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HEADLINES: Our Sizzlin' Steaks 4-H meeting was held on June 29 at Corey and Kayla Borove's home. The members of our group that were able to attend were Olivia Zick, Autumn and Blaize Whitehead, Alyssa and Evan Clarkson, Holly Harvatine, and Corey and Kayla Borove. Since our president, David Bradshaw, was unable to attend the meeting our former president, Olivia Zick, called the meeting to order. We said pledges and took roll call. Some ideas on what to spend money on for our club are hats, towels, blankets and chairs. We can get other ideas at 4-Hmall.org. Corey Borove did his demonstration on a tractor. He showed us some of the parts on a tractor, started it, and let the members beep the horn. Kayla Borove did her demonstration on hula hooping. She showed us how to hula hoop. Our next meeting was set for July 11 at the Clarkson/Titus residence. Other meetings are July 28 at Brainard/Bradshaw, July 31 at Salt Springs, and August 11 at Harvatine/Zick. The 4-H projects need to be at the fair grounds on Thursday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Cakes, foods and baked goods are to go on Sunday, August 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. Olivia adjourned the meeting and refreshments were served. News Reporter: Alyssa Clarkson
Beta Rho Members Attend State Convention Six members of the Beta Rho chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International recently attended the annual convention of Alpha Alpha State from June 11-12, held at the Nittany Lion Inn, State College, PA. While at the convention, Carol Goodman, Joan Peters, Becky Place, Cindy Reynolds, Lansdale Shaffmaster, and Ann Way exchanged ideas and discussed educational issues with other key Pennsylvania women educators. Alpha Alpha State President, Susan Stamm promoted the convention theme “Flames of Passion” which reflects the biennium theme, “Start from the Heart - Rekindle Your Passion.” Dr. Hannah Fowler, the Executive Secretary of Psi State (Georgia), and Dr. Beverly Helms, Delta Kappa Gamma International Second Vice-President from Florida, delivered keynote speeches. Several of the Beta Rho members also received awards or participated in the convention in a variety of ways. Cindy Reynolds of Kingsley was one of 25 women from the Commonwealth to be awarded the “Album of Distinction” award which recognizes members for distinction for service that reflects one of the seven purposes of Delta Kappa Gamma from an organization not affiliated with the Society. Cindy, a retired Mountain View School District educator, had previously received the “Celebrate Literacy Award” from the International Reading Association and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association. She also presented a convention workshop, “Making Book Characters Come Alive,” and displayed watercolor paintings in Artists’ Alley. Dr. Landsdale Shaffmaster is a member of the Alpha Alpha State Leadership Committee and participated in the chapter presidents’ meeting. Dr. Ann Way was introduced in the presidents’ procession just prior to the banquet on Saturday evening. Carol Goodman, chairman of the Alpha Alpha State Personal Growth and Services Committee, and committee member Joan Peters participated in the Celebration Luncheon and led convention attendees in the “Spiritual Unity Service” on Sunday morning. Past Alpha Alpha State President Becky Place presented her “Heart Song” at the opening of the final general session. Delta Kappa Gamma Society International was founded in 1929 in Austin Texas, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton as a professional association of women educators. From the Society’s beginnings, Dr. Blanton emphasized the character and respectful conduct while seeking innovation and change that would improve education and the status of women in education. The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has over 3,000 chapters in 93 state organizations throughout Europe, Canada, Latin America, and the United States.
