At a recent meeting of the Beta Rho Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, members contributed items for baskets to be given to support teachers early in their teaching career.  This international project of the society is called S.E.E. (Support for Early Career Educators).  The project was selected because statistics now show that early career educators are leaving the teaching profession after only three to five years.  Hopefully, with strong support from long-time career educators, as well as retired teachers, new teachers will commit to staying in teaching. 

Beta Rho Chapter member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Cindy Reynolds (far right) presented a basket of school supplies to three new teachers at the Mountain View Elementary School.  The supplies are a part of the state-wide S.E.E. (Support Early Career Educators) Project by the Society. Pictured (l-r) the teachers are Ashley Coviello, Joshua Carpenter and Erika Gething.

Women teachers who are members of the Beta Rho Chapter are from Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties.  In a free drawing, Cindy Reynolds, a retired teacher from the Mountain View School District, was the winner of the basket.  She immediately donated the basket of items to the three new teachers. They happily shared the basket of supplies and were so pleased to receive the items and the support.

The Susquehanna Consolidated High School Class of 1955 celebrated their 60th reunion.

Pictured (l-r) are Clarence Carpenter, Jim Ness, Leonard Kello, Sal Ficarro, Peggy Evans Lamb, Eugene Beautz, Diane Hadden Wilcox, Charles Glidden, Barbara Klym Glover, Marsha Langford Lengnick, Roberta Welch and Shirley Steigert Silipo.

Eleven alumni, one teacher (Leonard Kello) and seven spouses and guests attended the reunion at the Elks Club in Kirkwood, NY on September 12, 2015.

How could someone be on her feet, working hours each day in all kinds of weather, and still greet fairgoers with a smile and a pleasant comment?  Well, that is Andrea Poff exactly.  Having worked traffic at the Harford Fair for over twelve years, she is known by fairgoers and children especially as “the cross over girl.”  This name comes from her constant direction, as she stops traffic and then tells everyone “cross on over!”

Pictured is Andrea Poff, Harford Fair Traffic Employee for 2015, demonstrating just one of her positive, entertaining moves while directing traffic and pedestrians.  Known as the “cross over girl” Andrea has worked the fair as a part of the traffic road crew for many years.  She is always smiling, positive, and welcoming to fairgoers whatever the weather or time of day.

Andrea who has been married for thirty-three years to her husband George who also works traffic, began working at the fair in the lower food stand.  It was okay but she had little contact with fairgoers and the job just wasn’t really something she loved doing.  When it was suggested that she work in the traffic area, she jumped at the opportunity.  That move has developed into the well-known traffic person at the main gate always greeting everyone with a smile and best wishes to enjoy the fair or safe travels as they exit the fair.

In recognition of her dedication to her job and expertise in performance, Director Brandon Bennett and Chuck Latwinski, traffic officials at the fair, recognized Andrea as Traffic Employee of the 2015 Harford Fair.   As anyone can guess, traffic is not an easy area to work, having to deal with constant complaints by fairgoers of having to park too far away, claiming the need for a handicapped area to park, and from those who have to move because they parked inappropriately in reserved spots.  However, Andrea, as well as many of the other traffic staff, takes the complaints in stride and just keeps smiling.  Her positive nature and broad smile certainly play an important role in fairgoers enjoying the fair.

As a result, Andrea’s selection of this recognition is well deserved and is a fine example of the many dedicated employees as well as volunteers who perform all kinds of jobs which make the Harford Fair a highly successful annual event. 

The Greater Forest City Business Alliance held its Fall Mixer on Wednesday, Sept. 9 for its membership. The Forest City Historical Society provided the intimate setting for the 15 member businesses in attendance to hear from respective Executive Directors, Gail Tucker of the Greater Honesdale Partnership and Debbie Gillette from the Chamber of the Northern Poconos.

The speakers engaged the attendees for nearly two hours in open dialogue regarding the differing functions of a Chamber of Commerce, versus a business-owners group, listened to the Alliance’s areas of need and provided honest feedback and perspective aimed to steer the GFCBA towards achieving their strategic plan goals.

The Fall Mixer was the second of its type since April as the Alliance looks for others ways to engage their members beyond their customary round-table monthly meetings.

Gillette provided insight into the annual process of securing direct allocations from county commissioners to be used for specific initiatives such as marketing. “A business-alliance has to fight more than a Chamber does when it comes to securing grant-funds; so get in front of your Susquehanna County commissioners, have a plan and don’t give up.”

Tucker told the attendees that in order to make any Strategic Plan work, participation is needed. And marketing is imperative.  “Out-of-area marketing has proved be a gold-mine for both Honesdale and the Northern Pocono region,” says Tucker. “If your town is interesting enough people will come back.  The NEPA Rail Trails is a major draw for you, and so is being a quaint Main Street town; make strategic improvements that capture visitor’s attention and they will come back often.  And don’t be afraid to give something up if it’s not working.”

The GFCBA is a group of like-minded and concerned business owners and community members dedicated to improving the greater Forest City area on a variety of levels.  “I’m running my own business,” professed Alliance President Erin Debish, who owns Studio 511, a salon on Forest City’s Main Street.  “In addition to my business responsibilities I’m here tonight, and accepted this position, to help my community grow and be prosperous.”  While both Gillette and Tucker are paid positions, running the GFCBA is a voluntary effort. The duo, as well as Laure Carlo, Executive Director for Carbondale’s Chamber of Commerce, also in attendance, suggested providing high school students opportunities to help with tasks such as social media maintenance and a summer internship.”

