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HEADLINES:
Blue Ridge Senior Center Update
Fire Police Donate Radios To C.A.R.T.
Grants Available For Child Care Providers
Endless Mountain Technology Center Receives Contribution
Local Author Publishes Book
Waiting For You!

Turnpike Senior Center Update

Blue Ridge Senior Center Update
By Ruth VanCott

There are two days in every week that we should learn to take lightly. Do you know which days? One is yesterday; if we made mistakes, think of it as practice, you will be better the next time. Then there is tomorrow. Tomorrow is our future, but beyond our control. Tomorrow the sun will rise, whether in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise, until it does it is only a promise.

January and February were slow, it seems like every year it is the same, the letdown after the holidays. But we did do some special things. We had our Chicken Foot playoffs, two winners, Ruthie Allard and Mary Masten, both were given a prize. Our monthly bingo game was held and Alice Hall was the big winner. One afternoon a good group made bird seed wreaths, everything was furnished and everyone enjoyed. Some even sampled the bird seed.

Two of our volunteers were on the sick list, Jennie Parmgarden and Evelyn Galloway.

Birthdays in January were Jenny Mitchell, Mary White, Ruth Kozolski, Butch Roe, Ruth Clift, Roberta Bailey, Gene Parmgarden and Carol Scales. Hope all had a wonderful day. Here, we had cake and ice cream.

Now February – we celebrated Valentines Day with a party. It was a fun time, tables were decorated with flowers and hearts. We even had tablecloths. King Al Maholick and Queen Audrey La Hoda reigned for the day. Everyone had a good time.

We were presented with a program on breast cancer. Don't forget the buddy system and do self-exams. Thirteen were in attendance for the Master Gardener Class. Spring is on the way, and those seed catalogs are in the mail. Our bingo game was held on Sadie Hawkins Day, which is February 29. The winner that day was Irma Bender. Closed a couple days due to the weather, remember spring is just around the corner.

We extend our sympathy to Walter Galloway, we shall miss you Evelyn. Also, Hattie Hunter is ill and is at the Endless Mountain Health Complex in Montrose. You might want to remember her with a card.

Only two people enjoyed a birthday this month, David Scales and Lena Rinker.

If you are a card player or like to play dominos, this is the place to be. Both are played several times a week. All are welcome.

Happy Easter to all. Take care.

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Fire Police Donate Radios To C.A.R.T.
Submitted By Mark R. Wood, EMA Coordinator

The Susquehanna County Animal Response Team (C.A.R.T.) was the recipient of several low-band portable radios, donated by the Susquehanna County Fire Police Association. The lack of communication equipment for the C.A.R.T. volunteers has been of great concern from the conception of the group. The Fire Police membership has filled that void, and the C.A.R.T. volunteers will now be able to work in a safer environment due to their generous donation.

We have had a great response from our community with just about everyone we have approached for help. The addition of two written agreements with area kennels, Autumn Hill Boarding Kennels and Vir Del Kennels only exemplifies how this area comes together to help those in need. C.A.R.T. is also in negotiations with a third kennel.

In the near future, we will begin to obtain resources, such as cages or crates and other necessities for the co-shelters that we will be operating in times of emergencies or a disaster. Monetary donations are always welcome by making a check out to PASART (Pennsylvania Sate Animal Response Team) but make sure to note Susquehanna County in the memo section of the check or it will not be dispersed to Susquehanna County. Mail to: 2605 Interstate Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9364.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 7:00 p.m. in the County Extension Office, 31 Public Avenue in Montrose. The meeting will be held in the upstairs conference room. If you would like further information concerning C.A.R.T., call (570) 289-4402.

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Grants Available For Child Care Providers

Child care providers in Susquehanna County are now eligible to apply for a $500 project grant through MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program. As part of their commitment to improving the quality of affordable childcare in the region, MetroAction awards $2,500 in MicroGrants to child care providers throughout their eight county service area, twice each year.

MetroAction recognizes that child care providers are very different from the typical small business, encountering many different obstacles in the operations of their business. Child care providers often operate on very lean budgets, which often times do not allow for upgrading or adding new programs or equipment.

Since the launch of MetroAction’s Child Care MicroGrant program in 2005, fifteen providers across six counties have received funding. This funding has been used to purchase new curriculum, create a science center, address the language gaps between children and staff, and create learning libraries. More than 570 children have been directly impacted by the MicroGrant program.

MicroGrant applications must be received by 4:00 p.m. on April 25. MetroAction will be hosting a free technical assistance session on March 25 at 1:00 p.m. at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to help eligible providers complete the application. The session will provide an overview of the program, tips and sample projects and an opportunity to have questions answered. For more information, or to request an application package, contact Desiree Ranella at (570) 342-7711 or at dranella@metroaction.org.

