Things to do: July 2009 Archives

Commenter Amy tipped me off that the Hellam Carnival is going on through Saturday at Lee and Beaver streets.

I've had a hard time finding any information about it, but I did read on the Kreutz Creek Valley Library Friends Group's web site that the group is going to be at the carnival from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, selling their fundraising items as well as books, videos, DVDs and audiobooks at reasonable cost. They'll also be having a "grab bag" game for children and a "number match" game for adults, plus a raffle for a small quilt and another for a Little Jack Horner doll.

Backing up a day, on Friday, there will be a "Cruise Nite" from 6 to 10 p.m. at the carnival. You can showcase your car and also enjoy the carnival rides, food, games, raffles and free music by The Roadsters, an oldies group. For the cruise, there is a $5 registration fee that benefits the Hellam Area Recreation Commission; for details, call 252-0101.

If you go, let me know how it is! I'll be working those nights, so it's not likely I'll head out, but you never know!

Around lunchtime yesterday, I happened on a flier for the Olde Tyme Carnival and Fireworks at West Manchester Township's Sunset Lane Park, which was taking place from 5:30 to 10 p.m. that night.

Since I knew I'd be home from work by about 6, I made some quick plans to go with my mom and Sarah. Why not, we figured? It's free, after all!

First, I want to say that this drew a HUGE crowd. More, even, than the Dover Fireman's Fair does on some nights. Much like many small-town fairs, it was made up in large part of middle- and high-schoolers looking for someplace to chat and eat, in addition to the usual contingent of parents, grandparents and neighbors.

We didn't get there until close to 7:30 p.m., and we parked several blocks away, along the street. We didn't mind the walk, and it was nice to see so many people come out.

Best thing about the carnival: LOTS of food stands. Mom and I went in for the waffles and ice cream (and Sarah went for ice cream in a dish); Mom also got an old-fashioned cherry vanilla Coke, with the real syrup flavoring, which she enjoyed a lot.

Not-the-best thing about the carnival: We had some trouble finding the games at first, and by the time we found most of them, around 8:20, they had decided to close them down before it got too dark.

That said, we were able to hear a little bit of the band, The Citations, and everyone seemed to enjoy them. And Sarah played one game where you get to catch a pingpong ball in a net for $1, and based on what's on that ball, you win a small, medium or large prize. You guessed it, we got a small. Most expensive bouncy ball ever, but she liked it.

We decided not to fight the crowds for a place to sit to watch the fireworks, and headed home. Less than an hour later, though, we DID get to see fireworks - out our upstairs window, where we had a clear view of all but the lowest sparklers.

Sarah liked that. No crowds, but a great light and sound show. She had some interesting comments, too, for the organizers... she said, "It's really nice that they buy all the fireworks and do that so people can come see it." She also said the band was nice. "They took time out of their day to come there and play music for the people." I was happy to see her so interested in how such an event came together.

I know there are several other town fun fests coming, including Craley Days in early August. If you know of one - please, post a comment. I'd love to tell people more about these events, which are a great way to meet your neighbors.

Remember gun bingo?

Well, if you missed last year's, we're only about a month away from a similar event. The Airville Volunteer Fire Company will host Sportsman's Bingo on Aug. 29 at the fire hall on Route 74 in Chanceford Township.

Door open 4 p.m. and games begin 6 p.m.

The event feature 20 games with sports-related prizes and a raffle for a muzzle-loading rifle. Bingo tickets are $15 and raffle tickets are $3 each or two for $5. Both may be purchased in advance by calling 862-3282.

I'm not a sportsman or sportswoman of any sort, though my maternal uncles and aunt have long been trying to get me involved. I've fished. I've even baited my own hook. That's about as good as I get at outdoor sports, though of course I do love hiking.

But if you go... let me know how it is!

I love that my blog readers let me know about what's going on in the community! I've had so many event notices lately, and I really appreciate them.

From Jo (not to be confused with Joe from yesterday) comes a reminder to me - that I'm sharing with all of you - that the Greater Dover Historical Society opens its working blacksmith shop to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second Saturday of every month through October. That means there's one coming up Aug. 8!

At the shop, pictured above, you can watch smithy Ted Ziegler forge hot steel on the anvil. Items Ziegler makes are for sale during the open houses, and proceeds help defray the cost of materials and support the society.

It's definitely worth checking out. I've been promising Jo to get to one for several months; in this case, I'll be heading out of town that day to visit my father-in-law in Rhode Island, but if I get my packing done early (insert crazy laughter here) I would love to stop up. If not, I've still got September and October!

Faithful reader Joe tipped me off to this coming event, in which you can get yummy food and help a local organization, too.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 1, at the corner of Parkway Boulevard and Pacific Avenue in York - RAIN OR SHINE - the Bring On Play group is having a chicken barbecue to raise funds for the recently renovated Lincoln Park. (Read a guest column here by Mayor John Brenner on the group's efforts; that's his wife, Adrienne, and son Sam, then 4, at the park in 2008, before renovations in the picture at top.)

For $7, you get half a chicken, a baked potato, applesauce, a roll and butter. Joe says there's also plenty of room to run and play at the pickup site, if you want to either work up an appetite or work off the chicken!!

You don't have to pre-purchase your tickets, though Joe does recommend it. You can do so by calling him at 495-3878.

Sounds YUMMY. I know this is "barbecue season" and there are many such events to support; if you have one, feel free to let me know, because I'd love to publicize it.

I think I've mentioned before how much I love to scrapbook. It's kind of a sickness. :) I've been working on several albums, including my high school years, my daughter's first few years (of which the picture here is the cover), and - amazingly - I finished a 2008 family album and am starting a 2009 album.

But in the last couple of months, I've taken on another project - organizing, captioning and getting into scrapbooks the OLD family photos from both my mom's and my dad's families. (Hubby, meanwhile, got bit by the bug and is organizing HIS mom's family photos. Yes, we're insane.) And I'd never worked with "old" photos before. It's harder than it seems!

Well, coming soon, there's a program at the York County Heritage Trust that will help folks who are in the same boat. From their release:

Sounds pretty fun. If you go, you might see me there ... I REALLY need some tips on this old memorabilia.

Yesterday evening, Hubby, Sarah and I took Coby the dog for a LONG walk on the rail trail.

We parked at Brillhart Station and headed two miles to the Howard Tunnel to find our next letterbox (this was No. 6), then hiked back.

What a walk! Even the dog was beat by the end. Here are Coby and Sarah at the tunnel (halfway point).

The good news is, while walking, we ran into my doctor and a friend, also walking. So next time he says I should exercise more... Hahaha!