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HEADLINES: County Republicans Elect Committee The transition of leadership in the Susquehanna County Republican Committee took place at their recent re-organizational meeting. Chairman Ivan Burman ended his ten-year political career, which involved six years of leadership. Term limits in Susquehanna County prohibit Burman from serving any longer. He thanked all of those that had played such an important part in bringing the Susquehanna County Republican Committee to a new level of recognition and success. Ivan was presented with a beautiful plaque by the County Committee commemorating his years of service and flowers from the Susquehanna County Republican C-Club. He stated that the ten years of service to the Republican party represented some of the most exciting times of his life. His wish is that this new team of outstanding leadership will receive the same level of support that he did. The new leadership team includes Donna Cosmello serving as Chairman, Lanny Leonard serving as Vice Chairman, Carolyn Doolittle serving as Secretary, and Laura Conarton serving as Treasurer. Dianne Burman was successful in her bid for re-election to State Committee and Bob Darrow received more than enough votes on write-in to fill the position in State Committee vacated by Mike Redding. Chairman Cosmello would encourage anyone who would like to become involved to contact her at (570) 840-4817 or write to her at P.O. box 697, New Milford, PA 18834. Jackson Post Office Honors Sweethearts Raymond and Gladys Pickering met in the eighth grade, in a one-room schoolhouse, in the small village of Jackson. They became sweethearts and will be celebrating their 63rd wedding anniversary on August 23, 2004.
They were married in the home of Gladys’ grandfather, Fred Benson, in North Jackson. For many years they operated a dairy farm and a farm equipment business, known as Pickering Farm Equipment. Both are located on Snake Hill Road in Jackson. Raymond and Gladys are the parents of Rhaylene Britten and they have three grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Three-year old Laura Graytock, of Jackson, drew the winning name for the Sweetheart Contest. Twelve couples from the area entered the contest at the Post Office. Rock Mountain Hosts Connor Scott Memorial Approximately 90 shooters turned out to fill the course at Rock Mountain Sporting Clays for the third annual Connor Scott Memorial Shoot. Shooters, ranging in age from 12 to 70 took aim at 9000 clay birds in an effort to raise money for the Connor Scott Scholarship Fund. The event consists of 100 rounds of sporting clays followed by a pig roast, shotgun raffle, prize giveaways and trophy presentations. Thanks to sunny skies, a great turnout of shooters and a lot of generous hearts this year’s shoot raised approximately $3,500.00 . The best part of the shoot was to have scholarship committee member Rich Jenkins back on his feet and back with the event. Despite having major abdomen surgery less than a month ago, Rich not only healed well enough to participate in the shoot but finished with the second highest score out of 90 shooters. Thanks also go out to the committee members of Dave Gow, Nelson Jesse and Jim Olecki. As in years past, hats of to Bill and Irene Appell and the entire staff at Rock Mountain for a beautifully prepared course. On the behalf of Connor and all his family all are thanked who who helped and participated in this year’s clay shoot in any way. It's your support that makes this such a big success. Local Diabetes Walk Raises About $14,000 The sixth annual Valerie (Holmes) Shook Memorial Walk to Cure Juvenile Diabetes, held on Saturday, May 8, was by far the most successful to date – double last year's total! Half of that was entirely due to the efforts of Sue Rosenkrans, who organized a Cut-A-Thon and Dance the previous Saturday (May 1). On May 8, about 60 people walked four miles round trip on the Bridgewater Riding Club trail bed, starting behind the Pump'n'Pantry, which donated bottles of cold water for the thirsty walkers.
