About Third District
By Scott Aldinger , Third District Trustee
Wilkes-Barre is presently home to Benco Dental Supply Co ., founded by Benjamin Cohen out of a one room office in a bank building . Now run by his grandsons , the company has expanded to serve dentists all over the country .
But most important of all beginnings , HBO recognizes Wilkes-Barre as the birthplace of modern cable programming that had its root there in 1972 . Dental volunteers serve the underprivileged at St . Stephen ’ s Church and at the Volunteers in Medicine Program . Of lesser fame , Luzerne County has been in all the news this last year with the indictment of many of the county ’ s judges and courthouse employees over juvenile detention for-profit schemes .
The next local in order of size is the Monroe County Dental Society . Centered in the Stroudsburg-East Stroudsburg-Mt . Pocono area , the county occupies the lower end of the Pocono Mountains . This area is home to ski resorts , water parks , honeymoon hideaways with heart-shaped bathtubs and now , casinos . We are fast becoming the Catskills of Pennsylvania .
During the summer months the area is home to summer camps . From Boy Scouts to Girl Scouts to Jaycees and the proverbial Fat Farms , campers come from all over the northeast to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of the Pocono Mountains . Twice a year that peacefulness is shattered when someone shouts “ Gentlemen , start your engines ,” and the Pocono Race Track comes to life . If you enjoy life in the fast lane , you can drive one of these NASCAR style cars yourself at the track
all summer long . It is expensive , but at 150 mph , the thrill will last a lifetime . Almost a lifetime … I want to go back .
East Stroudsburg University has long been known as a “ teachers college ” churning out educators to meet the ever-growing need . It also has a strong sports program that runs summer camps for the local children . Less fortunate local children can receive dental care at the Valerie M . Hodge Memorial Dental Clinic at Pocono Medical Center ’ s Clementine Abeloff Community Health Center . This clinic got its start with the help of volunteer dentists from the Monroe County Dental Society .
The last two societies make up the western end of the district . Panther Valley Dental Society encompasses Palmerton , Lehighton , Jim Thorpe , Nesquehoning and Tamaqua . Palmerton was home to the NJ Zinc Company .
In its early years it resembled the typical “ company town .” That company led the nation in zinc smelting operations . Now the EPA is working to improve the environment left behind by years of corporate pollution . Lehighton and Jim Thorpe ( present burial site of the great native American Olympian ) are steeped in coal mining and railroading history . Stop by the Molly Maguire ’ s Pub for a taste of the local heritage . An area known for its dirt track racing , farmers markets and the local hardware store is slowly becoming home to WalMart Supercenters . And they call that progress . The local dental meeting here is still laid back . Don ’ t be surprised if someone shows up in their hunting boots .
The Hazleton Dental Society is last on our list . Hazleton is one of the highest ( altitude ) incorporated cities east of the Mississippi and is the highest in Pennsylvania . The area is experiencing national attention as Mayor Lou Barletta tackles the problems of illegal immigrants and their effect on the local economy . With the expected addition of a solar energy field on city property , Hazleton is hoping to become the first city in Pennsylvania to provide its own power through a solar energy plant . The scenery from Hazleton to the Broad Mountain to Eckley Miners Village is incredible .
All of the members in the Third District are truly blessed to be able to live , practice and play in the most beautiful corner of the state !
42 November / December 2010 • Pennsylvania Dental Journal