On Nov. 27, 2016 the "Northeast Pirates" U10 soccer team, coached by Travis and Roxi MacDonald, placed 1st in the Thanksgiving Tournament at the Greater Binghamton Sports Complex. Congratulations to the team and the coaches!

Pictured (l-r) are: back row- Coach Roxi MacDonald, Tanner Holtsmaster, Timmy Roberts, Rylan Montgomery, Jacob Ficarro, Joel Tigue, Coach Travis MacDonald; front row- Jackson Gesford, Joshua Tigue, Julian MacDonald, Kylee Kozloski, Jason DeManicor.

My name is Dana Nunemacher and I am currently a Dairy Ambassador for Susquehanna County. This December I have taken on the task of investigating one of Santa Clause's key diet features: MILK. Every December 24th, millions of children leave out milk and cookies for the big man in the jolly red suit. Why milk? I decided to start my own research, instead of bothering Santa as he is VERY busy right now. I set out on my merry little way and discovered a few reasons behind why Santa may enjoy his milk.

Dairy Ambassador Dana Nunemacher

The first reason is because of the many essential nutrients that are included in it. These nutrients include phosphorus, niacin, riboflavin, B2, B12, calcium, protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and potassium.  Another reason why Santa may drink his milk is because it provides the strong bones he needs to carry his sack of gifts.  The final reason is to show his appreciation to the hard working farmers everywhere. Santa knows that farmers take no breaks. They wake up at the crack of dawn and do not come home until after dark in order to provide everyone across the world with milk. 

The world may never know exactly why Santa drinks his milk, but why do you drink milk? Is it because of its MOO-tastic taste, or maybe because milk is so essential not only to Santa but all of us across the world?

Happy Holidays from Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion!

The mission of The Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area is to “Serve The Children of Our Area”.

As we reflect on the blessings of Thanksgiving with our families, our thoughts also look forward to the Christmas holidays.  The joy of the Christmas Spirit is in sharing with loved ones and with those who are in need. Christmas is a special time of the year, especially for the children in our families.  How sad it would be if even one child in our midst did not experience the joy and excitement of opening gifts on Christmas.

One of the best ways to show that love and also serve those children during the Christmas season is to help a child enjoy the holiday with toys found under their Christmas tree.

The Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area wants to provide just such an opportunity to the people of Susquehanna County. For the past 36 years the Montrose Area Kiwanis Club has conducted their annual Christmas Toy Drive. Last year, over 750 children in our area were able to enjoy Christmas in a very special way because of the generosity of so many caring neighbors and organizations that contributed to the Toy Drive.  Over 3000 new toys were donated or purchased for the program. We expect to help at least 700 to 800 children again this year.

The Kiwanis Club is asking for the public’s help and support again this year in this worthwhile community service project. Donations of new toys only, in the $5 to $25 range,  are being solicited.   Cash donations are urgently requested  and gladly accepted so that we can purchase new toys in order to meet our goal of giving at least one or two new toys to each child.  Please forward cash contributions to the: Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area, PO Box 275, Montrose, PA 18801.  Donations can also be given to any Kiwanis member or to Ed DeWitt, 2016 Toy Drive Chairman.

 As we enter the Christmas shopping season please consider purchasing an extra toy or two and bring them to one of the drop-off sites.   Toys are being accepted now through Monday, Dec. 12, and may be dropped off at any of the following locations: Kost Tire, 555 Grow Ave., Montrose; Lee’s Radio Shack, Church Street, Montrose; The Montrose Country Club, 870 Lake Ave., Montrose.  For additional information, please contact the Montrose Kiwanis Club at 570-278-3537.

The Susquehanna County Christmas Bureau, a program affiliated with Interfaith of Susquehanna County and The Salvation Army, will coordinate the registration of recipients and distribution of the toys.  The guiding principal for Interfaith is “Caring People Reaching Others.” Christmas toys and food baskets will be given out on Thursday, Dec. 15 at the Montrose Bible Conference, Lake Ave., Montrose. The Kiwanis Club of Montrose Area invites everyone to participate in this annual service project.

Please help us make a Christmas dream come true for the needy children in our area.

Harrisburg, PA – On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced appointments to the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council, a 35-member body charged with making recommendations on regulations, licensure, financing or any other responsibilities of the departments and agencies that relate to the commonwealth’s long-term services and supports system.

Representative Lynda Schlegel Culver served as the prime sponsor of the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council Act, Act 64 of 2015, which was passed by the General Assembly as a replacement for the Intergovernmental Council on Long-Term Care in order to reflect today’s broader long-term care continuum. The council is intended to focus on several key areas of concentration, including regulatory review and access to quality care; community access and public education; long-term care service models and delivery; workforce; housing; and behavioral health issues of seniors over the age of 60. Chaired by Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne, the council is comprised of a diverse array of stakeholders, including long-term care consumers, advocates, caregivers, providers, and policymakers.

“Pennsylvania spends over $5 billion dollars annually on long-term services and supports that range from in-home services and supports to round-the-clock care provided by professional nurses and trained staff in licensed nursing facilities throughout the commonwealth,” said Secretary Osborne.  “Recognizing that our state faces multiple demographic challenges within our long-term services and supports system, the creation of the Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Council is quite timely as we look forward to working with its members to ensure that every Pennsylvanian, including our seniors and persons with physical disabilities, have access to quality care in the most appropriate setting for their particular needs.”

Charles Quinnan has been appointed to serve as the executive director of the council. A native of Lackawanna County, Quinnan most recently served as the legislative director for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Prior to that, he worked as the government relations director for the Pennsylvania Homecare Association and in various positions with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, including serving as the executive director of the Finance and Aging and Older Adult Services committees. Quinnan holds a bachelor’s degree in public policy from Penn State University.

“Each member of the council has experience with Pennsylvania’s long-term care system and brings both a unique and pivotal perspective to the table,” Quinnan said. “Their participation will be invaluable as the commonwealth continues to look for innovative approaches to living and aging well.”

Among the published list of 35 council members is Auburn Township resident Joyce T. McClay RNBSN. In a written statement regarding her appointment, McClay commented, “I am very honored to have been appointed to serve as a member of this Council, in the role of Nurse Representative. Having attended its first meeting in Harrisburg on November 30, I feel that the Council is committed to addressing the "real world" challenges of the Long Term Care Continuum in all geographic areas of the Commonwealth, present and future.”

The County Transcript offices will be closed Monday, December 26th and Monday, January 2nd in observance of Christmas and New Year痴 day.