The Susquehanna County Democratic Committee recently donated $250 to The United Way of Susquehanna County in support of their Christmas Appeal. This was given to assist in their continued effort towards much needed flood relief for families affected by last autumn's storms. Pictured (l-r) above are Tom Charles, Secretary County Democrats, Robin Cobb, United Way's Administrative Assistant and Rick Ainey, Treasurer County Democrats.

The First National Bank of Pennsylvania recently partnered with The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains to support local education expenses for low and moderate income families. For the 2011-2012 academic year First National Bank has contributed $6,000 to the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Program which will help The Community Foundation provide tuition assistance to more than 200 students who attend 14 K-12 schools and programs in northeastern Pennsylvania such as private schools, career & technology programs, elementary science programs, and college dual-enrollment classes.

Pictured (l-r) above: Peter Quigg, President The Community Foundation and Mark Renzini, VP & Wealth Management Officer, First National Bank

The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, formerly known as The Community Foundation of Susquehanna & Wyoming Counties, 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.

Community Foundation President, Peter Quigg, states that “First National Bank is new to our area and we certainly appreciate their concern for our local schools, students, and families. We welcome the bank as a new participant in our Education Improvement Program.” First National Bank’s Vice-President & Wealth Management Officer, Mark Renzini, adds “We are happy to partner with The Community Foundation to help provide educational opportunities for local students.” Both First National Bank and The Community Foundation serve a similar territory in northeastern Pennsylvania and their new collaboration has proven very beneficial for educational endeavors in this region. For more information about the work of The Community Foundation please visit www.community-foundation.org.

At their annual ceremony of giving in December, Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc. donated $6,250.00 to various county organizations that help those in need, even though the September flood forced the cancellation of the group's annual fundraiser. The following Susquehanna County agencies and organizations are recipients of monetary awards given by the Friends of Susquehanna County: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Care Net, Caring Café, Creative Adventures for Education, Endless Mountains Children Choir, Feed a Friend, Partnership Program of Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc., NEPA Community Health Care, Summer Lunch Box, Susquehanna Community Development Association, Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association, Susquehanna County Interfaith Fuel Program, Toys-N-Tots, and Women’s Resource Center.

Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc. is a non profit organization dedicated to helping residents and organizations of Susquehanna County through fund raising for charitable and educational purposes. All organizations that hoped to receive funds were required to either write a letter or make a presentation to Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc. describing the need within their respective organizations. Additional requirements of receiving such funds are sending a follow-up letter, within a specified time period, to Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc. stating how the money was spent.

If you are a member of a company or organization that helps county residents, or if you, your company or organization would like to help Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc. keep giving to groups that help those in need, please call secretary Jackie Waldron at 465-2042. Meetings will begin again in May 2012.

(StatePoint) People don’t often think about how optimism impacts their lifestyle, career and relationships. But a positive attitude can help you avoid stressful situations, maintain better health, and may even allow you to heal more quickly when you aren’t feeling well, according to some experts.

“Optimism and the desire to be successful are the basis for a person’s happiness and good health,” asserts Elena Korneeva, a psychophysiologist and author of the new book “Breath of Life.”

As a specialist, Korneeva promotes a happier, healthier life with these guiding principles:

Joyful inspired and outspoken people make great company. These traits will attract people to you in both professional and personal settings.

Laugh. People with a good sense of humor are the life of any party, at any age and in any social stratum.

One who can sincerely laugh at his or her own mistakes can overcome most difficulties. A sense of humor is a trait of a harmonious person.

Make an effort to truly understand and empathize with your conversation partners.

Don’t be afraid of situations that haven’t even happened yet. By avoiding fear of the unknown, you can better focus on a positive solution, rather than the problem.

Optimism and humor will make you a better parent. With these tools, your children will bring you joy rather than try your patience. Positive and creative parenting yields positive and creative children.

An integral part of success is a healthy lifestyle, absent of bad habits. Eat varied, small meals four-to-five times a day, get sound sleep, and take part in sports and leisure activities you love.

