Three Gettysburg Christmas events are partnering to create a festive First Friday on Lincoln Square.
Borough Manager Charles Gable announced during the borough council’s monthly meeting on Monday that the Lincoln Square Christmas Tree Lighting and Gettysburg Tuba Carol Festival will occur on the first day of the Gettysburg Christmas Festival, Dec. 5.
In recent years, Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association lit the tree on Black Friday. The Gettysburg Tuba Carol Festival, hosted by retired band teacher Ben Jones, has been held the second Friday of December. The need for enhanced security in light of events that have occurred across the nation prompted the three events to move to one night, Gable said.
Main Street Gettysburg President and CEO Jill Sellers, whose organization hosts the Gettysburg Christmas Festival, said each event will continue to be managed by their respective organizations. The collaboration has been several years in the making, she said.
“This is something that is super exciting,” Sellers said.
Mental Health Responder
WellSpan Crisis Responder McKenzie Johnson discussed her work with the borough police department during a special presentation at the beginning of Monday’s meeting.
Johnson responds to emergency calls when police believe mental health challenges to be the main source of a complaint. Johnson said her priority is to divert patients from the criminal justice system to alternatives, such as outpatient resources or more restrictive treatment.
“Ultimately, the goal is that consumer and I build a relationship and they can reach out to me as needed,” she said.
Johnson praised borough police officers for welcoming her to the force.
Council President Matthew Moon said Johnson’s services are funded with assistance from York-Adams Mental Health-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and WellSpan. Glenny said the program’s funding is not guaranteed, but he plans to be a strong advocate for its future.
Before Johnson, Glenny said, police would take patients to the hospital and they would eventually be released without proper care. Johnson evaluates their actual needs and connects them to the proper resources.
“She is one of the most diligent people I have ever seen in dealing with these consumers who need help,” Glenny said.
Johnson said any citizens who need her services can contact her through the Adams County Emergency Services’ non-emergency dispatch line, 717-334-8101. Anyone facing an emergency should call 9-1-1.
Volunteers Remembered
Moon remembered two borough volunteers who recently passed away, Len Andrews and Lela Mae Weaver.
Andrews, 87, died Feb. 20. He served on the Gettysburg Zoning Board and Borough Council. Weaver, 87, died on Feb. 26. She was a volunteer in the borough’s Planning Department. In honor of her work there, July 10, 2012 was declared “Lee Weaver Day” by Mayor William Troxell.
Featured Image: A large crowd enjoys the 2023 Gettysburg Tuba Carol Festival. This year’s event will be held in conjunction with the Lincoln Square Tree Lighting and Gettysburg Christmas Festival.
Alex J. Hayes has spent almost two decades in the Adams County news business. He is passionate about sharing stories focused on the people in our communities and following local governments in an age when few journalists report on their meetings. Alex is also a freelance writer for several other publications in South Central Pennsylvania. Alex encourages readers to contact him at ahayes83@gmail.com.
Am I the only one who only counted only two events mentioned in this article?