Inside
Side by Side: Preserving the farming 'way of life'............................................................. pg 3 Hard to Please: Stubby's Cafe........................................................................................... pg 12 Puff Piece: Pom-Pom touts the trolley!.............................................................................pg 14 Entertainment, Trivia Games, and Puzzles..................................................pgs 8, 10, 11, & 14 ...and much, much more!
October 17th, 2008 Volume 1 Number 26
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ancaster ost
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GIB BETS on
DEATH
The Post looks at the retiring Senator's many business ventures... story on page 2
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Page 2 | October 17, 2008
by Ron Harper, Jr., Lancaster Post
The Business of Gib Armstrong
I
t's really not the behavior one would hope to see from a State Senator. But in looking back on Gib Armstrong's more than three decades as a Harrisburg legislator, there are a lot of unexpected surprises to discover.
Goulish business Among Gib Armstrong's many business interests is ownership in a Manheim-based company, "Milestone Managers & Providers." The company's literature says it is in the "viatical" business. In this case, it means Armstrong's clients are generally terminally ill people who are in desperate financial need. His company, after verifying that the client has a high chance of dying within two years, will give immediate cash in exchange for their life insurance policy -- at a fraction of the policy's value! On its website, Milestone promises it's investors, "...the highest possible return." The dividend is possible by making sure that the fraction paid for the insurance policy is low, and that the nearly dead don't recover. In its "disclosures" section, Milestone informs that the investor can monitor the dying client with this warning: "The buyer of your policy can periodically ask you about your health status." A Senator's life What exactly is Senator Gib Armstrong's job? Since 1977, when Armstrong was first elected to the legislature, until January of 2009, when he will leave office for good, Armstrong's "full-time" public service position has also allowed more than a dozen personal corporate and business ventures, apart from his elected office. The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission monitors elected and public officials' personal financial deals. Every year, each elected and public official "... responsible for taking or recommending official action," is required by law to reveal his sources of income, company involvement, and to whom, if anyone, he is in financial debt. The Post went back and was able to review 25 years of Armstrong's 32 years in office. (See sidebar for a list of business activity.)
More questionable business dealings Right after Thanksgiving in 2002, Armstrong, along with one of his sons, and John E. Hutchinson, Jr. bought 1.4 acres and a three-story brick apartment building from the neighboring, Long Home, under the name of HRM Enterprises. This non-profit has been helping 'regular joes' for over 100 years, and is part of the same legacy that started Long's Park by Judge Henry Long's daughter, Catherine. Money from the estate was to go to further their vision "...to carry out the original intent of our benefactors ─ to serve a population, which may otherwise be unable to afford personal care in a primarily privatepay industry." Less than two years later, HRM Enterprises "flipped" the property for $1.533 million ─ almost double the amount they paid just 23 months earlier!
Failure to Disclose A more serious Ethics Form lapse is Armstrong's omission of an unincorporated partnership, Park Place Suites. Without disclosure, it's a fact that the public couldn't possibly know that he owns the large 11-17 West Chestnut Street building. In 2002, Armstrong, along with two others, bought the 1898, four story building designed by C. Emlen Urban that is located directly across from the newest Lancaster County Office building. The deed lists the partnership's address as PO BOX 526, Willow Street, PA ─ the same address used in another one of Armstrong's businesses. Five years later, in June of Gib Armstrong bought multi-unit apartments from the non-profit Long Home 2007, for the first (above) and sold them less than two years later for nearly double the price. time Armstrong's name appears as public know when Armstrong fails to disclose the owning the property and his titled details as required by law? is listed as "General Partner, Park Place Suites" in the Lancaster Free Land from Government for County Record of Deeds office. Armstrong The problem? It NEVER shows But that's not all. Another omission from up on his ethics forms! Armstrong's Ethics forms involves his company, How many other business entities Armstrong violated the law when he failed to reveal his land deal with Mount does Armstrong own? How can the Joy Borough on his state ethics form.
Story continues on page 6.
October 17, 2008 | Page 3 Side by Side: What can be done to maintain the agricultural, farming ‘way of life’ in Lancaster County? [Side by Side is a regular feature of the Post, where our editors ask people on two or more sides of an issue to offer their perspectives. In this edition, our question was inspired by the coming 1000th preserved farm in Lancaster County. All electoral candidates were invited to participate. Only Congressman Pitts missed the deadline. Ed.] Matt Knepper, Director, Agricultural Preserve Board “County residents, farmers and non-farmers alike, have determined for themselves what the farming way of life means to them, and what is needed for it to be preserved. Through the Blue Ribbon Commission for Agriculture, farmers and non-farmers, builders and developers, agribusiness leaders, educators and elected officials participated in 18 listening sessions where they considered this question and recommended action in five separate but related areas: Economic Development, Communications and Leadership, Farmland Preservation, Tax Equity and Zoning. “Economic development is vital because a healthy agricultural economy must be sustained to ensure a healthy county economy. Communications and leadership are needed to bring government, farmers and the general public together in an understanding and appreciation for agriculture. Farmland preservation programs and policies must support the continued agricultural use of our best farmland in contiguous blocks while directing development towards our established communities, and should be expanded to provide benefits to successive generations. Tax equity must be addressed because farmers pay more than their fair share. And finally, because all land use decisions are made locally, zoning ordinances must encourage and protect investments in all types of farming at the local level. “There is no single answer. It will require the coordinated efforts of many individuals and organizations to keep Lancaster farming. Using the Blue Ribbon Commission’s recommendations as our road map, we can maintain the agricultural way of life that is so
important to the county. I invite anyone who has not read the Blue Ribbon Commission’s report to do so.” Amos Funk, Board Member, Farmland Trust, Founding Member Farm Preservation Board “Part of the answer is to financially support the organizations that are working to preserve the farmland, the Farm Preservation Board and Farmland Trust. Those organizations are in good hands today. “It is very important for townships to designate the formation of zones or areas as agricultural preserve areas. And they need to be of sufficient size. “I also feel very strongly that these areas ─ residential and agricultural ─ must be kept very separate. They are not compatible.” Jere Swarr, Rapho Township Supervisor, Businessman, longtime Farmer “What is required for agriculture to remain viable long term in Lancaster County? “Every business needs freedom to operate; freedom to expand and recapitalize, without unjust regulation. Without these two very basic rights, any business sector will inevitably fail. Lancaster County Agriculture is no exception. Farmers must be number one in the Ag zones. Their ability to operate must be unhindered from non-ag residents concerns and demands. With 20% of our ag land preserved and 90% in Agriculture Zones we are on the right track. Protect the farmer’s freedom and he will prosper forever.” Bruce Slater, Candidate for Congress “We must reestablish our commitment to be stewards of the earth. “Many need to be reminded that land in agricultural production is developed land – not vacant land awaiting development. We must be careful to accommodate growth and change without jeopardizing the future of the agricultural industry that is the bedrock of our local economies. “There are steps we must take to not just preserve, but bolster family farming: • We need to designate agricultural areas to discourage rural sprawl. • We must knowingly guide infrastructure development (highways, water, and sewer) so that it supports our land use goals.
• We need to provide the right incentives and support new technologies that enable us to protect our water resources and quality. This includes the shifting emphasis on organic farming. • We must truly implement country-of-origin labeling and support the “Buy Local” efforts to sustain local agriculture. • We must level the “plowing field” for family farmers by capping commodity subsidies to corporate farms. • We should encourage permanent easements as a way of ensuring that future generations will have the resources and quality of life that we enjoy.” Guy Eshelman, Manor Township, Farmer “It’s going to be very difficult. One of the problems is the cost of farm machinery. The new, expensive machinery is very efficient, but you need a big farm to make it pay for itself. The so-called ‘family farm’ of a 100 acres or so can’t afford that expensive equipment. Same thing applies for dairy farms. You need large acreage. “Another problem is that it is difficult for the family unit to keep up a farm. It’s hard work, and not for everyone. There aren’t that many people that want to do it. It’s hard to see the rich land our forefathers cut out of the woods today. But we’re importing much of our fruits and vegetables. Times change, I guess.” Karen Martynick, Lancaster Farmland Trust "The future of agriculture in Lancaster County is dependent on many factors, most of which are beyond our control. While much of what will determine the future of agriculture is unknown, we know that there can be no farms if there is no land available for farming. "Lancaster County is blessed with the most fertile farmland in the country. This farmland is the infrastructure on which the industry of agriculture is built. By preserving farmland, we are building an infrastructure that can support agriculture and we are making an important investment in the economic future of the county. "Lancaster Farmland Trust is committed to protecting the farmland of the county so that our children and grandchildren will be able to enjoy the benefits that agriculture provides our community." Bill Neff, Candidate for State Senate “Stop new GREEN development NOW! Require brownfields development instead. We must be exempted from the development mandates required by the state. “We’re a top tourist attraction. People come from all over the world to experience what we have. Lancaster represents a quality of life that many communities have lost and wish they could get back. “When faced with Side by Side continues on page 6.
