TUESDAYS:

COMMUNITY CHORUS: Due to scheduling conflicts, the Susquehanna Community Chorus will meet on Tuesdays at 7:00pm instead of Mondays at 7:30pm. Practices will be held at St. John's Hall until July 17. On July 17 we will move to Susquehanna Community High School. Our concert will be held on Sunday, July 22 at 3:00pm at the Susquehanna Community High School Auditorium. It is not too late to join our group. Anyone who is interested, please come to our next practice.

MAY

CHICKEN & BISCUIT DINNER: The VFW in Great Bend is canceling their chicken and biscuit dinners for the month of May.

MAY 18-19

RUMMAGE/BAKE SALE: First United Methodist Church at 69 Pratt Street, New Milford, is holding a Rummage/Clothing/Bake Sale and Silent Basket Auction. Featuring antiques, tools, collectibles, and furniture, there are treasures for all. Event will be Friday, from 9am - 5pm and Saturday, from 9am - 3pm, located in the FUMC Social Hall. Come rain or shine.

MAY 19

CEMETERY MEETING: The Gelatt Cemetery Association will hold their annual meeting on Saturday at 1:00pm, at the home of William and Elaine Wood, 15521 Route 92, Gelatt. All lot owners and shareholders are urged to attend. For more information call 570-756-2430.

FUND RAISER: The Summer Lunch Box Group of Hop Bottom, will hold a fund-raiser at the Elk Mountain VFW, Route 106 at Lenox Corners on Saturday, from noon to 5pm. We are sponsoring a chicken barbecue along with numerous raffles, Chinese auctions, and bake sale. Tickets are available from Paula at 570-289-4102, any SLB member or at the VFW. Pre-sales strongly encouraged.

FREE DINNER: Community dinner at the Susquehanna United Methodist Church, on Main Street. Starting at noon and continues until all are served. If you would like to volunteer or if you have any questions, please contact Pastor Vince Chiaramonte by phone; 570-756-2420 or email: Clearmountain2156@gmail.com.

ARCHERY: Archery for Beginners on Saturday, 10am till noon at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. A beginner's program based on the National Archery in the Schools Program, taught by Diane Hawley-Wurth, is offered. Equipment and targets are provided. All ages welcome.

MAMMAL TALK: Mammals of Northeastern Pennsylvania on Saturday, 1pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Professional local trapper, Bill Kasten, will talk about mammals and show a variety of animal pelts and traps. Free for members.

FREE LUNCH: Good News Lunch at St Marks Church, New Milford, on Saturday at noon. All are welcome.

GRAND OPENING: The Andrew C. Mazza Memorial Health Center, 127 Route 106, Greenfield Twp, Saturday, 12:00 - 3:00pm. Games, food and vendors. Celebrate NEPA CHC's third operational site.

MAY 20

OPEN HOUSE: Wayne County Historical Society is having their 27th Annual Open House on Sunday from 1-4pm. Located at Corner Bridge and Harrison St, Tunkhannock. Come tour the museum and genealogical library featuring new museum and quilt displays. Commemorative ornaments and used books are also for sale.

BINGO: Every Sunday afternoon at the Thompson Hose Company. Doors/kitchen open at 12:30pm. Early bird starts at 1:15 and regular bingo at 2:00pm. Take out of 16" Round Pizzas and Wings are available until 5:00pm. Call 570-727-2431 during open kitchen hours.

BIKER SUNDAY/CRUISE IN: If you ride a motorcycle, a classic car, or a younger style muscle car, Susquehanna United Methodist Church welcomes you to a great fellowship, free lunch/gift and a blessing of the wheels. Sunday's service starts 11am at the Susquehanna UMC on 1361 Main Street. Follow on Facebook at: First UMC of Susquehanna PA.

CEMETERY MEETING: Newton Hill Cemetery Association is holding their annual meeting on Sunday, 1:00pm at Gary and Glenda Ely's home, Watrous Corners. For more information contact Secretary Helene Shibley at 607-761-3372 or 570-879-2815.

MAY 25

HIKE: Full Moon Hike on Friday, 8:30pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Bring a snack to share around a campfire afterward. Free for members.

