Two and a half years ago, Danielle Summa became fascinated with baby Holstein calves after her boyfriend started a small herd; she began photographing these babies right away.  While they were predictable in certain ways, she found their personalities were unique and humorous.  To Danielle’s surprise, she became addicted to photographing the small herd, hoping to capture every perfect moment.

Growing up in a rural area of Northeastern PA, Danielle occupied herself with the great outdoors while spending her summers on her grandparents’ farm.  While on the farm, Danielle found herself taking long walks, fishing in the family pond, and drawing whatever caught her eye, especially the different views of the family farm she managed to find.  Despite her curious nature, Danielle did not have much interest in the dairy cows on her grandparent’s farm, viewing them more or less as part of the landscape.  Her younger self could not understand the joy her grandmother took in caring for the cows, preferring instead to explore the world around her with the wonder and awe of a creative youth.

Five years ago, Danielle met the man who would become her boyfriend, who at the time was milking cows at two different barns.  While Danielle was busy concentrating on her artistic and educational studies at Keystone College, she found it hard to identify with her boyfriend’s love of his work.  While studying graphic design, Danielle began to develop her own style, basing it heavily upon textural and organic patterns, and when her boyfriend began to raise his own herd, she was immediately intrigued by the textures and patterns she perceived on the calves.  She began photographing them, intending to capture the variety of the dairy heifers’ black and white spots while emphasizing the striking patterns they created by themselves or in a group.  In addition to the patterns on the calves, Danielle found herself intrigued by the contrast between the patterns on the calves’ skin and the environment they encountered, and her work took on a new dimension as she captured the light and shadow of the environment on the Holstein body, which created another rich texture of its own.  By layering her images digitally, she imbues her finished pieces with a sense of softness, dimension, and transparency.  Danielle’s goal is to capture each calf’s personality, communicating the idea of how important each and every Holstein heifer is through their individuality, their communication, and their interactions amongst themselves.  She found herself charmed by the calves’ humorous nature.  For example, “Inquisitive Zoey with Ella May,” showcases the high jinks she encountered while photographing the herd. (“Inquisitive Zoey” was displayed with a group of works called “Do you See what I See” at AFA Gallery in Scranton, PA., during the Keystone College Exhibition 2010)

Danielle hopes to introduce those unfamiliar with Holstein calves to their beauty and personalities and to bring back cherished memories for those acquainted with these wonderful animals.  After studying the calves in detail with adult eyes, Danielle has found a new appreciation for them and takes great joy in working with these animals, finally understanding why her boyfriend and her grandmother love these animals so much.

Today, Danielle is a substitute teacher hoping to find a full time position as an art teacher.  She enjoys gardening and crocheting handmade gifts, such as ornaments and afghans.  To this day, her childhood experiences and the people who loved her have had the greatest impact upon her work, and she strives to show the world the wonder and beauty she first found on those sun drenched days on the family farm.

Artist Info

Danielle Summa

Daniellemsumma@gmail.com

www.fineartamerica.com/DanielleSumma

DO YOU LOVE THE CHILLS?
February is one of the coldest months of the year, and it’s also the middle of winter when cabin fever usually sets in. When there’s not much going on and it’s cold outside, the warmth of the indoors is tempting, but it’s fun to get outside and explore areas you may not consider otherwise once the calendar fills up again.
Read full article here

FOR THE LOVE OF CHOCOLATE
Whether you like to drink it, eat it, smell it, wear it, or bake with it, chocolate is a delicious ingredient loved by everyone in some form or another. It is celebrated any time of the year and can be enjoyed in multiple ways.
Read full article here

GIVE A HELPING HAND… VOLUNTEER
Volunteers play a vital role in making communities stronger and a better place to live. Many organizations, charities, events, and committees often seek volunteers to help out in one capacity or another. “If you want to feel good, volunteer,” said Lisa Sellman, a professional dog trainer, owner of a pet care business, community activist, lifelong volunteer and author. “There are few ways to feel as good about yourself as volunteering.”
Read full article here