Page 4 | October 17, 2008
W
A flawed process
e're used to the name calling by now. We are "nay-sayers" who are trying to "kill" this or that project. The language is stupidly reductive and coarse. The real point is that when we or other citizens question certain taxpayer-funded projects we are attacked
personally. If it were left at that, the personal attacks, we'd probably just let it pass without comment. But because these projects -- the convention center; the Crossings; the trolley; the rail yard relocation, etc. ─ involve hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars, and because in general Mr. & Mrs. Taxpayer was left out of the planning of these projects, we do care quite a bit about that. In the case of the convention center, the public's questions weren't even answered at public meetings until well after the project was going forward, and its cost spiked toward $200 million. The silence from monopoly Lancaster Newspapers ─ a large private stakeholder in the project ─ after witnessing the public's legitimate concerns about the project was stunning in its utter absence of minimal journalistic standards. That non-coverage was a stain on the profession. And now the rail yard re-location. It may very well be the best decision to move the rail yard to the location proposed by Franklin & Marshall College. It may not be. That is not our point here. The college says it has been working on this for five years, yet admits it only made the plans known to the public 18 months ago. The recent "public meeting" rolled the plan out as if was a fait accompli, a done deal. That is the problem. It was decided before the public could have its opinions considered. Again. The Trolley is looking like the same thing. There have been no meaningful public discussions on the need to re-engineer city streets, and literally attempt to turn back the clock 60 years and return to transportation by rail trolley car. Yet here is the mayor of the city of Lancaster heavy-handedly pushing the idea on the public, while not permitting the public to have an open series of discussions on the issue. We prefer a different approach, a different process. We are not afraid to compete in the marketplace of ideas. We welcome the competition. As we show in our Side by Side feature of this newspaper, we do not fear sharing different opinions. This is what we wish for from our so-called leaders, and from our so-called competitors. The Lancaster Post © Copyright Lancaster Post 2008
Gib’s Grim Gamble
Publishers Ronald P. Harper, Jr. Christiaan A. Hart Nibbrig Editor-in-Chief Chris Hart Nibbrig
News Editor Ron Harper, Jr.
Layout & Graphic Design Limehat & Company Staff Illustrator Jordan W. Martin Contributors Melody Harper Ron Harper, Sr. Artie See Mascot Zeph Contact the Post: Email: Letters@LancasterPost.com Phone: 717.431.8145 | Fax: 877.832.8760 Mail: 19 N. Mulberry Street | Lancaster PA 17603
Illustration by Jordan W. Martin
A View from Downtown Rubber Stamp by Artie See, Lancaster Post
F
or most of its existence, the board of the Lancaster County Convention Center Authority (LCCCA) was nothing more than a "rubber stamp," consistently voting as expected. As the controversy over the financing of the project intensified, the County Commissioners eventually appointed individuals to the board who weren't afraid to ask meaningful questions; these board members were accused of trying to kill the project. Some of these same people later played a significant part in untangling the convention center's inadequate construction budget, saving the project from financial paralysis. Yet, once the convention center opens for business, the LCCCA board will be prevented from ever again playing a meaningful role in its operation. From its formation in late 1999 until 2005, the only requirement for membership on the LCCCA board seems to have been good political and/or business connections. Many of the individuals appointed to the LCCCA had already served on various other boards, and all appeared to be qualified. The problem is, until 2005, there is no record that anyone associated with the LCCCA had any kind of experience in the convention or hospitality industries. As a result, the members of the LCCCA board had no idea if what they were voting on was the right thing for a downtown Lancaster hotel and convention center; they only had the word of the Penn Square Partners to base their decisions on. Both former chairman, James Pickard, and his successor, Ted Darcus, ran the LCCCA board with iron fists. Questions from the public went unanswered; as James Pickard said, "We also wish to clarify what the 'public comment' portion of the agenda is NOT: It is not a question and answer session."
F
October 17, 2008 | Page 5
For a time under James Pickard, "public left behind by Dave Hixson and Ted Darcus comment" was only held at the end of a proved to be grossly inadequate, particularly in board meeting, after actions were already providing funds for change orders. Art Morris, taken. Former chairman Ted Darcus had along with some of the board members who had a habit of intentionally looking down at dared to ask questions (and were accused of his desk when a member of the public was trying to kill the project), spent a huge amount speaking, often pretending to read or write of their own time calculating how much money while concerned citizens tried to make their would be required to complete the project. point. Questions from board members Additional State grant money was requested to were openly discouraged, both by the chair make up the deficit (and promised by Sen. Gib and other board members. No LCCCA Armstrong). Without the actions of Morris and committee ever met on a regular basis. the other board members, the project would be In 2005, at the height of the controversy in serious trouble right now. People who were over the project's financing, the County once branded as project opponents helped to Commissioners appointed three new members save it from a financial calamity. to the LCCCA board who were not afraid to Unfortunately, once project construction is ask questions. Two of these had extensive completed, the LCCCA board will be reduced experience in the hospitality industry, and to an oversight role. The agreements between the third had lengthy business management the LCCCA and the Penn Square Partners experience. Chairman Ted Darcus repeatedly dictate that all operational decisions will be criticized the new board members for asking made by joint hotel and convention center questions; the more pointed the question, the manager Interstate Hotels and Resorts. The stronger Darcus' criticism became. Darcus, LCCCA board will be relegated to a role with along with other board members, repeatedly no real authority over the convention center or accused the three new its operation. board members of wanting Once again, the LCCCA board will be to kill the project, even nothing more than a "rubber stamp." though they were only trying to fulfill their duties. The LCCCA's construction bonds were sold at the end of March 2007, and this sealed the fate of the project; this meant construction could begin in earnest. Over the next several Don’t Save Money on Food. months, many members of the LCCCA board either Save Money on Car Insurance. resigned, or their terms expired. Ted Darcus resigned as chairman, but was Go fill your fridge, because your immediately re-appointed as a board State Farm® agent’s got your back member Even executive director Dave with the right coverage and discounts Hixson resigned. With former Lancaster mayor, Art up to 40% on car insurance. Morris, as the new chairman of the Call me today. LCCCA board, everything changed. Committees were formed, and started holding public meetings every month. Comments from the public were Ed Grzybicki, Agent openly welcomed, and questions were 2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 101 answered for the first time in years. Of Lancaster, PA 17603 course, this was like closing the barn Business Phone: 717-396-0844 door after the horses got out; once the ed.grzybicki.bvin@statefarm.com bonds were sold, nothing could change LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, STATE FARM IS THERE ®. the project. statefarm.com But something very interesting St ate Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Compan y (not in NJ), happened. The construction budget
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Page 6 | October 17, 2008
WHAT?!?
