Upcoming community events

Friday, July 31 ... The summer's final TGIF Summer Concert at Brightbill Park sponsored by Lower Paxton Twp. will feature Howard and the Islanders, 7 pm. Be sure to bring a lawn chair.

Tuesday, Aug. 4 ... Lower Paxton Twp. Police Department will hold its annual "Night Out for Public Safety" at Koons Park, 6 pm to dusk.

Friday, Aug. 7 ... Family campout night at Koons Pool in Linglestown.

Saturday, Aug. 15 ... Peach festival and craft fair at New Hope Church, 1–5 pm. There will be fun stuff for kids including free pony rides (1–3 pm), a moon bounce, face painting, a dunk tank and craft tables.

Skateboard contest coming to Lower Paxton

Proceeds from the competition on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Fishbone shop on Allentown Blvd. will benefit the planned skatepark at George Park in Lower Paxton Twp.

If you are unfamiliar with the Game of S.K.A.T.E., check out this video.

Local boy a big winner in swimming meet

Gazette congratulations go out to Jonathan Mata, age 10, who competed in the Keystone State Games in York last week and claimed five medals – four gold and a silver – in the boys 9–10 age group.

Jonathan is coached by Rusty Owens of the Lower Paxton Aquatic Club and Justin Spitzer of the Heatherfield Hurricanes.

He will be going into 5th grade at Saint Margaret Mary School, and he played baseball this summer on the Linglestown Colts pony team.

Also in the Keystone Games, Jake Cherry, age 10, took third in a race. He played for Linglestown Rams pony baseball team.


Pictured above is Jonathan, in the U.S. flag cap, starting a backstroke race. I’m don’t know swimming, but he appears to have a powerful start. Take notice to his excellent back arch and hand position.
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News tip and photos submitted by Tom Mata.

Lower Paxton Twp. updates, 07.27.09

* CLICK HERE to review meeting notes for the Board of Supervisors meeting from last Tuesday, July 21.

* The township's Zoning Hearing Board met last Thursday, June 23. CLICK HERE for meeting notes.

* As reported earlier this month, the old township landfill is being eyed for a solar energy project. CLICK HERE for more details from The Patriot-News.
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Meeting notes provided by SWAN, promoting sensible development with adequate infrastructure in Lower Paxton Twp.

B² update, 07.27.09

I'm taking some time off this week to recharge my batteries.

For those of you who need a daily dose of the Gazette, never fear ... I've scheduled new stuff to appear on a daily basis.

But, I won't be keeping track of breaking news. Please send me e-mail if you spot news that I should address next week.

Youth baseball team snags Palmyra tourney

The Linglestown 10-and-Under All-Stars (pictured) claimed a second tournament championship this season by winning two of three games Saturday in Palmyra.

In first game, Linglestown defeated Elizabethtown 9–5 to advance to the championship round. Linglestown jumped out to an early 8–2 lead after two innings as Braydon Parr doubled twice and Jordy Sellers added another double. Christian Fox-Klein, Derek Danko and Mario Cattabiani also got on base with singles.

Palmyra scored an unearned run in the fourth inning of the second game to squeak by Linglestown 1-0 and force an extra game in the double-elimination tournament. Christian Fox-Klein turned in an outstanding performance on the mound by going the distance and allowing no earned runs on six hits.

In the final game, Linglestown pounded out eight runs on nine hits to defeat Palmyra 8-0 to win the title. Jordy Sellers pitched a complete-game shutout. Braydon Parr, Christian Fox-Klein and Bryson Allen all had a pair of hits for the champs.

The team won the Linglestown Futures Stars Tournament earlier this month.
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Game summaries submitted by Linglestown coach Mike Shaffer.

Photo by Gazette correspondent Karen Cattabiani. Click on the photo to view a larger version.

Music at Roasters

Local guitar player Marie Smith will be the featured artist Saturday at
St. Thomas Roasters coffee house located in the square of historic Linglestown, 8–10 pm, no cover.

She has a gigantic catalog of music that includes covers from the likes of Sarah McLachlan, Fleetwood Mac, Joni Mitchell, Indigo Girls and CCR.

Linglestown baseball roundup, 07.23.09

* Gazette correspondent Karen Cattabiani reports that the Linglestown 10-and-under All-Stars are a game away from advancing to the Palmyra tournament championship after defeating Lower Dauphin Jr. Falcons 6-1 Wednesday.

