Community MediaCelebrating Community

the Exchange Club of Hanover will be hosting a Ten Year 9/11 Memorial Healing FieldTM from September 9-12, 2011, at the West Manheim Elementary School, 2400 Baltimore Pike, Hanover, Pennsylvania. This event will consist of 3,000 3ft. x 5ft. American flags on 8ft. poles to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of all those who died September 11, 2001. The event will include a program of invited speakers and entertainment in remembrance of that fateful day.

Current plans call for the flags to be set up starting at noon on Friday, September 9th with a brief program starting at 6 PM. On Saturday, September 10th we will have entertainment and speakers starting at 9:00 AM and Saturday evening at 5:00 PM we will have a special service to recognize those service personnel from the surrounding areas of Northern Maryland and South Central Pennsylvania that have lost their lives in the war on terrorism. Saturday’s speakers will include Joe Dittmar, Sr., a survivor of the 105t

h Floor of Tower 2 of the World Trade Center, and Mal Fuller, a supervisor in the Pittsburgh air traffic control tower when Flight 93 came over. On Sunday, September 11th there will be a brief program starting at 8:00 AM and then the names of those who lost their lives in the terror attacks on 9/11 will be read aloud starting at 8:46 AM. The flags will remain flying until noon M

onday, September 12th.

I have included a flyer with this letter to provide you with information on the event. Funds from the event will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and local fire, police and veterans groups. Information is also available at: www.healingfield.org/hanover or www.hanoverexchangeclub.com.

In addition to the speakers and entertainment on Saturday, September 10th, there will be a charity motorcycle ride from Battlefield Harley Davidson in Gettysburg, PA to the Healing FieldTM site. The ride is scheduled to arrive at the site around noon.

The 3000 flags, poles, and rebar for the program will be arriving at the West Manheim Elementary School on Friday, August 5th. Transportation for the flags from the Colonial Flag Foundation in Sandy, Utah will be provided by Walmart.

In 2007, four well-loved local women named Holly, Blue Parrot Bistro co-owner Holly Giles, realtor and Adams County Arts Council president Holly Purdy, dance instructor Holly Fox, and Coordinator for Wellspan’s Community Health Improvement program Holly Cookerly performed at a Gettysburg Dance Center concert which benefited the Arts Council. Now The Hollies are reuniting to “make a splash” at the Arts Council’s Annual Garden Party on Sunday, June 5, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the home of Jennifer and David LeVan, Gettysburg.

According to Purdy, “There’s a tradition at the party that we call diving divas. Over the years, brave people have kindly agreed to jump in the pool in exchange for donations to the Arts Council. This year, we’re raising funds for our new arts education center on South Washington Street which we’re opening this fall. So, I thought I’d ask The Hollies if they’d be willing to “dive for dollars” and they enthusiastically agreed. We might try some synchronized swimming so it should be a lot of fun for a great cause.”

There’s still time to make reservations for the party where you’ll see what’s blooming in Jen’s garden, hang out at the pool bar, enjoy great food and conversation and be treated to the LeVan’s gracious hospitality. Reservations are $50 per person, requested by June 3, and available through the Arts Council office at 717 334-5006 or online at adamsarts.org. All proceeds benefit the Arts Council’s programs throughout the county and its mission of cultivating an arts-rich community.

(Gettysburg, Pa.) – On the eve of the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War, a public opinion poll conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research reveals that Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly oppose plans for a casino ½ mile from the historic Gettysburg Battlefield. According to the poll, fully two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters actively oppose the idea of a casino at Gettysburg and nearly 60 percent favor pending legislation that would block future attempts at similar proposals. Further, 57 percent state that, if approved, such a Gettysburg casino would be an embarrassment to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The independent poll was commissioned by the Civil War Trust, an historic land preservation group, which also opposed a similar, unsuccessful proposal to bring gambling to Gettysburg in 2006. The Trust has permanently protected more than 30,000 acres of hallowed ground nationwide, including 800 acres at Gettysburg.

“Despite attempts by casino investors to mask the true scope of public opposition to their plan, the people of Pennsylvania remain outraged by the idea of a Gettysburg casino,” said Civil War Trust president James Lighthizer.

The numbers reinforce Lighthizer’s remarks; opposition to a Gettysburg casino is strong throughout the Commonwealth, in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh as well as elsewhere in the state. Opposition is most pronounced in Central and Western Pennsylvania, where nearly ¾ quarters of all voters (74 percent) expressed opposition for the casino proposal. Statewide, just 17 percent of Pennsylvanians indicated they support the idea of a Gettysburg casino.

The numbers also indicated that voters understand that Gettysburg is a unique economic engine for the Pennsylvania economy. “Eighty-eight percent of state voters, and nine out of ten of those who live near the battlefield, understand that Gettysburg is a priceless economic resource for the community and should not be jeopardized by such an ill-considered scheme,” said Lighthizer.