EFFECTS OF ADRENALINE ON HEART RATE
Have you ever fled for your life with your heart rate so fast that you could actually hear it? Or ran down the block when you were late for a meeting with no cab in sight? Very often, we find that sudden surge of ‘booster energy’. And you wonder how you, a ‘no-sports’ person, suddenly turned sprinter. All credit goes to that wonder hormone called adrenaline (also called epinephrine).
Read full article here

WORLD’S OLDEST SET OF LIVING TRIPLETS BORN LOCALLY IN LEAP YEAR…
On February 29, the Riker triplets will turn 80—or is that 20? This year, 2012, is a leap year, the 20th since Jean, Jane, and Joan Riker were born at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale on February 29, 1932. According to many resources, including Wikipedia, the Riker girls are “the oldest set of living triplets born in a leap year to date.”
Read full article here

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By Allison Mowatt

February is one of the coldest months of the year, and it’s also the middle of winter when cabin fever usually sets in.  When there’s not much going on and it’s cold outside, the warmth of the indoors is tempting, but it’s fun to get outside and explore areas you may not consider otherwise once the calendar fills up again.

Our area is full of businesses housed in historic buildings, many dating back to the early 1800s.  A large number of them are steeped with chilling tales of spirits, strange occurrences, and other unexplainable phenomena.  Whether or not you believe in the supernatural or otherworldly, taking a drive and visiting these places makes for an interesting and chilling way to spend a cold afternoon.

So brave the winter chill and explore some of these still operating structures and prepare to feel the chills outside and indoors!

Hotel Wayne and Bistro 1202, 1202 N Main Street, Honesdale, PA

This local hotel and restaurant is a favorite haunt among local residents and visitors and is even “haunted” by a variety of spirits who don’t seem to want to leave this popular establishment.  Built in 1827, it was originally constructed to house the supervisors who created the D&H Canal.

Recently, a team of paranormal professionals visited the hotel and went through the entire building, where they received readings, messages, and visions from the many spirits who supposedly inhabit this historic building.  Their findings at the Hotel Wayne were recently featured on the television show, “Ghost Finders,” which can be viewed on YouTube.  Another team of professionals visited the hotel as recently as last month to get additional readings.

According to General Manager Jim Petorak, the psychics encountered many spirits at the Hotel, including a Civil War soldier on the first floor, the ghost of a racehorse named Spartacus, a tall man with a long beard who strongly resembles Abraham Lincoln (but isn’t him) wandering around, a baby crying in Room 208, the spirit of a man in Room 321, who told one of the psychics to “lie on the bed” in a chilling voice, a man referred to as “The Captain,” a woman named Margaret on the second floor in the last room on the right, and visions of lively parties that used to be held on the third floor, which used to be used for celebratory occasions.

According to Mr. Petorak, the psychics speculate that the popular hotel is still frequented by these spirits because some don’t realize they’ve passed on and they’re carrying on as if they are still alive, a significant event happened for them, or they died there.

Take a break from the cold and visit the Hotel Wayne for a drink and a meal and possibly a ghost sighting!  For more information about the Hotel Wayne, call (570) 253-3290 or visit www.hotelwayne.com.

The Pike County Historical Society’s Columns Museum, 608 Broad Street, Milford, PA

This building houses many historical artifacts and a wealth of information from the area’s early days.  Several teams of ghost hunters visited the Columns Museum, including Linda Zimmermann, author and well-known ghost investigator.  Her recent book, “Ghost Investigator Volume 9: Back from the Dead,” outlines her supernatural experiences and unexplainable happenings there.

One of the spirits said to haunt the large, white columned structure is Juliette Peirce, also known as “Madame.”  Several people have sensed her presence at the Columns, where it’s said that her spirit roams the second floor hallway.  According to information from the Pike County Historical Society’s website, Linda Zimmermann had an encounter with someone she believes to be Madame Peirce on the main stairway on the second floor.  The spirit appeared to be dressed in late 1800s style clothing.  Apparently, the spirit beckoned to Linda and led her to the back room, which houses the Peirce family artifacts.

