Backyard news, 01.22.09

Sheetz wrapz ... B² thanks are in order for the fine folks at Sheetz for giving me a free meal last Wednesday at Hershey Lodge in exchange for a chance to pick my brain on ways to destroy their competitors in the convenience store biz.

And I have to tell you, the group of Harrisburg-area customers at the lunch meeting were highly satisfied with Sheetz, especially the new store on Route 22 across from Ollie's Bargain Outlet. I doubt my suggestion was worth the price of my meal: I'd make more meal runs to Sheetz if they occasionally sent coupons like they did for a time after the new store opened last spring.

I learned that Sheetz tries to match the lowest gas price in the area, recently spent big bucks to purchase equipment to make their own bread and donuts, and donates day-old food to a food bank.

Customers who attended the session received coupons, a t-shirt and a $20 Sheetz Z-Card. Nice!

Pat on the back time ... Gazette congrats go out to Sarah Wilson of Linglestown for earning the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest achievement in Girl Scouting. Sarah is a CD High senior, and she plans to major in athletic training at Lock Haven University.

Government watchdog ... Central Dauphin School Board plans to refinance $6 million dollars in debt that was originally borrowed in 2003, and Lower Paxton Twp. is working on a $10 million refinancing of borrowings in 2002 and 2004. Neither public notice that appeared in The Patriot-News included an estimate of savings taxpayers could realize from the deals.

Village business update ... The Merchants of Linglestown are gearing up to do a membership drive, and a handful of village businesses will be sponsoring very cool give-aways to celebrate Valentine's Day. Watch the Gazette for more details. ... Jim and Lisa Clancy soon will be opening a custom frame shop called Framed! in the small building located a couple doors down from St. Thomas Restaurant.

---

---

Smoking no-nos ... Two of the 329 establishments in Pennsylvania that were sent warning letters from the state Department of Health for violating the state's new indoor smoking law are located in Lower Paxton Twp. – Nick Cantone's Sports Tavern in Colonial Park and the now-closed Kokomo's Sports Bar & Grill on Linglestown Road. (Source)

Make your bow wow happy ... Do you have a dog that likes a treat every now and again? If you do, be the third person to e-mail B² and I'll send you a $5 gift certificate to Doggie Delights on Linglestown Road. Be sure to include your name and mailing address in the e-mail. Deadline to enter is Friday, Jan. 23 at noon.