Another golden CD team

Gazette congrats go out to the Central Dauphin High boys' volleyball team for winning the school's first-ever state championship in the sport. CLICK HERE for details about the nerve-wracking final points of the match, and HERE for a look back at the team's journey to the championship.
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Team website

Friday’s baseball update

* Central Dauphin Rams denied District 3 title last night in a squeaker; team heads to state tourney next week. CLICK HERE for game coverage, including photos, from The Patriot-News.

The Rams will meet District 2 champs Wyoming Valley West on Monday in the first round of the state tournament.

* Palmyra slapped 5–1 loss Thursday evening on two-time defending league champs Linglestown Twilight.

Your hometown team will be looking to turn things around tonight in the home opener at Koons Park against Lawnton, 6 pm. Twilight will be back in action Sunday at Koons Park when they take on Hummelstown, 5 pm.

Are you ready for some FREE entertainment?

It's Friday and you know what that means ... Music at Roasters, of course. Yes, tonight from 8–10 pm at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in Linglestown you can dine on a festival of music provided by the court jester of music in these parts, Frank Cotolo a.k.a. Mr. Entertainment. Please try Frank's music and sample some of the best darn craft coffee in the Harrisburg metro region.

Roasters ... tonight 8–10 pm ... be there or B²

Community Calendar, 05.28.09

Friday, May 29 ... Flower Show at Linglestown Fire Company's brick building sponsored by Linglestown Garden Club, 11 am–7 pm.

Saturday, May 30 ... Flea Market & drive-thru chicken BBQ at Linglestown Church of God located across from the Linglestown fire station, 8 am–noon.

Sunday, June 7 ... The Colonial Crest neighborhood association has bought the house at Mechanicsburg Little Theater for the 2:30 pm presentation of the the comedy "Hard Luck Sings the Blues." The cost is $12 and includes complimentary wine and cheese. CLICK HERE for additional info.

Wednesday to Saturday, June 10–13 ... Holy Name of Jesus Church and School will hold their annual Summer Festival, 5–10 pm.

Saturday, June 13 ... Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen's Association convention parade in Linglestown, 2 pm. A community fair will be held at Koons Park following the parade.

Sunday, June 14 ... New Light, a seven member vocal ensemble from Messiah College, will present a concert at Linglestown Life, outdoor pavilion, 6:30 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. More information is available by contacting the church via e-mail or at 545-5200.

Saturday, June 20 ... Central Dauphin High School Alumni Association (CDHSAA) will hold its third annual ALL-CLASS REUNION, 4–11 pm. CLICK HERE for details.

Friday, June 26 ... Paul and Hank's Food-Collection Concert sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company and Linglestown Gazette, St. Thomas Room in old fire hall, food or cash donation collected at door, 8 pm.

Thursday, Dec. 31 … First Night Linglestown, a community New Year’s Eve event, will offer indoor activities and an outdoor extravaganza to ring in 2010.

Linglestown baseball scores, 05.28.09

Midget Division

Tigers 14 – Cubs 4 ... The Tigers continued their undefeated season (13–0) by topping the Cubs Wednesday night.
J.T. Fredericks of the Tigers pitched three stellar innings on the mound. He was backed up offensively by homers by Aaron Gress and Austin Barowski as well as a combined six hits between Jake Sellers and Braydon Parr.

Sox 8 – Braves 3 ... In the nightcap Wednesday, the Sox (8-5) used aggressive base running to top the Braves. For the Sox, AJ Millar kept the Braves hitters off balance and catcher Steven McNeal tagged two runners out at the plate. Christian Correale of the Braves had a solid performance at short fielding eight ground balls.

Orioles 13 – Braves 5 ... The Orioles (6–7) were led by Bryson Allen's three-run home run and Baily Herrold's two-run home run. For the Braves (0–14), Christian Correale homered and Christina Powley added two doubles.

CD Rams baseball team headed to states

The Central Dauphin Rams won an extra-inning game in Hershey last night to qualify for tonight's District 3 title tilt in York and next week's state tournament. For the full story, CLICK HERE for a game report from today's Patriot-News.

Gun threat reported in Lower Paxton

Township police are searching for a man who allegedly threatened another man with a rifle in the 900 block of Galion Street early Wednesday morning. CLICK HERE for more details from The Patriot-News.

Yet another amazing Linglestown makeover

Gazette sponsors spotlighted …

The fashion divas in Linglestown are well on their way to replacing the flagpole as the primary talking point about the village. First they pulled off the B² Makeover, and recently they outdid themselves with the amazing transformation of April. (Click on photo to view a larger version.)

Below are the makeover pros of Linglestown …
– Hair styling by Shag
– Make-up, eyebrow shape & accessories by First Impressions
– Before-and-after shot by Kelli Wyland Photography

Highlights: Linglestown Memorial Day Parade

CD student doing 'great' in national spelling bee

CLICK HERE for an update on Central Dauphin Middle School student Daniel Allegar's bid to be the nation's top speller.
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(Source: The Patriot-News)

Central Dauphin sports roundup, 05.27/09

* Gazette congrats go out to CD High senior Justin Shirk for setting a state record for winning a third straight javelin title at the state track and field championships.

