Weekend backyard news, 11.29.08

* Folk singer Gale Gardiner (pictured), a Connecticut resident who grew up in neighboring Susquehanna Twp., stopped by St. Thomas Roasters coffee house and graced a nice-sized gathering with her artistry Friday evening.

The quaint coffee house in the historic village of Linglestown is one of the few places in Lower Paxton Twp. that has a steady stream of FREE entertainment most Friday and Saturday evenings.

Music at Roasters tonight features The Snoods, 8–10 pm, no cover.

* Friday's edition of The Patriot-News had a story by T.W. Burger about a Lower Paxton Twp. women who is on a crusade to save a tract of land that is home to monarch butterflies as they travel through the area.

* Week in review … For those of you who haven’t stopped by recently, below is a handful of original content posted on the Gazette during this holiday-shortened week.

Linglestown project looking good to start in ‘09

Amelia's adds to food drive

Open stage night at Roasters

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Lower Paxton holiday weekend happenings

Friday … The youth group at Colonial Park United Church of Christ, located next to K-Mart, is sponsoring a Black Friday all-you-can-eat pancake and waffle feast from 5 am to 10 am; $5

Friday … Be sure to stop by the merchants for Linglestown for great Black Friday shopping and hospitality without the crowds.

Friday … Music at St. Thomas Roasters coffee home in the historic village of Linglestown features heart and soul originals by Gale Gardiner, 8–10 pm, no cover

Friday–Sunday ... Christmas tree sale sponsored by Koons Pool at Gander Mountain and Walters Tractor Service. CLICK HERE for details (see second item).

Saturday … The Snoods will bring their unique brand of upbeat music to St. Thomas Roasters, 8–10 pm, no cover

Happy Thanksgiving from ...

your friend in Linglestown, B².

Open stage night at Roasters

Several teens took to the stage tonight at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in Linglestown to share their musical talents with their peers and a smattering of older folks. Hats off to Java Geof for giving the youth of our community a place to hang out.

Pictured is the dynamic duo of Brandon Pae (left, playing guitar) and vocalist Sarah Mumper.

Search kicks off for CD schools chief

T.W. Burger of The Patriot-News reports on the process for finding a replace for John Scola, the former Central Dauphin School District superintendent who retired in August.

Roaster brewskies are all gone

Dag nabbit!

I wanted to buy a sample of the beer brewed with coffee beans roasted by Java Geof of St. Thomas Roasters to share with my family on Turkey Day. But Harrisburg-based Troegs Brewing Company informed me today that their Scratch #15 – Double Espresso Oatmeal Stout is sold out. The craft beer debuted at a tasting event held at the coffee house last Thursday.

You snooze, you lose.

Mobile home fire reported

Updated Wednesday at 11:13 am ...

Linglestown Fire Company was called into action this evening for a mobile home fire west of the village on Larry Lane, according to a news brief from The Patriot-News. The mobile home was fully involved when firefighters arrived at the scene, according to a firefighter at the fire station.

For more details, check out the report on the fire company's Web site.
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Hat tip to Gazette reader Harry for sending in the news tip.

Backyard news, 11.25.08

* The fine folks at Linglestown Life church, located just north of the square on N. Mountain Road, hope to expand their facility in the near future. Church officials are scheduled to appear before the Lower Paxton Twp. Zoning Hearing Board on Thursday, Dec. 4, to present their development plans and seek approval for the project.

* You can buy a Christmas tree and help Koons Pool raise funds for next swimming season this Friday through Sunday, Nov. 28–30, from 10 am to 5 pm at the Gander Mountain store on Route 22. And check this out – Gander Mountain is giving away $10 in Gander Bucks to spend in the store for anyone who buys a tree.

If you live in the Linglestown area, Koons Pool will also be selling trees at Walters Tractor Service, 6690 Linglestown Road, starting this Friday, Nov. 28, 9 am to 8 pm.

Finally, supporters of the pool who volunteer to help sell trees will get a FREE guest pool pass for next swimming season.

Send an e-mail to the pool for more info.

