M AY 2 0 1 4
Wrangling
rattlers
Roundup events provide
education, community support
likes fruit cake?
PLUS Who
Composting
Radiant barriers
MAY
Vol. 49 • No. 5
Peter A. Fitzgerald
EDITOR
Katherine Hackleman
S E N I OR E D I T O R / W R I T E R
James Dulley
Janette Hess
Barbara Martin
Marcus Schneck
4
E N E R G Y M AT T E R S
Energy-saving heating,
cooling systems
C ON T R I B U T I N G C O L U M N I S TS
W. Douglas Shirk
L AYOU T & DESI GN
Vonnie Kloss
A D V E R T I S I N G & CI R C U L A T I O N
6
KEEPING CURRENT
News items from across the Commonwealth
Michelle M. Smith
M E D I A & M A R K E T I N G S P E CI A L I S T
8
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 165,800 households of co-op consumermembers understand issues that affect the
electric cooperative program, their local coops, and their quality of life. Electric co-ops
are not-for-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
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Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeks
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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,
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Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Lines
reserves the right to refuse any advertising.
8
F E AT U R E
Wrangling rattlers
Roundup events provide education,
community support
12
16
T I M E PA S S A G E S
Memories from our members
12A C O O P E R AT I V E
CO N N ECT I O N
Information and advice from your local
electric cooperative
14
TIME LINES
Your newsmagazine through the years
16
COUNTRY KITCHEN
Who likes fruit cake?
17
19
POWER PLANTS
What’s hot now: Composting
18
SMART CIRCUITS
Know the pros of installing
radiant barriers
19
O U T D O O R A DV E N T U R ES
Age brings different experiences
at roundup
Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania Rural
Electric Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls;
Vice Chairman, Tim Burkett; Secretary, Lanny
Rodgers; Treasurer, Rick Shope; President
& CEO, Frank M. Betley
20
CLASSIFIEDS
22
PUNCH LINES
Thoughts from Earl Pitts–
Uhmerikun!
© 2014 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in
part without written permission is prohibited.
23
It’s important to make time for what matters
O N T H E COV E R
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.
23
RURAL REFLECTIONS
Spring fever
Annually, there are five statepermitted rattlesnake
roundups in Pennsylvania. No
rattlesnakes are harmed during
the roundups, which are used
as fundraisers for local groups.
Pictured is an eastern timber
rattlesnake, commonly found
in Pennsylvania.
M AY 2 0 1 4 • P E N N
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ENERGYmatters
Energy-saving
heating, cooling
systems
Ground source
By Thomas Kirk
DID YOU know that more than half of
what you’re spending on energy bills goes
to heating and cooling your home? It all
adds up when you think about the amount
of energy and money it takes to heat a
home in a cold climate and to cool one in a
region where the temperatures are hot.
However, consumers can turn this necessary expense into savings by selecting the
appropriate heating, ventilation and air
conditioning (HVAC) system.
Consider going ductless
If you are conditioning smaller areas in
retrofits, home additions or in new construction, a ductless heat pump (DHP)
may be right for you. And it’s energy efficient. The DHP uses an estimated 50 to 60
percent less energy than electric resistance
heating systems and may exceed the efficiency of ducted heat pump systems by
more than 25 percent. They’re comprised
of an outside compressor, indoor air handling units (mounted on a wall or ceiling),
refrigerant lines, and a controller (either an
in-home display or wireless remote).
A 1-1/4-ton DHP system — an average
size for heating and cooling a single-zone
As the research and development arm
of the National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association, CRN pursues
innovative solutions that helQ1FOOTZM
WBOJBelectric cooperatives deliver
safe, reliable, and affordable power to
their consumer-members.
4
PENN
L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
home — could cost about $4,000 to install.
Keep in mind that pricing will vary based
on brand and installation needs. But
despite the system’s benefits, some consumers may not like having their heating
system and equipment located on their
walls where it is visible.
Is air source the right choice?
Ducted electric air-source heat pumps
(ASHPs) provide year-round space-conditioning and can both heat and cool a
home. They use a single piece of equipment — allowing for a lower capital cost
in most cases — and provide heat
cheaper than electric resistance heating.
These systems work by transferring
energy between the air outside and either
the air or water inside a building. This
allows ASHPs to be more efficient than
electric resistance heating.
Most air source heat pumps are best
suited to relatively warm climates, such
as the southeastern U.S. When temperatures are low in such regions, a heat
pump’s efficiency falls dramatically. If a
heat pump is too small, it can’t provide
sufficient cooling and an oversized one
can be costly and require ductwork and
other equipment to operate. Newer systems are proving effective in northern
regions, especially when combined with
a backup fuel source such as natural gas.
Ground source heat pumps (GSHP),
also called geothermal heat pumps or
geoexchange systems, are electrically
powered devices that use consistent yearround temperatures found underground
to regulate indoor air temperature. GSHP
systems are comprised of one or more
underground loops that act as heat
exchangers. They are connected to a heat
pump unit that is then connected to a
home’s heating and air conditioning system. In the summer, the loops transfer
heat from the home into the ground, or in
some cases, water. In the winter, the
process is reversed. In most climates,
they are much more efficient than air
source heat pumps and other standard
HVAC equipment.
While savings vary depending on climate, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that most homeowners will see a
return on their investment in a GSHP
system in two to 10 years through lower
energy bills. A desuperheater or hot
water generator can be added to the
GSHP system, eliminating the need to
heat water with gas or more electricity.
As you consider heating and cooling
options for your home, think carefully
about whether a high-efficiency system
will save you money in the long run, and if
it meets your heating and cooling needs.
Remember that HVAC costs vary significantly by manufacturer, region, dealer and
the time of year the unit is purchased. So,
as you evaluate these systems and comparison shop, be sure to get local or
regional price quotes. Some of the best
savings and deals can come from your
local electric cooperative and from government programs offering rebates, tax incentives, or interest-free loans. l
Thomas Kirk is a technical research analyst specializing in energy efficiency and
renewable energy for the Cooperative
Research Network (CRN), a service of the
Arlington, Va.-based National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.
KEEPINGcurrent
Invasive aquatic weed documented
in northwest Pennsylvania
www.fish.state.pa.us, and search for
“Pennsylvania Water Chestnut.” Persons
who see suspected new observations are
asked to report that information to their
local watershed association or conservation district, or call the National Invasive
Species Hotline at 877-STOP-ANS.
Water chestnut — an invasive aquatic
weed from Europe and Asia that is sometimes called water nut or water caltrop —
was recently documented at the Pennsylvania-New York border near the
Conewango Creek, a tributary to the
Allegheny River in Warren County.
According to the Conewango Creek
Watershed Association, the weed is very
aggressive and has the potential to take
over the surface of farm ponds, shallow
lakes and slow-moving streams. This is
CONEWANGO CREEK WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
Flight 93 National Memorial
preserves oral history
Water chestnut – not the same
species that is often used in cooking — has the
potential to cause significant harm to the waters
of Pennsylvania. It was recently documented at the
Pennsylvania-New York border in Warren County.
INVASIVE WEED:
the first time it has been documented in
the northwestern part of Pennsylvania.
Water chestnut forms a thick surface
mat that shuts off light needed by other
pond life. Its barbed seeds can stick to the
feathers of waterfowl and be transmitted
miles from its original source.
Association officials say the recently
discovered population is small and efforts
are being taken to stop it. The weed is
easy to identify and can be controlled by
pulling it by hand if it is caught early. If it
is allowed to get established, it can quickly
spread and has the potential to wreak
havoc on the waters of Pennsylvania.
For more information about the water
chestnut, go to the Pennsylvania Fish and
Boat Commission’s website,
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The National Park Service is partnering
with the Pennsylvania Court Reporters
Association (PCRA) to support the Flight
93 National Memorial’s efforts to complete
the transcriptions from the Oral History
Project. The goal of the project is to preserve both the individual and collective
story of United Airlines Flight 93 and the
events surrounding Sept. 11, 2001.
