On Monday, May 30th, a Memorial Day Service took place at the Welcome Center in Great Bend, PA. The Memorial Service honored the fallen heroes of Susquehanna County, Bradford County, Lackawana County and Wayne County, who paid the ultimate price in defense of their country in the Iraq War.

The Memorial Bench at the Welcome Center in Great Bend, where a plaque hold the names of each fallen soldier

The names of the honored fallen are: SPC Lee Wiegand - Hallstead - Susquehanna County; SGT Eric W. Slebodnik - Greenfield Township, Lackawana County; SFC George A. Pugliese - Carbondale, Lackawana County; SSG Ryan G. Ostram - Liberty Township, Susquehanna County; SPC William L. Evans - Hallstead, Susquehanna County; SPC Oliver J. Brown - Athens, Bradford County; SGT Andrew W. Brown - Pleasant Mount, Wayne County; SSG Daniel L. Arnold - Montrose, Susquehanna County.

These young men were part of Bravo Company, First Battalion, 109th Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

Al Hickok has accepted the Wilson F. Moore Memorial (WFMM) Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) invitation to join its 2016 Board of Directors.

Pictured (L to R) Are: Dave Wilcox – Life member of the NWTF; Sean Langevin – Regional Director NWTF; Tom Norville – Treasurer of the WFMM Chapter; Al Hickok – new Board member of the WFMM Chapter; Rusty Ely – 2016 WFMM Chapter Banquet Chairman; Al Cuevas – VP of WFMM Chapter, Michele Cuevas – Secretary WFMM chapter. Photo courtesy of the Wilson F. Moore Memorial Chapter

Mr. Hickok was nominated for one of the Board of Director positions by current WFMM Board members Rusty Ely and Bob Wagner.  Ely and Wagner explained that “… Mr. Hickok will be a valuable asset to the Board because of his quiet and professional demeanor and his longtime interest in turkey hunting.”

Mr. Hickok explained his turkey hunting interests “… I first started hunting in turkeys in Potter County Pa. back in the mid 1970's. As a novice, I began calling them with a Lynch Box Call and soon graduated to using a mouth call. I have been hunting turkeys for over 40 years after shooting my first gobbler with a Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun. I consider myself to be an experienced avid turkey hunting, shooting a gobbler every spring and hunting them between my whitetail deer bow hunts in the fall. I love taking first time turkey hunters out each year to mentor them in the sport of calling, shooting, and teaching various strategies that would make them successful.” Mr. Hickok began attending the WFMM chapter of the NWTF banquets after an invitation from longtime friend Rusty Ely.

When asked about becoming involved with the Board, “I consider it an honor to now serve the chapter as a member of the board. I believe I can bring new insights to the chapter that would expand our memberships both locally and on the national level.  I believe there are many turkey hunters in Susquehanna County that have never been members of our chapter and I plan to change that.I have already enlisted first timers in this year’s Banquet.  I am eager to learn how I can be involved this year’s outdoor activities.” Mr. Hickok has a Doctor of Ministry Degree in Pastoral Counseling from Westminster Seminary. He has been a self-employed Licensed Professional Counselor for over thirty five years and am currently semi-retired. 

This is the 31st year that the WFMM chapter has been a force in the wild turkey conservation efforts of the NWTF.

On May 27th at the Episcopal Church Hall in Montrose Brooke Marvin became the 2016-2017 Susquehanna County Dairy Princess as Dairy Princess Taylor Sebring passed her reign at the County Dairy Princess Pageant.

Brooke is the daughter of Earl and Sandy Marvin of Susquehanna and is completing her junior year at Blue Ridge High School. Brooke gets her dairy background living next door to her Uncle Bill Boman’s dairy farm. Brooke is active in her church and in several school organizations as well as playing softball, volleyball and is a basketball cheerleader.

During her one year reign Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin will fulfill her duties with the help of Dairy Maids Kaelynn Brant, Katelyn Farley and Courtney Marvin and Dairy Ambassadors Emory Bewley, Alivia Hughes, Dana Nunemacher, Mary Catherine Chidester, Krista Jones, Kendra Brant and Elizabeth Chidester. This team of dairy promoters will be working together educating the public about the importance of dairy products in everyone’s diets and be advocates for Susquehanna County dairy farmers.

