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HEADLINES: A New Face For Harford Fair Board Of Directors The Harford Fair, which will celebrate 154 years this year, is the largest event in the county. During the third full week of August over 65,000 people will come to Susquehanna County for the fair. The members of the association have been meeting once a month all year to plan and execute this major event while the Board of Directors has an additional meeting each month. With the resignation of long-time fair director Bill Beeman, the Harford Fair Board of Directors appointed Jason Miller, a life-time resident of Harford Township who has attended the fair for as long as he can remember. As a boy, he served as an usher in the grand stands, took pictures and did videography for the fair. He remembers his grandmother, Vera Miller, always winning the blue ribbon for her prize-winning baked bread. When John Bolles retired two years ago after decades of being the “voice of the Harford Fair,” Jason ably stepped into the position. As a director he hopes to help “keep the fair as a true country fair” which is a safe, family event.
Jason Miller of was appointed to the Harford Fair Board of Directors at the June meeting. He has been the arena announcer for two years and replaces long-time director, Bill Beeman. Jason lives with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Hailey, 5, and Aiden, 6 months, close to the working farm where he grew up. He graduated from Mountain View High School and has an associate’s degree in business management from Pennsylvania College of Technology. He is a branch manager for People’s State Bank in Factoryville. Bill Beeman, who Jason replaces, became a member of the Harford Agricultural Society in 1993. He became a director in 2000 and served on the entertainment committee for ten years. The busy schedule which he maintains as Chairman and First Vice President of Dairylea Cooperative Inc. forced him to resign his position as a member of the Harford Fair Board of Directors. Besides the Board of Directors and the fair office, there are many, many individuals who volunteer throughout the year to make the third week of August a special time in Susquehanna County. Each of the twenty-two departments has superintendents and/or assistants who oversee the displays, the judging and the work in each area of the fair. Check out the fair’s website www.harfordfair.com to see the fair schedule and special events throughout the week and then make plans to attend with your family and friends August 22-27. Hope to see you at the fair! When Is It Time For Cataract Surgery? Harrisburg, PA - Almost everyone who lives a long life will develop cataracts at some point. As more Americans live into their 70s and beyond, we all need to know a few cataract basics: risks and symptoms, tips that may delay onset and how to decide when it is time for surgery so good vision can be restored. August is Cataract Awareness Month, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology encourages Americans to know their risks, especially people who have diabetes, smoke or have a family history of cataract. “Cataract surgery is a very common procedure, with a success rate of more than 95 percent,” says Joanna Fisher, MD, the Pennsylvania Academy of Ophthalmology’s (PAO) Secretary of Public and Professional Information. “The eye’s natural lens with cataract is removed and replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL), selected to meet each patient’s vision correction needs. Talk with your Eye M.D. about IOL options and related use of eyeglasses, so together you can select the best IOL for you.” A few simple tips will help you maintain healthy vision and make the right choices if you develop a cataract. Get a baseline exam if you’re over 40. As part of the EyeSmart™ campaign, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) and EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, recommend that adults with no signs or risk factors for eye disease get a baseline screening exam at age 40 - the time when early signs of disease and vision changes may start to occur. During this visit, your Eye M.D. (ophthalmologist) will advise you on how often to have follow-up exams. People of any age with symptoms or risks for eye disease, such as a family history, should see their Eye M.D. to determine a care and follow-up plan. Know your risk factors. In addition to having a family history of cataract, having diabetes or being a smoker, other factors can increase your risk of developing a cataract. These include extensive exposure to sunlight, serious eye injury or inflammation and prolonged use of steroids, especially combined use of oral and inhaled steroids. Reduce your risks. Use UV-rated sunglasses when outdoors and add a wide-brimmed hat when spending long hours in the midday sun. One of the