Branding the Poconos - poconobusinessjournal.com

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Pocono Business Journal
Seven Bridge Road, RR# 5 Box 5198
East Stroudsburg, PA 18301
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Regional Business News & Resources
THIS MONTH
• Carbon County Venue
on Upswing.......................... page 7
• Pike County Power Spike..... page 3
• Legislative Updates.............. page 4
• PBJ Columnist:
The Business Lawyer............ page 5
• Slayton Property Update...... page 7
May 2006, Vol. 2, Issue 5
Recreation & Tourism
Branding the Poconos
QUOTE
“It takes years to make an
overnight success.”
— Eddie Cantor
OBSERVE
World Press Freedom Day
Cinco de Mayo
Tourist Appreciation Day
National Teachers Day
Receptionist Day
Bike to Work Day
Armed Forces Day
Waiters & Waitress Day
Memorial Day
QUESTION
Did Monroe County’s
unemployment rate increase
or decrease for 2005?
Photo Credit: Scott Sobrinsky
3
5
6
9
10
19
20
21
29
On a crisp spring day, the main waterfall at Bushkill Falls is one of the beautiful images of tourism and recreation in the
Pocono Mountains.
By Ken Clark
See PMCC Business Magazine ad
for the answer on page 10.
please recycle this paper
www.pbjonline.com
We’re accustomed to branding: Cheerios, Ovaltine, Goya,
Crest and the like. We could scarcely shop without it.
It’s like that with regions, as well as products, which is why
both the Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau (PMVB) and the
Pike County Visitors’ Bureau (PCVB) are underway with branding initiatives aimed at a clear definition of what they hope to
sell to the tourists that their economies depend upon. Both organizations are following the ancient marketing maxim that says
you have to “sell the sizzle” if you wish to sell the steak. While
both have the same goal, there is some dispute as to what sizzles
best for each.
Some entities in the Pike County Visitors’ Bureau, while not
abandoning the “Poconos” brand name or seceding from the
Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau, have taken to calling themselves
the “Delaware Highlands,” “Lake Wallenpaupack,” or other localespecific designations in their promotional efforts. The Vacation
Bureau, which is the official tourist promotion agency for all four
Pocono Mountain counties -- including Pike -- has hired a research
and marketing firm to come up with some new and exciting “sizzle” to
lure visitors.
The PMVB, headed by Bob Uguccioni, will spend somewhere
in excess of $200,000 in funds (raised by the recently passed room
tax) on an exhaustive study to develop a new marketing campaign.
The research and marketing firm Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown and
see BRANDING page 6
Professional Profile - The Lodge at Woodloch
page 8
2
Pocono Business Journal | May 2006
MONTHLY MISSIVE
www.pbjonline.com
POCONO
Twin Willow Publishing Company
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
REPORTERS
Ken Clark
Ann Gerfelder
Kathy Ruff
CONTRIBUTORS
Tom Ford
Kevin Shivers
The Pocono Mountain region has been recognized over the years as a retreat; an oasis
of peace. The same amenities that beckon visitors from the hectic cities of the Northeast and
beyond have made Monroe and Pike the fastest growing areas Pennsylvania, with tremendous
residential and business growth. But aside from those who have turned their weekend get-away
into a life-long stay, the Poconos is still a haven for tourists. Regional tourism officials face
challenges to keep a fresh and appealing image. Read about some of the efforts that are afoot to
continue positioning the area as a destination of choice.
Tourism is big business in the Poconos and one Carbon County attraction has bolstered the
economy with an unassuming and steady rise. Penn’s Peak has helped foster growth and attract
visitors year-round to the area with an appealing entertainment venue.
Again this month, Pocono Business Journal is featuring a new columnist. Tom Ford is discussing sexual harassment in his column, The Business Lawyer, and will be addressing a variety
of legal issues in future months.
Lastly, as the paper continues to grow, please keep PBJ updated with press releases, story
ideas, special business events and anything you think the business community would be interested in reading about. We look to hear from you as we work on future issues that will continue
to inform, inquire and inspire.
Marynell K. Strunk
Publisher/Editor
[email protected]
PHOTOGRAPHER
Scott Sobrinsky
Gary Steigerwalt
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
Danielle Eberhardt
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COPY EDITOR
Deborah Schiffer
ARTICLES
• PUC Aims to Halt Power Spkes in Pike Count . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
• Venue Shows Strong, Steady Growth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
• Residential Realtor Chosen for Slayton Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SALES CONSULTANT
Daniel M. Fredericks
PRODUCTION/DESIGN
Jason Trump
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
• The Lodge at Woodloch Aligns Mind, Body and Spirit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
CIRCULATION
Caryn Fogel
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 $25 per
year or $50 for two years. POSTMASTER: Send address
changes to: Pocono Business Journal, RR#5 Box 5198, East
Stroudsburg, PA 18301
DEPARTMENTS
• Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
• Editorial Comic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• HR Tip of the Month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
• Legislative Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• PBJ Columnist: The Business Lawyer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
• PBJ Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
Advertisers Index
ASSI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Associated Libraries of Monroe County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
SUBSCRIPTION FORM
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please mail subscription form along with check made payable to:
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Thank you for choosing Pocono Business Journal
Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Brooks Accounting Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Buck Hill Golf Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Bushkill Falls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
C & M Homes, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Chant Realty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Glen Brook Country Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Great Bear Golf & Country Club. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Journal Newspapers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Michael Baxter & Associates Commercial Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . 8
Pocono Mountains Business Magazine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Sherman Theater. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
The Packaging Place. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Woodloch Resort. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
3
NEWS
Milford - The Partnership for Pike County’s three
economic development organizations (Chamber of
Commerce, Industrial Development Authority, and the
Industrial Development Corporation) has announced the
selection of its next Executive Director. Amy L. Gruzesky of Factoryville will replace outgoing Executive
Dave Wilson, who retired at the end of April.
Amy recently served as the Executive Director of
the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau in Tunkhannock,
PA. She managed the 230-member organization which
promotes tourism and tourism-related business in the
four counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and
Wyoming.
Previously Amy served as Director of Public Affairs
and Development at the Earth Conservancy in Ashley,
and she was a regional reporter for the Scranton Times.
Amy is a graduate of Penn State University with a
B.A. in Journalism. Her professional affiliations include
the Northeast Network, a professional organization
for women in Northeast PA, for which she served as
president from 2005 to 2007. She is also on the Board
of the PA Route 6 Tourist Association, serving as vice
president from 2005 to 2007; and she is Director of the
Endless Mountains Heritage Region.
The search committee was comprised of representatives of the four Boards involved in the partnership:
Submitted byPike County Chamber of Commerce
New Executive Director for Pike County Economic Groups
By Ken Clark
Amy Gruzesky gets an orientation her first day at work from
David Wilson, outgoing Executive Director.
the County Commissioners, the Pike County Chamber,
the Pike County Industrial Development Authority, and
the Pike County Industrial Development Corporation.
The committee unanimously expressed its enthusiasm.
“We’re delighted to have found someone so imminently
qualified. We look forward to Amy’s leadership as we
pursue the next phase of economic development in Pike
County,” said County Commissioner Harry Forbes.
William Stone Speaker at WEDCO Annual Dinner
Photo credit: Gary Steigerwalt
Honesdale - Guest speaker, William Stone, First Vice
President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia,
was received by an enthusiastic crowd at the Wayne
Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) Annual
William H. Stone, Jr. at podium.
Dinner. The event was held on April 6 at the Bryn Mawr
and represented an opportunity for WEDCO members
and guests to gather and reflect on the events of the past
year and report on future projects.
Stone shared his views and offered many positive
comments about Wayne County while acknowledging
the challenges inherent in the county’s rapid growth.
PUC Aims to Halt Power
Spikes in Pike County
“Taking a longer-term view, the region’s performance is quite remarkable. As you may know, Pennsylvania is the third slowest growing state in the country.
However, the northeastern comer of the
Commonwealth has
had a different experience. Pike, Monroe, and
Wayne counties lead
the way as the fastest
growing counties in the
Commonwealth and are
among the fastest growing nationally. Several
factors that have contributed to this strong
economic performance,
and the good news is
that those factors should
continue to support
strong performance in
the years ahead,” says
Stone.
Stone’s speech in
full is available at www.
philadelphiafed.org.
The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission
wants to let Pike County consumers buy their electricity collectively from a “retail aggregator,” rather than
take regulatory measures to offset a whopping 128
percent power cost increase imposed in February by
the Pike County Light and Power Company.
The PUC announced an April 28 auction in which
one successful bidder will be selected to pool consumers into a collective base to bring down prices that
spiraled out of control this past winter, triggering near
panic among customers in the northernmost county of
the Poconos.
“The price spike in Pike County is an unintended
consequence of the world energy situation and reflects
the volatility of the overall energy market,” Commission Chairman Wendell F. Holland said in a press
release. “Today we have laid the groundwork for a
deliberative process that makes every effort to allow
the market -- rather than regulation -- to improve this
situation for consumers, employers and community
organizations.”
He said all participating bidders in the power broker auction “must demonstrate the capability to serve
residential consumers by indicating adequate staffing
at service centers to field questions.”
Pike County Light and Power unilaterally raised
its prices at what PUC spokesperson Jennifer Kocher
called “the pinnacle of a very bad market.”
“Since then, prices have leveled off,” she added.
“And the commission reserves the right to reject any
part of this process if it doesn’t benefit consumers.”
How do you bring joy to your workforce?
Plan your next meeting at
Photo credit: Gary Steigerwalt
WOODLOCH RESORT
From left: William H. Stone, Jr., First Vice President/CEO, Federal Reserve Bank
of Philadelphia; Robert J. Suhosky, Executive Director of WEDCO; and William
Davis, President, Wayne Bank.
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4
Legislative Updates
By Kevin Shivers
EDITORIAL
damages based on his/her proportionate share of responsibility. If a business owner is ten percent liable, s/he would
be required to pay ten percent of the damages awarded.
