Year: 2014

Hiking grandmother from Columbia forced off Appalachian Trail

The hiking grandmother from Columbia who wanted to raise money for impoverished African villages by hiking the length of the Appalachian Trail is off the famed pathway after three days of hiking.

Brenda Petroski, 60, cited “some sickness and just plain fatigue,” in her Appalachian Trail journal posting on Monday.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/hiking-grandmother-from-columbia-forced-off-appalachian-trail/article_d4c6bdf0-b449-11e3-a52d-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

What I saw recently

 Congrats, Columbia!
 NO                                                              ParKing
the blocks say.

 “Wood” you look at that?

 Part of the clockworks to the clock tower at the National Watch & Clock Museum

Also seen at NAWCC: vehicles from all over . . . 

On Sunday, a vehicle dueled with a pillar at the Wells Fargo building.  The big bank won, as they always do, and the vehicle limped away, battered and broken, leaving a trail of defeat.

Gas leak – Two children taken to hospital

Emergency personnel responded to reports of a gas leak with one person unconscious at 11:39 this morning on North Second Street. At the scene, two children were found unconscious. Two ambulances were dispatched. Personnel evacuated the children and their grandmother, and the children were transported to the hospital. Firemen wearing oxygen masks checked inside the properties at 341 and 343 North Second and found concentrations of gas and carbon monoxide. Fans were set up in the doorways to ventilate the houses, and UGI was called to turn off the gas supply to the properties.

Firemen enter 341 North Second.

Personnel donned oxygen masks.

Fire Chief Scott Ryno coordinated efforts at the scene.
A fireman took readings for gas and CO.
Once more into the breach.

Paul Miles gave directions on positioning a fan.

Haters gonna hate

I’m surprised at all the recent negativity aimed at Columbia’s mention in Smithsonian Magazine as one of the “20 best small towns to visit.” And by negativity, I’m referring to name-calling, snarky comments, and outright condescension. Some people’s eyes must be going funny from all the looks they’re giving down their noses.
In this blog, I’ve sometimes been critical of the town, and with cause, but I’ve also given credit where it’s due. Most of the time, my criticisms are aimed at prodding local officials and pointing out problems.
I was born and raised in Columbia and still live here. I walk and drive its streets. I patronize its businesses almost daily, and I’ve paid taxes for years. For those reasons, I reserve the right to be critical. Can the naysayers cite similar claims for the right to be derogatory? Is there a valid justification for it?
For current residents who are consistently negative about the town: What have you done to improve the community? For that matter, why are you still here?
For those from outside the community: Jealous much? Because I’m convinced jealousy is what’s driving the vehement contempt and grade school level name-calling. Columbia has finally gotten much-deserved recognition, and some people just can’t handle it.
Of course, we all have the freedom to express our opinions, even uninformed ones.  I’ve been reading a lot of those lately.

You know you're from (fill in the blank) if you are a member of a Facebook nostalgia group

The memories are flowing on the “You know you’re from Columbia PA if” Facebook group, which began just a month ago and already has more than 4,000 members.