When I Met Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the summer of 1958, I had just turned sixteen when Ralph and Emmy Tyson—friends of our family—asked me to come along with them and their children, John and Linda, to Cape May, New Jersey for the Philadelphia Friends (Quakers) Annual Yearly Meeting.    Cape May was a rundown beach town when we went there.  Grey was

Restoring the Decency and Norms of our Democracy

It was an honor and privilege to be a candidate for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District. On election night last November 3, I telephoned Congressman Joyce to congratulate him on winning re-election. In our brief, cordial conversation I urged him to utilize his medical background and experience to focus on prioritizing the federal response regarding the

Laura Mcmahon Leads the United Way Forward [Episode 43]

For the past 73 years, the United Way of Adams County has helped thousands of residents deal with challenges related to education, income, and food security, through its programs, collaborative projects, and community partnerships. The organization’s new director, Laura Mcmahon, is continuing the mission with a focus on expanding programs and reaching out to new

Bermudian Springs Addresses Alleged Inappropriate Social Media Activity From Staff Member

The Bermudian Springs School District is investigating alleged inappropriate activity on an administrator’s social media account. The school board acknowledged the investigation during its meeting on Tuesday evening. “The district wanted to proactively respond to any questions or comments about the personnel investigation currently ongoing about posted Twitter content,” said Board President Michael Wool. “As

COVID Closes New Oxford High School

Superintendent Christopher Rudisill said New Oxford High School reopened today after switching to remote learning on Tuesday. The high school had six positive or presumed positive cases of the novel coronavirus, prompting Rudisill to close the school to comply with state regulations. The schools have a limit to the number of cases they can have

Borough Council Members Defend Borough Staff

Gettysburg Borough President Jake Schindel and Council Member Patti Lawson both expressed their support for borough staff members at Monday’s council meeting. The statements published here have been slightly edited.  The complete statements can be seen here. Jake Schindel: “We elected officials are elected by the public and we should absolutely take criticism all the

Two New Developments Proposed in Gettysburg Borough

A three-house residential development near the Lutheran Seminary and a large residential-commercial project at the corner of Water and 4th streets are under review by Gettysburg Borough. Borough Engineer Chad Clabaugh said the Water St. project, proposed by Shippensburg Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, was “one of the bigger land developments we’ve seen in a

Revised CDC Guidance Shakes up Pennsylvania’s Vaccination Plan

Revised federal guidance that expands the pool of Americans eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine left Pennsylvania health officials scrambling to rethink their statewide immunization plan.  Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said Wednesday that when the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said residents age 65 or older or with preexisting health conditions

Where are the Vaccines?

During the week of Dec. 14, Adams County locations received 975 doses of COVID-19 vaccinations.  During the week of January 4, 2021 an additional 800 doses were received.  Assuming there must be 3 weeks between doses (and it could be just 2 weeks), by the end of the week of January 4 there should have

Gettysburg Mayor Ted Streeter Will Not Seek Re-election

Gettysburg Mayor Ted Streeter officially announced this week that he would not be seeking reelection at the end of his four-year term that expires on December 31.   “I want to make a formal announcement of what everybody already knows.  I will not be running for mayor this year,” said Streeter. “I’ve put in over

Land Conservancy Seeks Part-Time Administrative Coordinator

Land Conservancy of Adams County is currently seeking an organized, thorough, and personable Administrative Coordinator to support all of our activities. This part-time position (estimated 25 hours/week) is located in Gettysburg, and will pay between $15 and $20/hour, depending on your experience and qualifications. This position reports directly to our board of directors, providing administrative

Curbside Pickup Comes to Kennie’s in Gettysburg

Kennie’s Market, located 217 W. Middle St. in Gettysburg, now offers curbside grocery pickup service.  “We were looking at offering curbside pickup pre-COVID and were able to get the service up and running at our Gettysburg location,” said Store Manager Ralph Flores.  “We wanted to add the service for our busy customers to have another

