Pictured (L-R) are: Linda Bedford - President NJDBPW; Mary Mushala - Chair for February, Attorney Marion O'Malley, Lori Hubal - BPW District Eight Director.

The Nellie Jane Dewitt BPW held their February 26, 2015  meeting.

The Guest speaker was Attorney Marion O'Malley who spoke on Equality for Women.

Along with her other duties, Marion is running for District Attorney.

The mission of the Founders’ Museum is to exhibit the tools of labor of the men and women who settled our region.  Without their labor and ingenuity, the vast amounts of food and supplies that were needed to support our people who were first settling this area would not have been possible.  We extend a thank you to members of the community who generously have contributed to make the display so extensive.

Founders’ Museum at the Harford Fair displays an extensive collection of items used in the county 75-100 years ago.  This is an example of  an Entry Tag for the horse department in 1926.  The fair is looking for similar items for loan or donation to display in the museum.

Founders’ Museum at the Harford Fair continues to accept old agricultural tools used on the farms and in the homes seventy-five to one-hundred years ago or more.  These items may be loaned for the week of the fair for the display or they can be donated to become a permanent part of the museum.  In turn, your name (or your designee) will be placed on the item(s) to be displayed. 

We will continue to accept old photos of farm life in our region.  We will copy and return your originals.  Also this year, we will attempt to organize a featured display of old Harford Fair or Pennsylvania Farm Show ribbons, trophies, awards, entry tags, etc. which were won with pride years ago. If you have anything to contribute, please call Director Ron Stiles at 570-465-3207.

At the Feb. 11 meeting of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR), the executive director provided a progress report for the 2015 Project Review Committee. Two EMHR staff members and four board members worked to select projects for inclusion in the EMHR Round 21 DCNR partnership. It is estimated that approximately $70,000 will be allocated to the region by DCNR, which will in turn be disbursed by EMHR to grant applicants.

If expected funding is approved by DCNR, Laceyville's Oldest House stands to be the big winner in 2016 of upwards to $30,000 for rehabilitation and stabilization of the centuries old structure. Previously, EMHR helped with funding to provide a new roof for The Oldest House, an interpretive and education site at the western end of Wyoming County.

In addition to being the largest grant application, The Oldest House also received the highest score based on its adherence to application guidelines and its relevance to EMHR's mission.

The following local projects also received preliminary approval from the Project Review Committee. The amounts shown indicate how much local funding was requested. The final amount is contingent on the final allocation from DCNR to EMHR.

Clifford Township Historical Society - $8,000 for the final phase of rehabilitation of Yarns Cider Mill and its reuse as a heritage site.

The Susquehanna County Historical Society is poised to receive a $2,807 grant for the design and installation of historic district signage for Montrose.

Susquehanna County Historical Society - $2,807 for fabrication and installation of historic district signage in  the borough of Montrose.

Nicholson Heritage Association - $1,400 for the fabrication and installation of two vintage DL&W Railroad signs at the former railroad station on Route 11, as well as a larger historical interpretive sign.

A low ranking doesn't doom a project or application. EMHR works throughout the year with entities whose applications are not initially approved to enhance the chances of funding in the next round.

To learn more about the goals of the Endless Mountain Heritage Region and its mission of partnering with communities to support heritage preservation, log on to www.endlessmountainsheritage.org.

Helen Ostroll is Forest City Nursing & Rehab Center March, 2015 Resident of the Month

Helen Rose Ostroll was born on October 11, 1931 to Adam and Mary Jubinsky. Her Parents had a 200 acre farm homestead located in South Cannan, PA. Her father was also a blacksmith. His work can be visited at the Wayne County fairgrounds in the Agricultural Building.

Helen Rose Ostroll

Helen has two older sisters and one younger brother. Helen attended Lake Ariel Consolidated High School in Lake Ariel, PA. Upon graduation, she moved to New York working at the famous Grossinger’s Hotel and Nevele Hotel to name a few, located in the well known Catskills Mountains.

She was a professional waitress, fortunate to wait on people such as Boxer Rocky Marcino, many actors, actresses, comedians, and singers of that era.

She was married to Howard W. Ostroll on February 13, 1956 at the Nevele Hotel in Ellenville, NY. His family had the original patent on the life-saving “Lifeline System”. One child born, Pamela Jo Ostroll.

She continued working in the hotels for many years, with other endeavors, before returning back to PA, residing in Honesdale.

Fay

Fay is a nice little girl that came in stray from the Montrose area near town on route 706.  She appears to be spayed and housebroke.  We are very fond of her at the shelter.  She is friendly and good natured.  She would be a great family companion.  The weather will surely be getting better??? sometime soon.  The shelter could use some afternoon dog walkers.  If you like to walk the rail trail and get exercise while making a dog happy come in and fill out a volunteer application.  You must be 18 to be a walker.   It's a great way to commit to an exercise or weight loss program.    Daylight Savings is in effect this week and it will give you more time to get out and enjoy the fresh air.  Come in and see what we have for adoption, check out Leopold's chocolates to benefit the shelter and maybe find a new friend. 

The Endless Mountains Children’s Choir will begin Spring/Summer season on Thursday, March 12, 2015 from 6:30PM to 8:00PM with a first rehearsal at the South Gibson United Methodist Church in South Gibson, PA. Any child is Welcome. We are always hoping to have more children join our choir and our musical family!! There is no tuition fee to join the choir. Choir robes are provided to the children. All funds are generated by generous community support from our funding raising events and from private and ommunity donations.

 The children have the opportunity to learn and perform various types of choral literature including classical music of many great composers; folk songs from many countries; gospel and sacred music; Latin chant; multi-cultural music from many countries (they have performed music in 13 foreign languages); music in American sign language; popular music; music from broadway shows. The children are taught notation; rhythm; vocal technique - proper breath control; vocal placement; posture; vocal blend; vocal balance (singing with other voices); intonation; solfege; notation; rhythm; how to follow the conductor’s gestures (tempo, dynamics, expression).

 The choir is a community choir which rehearses once a week on Thursdays, 6:30PM to 8:00PM at the South Gibson United Methodist Church. The children have performed at many local community events. Highlight performances include performing three times at the National Christmas Tree in Washington D.C.; holiday concerts at PA capital in Harrisburg; the Kasciusko Day Observance at West Point; performances at the Lithuanian Heritage Day at the Anthracite Museum; performance for a cancer fund raising event at the Scranton Cultural Center; performance for the Susquehanna County Daughters of the American Revolution; performances at the Mt. View Distinguished Alumni Awards.

In addition, choir members are offered advanced opportunities to audition for the American Choral Directors Pa All State Honors Choir; American Choral Directors -National Children’s Elementary Honors Choir; National Junior High /Middle School Honors Choir; American Choral Directors All Eastern Division Children’s Honors Choir; All-Eastern Division Junior High/ Middle School Honors Choir - we have had children in all of these honors choirs. We have had choir members participate in the Carnegie Hall Honors Performance Series - they had the opportunity to perform in a honors choral group in Carnegie Hall.

 We are always looking for new and challenging musical experiences that might be of interest to some of the children as well as new exciting performance experiences for the choir. If your child loves to sing and loves music this is an experience your child should definitely not miss.

 For more information email or call Dr. Christine Plonski Sezer, founder/artistic director. Email drcsezer@gmail.com or drcsezer@yahoo.com. Phone -(570)756-2729.