The Susquehanna County Forest Land Owners Association (SCFLOA) will host a 2018 Spring Woods Walk on March 17, at the actively managed property of Bill Maitland in Lenox Twp. Bill is the new VP of SCFLOA.

Rob Alfred (left) welcomes Bill Maitland (right).

SCFLOA asks you to mark the end of winter by breaking out for a spring walk in the woods! Welcome spring with a visit to a property that has several older trees and has recently been logged which will create some new growth and tree panting opportunities. Learn what you might be able to do with some parts of your forest or woodlot.

The degree of walking difficulty is slight to moderate so please plan accordingly. Waterproof footwear is advised. Woods walk signs will indicate the road turnoff areas. SCFLOA Board members will be guiding cars to the parking and meeting area. This event will start at 9am, plan to gather at 8:30 am at the Lenoxville Methodist Church on Rt. 374.

8:30 to 9 am - Arrival, registration. Meet and greet old and new friends. Coffee, hot chocolate, donuts will be offered.

9:00 am – 9:30 am SCFLOA VP Bill Maitland, DCNR Service forester Ryan Brown. SCFLOA Board member and retired Forester Jim Kessler will welcome the group. Bill Maitland will spend a few minutes reflecting on his woodland, wildlife and land management work on this property;    Ryan Brown PA Bureau of Forestry Service Forester updates on tree pests – emerald ash borer, wooly adelgid and more. 

930 am – 11:30 am Spring Woods walk progresses with a short drive to the 2 different properties of actively managed forest area. There will be several stops as the walk progresses through different stages and types of forest cover. The current and future management goals will be discussed.

Bill Maitland will tell how he has started a tree nursery at the 150-year-old home site and what he is doing on the new home site property.

11:30 am-12:00 pm meeting/walk wrap-up.

12:15 pm Lunch will be available from the Lenoxville Methodist Church. Free will offering for payment. Please join us as this is a good time to share stories, memories and fellowship.

Contact Bill Maitland (570)-222-3636 to RSVP for lunch by March 10th, or for more specific driving directions. 

Join Master Gardener and retired State Forester Jim Kessler on Saturday, March 24 at 9 am for an interactive educational session on pruning. The program will be at the orchard of Apple Valley 8689 SR 547, in Gibson.

Master Gardener Jim Kessler.

When should I prune? How should I prune? Where should I prune? Why and why not prune? These and other pruning questions will be demonstrated on common trees, fruit trees, and shrubs.  After you understand the basics of pruning you will be able to take your knowledge to most trees and shrubs for better growth, durability and health.

To register visit: Montrose Area Adult School www.montroseadultschool.org. Click the Classes link. You can print out a registration form under the HOW TO REGISTER section. For more information or help registering call Penn State Extension Office at 570-666-9003.

Members of the Pennsylvania National Guard have a new way to proudly show their service through the display of a military license plate.

“Our Citizen Soldiers have served our commonwealth and the nation with distinction in both domestic and international arenas,” said Governor Tom Wolf. “I take pride in sharing the news that their service will be recognized in this way.”

The new plates feature the standard Pennsylvania license plate colors of blue, white, and yellow along with a National Guard-approved emblem on the left-hand side of the plate. Pennsylvania is printed at the top of the plate, while PA National Guard is printed at the bottom. This plate may only be used on passenger vehicles and trucks with a registered gross weight of not more than 14,000 pounds.

“Our members of the National Guard are justifiably proud of their service to our state and nation,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards. “These new registration plates give them a way to publicly show that pride daily.”

Members of the National Guard interested in applying for one of these plates must complete Form MV-150AD, “Application for Members of U.S. Military Registration Plate.” The form requires the service member to certify their status as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

"This new plate is an ideal way for our service members to publicly showcase their membership in the National Guard.  We want to thank our fellow state agency for providing this service to our National Guard members," said Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania’s adjutant general and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The addition of a registration plate recognizing members of the PA National Guard completes an assortment of plates available to Pennsylvania residents with ties to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. Additional information and images of a variety of military license plates are available at www.dmv.pa.gov via the U.S. Military Veteran Registration Plates Fact Sheet link under the Resources section of Military Personnel/Veterans Information Center.

In recognition of The Fresh Air Fund’s 142nd summer of bringing together New York City children and volunteer host families in Pennsylvania, Governor Wolf has proclaimed March 20th “FRESH AIR FUND DAY.” This summer, thousands of volunteer host families will open their homes to children from New York City’s low-income communities, giving them the opportunity to experience the simple joys of summertime.

This year, they are looking for new host families in Pennsylvania. Fresh Air host families simply want to share what they have with New York City children and introduce them to the joys of suburban or country life. Fresh Air host parent Maura said, “You go into it thinking about what you can give back, but what you get out of it is so far beyond what you can even imagine. Everyone discovers new perspectives.”

Families who participate in The Fresh Air Fund’s Friendly Towns Program open their hearts and homes to New York City children for one week in the summer. Fatima Shama, Executive Director said, “When I speak with the many people whose lives have been impacted by The Fresh Air Fund, I am energized by the inspiring stories that our children, alumni and their families share with us. They tell us heartfelt stories of their Fresh Air summers that highlight the magic in our work of introducing children to new environments, new people, and new experiences. What we do is simple, yet transformative.”

