HONESDALE, PA — Chelsea Hill, spokesperson for the sponsoring Penn State Extension, appeared at the February 15 county commissioners’ meeting to preview the then upcoming annual Wayne County Ag Day. Hill said that 200 persons had pre-registered for the event, which was held on February 19 at Honesdale High School. She also reported that Dairy Court participants—male or female—are being sought for this year’s Dairy Day festivities, to be held in the spring.

In addition to some 44 commercial exhibitors, this year’s 40th anniversary Ag Day rendition was scheduled to feature morning and afternoon programs on dairy beef and backyard poultry; “Ask the Experts” advice on subjects including nutrient management, beekeeping, water quality, solar energy and fiber production; and a dairy and specialty meats bar to sample local products.

Commissioner and dairyman Brian Smith said he was hoping that there would be interest in the beekeeping program, as pollinators have increasingly fallen prey to various parasites.

In other business, the commissioners opened and were disappointed by two second-round bids for the Dreher Township multi-purpose food pantry project. Both bids, while lower than the first round, exceeded $189,000, while only $138,000 in Local Share Account gaming funding has been allocated. The bids were forwarded to the county engineer for review.

The board also approved letters of support for the Wayne Economic Development Corporation (WEDCO) application for Commonwealth Financing Authority funding of a natural gas pipeline extension at the business park, and for an equipment grant sought by the Lakeville Fire Company.

Additionally, they approved the promotion of Rozalyn Burke to Children & Youth Administrator 2. She replaces newly-retired, long-time administrator Linda Vonson, whose “professionalism in that most stressful job” was praised by Commissioner Wendell Kay.