* I received word from HarrisburgatHome.com publisher Rob Nease that he started a companion blog to his Web site.

* Thanks to everyone who completed the challenge to tell friends and family about the great stuff that shows up on Linglestown Gazette. The following readers have been declared winners and are now entered in the fabulous SUPER TRAVEL RAFFLE sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company: Rose Baker, Donna Leinbach, Diana Sawdargs, Carla Miller, Heather Webb and Laura de Mackiewicz.

Also, a shout-out goes to Brian Carl (ineligible due to being a recent Gazette prize winner) and Diane Boyer (just missed a prize by a few minutes) for entering.

If you haven’t entered the raffle, CLICK HERE for details. The drawing will take place Dec. 24.

Contest: Win SUPER TRAVEL RAFFLE tickets

All tickets have been claimed as of Tuesday, 8:08 am ...

I have six raffle tickets to give away for Linglestown Fire Company's fantastic travel raffle. If you have not won something from the Gazette in the last 30 days, follow the two-step process described below to enter the contest:

1. Send an e-mail to at least three of your friends and/or family members who live in Lower Paxton Twp. that encourages them to check out Linglestown Gazette. (Be sure to include the blog's Web address – linglestowngazette.com – in your message.)

2. To enter the contest, forward a copy of the e-mail to B² that shows the e-mail addresses of the people you contacted, and most importantly, includes your name, address and telephone number.

The first six readers who successfully complete this challenge will win a raffle ticket. Good luck!

Lower Paxton government watchdog

There's not much happening this week due to Thanksgiving, but there is a major powwow of the Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors Tuesday, Nov. 25, when they huddle to finalize a preliminary 2009 township budget. The meeting will take place at the Municipal Center starting at 4 pm.

Like many local governments and businesses, the township’s revenues this year have been lower than projected, and this has caused a budget deficit. Township manager George Wolfe said last week that a budget deficit could be in the works for 2009 as well. I’ve been told that the township has a sizeable rainy day fund, so no one is expecting the township to go belly up financially.

Township officials have not suggested to date that a tax hike is in the works for 2009.

Developing story ...

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Need your hair spiffed up for the holiday? If so, head to the sponsor of this post, Shalyn's Hair Studio located in the Linglestown square across from The Eagle Hotel.

B² gets his hair cut there, and so should you. Walk-ins welcome, or call 525-9558 to schedule an appointment.

Amelia's adds to food drive

A big Gazette shout-out goes to Jim Swartz, manager of Amelia's Grocery Outlet on N. Mountain Road in Linglestown, for donating a cart of food toward this blog's recently completed food drive.

Linglestown project looking good to start in ‘09

After more than a decade of planning and work, the $4 million project that will give the historic village of Linglestown a major facelift appears to be on track to go under construction during spring 2009.

At a meeting last Thursday evening at Linglestown Fire Company, Lower Paxton Twp. manager George Wolfe said the township is now in position to obtain title to land needed for road improvements. Beyond finalizing paperwork related to right-of-ways, only a few minor details need to be completed to get an OK from state transportation officials to seek construction bids. PennDOT is scheduled to open bids on April 3.

“This a good time to seek bids,” said Jeff Case of Arora and Associates, lead consulting engineer for the project. “Contractors are looking for work and the cost of asphalt is dropping.”

“We have a much better chance of meeting [the project’s] budget now than six months ago,” added Wolfe.

Planned improvements include two traffic roundabouts, decorative streetlights, benches, stamped concrete sidewalks and trees. The project is expected to take two construction seasons to complete.

Village committee chairman Eric Kessler asked Wolfe and Case to look into the possibility of completing the work in one season by having construction crews work around the clock.

Related issues …

* It remains a shaky proposition whether a public waterline will be included in the project. Township officials said 60 property owners along Linglestown Road in the village need to hook up for a waterline to be constructed by United Water Pennsylvania, and only 47 property owners to date have said "yes." Properties in the village currently get drinking water from on-lot wells.

* The township has been unsuccessful to date in negotiating a lease agreement with property owner Tim Archibald for a planned parking lot behind St. Thomas Roasters coffee house.

