The North Jackson Ag 4-H Club held a meeting on August 13th. The meeting was opened by new business and old business including the Harford Fair,  district dairy show, and dairy round up After business was discussed we move on to demonstrations. Demonstrations included Alex Degraw with fly fishing, Evan Aldrich with welding safety, Eli Aldrich with trapping, Alex Empet with fixing an extension cord, Gavin Bewely with family history, Chelsea Empet with newborn calf care, Aiden Empet with marshmallow rockets, Holly Galvin with maple syrup and candy, Emory Bewely  colors on the move.

On September 11 the North Jackson Ag Club held their annual 4-H picnic. The meeting was held at the Onyon’s house. The meeting began with the picnic. Then we moved on to old business. Old business included the Harford Fair. After old business was discussed new business which included state dairy show. After the meeting was adjourned the younger kids started a game of football and water fights.

Susquehanna County Commissioner Elizabeth Arnold recently attended the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) Annual Conference in Carbon County, as county leaders from throughout Pennsylvania participated in workshops and training sessions, networked with peers and discussed state and federal policies that impact services to residents.

“CCAP serves to strengthen the ability of counties to govern their own affairs and improve the well-being and quality of life for their constituents,” said Ms. Arnold. “To that end, the information included in the conference was invaluable. I learned more about critical issues and how to help solve problems, and was able to compare challenges and successes with other counties’ leaders. There is no substitute for this type of training and the one-on-one interaction that leads to understanding complex issues that all counties must manage.”

Ms. Arnold continued, “The bottom line is even better service to everyone that depends on Susquehanna County for such vital issues as children and youth, mental health, intellectual disabilities, drug and alcohol and other human services, as well as those surrounding environmental issues, public health and safety, transportation, courts, prisons, elections, tax assessments, community and economic development and emergency management.”

CCAP is the voice of county government; a statewide nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing all 67 counties in Pennsylvania. CCAP members include county commissioners, council members, county executives, administrators, chief clerks and solicitors. It advocates for favorable state and federal legislation, programs and policies on behalf of counties. Founded in 1886, CCAP is an affiliate of the National Association of Counties.

To celebrate Grandparents Day, the Foster Grandparents in Susquehanna County, enjoyed a cake during their monthly in-service meeting.  The grandparents discussed the cards made by the children they serve in the schools, day care centers and Head Start centers. Some also said that their grandchildren called them on Sunday, September 11th to wish them a Happy Grandparents Day.

Foster Grandparents are individuals age 55 and over who volunteer at Head Start centers, day cares, and schools under the supervision of a classroom teacher. Income-eligible Foster Grandparents receive a modest stipend, travel reimbursement, pre-service training and monthly in-service training.

The Foster Grandparent Program is hosted by the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga Area Agency on Aging and funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Bradford County United Way and the Lycoming County United Way serving Tioga County.

For more information on the Foster Grandparent Program and other Area Agency on Aging services please call 1-800-982-4346.  The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners.

Reese

Reese is an unbelievably cute, affectionate little guy who has been a bit down on his luck the last few weeks. He has been battling pneumonia and feeling pretty lousy, but is now on the road to recovery and in search of a loving home. Only 3 years old, neutered, microchipped, and UTD, adorable Reese is a small terrier mix who will immediately win you over with his charming personality and gentle disposition. He is hoping to find a warm bed, good food, and lots of TLC because after all he has been through, this darling pooch deserves it!  Come meet a little dog with a big heart and we are sure you will be smitten with Reese.  

 We right now have several Yorkies, a Brussels Griffon, an Apricot Teacup Poodle, a Cairn Terrier, a Pekingese, and two very small and frightened Chihuahuas.  True Friends is on cuteness overload!  If you are looking for a lap dog, these little ones are all looking for a home!

If you are unable to adopt at this time perhaps you would consider donating towards Reese's medical bill?  He required hospitalization for 7days where he was kept in isolation with round the clock monitoring, meds, Oxygen, and support. Any amount is always appreciated and will make help us to continue giving animals in need urgent and much needed medical care.

