Fun breakfast foodBackup generatorsDeadly strands

PLUS

M AY 2 0 1 5

Sowing the seeds for the returnof the American chestnutSowing the seeds for the returnof the American chestnut

Hope in handHope in hand

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed• Over 25 Million Satisfi ed Customers

• 550 Stores Nationwide• HarborFreight.com 800-423-2567

• No Hassle Return Policy• Lifetime Warranty On All Hand Tools

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

SUPER

COUPON!

LIMIT 9 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 8 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

LIMIT 5 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

QUALITY TOOLS AT RIDICULOUSLY LOW PRICESHARBOR FREIGHT

LIMIT 1 - Save 20% on any one item purchased at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon, gift cards, Inside Track Club membership, extended service plans or on any of the following: compressors, generators, tool storage or carts, welders, fl oor jacks, Towable Ride-On Trencher, Saw Mill (Item 61712/62366/67138), Predator Gas Power Items, open box items, in-store event or parking lot sale items. Not valid on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase date with original receipt. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON

ANY SINGLE ITEM

20%OFF

LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase. Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON

FREEHow Does Harbor Freight Sell GREAT QUALITY Tools

at the LOWEST Prices?We have invested millions of dollars in our own state-of-the-art quality test labs and millions more in our factories, so our tools will go toe-to-toe with the top professional brands. And we can sell them for a fraction of the price because we cut out the middle man and pass the savings on to you. It’s just that simple! Come visit one of our 550 Stores Nationwide.

WITH ANY PURCHASE

SUPER

COUPON!

$9999 REG. PRICE

$279.99

26", 4 DRAWER TOOL CART

LOT 95659 shown61634/61952

SAVE $180

• 580 lb. Capacity

WINNER– Truckin' Magazine

SAVE 60%

$599 REG. PRICE

$14 .99

9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS

SAELOT 69043/42304 shown

METRICLOT 42305/69044

YOUR CHOICE!

LIMIT 4 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount

or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.

Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

WOW SUPER COUPON!

$3999 $5999 REG. PRICE

$89. 99

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OILLESS PANCAKE AIR COMPRESSOR

LOT 95275 shown 60637/61615

$$SAVE55%

LOT 67227 shown 69567/60566/62532

27 LED PORTABLE WORKLIGHT/FLASHLIGHT

$299 REG. PRICE $7.99

Batteriesincluded

SAVE 62%

WOW SUPER COUPON!

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount

or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.

Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SAVEOVER

$35

$7499 REG. PRICE

$99 .99

$64

1.5 HP ELECTRIC POLE SAW

LOT 68862

• Extends from 6 ft. to 8 ft. 10"

RAPID PUMP®

3 TON HEAVY DUTY STEEL FLOOR JACK LOT 69227/6211662584/62590/68048 shown

$7499 REG. PRICE $159 .99

• Weighs 74 lbs.

SAVE $85

4000 PEAK/3200 RUNNING WATTS

6.5 HP (212 CC) GAS GENERATORS

REG. PRICE $499.99

LOT 69675/69728CALIFORNIA ONLY

$29999

LOT 69729/68528/69676 shown

• 70 dB Noise Level

•

SUPER QUIET

SAVE $200 SAVE

66%

72" x 80" MOVER'S BLANKET

LOT 66537 shown69505 /62418

REG. PRICE $17 .99 $599

SAVE 37%

FOLDABLE ALUMINUM SPORTS CHAIR

$2499 REG. PRICE $39 .99

• 250 lb. Capacity

LOT 6231466383 shown

WOW SUPER COUPON!

LIMIT 6 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount

or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.

Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

$2299 REG. PRICE

$34.99

$1599SAVE54%

18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER

WITH KEYLESS CHUCK

LOT 69651 68239 shown

Includes one 18V NiCd

battery and charger.

RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL WITH 3/8" x 50 FT. HOSE

LOT 69265 /6234493897 shownSAVE

$90

$5999 REG. PRICE

$149 .99

WOW SUPER COUPON!

LIMIT 3 - Good at our stores or HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567. Cannot be used with other discount

or coupon or prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase with original receipt. Offer good while supplies last.

Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/15/15. Limit one coupon per customer per day.

SAVEOVER

$122

$17768

REG. PRICE $299.99 $19999

LOT 69039 shown 6072762286

10 FT. x 17 FT. PORTABLE GARAGE

1" x 25 FT. TAPE

MEASURELOT 69080 shown

69030/69031/47737

VALUE $699

M A Y 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 3

Visit with us at Penn LinesOnline, located at:www.prea.com/Content/pennlines.asp. Penn Lines Onlineprovides an email link to PennLines editorial staff, informationon advertising rates, and anarchive of past issues.

Vol. 50 • No. 5Peter A. Fitzgerald

ED ITOR

Katherine HacklemanSENIOR EDITOR/WRITER

James DulleyJanette Hess

Barbara MartinMarcus Schneck

CONTR IBUT ING COLUMNISTS

W. Douglas ShirkLAYOUT & DESIGN

Vonnie KlossADVERT ISING & C IRCULAT ION

Michelle M. SmithMEDIA & MARKET ING SPECIALIST

Penn Lines (USPS 929-700), the newsmagazineof Pennsylvania’s electric cooperatives, is pub-lished monthly by the Pennsylvania Rural Elec-tric Association, 212 Locust Street, P.O. Box1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266. Penn Lineshelps 166,000 households of co-op consumer-members understand issues that affect theelectric cooperative program, their local co-ops, and their quality of life. Electric co-opsare not-for-profit, consumer-owned, locallydirected, and taxpaying electric utilities. PennLines is not responsible for unsolicited manu-scripts. The opinions expressed in Penn Linesdo not necessarily reflect those of the editors,the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, orlocal electric distribution cooperatives.

Subscriptions: Electric co-op members, $5.42per year through their local electric distributioncooperative. Preferred Periodicals postage paidat Harrisburg, PA 17107 and additional mail ingoffices. POSTMASTER: Send address changeswith mailing label to Penn Lines, 212 LocustStreet, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108-1266.

Advertising: Display ad deadline is six weeksprior to month of issue. Ad rates upon request.Acceptance of advertising by Penn Lines doesnot imply endorsement of the product or serv-ices by the publisher or any electric cooper-ative. If you encounter a problem with anyproduct or service advertised in Penn Lines,please contact: Advertising, Penn Lines, P.O.Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Penn Linesreserves the right to refuse any advertising.

Board officers and staff, Pennsylvania RuralElectric Association: Chairman, Leroy Walls;Vice Chair man, Tim Burkett; Secretary, BarbaraMiller; Treas urer, Rick Shope; President &CEO, Frank M. Betley

© 2015 Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association.All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or inpart without written permission is prohibited.

4 K EEP ING CURRENTNews items from across the Commonwealth

6 ENERGY MATTERSHome show highlights new,emerging technologies

8 F EATUREHope in handSowing the seeds for the return of theAmerican chestnut

12A COOPERATIVE CONNECTIONInformation and advice from your localelectric cooperative

14 T IME L INESYour newsmagazine through the years

16 COUNTRY K I TCHENFun with breakfast food

18 SMART C I RCU I TSWhat you need to know aboutbackup generators

19 OUTDOOR ADVENTURESDeadly strands

20 C LASS I F I EDS

22 PUNCH L INES

Thoughts from Earl Pitts–Uhmerikun!Ready for spring, ready for baseball

23 RURAL REFLECT IONS

Hello, spring!

16

MAY

8

19

23

ON THE COVERScientists and citizensacross the country areworking hard to restorethe American chestnuttree to the nation’s forests.Photo by The AmericanChestnut Foundation

4 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

Lyme disease continues to spreadPennsylvania led the United States in

the number of confirmed and suspectedLyme disease cases in 2013 (the latest dataavailable), according to information fromthe Centers for Disease Control and Pre-vention (CDC).

Lyme disease, transmitted to humansthrough the bite of infected blackleggedticks, is the most commonly reported vec-tor-borne illness in the United States, andit is most heavily concentrated in theNortheast and upper Midwest. Earlysymptoms include fever, headache,fatigue, swollen lymph nodes and thepresence of the characteristic bulls-eyerash called erythema migrans. If Lymedisease is not treated, it can lead to seriousinfections of the joints, heart and nervoussystem.

