Year: 2017

Columbia School District Curriculum Director sparks interest in augmented reality at Laurel Highlands

Laurel Highlands federal programs director Eric Gaydos was introduced to the technology earlier this year at the annual Pennsylvania Association of Federal Program Coordinators Conference when a curriculum director from Columbia Borough School District in Lancaster County demonstrated its abilities and how his district has implemented it into everyday learning.

MORE:
HERE

About Town

Recent pics about town…
Another artist at work
He painted these posts at The Owls on Friday.
Nice work.
 Water-logged Lincoln. These inserts line sidewalks along Route 462 in Columbia, also known as the Lincoln Highway.

Check, please.
Spell-check, that is.

 Frank Doutrich distributed water to residents at this month’s borough council meeting. At last month’s meeting, the mayor offered water to council but not to residents, even though residents foot the bill.

 Black vultures atop stadium lights at the high school.

 Pennsy Supply paving Rotary Avenue on Friday the 13th.

 Rollin’ it on out

 And back again

 The road crew getting steamed up

 Stapling a dirty flag to a utility pole does not a patriot make.
It’s flag desecration.

 Testing the water

 Well, someone’s gotta do it.

 An appropriate price for a devil vice

 Skating along a lonely street

 Although this is a promotional poster for an upcoming comic series, a “doomsday clock” has been on the cover of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists since 1947 and is a symbol representing the probability of a man-made global catastrophe.

From the Bulletin:

“2017: For the last two years, the minute hand of the Doomsday Clock stayed set at three minutes before the hour, the closest it had been to midnight since the early 1980s. In its two most recent annual announcements on the Clock, the Science and Security Board warned: “The probability of global catastrophe is very high, and the actions needed to reduce the risks of disaster must be taken very soon.” In 2017, we find the danger to be even greater, the need for action more urgent. It is two and a half minutes to midnight, the Clock is ticking, global danger looms. Wise public officials should act immediately, guiding humanity away from the brink. If they do not, wise citizens must step forward and lead the way. See the full statement from the Science and Security Board on the 2017 time of the Doomsday Clock.”

 Apparently, even fish adhere to archaic ideologies.

 Mercifully, most of this did not occur.
Thanks, Don and Becky Murphy.
Speaking of Hinkle’s, these gals were still hanging out there last week.

 Sprucing up down at Rocky’s Barbecue-to-be

 Two guys laying out the route for the upcoming Semper Fi 5k Run on November 11.
From Facebook:

“The Semper fi 5K race is filling up fast. Runners and walkers alike going to make the 3-mile hike with the Marines. After a quick two miles, the runners are coming right down Locust street past Locust Park, Borough Hall, and Hinkles to the finish line at Locust and Bank Streets.

All streets to be closed on November 11, 2017, from 7:30 am to 9 am are as follows:
Kinderhook road at the High School. Crossing Ironville PikeOnto Spruce to North 11th.North Chestnut from 11 st to N 8th St.N 8th to Walnut St.Walnut St between 8th and 12th St12th st from Walnut to Chestnut StChestnut from 12th to 14th st14th st from Chestnut to Luther LaneLuther Lane from 14th to 13th st.Locust from 13th to Walnut St.

If you’re not running, come out and cheer on the Marines…..”

 Columbians are starting to wake up to their rich architectural heritage.

 Unfortunately, some of it has been abused.

And some of it has been neglected.

 Yep, I bet that’s what he meant.

Way up high in the sky at 301 Locust…

It’s the hard-working Flocko!

 The large sign area shown here originally read “CLOTHING” but will soon read “COLUMBIA” in gold letters.

 Yes, “Hollwen” is right around the corner.
 Mini-windmill at Front and Bridge

 Another of the many concrete contractors that have poured sidewalks in Columbia

 More asphalt paving on Heritage Drive
Here’s the Lancaster County GIS map of that general area which appears to show that the public right-of-way is a straight shot right down to the river – basically an extension of Locust Street.
 And here’s how it appears, looking towards the river.

And yet, there’s a fence and some trees in the way.
So: What’s up with that?!

 Avenue F was also recently paved, along with part of the Tollbooth parking lot.

 Here’s another view of that.

 A resident complained to the Safety Committee this week about trespassers removing bricks from his property and loitering there.

Here’s a different property.
Wow!

Excavating is being done under Columbia Crossing.

 The area must be “taken down” to make way for a concrete slab to accommodate vendors. The project will cost $20,000.
Some of the rubble from the project was apparently dumped along the boat ramp.