The Flight 93 National Memorial,
located in Somerset County at the site of
the Sept. 11, 2001, crash, is the repository
for the oral history collection. The collection includes more than 800 audio interviews with family, friends, and colleagues
of the passengers and crew of Flight 93, as
well as accounts of eyewitnesses, first
responders, crash site investigators, governmental officials, and those involved in
memorializing Flight 93.
The PCRA has approximately 300
reporters, freelance reporters and captioners. Volunteers from the organization will
make the information in the oral reports
more accessible for future researchers.
Toomey says ‘no’ to cheese
name change
U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and
Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) are working
together to prevent the implementation of
a European initiative that would change
the common names of cheeses that Americans eat every day.
In a bipartisan letter signed by more
than 50 of their Senate colleagues, the two
senators urged the U.S. Department of
Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to fight European Union (EU) efforts
to stop American dairy producers from
using dozens of common cheese names.
The EU claims that cheeses called such
names as Asiago, Feta, Parmesan and
Muenster are “geographic indicators” and
should only be used on products made in
certain areas of Europe.
“Can you imagine going into a grocery
store and cheddar and provolone are
called something else?” Toomey asked.
“Generations of dairy farmers and producers have worked hard to cultivate a
product and brand that resonates with
consumers. Efforts by the EU to establish
trade guidelines which would restrict
branding are ridiculous and threaten
Pennsylvania jobs.”
Last year, the United States was the
world’s largest single-country exporter of
cheese, and officials say that any requirement to rename the types of cheeses available would be a significant red tape roadblock for the American dairy industry.
Pheasants released in
Franklin County
Seventy-one ringneck pheasants — 67
from Montana and four born wild in
Pennsylvania — were released recently by
Pennsylvania Game Commission staff and
Pheasants Forever members near Mercersburg in Franklin County in an effort
to establish a self-sustaining wild pheasant population.
This is the first release of wild pheasants in the Franklin County Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA).
State Sen. Richard Alloway (R-Franklin), who represents areas served by Gettysburg-based Adams Electric Cooperative and Huntingdon-based Valley Rural
Electric Cooperative, said he’s hopeful the
release will provide a springboard for
wild pheasant recovery in south-central
Pennsylvania.
Following this release, all four of Pennsylvania’s WPRAs have received pheasants. Wild pheasants were previously
released in the Central Susquehanna
WPRA (comprised of parts of Northumberland, Montour, Columbia and Lycoming
counties), the Somerset WPRA (Somerset
County) and the Hegins-Gratz Valley
WPRA (Schuylkill and Dauphin counties).
There is no open season for taking
pheasants in any WPRA. For more information about the pheasant-stocking program, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us
(select the “Hunt/Trap” tab, then the
“Hunting” tab, and select “Pheasant”
under the “Small Game” header).
Program to target new hunters
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has initiated a mentor-based
program for first-time, adult hunters who
are 18 years old and older. The Mentored
Adult Hunting Program follows a similar
model — the Mentored Youth Hunting
Program — with a similar goal: to add to
the ranks of Pennsylvania hunters.
Under the new program, adults obtaining a permit could hunt without first completing the basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. This permit could be purchased for no more than three consecutive
license years. At the end of that time
period, the hunter would be required to
take the basic Hunter-Trapper Education
course and purchase an adult hunting
license to continue hunting.
Adult hunters in the mentored program are limited to squirrels, ruffed
grouse, rabbits, pheasants, bobwhite
quail, hares, porcupines, woodchucks,
crows, coyotes, antlerless deer and wild
turkeys. No other species can be hunted
or harvested by mentored adults.
Mentored adults must hunt within eyesight of their adult mentor, and at a proximity close enough for verbal instruction
and guidance to be easily understood. l
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Wrangling rattlers
Roundup events provide education, community support
By K at h y H ac k l e m a n
S e n i o r E d i t o r / Wr i t e r
historical efforts to rid parts of the
country of rattlesnakes. Today’s sanctioned rattlesnake roundups, however,
are different. They have strict limits —
only males can be brought in (to limit
the chance of disturbing a female with
young), captured snakes must be at least
42 inches long, and hunters may bring
in only one snake per hunt. Most importantly, no snakes are injured during the
state-permitted roundups, and at the
end of the hunt, every snake is returned
RATTLESNAKE. Even the word can
conjure up the physiological “fight or
flight” response in some people. But Bill
Wheeler is determined to uncouple the
word from the response. A building contractor by trade, the Adams Electric Cooperative member from Gardners is dedicated to educating people about snakes in
general, and rattlesnakes in particular.
“I grew up around snakes,” Wheeler
explains. “Once you understand snakes,
it’s just like having dogs or cats. I just
want people to understand there’s no
need to be afraid of snakes. You have to
respect them as wild animals, but
there’s no need to be afraid of them.”
His father began the Keystone Reptile
Club in 1968, and Wheeler has been the
president of the organization for about
25 years. At home, he has about 20 poisonous snakes — including rattlesnakes,
copperheads and water moccasins — in
the garage, and his kids have what he
terms “a bunch” of non-venomous
snakes scattered throughout the house.
These days, Wheeler often takes to the
road to educate people about snakes. He
has been involved with Pennsylvania’s
rattlesnake roundups for decades. In fact,
he coordinates four of the five state-permitted eastern timber rattlesnake
roundups still operating in Pennsylvania
(two are held the same weekend or he
likely would be involved in all five).
to the exact spot where it was captured.
The snake hunt itself is only a part of
the roundup festivities, which may
include softball and horseshoe tournaments, craft fairs, gun shows, flea markets, barbecued chicken dinners, and/or
carnival rides.
Pennsylvania’s five remaining statepermitted roundups are held in Sinnemahoning in Cameron County (a portion of which is served by Tri-County
REC), Morris Township in Tioga
Each snake roundup pulls in thousands of people — a perfect opportunity
to teach people about snakes, Wheeler
observes.
“My goal is to educate every one of
those people about rattlesnakes,” he
says. “From 6 in the morning until when
I close the snake pit in the evening, I am
educating people.”
Wheeler is the first to admit that
roundups have a bad reputation due to
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L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
PHOTO COURTESY OF BILL WHEELER
Education
Bill Wheeler, president of the Keystone Reptile Club, and his daughter, Hannah, 12, demonstrate the tool used to capture a rattlesnake. Wheeler, a member of Adams Electric Cooperative, coordinates four of the five state-permitted rattlesnake roundups in Pennsylvania.
I’VE GOT ONE:
medical advice strictly prohibits “cutting” a bite and sucking the venom out
of it, or placing a tourniquet on it like
some old Westerns showed cowboys
PHOTO BY MARCUS SCHNECK
you still don’t need to panic. You have
three to five hours before the situation
becomes life-threatening. You just need
to remain calm so your breathing stays
Alaisha Sherwood demonstrates how to handle a rattlesnake in the ‘pit’ at the June
2013 rattlesnake roundup sponsored by the Noxen Volunteer Fire Company in Wyoming County.
SNAKE SHOW-OFF:
at the same rate, and your circulation
remains normal. That way, the venom
doesn’t travel through your body as fast
as it would if you get all freaked out.”
Wheeler also notes that the latest
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
County (also served by Tri-County
REC), Noxen in Wyoming County (a
portion of which is served by Claverack
REC), Cross Fork in Potter County
(served by Tri-County REC) and Monroeton in Bradford County (served by
both Tri-County REC and Claverack
REC). Three hunts are sponsored as
fundraisers by local volunteer fire companies, while the others are sponsored
by sportsmen’s associations. (See the
2014 schedule on Page 10.)
Wheeler’s primary responsibilities at
the roundups are to provide a safe hunting atmosphere for the snake hunters
and a safe viewing atmosphere for the
public. Would-be rattlesnake hunters
register with Wheeler, who makes sure
they understand state regulations, as
well as safety guidelines, before they
head out. Each roundup is limited to a
specific territory — usually the county
where the hunt is located or within a 30mile radius of the hunt headquarters.
Once the hunters begin bringing
snakes in, Wheeler measures them,
checks their gender and tags them. As
part of the process, he runs a scanner
over each rattlesnake to see if it has a tag
from a previous hunt (he usually finds at
least a couple that have been tagged).