In 2013, Pennsylvania reported 4,981confirmed cases of Lyme disease with 777probable cases, followed by Massachu-setts with 3,816 confirmed cases and 1,474probable cases, and New York with 3,512confirmed cases and 1,103 probable cases.

Nationwide, there were 27,203 con-firmed cases, plus 9,104 probable cases in2013. That’s up from the 19,804 casesreported in 2004 (the first year thatnational statistics were available).

Although it’s a good idea to alwaystake preventive measures against ticks,

KEEPINGcurrent

the CDC advises people to be extra vigi-lant from April through September whenticks are most active. They also advise tak-ing precautions against direct contact withticks by avoiding wooded areas with tallgrass; using tick repellant containing 20 to30 percent DEET on exposed skin andclothing (follow product instructions), andusing products containing permethrin on

LYME DISEASE BY STATE: Lyme disease cases are concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest. Thisillustration has one dot placed in the county of residence for each confirmed case of the disease.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

clothing; and finding and removing ticksfrom your body as soon as possible afterbeing outside.

Pennsylvania wildlife faces twomajor challenges

Pennsylvania Game Commission Exec-utive Director R. Matthew Hough, in thecommission’s 2014 annual report, notedthe state is facing two major wildlife chal-lenges: chronic wasting disease (CWD) indeer and white-nose syndrome in bats.

Hough noted that CWD was firstdetected in a commercial deer farm inAdams County in 2012, and later that yearwas confirmed in three hunter-harvesteddeer in Blair and Bedford counties. In thespring of 2014, it was found in anotherdeer farm in the Jefferson County area.Results from the most recent hunting sea-son are not yet available, but state officialsare working to prevent the spread of thedisease.

“Deer hunting is a big business inPennsylvania and an important part of

PENNlines

50th

Enter the Penn Lines ‘50 for 50’ essay contestPenn Lines will be observing its 50th anniversary in 2016, and we want you to be a

part of the celebration. In recognition of the magazine’s 50 years, we are holding a“50 for 50” essay contest. Enter for your chance to win one of three $50 gift cards bysubmitting an essay in one of the following three categories:

1. What is your earliest memory of Penn Lines?2. How does Penn Lines help you as a cooperative member?3. What does Penn Lines mean to rural Pennsylvania?As part of our anniversary celebration, we plan to reprint some of the essays in the

2016 issues of Penn Lines. All submissions will be eligible to win one of three $50 giftcards.Entries should be between 100 and 250 words long. Please email your entries to

editor@prea.com, or mail them to Penn Lines Editor, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA17108-1266. Include your name, address, telephone number, email (if available), and thecooperative that serves your residence or business.

our state’s culture,” Hough noted. “CWDposes a major threat to our deer herd andour hunting heritage, and with the discov-ery in Jefferson County, it is now in veryclose proximity to our elk population andhas the potential to undo over a century’sworth of work in restoring elk to theCommonwealth.”

State officials also continue to assessthe effects of white-nose syndrome incave-dwelling bats. Efforts are focused onprotecting the existing bats and minimiz-ing their chances of contracting the dis-ease.

“White-nose syndrome has quicklybecome one of the, if not the, most devas-tating wildlife disease ever documented toimpact a species in the Commonwealth,”Hough stated. “Not since the decline ofthe passenger pigeon in the late-19th cen-tury have we witnessed such a devasta-tion of a wildlife resource.”

PennDOT calls on motorists to besafe in work zones

The Pennsylvania Department ofTransportation (PennDOT) hasannounced the implementation of its#Slow4Zone social media campaign that

spotlights department employees andreminds drivers why it is important topay attention and slow down in workzones.

Preliminary figures from 2014 showthat 24 people were killed in Pennsylva-nia work-zone accidents, eight more thanin 2013. Since 1970, 85 PennDOT employ-ees have been killed while working.

PennDOT records show 1,841 crashesin work zones in 2014, a slight decreasefrom the 1,851 crashes in 2013. Over thepast five years, there were 10,586 work-zone crashes in Pennsylvania, with 128fatalities in those crashes.

PennDOT’s #Slow4Zone initiative fea-tures employees from across the state whohave witnessed or been injured in work-zone crashes, or who have a message formotorists. To see the employee testimoni-als, go to www.JustDrivePA.com and clickon the #Slow4Zone link.

New organic crop productionguide published

Penn State’s College of AgriculturalSciences has published an organic cropproduction guide — a guide believed to bethe first and only field-crop production

guide for the mid-Atlantic and Northeastregions of the United States.

The guide provides research-basedinformation for organic crop producersand farmers who are interested in transi-tioning to organic crops. It provides sci-ence-based information about organicpractices and ecological processes, alongwith case studies and information gleanedfrom field days and workshops.

Topics include weed management,environmental quality and profitability inorganic feed and forage production, multi-functional cover-crop mixtures fororganic systems, reduced-tillage, organicfeed-grain production, and organic pro-duction of heritage small grains.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) survey from 2008 (the latest yearinformation is available) shows Pennsyl-vania had 551 certified organic farms withsales of nearly $213 million. USDA officialsreport a rising consumer demand fororganically produced goods provides mar-ket incentives for U.S. farmers across abroad range of products.

The guide is available in print or PDFformat and may be purchased by calling877-345-0691.

Report: fewer crimes in ruralPennsylvania counties

The Pennsylvania State Police hasreleased its 2013 Uniform Crime Report,noting there were fewer serious crimesreported in rural counties than in urbancounties.

During 2013 (the latest year statisticsare available), there were 64,594 seriouscrimes to people or property reported inthe state’s rural counties (1,874 crimesper 100,000 residents). At the same time,there were nearly four times as manyserious crimes reported in urban coun-ties (242,323 serious crimes with a rate of2,598 crimes per 100,000 residents).

The 2013 report shows Philadelphia,Dauphin and Lehigh counties with thehighest rates of serious crimes in the state,while Juniata, Armstrong and Unioncounties have the lowest rates of seriouscrimes.

Statewide, serious crimes declinedfrom 2012 statistics with rural countiesshowing a 3 percent drop and urbancounties showing a 6 percent drop.l

M A Y 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 5

USS JOHN P. MURTHA CHRISTENED: The USS John P. Murtha, the 10th San Antonio-class amphibioustransport dock, is named in honor of the late U.S. Rep. John P. Murtha, a former U.S. Marine Corps offi-cer elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania in 1974 who served until his deathin 2010. The ship was recently christened at a ceremony at Ingalls West Bank in Pascagoula, Miss.Joyce Murtha, widow of the ship’s namesake, serves as sponsor of the ship. The ship is 684 feet longand can hold a crew of up to 800 Marines. Murtha, a Cambria County resident who represented the12th District, earned two Purple Hearts during the Vietnam War.

PHOTO BY U.S.MARINE CORPS

6 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

B y B r e t C u r r y

the housing industry since I attendedthis trade show six years ago. Therewere dozens of vendors on hand thisyear promoting the thermal, air andmoisture barrier benefits of foam insu-lation. Some of the specific applicationswere: wood and metal structural insu-lated panels; insulated concrete forms;insulated concrete blocks, and open andclosed-cell spray foams.

k For those of you who have an older atticaccess ladder inside your home,Louisville Ladder has solved the airleakage around the frame and thermalconduction through the door. The com-pany’s new Pinnacle Series energy-effi-cient attic ladder is equipped with aninsulated door. The door designincludes an R-10 extruded foam corelayer sandwiched between laminatedwoods. In addition, the recessed frameincludes a weather-stripping seal. Thisnew component is designed for bothnew homes and retrofits.

k A show favorite among all attendeeswas the SnapRays Guidelight. Say

Home showhighlights new,emergingtechnologies

goodbye to the incandescent bulb-styleor plug-in nightlights because Snap-Power has reinvented the nightlight.The company’s ingenious design isbrilliant and energy efficient. Home-owners simply remove the existingcover from any receptacle and replaceit with the SnapRays cover plate. Howit works is quite simple, and itspatented “power extractors” on theSnapRays cover plate make contactwith the screws located on the sides ofthe outlet. The attractive design lookslike a regular cover plate, but threeultra-efficient LEDs are located at thebottom of the cover. The LEDs activateduring the dark and turn off duringthe day. Plus, the LEDs draw only afew milliamps, so the Guidelight costsonly pennies per year to operate. But,there’s more. SnapPower unveiled itscover plate USB power charger recep-tacle in April.lBret Curry is the residential energy man-

ager for Arkansas Electric Cooperative Cor-poration.

