Susquehanna County board members of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) met at the County Courthouse in Montrose on Nov. 18.

Participants of the think-tank gathering included (l-r):EMHR board president Alice Deutsch, Clifford Historical Society president Sandy Wilmot, County Commissioner Alan Hall, EMHR executive director Annette Schultz, Susquehanna County board member Bobbi Jo Turner,  Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau director Jean Ruhf, greenways coordinator David Buck, Michelle Kowalewski of the Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Members met to identify issues that are specific to Susquehanna County and to generate potential initiatives that could be included in EMHR's 10-year strategic plan.

Schultz stressed that heritage development involves activities that identify, protect, enhance and promote the region’s heritage, including historic places, stories and scenic landscapes. By protecting the heritage resource, we are preserving what we value about the region and what makes it a great place to live and visit.

Heritage initiatives involve the collection, conservation, interpretation and dissemination of the history and culture of places and the use of historic buildings, natural and recreational resources, cultural artifacts, and stories to enhance quality of life and attract appropriate tourism and industry.

The community benefits of heritage development include environmental restoration, an enhanced sense of community pride, retention of young people, recruitment of light industry, economic development derived from tourism, expansion of recreational opportunities, and other quality of life improvements that foster optimism, sense of community, and a renewed sense of common purpose.

Schultz's one-hour meeting format was welcomed by participants who indicated that it helped them to stay focused on primary objectives while touching on a number of concerns.

Similar meetings have been held recently in Towanda for Bradford County members and in Dushore for Sullivan County members. Wyoming County members are slated to meet in Tunkhannock in early December.

The Great Cupcake Debate was held on November 8th, 2015 at the Susquehanna Community Elementary School. A total of 20 Bakers (9 Adult Bakers and 11 Junior Bakers) competed for several award categories. Besides sending many from the community home with a "Sugar High" from sampling all of the delicious offerings, a total of $1,600.00 was raised with all of the proceeds going directly to the "Parent Involvement Committee" which will benefit students from both the Susquehanna Community High and Elementary Schools. Everyone did a wonderful job baking and displaying. Trying to figure out which ones to sample was, indeed, a sweet problem. Listed below are the winners in both Adult and Junior Catagories--Congratulations to all. Our Community will be looking forward to the Third Annual Great Cupcake Debate. Check out the photo album of stunning displays on the Susquehanna Community Development Association’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/S.C.D.Association/

Adult --People's Choice Favorite Cupcake: 1st- Chrissy Vinsko; 2nd- Erin Shelton; 3rd- Chrissy Vinsko.

Adult --People's Choice Favorite Booth: 1st- Pam & Jeffery Benson; 2nd- Kim Keyes;  3rd-  Erin Shelton.

Adult-- Most Artistic Cupcake: 1st- Chrissy Vinsko; 2nd- Kim Keyes; 3rd- Pam Benson.

Adult --Best Tasting: 1st- Pam & Jeffery Benson; 2nd- Erin Shelton; 3rd- Kim Keyes

Adult --Best Displayed: 1st- Kim Keyes 2nd- Chrissy Vinsko; 3rd- Cindy Wayman.

Adult --Best Overall: 1st- Pam Benson; 2nd- Kim Keyes.  3rd- Chrissy Vinsko.

Juniors --K-4 People's Choice Favorite Cupcake : 1st - Will Lawrence; 2nd- Hannah Bednarz; 3rd- Skylar Phonechanh.

Juniors-- K-4 People's Choice Favorite Booth: 1st- Skylar Phonechanh; 2nd- Will Lawrence; 3rd- Anthony Vinsko.

Juniors--K-4 Best Overall Cupcake : 1st- Skylar Phonechanh; 2nd- Will  Lawrence; 3rd- Anthony Vinsko.

Juniors--5-12 People's Choice Favorite Cupcake: 1st- Jordyn Glover. 2nd- Paige Halesky & Sara Chamberlain; 3rd- Destanee Rhinebeck.

Juniors--5-12 People's Choice Favorite Booth: 1st- Jordyn Glover; 2nd- Sara Chamberlain & Paige Halesky; 3rd-  Maura Carmody.

Juniors--5-12 Best Overall Cupcake: 1st- Destanee Rhinebeck; 2nd- Jordyn Glover; 3rd- Paige Halesky & Sara Chamberlain.