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Side by Side:
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the threat of “big box stores” the state of Vermont got creative, becoming part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “11 Most Endangered Places in America” list. They did what it took to defend their quality of life. We need to do the same.” Bonnie Miller, Realtor “I foresee that if we don’t preserve our farmland, we will someday look like Long Island, New York. Recycle real estate. The best way is to not go out and look for raw land, but to look for land that already has a structure on it, and envision that structure as a home. There are plenty of houses, it isn’t necessary to buy land to buy new ones. “We need to live in the houses we’ve already got. That land is very valuable.” Lloyd Smucker, Candidate for State Senate “Having grown up in Lancaster County, I understand that preserving our agricultural community is vital on many fronts. Agriculture is the backbone of our heritage and our local economy. I believe that while we must continue to preserve farmland, we must also support the farmer if we are going to be successful in preserving our agrarian way of life. “As a local official, I supported farmland preservation
by placing over 1,100 acres of prime farmland into ‘Agricultural Security Areas’ and adopting innovative zoning legislation permitting farmers to operate farmbased businesses and to sell development rights known as TDRs. “My practical understanding and experience has helped earn me the endorsement of the Pennsylvania Ag Coalition. And as State Senator, I will continue to support policies like these – as well as real property tax reform, business tax reductions, tax credits and more – that will help keep our agricultural sector thriving. Jose Urdaneta, Candidate for State Senate “Farmland is not undeveloped land. It is our pathway to wealth and heritage here in Lancaster County. It is essential to support this industry to ensure a safe food supply. “Unlike my opponent, I have never made money by destroying farmland. As your State Senator I will work with local economical development groups and planners to ensure the salvation of our farms. Unlike Mr. Smucker, who works for special interest groups like Realtors and construction companies who use our precious land to add to their bottom line. Preserving farmland is my priority; Smart Growth is the answer, which is an investment in time and resources in restoring
The Business of Gib Armstrong
community and vitality to center cities and older suburbs. New smart growth is more town-centered, is transit and pedestrian oriented, and has a greater mix of housing, commercial and retail uses. It preserves open space and existing farmland.” Dr. Mary Margaret Kelly, Lancaster County Sierra Club "Farming is important to Lancaster County. From tourism to great local produce to the increasing and generally unwanted appearance of commercial and residential development on former farmland, our citizens have a significant stake in the continued success of our farming neighbors. "The environmental impact, however, of some farming methods cannot be ignored. Groundwater is frequently contaminated by industrialized animal agriculture, with approximately 50% of water supplies near factory farms contaminated, and 18% of all green house gases coming from factory farms – more than all of the green house gases produced by driving cars. "This doesn’t mean that farming can’t be good for the environment. Organic farming, which can be quite lucrative, leaves a much lighter footprint on the earth, and produces a healthier product. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org/factoryfarms/index.asp."
continued from page 2
ARMACS, and it's dealing with Mount Joy Borough. The ethics form has these instructions at box 8: "This block contains the address of any property which was involved in transactions (leasing, purchasing, or condemnation proceedings of real estate interests) with the Commonwealth or any other governmental body within the Commonwealth." Mount Joy Borough is "any other governmental body," and therefore any dealing with them should have been reported on Armstrong's ethics form. In December of 2007, Armstrong's company ─ at their request ─ wanted to
relocate an ally near their property to expand their building. Their dealing with the boro ─ especially when property is given away ─ is a mandatory disclosure on the ethic's form. Armstrong never revealed it. Is this omission on purpose, or just a sloppy mistake? Armstrong said that he would not speak to the Post when contacted via phone. The Preamble of the Pennsylvania Ethics law says in part, "... that public office is a public trust and that any effort to realize personal financial gain through public office other than compensation provided by law is a violation of that trust."
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History of Government Gifts In the Post's May 9, 2008 issue, we detailed how Armstrong, through his connections with thencity Mayor Charlie Smithgall, took over 100 historical, 131-year old 'Belgium Block' brick in violation of the city and county code, which required items of values to be purchased ─ not given away. When we contacted Armstrong in the Spring about taking the city Story continues on page 7.
The Business of Gib Armstrong
continued from page 6
property for his personal patio, he confessed that, "I try to get something for every project I am involved with," Armstrong explained. "I even have brick that's from the road that was dug up by the Watt & Shand. I had Dale High get it for me. "When F & M tore down the Armstrong building I had them save some of the brick for me. I even have stuff from 25-30 years ago." The State Ethics form mandates reporting gifts over $250. While it was illegal for Armstrong to take the Belgian Block brick, this "gift" of over $500
The line between Armstrong's career as an elected official and as a business man is often blurred.
should also have been reported, but was not. Armstrong lists a couple of honoraria, but the biggest "gift" that he reported was a 1989 "fact finding" trip to South Africa valued at "$4-6,000"! When the Post editorial called out the millionaire Senator for "stealing" the Belgium Block brick, Armstrong sent the Post a letter demanding an apology ─ using his official Pennsylvania State Senate, goldembossed stationary. This personal letter on expensive, taxpayer-paid paper and registered mail postage, show the line between Armstrong's career as an elected official and as a businessman is often blurred. Armstrong's Milestone is a good example of the blurring. At its website, MilestoneSettlements.com, under the section entitled "Regulation", Armstrong's company says this in part, "Our legal staff has been instrumental in working with state regulatory agencies Again violating the law, Senator Armstrong failed to and bodies in developing pro-consumer legislation, reveal that he owned this valuable building across and continues to stay on the forefront of regulatory from County-owned property on Chestnut Street. development on both a federal and state basis." A few clicks away under the "Management" section, Armstrong's company brags about his influence as the "Chairman of the Banking and Serving Lancaster & Lebanon Counties Since 1962 Insurance Committee prior to being Audiometric hearing testing & fitting elected Chairman of Appropriations for We carry all major brands & styles of hearing aids Pennsylvania in 2006." Message? Here's Molds, batteries, and accessories where to invest your money! Authorized manufacturers’ repairs & service Just how good is it to be Senator Gib Special attention to the needs of senior citizens and those Armstrong? His Historic Hamilton confined to home - We make housecalls! Suites that he bought in 2002 is currently Call for FREE hearing analysis! 717-397-2046 for sale. The 58 units are available for 127 College Avenue a cool $3.657 million dollars. In the HOURS: Lancaster documents showing potential investors Monday - Thursday 9AM - 4PM Friday 9AM to 1PM, Evenings/Weekends by Appointment the costs and income, it reveals that Armstrong, who gets 40% of profits, his Rustin Glass, DC., C.C.S.P. monthly cash flow for this business is 900 Centerville Road $34,840 per month! With the average per Suite B capita income for Lancaster County at Lancaster, PA $20,398 per year, the average constituent (717)898-8900 can't relate to having a dozen business interests while working a "full time" job. Advanced Chiropractic The Post will continue to investigate and and publish more details as we discover Rehab them.
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October 17, 2008 | Page 7
Dear Cardinal, I was having breakfast last weekend at the Apple Tree, picked up The Lancaster Post and read your column. Could you please answer our email as soon as possible? My family and I are relocating to Lancaster County in a few months. I am a retired police officer from New Jersey and to fulfill my family's dreams, we are going to purchase a home adjoining a farm. My Realtor assures me that it is preserved, however one hears a lot of stories that end in "Buyer Beware." Anxious JD and family from Newark, New Jersey area Dear JD and family, Welcome to Lancaster County! You certainly lucked out not only having breakfast in a great place as the Apple Tree, picking up The Lancaster Post, but I have a feeling I know where you are going to buy. I am going to dedicate my full column this week to your letter. My first question to you may sound silly, but think about it. Do you really want to live next to, or near a farm? Our farmers were here first, long ago, and because of the growth of this County the developers with the blessing of the TOWNSHIPS are pushing farming to the point of either selling out, putting the land into preservation IF it qualifies, or selling to another farmer. In the Fall and Spring, the farmers have to fertilize, prepare the ground for seasonal crops, that has an odor, are you aware of that? If you are, and that odor will not bother you, move to the next step. Go to the township office, ask to speak to the zoning officer, and give him or her the location of the home you are going to buy. Ask that person about the adjoining farm. IF that farm is preserved and recorded that way, it will remain preserved. IF it is zoned Agriculture, there lies the problem. It may be a farm today however, it adjoins a residential community in that municipality. One day down the road, a developer can apply for zoning change and if approved, that farm then becomes RESIDENTIAL, the farmer sells and within two to five years you will have another community adjoining yours! I will go one step further. The municipality has a zoning board and planning board that reports their findings to the elected Supervisors. Homeowners need to look very carefully at the people they are electing as Supervisors. Your boards have the power to make that residential land ANY density they want. You are probably buying a home in a community with all Single Family Homes: that is low density depending on the size of the lots as well. There is Medium density where you will have single family homes and town homes and finally HIGH density where you will see acre after acre of all types of housing. I attend many township meetings with clients and am amazed how the homeowners only show up when the problem is in THEIR backyard. HOMEOWNER, BEWARE of what is going on around you, do not wait until the decision has been made. If you are moving from New Jersey, especially the Newark area, we may look like that in another 20 years if our developing does not slow down. The small farmer is finding that his children do not want to farm, the Amish are selling and moving West buying 2 & 3 farms for what they are getting for their land here. Support the farmers if you are going to be their neighbor, thank them for their dedication as farmers in this expensive world and above all enjoy their wonderful crops. All the best. The Cardinal Please send your real estate questions to the Cardinal: bcmiller1@comcast.net
Page 8 | October 17, 2008
Yesterday &
Today
</DigitHeads>
by Robert Fuller & Laurie Fuller Limehat & Company - www.limehat.com
Truth be told
F
by Lancaster Post Staff
The Fulton Opera House, 12 N. Prince Street, Lancaster. Photo circa 1940.