Madame Peirce was the second wife of the philosopher and mathematician, Charles Saunders Peirce.  They purchased a home in Milford in the mid 1800s and planned on making Milford a hub for the great minds of the world to come and meet.  Charles was brilliant and is mostly responsible for original theories on pragmatism.  He suffered from facial neuralgia and tended to self medicate to ease the pain.  He was often despondent and would disappear for days, leaving Juliette alone and worried.

When he died, he left her poor and alone in their large home, known as Arisbe.  She slowly sold their personal belongings to get by.  In addition, she was often called upon to do tarot readings, which led to her nickname “Madame.”  She was rumored to have the very deck of tarot cards that foretold the downfall of Napolean.  When Madame died, hers and Charles’ few belongings and clothing were brought to the Columns Museum.  It has been speculated that her spirit is trapped in the afterlife, still attached to the last of her belongings.

To schedule a visit or learn more about the Columns Museum, call (570) 296-8126 or visit www.pikecountyhistoricalsociety.org.

The Milford Theater, 4^th and East Catherine Streets, Milford, PA

The historic Milford Theater is regarded as a Pike County landmark among residents and visitors and not only housed decades of live theater and movies but according to some people, also boasts its very own ghost.  Original proprietor and Milford resident, Thomas C. Pitney, took his life at the age of 56 inside the theater in 1935 and is rumored to “visit” the green painted cinder block structure.

People who’ve worked and performed there over the years claim to have seen the spirit of the former manager, who ran the theater from when it first opened in 1918 until his death.  They’ve even saved a seat for the revered ghost—in the center of the fifth row.

In the past, a local television station brought in a psychic who said the structure was occupied by three male ghosts, one being Mr. Pitney.  The other two are one-time owner Charles Haubert and a younger unidentified man.

Some people who visit the theater hope to catch a glimpse of the notorious Mr. Pitney and have even reported hearing footsteps on wooden stairs, even though there are no longer wooden stairs within the theater.  People who’ve worked there have also seen lights flickering on and off.

The Milford Theater was originally built as a silent movie house and now features theatrical and musical performances as well as first run movies.

For more information about the Milford Theater, call (570) 409-1278.

More Chills to Explore This Winter

-Visitors and residents of Milford said they heard the ghosts of children who supposedly inhabit The Winsor building on High Street.  The structure used to be an orphanage many years ago and at one time was a school for “exceptional children.”  People reported hearing children’s laughter and footsteps on the property.

- The Harford House in Milford is an abandoned building that once operated as a bed and breakfast.  A psychic visited the house and stopped in her tracks on her way into the cellar because she felt too many tortured souls there.  According to information from the Pike County Historical Society, a long time ago, the cavernous level of the Harford House was used as an underground “railroad” to hide slaves.

-Deputies at the Pike County Sheriff’s Office in Milford claimed to hear heavy boots walking across the floor upstairs around 10 p.m. when no one else is there.  The footsteps are believed to belong to the spirit of Herman Paul Schultz who was hung in the building on the upper level in the late 1800s.  He was found guilty of murdering his wife in 1897 in a Shohola hotel room and was the only person to be hung publicly in Milford.

- It’s been said that a very strong presence lingers in Room 12 at the Cliff Park Inn and Golf Course in Milford.

-Various customers at the Laurel Villa Country Inn and Restaurant in Milford have reported seeing the same thing; the solid figure of a man dressed in 1940s attire walking through the dining room and out the front door.

-The Dimmick Inn and Steakhouse in Milford has its very own ghost, Miss Frances Dimmick, fondly known as Ms. Fan or Fannie.  She was a well-loved proprietor of the Dimmick, taking ownership of the Inn from her father, who built the establishment in 1828.  The original structure was ruined by a fire but was rebuilt, under the guidance of Fannie, in 1856.  She was a rebel who refused to conform to the normal standards of a 19^th Century woman.  An avid hunter, angler, and horseback rider, Fannie’s spirit is still evident in the renovated brick restaurant and inn, which stands proudly in the center of town.