MAY 25-27

MEMORIAL DAY BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL: 35th Annual PENNY Country & Bluegrass Music Association's Memorial Day Weekend Festival, 231 Ketchumville Rd, Berkshire, NY. Rain or shine, bring your own chairs, cover is provided. Kids under 12 are free with an adult ticket. Free rough camping with weekend ticket, including showers and dump station. For more information and directions go to: pennybluegrass.weebly.com; busybirdbluegrass.com; PENNY Country and Bluegrass Music on Facebook; or call Don Hardic at 570-934-2507 or 570-367-9097. Vendors wanted, call Don and ask for Marie.

MAY 26

GARDEN TIPS: Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden on Saturday, 11am - 12:30pm and 1 - 3pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. A presentation on pollinators and plants that attract them, followed by hands-on planting in the garden. Bring a lunch, tools, and a container for free strawberry starter plants. Free for members and kids.

FREE LUNCHEON: The Stone Soup Kitchen at Christ Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Delaware and Dundaff Streets, Forest City, invites everyone to a Free Community Luncheon on Saturday. Servings begin at 12:00 – 1:30pm. Bring your family and friends to share a hearty lunch and wonderful camaraderie.

ROAST BEEF SUPPER: Saturday at the Thompson United Methodist Church, 586 Main Street. Take Outs are available at 4:30pm. Eat In at 5:00pm. All are welcome.

MAY 27

BINGO: Every Sunday afternoon at the Thompson Hose Company. Doors/kitchen open at 12:30pm. Early bird starts at 1:15 and regular bingo at 2:00pm. Take out of 16" Round Pizzas and Wings are available until 5:00pm. Call 570-727-2431 during open kitchen hours.

BIKE RIDE: Bike the Border on Sunday, 1:30pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Ride the roads through Salt Springs' land to get a feel for how big the park is. Fee is a nonperishable food item for the local food pantry.

WORSHIP SERVICES: St. James Episcopal Church, on Route 247, Dundaff Corners, near Crystal Lake in Clifford Township, begins regular summer services on Sunday, 10:00am. All are welcome. Anyone not wanting communion, approach with crossed arms to receive a blessing. Gather on the lawn for snacks and fellowship. For more information, call Senior Warden Bob Schreiber at 570-780-4356.

MAY 28

MEMORIAL CEREMONY: The annual Great Bend Welcome Center Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at 1 pm on Monday. All are welcome to attend. The ceremony honors the soldiers of Bravo Company, 109th Infantry of the Pennsylvania National Guard, who lost their lives fighting for our country and who will always be remembered as heroes.

JUNE 2

DINNER TO HONOR: The Moose Lodge 794, Main Street, Susquehanna, is hosting a chicken dinner to honor former Head Coach Richard Bagnall for being elected to the PA Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Saturday at 7pm, the dinner will be held upstairs at The Moose. An open mic will be available for anyone who wants to say something. Former players, cheerleaders, students or friends are encouraged to attend. Number of seats is limited, so please call 570-853-3929 to reserve a seat.

CAR SHOW: The Browndale Fire Company is having a benefit on Saturday, 11am-4pm, rain or shine. The 4th Annual Cruzin'2 Browndale Car Show is located at the Browndale Fire Company grounds, Route 247, 620 Marion Street, Browndale. Vehicle registration will begin at 10am. Free grounds entry to view the vehicles. There will be live music, food, vendors, raffles and fun! Space is limited so register now for crafters, vendors, swap meet and car show. For more information: go to Facebook - Cruzin' 2 Browndale; email - browndalefire@gmail.com; or call (570) 785-5300.

CAR WASH FUNDRAISER: Have your car hand washed by The Clifford Vacation Bible School Committee at Lenoxville United Methodist Church, along Route 374, from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Help make vacation bible school possible with a donation for either a hand wash, a vacuum, or both.

JUNE 3

PAINTING WORKSHOP: Acrylic Landscape Painting Workshop on Sunday, 1pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Artist in Residence, Earl W. Lehman will lead two fun and instructive workshops. No special skills or knowledge needed. Bring supplies. Call 570-967-7275 for more details.

PLANT EXCHANGE: The 14th Mtn. View Garden Club Plant Exchange & Marketplace will be held at a new location in the Clifford Township Community Center, 119 Cemetery Street. Vendors are open from 11:30am - 3:00pm, including live music and food. The Plant Exchange & Sale will open at 1:00. For more information, contact JoAnn at 570-222-3591 or jodihall@nep.net.