 We haven’t had much of a fall yet – with the usual display of colorful leaves – but here’s one from today on the 100 block of Walnut.

 Well, sometimes there are if you are born with a silver spoon or are well-connected politically.

So, who’s killing the eels and throwing them back?

 Three in a row at River Park.
Cut in half and thrown into the water.
What gives?

 Just in time for Halloween, this ghostly apparition recently appeared on the hood of a truck.

 It wavered and waved…

 …as if signaling from the ether.

Disregard the sign. 
This is really the General Edward C. Shannon Armory, named in honor of Columbia’s greatest general, who was also lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania.

A green heron goes fishing at River Park, is challenged briefly by a great blue

Columbia Spy recently caught the following photos of a green heron fishing for minnows along the shore of the Susquehanna at Columbia River Park. The bird was briefly challenged by a great blue heron that flew by and bellowed at it. The great blue alighted a short distance away and watched as the green heron apparently invaded its territory. The great blue seemed a bit intimidated by the photographer, whereas the green was almost oblivious as it continued to spear minnows with its beak in quick, deft strokes.
This green heron was sitting alongshore recently at Columbia River Park.

It seemed to be surveying its prospects for a fish dinner.

It high-stepped along the shoreline, looking for a suitable spot.

 As it walked, it had to avoid twigs, leaves, and other debris.

 A great blue heron, a frequent visitor to this part of the river, bellowed from a short distance away as it flew by.

 It then landed a little further down along the shoreline and watched the interloper in its territory.

Undaunted, the green heron stayed focused on its goal.

Using stealth…

 …it closed in on its prey.

Got one!

Encouraged by its success, it crept onward.

The bird was briefly alarmed by something…

…but adhered to its mission…

…and was rewarded once again for its efforts…

…but almost lost the prize.

It attacked once again with accuracy…

…and speared another hapless victim.

Canoemobile crew packs up 400-pound canoes after a day of river outings at Columbia River Park

Crew members carry a 400-pound canoe up the steps at Columbia River Park last Monday.

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Columbia Spy came across the canoemobile – or rather several canoemobiles – being “packed up” at Columbia River Park Monday afternoon. The crew had just finished a day of boat rides on the Susquehanna with 5th graders from Columbia School District and Eastern York School District, and with other interested visitors. Seven crew members from the Wilderness Inquiry hoisted the six canoes, one at a time, onto a waiting trailer. Each canoe weighs about 400 pounds and is made of cedar strips, fiberglass, and Kevlar by a boatwright in St. Paul, Minnesota, the group’s home base. 
According to the group’s literature: 

“The Wilderness Inquiry Canoemobile is a roving fleet of 24-foot, 10-passenger Voyageur canoes that travels the country to connect people to their local waterways and the great outdoors.”

As part of its 17-city national tour, the Canoemobile stopped over in Columbia last Monday and Tuesday to offer the outings. The event was sponsored by the National Park Conservation Association in partnership with the National Park Service Chesapeake office.

For more information on the Canoemobile, go here: https://www.wildernessinquiry.org/programs/canoemobile/

A trailer carrying the canoes was hitched to the Wilderness Inquiry van.

The crew carried several 24-foot canoes, like the one shown above, to a waiting trailer.

Each canoe was pulled from the water and then onto a dock.

Here is one of the canoes, awaiting transport.

The crew flipped each canoe after it was pulled from the river to facilitate loading.

After loading, each canoe was secured onto the trailer.

Crew members ably negotiated steps while carrying the heavy boats.
The Wilderness Inquiry van with trailer in tow.

The canoes alone will weigh a total of about 2400 pounds when loaded.

Almost done

One more to go

And here’s the last one being carried up the boat ramp, while an interested spectator (far left) watches.

Mission: Almost Accomplished!

The mission is almost accomplished. Joanna Spicer hopes to complete her mural at Locust Street Park by the end of this weekend. Aided today by her mother – and some favorable weather – she worked for several hours daubing paint onto two more of the military emblems – navy and air force.
A source associated with the project tells the Spy that a small ceremony to mark the mural’s completion will be held at a future date, and lighting will eventually be installed to illuminate the work.
More information on the mural project can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Pumpkin Painting at Columbia Crossing Saturday, October 21

Fall fun for the whole family! Unleash your creativity and paint a pumpkin to take home and celebrate fall on the river. We’ll have all the pumpkins, paint, glitter and supplies you need to get creative!

This event is for all ages. Drop in anytime from 11-3, while supplies and pumpkins last. Suggested donation of $2 per person.

