Stephen McHenry, Executive Director of the Susquehanna and Wyoming Chapters of the American Red Cross, recently accepted a check for $756 from Tracy Zeller, Manager of First National Bank of Pennsylvania's Montrose Branch. Local employees of First National Bank raised the funds specifically to assist with continued flood relief efforts across the region. Zeller notes, "First National Bank is a community bank, and we want to be involved in efforts that impact our local community. The American Red Cross does so much on behalf of local residents and businesses, and this is one way we can give back to our neighbors." The contribution is just one of many flood relief efforts spearheaded by First National Bank. Employees also coordinated a regional collection of flood clean up supplies, and they have initiated several community-focused donations to thank local organizations who helped create a "neighbor helping neighbor" response.

The Montrose Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution celebrated their 100th birthday with special guest speaker, Pennsylvania State Regent, Deborah Davis. The national society was founded in 1890 by remaining daughters of Revolutionary War Veterans so that their fathers, and all the heroic men and women of that war, would never be forgotten.

The Montrose Chapter is a volunteer women's organization having 82 members who live throughout Susquehanna County, all who have documented their direct lineage to a veteran of the Revolutionary War. The chapter collects necessities for local and overseas veteran's hospitals, supports efforts to preserve historical sites, and raises needed funding for DAR-sponsored schools which specialize in disenfranchised children.

Pictured (l-r) above: Myrtle Carlson of South Montrose, Past Chapter Regent; Nan Baker of Dimock Township, Chapter Regent, Volunteer Genealogist Committee PA State Chairman, Community Service Awards Committee National District Vice Chairman; Marleta Shadduck of Warren Center, Past Chapter Regent, PA State Treasurer.

The anniversary party was held at Green Gables Pavilion and was also attended by members from neighboring communities including the Scranton City Chapter, Lt. Asa Stevens and Mach-Wi-Hi-Lusing Chapters of Bradford County, and Shawnee Fort Chapter of the Wilkes Barre area.

The chapter also attended a Revolutionary War marker dedication for veteran Joseph Potter who is an ancestor of many local members. The marker was sponsored by Eileen Potter Kopelman and her husband, James. Eileen is a member of the Massey Harbison-Fort Hand Chapter in Pittsburgh and an associate member of the Montrose Chapter.

Outstanding Community Service Awards were presented to Bob Bartron and Warren Morgan in appreciation for their many years of voluntary service to Susquehanna County. Mr. Bartron's distinguished service was also recognized at the state level by judges representing all of Pennsylvania's ninety-nine DAR chapters.

A five hundred dollar scholarship is awarded each year to an outstanding Susquehanna County high school senior. This scholarship is sponsored and maintained through the generosity of Jan Winemiller, also a Montrose Chapter member. This year's presentation was made to a college-bound senior at Blue Ridge High School.

"It has been a wonderful year and the picnic was a wonderful way to celebrate 100 years of service," regent Nan Baker stated. "Our members are the greatest people in the world. We accomplish so much and have such a wonderful time. I look forward to every opportunity to be together."

Any woman wishing for information about the Montrose Chapter DAR can contact Nan Baker at nanb@epix.net.

For the fifth consecutive year The North-Eastern Pennsylvania Telephone Company, headquartered in Forest City, has contributed to the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program administered by The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, formerly known as The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties. For the 2011-2012 academic year NEP Telephone has donated $30,000 which will help The Community Foundation provide tuition assistance to more than 200 students from low and moderate income families who attend 14 tuition based K-12 schools and programs in northeastern Pennsylvania such as private schools, career & technology programs, elementary science programs, and college dual-enrollment classes.

The Community Foundation has administered the Education Improvement Program since 2003 and in that time has raised more than $1,500,000 for education assistance for 1,700 students attending 37 Pre-K through Secondary schools in four counties, as well as funding projects in two public school districts. Since 2007 NEP Telephone has generously contributed more than $140,000 to The Community Foundation’s K-12 tuition assistance program. Moreover, in 2007 the Tourje family, proprietors of NEP Telephone, established the Jessie Osgood Tourje Memorial Fund at The Community Foundation that has provided consistent assistance to various projects in the Blue Ridge, Forest City Regional, Mountain View, and Susquehanna Community School Districts.

Community Foundation President, Peter Quigg, states that “We appreciate very much the support that NEP Telephone and the Tourjes have provided in the past five years. They have greatly assisted the educational goals of many students and schools in our region.” NEP Telephone President, Steven Tourje, adds that “NEP will continue to support The Community Foundation and provide assistance to the school districts we serve.” Both NEP Telephone and The Community Foundation serve a similar territory in northeastern Pennsylvania and their collaboration over the years has proven very beneficial for educational endeavors in this region. For more information about NEP Telephone Company please visit www.nep.net. For more information about the work of The Community Foundation please visit www.community-foundation.org.

Thanksgiving is much more than a big meal with family and friends. It's a time to reflect on, and be thankful for, all of the good things you have. Even with all of the uncertainty and turmoil in the world, you have so much to be thankful for. It's important to be grateful, not just on Thanksgiving, but each and every day. Rather than lamenting what you feel is lacking in your life, begin each new day by developing an attitude of gratitude. Take inventory of your blessings and you will be surprised at just how much you have to be thankful for.

If you have enough to eat, a place to live, a way to get around, people who care about you, or people you care about, then you are wealthy. If you lack any of these elements, you must still be grateful for what you do have, while striving to obtain whatever is absent.

Focus on all positive aspects of your life. Take nothing for granted. Every morning, recharge your appreciation. Be happy for everything there is, not upset over what you feel is missing.

Dreams of the future shouldn’t diminish appreciation for the present. If all you do is concentrate on what you want, you won't enjoy today. Don't be jealous of others; what they do or have has no bearing on you.

You can feel bitter or resentful for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you feel something is missing from your life, things aren't going your way, or you have been treated unfairly. You may wonder, "why do these things always happen to me?"

Life's problems tend to dominate your thoughts, turning your focus to what you feel is wrong. You may start to resent those who appear to be better off. You’re apt to dwell on things you think would make your life better if you had them. If only you had more money, more time, a bigger house, a different car, a different job, a different boss, had picked a different career, etc.

Once your attitude becomes one of deficiency instead of abundance and appreciation, you can become overwhelmed by feelings of frustration and feel like a victim. As this happens, a consuming vicious cycle starts.

Being bitter or resentful blows situations out of proportion. People who are bitter frequently find that their situations deteriorate and their mental and physical health decays.

It’s difficult, if not impossible, to achieve your goals while you are bitter or resentful. Regardless of what challenges might befall you, bitterness makes finding solutions much more elusive.

There is no point to feeling bitter since it accomplishes nothing, harms you and makes things worse. Filling yourself with gratitude on a daily basis makes you feel good, while driving out negative feelings.

Begin your practice of gratitude each morning as soon as you wake. Every day is a great day. If you have any doubts, try missing one. Take inventory of everything, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, that is good in your life.

If it helps, make a written list of all things you are grateful for. Read your list every day. As you do this, you will build and reinforce your attitude of gratitude. Don't waste any time with what you feel you don't have.

Keep things in perspective. Consider all the people who have overcome difficulties far worse than yours. Don't be consumed by your problems, there is always a solution. Maintaining an attitude of gratitude allows your mind to devise a resolution for your circumstances.

Make everyday a day of Thanksgiving and you will be amazed how much better your life will become.

Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Bryan is a self-development expert, syndicated columnist, and professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com. © 2011 Bryan Golden