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HEADLINES: 4-H News Sizzlin Steaks
The Sizzlin’ Steaks met for one of their first meetings in April. Before we started our meeting, we weeded in First Church's Memorial Garden. We do this to thank the church for letting us have the meetings in their lecture hall. We received $25.00 for our window display at the Lenox Pharmacy. We received our project books. We held a bake sale at People's National Bank in Hop Bottom. We all decided what we would bring to the bake sale. Brittany Greenwood and Alyssa Clarkson brought snacks for the evening. We held our May meeting at Maplewood Cemetery and dug holes and planted flowers on all the veterans' graves at the Maplewood Cemetery outside of Kingsley. We then had ice cream after we finished planting the flowers. Our June evening meeting began by working in First Church's Memorial Garden. There were a lot of weeds! Mrs. Mitchell worked with us on our club project of Bag of Tricks – Microwave cooking. We learned where the hot spots in the oven were and how to test to find them. We then cooked hot dogs in the oven for a snack. We all signed and sent a thank you card to the Elk Mt. VFW for their contribution to our club. Members held their bake sale at People's National Bank in Hop Bottom. One group sold from 9:00 to 11:00 and the other group sold from 11:00 to 1:00. We made posters to be hung at the bank and two other places. We met for our July meeting at First Church in Harford. Before we went inside we finished weeding and spread mulch on the church's memorial garden. After we finished outside, we came inside and scrubbed our hands really well. We were going to do some cooking. We worked on our Bag of Tricks, Microwave Cooking. Tonight we cooked scrambled eggs in the microwave and made delicious fudge! We made plain chocolate fudge, fudge with walnuts and peanut butter fudge. All three kinds were wonderful. We were happy with the fudge, but we thought that cooking eggs in the microwave took a lot of time as one had to stop and stir, stop and stir. Our bake sale was successful and we signed a thank you to be sent to the bank. We really enjoyed having a bake sale at the Hop Bottom bank, as everyone was so friendly. The next meeting will be held at the lecture hall. News Reporter: Alyssa Clarkson
Association Reaches Membership Goal On June 29, the 2006 Membership Drive for the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association reached its goal of 1,000 members. Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone says, "A huge thank you goes to all of our valued members, and we thank and congratulate Mary Jo Bayer and Judy Decker who led the committee. We depend on the financial support of our members to help us continue to provide excellent library services to the entire county, and to support the Historical Society and museum, despite our lean years for state funding." 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. 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 in January. (The Historical Society has a separate membership for genealogy research and their semi-annual Journal.) Contributions are accepted at any time to help support the Library and Historical Society in your community.
Ben Stone Lookout Tower Dedicated At Woodbourne Amidst overcast skies on Saturday, June 3, The Woodbourne Forest Preserve Stewardship Committee dedicated a lookout tower to former, long-time resident naturalist and committee member Benjamin Stone. Friends and family members walked the nature trail down to the lookout tower site for the dedication. Stone died in a tragic kayaking accident seven years ago in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Pictured (l-r) at the dedication of the Ben Stone Lookout Tower are Ben's sister, Beth Stone Stewart; Jason Sagarin, son-in-law; Joyce Stone; Violet Stone, holding nephew Jack Hudson Benjamin Stone; Lila Stone, Jack's mom. Jeralyn Adams, chairwoman of the committee, spoke eloquently about how tirelessly and selflessly Benjamin had worked to protect and preserve the environment in Susquehanna County. Committee member, Mary Spering also described how Ben’s gentle personality traits and strong interests led him to be such a respected, beloved friend to so many people. Bud Cook, representing The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania, recalled Ben’s dedication to the preserve. Ben’s wife, Joyce, summarized his many contributions to the preserve and to the county. Stone was a highly regarded naturalist teacher as well as a successful stove builder, dulcimer maker, musician, and skilled carpenter. He worked for years to establish the county’s Recycling Center and to prevent both new and former landfills from being developed in the county. The lookout tower was built using local black locust by carpenters Jerry and Bill Gere. The tower overlooks the lower swamp. Its placement there will give visitors a better opportunity to observe birds and other wildlife in the wetland as well as to view the edges of the old growth forest. The preserve, located along Rte. 29 in Dimock, is open every day of the year to the public.
FSA Crop Reporting Deadline Extended Harrisburg – State Executive Director Richard Pallman announced that producers affected by recent substantial rains have an extra two weeks to visit their local Farm Service Agency office for acreage reporting. The original date was July 17, 2006. Pallman said that filing an accurate and timely acreage report for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planted acreage credit, can prevent loss of Farm Service Agency program benefits. Producers are required to file acreage reports for all crops. Prevented planted acreage reports are required to be submitted no later than 15 calendar days after the final planting date for the applicable crop. Failed acreage reports shall be filed before disposition of the crop. For crops planted after July 17, reports must be submitted no later than 15 calendar days after planting is complete. Producers may file an acreage report after August 1, 2006, provided a late file fee is paid for the cost of a field visit, physical evidence of the crop exists, crops use can be verified and crop acreage can be determined. Pallman also said that even after the August 1 date, FSA’s County Committees have the authority to waive the late file fee if the reason for the late report is beyond the producer’s control. This will allow producers in flood impacted areas some relief and will allow them to concentrate on getting their operations up and running. Producers are also urged to report any crop losses or damage to cropland to their FSA office to assist FSA in assessing damage. Landowners who plan to make emergency repairs to stream banks, fencing, etc., damaged by the recent rains should also contact their FSA office before beginning work to see if they could qualify for future compensations. The counties covered for this extension include Susquehanna and Wayne.
