Linglestown Gazette

Linglestown-area community calendar

2012-01-26T19:12:00.008-05:00

Yummy soup for sale ... Linglestown Fire Company will sponsor their annual mid-winter homemade two-soup sale at the Linglestown firehouse this Saturday, Jan. 28. The soup sale will begin at 11 am and end when sold out. CLICK HERE for more info.

Live music at coffee house ... Sterling Koch and his trusty steel guitar will appear this Saturday, Jan. 28 at St. Thomas Roasters, 8–10 pm, no cover. I've heard Sterling do his thing and he's the real deal.

Chili anyone? ... There will be a cook-off this Sunday, Jan. 29 at St. Thomas United Church of God. It's too late to enter the competition, but you can stop by to taste all the chilies for only $4. CLICK HERE for details.

CD alums to gather ... Central Dauphin High School Alumni Association will hold a social gathering on Wednesday, Feb. 8 from 5 pm to 9 pm at The Fox and Hound, 2625 Brindle Drive, Harrisburg. Call Bonnie (Kapp) Johnston at 717-761-2592 to put your name on the attendance list.

Attention gardeners ... Linglestown Garden Club will meet Wednesday, Feb. 8 at the Linglestown fire hall starting at 10 am.

Attention chocoholics ... The annual Chocolate Walk sponsored by the Linglestown Merchants' Association will be held on Feb. 10 to 11. Watch the Gazette for more info.
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Message from B² ... I get most event info from The Paxton Herald, a weekly tabloid. To make sure your Linglestown-area community event gets mentioned on the Internet, send your info via email to the Gazette.

Linglestowner running for state office

2012-01-26T19:08:00.004-05:00

Bill Seeds, a Linglestown resident and longtime Lower Paxton Township supervisor, has announced his candidacy for the PA state senate seat being vacated by Jeff Piccola at the end of this year.

Other announced Republican candidates in the race are John McNally of Lower Paxton Township and two men from York County, businessman Steve Johnson and York County Clerk of Courts Don O'Shell. It's uncertain if Johnson and O'Shell will be appear on the ballot now that the PA Supreme Court threw out the new legislative map that was based on the 2010 census.

Primary election day is on Tuesday, April 24.

Community events in the works for Linglestown

2012-01-25T19:20:00.013-05:00

The new Linglestown Area Civic Association got off to a great start last week with about 35 people in attendance at the kickoff meeting held at the Linglestown fire hall.

Longtime Linglestown resident and village booster Bill Minsker (pictured below) spearheaded the formation of the group and chaired the meeting.

Ironically, Minsker boarded a jet the next day for a five-month stint in Poland to work with an outreach program to that country that he operates. But never fear, the group will elect officers in February and at least one person has volunteered to be president.

Numerous community projects were discussed, including family picnics, flea market days and continuing the annual Christmas carol sing and tree-lighting ceremony. Also, the need to start planning for Linglestown's 250th anniversary in 2015 was mentioned.

Minsker enthusiastically outlined his ideas for holding an annual New Year's Eve celebration in the Linglestown square starting next year called "Jingle Lingle." At the strike of midnight, everyone would celebrate the start of the new year by ringing bells. He had photos of commemorative hand bells that the civic association could purchase and sell to partygoers.

Minsker's New Year's Eve plan is the best one that I heard to date. He said one of his students in Poland came up with the "Jingle Lingle" idea as they discussed their holiday activities during a Skype phone call a few weeks ago.

The civic association gives Linglestown-area residents an opportunity to give our community more of an old-fashioned hometown feel. To make it happen, many people are needed to help stage events and raise funds.

Please consider coming out to the civic association's next meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 pm at the fire hall to get involved with making Linglestown a place that feels like home.

Report has misleading info about Koons Pool

2012-01-24T19:05:00.007-05:00

The Patriot-News ran an article last Friday that gave the impression that Koons Pool might not open this season due to a potential violation of state environmental rules, but pool officials informed the Gazette that the article has misleading information.

Below is the pool officials' response to the article:

A recent article ran in The Patriot-News provided misleading information. The author of the article was misinformed. There is nothing wrong with the pool’s septic system. Rather, it is the way in which the pool water leaves the property.

The pool was built 52 years ago and was designed to allow any pool water that is drained from the pools to flow through a storm drain system. Due to more recent requirements we have been asked to redirect this water to the public sewage system. Lower Paxton Township is partnering with the pool in addressing this change in water flow. The modification will be made prior to opening day.

