Even though the competition season does not officially start until next year, members of the Krypton Cougars Robotics Team 2539, composed of students from Palmyra and Hershey, stay busy throughout the year by taking part in various contests.
Most recently, the female members of Team 2539 took their record of offseason success to Flourtown, where they participated in the annual GirlP.O.W.E.R. (Preparing Outstanding Women Engineers through Robotics) competition hosted by Team 433. All-female drive teams competed at the event, which is designed to promote women in robotics and STEM fields overall.
According to David Walker, lead mentor, the Krypton Cougars entered two robots into the competition, with both finishing as alliance captains. According to www.firstinspires.org, an alliance is a group of teams that compete together, and an alliance captain is the leader of a team that selects other teams to join their alliance.
“Their primary robot finished as the No. 1 team overall,” Walker reported. “In the playoffs, Team 2539’s secondary robot achieved multiple upset victories in order to win the competition over some of the strongest teams in FIRST Mid-Atlantic.”
Team 2539 takes part in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition program. FIRST teams design, build and operate a robot that is created to complete a specific task. For 2024, the FIRST Robotics Competition game was called Crescendo and it centered around music.
“The theme was all about STEM and the music business. Our game was a multi-level game,” Walker explained. “(The robot) had to pick up a (musical) note. We had to get those notes and shoot them into the speaker to get points.” There was also an opportunity for teams to earn extra points by having the robot shoot notes into an amplifier.
Since it was an offseason event, GirlP.O.W.E.R. was not part of FIRST. However, the team took its regular competition robot to the competition, as well as a second one built by younger students on the team.
One of the robot’s operators at the GirlP.O.W.E.R. competition was Rikhita. “I operated the second robot. My friend had a preference to be a driver,” she said. “A driver moves and rotates the robot, and the operator picks up the notes
and shoots them.”
The new competition season will begin in March, but the theme of the game will be announced in January 2025. “We have eight weeks to design, build and test a brand-new robot,” noted Walker. “We spend the offseason learning and practicing.”
With a few breaks in the summer and during the holiday season, the group meets regularly. “We meet Monday and Wednesday evenings and sometimes on Saturdays,” Walker said. “Since we went to GirlP.O.W.E.R. in September we were in competition the next two weekends, and we are always looking to improve. We had new kids that started this fall, so everyone is working on something.”
He said the team members complete tasks based on their strengths. “People gravitate to
one thing,” he said. “Some people will help out in other areas, but we have people that just program, people that do the design work and people that do the electrical work.”
Walker is proud of the girls who participated in the recent competition, which is designed to assure that STEM programs are accessible to both girls and boys. “We hope that the publicity and success of GirlP.O.W.E.R. and competitions like it give more young women the confidence to succeed in robotics and beyond,” he stated.
For more information about the team, visit www.team2539 .com or www.facebook.com/ FIRSTTeam2539. The team is currently in need of volunteer coaches and sponsors. Interested individuals may contact the team at kryptoncougars2539@gmail .com for more details.
BY JEFF FALK
Dyslexia is something that we might not fully understand. Dyslexia may be something we don’t talk enough about. Dyslexia might be more prevalent than we realize.
It’s a learning disorder that Children’s Dyslexia Center (CDC) of Lancaster can help manage and, in some instances, even overcome.
“What everyone needs to understand is that (dyslexia is) neurological, it runs in families and it affects language processing,” said Heather Brown, who’s been CDC of Lancaster’s director for 10 years. “What it’s not is reading backwards. It’s about how kids process language, how the brain processes language. Words and sentences look the same, but it’s daunting to read. Students work so hard to get through paragraphs that by the end of them they don’t remember the meaning. You have to break the reading code. We teach kids how to break that code, so it frees the brain up.”
Located at 213 W. Chestnut St., Lancaster, CDC of Lancaster teaches school-age children with dyslexia from Lancaster, Dauphin, York, Chester and Lebanon counties how to read, write and spell. Much of the work is performed in oneon-one settings after school.
CDC of Lancaster also trains adults how to tutor kids with dyslexia. All of its services are provided free of charge.
“(The number of people affected by dyslexia is) a hard number to quantify,” said Brown. “It’s estimated that
The team celebrates its victory at the GirlP.O.W.E.R. competition in Flourtown.
Audubon Society posts activities
Quittapahilla Audubon Society has posted a program and a field trip. The activities are open to people of all ages, and there is no fee. Registration is not required. For more details, visit www.qasaudubon.org.
