The Pocono Record from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania • Page 12

The Pocono Record The Stroudsburgs, Pa. Apr. 13, 1976 13 Amateur farmers raise strange metal pineapple ByJEFFWIDMiR Pocono Record Reporter MOUNT POCONO William Dean and Kenneth Rarick of Mount Pocono almost got a bang out of gardening Saturday when they found a live grenade while preparing the ground for planting. Mount Pocono Police Chief Robert Hartman said the grenade was a live device used for practice but still capable of blowing off an arm. Dean said he and his roommate think there could be more grenades buried next to their cottage at 15'A Quay but are going ahead with the garden anyway.

The two 26-year-old men were digging at 10 a.m. when Rarick's shovel hit something metal. According to Dean, the two uncovered a muddy, pineapple-shaped device that looked like a grenade, lodged a foot below the surface. "I didn't think it was real," Dean said. "We held it.

Then the landlady called the police. I was a little scared. We just put it down and got away from it." When Hartman and Ptl. David Swiderski arrived, they found a' grenade with a safety ring holding down the handle, which holds the firing pin. They called the demolition officers at Indiantown Gap Army Depot, who arrived two hours later to inspect the device.

Hartman said the demolition team told him the grenade was used for practice around the time of the Korean War. Although it was not as powerful as a regular grenade, "It could tear your arm off," he said. Neither the police chief, cottage residents or landlady Mrs. Gloria Gardella of 15 Quay Ave. know where the device came from.

Mrs. Gardella said she has owned her house and the adjoining cottage where Rarick and Dean live for three an a half years and does not know who could have buried the grenade. Hartman never been anybody in there (the cottage) who had anything to do with military activity of any sort." Dean said he and Rarick, who moved in two weeks ago, were going to plow the garden with a rotary tiller but decided to use a shovel instead. He said they are going to hand shovel the garden and raise corn, squash and potatoes even though there is a chance of uncovering more hand grenades. To cap the matter.

Dean said he wants the grenade back after the demolition unit deactivates it. "We're going to keep it as a conversation he said. Both men are amateur farmers. Dean works at Olympic-Athletic Reconditioners in East Stroudsburg and Rarick at Beaufab Mills Inc. in Stroudsburg.

CHECKING IN Moriellen Kreger, seated, has her temperature and pulse checked by volunteers from the Monroe County Vo-Tech school before donating blood Monday at Pleasant Valley High School. The 104 donors gave 100 units of blood. Monroe cuts more taxes for Act 319 STROUDSBURG Monroe Counly will receive $801 less in taxes this year as the county commissioners approved 10 lowered assessments under Act 319. The reduction of $66,820 in land assessment will also result in a loss of $3,014 to the school districts involved. The commissioners approved assessment reductions of $25,500 in Paradise Township; $38.850 in Pocono Township; and in Stroud Township for a total of 566,820.

The Pocono Mountain School District lost $2,831 in tax revenues due to the changes and the Stroudsburg School District lost $183. Tax changes were approved for: Walter Davis. Mount Pocono, Paul Dewey, Cresco R.D. David Hunter, Henryville, Jose Consiglio, Tannersville, Emil Graeber, Henryville R.D. 1, Frederick Henry, East StroQdsburg R.D.

3, Erroll Hook, Conrad Serfas, Stroudsburg R.D. 3, and William Weiss, East Stroudsburg R.D. 3, $15,260. Two weeks ago the commissioners approved assessment changes under Act 319 and more are expected. The commissioners also approved many reductions from the tax rolls for mobile homes that have been moved.

The corrections were: Coolbaugh, Tobyhanna, East Stroudsburg, Chestnuthill, $900; Pocono, Ross, Hamilton. Stroud. and Middle Smithfield. $8,610. Commissioner Nancy B.

Shukaitis abstained from voting on the tax corrections because some of the trailers in question had been on property owned by her father. Police, fire calls Seven hurt, driver cited TANNERSVILLE The driver of a van which crashed into the rear of a tractor trailer on icy 1-80 two miles west of Tannersville at 2:15 a.m. Monday was cited for driving too fast for conditions. According to state police at Swift water, Eric Wheeler, 21, of Seymour, Conn, was driving approximately 65 miles per hour when he hit the og driven by Peter Moore, 33, of Fort Wayne. Ind.

Of the 13 people in the van, seven were injured. Of these, five were treated and released at Pocono Hospital. The other two were admitted. They were John Karl Bartke, 23, of Santa Rosa. who was admitted in satisfactory condition with a concussion and lacerated scalp and Alexander Lisemko, 29, of Crestwood.

N.Y.. who was admitted to intensive care in guarded condition. Police reported all 13 riders in the Wheeler vehicle were students from the St. Vladimir Seminary. Crestwood, N.

