Photo by Curt Werner

Paul Tucker hangs the Farmers Fair banner across the Dillsburg Square late Friday afternoon. Fair dates are October 15 to October 20.

Balderdash translated as fun in Dillsburg

By Shirley A. Knight

If you look up the word “balderdash,” you will find meanings that range from a board game about words to the use of senseless words in language such as rubbish, baloney or hogwash.

At Dills Tavern in Dillsburg, the word has come to stand for a day of frivolity mixed with history rooted in the beginnings of the tavern itself, which was a distillery.

This year’s Balderdash Celebration fell on a rainy day, but that didn’t dampen the spirits of the 350 guests.

Photo by Curt Werner

Ian Neail of Dillsurg lights up a cigar during Balderdash at Dills Tavern last weekend.

New ski slope approved for Roundtop

By Carolyn Hoffman

Roundtop Mountain Resort got the decision it was hoping for when Warrington Township’s solicitor agreed that a new conditional use permit was not needed to build an additional learner’s ski slope at the site.

Work on the new slope won’t start until summer, at the earliest, and is planned for the western edge of the existing slopes, next to the Drummer Boy slope.

In other action at the September 5 supervisors’ session, the popular Trunk or Treat night will again be held this year in the township park on October 31, a Wednesday.

United fire companies get green light

By Peggie Williams

Carroll Township Supervisors heard some good news about the merger between Citizens Hose Company No. 1 and Franklintown Community Fire Company during their meeting on Monday.

Fire Chief Scott McClintock reported that in spite of a single piece of paperwork that has been held up in the Orphans Court for almost a year, the attorney working on the merger gave the companies the go-ahead to start operating as one.

“There were no objections to the merger at all during the comment period,” said McClintock.

Polar Bears claw 'Cats; record moves to 2-1

By Joe Guty

 Spoiling the host's party, the Northern H.S. varsity football squad won the cross-town rivalry last week as they upended Mechanicsburg H.S. 32-6. On the Wildcat's home turf, the Polar Bears, now 2-1 took command with a 20-6 lead by halftime and blanked the 'Cats in the last half. Mechanicsburg fell to 0-3 in their celebration 100th season of football. Former Wildcat players were recognized at halftime ceremonies. Meanwhile, the game played out and both teams were focused for a victory with Northern getting the final edge on the scoreboard. This Friday night, Northern hosts Mifflin County H.S. in the Mid Penn Colonial Division opener.

After a nine-play drive, Northern scored first against Mechanicsburg on Bailey Blaschak's 34-yard field goal. The sophomore added another field goal from 30 yards out at 4:01 in the first quarter as the Polar Bears kept plugging along toward the end zone. The Wildcats answered right back with their first and only score on a 90-yard kick-off return by Keegan Neill. The conversion attempt failed and the game was tied at 6-6 going into the second quarter. Northern picked up the pace of the game as Kyle Swartz shrugged off defenders for a 15-yard touchdown run at 11:50. The PAT was good to make it 13-6. Swartz and crew capped an eight-play drive as the junior back punched in from the 2-yard line with just under 40 seconds left in the half. With Blaschak's extra point, the Bears now led 20-6. Blasting through the line and keeping his balance after being tripped, Swartz turned on the jets en route to a 47-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Chris Barrett scored the final TD of the night on a six-yard keeper off tackle with 4:14 left.

Photo by Curt Werner

A large hole opens up in the middle for Northern quarterback Chris Barrett, picking up big yardage for a first down.

Photo by Curt Werner

Kyle Swartz picks up yardage against Mechanicsburg last Friday.