B U C K H I L L F A L L S P A H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 1

Buck Hill Falls CompanyBuck Hill Falls PA 18323

Buck Hill Board BriefOn September 17th Richard Helmbrecht stepped down as Chairman of the Buck Hill

Falls Board of Directors and Kay Miller was elected to fill that position becomingChairwoman. The Board then expressed their gratitude to Richard for his dedication andhard work as Board Chairman for the past several years.

The BHF Board is responsible for carrying out the duties of the Company in the areasof administration, maintenance and improvement of the Common Area and RecreationalFacilities for the benefit of the Buck Hill residents. In addition, the Board is responsiblefor establishing the dues, fees and assessments for the owners of the living units. Youcan find a more detailed description of the Boards responsibilities in the annual “Com-munity and Club Members’ Information Guide,” which is mailed to each resident in thespring. We urge you to read the Company Information Guide; copies are still available atthe Company office.

In addition to Kay Miller, there are ten other Directors, elected by the community for(3) three-year staggered terms. The current Directors are: John Caggiano, LouisConsiglio, Bruce Finley, Paul Haser, Richard Helmbrecht, Susan Lawler, Paul Mandry,Lisa Neary, Thomas Osmun and James Rawlings.

The following is a review of the October 29th meeting of the BHF Board of Direc-tors. The first agenda item presented to the Board was an in-depth Marketing Plan tocreate awareness of the Buck Hill Falls community in target markets such as New Yorkand the Philadelphia area. Lou Consiglio is Chairman of the Marketing Plan Committeeand has a detailed write-up in this issue of The Breeze. Rather than duplicate his presen-tation, please read his write-up of the committee’s outstanding Plan.

The Food Service Committee reported on excellent Fairway Grille food quality andservice provided by Food and Beverage Director Candi and Chef Ed. Laudatory com-ments have been expressed by the community. Candi and Ed seek to be price competitivewith high-end restaurants such as Basso, Frogtown and Sand Spring and on lower costentrees with restaurants such as the Blooming Onion, The PourHouse and the Forks.

Looking ahead, a major challenge will be to resolve the ability to provide cateringservice for community and cottage parties and regular weekend dining at the Grille. Withcommunity and cottage parties basically over for the year, it was decided that dinnerservice at the Grille will go to a Friday, Saturday and Sunday schedule. We remindresidents that a number of you have not fully utilized your food service minimum.

Also, as the weather interrupted community activities during the April-through-September period, for example, Hurricane Irene and the subsequent three-week period ofheavy rains, it resulted in approximately 2,000 rounds of golf being lost. The lack of golfoutings resulted in less activity for the Fairway Grille both from the cancellation ofcorporate golf outings and individual player/diners.

Looking to the future it was noted that the addition of macadam cart paths wouldgreatly enhance our course, both practically and financially, as we have lost players toother courses who have these paths, especially after heavy rains.

The community finances continue to be challenged by delinquent payments of dues.The total amount for the 28 delinquent accounts is $560,000.

The following list identifies some general maintenance items to provide an indicationof what tasks are performed in running the community:

• Tennis court prep and grooming for the winter season;• Mowing, weed whipping, mulching and weeding throughout the community• Cutting and splitting firewood• Preparing Paiste Pond for the winter programs• Build dual dumpster enclosure for the Fairway Grille• Major electrical replacement for the General Maintenance building and

replacing the entry doors

Happy Holidays!On behalf of the Board of Directors,

management and staff of the Buck Hill FallsCompany, we extend to you best wishes this

holiday season and a happy, healthy andprosperous New Year!

Strategic Planning Committee UpdateJoin us in the Urice Room on Friday, December 30 at 2:00pm for

the Strategic Planning Committee’s final presentation.

(continued on next page)

H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 12 B U C K H I L L B R E E Z E

Articles appearing in the Buck Hill Breeze are presented as a community service. They do notnecessarily represent the views of the Buck Hill Falls Co. or the editorial staff. The Buck Hill FallsCo. disclaims any liability for any advertisements published herein and in no way endorses orguarantees these ads. The publisher and editors reserve the right to reject any ads submitted.

Published by the Buck Hill Falls Company

Spring (April/May), June, July, August, September,Fall (October) and Holiday (November/December)

Editor: Michael R. O’SheaProof Reader: Barbara Smith

Production and Advertising Sales by:

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• Tree work at 12 cottages including chipping• Significant storm damage cleanup from Hurricane Irene, including cleaning out

various storm drains at Wintergreen and Summit and Valley View from LenapeLane to Golden Rod

• Replace sewage pump at Fairway Grille lift station• Replace stairs for platform tennis courts, securing swing out and entry doors and

repairing wire fencing• Replacement of post office sidewalk• Winterize pool bath house

A report was given by Mike Walters in which he announced that the Holiday Partywill be held on Friday, December 30th. Mike also mentioned that he and Kay areworking on the composition of the Joint Finance Committee as we head into discussionson the dues between the Company Board and Lot & Cot.