Y. The van's damages were estimated at 84,000 by state police, who said the tractor trailer had about $200 worth of damages. Man jailed on assault charges KRESGEVILLE Michael H. Borden, alias Michael Chell, 35, of Avenue, Indian Mountain Lakes was arrested by police from Lehighton at 7 a.m. Monday on charges of aggravated and simple assault.

Borden allgedly performed aggravated assault on Thomas Ford of Kunkletown and simple assault on Vendel A. Gerencser of Kresgeville in Polk Township April 3. Stale police said Borden was also arrested on-a bench warrant from Lehigh County for failure to appear to post an additional 55,000 bail. He was arraigned at 11:30 a.m. Monday before District Magistrate Glen Bergor of Brodheadsville and jailed in lieu of $35,000 bail.

Fined for hit and run SCIOTA A New York City woman was fined 566 and costs Monday after being arrested for hit and run and disorderly conduct following a mishap near the Sciota Hotel, Sciota. Mrs. Shirley Boyd of 400 E. 50th New York, N.Y. was charged with driving into a parked car owned by Dean Werkheiser of Sciota, and then leaving the scene of the Boyd was arrested later by Tpr.

Stephen Howanitz of the Pennsylvania Stale Police at the Twin Willows bar and taken before District Magistrate Graden Praetorius. She pleaded guilty and was fined. Warrants issued STROUDSBURG District Magistrate Graden Praetorius Friday issued warrants for the arrest of two Vermont men on charges of theft and conspiracy in connection with a motor vehicle theft April 9. 'Hie two men were Ashley J. Bickford of West Glover, Vt.

and Bradford Miller of Orleans, Vt. Shooting investigation LEHIGHTON State police at Lehighton are still continuing their investigation into the shooting of Larry Feussner, 27, of 16 W. Spring Hazleton at a rented home in Towamensing Trails. Feussner was discovered by some friends at about 2:45 a.m. April 10.

He was taken to Pocono Hospital by the Lake Harmony ambulance and from there was transferred to the Allentown Sacred Heart Medical Center. The Hazleton man was reported still in critical condition in intensive care Monday afternoon. Burning couch removed STROUDSBUHG Ten Stroud Township firemen with two trucks answered a 10:30 a.m. Monday call at the Eva Wickey residence, 1761 Honeysuckle Lane, Stroud Township. Firemen removed a burning couch from the premises, cleared the living room with a fan and administered oxygen to Mrs.

Wickey. according to Chief Ray Silver. Firemen were oul for about an hour. Cause of the blaze is unknown. Old rugs blaze under truck DELAWARE WATER GAP Some old rugs under a truck at the Dick Gallagher residence on Rte.

all in Delaware Water Gap caught fire at about 8:50 a.m. Monday, according to the fire chief. About eight men with two tracks put out the fire. Mrs. a laghcT, who was slightly burned when she tried to extinguish the fire herself, refused treatment.

There was little damage to (he truck. Rubbish fire spreads TANNERSVILLE A fire that started in some rubbish behind the House of Candles on lite. 715. Pocono Township at about 4:10 p.m. Monday spread to surrounding woods.

About 20 men with four tracks spent nearly an hour pulling the fire out, according to assistant chief Arthur Youngken. He said there was no damage olhcr than to the woods. Falso alarm at Fernwood nUSHKILL A mnlfiinclioning oil burner caused a lot of smoke, but no fire at Hie Fernwood at aboul 9:15 a.m. Monday. Hoopla missing in second round Utility rate hearings resume in Pike County By BRUCE POSTEH Pocono Record Reporter MILFORD No one waved posters protesting high utility rates or delivered emotional testimony on to monthly electric bills at the Pike County Courthouse Monday.

The voices were subdued and well-modulated this time. And they belonged to lawyers, corporate i i a and rate managers who came to the first day of Public Utilities Commission (PUC) hearings on a proposed 25 per cent rate Increase by the Pike County Light and Power Co. (PCLPC). The hearings, which resumed after nearly a month-long intermission, attracted about 35 residents in the morning. However, that number slowly dwindled throughout the day and could not compare with the almost 250 residents who.

attended PUC hearings in March. Lawyers respresenting the PUC, Pike County Commissioners, Delaware a School District and J.O. Ryder Rendering Co. spent most of the day cross-examining three i i a proposed increase that will give the utility $271,000 in additional revenues. Most of the questions aimed at PCLPC officials Joseph Schuh.

rate manager: Robert McBennett, treasurer, and Herbert Wernau, assistant rate manager, were designed to determine if PCLPC's rates were "reasonable" given its position as a subsidiary of Orange and Rot-Mand, N.Y. John Finan, county solicitor, sparked a heated exchange with PCLPC's a Gerard Malier early in the hearing when he attempted to find out who was responsible for filing a reduction in PCLPC's original. rate request from $348,000 to $271.000. Terming the reduced request a "possible $76.000 Finan said "if the first request was what makes us think that the S271.000 request is correct. They have the burden of proof in this case." Maher said the decision to ask the PUC last fall for a reduced rate increase was a a i counsel" and added that he would object to "anyone testifying to it." "The decision comes within the scope of attorney-client privilege," Malier said.

