PAGE 2 - THE FOREST CITY NEWS, FOREST CITY, PA 18421 * WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 8, 2017 * PHONE 570-785-3800 * email fcnews@nep.net

LETTERS TO EDITOR The Forest City NewsFOUNDED DECEMBER 8, 1887

Publication Number 204880Is published weekly on Wednesdays at a subscription rate of $30.00 per year in Susquehanna,

Lackawanna, and Wayne Counties; $40.00 per year in all other mailing zones, and is publishedby The Forest City News Inc., John P. Kameen, President, Patricia M. Striefsky, Secretary; and

the publication office is 636 Main Street, Forest City, PA 18421. Periodical rate postage, paid at Forest City, PA. Phone 570-785-3800; FAX 570-785-9840.

Member of Pennsylvania NewsMEDIA and National Newspaper Association (NNA).POSTMASTER: Send address changes to

The Forest City News, 636 Main Street, Forest City,PA 18421.All artwork, layout, design and news features remain the sole property of

The Forest City News, Inc. Reproduction in whole or any part of any advertisement or news feature is strictly forbidden.

Pleasant Mount NewsBy Theresa Opeka

570-679-2065 bu7294@gmail.com

*

OPEN DAILY 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. CLOSED Wednesdays

Order Party Platters for your Events!

Free coffee, cookies, hot dogs & giveaways!

Union Dale * Phone: 570-679-2151*Subs & Sandwiches *Novelty Ice Cream

* Summer Salads *Stromboli*Party Platters *Ice

*All Local Newspapers

Forest City, PA570-785-5885

Home HeatingOil Sales

Major credit cards acceptedVisa, Mastercard, Discover

Now SellingBag Coal!

Indoor yard saleat Ladore Lodge

An indoor yard sale will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at La-dore Camp, 287 Owego Tpke., Waymart. To reserve a space to sell call 570-488-6129. Cost is $10.

Ziti with yourSweetie Feb. 12

Ziti with your Sweetie din-ner Theater by the Clifford Community Youth Group on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 at 2 p.m. in the Clifford Fire Hall, Rte. 106, Main St. Clifford. There will be salad, ziti with meat-balls, beverage and dessert will be served while youth present “Cafe Murder, a Com-edy.” A donation $10 will be accepted.

Tickets available by contact-ing Robin at 570-222-4344 or Lisa 570-222-5493, or from any youth group member or limit-ed tickets available at the door.

Thanks for your support!Dinner Specials Every Friday Night

Uniondale, PA - 570-679-2129 *www.chetsplace.com

Fri., Feb. 17 - Jim CarroSat., Feb. 18 - Mace in Dickson

Wed., Feb. 22 - Eric HarveySat., Feb. 25 - The Grundles

Wed., Feb. 8 - Shaun ZFri., Feb. 10 - Dishonest Fiddlers

Sat., Feb. 11 - Stray SeedsWed., Feb. 15 - Eric Harvey and Dee

Music at Chet’s Place!!

Lodging & Cross Country* Ski Rental EquipmentOpen Daily!

LETTER TO EDITOR

Dear Editor:Just a few thoughts regard-

ing the issue of possible clos-ings of local prisons ... And I heard on the news that the two facilities in our area have been “spared” closing. Let me ramble:

Just wish there was a seri-ous effort to reform the broken criminal justice system but there is little if any interest or motivation within the house of men and women who sit in positions that represent such tremendous power and judge-ment over others... from law enforcement, attorneys, pros-ecutors, prison authorities, pa-role/probation and the bench.

What is their incentive to minimize the flow of human life sentenced to the nation’s penitentiaries/concrete and steel cages. There is none.

No one argues that there shouldn’t be a consequence for crimes committed but there is a huge difference between Intentional behavior to harm another—to purposefully commit egregious acts against society ----and “stepping in it”... making poor choices... goofing up or acting stupid-ly

There is a difference be-tween an “act/ reaction” that falls into the category of a law being broken and ones con-scious choice to repeatedly engage in criminal behav-ior. Reform should focus on Reconciliation, Reclamation, Restitution and Restoration. Reformation should seek to correct (I know I know...peni-tentiaries are called “correc-tional facilities,” laughable) by counseling and teaching life, trade and tech skills.

Men and women who get caught in the criminal justice cobweb and end up spend-ing time in a human cage are tatoo’d/branded as ex-cons upon their release back into society I prefer to call former prisoners “returning citizens”.

Anyway forgive my ram-blings; obviously this is a top-ic/issue that comes with per-sonal perspective.