Linglestown aces Jordy Sellers allowed just one run on one hit in two innings, and Christian Fox-Klein allowed four hits and struck out six in four innings. Sellers, Fox-Klein, AJ Millar, Athan Graham, Braydon Parr, and Mario Cattabiani each had singles.

Linglestown will face Elizabethtown Friday evening. The winner will advance to the championship game on Saturday.

* Linglestown Midget All-Stars are 3–0 in the double-elimination Haps Boyer Tournament.

* Linglestown Twilight (21–5) rebounded from a loss Sunday by winning two games early this week to stay atop the East Shore Twilight League standings.

They whipped Steelton 10–1 Tuesday at Koons Park. Center fielder Jason Kelly got things started by smacking a line-drive home run with one on in the third inning. Twilight broke open the game in sixth inning with a two-out rally that plated seven runs. Winning pitcher Josh Muscalus only got nicked for a home run in the seventh inning by Steelton third baseman Luke Peffer.

Twilight traveled to Palmyra last night and won 3–1 in an extra-innings game. After Palmyra knotted the game at one in the bottom of the seventh inning, Linglestown scored two runs in the top of ninth to grab the win. (Regulation games are seven innings in length.) Veteran hurler Pete Hayden was the winning pitcher.

* Postseason play for Linglestown Legion came to an end Wednesday when Hummelstown bumped them out of the Region 4 tournament. The team’s tournament record was a very respectable 2–2. Congrats on a good season!

Backyard News, 07.23.09

* Anyone see the blimp that passed by the Linglestown area Sunday evening? I didn’t see it. Was it the Goodyear blimp?


* Three Linglestown girls – Abigail Whitson, Katie Stadler and Maggie Schenfelt – are performing in the production of THE WIZ at the Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center. The play continues July 24, 25 and 26.

* Time is running out to use Lower Paxton’s leaf waste compost facility on Conway Road for free.

* Speaking of free stuff, Lower Paxton’s TGIF summer concert series continues this Friday at Brightball Park at 7 pm with a show by the High Tops. Be sure to pack a lawn chair.

* The Backyard News post for July 7 has over 30 comments from readers who weighed in on CD school officials looking into outsourcing the district’s bus fleet.

* A holiday song written by Frank Cotolo, a frequent performer at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house, is featured in a new video.

Lower Paxton breaking news, 07.22.09

* Ana Cuoco (pictured), a nanny from Brazil, has been sentenced to 12-25 years in prison for the death of her newborn son at a Lower Paxton home.



* Lower Paxton police are trying to track down a purse snatcher.

Bids opened for Linglestown improvements

The long-awaited makeover of Linglestown is on the verge of breaking ground later this summer.

Lower Paxton Twp. manager George Wolfe said tonight that PennDOT has opened construction bids and is preparing to award a $4 million contract to Etters-based Leon E. Wintermyer, Inc., the low bidder.

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.

CD schools in the news

* CD district officials aim to save money by outsourcing transportation.

* In a related matter, school districts across Pennsylvania are scrambling to find dollars to offset increased pension costs that loom in 2012.

* CD School Board taking a look at a redistricting project that would change attendance zones of elementary schools to better balance enrollment.

* Meet new CD schools chief Luis Gonzalez.

Government watchdog, 07.21.09

* Be sure to check out highlights from last week's Lower Paxton Township supervisors' workshop meeting if kids in your neighborhood play basketball on public streets. Also, there's talk of a solar energy project. Meeting notes are courtesy of SWAN.

* The supervisors will meet this evening, Tuesday, July 21, at the Municipal Center, 7:30 pm. The meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast channel 20. (meeting agenda)

* The next Central Dauphin School Board meeting will be held Aug. 10.

Youth baseball update, 07.20.09

By Karen Cattabiani
for Linglestown Gazette

After winning last week's Future Stars competition at Koons Park last week, Linglestown 10-and-under All-Stars played in opening-day games of the Palmyra tournament Sunday. They beat Susquehanna Twp. in the first game 15-1. Pitcher Jordie Sellers allowed only one run in two innings pitched. Relief pitchers Christian Fox-Klein and Nick Wilson were solid on the mound. Derek Danko led Linglestown with four hits, and Fox-Klein, Athan Graham and Brandon McNeal had two hits each.