The same location, October 2008. Have some vintage photos of locations in Lancaster County you’d like to share? Contact us by email (Humans@LancasterPost.com) or phone (717.431.8145)!
Can you identify this location? The answer is on page 14.
rom photos of a rifle-toting, bikini clad presidential running-mate (it’s a Photoshopped fabrication) to emails spreading misinformation about a presidential candidate being a Muslim (he’s not) to thousands of scams designed to relieve you of thousands of dollars, the internet provides a fertile ground for spreading rumors and misinformation and turning innuendo into perceived fact. Don’t get us wrong, it’s also a great vehicle for spreading verifiable facts, truth, and valuable opinion, and any abuse by people setting up lie-spreading websites and falsehoods by email is worth the net gain to society, in our opinion (or, as we’re DigitHeads, I guess I should say “IMHO”). The information consumer simply needs to be a smarter shopper. That said, what can you do when you hear about a new cure for cancer or what sounds like a great franchise deal? How can you find out if the rumor is true or if the get-rich-quick scheme is just that? Your first stop might be www.Snopes.com. Snopes.com, subtitled “Rumor Has It’, is also known as an “urban legends reference.” It goes much further than that, however, offering rumor-busting details on topics in just shy of 50 different categories – from Coca Cola (“Cokelore”) to the Titanic. A list of Hottest Urban Legends offers the scoop on rumors pertaining to both presidential candidates and 13 additional topics – a “top 15 hot rumors”, if you will – and a Search box allows you to check on any rumor you’ve run into, based on keywords. You can even subscribe to a newsletter to be kept informed about the latest and greatest pieces of misinformation out there, or if you prefer, you can join a message board community of fellow truth-seekers. Starting with the home page, you can comb through the categories or use the aforementioned Search box to look up any data on any topic that you’re interested in. To test it, we entered the words “cell phones” and found all the scams and rumors related to cell phones – including the one about a free website where you can allegedly enter in any phone number and find out where that phone is (Status: False) as well as the urban legend about cell phones touching off explosions at gas stations (Status: False). All reports include the content of the suspect emails, web pages, or other media, along with a Status and the reasons that the claim is considered either true or false. For those who’d even be skeptical about Snopes, at the end of each report is an exhaustive list of the sources used to make the status determination. Two parts of Snopes.com that we found extremely enjoyable were the Old Wives Tales and Lost Legends categories – though we wished there were more of both included. A color button key is used to rate the items – green equals “True”, red equals “False”, yellow equals “Undetermined” and gray equals “Unclassifiable Veracity”. Some tales or legends are both true and false, and have both red and green buttons next to them. One of our favorites? “Chewing gum takes seven years to pass through the human digestive system.” For those of you who’ve swallowed a lot of gum, we’re happy to report that one’s false. Interestingly, none of the listed tales were true, although several were undetermined or unverifiable. On the other hand, several of the legends were true, including the one about the children’s song, “Sing a Song of Sixpence,” being a coded message to recruit pirates in the 1700’s. And here we just thought it was a gruesome song about a blackbird biting someone’s nose off (never happened). Of course, there’s no replacing good old common sense when it comes to sorting through the waves of information that wash over us courtesy of the web, email, and television. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is – but if you’re not sure, check Snopes before you eat it, throw it out, invest in it, or pass some possibly inaccurate information along. Visit Wendy Jo’s stand at Central Market on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays!
order online: www.wendyjos.com
October 17, 2008 | Page 9
This is where we re-write the press releases from the local police departments. Obviously, we have fun with the re-writes, but after some self-reflection, we thought it was important to affirm – in accordance with the United States Constitution – that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
Next time, tell ‘em it’s a really bad scooter According to Manheim Township Police, on October 10th, a young man was sitting on his scooter, a 2006 Honda Metropolitan, in front of the Turkey Hill on New Holland Avenue. Allegedly, another young man came up and started asking questions about the scooter, which the first young man answered – apparently too well, because the second young man then shoved the first off the scooter and drove away on it, heading west on New Holland Avenue. The lesson for us all? If anyone asks, the diamond ring is cubic zirconia, the car has a bad transmission, the cell phone gets terrible reception, and the scooter’s really no good at all. Tell that to the bees Bees have it tough these days. There’s the unexplained Colony Collapse Disorder, and then there’s the jerk who knocked over a beehive on the property of a man living on Kingsbridge Drive, in Lititz. According to the Manheim Township Police report, someone came onto the man’s property and knocked several things over – including the beehive – during the wee hours of October 9th. The report states that there didn’t appear to be any damage, but we’re thinking the bees might have a different take on that.
And his repairs weren’t very good, either Boy, it’s been busy in Manheim Township. MT Police report that back in July, Jay Carl Oslund, formerly of Lititz, was hired by a resident to do some home repairs. While he was in that resident’s home, he allegedly stole several checks and forged signatures on them, later using them to obtain cash from different banks in the area, for a total of $340. Mr. Oslund was seen on one of the banks’ surveillance videos, cashing a check – which punched several holes in his alibi for that day. And what have we learned? First, that stealing from someone who trusted you and let you into their home to do work – for which you were going to be paid – is pretty slimy. Second, if you do let someone into your home to do repairs, hide the checkbook. And the third thing we’ve learned… You can’t even trust your family. According to State Police, Amber Marie Marroquin-Cantey, age 20, allegedly stole seven checks from Vivian Cantey, age 63. Amber then allegedly forged Vivian’s signature on the checks and cashed them, stealing $8,100 from Vivian’s bank account. Nice. Well, there’s a surprise Sometimes the crime isn’t so amusing unto itself, but the way its written up by the police is. According to State Police, on October 6th, at about 11 pm, someone threw a pumpkin at Hansen Poole’s car. Here’s the text from the report: “There was no damage to the vehicle as a result of the incident, however, the pumpkin was destroyed.”
You’re kidding, right? According to East Hempfield Township Police, Angel Luis Rivera was charged with Disorderly Conduct on October 8th. The crime? Per the report, “squealing his tires” at the intersection of Rohrerstown Road and Colonial Crest Drive. It happened at 7:24 in the morning, not in the middle of the night, and unless he squealed them for a really long time or was waving a gun out the car window at the same time, we’re at a loss as to how this is a crime. Of course, we assume the police were responding to a call from a complaining resident, so our “You’re kidding, right?” question goes to the person making the complaint, not to the police. And a Happy Halloween to you, too Linda Miller of Paradise wasn’t overjoyed with the holiday wishes spray-painted on the retention wall on her property. Apparently, several words, including the festive “Happy Halloween!” were sprayed onto the wall, and then the perpetrators then fled the scene. Have there been recent layoffs at Hallmark?
