Hershey is “The Sweetest Place on Earth” and it certainly was for Harford Fair Queen Rachael Grosvenor on Saturday, January 26, 2012. During the three-day PA State Fair Queen Competition, she was one of the five finalists selected during the coronation banquet at the PA State Fair Convention. Rachael was one of the 55 girls promoting their local agricultural fairs from across the state. The girls were judged on their poise, appearance, and ability to communicate during their interviews and speeches. Each contestant submitted an essay entitled “What My Fair Means to My Community” and delivered a 3-5 minute speech on “Why You Should Come to My Fair.” Placing as a state finalist is an admirable accomplishment for Rachael.

Pictured on the far right is Rachael Grosvenor, Harford Fair Queen, who was selected as one of the five finalists in the competition. She is pictured with the other finalists and the winner from left to right. They are: Miss Congeniality, Brennan Register from Clinton County Fair; Alternate Pa State Fair Queen Sarah Wilson from Butler Fair; PA State Fair Queen Rhonda Carl from Schuykill County Fair; and Christa Ziefel from Greene County Fair.

Her parents, Sue and Paul Grosvenor of Kingsley were in Hershey for the convention along with several of the Harford Fair directors. They were so proud of her throughout the event. Rachael is the oldest of nine children and is a 2012 graduate of A Beka Academy as a homeschool student attaining high honors with a 4.0 GPA. She is not new to placing in state competitions. As a high school student, she placed fifth as a state finalist in the Voice of Democracy competition. She was a member of the Elk Lake High School swim team and is presently coach of that team and has worked as a lifeguard. She is active in her church, participating in mission trips, teaching Sunday School, doing drama and singing in concerts. She has worked in the ice cream booth at the Harford Fair. Currently Rachel is enrolled in pharmaceutical courses through SCCTC and in her spare time loves to read and spend time with her friends and family.

Rhonda Carl, Schuykill County Fair Queen, was crowned the 2013 PA State Fair Queen in Hershey. She is the first queen from her fair to win the state title. Sarah Wilson, Butler Fair Queen, was crowned the 2013 PA State Alternate Queen. Also voted Miss Congeniality was Brennan Register representing Clinton County Fair.

The PA State Fair Queen contest is a competitive event which involves a rigorous three-day schedule which offers a variety of opportunities for each of the girls who participates representing her fair by promoting agriculture.

Rachael is the 21st Harford Fair Queen and will continue to represent the fair at public events and schools until her rein concludes at the 2013 fair, the third full week of August. The Harford Fair Queen Contest Committee includes Virginia Beeman and Deborah Chidester, both of which had daughters who have participated in the state competition in the past. Any young women between the ages of 16 and 20 who might be interested in representing Harford Fair should watch for the guidelines on the Harford Fair website at HarfordFair.com.

John Battisti and wife, Catherine

Susquehanna native John Battisti celebrated his 100th birthday on January 27, 2013.  He and his wife, Catherine, to who he will be married 66 years, live in Hallstead with their son, Jack.  John attributes his longevity to "faith, family, friends, and fun" and playing sports in his younger days in Susquehanna. He enjoys attending mass on the weekends, watching sports on TV, playing cards, going out to eat, and spending time with his family.

Creativity knows no bounds at Forest City Personal Care, thanks to the experts at Home Depot, Honesdale, PA. The residents are regularly invited to participate in learning a new craft or skill appropriate to the season.

Pictured (l-r) are Forest City Personal Care residents: Rita Norella, Rose Corrigan, Mildred Cimachowski, John Zgavec, Laura Baxter (Home Depot Team), and Shirley Stanton.

With Valentine’s Day approaching, this month’s project was a decorative vase. Home Depot supplied the materials and instruction. The Home Depot Team who shared their talents with the residents include Agnes Lippi-Johnson, Elsie Phillip, and Laura Baxter.

This January, Employee’s of Peoples Neighborhood Bank presented a $5,350 donation to Make-A-Wish® to help fund the wish of a Susquehanna County child with a life-threatening medical condition. The money was raised through a variety of events and activities, including a chicken barbeque and a motorcycle run in partnership with Bad Dogs Motorcycle Club.