Columbia resident runs for school board as write-in candidate

Hello, my name is Rebecca Young and I am running for a seat on the Columbia Borough School District School Board. I have served and volunteer in our community for over 20 years. From coaching our youth in CBAA Cheerleading to being a Youth Pastor that helped impart over 52 teens and I’m still connected with many of them as adults with families of their own.

Why run now for our School Board? I believe that a school board must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large, encouraging an open dialog. I believe being a part of that board impels us to take input from all groups and weigh all the facts before making a decision.

A Board member is a trustee of the community that elects him or her. We must be an extension from the school to the community and be willing to collaborate with all members of the community. A school board member must build public understanding, support and participation.

What are my commitments? My commitments are to be a board member that will center on serving all of the children in the community, where no one child is more important than another. We are a diverse community and I want to celebrate that diversity. Our schools are here to serve the educational needs of all the children. Our children/teens are too vital in our community to not give them our all to be successful individuals who will be excited to give back to their community.

As a mother of four children, I learned firsthand how powerful good schools are in nurturing and supporting students. Having a child with ADHD and High Functioning Autism has shown having that support is second to none. Good schools are more about students who feel accepted, safe and know they are important to all of us than just numbers.

At the same time I recognize the need to balance the demands of our future generation with the challenges of our elderly generation. Our elderly have worked hard in their lives, given time, money, and wisdom to us all. Their challenges need to be answered as well. I will weigh every decision against this balance. I promise!

No doubt that there are many challenges facing the Columbia Borough School District and our community as a whole. Instead of standing on the sideline and simply critiquing the decisions that are made, I am choosing to be part of the solution. 
I would be honored with the opportunity to serve the taxpayers of this borough by working with the community, business owners, and administration in finding the resources we need to meet our financial and academic challenges. By listening to all of you, I firmly believe that change can happen in Columbia. For this reason, I am asking for your support and votes because IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE! 
Get out and vote for this change by writing in REBECCA YOUNG for BOTH the two-year AND four-year school board seats. 
Thank you for your valuable time!

Susquehanna water shuttle would link Lancaster, York counties by boat

As early as next summer, a public water shuttle could be carrying visitors across the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Long Level in York County.
If successful, the shuttle — probably using pontoon boats — could be expanded to transport visitors between Columbia and Wrightsville, and on a longer loop to include the Blue Rock Heritage Center in Washington Boro.
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/insider/susquehanna-water-shuttle-would-link-lancaster-york-counties-by-boat/article_6352800e-b4ff-11e7-902d-cf9f77f83dbf.html

PA Education Department Farm-to-School Grant Inspires Healthy Eating, Supports Pennsylvania

Students at Park Elementary School in Columbia BoroughSchool District are expanding their palate and taste buds with locally grown produce thanks to a farm-to-school mini-grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
MORE:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pa-education-department-farm-to-school-grant-inspires-healthy-eating-supports-pennsylvania-agriculture-300538898.html

Murphy agrees to acquire Hinkle’s Restaurant – Restaurant to remain open!

Columbia, PA, October 18, 2017   

Local Real Estate Investor and developer Don Murphy and his wife Becky have agreed to purchase the restaurant and real estate from the Hinkle Family for an undisclosed price.   The Murphy’s, through their company, Cimarron Investments already own several landmark historic buildings in downtown Columbia.  
Mr. Murphy said he began discussions with the Hinkle Family immediately after they announced earlier this month that they were closing their pharmacy and restaurant located at 261 Locust Street.  “We have been working diligently to structure a deal to keep the iconic restaurant intact and retain as many of the amazing dedicated employees as possible” says Mr. Murphy.  The Murphy’s have retained two long time managers/chefs of the restaurant, Mr. John Sipe and Ms. Robin Ortman as proprietors of the restaurant.  Sipe and Ortman have established their own business whereas they will lease the restaurant from the Murphy’s. The Murphy’s also acquired the name “Hinkle’s Restaurant” as they felt it was extremely important to carry on the legacy of the Hinkle’s brand that so many locals and visitors to downtown Columbia have come to recognize over their 124 years of operation.  
The current business will close as planned on October 25th for a transitioning period of four days and reopen at 7:00am, Monday, October 30th.  Mr. Murphy said his future plans are to renovate the restaurant, expand the kitchen and increase seating by adding additional dining space.  Current catering services are planned to be expanded as well.  He also hopes that this latest acquisition will help enhance the downtown and that maintaining this location is a key element in the revitalization of Columbia.