2006 Press Releases

Media Use Policy: Press releases may be copied for media use, but please provide us with your publication name and date used: emhr@epix.net If you have questions or need more information contact Endless Mountains Heritage Region 570-265-1528.
Pictures related to most articles below are available in digital form and can be emailed. Please send your request to quest12@epix.net

EMHR Plans River Clean-up on Earth Day 2006
EMHR Website Redesign Unveiled
Organizations Receive Grants Through Endless Mountains Heritage Region
Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Meeting is Open to Public

EMHR Plans River Clean-up on Earth Day 2006
(Picture available on request: quest12@epix.net)

TOWANDA - People interested in a Susquehanna River clean-up scheduled for Earth Day, April 22, gathered March 21 at the Stoll Resource Center to learn how they can help. The event, sponsored by Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR), will take place at locations in Athens, Towanda and Wyalusing.
     Susquehanna River Archaeological Center of Sayre has accepted the responsibility of leading clean-up efforts at the Athens site. Wyalusing High School students are helping with clean up efforts behind the Wyalusing Valley Museum. Volunteers from Osram Sylvania in Towanda are planning to help with the Towanda clean up. Scout troops in all three areas have expressed a desire to help with this event.
     The Himmelreich family of Dushore, members of Eastern Delaware Nations, which has property at Wyalusing Rocks that extends to the river, attended the meeting Tuesday to find out how they can help. Britanny Himmelreich is President of the S.A.D.D. organization at Sullivan County High School and also serves as Eastern Delaware Nations Princess. She hopes to motivate young people to help with the effort.
     "Besides the obvious positive impact locally on the beauty of the river, improved conditions for wildlife, and the pride we can feel in our region, there are more subtle issues at stake, such as the river's direct connection to the ocean," said EMHR Vice-president Mollie Eliot.
     "We live upstream from the Chesapeake Bay. Some people here don't feel a connection to the Chesapeake Bay. We want to keep stuff from floating downstream into the bay," said Project Leader David Buck. He explained how refuse dumped into small tributary streams enters the Susquehanna ultimately reach the bay.
     Organizations and individuals interested in volunteering, or donating funds, equipment or refreshments can contact David Buck 570-746-3272 or Bob Veleker 570-265-1528 for more information. The Susquehanna River Basin Commission and PennDOT are helping fund the event.
 The public is invited to attend the next Susquehanna River Clean-up planning meeting at 11 a.m., April 12, at the Stoll Resource Center (Stoll Building) on Lake Road off Rt. 6 in Wysox.
     "We hope to do similar events in Wyoming and Susquehanna Counties in the fall," Veleker said. EMHR is also exploring ways to accomplish similar clean up efforts along the Loyalsock Creek in Sullivan County.
     For more information contact Endless Mountains Heritage Region at 570-265-1528, email emhr@epix.net. EMHR on the web: www.endlessmountainsheritage.org.
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EMHR Website Redesign Unveiled

TOWANDA - Endless Mountains Heritage Region Inc. (EMHR) unveiled a completely redesigned website this week at www.endlessmountainsheritage.org. EMHR's brand new slogan for the region is featured: "Endless Mountains Heritage Region... Where America comes home."
     The home page offers a glimpse of the region's extraordinary beauty through banners called at random each time the page is accessed.
     "There is a scenic vista featured on the home page from each of EMHR's member counties," Lisa Deemy, EMHR webmaster said. "The overlook at Wyalusing Rocks in Bradford County is one. We used a roadside vista from Sugar Hollow Road in Wyoming County, and a fall view of mountains in Cherry Township, Sullivan County. We chose a view of the Susquehanna River from a bridge in the town of Susquehanna in Susquehanna County as the fourth banner."
     The site includes contact data, board and membership information and a newsletter. It also has a media section where editors can obtain recent and archived articles. Other pages offer a pictorial tour of the four counties and a bit about the region's history. Selected EMHR project partners from the region are featured and a section of information on grants is available. A page of links to regional and state resources is provided.
     "The site has an updated, professional feel to it, with a fresh palate of colors. It's more user-friendly now," Deemy said. "We included three slide shows. One is of historic sites preserved through EMHR funding. Others feature endangered regional resources such as stone walls and scenic vistas."
Excerpts from EMHR's newly redesigned homepage:
     "Our four counties in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming, span 2,821 square miles. These counties encompass scenic and historic treasures. Outdoor recreation opportunities range from 'ruggedly challenging' to 'a walk in the park.' Unique festivals and events offer activities and competitions with a local twist from quilt shows to lumberjack competitions and snowmobile races."
     "The Endless Mountains Heritage Region is one of the last strongholds of what we view as quintessential America. Country lanes still meander through family farms, past white clapboard churches with tall steeples touching the sky, connecting nineteenth century crossroads villages. The chestnut trees may be long gone, but our spring hillsides blush with wild cherry blossoms and delicate wildflowers. Summer fields are lush with corn and hay. Fall colors are among the most vibrant in the United States. Winter whispers to cross-country skiers passing through our through snow frosted hemlock forests."
     Since1998 EMHR has positively impacted the region's economy supporting more than 70 projects. Some EMHR funded projects preserve and renovate significant historic buildings, upgrade museum exhibits, update visitor destinations, creating new economic opportunities. Planning grants allow organizations to improve organizational development, identify, prioritize and effectively plan future projects.
     For more information contact Endless Mountains Heritage Region at 570-265-1528, email emhr@epix.net. EMHR on the web: www.endlessmountainsheritage.org.
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Organizations Receive Grants Through Endless Mountains Heritage Region