The New York, Southern and Western Railway and Marcal Paper Products of Elmwood Park, NJ have teamed together to bring in trainloads of paper products for area flood victims. Marcal Paper has donated 5,000 cases of paper towels, napkins, bathroom tissues and granular absorbent products to local relief organizations. The New York, Southern and Western Railway has shipped the products, at no cost to Susquehanna Depot, Hancock, Deposit, Binghamton, and Kirkwood. With assistance from Canadian Pacific, a railroad car will also be delivered to Sidney.
Commissioner Roberta Kelly, Mayor Denise Reddon, and Susquehanna Councilman Mike Matis, along with three local volunteers, greet Joe White of The New York, Southern and Western Railway. This collaboration effort between The New York Southern and Western Railway and Marcal Paper is just a sample of the generosity and compassion shown throughout the county. Countless volunteers have given their time and talents to help neighbors in need. These volunteers come from all areas of the community including county and local emergency management teams, local officials, regional fire and rescue departments, Red Cross volunteers, local churches and citizens wanting to lend a hand. When we think about all the resources that Susquehanna County has to offer we can truly count our residents and neighbors as our finest asset.
A Susquehanna County teen has been named 2006-2007 Endless Mountains Maple Queen. Sabrina Fike, daughter of Sue and Larry Fike, was crowned during the Endless Mountains Maple Producers’ annual banquet held June 15 in Wysox. She was crowned by outgoing queen Brittany Fike, her older sister.
Pictured is Sabrina Fike (left), accepting the title of 2006-2007 Endless Mountains Maple Queen from her sister, Brittany Fike. As part of the competition, Sabrina gave a presentation on why she wanted to become the Endless Mountains Maple Queen, marketing suggestions for maple producers, as well as facts about maple production. The new maple queen will have plenty to do during her reign. Besides appearing in parades and at fairs over the summer, Sabrina will represent the Endless Mountains Maple Producers at the state maple tour in September and compete for the title of Pennsylvania Maple Sweetheart. She will also be in the community and at schools educating the public about pure Pennsylvania maple syrup. Before passing the crown to her sister, Brittany gave a farewell speech thanking the maple producers for the opportunity to represent them. She also expressed how much fun it was and how it helped her improve her public speaking skills. Brittany will still be promoting the maple industry until September, but this time under her title as the Pennsylvania Alternate Maple Sweetheart.
Montrose Chapter DAR Celebrates Anniversary The Montrose Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated its 95th anniversary on June 8, 2006, at the Montrose House. Mary Jane Memolo, the Northeastern District Director, was the speaker. Regents from other chapters also attended the festivities.
Pictured (l-r) at the Montrose DAR 95th anniversary celebration are: Marlita Shadduck, Treasurer; Mary Jane Memolo, Northeast District Director; Myrtle Carlson, Regent; Betty Sturek, Secretary. Four new members were received into the chapter on this occasion. They are Jessica Hein, Shirley Krayeski, Suzanne Needham and Patricia Stuart. State Representatives Sandra Major and Tina Pickett provided a citation recognizing the Montrose Chapter’s 95th anniversary and also sent citations honoring Helen Prentice for 25 years of membership and Evelyn Humbert for 44 years of service to the chapter. Governor Ed Rendell also sent a citation marking the anniversary. A history of the chapter was read at the meeting.
A new local endowment, known as the Montrose Fund, has been established at The Community Foundation of Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties to provide financial support to the borough of Montrose for improvements and beautification projects. The fund has been created because The Community Foundation’s office building is owned by a tax-exempt entity, and yearly grants made to the Borough Council will represent payment in lieu of lost tax revenue. It is hoped that other non-profit organizations in Montrose will make similar contributions to increase the value of the endowment, and consequently increase the annual disbursement to the borough. Individual citizens may also make tax-deductible contributions to the fund. In addition, The Community Foundation makes grants to the regional school districts and other agencies that receive support from county taxes.
Nellie Jane DeWitt BPW Installs New Officers
The Nellie Jane DeWitt BPW installed new officers at their June meeting. Pictured (l-r) are: first row – Alice Deutsch - Installation Chairperson, Darlene Slocum - President, Louise Belknap - Installation Committee; second row – Sherry Hoopes - Recording Secretary, Louise Clark - First Vice President, Cheryl Golden - Treasurer, Betty Koscelnak - Corresponding Secretary, Lee Schroeder - Second Vice President; third row – Linda Chesnick - Outgoing President, Ethel Ambagais - Parliamentarian.
