The Beta Rho Chapter members of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) recently collected pasta and sauce to donate to the Summer Lunch Box (SLB) Program at the Grace Lutheran Church fellowship hall in Hop Bottom. The program provides five bi-weekly food distributions during the months of June, July, and August.  Most of the groceries are in the form of staple items for meal preparations.  Families in the Mountain View School District who receive free/reduced price meals during the school year are eligible for the SLB program. In 2016, 126 children were served in 46 families. Because there are no paid administrators in this grass roots efforts, 100% of the donations received go right back into the program. 

DKG is a professional honor society of key women educators in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Japan whose mission is to promote professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education. The local chapter includes members from Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming counties.

Beta Rho Chapter members April Jones Piasecki and Jeanette Saulo of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International (DKG) pack the generous donation of pasta and sauce in April’s car to be delivered.

With only a few weeks of school left across the county, now is the time to gather those school projects you have been saving all year for the Harford Fair and submit your entry blank. The school department at the Harford Fair exhibits up to 2,000 items from all age levels from pre-school to twelfth grade. It is an excellent way to exhibit children’s work. The fair is always the third full week of August and will be celebrated August 21-26th this year. Good news, premiums in the School Department have been increased this year.

Violet Holgate of South Abington proudly displays her blue ribbon winner in the School Department at the 2016 Harford Fair

Teachers can enter items from their classrooms, home schooled children can enter projects, and parents can individually enter items for their children. How do you do this? Go to the Harford Fair website www.harfordfair.com and click on School House at the top. The general rules will be displayed and then click on section and class for the listing of classes of items for each grade level. Once you have decided what items you are entering you can submit your entry blank electronically. Be sure to use the correct entry blank when submitting items and these, too, are available on the website. Teachers should use the Teacher Submitted Entry Form and parents or individuals should use the Individual Submitted Entry Form.

Important guidelines to consider when entering: 

There are some new classes in each grade level.

Class Project means one item which all of the class contributes to such as a class book, a mural, or poster.

Put the students’ names on the entry blank when submitting it so it can be displayed on the tags. Otherwise, only the teacher’s name appears on the tag.

Label all items on the back with student's name, teacher’s name, school, and class number it is entered in. In the event that a tag comes off, the school department will still be able to return the item.

July 1 is the deadline for submitting the entry form, to enter items in the Little Red Schoolhouse. Once you submit your entry blank, the tags for the items will be mailed to you (be sure to list the address you want them mailed to on the entry blank) or you can pick them up at the fair office.  Items in the school department must be brought to the fair between 9:00 AM and noon on Saturday, June 10th and/or Tuesday, July 11th. Co-superintendents Annette Brush and Jaimie Himka Mirabelli will be happy to help you if you have questions. Their contact information is also on the website if you have questions.

If you are a teacher submitting items, it is suggested that you let your students know and show them what you are sending before school is out. That is so helpful when students come to the fair and are looking for their work in the Little Red Schoolhouse.

The School Department is just one of the 23 departments which exhibits items during the fair. All department categories, rules, and entry blanks can be found on the fair website at www.harfordfair.com or in the premium book. 

Jordan

An angel desperately needed for sweet Jordan. True Friends is currently seeking a special person who is willing to care for our dear, sweet Jordan who has been diagnosed with mammary cancer. Surgery, unfortunately, is not an option as the cancer is very aggressive. We are looking for a kind, caring foster who will offer Jordan the love and comfort she will require to enjoy her valuable time to the fullest. This bubbly girl is a big, VERY friendly 3 year old sweetheart, a stunning Great Dane/ Mastiff mix who will win your heart with her constant need of receiving (and especially giving) affection. Jordan is still very active and has also has a big appetite. She does need to go the bathroom frequently and would do best with someone who is home a lot to get her out. Jordan seems to really like male dogs, but is unsure of females, small dogs, and cats.

If you feel you can make Jordan happy and fill her days with love then please come meet her at the shelter. The True Friends family and Jordan would be forever grateful for this priceless act of kindness.

Our shelter right now greatly needs our communities support in helping cats and dogs like Jordan. Please consider contributing what you can to our medical fund so we can continue caring for all the innocent animals who need us. We can’t continue caring for them without your help. Donations can be made on our website, truefriendsawc.com or mailed to us at 16332 SR 706 Montrose, PA 18801.  

If you are interested in learning more about True Friends, our team would appreciate the opportunity to give you a tour and show you what makes our local shelter so special. To set up an appointment please email us at petstruefriends@gmail.com or you can call or text #570-396-6011.

On May 5th the DES 4-H Club held their third meeting of the year, at the East Rush Church. Pledges and roll call were completed by Kiara Mooney. Kiara Mooney also read the secretary’s report.

Old business was discussed. Club fundraiser (Kettell’s Flowers), the flowers were delivered. The club needs to set a date and time for the QAM; anyone who needs can attend.