Later in the day, Linglestown went on to defeat Palmyra 3-1 in the double elimination tournament. Pitcher Braydon Parr allowed only four hits and played stellar defense, snagging five hard hit balls for put outs. At the plate, he led the Linglestown sluggers with two hits. Brandon McNeal, Jordie Sellers, Derek Danko, AJ Millar, and Christian Fox-Klein each had singles.

Twilight plays three, wins two

On a great day to play two at Koons Park, Linglestown Twilight sandlot baseball team won a doubleheader Saturday over Valley View, a team from Schuylkill County.

In game one, Linglestown broke open a tied game in the sixth inning with three runs and went on to win 5–2. Third baseman Jon Stahl went three-for-three and catcher Ryan Goldberg picked up two RBIs with single in the sixth-inning rally. Brad Sanders went the distance on the mound.

Linglestown blew out Valley View in game two 12–1. Jason Kelly was the winning pitcher.

Lawnton clipped Linglestown 3–2 in Sunday’s contest at Koons Park by rallying for the winning run in the seventh inning. Linglestown left fielder Nate Shroy hit a solo round-tripper in the fourth and went three-for-three.

Twilight (19–5; first place) has a busy week ahead with four games to wrap up the regular season in the East Shore Twilight League:

Tuesday, Steelton at Koons Park, 6 pm
Wednesday, away game at Palmyra, 7 pm
Thursday, away game at Hummelstown, 6 pm
Friday, Pennbrook at Koons Park, 6 pm

Fun stuff to do this weekend

Live music at St. Thomas Roasters is back in a big way Friday and Saturday at the region’s #1 coffee house located in the square of historic Linglestown, free admission, 8–10 pm both nights.

Things get started Friday with a must-hear act that is making their one and only appearance this summer at Roasters – The Cotolos. Singer/guitarist Frank (pictured) and his son and side musician Jack are itching to debut some new material they’ve been working on in their hideaway studio in the Grantville area. They feature the largest catalog of music in these parts. Please try out their music.

Saturday evening features the sounds of a group called Seasons.

Friday … Lower Paxton’s TGIF Summer Concert series features Steven Courtney who performs positive music for kids and families, Brightbill Park, 7 pm, FREE admission. This guy is a lot of fun!

Saturday … DJ music and swimming at Koons Pool, 8–10:30 pm, $5.00 a person or $20.00 for a family.

Linglestown snags Future Stars top spot

Linglestown 10-and-under All-Stars only needed three and a half innings Thursday to put away Hershey Blue by the 10-run rule to win the Future Stars Tournament. The final score was 12–1.

Pitcher Braydon Parr (pictured) cruised through the Hershey batters only allowing one run on three hits. At the plate, Christian Fox-Klein hit a towering three-run blast in the third inning and Braydon Parr went three-for-three.

Linglestown finished the tournament with a 6-0 record, outscoring their opponents 72 to 20.

The tournament, hosted by Linglestown Baseball Association, was played at Koons Park.

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Team members: Braydon Parr, Jake Grove, Christian Fox-Klein, AJ Millar, Jordy Sellers, Bryson Allen, Luke McNamara, Brandon McNeal, Mario Cattabiani, Nick Wilson, Marshal Kent, Athan Graham and Derek Danko.
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Photos by Danielle Bostic. Click on photos to view larger versions.
Mike Shaffer contributed to this post.

Linglestown baseball update

* Linglestown 10-and-under All-Stars defeated Lower Dauphin Jr. Falcons 15–5 Wednesday in the semifinal round of Linglestown Baseball Association's Future Stars Tournament. Pitcher Christian Fox-Klein picked up his second victory of the tournament, going the distance for Linglestown. Braydon Parr went three-for-three with a walk to lead the Linglestown sluggers. Fox-Klein and A.J. Millar each added a pair of hits.

Linglestown will face Hershey Blue this evening at 7 pm at Koons Park in the tournament championship game.

– Update submitted by Mike Shaffer

* Linglestown Twilight lost to Pennbrook 2–1 in an away game Wednesday. The loss drops Twilight into a first-place tie with Middletown with 17–4 records.

Twilight plays at Palmyra on Friday, 7 pm, and then hosts Valley View for a doubleheader Saturday at Koons Park, 1 pm and 4 pm.

* Hummelstown won the Dauphin County Legion playoffs Wednesday by defeating Linglestown Legion 17–3. CLICK HERE for a game report from The Patriot-News.

