Learning to read with Dr. Seuss and more

What's going on in the community March 16 to 22

Posted 3/14/23

Honesdale Rotary ‘places bet’ on future scientists

HONESDALE, PA — “These kids will go far, and we’re happy to help them on their journey,” said Sherry …

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Learning to read with Dr. Seuss and more

What's going on in the community March 16 to 22

Posted

Honesdale Rotary ‘places bet’ on future scientists

HONESDALE, PA — “These kids will go far, and we’re happy to help them on their journey,” said Sherry Grandinetti, co-president of Honesdale Rotary.

She was talking about Wayne Highlands Middle School students in the school’s Science Olympiad club. Honesdale Rotary donated approximately $700 to the club for a new laptop. The laptop was desperately needed if the students were to compete with other schools, said club advisor Kelly O’Neill.

Honesdale Rotary raises funds from various events, including the annual wine garden during Honesdale’s Roots & Rhythm music and arts festival in June, the Pet Paw-rade and the upcoming Beer & Wine Festival at the Wayne County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 23. 

Part of Rotary International, a service club that counts more than a million members globally, Honesdale Rotary has close to 40 members. 

Other local projects include painting the Fred Miller Pavilion on Honesdale’s Main Street, and funding new shelves for the Wayne County Food Pantry. New members are welcome. 

Visit Honesdale Rotary on Facebook.

Become a paid intern for Sullivan 180  

LIBERTY, NY — It’s a chance to create change in your community: Sullivan 180 is recruiting interns for the 2023 season.

The organization will hire several young adults (aged 16 to 20) to work alongside volunteers, helping communities, organizations, churches and schools turn their ideas into reality.

The application deadline is Monday, March 27.

Interns also participate in a series of meetings and a Day of Service project. 

Salaries are competitive, making this a paid summer job that enables young people to make a difference, learn new skills, and brighten the community while building experience.

“The internship has helped me meet many wonderful people in the community and helped me greatly with my networking skills,” said Erin Brawley, Town of Thompson intern in 2022. “I was also taught many life skills I will use in the future. Overall, this was a great experience. The community was extremely supportive and it made me proud to be an intern.”

“In addition to connecting with peers, the internship program offers a great way to learn about Sullivan County and connect with other community members,” said Anne-Louise Scandariato, director of community engagement. “Interns work on expanding their communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and leadership skills while being part of a team.”

To apply to become a Sullivan 180 intern, call Scandariato at 845/295-2405, or email Anne-Louise@Sullivan180.org.

Delaware Highlands Conservancy earns national recognition

The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has helped to protect more than 18,000 acres of working farms and forests, clean waters and wildlife habitat to date in Pennsylvania and New York
The Delaware Highlands Conservancy has helped to protect more than 18,000 acres of working farms and forests, clean waters and wildlife habitat to …

UPPER DELAWARE RIVER REGION — One thing that unites the nation is land, said a spokesperson for the Delaware Highlands Conservancy (DHC). 

Americans strongly support saving the natural spaces they love. 

Since 1994, the DHC has been doing just that for the people of the Upper Delaware River region in PA and NY. And its land-trust accreditation has now been renewed, so the organization can continue its work. 

The DHC has helped to protect more than 18,000 acres of working farms and forests, clean waters, and wildlife habitat to date in Pennsylvania and New York. It offers year-round educational programming to connect people to nature and cultivate stewardship of regional lands.

“Renewing our accreditation demonstrates the Delaware Highlands Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to permanent land conservation in the Upper Delaware River region,” said executive director Diane Rosencrance. “We are a stronger organization than ever for having gone through the rigorous accreditation renewal process, now for the second time since first achieving national accreditation in 2011. This evolution of the conservancy means the special places of our region—the forests, farms, clean waters and wildlife habitat—will be protected forever, ensuring our wonderful quality of life is protected now and for future generations.”

Accredited land trusts must renew every five years, confirming their compliance with national quality standards and providing continued assurance to donors and landowners of their commitment to forever steward their land and easements.

The DHC provided extensive documentation and underwent a comprehensive review as part of its accreditation renewal. The Land Trust Accreditation Commission awarded the renewed accreditation.

A complete list of accredited land trusts and more information about the process and benefits can be found at www.landtrustaccreditation.org.

Learn more about the DHC at https://delawarehighlands.org.

Family literacy and Dr. Seuss

MONTICELLO, NY — The St. John Street Community School Preschool program held its inaugural Family Literacy Night on March 2—Dr. Seuss’ birthday. 

Students rotated through a series of Seuss-themed activities, while their parents had a chance to learn more about how young kids are taught literacy, and about resources in the community that can help. 

Sue Rodriguez, George L. Cooke Elementary School instructional coach, explained the Orton Gillingham (OG) approach to teaching literacy to this age group. 

Using the OG approach, students first learn to draw particular shapes in sand or other similar sensory materials. Eventually, they are taught the connection between the shapes they draw and individual letters of the alphabet. 

Students practiced their sand-drawing skills, while Rodriguez passed out literature and answered questions from the parents. 

Jane Sorensen, Every Person Influences Children (EPIC) family engagement program manager, passed out Seuss-themed goodie bags and shared information about the program. Everyone loved the Seuss backdrop Sorensen created, a district spokesperson said. 

Mariana Sprouse, Ethelbert B. Crawford youth services librarian, shared information about children’s programming at the library, and helped kids sign up for their first library cards. 

Lauren and Brooke Babcock, students at the St. John Street Community School’s high school program, volunteered their time to help set up and welcome families. 

It was truly a community effort, the spokesperson said, a great example of community school principal Jen Gorr’s goals for the school: supporting family engagement, bringing the community into the classroom and setting up the youngest Panthers with a strong foundation for academic success.

Grief support at Wayne Memorial Hospital

HONESDALE, PA — A free support group designed to help people cope with the grieving process will be offered at Wayne Memorial Hospital (WMH). The sessions will be held at the hospital on Tuesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on March 21 and 28, and on April 4, 11, 18 and 25 in various conference rooms on the second floor.

Participants are asked to complete a registration form by Friday, March 17. It can be found at www.wmh.org.

“Grief is experienced by each individual very differently,” said Anna M. Walsh, licensed social worker and certified grief counseling specialist with Wayne Memorial Home Health and Hospice. “There is no ‘right or wrong’ way to experience the process. Each person encounters the journey in different ways. Sharing the experience and the journey often helps us understand our own losses more clearly. It makes us aware we are not alone in our feelings.”

The group encourages participants to explore their own solutions to the challenges of living without their loved ones. It also discusses dealing with the many changes that follow a loss. 

The group will provide a safe place in which those attending can sort out their feelings and share as they are able and willing. No one will be required to share. 

Attending all sessions can provide valuable insight and support; however, it is understandable if you cannot be present for some sessions, organizers said. You can enter or exit at any time.

The support group will be facilitated by Walsh and Pastor Susan Treanor, a former WMH hospice and hospital chaplain.

For more information, email Walsh at walsha@wmh.org.

honesdale, rotary, places bet, future scientists, sullivan 180, intern, delaware highlands conservancy, national recognition, family literacy, dr seuss, grief support, wayne memorial

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