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HEADLINES: The ninth annual Susquehanna County Relay For Life event benefiting the local unit of the American Cancer Society was kicked off to a great start on February 26, at the Endless Mountains Health Systems’ community room in Montrose. 60 people from throughout Susquehanna County attended the kickoff with 16 teams registering. The annual 24-hour event will take place July 25-26, 3 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Montrose Area High School Stadium. Last year 23 teams raised over $69,000 to help the American Cancer Society fund its programs in cancer control. This year the goal is to raise even more, and to recruit additional teams to help achieve this. Pump-n-Pantry provided all the food and beverages for the kickoff, which brought the team together for an inspirational and informative evening.
Pictured (l-r) are: Robin Wallace, Honorary Chairperson and Sue Dean, 2003 Relay Chairperson. Chairperson Susan Dean introduced this year’s Honorary Chair, Robin Wallace. Wallace has been a great supporter of the American Cancer Society and Relay For Life for the past several years, and is a cancer survivor. She came to the event a few years ago to participate in the cancer survivor celebration and stayed to see the luminaria ceremony; "I knew we had to come back and participate as a team," and has been hooked ever since. The McDonald’s restaurant in Tunkhannock sponsors her team, which is made up of family members. The McWalker’s team has won the Team Spirit award the past few years, demonstrating their great enthusiasm for the event. During the past couple of years, Wallace has been a committee member helping in the planning of the event, as well as organizing her own team. "It is with great pleasure and an honor to introduce Robin Wallace as our 2003 Honorary Chair. She has been a great inspiration to us all," stated Dean. Anyone wishing to learn more about this incredible event can contact the American Cancer Society at 1-888-227-5445. Teams consist of 8–15 people who take turns walking the track and can camp out and participate in the many activities scheduled throughout the 24 hours. The money raised at the Relay directly benefits our community by supporting local programs. The money also allows the American Cancer Society to support lifesaving cancer research, while allowing those affected by the disease a way to access the information they need. The National Cancer Information Center at 1-800-ACS-2345 is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week with specialists available to answer questions about cancer, treatment and services or information can be found on the American Cancer Society website, www.cancer.org. Each year the American Cancer society marks the beginning of spring with Daffodil Days, which will be blooming throughout Pennsylvania this week. Daffodil Days brings thousands of cut daffodils into the area which will be available for purchase in bunches at site sales throughout the county, or can be ordered in advance through the American Cancer Society. Call 1-888-227-5445 to request an order form be sent to you. The daffodils are available for $7 for a bunch of 10 flowers. Last year over $36,000 was raised through the Susquehanna/Wyoming Unit Daffodil Days to fund the American Cancer Society’s cancer control mission. The money raised during Daffodil Days provides hope to patients and their families through patient service programs. In addition, progress towards a cure is taking place everyday thanks to American Cancer Society funded research. The American Cancer Society also provides answers to questions about cancer, and is the only national cancer organization to provide information 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week via a national call center, which can be reached at 1-800-ACS-2345. And for those who prefer receiving information via the Internet, www.cancer.org is available.
Pictured serving as chairpersons for the 2003 Daffodil Days campaign are Betty Kwader (left) and Joanne Bledsoe (right) for Susquehanna County. Karen Cosner and Leslie Hirkey serve for Wyoming County. Many other volunteers assist with the packing, delivery, and selling of the flowers. If you are interested in assisting in the fight against cancer through volunteering, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-888-227-5445, and ask for Chris Kelly. Over 1,000 spectators enjoyed demonstrations, exhibits as well as a roast beef, baked fish dinner at Elk Lake High School for the 14th Annual Susquehanna County Dairy Day. "Dairy Day is a chance for the farming community to visit with friends and enjoy the wide variety of fun and interesting events" stated Andrea Garner, event organizer and Penn State Cooperative Extension's Dairy and Livestock Agent. For the day, the school was transformed into a farmer's delight. Upon entering, participants got a chance to take a walk through history with an antique farming exhibit sponsored by the Endless Mountains Antique Tractor Club. The gymnasium housed 70 exhibitor booths ranging from feed companies and banks to custom farming operations and AI companies. One of the most popular parts of the gym was the Dairy Promotion Committee's Dairy Bar. Members of the Dairy Princess Court served 60 gallons of homemade ice cream. Not to be outshone by ice cream, cheese and crackers made their stand and were served by the Susquehanna County Dairy Princess and her court.