Fun Fact: It is a myth that larger dogs are more lovable and small dogs act snobbish.  The treatment that owners give to their pets strongly shapes the dog's personality. Small dogs can be just as lovable and friendly as large dogs. Just meet Reese for example and he will prove this point!

Becoming a grandparent is an event to smile about and Geri Curry and Donna Sweeney are smiling from ear to ear.  Geri and Donna are two sweet ladies, who love working with kids and helping children overcome their struggles.  That is why they joined the Foster Grandparent Program.   

Geri and Donna have completed their Foster Grandparent Pre-service and are looking forward to being a grandma in a school close to their homes.   They will make quite a difference in the lives of the children they will meet.  Just as the name “Grandma” implies they will bring comfort to the anxious child, the pleasure of books to the struggling reader, friend-making skills to the shy child, and good citizenship practices to the wayward child.  As Foster Grandparents, Donna and Geri will guide children today, which may influence generations to come.

Not only are Foster Grandparents helping children, but they become part of the school body.  They make friendships with teachers, school staff and other Foster Grandparents.  They become aware of what’s happening at their local school and community.  Foster Grandparents also enjoy a small monetary reimbursement, paid holidays and paid days off. 

Are you between the ages of 55 and older and retired?  Would you like some place to go where you can be productive?   Would you love to have daily interaction with children in a school setting?  The Foster Grandparent Program may be just the program for you. 

You could be that special grandparent to a child in a school near you.  Just call 1-800-982-4346 to learn more and get started.

Following is the list of names drawn to sere as Petit and Traverse jurors for October to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse (large Courtroom), Montrose, PA, on the 3rd day of October 2016, at nine o’clock a.m. (9:00 a.m.).

Auburn Township:
Laurie Fuller
Bonnie Tyler

Bridgewater Township:
Stacey Diskin
Ricky Mullins

Brooklyn Township:
Betty Lou Benedic
Karen Doolittle
Ruth Hnsinger

Choconut Township:
Gary Barnhart
Lauri Bulkley
Thomas Flaherty

Clifford Township:
Lynn Conrad
Lisa Feddock
Gerald Ferris
Annette Jensen

Forest Lake Township:
Judith Marlowe
Harold A Richardson

Great Bend Borough:
Lena Timmermans

Great Bend Township:
Marylin Haskins
Thomas C Layton Sr

Hallstead Borough:
Susan Callender
Audrey Carr
James Kasten
Richard Walworth

Harford Township:
J aime Donahue
Vickey Heath Goodrich
Kandace Wellman

Herrick Township:
Karen Green

Lathrop Township:
Jeffery Baker

Lenox Township:
Brent Reed
Mary Trotter
Gail Wydeen

Liberty Township:
Brandi Perry

Little Meadows Borough:
Jessica Traver

Middletown Township:
Michael Sharon

New Milford Township:
Sandy Cicon
Eddy Duchemin
Lorraine Hall
Craig Hyde

Oakland Borough:
Jason Chamberlain
Karen Grausgruber
Sharon Bentz
Eileen Kingsbury

Rush Township:
Michelle Allen
Eugene Baldwin
David Baltzley
Adam Burridge
Amy Newhart
Kevin Tewksbury

Springville Township:
Stan Chotkowski
Joe Delesky
William Graham
Kimberly Lane
Lisa Robinson
Kristin Vavleck

Susquehanna Borough 1st Ward:
Sarah Bucci

Susquehanna Borough 2nd Ward:
Joseph Truskolaski

Thompson Township:
Tina Ferrante Krall
Michalene Zack

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Maridav - Fotolia.com

When it comes to feelings about finances, working Americans are practically split down the middle, according to a recent study.

Fifty-five percent of employed Americans feel they are on the right track to achieving financial well-being, while the other 45 percent feel they are not headed in the right direction, according to the 2016 Lincoln Financial Group Measuring Optimism, Outlook and Direction (M.O.O.D.) of America study.

So what are those individuals on the right track doing so well? The study found five key factors -- behaviors and influencers -- in their lives that correlate to positive feelings about money.

“Right trackers” differ from their counterparts who are not on the right track because:

• They are more likely to have created formal financial plans -- more than 70 percent of them, in fact.

