HEADLINES:

2007 Jeep Raffle
4-H News North Jackson Ag
Green Side Up: Japanese Beetles
HAGB Sewer Authority Receives USDA Funding
Help Available To Military Families
Penn Dixie Band Celebrates The 4th

2007 Jeep Raffle

The American Cancer Society would like to offer the chance to win a Jeep Wrangler while helping a worthy cause. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the raffle supports the American Cancer Society’s mission by funding much-needed research, education, advocacy and patient services. You can enter to win a 2007 Jeep Wrangler SE. Tickets are available at The American Cancer Society’s Regional Office in Jessup, PA. They can also be purchased by contacting your local American Cancer Society at (888) 227–5445, option 3. The drawing will be held August 24. The winner does not need to be present to win. Winners must be 18 years old, and all federal and state tax requirements must be satisfied before the prize can be awarded.

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4-H News North Jackson Ag

North Jackson Ag 4-H club held their last meeting at the Carey’s house on July 13. The meeting was called to order at 7:15. The club’s secretary, Holly, took roll call and then read the minutes of the last meeting for anyone who was unable to attend.

Megan Carey was asked to tell about horse camp. The club members were reminded that there were shooting sports clinics on Monday and Tuesday from 6-8 at Mr. Cameron’s house. On July 7 and 8 there was dairy camp. There will be a 4-H fun day in Montrose on July 29. The annual club trip was set for July 18 at Salt Springs. Next Aaron read the treasurer’s report. Beth told the club what dairy camp was like. The scholarship horse show that was that past Saturday also went well. The club’s fundraiser would be held on July 22 at the Horse and Pony roundup at the fairgrounds.

Britney and Maria talked about camp Brule. Sandy informed the club about a change in the cake decorating requirements for the fair. The club picnic was set for July 23 at the Pavelski’s house. Club members were asked to bring their own place setting and a covered dish to pass. On August 5 the club will have their dairy roundup fundraiser at the fairgrounds. Now that the business was taken care of the club enjoyed watching the presentations.

First Felisha did her demonstration on her Flemish Giant bunny, Trixide. Then her friend, Amanda did her demonstration on her mini-lop bunny, Sammy. Next, Jamie also did her demonstration on her rabbit. Casey Gorick brought her litter of kittens to show the club. Lyle Foster told the club about his recent trip to Washington. Aaron Onyon told the club about his trip to the glass museum and showed everyone some glass that he had made while visiting. Tara did her demonstration on her recent experience with the HOBY leadership seminar held at Millersville this year. The horse kids did a demonstration on the 12 steps of horsemanship that each of them had to master this year as a part of their horse project requirements. Megan took her horse out and showed the club some pointers for barrel training.

News Reporter: Kaitlin Flor

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Green Side Up: Japanese Beetles
By Sam Shevlin, Master Gardener

June and July are the months that we see an infestation of an assortment of beetles, collectively called "scarab beetles", Japanese Beetles, as well as June Beetle, and Northern masked chafer to name a few.

Now that you have noticed the adult beetles there is little you can do except to hand pick them and kill them. The use of biological or chemical controls will have little to no effect on adult beetles. Understanding the life cycle of Japanese Beetles and using controls at the proper time is the best way to help prevent next year’s hatching of beetles.

Japanese beetle grubs spend most of the year deep in the soil, going down below the frost line in winter and come nearer the surface in the spring to feed on grass roots, then pupate (change into adults). Adults appear in late June and July, depending on weather conditions. They mate and lay their eggs back into the soil within 24 hours from emerging. The new grubs hatch in 10-14 days after the first adults emerge. The adults continue feeding for six weeks or more. This cycle can be completed in one to two years.

Milky spore disease, parasitic nematodes or diazion granules can be used on larvae or using products such as GrubEx™ in late summer may help to ease the problem next summer. When using any control method, always read and follow the product’s label and be sure the product applies to your application site, the pest and any restrictions in your area. Optimum control occurs when treatment is applied just prior to egg laying, or to very small grubs.

In the spring, over-seeding small affected areas with grass seed, or renovating the lawn for larger areas by tilling down two to four inches, the grubs are physically destroyed. Also renovating the area and replanting with another ground cover suitable to the conditions and use of the area is an option.

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HAGB Sewer Authority Receives USDA Funding

Hallstead, PA – A ceremonial check presentation was held on July 14 to highlight a $2,819,000 loan to Hallstead-Great Bend Joint Sewer Authority by USDA Rural Development for a sewage treatment rehabilitation project for the Borough of Hallstead, Great Bend Borough, and Great Bend Township. Participating were Congressman Don Sherwood, USDA Rural Development State Director Gary H. Groves, Hallstead-Great Bend Joint Sewer Authority representatives, Dave Weber of Senator Rick Santorum’s office, Susquehanna County Commissioners and others.

The project will consist of the rehabilitation and upgrading of the present sewage treatment plant to 500,000 gallons per day capacity as well as providing nutrient removal. Pump stations 1 and 2 will be rehabilitated along with five grinder pumps, and two sewer line extensions are included.

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Help Available To Military Families

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania service members and their families who are facing financial difficulties could be eligible for grants of up to $2,500 from the newly established Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP), said Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wyoming/Wayne).

To date, more than $148,000 has been contributed to the program through direct contributions and from Pennsylvania taxpayers who chose to donate a portion of their state personal income tax return. The General Assembly created the program to ensure the families of military men and women are able to meet basic needs such as food, shelter and utilities.

Program assistance is given to members of the Armed Forces living in Pennsylvania if they serve: on 30 or more consecutive days of active duty with the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps; on 30 or more consecutive days of active duty or state active duty in the Pennsylvania Army or Air National Guard; on 30 or more consecutive days of active duty with Army, Air Force, Navy or Marine Corps Reserves. The program applies to certain family members of eligible service members as long as the relatives are residents of Pennsylvania.

To apply for assistance, visit the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Web site at www.dmva.state.pa.us. Applications are also available by writing to DMVA, MFRAP, Building P-0-47, FTIG, Annville, PA 17003-5002 or from Pennsylvania National Guard Family Assistance Centers. Completed applications and supporting documentation should be mailed to the above address as well.

Donations to the program can be made through a check-off on the Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax Form or by sending a check to the Military Family Relief Assistance Program, c/o Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA 17003-5002. Donations are tax deductible.

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Penn Dixie Band Celebrates The 4th

Pictured are Barney Wilkins and his Penn Dixie Band on July 1 in Montville, NJ with Miss Teen Fitness NJ. In addition to Montville, they appeared on stage and in parades at several locations around the Northeast US during Independence weekend, including the Clifford, PA Bicentennial on July 1, the Annual P.T. Barnum Festival in Bridgeport, CT on July 2, and in Montrose, PA July 4.

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