* Gazette congrats also go out to the CD High boys' volleyball team for snagging their first District 3 championship.

And, sources tell the Gazette that the team won three matches Tuesday evening in Lancaster County to qualify for the finals of the PIAA Championships this weekend in State College. CLICK HERE for details from The Patriot-News.

Linglestown memory

Gazette reader John Robinson shares a historical tidbit about the home that's now the headquarters of St. Thomas Roasters, a locally renowned coffee house that opened in 2000:

When my wife I moved to Linglestown in 1981, we used to visit Wilson's Pharmacy because of the nostalgic atmosphere. I recall that the greeting cards were all displayed in a plastic wrapper. Once you handled a (usually dusty) sample, you either asked for assistance or found a clean card in the drawer below. Soon Wilson's closed and was then occupied by a shop selling Americana-style crafts and decorations.

Linglestown youth baseball report, 05.27.09

Midget Division

Cubs 9 – Braves 5 … For the Cubs, Tori Lesko homered and added two singles, Joel Nelson and Chaundry singled and doubled, and Jordan Hatcher added two singles. At the plate for the Braves, Hess singled twice, Clark and Gus Axtman tripled, Sotzin doubled, and Jason Wenrich singled.

Pony Division

In a game played Thursday, the first-place Owls (11–0) defeated the Padres (3–8) by a count of 11–2.
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Midget and Pony standings through play on Friday, May 22

CD teacher wears shoes with bows for good cause

Updated at 6:05 pm, 05.26.09 ...

CLICK HERE to find out why Central Dauphin High art teacher Michael Bricker (pictured) was wearing flat gold slide shoes with bows in Camp Hill yesterday. (Scroll down to bottom of page 1 of an article in today's Patriot-News.)

In a related item, Bricker's advanced photography students are showing their work in an exhibition called "Perspectives" at the Pennsylvania Department of Education office complex at 333 Market Street in Harrisburg.

Students with their work on display are Danielle Bostic, Dylan Sites, Paige Barbush, Nicole Albright, Tiffany Becher, Adina Crouse, Erika Smith and Elsie Whitman.


Pictured above: Students hosted a reception earlier this month for their parents and friends at the Perspectives exhibition in downtown Harrisburg.

Linglestown knows how to do Memorial Day

Hundreds turned out Monday for the Memorial Day parade that featured for the first time in many years Central Dauphin High's Ram Band. The annual event is sponsored by Linglestown American Legion Post 272.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bradley Lauver was the featured speaker at the stage in the square. He will be returning to his post in Africa in the near future.

Check back for video highlights.

Twilight wins preseason baseball tourney

Two-time defending adult league champs Linglestown Twilight baseball team showed that they are ready to make a run for another title by winning the Myrtle Beach Tournament in South Carolina over the holiday weekend. The team has players ranging in age from 20-35.

Twilight had a 5–1 tournament record despite having a short bench that included a couple injured players. They beat Charlotte (N.C.) 7–4 in the final, and pitcher/outfielder Steve Booker (pictured) was selected tournament MVP.

The team begins its East Shore Twilight League campaign this week with away games Tuesday at Penbrook (6 pm) and Wednesday under the lights in Palmyra (7 pm). The home opener at Koons Park is scheduled for Friday against Lawntown, 6 pm.
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SUPPORT YOUR HOMETOWN TEAM ... Volunteers are needed to occasionally work the refreshment stand for Linglestown Twilight home games. E-mail B² for more details.

Linglestown youth baseball update, 05.25.09

Midget Division

Sox 10 – Braves 9 ... In a seesaw battle Wednesday, the Sox (7–4) hung on to beat a hungry Braves team (0–11). Colby Shearer of the Sox hit a two-run round-tripper which turned out to be the difference in the game. Braves slugger Christian Correale was hard on the Sox’s pitching staff with three homeruns and five RBIs.

Orioles 10 – Cubs 6 ... Baily Herrold and Casey Seeds hit back-to-back home runs Thursday to lead the Orioles (5–7) to a win over the Cubs (5–6). Oriole pitcher Christian Fox-Klein picked up the victory by allowing only one run during the last two innings. In the field for the O's, Nick Heimbach made an outstanding catch in the last inning to assist in the win. Jordan Hatcher was the star for the Cubs with a single, two doubles and a triple.

Tigers 5 - Sox 4 ... In a game where you hate to see anyone lose, Gary Smith of the Sox (7–5) and Aaron Gress of the Tigers (12–0) hooked up in a pitcher's duel Friday at Koons Park. The Tigers scored two runs in the fourth inning, and three in the fifth on a three-run homer by Austin Barowski. However, in the sixth inning, the Sox came back with four runs, including William Zeigler's three-run blast over the fence. Both teams played a great game.