• They are forward-looking in general, with nearly 100 percent saying they are focused on the future. Also, 90 percent of those in the “right track” camp say they feel in control of their lives.

• They exercise more. Those with positive feelings about money tend to be active. About 80 percent of this group exercises at least once a week, and typically more often. Compare that with those who are not on the right track -- just 60 percent of that segment works out on a consistent basis. Physical health can correlate to financial health.

• They’re more likely to feel good about themselves. Financial health and emotional health go hand-in-hand, too. Those on the right track are more likely than their counterparts to say they are optimistic because they feel good about themselves and their relationships with family and friends. They’re also positive about their careers and their relationships with coworkers.

• They take advantage of workplace benefits. Indeed, the more benefits you enroll in through the workplace, the better you will feel financially, suggests the study.

Beyond health insurance and retirement savings, “right-trackers” are enrolling in insurance plans to cover dental and vision care, as well as life insurance and disability insurance (which can help replace a portion of your paycheck while you recover from an injury or illness). They’re also taking advantage of other nonmedical benefits that can help boost financial security, such as accident insurance and critical illness insurance, which can help cover expenses that medical insurance does not, like high deductibles, or day-to-day expenses such as food or mortgage payments.

The future is unknown, but certain insurance coverages offered at work can help safeguard you against a broad scope of unexpected expenses, and can help you feel and be more financially secure. This is something to think about during annual open enrollment for medical insurance and beyond.

For more insights and tips to help you take control of your financial future, follow Lincoln Financial Group on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Feeling good about your finances is about the big picture, not just your bank account. From a healthy lifestyle to a positive attitude, taking a cue from those who are on the “right track” may help you get your footing on the path to financial well-being. (StatePoint)

Your everyday family routine is busy -- homework, sports practice, and everyone’s favorite hate-it/love-it activity: packing school lunches.

Nalgene, a leading reusable water bottle, lunch box and food storage container brand recently asked parents for their take on packing lunch. Below are some tips based on their feedback to help you keep your cool on hectic weekdays.

1. Remember. It’s Just Lunch.

How you pack lunch doesn’t go on the college application. This is an area where it’s okay to simplify. However, three-fifths of parents surveyed say that school lunch packing is a reflection on one’s parenting style. Interestingly, dads feel more strongly on this point, with nearly 70 percent of them agreeing with the sentiment versus 55 percent of moms.

“Lunch doesn’t have to be ‘Pinterest-board worthy’ to be nutritious,” says Peggy O’Shea Kochenbach, a Registered Dietitian. “Keeping it simple can be just as good -- or even better -- from the nutrition side, and you’ll appreciate the extra time to focus on family.”

So skip the spaceship-shaped sandwich if it means an extra hour with the kids before bedtime.

2. Don’t Let It Get Smushed.

This election year, kids are getting out their message too. At the top of their agenda: “I will not eat smushed food!”

Two out of five parents say their kids will not eat their lunch if it gets smushed before lunchtime. Heck, some parents even feel the same way (just don't tell the kids that!). Do yourself a favor and put an end to the whining with a durable, hard case lunch box that you can pack a variety of ways.

Check out the Nalgene Lunch Box Buddy, which possesses all the great qualities of the brand’s popular reusable water bottles. Its hard case is durable, dishwasher safe, and includes an adjustable cool pack to accommodate a variety of lunch preferences. No matter the journey to school or cafeteria, sandwiches and snacks stay perfectly preserved. Information on lunch boxes, water bottles and food storage containers is available at Nalgene.com.

3. Keep It In Perspective: There Are Worse Chores Than Packing Lunch!

Put things in perspective. Packing lunch is definitely not the worst household chore. When asked if they'd rather clean the toilet than pack school lunches for their children, 72 percent disagreed. Packing lunches is the clear preference.

4. Packing Lunch May be Better than Cleaning the Toilet, but it’s Still its Own Beast.

More than one-third of parents surveyed brace themselves for the horrors they might find inside their child’s lunch box. Do yourself a favor in combatting dirty containers, crumbs, spilled liquid and leftover food. Wisely choose easy-to-clean lunch boxes, reusable water bottles, and food storage containers, so that the dishwasher can scrub corners of spilled milk and leftover treasures, not you.

