April 20

DINNER: Sat., April 20, Buffet Dinner, 4:30 p.m., Gibson UM Church.

BREAKFAST: Sat., April 20, All You Can Eat Breakfast, 7:00-10:00, UM Community Church, Great Bend.

April 23

FREE MEAL: Tues., April 23, Free Meal, Come to the King’s Table, 4:30-6:00, Main St. Café, Susquehanna.

MUSIC: Tues., April 23, 7:00 p.m., Southern Gospel Music with Charlie and Carol Reed, all are welcome.

April 25

SALE: Thurs., April 25, 5:00-8:00 pm, April 26 – 9:00-1:00, Spring Rummage and Bake Sale, Franklin Forks UM Church.

April 26

BAND/DANCE: Fri., April 26, Blue Velvet Band & Social Dance, Dancing – 8:00-11:00, at Brothers 2, Watson Blvd, Endwell, NY.

April 26 & 27

SALE: Fri., April 26 – 9:00-2:00, Sat. April 27 – 9:00-Noon, Rummage and Bake Sale, Franklin Hill Presbyterian Church.

April 27

SUPPER: Sat., April 27, Roast Beef Supper, 5:00 pm, Thompson UM Church, Eat in or take out.

BINGO: Sat., April 27, 2nd Annual Bingo, Harford Fire Hall, Doors open at 5:00 pm. Pampered Chef, Vera Bradley and many more prizes. Questions call Judy Sartell 570-756-2447.

DANCE WORKSHOP: Sat., April 27, Cha Cha 12:00-1:00 & Samba 1:00-2:00, Broome West Senior Center, Endwell NY. There is a fee for members and non members. For more info call Francine at 607-739-4346.

April 30

CONCERT: Tues., April 30, 7:00 pm, Binghamton High School “Juice Blenders” will present a Steel Drum Band Concert at Montrose Theatre, Public Ave., Montrose. Admission is free.

Mon., April 22: philly cheesesteak, broccoli salad, steak fries, ww roll, tropical fruit.

Tues., April 23: italian chicken, herbed potatoes, ietalian green beans, ww dinner roll, chocolate cake.

Wed., April 24: baked fish, potatoes au gratin, peas & carrots, ww dinner roll, rice pudding, orange juice.

Thurs., April 25: roast pork, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, rye bread, apple crisp.

Fri., April 26: ground beef & mushrooms w/gravy, buttered noodles, harvard beets, chicken vegetable soup, ww bread, banana.

The Area Agency on Aging for the Counties of Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga will conduct a public hearing at the Susquehanna County Office Building, Downstairs Conference Room 81, Public Avenue, Montrose, PA on Tuesday, April 30, 2013, at 1:00 p.m.

The purpose of the public hearing is to inform the public of proposed aging services and program initiatives. It is also an opportunity for individuals to offer feedback and ask questions about aging services.

The Area Agency on Aging offers a comprehensive array of services geared to helping older persons remain in their own homes and offering support to caregivers.

The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the United Way of Susquehanna County; and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners. For additional information on Area Agency on Aging services, please call 1-800-982-4346.

The spring meeting of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association (NPRA) has always featured a children’s author for the membership. This year the meeting is open to all families with their children to enjoy the presentation. The meeting is Saturday, April 27th at the Ramada Inn in Clarks Summit at 10:00 AM. A special price of $7.00 is available for children. This is also a great opportunity for schools, libraries, and local PTO/PTA’s to see the author for a possible presentation for the students in its facility. Her reasonably-priced programs are engaging, informative and entertaining.

Kathy M. Miller, a gifted photographer and children’s author, will be the featured speaker at the event. Her award-winning Chippy Chipmunk book series weaves together the best of the visual and language arts, science, photography and storytelling to make backyard nature accessible and fun. The jacketed books contain over 80 photographs and feature fun facts. Her books and photography have merited her 15 national awards and her striking photographs have been published in newspapers, magazines, and brochures. Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, Miller now lives in New Ringgold, Pennsylvania with her husband and a very spoiled indoor cat. Kathy will have her books available for purchase and will sign them during the event.

Author Kathy Miller (pictured) will be the featured author at the Spring Brunch meeting of NPRA. Her award-winning photography is a most attractive part of her books. The event is open to families and their children as well as the general public.