Pony Division

Rams 12 – Colts 9 ... Gavin Hoffman of the Rams (2–9) gave up only one hit in three innings to lead his team to a hard-fought victory Friday evening. At the plate for the Rams, Tyler Hall had three solid hits and Nate Kindt had a key hit. Cole Moyer of the Colts (3–8) smashed his first homerun of the season.

Teener C

The Linglestown Teener C team has gotten off to a solid 3–2 record, scoring an impressive 57 runs in five games. (Teener A and B teams have not started their seasons yet.)
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Scores and news briefs submitted by Linglestown Baseball Association coaches.

2009 Linglestown Memorial Day Parade

The Memorial Day Parade sponsored by the Linglestown American Legion Post 272 will start at 1 pm, Monday, May 25. CLICK HERE for more details courtesy of The Paxton Herald.

FREE swimming at Koons Pool

Swimming will be free starting today through Memorial Day, May 25, at Koons Pool in Linglestown, 1–8 pm, weather permitting.

Please consider supporting the pool and its new volunteer board by becoming a pool member. Click on the ad below to download a membership application.

Motorcycles ripped off in Lower Paxton

Click the headline above for a news brief from The Patriot-News.

CD food service vote sparks controversy

In hiring a new food service management company Wednesday night, the
Central Dauphin School Board let $108,000 slip away despite lower-than-anticipated tax revenues and next year's school budget that calls for a tax hike.

The district was guaranteed a payout by its current vendor, Nutrition Group, of $243,000 during the first year of a new five-year contract. The newly hired company, Sodexo School Services, came in with a $135,000 guaranteed figure.

Board members Christian Malesic, Justin McShane and Michael Brehm wanted to take Nutrition Group's money and run, but their six colleagues had a big problem with the way Nutrition Group came up with its tempting offer.

Read more >>

Holiday weekend music at Roasters

Friday night’s featured artist at
St. Thomas Roasters in Linglestown is Dave Campbell, a professional guitarist who wants to keep his fingers in shape by entertaining all comers to the coffee house. I'm looking forward to sampling his music. Won't you join me?

Campbell, who grew up in the Linglestown area and remembers when Roasters was Wilson’s Pharmacy, is an awesome finger stylist who plays a wide range of music, including blues, pop, classical and some originals.

Coming to the village's cultural hub Saturday – yes, I'm still referring to Roasters – is vocalist and acoustic guitar player Marie Smith. She will offer up a wide range of tunes, including covers of artists Sarah McLachlan, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls, Jane Siberry, Beth Orton, CCR and many others. Hey, that's cool!

As always, music runs from 8–10 pm, no cover, and don't forget to sample the fare and drop something in the tip vase. Be there or B²!

CD volleyball team headed to states

The Central Dauphin Rams boys' volleyball team extended their undefeated season and qualified for the state tournament by winning the opening round of the District 3 tourney Wednesday at Central York High School.

Next up is a District 3 semifinal match Friday back in York against Governor Mifflin at 6 pm. The championship and consolation matches will start at around 7:30 pm.
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Directions to Central York High School: 83 South ... take Emigsville exit, turn left ... at the T in the road, N George St, turn right ... at Hess station turn left ... school on left in two miles.

Linglestown diamond notes, 05.21.09

Pony Division

Mets 14 – Padres 1 (game played Monday, May 18)

Owls 11 – Colts 10 ...Cole Moyer of the Colts (3–7) pitched a good game Tuesday in a tight battle with the first-place Owls. Topping off a three-for-four night at the plate for the Owls, Athan Graham knocked in Larry Fausnight to plate the winning run. Evan Zeigler was strong on the mound for the Owls with seven strikeouts.

Mets 15 – Rams 6 ... The second-place Mets (7–2) had some big hits Wednesday from Erin Delpierre and Sebastian Collins that were followed up with a big defensive stand led by Luke McNamara, who pitched two shutout innings to lock up the win. The Rams (1–9) had a flurry of hits from Nate Kindt and Tyler Thomas, two of the younger guys on the team.

Midget Division

Tigers 10 – Orioles 1 ... The Tigers (11–0) got great pitching from J.T. Fredericks, Jordan Sellers and Braydon Parr who combined to no-hit the Orioles (4–7). Aaron Gress homered for the Tigers.
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Scores and news briefs submitted by Linglestown Baseball Association coaches.

Fast notes: CD school board meeting

Below are highlights of last night's meeting:

* Approved a preliminary $149 million district budget for next school year with a 2.45 percent tax hike. For a property assessed at the district average of $129,732, the increase would be $43. Justin McShane, Christian Malesic and Michael Brehm cast no votes. A final vote on the budget will take place next month, so residents still have time to weigh in on the spending plan.

