Participants from the district will include Amy Hodges Slamp, Superintendent; Michele Balliet, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education; Richard Schwarzman, Assistant to the Superintendent for Secondary Education; Greg Kiehl, Director of Support Services; George Longridge, Business Manager; Monica Steward, Director of Special Education; and Troy Portser, Director of School and Community Information.

The overarching goal of the town hall meetings is to strengthen the connection between the community and its schools. This will be accomplished through open and frank two-way communication between the district leadership team and interested stakeholders. The benefits to be mutually reaped by the district and community from the “Town Hall Meeting” format are as follows:

- Greater knowledge of community concerns and challenges facing the school district.
- Increased citizen participation in school functioning.
- Better public understanding of school goals.
- Increased interest in education among parents and other citizens.

The district hopes you are willing and able to take advantage of this opportunity to build a better partnership between the district and community. Registration is not required.

Named an “Outstanding Employee” for 2007, 2008 and 2009, Marie is one employee you will never find sleeping on the job.  Marie goes out of her way to make sure that each and every guest has an enjoyable, and a safe, visit to Hersheypark.  Marie makes everyone feel like family, both guests and fellow employees alike.

Marie, originally from Long Island, New York moved to Lebanon, Pennsylvania during her mid-twenties.   “Leaving most of my family back in New York was a very hard thing to do, but thankfully we have remained very close to one another, even with the increased distance” Vituszynski says.  Upon moving to Pennsylvania, Marie began working as a Medical Transcriptionist transcribing documents for local area hospitals and doctors offices.  Looking to add a little variety to her life, Marie began employment with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts in 2007, originally working at Hershey’s Chocolate World.

When the summer of 2007 started to heat up, Marie was looking for a way to get outside and enjoy the weather.  That search brought her right next door, to Hersheypark.  Working in the Pioneer Frontier section since 2008, Marie has made an impact on many fellow employees and guests.  When it starts to rain and other employees get down about having to work in the rain, Marie is always there, her light shining brightly to any guests that are still in the park.

Marie does everything she can to make all of her friends feel like family.  A recent post on Marie’s Facebook profile, encouraging fellow Hersheypark employees to offer condolences to another employee whose mother passed away, just goes to show how much she really does care.  “Marie is such a joy to work with!  We laugh and have a great time.  Seeing her at work is one of the highlights of my shift” says Josette Pribilla, a Hersheypark Ride Lead.

Coined the “Queen of Pio” by fellow employees, Marie is a joy to work with, bringing a smile to everyone’s face and making even the worst days seem to fly by.  As Pribilla puts it, “Working with Marie at your ride you know that you will always be in good company, and you know a joke is never far away.  She makes even the longest shifts fly by!”

The Elizabethtown Advocate, a weekly newspaper based in Elizabethtown, Pa., published its fifth issue on March 4, 2010.

Dan Robrish, the paper’s editor and publisher, put out the paper’s first issue on Feb. 4, 2010. Robrish, formerly of the Associated Press, said that newspapers are important for keeping readers informed.

“I think one of the most fundamental responsibilities a newspaper has is to explain to citizens how their government works,” Robrish said.

The Elizabethtown Advocate covers items of local interest including high school sports, school board meetings and township meetings. Robrish, who has worked professionally for papers in Ely, Nev., New Ulm, Minn., and Pottstown, Pa., writes many of the stories himself.

The Elizabethtown Advocate publishes 1,000 copies of each issue. Robrish estimates that about 200 of them get picked up between single copy buyers and subscribers. He said he expects that number to go up once more people become aware of the operation.

Copies of The Elizabethtown Advocate can be purchased for 50 cents apiece at 9 S. Market Street, the paper’s office. It can also be found at various locations throughout Elizabethtown including Groff’s Meats, Folklore Coffee & Company, Darrenkamp’s Elizabethtown Market, CR’s Friendly Market at the Sunoco station.

While some newspapers are moving into a digital era, The Elizabethtown Advocate focuses on the print issue. That is not to say it has no web presence at all. Robrish said the Web site, www.etownpa.com, will contain breaking news stories and documents that are too large for the print edition, such as court papers, once it is up and running. He also maintains a Facebook page for the paper.

Robrish is filling the void in local media coverage that has been present since The Elizabethtown Chronicle, another weekly newspaper, folded in early 2009.

