On July 14th, despite threatening weather, the Hometown Days’ Parade proceeded through town, led by its 2017 Grand Marshal, Norma Chacona. Mrs. Chacona is no stranger to the Tri-Boro Communities and beyond as she has owned and directed Creative Play Pre-School from 1983 until her retirement last year.

Norma and her Husband Chris live on Starrucca Creek Road, close to the site of her Pre-School, and are the proud Parents of two Sons, Jesse (Brooke) and Damien (Gaea) and equally proud grandparents of three grandsons, Alex, Evan and Niko.

 Congratulations, Norma and Thank-You for all you have done (Inspiration, Caring, Kindness, Encouragement, etc.) for the children (and their Parents) of our Community. As your award reads, “It Takes a Big Heart to Help Shape Little Minds” and we know your heart has been, and will continue to be HUGE!

On Friday, July 14th, many Fire Companies “Strutted their Stuff” in the 2017 Hometown Days’ Parade. The metallic Ribbon of Fire and Emergency Vehicles stretched a great distance, each waiting to turn on their sirens and lights and greet the gathering crowds along the parade route. Your presence captured the hearts of young and old alike. Thank-you for all that you do in rescuing the residents of your Communities and keeping them safe. Your hard work and dedication are very much appreciated. A special “Thank-you”  to all of the Fire Companies who participated, especially with some coming from quite a distance to join in the festivities.

Those who have received trophies are:Longest Distance Fire Co. - Hancock; Oldest Engine - Five Mile Point; Best Appearing Engine - Clifford Ladder; Best Appearing Ambulance - BK Medic; Best Appearing Brush Truck -Thompson Hose Co.; Judges' Trophy - Great Bend Fire.

The Harford Fair has always promoted activities for the youth of Susquehanna County.  Through the 4-H and the Scholarship Program as well as other events, the fair has encouraged youth to instill citizenship and volunteering.  After much research and discussion, the fair created the Harford Fair Youth Board.  Since then the members have learned much about the fair, its organization, and the amount of work involved.

Members of the Harford Agricultural Society’s Board of Directors have spoken at several Youth Board meetings to give them an idea of what they do to make the fair such a successful event.  In addition, the Youth Board has been involved in various projects at the fair including creating signage for the parking lots, painting the wagon that appears in parades, and helping to usher at the arena events.  At the parade on July 4th, the members distributed Harford Fair brochures to the crowds of people along the parade route in Montrose.

The Harford Fair Youth Board gathered at the Fourth of July Montrose Parade.  They had refreshed the wagon with a new coat of paint prior to the parade. Pictured (l-r) Pictured left to right are: seated Youth Board members Jolie Winemiller -25th Harford Fair Queen, Maggie Kowalewski, Laurren Whitney-2014 Harford Fair Queen, Austin Graham, Heidi Cross.  Standing Amanda Gawel, Brook Marvin, Laura Graytock, Jo Hricko.

This year the Youth Board will organize and provide Farmer for a Day during fair week, August 21st-26th.  Always a popular spot at the fair, children learn how to milk a cow, dig vegetables in a garden, collect eggs and enjoy a refreshing treat at the end. 

So plan to come to the Harford Fair and enjoy Family Fun for Everyone.  If you see a Youth Board member in a sky blue shirt, say “hello” and thank them for what they are doing for the fair.

Claude Bennett, Jessup Township, owns a farm with 100 beef cattle and 60 laying hens on over 250 acres of farmland plus 140 acres of rented hay land in Montrose.  Best management practices installed on the farm include a roofed barnyard, manure storage facility, and water control structures. They also use rotational grazing and fence off sensitive wetland areas.  The Susquehanna County Conservation District said, “All of these soil and water conservation practices have helped to keep clean water clean by reducing the amount of sediment and nutrients in surface and groundwater.”

Pictured (l-r) are: Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding, DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell, Mr. Bennett, PACD President Glenn Seidel, PACD Executive Director Brenda Shambaugh

The Clean Water Farm award was initiated in 1986. Recipients of the award are nominated by their local county conservation districts.  Financial support for this award is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection through the Chesapeake Bay Regulatory and Accountability Program and the Pennsylvania Chesapeake Bay Education Office (administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts, Inc.).

On Thursday, July 13th, the much-anticipated Susquehanna Idol Contest brought out many talented voices of our Community’s Youth.

Thank-you to all who participated, your voices lit up the night and made the Judges’ decisions difficult.

Here are the age categories and Winners:

5-8 year olds: 1st – Izabella McCrone; 2nd – Jaxson Williams.