Lower Paxton news links, 07.15.09

* Patriot-News reports that Lower Paxton Twp. Supervisor David Blain was cited a few years ago for "improper accounting practices" while working as a certified public accountant.

* Rep. Marsico makes last-ditch attempt to pass state budget this week.

* Things, they are a changin' at Colonial Country Club.

* Linglestown alley mystery no longer a mystery.

* Lower Paxon police not alone in attracting few minorities.

Twilight pitcher Muscalus throws gem

Josh Muscalus (pictured) pitched a three-hitter and shortstop Scott Montgomery crushed a homer to lead Linglestown Twilight to a 1–0 win Tuesday at Koons Park over Lykens/Wiconisco.

Twilight notes … Muscalus, who played college ball at Lebanon Valley College, struck out nine and only issued three free passes. … Player/coach Steve Econ chipped in two singles to keep his hot streak at the plate alive. … First baseman Sean Frailey continued his stellar glove work by digging a throw out of the dirt from fill-in third baseman John Stahl to get the first out in seventh and final inning. … Twilight continues to sit on top of the East Shore Twilight League with a record of 17–3.

Next home game … Twilight will host Valley View for a doubleheader this Saturday, July 18, at Koons Park. Game times are 1 pm and 4 pm.

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In other baseball news, a Gazette shout-out goes to the Linglestown Legion team for reaching the Dauphin County playoff championship round. They need to defeat Hummelstown tonight and Thursday to win the double-elimination league playoffs.

Reporter’s notebook: CD School Board, 07.13.09

* The meeting room was packed Monday night with mainly school bus drivers who showed up to lobby against the proposed outsourcing of the district’s transportation department. The issue only came up during a public comment period when five people spoke against outsourcing. CLICK HERE for comments made by Donna Ricupero, president of the bus drivers’ association (PDF file).

The school board has not publicly discussed the transportation outsourcing issue to date.

Karen McConnell, district director of business affairs, recently told The Patriot-News that district officials advertised for proposals for student transportation services because they are "looking for cost savings and a way to keep real estate taxes as low as possible."

* Prior to the above-mentioned public comment period, school board president Kathy Stone broke her gavel trying to quiet the room when the crowd objected to each presenter getting less than two minutes to speak – a board policy limits public comments to a total of 15 minutes. Board member Justin McShane came to the rescue by making a motion to give each person three minutes. The motion passed 6-2; Stone and A.J. Sallusti cast no votes.

* District business manager McConnell told the board that the district’s budget gap for the fiscal year that ended June 30 is about $3 million. The district’s surplus funds will be used to make up the shortage.

Also, she expressed concern about the state budget impasse that leaves the amount of state money the district will receive up in the air.

Board member McShane urged the public to e-mail state legislators to put pressure on them to not cut education funding. “We need the state revenue so our kids get the education they deserve,” he said.

* The board is considering a redistricting project to even out the enrollment at elementary schools. The consultant who was did the last redistricting study made a presentation to the board. At least one more consultant will do a presentation prior to the board discussing the scope of the project.

* As reported in another post, the board hired a new superintendent.
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Gazette coverage of CD schools is sponsored by EFMR Monitoring Group.

Linglestown Future Stars headed to semifinal game

By Karen Cattabiani and Mike Shaffer
for Linglestown Gazette

The Linglestown 10-and-under all-star team captured its third victory Sunday in Linglestown Baseball Association's Future Stars Tournament at Koons Park. Braydon Parr pitched four strong innings, allowing no runs, one hit and striking out six to lead the all-stars to a 10-0 victory over Hershey White. Bryson Allen homered for the second time in two games. Jake Grove and Jordan Sellers each added a pair of hits for Linglestown. With the victory, Linglestown qualified for the championship round.

In Linglestown's second tournament game Sunday against Dauphin, Jake Grove, Braydon Parr, Luke McNamara and Bryson Allen each had hits to lead the team to victory over Dauphin 16-6. Bryson Allen hit a home run in his third consecutive game. Mario Cattabiani pitched two scoreless innings and Nick Wilson threw a perfect last inning to clinch the victory. Linglestown completed pool play with a 4-0 record and will either face Dauphin United or Lower Dauphin Jr. Falcons on Wednesday, July 15, in a semifinal game.

CD board hires new district head

The board hired Dr. Luis B. Gonzalez of San Antonio as the new superintendent Monday night despite calls from some residents to table the vote to give the public a chance to weigh in on the nominee.