In addition to the author program, the annual NPRA scholarship will be awarded to a student at a local college who is majoring in education and will be student teaching next fall or spring. NPRA is a professional organization serving Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties devoted to the improvement of all aspects of reading. They provide extensive professional development opportunities in a variety of topics at different locations throughout the area including schools, libraries, colleges, and universities. This year’s final session “Using Children’s Literature in the Mathematics Classroom” will be presented by Dana Naylor and Kathy Bossi on April 21, 2013 from 6:00 to 7:30 PM at the University of Scranton. Other literacy events which the association sponsors include Reading Time at Steamtown Mall featuring celebrity readers and book characters, and Young Authors’ Day in November at Keystone College with a featured children’s author.

Reservations for the professional development session or the author brunch can be made by contacting Donna Salva at 570-563-1455 or 570-815-6068.

We are in need of creative and enthusiastic children that love to build with Legos. There is a new 4-H club starting in Great Bend, and it will involve Lego and is geared towards kids in 2nd through 6th grades. The club will be focusing on building robots out of Legos. Other projects will be available as well. 4-H is open to all youth, ages 5-18 as of January 1, 2013.

Sign up for the club and an organizational meeting will be held at The United Methodist Community Church, Main Street, Great Bend at 5PM on April 15th. The cost of membership is $10.

The club is also in need of donations of Legos. Please clean out your attic and donate those containers of Legos to a worthy cause. If you have any questions, please call Lisa Fisher at 570-465-7817.

Luzerne County Community College will offer courses during its summer session in Susquehanna and Elk Lake. Registration for courses in Susquehanna will be held at Susquehanna Community High School on Wednesday, May 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Registration for courses in Elk Lake will be held at Elk Lake High School on Tuesday, May 7, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Classes begin on Wednesday, May 29 and end on Tuesday, August 6. Final exams will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, August 7 and 8 and Monday and Tuesday, August 12

and 13.

Courses scheduled to be offered in Susquehanna include Psychology and English.

The course scheduled to be offered in Elk Lake is Psychology.

For more information, call LCCC at (800) 377-LCCC, extension 3835 or e-mail lsalamon@luzerne.edu.

The Susquehanna County Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs (SCFSC) with the support of their 10 member clubs is sponsoring bus transportation to Harrisburg for the Annual 2nd Amendment Rally. The rally is scheduled for April 23rd at 10am in the State Capitol. Our group plans to attend the rally, then meet with our Pennsylvania State Legislative Representatives to make our interests known. Don't sit back and wait for gun control, we need to be heard and protect our rights.

Rich Greenwood , President of SCFSC states, “We need to send a simple message to our state legislators: Unconstitutional and ineffective feel-good gun control legislation has no place in this Commonwealth and we will not stand by idly and allow it to happen!” He further stated, “ If you believe that the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental human right then you need to be on this bus! “ Mr. Greenwood is also President of the Hallstead/Great Bend Rod and Gun Club. He and his family live in Montrose.

You do not have to be a member of the Federation to get a seat on the bus. Seats are very limited and you must send payment to reserve. For more information contact John Ord at 570-396-8798.

The Harford National Day of Prayer service will be held at the Gazebo at The Harford Volunteer Fire Company, Thursday, May 2 at Noon.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.

The National day of Prayer has great significance for us as a nation as it enables us to recall and to teach the way in which our founding fathers sought the wisdom of God when faced with critical decisions. It stands as a call for us to humbly come before God, seeking His guidance for our leaders and His grace upon us as a people.

Please join us at the Gazebo on May 2nd as we join the nation in observing this special day. The Harford Volunteer Fire Company is located just north of town on Fair Hill Road.

The National Day of Prayer service is a Harford Historical Society event.

For more information or questions, call Lillie Thomas, Coordinator at 570-434-2507.

With spring’s arrival, farmers are heading to the fields to plant their crops across Pennsylvania. As a result, residents in rural areas will be seeing more tractors and large planting equipment on local roads. During Rural Roads Safety Week, April 14-20, 2013, the Susquehanna County Farm Bureau is encouraging all motorists to be aware of farm equipment as they travel in rural areas this spring, and all year long.

“Rural road safety is an important issue year-round, but it is especially important at this time of year,” said Cheryl Matulevich, Susquehanna County Safety Coordinator. “Farmers will be out planting, and motorists must remain alert for large and often slow-moving equipment.”

A few simple steps can help drivers stay safe when operating vehicles on rural roads: Don’t Rush – If you drive on rural roads, chances are good that you will encounter farm equipment at some point on your route. Avoid rushing and allow plenty of time to reach your destination safely. This is especially important while traveling during the months between April and November.

Pass with Care – If you feel you must pass the farmer, do so with caution. Be observant of oncoming traffic and for other vehicles that may try to pass. Never pass when curves or hills block your view of oncoming vehicles, you are in a ‘No Passing Zone’ or within 100 feet of any intersection, railroad grade crossing, bridge, elevated structure or tunnel. Also be careful that the farmer is not pulling to the right to make a wide left turn.