Many free health screenings were offered at the 14th Annual Dairy Day. The classrooms were packed with educational programs, exhibits and health screenings. Throughout the halls of the schools, EMHS, Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Beltone Better Hearing and the PA Department of Health offered participants a wide variety of health screenings including blood pressure, bone density, hearing tests, lung capacity, tetanus shots and various blood tests. A highlight for the children was a farm safety display sponsored by the Endless Mountains Farm and Rural Safety Program. Many kids got a chance to test their knowledge about farm safety by pointing out the hazards and risks on the scaled model of a common farm. No Dairy Day would be complete without everyone enjoying a delicious meal prepared by the Elk Lake Cafeteria staff. And that's just what they did! 720 people enjoyed a lunch with the choice of baked fish or roast beef including all the trimmings. It was exciting to see how the cafeteria staff decorated the eating and serving areas with a dairy-related theme. "This year's Dairy Day would not have come off so well if it weren't for the support of the Dairy Day Planning Committee, all of the exhibitors and the Extension staff," Garner said. Thanks to all the exhibitors, farmers and friends for coming to the 14th annual Dairy Day. Pies, Pies & Pies At Dairy Day! The Elk Lake School stage was host to 29 delectable pies ranging blueberry, pecan and apple to maple walnut and banana cream. The pies were baked by local residents to be part of the pie auction at Dairy Day. But first – Susquehanna County Commissioners Lee Smith and Cal Dean and Sheriff Lance Benedict had the tough job of tasting the adult's pies to determine which three were the top prize winners. This year's pie baking winners were Connie Miner, Robin Campbell and Cindy Holdrige.
Pie winners Connie Miner, Cindy Holdrige, Robin Campbell and daughter. Auctioneer Bruce Muck rallied the 'pie-eyed crowd' and began the bidding high. After all of the 29 pies were auctioned off and the buyers smiling, the total amount raised was $1,930. This money will be split between 4-H Dairy program and Susquehanna County Dairy promotion. Mike McDavid, Penn State Cooperative Extension's Northeast Regional Director, judged the youth division of the pie contest. Six young bakers prepared pies to be auctioned off that day with Amanda Miner winning the contest with her tasty tropical pineapple pie. Tammy Henderson Gets "Green Hat" Tammy Henderson (pictured), manager at Gibson McDonald’s, attended the regional Shift Management Training Class in Philadelphia, PA, and was awarded the "Green Hat Award." This award, voted on by peers at the class, exemplifies a student who provides outstanding leadership, communication, and group dynamics for a successful class experience for all participants. Blue
Ridge Senior Center Update On the big screen, snow is soft, fluffy and pure. It doesn't look cold, slippery or life-impeding. Don't you love winter in the movies? As I sit here today it is once again snowing. Yes, it is soft and fluffy and pure, and I am glad to be indoors. While February was a month with lots of that soft and fluffy stuff, we managed to do quite a few things at the center. We celebrated Valentine's Day. This year we went to Maloney's restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal. A "Valentine Basket" was raffled off and Mary McGuire was the winner. There were also several door prizes of candy and cheese. The Cheese Box was won by Gene and Jennie. Congratulations to all. One afternoon we learned a lot from Donna Zigman, who comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. This month she spoke on "Fire Safety." Also, "The Invisible Killer" - carbon monoxide. We should all remember the many easy and helpful hints she gave us about safety in our homes. Have you ever been to the Cider Mill Playhouse? Well a van load from the center enjoyed a performance. It was - "You Can't Take it with You." Everyone seemed to enjoy it very much, as well as the lunch at Take-a-Break Restaurant and dessert at Nichols. What a day! We continue to play dominoes and some are still enjoying cards. Exercise is done