At approximately 8:30am on July 15th, the Bangor Police Department responded to 718 South Main Street, in Bangor, PA, the office of Senior District Judge Sher-wood Grigg. The initial call came in from courtroom staff who were opening the office for the day. They immedi-ately detected an odor of gasoline emanating inside the building. They immediately called the Northampton County 911 Center to report the matter.When the Bangor Police

Officers arrived and entered the building, they noticed a large amount of shattered glass and a broken window. Upon further investigation,

officers observed pieces of material consistent with that of a homemade explosive device. The office was evacu-ated and the appropriate emergency notifications were made. Agents from the Bureau of

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investiga-tions (FBI) responded and are

assisting in this investigation. The device did not detonate and there were no reported injuries.The device was thrown

through the buildings window at approximately 2:30am on July 15th. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Bangor Police Department at 610-330-2200.

The Blue Mountain Com-munity Library is manag-ing the Wind Gap Middle School Summer Reading Program. All students enter-ing grades four through eight are required to read three books over the summer, as well as complete a writing assignment on a non-fiction book. This book may be from the list of books given by the school or from any book on the non-fiction shelves in the library. The books will be available in the library now through August 15th. In order to borrow books, children must have a library membership. For those need-ing to open a membership, an adult with a valid PA drivers license must accompany the student. Membership is free to all residents living in the Pen Argyl School District. Blue Mountain Community Library is located at 216 South Robinson Avenue in Pen Argyl. Hours are

Monday through Saturday, 10am to noon, and Monday through Thursday, 6pm to 8pm. For more information, call 610-863-3029 or visit www.bmcl.org.No Kill Lehigh Valley will

hold a vaccination clinic for cats and dogs at 1310 Blue Valley Drive in Pen Argyl on Sunday, August 2nd from 11am to 2pm. Rabies and distemper vaccines for cats and dogs are $15 each, Bordetella for dogs is $15. Micro Chips for cats and dogs are $25 and nail clipping is $5. The clinic benefits No Kill Lehigh Valley, a 501C3 animal welfare group dedicated to keeping animals out of shelters by helping with veterinary care needs and the spay/neuter of cats.The Pocono Pride Fast-

pitch will be holding tryouts for the 2016 Season. Tryouts will be held, August 1st at Oak St. Field in Mt. Pocono for 16u-18u at 10am and for 12u-14u at noon; August 2nd at Green and

White Field, in Pen Argyl for 16u-18u at 10am and for 12u-14u at noon; August 8th at Oak St. Field, in Mt. Pocono for 16u-18u at 10am, and 12u-14u at noon; and August 9th at East Bangor Park, in Bangor for 12u-18u at 10am. for more informa-tion, visit poconopride.com.St. Johns Cemetery is

seeking donations to help with the upkeep of the cem-etery, roadways and monu-ments. They are also explor-ing the idea of adding a Com-munity Columbarium near the mosoleum. Donations can be sent to Carol Hummel c/o St. Johns Cemetery, 136 Messinger Street, Bangor, PA 18013.The Ladies Auxiliary of

the Mt. Bethel Volunteer Fire Company in Mt. Bethel is seeking new mem-bers and volunteers. If you are interested and would like further information, contact Gail at 570-897-6293 or Kris at 610-392-7975.The BAHS Alumni Asso-

ciation is collecting used musical instruments to be donated to Bangors elementary band program. The instruments will be used as loaners for students who cannot afford them. For more information, call 610-588-5198. The Slate Belt Heritage

Center Oral History Proj-ect is seeking Slate Belt senior citizens who would like to be interviewed. If you know of anyone who has a story, call Marc Blau at 570-897-5459.

Blairstown Recreation is offering Summer Sessions of Zumba, PiYo and Pilates for adults and teens to get fit and stay fit for the summer. Zumba is open now through August 6th on Tues-days and Thursdays from 6pm to 7pm at Blair Acad-emy Dance Studio in the Armstrong Hipkins building. PiYo is offered on Fridays, now through August 14th, from 8:30am to 9:15am at the Blairstown Free Evan-gelical Church. Pilates will be on Tuesdays and Thurs-days, now through August 13th, at the Evangelical Free Church from 9:15am to 10:15am. Registration is accepted at the recreation office on Tuesdays and Thursdays during office hours or mail-in or drop-off box, located outside the municipal building. For more information, visit blairstown -nj.org or call 908-362-6663, ext. 232.Wildwood Crest is holding

a fundraiser trip to benefit Haven of Hope for Kids on September 7th through 11th. The cost includes Deluxe Motor Coach Trans-portation; five days, four nights at the Bal Harbor on the ocean; Four full break-fasts at the motel, four full dinners in excellent area restaurants; group pizza luncheon; special gala night with dinner, prizes and danc-ing; cocktail party with music around the pool; star

studded show at the Perform-ing Arts Center; and a stop at Historic Smithville for lunch on the way home. This fund-raiser helps make a sick child's wish come true to enjoy a week in the country. All taxes, baggage and dinner gratuities included. For more information and reservations please call Gladys at 908-459-9210 or Polly at 908-276-3850. Deposit due now and pay in full by August 1st.The First Presbyterian

Church of Blairstown invites all children to Move, Act, Care, Follow and Share at G-Force: Gods Love in Action Vacation Bible School. VBS will be held August 3rd through 7th from 9am until 11:30am at the Outreach Center, located at 35 Main Street (next to the Blairstown Post Office). For more information, call 908-459-9068 or visit FPCBNJ.org.Knights of Columbus

Assembly #3125 of Blair-stown is holding their annual flag sale for three feet by five feet nylon USA flags with deluxe embroi-dered stars and sewn stripes. Donation per flag is $20. Call 908-362-9121 for pickup.Warren County Commu-

nity Senior Centers will be featuring exercise classes, including Tai Chi and Zumba Gold, guest speak-ers and activities. Lunch will be served Monday through Friday and transpor-tation is available upon request. For more informa-tion and locations, call 908-475-6591. Deer Valley Sportsmens

Association of Blairstown is looking for land to lease in the Blairstown, Hard-wick, Knowlton, Hope, Frelinghuysen, Stillwater or White Twp. areas. All members belong to the National Rifle Association and hunt-alongs are done

before new members are voted into this association. Several of the associations properties are semi-wild and licensed by the State of NJ Division of Fish and Wild-life. They stock phesants, partridge and sometimes quail. All leased property is posted and trespassers are vigorously prosecuted. If you own property, either wooded or fileds with brushy cover, and would like to speak with someone about leasing the property, call Robert at 973-948-4001; James at 973-875-9266; Timothy at 908-637-4408; Brian at 908-362-6598; or James Craig at 908-278-5149. The associa-tion is a rounded group including doctors, lawyers, police, contractors, farmers, a former director of Fish and Game, and they are well-known and respected in the Blairstown area.Public Notice: In accor-

dance with the Adequate Notice provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that the 2015 meeting schedule for the Warren County Human Services Advisory Council is as follows: July 28th, September 22nd and Novem-ber 24th (location TBD) at 1:30pm. Meetings will be held in the Freeholder Meet-ing Room at the Wayne Dumont Jr. Adminisration Building, located at 165 Rt. 519 S. in Belvidere. Public Notice: In accor-

dance with the Adequate Notice provision of the Open Public Meetings Act, please be advised that the 2015 meeting schedule for the Warren County LACA/DA is as follows: August 11th, October 13th and December 8th at 5pm. Meetings will be held in Meeting Room A--located on the first floor--at Warren County Department of Human Services, located at 1 Shotwell Drive in Belvidere.