Most of the snakes brought in during a
roundup are at least 48 to 50 inches long.
“It’s like a fishing competition,” he
remarks. “If you find a small one, you
just ignore it and keep hunting for the
big one.”
The captured snakes are placed on
display, where Wheeler’s educational
efforts really kick in.
“I talk about what to do if you confront
a rattlesnake,” he says. “Rattlesnakes are
slow and usually very timid. They are not
going to chase you and attack you. They
have very poor eyesight. If they see you,
they just want to get away from you. The
only time they strike is if you surprise
them or step on them.”
Even then, Wheeler says, there’s no
reason to panic. In fact, there’s every
reason to stay calm.
“I’ve been bitten eight times, and I’m
still here to tell about it,” he notes. “You
do need to get to medical attention as
soon as possible, but even if you are out
in the woods miles from medical help,
Employees of the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission tag a rattlesnake. All
rattlesnakes taken at a state-permitted rattlesnake roundup are tagged so they can be identified if they are taken during a subsequent hunt.
KEEPING TRACK:
doing when a buddy was bitten by a
snake.
“Individual snakes have personalities,” he says. “Some of them have an
attitude and want to strike you, but the
vast majority of them just want to lay
there and be left alone. But you can’t
ever trust a snake, even one that seems
tame. I’ve had one rattlesnake for 17
years. It just lays there, but you won’t
see me sticking my hand down in the
cage no matter what.”
His best advice, though, is to avoid
being bitten in the first place. The way
to do that, he says, is to respect the rattlesnake.
Lew Hackling, chief of the Noxen
Volunteer Fire Company, which sponsors an annual rattlesnake roundup,
agrees with Wheeler.
“Snakes in general, and rattlesnakes
in particular, are misunderstood and
feared in almost every culture,” Hackling states. “Bill Wheeler provides nonstop educational talks on both the Saturday and Sunday of our event every year.
People are curious; they want to see the
snakes. During our four-day event, we
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will get between 5,000 and 10,000 people who come in to see the snakes.”
Community event
2014 rattlesnake
roundups
Sinnemahoning Snake Hunt (Cameron
County), sponsored by Sinnemahoning
Sportsmen Association, June 14-15
Morris Township (Tioga County), sponsored by Morris Fire Company,
June 14-15
Noxen (Wyoming County), sponsored
by the Noxen Volunteer Fire Company,
June 19-22
Cross Fork (Potter County), sponsored
by Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1,
June 28-29
Monroeton (Bradford County), sponsored by the Monroeton Rod and Gun
Club, July 19-20
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA FISH AND BOAT COMMISSION
It takes all 36 members of the fire company, along with hundreds of community
volunteers, to pull off the annual four-day
roundup that includes live
musical entertainment, a carnival midway, craft show,
games, food and beverages.
“Some people plan their
vacations around the snake
hunt to help us,” Hackling
states. “Some people even come from
outside the area. Very few people actually participate in the hunt, probably
around 50 or so. Everyone else is helping with the other activities associated
with the hunt.”
Hackling, who hunts snakes when he
has time, says most hunters use “snake
tongs,” a contraption he describes as being
sort of like a large pair of pliers that is constructed in such a way that the tongs can’t
be squeezed together completely. Once the
snakes are corralled, hunters place them in
a container. Some people use a pillowcase,
but for the sake of safety for both the
hunter and the snake, most people use a
hard container like a plastic bucket to
transport the captured snakes.
Robert Hopfer, a member of Claverack REC, has been participating in the
Noxen roundup for over 30 years. He
hunts these days with his two daughters, Fawn, 17, and Laurel, 13. He has his
favorite snake-hunting sites, and they
usually produce a snake for the
roundup. The largest one he has caught
measured in at 53 inches.
“I’ve lived here all my life,” he says.
“There have always been
snakes in the mountains, but
the easiest way to find them is
to look on the rocks on the
sunny side of the mountain,
especially if there are any
swampy areas around.”
Tri-County REC member Ryan
Broughton has been involved in the
Morris Fire Company’s rattlesnake
roundup for as long as he can remember. Now 36, he started helping his dad
back when he was in grade school. Even
though he’s not a fan of rattlesnakes —
“They are fine where they are at,” he
says, gesturing toward the mountains —
he is all in when it comes to volunteering to help out at the roundup.
“I help barbecue about 1,500 halves of
chickens for the chicken dinners,” he
explains.
But his work on the dinner, served
both Saturday and Sunday, begins even
earlier than his chicken-cooking duties.
“The Broughton family is in charge of
the cole slaw,” he reports. “For years, my
family has made the cole slaw, with some
help from some other people. We have a
The two most-common rattlesnakes found in Pennsylvania are the
black-phase eastern timber rattlesnake, right, and the yellow-phase eastern timber rattlesnake.
MOST COMMON IN PENNSYLVANIA:
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L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
recipe that my great-aunt gave us when
they handed the job down to my brother
(Eric Broughton), my sister (Lori
Deitrick) and me. The cole slaw is all
made from scratch. We start on Wednesday night and make the syrup for it. On
Thursday night, we cut the peppers, carrots and cabbage. We put that all in the
syrup and let it set until it is served.”
Cross Forks rattlesnake roundup volunteer Nikki Wertz, also a Tri-County
REC member, is another fire company volunteer who seldom sees a snake during
the roundup. As membership chairman of
Kettle Creek Hose Company No. 1, which
sponsors the event, she is in charge of the
flea market and horseshoe tournament.
“We also have a gun show, a live
band performance, and a chicken barbecue, along with all kinds of raffles,” she
explains. “We get a good crowd of several thousand people over the two-day
event that kicks off with a firemen’s
parade. The funds raised at the roundup
keep the fire company operating. If we
didn’t have this, our fire company would
have folded a long time ago.”
In Pennsylvania, an organized snake
roundup is not a “go-out-and-kill-thesnakes event,” notes Tom Burrell, a captain with the Bureau of Law Enforcement for the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat
Commission who processes snake
roundup applications.
“In other parts of the country, rattlesnakes are still considered a nuisance,” he explains. “They don’t have
the regulations we do and they kill the
snakes and have sacking competitions.”
In 2006, much tighter regulations
were imposed on Pennsylvania snake
roundups. Today, under the state’s Fish
and Boat Code, sponsors of organized
snake hunts must obtain state permits
and file reports after the event. Hunts can
be held only from the second Saturday in
June through July 31 (the season is concurrent with the individual venomous
snake hunting season). All hunters participating in an organized roundup must
also have commission-issued permits.
“A snake roundup today is not much
different than a bass fishing tournament,” Burrell reports. “The people who
participate in this event are hardcore
snake hunters and avid snake enthusiasts. Now it’s less exploitation and more
of an educational family event.”
Numbers
The average number of snakes
brought in during a roundup — as well
as the number of people who report
they harvested a snake during an individual hunt — are both down over the
past decade or so. It wasn’t unusual for
A MONSTER: United Electric Cooperative member
Ryan Schwiderske, Morrisdale, snapped this photo
while hiking with his brother, Paul, in Sproul State
Forest in north central Pennsylvania. The men estimated the snake’s girth at about the size of a
man’s forearm.
about 200 snakes to be taken each year
in each category in the early 2000s, but
that’s down to fewer than 100 in each
category in the past couple of years.
