December 2007 Archives

"My Weekly Reader," that children's newsletter so familar to millions was the brainchild of a York County educator, Eleanor Johnson. Background posts: Katharine Beecher, 'Legacies', Delma Rivera, 'Legacies' and One-room memories flow from readers' fingertips.

In the 1920s, York County educator Eleanor Johnson was concerned that students did not know what was happening in the world - "not a flicker."

That was the seed that started the children's newspaper "My Weekly Record."...

Delma Rivera and her husband, Edwin, were among the pioneering Puerto Rican families to settle and achieve in York County. Background post: York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago, York Springs a town in change, but what's new?, and Katharine Beecher, "Legacies," Part I.

"Legacies," AAUW's booklet on achieving 20th-century York County women, is an artifact in itself.

When viewed as a whole, it shows that most women achieved in the workplace in those days through their work in social or community service, teaching, nursing or libraries. Indeed, some believe this is still the case today. (Candymaker Katherine Beecher, profiled previously, was an exception.) ...

Judy Weber of the Wellsville Area Histocial Society 'teaches a lesson' about the borough's one-room school house. The building is undergoing restoration. Background posts: 'Yesteryears' southern York County sites - Part II, Hidden Loucks School reflects past way of York County life and One-room schools: 'That's when things were good'.

One-room schools so fascinate readers that the York Daily Record/Sunday News has set aside room on its Web site, http://ydr.inyork.com/ydr/schoolhouses for articles and photographs on these icons of York County.

The most recent school profiled is Wellsville's. Here are some vital statistics about one-room schools, including Wellsville's: ...

Katharine Beecher started a small candy company in the 1930s. Defense contracts in World War II helped her company, as it did many York County businesses. Katharine Beecher's son, Henry Beecher, kept the business in the family for 22 years after his mother's death in 1952. In 1974, he sold the factory's assets to Pennsylvania Dutch Candies. Today, the company, now in Cumberland County, still bears her name. Background posts: "Little Johnny" called for Allies in World War II and Edith Barber: 'She wanted to save humanity'.

A small road called Butter Mint Lane in Manchester explains the product made in the factory on that road.

Manchester was where Katharine Beecher Candies operated for decades before owner Pennsylvania Dutch Co. arranged for its move to Camp Hill in 1999.

Katherine Beecher, who started the business in her kitchen in 1930, became one of the most visible female industrialists in York County in the middle years of the 20th century... .

These images from the U.S. Treasury Department show the four presidential one dollar coins, and their reverse side, right, that will be issued in 2008. From left are, James Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. Artist Don Everhart, who grew up in York County, had a hand in all of them. Background posts: Engraver's work keeps his name in circulation and Graffiti artists today, masters worthy of study tomorrow.

Central York grad and U.S. Mint sculptor/engraver Don Everhart is back in the news.

He designed the John Quincy Adams image on the front of the soon-to-be-released new dollar coin that is part of presidential series. And that's his Statue of Liberty will be on the back of the new James Monroe, Adams, Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren coins... .

Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall awaits his helmet before riding in a NASCAR race car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience before taking laps at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. in this Associated Press photograph. Edsall and his brother, Duke, a former Atlantic Coast Conference basketball referee, graduated from Susquehannock High School. Background posts about other York sports achievers: Butch Wynegar ranks bright among York's sports stars and Lenny Moore has strong links to York.

Two brothers from Glen Rock have made it big on the national sports scene.

Duke Edsall has called 20 NCAA tournaments, including one Final Four, as a basketball referee.

His younger brother and fellow Susquehannock High School grad has just coached University of Connecticut's football team to its best Division I season.

There just seems to be no end to people with York County roots making national headlines ... .

Herbert Cohen was just 5 years old in this photo, taken when his family returned to St. Petersburg, Russia, to visit family. He's sitting on the floor, to the right, in this photo. Also in the photo are: Herbert's grandmother, 'Baba' Kagen (seated at left), Herbert's mother, Pauline Cohen (standing directly behind 'Baba'), and Milton Cohen, 8 years old (at the feet of his grandmother.) The only other person the family can identify is Marie (on the far left), who is Pauline's sister. Background posts: List growing of high state officials hailing from York County and Follow the Leader ... George Leader.