"I can describe generally what occurred, but that is all." Maher later said the rate revisions "were not a mistake or He explained that the utility was "in dire financial straits" when it asked the PUC for a rate increase of 25 per cent rather than 35 per cent. The PUC temporarily granted the request contingent upon the results of the hearings. Melville Walwyn, a PUC attorney, said that if the PUC considers PCLPC's request "unreasonable" a rebate will a However, a decision on the matter could take as long as two years, he added. Shower fall Thrift helped New berry's grow at resort cues suit STROUDSBURG A law suit asking in excess of $20,000 was filed by a New Jersey couple against Mt. Airy Lodge Monday in the Monroe County Prothonotary's office.

Edward and Eleanor Echt of Willingboro, N.J. filed the suit against Herman a Suzanne Martens and Ernil Wagner, trading as Martens and Wagner and Mt. Airy Lodge. The suit alleges that on Sept. 11, 1974, Mrs.

Edit slipped in a' shower at the resort and sustained contusions- to the lower chest wall, buttock and spjne rendering her siqk, sore and lame. The suit further alleged her ability to have sexual intercourse has been and may be im- pared for an indefinite time. Mrs. Ectit asks in excess of $10.000 for damages and her husband asks in excess of $10,000 for being deprived of the assistance and society of his wife. Dollars stretched into 735 stores EAST STROUDSBURG The son of the founder of J.J.

Newberry department stores said Monday the frugality that led to the success of the chain that began in Stroudsburg in 1911 was instilled in him at home. Speaking to an audience at East Stroudsburg State College, John J. Newberry Jr. said sticking to the principles of thriftiness and tight family control would have kept the firm in the family. The chain was taken over by the McCrory Corporation in 1972.

The Stroudsburg store was the first of what would become, when Newberry retired in 1973, a firm consisting of 735 stores. It now consists of 397 stores. Newberry said his father chose Stroudsburg because "he thought this would be a nice, quiet, little town to establish a business." His a he told the audience, was born in Sunbury in 1877, one of nine children: "Thrift was paramount. They had to make every cent go as far as they could." His father worked for the railroad as an office boy and for the Fowler, Dick and Walker Department Store in Wilkes- Barre, the city in i Newberry was born in 1914. After working with the S.H, Kress Co.

for 12 years, Newberry's father developed typhoid fever and moved to Stroudsburg. Newberry said his father was dissatisfied with the sick pay he received and began his own store. His father took over a general merchandise store on the south side of Main Street, across from the Endicott Johnson Shoe Store. A newspaper advertisement from the store's opening on Dec. 16.

1911 featured the five and dime items the store became famous for: alarm clocks for 25 cents, towels for 10 cents, candy for 10 cents a pound. The store was successful, moved across the street into he present i Johnson building and then into a new structure on the corner of Sixth John J. Newberry Jr. and Main streets in May of 1953. Still being used as a Newberry store, the building was cons as a a a The chain expanded with the purchase of numerous stores, including the Hestead chain of 97 stores.

Newberry began working for his father's chain during the summers of 1935-36, moved to other stores and was manager of the Stroudsburg outlet from 1940-42. "I have good, fond memories of Stroudsburg and vicinity and good friends here." he said. a i i a a i changed. Customers demanded larger selections of items. Chains like Newberry's tried to leave the towns and relocate in shopping malls.

Newberry said new management began controlling the company, expanding too rapid- into Canada. New stock sold to buy the stores watered down family stock holdings and the Newberry's control, he said. Newberry said in spite of the "demise" a i business when it was purchased by McCrory and its parent company. Rapid American, the chain still "provided service." Now living in Stowe, Newberry concluded by stating competition in Stroudsburg has been friendly among Newberry's, Woolworth's and the A.B. Wyckoff Department Store.

Auto theft admitted in court A Kunkletown man pleaded guilty to car theft Monday in Monroe County Court. A presentence investigation was'ordered for Clinton Rouck Jr. who was charged with taking a car from a W. Main Street address on Dec. 8, 1975.