The reduced take at roundups
appears to be related to hunters wanting
to bring in only potential prize-winning
snakes, while the reduced take from
Rattlesnake facts
Dan Rhodes, education coordinator for the Bradford County Conservation District, based in Towanda, Pa., provides the following snake facts:
k There are two related “color phases” of rattlesnakes most prevalent in Pennsylvania: the black-phase eastern timber
rattlesnake and the yellow-phase
eastern timber rattlesnake. (A second
species of rattlesnake — the eastern
Massasauga rattlesnake — is found in
Pennsylvania only in isolated wetland
areas in five or six western counties.)
k The eastern timber rattlesnake typically likes high elevations where there
is a good mixture of brushy habitat,
rocks and a good supply of their main THE EYES HAVE IT: The eastern timber ratfood source (rodents). They often are
tlesnakes found in Pennsylvania have ellipticalfound near logs (many people who
shaped eyes, diamond-shaped heads and a pit
are bitten are stepping around or
on each side of their head between their eye
over a log when it happens).
and nostril.
k Eastern timber rattlesnakes are found
mostly within the central two-thirds of Pennsylvania, generally following the
major mountain ranges and associated wilderness areas.
k Rattlesnakes will usually not strike unless they feel threatened (usually by the
proximity of a person or pet).
k People who are bitten by a rattlesnake usually step on the snake or right
beside it (his advice is to always keep a close eye on where you are walking in
areas where rattlesnakes are known to be).
k Be aware that eastern timber rattlesnakes have elliptical-shaped pupils (versus
round pupils), and have diamond-shaped heads that are bigger than their bodies. They also have a “pit” on each side of their head between their eye and
nostril. Coloration varies between snakes, but they typically have brown or
black V-shaped bands on a yellow, tan, brown or black body, and they may or
may not use their rattles to warn people of their presence prior to striking.
They can grow up to about 55 inches in length, and usually have thick bodies.
individual hunts is the result of a variety of reasons, including changes in
state regulations establishing minimum
sizes, Burrell reports.
“Individual hunting has turned into
more of a catch-and-release activity,” he
adds. “Not many people eat rattlesnakes
anymore and you have to be a special person to want a live rattlesnake at your
house. And there’s only so many mounted
rattlesnake hides you can hang on the
wall, so lots of people catch a snake, measure it, photograph it and let it go.”
The number of eastern timber rattlesnakes in Pennsylvania is unclear,
although state officials are working to get
a more accurate estimate, Burrell says.
It’s thought that the population is
remaining relatively steady except for an
area in south central Pennsylvania
(including Adams, Cumberland and
Franklin counties, which are served by
Adams EC). Hunting is not permitted in
those counties.
In contrast, the state’s population of
Massasauga rattlesnakes is endangered,
and they cannot be hunted. They are
found in Pennsylvania only in a few western counties, including Crawford, which is
served by Northwestern REC.
Like any wild animal, rattlesnakes
have their place, Burrell notes.
“They do help control rodents, chipmunks and other snakes, and contrary
to popular belief, they are not typically
vicious,” he says. “A rattlesnake is not
going to hunt you down or chase you. If
you see a rattlesnake, or any snake for
that matter, and you leave it alone, it will
leave you alone. In fact, if you don’t want
to encounter a snake, just walk through
the woods making a normal amount of
noise and you will alert them in enough
time that they can get away.” l
M AY 2 0 1 4 • P E N N
LINES
11
TIMEpassages m e m o r i e s
from our members
(EDITOR’S NOTE: In observance of 50 years of the electric cooperative Youth Tour
program in Pennsylvania, throughout the year Penn Lines will feature personal
accounts of former Youth Tour participants. To share your Youth Tour memories, write
Stephanie Okuniewski at Penn Lines, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108 or email
[email protected].)
Youth Tour memories
Amy Brosius Jeffers participated in
Youth Tour in 1998 representing United
Electric Cooperative. She was selected as
the 1998 Outstanding Youth Tour Student
and represented Pennsylvania on the
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Leadership Council. She
also returned in 1999 to serve as a Youth
Tour chaperone. Originally from
Brookville, Pa., she currently
Amy Brosius Jeffers in 2014 lives in Greencastle, Pa., with
her husband, Chris. She works
as a global controller for Volvo Group Trucks Technology in
Hagerstown, Md.
Penn Lines: What advice would you give to
someone going on Youth Tour today?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: Enjoy the experience. It is
a great chance to interact with peers from around
the country and see our nation’s capital. And, of
course, to have fun.
Penn Lines: In what ways has your Youth
Tour experience helped you as a person?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: Youth Tour is an opportunity to be
on your own before college and meet new people. It helped
build confidence that I was able to carry with me when I left
for college.
Penn Lines: How has the opportunity to meet people
from all over the country influenced you?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: Meeting people from all over the
country is a great way to expand your horizons and open
yourself up to others’ perspectives. I currently work in a large
global company and I interact with colleagues around the
globe on a daily basis. I enjoy learning about others, and it is
great that I continue to have the opportunity to do so.
Penn Lines: What did you learn on Youth Tour that
surprised you?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: I had never been to Washington,
D.C., before the Youth Tour and I loved the city, enough that I
moved to Washington, D.C., after college and lived there for
three years.
Penn Lines: How would your life be different today
had you not gone on Youth Tour?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: I really can’t say enough wonderful
things about the Youth Tour. I enjoyed my experience so much,
12
PENN
L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
and it gave me the opportunity to travel, make new friends, and
gain leadership experience that helped shape my future.
Penn Lines: What would you change about Youth Tour
if you could?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: I wouldn’t change anything about the
Youth Tour!
Penn Lines: What is your favorite memory from Youth
Tour and why?
Amy Brosius Jeffers: My favorite part of the Youth Tour is
the friends I’ve made and the memories we created together. I still keep in
touch with a few of the friends I made
through the experience. l
1999 SCENE: Amy Brosius Jeffers, right front,
who participated in Youth Tour in 1998, returned
as a chaperone in 1999. Here she is shown with
fellow chaperones in Washington, D.C.
1998 SCENE: Amy Brosius Jeffers, back, second from left, and some of her fellow
1998 Youth Tour attendees pose in front of the Washington Monument.
TIMElines
Yo u r N e w s m a g a z i n e T h r o u g h t h e Y e a r s
1984
THAT BEAUTIFUL pine tree in the front yard or the willow tree by the
creek may be your children’s favorite place to hide, or it may simply be
part of an ornamental landscape plan you have developed.
But if any of those trees grow near an electric power line, there’s a
chance the tree could cause you and hundreds of your neighbors to experience a power outage. For some people who need electric medical equipment to survive, their electric line may also be a lifeline.
Your rural electric cooperative’s ability to keep the power flowing to
your home and your neighbors’ homes often depends on keeping trees
and brush from interfering with electric lines. During the winter months,
layers of ice can turn even spindly tree limbs into heavy, iron-like rods that
can snap off when wind hits them, causing them to fall onto power lines.
Evergreens retain their green needles, which can cause ice and snow to
accumulate on the branches, breaking them.
But trees can also cause problems in the summer after branches heavy
with leaves act like sails, moving the branches into contact with the power
lines. If the wind is violent enough, it can cause the branch to snap off.
Either of these will cause a short circuit, disrupting power and even presenting a hazard to anyone who might be nearby.
For these reasons, rural electric cooperatives take the important job of
vegetation management seriously. Different cooperatives handle this in different ways, including mechanical and hand-trimming, ground spraying,
and aerial spraying. But the goal is always the same: providing safe, reliable and affordable power to all cooperative members.
1974 Gov. Milton J. Shapp visits with a winner of the
Miss Pennsylvania Teenager Pageant. Contestants
compete for scholarships based on grades, civic contributions, poise, personality and appearance.
14
PENN
L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
1994 State sewage regulations aimed at on-lot septic systems are designed to protect rural water supplies and streams like this one from pollution, but
enforcement is frustrating for rural township officials.
2004 Volunteer firefighters like Walt Wagaman,
Buchanan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Adams
County, devote hours of their time each week to protecting local residents and advancing their training.
COUNTRYkitchen
by Janette He ss
Who likes fruit cake?
“WHO likes fruit cake?” That question often evokes a
resounding “Not me!” Why? Because most people equate
fruit cake with heavy commercial cakes loaded with preserved fruits. This month’s recipes call for plenty of fruit —
some fresh, some canned — but the resulting cakes are nothing like the cakes that usually bear the name.
Blueberry Cake is loaded with fresh berries. Rich and filling, it may be served as a dessert cake or as a coffee cake.
Note that this month’s recipes give both the proportion and
the weight of the flour, because weighing flour gives a more
consistent result in baked goods.
The recipe for Tropical Sheet Cake takes a short-cut in the
form of a boxed mix, but the add-ins and special topping
make it a fun, fruity crowd pleaser. Banana Pound Cake is a
cross between old-fashioned pound cake and banana bread,
but the cream cheese icing tips the scale toward dessert.
