The PA Agricultural Land Preservation Easement Purchase Program of Susquehanna County, which is administered by the Susquehanna County Conservation District, has purchased the development rights on Mark and Judith (Judy) Sartell’s Farm located in Gibson Township, Eastern Susquehanna County.  A perpetual easement placed on this property preserves the rural nature of the township and contributes to maintaining a critical agriculture mass in the area.  The Sartell’s farm is the 32nd farm which has had development rights purchased in Susquehanna County, bringing the total acres preserved in the county to 6,312.

These development rights are purchased with funds from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in partnership with Susquehanna County.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row - Michael Gathany (County Solicitor), Jenny Sartell and Jesse Sartell ( daughters of Mark and Judy), MaryAnn Warren (Susquehanna County Commissioner), Judy Sartell (Owner), Mark Sartell (Owner), Ted Place (Ag. Land Preservation Board Chairman), and Christie Bedene (Ag Land Preservation Administrator); back row - Reuben Everitt (Preservation Board Member), Jim Garner (Susquehanna County Conservation District Manager), Jim Kessler (Preservation Board Member), and Richard Cottrell (Preservation Board Member).

The Sartell Farm consists of 120.4 acres. The Sartell’s are the owners and operators of a 50 cow, dairy farm. Conservation practices currently in use are prescribed grazing, pasture management, forage harvest management and crop rotation. The Sartell’s were enthusiastic about entering their property into the Ag Land Preservation Program. When asked why they didn’t want their property developed or subdivided, Judith Sartell responded, “We just love livestock too much!”  The Ag Land Preservation Board is pleased to welcome the Sartell Farm into the program.

An agricultural conservation easement is a legal restriction on land development that limits the use of land to agricultural purposes.  The application period runs from November 15th through January 15th each year.  Applications are ranked according to soil quality, development potential, farmland potential and potential for clustering with other agricultural land.  The highest ranking farm is considered for purchase first.  The farm is then appraised to determine the easement value, which is the difference between actual value and agricultural value.

For more information contact: Christie Bedene, Ag Land Preservation Administrator at 570-278-4600 Ext: 3052.

This year the Harford Historical Society’s display at the fair will feature history and photography and can be credited to the excellent efforts of one of the directors.

Last summer, Mike Berol found 158 glass plate negatives at the Soldiers’ Orphans School and undertook the project of developing them and finding out to whom they belonged.

The Harford Historical Society is looking for your help, if you have any information on these or other pictures that will be on display at the Harford Fair.

He soon found a creative way of using modern equipment to develop the plates.   Working for almost a year, he laid the plates on a light table and took a picture of the image produced.  He then used digital software to edit them and obtain clear pictures.  It was found that the plates were the property of Harry Shannon, who lived in the early 1900’s.

  A citizen of Harford all his life, Shannon was one of the 99%, as Mike likes to say.  He made a living and supported a wife by holding down a variety of odd jobs.  His house was purchased by, and is maintained by historical society today because it has never been modernized and truly represents early, 1900’s home.  Photography seemed to be a passion of Shannon’s and he took pictures of everything.  Now, we have a one of a kind record of daily life in Harford and Kingsley at the turn of the century through these pictures. 

The Harford Historical Society developed a proof book of the photos which can be seen at the fair. Many are unidentified and it is hoped that people will help the historical society add names, dates, or places.   Some are group family pictures, such as the one shown above; some are portraits; some are of farm activities such as cutting ice, dairying, and hunting; and many show groups of people with musical instruments, demonstrating how important music was to the people of Harford.  One is interesting because it is of an all male group of actors in costume for a play.  A second printing of the book is planned which will be updated with any input received about the pictures.

Also on display will be some of the items from Mike’s personal collection on early photography and he will be on hand to answer any questions you may have. In addition, a booklet on the life of Harry Shannon will also be available.  The display can be seen at the new log cabin.

AARF if you want to protect pets and wildlife.  Non-profit organizations that shelter and rehabilitate homeless pets and wildlife can now receive financial support from AARF; the All Animals Rescue Fund established by Melanie and Bob Diehl of Oakland Township and managed by The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains.  This permanent endowment can provide assistance to animal shelters and rehabilitation centers throughout the United States, something the Diehls care about deeply.  From sheltering abandoned cats and dogs to treating injured wildlife, AARF can help defray the expenses of such organizations.