It is our intention to continue submitting a “Board Brief” for publication in TheBreeze after each BHF Board meeting in an effort to keep the community informed of thework that the Board is doing.

We always welcome your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact anyof the BHF Board members listed above.

Holiday Office HoursFriday, December 23 – Open to 3pm

Saturday, December 24 - Closed

Sunday, December 25 – Closed

Monday, December 26 – Closed

Saturday, December 31 – Closed

Sunday, January 1, 2012 – Closed

Monday, January 2, 2012 – Closed

Have a Safe and Joyous Holiday Season!

The Management Team

Buck Hill Board Brief(continued from page 1)

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B U C K H I L L B R E E Z EH O L I D A Y 2 0 1 1 3

Lot & Cot Annual Holiday Party

Tennis TeaFriday, December 30

5:00pm - 7:00pm

Admission is free to all Lot & Cot dues-paying members.All other cottagers who have not paid their Lot & Cot dues,adult children and guests will be charged a $20 guest fee.

A scrumptious assortment of hot and cold hors d’oeuvreswill be served, as well as two complimentary drinks.A cash bar will remain open throughout the evening.

A great opportunity to share the holiday season with yourfriends and neighbors. We look forward to seeing you there!

Buck Hill Ladies’

Christmas Luncheon

Saturday, December 17Fairway Grille at 12:00 Noon

$20 plus Cash Bar — All Are Invited!

Please bring generous donations for thenew Barrett Community Center

RSVP: Linda Terry Munson 595-3162 or Fran Durst 595-3057

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Buck Hill Falls Lawn Bowling ClubThe holiday season is a time to reflect on our many blessings.The Buck Hill Falls Lawn Bowling Club is thankful for all our

friends and our community. We would like to wish our bowlers,volunteers, angels, Lot and Cot, the Buck Hill Falls Company

and all those who help to keep our spirits and lawn bowlingalive. You proved, once again, that Buck Hill Falls is avery special place and we are thankful for you all.

Have a safe, happy and joyful holiday!

H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 14 B U C K H I L L B R E E Z E

Buck Hill Falls Marketing PlanBy Lou Consiglio, Director, Chair of Marketing

“Welcome to Buck Hill Falls - a private, upscale community nestled in the PoconoMountain region of Northeastern Pennsylvania“… The vacation home community offerscharming cottages, modern homes, and condominiums that are excellent real estatevalues … neighbors know each other … children can play outside … a place wherefamilies and friends gather to share fun experiences and build traditions… offering alow-key, upscale lifestyle of … sports amenities, culture and sophistication within itsmagnificent natural setting”

The above lines are excerpts from the homepage of our new Buck Hill Falls website, partof the identity positioning developed for themarketing plan strategies.

Background: In 2010, during the StrategicPlan Committee work, it was concluded thatone strategic need was to begin a process ofmarketing the Buck Hill community. While thegoal in the plan process related to the need forgrowth in the number of cottages to support annual operating expenses and improve-ments, it coincided with the general housing market picture and the number of Buck Hillhomes on the market. That number, as in many parts of the country, is above our histori-cal annual norm.

Management Direction: Richard Helmbrecht, then Chairman of the company, andthe board of directors, recognized that the inventory of homes for sale most likely wouldnot be diminished by the usual workings of the market and from the traditional sources ofacquiring purchasers. In the past, a large percentage of housing turnover happened due tofriends and family of current cottagers visiting, or others renting, and subsequently beinghooked on the special nature of our community and purchasing a cottage of their own.The strategic plan survey reported that about 65% of respondents indicated they werehere due to that discovery factor - real testimony to the attributes of the community, butnot realistic to expect that dynamic to occur in a down market, and in the face of compe-tition from other northeast second-home communities in the same down market.

Thus the determination that a comprehensive marketing plan was needed with thegoal of increasing the sale of existing homes. In addition to assisting dues-payingcottagers who have a need or desire to move on, allowing 40 or so homes to remain onthe market is not best for the IMAGE of Buck Hill as well, even if the % is more or lesscomparable to other second-home or resort communities elsewhere in the region.

Marketing Plan Assignment: As a board member I was asked to take on theassignment to develop a marketing plan due to my career marketing managementexperience. After some consultations I concluded that the overall Plan objective shouldbe to increase awareness of Buck Hill Falls as the major action to market the communityand attract potential buyers of homes - second or primary - buildable lots, and rentals. Ineffect, expose the “best kept secret in the Poconos.” The target markets in which toincrease awareness would be the northeast metro areas of New York/New Jersey,Philadelphia, southern Connecticut, and even Delaware/Maryland/DC - all our traditionalbuyers.

