On May 26th at the Episcopal Church Hall in Montrose, Brooke Marvin passed on her reign to Michayla Stahl, who became the 2017-2018 Susquehanna County Dairy Princess.  Also crowned were Vicki Clark and Dana Nunemacher as Alternate Dairy Princesses.

Michayla is the daughter of John and Rachel Stahl and is completing her sophomore year at Montrose Area High School. Michayla gets her dairy background working at Castlemont Dairy Farm and being a 4-H dairy project member. Both Vicki and Dana attend Elk Lake High School, completing their sophomore years. Vicki, daughter of Charlie and Kim Clark, spends many hours helping on the family dairy farm. Dana, daughter of Dwight and Joan Nunemacher has completed two years serving as a Dairy Ambassador and is ready to continue another year of dairy promotion here in Susquehanna County as an Alternate Princess.

Michayla Stahl being crowned by Brooke Marvin

During her reign, Dairy Princess Michayla Stahl will fulfill her duties with the help of Dairy Maids Kaelynn Brant, Katelyn Farley and Courtney Marvin and Dairy Ambassadors Alivia Hughes, Mary Catherine Chidester, Kendra Brant, Elizabeth Chidester and the Alternate Princesses. This team of dairy promoters will be working together, educating both adults, young children and everyone in between about the importance of dairy products being part of their diet, as well as being advocates for Susquehanna County dairy farmers.

At the Pageant, the 2015 Dairy Princess, Taylor Sebring announced each member of Susquehanna County’s dairy court as they were escorted by a family member to take their place on stage. 2010 Dairy Princess, Olivia Mitchell Zawiski introduced each Dairy Maid, Dairy Ambassador and the Dairy Princess Candidates to step forward to make comments about the dairy industry and how they will be fulfilling their responsibilities.

Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion Team Members gather for the crowning of the Susquehanna County Dairy Princess and Alternate Dairy Princesses. Pictured (L-R) are: front-Kendra Brant, Celeste Clark, Katelyn Farley, Courtney Marvin, Kaelynn Brant; back-Emory Bewley, Elizabeth Chidester, Alivia Huges, Michayla Stahl, Vicki Clark, Dana Nunemacher, Mary Catherine Chidester, Brooke Marvin.

Olivia also introduced the judges, all former Susquehanna County Dairy Princesses, Kelly Diaz Young, Shana Mack Benedict and Amanda Zembrzycki Burns.

1980 Dairy Princess Betsy Arnold presented outgoing Princess Brooke Marvin with a scholarship award, as she will begin college in the fall at LeMoyne College. Betsy, a Susquehanna County Commissioner, thanked all of the girls for their dedication supporting dairy farmers. 

Princess Brooke Marvin commented on the over 400 dairy promotions she and members of the 2016/2017 dairy team did throughout her reign as Dairy Princess.

PA State Dairy Princess Halee Wasson and State Alternate Princess Katie Anderson, special guests at the Pageant, commented on the value of the dairy promotion program.

Scrapbook recognition awards were presented by 1996 Dairy Princess Julie Stalter Harvatine. Receiving Outstanding Scrapbook Awards were Brooke Marvin, Alivia Hughes, Courtney Marvin and Katelyn Farley.

Brooke gave an emotional farewell speech complementing the members of her court on the excellent job they did working with her during the past year and wished the new Dairy Princess Michayla Stahl, Alternate Princesses Dana Nunemacher and Vicki Clark and all of the Dairy Maids and Dairy Ambassadors on the Susquehanna County Dairy Promotion Court a banner year of promoting dairy.

After the crowning of the new Dairy Princess and Alternate Dairy Princesses by Princess Brooke Marvin, assisted by crown bearer Celeste Clark a reception to meet and congratulate Susquehanna County’s dairy promotion team took place.

For more information on the Susquehanna County Dairy Princess Program or to schedule an event, contact Evie Goff at 570-278-1212 or gofffarm@epix.net or our new Dairy Princess Michayla Stahl.

