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Issue Home December 23, 2003 Site Home

HEADLINES:
4-H'ers Honored At Achievement Night
County Farm Bureau Receives Recognition
E. L. Class of '58 Holds 45th Reunion
Legion, High School Band Entertain Vets
New Year Ahead For Gardeners
Engagement Announced Stone – Wolf
PARSE #15 Meets
4-H News
Water Trail Is Becoming Reality
Susky Fire Dept. Club Winners
Jan. Jurors Drawn
Court House Closing Notice
Eastern Star Helps Pregnancy Center

4-H'ers Honored At Achievement Night

Penn State Cooperative Extension of Susquehanna County recently held their annual 4-H Achievement Night. This is a program that honors our community’s 4-Her’s for their outstanding accomplishments during the past project year. This year 529 4-Her’s and 163 volunteer leaders took part in the Susquehanna County 4-H program.

4-H Coordinator Joe Fuller is shown with Eric Giangrieco, grand champion winner of the junior 4-H dairy book project.

This year the Outstanding 4-H’er awards went to: Matthew Fearnley and Ashley Gaffey. Many monetary scholarships were given to 4-Her’s that will be attending college. Four Youth Programming Activity Committee scholarships were given to: Matthew Fearnley, Ashley Gaffey, Ashley Jennings and Katie Onyon. Matt Fearnley also received the AgChoice Farm Credit Scholarship and the David Quick Memorial Award. The David Quick 4-H Leader Memorial Award was presented to John Sherman of the Green Grove Community 4-H Club.

Other special awards and scholarships included: Outstanding 4-H Horse Member: Ashley Gaffey; Outstanding 4-H Livestock Member: Rachel Weaver; Outstanding 4-H Dairy Member: Katie Onyon.

Marilyn Quick presents Robert Fearnley on behalf of his son, Matthew Fearnley, with the David Quick Memorial Scholarship award.

The project diversity awards were given to Tiffany Testa and Elaine Mackey. These two 4-Her’s tied for the most completed 4-H projects in this past 4-H year. Kaitlin Flor and Stephanie O’Dell won the Outstanding 4-H News Reporter awards.

Abby Onyon and Beth Giangrieco were recognized that night for qualifying for the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest held in Madison, WI. Nick Pease was recognized for being chosen as Pennsylvania’s representative to the National 4-H Dairy Conference.

Joe Fuller and YPAC President Robert Fearnley present 4-H County Council President Ashley Jennings with a YPAC Scholarship.

During National 4-H Week three of our local clubs had window displays in various store fronts around the county. The following clubs were recognized at Achievement Night: Sizzlin’ Steaks, Hoofs in Clover and Paws n’ Tails Dog Club.

If you are interested in joining 4-H or would like to become a volunteer leader, contact Penn State Cooperative Extension of Susquehanna County at 278-1158. There are over 200 projects and 38 4-H clubs to choose from in our county, so come and join the fun.

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County Farm Bureau Receives Recognition

PA Farm Bureau annual convention was held November 17-19 at Hershey, PA. Local Rep.’s Al and Barb Roszel, Kathie Shelly, Cheryl Matulevich, Rick Empet and Donna Williams attended as voting delegates. Susquehanna County was honored for conducting top programs, among 54 county Farm Bureaus, during the past year. SCFB received recognition for excellence in Women’s Committee, Ag Commodity, Public Relations and Information and Contract Services programs. Honorable Mention was received for Promotion and Education, Policy Development, Membership, National Legislation, Organization Structure, Political Education, Friends of Ag, Local Affairs and Nationwide Insurance programs. SCFB was recognized and honored as the second best, in total programs, among counties with 551 plus membership. The voting delegates acted on 182 policy recommendations, giving direction for the statewide organization on issues affecting farm and rural families.

PA Farm Bureau President Guy Donaldson presented to SCFB President Donna Williams the Excellence Program Award for four program accomplishments during the past year.

County members automatically become members of the PA Farm Bureau and the American Farm Bureau Federation. SCFB is a nonprofit organization that is actively involved in achieving results for agriculture and rural America.

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E. L. Class of '58 Holds 45th Reunion

21 members of the class of 1958 of Elk Lake High School and their spouses and guests met at the Montrose House to celebrate 45 years since graduating from the school. The class holds the distinction of being the first class to graduate from the new building which opened in the fall of 1957. Previously, members of the class had attended schools in Springville, Meshoppen and Rush.

