Two very special guests were present at the Christmas Dinner sponsored by the Hallstead/Great Bend Lions Club on December 9th. Together, they represented over 100 years of service to their communities through their membership in their respective clubs. Len Kello of the Stonebridge Lions of Susquehanna, who was also District 14-H Governor during his tenure, and Bob Walker of the Hallstead/Great Bend Lions had many stories to share of their years as Lions.

Bob Walker (standing) and Len Kello, representing over 100 years of service to the Hallstead/Great Bend and Stonebridge Lions Clubs, respectively

The dinner is held each December at the Great Bend Fire Hall, where well over 200 dinners are served to local senior citizens as a chance for them to get together for a nice turkey dinner, and to renew old acquaintences and enjoy some holiday fellowship. In addtion to the Blue Ridge LEO’s Club, some members from Stonebridge were on hand to help out this year, along with major sponsor Rob’s Market and many other local businesses who contribute door prizes and other things to support their effort. The Lions Club is very grateful to the community for their support in making projects like this possible.

Pictured (l-r) are: Lily Hugaboom, Isla Stanford, Taylor Coleman, Santa Claus, Marley Smith, Bailee Norris, Alyssia Krall and Jeffrey Benson throughly enjoying Santa’s visit.

Santa’s arrival was the hit of this year’s 2012 Creative Play Preschool Christmas Party! The preschool is owned and operated by Ms. Norma Chacona and is assisted by Ms. Stacie Hilton. It is located just outside of Lanesboro, on the Starrucca Creek Road.

Stefan has been here quite awhile.  He is about 5 years old and he is a typical  terrier.  He loves to go on walks and play in the yard with his friends.  He needs a responsible, active family.  He does get along with most other dogs.  We have several old beagles needing foster homes.  If you are interested please come into the shelter and check them out.  They are sweet and friendly.   A dog makes a great companion and will get you out and walking.  Exercise and fresh air will benefit you both.  Take advantage of the adoption option - it will warm your heart.

Since 2008, Penn State Extension has produced a free booklet called A Guide to Farm Products which is a directory of family farms, farmers markets, vegetable and honey producers, Community Supported Agriculture farms (CSA's), u-pick farms, Christmas tree growers, restaurants, grocers, and other businesses that sell locally grown farm products within Susquehanna County.

This widely-popular guide is updated annually and so far includes over 40 local businesses. We would like to extend the offer for your “farm” to be included. The piece will include a short description of the farm or business along with products available and hours of operation, if open to the public and its location on a map of the county. The guides are placed throughout the county and will also available on our Penn State Extension website. This is an opportunity to advertise your business for free!

Today’s consumer is increasingly looking to buy farm products directly from the grower. When buying directly from local farmers and shopping and dining at those businesses which support local farmers, consumers are getting the freshest, best tasting food, contributing to a strong local economy and helping preserve our landscape. It is the hope of those gathering the information that shoppers will make a connection with healthy fresh food, their neighbor farmers who grow it and those markets and businesses that support them by using locally grown food.

Susquehanna County has a number farm stands, farm markets, orchards and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farms where residents can purchase fresh produce. Please help us in compiling this guide by calling us at 278-1158 or emailing us at susquehannaext@psu.edu and requesting a network form and map marking your location. You can mail the completed forms back to us by February 4, 2013. We are planning on having the booklet published by early spring.

A festive holiday atmosphere at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Montrose was the setting for the December meeting of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. During the roll call, each member present told something about her family as a way for members to get to know each other better. President Carol Goodman conducted the business meeting and proudly presented the names of eleven key women teachers who have been recommended for membership. They will be voted on in March and initiated in October, 2013. Members were encouraged to nominate other women teachers who are dedicated, enthusiastic, committed, creative, and passionate for membership.

Pictured are Beta Rho Chapter members Natalie Hawley, Pat Arnold, and Jeanette Saulo displaying the Dresses for Africa which they have sewn as a part of the international project for The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. The Society is comprised of key women educators representing 16 member countries all over the world. The dresses will be shipped to children in Africa so they can attend school.