- The old Bethany Mansion in Bethany is rumored to have a ghost.  It’s on the grounds of the old Bethany Colony Resort and was built in the early 20^th Century by John H. Strongman, who was one of the founders of the F.W. Woolworth Company.  The spirit is believed to be Hortense Miller, who was a member of the Strongman family and was one of the last to reside in the large house.  Former caretakers and employees have reported hearing footsteps and seeing shadows within the mansion.  In the early 1980s, a psychic team set their equipment up in the old building, and the sounds of knocking, footsteps and swinging doors could be heard on the tape when it was played back.

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BORN LOCALLY AT WAYNE MEMORIAL IN 1932

On February 29, the Riker triplets will turn 80—or is that 20? This year, 2012, is a leap year, the 20th since Jean, Jane, and Joan Riker were born at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale on February 29, 1932. According to many resources, including Wikipedia, the Riker girls are “the oldest set of living triplets born in a leap year to date.”

“Do I feel lucky? Oh yes!” says Jane Riker Heaton from her current home in  Squaw Valley, Califor-nia, “My kids are so proud of it.  My s

isters and I feel so great to be alive and in good health.”

Spontaneous triplet births are rare—about 1 in 8,000 births, according to the National Institutes of Health; it’s even rarer for triplets

to have been born at a rural hospital such as Wayne Memorial in 1932.

Dr. Vincent Tully, a retired Family Practice physician in Honesdale who delivered many children at Wayne Memorial during his career, notes, “There’s always an increased risk of complications with multiple births. Back then, you didn’t have as much monitoring as you do now. My congratulations to the doctor—and the mother. Good stock!”

“My mother, Ida Rogers Riker, was 39 when she had us,” says Jane, “We were the last of her ten children. My dad really wanted another boy. Instead he got girls times three, for a total of nine girls!”

The Riker sisters believe the doctor who delivered them was Dr. John Niles, although no one at Wayne Memorial Hospital today can recall the physician. Many hospital records were destroyed during a massive flood in 1942.

Jane said she and Joan are identical, but Jean came from a different egg. “My mother had to have a C-section, and she had a really hard time afterwards. She was in the hospital about a month. Joanie was in trouble, too. They gave her hot and cold baths to survive. But survive she did, and in good health.”

The girls grew up in Narrowsburg, New York, just across the Delaware River from Beach Lake, but their mother’s sister had a big farm in Honesdale.

“Her name was Lillian Buddenhagen, and my mother wanted her to be near when she gave birth to us. So Wayne Memorial Hospital was where we were born.”

When the girls were 17, the family moved to California. Ida Riker died at age 58; the girls’ father passed away at age 52.

The incidence of overall triplet birth is higher today, thanks to advancements in fertility treatments, but fewer than 20% of today’s triplets are naturally conceived.

“Dr. Niles stayed in touch with us long after we were born,” Jane reminisced. “He even sent us perfume when we graduated high school.”

Their families will celebrate the triplets’ eighth decade of life in San Diego, California, on February 29th – the last February 29th until 2016, the next time we “leap” to keep our calendar in alignment with the earth’s revolutions around the sun.

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By Allison Mowatt

Whether you like to drink it, eat it, smell it, wear it, or bake with it, chocolate is a delicious ingredient loved by everyone in some form or another.  It is celebrated any time of the year and can be enjoyed in multiple ways.

As much as we love chocolate, many of us probably aren’t even aware of where it comes from.  A tropical plant called cacao produces a seed that is processed to create chocolate.  The majority of the world’s cacao beans come from the West African countries of Ghana on the Ivory Coast and Nigeria.  At some point in history, a spelling error resulted in the change from cacao to cocoa, as the beans are known today.

