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Look For Our MONTROSE APPLE FESTIVAL SPECIAL In The September 8th Issue Of The County Transcript

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Issue Home August 17, 2004 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Finally, 21!
Blueberry Festival A Huge Success
A Great Gift!
Dairy Promotion Is Hard At Work
4-H Dairy Roundup
Brown & Legg To Speak For Area Foundation
H/GB Legion Post Praised For Service
I'm Waiting For You!
4-H News North Jackson Ag
55th Anniversary
Susky Fire Dept. 150 Club Winners

 

Finally, 21!

Andy, a sales representative for the Susquehanna County Transcript, is the son of Rita and Chuck Ficarro, County Transcript owners.

Congratulations, Andy! (Before you know it, you’ll be praying for Father Time to "slow things down.")

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Blueberry Festival A Huge Success

On Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7 the 2004 Blueberry Festival was held on the Village Green in Montrose. Despite a chill in the air, the rain held off and record-breaking crowds turned out to enjoy the blueberry festivities. "The Festival is held the first Friday and Saturday in August, rain or shine," said Susan Stone, Administrator/ Librarian of the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association. "We were lucky with the weather, but we're luckiest of all with our wonderful community support!"

The Festival gets bigger and better every year, thanks to the participation of community-minded helpers, both organizations and individuals. Hundreds of volunteers staff the many booths, and local businesses donate essentials from ice cream to advertising.

The Montrose Women's Club Muffin table, which is stocked by donations of hundreds of home-baked muffins, held the ever-popular Blueberry Muffin Contest. Judges Chuck Link (pastor of the Presbyterian Church), Deborah Rose (pastor of the United Methodist Church), and Father Jim Nash (Holy Name of Mary) tasted a wide range of muffins. First prize went to Jeanne McGranaghan's muffins, second to Billie Sue Costley, and third to Bonnie Bufford. The winning muffins went at a higher price and quickly sold out!

Festival visitors admired the hand-stitched quilt, in a Sampler pattern that honored previous year's designs. Every year a different quilt is made to be raffled off at the Festival. Dawn Washo of Montrose won this year's quilt.

Other raffles generated excitement as well. The stained glass panel hand-crafted by Tom Simpson went to B. Toole of Raleigh, NC. Dick Grace of Montrose won the four hand painted wooden churches. The basket of Blueberry Festival commemoratives was won by County Commissioner MaryAnn Warren of New Milford. Thirty winners at the Basket Raffle went home with lovely and original baskets. Congratulations to all!

The Silent Auction featured many unique items donated by members of the community, from works by local artists to goods and services from county businesses. Excitement ran high in the last few minutes before the auction closed, as eager bidders competed to raise the prices.

While parents bought Blueberry Festival pottery and clothing, admired the handicrafts, and browsed for books at the used book and record sale, children played games on the Green, lined up to bounce in the Price Chopper Bounce Castle, and had their faces painted. Race-against-time games were popular, including an obstacle course, basketball, jump-rope, and block/cookie stacking. New activities this year included chalk art, with many wonderful creations filling the street in front of the Library, balloon animal art, and "mystery object" boxes.

Food and beverages were available all day, with blueberry shortcake and Bronx heroes as new additions. Volunteers picked almost 1000 pounds of fresh blueberries which were snapped up by berry lovers. Festival mascot Newberry the Blueberry made many appearances, shaking hands and posing for pictures. Saturday's White Elephant Sale filled the middle of the green with people finding treasures that other not longer wanted.

On Friday, Noelani's Hula School filled the green in front of the post office with the colors and sounds of the Pacific (repeated Saturday). Joe Welden and friends played standards, and String Band Central's traditional music delighted the crowds. On Saturday, John Swavola's Tae Kwan Do students demonstrated their skills after the Hula School, and the Fairy Godmother and other characters from Endless Mountains Theater Company's production of Cinderella kept children enthralled. The afternoon's entertainment peaked with the 11th annual Massed Band Concert, with classic American favorites played by dozens of musicians of all ages. Fitting in with the ongoing restoration of the Civil War Monument, Civil War re-enactor Brian Swartz (Poor Boys/Living History Guild) camped in front of the Monument overnight. He talked to visitors and demonstrated his authentic equipment. Strolling character entertainer Manny Tikitz also roamed the Green on Saturday.