best things anyone can do for their eyes and overall health is to quit smoking or never start. People with diabetes can reduce cataract risk by carefully controlling their blood sugar through diet, exercise and medications if needed. Be informed about when to consider surgery. This decision is really up to each person based on his or her daily activities and related vision needs. The concept that the cataract is "ripe," or ready, is no longer considered a valid reason for surgery. After age 65, most people will see their Eye M.D. at least once a year, where they will have their vision tested and learn whether cataracts are growing. But only an individual can determine whether symptoms like glare, halos, blurriness, dimmed colors or other cataract-related problems are making activities like driving and reading difficult or impossible. The Academy’s consumer guide to cataract surgery offers more information. Talk to your Eye M.D. When preparing for surgery, you will need to give your doctor your complete medical and eye health history, especially including whether you are or have taken Flomax®, Hytrin®, Uroxatral® or Cadura®. These medications can cause the iris to move out of its normal position, which can lead to complications during cataract surgery. You can still have successful surgery if your surgeon knows you have taken these drugs and adjusts his or her surgical technique. If you have had LASIK or other laser refractive surgery, it’s important to provide your pre-surgery vision-correction prescription to your Eye M.D., if possible. (The record of this prescription is also called the “K card.”) About cataracts: As we age, the eye’s lens slowly becomes less flexible, less transparent and thicker. Then areas of the lens become cloudy; if left in place until the “overripe” stage, the cataract would be completely white and block vision. Cataracts often develop in both eyes at about the same time. By age 75, about 70 percent of people have cataracts. For more information on cataract and IOLs, visit www.geteyesmart.org. Claverack Announces Re-Elected Directors Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative members returned three incumbents to the cooperative board of directors at the utility's 2011 annual meeting, held Saturday, July 16, on the Wysox Fire Department's recreational grounds. Claverack members re-elected Kevin B. Barrett of Towanda, Dr. Robert R. Faux of Tunkhannock, and James W. Zick of Kingsley to represent Zones 1, 2 and 3, respectively, on the cooperative board of directors. All three incumbents ran unopposed and were unanimously elected. Claverack seats three of its nine board positions annually. Directors are elected to three-year terms.
Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative President and CEO Bobbi Kilmer congratulates members elected to the co-op board of directors at the utility's annual meeting July 16 in Wysox. Pictured (l-r) above are Dr. Robert R. Faux of Tunkhannock; Bobbi Kilmer, James W. Zick of Kingsley, and Kevin B. Barrett of Towanda. Approximately 1,800 people turned out for the outdoor meeting, known as the Claverack picnic, during which they heard election results and business reports from cooperative President and Chief Executive Officer Bobbi Kilmer and board Chairman Kevin Barrett. During a reorganizational meeting immediately following the annual meeting, Kevin Barrett was re-elected chairman; Steven T. Sliwinski of Troy won re-election as vice chairman; Michael J. Coleman of Montrose was re-elected board secretary/treasurer, and James Zick was re-elected as vice secretary/treasurer. Unlike investor-owned utilities, Claverack is a non-profit organization, owned by its consumer-members. A democratic organization by nature, the cooperative conducts an annual meeting each July to update consumer-members on the progress made during the year. Annual meetings also provide consumer-members with the opportunity to offer input and voice concerns before the board of directors and management staff. Claverack Rural Electric Cooperative, with headquarters in Wysox, provides electricity to more than 16,000 members in Bradford, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Tioga, Lycoming, Sullivan, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. 4-H Club News North Jackson Ag The North Jackson Ag 4-H Club held a picnic meeting at the Pavelski’s farm on July 21. It was opened by Shawn Carey. Eric Onyon led the pledge to the American flag and Troy Carey led the 4-H flag. The treasurer’s report was read by Eric Onyon and the secretary’s report was read by Troy Carey. At the next meeting all livestock books need to be checked. August 6 was dairy round up and our club sold breakfast and lunch for a club fundraiser. August 15 is the district dairy show and we will again be selling food. Our club will be decorating the dairy barn again this year.
