“Our sincerest THANK YOU to EVERYONE who supported our most successful fundraiser ever,” said Sandy Wilmot, Director of the Clifford Township Historical Society (CTHS).  On Sunday, September 10th, amid a crowd of visitors enjoying an early Fall afternoon, Wilmot drew the winning tickets in the 50/50 raffle held by the CTHS.

“Donations were collected right up to the end, just prior to drawing the tickets,” Wilmot added.  “And the most amazing part is that $2,750 from several winning tickets has been graciously donated back to the Historical Society.  This support is so very much appreciated and will be put to good use!”

Proudly holding her first-place winning ticket, Linda Parlanti(rear, left) of Clifford Township, shares her excitement with Sandy Wilmot, CTHS Director ( rear, right) and (bottom, L-R) Ruth Knighton, CTHS Treasurer, and Gloria Suraci Bilotta, owner of Yarns Cider Mill.

Held inside the nearly 150-year old Yarns Cider Mill at Suraci Farm in Clifford Township, the raffle drawing was the culmination of an innovative ten-month long major fundraiser.  With hundreds of tickets sold at $50 apiece, “raising funds like this wasn’t an easy job, but our community of friends and families came through for us,” said Wilmot. “It’s exciting to know that our small group of volunteers can continue to move forward with many of our plans and programs to help keep local-area history alive.”

Founded in 2006, the CTHS has endeavored to collect, document, and preserve the wealth of historical information and memorabilia relating to the early settlement of Clifford and the surrounding area.  Throughout the years, the CTHS has established the Museum of Local History and its ever-growing indoor exhibits.  It restored and enhanced the Hoover School, is continually collecting artifacts for the year-old Agricultural Museum located on the picnic grounds of the township’s fire company, seasonally grows the efforts of the newer Children’s Garden, and is currently in the throes of renovating the Cider Mill to working order. 

“The community continues to give and help and support our program’s efforts,” Wilmot said.  “And these raffle funds have really helped us to continue matching the various grants made available to us through The Endless Mountain Heritage Region.  Funded by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, they made $12,000 available to us for this year and next.  Together with the funds raised through this raffle, prior grants, monetary donations, and the countless hours our handful of volunteers continually donates, we’re able to match grants dollar for dollar.”

To volunteer your time with the CTHS or make a donation to help fund its many projects, contact the group at 570-679-2723 or email peltz@nep.net.

The 3rd Annual Kelly Conklin Memorial Golf Tournament took place on August 19th, once again benefiting our local shelter, True Friends Animal Welfare Center.

The tournament raised an impressive $6,367.00 for True Friends, which will go directly to helping them replace old kennels with desperately needed new ones.  Bill and Lee Conklin said, “We are just so blessed to have the support of family, friends, and our community who year after year come together in honor of our beautiful daughter, Kelly.  She would be so proud of what we have done for the animals she loved so much.”

Pictured (L-R) are: Randy the dog, True Friend's Director, Dory Browning, Bill Conklin, Lee Conklin, True Friends Operational Assistant, Colleen Handy.

According to True Friends, within the past few years they have been able to renovate the original back shelter, built in the 1980’s which was in extremely bad shape.  The last step is replacing the old chain link kennels that have become so rusted and dangerous, with many not even safe enough to use.  Because of this, the shelter has had to sadly cut down on the amount of dogs they can take in.  The new kennels they are trying to raise the funds for will cost $60,000.00 and will be much more secure, easier to clean and more comfortable for the dogs.  Presently, thanks to The Conklin Family and other donors, True Friends has almost $10,000.00 for the new kennels.

“It has been a challenge trying to raise the funding for new kennels while at the same time having to focus on our operational expenses.  The Conklin’s have been so dedicated to helping us make this dream a reality and on behalf of our staff, volunteers, and animals, we are so incredibly grateful to them.” stated True Friends, Director, Dory Browning.

The kennels they are hoping for will have tempered glass doors with block siding, not only protecting the dogs, but also giving them a sound proof and healthier environment.

The Conklin’s hope is that more people will read this and be willing to help True Friends raise enough to finally be able to install the new kennels in Kelly’s memory.  If you would like to make a contribution to this fund, your donation can mailed to: True Friends, 16332 SR 706, Montrose, PA 18801.  Please note it is for the Kelly Conklin New Kennel Fund.  Your donation can also me made online at truefriendsawc.com.

