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Issue Home July 11, 2007 Site Home

HEADLINES:
The Baskets Are Back
Tourje Family Creates School Endowment
Waiting For You!
Waiting For You!
Punt, Pass & Kick Event A Big Success
The Big Read Is Coming!
4-H News Rough ‘n’ Ready Riders
Youth Services List Available
Rte. 547 Bridge Reopened
United Way Marks Flood Anniversary
Lenoxville Band Celegrates 70th!
My Dairy Connection
CARES “Report Card”



The Baskets Are Back

The baskets are back, bigger and better than ever. Pictured are Montrose Boro employees Bernie Kinney and Ken DiPhillips hanging baskets of flowers for The Garden Club of Montrose. The club has once again undertaken the project of hanging baskets of flowers to help beautify the downtown Montrose area. The baskets represent a large part of the Club's civic beautification efforts. This year the baskets feature a variety of designs. Some include several colors of mini petunias, while others feature ivy geraniums with trailing vinca and bacopa. Members of the Civic Beautification committee include chairperson Carol Lake, Michelle Gottlick and Pam Oleniacx.

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Tourje Family Creates School Endowment
Submitted

The Tourje family of Forest City recently established a permanent endowment fund that will provide annual grants to Blue Ridge, Forest City Regional, Mountain View, and Susquehanna Community School Districts. The Jessie Osgood Tourje Memorial Fund on Behalf of The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company will be managed by The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties, and simultaneously honors the Tourje family’s matriarch while also providing financial resources to local school districts.

At a time when school funding, property tax reform, and gambling revenue are topics of conversation across the commonwealth, the Tourjes are showing both foresight and generosity in helping provide an alternative source of support for local schools. Their new fund will generate permanent annual grants that are intended to provide ever-increasing levels of funding for generations of future students. Although not meant to replace tax revenue, it is hoped these grants will assist the districts with special projects or unforeseen expenses. Susquehanna Community School District Superintendent, Bronson Stone comments, “The generosity of the Tourje family will assist our school district in providing students with the best education possible. I applaud the Tourjes’ commitment to, and belief in, public education.” Robert McNamara, Superintendent of the Blue Ridge School District, echoes those sentiments with an “appreciation for the benefit this will bring to all the students of our district.”

While providing assistance to the school districts, this fund will also be an everlasting tribute to a woman who was herself a prominent member of the community, and who raised a family that is carrying on her tradition of involvement. Those wishing to honor Mrs. Tourje, and who share her family’s commitment to our local schools, may send tax-deductible donations to The Community Foundation, 36 Lake Avenue, Montrose 18801. For more information about this and other funds serving our region visit the Foundation’s website at www.community-foundation.org.

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Waiting For You!

This is "Harry." He is a one-year old Lab mix. He is housebroken and crate trained and has lived with other dogs. He is playful and friendly. To see Harry, stop by the Susquehanna County Humane Society, 278-1228.

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Waiting For You!

This is Pete. He is a six-year old Rotti mix. Pete is very friendly and playful. He is housebroken and leash trained, and likes children. To see Pete, stop by the Susquehanna County Humane Society, 278-1228.

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Punt, Pass & Kick Event A Big Success
Submitted

The United Way of Susquehanna County held its third annual Punt Pass and Kick events on June 1 and 2, and are pleased to announce that it was a huge success because of the support of the NY Giants. Chris Snee and Rich Seubert, both linemen for the NY Giants, were wonderful contributors to the events.

Pictured (l-r) are NY Giants Rich Seubert and Chris Snee, presenting a participant with her trophies at the end of the Punt Pass and Kick Contest.

Their arrival at the Tailgate Party on Friday evening was highly anticipated. Chris and Rich were busy, answering questions and signing autographs on shirts, hats and programs. The evening also included music, raffles and a live auction of sports memorabilia. Several items from the New York Giants were donated for the evening and were big ticket items. These items raised several thousand dollars. Chris Snee and Rich Seubert stayed at late into the evening to socialize with football fans. However, they were up bright and early for the Punt Pass and Kick Contest the next day.

