Community MediaCelebrating Community

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

Applications are now available for the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County’s Third Annual 5-mile Race Against Racism.

The run will be held April 30, 2011 at 8 a.m. Runners will travel through the Cumberland Township countryside and all proceeds will benefit the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams County’s Racial Justice Programs.

Ceramic medallions will be awarded to those men and women who place first and second in the following age categories: under 20, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 & over.

Applications are available at ywcagettysburg.org or the YWCA service desk at 909 Fairfield Road, Gettysburg. Runners also have the option of registering online at www.active.com. A course map is also available at ywcagettysburg.org.

Register now!

Online registration for the 2011 Race Against Racism is now available at https://www.active.com/running/gettysburg-pa/5mile-race-against-racism-2011

Honor will be given to outstanding worker in Adams County’s tourism industry

For the first time, the Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau will honor a worker in the Adams County hospitality industry with the Tourism Star Award, as part of National Travel & Tourism Week, May 7-15.

This award will be given to a person who not only works hard at their job, but one who takes pride in the destination, is a great ambassador for tourism and the tourism community, and works at a high level of customer service.

“This is a great way to recognize superior workers in the tourism industry,” said Norris Flowers, President of the Gettysburg CVB. “It’s important that visitors to Adams County are treated well and given a great experience so that they will return and help spread the word about the destination. This award honors those people who go above and beyond to give our visitors that great experience.”

Nominations for the Tourism Star Award may be submitted by any business, individual or organization in Adams County, but self-nominations will not be accepted. Qualified workers include all levels of service, from front-line employees to owners and managers, but nominated employees must have worked at their current location for more than six months.

Nomination forms are available at www.gettysburg.travel/media/ or at the CVB’s administration office at 571 West Middle Street, or the CVB’s information desks at either the Historic Gettysburg Train Station or the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center.

All entries must be received by April 8. The winner of the Tourism Star Award will be announced at a reception on May 11 during National Travel & Tourism Week. Winners will receive the Tourism Star Award and a $250 cash prize.

For more information, contact Carl Whitehill, Gettysburg CVB, at (717) 338-1055 or by email at cwhitehill@gettysburg.travel.

The Gettysburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, the official tourism promotion agency, markets Gettysburg – Adams County as a premier travel destination, producing a positive economic impact.

From “rising stars” on the American music scene, to one of America’s legends of comedy, along with spectacular culinary events designed by a former White House chef, the 2011 Gettysburg Festival lineup showcases American arts, culture and cuisine through about 75 events over the course of ten days this June.

“Exploring new and exciting art forms as part of this year’s Gettysburg Festival, June 10-19, headline events will include: the energetic male a cappella group Straight No Chaser and comedy with the one and only Bob Newhart,” said Festival Executive Director Alice Estrada.

Additionally, theater returns to the 2011 Festival with an historical twist. Theater-goers can “step back in time” with four of the nation’s premier living historians, as Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt gather on stage to present The Presidents of Mount Rushmore.

“Culinary events at Gettysburg Festival always meet three criteria to qualify as memorable experiences and not simply dining opportunities,” according to former White House Chef Walter Scheib, the Festival’s Artistic Director for Culinary Events. “First, events are designed around an outstanding, themed menu with farm-fresh ingredients. Secondly, they present opportunities for great conversation. And third, events are wrapped around distinct locations in full integration with the arts so that musical performances, or a film, or artists painting are encompassed within the event and its theme.”

Newly-designed culinary events for 2011 include An Old-Fashioned Sunday Supper and Chocolate Sinema: A Sinfully Delicious Combination of Classic Cinema & Chocolate. Several Festival favorites returning to the culinary lineup include the Edible Art Tour in partnership with select downtown galleries, and a popular event that sold out the past two years–Blues, Beer & BBQ.

Tickets to highlight events such as Straight No Chaser, The Presidents of Mount Rushmore, and Bob Newhart are available to the public on Presidents’ Day, February 21, through the Festival website, gettysburgfestival.org.

2011 headline events include:

· Straight No Chaser, June 10, Festival Main Stage at Gettysburg College: Performing classic hits from the 1950s and 1960s, along with Motown and contemporary pop hits, Straight No Chaser is reinventing a cappella with a signature twist. The outdoor concert kicks off the 2011 Festival.

