Sea Scout Ship 90 of New Milford elected officers on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

LaAnna Farnelli was elected Boatswain of the ship and Will Farnelli was elected Boatswain's Mate as well as Purser.

Other officers elected include: Stacey Grubb is Yeoman; David Hudack is Port Crew Leader and Storekeeper; Austin Anderline is Starboard Crew Leader.

Up until Tuesday night, LaAnna was acting as Boatswain's Mate as well as Yeoman, and David Stude was the ship's Boatswain since he achieved Ordinary Rank before heading to Penn State University's Main Campus for his freshman year as an engineering student.

Picutred (l-r) Sea Scouts Ship 90 North Star elected new officers are: LaAnna Farnelli, Boatswain; William Farnelli, Boatswain's Mate and Purser; Austin Anderline, Starboard Crew Leader; David Hudak, Port Crew Leader and Storekeeper; Stacey Grubb, Yeoman.

Ship 90 recognized its scouts who have recently moved up in rank. Austin Anderline, Will Farnelli , David Hudack and Stacey Grubb achieved Apprentice, while LaAnna Farnelli made Ordinary. The positions of Assistant Port Crew Leader and Assistant Starboard Crew Leader are still open. There are now 18 Sea Scouts on the crew of Ship 90.

A Halloween party was held on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and among those attending were adult Sea Scout leaders Austin and Katee Chudzlinski, who are expecting a baby boy in December. The Sea Scouts came in costumes, as well as adult leaders. Several games and competitions were included in the festivities, including bobbing for apples, mummy wrapping competition, knot tying races and boxing the compass.

For community service, the scouts have helped the First New Milford Baptist Church serve three lunches to the senior citizens of New Milford. They also participated as color guard in the September 11 Memorial Service in South Montrose.

During this summer's whitewater canoe trip on the Delaware River, the Long Cruise sailing the Delaware Bay, and the Sea Scout Regatta in Liverpool, N.Y., the ship members earned many Sea Scout rankings, including one Venturing Silver Award and one Eagle Scout award.

Skipper Chuck Jaget received his Silver Beaver Award, Chairman Don Johnson received his 75 year Veteran Award. Past Boatswain Josh Warner has recently completed the Wood Badge Course Training and is the new Second Mate and Eric Potter is the new Committee Chairman.

The next Bridge of Honor ceremony will be held on Dec. 30 at 7:00 p.m.

Sea Scout Ship 90 meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Scout Hall located behind the New Milford Baptist Church.

A dedicated group of local parents and community leaders announces plans for a Susquehanna County Recreation Center to serve the leisure, fitness, and athletic needs of multiple generations of county citizens. Indoor sports facilities, a fitness center, and community meeting rooms would be available for all to use for a broad array of purposes. County school districts have expressed particular interest for various sports teams that can’t always practice outdoors due to unseasonable weather.

The Susquehanna County Recreation Center would be a non-profit organization and currently has a Board of Directors comprised of Ashley Kilmer, Marissa McAndrew Esquire, Blue Ridge Superintendent Robert McTiernan, Terry Wise, Alicia Tompkins, Adam Diaz and Tammy Bonnice. The nationally recognized consulting firm of Sports Facilities Advisory has been retained to complete a feasibility study regarding the best uses and location for the Recreation Center.

Bobbie Jo Turner from the Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority offers her experienced opinion by stating “as a parent of two elementary aged daughters, I feel that this recreation facility would be a tremendous asset to Susquehanna County youth as well as all of its residents. There are no indoor recreation facilities in the County and such a facility would give all ages access to recreational activities not currently available. Creating and maintaining recreation options is often one of the priorities for our communities and such a facility would help improve the quality of life for residents and would help retain younger families in the area. This project meets the criteria to be eligible for various grant programs to assist with the costs of development of this community oriented project”

An endowment fund has been established at The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains to gather donations to support the Recreation Center project. Tax deductible donations can be sent to The Community Foundation at 270 Lake Avenue Montrose, PA 18801 or online at www.community-foundation.org. To date, a number of anonymous local donations have been made to help defray the preliminary expenses and additional support has also arrived from Blue Ridge, Elk Lake, Mountain View and Susquehanna Community School Districts. The following county townships have also provided support on behalf of their citizens who would have access to the Recreation Center: Ararat, Bridgewater, Brooklyn, Clifford, Dimock, Gibson, Great Bend, Herrick, Lenox, as well as Harford Little League, Mountain View Little League, Clifford Little League, Mt. View Eagles Baseball Booster Club, Blue Ridge Boys Basketball Booster Club, and Mountain View SAY Soccer Club. Natural gas pipeline company Williams has also provided support along with Pleasant Mt. Welding and the George Family. Some townships have seen this as an opportunity to spend some of their Act 13 money.