Steve Rannels will present “Birding Highlights from Brazil” on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 723 Lehman St., Lebanon. Attendees are asked to enter the church from the parking lot off of Spruce Street.
The program will high -
light distinct regions of Brazil such as the Amazon, the Atlantic Southeast, and the Pantanal. Rannels will emphasize bird life, but additional aspects of tropical natural history, including the diversity of insects and moths, will be covered. Rannels has been interested in the natural world since childhood. He studied zoology at Penn State University followed by a career at Penn State Hershey in physiology. Now retired, he is active with local bird clubs and conservation groups and is an amateur photographer
of moths and birds.
The field trip will be held on Sunday, Nov. 24, along the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail (LVRT) at Jonestown. Participants will observe any flora and fauna along the trail. Attendees should meet at 2:30 p.m. at the LVRT Jonestown trailhead. There is a parking area on the northwest side of the bridge crossing the Swatara Creek on Jonestown Road. For more details, contact trip leader Fritz Heilman at 717-273-0487.
Archery organization sets bingo
Hemlock Field Archers, 99 Springhill Lane, Lebanon, will host a bingo event on Sunday, Nov. 17. Doors will open at noon, and bingo will start at 1:30 p.m.
The fee includes 20 games of bingo. The event will also include holiday-themed prizes, giveaway drawings, and food.
Proceeds from the bingo event will go toward ensuring that the Junior Olympic Archery Development Program is ready with equipment and supplies. The fundraiser will also aid the local food bank.
To purchase tickets for a
discounted fee in advance or for more information, call 717-274-1811 or 717813-5818. Tickets will be full price at the door.
In addition, anyone who brings a nonexpired, nonperishable food item, paper product, or hygiene product for the food bank will receive three extra cards for a bingo game of their choice.
Hemlock, an archeryonly club, was established by only a few members and has grown to more than 250.
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Susquehanna Chorale will usher in festive season
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
In 1981, Linda Tedford founded the Susquehanna Chorale after she and her husband moved to central Pennsylvania from the Philadelphia area. More than 40 years later, the chorale is still going strong, and several ensembles will present holiday concerts this month and next.
The Susquehanna Chorale’s season, “A Kaleidoscope of Song,” will feature the 42-member adult chamber ensemble nationally known for its musicality and emotional connection to the music.
The season will kick off with the Youth Choral Festival at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24. The concert will be held at Messiah University’s Calvin and Janet High Center for Worship and Performing Arts, University Avenue, Mechanicsburg. The festival will feature the Children, Youth, Alta Voce and Adult chorales.
“Both the youth and adult groups perform on their own, and then at the end, we come together to sing this beautiful anthem of peace, written to commemorate the revolution in Estonia,” Tedford shared. “It’s maybe 170 people on stage, an intergenerational choir singing a piece that concludes the whole concert, a plea for peace in the world. It’s a goosebumpy moment.”
The youth choral group is made up of high school and college students throughout central Pennsylvania. “These kids are all here because they really want to sing,” Ted -
ford said. “They have high motivation to do things really well. The conductors expect nothing but the best from them, and they get it. It’s an inspiration to see these kids working to the top of their ability and the talent they have.”
Candlelight Christmas concerts will celebrate the season with music including traditional carols. These concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 S. Mount Joy St., Elizabethtown; at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Messiah University; and at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. Second St., Harrisburg.
The chorale will perform several carol arrangements to honor the late Alice Parker, wellknown in chorale circles for her contributions to the genre. Parker passed away last year at the age of 98. Selections will include “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel,” “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella” and “Angels We Have Heard on High.” Brass accompaniments will add depth to pieces including “Gloria Fanfare” and “Festival First Nowell.” Guest artists will include the Messiah University Brass and Percussion, which will perform a pre-concert recital 15 minutes prior to each concert.
“In all of my programming, I emphasize the element of communication with the audience,” Tedford said. “We hold singers to a high standard for technique, but we also
talk about ‘What would you want the audience to feel at this moment? What do you want them to get from this piece?’ We work very hard on interpretation and facial expression and showing the love we have for choral music as a group.”
At the Christmas concerts, audiences can enjoy beautifully decorated venues, she said, noting that each concert will feature a candlelight procession and recessional.
The Susquehanna Chorale is a recipient of Chorus America’s most prestigious award, the Margaret Hillis Award for Artistic and Organizational Achievement, and several of the chorale’s recordings have been considered for Grammy nominations.