County Awarded Recycling Grant HARRISBURG - Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) announced that Susquehanna County will receive $392 under the PA Small Business and Household Pollution Prevention Grant Program. The funds will reimburse 50 percent of the costs for developing and operating a household hazardous waste (HHW) collection event at that Susquehanna County Recycling Center from January 2006 to March 2006.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Applications Available HARRISBURG – Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) would like to inform residents that applications for the newly expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate program will be available next February, but eligible recipients can sign up now to get on the mailing list. The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older. Lawmakers recently voted to expand property tax and rent relief for seniors by increasing the income limit from $15,000 to $35,000 for homeowners and boosting the maximum rebate for both homeowners and renters from $500 to $650 beginning next year. Applicants can exclude one-half of their Social Security, Supplemental Security Income and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits. The expanded household income limits and rebate amounts are as follows: $0 to $8,000 – $650 rebate; $8,001 to $15,000 – $500 rebate; $15,001 to $18,000 – $300 rebate (homeowners only); $18,001 to $35,000 – $250 rebate (homeowners only). The rebates will be for property taxes or rent paid during 2006 and will be distributed in the summer of 2007. Pennsylvanians who think they qualify for a rebate under the expanded guidelines can sign up now to have a Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim form (PA-1000) mailed to them when the forms are available next year. Sign up by visiting Major’s Web site at RepMajor.com or by calling her district offices at (570) 278-3374 in Montrose or (570) 836-5888 in Tunkhannock. People who qualified for a rebate this year will automatically receive a form for next year’s program and therefore do not need to sign up for the mailing.
Rep. Major Visits N. Wayne Library
PA State Representative Sandra Major visited The Northern Wayne Community Library to read during a preschool program. The program was part of a state-wide reading initiative called “One Book, Every Child” and featured the book “Inside Mouse, Outside Mouse” by local author Lindsay Barrett George. Rep. Major also offered her congratulations as the Northern Wayne Community Library was named a winner of the “We the People Bookshelf” grant from the National Endowment for The Humanities.
Help Available For Rural Homeowners Rural Development, an agency of the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) has loan funds available for very-low income homeowners in rural areas. Loans are available for general repairs to improve or modernize homes, remove health and safety hazards, and increase adaptability for households with persons with disabilities. Loans can be made for amounts up to $20,000, a maximum of 20 years repayment period, and at an interest rate of one percent annually. Individuals 62 years or older may qualify for a grant in cases where an individual lacks the financial ability to repay a Section 504 loan. USDA, Rural Development offers several housing programs and administers a water and wastewater financing program in rural areas, cities, and towns with populations less than 10,000. Other programs include technical assistance for community development; financial programs for community facilities such as fire trucks and daycare centers; and loans and guarantees to rural businesses to save or create jobs. For more information on the programs offered by Rural Development, contact the Wyoming Local office at (570) 836–4157, ext. 4, or visit www.rurdev.usda.gov/pa.
Hi, my name is Toby. I’m a ten-month old, male Basset Hound who lost my home in the flood. I’m housebroken and would love to have someone give me a new home. Won’t you come see me? I’ll be waiting for you at the Susquehanna County Humane Society Shelter in Montrose, (570) 278–1228.
On June 22, the North Jackson Ag Club held their fifth meeting at the Valentine’s house. The meeting was called to order by president Tim Carey at 7:25. The meeting began, as always, with the American and 4-H pledges. Then Holly Carey took roll call. The secretary’s report concluded that horse camp had just come to an end and the shooting sports fun day was coming up soon on June 17. Next, Aaron Onyon read the treasurer’s report, which indicated that nothing had changed. Megan and Jordan stood up to tell the club about horse camp which they both seemed to have enjoyed. Tim reminded the club that the annual trip was going to be to Salt Springs for the day of July 23. There would be an event for all who are interested in muzzle-loading on the 26th, from 6-8. Tara Flor, the club representative for County Council, told the club what was discussed at that meeting and informed them of the upcoming 4-H Fun Day on July 29 at the Montrose Green. Dairy Campers were reminded that Dairy Camp would be held July 7 and 8 at the Harford Fairgrounds. The 4-H horseshow scholarship would be on the 8th. After all the business was taken care of some of the club members did demonstrations. Ilene Walker brought her guinea pig, Tike. Emily showed the club her black Lab named Kasey. John Valentine showed his display of homemade “band logo” T-shirts. Katie Valentine explained the process of making maple syrup and also brought in samples for everyone to taste. Beth Giangrieco told us about her experiences involving her first year of college. Kimberly Klum brought in her Britney Spaniel; she explained that her family was teaching him how to be a hunting dog. Amber and Ashlee Lattner did a demonstration on “what judges look for in a good lamb.” Before the meeting was adjourned Tim and Holly asked for volunteers for the next meeting’s refreshments and snacks, and then announced that the next meeting will be held at B.J. Carey’s house at 7:00. News Reporter: Kaitlin Flor © 2006 Susquehanna County Transcript. All Rights Reserved |
