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HEADLINES:
Engagement Announced Drake – Stone John and Vicki Drake of New Milford, PA, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kelly Lynn Drake to Erick Michael Stone. The future bridegroom is the son of Robert and Karen Stone of Susquehanna, PA. Miss Drake graduated from Blue Ridge High School and is now a sophomore nursing major at Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC.
Stone graduated from Susquehanna High School. He is currently attending Pennsylvania School of Technology in Williamsport, PA. He will be graduating with a degree in automotive technology in December, 2005. A Spring, 2007, wedding is being planned.
As members of the Board of Directors of the United Way of Susquehanna County, we see and hear first hand how the contributions you make to the United Way are used. One of the Member Agencies , Tri-County Human Services in Montrose, had a special need and with contributions received in the last two years was able to purchase a dependable vehicle to provide transportation of their young clients. Traveling to clients homes and school districts in Susquehanna County, family therapist, Debbie Thrasher and Linda Koelsch use this vehicle to providing in-home family therapy to those with a child at-risk for being placed outside the home. "It's wonderful to have a dependable vehicle since cell-phone service is not always available in our area if you break down", stated Debbie.
Pictured (l-r) are: Ruth Donnelly –, Executive Director United Way of Susquehanna County, Family Therapist Debbie Thrasher, Thomas J. Sheeran III – Director of Services Tri County Human Services for Susquehanna County. Thomas J. Sheeran III, LCSW is the Director of Services for Susquehanna County for Tri- County Human Services. His staff works with participating schools in consultation and support services for youth with emotional problems as well as assessment, treatment, education, prevention and after care group services to adolescents at risk. There are specialized programs for parents with young children, educational presentations on parenting issues and supervised therapeutic play activities for children as well as treatment services such as mobile therapy, therapeutic staff support, case management, crisis intervention and traditional outpatient therapy to serve families. All Susquehanna County residents are eligible for services. Tri County Human Services Center provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment programs in strict confidence for those in need of mental health and mental retardation services. This is a non-profit organization that serves Wayne County, northern Lackawanna County and Susquehanna County and provides a full range of services to adults, children, adolescents and their families. For further program information contact Tri-County Human Services Center, RR 7, Box 7117, Montrose, Pa. 18801 (570) 278-3393 For more information regarding your United Way of Susquehanna County, 36 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA call (570) 278-3868.
Sonya Jacobs In Miss PA Teen USA Sonya Jacobs of Hallstead, PA will compete for the title of Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA the weekend of November 26, 27 and 28, 2005. The competition is being held at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Sonya is the daughter of Sandi Jacobs and is a student at Blue Ridge High School. Her activities are involvement in the Pride Club at school. Other interesting information about her includes she likes drag racing, talking on the phone and shopping. Miss Jacobs’ sponsors for the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA pageant are Mom and Kenny, Grandpa and Maxine, Dan Ebhardt, Dirk Rudock, Chad Stone Motor Sports, Bob and Veronica Partridge, Joe’s Disposal Service, Ken’s Garage and Body Shop, Blue Ridge Motor Sales, Herb Kilmer and Sons, Guys From Kilmer’s, Hallstead Auto Parts, American Portfolios, Country Hearts Thrift Store, Sensational Styles, Stone’s Trustworthy Hardware, Baldwin Stone, H & H Pallet. The young woman chosen as Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA goes on to represent the state in the Miss Teen USA pageant, which is one of the most anticipated television events of the year.
Feed-A-Friend Program Is Now Underway Now in its 21st year, the Feed-A-Friend program is a welcome and much-needed fixture in Susquehanna County during the Thanksgiving season. This is what TREHAB Board President Henry Pease told some 30 volunteers, from school students to local business and organization personnel, attending the annual kick-off luncheon for the county's Feed-A-Friend program at The Basil Leaf Restaurant, Montrose, on Wednesday, October 12. TREHAB coordinates the Feed-A-Friend program in cooperation with WNEP-TV 16, Scranton. The program helps needy county families celebrate Thanksgiving with all the trimmings through donations of nonperishable food items and of money to purchase holiday turkeys or hams. In a massive volunteer effort, the food baskets will be distributed to families on November 22. In thanking all the attendees for volunteering to help, TREHAB representative Edlyn Flannery noted that “times are very hard today. Unemployment, the high cost of gas, utility costs, medical needs —the list goes on.” “Without Feed-A-Friend,” she added, “many local families, as many as 900, could go without Thanksgiving dinner.” The food banks run by TREHAB in Montrose and Oakland have already started taking names of persons requesting the Thanksgiving baskets. Lists of potential recipients are also sent to the food banks by Aging Services, Children & Youth Services, and school nurses. Attendees at the luncheon were invited to outline their fundraising efforts for this program.
On hand to congratulate the volunteers Debra Valunis (left) representing PA Rep. Sandra Major, and County Commissioner Jeffrey Loomis (right). All food and money donations collected by TREHAB stay in Susquehanna County to help feed hungry families right here. Anyone interested in helping with or donating to the Feed-A-Friend program can contact Barbara Houlden, TREHAB’S Community Services Coordinator, at 278-0986 or toll-free 1-800-390-0352.