Although casino proponents have often and loudly declared that the majority of locals are eager for a casino in their midst, a separate, specific sampling of Adams County voters illustrates otherwise. The community is deeply divided on the issue, with 45 percent opposing the casino and only 41 percent supporting it. Opposition, however, is based on proximity to the battlefield rather than hostility toward gaming; were the chosen location further from the battlefield and national park, stated opposition falls to 35 percent of county voters.

“These findings illustrate No Casino Gettysburg’s position since the project was first announced,” said Susan Star Paddock, chair of the local opposition group. “Our objection is to the casino’s location — on the doorstep of the Gettysburg battlefield is simply no place for slots and table games.”

Investors with Mason-Dixon Gaming, a company unrelated to the nationally recognized polling firm, are among four groups seeking a license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board to operate a Category 3 resort casino. If approved, their project would bring hundreds of slot machines and table games just ½ mile from the boundaries of Gettysburg National Military Park. The Gaming Board has recently announced it will make a licensing decision on April 14, 2011.

Since it was announced last year, the proposal has drawn immense opposition. Tens of thousands of Americans signed petitions against the project and nearly 300 prominent historians wrote to the gaming board, urging its rejection, as did the national leadership of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the American Legion. Other prominent Americans who lent their name to the campaign to protect Gettysburg include Susan Eisenhower, Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns, two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough, Medal of Honor recipient Paul W. Bucha, renowned composer John Williams and entertainers Matthew Broderick, Stephen Lang and Sam Waterston.

Mindy Crawford, executive director of Preservation Pennsylvania — a statewide preservation advocacy group — said that the poll demonstrates the high regard with which Pennsylvanians regard their historic treasures.

“The poll’s finding that 71 percent of voters statewide have a personal interest in history aligns with the outpouring of resistance I have seen to this proposal,” said Crawford. “And it’s more than just a passing interest — almost 40 percent of Pennsylvanians plan to visit at least one Civil War-related site during the conflict’s 150th anniversary commemoration.”

Aware of widespread opposition to the controversial proposal, Rep. Paul Clymer (R-Bucks County), a member of the Pennsylvania Gaming Oversight Committee, last month introduced House Bill 1179, which would amend the state’s Gaming Act to create a 10-mile buffer around Gettysburg national Military Park. Upon introduction, the legislation had gathered 23 bipartisan cosponsors from districts across the state.

“As both an elected official and a proud U.S. Army veteran, I believe it is my duty to stand up on behalf of my comrades in arms, even if their service occurred a century before mine, and do what I can to prevent the solemnity of the Gettysburg battlefield from being compromised,” said Clymer. “I certainly count myself among those who feel that allowing gaming so close to the bloodiest battlefield of the American Civil War would be a distraction from the true meaning of Gettysburg.”

Clymer said he was unsurprised by the strong support for his actions expressed in the poll; 59 percent of Pennsylvanians and 64 percent of central Pennsylvania voters expressed support for the bill. Ninety-four percent of respondents said elected officials like Clymer have a responsibility to protect the state’s significant historic resources, including Gettysburg.

Mason-Dixon Polling and Research is well known as one of the most credible and accurate independent polling firms in the nation. Mason-Dixon conducted the poll from April 4–6, 2011. For the statewide sampling, a total of 625 registered voters were interviewed by telephone, with an additional sample of 400 registered voters in Adams County. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points on statewide questions and +/- 5 percentage points for Adams County.

The Civil War Trust is the largest nonprofit battlefield preservation organization in the United States. Its mission is to preserve our nation’s endangered Civil War battlefields and to promote appreciation of these hallowed grounds through education and heritage tourism. To date, the Trust has preserved more than 30,000 acres of battlefield land in 20 states, including 800 acres at Gettysburg. Learn more at www.civilwar.org.

The Rick and Sally Meyers Animal Shelter of Adams County, PA, is holding its 21st Annual Loyalty Walk on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at the Gettysburg Area Middle School. This is the shelter’s largest fundraising event of the year. The shelter is owned by the Adams County SPCA.

The Walk will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m. with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. All walkers are welcome to participate, with or without dogs. Participants are asked to obtain pledge materials in advance at the shelter, 11 Goldenville Rd. in Gettysburg, or go to the shelter’s website at meyersshelter.org to print out registration and pledge forms.

The Loyalty Walk is named in honor of the dogs who accompanied soldiers in the Civil War. One of those dogs present at the Battle of Gettysburg was Sallie, a bull terrier who was the mascot of the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Veterans of her unit remembered her many years later by placing a bronze statue of her likeness on the Battlefield which is located along Doubleday Avenue. Sallie survived the battle at Gettysburg, but was later killed at Hatcher’s Run in Virginia.

