J U N E 2016
T H E M AGA Z I N E YO U C O M E H O M E TO
History next door Pennsylvania sites to visit during National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary
PLUS
Bird flu fears subside Landscape for comfort, savings Full of beans
Contents
JUNE 2016 Vol. 51 • No. 6 Editor Peter A. Fitzgerald Senior Editor/Writer Katherine Hackleman Associate Editor Michael T. Crawford Layout & Design W. Douglas Shirk media & marketing specialist Michelle M. Smith Contributing Columnists Yvonne Butts-Mitchell James Dulley Janette Hess
4 Keeping Current News from across the Commonwealth
6 Energy Matters
Tech growth gives new relevance to electrical safety
8 COVER: History next door
12 spotlight
Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazine of Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is published monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Penn Lines helps 166,000 households of co-op consumer-members understand issues that affect the electric cooperative program, their local co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops are notfor-profit, consumer-owned, locally directed, and taxpaying electric utilities. Penn Lines is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. The opinions expressed in Penn Lines do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, or local electric distribution cooperatives. Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.42 per year through their local electric distribution cooperative. Preferred Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17107 and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes with mailing label to Penn Lines, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks prior to month of issue. Ad rates upon request. Acceptance of advertising by Penn Lines does not imply endorsement of the product or services by the publisher or any electric cooperative. If you encounter a problem with any product or service advertised in Penn Lines, please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
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Pennsylvania sites to visit during National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary 50th Anniversary Contests
14 Time Lines
Your newsmagazine through the years
14a Cooperative Connection Information and advice from your local electric cooperative
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16 TECH TRENDS
Can you have a zero net energy home?
18 FEATURE: Bird flu fears subside — for now Industry remains on alert
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20 Smart circuits
Landscaping for comfort, savings
22 Classifieds 24 COUNTRY KITCHEN
Full of beans
25 rural views
A marriage made in heaven: chocolate-covered bacon
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26 Punch Lines
Earl wants to be king of his (bouncy) castle Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls; Vice Chairman, Tim Burkett; Secretary, Barbara Miller; Treasurer, Rick Shope; President & CEO, Frank M. Betley
27 Rural Reflections
Summer is here!
© 2016 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited.
ON THE COVER Independence Hall in Philadelphia is one of 19 sites in Pennsylvania under National Park Service (NPS) jurisdiction. The NPS is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Visit with us at Penn Lines Online, located at: www.prea.com/Content/ pennlines.asp. Penn Lines Online provides an email link to Penn Lines editorial staff, information on advertising rates, and an archive of past issues.
| J U N E 2016
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keepingcurrent
Penalties for speeding in work zones increase The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds motorists that new, stiffer penalties are now in place for roadway work zone violations due to legislation recently signed by Gov. Tom Wolf. According to PennDOT statistics, 23 people were killed in work-zone crashes in 2015, with 1,935 workzone crashes reported during the year. In 2015, there were 135 reported intrusions in PennDOT work zones, with 11 resulting in injuries to PennDOT employees and 41 causing damage to PennDOT equipment. State law states that anyone violating the posted speed limit in a work zone by more than 5 miles per hour will face doubled fines (fines are determined by the number of miles per hour over the speed limit the driver is traveling). In addition, the law recently signed by Gov. Wolf says any driver who causes serious bodily injury within a work zone could face up to $5,000 in fines and suspension of their license for six months. A driver causing a death within a work zone would face up to a $10,000 fine and a one-year license suspension. In addition, drivers who don’t turn on their headlights in posted work zones face a $25 fine.
Invasive pest new to U.S. found in Pennsylvania An invasive pest new to the United States has been discovered on a farm in Lancaster County, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Allium leafminer (Phytomyza gymnostoma) infects a number of crops, including leeks, onions, garlic, chives, shallots
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and green onions. This is the first confirmed infestation in the Western Hemisphere. Adult allium leafminers are about 3 millimeters in length, and are gray or black with a yellow or orange patch on the top and front. The eggs are light-colored, about 0.5 millimeter in length. Adults appear in late winter
into spring. Females lay eggs on the base of the plant stems, and emerging larvae mine downwards, feeding off of the bulbs. The damage they leave behind increases the plant’s susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections. The leaves of infected plants are usually wavy, curled or distorted with a row of white dots. Department officials report the allium leafminer is native to Poland and Germany, where it was first detected in 1850. Until now, it has only been reported across Europe and Asia. They are actively seeking information to see if the invasive pest is also located in other areas of Pennsylvania. Anyone who thinks they may have observed damage or a life stage of the allium leafminer is asked to contact a plant inspector in their regional Department of Agriculture office or county Penn State Cooperative Extension office. Residents are asked
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Photo by Sven Spichiger, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
News from across the Commonwealth
not to transport any crops that are suspected of being infected in order to prevent the spread of the pest. Photos of suspected examples of the pest can be submitted to Badbug@ pa.gov, or call the Bad Bug Hotline at 866-253-7189 and leave details of the bug’s location and the caller’s contact information. Additional information about the allium leafminer can be found at www. agriculture.pa.gov.
Heritage Areas bring positive economic impacts to state According to a recent report commissioned for the Center for Rural Pennsylvania, research indicates tourists spent an estimated 7.5 million days/nights in Pennsylvania’s 12 Heritage Areas in 2014, purchasing $2 billion worth of goods and services. Direct impact of heritage visitor spending to the state economy in 2014 was 19,333 jobs and $477.9 million in labor income, according to the report. Including indirect and induced effects, the total contribution of visitor spending to the state’s economy was 24,708 jobs, $798 million in labor income and nearly $1.3 billion in value-added benefits. The state’s 12 Heritage Areas include: Allegheny Ridge Heritage Area, Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Lackawanna Heritage Valley, Lincoln Highway Heritage Corridor, Lumber Heritage Region, National Road Heritage Corridor, Oil Region National Heritage Area, PA Route 6 Heritage Corridor, Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, Schuykill River National & State Heritage Area, and Susquehanna Gateway Heritage Area. l
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energymatters
Tech growth gives new relevance to electrical safety By Justin LaBerge
W
hen you think of electrical safety, what types of hazards come to mind? For many, the answer is likely to include an overloaded rat’s nest of extension cords and power strips like Clark Griswold uses to light up his home in that classic holiday comedy, “Christmas Vacation.” Others might think of the farmer who has a “run in” with a utility pole or live wire while operating machinery in the field. Perhaps you think of the careless do-it-yourselfer digging trenches without calling 811, or forgetting to look overhead when using a ladder to clean out the gutters. Those are all good answers, and electric cooperatives have plenty of experience dealing with these kinds of hazards. It can be tempting to look at these extreme examples and think that’s where the safety conversation begins and ends, but there are safety considerations for every device powered by electricity. Electricity is likely to play a more prominent role in our lives as advances in technology make it the preferred energy source for more and more of the devices we use every day – from cars to tech gadgets, to heating and cooling. As our use of electricity grows, so too must our awareness of electrical safety.
