On Christmas Day, over 70 guests enjoyed a bountiful dinner provided by Endless Mountains Health Systems physicians, employees, friends and volunteers. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, salad, fruit and green beans were served along with many delicious desserts. This free dinner started in 2000 by EMHS to offer food and fellowship to everyone so no person would be alone on Christmas Day. Dr. Ellis Rucker welcomed the dinner guests and Father Paul Towers assisted with the group singing led by Renee Tyler. A stocking filled with goodies made by Cub Scouts of Pack 92, Montrose, PA. was a gift to each diner. The raffle of centerpieces, donated by Kathy Zalewski was enjoyed by everyone!

Hallstead, PA – On January 2, 2013, the Board of Directors of Peoples Financial Services Corp. (OTCBB: PFIS) declared a quarterly dividend of $0.23 per share. The dividend, which is a 10.0% increase over the comparable quarter last year is payable February 15, 2013, to shareholders of record January 31, 2013.

Donnie

It's a new year and time to start observing your new year's resolutions. One of the best resolutions could be adopting an animal in need of a loving, responsible home. Please consider sharing your home and your blessings with those in need. Donnie is wondering when his family will claim him. He is a young neutered male. He is very curious and loves an adventure. He would be a great addition to your household. Come in and see the dogs and cats we have available. Winter weather is here so make sure your animals have proper shelter and fresh food and water. Better yet take them inside. Don't forget to renew your dog licenses for 2013.

To celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Sea Scouting, Sea Scout Ship 90, the North Star of New Milford, PA. conducted their 71st Bridge of Honor. The event took place aboard their land ship in the Sea Scout Hall recently.

The highlight of the Bridge of Honor was the presentation of the Quartermaster Award to ship’s boatswain Joshua J. Warner. Only about 30 to 40 sea scouts a year earn this very prestigious award. A Quartermaster is the highest rank in Sea Scouting and requires learning and mastering many seamanship and boating skills, as well as leadership abilities. Joshua has been a member of Ship 90 for 6 years, has canoed the white water of the Delaware River every year. He has sailed 30 Thompson 46 foot sailboats on Chesapeake and Delaware Bays, the Atlantic Ocean, Cayuga Lake and also a 110 foot schooner out of New London, Connecticut!

Michele, Joshua and Lee Warner

For his Quartermaster service project, Joshua Warner organized a crew of 15 sea scouts to paint and repair the chain fence around the Gibson, PA. Cemetary. He even invented a very clever machine to make painting the chain easy and more professionally done.

Joshua is the son of Lee and Michele Waner of New Milford, PA. He is a graduate of Blue Ridge High School and is employed by Reed’s Generator Service, Jackson, PA. Presentation of the Quartermaster Award was made by skipper Chuck Jaget of Ship 90 and Baden-Powell Council, BSA Executive Board Member Jim Graney. The medal was pinned on by Joshua’s mother and he in turned presented flowers to his mother and miniature Quartmaster pins to both his father and mother.

Other highlights were the presentation of three Venturing Silver Awards to Chris Powers, Katelyn Grubb and Eric Potter for leadership, dedication, first aid and CPR skills. All three also earned the Silver Anchor for most active in the sea scouts for the last 3 years. Chairman emeritus Don Johnson, a 76 year veteran of sea scouting and the BSA presented the Phil Johnson Memorial Award to David Stude, Chris Powers and Joshua J. Warner. Two previous Quartermasters sea scouts Austin and Christian Chludzinski and skipper Chuck Jaget presented service stars, 18 centennial gold pins, scuba diver recognition, sea scout ranks of Apprentice, Ordinary, Small-Boat Handler and Qualified Seaman ratings. Commodore Ron Hall announce that Michele Warner would serve as the new president of the Sea Scout Association, the official sponsor of the Sea Scouting Association in New Milford., which is made up of parents and friends.

Chris Powers, Katelyn Grubb and Eric Potter

Last but not least, Mr. Ken Bondurant of New Milford boarded the land ship and announced the community was very proud to have Sea Scouting since 1943 in New Milford and wished the sea scouts another 70 years of operation. He showed a design of a special sign that was to be erected on route US 11 at both North and South end of town in honor if the Sea Scouts. It will read “Proud Home of Sea Scout Ship 90 Since 1943”.

After the officers were piped ashore and port and starboard crews disembarked the land ship, a great feast was enjoyed of pizzas, subs, centennial birthday cake and much more. Also joining us was skipper Ed Plesnar and crew members of the Sea Scout Ship 25, the Spear of Ithaca, NY. Ship 90 has sailed with them on Cayuga Lake, helped with their first sea scout bridge of honor and with training.

Well first we would like to thank the teachers at the Elementary School for the great dinner they put on for everyone. And after that, they brought leftovers for people up here. We gave them out until they were all gone. Thank you again.

Mr. Brown came for a talk about growing old and all the advantages. It was interesting and funny.

Gwen McKee won the 50/50 up here and I won the beautiful Thanksgiving centerpiece.

I went to my son John’s for Thanksgiving and had a good time, Jeanie Mazikewiz kept Bob the bird for me. I hope he behaved himself.

It’s the christmas season now. The trees are up and doors decorated and once in awhile we can smell cookies baking.

My daughter is coming from Colorado with her husbad for christmas so we will have a good old christmas time and I have a new great grandson, William, born Dec. 10th. My sister’s family will also be here. I hope the weather is good for all the travelers.

We had the preschool kids up here today singing to us. What a cute bunch of kids. They made cards for all of us. They were so sweet. We had the boy and girl scouts here a couple nights ago also.

We had our tenant christmas party last night, we had a nice sit down dinner and Santa Claus came and then we had Terry Rockwell and his grandson for music. It was really nice – Thank you to Pam and Marge from all of us.

Well this is news for about two months. But we have to wait till I can get enough to write about.

A lot of us went to the Mason’s dinner. It was great as usual.

My daughter and son in law did get here, but most of us got sick with whatever was going around so we didn’t do as much as we wanted to, but it was nice being together.

Well, take care till next time.