April 4, 2013, was the second meeting of the Awesome Archers 4-H Club. Vice-President, Megan McVaugh, ran the business meeting. A fundraising committee was formed to organize a can and bottle collection. Members of the committee are: Renee Arnold, Rylee Pearson, Bridget Bendock, Megan McVaugh, Heile Pearson, Connor Roberts, and Kyle Kaminski.

At the end of the business part of the meeting the archers split into two groups. Each group got to take turns shooting arrows at balloons on the targets. Then each group got to make up their own game. Group 1 made a game called Cash Dots. There were dots on the board that archers had to hit. On each dot was a number to score how many points archers get if they hit that dot. Also, if anyone hit the 1000 dot (which was tiny) they would earn a dollar. Another way to earn a dollar was to hit George Washington (on the one dollar bill) between the eyes.

4-H members shooting archery

Everyone came close but no one won a dollar. Kassie Wilber scored the most points. Group 2 played a game of 21. They made a board with random numbers. Archers had to get as close to 21 points without going over. Each shooter had to use 3 arrows. At the end three people each scored a 21. Connor Roberts, Megan McVaugh, and Jonathon Benjamin had a shoot off with only one arrow each. Whoever hit the highest number would win. Megan McVaugh and Connor Roberts both hit a 19. So they had to do another shoot off. This time they had to hit the 21 in the middle or be the closest. After a long time of concentration Megan McVaugh won. She hit the 21 and Connor hit the 10 which is right next to 21. Fun was had by all.

The next meeting of the Awesome Archers will be held on Thursday, April 18th.

Francis X. O'Connor, a sole practitioner in Great Bend, will become president-elect of the Pennsylvania Bar Association on May 10 at the conclusion of the PBA annual meeting in Pittsburgh. O’Connor will become president of the 28,000-member statewide lawyers association in 2014.

O'Connor is a former member of the PBA Board of Governors, having served as PBA treasurer from 2008 to 2011 and as the Zone Five Governor representing lawyers from Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties from 2003 to 2007.

A member and past chair of the PBA Membership Development Committee, O’Connor is also a past president of the PBA Conference of County Bar Leaders. He is a council member of the PBA Solo and Small Firm Practice Section. He served as vice chair of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, of which he was a member for six years. He has spoken to numerous groups on lawyer discipline and legal ethics and has authored a number of related articles. He also serves as a lecturer for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He is the vice president of the Susquehanna County Bar Association.

O'Connor serves as solicitor for and is a life member of the Great Bend Fire Company. He is an Eagle Scout and is an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 89 of the Boy Scouts of America. He has received numerous awards for his scouting activities, including the Silver Beaver and the District Award of Merit. He is a Eucharistic minister at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church and a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He also serves as a member/attendant for the Great-Bend/Hallstead Volunteer Ambulance Company.

O'Connor is a graduate of the University of Scranton and the St. Louis University Law School.

Founded in 1895, the Pennsylvania Bar Association strives to promote justice, professional excellence and respect for the law; improve public understanding of the legal system; facilitate access to legal services; and serve the 28,000 lawyers who are members of the association.

The Penn State Master Gardeners in Susquehanna County recently held a “Get Going, Get Growing” Spring Gardening Day program at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Montrose.

Carol Matheson, Penn State Master Gardener

Master Gardeners Carol Matheson, Maureen Kupiec and Master Gardener Apprentice Lori Wallace presented programs on: Lasagna Gardening, Good Bugs, Bad Bugs and Seed Starting.

Horticulture Educator John Esslinger delivered a program called: Growing Great Tomatoes.

The Penn State Master Gardeners in Susquehanna have a busy programming year coming up and invite all to join them! Check out the Penn State Extension website at: http://extension.psu.edu/susquehanna.

The Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees met on April 9, 2013 at the Towanda American Legion.

Vice President Bernice Landmesser introduced Garrett S. Mowry, Director of Marketing, Professional Insurance Services. He explained the various insurance programs available to PARSE members, such as Long Term Nursing Home Care, Short Term Nursing Home Care, Vision Care and Dental Care. He also stated that there is now ID Theft Protection Insurance. Should a member be a victim of this fraud, the insurances would cover contacting all companies, and/or financial institutions to be alert to this fraud. Mr. Mowry answered questions from the group and stressed that a retiree must be a member of PARSE to avail themselves of these insurances.

Northeast Region Vice President Tom O’Neill reported on state PARSE issues and advised the group of the statewide membership, revenues received, and pension payouts.

New members were introduced to the group. They are Clyde and Monica Knolles, Patricia Hockberg, Del and Wayne Faigle.

The next meeting will be at Green Gables, New Milford, PA on July 9. Please contact Bernice Landmesser at 570-265-8812 or John Benio at 570-278-2380.

Penny Farr, high school physical education teacher, and Amy Day, elementary classroom associate for students with special needs, received the Lauretta Woodson awards for an educator and a support professional at the Elk Lake School District school board meeting on April 18.

The award is named for Dr. Lauretta Woodson, who was a prominent Pennsylvania educator, an assistant professor at Temple University, and an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR). She left a bequest to honor those who have exhibited creativity, initiative, and productivity relative to the learning process and growth of children and who have had a positive influence on the learning process.

Bob McNamara, Penny Farr, Amy Day and Ellen Holdredge

Ellen Holdredge, Educational Support chairperson of Susquehanna Chapter of PASR, presented the awards, assisted by Bob McNamara, president of the chapter.

Penny Farr was described as a valued member of the faculty whose “positive attitude and love of children is reflected in her teaching.” Administrators cited her enthusiasm, innovativeness, and concern for students. The awardee told those present that she “loves teaching and working with students. Given a choice, she would choose the same profession again.”

Receiving the Woodson award for a support professional was Amy Day. Amy not only provides assistance in areas of the curriculum but aids in developing social skills. Pam Staats, special ed director mentioned that Day is “positive, energetic, and agreeable; happy to do whatever is asked of her”.

Both Farr and Day exemplify the goals of the Woodson Award. Each received a framed certificate, a medal, and, as a token from PASR, a restaurant gift certificate. These women are dedicated individuals who have had positive influences on the students in the Elk Lake School District. They embody the good things being done in schools today. The Susquehanna Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) was pleased to honor them with these awards.