Boat Building 101

For yet another countervailing activity during Covid, I elected to build a wooden rowboat (remember that I like to build things!). So after a few months of shopping around, I finally decided on the “Chester Yawl” from Chesapeake Light Craft of Annapolis, Maryland. The simple beauty of this rowboat comes from how the hull’s smooth

Film Review: No Sudden Move (2021)

Steven Soderbergh’s latest film, “No Sudden Move,” is the movie I needed this summer. Clocking in under two hours, the film is tense, intriguing, and full of twists and turns to keep the viewer engaged for the duration of the runtime. The film is abundantly entertaining. Every scene feels just right for this story of

Keeping Gettysburg Connection Sustainable

One of the most difficult parts of the news business is making it sustainable. In other words, will we still be publishing next year? In the past newspapers were supported primarily by advertising but that money has been snatched away from our communities by Facebook, Google, and the other bigs. Although news sites like ours

Omni-partial: My experience at a recent local protest

“Tell me what you believe!” a bearded man in jeans and windbreaker laughingly demanded. Standing in the too-cold rain, I wasn’t prepared to tell him what I believed about the issue at hand. One, I wasn’t sure. Two, I wasn’t there to give my opinion. I was there to be omni-partial. April 9th probably doesn’t

The Battle for Redistricting Reform Can Still Be Won

The battle for redistricting reform and an end to gerrymandering in Pennsylvania had been going on for decades without success when in 2016 good-government reform groups decided to coordinate their efforts. They formed a new body of citizen volunteers called Fair Districts PA (www.fairdistrictspa.com) Today, as we prepare to redraw our congressional and legislative district

A Community Park

I wasn’t born or raised in Gettysburg, but moved here five years ago. I say I was lucky to have moved much of my childhood because I experienced so many different communities. After living in Gettysburg for five years, I am still impressed and in awe of how much Adams County’s community and all of

Spring: A Chlorophyllic Revolution

I think that to characterize spring as an incorrigible flirt is really not a stretch. At every turn, this jezebel is capable of all manners of seduction, and her wildness constantly diverts my attention toward everything that is not me. The American anthropologist Anna Sting describes this experience as ‘looking around rather than ahead.’ I

Sen. Doug Mastriano Endangers Local Businesses

I write books that sell to tourists. Like everyone else, last year was a “survive until next year”year. I plan to sell several thousand copies this year – if it’s recovery year. But to do that, thetourists have to come. And looking around the area and reading all the literature, I believe theonly thing that

Community Policing Can Make Gettysburg a Better Place to Live

Community policing is a set of carefully thought out strategies that can foster positive relationships among various segments of the community and the police force. At the same time it can reduce crime by preventing it in the first place. According to discoverpolicing.org, community policing involves three key components: • Developing community partnerships• Engaging in

The Black Influence – Series 2: 1847 to 1864

In 1847, John “Jack” Hopkins was a custodian at the Gettysburg College. He was hired making only $15 a month. This was the normal wage for a free Black man in Pennsylvania. He was held in high esteem by the faculty and students. It is said that he helped freedom seekers during their passage in

Redistricting

Our State Legislature, one of the largest and best-compensated in the country, has once again failed to deal even ineffectively with gerrymandering reform. There has been a lot of activity over the past several years by thousands of citizens across the Commonwealth in an effort to move meaningful gerrymandering reform forward. It was especially important

The Black Influence – Series 1: 1780 to 1850

In 1780, Pennsylvania lawmakers passed “An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery.” The Act stated people born into slavery in 1780 and after, would be freed when they turned 28 years old. However, people born into slavery before 1780 were still enslaved for life. For the time, this was a progressive step, but don’t

Making our Democracy Work Locally

“American democracy works because America makes it work at the local level.” The moment I heard Joe Biden utter these words in his Electoral College victory speech on December 12, 2020, they became my rallying cry for the next four years. This statement suggests to me that whatever we can do locally to foster the

Healing the Racial Divide

Local communities of color have been almost literally invisible politically. For years, realtors and banks steered black homebuyers away from most neighborhoods and hundreds of black and brown students were taunted and bullied in local schools and young black men were routinely pulled over and hassled for “driving while black,” and black history was ignored

Criminal Justice: Is Prison Worth Its Cost?

Each of us has a stake in our criminal justice system, whether we’re a presently or formerly incarcerated person, a family member, a criminal justice employee or administrator, a community member, a business owner, or a tax-payer. Increasingly, people on both sides of the aisle support criminal justice reform, whether it’s to save taxpayer money

Oil and Gas and Taxes in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania is the only natural gas producing state in the U.S. without a severance tax. This severely limits the state’s ability to cover the necessary costs of infrastructure development that must accompany any new business development. A severance tax is a tax imposed on an energy company for the natural resource that the company extracts,

Will Pennsylvania Ban Mail-in Voting?

