Photo by Mark Ryder

Jolly Old St. Nicholas captivates a baby at the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on the square of Dillsburg last Friday.

Tree lighting

The annual Christmas Tree Lightinh ceremony lit up the Dillsburg square last Friday evening. Music filled the air, just before Mayor John Richardson issued the proclamation to officially open the holiday season.

Children gathered around Jay Young to hear a Christmas story of good will and generosity to families in need.

The audience cheered when the tree lights were turned on, casting a glow in the night air.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived by fire truck.

After the festivities on the square, all were invited to historic Monaghan Church for cookies, hot chocolate and a chance to sit on Santa's lap to share their Christmas wishes.

For those on foot, luminaries in the alley lit the way to the historic church.

Other area activities included two breakfasts with Santa at the Dillsburg American Legion, a Breakfast with Santa at the Dillsburg American Legion, a Breakfast with Santa at the Wellsville Fire Company, both held last Saturday, and the Wellsville Tree Lighting, held last Thursday at the town's community park.

Jay Young tells a Christmas story of good will to the children during the night's festivities.

Rerouting of Rt. 74 plan considered

Carolyn Hoffman

Local municipal officials plan to attend a December 17 meeting about a possible reroute of Route 74.

At the December 4 Warrington Township meeting, supervisors indicated they are generally favorable towards the idea of a reroute but won’t commit to anything until after hearing more information at the meeting, which is scheduled at the Carroll Township building.

The possible reroute would apparently avoid both Dillsburg and Wellsville Boroughs and would travel along the new Old York Road instead. Apparently, still to be resolved is the route the road will take to reach the Old York Rd.

A Warrington Township resident asked for help about how to keep a neighbor’s goats from entering their property and destroying their gardens and trees. Supervisors promised to research and investigate and report back on what options are possible at the next meeting.

In other activity at the session, the county bridge on Squire Gratz Road was opened after reconstruction there. However, a resident reported water is ponding along both sides of the new bridge, and the engineer will check with the county to determine if all work there is completed. The solicitor reported more filings in connection with the shooting range on the Harold Stoneberger property.

A new case about a home buyer disputing a house inspection was also reported. Four sewer citations were issued, with two of them not responded to by the homeowners, so the district justice issued arrest warrants.

The Robert Updike subdivision was reapproved after the county’s approval of the plan.

Wellsville Fire Co. reported seven calls in Warrington during November, out of its total of 30 calls for the month. For the year, the total is now 100 calls in Warrington and 327 calls in all municipalities.

Bills for the period were $61,508.46 and $610.41 from the general and state liquid fuels funds. The largest general fund bill was $10,314.34 for fall cleanup and trash bags.

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the supervisors will be December 18 at 7 p.m. in the township offices in Rossville.

Photos by Curt Werner

Ashley Freeburn, Unsung Hero; Bree Yeagy, MVP and Madison Roth, Sportmanship Award.

Polar Bear student-athletes recognized at awards banquet

Joe Guty

At the Radison Hotel Harrisburg in Camp Hill last Sunday afternoon, Northern High School's football team and cheerleading squad celebrated their respective 2019 seasons with coaches, family and friends, administration, game personnel and local media.

The Northern Football Booster Club, led by President Mark Geiser, supported a successful Polar Bear season and provided a fitting tribute to both squads. Head Coach Bill Miller and his coaching staff presented awards and also spoke about each player's accomplishments. In addition, cheerleading coach Eliza Theys announced cheer letter winners, individual awards and the most recent state-qualifying performance by the squad. Also, the athletic training staff, led by Donnie Russell, was recognized for efforts and expertise this past season.

Senior Kyle Swartz established several new records, eclipsing the single season and career rushing marks. In 2019, he rushed for 2,139 yards and posted 26 touchdowns in nine games. He also had 5,485 career rushing yards and 74 career rushing TDs. He was named the varsity team MVP and also earned his fourth-year letter. Other Varsity awards: Luke Horvath - Defennsive MVP; Jordan Heisey - Offensive MVP; Donovan Bair - Sportmanship Award; Clayton "CJ" Wagner - Unsung Hero Award; Ty Regan - Most Improved Player Award; Tyler Yohn - Coaches Award; Tim Gieser - Rick Mauck 100 Percent Award; and Aidan Wenger the Ellery Crone - Special Teams MVP Award. Fred Hunter won the JVC Sportmanship Award.

Mid Penn Conference Colonial Division First Team All-Stars included: Kyle Swartz - Running Back; Donovan Bair - Offensive Line and Defensive Line; Luke Horvath - Linebacker; and Ty Regan - Defensive Back. Second Team Colonial Division All-Stars included: Jordan Heisey - Quarterback; Bay Blaschak - Defensive Line; Nick Fekete - Offensive Line; and Kyle Swartz - Linebacker.