I’m Tucker. I’m a beautiful, three-year old male Greyhound mix. I’m just waiting for someone to come and see what a terrific companion I will be.
Help! I’m just one of many adorable kittens at the shelter. Please come and take one or more home with you. They’ll be waiting for you at the Susquehanna County Humane Society Shelter in Montrose, (570) 278–1228.
Customer Appreciation door prize winner, Pam Hegedus (left) receives a framed sheet of Love stamps from Jackson Postmaster, Diane Stanley.
Although we call them lady bugs, their real name is the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle. They were first introduced into the United States by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a biological control agent against aphids and scale insects. They were originally released in Pennsylvania in 1978 and 1981, but the first over-wintering beetles were not recorded until 1993. This beetle’s recent population increase in Pennsylvania may not have resulted from the earlier USDA releases. Instead, they are thought to be from a new source that was accidentally introduced in New Orleans from an Asian freighter. In Pennsylvania, the life cycle from egg to adult to egg takes about three to four weeks. There are multiple generations per year. The eggs are laid on the undersides of leaves of low-growing ornamentals, forest trees, roses, wheat, and numerous other plants. They take from three to five days to hatch. During the first twelve to fourteen days after hatching, the larvae feed on aphids. Adults emerge several days after pupation and can live for more than one year. Beginning about the first of October, during a sunny, warm afternoon following a cold night, the multicolored Asian lady beetles congregate outside houses, sheds, and other buildings in search of over-wintering sites. The beetles are apparently attracted to the sunlight reflecting off of the south or southwest-facing sides of the building. The greatest damage caused by the multicolored Asian lady beetle is the discomfort they give to homeowners. It is not uncommon for tens of thousands of beetles to congregate in attics, ceilings and wall voids, and due to the warmth of the walls, will move around inside these voids and exit into the living areas of the home. In addition to beetles biting (which they do), they exude a foul-smelling, yellow defensive chemical which will sometimes cause spotting on walls and other surfaces. Some individuals have reported experiencing an allergic reaction to the defensive excretions. Sinus irritations and mild skin irritations have been reported subsequent to encounters with the multicolored Asian lady beetle. It is encouraged to wash hands or other skin areas after being in contact with the beetles. Control Methods: Before Beetles Enter the Structure: Mechanical exclusion seems to be the best method of control to keep Asian lady beetles from entering homes and buildings. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings should be sealed with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced. Attics, fireplace chimneys, and exhaust vents should be covered with number 20 (or smaller) screen mesh. Exterior applications of insecticides may offer some relief from infestations where the task of completely sealing the exterior is difficult or impossible. Applications should consist of a synthetic pyrethroid and should be applied by a licensed pest control operator in late September or early October just prior to beetle congregation. After Beetles Have Entered the Structure: After the beetles have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas, it is not advisable to use an insecticide to control them. Insecticidal treatment of the voids may kill thousands of beetles, but there is the likelihood that another household pest, carpet beetles, will begin to feed on the dead lady beetles and might subsequently attack woolens, stored dry goods or other animal products in the home. If numerous lady beetles are entering the living areas of the home it is advisable to locate the places where the beetles gain access. Typically, beetles will emerge from cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings with caulk or other suitable materials to prevent the beetles from crawling out. A temporary solution is to use tape to stop the beetles. A helpful hint to remember: the beetles are attracted to light and can see light entering through cracks in the walls or ceilings. Initially, concentrate on sealing cracks in the rooms where beetles are most prevalent. Although aerosol-type pyrethrum foggers will kill beetles that have amassed on ceilings and walls in living areas, it will not prevent more beetles from emerging shortly after the room is aerated. Spray insecticides, directed into the cracks and crevices where beetles emerge will not prevent them from emerging and is not a viable or recommended treatment. Black (ultra-violet) light traps may provide relief from beetles flying or crawling around the interior of homes. DO NOT use the type of light trap that utilizes an electrical grid (commonly called ‘bug zappers’) to kill the beetles inside the home. Light traps are most effective at night when there are no competing light sources, or during the day when curtains are drawn and other light sources are minimized. Finally, the use of a vacuum is still the most efficient method of collecting beetles in the home. The major complaint for this method is that the beetles become agitated and expel the yellow, foul-smelling repellent, which is then circulated into the air by the vacuum exhaust. Also, it is advisable to empty the bag and beetles after each vacuuming. For a fact sheet on the Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle or other insects contact the Extension office at 278-1158 Source: Penn State University Department of Entomology