The Punt Pass and Kick contest was enjoyed by kids and parents alike. Several local businesses generously provided items for raffle and silent auction. Those that did not have the opportunity to attend the Tailgate Party made sure they had an opportunity to meet Chris and Rich to get their autographs. Little kids stood in awe of the big players as Chris and Rich signed their shirts, and bigger “kids” were just as thrilled to meet and talk with members of the New York Giants football team. Snee and Seubert may be big on the football field but their hearts are even bigger! They helped the kids throughout the day with Punting, Passing and Kicking the football and after a long, hot day, Chris Snee handed out trophies to the winners in each category. Every child was happy to receive a packet of free tickets, coupons, a signed certificate of participation and a 8 X 10 Photo of Chris. There were a few brave adults that also competed for a chance to win an autographed New York Giants football.

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The Big Read Is Coming!

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that the Susquehanna County Literacy Program and the Susquehanna County Library will receive a $9,900 grant to create a Big Read program this fall. The Big Read is a national program by the NEA, in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Arts Midwest, that encourages literary reading by asking communities to come together to read and discuss one book. The title chosen for "Susquehanna County Reads!" is F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic short novel, The Great Gatsby.

Modeled on successful "city reads" programs, the Big Read is meant to address the national decline in literary reading as documented in the NEA’s 2004 landmark survey, Reading at Risk: A Survey of Literary Reading in America. The survey showed that less than half the American adult population now reads literature. This has a surprising impact not only on reading and writing skills (American businesses spend billions of dollars on remedial education) but also on community and social participation.

"With the Big Read we want to get everyone in a community – from high school kids and office workers to public officials and senior citizens – reading a great book together," said NEA Chairman Dana Gioia. "Our goal is to get people talking about Fahrenheit 451 or The Great Gatsby with the same conviction that they debate the World Series. We want people to feel worse about not reading the book than they do about missing an episode of Lost or CSI."

"It's very exciting for us to be one of 117 communities chosen nationwide for this program," says Marilyn Morgan, Executive Director of the Susquehanna County Literacy Program, "right alongside Los Angeles, Chicago, and other enormous cities. We are planning all types of community events, from movie screenings to dance lessons, to get everyone involved and to have fun with the 1920s Jazz Age setting of the novel."

In addition to grants, the NEA also provides participating communities with a library of free materials, including readers’ and teachers’ guides for each of the Big Read novels, an audio guide for each novel featuring distinguished actors and writers, an online organizer’s guide for hosting a Big Read program, a customized television public service announcement, and Big Read display materials.

For a complete list of communities participating in the Big Read or for more information on the program, visit www.neabigread.org. Literacy's website is www.susqctyliteracy.org and the Library's is www.susqcolibrary.org. Both will have information about the many programs and events planned for "Susquehanna County Reads!" as the kick-off approaches (probably September 8, to coincide with the Apple Festival). If you are interested in getting involved with planning, contact Literacy at 278-9027 (toll-free 866-300-5772) or the Library at 278-1881, or email info@susqcolibrary.org.

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4-H News Rough ‘n’ Ready Riders

On Sunday, June 10, eight members of the Rough ‘n’ Ready Riders Susquehanna County 4-H Club competed at a five-county, open horse show series at the Valley Equestrians Center, Clarks Summit.

Pictured (l-r) are: Meghan Honeyford on Sugar Boy Dun, Kelsey Warriner, Morgan Duke, Brett Shelp, Kora Brand, Stevey Brand, Travis Novakowski, and Liana Stinson on My Last Diamond.

