The Blue Ridge School Board’s workshop on January 29th spanned barely a half hour, close to a record.  But then, there wasn’t any soup this time.  Perhaps the highlight was the Board’s welcome to Dr. Patrick MacConnell, who returned after a hiatus of a couple months to fill out the term of Dean Lewis, who resigned at the business meeting two weeks before.

The Board continues to wrangle with the burgeoning cost of the digital sign proposed for the entrance to the campus.  Business Manager Brian Dolan said that the latest price will be around $48,000.  The District is soliciting proposals, and is considering a different vendor.  The original vendor had some trouble coming up with predictable costs.  The higher price is expected to reflect better performance by the vendor.

Board President Chris Lewis reported that Farnham & Associates, the contractor that has been advising the District on its water supply and wells since the failure last fall, estimates the cost of completely implementing a second well at about $15,000.

Mr. Dolan also reported that Quad3, the firm that is performing a comprehensive survey of the campus and preparing recommendations for future development, has been busy and showing progress.

Blue Ridge is considering expanding its athletic co-sponsorship with the Susquehanna Community School District for junior varsity and junior high sports.  Superintendent Matthew Button said that a lot of coordination still needs to take place with leagues and other matters.

Mr. Lewis listed some of the items expected to be on the business agenda a week hence.  The District’s accountants will report on their audit for the fiscal year that ended last June.  The new calendar for next year will come up for consideration, with school to begin the week before Labor Day.  Retirement incentive programs will be presented.  And the “nuisance” per-capita tax will be set aside once again.

The Board will also be taking a second look at budget proposals for next year.  Two weeks ago the Board adopted a resolution declaring its intention not to increase tax rates more than the state-defined “index” of 3.3%.  The measure allows the Board to adopt a budget without risking a vote by taxpayers in May.

The Blue Ridge School Board will meet next on Monday, February 5, 2018 at 7:00pm in the cafeteria in the Elementary School.  The Board will also take up the budget again.

The 29th Annual Susquehanna County Ag Day will be held on Friday, March 2nd at Elk Lake High School. The event will kick off at 10 am with 75 plus Ag vendors, educational workshops, health organizations, lunch, pie baking contest, pie auction, and delicious dairy products including milk, cheese, and ice cream. This event, which traditionally focused on dairy has become inclusive of agricultural enterprises over the last few years and all are welcome.

Lunch will be available for those interested. Lunch reservations are required by calling the Susquehanna County Extension office at 570-278-1158. Reservation deadline is Noon, Thursday, February 22nd.  Individuals making reservations can pay at the door for their lunch.

Some of last year's attendees

Penn State Extension is a modern, educational organization dedicated to delivering science-based information to people, businesses and communities. Penn State Extension offers several free classroom workshops at Ag Day including Pesticide Applicators 2 core and 2 category credit workshops with Penn State Extension Agronomy Educators Andrew Frankenfield and Dwane Miller. Dave Hartman Penn State Extension Livestock Educator will present “Wrangling More Days out of the Mid-Atlantic Grazing Season”. Susquehanna County Conservation District will present an Interseeder workshop.  Amber Denmon Penn State Extension Nutrition and Food Safety Educator will be presenting home food preservation.  Penn State Extension Forestry Educator Sarah Wurzbacher will be presenting on timely forestry issues. Penn State Extension Water Quality Educator Peter Wolfhurst will be presenting a Pond Workshop. Penn State Extension  Educators will be available all day to answer your questions.

Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County will be presenting classroom workshops on Rain Gardening, Spotted Lanternfly, Pollinators and Vegetable Gardening as well as  educational displays and much more. Have a gardening question? Ask our Master Gardeners who will be on hand that day to help you.

Susquehanna County Farm Bureau will also offer information on Poison Prevention and Farm Safety for Kids. There will be a lot of fun activities for kids.

Ag Day visitors are encouraged to take a stroll up “Health Alley” and visit a variety of health and community organizations who will be promoting their services and programs.

The Susquehanna County 4-H program will be showcasing clubs, projects and offering free activities for youth all day. Susquehanna County 4-Her’s and Penn State University students Callie Curley and Emily Supancik will be presenting 4-H Career Readiness that teaches resume writing and mock job interviews. 4-H is open to all youth from ages 5-18. To learn more about joining 4-H stop by the table. 4-H’s motto is to “Make The Best Better”.

Also, be sure to make at least one stop at the Dairy Promotion’s table and pick-up some free ice cream provided by Kool Cow Cabin Creamery and Manning Farm Dairy. The dairy promotions court will also be serving cheese and crackers. So join Dairy Princess Michayla Stahl, Alternate Dairy Princesses Vicki Clark and Dana Nunemacher and Dairy Ambassadors Alivia Hughes, Mary Catherine Chidester, Elizabeth Chidester and Kendra Brant and Dairy Maids Katelyn Farley, Courtney Marvin and Kaelynn Brant.

Ag Day’s ever popular Pie Contest and Auction will once again be held with all proceeds benefiting the Susquehanna County 4-H Dairy Program and Dairy Princess Promotion Program. Guidelines for the 2018 Ag Day Pie Contest are as follows: One pie per participant. There will be two divisions: adult and youth (under 18). Pie should be in a 9-inch aluminum pie plate. Pies must be entered by 11:00 a.m.; please bring them to the stage in the gym at Ag Day. The top six pies will be recognized and receive special recognition. Please pre-register for the contest by calling 570-278-1158. Anyone is eligible to enter, youth or adults, farm or non-farm folks.