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Issue Home July 20, 2011 Site Home

HEADLINES:
Visitors Bureau Accepting Events For Calendar
Karen Worden Named Deputy Grand Matron
Food Safe Families
Jr. Holstein Club Awards Scholarships
4-H Club News North Jackson Ag
Order Of The Easter Star Has Get-Up-And-Go
Agreement Signed For Gas Pipeline
It’s A Girl!
PA Fairs Guide Now Available


Visitors Bureau Accepting Events For Calendar

Tunkhannock PA - Events that take place between September 1, 2011 and April 30, 2012, are now being accepted for the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau 2011-12 Fall/Winter Calendar of Events.

Any public event that is sponsored by a community or non-profit organization can be submitted for the upcoming calendar free of charge. The events must take place in the Endless Mountains Region - Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties - and should be of interest to visitors coming to the area.

To get an event in the calendar, log onto the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau website, www.endlessmountains.org, and go to the calendar of events (under Things To See & Do). There, click on “add event” and fill out the online form. Events that have multiple dates that are not consecutive must be submitted individually (example: a performance given on Oct. 3, 10, 17, and Nov. 7).

The information will be fed to the bureau via e-mail. Once reviewed, it will be put on the bureau’s website for immediate viewing by the public. The bureau reserves the right to edit and/or delete any submission.

All events received by the July 27 deadline will be printed in the calendar of events brochure for distribution throughout the Endless Mountains Region, the surrounding area, and to potential visitors that request information on the area. Those events submitted after the deadline will appear on the bureau website only.

Anyone without Internet access can contact the bureau and request a calendar of events form. All events must be submitted online or on the form provided by the bureau to ensure accuracy and complete information.

For more information or to request a form, call the visitors bureau at 836-5431 or 1-800-769-8999.

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Karen Worden Named Deputy Grand Matron

On June 24, in the York Expo Center, York, PA, Karen Worden, New Milford received the prestigious and distinguished appointment as Deputy Grand Matron, Order of the Easter Star. The Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania, Worthy Grand Matron Cheryl D. Wilson, and Worthy Grand Patron Bradley Lewis chose Karen for 2011-12.

Pictured (l-r) above: WGM Cheryl Wilson, DGM Karen Worden and WGP Bradley Lewis.

Among many duties, she will visit chapters, organize special meetings, and supervise in ritualistic work for Region 11B. There are six chapters in the region: Arbutus Chapter No. 219, Nicholson; Gill Chapter No. 12, Hallstead; Montrose Chapter No. 151; Prosperity Chapter No. 83, Hop Bottom; Sunshine Chapter No. 258, Thompson; and Tunkhannock Chapter No. 74.

Karen is past Worthy Matron of Gill Chapter No. 12, Hallstead. The promoting theme for the year’s Grand Chapter is “Believe.”

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Food Safe Families
Submitted By Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary

America has one of the safest and most abundant food supplies in the world. But even in this country, too many people get sick from the food they eat.

This year, one in six Americans will get food poisoning - that’s 48 million people. 128,000 will end up in the hospital. And 3,000 will die. These aren’t just statistics. These are real people, real families, impacted by the food they put on the table.

We can do better. Under the leadership of President Obama, USDA and their federal partners are more committed and united more than ever before to reduce the rates of food-related illnesses.

They are doing that, first of all, by making sure the food industry provides the safest products possible. They are strengthening America’s food safety system with policies based in prevention, and building on best practices that decrease potential risks. And they are continually looking for ways to improve.

But our food safety system isn’t perfect, and given the nature of the products they regulate, the risk isn’t zero. So in addition to doing everything they can to ensure the safety of food before it reaches grocery store shelves, Tom Vilsack, Agriculture Secretary, believes it’s also their responsibility to give consumers the information they need to prevent food-related illnesses at home.

That’s why the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services launched a national public service campaign called “Food Safe Families.”

The Food Safe Families campaign is based on four simple steps that consumers can take to help protect themselves and their families from food poisoning:

Clean: Clean kitchen surfaces, utensils, and hands with soap and water while preparing food.

Separate: Separate raw meats from other foods by using different cutting boards.

Cook: Cook foods to the right temperature by using a food thermometer.

Chill: Chill raw and prepared foods promptly.

These are small steps that can make a big difference in preventing food-related illnesses.

The USDA and Department of Health and Human Services know that it’s their job to make sure food is as safe as possible before it reaches consumers, and that job is taken seriously. But they want all Americans - cooking in the kitchen, or outdoors on the grill - to take the messages of clean, separate, cook and chill to heart. And year-round, they want consumers to have the information they need to be food safe at home.