First time Fresh Air children are boys and girls, from seven to 12 years old, who live in New York City. Children who are reinvited by host families may continue with The Fresh Air Fund through age 18 and can enjoy extended trips.

The Fresh Air Fund, an independent, not-for-profit organization, has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children since 1877.
For more information about hosting this summer, please call Kavita Shah at 800-367-0003 or visit The Fresh Air Fund online atwww.freshair.org.

The Arbor Day Foundation is making it easy for everyone to celebrate the arrival of spring by planting trees.

Join the Arbor Day Foundation in March, 2018 and receive 10 free white pine trees or 10 white flowering dogwood trees.

“White pine trees or white flowering dogwoods will add beauty to your home throughout the year,” said Matt Harris, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Dogwoods are known for their showy spring flowers and red berries that attract songbirds during winter. White pine trees are fast-growing landscape trees that will break heavy winds, making them an ideal addition to any yard.”

The free trees are part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.

With planting instructions included, the trees will be shipped at the right time for planting, between March 1 and May 31. The 6- to 12-inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

Arbor Day Foundation members also receive a subscription to Arbor Day, the Foundation’s bimonthly publication, and The Tree Book, which contains information about tree planting and care.

To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, go online at arborday.org/march.

The Mountain View Garden Club will hold it’s March meeting on the 20th, at 7 in the Clifford Fire Hall, Route 106, Clifford.

Lori Wallace, the Susquehanna County Master Gardener Coordinator, will be doing a presentation on Microgreens and Sprouting at Home.  Jamie Broda, a Master Gardener in training from the Pittson area will be assisting and supplying a variety of sprouts and greens for your tasting pleasure. Lori has been coordinating the ever-growing Master Gardener program in Susquehanna County for over 6 years now and currently lives in the New Milford area. Jamie is relatively new to gardening but loves the idea of helping people learn.  She is especially interested in furthering her knowledge in the area of horticultural therapy.

The meeting is open to the public and you are invited to bring a mason jar so you can take some seeds for sprouting at home.

Each year the garden club provides scholarships to deserving graduating seniors who have an interest in the environment, from both Forest City Regional and Mountain View High Schools. Applications for the $750 scholarship are available through the Guidance Departments at both schools. For more information, contact Matilda Gavalis at dingolake@gmail.com or 570-679-2524.

For more information about the garden club, contact Louise Guszick, membership chair, at lmguszick@aol.com or 570-222-2233.

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County are launching an exciting new opportunity for children, ages 10-13 this spring, called the Junior Master Gardener Program.

The goal of the Junior Master Gardener program is to motivate the children in our area to achieve certification as a Junior Master Gardener and to be involved in community service, while working closely with Certified Master Gardeners.  In order to achieve certification a child must complete 5 sessions, with the last session looking at possible careers or options for the future. 

Orientation will be held Monday, March 26th from 6:30-8:00 pm at the Penn State Extension Office in Montrose, with the first official class beginning March 31st. Each class will run from 10 am-12 noon. Classes will be held twice a month at various locations throughout the 2018 growing season.

Junior Master Gardener is a flexible children’s horticultural program that is run in three separate but connected sessions: spring, summer, and fall. The children will learn about the many aspects of horticulture. They will receive basic instruction in botany, entomology, propagation, soil, composting, plus lots more. This will be a fun hands-on learning experience using a combination of individual and group projects. The Junior Master Gardener program is full of experiments and growing challenges. They will even be “citizen scientists” for ‘Seed Savers Exchange’ and participate in collecting data on the various plants they choose to grow!

Students do not need to take each session consecutively but must complete all 5 in order to achieve Junior Master Gardener status. This may take 2 years or more, depending on the individual student. Teenagers may graduate and volunteer to come back to help teach the next group, and continue to learn. Certification is not mandatory and other awards and recognition are given along the way.  There is a class size limit of 12 children per session.

2018 Junior Master Gardener Curriculum

Session One-SPRING

Children will learn the basics parts of plants, seed starting, propagation, composting, soils plus more. There will be hands-on fun in the classroom, outdoors and at home and by the end of this session, the children will begin to become involved with being a “citizen scientist”.

Session Two-SUMMER

The children will continue to learn about growing vegetables, herbs, insects and diseases. More fun individual and group projects are included.  The 4-H Pumpkin Roundup project, which is a hands-on growing, documentation and exhibition project, will be incorporated into this session as well as the continuation of being a “citizen scientist”. Growing food helps create a more positive attitude toward healthy eating and making a positive impact in your community.  Food grown in the gardens will be donated to local food pantries.

Session Three-FALL

In this last session of the year children will learn about fruits, nuts, ecology, and the environment.  Project books will be displayed at the Harford Fair. Participants will conclude the 4-H Pumpkin Roundup project by exhibiting their pumpkins and project book in a variety of categories such as: painted, largest pumpkin, pumpkin people, carvings and/or recipes. They will also conclude their “citizen scientist” project.  All data that they have collected will be submitted to ‘Seed Savers Exchange.’ Food grown in the gardens will be donated to local food pantries.

