When the Harford Agricultural Society’s board of directors decided to add an Information Center to the Harford Fair, they had no idea how that area would blossom.  Many ideas were discussed and then Katie Ezdebski took charge and enlisted Monica Miller and board director Cindy Reynolds to help with the area.  They decided to focus on special parts of the fair which did not have a display area such as demonstrations, “Treasure the Memories” photos, media center, sponsorship trophies displayed, contests, and PA Preferred Products Display. 

After many months of planning the information center came together with a lovely display visited by thousands of individuals throughout the 2014 Harford Fair during the third full week of August.  The state initiated a contest to increase consumer awareness of the large and growing number of quality products that are produced in Pennsylvania and designated as PA Preferred Products.  The displays would be judged on originality and creativity of the display, appearance and attractiveness, and the number of PA Preferred items on display. 

Announcing the winning entry of the PA Preferred Contest at the Pennsylvania State Fair Convention in Hershey is Boots Hetherington, State Fair Funds Coordinator.  Pictured left to right are: George Greig immediate past Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture; Katie Ezdebski, Monica Miller and Cindy Reynolds representing the Harford Agricultural Society as the first place state winners; and Zachary K. Gihorski, PA Preferred Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

At the conclusion of the fair, the ladies carefully labeled the display, documented each part, and packed up all of the items.  The ladies decided to enter the state competition and then waited.  In mid-November, Boots Hetherington, the State Fair Funds Coordinator, made a personal phone call to announce that Harford Fair was the first place winner of the state competition with a total of 97.6 out of a possible 100 points. But that was not the end.  One of the rules for the competition was that the display would have to be set up at the 99th Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg.  And so Cindy, Katie, and Monica with the help of her sons packed everything and headed for Harrisburg on January 11th to recreate the display.  Over 600,000 visitors at the Farm Show had an opportunity to view the display. 

All of the effort and planning proved to be worthwhile when Harford Fair was recognized at the PA State Fair Convention in Hershey during the Thursday evening banquet.  Katie, Monica, and Cindy represented the fair to receive the lovely wooden plague and the $1,000.00 prize money check.

The contest certainly achieved its goal to create consumer awareness of Pennsylvania products because the Harford Fair has already been asked to do a program with its display at Timmy’s Town Center, the children’s museum at the Steamtown Mall and the Health and Wellness Fair at the Mountain View High School.  In addition, they are already planning their display for next year’s fair.

Each year for Valentine's members of the Nellie Jane DeWitt BPW visit the SNF and provide a well needed gift to each resident.

Pictured (L-R) are: Lori Hubal, BPW Disrict Eight Director; Mary Mushala; Linda Bedford, President NJDBPW; Carol Dubas; Gay Keyes.

On February 14, 2015 they visited the unit and gave each resident a box of tissues and visited with the residents.

The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. and the APPRISE program is looking for interested individuals to join our team. You can help people sort through their healthcare issues and enjoy the rewarding benefit of having the opportunity to teach Medicare eligible beneficiaries how their insurance works. We enjoy helping them find money saving avenues for their health and prescription needs. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity, we welcome you to come and see how you can help.

APPRISE Coordinator and some of the volunteers from the four counties

The APPRISE program is a place where anyone who seeks help with their Medicare insurance can get clear information and an unbiased review of topics that affect them and in return are able to make informed decisions regarding their healthcare costs and coverage.

For additional information on the APPRISE program or if you have questions regarding your own Medicare health insurance, please call the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. at 1-800-982-4346 (toll- free)

Chocolate Milk has long been a favorite drink for kid’s everywhere but did you know that it is also a fabulous way for athletes (young and old) to recover critical nutrients lost during exercise?

What is recovery? Recovery is the time when an athlete needs to replenish his or her store of energy after a workout or activity. Both older athletes who have vigorous workouts and younger athletes in competitive sports can benefit from drinking a glass of chocolate low-fat milk, usually within ½ hour after each workout.

Chocolate milk boosts your calcium and vitamin D intake. Vitamin D deficiency can have a serious effect on growing bones as well as bone strength in adults. Using Milk as a recovery drink replenishes vitamins, protein for muscle repair, fluid and electrolytes for hydration and the chocolate in the milk boosts the carbohydrates supplied to your muscles and liver to replenish energy, without adding many contaminates found in some energy drinks. 

Chocolate milk is a low cost replenishing option. It is readily available and can most often be found in school cafeterias as well as convenient stores, plus it just tastes great!

The Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau (EMVB) has released it Annual Guide to the Endless Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The cover of the guide, an award-winning photo of the sun rising over a hay field in Susquehanna County, depicts a new dawning for the EMVB as its staff and board focus on the beauty and resources of the three-county region including Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties. “The relaxing, simple feeling it portrays carries throughout the book,” EMVB Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Shelley McAndrew said of the photo taken by Bill Maile Jr. The tone of what the Endless Mountains is all about is depicted throughout the guide with photos of last year's photo contest winners, as well as sketches rendered by Michael Cassidy of Cre8tive Logic.