Included in the committee reports was a request by Agnes Massacesi for nominations for the Grant-In-Aid which is awarded to a student in college majoring in education. Information about the international projects, Dresses for Africa and the S.E.E. Project which stands for Support Early-Career Educators, which chapters as well as states are participating in was presented by Pat Arnold. As a society of key women educators, the projects include making dresses for the children in Africa so they can attend school and supporting teachers early in their careers by providing materials they can use in their classrooms as well as support through friendship and time. She also reported that the chapters across the state will collect supplies and take them to the State Convention in June. President Goodman encouraged members to submit proposals to present a workshop at the State Convention, to apply for state scholarships, and to nominate chapter members for the Album of Distinction. This is recognition for an honor received outside of the Society. At the March meeting, twenty-five year pins will be presented to five chapter members.

A lovely buffet dinner arranged by first vice-president Jeanette Saulo followed the business meeting. Members were entertained by lovely Christmas music performed by the Hand Bell Community Choir led by Marsha Maroney and included chapter members Kathryn Fuller, Lansdale Shaffmaster, and Sheri Wolfe.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor society for women educators with more than 115, 000 members. Established in 16 member countries around the world, the Society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The Society offers more leadership training opportunities for women educators than any other professional organization. The Beta Rho Chapter is composed of women educators from Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties.

The next Beta Rho Chapter meeting will be at 9:30 AM on Saturday, March 9, 2013, at the Center for Anti-Slavery Studies in Montrose. The program will be “Current Events and Professional Issues” by the Professional Affairs Committee. State President Louann Shader will be the guest speaker at the Tri-Chapter meeting at the Pink Apple in Tunkhannock on April 13, 2013.

Other special meetings conducted at the state and international levels include the Purposeful Seminar which will be held at the Country Inn Cupboard in Lewisburg on April 26-28, 2013; the Alpha Alpha State Conference at the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, June 14-16, 2013; and the Society’s Northeast Regional Conference in Portland, Maine, July 24-27, 2013. Members are encouraged to attend these events to take advantage of experiences beyond the chapter level.

Each month The Forest City Nursing & Rehab Center recognizes the remarkable lives of its residents by honoring one of them. The first Resident of the Month for 2013 is Mrs. Helen Staffaroni.

January Resident of the Month, Helen Staffaroni

Born on June 6th, to Nelly O’Connor and Joseph Munley in Archbald, PA, Helen was one of twelve children. Her father worked on the D & H Railroad while her mother worked at home raising her children. After graduating from St. Rose Convent School, Helen attended Carbondale Commercial School.

Helen was introduced to her husband Elio Staffaroni by her cousin. They both loved to square dance. They were married on November 25, 1950 right in the middle of the Great Appalachian Storm of 1950. Helen and Elio made their home in Carbondale. They were blessed with three sons and a daughter: Thomas, Jack, Bill and Elaine. In the years to come, Helen would be blessed with six grandchildren, and six great grandchildren, with one more due in February.

A skilled quilter, Helen was a member of the Carbondale Quilting Club. Helen is an avid football fan, and loves Penn State Football. She is a member of St. Rose Church, Carbondale.

At the Nursing Center you can find Helen playing Bingo, Casino and other card games with the many friends she has made. Congratulations to Helen Staffaroni on being our January Resident of the Month!

The Susquehanna Community School District would like to extend a huge thank you to all of those who contributed to our annual Holiday Help campaign. This year with the generous support of our community, we were able to assist 68 families with holiday meals and/or gifts for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Some of our contributors were faculty, staff and students of our school, as well as members of Spection Inc., various local social organizations, and local church groups. The response from our community has been overwhelming and is greatly appreciated!

Visions Federal Credit Union charitably made a $10,000 donation to the United Way of Susquehanna County. The funds will be equally distributed to the End of Day and the Susquehanna County Literacy Programs. Both programs support United Way’s mission of advancing the common good and creating opportunities for a better life for all.