Try all of these recipes and be prepared to
change your mind about “fruit cake.” l
A trained journalist, JANETTE HESS focuses her writing on interesting
people and interesting foods. She is a Master Food Volunteer with her
local extension service and enjoys collecting, testing and sharing recipes.
TROPICAL SHEET CAKE
1 package yellow cake mix
1 8-ounce can mandarin oranges, with juice
OR 1 8-ounce can crushed pineapple, with juice
4 eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Combine all ingredients and mix well. Pour into
greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for
25 to 30 minutes, or until a
toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out
clean. Top when cool.
TROPICAL TOPPING
1 20-ounce can crushed pineapple, with juice
1 3-ounce package instant vanilla pudding
2 cups whipped topping or sweetened whipp
ed cream
1/2 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts, if
desired
Combine crushed pineapple and dry pudding
mix. Fold in whipped topping
and nuts. Spread on cake and refrigerate overn
ight.
BANANA POUND CAKE
BLUEBERRY CAKE
1 cup (2 sticks) plus 1 tablespoon
butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs, separated
3 cups (15 ounces) flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon flour
Powdered sugar
Cream together butter and 1 1/2 cups
sugar. Add vanilla extract and egg
yolks; beat until light and fluffy. Stir
together flour, baking powder and
salt. Alternately add dry ingredients
and milk to creamed mixture. In sepa
rate bowl, beat egg whites until stiff
; gradually add 1/2 cup sugar. Usin
ga
large spatula, fold egg whites into
batter. Toss blueberries with 1 tabl
espoon flour and carefully fold into
batter. (If using frozen blueberries,
thaw
and drain before tossing with flou
r.) Pour batter into greased 9- by
13-inch
cake pan or baking dish. Bake at
350 degrees for 50 minutes, or unti
l
toothpick inserted into center of
cake comes out clean. When cool,
sprinkle generously with powdered suga
r.
16
PENN
L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
1 pound (4 sticks) butter, at room temperature
3 cups sugar
6 eggs
20 ounces (4 cups) flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups very ripe, mashed banana
(approximately 3 small-to-medium
bananas)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
and beat well.
Cream butter and sugar in large mixing bowl. Add eggs
d banana and
mashe
with
tely
alterna
add
and
ients
ingred
dry
Combine
325 degrees for
at
Bake
pan.
tube
d
grease
vanilla. Spoon batter into large,
cake comes out
of
center
into
d
inserte
pick
long
until
or
s,
minute
85 to 90
knife and
with
sides
and
center
loosen
clean. Cool in pan. When cool,
icing.
with
Drizzle
plate.
onto
invert
BANANA CREAM ICING
1/2 small, ripe banana, mashed
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
r bag. Clip off corner
Combine all ingredients and spoon into a small freeze
and drizzle over cake.
POWERplants
What’s
hot now:
Composting
SUSTAINABILITY is a buzzword right now, but it’s nothing new in the landscape.
Nature has been running a
self-sustaining ecosystem for
eons based on the natural
cycles of plant growth, decay
and renewal. For example, you
may have noticed that forests
are not fertilized per se.
Instead, nature recycles the
fallen leaves and plant debris
back into the soil. Gardeners
can mimic this natural recycling method by composting.
Composting accelerates the
recycling of plant wastes into a
valuable soil amendment. Use
compost to amend the soil at
planting time, apply it fertilizerstyle to individual plants, or
layer it on as mulch. Compost
can even be brewed into a
potent “compost tea” and
applied to plants in liquid form.
You can certainly buy commercial compost by the bag, by
the cubic yard or by the truckload. You’ll find composted
steer manure, spent mushroom compost, compost made
BARBARA MARTIN ,
who says she began gardening as a hobby “too
many years ago to
count,” currently works
for the National Gardening Association as a horticulturist. A former
member of Gettysburg-based Adams Electric Cooperative, her articles appear in magazines and on the internet.
by Barbara Martin
of horse manure and stable
bedding.
You may consider making
compost at home. You can trace
the source of the ingredients,
avoid undesirable additives
such as herbicides, and incorporate a wider variety of materials resulting in a more diverse
and beneficial product. You’ll
also help reduce the waste
stream — and save a little cash.
Compost will make itself if
you pile up organic waste
material such as autumn leaves
and let it sit for a few years.
Serious home composters typically run three compost
batches at once: a finishing
batch ready to use, a mid-way
batch that is simmering along,
and a raw materials batch that
serves as a catch-all for collecting the raw ingredients.
To make compost, mix
together ingredients rich in
nitrogen with ingredients rich
in carbon using a ratio of about
half and half by volume. Nitrogen sources could include
fresh barnyard manures,
freshly cut lawn grass (herbicide-free, please) or kitchen
fruit/vegetable peelings, or coffee grounds. Avoid diseased or
infested material, weed seeds,
etc. Carbon can be supplied by
autumn leaves, wood shavings,
or strips of newspaper. Mix
well and moisten until damp
like a wrung-out sponge. Heap
it into a pile at least three feet
high, three feet wide and three
feet across.
An actively “cooking” pile
literally feels hot to the touch
within a day or so, especially at
the center. After an initial heat-
ing phase, the pile cools and is
ready to be “turned” or remixed.
After a few cycles, the compost won’t heat much and the
volume will be reduced by half.
It’s ready to use as mulch or to
be spread into a planting bed.
Left in the pile and covered
with a tarp to conserve moisture and protect it from leaching in the rain, the compost
will eventually break down
completely into a uniform,
dark, crumbly material.
A compost pile should not
be slimy. If it is slimy or smells
bad, it is too wet and/or contains too much nitrogen. The
solution: add dry, carbon-rich
material and turn to aerate it. If
the compost never heats, it
lacks nitrogen and/or is too
dry. Also, don’t expect much to
happen in cold weather.
Get
started making your own compost
now and it will be ready to use this
growing season.
COMPOST IT YOURSELF:
I’ve mentioned compost
piles, but compost can be contained in bins constructed of
wood or cement blocks, or in
wire mesh cylinders. There are
bio-activators and turning tools
and “recipes” and so on, but
the secret to composting is
mainly just to start.
Mix those spring grass clippings, old autumn leaves, and
plant trimmings, and get
started. Get a batch going now,
and you may have usable compost later this summer. Once
you see how well your plants
respond to even small amounts
of compost, you will be hooked
on it. So get cooking! l
M AY 2 0 1 4 • P E N N
LINES
17
SMARTcircuits
by James Dulley
Know the pros
of installing
radiant barriers
EVERYONE has read advertisements or
received sales calls about the huge energy
savings from installing attic radiant barriers. The savings claimed are often the very
maximum possible and are exaggerated
for the typical retrofit installation. Having
said this, proper installation in a specific
house can yield a reasonable payback.
The savings from installing a radiant
barrier in the attic vary depending upon
your climate and your specific house, orientation to the sun, etc. The Oak Ridge
National Laboratory estimates the air-conditioning cost savings can range from
about $150 annually for very hot climates
to only $40 for cold climates. Attic radiant
barriers provide little positive or negative
effect during the heating seasons.
It is important to understand the basics
of heat transfer, i.e., how a house loses and
gains heat, so you can evaluate whether
your home is a good candidate for radiant
barriers. The most important basic is that
the rate at which heat flows from a hot area
to a cold one is a function of the temperature difference between the two spaces.
Conduction is heat flow through a solid
object or several objects touching one
another. This is how the handle on an iron
skillet gets hot on the stove. The walls and
ceiling of a house also lose or gain heat this
way because the building materials are all
nailed together.
Convection is where heat flows through
a moving fluid or gas. This generally
increases the rate of heat flow compared to
plain conduction through a solid. An
example is how your skin loses heat faster
during winter in the wind. This causes the
wind chill factor creating an effective lower
temperature.
18
PENN
L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
Radiation is heat flow directly from
one object to another through a vacuum,
air, glass, etc. It is not dependent on
touching or fluid flow. This is how the sun
heats the Earth, or why you feel warm in
front of a fire.
