Bonnie is in the newspaper!

From the Saturday March 7th edition of the Pocono Record:
Splitting her time between "life and death" may keep Bushkill resident Bonnie McErlane busy, but she still finds a way to help those in need.

Working as a hairstylist at two local facilities; Shirley Futch Plaza and Lanterman & Allen Funeral Home, tips are something she sees quite a bit. But she doesn't keep any of it. Her tip money passes right from her hands and into the hands of a someone in need.

"I get them coming and going," McErlane said of her two jobs.

Donating is nothing new for McErlane. She has been doing this for as long as she can remember.

"Every Christmas, I donate my tips to a family in need in the area," she said. "I am now donating all my tips to Camp Papillon and Animals Can't Talk, as well as to a few local homeless people."

McErlane takes a portion of her tips, and some used clothes, to a hardware store on Crystal Street where owner Jim Andrews takes the money and buys food for local homeless folks. She also uses her tips to buy supplies for the Animals Can't Talk organization.

"I was very upset to hear that the PSPCA closed. These rescues need a lot of help from the community," she said.

For the 62-year-old hairstylist with the sense of humor, charity is a way of life. So is helping animals.

"I have always done some sort of charity work," she said. "And I have always been an animal person. My parents owned two horse stables with 22 horses when I was younger and I always helped out."

Client Marie Counterman said McErlane not only styles hair, but also performs a stand-up comedy routine for her clients.

"There is no way you could get what she does for the price she charges anywhere else. She charges a minimal fee," Counterman said. "She's got a great sense of humor and makes us all laugh."

McErlane has been a hairstylist for 43 years, working at Shirley Futch Plaza for 30 of those years. And her days don't end at styling hair.

"I write poetry and even wrote a children's book recently," McErlane said.

With thousands of copies printed up, she hopes to be able to sell copies of the book and donate the proceeds to local rescue shelters. The 16-page book is an educational coloring book for children of all ages.

"The book is called 'The Squirrel with the Skinny Tail.' I want to get it into circulation soon so I can donate the money to Camp Papillon," she said.

"I did my own illustrations. It is a great learning book."

McErlane is selling the book for $3 a copy. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to animal rescue groups. Anyone interested in purchasing a book can contact her at (570) 424-0828.

Counterman said McErlane does much more than hair, poetry and comedy.

"My friends and I were invited to her house one day for lunch. We were all amazed," Counterman said.

"She did her entire landscaping and does all the maintenance herself, year round. And the inside is like a showcase."

With only so many hours in the day, one might wonder how she does it all.

"She knows how to make terrific use of her time," Counterman said.

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