“Before I got here there was no newspaper at all covering Elizabethtown other than a give-away weekly (newspaper),” Robrish said.

Robrish said the give-away paper that was in place “did some good things in terms of covering local events,” but that it did not, “explain how government was working and that does not help citizens govern themselves.”

In starting The Elizabethtown Advocate however, he left behind a position at the Associated Press, arguably one of the most prestigious jobs in the field of journalism.

“Walking off a steady job to start a paper from scratch is something that a lot of people have told me that they just wouldn’t have the guts to do that,” Robrish said. “Some of them in an admiring way. Some of them in a you-must-be-crazy way.”

While he may not be well known in the community, the communications students at Elizabethtown College depend on him.  Andy is the Director of Broadcasting and therefore oversees anything pertaining to radio and television.  Andy makes executive decisions about WWEC and ECTV.  He also fixes any equipment that may be broken in the department. 

While not an official educator at Elizabethtown College, Andy is willing to teach any student more about television or radio broadcasting.  His professional experience allows him to be knowledgeable and approachable in this field.  Andy is always looking for a way to help the students.  He has helped WWEC obtain permission to broadcast from remote locations such as Folklore located on Market Street in Elizabethtown.  Andy has also helped ECTV acquire a remote-production vehicle so that students may broadcast live productions from various locations, such as a Hershey Bears game at the Giant Center or an Etown Jays basketball game from Thompson Gymnasium. 

Despite Andy’s popularity in the Communications Department, there are many things that one might not know about Andy.  First, he helps raise dogs for UDS (United Disabilities Services). Currently he and his family are raising a black lab, named Eli.  The dogs that the Williams family raises will eventually be given to a person with disabilities and will help that person live a more independent life, assisting in tasks the person might not be able to do on their own.  Andy is a former Blue Hen.  He is a graduate of University of Delaware.   Andy Williams has also worked at WGAL as a photographer, where he won an award for Enterprise/Individual Reporting for “Kaufman’s Wedding World” with WGAL news team member, Brian Roche. 

Andy Williams is vital to Elizabethtown College’s Department of Communications.  He is a good listener and communicator.  He is also someone that students can depend on when a problem arises.  His office is inviting open to all who need him.  With his witty sense of humor, Andy can lighten any situation and will hopefully be an asset to the Department of Communications for years to come.

The Hershey Conewago Campground, formerly a KOA Campground, features 20 basic tent sites, 85 water and electric sites, perfect for campers in tents who need access to electricity and water and 55 full hookup sites with water, full electric and sewer, perfect for visitors with an RV.

If traditional camping isn’t your thing, you can rent one of Hershey Conewago’s seven rustic cabins.  These one-room cabins are designed to make you still feel like you’re camping, when you are inside.  “Our cabins feature a double bed and two twin bunk beds, a small table, an outdoor water spigot, glider on the porch and a fire ring and picnic table.  The guest needs to supply the bedding and a grill or propane stove for outdoor cooking.”

According to Buck “One of the campground’s greatest assets is its staff, my family.”  The campground, owned and managed by the Buck family, including his wife and son, is always in pristine condition for campers.  “We are working hard to get ready for the upcoming camping season; booking events and cleaning up the campground is hard work.”  For the upcoming camp season, the family has booked outdoor movie nights, events with boy and girl scouts and a traveling quilt show.

In addition to bathrooms with free hot showers, the campground also features a number of other amenities.  An outdoor pool is located right next to the soccer field and volleyball net.  The country store offers easy access to supplies that campers need most.  “New this year, we are adding recycling centers next to all dumpsters on the property to join in the trend of going green.”

So, the next time you have out of town guests and no where to put them, tell them to bring their camping supplies and have an awesome night at the Hershey Conewago Campground.  In addition to all the fun of camping, visitors also have the ability to purchase discount Hersheypark tickets right at the campground store.

In addition, Todd is an active participant in the Called to Lead program, sponsored by the Chaplain’s office. Participants in this program explore leadership within the “context of the meaning of life” by attending certain events and by taking various courses. Todd will be finishing the program this semester and receive a Called to Lead certificate.

Todd is also a vocalist and guitarist for the band Flint. Flint consists of Todd and two other E-town College students, Kyle Grimm and Dave Ashcraft. The band mostly plays original acoustic rock songs, which Todd writes, and enjoys to write in his free time.