In November 2010, I recommended to the Buck Hill Board that the developmentprocess should follow: 1) a classic business plan approach; and 2) consider traditionalmarketing planning elements, namely: defining the product, ways to promote it, theplace(s) in which to do that, and the pricing (costs) involved in going to market. Toaccomplish this rather large task effectively would require a variety of external research,relevant internal inputs, an understanding of the BHF community, updating the website,creative options, awareness campaign options, and experienced/skilled personnel – in apractical time frame.

Plan Development Approach: After considering these factors I recommended thatthe best approach would be the combination of a marketing consultant with appropriateexternal PR and marketing experience in the metro areas (and NEPA as well) to assist inleading the process. We discovered just such a firm in RiverRock Communications(RRC), whose Principal is a former NYC-based marketing and PR executive, namedCatherine Bolton. To guide RRC with a Buck Hill perspective and sensitivity, a SteeringCommittee (SC) was organized comprised of eight cottagers (and company management)of various backgrounds and community interests, as well as pertinent skills.

Our combined Steering Committee began its deliberations on Dec 29th last year andmet a number of times, mostly in person on weekends, and by telephone and emails into

this Fall. The interaction of the consultant and the committee executed the processeffectively, ensuring that the plan that emerged is most appropriate for the objective asdefined. The Steering Committee members are: myself as Chair, Rob Frehse, JohnGarbarino, Barbara Herkner, Mike O’Shea, Robin Ottaway, Caroline Salvino, GingerToomey, Karen Walden, plus Catherine Bolton (RRC) and Kerrie Gilbert (CreativeDirector). Our BHF cottagers were most cooperative with the meeting scheduling andwere fully engaged in the tasks.

Process, Findings, Conclusions, StrategiesSituation Analysis: The process began with a detailed and comprehensive Situation

Analysis using external research provided by RRC and internal findings from the BHFStrategic Plan Survey findings. These inputs provided an essential base of informationand factors upon which to build the components of the Plan. The external researchconsisted of the following:

a. The NEPA (northeast PA) region trends in the economy, demographics,second-home communities, real estate sales, et al, for relevant key indicators

b. The vacation-home market, in generalc. The vacation-home buyer in generald. The vacation-home buyer in NEPAe. The Affluent Customer Profilef. Family Vacation Trends

The internal research consisted of an analysis and discussion by the SC of the BHFSurvey material (165 respondents). This info provided an objective understanding of thevarious demographic segments of our community and all the elements relating to theirbeing a part of the community, such as why they came here, from where, relationships,kind of residency, which attributes of BHF do they most appreciate, what activities dothey participate in, and many, many other factors. This helped us form an objective viewof the Buck Hill “Identity.”

Buck Hill Falls Competitive Advantage: An essential task to build the plan was ananalysis of other Pocono region second-home/resort communities to understand theirstrengths and weaknesses compared to our understanding of Buck Hill’s. The SC chose 5other communities that seemed most comparable to BHF in key indicators and attributes(demographics, amenities, house price ranges). A careful analysis of their websites,advertising, physical elements or apparent advantages vs. ours led the SC to determineour primary and most important differentiation. The conclusion was that it is not all ofour physical attributes (some quite special) such as amenities, facilities, the naturalenvironment, the number of homes, or the location per se. In fact most of the otherspossess similar features and some have quality lodging which attracts visitors, exposingthem to the related housing options. Rather, based on our survey input, an understandingof all factors, and extensive deliberations of numerous “positioning statements,” the SCconcluded that Buck Hill’s Competitive Advantage is “A Sense of Community, aSpecial Place.”

Buck Hill Falls Target Market : External research of second-home markets men-tioned, along with our internal survey provided essential input to identifying our targetmarket buyers. Such buyers generally are: highly affluent, financially capable, wantingretreats from urban life. They comprise Gen Exers, young boomers, 40+ families, variousprofessionals, and empty nesters. Their interests include recreational amenities for adultsas well as children, natural environments, and a place to build relationships and tradi-tions. We stated previously where they are located. External research also indicated theyhave no “urgency” to buy, so while considering or interested in second or transitionalhomes they need to be motivated to take a look at them”– thus “awareness” and image.

Buck Hill Falls Positioning: This Plan element takes us back to marketing basics,i.e., “what” are we trying to market? And what is the “Promise” to be communicated.The effort to develop this important component was based on all the work previouslymentioned herein. Plus, RiverRock came forth with many positioning statements poten-tially reflecting the conclusions from the Committee’s deliberations. The SC, in turn,took the various statements and ranked and voted on what were the most noteworthy andrelevant descriptors of the Buck Hill “sense of community” and differentiation. Thisexercise was designed to translate the competitive advantage into marketing strategies.

