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Donate Gardner

Donate Gardner, freelance reporter, came to Gettysburg in 2021 from Montgomery County, Maryland. A former linguist-turned-legal professional, Donate recently retired from the corporate world and is eager to support her new community in a variety of ways. As an immigrant born, raised, and educated in Germany, Donate still maintains a strong connection to the German language as a freelance writer and translator. Donate is an active musician and has made her new home in Gettysburg available to host house concerts for traveling musicians and local artists in need of support. Donate and her husband have two daughters and three grandchildren.

Cumberland Township approves proposed 2024 Budget; no increase in current tax rates

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At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors Meeting, David Blocher, Township Manager presented the proposed 2024 budget to the board. The proposal introduced the establishment of an Operating Reserve Fund.  Since the Township’s revenue stream is not constant, Blocher explained, the intermittent revenue streams result in current regular, budgeted expenditures outstripping current, regular budgeted revenue in any …

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Cumberland Township approves $75,000 grant to GARA; welcomes new police officer Tim Mayer

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At their September 26 meeting, the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $75,000 grant requested by the Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA) to fund various park activities in 2024.  In addition, it approved the purchase of a truck chassis in the amount of $118,127, as well as other various purchases, rentals, and contractor …

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Slideshow: HGAC Historic Barns Tour, 2023

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On a spectacular autumn day last Saturday, six Adams County barns were on display for the public to travel back in time for the annual Historic Barns Tour hosted by Historic Gettysburg-Adams County (HGAC).  Five of the barns are privately owned and usually not open to the public. Visitors were given the opportunity to drive …

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GARA wraps up a successful summer season

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The Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority’s (GARA) Executive Director, Erin Pedigree, reported on the following park activities during the months of June through August: The Farmers Market has seen overwhelming success at its new location at the rec park, featuring special activities such as Civic Engagement Day, a Homesteading & Green Living Expo, the Farmers Market …

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Cumberland Township amends zoning; hosts State Rep. John Joyce

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A public hearing was held prior to the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday to approve the amendment of various sections of Chapter 27 of the Cumberland Township zoning ordinance.  The amendment creates two new overlay districts, consisting of a Neighborhood Multi-Family Overlay Zone and a Mixed Multi-Family Overlay Zones which proscribe criteria …

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Adams Electric donates first aid kits to Cumberland Township Police Department

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Adams Electric Cooperative employees have donated 12 Individual First Aid Kits (IFAK) to the Cumberland Township Police Department. The kits, normally worn as a backpack, contain essential life-saving materials, including bleeding control and major wound treatments. The police department is looking to expand its officers’ individual equipment, including providing external bulletproof vests with Level III …

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Cumberland approves campground, sets liquor license hearing, for resort on former Boyds Bears site

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The Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors approved an application from BR Smith Properties seeking conditional use for a proposed campground in the Mixed Use (MX) zoning district located at 75 Cunningham Road. The site is the former home of Boyds Bears Country Barn, which is being developed into an upscale restaurant, hotel, and campground known …

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Cumberland police begin medical marijuana training

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Cumberland Township Chief Matthew Trostel gave an update on the police department’s activity during the previous month at the June Board of Supervisors’ Meeting on Tuesday. The report included police vehicle dispositions, department staff training, as well as positive communications received commending his staff and the department for exemplary handling of various incidents.  The Cumberland …

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Cumberland implements digital notification system; accepts resignation of Planning Commissioner and police officer

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At their May meeting, Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors members unanimously approved the purchase of a Savvy Citizen notification system that will enable township managers and police to alert residents of important events via text or email messages (in addition to a recently established Cumberland Township newsletter, the first of which is set to be …

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Commemorative vigil held for victims of gun violence

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Almost 100 Adams County community members, many holding signs and wearing orange shirts, gathered for a “Stand for Children” vigil walk and special service in commemoration of victims of gun violence on the first anniversary of the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting. Organized by Gettysburg for Gun Sense, in collaboration with the YWCA Gettysburg & Adams …

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Refugee Resettlement Partnership of Gettysburg, Contreras, Kellett, Duffy and Murphy win 2023 Peacemaker Awards

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The Gettysburg/Adams County Chapter of  Interfaith Center for Peace and Justice (ICPJ) honored the 2023 winners of its Peacemaker Awards this week during a well-attended ceremony at the Valentine Hall Auditorium on the Lutheran Seminary campus.  Darren Glass, President of ICPJ opened the ceremony and mentioned that, since inception of the program in 1995, the …

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Bicycle Safety Rodeo teaches young children to ride safely

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The Gettysburg Church of the Brethren, in collaboration with the Cumberland Township Police Department, held a bicycle safety rodeo for children, ages 4 – 11, on the church campus last weekend.  The event featured bicycle safety checks, safety training, fun hand-outs, and a marked riding course.  Pictures (top l-r): Officer Dakota Myers providing safety tips; …

