287,000.
Middle Smithfield Township
Lilibeth and Manuel Brana, MERS, $399,300. McThaddeus Holden, National City Bank, $255,300.
Raymond Williams, Wells Fargo Bank, $318,000.
Sophia Spence, MERS, $354,450. Joseph Sarocco,
MERS/TBI Mortgage, $250,200. Anita Barch,
MERS, $271,850. Charles Strunck, MERS,
$465,550. Guillermo and Lucena Marquez, ING
Bank, $321,596. Amy and Chad Sensening, Wells
Fargo Bank, $320,000. Pawel and Edyta Maciejewski, MERS, $261,000. Eviarna Toussaint,
MERS, $259,425. Chad and Alexis Wilkinson,
MERS, $417,000. Edlyn and April Jones, MERS,
$279,920. Vivekananda Ramana, Wells Fargo
Bank, $528,511. Norma and Newton Gabbidon,
MERS, $424,995. Michael and Lillian Farrell,
HSBC Mortgage, $359,800. Edwin Doerr Jr.,
Wachovia Bank, $250,000. Jeremy McDermott,
HSBC Mortgage, $310,000. Michael and Elise
Mereday, Beneficial Mortgage, $256,458. Darren
Johnson and Vonrica Oliphant, Wells Fargo Bank,
$270,000. Philip and Regina Mingle, Washington
Mutual Bank, $295,580. Nelson Santiago and
Milsa Nunez, MERS, $295,900. Thomas and Paula
Mickens, MERS, $344,00. Ronald and Margaret
Farrell, MERS, $256,500. Charles Seecharon,
MERS, $326,900. Jason and Kelly Jensen, MERS,
$365,400. Daniel and Joanne Culleny, MERS,
$271,000. Marius and Marivi Acosta, MERS,
$369,800. Robert and Deborah Hetu, Integrated
Financial Group, $360,000. Lerar McLain and
Sandra Thomas, MERS, $383,600. Veronica McNair, MERS, $255,000. Lloyd and Aldith Brown,
HSBC Mortgage, $377,910. Mekia Siraj, MERS,
$250,000.
Mount Pocono Township
Knob Crest Associates & Cobler Realty Advisors,
PA Housing Finance Agency, $1,299,449. Knob
Crest Associates & Cobler Realty Advisors,
Monroe County, $284,099. Fazard and Mayra
Mohammed, MERS, $265,000. Elizabeth Wiggins,
MERS, $352,800.
Paradise Township
Crescent Lodge, Penn Security Bank & Trust,
$500,000. Patricia Price, MERS, $374,000. Shaun
Browne and Jillian Dedier-Browne, Yorktown
Funding, $256,000.
Pocono Township
James Ertle and Robert Funno, Sussex Bank,
$450,000. Maximiliano and Kelly Concepcion,
Abacus Federal Savings Bank, $290,000. Bridge
Associates of Tannersville, Community Bank
& Trust, $320,000. Joseph Palmeroni, Wells
Fargo Bank, $354,500. Christine Fisk, Financial Freedom Senior Funding/Indymac Bank,
$300,000. Christine Fisk, Secretary of Housing
and Urban Development, $300,000. Sullivan Trail
Pack of Pocono Township/Valley 1031 Exchange,
Team Capital Bank, $395,000. Dawn Buckmine,
National City Bank, $353,200. Four Seasons
at Camelback, 1st National Community Bank,
$13,500,000. Four Seasons at Camelback, 1st
National Community Bank, $1,000,000. Salvatore
and Dierdre Funno, MERS, $600,000. Charles
and Sonia Mann, MERS, $260,000. Robert and
Esine Felins, MERS, $269,000. Edwin Poole,
Wells Fargo Bank, $280,000. Stephen Moore and
Bergette Richardson-Moore, Wells Fargo Bank,
$280,250. Martinell Enterprises, Community Bank
& Trust, $555,000. Kaur Realty, 1st National Bank
of Berwick, $1,000,000. John and Sandra Somerville, MERS, $250,000.
Polk Township
Frederick and Sharon Merklin, MERS, $287,000.
Paul and Joanne Mastronardi, MERS, $330,000.
Herbert Ortiz and Gladys Gaton, MERS,
$334,450. Michelle Barrow, MERS, $342,000.
Daniel Martinell, Community Bank & Trust,
$555,000.
Price Township
Anthony and Rita Serrano, MERS, $260,000.
Carol Cousins, MERS, $294,500.
Ross Township
Paul and Diane DeBarry, 1st National Bank of
Palmerton, $250,000. Olga Epshteyn and Santos
Torres, Jr., ESSA Bank & Trust, $318,166.
Thomas and Jessica Smith, Argent Mortgage,
$324,000. Todd Detrick, ESSA Bank & Trust,
$460,000. Anthony and Nancy Russo, MERS,
$292,000. Greenhouse Enterprises, Community
Bank & Trust, $600,000. Stephen and Kerri
Shaneberger, MERS, $285,000. Noel Lanberty and
Sandrine Laurent, MERS, $313,500. David Kline,
MERS, $372,000.