On September 8, 2017 Marianne Juszczak of South Gibson celebrated her 94th birthday! Four generations are pictured above with Marianne (center) with her daughter, Aline Price (right), granddaughter, Lauren Ficarro (left), and great-granddaughter, Adelyn Ficarro who seemed to think this was a great idea!

Happy Birthday Marianne.

One of the latest initiatives of the Pennsylvania Beef Working Group (PA BPWG) is focusing on cattle producers who wish to improve their operations by fine-tuning their management of pastures and forages, along with improving animal performance through better supplementation and forage quality.

As the PA BPWG works to support all producers and cover all production methods in Pennsylvania’s beef industry, the organization has been researching what Pennsylvania producers could use to help continue to make their beef businesses viable and profitable.

The latest effort of the PA BPWG is a response based on needs identified from a statewide research endeavor that the group spearheaded, a large-scale survey in which nearly 800 Pennsylvania beef producers weighed in on what type of support and information would be helpful to their operation.

Consequently, the PA BPWG has put together, among other efforts, a new initiative that features a series of four events to help background cattle. The “Applied Beef Cattle Management Strategies” workshops feature pasture management, supplementation on pasture, marketing and economics of a grazing operation, and a pasture walk, among other important points.

Keynote speaker for the workshops will be Dr. Jess Williamson, Penn State Extension Forage Specialist. “Stored feeds account for the greatest expense on most livestock operations,” said Williamson. “The longer into the season cattle producers can graze, the lower their stored and harvested feed costs will be. “By improving pasture and grazing management, and perhaps by implementing a few new innovative management strategies, the grazing season can be prolonged and the need for stored and harvested feed can be reduced – increasing the overall profitability of the operation.”

The events, which mostly run from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., are free of charge; however, lunch or dinner will be provided so preregistration is requested.

The first event will be conducted Sept. 23 at the Haller Farm, Bellefonte. This event will last until 3:30 p.m. To register bcontact Elizabeth Egan at 814-865-2571 at EAE126@psu.edu.

Following that will be an event on Sept. 30, at the Annabelle Grazing Farm, Mayport. Contact Dustin Heeter at DDH7@psu.edu or call 724-837-1402 for further information and to register.

The next seminar is scheduled for Oct. 7 at Hepler Farm, Hallstead. Contact Jeanette Vannan with questions and to register at JAV17@PSU.EDU or call 570-265-2896.

Iams Farm - Log Cabin Fence, Amity, will host the Oct. 28 seminar. Register with Dustin Heeter at DDH7@psu.edu or call 724-837-1402 for further information.

The events are sponsored by the PA Beef Producers Working Group and hosted by Penn State Extension. The PA BPWG is a collaboration of Penn State Extension, PA Beef Council, Center for Beef Excellence, PA Cattlemen’s Association, the PA Department of Agriculture and various producers.

The James Frystak Beef farm consists of 70+ acres of hay and corn farm land, in Forest Lake Township. The Frystak family manages An Angus beef herd that currently consists of 81 cows and 75 calves. These beef cattle are marketed and sold locally. They rent an additional 260+ acres of hay land to feed their growing beef operation. James Frystak has been farming since he was a boy (40+ years ago) when he was growing up on his father, Walt’s Holstein dairy farm just down the road. Walt Frystak had his first farm conservation plan written back in 1984.

In 2009, Mr. Frystak started to work with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) District Conservationist (DC) Ain Welmon to see how NRCS might be able to help him and his farm. They worked together to develop a farm conservation plan which identified the natural resource concerns on the farm.  Jim was dealing with resource concerns (problems) such as an inefficient manure storage system, poor land uniformity and soil erosion. These resource concerns resulted in extra time spent in the field, trying to productively grow his crops (hay and corn).

The farm conservation plan addressed the problems and suggested solutions such as putting some of the land into the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), pasture management, rotational grazing, a relocated concrete barnyard (heavy use are protection) and a manure storage facility. Over the next 7 years, Mr. Frystak applied for Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) for CREP buffers, the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Growing Greener Program with the Susquehanna Conservation District (SCD). 

The CREP riparian buffers improved water quality in the streams and helped the environment.  The CREP provided technical (engineering) (NRCS) and financial (Farm Service agency – FSA) assistance to the Frystak’s to install watering facilities (water troughs), stream crossings and hi-tensile fence. The fence protected all ponds, streams and other sensitive areas from livestock. The installation of these soil and water conservation practices has made a huge difference in the beef cows weight gains and health. 

