solomonswords

Pretending

By

Pastor B.J. Knefley

Growing up I must have had a vivid imagination. I used to wonder where it came from as we didn’t have television when I was very young. But then I realized that we did have radio and I can remember sitting around as a family listening to different mystery programs. Some of my imagination created some very dangerous situations. I once tried to hang my younger sister. Why? Well simply because she was a cattle rustler and I had caught her red handed and the punishment for rustlers? Hanging. A State Trooper just happened to be driving by and stopped me. I got in trouble for that one and my sister continues to remind me of that even to today. Another event was when I pushed my sister out of the hay mound. She thought she could fly so I was only helping her prove her theory. Before you ask, yes it was the same sister that I tried to hang. I got in trouble again.

There’s an old song that was sung by the Platters called “The Great Pretender”. If you’ve never heard it, you should. This pretender is the one who pretends through life. Presenting and living one way when the exact opposite is true. We all pretend at times, but some take it to the extreme. We become so good at pretending that we fool ourselves.

Pretending is like wearing masks. When we’re pretending, we put on masks to convey a persona that isn’t real. We do it often to hide pain, shame, guilt, fear and a host of other emotions. We may give clues to our real self, but most don’t recognize them. Those clues are often cries for help, too often they go unheard. It’s sad when you think about it. Sad that some don’t feel that they can be themselves. They feel that they must pretend in order to be accepted or liked. The problem is it’s a very unhealthy place to be. So, what’s the solution? The most important thing a pretender can do is to find someone that they can be real with. Someone that they don’t have to pretend with. This can be scary but necessary. Whatever lies we’ve bought into have to be broken. Who we are needs to be expressed. Jesus told his followers to deny themselves and take up his cross and follow Him. You can’t deny yourself when you’re already in denial. You must step out of the hole you’ve created for yourself. Think about it.

The Potter County Farmers Market will be outdoors on the square across from the county jail, every Friday from 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The next market will be this Friday, July 14th. Below is a list of who plans to be there and what they plan on bringing to the Market:

[NOTICE: If you are interested in joining the market this year or have any questions please contact …. Netra Baker, 814-544-7313 netrabaker@hughes.net]

ANOINTED LIVING will be there. I will be offering chair massages and stretching therapy (must be in flexible clothing for table stretching sessions). I will also be offering free information about my health coaching and natural living services for anyone interested in learning more. My contact information is 484-755-8843 and anointedliving@gmail.com. I prefer cash, check, Venmo or PayPal. Credit cards are accepted for a small additional fee.

CARING CRAFTS will be attending the Market. We have a variety of patterns for our Homemade Travel Pillows. A variety of plastic canvas ornament/magnet pieces that include; NFL logos, character theme, military signs, animals, etc.. Stop by and see us and don’t forget to like/ message us your special order on Facebook @ Caring Crafts. We accept cash payments. Hope to see everyone there!

ALPACA CREATIONS will be at the Farmers Market Fri., July 14 from 12:30 to 4:30. A variety of patterns and sizes of Alpaca socks, hand knit hats, mitts, neck warmers, scarves will be available.   Dryer balls, alpaca boot insoles, hand dyed yarns and roving for spinning or felting.    Special orders discussed, Credit cards accepted, 814-601-0049 for comments.  NOT TO EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, LARGE SELECTION.

ME AND MY BOYS SOAP plan on being at the market this Friday. We will have a selection of goat milk based products. They include soap bars, shampoo bars, lotions, lotion bars and bath bombs. We accept cash or card payments. For more information contact us at meandmyboyssoap@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page. 

BLUE MARBLE FARM will be at the market rain or shine with BLACK RASPBERRIES. They have a short growing season so be sure to get them now! We will also have spinach, snow peas, garlic scapes, assorted herb plants and more.   We accept cash, credit cards, and SNAP. For more information, contact Lisa at bluemarblefarm@outlook.com, 814-320-1308 or bluemarblefarm.weebly.com

CARD CREEK BAKERY will be at the market July 14. Artisan breads, sweet breads, sweet treats and a weekly surprise. Lots of fresh brown eggs will be in the cooler. Stop by and share your thoughts on what you would like next week. Call Netra Baker 814-544-7313 netrabaker@hughes.net 

Williamsport, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a public hearing to accept testimony concerning the Roulette Oil and Gas Company’s (ROGC) application to convert the Clara Field #20 gas well, located in Clara Township, Potter County, into an oil and gas waste disposal well for the injection of waste produced through ROGC’s conventional oil and gas operations.   

The hearing will take place on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, beginning at 5:30 PM at the F.W. Gunzburger County Office Building auditorium, located at 1 North Main Street, Coudersport, PA  16915.  During the hearing, DEP will accept and record testimony concerning ROGC’s application.  