* The merchants of Linglestown have formally petitioned the township to improve a portion of Raspberry Lane that is located west of North Mountain Road to give customers an alternate route to several businesses during the construction project.
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Pictured below is a diagram of the planned road improvements. (Click on the photo to view a larger version.)

Lower Paxton, Linglestown week in review

This week’s top posts …

* Jazz jam band coming Saturday to Roasters (Post includes a brief audio interview with a band member - be sure to give it a listen)

* Lower Paxton random notes

* Linglestown firefighters dedicate tanker truck

* Don’t throw out those old magazines

* Linglestown closer to getting car wash

* Beer-tasting attracts SRO crowd at Roasters

Links to recent stories that appeared elsewhere …

* Police nab suspect in Lower Paxton robbery

* Central Dauphin school board seeks public input on search for new superintendent

* Man faces life in prison in Lower Paxton shooting

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This post is sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company. Please take a few seconds to check out the fire company's SUPER TRAVEL RAFFLE – you could win a $2,500 trip for as little as $10. CLICK HERE for more info and details on how to enter.

This weekend's BIG event

Linglestown has a growing number of shopping opportunities, and First Impressions Boutique, Gifts and Day Spa, one of the newest shops in the village, is holding a HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE.

A treasure trove of glamorous gifts awaits you at First Impressions’ this Satuday and Sunday (Nov. 22-23). Holiday savings will be available throughout the store! And there will be door prizes and refreshments.

First Impressions is located in the historic village of Linglestown at 5943 Linglestown Road. Open House hours are Saturday 10–5 and Sunday 12–5.

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For more information about the shops and restaurants in Linglestown, check out the new Web site sponsored by the village merchants association.

Linglestown postcard: Season's first snow

Beer-tasting attracts SRO crowd at Roasters

The Troegs beer tasting event Thursday evening at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house was a big hit – actually, it was too big of a hit.

The small coffee house was packed to the gills with thirsty patrons. It was controlled bedlam as Java Geoff and the Troegs guys passed out samples of beer, and supplies ran out before the advertised 8 pm ending time.

Keep in mind that this was the first beer-tasting event at Roasters, so I urge everyone who missed out to give Geof a break on this one. I'd say future beer tastings should require reservations for a limited number of seats, and it probably would make sense to hold two tasting sessions during the event.

The scratch beer that Troegs brewed with coffee beans from the coffee house – Double Espresso Oatmeal Stout – is only available in draft at the brewery on Paxton Street in Harrisburg.

If you want to get a taste, there were a few openings for a 12:30 pm tour of the Troegs brewery on Saturday, Nov. 22, at the time this post was published. Or, you can stop by the brewery Saturday afternoon to just sample Double Espresso Oatmeal Stout.

Pictured below are John Trogner, III (on left), brewmaster and president of Troegs Brewing Co., and "Java Geof" Smith, co-owner and chief coffee bean roaster of St. Thomas Roasters.

B² Answerline: Excavation work on N. Blue Ribbon

Question ... What is going on with a tract of land along North Blue Ribbon Avenue? I noticed that trees are being torn down.

– Submitted by Gazette reader Joanne Lanni

B² answer ... I called the Lower Paxton Twp. office and was told that five apartment buildings are being constructed on a formerly wooded tract by nonprofit group Volunteers of America of Dauphin County to provide affordable housing for people from the Harrisburg area with disabilities.

The complex will have 15 garden-style apartments, a community room and an on-site manager, said Jim Ingolio, director of mission advancement with Volunteers of America. Construction should be completed sometime next spring.

The township reviewed and approved the development plan during the summer of 2007.
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B² AnswerLine is a free service provided by Linglestown Gazette and its subsidiary Linglestown TV. CLICK HERE to submit a question via e-mail – please put "B² AnswerLine" in subject line.

Thursday's BIG happening

Join B² this evening at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in Linglestown for a beer tasting event with Harrisburg-based Troegs Brewing Company. The popular microbrewery will be unveiling a brewskie called Scratch #15 – Double Espresso Oatmeal Stout that has coffee beans roasted by Java Geof as a key ingredient, 6:30–8 pm, free admission.