Considering cottagers’ demographics and our target markets, a number of statementswere considered relevant. Five + principal positionings were chosen for subsequentexecution in a marketing strategy:

• Memories of a lifetime … created here• Families gather, friendships flourish… Traditions begin here• Love, laughter… lifetimes together• In the garden… I watch our family grow• Come for a visit… stay for a lifetime.

B U C K H I L L B R E E Z EH O L I D A Y 2 0 1 1 5

But there was one statement that captured the overall interpretation and emotion ofBuck Hill Falls, and that is “An Exceptional Way of Life” –– our new Tag Line. Inaddition, reflecting our defined identity and appeal, our Buck Hill Falls logo has beenrefreshed to reflect all of our physical environmental elements – especially our falls! It isalso executed in a brown color, which is similar to what will be used on cottages’ addressnumbers, and is also similar to what is used in so many places of historical significance.This new logo will serve as the community’s official, registered trade mark and will beused in all promotions and materials. It will require phasing in, of course, due to currentinventories of materials. Community organizations that wish to use other versions oradaptations of the official logo will need approval of their plans from company manage-ment (other than the specific identifying logos such as used on the community calendar).The intent is not to stymie creativity or organizations’ pertinent identities within theoverall community framework, but to provide one consistent image and face to theworld.

Specific Strategies: To capitalize on our competitive advantage, identity and posi-tioning, RiverRock proposed a creative approach for use in all chosen media forms(website, PR, ads, print, etc). That is the “Stories” of BHF, such as examples of a few inthis article. The stories capture and explain the qualities that make this a special commu-nity and represent the core strategy of the marketing plan. In addition and significantly,they were individually written by members of the SC and, therefore, possess the emo-tional aspect to capture attention and differentiate our community. All five are on thewebsite plus three more in the works. They, along with other website drop-down menuswith photos and copy, will provide out takes to use in executing the awareness campaignoptions. They are printable by downloading from the site.

The Buck Hill Falls Website: It is well recognized that in today’s world peoplesearch for everything digitally on line, wirelessly, hand held and who knows how else.And, of course, looking for vacations, resorts, sports activities, entertainment and realestate per se has been a prominent feature of the WWW. Buck Hill has had a website,both public and for cottagers for some time. It was not devised or constructed as amarketing tool, however. RiverRock and the SC evaluated the current site for content,navigation, members usage, and how or if it gets discovered by potential buyers. On thelatter point our site does not come up well at all when searches occur for the Poconos orsecond-home communities, and, in fact, is totally uncompetitive compared to others inbeing “discovered.” We determined it needed a substantial upgrading to meet ourobjectives.

However, when working with the hosting organization of our current website toperform various upgrades we learned they were not positioned to provide what we feltwe needed, albeit they currently provide sites to communities. As a result, we commis-sioned a website developer (GuavaByte) used by RiverRock in other assignments toguide us and program the development of a completely new site. This effort has takensome time but well worthwhile in meeting our needs. Technically the new site willemploy “Search Engine Optimization” in its construction, which will enhance Buck Hillbeing discovered in random searches for communities or real estate.

The entire SC has been involved in providing input to the site and especially relevantphotos, navigational ideas, social media linkages, members only section, etc. All of thecommunity volunteer organizations and their activities (Foxhowe, Art Association,Conservation and various others) have drop-down menus and photos. Where they haveexisting supplemental sites the new BHF site provides links to them. Here and there onthe site there are some elements that need finishing as you will see, (e.g., social mediaand real estate), but its 95% there and we wanted to get launched (and the company staffwill have the ability to add or make changes as we go along). By the time you read thisarticle, it is expected that the new site will have just been launched and is accessible bywww.BuckHillFalls.com, as before. Cottagers need to access the members-only sectionof the new site to register and enter a new password to continue to access that privatearea.

We all should bear in mind that the website, as new and dynamic as it may be, is notthe marketing plan or marketing strategy. It is a key part of that to be sure, but “hoping”that buyers in the metro areas discover the site and BHF is not a “strategy.” We need tohelp them do that with awareness efforts.

Awareness Campaign: As stated originally, the primary objective of the MarketingPlan in whatever form it would take was and is to create greater awareness of BHF — toknow of it, to learn about it, to discover the home values and the ambiance, and to bemotivated to see and feel the community in person. This part of the Plan is intended todrive traffic to the website to accomplish some of the above, and to drive traffic physi-cally to the community to investigate the opportunities among the varied homes for saleor rent. Individual cottagers can continue to do that personally among friends andfamilies, but that alone will take many years to impact the current housing inventory.

Campaign Options: Therefore, during the planning process, our RiverRock consult-ant compiled an extensive listing of the various media, PR and other promotionalavenues available to aggressively market the community in the target areas. We continueto see ads in magazines or elsewhere promoting the other Pocono communities withwhom we compete.