Third-year letter winners included: Donovan Bair, Timothy Geiser, Luke Horvath and Aidan Wenger. Second year letter winners included: Bailey "Bay" Blaschak, Nicholas Fekete, Hunter Fitterling, Jordan Heisey, Hunter Hertzog, Zachary Mowchan, Ty Regan and Tyler Yohn. First-year letter winners included: Zachary Beam, Colin Brennan, Joshua Ford, Lane Froelich, Fred Hunter, Joseph Kostelac, Joseph Lodovici, Shea McNair, Sean Sarley, Aidan Sherman, Clayton "CJ" Wagner, Tyler Weary, Jeffrey Wright and Mason Yohn. JV Certificates were accorded to: Aydan Digrugilliers, Andrew Gingrich, Layne Hose, Kolin Keiser, Cole Lamb, Patrick McClellan, Tayte McNair, Joshua Myers, Christopher Putz and Albert "AJ" Vail.

Photos by Curt Werner

Aric Graham practices the Butterfly.

Polar Bears open with wins

Joe Guty

Hosting the Blue Knights of Wyoming Seminary last Saturday, Dec. 7, the Northern High School Swimming and Diving teams posted 32 Career Best Teams and 11 Career First Swims. Both the Girls' and Boys' teams were victorious in the 2019-20 season opener. And some program history was made.

"We also completed our first PIAA officiated meet today without any individual or realy disqualifications, said Head Coach Bill Resser. "With so many new swimmers, that's really outstanding."

The Northern Girls team prevailed 103-71 while the boys team claimed a 101 to 64 win.

Top placers in the meet: Girls 200-Yard Medley Relay: Jackie Brettschneider, Evangeline Soerens, Annn Secord, and Abigail Soerens (second place in 2:01.05) and Jane Secord, Jenna Breeon, Madison Thatcher and Raina Diziki (third in 2:12.37); Boys 200 Medley Relay: Gavin Stuckey, Sondo Yoon, Ben Clarke and Noah Spencer (first place in 1:47.95) and Shawn Cutright, Jackson Hazen, Aric Graham and Matthew Langland (second in 1:57.33); Girls 200 Freestyle: Audrey Weaver (second place in 2:15.26); Boys 200 Freestyle: Ryan Boyce (second place in 2:05.08) and Andrew Chavey (third in 2:11.85); Girls 200 IM: Jackie Brettschneider (second in 2:15.76); Girls 50 Freestyle: Maddy Holland (second place in 32.89) and Liberty Dorsey (third in 33.06); Boys 50 Freestyle: Noah Spencer (second place in 23.16) and Shawn Cutright (third in 25.18); Girls 1-Meter Diving: Arabella Sheriff (first place with 163.35); Girls 100 Butterfly: Abigail Soerens (second place in 1:11.66) and Ann Secord (third in 1:13.54); Boys 100 Butterfly: Ben Clarke (second place in 57.99) and Aric Graham (third in 1:07.19); Girls 100 Freestyle: Jane Secord (first place in 1:03.82) and Madison Thatcher (second place in 1:08.03); Boys 100 Freestyle: Noah Spencer (first place in 53.31) and Shawn Cutright (third in 57.36); Girls 500 Freestyle: Evangeline Soerens (first place in 5:53.24) and Lauren Sober (third in 7:03.05); Boys 500 Freestyle: Sondo Yoon (first place in 5:15.74) and Ryan Boyce (third in 5:37.88); Girls 200 Freestyle Relays: Evangeline Soerens, Audrey Weaver, Jackie Brettschneider and Abgail Soerens (first place in 1:51.93) and Jenna Breon, Cara Plank, Elena Stonge and Madison Thatcher (third in 2:05.73); Boys 200 Freestyle Relay: Andrew Chavey, Ryan Boyce, Sondo Yoon and Noah Spencer (second place in 1:40.68) and Aaron Argot, Jackson Hazen, Matthew Langland and Aric Graham (third in 1:52.70); Girls 100 Backstroke: Jane Secord (first place in 1:10.38) and Ann Secord (second in 1:10.89); Boys 100 Backstroke: Gavin Stuckey (first placein 1:00.46) and Daniel Reyes (third in 1:10.31); Giirls 100 Breaststroke: Abigail Soerens (first place in 1:12.93) and Evangeline Soerens (second in 1:13.56); Boys 100 Breaststroke: Sondo Yoon (second place in 1:11.26) and Jackson Hazen (fourth in 1:19.06); Girls 400 Freestyle Relay: Jenna Breon, CC Knox, Raina Diziki and Audrey Weaver (second place in 4:32.08) and Sara Bobb, Alicen Erwin, Cara Plank and Lauren Sober (third in 4:57.02): and Boys 400 Freestyle Relay: Ryan Boyce, Shawn Cutright, Ben Clarke and Gavin Stuckey (first place in 3:43.27).

The Polar Bears' second meet was slated for Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Cumberland Valley, where Northern was to face the Eagles and East Pennsboro. Another away contesst follows on Friday, Dec. 13, 4:30 p.m. at Central York High School.

On Tuesday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m., there's a tri meet, away, against Trinity and Camp Hill. On Saturday, Jan. 4 10 a.m., Northern hosts York Suburban and Shuylkill Valley.