Township and pool officials met earlier this week to work toward finding an affordable solution to the way the pools are drained.

Koons Pool is operated by a volunteer group that has make significant improvements to the pool facility and its operation. The pool property in Koons Park is owned by the township.

CLICK HERE to download a membership application for the 2012 season.

Soup sale to support Linglestown firefighters

2012-01-23T18:23:00.003-05:00

Linglestown Fire Co. will sponsor their annual mid-winter homemade two-soup sale at the Linglestown firehouse this Saturday, Jan. 28. The soup sale will begin at 11 am and end when sold out.

The soups to be sold are chicken corn and ham and bean – soup containers will be provided. The soups are prepared by the firefighters at the rear of the firehouse. Large iron kettles are used to prepare the soups over fire pits. The soups are available for eat-in service, together with sandwiches, desserts, and beverages served by the Ladies Auxiliary.

In addition to the soup sale, the fire company will be conducting a public blood drive with the Central Pa. Blood Bank during the hours of the soup sale. Persons who volunteer to donate blood will have their soup order prepared for them while they give blood and they will not have to stand in line for their soup!

The fire company's blood donor credits are available to Linglestown-area residents who would need blood in the future.

Linglestown slogan idea changed

2012-01-21T14:16:00.013-05:00

For those of you following along via email, I changed my suggestion – Linglestown, home of Central PA's first roundabouts – because the village's roundabouts aren't the first in the region. After the post was published, I remembered that one was constructed in York County a few years ago. Also, the suggested slogan is too long.

The amended slogan suggestion is ...

Linglestown, Home of the Roundabouts

And, below are other ideas passed along by Gazette readers:

Roundabout Linglestown

Come Around to Linglestown

Where Life is Worth Living

A Village on the Move

A Place That Feels Like Home

Update: Linglestown slogan search

2012-01-20T15:40:00.007-05:00

Sat., 1/21/12 — Updated my suggestion and added a new one received via email.

I've been busting my brain trying to come up with a suggestion that is short and focuses on something unique about Linglestown and its new look. Finally, an idea popped into my head that might do the trick:

~~Linglestown, home of Central PA's first roundabouts~~
Linglestown, Home of the Roundabouts

The village's two roundabouts are worthy of mention because they are among the first to be installed in Pennsylvania and the first ones in this region, plus they're doing a bang-up job in keeping traffic moving. ~~And, it never hurts to hang your hat on something that gives you the status of being numero uno.~~

The Gazette has received a few suggestions for a village slogan, some well meaning and others of the tongue-in-cheek variety. Here are some of the better submissions:

Living & Loving Linglestown
Linglestown, Where Friends Meet
New & Improved St. Thomas

Linglestown, America's hometown!

Be sure to check the Gazette next week for updates. I have a pile of news to crank out about local happenings, including a report on the first meeting of the Linglestown Area Civic Association.

Chili cook-off to be held in Linglestown

2012-01-13T15:14:00.010-05:00

Are you known for your chili? Find out if you are the best by signing up to compete! Do you like chili? For a $4 entry fee you get to taste all the chilies and vote for the winner.

Beverages & hot dogs will be available for purchase
Prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place

Information for competitors: $5 entrant fee for the event that will be held at St. Thomas United Church of Christ located about a mile east of the Linglestown square on Route 39. There is only space for 20 entrants – registration cut off January 22nd.

Be prepared to offer at least 100 1 oz. samples. Entrants will be provided with tasting cups, tasting spoons, napkins, and soda crackers. Entrants are expected to arrive with a fully prepared chili, provide their own serving utensils, and may only use one crockpot to keep their chili warm (please bring your own).
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Contact for more info: email or 652-7259.

Slogan needed for Linglestown

2012-01-13T14:37:00.004-05:00

The Linglestown civic group that will hold a reorganization meeting on Jan. 18 is looking for a slogan for the village. The Patriot-News reported today that suggestions include "Lovin' the Look of Linglestown" and "Experience the new Linglestown in a 'ROUND-ABOUT' way!"

I bet Gazette readers can come up with a few snappy slogan ideas. Please post a comment with your suggestion.

CLICK HERE to read the news article and HERE for more info about the civic group meeting.

5 things you need to know about Linglestown

2012-01-11T16:41:00.004-05:00

#1 ... Former Hollywood insider Frank Cotolo of Grantville will stage his one-man entertainment extravaganza at St. Thomas Roasters coffee house this Friday, Jan. 13 from 8–10 pm, no cover.