Pictured (L-R) is the 2016-2017 Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion Team:  Elizabeth Chidester, Mary Catherine Chidester, Kaelynn Brant, Courtney Marvin standing in front of her sister, Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin, Krista Jones, Dana Nunemacher, Katelyn Farley, Alivia Hughes, Emory Bewley, Kendra Brant.

1980 Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Betsy Arnold announced each member of Susquehanna County’s dairy court being escorted by their Dad’s as they took their place on stage.

Former Dairy Princess Rachael Grosvenor introduced each Dairy Maid and Dairy Ambassador to step forward to make comments about their relationship to dairy and speak a bit about how they will be fulfilling their responsibilities as a member of the dairy promotion team. Rachael also introduced current Pennsylvania State Alternate Dairy Princesses Morgan Brymesser and Lydia Szymanski and other current and former Dairy Princesses attending Pageant.

2006/2007 Dairy Princess Ashley Franklin presented outgoing Princess, Taylor Sebring with a scholarship award provided by the county dairy promotion committee to use when she begins college in 2017. Ashley also commented on the importance of the promotion work the girls have done this past year mentioning the many school promotions presented encouraging children to have their 3 servings of dairy each day.

PA State Alternate Princess Morgan Brymesser presented Outstanding Scrapbook Awards to Brooke Marvin, Alivia Hughes, Taylor Sebring and Katrina Vidota.

Taylor Sebring gave a very emotional farewell speech complementing the members of her court on the excellent job they did working with her during the past year. Brooke Marvin stepped up to give a very inspiring speech about the importance of the dairy industry.

The program continued as 2015/2016 Dairy Princess Taylor Sebring crowned the new Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin assisted by crown bearer Madyson Sebring.

The evening concluded with a reception to meet and congratulate Susquehanna County’s dairy promotion team and browse the scrapbooks on display.

For more information on the Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Program or to schedule an event, contact Evie Goff at gofffarm@epix.net or 570-278-1212 Dairy Princess Brooke Marvin at bdancewhda@gmail.com.

The primary way to improve your forest/woodland/wildlife habitat is to carefully wipe out (remove) certain parts of it. Vegetation aggressively occupies any available growing space, so the only way to alter the forest, or control its composition, is by removing (wiping out) undesirable trees and vegetation. This removal or “weeding” process as applied to mature stands of trees is known as Timber Stand Improvement (TSI), a forestry best management practice. TSI is managing to have better quality trees versus a larger quantity of not-so-great trees. 

Landowners and land managers can apply TSI in one of four methods to maximize its potential for wildlife:

1. Manage for mast (nut, fruit and seeds) producing species to provide food for wildlife

enhances the quality of these beneficial trees (oaks, hickories, serviceberry, black cherry, wild apple, white ash, sugar maple) by using TSI to reduce woody underbrush (bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, multiflora rose) you remove less desirable tree species, such as multi-stemmed red maple, striped maple, black birch, beech brush, pin cherry and trees which you may not want, which compete with the mast trees for water and nutrients while less competition means more resources, and better, more dependable mast production

HOW TO: In small areas (an acre or less), remove smaller trees and shrubs using bush axes, loppers, chain saws and a lot of elbow grease. Use a hand or backpack sprayer to apply herbicide to understory species such as hayscented ferns, bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, multiflora rose and also to cut stumps to limit resprouts, which can be a problem with hardwoods.

2. Get your hands dirty. Try girdling, severing the bark and cambium entirely around the trunk (to an average depth of 1” on smaller trees and up to 2” on larger trees) to quickly get rid of undesirable species.

Use the hack-and-squirt technique by hacking the tree with an axe and squirting it with herbicide for faster results both methods are easier than completely removing trees.

3. Cover a lot of ground mechanically. Bush hogging can be used to clear smaller saplings and bushes.

Heavy-duty mulchers are more effective on larger trees and brush.

4. Remove invasive plants, shrubs and trees. Use your hands or mechanical devices to rid land of invasive species which choke out open wildlife habitat.

