U.S. Air Force Airman Joshua Grudier (pictured above) graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training also earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Grudier is the son of Steven and Christi Grudier of Browndale, Pa.

He is a 2017 graduate of Forest City Regional High School, Forest City, Pa.

Amelia

This exquisitely elegant little lady is Amelia, a 5yr old, spayed girl who gets along with other cats. Cool as a cucumber, our green eyed beauty has surprisingly been at True Friends since over 6 months.  Extremely calm and affectionate, Amelia is sure to warm your heart on a cold winter's day. Please stop in and meet her and take home one of the sweetest felines you will find.

If you do stop in you may be fortunate enough  to also meet our "cat lady”, Linda Lee. A devoted volunteer for  many years who brightens up the lives of our resident kitties, Linda  is a huge asset to our shelter. We at True Friends are forever grateful for her hard work, patience, and dedication. A great big Thank You to this amazing lady for all you do!

True Friends is honored and thrilled to be a part of Shadowbrook Resort’s Annual Beeriest in Tunkhannock, PA this Saturday from 1 - 5 PM  Tickets are $25 each and a portion of their proceeds will be going to our shelter.  We hope to see you there!

The Susquehanna County Conservation District (SCCD) will be holding its annual Heavy Equipment Contractors Workshop on March 22, 2018 at the Montrose Bible Conference’s Dreyer Hall; 218 Locust Street in Montrose. The workshop begins with check in at 7:30, followed by breakfast and will conclude at noon.

Dean Auchenbach DEP Central Office, speaks on Chapter 102 general updates.

There are a great group of speakers and topics this year. The Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads will be giving a presentation on New Products and Techniques, Walt Buckman with the PA Fish Commission is going to talk about pollution prevention, John Chibirka with NRCS is presenting on Soils Limitations and the Web Soil Survey, and Maria White with PA One Call is going to speak on Prudent Digging.

The District hopes all heavy equipment contractors will be able to attend this informative workshop. Registration is due by March 8th, 2018. For more information please contact the District at 570-278-4600 ext. 3054 or go to our website at https://www.suscondistrict.org/contractorsworkshop.html.

On Friday, February 2, 2018, Susquehanna County Jr. Holstein Club members traveled to Lancaster, PA to the PA Jr. Holstein Convention.  Susquehanna County had four junior and two senior teams compete in the dairy quiz bowl contest.  Junior members were Emory and Gavin Bewley, Autumn Bonavita, Ian Briechle, Celeste Clark, Aiden, Alex, and Chelsea Empet, Katelyn Farley, Abby and Josh Keeney, Andrew Kowalewski, and Amanda and Olivia Voll. The seniors members were Kyle Bonavita, Sabrina and Vicki Clark, Taylor Sebring, Michayla Stahl, Emily Supancik, and Allana Warner. The coaches were Michelle Kowalewski, Dr. Michael Kowalewski, and Heidi Stephens-Pavelski.

Pictured (l-r) are: first row - Abby Kenney, Aiden Empet, Celeste Clark, Autumn Bonavita; second row - Alex Empet, Josh Keeney, Andrew Kowalewski, Gavin Bewley, Ian Briechle, Katelyn Farley, Chelsea Empet; third row - Kyle Bonavita, Olivia Voll, Emily Supancik, Allana Warner, Vicki Clark, Sabrina Clark, Amanda Voll, Michayla Stahl, Emory Bewley, Taylor Sebring.

Some of the members also entered the art, folding display, and photo contests. Vicki Clark, who had painted a picture of a calf face, won first place in the senior division of the art contest.

Gavin Bewley was recognized as a finalist in the Distinguished Junior Member contest.

Members were recognized at the Jr. All PA Awards Banquet for their outstanding Holstein dairy animals during the 2017 show season. Ian Briechle was recognized for his Jr. All PA Spring Calf. Emory Bewley received awards for her Honorable Mention Jr. All PA Fall Calf and Honorable Mention Jr. All PA Senior Three Year Old Cow. Gavin Bewley was recognized for showing the Jr. All PA Fall Yearling in Milk.

All in all the convention was very fun from competing in the dairy bowl contest to relaxing in the pool and dancing Saturday night. Members are looking forward to competing next year.

The Forest City Area Historical Society is pleased to announce a “Lenten Concert” by the Catholic Choral Society Sunday, March 18th at 3:00 P.M. at the Historical Society Museum, 629 Main Street, Forest City, Pa. (In the event of snow, the concert will be held on March 20th).

The Catholic Choral Society during a practice for the Lenten Concert.

The group originally started in the 1920’s, was reorganized in 1949 and has been performing ever since. Marking its 69th season, the Catholic Choral Society currently has 60 members who will perform inspirational music in the Lenten tradition as well as secular music and spirituals.

