Print Edition Highlights - December 6, 2012

Light Up Night puts Dillsburg in the holiday spirit
By Erica Smithson

Photos by Mark Ryder
Santa and Mrs. Claus upgraded their sleigh to a fire truck driven by Todd Cook for Friday’s night tree lighting ceremony at the Dillsburg square. Rudolph had the night off.

____The Christmas season officially began in Dillsburg Borough on the evening of Friday, Nov. 30, with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on the square, a ceremony known as Light Up Night. The event featured welcome speeches by Sherry Houseal, president of the Dillsburg Area Business Association (DABA), Jeff Griffin, president of the Dillsburg Borough Council, and a proclamation read by Mayor Hank Snyder. Throughout the ceremony, Northern High School’s Polar Bear Singers, led by their director, Laura Bissell, provided Christmas carols.
____After the tree was lit, Jay Young gathered the children for the telling of a Christmas themed story. Then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived on a fire truck. Afterward, the crowd stopped by the Dillsburg library for refreshments, a visit with Santa and live entertainment from the Dillsburg Brass. Because of the night’s mild weather, a record crowd of more than 400 people came out to enjoy the festivities, and despite an emergency run for more cookies and hot chocolate, the event was considered a success by all of the event’s organizers.
____In her opening speech, Houseal said, “Decorating the square and lighting the tree is an age-old tradition in Dillsburg that we feel is important to carry on.” She added that gathering around the tree, whether as friends and neighbors, family or newcomers to the area, Light Up Night serves as a way to unite the community.

Julia Saunder, 10 months old, sits on Santa’s lap next to Mrs. Claus at the Dillsburg Library following festivities at the square.

On Friday night after the tree was lit, Jay Young gathered the children for the telling of a Christmas themed story.

See the December 6, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Wellsville approves $90K budget
By Carolyn Hoffman

____Wellsville Borough will be holding on to its property at 354 Main St. for at least a few more years. To avoid paying back grant money that was used to purchase and demolish the abandoned home on the site, the borough needs to not dispose of the property for four more years.
____As long as the borough retains ownership for four years, the money does not need to be paid back. Given the current real-estate market, the council wasn’t upset at the news and knew previously that at least one of their grants carried that restriction.
____In other action at the Dec. 3 session, council gave final approval to the 2013 budget, which projects $92,300 in income and $89,716 in expenses. No changes were made to the budget from the version that was presented at the November session.

See the December 6, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Great-great-grandson of author Charles Dickens to
perform in area
By Jeffrey B. Roth

Gerald Charles Dickens dressed in character.

____In January 1842, Charles Dickens left Liverpool, England, aboard the RMS Britannia steamship with his wife, Kate, and their maid, Anne Brown, for his first tour of the United States.
____Dickens, considered by many to be the first modern celebrity, drew fans and spectators throughout his travels. In March 1842, Dickens traveled by train from Baltimore, Md., to York; then Harrisburg, and on to Pittsburgh. Dickens returned to the United States in 1867.
____Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Dickens and an actor, will be at the Hershey Hotel this weekend to perform his one-man dramatic rendition of “A Christmas Carol.” Bringing to life 26 characters using only a chair and several hats, Gerald is following in the footsteps of his famous ancestor, who also performed dramatic readings of his work to fans. This year is special, as it marks the 200th birthday of Dickens.

See the December 6, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Photos by Curt Werner
Sharod Learn shoots for two as the shot is blocked by a Northern opponent.

____Teachers and students played wheelchair basketball in the Northern High School gym Saturday, Dec. 1, to raise money for the Wounded Warriors Project.

Dave Ramsey takes a spill going after the ball.

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Girls' soccer team holds annual banquet
By Joe Guty

Northern varsity soccer coach Mindy Smith receives flowers as Messiah soccer coach Scott Frey looks on.

____More Northern H.S. student-athletes were recently honored for their accomplishments during the 2012 Fall sports season as the girls' soccer team was recognized during their annual banquet. Northern finished the regular season 11-1 and then marched on from a runner-up finish at Districts to make a strong run at the PIAA Class AA State Championships with a 2-0 quarter final win over Scranton Prep before bowing to Archbishop Wood (0-3) in the semifinals.
____"As far as the end of the season goes, it was such an exciting run," said head coach Mindy Smith. " The players really came together as a team and showed an incredible belief in their ability to excel in challenging games."
____For the Lady Polar Bears, Sara Yunez, Emma Gingrich and Maggie Frey were named Mid Penn First Team All -Stars. Taylor Sheibley, Allison Speese and Taryn Casey made the Mid Penn Second Team. Yunez was namedNorthern's MVP and McKenzie Shank earned the Unsung Hero Award. The Sportsmanship Award was given to the team.

See the December 6, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Ready to rumble
By Joe Guty

Photo by Curt Werner
Head Coach Mark Murphy watches seniors Garek Strouse (top) and Isaiah Locke do reverse drills during practice.

____"This year we have a small roster, but are a competitive group," said Northern's head varsity wrestling coach Mark Murphy earlier this week as the Polar Bears prepare for the 2012-13 season.
____The preliminary starting line-up includes Gunnar Merovich (113 pounds), Caleb Cope (120), Jonathan Ross (126), Jeremy Taylor (132), Matt Creavey and Haron Sharifi (138), Garek Strouse and Eli Lazar (145), Austin Snell (152), Isaiah Locke (160), Andy Reed (170), Kyle Koser and Elijah Locke (182), Austin Egolf (195), Dylan Thomas (220), Nick Lodovici and Mike Ellifritz (285). The 106 weight class is vacant as of press time.
____"The top half of our line-up is dominated by upper classmen so we will rely on them for both wins and leadership," added Murphy whose varsity assistants include Nate Sheaffer, Greg Myers, Jr. and Josh Murray.

See the December 6, 2012 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.

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Bear and Deer Season

Alex Dale, of Monaghan Township, harvested his first bear on Nov. 17 while hunting in Sullivan County. The bear weighed 170 pounds.

George Gutshall, of Dillsburg, with his seven-point buck shot on Nov. 28.

Dylan Nelson, 12 years old, of Dillsburg, shot his first buck, a six-point, in State Game Lands 243 in Franklintown on Monday, Nov. 26.

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