LP break-ins continue

The latest report of a residential burglary happened on Blue Mountain Parkway. CLICK HERE for details from WHTM abc27.

Save the date – Linglestown Fall Festival

The Linglestown Merchants Association is planning a big event in October to celebrate the completion of the village improvement project and spotlight several local eateries and retailers.

CLICK HERE for dates and a tentative schedule of events.

Car, craft show coming to Linglestown

Early registrations are being accepted for the 2nd annual St. Andrew's Car Show and Craft Fair to be held Saturday, September 10, Noon – 5:30 pm, St. Andrew’s in the Valley Episcopal Church, 4620 Linglestown Road.

The car show is open to all vehicle makes and models, including motorcycles, trucks and imports. Awards will be given to the guest car club with the most registered members. The first 50 cars registered will receive dash plaques. The early registration fee is $10 per car, $12 per car the day of the show.

General flea market and craft fair booths are available for $10 per 10' by 12' space. Craft booth registrations will be accepted through September 5.

Register to win a week in the Poconos, and other super door prizes. Plan to stay for the Sock Hop at 3 pm and awards ceremony at 5 pm.

For more information and registration forms, visit the St. Andrew’s website at or call the church office at 717-657-8583.
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CLICK HERE for highlights video from last year's show.

Wacky times at CD school board meeting

CLICK HERE for a must-read article from The Patriot-News for all taxpayers. Local activist Eric Epstein is quoted.

Below is a report from WHTM abc27.

Linglestown's link to Africa

Linglestown now has a link to the southern African nation of Swaziland. In July, 14 members of New Hope Church spent two weeks at a care point for orphaned children in Nsoko, Swaziland. They did a Bible school program for the children, helped to build a home and trained church leaders.

On an ongoing basis, the New Hope congregation provides funding to feed children and pay a pastor's salary.

Swaziland has one the highest death rates from AIDS in the world, and the children are cared for by grandmothers or survive on their own.
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Pictured from left to right are (back row) Jay Mumper, Barb Bostic, Wil Sauder, Velma Sauder, Megan Blosser, Diane Schoffstall, Andrea Stennett, Chris Cole, Connor McCandless, Beth Walker, Vern Bosserman, (front row, kneeling) JD Bowman, Evan Schoffstall and Dan Bailey. The black woman is Sheila, a grandmother who will live in the house.

The group is in front of a home in Swaziland that New Hope members are helping to build through a card-selling project.

Click on the photo to view a larger version.

Backyard News, 08.18.11

* To supplement what appears on the Gazette blog, I'm using Twitter to post reminders about upcoming community events, news links, and local tidbits. CLICK HERE to check it out – and please become a follower.

* Linglestown Fire Company is renovating its "Blue Barn," and they are hosting a golf tournament at Colonial Golf & Tennis Club on Monday, Oct. 3.

* The road widening project on Route 39 at the truck stops at the I-81 interchange is soon ready for final paving, according to PennDOT spokesman Mike Crochunis. Although progress appeared to be slow in recent weeks, Crochunis said workers have been pouring concrete to construct curbs and other structures along the edge of the road in preparation for final paving.

* Gazette reader Kathi Lipinski reports that a new, sit-down Italian restaurant called Vino has opened in the Karns/CVS shopping plaza on Allentown Boulevard. Please post a comment if you've given this eatery a try. Does it serve wine?

Backyard News, 08.15.11

* Linglestown's newest merchant is now open – Queen Bee Floral Design in the Linglestown Plaza that also houses Gordon's Family Restaurant and several other businesses. The shop formerly was located on N. 6th Street in Susquehanna Township. (Hat tip to Judy and Q for providing the news tip.)

* A new eatery is going into the former Geo's Country Oven location next to the Ramada, according to Gazette contributor Q. He saw a sign today while driving by the spot that appeared to read "Mountain Road Diner."

* I bet the skyrocketing price of gold is behind the increasing number of burglaries in the Forest Hills housing community. There also was one recently in Centennial Acres.

Local police say one of the best things you can do is lock up your house and cars. It's simple, but it's a good first line of defense.