Walkers either raised money ahead of time or self-sponsored on the day of the walk. Individuals and teams whose fundraising skills helped boost the total to a record high included Jordan's Walkers (Mead family and friends), Brittany DeLancey and her family, "The Determinators," Sue Rosenkrans, and Judy Holmes. Paper sneakers had been sold in the months before the walk, and many local businesses helped support the Walk. Valerie's co-workers, family, and friends organized the event and made sure everything ran smoothly. Adding together all the fund-raisers, donations, sponsors, raffles, and sales of tickets and sneakers, with some money yet to come in, almost $14,000 was raised for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Next year's date has already been set, so mark your calendars for Saturday, May 14. Coordination of the Walk is handled through the Susquehanna County Library (278-1881). Local Library Meets With Sen. Madigan On Friday, May 7, library advocates (board, staff, and users) traveled to Williamsport to meet with State Senator Madigan about the library funding crisis. Governor Rendell's proposed budget for 2004-2005 raises the amount for public libraries by 10%--which still leaves libraries 30% short of where they were in 2003. The Susquehanna County Library will face a $110,000 budget shortfall for 2005 in this scenario. 50 million dollars will have been lost to PA libraries over 2 years-money that could have been matched by federal funds. "Senator Madigan was generous with his time," says Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone, "and he seemed very interested to hear about the ways that rural libraries in particular meet many needs of our community." Library advocates told stories that highlight the crucial role libraries play. For example, in Hallstead a woman whose doctor told her to watch a DVD about her condition came in because she doesn't have a DVD player. She was able to use one of the library computers to watch her DVD. In Montrose, a gentleman with a laptop computer couldn't get on the Internet because he needed new driver software-but he couldn't get the software without connecting to the Internet! He downloaded the files he needed to a diskette at the library. Senator Madigan emphasized that he is a strong library supporter, and encouraged the advocates to draft a document explaining the special role that rural libraries play. On May 10, the House of Representatives passed a budget bill which included an amendment, proposed by Rep. Steve Samuelson, to fully restore library funding for 2005. This is good news-IF the Senate and the Governor will agree to pass it. The Pennsylvania Library Association says that, once again, your voice needs to be heard in cards and letters. Please consider writing another letter to Governor Rendell with copies to your state senator and representative, supporting the House's budget proposal and asking that state funding for libraries be fully restored for 2005. The addresses to write to are: Governor Ed Rendell - 225 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120; Senator Roger Madigan - Senate Box 203023, 286 Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120; Senator Charles Lemmond - Senate Box 203020, 178 Capitol Building, Harrisburg PA 17120; Representative Tina Pickett - PA House of Representatives, House Box 202020, Harrisburg PA 17120; Representative Sandra J. Major - PA House of Representatives, House Box 202020, Harrisburg PA 17120. Have you ever met someone that just creates a warm spot in your life? Someone that is surrounded by "warm fuzzies." Suzanne Pike of Warm Springs, Georgia is that kind of person. "President Franklin D. Roosevelt invited me to come here, and I’ve been here ever since," she said. Mrs. Pike has spent all her life at Warm Springs Institute; first as a patient, and then as an employee. She did not have polio, or infantile paralysis as it was called earlier in the century, but she was born with club feet. "Up until that time, all the patients that were here had polio," continued Pike. "I was born in 1932, with my feet turned in. When I was two months old, Dr. Michael Hope talked with President Roosevelt about my condition, and Mr. Roosevelt said, ‘by all means, bring her.’ "They didn’t have all the hospital facilities that were built later, so for my early surgeries, I was taken to Atlanta, and then brought back to Warm Springs. It required several surgeries before I was able to wear shoes." Roosevelt is remembered by many Americans as the President that brought the country out of the Depression Era, but he also established the Warm Springs Institute for poliomyelitis. According to Pike, Roosevelt visited the Warm Springs area in 1924 at the invitation of George Foster Peabody, owner of a hotel in the area. "Louis Joseph had been bathing for several years in the warm water of some of the springs and stayed in the local hotel," continued Pike. "He had gone to other places for treatment, but he was unable to stand the hot water because of poor circulation. "However, he was able to enjoy the local, warm spring waters, and after a period of time, his condition improved. After hearing what the warm waters had done for Joseph, Mr. Peabody invited the President to come down for a visit. When FDR found swimming in the warm buoyant waters helped his paralyzed legs, he bought the once prosperous resort area." In 1926, he spent $195,000, which was two-thirds of his personal wealth to buy the Meriwether Inn and 1,200 acres. He had it converted it into a health spa for treating other polio patients, and established a residence, known as "The Little White House." "The President was very popular," said Pike. "Whenever he arrived at the train station, there was always a lot of extra Secret Service people and Marines. At the time, I never understood why we had to have a pass to get on campus. "He loved picnics and being out in the evening. He often rode out in the country in his 1938 Ford. Often he would just stop and honk the horn, and ask families to come out and talk with him. "It was a big time for the area when he was here." Until she began working as a staff member, Pike was a patient and student. "It was mostly like a campus," she says. "We got up at 6 a.m., dressed and went to breakfast. For those who weren’t able to get themselves into the dining room, there were ‘push boys,’ that would push them in there. "We had regular things to do, exercise, parallel bars, and therapy. It