New Gazette slogan

I changed the descriptive slogan for Linglestown Gazette in the title area at the top of this Web page to better describe what I'm trying to do with this blog ...

All about
Linglestown and Lower Paxton Twp.
all the time

Thanks for reading, and please pass the word that Linglestown Gazette is worth a look on a daily basis.

Jazz jam band coming to Roasters

This week’s Linglestown Radio broadcast features Ryan Frantz of Shoeless Grooves, a group of music majors at Lebanon Valley College that will be performing at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house this Saturday (Nov. 22), 8–10 pm.

Click the “play” button to begin listening to the show. (mp3; playing time 3:10)

Linglestown closer to getting car wash

It’s not a done deal, but odds are improving that Lower Paxton Twp.-based Triple Crown Corporation could soon transform the blighted Linglestown property on North Mountain Road that formerly was a self-serve gas station into a small car wash.

Triple Crown hurdled a major obstacle Tuesday when the Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors approved a zoning change to allow car wash facilities in the outskirts of the village and other areas in the township located in a neighborhood commercial zoning district.

The zoning change requires Triple Crown to convince township officials that the planned car wash will recycle water on the site, and is aesthetically pleasing and compatible to the neighborhood.

If Triple Crown gets an OK to use the property for a car wash, it would then have to come up with a way to cram the facility on the tiny half-acre lot and still comply with township land development rules.

Mark Coakley of Triple Crown said the firm had an engineer and a car wash expert put together a plan that should comply with all township regulations.

Supevisors Bill Seeds and Bill Hornung, who were leery of allowing a car wash on a half-acre lot, advised Coakley to submit a plan that did not require a long list of requirements to be waived.

In other business, township officials are working on a 2009 township budget. The supervisors will hold a budget workshop meeting next Tuesday (Nov. 25) at 4 pm to finalize a tentative spending plan.

Budget planning is a challenge this year due to the down economy that has caused taxes and fees received this year to be lower than projected, said township manager George Wolfe.
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NOTE: The photo was taken prior to the removal of underground gasoline tanks.

Linglestown teacher has deja vu moments

Former Linglestown Junior High School student returns to school building as a teacher, feels uncomfortable at first calling her old teachers by their first names. – Story by T.W. Burger of The Patriot-News

Backyard news, 11.18.08

* REMINDER – The Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors will hold a business meeting tonight at the Municipal Center at 7:30 pm. You can watch a live broadcast of the meeting on Comcast channel 20. If you tune in, you might see B² ask a question or two about proposed regulations for door-to-door sales and solicitations. CLICK HERE for a preview of the meeting (scroll down third item), and HERE to view the meeting agenda.

* Judge OKs insurer to pay a $100,000 settlement on behalf of a Lower Paxton man who pleaded guilty to charges in a hit-and-run accident that killed a man in downtown Mechanicsburg last year.

* Lower Paxton man cited for illegal dumping in Harrisburg.

Put old magazines to good use

Instead of throwing magazines that pile up in your home and office in the trash, please consider donating them to Pennsylvania Partnerships Abroad (PPA), a Linglestown-based non-profit group headed by Bill Minsker (pictured) that teaches “English” language in Poland.

Reader’s Digest Condensed Books (since 1990), and recently issued magazines on the topics of travel, history, sports, art, music, geography, youth and family topics, wildlife and animals, cars, and science are needed.

To contribute magazines, contact Bill Minsker at the PPA office at (717) 545-9574.

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Retail therapy is available at First Impressions Boutique, Gifts and Day Spa, the sponsor of this post.

A treasure trove of glamorous gifts awaits you at First Impressions’ HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE this Thursday through Sunday (Nov. 20-23). Holiday savings will be available throughout the store! And there will be door prizes and refreshments.

First Impressions is located in the historic village of Linglestown at 5943 Linglestown Road. Open House hours are Thursday 10–8, Friday 10–7, Saturday 10–5, and Sunday 12–5.