DEEDS

Bank in America to Patricia O'Dell in Thompson Borough for $7,180.00

Trails Conservation Corporation Inc to Rails Trail Council in Northeastern Pennsylvania in New Milford Township, Bridgewater Township and Montrose for $1.00

Barbara A. Savoy (AKA) Barbara Savoy & William M. Bennett to William M. Bennett & Barbara A. Savoy in Apolacon Township for $1.00

Anna Vonahnen (ESTATE) to Robert J. Vonahnen in Forest City for $1.00

Robert J. Vonhnen (ESTATE) to Christopher Vonahnen in Forest City for $1.00

Christopher Vonahnen to Christopher Vonhnen in Forest City for $1.00

Thomas F. & Theresa S. Ross to Alice M. & Raymons C. Davis in Dimock Township for $175,000.00

John C. Pierson (AKA) John Pierson & Katherine L. Pierson to Katherine L. & John C. Pierson in Rush Township for $1.00

Lewis S. Parr to Appalachian Basin Minerals LP, Pennmarc Resoures II LP, Wiles Mineral Interests LLC, McCrow Energy Partners II LLC in Auburn Township for $1.00

Curtis Bwnon (AKA) Curtis S. Bynon to Appalachian Basin Minerals LP, Pennmarc Resources II LP, Wildes Mineral Interest LLC, McCrow Energy Partners II LLC in Auburn Township for $1.00

David R. & Heidi E. Mitchell and Stephen E. III, Anna Mae, John Lee & Martha B. Stoltafuz to C&L Stone LLC in Franklin Township for $90,000.00

Scott A. & Kelly S. Davis to Kelly S. Davis in Forest Lake Township for $1.00

Ruthann Bender to John A. & Margaret Jean MacPhearson in Gibson Township for $257,000.00

Lilian D. Franklin (ESTATE) to Catherine D. & Garry L. Foltz in Harford Township for $103,250.00

Elizabeth Ann & Robert B. Doane to Monica Pifcho in Auburn Township for $125,000.00

Jillian R. Holden & Jacob M. Cope to Jacob M. Cope in Middletown Township for $1.00

Marlene Wallace to Joanne Shepherd in Forest City for $6,000.00

Theresa F. Beck (NBM) Therese F. Naman & Bruce Naman to Joann Clemo in Uninodale Borough for $79,900.00

Legg Family Trust (BY TRUSTEE) to Madison Legg Moyer in Choconut Township for $1.00

Lanny Russell to Lanny C. & April J. Russell in Liberty Township, Forest Lake Township, Franklin Township and Middletown Township for $1.00

Florence M. Lamont to David B. Lamont in Choconut Township for $1.00

HSBC Bank USA, GSMPS Mortgage Loan Trust 2005-RP1 to Fredrick Ronald Shiptoski in New Milford Borough for $15,000.00

Marion J. Welsch (TRUST BY TRUSTEE) to Thomas J. Welsch in Thompson Township for $1.00

Stehephen Joseph Shane (BY ATTORNEY-IN-FACT) & Theresa McKeegan Shane to Gary & Robin Wargle in Silver Lake Township for $233,000.00

Yound D. & Lisa A. Chin to Thomas G. & Christine Ward in Herrick Township for $45,000.00

Charles R. Jr & Joann M. Grimes to Charles R. Grimes Jr in Harford Township for $1.00

Post Family Irrevocable Trust (BY TRUSTEE) to Kyle J. Post in Great Bend Township for $150,000.00

John A., & Linda Davis and James B. Hawley to John A. & Linda Davis in Forest Lake Township for $1.00

John A., & Linda Davis and James B. Hawley to John A. & Linda Davis in Forest Lake Township for $1.00

Dale Baker (AKA) Dale J. Baker to Scott & Tina Rowlands in Oakland Borough for $15,000.00

Anitra K. & Gordon Woodbury (BY ATTORNEY) to Anitra K. Woodbury and Maximillian D. Webster in Harfod Township for $1.00

Joseph J. & Lacey Digirolamo to Joseph J. &Lacey J. Digirolamo in Dimock Township for $1.00

Lorrie & James E. Grande (ESTATE) to Lorrie Grande in Harmony Township for $1.00

First National Bank to George G. & Jean M. Baker in Dimock Township for $1.00

Gideon Interantional, George G. & Baker Baker to George G. & Jean M. Baker in Dimock Townshipfor $1.00

Warren R. & Esther I. Cosner to Esther I. Cosner (TRUST) & Warren R. Cosner (TRUST) in Hallstead Borough for $1.00

