Lee Harper visited Blue Ridge Kindergarten on Thursday, November 14, 2013.  He told us about his childhood and how he started drawing.  He likes to think of basic shapes, then turns them into characters.  He read three stories to our children.  Woolbur by Leslie Helakoski and illustrated by Lee Harper, Snow! Snow! Snow! by Lee Harper, and Turkey Trouble by Wendi Silvano and illustrated by Lee Harper.  Afterwards, our Kindergarteners learned how to illustrate just like Lee Harper.  They each drew a character from the stories.  Each child received a free, signed hardcover book, Turkey Trouble.

Pictured (l-r) are: top row - Joseph Thompson-Bruno, Kayleen Decker, Jocelyn Megill, Tyler Carpenter; bottom row - Layla Sinnett, Nicholas Marvin, Siena Fritsky, Parker Glasgow.

This event was arranged by Historical Society & Free Library Association from Susquehanna County.  Funding was made possible through the support of Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation, Pump N Pantry, and RESOURCE Environmental Health and Safety.

Local teen, Nicole Proske, 16, of Meshoppen, PA has been invited to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA 2014 Pageant. It is being held at the Hyatt Regency Pittsburgh International Airport Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA on December 6th, 7th and 8th. She will be challenging over fifty contestants from all across Pennsylvania in interview, swimsuit and evening gown competitions. Competitors for the Miss PA Teen USA crown range from 14 to 18 years old and are judged on their poise, confidence, goal-setting, public speaking and communication skills, physical fitness, and self-discipline. The winner will go on the represent the state of Pennsylvania at the Miss Teen USA competition held in the Bahamas next August.

Nicole Proske

Nicole is a 10th grade honors student attending the Agora Cyber Charter School and has been active in many student organizations such as Key Club, Big Sister Program, and student council. She has worked in a local Tunkhannock restaurant since she was 14 and continues to pursue her passion for karate (Tang Soo Do) where she has achieved her 2nd degree green belt at a community karate institute. Her career ambition includes becoming a Nurse Practitioner. "I am so excited to be able to represent Susquehanna County in the state competition. It will give me a chance to show the pride I have in our community and our corner of Pennsylvania. We live in a beautiful area and I would be honored to be the face of our region."

Sponsorship opportunities are available to help Nicole achieve her goal of winning the crown on behalf of our area. If you would like to help in any way, she can be contacted at nicole.pateen@gmail.com.