Give me some heat

Today's predicted high is only 38 degrees – 14 degrees below normal. And making things even worse for warm weather people like me, it will feel much colder than that, with northwest winds at 10 mph to 15 mph, gusting to 28 mph.

YUK! I want a heat wave, or at least a long Indian summer!

Stuff to do this week

Wednesday … Postcard collecting will be the topic during the meeting of Lower Paxton Historical Society at the township Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street, 7 pm.

Dauphin County Judge Joseph Kleinfelter (pictured) will be the main speaker, presenting an overview of the hobby and how to begin a collection.

Also, Dane Maryott will display postcards of early Linglestown and talk about his plans to include them in a publication for the township’s 250th anniversary.

For more info, send an e-mail to Jay Purdy.

Thursday … Lower Paxton AARP will meet at Colonial Park United Church of Christ, 5000 Devonshire Road, “Munch with the Bunch” at noon (bring you own lunch), meeting at 1 pm. Mick Cockran will entertain on the keyboard to the theme of “Count Your Blessings.”

Thursday … St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in Linglestown is hosting a beer tasting event with Harrisburg-based Troegs Brewing Company to unveil a brewskie called Scratch #15 – Double Espresso Oatmeal Stout that has coffee beans roasted by Java Geof as a key ingredient, 6:30–8 pm.

STR Double Espresso is a one time deal, so don't miss out!

*** UPCOMING EVENT ***

Sunday, Dec. 7 … Christmas tree lighting at the square in the historic village of Linglestown sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company – open house at village merchants from 4–7 pm, tree lighting at 6 pm, hot chocolate and cookies at firehouse after the lighting.

Local news links, 11.17.08

Updated Tuesday at 7:07 am ...

* Trial opens in Lower Paxton murder case.

* At least two people were taken to the hospital Sunday evening following a two-car crash on Linglestown Road near the intersection with Colonial Road. Linglestown Fire Company was dispatched to the scene.

* Burglars take donations for a cancer drive at Central Dauphin High School from hair salon in West Hanover Twp.

Lower Paxton random notes

Below is a collection of tidbits culled from the last two newsletters published by SWAN. Members of the citizens group attend all township meetings and file brief reports on issues discussed by local officials. This is an invaluable service because it provides insights into what’s happening that never show up in local newspapers.

* Paul Salosorich was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Shade Tree Commission. (Please post a comment if you can explain in simple terms what this commission does.)

* Giant Food at the Point Shopping Center has received approval to install a gasoline fuel island.

* Bryan Yesilonis, who recently stepped down as the executive director of Bethesda Mission, is leading the fund-raising effort for the planned skatepark at George Park. Design work for the project is under way and construction could start this summer.

* Backers of the planned dog park at Lingle and Kohl parks have applied for a $10,000 grant from a private foundation, which would cover 60 percent of the estimated start-up costs. They hope to open the park on Memorial Day next year.

* Colonial Park Fire Company expects to put a new rescue truck in service this month.

* Lower Paxton Twp. Authority, the people who run the township's sanitary sewer system, have recommended that the quarterly sewer rate go up $10 to $116 starting in January. The supervisors will vote on the recommendation this month.

* Chris Johnson was elected committee chairman and Priscilla St. Jacques-Glusko was elected vice chairman of the township's new Greenway Committee. The committee has initiated survey workto formally establish a walking path on the Darlington Trail from Hocker Park to Boyd Big Tree Preserve Conservation Area.

CLICK HERE for background info on the greenway plan that was adopted last summer.

LP government watchdog

Updated with new information about a proposed car wash in Linglestown that will be discussed at the meeting of the LP supervisors Tuesday evening. (11.17.08, 10:42 am)

One of my chief aims in doing the Gazette is to keep Lower Paxton residents informed about local governmental affairs. Why? Because decisions made by township and school officials impact our day-to-day lives to a much higher degree than officials involved with higher levels of government.

Here’s what’s happening this week …

Monday … The public is invited to attend the monthly meeting of citizen watchdog group Stray Winds Area Neighbors, better known as SWAN, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1100 Colonial Road, 7 pm.