#2 ... Please consider attending the kickoff meeting for the Linglestown Area Civic Association next Wednesday, Jan. 18, 7 pm at the front meeting room of the Linglestown Fire Company (brick building.) CLICK HERE for more details.

#3 ... The Linglestown Merchants' Association will hold their annual Chocolate Walk event in the village on February 10 & 11. Watch for more details on the Gazette.

#4 ... Lower Paxton Township has a public access TV channel on Verizon channel 22 and Comcast channel 21 that displays public service announcements and broadcasts meetings of the Board of Supervisors.

#5 ... La Piazza of Linglestown was named one of the best new restaurants in the Harrisburg region in the 2012 readers' choice survey conducted by CentralPA Magazine.

Tax hike coming to help close CD budget gap

2012-01-09T17:08:00.001-05:00

The Central Dauphin School District voted last week to limit a property-tax hike for next school year to no more than 1.7 percent, but details on how the district will close a projected $8 million budget shortfall remain up in the air. CLICK HERE for the story from The Patriot-News.

WHTM abc27 covered the meeting. CLICK HERE for a video report that overviews the board meeting and includes comments from CD parent Tara Mead, who expresses frustration over wasted spending on privatizing the district's bus service. Also, CLICK HERE for another video that features Lower Paxton political activist Eric Epstein calling for open communications by the school board and reduced costs associated with the district's administrators.

Candidates seek to represent LP residents

2012-01-09T16:19:00.004-05:00

* York County Clerk of Courts Don O’Shell kicked off a campaign last week for the Republican nomination for the state Senate seat now held by Jeff Piccola, who is not running for re-election.

In December, John J. McNally III of Lower Paxton Township announced he would also enter the Republican contest.

* Earlier today, political activist Gene Stilp, a Democrat who lives in Middle Paxton Township, held an impromptu press conference at the state Capitol to get word out that he's running for Congress. CLICK HERE and HERE for video coverage of his announcement provided by Roxbury News.

Lower Paxton Township is in the newly formed 11th Congressional District that is currently represented by Lou Barletta, a Republican who formerly was the mayor of Hazleton.

Lupus support group to meet in Linglestown

2012-01-06T12:16:00.001-05:00

Lupus support group meetings will be held the second Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at New Hope Church in Linglestown. The next meeting will be on Jan. 10.

This support group offers people with lupus and others who know someone with lupus to share their experiences. This can be helpful in coping better and feeling less isolated by making connections with others facing similar challenges.

For more information, please call Lucy at 545-6565.

LP political doings

2012-01-06T07:02:00.001-05:00

The Tea Party Patriots of Central PA will meet this Monday, Jan. 9, 7 pm at New Love In Christ Church, 6003 Old Jonestown Road. (The church is in the old Lower Paxton Township High School that is behind the Karns Food plaza.)

The meeting subject will be prevailing wage issues. No need to register in advance.

Youth baseball signups start Jan. 14

2012-01-05T18:52:00.002-05:00

Linglestown baseball registration, Jan. 14 from 9 am-noon at Linglestown Firehouse and Jan. 21 and 28 at Koons Park Clubhouse. Also, Jan. 25 and Feb. 1 from 6-7 pm at Koons Park Clubhouse. Proof of age required for first-year players.

Contact Gary Smith at 717-651-0325 for information, or CLICK HERE to visit the group's website.

First meeting set for 'new' Linglestown civic group

2012-01-05T07:22:00.001-05:00

If you've been looking around for opportunities to get involved in the community, here's something to check out.

A re-organization meeting of the Linglestown Area Civic Association is scheduled to be held in the front meeting room of the Linglestown Fire Company on Wednesday, January 18, beginning at 7:00 pm. CLICK HERE to find out what is in the works.

Linglestown Garden Club to meet Jan. 11

2012-01-04T07:02:00.000-05:00

The Linglestown Garden Club's first meeting of 2012 will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 11 at Linglestown Fire Company (brick building).

The program, "Queen Bee Floral," begins at 10 am. There will be a brown-bag lunch at 11:30 am. Coffee, tea and dessert will be provided.

A business meeting will be held at 12:30 pm, and a workshop will be held at 1 pm on building decorative bird feeders. Please bring plates, saucers and cups to hold bird seed.

