About this blog
I've been editor of the York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News for 8 years and managing editor of the newspaper for 15 years before that. So, York Town Square explores the rapidly changing world of journalism. And I studied York/Adams' history in graduate school, have written six books about these fascinating southcentral Pennsylvania counties and serve on the York County (Pa.) Heritage Trust board. So, this blog deals with regional history. Often, journalism and history meet here. They're part of a continuum anyway. My hope is that this site intrigues readers on both accounts in giving a daily dose of journalism/history. Or history/journalism. Contact me at jem@ydr.com or become friends on Facebook or follower on Twitter, @JamesMcClure.
Monthly Archives: December 2007
Ho, ho, ho – uh, Santa on that York Bon-Ton ladder, hold on
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 … Continue reading
20 questions and answers to prove your York County, Pa., smarts
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 … Continue reading
Posted in American Revolution, Archives, all posts, Books & reading, Events, Explanations/controversy, Famous York visitors, For photo fans, Genealogy/research, Local journalism & Web, Local landmarks, Made in York, N.Y. Wire/Whistle, People, Quizzes & (fun) tests, Small-town life, War, World War II, York celebrities, York sports
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Gettysburg Cyclorama gets fist full of funds
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 … Continue reading
For years, York countians part of major court cases
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 … Continue reading
Check out this list of York County’s most notorious criminal cases in past 50 years
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 later granted a new trial. Background posts: … Continue reading
The Orrs: ‘Builders and Heroes,’ Part Last
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 … Continue reading
A short test of your York black history knowledge – Part I
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 … Continue reading
The Grumbachers: Heroes and Builders, in York, Part III
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. Other posts in this “Builders & … Continue reading
1730s York Valley Inn may outlast its namesake
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 … Continue reading
The Yeagleys: ‘Builders and Heroes,’ Part II
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 … Continue reading
