Tucked away on Marcy Road, a side street of the village, the Springville Schoolhouse Art Studios occupies perhaps the largest structure in the small metropolis.  Something like an artists’ colony in a single building, it is one dream of James Penedos, who, in partnership with sculptor Charles (“Ty”) Welles, operates the place as a gallery and residence for up to about 8 artists and poets.  It is open to the public each year during the Susquehanna County Art Tour, on Columbus Day weekend.

The Schoolhouse

Erected about 1925 as a school – it still sports separate boys’ and girls’ entrances – the 2-story brick building with lofty ceilings and a full basement became a storage space for antiques when the Elk Lake School District was formed in 1957.  It was later the home of a glass-blowing school until Mr. Penedos purchased it about 15 years ago with his brother, who later relinquished his share to Mr. Welles.  Mr. Welles, a lawyer in Scranton who took up marble sculpture, as he says, to use the “other side of my brain,” also runs the AFA Gallery in that city.  The partners, together with a number of other regional artists, founded Artists For Art in 1988.

Mr. Penedos was born in a small town in northern Portugal 66 years ago.  His family immigrated to the United States when he was 9 years old, originally to Newark, New Jersey.  After two years in the Marine Corps, he moved with his own family to Colorado, but longed to be “off the grid” in a place with more green, and, with the help of his brother, found a farm in Susquehanna County where he could “homestead” and where he still lives.  He ran a gallery in Montrose in the early 1980’s.

Ty Welles (left) and James Penedos (right) and their works.

An outgoing man in a small, wiry frame with a lot of long, grey hair and an extravagant mustache, he contrasts sharply with his partner, Ty Welles, who is tall and craggy with a modest demeanor.  Mr. Penedos’s own works are large and small, paint thickly applied in muted colors and generally abstract, although some of his subjects are clearly recognizable, such as a portrait of Jehile Kirkhuff, a renowned old-time blind fiddler who lived in Lawton.

Asked what he foresees for the establishment – perhaps art classes – Mr. Penedos cringes.  “I resist it, I resist, but …” he says.  “I just want to paint.  It’s my passion.”  The studios are self-sustaining now, but Mr. Penedos himself has little interest in the business of the operation.

Mr. Penedos’s daughter, Kim Crofton who lives there, together with poet Craig Czury is trying to “build community,” managing the facility as an “artists’ retreat.”  Once the owner of the Summerhouse Grill in Montrose, Ms. Crofton is a smiling, welcoming woman with a head for business, in an artistic sort of way.  She and Mr. Czury organize a periodic “old school poetry series,” and Mr. Czury offers some poetry classes.

The Art Tour this year faced some competition from a big craft fair at Elk Mountain and a film series in Montrose featuring Richard Gere, so traffic at the Schoolhouse was light.  Many of the works on display were for sale, but merchandising is not the focus of the Springville Schoolhouse Art Studios, a unique feature of Susquehanna County culture.

Magisterial District Judge Jodi Ellis Cordner was again certified for service as a member of Pennsylvania's Unified Judicial System after successful completion recently of continuing legal education course work. Conducted by the Minor Judiciary Education Board (MJEB) and the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts (AOPC), the educational program for Magisterial District Judges is held in Harrisburg, P.A. The week-long instructional program is designed to ensure that Magisterial District Judges remain current in a variety of legal topics and management techniques required to fairly adjudicate cases and effectively supervise a district court office.

Included in this year's curriculum are updates on the Motor Vehicle Code, Setting Collateral Post-disposition-Default, Right to Counsel in Summary Cases, Rules of Criminal Procedure- Bail Forfeiture, Act 138 of 2016 Truancy Legislation, Legal Research, Civil Law Update- Co-Ops and Debt Collection, Homeowner's Association Law and Condominium Law, Landlord and Tenant Update, Ethics, Gang Awareness, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Language Access, MDJS Reports, Criminal Law Update, MDJS Update, Dog Law and Animal Cruelty, Crash (Accident) Reconstruction, Mental Health Update, Social Media and IT Security, Truancy Law, Depression: An Occupational Hazard of the Legal Profession and Bail and Strangulation Law.

Continuing education course work is required by statute of each of the more than 500 Pennsylvania Magisterial District Judges, with approximately 50 Magisterial District Judges attending one of 13 such classes during each academic year.

Magisterial District Judges represent the “grass roots” level of Pennsylvania's judicial system. In counties other than Philadelphia, Magisterial District Judges have jurisdiction over summary, criminal and motor vehicle cases; landlord/tenant matters; and other civil actions where the amount claimed does not exceed $12,000. Magisterial District Judges may also accept guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases of the third degree under certain circumstances. Magisterial District Judges also have jurisdiction to issue arrest and search warrants and to hold arraignments and preliminary hearings in criminal cases.

Established by Constitution, the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts provides support to Supreme Court in exercising its supervisory duties over each of the other state courts. The Minor Judiciary Education Board was established by legislative act to administer the continuing legal education program for Magisterial District Judges, Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division Hearing Officers and Philadelphia Arraignment Court Magistrates (formerly Bail Commissioners), as well as certifying course for Magisterial District Judges, Philadelphia Municipal Court Traffic Division Hearing Officers, Arraignment Court Magistrates and other initial jurisdiction court judges.

The PennDOT Office of Public-Private Partnerships (P3) has announced that it is accepting unsolicited proposals for transportation projects from the private sector, through October 31st.

The submission period applies to PennDOT-owned projects and infrastructure. During this period, the private sector can submit proposals offering innovative ways to deliver transportation projects across a variety of modes including roads, bridges, rail, aviation and ports. Proposals can also include more efficient models to manage existing transportation-related services and programs.

