HEADLINES:
Leadership 2020 Starts Sixth Year
Wedding Announced Lesser – Bishop
PARSE Update
Turnpike Senior Center Update
Waiting For You!

Leadership 2020 Starts Sixth Year
Submitted by Joann Kowalski

The Steering Committee is accepting applications for the upcoming Leadership 2020 class. This will be the sixth leadership development program for Susquehanna County since its inception in Fall, 2000.

Currently, graduates from Leadership 2020 number nearly 60, and many of our referrals come from the graduates. We are looking for interested individuals for the March 2 and 3 kick-off. The series continues every Tuesday evening thereafter, starting on March 13 until graduation on May 15.

Leadership 2020 is a comprehensive leadership development program open to anyone living and/or working in Susquehanna County. Public officials, business people; staff, volunteers and board members of non-profit agencies and service clubs, and anyone who wants to make a difference in their community or develop their personal leadership potential is encouraged to apply.

Leadership 2020 requires a significant commitment of time and travel within the county, and will require homework and other out-of-class preparation. Instructors have been utilizing a newly-developed statewide Penn State Extension leadership curriculum which consists of 36 hours of instruction. Financial arrangements for tuition can be made if necessary. Accommodations will be made for those with disabilities.

Applications will be reviewed by the Leadership 2020 Steering Committee consisting of Ray Osburn, Cathy Chiarella, Debbie Dissinger, Marilyn Morgan, Becky Naylor, Bob Welch, Marilyn Haskins and Cheryl Matulevich. The committee will select approximately 15 participants for Year VI.

For an application, or if you have questions on any aspect of the program, please contact one of the Steering Committee members or Joann Kowalski at 278-1158. You can also access the application at http://susquehanna.extension.psu.edu/Community/comnews.html. Applications are due by February 2, and should be forwarded to Penn State Extension, 31 Public Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801.

Leadership 2020 is sponsored by Penn State Cooperative Extension in partnership and with the support of businesses and community organizations throughout the county.

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Wedding Announced Lesser – Bishop

Sarah Alisabeth Lesser, daughter of Walter and Patricia Lesser, and Darren Lee Bishop, son of Randy and Susan Bishop, were married on Saturday, December 16, 2006 at Lanesboro Community Church. A reception followed at the Lanesboro Community Center.

Mr. and Mrs. Darren (Sarah) Bishop.

Reverend Andrew Collins, uncle of the groom, officiated.

Olivia Lesser, sister of the bride, served as Maid of Honor. James Serra served as Best Man.

The bride was attended by Marisa Mitchell-Flanagan, Amanda Figueroa, cousins of the bride and Jessica Glover. Flower girl was Justice Lesser, niece of the bride.

Groomsmen were Andrew Lesser, brother of the bride and Chris and Randy Bishop, Jr., brothers of the groom. Chase Bishop, nephew of the groom, was ring bearer.

The newlyweds, who will honeymoon in Isla Mujeres, Mexico at a later date, currently reside in Oakland.

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PARSE Update
By Cynthia Sims, Secy.

The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees (PARSE) held their final meeting of year 2006 on December 12 at the Towanda Gun Club. The group was delightfully entertained by Colleen Close of the Winding River Players. She sang Christmas carols and was joined by the audience as she finished her program.

The guest speaker, Representative Matt Baker, was introduced. Rep. Baker represents the western half of Bradford County. He spoke on the new legislature beginning in January, 2007, and what it will mean to pending legislation. He said that he was an advocate of an annual Cost of Living Adjustment for retirees; however, funding this has to be addressed, either by increased contributions from current state employees or drawing on the retirement funds. However, Rep. Baker stated that those persons already retired will retain the benefits they now receive.

Outgoing President Alton Arnold was presented a plaque for his years of service by incoming President Jesse Bacon. Rep. Baker assisted in the presentation.

Due to the possibility of inclement weather, the next meeting will not be held until April; date and place to be announced later. For further information regarding the PARSE organization, contact Susquehanna County Vice President John Benio at 278–2380.

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Turnpike Senior Center Update
By Mary Heesh

Hello from Turnpike Terrace.

We had a choir visit from Calvary’s Love Assembly of God, of Johnson City, NY. We had a great group of people. The music was beautiful and the fellowship afterward was great. I can’t praise them enough. It was a great time for everyone.

We had our Christmas party on Friday, December 8. We had approximately sixty people there. The dining room looked festive. The food was great, made by the tenants – all those good cooks. We had Terry Rockwell for our music, and we also had the famous Turnpike Terrace Kazoo Band, all dressed in red and black with Christmas hats on. We looked festive and had a lot of fun.

On December 9 we had a full house with the Hobbs family concert. We even got to play our kazoos for them. We are on a roll!

On December 16, a lot of us went to the Methodist Church in Susquehanna for a full turkey dinner and music, put on by the Masons. What a great time we all had, and what a nice thing for them to do for the seniors. Thanks from all of us.

We had a door decorating contest going on. Downstairs winners were: first place, Linda Irwin; second place, JoAnn Perry. Upstairs: first place, Eileen Bandy; second, Rena Rood. It was a lot of fun and we had a lot of nice, festive doors up here. Congratulations to everyone for their hard work.

Christmas has been here. We have a decorated tree on each floor and in the dining room. There were a lot of family members bringing gifts up here, and a lot of packages brought here by the mailman. He’s probably the only one glad it’s over, but we all sort of liked it.

We have a lot of good times here. We play bingo and dominoes, and have a tenants’ get-together about every two months.

See you next time.

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Waiting For You!

Hi! My name is Maxene and I am a one-year old yellow Lab mix. I was adopted from the SPCA as a puppy, but my owners are moving and can’t take me. I’m also housebroken, spayed and great with kids and cats. With all this good news, how could you pass me by? I’m such a happy, pretty girl that would make some family very happy.

I’ll be waiting for you at the Susquehanna County Humane Society Shelter in Montrose, (570) 278–1228.

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