The word “chocolate” may have come from the Spaniards combining the Mayan word “chocol” meaning hot, and the Aztec word “atl” meaning water to produce “chocolatl.”  It is possible the Spaniards created this word instead of using the Aztec word “cacahuatl” because “caca” in Spanish is a vulgar word.  It’s been said the Spaniards substituted the Mayan “chocol” because they were uncomfortable with a word that began with “’caca.”

Chocolate is even good for you.  Who would have guessed that?  Dark chocolate, to be exact, is known for its health benefits, and researchers say that treating yourself to a few bites or a half ounce of dark chocolate a day will improve your health.  Of course, moderation is key as tempting as it is to scarf down an entire chocolate bar every day.  The dark chocolate has flavonoids, which are antioxidants similarly found in green tea and red wine that defend against free radicals.  These are dangerous molecules that trigger cancer, stroke, and heart disease.  Chocolate has also been known to protect against inflammation, protect the heart, improve circulation, decrease blood pressure, improve digestion, and help with depression.

There are many different varieties of chocolate to satisfy every chocolate lover, including unsweetened or baking chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate or sweet cooking chocolate, milk chocolate, cocoa, white chocolate, dark chocolate and confectioner’s chocolate.  This rich ingredient is enjoyed in the form of hot chocolate, candy, cakes, pies, just to name a few.  Some people satisfy their chocolate cravings through indulging in truffles, chocolate Ganache cake, hot cocoa, chocolate cream pie, peanut butter cups, caramels, chocolate covered strawberries, cherries, espresso beans, deliciously coated nuts, ice cream.  How do you love your chocolate?

If You Are Craving Chocolate, Then Visit:

Chocolates by Leopold, 30 Church Street, Montrose, PA

For a taste of chocolate heaven, look no farther than Chocolates by Leopold, the finest in quality gourmet chocolates.

Leopold Schreiber is a well-known Chocolatier who has been making chocolates for fifty years and counting.  His passion for chocolate began at the age of twelve and is still evident in the unique recipes he carries out with the help of a team of talented and dedicated people.  His chocolate undoubtedly stands out among the competition with his fourth generation German chocolate recipes using his own chocolate blend in white, dark, or milk.

The cheerfully decorated turquoise and chocolate brown candy store beckons people inside with the sweet, decadent aroma of chocolate.  Beautiful black and white photographs depicting the chocolate making process line the walls, and the chocolate itself can be seen from gleaming cases and shelves.

Leopold makes hundreds of products in the second floor factory, which is right on the premises.  Walk inside the store and choose from a wide variety of chocolate treats including truffles, almond clusters, butter creams, peanut butter cups, chocolate covered fruits, ginger, nut patties, peppermint patties, homemade marshmallow, message candy bars, cherry cordials, bark, caramels, as well as seasonal specialties. Be sure to try Leopold’s top seller, Buttercrunch, which is a tasty blending of toffee coated in chocolate and crushed nuts.

Leopold is known for developing custom one-of-a-kind recipes for local coffee roasters and wineries and individuals for parties, weddings, showers, and other special occasions.  He has created truffles for wineries using their signature wine of the season, making the chocolate based on those particular notes.  Some examples of this are the yellow rose wine truffle and the apple spice wine truffle.

Chocolate lovers delight in the heady combination of chocolate and coffee, and Leopold brings these two flavors together effortlessly through his custom blend truffle bars with local coffee roasters’ espresso grounds.  In addition, Leopold can mold this velvety treat into any shape the customer requests.  In the past, Leopold made chocolate models of the Binghamton Mets baseball stadium, the Aztec pyramid, a carousel, a Christmas tree, and a representation of a lake, forest, and woodland creatures.

A line of Valentine’s Day candy is currently available just in time to surprise your sweetie with gourmet treats from a local Chocolatier this year.  There are cinnamon non-pareils, cinnamon cupids, peanut butter truffle hearts, Valentine themed peanut butter cups, chocolate pops, and an “I Heart You” bar in milk and dark chocolate.

