DINGMANS FERRY -- Akenac Park has hosted a variety of seasonal events, as well as Music in the Park events that includes Saturday's Dingmans Ferry Theatre show when a professional singer performs a nostalgic Frank Sinatra review.
Supervisors at last week's Delaware Township board workshop heard and approved the latest request to the broadening spectrum: drive-in movies.
Max Brinson, president of the annual Black Bear Film Festival in Milford that was cancelled because of COVID-19 pitched the alternative to be shown on Oct. 16 and 17 at the spacious Camp Akenac grounds.
"With the festival cancelled, we wanted to do something," said Bronson. "We do not want to do this to make money but as a service to the community. In fact, it may lose money but last year we did so well, we have a surplus."
Brinson said each night will feature two movies --a "family-oriented" movie, followed by a "scary" one.
He said it will be limited to 100 cars that will be admitted at 5:30 p.m. each night. Tickets will cost $10 per car and must be purchased in advance on the website BlackBearFilm.com.
The audio will be broadcast via an FM transmitter that can be picked up on the car radio or on a Smartphone that can be carried via Youtube to the car speaker.
Brinson said afterward a number of sites were considered but Akenac's size and its location that is convenient to residents of the township and nearby Milford and to loyal film festival followers in nearby New Jersey and New York led to that choice.
Brinson said Black Bear volunteers will help run the event. Supervisors asked about electrical power and the availability of a generator. Township Roadmaster Vince Flatt said, "We can help with that."
Brinson said "we will learn a lot" watching how Saturday evening's Dingmans Ferry Theatre Sinatra review is handled. Supervisors asked Brinson to think about any other needs which he can present at an upcoming meeting.
Dennis Lee of the Dingmans Ferry Theatre also was on hand to talk about the upcoming show during the workshop. Because of COVID-19 precautions only 250 people, including cast and crew, will be allowed to attend the show that will be presented near the park's maintenance building.
Circles will be marked with washable paint that can dissolve for the proper 6-foot social distancing. Attendees must wear masks.
Admission is free and tickets are available at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m.
Supervisors approved in a motion during the regular meeting after the workshop Lee's request to use the township's grill to sell hot dogs and hamburgers at the show under proper health restrictions and ServSafe certification. Drinks and packaged chips also will be sold. Lee also was allowed to look into selling popcorn.
Lee also asked that the township provide a portable bathroom as is done during movie nights at the park and for fire police to direct traffic.
Also during the regular meeting, supervisors unanimously approved a $17,765 update of security cameras by First Alarm Security of Honesdale at four locations in the township. It came after discussion during the workshop with First Alarm officials, who agreed to a 5 percent discount on the original rates. First Alarm became the service provider last year. "They (First Alarm) has been very responsive (when needed)," said Flatt. The work will take at least two weeks.
Work was approved starting Wednesday this week from state Liquid Fuels funding to Wayco Inc. for Log & Twig Road ($43,069.98) and Long Meadow Road ($23,315.28) and to Pocono Spraypatching Inc. $40,237.30) on the upper half of Myck Road. The lower half involves more expensive, detailed work tentatively for next year. "Hopefully we'll get the grant for that. We'll continue to patch," said Flatt.
Flatt said Long Meadow Road needs new 24-inch piping on essential used areas and surface treatment but no paving. He said most of the work on Log & Twig Road involves installing a box culvert that will close the road down to one lane of alternating traffic.
Supervisors approved the annual lease for the historical society occupying the Akenac Park building, which has been revised to include the society's addition of the closed library.
Two of the four needed township budget workshop dates were approved and they will start at 7:30 p.m. after the Board of Supervisors' regular meetings on Sept. 24 and Oct. 14. The first will be a broad look at the budget and the second one will include discussion with the township's volunteer fire department and ambulance corps. The remaining two are to be determined.
Supervisor Jane Neufeld said during the public comment period that the latest Treasurer's Report was to be posted on the website Monday this week. "Sixty-five percent of the year's spending happens before May and 70 percent of the income comes in by mid-July so it's a moving target."
Neufeld, during public comment, also encouraged residents to start preparations "for when the power goes out" during the onset of the hurricane season and the upcoming winter storms. "Residents should start to think about it with neighbors and relatives for accessibility and communications" to get help when needed. Neufeld said she thought about that after the two recent severe rainstorms that damaged the area and she praised the emergency responders and the township Public Works Department for clearing fallen branches and trees and other duties.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Henderson during public announcements urged residents who have not filed yet for the census to do so. ... He also said Pike County's Small Business Forgivable Loan Program is available at pikeforward.com.