Pictured (l-r) above: Victoria Fallon, Emory Bewley, KayLeen Conklin, Emily and Jamie Supancik. Shawn Carey did his demonstration on his senior trip to Virginia. Troy Carey did his demonstration on STOMP. Emory Bewley shared a little treat with all the club members. As a current dairy maid, she told us the benefits of having dairy in our daily diet. Emory and other club members then served ice cream sundaes! The meeting was adjourned by Eric and KayLeen. News Reporter: KayLeen Conklin Jackson Pin Thimblers At their early June meeting, Vice-President Kaylin Trynoski called the meeting to order. The pledge of allegiance was lead by Zachary Heath and the 4-H pledge was lead by Ana Sargent. We talked about going to Chuckster’s to play miniature golf and about going to the Mets game in August. A demonstration on basketball was done by Kaylin Trynoski. The meeting was closed by Evan Cantone and seconded by Zachary Heath. Kaylin Trynoski and Ana Sargent brought refreshments and drinks. Evan Cantone supervised the games. At their late June meeting, President Nathan Wallace opened the meeting. Geena Miller did the pledge of allegiance and Darren Wallace did the 4-H pledge. Chuckster’s and the Mets game were discussed again. Refreshments were brought by Ana Sargent. Benjamin Prentice did a presentation on Pokeman cards. Amanda Iveson closed the meeting, seconded by Nathan Wallace. News Reporter: Darren Wallace Jackson Pin Thimblers At their early July meeting, Vice-President Kaylin Trynoski opened the meeting. Darren Wallace did the pledge of allegiance and Samantha Irwin did the 4-H pledge. We discussed going to Chuckster’s on Sunday, August 7. We are also going to a Mets game. We talked about 4-H one day camp which was Wednesday, July 20. Kaylin did a demonstration on her wildlife project and on woodworking, Darren Wallace did a yo-yo demonstration, and Samantha Irwin did a demonstration on drawings. Zachary Heath showed how to dribble a basketball. The meeting was closed and refreshments were served by Kaylin Trynoski. The late July meeting was mainly for 4-H members doing cake decorating as their projects. Barbara Larson did a very good job demonstrating cake decorating for years one and two. Everyone enjoyed eating the cake after they decorated it. Some of the frosting melted because of the heat. News Reporter: Darren Wallace Farmers Market Vouchers Still Available To Seniors TOWANDA, PA - There are still Farmers Market Food Vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables at WIC approved farm markets available for eligible seniors who are age 60 and older. In order to be eligible for these vouchers, the individual must: be a resident of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna or Tioga County; be age 60 or older by December 31, 2011. According to the 2011 Farmers Market Nutrition Program Procedure Manual, income includes interest, Social Security, wages, etc. The 2011 household income eligibility is as follows: 1 person - $20,147; 2 people - $27,214; 3 people - $34,281. Individuals picking up food vouchers for relatives or friends must present a completed and signed proxy form along with proof of age and residency of the recipient. Proxy forms can be obtained by calling the Area Agency on Aging. Proof of age (drivers license, birth certificate, photo ID, etc.) and proof of residency are required at the time of pickup. Each eligible senior may receive four $5.00 checks for a total benefit of $20. Seniors who have already received Farmers Market Food Vouchers during 2011 are not eligible to participate again. Vouchers can be picked up at the Area Agency on Aging offices located at 220 Main St. in Towanda; Spruce Street in Montrose; or 48 Plaza Lane in Wellsboro Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Sullivan County residents can also pick up vouchers on Tuesdays at the Human Services Office in the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and noon. For more information on the Area Agency on Aging, visit www.aaaseniors.org or call 800-982-4346. Friends Make A Difference In Susquehanna County The Friends of Susquehanna County Inc. held their monthly meeting at the home of Barb Hinkley on July 11 and made plans for their 4th Annual Friends Fall Fundraiser in September. This fundraiser, along with generous donations from community businesses and individuals, enables the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to support charitable and educational institutions in Susquehanna county which benefit county residents.