The private sector may also submit applications for non-PennDOT owned assets directly to the P3 board during this time. Transportation entities outside of the governor’s jurisdiction, such as transit authorities, may establish their own timelines or accept proposals year-round. Unsolicited proposals are being accepted through 11:59 p.m. on October 31st. Instructions on how to submit a project and information on the unsolicited proposal review process can be found on the state’s P3 website, www.P3forPA.com.

The state’s P3 law allows PennDOT and other transportation authorities and commissions to partner with private companies to participate in delivering, maintaining and financing transportation-related projects.

As part of the P3 law, the seven-member Public Private Transportation Partnership Board was appointed to examine and approve potential public-private transportation projects. If the board determines a state operation would be more cost-effectively administered by a private company, the company will be authorized to submit a proposal and enter into a contract to either completely or partially take over that operation for a defined period of time.

The next unsolicited proposal period will occur in April. To learn more about P3 in Pennsylvania, including active projects, visit www.P3forPA.gov

United Way of Susquehanna County, in partnership with Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance (PFSA), the state leader in child protection, hosted a free, face-to-face training for mandated reporters of child abuse in PA on September 27th at New Milford United Methodist Church, 69 Pratt St., New Milford, PA. Haven Evans, training director of PFSA, conducted the training. Seventeen individuals including local educators, health and human service agencies, community volunteers, and clergy participated in the training.

“United Way of Susquehanna County wants to ensure that everyone who has a responsibility for children in our community understands their role in protecting kids from abuse,” said Kim Merithew, director of Corporate and Community Giving, United Way of Susquehanna County. “The mandated reporter training we received from PFSA clearly identified what child abuse is and how we can report it to ChildLine in a timely, accurate, and comprehensive manner. Each of us has a role to play in protecting children.”

This training reviewed the elements of child abuse, including the legal definitions of a child, perpetrator, and categories and indicators of abuse. The training provided an overview of mandated reporting obligations, including how to make a report, protections for those who report, and the liability for failing to report. Participants received resources and reference materials to take with them after training. 

PFSA’s training, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse, is approved by the Departments of Human Services, Education and State. It is eligible for Act 48 credits and meets the requirements for required training under Act 126 and Act 31. This training is approved by PA Department of State to be able to assist all health-related licensees in meeting the requirements of Act 31. (3 CEs)

United Way of Susquehanna County and PFSA look forward to offering this training again in the future. To learn more about protecting children from PFSA, please visit www.pa-fsa.org or call 800-448-4906.

If you have walked by Drinker Creek Park, or strolled down Main Street, you will have noticed the Memorial Bricks circling the trees as well as lining the walkway on Exchange Street.

A fund drive, sponsored by the Susquehanna Community Development Association, is underway and now is your opportunity to memorialize or honor loved ones, school classes, bring recognition to past and present businesses and their owners, as well as Erie Railroad Employees, anniversaries, weddings, births or members of your own family. The bricks will be inscribed with your message for $35.00 each and the corner stones have room for your special information for $75.00. Both the corner stones and bricks will be laid within the walkway at Drink Creek Park. If you would like more information, you can call S.C.D.A. voicemail (570-853-4729) and leave your name and number. Your call will be returned and we will follow up with a brick or corner stone application for you to fill out.

You may also e-mail John Sholtiss, Chairman for this project at: dar@epix.net.

Every year beginning October 15 and ending December 7 the Annual Medicare Open Enrollment period (AOEP) takes place. The coverage and costs of Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare health plans, known as Advantage Plans, can change from year to year, and this is an opportunity for Medicare beneficiaries to review any changes, and choose the coverage that will best suit their needs.

The APPRISE program, Pennsylvania’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program, has counselors available to Medicare beneficiaries for assistance with plan comparisons, helping to ensure individuals’ insurance and prescription drug plan needs will be met in in the coming year.

During the AOEP, the APPRISE program will be holding open enrollment events. Appointments at these events are free, confidential, unbiased, and open to all Medicare beneficiaries. Appointments are necessary to attend, and can be made by calling 1-800-634-3746.

Events will be held at the Susquehanna County Area Agency on Aging, Inc. office at 157 Spruce Street, Suite 1 in Montrose on November 1, November 13, and November 29 from 9:00am to 3:00pm.

Additional dates and appointment times are available. For more information or to schedule an appointment for a plan review, please call your local B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. office at 1-800-634-3746.

The APPRISE program and the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. are 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.

Jenny

Sometimes, especially for animals, the world can be such a cold, cruel place. As for sweet little Jenny, thank goodness her view of the world has changed for the better thanks to a good samaritan and the caring staff and volunteers at True Friends. Hard to understand why anyone would want to harm this adorable little girl, but someone thought it was a good idea to leave this helpless soul in a sealed box in the hot sun on the side of the road to die. Jenny's fate would not have been a good one if an angel hadn't come along to rescue her from this torturous situation.

We can only guess what this pup's life was like before she felt the kindness and love of those who care. More than likely kept as a breeding dog, loaded with fleas, neglected, and then discarded like trash when there was no longer a use for her. It is our promise to wipe away all the horrible memories Jenny has and to give her a bright future where love and kindness will be all she experiences. About 7 years old, Jenny is as sweet as she is adorable and would make a wonderful companion. Please come in and meet her. One look at her little face and you will see why True Friends must always be here for the innocent animals who have suffered so. If you can't adopt Jenny or any of her friends, please consider making a donation to help with the cost of their care. Alone we simply can’t help them all, but together, with your help, we can make it a better place for more of our local animals in desperate in need.