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POST NEWSPAPER BOX & DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS:
BRIGHT RED BOXES: Lancaster • East Orange & North Duke, by the Lancaster County Courthouse • 555 North Duke Street by Lancaster General Hospital’s entrance • East Chestnut St. at Prince St., across from the Police Station • 19 N. Mulberry Street • Marietta Ave and North School Lane, one block west of James Buchanan’s home • Harrisburg Pike, across from the Iron Hill Brewery STORES & BUSINESSES: Akron Akron Nutrition Center 22 North 7th Street Columbia Hinkle’s Pharmacy 261 Locust Street East Petersburg Blue Eyed Six Antiques 1961 State Street Ephrata The Brew House & Bistro 52 E. Main Street Ephrata Public Library 550 S. Reading Road Martin’s Country Market 1717 W Main Street Parkhill Jewelry 5 West Main Street
Elizabethtown Darrenkamp’s Market 191 S. Ridgeview Road Lancaster Apple Tree Restaurant 100 S Centerville Rd. Charlie’s Place Market E. King & N Shippen Sts. Dominion Pizza 938 Columbia Avenue Dosie Dough 323 W. Lemon Street Figure Firm 1400 Elm Avenue Hess Station Yale & Columbia Aves. Lancaster County Library 125 N. Duke Street Rainbow Pet Creations 305 N. Queen Street Square One Coffee 145 N. Duke Street Tabor Community Services 439 E. King Street Trailer Village Grocery 2801 Columbia Ave Triangle Express & Lube 1615 Columbia Ave Villa Nova Sports Bar 1310 Harrisburg Ave Wheatland Beer Distributors 1701 Columbia Ave
Leola Lantz’s Discount Groceries 105 Horseshoe Rd Lititz Weiser’s Market 680 Furnace Hills Pike Manheim Francisco’s Pizzeria 30 S. Main Street Marietta Shank’s Tavern Front & Waterford Streets Mount Joy Darrenkamp’s Market 945 East Main St. New Holland Yoder’s Country Market 14 South Tower Road Martindale Eby’s Store 562 Martindale Road Maryland Johnson’s Discount Liquors Millersville John Herr Village Market 25 Manor Ave
Mountville Mountville Inn 61 E Main Street George’s Restaurant & Pizza Castle 14 W. Main Street Oregon Oregon Dairy Markets Oregon Pike Paradise The Revere Tavern 3063 Lincoln Hwy. East Quarryville Hess Gas Station Rte. 222 South Citgo/Subway Rte. 222 South Quarryville Library Peking Chinese Restaurant Good’s Store Sam’s Pizza Ross’ Feed & Grain D&J Farm Store & Hardware Maplehoff Dairy Bartville Store & Deli Pleasant Valley Store Sproul Road Little Britain Store Tanglewood Citgo
Wakefield Maplehoff Dairy Wakefield Post Office Willow Street Valley View Restaurant Musser’s Market at the Buck Beer Distributor at the Buck Holtwood Supply Beer Distributor (Willow Street) Kmart (Kendig Square) Willow Valley Darrenkamp’s 106 Willow Valley Square Wrightsville American Legion Post 469 South 2nd Street Sue’s Market 214 Hellam Street Wrightsville Pizza 203 Hellam St YOU CAN BE A POST DISTRIBUTION SITE, TOO! CALL: 717.431-8145 or send an email to: Distribution@LancasterPost.com
Page 10 | October 17, 2008
! be your ad ld u o h s is h T ding it, You’re rea ? aren’t you
31.8145 Call 717.4se in the to adverti
ancaste r
The Entertainm Family Fun
ost
ONGOING FAMILY ATTRACTIONS: Ephrata Cloister Ephrata, PA | 717.733.6600 One of America’s earliest communal societies, best known for its original art and music and distinctive medieval Germanic architecture.
Simple fare & fine spirits since 1920 Open Monday - Friday 12pm - 2am Front & Waterford Sts. Marietta, PA
717.426.1205
Got Family Events? Send them to the Lancaster Post for inclusion in our Entertainment Guide! Call : 717-431-8145 or email: Humans@ LancasterPost.com
Lancaster Science Factory Lancaster, PA | 717.509.6363 Experience the hands-on, interactive learning experience of The Lancaster Science Factory, where children of all ages will discover that Science is FUN!
Hands-on House Children’s Museum Lancaster, PA | 717.569.KIDS A children’s museum dedicated to helping kids learn, and making sure they have lots of fun in the process.
Landis Valley Museum Lancaster, PA | 717.569.0401 Largest Pennsylvania Dutch Living History Farm & Village in the country, interpreting German Heritage from 1740-1940, including Hans Herr House and Museum tours and craft demonstrations. Willow Street, PA | 717.464.4438 North Museum of Natural Cross this threshold and experience History and Science colonial life as you enter the oldest Lancaster, PA | 717.291.3941 residence in Lancaster County. Generating excitement and curiosity about natural history, science and Harsco Science Center technology and offering something Whitaker Center, Harrisburg, PA for everyone. 717.214.ARTS Question everything and break boundaries! Three floors feature more than 240 fun and informative exhibits that explore physical science, natural science, life science, mathematics and technology. Hole in the Wall Puppet Theatre 126 N. Water St., Lancaster, PA 717.394.8398 “Sleeping Beauty” Through November 15th, Shows start 11 a.m.; $9
>> FOR HALLOWEEN! << Rock Ford Plantation 881 Rock Ford Rd. Lancaster, PA 17602 717.392.7223 Theatrical production of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. October 17th and 24th. Ticket sales by advance reservation only. Strasburg Rail Road Ronks (Strasburg), PA 717.687.7522 Fun train ride through Amish Country. Enjoy shops, dining and activities at the station.
Let’s Go to the Movies!
Check out reviews and showtimes - and buy tickets online - for theaters in the Lancaster area. Simply enter your zip code at the following sites: www.movietickets.com www.fandango.com www.moviefone.com Support a local independent theater: Point of View 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | 717.872.4131
ArtWalk!
Don’t miss the Fall ArtWalk 2008 Saturday October 18, 10am – 5pm Sunday October 19, noon – 5pm Visit www.LancasterArts.com or call 717.509.ARTS for more information
A fusion of visual, performing and culinary arts featuring the Lancaster arts community. And it’s FREE! The ArtWalk consists of over 50 galleries, studios, museums, and other arts venues, joined by live performers, artists, and artisans, found all over Lancaster City, with many on N. Prince & N. Queen Streets. You can download a map at the LancasterArts.com website to locate them all. You’ll also find over a dozen of Lancaster’s finest restaurants presenting Art on a Plate - culinary offerings created specially for ArtWalk. Check the website to see which restaurants are participating. Core ArtWalk hours are Saturday 10-5 and Sunday noon-5, but some venues start Friday evening, and others continue into Sunday evening. Come out and support Lancaster Arts!
Specials:
66 N Queen St. Lancaster, PA 17603 717-394-6977
Restaurant & Lounge
Monday: Texas Hold 'Em sign up 8pm; starts 8:30 $2 Coors Light bottles; $10 well pitchers Tuesday: 50 cent tacos, $3.50 Corona bottles; $1.50 lager drafts Wednesday: Karaoke with Greg 10pm to 1am $3 Guinness Drafts; $5.50 domestic pitchers Thursday: Ladies Night, Karaoke 10-1pm $4 Cosmos; $3 Blue Moon drafts Friday: DJ Image 10-2
ment Guide
October 17, 2008 | Page 11
Keep them
posted! Tell o
Things to do, places to go, people to see.