Kora Brand, the youngest competitor, took a third and fourth place in the walk-trot English division on I'm Amazing. Travis Novakowski showed My Last Diamond and earned second place for grooming and showmanship. Kelsey Warriner on I’m Amazing and Crysta Carey on Think Pink Lillies tied for Junior English Reserve Champion. Liana Stinson, owner of My Last Diamond, went home with Junior Western Reserve Champion. My Last Diamond also gave victory to Morgan Duke in the English division with a Walk-Trot Reserve Champion, proving Diamond to be a versatile filly. Meghan Honeyford, on Sugar Boy Dun, went home with Reserve Champion in the Junior Gymkhana division. And lastly, club president, Shayna Carey took first, third, fifth, and two sixth places in the Senior Youth English division, riding Play the Ace. Instead of ribbons, medals were awarded along with gifts of jewelry, tack, and other miscellaneous items to the first place competitor of each class. Many Rough ‘n’ Ready Riders are looking forward to horse camp at Harford Fairgrounds, to hone their horsemanship skills and to just have fun.

News Reporter: Megan Honeyford

Sizzlin’ Steaks

We met at First Church’s Lecture Hall for a meeting.

We talked about making a float for the Fourth of July parade in Montrose. We will decide at our next meeting if we want to be in the parade or not.

Mrs. Clarkson got the flowers for the cemetery for us to plant on May 22 at 6:30. After we planted the flowers, we went for ice cream.

We can help clean up and set up at the 4-H building at the Harford fairground. All projects for the fair are to be brought to the 4-H building from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. on August 16. On Sunday, August 20, baked good projects are to be taken to the 4-H building.

We worked in our First Aid project books.

Refreshments - Julie Whitehead.

News Reporter: Alyssa Clarkson

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Youth Services List Available

The Northern Tier Regional Planning and Development Commission (NTRPDC), and the regional Youth Council conducted a Community Audit for Youth Services, which is a listingof all services available to the area’s youth.

The list contains contact information and brief descriptions of each program and is conveniently organized by county.

NTRPDC and the Northern Tier Youth Council serve the counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, and Wyoming. NTRPDC oversees youth employment and training programs that assist eligible youth in achieving academic and employment success in the Northern Tier region. There are comprehensive activities that encourage graduation and link youth with local employers.

The Youth Council meets bi-monthly. Any agencies interested in local youth programs are encouraged to attend.

For copies of the list or information on the Northern Tier Youth Council, contact Sherry Felten at NTRPDC at 265–9103 or e-mail felten@northerntier.org. Corrections or additions may be submitted to NTRPDC.

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Rte. 547 Bridge Reopened

Thursday, June 7, marked the official reopening of the Route 547 bridge in Harford, also known as The Sen. Ed Jones Highway Bridge. Participants at the ribbon cutting ceremony (l-r) were: PennDOT Susquehanna County Maintenance Manager Bill Hector; Commissioner Jeff Loomis; Commissioner MaryAnn Warren; PennDOT Roadway Squad Manager Chet Patel; State Representative Sandra Major; Bill Eckenrode, PennDOT Construction; Township Supervisor Sue Furney; PennDOT Geotechnical Engineer Leo Charney; PennDOT Bridge Squad Leader Al Felinski; Commissioner Roberta Kelly; Butch Kriger, Kriger Construction/Contractor; Steve Shimko, PennDOT District Executive, District 4. Reconstruction began in April, 2006, with the removal of an existing concrete slab bridge and replacement with a pre-cast, reinforced concrete box culvert. The construction also included sewer line relocation, pavement, guide rail, and erosion control measures. Construction was completed on May 16. The total cost of this project was $960,000.

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United Way Marks Flood Anniversary
Submitted By Amy Steinberg

This month marks the one year anniversary of the devastating flooding that occurred last year. The recovery that Susquehanna County has made has been a slow and painful one. Although this event is not one to celebrate, it will be remembered for many years to come.

Pictured are members of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Turbotville, PA, working on one of the job sites in our area.

