New Milford – Fire almost totally destroyed O C. Whitney's slat and crate mill here at 3 o'clock this morning. The loss has not yet been determined. The mill employed about a dozen hands and was doing an excellent business supplying nearby and South American farmers with shipping crates. ALSO The commencement exercises of the New Milford High school were held in the opera house on April 24. Following are the names of those who were graduated: Edwin Adams, William Broderick, Robert Oliver, Fred Wood, Bernice Espy, Anne Smith, Hope Matthews, Eunice Matthews, Olivia Carpenter and Mildred Norris

Clifford – At the age of 86 years, at the home of her daughter Mrs. T. W Barker, Dorranceton, PA, on April 20, occurred the death of Catherine Lott Tennant. She was a native of Clifford, and one of the most successful of the pioneer public school teachers. At the age of 15 she took up the work of teaching, which she followed until age and impaired health caused her retirement. Interment was in the family plot in the Clifford cemetery.

Elkdale – Work is progressing rapidly on the new cheese factory. They expect to start making cheese about June 1.

South Montrose – Friends of Benton I. Rogers will, no doubt, be surprised to learn of his enlistment in the army and of his probable departure for France in the near future. He leaves a family to respond to his country's call. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. George G. Rogers, of East Rush, and a former student in the Montrose High school.

Friendsville – During the Third Liberty Loan drive, the women's committee of this place sold bonds amounting to $3,050.

Forest City – Prof. F. H. Taylor was sworn into his office as county superintendent of schools. He spent the day in Montrose and is already making plans to move and reside permanently.

Uniondale/Clifford – A new survey is to be made of the contemplated new road from Clifford to Uniondale. Rumor says there is likely to be a sharp fight with the authorities before the matter will successfully go through. Let us hope no one will place any unnecessary obstacles in the way of such a great benefit, as the new road would be to our business people here.

Great Bend – A service flag, containing fifteen stars, will be dedicated by the members of the M. E. church and Sunday school on May 15th, in honor of the fifteen young men who formerly attended Sunday school at this church and are now serving in the army or navy.

McKinney's Mills – Dwight Harris, the eleven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Harris, died at the home of his parents near McKinney's Mills, April 23, of a complication of diseases, baffling to all the physicians and nurses who attended him.  The death of his brother, Newell Willard Harris, age 8, occurred on May 1st, of the same cause. Both boys were exceptionally bright and blessed with happy dispositions and unusually pleasing personalities. They are survived by their parents and four brothers, Dana, who is serving in the United States Navy; Neal, Harold and baby Edward.

Susquehanna – Susquehanna has an added mail carrier and the delivery of mail twice a day instead of but once, on nearly all the streets, is enjoyed by the people who formerly had but a morning mail delivery and went to the postoffice for any later mail matter. ALSO The local daily "Transcript" seems to be having a "drive" of its own, as 50 new subscribers were added to its list during the past week, which is a fine showing, when all the calls for money upon the people are considered, and is evidence that the Daily fills a definite want among the people of the three boroughs, as well as many living at a distance, who want to be kept in touch with Susquehanna's doings in these stirring times.

West Lenox – We think Ellen Whiting is the champion quilt builder of the county, having pieced over 60 quilts, the most being of very small pieces, and numberless cushions and chair covers, holders, etc., all in thirteen years. Who has a smarter grandmother over 80 years old?

Gibson – Miss Eva M. Manzer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Manzer, of South Gibson, and Clifford G. Pickett, somewhat surprised their friends by going to Tunkhannock on May 1, where they were united in marriage by the Rev. James Rainey. Mrs. Pickett is one of our charming young ladies and Mr. Pickett is one of our best young men and holds a position as telegraph operator at the railroad station here.

Thompson – George Pickering has made more than 300 gallons of maple syrup this spring. They ought to keep sweet the entire year.

200 Years Ago from the Montrose Centinel, May 9, 1818.

*TO MY PATRONS. This number terminates the CENTINEL forever. The MONTROSE GAZETTE will be published at this office hereafter on the same day of the week as the CENTINEL has been. The terms of the GAZETTE will be the same as the CENTINEL heretofore, if paid within the year; if not, two dollars and fifty cents will be charged and interest will be exacted after that time till paid. J. CLARK

*REVOLUTIONARY SOLDIERS. Up to yesterday 445 of the old officers and soldiers of the Revolution have appeared before Judge Davis, to put in their claims for the small, though needed and timely bounty of their country. Some of these veterans were more than 80 years of age—one we saw was 88—and one, aged 84, who entered his claim last week, has since departed to obtain a higher and eternal reward. Boston, Mass. April 15.