End of Day is an afternoon childcare program that offers help and support with school work and is housed at Lathrop Street Elementary and Blue Ridge Elementary Schools. The Susquehanna County Literacy program serves adults 16 and older in need of reading, math, family, GED preparation, and life skills. “As members of the Susquehanna County community, Visions Federal Credit Union believes in the United Way and their mission. We recognize them as experts in their field and look to them for guidance in meeting the needs of our fellow neighbors,” said Jayne L. Searles, AVP/Marketing/Business Development Officer, Visions Federal Credit Union.

We are extremely grateful to Visions Federal Credit Union for their corporate support. We appreciate their trust in United Way and our partner organizations. Together, we are investing in the 3 building blocks to a good life: Education, Income, and Health. “We all win (the community as a whole benefits) when a child succeeds in school, when families are financially stable, and when people are healthy,” said Kim Merithew, Director of Corporate and Community Giving, United Way of Susquehanna County.

Christmas and community spirit were evident in a cooperative effort to make the 2012 Christmas better for five families in the northern part of Susquehanna County. Peoples National Bank, PennStar Bank, the Canawacta Rod & Gun Club, and several individuals from the club donated money and supplies to the seasonal community outreach effort.

Greg Stewart, chairman of the Christmas outreach effort for the Canawacta R & G Club, worked together with Peoples National (Neighborhood) Banks Susquehanna Branch Manager Darlene Slocum and the club to raise $1100. Mr. Stewart further explained that Branch Manager Lori Canfield of PennStar Bank was very helpful in getting donations of gift wrapping supplies. Mr. Stewart noted that “This was the third consecutive year that the Canawacta Rod and Gun Club has partnered with local banks to make Christmas better for local families with children.”

Several members of the club provided an additional effort as noted by Canawacta Rod and Gun Club President Al Cuevas. Mr. Cuevas stated “I want to thank Rose Stewart for purchasing all of the Christmas gift items. I also want to acknowledge and thank club members (Roger & Mary French, Greg & Rose Stewart, Michelle and Alycia Cuevas, Al Kohler, Mrs. French) for their late night gift wrapping efforts.”

The Canawacta Rod and Gun Club is a civic and community minded group whose outreach efforts extend beyond those members of their club. The club has also been dedicated to conservation and preservation of our hunting, fishing and shooting traditions for over 107 years.

Jolene Conigliaro, president and director of the Endless Mountain Learning Center located in New Milford, was recently notified by the state that their facility has achieved Star 4 rating through the Keystone Stars Program. This is the highest ranking in this program and they are the only facility in rural Susquehanna County to have reached this quality rating. This is a wonderful achievement for the center, the staff, and the community as well. It shows that although the center is in a very rural area with limited resources, they are able to provide exceptional care for children and are a strong resource to their families.

Pictured (l-r) are Staff Members Sarah Welch, Danica Otasevic, Lori Sampson, Alicia Petrochko, Laureen Otasevic, Jolene Conigliaro, Amanda Arnold, Cortney Gordon and Lorita Casassa.

Serving over forty families who reside in the Blue Ridge, Montrose, Mountain View, and Susquehanna School Districts, the Endless Mountain Learning Center, Inc. provides the highest quality of child care. The program provides a rich early educational experience for children and their families which is far beyond “playing with them all day.”

As a team of trained educators, the staff at EMLC, Inc. takes great pride in being able to offer quality care not only for the children but to the families as well. The center will celebrate its tenth anniversary in April, 2013. They began their training as a part of the Stars program in 2007 and have obtained a higher level each year. It is an intensive program with standards to follow, trainings to attend, and goals to be set and accomplished. They looked at each new level’s guidelines as positive steps of working toward new things and quality care.

Mrs. Conigliaro explains that her staff "is the true ‘magic’ of the center and is comprised of hard working and dedicated women.” She is honored to work beside them each day. She encourages all child care providers to become involved with the Stars program. She is willing to help anyone who has questions and can be contacted at the Endless Mountain Learning Center, Inc. Interested individuals can check out the guidelines on the website for the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Keystone STARS at www.education.state.pa.us then click on programs H-N and then Keystone STARS.