Susquehanna County 4-H celebrated the Pennsylvania 4-H’s 100th Anniversary at its annual 4-H Achievement Night and Leaders Recognition Event on Saturday, November 3rd at Mountain View High School. The evening began with special recognition of Evie Goff, Montrose for her 30 years of service to Penn State Extension in Susquehanna County as office manager. Penn State Extension Educator Michelle Kowalewski noted in her opening remarks, “I am confident that 2013 will be a year of new beginnings for the 4-H program in Susquehanna County.”

Susquehanna County’s Pennsylvania First Alternate Dairy Princess Callie Curley spoke about her new title and reign with the Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Court. To complete her presentation she presented a check to Julie Harvatine, President of the Susquehanna County 4-H Youth Program Advisory Committee for $3,500 to the Susquehanna County 4-H Endowment Fund with the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains. The funds are a result of Callie’s hard work in coordinating a 100th Birthday Party dinner for the Pennsylvania 4-H Program held in October during National 4-H week. Michelle Kowalewski, Extension Educator thanked Callie for her diligent efforts and also recognized Stephane Koloski, Brackney for her efforts in raising funds for the Susquehanna County 4-H Horse Program through her Beginners Luck Show Series held in July and August. “It is great to see our members, like Callie and Stephanie, giving back to the 4-H organization to ensure financial sustainability for future generations,” Kowalewski stated.

North Jackson Ag 4-H Club leader Cathy Bewley, Susquehanna presented the first group of awards to 4-H dairy members. Evan Castrogiovanni, Montrose and Kyle Vanderfeltz, Lawton were presented with embroidered jackets for having the best bred and owned animals at this year’s 4-H dairy roundup. Kyle was also awarded the overall best bred and owned animal. Next, the following dairy project book awards winners were announced. In the Rookie division: Katelyn Supanick, New Milford; Kaylee Conboy, Montrose; and Krista Jones, Friendsville. Junior division winners include: Emory Bewley, Susquehanna; Patrick Curley, Mountain Top; and Jamie Supancik, New Milford. Senior division winners were Cassie Clark, Springville and Allison Kiefer, Montrose.

Abby Onyon, New Milford also a leader with North Jackson Ag 4-H club presented the 4-H livestock project book awards. In the rookie division: Samantha Jones, Clifford; Garrett Conklin, New Milford; and Taylor Watkins, Springville. Junior division winners include: Emory Bewley, Susquehanna; KayLeen Conklin, New Milford; and Charles Jenner, Montrose. Senior division winners were Cassie Clark, Springville; Andrew Jenner, Montrose; and Evan Aldrich, Susquehanna.

Blue Ribbon Driven 4-H Club leader Heather Charles, Montrose presented the horse member awards. Austin Graham, Montrose received recognition for obtaining the highest dollar amount and the most sponsor for the county horse program. The mother and daughter team of Connie and Kelly Oliver, Springville were each recognized for their second place finishes at the State Competitive Trail Ride Competition.

Elaine Mackey, Nicholson a leader of the Deckertown Community 4-H Club presented the Outstanding News Reporter Award to KayLeen Conklin, New Milford. KayLeen submitted seven news articles for the North Jackson Ag 4-H Club. Project Diversity Awards are given to members who go above and beyond completing the highest number of projects and entering them in the 4-H building during the Harford Fair. This year’s Project Diversity Winner was Zeb Swartley, Friendsville and the Runner-up was Jacob Eichelberger, Susquehanna.

Project Diversity Winners Victoria Clark, Zachery Chisek, Jacob Eichelberger and Zeb Swartley

Honorable mention awards for project diversity were also given to Cynthia Eichelberger, Susquehanna; Zachery Chisek, Thompson; and Victoria Clark, Springville. 4-H promotion window display honors were given to the following clubs North Jackson Ag, Jackson Pin Thimblers, Elk Mountain Community, Pony Tales, and Blue Ribbon Driven for participating in the PA 4-H Week Window Display Contest held in March.

