Photography to Feast Your Eyes Upon

As a landscape filled with the first buds of Spring huddled together in the blustery winds, The Middle Smithfield, PA Township hosted an Artists' Reception on Friday April 8^th for the 3^rd Annual Exhibit of the Pocono Photo Club titled, “Hungry for Photography” featuring the work of its membership. The event was held in the banquet hall of The Whispering Pines at the Country Club of the Poconos in East Stroudsburg, PA www.whisperingpinesccp.com

The occasion also served as a commencement event for the Township's 2016 Shop Local Restaurant Week and offered a varied cuisine showcasing the culinary attributes of the local eating establishments. The pairings of the various wines (as well as the photography) enhanced the flavor of not only the delicious offerings but of the event itself as a huge number of art and food lovers explored the sensations characteristic of the evening. Pianist Gil Cuffaro welcomed the gathering as they entered the venue with his gentle renderings while Pete Begley www.petebegley.com played an instrument known as the Stick which is a 10 string guitar like device that utilizes a two-handed tapping method discovered by Emmett Chapman in 1969 that enhanced the mood of the evening.

The restaurants who participated in the event were from East Stroudsburg, PA. They included the Big A Grillehouse www.bigagrillehouse.com who served a Chicken Marsala on a on a stick which was paired with a Merlot Oaked wine, Werry's Cottages Motel and Pub www.facebook.com/werryspub who served Macaroni and Cheese which was paired with a Riesling wine, Miggy's Deli and Mini Market www.facebook.com/MiggysDeli who served a Spanish Cuisine which was paired with a wine named “Renegade,” The Historic Tom X Pub www.tomxpub.com who served Chili which was paired with a Cabernet Sauvignon wine, Pub 570 www.pub570.com who served St. Louie's Ribs which was paired with a wine named “The Godfather,” Wintergreen's Bar and Grill who served Veggie Pinwheel Wraps which was paired with a wine named “Inspiration,” and The Royal Asian Buffet www.facebook.com/royalasianbuffet who served General Tso's Chicken and Sushi which was paired with a wine named “The Godfather.” The wine for the evening was provided by The Blue Ridge Estate Winery and Vineyards in Saylorsburg, PA www.blueridgeestatewinery.com who also offered tastings of their vintage elixirs.

The Photography presented throughout the room touched the eye with its images whose beauty resonated with each person who viewed them. The varied styles and subjects encompassed the whole spectrum of the art with some pieces moving beyond its familiar scope to entrance the respective art lover through their visionary attributes. The conversations inspired by the work enhanced the energies of the room as the multitude sought to learn more about the images from the individual photographers and about the Pocono Photo Club which they were a part of. It was in the midst of these discourses when Annette Atkinson, who serves as a Middle Smithfield Township, PA Supervisor, took her place before the podium in order to share her words of welcome to the gathering and to express her appreciation to the venue along with all the photographers and restaurateurs who participated.

These words were followed by the bestowing of awards to a number of individuals who have contributed a great deal to the community through their loving talents. The 2016 Person of the Year award was given to Chauly Younger whose passion for gardening enables her to share her horticultural skills and enthusiasm to bring a soul to the newly created Middle Smithfield Township, PA Community Garden www.communitygardenspark.com whose collective endeavors provide over 100 pounds of fresh, organic produce for the Bushkill Outreach food pantry www.bushkilloutreach.org. Two individuals were chosen as finalist for the prestigious honor. They were Michelle Cacko who has been an instrumental part of the independent bikers of PA and their Kidspeace Toy Run along with her work with children and the East Stroudsburg Youth Association and Timothy O'Donnell who is the public relations director of the local Kiwanis' Poconos Daybreak Club which enabled him to create a children’s environmental learning program. Ms. Younger received a check for $2,000 to benefit the Bushkill Outreach food pantry while each of the two finalists received $750 toward their cause.

It was after the 2016 Person of the Year and the two finalist were presented their award did Ann LeFevre, who serves as the president of the Pocono Photo Club, share her words of appreciation to the venue and all those involved in the event along with information about the group. She was followed by a gentleman whose name I do not recall who shared his thoughts with the gathering. It was at the conclusion of his sentiments was a group photograph taken. This led to huge gathering to approach those who spoke and received recognition for their love for the community to express their congratulations and appreciations for their endeavors. It was some time after this did the room's population begin to disperse and took with them the wonderful memories created that day. You'll find more photographs taken during the event in the Photography to Feast Your Eyes Upon Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154770432318761.1073741961.91146283760&type=3.

The 3^rd Pocono Photo Club Exhibit titled, “Hungry for Photography” featuring the work of its membership will continue to be on display in the banquet hall of The Whispering Pines at the Country Club of the Poconos in East Stroudsburg, PA until May 1^st. The Pocono Photo Club is open to anyone with an interest in photography and consists of a photographers who embodied a variety of interests and skills. The group offers its members opportunities to explore their love for the art form through a number of programs that includes professional speakers, hands-on workshops, and social events. The Pocono Photo Club meets the third Tuesday of each month in the Keystone Building at the Northampton Community College Monroe Campus in Tannersville, PA beginning at 7pm. You can learn more about The Pocono Photo Club by exploring their Facebook Group site at www.facebook.com/groups/177920465950 or their Website at www.poconophotoclub.com.

The Middle Smithfield Township’s 2016 Restaurant Week will continue until Sunday April 17^th. During the week, the restaurants who participated in the April 8^th event and others will offer discounted menus to those who dine at them. The variety of cuisines include Italian, American, Asian, and more. You can learn more about The Middle Smithfield Township’s 2016 Restaurant Week by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/mstshoplocal or their Website at www.mstEatLocal.com.

The Middle Smithfield Township, PA is a Township of the Second Class governed by a Board of Supervisors elected at large by qualified voters of the Township. The current Board of Supervisors are Annette Atkinson aatkinson@mstownship.com who serves as Chairperson, Administrative and Operations Director, and Assistant Treasurer, Michael J. Dwyer mdwyer@mstownship.com who serves as Vice Chairperson, Public Works Director, Parks and Recreation Director, Treasurer, and Supervisor, and Mark Oney money@mstownship.com. The regular meetings of the Middle Smithfield Township Board of Supervisors are held on the second and fourth Thursday of every month beginning at 7pm. You can learn more about Middle Smithfield Township by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/mstownship or their Website at www.middlesmithfieldtownship.com.

Photography by Paparazzi Paul.