CLICK HERE to view a news brief from The Patriot-News that includes reader comments.

And, CLICK HERE for background on next year's budget proposals.

* Approved a $12 million line of credit with Commerce Bank as a short-term source of funds for implementing an energy-savings program and other maintenance projects.

* In a controversial vote, the board hired Sodexo School Services to replace the current food service management company, Nutrition Group.

* Approved joining a health insurance cooperative that is expected to generate an estimated $333,000 of annual savings for the district.

* Hired a new workers’ compensation insurance broker.

* Heard a parent of a special needs student express concerns about the conduct of the principal at North Side Elementary School.

Election update: Dauphin County judge

Five of the 11 candidates seeking three Dauphin County judge seats qualified for the November election. Click the headline above for a recap of the results from The Patriot-News.

Election update: Lower Paxton tax collector

Incumbent tax collector Diane Bair topped challenger Gary Gardner by 198 votes in the Republican race. It's possible Gardner could have received enough Democratic write-in votes to appear on the November ballot. (I don't know how write-in votes are reported.)

In another township race, Supervisors Bill Hawk and Gary Crissman were unopposed in their re-election bids.
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Results compiled by Harrison L. Michelson

Election update: CD school board

By Harrison L. Michelson
for Linglestown Gazette

After a contentious race in Region 2, Linda Dallago likely scored a school board seat by winning both party's ballots over board member Justin McShane. (Write-in candidates could challenge her in November.) Dallago won 74 percent of the vote on the Democratic ballot and 64 percent of the vote on the Republican ballot, to McShane's 25 percent and 36 percent.

Unlike the Region 2 race, Region 3 will be a face off in November between Melissa Van Eck and Chris Judd. Van Eck won the Democratic nomination over Judd, while Judd won the Republican nomination running unopposed.
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School Board Regions map

Backyard News, 05.20.09

* I'm sorry to report that Lower Paxton police detective Joseph Allegrini, age 43, died unexpectedly last Thursday due to complications from hip surgery. (obituary)

* Gazette congratulations go out to two Linglestown boys who qualified to compete in the PIAA State Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University, May 22 & 23:

– Aaron Reynolds (pictured), a senior at Harrisburg Christian School, finished second in the District 3 AA Championship and is ranked sixth in the 1600 meter run for the AA State Championship.

– Ed Schrom, a sophomore at CD High, finished fifth in the District 3 AAA Championship and is ranked 19th in the 1600 meter run for the AAA State Championship.

* Staying with high school sports, CD High boys' volleyball team won the Mid-Penn championship last week. Tonight they will be competing in the District 3 tournament at Central York High School. ... And, in baseball, CD High squeezed by Waynesboro 4–3 to advance to quarterfinals of the District 3 tourney. For a game report, CLICK HERE and scroll down.

* Dauphin County now operates a recycling center that accepts electronic products, as well as confidential paper shredding. Prior to the opening of the center, the county held recycling days two times a year at HACC. (Directions:  From Harrisburg traveling south on Cameron Street toward Steelton Borough, turn left at the City of Harrisburg Public Works sign. The recycling center is the first building on the right.)
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Hat tip to Gazette readers Jay Purdy and Pastor George Reynolds for submitting news items.

Linglestown baseball scores, 05.20.09

Midget Division

Tigers 9 – Sox 4 … In a meeting of the league’s two top teams last Friday, home runs by Zach Hoffman and Aaron Gress, along with a three-for-three game by Jake Sellers, carried the Tigers (10–0) to a victory over the Sox.

Orioles 9 – Braves 6 … In a Saturday game, the Orioles (4–6) got good mound work from Baily Herrold, who helped his cause with a double and two singles. Also for the O’s, Christian Fox-Klein hit his first home run of the season, and Kiel Rutters went yard for the third time this year. For the Braves, Christian Correale singled and added an inside the park home run, while Nick Wilson, Gus Axtman, Sotzin and Powley all singled.

Cubs 4 – Sox 2 … Mahlon Bender of the Cubs (5–5) came one out shy Monday of pitching a complete game before reaching his pitch-count limit. Tori Lesko got the final out and nailed a three-run homer earlier in the game. Gary Smith of the Sox (6–4) had a brilliant mound performance, striking out eight of the first nine Cubs hitters, plus he swatted two triples.

Big show coming to Linglestown

Things are starting to take shape for Paul and Hank's Food-Collection Concert on Friday, June 26, that is being sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company and Linglestown Gazette.

* Food donations will benefit the food pantry operated by Bethany Church of the Nazarene located on Parkway West next to SKH Garden Center. The pantry serves residents in the 17112 zip code area. Associate Pastor Jamie Wilson told me today that more people than ever before have stopped by for assistance of late.

Linglestown Fire Company is advertising the concert on their outdoor electronic message board and on its Web site. Thanks much!

* Several Linglestown merchants tentatively plan to donate door prizes, and that’s very cool.