SWAN recently helped residents negotiate with McNaughton Homes to get large stormwater detention basins relocated and other concessions on plans for a luxury housing development on Blue Mountain. For details, CLICK HERE (see second item).

Currently, SWAN is trying to get state environmental officials to order the owner of a former asphalt company on McIntosh Road in Lower Paxton Twp. to clean up hazardous waste believed to be in soils near the Paxton Creek. CLICK HERE for background info.

Monday … The Central Dauphin School Board will meet in the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School. The meeting will begin at 7 pm and the public is invited to attend. To review the agenda, go to the board’s Web site.

Tuesday … Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors will hold a budget workshop at 4 pm, and a regular business meeting at 7:30 pm. Both meetings will be held at the Municipal Center, 425 Prince Street.

The budget workshop will focus on preparation of a proposed township budget for 2009.

The agenda for business meeting includes a pair of public hearings on proposed revisions to township regulations, called ordinances:

– Revised rules for peddlers and solicitors that would individuals to acquire a license and pay a fee prior to doing door-to-door sales.

– New regulations that would determine where a car wash could be constructed. According to a report filed by SWAN, this issue may be related to a proposal by Triple Crown Corporation to build a car wash at a former gas station across from Carl’s Body Shop on North Mountain Road.

Thursday … Village of Linglestown Committee tentatively will meet to discuss the planned square and village improvement project, Linglestown Fire Co. (brick building, front meeting room), 7 pm.

NOTE: Recent monthly meetings have been canceled because planning for the project has been completed. Check the Gazette on Thursday for information on whether the meeting will be held.

PennDOT, the state's transportation agency, is expected to seek construction bids for the improvement project before the end of the year.

Linglestown firefighters dedicate tanker truck

Linglestown Fire Company celebrated the acquisition of a tanker truck Sunday afternoon with an old-fashioned housing ceremony at the new fire station. Pictured above are Linglestown firefighters pushing the truck into its bay. (The photo is black and white because I unknowingly messed up the setting on my camera.)

Tanker 35 was purchased to better equip the firefighters to respond to fires in the upper section of Forest Hills, which does not have public water service, said Fire Lieutenant Sean Harp. The tanker is also used to assist neighboring fire departments, he added.

Fire Chief Bill Payne presented a plaque to Lower Paxton Twp. Supervisor Bill Seeds in recognition of the township’s help to fund the purchase of the new truck, as well as other major acquisitions over the years.

The ceremony included the presentation of updated membership cards to lifetime members of Linglestown Fire Company. The following members were recognized (first year of membership is shown in parentheses): George Bell (’83), Norm Carl Jr. (’57), Craig Coyne (’75), Chuck Hoffer Jr. (’82), Mike Kraska (’84), Bill Twilley Jr. (’77), Brian Woodall (’76), and Jack Whary (’74).

On a personal note, I got a ride to the fire station in the tower truck, and helped to push the tanker into the station with other residents, including several future firefighters. Unlike the "real" firefighters, we had some help from the tanker’s engine.

In other fire company news, firefighter Mark Boland has completed tests to earn his Paramedic Certification. Congratulations and thanks for your service, Mark!

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You can support fire company by coming out to BINGO every Tuesday evening at the red brick building, 7 pm start. Cash prizes and great food is provided by the Ladies Auxiliary!!

Also, be sure to purchase tickets for the SUPER TRAVEL RAFFLE. You could win a trip of a lifetime for as little as $10. Drawing will take place on Christmas Eve.

Weekend backyard news, 11.16.08

* Linglestown jewelry store robbed … Two armed men robbed Diamonte Jewelers on N. Mountain Road at 4 pm Friday, according to The Patriot-News. They fled east on Catherine Street in an older-model, blue Chevrolet Blazer with a gray stripe along the bottom and Pennsylvania license plate GZE-2860. Anyone with information is asked to call Lower Paxton police at 657-5656 or the tip line at 635-2602.