SCCAP Virtual Winter Celebration and Auction Announced

The 2021 SCCAP Winter Celebration and Auction will occur on February 4 from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. The evening will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and invest in the amazing things that are being accomplished in our community. The evening will include presentations from SCCAP leadership, the Rising Phoenix awards to SCCAP

Positions Open at Adams County Library

The Adams County Library System currently has three positions open with January Due dates. Please see the positions and job descriptions on our website: https://www.adamslibrary.org/about/employment Teen Specialist @ Harbaugh-Thomas, 40 hours per week, Full Time Benefits available. due 1/8/21 Teen Specialist @ Trone Memorial Library, 34 hours per week, Full Time Benefits available. due 1/15/21 ACLS Marketing Assistant, 20

Spotlight PA Template

(by Cynthia Fernandez of Spotlight PA) Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Democrats in the Pennsylvania legislature are calling for the state Senate to investigate a Republican member who attended

COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout Continues in Adams

Adams County health care providers received 800 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine last week, in addition to the 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine received by the hospital three weeks ago. The vaccines now are available for distribution through the Cumberland Adams Pharmacy, located in the Kennie’s Market in Biglerville, to all people who

Be the Change: Run For Office in Adams County

But how do you go about it? What’s involved? Gettysburg Rising has answers if you are interested in running for a local office, from mayor to school board to county commissioner. Our Zoom presentation will feature local elected officials who will walk attendees through what it takes to get on the ballot and run a

Gettysburg Connection Seeks Contract Writer(s)

Gettysburg Connection seeks one or more contract writers for local news stories.   Applicants should have an interest in contributing to the the Adams County Community, excellent communication and writing skills, an independent work orientation, and an ability to work on deadline. Compensation is based on experience. For more information, please contact Charles Stangor, publisher,

Gettysburg Connection Readers Respond to January 6, 2021 Events

This morning has dawned clear and sunny bringing perhaps some optimism following yesterday’s images of mayhem and anarchy. Many national and state lawmakers have spoken out against yesterday’s violence. Gettysburg Police Chief Robert Glenny said this morning that he was monitoring the situation but has not scheduled any extra officers. Glenny said the department had

Gettysburg National Park and Eisenhower Site Virtual Winter Lecture Series Runs Jan. 16 to March 27

On Saturday, January 16, 2021 Gettysburg’s popular Winter Lecture series begins. These free digital programs will be broadcast every Saturday at 9:00 a.m. from Jan. 16 through March 27 via the Gettysburg National Military Park Facebook page. All presentations will also be archived on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/gett. Featuring National Park Service rangers and

State Encourages Schools to Resume In-Person Learning after Jan 25

State officials encouraged districts across Pennsylvania to resume in-person learning for elementary students on Jan. 25 as they see fit.  “This is not mandatory,” Acting Education Secretary Noe Ortega said Thursday. “It’s up to school leaders whether or not local factors permit kids to return to in-person instruction.” The guidance comes after many schools transitioned

Adams County Farmers Market 2021 Vendor Application Portal Now Open

The Adams County Farmers Market Association (ACFMA)’s 2021 Vendor Application is now available online at www.acfarmersmarkets.org/become-a-vendor. ACFMA invites vendors of all types to consider applying, including fruit and vegetable growers, dairies and cheesemakers, and vendors specializing in shelf-stable items such as jams, jellies, pickles, and preserves. Hot and prepared food vendors are also welcome to

PA Department of Health Confirms First Case with the Faster-Spreading COVID-19 Variant

Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine today announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 variant, SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.7, in Pennsylvania. The confirmed case is in Dauphin County. This variant is the same one that was first discovered in England in December. This individual tested positive after known international exposure. A case investigation and contact tracing

Special Program in the “An Evening with the Painting” Series: “A Photographic Journey of the Gettysburg Cyclorama”

Join Sue Boardman, Licensed Battlefield Guide, author and historian, on the Cyclorama platform Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021, at 3 p.m. for A Photographic Journey of the Gettysburg Cyclorama, a special program in the An Evening with the Painting Series at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center. The Gettysburg Cyclorama, painted in the

