Backyard news, 11.13.09

NOTE: Comments about Sheetz (see last item) need to be posted by 11 am, 01.14.09.

Anyone going to Obama's inauguration in D.C. next Tuesday?

At least one Lower Paxton Twp. resident will be on the scene – Jay Purdy. And, if all goes as planned, Purdy will be sharing photos and a brief eye-witness account of the historic event right here on the Gazette.

Purdy made history a few years back by getting elected as a Democratic candidate to Lower Paxton's supervisors board even though an overwhelming majority of voters in the township were Republicans. He has been active with the Lower Paxton Historical Society and is an avid Civil War reenactor.

I've got Q-Tips ... Solid Rock Book Store closed for eternity sometime during the last week or so. ... Bumble Bee Hollow Golf Center on Linglestown Road has divided its property into two lots, but the golf driving range is expected to continue operating for now, according to the new township newsletter. ... Keller Williams of Central PA, a real estate firm, recently moved into the office building on N. Lockwillow Ave. that previously housed a scrapbooking store. The building is located next to the Candlewood Suites motel project that is being constructed at the intersection of N. Lockwllow Ave. and N. Mountain Rd. ... If you're a newbie to this blog, CLICK HERE to learn about Q-Tips.

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Baseball sign-ups … Linglestown Baseball Association will hold its first registration session for the 2009 youth season this Saturday.

LINGLESTOWN BASEBALL 2009 REGISTRATION

Saturdays: January 17, 24, 31
9:00 am - noon
Wednesdays: January 28 and February 4
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sign-ups at the Baseball Clubhouse - Koons Park

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Grassroot activists keep tabs on local officials ... Community watchdog group SWAN has published another newsletter with recaps of recent township meetings. Below are a few notable items:

– The township Authority voted to raise the quarterly sewer rate by $10. The new rate of $116 will start with the April 2009 billing. (11.25.08 Authority board meeting)

– The township is going to help Koons Pool obtain a loan to make sure the club has enough cash on hand to open the pool this summer. (12.03.08 Parks and Rec Board meeting)

– Linglestown Life church received approval to double the size of its facilities located just north of the village square. The project will add classrooms, a worship center, a hospitality area and a recreation space. (12.04.08 Zoning Hearing Board meeting)

Free lunch on Sheetz ... To my suprise and pleasure, I received an invite from the fine people at Sheetz to have a free lunch tomorrow at the Hershey Hotel. I guess MTOs won't be on the menu??

All I have to do is tell Sheetz executives what my take is on their new store on Allentown Blvd. across from Ollie's Bargain Outlet.

What's your two cents on this store? Post a comment and I'll gladly pass along gripes, compliments, whatever.