A yorktownsquare.com commenter wondered where he could find the "Builders and Heroes" profile on the Cohen/Schepp families of York County.

A series on this blog sampled four of the families, and a list of all 50-plus "family builders" pointed to a profile on this accomplished York family, the most noteworthy member being former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice and Attorney General Herb Cohen... .

Elaine P. Carr is seen with aprons she sells at the Farmers Market, Penn and West Market streets in York. The standowner uses various old fabrics - from tablecloths, vintage curtains and bib overalls - to sew aprons. Farmers Market is the oldest of York's five original covered markethouses. Background posts: Central Market sells sizzle ... and steak, The forgotten fifth York market house and Don't know much about (York market) history?

A reader asked for some help in settling an argument between his father a friend of his father.

Which market house is older? The Farmers Market at Penn and Market streets or the Central Market House at Beaver and Philadelphia?...

The Little Courthouse, a replica of the first York County Court House, stands on York's Centre Square during World War I. The courthouse served as a center for war bond sales and promoted the bonds in a way that today might be considered politically incorrect. An effigy of Kaiser Wilhelm II is seen in the left foreground. For a small sum, donors could drive nails into the German leader's head. Background posts: From war bonds to pets and people and Driver invades Jefferson's quiet square.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News' Christmas Day editorial (see below) touted some of York County's long overlooked accomplishments during World War I.

The editorial touched on one of those achievements: the ability of the heavily German York County to rally for American involvement even though we were fighting against Germans. It was brother against brother... .

This shows WSBA-AM (910)'s current station in eastern York County - its second office and studio. The original along the Susquehanna Trail, north of York, was recently demolished. Background posts: Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team and Carly Simon at WSBA: 'What do you want to hear?'.

Randy Shaffer of Manchester passed on some memories recently of the now-demolished WSBA building on the Susquehanna Trail.

The building, recently knocked down to make way for a commerce center, has sparked many memories typified by Randy's conclusion: "But, another part of history has gone." He brings out an interesting point about an underground studio that was part of the complex.

Here's his e-mail:

With a one-arm wave as the other firmly grasps the ladder, Santa greets the crowd before his entry into York's Bon-Ton in his annual visit to York.
Background posts: The Grumbachers, Builders and Heroes and York scores another first: Wal-Mart's entry into Pa.

This photo captures post-World War II York, the day of the Big Three - Bon-Ton and its competitors, Wiest's and Bear's. (People often say, don't forget Sears and Jack's and Gregory's and McLean's and ... )

Santa parked his sleigh outside York County in those years. He flew into the area by plane and, later, by helicopter. He was ushered by fire truck to the Bon-Ton where he entered the store's third-floor window... .

Sidney Poitier smiles while making his way to the podium at the Valencia Ballroom in 2002. Poitier was the guest speaker of The Junior League of York's "In The Spotlight" Speaker Series. For more on the Valencia, see below. Background posts: Original WSBA station hands mic to demolition team and Valencia Ballroom became cool place during Depression.
You're sitting in the living room surrounded by visiting loved ones.

And the talk perhaps turns to York County, its strengths, weakness and befuddling quirks.

And you want to show your smarts about this complex, often perplexing county, which boasts of a bottomless fund of history.

So began my most recent York Sunday News column:

So to help you strut your intelligence, we continue what we started last Christmas and come up with another 20 questions for you to pose (search on this blog for additional details) ... .

Workers clean one of 27 cyclorama panels at Gettysburg National Military Park in this 2006 photograph. The park recently received an appropriation to finish the cyclorama restoration and relocation project. (See another restoration photo below.) Background posts: Gettysburg battlefield produces steady supply of news and Gettysburg's Electric Map blinking in finale season.

"How did the Gettysburg National Military Park - without asking - get $3.8 million from the federal government to finish the Cyclorama painting restoration?" the newspaper story began.

The short answer: The federal government came through with the funds... .