A visit to the Montrose candy store and factory is highly suggested, but luckily, Chocolates by Leopold chocolates can also be found locally at the Alpine Wurst and Meat House in Honesdale, Stephen’s Pharmacy in Honesdale, Cooks Tour, Inc. in Mountainhome, and Josephine’s Fleur- De-Lis in Stroudsburg.

Free factory tours are available.  Reservations are suggested with a minimum of six people per group.  For more information, visit www.chocolatesbyleopold.com or call (570) 278-1230.

Stop Here To Get Your Chocolate Fix:

Penny Lane Candies and Candles- Located at 602 Church Street in Hawley in a beautifully restored Victorian building, Penny Lane features over 500 varieties of nostalgic candies including over 40 varieties of chocolate covered items in milk, dark, and white chocolate.  Some of these tempting sweets include malted milk balls, chocolate covered espresso beans, peanut butter cups, and cherry cordials.  For more information, visit www.pennylanecandies.com or call (570) 226-1987.

Callie’s Candy Kitchen- Located on Route 390 in Mountainhome, Callie’s Candy Kitchen specializes in creating delicious and unusual chocolate treats for any sweet tooth.  The candy is made fresh right on the premises.  Take your pick from a variety of fudges, Pocono Bark, truffles, chocolate covered pretzels, sunflower seeds, gummy bears, potato chips, peanut clusters, and crackers.  Since the 1950s, owner and candy maker, Harry Callie, covered everything he could think of in chocolate, and he was recently inducted into the Candy Hall of Fame.  Factory tours and free tastings are offered at the store.  For more information, visit www.calliescandy.com or call (570) 595-2280.

Susie’s Sweet Shop- Located at 594 Routes 6 and 209 in Milford, Susie’s Sweet Shop is a charming candy store specializing in Valentine, Easter, and Christmas favorites.  You can find hand dipped chocolate covered strawberries, as well as a variety of chocolates and truffles.  For more information, call (570) 296-8636.

*History and background on chocolate were borrowed from www.chocolatesbyleopold.com.

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By Allison Mowatt

Volunteers play a vital role in making communities stronger and a better place to live.  Many organizations, charities, events, and committees often seek volunteers to help out in one capacity or another.  “If you want to feel good, volunteer,” said Lisa Sellman, a professional dog trainer, owner of a pet care business, community activist, lifelong volunteer and author. “There are few ways to feel as good about yourself as volunteering.”

Many people are wrapped up in the daily grind with work, family, and other obligations, so the idea of volunteering may not be met with avid enthusiasm at first.  The calendar on the wall may not have an inch of space left for one more commitment, but volunteering doesn’t have to take up a lot of time.  “If everyone gave even just one hour a week, every community organization in the country would be turning volunteers away because they’d have more than enough,” said Ms. Sellman.  “The key is to understand that volunteerism doesn’t have to take over your life and that if you do it right, it will add far more to your spirit than it takes away from your calendar.”

Sue Beck is a Board Member for the Barry County Council on Aging in Missouri where she lives and has volunteered at the senior centers for years.  “In tough economic times, money might be tight to give even a small amount out of your pocket, and that’s okay,” she said. “If you give a little time, it’s just as beneficial.”

Volunteering can be a stress reliever and a source of true joy in one’s life.  The key to discovering this feeling is to let each individual passion be a guide toward selecting a volunteering position that strikes a personal chord so it can be done with a smile and genuine love.

Important Tips for Successful Volunteering

Choose Wisely- Many people get “roped into” volunteering for an organization because their boss is involved with a charity or a family member is working on a community project.  Those can be rewarding ways to enter volunteerism, but only if the project is a match for your personal interests.  The most important aspect to volunteerism is to find what you love and direct your energies into a charity or community organization that matches those passions.  If you are an animal lover, work with a wildlife rescue mission or animal shelter.  If you are a nature buff, there are plenty of environmental foundations that can use an extra set of hands.  If sports are your thing, there are plenty of community recreation centers that need coaches for needy kids enrolled in their programs.  No matter your interest, you can match it to a cause that needs help.  Just pick the right one, and your volunteer time won’t be a chore, but a joy.

