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Issue Home March 25, 2003 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Dairy Promoters At County Dairy Day
Sea Scout Ship 90 Begins 60th Year
Singer Family Donates Flag To Post 357
What if the Cows Stopped Milking?
4-H News
96 Years Young!
April Jurors Drawn
PA Is First With Heart-Safe Highway
Peoples Bank Opens New Conklin Office
Reference Guide For Human Services
Saving Money At The Gas Pump
N. Tier Coalition Survey Mailed
Susky Association Seeks New Members
 

Dairy Promoters At County Dairy Day

Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Rebecca Place and her court were at the 14th annual Susquehanna County Dairy Day held at the Elk Lake High School. There were educational presentations and commercial exhibitors represented.

The Princess, Dairy Ambassadors Abbey Puzo, Alyssa Sprout, Amanda Miner, Amy Roe, Ashley Franklin and Dairy Maids Abbey Hewitt, Alicia Roe, Jenna Sprout, Jessica Roe, Karin Mowry and Lydia Carlin served many dishes of ice cream. "Got Milk" posters, erasers, pencils and milk stickers were given to visitors. Free milk and cheese were also handed out.

Grabbing a cold refreshing carton of milk, Susquehanna County Dairy Promoters Abbey Hewitt, Ashley Franklin, Alicia Roe, Lydia Carlin, Amy Roe and Jessica Roe.

Visitors were reminded of the nutritional importance of drinking calcium packed wholesome milk. If we don’t get enough calcium from the food we eat our body will steal what it needs from our bones – leaving them fragile and weak later in life. Calcium is not just for strong bones and healthy teeth. Studies suggest a healthy diet including adequate calcium from foods like milk may also reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other serious diseases.

I would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to the success of the 14th annual Dairy Day.

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Sea Scout Ship 90 Begins 60th Year

Sea Scout Ship 90, the North Star of New Milford, PA, has just recharted for its 60th year. Originally organized in 1943 with Roger Shepherd as skipper (he still serves on the committee today), Sea Scouting is the seagoing branch of the Boy Scouts of America.

A recharter meeting was held March 10, at the Sea Scout Hall, New Milford. After a dress uniform inspection of all Sea Scouts and officers by Commodore Ron Hall, four new Sea Scouts were welcomed into the crew. Chuck Jaget will assume the position of new Chairman of the ship committee and Laurie Weber has become the new Second Mate. A twenty-five year veteran pin was presented to committee member Frances (Tommie) Johnson.

Since the ship now has fifteen Sea Scouts, a second crew was formed with Caleb Gere as Crew Leader and Nicole Conrade as Assistant Crew Leader. The new crew is the Starboard Crew. Dan Weber remains as Crew Leader of the Port Crew and David Navickas will serve as his Assistant Crew Leader.

It was determined that Ship 90 has qualified as a National Standard Sea Scout Ship and the Regional Commodore’s Award of Excellence by the ship’s officers and committee. Ship 90 is under the command of Skipper Barry Hall, with Marvin Van Cott as First Mate.

The 125-foot brig "Unicorn," that 18 Sea Scouts and officers sailed in the summer of 1978, off the coast of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean for eight days!

Ship 90 has had many varied and exciting long cruises in the summer, from canoeing the Allgash River in Maine in 1972, sailing on the brig "Unicorn" on the Atlantic Ocean in 1978, sailing on the barque "Eagle" on the Atlantic in 1979 and 1995 and on the brig "Niagara" on Lake Eire in 1997. 2003 will be no exception, with the Sea Scouts sailing on a 46-foot ketch and 30-foot sloop on Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

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Singer Family Donates Flag To Post 357

The Hallstead–Great Bend American Legion Post, on Saturday, March 8, honored their past commanders, past Auxiliary presidents and past commanders of the Sons of the American Legion at a dinner-dance.

