September 11, 12, 13

RUMMAGE & BAKE SALE: Franklin Forks Um Church, Thur., Sept. 11 – 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm; Fri., Sept. 12 – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, Sept. 13 – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.

September 12

SUPPER: Fri., Sept. 12, Spaghetti Supper, 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Lawsville Grange Hall. Dine in or take out.

September 17

DINNER: Fri., Sept. 17, Chicken N Biscuit or Ham Dinner, Clifford UM Church, 4:00 – 6:00 pm, Take out or Dine in.

September 17, 18, 19

RUMMAGE SALE: Wed., Sept. 17 thru Fri., Sept. 18, St. Lawrence Holiday Rummage Sale, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, 380 Franklin St., Great Bend, Trinity Center.

September 20

CHICKEN BBQ: Sat., Sept. 20, Chicken BBQ, Noon til Sold Out, Gibson Grange Hall #798, Gelatt, PA. Take out only. For more info call 570-756-2958.

LUNCH: Sat., Sept. 20, Good News Lunch, Noon, St. Marks Church, New Milford, Free Meal, All are welcome.

September 21

FUNDRAISER SHOOT: Sun., Sept. 21, Fundraiser Shoot at New Milford Rifle & Pistol, Lewis Class 50 Bird Trap, Lucky X, Trophy and Fun Youth Shoot, Shooting starts at 10:00 am

September 23

SOCIAL: Tues., Sept. 23, 12:30 pm, Free Ice Cream Social, Blue Ridge Senior Center, 81 Elizabeth St., Great Bend.

Mon., Sept. 15: meatloaf w/gravy, mashed potatoes, broccoli & carrots, ww roll, berry fruit crisp.

Tues. Sept. 16: chicken philly sandwich, salad w/raspberry vinaigrette, tomato basil soup, ww roll, fruit cocktail.

Wed., Sept. 17: herbed fish, stewed tomatoes, macaroni & cheese, ww bread, mandarin oranges.

Thur., Sept. 18: Centers Closed Staff In-Service.

Fri., Sept. 19: swedish meatballs, buttered noodles, mixed vegetables, ww bread, banana.

Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) is now accepting applications for grants to further projects and programs that support heritage tourism, historic preservation, outdoor recreation, education and interpretation, agricultural promotion, and scenic landscapes or byways in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.

Successful applicants in the past have received funding for the restoration of historic buildings, enhancing pedestrian access to heritage areas, trail development and signage, and development of interpretive centers. EMHR has administered such grants since 1998 with the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation under the umbrella of the Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program.

Pictured is Clifford Township Historical Society member Mark Wilmot (left) displaying one of two engines that once powered Yarns Cider Mill in Clifford Township, Susquehanna County. The Historical Society's efforts to restore the mill and several other historic structures in the community is indicative of projects supported by grants secured by Endless Mountains Heritage Region.

EMHR will solicit applications through Monday, Nov. 3rd. Forms can be downloaded via www.emheritage.org, where the agency's Priority Areas are identified, and additional instructions are easily accessible. Non-profit groups, municipalities and units of government interested in planning and implementing projects serving community or heritage development, historic preservation, or resource conservation/enhancement goal are encouraged to apply.

Applications receiving the most attention will be those matching EMHR's highest priorities, which include interpretive and educational projects that spur economic development and identification and enhancements of tourist and recreation destinations.

Secondly, the grant committee will look favorably on efforts to develop interpretive materials, such a brochures; host programs, such as walking tours and traveling exhibits, workshops, and lectures; document scenic and geological resources of the Endless Mountains; and identify anchor heritage sites that have the potential to become community or regional heritage centers.

Community planning projects, such feasibility studies for adaptive reuse of historic structures; comprehensive preservation and conservation plans, development of relevant training courses for municipal and business leaders; and partnerships that foster entrepreneurial potential and identify heritage-related small business opportunities are also of great importance to EMHR.

Employing a 50/50 match component, EMHR is able to provide funding and technical assistance to project partners throughout the four-county region. Staff members have more than 30 years of combined professional experience in grant and project management.