on Mondays and Thursdays. We even have a small library section. Books are brought from the County system and can be borrowed. Also there are many paperbacks and magazines one can have for the taking. We continue to talk about the weather; it certainly has been a long winter. Spring will be here soon. Time to think about ordering seeds and making plans for the garden. Think positive. Till the next time, take care and see you at the Center. Funds Available For Home Accessibility The Susquehanna County Housing/Redevelopment Authority has been awarded funding from the Pennsylvania Access Grant Program in the amount of $154,000 on behalf of Susquehanna County and its Board of Commissioners. The goal of the Access Program is to provide low and moderate income residents with permanent disabilities increased accessibility to their homes. Home Modification grants will be available to assist those with permanent disabilities to achieve the modifications necessary to prevent institutionalization and remain in their homes. Priority must be given to applicants that reside in a household where there is a child under the age of 18. Applicants must also meet low income guidelines and must have a permanent disability that limits access to their home and limits use of their home. The disability must be verified by a physician’s statement or by Social Security Determination. For more information on the program requirements and to apply for assistance, please call the Susquehanna County Housing/Redevelopment Authority at (570) 278-4096. Rena Crandall, Susquehanna, is currently a patient in Barnes-Kasson Hospital and would appreciate hearing from friends. Petition Started To Oppose Library Cut Governor Rendell's proposed budget for 2004 includes a 50% funding cut for public libraries. Despite the fact that library funds are only 1% of the education budget, 40% of the total cut is coming out of that 1%. "This would be a disaster for library services in this county and across Pennsylvania," says Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone of the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association. "We need help to communicate to our legislators and Gov. Rendell how this will impact us. Please visit your local library or go to our website, susqcolibrary.org/petition.htm, where you'll find a petition to sign and more information. We need to collect as many signatures as we can by March 20th!" Glenn Miller of the Pennsylvania Library Association says, "Libraries stretch taxpayer dollars farther than just about any other public program. We help kids and adults learn how to read. We teach moms and dads how to use computers. We give hope and skills to those who are unemployed and underemployed. We are the center of our community. The library community is willing to accept a reasonable and fair share of budget cuts, if cuts are necessary. But what has been proposed here is unfair and unreasonable by any objective standard." Library Picture Book Contest Winners A total of 96 original picture books were received in the Susquehanna County Library's Tenth "Write and Illustrate Your Own Picture Book" Contest for grades K-12. In each of three grade categories, judges examined each entry and deliberated long and hard before returning their verdict. "Congratulations to all our talented entrants," said Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone. "It's always a joy to see what wonderful books our students write and draw." Each entrant will receive a Certificate of Participation and comments from the judges. Slides of all the winning entries will be shown at the awards ceremony (Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m., Montrose Theater). Everyone is invited. First place books will be hardbound and placed in one of the four county libraries (Montrose, Forest City, Hallstead-Great Bend, and Susquehanna). Patrons will be able to borrow the books in the fall, after the collection of all the first place books has toured the four libraries. First place winners also receive a hardbound copy of their book. Second and third place books will be softbound and given to the authors. Grades K-1 FIRST PLACE WINNERS – Main Library: The Magic Frog - Kyle Heller (Harford–Mountain