Editor’s Note: This picture was shown to us by Susquehanna resident Joe Caninni. It depicts a gathering of the 1919 Susquehanna Business Men and their families at Oquaga Lake, NY for an annual picnic. After a brief chat, we agreed it should be published as a reminder of how it “used to be”.

Pictured (L-R) are: 1st row – Kenneth Langford, Edward Skinner, Mr. J.R. Harris, Herman Ernstone, Mr. Green, Otis Chidester, U.G. Baker, T.J. Carrigg, Leslie Gilbert, Mr. William Moore, Dr. W.J. Condon, Mr. William Skinner, Mr. F.H. Murray, Rev. J.E. Pritchard, Fred R. Pierce; 2nd row – Mrs. J.R. Harris, Bernadette Dugan, Angie Basso, Mary (Nan) McMahon, Mrs. U.G. Baker, Josephine Kane, Frances Flaherty, Alice Snyder, Nora Finnerty, Margaret Carrigg, Ethel Curran, Katie Basso, Mrs. W.J. Condon, Mary F. McCoy, Irene Lyle, Mrs. W. Moore, Mrs. J. Ryan & Helen, Evelyn Walters, Mr. Charles Basso; 3rd row – Eugene Lynch, Jessie Cooke, Florence Cooke, Nellie Fitzmaurice, Nan Doherty, Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. A.J. Denman, Mrs. T.J. Carrigg, Mrs. Emm Terboss, Mrs. Katherine Langford, Esther Dooley, Joseph Dooley, Mr. ?, Jack Osborne, Mrs. Charles Basso, Joseph Ryan, Martin Kane; 4th row – Lyle Lewis, Mr. Armstrong, J.A. Smith, Dr. A.J. Denman, Carl Borgstrom, Alice Gaffney, Mrs. J.A. Smith, Marion Scales, Laura Geary, Nora Hanrahan, Nellie Dooley, Pauline Geary, Dr. Lavin, Harry Haynes, Perc Kobert, Mr. ?, James D. Williams, Charles Schmidt, A.I. Bayless, Dr. Peck, Patsy Valentine, Mr. ?, John V. O’Connell, Leslie Decker, C.M.Allpaugh, Mary Gilbert, Dr. Gilbert, Jack DeWitt, Frederick Skinner, Mrs. Harry Ryan, Jerome Lannon, Harry Ryan, Father Boylan, Mr. ?.

February 16, 2016 - Montrose, PA:  For the ninth consecutive year Pump N Pantry Convenience Stores, headquartered in Montrose, has contributed to the Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit Program administered by The Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains.  For the 2015-2016 academic-year the corporation has contributed funding which will help The Community Foundation provide tuition assistance to more than 130 students from low and moderate income families who attend Pre-Schools in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties. 

The Community Foundation has administered the Education Improvement Program since 2003 and in that time has raised more than $2,000,000 for education assistance for thousands of students attending 50 Pre-K through Secondary schools in eight counties, as well as funding projects in numerous public school districts.  Since 2007 Pump N Pantry has generously contributed more than $50,000 to The Community Foundation’s Pre-School tuition assistance program.

Community Foundation President, Peter Quigg, states that “We appreciate very much the support that Pump N Pantry has provided for our Pre-School tuition assistance over the years.  We are helping young parents whose children are just beginning their educational journeys, and this is an important time in their lives.”  Pump N Pantry President, Scott Quigg, adds “I am pleased that Pump N Pantry can help students in our communities attend Pre-School and begin to build the educational and social skills that will help them succeed when they enter elementary school.”

Big Boy and Little One

Big Boy and Little One are just two lovable fellas searching for a place to call home again. These 2 year old, neutered, and declawed cats were uprooted

when their owner was placed in a nursing home.  Shelter life isn't the ideal situation for these quiet ,friendly,and bonded boys.They are low maintenance and would be ready to move right into your heart and home. Please put a smile back on their faces and give them a chance to dwell safely in the comfort of a loving home.

Fun Facts: Pet ownership, cat ownership specifically, has proven to be beneficial to human health in a variety of ways including general stress reduction, positive mood alteration, lower heart rate, and blood pressure. Adopt a cat or two and reap the healthy rewards!