Adult Fiction: Radiant Angel, Nelson DeMille; The Dog Who Saved Me, Susan Wilson; One Mile Under, Andrew Gross; The Fateful Lightning, Jeff Shaara; The Rocks, Peter Nichols; In The Unlikely Event, Judy Blume; World Gone By, Dennis Lehane; Finders Keepers, Stephen King; The Forgotten Room, Lincoln Child; 14th Deadly Sin, James Patterson; Memory Man, David Balda-cci; Inside The O'Briens, Lisa Genova; The Sound of Glass, Karen White; The Guest Cottage, Nancy Thayer; Solitude Creek, Jeffery Deaver; Gathering Prey, John Sandford; The Enemy Inside, Steve Martini

Adult Large Print Fiction: One True Heart, Jodi Thomas; One Wish, Robyn Carr; Chasing Sunsets, Karen Kingsbury; The Cavendon Women, Barbara Taylor Bradford; Your Next Breath, Iris Johansen; Perfect Match, Fern Michaels; Blue Prints, Barbara Delinksy; The Truth According to Us, Annie Barrows; The President's Shadow, Brad Meltzer; Wicked Charms, Janet Evanovich.Adult Non-fiction: Step-

dog, Mireya Navarrol; American Wife, Taya Kyle; Hidden Girl, Shyima Hall; The Book of Joan, Melissa Rivers; A Lucky Life Inter-rupted, Tom Brokaw

Adult Fiction: Bradford, Barbara Taylor: The Caven-don Women; Cavendon Hall; Brown, Rita Mae: Tail Gait; Child, Lincoln: The Forgot-ten Room; Collins, Jackie: The Santangelos; Cussler, Clive: Piranha; Deaver, Jeffrey: Solitude Creek; Delinsky, Barbara:blueprints; Demille, Nelson: Radiant Angel; Dugan, Polly: The Sweatheart Deal; Evanovich, Janet: Wicked Charms; Frank, Dorothea Benton: All The Single Ladies; Genova, Lisa: Inside The Obriens; Grren, Jane: Summer Secrets; Harris, Charlaine: Midnight Crossroad; King, Stephen: Finders Keepers; Lindse, Johanna: Wildfire In His Arms; Patterson, James:

Truth Or Die; Potter, Cheryl: Secrets Of The Lost Caves; Silva, Daniel: The English Spy; Walker, Sarai: Diet-land.Adult Non Fiction:

Archibald, Elizabeth: Ask The Past; Brooks, David: The Road To Character; Lancaster, Jen: I Regret Nothing.Junior Nonfiction: John-

son, Jinny: Elephant.Easy Fiction: Dean, Kim:

Pete The Cats Groovy Guide To Life.Audio Books Fiction:

Ness, Patrick: Monsters Of Men.DVDS: Analyze That; In

Good Company; Like Water For Chocolate; Meet The Fockers.

The Chester Lioness Club has selected their winners for the 2015 Lioness Club Scholarships. The winners are Valentia Sukhoruchkina from West Morris Central High School, and Jenna Ficula from West Morris Mendham High School.Valentina came to this coun-

try at a very young age. Her main goal is to get a good education so that she can help her mother. Valentinas father passed away when she was 14 years old, bringing both financial and emotional struggles. She is so very proud that the two are able to stayand work together. Valentina maintains the

family budget and is very interested in becoming an accountant. As she said in her essay, she is looking for a career and not just a job. Her love of mathematics and solving problems led her to take one of the most difficult subjects offered by the business department: IB Business/Management and Contemporary World Issues. She has been on the honor roll and has had several student of the month awards. Her teacher states ...her

in-class performance is exceptional, practicing investment strategies in simulated stockmarket games and analyzing the times when to take an educated financial risks. Valentinas goal for the

future is to graduate college and begin working as an

accountant. I want to be able to ensure

a successful, financially stable life for my mother and I, so we do not have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. My goal, not only to prove to myself, but to as many people as possible that no matter where you come from, as long as you are a hard worker and have at least some support from people around you, it is possible to achieve your dreams.Valentina will be attending

Centennary College in Hack-ettstown, majoring in Accounting.Jenna Ficula is a very active

student at West Morris Mendham. She is president of the Student Council, vice president of the Service Club, Member of the Interna-tional Club, Peer Leader, Member of the field hockey team and marching band, this is just to name a few. Jenna is an International

Baccalaureat Full Diploma Candidate for graduation, taking a test in six subjects. There are also outside

research papers. Last year she was honored with the National Center for Women and Information Technology Aspirations in Computer Award for Northern New Jersey. This was is credited to her participation in an eight week program at Gold-man Sachs, Girls Who Code.Being a volunteer is nothing

new for Jenna. At West Morris Mendham she has been active in student government, and being a member of the field hockey team and marching band. As a member of the Service Club she has been a volun-teer at the Chester Oktober-fest, the local blood drive, food drives for foster children in Morris County, food drives for Chester Food Pantry, senior citizen recep-tions for Mendham residents, Toys for Tots and Relay for Life. With her church group she

helped build houses for impoverished families in Virginia, volunteered at the Mendham Township Local Government in Brookside

each week and helped file and complete paperwork, develop the website and social media accounts and spoke with local residents about issues. In addition to her school

activities, she works at a local luncheonette to help finance her education. She will be attending Marist College, majoring in Com-puter Science. The Chester Lioness Club

offers two scholarships to students residing in Chester, Mendham or Washington Township in Morris County, NJ. Criteria for selection of candidates for these scholar-ships includes academic record, classroom and extra-curricular activities, commu-nity activities, individual interests and hobbies, and outstanding accomplish-ments in activities that dem-onstrate leadership and service. Financial need is also a consideration. These scholarships are available not only to public high school students, but those attending private schools or are home tutored, as well.