View); Forest City Library: The Winter Bird - Jennifer Baron (Vandling–Forest City); Hallstead-Great Bend Library: All About My Dog Keto! - Sadie Rose McHale (Union Dale–Forest City); Susquehanna Library: My Cat - Rachel DeLucy (Browndale–Forest City). SECOND PLACE WINNERS – Bear Finds Honey - Zachariah Feduchak (Kingsley–Mountain View); Doria the Dolphin - Katie O'Neill (Pleasant Mount–Forest City); My Brother the Octopus - Doria Miller (Pleasant Mount–Forest City); My Cat - Nicholas Kovaleski (Forest City–Forest City). THIRD PLACE WINNERS – The Black Corvette - Wayde Loomis (Forest City–Forest City); God's Love - Carly Erdmann (Forest City–Forest City); Groundhog Day - Megan Demcevski (Forest City–Forest City); My Big Brother - Christopher Eldred (Montrose–Ross Corners Christian Academy). Grades 2-4 FIRST PLACE WINNERS – Main Library: Molly and the Snowboard Rescue - Isaac Mitchell (Montrose–homeschool); Forest City Library: Frankie's Soccer Day - Frankie Carr (Thompson–homeschool); Hallstead-Great Bend Library: Silly Poodles - Elizabeth Lockwood (Kingsley–Mountain View); Susquehanna Library: My Grannies - Zoe H. Gauthier (Thompson–homeschool). SECOND PLACE WINNERS – Dream Maker - Chad Paulin (Forest City–Forest City); Dumb Valentine - Bridget Terry (Pleasant Mount–Forest City); My Grandpa Has Cancer - Olivia Mitchell (Montrose–homeschool); Tag on Ice - Emily Rose (Hallstead–homeschool). THIRD PLACE WINNERS – Dimond, the Choking Dog - Meagan Bush (Dimock–Elk Lake); An Adventure - Abigail Costley (Montrose–homeschool); My Little House - James Eldred III (Montrose–Ross Corners Christian Academy); The Monster Who Loved to Eat - Owen Flannery (Hop Bottom–Mountain View). Grades 5-7 FIRST PLACE WINNERS – Main Library: This is the Shed that Joe Built - Aaron Costley (Montrose–homeschool); Forest City Library: A Wild Spaceship Ride - Tiffany Butler (Vandling–Forest City); Hallstead-Great Bend Library: Making Doughnuts With Grandma - Katherine Ruth Longacre (Hallstead–homeschool); Susquehanna Library: Cozy Spots II - Rachelle Stevens (Montrose–homeschool). SECOND PLACE WINNERS – The Adventures of Dill Deputy - Jared Conklin (New Milford–Blue Ridge); Because Henry Hershey Went Achoo - Caity Goff & Jenn Sheridan (New Milford–Blue Ridge); I Miss Grandpa - Levi Mitchell (Montrose–homeschool); The Melting Snowman - Danielle Schomp (Brackney–MAHS). THIRD PLACE WINNERS – The Frog Princess - Gena Rapisardi & Rebecca Rafferty (Brackney/Little Meadows–Choconut); The Unique Frog - Jessica Butler (Vandling–Forest City); Up a River - Rebekah L. Costley (Montrose–homeschool); The 3 Animal Friends - Heather Glover (Suquehanna–Blue Ridge). Women
Are Digging For Strong Bones Research has long shown that weight-bearing exercise can help maintain healthy bones, but a University of Arkansas study actually examined which types of weight-bearing exercises have the strongest impact on bone density for women. Within the study, 57% of the women showed low bone density. "Osteoporosis is a problem in our society. But if we persist only in treating the disease, the number of victims will never drop. We have to find ways to prevent it," says Lori Turner, Assistant Professor of Health Sciences at the University and lead researcher. After comparing bicycling, aerobics, dancing, gardening/yard work, and weight training, and using a statistical assessment that examined each activity independently, the results showed that only two activities were significant in maintaining bone mass: weight training and gardening/yard work. Gardening has been taken for such a dainty activity, but there’s a lot of weight-bearing motion going on in the garden, like digging holes, pulling weeds, or pushing a mower. Of all the activities in the study, gardening/yard work proved to be the most popular. With this in mind, The Garden Club of Montrose has a great suggestion. To help you in maintaining your bone health, to meet friendly people, to learn, to help beautify your area of the world – join their group. To find future meeting times and places, contact Membership Chairman Kathy Warriner at 278-1932 or President Brenna Aileo at 278-9703. Happy (and healthy) gardening!
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