PHILADELPHIA - The summer heat is here. To help you and your family stay cool, comfortable and save energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program suggests a few simple steps. The average American home spends almost 20 percent of its utility bill on cooling. Increased energy production to run cooling systems raises your costs and contributes to pollution that adversely affects the quality of the air we breathe. Here are seven simple ways to help protect your wallet and the environment: Use Ceiling Fans Optimally. Run your ceiling fan to create a cool breeze. If you raise your thermostat by only two degrees and use your ceiling fan, you can lower cooling costs by up to 14 percent. Remember that ceiling fans cool you, not the room, so when you leave the room make sure to turn off the fan. Maximize Shade. Pull the curtains and shades closed before you leave your home to keep the sun’s rays from overheating the interior of your home. If you can, move container trees and plants in front of sun-exposed windows to serve as shade. Find the Best Thermostat Settings. If you have a programmable thermostat, program it to work around your family’s summer schedule - set it a few degrees higher (such as 78 degrees) when no one is home, so you are not cooling an empty house. Reduce Oven Time. Use a microwave or grill outside instead of oven cooking, when you can. Ovens take longer to cook food and can make your house warmer, requiring your air conditioning system to work harder to keep the house at a comfortable temperature. Check Air Conditioner Filters. Check your cooling system’s air filter every month. If the filter looks dirty, change it. A good rule is to change the filter at least every three months. A dirty filter will slow air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool - wasting energy. Also, remember to have your system serviced annually to ensure it’s running at optimum efficiency for money and energy savings. Change to More Efficient Light Bulbs. Change out incandescent light bulbs with more energy-efficient lighting choices. Energy Star qualified lighting uses less energy and also produces approximately 75 percent less heat than incandescent lighting. Plug Duct System Leaks. As much as 20 percent of the air moving through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks and poor connections. Seal duct work using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulate all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Also, make sure that connections at vents and registers are well-sealed where they meet floors, walls, and ceilings. These are common locations to find leaks and disconnected ductwork. Energy Star was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, as well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet strict energy-efficient specifications set by the EPA. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved approximately $18 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emission of 33 million vehicles. For more information on ways to cut energy costs this summer visit http://www.energystar.gov/cooltips.
Engagement Announced Collum - Bair James and Faith Collum of Union Dale announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura Collum to Travis Keith Bair, son of Darla Boob of Madisonburg, and Robert Boob of Howard, PA.
Laura and Travis Laura is a 1995 graduate of Mt. View High School and received a B.S. in Geoenvironmental Studies from Shippensburg University in 1999. She is a project manager at Skelly and Loy in Harrisburg, PA. Travis is a 1998 graduate of Penns Valley Area High School and received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State University in 2003. He is a manufacturing engineer at JLG in McConnellsburg, PA. Their wedding is planned for September 2011. The couple will reside in Harrisburg, PA.
Gardeners Can Help Keep Pollinators Healthy UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Despite widely published reports, many people are unaware that bees - both managed colonies of honeybees and wild bees alike - are in trouble due to Colony Collapse Disorder and other environmental factors. Research shows that wild honeybee populations have dropped 25 percent since 1990, and more than 50 pollinator species are threatened or endangered. But there is something homeowners can do to help these beneficial insects. Planting a pollinator-friendly garden may be one of the best ways to contribute, say experts in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "Because landscapes have been extremely fragmented due to urbanization, suburbanization and development, we would like to have homeowners and gardeners rethink their space," said Ginger Pryor, state coordinator of the Penn State Extension's Master Gardener Program. "People typically include grass, non-native plants, and a few trees and shrubs that are not very pollinator friendly," she said. "People need to learn how to establish plantings that will help keep pollinators around." Pryor suggests the following tips to get you started on your own pollinator-friendly garden: Choose species of plants that are native to Pennsylvania. "Our insects have evolved with our native plants and are four times more likely to be attracted to them," she said. Plant species that bloom from early spring to late fall. Having a variety of plants with different shapes and colors will attract an assortment of pollinators. Most species of pollinator-friendly plants need a minimum of six hours of sunlight per day. Avoid invasive plant species, as they will compete with pollinator plants. Provide a water source. "Water