Plantiffs' attorney Eric Rothschild addresses the media following closing statements in the Dover intelligent design trial in November 2005. The civil trial was one of the nationally prominent cases involving York County in decades. Background posts: County First Amendment list grows and Dover intelligent design trial not over yet.

Last post, Witman murder among York County's most notorious crimes cited a sampling of major criminal cases that hit York County Court in recent years.

The following is a short list of other civil and criminal actions of note involving York County or York County people: ...

Brothers Zachary and Gregory Witman are seen in this 1990s family photo. Zachary, serving a life imprisonment after a conviction in the murder of his younger brother in their New Freedom home, was granted a new trial this week. Background posts: 100th anniversary of drunken Pleasureville brawl, Relative: Evil in Hex murder came from outside and Ray Krone hopes book will open eyes about capital punishment and A list of traumatic, painful incidents that rocked York County.

The case of Zachary P. Witman, granted a new trial this week, is one of the most-watched criminal actions in more than four-score years in York County Court.

Zachary Witman was convicted in 2003 and later sentenced to life imprisonment for first degree murder in the death of his brother five years earlier.

Gregory Witman was 13 when he died. Zachary Witman was 15... .

Eulamae and David Orr started with little and ended with lives of achievment - owning a refusing company and a restaurant among other business interests. David Orr also served as a pastor. Background posts: The Cassimatises, The Yeagleys and The Grumbachers.

Many prominent black families today came here in the 1920s from Bamberg, S.C. - the Bamburgers.

David and Eulamae Orr are part of that group that includes black families with the names of Green, Nimmons, Jones, Kearse, Saxon and Varnes... .

Dr. Maulana Karenga, widely known as the creator of Kwanzaa, graduated from York's William Penn High School. The widely published author was known as Ron Everett during his York days. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating black unity. Background posts: Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony' and Black playwright earning place in history.

Families gathering during the holidays sometimes like to show off their York smarts.

So we've included a quiz on York County's black history, followed by some inspirational quotes from achievers with York roots.

Look for an additional post on general history in York County on Monday:

Good luck in stumping your loved ones!

Max Samuel "Tom" Grumbacher, who died in 2006, was an integral part of his family's Bon-Ton Department Stores for 65 years. He was the son of Bon-Ton founder Max Grumbacher and his wife, Daisy. Background posts: The Cassimatises and The Yeagleys,

In the middle part of the 20th century, Bon-Ton's downtown store served as one of York's big three. Bear's and Wiest's made up the primary retail attractions in the heart of York.

When suburbia beckoned, the Bon-Ton expanded to the York Mall, the North York Mall and Queensgate.

Today, the retail chain has about 275 stores in more than 20 states... .

In its heyday, the York Valley Inn along Route 462 played host to a range of functions - from car shows, shown in this photo from 'Greater York in Action,' to wedding receptions. The fire-damaged resort along the old Lincoln Highway may soon fall to a wrecker's ball. Background posts: York Valley Inn: 'What a mess.' and Olde York Valley Inn confused with historic predecessor.

York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Brent Burkey made an astute observation in his story on the proposed demolition of the deteriorating York Valley Inn.

A York Valley Inn has sat along Route 462 or its predecessors since shortly after settlers started arriving west of the Susquehanna River after 1730.

An earlier inn served as a watering hole for travelers from the 1730s to the 1960s. Of course, it had various names but was known most recently as the York Valley Inn or the Old York Valley Inn.

That distinguished the old structure from the newer resort built in 1958, the one that faces the wrecker's ball... .

York County's Yeagley family produced multiple generations of physicians. Their community service earned them a spot in "Builders and Heroes," a publication coming out of York County's 250th Anniversary. Background posts: The Cassimatises and Wolf would join long list of Yorkers to gain political posts.

Making house calls might have cost Dr. John Dibert Yeagley his life.

But that wasn't the first time he took such a risk. He was the leading public health authority dealing with York County's polio epidemic of 1941....

