Print Edition Highlights - December 23, 2013
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger
Photo by Curt Werner.
Melissa Jacoby Thomas and her four-year-old son, Koen, spent 60 hours building a gingerbread house as a replica of the Spring House Antiques and Sweet Things Bakery. Some of the items used to build the gingerbread house were pretzels, licorice, cheerios, gum drops, royal icing, pumpkin and sesame seeds, marshmallows, sugar wafers and chicklets. The gingerbread house is on display at the bakery and antique store on 117 N. Baltimore Street.
____ It’s hard to believe that Christmas has come and gone already. It seems like just yesterday, we were affixing poinsettia stamps to Christmas cards for delivery to loved ones hither and yon. Speaking of which, how many know the true origin of sending cards, poinsettias and other seasonal symbols? Here are just a few fun facts:
The Legend of the Poinsettia
____During the Christmas season, the beautiful and popular poinsettia is at the center of many a Christmas table. The tradition started in Mexico, where it was customary to leave gifts on the altar for Jesus on Christmas Eve. According to lore, a penniless boy moved among the worshippers. Having no gifts to offer, he knelt outside a church window and prayed. Miraculously, the plant with the vibrant red flowers sprang up at that very spot. In Mexico, the plant is deemed, “The Flower of the Holy Night.”
Sending Christmas Cards
____The first officially printed Christmas card was said to be created by John Calcott Horsley of England in 1843. Resembling a postcard, it depicted an English family enjoying the holiday, acts of charity and an inscription which read, “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” One thousand copies were printed and sold for a shilling apiece. A bit of a controversy ensued however, when folks noticed a tot in the picture sipping from a glass of wine.
Christmas Ornaments
____If you recall the words to the song, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” part of the lyrics are as follows: “please have snow and mistletoe and presents on the tree.” That line may have its roots in tradition when parents would hang small toys, candies and other goodies on the boughs.
____The first commercial ornaments were festively colored hollow containers which contained a variety of treats. As time passed, however, this tradition went by the wayside and glass ornaments crafted by German glassblowers became the rage.
Mistletoe
____For centuries mistletoe was forbidden in Christian churches because it was once used in pagan festivals. This plant is now considered innocuous by most, existing merely as an excuse to grab a kiss. It was considered sacred by the Druids and Romans, a charm against evil and a healing plant.
See the December 23, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
A Community Event
____The Dillsburg Area Pickle Committee is wrapping up their last week of production efforts on the 21st annual New Year’s Eve Pickle Drop. While this event has been popular for two decades, created under the Dillsburg Area Business Association, there are many unknown benefits to the community.
____Beginning at 4:30 p.m., the Central PA Blood Bank will conduct a blood drive at Citizens Hose Fire Company, 109 South Baltimore Street. Holidays are a significant time of year for blood donors to step up, with demands for blood on the rise during a lull in donations. Dillsburg hosts a unique giving opportunity and local residents have always contributed in a remarkable fashion during this holiday, according to John Brill, CPBB.
____Community Memorial Hall, located upstairs at Citizens Hose, opens at 4:30 p.m., with activities benefiting and hosted by many local volunteer service organizations. Girl Scout volunteers will be on hand to run a variety of games and activities benefiting New Hope Ministries, which in turn provides services to local families in need.
____Volunteers from Citizens Hose Fire Company host a full kitchen menu, including Pickle Soup – a treat made by Dillsburg Senior Center volunteers only twice each year, at Pickle Drop and in May at the PickleFest Arts & Crafts Street Fair. Proceeds from the kitchen benefit Citizens Hose training and equipment needs, which in turn enhance emergency response services throughout the community.
See the December 23, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
Print Edition Highlights - December 19, 2013
Offering Family Fun for 50 Years
By Stephanie Kalina-Metzger
Photo by Chris Dudding
A bird’s eye view of Roundtop Mountain Resort taken with a Go-Pro camera on a drone last week at 2 p.m. In 1964, Ski Roundtop, Inc. advertised a novice trail, beginner slope, intermediate slope and expert trail. Today the resort has over 20 ski areas from novice to expert including terrain parks and a half pipe.