What makes radiant energy unique is
that it is much more affected by the temperature difference than the other types of
heat flow. For conduction and convection,
if the temperature difference between
indoors and outdoors doubles, the heat
flow also doubles. With radiation, the heat
flow is 16 times greater when the temperature difference doubles.
This is why radiant barriers are most
often used in the attic to block heat flow
through the roof. On a hot summer afternoon, the temperature of a dark shingle
roof can easily reach 150 degrees. This hot
roof conducts heat to the roof sheathing.
From there, conduction takes over the heat
radiant and carries it down to your ceiling
and into your house.
Radiant barriers require an air gap to
prevent them from touching the hot surface; otherwise, they become a conductor
like any other building material. Reinforced aluminum foil was typically used as
the radiant barrier, but now many barriers
use plastic films with reflective surfaces.
In addition to reflectivity, emittance is a
property of radiant barriers. It should be
lower than 0.25 — 25 percent — in order to
be an effective barrier. There also are
reflective paints that can be sprayed
underneath the roof sheathing.
To get a good payback from the energy
savings, it makes sense to install the radiant barrier yourself. Companies sell double-sided reflective foil for about $130 for a
4-foot by 250-foot roll. Invest in a hand
construction stapler, a utility knife, and a
long straight edge and you are ready.
The easiest method to install the radiant barrier is to cut it into lengths and staple it underneath the roof rafters. It is not
important how neatly it is installed, but it
is important to have adequate attic ventilation, preferably a combination of soffit and
a ridge vent. When installing single-sided
foil, face the reflective side down to take
advantage of its low emittance. l
Have a question for Jim? Send inquiries
to JAMES DULLEY , Penn Lines, 6906
Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 or
visit www.dulley.com.
OUTDOORadventures
Age brings
different
experiences
at roundup
AS A KID of 7 or 8 in the
early 1960s, the Rattlesnake
Roundup in Morris, Tioga
County, was a magical, fearsome experience.
It was in the middle of the
wildest area of Pennsylvania,
seemingly so remote from
our home in tame Schuylkill
County as to be accessible
only as part of a multi-day
camping trip.
Big, rough-looking men
came in from the mountains
bearing sacks full of rattlesnakes, hundreds of timber
rattlesnakes — just like the
ones we always worried
about stumbling upon back
home but never actually
encountered. They dumped
those sacks into a big, fencedin pit at the center of the fire
company carnival grounds
that seemed to buzz constantly from the rattles of the
agitated snakes.
And then the toughest and
bravest, or most reckless, of
is
is outdoor and nature
writer at PennLive.com,
the website of The Harrisburg, Pa., PatriotNews. He also writes for
a range of magazines
and websites, and has
written more than two dozen books. For more
of his writing, visit www.marcusschneck.com.
MARCUS SCHNECK
by Marcus Schneck
those men climbed back into
that pit to see which of them
could snag and sack a pile of
those snakes faster than the
others. The fangs of the rattlers were capable and ready
to deliver deadly injections of
venom. Tales of life-saving
dashes to remote hospitals
for those bitten circulated
through the crowd.
Exotic foods, like oxtail
soup, waited in the concession booths. Carnival rides
offered additional diversion.
The terrarium-packed trailer
of a traveling reptile exhibit
could be toured for a quarter.
As a much older “kid” in
the summer of 2013, the edge
of ferocity was gone from the
Morris roundup. The hosting
community still was in the
middle of the most remote
part of the state. “Pennsylvania Wilds,” tourism representatives call it. But in the modern context of today’s travel,
it was now just a day trip.
The rattlers no longer held
the threat potential of four
decades earlier. Only a few of
the reptiles were present in
the pit at any one time, as the
hunters soon returned them
to the spots where they had
been captured.
These days, the snakes are
handled carefully. None are
killed or sold to leather-makers. The Keystone Reptile
Club, which has a motto of
“Keep ‘Em Alive” and runs
several of the remaining
organized rattlesnake hunts
in the state, discontinued
sacking contests in 2004,
when the Pennsylvania Fish
and Boat Commission was
considering tighter regulations on snake hunts. Sacking
contests, when they are held
at a modern snake hunt in
Pennsylvania today, involve
non-native reptiles brought in
just for the contest.
Those tending the snakes
still share tales and photos of
their personal encounters
with snakebites, but now
they also tell visitors about
the natural history of the
eastern timber rattlesnake, a
surprisingly fragile and vulnerable species.
The food, while no longer
seeming as exotic, remains
tasty and varied.
The sponsoring Morris
Township Fire Company still
features the reptilian aspects
of the event on its annual
roundup T-shirt, but major
components of today’s event
are a flea market and a weekend-long, invitational softball
tournament.
Being able
to view a wild rattlesnake is a major
draw at Pennsylvania’s remaining
snake roundups.
SNAKES AT A ROUNDUP:
Changed as it might be
from its beginnings in 1956,
the Morris Rattlesnake
Roundup continues as the
longest running organized
snake hunt in Pennsylvania.
The largest snake-huntrelated event, in the number
of visitors, is the Cross Fork
Snake Hunt, which has been
sponsored by Kettle Creek
Hose Company No. 1 for 43
years and continues to draw
crowds beyond the parking
capacity of the small, Potter
County village. The Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association’s hunt generally sees the
most snakes brought into the
pit. The Noxen Volunteer Fire
Company incorporates a full
community carnival into its
Rattlesnake Roundup weekend. l
M AY 2 0 1 4 • P E N N
LINES
19
PENNLINESclassified
ISSUE MONTH:
AD DEADLINE:
Penn Lines classified advertisements reach more than 165,800 rural Pennsylvania households!
July 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 19
Please note ads must be received by the due date to be included in the requested issue month. Ads
August 2014 . . . . . . . . . June 17
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
September 2014. . . . . . . July 18
by phone, fax or email. For more information please contact Vonnie Kloss at 717$233-5704.
CLASSIFIED AD SUBMISSION/RATES: Please use the form below or submit a separate sheet with required information.
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. ‰ Please print my ad in all CAPITAL letters.
PLACE AD IN THE MONTHS OF:
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WORD COUNT:
‰ I am an electric co-op member. Attached is my Penn Lines mailing label. Name/Address or Mailing Label Here:
Enclosed is payment in the amount of $
.
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Enclosed is payment in the amount of $
.
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FREE Headings (Select One): ‰ Around the House
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AMWAY©
©
We are entrepreneurs and dreams. We are Amway .
Exclusive Products, low start-up cost. 100% satisfaction
guaranteed. Start your own business today. Call 814-3332577. Email: [email protected]
BUILDING SUPPLIES
CRANE SERVICE
STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING. Over 25 years in business.
Several profiles — cut to length. Residential roofing
$2.20/lineal foot. Seconds, heavy gauges, accessories, etc.
Installation available. Located - northwestern Pennsylvania.
814-398-4052.
NEED A LIFT? Crane service for all your lifting needs.
Experienced, fully insured, Owner-Operated and OSHA
Certified. Precision Crane, Linesville, PA 814-282-9133.
FACTORY SECONDS of insulation, 4 x 8 sheets, foil back. RValue 6.5 per inch. Great for pole buildings, garages, etc. Also
prime grade A foil bubble wrap insulation. 814-442-6032.
AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITY — Our top Livestock and
Equipment Appraisers earn $100,000 - $200,000/year.
Agricultural background required. Home Study course
available. Call 800-488-7570. www.amagappraisers.com.
AROUND THE HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE SHOP — Brookville, PA. Country and farm
custom-made tables. Buying and selling. Unusual Home Décor.
814-541-1484. View on web: www.theopenhouseshop.com.
CARPENTER BEES BE GONE!!! Naturally trap them then
easily dispose of dead bees. No chemicals. Traps fool bees
into thinking their nest is already made. Go in – can’t get
out. Trapped bees are visible. Traps stop them from boring
into nearby wood. Device can trap dozens of bees. Hang
traps in areas where bees look for nest sites. Little
assembly required. Wood construction. $25 each. Buy 4+ —
receive free shipping. For more information/order call: 814333-1225 or email: [email protected].
ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR
HIGH COUNTRY Arts and Crafts Fair. S. B. Elliott State Park.
Vendors, food, entertainment. 1/2 mile off I-80, Exit 111 (old
18). 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on July 13. More info 814-765-5667.
BROADKILL BEACH
FOR RENT — Beach Houses at Broadkill Beach near
Rehoboth, Delaware. Complete kitchen, three bedrooms,
A/C, TV. Swim, fish, one block to beach on Delaware Bay.
Call Donna at 717-834-4898.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
FENCING
PIANO TUNING PAYS — Learn at home with American School
of Piano Tuning home-study course in piano tuning and
repair. Tools included. Diploma granted. Call for free
brochure 800-497-9793.
HYDRAULIC POST DRIVER FOR RENT. Easy hookup and
transportation. Safe, simple operation. Convenient, costeffective alternative for setting wood posts by hand. $200
for first day, $175/additional day. 1-800-KENCOVE.
CHURCH LIFT SYSTEMS
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
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. 724-746-0992 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. Maximizing present and
future timber values, Forest Management Services,
Managing Timber Taxation, Timber Sales, Quality Deer
Management. FREE Timber Consultation. College educated,
professional, ethical. 814-867-7052.
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 I-26 today! It’s safe, affordable, and it works. Call 800557-8477: ID#528390. 90-day money back on first time orders
or call me 724-454-5586. www.mylegacyforlife.net/believeit.
HEALTH INSURANCE
DO YOU HAVE THE BLUES regarding your Health Insurance?
We cater to rural America's health insurance needs. For
more information, call 800-628-7804 (PA). Call us
regarding Medicare supplements, too.
HUNTING
CUSTOM HAND MADE to order or in-stock wooden turkey
calls of various woods and sizes. 814-267-5489 leave
message for Precision Unlimited Inc., Berlin, PA.
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PENN
L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
PENNLINESclassified
“GROWING UP WITH GUNS” — The book about the critical
role hunters and guns play that makes sure wildlife thrives.
($19.07 includes tax, Free Shipping.) For mailing address:
814-688-2044 or order at www.EverydayHunter.com.
1990 Classic full dresser HARLEY DAVIDSON King tour
package. Ruby Red with Reverse and Tote Trailer, 37,000
miles, $8,000. Also, 1954 three-wheeled Bolens Ridemaster.
All attachments included, collectors’ item. Call for price
814-629-9046.
INFRARED SAUNAS
Removes toxins, burns calories, relieves joint pain, relaxes
muscles, increases flexibility, strengthens immune system.
Many more HEALTH BENEFITS with infrared radiant heat
saunas. Economical to operate. Barron’s Furniture,
Somerset, PA. 814-443-3115.
LANDOWNER INCOME OPPORTUNITY
OUR SPORTSMEN will Pay Top $$$ to hunt your land. Call for
a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 866-3091507. www.BaseCampLeasing.com.
LAWN AND GARDEN EQUIPMENT
HARRINGTONS EQUIPMENT COMPANY, 475 Orchard Rd.,
Fairfield, PA 17320. 717-642-6001 or 410-756-2506. Lawn
& Garden equipment, Sales — Service — Parts.
www.HarringtonsEquipment.com
LEGAL SERVICES
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION: Injured and want to know your
rights? Call us at 877-291-9675 for FREE advice or visit our
website for your FREE book at www.workinjuryinpa.com.
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.” 814-587-3449.
FARRIER — 10 years experience, looking for new clients in York
County and surrounding areas. Just moved from Lancaster.
Experienced with hunters, jumpers, eventers, reiners, western
and trail horses. Call Brent Talbot 717-725-9150.
COLLIE AKC registered sable and white puppies. Beautifully
marked, shots, dewormed. Our collies are raised and
socialized with children and adults. Bedford County. Call
814-793-3938.
Regretfully selling our NUBIAN DAIRY GOATS ADGA. Adults
3, does 1, buck 2, withers, friendly never been bred. To
good homes or dairy farm only. 717-309-0042.
AKC BEAGLES — Shots, wormed, hunting stock, great pets.
Tri-colored and lemon and white. Socialized with adults and
children. Also three-year male started. Call 910-612-4437
or 910-612-6902.
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. Chestnut boards,
hardware, etc. Thirty years experience, fully insured. Call
814-696-1379. www.villagerestorations.com.
MEDICARE INSURANCE
Medicare insurance does not have to be confusing! And one
plan does not fit all! Going on Medicare soon? Already on
Medicare and confused? We have the answers. CATHERINE
BURNS INSURANCE SERVICES offering Medicare Supplements,
Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans, Pre-Paid
Burial, Life and Final Expense Insurance, Annuities, assistance
qualifying for Pace/Pacenet. No charge, no obligation, no
pressure! Call 877-327-1598 or email: [email protected].
MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE
For the best INSURANCE RATES call R & R Insurance
Associates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-442-6832 (PA).
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
WANTED: Older riding garden tractors, running condition or
not. Examples: Case Ingersoll 444, 446; Gravely 816, 8122;
Power King 1618; John Deere 300, 317. Paying top prices,
Jefferson County. 814-939-7694.
Like new condition CRAFTSMAN CHIPPER SHREDDER, 7 1/2
HP, three-inch capacity, $300 or best offer. Precision
Broadcast Spreader new, $40. Duracraft Bandsaw, $20.
412-696-4062.
MOTOR VEHICLES AND BOATS
Two 1966 PONTIAC TEMPEST — Two-door coupe and hardtop,
V-8 auto. Many extra parts, engines, transmission, wheels
— 14”, 15”, PMD wheel. $2,000 must take all. 814-848-5023
after 5 p.m.
2000 SUZUKI INTRUDER 1500 LC, windshield, saddle bags,
lots of extras. About 30,000 miles. New tires and battery
last year. Call for details and pictures. Asking $4,000. 814599-5776.
1997 NATIONAL RV 36’ WIDE BODY, 31,000 MILES, 5,000 WATT
GENERATOR, 1 SUPER SLIDEOUT, HARDWOOD FLOORS, NEW
TIRES, 18’ AWNING, A-1 CONDITION, GARAGE KEPT, DUEL A/C,
WASHER, DRYER. MARKELTON, PA. 724-747-5288. $19,000.
NURSERY AND GARDEN
LIVE EVERGREEN TREES beautify yards, block ugly gas wells
and “colorful” neighbors! 4’ to 30’, installed or you do the
work. Reasonable prices. Jeffers Tree Farm – Kingsley, PA.
Since 1929. Call 888-880-4512 today. [email protected].
TRACTOR PARTS – REPAIR/RESTORATION
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.
VACATIONS AND CAMPSITES
RAYSTOWN VACATION House Rental. Sleeps 11, four
bedrooms, large dining table, central A/C, two full baths,
two half baths, linens/towels provided, boat parking, near
boat launch. $230/night. Call 814-931-6562. Visit
www.laurelwoodsretreat.com.
BEAUTIFUL LAKE ERIE COTTAGE — Enjoy swimming, fishing
and sunsets at their finest. Sleeps eight, 20 miles west of
Erie. Available May to November. Call 814-333-9669. Visit
our website at www.curleycottage.com.
PA HISTORICAL NOVEL
NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida condo. Two bedrooms, two
baths. Heated pool. Lovely small historical town. 200 yards
from beach. $500 weekly, $1,800 monthly. Call 814-6354020.
Acclaimed historical novel set at French Azilum in 1793,
“Waiting for the Queen,” in hardcover, makes a perfect gift
for readers 9 to 16 as well as for adults interested in regional
history. Unsigned copies available through Amazon.com and
Milkweed.org. For a signed and personalized copy ($20
includes shipping), email: [email protected].
HEMLOCK HIDEAWAY CAMPGROUND only one mile from
Raystown Lake! Yearly full amenity campsites now available.
Rental campers, cabins, and campsites ready to be reserved
for upcoming camping season. We are a full amenities resort:
heated pool, mini-golf, store, ice cream parlor, game room,
and much more!! 814-658-3663. www.hemlockhidecamp.com.