Smartphones, other gadgets When most people think of counterfeiting, they probably think of money or perhaps knockoff handbags. But in 2014, consumer electronics ranked second on a list of the most common types of counterfeit goods seized by
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In 2010, nearly 500,000 smartphone batteries were recalled after they were discovered to be counterfeit. These knockoffs aren’t just illegal and of inferior quality. They’re often dangerous. These products haven’t been tested by consumer protection groups and are unlikely to comply with safety regulations. How can you tell if your product is legit? The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) has this advice: Use established vendors who purchase goods from legitimate distributors and manufacturers. Read the packaging and labels. Packaging should contain the manufacturer’s name and contact information. Avoid unknown brands and products that do not display brand affiliation. Do your research. Organizations such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
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provide information about product recalls, including those related to counterfeiting, on their websites. And remember, whether it’s counterfeit or just poorly manufactured, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Electric vehicles If you’re considering making the switch to an electric vehicle, you should start by ensuring your home’s electrical system is up to the task. The assessment should include an evaluation of the lines and meter that connect your home to the electric co-op’s distribution system, the panel that feeds the circuits, and the wiring that delivers electricity to your home. Assuming everything is up to snuff, the charging system should be installed by a licensed electrician. Once it’s installed, ESFI offers the following safety tips: k Carefully read the owner’s manual for your charging station. k Never use an extension cord to charge the vehicle. k Inspect for damaged cords and plugs, which could result in shock and fire hazards. k Charging equipment should not be installed in an area with heavy foot traffic, or near materials that are flammable or explosive. k Outdoor charging equipment is weatherproof, but should be protected from damage. l Justin LaBerge writes on cooperative issues for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the Arlington, Va.-based service arm of the nation’s 900-plus consumer-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives.
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IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. Plans and Services require purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time setup fee of $35. Monthly fees do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges and are subject to change. Coverage is not available everywhere. 5Star or 9-1-1 calls can only be made when cellular service is available. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone and the activation fee (or setup fee) if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage. If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will be deducted from your refund for each minute over 30 minutes. You will be charged a $10 restocking fee. The shipping charges are not refundable. There are no additional fees to call GreatCall’s U.S.-based customer service. However, for calls to a GreatCall Operator in which a service is completed, you will be charged 99 cents per call, and minutes will be deducted from your monthly rate plan balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator. Jitterbug and GreatCall are registered trademarks of GreatCall, Inc. ©2016 GreatCall, Inc. ©2016 firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc.
History next door
Pennsylvania sites to visit during National Park Service’s 100th Anniversary By Michael Crawford Associate Editor
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ennsylvania’s backyard is host to a nation’s history. As the National Park Service (NPS) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2016, the Find Your Park campaign has been striving to raise awareness of sites under NPS jurisdiction close to home. The Commonwealth has 19 parks, memorials, battlefields, and historical sites to choose from — many in and around cooperative communities. “When you go to these parks in Pennsylvania, it kindles an interest,” says D. Scott Hartwig, retired supervisory historian at Gettysburg National Military Park. “They tell us who we are as a people, because all of these things have shaped who we are as a people. You don’t realize it until you actually go.” If there’s one piece of history that has remained in Americans’ minds long after its time, it’s Gettysburg. The Gettysburg National Military Park in Adams County hosts living history demonstrations every weekend from April 2 to Oct. 30. Visitors can explore camps, interact with knowledgeable historians and watch demonstrations of the tools, tactics, and firepower of the Union and Confederacy. “When you think about Gettysburg and what most Americans think we stand for as a country … they say ‘we believe all people are created equal’ and ‘we believe in a government
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UNION ARMY GENERAL: The statue of Gouverneur Kemble Warren, sculpted by Karl Gerhardt, overlooks the Little Round Top area at Gettysburg National Military Park. Warren is credited with developing the plan to defend the area during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.
of the people, by the people, for the people,’” says Hartwig, a member of Adams Electric Cooperative. “Well, there are two documents you’re referencing: the Declaration of Independence … and the Gettysburg Address.” While battlefields tend to have more name recognition, says 33-year-NPS veteran Jim Roach, smaller historical sites have equally compelling and significant stories to tell.
Hidden gems Located adjacent to the Gettysburg Battlefield, the Eisenhower National Historic Site (NHS) features the home and farm of former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The farm served as a weekend retreat and a meeting place for world leaders during the Eisenhower Administration, and the couple retired there in 1961. “When people think of national parks, they think of places like Yellowstone … or Crater Lake,” says Roach, a retired site manager for Eisenhower NHS. “They forget about cultural gems like Eisenhower. Lots of important events in our history
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happened at these small places.” Aligning with the NPS centennial, site staff will celebrate the 100th wedding anniversary of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower on July 9, and will be hosting special programming throughout the day focusing on the Eisenhowers’ relationship. Another such “small place” is the Friendship Hill NHS in Point Marion, featuring the home of Albert Gallatin. During his tenure as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, Gallatin reduced the national debt, purchased the Louisiana Territory, and funded the Lewis and Clark Expedition. On Sept. 24 and 25, the park will host its annual FestiFall and Market Fair. Visitors to the Fayette County site, near areas served by Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative, can enjoy demonstrations of historic trades and crafts, historic toys, live period music, and 18th century foods. “The idea is you don’t have to travel to the other side of the country,” says Brendan Wilson, centennial coordinator for National Parks of Western Pennsylvania. “It doesn’t have to be a long vacation. It can be a Saturday afternoon. There are great resources locally, and it’s a great year to choose the national parks for a trip.” One such national parks site is the first railroad to circumvent the Allegheny Mountains: the Allegheny Portage Railroad in Gallitzin, located in Cambria County, near areas served by REA Energy Cooperative. Opened in 1834, the Allegheny Portage Railroad served merchants, passengers, slaves in pursuit of freedom, and soldiers from the Mexican War, and it marked the first time that there was a direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The national historical site offers daily summer programs, demonstrating stonecutting, log hewing, rope making, clothing, historic toys and more. Pennsylvanians can find the Fort Necessity/National Road Interpretive and Education Center in the Fayette County community of Farmington. The national battlefield offers programs and exhibits to immerse visitors in 18th century Pennsylvania, and the Mount Washington Tavern, now a museum, shares history on the first federally funded highway to connect the east and west.
no abatement at all in people’s interest in seeing that place, so we began staffing it every day of the week.” The permanent — and still evolving — memorial that stands today was chosen by the NPS from more than 1,000 options submitted from across the country as part of a design competition hosted by the NPS. “I really applaud the NPS for having the courage to embark on a design competition like that to design the whole park, not just a little piece of it,” says Glessner, a member of the Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative. “It was more than people just wanting to win. They were people who just really wanted to express their feelings about Flight 93.” This Sept. 11 marks 15 years since the four coordinated terrorist attacks on the U.S. that took the lives of nearly 3,000 people in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County. As a new generation begins to come of age with no memory of the Sept. 11, 2001, event, Glessner hopes the
EISENHOWER FARM HOME: President Dwight Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, purchased their 1700s’ Gettysburg farm in 1950. The farm, now operated by the National Park Service, is open to the public.