Rouck was remanded to the Monroe County Jail in 'lieu of $500 bail. In other court proceedings, Charles Wright of Stroudsburg was accepted into an acc a a i i a i program and placed on probation for a year for theft by deception. Victor Martinez of East Stroudsburg wa's also accepted into an accelerated rehabilitation program and placed on' six months' probation for theft by unlawful taking. A a i business practices against John Sylvester of Mount Pocono was dropped. Monroe seeks parks grant By HARRIET LEEDS Pocono Record Reporter STROUDSBURG Monroe County municipalities may get county recreation aid this year after all albeit with state and federal money.

The Monroe County Recreation and Park Commission board Monday recommended county approval of participation in the Pennsylvania Emergency Employment Park Development Program. The program would limit the a a construction materials and labor at each site to a maximum of $10,000. Its stated purpose is to rehabilitate and minimally develop small rural community parks utilizing as much hand labor as possible. Jeffrey Evans, executive i i program as "tailor-made for Monroe County." The one hitch he foresees Is in obtaining additional Comprehensive Employment Training Act (CETA) employes. V.

Evans said he informed CETA coordinator Brooks of the program and asked him to find a way of ob- a i i a i i a "CETA program money for 8 to 10 employes. The program would have to be appruved by the county commissioners and Uie state before the Recreation and Park Commission could begin informing the municipalities of how to apply. Work would be limited to single recreation facilities such as basic ball fields, small shelters, picnic areas and tables and landscaping. Municipalities must have populations of 3,000 to 5,000 or less. Evans said this would exempt a Stroudsburg and Stroud Township from participation.

Another exemption would be for municipalities which have not applied for federal flood insurance eligibility, Kvans said those townships that have turned down federal flood insurance will find them- selves increasingly ineligible for federal and state-funded projects. He added the county could lose a possible $45.000 grant for a West End Park expansion i i Township does not become eligible for flood insurance. The executive director noted several communities would probably be interested in the Emergency Employment Park Development Program, including Jackson, Barrett. Tobyhanna. Pocono, Smithfield.

i i i a Hamilton Townships. In other business, the Recreation and Park Commission board approved tentative dates for summer park programs, The West End Park pool will tentatively open June 12 and close Aug. 22. The recreation program at the park would begin June 21 and end Aug. 12.

At the First Ward Park, the wading pool would be open from June 21 to Aug. 27 and the recreation program would run form 21 to Aug. 20, The Commission is now accepting applications for sum- playground directors, lifeguards, arts and crafts workers and others. The First Ward Park building will be used as an office for Uie Youth Employment Service, a job clearinghouse for Monroe County youths ages 13 to 18 interested in part time and summer jobs. Program director Jere True said the office will open April 26.

He said 600 i a employes have expressed an interest in the service as the result of an initial survey. The Community Recreation Programs have concluded for the season and the staff is now developing proposals for next fall to present to the school districts. In addition, a proposal will be presented to the East Stroudsburg Area School district this month to continue the swimming program there and offer advanced Hfesaving and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Road rules suggested in Pocono By DEBORAH ENYEART Pocono Record Reporter TANNERSVILLE The Pocono Township Planning Commission Monday night unanimously passed a recom- a i i supervisors rewrite a section of an i a to i developers to install roads. The commission considered a similar motion at its March 22 meeting but tabled action because there was concern about the motion's wording.

Commission member Pat Ross proposed that section 12.9 concerning road bonds in the subdivision and land development ordinance. No. 4 be amended to require: A standard road bond which would apply to everyone. A date in the written bond for the completion of the roads a i i specifications within a maximum of five years. That the bond be a legally- binding document that could be enforced in the courts.

That the bond be updated at one year intervals from the date of final approval to reflect changes in prices. A performance bond from an accredited bonding company or a percentage of the money to be placed in escrow should be included with the plans. A certified estimate of the road construction from a road construction firm should accompany the plans. Ross said that he examined the road bonds delivered to the township and found one was a performance bond, two had money in escrow and the rest were signed but lacked an official seal. He added that supervisors had at times not required a bond because the people were well-known.

Ross said he had originally wanted to recommend a change to require that roads be maintained before the township took them over but changed his approach because of the difficulty in defining "maintain." i i Don Robbins said he voted for the proposal, although he didn't agree with the performance' bond requirement. He said such bonds can be hard to get and feared that development in the township would be halted if it were required. Chairman Dick Post said the proposal was only a "basis for consideration" and was enough to start action on the matter so that precise wording and requirements could be worked out later. He added that any changes that would be adopted would not apply to existing devi'lup- meiits but only to future projects. ESSC KAST STROUDSBURG A second public a i on renaming East Stroudsburg State College will be held at 7:30 p.m.

tonight in Stroud Hall room 113. on campus. Persons wishing to speak should call the president's office at 424-3545..