Dr. Gonzalez attended the meeting and made a few comments prior to the board voting 7–1 to offer him a three-year contract at a salary of $150,000 per year. Ford Thompson cast the no vote and Ed Troxell was absent.

Although members of the public were involved in the search for a new schools chief, residents were not given an opportunity to meet with Dr. Gonzalez and other top candidates during a public meeting.

School director Justin McShane expressed disappointment in the lack of public involvement in the final hiring decision, but said Dr. Gonzalez impressed him during job interviews and a one-on-one conversation.

According to the news release published in The Paxton Herald, Dr. Gonzalez has been working as educational consultant. He recently was employed as a superintendent of schools for two school districts in Texas.

CLICK HERE for more from The Patriot-News, and check back for additional meeting highlights.

Lower Paxton watchdog, 07.13.09

* The Lower Paxton Twp. Planning Commission held their monthly meeting last week that included discussions on a proposed revision to the noise ordinance and the possibility of regulating wind turbines. CLICK HERE to review meeting highlights provided by community watchdog group SWAN.

* The Lower Paxton Twp. Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday, July 14, for a workshop session at the Municipal Center, 6 pm. This meeting will not be televised. (agenda)

The meeting will include discussions on a potential solar energy project and on the use of public streets as makeshift basketball courts.

Twilight splits pair of weekend games

Linglestown Twilight sandlot team defeated Pennbrook 7–0 Saturday at Koons Park.

Playing their fourth game in four days on Sunday, Twilight lost to Middletown 7–5. Linglestown player/coach Steve Econ slammed a solo homer in the second inning.

The team’s record is 16–3, good for a two-point lead in the standings over second-place Middletown.

Next home game … Tomorrow at Koons Park; first pitch at 6 pm.

Linglestown Future Stars off to good start

By Karen Cattabiani
for Linglestown Gazette

In the opening round game of Linglestown Baseball Association's Future Stars Tournament, Linglestown defeated Palmyra 3-2 Friday. Christian Fox-Klein pitched a stellar complete game for the win in the 10-year-old and under tournament.

On Saturday, Linglestown improved their record to 2-0 defeating Susquehanna Township 15-5. Bryson Allen pitched four strong innings and closed the game with a walk-off two-run blast.

Key school board meeting tonight

At least three significant issues are on tonight’s meeting agenda for the Central Dauphin School Board meeting. The session will be held in the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School, 7 pm.

* The board will vote to approve Dr. Luis B. Gonzalez as Superintendent of Schools.

* Ross Haber, a New York-based consultant, will give a report on a recommended process for redistricting areas served by elementary schools.

* Five public speakers have requested to speak about the proposed outsourcing of bus transportation services. CLICK HERE for an op-ed on this issue by Jay Purdy, and HERE for a post that has numerous comments from CD bus drivers.

To view the meeting agenda, click on the plus sign for 07/13/2009, and then click on the plus signs to get details about specific agenda items, including downloadable PDF files of documents.

Op-Ed: The Word from ThePurd

CD rushing decision on bus outsourcing

By Jay Purdy

There are several adages that could be applied to the Central Dauphin school bus debate – “haste makes waste” and “penny-wise and pound-foolish” spring to mind.

Why is the school board sprinting to complete the outsourcing, which wasn’t brought up until after the May primary? In the search for a new superintendent, it has taken the board nearly a year to solicit and vet candidates, and a volunteer citizens’ panel was formed to assist them in the process. But a step with the financial ramifications of outsourcing transportation is rushed and public input is nil – it is not prudent management of taxpayer investment.

Read more >>

Twilight red hot at plate

Linglestown Twilight sandlot baseball team plated 29 runs over two road games to extend a winning streak to eight games and improve their record to a league-leading 15–2.

The team cranked out 20 hits in a 17–2 win Thursday over Steelton. Catcher Bryan Stovall earned a mention by going five-for-five.

In Friday’s contest, Linglestown pounced on Lawnton with five runs in the first and breezed to a 12–3 win. Jason Kelly went the distance on the mound, and shortstop Sam Phillips drove in four runs. In the field, first baseman Sean Frailey turned in the play of the game in the fourth inning when he made a diving catch of a sharply hit grounder down the line, righted himself and finished off an unassisted put out.

