August 9 & 10

GIVE-AWAY: Back to School Free Give-Away, Clifford UM Church, Friday Aug 9, & Saturday Aug 10, 2013; 9am – 3 pm; Clothing (all sizes): Shoes, Bookbags, School supplies, also winter coats, hats, gloves, boots. To Donate call 570-222-3809.

August 10

WOOFSTOCK: Sat., Aug 10, 12 Noon – 7 PM, WOOFSTOCK 2013 True Friends Animal Welfare Center will hold WOOFSTOCK from Noon to 7PM at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Festivities consist of numerous live bands, quality vendors, delicious food, raffle baskets, cash raffles, and more, all in a country atmosphere! For more information: www.TrueFriendsAWC.com or 570.278.1228.

August 12

MEETING: Friends of Susquehanna County, Inc. will meet at 7pm. If you are interested in joining this volunteer group contact Alice at 570-756-2044 or randa@nep.net.

VBS: Vacation Bible School, Kingdom Rock, United Methodist Community Church, Great Bend, Pa. Monday, August 12 thru Friday, August 15, 5pm - 7pm.

August 14

PROGRAM: Wed., August 14: Free program "Birds of Susquehanna County" at Montrose Square Apts. dining room. 7:00 p.m.; Light refreshments. Call the Garden Club of Montrose for info: 278-3106.

PALMZ & PRAIZE: Wednesday at 7:00 pm, United Methodist Community Church, Main Street, Great Bend, PA; Praise Music by Lost n’ Found Christian praise, music & celebration Outside under the tent Questions? Call 570-879-4506 or email: grbehumc@epix.net.

August 17

LUNCH: Sat., Aug. 17, Noon, Good News Lunch, St. Marks Episcopal Church, New Milford, Free Meal, All Welcome.

STORY TIME: Sat. Aug. 17, 1-3pm at the Susquehanna County Literacy Program's office. Children 3 to 8 years old only. Reservations must be made by August 14th by calling 570 465-2880.

August 21 & 22

WORKSHOP: Tutor Training Workshop: On August 21&22, Tues. & Thurs., 9:00am-12pm, Susquehanna County Literacy Program is offering a Tutor Training Workshop at the Susquehanna County Literacy Program's office. If you are interested in providing a much needed service to Susquehanna County residents call Linda at 570 465-2880.

Mon., Aug. 12: pork bbq, vegetable soup, confetti coleslaw, ww sandwich roll, raspberry peach jello.

Tues., Aug. 13: swiss steak, lima beans, parmesan potatoes, ww dinner roll, fresh fruit.

Wed. Aug. 14: honey glazed turkey, roasted red potatoes, green beans, ww dinner roll, bar cookie.

Thur., Aug. 15: meatloaf, broccoli & carrots, mashed potatoes, lentil soup, ww bread, diced pineapple.

Fri., Aug. 16: chicken & sausage bake, mixed greens w/raspberry vinegarette, rice, ww bread, cherry cobbler.

Although the nature calendar on your wall may depict what looks like pristine mountain ranges, forests, or deserts, in reality, the natural world is constantly undergoing change. Animals, insects, waters, plants, and humans are regularly acting upon wild nature in our backyards and in remote areas of the Arctic and the Sahara Desert. Detecting the ways that some of these forces are transforming a beautiful and diverse nature preserve in northeastern Pennsylvania is the subject of a walk led by Andrew Gardner at Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve on Sunday, August 11 at 2:00 PM.

“No matter where we go, there’s human influence and there’s the influence of nature,” says Gardner, adding that he particularly likes looking for the “anomalies” in nature, the things that stand out from their surroundings. “We make judgments about nature, either thinking it should be ‘pristine’ and off limits to human or else assuming that nature is a commodity we can use as we want. Either attitude tends to separate us from the natural world. Working in partnership with nature benefits both.”

Starting at the trailhead just off Pennsylvania Route 171, you’ll pause at several places in the preserve where humans, animals, and weathers have altered nature, deliberately or accidentally. For example, many of the wild plants, some of them with important medicinal and culinary properties, arrived as seeds embedded in the shoes of European immigrants. Farther down the trail and hidden among vegetation is the stone foundation of an old barn—along with a lilac bush and a row of maple trees that the farm family used to tap sugar. By the stream you’ll see how bears have scratched and scarred the trees. You’ll even see how parts of the trail itself have been shaped by recent flooding, deer paths, and the township’s decision to abandon this former road. In these and many other places, you’ll get a glimpse of what’s behind the screen of green vegetation that is most people’s first impression of the preserve.

Andrew Gardner is a long-time member of the Florence Shelly Preserve Stewardship Committee. He himself influences and is influenced by nature by gardening, harvesting willow for his rustic furniture and local clay for his pottery, and participating in the care of the preserve.

Walk participants will meet at the preserve parking lot one mile north of Thompson, PA on Route 171, opposite Stack Road. The walk will last about two hours. It is free and no reservations are necessary. Please note that trails are uneven and may be wet, so come prepared. For further information, contact Andrew Gardner at 570-727-3362.

The Garden Club of Montrose invites you to share in the wonder and beauty of owls, hawks, and other birds of this area.

George Schreck, local photographer extrordinaire with extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of our area, especially at Salt Springs State Park, will present a free program for the club and the public. Over many years he has skillfully preserved the beauty of the avian creatures which call Susquehanna County home.