* HELP NEEDED: I need volunteers to distribute flyers, and I’m looking for someone to provide stage lighting for the concert. Please e-mail B² if you want to lend a hand.

LP supervisors’ meeting notes

The Lower Paxton Twp. Board of Supervisors held a business meeting Monday evening. Supervisor Bill Hornung was absent.

* The expected vote on setting fees to use the township’s Conway Road compost site was dropped from the agenda because the supervisors want to discuss the issue further.

* The township’s Friendship Center will have a float in the Linglestown Memorial Day parade that will be held Monday, May 25, at 1 pm. The parade route is Blue Eagle Avenue, Balthaser Street, and Linglestown Road from Balthaser Street to the square.

* The possibility of an early adjournment was spoiled by a long-winded discussion on wording for a note on future widening and curbing on properties owned by Dorothy Mumper along Devonshire Heights Road.

* A Gazette reader spotted me on the television broadcast of the meeting. I was sitting at a table near the front of the meeting room with my trusty laptop at the ready. As it turned out, I was over-equipped – a piece of scrap paper and a pencil was all I needed.

Lower Paxton news links, 05.19.09

* Lower Paxton man threatens to kill his wife Saturday; standoff ends peacefully.

* Lower Paxton retiree has a passion for compiling records about cemeteries.

* Lower Paxton-based real estate developer Triple Crown Corporation looks to purchase Colonial Country Club. The selling price is expected to be in the neighborhood of $7.5 million, according to a source familiar with the deal.

* Linglestown-based company does garage makeovers.

* Lower Paxton should consider following Harrisburg in putting police blotter online.

Lower Paxton community calendar, 05.18.09

Thursday, May 21 ... Fundraiser at Cold Stone Creamery at Colonial Commons to help the family of Mercy Wanjiku, the 9-year-old who recently was hit by a truck. CLICK HERE for more details about the event

Saturday–Monday, May 23–25 ... FREE swimming at Koons Park Swim Club, 1–8 pm (weather permitting).

Thursday, May 23 ... Leash-cutting ceremony for Happy Tails Dog Park at Kohl Park will held at 10 am.

Monday, May 25 ... Linglestown Memorial Day parade, 1 pm. The parade route is Blue Eagle Avenue, Balthaser Street, and Linglestown Road from Balthaser Street to the square.

Friday, May 29 ... Flower Show at Linglestown Fire Company's brick building sponsored by Linglestown Garden Club, 11 am–7 pm.

Saturday, May 30 ... Flea Market at Linglestown Church of God located across from the Linglestown fire station, 8 am–noon.

Sunday, June 7 ... The Colonial Crest neighborhood association has bought the house at Mechanicsburg Little Theater for the 2:30 pm presentation of the the comedy "Hard Luck Sings the Blues." The cost is $12 and includes complimentary wine and cheese. CLICK HERE for additional info.

Saturday, June 13 ... Dauphin County Volunteer Firemen's Association convention parade in Linglestown, 2 pm.

Sunday, June 14 ... New Light, a seven member vocal ensemble from Messiah College, will present a concert at Linglestown Life, outdoor pavilion, 6:30 pm. The concert is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. More information is available by contacting the church via e-mail or at 545-5200.

Friday, June 26 ... Paul and Hank's Food-Collection Concert sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company and Linglestown Gazette, St. Thomas Room in old fire hall, food or cash donation collected at door, 8 pm.

Thursday, Dec. 31 … First Night Linglestown, a community New Year’s Eve event, will offer indoor activities and an outdoor extravaganza to ring in 2010.

Government watchdog, 05.18.09

* Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors will meet at a special time due to this week's election – tonight at the Municipal Center, 7:30 pm. (Meetings normally are held on Tuesday.) You can view a live broadcast of the meeting on Comcast cable, channel 20. (agenda)

The meeting's key action item is a vote on proposed permit fees for transporting leaf waste to the township’s Conway Road compost facility.

* Tuesday, May 19, is Primary Election Day. Please do your civic duty and vote, especially since local government offices are up for grabs!

On a related note, attending CD school board candidates' night last week was an eye-opening experience for me. I learned that nothing beats seeing candidates speak in a public forum. Check out the three videos that I posted last week. Even though the videos are short, you'll learn more about candidates than what is revealed in brief profiles published by newspapers.

After watching the videos, I entitled them as follows: "I Love This Place" ... "The Image Changer" ... "I Mean Business." Can you match the titles with the candidates?

* Like the township supervisors, the Central Dauphin School Board will meet at a special time this week – Wednesday, May 20 at the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School, 7 pm. (Meetings are normally held on Monday.) To view the agenda, click on the plus sign for 05/18/09, and then click on the plus signs to get details about specific agenda items, including downloadable PDF files of documents.

The agenda includes a motion to adopt a preliminary 2009-2010 school budget that would include a tax hike of 2.45 percent. (See 5/18/09 agenda item 7.02 under Unfinished Business.)