Gov. Rendell Vetoes Bill on Junk Lawsuits
Gov. Ed Rendell vetoed legislation, SB 435, intended
to help reduce junk lawsuits. The veto was issued despite
calls by countless small-business owners, retailers and
manufacturers across Pennsylvania urging him to sign the
bill into law. The veto by Gov. Rendell was an apparent
flip-flop by the Governor who as a candidate in 2002
pledged to support similar legislation if it reached his
desk. The veto also marked the third pro-small-business
bill in three years that was rejected by the Governor after
reaching his desk.
This veto comes fresh on the heels of his veto of legislation, HB 515, last December to reduce taxes on manufacturers, small businesses and working families; his veto
of regulatory flexibility legislation, HB 2442, in 2004
would have required state agencies to seek small-business
input during the drafting of proposed regulations, and
require agencies to examine less costly regulatory alternatives to protect small business.
SB 435 requires a defendant in a lawsuit to pay
damages proportionate to their liability. This legislation
recodifies Act 57 of 2002, the “Fair Share Act,” which
passed with wide bipartisan support. That law was ruled
unconstitutional by the courts on procedural grounds that
it violated the single-subject requirement of the state’s
constitution. The unfair doctrine of joint and several
liability can require a defendant that is found only one
percent liable in a lawsuit to pay one hundred percent
of damages awarded. Plaintiffs’ lawyers use joint and
several to snare as many defendants as possible in search
of the wealthy defendant, regardless of the degree of involvement of the defendant. Small-business owners often
fall victim to these ‘deep-pocket’ searches. Importantly,
forty four other states have already taken action to reform
this outdated and unfair legal doctrine. SB 435 replaces
the doctrine of joint and several liability with “comparative responsibility,” which requires a defendant to pay
New Employer Mandate
The Pennsylvania State House kicked off Small
Business Week on April 10-14 by voting to raise the
state minimum wage to $7.15 and hour -- a forty percent
increase. House Bill 257, sponsored by State Rep. Mark
Cohen (D-Philadelphia), would raise the state minimum
wage to $7.15 by July 2007. The measure now heads to
the State Senate. A study by the Employment Policies
Institute reports that a $2 increase in the minimum wage
in Pennsylvania will result in over 10,000 job losses and
will cost job creators and workers more than $262 million
in higher labor costs and lost income. Ultimately, they
said such an increase would make it harder for small
businesses to manage costs and hurt the very workers it’s
intended to help: young workers, low-skilled workers and
those trying to reenter the workforce.
Introduction of Employer Healthcare Mandate
In April, State Rep. John Taylor (R-Philadelphia) announced he is sponsoring legislation, HB 2495, to require
Pennsylvania companies to pay as much as nine percent
of their payroll for employee health insurance costs. The
bill serves as the framework to require small businesses
to pay for their workers’ health insurance. Proponents,
including Rep. Taylor, claim this bill only applies to large
businesses like Wal-Mart. The state’s leading business
associations note this legislation threatens all Pennsylvania businesses. Similar legislation became law last year
in Maryland targeting businesses with 10,000 workers. Already, Maryland state lawmakers this year have
introduced a bill to require all businesses to pay for their
workers’ health insurance.
Small business owners note the bill doesn’t solve the
problem. Small businesses and their workers are unable
to afford health insurance due to rapidly rising health care
This Summer, Stay Close. Go Far.
Summer Sessions 2006
at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
3-Week Session starts May 22!
Pre-Session
May 22 - June 9
 Courses oﬀered
in most ﬁelds
Main Session
June 12 - July 21
 Low tuition
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Post Session
July 24 - August 11
For complete schedule and registration information, visit www.esu.edu and
click on Summer Sessions. For more information, call 570-422-2854.
* Available for credit or for self-enrichment
costs. The John Taylor bill, HB 2495, does nothing to
solve that underlying problem or guarantee that one additional person will receive health insurance. To the contrary, this bill will cost people their jobs and no job means
no health insurance. Imposing a health care mandate on
Pennsylvania employers will place our businesses at a
competitive disadvantage with other states and dramatically raise the costs of goods and services.
Workers Compensation Conference
The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has announced that its fifth annual Workers’ Compensation
Conference will be held June 12, 13 and 14 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center in Hershey, PA. The
conference promises to offer participants insights from
experts in the field of worker’s compensation. Representatives from the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation,
the insurance industry, employers, claimant and defense
counsel, labor and the health care industry will come
together to share their knowledge and experience on the
worker’s compensation system. The conference registration fee is $225 per person. Registration form and event
details can be found at: http://www.dli.state.pa.us/landi/
lib/landi/bwc/wcconf/2006_mailer.pdf. To register, complete the form and mail to Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, 1171 S. Cameron Street,
Room 324-A, Harrisburg, PA 71104-2501 no
later than June 2, 2006.
Sign up for NFIB Small-Business
“Take it to the Hill” Summit
Hundreds of the nation’s small-business owners are expected to descend on
Washington for the 2006 NFIB National
Small-Business Summit June 18-20 at the
Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. for NFIB’s
first-ever “Take it to the Hill” event. The
NFIB National Summit will give small-business leaders the opportunity to gather and
meet face to face with their senators and representatives on Capitol Hill. Together, NFIB
members will share their experiences of how
Washington decisions affect small businesses
everywhere. Business and political speakers
also include Charlie Cook, Stuart Rothenberg,
Newt Gingrich and Tony Snow. To register
for the Summit, please visit www.nfib.com.
Register now for one or more courses in
 Small class sizes
©Copley News Service. Visit Copley News Service at www.copleynews.com.
ESU is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Kevin Shivers is the PA State Director of
the National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB). Founded in 1943, NFIB is
the nations’ largest small-business advisory
group, representing the consensus views of
its 600,000 members in Washington, DC and
all 50 state capitals. To join NFIB, call 866314-7621. For more information on NFIB/
Pennsylvania, go to www.nfib.com/PA.
NOTE TO READERS: Opinions expressed in any
commentary published in PBJ are not necessarily a
reflection of the opinions of PBJ. Likewise, PBJ will
not be held responsible for any suggestion or advice
published by PBJ and PBJ assumes no liability
for actions that result based on such material. The
publisher and staff welcome your opinions on issues.
Write to PBJ at the address listed on the inside front
cover or e-mail [email protected].
5
NEWS
Defending Discrimination Claims – It Costs A Lot to Win, But Even More to Lose
The Business
Lawyer
Tom Ford
www.pbjonline.com/blog
At one of the employment law conferences we attended a few years ago, a Pennsylvania Human Relations Commissioner estimated that every Pennsylvania
employer will face at least one employment discrimination claim every seven years. When it takes five-figures
to defeat even spurious claims in court, that is an eyeopening statistic.
What is at stake for an employment discrimination claim? If an employer loses in court, it can be hit
with a judgment that includes back pay as well as future
pay, rehiring the plaintiff, paying compensation for lost
benefits, out of pocket expenses, compensatory damages
and, what may be the unkindest cut of all, paying the
plaintiff’s lawyer.
Yes, it can cost a lot to win – but even more to lose.
The first line of defense, then, is to do whatever you can
to avoid discrimination claims in the first place. The
second: keep them out of court. This month we are going to talk about how the way you handle the claims at
the agency level affects whether you have to deal with
them in court. In our next column, we will discuss things
that you can do to help avoid the claims altogether.
Before an employment discrimination claim can
get to court, the claimant has to go through one of the
governmental agencies that enforces anti-discrimination
laws. In Pennsylvania, that is either the Pennsylvania
Human Relations Commission (PHRC) or the Federal
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
The usual role of the PHRC or EEOC is to investigate the claims and issue a determination; that is, to state
an opinion on whether the claimant has established a discrimination claim. They then try to resolve the dispute.
After the agency is finished, then the claimant may go to
court. BUT, it is exceedingly rare that a claimant who
loses at the agency ends up taking the case on to court.
For all practical purposes, if you win at the agency level,
the case is over and you can get back to your business.
Unfortunately, because the agencies seem more
informal than court cases, most claimants do not have
lawyers at the agency level, and because employers often
misunderstand how what they do there can affect a court
case, employers often don’t give the agency case the attention it deserves.
You need to take the complaint seriously because
the agencies surely do. Care needs to be taken toGB
prepare
PMVB
appropriately detailed responses to each
allegation – responses that not only take into
account the facts of what happened, but also
complement your legal defenses. Successful defense of an agency complaint requires,
at a minimum, interviews of co-workers
and witnesses, review of employment or application records, obtaining affidavits when
appropriate, and preparing full documentary
support for the defenses. A solid defense
will also pull together evidence relating to
“similarly situated” employees. In most
cases the agency will ask for that information, but even
where it does not, in the right hands it can be helpful to
your defense. In most cases, these tasks are best left to
experienced professionals, who may understand better
the nuances of the law, because, after all, what your witnesses say can – and will – be used against you.
You need to get your responses right and get them
right the first time. Any later changes can be used, fairly
or not, as evidence that you gave false reasons for your
conduct and are covering up actual discriminatory intent.
Winning at the agency level takes time, money, and
a great deal of careful thought and analysis. But it takes
much less time and much less money than winning in
court. Win at the state level and you are more likely to
avoid the much more expensive court case and get back
to doing what you do best, running your business.
Tom Ford is a principle at Smithford Business Lawyers,
LLC, with offices in Stroudsburg and Wilkes-Barre. You
can reach him at 800-728-1406, by e-mail at tff@sfalaw.
com and read his blog at www.pbjonline.com/blog.
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NEWS
BRANDING ... cont. from page 1
PBJ BLOG
Talk about business
online with PBJ
columnists.
Photo Credit: Scott Sobrinsky
Russell (YPB&R) has been hired to launch the campaign
designed to identify an image that will appeal to community
and industry leaders, and a brand promise directed at current
and prospective visitors.
“Our last slogan was ‘Pocono Mountains: More to
Love,’” said PMVB Director of Marketing Gail Starrett. “To
us, that communicated all the different things there were to
do here. We dropped that slogan several years ago … and
now we’re looking for a new tagline. We want to be able to
develop a whole entire marketing campaign that will make
the Pocono Mountains attractive, not only to consumers, but
also to meeting planners and tour operators.”