“When Clifford Township was presented the opportunity to support the proposed Susquehanna County Recreation Center, we enthusiastically donated some of our Act 13 money because of what the project stands for. Although this project may not be located in Clifford Township, our residents will still have access to it. This is exactly what Act 13 (impact fee) money is for” stated township supervisor Chris Marcho.

“I am very pleased a group of individuals has joined together and recognized the positive impact a recreation center in the county will have, and is actively working toward raising the funds and garnering the interest needed to move the project forward,” said Rep. Sandra Major (R-Susquehanna/Wayne/Wyoming). “This is truly one of those projects that, when completed, will be of benefit to the entire community.”

For those interested in learning more about the proposed Susquehanna County Recreation Center, or who want to be involved with this most worthwhile local project, please contact any of the previously mentioned Board members. You can also visit and “Like” the Facebook page titled “Susquehanna County Athletic and Conference Facility” for the most up to date progress.

Mary Ann Michael Cunningham (left), Regent of the Susquehanna County Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, presents Flo and Jim Wheatley with a Community Service Award. This is the 30th Anniversary of the founding of “My Brother’s Keeper Quilt Group” which has supplied hundreds of thousands of homeless people in several countries with homemade sleeping bags. Jim is holding a sample bag which was made and donated by Susan Bennett-Dyson, a member of DAR. For more information on how you can participate, please refer to www.thesleepingbagproject.org.

Susquehanna County 4-H held its Annual 4-H Achievement Night and Leaders Recognition Celebration at Mountain View High School, on November 1st. The evening began at 6:00 with an excellent covered dish dinner that was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. It was a great evening of celebrating and recognizing the accomplishments of our Susquehanna County 4-H members, as well as the many hours of service of our volunteer leaders.

The Awards Program began with a welcome, the pledges, and recognition of our special guests. Several members of the Susquehanna County Extension Board were in attendance, as well as members of the Youth Program Advisory Committee (YPAC), along with Commissioner Al Hall.

Our 4-H Achievement Night is a night to honor Susquehanna County 4-H members for their accomplishments throughout the year. The first awards given were the Livestock Project Book Awards, which were presented by 4-H Leader Kandy Tyler of the Dimock Community 4-H Club. These awards are given to the 4-Hers that complete and hand in their 4-H Livestock Books, and do the best job. Winners in the Senior Division were Champion: Emily Supancik, North Jackson Ag, Reserve Champion: Rebecca Hricko, Elk Mountain Community, and Honorable Mention: Andrew Jenner, DES. Winners in the Intermediate Division were Champion: KayLeen Conklin, North Jackson Ag, Reserve Champion: Geo Swartley, and Honorable Mention: Zeb Swartley. Winners in the Junior Division were Champion: Trever Graham, DES, Reserve Champion: Katelyn Supancik, North Jackson Ag, and Honorable Mention: Jacob Gustin, DES. In the Rookie Division, Champion was awarded to Alex Empet, North Jackson Ag, Reserve Champion: Gavin Bewley, North Jackson Ag, and Honorable Mention to Heidi Cross, North Jackson Ag.

Next, Cindy Tompkins of the Born to Show 4-H Club, presented the Dairy Awards. The Best Owned and Bred animals for 2014 were exhibited by Trevor Tompkins and Kyle Vanderfeltz. These two 4-Hers owned and bred their 4-H projects, and were presented with prizes for their excellent accomplishments. Also receiving recognition in the Dairy Program were Alex Bonavita, Kyle Vanderfeltz, and Trevor Tompkins for exhibiting either a Grand or Reserve Grand Champion at the State 4-H Dairy Show held in Harrisburg. Lastly, Cindy recognized the winners of the Dairy Project Books. Winners in the Senior Division were Champion: Kyrston Swingle, DES, Reserve Champion: Cassie Clark, DES. and Honorable Mention: Jamie Supancik, North Jackson Ag. The Junior Division was won by Emory Bewley, North Jackson Ag, Reserve Champion was Patrick Curley, DES, and Honorable Mention was Katelyn Supancik, North Jackson Ag. In the Rookie Division, Champion: Delaney Curley, DES, Reserve Champion: Alex Empet, North Jackson Ag, and Honorable Mention: Kiara Mooney, DES. Great job to all our Dairy kids on their excellent year.