Smithfield Township
Deborah Ehling, MERS, $296,000. Sbongiseni
Duma, MERS, $407,298. Julie and Anthony
Estorque, Prosperity Mortgage, $280,000. Peter
and Marnie Gola, Wells Fargo Bank, $325,044.
Reynoldson Joseph and Jacqueline Pilgrim,
MERS, $295,000. Jomy Irofuala and Rebecca
Perez-Irofuala, Wells Fargo Bank, $275,000.
Zoldan Family Ohio Limited Partnership/Bruce
Zoldan, National City Bank, $4,489,600. DBOB
Stroudsstor, Morgan Stanley Mortgage Capital,
$24,000,000. DBOB Stroudsstor, Morgan Stanley
Mortgage Capital, $24,000,000. Barbara and
Matthew Larkin, Wachovia Bank, $250,000. Keith
McClain, MERS, $279,592. Natividad Sierra,
MERS, $256,400.
Stroud Township
Mahrose and Bernadette Bolis, MERS, $327,200.
Daniel and Ann Marie Carney, Midwest Bankers
Group, $500,000. Donnell and Rone Safforld,
Prosperity Mortgage, $285,000. Emmanuel
Augustus and Grace Omiunu, MERS, $315,358.
Edwin and Kimberly Sanchez, MERS, $350,000.
Alan Jackson and Mayka Benitez-Jackson, MERS,
$276,826. Paul Pemberton, Argent Mortgage,
$292,500. Francisco Justiniano, MERS, $252,350.
J. Edison and Jacqueline Adams, MERS,
$380,000. Patrick and Louise Pugliese, MERS,
$287,900. George Jordan, MERS, $287,900.
Tibor and Ilona Szigethy, Washington Mutual
Bank, $542,250. Enrique Diaz and Erica and
Christopher Lyden, MERS, $337,556. Quanda
Brown, National City Bank, $300,000. 1723
West Main Street/J&R Property Investment,
Pocono Community Bank, $275,000. Robert and
Jasmine Lagreca, MERS, $361,600. Cecil and
Barbara Baccas, MERS, $400,000. Betty Adekoje,
MERS, $366,100. Samuel and Suzanne Coursen,
Bankunited, $333,000.
Funding Corp, $251,000. Cummins Creek Contractors, Sussex Bank, $270,000. Cummins Creek
Contractors, Sussex Bank, $270,000.
Stroudsburg Borough
Brendan Fitzpatrick, MERS, $273,775. Joseph
and Mousa Khalil, National City Bank, $349,000.
Peter Rutt, MERS, $270,800. Todd Detrick, ESSA
Bank & Trust, $460,000. Eric Silverman, MERS,
$279,000.
Milford Borough
Sean Strub, Dime Bank, $350,000.
Tobyhanna Township
Dennis and Mary Anne Boyer, MERS, $300,000.
Frank and Elaine Carchione, Business Loan
Center, $1,420,000. Patrick and Patricia Reilly and
Helen Ferrara, MERS, $319,950. Pinecrest Lake
Homes & Community Bank & Trust, Community
Bank & Trust, $1,995,000. Pinecrest Lake Homes
& Community Bank & Trust, Community Bank &
Trust, $440,000. Pinecrest Lake Homes & Community Bank & Trust, Community Bank & Trust,
$1,995,000. Michael and Jayne Klem, MERS,
$350,000. Janet and Kenneth Johnston, MERS,
$262,800. Brian Willis, National City Bank,
$254,505. Andrew and Shirley Shelton, National
City Bank, $282,695. Lisa Williams, National City
Bank, $256,500. Sead and Margaret Dizdarevic,
Penn Security Bank & Trust, $350,000. Mark and
Carol Rodenhausen, CCO Mortgage, $298,100.
Shen Dai and Xing Zhou, MERS, $256,000. Alfred Franzini, MERS, $250,000. Odalys and John
Stefanidis, MERS, $318,000.
Pike County
Milford Township
Michael and Dawn Celona, MERS, $369,000.
Palmyra Township
Timothy Brock, Sun National Bank, $450,000.
Craig and Kathleen Smyth, Dime Bank, $300,000.
Porter Township
Laura and Daniel Nelson, MERS, $273,000.
Shohola Township
Robert and Tara Hommel, Indymac Bank,
$271,200. Anthony and Claudia Farula, Wayne
Bank, $550,000. Steven and Janice Hernandez,
Indymac Bank, $292,000.
Wayne County
Bethany Borough
Gary Good, Wells Fargo Financial, $279,524.
DamascCus Township
Michael and Stephanie Lukan, Citizens Savings
Bank, $298,400.
