On Sunday, November 12th the Wolf Cubs of Den 3, Pack 81 went Scouting for Food in Lanesboro. About 150 pounds of canned and boxed food was gathered. It was delivered on November 16 to the Trehab Food Bank in Susquehanna.

Den leader Nicole Norton with the Wolf Cubs of Den 3, Pack 81 pictured left to right: Chad Benson, Jacob Arzouian, Victor Grover, Liam Albert,  Kai Thompson, Jackson Cuevas and Mitchell Lesser.

The beautiful fall weather provided a scenic backdrop for the Beta Rho Chapter members of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International to travel to Montrose for their fall meeting.  The lovely initiation ceremony conducted by Pat Carpenter’s membership committee preceded the business meeting.  Gail Cobb and Kathy Tuttle from Elk Lake School District and Faith Mountain Christian Academy respectively were initiated.  The lovely candlelight initiation ceremony was held at Dreyer Hal. The new initiates lit a red candle, signed the chapter register, and received their membership certificates and key pins.  Their sponsor presented them with a lovely single red rose, which symbolizes friendship, loyalty and helpfulness—the work of each for all.  The group sang “Symbols of Delta Kappa Gamma” and “The Delta Kappa Gamma Song.”.

Pictured left to right are: Peggy Walker, Faith Mountain teacher who escorted new initiate Kathy Tuttle and Gail Cobb who teaches in Elk Lake Elementary School with her escort Carol Davis.

The new members were warmly welcomed to the chapter after which chapter president, Dr. Nancy Simon, conducted the business meeting.  Items of business included reports on summer trips and new grandchildren.  The NE Regional Conference of the Society was held in Windsor, Ontario and Cindy Reynolds shared highlights of the conference.  She had two pieces of artwork accepted for the online Gallery of Arts and as a result participated in the workshop at the conference.  Becky Place reported on the 70th Birthday Celebration of Pi Chapter located in the northwestern part of the state which she attended with two other chapter members.  She explained the connection with the chapter which is the “grandmother” chapter of Beta Rho.  State president Barbara Gasperini and past international president Dr. Lyn Schmid made presentations at that gathering.  An update was shared on member Julie Griggs who has moved to Germany with her husband and together are serving as Resident Assistants to 18 teenage boys who are missionary kids at the Black Forest Academy.

Projects chapter members provide included the chapter’s donation of spaghetti sauce and pasta to the Summer Lunchbox Program in Hop Bottom helped 135 children in 53 families throughout the summer.  “Fill a Bag for Kids” for December was described by committee chair Pat Arnold.  Members are asked to bring a backpack or tote bag filled with suggested items for boys and girls of different ages to the December 2nd meeting.  The bags will be donated to the Women’s Resource Center to be given to children who must leave their homes suddenly without anything but the clothes on their backs.  Baskets of supplies will continue for the S.E.E. project, supporting early educators, and the Grant-in-Aid was presented to Amy Ruth May who is studying elementary education at Keystone College.

New items of business included the appointment of a committee to review the chapter’ standing rules and a committee to look into the new DKG Girl Scout Patch process.  Upcoming meetings included the next chapter meeting on December 2nd at St. Mark’s Parish Hall in New Milford; State Convention in State CollegeJune14-16, 2018, and the International Convention in Austin, Texas July 16-20, 2018, the home of the DKG Headquarters.

A touching tribute to member Elizabeth Reynolds was provided by Mary Ann Cunningham as a part of the Ceremony of Remembrance, conducted by the membership committee. A delicious dinner was then served in The Tea Room.

The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International is a professional honor society for women educators with more than 82, 000 members in seventeen different countries around the world.  The Society defines its mission as promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education.

The Beta Rho Chapter is one of sixty-three chapters in Pennsylvania whose members are key women educators in Bradford, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties.  The Society offers more leadership training opportunities for women educators than any other professional organization.  These include scholarships for both active and retired members, stipends for educational projects, and online courses for professional growth.

The PA Game Commission is seeking information regarding the illegal killing of a 10 point buck shot in the Susquehanna Borough area.

Anyone having information regarding this illegal act is asked to contact PA Game Commissioner Michael Webb at 570-675-1143

On November 15th, 2017 at approximately 5:00pm, Susan EDSALL contacted PSP Honesdale and reported her husband, James David EDSALL, age 46, missing.

James David EDSALL, Declared missing on November 15th, 2017

He was last seen on November 13th at approximately 5:30pm at his residence in Prompton.