Entertainer Nick Lachey, center, is flanked by his mother, Cate, and then-wife, singer Jessica Simpson in this Associated Press photograph. Bruce Reinert, the manager of Dover's Central League baseball team, married Cate in 2003. Background post: Mom of Lachey brothers makes home in York County and Add another to list of entertainers with York links.
Unless one of you readers comes forth with other achievers/celebs with Dover ties, this could be last post until someone else from that York County community takes the stage.

The Dover area is home to the mother of entertainers Nick and Drew Lachey.

We'll get back to that in a moment.

A second Dover-area resident also made national news the other day... .

Mary and Andrew Cassimatis are the American founders of a Greek family in York County that has gained great success. The family is profiled in the book "Heroes and Builders." Background posts on other achievers profiled: Wiest's first store: 'Segars' 5 cents a grab and The Yeagleys: 'Builders and Heroes,' and The Grumbachers: York's 'Builders and Heroes,' and The Orrs: 'Builders and Heroes'.

The Greek Cassimatis family of York County has risen high in a short time in heavily Pennsylvania Dutch York County.

It's a great American story that started with the arrival of a family to America in the early 1900s that produced one of York County's most esteemed judges in the early 2000s... .

Elizabeth Marshall was York's first elected female mayor and member of city council. She was a recent mugging victim in her beloved city. Background posts: Images capture hope for racial harmony and Rainmaker's visit indicated much awry in York.

A news story this week told about the assault on former York mayor Elizabeth Marshall.

Marshall, who was not seriously injured, vowed to not let the incident take over her life... .

Don Everhart's Statue of Liberty design, seen in this February 2007 York Daily Record photo, will be on the back of coins in the U.S. Mint's series of presidential dollar coins. Background posts covering other columns by fellow blogger June Lloyd: York County's connection to the French Quarter and First woman concert sax player had links to York troupe.

Former York countian Don Everhart is yet another native who had gained national fame.

He recently made news for his work in sculpting the front of a congressional gold coin granted to the Dalai Lama.

Everhart is a sculptor/engraver for the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, and a portfolio of his work is below... .

William Penn High School grad Chris Doleman was one of several York countians to score success in the NFL. Background posts: Lineup full of sports stars with York County links and Hinkey and the Babe teamed up in '23 and Names of stars from York County with pro sports links just keep increasing and A journey from Delone Catholic to the Super Bowl .

Dover's John Kuhn is part of a short list of York County athletes who have made the NFL in recent years.

A sampling of former NFL players born in York County to join Kuhn, the former Pittsburgh Steeler and current Green Bay Packer into professional football, according to a York Daily Record report:

Hattie Dickson, facing, hugs Sharon Howe, while Sonja Gilmore, right, looks on during a meeting at the African-American Love Feast in early 2002. Dickson was a sister of Lillie Belle Allen, killed in the 1969 race riots. Gilmore was the wife of York Police Officer Henry C. Schaad, the second riot victim. Howe is Schaad's and Gilmore's daughter. This was the first public meeting of the families, who had met privately a month earlier. Background posts: School violence struck York County in 1970 and First pitch could break link with York race riots.

In a recent York Sunday News column, I applauded efforts to arrive at a community consensus over a "Healing York" memorial.

I contrasted that to a moment in 1970, a time of community coming together called the York Charrette, in which York's elected officials belated and reluctantly participated... .

This graphic from the "Recapture the Riverfront" booklet raises the possibility of relocating Helen Thackston Park from the north side of West College Avenue across the street to the side south, where public housing now stands. Background posts: Helen Reeves Thackston's name lives on and Histories attempt to fill blanks in women's, black history.

A potentially controversial proposal to relocate Thackston Park touches on several historic sites in that part of town.

First, the park itself points to a revered community matriarch: Helen Reeves Thackston.

As director of the Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center from 1932 to 1964, she touched the lives of hundreds of people who gratefully remember her contributions.

"Helen didn't just teach children, she taught them to be proud," Sylvia Newcombe, retired York Recreation Commission head, said in 1979... .

John Kuhn, right, works out at Leader Health & Fitness in 2005. Kuhn is a Dover High and Shippensburg graduate. After a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the back now plays for the Green Bay Packers. Background posts on other Dover achievers: Wiest's first store: 'Segars' 5 cents a grab and Olympic gold medalist Scott Strausbaugh another Dover product.