I RECENTLY attended the NationalAssociation of Homebuilders (NAHB)International Builders Show (IBS). TheNAHB is a trade association that has beenin existence since the 1940s. It is a grass-roots organization that serves as the voiceof America’s housing industry. NAHBmembers help promote policies to keepquality, safe and affordable housing anational priority.

The IBS is the largest light-construc-tion building industry trade show in theUnited States. This one-of-a-kind exposi-tion and convention focuses on every facet(including energy efficiency) incorporatedinto new homes and remodeling projects.This year’s show included 1,200 exhibitorswhose displays covered nearly 476,000square feet, or nearly 11 acres of exhibitionspace. About 125,000 attendees represent-ing more than 100 countries attended theevent.

My mission was to learn about newand emerging technologies, as well asimprovements in the energy-efficiencysector. During a two-day period, I wasable to visit with some of the brightestfolks in the industry and see some fasci-nating new and improved technology.

Some of the energy-efficiency productcategories included consumer appliances,insulation, lighting, heating, cooling, venti-lation, windows, reflective coatings, waterheating, radiant barriers and wirelesshome automation.

Of the new and improved items on dis-play at the show, here are a few I wouldlike to share with you: k Foam insulation has taken a foothold in

ENERGYmatters

NEW TECHNOLOGY: The SnapRays Guidelight — a new take on the old nightlight — contains three ultra-efficient LEDs located at the bottom of the cover. The LEDs activate during the dark and turn off dur-ing the day.

PENNlines

8 P E N N L I N E S • M A Y 2 0 1 5

Hope in handSowing the seeds for the return of the

American chestnutB y K a t h y H a c k l e m a n

S e n i o r E d i t o r / Wr i t e r

PHOTO BY THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT FOUNDATION

M AY 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 9

Chestnut forests, which once dominated theAppalachian region, are now functionally extinctdue to a blight that afflicted the trees early last cen-tury. Today, all of the largest, still-living Americanchestnuts are located outside the tree’s native habi-tat. The men and women who make up TACF —and its local affiliates, the Pennsylvania/NewJersey Chapter (PA-TACF) and the RaystownRestoration Branch of TACF — are dedicated tobringing back the American chestnut through aprogram to breed a blight-resistant tree.

BlightThe chestnut blight fungus (Cryphonectria

parasitica) was observed first in the UnitedStates in 1904, and it is believed to have beenimported to the UnitedStates from Asia. By 1940,most of the country’s bil-lions of American chest-nuts were dead or dying.The disease attacksAmerican chestnutsthrough cracks in thetree’s bark. It then growsin and under the bark,leaving a large canker, andeventually kills theinfected tree. An infectedtree will first die above thecanker, which can beeither swollen or sunken,but eventually the entiretree will die.Calling what has hap-

pened to the tree “thelargest ecological disasterin North America in the last several hundredyears,” Clark Beebe explains why he dedicatesso many volunteer hours to the restoration ofthe American chestnut.“Forestry, and especially the American

hen 19th-century writer Lucy Larcom penned the thought,

“He who plants a tree plants a hope,” she was referring to the

reality that it takes decades for a tree to reach maturity. What she

could not have imagined was the outpouring of hope — not to

mention hard work — the volunteers and staff of The American

Chestnut Foundation (TACF) are contributing toward the

restoration of the American chestnut tree.

chestnut, is my passion,” says Beebe, a memberof Wysox-based Claverack Rural Electric Cooper-ative (REC) and vice president of the PA-TACF. “Iown forest land in Bradford County that is partof some parcels acquired by my father in themid-1950s. He was involved in the foundation,and even arranged for the foundation to collectsome seeds on Robwood Mountain in the 1990s.I have continued his work with the chestnutsand the foundation.”Beebe, who is also active with the Forest

Stewards Program in Pennsylvania and theWoodland Stewards Program in New Jersey,where he lives, says he has multiple Americanchestnuts in his Pennsylvania woodland.“What I have are shoots coming up from

roots that are 150 years orso old,” he says. “Minerarely get big enough toproduce nuts before theblight kills them. I hadone 5-inch diameter treewith nuts, but a bearclimbed up to get the nutsand broke the tree. Thereare lots of Americans inthe woods, but they don’tget big enough to breed anew generation before theblight gets them.”That’s the story about

original American chest-nuts that could be toldfrom Georgia to Maine —the traditional habitat ofthe American chestnut —as all attempts to grow the

tree to maturity in the wild have eventually faileddue to the blight. Years ago, the eastern part of the U.S. was pre-

dominantly forested by the massive Americanchestnuts that grew to around 100 feet tall with a

FOREST HISTO

RY SOCIETY

GENTLE GIANT: This historical photo shows thesize of the original American chestnut tree, whichonce dominated the Appalachian region.

PENNlines

diameter of 7 to 10 feet in Pennsylvania (inthe South, they grew larger due to a longergrowing season). Back in the late 1800s,American chestnuts made up nearly 25percent of eastern U.S. forests. A mature American chestnut could

produce over 5,000 chestnuts every year;

so many, Beebe says, that farmers wouldhave piles 100 feet long, as tall as theycould stack them, for pig feed. Chestnuts also made up a significant

portion of the diet of many wild critters. Amajor contributor to the U.S. economy, theAmerican chestnut was also prized for itsfast-growing, rot-resistant hardwood.

BreedingLike Beebe, Dave Armstrong, a mem-

ber of Gettysburg-based Adams ElectricCooperative, also learned about theAmerican chestnut from his father.“I grew up in Clearfield County, and

my father used to drag us out into thewoods and talk to us about chestnuts

10 P E N N L I N E S • M A Y 2 0 1 5

and how plentiful they used to be,”Armstrong recalls. “We didn’t pay muchattention back then, but after I retiredfrom the military, I got back into it.”Armstrong has been working closely

with the PA-TACF since 1997, plantinghis first chestnut breeding orchard at

Codorus State Park in 1998 with 128 treesconsisting of American chestnuts, Chi-nese chestnuts and the foundation’sfourth-generation seedlings.“We grew, tested and hand-pollinated

these trees over the course of 10 years,”Armstrong reports. “The harvest ofchestnuts from this orchard was thenplanted at the Penn State UniversityCampus Arboretum for further testingand development.” Armstrong’s second breeding orchard,

also at Codorus State Park, had 130 Ameri-can chestnut trees that were the progeny oftwo surviving original American chestnuttrees — a 200-year-old tree from Amherst,Va., crossed with a 100-year-old tree fromCumberland County, Pennsylvania. Thisorchard produces thousands of chestnutsannually that are displaying a moderateamount of resistance to the blight.Armstrong’s third orchard at Codorus

State Park has 148 hybrid trees (crossesof Asian and American chestnuts). These

trees have been allowed to intercross,and harvesting of the second-generationnuts started in 2009. His fourth orchard,consisting of more than 600 trees, isfrom seedlings grown from chestnutsharvested from this second generation. Armstrong oversees between 1,100 and

1,200 trees in all; some are fenced as pro-tection from the deer that Armstrong says“like the chestnut seedlings best of all.” “We record every tree in every loca-

tion by pedigree,” he reports. “The firstthree years of maintenance is prettyintense when you are taking care ofseedlings. They take quite a bit of mow-ing, watering and herbicide application.” Although Deb Ridgeway, a member

of Huntingdon-based Valley REC, hasdone some field work as part of her vol-unteer efforts with the RaystownRestoration Branch of the PA-TACF —and her husband, Mike, has done more— she focuses on administrative tasks,including setting up and maintainingFacebook pages for the organization,fundraising, and secretarial work.The Ridgeways were financial contribu-

tors to TACF, but it wasn’t until 2010, soonafter they moved to a central Pennsylvaniamountaintop, that they began hands-oninvolvement. That’s when the local restora-tion branch, which works closely with the1,100-tree breeding orchards at Juniata Col-lege and Raystown Lake, was being organ-ized through the efforts of area residentsJeff and Lori Krause.“Our interest stemmed from memo-

ries that my grandparents and my hus-band’s father would relate about thisremarkable tree,” Ridgeway says. “I sawphotos of the forests from before theblight hit. The picture that resonated themost with me was one where the moun-tains looked like they were covered withsnow in June. It was the American chest-nuts in bloom. That’s how prolific theywere, and I knew I wanted to bring thislegacy back to Pennsylvania. It won’toccur in my lifetime, but I believe it willexist for my grandchildren’s children.”As PA-TACF sponsors, the Ridge-

ways were able to plant American chest-nut seedlings or nuts from earliercrosses on their land. This is one wayTACF ensures genetic diversity.“The trees are not our property,” she

CARING FOR THE TREES: Deb Ridgeway and herhusband, Mike, members of Valley Rural ElectricCooperative and the Raystown Restoration Branchof the PA-TACF, are stewards of some of the youngAmerican chestnut seedlings that are being testedfor their blight-resistant properties.