There are no boundaries or limits to your pursuit of self-perfection. Success is often very close at hand, but by emphasizing difficulties in our lives, we neglect to focus on our strengths.

“With optimism we fill our life with new meaning, and it helps us find a way out of a circle of troubles,” says Korneeva. “The key to happiness is in our hands.”

Susquehanna County Interfaith and Interfaith Friends of Wyoming County are non-profit agencies dedicated to serving families most in need all throughout the year. “But it’s during the holidays and the cold winter months that we can make a special difference in the lives of underprivileged children and their parents,” says Susquehanna Interfaith Director, Rachel Pratt.

Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, its subsidiaries, employees, vendors and community partners all joined forces to help provide toys to families that need a little extra help this Christmas. The Toys N Tots program delivered truckloads of toys for infants to 12th graders to Susquehanna County Interfaith and Interfaith Friends of Wyoming County. The major holiday partnership made over $11,000 in donations possible to Toys N Tots as well as other needs-based programs sustained by the non-profit organizations.

Stacey Pipes, Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, organizes dozens of toy donations in preparation for loading onto trucks for delivery to the Susquehanna County Interfaith drop-off point.

“We are so grateful to be living and working in a community as generous and as caring Susquehanna County,” said George Stark, External Affairs Director at Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation. “Our colleagues and vendors and partners are always so willing to work together for the common good. That is certainly true during the holidays and surely with this kind of strong support for our friends and neighbors in need.”

Susquehanna County Interfaith and Interfaith Friends of Wyoming County oversee and coordinate the charitable actions of a number of county organizations, churches, clubs and individuals throughout the region. They have programs designed to meet human needs in health care, emergency assistance, food and nutrition, clothing and heating assistance.

For example, the Susquehanna County Interfaith Winter Fuel Program helps economically distressed families meet their heating needs during the cold winter months. “This program is our largest in terms of monetary aid,” notes Rachel. “Last year we gave $28,000 in heating fuel aid to 166 households. That’s a $12,000 increase from the previous year.” Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation recently donated $5,000 to support this vital program.

Susquehanna County Interfaith was established in 1990 and founded with the dedication to serve the needs of families of Susquehanna County. The non-profit organization works together with agencies to find assistance for all those in need that meet standard criteria. The agency’s Thrift Store provides various means to help the people of the county, including community services with their volunteer program. The proceeds from the thrift store and monetary donations to Susquehanna County Interfaith are used to support the programs that assist those in crisis and who need help getting through the difficult times in life.

For nearly 30 years, Interfaith Friends of Wyoming County has provided a way for residents of Wyoming County to remember the needs of others and to make a difference in the lives of others. Interfaith Friends accepts cash donations, seasonal donations and Gifts of Remembrance. Donations to the Interfaith Friends thrift shop “Sweet Repeats” are always welcome and appreciated. The shop carries many items, including clothing, baby items and small household items. Other Interfaith Friends of Wyoming County programs include Back to School Shoe Program, Winter Boots, Clothing, Seasonal Food Baskets, Regular Home Visits, Health Care Needs, Dental Assistance and Emergency Needs.

For the eighth consecutive year Pennstar Bank has made a generous contribution 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.

Pictured (l-r) above: Robert Welch, Senior Vice President Regional Manager Pennstar Bank and Peter Quigg, President Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains.

For the 2011-2012 academic year the bank has contributed $17,000 which will be used to provide tuition assistance to approximately 235 students from low and moderate income families who attend Pre-School and tuition based K-12 schools and programs in northeastern Pennsylvania as well as funding special programs in the public schools. 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 schools in four counties, as well as funding projects in two public school districts. Since 2004 Pennstar Bank has contributed more than $60,000 for education assistance.

Community Foundation President, Peter Quigg, states that “Pennstar Bank has been a consistent supporter of local education and their generosity over the years has been a great help to local families and schools.” For more information about the work of The Community Foundation please visit www.community-foundation.org.

HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe applauded the enactment of legislation that will remove the requirement for hunters and trappers to display their licenses on an outer garment. The law takes effect in February.

House Bill 735, sponsored by Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), was unanimously approved by the House on June 15, and was approved by a vote of 46-3 in the Senate. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill into law, which will take effect on Feb. 13.

“Since 2003, the Game Commission has been supporting various drafts of legislation sponsored by Rep. Gillespie and Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) to remove this antiquated requirement,” Roe said. “With today’s new license format, this change in law will make hunting less complicated, improve license management by hunters and trappers, and limit the inconveniences and troubles associated with lost or misplaced licenses.

“While we are pleased with the change in law, it is important to remember that the new law doesn’t take effect for several days. So, hunters and trappers will need to continue to wear their licenses on an outer garment until Feb. 13.”

(SPM Wire) You may be coveting that latest and greatest cell phone or tablet computer, but what should you do with your old ones?

Each year, Americans generate approximately 2.4 million tons of used electronics, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the General Services Administration.

Don’t toss them out with the trash. Instead, recycle electronics at a certified "eCycling" facility, which lessens pollution and helps supports local jobs.

Improper disposal of electronics, such as illegal dumping, can harm people and the environment through the release of such substances as lead and mercury.

For more information about eCycling and to find local drop-off points, visit www.epa.gov and search for “eCycling.”

(StatePoint) More seniors than ever before are living healthy independent lives well into their golden years. And a vast majority want to remain in their homes as long as possible, according to the National Aging in Place Council.

However, most houses were not built to adapt to our changing needs as we age.

“The good news is there are many simple ways to make a home more functional for your needs as you age,” says Shannon Sims, marketing communications manager for Therma-Tru Corp.

By 2030, Americans 65 and older will make up 20 percent of the population. For those wishing to make aging-in-place easier, there are several things to consider.

De-clutter Rooms

Eliminate clutter that could get in your way, such as planters and small console tables.

Pay attention to area rugs and other tripping hazards. And if you have wood floors and carpeting, install transition strips where they adjoin.

Evaluate Your Entryway

To ideally accommodate a wheelchair, the doorway to your home should be at least 32-inches wide. Even without a wheelchair, a wider opening can be beneficial when entering and exiting.

There are different doors you can install to meet your mobility needs and personal style. For example, a 42-inch wide entry door allows for easier access.

Also consider how the door swings. A door that swings in may be easier to operate than one swinging out. A remodeling contractor can help determine what your home can accommodate structurally, provide recommendations for styles and handle installation.

Tweak Bathrooms and Kitchens

Lowering countertops in your kitchen and bathroom can make using them easier. And consider grab-bars for showers and bathtubs. For their part, curbless showers and bathtubs with entrances that open can reduce the possibility of falling.

Get a Grip

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 67 million adults will have doctor-diagnosed arthritis by the year 2030. For them, just turning a doorknob can be painfully difficult. Consider installing lever-style handles on exterior and interior doors. And choose ones with a multi-point locking system for ease of opening, which also provide greater security and stability.

“Making life easier can be as simple as choosing low-maintenance entry doors with easy-to-use levers instead of doorknobs. Or, to allow more fresh air and light into the home, a homeowner can request Vented Sidelites on their doors that swing open easily on hinges,” says Sims.

Upgrade Patio Doors

Patio doors tend to receive more traffic than front doors. If your patio door is due for an upgrade, you can choose the classic elegance of a hinged door or the modern convenience of a sliding door. Both are available in two-, three- or four-panel configurations to ensure a wide opening.

Above all, when adapting your home, keep an eye on making your daily life easier.

(SPM Wire) If you are still a smoker, you may be feeling a bit lonely.

New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that fewer Americans are smoking cigarettes and daily users are smoking fewer cigarettes each day.

“You don’t have to be a heavy smoker or a long-time smoker to get a smoking-related disease or have a heart attack or asthma attack,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D. M.P.H. “The sooner you quit smoking, the sooner your body can begin to heal.”

