During the second week of January, 2018 the 102nd Pennsylvania Farm Show took place in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Members of the 4H club Borderline not only submitted fifty plus projects to the family living division that placed at the local Harford fair, they also took dairy goats for three days for 4-H, Open and Showmanship Shows.  The club took thirty-three top prizes out of the fifty plus submitted projects, winning with their Borderline Club 1st places in scrapbook & community service poster, entomology exhibit, & Market Steer & Meat Goat scrapbook Zeb Swartley, wood working mirror & birdhouse Geo Swartley, Cake Decorating poster Grace Gibbore, artwork project Lion King Margo Mcvaugh.  Those youth winning 2nd places were Hanna Foster Dairy Cattle Scrapbook, Faith Gibbore Cake decorating poster & scrapbook, Josiah Gibbore Golf Poster, Nate Pettyjohn for market sheep & production sheep posters, Zeb Swartley Rocket & Rocketry poster, Geo Swartley Rocket, wood working step stool & breadbox, Margo Mcvaugh with doves artwork. 3rd places went to Josiah Gibbore Air rifle scrapbook, Geo Swartley Rocketry poster, Molly Mcvaugh scrapbooking & cooking 101, Margo Mcvaugh duck artwork, mosaic artwork, crafts poster, & Michael Jackson artwork. We want to congratulate everyone on an excellent showing at this state competition.

Zeb Zwartley With Kiara.

Local youth that attended with the dairy goats were Susanna Hricko, Zeb Swartley, Geo Swartley, & Megan Mcvaugh they had an outstanding show winning the Best of Breed Grand Champion Lamancha of the 4-H show with Kiara & Zeb Swartley, Reserved Jr. Champion of the Lamancha Jr. 4-H show with Emmie & Susanna Hricko, Best of Breed Res Champion of the Recorded Grade 4-H show with Elsa & Zeb Swartley, Champion of the Recorded Grades Jr. Show with Evie & Susanna Hricko. In the open show all of these animals again excelled. But the highlight of the open show where Champion of the Recorded Grades Jr. Show with Evie & Susanna Hricko!! Also, the top Get of Sire Buck bred by Zeb Swartley Prince Charmings daughters Evie, Elsie & Ellie winning out of over 17 groups many with udders & these were yearling does never having kidded!! Winning also dam & daughter class where Kiara & Kendal & Zeb Swartley. Showmanship was stolen at the show by first timer Susanna Hricko with her doe Emerald winning 2nd in the largest & youngest showmanship class that had 13 exhibitors. If you have any interest in Lamancha dairy goats please contact Jill Swartley at 570-553-4280.

Smiling Susanna winning Recorded Grade 4-H and Open.

Zebulun Swartley, who is in his final year of 4H, won a $3,500 scholarship from the Farm Show. Zeb, 18, is the son of Michael & Jill Swartley. He is a freshman at Penn State majoring in chemical engineering. He has served in multiple leadership roles with Borderline 4-H club. He has also been a camp counselor for his regional Camp Brule’ held annually. Along the way Zeb excelled at the project diversity award, given to the member in the county that completes the most 4-H projects which Zeb won 4 times. Zeb has exhibited over 35 items at the PA Farm Show’s Family Living sections over his eight years in 4-H & hopes to become a chemical engineer after graduation.

“It was a great experience, and really opened my eyes about a lot of things to do with farming and agriculture.  I wish I could have attended for many more years, than this just being my first year.  You learn a lot, even if it’s just observing what others are doing at the shows and such.  This was a wonderful experience for my last year of 4H,” Says Megan McVaugh.

Thompson resident Walter Ackley (pictured) served in the Army in the 3rd, the 4th and the 8th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, from 1967 to 1968.

Now, the beloved husband, father and grandfather is fighting a difficult battle—one against a brain tumor, namely a meningioma that is lodged in the front temporal lobe. The tumor was discovered after Walter had an unrelated stroke several years ago and stayed dormant for a long time. When it did start to grow, along with accompanying brain swelling, it created several problems including seizures, fading vision, an altered personality, and a loss of control within his right leg which has led to several falls. Walter received radiation treatments in July, which have caused additional complications such as swelling and diabetes. Walter has been hospitalized five times within the past eight months.

Presently, as soon as his Cardiologist clears him for the procedure, he will be scheduled for the surgery needed for the removal of the tumor at Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia.

His recuperation period will be lengthy, as underlying conditions will make long term rehabilitation a must. Of course, this has all taken a toll on Walter’s Family, who wish to be with him in Philadelphia. They need our help to cover the extra expenses (transportation, lodging, meals, etc.) that will be incurred. A benefit is scheduled to be held on Saturday, March 10th, 2018 at the Montrose Methodist Church. The “Yard Sale” is from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM with a Ziti Lunch available from Noon to 3:00 PM for $9.00 per person. If you are unable to attend the benefit, but would like to help the Ackley Family, you may contact Walter’s Wife (The former Kathleen Cotter) either by email: kathleenackley559@gmail.com phone 570-727-3322; or you can mail a donation to: Mr. and Mrs. Walter Ackley, 199 Jackson St., Thompson, Pa. 18465; or their Daughter, Mykela Huber, 26 Linden St., Binghamton, N.Y. 13905.

Hunter Wallis, of Union Dale, Pa (pictured) recently captured his 7th Grand National Turkey Calling Championship Title in Nashville . He competed against the best Intermediate division callers in the nation . Hunter is sponsored by Zink Calls of Port Clinton Ohio and can be seen as co host of Avian X TV, shown on The Sportsman’s channel.

Join Master Gardeners Jim Kasten and Coordinator Lori Wallace on Saturday, March 24 from 1-3 pm at St. Mark’s, Parish Hall, Main Street in New Milford and learn the benefits of soil blocks. You will learn how to create your own soil mixture and make your own soil block maker out of common hardware and PVC pipe.

You will learn where to get pre-mixed soil and will explore pre-made soil blockers. You will also pick up a few tips on starting your own transplants!

A simple Soil Block Maker.

St. John Neumann Hall, located on State Route 267 in Friendsville, will host a Quilt Show Eat & Greet event sponsored by B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. on Tuesday, March 27 at 11:00am. This event is free and open to adults 60 and older. Lunch will be served at noon with a menu of Dr. Pepper-glazed ham, scalloped potatoes, broccoli & cauliflower, whole wheat roll, and coconut cake. Reservations are required by 10:00am on March 22, and can be made by calling 1-800-634-3746. Quilters interested in sharing their work are welcome and encouraged to call 1-800-634-3746 for more information.

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.

With peeks of grass and springtime in our hearts, please mark this on your calendar. The annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Susquehanna Community Development Association Events Committee, will be held on Saturday, March 24th, 2018. The hunt starts at 11:00 AM and is being held at the Susquehanna Community Elementary School. "Eggbert the Easter Bunny" will be arriving by Fire Engine and will be ready to help all of the girls and boys find the egg-shaped treasures. Please note: Only ages one through and including eight years are welcomed. Please bring your basket and your smile. We hope to see you there!