(NAPSI)Dont let invis-ible threats lurking in pools, water parks and lakes ruin your summer. Recreational water illnesses (RWIs), such as Cryptosporidium (Crypto) and Giardia, are on the rise and most prevalent in the United States during the prime swimming months, typically May through Octo-ber.Crypto and Giardia are two

frequently occurring parasitic infections with the most common symptom being persistent diarrhea. Accord-ing to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preven-tion (CDC), there are approximately 750,000 cases of Crypto estimated each year in the U.S., a 300 percent increase in incidence over the past decade. The CDC also estimated 1.2 million cases of Giardia annually in the U.S.The Problem: Unfortu-

nately, swimming in properly chlorinated pools does not necessarily eliminate the risk of parasitic infections. An infected person can spread RWIs at alarming rates through swimming water, leaving fellow swimmers sick with infectious diarrhea for weeks and sometimes even developing lasting gastrointestinal damage. According to new research conducted by Nielsen, theres confusion and misinforma-tion about Giardia and Crypto among parents and caregivers. Four in 10 think hand sanitizers can kill the parasites, which is not true. More than a third dont know how their kid(s) can catch the parasite. And most caregivers (74 percent) are unclear on how long they need to keep their sick children out of the water. Fewer than a third know that the CDC/AAP swimming guidelines indicate that children infected with Crypto need to be out of the water for two weeks after symptoms have resolved.What You Can Do: Shower both before enter-

ing and after leaving a public swimming pool.

Avoid swallowing water. Wash your hands

thoroughly with soap and water after using the bath-room or changing diapers. See a doctor promptly if

you develop symptoms. Over-the-counter medica-tions offer limited support if youre infected with these parasites.Most people dont appreci-

ate how common recreational water-borne parasitic infec-tions such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium can be, particularly in the summer months, said Steven J. Czinn, M.D., professor and chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medi-cine and Chief of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland Medical Center. If you think your child may be infected, dont let him or her suffer in silence. Contact your pedia-trician. There are safe and effective FDA-approved treatments for the diarrhea caused by these parasites.What Doctors Can Do:The good news is doctors

can prescribe an FDA-approved treatment--for adults and for children-for the diarrhea caused by Crypto and Giardia.Expert Advice:Without treatment, the

symptoms of Crypto and Giardia infections last two to three weeks, but proper treat-ment can reduce the duration of diarrhea, said Deborah Goldman, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University and division director of pediatric gastro-enterology at the Golisano Childrens Hospital. Those who suspect that theyve been infected should contact their medical care provider for treatment. Patients as well as medical care providers have a responsibility to treat parasitic infections properly to avoid the spread of the illnesses and potential outbreaks.You can find further infor-

mation at www.cdc.gov/ features/healthyswimming/index.html.

East Bangor UMCC Adult Study: Mondays, 7pm. Now-August 17th. 136 W. Central Ave. (Rt. 512), East Bangor. Based on The Political Teachings of Jesus, by Tod Lindberg. No class July 27th. FMI, call 610-588-4453 or visit ebumc.org.

122nd Annual Big Time Celebration: July 22nd-25th. Religious Procession, July 26th. Roseto.

Toy Bingo: July 25th, 11am. Hope UCC, 2nd St., Wind Gap. FMI, email hopeucc@hotmail.com or call 908-727-0090.

Flea Market & Craft Fair: 25th, 9am-3pm. St. Nicholas Byzantine Church, Rt. 940 & Commerce St., Pocono Summit.

Tatamy Historical Society

Car Show: July 26th, 9:30am-2:30pm. Broad St., Tatamy. Rain date, Septem-ber 27th. FMI or to enter, call 610-258-3380, 610-759-6268, 610-258-3832 or email jduel@rcn.com.

Blue Mountain Community Library Board of Directors Pies in the Park Fund-raiser: July 26th, 6pm. Weona Park, Rt. 512, Pen Argyl. During the Summer Sounds Free Concert Series. Concert will be held rain or shine. FMI, call 610-863-3029 or visit www.bmcl.org.

All You Can Eat Blueberry Pancake Breakfast: July 26th, 8am-noon. Blooming Grove Vol. Firehouse, 484 Rt. 739, Lords Valley (Hawley). FMI, call 570-775-7355.

Bangor Park Board Free Outdoor Movie: June 26th, dusk. Stuart Little. FMI, call Debbie Smith at 610-751- West Jersey Soccer Club

Summer Soccer Nights: Now-August 6th, 6pm-7:30pm. NJ Soccer Club practice field, Broadway. FMI, visit www.west jerseysoccerclub.org.

Free Parenting Work-shops: Now-August 12th, 6pm-8pm. 127 Mill St., Newton. For families w/ children ages 0-10. FMI, call 973-940-3500 or visit projectselfsufficiency.

Snake-N-Scales & Turtle Tales: July 15th, 4pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Growing Up Wild: July 16th, 6:30pm-8:30pm. 350 Marshall St., Phillipsburg. Ages 3-7. FMI, call 908-454-1078.

Adult Jeopardy: July 16th, 7pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335. Registration

reqd. Ages 18 & up.

Super Comedy Show w/ Pat Davison: July 17th, 2pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Walnut Valley UMC BBQ Chicken Dinner: July 18th, 4:30pm-7pm. 4 Vail Rd, Columbia. Take out only. FMI, call 908-362-6516.

Walpack Historical Society's Meeting: July 19th, 1pm. Walpack ME Church, Walpack Center, Sussex Co. FMI, visit walpackhistory.org or call 973-948-4903.

Morning Lit Group: July 20th, 10am. Catherine Dick-son Hofman Library, 4 Lam-bert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

The Gravestone Artist: July 20th, 2:30pm. Cath-erine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Create your own foil impression using a gravestone cast. Ages 11-16. Registration reqd. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Super Hero Capes Work-shop: July 21st, 2pm. Cath-erine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Ages 5-8. Regis-tration reqd. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Pirate Short John Leadfoots Reading & Magic Adventure: July 22nd, 4pm. Catherine Dick-son Hofman Library, 4 Lam-bert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

North Warren Democratic Club Meeting: July 22nd, 7pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library. Lambert Rd., Blairstown. FMI, call Fred at 908-362-6808 or email fpchistory@yahoo.com.

Phillipsburg Area Summer

7692.

Ackermanville, Belfast Wesley, E. Bangor & Rich-mond UMCs Everest Vacation Bible School: July 26th-30th, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Ackermanville UMC 1410 Ackermanville Rd., Bangor. All ages, 3-103. FMI or to register, email Meagan at meagan_ackerman@yahoo.com or call 610-588-7818.

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church VBS: July 27th-31st, 6:15pm-8pm. 2455 Lake Minsi Dr., Bangor. FMI or to register, visit www. popbangor.org or call 610-588-2355.

2nd Ward Annual Carni-val: July 30th-August 1st, 6:30pm-10:30pm. 517 S. Northampton St., Bangor. Bingo, games, food & much more.

Blood Pressure w/ Cecelia: July 30th, 9am-11am. Slate Belt Senior Center. Blue Valley Farm Show Complex, 700 American Bangor Rd., Bangor.

Farkle Tournament: July 30th, 12:30pm. Slate Belt Senior Center. BVFS Com-plex, 700 American Bangor Rd., Bangor.