PSP Honesdale Troopers checked multiple areas in the Bethany Borough, Prompton and Hamlin with negative results.

Edsall is entered as missing in the NCIC database. Edsall's truck is also missing; a maroon, Ford F250 with PA Registration YKP4225. If located, or if anyone has information please contact the State Police at Honesdale, 570-253-7126.

High school learning support teacher, Jamie Lee White and paraprofessional Veronica Thomas, received educational support grants from the Susquehanna Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees (PASR) at Mountain View School District board meeting on November 13. PASR Education Support Chairman, Ellen Holdredge and President, John Manchester made the presentation.

Because of budget cuts that school districts have experienced, a grant was created by PASR to make possible a program or activity that might not have been possible due to budget constraints. Due to the generosity of one of the chapter’s members, a second grant was made possible.  The funds were donated in memory of former Mt. View educators Hendrick Marr, Joan Peters, and Mary Ketterer.

Mrs. Veronica Thomas, a paraprofessional, has experience with visually impaired children through her own family. Currently, she is assigned to a visually impaired kindergarten student and feels there is a need to educate teachers as well as students so they understand, ”What it is like for the visually impaired student.” By educating teachers as well as students, a climate may be created where the visually impaired student can be more understood by teachers and accepted by classmates; thereby achieving educational success as well as friendships for the child. Mrs. Thomas plans to use the grant to help pay for a presentation by a vision therapist and for visual aids to go with the program.

Mrs. Jamie Lee White was awarded the second grant. She is an educator in the high school emotional support program. The grant will be used to purchase supplies for a tie dying activity. This hands on project will illustrate diversity, empathy, resilience, and the permanency of their words towards each other. Through this activity they will gain an understanding and skills that can translate to their daily interactions with others.

The Susquehanna Chapter of PASR is proud to support public education in Susquehanna County.

"Betty Parks Bell, formerly of Riverside Drive, Susquehanna observed her 90th birthday with family and friends on October 22., Her actual birthday was November 20th. Betty would be surprised and delighted to hear from her Susquehanna and surrounding area friends.

Her address is: Betty Bell, 2938 Douglas Road, Apt. 6B, Cortland, N.Y. 13045."

The PA DUI Association, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police and municipal law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, will be concentrating enforcement efforts on detecting and removing intoxicated drivers from the roadways. Law Enforcement will also be partnering with Buckle Up PA to remind drivers and passengers to wear their seat belts on every ride.

Thanksgiving has become one of the deadliest times of the year on America's roads because "Thanksgiving Eve," the Wednesday before the holiday, has become one of the year's biggest drinking days. Whether it's young people home from college or adults who know they have the next day off from work, Thanksgiving Eve has contributed to a rise in drunk driving deaths around the holiday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's statistics indicate that during the 2016 Thanksgiving holiday season there were a total of 3,962 crashes. The crashes occurred statewide and included the weekend before, during and after Thanksgiving.  These crashes resulted in 38 fatalities. A closer look at those statistics reveals that of the 3,962 crashes, 470 were impaired driver crashes that resulted in 15 fatalities.

"We can all make it to the table this Thanksgiving by joining together to make sure everyone is driving safe and sober," said C. Stephen Erni, Executive Director of the PA DUI Association.  "Simply put if every motorist drives sober or makes a plan to get home safely and buckles up every ride we create a safer driving experience for all motorists."

The Pennsylvania Driving Under the Influence (PA DUI) Association reminds all drivers that reaction times can be significantly reduced when under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs. Last minute reaction times may not be enough to stop a vehicle before causing a life-threatening crash. Alcohol or substance-impaired driving can be a lethal combination.

If you fail to heed this warning and you're apprehended driving impaired, your problems have just begun; you could face jail time, fines, loss of driver's license, towing fees, and other DUI expenses, totaling $10,000 on average. Although these consequences impact significantly on the offender and their family it can't compare to the heartache and devastation that results from the loss of a loved one.

Wearing a seat belt during this time of the year is equally important regardless if you are the driver or a passenger. A seat belt works in conjunction with passenger airbags and are proven time and time again to save lives. The law enforcement presence on Commonwealth roadways will be increased significantly due to the heavy traffic volume routinely seen over Thanksgiving. In addition to looking for speeding drivers, aggressive driving behaviors, seat belt usage will also be a focus of their efforts to reduce crashes and injuries as well as prevent fatalities.

The Pennsylvania DUI Association wishes everyone a happy, healthy Thanksgiving and reminds everyone to drive sober and buckle up.

