‘Neighbors help neighbors’: Sense of community strong in the north

By D. EVERETT SMITH Sun-Gazette Correspondent

Mansfield is a unique town that has developed a reputation for compassion. Town Manager Chris McGann sees this firsthand.

“I previously lived in Mansfield for 15 years between college and working professionally. I left for a while and have been back for a little over three years now. The thing that has always struck me about Mansfield and Tioga County is the strong sense of community. Neighbors help neighbors,” McGann said. “For example, when a family experiences a loss or tragedy, there is typically an outpouring of support with things like spaghetti benefit dinners and GoFund-Me campaigns.”

McGann said there had been talks of closing Mansfield University, however, consolidating it as part of the system of Commonwealth University colleges, gave the school a new life.

“The college is very important to us,” McGann said. “The students and professors are important to our community. At one point there was talk about closing the Mansfield campus, but we are glad they did not.”

McGann said he is excited for the community as some much needed improvements are coming to Mansfield.

“I think this is a very exciting recreation system and we are going to develop a walking trail in the community. Construction should be underway in autumn,” the manager said. He explained that thanks to grants from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources along with money from the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development.

He said that in the 1970s, the Army Corps of Engineers put Corey Creek in Mansfield. The town government received permission to build a walking trail upon and connect it with the other trails. He said that the levees in the north end of town would also be developed into a walking trail. He compared it to the River Walk in Williamsport. The ultimate goal is to connect them all.

As for town infrastructure, McGann shared that in a presentation to the governing council, in early February, that money from PENNVEST would “be used to replace the water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer facilities on St. James Street.” The finding would also help “utility mains and laterals to the curbs, hydrant replacement, ADA [compliant] curb cuts and utility cut repair.”

The money from PENNVEST will also “will fund the restoration of drainage facilities on Ninth Street.”

UPMC offers full-service care for general surgery in one convenient location at 1 Main St., Wellsboro.

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Dealing with flooding issues in town has become a priority. McGann said that funding the remediation projects in the south side of town will be helped from the Growing Greener Department. McGann said, in that early February presentation, the money from Growing Greener would specifically fund “upstream work on (the) tributary” as well as a “water quality improvement project” which would help with flood control.

Thanks to the council, work is scheduled to begin.

“We have effective leadership from our Borough Council, appointed boards and commissions and local non-profit organizations,” McGann said. “There seems to be a shared vision of making our community better for everyone.”

The town of Wellsboro, the county seat of Tioga County, continues moving forward. The town’s website offers residents an app to keep the residents connected. The app explains the borough government, officers information about parking, permits and a map of the town as well as a calendar of upcoming events.

The Grand Canyon Airport, located on the aptly named Runway Road, is reaching out to the next generation of aeronautical enthusiasts. According

4 steps to live in the present every day

(Family Features) —

Living in the present means celebrating each moment as it happens without worries about the past or anxiety for what the future holds and enjoying life to the fullest. Many people find themselves thinking about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow, making living in the now a challenge. You can overcome those hurdles and live each day more fully by adopting habits that promote physical and mental well-being, including these suggestions from the experts at Natrol, the No. 1 drug-free sleep aid brand, according to data from Nielsen.

Regular Exercise

You’ll find exercise on virtually every list of self-care advice, and for good reason. Exercise stimulates your body in numerous beneficial ways, not the least of which is getting your heart pumping and oxygen flowing throughout your body, including your brain. Exercise also pairs well with meditation or mindfulness activities, which allow you to align your body’s movement with your thoughts and focus on the act of nurturing your body while freeing your mind.

Quality Sleep

Getting quality sleep is linked to improved concentration and productivity, consciously managing your sleep habits can help you be more present each day. Creating a bedtime routine and establishing a comfortable, quiet sleeping environment are important steps. In addition, drugfree sleep aids like Natrol Melatonin products are designed to work with the body’s natural cycles and help users fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up revitalized with a clearer, calmer mind. Made with clean ingredients and no artificial flavors, sweeteners or preservatives, the line of melatonin products may help you rethink your relationship between sleep and living life to the fullest.

Deep Breathing

Focusing on the here and now can be easier said than done. However, it’s possible to train your body and mind to concentrate on specific thoughts and tasks.

Deep breathing exercises are an example of physically focusing yourself. Initiating a slow, steady breathing pattern and paying close attention to that rhythm can be an effective way to ward off negativity, whether it’s fear, anxiety or another undesirable emotion. Managing your breathing gives you a degree of control that can help you navigate a tricky situation or establish a deeper connection between your body and mind.

Time Management

For many people, the modern world’s frenetic lifestyle often demands constant multitasking. However, that continual juggling act makes it virtually impossible to give your full attention to any one aspect of your life. While a full stop to your multitasking tendencies may be impractical, you can carve out time to dedicate your mind more intentionally and completely. You may be surprised by how much joy you derive from simply being present. Explore more advice and products to help you stay present at Natrol. com.

Develop Healthy Sleep Habits

Healthy sleep begins with 7-9 hours of sleep a night, but there’s more you need to know to achieve the sleep you deserve. By getting the recommended amount of sleep and hitting all your sleep stages, you can wake up feeling more refreshed and ready to own the day.

Create healthy sleep habits. Establishing a consistent sleep-wake schedule helps regulate your circadian rhythms and increases your quality of sleep. Avoid bright screens to their website, “Through the years they have been responsible for providing aviation scholarships to prospective students in north central Pennsylvania.”

The Wellsboro Green Free Library mentioned on its Facebook page recent programs such as Lego times for kids, book clubs, and storytimes for children (which can be found on YouTube). The library hosted a Q/A event dealing with the legal issues associated with divorce, such as custody, the possible need for certain protections.

At the beginning of February, members of the library and community helped raise funds for the renovation of the World War II Memorial, near Main Street, in conjunction with the Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center, KC101 Country Radio Station and Timeless Destination.

60 minutes before bedtime. Exposure to bright LED lights such as smartphones, laptops and TV screens before bed can interfere with your body’s natural release of melatonin.

Consider taking a melatonin supplement. When you need a little extra nudge toward dreamland, melatonin may help you fall asleep and stay asleep so you wake up refreshed.

Create a calm and dark bedroom oasis. A dark, noise-free bedroom can help you sleep better throughout the night. Mask noise pollution with calming sounds and block out disruptive light with darkening curtains or a sleep mask.

Walk or exercise daily. Walking as little as 10 minutes a day can help improve sleep quality.