The Chairpersons for this year's Festival, Mary Jo Bayer and Ellen O'Malley, were very pleased with the Festival. The gross receipts were the highest ever, even though expenses were unusually high. All figures are not yet in, but Mrs. Stone estimates that the totals should reach nearly $40,000. All the funds go to the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association and are used to help operate the County library system and the County's local history museum and genealogical center. "We count on the Festival proceeds to reach our annual budget," she said, "and it's more crucial than ever in these tough times for state funding. We are very thankful to our legislators for restoring some funds, but we still need to make up a 23% cut from previous levels. It's the effort and time selflessly donated by so many community people and businesses that make the Festival successful. From the firemen to the banks to the hospital, from the smallest to largest businesses, and the hundreds of individuals who helped--it would take pages to list them all! We are enormously grateful."

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A Great Gift!

Brenda Kochmer (pictured), a fifth grade student at Susquehanna Community Elementary School has graciously donated ten inches of her hair to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to financially disadvantaged children under the age of 18 suffering from long-term medical hair loss. Brenda’s extreme generosity is not surprising. She is always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone she meets. Along with being extremely compassionate and responsible, her generosity is a positive characteristic in this young lady.

Brenda is the daughter of Karen Kochmer and granddaughter of Betty Kochmer and Wilson Baldwin and Andrew Kochmer, all of Thompson, PA.

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Dairy Promotion Is Hard At Work

Hello, it’s The Susquehanna Dairy Princess again. On the Fourth of July weekend, my ambassadors and I were in the Montrose parade. There were about 10,000 people on the sidewalks cheering for the Dairy Princess float. Some were our friends and family and others were people that we did not know. My sister, Katelyn and my cousin, Greg held a baby calf on the float for us, thank you Katelyn and Greg.

Then for four days I was off to Lycoming College for the State Dairy Princess seminar. We learned a lot of new things and received a lot of information. Thank you, Junia, the State Dairy Promotion Director, for letting seminar be so much fun.

I also did a promotion at the Forest City Senior Center. There I talked with them about dairy products. I served cheese and crackers and asked them if they had any questions as they had a bunch. I think this promotion went really well.

I was invited to Marilyn Quick’s for the annual Susquehanna County Cooperative Extension picnic. I gave a speech and served orange milk punch with my ambassador, Karley Mosier.

At McDonald’s in Gibson, my ambassadors and I passed out free milk jugs to anyone who came to McDonald’s that afternoon. We also passed out coloring books about cows and dairy products and crayons to the little ones. We appreciate McDonald’s cooperating to make this a very successful promotion.

Recently at Arlo’s County Store, I passed out complimentary ice cream to the patrons. Everyone got to decorate their ice cream anyway they wanted to. I also distributed "got milk" bumper stickers and pencils and dairy coloring books. This was a really great promotion.

I was in the Clifford Parade. It was raining that night but I sat on the float with my "got milk" umbrella. Even though it was rainy I had a good time at this promotion.

If anyone would like me to be at an event in Susquehanna County to serve dairy products or speak about dairy farming and dairy products, feel free to give me a call at my home (679-2490) and I will check my schedule.

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4-H Dairy Roundup

Type judge, Dick Packard of Troy judged one hundred and fifteen 4-H dairy entries at the County 4-H dairy roundup held at the Harford Fair Grounds. Sixty 4-H’ers showed Holstein, Red and White, Ayrshire, Jersey and Brown Swiss breeds to their showmanship judge Amy Packard and fitter judge Roger Sherwood.

The Grand Champion Holstein, Goff Farms Rubens Ruby was exhibited by Daniel Puzo of the Watrous Corners 4-H Club. The Grand Champion Colored Breeds animal Miss Chili Remake, a Jersey, was exhibited by Eileen Walker of the North Jackson 4-H Club. Reserve Grand Champion animals were exhibited by Chelsey Saam and Shannon Oliver.

The Senior Champion Ayrshire, Rose-More Angels April was exhibited by Emily Adams and the Red and White Senior Champion Rystal Rubens Holly Red was exhibited by Shannon Oliver as well as Daniel Puzo’s Holstein and Eileen Walker’s Jersey. Reserve Champion animals were exhibited by Andy Miner, Chelsey Saam, Nick Pease and Daniel Puzo.