PHOTO

BY THE PA-TACF

explains. “We are just stewards of them.We measure their growth and report ontheir conditions. From our reports, thefoundation is able to see that this crossfrom that parent is doing well in thisenvironment. … We document them, wephotograph them, and we protect themfrom deer and rodents.”

VolunteersIt is because of dedicated volunteers

that the PA-TACF can continue toexpand its work into the development ofa blight-resistant American chestnut,says Sara Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmonshas worked in a joint position as aresearch technologist in the Americanchestnut program for Penn State Uni-versity and as regional science coordina-tor supervisor for TACF since 2003.

Fitzsimmons, a native of West Vir-ginia, grew up hearing her grandfather’sstories about the loss of billions ofAmerican chestnuts in the early 1900s.Her interest in forestry led her to doresearch for TACF while she was agraduate student at Duke University.

She explains that the national foun-dation, founded in 1983, started its

sponsorships, as well as grants.The citizen-scientist-based Pennsylva-

nia/New Jersey organization also has thelargest regional breeding program withover 100,000 trees planted. Three of thechapter’s breeding orchards are located onuniversity land in central Pennsylvania.The remainder are scattered throughoutPennsylvania and New Jersey. The small-est recommended breeding orchard size is100; however, breeding orchards of 200 ormore trees are preferred.

“To reach the overall goal of creating ablight-resistant species, you have to havea huge foundational diversity,” Fitzsim-mons explains. “You can’t just ‘clone’ thetrees because you would be setting your-self up for failure when a new pathogenappears. … Typically, we take an Ameri-can chestnut and cross it with a blight-resistant Chinese or Japanese chestnut.We select the best of that cross and back-cross them to an American chestnut. Weselect the best of the best of that second

breeding program with materials col-lected in the 1930s. Pennsylvania wasone of the first states to set up a TACFchapter in 1994. Since then, other stateshave followed suit. There now are 16chapters representing 22 states. Penn-sylvania, which was joined by New Jer-sey, remains one of the largest chapterswith about 1,000 of the foundation’s6,000 members. The organization isfunded entirely through donations and

WORKING FOR THE FUTURE: Clark Beebe, a mem-ber of Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, showsthe dentation on an American chestnut at theLord Stirling Orchard in central New Jersey.

M A Y 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 11

PH

OTO

BY

TH

E P

A-T

AC

F

KNOCK ON WOOD: The fungus that has destroyedvirtually all of the American chestnuts in theirnative habitat begins as a canker that eventuallygirdles the tree and kills it. Current efforts focuson breeding a blight-resistant tree.

PH

OTO

BY

TH

E P

A-T

AC

F

PENNlines

generation (about 10 percent) and back-cross them again to another Americanchestnut. Then we backcross a third timeto another American. The next cross isan intercross — you take that generationand cross it with itself — and then dothat two more times. That gives you thesixth generation.”Each backcross adds to the American

chestnut characteristics, Fitzsimmonsexplains. The process of developing ablight-resistant American chestnut takesa minimum of six generations. Each gen-eration takes five to 10 years. The first ofthe sixth generation of trees from thefoundation’s breeding program is nowplanted in the wild. Volunteers and staffcheck regularly to see if these trees havebeen infected naturally with the blight.

Hope“We also grow the fungus and put it

in these trees,” Fitzsimmons says. “If atree survives well, it will move on to thenext generation of testing. … This phase

requires a lot of effort, input andresources. Our hope is that we can testthis generation for five to 10 years, selectthe best of the best, ensure that they areblight-resistant and then make thosetrees available to the general public.“There are American chestnut trees

available now for purchase by the publicfrom retail sources, but I guarantee theywill get blight,” Fitzsimmons continues.“We are working to restore what lookslike, smells like and tastes like an Ameri-can chestnut tree; only one that is blight-resistant.”The importance of the long-term goal of

restoring the American chestnut shouldnot be undervalued, Fitzsimmons says.“There is a lot of emphasis on native

species restoration, and for good rea-son,” she says. “Look at the food weband how many things are intermingledwithin the ecosystem. Native plantsattract native insects that are fed uponby native birds that are fed upon bynative predators. … Our native forestshave suffered a lot of insults. If we candevelop a system that will allow us torestore native species, that will help usto save other native species. The chest-nut is a highly prolific foodstuff fornative animals, from birds to squirrels

to deer and bears, and it is one of thefastest-growing, most-rot-resistant treesthat grow in our native ecosystem. If youcould incorporate it back into the timbersystem in the Northeast, you would alsosee a huge economic boon.”Back in the late 1800s, the American

chestnut was used from cradle to grave(cribs to coffins) and everything inbetween, Fitzsimmons says. Plus, thechestnut had a great cultural significance.“That whole ‘chestnuts roasting on an

open fire’ thing was real,” she says.“Many people today can’t conceive ofhow important the species was, espe-cially in the Appalachian Mountains.You could make it into flour to makechestnut bread, dry the nuts, freeze thenuts and keep them over the winter touse as a nutritious foodstuff. In theurban areas during the 1800s, goingchestnuting was a favorite family activ-ity, a social event. Roasted chestnutswere sold in the streets.”Clark Beebe. Dave Armstrong. Deb

Ridgeway. Sara Fitzsimmons. They arejust a few of the 1,000-some Pennsylva-nians who do more than just mouth thewords “He who plants a tree plants ahope.” They are working hard, spendingtheir time, energy and money in an all-out effort to create a blight-resistantAmerican chestnut tree, one that is asidentical as possible in all other ways tothe massive giants of yesterday’s forests.Anyone who would like to join them insupporting the restoration of the Ameri-can chestnut can obtain more informa-tion at www.patacf.org.l

SCIENTIST AT WORK: Kathleen Baier extracts DNAfrom a tree sample at Beijing University in Chinaas part of a joint project with Penn StateUniversity, the State University of New York andThe American Chestnut Foundation.

12 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

Penn Lines first explored the effortto restore the American chestnut, atree essentially lostto blight in the early20th century, inOctober 2001. Thearticle, “BringingBack the MightyChestnut Tree,” wasone of the mostpopular features inthe magazine’s his-tory, with many readers requestingthat we revisit the topic over theyears. We are pleased to bring you anupdate on the American chestnut inthis issue of Penn Lines.

PHOTO

BY THE PA-TACF

WE ALL HAVE A JOB TO DO. When it comes to using energy wisely, no job is too small. But some are pretty high up. Yet when every co-op member works together, it’s a job that comes with countless benefits. Learn more about the power of your co-op membership at TogetherWeSave.com.

14 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

TIMElines Y o 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

1975 This issue focuses on rural health and aNational Rural Electric Cooperative Associationcampaign to procure better medical care for resi-dents in rural areas.

1995 Three retired cooperative employees lookback on the early days of the rural electric cooper-ative program and discuss the principles thatcooperatives are based upon.

2005 Tourists on the East Broad Top Railroad inHuntingdon County ride open-air cars that oncecarried freight and passenger cars that minersrode to work.

RURAL RESIDENTS all over the United States who had been deniedcentral-station electric service because they were too far from town orbecause construction to their residence was too expensive were finallyable to enjoy the benefits of electricity, thanks to President Franklin D.Roosevelt’s executive order creating the Rural Electrification Administra-tion (REA) on May 11, 1935.

Ever since the first electric generating station was constructed in 1882,the nation’s private power companies served cities and towns. But,because most rural areas were so sparsely populated, those companies didnot think it would be economically profitable to expand there. So 90 per-cent of rural Americans went on pumping water, chopping wood andhand-milking cows, just as their grandparents had done. Still, some peo-ple believed rural electrification was not only possible; it was necessary.