Few foods help meet your nutritional needs at every stage of life better than live and active culture yogurt. Plus yogurt comes in so many flavors and varieties, it appeals to every member of the family. Keep yogurt stocked in your refrigerator for a nutritious snack or meal, any time, every day. Yogurt is often included on healthy food lists... and for good reason. Like most dairy products, yogurt is a good source of protein - an average 8-ounce serving contains between 8 and 10 grams of protein, or 16 to 20 percent of the Daily Recommended Value. Yogurt also is an excellent source of calcium. Most standard serving sizes of yogurt contain slightly more calcium than do equivalent servings of milk. Yogurt is low in fat and high in certain minerals and essential vitamins, including potassium, phosphorus, Vitamin B12, and riboflavin B2. It's available in a variety of fat levels, from nonfat and low fat to yogurt made with whole milk, and also comes in reduced calorie forms. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that individuals ages 9 and older consume 3 servings of dairy, either milk, cheese or yogurt each day. I would like to share one easy recipe that uses yogurt in a delicious smoothie.

Fruit and Yogurt Smoothie

Ingredients

2 Bananas
2 Cups of Strawberries
1 Cup of Vanilla Yogurt
one half Cup of Pineapple Juice
2 or 3 Ice Cubes

Directions

Add all ingredients and blend until smooth. Add ice as needed. Share this simple-to-make smoothie with your family and get one of your three daily servings of dairy — good for all ages.

Kimberly L. Grace

Administrative Assistant

Penn State Extension Susquehanna County 88 Chenango Street Montrose, Pa 18801 phone: 570.278.1158 fax: 570.278.2497 email: susquehannaext@psu.edu website: http://extension.psu.edu/susquehanna

The 2016 River of the Year logo, which features a painting by Wyalusing native Brian Keeler, was recently unveiled to community leaders in Tunkhannock and Towanda. It will serve as the keystone of a media kit that will be sent to all groups known to be planning river-related activities along the Susquehanna River North Branch during the coming year.

For the first time since 2004, the Susquehanna River North Branch has been designated by DCNR and POWR (Pennsylvania Organization of Watersheds and Rivers) as “2016 River of the Year.” The waterway, which is also part of the National Parks trail system, was sponsored for the contest by Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) and Susquehanna Greenway Partnership (SGP). The two organizations will now share a $10,000 grant to be used to promote and enhance river-related activities planned for 2016.

EMHR has taken the lead in getting the message out to communities in Bradford, Luzerne, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties, through which portions of the historic river flow. At meetings held so far in Tunkhannock and Towanda, EMHR Greenways Coordinator David Buck unveiled a new logo that will be distributed as part of a media kit designed to assist municipalities and civic groups in promoting their respective events.

EMHR manages the water trail from Berwick in the south to Sayre at the New York state line, as well as the portion of the Susquehanna River that swings south into Susquehanna County from New York's southern tier. However, Buck told meeting participants, “It is the river that we are celebrating. It's not about us.”

“The Susquehanna River North Branch won the contest because so many people cast their votes,” EMHR director Annette Schultz added. The North Branch took 47 percent of the overall voting for five competing waterways. “That so many feel a connection to this river is a credit to the successful work of so many organizations, public and private, to raise awareness of the river's value and to improve water quality.”

Another focus of the sponsoring agencies is the completion of applications by communities situated along the waterway to achieve official Susquehanna Greenway designation as a River Town. So far, only Laceyville, Sayre/Athens, and Shickshinny have completed the process, with applications underway in Tunkhannock and Susquehanna Depot. Interest has also been expressed by Towanda officials to be designated as a River Town by this summer.

The list of river-related events that could benefit from the River of the Year designation is growing quickly. Buck proposed about a dozen known events when he met with representatives from in Wyoming County on Feb. 5. When he conducted the next meeting in Towanda on Feb. 9, the list had grown to nearly 20.

Most of the events already have sponsors and focus on culture, commerce, entertainment, and heritage. The Wyoming County Cultural Center, for instance, was already scheduled to present a program about Moravian missionary David Zeisberger and his work among members of the Iroquois Nation at Friedenshutten near present-day Wyalusing. EMHR will initiate additional events that are focused on history and nature.