Receiving Junior Champion Awards were Ayrshire, Lone-Elm Germain Thea exhibited by Andy Miner, Brandon Loch’s Brown Swiss IE Fieldsbrook Jag Roxy, Castlemont Terrason Shania exhibited by Bryan Castrogiovanni, A Deluxe Gem, a Jersey exhibited by Abby Onyon and a Red and White, RTF R-N-R Wednesday Red exhibited by Shannon Oliver. Reserve Champion animals were exhibited by Cassie Clark, Eric Giangrieco, Jenna Sprout and Amanda Miner.

Owner Breeder Awards were presented to Nick Pease of the DES 4-H Club exhibiting Peasedale Sunbuck Buff in the 5 year old cow class and Eileen Walker’s, Junior Three Year Old Jersey received the Colored Breeds Owner Breeder Award as well as the Overall Best Bred and Owned Award.

The David Quick Memorial Award, a plaque and savings bond was awarded to the Junior Champion and Senior Champion Showman, Mariah Castrogiovanni and Beth Giangrieco. These members also received show halters. Other 4-H’er receiving Showman Awards were Eileen Walker and Abby Onyon.

The Champion Fitter Awards were presented to Cassie Clark, Abby Onyon, McKinzie Wallace and Jessie Sartell.

The Susquehanna County 4-H Dairy Program would like to thank the many businesses and individuals for their financial support that makes the program possible.

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Brown & Legg To Speak For Area Foundation

Certified Financial Planner Robert J. Brown and Susquehanna County District Attorney Jason J. Legg are now available to schedule speaking engagements on behalf of the Community Foundation of Susquehanna County. Organizations interested in presentations about how to accomplish important philanthropic goals are invited to contact foundation@epix.net or call (570) 278-3800 to make arrangements.

Bob Brown grew up in Susquehanna County, graduated from Elk Lake High School and Bloomsburg University where he attained a degree in Business Administration. He has worked for over six years as an independent financial planner. Bob is an active member and past president of the Montrose Area Kiwanis Club and in 2003 chaired the KLR Fourth of July celebration. He and his wife, Deb, have two young children.

Regarding working for the Community Foundation Speakers Bureau he says, "I see quite a lot of situations where people are just unsure of how to proceed or where to go. I know that in some situations, the Foundation can be a starting point. Once there, they have a quality organization to work with; and as their advisor, I know that the Foundation will work with me to provide what the client is looking for. That’s a good feeling."

District Attorney Jason Legg was raised in the Choconut and Silver Lake area of Susquehanna County. His sterling academic career includes honors from Montrose Area High School, summa cum laude Bachelors and Masters Degrees from the University of Scranton as well as from Albany Law School. He was the managing editor of the Albany Law Review. Jason served for three years as assistant district attorney for Susquehanna County before being elected in 2004 as District Attorney.

Jason and his wife, Maggie, live on Lake Avenue in Montrose and are active parishioners of the Holy Name of Mary Roman Catholic Church. Jason has taught American Politics at Luzerne County Community College. He is vice-president of the Republican C-Club and has served on the board of the Drug and Alcohol Commission and the End of Day, Inc. He has been a basketball referee and attorney advisor for the Mountain View School mock trial team.

Bob and Jason will customize their presentations to accommodate the time-frames and interests of your group. Topics could include philanthropy throughout history, how to establish scholarship programs or memorial funds, how funds work, or how to deliver programs that improve the community. Speakers Bureau presentations are a free service of the Community Foundation of Susquehanna County.

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H/GB Legion Post Praised For Service

A couple of weeks ago, the Hallstead–Great Bend American Legion Post 357 honored 20 young men and women with $500 scholarships. We have an update on the article that appeared in the County Transcript, that includes a photo of the recipients. Following is a letter from Lisa Tompkins, of Montrose, that explains "the fine work that the men and women of Post 357 do." For many years the Service Posts in the county have been "very generous" to many community functions. Many of the deeds going unmentioned, due to not reporting such events to the press.

The letter by Ms. Tompkins follows:

"Dear Mr. Parrillo:

Enclosed you will find a photograph that I took on Wednesday evening, July 22, at the presentation of the Hallstead–Great Bend American Legion Post 357, 2004 Scholarship Awards that I hope you will be able to use.

I have enclosed some information that explains how students are chosen to receive a scholarship. This scholarship is renewable each year the student stays in an institution of higher learning.