REAL ESTATE
HUNTS RUN Wilderness Subdivision, Emporium, PA. 10+
acres with small cabin, electric, water, telephone, hunting,
fishing, snowmobiling. $72,000. 386-304-9874.
THREE BEDROOM, one bath vacation home on secluded
acre includes large boat storage and shed. Near Cassville,
minutes to good hunting, fishing and Lake Raystown boat
ramps. 717-495-4654. 717-916-3772. $79,900.
HOUSE/CAMP Clearfield County — Three bedrooms, open
living room, dining, kitchen, 3,200 sq. ft., attached garage,
four acres, paved driveway, large parking lot. 814-5925438. $150,000.
LOTS FOR SALE. Seven to be exact, all connected to each
other. Over 53,000 square feet. Six minute walk to
Pymatuning Lake, private allotment. What a place to build
a country home. Asking $10,900. Call 814-683-2258.
RECIPES AND FOOD
SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “Country
Cooking,” Volume 2 — $5, including postage. “Recipes
Remembered,” Volume 3 — $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. Volume 1 of “Country Cooking” is SOLD OUT.
SAWMILLS
USED PORTABLE Sawmills and COMMERCIAL Sawmill
Equipment! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148.
USA and Canada. www.sawmillexchange.com.
MISCELLANEOUS
SHAKLEE
BECOME AN ORDAINED MINISTER — Correspondence Study.
The harvest truly is great, the laborers are few, Luke 10:2.
Free information. Ministers for Christ Outreach, 7558 West
Thunderbird Rd., Ste. 1 — #114, Peoria, Arizona 85381.
www.ordination.org.
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: 800-403-3381 or
www.sbarton.myshaklee.com.
RAYSTOWN LAKE House Rental, three bedrooms, two plus
baths, sleeps nine, central air, internet access, screenedin porch, close to Juniata College, five miles to Seven
Points Marina and swimming area. Call 717-872-8122. Visit
www.bears-den.org.
COTTAGE FOR RENT. Great for families. Full amenities. Three
bedrooms, futon. Two baths, large kitchen, screened porch,
pavilion. Stream. Close to Huntingdon. For rates, availability,
pictures and more details email: [email protected].
MASSANUTTEN RESORT, VA — Two luxury condos, Gold
Crown Resort. Each: Two bedrooms, two baths, kitchen,
laundry, cable, WiFi, AC, resort amenities. July 18-25, 2014.
$1,500 each with RCI gift certificate. Rent one or both.
[email protected].
WANTED TO BUY
CARBIDE – Paying cash/lb. — Some examples of items that
have carbide pieces at their tips for cutting or drilling are:
coal mining machinery — roof bits — road bits —
gas/oil/water well drill bits — machining inserts as well as
many others. We will pick up your materials containing
carbide pieces. We will extract the carbide item from the
part in which it is held in most cases. 814-395-0415.
OLD GAS PUMPS wanted. Also, small hand-crank oil and
kero tanks, porcelain signs, old glass oil bottles. 570-2472657 and leave message.
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PUNCHlines
Thoughts from
Earl Pitts,
UHMERIKUN!
It’s important to make
time for what matters
Social commentary from Earl Pitts —— a.k.a.
GARY BUR BANK , 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
Burnham-Lewistown. You can also find him at
Earlpittsamerican.com.
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L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 4
I heard a wise man say one time
that a rich man might have more money.
But he’s still got the same amount of time
on this earth as the rest of us. See, time
is the great equalizer. Some people got
more, but they can’t live more.
That reminded me of a time Dub
Meeker come in the Duck Inn and he
says he heard that the average American
will spend five years of their life drivin’
in traffic. And he says if you sleep eight
hours a night an’ you live to 80, well
that’s another 25 years a’ your life
sleepin’. So think ‘bout that — you’re
gonna spend 30 years a’ your life behind
the wheel or under the covers.
I go, “Hang on a minute here. You
sleep eight hours a day, but you also
work eight hours a day. So that’s another
25 years workin’. So you got 25 workin’,
an’ 25 sleepin’ and five driving. That’s
55 years of your life, an’ you ain’t done
nuthin’ fun yet.”
So we got us a bar napkin an’ started
doodlin’. If you eat for two hours a day
— that is four years of your life eatin’.
Two years of your life sittin’ in the bathroom. Another year outta your life
waitin’ for somebody else to get out of
the bathroom. Two years cuttin’ grass.
Three years in line at the Department of
Motor Vehicles. One year online waitin’
to get Obamacare. Six years visitin’ with
your old lady’s family, two years workin’
on your car. One year shavin’. And don’t
forget — you’ve gotta spend three years
at church. Or you might be signin’ up for
an eternity in hell. So that one’s a gimme.
Then we added all that up. It leaves
you with something like four months for
fishin’, bowlin’, an’ watchin’ NASCAR
an’ football.
Wake up America. So ladies, when
you ask us to take you shoppin’ an’ we say
we ain’t got the time, we really ain’t got
the time. Blame it on time management.
What’s with the U.S. govermint and
their love of numbers? According to these
yahoos, all we need to make life better is
more numbers.
Like, did you see where they’re making food companies change those numbers on the side of their food packages?
They say they’re gonna give us more
numbers and better numbers so parents
can make better choices in the food they
feed their kids.
Now that sounds reasonable, right?
Lord knows, we got enough overweight
kids in this country. But does more
numbers make better decisions? Really?
I mean, think about it — the federal U.S.
govermint’s got tons of bean-counters,
numbers-crunchers, lawyers, departments. They got more reports, more
indexes, more charts than everybody
else combined. And the govermint
makes more bad decisions in a day than
most of us will make in a lifetime!
Here’s another fer instance. Hey, gotta
give you all these new numbers when
you’re ordering a burger at the McDonalds. Gosh, you look up at that menu
board behind the counter in there, an’ you
think you’re looking at the stock market
screen on one a’ them cable channels.
You got your samich price, your value
meal price in small, medium an’ supersize. You got your calories and your fat
grams. For two weeks I was afraid to
order the McRib Value Meal because I
thought it cost $1,200. Pearl finally told
me that was the calories. So much for
my informed decision.
And tell me the truth. If you was
some overweight dude trollin’ down the
tater chip aisle like a hungry hyener at a
gazelle convention, do you really think
more numbers on the side of the bag is
gonna stop you from throwin’ three bags
a’ Doritos in the basket? I don’t think so.
Wake up, America. The only thing
that’s gonna get overweight people skinny
is if they stop eatin’. Not start readin’.
I’m Earl Pitts, Uhmerikun. Like me
on Facebook. And you can catch my
new blog at Earlpittsamerican.com. l
RURALreflections
Spring fever
WHO wants to spend a gorgeous spring day inside? The answer
is “no one.” Just remember to take your camera with you when
you head outdoors so you can capture some of your favorite
Pennsylvania people, pets and scenery. And on those cloudy,
rainy spring days, spend some time going through your file of
earlier photos. Then select your favorites and send those, too.
This year, five amateur photographers will be named winners of our $75 prize in the categories of: most artistic, best
landscape, best human subject, best animal subject and editor’s
choice.
To be eligible for the 2014 contest prizes, send your photos
(no digital files, please) to: Penn Lines Photos, P.O. Box 1266,
Harrisburg PA 17108-1266. On the back of each photo, include
your name, address, phone number and the name of the electric cooperative that serves your home, business or seasonal
residence. (The best way to include this information is by affixing an address label to the back of the photo. Please do not use
ink gel or roller pens to write on the photo as they bleed onto
other photos.)
Remember, our publication deadlines require that we work
ahead, so send your seasonal photos in early. We need summer
photos before mid-May; fall photos before mid-July and winter
photos before mid-September (keep your spring photos to
enter in the 2015 contest). Photos that don’t reflect a season
may be sent at any time. Please note: photos will be returned if
you include a self-addressed, self-stamped envelope. l
Heather Bear
Adams EC
Paul Nealen
REA Energy
David Albert
Claverack REC
Noah Nicholas
Claverack REC
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