Ice Cream Social: August 1st, 4pm-8pm. Christ Lutheran Church, 703 S. Delaware Dr., Mt. Bethel. Food, homemade ice cream, live music. FMI, call Chrissy at 610-588-0809.

Wind Gap Summer Sounds: August 2nd, 6pm. Wind Gap Park. Headliners.

Camp Discovery VBS: August 3rd-7th, 6pm-8pm. Grace UMC, 404 Mountain Ave., Pen Argyl. Ages 3-grade 8. FMI, visit www. worshipatgrace.org or call 610-863-4811.

National Night Out: August 4th, 5:30pm-8pm. The Bee Hive, Bangor.

Delaware-Lehigh Amateur Radio Club Meeting: August 6th, 7:30pm. Bethle-hem Twp. Community Center, 2900 Farmersville Rd., Bethlehem. FMI, visit www.dlarc.org or call 610-432-8286.

Annual Homecoming Bazaar: August 7th & 8th, 5pm. Our Lady of Victory R. C. Church, Tannersville. Rain or shine.

Movie Night: August 8th, dusk. Bangor Park. A Bug's Life. FMI, contact Debbie Smith at bangorparkboard @gmail.com or 610-751-7692.

Salem UCC of Moorestown Peach Festival: August 8th, 3pm-9pm. 2218 Community Dr., Bath.

Youth Theatre Presents 42nd Street: July 23rd-25th, 7:30pm & July 26th, 2pm. Phillipsburg HS audi-torium. FMI, visit payst.org.

Monarch Migration: July 24th, 10am. Catherine Dick-son Hofman Library, 4 Lam-bert Rd., Blairstown. Ages 6-12. Registration reqd. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

United Methodist Womens Group of 1st UMC, Blair-stown Yard Sale: July 24th & 25th, 9am-5pm. 109 Mt. Hermon Rd., Blairstown Fundraiser supports the womens various ministries.

Movie Night: July 24th, Dusk. Knowlton Tunnel Field. Hook.

Harvest Home Dinner & Country Auction: July 25th, 4pm. Yellow Frame Presbyterian Church, Rt. 94 & Yellow Frame Rd., Fredon. FMI, call 973-383-6553.

Free Barn Concert: July 25th, 6pm. Rain or shine. Ramsaysburg Historic Homestead, Knowlton. Open air seating. Bohemian String Quartet. FMI, visit ramsays burg.org.

Alzheimers Care free Family Caregiver Work-shop: July 25th, 9am-noon. 127 Belvidere Ave., Wash-ington. Reserve your seat by calling 908-835-1400 or email Leanne.godleski @homeinstead.com

A Helping Wing Pet Bird Adoption at Belvidere Farmers' Market: July 26th. FMI, call 908-475-3330.

Lapsit Storytime & Sing-Along: July 27th, 10am. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown. Ages 1-3. FMI, call 908-362-8335.

Bubble Trouble: July 28th, 4pm. Catherine Dickson Hofman Library, 4 Lambert Rd., Blairstown.

Ridge and Valley Charter School Information Night: August 6th, 7 pm. 1234 Rt. 94, Blairstown, NJ.

Family Movie Night: August 12th, 6:30pm. Warren County Library, 2 Shotwell Dr., Belvidere. Brave. Rated PG. FMI, call 908-475-6322.

The Department of Environ-mental Protection (DEP) recently lifted the drought watch declaration for 37 counties throughout Pennsyl-vania, based on recommen-dations from the Pennsylva-nia Drought Task Force. No counties remain on drought watch. We have seen an increase

in rainfall in many parts of the state that has restored groundwater levels and streamflow, DEP Secretary John Quigley said. While conditions have improved, I would encourage all Pennsyl-vanians to continue to consider their water use and conserve whenever possible. The drought watch was

issued on March 24 for Berks, Bradford, Cambria, Carbon, Clinton, Columbia, Indiana, Lackawanna, Law-rence, Luzerne, Lycoming, McKean, Mercer, Monroe,

Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Sullivan, Susque-hanna, Tioga, Union, Wayne, Westmoreland, and Wyo-ming counties. It was expanded on June 17th for Bedford, Blair, Centre, Franklin, Fulton, Hunting-don, Juniata, Lehigh, Mifflin, and Northampton counties.The drought watch was

declared because of below-average precipitation in the fall, winter and spring months which led to lower than normal groundwater levels. However, precipita-tion during the month of June was above average and a review of county monitoring gauges shows that the 30-day average stream flows and groundwater levels have risen to normal or above normal conditions across the state. The Pennsylvania Drought

Task Force uses reports and

forecasts from the National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey, as well as analysis from DEPs drought monitoring program, to make its recommendations on issuing and lifting declara-tions. The task force, led by DEP, will continue to moni-tor conditions across the state. A drought watch declaration

is the first and least-severe level of the states three drought classifications. It calls for a voluntary five percent reduction in non-essential water use and puts large water consumers on notice to begin planning for the possibility of reduced water supplies. Water conservation tips and

additional drought informa-tion are available by clicking here or visiting DEPs website at www.dep.state. pa.us, using keyword: drought.

By Jennifer Lively According to the DEA,

methamphetamine is the most widely abused and most frequently clandestinely produced synthetic drug in the United States. In simpler terms, meth can be made almost anywhere by anyone. The prospect of being arrested or dying are often not a deterrent for drug use, and specifically methamphet-amine. Depending on the process

used to make the meth there can be any number of nega-tive consequences. One process requires two danger-ous chemicals, the other requires four. If mixed incor-rectly they can explode. Most meth manufacturers

have very little science education and as layman, put themselves, their families and the neighborhood at risk of explosion, fire and death. A meth lab can be considered

a hazardous waste site by default. The DEA has taken action to decrease meth production by limiting the sale of some over-the-counter drugs that are used to make meth. So next time the pharmacist

asks for ID when you try to

purchase a common cold medication, recognize this as an effort to curtail meth production. Need more information?

Visit a Clean Slate, located at 100 South First Street in Bangor, PA, or call 610-452-9348.