9 to 13 year olds- 1st – Julia Schell; 2nd – Jordan Williams; 3rd – Adam Merwin; 4th – Devon Decker.

14 to 18 year olds: 1st – Kayleigh Smith; 2nd – Rachael Day;  3rd – Kailye Towner.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to: Michelle Zebrowski; Jessica Teribury.

Poultry Exhibits Allowed Again for 2017 Fairs after birds pass 30-day testing protocol prior to exhibiting.

Harrisburg, PA - For the second consecutive year following a one-year precautionary ban in 2015, poultry exhibits will again be part of Pennsylvania’s 109 county and community fairs in 2017, according to Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, who added that testing protocols remain in place for exhibitors prior to entering their birds.

“The confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Tennessee this spring were reminders that the threat of this virus is ever present, so we must remain vigilant,” said Redding. “Fortunately, Pennsylvania made it through another migration season with no detections of the disease—that’s in large part thanks to our aggressive surveillance work and the diligent planning and preparedness work of the industry and our partners. And while we want to continue to be cautious, ask everyone to be on the lookout, and practice good biosecurity measures, we felt comfortable allowing poultry to be part of this summer’s fairs.”

Redding noted that the state’s planning and response capabilities have been greatly improved with the benefit of past funding from Governor Tom Wolf and the General Assembly. In fiscal year 2015-16, the Governor identified $3.5 million that was placed into budgetary reserve specifically for high-path avian influenza, or HPAI. Last year, the Governor and General Assembly appropriated $2 million for HPAI response, which will carry over to the current fiscal year that began July 1.

State Veterinarian Dr. David Wolfgang noted that in order for exhibitors to enter their poultry into competition at fairs, they must first pass testing to ensure they are free of the disease.

“The threat of the HPAI virus is still very real,” Wolfgang said. “To keep the virus at bay, we have introduced a 30-day testing protocol for birds to participate in poultry exhibits at local fairs. In the past, poultry had to test negative for HPAI at least six months prior to the exhibit date. They must now test negative 30 days out from that exhibit date, or they will not be entered into competitions.”

HPAI, commonly known as “bird flu,” is caused by an influenza type-A virus. These viruses occur naturally in birds. Wild birds – such as ducks, swans and geese – can carry the virus, but usually do not exhibit symptoms.

The disease is very contagious and can make domesticated birds – including chickens, ducks, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and turkeys – very sick or even cause death. Approximately 49 million birds were killed when a lethal strain of HPAI spread throughout mid-western states in 2015.

Both the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization agree that there is no evidence that the North American strains can be transmitted to humans.

The commonwealth has taken a number of pre-emptive and precautionary steps to protect the state’s poultry industry since 2015, including two interstate quarantine orders in the summer of 2015 that impose testing requirements on birds and eggs from HPAI-infected states and that establish cleaning and disinfection requirements on vehicles, conveyances, containers and other materials that transport poultry and related products. Both orders remain in effect.

Earlier this year, the department recommended that poultry owners reduce or eliminate their flocks’ contact with wild waterfowl and feral birds by keeping poultry indoors, thus preventing exposure to migratory birds that could transmit HPAI. With the arrival of warmer summer temperatures, that guidance has been lifted.

While state emergency responders and animal health experts remain on high alert regarding HPAI, they also urge flock owners to remain vigilant, reiterating that the best protection against avian influenza is to practice sound biosecurity measures – whether on a commercial farm, in the wild, on a hobby farm, or in a backyard coop.

“We stress to producers that they should have plans in place to protect their poultry, and be prepared to respond if HPAI is detected in their flocks,” Redding added. “Every farm needs an HPAI flock plan, which outlines detailed measures to take in the event of an emergency. Everyone working with or around poultry must continue to follow the proper precautions to keep their flocks safe and healthy.”

Producers are also reminded of the importance of obtaining a premises identification number. Whether poultry is part of a diversified farm or kept as backyard pets, premises identification numbers provide the department with a way to locate and contact producers in the event HPAI is found within the state.

For more information on biosecurity and HPAI, visit agriculture.pa.gov and click on the links under “Avian Influenza” on the homepage.

Back-to-school season is a popular time to replace tablets, smartphones and other mobile devices. However, while you’re busy paying for books, student fees and other education-related expenses, tech costs don’t have to be a burden.

Today, refurbished devices and accessories can provide a quality, reliable alternative at often less than half of what it costs to buy a new device. Indeed, more consumers are coming to that conclusion. Demand for used smartphones is forecast to grow considerably, according to several industry analyst reports.