President Roosevelt’s order created the REA to initiate, formulate,administer, and supervise a program of approved projects with respect tothe generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity in rural areas.The expectation was that private power companies would take advantageof REA loans to extend their service into rural areas, but that did nothappen. Soon, rural residents began to organize in order to provide theirown power, and electric cooperatives were born.

Thanks to the REA, 14 electric cooperatives were formed in Pennsylva-nia and New Jersey, and eventually they joined to organize a statewideassociation, the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, and a wholesalepower supplier, Allegheny Electric Cooperative, Inc., both of which are basedin Harrisburg, Pa.

1985

• Oversized, vertical hopper self-feeds most branches to save you time and energy.

• Top-discharging for easily depositing chips into a truck, trailer, or into the woods.

• 3X faster than ordinary chippers, thanks to powerful engines and massive, energy-boosting flywheels.

NEW LOW

PRICE!

DR® Rapid-Feed™ Chippers devour branches up to 5-½" thick!

3-POINT HITCH MODEL AVAILABLE!

World’s 1ST Self-FeedingChipper for Homeowners!

Call for FREE DVD and Catalog!

877-201-4989TOLLFREE

8720

4X ©

201

5

8720

3X ©

201

5

DRtrimmers.com DRchipper.com

SOME LIMITATIONS APPLYCall or go online for details.

FREE SHIPPING6 MONTH TRIAL

The Original Trimmer-on-WheelsJust Got BETTER!Just Got BETTER!

The NEW DR® Trimmer/Mower• Trims, mows waist-high grass and weeds.• Cuts brush, saplings up to 3" thick with

exclusive accessories.• Thickest, longest-lasting cord available any-

where (225 mil SawTooth™).

NEW LOW

PRICE!

TOW-BEHINDMODELS TOO!

EXPERIENCE

ADVANTAGEthe MORTON

©2015 Morton Buildings, Inc. A listing of GC licenses available at mortonbuildings.com/licenses. The statements and opinions about products expressed here are those of a specific customer and should not be construed to represent all buildings, materials or products sold by Morton Buildings. Ref Code 615

Discover other advantages at mortonbuildings.com or

call 800-447-7436.

“I’ve been totally satisfied with this whole process

and would do itagain in a second!”

Jeff R. • Franklin, TN

#4117/#135-1721

Proven AQUACIDE PELLETSMarble size pellets. Works at any depth.

KillLakeWeeds.com

KILLLAKE

WEEDSBefore After

FREE SHIPPING! Certified andapproved for use by state agencies.

State permit may be required.Registered with the Federal E. P. A.

10 lb. bagtreats up to4,000 sq.ft.$85.00.

50 lb. bagtreats up to20,000 sq.ft.$334.00.

AQUACIDE CO.AQUACIDE CO.PO Box 10748, DEPT 543

White Bear Lake, MN 55110-0748

800-328-9350

Order today online, or request free information.

Our60thyear

GROW

CREATE A MOREL GARDEN IN YOUR OWN BACK YARD

GOURMET MUSHROOMSP. O. BOX 515 NC5 * GRATON, CA 95444

www.gmushrooms.org

MOREL MUSHROOMS

SPAWN GUARANTEED TO PRODUCE

We provide the spawn and easyto use instructions for preparing a

peren ial Morel Habitat. You just sow the seed, maintain the Morel Habitat, and pick & enjoy fresh

Morel Mushrooms. $32.95 + $7.95 S/H

ORDER (800) 789-9121

Toll Free 1-888-875-8233F a x : 9 4 0 - 4 8 4 - 6 7 4 6 e m a i l : info@rhinobldg.com

W e b s i t e : h t t p : / / w w w . R H I N O B L D G . C O M

25 Year Warranty on Roof & Walls;Prices F.O.B. Mfg. Plants; Seal Stamped Blue Prints; Easy Bolt Together Design.

Farm Industrial Commercial

VISITOUR

WEBSITE

PRICES INCLUDE COLOR SIDES & GALVALUME ROOF

VISITOUR

WEBSITE

(Local codes may affect prices)

Arena Special (roof & frame)

x x

x x x x x x x x

x x

COUNTRYkitchen b y J a n e t t e H e s s

NO-BAKE CHOCOLATE DROP COOKIES

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar2 generous tablespoons unsweetened

cocoa1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1/4 cup milk1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oatmeal

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Pinch of salt1/4 cup almond or peanut butter (optional)

Mix together sugars, cocoa, butter and milk. Slowly bring to rolling boil.

Boil and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add oatmeal, vanilla,

dash of salt, and almond or peanut butter, if desired. Drop by generous

tablespoons on parchment or waxed paper. Cool to set. Makes 18 cookies.

Fun with breakfast foodTHE END of the school year is imminent, and warm weatheris beckoning. We’re feeling the need to flee the kitchen, butkids of all ages still want tasty, homemade treats. What’s acook to do? Simply turn to simple recipes!

This month, create quick desserts out of traditional breakfastfoods. Melted marshmallows have long served as the miraclebinder for cookie bars made with — yawn — crisp rice cereal. Sowhy not switch out the plain cereal for chocolate cereal? Whynot brighten things up a bit with fruit-flavored cereal? Let thekids help or even take over, especially with the recipes involv-ing use of the microwave. Sticky fingers are a sweet problem tohave.

No-Bake Chocolate Drop Cookies rely on another breakfaststaple, oatmeal. Nutty Cereal Bars bring peanuts into the no-

bake equation. Choose any or all, and enjoy yourbreak from “real” cooking. Have some fun withyour food! lA 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.

RAINBOW BARS1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter1 10 1/2-ounce package miniaturemarshmallows

6 cups fruit-flavored cereal rings(or other fruit-flavored cereal)

Melt butter in large microwavablebowl. Stir marshmallows into butter. Return to microwave. Cook 30 sec-onds; stir and repeat until marshmallows are softened just enough to com-bine with butter. Add cereal and stir to combine. Transfer to sprayed orbuttered 9- by 13-inch dish. Tamp down with well-buttered fingertips. (Plas-tic kitchen gloves may be used, if desired.) When cool, cut into 18 bars.

NUTTY CEREAL BARS2 cups toasted, ring-shaped oat cereal1 cup corn flakes1 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts1/3 cup butter1/2 cup white sugar1/2 cup light corn syrup1/2 cup peanut butter

Combine cereals and peanuts. Set aside. Combine butter, sugar and cornsyrup in large saucepan. Slowly bring to rolling boil. Remove from heatand stir in peanut butter. Add cereal mixture, stirring to coat. Spoon intosprayed or buttered 9- by 13-inch dish; spread evenly and tamp down.When cool, cut into 18 bars.

CRISPY S’MORES BARS

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

1 10 1/2-ounce package miniature

marshmallows6 cups sweetened, chocolate-flavored

crisp rice cereal1 cup graham cracker crumbs (regular or

chocolate)

Melt butter in large microwavable bowl. Stir marshmallows into butter.

Return to microwave. Cook 30 seconds; stir and repeat until marshmal-

lows are softened just enough to fully combine with butter. Add cereal

and half of graham cracker crumbs. Stir to combine. Transfer to sprayed

or buttered 9- by 13-inch dish. Tamp down with well-buttered fingertips.

(Plastic kitchen gloves may be used, if desired.) Sprinkle with remaining

graham cracker crumbs. When cool, cut into 18 bars.

VARIATION: Substitute 1 cup crushed or processed chocolate sandwich

cookies (with white filling) for graham crackers.

16 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

Metal. Done right.

Metal done right.

Find a distributor near you:1-877-813-2111

Consistent, craftsman-quality roo�ng and siding materials Fast quotes & delivery Accurate orders

www.centralstatesmfg.com

Clogged, Backed—up Septic System…Can anything Restore It?DEAR DARRYL: My home is about 10 years old, and so is my septic system. I have always taken pride in keeping my home and property in top shape. In fact, my neighbors and I are always kidding each other about who keeps their home and yard nicest. Lately, however, I have had a horrible smell in my yard, and also in one of my bathrooms, coming from the shower drain. My grass is muddy and all the drains in my home are very slow. My wife is on my back to make the bathroom stop smelling and as you can imagine, my neighbors are having a field day, kidding me about the mud pit and sewage stench in my yard. It’s humiliating. I called a plumber buddy of mine, who recommended pumping (and maybe even replacing) my septic system. But at the potential cost of thousands of dollars, I hate to explore that option. I tried the store bought, so called, Septic treatments out there, and they did Nothing to clear up my problem. Is there anything on the market I can pour or flush into my system that will restore it to normal, and keep it maintained?