If you have a child or know children who have a big interest in gardening, this program is for them!

Register now at https://extension.psu.edu/susquehanna-county-junior-master-gardeners-spring-session

For more detailed information, call 570-666-9003 or email: susquehannamg@psu.edu.

Bench Warrants

The Susquehanna County DOMESTIC RELATIONS Section has outstanding BENCH WARRANT’S for the following individuals as of 10:45 a.m. on March 9, 2018: Antonio L. Alcantara, Brian M. Anderson, Edward R. Ashman, Amanda C. Bedell, Brian T. Birtch, Allen S. Bowman, James L. Bradley, David Branning, Brian M. Decker, Tina Dolan, William E. Dudock, III, Nathasha Everett, Stacy R. Faux, Morgan A. Garcia, Jeremy W. Hall, Timothy M. Holmes, Bryan Homsher, Tara M. Humphry, Jean M. Larson, Todd J. Layton, Bradley W. Megivern, Matthew S. Miller, Peggy J. Mills, Zachary A. Nybeck, Vincent J. Petriello, Herbert E. Jr Roe, Matthew J. Setzer, Richard D. Shoemaker, Jerome W. Slick, Marcus E. Spickerman, Robert Staff, Tyrone M. Taylor, Edward Teshara, Samantha Ulrich, Renee A. Valentine, Charles Vanwinkle, Jr., Jeffrey Warner, Thomas A. Whipple, Jr., Kyle D. Wilbur, Roderic R. Williams. Please contact the Domestic Relations Section at 570-278-4600 ext. 4050 with any information on the location of these individuals.

Deeds

Hobbs, Russell E and Hobbs, Darla Y to Hillegas, David for $25,000.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Duboe, William to Faust, Michael for $35,000.00 in Rush Township.

Carpenter, Timothy A to McDonald, James S and McDonald, Kelly J for $320,000.00 in Great Bend Borough.

Washburn, Alan J and Washburn, Marie R to Steele, Matthew A for $60,000.00 in Franklin Township.

Lewis, Robert R and Lewis, Lavonne E to Zekas, Joseph and Zekas, Sherry for $10,000.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Reynen Revocable Trust (By Trustees) to Odell, Wlliam and Odell, Patricia for $1.00 in Harford Township.

Anderson, Robert E Sr. (By POA) to Nyman, Christopher L for $97,500.00 in Jackson Township.

Telford, Brian D and Telford, Tammy L to Telford, Brian for $1.00 in Lathrop Township.

Kozlowski, Edward J Jr. and Marcy, Amanda S to Marcy, Amanda S for $1.00 in Clifford Township.

Gazzo, Vincent M and Gazzo, Sharon J to Issa Lars for $50,000.00 in Choconut Township.

Button, Lauretta A to Blaisure, Michael for $199,000.00 in Bridgewater Township.

Cresswell, Kevin R and Cresswell, Julie B to LaRue, Larry for $105,000.00 in Rush Township.

Mead, Lars P to Mead, Lars P and Hanson, Carrie Anne for $1.00 in Sliver Lake Township.

Oakley, Tracy I (Estate AKA) and Oakley, Tracy (Estate) to Reploeg, Kurt D and Reploeg, Barbara A for $35,000.00 in Lathrop Township.

Stosic, Aurelija and Paunkovic, Josa to Esslinger, Colton and Sorrentino, Tristan for $146,280.00 in Jackson Township.

Ciamaichelo, Francis and Ciamaichelo, Mary and McAndrew, Joseph and McAndrew, Marissa to Arnold, Joseph F and Arnold, Jennifer L for $35,000.00 in Herrick Township.

Deed of Extinguishment of Permissive Easement: Arnold, Joseph F and Arnold, Jennifer L to Ciamaichelo, Francis and Ciamaichelo, Mary and McAndrew, Joseph and McAndrew, Marissa for $0.00 in Herrick Township.

VanKuren, Donald E ( By ATTY) to VanTassel, Deborah E and VanTassel, Allen A for $1.00 in Forest Lake Township.

Mosher, John J Jr. and Mosher, Lorraine E to Massaro, Michael J and Massaro, Sharon E for $35,500.00 in Clifford Township.

Rub a dub dub, all our cats have a nub!  Well, not all, but we are on bobbed tailed overload with quite a few of our kitties sporting a cute little nub. Come in and meet these fantastic felines and decide for yourself if they are manx cross, bobcat mix, or just plain adorable! Friendly, affectionate, spayed/neutered and up to date on vaccinations, why not add some fun to your life with a new best friend? We are getting ready for “Irish Ales, Happy Tails”, St. Patrick’s Celebration happening Friday, March 16th from 7:00- 11PM at 2 Dogz and a Guy Brewing.  Bs sure to mark your calendars for a fun filled event!  We are looking for help with basket and spirit raffles as well as cooks for the Pot Luck Buffet. If you could help, we would sure appreciate it!