When former president Trump demanded that state legislators in Michigan and Pennsylvania – and undoubtedly other states — step in and steal the election in their state, they frequently replied, “We can’t intervene as the President asks because our state laws give us no role in choosing electors.” Republican efforts to disenfranchise millions of voters

To Cope with a Pandemic? Only Connect!

“Only connect! That was her whole sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height. Live in fragments no longer. Only connect, and the beast and the monk, robbed of the isolation that is life to either, will die.” –E. M. Forster,

The Rec Park…Your Front Yard…..and Your Back Yard Too!!

Given all that’s going on in the world, now is probably not the best time to ask you topart with some of your hard-earned money. But I’m going to do that anyway! The Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority (GARA) which operates the GettysburgRecreation Park needs your help. While we receive very generous support from CumberlandTownship and

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

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

What’s at Stake For Healthcare in this Election?

For healthcare, just about everything is at stake, and, as usual, it’s complicated.  Trump is now hell-bent on killing the entire Affordable Care Act, and although many Republicans would like to do the same, they are fearful that this might hurt their re-election chances due to the large number of people (a minimum of 20

What’s at Stake for Gun Reform in the 2020 Election

On November 3rd we will elect candidates who have the power to make us safer.  While today’s public health focus centers on Covid-19 for good reason, in the long run gun violence is the greater threat to public health in the US.  We have 4.4 percent of the global population in the US, but we

What’s at Stake for World Peace in this Election?

Frankly, just about everything, and, as usual, it is complicated.  In addition to President Trump’s dismissive attitude towards Russian interference in the 2016 election, his ill-advised actions and statements with respect to arms control, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), international cooperation, science, the rule of law, and the norms of democratic governance have raised

What’s At Stake for Childcare in 2020?

Adapted from a column in the Gettysburg Times, August 27, 2020 During the Covid19 Pandemic, we have learned that some services are essential for the safety, health and well being of the citizens of our state and nation. Hospital workers, from custodial staff to doctors, became appreciated for their essential work. Law enforcement, ambulance drivers,

What’s At Stake for Millennials in the 2020 Elections

In all likelihood, the president elected in 2020 may well be the last president elected from the baby boom (Trump) or earlier (Biden) generation. The question for younger voters is what does the 2020 election have to do with us? The answer is, more than you can imagine. This election will go a long way

Checks and Balances

One thing on the ballot in 2020 is the basic concept of checks and balances and with it, the viability of our democracy. The Constitutional Convention was one of the most divided assemblies ever. There wasn’t even agreement that a new constitution was needed. People who wanted a stronger federal government disagreed with those who

Trump’s Mean Spirited Attack on Federal Housing Measures

Donald Trump’s usual racist dog whistles have given way to full-throated, shameless racist TRAIN whistles as the election of 2020 approaches.  Nowhere is this more evident than in his appeal to “white suburban housewives” (his words) when he speaks of Joe Biden who, Trump alleges, “will destroy your neighborhood and your American dream.”  He amplifies

Trump’s Health Care Plan Isn’t One

This article was originally published in the Gettysburg Times, September 21, 2020 Amid the worst pandemic since 1918, President Trump once again stated during his recent Town Hall meeting in Pennsylvania that he will unveil his new health-care plan in the next few weeks. This supposed new plan will replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Men: Get Your Prostate Checked

Every 16 minutes another American man dies from prostate cancer. That’s a little more than 91 deaths per day and 33,330 this year. That’s enough to fill an entire baseball stadium. 1 in 9 men get prostate cancer. One in nine American men will have prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer is the leading

Crafters Wanted for New Gettysburg Retail Store

community contributors e1599005105759

Hello! I am looking for local crafters, aromatherapy, skin care, homemade animal stuff, baby stuff etc. for a new retail store coop style. Made in Gettysburg themed. Please call me at 603-692-8460 text ok, phanniephuggin@gmail.com or pm me on my Facebook page Phannie’s Boozy Jams. Cheers!