Recent history While all the memorials, battlefields and historical sites inevitably become memories of events long past, one NPS-managed location still holds immediate significance in the lives of many Americans alive today. The Flight 93 National Memorial, a Somerset County site practically defined by volunteer involvement, has events planned through the year to coincide with the NPS centennial. The memorial began as a simple chain link fence where people visiting the crash site left behind mementos and tributes. As people continued to flock to the site, locals saw a need for a permanent memorial. “It came about because the public really wanted to get close … and show their respect and honor what those people did there,” says Donna Glessner, part of the federal advisory commission for the Flight 93 National Memorial. “There was
REMEMBER THE FLOOD: In honor of the people who died when the South Fork Dam failed, the Johnstown Flood National Memorial holds a service every year on May 31, the anniversary of the tragic event.
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NPS centennial will allow people to find their own connection to that day. “The centennial creates a lot of opportunities to remind people to experience these vastly different national parks,” says Glessner. “I really love that the Flight 93 site is among these national parks because it’s an important story and an important place to be protected. It’s such a contemporary story that begs people to bring their children there, their grandchildren there and not let this story become … not known in all its rich detail.” The Flight 93 National Memorial will hold a ceremony at 10:03 a.m. on Sept. 11, reading the names of the 40 passengers and crew who died in the attempt to thwart an attack on the U.S. Capitol. More details about the anniversary ceremony — and additional events throughout the year — will be released online in August. The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, of course, weren’t the first time disaster brought the nation together. The Johnstown Flood National Memorial in Cambria County honors the more than 2,000 people who died when the South Fork Dam unleashed 20 million tons of water on Johnstown on May 31, 1889, and remembers those who came to the town’s aid. While many of the national parks in Pennsylvania honor historically or symbolically significant sites, some honor entire regions. The Oil Region National Heritage Area in northwestern Pennsylvania (Crawford County and Venango County, areas of which are served by Northwestern Rural Electric Coopera-
tive and Warren Electric Cooperative) is home to the world’s first successful commercial oil well and a legacy of petroleum that continues to shape industry, society, and politics. The Oil Region includes oil artifacts, scenic communities, farmlands and woodlands, and industrial landscapes, and offers visitors heritage attractions and four seasons of outdoor recreation. Other sites in Pennsylvania managed by the NPS include: k Edgar Allan Poe Residence, Philadelphia k Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Easton k Delaware Water Gap, Bushkill k Gloria Dei Church, Philadelphia k Hopewell Furnace, Elverson k Independence Hall, Philadelphia k Rivers of Steel NHA, Homestead k Schuylkill River Valley Heritage Area, Pottstown k Steamtown, Scranton k Thaddeus Kosciuszko Residence, Philadelphia k Valley Forge, King of Prussia National park fees will be waived from Aug. 25-28 in observance of the centennial, Sept. 24 in observance of National Public Lands Day and Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day. “Get out and visit your park nearest to you,” says Roach. “We often fail to see what is next door to us and instead travel hundreds of miles. Go see what’s next door.” The NPS cares for 411 national parks and works with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. For more information about national parks, visit www.nps.gov. l FLIGHT 93: Tall gray walls mark the Flight 93 National Memorial’s Visitor Center Complex, which includes the Visitor Center, Learning Center, Flight Path Walkway and Flight Path Overlook. It is adjacent to the Memorial Plaza, which includes the Wall of Names listing those who died at the Somerset County crash site on Sept. 11, 2001.
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spotlight
50th Anniversary Contests Penn Lines staff
P
in February, the winning entry for the “Most Well-Traveled Penn Lines” was published in March, nn Lines Pe the winning entry for the essay question, “How does Penn Lines help me as a entry was randomly drawn from years cooperative member?” was all submissions in that category. 19 6 6-2016 published in April, and the Winning entries from all five winning entry for the essay anniversary contests received a question “What is your earliest memory $50 gift card (the winning entry for of Penn Lines?” was published in May). the “Oldest Penn Lines” was published
enn Lines is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. As part of the newsmagazine’s anniversary celebration, we asked readers to participate in a number of contests (all contest entries are now closed). Throughout 2016, we will be printing winning entries, plus selected other entries.
This month’s winning entry — submitted by Deborah Pyle, a member of Somerset Rural Electric Cooperative — is for the essay contest answering the question, “What does Penn Lines mean to rural Pennsylvania?” The winning
Here is Pyle’s winning entry: “Penn Lines, 50 years! Wow. Hard to believe. I have always enjoyed reading the magazine. My family has always had Somerset Rural Electric Co-op for their electric company. I always liked the meetings and how it is our company. They do the very best for that one single person. “As a child, one summer, Somerset Rural Electric and Penelec went together and sponsored a cooking school for two weeks at Rockwood Area High School. The school was brand new and we got to cook. I still have my cookbook from those classes. “So that is when I fell in love with reading your publication. Whatever you had to say, I read it all. “Congratulations on 50 years. As long as I am able, I will read Penn Lines from cover to cover. I really like how you sponsor the Washington, D.C., tour and the scholarships for area seniors. “We have been blessed to have electricity all of my life, and I for one say a big ‘Thank you!’
SPOKANE, WASH.: Dale and Sue Krysinski, members of DuBois-based United Electric Cooperative, traveled to Spokane, Wash., accompanied by their copy of Penn Lines.
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“I like the page from the general manager — always good information. “Since I am older, Time Lines always brings a smile to see Penn Lines in review. “I like the photo section and, of course, trying out the yummy recipes. Even the ads have information that can be useful to me many times over. “You just might say I love the Penn Lines magazine. It’s been a good friend every month for 50 years. “Thank you for the information that is always on time. So keep on keeping us connected for another 50 years. “I love that we did not have to pick another electric company. Our co-op is the best thing since turning on that electric lightbulb! “You light up my ‘lights.’ Thank you for your fine magazine and here’s to another 50 years.” Deborah Pyle — Somerset REC
BLACK FOREST, GERMANY: Richard and Sandra Rimbey, members of Mansfieldbased Tri-County Rural Electric Cooperative, took a copy of Penn Lines with them to Black Forest, Germany.
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timelines
Your Newsmagazine Through the Years
1986
Stone markers dotting the Mason-Dixon Line are engraved with an “M” on one side and a “P” on the other to indicate the respective states of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
M
1996
embers of the Pennsylvania Farm Vacation Association open their farms, homes, woodlands and fields to vacationers who are often unfamiliar with rural living. For city dwellers, farm vacations offer relaxation, the experience of a different lifestyle and the chance to sample many aspects of rural life. This includes everything from milking cows and baling hay to attending 4-H events and shopping at the farmers market. Most vacationers on the farm are families, many with young children, from large cities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York who want their children to see what farm life is like. Housing and meal accommodations on vacation farms vary widely. Some farms take only weekend guests, while others take visitors for weeks at a time. Some offer full meals to guests, while others serve only breakfast. With the variety of services and attractions at the vacation farm homes, rates vary widely, too. Opening their homes to vacationers is extra work for farm owners, but in addition to making a little extra money, most enjoy the experience of teaching others about the lifestyle they love, plus they often make friends who return year after year. Today, there are 14 Pennsylvania farms registered with the association. The list can be found at www.pafarmstay.com.
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2006
Co-op guarantees of federal zero-interest loans help provide jobs for skilled workers, like these mechanics refurbishing an emergency vehicle in Somerset County.
Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc. studies the feasibility of a program to reduce demand on the electrical system during peak use hours in an effort to save money and electricity.
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1976
IF IT’S NOT INSULATED, NEITHER ARE YOU.
REPLACE, NEVER REPAIR DAMAGED EXTENSION CORDS. Helping members use electricity safely, that’s the power of your co-op membership. Learn more from the experts themselves at TogetherWeSave.com.
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techtrends
Can you have a zero net energy home? By Patrick Keegan and Amy Wheeless
Usually, the term ZNE home describes a newly built home, as it is easier to custom-build an energy efficient home and properly size solar panels that will match the expected energy use. However, existing homes can also be retrofitted to be ZNE. But before you go out and buy a solar panel system that will cover every inch of your roof, remember this mantra: “Reduce before you produce.” Efficiency options like heat pumps and increased insulation may not seem as exciting as solar panels, but they can produce a better return on your investment. Before you purchase and install solar panels, make all the cost-effective energy efficiency improvements you can. You will likely be able to reduce the number of solar panels you need, while also seeing sustained energy savings over time. An energy audit is the first step to learning how to make your home as efficient as possible. An energy auditor will walk through your home and perform tests to find out where
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air is leaking. An energy auditor can also perform energy modeling to tell you how much energy you would save by implementing certain improvements. If you are interested in an energy audit, talk with your electric co-op. They may offer an audit or have names of trusted energy auditors. Retrofitting a home to be ZNE will WIND AND SUN: Wind energy and both passive and active solar can help achieve zero net energy. likely require investments — large and small. Upgrading your HVAC system There are also other ways to harness to something more efficient is a large the power of the sun. For example, investment, but, as heating and coolsolar water heaters can be cost-efing usually make up half of the averfective. Or you can use passive solar age home’s energy use, the upgrade techniques, like strategic window will have a substantial impact on your placement, landscaping and shading, home, especially when combined with and specific building materials to heat insulation improvements. Sealing air certain areas of your home in the winleaks and replacing lightbulbs with ter or reduce sun and heat exposure in LEDs are smaller investments but can the summer. also help. Behavioral changes, such as You may be able to reduce your turning down the heat when you leave energy impact without purchasfor the day, using your solar clothes ing your own rooftop solar panels. dryer (a clothes line!) and turning off Remember to talk with your electric electronics and lights when you leave cooperative’s energy experts before a room are also small, easy ways to making any major upgrades, like roofreduce energy use. top solar, to your home. l Once you have reduced your energy This column was co-written by use as much as you can, you can now Pat Keegan and Amy Wheeless of think about producing. Solar photoCollaborative Efficiency. For more voltaic panels are the most common information on retrofitting your home residential renewable energy instalor building a new zero net energy home, lation, though a small wind energy please visit: www.collaborativeefficiency. system could be a good choice if your com/energytips or email Pat Keegan at home is on a windy site.
[email protected]. Photo by Wonderlane
A
zero net energy (ZNE) home is one where all of the energy that is used in the home is completely offset by the production of on-site power, such as through rooftop solar photovoltaic panels. Having a ZNE home does not mean that you are “off-grid” — your home still uses electricity from your electric co-op for daily needs, especially when the sun isn’t shining. A ZNE home also means you can supply power back to the electric grid from your solar panels. If you are considering rooftop solar panels for your home, you should talk to your electric co-op first.
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Classifieds
Bird flu fears subside – for now Industry remains on alert By Matthew Ozga Contributing Writer
I
t’s been a year since the latest highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was at its peak in the United States. In June 2015, H5N2, a virulent strain of an HPAI was spreading across the country by leaps and bounds, expected to hit Pennsylvania’s birds — domestic and wild — at any time. But it now appears Pennsylvania has escaped with its flocks intact. Pennsylvania’s first experience with an HPAI was in the fall of 1983 when a strain of H5N2 spread to Pennsylvania, devastating many poultry farms in the process. An estimated 17 million birds died; many had to be slaughtered as a precautionary measure, and a number of countries temporarily refused to import chickens or chicken products that originated in Pennsylvania. By the time the outbreak wound down the following year, the state’s poultry and egg industries suffered a $65 million blow, and it took years for them to recover.
Recent scare In 2015, experts had reason to fear another industry-crippling outbreak was in the offing; however, a year later that fear is slowly subsiding although state officials and poultry producers remain on high alert. Last year, a deadly strain of H5N2 began to creep from Canada into the U.S., starting in the Pacific Northwest and inching its destructive way east, spread primarily by migratory waterfowl, but also by
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humans. (Although generally harmless to people, the virus that causes avian flu can be carried on human skin, shoes, clothing or other objects, and spread in that way.) The peak of the most recent U.S. avian flu outbreak came in June 2015, when the disease had spread to 21 states, causing the deaths of more than 50 million chickens and turkeys. Some Midwest states lost more than half of their commercial poultry supplies. Egg prices shot up more than 50 percent, which had a trickle-down effect on other businesses, including restaurants. An aggressive HPAI response cost the federal government close to $1 billion. Observers cautioned that it was only a matter of time before the devastating poultry disease spread to Pennsylvania. However, no new cases of H5N2 have been detected in the U.S. since the summer of 2015. A separate strain of highly pathogenic avian flu, H7N8, was identified in several Dubois County, Ind., turkey farms in January, but it was contained rapidly. Pennsylvania officials continue to keep a close eye on developments, and they encourage poultry producers to maintain strict biosecurity measures designed to prevent avian flu, or contain it in the event of an outbreak. “The threat of something coming in to
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our area is always present,” says Dr. Gregory Martin, a poultry educator at the Penn State Extension office in Lancaster. “Farmers should plan on taking precautions for the next two years, (and) we’re thinking we need to be on guard for at least three years.” A severe HPAI outbreak could cripple the state’s $13 billion poultry industry — an industry that an estimated 53,000 STOP SIGN: Pennsylvania farmers are following workers depend state and federal guidelines to avoid the spread on for their liveof the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus lihood. Lancaster that include very limited access to poultry farms. County’s poultry industry is a particular source of concern, says Brandi Hunter-Davenport, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. “The poultry industry in Lancaster County alone is worth $1.2 billion,” she says. “… this dense population (of poultry and poultry operations) could make it much easier for the virus to spread from farm to farm at a rapid rate.”
Precautionary measures It is critical that farmers who raise chickens, turkeys or any type of feathered animal know how HPAI spreads in order to successfully implement infection-control measures. While infected birds cannot give humans HPAI — these strains of HPAI do not appear to affect humans — a farmer could unwittingly spread it by stepping in bird droppings and tracking it around. Even driving through infected areas risks spreading the disease, as the virus easily clings to tires, turning a vehicle into a mobile flu-spreading machine. That’s why farmers should continue to keep their vehicles thoroughly washed and disinfected when not in use, state officials say. “We disinfect all our vehicles going in,” says Abraham Warner, who manages a turkey and grain farm in Huntingdon County that is a member of Valley Rural Electric Cooperative.