A photo of a sunrise in Susquehanna County taken by Bill Maile Jr. was chosen as the cover of the 2015 Annual Guide to the Endless Mountains. 

At 44 pages, the new guide is the same size as in previous years, and 160,000 copies of the brochure will be distributed. According to EMVB Executive Director Jean Ruhf, the 2015 annual guide will be available at PA welcome centers and rest areas, at area businesses, information racks and displays throughout our three county region and adjacent counties, at businesses along New York's southern tier, and at all consumer and travel shows in which EMVB is slated to participate in 2015. The annual guide is the fulfillment piece that is sent out to all leads received from the bureau’s advertising and marketing efforts. 

All EMVB members have a supply of the guide as well. Ruhf added that anybody can request a supply of the booklets for their meetings, information tables, and counter tops.

This year’s guide highlights two significant historical events planned for 2015. The Tunkhannock Viaduct and the Martins Creek Viaduct are both celebrating their 100th anniversary.  A history of the Tunkhannock Viaduct, also known as the Nicholson Bridge, the largest reinforced concrete railroad bridge in the world, can be found on page 17 of the new guide.

A revised map of the Endless Mountains region served by EMVB spreads across pages 22 and 23. Each year the EMVB sponsors a photo contest. This year’s theme is “Postcard Perfect”; rules for the contest can be found on page 5.

The guide as well as information on all there is to see and do in the Endless Mountains is available at the Endless Mountains Visitors Center on Route 6 just west of Tunkhannock.  The EMVB's Calendar of Events, a companion piece to the annual guide, will be published in March.

For more information, readers may call the visitors center at 570-836-5431 or 800-769-8999 and online at www.endlessmountains.org.

Editors's Note: The following article was written by NWTF National Staff and submitted, with local quotes and information for Bob Wagner, Board of Director member of the Wilson F. Moore chapter of the NWTF.

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Bob Eriksen is a certified wildlife biologist with nearly 30 years of experience supervising research, management and restoration projects at the state wildlife agency level. As a member of the NWTF conservation staff, he has 13 additional years of wildlife management.

In recognition of his dedication and contributions to conservation, Eriksen received the National Wild Turkey Federation's (NWTF) Henry S. Mosby Award. He accepted the award during the NWTF's 39th annual Convention and Sport Show.

"I am honored to be a recipient of this award. Henry was a pioneer who believed that wild turkey had a strong future here in this country," said Eriksen. "I am lucky to have been involved in the restoration of several species so that hunters and anglers could enjoy the wildlife they helped save through their conservation funding."

The NWTF determined this year's award winners based on how their work strengthens the Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative. Under Eriksen's leadership, New Jersey began turkey reintroduction in 1977. The agency initially released 23 birds and only released an additional 29 turkeys nearly 10 years later. Today the state's wild turkey population numbers more than 20,000.

"Bob Eriksen has a tremendous understanding of wild turkey biology and management," said George Thornton, NWTF CEO. "His presence on our conservation team provides a significant level of credibility for our efforts across the country, not just the states he covers as a biologist."The Mosby award is named for Henry S. Mosby, Ph.D., whose research during the mid-1900s set the standard for wild turkey management. He also helped found The Wildlife Society and won its highest honor, the Aldo Leopold Medal.

Jack Sorber, President of the Wilson F. Moore Chapter of the NWTF (Susquehanna County, Pa. and areas around it) states that, “Bob Ericksen has been very supportive to the local chapters in many ways. We have cooperated with the NWTF on numerous programs such as the collecting of acorns which were returned as oak seedlings for planting in the local habitat. Bob has helped us in our requests and efforts on various superfund projects. He has provided excellent advise and direction in many of our ’ Jakes events’ and volunteer habitat efforts. Mr. Eriksen and his family own land in Susquehanna County which they actively manage and hunt on.”

Kira

Kira is just a big puppy with lots of playful energy and tons of love to give a family.  She has a skin issue (not contagious) and takes some oral medicines but is doing fine.  She is just one of many with a special need for a compassionate and caring person of her own.  Her  extra requirement is minimal - just add med to her food.  She will need exercise and a little training to complement her unique character.  If you have time and affection to spare she might just be your new best friend.  Please remember to keep your animal's rabies shot up to date and your dog licensed according to Pennsylvania law.  Call your regular veterinarian for vaccine details and the courthouse can direct you to the Treasurer for dog licenses.  Protecting your companion should be a priority including ID and regular checkups. Thank you for your support through this difficult winter season.  Check us out on Facebook and on our website truefriendsawc.com.  Details on fund raisers and upcoming events can be found on these sites including the Yankee Candle fund raiser.

In honor of Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages people to uncover their inner hero and donate blood or platelets, volunteer their time or sign up to organize a blood drive.

Since 1943, every president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people down the street and across the country.

