Home → Columnists ( September 24, 2025 )
Montrose – The carnival on Tuesday afternoon and evening went over with a bang, notwithstanding the coldness of the weather, which was not sufficiently cold to chill the enthusiasm of the large crowds who participated in the fun. The proceeds amounted to over $1,000 and it is expected that when expenses are paid $800 will be cleared. This sum will be applied toward the pump engine fund, providing a motor-driven truck for Montrose firemen.
Springville – The third annual fair was held here with a large crowd, fine exhibits and good weather. The fair was held in the community building and on the neighboring grounds. The exhibits included sewing and various kinds of needlework, pastry, fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers, etc. A commendable parade, headed by a band made up of local musicians, was held in the early afternoon. It was a colorful procession with a considerable number of automobiles, many children in line, with some of them driving ponies in gaily decorated carts, while an excellent imitation of a calliope created wonderment and entertainment.
Harford – Henry Whitney died Friday morning, after a lingering illness. The funeral was held at the house Sunday afternoon, with interment in the Harding cemetery. ALSO The Harford Fair was a splendid success, in spite of the rainy weather. An unusually large crowd was present on Wednesday and the exhibits were all very nice.
Uniondale – Our sturdy [Civil War] veteran, Richard R. Davis, was the victim of an accident while cutting wood on the Planishek farm. A stick flew up and struck him in the face, cutting the upper lip badly. He is 86 years of age and delights in wood chopping, in which he is an expert.
Clifford – Mrs. Mary Moon, of Denver, arrived in time to celebrate her father's 95th birthday, Thomas W. Atkinson, who has been a life long resident here.
Dimock – Seven kid wagons now carry the pupils to and from the school here. ALSO What has happened to the whistle at the creamery that it does not blow in the morning any more?
Forest City – Frank Putz, Frank Kozlevcar, John Sulecki and John Zenko were admitted to citizenship at Scranton last week. Theodore Ralko also received citizenship papers. ALSO The "woman in black" has been apprehended after terrorizing the people of South Main Street. Saturday night she entered a street car and stretched her self at full length on a long seat in the car. When asked for the fare she told the conductor he might go to a hotter climate as she would not pay fare. At Simpson the conductor asked for the fare again. He received a storm of abuse. She was taken to Carbondale and placed in the custody of the chief of police. Later she was removed to State hospital, Scranton, for an examination as to her sanity.
Susquehanna – Contractor Bennett began laying concrete on the Lanesboro end of the Susquehanna-Lanesboro state road on Monday of this week.
Rush/Fairdale – Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Keller, of Rush, drove over the new concrete pave between Rush and Fairdale when coming to Montrose. Practically all of the pave has been completed between these two points and light traffic is permitted. Before the pave is completed to Camptown, a half mile stretch is to be laid below Rush, and also a considerable gap between Lawton and Rushville.
Birchardville – Dayton Birchard returned to Colgate University for his second year; Miss Vida Park has gone to Mansfield Normal School and Kenneth Dayton, Don Birchard, Gerald Dayton, Helen Birchard, Luella Burr and Ethel Griffis are attending Montrose High School.
Hop Bottom – The electric lights went out of commission just about the time the service opened in the M. E. Church. The pastor gave an interesting sermon, though the church was illuminated only by the flashes of lightning from the passing thunder storm.
Hallstead – The new boats for the second ferry are rapidly nearing completion and when in operation will be run by electric power.
Star-Spangled Banner Flag – In the Smithsonian Institute at Washington is the American flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."
State Police Make Raid in County Jail – Sheriff McLaughlin has been experiencing some difficulty in keeping the jail from being an oasis on an otherwise dry mountain top. On Saturday night he and three state police searched the jail in an effort to find who had liquor in their possession and endeavor to stop the smuggling in of wet goods to the prisoners. Three empty bottles were found in one cell and a fourth bottle in another. Each bottle had been emptied recently and contained a small amount of what officers believe to be intoxicating liquor. A state trooper was "arrested" and committed to jail and gathered evidence on who was providing the liquor and to whom.
The meeting which was held at the court house to make an anti-caucus nomination, was unanimous in favor of Almon H. Read, Esq., for Senator; but taking into consideration, that two persons were already on nomination for that office [John Ryon being one], it was thought politic not to take any step that might chance to operate in favor of the caucus candidate. Mr. Read's talents and character eminently entitle him to the confidence of the people, and will no doubt at a future period, recommend him to public favor, when circumstances like the present, will not render it inexpedient for the people to yield a due support. Mr. Read's good sense will, we think, sanction the proceedings of this meeting, so far as relates to the Senatorial nomination. [In 1825 John Ryon was elected State Senator; Almon Read was elected in 1827; next in 1829, 30, 31 and 32 and in 1833 elected for a four year term. He was State Treasurer for one year and then elected a member of the Convention to Revise the Constitution of Pennsylvania. Almon Read died in 1844 of consumption, a year after his wife, Eliza Cooper Read, died of a short illness. Almon Read, Benj. Case and William Jessup were the first trio of able lawyers in the county. [A portrait of Almon H. Read is on display in the Historical Society.]
NOTICE: The Susquehanna County Historical Society will present "Country Couture: An exhibit of ladies' and children's wear from the 19th and early 20th centuries" on October 3rd and 4th at the Society's Museum in Montrose as part of the Susquehanna County Heritage Trail on October 4th. For more details see the Society's website or Facebook page.
Sheryl and Gerald went out on one date together. After the first date, Sheryl decided that she was not interested in pursuing any further relationship with Gerald. Sheryl then blocked Gerald's number on her phone so that he could not contact her. Gerald, however, was persistent.