Esther I Cosner (AKA) Esther Cosner & Warren R. Cosner to Warren R. Cosner (TRUST) & Esther I. Cosner ( TRUST) in Lenox Township for $1.00

Richard S. (ESTATE), Mark, Richard A. & Michael Stahl and Carl Eddinger to Michael, Barbara L., Mark & Richard A. Stahl and Carl Eddinger in Jackson Township for $1.00

Richard S. (ESTATE), Richard A., Michael D. and Mark D. Stahl, Carl S. & Ronald C. Eddinger to Barbara L., Richard A., Michael D. and Mark D. Stahl, Carl S. & Ronald C. Eddinger in Jackson Township for $1.00

CNB Realty Trust to Eric & Lourdes Schaffroth in Lanesboro Borough for $57,900.00

Sondra Gillette (AKA) Sondra L. Gillette to William F. & Catherine A. Wallace in Ararat Township for $125,000.00

CNB Realty Trust, NBT Bank (FKA) and Pennstar Bank – A Division in BT Bank to Patricia & William J. Jr Roy in Lanesboro Borough for $69,500.00

Helm Investments LLC to Keenan, Loren & Linda Small in Montrose for $170,000.00

William Terry Baldwin (ESTATE) to Janet L. Baldwin New Milford Township for $1.00

Frank Kochmer, Gay Rose Benio (NKA) Gay Kochmer to William Dean Zewan in Lenox Township for $28,000.00

Paul G. & Linda E. Montalbano to Gallatin Natural Resources LLC in Rush Township for $10.00

Gallatin Natuiral Resources LLC to Stone Hill Minerals Holdings LLC in Rush Township for $10.00

Willaim & Catherine Palonis to Jeffrey Burdick in Clifford Township for $270,000.00

Steven T. & Nancy L. Russel to Aiden Keaveney and Claire Annas in Gibson Township for $95,000.00

Ernest W. & Janet C. Young to Janet C. Young (TRUST) in Oakland Township for $1.00

Janet C. Young to Janet C. Young (TRUST) in Liberty Township for $1.00

David B. (ESTATE) & E. James Lewis and Joan M. Kamansky to E. James Lewis in Bridgewater Township for $1.00

David B. (ESTATE) & E. James Lewis and Joan M. Kamansky to Joan M. & Richard T. Kamansky in Bridgewater Township for $1.00

LSF8 Master Participation Trust (BY ATTORNEY) to Roselyn F. Hibbard in Springville Township for $50,000.00

LSF8 Master Participation Trust (BY ATTORNEY) to Winks Realty LLC in Montrose for $20,000.00

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK in New Milford Township for $10.00

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK in Rush Township for $10.00

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK in Thompson Township for $10.00

Gallatin Natural Resources LLC to MAP2015-OK in Franklin Township and Bridgewater Township for $10.00

Kelly McCarthy (NKA) Kelly Bisignano to Kelly Bisignanom Robert D. & Robert J. McCarthy and Robert J. Wolf in Herrick Township for $1.00

Joann & Douglas Wiser to Joann Wiser in Silver Lake Township for $1.00

Drug Possession:  On June 10th at 6:23 pm a trooper stopped a grey Jeep Grand Cherokee for a violation.  The operator, Robert Perini, was subsequently arrested for drug possession. 

Drug Possession:  On June 8th at 9:20 pm a trooper observed suspicious activity at the Pump and Pantry Parking Lot in Bridgewater.  A black Ford Fusion was bouncing from business to business.  The trooper made ocntact with the operator and occupant.  Justin Kemp was the occupant, and was found to be in possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia. 

PFA Violation:  On June 10th a 30 year old man violated a protection order form abuse by failing to stay away from a protected woman's Choconut Township residence. 

Drug Paraphernalia:  On May 22nd at 4:45 pm contact was made with William Snedaker while he was parked and seated inside his vehicle in the Ray's Plaza Parking Lot in Bridgewater.  The perpetrator was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. 

Criminal Mischief:  Sometime between the 2nd and 3rd of June, the wires underneath a racing car's hood were cut.  The vehicle was on SR 11 in New Milford at the time.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Act 64/DUI:  On June 1st at 5:30 pm a trooper stopped a White Chevy Trailblazer in Susquehanna Borough for a traffic violation.  Joshua Lee was subsequently arrested for drug possession and DUI. 