Pictured above are Colleen Wilkes, Jackie Waldron, Carol McNamara, Barb Hinkley, Mary Lee Dayton, Beverly Updyke, Sharon Kinsley, Kathy Ofsharick, Suzanne Cobb, Sandra Lllewellyn, Stacie Telnock and Christina Whitney. The Friends of Susquehanna County is a group dedicated to helping residents and organizations of Susquehanna County by fundraising for charitable and educational purposes. According to Chairman Carol McNamara, “We have an established history of supporting our communities. For 5 years we were known as Friends of Barnes-Kasson Hospital and raised over $50,000 for equipment, as well as establishing a chapel at the hospital. In 2002, we were known as Friends of Susquehanna County and assisted in the start-up of the United Way of Susquehanna County. In 2006, we assisted NEPA Community Health Center in reestablishing their offices after Hallstead’s 2006 flooding.” The organization has also awarded scholarships to students in area schools and given “mini-grants” to various local non-profit groups who will be represented at September’s fundraising event. Friends Treasurer Suzanne Cobb states, “the dedication of our members and board of directors enables our group to learn of needs and direct funds where they are best put to use for individuals and organizations.” If you are interested in making a difference in Susquehanna County, The Friends invite you to come join them. You may also make a tax-deductible donation to the organization by sending a check payable to “Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc.” to 23365 State Rt. 92, Susquehanna, PA 18847. All funds raised stay within Susquehanna County. For more information, contact Carol McNamara at 570-756-2612. Grant Apps. Available For Tourism-Related Projects Tunkhannock PA - There is still time for non-profit organizations in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties to apply for grant monies available through that county’s room tax fund to help finance their tourism-related projects. There is only one grant round each year, making this the only opportunity to apply for funds for 2012 projects. The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau is accepting the applications to help fund cultural, historical, and recreational projects - such as special events, exhibits, or publicity initiatives - as well as for marketing and promoting projects, wayfinding aides, and historical preservation projects that will increase tourism to an area and/or attraction. All submitted grant applications must be postmarked by Monday, September 26. Grant applications and program requirements are available through the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau and may be obtained by calling the bureau at 570-836-5431, emailing jean@endlessmountains.org, or stopping by the office at 4 Werks Plaza, Route 6 East, Tunkhannock. The same information can also be found on the visitors bureau website www.EndlessMountains.org under the “media” section. Room Tax money is collected by lodging establishments from their overnight guests and is used to promote tourism in the Endless Mountains Region. For more information, contact the visitors bureau at the number listed above. Grant Funds Provide New Home Purchase The Susquehanna County Housing/Redevelopment Authority was successful in applying for and receiving $567,000 on behalf of the County to purchase and rehabilitate four foreclosed homes to provide safe and affordable rental properties for the residents of Susquehanna County. A foreclosed home on the corner of Washington and Third Avenues in the Borough of Susquehanna caught the eye of the Housing Authority. This area has been the center of revitalization efforts by the Borough, the Trehab Center and the Housing/Redevelopment Authority so it made perfect sense to target this lot for improvements. After a contractor examined the house and felt it was not structurally sound enough to renovate, the grant funding allowed for demolition and replacement with a new structure. The Housing/Redevelopment Authority had a brand new 2 story modular home constructed on the site and is now selling the home to an eligible homebuyer. The grant requires potential buyers to meet certain income criteria to purchase the home. Buyers would need to become qualified for a mortgage through a lending institution as the grant did not provide for financing of the homes. Anyone interested in purchasing this home can call the Susquehanna County Housing/Redevelopment Authority at 570-278-5401 for information. The funding for the purchase of this home along with the purchase of 2 foreclosed homes in Forest City and the demolition of 204 Main Street in Susquehanna was funded with Neighborhood Stabilization Funds received by Susquehanna County and administered by Susquehanna County Housing/Redevelopment Authority. The funds were made possible under the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 through the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and the PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development. Help Protect Your Child’s Vision CHICAGO - For many, the first day of school is quickly approaching. And, parents know there is so much to be done before the first day of school to make sure that their child has all of the tools to succeed this school year. A key part of this success starts with healthy eyesight in the classroom. A child’s ability to see the blackboard and the words on a page clearly is critical to their learning experience. Prevent Blindness America, the nation’s oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has