Out of the tragedy and devastation came many volunteers and neighbors willing to lend a hand. Local EMS, Fire and Police Departments and the Red Cross did a great job handling the event, but there were still many items that they could not handle. Many of you would have like to have helped and didn’t know how. And conversely, many residents needed help and didn’t know where to turn. This is where the United Way of Susquehanna County would like to fill in the gap.

The United Way of Susquehanna County is responding to this need by gathering a resource listing of volunteers (individuals, families, groups and organizations) to be part of a team that would be called upon during the times of disaster in our area. The needs are many but include: cleaning up of debris; transportation of meals to elderly; and emergency carpentry, plumbing and electrical services. The United Way would then help match up emergency needs with individuals that can help. Consider what your skills, talents and desires are for assisting, and then contact the United Way to be part of this essential team. When - not if - a disaster happens again, perhaps we can be a bit more prepared. The Red Cross in Montrose, PA, is also offering free training to anyone wishing to help with Emergency Red Cross programs. If you are not able to provide physical assistance, consider providing a donation to the emergency fund. The United Way is gladly accepting donations that will be reserved for such emergency needs.

To this day, recovery efforts are still ongoing as people and businesses try to restore what they once had. One group from the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Turbotville, PA understands the value of helping others. They are a sizeable group of dedicated volunteers who give one week of their time every year to travel to a predetermined area of need. For the past several summers, the team has helped many families return to their homes in various natural disasters, including tornados and floods. In order to carry out their ministry this year, they have decided to travel to our area to help rebuild homes and places of worship. The team offers assistance with putting up drywall, masonry, carpentry, roofing, plumbing and cleanup as well as emotional support and encouragement to their clients. Ruth Donnelly, Executive Director of the United Way of Susquehanna County, went to one of their job sites to welcome and thank them for the extraordinary service that they are providing.

To learn more about recovery efforts in our area and how you can be a part of a volunteer team, contact the United Way of Susquehanna County at 278–3868.

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Lenoxville Band Celebrates 70th!
Submitted

The Lenoxville Band is observing its seventieth year of entertaining the public.

The people in the first band ranged from 20 to 40 years of age. Some of these persons had never before played an instrument, but they took private lessons; this prepared them to play simple songs for ice cream socials.

In the fall of 1936, the band progressed in their music and were performing more often in public. In 1937, William Curtis, Sr. of Union Dale became the director, a post he kept until the early 1960’s.

In 1939, the band received the high honor of playing at the New York World’s Fair.

The Lenoxville Band went to Towanda in 1946 to play at a homecoming celebration for World War II veterans. There were 14 bands playing in the parade, and the Lenoxville Band was judged to be best and won $100.00 as first prize.

In 1967, after a period of dormancy and the death of Mr. Curtis, Sr., William Curtis, Jr. called some of the former members and they started a new and most successful chapter in their history.

In 1978, because some of the members were beginning to find it difficult to march and play at the same time, they decided to put themselves on wheels. Many members of the band designed and built the now famous Lenoxville Band wagon. The “Concert Platform on Wheels” was put into service in June, 1978 at the Nicholson parade and is still being used after some minor improvements.

The band, under the direction of Roland E. Decker since 1984, participates in many firemen’s parades at the local level, and has also traveled as far as Apalachin, NY, and Tioga County Fair in Owego, NY. The band plays concerts at the Harford Fair and the Wyoming County Fair annually.

In 1997, the band was honored to entertain in the rotunda of our Capital in Harrisburg. This was arranged through our then-senator, Charles Lemmond and State Representative Sandy Majors.

The number of members, not only from Lenoxville, but many other communities as well, that have enjoyed this musical outlet in the Lenoxville Band’s 70-year existence, is well over 300, some of which are fourth-generation members, and still accepts new members from ninth grade to senior citizens with a love of music.

It is a community band that performs despite the weather, and has been seen playing in below-average temperatures and finishing a parade with a cloudburst over their heads. This is an organization with devoted and talented band members, eager to begin practices in March and the busy parade and concert season ending in September.