Grownup Stuff ART, THEATRE, ETC... : Building Character 342 N. Queen St. Warehouse B, Lancaster 717.394.7201 www.buildingcharacter.biz Sunday Market (10/19) Support local artists, businesses, and farmers by purchasing locally-grown produce, great food, art, antiques, and collectibles. Check the website for details and other events! Fall Art Walk Participant October 18th & 19th Singer Songwriter Series October 24th, 7-9 pm. Eastern Market 308 E. King Street, Lancaster 717.358.9368 www.historiceastside.org/ Wednesday (4-7pm) and Saturday (9-2pm), through Oct. 25th. Art, crafts, antiques, and great food in a combined indoor/outdoor setting. Support local artisans, merchants, and farmers! The Heritage Center 5 West King Street, Lancaster 717.299.6440
www.heritagecentermuseum.com
Through December 31st, 2008 Psychic Photography: Lancaster’s Spiritualist Connection
LancasterARTS www.lancasterarts.com 717.509.2787 The Phila. Ten on the Road: The Rotary Exhibit Demuth Museum 120 E. King Street, Lancaster Through November 2nd Inscriptions Phillips Museum of Art (Steinman College Ctr., F&M) Through October 28th Lancaster Museum of Art 135 N. Lime St. | 717.394.3497 www.lmapa.org Artful Dining Dine in the Museum Through October 25th Friday & Saturday evenings Call to register. Whitaker Center 222 Market Street, Harrisburg 717.214.ARTS www.whitakercenter.org Dark Knight also Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk Both Now Showing in the IMAX Theater
NIGHTLIFE: Annie Bailey’s 28-30 E. King Street Lancaster | 717.393.4000
www.anniebaileysirishpub.com
Live Entertainment
True Espresso
s at See u arket Coffee Roaster rn M Easte h 10/25! g throu Wholesale Coffee ...for restaurants, coffee shops & businesses
Catering
...for any special occasion prepared by an expert Italian barista
717-278-2546
www.trueespresso.com
Bube’s Brewery 102 N Market Street Mount Joy, PA | 717.653.2056 www.bubesbrewery.com The Catacombs Pirate Feast - Sundays Call for reservations The Biergarten Live music every Sunday The Bottling Works Live Music Fri, Sat, & Sun. Team Trivia on Tuesdays, Karaoke on Sundays Ghost Tours every Friday at 10 pm, call for reservations Chameleon Club 223 N. Water Street Lancaster | 717.299.9684 www.chameleonclub.net Check their website for a complete list of performers. Lancaster Dispensing Company 33-35 N. Market Street Lancaster 717. 299.4602 www.dispensingco.com Now smoke-free! Live Entertainment Molly’s Pub 253 E. Chestnut Street Lancaster 717.396.0225 www.mollyspub.com Now Smoke Free! Weekly drink specials, live entertainment
ur advertis ers you saw th em in the
ancaste r
ost
Olde Lincoln House 1398 W. Main Street Ephrata 717.733.3490 www.oldelincolnhouse.com Six dining rooms, plus the Tavern Prudhomme’s 50 Lancaster Avenue Columbia | 717.684.1706 www.lostcajunkitchen.com Smoke free Weekly Events: Every Friday night DJ & Karaoke w/ Steve Murray 9pm -12am. Every Wednesday - LIVE Acoustic 70’s w/ Keith Kinard Every Thursday: “Name That Tuna” from 7:30 – 10 pm The Underground Restaurant & Lounge 4031 Columbia Avenue Columbia, PA 17512 717.684.6000 Weekly Events: Fridays: DJ Dance Parties at 10pm Saturdays: Bands/Karaoke at 10pm Sundays: Swing Dancing at 6-9pm The Village Night Club 205 North Christian St Lancaster, PA 717.397.5000 thevillagenightclub.com Open ‘til 2 am Wed., Fri., & Sat. Live Entertainment
Bars! Nightclubs! Restaurants! Send us your entertainment events! Send the location, date, and details to: Humans@ LancasterPost.com or call:
717.431.8145
The Mountville Inn 61 E Main Street - Mountville, PA
(717) 285-9907
“a sociable joint” Wednesdays: $2 Labatt’s bottles Every Thursday: DJ NED TUGENT spins Classic Rock! Pool – Darts – Jukebox Open 7 days – Beer-to-Go
Historic
Revere Tavern 3063 LINCOLN HIGHWAY EAST PARADISE, PA 17562-9651 PHONE (717) 687-8601
Page 12 | October 17, 2008
Email Hard to Please at: HardtoPlease@LancasterPost.com
Hard to Please Restaurant reviews by a very discerning diner.
A neighborhood sports bar with a good grille
G
ood guy friend, Dave, met me for my favorite meal, lunch, on a sunny ‘Indian Summer’ October afternoon earlier this week. Knowing my abiding love of sports and good food, big Dave thought I’d enjoy Stubby’s on Frederick Street in Lancaster city. Good call, big Dave. I don’t have a television in my home. It’s not that I don’t like TV; it’s that I watch too much of it, especially sports, if it’s around. At Stubby’s, there are 14 televisions, including six big screens. Sports is on every channel. Stubby’s has all the major sports college and pro packages, which means you are watching a bunch of good games (and highlights!) at the same time, all the time. And at Stubby’s you are enjoying the sports while eating some very good food. The combination of good food and surroundsports made me take a moment to collect myself. I was that moved. Carb-conscious Dave ordered the ‘Cheeseburger Twister,’ a classic cheeseburger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato & French Dip (above) and a fresh, crisp Caesar onion, wrapped in a flour tortilla. Dave really liked his selection, salad (below) with just the right amount of dressing. and I could tell because he said, “This is really good.” My choice was the French Dip, with melted Provolone & sautéed onions, served with au jus. I opted for the ‘small’ and immediately regretted that decision -- the size of the sandwich. I should’ve went with the ‘large.’ Served on a toasted roll, the beef was tender and tasty; the cheese melting into the bread, and the savory dipping sauce delicious. It was accompanied with chips and pickle. I also ordered a Caesar Salad, which, Stubby’s Bar & Grille 254 East Frederick Street as is my custom, I consumed after the main course. Lancaster It was pleasing to eat a non-drenched salad for a 717.394.1635 change. The fresh, chopped romaine was light and crisp, and there Open seven days from wasn’t dressing saturation. I hate that. Salad should be the lightest 11 ‘til 1am, (kitchen, too) of courses; it shouldn’t be work to eat. Whoever was in kitchen on this Tuesday afternoon understood that. Nice job, unsung cook, nice job. Stubby’s is a well-conceived neighborhood bar & grille. The honchos are Jack Depew and Claude Bradley. Depew has owned several successful restaurants in the county for decades, and Bradley worked for him until five years ago, when they became partners and turned Depew’s Portofino’s Italian restaurant into Stubby’s. “It was Jim’s Cafe before it was Portofino’s,” says Bradley. “Jim’s Cafe was a really popular neighborhood place. We wanted to return to that. We believe in good food, good service, a fair price in a clean environment. Our customers are good people.” I loved the place, Stubby’s. Our server this afternoon, Hillary, was friendly and uber- efficient. The corner establishment has daily happy hour specials, a delicioussounding wide variety of chicken wing sauces, like chili garlic ranch and bbq parmesan (which I plan on trying on my next visit), and all the sports a red-blooded American man can handle. Now, that’s what I’m talking about.
The Cheeseburger Twister
[Reviewer’s note: This column (Hard to Please) is intended to direct the diner to the better eateries in Lancaster County. We are truly ‘hard to please,’ and do not review every restaurant sampled. We’ve eaten at, and decided to not review several local establishments because either the food and/or service was sub-standard. We want to tell you where to go, rather than where not to go; after all, those people are trying, too.]
welcome to
my ish Am kitchen Pumpkin Whoopie Pies!
W
hoopie Pies are a tradition in Lancaster County and the rest of “Amish Country” ─ and are also found in New England. In the autumn, pumpkin whoopee pies turn up at farm stands and bakeries all over the area, so our Amish bakers thought the Post’s readers would enjoy making some of their own. Enjoy them with a cup of hot apple cider or a mug of cinnamon-laced coffee for a perfect autumn treat! Whoopie Pie Ingredients: 2 egg yolks 2 cups brown sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups of cooked pumpkin 3 cups of flour Directions: Beat the egg yolks, brown sugar, and vegetable oil together until smooth. Add pumpkin and the dry ingredients. Mix well, and drop onto baking sheets, by the spoonful. Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes, and then let them cool. After they’ve cooled, you can put filling in between pairs of the pies, and press lightly. Whoopie Pie Filling: 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 tablespoons of flour 2 egg whites, unbeaten 2 teaspoons of milk 1 1/2 cups of vegetable shortening 1 box confectioners’ sugar (1 lb.) Directions: Combine all the ingredients in a big bowl and beat them by hand, or using a mixer. Be sure everything’s completely mixed and smooth before you place the filling in between your cooled Whoopie Pies. This recipe makes 5 dozen medium-sized pies.
October 17, 2008 | Page 13
How We Met...
by Lancaster Post Staff
Couple: Ron & Virginia Ettelman Years Together: 44 Anniversary: April 7, 1964
The Muse of Love
T
he couple running Dream Framer in Mountville are two artists, Ron and Virginia Ettelman, who shared their story of ‘how they met’ on a lovely recent autumn afternoon.