declared August as Children’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month in an effort to encourage parents to learn about ways they can help protect their child’s vision. Often children do not realize they have problems with their vision because they think how they see is how everyone else sees. They learn to compensate with their vision problems without fixing them, which can lead to more problems in school and later in life. Unfortunately, some students are misdiagnosed as having a learning disability or behavioral problems when they may simply have vision impairment. This confusion can be eliminated taking a child for a certified vision screening or an eye exam. “Vision problems affect one in four school-aged children. We want all children to make sure their child’s eye problems do not go unnoticed this school year,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “A child should not have to struggle in school because of an undetected vision problem.” Eye problems can range from common refractive errors such as nearsightedness and farsightedness, to serious eye conditions including: Amblyopia or “lazy eye” - the most common cause of visual impairment in children. As the brain develops and receives diminished images from the affected eye, it begins to suppress those images and favor the unaffected eye. If this condition persists, the weaker eye may become useless. Amblyopia becomes more difficult to treat effectively as the child becomes older. Strabismus or “crossed eyes” - a condition where eyes are misaligned, or do not line up with each other. This problem is caused when the muscles do not work together. Strabismus may eventually lead to amblyopia. Approximately one in 50 children has strabismus. Parents should hit the books as well to learn more about how to keep their children’s eyes healthy. Prevent Blindness America has created “Star Pupils,” a free program specifically designed to educate parents on what they can do to ensure healthy eyesight for their kids. Parents may visit Starpupils.org and receive free information on everything from common eye conditions in children to tips on how to protect eyes from injury while playing sports. For more information on children’s eye health and safety, please call Prevent Blindness America at (800) 331-2020 or visit starpupils.org. The League of Women Voters of Susquehanna County will hold a candidates forum at the Susquehanna County Courthouse on Thursday, September 29. The program to begin at 2:00; however, it is suggested you clear security at or around 1:30 p.m. At the League of Women Voters national convention in Atlanta, GA in June of 2010 the delegates voted on two consensus studies that will ultimately give way to an official national LWV policy position. (LWVSC had a delegate in attendance and the LWV of Susquehanna County was recognized at the National Convention.) The first study adopted was “The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education” and the second was “Privatization: The Policy Agenda to Transfer Government Functions, Services and Assets to the Private Sector.” The Role of the Federal Government study and its resulting consensus must be submitted to LWVUS in Washington for November of 2011. In conjunction with doing the consensus the League of Women Voters of Susquehanna County would consider doing a public program on either subject if there interest warrants. The privatization study is to be concluded and submitted to LWVUS in Washington by late March of 2012. At the State convention this June at Bucks County, PA the Pennsylvania League delegates adopted a study, Privatization of PA Transportation Infrastructure - Consensus April 2012. Again LWV of Susquehanna County had a delegate in attendance. At the annual meeting this year the LWV of Susquehanna County decided to start a scholarship fund. Although all of the details are still to be adopted, the award recipient would likely be a college bound high school senior pursuing a degree in the public service sector including public administration, public policy or political science. The first step toward reaching the goal is the Women and Wine Fundraiser Tour, to be held August 13. On July 21, the LWVUS sent a letter to the House of Representatives urging them to vote no on the Watt Amendment which aims to reduce funding by 40 percent. “The recent dysfunctional performance by the House Ethics Committee has only served to reinforce the critically important role being played by the OCE (Office of Congressional Ethics) in the House ethics enforcement process. The OCE, under bipartisan leadership, has done an outstanding job in carrying out its mission to help protect the integrity of the House.” Other signatories to letter are: Campaign Legal Center; Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington; Common Cause; Democracy 21; Public Citizen; and, U.S. PIRG. On Friday, July 22 Roberta Winters, LWVPA Vice President on Issues and Action, spoke on Radio Times regarding Consensus positions developed by the PALWV last year. Guests on WHYY included Tim Kelsey, Penn State, professor of agriculture economics, and Scott Detrow, a Harrisburg-based multimedia journalist covering Marcellus Shale issues for a new public radio investigative reporting project called State Impact PA. The next public meeting is October 28 at the Montrose County Club. New members are always welcome. Please email with any questions or comments at LWVSC@frontier.com. New Opportunities For Habitat Management Changes on the landscape of Susquehanna