Examples of such tactics can be as simple as driving people to the website to let it doits job. Others can be classic PR activities, advertorial articles, events to gain attention.Some might involve ads in various publications, radio, regional cable (Lake Naomi hasdone this). Here and there a billboard at the various highway entrances to the region canpromote the community (as is done now by the other falls – i.e., the billboards that say“Discover Bushkill Falls.”

There are many other ideas and proven concepts highlighted in the completed Plan. Itis also a proven concept in awareness marketing endeavors to employ “reach andfrequency.” A one off add, or singular event doesn’t do the job. Consistency in messageand image, getting to the targets, and staying at it to catch the passing target audience areall needed. Obviously, this requires some dedicated funding. The various tactics havebeen shared with the company board for perspective and understanding of options andtypes of costs going forward. The company budgeting process for next year will com-mence deliberations in December. The Plan recommends an allocation in that budget tofund carefully selected campaign options, carefully timed to be impactful into the springand summer season, if we are to take any appropriate action to support sales. We mustkeep expectations reasonable, but we also presented to the board a summary of thelistings and sales of homes in the five chosen competitive communities. During 2011,BHF is relatively negative in comparative key real estate indicators while second homesare being purchased in the region, albeit not robustly.

Other Plan Programs. The Plan also considered and contains some other programsto either drive awareness or visits to the community. A dedicated Visitation Program to

H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 16 B U C K H I L L B R E E Z E

By Frank MayUnless you’re sitting on top of a ridge somewhere looking for migrating raptors, late

fall is not a very productive birding time in our area. Almost all of the neo-tropicalpasserines have left for warmer climes although we had our last hummingbird attractedby a fuchsia plant on October 2nd, the latest date by far that I have recorded in the lasttwelve years or so.

We were fortunate to spend sometime at the shore in late October andwere rewarded with several notableexperiences.

There is a small, little known andseldom visited place called the StaintonWildlife Reserve in the middle of OceanCity between the bay and the ocean. Wealways try to visit it when down thereand it never fails to produce someinteresting sightings. This time we were treated to a small flock of twenty or so Willet.These are medium-sized, long-legged shorebirds that are usually present in smallnumbers most of the spring and summer. While we were watching them from theviewing platform late in the afternoon, they all rose up and continued their flight south,flashing their striking black-and-white wing pattern and chattering in their familiar callfrom which they derive their name: willet-willet-willet.

The next day we visited the south side of Corson’s inlet in Strathmere and walked thebeach. There were a number of gulls and terns present including notably Royal Terns andtheir larger cousins, several Caspian Terns with their bright red beaks. The main event,however, was the presence of over forty American Oyster Catchers. If you’re not familiarwith this species, it is worthwhile looking them up in your field guide. They are uniquein their shape and coloring, which features a pencil thick, straight orange beak. It is notunusual to see them in family groups of three or five, but I’ve never seen this manytogether. They were hunkered down under the wind staging the next leg of their journey.

Just before the bridge into Strathmere, there is a service road that leads to some sortof electrical tower. It is a forlorn, trashy, little spot that has some dense brush, whichprovides cover between the open marshes and the inlet. You’re not going to find thisplace on any birding guides to New Jersey but it serves as a last-chance place to rest andrecover before again heading out over open water. Over the years we have found anumber of interesting species. This time was no exception.

We at once saw quite a few White-throated Sparrows and Juncos and severalSwainson’s Thrushes taking advantage of a muddy pool of fresh water that had collectedon the dirt road. We also saw a larger thrush-sized, sparrow-like bird that had veryattractive gray, white and russet coloring with a streaked breast. It keet moving aroundbut afforded us enough time to get a good look and with some deliberation and, I mustconfess, I resorted to the field guide, we eventually identified it as a Fox Sparrow. Weoccasionally see this guys in Buck Hill during spring migration but they nest furthernorth.

The real treat was yet to come. As I was scanning the marsh for wading birds, I had alarge raptor fly right over my shoulder. I had only the briefest impression of its featuresbut my first reaction was Owl! It continued rapidly over the meadows to the far westernside about a half mile away. Now the large raptor that one would expect to see in thishabitat, this time of year is a Northern Harrier or Marsh Hawk. The Harrier has a distinctflight pattern of coasting low over the grasslands with a distinct “dihedral” or V-shapedcant to its wings. This bird was fluttering, haphazardly over the marsh with a butterfly-type motion. That confirmed my original impression what it was indeed a Short-earedOwl. It frequently shares the same environmental niche with the Harrier but you seldomsee them in the daytime. The only previous time we have seen one out in the daylightwas in the extremely cold, dead of winter when the marshes were frozen over and madenighttime foraging difficult. As my grandkids would say, Way Cool!

