Stop by the Bradford County Humane Society on Route 220 in Ulster to visit Muffy and the many other pets available for adoption. the shelter is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.bradfordchs.petfinder.org to learn more.

Please call Erin at (570) 596-2200. Armani is available at the Animal Care Sanctuary.

“Once the Pennsylvania Supreme Court certifies the maps for new legislative districts, the 110th will expand into more territory in Susquehanna County,” Pickett said. “While the new districts will take effect immediately, my staff and I will be working with Rep. Sandra Major and her staff to ensure a smooth transition for the residents who will be affected. In the meantime, I encourage anyone to stop by or call these satellite offices for any assistance they may need with state government services or questions.”

As a result of the redistricting process, the 110th District will likely gain Lathrop and Springville townships as well as Friendsville and Hop Bottom boroughs. Forest Lake Township and Jessup Township will be assigned to the 111th District, currently served by Major.

In Susquehanna County, Pickett’s staff will be available from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month – Feb. 8 and 22. The office is located on State Route 706 at Flynn’s Consignment Shop in Lawton. The site was formerly Cavallaro’s grocery store. The office can be reached by calling (570) 934-2557.

Likewise, Sullivan County residents can visit Pickett’s satellite office at the Sullivan County Courthouse in Laporte on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 and 15. The phone number there is (570) 946-7673.

Pickett’s staff can assist with a number of services, including:

Information about legislation and new laws.

Driver’s license and vehicle registration applications and renewals.

Assistance with PennDOT paperwork (lost cards, changes, corrections, special registration plates, vanity plates, and temporary placards for disabled persons).

PACE and PACENET applications for seniors.

Voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications.

State tax forms.

Student aid applications.

Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters.

Pickett operates her main full-time offices at 321 Main St., Towanda, phone (570) 265-3124 and 106 West Packer Ave., Sayre, phone (570) 888-9011. More information is available 24 hours a day on Pickett’s website at www.RepPickett.com or on her Facebook fan page at www.Facebook.com/RepPickett.

Each year, two students preparing for post-secondary education are awarded four-year scholarships. The program is privately funded by individual and corporate donors. No tax or other public funds are used.

The program is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student. Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school in order to be eligible for the scholarship. A student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need are also taken into consideration.

The scholarship program is administered through the Foundation for Enhancing Communities. To apply, interested students should visit RepPickett.com and click on House Scholarship Information. The application deadline is March 1.

Scholarships are awarded through an independent panel of judges chosen by the foundation.

Fitness Center Members as well as any non-members will be able to register anytime through Feb. 5. Then, during the week of Feb. 6, runners and walkers simply notify a staff member that they will be taking their race as they hop on the treadmill. The staff member will document their time at finish. The Canton Fitness Center will be keeping track of participants and their times, and will be awarding prizes to the winners in both men’s and women’s categories along with winners in a senior category.

The 3.1 mile race can be performed by running, walking, or a combination of both. Everyone with all fitness levels is encouraged to participate, as the main goal is for the fitness center to be able to make a generous donation.

More details are available by calling 673-5813, or by stopping in the Canton Fitness Center weekdays from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., or Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon.

Not to worry! The drug dealers are right there to save you. Snake oil salesmen are what we used to call these peddlers. You see them in the old westerns, standing in front of their wagons in three-piece suits, extolling the miracle properties of their specially formulated elixirs. It cures everything, from a boil to pneumonia. Today’s pitchman is suited up in a lab coat; a stethoscope dangles from his neck. He tells you to ask your doctor for a prescription. His modern day “elixir” will cure you of your affliction. You thought it was a sore elbow, but he tells you it’s “micro-neuro-elbowitis.” It’s too hard to resist a miracle cure when you have a serious sounding ailment like microneuroelbowitis.

You don’t even hear the list of side effects that spew out of his mouth at the end of his pitch. You’ve been lulled by the promise of a cure and mesmerized by his glib tones. The American flag waves in the background, the clouds part in the sky and the sun peeks through while the dulcimer tones of “God Bless America” add to the ambiance. So what if your hair will fall out, a tooth will grow out of your ear and you’ll wake up to find your feet on backwards. Not scary enough? How about your heart, liver or kidney failing. All you hear is the promise of a cure and the necessity to insist your doctor give you a prescription. Only then will the agony (and heartache) of micro-neuro-elbowitis go away.

We’ve all done it, been taken in. We have medicine cabinets full of pills to prove it. I’m convinced it’s a conspiracy (old coots always think there is a conspiracy); we’re made to believe there is a pill for anything that comes our way. We laugh at the gullibility of the townsfolk that get taken in by snake-oil salesmen in the old westerns, but swallow the same spiel from modern day shills in lab coats. I should know. I go to the dentist twice a year to have the tooth growing out my right ear cleaned!