SMV = Brake Immediately – The orange triangular Slow Moving Vehicle (SMV) emblem warns drivers of a slow vehicle speed. All farm equipment traveling at speeds of 25 miles per hour or less are required to be marked with a SMV emblem. Once you see it, slow down immediately.

Remain Visible – Don’t assume that the farmer knows that you are driving near his vehicle. While most farmers will check behind them whenever possible, they are concentrating on keeping their equipment on the road and avoiding oncoming traffic. Before you pass, use your car’s horn to let the driver know where you are. Farmers may not be able to hear you over their equipment noise.

“Cooperation among farmers and rural motorists is the key to rural roads safety,” said Matulevich “If farmers and motorists look out for one another, everyone will arrive at their destination safely.”

Spring is coming – and so is the beloved Spring Pottery and Art Sale organized by Maryanne White and Chris Buffington. Find beautiful hand crafted gifts for friends, family and yourself and help support the Susquehanna County Historical Society & Free Library Association.

The Pottery and Art sale will be held in the Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (276 Church St., Montrose) on Saturday, April 20th from 10am – 5pm and Sunday, April 21st from 10am – 4pm. Admission is free! A percentage of the total sales will benefit the Association.

"A well regulated Militia, being, necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Amendment II.

April 19, 2013 is the 238th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington & Concord, when the Colonials 'fired the shot heard round the world' and the battle for American Independence began. Our forefathers recognized that only an armed people are a free people and were willing to stand and fight to protect that freedom.

Meet on the Green in Montrose, next to the Courthouse, at noon, April 19. Exercise your First Amendment rights in celebration of your Second Amendment rights.

Join sheriffs and other law enforcement officials, religious leaders, gun rights' advocates, conservation groups, TEA Party groups, NRA representatives, county commissioners and other patriots.

Please mark the date on your calendar. Tell your friends. Remember to bring a lawn or folding chair to the Green. Contact nepaspiritof1776@aol.com if you need more information.

Once again, Susquehanna County is seeking candidates to serve as Dairy Princess. Single young ladies between the ages of 16-24 with an interest in the dairy industry may want to consider devoting some time to promote the industry. A Princess serves her County for one year.Not old enough to be a Princess? The Dairy Maid and Dairy Ambassador programs function within the County to assist the Dairy Princess in carrying out her duties and offer the opportunity to do dairy promoting as well.

Pictured are Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion Court: front row - Samantha Warner, Emory Bewley, Reese Allen and Alexis Parks; back row - Mariah Tompkins, Callie Curley and Mercedes Spickerman. Absent from picture: Madeline Mitchell.

Qualifications to be a Dairy Princess must include at least one of the following.A daughter of a dairy farmer or daughter of an employee of a dairy farm or dairy related business, be a 4-H club member and own at least two dairy animals as a 4-H project or have served at least one year as a Dairy Maid or Dairy Ambassador. Princess candidates, Dairy Maids and Ambassadors must have a sincere desire to promote dairy products, be a milk drinker and include other dairy foods in their diet.

Members of the dairy court work hard getting the message out to as many as possible about the importance of having “3 every day” of milk, cheese or yogurt as partof their daily diet. Susquehanna County Dairy Princess/State First Alternate Princess Callie Curley wants you to know “Dairy products aren’t only delicious and nutritious, they are an absolute necessity in developing strong bones, muscle mass, and healthy teeth. Dairy products contain nine essential nutrients.”

Girls involved as Princess, Dairy Ambassador or Dairy Maid develop skills in public speaking, leadership, journalism and marketing through their promotion work.These young ladies make public appearances promoting the dairy industry at festivals, parades, schools, churches, restaurants, sports events, club and association meetings and other gatherings.

The Susquehanna County Dairy Princess, Callie Curley will be handing her reign to a new County Princess at the 2013 Dairy Princess Pageant being held on Friday, May 24, 7:30 PM at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Hall on Church Street in Montrose.

Girls interested in becoming a Dairy Princess candidate or taking part in the program as a Dairy Ambassador or Dairy Maid should contact Evie Goff (278-1212) or Mary Puzo (278-4704) by the May 1st deadline.Evie & Mary will be happy to answer any questions about the Dairy Promotion Program in Susquehanna County. An orientation and pageant planning meeting will take place on Saturday, May 11 for all Princess Candidates, Dairy Ambassadors, Dairymaids, parents and committee members. Those attending this meeting will learn about the program and opportunities to take place in the 2013/2014 dairy promotion year.