Open Letter to Borough Council Members

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[This letter was written to members of the Gettysburg Borough Council and was read aloud at the council meeting on Monday July 13.] To the Council members of Gettysburg Borough: As we all know, on July 4th this year, hundreds of people came to Gettysburg in response to an online and unsubstantiated rumor that Antifa

Masks and the Fight for Freedom

I’ve heard it said so many times that wearing a mask is an infringementof our constitutional rights. I’m not sure which one since the framers ofthe Constitution did not include anything so specific as mask wearing.Over and over, I hear that Governor Wolf is a desperate, tyrannicalleader trying to strip away our rights by not

Buy a mask; support literacy! It’s a win-win!

community contributors

Finances…never an easy subject! Due to COVID-19, revenue is down across Pennsylvania, and therefore, the Department of Education (PDE) is cutting adult education funding by more than $100,000. The optional tutor grant that we were awarded (over $50,000) is completely gone, and our 064 state grant is only being funded for 2.5 months, and expected

Homemade Tortillas for Sale to Support a Friend

Community Contributor

My friend Maricella lost her job two months ago. She is helping make ends meet by selling her homemade tortillas. They are delivered warm to me 1-3 times a week and are completely delicious. If you’d like a dozen or perhaps more, please text or call me at 717 752-5475. $8.00 per dozen. Hugh Matthews

Gettysburg Foundation President Muses about Gettysburg and COVID-19: Plus Reagan, Near, Bates, Guthrie, Lincoln, Mandela & Princess Diana

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This blog post, penned by local resident and Gettysburg Foundation President Matthew Moen, originally appeared on the Gettysburg Foundation Website. Many thanks to the Foundation for so graciously sharing with us. Ghost tours have long been a cottage industry in Gettysburg, and for once, the supernatural hits the mark. COVID-19 has turned a tourist town

Adam County Farmers Market Seeks Volunteers

I just saw on the Adams County Farmers Market Association Facebook page an appeal for “Social Solidarity Volunteers,” people who would help load orders into customers’ cars at the Farmers Market as part of the new safe distancing practices. I applied, partly just because of the irresistible job title!

How To Vote by Mail in Pennsylvania

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For the first time this year all Pennsylvanians can vote by mail. With the COVID-19 virus striking us during the primary season it is good to have this option. There is no way of knowing that it will be safe to go to the polls on June 2nd. All you need to do is fill

Please Join A Virtual Food Drive

Dear Neighbors   I hope you are all well and staying healthy. I have been working with the Central PA Food Bank and SCCAP to organize a virtual food drive for our town, with donations earmarked for SCCAP’s food pantry.   Our friends and co-workers have lost their livelihoods and may already be unable to

Count Your College Kids in the Right Place!

Hi Adams County neighbors! If your college students are home because their school closed due to COVID-19, please make sure you know where to count them on the 2020 Census. Since they are home only because their school closed, they should still be counted “where they usually live and sleep most of the time.” This

Thinking Forward Together

I’m still yearning for more local conversation about what we’re gonna do to take care of ourselves from now on, primarily here at the local level (i.e., within reach of what each of us can do personally), but very much in sync with larger efforts.   I just heard a general in the U.S. Army

Where to Find Food in Adams County

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The attached graphic, created by the Adams County Food Policy Council, an affiliate of Healthy Adams County, summarizes the places, dates, and times of food offerings in the county. The Gettysburg Soup Kitchen at 22 W High St will serve hot take out meals M-F and two bagged meals on Saturday.  

How to Make a CDC-Approved Face Mask: Sew and No-sew patterns

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The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help

Coping From Home with Hobbes, Neely, and Bridget

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Hi neighbor! Coping at home is working out quite well, thank you. I was laid off from my last commuting job on Nov. 1, 2006, and have been freelancing–with some ups and downs–ever since. Working at home has been part of my routine for years. Even though I’m mostly retired from medical editing, I’m maintaining

Free Food Giveaway by Jesus is Lord Ministries

As the need for food in the county increases, Jesus is Lord Ministries International is holding a massive food giveaway to 140 Needy Families on Sunday, April 12th at Jesus Is Lord Ministries, 3425 Chambersburg Road, Biglerville from 12:30 pm. to 2 p.m. The ministries is located seven miles west of Gettysburg on Route 30. 

What Can I Do?I

Community Contributor

It’s all so overwhelming. The Big Picture, at least as much of it as I can see, absolutely paralyzes me. What can I do? Well, for starters, what do I have to work with Right Here, Right Now? Well, what I mostly see is (drumroll) unbounded wealth! I live modestly, but have enough money in

Community Gardens

Word has it that the community gardens at the Ag Center have been closed by Penn State Extension, for reasons we can easily understand and do not question. This means there may be a few disappointed, displaced wannabe gardeners who will need to get their fingers in the dirt somewhere else this year. Could you,

A Message From the Publisher

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It’s another new day here in Adams County in a week where things suddenly feel very different. Tuesday was St. Patrick’s day, which is usually a time of joy and celebration as spring approaches. But this week doesn’t feel like that. It’s the middle of the semester but the college students have already gone home

Opinion: Don’t Forget the Census Amid the Crisis

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The decennial census has arrived, almost exactly at the same time as the possible impacts of the COVID-19 virus became evident. The near-shutdown is going to make everything about the count more complicated and puts pressure on everyone to complete their census count on their own and as soon as possible. The official “Census Day”