Commander Terry Rafferty opened the program with a salute to the flag, led by Walter Woolbaugh and an opening prayer, by Irene Welch. This was followed by the draping of the unoccupied chair with the flag of the POW/MIA. Doing the honors were Everett Benedict, Jr., Tom Snyder and Richard Rood.

Introduced by Commander Rafferty were: Walter Woolbaugh, the post’s first commander (1946) and Dwight Whited, the first chaplain (1946); Jason Legg, candidate for the county District Attorney’s office; John Bronchella, county veterans service officer; John Battisti, a 57-year member; Britt Cresse, SAL District Commander of Susquehanna Post 86. All the past commanders and past presidents were recognized.

Speeches were given by Commander Rafferty; Patricia Yonkin, Auxiliary President; Dale Jesse, SAL Commander; Judy Chauncer, Steward.

Other notables present were officers and guests of Legion Posts: Nancy Bachurek, District President of Dickson City; Lorraine Halenda and Lucille Perck; Mr. and Mrs. Arlington Phillips.

Pictured (l-r) are: Post 357 first commander Walter Woolbaugh; Dwight Whited, the post’s first chaplain.

A gesture, that had a happy and sad moment, was the presentation to the Post of the American flag to Mrs. Howard (Debby) Singer, at the funeral of her husband, Howard (Crash) Singer on March 4. The flag was presented to the Post by four children of the Singer family, Debra Singer, Bill Singer, Howard Singer and Martha Singer.

Since the organization of the Post (1946), 28 members served as commander, with Terry Rafferty the present commander. The Auxiliary formed in 1947, had 26 presidents, with Pat Yonkin the current president. The Sons of the Legion, since its formation, had seven commanders, with Dale Jesse the present commander.

As usual, the Knights of Columbus crew of Great Bend, all decked out in red shirts and commandered by Attorney Frank O’Connor, served a delicious dinner, followed by dessert.

With the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and a closing prayer the program ended, followed by music and dancing.

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What if the Cows Stopped Milking?

There would be no:

No ice cream to enjoy on a hot summer night.

No refreshing tall glass of cold milk served with chocolate chip cookies.

No cheese to eat with apple pie.

No yogurt to eat with fruit.

No real cheese to top your pizza.

Jessica, Amy and Alicia Roe, Susquehanna County Dairy Promoters.

No calcium rich food to replace milk. Milk offers a powerful package of calcium and eight other essential nutrients that are readily available for pennies per ounce. Consuming dairy foods can help fight obesity, lead poisoning, high blood pressure and decrease the risk for osteoporosis and some forms of cancer. Nothing compares to the benefits that dairy products offer your body.

No family dairy farms. This is the number one agricultural industry in Pennsylvania. There are 9,600 dairy farms in our state. The dairy industry is the number one contributor to the Pennsylvania economy.

No baling of hay and plowing of the fields.

No need to buy seeds, fertilizers and chemicals for spring planting.

No dairy farmers to buy tractors, agricultural equipment and heavy duty pick-up trucks.

No need for the millions of steelworkers and construction workers building farm equipment and farm buildings.

No more milk checks bringing millions of dollars to pass through the local banks.

No need for large animal vets for cows.

No dairy farmer to buy bovine medicine from the drug companies.

No need for the Midwest grain farmers to store up grain for dairy cows.

No need for the many feed companies that prepare the grain.

No dairy farmers spending hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to purchase supplies from local businesses.

No need for the millions of people employed at the many processing plants in the United States that process the raw milk.

Increased prices for dairy products because we would be dependent on foreign imports. These milk products would come from countries that have less strict dairy product regulations.

This adds up to millions of Americans out of work!

Please support your local dairy farmers. When purchasing cheese and other dairy products, look for the Real Seal.

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4-H News

Baconeers Swine 4-H Club

The Baconeers 4-H Swine Club recently met at the Claverack Building for their re-organizational meeting of 2003. The Pledges were recited and members filled out the enrollment forms. Officers were elected: President-Denise Hardisky, Vice President-Dana Hardisky, Secretary-Holly Corbin, Treasure-Rachel Weaver, and Club News Reporter-Misty Karhnak. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday April 6th, 2003 at 1:30 p.m. at the Claverack Building in Montrose.