Pictured (l-r): first row - Peoples Neighborhood Bank representative Brenda Daniels, Make-A-Wish Regional Manager Maggie O’Brien and People Neighborhood Bank representatives Sarah Raub, Kaitlin Spickerman, Nicole Finch and Seth Canfield; second row - Peoples Neighborhood Bank and Bad Dogs Motorcycle Club representative Patty Button, Peoples Neighborhood Bank representatives Penny Camacho, Melissa Colangelo, Brenda Melycher, Roxie Connelly, April Mroz and Health Source of Great Bend representatives Julie Barnard Jessica Bajkowski.

Louise Bagnall will turn 90, Monday, February 11, 2013. Friends are welcome to stop in at her home anytime with welcome birthday wishes at 4634 Brushville Road, across from Fred Kotz’s former residence, or call 465-3673 for directions.

HARRISBURG _ The Pennsylvania Association of Jury Commissioners filed a request with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court last week asking the Commonwealth’s highest court to order counties to place the office of Jury Commissioner on this year’s Primary Ballot.

“Some of the counties in Pennsylvania have prematurely abolished the office of Jury Commissioner and eliminated the office from this year’s primary election,” said Larry Thompson, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Jury Commissioners. “The Supreme Court has not ruled on our association’s challenge to the law authorizing the elimination of our elected positions.”

The Supreme Court is reviewing a 4-3 decision by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court that upheld a law that allows counties to vote to abolish the office of jury commissioner. The Supreme Court has not issued a decision on the matter, in fact, have not heard oral arguments in the case.

“We strongly believe that the Supreme Court will right this wrong and the highly-regarded office of Jury Commissioner will continue be part of Pennsylvania’s judicial system,” Thompson said. “Without the Supreme Court ordering the office to be placed on the primary ballot, Pennsylvania taxpayers will be in a position of having to pay the bill to hold additional elections.”

The integrity of jury trials will be compromised if the law allowing for the abolishment of the position of jury commissioner is upheld, according to the legal brief filed by the association’s attorneys, Samuel C. Stretton and David Cleaver.

“The issue should not be a matter of dollars and cents,” Thompson said. “Some believe doing away with our office, an agency that upholds the integrity of the jury system, might save them money. The issue centers on the legislative law violating the Constitution. Also, such action would remove the watchdogs elected by the people to oversee the fairness of the selection process of jurors. The idea behind this law is shortsighted.”

The protected right of a person to a fair and impartial jury will be compromised if the office of jury commissioner is abolished, according to the legal brief.

The jury commissioners’ association contends the law is unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers. Jury commissioners are part of the judicial branch of government and thus the legislature has no authority to legislate its demise. The jury commissioners also contend the law violated the state’s single subject law. Under the law, the legislature is prohibited from bundling different laws into one bill for a vote.        

In the dissenting opinion, Commonwealth Court President Judge Dan Pellegrini stated he sees no connection between selling excess farm equipment and the elimination of the office of jury commissioner. The two subjects were twinned in the legislation. “The majority opinion does not ‘encourage an open, deliberative, and accountable government,’” Pellegrini wrote.

The majority ruling legitimizes “logrolling” where proposed legislation without the required support to be made into law can become law by coupling it with proposals that have sufficient support, according to the minority opinion.

One of eight German Sheperd/Beagle crosses that are available for a loving home

Once again we are overloaded with animals.  Please check with us if you are missing your pet.  We have a few litters of puppies available.  The little cutie pictured is one of 8 German Sheperd/Beagle crosses that are looking for a loving family.  Most of them have docked tails and are sturdy, friendly pups.  Make sure you are prepared for all the work involved in raising a puppy before you decide to add one to your family.  They need extra care and training and will do best if someone is home with them.  The rewards are well worth the effort!  Thank you Red Hat Divas for your generous  donaton!  Need an idea for Valentine's day?  What better gift then to donate $5 for a heart to help one of our animals in need.  Come in and visit us! True Friends is located at 16332 SR 706, Montrose, PA. To reach us call, 570*278-1228, we are open everyday from 11:30-4:00. Website: truefriendsawc.com.