Gerald knew that Sheryl worked at a local school, and he began to drive on the school property on a regular basis. As he drove upon the school property, Sheryl could see Gerald looking through the window to the room where she worked. Sheryl also discovered Gerald watching her as she was taking out the trash at the school. As the conduct continued, Sheryl became concerned and began to document Gerald's appearance on school grounds by taking pictures. In the photographs, it showed Gerald staring at the camera which meant Gerald was staring at Sheryl. Eventually, Sheryl became so concerned that she sought out a protective order to prevent Gerald from having any contact with her.
At the hearing on Sheryl's petition, Gerald admitted that he did not have any children at the school where Sheryl was working. Gerald likewise admitted that he had no school-related reason to be on the school property. Gerald contended, however, that his cousin owned real property adjacent to the school and Gerald used the school property to get a better view of his cousin's property to scout white tail deer. The trial court granted Sheryl's petition and ordered Gerald to have no contact with Sheryl for a period of three years. Gerald filed an appeal.
On appeal, Gerald contended that there was insufficient evidence to prove that he had abused Sheryl. Gerald argued that his presence at the school had a legitimate purpose unrelated to stalking Sheryl, namely, spotting white tail deer on his cousin's farmland. The Superior Court noted that a protection from abuse proceeding is a civil proceeding where the burden of proof is a preponderance of the evidence. This means that the evidence, when viewed in favor of the verdict winner, Sheryl, simply had to demonstrate that it was more likely than not that Gerald had engaged in abusive conduct toward Sheryl, i.e., that it was more likely than not that Gerald engaged in stalking behavior.
In this regard, the Superior Court noted that "abuse" was defined under the Protection from Abuse Act to include "a course of conduct or repeatedly committing acts toward another person, including following that person, without proper authority, under circumstances which place the person in reasonable fear of bodily injury." As to what constitutes a "course of conduct," the Superior Court explained that it was "a pattern of actions composed of more than one act over a period of time, however, short, evidencing a continuity of conduct."
In assessing the evidence, the Superior Court noted that Gerald was repetitively on school property over an extended time where he would simply stare at Sheryl, which was supported by the photographs taken by Sheryl. As to Gerald's claim that he was simply deer watching, the Superior Court explained that the trial court did not find this testimony to be credible – and that credibility determination would not be questioned on appeal. Moreover, Sheryl testified that Gerald's course of conduct of appearing at the school to stare at her eventually caused her to be "scared and fearful of what [Gerald] may do to her." Based upon that evidence, the Superior Court concluded: "The evidence clearly shows [Gerald] engaged in a course of conduct of following [Sheryl] under circumstances that reasonably placed her in fear of bodily injury. . . . The trial court did not err in finding this evidence sufficient to support a PFA order."
This case demonstrates a few important things to remember about the Protection from Abuse Act. First, a litigant may qualify for a protective order even where the prior romantic relationship is very brief, i.e., this case involved a single date. Second, there is no need for actual physical abuse to support a protective order; rather, so long as there is evidence of a course of conduct that would put a reasonable person in fear of bodily injury, a trial court has the authority to enter a protective order against the offending party. Third, as to what constitutes sufficient course of conduct to support a protective order, the question is simply whether the conduct would place a reasonable person in fear of bodily injury. Any form of stalking behavior generally will satisfy that definition of abuse.
Good day dear hearts, I love you. In a time of despair and confusion and as a Pastor trying to answer the question asked, "why" all the time, I encountered a breath of encouragement and a sign to me God is here and God is in control. This past Sunday, Robin Truex an active member of our church shared with me a post by her granddaughter, 18-year-old Rilynn Groover, a recent graduate from our Susquehanna High School. She also runs our nursery during our Sunday morning service. Read her words.
"This week's events have really opened my eyes to how desperately our country and our generation need help. I've been learning about Jesus and the Bible since I was just 2 years old, and over the years I've come to see how much my faith shapes the way I live and the way I see the world. One thing I've realized is that too many of us keep our faith quiet. It's almost like we're afraid to let people know where we stand, but Jesus never called us to live in silence. He called us to be a light, to let the world hear our praises and to stand boldly for truth. I believe it's time we start praising out loud, not just inside church walls or in private moments, but in our everyday lives where people can see and hear the hope that we have. I believe this is especially important for the youth, because we are the generation that will one day be in charge: the leaders, teachers, parents, and voices of change. If we grow up hiding our faith, then we'll lead in silence too. If we learn to stand strong now, unashamed and unafraid, then we'll be the ones who bring real change into the world. Our generation has the power to shift culture, to set the tone, for what's right, and to make an impact that lasts beyond us.
I don't just want to talk about change; I want to help make that change. I want to live in a way that points people towards Jesus, to step up to be an example, and to encourage others to do the same. I believe that we can be the voices that inspire, the hands that serve, and the hearts that lead our world closer to God."
Rilynn's words are encouraging and give us comfort and hope. In a world who tries to cover itself in darkness, a light of truth from an 18-year-old woman lights up the room. How did we get to where we are? Who is to blame? Look in the mirror and consider Rilynn Groover's words, "Jesus never called us to live in silence. If we grow up hiding our faith, then we'll live in silence too." Very powerful words for the youth of our town and the country. Stop the silence. Stop the complacency and turn back to the things of God. Not much more to say. Take in what Rylinn has to say. God Bless.
Dear Lord, we thank you for your faithfulness and we thank you for being with us in the circumstances and changes in our lives. While we don't have the control to change, let us surrender to you and let your peace wash over us. Father, we ask your blessing upon our little town. Send your Spirit and touch the broken-hearted, give peace to the sick, bless the poor.
Contact me anytime. Pastor Vince Chiaramonte, 570-853-3988, Susquehanna Christian Community Church, 1361 Main Street, clearmountain2158@gmail.