United Way of Susquehanna County and its Community Partners, Southwestern Energy Company and Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center, celebrate the Grand Opening of “Little Free Library”

Little Free Libraries are a growing global phenomenon. The small, front yard book exchanges number 36,000 around the world in 70 countries. Now, a new Little Free Library is available in Springville, PA.

United Way of Susquehanna County, along with its community partners, Southwestern Energy Company, Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center and the Boy Scouts of America, Baden-Powell Council has joined the movement to share books, bring people together and create communities of readers. A ribbon cutting ceremony for their Little Free Library, which is located at the Springville Fire Company (3866 St. Rt. 29, Springville, PA), was held on Wednesday, May 17th at 1PM. Thanks to the Springville Fire Company for allowing us to install the Little Free Library at their facility.

Pictured (l-r) are: front row- Brian Traver, Chris Maslyar, Kod Zantowski; middle row- Kim Merithew, United Way of Susquehanna County, Adam Kovalchick, Boy Scouts of America, Baden Powell Council, Alex Brown, Jared Kerchner, John Henry, Brian Kozloski, Tom Martin, Dr. Alice Davis and Bruce Castelli, Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center, Ron Howell, Springville Fire Department President; back row- Commissioner Alan Hall, Deegan Lee, Mike Narcavage, Jeff Bobich and Anthony Mauro, Southwestern Energy Company.

“Our Little Free Library doesn't just belong to us, it belongs to the whole community,” says Kim Merithew, Director of Corporate and Community Giving. This initiative aligns with our goal of helping children do well, focusing on programs that support academic readiness, mentorship, family stability and childhood wellness. “It's our hope that this Little Free Library will bring a little more joy, a little more connection and a whole lot more books to our community”, added Dr. Alice M. Davis, Executive Director, Susquehanna Country Career and Technology Center. “Southwestern Energy Company and its employees are excited to be a part of this community initiative” shared Mike Narcavage, Community Relations Manager.

One of the most successful ways to improve the reading achievement of children is to increase their access to books, especially at home (McGill-Franzen and Allington, 2009).  But according to the U.S. Department of Education, up to 61% of low-income families do not have any books for their kids at home.

Little Free Libraries play an essential role by providing 24/7 access to books and encouraging a love of reading in areas where books are scarce.

Anyone may contribute or take books. You can donate a book(s) by simply placing them in the Little Free Library book exchange near you. If you take a book (or two) from a Library, you do not need to return that exact book. However, in order to keep the Little Library full of good choices for the whole neighborhood, the next time you swing by the Library bring a few books to share. Little Free Library book exchanges function on the honor system; everyone contributes to ensure there are always quality books inside for both children and adults. This way, we all win!

In addition, informational pamphlets will be available to help connect the community to health and human service agencies serving Susquehanna County residents.

Special thanks are extended to the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Instructor, Bruce Castelli and his students, Tom Martin, Brian Kozloski, Brian Traver, Alex Brown and Griffin Bunnell, for their expert design and craftsmanship building each Little Free Library unit. Under Mr. Castelli's leadership, the students are learning lifelong, valuable life skills and have created a lasting community project for many, both young and old, to enjoy.

Additionally, the Boy Scouts have taken on the responsibility of stewardship for the units and the Scouts can earn community service hours towards rank advancement, says Adam Kovalchick, acting Program Director.

Special thanks to Southwestern Energy Company employees, Jeff Bobich and Anthony Mauro, for their help installing the unit.

There are plans for the installation of 2 more Little Free Library units in Susquehanna County in the coming months, says Ms. Merithew. Stay tuned for details.

Lily

Lilly is a such a precious little thing, peeking over the top of her bed. She is spayed, 6 years old, and very scared at the shelter. She could really use a comfortable, loving home. Lilly is not only beautiful, but very affectionate. If you are looking for a new kitty, please consider our Lilly. It would really mean everything to her.