Gary Keyes' 1968 427 Dana Camaro SS/RS features the L71 Tri Power 427, an M22 4 speed, vintage Lakewood scatter shield, vintage Doug’s Headers, Hurst shifter, vintage MT cheater slicks and lots more. It’s a beauty inside and out. (Keyes collection photos)

Q: Greg, I read your article in Saturday’s paper “Remember those model building days,” which brought back many memories of building models in the mid to late 1960’s.

I am now 56 years old, and bought many models weekly with the money I earned from my newspaper route. All my money went to two things at that age – candy and models.

Unfortunately I do not have a single example today of any models I made and I would have loved to have at least one model to look at in my office. I have been a “car guy” from when I was nine years old and heavily influenced by my older sister’s boyfriend. He was a Hot Rodder from Clelum, Washington, and owned many cars. One in particular was a ‘48 Plymouth 2-door that was heavily chopped with a Cadillac engine and 4-speed. I made him take me for a ride each weekend before he took my sister out on a date and I always asked him to spin the tires and “get on it.” The sound and smell still lingers today, and I am convinced his influence is why I am a dedicated car guy today. This experience led to model building and drawing cars, and eventually owning numerous cars when I got back into the hobby 10 years ago.

Attached are a few pictures of my full restoration 1968 427 Dana Camaro, produced by Dana Chevrolet in Southgate, Los Angeles. The car is a very accurate reproduction, and not a documented original. There are only six or so documented ’67 and ‘68 427 Dana Camaros that exist today out of the 50 or so that were built. A restored real Dana car is worth $400 to $500K. Dana cars are the least known out of the various Chevrolet dealers that did engine swaps in ‘67 and ‘68 like Nickey, Baldwin Motion and Yenko.

This is a good example of model builders like me that graduated to assembling real cars. The car turned out very nice and was professionally built by me and with the help of friends. It took a five year commitment which required a lot of research as well organizing the limited information on Dana Camaros. I had to build the hood and Dana letters from scratch as they are not reproductions.

Your article on model cars brought back a lot of fond memories. Thanks, Gary Keyes, Spokane, Washington.

A: Gary, thank you so much for this great letter and photos. I am going to have more on your car in a future column and want everyone to know that the Dana Camaro was indeed the first 427 Camaro, while Yenko, Baldwin Motion and Nickey were east coast representations that soon followed. Stay tuned for more on the Keyes Dana Camaro, which will also be featured in several national magazines.

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto writer who welcomes reader input at extramile_2000@yahoo.com or at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848).

Price as Tested: $36,685

This week we’re driving Buick’s 2012 LaCrosse Premium I, featuring a 5-year, 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and impressive 4-cylinder fuel mileage. Finished in a “Premium I” series, the latest LaCrosse is a strong statement from General Motors emphasizing Buick’s ability to build what the American public wants while also addressing the car’s nationwide popularity in China.

All 2012 4-cylinder LaCrosse models feature GM’s innovative “eAssist” technology, which helps the full-size LaCrosse deliver 25 city and 36 highway MPG thanks to an onboard lithium-ion battery and motor generator. This combination provides an electric boost of an additional 15 horsepower, allowing our 4-cylinder equipped tester to deliver V6 horsepower when needed yet maintain a “gas stingy” persona. In particular, 36 MPG highway from a car as big and beautiful as full-size LaCrosse is simply amazing and worthy of “up front” publicity in this week’s column.

Under the hood sits the Ecotec 2.4 liter 4-cylinder that develops 182-horsepower in addition to the 15-horsepower “punch” the eAssist offers. All LaCrosse models, including AWD versions, come with Buick’s Hydra-Matic 6-speed transmission that allows better highway gearing to also assist in delivering the aforementioned highway fuel economy. Underneath, a four-link strut suspension setup offers great handling and comfortable cruising.

For those who desire a V6 engine, LaCrosse Premium offers a 3.6-liter DOHC V6 as a no cost option, developing 303 horsepower. The tradeoff for the power is a major drop in MPG to 17 city and 27 highway. Thus, “Test Drive” highly recommends the LaCrosse 4-cylinder with eAssist, as the difference in fuel mileage is too great to overlook.

LaCrosse’s exterior is modern and aerodynamic, with notable fit and finish thanks to Buick craftsman who assemble the car in Kansas City, Kansas. As noted in our last LaCrosse test drive back in 2010, Buick’s beautiful front grille and three hood “portholes” are spinoffs of the famous Roadmasters, Invictas, Electras and Park Avenue past.

The result is a car that can take on any competition, be it Lexus ES, Lincoln MKZ, Chrysler 300 or Acura TL. All are formidable competitors, yet Buick fits right in with its great looks, ultra quiet ride and 550-mile highway travel capability on one tank of regular grade fuel.

All LaCrosse models feature six airbags, stability control, traction control, brake assist, 4-wheel ABS disc brakes, battery run down protection, keyless entry, and theft deterrent.