Starrett said developing a new image for the region
will be accomplished through the use of focus groups and
on-line surveys to find the most compatible motto
and advertising approach, right down to the color
and letter font for the PMVB Web site. The final
marketing paradigm will be used uniformly to
promote all four counties in the Poconos – Monroe, Carbon, Wayne and Pike. But the feedback
from Pike, the northernmost and rural of the four
counties, has been less than positive about the
Vacation Bureau’s umbrella approach, which is
why a group of hoteliers formed the Pike County
Visitor’s Bureau (PCVB) last year.
“It’s a sensitive issue because there is a broad
range of opinion about how effective the Pocono
Mountains Vacation Bureau has been in various
segments of the tourist business,” said PCVB
president and co-founder Sean Strub. And Eric
Ehrhardt, owner of Ehrhardt’s hotel and restaurant
on the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack and PCVB
vice president, agreed. “The idea of the Pike
County Visitors’ Bureau is to emphasize the facilities within Pike County and work with the Vacation Bureau very closely,” he said. “We’re still
very much in the development stage and we’re a
long way away from a specific brand or image.
There are some of us that feel we are very closely
in line with the Vacation Bureau, while others are
thinking we should distance ourselves from them.
Those are issues we’re still working out.”
Strub said many Pike County hotel operators feel short-changed by the Vacation Bureau’s
promotion of “the destination resort and the
heart-shaped bathtub factor,” which does not
serve businesses that do not offer those types of
experiences. Strub added that stake-holders along
the Delaware River draw most of their clientele
from the Hudson River Valley, New Jersey and
Connecticut, rather than from Monroe County and
the Lehigh Valley.
“For businesses located along the Delaware
River, their clientele has no sense of being in the
Poconos,” he said. “When you’re trying to come
up with a brand that will market the river, you
can’t be state specific. That’s where the Delaware
Highlands brand came from. We don’t think it’s
our role to impose a brand on them and we’re trying to work with the Vacation Bureau to get them
to be more willing to participate in things that are
not just solely marketing the Pocono brand.”
Strub was quick to deny, however, that he is an
advocate of secession from the PMVB.
“The Pocono brand is an enormously powerful
one with tremendous application, but I think there
are some businesses that can profit by not using
the brand, and if they want to do their marketing
under other brands, I think they should be allowed
to do so,” adds Strub.
At the Vacation Bureau, Starrett said the marketing campaign being developed with YPB&R
“will be broad enough to be usable by all four of
our counties.”
“I am aware that some entities in Pike County
like to describe Pike as being in the Delaware
Highlands, but we consider Pike County in the
Pocono Mountains,” she said. “We certainly are
the official tourist promotion agency for the four
counties of Monroe, Carbon, Pike and Wayne.”
The Delaware River works its way through the Gap, luring tourists year after
year to the Pocono Mountains.
7
NEWS
Venue Shows Strong, Steady Growth
By Ann Stevenson
Week after week, Penn’s Peak host up to 1,800 concert goers at its unique and comfortable facility in Jim
Thorpe. With its spacious dance floor, loft ceilings, twin
bars and restaurant, Penn’s Peak patrons enjoy a breathtaking overlook of Beltzville Lake, plus a commanding,
picturesque fifty-mile panoramic view of northeastern
Pennsylvania’s Appalachian Mountains.
Open since February 2003, Penn’s Peak provides a
spectacular variety of entertainment in a part of Pennsylvania that has lots to offer residents and visitors year
round. Just miles from Exit 74 of the Northeast Extension (476) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, it is geographically convenient to Hazleton, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre,
Stroudsburg, the Lehigh Valley, Philadelphia and New
York City.
Carbon County’s Director of Economic Development, Toni Artuso, remarks that Penn’s Peak has added
a significant resource that impacts the quality of life in
Carbon County. “Beginning their third season, Penn’s
Peak offers local jobs and a great entertainment venue,”
says Artuso. “It has added to the attractiveness of the
Jim Thorpe area for Pennsylvanians and those visiting
from farther away.”
In addition to the year-round concert schedule,
Penn’s Peak hosts weddings, trade shows, conferences,
seminars and private parties.
The concert schedule appeals to fans of just about
every taste. This spring’s line-up includes talents such
as Bobby Vinton, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Kenny Rogers, Pertpetual Groove, the 4th Annual Tech Net Comedy Night, Beatlemania Now, Dark Star Orchestra, Pat
Residential Realtor Chosen
for Slayton Properties
Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Little River Band, Raymond
the Amish Comic and Merle Haggard, among others.
Some of the entertainers even extend their stay to enjoy
the area after the show.
And it’s not just the music and entertainment that
make a visit to Penn’s Peak a trip to remember. You
can dine and dance and wander through their expansive
property that also includes two bars and a gift shop to
pick up those memory making mementos. There are
shows that include family style meals, or you can enjoy
your meal at Roadies Restaurant that also provides a
concert menu of everything from soups, salads and
sandwiches to a prime rib dinner with all the trimmings.
Or if that’s not your style, you can also wait until after
the show and enjoy Roadies’ moonlight menu of light
(and some not-so-light) late night fare.
Penn’s Peak is a complete concert experience,
but for those who want to make it a weekend getaway,
they have partnered with Pocono Mountains Vacation
Bureau to inform customers of area cultural events,
local hotels and other lodging options, and other tourist
opportunities. “Pocono Mountain visitors comprise a
good number of our customers,” says Lynn Stelling,
events coordinator. “We want to make sure their visit is
exceptional from beginning to end.” The fact that two
new hotels have opened close to the facility since 2004
may be testament to the effect Penn’s Peak has had on
area tourism.
For those who are eager to hear their favorite performers close to home, or who are seeking a weekend
getaway with friends, Penn’s Peak has a lot to offer.
For more information, visit www.pennspeak.com.
By Ken Clark
Three properties seized by the court from jailed
Brodheadsville builder Dennis Slayton have been sold
under sealed bid by commercial real estate broker Michael
Baxter. At this writing, Baxter was unable to identify the
buyers because details of the deal still were being finalized.
However Baxter did note that the sale, heated by notoriety
surrounding its circumstances, will generate approximately
$2 million, up from his original estimate of $1.5 million.
“This was a rare opportunity where we were able to
capitalize on the otherwise adverse press about the owner
and utilize it to market the real estate,” Baxter stated.
“There was substantial interest in the properties and the
sealed bid process helped us quickly and fairly to secure a
buyer from a number of qualified candidates.”
Monroe County Judge Jerome Cheslock designated
Baxter as receiver of Slayton’s holdings in a bid to pay off
$1.1 million owed to Pennstar Bank and other creditors.
Slayton, who initially fled jurisdiction, remained incarcerated in Monroe County Correctional Facility where he is
awaiting trial. Slayton is accused of taking approximately
$500,000 from home buyers, then defaulting on promised
construction.
Properties include an office building in Brodheadsville, an undeveloped 38-acre parcel of land in Tannersville
and a home on Woods Way in Hamilton Township. Baxter,
who specializes exclusively in commercial real estate, said
he chose Cristina Primrose from ReMax of the Poconos to
handle sale of the home.
“I had proposals from several qualified residential
brokers,” Baxter said. “I selected Cristina based on her
performance in the marketplace.”
The parcel of land on Route 611 has received municipal approval for construction of a 32-unit townhouse
development which Baxter notes that the new owner will
pursue.
Pocono Business Journelr 4-13-06.qxd
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8
The Lodge at Woodloch Aligns
A couple’s professional talents, dreams and passion
to make a difference have blossomed into a new business
located on seventy five wooded acres in Hawley, Pike
County.
John E. Lopis and his wife, Ginny Michel Lopis, have
transformed their twenty-year experience in spa design and
operations consulting into the Lodge at Woodloch, a $37
million luxury destination spa including 58 guest rooms,
27 treatment rooms and many other lavish amenities. The
40,000 square foot spa will open its doors on the edge of
Lake Wallenpaupack next month.
“We have never been able to take all of our ideas
and bring them together in one place,” says John Lopis,
co-owner and co-founder. “Everything that our guests are
involved with in our program – and indeed back home
– have to do with the choices that they make.” Those choices blend fitness, adventure, creativity,
wellness and pampering holistically into an “awakening”
experience the owners hope will encourage wise lifestyle
choices while at the same time providing enjoyment, satisfaction and rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit.
Options can include unwinding in the spa’s therapeutic
soaking pools or hydro-massage waterfalls, or relaxing in
an infinity-edge whirlpool overlooking the lake. Guests
choose the pace and can customize programs to meet their
exclusive desires. Basic programs include smoking cessation, executive renewal and other group or individual
instructions for a half-day, full day or on an individual á la
carte basis.
“We became committed to coming to this large market
and creating a drive-to spa, something that would be a
regional draw so that people would not have to involve additional time and cost for travel,” says John.
Photo Credit: Gary Steigerwalt
By Kathy Ruff
The Lopis’s taking a moment to stand in the outside waterfall before the water starts rushing over the rocks.
The location’s proximity to New York City and the
northeast corridor provides access to a large volume of
prospective clients ranging from spa-goers and vacationers
to golfers, outdoor enthusiasts and professionals wanting
to get away from the everyday stresses. Its closeness to
the Delaware River, state game lands and the Woodloch
Springs Country Club Community’s 18-hole championship
golf course further adds to its magnetism. “Being an elegant, high-quality facility is one of the things that’s going
to make us different,” says Ginny.
That difference focuses on a holistic approach that
blends into a realistic lifestyle for its guests. Your commercial property is a valuable asset...
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Here are three questions you can ask to ensure
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1. Does the broker sell anything other than
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(The correct answer is NO.)
2. How many commercial properties has the
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(This will give you an idea about their real
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3. How much of the agency’s advertising budget
is spent on marketing commercial property?
(The answer should be 100 %.)
