The David B. Colwell Memorial Fund has recently been established at The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains to benefit local school districts.  Mr. Colwell was a long-time resident of Susquehanna County and, at the time of his passing, he was the Tax Collector for the borough of Montrose. Despite ever-increasing physical handicaps throughout his life, Mr. Colwell was a modest man who maintained a strong interest in journalistic reporting, history, theater, and writing.  At his passing, Mr. Colwell bequeathed the bulk of his estate to The Community Foundation for unspecified charitable support in northeastern Pennsylvania.  In working with his siblings, it was determined that the greatest memorial to Mr. Colwell, and the largest benefit for the local community, would be to support programs in all of the public school systems in Susquehanna County and also Abington Heights School District in Lackawanna County.

David Colwell and his dog Victoria

This new permanent endowment will provide annual grants to these seven school districts to support their Journalism, Forensics, or Drama Departments.  The Superintendents of each school district will determine the greatest need each year.  Susquehanna Community School District Superintendent, Bronson Stone, states “the David B. Colwell Memorial Fund will allow the Susquehanna Community School District the opportunity to continually improve our drama club and support our student’s efforts in the arts.”The generosity and foresight of Mr. Colwell and his family will have a long-lasting, broad, and substantial impact upon local schools, students, and their families for many generations to come.   It is fittingly ironic that in honor of a man who did not himself seek attention nor recognition this permanent endowment will continue his legacy in fields of study that were close to his heart.  For more information about Mr. Colwell and the David B. Colwell Memorial Fund, please visit The Community Foundation’s website at www.community-foundation.org.

Pictured (l-r) are: Gay Keyes, Secretary, Carol Dubas, program chair, Rachel O’dell mother of recipient, Linda Bedford, President NJDBPW, Susquehanna County Commissioner Mary Ann Warren, Ivy Christensen (front).

On May 28, 2015 the NJDBPW held their Girl of the Year at the Lanesboro Community Hall in honor of Ivy Christensen. Ivy is the Salutatorian of the Class of 2015 at Susquehanna Community High School. Ivy had numerous achievements in academics, athletics and student involvements while attending Susquehanna Community High School. Ivy is this year’ recipient of the Claire O’Neil Scholarship and will be attending Syracuse University, majoring in Bio- Engineering.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden announced that starting July 1, 2015, dairy farmers can enroll in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Margin Protection Program for coverage in 2016. The voluntary program, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, provides financial assistance to participating dairy operations when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer. Harden made the announcement while visiting Wolfe’s Neck Farm and dairy school in Freeport, Maine.

"More than half of our nation’s dairy producers enrolled in the 2015 program, which exceeded our expectations for the first year of the program," said Harden. "We are confident that dairy farmers across the country will again take advantage of this safety net program for 2016. USDA will continue outreach efforts, including partnering with cooperative extension services, to ensure dairy producers are fully informed about the protections that this safety net program can provide during periods of market downturns.”

The Margin Protection Program gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation. Enrollment begins July 1 and ends on Sept. 30, 2015, for coverage in 2016. Participating farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year. Producers also have the option of selecting a different coverage level during open enrollment each year. Margin Protection Program payments are based on an operation’s historical production. An operation’s historical production will increase by 2.61 percent in 2016 if the operation participated in 2015, providing a stronger safety net.

USDA also has an online resource available to help dairy producers decide which level of coverage will provide them with the strongest safety net under a variety of conditions. The enhanced Web tool, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/mpptool, allows dairy farmers to quickly and easily combine their unique operation data and other key variables to calculate their coverage needs based on price projections. Producers can also review historical data or estimate future coverage based on data projections. The secure site can be accessed via computer, mobile phone, or tablet, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Dairy operations enrolling in the program must meet conservation compliance provisions. Producers participating in the Livestock Gross Margin insurance program may register for the Margin Protection Program, but this new margin program will only begin once their Livestock dairy insurance coverage has ended. Producers must also submit form CCC-782 for 2016, confirming their Margin Protection Program coverage level selection, to the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. If electing higher coverage for 2016, dairy producers can either pay the premium in full at the time of enrollment or pay a minimum of 25 percent of the premium by Feb. 1, 2016. 

The Margin Protection Program was established by the 2014 Farm Bill, which builds on historic economic gains in rural America over the past six years, while achieving meaningful reform and billions of dollars in savings for the taxpayer. Since enactment, USDA has made significant progress to implement each provision of this critical legislation, including providing disaster relief to farmers and ranchers; strengthening risk management tools; expanding access to rural credit; funding critical research; establishing innovative public-private conservation partnerships; developing new markets for rural-made products; and investing in infrastructure, housing and community facilities to help improve quality of life in rural America. For more information, visit www.usda.gov/farmbill.

For more information, visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/dairy or stop by a local FSA office to learn more about the Margin Protection Program.

Sunshine and Leon Mickiewicz will celebrate their second wedding anniversary July 21, 2015. They are owners/operators of Bella Pizza, Clifford, PA. Being raised under their guidance are Annabelle Strelecki and Sean Shea, both students in the Mountain View School District. Parents of the couple are Andy and Brenda Nesevich and Leon and Sue Mickiewicz.

Mary Benwell is Forest City Nursing & Rehab Center’s July resident of the month. She comes from a large, loving family of three brothers- John, Frank, and four sisters- Nellie, Vickie, Annie, and Helen born to Mary and Frank Rames. Mary is proud of her Polish heritage and her family.

Mary Benwell

Mary’s mother was a homemaker and her father worked hard in the coal mines. Mary went to Morris School is Whites Crossing, Pennsylvania and graduated from Fell High School in Simpson, PA. After graduation, Mary went to work for Wright Aeronautical in New Jersey. She met her wonderful husband, Bill after she moved to New Jersey.

Her supportive husband encouraged her to get her teaching degree from Patterson State College, NJ at age 37. She became a second grade teacher and her husband worked for the court house in Patterson, NJ.

Mary and Bill have two amazing children- Janet Stalker and William. Janet is a middle school teacher in Virginia and William teaches High School in Long Island, NY. Mary also has two beautiful granddaughters.

Mary is a member is the St. Michael’s Church in Simpson, PA. She and her sister, Nellie took a memorable trip to Poland for two weeks where they met with their relatives. Mary enjoys Mass, musical events, and family visits. She also has fun reminiscing with her good childhood friend Josie.

Phaedra is a very loving girl who very much enjoys getting out and exploring.  If you are looking for an active dog to join you camping, hiking, and enjoying nature, Phaedra may be the perfect companion for you.  She also very much enjoys the company of other dogs and may be the playmate your furry friend needs.  Consider adopting sweet Phaedra, she would be forever grateful to you for giving her the life she has been hoping for.  Adoptions everyday from 11:30-4:00.

Pictured is our pool-loving,fun in the sun, Phaedra.  She is approximately 3 years old,dog friendly, and spayed. 

Fun Fact: There are approximately 2,800 military dogs now serving in the US Armed Forces. Not only loyal companions, but protectors and defenders of our freedom as well!