The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BCNEPA) is committed to supporting nonprofit agencies that respond to the needs of its neighbors throughout the region. The Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved nearly $122,000 in contributions that will be shared by 14 United Ways across BCNEPA’s 13-county service area.

The United Way of Susquehanna County received $3,340 for its 2012/13 campaign, targeted specifically to support health-related programs for Susquehanna County residents.

“Many people across our service area are feeling the strain of the economy,” said Cynthia A. Yevich, executive director of The Blue Ribbon Foundation. “We are privileged to have the resources to help improve lives and change the community conditions that affect our region's most vulnerable residents.”

"The United Way is proud to partner with The Blue Ribbon Foundation as we strive to meet the community's needs in a meaningful way,” said Greg Banks, executive director, United Way of Susquehanna County. “Their contribution of $3,340 allows us to continue serving families most at-risk in Susquehanna County.”

On August 2, Mrs. Lilas Nudelman, a resident of the Forest City Nursing & Rehab Center, was honored with a visit by Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O’Malley. Commissioner O’Malley presented Mrs. Nudelman with a Proclamation from Lackawanna County in honor of her 100th birthday.

Pictured are (clockwise from center): Lilas Nudelman, Commissioner O’Malley, Mary Alice Glucksnis, Lindsey Glucksnis, Alison, Gabriel, and Abigail Lott.

Mrs. Nudelman has led a remarkable life, having been a teacher, business woman and avid golfer. She is a life-long resident of Forest City.

Seventeen 4-H textile science members from Susquehanna County sewing clubs recently competed in the Northeast 4-H Fashion Revue, held June 26th at Montrose Bible Conference. They participated along with over 30 members from Lackawanna, Bradford, Sullivan, Tioga and Wyoming Counties. During the event, the youth were judged with their garments in appearance, fit, design, fashion and construction techniques. In addition to the judging, they attended workshops on modeling and sewing.

4-H Fashion Revue members

To celebrate Pennsylvania 4-H’s Centennial, we welcomed Jan Scholl, 4-H State Program Leader from Penn State. Jan presented “100 Years of 4-H Sewing and the 4-H Uniform” for over 100 youth and family members.

The event concluded with a fashion show after which honor awards were given. Four girls in the Senior Wearable division – Theresa Staats, Olivia Everitt, Audrie Wilkes and Mary Ring – qualified to represent our region at the State Fashion Revue to be held at Penn State University in August! Katie Warner was named 3rd Alternate in this category. Other winners were: Kaitlyn Yohe, First Place, Junior Non-Wearable; Vienne Benedict, Honorable Mention Betsy Warner, First Place, Junior Wearable Year 3.

Special thanks to: Sheryl Boyle, Rhaylene Britten, Joan Webster, Evelyn Gerchman, and Beth Everitt – 4-H leaders who helped plan and conduct the event. Carol Page, Mary Kiehl, and Peggy Empet for serving as judges. Cathy Rezykowski for providing beautiful piano music during the fashion show. Rachel Smarkusky, Emily Higley, and Amanda Hunt – Summer 4-H Assistants who assisted with many aspects of the event.

Congratulations to all our participants, and keep up the good work!

At the 2012 April meeting held at the Jackson United Methodist Church, the Monday club joined the list of groups across America that makes dresses from pillow cases for little girls in Africa. Little Dresses for Africa is a non-profit Christian organization which provides relief to the children of Africa. Simple dresses are made out of pillow cases, and distributed through the orphanages, churches and schools in Africa to plant in the hearts of little girls that they are worthy.

Monday Club Members Sandy Schell, Evelyn Gerchman, and Shirley Silipo working on pillow case dresses

Barb Gallagher, Jane Colwell, and Agnes Whitehead, program committee, were in charge of the African project. They had requested that members bring pillow cases, scraps of material, lace, ribbon, elastic, bias tape, decorative buttons, other appliqués as well as sewing supplies and sewing machines to the meeting. Barb, Jane, and Agnes showed the members a completed dress and organized groups to cut, sew, and decorate the pillow case dresses.