Watch Your Schedule- As much as you want your passion to direct your choice of project, you don’t want those volunteer projects to rule your schedule.  Make sure you balance your volunteer time carefully so that your professional life and your family time won’t take a critical hit.  Most organizations will take as much time as you offer them, but if you only have an hour or two each week, they’ll take that time, too.  Your volunteer life should not consume your work or home life.

Have Fun- Helping others is its own reward, but it shouldn’t feel like a chore.  Even the most mundane task can be fun if you manage it with a sense of humor and passion for helping others.

*These tips were provided by Lisa Sellman. She volunteers periodically with no fewer than sixteen different organizations ranging from working at an animal shelter to taking disabled children on nature hikes during the summer.  She also wrote a children’s book with a strong message about community service called “The Legend of the Wolves of Gunflint Lake.”  The book encourages parents and children to discuss being of service in the community and how this can lead to lives of compassion and connectedness.

Local Organizations, Charities, and Events Looking for Volunteers

Roots and Rhythm Music and Arts Festival- This annual Honesdale festival takes place in June, and volunteers are needed for everything from advertising and trash removal to raffle ticket sales and production.  To volunteer, email Brian Fulp at bfulp@himalayaninstitute.org or call (570) 647-1514.

The Waverly Community House- This is a non-profit organization and a full service community center offering numerous programs, classes, and events for all ages and interests.  It’s located at 1115 N Abington Road in Waverly, PA.  For more information, call (570) 586-8191.

Dessin Animal Shelter- Located at 138 Miller Drive in Honesdale, this is a non-profit organization always looking for volunteers in all capacities.  For more information, call (570) 253-4037.

The Cat’s Pajamas- Dessin Animal Shelter’s non-profit thrift store is located on 8^th Street in Honesdale below the CVS Pharmacy and needs volunteers to sort donations and help on sales floor.  Proceeds from the store go directly toward Dessin’s programs and daily operations.  For more information, call Jeri at (570) 647-0057 or stop in at the store.

Grey Towers National Historic Landmark- This is the former home of Gifford Pinchot, First Chief of the US Forest Service.  The Grey Towers Mansion in Milford is open to the public and needs volunteers to help with programs, tours, and events.  For more information, email info@GreyTowers.org or call (570) 296-9630.

Area Fire Companies- Contact your local fire company.

Wayne County Food Pantry Program- The program is sponsored through county government and is operated under the leadership of the Wayne County Pantry Board, which is comprised of private citizens.  The five food pantry sites are located in Newfoundland, Lakewood, Lakeville, Honesdale, and Damascus.  For more information, call (570) 253-4646.

Seven Loaves Soup Kitchen, Tunkhannock- Located at 74 Warren Street, the kitchen is always looking for volunteers.  Call (570) 836-8817.

The Salvation Army’s Wayne County Service Unit- The service unit is always looking for volunteers to help with various events and outreach programs, including their Christmas assistance program called Angels Are Among Us.  For more information, call (570) 647-0389.

Wayne County Children’s Christmas Bureau- It’s not too early to think about volunteering for this annual community program, which brings happiness to needy children throughout the area each holiday season.  Call Carleen Faatz at (570) 253-4262.

Toys for Tots Program- Local Toys for Tots Campaign Coordinators conduct a variety of activities and events throughout the year designed to increase interest in Toys for Tots and generate toys and monetary donations.  For information on volunteering, call (570) 253-0711 or visit www.toysfortots.org.

Senior Centers- Volunteers for center programs and drivers for Meals on Wheels are always welcomed.  Contact your local senior center.

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Definition

Adrenaline is a hormone that is secreted by the adrenal medulla.  In situations of stress or fear, it’s released into the bloodstream and enables a person to take stock of the situation by giving a sudden boost of energy and strength.