D.E.S. 4-H Club leader LouAnn Kiefer, Montrose presented the 4-H Club Spirit Awards. Each club was encouraged to select one member who has shown the most improvement, has been helpful to members and leaders, someone who has good attendance, and someone who participates in a Community Service activity alone or within their club. The following members were selected: Baconners – Justine Johns, Meshoppen; Bits and Bosals – Shayla VanVleck, Clifford Twp.; Blue Ribbon Driven – Kelsey Mitchell, Montrose; Borderline – Ben Pettyjohn, Montrose; Born To Show – Zeke Raub, Hallstead; Bowbridge Shepherds – Devin Hollenbeck, Kingsley; Clover Pups – Victoria Clark, Springville; Clovers Sewing – Betsy Warner, Hallstead; Cowboys and Cubbers – Alexis DeLousia, Brackney; D.E.S. – Cassie Clark, Springville; Deckertown – Stephanie Oster, Clifford Twp.; Dimock – Katie Burke, Meshoppen; East Bridgewater – Chris Arnold, Montrose; Elk Mountain – Taylor Sebring, Dalton; Fancy Feathers – Audrey Shay, Thompson; Franklin Hill – Olivia Mitchell, Montrose; Jackson Pin Thimblers – Lia Heath, Susquehanna; North Jackson Ag – KayLeen Conklin, New Milford; Pony Tales – Emma Frisbie, New Milford; Riding Every Stride – Jessie Purdum, New Milford; Schooley Pond – Cydney Dewitt, Montrose; Sizzlin’ Steaks – Autumn Whitehead, Kingsley; and Turning Leaf – Alison Teel, Montrose.

4-H members then proceeded with the rest of the awards ceremony honoring 4-H leaders that have served 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 40 years of service to the 4-H program. The following leaders were recognized as first year leaders: Kimberly Aldrich, Susquehanna; April Conrad, Amy Curley, Montrose; Benjamin Curley, Montrose; Christine Esslinger, Kingsley; Vera Everett, Lisa Lytle, Krista Naylor, Montrose; Michelle Naylor, Hallstead; Richard Naylor, Hallstead; Joan Nunemacher, Montrose; George Tyler Jr., Susquehanna; and Jessica Sartell, Thompson. Five year leaders included: Donna Benjamin, Renee Coy, Montrose; Tim Finch, Springville; Allene Tayler, Renne Tyler, Montrose; Raelene Coy, Montrose; Connie Charles, Julie Whitehead, Kingsley, and Mark Whitehead, Kingsley.

Three leaders were honored with ten year awards: Cathy Bewley, Susquehanna of the North Jackson Ag 4-H Club; Terry Bufford, Nicholson with the Green Grove Community 4-H Club; and Joann Titus, New Milford with the Sizzlin’ Steaks 4-H Club. Fifteen year recognition was awarded to Lawrence and Marjorie Winkler, Meshoppen for their leadership with Green Grove Community 4-H Club and to Sandra DeLousia, Brackney with the Cowboys and Cubbers 4-H Club. Richard and Lori Mackey, Nicholson were honored with twenty year service awards with the Deckertown Community 4-H Club.

Five Year 4-H Leaders Mark and Julie Whitehead, Raelene Coy and Connie Charles

One of the most exciting awards presented during the evening were two – 24 inch mountain bikes donated by an anonymous friend of 4-H. Two names were randomly drawn to receive the bike awards given for 4-H project completion at this year’s Harford Fair. The bike recipients were first year member Garrett Conklin, New Milford and John Tyler, Springville.

Project Completion Bike Winners John Tyler and Garrett Conklin

The forty year leader award was presented to Rhaylene Britten, Thompson for her years of dedication and service to the Jackson Pin Thimblers 4-H Club. Rhaylene has a long history with 4-H belonging as a member of the North Jackson Club during her childhood years and starting as a leader in 1971. She is very involved in every aspect of 4-H. With her leadership, her 4-H members take part in community service, camps, Farm Show, Fashion Revue, promotional window displays and much more.