* Check back later this week for upcoming community events. Also, be sure to follow the Gazette on Twitter.

* News links from The Patriot-News ...

– CD residents have mixed opinions on Superintendent Gonzalez's departure next year.

– No-frills gym flourishes in Lower Paxton Township.

– Central Dauphin High School Ram Band in tune with helping others.

– There are several spots in central Pa. where GPS units are prone to faulty directions, and Linglestown is one of them.

LP hit with 500-year storm, says township official

Saturday night's deluge continues to make news because of property damage in a neighborhood located off of Nyes Road.

One home was rendered inhabitable because a basement wall crumbled, and a huge hole formed in a yard at another property when underground storm pipes blew apart because they couldn't handle the runoff.

Township Supervisor William Hornung said it was a storm of "one in 500 years," according to a report in today's Patriot-News.

You can get a look at the damage and hear from affected property owners by viewing the news report below from WHP TV-21. CLICK HERE for the full report.

LP, CD news links

* It sounds like there were some fun times at last night's school board meeting. After the board decided to say adios to Superintendent Gonzalez next summer, a couple of board members went at each other following the meeting over the whereabouts of parking fines.

I attended several school board meetings during 2009 and I always found them to be very negative, testy affairs. Apparently things haven't changed much.

* Work continues on forming a business group that would pay for improvements to Route 22, Lower Paxton's so-called main street.


* Lower Paxton and West Hanover officials hope to get grant to repair a bridge on Jonestown Road. (Click on photo to view larger version.)

* Count yourself lucky if you only got a wet basement from Saturday night's monsoon. A couple unlucky families had to abandon their homes.

* Guess what's going in the space previously occupied by a Giant food store in Oakhurst Plaza on Linglestown Road.
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Information provided by The Patriot-News.

Weekly tea every Wednesday

Lonely, looking for something to do on Wednesday mornings? Join the folks at
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in the Valley, 4620 Linglestown Road, for friendship, fellowship, lively discussions, and tea every Wednesday 10 am–noon. The community is welcome!

"Wednesday Morning Tea is a great way to slow down and connect with one another," said Fr. Bill Alford, Rector for St. Andrew's. "This is not a bible study, simply free-flowing discussions on a variety of topics. We're very excited to extend this invitation to everyone in our community."'

St. Andrew's Parish is called to nurture all people seeking to fulfill God's purpose in their lives. As a worshiping community, we inspire spiritual and personal growth, celebrating our diversity and heritage.

For more information on St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, contact The Rev. William T. Alford, Rector, at 717-657-8583 or via email.
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CLICK HERE for a map that shows the church's location.

Blimp hovers over Colonial Park

While running errands today, I spotted the Goodyear blimp floating over the area near the K-Mart shopping plaza on Route 22.

According to the blimp's website, it is headed for a USA vs Mexico soccer game that will be contested Wednesday in Philly.

Be on the lookout for 'church ladies'

Two women witnesses describe as "church ladies" have been called persons of interest in a string of residential burglaries in Lower Paxton Township. CLICK HERE for the story by The Patriot-News, and HERE for a video report from WHTM abc27.
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Picture of sketch drawing is from WHTM abc27.

Upcoming events in Linglestown

Peach Festival
this Saturday, Aug. 6

Linglestown Life United Methodist Church will hold a Peach Festival from 4–7 p.m this Saturday, Aug. 6. Lots of fun and food for the entire family! Come out and meet your Linglestown neighbors.

"Meet The Author Night"
at St. Thomas Roasters on Tuesday, Aug. 9

Local author Barry Ernest will be signing his new book, "The Girl on the Stairs," and answering your questions about his 35-year search for a significant yet ignored witness to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. This is the story the Warren Commission didn't want you to hear.

This will be an interesting and informative evening next Tuesday, Aug. 9, beginning at 6 pm.

Java Geof interviewed on TV-21

WHP TV-21 News stopped by St. Thomas Roasters to get the lowdown on rising coffee costs. CLICK HERE to read that story that includes a video.

'Night Out' happening tonight at George Park

Lower Paxton Township's annual "Night Out for Public Safety" will be held tonight from 6–9 pm at George Park located off of Nyes Road.