JUNE 4

PRODUCE MARKET: The Children's Produce Market will be at the Susquehanna Community School District on Monday from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. This program is available for all families of the SCSD. Pre-registration required, proof of income is not needed. Registation forms are available at www.scschools.org. Please return to the school district by: 5/29/2018.

JUNE 9

BIRD TALK: Twitter, Tweets, and (Bird) Talk on Saturday, 10am at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Local birder, Evan Mann, will teach us how to listen to the wonderful sounds of our native songbirds. The presentation will be followed by a stroll in the lawn to practice. Free for members.

JUNE 16

REPTILE WORKSHOP: Amphibian & Reptile Workshop and Survey Walk on Saturday, 10am - 2pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Tim Matthews' morning presentation on PA amphibians and reptiles will be followed, after lunch, by a field survey along the trails. Bring lunch, water, notebook, and camera. Free for members and kids.

STAR GAZING: Star Party on Saturday, 8:30pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. After some tips on using the telescope, we'll head for a field on Salt Springs Road where viewing is ideal. Call the park at 570-967-7275, if the weather looks iffy. Free for members.

JUNE 21

SENIOR PICNIC: The 43rd Annual Senior Picnic will be on Thursday at the Troy Fairgrounds (Alparon Park), 10:00am - 2:00pm. This year's theme is "The Good Old Days". Informational booth exhibitors, free health screenings, bingo, and a picnic lunch will be provided. A donation is asked to help cover meal costs. Contact the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-982-4346 by June 15 to make meal reservations.

JUNE 23

TREASURE HUNT: Basic Orienteering Treasure Hunt on Saturday, 11am at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Kelly Finan will teach some basic orienteering skills—map reading and compass navigation. Free for members.

SUMMER SOLSTICE: Summer Solstice Celebration, Part I on Saturday, 1 - 4pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Ongoing demos and activities will include solar viewing and solar lessons. Bring a picnic lunch and a blanket to sit on. Free-will donation.

SUMMER SOLSTICE: Summer Solstice Celebration, Part II on Saturday, 8pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. We will have a campfire and story-telling. Bring snacks to share. Free-will donation.

JUNE 24

BIKE TOUR: Two-Wheeled Tour on Sunday, 1pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. Bike the roads through Salt Springs Park and the Friends' land. Free-will donation.

JUNE 25-29

VBS: Clifford United Methodist Church on Main Street, daily from 1:00 - 4:45pm. Preregister by Sunday, June 24th from 3 - 6pm. Check-in on Monday starts at 12pm. You can also register online at cliffordumc.org, click the VBS link. For more information, call or email Daneb at 570-222-5493 or danebarhite@gmail.com.

JUNE 30

ARCHERY: Archery for Beginners on Saturday, 10:00am at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. A beginner's program based on the National Archery in the Schools Program is offered. Equipment and targets are provided. All ages welcome.

JULY 3

FREE MUSIC: All-American Music on Tuesday, 7pm at Salt Springs Park, Franklin Forks. An evening of free music under the stars at the Barn Pavilion to honor the birth of America with some patriotic tunes. Bring something to sit on and marshmallows to toast over an open fire afterward. Free, but donations are welcomed.

JULY 12–14

FIREMAN'S PICNIC: Join the Union Dale Volunteer Fire Company for rides, food and fun. Anyone interested in helping, email: uniondalefire@gmail.com. For more information go to: uniondalefire.com.

Parade: Thursday at 7pm. Featuring the band, Mountain Sky Orchestra.

Fireworks: Friday at 10:15pm. Rain date for Saturday the 14th. Featuring the band, The Mix.

Community Night: Starts at 4pm. Basket Raffle and 50/50 Drawings at 10:15pm. Featuring Rukkus Band.

JULY 22

COMMUNITY CHORUS: The Susquehanna Community Chorus will be performing this summer as part of Hometown Days. The concert will be on Sunday, July 22 at 3:00pm at the Susquehanna Community High School Auditorium.

Monday: Chef Salad with Chicken, Potato Salad, Whole Wheat Roll, Mandarin Orange Delight.

Tuesday: Yankee Pot Roast, Carrots and Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Whole Wheat Roll, Oatmeal Raisin Cookie.