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Biglerville High School Future Farmers of America dedicate new greenhouse on campus

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After more than a year of planning and construction, the new Biglerville High School (BHS) greenhouse was officially dedicated on Tuesday at the Upper Adams School District campus in a ceremony hosted by Biglerville Mayor Phil Wagner, President of Canner Funds. The event was attended by Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture Russell Redding and other dignitaries, …

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Cumberland introduces new mental health co-responder

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At their April Board of Supervisors meeting, Cumberland Township Board members were introduced by MH-IDD Community Liaison Bruce Bartz to the new police co-responder McKenzie Johnson, a mental health clinician assigned to police departments to assist officers during emergency calls, helping to de-escalate crisis situations and connecting individuals to available resources. The crisis intervention co-responder …

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Día del Niño event celebrates children

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Children of all ages and their family members gathered at the Vida Charter School in Gettysburg on Saturday to celebrate Día del Niño, a traditional annual event celebrating childhood and children, the arrival of spring, the Cinco de Mayo holiday, the coming end of the school year, and a spirit of community and belonging. The …

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GARA preparing for a busy spring and summer season ahead; Adams County Farmers Market opening at its new location

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Spring has arrived in Gettysburg and the Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority (GARA) will be hosting many of its activities on their campus over the next few months, as reported at the April GARA board meeting.  March and April have already seen the Church of Brethren Easter Dinner, bloodmobiles, dog classes, Black History Month Club, the …

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Cumberland Township to receive $3,566,262 in grant awards; prepares for campus improvements and busy community season ahead

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At their March Board of Supervisors meeting, Cumberland Township Manager David Blocher, reported that the Township was awarded a total of $3,566,262.00 in grant funding which will be earmarked as follows: $1,300,000.00 in grant funding awarded from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) which will be used to support the community with campus improvements. $1,000,000.00 …

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Cumberland Township police officer Joshua Rosenberg promoted to Sergeant

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On March 8, 2023 eligible Cumberland Township Police Department officers engaged in a competitive examination for promotion to Sergeant.  The officers had to answer scenario and leadership questions fielded by an Oral Board staffed by experienced police commanders from the Pennsylvania State Police, West Manchester Township Police Department and York City Police Department.  The officers …

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GARA explores improvements to alternative sports park; additional space for little league teams

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Two community members, Joshua Kinard and Derek Roden, attended The Gettysburg Area Recreational Authority’s (GARA’s) monthly board meeting on Monday to propose improvements to the Alternative Sports/Skateboarding section of the park.  Both representatives are experienced skateboarders who had used the park for many years when they were younger. “There is not much life left in …

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WWII American Experience celebrates Women’s History Month

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The Gettysburg WWII American Experience kicked off Women’s History Month on Saturday with an exhibit celebrating the inspirational and unprecedented contributions of women supporting the military efforts during World War II.  Featuring many authentic original artifacts, vehicles, uniforms, pictures, storyboards, and activities for children and adults, the exhibit highlighted the important roles that nearly 350,000 …

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Cumberland Township board of supervisors approves medical marijuana training grant

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At their regular monthly meeting yesterday, the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $25,000 Medical Marijuana Grant for the Cumberland Township Police Department. The grant had been awarded in December 2022 by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crimes and Delinquency (PCCD) as part of opening funding opportunities to all Pennsylvania municipal police departments to …

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Cumberland reorganizes; investigates racist graffiti

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At their January Board of Supervisors meeting, the Cumberland Township Board of Supervisors welcomed newly elected Township Manager, David Blocher and appointed the following members to boards and commissions: Planning Commission: Stephen Tallman – Re-appointed Robert J Bunce – New Planning Commission Alternate Kathleen Heidecker – New Planning Commission Alternate  HARB (Historical Architectural Review Board): Marty Miller – …

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GARA approves Story Walk; considers supporting ACHS bicycle trail

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The Gettysburg Recreational Authority (GARA) Board of Directors was presented with two proposals requesting GARA’s support. Pedestrian Trail:  The Adams County Historical Society (ACHS), together with Healthy Adams Bicycle/Pedestrian, Inc. (HABPI) is planning a new pedestrian trail from the end of the sidewalk on Carlisle Street up to the facilities of the Historical Society. Dennis …

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GARA approves 2023 budget

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The Gettysburg Recreational Authority (GARA) board of directors has approved the 2023 budget. The budget includes increases for staff salaries; $20,000 for building upgrades; support for out-of-area bus trips; and $7,000 in equipment repair.  The board approved the budget with the caveat that it may need to be amended. Saying a positive relationship with the …

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