The PA Agricultural Land Preservation Easement Purchase Program of Susquehanna County, which is administered by the Susquehanna County Conservation District, is having an open application period from November 15th 2017 to January 15th 2018. This program purchases conservation easements from landowners to help protect the farming heritage of Susquehanna County.

An agricultural conservation easement is a legal restriction on land development that limits the use of land to agricultural purposes. Applications are ranked according to soil quality, development potential, and farmland and clustering potential.  The highest ranking farm is considered for purchase first.  The farm is then appraised to determine the easement value.

Currently the PA Agricultural Land Preservation Program has purchased 6,226 acres in Susquehanna County and has paid over $9 million to 31 landowners for their easements.

When a program participant was asked about the program, Rebecca Place stated, “This is a wonderful program, it helped us pay off our mortgages and helped us keep this farm running.”

For more information contact: Christie Bedene at 570-278-4600 Ext: 3062 or visit at 88 Chenango St., Montrose, PA 18801.

Each year, Penn State Worthington Scranton honors an individual, group or organization from the local community who has shown a demonstrated commitment to diversity.

The PSWS Excellence in Diversity Award was created in 2015 by the PSWS Diversity Advisory Council to recognize and honor demonstrated commitment and outstanding efforts toward creating a diverse and inclusive community. PSWS will annually recognize one internal (PSWS) and one external community nominee(s) that meet the defined criteria. Nominees may be individuals, organizations, groups, or units.

To be nominated, a nominee must meet at least one of the following:

• Engage in meaningful diversity activities beyond one's responsibility in order to encourage excellence through inclusion in the PSWS community
  
  
• Demonstrate efforts that foster a more inclusive and equitable learning and work environment
  
  
• Show evidence of inclusive teaching and/or program development beyond responsibilities
  
  
• Conduct research and/or creative activity related to the experiences, realities, and/or contributions of persons from less-represented populations
  
  
• Demonstrate leadership in programming, training, or other experiences which serve to advance diversity and inclusion at PSWS or the surrounding community.

Individuals or organizations can self nominate or be nominated and must do so electronically by filling out the form located at: ws.psu.edu/form/excellence-diversity-nomination-form. The deadline for nominations is Monday, Dec. 4.

Recipients will be recognized at a special awards ceremony held at the campus in January, 2018. For more information about the awards and past celebrations, visit: ws.psu.edu/excellence-diversity.

The Senate today (November 14) approved Senate Bill 251, legislation introduced by Senator Randy Vulakovich that would allow Pennsylvania’s municipal police departments to use radar as a means of speed enforcement.   

“This measure is long overdue. Every state but Pennsylvania permits their local police to use radar for monitoring traffic speed.  In Pennsylvania, only the State Police are authorized to use radar,” said Senator Vulakovich, a former municipal police officer.  “We often talk about equipping our officers with the latest and best in technology; however, for some reason Pennsylvania has not yet provided its law enforcement officers with radar technology that has been around since World War II.  It is well past time we provide our officers with this speed enforcement mechanism.”

The bill sets the following conditions:

• Municipalities must pass an ordinance allowing the use of RADAR/LIDAR.
  
  
• Municipalities with RADAR/LIDAR must post signs indicating their use.
  
  
• Points will not be assigned if the speed recorded is less than 10 miles over the speed limit.
  
  
• Municipalities must test RADAR and LIDAR devices at least annually and they must be approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The measure is supported by the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association, the Pennsylvania Municipal League, the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, the Pennsylvania Association of Township Commissioners, the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors and the Pennsylvania State Mayors Association.

SB 251 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

There's a chill in the air and our sweet senior Freddie is in search of a warm welcoming lap to hibernate on for the long winter months ahead. Although he is quite the cuddle bug, Freddie also is an active fellow who will keep you entertained with his adorableness and affectionate ways. Sadly Freddie's owner passed away and he finds himself in need of another best friend who will love him for the wonderful kitty he is. Beautifully marked, up to date on vaccines, neutered, and Felv/Fiv negative, this friendly feline will bring even more joy to your holidays. At 12 years old, Freddie is still looking ahead to the future where every day is an adventure and there's still so much love to give and get. Won't you please come meet this handsome guy and see why he is a staff and volunteer favorite? You may just bring home a new best friend.

True Friends is presently hosting our “Warm Hearts, Happy Tails” Afghan Raffle. Tickets are on sale now and the drawing will be December 16th. Stop by our shelter for more information, and to see the many beautiful afghans lovingly made and donated by several of our dedicated supporters.