In 2011 Jim applied for Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) grazing and obtained a 5 year CSP contract. This contract covered such enhancement practices as wildlife friendly harvesting of hay to let wildlife flush and escape (ANM-10), cropland annual payment (CROP), pasture annual payments (PAST), locally grown and marketed farm products (ENRO5), intensively managed rotational grazing (PLT10) and non-chemical livestock pest control (WQL18).

In 2012, Jim Frystak was interested in continuing improvements to his farm and applied for Environmental Quality Enhancement Program (EQIP) funding. He was offered an EQIP contract then proceeded to work with NRCS DC Ain Welmon to develop the EQIP contract for technical and financial assistance. He completed his Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) that year. The implementation of his CNMP not only guided him to applying the right amount of nutrients (manure, lime and fertilizer) but included recommendations for a concreted barnyard area waste storage to store manure during the winter months when the cattle cannot be on pasture. 

In the summer of 2016 James’s Growing Greener application with the Susquehanna Conservation District for a roofed concreted barnyard and waste storage facility was funded.  Using technical assistance provided by NRCS and a private engineer, financial assistance from the Susquehanna Conservation District the 9000+ square foot Roofed Heavy Use Area Protection (concreted barnyard area) and Roofed Waste Storage Facility were installed during the autumn of 2016. The installed conservation practices are a great success.  This project has eliminated the need to spread manure when the ground is frozen and improved water quality.  Manure is spread when the pasture and crop plants are capable of fully using the nutrients.

James Frystak worked with the conservation partnership to protect the natural resources on his farm.  With the assistance of the Susquehanna Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service he was able to identify resource concerns on his farm, to develop and implement a conservation plan that addresses the concerns.  James has successfully been able to reduce soil erosion on the crop fields through the use of conservation crop rotations, no-till and cover crops.  He has also been able to conserve and better utilize nutrients on the farm through the implementation of the Roofed Heavy Use Area Protection and a Roofed Waste Storage Facility.  All of these practices have helped to keep clean water clean by eliminating the amount of sediment and nutrients in surface and ground water.

Mr. Frystak stated, “I could not be happier with the technical assistance I received from NRCS.  I would encourage anyone that wants to solve resource conservation concerns on their farm to contact their local NRCS office.”

Across the country, residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities along with family members, ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and others will honor the individual rights of long-term care residents by celebrating Residents’ Rights Month. Residents’ Rights Month is an annual event held in October by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (The Consumer Voice) to celebrate and focus on awareness of dignity, respect and the value of long-term care residents.

The theme for Residents' Rights Month 2017 is, "It’s All About Me: My Life, My Care, My Choices" with the goal of emphasizing the respect and dignity of every resident.

“We want to recognize residents’ rights to choose their own schedule and activities, communicate how and with whom they choose, be an active partner in directing their care, and be treated as an individual with unique wants and needs,” said Lori Smetanka, Executive Director of the Consumer Voice. 

The Nursing Home Reform Law, passed in 1987, guarantees nursing home residents their individual rights, including but not limited to: individualized care, respect, dignity, the right to visitation, the right to privacy, the right to complain, and the right to make independent choices. Residents who have made their home in other types of facilities such as licensed personal care homes, assisted living facilities and domiciliary care facilities. maintain their rights as U.S. Citizens. Residents’ Rights Month raises awareness about these rights and pays tribute to the unique contributions of long-term residents.

The National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has worked for more than 40 years to promote residents’ rights daily. More than 8,000 volunteers and 1,000 paid staff are advocates for residents in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico. Authorized under the Older Americans Act and administered by the Administration on Aging, the program also provides information on how to find a facility, conducts community education sessions, and supports residents, their families and the public with one-on-one consultation regarding long-term care.

On a state level, the Department of Aging contracts with the 52 Area Agencies on Aging which cover the 67 counties and provide Ombudsman services throughout the Commonwealth. Locally, the Ombudsman program is housed under the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Tioga Area Agency on Aging. The Ombudsman program is available to answer questions about resident rights and complaint investigation. The Ombudsman program gives presentations on Resident Rights, Psychosocial Needs and Staff Sensitivity Training. Ombudsman also conducts training to facility staff and residents through the Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents project. The PEER groups are trained to self advocate and empower their fellow residents to improve their quality of life and quality of care in long term care facilities.

For more information, please call the BSST Area Agency on Aging Ombudsman at 1(800) 982 – 4346.

The BSST AAA , Inc.,is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the United Way of Susquehanna County; the Lycoming County United Way; and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners.