Our imitators flatter us, but only one
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9
Mind, Body and Spirit
The Lodge at Woodloch’s notable amenities:
• 46 rooms and 12 suites all with oversized
bathrooms, flat-screened TVs, high speed
Internet access, and spacious private outdoor
balconies overlooking a lake, ponds and gardens
• 27 treatment rooms for services including
massage, shiatsu, mud and seaweed wraps,
hydrotherapies and many others
• 100-seat gourmet restaurant featuring healthy,
light cuisine and chef’s demonstration kitchen
• Co-ed therapeutic soaking pools with 8’ and
4’ hydro-massage waterfalls
• Library with large outdoor porch overlooking
the lake
• Meeting, presentation and game rooms in addition to learning and activities center
• One-mile recreation trail, woodland gardens,
gazebos and waterscapes
• Year-round outdoor infinity edge whirlpool
with radiant heat deck
• Indoor pool, salon, lounge and boutique.
• Two multi-purpose studios, a fully-equipped
cardio/weight training studio and a yoga/meditation studio
“Oftentimes when we look at a program
that is holistic, that includes mind, body and
spirit or focuses on wellness, we think of the
more austere environments like retreats,”
says John. “Our lodge is intentionally appointed in a very sophisticated and comfortable way. We have all the comforts people
are used to enjoying that provide true
relaxation.”
John and Ginny Lopis stand inside the soon-tobe main entrance at the Lodge at Woodloch
Close to completion, the inside waterfall will be a focal point within the spa area.
One well-appointed feature that serves a dual purpose is the
chef’s kitchen, which doubles as culinary classroom with
demonstrations promoting healthy gourmet dining.
“We intend to create one of the finest dining experiences in the destination spa experience in the country,” says
Ginny. “That comes from the quality and preparation of the
cuisine we have.”
Unlike most destination spas, the facility will offer
fine wines, beer and alcohol as part of its realistic lifestyle
management philosophy.
“We believe that it’s appropriate in a balanced, healthy
lifestyle to have the opportunity to choose a glass of wine
with dinner,” says Ginny. “We have made a decision to
include fine wines and beers. We do a lot of those things in
Principals:
John E. Lopis, Ph.D, and Ginny Michel Lopis, M.A,
founders and owners
Key Personnel:
John Lopis and Ginny Michel Lopis, founders/owners; Leslie
Johnson, spa director; Lyle Bolyard, executive chef
Telephone:
570-658-8500
Web Site:
www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com
Total Investment:
$37 Million
Opening Date:
June 2006
Estimated No. of
Employees:
150-200
Recognition:
2005 International Spa Association Visionary Award
our lifestyle when we are home. To say we are not going to
do it here didn’t make any sense to us.”
What also makes sense to John and Ginny is providing
employees with an environment to enrich their labors and
ultimately their guests’ experiences.
“We feel that in order for our employees to properly communicate the philosophies that we teach and the
practices that we offer our guests, staff should know about
them firsthand,” says John. “One of our business philosophies is that the culture of our organization is built on the
same principles of those things that we are offering to our
guests.”
Employees will participate in wellness programs,
hikes and other offerings to gain a hands-on knowledge of
the facility’s amenities, enabling them to better accommodate the clientele.
“There is a real awareness and taking responsibility
for managing our own lifestyles,” says John. “We are helping our guests, our staffs and ourselves to the awakening
process, to be more connected to those choices we make,
how we manage our lifestyles, and what satisfaction it
brings us. It helps everyone to be more aware to grow in
those ways.”
That growth includes time for employees to donate
time each month to charitable work. “It’s a nice way to
make a contribution to the community and to have our employees share something that we think is very good for their
lifestyle awareness and their feelings about themselves,”
says John.
“We see spas as an opportunity to help people open
their hearts and open their minds. It helps them to be aware
of how to affect the world around them in a positive way,”
says Ginny. “If we are not creating a healthy world, it’s
pretty hard to be healthy in our own individual space.”
The couple believes the spa will create a wholesome
space to make a difference in the economics, increased visibility and promotion of the region.
The spa anticipates employing between 150 and 200
people in a variety of jobs. “We expect at least eighty
percent of our revenue stream to be out-of-state patrons, so
we are bringing substantial support to the local and state
economy,” says John. “We want to share with them the
feeling of pride we have in bringing to the Northeast region
here in Pennsylvania, in the Pocono Mountains, something
that we are positive will be rated as one of a very small collection of high-end destination spa properties.”
The couple projects sales of between $15 and $20 million annually.
For the Lopises, the venture represents a lifelong
dream come true: to help themselves and others grow.
10
NEWS
Submitted by Weiler Corp.
Pictured at the Groundbreaking are members of Weiler’s
Management Team along with key executives of the Lamb
Company (Karl Weiler, Jeff Smith, Cynthia Konrath, Cappy
Noto, Dennis Brown, Jim Teeple, Dick Gommel, Frank
Hettes, Jeff Welday, and Chris Weiler).
Cresco - Weiler Corporation, a leading manufacturer of power brushes for the welding,
fabrication and manufacturing industries, is
adding approximately 40,000 square feet to
its Cresco facility. The building project will
encompass a 25,000 square foot addition to
its offices and a 16,000 square foot addition
to its existing 55,000 square foot distribution
center. Renovations to offices and employee
areas in the distribution center are underway
as well.
Excavation work for the expansion is being handled by Papillon & Moyer, of Stroudsburg. Lamb Construction, of Genesee, has
been hired to build the new facility.
“We are very excited to be breaking
ground on the expansion of our facility,”
said CEO Karl Weiler of Weiler Corporation.
“This venture is a testament to how much our
business has grown and we look forward to
many more prosperous years.”
Weiler Corporation is an ISO 9001
manufacturer of power brushes, specialty
abrasives and maintenance products that are
used in a wide range of industries from aerospace to automotive to shipbuilding. The company provides world-class service and surface
conditioning solutions. Weiler employs over
400 workers in its Cresco facility and has four
other manufacturing facilities world-wide.For
more information call (800) 835-9999 or visit
www.weilercorp.com.
PPL Utilities Invests in NEPA
Submitted by NEPA Alliance
Weiler Corporation Breaks Ground
Pittston – Jeffrey Box, Acting President & CEO,
NEPA Alliance accepts a check for $10,000 from Paul
Canevari, PPL Utilities. The check represents PPL’s
annual investment to the Northeastern Pennsylvania
Alliance (NEPA). NEPA promotes economic development throughout the counties of Carbon, Lackawanna,
Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne.
11
NEWS
New Mattioli Emergency Center at PMC
East Stroudsburg - Local dignitaries, emergency
response personnel, hospital staff and other invited
guests were given the first public tours of the new
101,000 square foot Mattioli Emergency Center at the
end of March.
“This evening provides a unique opportunity for
the community to take a complete tour of an Emergency Room,” said Dr. Peter Favini, FACEP, Chief of
Emergency Medicine. “Usually such tours must work
around patient areas, or they take place after an ER
has already been in use, so this is a rare opportunity.”
Designed to meet the needs of a growing community, Pocono Medical Center’s new Mattioli Emergency Center will offer new and improved services
for emergency patients. Pocono Medical Center’s
Mattioli Emergency Center is one of the top five
busiest Emergency Centers in Pennsylvania, treating
nearly 70,000 patients in 2005.
“To put this growth in historical perspective, the
ER in the Jordan wing was designed to accommodate
only 30,000 patients per year,” Richard Henley said.
“Today, we are able to provide care for more than
70,000.”
The need for emergency medical care in the area
is growing so quickly that the new facility is opening only five years after the renovation of the old
emergency department. The new Mattioli Emergency
Center, part of Pocono Medical Center’s expansion
project that also includes the ESSA Heart and Vascular Institute, will increase service capacity to treat up
to 42 patients concurrently.
Features of New Facility:
- Two new general radiology rooms
- Decontamination Room
- Psychiatric station with Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner
(SAFE) treatment room
- All 42 patient rooms are individual,
walled rooms to provide privacy
PBJ BLOG
“Blogging for
Business”
Talk about business
online with PBJ
columnists.
HR Tip of the Month
Growing The Best
One third of employers in recreation and tourism
fail to meet their business objectives because
their employees do not possess the skills necessary for success.
So when you hire high-potential employees, how
do you get them to focus on the “right things”
to increase customer satisfaction, build customer
loyalty and add to the profitability of the business?
• Create and reward the desired culture—having
fun while serving others;
• Use prompt feedback and regular performance
evaluations that focus on the four or five key elements of an employee’s job description;
• Provide training opportunities in service, leadership and management;
• Encourage growth with competitive pay, benefits and promotion from within; and
• Emphasize innovation and the big picture.
12
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
May 3
NEPA Technology Seminar Series, Victoria Inn Suites,
Pittston, 5:30 pm. – 8:00 p.m. Free hors d’oeuvres with
cash bar. For directions and to register online visit http://
www.kimbletechnology.com/seminar.htm.
May 4
BNI (Business Network International), Bartonsville,
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Howard Johnson, Rt. 611 and I-80
Exit 302B, Bartonsville. Contact Karen Sherrill, (570)
895-4242.
May 4, 8, 11 & 15
Microsoft Access Level 1, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., The
Center for Business & Industry at Northampton Community College, Fountain Court, Bartonsville. Call for
fees. Contact Jennifer Kszak at (610) 861-5331 or visit
www.northampton.edu. To register over the telephone
using a credit card call (877) 543-0998.
May 4, 11, 18 & 25
Learn To Use Your Computer, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fee: $150. The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu/cce.
May 5
BNI (Business Network International), Stroudsburg,
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m., breakfast. Fee $7. Sherman Theater. Contact Victoria Mavis, Core People Resources,
(610) 863-0329, or visit http://www.bninj.com/cgi-bin/
viewchapter.cgi.
May 6 & 13
Photo Correction & Repair, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fee:
$243. The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.
edu/cce.
May 9
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Women in
Business, 12:00 Noon. Sam Snead’s Tavern, Shawneeon-Delaware. Hosted by Shepherd’s Maternity House,
sponsored by Holly Corcoran CPA. Cost $13 Chamber
members in advance, $16 non-members and walk-ins.