The Diehls have a true concern for animals and this new endowment is their way of providing long-term assistance to organizations whose mission it is to protect animals.  Bob and Melanie point out that “our passion is to help the homeless, abandoned, injured, neglected, and abused animals.  All of our pets over the years have been rescues and we currently have five cats and two dogs. We have talked about doing something like this endowment fund for many years, and fortunately we are now in a position to be able to create it.”   As with all the charitable endowments managed by The Community Foundation, AARF can receive additional tax-deductible donations from those who share the Diehls’ concern.  The enhanced value of the endowment will provide greater support to animal rescue shelters.  Donations can be sent to AARF at: The Community Foundation, 270 Lake Avenue, Montrose, PA 18801; or made online at www.community-foundation.org.

The  Pennsylvania Association of Retired State Employees (PARSE), Endless Mountains, Chapter 15, met July 14, 2015 at Green Gables, New Milford, PA for their annual chicken barbeque.

Honored quests were PARSE State President Daniel Munsch, State Secretary Tom Judge and Northeast Vice President Tom O’Neill. All thre brought the attendees updates on current retiree benefits such as medical insurance and retirement benefits. Members were reminded that if a retiree does not keep his PARSE membership active, members would then be ineligible for the dental and vision programs.

The next meeting will be held on October 13, 2015 at the Elks Club, Towanda, PA. All State retiree members and guests are invited to attend. To make reservations, members should contact John Benio (Susquehanna County) at 570-278-2380.

Penn State Extension is hosting a “Shale Royalties Management: Understanding Your Royalty Check” workshop on Monday, September 14, 2015 at the Montrose Jr/Sr High School Auditorium, 75 Meteor Way, Montrose, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.

Are you as a landowner receiving royalty checks and not fully understanding how the current trends and production figures mesh with your royalty payments? Do you have questions on how to interpret the information provided on your royalty stubs? Expert speakers, Dan Brockett and Dave Messersmith, Penn State Extension Marcellus Education Team Educators and Bud Shuffstall, Senior Vice President, Senior Oil, Gas and Mineral Officer at Northwest Savings Bank will provide a comprehensive program to help royalty owners understand how current drilling production and utilization trends can affect their royalties. The team will also provide great insight for landowners on the process of relating operations to royalties. Important mineral management resources available to the landowner to assist in reviewing their lease and royalty payments will be discussed. Experts will help to unravel the mystery of royalty pay stubs, a high interest topic for many landowners.

This workshop is a must for landowners who are receiving royalty payments or are involved in an active unit of the Shale play and seek a better understanding of how their royalty payments are calculated and other factors considered in the determination of payment.

Due to the generosity of the sponsor, Northwest Savings Bank, the program is offered free of charge. However, seating is limited and pre-registration is required online at http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas/events or by calling 570-320-4429. Questions regarding the content of the program may be addressed to Dan Brockett at dlb14@psu.edu or to Carol Loveland at cal24@psu.edu or at 570-320-4429.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate need for any type of special accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 in advance.

Featured is our "Miss Personality" Sega. Not only  beautiful, but a warm, friendly demeanor to go with those good looks!

Spayed, approximately two and a half years old, and up to date on vaccines, this little lady will charm her way right into your heart.

The personable Sega

Please consider adopting Sega and adding some extra joy to your life.

Our big day, Woofstock, is this Saturday and we hope you can come out and commemorate  the 4th year anniversary of keeping our shelter open.  Our shelter will be closed for the day so the TFAWC staff can also join the celebration.

We were incredibly honored to be part of the Kelly Conklin Memorial Golf Tournament.  All of us at True Friends are overwhelmingly grateful for the significant amount of money raised by the community of Susquehanna.  You are one very special that opened your arms to us and came together to make a huge difference for our animals in need in honor of Kelly.  Thank you all.

Fun Fact: Cats, not dogs,  are the most common pets in America.  Adopt a kitty and see for yourself why our nation is in love with fabulous felines.