sources such as shallow birdbaths, mud puddles or even just a small saucer with sand and rocks to supply pollinators with necessary water and minerals are acceptable," Pryor said. Wait out the winter before doing any garden cleanup. "Leave dead plant stalks in the garden through winter because these materials are home to hibernating insects," she explained. Maintain the garden with pollinators in mind. Minimize or reduce pesticide use as much as possible. "Make sure to read labels carefully and select the least-toxic materials," she said. "Apply after dusk when most pollinators are no longer active." Molly Sturniolo, Master Gardener coordinator in Centre County, explained that pollinators promote the survival of 75 percent of the world's flowering species and are responsible for one out of every three bites of food consumers eat. "More than 180,000 flowering plant species rely on insects, birds and mammals for pollination," she said. Sturniolo said Master Gardeners have a responsibility to inform the public about the plight of pollinators. "We feel like we're the first line of citizen scientists. I can't tell you how much we've learned about bees and the peril they're in, and all the outreach we've done." Pryor agreed that people need to plant these gardens because our own food sources depend on the work of pollinators. "We need to be conscious of providing pollinators food, because they are slowly becoming unhealthy and disappearing," she said. "If our pollinators disappear, then our food disappears." The Penn State Master Gardener Pollinator Friendly Gardening Program offers educational workshops and demonstration gardens around the state to help get gardeners started. Gardeners also can certify their garden as "pollinator-friendly" online through the Master Gardener's website at http://extension.psu.edu/master-gardener. For more information about pollinator-friendly gardening and the Master Gardener program, contact your county Penn State Cooperative Extension office; find your local office online at http://extension.psu.edu/extmap.html.
Families Complete Summer TAPS Program Families from across Susquehanna County are now better prepared to face those first school year jitters, thanks to their participation in a special program called T.A.P.S. or Transition Activities for Parents and Students. The free program was open to those with children starting school for the first time in the fall.
Hannah Bednarz of Susquehanna participated in the Blue Ridge TAPS program. Sixteen families from five school districts participated in T.A.P.S during June. Thanks to partnerships with Blue Ridge School District and Forest City Regional School District, sessions were hosted at each location, two times a week for three weeks. Each night children participated in classroom activities with early learning teachers, while their parents met with a special facilitator. Parent sessions touched on everything from using home materials as teaching tools to parenting issues such as discipline.
Ashton Rizner of Vandling participated in the Forest City TAPS program. Everything wrapped up the last week of June with picnics celebrating the successful completion of program. The families were recognized with certificates. T.A.P.S. would not have been possible without the support of all six area school districts in Susquehanna County, including the host locations, and funding through the Integrated Children’s Services Planning Leadership Team based in Susquehanna County. Area teachers and parenting experts also took time out of their summer schedules to help. The program was coordinated through Susquehanna County CARES (Childcare, Agencies, Resources and Educational Services.) The non-profit group is dedicated to enhancing the quality of early education in Susquehanna County. The agency promotes Pennsylvania’s Promise for Children because every child is Pennsylvania’s future. For more information contact CARES at stcares@epix.net or find us on facebook.
Health Survey Planned In Marcellus Shale Region The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute recently received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare to complete a community health survey in the Marcellus Shale region of Northeast Pennsylvania. The survey, which will be conducted by Cancer Institute researchers, will document the current health status of residents of Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming counties. “Due to the potential for the release of toxic chemicals into the environment as a result of natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale, it is important to document the current health status of the population in affected areas. These data can then be used as a reference point to facilitate investigations of changes in the health of the community, should any be reported in the future,” said Dr. Samuel Lesko, Director of Research/Medical Director at the Cancer Institute. The specific goals of the survey will be to estimate the prevalence of a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions among residents living in counties where natural gas production has begun or is likely, as well as estimate the prevalence of known health risk factors in this population. At least 500 survey participants will be recruited in the coming weeks and asked to complete a mail or telephone survey providing demographic, health, and residential information. “Research is unquestionably one of the most important pieces in the fight against all cancers and this grant shows the state’s faith in the quality of research being done here in Scranton,” said Pennsylvania Senator John Blake.