There is a lot of talk recently about the skills gap: the lack of new workers to fill the positions left by those going into retirement, with students pursuing four-year degrees over technical programs and large compa-nies unable to fill positions with skilled workers. I myself do not see the

American worker as being solely responsible for these unfulfilled positions. Some of the problem lies with the need for an instant profit, leaving little or no time for on-the-job training. Business owners are searching for that elusive perfect candidate who will know the job on day one.Who can blame them, with

so much invested in an employee from the very start, such as healthcare, taxes, workers compensation, liability and unemployment insurances. Workers need to start making the company money right away. This leaves little if any time to nurture, develop and train workers in the skills they need. Here at State of the Arc we

call it developmental time: the hours that the client is

unaware of or billed for as we develop the necessary tools and operational plan for a job, which I then in turn train my employees to execute. Without these untold hours there would be no company. I like the idea of having

stronger apprenticeship schemes in place, with employer and employee both compensated by an external program. A more open line of communication between the schools and big business would help train and place workers in the right jobs. I have seen a huge swell of

interest in the industrial arts, in particular welding with the rise in social media such as Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. A community has formed from all over the world that is easily able to share their passion and pride in their skills and workman-ship. This embracing of new technologies to push our field forward is attracting a younger crowd and I believe will help people leaving school see that technical college is an exciting and profitable option for them.Mike Baird - State of the Arc

Welding and Fabricating LLC

Pennsylvania deer hunters who want to better their chances of obtaining an antlerless license will want to send in applications during the first round of sales, which kicked off July 13th.During the first three weeks

applications are accepted, only Pennsylvania residents may apply. Nonresidents may apply beginning Monday, July 27th. On Monday, August 3rd, residents and nonresidents alike may apply for any unsold licenses that remain. The second round of unsold license sales is set to begin on Monday, August 17th.Applications received

before the Monday start of any round will be returned to sender.Applications for DMA 2

Antlerless Deer Permits, which are valid during any open deer season, but only in Disease Management Area 2, also are now on sale.Compared to the previous

license year, 33,000 fewer antlerless licenses have been allocated statewide this year, and most wildlife-management units (WMUs) have fewer licenses avail-able. That means submitting a timely application is as important as ever for hunters, said Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough. In wildlife-management

units where the allocation is relatively small, it never takes long for licenses to sell out, Hough said. And while weve held steady the

number of licenses to be allocated in some WMUs, and increased it in a handful of others, the fact remains there are fewer licenses available this year, and hunt-ers who want to be sure they get one would be wise not to wait.Hunters applying for 2015-

16 antlerless deer licenses will follow the same process that has been in place during recent years. License fees also remain unchanged.Antlerless deer license

applications must be mailed directly to a county treasurers office, with the exception of the Philadelphia and Lehigh county treasurer offices, which no longer issue antlerless deer licenses. Treasurers across the state will accept applications for antlerless licenses covering any WMU, but hunters should note that only county treasurers issue tags. The Pennsylvania Game Com-mission does not accept applications.A list of participating

treasurers and their mailing addresses appear on Page 36 of the 2015-16 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which hunters can pick up from a licensing agent.The digest also is available

to view online at the Game Commissions website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.One antlerless license appli-

cation comes attached to your general hunting license, and can be torn off, filled out and mailed in. A second application appears with the

harvest report cards inserted into the digest. Additional applications can be found at the Game Commissions website and printed.Applications must be

mailed in the official pink envelope issued to hunters at the time they purchase their general hunting licenses.Hunters who are PA

residents need to submit with each application a check or money order to cover the $6.70 license fee. The license fee for nonresidents is $26.70. If an application is rejected due to licenses being sold out, the uncashed check or money order will be returned to the hunter by mail. Hunters may apply for only

one antlerless license in the initial round. If licenses remain for a hunters chosen WMU, he or she may apply for a second license on August 3rd and a third on August 17th. Except in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, hunt-ers may purchase no more than three antlerless licenses. In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, theres no cap on the number of antlerless licenses that can be purchased and hunters may submit three applica-tions per mailing beginning August 3rd. Antlerless licenses for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D also are sold over the counter beginning August 24th, providing the allocation has not been exhausted.Hunters are allowed during

each round to select their top three WMU preferences. If antlerless licenses are sold

out for the WMU that is the hunters top choice, for example, a license for the second choice will be issued if available. Applications from up to

three separate hunters may be submitted in the same enve-lope. If the WMU prefer-ences for all applications mailed in the same envelope are exactly the same, payment may be made with a single check or money order. If the applicants have differ-ent WMU preferences, payment by separate checks or money orders is strongly recommended. That way, a check wont end up written for the wrong amount if licenses in one WMU sell out before the application is processed. Applying early during the

first round of sales helps to ensure hunters will get their antlerless licenses by the start of archery season. Archery season begins September 19th in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. Statewide, the season begins October 3rd.Over-the-counter sales for

licenses covering other WMUs begin October 5th. Hunters may apply over the counter to county treasurers for any other WMU with antlerless licenses remaining. A listing of antlerless

licenses allocated by WMU, as well as the remaining allocation, can be viewed on the game comission website at pgc.state.pa.us, by clicking Doe License Update in the Quick Clicks box on the homepage.

Ciao Amici,Everyone knows of the fine

athletic teams and players Roseto produced. It would be a great oversight if we omit-ted from the history of Roseto the mention of the once renowned Roseto Coronet Band. The band was orga-nized in 1895 in the home of Giusseppe Policelli. One of the original members was related to my Grandmom Teodora; his name was Domenico Del Grosso. Grandmom would tell me

how most of the Delgrossos in Roseto Valfortore, Italy were blacksmiths and musi-cans. They learned to keep the beat by sound of the ham-mering the steel: pinga pinga ping. Professor Philip (Turlone) Carrescia was the first conductor. The band won acclaim not only in the Slate Belt, but also in large

cities as well. Maestros Michelangelo Donatelli, Nichola D Italia and Arturo Ungaro conducted the band for many years. The Jubilee Band was

directed by Al Nittle and later, Louis Angelini was the director. I remember as a child sitting on the curb during the Big Time and

waiting for the band to go by. The band was another way the Rosetans showcased their town heritage; it was part of our Italian culture. Everything the people of

Roseto did was done with integrity. Some members I recall were Joe Ledonne - tuba, Al Ronca - frenchhorn, Ziggy, Anthony Ruggiero,

Fred Vario - trumpet, Lefty DeFrank, Dave Mollo and Teddy De Milio - percussion. It was hard for anyone in Roseto to not have someone who was in the band, my brother Phil played in it also. Now there is a band that

plays at the fest, but it is not the same as your own towns band with their familiar faces and the sound was incred-ible; we never realized how good they were until it was too late.Una cosa buona musica,

quando ti colpisce, non senti dolore. - One good thing about music, when it hits you,

you feel no pain. -Bob MarleyGrowing up in the Butcher

Shop, is available at the shop or on our web page. To receive menu specials and our news-letter, join our mailing list at JDeFrancoAndDaughters.com, click on mailing list and enter your email. Send your Roseto stories, recipes and comments to portipasto@epix. net or call 610-588-6991. J DeFranco and Daughters is located at 2173 W. Bangor Rd. in Bangor, PA. Store hours are 7am to 7pm, seven days a week, with catering available anytime or by appointment.

The Blair Womens Club is pleased to announce the 2015 recipients of ther annual scholarships. This years scholarships were awarded to Kellie Smigel and Matthew Lubanski, both recent gradu-ates of North Warren Regional High School in Blairstown, NJ. They each recieved a $1,500 scholarship to be used to defray tuition costs.Kellie Smigel will be

attending University of Scranton as a nursing major. Part of the nursing program requirements is to complete 20 hours of community service each semester. Upon graduation from the nursing program, Kellie hopes to specialize in, and work with children.Matthew Lubanski will be

attending Stevens Institute of

Technology as a Computer Service Science Major. He will be participating in their co-op program, which will

allow him to have multiple full-time internships with different companies through-out his five years at Stevens.