Wednesday: Chicken Scampi with Whole Wheat Noodles, Mixed Vegetables, Garlic Bread, Raspberry Peaches.

Thursday: Swedish Meatballs on Whole Wheat Noodles, Peas and Carrots, Fruit Cocktail.

Friday: Glazed Ham, Sweet Potatoes, Brussel Sprouts, Whole Wheat Roll, Cherry Gelatin.

The annual Great Bend Welcome Center Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Monday, May 28. All are welcome to attend. The ceremony honors the soldiers of Bravo Company, 109th Infantry of the Pennsylvania National Guard who lost their lives fighting for our country and who will always be remembered as heroes.

Great Bend Welcome Center has the unique distinction of being the only interstate highway rest stop in Pennsylvania to erect a Veterans Memorial on its grounds. Soldiers memorialized at Great Bend are as follows: SPC Lee Wiegand, Hallstead; SGT Eric W. Slebodnik, Greenfield Township, Lackawanna County; SFC George A. Pugliese, Carbondale, Lackawanna County; SSG Ryan G. Ostram, Liberty Township; SPC William Evans, Hallstead; SPC Oliver J. Brown, Athens, Bradford County; SGT Andrew W. Brown, Pleasant Mount, Wayne County; SSG Daniel L. Arnold, Montrose. These soldiers paid the supreme price in the name of America's freedom in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The Great Bend Welcome Center Memorial came about through the efforts of Mr. Alan Aronowtiz (recently deceased) of New Milford Township. Al was a Korean War veteran and felt it his mission to always remember those who have given their all. This will be the first Memorial Day that Al will not be overseeing the ceremony.

Al arranged the annual memorial ceremony, on occasion getting a bugle player to play "Taps," an honor guard from the 109th Pennsylvania Army National Guard and always having a wreath laid. He also made sure to have Pastor Gary Haskell or Pastor Loren Winn from the Jackson Baptist Church on hand to offer the opening and closing prayers. He saw to it that veterans, friends, county dignitaries and family members were included in the service. Al was greatly helped by Commissioner MaryAnn Warren in his efforts. On at least one occasion, when the county was unable to secure a wreath for the memorial, Commissioner Warren and several friends actually crafted a wreath that, according to Al, "was above the designs of any other wreaths."

Al's greatest hope was that as many people as possible from Susquehanna County could join in honoring the young men who sacrificed their all in Operation Iraqi Freedom

May God bless America, our military and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in her service.

The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Susquehanna County have launched an exciting new opportunity for children ages 9-13 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. 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 and 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.

Pictured (l-r) are: Alixandria and Madilynn Rhinevault, with Master Gardener Pam Tilley

The classes will be held a minimum of twice a month at the Penn State Extension Office in Montrose and various other locations throughout the 2018 growing season. Each class will be two hours long.

Junior Master Gardener is a flexible children's horticultural program. The spring session is nearly completed, so sign up for the Summer session today. 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. Even possible careers or options for the future will be explored.

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

For more detailed information or how to register call the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program in Susquehanna County at 570-666-9003 or email: susquehannamg@psu.edu.

The St. Martin of Tours Parish, located at Route 92 and Route 492 in Jackson, will host a Quilt Show Eat & Greet event sponsored by B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. on Wednesday, May 30 at 11:00am. This event is free and open to adults 60 and older. Lunch will be served at noon with a menu of chicken and sausage bake, chuck wagon corn, brown rice, yogurt with fruit and granola, and milk. Reservations are required by 10:00am on May 24, 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 the warmer weather finally here, thoughts of summer activities and making long-awaited plans are on our minds. Please jot down the "Hometown Days" schedule on your calendar for four days of fun for the whole family.

Carnival provided by SwikaS Amusements.

WEDNESDAY, July 18th, One Price Wristbands ($15.00); Live Music By "Brass Majors" 6:30pm.

THURSDAY, July 19th, One Price Wristbands ($15.00); Live Music by "She's a Spy"--8:00pm; Susquehanna Idol Contest --Single Act --Ages 10-18, Sign-up at 5:45pm--1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes awarded, Live Broadcast by Cool 106.7.

FRIDAY, July 20th, Live Music by "The Look" 7:00pm; Parade at 6:30pm, Line-up at 6:00pm--Susquehanna Community High School, Trophies awarded to Fire Departments, Monetary Awards to floats and walking groups, 1st place -- $100.00--2nd place -- $50.00 --3rd place -- $25.00.