____ When Ski Roundtop founder Irwin S. Naylor first hit the slopes in Mt. Snow Vermont, he was underwhelmed. “I had never skied before and found it frustrating, cold and unfulfilling,” he said. Exhibiting his trademark grit and determination, Naylor decided to give it another shot the following day—this time taking a different approach by signing up for a group lesson. This time he was hooked. As his mastery of the sport grew, so did his fondness for the activity.
____ The Floridian transplant arrived in Central Pennsylvania by way of a job at Autokraft Box Company and spent many weekends taking the long drive to New England to get his ski “fix.” Harkening back to those days he said, “Three or four of us would drive north on Friday night and sleep in the car until the area opened on Saturday, ski all day Saturday, party Saturday night and sleep wherever we dropped. We would ski Sunday and drive home Sunday night with the person in the passenger seat being responsible for keeping the driver alert. It’s amazing that none of us was ever fired for being less than ‘sharp’, at work on Monday,” he said.
____ Traveling the long distances was a bit grueling for the entrepreneur who had founded his own box company by this time called Lok-Box, Inc. He began opting for more local skiing in areas like Elk and Camelback in the Poconos and Blair Mountain in Dillsburg. His entrepreneurial spirit served him well when he began dreaming of a commercially viable, easily accessible hill suitable for skiing. He consulted a surveyor who recommended the highest point in York County—Roundtop Mountain.
Skiers head up Minuteman on the double chairlift in the 1960s.
See the December 19, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
Photo by Mark Ryder
The driver of a Toyota Tundra, above, lost control of his vehicle and lands on its roof, after shearing a utility pole in half, just past Northern High School in the 100 block of Carlisle Road (Rt. 74), Monday evening, Dec. 16 at 6:35 p.m.
Franklintown Fire Company, Dillsburg Ambulance, Dillsburg and Franklintown fire police and Carroll Township police were on the scene.
See the December 19, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
Also in the December 19, 2013 edition
____\
___ -Community events
___ -Obituaries
___ -Births
___ -20 years ago
Print Edition Highlights - December 23, 2013 
Photos by Curt Werner
Northern divers Taundi Ginder, Garrett Mixon and Nick Watson competed against Gettysburg at Northern High School on Thursday, December 19. In photo, Ginder just enters the water.
____Head coach Bill Resser summed up last Thursday's dual win over Gettysburg in three words.
____Encouraging. Exciting. Inspiring.
____Simply stated, the Northern H.S. girls' swimming and diving team dominated Gettysburg winning 116-60, while the Polar Bear boys' squad posted a solid victory with similar emphasis, 103-77.
____Going into the holiday break, both undefeated teams each sit atop the Mid Penn Colonial Division with their identical 2-0 division and 4-0 overall records.
____Northern athletes recorded 46 career best /first times or scores today. In addition, they posted 18 times that were either the fastest this season or ever in a regular season (before championships).
____Making history as the fastest boys' relay teams to ever swim in Northern's pool, the 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay teams set new pool records. The record-setting 200 Freestyle Relay team (1:32.22) was comprised of Keenan Handley, Ben Haley, Liam Handley and Josh Clarke. The 400 Freestyle Relay team that lowered the mark to 3:25.72 included Ben Haley, Bryce Carroll, Peter Wheat and Josh Clarke.
Garrett Mixon completes a turn during competition last week against Gettysburg.
See the December 23, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
By Joe Guty
Photos by Curt Werner
The Northern Boys Basketball Team defeated West Perry 46 to 41 on Wednesday night at the Northern High School. In photo, Eric Jacobs goes high with his jump shot for two points against West Perry in the first quarter of play.
____Practice pays off.
____Some serious afternoon free throw sessions came in handy this week for the Northern H.S. boys' varsity basketball team.
