Congratulations to our newly elected officers; Frank Allen (President) and Solvejg Wills (Treasurer). It has been a

pleasure and privilege to have been your President for the past three years. My job was made very easy due to all

who volunteered their time so freely, such as John Motz, Roy Kleinle, Flo Gatto, Rosemary Huebner, Tom and

Rosemary Miller, Dave and Linda, Jean Singlemann and all of our event leaders. Tom Miller, who has been

our Activity Coordinator and Past Vice President, has retired after many years of service. Bob Huebner has graciously

accepted this position. Bob can be contacted via e-mail rwhorient@aol.com.  Linda D. our Quarterly News Letter Publisher for

the past three years has also stepped down. Fran and John Whipple have graciously accepted this monumental task and can

be contacted on 570-646-7960 or e-mail franlwhipple@me.com.  Dave D.  has agreed to continue hosting and monitoring our

vital web site.Unfortunately, up until now no one has stepped forward to act as Host/Hostees (coordinator) for our Quarterly Pot

Luck Dinners, replacing Jean Singlemann and Rosemary Miller, who have fulfilled this position for the past three years.

On behalf of the entire club and especially myself, I cannot express our gratitude enough to all those who have given

 George Singlemann (pictured on the left)

Message from the Incoming President Frank Allen (pictured on the right)

I’ve participated in outdoor activities with the club for a number of years. I’ve learned a lot about the Poconos

and made many friendships and met many more interesting, thoughtful people. Those I hiked with generously shared their

knowledge of the trails of the Poconos and wildlife and nature. I appreciate those who freely share their knowledge. I take this as

a sign of generosity and good faith. I consider serving as president of the POC as opportunity to return some of my time and

expertise to the club and those who come to hikes and activities and events we sponsor.

The POC is not only a club for its members and the public to socialize and have fun and exercise in the outdoors but in

a larger sense it’s an outdoors community service organization. We hike numerous trails, and we take care of them.

This entails not only joining in organized work groups using equipment and power tools but by picking up litter and

monitoring the condition of hundreds of trails in our region. I’m sure every member of the POC considers forests and

streams throughout eastern Pennsylvania and western New Jersey, if not throughout the country, as something to be

proud of, something that help make our society a healthy, vital place to live in. In one way our trails are owned by local,

state and federal government agencies, but in another we own them because we love them and take pride in

maintaining them and in helping the public appreciate their importance. We in northeastern Pennsylvania have been

blessed with one of the best places in the country for all kinds of outdoor activities. Few places can match the diversity

of our natural landscape.

I appreciate the opportunity to serve as President of the POC and I wish to thank the club for placing their trust in me. I

look forward to working with a wonderful group of people.