Ella Bianchi, 9, daughter of Brian and Nicole Bianchi, New Milford, was seriously injured and nearly drowned in a small watercraft accident while vacationing with her family. While she was sitting on a floating dock, a reckless watercraft driver ran into her, throwing her into the water. Her mother and a family friend performed CPR on Ella at the scene, until paramedics arrived. She was first taken to Geisinger Community Medical Center, Scranton before being transported by Life Flight® medical helicopter to Geisinger Janet Weis Children's Hospital, Danville. She was treated for multiple upper extremity fractures, complex lacerations and a severe concussion. Although still undergoing rehabilitation for some of her injuries, Ella is doing extremely well.

Ella Bianchi

Children's Miracle Network at Geisinger has provided funds for comfort items such as recliners and pull-out beds, which allowed Ella's parents to stay in her room with her during this scary time. Gifts have supported the Child Life Department, which provided distractions and activities for Ella. The outdoor playdeck at the children's hospital, that Ella and her family used regularly, was also partially funded by donations to Children's Miracle Network at Geisinger.

Ella will be one of the featured Miracle Kids on both WBNG in Binghamton, NY, on May 30, 31 and June 1 and on WYOU on June 2 and 3.

Readers are invited to join a Celebration Weekend 2018 and sign up for events at Go.Geisinger.org/CMNevents.

Those wishing may make a donation at geisinger.org/cmn.

Great, delicious food? Check. Live music and entertainment? Check. Friendly, welcoming staff? Check. The 161st Harford Fair? You got it!

The Harford Fair Agricultural Society and Youth Board are working to prepare the grounds for the 161st Harford Fair, in the third full week of August 20-25th. Members spend hours renovating buildings, communicating with vendors, and cleaning up things here and there around the fairgrounds. However, there are two things that members cannot do. One being that members cannot have a great week without the community coming to support and enjoy the Harford Fair. Two being that members cannot sing the National Anthem themselves. So your help is needed. That's right, YOU!

The Harford Fair Youth Board is seeking individuals who wish to perform the National Anthem at various main arena events at the Harford Fair again this year. Tryouts will be at the fairgrounds from 12 to 3 PM on June 3rd. Questions can be directed to the Youth Board via email at hfairyb@nep.net. Pictured is Michayla Stahl who previously performed the National Anthem at the fair while Rachael Grosvenor looks on.

Does singing the National Anthem for the 161st Harford Fair sound interesting? If so, members of the Harford Fair Youth Board will be at the fairgrounds from 12 to 3pm on June 3rd, to listen and select National Anthem performers. National Anthem performers will perform for main arena events during the week of the fair, August 20-25th. Come and try out. Members of the Youth Board look forward to seeing you! Questions or concerns can be made via email at hfairyb@nep.net. So don't miss your chance to perform at this year's Harford Fair.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Healthcare Foundation recently awarded The Children's Advocacy Center of Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties a $10,000 grant to help fund the continuation of services that reduce the trauma experienced by children who have been physically or sexually abused in Wyoming County.

Pictured (l-r) are: Laura Ducceschi, President/CEO SAF, Admin of the NEPA HCF; Amber Loomis, FSA NEPA Chief Advancement Officer; Janine Fortney, CAC Program Director; John Thalenfeld, FSA NEPA Board Chair; Michele McGowan, NEPA HCF Board Member; James Mileski, NEPA HCF Board Member.

The Children's Advocacy Center of Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties is a private, non-profit, charitable organization overseen by Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania (FSA NEPA) and a committee of community members. FSA NEPA opened the Children's Center in October, 2015 and provides a safe, comfortable environment for children and their families as they go through the interviewing and examination process after disclosing some type of traumatic experience. Since opening in the fall of 2015, 120 children have been provided forensic interviews at the center and 63 of those children received medical exams for physical and sexual abuse. To learn more about the Children's Center and how you can be involved, please contact Janine Fortney at 570-823-5144, ext. 370; or jfortney@fsanepa.org.

Nadine

Poor little Nadine is celebrating her 1 year anniversary with us. She has watched so many other kitties head out the door but yet she remains at the shelter, lonely and looking for a family to call her own.

Playful, sweet and cuddly, this 3 year old pretty lady is an affection hog and prefers to keep her humans to herself. She therefore should be the only feline sharing your home. Spayed, UTD, microchipped and overflowing with personality, Nadine needs out of the shelter to boost her morale and fill her heart with happiness. Please stop in and meet her and maybe she will finally be the one heading out the door into a new life. In hopes of helping this staff and volunteer favorite finally get her chance, Nadine's adoption fee will be waived for anyone willing to give a chance out of the shelter.

Representatives from the Apprise program are available year-round at the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. office in Montrose to counsel individuals regarding Medicare, Medicaid, Advantage Plans, Medigap/Supplement, prescription plans and the Pennsylvania PACE program. Information is available on the numerous medical insurance and prescription drug eligibility programs available. Assistance with the completion of various medical forms and applications is also available. These services are offered as part of the Apprise program.

Apprise representatives are available to discuss insurance and prescription medicine issues for Medicare beneficiaries of all ages, and to advocate for individuals as necessary. This service is confidential and offered at no cost.

For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. at 1-800-634-3746.

The Apprise program is also in search of people that are interested in volunteering. Helping people understand their benefits can be such a highly rewarding opportunity. You can be part of the team.

To volunteer as an Apprise Counselor or to receive more information about the volunteer opportunities, please call the agency at 1-800-982-4346.

The Apprise Program and the B/S/S/T Area Agency on Aging, Inc. are funded in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging; the United Way of Bradford County; the United Way of Susquehanna County; the Lycoming County United Way; and the Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Tioga County Commissioners.

The American Red Cross is counting on volunteer donors to give blood and help ensure patient needs can be met this summer.

Around Memorial Day, the Red Cross sees a steep decline in blood donations. Busy summer schedules, vacations and school breaks also cause a drop in donations. Accidents and medical emergencies don't take a summer break - patients need blood every minute, every day.

The public is asked to schedule an appointment to help ensure that hospitals and patients have the blood they need this summer. Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

In thanks, all those who come to donate blood or platelets now through June 10, 2018, will receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply; see amazon.com/gc-legal. More information and details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Together.)

Local upcoming blood donation opportunities are as follows:

South Gibson, May 31, 2pm - 6pm at Angies Place, 8647 PA Route 92.

Montrose, June 5, 11:30am - 6:30pm at Montrose United Methodist Church, 90 Church Street.

Susquehanna, June 8, 2pm - 6pm at First United Methodist Church, 1361 Main Street.

New Milford, June 14, 1:30pm - 6:30pm at Saint Mark's Episcopal Church, 1148 Main Street.

How To Donate Blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-733-2767 to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can 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, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.