In its tradition of both ecumenical diversity and multigenerational singers,the group will host the Forest City High School Chamber Choir directed by Alison Yuravich.

The Catholic Choral Society musical director is Ann Manganiello and its accompanist is Jean Shields. The Co-Presidents of the group are Dr. Thomas Rittenhouse and Brenda Grunza. The 60 member group is composed of singers and musicians from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties.

Admission to the concert is $5.00 for adults, children under 12 are free.  The Forest City Area Historical Society is Handicapped Accessible.

The Forest City Area Historical Society can be contacted at 570-785-3800.  The Catholic Choral Society can be contacted at 570-575-1040.

On Saturday, February 3, 2018 members of the Susquehanna branch of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), the Wilson F. Moore chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) of NE Pa. and volunteers worked to daylight an overgrown pear orchard. five men from the wildlife organizations worked in partnership with four members of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) on this year’s habitat improvement. The project work area was on State Game Lands (SGL) 219 in Northeast Bradford County near Little Meadows, Pa., along the New York state border.

This was the 8th consecutive year that the PGC, volunteers and the volunteer groups have worked on wildlife habitat improvement on this state-owned land. Phil Kasper, PGC Land Management Supervisor for many SGL’s in Bradford, Susquehanna and Wayne counties, noted “… over the past 8 years these groups have helped to create more than 18 acres of improved habitat on this SGL with their winter working field days. This year’s efforts daylighted (opened areas around the fruit trees) an additional 5 acres. The daylighting of the apple, fruit and nut trees means that ash, maple and other trees that had invaded the old apple and pear orchards were cut down. Many of the apple and nut tree plantings were originally planted back in the 1960’s.”

Pictured above (l-r) are: George Nichols - President of the Ruffed Grouse Society NE Pa., Robert Harris - volunteer, John Wazneski - volunteer, Aaron Baysore PGC Land management Crew, Bob Wagner (kneeling) - Secretary of the Susquehanna QDMA & Board member Wilson F. Moore Memorial chapter of the NWTF, Phil Kasper - PGC SGL Land Management Supervisor, Darren Pettyjohn - Land Management Crew Foreman, Chad Barclay  - PGC Forester. Taking the picture was Matt Sellers Susquehanna Branch QDMA Board member.

QDMA Board of Director member Matt Sellers noted “This year it was 3 degrees when we started work with no wind however as the morning went along the wind did blow and snow squalls came through. It warmed up into the low 20’s.” Mr. Sellers explained “This wildlife habitat improvement work benefits woodland birds such as grouse, woodcock and song birds. We also see tracks of rabbits, coyotes, fox, of course the wild turkey and whitetail deer plus nongame species. It is also improving the forest areas and the wildlife lands by bringing the food back down to the ground to the 1’ to 3’ level as the growth of brush and the young successional forest starts up once again.”

John Wazenski of Maine, NY noted “I hunt this SGL quite a bit for grouse. I had seen the notices in the newspapers and decided that I would come on out to these working field days and give something back to the wildlife. After last year’s working field day I returned in the late summer and the daylighting work that we had one around the pear trees showed a great success. The pear trees were loaded with pears.”

These wildlife organizations have not only contributed volunteer labor, but they also provide seed (clover, chicory, oats, soybeans and corn), lime, fertilizer and financial support for new tools and equipment to the PGC for other wildlife food and cover projects on State Game Lands throughout the northeast part of Pennsylvania.

Following is the list of names drawn to serve as Petit and Traverse jurors for March to appear in the Court of Common Pleas, Susquehanna County Courthouse (large Courtroom), Montrose, PA, on the 12th day of March, 2018, at nine o’clock a.m. (9:00 a.m.).