· The Presidents of Mount Rushmore, June 17, Majestic Theater: Celebrate American history in one of her most historic towns, with the nation’s foremost portrayers of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln and Roosevelt. Premium tickets include a pinnacle culinary experience, the White House Dinner, hosted by Chef Scheib.

· Bob Newhart, June 18, Majestic Theater: Celebrate the funnyman’s 50th year in show business through his most beloved comedy sketches along with fresh new material and a swingin’ jazz band to boot.

Additional 2011 Festival highlights include:

· After Hours at the Attic, June 10, 11, 16, 17, 18: The Festival’s late-night club features a variety of musical acts and cash bar.

· An Old-Fashioned Sunday Supper, June 12: A traditional, farm-to-table menu presents a family-style, nostalgic retreat at a picturesque Adams County farm.

· Chocolate Sinema, June 15: The romantic movie Chocolat is topped with a chocolate lover’s culinary dream reception.

· Edible Art Tour: Kicking off History Meets the Arts Weekend, June 16: Both culinary and artistic masterpieces are featured in select downtown Gettysburg galleries.

· History Meets the Arts, June 16-19, select Gettysburg galleries: “The largest gathering of historical artists in the country.”

· Artist Colony at Gettysburg Festival, June 16-19: A dozen plein air artists are juried into the Festival’s Artist Colony and can be seen painting at numerous Gettysburg landmarks as well as Festival events.

· Children’s Arts Fair, June 17, Festival Main Stage: A Curious George theme helps children of all ages develop a curiosity for the arts.

· All-American Brass Picnic, June 18, Festival Main Stage: This free event combines the excellence of brass concerts, 11 am – 5 pm, with a summertime-in-the park setting, and picnic baskets available for pre-order. One of the new performers for 2011 is the award-winning Chesapeake Brass.

· Wildcat Regiment Band, June 18, PA Monument, Gettysburg National Military Park: In partnership with the National Park Service, civil war-era brass is presented on the hallowed grounds of the Gettysburg Battlefield.

· Blues, Beer and BBQ, June 19 (Father’s Day), Festival Main Stage: The combination of blues bands, PA craft beer and classic summertime cuisine is described by Former White House Chef Walter Scheib as “the quintessential barbeque experience.”

· Adams County Arts Council’s Juried Art Exhibition, June 10-19: A partnership between the Arts Council, Gettysburg College and Gettysburg Festival, this free exhibit features one of the finest juried exhibitions of mid-Atlantic artists.

A showcase of arts-related community events, such as historic tours, church events, art exhibits and a showcasing of the local music scene, is offered through the Gettysburg Fringe Festival, occurring simultaneously, June 10-19. For more information on Gettysburg Festival or Gettysburg Fringe Festival: www.gettysburgfestival.org, 717-334-0853.

On Wednesday, February 9, 2011, after attending the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) week-long National Youth Leadership Institute, local high school students joined thousands of youth, community leaders, and government officials on Capitol Hill to support a minimum allocation of $95 million for the Drug Free Communities Program.

Adams County Youth Coalition leaders also met with Congressman Todd Platts to share their first-hand knowledge about the positive impact of having a Drug Free Communities (DFC) program in Adams County has in their home communities. Although recent national surveys show that drug use is on the rise nationally, local evaluations prove that the DFC program is effective in Adams County, reducing teen drug, alcohol, and tobacco use to levels lower than the national average.

In Adams County school districts where youth, school personnel, and the community support evidenced-based programs and partner with Collaborating For Youth, the use of marijuana has decreased by 39%; binge drinking has decreased by 37%; and tobacco use has decreased by 40%. The national averages in those same areas show an increase in the use of marijuana by 9.6%; a decrease in binge drinking of 13.9%; and a decrease in tobacco use of only 24.1%.

Collaborating For Youth is a Drug Free Communities coalition working to improve the environment for youth and their families, serving Adams County, Pennsylvania since 2001. CFY brings together schools, service providers, county and local government, clergy, parents, and youth to focus on preventing and reducing substance abuse and the other adolescent problem behaviors linked with substance use. Collaborating For Youth has been a federally funded Drug Free Communities Coalition since 2005 and continued funding is critical to the safety and welfare of Adams County youth and families.

For more information about how youth can join the CFY Youth Coalition and the impact Drug Free Communities funding is having in Adams County, please contact Sharron Michels or Emily Knowles-Kellett at (717) 338-0300.