Dreher Township
Dawn and Richard Tavalsky, MERS, $351,200.
Blooming Grove Township
Kenneth Wilson, MERS, $280,000. Igor Kropov,
Countrywide Home Loans, $400,000. Franklin
Doolittle, MERS, $298,000. John Fisher, Wayne
Bank, $318,800. Thomas Kirby, Wells Fargo
Bank, $255,000. Thomas Kirby, Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, $255,000.
Vincent Ball, Bank of America, $250,000. Louis
Weissbart, HSBC Mortgage, $400,000. Barbara
Moor, MERS, $311,000. Michael and Sheryl
Ronan, MERS, $425,000. Guy and Jill Blessington, MERS, $320,000. Vincent and Debra Touhey,
MERS, $279,300.
Dyberry Township
Gary Good, Wells Fargo Financial, $279,524. John
Mulqueen, Honesdale National Bank, $290,000.
Delaware Township
Michael and Diane Cutaia, MERS, $287,847.
Kevin and Karen Willis, CCO Mortgage,
$269,500. Grigory and Svetlana Baranovsky,
Citibank, $252,800.
Lehigh Township
Kevin and Elizabeth O’Connor, MERS, $332,000.
Rajnarine Singh, Option One Mortgage, $320,000.
Dingman Township
Geraldine and William Buchanan, HSBC Mortgage, $287,200. Kerry and Dawn Irwin, CCO
Mortgage, $266,150. Juan and Maria Hernandez,
MERS, $255,000. Carmen Castellano, MERS,
$278,000. Micahel and Theresa Sanitiago, HSBC
Mortgage, $376,800. Gina and Eamon McHale,
Wells Fargo Bank, $569,500. Richard Garby,
Countrywide Home Loans, $329,200. Robert and
Brenda Schick, National City Mortgage, $310,400.
Kelvin and Eileen Guyadeen, MERS, $256,000.
Donna Rufino, Wachovia Bank, $315,000. Gary
and Janine Zinn, Washington Mutual, $276,000.
John Friberg, MERS, $315,200. Lorie Guerrera,
MERS, $251,060.
Lackawaxen Township
Magda and Sarwat Ezzeldin, PennStar Bank,
$297,500. Joseph and Ann Marie Ball, Wachovia
Bank, $279,600. Woodloch Spa Resort, Community Bank & Trust, $2,000,000. Hugh O’Connell,
ESSA Bank & Trust, $405,000. Charles and
Leanne Cipolla, ESSA Bank, $325,000.
Lehman Township
Nancy and Burt Lyn, Wells Fargo Bank, $251,000.
Henry Bell, Countrywide home Loans, $314,800.
Grezel and Thomas Campbell, MERS, $265,500.
Dominika Wierzbowzka, Washington Mutual,
$260,000. Edward and Margaret Ayala, First Residential Mortgage, $276,250. Luther Gales, Wells
Fargo Bank, $283,290. Luis Gonzalez, Saxon
Mortgage, $261,000.
Matamoras Borough
Kathleen and Aaron Churchill, Robar General
Coming Next Month ... December 2006
Lake Township
Sperry Homes, Alexander Construction Inc,
$433,308. Sperry Homes, Equity Trust Co,
$350,000. Dominick and Debra Mustascio, MERS,
$370,900.
Lebanon Township
Michael Hardler, Cooper & Shein/Great Oak
Lending Partners, $390,000.
Palmyra Township
Vincent, Josephine and Nancy Valentino, MERS,
$350,000.
Paupack Township
Elizabeth Epright, Honesdale National Bank,
$425,000. Russell and Joanne Hume, MERS,
$500,000. Erlinda and Scott Lemly, JP Morgan
Chase Bank, $292,500. Frank and Emma Grace
Carillo, MERS, $255,000. Craig and Kathleen
Smyth, Dime Bank, $300,000. Kathryn and Frederick Showers, Wells Fargo Bank, $380,000. Anthony and Claudia Farule, Wayne Bank, $550,000.
Joseph and Dorothy Valeriano, Oak Mortgage Co,
$345,000.
Salem Township
Sperry Homes, Equity Trust Co, $350,000. Cesar
Pifano, MERS, $250,000. Daniel and Jane Trygar,
Dime Bank, $575,000. Vincent and Sheila Mecca,
1st National Community Bank, $500,000. John
Davis, Wells Fargo Bank, $300,000.
Texas Township
Christopher and Anita Decker, MERS, $278,000.
Russell and Marie Palmer, Dime Bank,
$9,356,083.
MERS = Mortgage Electronic Registration
Systems
Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages recorded as
accurately as possible adhering to the cover dates
in the County Recorders office.
POCONO
www.pbjonline.com
Reflections & Projections
www.pbjonline.com
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• How intelligent are Pocono developers about Smart Growth?
• Recent Retail developments.
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• Professional Profile: Christmas tree from the Poconos is headed for the White House.
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