County continue to happen in the active areas of the gas exploration process. These changes show up as the building of access roads, gas well pads and the gas and gathering pipelines. These pipeline areas go across active farm crop areas, hay and pasture fields, old fields that are reverting to brush (early succession), habitat and woodland areas. The construction activities on these pipeline and gathering lines can change what is or what was growing on the land’s surface; this is especially notable if the area has been forest. These newly changed areas are opportunities for landowners who want to positively influence wildlife habitat. The companies that build pipelines and gathering lines are required to reseed all disturbed surface areas. These companies want their seeding subcontractors to have the land seeded to a mix that provides a good cover. You as the landowner may need it to be reseeded to a hay or pasture mix if you are a farmer, or if it was a former wooded area you may want it to be seeded to a wildlife habitat mix. You as the landowner should look out for your interest because once it has been properly seeded, limed, fertilized and mulched the company has met its responsibility and is not coming back to do any more work on the seeding unless there has been a complete germination failure. You will be the one who will see the vegetation on the pipeline and for those landowners who are interested in improving wildlife habitat this may be a golden opportunity. Your first best opportunity is to have a specific mix picked out and have it as part of your lease agreement. The next best opportunity would be to talk to the seeding contractor who is going to be doing the seeding, and ask them what they intend to seed. Ask if they have they taken a soil test and how much lime and fertilizer they are applying. They may have a mix that perfectly suits your needs or maybe you would like something a bit more palatable or better suited for providing cover for wildlife. Many of the seeding contractors are willing to work with the landowner to get a good seed mix planted that meets the landowners needs. However, sometimes the seeding contractor has certain limitations as to how much lime or fertilizer they are going to put on a site. One of the great failures in the longevity of a good seed mix happens when not enough lime or not enough fertilizer is used to create a good crop. If the seeding contractor cannot put on enough lime and fertilizer for the wildlife habitat mix that the landowner wants, you can make up the difference and create a good wildlife food crop/plot on the pipeline. You are the manager/owner of the land and as long as you leave the access ways to the pipeline right of way open you can utilize this new opportunity to create some better habitat for wildlife and for yourself. The Susquehanna Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) encourages landowners and the seeding contractors to work together to make this reseeding process work for both parties. The first steps in the 2 part reseeding process are: 1) have a soil test taken to determine how much lime and fertilizer is needed for the seeding (wildlife habitat mix) to be grown; and 2) determine what seeding (wildlife habitat mix) it is that you want. Remember that the gas exploration companies and their seeding subcontractors may also be required to plant some seed that can grow quicker, green up faster and provide erosion control. This type of quick cover could be added to the desired wildlife habitat mix that the landowner wants. Once the soil test results are received, the correct amounts of lime and fertilizer can be applied to the land (pipeline area). Most of the soils in Susquehanna County can easily take 2 tons of lime per acre to help offset their natural acidity. You as the landowner should work with the seeding contactors to see that the soil test is followed in terms of applying the lime and fertilizer to make the seeding grow. If the soil test calls for 3 tons per acre for the wildlife seeding mix that you want and the contractor can only put down 2 tons per acre because they only have to bring the soil ph up to what it was before the pipeline was there, then you can offer to put on the other ton per acre to get what you want. The same logic would apply for the poundage of fertilizer. Knowing how many square feet there are in an acre of land (43560 sq. ft. /acre) and how many acres or parts of acres are going to be seeded on the pipeline on your property will help you in your discussions with the seeding contractors. Lime and fertilizer requirements are also dependent upon what is being planted - different plants have different nutritional needs. Most new perennial grass and legume seedings need a soil ph of between 6.0 and 6.5. Why does the Susquehanna Branch of QDMA see the pipelines as being new opportunities for wildlife habitat management? The construction of these new pipelines can result in improved vegetation, new seedings, lime and fertilizer being applied, new wildlife habitat edges (wildlife often prosper on the edges between two different kinds of habitat) and the opportunity to do something better than what was there before. Once the pipeline has been reseeded it is the landowners who then must manage the new opportunity of the new habitat growing on their land. You, the landowners, will decide how well the land is managed for wildlife habitat (food and cover) and how to continue to improve the habitat on your property. Parents Reminded Of New School Immunization Regs Harrisburg - August, which