On the home front we continue to get reports of Bald Eagles in the fall. John Styk sawan Eagle and an Osprey at the same time in Jenkins Woods near the Falls. Ginny and Ihad the rare opportunity to see an Osprey with a trout in its talons flying above the creekat Red Rocks. Dick Helmbrecht reported seeing a mature Bald Eagle perched in a treenear Paiste Pond on November 13th. Encouragingly, it is becoming a regular fall event tosee Eagles at Buck Hill. Keep your eyes and ears alert for Great Horned Owls in Decem-ber. Happy Holidays everyone.

BUCK HILL BIRDERexperience life at BHF is one such idea, to be further developed. Capturing inquiries toBHF by telephone, email or the site is another goal for various follow-up methods.Interfacing with our realtors – and major target area real estate firms -in a more definedand pro active manner is in the thinking. Supporting rentals in one fashion or another isalso a possibility.

We know that plans,strategic or marketing, haveto be dynamic and refreshedfrom time to time asexperience or conditionsdictate. Therefore, while thePlan will be implemented inphases, along with companymanagement we will stayactive monitoring resultsand effectiveness to adjustelements going forward.

Acknowledgements: Itis necessary and appropriateon behalf of the Board andthe entire community toexpress our appreciation tothe members of the afore-mentioned volunteerSteering Committee fortheir considerable personaltime, thoughtful contribu-tions, skills and positiveattitudes over the course ofalmost a year. Without themand the skillful help ofCatherine Bolton and Kerrie Gilbert of RiverRock Communications, this plan could nothave emerged as it now exists. If a “Sense of Community” is our strength, these ladiesand gents exemplify it 100%+. Kudos to them. And hopefully as the plan unfolds, manynew cottagers will come to discover An (our) Exceptional Way of Life.

Buck Hill Marketing(continued from previous page)

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B U C K H I L L B R E E Z EH O L I D A Y 2 0 1 1 7

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Our wishes for a joyous holidayseason

And a greatNew Year!

Security UpdateBy Andy A, Chief of Security

Winter is upon us once again, and we already hadour first snow storm on October 30, 2011. The winterseason can be very unpredictable. I urge you to drivecautiously during the winter for your sake and thesake of others, especially our children walking to andfrom the school bus. You may never know when theweather will change and the roads will get slick.

I would like to advise you of something veryimportant. New cottage numbers are now in place.When calling security please use these new cottagenumbers including your street name. Also pleaseupdate phone numbers in your file at the BH officefor both full- and part-timers. We need to be able tocontact you in the event of an emergency. All phonenumbers will be kept confidential. We have had anumber of emergency situations where we did nothave a current phone number on file to contact acottage owner or their family members.

These are a few examples of some type ofemergencies that may arise: fire, medical, home orproperty damage and water leaks.

Allow us to help you. Please call now to updateyour information. My staff and I would like to wishyou a happy and safe holiday.

Fairway GrilleThe Fairway Grille is open until December 30,

2011. Lunch will be served on Friday, Saturday andSunday from 11am to 3pm. Dinner will be served onFriday and Saturday nights only from 5pm to 8pm.

Please be aware on nights when a private party isbooked the Fairway Grille will not be open forregular dinner reservations.

H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 18 B U C K H I L L B R E E Z E

Community Services CommitteeBy Frank J. Dracos, MD, Chairman

What is going on? We had six inches of snow in Buck Hill at Halloween and spring-like weatherfollowing the snow.

The Board of Buck Hill Community Services wishes to let you know as of now you, the donors,has matched last year’s contributions. Our hope is that the community can exceed that total($29,000+) in the next six weeks.

The economic climate has not changed during the past year. Tourism was less, restaurant partici-pation less and our neighbors equally are struggling to match the 2007 year. Since we have 5 staterepresentatives for our one county, the county only gets 1/5 of the proceeds from Mt. Airy Casinowhile all other sixty-seven (state) counties receive a full share from their local gambling business.

Our winter social schedule isimpressive and should please one andall. New leadership with Kay Miller asChairwoman for the Buck Hill boardand Mike Walters as President of theLot & Cot board will re-energize ourcommunity for the next few years. Back to my eternal request, if youcare to make a contribution to Buck HillCommunity Services, please send yourcontribution to P. O. Box 426, BuckHill Falls PA 18323. Again, your entirecontribution is tax deductible. May you have a great Christmas andHoliday Season, a table full of bountyand a room full of precious gifts. We are fortunate at Buck Hill.God Bless you and God Bless America!