GASD Passes on Auxiliary Gym Update

After considering the project for many months and getting requisite bids, the Gettysburg Area School District (GASD) declined to spend $915,487 for an update to the school gym that was to be rolled into a $16.5 million renovation of the building’s heating, air conditioning, and ventilation (HVAC) system. The HVAC system update itself, deemed necessary

New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce Announces Winners of Scavenger Hunt, Business Decorating Contest, and Residential Decorating Competition

The New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce has announced the winners of New Oxford Holiday Hunt, which wrapped up at the end of December. The winners of the scavenger hunt, business decorating contest, and residential decorating competition were shared on the Chamber’s Facebook page. The three winners of the scavenger hunt were drawn from the

Pennsylvania Senate Delays Seating Member Over Last Minute Election Challenge

By Christen Smith (The Center Square) – Pennsylvania state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-Monroeville, who won reelection in November by just 69 votes, won’t be sworn in with the rest of his colleagues Tuesday after his November opponent filed a last-minute challenge against the certified results. Republican challenger Nicole Ziccarelli petitioned Senate President Pro Tempore Jake

New State Vaccine Dashboard Shows only a Third of Available Adams County Vaccines Have Been Used

The newly-released Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine dashboard, which reports the number of vaccinations administered by county, shows that only 336 people have been vaccinated in Adams since the FDA approved the Pfizer vaccine almost three weeks ago. The Department of Health reported last week that 975 doses of the Pfizer vaccine had been delivered

Indoor Dining, Gyms, and School Sports To Reopen on Monday

Governor Tom Wolf and Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced today that the temporary COVID-19 restrictions issued on Dec. 12 will expire as originally planned at 8:00 a.m. on Jan. 4. Activities that will gain be allowed after Monday include in-person dining, child-care, hair salons and barber shops, theaters, clubs, and gyms, and extracurricular

Our 2020 Podcasts

From Girl Scout Leaders to Eighth Grade Dancers to Emergency Room Front-Line Workers, it’s been a full year for our podcasts. Unfortunately, we have now stopped our podcast program.

Gettysburg Connection 2020 Annual Report

Dear Friends, It is my pleasure to share Gettysburg Connection’s 2020 annual report with you. I direct this letter to all of you who read the Connection, who subscribe to the Connection, who sponsor the Connection, and who participate with the Connection in so many other ways. I am happy to report that Gettysburg Connection

Adams Leads All Pennsylvania Counties in Hospital COVID-19 Admission Rate; Places Second For Percent Positivity

As the number of COVID-19 continues to surge, Adams County has achieved the dubious status of having the second highest percent positivity rate – at 26.3 percent – of all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Only Perry County is higher – at 33.1 percent. The positivity rate measures the percent of people tested who have positive results.

Department of Health says Pennsylvania COVID-19 Cases Waning After Latest Restrictions

By Christen Smith | The Center Square The latest round of COVID-19 restrictions helped slow Pennsylvania’s skyrocketing infection rate, health officials said Monday, though residents must “stay the course” to see rules relaxed in the coming year. “It’s critically important to continue our mitigation efforts and really not to get together in gatherings on New

Local Residents Share Thoughts of Gratitude

Thanks to the many people who contributed thoughts of thanks in this holiday season. Those of you who contributed may be interested to know that research has found that expressing gratitude leads to changes in brain activity, releases negative emotions, and creates better mental health. But the benefits of gratitude take time. Like exercise, practicing

Gettysburg College Introduces PEEPS: A New Peer Counseling Program

Gettysburg College Counseling Services has addressed the need for additional support and student resources on campus by creating the “Peers Educating and Supporting Peers to Succeed” (PEEPS) program. The program was spearheaded by Olivia Coyle, MS, NCC, counselor and suicide prevention coordinator for the campus Counseling Services, and Daisy Chebbet, staff psychologist for Counseling Services.