Earlier this month, Flint released its first studio album entitled “On Top of the World.” “On Top of the World” was recorded in Zug and also at Todd’s house in upstate NY. The CD is available for purchase at CD Baby and iTunes.

Todd is from a small town in New York, south of Buffalo and next to Lake Erie. He lives about 40 minutes away from Erie, Pa. Todd says he came to Elizabethtown College in order to escape the weather at home.

“The weather here is substantially better than where I’m from. The distance makes a huge difference. It’s grey there all the time, and I just wanted to go somewhere that was warmer and sunnier.”

An interesting fact about Todd is that he has a twin brother, named Beck. Despite being twins, the only thing Beck and Todd have in common are their birthday.

“[Beck] is the complete opposite of me in every way. He’s really tall and goes to Miami University in Oxford, Oh. He and I have very different interests but… he’s my twin.”

Todd enjoys to read and watch television in his free time. His favorite television shows are “Lost” and “The Office.”
“Sometimes at the end of the day, I just want to do something mind numbing,” he says.

In May, Todd will graduate with a bachelor’s of science in Information Systems. This fall, he will most likely be attending Carnegie Mellon University for the Information Security graduate program. Best of luck to Todd in all his future endeavors.

The Chamber of Commerce board has been very busy this past year planning and coming up with new ideas as to how to further develop and draw future business to Elizabethtown.  The board’s vision is to have 10 new sustainable businesses downtown by 2015.  In the past year local businesses have already joined the community including Folklore, Deli Depot, and If These Dresses Could Talk.  Wood Bergman describes the Elizabethtown downtown as a “rich little community of resources and opportunity.” 

The Chamber’s purpose is to foster and develop relationships.  Wood Bergman gives businesses direction and attention.  She also helps in the recruitment of new businesses.  According to Wood Bergman, there is always something new in the community, “If it’s not a new business, it’s new people, [or] new philosophies.”

Although the downturn in the economy has put a large financial burden on current business owners, causing many to be dislocated, it could also be a good time for new business owners to come to Elizabethtown.  Many residents in the community like how downtown is more viable.   Through the Chamber’s “Shop Local” campaign, new local entrepreneurial businesses have a chance of surviving, because of the downtown setting of Etown provides for a local healthy economy.

The Chamber of Commerce works a lot with local business owners, but they also do activities for residents and families in Elizabethtown.  The Chamber helps to put on the annual holiday parade around Christmas time, a gingerbread house making contest, and Let Etown Ring.  They also do arts and crafts in the park, a summer lunch series, and a night at the Barnstormers game.  According to Wood Bergman, “family is a foundation of all of our community and life.”  The Chamber helps to give local families an opportunity to be together, help build memories, and traditions.

Mark Kearns has been a practicing orthodontist since 1995. He has since been a part owner of two local orthodontist offices in Harrisburg and New Cumberland. Mark Kearns attended Juniata College and received his Bachelors of Science and then went on to obtain his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S) at the University of Maryland, where he was magna cum laude. He has also gone on to get a Master of science degree in Oral Biology and a Certificate of Orthodontists.

As a member of the dental and orthodontic community, Kearns is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists and is an Invisalign Premier Provider. He maintains memberships in the American Dental Association, the Pennsylvania Dental Association, the Harrisburg Area Dental Society, the American Association of Orthodontists and the Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontics. He is also a Board Member of the University of Maryland Orthodontic Alumni Association.

Kearns works with his partner, Mark Minium, as they both run and operate their own business. Minium received his degree from Dickinson University and also went to University of Maryland to obtain Doctor of Dental Surgery. Minium volunteers for the American Cancer Society and enjoy spending time in the outdoors as he fishes and camps often in the PA area.

Thirteen years ago, Kearns had the opportunity to work for Operation Smile Medical Mission in the Philippians. He performed orthodontic procedures such as providing safe surgeries for children with clef lips. “It was one of the best experiences in my life to be a part of such a program and perform reconstructive surgery on the children,” said Kearns. He has been there twice now to perform the surgeries. Kearns used his skill and knowledge in orthodontics to bring joy to the children whom suffer from having a clef deformity. “I felt so proud to see the happiness in the children’s eyes; it amazes me how many children are born with these deformities. Many children are unable to speak and smile because of this,” said Kearns.