Upcoming games … Twilight is back in action Saturday at Koons Park against Pennbrook, 5 pm. They will wrap up the weekend with a makeup game Sunday at Middletown, 5 pm.

New business coming to Linglestown

The white house along Linglestown Road at Blue Mountain Parkway that for years had a display of blow-up decorations out front every Christmas is being converted into a health-care office. (Click the photo to view a larger version.)

Kolback Chiropractic is renovating the property with a goal of opening in late August or early September, said a construction worker at the site today. The practice currently operates out of an office located near Dunkin' Donuts on Linglestown Road.
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Hat tip to Pastor George Reynolds of Linglestown Life for the news tip.

LP weekend happenings, July 10–12

* Music at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house located in Linglestown's village square this week features the Sablemen on Friday and folk rock/blues/jazz singer and guitarist Ross Etnoyer on Saturday. Enjoy tunes and java from 8–10 pm both nights, no cover.

* Lower Paxton Twp. will begin its summer concert series Friday at Brightbill Park, 7 pm. The Lower Paxton Township Variety Band will provide the music.

* West Hanover Winery kicks off its summer concert series Saturday.

* New Hope Church is offering a five-day youth sports camp starting Sunday for boys and girls ages 5–11. Camp times are 6:30–8:45 pm Sunday through Thursday; cost is $25 ($20 for second child, $15 for third or more); registration required. Call 717-545-3400 to register.

Linglestown to host youth baseball tourney

Linglestown Baseball Association will host the annual Future Stars Tournament starting Friday night for players age 10 and under. This year’s tournament features 10 teams from Dauphin, Hershey, Lower Dauphin, New Cumberland, Susquehanna, Palmyra, Lower Allen, and host Linglestown.

Play begins tomorrow evening, July 10, with games beginning at 5:45 pm. The early games are Lower Dauphin vs. Hershey Blue and Lower Dauphin United vs. New Cumberland. The nightcap game features Palmyra vs. Linglestown.

Pool play continues Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Semifinal games will be played next Wednesday, July 15, and the championship game is scheduled for next Thursday, July 17, at 7 pm.

CLICK HERE for more info.

Local developer buys Colonial Country Club

The Patriot-News reported early this afternoon that Lower Paxton Twp.-based housing and commercial developer Triple Crown Corporation purchased Colonial Country Club today at a sheriff's auction.
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CLICK HERE for background information.

Gazette contributors needed

I'm in need of a few hardy souls to submit brief articles that focus on life in Linglestown and throughout Lower Paxton for publication on days when I'm on vacation this summer.

Please consider joining Gazette readers Ken Stambaugh, Karen Cattabiani, John Robinson, Harrison Michelson and others who have had items published by the Gazette.

To grab a tiny bit of local acclaim, e-mail articles to B².

Backyard News, 07.07.09

* Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors took a step Tuesday night to head off upcoming electricity rate hikes. The township has taken a lead role with an alliance of midstate municipalities that will buy electricity in bulk.

* CLICK HERE for a complete recap of last night's supervisors' meeting brought to you courtesy of community watchdog group SWAN.

* The Cooper family of Lower Paxton Twp. is getting quite a reputation for their forays into food sampling, according to The Patriot-News.

* In news just beyond our backyard, The Paxton Herald recently reported that a "massive" road project is scheduled to start July 27 on Linglestown Road (Route 39) in West Hanover Twp. at the truck stops near the I-81 interchange. The two-year, $12.9 million project will widen the road to five lanes and install four traffic lights.

* Finally, this week’s edition of The Paxton Herald has news about the brewing controversy over Central Dauphin school administrators seeking an outside company to run the district’s bus fleet. The bus driver union tells the newspaper that they plan to seek wages and benefits for the final two years of their current contract if they get the heave-ho. Plus, the drivers took an ad out to launch a petition drive against outsourcing school bus transportation.

Twilight has big night at plate

Linglestown Twilight, two-time defending East Shore Twilight league champs, scored runs in punches Tuesday evening in Koons Park to defeat Middletown 11–5.

Twilight veteran hurler Pete Hayden only allowed three hits during a six-inning outing to pick up the win.

Offensively, Twilight piled up 16 hits and got production from every batting spot. Player/coach Steve Econ, catcher Bryan Stovall and left fielder Nate Shroy had three-hit games, and right fielder Kyle Hollingsworth was the top RBI-producer with three.