Bench Warrants

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:00 a.m. on September 15, 2017: Ryan A. Aukema, Amanda C. Bedell, Tonya S. Birchard, Tina Dolan, Nathasha Everett, Jonathan Fathi, Vincent Gordon, Carol Hollister, Tara M. Humphry, Alicia S. Labbe, Jean M. Larson, Todd J. Layton, Charlie J. Legere, Bradley W. Megivern, Joshua K. Mess, Peggy J. Mills, Ralph J. Minnick, Timothy Murray, Nick Petersen, Marcus E. Spickerman, Tyrone M. Taylor, Justin S. Thompson, Renee A. Valentine, Charles Vanwinkle, Jr., Jeffrey Warner, William R. Wayman, Jr., Roderick R. Williams. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.

Deeds

Karl John Silfee Sr. to Leon Joe Jimmy LLC for $30,000.00 in Gibson Township.

Freestar Energy Group LLC to Appalachian Basin Minerals LP for $1.00 in Gibson Township.

Post Family Irrevocable Trust (by trustee) to Justin Lindsey for $1.00 in Dimock Township.

Alfred Hand III (estate) to Jean E. Ose, Abigail D. Mirarchi and Birginia H. Shaw for $1.00 in Dimock Township.

Quit Claim Deed: Terrance Mroz and Jennifer Mroz to George Dale Howell for $1.00 in Susquehanna 2W.

INT 48 Unit 40: Thomas L. Brooks and Jane B. Brooks to Bremer Hof Owners Inc for $100.00 in Herrick Township.

Geraldine Diane Hornberger to Frank J. Payne Jr. and Brenda L. Payne for $370,000.00 in Harford Township.

Colleen Gesford, Maureen Pierson, Kevin Pierson, Shelly Hohn, Charles M. Pierson (estate) Charles Pierson (trust) to Reed J. Shave and Shealynne L. Shave for $205,000.00 in Rush Township.

Confirmatory: Williams Field Services Company LLC to Williams Field Services Company LLC for $1.00 in Bridgewater Township.

FLC Resources LLC to Lisa Ann Loftis and Jeffrey Ralph Rutkowski for $5,403.50 in Forest City.

FLC Resources LLC to James Griffin and Barbie Griffin for $5,403.50 in Forest City.

Oil and Gas: Matthew McCalin (estate) to Kyonna McClain and Melissa Newton for $1.00 in Brooklyn Township.

Margaret M. Slick to John Logar and Maryann Logar for $5,000.00 in Thompson Township.

Caroline D. Cabot and Anne Van Renaselaer to Nicholas J. Palma Sr., Mary Jo Palma, Nicholas J. Palma Jr. and James M. Palma for $420,000.00 in Rush Township.

Up 4 Sale Property LLC to Zachary K. Guy and Bailey C. Reedy for $140,000.00 in Harford Township.

John J. Pompey, Barbara Pompey, Dominick G. Pompey, Judith A. Dominick, Edward M. Pompey and Marlene Pompey to Dominick G. Pompey and Judith A. Pompey for $1.00 in Springville Township.

Dale M. Wolfinger and Dale M. Wolfinger and Linda Wolfinger for $1.00 in Rush Township.

Warranty Deed: Lawrence Scartozzi (aka) Lawrence J. Scartozzi and Paula Scartozzia (aka) Paula J. Scartozzi to Lawrence J. Scartozzi Jr. (trustee) and James G. Scartozzi (trustee) for $1.00 in Dimock Township.

Robert Breuche (aka) Robert F. Breuche and Ethel Breuche (aka) Ethel L. Breuche to Robert F. Breuche (trust) and Ethel L. Breuche (trust) for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Robert Allen to Jeremiah R. Allen and Marianne M. T. Allen for $1.00 in Choconut Township.

Bruce G. Hogeboom and Patricia M. Hogebook to Karen M. Hogeboom Vonderharr and Michael Bruce Hogeboom for $1.00 in Liberty Township.

David K. Goff to Robert E. Wiseman for $150,000.00 in Harford Township.

Sean Frankovsky and Daniel Schaffer to Sean Frankovsky for $0.00 in Lathrop Township.

Karen Sue Russick, Max H. Russick Jr. (estate), Max H. Russick III, Matthew Russick and Makaya Williams to Karen Sue Russick, Max H. Russick III, Matthew Russick and Makaya Russick for $1.00 in Rush Township.