Kearns residents in Mechanicsburg PA with his wife Deborah and two children, Courtney and Kyle. Courtney is currently attending Elizabethtown College and Kyle is finishing up his senior year in high school at Mechanicsburg High School. Mark and Deborah enjoy spending weekends in their condo in Deep Creek, Maryland. He enjoys skiing at Round Top, family camping trips and taking photographs of the outdoors. The family likes to spend their summer weekends on their boat and relaxing in the sun.

As his other hobby, Kearns has his own photography business called Mark Kearns Photography. He posts all of his photographs on Shutterfly. The photographs include ice hockey games he attends and high school sporting events. People are able to purchase the photographs from the website in which they can choose their own print formation.

Coincidentally, when Bucks County closed, about a year ago, and Giant took over the in-store coffee shop, Ryan and Dawn found a building to house their coffee shop. For the next year, they came up with a business plan and started cleaning up the old building at 1 N. Market Street.

First, they had to come up with a name to call their coffee shop. The Brackens chose the name “Folklore” because it has a lot of imagery.

“It kind of reminds you of an epic battle or the great escape or something along those lines,” Ryan said. They really wanted a name to reflect their goals in incorporating the community into their business.

“We really want to be community-oriented, and [the name Folklore] ties into the feel we want people to have when they come into the shop—a place to escape to study to kind of forget the world,” he said. “We call it the third-place; it’s not home, it’s not work, it’s the place you go when you’re not at home or work.”

In addition to incorporating the community, Ryan also wants to work with the college to provide entertainment for the students. He will also use the walls of Folklore to display artwork from local artists. E-town College Senior, Katie Kressler has been displaying her art at Folklore since mid-December. Her paintings and sculptures are also available for purchase.

Every Friday and Saturday nights, Ryan books local singer/songwriters to perform at the coffee shops. In addition to these weekly shows, Ryan tries to host bigger concerts each quarter. In January, Folklore and WXPN sponsored a concert with national recording artist, Denison Witmer. An astonishing 200-plus people showed up for the concert to help celebrate Folklore’s official Grand Opening celebration.

On March 13, Folklore will host its second big concert when it welcomes Sherwood with special guests Hot Chelle Rae, BlackGold and Reece. Doors open at 6:30 and the show at 7:00. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Students receive one dollar off with a valid school ID. For more information about the show, please visit Folklore’s Facebook, MySpace, or Twitter pages.

Folklore’s hours are Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 9 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 11 PM.

Susquehanna Style Magazine focuses on topics that women enjoy such as home décor, shopping, dining out and fashion.  “Central Pennsylvania is very conservative and other lifestyle magazines are more “look and feel” regional magazines, but Susquehanna Style is more of a national quality as far as pushing trends of what’s fresh and new,” states Keely Childers, Marketing Director.  The magazine is a more established magazine compared to other Pennsylvania style magazines as it builds a powerful community presence. The magazine attends festivals, fashion shows and miscellaneous events within the Central PA region.

However, due to the economic downfall magazines have been facing the struggles of keeping their heads above the water. This negative toll has caused some magazines to fold this past year. Many magazines have looked to use different ways of using promotional tools to keep the readers entertained. Susquehanna Style Magazine had a sense of optimism about the past year which helped them battle the economic downfall. “The economy cleared out the clutter last year,” said Childers. Susquehanna Style has seen a lot of publications begin to diversify into creating events and expos to make revenue.

Susquehanna Style has chosen to host special events in the Central Pennsylvania region that invites the community and readers to attend. “The magazine is beginning to host events in a way to create a sense of community and build a tighter brand loyalty,” said Childers. By creating events, Susquehanna Style will reach different demographics of consumers. Last week, the magazine hosted a happy hour event that was held at a local club in Lancaster. The event was for the American Heart Association and was used to promote their upcoming magazine.

Susquehanna Style has to be the “eyes and the ears” in the regions to find out the consumer’s favorite restaurants, places to shop and regions in the Pennsylvania area to visit. Other than the featured advertisements that are in the magazine, the majority of the articles include the “best of” in the area; this may discuss the best restaurants, shopping areas and places to visit.  The magazine also publishes local upcoming events in the Susquehanna Valley region and photographs of the most popular and hottest items to purchase from local stores. Susquehanna Style also chooses people in the Valley who are an inspiration to people or are highly motivated in their field of work. These people are interviewed and a feature article is published in the magazine. Many times the feature articles will show photographs of women on their wedding day and will go through the step-by-step process of getting ready to saying the “I-do’s.”