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HEADLINES: Rebate Program Deadline Extended HARRISBURG - Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) would like to let residents know that the deadline to apply for the state’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is being extended from June 30 to Dec. 31. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2010. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits: $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (Homeowners and renters); $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (Homeowners and renters); $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (Homeowners only); $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (Homeowners only). The Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is one of many initiatives supported by the Pennsylvania Lottery, which dedicates its proceeds to support programs for older Pennsylvanians. Since the program began in 1971, more than $4 billion has been paid to qualified applicants. Residents are reminded to provide all the necessary income, property tax or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Property Tax/Rent Rebate claim forms are available by contacting Pickett’s office at (570) 265-3124, (570) 888-9011, (570) 946-7673 or (570) 934-2557, or by visiting her website at RepPickett.com.
Foster Grandparent Volunteers Recognized TOWANDA, PA - The 2011 Foster Grandparent Luncheon was held on Tuesday, May 17 at the Sayre VFW from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The theme for the day was “Leading By Example.” Decorations of gold, blue and silver stars covered the room. A PowerPoint presentation scrolled with photos of Foster Grandparents and a quote from their site supervisors. The recognition gift was a journal and pen. Door prizes were raffled off at the end of the event. Special guests included forty-seven Foster Grandparents, Sullivan County Commissioners Darla Bortz and Betty Reibson, Tioga County Commissioner Mark Hamilton and Foster Grandparent Program Advisory Council Member Jody Thomas, Bradford-Tioga Counties Head Start Program Director. Various volunteer host sites representatives from all four counties attended the event. Presentations included Nancy Bendinsky performing songs on her bells. Angela Rowland from Clark Wood Elementary School spoke about the past Bette Graff who was a Foster Grandparent for Mrs. Rowland for eight of her ten years in the Foster Grandparent Program. Marybeth Bolt, Foster Grandparent Coordinator, spoke about the late Mildred Kizer who served as a Foster Grandparent at the New Milford Head Start. The lunch was provided by the VFW and consisted of salad, rolls, chicken, pasta, mashed potatoes and green beans. A variety of desserts were enjoyed. Each Foster Grandparent received a journal and pen as a gift for their volunteer service. Certificates were given out for those who have served for five and ten years. The Foster Grandparents serving five years included: Rose Benson, Mary Brown, Betty Edger, Connie Norton, Mary Novitiski, and Barbara Weber. The ten years of service certificates were given to Beva Kreger, Doris Mantz and Lila Walker. The event concluded with the drawing of door prizes and a round of applause for all the time Foster Grandparents share with the area children. The Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga County Area Agency on Aging is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga County Commissioners. For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program and other Area Agency on Aging services, please call 800-982-4346 or visit www.aaaseniors.org.
North Jackson Ag On April 30, the North Jackson 4-H Ag Club cleaned the Gibson cemetery as a community service project. Young and older members participated in the cleaning. They raked leaves, picked up garbage and twigs, and got rid of rocks. A brief meeting followed. North Jackson held a meeting at JoSan farms on May 7 at 1 p.m. During the meeting, they discussed the treasurer’s report, future meetings, and 4-H camps. Also, they discussed dairy promotion to those of interest. Ed Gorrick gave a demonstration on pipefitting. After the meeting project books were given out. News Reporter: Emily Supancik
Challenge Grant To Support Animal Welfare Center PITTSBURGH - Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation (NYSE:COG) announced a major effort to bolster the support of True Friends Animal Welfare Center, a non-profit community-based organization dedicated to operating the former Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PSPCA) in Montrose, PA. Through June 22, Cabot will match all new donations from the community up to $10,000 to assist True Friends in keeping high-quality animal welfare services in Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties. The challenge grant is in collaboration with The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties.
Pictured (l-r) above: Ann Dean & Pascoe the Kitten, True Friends; Peter Quigg, President of The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties; George Stark, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation; Dory Browning, President, True Friends; and in front, Julia Fagan, True friends Board & Volunteer with George, the German Shepherd mix. The Susquehanna County Humane Society was founded in the 1930's and became part of the PSPCA in the 1990’s. During its 80 years of existence, the organization of dedicated staff and volunteers has saved the lives of thousands of animals and brought tremendous happiness to the many citizens who have adopted them. Throughout the years the center has been a key asset to the community. True Friends provides three essential benefits to the region, they are: minimizing public health hazards by assisting in the control of stray animals, rescue innocent animals from a lifetime of neglect and suffering and they match animals with loving families. True Friends remains committed to the tradition of excellence in the humane treatment of animals. During 2010 alone, over 1,000 animals were adopted from the animal welfare center. “True Friends is extremely grateful for the generosity and support of Cabot Oil & Gas. We are thrilled to have them leading the way in energizing the community with this significant challenge grant,” stated Dory Browning, President of the True Friends Board of Directors. “Our team recognizes that Cabot is a good corporate citizen for our community. We are thrilled to have them as our partner.” “Cabot is very pleased to be able to help in this way,” said George Stark, Director External Affairs for Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, “but truly it is the work of the dedicated staff, volunteers and generous neighbors that makes all the difference in creating and sustaining this successful, thriving animal shelter. We are happy to be a part of it all and look forward to a great response from the community.” All donations are tax-deductible and can be sent to: The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties, 270 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801; www.community-foundation.org. Anyone interested in volunteering at True friends or in need of additional details on the community challenge grant is urged to contact Dory Browning at 570-396-6011; Julia Fagan at 570-280-6639; or visit www.truefriends.savingpets.org.