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96 Years Young!

Eve Preston, of 401 Grand Street, Susquehanna, will celebrate her birthday on Friday, March 28. She will be 96 years young.

Congratulations, Eve!

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April Jurors Drawn

Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse, Main Court Room, Montrose on the seventh day of April, 2003, at 9:00 a.m.

Apolacon Twp.: Veronica Deffler, Ronald A. Hotaling, Joseph W. Krawecki, Sr.

Ararat Twp.: Robert L. Spangenburg.

Auburn Twp.: Denise E. Adelsberger, Dorothy Bartashus, Daniel J. Burke, Brian Posten.

Bridgewater Twp.: Joanne A. Himko, David O. Myers.

Brooklyn Twp.: Arlene E. Rought.

Choconut Twp.: Patrick Mordovancey.

Clifford Twp.: Eileen T. Parise.

Dimock Twp.: Shawn Blaisure, Donna M. Reagen, Ralph Schwartztrauber, Judy L. Vibbard, Wesley A. Warner.

Forest City Boro 2W: Barbara L. Mihelc, William T. Orasin, Gregory A. Swingle.

Forest Lake Twp.: William G. Griffin.

Franklin Twp.: George R. Schreck.

Friendsville Boro: Michael Gittoes.

Gibson Twp.: Denise Finagan, Robert W. Lambert, Sandra D. Mead.

Great Bend Boro: Vincent Branning, Jr., Sharon J. Wayman.

Great Bend Twp.: Sharon Fassett.

Hallstead Boro: Margaret F. Thomson.

Harford Twp.: Sandy L. Yannotta.

Harmony Twp.: Priscilla R. Greene.

Jessup Twp.: Robert K. Volk, Sr.

Lathrop Twp.: Sharon M. Kress.

Lenox Twp.: Elizabeth Bidwell, Fred Knowlton, Brian VanLuvanee.

Liberty Twp.: Jill M. Jackson, Gerald A. Yeomans.

Little Meadows Boro: Carl R. Peterson.

Middletown Twp.: Kirk D. Adams.

Montrose Boro 1W: Richard Mark Craige, Lindsey P. Lewis.

Montrose Boro 2W: Gary J. Rose.

New Milford Boro: Heather Vangorder.

New Milford Twp.: Robert John Hollenback, Weldon A. Smith.

Oakland Boro: Dale MacDonald.

Rush Twp.: Virginia A. Wright.

Silver Lake Twp.: Carol Cantor, Cindy A. Seeger-Shearing.

Springville Twp.: Annette M. Allen, Douglas James Andrews, Sr., Michele Green.

Susquehanna Boro 1W: Paul B. Barnes, Roze DeCicco.

Susquehanna Boro 2W: Ruth C. Price.

Thompson Boro: Melanie Lee, Alan S. Wisnewski.

Union Dale Boro: James S. Kull.

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PA Is First With Heart-Safe Highway

Harrisburg - "Pennsylvania can now boast it has America's first Heart-Safe Highway," said Rep. Tina Pickett (R-110).

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has placed Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at its 21 service plazas statewide, making the Pennsylvania Turnpike the first highway in the nation to provide public access AEDs at service plazas across the state.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's emergency response kits have been installed in main public areas at all service plazas along the toll road. The Turnpike expects both trained service-plaza personnel and travelers will use the AEDs.

During sudden cardiac arrest, calling 9-1-1 is essential, but not enough. The American Heart Association recommends two immediate steps. First, CPR must be given while waiting for emergency medical service to arrive. CPR can help keep blood flowing to the brain and heart. Second, defibrillation must take place. Defibrillation can stop the abnormal, erratic heart rhythm, allowing the heart to resume its normal rhythm. AEDs provide an electric shock, which is the most effective way to defibrillate.

For more information about the Pennsylvania Turnpike's new AED systems, contact the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission at (717) 939-9551.