The final awards of the evening were presented to members. The Outstanding 4-H Dairy Member Awards were presented to Allison Kiefer, Montrose and Lydia Watkins, Springville both of the D.E.S. 4-H Club for their strong participation and commitment to the 4-H dairy progrram. The Outstanding Horsemanship Award went to Nathan Moyer, Clifford Twp of the Bits and Bosals 4-H Club for his ten years of membership in the 4-H horse program. 4-H Scholarships were given to five Susquehanna County 4-H members: Allison Kiefer, Montrose; Jordan Noldy, Hop Bottom; Nicole O’Dell, Montrose; Nathan Moyer, Clifford Twp.; and Lydia Watkins, Springville.

Pictured are Development Fund Scholarship Winners Nicole O’Dell, Jordan Noldy, Nate Moyer, Lydia Watkins and Allison Kiefer

Two outstanding 4-Her’s Allison Kiefer, Montrose and Jordan Noldy, Hop Bottom were selected for 2012.

Allison Kiefer is the daughter of Ron and LouAnn Kiefer and is a 2012 Montrose Area Jr./Sr. High School graduate. She is currently studying Phlebotomy to be a Lab Assistant at the Fortis Institute in Scranton. She has completed 10 years in 4-H and has been a member of the D.E.S. 4-H Club and Arrows and Clays 4-H Club. She has held the offices of President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. During her 4-H career she completed a variety of projects including dairy, shotgun, archery, cake decorating levels 1, 2 and 3, babysitting, I Spy in The Kitchen, and hands-on flowers. During her 4-H career she has always taken part in her 4-H club’s community service project of “adopt-a-family.” She noted that she enjoys this community service project because it helps those in need have a happy and enjoyable Christmas. One of Allison’s meaningful honors was receiving the Discovering Tomorrow’s Leaders Award in 2012.

2012 Outstanding 4-Hers: Allison Kiefer and Jordan Noldy

Jordan Noldy is the daughter of Mary and Kevin Noldy and is a 2012 graduate from Mountain View Jr./Sr. High School. She is currently studying photography at Luzerne County Community College. She is a nine year 4-H member of the Baconeers and Arrows & Clays 4-H Clubs serving as news reporter, treasurer, and vice president. She has completed the market swine, market steer, sewing, photography, and shotgun projects. Jordan’s most meaningful award received as a 4-Her was the 4-H Club Spirit Award. To quote her application, “I’ve always tried to have a positive outlook and help younger kids build enthusiasm for our club and their projects. I love 4-H and all that it stands for; receiving this award shows that I’ve done what I set out to do at every 4-H event.”

The Susquehanna County Conservation District and Penn State Extension recently held a joint celebration on October 10th at the Montrose Bible Conference’s Dreyer Lodge Tea Room. The Conservation District commemorated their 65th year and Penn State Extension honored the 100th anniversary of the Pennsylvania 4-H program.

After a delicious roast beef dinner, Master of Ceremony Jim Kessler hosted the evening’s tributes. First was a moving remembrance of the late George Gardner. George had served for over twenty years on the Conservation District’s board of directors and had been chairman most of those years. Conservation District Manager Jim Garner presented a heartfelt power point that brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience.

Michelle Kowalewski, Penn State Dairy/Ag Enterprise Educator presented a photo collection honoring the history of 4-H in Susquehanna County. Her presentation brought back memories of past 4-H adventures for young and old alike. Pennsylvania First Alternate Dairy Princess and Susquehanna County’s own Callie Curley discussed her recent crowning as First State Alternate Dairy Princess and her plans for the upcoming year of proclaiming the goodness of milk.

A presentation explaining “what is a conservation district and its value to the community” was given by Shane Kleiner, Northeast PA Regional Office Field Representative for the Department of Environmental Protection was next on the program. He was followed by Robert Wagner, Soil Conservation Technician for USDA-NRCS who told of the partnership between NRCS and the District which has lasted for 65 years. In a similar vein, Dan Naylor of the PA Department of Agriculture explained the relationship the Ag Department has had with the District.