Virginia: “We met at the Lindsey Hopkins Educational Center in Miami in 1962. I was there to learn English and learn some secretarial skills. I had come to the U.S. from Cuba.” Ron: “I was a high school drop out who had ‘seen the light’ about education and was there to get my G.E.D. I was at a point in my life where I was getting some direction, and finding my ‘true self.’ This was as an artist.” Virginia: “When I first saw Ron he was dressed in a Calypso shirt. Harry Belafonte was very big at the time. The shirt was pink and white stripes -- like a candy cane! (laughs)” Ron: “So one day Virginia approaches me and says, ‘I understand you are an artist.’ And I say yes, and she says she likes to paint. And I say, show me some stuff.” Virginia: “And then a friendship ensued and then, you know, we became a couple.” Ron: “But we had to have a chaperone when we were dating.”
Virginia: “Absolutely! I was not allowed to date. My family was very old school about that. We had to buy three movie tickets.” Ron: “When in Rome, do as the Cubans, right?” Virginia: “When we got married he called me on a Wednesday and said he was going to school [at the Philadelphia College of Art] and that we were getting married that Saturday. I went out and got a little white suit and we had a small ceremony, just family. And we had a very modest honeymoon at the time. But, you know since then, we’ve been all over the world, and I always think I’ve had many honeymoons throughout my life with Ron.
Rose
Garden
Bed & Breakfast
Romantic Getaways • Discounts for Military Personnel • Gift Certificates
www.RoseGardenBedandBreakfast.com 1566 Lime Valley Rd • Strasburg, PA 17579 • 717-687-0705
Massage Therapy Call Joe Grzybicki at (717) 201-7868 visit www.myspace.com/morphysique Chair Massage | Table Massage Massage Available at Your Home or Office Call for details!
Page 14 | October 17, 2008
F U N A N D G A M E S
The solutions to this week’s puzzles can be found on page 18. Send us your suggestions for Lancaster Trivia Crossword Clues! Puzzler@LancasterPost.com
Sudoku
Lancaster County Trivia Crossword Easy one... you can do it!
Genius Level... use a pencil!
ACROSS 2 Biofuel and food crop grown in Lancaster County 4 This previously lucrative, hardy plant could replace tobacco as a big cash crop for Lancaster County farmers 7 A doctor, he left the British Army for the American Army during the Revolution, and is buried in St. James Cemetery 11 Current chairman of the Mount Joy Board of Supervisors 12 The underside of a horse’s hoof is known by this name 13 The Amos ________ house is located on Nissley Road in East Hempfield 15 ________ Run, part of the Little Conestoga Watershed 17 Town founded by blacksmith and hardware store owner John Miller in 1761 DOWN 1 Small town located at the intersections of Routes 741 and 324 3 The Soldiers and __________ Monument at Penn Square commemorates the death of Lancaster Countians in the Civil War 5 First manufactured in the US in Lititz PA, this product dates to 610 A.D., and was a symbol of luck and longevity 6 Non-organic farmers use over 300 different types of these to produce food crops 8 An average worker bee produces 1/12th of one in his lifetime 9 Lancaster City was known by this name in 1709 10 She’s the president of the Lancaster City Council 14 A female horse and a male donkey’s offspring would be one of these 16 The name for a group of 12 or more cows
Congregation Shaarai Shomayim synagogue, located at 75 E. James Street, Lancaster
October 17, 2008 | Page 15
... of the week
Bernie cheers for Trolley Folly
T
o the extent that blindly cheerleading for senseless causes is the height of journalistic achievement, the Lancaster New Era’s, Bernie “Pom-Pom” Harris, has flown to a ledge all by himself. Give Bernie a cause, and the bearded wonder will flap his eager little wings out for it. This week, the Bern-in-a-tor lays down some tracks for the insipid trolley car proposal. We thought building a $200 million, publicly-financed convention center-hotel was about as dumb an idea imaginable. We were wrong. Ripping up already trafficstrangled city streets in order to install a heavy, loud, cumbersome, inflexible, expensive, taxpayer-paid, completely out-dated mode of transportation actually trumps the center in terms of abject stupidity. But that doesn’t stop the Bern-man from providing a balanced, hard-hitting report in support of the crazy idea. In his Oct.15 item, Bernie begins: “A curious new arrival appeared in downtown Lancaster last week and its supporters hope it will become the talk of the town. The 60-year-old PCC streetcar arrived by truck Thursday and was put on display at the corner of North Prince and West Chestnut streets.” Harris is right about one thing: it is curious. Weird, in fact. Here we have a size-of-a-city-bus trolley car on blocks (see Lancaster Post issue one illustration below) on city property (thanks, Mayor!) essentially lobbying the public in support of yet another absurd, multi-million dollar, taxpayer funded boondoggle. As usual, Bernie doggedly turned over every cobblestone looking for dissenters on this radical ‘[way]back to the future’ approach to solving traffic and transportation issues in the city, yet couldn’t find a single nay-sayer. Imagine that. There probably aren’t any. We’ve had quite enough of this, but Bernie clearly has not. And because of that, he takes home the cotton candy award this week. This Puff’s for you, Bernie. Rah!
Illustration by Gail Hines
Page 16 | October 17, 2008
Artist Spotlight
Ron Ettelman: Dream Framer
R
on Ettelman has spent decades exploring his artistic creativity. His work is permanently on the walls of his and wife, Virginia’s, framing shop/gallery, Dream Framer, in Mountville. Ettelman, a trained artist, with a BFA from the Philadelphia College of Art, talks about his work: “I have, with few exceptions, avoided exhibiting in the past few years. The process of working is what matters most to me. Customers at our frame shop say they’ve ‘never seen art like this before.’ My work seems to rise from some deep, subconscious well. “Most projects begin in spontaneous experimentation and progress in stages revealed in future studio visits. New directions weave with earlier ideas and morph into something new. Finished work is always surprising and unexpected to me. “People first gravitate to the bold colors in my work. I hope they will also be drawn in to the subtle plays of depth and paint as well as refraction of light and luminosity. “More often than not, I begin from nothing more than action born of ‘thoughtless awareness.’ From this evolves a story or idea. “In this life’s journey of discovery, I increasingly feel myself a conduit to my muse’s whim and whimsy. My obligation is to bring forth that elusive essence that dwells within me.”
A great space for your next meeting
21 North Mulberry Street Lancaster, PA 17603
717.295.1949
www.mulberryartstudios.com
Dream Framer
Custom Framing & Gallery 164 E Main St Mountville, PA 17554 (717) 285-4931
SHAMELESS
plug dept.
October 17, 2008 | Page 17
The Historic Revere Tavern
"O
ur historic tavern, built in 1740, houses four warm and distinctive dining rooms, with 7 working fireplaces throughout. The King George Room features custom comb back chairs, 6 original shutters and pine door, plate rail and a stone fireplace. The Stephen Foster Room features two original stone fireplaces, chair rail, 18-inch deep window sills, and exposed beams. The Tavern's bedrooms have been converted to dining rooms, but present day travelers have a wide choice of lodging facilities in three buildings: the 1790 farmhouse features suites with imported English Air-Baths for two; the Annex, with exterior corridors, offers 24 rooms with two double beds or one king bed; and our main building, opened in 1999, houses 65 oversized rooms ranging from two queen beds to two bedroom suites with fireplaces and Jacuzzis."
The Revere Tavern 3063 Lincoln Highway (U.S. Route 30) Paradise, Pennsylvania 17562-0336 (717) 687-8601 • Fax (717) 687-6141 For Reservations Call 1-800-429-7383 HOURS Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Dinner: Monday - Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Sunday: 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Adopt a Pet... Save a Life!
The Humane League of Lancaster County... The Best Place to Find a Best Friend! Pitbull Awareness Week!
E
veryone is familiar with the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but not everyone realizes that this applies to dog breeds as well! Many people are reluctant to adopt a pitbull terrier because of the reputation they have as aggressive dogs. Studies have shown, however, that pitbulls score more positively on behavior assessments than household favorites such as the Golden Retriever. Join the Humane League in celebrating Pitbull Awareness week, October 20-26. We will have educational information about this breed available and anyone who welcomes a pitbull into their home will receive a special bonus to their adoption package!
