HEADLINES:
Engagement Announced Spurway - Hepler
USDA Announces Loan Program
Tom Robinson Has More Books In Print
County Republicans Announce Raffle Winners
Give Where You Live
Baked Goods Auction Funds Scholarship

Engagement Announced Spurway - Hepler

Jack and Guyanna Spurway, Crawfordsville, Indiana, and Nancy Alexander, Indianapolis, announce the engagement of their daughter, Catherine Spurway to Bradley Hepler. He is the son of Curtis and Shirley Hepler, Hallstead, PA.

Catherine & Bradley

The bride-to-be is a 1994 graduate of Crawfordsville High School and a 1998 graduate of Denison University. She is presently vice-president of strategy and marketing for on-line marketing technology firm, PointRoll, Inc. located in Philadelphia, PA.

Her fiancé is a 1994 graduate of Blue Ridge High School and a 1998 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. He and his brother are the owners of HEPCO Quarries, a bluestone quarrier and distributor, based in Windsor, NY and West Chester, PA.

The couple is planning to exchange vows October 2, 2010 in Windsor, NY.

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USDA Announces Loan Program

WASHINGTON, - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the launch of a Conservation Loan (CL) program that will provide farm owners and farm-related business operators access to credit to implement conservation techniques that will conserve natural resources.

“This will give farmers who want to implement conservation measures on their lands a chance to do so by providing assistance with their up-front costs,” said Vilsack. “In return, these producers will help to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality and promote sustainable and organic agricultural practices.”

CL funds can be used to implement conservation practices approved by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), such as the installation of conservation structures; establishment of forest cover; installation of water conservation measures; establishment or improvement of permanent pastures; implementation of manure management; and the adaptation of other emerging or existing conservation practices, techniques or technologies.

Direct CLs can be obtained through local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices with loan limits up to $300,000. Guaranteed CLs up to $1,112,000 are available from lenders working with FSA.

For more information on the Conservation Loan program, contact a local FSA office or visit the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov.

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Tom Robinson Has More Books In Print

Susquehanna native Tom Robinson is the author of a half dozen books for young readers that are being released this month.

Girls Play to Win Basketball has already been released by Norwood House Press of Chicago. Norwood’s Girls Play to Win series highlights the trials and triumphs of women in sports. Robinson covers basketball in a 64-page book that is part of the series.

A biography of John McCain was released earlier this year.

The release of five books covering the histories of National Football League teams is scheduled for later this month and will bring the total number of available books authored by Robinson to 24. Manuscripts have been completed for three other books that are in various stages of production.

John McCain: POW & Statesman is a 112-page biography in ABDO Publishing’s Military Heroes series. ABDO Publishing is located in Edina, Minn.

Robinson wrote the 48-page histories of the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers and Tennessee Titans. The books are part of ABDO’s All Sport’s Inside the NFL series.

In addition to his work as an author, Robinson is a freelance sports writer and poker columnist, as well as an editor of educational books. His writing assignments include covering sports for the Susquehanna County Transcript. The Clarks Summit resident is also a regular contributor to the Web sites of the United States Olympic Committee and USA Hockey.

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County Republicans Announce Raffle Winners

Mary "Pudgie" Paulin of Herrick Center was the lucky winner of the "Jump and Trick Bicycle" Raffle at the Susquehanna County Republicans Booth at the Harford Fair. Winners of the gas cards raffle included: Hope English, Hallstead; Tom Huduk, Wyalusing; Lori Pawelski, Throop; Amanda Boatman, Wyalusing; and Mary Kay Cook. Congratulations to the winners and a big thank you to all who entered.

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Give Where You Live

The United Way of Susquehanna County’s campaign is currently under way. This year more than ever the United Way would like to stress that every dollar donated is of the utmost importance. Due to major cut-backs in funding from state and federal sources, services of local charitable programs that are supported through the United Way will in turn be affected when people need them most. Though facing economic challenges United Way remains optimistic that with your help they can reach their campaign goal.

If you work outside of Susquehanna County and give to the United Way through a payroll deduction plan or a lump sum donation, make sure when filling out your pledge form to specify that you would like your contribution to go to the United Way of Susquehanna County. Funds contributed will go through the United Way of your employer’s county and will then be forwarded to the United Way of Susquehanna County where you live, benefiting your family, friends and neighbors.

For more information about the United Way please call, (570) 465-3868 or visit www.UnitedWayOfSusquehannaCounty.org.

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Baked Goods Auction Funds Scholarship

Harford Fair continues to be one of the largest truly agricultural fairs which focuses on the talents of the local residents as well as the youth through 4H.

One of the areas where this is best exhibited is in Vegetable Hall where home baked pies, cakes, brownies and breads as well as garden items are displayed and judged. This is the fifth year that the prize-winning baked goods have been auctioned off the day after judging to raise funds for a worthy cause.

Linda Parlanti displays the prize-winning baked goods she bought at the auction.

This year, the $2,151.00 raised went to the newly created Harford Fair Scholarship Fund. The auction was supported not only by the people personally involved with the fair but also by businesses throughout the area. In an interview with Linda Parlanti after the auction she was asked how she selects the items she bids on. She said that she looks for a blue-ribbon winner that looks good and is something her family will enjoy eating. A few years ago, she paid $325.00 for the prize-winning blackberry pie which was truly delicious. “I have been attending the auction and buying items for four years now and our business has provided sponsorship to the fair as well for fifteen years. It is not only fun, but also supports a worthy cause each year,” she said.

The item which brought the highest amount this year was the Adult Chocolate Hershey Cake which sold for $180.00. The fair is so appreciative of everyone who supports this auction each year.

The money raised this year went to the Harford Fair Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be presented at the fair banquet in October to the student(s) selected by the committee based on their application, essay, and involvement with the fair. If you missed the auction but are interested in supporting the scholarship, donations can be made to the Scholarship Fund by contacting the Harford Fair Secretary, Nancy Tyler, at 434-4300.

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