The program will be presented in the dining room of Montrose Square Apartments, 145 Church Street, Montrose, at 7:00 p.m. on August 14. Light refreshments will be served.

The Susquehanna County Farm Bureau will hold meetings on the following dates: August 7 - South Auburn Grange Hall, 7:30 p.m.; August 9 - South Gibson United Methodist Church, 7:30 p.m.; August 9 - Fairdale Township Building, 7:30 p.m.; August 11 - "Inn the Beginning" B & B, Nicholson, 12:30 p.m.; August 12 - Dave DeLeon' s, Susquehanna, 7:30 p.m.

It's time to take the L.I.D. off the hot issues. This is your opportunity to have your voice heard on local, State and federal issues. Please join us. Bring a neighbor and introduce them to the foundation of the Farm Bureau organization. Grassroots democracy in action.

Legacy Five will be in concert at South New Milford Baptist Church, Friday, August 16 at 7 p.m.

Legacy Five

This award winning quartet was founded by Scott Fowler and Roger Bennett, two former members of the legendary Cathedral Quartet (1963-1999). Since the debut of Legacy Five in 2000, they have become noted for rich four and five part harmony, maintaining a firm place at the top of the Christian music genre. Current members Matt Fouch (bass), Scott Howard (baritone), Scott Fowler (lead), Gus Gaches (tenor), and Trey Ivey (pianist) continue the rich tradition of Southern Gospel quartet singing.

This is an evening you won't want to miss. Admission is free; a free will offering will be received. Doors open at 6 p.m. The church is located between New Milford and Harford PA, about 4 miles from the I-81 Gibson exit 219. For more information, visit snmbc.org or call 570-434-2101.

Whatever your age, your interests, or your food preferences, the Harford Fair has something for everyone.   Embracing traditions for 156 years, the fair is an annual event in Susquehanna County which draws over 60,000 people from all over the country.  Some are coming for the first time, many return every year, and some come to relive childhood memories.

That is how it was for Kathy Kelly, who has been teaching in the Haverford School District near Philadelphia for 15 years but grew up in Susquehanna County.  While waiting for rides at the fair two years ago, Kathy saw a view which brought tears to her eyes.  It was an older couple who had just gotten off the Merry-Go-Round and were walking hand in hand.  She snapped their picture and then decided to enter it in the photography competition at last year’s fair.  Some relatives recognized the couple in the photo as Barbara and Art Sheldon while it was on display at the fair sporting a blue ribbon.  They left their names and contact information and when Kathy picked up her photo she was able to get in touch with them.

Barbara and Art Sheldon walking hand in hand

Plans for this year’s fair are already in the works for Kathy to actually meet Barbara and Art Sheldon, the couple she captured in the photo.  She already sent them a beautifully matted and framed copy of the photo, one just like the one she entered in the Harford Fair.  She also sent them copies of the photo, which they put in their Christmas cards. 

The couple grew up visiting the fair but hadn’t been back since they were first married, over sixty years ago.  So you see, you never know what connections or traditions might be made at the fair.  Start making your plans now to meet August 19-24th at the Harford Fair, where there is truly something for everyone.

On Saturday, August 10, from 2 – 6 pm, the public is invited to visit the Conservancy’s Greenwood Sanctuary in Dimock, PA for an afternoon of nature walks and demonstrations, tours, refreshments and general outdoor fun. The land that is Greenwood Sanctuary was donated to the Conservancy in 2003 and comprises 130 acres of protected land and diverse habitats. Also located on the property is an historic clapboard barn that will be open for walk-through tours.

The historic barn at Edward L. Rose Conservancy’s Greenwood Sanctuary

Visitors are invited to explore the sanctuary’s trails and partake of any of the planned nature activities during the afternoon. Adults and children of all ages will be treated to nature walks through cool, shaded forests to seek out birds, mushrooms and salamanders, and around fragrant meadows to look at late summer wildflowers and their pollinators. At the Sanctuary’s pond, learn about dragonflies and damselflies, flying predators descended from prehistoric times, as well as the squiggly, exotic looking creatures that inhabit the water. Visitors are encouraged to place bids at the Silent Auction featuring nature-related and culinary delights, as well as other items of diverse interest. A variety of refreshments will also be available to quench thirsts and satisfy hungry explorers. Information about the Conservancy and the important work being accomplished to protect land in and around Susquehanna County will also be available for guests.

Greenwood Sanctuary is located on State Route 2024, just 1.4 miles east of Dimock (turn east at the blinking light).

Come out and enjoy a day of learning and recreating at this centrally located, and expanding outdoor learning resource center.

The Edward L. Rose Conservancy is a not-for profit organization established in 1987 to protect natural resources through land and water conservation, provide sanctuary for wildlife and preserve scenic beauty. Named for one of Susquehanna County’s original large landowners and conservationists, the Conservancy protects land through conservation easements and land acquisition. To date, the Conservancy has permanently protected over 1,000 acres in Susquehanna County.

In April 2013, the Edward L. Rose Conservancy was awarded national Accreditation status through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. This status recognizes land trusts across the country that meet national quality standards and practices in their operations and dedication to land protection in the public interest. Edward L. Rose Conservancy operates from their office at 440 South Main Street, Montrose, PA, and welcomes property owners’ inquiries on how to best protect their land.