June Is Dairy Month Hello, Susquehanna County! I’m Callie Curley, a current Susquehanna County Dairy Ambassador, here with a friendly reminder for everyone concerning their daily diet and this long awaited summer season. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are not only delicious and nutritious, they are also an absolute necessity in developing and maintaining strong bones, muscle mass, and healthy teeth for people of all ages. These products also contain the nine essential nutrients such as calcium, and include high quality proteins that are well suited to human dietary needs. These proteins increase the nutritional value of poorer quality breakfast cereals, as well as vegetable proteins in the diet by providing the amino acids said products lack. The dairy case in your local grocery store has something for even the pickiest of consumers. Low-fat and fat-free varieties as well as lactose-free products are available and equally as nutritious as some regular milk varieties. When grocery shopping, it takes little more than a bit of label reading for families to decide which dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, and even ice cream meet their tastes and dietary goals. Do you have a bit of a sweet tooth? If so, here is some good news for you, too! Chocolate milk, although previously considered less than nutritious because of its sugar content, has been found to be equally nutritious as the white milk product. In fact, it has not only the perfect combination of protein and carbohydrates to help you to refuel after a strenuous work out, it also has the word “chocolate” in it, which makes it an obvious winner among children and teens. There is room and need for dairy products in the diets of people of all ages. No matter your dietary needs or nutritional goals, the benefits of dairy products as a part of a well balanced diet are undeniable.
Drivers Encouraged To Be Prepared What a way to kick off the summer travel season - with gas prices reaching an all-time high! You have decided on your destination, mapped it out, and planned the route you will take to get there. Now you’re on your way to fun in the sun, when all of a sudden, your car begins making a strange, unidentifiable sound. While you may not know what it is, you know it can’t be good. Suddenly, the “check engine” light flashes on. Your first instinct is to pull over. But what do you do next? Whether it’s a flat tire, engine failure, or a dead battery, being stranded in an automobile emergency can be terrifying. But if you make the proper preparations, you’ll be ready to handle an auto emergency with ease. Now it’s time to make sure that your car is in summer traveling shape! According to the AARP Driver Safety Program - the nation’s largest driver improvement course designed for drivers age 50 and older - it’s crucial to prepare yourself for the inevitable car “hiccup” by packing an emergency roadside kit. Consider having these items handy which will make it easier to deal with most problems on the road: Roadside Assistance No one wants to be stranded by the road while enjoying a nice family vacation. So before you head out, it is a good idea to purchase a roadside assistance plan (if you do not already have one). These plans help you get back on the road with services like towing, flat tire and lockout assistance. Many companies now offer roadside assistance. Some of the most popular include auto clubs, travel clubs, global navigation providers, credit card companies and cell phone providers. Most car insurance companies also offer roadside assistance. For peace of mind and protection while traveling, ask your car insurance agent how to add roadside assistance to your car insurance plan, or contact a local provider. Signaling Devices Make your car visible to other motorists and emergency vehicles, including flares, a reflective day/night device, and a white rag or flag to signal for help. A variety of tools for roadside repairs, like changing a tire or jump starting your car battery, including a pair of pliers, a screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, electrical and duct tape, and a pocketknife. Also ensure you have several key items for repairs, such as a spare tire, jumper cables, and sandpaper (to clean battery terminals if the car won’t start). Make sure that you always have your vehicle’s owner’s manual, a flashlight (with extra batteries), water and nonperishable food items, and a first aid kit. In addition to the items in your emergency roadside kit, you should always have a well-charged cell phone with you in case you need to contact the police or a car-towing service. Car breakdowns are an unfortunate part of driving that many of us will encounter at some point this summer season. If you do experience an automobile emergency that forces you off the road, remember that your first priority is to keep you and your passengers safe. To learn more about roadside safety and brush up on your driving skills, visit www.aarp.org/drive.
Megan’s Law, Sex Offender Helpline The National Megan’s Law Helpline, 888-ASK-PFML (888-275-7365), is available to provide support to communities: on issues related to accessing sex offender registration information; responsible use of information; sexual abuse prevention resources; and accessing crime victim support services. Parents for Megan's Law (PFML) staff provide assistance to the community in accessing their state sex offender registries and prevention specialists provide support to parents and community members to assist in their sexual abuse prevention education strategies. Certified rape crisis counselors are available to support all victims of violent crime and to provide geographically appropriate referrals. The Sex Offender Registration Tips Program provides the public an opportunity to report registrants who are failing to comply with registration requirements, employment or supervision restrictions or who are in positions of trust where they can access children. Tips can be provided via the Helpline or website at www.parentsformeganslaw.org. This program is not intended to be used to report police emergencies. Dial 911 or contact your local law enforcement agency directly for emergencies. Agency deputized staff work collaboratively with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to facilitate the appropriate follow-up action.
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