* Boy Scout recognized … A local teenager was mentioned in Saturday’s Cheers & Jeers column in The Patriot-News:

CHEERS to Daniel Farley, 16, of Lower Paxton Twp, for his Eagle Scout project to identify the veterans buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Swatara Twp. – 973, including a few from the Civil War and Spanish-American War – and to place a medallion on their graves. Daniel started last spring by extensively researching records, locating each veteran's grave, pulling away grass and weeds, and in some cases raising sunken stones hidden from view. Tell you what, vets, I'd say he's deserving of a salute and semper fi.

* Where’s Beck? … I’m not a fan of conservative radio and television host and author Glenn Beck, but I decided to check out the scene at his book signing Friday at Borders on Jonestown Road. As reported by The Patriot-News, traffic delayed Beck’s arrival at the store. I left about an hour before his arrival. Pictured below is part of the huge crowd that jammed into the store to get a glimpse of the celebrity.

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This post is sponsored by Shalyn's Hair Studio located in the Linglestown square across from The Eagle Hotel. B² gets his hair cut there, and so should you. Walk-ins welcome, or call 525-9558 to schedule an appointment.

LP weekend happenings, Nov. 14–16

Friday–Saturday … CD High will present Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, with a special matinee to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund for Children with Cancer on Saturday at 1 pm. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 for adults and $2.50 for students and senior citizens.

Friday … Music at St. Thomas Roasters features Frank Cotolo and his sons Jack and Ray, 8–10 pm, FREE

Saturday … Holiday Craft Show at Holy Name of Jesus, 8 am to 3 pm

Saturday … St. Thomas Roasters presents the musical artistry of Just Dave, 8–10 pm, FREE

Sunday … Tanker housing ceremony at Linglestown Fire Co., 2 pm, public is encouraged to attend

TV, radio celebrity to sign books in LP

Attention Glenn Beck fans ...

The national TV and radio host will sign his latest book, The Christmas Sweater, at Border Books in Lower Paxton Twp. today at 5 pm.

LP business update

Displays and Graphics Inc., an advertising and marketing firm, has leased 5,192 square feet of commercial space at 5700 Linglestown Road in Lower Paxton Twp.
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Source link

Child abuse alleged at Holy Name of Jesus school

I first read about Holy Name of Jesus male students who were expelled for allegedly abusing female students in the The Paxton Herald on newstands now. (Based on my days covering a local government beat for The Patriot-News, I question the accuracy of all reports in The Paxton Herald.)

The Patriot-News published an article in today's edition about the controversy.

Developing story ...

LP nanny case heads to trial

The Patriot-News reports this morning that Ana Amelia Santos Cuoco, a Brazilian nanny, accused of suffocating her newborn son this year in a Lower Paxton Twp. home faces a trial in the death case.

Mowing Contest champion revealed

At long last, it’s time to reward the winner of the world’s first-ever Mowing Contest that the Gazette ran from May 1 through Nov. 1, 2008. The video will reveal the winner, the complex system he used to determine the number of times B² would mow his lawn, and the gigantic prize package.


Contest sponsors:
* Commonwealth Printing & Promotions
* HarrisburgatHome.com
* Linglestown Chocolate Cafe and Restaurant
* Shag
* Kelli Wyland Photography
* First Impressions Boutique, Gifts and Day Spa
* SWAN
* St. Thomas Village Oriental Groceries and General Store

Backyard news, 11.13.08

* More arrests have been made in the robbery that occurred on Oct. 31 at Central Dauphin Middle School during a Central Dauphin East football game at Landis Field.

* The firefighters with Linglestown Fire Co. were called into action long before sunrise Tuesday for a reported structure fire in Paxtonia. And, please take a moment to learn about the fire company’s SUPER RAFFLE – the grand prize winner could win a trip of a lifetime for as little as $10. Wow!

* The conversion of the former Hollywood Video store located in front of Weis on Linglestown Road into a bank headquarters and branch is nearing completion. An official with Centric Bank told me today at a business fair that the grand opening is scheduled for early December.