As a believer I recognize the brokenness of humanity... every one of us without ex-clusion. I also believe in the power of the Cross and our Savior Who’s love is so great that He willingly went to the cross bearing it’s pain, agony, shame and death thru the sac-rificial shedding of His blood for one purpose and that was/is to offer mankind one at a time the gift of eternal life gift wrapped in mercy, grace and forgiveness. God’s ultimate desire is that man experiences Reconciliation, Redemption and Restoration allowing for an intimately personal rela-tionship with Him.

.... but I ramble...Thank you

Paul KeesterKingsley

Harford Fair directors and the secretary gathered with the 2016 Harford Fair Queen, Jo-lie Winemiller, following the Coronation Banquet at the PA State Fair Convention in Her-shey. Seated left to right are LouAnn Kiefer, board secretary and office manager; Harford Fair Queen 2016 and State Miss Congeniality, Jolie Winemiller; and second vice president Cindy Reynolds. Standing left to right include president Dr. Michael Kowaleski; first-vice president Jason Miller, Treasurer Mark Pease, and executive committee members Brian and David Tyler. Other directors in attendance during the convention but absent for the photo included Matt Holbrook, Kurt Kulick, and Heidi Stephens-Pavelski.

Far different weather greet-ed the Harford Fair directors as they arrived at the Hershey Convention Center for the 105th Pennsylvania State Fair Asso-ciation Convention (PASCF). Last year thirty inches of snow fell while the 1,700 fair people were at the convention in Her-shey. The year around efforts of all associated with the fair certainly paid off with several areas of state-wide recognition for the Harford Fair. During the communications breakfast, Harford Fair won first place for its premium book and second place for its placemat. Dur-ing the memorial service hon-oring all fair personnel from across the state who passed away during the past year named from the Harford Fair included Gerald Albeck, Leon Button, and Eleanor Hunter. The 2016 Harford Fair Queen, Jolie Winemiller, a sopho-more at Lebanon Valley Col-lege, proudly represented the Harford Fair throughout the convention. Her parents are Jan and Jeff Winemiller. They attended the convention with several other relatives and shared in a variety of events. Jo-lie competed with a total of six-ty girls representing their fairs from across the state. After in-terviews, speeches, and special activities, she participated in the highlight of the convention, the Coronation Banquet on Sat-urday evening. Those in atten-dance were thrilled when Jolie Winemiller was named Miss Congeniality and was one of the top five finalists. Madeline McEachin, representing the Big Butler Fair, was crowned

the 2017 Pennsylvania Fair Queen. Rachel Duke from the Clearfield County Fair Queen was crowned PA State Alter-nate Queen.

The convention affords fair personnel from the 109 fairs the opportunity to attend round table discussions as well as educational seminars present-ed by national speakers. The information will be utilized in planning and making improve-ments for the 2017 Harford Fair, August 21-26. In addi-tion to informational sharing, there was a vast trade show with over 182 vendors which offered ideas and samples of food, ribbons, entertainment, amusements, and other spe-cialties associated with fairs.

Harford Fair directors in attendance at various times throughout the convention in-cluded Dr. Michael Kowalews-ki, president; Jason Miller, first vice-president; Cindy Reyn-olds, second vice-president; Mark Pease, treasurer; Matt Holbrook; Kurt Kulick; Heidi Stephens-Pavelski; Brian Tyler and David Tyler. Fair board secretary and office manager, LouAnn Kiefer attended the convention as well. Other Susquehanna County mem-bers associated with the fair in attendance included Ginny Beeman and Debbie Chidester, Harford Fair Queen Coordina-

tors; April Holbrook, Michelle Kowalewski, Sue Pease; Nan-cy Tyler, who works with the Harford Fair Youth Board; and Renee Tyler, first aid station manager.

The theme for 2017 is “Coun-try Scenes . . . Blue Rib-bon Dreams.” Fairs have the option of utilizing this state-wide theme for their premium books, advertising, and com-mercial and vendor space com-petitions.

Everyone returned to Susquehanna County with some fresh ideas to utilize in the year-around planning for the Harford Fair in August.

Harford Fair Recognized at PA State Fair Convention

Rep. Fritz to Offer Outreach Hours In Forest City

In an effort to provide con-stituent services to residents across the 111th Legislative District, Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Susquehanna/Wayne) will offer monthly constituent out-reach hours in the Forest City Borough Hall, located at 540 Main St., Forest City.

Outreach hours for the month of February will be of-fered on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 2-4 p.m. Area residents may visit the borough hall during that time for assistance with PennDOT, LIHEAP, SNAP and Property Tax/Rent Rebate forms; information regarding state agencies and programs; and more.

“I am excited about the op-portunity to offer constituent outreach in Forest City,” said Fritz. “The 111th Legislative District is sprawling, and it is my goal to provide constitu-ent services to as many folks as possible. Please don’t hesitate to stop by my offices or give us a call for assistance with any state issues.”