Add NFLer John Kuhn to the list of achievers from Dover.

Kuhn made it to the Super Bowl as part of the Steelers practice squad in 2006. He was the second York countian to play as a back for the Steelers in recent years following Eastern York High School grad Jon Witman... .

Whistlemaster Donald Ryan is at the helm of New York Wire Cloth's steam whistle controls, continuing the Christmas concert dating back to the 1920s. The concert is set again this year at 12:15 a.m., Dec. 25. "Mr. Ryan is excited about continuing the concert tradition this year but is keeping the carol lineup a surprise because many listeners like to guess the tunes," a news release states. Background posts: The world's loudest music without amplification from a non-musical instrument and Encore.

York Town Square posts on the New York Wire Cloth steam whistle score among the highest traffic of any individual entries in the two-plus-year history of this local history blog.

But to add to these two-dimensional posts, we now have a sample of what the whistle sounds like - the haunting, fog-horn-like sound that has serenaded York since music teacher, Karl Alex Smyser commenced the performance in the 1920s....

This page from "In the Thick of the Fight," profiles several of the 25 York Corporationemployees who died in uniform in World War II, according to "Shop News," Yorkco's newsletter. A researcher has shared additional information on the death of Robert Zercher, alphabetically last on the list of those who died. Background posts: Book blast produced Mother Lode and Dealing with POW camp, loss of life among York County's WW II sacrifices.

"I know from my research, most of the time, the story of what happened doesn't end when they were shot down, it is only the beginning."

So says ace researcher Jim Marsteller, expert on the 392nd Bomb Group.

Marsteller, jimbob@cyberia.com, also noted that more US servicemen died in the Air Corps than the Marine Corps. And while completing the required 30 missions, the chance of being killed was 71percent.

He noticed a short profile of an airman from York, Robert W. Zercher, who was killed in action.

Another researcher with the bomb group started digging for more information on Zercher, son of
Frank and Ella Zercher of York.

What Annette Tyson found is fascinating, according to this edited e-mail she sent Marsteller:

In a 2004 political event outside York's Colonial Courthouse replica, guest speakers and the crowd joined Carole King in a song dedicated to the John Kerry campaign - King's "You've Got a Friend." From left are City Councilwoman Toni Smith, actor/director Rob Reiner, King, actress Valerie Harper, County Commissioner Doug Kilgore and Mayor John Brenner. Background posts: Laurens kept Continental Congress together during Valley Forge winter and Events in 1777 helped tip American Revolution toward patriots.

The traveling band of celebrities in the 2004 U.S. presidential campaign unwittingly made a relevant choice of the Colonial Courthouse as a backdrop.

When Continental Congress met in the actual York County Court House in 1777-78, politics held sway.

But then, delegates were not troubled by Democratic and Republic ideologies but were often split according to whether they represented Northern or Southern colonies.

And just as today, this legislative body wasn't always effective... .

Edith Barber, a community leader and mentor to many York women, died in November. "I cried for a half hour this morning when I heard that she had passed," Daisy Myers said. Background posts: Histories attempt to fill blanks in women's, black history and Daisy Myers: Rosa Parks of the North.

In the early 1980s, the American Association of University Women published a booklet recognizing a sampling of women who had achieved in York County in the past century.

Edith Barber, who died in November, was on that prestigious list.

This 2006 aerial photograph shows bridge supports running alongside Veterans Memorial Bridge, sometimes called the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge. These piers supported three bridges over the Susquehanna River, including the famed covered bridge that Union militia burned in 1863 to stop the invading Confederate advance. The last bridge to use the empty piers was demolished for scrap in the 1960s. Three bridges used these supports. Background posts: Urban legend? The day a bulldozer sank from sight and Almost ... a double deck bridge across the Susquehanna?.

Plans are moving ahead for rehabbing Veterans Memorial Bridge spanning the Susquehanna River between Columbia and Wrightsville.

That will include new lights above and below the bridge deck.

Which reminds me of a favorite observation about the bridge and the empty piers running to its north.

