Bridge project to move forward

The lighting project sponsored by Rivertownes is moving ahead: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/351868

Is this....

Is this parking space in the first block of South Fourth Street to be used as a regular parking space or an entrance into a parking lot? I remember back a few years ago this issue came before borough council and the meter was ordered put back in and the curb restored to what it was when it was originally put in and not for a driveway.

A little lighter downtown

PPL is in town this week repairing and replacing a number of street lights that were out in the downtown area.

Traffic alert for Route 462 in Mountville

Route 462 in Mountville will be the scene of a traffic detour: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/350896

Traffic alert

For those traveling the Route 30 Bridge: http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_17381027

Columbia an busted in Lebanon County

A Columbia man was charged as part of a theft ring: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/351240

Remember the Shawnee Marching Club?

Got this earlier in the week, the emblem of the former Shawnee Marching Club.

Anyone remember Mifflin Field?

Received this the other day. It's a piece of the goal post from the final game at Mifflin Field, which Columbia beat Lancaster High School, 26-0. Touchdowns were scored by Musser (2), Walk and John (1). The date of the game was Oct. 19, 1935 and the coach of the team was Sam Angle and the team captain was E. Johns.

An update

Here is an update to a story posted earlier today: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/350774

Columbia Police involved in investigation

WHP was in town yesterday. Here's why: http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/EXCLUSIVE-Corrections-center-intern-faces-charges/LHuqUFhA3EeAtnsCf4Q09Q.cspx

Check this out

Here is an interview with Columbia grad Aaron Anspach: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiXywbz3Csc

Masosns elected officers

Scott Zeamer has recently been elected Worshipful Master of the Columbia Masonic Lodge # 286.

Zeamer resides in Lititz with his wife Susan. He has been associated with the Brethren Village for over 15 years and serves as Supervisor of Cottage Renovations.
Along with Zeamer, Andrew Zeamer was elected Senior Warden, Ken Brandt, Junior Warden, Gene Winters Treasurer, Allen Mahan Secretary, Aubrey Aldons, Pete Null, Mark Zeamer and Demuth Rodkey, Trustees
The following were appointed by Zeamer: Chaplain, Glenn Bachert, Senior Deacon, Marlin Shuggart, Junior Deacon, Clair W. Knight, Junior Master of Ceremonies Steve Mango, Senior Master of Ceremonies, John Heissler, Pursuivant, Chad Zeamer, Tyler, Andrew Gambler.

 Worshipful Master Zeamer stated that Masons should be more involved in the community and will lead the Columbia Masons to continue to be active in Columbia Boro. Aside from assisting the Shade Tree Commission and supporting the Columbia Historical Society. A Scholarship award is given to a Columbia High male Senior in route to collage and holds a 3.75 gpa. The Masons will continue to sponsor The Riverside Chapter of DeMolay and the Rainbow Girls. Both youth programs associated with Free Masonry. A new program this year will be supporting the Masonic Blood Drive.
The Columbia Lodge # 286 meets on the first Thursday of each month at the Masonic Center in Wrightsville. Information on the Lodge is available by calling 684 2343 or on the web: http://www.firstmasonic.org/main.html

GOP seeks candidates

The Columbia Area Republican Committee is currently seeking candidates for the Columbia Borough Council and the Columbia Borough School Board of Directors.
Five seats on the Columbia Borough Council and five seats on the Columbia Borough School District Board of Directors are up for election in this year's 2011 Municipal Elections.
The Columbia Area Republican Committee is committed to effective, efficient, and responsive government, economic development in the community and excellence in our schools. With revitalization happening in the borough and the challenges that face not only our schools but schools across the country, now is the time to get involved and help the town we love!
Please think about serving our community in this way. If you are interested, you can contact  johnnylutz@yahoo.com

Columbia man is charged

A Walnut Street resident is charged in East Petersburg: http://articles.lancasteronline.com/local/4/349301

Remove those chairs

Columbia Borough has issued a warning for those who have out chairs, tables, trash cans, etc. out to save parking spaces from the snow a few weeks back. The public works department will be going around town removing the items.

Anspach is second

Columbia grad Aaron Anspach is second in a national tournament: http://www.themat.com/section.php?section_id=3&page=showarticle&ArticleID=23088

Polar Bear plunge in Wrightsville

What a day to put your fanny in the Susquehanna: http://www.ydr.com/ci_17304875

Wrestling match is off

Tomorrow's wrestling match at Columbia with Brandywine Heights has been cancelled.

West Hempfield police reports

Police have charged David Lee Souden, 32, of Ephrata, with burglary, as the result of an incident at the West Motel, Jan. 18.
Souden was a registered guest at the hotel and took cash and electronics from the motel office.

Police have charged Kimberly Ann Stauffer, 20, of Columbia, with theft, as the result of an incident at Kmart, 3975 Columbia Ave., Feb. 2.
Stauffer was taking money from registers, police said, while working.
She was placed in LCP on a probation violation.

