What would you want for your Birthday if you were going to be 9? Lots of toys?  A  Pony perhaps? Not Rebecca Haley! This excellent student and proficient horsewoman unselfishly requested blankets that would be given to the “True Friends Animal Welfare Center” in Montrose, Pa. She set a goal for herself of 100 blankets by November 14th, with delivery of same on her birth date of November 16th.

Why you ask? As Rebecca explained, their own dog was adopted from True Friends and she noticed a lot of the other animals did not have something warm to cuddle on while they wait for their “Forever Family”—so she decided to do something about it. With the help of social media, (“Rebecca’s Birthday Blanket Party” and the Susquehanna Community Development Association’s Facebook pages) the residents of the three boroughs and other parts of our County took notice and responded—in a big way!

Rebecca Haley

The Haleys found many blankets waiting for them on their porch over the past three weeks, and the stacks grew, and grew, and grew. Rebecca even received blankets from Michigan, Texas and Virginia! When it came time for the final tally, everyone, including Rebecca, was astounded—179 Blankets!! Her efforts did not go unnoticed by the media as she was interviewed by Clay LePard of WNEP-Channel 16 as well. Please go to this link for viewing: http://wnep.com/2015/11/15/special-birthday-wish-for-susquehanna-girl/

Thank-you to all who so generously gave blankets for this wonderful endeavor—and especially to Rebecca, for thinking of those who cannot speak for themselves, and will be snuggled in warmth and comfort, thanks to you. We should all take a page from her thoughtfulness album.

Rebecca is the Daughter of Chrissie and Chad Haley of Grand Street, Susquehanna.

In June of 2014 I (Frank Passetti) moved back home to Susquehanna County to take a new position as the Director of YFC in the county. Soon after my arrival I began to hear school officials, community leaders and parents talking about the problem of drug and alcohol abuse among students.

Over the past year I have been developing a Youth Intervention program for students who are struggling with drugs, alcohol, destructive decisions and other life struggles. The program, “Another Voice” is designed to help students deal with their hurts, hang-ups and habits that have caused their lives to spin out of control. Another Voice is designed for students who struggle with eating disorders, death of a loved one, abuse, loneliness, drug/alcohol/tobacco use or abuse, anger, worry/anxiety, and more.

This is a unique program that is centered around three different components.

First, each student will be paired with a mentor from the community that will encourage, challenge and hold each student accountable in the area of their struggles. Each mentor will walk with the student through their time in the program with the goal of establishing lifelong relationships that will continue even after the student graduates from the program.

Secondly, the program utilizes field trips to expose students, on one hand, to the potential negative consequences of their life choices (prison’s, homeless shelters, drug rehabs, and morgues) and also to several positive trip alternatives to help give them hope for their future. (college trips, military recruiters, gas & oil companies and more).

Finally, the educational component of Another Voice is a “faith-based”, 12- step approach to help students gain the tools needed to get victory over their struggles.

It is my goal to begin enrollment for the first class starting in January of 2016. If you know of a student that might benefit from Another Voice please feel free to contact me at either 570-904-1769 or frank@nepayfc.com. The program is open to students in Susquehanna County between the ages of 12 and 17.

If you are interested in serving as a mentor for the program feel free to contact me as well. All volunteers will be screened and required to complete background checks before working with students.

The program is offered free of charge to students in Susquehanna County. If you or your business would be interested in sponsoring a student please contact me at the above phone/email address.

At their October and November monthly meetings, the Greater Forest City Business Alliance stayed the course in achieving the goals of their Strategic Plan.  The Alliance offered their membership two opportunities to become better engaged with their customer base and within the community with a Social Media “how-to” and a Meet & Greet with Dr. Jessica Aquilina, Forest City Regional’s new Superintendent.