As long as people continue to listen, the Lenoxville Band hopes to continue to perform, maybe another seventy years!

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My Dairy Connection
Submitted By Dairy Princess Abbey Puzo

My name is Abbey Puzo and I am the 2007-2008 Susquehanna County Dairy Princess. During my reign, I plan on writing an article about a Susquehanna County dairy farm each month. I thought it would be perfect that the first article would describe our dairy farm.

Pictured (l-r) are Evie and Bill Goff, Goff Farms Ally-Red, Dan and Abbey Puzo.

I am connected to the dairy industry through my grandparents, Bill and Evie Goff, who own and operate Goff Farms just outside of Montrose. Goff Farms has been in the dairy business since 1918. My Grandpa grew up on the farm as his Dad and Mom owned and worked it. Grandpa showed cows through 4-H and always loved being on the farm. My Grandma does the bookwork and does chores morning and night with Grandpa. Grandma also grew up on a dairy farm in the Montrose area.

Our family is unique because we skipped a generation of being involved in farming; my brother, Dan Puzo is now working the farm with our grandparents. Dan, like Grandpa spent a lot of his childhood at the farm; it was always Dan’s favorite place to go. Dan started as a baby, watching the cows being milked from his stroller, and as he grew he eventually learned to drive the tractors. Dan showed cows in 4-H and has grown a love for farming like Grandpa did.

Our 200-acre farm has two names now; Goff Farms and Dan’s Holstein prefix (SBH), meaning Spring Brook Holsteins. Since my brother has chosen the occupation of dairy farming, our herd has grown to over 100 animals, and the animals are now housed in a much bigger facility. We milk about 55 cows, two times a day. Our dairy herd consists of Holsteins, with about 40% being red and white Holsteins. We are members of Dairy Farmers of America; however, our milk is usually delivered to Binghamton, New York and bottled by Crowley’s.

As you may know, “June is National Dairy Month.” Pennsylvania has approximately 8,500 dairy farms and 98% are family-owned. Within those dairy farms there are about 555,000 cows. This time of the year is a great time to say thanks to our farmers by consuming the products they provide you. Enjoy your 3-A-Day of dairy (milk, cheese or yogurt), not only for the farmers but for your good health as well.

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CARES “Report Card”
Submitted

Susquehanna County CARES continues in its mission to enhance the quality of early care and education for county residents. As the state mandated nonprofit group wraps up the fiscal year, it is time to reflect on the major accomplishments during the last 12 months. The Annual Report Card to the Community shows it has been a busy year for CARES (Childcare, Agencies, Resources and Educational Services).

Thanks to the dedication of early learning practitioners, school administrators and community leaders, 600 “School Readiness Backpacks” were distributed this spring through the six school districts in Susquehanna County. The backpacks were given to families with children heading to school for the first time in the fall of 2007. Inside each pack, a book to read together titled “Countdown to the First Day of School,” a guide for parents to help prepare youngsters for those first days, a “Kindergarten, Here I Come!” calendar, and a special music CD, “Tuning Up for School.”

Susquehanna County CARES also helped parents with young children by coordinating Early Intervention Screenings and continuing outreach through various school and community events.

In April, CARES focused on celebrating our young children by working with area businesses on a countywide “Young Art Display.” Families also joined in by participating in the “CARES Young Children’s Fair” at Forest City Regional School District.

In May, early learning practitioners were honored with a special “Taste of the Tropics” event, and June saw the first ever “Early Childhood Night” with the Scranton Wilkes-Barre Yankees.

These are just some of the highlights from the last fiscal year. CARES is already looking ahead, planning other events that promote “Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children” because every child is Pennsylvania’s Future.

Studies show children who receive a quality educational start before the age of five increase their chance of success later in life. Susquehanna County CARES will continue in its efforts to help our children receive that important start. For more information about CARES mission or any of our projects, call (570) 879-8766 or email at stcares@epix.net.

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