The Blair Womens Club holds several fundraisers each year in order to support the scholarship fund. They also assist with other commu-nity projects like helping local schools in purchasing library books, local food pantries, Wounded Warrior Fund, Camp Merry Heart, Girls Career Institute, HOBY and project gradua-tion.The club meets on the third

Tuesday of each month in the Catherine Dickson Hofman Library at 12:30pm. Each month there is a special guest speaker and refreshments are served. The club welcomes all women and encourages them to attend the meetings to join. For more information on the Blair Womans Club and their scholarship fund, call Bobbi at 908-362-8918.

By Dr. Lori LaCivita(NAPSI)In todays work-

place, organizations consist of employees spanning four generations. The U.S. has about 75 million millennialspeople ages 18 to 34and this year they are projected to surpass baby boomers and become the single largest segment of the

American workforce, according to the Pew Research Center.As savvy employers know,

each generation prefers different leadership styles and has distinct attitudes, behaviors, habits and moti-vations that drive them.These differences can

trigger issues in the work-

place, which can include miscommunication, conflict, lack of ability to build strong, cohesive, effective teams, and loss of work productiv-ity. This can result in lack of job satisfaction, burnout and high employee turnover.Fortunately, organizational

leaders and managers are realizing the importance that

emotional intelligence (EI) plays in many workplace situations as a predictor of success.EI is a measure of

someones ability to under-stand his or her own emo-tions and their effects, as well as those of other people. It also helps people read the current in the environment and it provides tools to help the generations more effec-

tively address and engage with each other.Employees who have social

skills, are self-aware, can self-regulate, motivate and empathize can work well with others and be effective in leading change and resolv-ing conflict. That could be why more than one-third of hiring managers surveyed say they are placing greater emphasis on EI when hiring and promoting employees.To help employees-

regardless of their age-reach their full potential by assessing and building on their EI, more and more, leaders, managers and human resource executives hire or contract with indus-

trial and organizational (I-O) psychologists. Essentially at the intersection of business and psychology, I-O psychologists apply research that is improving the well-being and productivity of people. A critical element of an I-O psychologists work is enhancing and developing EI, which, unlike IQ, can be cultivated and expanded. To learn more visit www. WaldenU.edu/EI. Dr. LaCivita is an I-O

psychologist, Walden Univer-sity faculty member and an expert on assessing emotional intelligence. I-O psychology is the science behind human behavior and motivation in the workforce.

NORWESCAP Child and Family Resource Services (CFRS) is offering free NJ Family Child Care Pre-Service Registration training. This is an exciting opportu-nity to start a home-based small business by providing quality child care to Sussex County area families. The three-session, eight-hour training is being held at the CFRS office located at 186 Halsey Road, Suite 1, Newton, on Monday, August 10th and Monday, August 17th from 1pm to 4pm, and on Wednesday, August 12th from 1pm to 3pm. Atten-

dance at all three sessions is necessary to complete the registration process. For more information and

to register, please contact Maureen, Family Child Care Specialist, at 973-383-3461.NORWESCAP is a non-

profit community action agency established in 1965 that creates opportunities for over 30,000 low-income people in northwest NJ by providing a large portfolio of self-sufficiency and emer-gency services. The mission of NORWESCAP is Creat-ing Opportunities. Changing Lives.

(NAPSI)Heres a bright idea for keeping skin healthy and youthful looking: Protect it from the sun. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 90 percent of visible changes commonly attributed to skin aging are caused by the sun.Thats one reason you

should wear sun protection every day, no matter the season, the weather or the activity. Fortunately, Kiehls Since 1851 offers three new ways you can protect your-self, no matter the occasion.First, for every day protec-

tion, theres Kiehls Derma-tologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50+. Its UVA and UVB filters work together to deliver protection. Its paraben-free with a silky, matte, non-whitening finish thats an excellent base under makeup.When youll be out for long

or the suns very strong, theres Kiehls Activated Sun Protector Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Water-Light Lotion For Face & Body. Its dermatologist tested and safe for all skin types, plus its unique formula

transforms to a waterlike, weightless texture on skin. Because its more water resistant, its a good choice for a day at the beach, the game or on the slopes.For every day eye protec-

tion, theres Kiehls new Clearly Corrective Dark Circle Perfector with SPF 30. Experts say sun damage contributes to dark circles under the eyes, a concern for 54 percent of women in the U.S., and this can help prevent and correct UV damage. It instantly bright-ens, reduces discoloration and protects against future darkening.In addition to being avail-

able at Kiehls freestanding stores and select specialty retailers, these products are at kiehls.com/sun-care and 1-800-KIEHLS-2.

(NAPSI)According to the 26th annual Weber Grill-Watch Survey, a whopping 80 percent of American grill owners feel that grilling is an important activity when entertaining guests in their home, with more than one-third saying it is extremely important (34 percent). With barbecues in full swing, its a good time to brush up on the essential dos and donts of grilling to ensure that your next trip to the grill is safe, tasty and fun.Grill On...But First Read

These Safety Tips: Do clean your grill regu-

larly to ensure it is working in top condition. For the step-by-step process to clean your gas and/or charcoal grill, visit www.weber.com/blog. Dont place the grill close

to any combustible material. The outside of a grill can radiate a lot of heat, and accidental ignition could result if placed too close to wood, paper or other flam-mable material. Dont grill in an enclosed

space like a garagethis can trap dangerous carbon mon-oxide.

Dont use lighter fluid: Weber recommends using paraffin starter cubes to light charcoal. Lighter fluid is a petroleum-based product that can impart a nasty flavor into your food, says Webers cookbook author Jamie Purviance. In addition, if the lighter fluid is not completely burned off the coals, toxins can penetrate the food. Do inspect your grill brush

regularly for worn bristles and replace brushes at least once a year depending on how often you grill. To

safety-test your grill brush to see if it needs to be replaced, Weber suggests pulling on the bristles with a pair of pliers using moderate pressure. If any bristles pull loose, discard and replace your brush. In addition, inspect your grill grates for any loose bristles each time you grill. Do light your gas grill with

the lid open! Do turn off your grill.

Place the lid on a charcoal grill and close all vents when you are done grilling. Turn a

gas grill off at the burners and the source. Dont use water to extin-

guish a charcoal grillit will damage the porcelain-enamel finish. Do not use gasoline,

alcohol or other highly vola-tile fluids to ignite charcoal. Do grill on a flat, stable

surface. Do know where your fire

extinguisher is and have it handy in case of a mishap.For more grilling informa-

tion, tips and recipes, visit www.weber.com.