By the end of May, the completed dresses were given to Mrs. MaGann, the pastor’s wife. Her husband, Scott MaGann is pastor of the New Hope Church. They will be taking the dresses along with some medical supplies to Kenya. Once the dresses have been unpacked, they will be given to little girls.

The New Milford Area Rotary Club recently hosted a dinner for five graduates of RYLA, the Rotary Youth Leadership Academy, a week-long program held in July at Keystone College.

Pictured (l-r): Barbara Hill, New Milford Rotary president; Andrew Adams and Rebecca Perkins from Mountain View; Ashley Miller and Amber Dubanowitz from Susquehanna; Leif-Axel Berg from Blue Ridge; and Kate Kurosky, New Milford RYLA coordinator.

On August 10th the North Jackson Ag 4-H club held a meeting in the Pavelski’s barn. The meeting was opened by Troy Carey. The American flag was lead by Emory Bewley and the 4-H flag was lead by Eli Aldrich. At this meeting all livestock books were checked. To start off the meeting the secretary’s report was read by Evan Aldrich and approved , along with the treasurer’s report which was read by Jamie Supancik and approved. Thank you to anyone who helped with our food sale, we raised more money this year than we usually do! We reviewed the food sale, Dairy round up and 4-H State days.

Garrett Conklin demonstrating a catcher’s position

The 4-H building is looking for building watchers. If you are willing to help please contact the Extension office. Also volunteers for farmer for a day are needed. Please contact the Harford Fair office if you would like to volunteer. On August 19th the skill-a-thon will be held in the cattle arena, all 4-H members are encouraged to attend. The Harford fair will be held on August 20th-25th. Tuesday, August 21st at the fair is 4-H day. At the fair on Thursday, August 23rd will be the animal dress up contest. On Friday, August 24th at 6:00 P.M. in the cattle arena will be the dairy showmanship contest.

During our meeting six people did their demonstrations. Adrianna Zembrowski did her demonstration on making Indian tea. Sarah Marble demonstrated her cake decorating skills. Benjamin Marble talked about his experience crabbing this summer. Ed Gorick talked about his new rescued pet dog. Garrett Conklin talked about being a catcher for baseball, and Troy Carey did his on the band camp that he went to.

HARRISBURG – State Senator Gene Yaw (R-Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Union counties) applauded the recent decision by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to revisit their policy concerning the taxation of mineral rights and natural gas interests for Pennsylvania inheritance tax purposes.

Yaw, along with State Senator Elder Vogel (R-Allegheny, Beaver, Lawrence counties) met with Secretary of Revenue Dan Meuser on May 7, 2012 to discuss ways to achieve a consistent valuation method for mineral and gas rights without burdening a descendant’s estate. The senators then had a productive follow-up meeting with the Secretary and his staff on June 18, 2012.

“Prior to bringing Secretary Meuser into the picture, the intent of the Department of Revenue was to tax the value of shale interests in the ground whether they were producing or even without regard to whether they were leased,” Yaw said. “I believe the new regulation is a significant change from that position.”

According to Revenue, the taxable value of mineral and natural gas rights must be determined using the same methodology used to value any real property or tangible personal property interest. The revised policy provides inheritance tax valuation guidance in the following ways:

For leased and producing properties, the value should be reported as the sum of all payments received for production of natural gas interests during the 12 months prior to the date of death, multiplied by two.

Interests in leased, non-producing properties should be reported at zero value unless at the time of death the gas rights are generating fixed future payments. In such cases, value is calculated by reducing the fixed future payments to present value at the time of death using IRS actuarial tables.

Interests in non-leased, non-producing properties are valued at zero.

“I commend Secretary Meuser and his staff for their willingness to work with Senator Vogel and I on this very important matter, which could have potentially impacted hundreds of leaseholders and their descendants throughout our senate districts.”