Linglestown baseball scores

Midget Division

Cubs 12 – Braves 3 … The game played Friday night under the lights was tight until Michael Chaudhry of the Cubs (4–5) broke it open with a grand slam. Teammate Tori Lesko also belted a round-tripper in the win.

Pony Division

Mets 12 – Colts 7 … The Colts (3–6) made a valiant comeback effort Friday that fell short as pitchers Sebastian Collins, Nick Riner and Erin DelPierre of the Mets (6–2) turned in some outstanding mound work. The Colts got key hits from Ben Gill and Garrett Carl.

Owls 6 – Rams 1 … The Rams (1–8) fought hard and played good defense Saturday, but a first-inning homer by Gavyn Hoffman was all the offense they could muster. Athan Graham of the Owls (9–0) had an outstanding outing on the mound, striking out nine batters.

Linglestown firemen on ice

Chuck Hoffer and Sean Harp, fire officers with Linglestown Fire Company, recently played in the 4th annual Dauphin County Police & Fire Hockey Game that benefited the American Cancer Society. Check out the video for game highlights and a post-game interview with Chuck and Sean.

CD school board candidate's allegations rebutted

The following letter-to-the-editor was submitted by Norm Dallago, husband of Region 2 candidate Linda Dallago.
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There comes a time when you simply must stand up and defend your good name, and this is one of those times.

In the Central Dauphin School Board race between Linda Dallago and the incumbent Justin McShane, Mr. McShane has crossed the line in an attempt to dishonor not only a candidate, but that candidate's family and reputation in this community.

Today, Justin McShane sent a mailer out to super voters trying to depict Linda, myself, and our business, InfoQuest Technologies, Inc., as a shady supporter of Erotica, Drugs, and Gambling. I don't have many outlets, but since I do follow high school wrestling and visit Penn Live forums, I know this forum exists and thought I'd post my comments here.

Read more >>
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B² note: School board members do not receive compensation.

Neighborhood offers afternoon out

The Colonial Crest neighborhood association has bought the house at Mechanicsburg Little Theater for the comedy "Hard Luck Sings the Blues" for the show on Sunday, June 7, at 2:30 PM. The cost is $12 and includes complimentary wine and cheese.

CLICK HERE for additional info.

Op-Ed: The Word from ThePurd

In recent weeks I’ve received several mailings and hand-outs from Republican candidates for Common Pleas judge in Dauphin County. But nowhere on the literature is their party affiliation noted. In this primary, candidates are permitted to cross-file – to have their name placed on both sides of the ballot no matter which party they are registered in.

Just today, a friend of mine received a mailing from three Republican candidates who bill themselves as “Your Dauphin County Judicial Team.” It tells Democratic voters where they are located on the Democratic ballot. Again, no where on the mailing can you find the word "Republican."

This is not in the best interest of an informed electorate. Because of legal constraints on how judicial candidates can comment on specific issues, voters must decide based on limited information and the biographical backgrounds of the candidates.

While a great number of voters base their ballot mainly on what they believe to be a candidate’s character than their political allegiance, knowledge of affiliation with a political philosophy can be important as voters decide who will sit in judgment of their fellow citizens.

An obvious attempt to confuse voters is hardly good testimony to one’s judicial ability.
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Jay Purdy is a former Lower Paxton Twp. supervisor and has run for various public offices over the last decade or so. His letters and commentaries occasionally appear on Linglestown Gazette.

The primary election mentioned above will take place this Tuesday, May 19.

Linglestown baseball update, 05.16.09

Pony Division

Mets 10 – Rams 6 … On Tuesday, the Mets (5–2) jumped out front early with big run-scoring hits from Andrew Gross and James Snyder, but the Rams (1–7) responded with a six-run barrage over the second and third innings to deadlock the score. The Mets got a key RBI single from Erin DelPierre late in the game and held on for the win.

Colts 11 – Padres 10 … Despite a great pitching effort Wednesday by Cody Yentzer and Blake Chisholm of the Padres (3–6), a double off the bat of Jon Mata gave the win to the Colts (3–5). Colts hurler Cole Moyer pitched three innings of one-hit baseball and helped his own cause with two triples and one double. Eric Hironimus and Ben Gill did a stellar job relieving Moyer.

Midget Division

Tigers 11 – Braves 4 … The Tigers (9–0) hit five home runs in their win Tuesday over a gutsy Braves team (0–8). Long-ball hitters were Aaron Gress with three, and Zach Hoffman and Anthony Glusko with one apiece.

Sox 7 – Orioles 3 … William Zeigler got his first start of the year Wednesday for the Sox (6–2) and threw five strong innings, striking out seven Orioles (3–6). Zeigler helped his own cause with his first home run of the season. Bailey Herrold homered twice and had all three RBIs for the O’s.
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Scores and news briefs submitted by Linglestown Baseball Association coaches.

