Print Edition Highlights - June 28, 2012

Relay for Life makes dream of curing cancer a bit more real
By Erica Smithson

Photos by Curt Werner
In the Relay for Life Opening Day Ceremony, the Marine Corps color guard leads the first team around the track at Bostic stadium Friday, June 22 at noon.

___The 8th annual Dillsburg Relay for Life was held for 24 hours between June 22 and June 23 at Northern York County School District’s Bostic Field. The event, which helps raise funds for the American Cancer Society’s efforts to fund cancer research and educate people about the disease, among other endeavors, had the support of 24 local teams and more than 220 participants. By the close of the Relay late Saturday morning, the event’s organizers estimated that teams and participants had raised more than $90,000.
___The goal of Relay for Life is to honor every life that has been touched by cancer, no matter the facet in which the disease has done so. Those who are still fighting against cancer are honored. Those who have lost their fight are remembered. Those who are survivors – counting the days, weeks, months or years since their diagnosis – are encouraged by their community to remain strong and positive. Even players in the cancer journey that might be part of the background – the caregivers – which the American Cancer Society defines as “a family member, friend, loved one or other support person that lends physical, emotional or other support to someone,” are brought to the forefront for their courage and strength to those whose suffering is eased by their presence. Indeed, it is the thought that so many people are affected that makes this year’s Relay for Life theme, “Once Upon a Cure,” which signifies the hope that the efforts of people everywhere fighting against cancer and hoping for a cure will someday result in a “happily ever after,” all the more meaningful.

KKaren DeFrain, Relay for Life Honorary Survivor, receives an emotional embrace from Katrica Hinkle with Nicole Goss standing by, both committee members, following her speech Friday night.

See the June 28, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Sandusky found guilty

Photo by Curt Werner
Last moments of freedom. Jerry Sandusky enters the Centre County Court House in Bellefonte on Thursday, June 21.

____Jerry Sandusky was found guilty of 45 out of the 48 counts of child sexual abuse last Friday, June 22 at the Centre County Court House in Bellefonte. The count was originally at 52, but the judge dropped four counts during the trial. The former Penn State defensive coach abused 10 victims over a period of 15 years. The charges will result in a minimum of a 60 year sentence and 442 years at maximum. Sandusky is currently being held in isolation at Centre County Jail where he is awaiting sentencing.

See the June 28, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Closing of railroad crossing is still incomplete
By Peggie Williams

Photo by Curt Werner
Looking towards the creek from Chestnut Grove Road is the former railroad crossing. The gentle slop leading up to the tracks encourages joggers, bikers and skateboarders, says a resident, because the barrier up against the tracks is not yet installed as planned.

____To the drivers finding a new route to work that doesn’t involve North Chestnut Grove Road, it would appear that a seven-year battle to close the Norfolk Southern Railroad crossing over that road was finished. In mid-May, work was done to install a cul-de-sac on both sides of the track, walls of dirt and debris were built up to prohibit auto traffic and a barrier chain was put in place.
____But Cecile Coble, who lives in the house just north of the work, said the project is far from finished. “It’s not really closed,” she said.
____“There are still things that need to be addressed,” said Coble. “This work was not done according to the PUC’s order.” She was referring to a ruling handed down by the Public Utilities Commission in 2008.
In a formal complaint filed to the PUC on May 29, Coble cites five items she finds fault with, including guard rails that do not completely surround the cul-de-sac and leave open a steep drop-off, gentle slopes on both sides that encourage foot traffic and might still allow some vehicle traffic, improper drainage controls and improper seeding for ground cover.

See the June 28, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Crowds walk through Main Street on Jubilee Day. The event drew thousands of customers to more than 300 business, food and craft vendors.

Despite intense heat, Jubilee Day is still Mechanicsburg’s most hotly attended event
By Erica Smithson

___Mechanicsburg’s 84th annual Jubilee Day was held Thursday, June 21. The temperature peaked at 95 degrees, but that did not deter the crowds from patronizing the more than 300 business, food and craft vendors that lined the stretch of road running along Main Street east to Walnut Street and west to York Street, as well as South Market Street to Simpson Street and North Market Street to Strawberry Alley.
___The free-admission event, which is always held the third Thursday of June from mid-morning until 9 p.m., is hosted by the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce and receives sponsorship from area businesses, television and radio stations and the Pennsylvania Lottery. Long held as one of the largest, longest-running one-day street fairs on the East Coast, Jubilee Day can draw crowds upwards of 70,000 people and this year was no different, as crowds began lining the streets in the early hours of the festival.
___Jubilee Day’s beginnings date back to 1923, when a group of Mechanicsburg’s businessmen were in Gettysburg during a town-wide celebration. The men decided that their hometown needed to have a similar event. The first years were devoted to the farming community, which was prevalent in the area, as well as the borough’s merchants, who used the day to thank citizens for their patronage during the year. Appropriately, its original name was Farmers and Merchants Day. The June date was put in place because it was a time when the farmers’ work would lull and they would be able to come out and enjoy the festivities. Over time, things were changed, such as an expanded exhibit area, and of course, the name. Jubilee Day first was named as such in the 1930s. Although a World War II fuel shortage canceled the festival from 1940-45, the day has been going strong since its revival in 1946.

Mechanicsburg Chief of Police David Spotts talks with State Senator Pat Vance.

See the June 28, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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West Shore Twilight Baseball League

Photos by Curt Werner
Dillsburg's third baseman, Kevin Gorman, fields a ground ball and throws to first for an out in the bottom of the fourth inning.

____In the WSTBL, Dillsburg lost to Mechanicsburg on Monday, June 25, at home 7 to 3. Catcher Jon Mayer had a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning.

Dillsburg's Greg Wasikowski gets a face full of dirt as he dives under the tag stealing second base safely in the bottom of the third inning against Mechanicsburg.

See the June 28, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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