Linglestown business update

Caperoon's heads down new trail

Although Caperoon's Plant Farm closed earlier this summer, owners Lou Caperoon and Cheri Weakley are keeping busy doing lawn maintenance and landscaping work.

Plus, they changed the business name to Caperoon's Landscape & Maintenance to reflect their focus on maintenance services.

Contact them at 545-9372 to request brochures about their services or to schedule an appointment.

Village parking lot update

Construction of the municipal parking lot near the square in Linglestown has been suspended until a PPL electricity pole in the entrance drive is relocated.

PPL is expected to move the pole in mid-September, according to Lower Paxton Township manager George Wolfe. Paving, line painting, and installation of light fixtures will be completed after the pole has been moved.

Blackberry Lane will be paved from the parking lot entrance east to N. Mountain Road.

The section of Blackberry Lane from the parking lot west to Blue Mountain Parkway will not be improved because there are outstanding questions on who owns various sections of the alley, said Wolfe.

Township officials decided to construct the 60-space lot to replace some of the parking spaces that will be eliminated by the square improvement project.

Partially completed parking lot behind the Chocolate Cafe on a lot next to Linglestown Life church.
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Related post: Work started on village parking lot (June 28, 2007)

Sewer repairs proposed in Linglestown

Lower Paxton Township is doing preliminary planning to replace old sewer pipes in areas of Linglestown that will be affected by the square improvement project.

Replacing aging sewer lines during road construction projects is a common practice to avoid having to rip up newly paved streets to make repairs.

The township sewer authority is scheduled to vote tonight on whether to authorize engineering work for replacing the lines. CLICK HERE to review the meeting agenda.

The main area recommended for new lines is along Linglestown Road from Balthaser Street to the pumping station located just west of a driveway that goes to St. Thomas United Church of Christ. Small sections of sewer pipe on Blackberry Lane and Blue Mountain Parkway also have been earmarked for replacement.

The estimated cost for repairing all areas is over $500,000, according to the township's consulting engineer.

If the project is approved, work to replace the sewer pipes would likely begin in March 2008, said Bill Weaver, who heads the township's sewer department.

Planned repairs to the sewer system throughout the township are expected to cause user rates to double over the next 20 years. The current residential rate is $95 per quarter.

Pictured is the pump station located along Linglestown Road just east of the village. Sewage periodically overflows at the station due to stormwater leaking into old sewer lines. Wastewater from the Linglestown area is processed at a plant in Swatara Township near Hummelstown.

Linglestown postcard

Day 2 of the school year is in the books.

Fender bender at square

Drivers of a red VW Jetta and a mini school bus collided at the village square Monday afternoon. The Jetta was dented near the driver's side headlight and the bus suffered a mangled rear bumper.

Bank branch to open near Linglestown

Commerce Bank will open a new branch on September 14 near the new Dunkin' Donuts on Linglestown Road located about a mile west of the village of Linglestown, according to Central Penn Business Journal.

Colts rule in season opener

Linglestown Colt's midget team scores a touchdown against West Shore.

Linglestown's varsity youth football teams manhandled West Shore today in today's tripleheader at Koons Park.

SCORES:
PeeWee: Linglestown 28, West Shore 0
Pony: Linglestown 47, West Shore 0
Midget: Linglestown 43, West Shore 6

Linglestown hosts Paxton next Sunday, Sept. 2 at Koons Park. First game starts at 1:00 pm.

Linglestown weekend happenings

* Linglestown Fire Co. is sponsoring a motorcycle "Fire Ride" and dice run on Saturday, Aug. 25. In addition to the motorcycle ride, a chicken BBQ will take place the same day at the fire company's stone parking lot starting at 11 am.

* Linglestown Football Association teams will play their regular season opener on Sunday, Aug. 26 against West Shore at Koons Park. First game starts at 1:00 pm.

Wegmans Food Market coming to area

I got a flyer in the mail yesterday about the new Wegmans Food Market that will open on the Carlisle Pike near Mechanicsburg on September 16. I'm wondering if anyone plans to regularly make the drive to shop there?

CLICK HERE for store info, and HERE to take a tour of the store.

Spooky forces

Googling for info on Linglestown netted a UFO sighting report from 2004. May the force be with you.

Bridge over I-81 reopens

Here's good news for those of you who are sick and tired of navigating through the mess at Allentown Blvd. and Mountain Road -- N. Lockwillow Avenue bridge is now open.