Twilight’s record stands at 13–2 (second place, one-point behind Palmyra). The team’s next home game is this Saturday, July 11, against Pennbrook, 5 pm.

Twilight note … Patriot-News reporter Eric Detweiler attended the game and wrote a feature article that appeared in this morning's edition, but I have not been able to locate a link to it on PennLive.

Linglestown family to host French student

By John Robinson
for Linglestown Gazette

The Rittle family of Linglestown will be playing host to Octave Leborgne, 17, of La Chapelle-St-Mesmin, France, August 5-25. This cultural experience is sponsored by LEC, a Paris-based organization that has sponsored student visits since 1972.

Todd and Cindy Rittle live near the Colonial Country Club with their children, Jared, 16, and Lauren, 13. It was Jared who first heard of LEC, thanks to his then French teacher Madame Kathy Lipsett. This fall, Jared will begin his studies in the French IV class at Central Dauphin High School, after a nine-day tour of Paris, Normandy, and Brittany in July. He hopes to be able to use his knowledge of French for travel and for his chosen profession of engineering.

Read more >>
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Pictured in family photo – (left to right) Jared, Todd, Cindy, and Lauren Rittle

Lower Paxton crime

* Pair of burglars tries to steal a 42-inch, flat-screen TV while its owner was sleeping a few feet away on the couch.

* Thieves steal $144,000 in construction gear from the Monticello Heights townhouse development construction site on Crums Mill Road. Call Lower Paxton police at 657-5656 or the tip line at 635-2606 if you have information on the theft.

Government watchdog, 07.06.09

* In Lower Paxton Twp. news, the Parks and Recreation Board held their monthly meeting last Wednesday. CLICK HERE for meeting highlights provided by community watchdog group SWAN.

* The supervisors will meet tomorrow, Tuesday, July 7, at the Municipal Center, 7:30 pm. The meeting will be broadcast live on Comcast channel 20.

The meeting agenda is fairly light. One item that is of interest to some Lingelestown residents is the proposed acceptance of Blackberry Lane between North Mountain Road and Blue Mountain Parkway as a public road. CLICK HERE for background information (see second item).

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* The Central Dauphin School Board will meet next Monday, July 13, in the Lecture Hall of Central Dauphin East High School, 7 pm. The big topic of discussion is supposed to be a proposal to outsource management of the district’s bus fleet.

* Gazette reader and my chief geek advisor Jay Mumper unsuccessfully tried to find an online CD School District calendar that automatically notifies interested parties when it is updated. He turned his frustration into productive action by setting up a Google calendar with the district’s 2009-2010 calendar.

CLICK HERE to view the calendar (PDF file), HERE to subscribe to the calendar’s RSS feed, and HERE for a file that can be imported in MS Outlook.

He would welcome letting someone else who follows district news be the editor (or to add school board meetings, etc.). E-mail B² if you would like to volunteer.
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SWAN will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, July 13, at Epiphany Lutheran Church, 1100 Colonial Road, 7 pm. The public is encouraged to attend.

Fireworks highlights

Gazette thanks go out to Linglestown Fire Company and Lower Paxton Twp. for staging another great show!

Swim, watch fireworks at Koons Pool

Koons Pool will be opening at 6 pm tomorrow, Sunday, July 5, for an evening swim. And, as an added bonus, swimmers will have prime seats for the fireworks show at Koons Park that will start at about 9:15 pm.

Cost is $3.00 a person or $15 a family! Everyone in the community is welcome!!! Please call 717-574-4883 for more details!
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New hours at Koons Pool ... New operating hours are Mondays and Fridays 1 pm to 8 pm, and all other days 12 pm to 8 pm! The pool is open seven days a week.

Previously, the pool was open seven days a week, 1 pm to 8 pm.

Fireworks show Sunday in Linglestown

Below is need-to-know info about this year's fireworks show sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company and Lower Paxton Twp.:

Time and location: 9:15 p.m. Sunday at Koons Park, Linglestown Road and Balthaser Street, southeast of Linglestown Square.

Show length: 25 minutes.

Best view: Around the perimeter of Koons Park.

Best parking: Linglestown Middle School and Elementary School parking lots.

Music at Roasters

Rock/alternative/jam band The Snoods will be doing their thing tonight at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house, 8-10 pm, no cover.

By the way, Java Geof and his gang at Roasters are taking the day off tomorrow, Saturday, July 4, to celebrate Independence Day. The coffee house will reopen Sunday.

