Saturday, June 11, 2011

Graduation speech

Cousins Chris Detz and Emily Detz were the student speakers at graduation last night. Here is the text of their speech.
Welcome! Here we stand, presenting one of thousands of commencement speeches being delivered across the United States during this busy graduation season. If we were to take a poll of those of you seated in the audience, how many of you can honestly recall who gave your commencement speech, let alone what this person or persons talked about? This was the daunting task set before us this evening: Make sure you know and address your audience-thegraduates, our peers, classmates-and make sure your message is meaningful.
Where do we begin?
First, let’s take a closer look at the word commencement. Per Merriam-Webster.com, commencement means “an act, an instance or time for commencing or beginning; a ceremony or the day for conferring diplomas.” So we say to you, our fellow classmates, what exactly are you about to commence?
What new beginning are you about to embark upon? What are you about to set in motion?
One word we have heard often these past few years is “motivation.” We have been told repeatedly to “be motivated get motivated, motivate yourself.” Have you ever thought about what this word means or its origins? Once again, we defer to Merriam-Webster.com for the exact definition. Motivation is defined “as the act or process of motivating; the condition of being motivated; to motivate means “to provide (someone) with a motive for doing something; to stimulate (someone’s) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something.” What has motivated us so far to get to this night, this commencement, this new beginning? It is said that there are only two emotions, and all others arise from these: Love and Fear. Which of these has moved you the most, propelled you to this graduation? From this point forward, which of these two emotions will motivate you? Will you react to life out of fear, or will you be proactive and be moved by love? What are your motives for going to college? What has prompted you to enlist in the armed forces, or enter the work force? You need to carefully reflect on your decisions, and make certain these decisions are the best for you. Be sure your motives are not reactionary, or based upon perceived, imagined fears. Move forward on each and every endeavor with the best of intentions, with your goals always aligned with what is best for you.
Never compromise on your beliefs-to settle for less is to sell yourself short.
Know that there will be roadblocks, hurdles, circumstances that will throw you off kilter, slow down your forward momentum. The key to surmounting these times when they happen (and happen they will) is to keep a sharp, laser-like focus on your goal. Never waiver, never succumb to fear. As we leave here this evening, we will all begin to scatter in various directions. Whatever you do, never stop asking questions! Never accept or conform to anything just because others say its “true.” Find your own truth; look deep inside of yourself and get to know the person you spend the most time with-YOU!
This evening as we pay one last visit to this auditorium, we entered as students, leave as graduates-as so many have done before us. You might sit there and say to yourself “So what???” And that is what we ask you now-So what…is next? Will you take a path that has already been well-worn and traveled by so many others; or will you choose one that is overgrown with uncertainty, challenges and change? YOU have to decide which route YOU will take-and it is our sincerest wish for all of you that you choose a path that best suits YOU.


If it seems as if we are posing a multitude of questions to you, it is done on purpose. We have been asking ourselves many of the same questions about what lies before us, what awaits us outside the confines of this school; we know that many of you have been asking yourselves these very same questions.
Tonight is a time for reflection as well as expectation. As we take one last brief glance over the past six years here on The Hill, let’s remember some of the highlights, and what these events have taught us: The construction and renovations, our senior class trip to Philadelphia and Go Vertical, post-prom at Ozzy’s, dissecting with Mrs. Ohrel, the softball teams best record in school history. These are just a few of the events that have united us as a class, and it is these and many other occasions that will forever bind us as the class of 2011. These events have helped us learn more about each other and ourselves; for it is through working and socializing, making friends and putting aside differences that we gain a greater understanding of the world, learn empathy and compassion for others as well as ourselves. It is safe to say that much of what we gleaned these past six years was not limited to the classroom; the larger part of our education came from interaction and introspection.
In parting, we want to wish every member of the class of 2011 nothing but the best. Although we all have our own paths and journeys to embark upon, we will always have that one important, constant bond: Our ties to Columbia High School and each other. We now leave you with these words of wisdom from the author Mark Victor Hansen: You control your destiny, your future. What you think about comes about. By recording your dreams and goals on paper you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put
your future in good hands-your own.

Columbia seniors graduate

Here is the Intell story on graduation:: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/404355_Columbia-grads-urged--follow--instinct-.html

Friday, June 10, 2011

West Hempfield Police

A juvenile was charged with burglary, theft, conspiracy and turned over to youth detention authorities as the result of an incident in the 700 block of Westover Drive, June 9.
Police were called to the area for a report of three black males on mini bikes armed with rifles. When police arrive, the suspects fled on foot. Police were able to determine that the mini-bikes were stolen from the 700 block of Oxford Drive and a bike from the 3600 block of Peregrine Circle. The juvenile was charged in connection with the Oxford Drive incident.