Honored guests included former Elk Lake School employees Richard and Fran Donovan, and Eva Lathrop and Mary Jane. Current superintendent Bill Bush was unable to attend but had presented a tour of the present buildings to members of the class earlier in the day. All were impressed with the changes made over the last 45 years.

Pictured (l-r) at the 45th Reunion are: seated – Wilma (Button) Canfield, Stella (Sklute) Goff, Janet (Hoover) Donahue, Ivah (Holly) Benninger, Betty (Avery) Wier, Linda Shields, Christine (Koeb) Lathrop, Gale (Sheldon) Thomas, Gwen (Snell) Warner; standing – Doug Hall, Joyce (Schillinger) Rudzianski, Bob Mitchell, Bob Springer, Donna (Groover) Nesmith, Ken Newberry, Shirley (Cavanaugh) Stewart, Harold Lock, Connie (Hunsinger) Kopatz, Fred Root, Peggy (McCarthy) Watts, Eleanor (McGavin) Carter.

Following a delicious buffet dinner served by the Montrose House staff, a meeting was held to establish class officers. These were necessary to form a formal organization to facilitate banking and to begin the project of establishing an Elk Lake Alumni Association. The goal of the class is to have the Alumni Association in place by the 50th reunion in 2008. For information contact Joyce Rudzianski at 278-2482. We hope that representatives of each graduation class will come forward to assist with this endeavor. Officers elected were President - Joyce Rudzianski; Vice President - Ivah Benninger; Treasurer - Gwen Warner; Secretary - Chris Lathrop.

A memorial table honored the 10 deceased members of the class. These include: David Brooks, Thomas Carter, William Hill, Paul Johnson, Jean (Kropa) Barlas, Joyce (Kintner) Bell, John Bell, Rolland Pierson, Pat (Litts) White and Dale White.

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Legion, High School Band Entertain Vets

American Legion Post 86, Susquehanna, along with the "Select Band" of the Community High School, on December 11, 2003 welcomed 12 handicapped veterans (ten in wheelchairs) along with six aides from the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Hospital Medical Center.

The vets were entertained by the High School Band, while they were enjoying a delicious meal served by Legion members and guests.

Veterans attending luncheon were: Ken Herring, 85, Army; James Miller, 77, Army; Paul Popovich, 83, Army; Donald Landzberger, 71, Army, a Purple Heart recipient; Nick Lahiff, 30, Marines; Paul Wert, 87, Army; Henry Harter, 91, Army, Purple Heart Award; Harold Pryor, 86, Army; George Raykowski, 60, Air Force, Purple Heart Award; Jacob Cominski, 87, Air Force; Richard Burnett, 54, Army.

Staff members: Lois Sayre, Celestine M. Sisko, Robert Rowe (Army); William Baggs (Air Force); and American Legion members, Paul Makuch and Joe Wilczewski.

In addition to the above mentioned veterans, also present was wheelchair veteran Joe Sczpenaski, age 85, serving in the Air Force and Army. He was captured by the Japanese Army and after three years as a Prisoner of War, surviving the infamous Bataan Death March, was rescued by the United States Forces. Reluctant to talk about his plight, "Joe" was in a jovial mood enjoying the food and festivities.

Pictured with Joe Szcpenaski, from left are students Jessica Williams, band director Maria Arneil and student Katie McHale.

Members of the High School Band, under the direction of Maria Arneil, were well received by the veterans, who enjoyed the music. Students: Jessica Williams, Claressa Price, Heather Warneke, Amanda Fallon, Katie McHale, Amanda Russell, Patricia Albrecht, all Seniors; Ben Frye and Kelliann Walsh, eleventh grade; Danielle Williams, ninth grade.

Prior to leaving the Post, the Veterans (who braved a very rainy day) were well-rewarded as they were given several gifts that included lap robes, note books and other cash gifts. A surprise during the afternoon was the presentation of a gift to each veteran by local residents, Jim and Sharon Havey.

Legion Chairman, Tom Hurley, expressed his sincere thanks to "his staff" for waiting on the Veterans and helping them with their food. "It was one of the best parties we have ever had" Mr. Tom remarked.

Also a "Tip of the Hat" to those that helped with the chores: Mary Ficarro, Stan Lindow, Lou Parrillo, John Bronchella, Denise Snyder, Clifton Branning, and Chief Photographer, Britt Cresse.

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New Year Ahead For Gardeners

A successful year for The Garden Club of Montrose was celebrated with a holiday luncheon on Monday, December 8 at the home of Shirley Andre. After a delicious feast, members of the club enjoyed seeing the creation of a holiday centerpiece from fresh greens and other garden materials.