Among these are Earth Day Art and Woodcock Watch at Vosburg, sponsored by Friends of the Howland Preserve and Endless Mountains Nature Center on April 22; West Pittston Library Paddle and Wine & Cheese event in June; Wyoming Valley Riverfest from June 24 to 26; Tunkhannock Founders Day, sponsored by the Tunkhannock Business & Professionals Association on June 25; A Garden Party at the Oldest House in conjunction with Laceyville's Community Day on July 8 and 9; Tunkhannock's River Day, sponsored by the Wyoming County Cultural Society on July 23; Rockin' the River at the Howland Preserve on July 30; a Civil War Encampment at French Azilum in Bradford County on Aug. 13 and 14; Towanda River Fest from Aug. 18 to 20; and Berwick Riverfest on Oct. 15 and 16.

A number of river sojourns are on the calendar, as are shorter paddling trips. Some will be advertised to the public, and others will be limited to specific groups like students. For example, approximately 70 students and teachers from school districts along the upper North Branch will be selected to paddle and camp for three days from Sayre to Sugar Run. Environmental and history speakers will join the students at various points along their journey, and the students will be encouraged to entertain each other each evening.

“Some will be bringing guitars and other musical instruments to play around the campfire each night,” Buck explained.

Whether the event is musical in nature, a community celebration, or a fundraiser that involves the river, EMHR and SGP directors are hoping that the leaders of organizations planning such events will take advantage of the forthcoming media kit, which will include the branding logo, full schedules, and sample press releases.

In the meantime, River of the Year sponsors are hoping to mobilize Scouts, church youths, and other groups to conduct cleanups along stretches of the Susquehanna River. EMHR can provide some assistance with needed supplies, coordination of dump sites, and promotion of such events.

“The health of our river reflects how we are living in relation with the land and water we depend on,” said Schultz. “We're inviting everyone to celebrate the river as a means to highlight their good work as river stewards.”

Those interested in organizing or participating in a cleanup this spring should contact Buck at EMHR at 570-265-1528. For general information about River of the Year or to request a media kit, interested readers may contact EMHR program coordinator Hillary Robinson at the same number.

Can’t you just taste the first bite of a juicy red apple fresh picked on a frosty October morning? Or a raspberry pie still warm from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream?  Or a shortcake dripping with fresh strawberries sweet as the June sunshine that ripen them? Or the joy of a Christmas morning with the family gathered around a beautiful fir tree that you had brought in from the back pasture? All or any one of these treats can be yours if you take advantage of the seedling sale sponsored by the Susquehanna County Conservation District.

The sale has a number of fruit trees and bushes for the home gardener. Four varieties of apples are available. Liberty and WineCrisp are both varieties highly resistant to several common apple diseases including apple scab. Hardy Cumberland and Summer Rambo are two antique strains that have many valuable traits for the backyard fruit grower. Self-fertile Stardust sweet cherry is a delicious large cherry for fresh eating. Our pick for raspberries is Caroline, an ever bearing red variety. This primo cane producer should have a crop the year it is planted and much larger production succeeding years. Cabot Strawberries are noted for their large berries with fine flavor.

Blueberries are always popular with the seedling sale customers and this year there is  an outstanding selection of varieties. Spartan, Chandler, Liberty, Sweetheart, Bluecrop and Elliot will supply years of treats both fresh and frozen.

The District is offering six species of evergreens all of which can be used for Christmas Trees. Canaan and Concolor Firs make premium quality trees that bring a premium price. Eastern White Pine, Scotch pine, Norway Spruce, and Blue Spruce provide much needed winter cover for wildlife while also beautifying the landscape.

All these and many other species are on sale now but you must hurry. The deadline for ordering is March 18, 2016. An order form is available at the District office (Susquehanna County Office Building- 570-278-4600 ext. 3050) or at the web site (www.suscondistict.org). The plants may be picked up 9:00 to 11:00 AM, April 16, 2016 at the Bridgewater Township Building on SR 29 south of Montrose.  The profits from this sale sponsor the District’s youth educational programs.