Call (570) 421-4433.
May 9, 11, 16, 18, 23, & 25
MS Project, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Fee: $399. The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education,
(570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.
May 11
895-4242.
May 11 & 16 & 18
Introduction to Project Management, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00
p.m. Fee: $125. The University of Scranton, Center for
Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu/cce.
May 12
viewchapter.cgi.
May 15
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Membership Appreciation Event, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
MAY
Caesar’s Brookdale, Rt. 611, Scotrun. Hot and cold
hors d’oeuvres and networking. Free to members only.
Advance registration required. Call (570) 421-4433.
May 16
University of Scranton MBA Program Public Information Session, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Notre Dame Junior/
Senior High School, 60 Spangenburg Ave., Scranton.
Learn about the nationally recognized MBA program
and courses that are available in the Stroudsburg area.
For more information call 800-366-GRAD or visit www.
scranton.edu/adults.
May 17
Pocono Mountains Marketing Day, Shawnee Inn & Golf
Resort, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. PMVB Members $75/$70,
non-members $85/$80 (Fee increases after pre-registration date of May 5.) Includes continental breakfast, luncheon and door prizes. Top market research firm presents analysis of Pocono Mountains Brand. Learn how
to get more positive media coverage, great networking
opportunity. For more information contact Adriane Holloway, (570) 421-5791 or email [email protected].
May 17, 24 & 31
Macromedia Dreamweaver 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fee:
$414 includes lunch. The University of Scranton, Center
for Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu/cce.
May 18
895-4242.
May 18 & 19
Understanding Copyright, Trademarks and Fair Use,
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fee: $225 includes lunch. The
University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.
May 19
viewchapter.cgi.
May 19
Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce, Monthly
Breakfast, 7:30 a.m., Best Western Pocono Inn, Stroudsburg. Sponsored by Blue Cross of NEPA, Special Program by Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Advance registration
$8 Chamber members, $12 non-members. At the door,
$10 Chamber members, $16 non-members. Call (570)
421-4433.
May 23
Membership Meeting, Lehighton Area Council of the
Carbon County Chamber of Commerce, 101 North Third
Street, Lehighton, 5:30 p.m. Author of “Conversation
on Networking” demonstrates how to develop long-lasting business relationships. Cost $15. Reservations required. Contact (610) 377-2191 or email [email protected].
May 25
895-4242.
May 25 & June 1
Advanced Practical Desktop Publishing, 9 a.m. – 4:00
p.m. Cost $ 414. The University of Scranton, Center for
Continuing Education. Course is part of the Desktop
Publishing Certificate series. Students will learn how
drawing and imaging software integrates with page
layout and design concepts. Advanced color correction methods in Photoshop, image editing in Illustrator
and document preparation in QuarkXPress will equip
students with the skills they need to produce commercial quality projects. Call (570) 941-7582 or visit www.
scranton.edu/cce.
May 26
viewchapter.cgi.
Contact PBJ
for
Introductory
Ad Rates.
May 20, 27 & June 3
Introduction to ArcGis, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fee: $800.
The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.
May 20, 27 & June 3
Digital Photography, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fee: $385.
The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.edu/cce.
May 22
Quickbooks, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Fee: $150 includes
lunch. The University of Scranton, Center for Continuing Education, (570) 941-7582 or visit www.scranton.
edu/cce.
www.pbjonline.com
e-mail: [email protected]
POCONO
www.pbjonline.com
13
NEWS
Bushkill - After a busy off-season during which
the bridge at the Main Falls was replaced and many
other renovations and improvements completed,
Bushkill Falls has opened for the 2006 season. Its
woods and streams—including eight lovely waterfalls—are once again ready for the many visitors
who seek a quiet, scenic refuge from their busy lives.
“Hurricane Ivan in 2004, the resulting high water level, and the winter freeze snapped the supports
of the bridge at the Main Falls,” commented manager Donna Smith. “This bridge has been completely
replaced with all new material. Our yellow trail was
also renovated with attractive, Adirondack-like posts
and rails, and eastern white cedar has been used for
the skillfully hand-built fences that now border our
trails. This new look echoes the appearance of the
Adirondack’s great lodges,” concluded Ms. Smith.
Another improvement is the installation of
a new restroom facility. This spacious building is
equipped with top-of-the-line amenities: a family
room, baby changing stations, auto flush and autowater capability, and automatic towel dispensers.
The facility was carefully built to blend in unobtrusively with the other structures clustered near the
entrance to the trails.
Open daily at 9 a.m. Bushkill Falls parking is
always free. Admission to the falls and exhibits is
$9.00 for adults, $8.00 for seniors and groups of 25
or more, $4.00 for ages 4 to 10, and free for children
under four. Many businesses host company events
at Bushkill Falls by renting the open-air Bar-B-Que
Pavilion that has ten charcoal burners set in a stone
wall and picnic tables to seat up to one hundred. The
entire pavilion may be rented for $100 per day, or
$50 for half of the pavilion. Bushkill Falls is located
off Rt. 209 on Bushkill Falls road in Bushkill (exit
309 off I-80). For more information call 570-5886682. The Web site address is www.visitbushkillfalls.com.
Photo credit: Scott Sobrinsky
$750,000 Invested to Refurbish Bushkill Falls
A glimpse of the new trail system installed at Bushkill Falls.
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PEEC Receives
Funding for Education
and Facilities
Lehman Township -The Pocono Environmental
Education Center (PEEC) announced the receipt of
two grants at the beginning of 2006. In February,
a $15,000 grant from Sanofi Pasteur in Swiftwater
has been used to support PEEC’s year-round environmental education programs for local teachers,
students, families and scouts.
In March, PEEC and Lehman Township received an award announcement from State Representative John Siptroth (189th District) during
the township supervisors meeting. PEEC will get
$500,000 from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program through Lehman Township. These funds will be used to continue PEEC’s
campus upgrades including cabin renovations and
replacement, a new bathroom and shower facility,
and multiple circular tents also known as ‘Yurt’
cabins.
PEEC is located within the boundaries of the
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area off
Route 209 between Bushkill and Milford. Its mission
is to enhance environmental awareness, knowledge
and appreciation through hands-on experience in a
natural outdoor classroom. PEEC provides unique
environmental experiences to families and groups of
all ages. For more information call (570) 828-2319
or visit PEEC on the Web at www.peec.org.
14
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
(March 2006 - Over $250,000)
Carbon County
Franklin Township
Gregory Boyer to Michael Gornick, $308,000,
S&W Partners to Andrew Drazek, $322,745.
Kidder Township North
Todd Payer to Christopher Shandley, $255,000.
Kidder Township South
William Thorwarth to Robert Ryan, $250,000,
James Ferrero to Leonard Combs, $270,000,
Glenn Carlough to Jeffrey Sturgis, $285,000,
Dong Won Kim to Ernest Abati, $281,500.
Penn Forest Township
Alfred Natale to Arne Schweikle, $260,000,
Menelaos Valianatos to Pencor Wireless Communications Inc, $450,000.
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Linda Lacativa to Martin Horowitz, $$293,000,
Betty Domiano to Bestway of Pennsylvania,
$425,000, Thomas Stanton to Nick Lucaciu,
$299,000, Carolyn Berish to Eric and Leslie Abbott, $320,000.
Chestnuthill Township
LTS Development to Frank and Lillian Bianco,
$330,650, Deutsche Bank Nat’l Trust Co to Zoe
Smith, $275,000, Sandra Gerkhardt to Joshua
and Bryn Gillow, $269,000, Dolores Casalaspro
to Richard and Diane Stewart, $317,900, Matzel
Development at Mt Terrace LLC to Norma Jumbo,
$256,479.
Coolbaugh Township
Brian Pinkney to Jose Espinal, $293,000.
East Stroudsburg Borough
Teresa Kramer to Robert Furino, $265,000,
Eleanor Krueger to Patti and Colleen Keeley,
$270,000, TM Builders Inc to Gregory R Hill
Revocable Trust, $309,900, T&T LLC to Robert
and Sofia Lugris, $252,000.
Eldred Township
Reuben Hartzell to Eric and Jennifer Haderthauer,
$253,000.
Hamilton Township
Stefan Hadjiev to Ortiz Real Property LP,
$500,000, Hamilton Township Properties LLC to
Rodney Holdings LLC, $945,000, Stephen Lukas
to Robert Kramer, $375,000, Martin Koch to
Cherie and Theodoro Quinones, $287,000, George
Ortiz to Pocono Prime Rentals LP, $650,000, National City Mortgage Corp to Huseyin and Zeynep
Cagatay, $301,000, Gary Fleming to Rocco and
Angela Beard, $250,000, Brian Suwalski to Beth
and Daniel Mount, $290,000.
Jackson Township
Henry Acchione to Martin and Helang Kravitz,
$349,000, Joseph Odermatt to Thomas Griggs,
$250,000, Scott Zambelli to Sebastian and Agnieszka Hass, $260,000, Pedro Rivera to Michael
and Jessica Weremecki, $364,900, Eliu Ramirez to
Nicholas Paust, $283,050, Mary Dastolfo to Gail
Arnholdt, $323,000, Harold Schedin to Stephen
and Allison Hubbs, $253,900, Tim Tran to Lisa
Primeau, $422,000.
to Khaled and Hoda Soliman, $384,000, Joseph
Pula to Zofia and Leszek Pietrzak, $322,500.
Middle Smithfield Township
LTS Development, LLC to Javier and Madelin
Castellanos, $387,100, C&M homes at CCP to
Terrance and Kiran Babb, $452,047, Tyrone
Bannister to Pedro and Damaris Encarnacion,
$305,000.Toll PA IV LP to Andre Cox, $ 487,450,
US Home Corp to Sarwat and Mirna Hanna,
$340,000, Tyka LTD to Clayton Davis, $318,396,
Toll PA IV LP to David Flynn, $421,576, Toll PA
IV LP to Richard and Carol Roberts, $316,720,
Darlay Guillouette to Naeim Meqdadi, $280,000,
Toll PA III LP to Clement and Michelle Patterson,
$699,787, Ciro Tapia to Grzegorz and Tatiana
Mludzik, $285,000, Last Frontier Inc to Jerry
Smallwood, $339,094, Frederick Schlimm to
Charles and Kristin Madlin, $449,900, Toll PA
IV LP to Edwin Doerr, $424,900, Gartner Homes
LLC to Russell and Diane Bender, $350,000.