is National Immunization Awareness Month, is the ideal time for Pennsylvania residents of all ages to make sure they are up-to-date with immunizations, and especially for parents of school students, the Department of Health said. “It’s almost back-to-school time, and parents need to be aware that there are new school regulations now in effect for vaccinations,” said Health Secretary Dr. Eli Avila. Effective now, the updated school immunization regulations require that children in all grade levels receive an additional dose of varicella vaccine, a second dose of mumps vaccine and a complete three-dose series of Hepatitis B vaccine. The regulations also require that students in seventh grade have one dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) and one dose of tetanus, diphtheria and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap). Students in all grades are required to have received a second dose of chickenpox vaccine if they have never had the disease. The department updated the state’s immunization regulations based upon the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. August also marks the annual National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), which reminds people of all ages to keep up-to-date on immunizations. NIAMÕs goal is to increase awareness about immunizations, from infants to the elderly. “Vaccines not only protect those who have been vaccinated, but also provide protection to unvaccinated individuals as well,” said Dr. Avila. “Vaccines will help keep all Pennsylvanians as healthy as possible by keeping infectious diseases under control.” For more information on the new vaccine regulations, or to get your child vaccinated, visit www.VaccinesForLife.com. For a complete listing of immunization requirements by state, visit www.immunize.org/laws. Summer Reading At Susky Library The Susquehanna Branch Library is proud to announce the following participants in this year’s summer reading program - One World, Many Stories. David P. Armitage, Michael E. Armitage, Ryan T. Armitage, Kirsten Bedford, Kelsea Benson, Angel Bielosk, Ruby Carpenter, Sara Chamberlain, Isaiah Cook, Nathanael Cook, Kerstin Dooley, Liam Dooley, Casey Doyle, Bronson Gorka, Martin Gorka, Veronica Gorka, Paige Halesky, Emily Hall, Jayden Herbert, Ava Houck, Eva Houck, Allison Jenkins, Jonathan Jenkins, Kyliegh Jones, Jenna Krall, Lilliana Matis, Matthew Matis, Loralie Mead, Taylor Millard, Tommy Ousterhout, Torin Ousterhout, Clay Repella, Alyis Rockwell, Rockell Rockwell, Alyse Sargent, Ana Sargent, Andrew Stallings, Ryan Stallings, Kayden Strohl, Kailye Towner, Meaghan Towner. Summer activities included stories, games and crafts that allowed participants to travel to far away places and experience various cultures and environments. Certificates of Participation were distributed. If your reader has not received theirs, please stop at the library to pick it up. Congratulations are extended to all who participated! The Susquehanna Branch Library looks forward to seeing you next year at their summer reading program 2012! Water Treatment Plant Receives National Award WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Pennsylvania American Waterrecently received a national award for its Susquehanna Water Treatment Plant for maintaining the Partnership for Safe Water’s Directors Award requirements for ten consecutive years. The Partnership is a voluntary initiative developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other water organizations to recognize water suppliers that consistently achieve water treatment standards that surpass EPA regulatory requirements.
Pictured (l-r) above: Todd Ostir, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Don Kessler, operations manager, PA American Water; Dan Millard, plant supervisor, PA American Water; Mark Cross, production manager, PA American Water; Tom Smith, plant operator, PA American Water; John Yamona, water quality manager, PA American Water; Len Shebby, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The Directors Award is presented to water systems that have successfully completed a rigorous review in the Partnership’s Self-Assessment and Peer Review phase. To receive the ten-year award, utilities must carry out operational and management improvements and deliver water that not only meets drinking water standards but also surpasses the EPA’s regulations for ten consecutive years. “Maintaining Directors Award status for ten years demonstrates Pennsylvania American Water’s ongoing commitment to optimizing treatment processes and providing high-quality water to customers,” said Paul Zielinski, Pennsylvania American Water senior director of water quality and environmental compliance. “Our professional staff at the plants is the driving force behind our success, and I am thrilled that they have achieved this well-deserved national recognition.” The Susquehanna Plant, located in Harmony Township, serves nearly 6,000 customers in the boroughs of Montrose, Susquehanna, Lanesboro, Hallstead and Great Bend, and the townships of Bridgewater, Oakland and Great Bend. “As new, tougher water quality standards are established, our plant operators are working to not only meet those regulations, but we go a step further to surpass them,” said Pennsylvania American Water Production Manager Mark Cross. “This award validates our employees’ efforts and commitment to delivering the best water quality possible to our customers, at an exceptional value of about a penny per gallon.”
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