Ten of our Most Popular Posts from 2020

It’s been a tough year for news in Adams County, honestly. Not because there hasn’t been a lot to report — there really has — but because the content of the reporting was often — well — awful. But whether it is COVID preparedness, school policies, tourist information, new business openings, or demonstrations on the

Christmas Tree Collection Begins Today

Gettysburg Borough will begin collecting Christmas trees today. Residents are urged to place them on top the curb, not in the street, or along the alleys for collection. There will also be a drop-off spot with a sign in the rec park parking lot to drop off trees. Residents can also drop off trees at

2020 in Photos: Congratulations to the Winners of Our Weekly Photography Contest

So many readers have shared their photos with us this year. They are each contributing to the Connection’s mission of sharing. Each monthly winner received a $25 gift certificate from the Adams County Arts Council. Submit your entry here or email it to mail@gettysburgconnection.org Weekly Winners November 2020 October 2020 Weekly Winners September 2020 Weekly

A Message from the Publisher

Dear Gettysburg Connection Readers, No matter how you are celebrating, I hope you find this 2020 festive season a time of family, caring, sharing, reflection, and renewal. We’d normally be gathering together in joy and laughter, but this year is different.  The darkness of the outdoors has moved indoors and the season will long be

Gettysburg Police Save “Lifeless” Man

On December 21, 2020 at 9:24 p.m. Gettysburg Police along with Adams Regional EMS were dispatched to a residence in the first block of Baltimore Street in the Borough of Gettysburg. An officer with the Gettysburg Police Department arrived on the scene immediately upon dispatch and found a 22-year-old male lifeless, with no pulse and

Obituary: Frederick “Fred” Snyder

  Frederick C. Snyder, 76, of Carroll Valley, passed away Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 at the York Hospital. He was born March 1, 1944 in Baltimore, the son of the late E. Curtis and Rose Hess Snyder. Fred is survived by his wife of 20 years, Betty Marie Heffernan Snyder. Fred was a graduate of

Adams Economic Alliance to Host “Evergreen” Workshops for Small Businesses

The Adams Economic Alliance will join with the the Small Business Development Center at Shippensburg University, our region’s U.S. Small Business Administration office, to host three “Be an Evergreen” Workshops in the new year. Evergreen businesses are those with the resourcefulness to create enduring, market-leading skill using the seven principles of: PurposePerseverancePeople FirstPrivateProfitPaced GrowthPragmatic Innovation

After Gettysburg Approves LGBTQ-Inclusive Nondiscrimination Ordinance, The Connection Talks with Carr, Goodman, Heyser, and Lawson [Episode 41]

After over a year of discussions, the Gettysburg Borough Council voted unanimously on Monday to approve an LGBTQ-inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance. Although the document bans discrimination based many social categories, the document significantly expands the definition of sex discrimination. In addition to sex as defined at birth, the ordinance also protects people on the basis of

HGAC Grants Help to Preserve 11 Adams County Barns in 2020

Every year, the Historic Preservation Society of Gettysburg Adams County (HGAC), through its Barn Preservation Project and Grant Program makes grants of money available to owners of historic barns within Adams County. This year, a record setting number of 11 barn owners were able to take advantage of this unique program that helps to extend

First COIVD-19 Vaccines Administered at Gettysburg Wellspan Hospital

Wellspan Health announced today that the first round of Pfizer COIVD-19 vaccines have arrived at Gettysburg and its six other hospitals and are being administered to front-line staff. Wellspan infectious disease doctor Eugene Curley III said the vaccinations began at 6:00 a.m. this morning and were being given to a wide variety of hospital staff,

LASD Debates English Curriculum

Members of the Littlestown Area School District (LASD) board disagreed over whether to approve two new books to the list for English 11 during the board’s meeting on Monday evening. Some felt the overall material was too “heavy,” that other titles may be replaced, and that there may be too many titles from Africa. The

Online Events Coming this Weekend: Civic Chorus Virtual Concert; Gettysburg Community Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol”