5. Periodically Reboot Good Habits

Two out of five of parents surveyed say that meeting the various requests and tastes of kids for an acceptable packed lunch can be “overwhelming.” Resolve to get smart and take advantage of free online websites and mobile apps to help you with meal planning, grocery shopping trips and packing lunches. (StatePoint)

Nutrition is important for everyone, but especially for children, as it is directly linked to all aspects of their growth and development.

Childhood obesity affects one in six children and adolescents in the United States. Though associated with elevated risks of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, bone and joint problems, and sleep apnea, among other health problems, childhood obesity can usually be prevented.

“Families should focus on the importance of healthful eating and active lifestyles,” says Kristi King, registered dietitian nutritionist and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spokesperson. “Parents can inspire kids to eat healthfully by getting them involved in shopping and preparing your family’s meals.”

Before You Head to the Store

Create a shopping list together, so kids feel like they are part of the decision making process.

 “Include food items from each of the ‘MyPlate’ food groups from the USDA, which include fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy,” says King.

Before you head out the door, grab your reusable shopping bag to reduce waste. Wash your bag regularly to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria.

At the Store

Once you get to the store, shop together and encourage children to pick a few new foods they would like to try.

“Talk about foods’ colors, shapes, flavors and textures as you shop,” says King. “And take time to read the food labels. This not only helps kids understand nutrition concepts, but also gives them a chance to practice reading skills.”

Back at Home

When you return home, involve children in putting groceries away – especially foods that require refrigeration or freezing. Refrigerate perishable food items promptly and properly. “Explain to your kids the importance of refrigerating perishable foods within two hours,” King says. “And remember, the clock starts when you pull an item from the refrigerated case at the store, so head straight home after your shopping trip if you have perishables in the car.”

For more healthful eating tips, recipes, videos and more, visit KidsEatRight.org.

As role models, parents and caregivers play a vital role in children’s nutrition – teaching children about healthful foods and making sure kids get enough physical activity each day. “Consult a registered dietitian nutritionist in your area to ensure your family is getting all of the necessary nutrients,” says King. (StatePoint)

While every child is unique, one thing is certain; the first few years of life are the most important for brain development. And parents can create the right atmosphere to hone language, cognition and social and emotional skills, as well as support physical and motor development.

“Everything your child observes and engages with affects his or her cognitive and physical development,” says Dr. Lise Eliot, early brain development expert and member of the Expert Panel at VTech, a world leader in age-appropriate and developmental stage-based electronic learning products for children. “You can help create an atmosphere that encourages your baby, infant or preschooler to meet essential developmental milestones.”

Eliot recommends baby-proofing your home early to encourage safe exploration for physical development. As soon as babies are mobile, exploration is crucial -- and the more space they have to move without limitations, the better. Also, be sure to spend time outdoors each day, visiting age-appropriate playgrounds and parks where children can spend time together in order to foster cooperation, sharing and empathy.

Be mindful of the types of toys you give your children. The best choices will be age-appropriate and designed to encourage them to meet developmental milestones.

“Children learn through play, and it’s never too early to incorporate teachable moments into a baby’s day,” says Dr. Eliot, who works with VTech to ensure that all their baby, infant and preschool products are designed to deliver developmental benefits.

To make learning and development fun, parents should seek out toys that have been approved by educators and child development experts, such as VTech’s growing line of baby, infant and preschool toys and products. New highlights include the Zoo Jamz Piano, which includes more than 20 songs and lets kids choose whether they want to play piano, violin, xylophone or saxophone, as well as the Crinkle & Roar Lion, an award-winning toy that even newborns can play with to explore shapes, colors and letters while delighting in the lion’s roar and other cheerful sounds.

To help you navigate the toy store, check out VTech’s Milestones guide, which can help you select toys based on your child’s individual needs. More information can be found at vtechkids.com/milestones.

Remember, the best thing you can do for your children is to unplug for a bit each day, spending time to read aloud, create art projects, sing and play together. (StatePoint)