Out-going secretary Debbra Nagle installed the officers of the garden club for the upcoming term of 2004-2005. They are: President Brenna Aileo, Vice-President Gladys Bennett, Secretary Ellen O’Malley, Treasurer Carol Lake.

Garden Club 2004-05 officers (l-r) are: Gladys Bennett, Brenna Aileo, Ellen O’Malley, Carol Lake, Debbra Nagle.

The Garden Club of Montrose is proud of the projects in which it participated during the year. Some of these were spring maintenance and planting at the Court House, donation to the Library auction, wildflowers at the Blueberry Festival, table arrangements for the Restoration Dinner, hanging flower baskets in the downtown Montrose area, pruning and planting at the Gazebo, staging a flower show, conducting a public design workshop, and contributing articles of environmental interest to the local papers.

Community service, education, companionship and fun await members of The Garden Club of Montrose in the coming year. Anyone interested in the club may call Brenna Aileo at 278-9703 or Kathy Warriner at 278-1932 for information. A good time will be had by all!

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Engagement Announced Stone – Wolf

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Stone, Thompson, PA, would like to announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their daughter, Ashley Lynn to Kyle P. Wolf, North Jackson, PA. Kyle is the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Wolf, Sr., of Susquehanna.


Kyle and Ashley

Ashley is a 2001 graduate of the Susquehanna Community School District, and has attended Ridley Lowell in Binghamton, NY. Ashley is currently employed at Schneider’s Market, Susquehanna.

Kyle is also a 2001 graduate of the Susquehanna Community School District, and is currently employed at Maines Paper and Food Service, Conklin, NY.

A June 12, 2004 wedding is planned.

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PARSE #15 Meets

The final meeting of the year 2003 of the Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees took place December 9, at the Towanda Gun Club. A benevolent fund was collected for a needy family in Sullivan County.

Discussion was held regarding the new Medicare program and the effect on PARSE members. Dissatisfaction with the AARP support of the program was voiced by Vice Presidents Benio and Barnatovich.

PARSE Chapter 15 is continuing to seek new members. All annuitants of the PA Employee Retirement Fund in Bradford, Sullivan and Susquehanna Counties are eligible for active membership. Spouses of annuitants are eligible for associate membership. It is the goal for year 2004 to increase the chapter membership. To apply or renew membership, contact Membership Chairman, Helen Benio, RR 1 Box 188, Montrose, PA 18801. Phone number (570) 278–2380.

The first meeting of the year 2004 will be held in April, in Susquehanna County. The date and place will be announced later.

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4-H News

Fancy Feathers Poultry Club

The Fancy Feathers 4-H Poultry Club will have a start up meeting on January 17 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. View Restaurant in Clifford, PA.

We will also have an open forum on getting your chickens ready for the breeding season and on incubation. Whether you have a pet chicken or plan to show, it does not matter. There is so much to learn.

Being a member of the Fancy Feathers 4-H Club you will be automatically enrolled as a active member of the newly formed poultry club: Endless Mountains Poultry Association. The club plans on having a local show and an auction in 2004.

The American poultry association and the American Bantam Association also has a nice youth program where you receive points on the birds you show.

Don't miss out on the fun!

If you have any questions feel free to call Jessica or Judith Sartell, at 756-2447.

By Jessica Sartell, News Reporter

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Water Trail Is Becoming Reality

TOWANDA PA - The proposed Susquehanna River North Branch Water Trail is flowing quickly toward becoming a reality. Initial advisory board meetings held recently in Bradford, Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties attracted representatives from municipalities and coordinators of projects in the river corridor, Fish and Boat Commission, National Park Service, outdoor enthusiasts, and business leaders.

Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR), a state Heritage Park encompassing Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties, received a $45,000 grant this fall from the National Park Service to develop the North Branch Trail. The trail will extend from Luzerne County to the New York State border. Groups developing water trails on sections river in New York State and Luzerne County will coordinate efforts with EMHR.

Endless Mountains Heritage Region Executive Director Bob Veleker was pleased by the turnout for the recent meetings. "Interest is building in this project," he said.

Following a meeting in Susquehanna County, retired game Commission Officer Don Day spent three hours guiding Veleker and David Buck through local river highlights and access points.

"Next steps include deciding what information should go into the map/guide," Veleker said. He plans a meeting early in the New Year to begin developing map layouts.

A graphic artist will be hired to create the map/guide, which may include collaboration with groups developing New York State and Luzerne County water trails.

The new water trail will become part of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network that provides access to scenic, cultural, geological, historical points of interest, attractions, and activities along the river. The water trail project includes developing a conservation strategy in 2004.