It is time to gather safely at home together around your television or computer to enjoy local holiday traditions that have been moved to a virtual format this year. The holiday classic “A Christmas Carol” will be streamed on the Gettysburg Community Theatre’s YouTube Channel beginning at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. The production has a

Gettysburg Declares Snow Emergency

Gettysburg Mayor Streeter has declared a snow emergency for Gettysburg Borough effective at 10:00 a.m. today. The snow emergency will remain in effect until 10:00 p.m. tomorrow unless extended. Snow rates may exceed 2” per hour at the height of the storm. The impacts of this storm are expected to be severe with dangerous travel

With Three of its Five Schools Closed Within the Past Week, GASD Goes Virtual Until January 4

Admitting the difficulties the district has had keeping students safe, Superintendent Jason Perrin announced today the entire Gettysburg Area School District will move to fully remote learning on Wednesday, and that all extra-curricular activities are cancelled. Both changes will last until at least Jan. 4. “We have reached a point now in December where positive

Gettysburg Hospital to Receive First COVID-19 Vaccines This Week

WellSpan Health announced today that seven of its hospitals would be among the first in the state to receive Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines and would serve as distribution centers for immunizations. A Wellspan spokesperson said Good Samaritan Hospital in Lebanon would receive vaccines first, probably tomorrow, and that other hospitals, including Gettysburg, would receive their first

Bermudian Springs School District Updates COVID-19 Policies

Bermudian Springs School District Superintendent Shane Hotchkiss told the district’s school board last week that the district would account for positive COVID cases differently going forward and present the case counts on a newly-developed online dashboard. “I will share with you that we’re very clear today that in order for a student to count, which

CVSD Unveils COVID Dashboard; Approves New Courses

Conewago Valley School District Superintendent Dr. Christopher S. Rudisill introduced the school district’s updated website and COVID-19 tracking information to the school board on Monday evening. The website now has a dashboard with information about the novel coronavirus. It includes updates on the number of cases of COVID-19, with the ramifications of the numbers listed.

Where is the GASD School Board?

Dear Editor,         In response to your Nov. 7 COVID and school districts article, I would like to address Gettysburg Area School District’s (GASD) health and safety plan, transparency, and opportunities. On Monday Dec. 7 a group of concerned GASD parents and taxpayers collaborated on a letter to Superintendent Perrin and the GASD school board about

Centennial Conference Statement Regarding Fall and Winter Sports

GETTYSBURG COLLEGE – With the health and safety of its student-athletes, campus communities and the general public of paramount importance, the Centennial Conference Presidents Council has decided to cancel conference competition and championships for all fall and winter sports during the 2020-21 academic year.   Sports impacted by this decision include men’s and women’s cross

COVID Closes James Gettys Elementary

Gettysburg Area School District’s James Gettys Elementary School has closed and moved to remote learning following two confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the school. All extra-curricular activities are also cancelled. In-person instruction for the school is currently expected to resume on Wednesday, Dec. 16. The district said anyone who has been in “close contact” with

Pennsylvania Ramps Up COVID-19 Mitigation, Imploring People to Stay Home and Banning Many Activities Until Jan. 4

Amid an alarming rise in COVID-19 cases and a severe stress on hospitals, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf today issued new mitigation orders and implored Pennsylvanians to step up against the virus by staying home. “Each of the last two days reported the highest number of deaths since the beginning of the pandemic,” said Health Secretary Rachel

Bullets Teams Challenge Results

GETTYSBURG COLLEGE – The Gettysburg College volleyball and women’s soccer programs rose to the top of the list in donor participation following the conclusion of the 36-hour Bullets Teams Challenge that took place from Dec. 1-2.   The Bullets Teams Challenge is Gettysburg’s largest fundraising effort in support of the intercollegiate varsity athletic program. Despite

Centennial Conference Statement Regarding Fall and Winter Sports

Centennial Conference logo With the health and safety of its student-athletes, campus communities and the general public of paramount importance, the Centennial Conference Presidents Council has decided to cancel conference competition and championships for all fall and winter sports during the 2020-21 academic year.   Sports impacted by this decision include men’s and women’s cross