was not a hospital atmosphere, because we had games, movies, and we sang and had a piano. It was very homey." But neither Pike nor the other patients were ready for that fateful announcement. "Several other patients and I were rehearsing a play on Thursday, April 12, 1945," said Pike. "They came in and told us the President had passed on. "It was shocking! ‘The next day, we all gathered outside as the hearse passed by. They were taking his body down to the Southern Railway Depot to start the trip back to Washington. "An accordion player named, Graham Jackson had come down from Atlanta. He was playing, ‘Going Home,’ and ‘Home On The Range,’ as the procession passed by. "It was so sad. I wished I could be doing anything than saying, ‘good-bye’ to such a wonderful man." The warm springs are the source of water for both the Little White House Historic Site and the Roosevelt Institute (formerly the Warm Springs Foundation). The Institute continues to thrive as a rehabilitation and vocational facility enabling people with disabilities to achieve independence today just as they did in the Roosevelt era. Mrs. Pike continues to work every day as a tour guide at the Institute, and says she will always be indebted to Mr. Roosevelt. "In spite of his position, I think he was one of the nicest men and statesman I ever met. I have nothing but fond and pleasant memories of him." If you are ever driving down Highway 27 in Meriwether County, Georgia, and feeling a little down, or have the "mully-grubbs," stop in and say hello to Suzanne. I promise you’ll come away with a whole different point of view. Lanesboro Postmaster, Robin Hobbs (left), presented Amelia Paterno (right), Susquehanna Branch Librarian, with a beautiful framed collection of the newly issued Dr. Seuss stamp. This stamp honors Seuss on the 100th anniversary of his birth. A Pulitzer Prize-winning author and illustrator, Dr. Seuss has introduced countless children to the joys of reading. Mrs. Paterno commented, "Seuss books are popular among all ages. Everyone enjoys reading a Seuss story and following the silly antics of his characters." "We are happy to make this presentation to the Susquehanna Branch Library for the enjoyment of its patrons," stated Postmaster Hobbs. Engagement Announced Wolfe - Robbins Sharon and Daniel Wolfe, Susquehanna, PA are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, DeAnn Elizabeth Wolfe to Brad Richard Robbins, son of Tom and Edna Robbins, Mainesburg, PA. The bride elect received her BSE, in 1998 from Mansfield University. She is currently employed as a teacher at the Trinity Lutheran Daycare, Wellsboro, PA. The groom-elect is a 1997 graduate of Mansfield High School. He is currently employed at ACP Manufacturing. A wedding is planned for November 13, 2004. Peoples Bank Corp. Holds Annual Meeting Gerald Pennay, Chairman of the Board, welcomed shareholders to the 2004 annual meeting of Peoples Financial Services Corp., held at the Harford Fire Company. Russell D. Shurtleff, Esquire, acted as Chairman for this year’s meeting. After a breakfast served by the Fire Company Members, Chairman Shurtleff appointed Wendi Gordon as Judge of Election and Carol Engle acted as proxy. The business for this meeting was to elect two directors – Gerald R. Pennay and Thomas F. Chamberlain - to serve for a three-year term, Richard S. Lochen, Jr. to serve for a one-year term and to ratify the appointment by the Board of Directors of Beard Miller Company, LLP, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, as independent auditors for the year-ending December 31, 2004. While the votes were being tabulated, the senior management team of Peoples National Bank, subsidiary of Peoples Financial Services Corp., spoke on their various departments and the events of the past year, as well as what is in store for the future of the Bank. The attendees also heard from Bill Whittaker, CPA and a valued customer of PNB, regarding his experiences with the Bank. Due to the mandatory retirement age, Jack Norris, Director since 1985 (associate director 1981-1985) retired. Jack has been an active participant in the growth and prosperity of the Bank. Jack is very admired and respected by his fellow Board Members and the Employees of the Bank, his loyalty and expertise will be greatly missed. The results of the voting was then read. On the basis of the report, Chairman Shurtleff declared that Gerald R. Pennay and Thomas F. Chamberlain were elected to a three-year term, Richard S. Lochen, Jr. was elected to a one-year term and Beard Miller Company, LLP, had been ratified as the independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2004. The Fuccillo Ford Dealership in Hallstead has generously volunteered to become a drop-off point for food collection in Susquehanna County. They join Barnes-Kasson Hospital and Schneider’s Market, both in Susquehanna, as food collection points for the Susquehanna County Food Distribution Network. Each business has a conveniently located barrel for people to deposit non-perishable food items, such as canned and boxed foods. These items are then picked up and given to the local food banks run by TREHAB of Susquehanna County. The food is distributed only to local families in need living in Susquehanna County. Tax Relief Offered To Local Companies Pennsylvania’s Job Creation Tax Credit Program provides tax credits to eligible businesses that increase their number of employees by 20% over three years from the date of entering the program. The program requirements average the number of employees for the three years prior to entering the program to determine the base number of employees. As new full-time jobs are added to this base number, the employer receives an annual $1000 tax credit. The jobs must be full time and pay at least $8.00 per hour, excluding benefits. "For example, if employer is accepted into this program in the April 2004 quarter, on April 1, 2005, that employer will receive a tax credit of $1000 for every new full-time employee hired after April 1, 2004," says Susquehanna County Department of Economic Development Director Elizabeth Janoski, adding, "Any county employer who plans to hire employees should determine their eligibility for this program." For information on how to apply to the JCTC Program and other economic development initiatives, contact the Susquehanna County Department of Economic Development at (570) 278-4600, ext. 558.
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