ERNIE (in foster care)
PUDGE, ID # 113391
“I suppose my name is somewhat of a give away that I struggle with something most people are very familiar with - weight management. Since I came into the shelter as a stray, the staff did not know what my name was and they affectionately decided to call me “Pudge.” When you adopt me, you can certainly rename me if you like, but don’t expect me to do anything crazy, like give up Snausages or Milkbones. Mmmm. They are my favorite treats ever! I know how to “sit” and “sit pretty” but if you want to see me perform, you will have to come meet me in person! Once we get a chance to snuggle, I don’t think you will be able to leave without me!”
Ernie is a 3 month old double polydactyl kitten (he has two extra thumbs, giving him a total of three thumbs on each paw). He was found on a golf course and tried to pretend that he was a wild kitten. Good thing his finder was an experienced foster parent and knew he was just giving a good performance. Ernie finally gave up the act and now he can’t seem to stop purring. Ernie also does a good bit of talking. If you talk to him he’ll talk right back to you. And, when he talks it really does seem like he’s telling you something important. More than likely, it’s “Come closer so I can give you a kiss!” For more information on Ernie please email foster mom, Jackie, at Jasa725@aol.com.
Historic
Revere Tavern 3063 LINCOLN HIGHWAY EAST PARADISE, PA 17562-9651 PHONE (717) 687-8601 Please see the Revere Tavern's full-size ad on page 11.
PLEASE don’t buy a pet ADOPT one and save a life! www.humaneleague.com
There are millions of homeless pets in the United States – and more are born and abandoned every day. For more information on the animals awaiting adoption at the Humane League, please call: (717) 393- 6551 or visit them at 2195 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster.
Pet Supplies & Accessories Dog & Cat Food Grooming
305 N. Queen Street Lancaster PA 17603 Boutique: 717.380.1071 Grooming: 717.393.3848 www.rainbowpetcreations.com
Page 18 | October 17, 2008
Athlete of the Week: Kyle Fisher Senior, Running back/Defensive Back Cocalico Eagles
Lancaster-Lebanon League HS Football Standings Statistics accurate through 10/16/08. Section One
Overall
League
Penn Manor
7-0
4-0
Wilson
7-0
4-0
Warwick
5-2
3-0
Hempfield
4-2
1-2
Manheim Township
4-3
3-1
Cedar Crest
1-6
0-4
Reading
0-4
1-6
McCaskey
0-6
0-4
Overall
League
Cocalico
6-1
2-1
Manheim Central
5-2
2-0
Elizabethtown
5-2
2-1
Section Two
C
oming into the season, every team in the league knew of Kyle Fisher. Last season, the 6’, 175 lb running back rushed for more than 1,000 yards. And in the off-season, he amazingly won the L-L League Track championship in the 100, 200, and 400 meters -- the first time in history that has been done. The killer speed, combined with high football intelligence has Fisher leading his Eagles to a 6-1 record. For the still-incomplete 2008 campaign, Fisher has already gained more than 1,100 yards rushing (2nd in the league) with a ‘what the #*%!’ 12.7 yards per carry average, to go along with 16 touchdowns in seven games. Oww! His electrifying 50+yard runs make watching a high school football game well worth whatever they’re charging at the gate. And because he adds a lot of heart to that talent, and is a great kid, we salute Kyle Fisher as our Post ‘Athlete of the Week.’
Lancaster-Lebanon League Individual Leaders All sections (thru 10/16/08)
Scoring Kyle Fisher, (Cocalico), 116 pts. James Capello (Lebanon) 114 pts. Aaron Achy, (E. Lebanon Co.), 90 pts. Rushing Dakotah Lightfoot, (Columbia) – 1,115 yards Kyle Fisher, (Cocalico) - 1,102 yards Eric Resch, Warwick – 983 yards Passing James Capello (Lebanon) 1562 yards Kyle Smith (Lancaster Catholic) 1440 yards Jeremy Knosp (Manheim Central) 1416 yards Tackles Joe Strangarity (Garden Spot) 83 tackles Graham Musselwhite (N. Lebanon) 66 tackles Tanner Edgell (Donegal) 66 tackles Interceptions Kyle Russell (Cocalico) 6 interceptions Derek Deshaw, (Garden Spot), 5 interceptions Matt Nolan (Northern Lebanon) 4 interceptions
Garden Spot
5-2
2-1
Lebanon
5-2
0-2
Solanco
3-4
0-0
Conestoga Valley
0-7
0-3
Ephrata
0-7
0-0
Section Three
Overall
League
Lancaster Catholic
6-1
4-0
Annville-Cleona
5-2
4-0
Northern Lebanon
5-2
2-2
E. Lebanon County
4-3
3-1
Lampeter Strasburg
2-5
2-2
Donegal
2-5
1-3
Columbia
1-6
0-4
Pequea Valley
0-7
0-4
Puzzle Answers!
Easy Sudoku
Genius Sudoku
Thank you to everyone who has contributed Lancaster County Trivia Crossword clues so far ─ keep ‘em coming! You can send yours by email to Laurie@LancasterPost.com.
The real season begins: The Lancaster-Lebanon League Championships
I
t is called the 'second season,' and for years it has been dominated by one team. For the past six years, Mike Vogel's Hempfield Black Knights have won the girls Lancaster Lebanon League Championship. "It is not something we talk about," says Coach Vogel. "But we do expect it." This year's tournament promises to be as challenging as Vogel has seen in years. In addition to losing six front line players, including five starters, the rest of the field is laden with dangerous opponents. The team everyone is looking at is the Garden Spot Spartans, led by coach, Dennis Werner. With the powerful tandem of seniors, Ashley Schnader and Rachel Wenger, and consistent setter, brainy Hannah Ertzgard, Werner's team will surprise no one by winning it all.
"There are no easy points in a tournament like this," says Werner. 'We want to make our opponents earn every point. You have to ramp up your intensity level at this time of the season. We set a lot of high goals. We're ready." Another serious contender is Jarod Staub's Penn Manor Comets. Star senior Truely Kibler is having another all star season, and Amanda Welch and teammates are playing well going into the tournament, which runs Monday through Wednesday, Oct 20-22.
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October 17, 2008 | Page 19 by Chris Hart Nibbrig Lancaster Post
"We are confident because we have played well all season, and we have not hit our peak yet," says Staub. "However, we do know that on any given night, any team can beat any other team. Garden Spot has had a good season so far - they are talented and experienced, both of which are two key factors in making a run deep into the playoffs. Also, Manheim Central has greatly improved from this year to last. However, until someone beats them, Hempfield is the team to beat. They improve greatly through the season and know how to win." If a team is sneaking into the tournament somewhat unnoticed it is the Manheim Central Barons. Coach Craig Dietrich might not have the explosive length and power of Garden Spot, but led by the Wiegand sisters -- freshman phenom setter, Renee; and junior all-state player, Rachelle -- this team has skilled players at every position. "This is our second season, and it is our opportunity to make a name for ourselves," says a confident Dietrich. "This year, match-upwise, we feel pretty good. We're hungry. We've got five seniors, and we're going to there to make some noise. This team is not afraid to play anyone." But all the coaches say the same thing: Until someone knocks off Hempfield, Vogel's Knights are the team to beat. "This is our time," says Vogel. "This is our season right now. We strive to keep getting better; in the past we've done that." Former Hempfield championship coach, Vogel's predecessor, Ryan Strait, offered keys to performing well in the tournament. "You can't afford to make a lot of mistakes," says Strait. " T h e Call Joe Grzybicki at (717) 201-7868 tournament is three days visit www.myspace.com/morphysique straight, so a Yoga, Strength and Conditioning, Kickboxing team needs to be able Call about Group Classes and Private Sessions to recover. You can run into a tough match and have to come back the next night. That's difficult. And it's important to keep your composure and play relaxed."
Personal Training
Week of October 17th, 2008 - Volume 1 Number 26 ! Free
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ancaster ost
nothing but the truth...
Eyes on the Prize
story on page 19
The contenders meet for the L-L League Championships Inside... (page 18)
● Athlete of the Week: Kyle Fisher ● Lancaster-Lebanon League Football Standings and Individual Leaders 2801 Columbia Avenue Lancaster, PA
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