Western Pocono Women's Club

Western Pocono Women’s Club

2025 Officers President Isabel Pietri, 1st Vice President Linda Troia, 2^nd Vice President Vicki Connor, Secretary Cathy Bruno, Treasurer Sue Shupp

Monday, August 11 at 7pm. Please note the date change due to the West End Fair.

Project Smile in cooperation with Bikers for Backpacks (Pocono Mountain H.O.G. Association) is accepting school supplies for donations. They have an ambitious agenda planned for outfitting the children of our local schools and could use some help. This is our designated donation for August – School Supplies! School supplies are readily available in the stores right now so it’s a great time to stock up. Please Help!! Needed items include: Crayons (24 packs), Washable Markers, #2 Pencils, Glue Sticks, Dry Erase Markers, 2 Pocket Folders, Kids’ Scissors, Colored Pencils, Highlighters, 17” New Backpacks. Last year they filled and delivered over 1500 new backpacks filled with school supplies to Monroe County elementary school children. It is a wonderful program that supports local families in need at a time they need it the most — when school is starting. If you have questions see Stacy M. or Joan B.

Our program this month is in regards to our HOBY student, John Hargrave who will be introduced to the group. John will be a junior this coming year at PVHS and is a member of FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).

Thank you to our Refreshment Committee volunteers for this month’s goodies: Lisa A., Lynne M., Stacy M., Kris M. and Dawn P.

Out to Lunch

Darlene B. will be taking reservations for our lunch to be on Thursday, August 7 at noon at the newly opened Kresgeville Eatery on 209 in Kresgeville. Please contact her no later than Tuesday, August 5 if you plan to attend.

West End Fair Preparations

We are in full swing for the West End Fair August 17-23, 2025!!

 Fair Stand Clean-up – Lisa A. announced our clean-up day to be Monday, August 11 at 8:30 am. (Rain date August 12)

Soup Day

Thursday, August 14, we will be making our soup at the Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Trachsville at 500 Church Road. You may sign up to work 8:00–10:00 or 10:00–12:00 or both times. See Fern during the August meeting to add your name to the list.

Sign-up Sheets

Most importantly, see Donna C. to sign up for at least one to two shifts at our stand for Fair Week!! We need you!! There will be sign-up sheets at our August meeting.

Cases of Bottled Water will be needed for the fair. Please donate only the 24 ct. cases of 16.9 oz bottles (no other sizes). They may be dropped off at the Fair Stand Clean up, the August meeting or Lisa A.’s house. Thank you!.

Penn’s Peak Event – Members have indicated interest in attending a luncheon and concert at Penn’s Peak this fall. The ladies came up with two choices and are requesting members, if interested, to commit to on of the two concert choices when asked at our August meeting. The price for tickets including the luncheon is $61. Choices are: Sept. 30 Buddy Holly or October 29 Alan Jackson. Please let Fern S. know at the August meeting or contact her separately.

Our guest speaker for July speaking on behalf of Chestnuthill Township Emergency Services was Mike Manfre. Mike is the Fire Chief for the West End Fire Company now housed in the brand-new shared emergency services building on Route 715 across the street from the old fire station. The West End Fire Company has served our community on a 100% volunteer basis for the past 92 years – pretty impressive! And despite having an all-volunteer force, they provide 24-hour services to our area 7 days a week all year long. Most of the budget for the West End Fire Company comes from citizen donations which go towards protective equipment, firefighter training, maintaining fire trucks /building and fire prevention education to schools in and around Chestnuthill Township. Mike explained in some detail how incredibly expensive their equipment is – from the million plus dollar fire trucks that have more than doubled in price in recent years, to the thousands of dollars it costs for each firefighter’s protective clothing worn while fighting the average 2 fires/day in our township for their 47 active members. In addition, there are long hours required for training, meetings, equipment inspection and maintenance, record-keeping and reporting, all these things being in addition to the actual fighting of fires by people doing this on their own time. He indicated 70% of their members are certified Firefighter Level 1 or 2, a big advantage to the fire company for obtaining grants. One interesting fact was that it takes 4 years to obtain a new fire truck from the time it was ordered and built until delivery! West End Fire Co Manfre expressed how appreciative they are to be in their new home, the Shared Services Building, a project ten years in the making. They are very pleased to now have the space to house their largest hook and ladder fire truck which previously did not fit in the old building across the street plus have space for their firefighting equipment, trucks, meeting space, and exercise room and many amenities never imagined previously. In the new building along with the West End Fire Company also housed is the West End Ambulance (LVHN EMS) and an impressive state of the art Emergency Control Center. They are currently in talks with five neighboring townships for shared use of this impressive facility should the need arise. The EMS staff is equally pleased to be able to call this impressive new building home and have space for their needs. There is also room in the building for a 911 Control Center should it be considered. Mike told the group he would be open to giving a tour to anyone interested and to just let him know. It’s amazing to consider the incredible dedication on the part of these volunteers providing these essential services to our community. Of interest is what will happen to the old building across the street? Manfre indicated the old building will become a brewery although it has not yet been relinquished from the township just yet. There are plans to add sidewalks and make other improvements to the property before this happens and when it does, the proceeds will benefit the Fire Company.

Club News Project Healing Waters

Tuesday, August 12. Meet 10:00-10:30 at the Indian Mountain Rod and Gun Club in advance of the veterans who arrive at 11:00. The committee is asking for desserts. Contrary to what was previously announced these need not be individually wrapped and will be served on a plate. These may also be dropped off at the home of Vicki C. by August 11th or early morning of August12th. A phone call to Vicki would be advisable. Donations can also be brought to the August meeting.  Our members have snacks and coffee for the vets when they arrive and have lunch ready around noon outside picnic-style. We prepare the food and desserts. In addition to the ladies, (Vicki’s husband Jim, and other volunteers) help the veterans fly fish by preparing rods or teaching them the art of fly fishing. It is a fun activity for all involved but if anyone has an item and just wishes to drop it off that would be fine too!

August at a Glance

Mon, Aug 11 – Meeting 7:00

 Mon, Aug 11 – Fair Stand Cleaning 8:30

Tues, Aug. 12 – Project Healing Waters 10:30

Thurs, Aug. 14 – Soup Day 8:00 & 10:00

Sun, Aug 17 to Sat Aug 23 – West End Fair

Refreshment Committee

 September 15 – Joyce A., Bonnie P., Denise S., Marylouise D.

October 20 – Michele H., Gail S., Tonya W., Shannon M.

If you are unable to attend, kindly secure a replacement.

August Birthdays

Carol E. (11) Isabel P. (11) Pat K. (29) Sue H. (31)

Quilts Made with Love – Canceled for August

Getz PCH – Next meeting in September.

Meeting Dates

August 11* – HOBY Student

September 15 – Quilling

October 20 – Operation Touch of Home

November 17 –Holiday Crafts December –Christmas Party (Date TBD) Dates