For legislative updates, visit www.RepFritzPA.com.

Comm. Bible Church Soup-er Sat., Feb. 18

Community Bible Church will host Soup-er Saturday on Saturday, February 18th, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A va-riety of home-made soups will be featured along with baked goods and desserts. Eat in or take out. The church’s music ministry team will perform classic popular tunes as well as country gospel songs.

Come and enjoy good food, good music and good neigh-bors! Everyone is welcome.

The church is located at 1352 Heart Lake Road, Route 107 near Heart Lake corners. Look for the three crosses.

Happy Birthday to: Timmy Conklin, Joyce McGraw, Herb Peak, Will Jonas, Maureen Travis, Diane White, Kelly Norosky, Don Sneath, Edel-traud Kneier, Taj Fairchild, and my cousins, Corey and Emily Matoushek.

Happy Anniversary to: Sean and Helen Rogers

The Lakewood Area Food Pantry will be held at the Northern Wayne Family Health Center, 412 Como Rd., Lake Como from 12:30 pm - 2 pm on Wednesday, February 15. For an emergency need, call 570-798-2229.

Upcoming events at the Pleasant Mount Library: Fri-day, Feb. 10 –7 to 9 am - Cof-fee for the Community hosted by The Friends of the Pleasant Mount Public Library; Satur-day, Feb. 11 - 9:30 am to 2 pm– Monthly Meeting of the Pleas-ant Mount Quilters;Saturday, Feb. 18- 9 am to 3 pm– Quilts of Valor

In order to preserve our history, high school students, Matt Trotter and Erin Urban are interviewing local resi-

dents as their Senior project. If you would like to participate, call Tim Hall at 570-448-2817

In 1904, when the Samuel Meredith statue was dedicat-ed, 7 Civil War veterans stood in front of the monument. They were: Verdine O’Dell,Joe Thomas, George Bonham, Mel Stark, Frank Gager, Joe Allen and Frank Bush.

Susq. Co. Re-publican Comm. Lincoln Day Breakfast

The Susquehanna County Republican Committee “Lin-coln Day Breakfast” will be held on Saturday, February 25th, from 9:30 AM until Noon at the Harford Fire Hall, Fair Hill Road, Harford, PA.

Besides a delicious Breakfast Buffet and a great chance to re-new old friendships and make new ones, those individuals who will be seeking election, and in some cases, re-election, will be present and will have their petitions for attendees to sign so their names will be on the Primary Election ballot in May.

The cost is $18.00 per per-son and a reservation must be made by February 13th by contacting Nancy Narma, ei-ther by Email: tenderheart@echoes.net, or by phone: 570-853-3690.

Please make checks payable to: S.C.R.C. and send to: Su-san Gagnon, 2357 Creek Road, Susquehanna, Pa. 18847

*Find us on Facebook—“Susquehanna County Repub-licans”.

Senator Baker February Office Hours Feb. 21

Senator Lisa Baker, R-20th, announced that Field Repre-sentative Tom Yoniski will be available for consultation from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the Susquehanna De-pot Borough Building, 83 Erie Boulevard, Suite A, Susque-hanna Depot.

He will also be available from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on Tues-day, Feb. 21 at the Forest City Borough Building, 535 Main St., Forest City and from 1-3 that same day at the Lenox Township Municipal Building, 2811 State Route 92, Kingsley.

While appointments are rec-ommended, walk-ins are wel-come.

Constituents are encouraged to visit with any questions or problems relating to state mat-ters and no appointment is necessary though they can be scheduled. Concerns may also be addressed by visiting Sena-tor Baker’s district office at 22 Dallas Shopping Center, Dal-las, by visiting her website at www.senatorbaker.com or by calling (570) 675-3931.

Susq. Co. Housing Auth. Openings

Susquehanna County Hous-ing Authority has immediate openings in the following loca-tions so please call the rental offices listed below for more information. All locations are HUD subsidized.

William Penn Apartments is located at 331 Main Street in Forest City, Pa. You must be 62 or older or handicapped/disabled and income cannot exceed $33,150 for 1 person or $37,850 for 2 persons.

Please contact Lisa Higgins, Project Manager at (570) 785-5990.

Turnpike Terrace Apart-ments is located at 3006 Turn-pike Street in Susquehanna, Pa. You must be 62 or older or handicapped/disabled and income cannot exceed $33, 150 for 1 person or $37,850 for 2 persons. Please contact Christi Albert, Project Manager at (570) 853-4113.

Harford Village Apartments is located at 201 School Street in Harford, Pa. You must be 62 or older and income cannot exceed $20,700 for 1 person or $23,650 for 2 persons. Please contact Lisa Higgins, Project Manager at (570) 434-2836.

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