The annual Arbor day –Earth Day Celebration was held at the Choconut Valley Elementary School on Friday, April 26, 2013. This celebration has been taking place for many years to celebrate Arbor Day and recognize individuals in a memorial garden planting at the school. The Choconut Valley Garden Club is in charge of all the tree and scrub plantings as well as the perennial gardens and presents the memorials each year. This year’s plantings included memorials to the following: Richard Kurosky, David Bryant, David Eddy, Tony Bistocchi, Charles Illg, Arline Werman, Maria Teets and Chuck Mac Neal.
Pictured (l-r) are Rita Eddy - Event Coordinator, Lisa Bistocchi, Robert Kurosky, Elaine Olin, Richard Olin, Beverly Arnold, Sam Arnold, Arletta Sechrist, Linda Truman, Ellen DePhillips, Sue Sechrist Heatley, Paige Nickerson and Andy Bryant.
All of the students participated by singing songs at each grade level in this annual outdoor event. Songs included were: “I’m Not a Litterbug”, “Bees are Buzzing”, “Colors of the Wind”, and “We are the World.” The entire staff of the school and many friends and relatives of those receiving memorials were present as well as garden club members and parents.
Guest speakers spoke of the meaning of Arbor Day, the importance of recycling, saving and respecting our trees and an explanation of what Salt Springs Park has to offer. Speakers included: Ryan Brown, District Forester; Jennifer Hibbard, County Recycling Coordinator; Jim Garner, Soil Conservation; Jim Kessler, retired District Forester and Sandy Babuka, Salt Springs Representative.
The Awesome Archers 4-H Club met on April 18. The club had lots of old and new business to discuss and vote on. Members voted on a t-shirt design for club t-shirts. Renee Arnold’s design was chosen. Also fundraising ideas were talked about. The club is doing a can and bottle drive and selling items on Ebay. Information and registration forms were given to members interested in attending the Susquehanna County 4-H Shooting Sports Fun Day on Saturday, May 18th at the Silver Lake Rod & Gun Club.
Community Service ideas were shared. Some club members went to clean up at Salt Springs on Saturday, April 20th. Megan McVaugh is going to check with the Food Pantry to see what kind of food is needed to restock shelves so club members can hold a food drive. Others things talked about were beautification at the Harford Fair and making a club banner to display at the fair. The club met again on April 25, for a BBQ and shoot.
How much fertilizer am I supposed to put in my garden? What are these spots on my tomato plants? How do I prune my blueberry bushes? EEK! What is this bug in my vegetable garden? The Penn State Master Gardeners in Susquehanna County are at your service to answer all your garden questions!
There are several ways to contact them. They are at the Extension office in Montrose at 88 Chenango Street every Tuesday, 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon or you can ask them questions via email anytime at: mggardeners@yahoo.com or call the office anytime at 278-1158 and we will be sure to get your questions answered.
Pictured (l-r) are: front row - Garrett Conklin, Katelyn Supancik, Kendra Brant, Kaelynn Brant and Bryce Conklin; middle row - Adriana Zebrowski, Sarah Marble, Makenzie Cook, KayLeen Conklin, Emory Bewley, Gavin Bewley, and Todd Landis; back row - Jamie Supancik, Ed Gorick, Aaron Cook, Evan Aldrich, Emily Supancik, Eli Aldrich and Samantha Jones.
On Saturday, April 12, the North Jackson Ag 4-H Club got together to complete a community service. Between everyone who helped we were able to do some nice spring cleaning at the Gibson Cemetery. We raked, picked up sticks and trash and had lots of fun in the process. We had people of all ages helping, from toddlers to adults. Thank you very much to everyone who helped, because every set of hands was appreciated.
United Way of Susquehanna County recently hosted its campaign celebration event at Lackawanna College-New Milford Campus to give thanks to the community for the generous contributions donors made towards this year’s campaign. Monies raised will go towards funding 22 partner agencies and vital programs geared towards helping those in need. Representatives from corporate, small business and individual leadership donors, partner agencies, volunteers, advisory board members and neighboring United Ways (Wyoming Valley, PA and Broome, NY) were in attendance and thanked for their ongoing commitment to our community.
“We are very fortunate to be surrounded by truly caring people, who want to make a positive impact in the lives of those in need. Needs are increasing every day in our area, and we are extremely grateful to the thousands of individuals and companies who choose to make a difference each and every day”, said Bob Welch, PennStar Bank and United Way of Susquehanna County Advisory Board Chairman.
2012-2013 Campaign Chair Tom Chamberlain said, “It truly was a team effort. None of our successes tonight could have happened without the amazing support of many. Our staff and volunteers have worked very hard to share the United Way message-LIVE United, and the community responded as it has always done – very generously.”
Procter and Gamble (P&G), Williams, and Peoples Neighborhood Bank were recognized as this year’s largest corporate contributors and for their year round support.
Procter and Gamble recently was presented with United Way’s Worldwide Spirit of America Award. This award is a national honor and recognizes elite Global Corporate Leaders for outstanding employee and community engagement, volunteering and measurable impact in education, income, and health. P&G increased its employee giving by 10% this year and also donated laptops and computers for distribution to our partner agencies.
Peoples Neighborhood Bank continues to be a staunch supporter and is one of our United Way’s longest-standing partners. Alan Dakey, President and Debbie Dissinger, Executive Vice President serve on United Way boards (Bradford County and Susquehanna County) and were acknowledged for providing valuable leadership and strategic planning assistance.
Williams, also a past United Way Worldwide Spirit of America Award Winner, hosted the 1st Annual Marcellus BBQ that supported local United Ways in the area. Additionally, Williams conducted an employee Day of Caring with staff donating time and talent to a number of community organizations including Head Start, Rail Trail, and True Friends Animal Shelter.
Peg Ruddy of Women’s Resources, one of the night’s many guest speakers, helped bring attention to Sexual Assault and Prevention Awareness month. Attendees were asked to bring health and beauty items for individuals in need and the response was overwhelming. Special thanks were extended to the team at GasSearch Drilling Services (a division of Cabot) and Cabot for leading the way with the most collected items.
In addition, the amazing work all of our partner agencies do for those in need was recognized for making such a positive difference to so many in Susquehanna County.
It’s still not too late to make an individual or corporate gift to this year’s campaign. For more information on community investment options, please call Kim Merithew, Director of Community and Corporate Giving, at 570-465-3868.