The 1930-era Veterans bridge supports line up directly with the bridge-less 1830s piers. As you drive over the 1970-era Wright's Ferry Bridge and look south, you'll see the exact match.

Accident or design?

This Associated Press photograph shows Dover's Scott Strausbaugh, front, and Joe Jacobi of Bethesda, Md., in their successful quest for a gold medal in men's canoeing whitewater doubles in 1992 Olympic competition in Seu d'Urbell Spain. Strausbaugh is another successful Dover-area product. Background posts: 'The Edison of Cumberland Valley' and http://www.yorktownsquare.com/2007/11/dover-history-and-drawbaugh-1.htmlDover's uneven history runs deep into well-tilled German soil.

In covering celebs hailing from Dover in a previous post, Scott Strausbaugh is on the list as a pride of the community.

Strausbaugh was an Olympic gold medalist just 15 years ago, the fifth canoeing and kayaking medal won by Americans in that competition up to that point.

Here were some comments by and about the canoeist, a 1981 Dover Area High School grad, at that time:

Scattered throughout the 25-acre http://www.ordmusfound.org U.S. Army Ordnance Museum in Aberdeen, Md., are howitzers, tanks and guns, like this 8-inch gun. A plaque under the gun tells about the 243rd field artillery battalion, which used the weapon in World War II. The museum is located just a short drive from York County's southern border. Background posts: Gurgling all the way from Texas to New Jersey and York/Adams residents contributed to the war.

With Pearl Harbor's anniversary just observed, it's a good time to recount York County's contributions to World War II.

Here is a listing, by the numbers:

Francis Brandstedter was the only Pearl Harbor survivor to attend the recent annual breakfast in York observing contributions of vets who fought at this initial World War II battle and The Battle of the Bulge. Background posts: American War Mothers monument captures attention and USO column attracts memories.

At a recent Pearl Harbor anniversary observance, survivor Francis Brandstetter recalled the Japanese attack that Sunday morning in late 1941.

"At first we thought it might be the Navy holding maneuvers because Hickam Field was right next door to Pearl Harbor," he said. "But we soon found out it was the real thing." ...

This advertisement in The Ripplet, a weekly newspaper in Spring Grove, touts a longtime York County product. The Ripplet is the only newspaper to publish from Spring Grove, operating from 1897 to 1922. The present-day Historical Ripplet, newsletter of the Spring Grove Area Historical Preservation Society Spring Grove Area Historical Preservation Society, was founded in 1987 and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Background posts: Spring Grove Museum display horse gas mask and more and 'Persons should not be too modest'.

York countians fought culture and language wars through most of the 19th century.

That was probably not surprising to many people who know that the Pennsylvania Dutch language vs. English debate encompassed homes, schools, churches and communities.

German speakers gradually died off, although some people alive today in York County can speak the dialect.

But what might surprise some is that the debate through the first quarter of the 20th century, as I detailed in a recent York Sunday News column, Language wars nothing new
... .

This is is a replica of the York County Court House, where Congress met in 1777-78 and adopted the Articles of Confederation. This action has led to the claim that York is the first capital of the United States. Background posts: Articles of Confederation's 230th birthday celebrated and Events in 1777 helped tip Revolution toward patriots.

I get queries dealing with the claim that York was the first capital of the United States fairly often.

For example, an e-mailer recently wondered:

"I'm curious as to whether you consider York to truly be the first capital of the United States, or simply the place where the nation was in essence birthed through the drafting of the Articles of Confederation."

It connects with discussion in a previous post about our fascination with "firsts."

Here's what I've written on the topic in the York Daily Record and in my "Nine Months in York Town" with my own views at the end:

The large-scale outdoor panel, part of the Murals of York series, shows Dr. George Holtzapple deploying oxygen to treat a Loganville pneumonia patient. Background posts: Looking for a local history research project? and Of surgical saws, bloodletting.

George Holtzapple, longtime physician at York Hospital, has been credited in local lore as the very first user of oxygen for treatment of pneumonia in 1885.