Super Patron = $1,000 - $2,000+Bowe, Anthony & NancyDalziel, Rob & Mary LouDracos, Frank Jonathan & Robin NiesenLott, Charles & BarbaraMandry, Paul & TinaOttaway, David & MarinaPowers, MarieRuvane, Joan

Patron = $500 - $999Boyle, Richard & DeniseCullen, William & VinaDracos, Frank & PatriciaKennedy, Hank & SusanMiller, Eric & Beth McCarthyOttaway, Robin & AudraRobbins, II, John (JR)Toomey, David & GingerWeiler, Karl & Ann

Contributor = $250— $499Berry, Jr., Arthur & JudieBlack, William & WendyBlamble, Ken & CharlotteGrunder, Paul & LoisHelmbrecht, Richard & RosemarieJohnson, Richard & MarshaKendall, Ed & DawnMay, Frank & GinnyMiller, Jock & KayNewell, Jr., William & JanetOlivier, David & MarthaReilly, Edward & Susan WorthRichards, Justin & KariRoberts, Anthony & SusanStillinger, Richard & JudyWalters, Michael & Roseanne

Donor = $175 - $249Bergethon, Peter & CindyBerry, Bruce & SusanCarey, Richard & ElizabethCassata, Frank & JoConsiglio, Louis & PatCrabtree, Donald & JudyCrowl, Michael & PatriciaDaniels, Michael & BetsyDella Rocca, Ralph & PhyllisDeNoia, John & JoanDevizio, William & JoanDonnelly, Frank & RaeDurst, FranFinley, Bruce & BetsyFolsom, Ted & EthelFoster, Cedric & EileenFrehse, Robert & DaleGrant, Steve & DebGuernsey, Raymond & KatherineHerkner, G. William & BarbaraHuffman, Richard & SusanHumpton, HarrietJeffries, Robert & ColleenJohn, Rich & LynnKeating, Mary EllenKofol, Milan & JeanKraus, Philip & SandyKupfer, Robert & Min-HwaLaporte, John & AndreaLemming, Jeffrey & Ellen Dracos

MacMillan, Duncan & NancyMaier, Peter & JanMainwaring, A. Bruce & PeggyMarshall, KathrynMarulli, Daniel & ReginaMorrison, Jack & DebbieMurdoch, Britton & JoanMutch, Elizabeth & JuliaNeumann, Gerard & SusanNorwick, Robert & BrendaO’Mara, Rob & ClaireRawlings, Jim & HannahRidings, Barry & AnnRobbins, Chris & JeannineRuben, Fred & Reeves-Hoche, MaryKateRusbasan, Charles & SusanSmith, Corey & JonneSmith, Jeffry & BarbaraSniffin, Andrew & JulieSnyder, Lawrence & JudithStarr, FranStrode, Joe & BettyTerry, Linda & Utz, DavidWalinchus, Robert & LoisWatkins, Martin & Mazza, DavidWilson, J. Lawrence & Barbara B.

Donor II=100- $174Aquilone, Edward & CarmenBuck, SuzanneBunis, Jr., Al & LynnChristman, Mary EllenClancy, DeannEhinger, Wendell & ElizabethFinnegan, Leo & CristinaFretz, John & AdrienneGlowski, Matt & KatieGodshalk, James Bond & GraceHayden, Robert & NancyLawler, John & SusanLegg, KathyMiller, Tyler & KathleenMittereder, David & JenniferNostrame, Robert & CarlislePhillips, Frank & JanePress, Clifford & ElizabethPrice, James & Mayson MooreRobertson, JohnRodgers, John & ClaireRonayne, LauraRossi, Joel & DebraRubin, Harold & Walden, KarenRuggero, CatherineSivolella, Nick & BettyWalker, III, Henry & SusanWilkins, Robert

Donor III = Up to $99Betts, RosemaryBhavnani, Ashok & MarjorieBurger, Tony & NinaCaggiano, John & AnnDean, Guy & VickyJordan, PatricaPfinsgraff, Martin & JoanGolfinopoulos, George & MarionGroseclose, RuthannePotter, William & LindaShriver, Peter & HelenWilliams, Donald & Holly

Caroline Salvino, Realtor(570) 977-1777 cell

ccsalvino@gmail.com

Beth Haser, Realtor(570) 242-7383 cellbethmhaser@gmail.com

Presenting... 1 548 Pheasant Lane

$595,000

2 226 Golf Drive$298,000

3 320 Summit Drive$749,000

4 192 Wintergreen Lane$875,000

5 254 Ledge Drive$850,000

6 552 Pheasant Lane$399,000

7 119 Rhodora Lane$262,500

8 3164 Ledge Drive$369,000

9 697 Lenape Lane$355,000

10 832 Creekside Court$359,900

11 625 Beatty’s Circle$499,000

12 120 Creekside Road$349,900

13 589 Bunting Road$219,000

14 307 Creekside Court$230,000

15 2198 Oak Hill Drive$135,000

16 118 Falls Drive$185,000

Short and long term rentals available. Please call to inquire.