Disorderly Conducted:  On June 3rd at 1:33 pm an 11 year old juvenile female accidentally brought a folding knife to school at the Blue Ridge school district. 

Theft:  Between June 4th a nd 6th, one or more unknown perpetrator(s) removed two construction signs from along the roadway and fled in an unknown direction.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Theft from Motor Vehicle:  Between June 3rd and 6th, the following registration plate was stolen from a victim's car trailer:  PA Registration- XJK8876.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Burglary:  On June 2nd several firearmes were stolen from a Jackson Township residence. Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact the PSP Gibson barracks at (570) 465-3154. 

Theft of Motor Vehicle:  On June 4th between 1 and 5 pm an all-terrain vehicle was stolen from a South Gibson man while in a wooded area in Gibson Township.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Burglary:  Between June 5th and 6th one or more unknown perpetrator(s) gained entry into Glezen's Power Equipment by forcing open a secured door.  Upon gaining entry, the burglar(s) removed multiple Stihl and Husqvarna display chainsaws.  The perpetrator(s) then fled the scene in an unkonwn direction.  Anyone with information is asked to please contact the police. 

Crash:  On June 5th at 4:47 pm Alicia Giberson of Montrose was traveling east on Sr 706 in Jessup Township.  She related that as she was negotiating a left curve, a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction was partially in her travel lane.  She moved to the right to avoid a collision.  The passenger side wheels of the vehicle traveled through an area of gravel on the right shoulder, causing the driver to lose control.  The vehicle traveled off the right side of the road, impacting several direction signs and a fence before coming to a rest in the ditch facing east.  No injuries were reported.  JD Towing removed the vehicle from the scene.  The driver was not injured;  a seat belt was in use. 

DUI:  On June 4th at 8:16 pm Jeffrey Krucar of Greenfield Township was involved in a one vehicle crash in Clifford Township.  Through the investigation it was learned the accused was DUI.  Charges were to be filed through District Court 34-3-03 against the accused for DUI. 

Crash:  On June 1st at 1:50 pm an unnamed driver was traveling east on Sr 171 in Great Bend Township when the driver attempted to turn around on Sr 171 to head west.  The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling at a high rate of speed and the driver lost control of the vehicle. Loss of control caused the vehicle to slide off the roadway into a swap.  The vehicle was pulled form the swamp by Marv's Towing and was operable.  No injuries were reported. 

Harassment:  On June 1st at 8:15 pm a New Milford Township man assaulted another New Milford Township man, by punching him in the face.  The victim sustained an injury from being struck by the accused.  The accused was cited for harassment.  The incident occurred on School Road in New Milford Township. 

Anyone having information regarding any of these incidents is asked to please contact the police at (570) 465-3154.

Peter Quigg, President of the Community Foundation of the Endless Mountains, partnered with the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center to provide a member of the local community with a vehicle. Earlier this year, the Smith family lost their home and belongings in a fire. Mrs. Kristine Smith, Spanish teacher at Elk Lake High School, accepted the car on behalf of her family.

Pictured (L-R) Are: Front row -  SCCTC Executive Director Dr. Alice M. Davis, Anthony Pasquali, Rodney Ely, Mrs. Kristine Smith, Community Foundation President Peter Quigg, Brianna Williams: back row - Ken Bondurant, SCCTC Instructors James Caswell and Kevin Noldy.

The funds were donated by the Community Foundation through the Bondurant Family Fund. This fund was established by Ken Bondurant of New Milford to provide support to the Autobody and Automotive Technology programs at the SCCTC.

The students in the Automotive Technology Program replaced the engine and the Autobody Program students replaced the seats and detailed the car. The Community Foundation provided the funds to purchase the car, necessary parts and materials to refurbish the vehicle.

Dr. Davis stated, “Once again, I am so pleased by our students’ willingness to contribute to the needs of our community and eagerness to work on new projects. This particular project has incorporated the participation of so many people working together for the good of our community.”

Community Service at the Thompson Town Fair:  Kaleidoscope 4H (Thompson) members donating handmade dog beds and treats to Thompson's newest resident Ruff Dog Rescue North East.  Pictured (L-R) are: Dayla Jones, Teri (Ruff Dog Rescue), Emma Horung and Lydia Smith.