The North Branch water trail will outline routes for canoe, kayak and small, motorized watercraft. It encompasses a recreational corridor adjacent to the river identifying access points, boat launches, day use and overnight camping areas. Veleker sees it as an opportunity for regional partners to plan a "community friendly" water trail along the Susquehanna.

For more information contact Endless Mountains Heritage Region, 10 Park Street, Towanda, 18848; emhr@epix.net; 570-265-1528, or explore EMHR on the web: www.endlessmountainsheritage.org.

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Susky Fire Dept. Club Winners

November 1: Joe Cina; Marge Wood, Joan Hurley.

November 8: Bill Iveson; Bob McNamara; Jim White.

November 15: Mike Matis; Fred Williams; Mary Brown.

November 22: Sabrina Graves; Arlene Travis; Buddy Brown.

November 29: Peggy Merwin; Sue Burns; Gladys Troup.

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Jan. Jurors Drawn

Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for January, 2004, to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse Main Courtroom, Montrose, on the sixth day of January at 9:00 a.m.

Apolacon Twp.: Anthony Lombardo.

Ararat Twp.: Mary Verboys.

Auburn Twp.: Ronald K. Oliver, Jerome Passarelli.

Bridgewater Twp.: Richard Geiger, Brad Hitchcock, Carol Rogers, Jennifer L. Spadine.

Brooklyn Twp.: Jason E. Cameron, Michael F. Rosenberg.

Clifford Twp.: Marianne D. Geyer, Bradley Janey, Lauren H. Kenyon, Edward J. Kozlowski, John S. Niles III, Renee L. Seman.

Dimock Twp.: Michael J. Kissel, Edward Craig Lathrop, Craig Sautner.

Forest City Boro 2W: Debra A. Hosking.

Forest Lake Twp.: Jeannette Castrogiovanni, Jonathan Hummel.

Gibson Twp.: Edwin I. Lindsey, Jr., Joshua Urda.

Great Bend Twp.: Patricia Derrick, Joseph R. Garrehy, Linda R. Ketchur, John E. McGoldrick, Elaine M. Pingarelli.

Hallstead Boro: John W. Bennett, Mary P. Button.

Harford Twp.: Mark D. Cross, Frank L. Tansits.

Harmony Twp.: Walter J. Brown, Virginia Woodruff.

Hop Bottom Boro: Kenneth W. Burgess.

Jackson Twp.: William C. Chamberlain, Karen A. Hartt, Linda R. Joines, Lenore Monks.

Jessup Twp.: Larry Lee, Patricia A. Smagowicz.

Lathrop Twp.: Richard D. Ennes, James Warner.

Lenox Twp.: Nancy A. Davitt.

Liberty Twp.: Sabrina Grosse, Dawn Walworth.

Little Meadows Boro: Scott Williams.

Montrose Boro 1W: Nana Pictreyk.

Montrose Boro 2W: Judith Sample.

New Milford Boro: Todd K. Conrad, Rhonda J. Ralston.

New Milford Twp.: David Alexander, Linda R. Odell.

Oakland Boro: Charles H. Callahan, April Kelley.

Oakland Twp.: Robert C. Edwards, Jr.

Rush Twp.: Kelly M. Allen, Michelle R. Bennett, Nancy L. Forba, Patricia Franks, Richard E. Frick.

Silver Lake Twp.: Michele E. Carmody, Michael J. Marrer, Rita M. Philpott, Stanley R. Pierson, Jr., Jon M. Strope.

Springville Twp.: Clark C. Bush, Patsy Robinson, Brenda B. Voll.

Susquehanna Boro 2W: Sandra Price.

Thompson Boro: Scott A. Olson.

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Court House Closing Notice

The Susquehanna County Commissioners announce the Courthouse will be closed on Thursday and Friday, January 1 and 2, 2004, in observance of New Year’s Day. All court related offices will be available.

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Eastern Star Helps Pregnancy Center

In Thompson, PA, on December 15, Sunshine Chapter #258, of The Order of The Eastern Star, District 18, held a Christmas shower for the Care Net Pregnancy Center of North Eastern Pennsylvania.

Many needed items were collected, such as clothing for infants, and other necessary items that can be used by the Center for mothers and children.

The items and some monetary gifts were presented to Amy Wood, Director of the Care Net Pregnancy Center by Barbara Collins and Marylu Stewart, members of the Sunshine Chapter.

The Center helps many women and their children, every day, with love and understanding in a time when they need it the most.

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