48 Allen Jr., William                                                             New Milford Twp
11 Anderson Jr., Robert D.                                                    Silver Lake Twp
96 Anderson, Cody Rae                                                        Auburn Twp
24 Atherholt Sr., David Paul                                                  Hop Bottom Boro
72 Austin Jr., Raymond B.                                                    Great Bend Twp
33 Bendock, Bryan                                                              Franklin Twp
26 Bennett, Jennifer Ann                                                      Forest Lake Twp
95 Bloxham, Alicia                                                              Union Dale Boro
20 Cantone, Tonya Jo                                                          Montrose Boro
85 Carlin, David A.                                                               Auburn Twp
64 Catlin, Rexford Orr                                                          Montrose Boro
55 Consla, Macy Ann.                                                         New Milford Twp
84 Coyle, Stephen                                                              Little Meadows Boro
100 Cramer, Amanda L.                                                       New Milford Boro
68 Davis, Jason Matthew                                                     Susquehanna Boro
73 Drann, John Piller.                                                          New Milford Twp
39 English, John Michael                                                     Liberty Twp
67 Ficarro, Michael J                                                                      
98 Fuller, Donald G                                                              Auburn Twp
14 Gilleran, James                                                               Thompson Twp
51 Gorick, Christopher                                                         Great Bend Twp
12 Graham, Beverly                                                             Jessup Twp
15 Hazlett, Gregory G.                                                         Liberty Twp
75 Henry, John A                                                                 Montrose Boro
90 Iveson, Robert Cook                                                        Susquehanna Boro
60 Kingdon, Darlene Ann                                                      Middletown Twp
30 Kipar, Ryan Jay                                                               Rush Twp
50 Mallery, Stacy L.                                                            Susquehanna Boro
25 Mccullough, Matthew H                                                   Auburn Twp
45 Megivern, Joseph C.                                                        Harford Twp
8 Miller, Randy Clair                                                             Dimock Twp
9 Nash, Michael J                                                                Liberty Twp
56 Ort, Gloria Eloisa                                                            Clifford Twp
99 Perini Jr., Robert J.                                                          Harford Twp
59 Peterka, Aaron B                                                             Clifford Twp
57 Phillips, Joseph                                                               New Milford Boro
10 Purtell, Cheryl W                                                             Little Meadows Boro
88 Richardson, Laverne F.                                                     Susquehanna Boro
52 Roe, Bonnie L                                                                  Oakland Twp
29 Roman, Amanda.                                                             New Milford Twp
41 Roney, Joseph                                                                 Ararat Twp
37 Rosato-Crayton, Lisa Marie                                              Bridgewater Twp
102 Saylor, David James                                                       Springville Twp
80 Schaffer, Lisa G                                                               New Milford Twp
61 Scott, Holly Ruth                                                             New Milford Boro
94 Sheare, Gerard M                                                            Middletown Twp
43 Sheridan, Carl J                                                                Ararat Twp
19 Shelp, Amy                                                                     Susquehanna Boro
46 Sickler, Gilbert R                                                             Springville Twp
3 Slick, Reyna E                                                                  Forest City Boro
36 Spitler, Jennifer Lynn                                                        Herrick Twp
31 Statkun, Stephen B                                                         Clifford Twp
63 Stone, Edward M                                                             Thompson Boro
40 Strope, Patricia B                                                            Silver Lake Twp
42 Thomas, Robin.                                                               Harford Twp
78 Welch, Joel M.                                                                Franklin Twp
53 Wescott, Heidi                                                                Great Bend Twp

B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. announced that it will be participating in the 16th annual March for Meals – a month-long, community-by-community celebration of Meals on Wheels and the vulnerable seniors who rely on this vital service to remain independent at home. B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc.’s celebration will include various activities throughout the month of March, including open house events at the Senior Centers and County Commissioner “Ride-Alongs.”

The annual March for Meals commemorates the historic day in March 1972 when President Nixon signed into law a measure that amended the Older Americans Act of 1965 and established a national nutrition program for seniors 60 years and older. Since 2002, Meals on Wheels programs from across the country have joined forces for the annual awareness campaign to celebrate this successful public-private partnership and garner the support needed to fill the gap between the seniors served and those still in need.

“This March, hundreds of local Meals on Wheels programs will rally their communities to build the support that will enable them to deliver nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks to America's most at-risk seniors all year long,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America. “With the demand for Meals on Wheels increasing along with our country’s senior population, we need to ensure that seniors are not forgotten.”

B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. has served seniors in Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga Counties through their home-delivered meal program for forty years. Recently, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) has partnered with Meals on Wheels America to establish “Meals on Wheels Endless Mountains.” Between July 1 and December 31, 2017, 223 Susquehanna County residents were served by Meals on Wheels Endless Mountains, and 19,686 meals were provided to older adults in need.

For more information on how you can volunteer, contribute or speak out for the seniors in your community, call 1-800-982-4346 or visit bsstaaa.org.

The B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the Lycoming County United Way; the United Way of Susquehanna County and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners. For additional information on Area Agency on Aging services, please call 1-800-982-4346.

Each eligible organization can apply for up to $10,000

Susquehanna County organizations that support emergency services, environmental preservation, youth and senior services are eligible for funding provided by the Atlantic Sunrise Community Grant Program. The application deadline is approaching March 1, 2018.

Established in 2015, the community grant program is intended to benefit community organizations located in proximity to Williams' Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project. Williams has awarded more than $2 million across the Atlantic Sunrise project area since the program’s inception.

Grants up to $10,000 per applicant are being awarded to eligible organizations to fund projects that provide benefit to local communities or the environment.  Last fall, Williams distributed more than $292,000 to 35 organizations located in the project area. The total includes $15,000 that was distributed to organizations in Susquehanna County.

