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Issue Home August 1, 2007 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Blue Ridge Senior Center Update
4-H News Sizzlin’ Steaks
Kacie Chesnick Named “Student Of The Year”
PARSE Update
EMHR River Map Available
Two Sea Scouts Receive Awards
Who’s Been Here?


Blue Ridge Senior Center Update
By Ruth VanCott

Thought it was about time I got a little news out to you. We have been busy as usual. Early in May we dedicated a flowering dogwood tree to the memory of Carolyn Fisher and Jim Bender and all others from the center who have passed away. It was planted in the rear of the borough building. Donna Cosmello, center manager, read a lovely poem and Al Maholich offered a prayer.

The annual Senior Picnic at the Troy Fair Grounds was held. Several from our center went and enjoyed the day. There were many things to see and do, information important for seniors and some health screenings were offered, also a musical entertainment was provided.

The farmers’ vouchers were offered to seniors for the purchase of fresh vegetables and fruits grown or produced in the state of Pennsylvania. These are a great help, as many of us no longer have gardens and we are able to enjoy fresh grown produce.

Birthday party was held and those who were honored were Al Maholick, Helen Randall, Noreen Simm, Katherine Seward, Pearl Williams, Hattie Hunter, Evelyn Galloway and Betty Kegelman. Happy Birthday to all.

One evening a good size group went to Nicho's for supper. These outings are always fun, and a good time was had by all. Also, we really enjoyed fresh strawberries. Yes, Don R. picked, cleaned and brought the berries to the center, Mary White made homemade biscuits, others prepared the shortcakes and did we enjoy! It is one of the days I look forward to all year long. Thanks to all who helped to make this special.

There still are card games and people doing puzzles, recently had a beautiful one completed, all flag stamps. It was so nice, it was preserved on a foundation and hung on the wall, special thanks to Helen Elbrecht for doing such an excellent job. Then there are the almost daily dominos games – some of them get pretty noisy. Work continues on the quilt.

Think this is all for now, take care.

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4-H News Sizzlin’ Steaks

We met at 7:00 and started weeding in the memorial garden.

We had our meeting in the lecture hall. After the pledges and attendance we decided to have our bake sale on July 20 at Hop Bottom’s Peoples National Bank. Autumn did a demonstration on babysitting. Christina worked on the First Aid Project book with us.

September 8 we will have a covered dish supper at Harvatine’s. Mr. and Mrs. Harvatine will cook hot dogs and hamburgers.

News reporter: Alyssa Clarkson

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Kacie Chesnick Named “Student Of The Year”

Kacie Chesnick, 14, of Thompson was named "Student of the Year" for the 2006-2007 season at the Windwood Hill Dance Academy. The announcement was made at the academy's annual award presentation ceremony following their June 16 recital.

Kacie Chesnick, the Windwood Hill Dance Academy 2006 Student of the Year.

Kacie has studied with Ms. Bobbie Jo Kelsey, owner of the Windwood Hill Dance Academy for seven years. She has studied tap, jazz, ballet, and has also received instruction in lyrical and hip-hop style. She has performed as a soloist for six of the last seven years, with her focus on tap. Her accomplishments have earned her awards at the United States Tournament of Dance competitions. She has also competed at the American Dance Awards and the Sophisticated Productions regional competition events. Along with her medals, she has on several occasions earned individual select honors for outstanding stage presentation during competition events. At the beginning of the 2006-2007 studio season, Kacie began her role as assistant teacher and has assisted Ms. Bobbie in the instruction of the pre-ballet and beginner tap, ballet, and jazz classes.

"Kacie is a student whose love of dance shows by the smile on her face and her stage presentation," stated Miss Bobbie. "She dances from the heart. She is always positive and upbeat, and she has been a great influence on the younger students she has helped teach this year. She is disciplined, focused, and has excellent work habits. It has been a pleasure watching Kacie grow from a beginning dancer into the beautiful young lady she has become."

Kacie is the daughter of Michael and Linda (Lee) Chesnick of Thompson. She is the granddaughter of Roslyn Lee and the late Ralph Lee, and Albert and Irene Chesnick. She will be entering the ninth grade at Susquehanna Community High School.

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PARSE Update
By Cynthia Sims, Secy.

The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees (PARSE), Endless Mountains, Chapter 15, met on July 10 at Green Gables, New Milford, for their annual chicken barbecue. Guests were Thomas O’Neill, newly appointed Northeast Region Vice President, and Bud Ruskin, Luzerne County Chapter President. Mr. O’Neill, who is also president of the Schuylkill County Chapter, spoke about his state employment history and involvement with PARSE.