C.D. school bells are about to toll

First day of the new academic year for Central Dauphin students in this Monday, August 27. CLICK HERE for a news summary about the school district.

Malesic keeps seat on school board

Talk of Christian Malesic getting bounced from the Central Dauphin school board for holding two public offices ended with a thud Monday night as the board unanimously affirmed his membership. Malesic represents the Linglestown area on the board. CLICK HERE to for more details from The Patriot-News.

Malesic's term only runs through the end of the year, and he needs to win the November election to retain his seat.

There have been some murmurings about someone challenging him as a write-in candidate, but no one has jumped into the fray to date as far as I know.

Malesic, who has been a hot topic on PennLive.com's Linglestown forum of late, joined the school board a few weeks ago and stirred things up by suggesting that the district's gun policy was too strict.

In the for-what-it's-worth department, I overheard Malesic tell a voter at the polls last spring that his main reason for seeking a school board seat was his irritation with rising school property taxes.

Finally, CLICK HERE and HERE to view Malesic's campaign finance reports filed with Dauphin County. (Reports are in PDF format.)
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Note: Serving on the school board is an unpaid position.

Linglestown square project delayed again

According to minutes of the Village of Linglestown Committee, the Route 39/village square improvement project won't get started until the spring of 2008.

The project engineer blamed delays associated with the property right-of-way plan for pushing back the start of construction. He said the plan had to be changed based on PennDOT reviews.

The orginal start date was last spring, but final approval of the route for a bypass road for Blue Mountain Parkway mucked up the works last winter.

Planned improvements include two roundabouts, one at the square and one near the fire company, to slow down traffic and improve the flow of traffic through the square and Blue Mountain Parkway intersections. Also, new sidewalks and other aesthetic features will be installed along Route 39 in the village.

Lower Paxton Township has received the following funding commitments for upgrades to the village: $2.65 million in a federal Transportation Bill earmark, $1.9 million from PennDOT, and $638,445 in grant money from the state's Hometown Street program. In addition, the township was awarded a $700,000 local grant from Dauphin County.

LP supervisors to meet Tuesday night

The Lower Paxton Township Board of Supervisors will conduct their final business meeting for August tomorrow night at 7:30 pm at the municipal building, 425 Prince Street.

I reviewed the agenda, and no business appears to deal directly with the Linglestown area. CLICK HERE to view the meeting agenda.

Football scrimmage at Koons Park

Linglestown Football Association teams scrimmaged Cumberland Valley today. Pictured below are scenes from the midget varsity session held at Koons Park.

The regular season opener will be played next Sunday, Aug. 26 against West Shore at Koons Park. First game starts at 1:00 pm.

Linglestown shopping

New shop near the village square offers "retail therapy."

First Impressions recently relocated next to Linglestown Flowers & Gifts and St Thomas Roasters.

The new boutique features expanded baby, clothing, gifts, and accessory lines.

The day spa at First Impressions offers pampering services performed by an experienced staff, featuring European facials, waxing, make-up lessons, deluxe pedicures and manicures.

First Impressions offers a unique shopping experience. The boutique's beautiful merchandise changes weekly to offer the latest pampering and lifestyle products, trend-setting fashions and accessories, as well as fabulous and festive gifts.

Be sure to visit this delightful shop and day spa the next time you visit the historic village of Linglestown.

Hong Kong Ruby reviewed

Mimi Brodeur of The Patriot-News gives her take on the Chinese food served up by Hong Kong Ruby at the Beaufort Farms Plaza site at 2027 Linglestown Road. The restaurant will soon be relocating up the street to Patton Place Plaza, behind Dunkin' Donuts on Linglestown Road about a mile west of the village of Linglestown.

Linglestown postcard

Backyard tree house and garden on Elmer Avenue.

Village bulletin board

* Lower Paxton Township's Recycling Committee is looking for volunteers to help combat litter along township roads. CLICK HERE for details.

* Linglestown Fire Co. is sponsoring a motorcycle "Fire Ride" and dice run on Saturday, Aug. 25. In addition to the motorcycle ride, a chicken BBQ will take place the same day at the fire company's stone parking lot starting at 11 am.

* Lower Paxton Historial Society next meeting will be on Wednesday, Sept. 5. at 7 pm at the township's muncipal building, 425 Prince Street.

* Linglestown Garden Club's fall foliage trip to Penn's Peak Showplace in Jim Thorpe, Pa., is set for Thursday, Oct. 11. CLICK HERE for show information. Cost of trip is $62. For more information, call Helen Drathler at 234-8979.