Colonial Country Club headed for tax sale?

Central Penn Business Journal reported today that Colonial Country Club located west of the village of Linglestown along Route 39 will go up for sheriff's sale July 9.

However, if you're looking to buy the club on the cheap, odds are you won't get a chance to bid on it. Lower Paxton Twp.-based Triple Crown Corporation officials announced in May that they plan to buy and manage the country club.

The club borrowed millions of dollars in recent years to renovate the clubhouse and golf course. Like many golf facilities throughout the U.S., Colonial's membership count dropped when the economy tanked. Eventually the club defaulted on a mortgage.

Rams tops in Linglestown Pony baseball

If you like to root for underdogs, you’ll love this story.

The Rams had a rough go of it during the first half of this season, but their play improved in recent weeks and they won five of their last 10 games to qualify for the playoffs.

This week a miracle-on-grass-and-dirt of sorts took place. First, the Rams beat the top-seeded Owls in a close game Monday to advance to the championship game against the Mets, who defeated the Padres 11–10 in the other semifinal game. In between rain showers Wednesday night, the Rams capped off their comeback season by downing the Mets by several runs to claim the division crown.

Congratulations to the Rams players and coaching staff headed by Scott Hoffman on their dramatic playoff run to become the 2009 Pony Division champs.

Rams, 2009 Linglestown Baseball Association Pony Division champs

Homza wellness notebook, 07.02.09

Study Shows Chiropractic Care Aids Asthmatics

Doctor and Technology
Offer a Breath of Fresh Air

Submitted by
Dr. John Homza (pictured) of Linglestown

(June 29, 2009) Dr. Curtis Fedorchuk, a chiropractor from Dahlonaga, Georgia armed with technology that has been used by NASA, has made remarkable inroads in the battle against asthma. Fedorchuk’s research was recently published in The Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research and detailed the wonderful transformation of his star patient — a 7-year old girl who had suffered from severe asthma and chronic cough for almost her entire life.

Read more >>

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Click the photo for a brief video message from B² about this post and future ones like it.

July is sports camp month

MEGA Sports Camp coming to Linglestown ... New Hope Church is sponsoring a five-day camp for soccer, basketball, cheerleading, basketball and softball for boys and girls ages 5–11 on July 12–16, 6:30–8:45 pm; cost is $25 ($20 for second child, $15 for third or more); registration required. Call 717-545-3400 to register.

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Girls' middle school volleyball camp ... Central Dauphin state championship volleyball coach John Barrick will hold a camp July 13–15 at the high school for girls in grades 5 to 9; cost is $75. E-mail coach Barrick to register, or CLICK HERE to download a registration form.

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NBA coaches coming to LP ... According Patriot-News sports editor Paul Vigna, a free basketball skills clinic for boys and girls ages 8 to 13 is being offered by the Philadelphia 76ers staff on Tuesday, July 21, at the Lower Paxton Township Friendship Center. CLICK HERE for more details.


Pictured is Sixers' Ambassador of Basketball World B Free.

Marsico steamed about state budget

State Rep. Ron Marsico, Lower Paxton's go-to guy in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, is frustrated over the status of budget negotiations. CLICK HERE to find out why.

Lower Paxton notes, 07.01.09

Fireworks show on tap … I hope to see you at the fireworks show at Koons Park this Sunday, July 5. The first rocket will be laucnhed at 9:15 pm or so. The event sponsored by Linglestown Fire Company and Lower Paxton Twp. usually attracts a huge crowd, so be sure to show up early.


Linglestown square project update … The township is gearing up to open Blackberry Lane as a public street from Blue Mountain Parkway to Linglestown Life church on N. Mountain Road. An ordinance related to the alley will be considered during the supervisors’ meeting on Tuesday, July 7.

Blackberry Lane provides access to the new township parking lot located behind the former Chocolate Cafe that was constructed to replace parking spaces that will be eliminated by the planned square project.

The alley has a stone and packed-dirt surface that has numerous potholes. Township officials will address at a later date whether to improve the alley and whether to restrict the flow of traffic to one way, township manager George Wolfe said via e-mail.

The township supervisors have taken no action on a request made by several Linglestown merchants to make portions of Raspberry Lane located west of N. Mountain Road a public road as well. At a minimum, the supervisors want to see how the Blackberry process works out before giving additional consideration to Raspberry, said Wolfe.