Successful and unsuccessful applicants alike are invited to take advantage of the wealth of expertise in developing and implementing worthwhile projects offered by EMHR, such as grants and funding research, grant writing and funding proposals, contract administration and documentation, and integration with related projects and initiatives. EMHR staff is available to discuss project plans, identify common goals and potential funding sources, and to help form partnerships.

For additional information not found at www.emheritage.org interested readers may contact Phil Swank at 570-265-1528 or send an email to emhr@epix.net.

The Susquehanna County Forest Land Owners Association (SCFLOA) and The Doug Sheldon family will host its first ever Fall Woods Walk.  The walk will be held on Saturday morning on September 20th, 2014 at the actively managed tree farm in Thompson Twp. Susquehanna County.

SCFLOA President Jim James asks you to “... Join us for this first ever fall woods walk that will bring about discussions of best management practices for tree planting of riparian forest areas, tree planting on old farm fields, integration of wildlife habitat improvement with forestry management goals. Native warm season grass plantings will be shown and explained.” Mr. James further explained that, “... you do not need to be members of the forest landowners group to take part in the walk and talk.”

Doug Sheldon with one of his 7000 newly planted trees

The event will begin with introductory, short presentations from: Landowners Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Sheldon on their woodland and wildlife management work and their lifelong experiences on the property; Pheasants Forever Biologist Jason Diaferio will have time on the walk to explain about the different types of habitat that we will encounter. There will also be examinations of tree grafting efforts by Doug Sheldon along with pheasant and quail restoration efforts.

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and Farm Service Agency personnel will also be on hand to explain the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) and how it can help diversify flora and fauna on your property.

This event will start promptly at 9:00 am please arrive earlier to take part in the meet and greet. Coffee, donuts and water will be available at 8:30 am and after the walk. Coordinates (41.88.59 N and -75.55.566 W).

The property is located on State Route 1004 which is accessed via State route 171 from the east or accessed from State route 92 from the west by following SR 1006 (North Jackson) to State Route 1004. Woods walk signs will indicate the road turnoff areas. Members of the SCFLOA Board of Directors will be guiding cars to the parking and meeting area.

At 9:00 am SCFLOA President Jim James welcomes the group, followed by an introductory farm history from Doug Sheldon. The group will proceed on our walking tour of an actively managed property with diverse forest and wildlife habitat types. "The degree of walking difficulty is easy. Waterproof footwear is advised." The walk is over gently rolling hills and may cover about one mile at the longest extent.

From 9:30 am – 11:00 am the walk progresses to and through the actively managed farm area of 200+ acres. There will be several stops as the walk progresses through different stages and types of wildlife habitat cover. We will walk through and see 7000 planted trees (a new forest in the making) - Evergreens, fruit tree and native tree plantings in the riparian buffer areas; 50+ acres of native warm season grass/wildlife habitat, 12 acres of annual plantings for wildlife food and cover. There will be conservation program specialists at designated areas to answer your questions.

Contact SCFLOA Director Doug Sheldon or (570)-906-0913 for more specific driving directions or activity information.

In 1978, when a small group of local amateur naturalists first contacted The Nature Conservancy about a small wetlands area in northeastern Pennsylvania, regional directors of the international environmental organization were immediately interested. The Nature Conservancy purchases valuable wilderness areas in order to protect them, and their decision to acquire the land that was to become the Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve was based on several important factors: the diverse wetlands areas, which contribute to the ecological health of a bioregion; the diversity of plant and species; and the presence of a small stand of balsam firs growing wild there. The balsam fir normally thrives in northern woodlands, and it is believed that these trees make up one of the southernmost stands in the U.S.

Although these rare balsams are located in a remote and inaccessible part of the preserve, the Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve features many other species of trees that tell a unique tale about this particular area and its human and natural history. On Sunday, September 21, at 2 PM, Hank Hartman, a retired forester, will lead a walk to identify some of these trees, demonstrate how to identify them, discuss their particular, qualities and describe the environmental challenges that threaten them.