The next awards presented were from the 4-H Horse Program. Austin Graham of the Happy Horsemen Club was recognized for securing the highest number of sponsors as well as the highest dollar amount to be used towards the Horse 4-H Program. Next, Kelly Oliver, from the Blue Ribbon Driven 4-H Club, was recognized for participating in the State Competitive Trail Ride held at Rothrock State Park. Kelly also received recognition for completing Horsemanship Skills Level I and II, along with fellow 4-Her Jessica Sudhop. Stephanie Koloski, of the Endless Possibilities 4-H Club, received a photo of her winning Miniature Horse Gelding, who was the Champion Two Year Old at the State Junior Horse Championship Show. It was a busy year for our 4-H Horse Program, and all the members did a great job.

The program then moved on to the individual member awards. 4-H Leader and YPAC member Krista Naylor of the Franklin Hill Community 4-H Club made the presentations. She awarded the Outstanding News Reporter Award to KayLeen Conklin of the North Jackson Ag 4-H Club. Kaylee submitted eleven articles to the newspaper! Next Krista presented the Project Diversity Award to Zeb Swartley of the Borderline 4-H Club. Zeb completed eight different 4-H projects, and exhibited them at the 4-H Building at the Harford Fair. 4-H window promotion displays were also honored at this time, and were presented to the Jackson Pin Thimblers, North Jackson Ag, Happy Horsemen, Blue Ribbon Driven, Dimock Community, Franklin Hill Community, and Borderline.

Borderline 4-H Leader Jill Swartley presented the Club Spirit Awards. Each 4-H Club was encouraged to choose one member who has shown the most improvement, been the most helpful, or stood out in this project year for any reason. The winners are as follows: Baconeers-Delaney Hollenbeck, Blue Ribbon Driven-Shauna Boston, Borderline-Chapin Birchard, Born to Show-Alex Bonavita, DES-Rierdan Reyan, Dimock Community-John Tyler, Elk Mountain-Taylor Sebring, Franklin Hill-Olivia Moy, Happy Horseman-Alan-Michael Strohl, Jackson Pin Thimblers-Zackary Heath, Kaleidoscope-Joseph Curtis, North Jackson Ag-Emily Supancik, Pounding Hooves and Beating Hearts-Sarah Bolles, Rough N Ready Riders-Corrin Raynor, and Schooley Pond-Makenna Beardslee. Jill also presented the Blue Ribbon Club Awards. These are the Susquehanna County 4-H Clubs that have kept track of their clubs activities, and submitted the Blue Ribbon application in October. This year, five clubs were awarded this honor! They were North Jackson Ag, Happy Horsemen, Borderline, DES, and the Jackson Pin Thimblers. Great job to our participating clubs. Jill then continued on to honor our six members that competed at the 2014 Penn State Achievement Days. Sabrina Clark, member of the DES 4-H Club, was a member of the 2014 PA State 4-H Dairy Judging Contest. Sabrina was 4th place at the State Competition held in July, and competed at the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest in Madison, WI, where her team was 6th overall, and Sabrina was the 5th High Individual.

The program then moved on to the most fun award of the evening. This is the second year that bicycles have been graciously donated to the 4-H program, and given randomly to members that have completed their projects. One first year member was chosen, and one member from all other 4-Hers. This year’s winners were William Herb of Borderline 4-H Club, and Samantha Irwin, of Jackson Pin Thimblers! And many thanks to our anonymous donor.

The next portion of the program was to honor our 4-H Volunteer Leaders. It began with special recognition of our 2014 Susquehanna County Summer Intern, Rachel Smarkusky. Rachel worked from May until August, and contributed greatly to our summer 4-H Programs. Next to be honored were the first year volunteer leaders. In attendance were Becky Arnold, DES, Kevin and Amy Borove, SIzzlin’ Steaks, Lisa Boston, Blue Ribbon Driven, Julie Clancy, Sizzlin’ Steaks, Gigi Gardner, Happy Horseman, Mark Hewitt, Pounding Hooves and Beating Hearts, Sharon Milewski, Kaleidoscope, Diane Sabatelli, Kaleidoscope, Lindsay Strohl, Happy Horseman, Jill and Mike Swartley, Borderline, Laura Swetter, DImock Community, and Dustin Walker, Pounding Hooves and Beating Hearts. Two leaders with five years of service were in attendance. They were Elaine Mackey, Deckertown Community, and Shelly Hollenbeck, Baconeers and Bowbridge Shepherds. Cindy Tompkins of the Born to Show 4-H Club received her ten year leader award. Heidi Stephens-Pavelski, organizational leader of the Elk Mountain Community 4-H Club, was honored for 15 years of service, and receiving her award for 30 years of dedicated service was Julie Loch of the Schooley Pond 4-H Club. Susquehanna County 4-H has an outstanding group of leaders that give countless hours of dedication and support to the program. The Susquehanna County 4-H Club would not be what it is without their amazing support.

