Pennsylvania Milk Marketing Board Chair Luke Brubaker greeted Arden Tewksbury, Manager of Pro-Ag, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg, Pa on January 6, 2018.

The Penn State Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County held their annual Kick Off meeting on January 23rd. Many Master Gardener volunteers were honored for their 2017 accomplishments.  The event, held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church began with a delicious covered dish dinner and then moved into general meeting topics. Goals for 2018 were discussed and the evening ended with a lively white elephant gift exchange.

The Master Gardeners certificates and pins for the various categories for the 2017 season were:

Outstanding Master Gardener Trainees/New Master Gardeners Apprentices who have volunteered over 100 hours in their first year with the progam: Paul Kuntz, Helen Wasnowic, Louise Venturella, Janet DiGiambattista and Ben Robinson. Only 50 hours is required to complete their training.

The Energizer Bunny Award went to Maureen Hoover, who works tirelessly for the Master Gardener program.

The Poison Prevention Mr. Yuk Award went to Louise Guszick for taking this program over this past year and also to Cheryl Matulevich for her past service of organizing the Poison Prevention program for several years.

Excellence in Pruning Award: George Schreck and Jim Kessler.

Excellence Pollinator Gardening Award: Rosi Barnhart and Mary Ann Cunningham.

Master Gardeners with 100+ volunteer hours in one season: Bruce Baessler, Jim Kasten, Ginny Lewis.

100 volunteer hours: Paul Kuntz, Helen Wasnowic, Louise Venturella, Janet DiGiambattista, Ben Robinson, Amy Boot, Janet Gere, Pam Tilley, Cheryl Wilson.

500 volunteer hours: Rosi Barnhart, George Schreck, Maureen Hoover.

1000 volunteer hours: Master Gardener Coordinator- Lori Wallace.

5 years of service: Jim Kasten, George Schreck.

10 years of service: Mary Ann Cunningham, Rosi Barnhart, Shirley Krayeski.

15 years of service: Kim Grace, Catherine Hynes, Marilyn Race.

A special award of thanks went to Nancy Dooling for her years of service as the Harford Fair Master Gardener Chairperson.

For more information on the Penn State Master Gardener program of Susquehanna County contact the Penn State Extension Office at 570-666-9003; or email: susquehannamg@psu.edu; or check us out on Facebook: Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County.

Individual Award Winners (l-r) were: standing - Ginny Hollister Lewis, Janet DiGiambattista, Louise Venturella, Paul Kuntz, Ben Robinson, Bruce Baessler; sitting - Helen Wasnowic, Maureen Hoover

Volunteers with 100 hours (l-r) were: back row – Helen Wasnowic, Janet DiGiambattista, Louise Venturella, Paul Kuntz, Ben Robinson, Pam Tilley; front row - Amy Boot, Cheryl Wilson and Janet Gere

1000 hour award: Master Gardener Coordinator Lori Wallace

Excellence in Pruning: Jim Kessler and George Schreck

Poison Prevention award: Louise Guszick with Lori Wallace

Jude

What better way to chase away the January blues than to spend some quality time with your new best friend? Meet Jude, a sleek, shimmery specimen of a Lab/Boxer mix. Only 4 years old, neutered, UTD, and microchipped, this gorgeous, friendly, affectionate boy has a sweet disposition to go with his incredible good looks. Jude is also very housebroken and knows “sit and “shake”. Please be the one to let Jude into your heart so he can start to make it better. We're sure you won't regret it.

Ongoing severe winter weather has more than doubled the number of canceled American Red Cross blood drives and the resulting blood and platelet donation shortfall since earlier this month. The Red Cross now considers the situation critical and is reissuing an urgent call for blood and platelet donors.

More than 550 blood drives have been forced to cancel due to winter weather in January, causing over 16,500 blood and platelet donations to go uncollected through last week.In the New York-Penn Region, 15  blood drives have been forced to cancel due to winter weather this month, causing 326 donations to go uncollected. In addition, bitter cold and widespread flu have contributed to very low turnout at many blood drives.

“Blood and platelet donations are currently being distributed to hospitals faster than they are coming in,” said Patty Corvaia, communications manager of the New York-Penn Blood Services Region. “Donors are critically needed to restock the shelves for patients in their community as well as areas where donors are unable to give due to inclement weather.”

Every day, no matter the weather, the Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations to meet the needs of patients.

Make an appointment to give blood or platelets by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Local upcoming blood donation opportunities are:

Montrose – February 13, 11:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m., Montrose United Methodist Church, 90 Church Street; February 15, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., St Paul's Church, 276 Church Street; New Milford – February 25, 1:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1148  Main Street.

More than $403,000 in state gaming proceeds will benefit 33 fire and ambulance companies in the three-county region that comprises the 110th Legislative District, said Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna).

The grants are designed to help these companies better afford the critical life- and property-saving services they provide to local communities.

The funding comes from proceeds from slot machine gaming in Pennsylvania.

Grants totaling $41,744 were awarded to the following companies located in the 110th District in Susquehanna County.

Senator Lisa Baker, R-20th, announced that Field Representative Tom Yoniski will be available for consultation from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Susquehanna Depot Borough Building, 83 Erie Boulevard, Suite A, Susquehanna Depot.

He will also be available from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Forest City Borough Building, 535 Main St., Forest City and from 1-3 that same day at the Lenox Township Municipal Building, 2811 State Route 92, Kingsley.

While appointments are recommended, walk-ins are welcome.

Constituents are encouraged to visit with any questions or problems relating to state matters and no appointment is necessary though they can be scheduled. Concerns may also be addressed by visiting Senator Baker’s district office at 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Dallas, by visiting her website at www.senatorbaker.com or by calling (570) 675-3931.