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Approaching the Susquehanna Depot business district from the west just became a safer and more beautiful experience. Susquehanna Blossoms, the folks who plant and nurture flowers throughout the town, organized the construction of black aluminum fencing that spans 120 feet along West Main Street, leading to a new, pristine bluestone stairway. A railing for the steps will soon complete the project.

Funding for the fencing came from a Marcellus Legacy grant that was approved by the Susquehanna County Commissioners. The bluestone steps were donated by the owners of Endless Mountain Minerals LLC, Bill and Ryan Ruark, and were cut and installed by Tony Neu, of Neu Landscaping & Custom Stone Design LLC, along with local residents.

"We are always looking forward to improving the community aesthetically," said Susquehanna Blossoms President, Beth Tingley. "This project has an added benefit in that it makes it safer for pedestrians to walk on West Main Street to the downtown shops."

Local resident volunteers Tom Culnane, John Kukowski, Steve Lawrenson, Mike Matis and Terry Tingley installed the fence.

The Susquehanna County Promotion & Tourism Agency was awarded a $5,000 grant from America250PA's second Semiquincentennial Grant Round for our Susquehanna County Heritage Trail. This funding enables SCPTA to highlight the significant and diverse historic and heritage sites in Susquehanna County with each site open and welcoming visitors on Oct. 4, 2025.

"We are excited to contribute to Pennsylvania's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence – and to engage our neighbors in meaningful ways that reflect our shared values while pointing toward a hopeful future," said Staci Wilson, SCPTA director. "This funding will help us share the rich tapestry that is Susquehanna County's history. The sites on the trail provide a multi-faceted glimpse at the entire American experience from post-Revolutionary War settlers through the Industrial Revolution and beyond."

"It's thrilling to see so many Pennsylvania communities and organizations stepping up with meaningful, engaging, and inspiring plans as we approach the Semiquincentennial," said Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA. "These grants are giving Pennsylvanians the tools to come together, remember where we've been, and imagine what comes next. America250PA is incredibly proud to support this work, and grateful to Governor Shapiro and the General Assembly for making it possible."

For more information about the Semiquincentennial Grants, please visit https://www.america250pa.org/Semiquin_Grants.

If you have any additional questions, please reach out to Staci Wilson at staci@visitsusqco.com.

During the September 22nd meeting of the Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association Board, the trustees gave reports concerning the many happenings at the branches this fall. Some of the most exciting came from the Historical Society, who reported that they had been able to restore the signage indicating the grave of county historian Emily Blackman at the Montrose Cemetery. Board member Ginny Lewis spearheaded the project, and funds were donated by Steve and Jamie Watson. The Society is also looking forward to what is being called the Susquehanna County Heritage Trail, which entails the opening of 15 county historic sites on October 4th. See the Facebook page or website for details.

Regarding the other branches, the Susquehanna branch received a sizable memorial donation which is being used to assemble new Play-and-Learn (PAL) packs- backpacks full of toys, books, and games- each backpack with its own subject. The Forest City branch finished up its summer reading program by welcoming authors and artists and were also able to create more shelf space by weeding out unused books. The Montrose branch looks forward to hosting its election day soup and bake sale fundraiser on November 4th which raised nearly $1,000 for the library during the primary election in May. Hallstead branch librarian Lauren Canfield shared that recently, a truck driver appreciation event and story time was held in collaboration with True Colors Youth and Outreach Center, a trivia night had raised enough money for a new beanbag chair, and the branch had participated in Get Outside and Read Day in honor of former library Administrator Sue Stone, among other events. Upcoming, she will be going to the Mountain View and Blue Ridge school districts to teach interview tips, will be holding a creative writing seminar, and she also looks forward to welcoming Julia Wright as the new library assistant.

The board passed a motion to appoint Margot Parsons as its Susquehanna area representative, and board President Will Squier announced to the public that while the annual meeting would take place as usual in November, voting for board seats would not occur until January 2026, in an effort to adhere to the association's articles of incorporation. Therefore, the membership drive is being extended to December 31st to allow the rest of the year for members of the public to become voting members of the library. Any memberships received by December 31st will be allowed voting privileges in January, but memberships received on or after January 1st will be allowed voting privileges in 2027.

In response to a question which had been submitted to the board between meetings regarding the videotaping of meetings, Mr. Squier explained that the board had done its due diligence to determine if it was subject to the PA Sunshine Law which pertains to entities and agencies that are required to have open, and therefore, video-tapeable meetings. I'll spare the explanation, but after consulting legal counsel and examining the board's by-laws and articles of incorporation, the counsel determined that the board was not likely subject to the Sunshine Law and therefore was able to make its own rules about recordings of any kind. The board determined that they did not want their meetings to be recorded and members of the public wishing to attend would need to abide by the rules set forth.

Regarding public comments, a few members of the public expressed that they would appreciate the interim head librarian's attendance at the meetings so that he could give report about what he is doing. At a previous meeting, it was stated by a board member that it was cheaper for the library to have the interim seat stay home.

But perhaps after the board mulls it over, he will attend the next meeting to be held at the Forest City Borough building on October 27th.