Two cycles of grant awards are announced each year. Applications must be received by March 1 and Sept. 1. For complete guidelines and to complete an online application, visit atlanticsunriseexpansion.com/ community/grant-program.

The Atlantic Sunrise project is an expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline system in eastern Pennsylvania. Construction began last fall and is currently just under 40 percent complete. Gas is expected to begin flowing through the pipeline system later this summer.

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, March 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, March 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.

During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to join in its lifesaving mission by giving blood.

Since 1943, every U.S. president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people across the country and around the world. Red Cross Month is a celebration of supporters, who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities and bring hope to people facing emergencies.

The Red Cross depends on blood donor heroes across the nation to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients at approximately 2,600 hospitals nationwide. Donors of all blood types, especially type O, are needed to help those rely on blood products.

Make an appointment to become a hero to patients in need by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities in our area include:

Montrose, March 9, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Endless Mountains Health Systems, 100 Hospital Drive.

Susquehanna, March 7, 12:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., St John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 15 East Church Street.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

United Way of Susquehanna County in partnership with United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne County again this year will be offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) to residents of Susquehanna County to prepare local, state and federal income tax returns for FREE!! There are NO hidden fees or charges - this is a completely free service designed to help people secure all the refunds and credits for which they are eligible.

Our VITA volunteers will prepare state, local and federal tax returns for households with income during 2017 of $54,000 or less. Wage earners and non-wage earners are eligible. Some clients may qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) of up to $6,318. (You must meet the IRS criteria to be eligible to participate.)

Taxes are prepared by volunteers - all of whom have been trained and certified by the IRS. The VITA program is supervised by a CPA.

The program will be offered on Tuesday, March 13th, 2018 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 69 Pratt St., New Milford, PA. Allow 30 minutes for tax preparation. Space is limited. No walk-ins accepted. To make an appointment, please call 2-1-1 or 1-888-829-1341.

The United Way also offers help for those who are comfortable preparing their own taxes online. Through MyFreeTaxes, powered by H&R Block, anyone with a household income in 2017 of $64,000 can visit this website and utilize this software FOR FREE!

Farm Service Agency is accepting applications for farm loan assistance. Funds are available for a broad range of production agriculture needs.

FSA is committed to providing credit to eligible farms to help improve their financial condition. Historically, the availability of credit has enabled many farm families to stay in business.

Use of funds may include farm operating debt consolidation, purchase of livestock and equipment. Past uses also include the purchase of feed, or other annual operating expenses.

Rates and terms may be determined by the individual's repayment ability and type of collateral available. Rates as low as 3.125% are available.

Eligibility includes, but is not limited to, inability to obtain conventional credit, compliance with a soil conservation plan, a good credit history, the ability to repay the debt and adequate collateral.

For more information, please call your FSA office. Producers may reach FSA at 570-485-3131.

FSA is an equal opportunity lender.

Farm Women United (FWU), a grassroots association of farm women concerned with public food policy, announced its initial contact with all members of the United States Senate and House Ag Committees. A nine-question survey related to dairy policy was sent to all members of the Ag Committees on February 14, 2018. This is round one of surveys being sent to elected officials as part of the FWU 2018 “Campaign to Reform US Farm and Food Policies”. The survey has a response deadline of March 1, 2018, and is posted on the FWU website www.farmwomenunited.org under the heading of Projects. Following the deadline, the results of the survey, including a lack of response, will be published on the FWU website. “Unlike most other farm organizations, FWU is setting response deadlines in an attempt to draw responses, and create accountability for the actions, or lack thereof, from our elected officials,” said Gerald Carlin, Chairman of the Policy Development Committee.

Farm Women United welcomes support and involvement from farm women (and men) across the United States, in all commodities. For more information, or to join FWU, please check out our website www.farmwomenunited.org and check us out on Facebook.

“Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.” James 5:4

The Wyoming Valley Civil War Round Table will meet on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at 7:00 p.m. in the lower level of the Daddow-Isaacs American Legion, 730 Memorial Highway, Dallas, PA. 

The program for the evening is entitled “Fort Delaware in the Civil War” and will be presented by Bruce E. Mowday, award winning author and newspaper reporter. Mowday has authored several books on history, sports, business and true crime and has appeared on the Discovery ID channel, C-Span, the Pennsylvania Cable Network, Hollywood and Beyond, Watcha Got, and Philadelphia and local television programs. Mowday is past president of the Brandywine Battlefield Park Associates and is currently a board member of the Valley Forge Park Alliance and the Chester County Conference and Visitors Bureau. He is a frequent speaker for various civic and historical groups.

The program is open to the public. A small donation will be accepted for non-members. New members are always welcome.

For information contact John at (570) 675-8936.