HEADLINES:
PARSE Update
Beware Of Common Senior Scams
Is Your Car Ready For Fall?
4-H Members Compete At State Dairy Show
Farm Truck Driver Exemptions Restored
50th Anniversary!
Cabot Supports American Legion

PARSE Update
Submitted By Cynthia P. Sims

The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees met on October 12 at the Elk Lake American Legion.

The guest speaker was Susan BeGasse, MS CRNP, Endless Mountains Health Systems. As this is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she spoke on the importance of regular mammograms for women over 50, self-examinations, as well as other factors concerning the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

President Jesse Bacon reported on the annual state PARSE convention. He said that neither governor candidate, Tom Corbett or Dan Onorato or a member of their campaign staff, attended the convention, although invited. PARSE lobbyist, Lynn Herman, told the group that it was unlikely that the retirees would receive a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in their pensions this year. A resolution by the larger chapters, to be allowed more than two voting delegates at the meeting, was defeated. Each chapter will still be allowed only two delegates.

The next meeting will be held on November 9 at the Zion Lutheran Church, Dushore. To learn more about the organization and/or make a reservation, contact President Jesse Bacon at 570-265-9784 or Susquehanna Co. Vice President John Benio at 570-278-2380.

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Beware Of Common Senior Scams

(SPM Wire) Fraud targeting senior citizens is a growing concern, as millions have fallen victim nationwide. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is encouraging families to recognize and avoid some common cons targeting seniors.

Roughly 20 percent of Americans aged 65 or older already have been taken advantage of financially by inappropriate investment opportunities, unreasonably high fees for financial services or outright fraud, according to a recent survey by Investor Protection Trust.

Some common senior scams include:

* Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams: Victims usually receive letters stating they have won a lottery or sweepstakes, sometimes claiming to be from Publisher's Clearing House or Reader's Digest. The letters tell victims to deposit an enclosed check and wire a portion back to the company to cover taxes or administration fees. The funds initially appear in the bank account, but are removed when the bank determines the check is fake.

* Medicare Scams: Scammers claim to be with Medicare and ask for personal information such as Medicare, Medicaid, social security, credit card or bank account numbers. Seniors should know Medicare will never call to ask for sensitive personal financial information.

* Bereavement Scams: Scammers call widows or widowers and claim their spouses had outstanding debts that need to be paid immediately. If you are uncertain about owing a debt when collectors call, ask for written confirmation.

* Investment and Work at Home Opportunities: Promises of easy money often target older adults because they may be looking to supplement their incomes. The pitch might come in the form of an investment opportunity that promises big returns, or as a way to make money at home for an upfront cost. The victim is offered what sounds like a great opportunity but the extra income never materializes. Always research any work at home opportunity with the BBB. Beware of investment or money-making offers that seem too good to be true or use high pressure sales tactics to get you to sign up immediately.

For more advice on avoiding scams and fraud visit bbb.org/us/consumer-tips-scams.

"Having a serious conversation with your elderly parents about how they are managing their money is not easy, but it is extremely important in order to help protect them from unscrupulous crooks," said Alison Southwick, BBB spokesperson. "It's extremely important to keep the lines of communication open so that you can identify suspicious spending habits, as well as educate your elder family members on recognizing the red flags of common cons."

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Is Your Car Ready For Fall?

(SPM Wire) As the days get shorter, it's time to make sure your car is ready for the season.

The experts at the Car Care Council recommend taking care of simple maintenance now to avoid costly future repairs.

Basic fall auto maintenance includes checking the oil, filters and fluids, belts and hoses, brakes, tires and air conditioning. An annual tune-up and wheel alignment are also recommended.

"Making your vehicle last longer makes good financial sense," said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. "By simply budgeting the equivalent of just one car payment, you could cover an entire year's worth of basic maintenance."

More auto tips can be found online at www.carcare.org.

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4-H Members Compete At State Dairy Show
Submitted By Michelle Kowalewski

Twenty-seven Susquehanna County 4-H Dairy Program members competed at the 55th Pennsylvania State Junior Dairy Show on Saturday, September 18 at the Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The State Junior Dairy Show was held in conjunction with the All-American Dairy Show. The State Junior Show brings together the top qualifying animals from across Pennsylvania.

Thirty-six animals from Susquehanna County were among the 632 head shown during the show. Results from Susquehanna County 4-H members include:

Allison Kiefer, Montrose: Ayrshire Jr. 2-Year Old placed 2nd and received Best Bred and Owned Award.

Kennidy Finch, Springville: Ayrshire Jr. 3-Year Old placed 2nd; Ayrshire Winter Calf placed 3rd and received Master Showman.

Cassie Clark, Springville: Ayrshire Aged Cow placed 1st and won Reserve Senior Champion and Reserve Grand Champion Ayrshire; Ayrshire Spring Calf placed 4th; Ayrshire Winter Yearling placed 2nd, received Master Showman and Best Bred and Owned Award.

Dana Nunemacher, Montrose: Ayrshire Spring Calf placed 6th.

Cassidy Greenwood, Montrose: Ayrshire Spring Calf placed 8th.

Mackey Wright, Montrose: Ayrshire Fall Calf placed 6th.

Kennidy Finch, Montrose: Ayrshire Summer Yearling placed 3rd.

Douglas Brooks, Hop Bottom: Brown Swiss Four Year-Old placed 2nd.

Devon Greenwood, Montrose: Brown Swiss Summer Yearling placed 6th; Jersey Summer Yearling placed 1st and received Master Showman.

Samantha Ely, Springville: Holstein Spring Calf class placed 11th.

Mariah Tompkins, Montrose: Holstein Winter Calf class placed 1st and received Master Showman.

