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HEADLINES: Foster Grandparents Much Appreciated Foster Grandparents Much Appreciated November is a time to give thanks. The Foster Grandparent Program staff is doing just that. The staff would like to thank all the foster grandparent volunteers for all their time and energy they give to area youth. Starting in late August and early September foster grandparents head back to day care centers, head start centers, and schools to help children in need. Foster grandparent volunteers work with infants and toddlers on speech and basic skills, pre-school children receive help with developmental skills, and school age children receive help with classroom work. Foster grandparents form special bonds with the children they serve.
Susquehanna County Foster Grandparents take a break from the in-service meeting to take a group photo. Every month the foster volunteers participate in in-service meetings. These meetings are a chance for the Foster Grandparent volunteers to build and enhance their skills as well as a time for fellowship. In January the foster grandparent volunteers work on a service learning project with the local Ugly Quilters group to help make sleeping bags for homeless. During the April meeting volunteers attend the Annual Recognition Dinner and the June meeting is at the Area Agency on Aging Senior Picnic. Foster grandparent volunteers are very giving and for that the foster grandparent staff would like to say thank you. The children served also say thank you to their foster grandparents every day though smiles and hugs. The Foster Grandparent Program is open to income-eligible people age 55 and over. In return for their service, Foster Grandparents receive a stipend, accident and liability insurance and reimbursement for transportation, and monthly training. For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program and other Area Agency on Aging services please call 1-800-982-4346. The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners.
Thanks to a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Endless Mountains Heritage Region will continue serving the heritage, greenway and scenic byways needs of the region as a state-designated member of the Heritage Areas Program in Pennsylvania and implement a key heritage trail project providing a safe and enhanced connection of the historic district and downtown area of Wyalusing to the Pennsylvania Route 6 corridor. “Endless Mountains Heritage Region is very pleased to have the continued support and guidance of DCNR in the preservation, conservation, enhancement and interpretation of the historical, cultural, and natural resources of the Endless Mountains” agency Executive Director Phil Swank said. “The funding provided by DCNR will enable EMHR to continue its operations without interruption and work with local partners in the design and implementation of vital heritage, greenway and community development projects.” DCNR is the primary source of state support for Pennsylvania recreation, parks and conservation initiatives. This grant funding assists hundreds of communities and organizations across Pennsylvania to plan, acquire and develop recreation and park facilities, create trails and conserve open space. “Our grant investments work to bolster our vision for the health of our families, the vibrancy of our communities, the strength of our economy and our quality of life in Pennsylvania,” DCNR Deputy Secretary Cindy Dunn said. “These grants allow us to partner with communities so that they can expand and improve the wonderful assets that make the places we call home vibrant and attractive.” Funding for the grants comes from Keystone, Park and Conservation Fund (Key 93), the Environmental Stewardship Fund (Growing Greener I), the Growing Greener Bond Fund (Growing Greener II) and federal sources.
LIHEAP Open For Heating Season ALLENTOWN, Pa. - PPL Electric Utilities advises customers who need help paying their utility bills to check for their eligibility for cash grants under the federally funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The state Department of Public Welfare, the administrator of LIHEAP in Pennsylvania, has begun accepting grant applications. The grants will help eligible homeowners and renters pay for home heating this winter. A companion program offers crisis grants to help with heating emergencies or fuel shortages. Both programs are open for applications until March 31 or until funding runs out. About 38,000 PPL Electric Utilities customers received $13.8 million in LIHEAP grants for last winter. Across the state, the program assisted 547,000 households during the 2009-10 LIHEAP season, and more than 200,000 received crisis assistance. Income guidelines for 2010-11 are listed below. “You don’t have to have an unpaid bill to qualify, and you don’t need to be receiving public assistance,” said Timothy R. Dahl, manager of Regulatory Programs and Business Services for PPL Electric Utilities. “However, you must meet the income guidelines.” PPL Electric Utilities uses a variety of outreach methods to make customers aware of LIHEAP, including letters, an outbound calling campaign, bill inserts, referrals by customer service representatives and the company website. In addition, the company sends LIHEAP applications to customers and refers them to the Department of Public Welfare website where they can print out the LIHEAP application. The company’s efforts when it comes to customers in need of assistance don’t stop with LIHEAP. “We offer a number of programs that help customers who may be struggling with their bills,” Dahl said. “We want customers to be aware of these options, and we’re here to help.” To find out more about assistance offered through PPL Electric Utilities, visit www.pplelectric.com, then click on Quick Links and “Need Help Paying Your Bill.” 2010-11 LIHEAP income guidelines. Family size - Gross annual income: 1 - $17,328; 2 - $23,312; 3 - $29,296; 4 - $35,280; 5 - $41,264; 6 - $47,248; 7 - $53,232; 8 - $59,216; 9 - $65,200; 10 - $71,184; Each additional person - $5,984.