To learn more about the new campaign and for answers to questions about keeping your food safe, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

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Jr. Holstein Club Awards Scholarships

The Susquehanna County Jr. Holstein Club awarded three members scholarships at their second annual golf tournament held on Sunday, July 10 at Tall Pines Players Club Golf Course, Friendsville. The three recipients were Amanda Hirkey, Meshoppen; Luke Sherwood, Meshoppen; and Jonathan Small, Montrose.

Pictured (l-r) above: Roger Sherwood receiving the scholarship on behalf of his son Luke Sherwood; Jonathan Small; Amanda Hirkey; and Michelle Kowalewski, Jr. Holstein Club Advisor.

Luke Sherwood, Meshoppen, is the son of Roger and Gina Sherwood. Luke will be attending Penn State University’s Lehman Campus, Wilkes Barre in the fall to study Animal Sciences with Business option. Luke is currently President of the Susquehanna County Jr. Holstein Club and serves on the PA Jr. Holstein Association’s Executive Committee. Luke has participated in Dairy Quiz Bowl for the past three years. In 2009 he was selected to participate in the National 4-H Dairy Conference in Madison, Wisconsin. Luke has won numerous awards showing Holstein cows during his 4-H and Jr. Holstein career. He hopes to someday return to his family’s 308-acre farm and start an all-natural artisan cheese business.

Amanda Hirkey, Meshoppen, is the daughter of Francis and Michele Hirkey. Amanda will be attending Penn State University’s Berks Campus, Reading in the fall to study Agricultural Business Management with a minor in Spanish. Amanda is the News Reporter of the Susquehanna County Jr. Holstein Club. She has been recognized for outstanding leadership through 4-H and Farm Bureau with various awards over the year. Amanda would like to someday work for an agribusiness to help farmers improve profitability of their farm operations.

Jonathan Small, Montrose, is the son of Marvin and Fran Small. Jonathan is in his third semester at Penn State University studying Agricultural Business Management with a Crop Production option. He is currently the Vice President of the Susquehanna County Jr. Holstein Club and is currently employed by Kaneholm Farms. He participated in Dairy Quiz Bowl and completed the Select Sire’s Breeding Course in 2010. Jonathan hopes to someday work in the public sector helping farmers to improve crop and soil management and conservation practices in Susquehanna County.

All proceeds from the golf tournament benefit youth activities of the club including scholarships, travel to the National Jr. Holstein Convention and Pennsylvania Jr. Holstein Convention, and participation in activities including Dairy Quiz Bowl, Dairy Jeopardy, Public Speaking, and other various contests and competitions.

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4-H Club News North Jackson Ag

On June 21 the North Jackson Ag 4-H Club held a meeting. After the pledges, the treasurer’s report was read and approved by Kim and Kate Klim. The club talked about upcoming events including the Good Production Practices Training, the 4-H Livestock Clinic and 4-H Dairy Camp.

Four members gave demonstrations. Emory Bewley gave a demonstration on cattle by-products. Emily Supancik showed members how an electric motor works. Zack Chisek gave a demonstration on a baby snapping turtle. Gavin Bewley demonstrated how to hit and catch a baseball. The meeting was adjourned by Kim Klim and Emily Supancik.

News Reporter: Emily Supanick

DES

On June 20 the DES 4-H Club held their club dairy camp at Charlie & Kim Clark's. The club members that show dairy cows participated in washing, clipping and walking a cow. The livestock kids learned how to clip a beefer and how to show a pig. After that, all the 4-H kids and parents had a picnic lunch.

Dairy Camp was held at the Harford fair grounds on June 28 and 29. 4-H kids were put into groups and they rotated through various workshops. The workshops included showmanship, fitting, nutrition and GPP. Next, the groups picked an animal to work with for the camp. They had time to work with their animals, washing, clipping and leading them, before dinner. After dinner they played games and had an ice cream social provided by the diary princess and maids. Throughout the day, the teams earned points during the different activities and games. Day two of camp consisted of preparing the animals for show and then participating in showmanship and fitting contests. At the end of the camp there was an awards ceremony and prizes were given to everyone who participated in the camp.

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Order Of The Easter Star Has Get-Up-And-Go

Gill Chapter No. 12, Hallstead Order of the Eastern Star, has many new Grand Chapter appointments. Worthy Grand Matron Cheryl Wilson appointed Karen Worden of New Milford as the prestigious and distinguished Deputy Grand Matron of Region 11B. Her duties are supervising six local OES Chapters.