* New Hope Church in Linglestown is sponsoring a bus trip on Saturday, Dec. 1 to Wellsboro, Pa., for the community's 24th annual "Dickens of a Christmas." Cost of the trip is $79 per person and includes transportation, admissions to activities and dinner at the Country Cupboard in Lewisburg, Pa. Call the church office at 545-3400 for more information.

Linglestown news briefs

* Christian Malesic, the newly appointed C.D. school board member who represents the Linglestown area, is back in the news again. Some of Malesic's school board colleagues may have found a way to rescind his board appointment. CLICK HERE for details from The Patriot-News.

In case you're out of the loop on the controversial goings-on with Malesic, CLICK HERE to get up to speed. Also, check out what average Joes are saying about this issue at PennLive.com's Linglestown forum. (See #155.)

* The bridge that spans I-81 on N. Blue Ribbon Avenue has reopened. Hooray!

On a related matter, it looks like the bridge on N. Lockwillow Avenue will be reopening soon.

* Linglestown youth football teams open their seaon on Sunday, August 26 against West Shore at Koons Park. CLICK HERE for more information.

* Village of Linglestown Committee is scheduled to meet at 7 pm tomorrow night, Aug. 16, at Linglestown Fire Company's brick building. The committee is assisting Lower Paxton Township with planning for the square improvement project.

* Congratulations to Linglestown residents Brian and Eric Sersch for earning the Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement in Scouting.

Big Boyd gets blog mention

Blogger in Harrisburg area mentions Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area located near Linglestown. CLICK HERE to read the post.

We are the champions!

Lingletown's sandlot baseball team notched a 3-2 victory over Middletown this evening to win the East Shore Twilight League playoff championship.

On Saturday, the team won 1-0 to get into the deciding game 7 of the series.

Celebration begins after Linglestown's victory this evening in Middletown.

Lightning strike in Linglestown

Below are pictures of lightning damage from a strike last Thursday, August 9, behind a home along North Blue Ribbon Avenue. Photos and news tip by Jay Mumper.

Guess who's coming to Roasters?

Frank Cotolo, the highly acclaimed singer-songwriter who regularly comes out of hiding to grace appreciative coffee drinkers with his musical wizardry and quick wit at St. Thomas Roasters coffeehouse near the village square in Linglestown.

Join me and other java junkies for Frank's show Friday, that's tomorrow August 10, from 8:00 to 10:00 pm.

Linglestown area in the news

* Jay Purdy, a candidate for Lower Paxton Township supervisor, calls for a write-in candidate to run against newly appointed C.D. School Board member Christian Malesic.

On a related note, Malesic has posted new comments on PennLive.com's Linglestown forum. (See item #151 .)

Lastly, CLICK HERE for a video report from WHP TV-21 on Monday's school board meeting that in part focused on the district's weapons policy.

* Lower Paxton Township Planning Commission has approved the LenMaur development plan that includes an upscale restaurant with valet parking and a waterfall, a spa and an office building along Linglestown Road between the Weis Market and Dunkin' Donuts. The plan now goes to the township supervisors for final review.

CLICK HERE for a June 2007 blog post about LenMaur.

* Linglestown's sandlot baseball team lost to Middletown 7-3 in last night's East Shore Twilight League championship series game. The best-of-seven series is now knotted at two games apiece.

Linglestown dining update

Hong Kong Ruby at 2027 Linglestown Road in Susquehanna Twp. will close at the end of the month, according to a post on the Breaking News blog by The Patriot-News. It will reopen in November at Patton Place Plaza located along Linglestown Road about a mile west of the village of Linglestown. The plaza is being constructed behind the new Dunkin' Donuts.

Night Out sights

Lower Paxton Township's Night Out for Public Safety at Koons Park attracted a sizeable crowd despite the hot and humid weather Tuesday evening.

Posing with Smokey.

STAT MedEvac out of York (pictured) and Pennsylvania National Guard helicopters landed on the sandlot baseball field.

Hot-air balloon rides at the youth football field.

C.D. board sticks to its guns

According to today's Patriot-News, the Central Dauphin School Board unanimously reaffirmed the district's weapons policy that bans guns on campus or at school activities. CLICK HERE to read the story.