Clogged and Smelly – Erie, PA

DEAR CLOGGED AND SMELLY: As a reader of my column, I am sure you are aware that I have a great deal of experience in this particular field. You will be glad to know that there IS a septic solution that will solve your back-up and effectively restore your entire system from interior piping throughout the septic system and even unclog the drain field as well. SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs deliver your system the fast active bacteria and enzymes needed to liquefy solid waste and free the clogs causing your back-up.

This fast-acting bacteria multiplies within minutes of application and is specifically designed to withstand many of today’s anti-bacterial cleaners, soaps and detergents. It comes in dissolvable plastic packs, that you just flush down your toilets. It’s so cool. Plus, they actually Guarantee that it restores ANY system, no matter how bad the problem is.

SeptiCleanse® Shock and Maintenance Programs are designed to work on any septic system regardless of design or age. From modern day systems to sand mounds, and systems installed generations ago, I have personally seen SeptiCleanse unclog and restore these systems in a matter of weeks. I highly recommend that you try it before spending any money on repairs. SeptiCleanse products are available online at www.septicleanse.com or you can order or learn more by calling toll free at 1-888-899-8345. If you use the promo code “PASEP7”, you can get a free shock treatment, added to your order, which normally costs $169. So, make sure you use that code when you call or buy online.

DearDarrylDearDarryl

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

THESE DAYS,most families depend onelectricity for nearly every activity, sopurchasing a backup generator isbecoming more common.

Residential backup generators arecalled standby models because they areonly used when electricity from the util-ity grid fails. They are designed to runfor a relatively short period of time untilpower is restored. Outages like this usu-ally last a few hours to a couple of days.

First, you must decide how much ofyour home you’d like to power in orderto determine the size of backup generatoryou will need. There are common neces-sities, such as refrigeration and lighting.Others, such as air-conditioning, wash-ing clothes and vacuuming, may not betop priority during a power outage.

Backup generators are sized by theirkilowatt (KW) electricity output. A 12-KWgenerator can power most electricalneeds of a typical family of four. If youcan eliminate nonessentials, a smaller,less-expensive unit will be adequate, andthe fuel costs to operate it will be less.

To get a rough idea of the size of gen-erator you will need, list all electricitems you want to power, and total thewattages. Items with motors often requiremore electric current at start-up time, soremember to round up when determin-ing the total wattage. A contractor orinstallation expert can also advise you onthe proper size. It should be noted thatinstalling a whole-house backup genera-tor is not a do-it-yourself project.

For convenience and safety (for bothyour family and your electric co-op’s

Have a question for Jim? Send inquiriesto JAMES DULLEY , Penn Lines, 6906Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45244 orvisit www.dulley.com.

What you need to knowabout backupgenerators

emergency lineworkers), install an auto-matic transfer switch (ATS). This switchsenses when the grid electricity goes offor the voltage drops below a criticalpoint. It automatically disconnects yourhome’s wiring from the utility grid andstarts the generator. This occurs quickly,so there is very little down time.

The ATS also runs the generatorperiodically to ensure everything isworking properly.

If you have natural gas available atyour house, this is the best fuel to powerthe backup generator. Natural gas enginesrun cleanly, require little maintenance andare relatively inexpensive to run. Also, ifyou have natural gas, you probably have agas furnace for heat, so the size of the gen-erator required is smaller.

Another clean-running fuel for abackup generator is propane. Manyhomes with electric heat still havepropane available for cooking. In order topower a whole-house generator, a largerpropane tank would be required, and it ismore expensive than natural gas.

A diesel engine-powered generatoralso requires a fuel tank. The shelf life ofthe diesel fuel is only a couple of years

— even with a stabilizer — and the costof installing a diesel generator will behigher. One advantage of using diesel isthat you can always pour more fuel intothe tank if you need to run the generatorlonger than originally expected.

Another option is a smaller, less-expensive, portable gasoline-poweredgenerator with several electrical outlets.This will provide enough electricity forthe refrigerator and several lamps.These models also provide enoughpower to operate the blower in a gas,propane or oil furnace for heat.

Never attempt to plug this type ofgenerator into an electrical output with ahomemade, double-male cord. This canbackfeed 120-volt current into the grid,which is dangerous for utility line crews.For more information on backup genera-tors, contact your local electric co-op orspeak with a qualified contractor.l

SMARTcircuits b y J a m e s D u l l e y

18 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

OUTDOORadventures b y M a r c u s S c h n e c k

TRAGEDY CAME to theneighborhood as spring waswresting control of the land-scape from winter. An Ameri-can kestrel — North Amer-ica’s smallest falcon — wasdiving on a mouse or sparrowor some other small prey,when it snagged a wing onthe barbed wire surroundinga cow pasture.

As effective as a steel trap,the barb held onto the smallbird, which flopped about inprotest, but eventually justdangled there and died.

I spotted the small bird ofprey still dangling from thewire days, maybe weeks, afterit died there. By then it wasjust a sun-dried carcass.

It was one of thosemoments in nature when theterrible suddenness and final-ity of nature collides with ourhuman sentimentality, raisedto new heights by personalknowledge of the fallen wildthing.

That kestrel was one of theneighborhood raptors that Iobserve at least a few timeseach week. My admiration of

the tiny predators has ele-vated them to near-totem sta-tus for the neighborhood.There is a reassurance intheir presence, some evidencethat our rural subdivision hasretained something of its for-mer character as a wilder,less-settled piece of land.

Having torn more than myshare of jeans, slacks andleather hunting chaps on sim-ilarly barbed wire over theyears — mostly recently justthe other day on a bit of rustywire jutting out of a treetrunk that had grown aroundthe wire in my own woodlot— I could relate to the feelingof complete entrapment thatbarbed wire delivers.

The simple strands of steelwith regularly spaced barbs

have an almost prehistoricstaying power on the land-scape. You string two or threestrands of barbed wire frompost to post or tree to tree andyou’ll have an enclosed spacefor your livestock for decadesto come. Unfortunately, you’llalso have a tripping, snagging,ripping and even killing traplying in wait well beyond thetime you needed to containlivestock.

Invented in 1867 by LucienSmith of Ohio and refined in1874 by Joseph Glidden of Illi-nois, barbed wire was a majortechnological advance. Sud-denly huge expanses of graz-ing land could be enclosed fora tiny fraction of the cost ofprevious methods, primarilywood. Herds could now be

maintained and contained atmuch larger numbers.

Famed in the AmericanWest as the beginning of theend of short-lived day of thecowboy, barbed wire spreadits tendrils far beyond theprairies and foothills, asmany of us can attest frompersonal exposure to the stuffright here in Pennsylvania.

Although the memory hasfaded with time, I believe myfirst motherly warning aboutrusty metal, blood poisoningand lockjaw (tetanus) came inthe wake of an encounter withsome old barbed wire.l

MARCUS SCHNECK isthe outdoor writer forThe (Harrisburg) Patriot-News and its website,PennLive.com. He alsowrites for many outdoorpublications and is theauthor of more than

two dozen books. Keep abreast of his adven-tures and writings at www.marcusschneck.com.

Deadlystrands

LAST RESTING PLACE: A strand ofbarbed wire stretched between fence-posts proves deadly for this Americankestrel.

M A Y 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 19

PHOTO BY MARCUS SCHNECK

20 P E N N L I N E S • M A Y 2 0 1 5

PENNLINESclassified

ISSUE MONTH: AD DEADLINE:

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: . WORD COUNT: .

I am an electric co-op member. Attached is my Penn Lines mailing label.

Enclosed is payment in the amount of $ .

I am a non-member. Address is noted or attached at right.

Enclosed is payment in the amount of $ .

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8 9 10 11 12 13 14

15 16 17 18 19 20 21

22 23 24 25 26 27 28

29 30 Additional words; attach separate sheet if needed.