On October 14, Keith Yurgosky, Business Consultant at the University of Scranton Small Business Development Center was on hand to provide social media tips and strategies and enlighten business owners on obstacles regarding the use of social media.  “Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, You Tube, and Pinterest allow business owners to engage with their consumer base through photos and videos, acting as a new way to advertise”, revealed Yurgosky. He warned not to neglect traditional means of advertisement though newspapers, radio and television media and to “find out where your customers are. They will be in multiple places, some on Facebook, Twitter is gaining in popularity, but many are still reading newspapers; utilize all necessary platforms in order to capture the widest audience.”

Both Yurgosky, and co-presenter Rick Preibe, co-owner of the Forest City based firm Azul Digital Solutions, advised business owners to be keen regarding building a positive online presence. Regular review of sites such as Google and Yelp, two of the more high-traffic websites allow customers to review their experience with your business.  They presented the group with some tips on how to respond to online consumer complaints as well as how to manage your small business’ social media posts.  GFCBA members who missed this great opportunity can contact either Yurgosky at the SBDC at 570-941-7588 or Priebe at azuldigitalsolutions@gmail.com for technology coaching.

At its November 11 meeting, the GFCBA offered its membership the opportunity to Meet and Greet with Forest City Regional School District’s newest Superintendent, Dr. Jessica Aquilina.

In fulfilling one of their strategic plan priorities, the GFCBA has its sights on partnering with the Forest City Regional School District in bringing businesses owners into the classroom as models for small business entrepreneurship as well as increasing both student and staff presence in the downtown area.

Upon her introduction, Dr. Aquilina acknowledged, “as much as your businesses give to our students and school, the school is not doing their part in giving back to the businesses.  I’m here tonight to serve in the roll as the district’s main point of contact for the business community and am committed to building a great partnership, a business-community partnership.  In the end, we all want something quantifiable, increased enrollment and continued academic success for our district and increased support of our small businesses.  Tonight we begin a strong alliance between the district, the Business Alliance and the Borough.”

Also in attendance was the district’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) advisor, Michael Zack with its chapter president Matthew Tighe, a sophmore.  In discussing how the district’s senior projects could serve as a vehicle for student-community involvement, Tighe confirmed that his fellow student-body wants to perform projects with tangible results. “There is nothing better than completing projects that benefit the community in which we live and are educated.” 

Among other discussion items were fundraising, volunteerism, athletics, career day and entrepreneurship opportunities that bring local small business owners and independent contractors into the district.  The Meet and Greet concluded with the first action item, with the school getting involved in holiday activities planned along Main Street.  Dr.Aquilina, Zack and Tighealong with the GFCBA Board of Directors agreed to meet again in two weeks to plan the details.

The Business Alliance will meet again on December 2 when the group hosts their membership Holiday Mixer at Birchtown Stables in Clifford Township.

In 1891, a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco resolved to provide a free Christmas dinner to the area’s poor. But how would he pay for the food? From his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England, the captain remembered a large pot, displayed on the Stage Landing called “Simpson’s Pot” where a passersby would toss charitable donations. The captain presented his idea to city authorities and received permission to place a similar pot at the Oakland ferry landing at the foot of the San Francisco’s Market Place. In its conspicuous position, the pot drew the attention of people going to and from the ferryboats.  Another urn, in the ferryboat waiting room also attracted donations. Thus Captain Joseph McFee launched a tradition that spread throughout the United States and then around the world.

Kettles are now used around the world, including Korea, Japan, Chile and Europe.  Everywhere public contributions to the kettles enable The Salvation Army to bring the spirit of Christmas to people who would otherwise be forgotten; the aged and lonely, ill, poor and disadvantaged, or inmates of jails and other institutions.

This year we will be “ringing those bells” throughout Susquehanna County. The proceeds from the kettles will help to provide a Christmas dinner, toys, clothing, and emergency services to Susquehanna County families and individuals. We are asking individuals, families, organizations, clubs, etc, to come out and ring a bell this Christmas season. Anyone who is interested in ringing a bell, please contact Ruth Donnelly at The Salvation Army Montrose Service Unit at 570-396-2968. If you would like to make a donation into our Online Red Kettle, go to www.OnlineRedKettle.org/Team Susquehanna.