Police have charged two people as rthe result of a fight at the Mountville Inn, East Main Street, Mountville, Feb. 2.
Thomas Swindle, 40, of Mountville, was placed in LCP because of an outstanding warrant from Perry County.  Andy Shenigo, 34, of Lancaster, with public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Maroon and Gray Night

For those basketball/sports fans attending tomorrow's basketball gae between Columbia and Manheim Central, up on the hill, you are asked to wear maroon and gray in honor of Manheim Central High School. Between the junior varsity and varsity games, the Columbia sports community will make a special presentation to the Manheim Centrak Resource Fund in memory of the four young student-athletes that were recently killed in an accident.

Police investigate theft

West Hempfield Towbship Police are investigating the theft of four black fender flares from a Ford F-350 truck at Chapman Ford, 3957 Columbia Ave., Feb. 1.
They are valued at $800.

Another schedule change

Tonight's basketball games with Lancaster Mennonite have been postponed until Tuesday.

Holy Trinity Fastnacht information

Fastnacht Bake Talking Points

- The annual Fastnacht Bake originated in 1924. This is our 88th year. It was an idea created by women of the Altar Rosary Society, of the church, to raise money to help offset construction costs of a new church building.

- Church construction began in 1926 and was completed with a dedication and blessing in October, 1929.

- Fastnacht (FAHS-nahkt) is related to the Germanic word Fasten (to fast, abstain from eating). The definition of fastnacht - a yeast-raised potato pastry that is deep-fried like a doughnut. Fastnachts were originally made on Shrove Tuesday to use up the stored fat and lard that was forbidden during Lent.

- In the early days of the bake all ingredients were hand mixed and the fastnachts were fashioned from molds originally made from tuna fish cans.

- Unsalted potatoes were used during Lent and the potato water was then used to make yeast. The potato yeast would “work” for several hours before being mixed into the flour.

- Today the Fastnacht Bake has evolved into a parish project that includes about 116 men and women volunteers. It is one of the largest fund raising efforts of the parish.

- January 25, 1989 the national spotlight was focused on the Fastnacht Bake. NBC’s Willard Scott, from the TODAY Show, originated all of his weather segments “live” from Holy Trinity in Columbia.

- The process of making fastnachts begins with the Night Crew. Approximately 20 to 25 volunteers measure, weigh and mix the ingredients producing on average 56 batches. The dough is poured into largemetal cans. These are then placed in the “warming closet” to allow the dough to rise during the night.

The army of rollers begin arriving at 4:00am to start rolling, shaping and cutting the dough into fastnachts. Each batch or can of dough will produce approximately 11.4 dozen. After shaping and cutting the fastnachts they are placed on long cloth covered boards for further rising. When the fastnachts are properly raised they are transferred to the frying area.

Other volunteers arrive around 5:30am to operate the fryers. Six frying units will be in continuous operation for six hours. After frying in a cholesterol free substance they reach the peak of perfection and are placed in cooling trays. The next step is the glazing process, which is all done by hand.

Still other volunteers handle the sorting, counting and bagging, in preparation for pickup by the public or delivery to area factories and other places of business.

- Fastnachts are baked on Monday, March 7, Shrove Tuesday, March 8 and Ash Wednesday, March 9. After that, there are four weeks of bakes during Lent, on Mondays and Wednesdays only. The last bake is Wednesday, April 6th.

- More than seven thousand dozen fastnachts are produced during the Lenten Season. The operation takes place in the Holy Trinity Parish Center, 4th and Cherry Streets, Columbia, site of Our Lady of the Angels School.

- Fastnachts must be pre-ordered by dialing 717-684-0487. Telephone lines are open between 9:00am and 6:00pm, Monday through Friday, beginning, Monday February 28th.

- Plain fastnachts sell for $5.00 per dozen and $2.50 per half-dozen. Glazed are $6.25 a dozen and $3.25 per half-dozen.

- Orders must be picked up at the Parish Center between 10:00am and 1:00pm on the designated days. All orders not claimed by 1:00pm will be sold.

Secret to success –
- Pride
- Family tradition
- Parish Unity
- Each volunteer considers the Bake a labor of love.
- Our secret recipe that makes Holy Trinity’s the best tasting fastnacht in the world. . . . Ask Our Customers!

Radio Shack is robbed

West Hempfield Township Police are looking for two males, wearing jeans and hoodies in connection with a burglary at the Radio Shack, 3975 Columbia Ave., around 11:30 p.m., Monday night.
Police said the two forced their way through a back door into a store room and took $5,000 worth of cell phones in less than a minute. The suspects are pictured and anyone with any information is ask to call police at 285-5191.

Police are also investigating damage down to a car parked in the first block of Lincoln West Drive, Jan. 31. A car owned by Anna Rosario had its driver's side door kicked in.

Games are off

Tonight's basketball games with Lancaster Mennonite have been postponed until tomorrow night. If they are unable to be played tomorrow night, they will be played next Tursday.