Chapter 15 President Jesse Bacon announced that Joe Plonski, Alton Arnold and John Benio would be attending the annual state PARSE meeting on September 10 and 11. The agenda will include discussions on Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA), changes to PARSE including state election and constitution and bylaws revision.

Another suggestion for the agenda has been made by Donald Koval, Southwest Region Vice President. He is requesting a debate on rescinding Act 9, which would require legislation. Under this act, all state employees who retired after July 1, 2002 received a 25% increase in their pension and a 50% increase for legislators. All those who retired before 2002 received nothing. This act requires state agencies to repay the amount given out by the act by year 2012, and the contribution rate by state agencies will be enormous. The act is the basis for rejecting COLA requests.

Joe Plonski, Legislative reported that efforts for a COLA have stymied, and also reiterated the above information.

The next meeting will be held August 14 at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Dushore. For more information and/or to make reservations, contact Susquehanna County Vice President John Benio at 278–2380.

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EMHR River Map Available

Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc. (EMHR) announced the "Susquehanna River North Branch Water Map and Guide" is now available to retailers and the public. EMHR, in partnership with National Park Service and Pennsylvania Environmental Council recently published the map completing a project of several years.

"This exciting initiative of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network coincides with placement of orientation and safety signs at designated river access points. These promote the development of a unique water trail linking access points, informational resources, use sites and local attractions," explained Phil Swank, EMHR executive director. "The map and guide are of great interest to all who enjoy the Susquehanna River, especially nature enthusiasts and paddlers/boaters.”

For more information contact Endless Mountains Heritage Region at (570) 265-1528, or emhr@epix.net.

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Two Sea Scouts Receive Awards
By Ron Hall, Commodore

Two Sea Scout officers of Sea Scout Ship North Star 90, New Milford, PA, have been awarded the Good Shepherd Award from the Association of Baptists for Scouting. This award is presented for distinguished service to youth in the church and Sea Scouting.

Pictured (l-r) are Sea Scout Ship 90 recipients of Good Shepherd Awards, Charter Representative Sally Morgan and First Mate Marvin VanCott.

The first Good Shepherd Award was presented to Sally Morgan of the South New Milford Baptist Church on May 20 by Pastor Larry Thomas and Ship Committee Chairman Don Johnson. Sally Morgan serves as the Charter Representative on the ships committee to our sponsor, the Sea Scout Association. She has been a member of Sea Scout Ship 90 for 30 years, earning the Quartermaster Award, the highest rank in Sea Scouting, the Baptist God and Country Award, the Sea Scouters Training Award, and the Honorable Order of the Monkey’s Fist. Sally has sailed on the 125-foot brig, “Unicorn” and the 295-foot USCG barque, “Eagle,” both tall ships on the Atlantic Ocean. She has also canoed the white water of the Delaware River and sailed on White Fish Lake, Québec, Canada. In the South New Milford Baptist Church, Sally is very active in the choir and an excellent Sunday school teacher for children.

Our next God Shepherd Award was presented to First Mate Marvin VanCott of the Brushville Baptist Church on June 3 by Pastor Alex Vosburgh and Boatswain Mate Dan Gall. Marvin VanCott has served with Sea Scout Ship 90 for eight years, canoed the white water of the Delaware River, sailed at Whitney Point Reservoir, sailed on the 46-foot ketch “Der PeLiKan” on Chesapeake Bay, and sailed from New York City to Annapolis, MD on the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Sea Scouting in 2002. Marvin holds the Honorable Order of the Monkey’s Fist, Sea Scouters Training Award, Sea Badge for advanced Sea Scout leadership training, and the Silver Anchor. In the Brushville Baptist Church, he is very active on the board of deacons and is a strong supporter of the Gideons.

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Who’s Been Here?

Children and their parents learned to be nature detectives during a recent program at the Susquehanna Library. Rebecca Lesko, environmental education specialist from the Endless Mountains Nature Center presented "Who's Been Here?" to a packed room. The live eastern screech owl, corn snake, and polyphemus caterpillars excited everyone. The program was part of the "Get A Clue" PA Library Series.

“Nature detectives” examine chew marks on a pelvis bone during the "Who's Been Here?" program presented by the Endless Mountains Nature Center at the Susquehanna Branch Library.

Animal signs were closely examined at ten stations as participants tried to figure out which animal had left the clue. Stations included a nest from bald-faced hornets, bird feathers, snake skin, and bird song recordings. Ms. Lesko shared her knowledge and resources with the participants. She recommended observing clues and using field guides and nature-related books to put the clues together.

The Endless Mountains Nature Center, a newly formed non-profit is based in Tunkhannock, PA. For more information about the center and their programs for adults and children, contact them at (570) 836-3835 or visit them on the web at www.EMNConline.org.

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