Did you know that nearly 81% of children under age 5 are living in economically at risk families in Susquehanna County?* In addition, there has been a marked increase in the number of single parent households and households with grandparents raising their grandchildren.  Alarming, isn’t it?  As a proud mom and local branch manager of NBT Bank, I understand the importance of giving our children a chance to do well.

Why does this matter? It demonstrates the increasing stress on family life today in Susquehanna County. United Way of Susquehanna County (UWSC) has launched its 2015-2016 annual campaign and we are funding programs that are supporting these children and their families in their time of need through your generous donation. Please consider contributing generously to this year’s campaign.

A Blue Ridge high school graduate and summer intern with NBT Bank, Austin French, made the first donation towards this year’s campaign. Asked why he chose to support United of Susquehanna County, French responded, “After knowing that United Way's goal is to improve the lives of children and their families in Susquehanna County, I felt compelled to donate to the great cause.” French encourages others in the community to follow his lead as he stated, “As a community if we could all lend a helping hand in any way; with time, monetary donation, or in any other form, we can help make our community a happier and healthier place to live. It is important to give back so we can supply others with the tools they need to not only survive but succeed in Susquehanna County. ”

Pictured is Austin French, NBT intern, and Kim Smith, NBT  branch manager. Austin’s family- parents Larry and Ma,rjorie French and brother- Corbin. French graduated from Blue Ridge High School and now attends Susquehanna University for Finance and Economics in the Honors Program. Additionally, he is a Presidential Fellow and mentor. He enjoys spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, golfing and playing basketball.

UWSC is undergoing a transformational change in that we are examining the needs of county residents closely to determine where we should be investing donor dollars. To that end, our volunteer advisory board has been working over the past 1 ½ years to gather research data and solicit community input. Based on research, we are moving forward in placing a stake in the ground around funding programs  which “Help Children Do Well.” In addition, UWSC will continue to fund safety net programs for those who face an immediate threat to their well-being as a result of a crisis. 

UWSC is working closely with community stakeholders and partners to determine who is best suited to deliver programming which supports the needs of children and their families as well as safety net services.  Also, our volunteer allocation committee is revamping the process for nonprofits to apply for funding placing greater emphasis on outcome measurements which concretely demonstrate improvement in quality of life ensuring UWSC is acting as the best steward of its donors’ giving.

UWSC, along with its partner agencies, provides support to those in need including the following services:

Disaster relief and assistance with emergent needs such as temporary housing,  food and clothing

2-1-1 which is-a free, confidential telephone service available 24/7 which connects county residents to health and human service organizations throughout Susquehanna County and the state.

Free income tax assistance for income eligible individuals and families through VITA-Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Access to youth services including early education programs, mentor programs, camping and access to arts and recreation programs.

Thank you for your past support. I trust I can count on your support again this year as the stakes are high. Let’s provide our youth with the best odds for a bright, healthy future.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association (NPRA) held its highly successful annual Reading Time at the Viewmont Mall on September 12th.   Over a dozen association members graciously donated time on Saturday to assure that everything went smoothly, from registration to drawing of special gifts, distribution of hundreds of free books, selling of raffle tickets, announcing and assisting readers, as well as arts and crafts. 

A special "Thanks" is extended to Sue McGrath's students from Lackawanna College.  They did a great job supervising the Arts and Crafts area, dressing in costumes, handing out bookmarks and free gifts to the children and assisting the readers.

Attorney Paul Keeler, (pictured) District Judge from the Abingtons, was one of the twelve celebrity readers, authors, and characters who read to children and their parents at “Reading Time at the Viewmont Mall.”  The free event was sponsored by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association (NPRA).

Special guests Champ, Tux, the Nittany Lion, Zookeeper Amos McGee, Junie B. Jones, the Cat in the Hat, and a cow from the book, Click, Clack, Moo delighted children with their antics and patiently posed for dozens of photos during the day.  There was even an appearance from a glittery rock star.

In addition, the guest readers were outstanding.  A special thanks to Scranton Mayor William Courtright, Clerk of Judicial Records Mauri Kelly, District Judge Paul Keeler, State Representatives Sid Michael Kavulich and Marty Flynn, Maripat O'Donnell, children's authors Lindsay Barrett George and Gayle Krause.  WNEP TV reporters Peggy Lee and Courtney Harrison were guest readers and they brought along their camera man who did a great job taping a session that was broadcast later in the day.   

NPRA is so appreciative of the fine job the mall's general manager and the regional reading events coordinator did to assist with the event.  The whole staff was attentive and gracious in meeting the needed requests.  The mall staff complimented the association for their fine job in organizing and providing the wonderfully free event for area children and their parents.  If you go to the Viewmont Mall's Facebook page, you can see the write-up and photos that were posted.

Money raised by NPRA is used to distribute free books to children, sponsor Babies and Books, present Young Authors’ Day in November, as well as to present professional development sessions for teachers throughout the year.  The association is a professional organization dedicated to improving and promoting literacy serving over thirty school districts, colleges, universities, libraries and child care providers in five counties. 

Every child received a free book and had the opportunity to do a craft and be entertained by team mascots Tux, Champ, and the Nittany Lion.