FASD Votes to Keep Secondary Grades Online Until January 28

After a lengthy, careful, and detailed discussion, the Fairfield Area School District (FASD) Board of Directors voted Monday to keep its fifth through twelfth grade students in a 100 percent online environment until January 28. The motion, which passed on a 5 to 4 vote, followed the recommendations of the school administration to keep students

County School Districts Struggle with COVID, but Remain Mostly Open for Now

If you enjoy this article will you please help the Connection provide more like it by subscribing? Your contribution will help us keep new stories about our children’s education on the front page in 2021. Thanks for your support. YES, I’LL SUPPORT GETTYSBURG CONNECTION’S COVERAGE OF EDUCATION IN ADAMS COUNTY The county’s six school districts

Laurel Holthause Wins Monthly Photo Contest

This winner of the Gettysburg Connection photo contest for November is Laurel Holthause, for her photo of a kitten in a window. The photo contest is taking a break in December but we are already collecting entries for the January competition. Please check out all of the past winners, and send us your pics! Gift

New Oxford Holiday Hunt To Provide Free, Family-Friendly Events

New Oxford Holiday Hunt, brought to you by the New Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor Members 1st Federal Credit Union, officially kicks off on Saturday, December 12. The event features a scavenger hunt, business decorating contest and residential decorating competition. This is the first year for the event, which is similar to

Ken Burns, Stephen Lang, and Jeff Shaara join Adams County Historical Society to Announce Fund Drive for a New Home

Join Ken Burns, Stephen Lang, Jeff Shaara, and other special guests for an exclusive announcement from the Adams County Historical Society. Whether you’re a lifelong area resident or a Civil War enthusiast living miles away, you won’t want to miss the big news. Learn more about millions of rare artifacts and our exciting plans to

Wellspan Health Adapts as COVID-19 Cases Surge in the Region

The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Adams and nearby counties has soared over the past two weeks, forcing the Wellspan Health system to close clinics and relocate staff to cope with the influx. Please See our Coronavirus Update Page for Local Conditions In Adams, there were 510 new COVID cases in the past two

Adams County Festival of Lights Map

There are hundreds of holiday light displays in Adams County. Here’s a list of some of the most popular. Click here to share your favorite house, storefront, or apartment display. Here are some of the favorite light displays: Address City 105 E. Middle St. Gettysburg 1 Lincoln Square Gettysburg 18 S. 4th St. Gettysburg 36

Will you Support the Connection on #Giving Tuesday?

Dear friend of Gettysburg Connection, Yes, 2020 has been quite a year. From the toll of the coronavirus to an escalated political scene in Gettysburg and an intense presidential election, to the sadness we endure when we see so many businesses shuttered and so many people hungry and homeless, we have endured unprecedented turmoil.  Throughout,

JOB-SEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT: Main Street Gettysburg President

Main Street Gettysburg is seeking qualified candidates for the position of President. This position requires proven leadership, nonprofit organizational management, strategic planning, and written and verbal communications skills, as well as a strong desire to contribute to the economic development and historic preservation of the Borough of Gettysburg. Equal Opportunity EmployerAll applications and resumes must

It’s Time to #ShopLocalinAdams

As the holiday shopping season approaches it is time to think local. The more we all spend in Adams County, the more opportunities we will all create for our economy to recover. And with many businesses hurting, our businesses desperately need a boost this year. Purchasing from one of the thousands of locally-owned businesses in

LOCAFLORA Design Opens in Gettysburg this Weekend with Local Flowers, Arrangements, Plants, and Botanical Gifts

Adams County resident Becca Muller is bringing her floral arranging skills and her love of natural and sustainable products to a new shop called LOCAFLORA Design in downtown Gettysburg. The shop is located across from the Rabbit Transit Center at 201 Carlisle St., Gettysburg. The warm and inviting boutique carries local flowers, plants, soaps, candles,