Inside, you’ll find leather appointments with dual 8-way power front seating, heated front seats, all the powers, dual zone climate, ultrasonic rear park assist, 7-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD, USB, Bluetooth, enhanced lighting, universal remote, and two power outlets. The seating comfort is just right, everything is within easy reach, and a beautiful blue hue background sets off the instrumentation. As for room, there’s more than enough legroom and headroom for adults regardless of sitting fore or aft.

Our LaCrosse came with a $1,440 Driver Confidence Package, consisting of side blind spot alert, high intensity headlamps, head-up display and adaptive lighting. A $600 stereo upgrade added 11 total speakers via a 384-watt Harman/Kardon entertainment system. The final option, which pushed the base up to $36,685 with $850 destination, was a $1,345 navigation system with backup camera.

Important numbers include a wheelbase of 111.7 inches, 13.3 cubic feet of trunk space, 3,835 lb. curb weight, 25 city and 36 highway MPG rating, and a 15.7-gallon regular grade fuel tank.

If you want an upper class luxury vehicle that features Buick’s discreet opulence and starts at just $29,545, LaCrosse deserves a close look and serious consideration. The AWD version is also noteworthy, and starts at $33,730. The Lacrosse prices are strictly retail, and do not include dealer incentives and other General Motors discounts.

Buick has indeed earned its keep with the new 2012 LaCrosse.

Likes: Contemporary design, improved safety, legendary reputation, USA built.

Dislikes: Some blind spots, but safety equipment makes up for most; expensive options.

(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist).

Here are the rules for the competition. The work should be done by one person, on any topic. The paper size must be standard, 8 1/2 inches by 11 inches using one side of the paper only. Please type or write in ink and illustrations can be in any medium: crayon, marker, ink, or photographs, but please no pencil drawings. Each book will have a cover designed by the author. Please include two title pages one with: title, author’s name, school or home school, age, home phone, and the second title page with just the book information and any artwork. The margins must be as follows 1 inch on the top and bottom and 1 1/8 inch on the left and right sides.

If you would like a copy of the guidelines or for more information about the competition, contact the library at 297-2436 or email Sarah Stoody at stoodys@bradfordco.org.

Winning books bound and placed in the library collection are currently on display at the County Library. The public, especially parents and teachers, are urged to read the delightful books written by the Young Authors of Bradford County.

All books must be received at the library by Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m. The authors will be honored at a reception on Thursday evening, March 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the Bradford County Library.

The Bradford County Library is located on Route 6, midway between Troy and Towanda. For any questions call the Library at 297-2436 during library hours.

Students and judges from the 2011 Poetry Out Loud competition held at the Keystone Theatre. Nuria Hunter (front row, third from left) from Williamsport High School placed first and competed in the State Competition in Harrisburg.

There is still time for high school students in Bradford, Columbia, Lycoming, Montour, Sullivan, Tioga, and Wyoming counties to enter the regional qualifying round of the national poetry recitation contest, Poetry Out Loud. The regional competition will be Friday, Feb. 24 at the Keystone Theatre in Towanda.

The National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation present Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and the Bradford County Regional Arts Council. Poetry Out Loud is a program that encourages high school students to learn about great poetry through memorization, performance, and competition.

Each year, schools in every region of Pennsylvania are invited to participate in classroom, school wide and regional contests, advancing to a state competition March 26, 2012. State champions will advance to the National Finals, to take place in April 2012 in Washington, D.C.

High schools that wish to be part of the official Poetry Out Loud program should contact the Bradford County Regional Arts Council to participate: Elaine Poost, (570) 268-ARTS (2787) or elaine@bcrac.org for more information and/or registration forms.

Free, standards-based curriculum materials for use by participating schools will be provided. These materials include print and online poetry anthologies, a program guide to help instructors teach recitation and performance, and an audio CD featuring well-known actors and writers such as James Earl Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Alyssa Milano, and N. Scott Momaday. Program materials are available for download on the website, www.poetryoutloud.org, which offers additional resources, and can also be obtained by contacting the Bradford County Regional Arts Council.

Poetry Out Loud seeks to foster the next generation of literary readers by capitalizing on the latest trends in poetry – recitation and performance. The program builds on the resurgence of poetry as an oral art form, as seen in the slam poetry movement. Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater into the English class. Through Poetry Out Loud, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage.

Students who participate in the official Poetry Out Loud program may be eligible to compete in the State and National Finals in 2012. Each winner at the regional level will receive an all-expense paid trip to Harrisburg, Pa. to compete in the state finals. Each winner at the state level will receive $200 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. to compete for the national championship. The state winner’s school will receive a $500 stipend for the purchase of poetry books. One runner-up in each state will receive $100, with $200 for his or her school library. Poetry Out Loud will award a total of $50,000 in scholarships and school stipends at the National Finals, with at least a $20,000 college scholarship for the Poetry Out Loud National Champion.