Inside the Jaws of Agnes is an accurate, detailed account about what really happened after Hurricane Agnes devas-tated Elmira, New York and nearby towns in June, 1972. Local newspapers praised

HUD for handling the cleanup operation quickly, responsibly and successfully, but this was a lie. The stupid-ity, waste and bungling setting up trailers for the flood victims was beyond belief, worse than what befell the unfortunate following the Katrina disaster.Higher-ups stupidly hired a

hillbilly as Chief of Ground Operations because of his maintenance success at the recent Rapid City disaster. Slow-witted, non-verbal and lacking leadership qualities, he kept hiring an enormous number of inexperienced men he couldnt organize. Await-ing orders that never came after signing in at the office trailer, they simply stood about, joking and sipping coffee. Bored, many soon left to play poker and drink beer in the few trailers that

had arrived. Others departed to play golf or attend to personal affairs. Wearing HUD tags, many began charging tools from a local hardware that HUD had provided, taking home chain-saws, power tools, and much more at taxpayers expense.Though a handful of dedi-

cated workers eventually managed to activate the few trailers, no one ordered tools, and for weeks they used their own or borrowed them from contractors and even from flood victims.The Chief hired his eighteen

year old girlfriend as his secretary. A shrew, she treated contractors and truck-ers contemptuously and often hung up on victims begging to be moved into trailers long overdue. Packed like cattle in churches, schools, and the Armory, some had already committed suicide. The books first edition sells

for $13 and the second, $26, including postage. To purchase please send check to: Inside the Jaws of Agnes, Box 242, Milford, PA 18337.

(NAPSI)Unscrupulous people masquerading as medical alert system provid-ers have targeted seniors with high-pressure telemarketing scams. But in good news, one company, Bay Alarm Medi-cal, believes it has a responsi-bility to help seniors safeguard themselves from bullying tactics. The Bay Alarm Medical Code of Ethics establishes high standards for uncompromis-ingly ethical and transparent business practices. In addi-tion, the company offers these 10 tips for seniors:DO NOT provide personal

information over the phone.Under no circumstance

should you divulge bank names, credit card numbers, birth dates or Social Security

numbers.DO NOT tolerate bullying,

coercion or intimidation tactics.A legitimate medical alert

system provider will never pressure you, limit time to respond, use threats or coer-cion to get you to make a purchase.DO NOT believe that prod-

ucts or services are free.Scammers may say youve

won a free gift or product in order to solicit personal infor-mation or insist you pay a fee, shipping and handling to redeem a prize.DO NOT press any buttons

if you receive an automated or recorded robocall.If you hear a recording when

you answer the phone, you have received a robocall

and should hang up. Even if instructed, do not press buttons to speak to a live operator or have your number removed from lists, as that could trigger future robocalls.DO not entertain unsolicited

sales or cold calls.If you dont want to speak to

an unsolicited telemarketer, just hang up the phone. Legitimate medical alert providers will never cold call noncustomers.DO register your phone

number with the National Do Not Call Registry.The National Do Not Call

Registry gives you a choice about whether to receive telemarketing calls, and once your number has been on the registry for 31 days, you should not receive any. Register your home or mobile phone for free at www.donotcall.gov.DO request information

about the salesperson and company.If you are being bullied or

pressured by a telemarketer, request their name, business name, contact information

and business license, and tell them you will call if inter-ested. If they refuse to give you information, it is likely a scam.DO research and verify the

information.With a simple online search,

information about known scams can be found. The Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) and the state Attorney Generals office can provide further insights.DO seek counsel from

friends and family.If you are genuinely inter-

ested in a telemarketers product or service and they are legitimate, request they call you at a time and date you prefer. This gives you time to discuss the informa-tion with your friends and family to aid your decision.DO file a complaint or

report the call to authorities if youve been scammed.If you think you are a victim

of a telemarketing scam, report the incident through the FTC consumer hot line at 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357), the Better Business Bureau at 703-276-0100 or visit www.bbb.org.

(NAPSI)Having a relax-ing summer getaway can, to some extent, be defined by how well you prepare your home before you leave town. To make sure your vacation isnt dampened by emergen-cies at home, prioritize these six quick fixes that can easily save you money, energy and hassle to help ensure you come back to the same com-fortable, clean house that you left.1. Reach out to a friend:

Before you depart, leave a key with someone you trust so he or she can check up on your house, water your plants or bring in the mail while youre gone. If no one is available, put your mail on hold at the post office and temporarily stop subscrip-tions so material doesnt pile up on the porch, proclaiming your absence.2. Seamlessly save on

utilities: The average Ameri-can household spends about $2,500 on energy a year, yet approximately 30 percent of it is wasted, according to the experts at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. When your family is out of the house for a few days, theres no reason to keep your air conditioner running at full speed. For every degree a thermostat is raised, homeowners save 2 to 3 percent on their electricity bill. Many smart thermostats even have the capability to

detect when youre away and adjust your homes tempera-ture accordingly. No matter the thermostat brand or manufacturer, the LG Dry Contact will communicate with your LG duct-free air conditioning system, so you can control simple thermostat functions to further increase energy savings.3. Refresh your fridge: If

youll be gone for more than a few days, seize this oppor-tunity to clean out your refrigerator. New, smart refrigerators allow you to set them in vacation mode to

reduce energy consumption while youre away. Youll save on energy and come back to a nice clean fridge, ready for all that produce you bought at the farm stand on the way home. About a week before leaving for vacation, stop going on major grocery shopping trips; just purchase the essentials, such as milk and bread. Ask yourself, Will I really eat this before the trip and will this still be good once we get back?4. Vanquish the electricity

vampires: Many electronic devices draw power even

after theyre turned off. ENERGY STARcertified TVs and monitors have very low standby modes, so theyre okay. Still, the aver-age American household has dozens of these energy vam-pires. Unplugging mobile phone chargers and other devices before you go can save as much as 10 percent of your household energy use.5. Secure your home against

intruders: According to statistics from the FBI, 61 percent of burglars use force to gain entry into a home. Before you leave, make sure all window and door locks are working properly, and notify your security company that youll be away. Remove any spare house keys you may have hidden around your property as well, so as not to risk entry by a stranger.6. Setting up a cool re-entry:

Adjust your air conditioning to the ideal temperature before you get home using your smartphone with a connected device such as the LG Smart AC Module and app, which lets you control your LG duct-free air condi-tioner remotely. The app, which is compatible with both Android and iOS mobile devices, lets you adjust temperature, fan speed and airflow for cool, optimal comfort upon your return.For further facts and tips, go

to www.lg-dfs.com or www.lghvac.com.

The Pocono Garden Club will host their annual summer picnic on Tuesday, August 11th at noon. The picnic will be held at Moun-

tain View Park in Tanners-ville, PA.Club members and their

guests are requested to bring a covered dish for all to

share, along with their own place setting. The club hostesses for the month will provide beverages.Anyone who is interested in

learning about plants and gardening are welcome. For more information on this event, or the Pocono Garden Club, please call 570-977-6131.