These tributes to years of service and cooperation were followed by numerous awards. Penn State Extension Board President Richard Mackey presented John and Bonny Onyon with the “Friends of Extension Award” for their years of dedication to the County’s 4-H program. State Representative Sandra Major presented a certificate of appreciation to the Penn State Extension which was followed by Representative Tina Pickett honoring the Conservation District for 65 years of protecting the resources of Susquehanna County.

Pictured are John and Bonny Onyon who were selected for Penn State Extension’s “Friend of Extension Award”. They are shown with their daughter Abby

Pennsylvania State Representatives Sandra Major and Tina Pickett honored Penn State Extension and the Susquehanna County Conservation District

Rounding out the evening was a series of awards given by the Conservation District. The Envirothon Donor Award went to Chesapeake Energy and Talisman Energy. Jane Clements was present with a beautiful plaque for Chesapeake Energy.

Ed Kelley Jr., Montrose was the Outstanding Farmer Cooperator for his many years of implementing sound conservation practices on his farm. Ed Price received the Outstanding Educator Award for his work as an Envirothon advisor and his educational work with the PA Trappers Association.

Conservation District Technician Willie Keeney presented the Media Cooperator Award to Larry Souder, President of WPEL. For almost 60 years WPEL has carried information of importance to the agricultural community of the area and for the last eight years the District has hosted a show on Thursday’s following the noon news. The Susquehanna County Conservation District and Penn State Extension Service would like to thank all those people whose hard work and dedication have allowed these institutions to exist and serve for so long.

Larry Souder, President of WPEL received the Media Cooperator Award from Willie Keeney, Susquehanna County Conservation District

Rebecca Seamans and Brett Ebert

Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Marion (Corse) Seamans of Harford Township announce the engagement of their daughter, Rebecca Jean Seamans, to Brett Daniel Ebert, son of Daniel and Sandra (Lecker) Ebert of Harborcreek Township, PA.

Miss Seamans, a 2001 graduate of Mansfield University, is an Administrative Assistant to the Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of the Pittsburgh Pirates (Pittsburgh, PA) after working in radio for Citadel Broadcasting (Binghamton, NY and Harrisburg, PA) for seven years.

Mr. Ebert, a 2006 graduate of Edinboro University, is a Network Security Engineer at UPMC after previously working for Bayer (Pittsburgh, PA) and Select Medical Corporation (Mechanicsburg, PA).

The couple resides in Robinson Township near Pittsburgh, PA.

The wedding is planned for June 8, 2013 at St. John The Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Susquehanna, PA.

Help! We need students, businesses, groups or indidviduals to sell raffle tickets so we can attain our goal of 1000 tickets sold. If you are interested please stop by or call the shelter. Tickets for Santa Claus for Needy Paws raffle have cash prizes. It's a great way to help our animals and celebrate the holidays too!

Jagger

He is a real character and very active. He knows some commands, he is housebroke, neutered and loves to play. He is a young dog and needs an outgoing family to give him love, training and attention. We prefer all of our animals to be indoor companions. Most animals would have a pack or family unit in their own environment. It is not natural for them to be alone and kept out of the family setting. Please include them in your daily family life.

At the Silver Lake Rod & Gun Club’s November meeting members made a generous donation to the Susquehanna County 4-H Shooting Sports Program. In 2002, a member of the Rod & Gun Club, Roger Everitt passed away, so in 2003 several club members decided to put together a trap shoot in his memory. Memorial Shoot Committee has been instrumental over the years in organizing a two day trap shoot; the first day an open trap shoot is held for anyone who would like to participate and on the second day there is a ATA Registered trap shoot where shooters must be a member of the ATA to shoot. Over the weekend they also hold a raffle of donated items from local businesses and supporters of the shoot and they also offer a chicken barbeque. Since the inception of the “Roger Everitt Memorial Shoot” the club has donated a portion of the proceeds from this 2 day event to the 4-H Shooting Sports program. Over the years the 4-H has used these funds to purchase shooting equipment, a gun safe and directly by the members of 4-H as they travel to State and National competitions through the 4-H shooting sports program.