The last awards presented for the evening were scholarships and awards given to senior 4-H members that are moving onto college. The Outstanding Dairy Member was won by Callie Curley of the DES 4-H Club. Cassie is a freshman at Penn State studying Public Relations. The Outstanding Horse Members were awarded to Sierra Hall and Stephanie Koloski, both of the Endless Possibilities 4-H Club. Sierra attends Slippery Rock University, and is studying Exercise Science, and Stephanie started studying at SUNY Broome this fall, majoring in Nursing. The Youth Program Advisory Board (YPAC) was very excited to award six scholarships this year. They were awarded to Stephanie Koloski, Callie Curley, and Sierra Hall, as well as Sharon Snyder, an Ag Business major at Penn State, Greg Kowalewski, an Ag Science major at Penn State, and Olivia Everitt, a freshman at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Nutrition. Lastly, the Susquehanna County Outstanding 4-Hers were presented. This year the recipients were Callie Curley and Greg Kowalewski. These two 4-Hers are ones that have put in extra time and effort, and have developed right along with the program. Congratulations to all our award winners. The Susquehanna County Achievement Night and Leaders Recognition Celebration was a fun night, and an excellent way to celebrate how 4-H makes the best better.

The BPW club recently celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness month at their October, 2014 meeting.

Pictured (l-r) are: Darlene Slocum, Program Chair; Linda Bedford, NJD BPW President; Susie Burchell, speaker; Susan Gesford, District Eight Assistant Director.

Carol Herring passed away on October 20th, 2014, before she was able to celebrate being the November Resident of the Month. She was so pleased at being chosen that we decided we would honor her posthumously. We were fortunate to know Carol and we will miss her here at Forest City Nursing and Rehab Center.

Carol was born on June 3rd to Ruth and Terrence Hoyer. Terrence was a house painter working in the New York City area while Ruth was a home maker for her family. Carol had 5 sisters, Dorothy, Ruth, Janet, Barbara, and Terry.

Carol attended and graduated high school in Manhattan and became a Nurse’s Aide. She worked for 30 years in that profession, giving kind and compassionate care to the patients in her charge.

 Carol met a man named Richard Herring. They fell in love and were married on October 19, 1962. Richard worked as a laborer in New York City while Carol worked as a nurse aid and cared for their 5 children, Lisa, Ruth, Regina, Richard, and Stephen. Later, this busy couple moved their family to Honesdale, Pa. where they lived for many years. Carol was also blessed with seventeen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Recently, Carol enjoyed spending time with her wonderful family. She enjoyed going out on shopping excursions with them. While at the facility, Carol and her good friend, Rosemary, spent many hours working on intricate, beautiful puzzles together.

A gathering of her friends and family in her loving memory was held on November 18th at the facility. Music was provided by Edith Olsen.

Forest City Nursing and Rehab Center will always remember Carol’s sense of humor and her kind spirit.

Susquehanna County dog owners are reminded to purchase a 2015 Dog license as required by Pennsylvania law.

State law requires that all dogs three months or older be licensed each year. Failure to license a dog is a summary offense and could result in a maximum fine of $300 for each unlicensed dog.

"Dogs are an important part of our families," said Cathy Benedict, Susquehanna County Treasurer. "If your dog gets lost, its best chance to make it home safely is to be properly licensed."

An annual license is now $8.50 and a lifetime license is $51.50. If the animal is spayed or neutered, the annual fee is $6.50 and lifetime is $31.50. Older adults and Persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.50 for spayed or neutered Dogs and $6.50 for others. There is a $2.00 per license convenience fee to order Dog licenses online.

Licensing fees support the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Dog Law Enforcement Office, which ensures the welfare of breeding dogs and puppies in Commercial breeding kennels, regulates dogs classified as dangerous, and oversees Annual licensure and rabies vaccinations for dogs.

Susquehanna County residents can purchase their dog licenses on-line at www.padoglicense.com or purchase licenses in person at the Treasurer's office from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Susquehanna County Courthouse on Public Avenue, Montrose.

For more information call 570-278-4600, extension 130, 131, 132 or visit www.licenseyourdogPa.com.

Successful hunters are reminded that the 2014 Hunters Sharing the Harvest program will be in full swing in just a couple of weeks. If you would like to donate your deer to share among hungry Pennsylvanians, please contact Susquehanna County processor, Jeff Scavazzo at 570-553-2703 for information when his facility will be accepting donated deer.

For complete listings of statewide processors, please visit the HSH website at www.sharedeer.org. You can also call 1-866-474-2141 to obtain local information. For information in Susquehanna County, please contact Jim Holbert, HSH director at 570-934-2625.