Fight or Flight Syndrome

Adrenaline prepares the body for the ‘fight or flight syndrome’.  In most movies, you see the battered and bruised hero rise from the ashes with a sudden boost of energy to fight the enemy and stand victorious.  That’s adrenaline at work.  Anxiety, fear, anger, and surprise cause the secretion of this wonder stimulant.  The heart beats faster; cardiac output is more, and the body feels stronger and more energetic.

When adrenaline is released, one of its effects is increased heart rate.  This is because in a ‘fight or flight’ situation, the person decides if he should stay and fight the problem or run for his life.  Both these activities need extra energy and oxygen.  The brain senses this and sends signals to the adrenal glands (located on the kidneys), which secrete adrenaline into the bloodstream.  The heart rate increases as the body girds itself for what it is about to do: fight or run.  The blood vessels and air passages dilate, allowing more blood to the muscles and oxygen to the lungs.

With adrenaline, you are physically in best form for a short period of time.  Try completing the same activity in a calm situation, and you will find that your performance is much slower, and you heart rate and blood pressure normal.  This is because adrenaline is secreted for impromptu situations where the body makes immediate decisions.

Anxiety Attacks

However, when you experience surges of adrenaline without any imminent danger or fear, it is discomforting.  These are called anxiety attacks, where you have a ‘fear of fear’.  You worry about something that is not in front of you, and when the brain senses fear, adrenaline is released and you feel like running to a safer place.  Psychologists say the best cure for this is to convince yourself that there is nothing wrong with you or your situation.  Look around and talk to your brain, assuring yourself that you are in control.  Once the adrenaline wave has passed, your heart rate will return to normal.  As it’s the mind that’s at play here, this usually works.  However, if it does not, it is best to consult a doctor to rule out other possible physical ailments.

Source: 3 fat chicks on a diet!  www.3fatchicks.com

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Happy Valentine’s Day from Connections Magazine – Remember to always have passion in everything you do!

The Connections Magazine Staff

Martin Luther K

In 1954, Martin Luther King became pastor of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Always a strong worker for civil rights for members of his race, King was, by this time, a member of the executive committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the leading organization of its kind in the nation. He was ready, then, early in December, 1955, to accept the leadership of the first great Negro nonviolent demonstration of contemporary times in the United States, the bus boycott described by Gunnar Jahn in his presentation speech in honor of the laureate. The boycott lasted 382 days. On December 21, 1956, after the Supreme Court of the United States had declared unconstitutional the laws requiring segregation on buses, Negroes and whites rode the buses as equals. During these days of boycott, King was arrested, his home was bombed, he was subjected to personal abuse, but at the same time he emerged as a Negro leader of the first rank.

In 1957 he was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, an organization formed to provide new leadership for the now burgeoning civil rights movement. The ideals for this organization he took from Christianity; its operational techniques from Gandhi. In the eleven-year period between 1957 and 1968, King traveled over six million miles and spoke over twenty-five hundred times, appearing wherever there was injustice, protest, and action; and meanwhile he wrote five books as well as numerous articles. In these years, he led a massive protest in Birmingham, Alabama, that caught the attention of the entire world, providing what he called a coalition of conscience. and inspiring his “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, a manifesto of the Negro revolution; he planned the drives in Alabama for the registration of Negroes as voters; he directed the peaceful march on Washington, D.C., of 250,000 people to whom he delivered his address, “l Have a Dream”, he conferred with President John F. Kennedy and campaigned for President Lyndon B. Johnson; he was arrested upwards of twenty times and assaulted at least four times; he was awarded five honorary degrees; was named Man of the Year by Time magazine in 1963; and became not only the symbolic leader of American blacks but also a world figure.

At the age of thirty-five, Martin Luther King, Jr., was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize. When notified of his selection, he announced that he would turn over the prize money of $54,123 to the furtherance of the civil rights movement.

On the evening of April 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony of his motel room in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was to lead a protest march in sympathy with striking garbage workers of that city, he was assassinated

Source:
http://www.nobelprize.org

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