March 23

MASS: Sat., March 23, 4:00 p.m., Palm Sunday Vigil Mass, Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, PA.

March 24

MASS: Sun., March 24, 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., Palm Sunday Masses at Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, PA.

March 28

MASS: Thurs., March 28, 7:00 p.m., Mass of the Lords Supper at Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, PA.

SERVICE: Thurs., March 28, 7:00 p.m., Holy Thursday is the day the Last Supper is commemorated, Thompson UM Church, Thompson, PA.

March 29

MASS: Fri., March 29, Noon – Ecumenical Way of the Cross, 2:00 p.m. -  The Passion of the Lord at Holy Name of Mary.

SERVICE: Fri., March 29, 7:00 p.m., Susq UM Church will host Good Friday service, Susquehanna, PA.

March 30

EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA: Sat., March 30, 11:00 a.m., Easter Extravaganza at The Loft Ministries, Great Bend, PA. Egg hunt, prizes, entertainment, free food. Walking toddlers through 4th grade. For more info call 570-396-1967.

EASTER EGG HUNT: Sat., March 30, 11:00 a.m., Easter Egg Hunt at Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, PA.

March 31

MASS: Sun., March 31, 8:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m., Easter Sunday Mass at Holy Name of Mary Church, Montrose, PA.

SERVICE: Sun., March 31, 10:30 a.m., Easter Sunday Service at Thompson UM Church, Thompson, PA.

Mon., Mar. 25: bbq chicken sandwich, vegetable barley soup, broccoli salad, with sandwich roll, chocolate pie.

Tues., Mar. 26: swedish meatballs, sugar snap peas, buttered noodles, rye bread, warm spiced pears.

Wed., Mar. 27: sweet & sour beef, mixed vegetables, white rice, ww bread, yogurt w/fruit.

Thur., Mar. 28: roast ham, parslied boiled potatoes, lima beans, ww dinner roll, diced peaches.

Fri., Mar. 29: Centers Closed Good Friday.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy seeks youth, ages 14-17 and teachers to serve as adult mentors for an educational program focusing on wildlife conservation and leadership development. The Academy's mission is to empower youth to become ambassadors for wildlife conservation to ensure a sustained wildlife legacy for future generations. Participants attend five-day field schools and apply their knowledge through year-round service and outreach in their communities. Two field schools will be offered this year. Pennsylvania Bucktails focuses on white-tailed deer, and will take place at Stone Valley Recreation Area in Petersburg (Huntingdon County) on June 18-22. Pennsylvania Brookies focuses on brook trout and coldwater fisheries, and will take place at Sieg Conference Center in Hermitage (Clinton County) on July 9-13.

Bob Wagner, representing the Susquehanna Branch of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) adds "Our branch seeks inquiries from local youth from Susquehanna and adjoining counties about their interest in attending the Pennsylvania Bucktails camp. For the past several years we have helped to send Susquehanna County youth (Carlos Cuevas, Scott Sienko, Ethan Mansfield and Alycia Cuevas) to the camp with a considerable donation to cover the costs of attending the camp. If any student is interested in the Pennsylvania Bucktails camp and the Susquehanna Branch of QDMA's sponsorship please send us a brief letter telling about yourself and your interests in the great outdoors." (Susquehanna QDMA PO Box 454 Montrose Pa. 18801)

The Academy is a cooperative initiative led by the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education, with instructors from government agencies, nonprofits and universities including Kutztown University, Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Pennsylvania State University, Quality Deer Management Association, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "The high caliber and sheer number of conservation professionals who are involved as instructors in this program are beyond impressive, but more than that is the commitment of time, energy and passion that each of these instructors gives to the students," said ecologist and instructor Lisa Smith.

Participants learn about wildlife and fisheries biology, habitat management, research techniques and nature photography through classroom and field experiences. They develop communication and leadership skills through team-building activities, educational presentations, and mock town hall meetings. Brook Martin of York County described the program as "...life-changing." He shared, "I was able to reach my full potential and find a career path that I feel will be very rewarding. It was an experience that I will cherish and remember the rest of my life."

The field schools prepare youth to conduct service and outreach relating to environmental education, wildlife and conservation biology, art and/or media engagement. Each participant commits to completing at least three service and outreach activities during the year, and participants who complete the most are rewarded with field trips, opportunities to return as mentors the following year, and college scholarships. To date, Academy graduates have conducted over 600 service and outreach projects, engaged in more than 2500 contact hours with the public, and reached an audience of more than 10,000 Pennsylvania citizens across 46 counties in the state.