While there’s a lingering belief among many consumers that refurbished devices are those that were broken or have had problems, the truth is that many refurbished devices come from trade-in and upgrade programs. Through these programs, owners trade in a perfectly good device so that they can get a newer model.

Whether traded in or repaired, if you do consider purchasing a refurbished device, check out reliable sources such as MyWit.com, where all devices undergo an extensive 65-point inspection of cosmetics and performance to ensure full functionality. These tests verify that every possible function -- camera, audio, SIM, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. -- is in excellent working order, and only devices that score 100 percent on these tests are made available to purchase.

What’s more, purchasing refurbished devices is an eco-friendly alternative, keeping used devices from ending up in a landfill and reducing the demand for new devices.

Whether you are purchasing a device as a gift or for yourself, this back-to-school season, consider upgrading devices in a smart way that’s affordable and sustainable. (StatePoint)

The power of curb appeal should not be underestimated. A whopping 99 percent of National Association of Realtors members believe it’s important in attracting a buyer.

August is National Curb Appeal Month, and the perfect time for homeowners to make upgrades. Whether repairs enhance form, function or both, homeowners should select projects that will improve quality of life now, and add value when it comes time to sell.

PHOTO SOURCE: Photo Courtesy of Drees Homes

To take a “top down” approach, start with the roof. You can get 68.8 percent of your cost recouped from this investment when reselling a mid-ranged priced home, according to the “2017 Cost Versus Value Study” from Remodeling Magazine. Plus, it’s a big impact project with long-lasting value, especially if you choose low maintenance, high-quality materials. For example, the composite slate and shake roof offerings at DaVinci Roofscapes are durable and impact- and fire-resistant. To view colors or customize your own blend, visit www.davinciroofscapes.com/color/designer.

Don’t neglect garage doors. Styles, surface treatments, colors and other options can vary considerably, so be sure you’re boosting curb appeal when making this upgrade. For example, the American Tradition Series at Haas Door can give your home a carriage house look. Use HaasCreate, the online visualizer tool available at Haascreate.com to upload a photo of your home and compare options visually. Another reason to replace the garage door? It offers a 76.9 percent return on investment, according to the “Cost Versus Value” study.

Add aesthetic appeal from the street while making life more comfortable indoors. Consider installing acrylic block or decorative glass privacy windows in living spaces, bathrooms and hallways. For simple installation, consider Hy-Lite, which offers pre-framed, ready-to-install options, as well as the opportunity to retrofit some products to meet your specifications.

Boost beauty by adding shutters, along with decorative trim to doors and windows. Be sure products are moisture-, insect- and rot-resistant so they don’t prove to be more trouble than they’re worth. Low maintenance polyurethane options, such as the thousands of pieces available from Nu-Wood, replicate the look and feel of wood and are easy to install.

Don’t forget to evaluate any columns you may have on your porch or front of your home. To get long-term beauty and performance, use sturdy products that are structurally certified. For example, the sturdy posts from Woodtone RealPost are manufactured from premium selected Western SPF (spruce, pines and firs) and are warranted against warping, twisting and joint separation.

Accent walls are not just for interiors. Manufactured stone veneer siding can be an attractive way to boost curb appeal and add value to a home. Indeed, you can recoup an estimated 89.4 percent of the cost of this investment when reselling your home. Consider surrounding a chimney wall exterior, half wall or wainscot application. For an easy-to-install option, look at the mortarless styles and colors available by ClipStone.

Make the most of National Curb Appeal Month with a top-down approach that offers you beauty, better living and bang for your buck. (StatePoint)

Harrisburg, PA - The proliferation of usage-based insurance options, recent changes in driving behavior and more available transportation options are reasons Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller is urging Pennsylvania drivers to review their auto insurance and explore ways they may be able to pay less for the coverage they need.

“People working from home, cities establishing bikeways, and the availability of transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft, are reasons some people are driving less and why they may be able to get the coverage they need for less money,” Commissioner Miller said.

Commissioner Miller also noted that over time, families’ driving patterns change. A family member may retire and no longer be commuting to work, or may change jobs and work much closer to – or even from – home, or a dependent child may go off to college, leaving their vehicle at home.

“I would advise consumers to speak with their insurance professional about any household or driving habits that may have changed to see if and how their premiums could be reduced,” said Commissioner Miller.

Usage-based insurance (UBI) has recently emerged as an option in which drivers’ premiums depend in part on driving habits. UBI works by monitoring driving habits through an app or through a device that plugs into the vehicle. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the specific driving elements that are monitored include miles driven, time of day, where the vehicle is driven, rapid acceleration, hard breaking, hard cornering, and air bag deployment. After all of these elements are taken into consideration, drivers’ premiums could be lowered based on noted driving patterns. The NAIC provides a DriveCheck assessment on its webpage for consumers to gauge the likelihood of whether usage-based insurance may be beneficial.