As a young physician, just out of medical school, Holtzapple (1862-1946) used a primitive experiment to produce oxygen to save the life of 16-year-old Frederick Gable.

Well, two York Hospital researchers, writing in the Journal of Medical Biography in November 2005, have clarified Holtzapple's achievement... .

This newspaper clipping shows six sons of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis C. Zimmerman who served in the military in World War II. A seventh son, Richard V., later served. The Zimmermans were one of the largest contributors to the estimated 20,000 men and women who served in the military from York County in the war. Background posts: The first in (World) War (II) and Perhaps the last in (World) War (II) ....

Eight sons of John F. Bennett of Hanover served in World War II. A ninth member of the family entered at war's end.

All came back.

Charles E. Williams of York was one of six brothers in the Henry H. and Geraldine Williams family to serve in World War II. He died in Italy shortly before V-E Day.

Those were the largest number of siblings to serve in World War II that I found in researching my "In the thick of the fight". ...

This rare Hart-Kraft light delivery truck was one of thousands of vehicles built in York in the first quarter of the 20th century. The truck will be unveiled at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum, 217 W. Princess St., York. To see a photo of the truck before restoration, see below. Background posts: When an automobile became a seesaw and Camp Security memories tucked inside memoirs.

A relic of York County's automotive manufacturing past will become available for all to see this weekend.

Fred Rosenmiller, the county's foremost promoter of all things historic on wheels, has donated a restored Hart-Kraft light delivery truck to the York County Heritage Trust... .

The Civil War-era U.S. Army General Hospital became a major site for treatment because of its proximity to Virginia and Maryland, where many battles took place, and its location on a major rail line. Here, convalescents pose in one of the hospital wards at the Penn Park complex. The military hospital is an example of a York County history topic awaiting study. Background posts: Civil War nurse: 'Dogs of War in our midst' and Not all rebel wounded suffered after Gettysburg.

Many people use New Year's to kick off historical research projects.

My York Sunday News column Looking for a local history research project? probed several topics ripe for research focusing on York's Civil War-era military hospital.

The following is a sampling of topics from York County history awaiting further exploration or publication of existing research:

The Wiest family that owned the venerable Wiest's Department Store of York also operated the Wiest Motor Co., a Chrysler/Plymouth dealership, at 462 W. Market St. It later moved to 1890 W. Market St. Background post: York's Wolf Organization builds from deep foundation and Add Blind Melon's Thorn to list of Dover-area celebs.

And here's another luminary from Dover, that town that has produced so many famous folks.

This one is a local celebrity.

Doverite Peter Wiest founded the celebrated Wiest's Department Store on West Market Street in York. It was one of the big three in York's downtown during the first 75 years of the 20th century, joined by Bear's and the Bon-Ton.

In fact, Wiest's started as a general store in Dover - an establishment that resembled a shed. That was in 1843... .

Jonah Lehrer is a Rhodes scholar and author whose book "Proust Was a Neuroscientist" gained the attention of New York Times reviewers. And he has links to York County. Background post detailing other national literary and arts figures with York ties: A & E greats.

Jonah Lehrer's new book, "Proust Was a Neuroscientist," was recently reviewed in the New York Times.

Its another case of an achiever with York County links making it big on the national scene.

The 25-year-old is the son of York County native Jean Hively, a 1970 graduate of Red Lion Area Senior High School. Today, she lives with her family in Los Angeles but has relatives in York County.

To give a taste of the book, The New York Times review begins:

The Glen Rock Carol Singers, from left, Jim Kroh, Rodger Smith and Paul Shepperd, sing at the South Central York County Senior Center in New Freedom. The trio collectively has more than 200 years of experience as members of the group. But reinforcements are on the way. (See photograph below). Legendery Glen Rock Carolers to publish history.

For years, the Glen Rock Carol Singers celebrate Christmas Eve with an 11 p.m. concert, then take to the streets of town in song.

That's happening again this year - the top-hatted group's 160th anniversary - and they'll be armed this year with more than a songbook... .

Marta VanZandt, co-owner of Morgan Jewelers, shows off a York Safe and Lock strongbox in the downtown York business. The store is closing, the third such shop to close in the past two years. Background posts: Buildings reveal a bit about York and York Safe restoration 'once in lifetime' project.