FREE Headings (Select One): Around the House Business Opportunities Employment Opportunities Gift and Craft Ideas Livestock and Pets Miscellaneous Motor Vehicles and Boats Nursery and Garden Real Estate Recipes and Food Tools and Equipment Vacations and Campsites Wanted to Buy

SPECIAL HEADING: . SPECIAL HEADING FEE: $5 for co-op members, $10 for non-members. Applies even if heading is already appearing in Penn Lines. Insertion of classified ad serves as proof of publication; no proofs supplied. SEND FORM TO: Penn Lines Classifieds, P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Please make CHECK/MONEY ORDER payable to: PREA/Penn Lines.

Penn Lines classified advertisements reach nearly 166,000 rural Pennsylvania households! Please note ads must be received by the due date to be included in the requested issue month. Ads received beyond the due date will run in the next available issue. Written notice of changes and cancella-tions must be received 30 days prior to the issue month. Classified ads will not be accepted by phone, fax or email. For more information please contact Vonnie Kloss at 717 233-5704.

Name/Address or Mailing Label Here:

July 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . May 19

August 2015 . . . . . . . . . June 19

September 2015 . . . . . . July 20

AROUND THE HOUSE

SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “CountryCooking” — $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered”— $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are acollection of recipes from men and women of the electricco-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to:Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266,Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks.

CARPENTER BEES BE GONE!!! Stops boring. No chemicals. Beesenter — can’t get out. Easily dispose of dead bees. Trappedbees are visible. Traps dozens of bees. Hang in problem areas.Treated wood construction. Mounting hardware included. $25.Buy 4 — free shipping. Information/order: 814-333-1225. Email:gburch54@windstream.net.

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 (old18). 10 a.m. — 5:00 p.m. on July 12. More info. 814-765-5667.

BUILDING SUPPLIES

STEEL ROOFING AND SIDING. Over 25 years in business.Several profiles — cut to length. 29 and 26 gauge best qualityresidential roofing — 40-year warranty. Also, seconds, heavygauges, accessories, etc. Installation available. Located —northwestern Pennsylvania. 814-398-4052.

FACTORY SECONDS of insulation, 4 x 8 sheets, foil back. R-Value 6.5 per inch. Great for pole buildings, garages, etc.Also prime grade A foil bubble wrap insulation. 814-442-6032.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

TIRED of the Rat Race? Want to own your business? Lowcost, high-end leadership company has open positions! 814-603-0231.

CHURCH LIFT SYSTEMS

Make your church, business or home wheelchair accessible.We offer platform lifting systems, stair lifts, porch lifts andramps. References. Free estimates. Get Up & Go Mobility Inc.724-746-0992 or 814-926-3622.

CONSULTING FORESTRY SERVICES

NOLL’S FORESTRY SERVICES, INC. performs TimberMarketing, Timber Appraisals, Forest Management Planning,and Forest Improvement Work. FREE Timber LandRecommendations. 30 years experience. Call 814-472-8560.

CENTRE FOREST RESOURCES. Forest Management Services,Wildlife Habitat Management, Timber Sales, Appraisals.College educated, professional, ethical foresters working foryou. FREE Timber Consultation. 814-571-7130.

CRANE SERVICE

NEED A LIFT? Crane service for all your lifting needs.Experienced, fully insured, Owner-Operated and OSHACertified. Precision Crane LLC, Linesville, PA 814-282-9133.

FENCING

HYDRAULIC POST DRIVER FOR RENT. Easy hookup andtransportation. Safe, simple operation. Convenient, cost-effective alternative for setting wood posts by hand. $200for first day, $175/additional day. 1-800-KENCOVE.

FINANCIAL FREEDOM

EXECUTIVE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE WEALTH. ARE YOUREADY FOR FINANCIAL FREEDOM? JIM VARGO 314-614-6039.WWW.BLESSEDARETHERICH.COM

FREEDOM RV RENTALS

VALLEY RURAL MEMBERS save 10% on all one week orlonger RV and camper rentals. 866-876-Rent (7368).www.Freedomrentals.com.

GIFT AND CRAFT IDEAS

SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “CountryCooking” — $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered”— $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are acollection of recipes from men and women of the electricco-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to:Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266,Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks.

HEALTH AND NUTRITION

Tired of all those medicines — Still not feeling better? Do youwant to feel better, have more energy, better digestion, lessjoint stiffness, healthier heart/circulation and cholesterollevels? Find out how to empower your own immune system —start 1-26 today! It’s safe, affordable, and it works. Call 800-557-8477: ID#528390. 90-day money back on first time ordersor 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. Formore information, call 800-628-7804 (PA). Call us regardingMedicare supplements, too.

HUNTING

CUSTOM HAND MADE to order or in-stock wooden turkeycalls of various woods and sizes. 814-267-5489 leavemessage for Precision Unlimited Inc., Berlin, PA.

INFRARED SAUNAS

Removes toxins, burns calories, relieves joint pain, relaxesmuscles, increases flexibility, strengthens immune system.Many more HEALTH BENEFITS with infrared radiant heatsaunas. Economical to operate. Barron’s Furniture,Somerset, PA. 814-443-3115.

I CHANGED MY AIR FILTER.

AND MY WARDROBE.

Saving money on my electric

bill seemed like a good enough

reason to update my closet.

Find out what you can do at

TogetherWeSave.com.

TOGETHERWESAVE.COM

M A Y 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 21

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.

LIVESTOCK AND PETS

PEMBROKE WELSH CORGI Puppies — AKC, adorable,intelligent, highly trainable. Excellent family choice.Reputable licensed breeder guaranteed “Last breed you’llever own.” 814-587-3449.

NORTHERN QUEEN BEES — 2015 N.W. PA reared, mated andlaying. Limited supply. $30 each. Pick up only. Available lateMay thru June. Leave message if no answer. 814-282-6961.

LOG CABIN RESTORATIONS

VILLAGE RESTORATIONS & CONSULTING specializes in 17th and18th century log, stone and timber structures. We dismantle,move, re-erect, restore, construct and consult all over thecountry. Period building materials available. Chestnut boards,hardware, etc. Thirty years experience, fully insured. Call814-696-1379. www.villagerestorations.com.

MISCELLANEOUS

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 WestThunderbird Rd., Ste. 1 — #114, Peoria, Arizona 85381.www.ordination.org.

MOTOR VEHICLES AND BOATS

1941 FORD CONVERTIBLE — 2 door flathead V8 deluxerestored but not driven for several years until 2012.Newville, PA. 717-776-3489.

1984 SEARAY CUDDY CRUISER — 24-1/2 ft. 260 hpinboard/outboard, 2005 dual axle trailer, sound system,water skies. Phone 814-684-4986. Leave a message. Mustsell. Make an offer.

1989 17’ BASS TRACKER with 90 hp Evinrude, Troller, andFishfinder. Great condition. $2,700. 717-360-2819.

MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE INSURANCE

For the best INSURANCE RATES call R & R InsuranceAssociates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-442-6832 (PA).

PENNSYLVANIA HUNTING LAND WANTED

Earn thousands on your land by leasing the hunting rights. Freeevaluation and info packet. Liability coverage included. Theexperts at Base Camp Leasing have been bringing landownersand hunters together since 1999. Call: 866-309-1507. Email:info@basecampleasing.com. www.BaseCampLeasing.com.

PENNSYLVANIA WHITETAIL HUNTING

CYPHER TROPHY WHITETAIL — 1300 continuous acre huntingpreserve. Affordable whitetail hunting. Mature bucks scorefrom 150 to 200+. Trophy fee on any buck is $4,200.Excellent lodging and accommodations. 814-448-4917.www.cyphertrophywhitetail.com.

QUILTING SERVICES

LONGARM QUILTING SERVICE AVAILABLE! Reasonable rates forbasic meander or looping. More complex designs also available.By mail or local drop-off/pickup. Contact Dogstar Quilts. 814-398-9369 or visit website at www.dogstarquilts.com.

REAL ESTATE

SOUTHERN HUNTINGDON COUNTY 5BR, 2BA, 4000 sq. ft.stone house, stone fireplaces, 13 wooded acres, small guestcottage, move in condition, low taxes, new roof, boiler,water softener. $239,000. 717-372-9724.

PENNLINESclassified

CasCade 5000Floating POND FOUNTAIN!

AeratorNow Available Factory Direct!

MSRP ($1100) You Pay $698.95!

FAST UPS shipping right to your door!www.�shpondaerator.com

Call 7days/week! (608) 254-2735

Complete with light & timer, 100 ft power cord, 1yr warranty!

