July 7, 2015
HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION OF TOBYHANNA TOWNSHIP
July 7, 2015
Clymer Library, 115 Firehouse Road, Pocono Pines, Pa.
Attendance: 51
Speaker: Roger Spotts: "Monroe County, a History of Resources"
The meeting was called to order by Rick Bodenschatz. He welcomed members and guests and thanked them for attending. Bruce Denlinger led in the Pledge of Allegiance. Rick then introduced the speaker for the evening, Roger Spotts, Environmental Education Coordinator for the Kettle Creek Wildlife Sanctuary near Bartonsville.
Presentation: “Monroe County: A History of Resources”
The natural resources in the Pocono area and Monroe County began with the Ice Ages and the formation of the glaciers many centuries ago
Ice, as thick as 1500 feet, settled in this area. As the ice receded, wetlands were created. There were no trees, but animals such as saber toothed tigers, and mastodons came to the area.
Eventually the trees began to grow and 95 percent of Monroe County was forest land. Moose, eastern elk and mountain lions lived in the forest, and sturgeon 10 feet long swam in the rivers. The ecology was in balance before the invasion of humans.
The first white inhabitants in the Monroe County area arrived in 1727. The first arrivals were farmers.
In the early 1800s lumbering became an important resource as the need for building materials increased. The lumber was first sent to the cities via the water and then by railroad.
By the 1900s all the trees had been cut down and the area became an ice-producing location. The dams were built to create man-made lakes and the frozen ice was used to refrigerate food products.
As early as the 1830s, tourists began coming to the area for the clean air and water.
The large resorts were built in the early 1900s, and the mid 1950s brought the honeymoon resorts and skiing to the area.
Today Monroe County remains a wonderful place to live and visit because of the good water quality, recreational activities and open space. The Nature Conservancy continues to monitor and protect the natural resources, so the area will maintain a healthy environment for humans and wildlife.
Following a question and answer period, Rick presented Roger with a certificate of appreciation.
Business Meeting
Rick reminded the attendees of the Community Day celebration taking place on Saturday, July 11, from 2 p.m. to dusk.
He said he would be the speaker at the next HATT meeting on July 30 at 5:30 p.m. His topic is “Sullivan’s Expedition in Tobyhanna Township.”
The August meeting, our annual picnic, will be on August 13. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish if their last name starts with an A through L, or a dessert if their last name starts with an M through Z.
Rick mentioned that the annual house tour being held on August 5 is a major fundraiser for Clymer Library.
Rick spoke to those individuals that stayed for the business meeting about the future of HATT. He said the organization has more than 200 members and it is the largest organization of its kind in Northeast Pennsylvania.
However, even with so many members, we are having difficulty finding individuals willing to serve as officers or committee members. HATT is without a president or vice president, and there is an opening on the board and a need for people to chair some committees.
He reminded people that anyone of us is capable of serving in these positions, but fear of the unknown may be keeping them from volunteering.
Rick is planning three informational sessions to discuss the duties for each vacant position. These sessions, all being held at Clymer Library, will take place on July 20, August 4, and August 18 at 3:30 p.m.
Anyone willing to help keep HATT a viable organization is invited to attend one or all three of these sessions. For more information and/or questions, please contact Rick at 570 646-7235 or at rick-boden@msn.com.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jeanne Dyer, HATT Secretary