“In Pennsylvania, if you opt into a UBI program, your rates cannot go up solely because of information gathered by a UBI device,” Commissioner Miller said.

However, consumers need to be aware that if they are currently receiving a discount on their auto insurance premiums because of opting into the UBI program, information gathered through a UBI-monitoring device could result in this discount being reduced or dropped. Rates can also rise for reasons unrelated to participating in a UBI program, such as the company’s filing for an overall rate level increase.

Commissioner Miller stressed consumers should discuss UBI thoroughly with their insurance professional before deciding whether to install a device, and that UBI is strictly voluntary on the part of the driver in Pennsylvania.

Whether usage-based insurance is right for you or not, Commissioner Miller noted that it is important to ask questions and talk to your insurance professional. There could be other discounts that apply to your current situation, including safe driver, good student, and driver’s education discounts, as well as options to bundle auto coverage with homeowners or renters insurance.

Did you know that, on average, elementary school children get eight to 12 colds or cases of the flu each school year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention? This school year, follow some healthy habits to avoid the back-to-school plague.

First, wash hands and other items that you touch, like cell phones or desks, frequently. Cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats; and school desks have been found to hold 400 times more bacteria than toilets.

Next, pick up school supplies that help fight germs, such as Easy Liner brand shelf liner with Clorox antimicrobial protection. The shelf liner features an antimicrobial additive to prevent the growth of odor-causing mold and mildew on the liner. Plus, it can be tossed in the wash for easy cleaning. Place it in areas of your home or classroom where school items are stored like floors, counters, desks and shelves. For more information, visit duckbrand.com.

Help stave off colds and flu all school year with great germ-fighting habits. (StatePoint)

There’s an exciting career revolution taking place for those who want to call their own shots, set their own schedules and control their destinies. Say hello to the “gig economy,” a booming new job market.

Nowadays more and more Americans are becoming a part of this employment shift. In fact, according to a CareerBuilder survey, 29 percent of workers have some sort of side hustle, especially millennials -- 44 percent of 25-34 year-olds and 39 percent of those between 18-24 report having a side gig. According to a Princeton University study, the percentage of workers engaged in alternative work arrangements rose from 10.7 percent in February 2005 to 15.8 percent in late 2015, while employment in traditional jobs rose by only 0.4 percent during the same period.

These days, being a freelancer, consultant or independent contractor might mean selling goods through a company like Arbonne or running a home-based business. Whether you’re a new graduate looking for a job, a retiree looking for extra cash, or a stay-at-home parent hoping to grow your nest egg, there are many advantages to becoming part of the gig economy. Here are a few ways to cash in.

What’s Your Worth?

When it comes to getting paid, many times you can call the shots, setting your own hours and rates. Explore resources like the Editorial Freelancers Association to learn the going rates for writing, editing, Web design and more. And if you’re working on something more technical that requires specialized knowledge, your work could be worth more; resources like BeeWits can help you calculate fair compensation online.

Know Your Numbers

Avoid additional tax assessments and penalties by reporting all income received on your tax return. Do your research and talk to a certified accountant to see if you’re eligible for deductions. Common deductible expenses include gas mileage, subscriptions, and tools, equipment or services used for business.

Purpose and Protection

With autonomy comes responsibility. Take special care of your independence and income by planning ahead. Many personal insurance policies don’t cover incidents that happen when you are being paid to do a job. However, there are options.

“Some insurance carriers offer special policies and endorsements that protect gig economy workers,” says Ann Zaprazny, senior vice president of Commercial Products, Erie Insurance. “We strongly advise gig economy workers to talk with their insurance agents about their specific needs and situations before taking on risk. Without such coverages, you could be on the hook for expenses if, for example, you get into a car accident on the way to pick up a passenger while driving for a ridesharing service, or are a victim of theft when your in-home stock of LuLaRoe inventory goes missing.”

Stash and Save

Four in 10 self-employed workers don’t have a retirement account, according to a survey from Small Business Majority. Opening an Individual 401(k), a Simple IRA or SEP IRA may be viable ways self-employed individuals can save for retirement. Even just stashing some money in your savings account monthly can go a long way. While it might be tempting to splurge now, the payout could be huge in the future.

Don’t work hard without also working smart. Get savvy so you can maximize your earnings and protect your extra income. (StatePoint)