“And only company people are allowed on the farm premises.” In fact, in an effort to remain avian flu-free, state officials recommend farmers be extremely judicious in allowing any guests access to their farm. They should also, if possible, restrict wild fowl from interacting with commercial birds, and should avoid contact with poultry and pet birds outside of work. Outside inspectors should also cooperate with avian-flu preparedness protocol by donning protective gear whenever they make an on-site visit. “Every time I visit a farm, I’ll put on my rubber boots, coveralls, and a head covering before I even leave the area around my car,” Martin says. Knowing the symptoms of a potential avian-flu outbreak (continues on page 21)
PRECAUTIONS: Some farmers now ask anyone coming onto or leaving their premises to spray vehicle tires in an effort to help prevent the spread of any contagious animal disease.
AT RISK: Poultry being raised in confined quarters are at particular risk in the event of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Pennsylvania poultry producers appear to have dodged a bullet as the 2015 epidemic appears to have wound down before it arrived in the Commonwealth.
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smartcircuits
Landscaping for comfort, savings By James Dulley
D
ear Jim: My fairly new house needs landscaping. I think adding trees could shade the house and lower my air-conditioning bills. How do I go about selecting and placing the trees around my yard? — Alan R. Dear Alan: Proper landscaping can have a great impact on your energy bills and your comfort. Shade also improves comfort on a deck or patio and provides an attractive, safe environment for birds and wildlife. It is important to shade not only your windows, but also your house walls. Masonry slowly absorbs the sun’s heat during the day and reradiates it indoors all evening. Most insulation is not effective at blocking this radiant heat through walls. In addition to just providing shade, trees are natural air conditioners. Their leaves give off a huge amount of moisture that evaporates into the air. This cooling effect can be equivalent to the output of running a large window air conditioner. As a long-term effect, trees moderate global warming and resultant climate change. In most temperate and colder climates, the key to efficient landscaping with trees is to locate them to provide shade, yet allow the sun to shine through during the winter. Leaving an open area to the southwest is ideal. Planting deciduous trees in an arc can actually channel breezes to your house. In hot, humid climates, the same basic concept applies except that it is best to locate the trees farther from your house. The moisture loss from the leaves can exacerbate already high
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humidity levels. When selecting a tree, consider the height and shape (round, pyramidal, oval, conical, columnar) of the tree as it matures. This allows you to determine how many to plant and how far to locate them from your house. Growth rates and winter hardiness are also important. Keep in mind some of the fastest-growing trees are also short-lived. Avoid planting these close to your house or you may have a future expensive tree removal job. Plan on doing quite a bit of pruning to maintain the proper ratio of shading and openness for winter solar heating. To complete your landscaping, plant low-water-demand groundcover plants near your house on the south and west sides. These reflect more of the sun’s heat and do not store it as gravel. Dear Jim: I have always heard that
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you should keep a refrigerator reasonably full to make it operate most efficiently. How do I determine what “reasonably full” means? — Jeri S. Dear Jeri: Reasonably full means having the shelves almost completely covered with a typical array of various-sized containers, bottles and cans so air can circulate freely. The freezer portion can be packed somewhat fuller, but still needs gaps for air flow. A fuller freezer loses less cold air each time it is opened. Mark packaging well to reduce the open time while searching for food items. l
Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries to James Dulley, Penn Lines, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or visit www.dulley.com.
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Protocols in place Farmers are reminded to remain vigilant and know what to do in the event of a potential HPAI outbreak as fast action can be critical. The first step, Martin says, is to contact the local Extension office or the state Department of Agriculture (at 717-772-2852) and arrange for the birds to be tested. Test results are usually available the same day. If HPAI is detected, the state has established a protocol for handling the diseased flock, Hunter-Davenport says. The farm and surrounding areas would
be swiftly quarantined, while state workers would come into euthanize the remaining birds. In a statement on the Commonwealth’s website, Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, a member of Adams Electric Cooperative, says, “We want to assure Pennsylvanians that if the virus were to enter our state, we are prepared to address it. Thanks to Gov. (Tom) Wolf’s leadership, $3.5 million was set aside specifically for HPAI planning and response. If the virus enters Pennsylvania, we are ready.” State officials plan to meet soon to determine if the ban on avian exhibitions at Pennsylvania fairs can be lifted, along with two interstate quarantine orders that were established to protect Pennsylvania’s poultry industry from accidental introduction of an HPAI virus through the movement of poultry and poultry products. The quarantines set up specific guidelines regarding moving poultry and poultry products between states and also set strict standards related to cleaning vehicles, containers, and materials that transport poultry and related products to, in, and from Pennsylvania. In late May, Gregory Hostetter, the Department of Agriculture’s deputy secretary for animal health and safety, said the department is continuing to monitor reports of any cases of the HPAI virus that may occur in the United States in preparation for making a decision about the 2016 exhibitions and quarantines. l
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Bird flu fears subside — for now (continued from page 19) is also critical. Infected birds may appear lethargic and uncoordinated; their heads may swell, or their legs, combs, or wattles may turn purple. They might appear to be suffering from the common cold, with the same type of coughing, sneezing, and nasal discharge that humans experience. Infected hens may lay misshapen or unusually soft eggs, or they may not lay eggs at all. These symptoms do not absolutely signal the presence of highly pathogenic avian flu; the less-serious low pathogenic avian influenza could be the culprit. Rather, the surest sign of the highly pathogenic version of avian flu is rapid death, Martin says, with a large amount of birds dying in a very short period of time. Up to 90 percent of an HPAI-infected flock could perish in short order.
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Classified Advertisements
ISSUE MONTH AD DEADLINE August 2016 June 17 September 2016 July 19 October 2016 August 18
Penn Lines classified advertisements reach nearly 166,000 rural Pennsylvania households! Please note ads must be received by the due date to be included in the requested issue month. Ads received beyond the due date will run in the next available issue. Written notice of changes and cancellations must be received 30 days prior to the issue month. Classified ads will not be accepted by phone, fax or email. For more information please contact Michelle M. Smith at 717-233-5704.
Please submit a clearly written or typed sheet with the following required information: o Cooperative members should please submit the mailing label from Penn Lines as proof of membership. o Non-members should submit name, address, phone number, and email address, if applicable. o Month(s) in which the ad is to run. o Ad copy as it is to appear in the publication. o Heading ad should appear under, or name of special heading (additional fee). See below for FREE heading options. FREE Headings: • Around the House • Business Opportunities • Employment Opportunities • Gift & Craft Ideas • Livestock & Pets • Miscellaneous
• Motor Vehicles & Boats • Nursery & Garden • Real Estate • Recipes & Food • Tools & Equipment • Vacations & Campsites • Wanted to Buy
“AA” ROOFING
EXPERTS IN HARD-TO-FIND LEAKS! Roof repairs – all types. House-barn roofs painted. Slate work-chimney repairs. Southwestern PA for over 40 years. Speedy service! 814-445-4400. AROUND THE HOUSE
SPECIAL OFFER – BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking” – $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered” – $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. CLOCK REPAIR: If you have an antique grandfather clock, mantel clock or old pocket watch that needs restored, we can fix any timepiece. Macks Clock Repair: 814-421-7992.