Hello, fellow readers!They say one out of every

three bites of food depends on a pollinator. According to the Pollinator Partnership, the largest non-profit organi-zation in the world dedicated to the protection of pollina-tors, the U.S. has lost over 50 percent of its managed honeybee colonies in the past 10 years. Its gotten national attention

since the President declared an Executive Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Polli-nators. His memorandum on the subject sates there has been a significant loss of pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies, from the envi-ronment. The problem is serious and

requires immediate attention. Theres 14 federal agencies on the taskforce with an objective to identify and hopefully remedy different stressors leading to species declines and colony collapse disorder, including exposure to pesticides, poor nutrition, parasites and other pests, toxins, loss of habitat and reduced natural forage, pathogens, and unsustainable management practices, Phew!

Its big and critically impor-tant that each of us do our part. Plant a pollinator-friendly garden using a sequence of blooming annu-als, perennials and shrubs so nectar and pollen are avail-able throughout the growing season. Also, include plants like dill, fennel and milkweed that butterfly larvae feed on. Lay off the chemicals, even

organic ones, as they too can be toxic to bees and other beneficial organisms. All things considered though, an organic approach is safer and more effective. Add special feeders to help

attract hummingbirds and butterflies and provide shelter by letting a hedgerow or part of your lawn grow wild. Allow a dead tree stand to create nooks for butterflies and solitary bees.One of the offshoots of the

Presidents initiative is the National Pollinator Garden Network (NPGN); a collabo-ration of national, regional and local gardening clubs to help restore pollinator popula-tions. While its good news our

government is on task to help our pollinators, it seems theres an elephant in the room - Imidacloprid, the most widely used insecticide in the world. According to Wikpedia, research suggests that widespread agricultural use of imidacloprid may be contributing to honey bee colony collapse disorder. Other countries have

restricted its use. Sadly it seems we choose to keep our head in the sand. How can it bee?Garden Dilemmas? askmarystone.com

To all the people who donated hours of their own time and put in so much hard work for the Fourth of July activities to take place, are truly appreciated. Thank you to all of you who made this day enjoyable!We have just spent a won-

derful month in New Jersey with our daughter and her family. Blairstown, NJ is now our second home and we have been made to feel welcome by those who live here, that we have been lucky enough to meet.This weekend was the icing

on the cake, spending the 4th of July in Blairstown. We give credit to those who

worked so hard to give so many such pleasures. The duck race was such a success and the rotary should feel proud at the money they raised for charity. There was a slight hiccup when the ducks did not go where expected, but that added more fun to the race!The donations raised for the

fireworks enabled those responsible to put on a fantas-tic display, which was preceded by the church music group who played a wide range of enjoyable music.All in all it was a day that we

will remember with much happiness and we look forward to visiting the kind people of Blairstown again next year.Sincerely,Maureen and Geoff Woolley

(from Cheshire U.K.)

( N A P S I ) G r o w i n g vegetables and flowers at home can be rewarding and fun for the whole family. Whether youre a seasoned green thumb or a novice, sowing seeds directly into beds or containers is an easy way to create a bountiful garden, and many can be sown throughout the summer for harvesting into the fall.Everything you need to

know can usually be found on the seed packet, says Chelsey Fields, a horticultur-alist at W. Atlee Burpee & Co. From what temperature its safe to sow the seeds outdoors, to whether they need light to germinate, you wont have to guess how long theyll take to start sprouting, or how deeply the seeds should be sown.Depending on the length of

a regions growing season, good vegetable choices include beans, peas, zucchini, and root crops such as carrots, beets and radishes. Greens such as leaf lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and arugula are easy to grow outdoors from seed and mature quickly in any region nationwide.Want a ready-to-snip

salad? Make meal prep fun for children and encourage them to eat what they have grown by planting a carpet of greens. Just mix three to five types of seeds, toss into prepared soil, and use scissors to harvest the fresh-est, tastiest leaves you need for each meal, says Fields. Heatwave Lettuce Blend is ideal since the mix is already prepared, and will grow back at least a second time for a repeat harvest. Radishes take just three to four weeks from seed to mature to eating size; most herbs are ready 60 days from sowing. A full salad and delicious herb dressing in two months time!Direct-sown vegetables will

take a week or two to germi-nate, depending on the

weather. Sow seeds in straight rows to make it easier to identify weeds, advises Fields. To deter-mine the likely harvest date, check for days to maturity on the seed packet. Direct-sown plants will require water; full sun (six to eight hours a day); rich, well-drained soil mixed with organic matter such as com-post; appropriate amounts of nutrients, from compost and, if needed, fertilizer, she adds.No garden is complete

without colorful flowers. Encourage bees and butter-flies to visit by sowing flower seeds directly into borders and containers on decks, patios and other small spaces. Numerous annual flowers can be direct sown from seed, and pollinators

will enjoy visiting sunflow-ers, cosmos, zinnias and lupines, among others.Burpee has supplied

American home gardeners with the highest-quality seeds since 1876. All of

Burpees seeds are non-GMO. For more information, gardening ideas and how-to videos on direct-sown seeds, visit www.burpee.com or call 1-800-888-1447.

(NAPSI)-About half of all used cars purchased in a year are bought during the few summer months.To stay on the road to safety

and savings, there are a few facts you need to know first when it comes to buying a used car. Paperwork. Have the

seller provide as much docu-mentation as possible, including registration and title documents, service receipts and proof of insur-ance. Odometer rollbacks. Digi-

tal odometers can be easier to tamper with, and the tampering harder to detect.

Make sure the wear and tear on the inside and outside of the car matches what the mileage reading says. Flood damage. More than

half of the cars damaged by floods get cleaned up and returned to the road. Curbstoners. Illegal

dealers posing as private sellers sell lots of cars either on the side of the road or through classified ads. Many of the cars have hidden prob-lems and the seller typically disappears after the sale. Open recalls. Estimates

are that 30 percent of all recalled cars go unfixed. Check for open recalls at

www.carfax.com/recall and get more details about a specific recall at www.safercar.gov. Franchise dealers will fix open recalls at no cost. Certified Pre-Owned

(CPO). Perhaps the best value for many used-car shoppers, certified cars are the closest thing to new cars at used-car prices. Most manufacturer programs, such as those from Honda, GM and Toyota, include a rigorous mechanical inspec-tion and a free Carfax Vehicle History Report with every CPO vehicle. Cars sold online. Sites

such as AutoTrader.com and Cars.com let you expand your search area and com-pare vehicles to find the best deal. Use discretion when buying from online classi-fieds and auction sites. Inspection. An inspection

by a mechanic or body shop and a Carfax Report is your best one-two punch to find the right used car and avoid costly hidden problems. Shop at reputable dealer-ships and say, "Show me the Carfax."When buying a used car, it's

wise to have it inspected first by a mechanic or body shop you trust.