Pictured (l-r) above: seated - Joan Snyder, Kim Sinnett, Tina Haley; standing - Fran Worden, Joan Burman, Mary Shaw, Shirley Hepler, Karen Worden, Cordelia Herbert, Sharon Kinsley, Kathy Whitney, Sylvestal Roe.

Kathy Whitney of Hallstead chairs the Eastern Region Caring and Sharing, encompassing ten regions and over seventy chapters, that historically will raise nearly forty-thousand dollars to finance members of the Order of the Eastern Star.

Tina Haley of Susquehanna chairs homes for elderly members and is also Worthy Matron; Cordelia Herbert of New Milford chairs Grand Chapter Registration; and other dedicated members represent various appointed special committees.

A deep fraternal bond exists between its members. It is the wholesome relationship of sisterly and brotherly love, brought about through high principles exemplified in our lives, which make us near and dear to each other.

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Agreement Signed For Gas Pipeline

DETROIT - Bluestone Gathering announced the signing of a long-term agreement with Southwestern Energy Services Company to build and operate a natural gas gathering system in Susquehanna County, PA and Broome County, NY.

Bluestone, a wholly-owned subsidiary of DTE Energy, will deliver natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation to the Millennium Pipeline in Broome County, NY and to Tennessee Pipeline in Susquehanna, PA. Houston-based Southwestern Energy Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company, is the primary customer for Bluestone.

The project is comprised of approximately 37 miles of 16"/20" diameter pipeline and will include many miles of high and low pressure smaller diameter pipeline for the in-field gathering system. Bluestone's initial capacity will be over 250,000 dth/day to both the Millennium and Tennessee pipelines and is projected to be in-service in the second quarter of 2012. DTE Energy plans to spend more than $250 million over the next five years on both the Bluestone gathering lateral and in-field gathering system.

"We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with Southwestern Energy Services Company on this Project," said Peter Cianci, President of DTE Energy's Gas Storage and Pipeline Company. "Southwestern has demonstrated its capabilities through its world-class operations in the Fayetteville Shale. They are now leveraging this expertise to develop a substantial position in the Marcellus Shale."

Additionally, Millennium Pipeline has approved its first two expansions slated to be in-service in late 2012 and late 2013. These two expansions are expected to increase Millennium's capacity from 525,000 dth/day to approximately 825,000 dth/day by adding two compressor stations. DTE Energy owns 26.25% of Millennium Pipeline.

"Susquehanna County contains some of the most prolific gas wells in the Marcellus Shale," said Cianci. "Bluestone is part of our strategy to grow our natural gas business in the Northeast and provide a significant supply feed to the Millennium Pipeline."

Once online, Bluestone is expected to deliver over 1 Tcf of natural gas to Millennium and Tennessee Pipeline, with room to expand as demand increases over time.

Bluestone will be DTE Energy's first gathering project outside Michigan. The company currently owns a 550 mile natural gas gathering system in northern Michigan which is designed to aggregate natural gas from the Antrim Shale and the Niagaran formations.

DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units are Detroit Edison, an electric utility serving 2.1 million customers in Southeastern Michigan, and MichCon, a natural gas utility serving 1.2 million customers in Michigan and other non-utility, energy businesses focused on gas pipelines and storage, coal transportation, unconventional gas production and power and industrial projects. Information about DTE Energy is available at www.dteenergy.com.

Southwestern Energy Company (NYSE: SWN) is a Houston-based integrated company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries are engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, natural gas gathering and marketing.

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It’s A Girl!

A daughter, Emma Alex, was born Wednesday, July 13, 2011 to Austin and Miranda Price, South Gibson, PA at Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA at 9:57 a.m. Emma was nine pounds, five ounces, twenty inches long at birth.

Paternal grandparents are Ordie and Aline Price, South Gibson, PA.

Maternal grandparents are John and Brenda Grady, Merrimack, NH.

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PA Fairs Guide Now Available

HARRISBURG - Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna) is encouraging residents to obtain a free copy of the 2011 Pennsylvania Fair Guide, which is now available at her district office.

Published by the state Department of Agriculture, the guide lists the dates, locations and contact persons for more than 100 agriculture fairs and events scheduled this summer and fall in Pennsylvania.

It is estimated that several million visitors will attend Pennsylvania fairs this year.

The Department of Agriculture also hosts the annual Pennsylvania State Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exhibition in the country. The 2012 Farm Show will be held Jan. 7-14, 2012.

For a free copy of the Pennsylvania Fairs Guide, visit Pickett’s offices at 321 Main St., Towanda, phone (570) 265-3124 or 106 West Packer Avenue, Sayre, phone (570) 888-9011, or by visiting her website at RepPickett.com.

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