Evan Castrogiovanni, Montrose: Holstein Winter Calf class placed 1st and received Master Showman; Red and White Spring Calf placed 3rd; Red and White Winter Yearling placed 3rd, received Master Showman and Best Bred and Owned Award.

Sabrina Clark, Springville: Holstein Winter Calf class placed 7th.

Austin Graham, Montrose: Holstein Summer Yearling class placed 10th.

Steven Rezykowski, Dimock: Holstein Summer Yearling class placed 13th.

Rachel Pompey, Nicholson: Holstein Spring Yearling class placed 13th.

Tracy Severcool, Springville: Holstein Winter Yearling class placed 5thand received MasterShowman.

Christian Sprout, Montrose: Jersey Senior 3-Year Old class placed 2nd.

Jenna Sprout, Montrose: Jersey Four-Year Old class placed 4th.

Mazie Tyler, Meshoppen: Jersey Fall Calf class placed first and received Reserve Junior Champion Jersey.

Jamie Supancik, New Milford: Jersey Winter Yearling placed 8th.

Douglas Brooks, Hop Bottom: Jersey Dry Cow placed 5thand received the BestBred and Owned Award.

Alex Bonavita, Meshoppen: Milking Shorthorn Junior 2-Year Old class placed 5th and received Master Showman; Milking Shorthorn Junior 3-Year Old class placed 1st; Milking Shorthorn Spring Calf placed 5th.

Michael Greenwood, Montrose: Red and White Four-Year Old placed first and received the Best Bred and Owned Award; Red and White Winter Calf placed 16th.

Emily Supancik, New Milford: Red and White Winter Calf placed 10th.

Trevor Tompkins, Montrose: Red and White Summer Yearling placed 2nd and received Master Showman.

Victoria Clark, Springville: Red and White Winter Yearling placed 5th.

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Farm Truck Driver Exemptions Restored

(Camp Hill) - Farmers across Pennsylvania will once again be exempted from certain regulations and requirements affecting farm trucks after legislation signed by Governor Rendell is implemented. Provisions of House Bill 2246 apply to drivers of farm trucks or combinations operated within Pennsylvania, which have a weight or weight rating of 26,000 pounds or less.

“The law restores commonsense exemptions for farmers in Pennsylvania. The excessive, costly and time-consuming rules related to minimum age restriction, medical certification, hours of service, vehicle inspection and record keeping will be gone,” said PFB President Carl Shaffer.

Earlier this year, Pennsylvania rescinded the exemptions for agriculture, believing that the Commonwealth would otherwise lose federal highway safety funds. Pennsylvania Farm Bureau secured verification from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) that individual states can allow agricultural exemptions for such drivers and vehicles without forfeiting federal monies.

“Pennsylvania Farm Bureau worked directly with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to ensure the final language in the bill would be consistent with federal standards and not jeopardize federal funding for Pennsylvania,” added Shaffer.

Farm Bureau notes that all exemptions possible for agriculture have been achieved on the farm truck driver issue at the state level and now will focus on pressing lawmakers at the federal level to pass HR 1220, which deals with farm trucks and trucks with combinations in excess of 26,000 pounds.

“PFB will continue to work with Pennsylvania’s Congressional Delegation to enact federal legislation to fully restore exemptions that were in place before the changes to state regulations earlier this year,” concluded Shaffer.

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50th Anniversary!

Robert and Mary Lee Dayton of Great Bend, PA celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on October 15, 2010. The couple was married on a beautiful autumn day at the Franklin Forks Methodist Church on October 15, 1960.

Robert is the son of the late Clark and Eleanor Dayton of Fairdale, PA. Mary Lee is the daughter of the late Jerry and Marion Tingley of Brookdale, PA. The couple celebrated this special anniversary on Columbus Day weekend with their family at the Skytop Lodge and Resort in the Pocono Mountains.

Robert and Mary Lee and three children: Tom and Janet Dayton of Great Bend, PA, Cindy and David Eisenberg of Miami Beach, FL and Paul Dayton of Southampton, PA. They also have five grandchildren: Jerry Dayton of Waterloo, IA, Erin Dayton and Michael Dayton, both of State College, PA, and Igor and Sacha Huston, both of Philadelphia, PA.

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Cabot Supports American Legion

Leaders from American Legion Strider-Teskey Post 86 accepted a substantial donation from Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation to provide resources for its many community programs.

“This support is very gratifying for our company,” stated George Stark, Director External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. “The extraordinary people of the American Legion have served our nation well and now continue to serve our community. We are very pleased to stand with them in their efforts to make life better in Susquehanna County.”

Joseph Bucci, Finance Director of Strider-Teskey Post 86 accepts donation from George Stark, Director External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation as Tom Hurley, Post 86 Trustee looks on.

The $5,000 donation will assist the American Legion in continuing sponsorship of a series of community events throughout the year. Most immediately, the support will assist with the following upcoming events:

- The annual Halloween Parade, co-sponsored with The Lions Club, beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 31.

- The annual holiday program at the Barnes Kasson Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) being held on December 5th.

The resources will also enhance the American Legion’s holiday giving programs which include buying food baskets from local merchants and distributing them to the neediest families in the Susquehanna, Oakland, Lanesboro, Thompson, Starrucca and Jackson communities in Pennsylvania and the Windsor and Deposit communities in New York.

“We have been able to help thousands of thousands of our neighbors over the years,” stated Joseph Bucci, Finance Director of Strider-Teskey Post 86, “and this support from Cabot will enable our members to do even more for our community.”

The national American Legion has chartered Strider-Teskey Post 86 since 1919. Regular membership consists of wartime veterans, an active Auxiliary, Sons of the Legion and social members. Over the past several years, the Post has donated an average of $20,000.00 per year to the communities it serves.

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