MARRIED. In this township [Bridgewater], on Wednesday last, by the Rev. D. Dimock, Mr. Francis Perkins to Miss Rebecca Sherman, all of this township.

*MASONRY. The subscriber informs the public that he will work at the Mason Business in all its branches the ensuing season. Such as may see fit to employ him may rest assured that their work will be done in the first stile of workmanship; and as cheap as by ay other person. His price, by the day, will be one dollar and twenty-five cents. Having procured a quantity of Stone suitable for GRAVE STONES, and MONUMENTS, he makes it his business in the winter season, to execute all orders in that line on the shortest notice. JOHN LOCKE. Choconut, (Nine miles from Montrose.) May 10, 1818. N. B. Persons wishing to have work done will call on me at my residence, or leave a line with the editor of this paper and it shall be attended to. J. L.

Timothy Metz worked as a middle school physical education teacher for the Bethlehem Area School District.  Metz was also involved in a custody dispute where he had supplied a positive urine test that indicated he was using cocaine.  Mysteriously, the school district came into possession of a correspondence between the attorneys in the custody dispute that discussed Metz's positive drug test.  The school district immediately attempted to conduct its own investigation by requesting Metz to submit to a drug test.  When Metz refused, the school district placed him on an unpaid suspension.

After some legal wrangling, Metz submitted a urine sample to the school district for drug testing.  Metz again tested positive for the use of cocaine.  The school district then notified Metz that it intended to terminate his employment based upon his "immoral conduct."  During the course of the termination proceeding, Metz defended his use of cocaine as not being a "big deal" because "a lot of people do that."  Because Metz had demonstrated no remorse for his conduct and defended the use of cocaine, the school district terminated his employment based upon immoral conduct.

Metz appealed the termination and argued that the school district had violated his constitutional rights by ordering him to provide a urine sample.  Metz asserted that the school district did not have reasonable suspicion to demand a urine sample from him.  The Commonwealth Court rejected Metz's arguments.

The Commonwealth Court concluded that the school district had reasonable suspicion to demand a drug test as a result of receiving a copy of a correspondence from a licensed attorney indicating that Metz had already failed a drug test during the course of a custody proceeding.  Given that the licensed attorney could face professional misconduct charges if he provided false information in the correspondence, the Commonwealth Court found that it was reasonable for the school district to accept the information concerning the failed drug test as credible.  Moreover, the letter contained very detailed information as to the drug testing that occurred in the custody proceedings which further corroborated its veracity.  Finally, the Commonwealth Court noted that the school district's reasonable suspicion was strengthened as a result of the manner in Metz reacted to the initial inquiries concerning his potential drug use.

While it was not specifically addressed in the opinion, the reader may question what constitutes "immoral conduct" by a public school teacher so as to warrant termination of employment.  Such conduct has been defined as "conduct that offends the morals of the community and is a bad example to the youth whose ideals a teacher is supposed to foster and to elevate."

If a school district seeks to terminate a teacher based upon immoral conduct, the school district is required to prove the following: "(1) that the alleged immoral act actually occurred; (2) that the act offends the morals of the community; and (3) that the act sets a bad example for students."  In this regard, the courts will not "presume" the moral standards of the community and "substantial evidence" is required to establish the communal mores.

Metz did not appeal the determination that his conduct was immoral; rather, his appeal was focused solely upon his contention that the school district did not have sufficient cause to request a drug test from him.  Because the Commonwealth Court determined that the school district had ample reasonable suspicion to request a drug test, Metz's appeal failed and the termination of his employment was upheld.

"Sweet May hath come to love us, flowers, trees, their blossoms don; and through the blue heavens above us, the very clouds move on." ~Heinrich Heine

Big news! Princess Penelope Pineapple is back in a much anticipated sequel to "Princesses Wear Pants" by Today Show's Savannah Guthrie and Parent Educator Allison Oppenheim. "Princesses Save the World" is due to be released in September, 2018. Young readers may want to get acquainted with the Princess prior to the release and the book is waiting on your local library location shelves. As Princess Penelope learns, "There's nothing sweeter than friendship."

Are you looking for a special gift for a wedding or anniversary? You may be in search of artwork that will highlight a room in your home? Search no further than the 2018 Annual Spring Pottery and Art Sale, scheduled for Saturday, May 12th from 10am - 4pm and Sunday, May 13th from 11am - 3pm at the Montrose VFW, 16972 State Route 706. The admission is free, and a portion of the proceeds go to benefit the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association.

A bake and soup sale is being held on Tuesday, May 15th (Primary Election Day) in the lobby of the Montrose Library, starting at 7:00am and continuing until 7:00pm (or until all goodies are sold out). Why not go and vote and then stop by and take soup and dessert home for an easy dinner?

