Two newly-decked railroad bridges on the D&H Rail-Trail will make communing with nature even easier for those who enjoy running, walking, bicycling and hiking along one of the trail’s most popular sections in Susquehanna County. The Rail-Trail Council (RTC) of Northeastern Pennsylvania will host a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate the opening of the new bridges on Friday, August 7, at 10 a.m. The event will be held on a section of the D&H Rail-Trail, just off SR 171 in Clifford Twp., 2 miles north of the Forest City Trailhead.

All in the community are invited to celebrate the dedication of these bridges at the Ribbon Cutting ceremony. The event will feature remarks by funders and public officials, including: State Senator Lisa Baker, who serves the 20th senatorial district; State Representative Sandra Major, who serves the 111th legislative district; Lorne Possinger, Eastern Regional Manager for the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources; Susquehanna County Commissioners Alan Hall and MaryAnn Warren; Natalie Gelb, Executive Director, Lackawanna Heritage Valley (LHV); and Annette Schultz, Executive Director, Endless Mountains Heritage Region, just to name a few. In addition, attendees will learn more about future Rail-Trail projects. Refreshments will be provided.

The D& H Rail-Trail joins with the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail (LRHT) to form a 70-mile trail and greenway. The new bridges in the Susquehanna County section are within 200 yards of each other, crossing the unspoiled and scenic upper Lackawanna River, just below Stillwater Dam. They’ve been decked with concrete, new railings, access-control gates and a bench at the northerly bridge. This section of the D&H Rail-Trail is popular with early morning runners in training for the D&H Distance Run and the Steamtown Marathon. It’s also a favorite among bicycle enthusiasts.

The bridge project was funded through grants from the Recreational Trails Program of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Matching funds were provided by the RTC with generous donations from trail users and members of the Council.

For more information, call 570-679-9300 or email trails@nep.net.

The Meadows at Tiffany Pines Ribbon cutting took place on July 17th at 11:00 at the Development located at SR 7006, McCullum Road, Bridgewater Township, Susquehanna County.

The eleven million dollar Development was funded by RBC Investors via the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. The total building square footage is 56,678, consisting of sixteen two bedroom and twenty-four 3 bedroom Townhouses.

The impetus of the Development was a Trehab Strategic Plan to cooperate with local government officials to assist in Housing development to meet a serious housing shortage for moderate income families and to provide affordable housing to County residents.

Trehab efforts include close cooperation with State and County elected officials, and The Progress Authority.

Construction began in late Summer 2013, which included construction jobs for 60-75 workers to complete the 13 month construction time frame.

Importantly, the Tiffany Pines development was early beneficiary of County officials, Cabot Oil and Gas, and Leatherstocking gas distribution efforts to expand local gas used for County residents. Tiffany Pines residents benefit from considerable savings for heating costs due to this effort.

The Development was completed by December 15, 2014 and rented up by January, 2015.

There is a tradition in Harford whose origins have become obscured over the years, but whose work has continued without stop.

The seed for the Harford Historical Society was planted at the Titus-Loomis-Jeffers family reunion where a celebration of the 150th anniversary of Harford’s founding was contemplated. In October of 1939, a public meeting was held and a board of directors elected : Hon. E. E. Jones, President; A. J. Masters, 1st Vice President; Hamlin D. Stephens, 2nd Vice President; Mrs. Lynn R. Brainard, 3rd Vice President; Clinton T. Smith, Treasurer; Joseph W. Williams, Secretary. Committees were then formed and an all-inclusive community event was planned for the Sesquicentennial. Committees for the following were formed - advertising, dramatic, program, finance, music, “physical”, “relics”, and “eats”. Their members were some of the familiar Harford names of Jeffers, Titus, Stearns, Adams, Pritchard, Richardson, Wilmarth, Follet, Maynard, Tingley, and many others too numerous to list.

Gradually, this group of organizers became known as the Sesquicentennial and Harford Historical Society.

The actual event was so popular and such a success, plans were then made to continue the preservation of Harford history. A new board of directors was elected with Howard T. Maynard, president; Edith C. Tingley, vice president; F. Eugene Sykes, secretary; Walter F. Wilmarth, treasurer. In 1941, the organization was officially incorporated.

Over the last 75 years, the Harford Historical Society has continued the vision of the founders. It has supported the traditional Harford Fair with a pizza stand and displays at the historic log cabin (one of the original buildings of the settlement); preserved the Shannon house and the Soldiers’ Orphan School; created a museum of Harford memorabilia at the Orphan School; and sponsored many events which preserve living history here in the community.

Some of the current projects involve creating displays on Galusha Grow, a prominent statesman from the area, and Harry Shannon, whose photography documented much of Harford daily life.  The society is also involved with the Mountain View drama department for the reenactment of the Cloud Dance for the Martins Creek Bridge 150th celebration. Since so many of the families have such a diverse history, there are also plans to do more research into the genealogy in the area.  There is also a Facebook page which posts information on current events and other items related to Harford history.

So if you have a passion for history or historical research, want to be more involved with the Harford community, or have family stories you would like to share with us, we invite you to explore something different and become part of the Harford Historical Society. Meetings are held every second Thursday of the month, 6:30P.m. at the Village Apartments in Harford.

Hi! My name is Veda and I am a big, 8-year-old, spayed, Retriever mix. I get nervous when strangers come near my space at the shelter. It's not because I'm mean or aggressive though, really it's because I'm kind of a big baby.   I bark and look scary to strangers when they walk by my kennel, but would be your best friend with the proper introduction.  Please consider meeting me outside my kennel. I hope my forever family comes soon! 

Veda, an 8 year old retriever mix

 Veda is often misunderstood by her reaction and truly deserves the chance at a loving home.  She would be the perfect loyal companion for a laid back individual or couple. Despite her size, she enjoys snuggling on your lap and going for leisurely strolls. Veda is a low maintenance gal who is already housebroken and just wants a home of her own. For additional information contact the shelter.  Because of potential adopters' first impression of Veda, she has been waiting at our shelter a long time.  We are hopeful someone special will see what we see in this beautiful girl.

 All of us at True Friends are very proud to announce that after over 5 years our buddy, Mick, finally got his forever family.  We are so happy for him and incredibly grateful to his new mom and dad.  Mick is a perfect example of why we never give up hope for our animal friends.

 “Loot for Love” tickets are now available on our website, truefriendsawc.com. Please help us reach our goal of selling 2,000 tickets.  This will bring in 7,000 much needed dollars for our animals in need.  Also, don’t forget your Woofstock pre-sale tickets.

 Fun Fact:  Over 50% of all pet owners would rather be stranded on a desert island with their pet, not another human. Adopt a pet and you will understand why.