Videos: Meet CD school board candidates

Three of the four Central Dauphin school board candidates seeking two seats that represent Lower Paxton Twp. participated in a candidates' forum Tuesday. Region 2 candidate Linda Dallago was unable to attend because she had to attend to a family situation.

Click on the photos below to view video clips from the forum.

Region 2 (western and southern sections of Lower Paxton Twp.)





Justin McShane



Region 3 ( Linglestown, Colonial Park and Paxtonia)



Melissa Van Eck







Chris Judd

Please vote next Tuesday, May 19!!!

Cool tunes on tap Friday at Roasters

St. Thomas Roasters in the Linglestown square tonight will feature singer and guitarist Paul Zavinsky (pictured) of Hummelstown.

Paul performs a wide variety of music including folk, rock, country, blues and originals, and he has been awarded the prestigious B² thumbs-up for his must-hear tunes. Yep, java and Paul are a match made in heaven.

First strum at 8 pm, last at 10 pm, and as always ... FREE admission.
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Paul is presenting a special benefit concert in June at Linglestown Fire Company.

Backyard News. 05.14.09

* Get the lowdown on Lower Paxton governmental affairs hot off the keyboard courtesy of SWAN, the best darn watchdog group in the midstate. CLICK HERE for exclusive details on what happened at public meetings held in late March and April.

* Talk about the tentacles of government reaching into weird spots! State Sen. Jeff Piccola wants to tax the fees movie theaters pay to rent films. Ugh times infinity!

* A Gazette reader told me fire trucks were called Tuesday evening to Piccadilly Square apartments in Blue Meadows Farm located north of the historic village of Linglestown. CLICK HERE for the story from Linglestown Fire Company.

* The faculty and staff at E.H. Phillips Elementary are sponsoring a fundraiser at Cold Stone Creamery at Colonial Commons on Thursday, May 21, to help the family of Mercy Wanjiku, the 9-year-old who recently was hit by a truck. CLICK HERE for more details about the event.

Price of going 'green' could rise in Lower Paxton

Hauling crap from your yard and dumping it at Lower Paxton's compost site along Conway Road could soon include a trip to the Municipal Center – to pay a fee.

To offset shrinking state funding, Lower Paxton Twp. officials appear to be leaning toward charging fees to drop off yard waste and haul away leaf compost.

Based on a discussion Tuesday evening at the township supervisors' workshop meeting, the annual fees most likely would be $20 for residents and $300 for commercial landscapers. Also, a $5 one-day pass could be offered.

The fee schedule, which still needs to be formally adopted by the supervisors, could start in July with a 50-percent discount on the annual fees for 2009 only.

Watch the Gazette to find out when this issue is scheduled for a final vote.
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Curbside leaf waste collection is included in trash-hauling fees township residents pay to Waste Management.

Hat tip goes to Ted Robertson for passing along notes for this article. Ted attends most township meetings and files news briefs that appear on a Web site published by Lower Paxtown watchdog group SWAN.

Candidates’ night attracts small crowd

About 30 citizens attended a candidates’ night Tuesday evening that featured Central Dauphin school board hopefuls. The sponsors – Lawnton PTO and North Side, Paxtonia and West Hanover PTAs – did a great job staging the event. Video highlights will be posted sometime during the next 48 hours.

Below are key points made by candidates seeking seats in Lower Paxton's school board regions:

Region 2

Justin McShane, a lawyer, is seeking re-election to a second term of office. Although some have labeled him a fiscal hawk, he said the recent birth of his first child has caused him to focus most of his attention on educational issues.

Linda Dallago, a businesswoman and CD High graduate, was unable to attend due to an unexpected family situation. She is the endorsed candidate of the Lower Paxton Republican Committee.

Region 3

Melissa Van Eck is a lawyer and a West Hanover Elementary PTA parent. In addition to striving to provide a quality education for students, she called for the district to establish a long-term strategic plan to maintain school facilities.

Chris Judd, a Lower Paxton resident and a public information officer with the Pennsylvania State Senate, is looking to bring fiscal responsibility to the school board.
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School Board Regions map

Lower Paxton planners to meet Wednesday

CLICK HERE to view the agenda for tomorrow night's Lower Paxton Twp. Planning Commission meeting at the Municipal Center, 7 pm.

The proposed car wash on N. Mountain Road is one of three New Business items. For background on the car wash project,
CLICK HERE and scroll down to the third item.

Linglestown baseball scores, 05.11.09

Midget Division

Cubs 11 – Orioles 1 … For the Cubs (3–4), Mahlon Bender capped the offense with two round-trippers while Michael Chaudhry and Mario Cattabiani combined on the mound to hold the O’s (3–5) to only one run.

Pony Division

Owls 8 – Padres 2 … It took a four-run fourth inning for the undefeated Owls (8–0) to subdue the defense-minded Padres (3–5). Brandon Peterson contributed for the Owls with a single and a RBI in the second, and Athan Graham and Evan Zeigler combined for nine strikeouts in five innings.