Tobyhanna Township
Nataliya Lukyanova to Elliott and Pam Israel,
$292,500, Richard Kozak to Howard and Samantha Wallace, $927,000, Richard Duggan to Steven
and Stacey Principe, $728,500, Davis Belanger
to Raul Russi, $285,500, Teicher Organization at
Pinecrest Lake LLC to Janine Zegel, $309,900,
Daniel Witt to David and Karen Kovalcik,
$296,000, Teicher Organization at Pinecrest Lake
LLC to Sam and Marianne Garofalo, $343,513,
Marvin Russell to David and Inamarie Johnson,
$250,000, Tracy Paciorkowski to Kevin and Cathy
Koehler, $565,000, Andrew Sharp to Alphonse
Friscia, $320,000, Carolyn Nebbia to Senta Caleb,
$269,000, NNN Acquisitions, Inc to Theme
Family Limited Partnership B, $752,000, Richard
Westerberg to Anthony and Jacqueline Dangelis,
$410,000, Robert Barr to Nathan Boyd, $252,280,
Raymond Donovan to Scott and Joanna Fitzpatrick, $252,500, George Novick to Jeffrey and
Virginia Doherty, $277,000.
Mount Pocono Borough
Kathleen Luckner to Kathleen Reichert, $267,000,
Bryant Ross to Stanley Manasseh, $275,000.
Paradise Township
William Riede to Richard and Carmen Rodriguez,
$385,000.
Pocono Township
Rudolf Wohlfarth to Alcot Orane Brooks,
$375,000, Ronald Litwin to Michael and Helen
Lewin, $290,000, Ruben Figueroa to Alan and
Sarah Rhoden, $460,000, Mark DeLuca to Jason
Theobold, $460,000.
Polk Township
Norman Hopely to Steven Dudak, $600,000,
Pasquale Frank DeLuca to Husnija Sabovic,
$300,000, Meadow View Enterprises LLC to
Antonio Figueredo, $268,134.
Terri Koch to Karen Smith, $265,000.
Price Township
Thomas King to Wendy Andershonis, $275,000.
Ross Township
Thomas Mulcahy to Robert and Janet Pellek,
$280,000, Robert Pellek to DWM LLP, $450,000,
Peter and Gerda Baumann to Michael and Bernardine Vanuiter, $285,000. Marvin Papillon to Lisa
and Joseph Buccieri, $285,000, L&P Homes Inc to
Aidan and Jennifer Boland, $312,000.
Smithfield Township
Gerard Brogna to Gordon and Jilian Sears,
$345,000, Monroe-Pike Land LLC to Garland
McAllister, $395,880, C&M Homes at Shawnee
to Andreas Dyer, $319,502. Peter Camacho to
Ricardo Jurado, $343,000, ABD Smithfield Inc to
Kevin Edwards, $479,000, Jason Wilson to Paul
and Maureen Fable, $250,000.
Stroudsburg Borough
Jeanine Silvani to Paul Pemberton, $250,000, Robert Acosta to Emereste LLC, $300,000, TS Realty
Inc to Robert Furino, $270,000, Louis Vento to
Gregory R Hill Revocable Trust, $399,900,
Cynthia Sheska to Robert and Joanne Michniewicz, $280,000.
Stroud Township
Broadmoor Constructions, Inc to Patricia Billy,
$414,000, John Marolakos to Edward and Kellianne Ingenito, $307,500, Joseph Dipipi to Lurline
James, $367,900, Vladimir Traynin to Michael
and Nancy Giris, $419,000, Chiang Shuei Cheng
to Peter Wilk, $335,000, Florence Baldwin to LTS
Development LLC, $600,000, Anne Marie ButlerClark to Gerard and Karen Brogna, $312,000, LTS
Development LLC to Charles Shepherd, $379,900,
Daniel Mount to Bi Fang Chen, $285,000,
Buff-Nauman Inc to Paul and Linda Kaserman,
$336,000, Helen Colon to Ross and Samantha
Graham, $262,000, Federal National Mortgage Association to Kevin and Amy Matthews, $274,000,
Lawrence Barnikel to Francesca Carollo,
$356,001, Melija Islami to Giovanni and Ariette
Escobar, $309,000. LTS Development LLC to
Keith Johnson, $406,050, LTS Development LLC
Tunkhannock Township
James Olofsson to David and Carmelita Dungan,
$335,000, Nationwide Realty Group Inc to Alexis
and Raymond Smith, $260,500, Matzel Development at Mt Terrace LLC to Bernardino Perez,
$273,801.
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Theodore Folkman to Eli Khazanov, $295,000,
Lester Neuman to David Kellerman, $350,000,
Boris Tansky to Ben Pickering, $360,000, Frank
Santiago to Carl Hermann, $325,000.
Delaware Township
James Buckley to Suzan and Dennis King,
$330,000, Donald Vantassel to Natan and Alina
Reznik, $262,000.
Dingman Township
Peter Blackwell to Sheila Korick, $375,000,
Nicolino Sergio to Ekaterina Alkvist, $467,000,
James Williams III to Michael and Eileen Lebron,
$265,000, James Leighty Construction Inc to John
and Rosemary Curwood, $512,717, Thomas Nasi
to Phillip and Carmen Venello, $307,400, Edward
Dewland to Frank and Joanne Jordan, $349,900,
Michael Ciancitto to Marilyn Bechtold, $320,000,
John Chelbus to Anthony Catanzaro, $615,000,
Hewitt Relocation Services Inc to Cameron Kelts,
$325,000, Edward Nikles to James and Michelle
Williams, $305,000, Betty Fascio to Lisette Rodriguez, $250,000, Delaware Highlands Properties
LLC to Paul and Donna Hannigan, $485,000.
Greene Township
Anne Hinton to Bryan and Kerry Walter,
$289,000, Rock Solid Community Inc to Regent
Homes Inc, $295,000.
Bruce Emery to Kam Sau Shi, $375,000.
Palmyra Township
James Ennis to Jena Hernandez, $510,000, Robert
Kingston to Dianne and Kevin Cherry, $475,000,
Richard Wilson to Thomas and Ruth Dipalme,
$250,000, Bryan Collier to Louis and Delores
Amodeo, $320,000.
Shohola Township
Minnie Ash to Hal Goldstein, $285,000.
Westfall Township
Steven and Kristen Drake to John Gogolen,
$250,000, George Droege to Edmund and Deborah
Lemire, $450,000.
Wayne County
Buckingham Township
Kevin Headley to Thomas Conway, $285,000.
Cherry Ridge Township
Daniel Krol to Michael Erbach, $339,900.
Damascus Township
Richard Kammer to William and Barbara Kirk,
$280,000.
Lake Township
Rhoda Kleiman to John and Joanne Killmeyer,
$280,000, Bonnie Ludwig to David and Megan
Martin, $562,500, Gerard Bellarmino to Sheryl
Siclari, $285,140, Dominick Mustascio to Steven
Ostrovsky, $285,000.
Lehigh Township
John Brown to Mark and Carol Unger, $329,000.
Manchester Township
Irmgard Engelhard to Thomas Renehan, $250,000.
Paupack Township
Harold Rowen to John and Elaine Skeuse,
$1,650,000, Anthony Hoffman to Jon and Brenda
Hart, $482,500, Carol Krokowski to James and
Janette Dacey, $800,000, James Dempsey to
John Herbert, $500,000, David Pauley to Thomas
Demaio, $252,500.
Salem Township
Forrest Compton Ind & Tr to Outlook Properties
LLC, $631,500.
South Canaan Township
Marilyn Turner to Stephen and Janet Orbine,
$495,000.
Starrucca Borough
James Timlin to Steven and Lisa Lantier,
$495,000.
MORTGAGES
(March 2006 - Over $250,000)
Lackawaxen Township
Jeanette Klecar to Edward and Eugenia Johnston,
$285,000, Woodloch Pines Inc to M2Holdings
LLC, $525,000, Gerard Castro to Nick Monastero,
$380,000, Timothy Mezick to Jack and Catherine
Cireco, $370,000, SSI Properties Inc to Thomas
and Debra Manzione, $538,365, Dorothy Crenshaw to Richard Lau, $270,000.
Banks Township
Donald Betterly, M&T Co, $265,000.
Lehman Township
Charles Centrelli to Thomas Spilotros, $256,000,
J&S Development to Philip and Linette Caroselli,
$316,370, Kalian at Poconos LLC to Randy and
Karisma Page, $268,190, J&S Real Estate Properties to Charles Irby, $254,400.
Franklin Township
Danny Rankovich, Wachonia Bank, $250,000.
Matamoras Borough
James Williams to No 806 Pennsylvania Avenue
LLC, $315,000.
Milford Borough
James Marione to Malcolm and Deborah Wilbur,
$280,000, Joseph Schwartz to James Murrin,
$375,000.
Milford Township
Coming Next Month ... June 2006
Carbon County
East Penn Township
Duane Schleicher, New Tripoli Bank, $500,000,
Northside Heights Mobile Home Estates, Inc, New
Tripoli Bank, $500,000.
Kidder Township North
SSVR Enterprises LLC, Northeastern Economic
Development Co of PA CDC Inc, $1,698,000,
Vacation Charters LTD, First National Bank of
Palmerton, $300,000.
Kidder Township South
Charles Seravalli, Continental Bank, $300,000,
Ridgewood Country Estates Homeowners Association Inc, PNC Bank NA, $300,000, David
POCONO
www.pbjonline.com
Education & Training
www.pbjonline.com
•Where can businesses get help from local educational institutions?
•Investing in your employees. Why it’s important.