Centric Bank, which is locally owned and was formerly operated as Vartan Bank, offers personal and business banking at financial centers located in Harrisburg, Susquehanna Twp. and Mechanicsburg. The bank specializes in making life easier for small to medium-sized companies.

Holiday decorations ripped off

Outdoor holiday decorations were stolen from Linglestown Flower and Gifts and First Impressions Boutique, Gift and Day Spa sometime Wednesday night. Both retail shops are located in the historic village of Linglestown. Police are investigating the incident.

The flower shop’s huge lit tree with all kinds of ornaments and bows on the front porch was stolen, along with door wreaths and empty packages that were used as decorations.

First Impressions had a furniture bench, sleigh bells, wreaths and garland removed from the store’s porch.

If you have information about the thefts, please contact Lower Paxton Twp. police at (717) 657-5656.

Linglestown Radio: Live music preview

Be sure to listen to a lively and amusing interview with Frank Cotolo who will once again grace the stage at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in the historic village of Linglestown this Friday, Nov. 14. His two-hour performance will start at 8 pm, and there is no cover charge.

Click the “play” button to begin listening to the broadcast. (mp3; playing time 4:00)

Backyard news, 11.12.08

* I’m happy to report that a new group of volunteers is already working hard to prepare for next year’s swimming season at Koons Pool in Linglestown. Please take a few moments and check out their brand spanking new website.

* High school sports … The Central Dauphin Rams girls’ field hockey team’s deepest run ever in the state tournament came to an end Tuesday evening in Berks County in a 4–2 loss to Penn Manor in the semifinal round. Gazette congrats go out to players and coaches on a record-setting season.

* Dining scene … I’ve been hearing good things about Mount Hill Tavern. The new restaurant located across from 3 B Ice Cream on Colonial Road got a favorable review by Ira B of PennLive.com, and I got a thumbs-up via e-mail from Gazette reader BP Smith. This could be the destination in the near future for a date night with Mrs. B².

* Entertainment reminder … CD High will present Henrik Ibsen's A Doll's House on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm, with a special matinee to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund for Children with Cancer on Saturday at 1 pm. Tickets will be sold at the door for $5 for adults and $2.50 for students and senior citizens. For information, call 703-5360, ext. 258.

* And from just beyond our backyard, during my travels today on the information superhighway I came across an interesting presentation about the touring version of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular recently prepping for this season's tour at Hersheypark Arena.

Take a fantastic trip for as little as $10

Linglestown Fire Company is running a fund-raiser that could send a lucky winner on the trip of a lifetime for as little as a measly 10 bucks. Second- and third-place prizes are pretty enticing too.

Watch the video for more details, and then consider purchasing raffle tickets – $10 per ticket or three tickets for $25.

Linglestown Gazette is authorized to sell tickets. You can buy them from B² if you see him on the streets, or to purchase tickets via mail by sending a check made payable to Linglestown Fire Company to the Gazette at the address shown below:

Bill Bostic
6204 Elmer Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17112

Remember, you got to play to win. And best of all, your ticket purchases will help Linglestown volunteer firefighters protect our community.

Backyard news, 11.11.08

* The Gazette trivia contest #2 is now in the books. Readers were asked to answer this question: Name the most talked about and infamous local celebrity in the Linglestown area.

Answers received were Frank Cotolo, Christian Malesic, Eric Epstein and Speedo Man of Jerome Blvd. The correct answer is of course Speedo Man. Click HERE and HERE for Gazette posts that mention the sometimes scantily clad man.

Sorry to say ladies that the man pictured in this post is NOT our beloved Speedo Man ... at least I don't think so. (I only look at him out of the side of my eye.)

The following six Gazette readers won a prize – CONGRATULATIONS!! … Kim Mumper, Pegge Tennant, Harrison Michelson, Tom Vernau, Thom Bettinger and Rob Nease.

* School news … A Central Dauphin kindergarten teacher wins a national award that came with a big cash prize.

* Crime watch … Lower Paxton Township police release photos of armed robbery suspect at the Turkey Hill Mini Market on Locust Lane.