On the weekend of January 20, five 4-H leaders and two 4-Hers traveled to Penn State for the annual Leader’s Forum. Leaders participated in several workshops geared to helping leaders improve their skills within their clubs and community. The broad arrange of workshops included communications, low cost team building, hay quality, judging, shooting sports, sewing and even “Hula-Hoopla” which was a workshop designed around making a hula hoop and using it to get kids and adults alike, up and moving through games, songs and even the science behind the hula hoop.
4-H members and leaders attended the Pennsylvania State 4-H Leadership Conference held January 19-22 at Penn State Conference Center, University Park. Pictured (l-r) above are Kim Clark, Sue Graham, Stephanie Koloski, Callie Curley, Heather Charles and LouAnn Kiefer. Missing from photo is Marilyn Race.
The leaders - Marilyn Race, Kim Clark, Sue Graham, Heather Charles and LouAnn Kiefer - were treated to a luncheon where Penn State honored those who have served as 4-H leaders for 20 years or more. This year is the centennial year for 4-H so there are plans being made to observe this great moment in the history of 4-H across the state! Look for more details coming soon about the great ways 100 years of 4-H right here in Susquehanna County will be celebrated.
4-H members, Callie Curley of the D.E.S. and Arrows & Clays 4-H Clubs and Stephanie Koloski of the Cowboys & Cubbers 4-H Club, participated in the State Leadership Conference entitled “Wild For Leadership.” The girls rotated through several workshops during the day, including goal setting, how to teach a workshop, critical thinking, communication, marketing and technology tools for leadership. The whole weekend was culminated by a semi-formal dinner and dance in which 4-H members from across the state came together and shared the experiences they had learned throughout the weekend and made new friends.
HARRISBURG - State Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming) recently joined her colleagues in the House and Senate for a joint session of the General Assembly to hear the governor’s 2012-13 state budget proposal, which aims to reduce state spending while continuing a commitment to not impose any tax increases on Pennsylvania citizens.
“Although the economy is continuing to recover across the country, state revenues are not rebounding as quickly as we would like. Last year, we took the decisive action to dramatically reduce spending in order to stave off further debt. This year, the governor is looking to basically level-fund most areas of the budget,” said Major.
The governor’s proposed budget totals $27.13 billion dollars, or $22 million below the current year’s spending plan.
“The governor’s approach is to focus as much as possible on streamlining program funding and consolidating programs and services where possible,” said Major. “Basic education will receive a slight increase and have more flexible funding to use as the school districts see fit. Unfortunately, higher education once again is proposed to receive some reductions. However, I think it is important to keep in mind that this is only the beginning of the budget season and much can still happen between now and the June 30 deadline.”
Major noted that beginning Feb. 21 the House Appropriations Committee will start to hold budget hearings in which the committee will examine in depth every detail of the proposed budget and listen to testimony and question the heads of the various state agencies.
“I am not 100 percent pleased with this budget, but as always, there are good points and bad points,” said Major. “However, I think it is a good, solid point from which to start negotiations. Rest assured that in the coming months I, along with my colleague in the General Assembly, will go line item by line item through the budget and ensure that state dollars are being spent as wisely and as effectively as possible. There are still many changes that will likely take place before a final budget plan is adopted in June.”
Wilkes-Barre, PA - Ten northeastern Pennsylvania residents recently took the brave step of sharing their personal experiences with breast cancer to inspire others who are facing the disease. Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA) has collected their stories and photos for the company's 12th annual "Gallery of Hope."
Created by BCNEPA in 2000, the Gallery of Hope is a traveling display designed to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment in the fight against breast cancer. Beginning this month, the 2012 Gallery is available to exhibit throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.
This year's Gallery of Hope includes Susquehanna County resident Sandra Connor of Clifford. In 2006, a routine mammogram detected a lump on Connor's right breast. A lumpectomy was done to remove the cancer, and Connor celebrated the birth of her second grandchild on the last day of her chemotherapy treatments.
Four years later, testing revealed Connor's cancer had returned. But despite having cancer twice, she keeps a positive outlook for the future and enjoys every day she can share with her children, grandchildren, and fiancé Jim.
Connor encourages any woman facing a breast cancer diagnosis to be strong. "Embrace your support system, and take charge of your own care," she says. "Don't be afraid to speak up."