The New Business is that 4-H project books were given out. Lamb and goat tagging was on May 6th, in Harford. Lamb and goat tagging was from 8AM. to 9AM. Hog tagging was from 9AM to 12PM. The livestock clinic is on June 3rd, you must be registered by May 12th. The registration deadline for Dairy Camp is June 6th. Dairy Camp is on June 27th and June 28th. Dairy packets were passed out to Dairy Camp members. The District Dairy Show date has been set for August 14th, at the Wyoming County Fairgrounds; please add the date to your calendars. If you haven’t entered your projects you will have until June 1st.

The beautification spot theme for this year is, “Country Scenes and Blue Ribbon Dreams.” The club will be looking for donations of flowers.

Next month’s meeting is on June 4th at 6:30PM, at the East Rush Church. The Krupinski’s will do refreshment at the next meeting. Brooke Arnold, the president, adjourned the meeting.

Susquehanna County, PA (May 16, 2017)

The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. and the APPRISE program are looking for interested individuals to join our APPRISE team. You can help people sort through their healthcare issues and enjoy the rewarding benefit of having the opportunity to teach Medicare eligible beneficiaries how their insurance works, assisting with enrollments into Medicare savings programs, data entry, filing, etc. We enjoy helping them find money saving avenues for their health and prescription needs. If you are looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity, we welcome you to come and see how you can help. You can do as much or as little as your volunteered time allows.

The APPRISE program is a place where anyone who seeks help with their Medicare insurance can get clear and concise information and an unbiased review of topics that affect them.  In return, volunteers are able to help a Medicare beneficiary make informed decisions regarding their healthcare costs and coverage.

Recently commented, “Participating as a volunteer in the APPRISE program affords me the opportunity to be actively involved in my community. I can clearly see how the people who APPRISE serves are generally grateful for the help and guidance. It warms my heart to make a difference.”

For additional information on the APPRISE program or if you have questions regarding your own Medicare health insurance, please call the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. at 1-800-982-4346 (toll-free)

The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the United Way of Susquehanna County and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners. For additional information on Area Agency on Aging services, please call 1-800-982-4346.

Another alien pest is threatening our trees and is nearly upon us. It may already be in your backyard. This green jeweled insect from eastern Asia has the potential of devastating our Ash tree population. It can be compared to the chestnut blight that nearly wiped out the American Chestnut trees and has already destroyed millions of Ash trees and caused high economic impact to homeowners and municipalities. All in one class you will learn important facts, see what this pest looks like, and examine the damage it does before you react. Then watch Top Notch Tree Service perform a live demonstration on what measures can be taken to protect your trees. To register visit: Montrose Area Adult School www.montroseadultschool.org. Click the classes link. You can print out a registration form under the HOW TO REGISTER section. To see what classes are offered, click Nature and Country Living to see the Master Gardner classes. Simply mail the form to the Montrose Area Adult School. For more information or help registering call the Penn State Extension Office at 570-278-1158.

In addition to our program on the Emerald Ash Borer, Tmothy Latz will be presenting on other threats to Pennsylvania forests: Woolley Adelgid, Eastern Tent and Forest Tent Caterpillars, Asian Long Horned Beetle and the Spotted Lanternfly.

Some Susquehanna County residents are going hungry every day and a local group of volunteers are taking action to help them.

The Montrose Mobile Pantry will begin hosting a monthly free food distribution, from 3 to 5:30PM on four Fridays, beginning June 9 and continuing on July 14, Aug. 11 and Sept. 8 at the Montrose United Methodist Church, 526 Church St.

In partnership with the Weinberg Foundation, the group will offer at least 12 different food items at the distributions, organizers said.

The distributions are open to ALL Susquehanna County residents, but you must PRE-REGISTER by May 31 for the June 9 distribution. Call 571-214-2184. You will need to provide proof of county residency and the number of people in the household. You do not need proof of income.

You can also pre-register in person, from 3PM to 7PM May 17, May 24 and May 31 at the Open Door Cafe, a free community meal held every Wednesday, at Montrose United Methodist Church, 526 Church Street. You are also welcome to stay for a free meal.

At least one in five of Susquehanna County’s children are hungry every day and 5,000 of our residents,11.4%, experience food insecurity, said Rev. Doug Sivers, pastor of the Montrose U.M.C, and a volunteer with the group, which includes members of local churches, community groups and citizens.

According to the Weinberg Foundation, Susquehanna County residents pay $3.54 for each person. That is more than the state average, $2.88 or nationally, $2.89. Why? Because there aren’t enough grocery stores in the county to bring costs down.

The volunteer group expects to serve about 100 families. Most of them work, many of them hold more than one job, and all of them struggle to meet basic needs.

The initiative started in December when a local group of citizens from different churches and community groups began meeting informally to discuss the food needs of the county’s working, poor and their families.

The group is also seeking financial donations from local businesses, churches, community groups and individuals to supplement food from the Weinberg foundation by purchasing additional food staples.

Donations will also help fund a summer lunchbox program for children, which volunteers plan to offer in summer 2018. Families would get enough food for lunches for their children through the summer months.

The Montrose food giveaway will complement food distributions already in place with the Weinberg Foundation in Great Bend, Little Meadows and Lawton, as well as Trehab’s food pantry in South Montrose, local schools, churches and charities.