Rams 9 – Colts 4 … In a make-up game played under the lights, the Rams notched their first win of the season on the strength of a combined one-hitter by Gavyn Hoffman and Tyler Hall. Ben Gill of the Colts (2–5) pitched two tough innings, stole home twice and had the Colts only hit of the game in a hard-fought loss.

B² voters' alert

Today's edition of The Patriot-News has profiles of the eleven candidates running for three Dauphin County judge seats.

Also, there's an opinion piece that has tips for selecting a judge.

I believe using elections to select judges is silly, so getting some sketchy information from the newspaper is better then closing my eyes and taking jabs at the voting machine – or skipping over the county judicial race.

The only candidate that showed up at my door was Deborah Essis Curcillo. She made the rounds in my neighborhood in the midst of snow showers. Pounding the pavement tells me that she really, really wants the job, and I plan to vote for her. Plus, she found ways to get campaign signs plastered all over the Linglestown area. The eye pollution isn't appreciated, but it's one more sign that she is hustling.

My other two votes are up for grabs.
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Hat tip to Gazette reader Jay Mumper for wading through a maze of content on PennLive to find the first link in this article.

Tuesday's BIG event

All candidates for Central Dauphin School board are slated to participate tonight in a forum that will be held in the CD East Middle School auditorium, 7–9 pm. This is your best chance to get up close and personal with the candidates prior to the May 19 primary election. Rob Dixon of WHTM abc27 (pictured) will serve as the moderator for the event.

Below is a look at the candidates competing for seats that represent Lower Paxton neighborhoods:

Linda Dallago and incumbent Justin McShane are competing for a Region 2 seat, which covers neighborhoods in the western and southern sections of Lower Paxton. Both candidates will appear on the Democratic and Republican tickets.

Melissa Van Eck and Chris Judd will do battle in Region 3 on the Democratic ballot, which covers Linglestown, Colonial Park and Paxtonia. Judd is running unopposed on the Republican ticket.
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School Board Regions map

Linglestown baseball roundup

Below is a recap of Linglestown Baseball Association games played last weekend between rainstorms. Thanks go out to the coaches for submitting game summaries.

Midget Division

Tigers 11 – Orioles 1 … Tigers pitcher J.T. Fredericks hurled a two-hitter in a game played Wednesday. Offensively, Zach Hoffman, Aaron Gress and Braydon Parr slammed homers to help the Tigers remain undefeated.

Sox 14 – Braves 1 … The Sox (4–2) scored a convincing win Thursday behind the pitching of Colby Shearer, who only gave up two hits. Shearer homered twice and singled, while Steven McNeal also added three hits to lead the Sox. For the Braves, Christian Correale led off the bottom of the first with a home run, accounting for his team’s only run. Gus Axtman added the only other hit for the Braves.

Tigers 6 – Cubs 4 (8 innings) … The Cubs (2–4) took a 4–3 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, but they couldn’t hold on as a double by Jack Grove of the Tigers tied the game. In the 8th inning, Zach Hoffman’s walk-off two-run homer won the game for the Tigers (8–0).

Orioles 5 – Braves 4 … In a make-up game played Saturday, the Braves led the Orioles 4–3 going in to the bottom of the sixth, but the Orioles (3–4) scored a pair to win the contest. Baily Herrold pitched five strong innings for the O's, striking out seven batters and only allowing three runs before reaching his pitch limit. Christian Fox-Klein led the Orioles at the plate with two hits in three tries. Braves pitcher Max Hess struck out seven batters and, Christian Correale scored three runs for the Braves (0–7).

Pony Division

Owls 10 – Mets 9 … In a battle to the wire Thursday, the undefeated Owls downed the Mets (4–2) on the strength of three runs scored by Bradley Owens. Logan Gabrielson was strong at the plate with a double and a single, and he also made his first appearance on the mound for the Owls.

Padres 6 – Rams 5 … The game started out as a pitchers’ dual. With the Rams (0–6) ahead 5-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Padres (3–4) plated two to grab the lead and victory.

Owls 13 – Colts 0 … Athen Graham of the Owls (7–0) pitched an outstanding game Saturday in a make-up contest as the Owls outplayed the Colts (2–4).

Government watchdog, 05.11.09

* The Lower Paxton Twp. Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, May 12, for a workshop session at the Municipal Center, 6 pm. This meeting will not be televised.

The agenda has some notable items, including the continuation of a discussion on proposed fees for residents and businesses to use the township's Conway Road compost site. Also, issues related to Paxton Creek pollution, township finances and open-records policies are on the agenda.

* The Central Dauphin School Board has the week off. The district’s 2009-10 budget is expected to come up for a vote next Wednesday, May 20, and a couple options call for a tax increase that could be as high as 4 percent. School property tax hikes are always controversial because they take a big bite out of household budgets.