CARPENTER BEES BE GONE!!! Stops boring. No chemicals. Bees enter, can’t get out. Easily dispose of dead bees. Trapped bees are visible. Traps dozens of bees. Hang in problem areas. Treated wood construction. Mounting hardware included. $25. Buy 4 – free shipping. Information/order: Email: gburch54@windstream. net. 814-333-1225. ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR
HIGH COUNTRY Arts and Crafts Fair. S.B. Elliott State Park. 140 vendors, food, entertainment. 1/2 mile off I-80, Exit 111 (old 18). All day July 10, 2016. For more information, call 814-765-5667. BUILDING SUPPLIES
STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING. Over 25 years in business. Several profiles cut to length. 29-and 26-gauge best quality residential roofing – 40-year warranty. Also, seconds, heavy gauges, accessories, etc. Installation available. Located northwestern Pennsylvania. 814-398-4052.
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CLASSIFIED AD SUBMISSION/RATES Electric co-op members: $20 per month for 30 words or less, plus 50¢ for each additional word. Non-members: $70 per month for 30 words or less, plus $1.50 for each additional word. Ad in all CAPITAL letters: Add 20 percent to total cost. SPECIAL Headings: $5 for co-op members, $10 for non-members. Fee applies to any heading not listed under “FREE Headings”, even if the heading is already appearing in Penn Lines. For ads running a special heading in consecutive months, the fee is a onetime fee of either $5 or $10 for all consecutive insertions. PAYMENT: Please make CHECK/MONEY ORDER payable to: PREA/Penn Lines. Insertion of classified ad serves as proof of publication; no proofs supplied. SEND COMPLETED AD COPY AND PAYMENT TO: Penn Lines Classifieds • P.O. Box 1266 • Harrisburg, PA 17108
FACTORY SECONDS of insulation, 4 x 8 sheets, foil back. R-Value 6.5 per inch. Great for pole buildings, garages, etc. Many thicknesses available. Also blue board insulation sheets. 814-442-6032. CHURCH LIFT SYSTEMS
Make your church, business or home wheelchair accessible. We offer platform lifting systems, stair lifts, porch lifts and ramps. References. Free estimates. Get Up & Go Mobility Inc. 724746-0992 or 814-926-3622. CONSULTING FORESTRY SERVICES
NOLL’S FORESTRY SERVICES, INC. performs Timber Marketing, Timber Appraisals, Forest Management Planning, and Forest Improvement Work. FREE Timber Land Recommendations. 30 years experience. Call 814-472-8560.
CENTRE FOREST RESOURCES. Forest Management Services, Wildlife Habitat Management, Timber Sales, Appraisals. College educated, professional, ethical foresters working for you. FREE Timber Consultation. 814-5717130. COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL with national acts. Concert at the Caves! Presented by Lazy Dayz Campground. July 9 & 10, 2016, at Lincoln Caverns, Huntingdon, Pa. www.facebook.com/ lazydayzcampground or 814-669-9253.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
WANTED: LAY PREACHERS or retired ministers for periodic messages at Germania Non-Denominational Church (GNC). Small congregation in rural Potter County, PA. Desire mainline evangelical Bible-based background. 20-minute sermons, 10 a.m. service, stipend per Sunday. Send resume, GNC, 224 Ridge Road, Galeton, PA 16922. GIFT AND CRAFT IDEAS
SPECIAL OFFER – BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking” – $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered” – $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. HEALTH AND NUTRITION
Tired of all those medicines – Still not feeling better? Do you want to feel better, have more energy, better digestion, less joint stiffness, healthier heart/circulation and cholesterol levels? Find out how to empower your own immune system – start 1-26 today! It’s safe, affordable, and it works. Call 800-557-8477: ID#528390. 90-day money back on first-time orders or call me 724-454-5586. www.mylegacyforlife.net/believeit. HEALTH INSURANCE
CRANE SERVICE
NEED A LIFT? Crane service for all your lifting needs. Experienced, fully insured, OwnerOperated and OSHA-certified. Precision Crane LLC, Linesville, PA 814-282-9133. ELECTRIC MOTORS
FARM, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, NEW AND USED MOTOR SALES. Complete repair facility with over 30 years experience. Most sizes in stock. Emergency repair available. Ludwig Electric LLC. 814-948-4471.
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DO YOU HAVE THE BLUES regarding your health insurance? We cater to rural America’s health insurance needs. For more information, call 844-591-2797 (PA). Call us regarding Medicare supplements, too.
Classified Advertisements PENNSYLVANIA HUNTING LAND WANTED
TRACTOR PARTS – REPAIR/RESTORATION
HARRINGTONS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 475 Orchard Rd., Fairfield, PA 17320. 717642-6001 or 410-756-2506. Lawn & Garden equipment, Sales – Service – Parts. www. HarringtonsEquipment.com.
OUR HUNTERS WILL PAY TOP $$$ to hunt your land. Call for a free base camp leasing info packet and quote. 866-309-1507. www.BaseCampLeasing.com.
ARTHURS TRACTORS, specializing in vintage Ford tractors, 30-years experience, online parts catalog/prices, Indiana, PA 15701. Contact us at 877-254-FORD (3673) or www.arthurstractors.com.
GETTYSBURG RENTAL & OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT CENTER, 720 York Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325. TORO, ECHO, STIHL Sales & Parts. Contractor & homeowner equipment rental. Small Engine Repair, all makes/ models. Wedding/Event/Party Rental. 717-3340021. www.gettysburgrentalcenter.com.
BEAUTIFUL CHALET on 3 acres. Two bedrooms, fully furnished, above New Paris, great hunting and fishing. Minutes from Blue Knob. Great views. Gated. Rent or own. Free-standing fireplace. 724-537-9139.
LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT
LIVESTOCK AND PETS
PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI Puppies – AKC, adorable, intelligent, highly trainable. Excellent family choice. Reputable licensed breeder guaranteed “Last breed you’ll ever own.” 814587-3449. BEAUTIFUL ALPACA and also agora goat yarn. Some wool added. Various weights and colors. All from our own animals. No synthetics. Call Sue Graver at 717-487-0785. FENCE INSTALLATION – Rohrs Farms LLC installs, maintains and repairs all types of livestock fencing. Contact us now to schedule your fence project for the spring. 814-279-5167 or
[email protected]. COLORADO ELK AND MULE DEER HUNT. Archery and rifle seasons. Late cow hunts. 970858-9555.
SAWDUST DELIVERED IN NORTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA: Dry sawdust available in 32-yard walking floor. Call Charlie at 814-7200288. Green sawdust 100-yard walking floor. Call David at 814-425-2500, ext. 221. LOG CABIN RESTORATIONS
VILLAGE RESTORATIONS & CONSULTING specializes in 17th and 18th century log, stone and timber structures. We dismantle, move, re-erect, restore, construct and consult all over the country. Period building materials available. Thirty years experience, fully insured. Call 814696-1379. www.villagerestorations.com. MISCELLANEOUS
FOR SALE: Buckets, forks, thumbs, grapple buckets and pallet forks for skid loaders, backhoes and excavators. Tires for backhoes, rubber tire loaders and excavators also. Call 814329-0118. FOR SALE 35` x 50` BARN. Good barn boards and timbers. Warren County. Make offer. Bruce Ziegler. Tidioute, Pa. 814-484-3483. FOR SALE – One companion crypt. Building ONE, Parklawn Gardens, Chambersburg, PA 17201. I will pay title fees. $7,000 or best offer. Ask for Art. Call 717-860-3900.