SATURDAY, July 21st, 9:00am--5K RUN/WALK, Register at 7:00am--Starts at the Susquehanna Community High School; Carnival Matinee at 3:00pm; $20.00 Wristbands for the day; Live Music by "Outcold" - 7:00pm; FIREWORKS --Sponsored by Ron and Carol Dubas of Schneider's Market.

A roar of motorcycle engines will be heard and a fleet of classic autos will be on display Sunday, May 20th, as the Susquehanna United Methodist Church, 1361 Main Street, is host to "Biker Sunday/Cruise-in". If you ride a motorcycle, or own a nice classic car—even a younger-style muscle car, cruise-in and share it with us. The Blessing of the Wheels and activities begin at 11:00 AM. You can have your beloved Harley, Indian, Suzuki, etc. blessed, as well as your cherished automobile. You will enjoy a time of fellowship, a free lunch and receive a gift. Pastor Vince Chiaramonte is in charge of this wonderful event.

What a fantastic way to meet other motorcycle and classic car enthusiasts. There is no charge to attend and enjoy this event. If you have questions or need further information, please contact Pastor Vince: either by phone, 570-756-2420; or by email, clearmountain2158@gmail.com. We hope to hear a large "roar" coming from Main Street on Sunday, May 20th.

See you there!

With the abundance of U.S. shale gas, the pricing of natural gas can differ significantly in local markets. The factors that drive these differences will be the topic of a web-based seminar offered by Penn State Extension.

The one-hour webinar, "Appalachia Natural Gas Prices -- How They Are Determined and Where Are They Headed?" will be presented at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 17.

The event will feature Patrick Rau, director of strategy and research for Natural Gas Intelligence. He will discuss the growing importance of the Marcellus and Utica shale formations and basis differentials across the country. The differences in pipeline prices among systems in the Appalachian basin also will be explored.

As with other commodity pricing, natural gas prices are commonly driven by supply and demand and often are linked to oil prices, Rau noted.

"Natural gas production in Appalachia now accounts for approximately 30 percent of total U.S. gas production, and it should achieve an even higher share in the years to come," he said. "That has had -- and will continue to have -- a profound impact on natural gas prices in many parts of the country."

The presentation is part of Penn State Extension's Shale Education monthly webinar series. Upcoming webinars include the following:

–June 21: "Biomethanation: A Unique and Sustainable Approach to Renewable Natural Gas," presented by Kevin Harrison, manager of the energy systems integration facility, and Nancy Dowe, group research manager, biological science, both with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

--July 19: "Introduction to Electric Markets and Procurement Strategies," presented by Scott Harford, energy management consultant, Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute.

-- Aug. 23: "Marcellus Shale Landowner Coalitions: Form, Function, and Impact," presented by Grace Wildermuth, doctoral student in rural sociology at Penn State.

The webinar is free, but registration is necessary. To register, visit the Penn State Extension Natural Gas Events webpage at http://extension.psu.edu/natural-resources/natural-gas/events. More information is available by contacting Carol Loveland at 570-320-4429 or at cal24@psu.edu.

Previous webinars, publications and information are also available on the Penn State Extension natural-gas website (http://extension.psu.edu/naturalgas), covering a variety of topics such as liquid natural gas; seismic testing; methane emissions; water use and quality; Marcellus and Utica basins; natural-gas reserves; gas-leasing considerations for landowners; legal issues surrounding gas development; and the impact of Marcellus gas development on forestland.

Spend an afternoon in Clifford and immerse yourself in local history. Start with the tour of the Historic Baptist Church on Church Street, Clifford. Your next stop is the Museum of Local History, 119 Cemetery Street just a mile from the Baptist Church. If you have young ones, the park and Children's Garden by the Museum should also be on your itinerary. Then enjoy the renovated Hoover School on state route 2014-- two miles from the museum.

Historical Society members will be available at each location to relate stories, explain exhibits and answer questions. Folks who have spent a few hours with us have been impressed and very glad they made the effort. All venues are open, 1 to 4 pm, Sunday May 20, are free to the public and handicap accessible. Hope to see you there!! For more information call 570-679-2723 or email: peltz@nep.net.