Major’s Clean & Green Bill Signed Into Law HARRISBURG - Gov. Tom Corbett has signed into law Rep. Sandra Major’s (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) legislation to address small noncoal surface mining on land enrolled in the state’s Clean and Green program. Noncoal surface mining generally refers to the mining of Pennsylvania Bluestone, which is an unique sandstone found only in Northeastern Pennsylvania - primarily in Susquehanna County. It is used extensively as a building material and for adding architectural details to structures. “I drafted this bill in response to concerns from the Bluestone industry, county commissioners and county property tax assessment offices on how to properly assess land used for noncoal surface mining,” said Major. “I am pleased members of the General Assembly realized the importance of this bill and gave it their full support, and that the governor was able to sign it into law so swiftly.” The Clean and Green program was created in 1974 to encourage preservation of agricultural land. Properties enrolled in the program are assessed and taxed based on their use value, rather than the higher market value. Under the law, if the use of the property changes, owners may be assessed roll-back taxes on all or part of the land. The main concern for the Bluestone operators was that rolling back taxes on the entire parcel of land - as opposed to only the portion of land being used - was cost prohibitive to the industry. Major said, simply put, the new law will make sure land that is used for small noncoal surface mining will be treated the same as land used for wind energy or for oil, gas and coal bed methane exploration and extraction under the Clean and Green program. “The Pennsylvania Bluestone industry is an important job creator in the northern tier,” said Major. “My legislation will help level the playing field when it comes to assessments doled out under the Clean and Green program and support future growth of the industry.” “Currently, landowners who conduct small noncoal surface mining on their properties could face paying roll-back taxes on their entire tract of land,” Major said. “My bill will make sure that these landowners are now only assessed roll-back taxes on the portion of the land being used, which is the same as other landowners whose land is used for similar purposes. In addition, only one small noncoal surface mining permit may be active at only one time per Clean and Green parcel of land.” The legislation was officially signed into law on July 7.
Music Camp Ends With Spirited Concert On Friday, June 24, over 65 campers of the fourth annual Summer Music Camp, held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Montrose, concluded their weeklong program singing “Siyahama,” a South African folksong, at the Montrose Area High School. They brought the large audience of family and friends to their feet with a rousing rendition of “We Celebrate America” with visual and rhythmic percussion by local artist John Puzo. Music educators Sarah Birchard, Molly Love-Birosak, and Tom Welch directed the camp for students ages 5 to 14.
Annual Summer Music Camp students perform for family and friends at the finale concert, Friday, June 24. Mrs. Birosak’s “Hummingbirds,” ages 5-7, thrilled the audience with “I’m A Yankee Doodle Dandy/Yankee Doodle,” as well as five other numbers. Samantha Robinson, a recent high school graduate who plans to attend Marywood College to major in music, was an assistant to Mrs. Birosak. Mrs. Birchard’s “Cardinals,” ages 8-10, included their favorite number “The Best That I Can Be,” using sign language taught by Nicole Stone. Mr. Welch’s “Robins,” ages 11-14, performed “I Am a Small Part of the World,” featuring soloist Johanna Marland, as well as other numbers. This year, Mrs. Birosak also introduced a hand bell choir of several students playing two numbers - “Over the Rainbow” and “America the Beautiful.” Accompanist for the program was Father Randy Webster. Summer Music Camp 2012 will be held on Monday, June 18 through Friday, June 22.
O Negative Supply At Critically Low Levels [WEST HENRIETTA, NY] - The supply of type O negative blood at the American Red Cross has dropped to critically low levels. Type O negative blood is always in high demand because it can be transfused to patients with any blood type, especially in emergency situations. Type O negative donors are needed now to help prevent the type O negative blood supply from declining further. “The American Red Cross is extending blood drive hours in select areas and reaching out to eligible blood donors, sponsors and community leaders to ask them to help recruit type O negative blood donations to help meet the needs of patients in our community,” says Donna Morrissey, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Blood Services - Northeast Division. While all blood types are needed during the summer months, the Red Cross urges those eligible donors with O negative blood type to make and keep appointments in the upcoming days to help restore the blood supply. A shortage of type O negative blood often occurs during the summer months when fewer donors are giving because of summer vacations and schools approaching summer break are hosting fewer drives. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. The Red Cross New York-Penn Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to more than 120 hospitals and must have 1200 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate. Eligible blood donors are asked to please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make an appointment.