•Are potential employees adequately trained for the workforce?
•Professional Profile: What the local community college offers business
and industry.
15
PBJ REGISTER
London, Mauch Chunk Trust Company, $318,000.
Stephen Messina, Stonebridge Bank, $280,000,
Edward Weaver, ESSA Bank & Trust, $250,400.
Lansford Borough
Stanley Costello, Penn Business Credit, LLC,
$1,000,000.
Mahoning Township
Alfonso Sebia, Penn Business Credit LLC,
$1,000,000, Stanley Costello Jr, Penn Business
Credit, LLC, $1,000,000, Joseph Marks, Nesquehoning Savings Bank, $250,000.
Nesquehoning Borough
1125 Route 209 Associates, American Bank,
$500,000.
Palmerton Borough
Kal-Tac Inc, First National Bank of Palmerton,
$650,000.
Penn Forest Township
Carol Ferrera, Mauch Chunk Trust Co, $260,000,
Glenn McGovern, MERS, $390,000, Arne Schweikle, MERS, $260,000, Ara Cheftalian, Premier
Bank, $662,250, Bridge Associates of Albrightsville LLC, Russell Morello Jr, $722,500, Lisa
Zurzolo, MERS, $250,000, Spectrum Community
Services Inc, Wachovia Bank, $275,000.
Towamensing Township
Susana Bullrich, MERS, $264,000, Linda Lee
Kauffman, Keystone Nazareth Bank & Trust Co,
$250,000.
Weatherly Borough
Stanley Costello, Penn Business Credit LLC,
$1,000,000.
Monroe County
Barrett Township
Martin Horowitz, Commonwealth United Mortgage, $278,350, Sand Spring Enterprises, Penn
Star Bank/NBT Bank, $530,000, Bestway of PA
Inc., Sovereign Bank, $425,000, Bestway Enterprises, Inc., Sovereign Bank, $425,000.
$254,717, Shannon Campbell, MERS/National
City Bank, $359,100, Francis and Denise Bertola,
MERS/Indymac Bank, $254,400, Naeim Megdadi,
Chase Bank, $280,000, Clement and Michelle Patterson, MERS/HSBC Mortgage Corp, $559,800,
Charles and Kristin Maslin, Wells Fargo Bank,
$250,000, Edwin Doerr Jr, ING Bank, $300,000,
Russell and Diane Bender, MERS/Cendant
Mortgage, $275,000, Andre Cox, MERS/SLM
Financial Corp, $385,600, David Flynn, MERS/
TBI Mortgage Corp, $337,250, Richard and Carol
Roberts, wells Fargo National Bank, $252,000,
John and Manuela Tufano, MERS/Decision One
Mortgage Co, $270,250, Jerry Smallwood, MERS/
Fairmont Funding, $322,139, Wayne Lederman,
MERS/Countrywide Bank, $548,900, Thomas
and Paula Mickens, MERS/Americas Wholesale
Lender, $355,500.
Mount Pocono Borough
Joseph Fama Sr, MERS/Homecoming Financial
Network, $250,000, Mariluz Ocasio, MERS/Countrywide Home Loans, $314,000.
Paradise Township
Richard and Carmen Rodriguez, ESSA Bank &
Trust, $250,000, John and Suzanne Slashinski,
MERS/Equifirst Corp, $255,000.
Pocono Township
John and Joyce Marzella, MERS/Premier Bank,
$319,000, Gladys Bryant, New Country Mortgage
Corp, $277,500, Alcot Orane Brooks, Argent
Mortgage Co, $375,000, Betsy Vargas, MERS/
Countrywide Home Loans, $258,120, Robert
Czopoth, Merchants National Bank of Bangor,
$1,200,000, Thomas and Sandra Santiago, MERS/
Countrywide Home Loans, $310,160,
Valerie and Edwin Rodriguez, MERS/Americas
Wholesale Lender, $280,000, David and Johanna
Contino, MERS/Countrywide Bank, $287,090,
Cirilo Martinez, Bankers First Mortgage,
$264,800, Richard and Pauline Verwey, Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development, $285,000,
Richard and Pauline Verwey, Financial Freedom
Senior Funding Corp/Indymac Bank, $285,000,
Alan and Sarah Rhoden, Wells Fargo Bank,
$300,000, Jason Theobold, MERS/Home123
Corp, $368,000.
Chestnuthill Township
Frank and Lillian Bianco, MERS/Countrywide
Bank, $297,585, Dale McFarland, ESSA Bank
and Trust, $344,000, Christina Chos, Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development, $285,000.
Robert and Rebecca Potts, Wachovia Bank
National Association, $400,000, Sherneth Rowe,
MERS/Countrywide Home Loans, $279,000, Janice and Kamau Kenyatta, National City Mortgage,
$256,500, Barry and Robin Wassum, Keystone
Nazareth Bank & Trust Co, $300,000, Richard and
Diane Stewart, MERS/Countrywide Home Loans,
$254,320, Endys Suarez, National City Mortgage,
$288,000, Christina Chos, AFC First Financial
Corp, $285,000, Trevor and Susan Dudley, Option
One Mortgage Corp, $295,740, Albert Guzman,
MERS/Equifirst Corp, $279,000.
Polk Township
Steven Dudak, First National Bank of Palmerton,
$525,000, Karen Smith, Jim Thorpe National
Bank, $265,000, Tracey Alexander, MERS/Gateway Funding Diversified Mortgage Services,
$325,000, Husnija Sabovic, Frank Pasquale
Deluca Estate, $250,000, Antonio Figueredo,
MERS/Equity One, $441,000, Laverne and Lance
Long, Champion Mortgage/Keybank National
Assoc, $297,500, Mark and Debra DeLuca,
MERS/MidAtlantic Farm Credit, $391,900.
Coolbaugh Township
Christopher and Rebecca Sarajian, MERS/Decision One Mortgage Co, $297,500, Martin and Toni
Grant, HSBC Mortgage Corp, $260,300, John
and Hellen Huggins, National City Mortgage,
$264,400, May Associates, First National Community Bank, $1,600,000, Erica Richetts, Ameriquest
Mortgage Co, $256,500, Cecslyne Baptiste, Webster Bank National Association, $338,400.
Ross Township
Brian Hannis, Wachovia Bank National Association, $292,000, William and Pamela Hoffman,
MERS/American Home Mortgage, $281,200,
DWM LLP, Wachovia Bank National Association,
$360,000.
Eldred Township
Michael Cooks, Pocono Community Bank,
$332,000, Joseph Ketels, MERS/Americas
Wholesale Lender, $275,000, Karen Schuster, Jim
Thorpe National Bank, $265,000.
Hamilton Township
Ortiz Real Property/Ortiz Realty, Wachovia Bank,
$400,000, Sciota Village Estates, Colebrook
Financial Co, $2,500,000, Rodney Holdings,
Community Bank and Trust, $756,000, Anthony
and Jessica Zugel, Keystone National Bank and
Trust, $390,000, Solibe and Uchenna Ufondu,
Wachovia Bank National Association, $290,000,
James and Christine Wilson, MERS/Americas
Wholesale Lender, $340,000, Mark and Gina
Schmidt, North Penn Bank, $286,000, Matthew
and Vallia Cilli, ESSA Bank and Trust, $388,000,
Robert and Alexandra Kramer, Wells Fargo Bank,
$300,000, Bruce and Erica Stein, CCO Mortgage
Corp, $417,000, Pocono Pine Rentals, Silver Hill
Financial, $520,000, Deena and Jack Cashion,
MERS/Novastar Mortgage, $289,000.
Jackson Township
Dennis and Delores Kurc, Wachovia Bank National, $500,000, Luis Rodriguez, MERS/Americas
Wholesale Lender, $388,000, Martin and Helang
Kravitz MERS/Quicken Loans, $279,200, Ramon
Martinez, National City Mortgage, $291,650, Hubert McQueen, MERS/BNC Mortgage, $297,300.
Middle Smithfield Township
Javier and Madelin Castellanos, HSBC Mortgage
Corp, $367,700, Shridat and Sitawatie Prasad,
Ameriquest Mortgage Co, $260,912, Terrence and
Kiran Babb, Prosperity Mortgage Co, $359,650,
Sarwat and Mirna Hanna, Wells Fargo Bank,
$272,000, Clayton Davis, SunTrust Mortgage,
Price Township
Jay & Devika Jainauth, MERS/Countrywide Bank,
$373,350, Lyndon and Damaris Bradshaw, MERS/
Countrywide Bank, $280,746, Carl and Patricia
Kjellberg, MERS/Mortgage Now Inc, $272,000.
Smithfield Township
Gordon and Jillian Sears, MERS/Citywide
Mortgage Corp, $258,750, Susan Mirkovic, ESSA
Bank & Trust, $400,000, Family Bonds Inc,
ESSA Bank & Trust, $400,000, Andreas Dyer,
Wells Fargo Bank, $255,600, William Godfrey,
MERS/GMAC Mortgage Corp, $250,000, Kevin
Edwards, JP Morgan Chase Bank, $383,200,
Brenda Pina, MERS/Fremont Investment & Loan,
$261,000, Garland McAllister, Allied First Bank,
$250,000, Donald and Debra Dannemann, MERS/
Provident Funding Group, $300,000, Ricardo
Jurado, MERS/New York Mortgage Co, $325,850,
Rudene and Roderick Marshall, Webster Bank
National Association, $283,100, Steven Hopkins,
Washington Mutual Bank, $250,000, Global Signal Acquisitions, Morgan Stanley Asset Funding,
$200,000,000.
Stroudsburg Borough
George and Tammy Loudon, Manufacturers and
Traders Trust Co, $520,000, Daniel and Edward Henning, Citizen’s National Bank of PA,
$250,000, Gregory Hill, MERS/HSBC Mortgage
Co, $299,900, George and Tammy Loudon, M&T
Bank, $818,860, George and Tammy Loudon,
M&T Bank, $491,316, George and Tammy
Loudon, Northeastern Economic Development
Co., $805,000, Robert Furino, Bankers First
Mortgage, $268,500, Tarig and Raana Subhani,
2004-0000416 LLC, $312,000.
