Workers renovating old building on Locust take time out for a quick pic

These hard-working gentlemen took a quick break to pose for this photograph at 301 Locust Street today. The three are renovating the building inside and out for owner Don Murphy of Cimmaron Investments. The projected completion date is mid- to late fall.
Go HERE for more information on the project.

The Scribbler: A look back at when Columbia was the Susquehanna's transportation hub

With the aid of period photographs and drawings, the exhibit explores the varied ways human beings have arrived at or departed from Columbia by water. 
MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/insider/the-scribbler-a-look-back-at-when-columbia-was-the/article_d2a9601c-7c9c-11e7-8c41-636a2e4ece5f.html

Columbia man jailed up to 70 years for beating, sexual assault of woman

Tomas M. Matthews, 38, was sentenced by Judge David Ashworth to 33 to 70 years in prison, according to the Lancaster County District Attorney’s office.

MORE:
http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-man-jailed-up-to-years-for-beating-sexual-assault/article_937a05f4-7c38-11e7-b17b-cf30a0c77259.html#comments

Columbia Kettle Works to have beer tasting room at Lancaster's Zoetropolis

When it’s complete, the building at 110-114 N. Water St. will house the Zoetropolis Art House independent movie theater and a Columbia Kettle Works beer tasting room, developer Patrick Tell said.

MORE:

http://lancasteronline.com/business/local_business/zoetropolis-columbia-brew-works-to-mix-movies-food-beer-at/article_8fb48aea-7bb4-11e7-b131-fb0e88fdedd8.html

A Crackdown on Little Libraries?

THIS ARTICLE from The Atlantic asserts that exchanging books through so-called “little libraries” runs afoul of the ordinances of some municipalities. Little libraries allow readers to “Take a book, leave a book.” The article states the following:

We’ve constructed communities where one must obtain permission from the state before freely sharing books with one’s neighbors!

 Could it happen here? Several little libraries, and the like, have cropped up around Columbia.

About Town

Recent pics from around Columbia . . .
“Watchcat” at the Lloyd Mifflin House on Walnut Street.
 And here’s a catbird. 
He finally stopped meowing when his picture was taken.

 Weed city – or at least half a block’s worth

 The grass at this property next to the former Cookman Church on North Sixth was recently mowed, but not completely.
What are the lyrics to that old song?
Something like:
Summertime, and the livin’ is easy
Fish are jumpin’ and the GRASS IS HIGH!
 Peeping Tom(cat)
 The Amish have invaded town – peaceably, of course.
They were replacing a roof on the 400 block of Locust.
 Hard workers, they
 And apparently sure-footed.
 Amish on the roof – aloof!
Meanwhile, around back – 2 OLD FARTS…?
Another one bites the dust.
 Sidewalk plaque on Locust
 Wall plaque marks a historic building at 401 Locust – despite the interloper on the right edge.
 Oh say, can you see all those flags at the Moose?
 Textured wall next door
 Trash- and weed-lined walkway down there, too.
 So that means six units in this building…?
 Buddha head on Walnut
 Bug vs bird.
The bug lost.
 Amish under hat
 SPCA removing critters from 341 Union Street
 There’s the van.
 And there they go.
A little later, at National Night Out . . .
 CPR man on a gurney with school supplies
 Emergency vehicles
 Side by side
Long ladder
 9301 – Columbia Trolley Works
 Monster bird?
 Or a new member of law enforcement?
 Takedown!
There’s that FedEx plane that flies over low in the morning.
 Cooper’s hawk keeping watch over North Seventh
 Flowers on the fence along North Second
 Ghost sign – a remnant of Columbia’s heyday:
MYERS MACHINE TOOL CORPORATION
 For sale down on Bridge Street
 Heritage Drive is shaping up nicely
 Brown-eyed Susans on the 200 block of Perry Street
Sumac – Columbia’s weed of choice
 Suitable for shading the house or increasing curb appeal
 A one-room schoolhouse at the intersection of Hill Street and Elbow Avenue? 
No, just a garage . . .
Complete with bell tower.
 And a bell.
Strangely beautiful or just plain ugly?
A black vulture – the newest resident of a condemned house on the 500 block of Avenue H. A neighbor there tells us he has seen a total of four.
 Arches
 Curves
More arches
 301 Locust will be renovated beyond the shadow of a doubt – or a lamp post, for that matter.
 Continuing construction of storage units along Front Street
 Supporting walls for a second floor
 Bell tower of former Shawnee Fire Company, 518 Union Street.
A new roof and some fresh paint would do wonders.
 Thanks to whoever cleaned up Makle Park
 Remains of a dead tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery
 Someone must have made the Incredible Hulk angry again.
We don’t like him when he’s angry.
 Bust of John Huston Mifflin – father of Lloyd, Columbia’s famous sonneteer and artist
 Don’t be hanging around here. It’s the spirits’ turf.
Puffball on South Sixth