Pickett’s Effort To Update Clean & Green Law Successful HARRISBURG - The state’s Clean and Green Law is being clarified with respect to lands that are sites for active gas and oil wells, under an effort by Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna). House Bill 144 was signed into law July 7 by Gov. Tom Corbett. “Currently, there is confusion on when roll-back taxes should be applied on lands that have been enrolled in Clean and Green and that are now sites for oil and gas wells,” Pickett said. “Many questions have arisen among local tax collectors, county assessment offices and landowners, and that’s why this legislation was necessary.” The Clean and Green program, created in 1974, allows farmers to receive tax benefits in exchange for keeping the land agricultural and preventing it from being developed. Last year, Act 88 of 2010 was passed to provide guidance to county tax assessors on how to apply the roll-back tax penalty when oil and gas drilling is conducted on enrolled land. The roll-back tax penalty was to be applied when a well site restoration report was approved by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). However, these reports are not actually approved by DEP, but are merely submitted to the agency. Therefore, before Pickett’s legislation, there was no mechanism for the collection of roll-back taxes and application of fair market value assessment. Pickett’s measure corrects this situation by changing the time when roll-back taxes and fair market value assessment can be applied from when a well site restoration report is approved by DEP to when a well production report is submitted to DEP. The roll-back taxes and fair market value assessment will continue to be limited to the area of land that does not comply with Clean and Green uses. Pickett’s proposal states that roll-back taxes would be imposed on portions of land actually devoted to drilling activities, not for transmission or gathering lines. Whenever a portion of land contains an active gas or oil well, that segment cannot be used for agricultural purposes, and therefore, is subject to property tax. Roll-back taxes and fair market value assessment will continue to be limited to the area of land that does not comply with Clean and Green uses. The new law takes effect immediately.
PNB Donation Supports Ira Reynolds Memorial Park
Peoples Neighborhood Bank recently made a donation in the amount of $1,500 to the Susquehanna Boro Parks and Recreation Committee for the Ira Reynolds Memorial Park/Walkway. Pictured (l-r) above are: David Scales, Council President; Darlene Slocum, Manager Peoples Neighborhood Bank; John Sholtiss, Parks & Recreation Committee.
Turnpike Terrace Update Hello from Turnpike Terrace! We’ve been busy up here. We recently had a spaghetti dinner. We had a nice size group and a lot of food. The flowers are in the circle and in the end gardens. Nora and Connie did a good job. Other tenants are filling in the gardens under their windows; Harriet’s roses are beautiful this year. We have mulch in and it sets the flowers off - they look brighter. They guys did a good job - and it was a hot day to work outside. We have a new tenant and we hope he likes it here. Ellen Kelley is home from the hospital; she had a ride in a helicopter. She’s doing better and she said the next time she gets to ride in a helicopter she wants to be in the front seat so she can see where she’s going. Also, Joann Perry is home from the hospital. She’s doing good. Graduation is over; we wish all the kids good luck. We had some people from the Area Agency on Aging come and talk to our council and the volunteers. It was interesting. We can hear the kids practicing for football. They sound like they are really getting into it. Marion Glover, Jeanie M. and I went to Hallstead recently for a couple of hours before the rain hit. We had a good time. Another day I went to Binghamton shopping with my daughter. We had a good time as well. Roslyn Lee has a bad ankle sprain and Josie Wolf is in the hospital. We wish them good health. We listened to music one night, from a band up the hill, when we sat outside. And we could hear a lot of fireworks for the 4th of July. Until next time, take care.
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