Library, Historical Society Support Drive Underway The 2011 support campaign for the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association is in progress. Materials have been mailed and are also available at local libraries and online. The goal is once again to get 1,000 supporters - a modest one, considering that there are almost 20,000 registered library users across the county and thousands more who use the Historical Society and museum. The drive is crucial because state funding for libraries has been reduced again. Despite the across-the-board cuts made by the Board this year, another budget shortfall is looming. "We've heard that we should use the capital campaign money for ongoing expenses, but unfortunately that is not legally possible," says Administrator/Librarian Susan Stone. Contributions of any size are welcomed. The formula used to calculate how much aid comes to Susquehanna County from the Commonwealth is still based on local donations - the more local support, the more funding from total state aid is received. Supporters of the Association help provide county-wide library services and the county Historical Society. They are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (the last Saturday in January). The money given by supporters and friends helps fund county-wide library service, provided through four locations (Montrose, Forest City, Hallstead-Great Bend, and Susquehanna) and by the county-wide Books-by-Mail/Books-on-Wheels service. It also supports the administrative services which are provided to all locations. Contributions enable the Association to purchase books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, audio books, and other materials, which are available to all residents of Susquehanna County. At each location you will find free high-speed Internet access, including wireless; online databases that can also be accessed from home with your library card; workstations with the full Microsoft Office suite, free training programs, and high-speed laser printers; CD-ROM games for children; and a catalog of library holdings across Pennsylvania (which can be requested through Inter-Library Loan at no charge). Visit the library's website at www.susqcolibrary.org for more information. Donations also help fund the County Historical Society and its museum, open to the public at no charge. People seeking information on their local ancestors visit the Historical Society's Genealogy Research Center. Visitors come from all over the country, bringing their tourist dollars to benefit local businesses! The Historical Society also publishes a biannual journal, available by subscription, on local history and genealogy. The Historical Society's website has a wealth of information about our county; visit www.susqcohistsoc.org. For more information about the support drive or any of the Association's services, please call 570-278-1881 or visit www.susqcolibrary.org.
Leon and Raelene Getter of Griswold, CT celebrated their 50th anniversary on September 17, 2010. The couple were married at the First Baptist Church in Hallstead, PA on September 17, 1960. Leon was born and raised in Susquehanna and Raelene was raised in Hallstead.
Leon and Raelene have three children, Keith and Nancy Getter of Baltimore, MD, Craig and Pam Getter of Griswold, CT, and Barbara and Bob Walsh of Oakdale, CT. They have four grandchildren, Matthew Worley, Brandon Getter, Kathryn Getter and Sarah Anne Getter. The couple and their children celebrated this special anniversary with family and friends at the American Legion in Hallstead, PA on September 18, 2010. They also enjoyed a three-week trip to Hawaii with their daughter and son-in-law to celebrate this milestone.