Indigenous trees at the preserve include maple, ash, a few species of oak, shadbush (named because they flower around the time the shad are running in the rivers), and black cherry. There is even a rare American elm. Walk participants will notice a line of sugar maples along the main trail, maintained for convenience in sugar tapping by the farm family who lived on the land almost a hundred years ago. Apple trees and a lilac half hidden in goldenrod and hardhack give further evidence of human habitation in what is now a wildlife refuge. Dense, dark patches of scotch and Austrian pines are remnants of the pine plantations planted by the Conservation Corps during the 1940s and never thinned. Hartman will give tips for identifying trees by their bark, leaves, cones and other characteristics. He will point out damage caused by insect species from remote lands and explain why trees—and the humans who are concerned about them—have such difficulty combatting these pests. The walk will last approximately two hours.

The Florence Shelly Wetlands Preserve is located one mile north of Thompson, PA on Route 171. The walk is free and there is no need to make reservations. Meet in the parking lot just opposite Stack Road. The hike is flat, but the trail is rough and uneven in places and will be damp if we have had recent rains, so wear shoes appropriate for walking in wetlands. For further information call Andrew Gardner, 570/727-3362.

Blue Ridge Senior Center is hosting a Senior Yoga class starting Friday September 12, 2014 at 10am. The class will run for 6 weeks. All classes include gentle warm-ups and exercise done in chairs or standing. To register call the Blue Ridge Senior Center at (570) 879-2896. Space is limited.

Prime Time Health is a wellness and prevention program for older adults. The goal of Prime Time Health is to provide information and encouragement to help older adults make choices to maintain or improve their health and create an ongoing wellness attitude.

For more information on Prime Time Health and other Area Agency on Aging services please call 1-800-982-4346. 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, and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners.

Penn State Extension offers classes for consumers on preserving food at home.  Come and learn how to can or freeze fruits and vegetables.  You will find useful information whether you are new to preserving or want to learn the latest methods.  All classes give current science based guidelines for preserving food at home from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

Canning and freezing classes will each be held on Saturday, September 20 at the Clifford Township Community Center, 119 Cemetery Street, Clifford.  Instructor for both classes will be Cathy Guffey, Extension Nutrition, Health, & Food Safety Educator.

During the Home Canning Basics class learn how to prepare food and equipment for canning.  Steps for using the boiling water canner and pressure canner will be shown.  Class time is 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.

Learn how to freeze fruits and vegetables to maintain high quality for long term storage during Freezing Fruits and Vegetables.  Blanching and packaging vegetables for the freezer will be shown.  Options for sweetening fruits will be shared.  Class time is 1:30 to 3:00 pm

Equipment and supplies will be on display during classes.  Directions and recipes will be available to take home.  Resources for home food preservation will be shared. 

There is a cost for the class. One set of class materials will be given per household.   The fee may be waived based on need. 

Sign-up is required by September 17.  Register online at http://extension.psu.edu/food/preservation/courses or call 1-855-394-7534.

If your pressure canner has a dial gauge, bring it to be checked after either class.  Dial gauges should be tested for accuracy each year.  It is not necessary to bring the whole canner.  Only the gauge is needed for testing.

The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning and the University of Georgia’s So Easy to Preserve book on canning, freezing, and drying will be available to buy at the classes. 

Contact Cathy Guffey at 570-265-2896 or cbg1@psu.edu for more information. 

The Women Helping Women Fund at The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains recently provided $4,000 in grants to six regional organizations working on behalf of women of all ages.  Susquehanna County Interfaith provides women’s professional development classes. Trehab received assistance to run its Seeking Safety curriculum to address addiction and trauma.  The Women’s Resource Center received assistance for its ongoing advocacy and education programs to end domestic violence.  The Caregiver’s Library will be updated at the BSST Area Agency on Aging.  Care Net will be able to purchase equipment for its education classes, and the Tunkhannock Area School District’s TIGRESS program was funded to help provide life skills lessons.

In total, the Women Helping Women fund received funding requests in excess of $14,000.  To help raise interest in developing this permanent endowment so that it may increase its granting ability a special networking breakfast will take place at 10:30 on Saturday October 4th at The Community Foundation at 270 Lake Avenue in Montrose.  This will be a casual yet elegant catered annual event to meet caring and involved women of the Endless Mountains region.  Informative presentations from this year’s grant recipients will help illustrate the good work The Women Helping Fund is helping to support and will hopefully inspire additional donations to help enhance the endowment.  For reservations and more information call Heather Taylor at The Community Foundation at Htaylor@community-foundation.org or at 570-278-3800.