Pre-Assembled - Installs in Minutes! ecnagelE

devorpmI &

ytiliauQ retaW

NORTH CENTRAL POTTER COUNTY. 32.5 acres. All woodedland — level ground. Deeded R/W to property. AlleghenyRiver begins on property. Excellent 4-wheeler, snowmobileand hunting. Surveyed boundary. Electric available. On lotsewage approved. $81,250. 814-274-0644.

RECIPES AND FOOD

SPECIAL OFFER — BOTH COOKBOOKS FOR $12. “CountryCooking” — $5, including postage. “Recipes Remembered”— $7, including postage. Both of these cookbooks are acollection of recipes from men and women of the electricco-ops of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Payable to:Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association, P. O. Box 1266,Harrisburg, PA 17108. Write Attention: Cookbooks.

SAWMILLS

USED PORTABLE Sawmills and COMMERCIAL SawmillEquipment! Buy/Sell. Call Sawmill Exchange 800-459-2148.USA and Canada. www.sawmillexchange.com.

SHAKLEE

FREE SAMPLE Shaklee’s Energy Tea. Combination red, green andwhite teas that are natural, delicious, refreshing, safe. For sampleor more information on tea or other Shaklee Nutrition/WeightLoss Products: 800-403-3381 or www.sbarton.myshaklee.com.

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

BEAUTIFUL LAKE ERIE COTTAGE — Enjoy swimming, fishingand sunsets at their finest. Sleeps eight, 20 miles west ofErie. Available May to November. Call 814-333-9669. Visitour website at www.curleycottage.com.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Florida condo rental. Two bedrooms,two baths, pool, 200 yards from beach. NA February. Nopets. $500 weekly, $1,800 monthly. Call 814-635-4020.

“THE WOODS” AT DIAMOND LANE FARM HOUSE. Sleeps 10.Located 4-1/2 miles off I-99, exit 15. Stay on a Percheronhorse breeding farm and event venue farm, weddings,reunions, birthdays, horse drawn wagon carriage rides. 814-224-4999. Like us on Facebook. www.diamondlanefarm.com.

FOR SALE — Camping membership to Gettysburg ResortsCampground plus coast to coast membership. 717-369-0584.

BEAUTIFUL CABIN ON 2 ACRES. Well, electric, propane heat.Trees to sell near Titusville on Selkirk Road. Maintained bytownship. Call Claire. 814-825-7652.

SEASONAL CAMP — Two plus acres. Water and electric. NearReynoldsville and Soldier, state game lands 244. 330-608-5123.

WANTED TO BUY

CARBIDE — Paying cash/lb. — Some examples of items thathave 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 asmany others. We will pick up your materials containingcarbide pieces. We will extract the carbide item from thepart in which it is held in most cases. 814-395-0415.

OLD UPRIGHT PIANO — Made between 1900 and 1930. Mustsound good with keys in excellent condition. Please call 814-942-5456.

22 P E N N L I N E S • M AY 2 0 1 5

Thoughts from Earl Pitts,UHMERIKUN!

PUNCHlines

Social commentary from Earl Pitts —— a.k.a.GARY BUR BANK , a nation ally syndicatedradio per son ality —— can be heard on thefollowing radio stations that cover electriccooperative service territories in Pennsylvania:WANB-FM 103.1 Pittsburgh; WARM-AM 590Wilkes-Barre/Scran ton; WIOO-AM 1000 Carlisle;WEEO-AM 1480 Shippensburg; WMTZ-FM 96.5Johnstown; WQBR-FM 99.9/92.7 McElhattan;WLMI-FM 103.9 Kane; and WVNW-FM 96.7 Burnham-Lewistown. You can also find him atEarlpittsamerican.com.

Ready for spring,ready for baseball

I’m going to say something verycontroversial here. This is probably goingto split the audience — pit husbandagainst wife and brother against brother,and cause a stir.

I still like baseball. I know it is notAmerica’s darling sport of the moment.Now you got your NFL, your NBA, yourX sports, your double-X sports and yourtriple-X sports. But there is somethingabout baseball that still makes me feelgood inside.

First, you don’t got to be some kind ofphysical freak to play it. You don’t got tobe 7 feet tall or 350 pounds and runningno 40-yard dash in two and a half sec-onds. No sir. The only thing you got to beto excel in baseball is be good at baseball.

And then, baseball is a lot slower. Thatmakes some of y’all nuts, I know that.You’re thinking that baseball is too slowand they need to speed up the game. No,they don’t. The fact baseball is slow iswhat makes it good. The best stuff in lifeis slow. Pot roast in a slow-cooker. Pulledpork. Fishing. Am I the only one thatappreciates the fact Jack Daniels sets in awood barrel for five years before it’s readyto drink? Perfection takes time, people.

You can set in your living room with abaseball game on, fall asleep in the secondinning, wake up in the seventh inning, andnothing’s changed. How beautiful is that?

Finally, baseball is the only sport in theworld that cares so much about their fansthat they actually take a break in the mid-dle of the game and encourage you tostretch. I don’t care what you heard —football doesn’t care if you cramp up.

Wake up, America. Thank you, Lord,for bringing us spring. And thank you forinventing baseball. Now, “Play Ball!”

I’m thinking I should team up withthat Kate Upton girl on that survival TVshow, “Naked & Afraid.” I figure onct I getnaked, she’ll be afraid. Very, very afraid.

Yeah, they got more survival shows onthe TV now than you would believe was

possible. I mean, you can’t walk into thewoods today that there ain’t somebodyalready in there shooting a survival show.

I was watching Bear Grylls the othernight stumbling through the desert,squeezing some kind of tree bark to get adrop of drinking water when he acciden-tally bumped into Cody Lundgren eatinga scorpion.

But as much as I love your survival TVshows, this new one has taken it one steptoo far. Have you seen this new one —“Born in the Wild?” This is where a preg-nant couple turn their backs on civiliza-tion, hike out into the middle of nowhereand have a baby. That’s right — that babyis gonna be born in the wild. No doctors,no nurses, no modern-day luxuries like,say, a hospital with certified, life-savingmedical equipment. No sir, this is a new-born helpless baby — let’s just go for it.

I do not like this show on account ofme and my better half, Pearl, have hadbabies. Trust me on this one — you do notwant to do that out in the middle ofnowhere.

First, you got a woman nine monthspregnant and about to pop. And you’regonna hike out to the middle of nowhere.I don’t think so. When Pearl was ninemonths pregnant, she could have maybehiked out to the middle of the back yard.That wouldn’t be “Born in the Wild.” Thatwould be “Born on the Lawn.”

And then, when a woman is in labor,and she’s scrunched up and screamingand stuff, there is a point where she willlook at you with devil eyes and tell you itis time. This is when men have beentrained to run and get the doctor. In themiddle of nowhere, who are you gonnarun and get? A bear? This is not advised.

Wake up, America! I watched thisshow and frankly, it scared the living day-lights out of me. Yikes!

I’m Earl Pitts, Uhmerikun. Check outmy YouTube channel Earl Pitts — byEarl Pitts. Like me on Facebook. Readmy blog at earlpittsamerican.com. l

RURALreflections

Barney & Lise MillerAdams EC

Maria StewartWarren EC

Hello, spring!WHAT SAYS spring louder than kids, flowers andanimals? There’s nothing like a warm spring day tobring out the photographer in anyone, so join ourRural Reflections family by sending in your favoritephotos from this year or a previous year.

This year, five amateur photographers will benamed winners of our $75 prize in the categories of:most artistic, best landscape, best human subject, bestanimal subject and editor’s choice. Runners-up ineach category will receive a $25 prize.

To be eligible for the 2015 contest prizes, send yourphotos (no digital files, please) to: Penn Lines Photos,P.O. Box 1266, Harrisburg PA 17108-1266. On the backof each photo, include your name, address, phonenumber and the name of the electric cooperative thatserves your home, business or seasonal residence.

Remember, our publication deadlines require thatwe work ahead, so send your seasonal photos in early.We need summer photos before mid-May; fall photosbefore mid-July and winter photos before mid-Sep-tember. (Hint: keep your spring photos to enter in the2016 contest). Photos that don’t reflect a season maybe sent at any time. Please note: photos will bereturned if you include a self-addressed, self-stampedenvelope.l

M A Y 2 0 1 5 • P E N N L I N E S 23

Carolyn BledsoeAdams EC

Patricia DowhowerTri-County REC