All Loyalty Walk participants who raise $50 or more will receive 2011 Loyalty Walk T-Shirt. Persons not pre-registered can register and make a pledge the day of the event.

Hot dogs, coffee, soda bake sale items and other snacks will be available for purchase before, during and after the walk. Gift baskets with assorted people and dog items will also be raffled. All proceeds will directly benefit the shelter.

In the event of rain, the Walk will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2011 with registration beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the Walk at 1:00 p.m.

The Adams County SPCA is an IRC 501 c-3 non-profit organization that receives approximately 8% of its annual operating budget of over $500,000 from the county and municipalities combined. It is not a county agency. The organization provides shelter and care for lost, abandoned and abused animals, investigates and prosecutes cruelty cases, helps control animal overpopulation and educates the community about spay/neuter programs, animal wellness and safety. In 2010, the shelter took in over 3,000 animals from Adams County.

The shelter relies on memberships, grants, donations and fundraising events like the Loyalty Walk to keep its doors open.

GETTYSBURG: The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City, 100 years ago this month, was one of the most tragic workplace disasters in American history. From it, however, sprang most of the workplace safety and fire codes in place today.

As part of a nationwide commemoration of the fire, which claimed 146 lives in less than half an hour, Gettysburg Stage is proud to present “The Triangle Factory Fire Project” for two weekends, beginning Friday, March 25.

In addition to ticket discounts offered to students, seniors and military, Gettysburg Stage is also offering regional firefighters, emergency management technicians, fire police and dispatchers $3 off the $15 ticket price for this production. For the first weekend, March 25 and 26, ticket sales also benefit the Gettysburg Fire Department.

In the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in March, 1911– where 500 immigrant workers from Poland, Russia and Italy toiled 14-hour days making ladies’ dresses – a cigarette is tossed into a bin of fabric scraps. Despite desperate efforts, flames sweep through the eighth, ninth and tenth floors.

Panic-stricken workers run in all directions. On the ninth floor, some make it to a fire escape, only to have it collapse beneath their weight. Others run to the exit door, but find it locked – many, including the soon-to-be married Margaret Schwartz, die with their hands on the doorknob.

Dozens leap from the windows to their deaths, shocking the crowd of onlookers gathered below. And some, by a combination of bravery and sheer luck, make it out alive. In the space of 28 minutes, the fire is under control, but 146 people, mainly young immigrant girls, have died.

The “Triangle Factory Fire Project“ script uses eyewitness accounts, court transcripts and other archival material to create a dramatic moment-by-moment account of this historic fire, the labor unrest that came before it and the social upheaval that followed.

The two-act play culminates in the manslaughter trial of the owners, Isaac Harris and Max Blanck, whose shocking acquittal inspired outrage across New York and the entire country, the repercussions of which shaped social, political and economic policies for decades to come.

“This play is not only a commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Triangle Factory Fire,” says director Rebecca O’Leary, “but it is also incredibly timely, as the topics of the place of labor unions and workplace safety are still in the media spotlight today not only in the US, but around the world.”

“This show also provides an opportunity for our actors to really stretch their abilities, as most are playing three or four different characters, many of whom speak with dialects. The cast is doing extensive accent work, as well as in depth character studies, to prepare for this show.”

The cast includes Mary Grist, Stephanie Gross, David Hurlburt, Eric Jones, Patrick Keegan, Jim Krut, Jeff Leinbach, Rebecca O’Leary and Karen Saltzgiver.

Performances at the Gettysburg Fire Department’s hall at 35 North Stratton Street are at 8 p.m. on Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26, and at the GAR Building, 53 East Middle Street, Gettysburg, at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2. To request reservations, or for bookings groups of 10 or more, contact info@gettysburgstage.org or phone 717/638-8799.

“The Triangle Factory Fire Project“ production is sponsored in part by the Law Offices of Charles E. Ganley, LLC.

HANOVER, PA- GREASE is the word at Hanover High School April 8, 9 & 10 and the production team and Hanover’s Class of ’59 have contributed a lot of elbow grease to make it special for both the students and the audience. Hanover High School’s GREASE is ready to rock its way onto the Nighthawk stage with a cast and crew of over 50 students, a two story set with a full size
Greased Lightning car, special permission and rights to add the movie songs that are not normally performed in the stage version, and heart thumping choreography. Get ready to hand jive and rock in your seats with favorites including GREASE IS THE WORD, WE GO TOGETHER, HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU, and YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT to name a few. Lead actors include Lexi Herrick as Sandy, Alex Daubert as Danny, Zachary Terrazas as Doody, Andy Merrel as Kenicke, Cullen Rosenbrien as Roger, Jon Hollabaugh as Sonny, Lily Tran as Frenchy, Logan Myers as Jan, Jaide Finfrock as Marty, Rebecca Silver as Rizzo, Chelsea Otis as Miss Lynch, Sam Walton as Eugene, Rachel Kelly as Patty Simcox, Kendra Swartz as Cha Cha, Clay Reichart as Vince Fontaine and Matthew Kline as Johnny Casino.