Smokers can get free help quitting by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visiting www.smokefree.gov.

(NewsUSA) - With winter upon us, tire safety in cold weather is something every car owner should be familiar with. Most drivers concentrate on tire safety in hot weather to avoid blowouts, but the same precautions should be exercised in the winter. One of the most effective ways to be safe on the road is to use a winter tire specially designed for cold weather.

Common all-season tires contain a tread compound that gradually hardens when temperatures dip below 45 degrees, resulting in a decrease in traction. These tires also tend to collect winter road debris, like snow and ice, which can impact a vehicle's performance on wintry roads.

Mark Ballard, spokesman for Discount Tire Company, America's largest independent tire and wheel retailer, advises motorists to replace all four tires with winter tires if they can expect to encounter snow and ice during the winter months. "It's best to use winter tires, especially if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions where temperatures are below 45 degrees on a consistent basis," he explains. "Relying on an all-season tire to do the work of a winter tire can be dangerous to you and other motorists."

In recent years, the Rubber Manufacturers Association (www.rma.org) developed new standards for winter traction, which led to technological advancements in the manufacture of winter tires. For example, a newer tread compound featuring a higher sillica content retains tire flexibility even in freezing temperatures, allowing the tread to maintain its grip with the highway.

Also, tread block design has been greatly improved with the addition of thousands of "sipes," small cuts in the tread block that provide extra biting edges for more traction.

"Every aspect of today's winter tire has been engineered to provide better traction and greater ability to quickly expel water, slush and snow, provide a quieter ride and allow for longer tread life," says Ballard.

Winter tires tend to be slightly more expensive than all-season ones. But like all tires, winter tires perform optimally when properly inflated. Remember that a significant drop in temperature can lower air pressure. Typically, a 10-degree drop will cause tires to lose a pound of pressure.

To learn more about winter tire safety, visit www.tires.com.

(StatePoint) It’s never too early to start teaching your children about traffic safety.

Traffic accidents continue to be the leading cause of death for children ages 1 through 12 in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

To help keep families safe, NHTSA has teamed up with the animated, preschool television show “Chuggington” to launch the national “Think Safe, Ride Safe, Be Safe!” campaign. The program offers free resources to help parents and kids learn important safety lessons from engaging characters and take a safety pledge online to earn a traffic safety badge.

Here are some traffic safety tips for you and your children to remember.

Car Safety

Everyone should use seat belts, and children should always be in a properly fitted car seat. Select a car seat based on your child’s age and size that fits in your vehicle. Keep your child in the car seat as long as they are within the manufacturer’s height and weight requirements and in the back seat until age 12.

When reversing out of parking spaces, drivers should be on alert for small children and parents should always hold their child’s hand and watch for speeding. And while it may be convenient to leave a trunk open when loading or unloading items, children are naturally curious and may get trapped inside if left unattended. So be sure to teach your child that trunks are for cargo, not hide-and-seek.

School Bus Safety

Children should always wait with an adult at the school bus stop and at least five giant steps away from the curb. Parents should instruct children to always sit facing front and obey the school bus driver.

When disembarking, instruct children to take five giant steps away from the school bus. Then look left, right, and left again and wait for the signal from the driver before crossing the street.

Bike Safety

Make sure your and your child’s bike helmets sit low across the forehead with no more than two finger-widths above the eyebrow. And make sure the chin strap is buckled snugly. Children should also ride on bike paths or sidewalks; never in the streets.

In low-light conditions, make sure that you and your children wear brightly colored clothing and reflective materials. Everyone’s bike should be equipped with a white front light (which is required by law in most states) and a red rear light.

For help in teaching your children these lifesaving safety skills, check out NHTSA and Chuggington’s Traffic Safety Program at www.chuggington.com/safety, where you can find tips, activities and a safety pledge you and your child can take together.

By engaging your children in safety activities and games, you give them the knowledge and lifelong tools to help them stay safe.