MetroAction is a non-profit community development organization dedicated to providing small business financing, training, and recognition throughout eight counties in northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information on MetroAction, visit www.metroaction.org.

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Endless Mountain Technology Center Receives Contribution

The Endless Mountain Technology Center (EMTC) Advisory Board received a substantial contribution from Snake Creek Laser to begin the process of a business plan and feasibility study for the future Endless Mountain Technology Center. The mission of the EMTC is to partner with academia and industry to establish a Best-In-Class Technology Center in Susquehanna County that will be the catalyst for economic development.

Pictured (l-r) are: John Kukowski – EMTC Vice President, Margaret Biegert – Trehab, Debra Dissinger – EMTC President, Dr. Brown – Snake Creek Laser, Lisa Vitali – Snake Creek Laser.

The objective of the center is to partner with local academia to provide concurrent education in technology fields by providing joint curriculum, hands-on and remote access education that will provide students with the ability to compete in an international economy, while at the same time increase their internal desire to learn. The center will also provide adult education for retraining and will partner with industry to provide update training for their workforce, applied process development and application development, analytical equipment for failure analysis, a non-competitive consortia and curriculum development. EMTC will serve as a catalyst to link research in academia, consultants, vendors and industry.

The Center will combine the strengths of industry and academia to enhance our economic competitiveness. The advisory board has already established a relationship with Cornell University and has sponsored a presentation for science and math teachers from each of the six county schools for Cornell’s K-12 Outreach Program. This program offers high school teachers a unique opportunity for professional development which includes workshops, summer continuing education programs, hands-on inquiry-based labs and an equipment lending library, at no cost to the teachers or school districts.

The EMTC advisory board is made up of industry, academia and a citizen advisor that includes representatives from Snake Creek Laser, Northeastern Telephone Company, People’s National Bank, B&S Quarry, Trehab and representatives from the six Susquehanna County School Districts.

For more information call 853-5016.

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Local Author Publishes Book

It is New Year’s Eve, the year 2050, and an ordinary family is sleeping peacefully in their home. Suddenly, their quiet night is interrupted by a squad of armed government agents who break down the doors and invade their home. They have come for only one thing: the daughter. The law is clear: all females are to be sterilized when they are 8 years old in order to avoid the social problems from unplanned and unwanted pregnancies. This family has not complied and, therefore, is a threat to society. The daughter will be returned later that day, safely, but forever changed by a procedure that she did not ask for or agree with. So goes the law of the land in “You Need a License to Fish,” the original and thought-provoking new novel by Lourdes Schaffroth.

After years of researching and monitoring news articles related to the abuse of children, Schaffroth began wondering what it would take to truly make the world safe for children. In “You Need a License to Fish,” she explores the extreme side of the answer.

A mother of two and grandmother of one, Lourdes Schaffroth lives in Kingsley with her husband, Eric, and their pet cat, Steven. Schaffroth has written many short stories and is currently finishing up her latest novel, entitled, “I Could Have Been Clemente.”

For more information on Schaffroth and her book, visit www.youneedalicensetofish.com.

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Waiting For You!

This is Nala. She is a ten-month old tiger-striped domestic longhair. She is very loving and playful. She loves to be held and petted, and she is litter box trained.

To see her, stop by the Susquehanna County Humane Society, 278-1228.

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Turnpike Senior Center Update
By Mary Heesh

I had a nice surprise this week. My daughter, Melody came as a surprise for my birthday and believe me, it was a surprise. We all went to a restaurant in Vestal and she just showed up. Of course, everyone else knew about it. I learned they can keep a secret – they all knew for about a month that she was coming.

We had our council meeting and will have a lot of crafts to do, a Chinese auction, and a tenants’ potluck. Lots of fun.

We send our sympathy to the Graves and Bedford families because of their losses.

We wished everyone a happy Valentine’s Day, also happy birthday to all our birthday people.

Some of us went to a Soulfire concert at the Methodist Church in Susquehanna. If you want to hear a real good Christian band, go and hear them.

Thank you to all the tenants that came out for the tenants’ dinner. It was a lot of fun and we sure have a lot of good cooks here. Those that missed it, missed a good time.

We had a game of dominoes after our dinner. We had a good time.

Don’t forget, we have penny bingo on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m., and nickel bingo on Monday at 1 p.m.

We were out in force cleaning our cars off one recent morning. The men were plowing and shoveling.

Some of us painted bird houses with flower rings for the tables in the dining room, for spring. Maybe we are pushing for spring, but we are ready for it. The centerpieces look really nice.

See you next time.

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