Albatwitch Festival – the countdown begins

The countdown begins for the 2nd Annual Albatwitch Festival presented by the Columbia Historic Preservation Society and National Museum of Mysteries on September 26.

Speaker Schedule
9 AM Dave Juliano with Bob Christopher
10 AM Sharon Hill
11 AM Kenny Biddle
12 PM Kelly Weaver
1 PM Mark Nesbitt
2 PM Rene Kruse
3 PM Brian Keene
4 PM John C Alsedek

Lectures to be held promptly in Banner Hall located in the Columbia Historic Preservation Society.

Live music by Albatwitch and spinning the vinyl is Columbia’s own DJ Stoutz.

1 PM Apple Pie Judging Contest CHPS
(please bring pies to the Columbia Historic Preservation Society stand located in front of the Columbia Water Co. before 11 AM)
2 PM Zombie Beauty Contest Taco To Go
(please email cverachps@gmail.com or register at the Museum of Natural Mysteries located in front of Hinkle’s Pharmacy by 1 PM)

Come and enjoy some of our local non profits and vendors, Bricker Fries, Under the Celtic Moon – RT 30 West Seafood Inc. – Grammaw’s Soft Pretzel- Columbia Owl’s – Columbia Elks – Wilson’s Funnel Cakes & Lemonade- Midnight Crew Studios – Lancaster Sage & Crystals – 328 Designs- The Comic Store
Turkey Hill Organic Drinks/ Herr’s Potato Chips/ Tom Sturgis Pretzel Sale 2/ $1.00
Albatwitch Festival T-shirts $20.00

HAUNTED LANTERN TOUR: CEMETERY CLASSIC

The Mt. Bethel Cemetery, 700 Locust Street, Columbia, is the perfect setting for a “Haunted Lantern Tour: Cemetery Classic” which is scheduled for Friday, October 23rd and Saturday, October 24th.  Although it’s not a scare tour, there are some creepy, spooky elements, some surprises and plenty of opportunities to be startled. The one-hour tour begins at 7:00PM and is repeated on the hour with the last tour scheduled for 10:00PM.
Reservations are required and can be made by calling Charlene Bair at(717) 684-6196. 

The Last Ride at Mt. Bethel October 10

“The Last Ride” October 10th. 11 am to 3 pm.
Friends of Mount Bethel Cemetery will be hosting professional cars: hearses, limousines, ambulances, flower cars and service vehicles at Mount Bethel Cemetery, 700 Locust Street, Columbia, PA. Funeral memorabilia will be on display in the caretakers cottage. Refreshments are available.
Please join us for this unique event. Admission is free. Donations are greatly appreciated. All proceeds benefit the preservation of Mount Bethel Cemetrey Grounds. 
Contact Jane Moore, for more information,jmoore1115@gmail.com

Buffalo Soldiers roll into Columbia

Undaunted by rain, Buffalo Soldiers on motorcycles stopped at Zion Hill Cemetery on Saturday to honor the memory of African-American soldiers buried there. The visit was part of a daylong observance that included stops at several local cemeteries, including those in Marietta and Lancaster. 
According to Wikipedia: 
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club (NABSMC) is a Black (African-American) motorcycle club in the United States, named for the historic African-American United States Army regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers, seen in their patch.[1][2][3][4] It is one of the biggest Black motorcycles clubs in the USA and the biggest African American motorcycle club in Chicago, with 97 chapters as of 2012,[5] with over 2000 members across the USA.[6][7]
The full Wikipedia article is HERE.
The Buffalo Soldiers gathered under the Route 30 overpass near Zion Hill Cemetery after riding from Marietta in a steady rain.
 On the cemetery grounds, members explained the history and focus of the organization . . . 

 and several portrayed persons from the past who had served in various wars.

 Soldiers had lined up in the rain before marching into Zion Hill.

 A soldier told the tale of his character from history.

 Darlene Colon, an actress who has portrayed Lydia Hamilton-Smith at several venues, adopted the role of a female soldier – an actual historical figure.

 Soldiers listened to the ceremony as the rain continued . . .

 . . . and a bugler played “Taps.”

As the ceremony ended, soldiers marched from the grounds and mounted motorcycles for a trip to Lancaster.
Addendum:
Columbia Spy first encountered the Buffalo Soldiers at Sheetz in Marietta, as they left to visit a cemetery up the road. They had assured us they would visit Zion Hill – and so they did.