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Peoples Bank Opens New Conklin Office

With its headquarters just ten miles from the newest office on 1026 Conklin Road, Peoples National Bank is proud to be a new friend in this neighborhood and looks forward to being an important and valued part of the business community in Conklin and surrounding areas. "We are excited about the prospects for this office and the comments from the area we are receiving bode well for its success," says President and CEO, Jack Ord.

Being a locally owned and operated community bank, it is PNB’s commitment to remain an independent bank, contributing time, talent and resources to the communities it serves. Decisions are made locally and deposits are reinvested back into the local communities.

The management team includes Manager, Amy MacConnell and Assistant Manager, Susan Rosenkrans. Retail Services Specialist is Heather Colwell and tellers include Katherine Afeldt, Michelle Cutting, Elaine Lyon, Tammy Muzzy and Crystal Myers.

Peoples National Bank was selected one of the "Best Places to Work" in Pennsylvania for the second straight year. Ranking #20 in 2001, the Bank increased its placement to #13 in 2002.

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Reference Guide For Human Services

In an effort to create awareness and provide access to community resources and services, The Susquehanna County Family Community Center Family Advisory Board is creating a free reference brochure for families residing in Susquehanna County.

Information is currently being solicited for inclusion in this Human Services brochure. County agencies or groups providing services or resources are invited to submit information for inclusion in the brochure.

Interested Human Service Providers need to forward pertinent information such as: 1) Name of agency; 2) Contact Name; 3) Phone Number; 4) Address; 5) Type of service or resource provided; 6) Target audience; 7 ) Is there a fee involved and if so how much?

Information can be mailed to: Human Services Brochure, The Susquehanna County Family Community Centers, P.O. Box 935, New Milford, PA 18834 or e-mailed to sclpnm@epix.net.

All information must be received no later than April 21.

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Saving Money At The Gas Pump

Alternatives to Today's Record High Gas Prices

Meriden CT - March 18, 2003 - With Americans paying record high gas prices that are likely to climb even higher, the country's nearly 200 million drivers will no doubt be scouring the countryside to find that illusive lowest price gas pump. But, according to experts, several extra miles can be squeezed out of every fill-up if drivers followed a few simple rules.

"The way to save money is in every drivers' hands, and sometimes feet," said Ray Palermo, director of public relations for national auto insurer, Response Insurance. "Everything comes down to two basic categories of advice," explained Palermo, "car care and driving habits." He offered drivers a few pieces of advice from the company's 10 Tips to Improve Your Gas Mileage brochure, such as:

· Lighten the car's load by taking unnecessary items from the trunk, such as the bag of sand and shovel from the winter. Every 200 pounds of weight reduces gas efficiency by one mile per gallon. If you have to carry a lot of baggage, avoid using a roof-top container, which will increase the air drag. If you drive a pick-up truck, the open bed will have the same impact, so put a cover on it.

· Oversized and under-inflated tires decrease fuel efficiency. Check vehicle and tire manufacturer for proper inflation.

· Don't turn on the air conditioner as a first response to the heat. Start your drive off with windows open to exhaust the hot air out of the rear windows and then put on the A/C if needed. This will also enable the air conditioning to work faster and more efficiently when turned on.

· Smooth out your driving style by avoiding "jack rabbit" starts and sharp braking. Both expend gas and can present a hazard for others on the road.

· It's estimated that every mile per hour driven above 55 MPH costs 1% in fuel economy. So, keeping to the legal limit is both safe and fuel-efficient. Maintaining a constant speed also maximizes your car's performance. If road conditions permit, use your cruise control.

The free brochure and other information are available by calling 1-800-610-5928 or at their website: www.response.com.

Response Insurance regularly provides to the public news and information regarding driver safety and transportation issues. They issue safety tips, reports, analyses, and conduct original research as a public service to drivers. Informational brochures on safe driving tips, driving distractions and other issues are available free to the public.