Molly Diefenbach of Centre County gave an educational presentation to the Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania Association (COPA) and wrote an article for their magazine, The Greenline. "I was surprised by how accomplished and proud I felt after completing each outreach activity, whether it was speaking to a crowd of 200 or finishing up another entry in my nature journal alone in the woods," she reflected.

COPA member Bernie Schmader was impressed by Molly. "Her article and oral report reassures our members and others that there are intelligent, interested, dedicated and understanding young people who are preparing to step up and carry on in our efforts to promote and safeguard Pennsylvania's precious fish, wildlife and other natural resources."

"We hope these youth will inspire others to care more and therefore act more on behalf of the environment", expressed Academy Director Michele Kittell. The participants are, the next generation to speak for wildlife conservation, she added.

Field school applications are available at www.PICEweb.org. Youth applications must be submitted by April 1. For more information, contact Michele Kittell at (570)245-8518.

Mountain View High School is currently accepting applications for the Carol Richardson Steiner Service Award. This monetary award will be given to a graduating senior who has been active in community service.

The $500 award is given in memory of Carol Richardson Steiner, a 1960 graduate of Mountain View High School. In addition to a deep love for her family, her life was remarkable in her commitment to helping others. She worked to provide service to disabled children and adults, advanced the cause of adult literacy, was a leader in her church, and gave endlessly of her time and talents to many community organizations. Her well-lived life is an inspiration to her daughters, Jan Winemiller of Harford, PA and Linda McAndrews of Freeport, NY; who are sponsoring the award.

The student who receives this award will demonstrate a strong record of involvement in school and community activities, in the spirit of service that defined Carol’s life. This award is open to all graduating seniors at Mountain View.

The sisters are also sponsoring a $500 scholarship, as they have done for the past several years.

To nominate a deserving young person for the service award, please send letters of recommendation to Donna Porter; Mountain View High School; 11749 State Route 106; PO Box 339; Kingsley, PA 18826.

Please include the name and address of your nominee, a description of his or her service to the community and why you feel your nominee is especially deserving of recognition. Please include your name, address and phone number so that we may contact you for follow up, if necessary.

The deadline for nominations will be April 15, 2013. If you have any questions, please contact Donna Porter at 570-434-2501, or Jan Winemiller at 570-434-4167.

Diabetes is a very serious and costly disease, but research has shown that those who learn to manage their blood glucose (sugar) levels eat healthy, and exercise regularly can lower their risk of complications and lead a healthier and more productive life.

The Dining With Diabetes program will be held on Thursdays, April 4, 11, 18, 25, 2013 with a follow up session on July 18th. Classes will be held in the Susquehanna County office Building from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM.

The program is offered free of charge to those receiving or eligible to receive Medicare or Medicaid. The cost is $40 for others with $15 for an additional family member to attend. Financial assistance is available for those who request it.

Dining with Diabetes is a program for adults with diabetes and their families. Participants will learn how to prepare meals that are healthy, simple, and taste good. Recipes will be sampled at each class. Participants will also learn up-to-date information on nutrition, meal planning, and exercise as well as how to understand common, diabetes-related medical tests. Recipes and handouts will be given to each participant. In addition, at the first class participants will have their A1C test taken as well as Blood Pressure readings. Many informational books will be provided as well as exercise DVD's, exercise bands, cookbook, pedometer, measuring tape, carry all bag, and nutritional placemat. Don't miss this opportunity. To register, call toll free 855-394-7534 . Call the Susquehanna County Extension Office at 270-1158 with any questions.

Susquehanna Community Elementary School will host a Scholastic Book Fair April 8th through April 12th. The Book Fair offers specially priced books and educational products, including popular series, award-winning titles, new releases, adult bestsellers, and other great reads from more than 100 publishers. Families, faculty, and the community are invited to attend this fun Spring reading event that helps inspire children to become lifelong readers.

The Book Fair will be open during the following dates and times at the Susquehanna Community Elementary Library, 3192 Turnpike Street, Susquehanna, PA: April 8th - 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.; April 9th - 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.; April 10th - 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.; April 11th - 6:00 pm to 8:30 p.m.; April 12th - 5:00 pm to 8:00 p.m.

They will accept the following forms of payment; MasterCard, Visa, American Express, Discover, checks and cash.