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13 14 15

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We wish you a holiday filled with healthand happiness and look forward to

providing you with exceptional service inthe upcoming New Year!

Classic Properties

Route 390, Mountainhome PA570.595.3705

LEADING REAL ESTATECOMPANIES of THE WORLD™

H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 110 B U C K H I L L B R E E Z E

Fall Foliage: Views from Cresco HeightsOn a warm Sunday in this early October our Conservation Board sponsored a hike to

Cresco Heights, at 1730 feet, where panoramic views of the Pocono Plateau are reward-ing. Darryl Speicher, local naturalist, led the group providing much insight into the richnature of this hillside. We saw ground covers such as tea berry and reindeer moss, treesincluding black locust and black birch, vines including Virginia creeper and wild grapes,and bushes such as privet and witch hazel. At the top we saw grasses, rock carpets andpitch pines. Our views were from Monomonoch Knob looking northerly, and fromCresco Heights looking east and south. When we reached the top a soaring vultureprompted the warning to “look alive” from Darryl.

The foliage was not yet at peak fall color, but there were swaths of red, orange, andpurple coloration standing out from the green canopy below. Landmarks such as theBuck Hill Inn and the Weiler Brush factory looked like aerial photo images. CamelbackMountain and the Delaware Water and Wind Gaps were profiled by the views. It was ajoy to silently stare and breathe deeply. We are indeed fortunate to live in such a wonder-ful environment.

Buck Hillers are encouraged to join our future Conservation Board hikes. To learnabout the hikes, join our email list at bhhiker@gmail,com.

Delaware Water Gap as seen from Cresco Heights Photo by Fred Ruben

Authorize

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Service C

o.Skylight SolutionA Roofing & Building By Bruce division

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(570) 424-8891 info@brucescentral.com

We RepairSkylights

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CARPETING & FLOORING

SunShine Carpets“Carpeting the Poconos for 30 years”

Large selection of stain-resistant carpetsVinyl flooring • Pergo • Hardwood Floors • Area rugs

Remnants • Cleaner Rental • Window Treatments

ON ROUTE 390 NEXT TO LEWIS’ MARKET

Mon-Fri 9:30-5:30; Sat 9:30-3 595-7066

COOKING SCHOOL & SUPPLIES

Cooks TourROUTE 191, MOUNTAINHOME

(570) 595-0370

Cookware, Gadgets, and BakingSupplies for the serious cook

ObituaryGeorge Robert Nelson

George Robert Nelson passed away on August 16, 2011 at94 years of age. George was born in Bronx, NY and grew up inthe New York City and spending most of his early years in theBronx developing a lifelong love of the Yankees. George grewup in the Great Depression and he left high school early towork for Bunge North American where he met his future wife,Betty.

He married Betty Straub on January 7, 1939. They weremarried for 55 years and raised two sons, the late Kenneth E.Nelson and G. Robert Nelson, Jr.

George was a member of the New York Produce Exchange,served on its Board of Governors and its Real Estate Trust. Hewas also president of the New York Produce ExchangeLuncheon Club. He became vice president of Universal GrainCompany and returned to Bunge.

George was an avid golfer and won the Buck Hill Clubchampionship in 1967. He was proud of his golf skills andhelped many people to improve their game. His strength in golfwas his control, which got him 7 holes-in-one. He could stillshoot his age in his 70s.

After leaving Bunge, George ran the golf house atMonomonock Inn in Mountainhome. When the Innclosed he worked for Sears and later drove a school busfor the Pocono Mountain Schools. This last job gave himgreat satisfaction.

George served on many boards at Buck Hill Falls andserved as the treasurer of the Lot and Cottage Owner’sAssociation.

His true happiness over the last 15 years was takingworld cruises. He has seen all seven continents and mademany new friends. His passport bulged from all the addedpages.

CENTURY 21 UNLIMITED

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Route 390, Mountainhome PA 18342www.century21unlimitedrealestate.com

Each office independently owned and operated

68-69 Old Hemlock Lane $415,000

87 Rock Oak Road $1,595,000

515 Golf Drive $209,000

803 Fox Run Drive $275,000755 Bunting Drive $259,000

206 Golf Drive $1,295,000

707 Oak Hill Drive $209,000

715 Oak Hill Drive $150,000

740 Oak Hill Drive $289,000

527 Golf Drive - 3 Acres $169,000

230 Ledge Drive $895,000

114 Knoll Drive $475,000

132 Shaggy Bark Lane $2,700,000

We have Homesand Golf Cottages

available for rent bythe month, season oryear! Call us today

for details!

Wishing you and your family a Happy Holidayfrom our family at Century 21 Unlimited!

4 Skytop Meadows $425,00024 Skytop Meadows

SOLD JUST LISTED!