Stanley French and Sara L. French to Stefan Potter for $113,900.00 in Susquehanna.

James Leo Shimer to James Leo Shimer and Doreen Alice Shimer for $1.00 in Jackson Township.

Sean D. Veety (by atty) and Rebecca Veety (by atty) to Cartus Financial Corporation for $176,500.00 in Auburn Township. Ruth R. Cassidy and William Cassidy to Stanley A. Meheltx and Kimberly J. Meheltz for $79,500.00 in Ararat Township.

Gary R. Colwell Jr. and Pamela A. Colwell to Gary R. Colwell Jr. and Pamela A. Colwell for $1.00 in Great Bend Township.

Harold S. Davenport to Joshua Olivo for $16,500.00 in Harford Township.

Alberta Chamberlin (estate) to Carol Waltman for $153,700.00 in Silver Lake Township.

Virginia D. Ayres to Adam J. Bixby and Mareena Bixby for $85,500.00 in Susquehanna and Susquehanna 2W.

Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Robert W. Kochmer for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Scott Kochmer for $1.00 in Gibson Township.

Rachel Kochmer (estate) to William Owens and Machelle I. Owens for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Joseph Paul Kochmer Jr. and Diane Kochmer for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Gibson Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Lenox Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Gas, Oil and Mineral Deed: Rachel Kochmer (estate) to Rachel Kochmer (estate) for $1.00 in Clifford Township and Gibson Township.

Caroline D. Cabot and Anne Vanrensselaer to Michael Fissler for $123,520.00 in Rush Township.

Mountainview Trust (by trustee) to Jeffrey C. Conklin and Sara J. Conklin for $48,000.00 in Jackson Township.

Robert Devaney and Lisa Devaney to Jesse M. Grimm for $118,700.00 in Ararat Township.

Devon R. Wheaton and Sarah Rae E. Sisson for $138,000.00 in Montrose.

David Longacre and Gladys Longacre to Jan Longacre and Paula Longacre for $1.00 in Jackson Township.

Robert J. Cronauer and Kevins Kid LLC for $25,000.00 in Jessup Township.

Lorraine M. Reynolds to Kelly J. Hawkins for $108,000.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Christy Lynn to Nicholas M. Crippen for $130,000.00 in Hop Bottom Borough.

Donald R. Conning and Rosemary T. Conning to John Daryl Gregory for $52,000.00 in Silver Lake Township.

Ark Property Group LLC to HMA Group LLC for $92,500.00 in New Milford Borough.

Kyle L. Herbert and Courtney A. Herbert to Brian Scott Boughton and Nancy. Boughton for $270,000.00 in Jackson Township.

Petroski LLC to April Lynn Petroski for $5,000.00 in Harford Township.

Roy N. Vandenburgh (trust by trustee) and David Vandenburgh to Terry R. Vandenburgh and Arthur S. Vandenburgh for $1.00 in Forest Lake Township.

Charles P. Gibbons (estate), Brian Gibbons, Christine Gibbons, Joann P. Wood and Robert Wood to Benedict F. Diaz Jr. for $126,140.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Ann Marie Nebzydoski to Anne Marie Nebzydoski and Christopher J. Mikulak for $1.00 in Herrick Township.

Max H. Russick III, Matthew Russick and Makaya Russick to Karen Sue Russick for $1.00 in Rush Township.

James B. Bishop Jr. to Carla R. Spering for $102,650.00 in New Milford Township.

Kevin M. Millard to Kyle L. Herbert and Courtney A. Herbert for $205,000.00 in New Milford Township.

Neil D. Traver and Kathy A. Traver to Justin Landsiedel and Amanda Landsiedel for $347,625.00 in Auburn Township.

Allen Strawn and Philip S. Strawn for $1.00 in Montrose.

Lewis L. Sparks and Brenda Sparks to Roger L. Lewis and Jennifer A. Lewis for $105,000.00 in Oakland Borough.

Lanesboro Community Church (fka) First Presbyterian Congregation of Susquehanna to Roman Catholic Diocese of Scranton Pennsylvania for $32,500.00 in Susquehanna.

Rebecca E. Sprout to John L. Sprout for $10.00 in Bridgewater Township.

William O. Fuchs (estate) to Robert Fuchs for $1.00 in Susquehanna.

Michael A. McKinnon (by sheriff), Loyal T. Branch (estate by sheriff) and Charles Branch (estate by sheriff) to Wells Fargo Bank for $1,131.31 in Herrick Township.