CD schools face $8 million shortfall

2011-12-30T11:47:00.004-05:00

The Central Dauphin School Board will meet next Tuesday, Jan. 3, at 7 pm to discuss next school year's budget that currently is underfunded by $8 million, according to today's Patriot-News.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

Backyard News, 12.27.11

2011-12-27T14:08:00.009-05:00

Mystery solved ... If you wonder what happens with donations that are dropped in clothing collection boxes like the one pictured, CLICK HERE for a good explanation by Patriot-News columnist Nancy Eshelman. There's a box in Linglestown at Murphy's Automotive in the square.

Celebrity linked to Linglestown ... WGAL TV-8 reporter and anchor Jim Sinkovitz grew up in the Linglestown area and played baseball for Linglestown baseball teams. (Hat tip to Bob Kemmler, founder of the Linglestown Twilight sandlot baseball team.)

Flag in dark ... As far as I know, the lights for illuminating the U.S. flag on the new flagpole in the Linglestown square still are not working. PPL is supposed to take care of the problem, according to Lower Paxton Twp. manager George Wolfe. (Hat tip to the Linglestown Merchants' Association.)

Tea time at Roasters ... St. Thomas Roasters coffee house in Linglestown was recently featured on a local food blog called "paindecampagne."

Backyard News, 12.23.11

2011-12-23T12:07:00.006-05:00

Firefighter honored ... Linglestown Fire Chief Bill Payne was recently awarded a Craig Webb Memorial Award for exemplary service. Congratulations and thanks for your service!

Tax hike approved ... The Lower Paxton supervisors this week adopted a 2012 budget that includes a property-tax hike to make up for significant losses in earned income tax revenue and land development fees. The new rate will increase the tax bill on a property assessed at $200,000 by $68. CLICK HERE for more details from The Patriot-News.

The last tax hike was in 2007, and that one was the first one since way back in 1990, according to the Gazette archives. The 1990s and most of this decade were boom times in Lower Paxton in regard to new development.

Village panel gets new life ... Lower Paxton supervisors agreed to continue working with the Village of Linglestown Committee as a township advisory panel. The group helped the township over the last decade or so with planning for the now completed village improvement project. CLICK HERE for a report on the committee's December meeting that was filed by community watchdog group SWAN.

Meet Linglestown's new congressman

2011-12-22T13:29:00.003-05:00

WHTM abc27 talked with U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta who was designated this week to represent the Linglestown area. Tim Holden was the area's rep prior to the redistricting process that occurs every 10 years.

Commentary: LP overpays for Christmas tree?

2011-12-20T12:47:00.012-05:00

The Patriot-News over the weekend ran an article about Lower Paxton Supervisor David Blain (pictured) selling the township a 10-foot Christmas tree from his tree sales lot for $80. The tree is on display in the lobby at the municipal center on Prince Street.

Blain said the tree cost him $40 and he charged the township his regular markup price.

This story is a tad silly because the transaction barely registers in the township's general fund budget that will total just over $19 million next year. The township has purchased trees from Blain for the last few years as a matter of convenience. According to the article, this type of transaction does not violate state law.

I wonder who tipped off the newspaper because $80 transactions usually don't attract attention and are not mentioned during public meetings.

Next year the township should consider buying a tree from Linglestown Village Market located across from the Blue Moose Bar and Grill. I purchased a great looking eight-foot tree (pictured) from them for $29.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

CD ends dream season with football state title

2011-12-18T16:13:00.007-05:00

In case you missed it, check out The Patriot-News coverage from last night's 14—7 win by the Rams over North Penn in the state championship game at Hersheypark Stadium.

Rams going for football state title

2011-12-16T16:24:00.003-05:00

The Central Dauphin Rams football team will compete for the big-school state championship tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 17, 6 pm at Hersheypark Stadium against North Penn, a school district in the Philly region.

Last week the Rams knocked off a nationally ranked team and a Patriot-News sports reporter has picked them to win the title. CLICK HERE for a game preview.

If you don't want to attend the game, you can catch it on the Pennsylvania Cable Network, channel 74 on Comcast.

Following the game, the team will be paraded around the area escorted by local fire companies and police.

See the best Christmas movie in your language ...

2011-12-15T16:50:00.003-05:00

So much of the world is still in darkness, but there is HOPE. Come view the message of hope; bringing light into the darkness. The JESUS Film will be shown three nights at Bethany Church of the Nazarene, 1605 Parkway West, near the village of Linglestown. The film will be shown in the following languages:

December 21, 7 pm — English
December 22, 7 pm — Spanish
December 23, 7 pm — Korean

For questions regarding this event, please call 545–1633. CLICK HERE for more information about the movie.