On a personal note, might I add that the American Legion does so very much for our area and these scholarships are just another example of their service to the community. I don’t believe that organizations such as the American Legion are praised or recognized publicly enough for their support of our young people and community. We have so many fine young people here in our area and the American Legion honors them in such a wonderful way every year. The amounts of the scholarship the young men and women receive are certainly helpful in furthering their college education in the purchase of books, supplies or whatever is necessary while away at school. I know, as the parents of two children now attending college, my husband and I are most thankful for the monetary help the American Legion provides to them each year. I am sure every young person who receives a scholarship, along with their parents feel the same way.

To be considered for a Hallstead–Great Bend American Legion Post 357 Scholarship each applicant must be sponsored by an American Legion member, who is related to them and submit an application, along with the following information: three character reference letters, other than relatives; transcripts of college or university courses completed or high school records (transcripts); and a biographical statement, letter or essay including educational background and other pertinent information about themselves, including high school/college and community activities."

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I'm Waiting For You!

Please come see me and my friends at the Susquehanna County Humane Society Shelter, in Montrose, (570) 278–1228.

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4-H News North Jackson Ag

Whether rain or shine, North Jackson 4H club put together a very nice family picnic on July 18 at the Pavelski’s home. As members arrived at the picnic, food was laid out and soon everyone was crunched in the Pavelski’s barn to stay out of the torrential downpours of rain. It was 1:45 and Abby called the seventh meeting to order. Holly Carey took role call of the club members and then read the secretary’s report. It was announced that the horse kids won "Best Dressed" for their horses in the Barnes Kasson parade.

Tim Carey then read the details involving the club’s financial situation, every thing looked good. The next horse meeting would have been on July 22 at B.J. Carey’s home. After that was taken care of, Brittany Zabroski did her demonstration on her mini-horses, which she named Bullseye and Chase.

Next, Jonathan Onyon did his demonstration on the history of the discus. Mike Robb’s did a funny demonstration on coon hunting. He also showed the club his trophy and ribbon that he received for coon hunting. Casey Gorick brought her mini-lop rabbit to show the club members and informed them of the proper ways to take care of a rabbit. Maria Preston brought a beautiful ballroom dress that she had made by hand! Her dad modeled it for the club, no, just kidding. Eric Giangrieco brought his "Cricket" gun to show the club. He explained how it’s used and what it’s used for. Eric Onyon told the club about the wildcat that he caught during trapping season; he also told the club that his wildcat was the only one trapped in Susquehanna County!

Next, Jessica Sartell brought her snowboard and told about her recent experience; competing in Mexico this past winter. Demonstrations were over and Abby brought up some old business. All the kids that attended one-day camp had a lot of fun this year.

On July 17 there was a 4-H scholarship show for horses, which also went very well. Sandy Pavelski wanted to make sure that all the dairy members read over their packets for dairy roundup on August 7. Then Abby wanted to inform the club of the upcoming events. On July 30 there would be a one-day trip to Lancaster. On the 31st there would be the club’s fund-raiser at the county horse show. Also on the 31st would be the workday at Ed Cameron’s house for shooting sports. And on July 31, there would be the community service project, which is to help paint one of the barns at the Harford fair grounds. Also all fair books are due on August 12. The 4H building also could use some volunteers to watch the 4H building during the fair. Sandy Pavelski wanted to thank those of the club members that helped out with painting the dairy barn.

The next meeting will be held on August 10 at the Walker’s house. Abby reminded the members to bring their books if they need them to be signed off because that will be the last meeting before the books are due at the Harford Fair grounds. The meeting was adjourned at 2:45.

If you are interested in joining 4-H, or becoming a volunteer contact the Susquehanna County 4-H program at 570-278-1158 or Penn State Cooperative Extension, 31 Public Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801.

News Reporter: Kaitlin Flor

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55th Anniversary

Gus and Lana Fabrizi, Oakland, celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary on August 13, 2004.

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Susky Fire Dept. 150 Club Winners

Following is a list of the Susquehanna Fire Dept. July 150 Club winners.

July 10: Helen Bronchella, Tony Napolitano, Mike Matis.

July 17: Larry Hanrahan, Harry Weibel, Stosh Stein.

July 24: Jack Norris, Martha Stanford, Dick Hennessey.

July 31: Jean Hall, Bill Culnane, Lauri Frye.

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