Library Membership Drive Underway The 2006 membership campaign for the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association is in progress. Membership materials have been mailed and are also available at local libraries and online at www.susqcolibrary.org. Once again, the goal is 1000 members--a modest one, considering that there are almost 17,000 registered library users and thousands more who use the Historical Society and museum. Individual members contribute $20 or more, families $30 or more, sustaining members $100 or more, and benefactors $250 and up. Contributions of any size are welcomed. Local support is one of the factors used to determine the amount of funding provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania--the more local support, the more funding received. The membership drive is again crucial this year. Thanks to a vocal outpouring of support from the community, state funding for public libraries has been creeping back up, but is still down 17% from 2003. "The membership card is eye-catching because it's bright green, but also because it has some figures that even surprised us as librarians!" says Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone. "We decided to calculate how much money people can save by using the library. It's a huge amount--into the tens of thousands of dollars for frequent visitors. Based on our circulation figures and an average cost per item of $15, our users saved almost three and a half million dollars last year!" Members of the Association support county-wide library services and the county Historical Society. They receive a quarterly newsletter devoted to the Association's activities and events, and are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (the last Saturday in January). The money given by members and friends helps fund county-wide library service, provided through 4 locations (Montrose, Forest City, Hallstead-Great Bend, and Susquehanna) and by the county-wide Books-by-Mail/Books-on-Wheels service. Contributions enable the Association to purchase books, videos, CDs, magazines, books-on-tape, and other materials, which are available to all residents of Susquehanna County. Continually-expanding informational resources are available through the libraries. At each location you will find free high-speed Internet access and Internet training; online databases that can also be accessed from home with your library card; high-powered workstations with the full Microsoft Office suite, free training programs, and high-speed laser printers; CD-ROM games for children; and a catalog of library holdings across Pennsylvania (which can be requested through Inter-Library Loan at no charge). Visit the library's website at www.susqcolibrary.org for more information. "All our technology has been funded entirely through grants!", notes Mrs. Stone. Donations also help fund the County Historical Society and its museum, open to the public at no charge. People seeking information on their local ancestors visit the Historical Society's Genealogy Research Center. Visitors come from all over the country, bringing their tourist dollars to benefit local businesses! The Historical Society is open every weekday (October to April: 9-5 on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 12-5 on Tuesday and Wednesday; 9-5 all week the rest of the year), more hours than any neighboring historical society. The Historical Society also publishes a biannual journal, available by subscription, on local history and genealogy. The Historical Society's website has a wealth of information about our county; visit www.susqcohistsoc.org. The many programs sponsored by the Library and Historical Society also depend on community support. Open houses, Babies & Books, Toddler Time, Pre-School Story Hour, Summer Reading, educational programs for home-schooling families, the Write and Illustrate Your Own Picture Book contest, guest speakers, Hobby Night, and other special events are very popular. Mary Jo Bayer and Judy Decker lead the Membership Drive committee this year. "The response so far has been great," says Mrs. Stone, "but we still have a long way to go to reach 1,000 members! We can do it with your help." For more information about the membership drive or any of the Association's services, please call 278-1881 or visit www.susqcolibrary.org.
Congratulations 4-H Livestock Members! Congratulations to the following Susquehanna County 4-H Livestock members: Denise Hardisky, Dana Hardisky, Michael Sheruda and Jessica Sheruda. These 4-Her’s competed against 258 youth at the Keystone International Livestock Exposition in the Stockman’s Competition. Their team was first out of all the Pennsylvania teams and third overall. This qualifies them to compete at the National 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Louisville, KY in November. Best of luck to the team members as they continue on their path of excellence!
Local Businesses Create New Jobs Several businesses located in Susquehanna County are starting or expanding thanks in part from low-interest business financing provided by the Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission. Fifty-two new jobs have been created and five have been retained. Two businesses each received $25,000 in Small Business Loans. Sea Hag Soaps & Art Mercantile located in Brackney, Susquehanna County will use their loan to help with the continued renovation of the barn used to house their business. Across Country Real Estate is a new business located in Montrose and their loan will be used for start up costs. Singh Realty, Inc. located in New Milford received a $100,000 Tri-District Revolving Loan to help with the construction of the new Holiday Inn Express is located off the Gibson Exit on Route 81 in Susquehanna County. Since 1970, NTRPDC has been providing resources to help businesses and entrepreneurs, local governments, and non-profit organizations in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming Counties. Today, programs include business financing, internet and technology assistance, export counseling, government contract assistance, grant writing, site selection, transportation planning, workforce and economic analysis, and micro-grants for small business training, site development, and website development. For more information, visit their website at www.northerntier.org. or call toll-free at 888-868-8800.
Greetings from Turnpike Terrace. We had our council meeting for this month; we had thirteen people at the meeting. We had our Halloween Party, on October 11, with approximately sixty people there. We served a pasta dinner (all kinds) and lots of desserts. Some guests were in costume. We played bingo after and had a lot of happy winners. Our guests there were seniors from the Blue Ridge Senior Center. It was a nice time for all of us. We have had several of our tenants in the hospital, some of them are home but a couple still in. We hope to see them all home soon. I missed two weeks here; I went to Vermont and visited my family. I had a good time but am glad to be home again. Our flu shots were cancelled until further notice. We had our yearly trick or treat night here. All the kids came to visit us and received a lot of treats. We saw a lot of cute costumes and many scary ones. It was an enjoyable evening. We had a lot four tenants in the room waiting for all the goblins.
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