TOWANDA PA - Grants totaling $244,000.00 were recently awarded through the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) by DCNR to 11 organizations. EMHR is a State Heritage Park encompassing Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna and Wyoming Counties. The non-profit, membership organization has brought over two million dollars of taxpayer money back into the region through grants like these. The projects funded in this grant round are extremely varied ranging from museum exhibit development and agricultural marketing to site improvements.
     Eagles Mere in Sullivan County, in its heyday a popular Victorian resort, received $40,000.00 toward designing and building exhibits for a community museum. The museum, in the Village Store Building is the keystone and commercial center of the town's Historic District, which has been on the National Register since 1996.
     Tioga Point Museum in Athens, Bradford County, received $15,000.00 to install an air conditioning unit to regulate humidity and filter air. This will improve climate conditions in the museum providing a better environment to preserve and protect artifacts and collections.
     The Endless Mountains Agricultural Promotion and Marketing Program, a project of Northern Tier Cultural Alliance, was granted $10,000.00 to create a 'buy-fresh, buy local campaign'. Funds will also help create a database of regional foods, farm-based crafts and value added farm products. Additionally a dozen successful farm-related models will be documented and a model for a Grower's Only Farmers Market developed.
     The LeRoy Heritage Museum, in LeRoy, just off Route 414 in Bradford County, was awarded $15,000.00 to complete exterior repairs to the museum so it can be opened to the public. The museum is housed in the former Open Hand Grange Hall in the center of LeRoy; a building representing the vital role agriculture played in area's history.
     Countryside Conservancy was awarded $7,500.00 to improve Little Rocky Glen a popular scenic site in Clinton Township, Wyoming County. Funding will be used to improve parking and access to the site creating a safer, more welcoming environment for visitors.
     Endless Mountains Nature Center was awarded $9,500.00 to increase visitor use of Camp Lackawanna by providing new recreational opportunities. The camp is located in Wyoming County at Vosberg Neck, a segment of land nestled into a huge meander of the Susquehanna River. Funds will be used to interpret the site's natural area and history through development of a self-guided interpretive trail and a native plant garden protected by deer fencing.
     Montrose Restoration Committee will use an award of $25,000.00 to improve the marquee, interior and stage lighting, air conditioning and handicap accessible restrooms of the Historic Montrose Theater in Susquehanna County.
     Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce plans to attract new visitors to its Annual Fall Festival and Woodsmen Events in Forksville with an award of $6,000.00. Unusual woodsmen events showcase lumberjack demonstrations and competitions of various types, including the Mid Atlantic National Chainsaw Carving Competition. This festival preserves and interprets the forest heritage of this extremely rural county.
     Trinket Community Organization, owner of Trinket Church and Community Building in Sheshequin Township, Bradford County, will apply its $5,000.00 award toward installing a septic system to improve and expand potential uses of the facility.
Wyalusing Borough, also in Bradford County, was awarded $9,000.00 for roadside plaques marking its newly designated Historic District, now listed on the National Register.
     The Valley Heritage Festival of Athens, Sayre and Waverly, Bradford County was awarded $2,000.00 toward creation of heritage trail interpretive signs. The organization held its fourth annual event in September. Their goal is to educate the public about the history and heritage of the region, and to promote historical preservation. This ambitious group organizes many events throughout the valley during the festival bringing visitors into the area and creating partnerships within the community.
     For more information about these projects, or for membership information, contact the Endless Mountains Heritage Region at emhr@epix.net, or 570-265-1528. The organization's office is located at One Washington Street, Towanda, 18848.

