HEADLINES:
4-H’ers Compete In Dairy Quiz Bowl
Farm Families Celebrate “Food Check-Out Day”
It’s A Girl!
Thompson Crime Watch Elects New Captain

4-H’ers Compete In Dairy Quiz Bowl

Eight 4-H’ers from Susquehanna County participated in the Pennsylvania Junior Holstein Convention’s Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition in West Middlesex, Mercer County on February 2 – 4.

Members of the Susquehanna County 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl Team that competed at the PA Junior Holstein Convention include (l-r): Mackey Wright, Chris Schuler, Amos Lyon, Scott Madill, Amanda Miner, Trevor Tompkins, Nate Oleniacz, and Morgan Williams-Clark.

Twenty-two teams from across the state competed in the Junior Division. Members of the Susquehanna County Junior Dairy Quiz Bowl Team included Morgan Williams-Clark, Montrose; Trevor Tompkins, Montrose; and Mackey Wright, Montrose. Sixteen senior teams competed in the Dairy Quiz Bowl Competition. Members of the Susquehanna County Senior Dairy Quiz Bowl Team included Amos Lyon, Hallstead; Scott Madill, Mehoopany; Amanda Miner, Meshoppen; Nate Oleniacz, Montrose; and Chris Schuler, Montrose. Both teams competed through round four of this double elimination competition. The Susquehanna County 4-H Dairy Quiz Bowl team was coached by Jeremiah and Nicole Fearnley and Dr. Mike and Michelle Kowalewski.

Dairy Quiz Bowl is a team event in which youth must answer questions on dairy-related topics. Youth must be knowledgeable of such subjects as animal breeding, genetics, herd health, nutrition, record keeping and Holstein history. Dairy Quiz Bowl challenges youth to learn life skills as they prepare for the contest – critical thinking, decision-making, problem solving, communication skills, listening skills, speaking skills and independent thinking.

Youth interested in participating in the 4-H Dairy Bowl or learning more about other 4-H programs should contact the Penn State Cooperative Extension in Susquehanna County at 278-1158.

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Farm Families Celebrate “Food Check-Out Day”

Farm Bureau members from across Pennsylvania celebrated Food Check-Out Day on February 6, the day that the average American earns enough money to pay for the family’s annual food bill. For the ninth year in a row, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB) marked Food Check-Out Day by making deliveries of food, cash and other contributions to the state’s five Ronald McDonald Houses in Danville, Hershey, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton. The houses provide a home away from home for families with seriously ill children receiving medical treatment at area hospitals. The items collected by Farm Bureau will be used to help care for visiting families staying at the houses.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it took 36 days for the average American to earn enough disposable income to pay for the family’s annual food supply in 2006. “That is significant when you compare that it takes 116 days to reach Tax Freedom Day, the day the average American has earned enough income to pay local, state and federal taxes each year,” said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.

Connie Teel of the Wyoming/Lackawanna County Farm Bureau presented a check for $3,350 to the Ronald McDonald House in Scranton. The amount reflects food and cash donations from Susquehanna, Wayne/Pike and Wyoming/Lackawanna County Farm Bureaus.

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It’s A Girl!

Michael Fiske, Sr., Susquehanna, and Shelley Edwards are the proud parents of a baby girl, Chasity Cheyenne Fiske, who was born on February 5, 2007 at Barnes-Kasson Hospital, Susquehanna.

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Thompson Crime Watch Elects New Captain

At their first meeting of the new year, Thompson Borough Crime Watch elected Ray Grant as captain for 2007-08.

The organization has been active in the community for four years, “keeping watch” for illegal activities and problems in the boro. Funds have been raised through food concessions and bake sales so that the organization can contribute to local aid funds, raise money for a new police fund and the purchase of two-way radios.

Mr. Grant will begin officiating at the next monthly meeting on February 20. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Thompson Baptist Church. Residents of the boro are urged to join in the efforts to help the community.

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