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N. Tier Coalition Survey Mailed

Thomas Swan, Chairman of the Northern Tier Coalition Multi-Municipal Planning Committee, announced that the committee is conducting a community survey of area voters. The committee was created by the Borough Councils of Friendsville Borough and Little Meadows Borough, and the Township Boards of Supervisors of Apolacon Township, Bridgewater Township, Choconut Township, Forest Lake Township, Franklin Township, Jessup Township, Liberty Township, Middletown Township, Rush Township, and Silver Lake Township, and is comprised of one representative and one alternate from each participating municipality. The committee will mail the survey to the 6,900 registered voters in all twelve municipalities who will be asked to mail the completed forms by April 18. The survey is the first step in the cooperative effort to identify key community growth and development issues and evaluate what steps must be taken to preserve the area’s rural character, agriculture and quality lifestyle. Chairman Swan went on to note that, "The elected officials of each municipality recognize that growth and development issues extend beyond municipal lines and created the joint planning committee to develop a comprehensive plan for the area. The plan will include elements for land use, roads and highways, housing, and community facilities and services, intermunicipal cooperation and will establish goals and objectives for the future growth and development of the area, and identify how local officials can manage land use and growth and development. Intergovernmental cooperation on planning issues is being promoted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and more and more communities are working together to address key issues facing them. The Northern Tier Coalition Planning Committee obtained a grant from the state to pay much of the cost of the survey and comprehensive plan."

Planning Committee Vice-Chairman Dave Darrow noted that, "The community survey is intended to give residents of the twelve municipalities the opportunity to let local officials know about their expectations for the future of the community." Planning Consultant Carson Helfrich added that, "The survey results will be one part of the process of developing goals and objectives for the growth and development of the Northern Tier Coalition area and the conservation of its important natural and community resources." Survey questions focus on such community issues as the need for agricultural land preservation, land use management, need for commercial and industrial development, ground water supplies, and adequate community facilities and services such as recreation, police protection, fire protection and ambulance service. In addition to commenting on specific issues, residents can identify the most critical issues facing the area. Committee Secretary Carolyn Doolittle noted, "Following the completion of the survey, the Committee will hold a series of public forums to discuss the survey results and listen to additional comments from residents." The Committee is seeking participation from as many residents as possible. Surveys will be mailed directly to voters and the forms are also available from municipal officials, at www.communityplanning.biz (find Susquehanna County and Northern Tier Coalition), and from the Susquehanna County Planning Department at 278-4600, extension 290. Residents are encouraged to participate in the survey and return their completed forms in the pre-addressed, postage paid envelope included with the survey. Completed surveys must be mailed no later than April 18. Chairman Swan reiterated the importance of the survey, stating, "This is the opportunity for Northern Tier residents to participate in planning for the future of their community. Each member of the community should take the few minutes time needed to complete the survey and let local municipal officials know your opinions and suggestions about our area's future."

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Susky Association Seeks New Members

The Susquehanna Community Development Association is presently undertaking a membership drive. This organization was formed when the Greater Susquehanna Area Chamber of Commerce disbanded in favor of more local community organizations. SCDA will serve the communities of Susquehanna, Oakland and Lanesboro boroughs and assist where the resources and energies of SCDA can better serve one or all of the communities.

The newly formed community association is looking for a large membership that will work to develop as many projects as are in the best interest of the local residents. Good things are coming to the Tri-Boro area and this organization plans to be an active participant in all projects that will make the area a better place to live. According to SCDA President Chet Walker, "We want to be the catalyst for the organizations in our communities. We need to coordinate community functions, to promote tourism, to draw new business to our area and to support the current businesses and organizations." In 2003, Main Street, Susquehanna will have a dramatic face-lift after 150 years. Susquehanna will also be celebrating its Sesquicentennial and SCDA plans to be a part of this celebration.

"Unless the local residents take an active role in the development of the communities it will not improve," Walker said. "Please consider becoming a member of SCDA and consider coming to our meetings, as your voice is important," Walker added.

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