Board member Christian Malesic touched off a controversy by suggesting at a July 16 meeting that the policy was too strict. There's a post on PennLive.com's Linglestown forum by "CMalesic" that explains why he voted to retain the current weapons policy with one amendment. (See item #151, Good Government.)

This week's Lower Paxton Township meetings

This month's schedule of township meetings kicks off with the Board of Supervisors business meeting tomorrow night (Aug. 7) at 7:30 pm. CLICK HERE to view the meeting agenda.

On Wednesday, Planning Commission meets at 7 pm.

On Thursday, Public Safety Committee meets at 7 pm.

All meetings will be held at the municipal building, 425 Prince Street.

Preparations under way for Night Out event

The tent has been raised at Koons Park for Lower Paxton Township's eighth annual Night Out for Public Safety on Tuesday, August 7 at Koons Park.

The event will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 pm and will include a large variety of public safety displays, interactive exhibits, a live ban, free food and drink, as well as various public service agencies.

CLICK HERE to view scenes from last year's Night Out.

Sandlot team takes lead in finals

Linglestown's sandlot team came through the weekend eading Middletown two games to one in the best-of-seven East Shore Twilight League championship series.

After dropping Friday's game 10-2, Linglestown notched two wins over the weekend with final-inning offensive explosions. CLICK HERE for a summary of Saturday's game, and CLICK HERE for details on Sunday's game.

Game #4 of the series will be played at Koons Park on Wednesday at 6 pm.

Sandlot baseball update

Linglestown's sandlot team begins a best-of-seven series tonight against Middletown for the East Shore Twilight League championship. Game time is 6 pm at Middletown High School.

Below is the tentative schedule for rest of the series:

Saturday's game, Middletown at Linglestown, time to be announced
Sunday's game, Linglestown at Middletown, time to be announced
Tuesday, Aug. 7, Middletown at Linglestown, 6 pm
Wednesday, Aug. 8, Linglestown at Middletown, 6 pm (if needed)
Thursday, Aug. 9, Middletown at Linglestown, 6 pm (if needed)
Saturday, Aug. 11, Linglestown at Middletown, time to be announced (if needed)

Games at Linglestown will be played at Koons Park.

Dirty work continues

Pictured is the result of two weeks of earth moving at the future site of The Townes at Autumn View, an 18-unit condo community that will be constructed near Koons Park.

Underground facilities for the stormwater management system and sewer pipes were installed this week.

CLICK HERE for background info on this project.

Hot day, cool pool

On hot and humid days like today, Koons Pool is the place to go to cool off. Single-day admissions are available for nonmembers.

Peaches 'n Cream

Be sure to check out the Peach Festival at New Hope Church, 584 Colonial Club Drive, on Saturday, August 4 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.

CLICK HERE for details.

C.D. school official getting crucified

Newly appointed Central Dauphin School Board member Christian Malesic (pictured) is getting chewed up in the press and on the Internet for suggesting that the district's gun policy is too strict. CLICK HERE for a letter to the editor in today's Patriot-News that sums up the controversy.

The Paxton Herald, a weekly newspaper packed with ads and many times questionable gossip pieces, is trying to whip everyone into a frenzy in an effort to turn the August 6 board meeting into a standing-room-only affair. The paper ripped Malesic during the spring primary for using the school district's logo in a campaign mailer.

More steamy responses about Malesic can be found on the PennLive.com Linglestown forum.

Even WHP radio talker Bob Durgin got into the act today by interviewing school board member Kathy Stone about Malesic's proposal.

Malesic won the Republican school board primary in May, and was recently appointed to the board to fill an open seat that represents the Linglestown area. He needs to win the November election to continue serving on the school board. He's unopposed at this time, but there are rumblings about a search to find a write-in candidate to challenge him.
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CLICK HERE for a Patriot-News editorial on C.D. School District's gun policy.

Linglestown baseball update

* Linglestown's sandlot team is headed for the East Shore Twilight League finals, and will face the winner of the Middletown-Pennbrook series. Below is the news brief that appeared in today's Patriot-News:

Nick Albert rapped three hits and knocked in two runs to lead Linglestown to a 5-3 victory over Lawnton. With the win, Linglestown swept the semifinal series 3-0. Brian Zellers collected two hits and a RBI and Jack Muscalus picked up the mound victory for Linglestown. Louis Melecio doubled and drove in two runs to lead Lawnton.

* Linglestown's little league all-star team bowed out of the Hap Boyer Central Penn Tournament with a respectable 3 win, 2 loss record.