Police are also investigating the theft of 10-12 feet of copper wire from St. Paul's United Methodist Church, June 10.

Police are looking for a white male with spiked hair and wearing big glasses in connection with an incident in the first block of East Main Street, Mountville, June 8.
The suspect, who might be named Eric, police said, attempted to approach and speak to several 10-year-old girls, who were scared and fled the area.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police at 285-5191.

Other damage

Outside of the Wright Mansion


200 block of Walnt Street. Part of roof also blown off at Eastern Drillers as well.

1000 block of Central Avenue

600 block of  South Ninth Street, tree being cut up.

Tree down at Janson's

Locust Street Park damage








River Park storm damage






Here are pictures from last night's storm damage at River Park. Borough Highway Department workers were busy this monring. One of the pictures is from the railroad crossing, electric pole, which was bent during the storm.

WGAL story last night's fire

The fire was on South Third between Union and Perry:: http://www.wgal.com/news/28191977/detail.html

Police charge two

Two people were charged in car break-ins: http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/403941_2-men-charged-in-Columbia-vehicle-break-ins.html

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Heritage Day

Washington Boro will celebrate Heritage Day: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=51948

Hero Walk is scheduled

On Tuesday, June 14, and Wednesday, June 15, the Pennsylvania Hero Walk will take place in Lancaster County to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.


Participants will walk from Coatesville (Lincoln Highway/Route 30 West) on June 14, ending the day at the Continental Inn in Lancaster. On Wednesday, they will depart from the Continental Inn and walk to York. The walk will start in Philadelphia on Sunday, June 12, and will culminate in Pittsburgh on Saturday, June 25.

All proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps individuals who have been severely injured in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing the support and resources they need to make the often difficult transition into civilian life. The Wounded Warrior Project offers various programs and services.

For more information on the walk, including the timetable, and to obtain an application to walk with the group while they are in the county, readers may visit www.paherowalk.org. For more information on the Wounded Warrior Project, readers may visit www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

The first of two big events is next week

The cars will be cruising Columbia next Saturday: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=52105

Good luck to the CHS Class of 2011

Columbia will hold its graduation on Friday: http://www.engleonline.com/AdDesk/Htmlfiles/Readers/article.epc?id=52284

QRS to hold fund-raiser

Columbia Quick Response Service Inc. (QRS) will hold a chicken and ribs barbecue fundraiser on Saturday, June 11, in the parking lot of Musser's Markets’ Columbia location at 960 Lancaster Ave.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and separate prices have been set for chicken and ribs. All dinners will include a choice of side (potato or macaroni salad or cole slaw), a roll, and a cold beverage.





Wrestlers to hold barbecue

The Columbia High School wrestling team will hold a chicken barbecue on Saturday, June 11, at Scott's Automotive, across from Glatfelter Field.
The cost  for a dinner is $8 and $5 for a half.

Future stars basketball camp

There will be a sign up tonight, tonmorrow night and Monday through Friday of next week from 5-6:30 p.m. for the Future Stars Basketball Camp at Columbia High School.
Signups will be held in the gym lobby and the camp is the week of June 20.

Manor Township police reports

Police have charged Kathryn D. Garrity, 61, of Horseshoe Loop Road, Mountvillr, with driving undet the influence as the result of an incident on Yorkshire Way, outside of Mountville, June 4.

West Hempfield Township police reprorts

A 33-year-old Pequea mn is in Lancaster County Prison following his arrest as the result of a disturbance call in West Hempfield Township, May 30.
John E. Heiselman, 33, was charged with aggravated assault and terroristic threats as the result of an incident in the 3800 block of Hillcrest Drive. Police said he attempted to bite off the finger of another man.
He was placed in LCP in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Dillon Carter Schmidt, 24, of Lancaster, was charged with burglary, theft, criminal mischief and possession of drug parphernalia and placed in Lancaster County Prison, as the result of an incident at the Getty Mart, May 21.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The Experience
















Finally went to the Turkey Hill Experience this morning. Enjoyed the educational part and the abiliity to play a couple of games. On the first floor, is the creamery and gift shop. The first part of the self-guided tour is a history of the area and the building. The employees were extremely helpful.

Admission is decreased

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2011/06/the_turkey_hill_experience_dro.html

Monday, June 6, 2011

Work has started

Work has started inside and out on turning the former M&T Bank building into a walk-in medical center.

Fair time

Set up is under way in the 400 block of Cherry Street for the annual Holy Trinity Fair.

The water is running

Sunday is Fun Day

The Cancer Crusaders, a local American Cancer Society Relat for Life tean will hold a benefit on Sunday, June 12, at Union Station, from 2-8 p.m.
There will be guest bartendersd, who will donate their tips as well as a percentage of the food sales donated to the cause.