3-TON HOIST FOR SALE with Wallace wheeled gantry. Garage-kept. Will help construct. Hoist $3,600. 2004 Ford Ranger, 150,000 miles. $4,500. 814-765-4201. MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE
REAL ESTATE
TIOGA COUNTY, GAINES TOWNSHIP, Shin Hollow Rd. (1 mile east of Gaines on Rte. 6), approximately 4 acres woodlot, mountain property, 1 1/2 story home, 1,713 SF, glass front, 468.38 SF deck, knotty pine cathedral ceilings, balcony, LR, DR, walk-thru kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, laundry, 4 LP heaters, 2 electric baseboard heaters, wood stove, 4-car garage with a 5th rear drive-thru door to shop, security system, water conditioner, 52” crawl space, shed, heated 24` x 44` shop w/2 bays, shooting range. BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! $194,900. 814-435-3547.
INDIAN LAKE WATERFRONT: Carefree brick ranch style, 3 bedroom/2 bath, full basement, attached and two- car detached garage. 1.1 acres, level to lake, double-slip boathouse with private drive and boat ramp. $475,000. Email: val.
[email protected] or call: 814-442-1315. RECIPES AND FOOD
TROUT FISHING
TROUT FISHERMAN. Large selection of professionally tied flies; 300+ patterns available. Reasonably priced, outstanding service; all flies personally tied, no imports. For catalog, email
[email protected] or call 814-8423571. VACATIONS AND CAMPSITES
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida condo rental. Two bedrooms, two baths, pool. 200 yards from beach. NA February. No pets. $500 weekly, $1,800 monthly. Call 814-635-4020. RAYSTOWN VACATION HOUSE RENTAL – Sleeps 11, 4 bedrooms, large dining table, central A/C, 2 full baths, 2 half baths, linens/ towels provided, boat parking, near boat launch. $230/night. Visit www.laurelwoodsretreat.com or call 814-931-6562.
RAYSTOWN CAMPSITE, Yearly lease, 1 mile from Weaver Fall launch. Cottage with kitchen, 2 beds and loft, shower house, $400 weekly. Linen/towels option. Four Leaf Clover Campground. Call 814-356-3314.
SPECIAL OFFER – BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country Cooking” – $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered” – $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are a collection of recipes from men and women of the electric co-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to: Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks. SAWMILLS
USED PORTABLE Sawmills and COMMERCIAL Sawmill Equipment! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148. USA and Canada. www.sawmillexchange.com. SHAKLEE
FREE SAMPLE Shaklee’s Energy Tea. Combination red, green and white teas that are natural, delicious, refreshing, safe. For sample or more information on tea or other Shaklee Nutrition/Weight Loss Products: 800-4033381 or www.sbarton.myshaklee.com. TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
PALLET RACKS – Have 300 lineal feet of pallet racks. Each measures 10 ft. high, 8 ft. wide and 42 in. deep. Would consider offer on all or $150 a unit. 814-282-8661.
1940 9N FORD TRACTOR – Runs good & looks good. Excellent rubber, new chains, plow & cultivator included. 12-volt. $3,000. You haul. Large blacksmith anvil. Good shape. Approximately 200 lbs. $200. Call 814-696-4243.
Reach nearly 166,000 rural Pennsylvania households! Advertise in Penn Lines. For more information, please visit our website at www.prea.com/ Content/pennlines.asp or call 717.233.5704
For the best INSURANCE RATES call R & R Insurance Associates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-442-6832 (PA).
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countrykitchen
Full of beans By Janette Hess
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ave you ever been told you’re full of beans? That’s not necessarily a bad A trained journalist, Janette Hess thing — if you’ve just binged on distinctive bean-themed side dishes. focuses her writing on interestFresh and plentiful at this time of year, green beans may be served hot or cold, ing people and interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer sweet or savory, spicy or tame. This month’s recipes start with a foundation of fresh with her local extension service green beans and build interest in the form of a sauce, a salad dressing or additional and enjoys collecting, testing vegetables. and sharing recipes. Sweet, savory and spicy all at once, Szechuan Green Beans are so good they almost count as dessert. The recipe for Garlic Green Beans with Tomatoes takes the “boring” out of beans by bathing them in butter, honey, garlic and basil. Mediterranean Bean Salad combines fresh green beans and garbanzo beans in a stand-out balsamic vinegar dressing. Being “full of beans” never has been such a tasty situation! l
Szechuan Green Beans 2 pounds fresh green beans 2 1/2 cups water 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon (4 teaspoons total) lower-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons Asian chili sauce 3 tablespoons peanut oil 2 large cloves garlic, minced 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, if desired for extra “heat”
Mediterranean Bean Salad 1 pound fresh green beans 1 1/2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt, divided 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 8 ounces fresh white mushrooms, sliced 1 2 1/4-ounce can black olives, drained 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons high-quality balsamic vinegar 1 teaspoon sugar 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/4 cup (generous) freshly grated parmesan cheese Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Garlic Green Beans with Tomatoes 2 pounds fresh green beans 2 1/2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup butter 2 tablespoons honey
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2 teaspoons jarred minced garlic 1/2 teaspoon dried basil 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
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Using kitchen shears, trim ends but leave beans whole. Bring water to boil in large saucepan or pot. Add beans. Boil until barely tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain. Cool beans under very cold running water. Drain on paper towels. Combine hoisin sauce, soy sauce and chili sauce; set aside. In wok or large frying pan, heat peanut oil over medium-high heat, swirling to coat bottom of pan. Add beans. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes, or just until beans begin to brown. Reduce heat to medium; add garlic and ginger. Toss and stir for 1 minute. Reduce heat to low. Add combined sauces. Stir to coat beans and then remove from heat. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, if desired. Makes 6 to 8 servings. Using kitchen shears, trim beans and cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces. Bring water to boil in large pot. Add green beans and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook until beans are just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain. Cool beans under very cold running water. Transfer to large bowl and combine with garbanzo beans, mushrooms and black olives. To make dressing, whisk together oil, vinegar, sugar, thyme, mustard, onion powder and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toss with vegetables. Stir in parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill until serving time. Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Using kitchen shears, trim ends and cut beans into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces. Bring water to boil in large pot. Add beans and 1 teaspoon salt. Reduce heat to medium and cook until beans are just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain water. Stir butter, honey, garlic and basil into hot beans. Add tomatoes and heat through, 1 or 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.