Hanover’s Class of ’59 has something in common with the show. The musical takes place in 1959 and begins with a ’59 class reunion where the GREASERS crash the party with their rendition of GREASE IS THE WORD. Staub and members of the Hanover class of ‘59 are working on lobby displays with memorabilia and a 50’s car display in front of the school to get everyone in the spirit of the era. Enlarged 2’ x 3’ yearbook photos of ’59 class members will be part of the stage design showing off their 50’s hairstyles and fashions. Look for ’59 graduates as they are volunteering to pass out programs and sell concessions.

Rene Staub is the director, Jessica Staub is the Asssistant Director, Nikki Bull is the Choreographer and Deb Smith is the Music Director for this spectacular musical event. Rene Staub makes his Hanover High Musical directorial debut after his fall play success at the school with ALICE IN WONDERLAND . One of Staub’s credits include directing ACTS of Kindness Theatre Company musicals for the past 6 years. He and his wife Jessica founded the Theatre Company to give back to the community, giving well over $60,000 back to non-profit organizations. This summer’s production will be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS the last two weekends in July at New Oxford High School to benefit the Adams County Arts Council and S.P.C.A.

Join Hanover High School April 8 & 9 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 at 2 p.m. to take a trip down memory lane and rock your socks off! Get ready for a full 50’s experience as the preshow and intermission will be filled with music from the era, vintage commercials and movie trailers that will take you back to the days of sock hops, hula hoops and drive-ins. Why not break out your poodle skirts, saddle shoes and letter sweaters and join in the fun! Tickets are available now at the Hanover High School office, by calling 717-637-9000, online at www.mycommunitytickets.com or at the door, if available. Tickets are $7 for students (and children) and $8 for adults.

Main Street Gettysburg (MSG) held its annual meeting to update its members about the direction of the organization, its achievements, and goals for the future.

With the economy on everyone’s mind, Em Cole, Chairman of the Board, opened the meeting with some impressive statistics. The Main Street Gettysburg partner organizations leveraged their contributions into larger investments to benefit the Gettysburg community totaling in excess of $34 million over the past 10 years. This is an exceptional return on investment for the Gettysburg Borough and its citizens.

From 2005 to 2009, the MSG partners invested $1,062,441 in the operations of MSG. In this same period, a conservative estimate of $4,777,500 in projects, grants and services were returned to the community. The Gettysburg Borough contributed a total of $200K to MSG operations over this same timeframe. This is a 2288% return on the community’s tax dollars, invested by the Borough.
Building upon its successes, the Main Street Gettysburg organization continues to evolve, expand its partnerships and increase its contribution to the community both financially and through its service. In 2010, the MSG Board expanded to include Ron Hankey, ACNB, at large member, Emmett Patterson, McDonald’s, at large member, and Michael Marcus, Manager, Communications & Community Relations Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania & Maryland.

In May 2010, Main Street Gettysburg hosted a community Visioning Day where more than 50 leaders of the Greater Gettysburg community gathered to identify priorities for the future of the community, such as transportation, economic sustainability, promotion and marketing, improving infrastructure, and enhancing historic preservation/interpretation and education. “Main Street Gettysburg unifies community leaders and creates strategic plans such as the Interpretive Plan, Steinwehr Avenue Revitalization Plan and this year, Gettysburg 20/20.” said Deb Adamik, President of Main Street Gettysburg.

In addition, Main Street Gettysburg is the catalyst that finds the means necessary through its partners to orchestrate the implementation of strategic plans effectively. In 2010, MSG initiated several groups to improve efficiency, effectiveness and communications among the many organizations in town. Organization such as the Gettysburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gettysburg-Adams Chamber of Commerce, Gettysburg College, GARMA, Steinwehr Avenue BID, and the Borough of Gettysburg and many others are working together on topics such as effectively promoting downtown, transportation and parking, and providing a quality visitor experience.

The most complicated and comprehensive example is the Civil War 150th Anniversary Steering Committee which has the tremendous task of coordinating everything from marketing to logistics. Dr. Bradley Hoch, Chairman of the Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemoration Steering Committee, presented an update on the Gettysburg Civil War 150th Anniversary Commemoration.

Main Street Gettysburg thanks Adams Electric Cooperative, the sponsor for this year’s event.
Main Street Gettysburg is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and revitalization of historic Gettysburg for the benefits of its citizens, businesses, and visitors