June happens to be "National Cat Month" and in honor of all our fantastic feline friends, True Friends will be offering 50% off all our adult cat adoption fees throughout the month.  We are hoping this will help find all our sweet kitties the home they surely dream of!

All of us at True Friends are getting ready for Woofstock 2017, our 6th Year Anniversary, which is scheduled for Saturday, August 19th at Salt Springs Park.  We are presently searching for individual, family, and business sponsors for this great event.  Sponsor levels start at $25 and your sponsorship is crucial in helping us keep our shelter doors open.  If you are interested in becoming a contributor, please stop by the shelter, email us at petstruefriends@gmail.com, or give us a call at #570-396-6011. Every dollar matters to us and our animals in need.

Auburn Township: Linda Baker, William Burke, Marlene Ruth Kelley, Matthew L. Lord, Joyce Shafer, Terri Tyler.

Bridgewater Township: Charles Balbi.

Brooklyn Township: Cathleen Albert, Jason Bosco, Christine Esslinger.

Choconut Township: John Davis, Judith Hunter-Beck, Heather Barlow, John Flynn, Beth Miller, Diane Salak, Michael Tomanchek.

Dimock Township: Carol Bedford, Donald Watkins.

Forest Lake Township: Karen Boettger, Frederick Hayes.

Franklin Township: Janice Hall, Diana Roszel.

Gibson Township: John Richardson

Great Bend Borough: Kathy Stanton, Vincent Kruse, Lane Schaffer, Larry Spencer.

Great Bend Township: Vincent Kruse, Lane Schaffer, Larry Spencer.

Hallstead Borough: Mark Cushner, Diane Wilmarth.

Harford Township: Ellen Ahern, Jenefer Omalley.

Harmony Township: James Dellavalle

Jackson Township: Ruben Mudge.

Jessup Township: Janice Gavern, Eric Jerauld.

Lathrop Township: Eleanor Very.

Lenox Township: Robert Taylor JR.

Liberty Township: Barbara Barnhart, Rachel Bourzik, Edward Hartman, Nina McCullough.

Montrose Borough 2nd Ward: Mary Evans.

New Milford Borough: Nathan Calabro, James Carr, Stanton Carvin, Julie Callahan.

Oakland Borough: Margie Burman, Robert Oneill.

Rush Township: Harry Brown, Georgeanne Jud.

Silver Lake Township: Richard Ellis.

Susquehanna Borough 1st Ward: Terry Tadlock.

Thompson Township: Stacy Yoskowitz.

Union Dale Borough: James Montenegro: Clark Reeder.

The Penn State Master Gardeners in Susquehanna County have been busy building Educational Gardens in the greenway section of the Penn State Extension Office at 88 Chenango Street in Montrose. The project is part of the 2016-2017 Master Gardener trainee’s group project.

The series of gardens will include a keyhole garden with an underground compost system, straw bale gardens, raised table garden, pallet garden, cinderblock raised garden, lasagna garden, tunnel garden and a galvanized raised bed garden. The gardens will also feature a gardening shed complete with a living green roof as well as an area for 3 fruit trees.

Master Gardener trainees (L-R): Joe Matis, Ben Robinson, Louise Venturella, Beth Tingley

Raised bed gardens will be planted with various cover crops between plantings and over the winter to assist with erosion control and to increase nutrients for the following year’s crops. Raised beds will use drip irrigation, pressure regulators and timers in raised bed gardens for water conservation. Gardens will feature porous walkways which will include pavers that allows rainwater runoff to be absorbed into the ground which will cut down on erosion.

Another focus of these gardens are that they will be handicapped accessible and feature information on gardening for those with disabilities AND these gardens are open to the public! Master Gardeners will host educational garden programs for the community. Special thanks to the Susquehanna County Soil Conservation District for their support.

We invite you to see our progress and we are always looking for more hands to help. The gardens are expected to be completed by June 30th. For more information contact the Penn State Extension Office at 570.278.1158.