As late as 1968, the book "Greater York in Action," boasted that Futer Bros. Jewelers, on York's Continental Square, housed two floors of quality gifts.

That business was located in the Hartman Building, for years the tallest building west of the Susquehanna River. The building had recently been chopped from six stories to three, but what it lost in height, it had gained in appearance, the York Area Chamber of Commerce book stated.

Futer Bros., in York's downtown since 1932, closed that store in 2006... .

The Del McCoury Band -- led by county native Del McCoury, right -- brought bluegrass to The Strand-Capitol last New Year's Eve. "Del McCoury doesn't consider himself hip, but just about everyone who's ever heard a bluegrass tune seems to think otherwise. McCoury admits, however, that he does think it's important to look snazzy on stage," a York Daily Record photo caption stated in promoting the performance.The band will be playing in York in early 2008 at the York County Chamber Annual Inaugural Ball. Background posts: Roy Rogers took York County stage but not alone and Story on famed 101 Ranch Boys spawns memories.

A yorktownsquare.com reader pointed out that in my lists of national arts and entertainment giants hailing from York County, I hadn't mentioned the Del McCoury Band. I actually included the band in a post of national performers from York County, but haven't focused on this celebrated bluegrass band.

McCoury, who says he was born on the family farm in the Pidgeon Hills, has been at it for years and keeps getting better.

The York Daily Record said this about McCoury in a 2006 story:

Ben Chen, who was smuggled to America aboard the freighter Golden Venture, later became owner of a Springettsbury Township restaurant. He was among a group of Golden Venture passengers, detained for about four years in York County Prison, who remains in the region. The Golden Venture detainees are part of a series of immigrant groups who have called York County home over the years or who stayed in York "for a while" then moved on. Background post: Tips for genealogical research and York's Chestnut Street fortress bad symbol of York's past.

Sue Chehrenegar was born in York County and later moved from the area.

She has relatives here still and retains a strong interest in her native county.

She is a writer and has penned stories on York County, including a recent short history of York for www.lifeintheusa.com ... .

Rivertownes PA USA helps promote Wrightsville, Pa.'s many attractions. Here, Claire Storm, Rivertownes' president in this 2003 photograph, surveys one of the town's stone kilns. Background posts: York County, Pa., Civil War hero grandmom of Gore Vidal, Wrightsville's overlooked attractions and Absorbing photo and overlay shows locations of six Susquehanna bridges.

Wrightsville is a lot like Dover.

More goes on in those turnpike towns than one would think... .

York County native Capt. Chip Miller will command the USS George H.W. Bush when it launches next year. Background post: Gitmo second-in-command hails from York County .

York County has produced scores of high-ranking military officers in its history.

Four-star Gen. Jacob Loucks Devers was the highest ranking, commanding two armies - the 6th Army Group - in World War II.

Gen. William Franklin William Franklin headed a grand division - two corps - at the Battle of Fredericksburg in the Civil War.

Michael Small scored the rank of brigadier general in the Civil War.

Thomas Hartley served as a colonel in the Continental Army and a friend of George Washington.

Now comes news that Capt. Chip Miller will gain command of the Navy's newest aircraft carrier - the USS George H.W. Bush, when goes into action next year... .

Elliott Breese, former York Caterpillar Plant general manager and Crispus Attucks Community Association campaign chairman, addressed a gathering at the new 605 S. Duke Street Center. The center's cornerstone is dated 1973. Breese, who died this week, is feted for heading fund-raising that made the center possible. Incidentally, noted York City Schools Supt. Frederick D. Holliday is pictured at far left. Background link: York's Crispus Attucks Center had intriguing start.

"In my mind, the biggest single factor in the success of the Crispus Attucks Building Fund drive was your acceptance as general chairman," William Wolf of Wolf Supply wrote.

His letter was directed to Elliott Breese, York Caterpillar Plant manager, who headed fund-raising for a new center that provided services primarily to the black community.

Breese died this week at the age of 91... .