Barnes-Kasson Hospital unveiled its new CAT Scan machine at a November 15th ribbon cutting ceremony.

The GE Optima CT 660 Scanner significantly increases the speed, efficiency, and information-gathering capability of the CAT Scan procedure, which is used to screen patients for cancer, among other diseases, and to examine everything from vital organs to bone structure and blood vessels.

The Optima CT 660 can scan quickly in one pass with diagnostic image quality and images reconstructed in real time.  The patient can be scanned in seconds, which is critical in emergency situations.  The high power capability and thin slices of the scanner also provide the demanding clarity needed for detecting small lesions.

The Optima CT 660 system is a 64-slice scanner that allows for fast, high-quality acquisition at optimized dose for patients young and old, large and small, and can be used across a wide spectrum of procedures including cardiac,  brain, chest, abdomen, orthopedic, and more. It is environmentally-friendly with electric innovations that are designed to reduce power consumption by 54 percent.

The scanner has been in operation in the hospital’s radiology department for the past few months.

“Health care changes all the time, technology changes all the time” said Sara Adornato, Barnes- Kasson’s Chief Executive Officer, after the ribbon cutting. “Barnes-Kasson patients need leading technology.  The people who come here, from all walks of life, deserve the highest quality care.”

The Mountain View Garden Club gives an annual Hometown Pride Award to a business or organization who makes an effort to beautify the area by upgrading or maintaining their property.

Pictured (l-r) are: recipient Ellie DeFazio with her grandson, Joseph; garden club members Connie Tellep, Dawn Howell, Norma Genevich, Helene Tinsley, JoAnn Hall.

Ellie DeFazio’s Hair Station in Lenoxville is this year’s recipient. Ellie’s property is always maintained beautifully, as well as decorated for every holiday.

The newest SCCTC House Project.

Progress is being made on the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center (SCCTC) house project. Each day, two student crews from the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking and Electrical, Plumbing and Heating programs are working on the fourth house project. Students are currently working on drywall, spackling and will soon be painting. Construction started in September of 2014 and the project is scheduled to be completed during the current school year. The house, located along Hunsinger Road in Dimock Township, is 2100 sq. ft. with 3 bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms. It features a stone and vinyl exterior and a 2-car garage.

SCCTC Work-Site Coordinator Gary Fenton said, “The students are involved in every aspect of building the house. Our goal with each house has been to utilize a variety of construction skills.”

SCCTC students install vinyl siding on the fourth house project.

Upon completion, there will be an Open House and bids will be accepted from those interested in purchasing the home. Dr. Alice M. Davis, SCCTC Executive Director, said “I am so pleased with what the students have accomplished with this project, and I am excited for the public to see this beautiful home.”

Students from seven area high schools attend the SCCTC.  Sending schools include Blue Ridge, Elk Lake, Lackawanna Trail, Montrose Area, Mountain View, Susquehanna Community, and Tunkhannock Area High Schools. The programs are available to both high school students and adult learners.

The third Great Cupcake Debate was held on Sunday, November 6th, 2016 at the Susquehanna Community Elementary School. A total of 23 bakers, from both Adult and Junior Classes, competed in several award categories. Besides sending many from the community and beyond home with a "Sugar High" from sampling all of the delicious offerings, a total of $1100.00 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 an outstanding job of baking and setting up their artistic and colorful displays. Trying to figure out which ones to sample was, indeed, a sweet problem. Delicious looking (and tasting) cupcakes in such flavors as lemonade, candy canes/hot chocolate, orange creamsicle, pumpkin spice, black forest, ginger cream and many more tempted the crowd, while they admired the creativity of the displays. Participants’ imaginations brought forth such stunning works as a soda shoppe, rustic caramel apple trees, a group of super heroes, a popcorn stand and a striking tribute in cupcakes and backdrop display of our local Veterans’ Memorial and all Branches of our Military. When all of the ballots were tallied, beautiful trophies and Certificates of Recognition/Participation were awarded. Listed below are the winners in both Adult and Junior Categories--Congratulations to all! Many thanks are extended to all of the participants. Our Community will be looking forward to the Fourth Annual Great Cupcake Debate! Many thanks to the Susquehanna Community Elementary School for the venue, all of the kind and generous folks who helped in so many different ways, DJ John Ackley (“Good Tunz”), and our Sponsors.

The Winners of the "Great Cupcake Debate" were as follows:

Elementary Junior Bakers

Best Tasting- 1st Hannah Bednarz, 2nd Paytyn and Camryn Sellitto, 3rd Miles Crawford. Most Artistic- 1st Miles Crawford, 2nd Hannah Bednarz, 3rd Paytyn and Camryn Sellitto. Best Display- 1st Paytyn and Camryn Sellitto, 2nd Madison Butts, 3rd Miles Crawford.

Junior High School Bakers

Best Tasting- 1st Kelsey Treible, 2nd Destanee Rhinebeck, 3rd Meghan Kiernan. Most Artistic- 1st Kelsey Treible, 2nd Meghan Kiernan, 3rd Jordyn Glover, Meghan Decker, and Mackenzie Decker. Best Display- 1st Jordyn Glover, Meghan Decker, Mackenzie Decker, 2nd Kelsey Treible, 3rd Meghan Kiernan.

Adult Bakers

 Best Tasting- 1st Cindy Wayman, 2nd Rita Cicon, 3rd Melodie Hall. Most Artistic- 1st Kimberly Masterson, 2nd Erin Shelton, 3rd Melodie Hall. Best Display- 1st Kimberly Masterson, 2nd Erin Shelton, 3rd Melodie Hall.

Peoples Choice Awards

Elementary Junior Bakers- 1st Miles Crawford, 2nd Will Lawrence, 3rd Hannah Bednarz. High School Junior Bakers- 1st Jordyn Glover, Meghan Decker, Mackenzie Decker, 2nd Meghan Kiernan, 3rd Julia Schell. Adult Bakers- 1st Chrissy Vinsko, 2nd Kimberly Masterson, 3rd Melodie Hall.

Deadlines for our December 28th, and January 4, 2017 issues will need to be moved up to December 21 (for December 28 issue) and December 28 (for January 4 issue).

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