Pictured (l-r) are: Bob Kuhn, President; Jack Legg; Todd Everitt, Vice President; Michelle Kowalewski, Penn State Extension; and Fred Guyette, Director.

The Silver Lake Rod & Gun Club has been a huge supporter of the 4-H program, not only through their generous donation but also personally as they open their club to members of the Arrows & Clays 4-H club to come and practice shooting both trap and skeet. They have also hosted the State Shotgun Team practices as the team prepares for competition at State Achievement Days every summer.

Susquehanna County 4-H would like to thank the Silver Lake Rod & Gun Club for their generous support over the years.

Employees of the Home Depot in Honesdale, PA volunteered their time and resources to spread some holiday cheer with several of the residents of Forest City Personal Care. The group made an assortment of holiday ornaments, including Santas, snowflakes and snowmen.

Pictured (l-r) is: First row - Rose Corrigan, Mike Swaha, and Sophie Urbas; Second row - Sharon Daniels, Home Depot Team Members Christi Carrington, Agnes Lippi-Johnson, Jessica Mann. Also included on Team Depot but not pictured were Denise Barletta, Jeannie Redman.

The volunteers from Home Depot included Jessica Mann, Denise Barletta, Jeannie Redman, Agnes Lippi-Johnson and Christi Carrington.

The members of The Monday Club would like to thank everyone who participated in our Fall Basket Raffle. Helen Amirault was the winner of the Christmas Basket; Peyton Cowperthwait was the winner of the Family Night Basket; and Anne Houghton was the winner of the Library Basket. Congratulations to our three winners.

The money raised from raffles and club dues enables us to contribute to the following: Susquehanna County Library, Susquehanna Fire Company, Thompson Hose Company, Columbia Hose Company #1, and Children and Youth. We also award a scholarship to a graduating senior at both Susquehanna Community High School and Blue Ridge High School. We support SNF and RCA in Susquehanna through visits, Christmas caroling, and donations of homemade Christmas decorations. Last year, we made dresses to send to girls in Africa. This year, we plan to make pants for the boys.

The Monday Club was organized in 1894, under the leadership of Rachel Kane to “promote, encourage and improve the literary, educational, social, and economic status of the members of the club and community, as well as to foster fellowship, understanding, and good will among the members of the club and the community.”

Our meetings are usually the first Monday of each month. Programs include speakers on a variety of topics; craft meetings; trips to various places; visits to SNF and RCA; picnics; and teas, where we discuss and share various books that members have read.

If you are interested in learning more about The Monday Club, please contact Carolee Slocum at (570) 756-2497.

Harrisburg – Agriculture Secretary George Greig today asks hunters to donate deer meat to the “Hunters Sharing the Harvest’’ program, which distributes to Pennsylvania food banks, soup kitchens and pantries.

“Hunger affects more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians in all corners of our state,” Greig said during an event to kick off the annual program at Diller’s Custom Deer Processing in Enola, Cumberland County. “By donating venison, hunters can help keep food on their neighbor’s tables this winter.”

Hunters can take their deer to one of more than 100 participating meat processors throughout the state. They can donate any amount of their venison to the program, from several pounds to the entire animal.

Any hunter donating an entire deer is asked to make a minimum $15 tax-deductible contribution to help cover processing costs. The program covers all remaining fees.

The Department of Agriculture, through the federal Emergency Food Assistance Program, contributes $1.25 per pound of donated venison to reimburse processors. The deer meat is processed into ground venison before it is distributed.

“Through Hunters Sharing the Harvest, the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank is able to offer a high quality meat product that is highly desired by the families we serve,” Joe Arthur, executive director of the regional food bank said. “The donated venison is a great source of a low-fat, high protein meat product that is beneficial for a balanced diet.”

Pennsylvanians can also donate money to the Buck for the Pot campaign, which supports “Hunters Sharing the Harvest.’’

To learn more about the program or to obtain a list of participating meat processors, visit www.sharedeer.org, or call toll-free 866-474-2141.