ruralviews
A marriage made in heaven: chocolate-covered bacon By Mitchell Kyd “News from the Path Valley Hotel”
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ummer is in full bloom, and it’s impossible to drive 10 miles in any direction without seeing signs for a roadside chicken barbeque, community festival or annual county fair. Powered by volunteers, summers in rural Pennsylvania are alive with things to do in all our nooks and crannies. It’s a great time to see the local high school principal in his true element as he reigns supreme over a massive cooker and serves up a mean pulled pork for the Lions Club. Or maybe you’ll catch the volunteer fire chief playing bass in the headline entertainment or meet the girls’ softball coach running the ice cream stand. These events give us more than a chance to unwind with friends. It’s our invitation to sample some fresh food groups that hit the menu only once a year: deep-fried and chocolate-covered. Who needs to wait and be inspired by elaborate cooking shows or mouth-watering movies like “Chef” or “The Hundred-Foot Journey?” Great food is already cooked and ready for consumption down on the community fairgrounds. If you live in “Penn Lines Land,” gastronomical delights don’t need French names or exotic ingredients to stimulate your taste buds. Take the deepfried Oreo, for example. Who knew you could take something from the cardiac watch list and make it so much more tempting by surrounding it with batter and plunging it into hot grease? I remember my first one. The dark chocolate wafers had blended perfectly with the creamy inside filling, all of which had been surrounded by the kind of coating I would eat plain from a paper plate. It melted in my mouth, causing a kind of euphoria and foodcoma calm that can only come from that much sugar. I also remember the order came three cookies to a dish, and I was happy I had been accompanied by two other mouths who shared it while it was warm. We tried recreating that dessert for guests here at the Path Valley Hotel,
but there was always something missing. Perhaps it was because we hadn’t dipped 10 dozen other cookies in the fat before we fried our own so all the ones we made were as unripe as the first pancake. Or maybe it was because there was no ham sandwich stand beside us to blend in some aroma. Whatever it was, the absence of the other scents mixing in the carnival air, the missing outdoor moonlight or the fact we didn’t serve them on a paper plate, the taste was not the same. I think the Oreo opened the door for all the great experiments because next came deep-fried Snickers; famed Asian restaurants now serve them as “Snickers Tempura.” There are deepfried Twinkies, deep-fried Reese’s Cups and for an after-school snack, deepfried PB & J. There are even recipes on sites like Pinterest for deep-fried Coke! The possibilities seem endless. I have read about — but never tried — the deep-fried cheeseburger. That must surely break all known limits of man’s heart-stopping indulgence. Even candy companies have come on board as we overcome our fear of frying. They’re adding a little pork fat to their product line in the form of chocolate-covered bacon. For about $18, you can get a half-pound of chewy, salty-sweetness delivered to your door without waiting in line while it sizzles. Even though this treat has now
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perfect pair: Two favorite foods — chocolate and bacon — combine to make a delicious treat.
been picked up by online ordering, I’m quite sure it had rural beginnings. This inspired melding of his-and-her favorites was no doubt created by a husband-and-wife team touring with their food truck on a country fair circuit. It has all the makings of a perfect marriage — for the cooks and for their customers. l Yvonne Butts-Mitchell writes and blogs (deadmousediaries.com) under the pen name Mitchell Kyd. The “News from the Path Valley Hotel” series was inspired by her encounters with contractors, critters and assorted creepy crawlies while rehabbing her family cabin after its 17-year stint as a giant closet.
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punchlines
Earl wants to be king of his (bouncy) castle By Earl Pitts, American
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ooner or later this summer, you’re gonna be at a neighborhood party, or a graduation party or a Fourth of July party, and you’re goin’ to wonder the same thing I did this last weekend.
How come they don’t make bouncy castles for big people? Does that look like about the most fun you can have on Earth? I mean — you get a bunch of 4-year-olds in there, and they are tearin’ it up. Gigglin’ like they can’t quit. Because that’s what a bouncy castle is — flat out, total, weightless joy. But them never-crack-a-smile, bouncy-castle cops got their stupid age and weight restrictions, so their favorite thing to say is, “Oh sorry sir, you can’t go in there. You might deflate the castle or hurt the little kids.” Well, dang it, then make us a big one. Make us a big, giant, adult bouncy castle. I’d pay five bucks to go in there for 10 minutes. Walkin’ around like I was on the moon. Jumpin’ up in the air. Doin’ flips. Heck, I don’t know who come up with the bouncy castle idea, but I do know they left a couple million bucks on the table not comin’ out with the giant-size, adult version. See, us adults go to these parties and we don’t get too hepped up on them tiny little cars that go ‘round in circles. And adults don’t get all that excited about winnin’ a goldfish in a baggie full of water. But deep down inside, every one of us wants to take our shoes off and crawl inside the bouncy castle.
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Wake up, America! You want a million dollar idea? A giant, adult bouncy castle at a beer festival. Sure, there would be injuries, but think of the money to be made. Lots of it.
I
figgered out another difference between men and women last night. You know — women are from Venus and men are from well, right here on Earth. Because we are the only ones grounded, I’ll tell you that. See, we was at the Duck Inn last night and one of our buddies from work, Rusty, was in there. We were cuttin’ up havin’ a good time. And finally Rusty says he’s got to go home to see the little lady. And me and the Meeker boys looked at each other, and Dub goes, “Rusty, you married?” And ol’ Rusty goes, “Oh, yeah, got four kids now.” And I go, “Wait a minute. How long we knowed you?” And Rusty looks up at the ceiling, where men like to brain calculate, and he goes, “Well, I been at the plant for 20 years.” And I go, “You never once mentioned you were married.” And Rusty goes, “You never asked. I would have told you if you asked.” And that is your difference right there. Because two women meet for the
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first time, and inside a’ five minutes they know each other’s life stories. They have seen pictures of each other’s kids or grandkids. They know each other’s anniversary dates, and which one’s husband is a bigger doofus. In other words — all the particulars. On the other hand, men live by Rule No. 1, which is “Men don’t share.” That’s because of Rule No. 2, which is “Men don’t care.” If a regular man tried to tell other men his life story and all about his family and garbage like that, I swear our ear holes would pucker up and our brains would shut down. This is how come women don’t make good serial killers — they share way too much. “Well, here’s the pictures of my kids, and these are trinkets and trophies I kept from my victims. …” Oops. Wake up, America! If I want to know your life story, I’ll wait until you die and read the book. Otherwise let’s talk about what’s important. Did you see the game last night? l Social commentary from Earl Pitts — a.k.a. Gary Burbank, a nationally syndicated radio personality — can be heard on the following radio stations that cover electric cooperative service territories in Pennsylvania: WANB-FM 103.1 Pittsburgh; WARM-AM 590 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton; WIOO-AM 1000 Carlisle; WEEO-AM 1480 Shippensburg; WMTZ-FM 96.5 Johnstown; WQBR-FM 99.9/92.7 McElhattan; WLMI-FM 103.9 Kane; and WVNW-FM 96.7 BurnhamLewistown. You can also find him at earlpittsamerican.com.
ruralreflections
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Summer is here!
ake advantage of the long hours of daylight to get out and take some photos for the Rural Reflections contest. Amateur photographers are encouraged to send photos to Penn Lines Photos, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg PA 171081266. Include your name, address, phone number and the name of your electric cooperative. 2016 winners in each of five categories — artistic, landscape, human, animal, and editor’s choice — will receive $75 and runners-up will receive $25. Please send fall photos by mid-July and winter photos by mid-September (hint: save your spring and summer photos for next year). We will return photos in early 2017 if you include a self-addressed, stamped envelope. l
Carolyn L. Bledsoe Adams EC
Peggy A. Boyd Valley REC
Joan Sayler Somerset REC Dianna Weaver Tri-County REC | J U N E 2016
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