____After their first victory of the year last week, the Polar Bears captured two more wins heading into the holiday break. Hosting Susquenita (1-7) on Friday, December 20, senior Jason Johnson poured in 25 points to lead the Bears to a 70-44 win over Susquenita.
____The Mid Penn Capital Division win boosted the host's record to 3-2 in the league and 3-4 overall.
____Applying defensive pressure and owning the boards paved the way for Northern.
____And, count them - 23 of 29 free throws - is a wonderful gift this time of year.
____The Polar Bears jumped out to a 19-8 lead and held a commanding 43-19 margin at halftime. Johnson was a catalyst with defensive rebounds, steals and points. Off the bench, freshman Curtis Robison made two acrobatic driving layups while sophomore Eric Jacobs and Brandon Johnson each had a steal and converted to points.
See the December 23, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
Print Edition Highlights - December 19, 2013
By Marie Chomicki
Pictured is a copy of the photo sent to Bob Ruth Ford depicting Rodney D. Drake, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, far back center, standing with his troops holding up the American flag which they flew over Kandahar, Afghanistan on Oct. 30 honoring his hometown dealership for celebrating 30 years in business. To either side of the photo are the team coins and on top is the flag flown.
____Businesses serve a community by providing services and support. Soldiers serve overseas, fighting wars to keep their country safe. Both serve and show their appreciation in different ways, continents apart. Sometimes a common thread links them together. Here is one such story.
____A soldier serving overseas recently honored a Dillsburg business by flying the American flag in their honor.
____“I flew this flag in your honor over FOB Walton, Kandahar, Afghanistan on 30 October 2013 to show my appreciation for your support of the military and more importantly the support and generosity you both have shown me over the years always appreciating my military service and business,” wrote Rodney D. Drake, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, in a letter addressed to Robby Ruth, George (Myers) and the entire Bob Ruth Family dated Nov. 19, 2013.
____Drake took a picture of his fellow troops holding the flag and sent the photo, along with the flag and two team coins, to the dealership. Drake, who receives the Dillsburg Banner overseas, was inspired by an article in the paper.
Photo by Curt Werner
Rob Ruth, on left holding the flag, stands with his employees, to proudly display the American flag flown in their honor in Afghanistan by Rodney D. Drake, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army, and his troops.
See the December 19, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
Photo by Curt Werner
The Northern Girls Swim Team won 115 to 65 at Northern High School on Thursday, December 12. Madi Bleiler does the first leg in the record breaking 200 yard medley relay with a time of 1:54.50. Other members in the relay were Jenn Strine, Becca Luft and Gabby Lodovici. The Boys Swim Team defeated Palmyra 99 to 83.
____Capturing nine of 12 events, the host Northern H.S. girls swim team defeated Palmyra 115-65 on Thursday, December 12.
____The boys team also won nine events and posted a 99-83 win. Both teams are now 2-0 overall.
____A total of 43 career best / first times / or scores were established across both meets. New Pool records were established by these Northern swimmers: Madi Bleiler, Jenn Strine, Becca Luft and Gabby Lodovici in the 200 Medley Relay; Josh Clarke in the 200 yard Individual Medley and Caitlynn Weeden, Sydney Archuleta, Gabby Lodovici and Becca Luft in the 400 Free Relay.
____Additional highlights for Northern: In the Girls' 200 Yard Medley Relay, the quartet of Madi Bleiler, Jenn Strine, Becca Luft and Gabby Lodovici clocked 1:54.50 for the victory. The B Team of Larissa MacDougall, Makenna Byers, Alexis Munshower and Libby Gingrich placed third (2:02.69) and the C team of Alexa Byers, Lily Ritter, Ali Reed and Liz Vinette finished fifth (2:14.11).
____The boys' team won their 200 Medley Relay event in the time of 1:43.93. Liam Handley led off followed by Bryce Carroll, Josh Clarke and Ben Haley. The B Team of Pete Wheat, Ethan Spencer, Keenan Handley and Seth Hawkins placed third (1:57.32).
See the December 19, 2013 edition of the Dillsburg Banner for details.
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