Stroud Township
Kelly Burgoon, Ameriquest Mortgage Co,
$251,250, Jason and Esmerelda Zavala, MERS/
American Home Mortgage, $260,000, LTS
Development, First National Community Bank,
$570,000, Darrell Cox, Wells Fargo Bank,
$262,822, Paul and Linda Kaserman, MERS/Pinnacle Mortgage/Pinnacle Funding, $268,800,
Jermine and Gail Ransome, MERS/Countrywide
Home Loans, $250,000, Anthony and Joyce
Jose, ESSA Bank and Trust, $297,000, Malcolm
Stokes, Jr., MERS/Freemont Investment and Loan,
$360,000, Keith Johnson, MERS/Countrywide
Home Loans, $386,600, Debra Smith, MERS/Cardinal Fiancial Co, $262,000, Khaled and Hoda
Soliman, ESSA Bank & Trust, $338,000, Meadow
Run Builders, Harleysville National Bank &
Trust, $324,000, Patricia Billy, MERS/Fremont
Investment & Loan, $331,200, Lurline James,
MERS/First NLC Financial Services, $312,700,
Michael and Nancy Giris, MERS/Countrywide
Home Loans, $280,000, Robert and Sandra James,
MERS/WMC Mortgage Corp, $415,000, Robert
and Veronica Zichelli, MERS/Bankers First
Mortgage, $288,000, Peter Wilk, PHH Mortgage
Services, $268,000, Charles Shepherd, National
City Mortgage, $303,900, Robert and Patricia
Ellis-Esson, MERS/Quicken Loans, $300,600,
Ross and Samantha Graham, Soveriegn Bank,
$262,000, Giovanni and Ariette Escobar, MERS/
Wachovia Mortgage Corp, $297,953, Biospectra
Inc, ESSA Bank & Trust, $500,000, Biospectra
Inc, ESSA Bank & Trust, $500,000, BSI Holdings,
Theologos Thanos, $1,200,000.
Tobyhanna Township
David and Diane Carbone, Indymac Bank,
$294,400, Sam and Marianne Garofalo, Bank of
America, $271,000, John and Kathleen Gallagher,
ESSA Bank and Trust, $275,000, Anthony and
Jacqueline Dangelis, MERS/SunTrust Mortgage,
$300,000, Ned and Mary Wehler, Community
Bank, $400,000, Howard and Samantha Wallace,
MERS/Wachovia Mortgage Corp, $627,000,
Steven and Stacey Principe, ABN Amiro Mortgage Group, $582,800, Brian and Karen Stroup,
MERS/Home Loan Center/Lending Tree Loans,
$254,000, Kevin and Cathy Koehler, Washington Mutual Bank, $370,000, James and Cynthia
Fitzgerald, Wachovia Bank National Association,
$300,000, Barbara Thomashower, CitiMortgage,
$450,000.
Tunkhannock Township
David and Carmelita Dungan, MERS/National
Future Mortgage, $301,500, Henry Sorensen,
Wells Fargo Bank, $327,750, Daniel and Martha
Nelson, Webster Bank National, $250,778, Mohammed Uddin, MERS/Decision One Mortgage
Co, $320,000, Jeffrey and Bennie Brennan, First
National Bank of Palmerton, $380,000.
Pike County
Blooming Grove Township
Pauline Tykochinsky, ABN AMRO Mortgage Co,
$272,669, David Kellerman, Wachovia Bank NA,
$252,500, Louis Weissbart, HSBC Mortgage Corp,
$300,000, Carl Herrmann, Long Beach Mortgage
Co, $260,000.
Delaware Township
Suzan and Dennis King, MERS/USSA FSB,
$264,000, Peter and Anne Drysdale, CCO Mortgage Corp, $255,000.
HSBC Mortgage Corp, $350,000.
Palmyra Township
Outlook Design and Construction, North Penn
Bank, $280,000, Brian Laabs, MERS/Delta Funding Corp, $256,400, Nino Infante, BNY Mortgage
Corp, $322,500, David Wilding, Fidelity Deposit
& Discount Bank, $700,000, Joseph Rapine III,
Sovereign Bank, $400,000, Nino Infante, Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, $322,500,
Robert and Kathleen Benedetto, Wayne Bank,
$1,600,000, Louis and Dolores Amodeo, MERS/
Countrywide Home Loans, $250,000.
Porter Township
Peter and Denise Lombardi, HSBC Mortgage
Corporation, $340,000.
Shohola Township
Joseph and Rosa Garcia, MERS, $350,000.
Westfall Township
Rosemary Palermo, First Horizon Home Loan
Corp, $285,000, William Griffin Jr., Financial
Freedom Senior Funding Corp, $307,500, William
Griffin Jr., Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, $307,500, Eric and Christy Conklin, First
Mariner Bank, $310,000, Nicholas and Kimberly
Brino, Americas Wholesale Lender, $476,800,
Robert and Denise Hagglund, MERS/American
Mortgage Network Inc, $281,250, Edmund and
Deborah Lemire, MERS/First Horizon Home Loan
Corp, $$260,000, Delaware Highlands Properties LLC, Dime Bank, $1,000,000, Delaware
Highlands Properties LLC, Samall Associates Inc,
$450,000.
Wayne County
Berlin Township
Dominick and Lisa Mobilio, MERS, $264,000,
Paul and Lisa Semler, MERS, $345,000.
Buckingham Township
Thomas Conway, MERS, $256,500.
Canaan Township
Michael and Christine Brundage, Dime Bank,
$330,000.
Cherry Ridge Township
Michael and Kristin Erbach, Wells Fargo Bank,
$285,000.
Clinton Township
Allyn and Joan Bartholomay, Honesdale National
Bank, $450,000.
Damascus Township
Michael and Yvonne Stone, Harleysville National
Bank & Trust Co, $250,000.
Honesdale Borough
Mountain Laurel Real Estate, LLC, Dime Bank,
$1,430,000.
Dingman Township
Dean Quirk, First Horizon Home Loan Corp,
$359,500, Matthew Houston, MERS, $300,000,
Ekaterina Alkvist, MERS/First Magnus Financial
Corp, $373,600, John Curwood, First Horizon
Home Loan Corp, $410,120, Phillip and Carmen
Venello, MERS/First Continental Mortgage &
Investment, $261,290, Sean and Kristine Oregan,
MERS/E-Loan Inc, $268,200, Kenneth and Elizabeth Pilecek, National City Mortgage, $342,000,
Walter and Nazarena Badyna, Citizens Bank of
PA, $255,000, Cameron Kelts, Washington Mutual
Bank FA, $260,000, Paul and Donna Hannigan,
MERS/Wachovia, $388,000, Paul Cronin, MERS/
Decision One Mortgage Co, $283,500, Cheryl
Jones, MERS/Mortgage It Inc, $292,500, Maria
Vassel, HSBC Mortgage Corp, $314,000.
Lake Township
David and Megan Martin, MERS, $272,500,
Allan and Marilyn Smolinsky, Wachovia Bank,
$250,000, William and Eileen Culley, Wayne
Bank, $300,000.
Greene Township
Regent Homes Inc, Gaffken & Barriger Fund
LLC, $950,000, Andrew and Lisa McCalla, Ameriquest Mortgage Co, $250,000.
Paupack Township
Guerrino and Anna Vlacich, MERS, $321,000,
KFK Holdings, Madison Bank, $400,000, Lawrence and Kerry Hopwood, Merrill Lynch Credit
Corp, $332,000, John and Donna Azaraian, Greater Alliance Federal Credit Union, $3,065,000,
Joseph and Janet Zammit, Wells Fargo Bank,
$250,000, James and Janette, Wells Fargo National
Bank, $417,000, David Krokowski, Unity Bank,
$927,000, John Herbert, MERS, $280,000, Charles
and Anna Gregg, Financial Freedom Senior Funding, $300,240, Charles and Anna Gregg, Housing
& Urban Development, $300,240.
Lackawaxen Township
M2 Holdings LLC, Woodloch Pines Inc, $475,000,
Todd Michael Builders LLC, First National Bank
of Palmerton, $400,000, Thomas and Sherri
Kempster, ESSA Bank & Trust, $255,000.
Lehman Township
Carlos Alvarado, MERS/Accredited Home Lenders, $251,750, Vincent and Ersilia Gallo, Argent
Mortgage Company LLC, $289,000, Richard
and Marie Sheftman, National City Mortgage,
$288,000, Charles and Karen Morgan, MERS/
Countrywide Bank, $297,000, Nadesa Tejada,
Wachovia Mortgage Corp, $276,800, Philip and
Linette Caroselli, MERS/Mortgage Now Inc,
$253,336, Jacek and Aneta Grundwald, MERS/
Countrywide Home Loans, $287,000.
Matamoras Borough
No 806 Pennsylvania Ave LLC, Silver Hill Financial LLC, $252,000.
Milford Borough
James Murrin, Louis Degiorgis Tr, $275,000.
Milford Township
Louis and Roseanne Lavalle, Wachovia Bank,
$250,000, William and Janeth Degraw, MERS/
Lehigh Township
Frank and Judy Lacorte, Vartan National Bank,
$270,000, Mark and Carol Unger, LA Mortgage
Services, $263,200.
Manchester Township
Kenneth Mirch, Dime Bank, $500,000.
Palmyra Township
Valentina Klerman, Option One Mortgage Corp,
$272,000.
Salem Township
Outlook Properties, Penn Security Bank and Trust
Co, $1,470,000, Outlook Properties, Penn Security
Bank and Trust Co, $892,000, Anthony and Gail
Inglima, MERS, $250,000.
Scott Township
Michael Gangadeen, Wayne Bank, $276,000.
Sterling Township
Wayne Economic Development Corporation,
Commonwealth Financing Authority, $3,162,000.
Disclaimer: Deeds and mortgages recorded as
accurately as possible adhering to the cover dates
in the County Recorders office.
16

Branding the Poconos - poconobusinessjournal.com

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