Doors will open and onsite registration to testify will begin at 5:00 PM.  

Permitting for underground injection wells is a shared process between federal and state agency partners.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued an Underground Injection Control Permit, effective January 14, 2022, to authorize the operation of the Class II-D Injection Well, pending DEP approval of the well permit application.  EPA’s permit governs the material that is injected into the well, well integrity, groundwater protection, and well closure requirements.  

DEP’s permit, which is currently under consideration, covers the location and construction of the well bore, surface issues, and an examination of the potential for pollution resulting from underground disposal.  

A fact sheet with more information about the proposed project and the full electronic application are available for review on DEP’s Underground Injection Well webpage at https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/Energy/OilandGasPrograms/OilandGasMgmt/Pages/Underground-Injection-Wells.aspx.  

Individuals wishing to offer comments at the July 25 hearing should pre-register with Megan Lehman, Regional Communications Manager for DEP’s Northcentral Regional Office, at meglehman@pa.gov or 570-327-3659.  Pre-registration will be accepted until noon on Monday, July 24.  Each registered individual will be allotted three minutes to speak. Onsite registrations to testify will also be accepted.  Registration is not required for those wishing to simply attend the hearing or to submit written comments.  

Written comments of any length will also be accepted until Tuesday, August 8, 2023 and should be sent via mail to PA Department of Environmental Protection, Northwest Oil and Gas District, 230 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA  16335, or via email at RA-EPOILGASDROPBOX@pa.gov. Written comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person filing the comment.  

DEP reviews and considers all comments with equal weight, regardless of whether they are provided as verbal testimony or in written format.  At the conclusion of the public comment period, DEP will issue a Comment and Response Document that serves as DEP’s response to all comments submitted during the comment period.  

Persons with a disability who wish to participate in the hearing and require an auxiliary aid, service, or other accommodation should contact Megan Lehman or the Pennsylvania Hamilton Relay Service at (800) 654-5984 (TDD) to discuss how DEP can meet their needs.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, please visit the website or follow DEP on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised that a two-year roadway reconstruction project continues next week on Route 6 in Troy Township, Bradford County.

On Sunday, July 16, 2023, at 5:00 PM, through Thursday, July 20, 2023, the eastbound lane will be closed between 0.8 miles east of the intersection with Route 14 and the intersection with Peters Road, while the contractor, Glenn O. Hawbaker, performs roadway reconstruction activities. Work will be performed 24-hours a day. Motorists can expect single lane conditions with flagging.

Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc., is the primary contractor for this $6.5 million reconstruction project. Work on this project includes roadway reconstruction, new drainage, updated guide rail, bridge preservation, superelevation correction, and miscellaneous construction activities. Work on this project is expected to be completed in July of 2024. Construction will shut down during the winter months.  

Motorists should be alert, slow down, watch for stopped vehicles, watch for lane changes, expect delays in travel, and drive with caution through the work zone.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts. 

FIRST News Now

FNN Article © Thursday, July 13, 2023.

LIBERTY TOWNSHIP, PA – Fire units from Blossburg and Liberty, as well as, an ambulance from Blossburg responded to an accident along Route 15 Highway southbound just after the Sebring Exit late Wednesday evening, July 12, 2023, around 10:30 PM.

Early reports indicated that a vehicle went over an embankment with three occupants inside.

All three individuals exited the vehicle, a young teen that was riding in the back seat was injured went the vehicle went over the embankment and struck a tree.

Blossburg fire personnel arrived on scene first at 10:44 PM and Liberty firefighters arrived on scene a minute later.

The injured youth was checked over by EMS and a Wellsboro Medic. The teen was then transported to Williamsport Hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Since Pennsylvania State Police were on scene and the vehicle was well off the roadway fire crews were given permission to head back to their stations around 11:24 PM. However, as they were loading up, the tow truck arrived on scene. Liberty fire personnel remained for traffic control and all remaining fire units were cleared by 11:32 PM.

The Potter County Artisan Center in Coudersport is planning several classes over the next few weeks.

Artist, Laurie Angood is offering “Young Artisans” painting class on July 20 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Cost is $20.  All materials are provided.

Laurie Angood is also offering an Adult Watercolor class on July 27 from 6:30-8:30. Cost is $35. Subject is a watercolor dragonfly. All materials are provided. 

To register for these classes, please call the center at 814-274-8165 or email: pottercountyartisancenter@gmail.com. The co-op cannot guarantee registration via Facebook or Messenger. The co-op is located at 227 N. Main Street and is open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Saturday.