Cabot Supports Literacy Program Leaders from the Susquehanna County Literacy Program accepted a substantial donation from Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation to provide resources for its General Equivalency Diploma [G.E.D.] program. “Our company is very gratified to be supporting this invaluable program,” said George Stark, Director External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. “There simply is no better investment to make in a community than in the education of its citizens. We are very pleased to assist the Susquehanna County Literacy Program in their work.” The donation will advance the G.E.D. Program throughout Susquehanna County. In fiscal year 2009-10, 36 students received their GED diploma through the program. Thus far in this present fiscal year, there are seven students who have received the GED diploma. It should be noted that in Susquehanna County, the test is given once a month during the school year and there is limited seating available. “These have been difficult times for finding funding,” stated Marilyn Morgan, Executive Director of the Susquehanna County Literacy Program, “but this support from Cabot will enable our dedicated staff and volunteers to do even more for our community.” To learn more about the program, please visit the Susquehanna County Literacy Program website at www.susqctyliteracy.org.
Four Harford Fair Scholarships Awarded Dreyer Hall in Montrose was the setting for the annual Harford Fair banquet. Over 100 members of the association and guests enjoyed the evening with an apple theme which began with a family-style dinner. Following the dinner, the group assembled in the Chapel Room for a special presentation. Four college students who have been involved with the fair over the years were each awarded a $500.00 scholarship. The money was the proceeds from the 2010 pie and cake auction held at this year’s fair on Monday afternoon. The first and second place winners in each of the baked goods categories were auctioned with some of them going for over $200.00. A total of $2150.00 was raised and used for the granting of scholarships. To apply, the applicants had to be attending college and involved in some way with the Harford Fair. The applications were due the first of September; the twelve that were received were reviewed by the committee chaired by Dr. Michael Kowalewski and comprised of directors, Cindy Reynolds and Ron Stiles, along with association members Ginny Beeman, Stanley Calafut, and Owen Bewley. The committee members agreed that all applications were strong and worthy of receiving a scholarship. However, only four of the applicants could be selected to receive the scholarship money at the fair banquet. Recipients included David Corbin, Carol Small, Leanne Ferenczi and Morgan Williams-Clark. Carol and Leanne were at the banquet with their parents to speak of the honor to receive their scholarships. David and Morgan were unable to attend and their parents received the awards in their place. David is a freshman at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania and is majoring in biology. Carol is a sophomore at Philadelphia Biblical University and is majoring in the Bible and general studies. Leanne is a graduate student at Marywood University and is majoring in communication sciences and disorders. Morgan is a freshman at the State University of New York Morrisville and is majoring in dairy animal science. Applications for next year’s scholarships will be available at the fair office or on the fair website (www.harfordfair.com). Applicants who were not selected this year are eligible for and encouraged to reapply next year. Following the presentations by Dr. Michael Kowalewski the assembly enjoyed the DVD of all of the spots which WNEP-TV had done during the fair with Ryan Leckey and Tom Clark. Everyone enjoyed viewing the footage because most were working during the fair and were unable to see any of the spots live.
4-Her’s Successful At State Horseshow Seven Susquehanna County 4-H members and their horses competed at the 2010 Pennsylvania State 4-H Horseshow held October 29-31.
Pictured above, DDD Streakn Chick with Morgan Duke and Scenic By Skippy with Katelyn Kveragas of the Rough n’ Ready Riders 4-H Club. Katelyn Kvergas and Jem Trader placed 7th in Senior Hunter Seat Equitation on the Flat. Morgan Duke and Stoney’s Sea placed 10th in Junior Hunter Seat Equitation over Fences. Morgan also placed 2nd in the Palomino Three Year Old Geldings class and 6th in the Three Year Old English Pleasure Futurity class with her production animal, DDD Streakn Chick. Meghan Polcha and Lucy placed 10th in Working Hunter Ponies. Also participating at the 2010 4-H State Horseshow were: Samantha Turner and One Diamond Chip; Leah Ofalt and Paityns Little Katie; Aubrey Mills and Rowdy’s Kat in the Hat; and Olivia Polcha and Emily. Congratulations to all! For more information visit the 4-H website at http://susquehanna.extension.psu.edu/4-H/4-hnews.html.
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