“The everyday heroes are those who donate blood, volunteer, take a lifesaving class, host a blood drive or make a financial contribution to help neighbors here in Susquehanna County and across the nation,” said Cara Leyna Noble, External Communications Manager for the New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “We thank and honor these everyday heroes who support the Red Cross.”

The Red Cross couldn’t fulfill its mission without people like Sister Maura Simms, a dedicated blood donor, who recently celebrated her 502 donation on New Year’s Eve. It’s quite an accomplishment that puts Maura in an elite group of donors.

People also can become everyday heroes by hosting a SleevesUp virtual blood drive or creating a team via the Blood Donor App. SleevesUp provides an easy way for Red Cross supporters to encourage those in their networks to give blood or platelets to honor someone’s life, celebrate a special occasion or simply bring people together to help save lives. Campaigns can be created online at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp.

The Blood Donor App allows individuals to find a local blood or platelet donation opportunity, schedule appointments and track their donation history. Plus, it lets users create teams and recruit friends and family to roll up a sleeve with them. The Blood Donor App is available for download by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 or by visiting redcrossblood.org/BloodApp.

“It doesn’t take superpowers to be a hero for a patient in need – just a little time,” added Noble. Blood donors with all blood types, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give.

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

HARRISBURG - Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane and Acting Adjutant General James R. Joseph warns Pennsylvania veterans and their families to be aware of schemes aimed at selling veterans financial products they don’t need or charging them for services which are otherwise free.

These kinds of schemes, referred to as “pension poaching,” may be perpetrated by attorneys, financial planners, insurance agents or others who use misleading or incomplete information to encourage veterans to make decisions about their finances in order to qualify for benefits.

Kane said her agency’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs has received reports of dishonest planners or people misrepresenting themselves as veteran service officers targeting veterans in senior centers, assisted living facilities and other locations where they couple guarantees about qualifying for benefits with a high pressure sales pitch for their products.

“Some unscrupulous financial planners attempt to take advantage of our veterans by offering high-priced services that veterans and their families can typically obtain for free,” Kane said. “Veterans should avoid these dishonest advisors and keep the money that’s rightfully theirs. My Office of Military and Veterans Affairs is committed to advocating on behalf of veterans and protecting them from scams."

Often, pension poachers try to convince veterans to transfer their assets or invest in insurance products to qualify for Aid and Attendance benefits, but don’t disclose how those transactions impact the veteran’s eligibility for other federal programs like Medicaid.

Aid and Attendance can supplement a military pension but is only available in limited circumstances.

“We need to get the word out that veterans should never pay for these services,’’ said Joseph. “Free assistance is readily available from any accredited veterans service officer at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, their County Director of Veterans Affairs, or through a chartered veterans service organization such as the American Legion, VFW, DAV, or AMVETS to name a few.”

Educating veterans, their families and their caregivers is the first line of defense in combating pension poaching. Kane and Joseph said that collaborating with other state and national stakeholders has been helpful in reaching Pennsylvania’s large veteran community.

The agencies offered tips to veterans and their families who are considering applying for VA benefits:

It is free to apply for veterans’ benefits.

Find an accredited professional to help with paperwork. The VA accredits representatives from Veterans Services Organizations, claims agents and private attorneys. Accreditation only means an individual has received training in completing VA paperwork, it does not mean the individual’s products, advise or ethics are endorsed by the VA. Accredited individuals cannot charge for a veteran for completing or submitting their application to the VA.

In Pennsylvania, a veteran can get assistance in their county. To find a county Director of Veterans Affairs check the DMVA website at www.dmva.state.pa.us

It is ok to decline a financial product, or take time to decide. If an advisor pressures a veteran to act fast, it may be a signal to say no. For more information on how pension poachers operate, or file a report about a pension poacher, veterans can visit www.attorneygeneral.gov or call (717) 783-1944.

Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township, is once again calling on area shutterbugs and asking them to participate in the 2nd annual “Scenes from the 20th Senatorial District” Photo Contest, which kicks off in March.   

“Residents are proud of the historic structures, natural beauty, events and people that make their towns special,” Baker said. “I invite everyone to share the sights and scenes that best showcase their communities.” 

Last year, nearly 200 photographs were entered and more than 16,400 votes were cast to select the winning entries. “The quality of the images was remarkable and truly captured the splendor and excitement of the region,” Baker added. “I am confident there will be even more interest this year.”

Contestants can submit their favorite shots by going to http://www.senatorbaker.com/photo-contest/ between March 1, 2015 and August 31, 2015.  Photos will be organized by the season they best represent – Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. Voting will take place from September 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015. The top three vote-getters in each category will serve as a featured month in the 2016 “Scenes from the 20th Senatorial District” Calendar.

The contest is open to all individuals, but photos must have been taken within the boundaries of the 20th District, which includes all of Pike, Wayne and Wyoming counties and portions of Luzerne and Susquehanna counties. Go to http://www.senatorbaker.com/new-20th-district/ to see a map and list of municipalities that make up the territory.