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Susquehanna Greenway Partnership Meeting is Open to Public

TUNHANNOCK - A quarterly Susquehanna Greenway Partnership meeting will be held Tuesday, December 12, 2006, at 1 p.m. at Shadowbrook on Rt. 6, Tunkhannock. The public is welcome. Those attending will learn more about how the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership enhances the quality of life in river communities along the North Branch and offer input on upcoming plans and projects.
     More information is available by contacting the Endless Mountains Heritage Region (EMHR) via email emhr@epix.net, or calling 570-265-1528. The EMHR office is located at One Washington Street, Towanda, 18848.
A greenway is a corridor of open space varying in scale and purpose, from a narrow ribbon of green running through urban, suburban, and rural areas to a wide-open corridor incorporating diverse natural, cultural, and scenic features.
     "Together we can accomplish much to preserve our natural environment. The Susquehanna River is an under-utilized resource. Everyone is invited to attend our quarterly meetings," said Bob Veleker, EMHR executive director.
     Greenways can include both land and water-based areas, following stream corridors as does the Susquehanna Greenway and can incorporate both public and private property. Generally a greenway network strives to protect natural, cultural, and scenic resources, provide recreational benefits, enhance the natural beauty and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods and communities by stimulating economic development opportunities.
     The Susquehanna Greenway is a corridor extending one mile on either side of the Susquehanna River. It can be understood both as a place and a journey; connecting people and communities to the enduring stories of the Susquehanna River, renewing awareness about its natural and cultural heritage and distinctive scenery.
     Although some areas of the river are considered threatened, along the North Branch there are signs of returning health, among them the return of Bald Eagles. These majestic birds nest in growing numbers along the North Branch, awakening new pride and interest in conserving river habitats.
     More communities each year hold river clean-up events, forging new partnerships with non-profit organizations and local volunteers. Communities acknowledge the river is a beautiful natural resource and understand the importance of the Greenway in local and regional planning. A key goal of the Susquehanna Greenways Partnership is improving and preserving the river's watershed for future generations from Otsego Lake to the Chesapeake Bay.
     Greenways are an inexpensive way for cities and towns to improve the quality of life offering opportunities to strengthen the local economy, lower taxes, clean up the environment, augment education provide access to outdoor resources, and foster friendly crime free neighborhoods. An improved quality of life attracts people and corporations to relocate and invest in the community, further improving the local economy.
     Communities along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in Susquehanna, Bradford, Wyoming, Lackawanna and Luzerne counties have the opportunity to participate in Greenway projects and activities as they develop.
     Those communities include:
In Bradford County: Asylum Twp., Athens, Athens Twp., Herrick Twp., Litchfield Twp., North Towanda Twp., Sayre, Sheshequin Twp., Standing Stone Twp., Terry Twp., Towanda Twp., Towanda, Tuscarora Twp., Ulster Twp., Wilmot Twp., Wyalusing Twp., Wyalusing, Wysox Twp.
In Lackawanna County: Newton Twp. and Ransom Twp.
In Luzerne County: Conyngham Twp., Duryea, Edwardsville, Exeter, Exeter Twp., Forty Fort, Hanover Twp., Hollenback Twp., Hughestown, Hunlock Twp., Jenkins Twp., Kingston, Larksville, Luzerne, Nanticoke, Nescopeck Twp., Nescopeck, Newport Twp., Pittston Twp., Pittston, Plains Twp., Plymouth Twp., Plymouth, Pringle, Salem Twp., Shickshinny, Swoyersville, Union Twp., West Pittston, West Wyoming, Wilkes Barre,
Wyoming, Yatesville.
In Susquehanna County: Great Bend, Great Bend Twp., Hallstead, Harmony Twp., Lanesboro, Liberty Twp., Oakland, Oakland Twp., Susquehanna Depot.
In Wyoming County: Braintrim Twp., Eaton Twp., Exeter Twp., Falls Twp., Laceyville,
Mehoopany Twp., Meshoppen, Meshoppen Twp., Northmoreland Twp., Tunkhannock,
Tunkhannock Twp., Washington Twp., Windham Twp.
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