Have you registered your ShurSave Supermarket Gold Card with the Susquehanna Co. Library? The Susquehanna Co. Library receives three cents for every participating brand you purchase (Best Yet, Nature's Finest, Top Care, Domestix, Academix, just to name a few). You can register at your store's customer service desk or online (www.shursavemarkets.com –Programs/Gold Card Program). It's free for you and raises needed funds for us. Three cents may not seem like much, but, it adds up quickly with many grocery orders.

The Reader's Group at the Susquehanna Branch Library have an interesting title for the month of May, "The 100 Yr. Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared" by Jonas Jonasson, a quirky and unique tale about Centenarian Allan Karlsson, who ends up in a nursing home after a long and eventful life. Allan figures it is not too late to start over, climbs out a window and escapes. Now, his journey begins. The group will be meeting on May 10th, at 2pm for its book discussion. If you missed April's meeting, they reviewed a book I enjoyed immensely, "America's First Daughter" by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, which gives the reader much insight into the life and loves of Thomas Jefferson and his daughter, who "wore many hats", Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph. June's selection is "Orphan # 8" by Kim Van Alkemade, a stunning historical novel inspired by true events and centers around Rachel, a woman who must decide between revenge and mercy due to her past. If you would like to join the Susquehanna Branch Reader's Group, please stop by and speak with Laura, Pam, Deb or Elizabeth. They will be more than happy to add you to the group.

As I prune, weed and care for winter-weary plants, I leave you with this thought:

"Long stormy spring-time, wet contentious April, winter chilling the lap of very May; but at length the season of summer does come."~ Thomas Carlyle

Handmade Cards—Dandelion Bouquets—Crowning of the May Queen

Happy Mother's Day!

ENJOY!

How many supplements does Linda need?

Linda was busy in the vitamin aisle, tossing supplements and herbs into her basket. She pulled a list from her purse and asked the pharmacist "Do you have any dong quai, ashwagandha, or ginger root?" The pharmacist did not stock those items, although he offered to order them for Linda. As he always does. Because Linda consumes many dozens of supplements, herbs, botanicals, vitamins, and minerals.

Linda is also on a number of prescription medications for her heart as well as for other conditions that this 50-year old woman has. The pharmacist has spoken to her about the possibility of herb-drug interactions – that is, when an herb either increases or decreases the potency of a prescribed drug. For example, Linda is taking a medication for high blood pressure. If one of the many supplements she is also taking cancels out her hypertension drug, then she is at risk for uncontrolled high blood pressure and its complications. Conversely, if one of her supplements blocks the breakdown of her medication, then the amount of the hypertension drug in her blood skyrockets and she is in danger of the side effects of that drug, such as extreme dizziness and falling.

Another issue to consider regarding herbal supplements: the therapeutic dose is often unknown. Many have been used for generations – a chunk of root here, a bit of leaf there. What is an acceptable dose of botanicals such as licorice root, olive leaf extract, or pine bark? It is somewhere between "it does not work" and "it kills you."

Many botanical preparations are marketed in the US as "dietary supplements." The dietary ingredients in these products may include vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, and substances such as enzymes and organ tissues. In whatever their form, the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 places dietary supplements in a category under the general umbrella of foods – not drugs – and requires that every product is labeled as a dietary supplement, not as a drug. The labeling on a dietary supplement cannot claim to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease. Hence, the manufacturers of these products are counting on consumers to do their own research and to purchase the product based on the hope that their horny goat weed, mistletoe, or thunder god vine will do the trick. By law, they cannot tell you what the product does, only what it costs.

Not all of us are supplement connoisseurs like Linda – because only she would buy bladderwrack and butcher's broom. But there are some plant-based supplements that are familiar to most. Echinacea, for instance, is used for preventing and treating the common cold. An analysis of 24 clinical studies showed that this flower is not effective for this indication. St. John's Wort is a popular herbal supplement widely used to help with symptoms of depression. However, it interacts with many medications, such as those used for migraine, birth control pills, and prescription antidepressants. Ginkgo biloba has been used for memory support. A 2018 study showed that ginkgo did not reduce the risk of cognitive decline. But it does interact with a long list of medications.

Linda needs to analyze why she takes so many supplements. She may be jeopardizing her health, and many of the products she buys are probably a waste of money. Always check with your pharmacist before you buy a dietary supplement. Also, visit the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements at ods.od.nih.gov where you will find a treasure trove of helpful information. 

Ron Gasbarro, PharmD, is a registered pharmacist, medical writer, and principal at Rx-Press.com. Read more at www.rx-press.com