Conductor Tedford has been honored by the American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania with the Elaine Brown Award for lifelong commitment to excellence and leadership in the choral art. She has also received Theatre Harrisburg’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region, among other honors.
The chorale is supported in part by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Spring concerts will be held in Hershey and Harrisburg. For more information, visit www .susquehannachorale.org/ performances. Both in-person and livestream ticket options are available.
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Youth and adult ensembles perform with the Susquehanna Chorale at a previous concert.
Stay Apparel announces vendor lineup for Nov. 17 makers market
Stay Apparel Co. will host its final 2024 Makers at the Museum makers market on Sunday, Nov. 17, welcoming nearly 25 area artisans to the Hershey History Center.
Makers at the Museum will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with vendors in the community room and Barnyard patio at the rear of the history center and behind Stay’s store. The history center is located at 40 Northeast Drive, across from Starbucks and the Tanger outlets. Admission and parking for the makers market are free.
Makers expected to participate are Black Kat Luck, art; Button Loni, clothing; Chocolate Avenue Candle; Clay by Jay, polymer clay; Clay the Art Dude; Creating Crystals, handmade and permanent jewelry; Drew’s Wish, jewelry; Elysian Designs, resin jewelry and home goods; Ellikin Knits, knitwear; Golden Earth Studios, jewelry; Goldfinch Pottery; Lather Me Soap Co.; Legacies by Lindsay, papercrafts; LensWorthy Imagery, photography; LoMo Studio Handcrafted Jewelry; My Peruvian Treasures, alpaca fiber apparel and accessories and home
textiles; Quittie Hollow, laser-engraved products and honey; Steph’s Half Baked Homestyle Baked Oatmeal; Tennyson Farm, woodcrafts; TerraKnotta, art; Throw Fire Pottery; Uglie Acres, jams, jellies and fruit butters; and Yellow of the Egg Designs, crocheted products.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Paper Moon Waffle & Co. and Shy Bear Brewing.
The history center’s museum and Stay’s store, which is in the Milk House building, will be open during the makers market.
Stay offers original graphic tees with a vintage vibe and sense of place, accessories and curated goods.
The history center complex traces its roots to 1820, when a dairy farm was established there. Chocolatier Milton S. Hershey later acquired the farm, which in 1931 became Pinehurst No. 35, a home for students at the Hershey Industrial School, now Milton Hershey School. The history center acquired the Pinehurst barn in 2003. For more information, visit www.stayapparel .com and www.hershey history.org.
Church posts chicken barbecue dinner
A takeout chicken barbecue dinner will be held on Saturday, Nov. 16, at Evangelical United Methodist Church, 157 E. Water St., Middletown.
The dinner will include half of a chicken, a baked potato, applesauce and
between 10% and 20% of the population has some form of dyslexia. I’d say that half of our parents are undiagnosed dyslexics. But only 8% of the population is getting tested.”
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the literacy rate among adults in the United States is 79%.
CDC of Lancaster, which employs about a dozen instructors, works with about 20 kids with some form of dyslexia each semester, or about 40 per year.
“They come here after a day of school and push through an hour of hard tutoring,” said Brown. “For a lot of our kids, it takes them two or three times longer to read than their peers. When they see how easy it is for their peers, it becomes frustrating. They’re on the same level, but they’re putting forth so much more effort. But you need to read to succeed. We accomplish our goals by putting one step in front of the other every day. We teach kids how to be confident readers and writers.”
“Most of our students are born with dyslexia, so it can be hereditary,” Brown continued. “It’s neurological. It’s how we’re born. Somebody can be really good at math and others not as good. It’s the same with reading. For some kids, it takes longer to read. There are even different kinds of dyslexia. We teach kids the steps to overcome the challenges with dyslexia.”
have graduated from its program.
“The science behind this isn’t fancy,” said Brown. “It’s breaking down the reading code, and a lot of it hasn’t changed. We want to build confidence in our students so they can succeed. We teach the why behind language to make meaning of it.”
CDC of Lancaster performs its work independently and is not associated with any public or private schools.
“It costs money to treat (dyslexia), and it’s expensive,” said Brown. “The good news is that Pennsylvania is starting to recognize it and they’re starting to teach the science of reading. They are requiring reading teachers to take classes in the science of reading.”
“I wish we didn’t exist,” Brown added. “I wish we didn’t have to have a Children’s Dyslexia Center because schools were teaching their students with dyslexia.”
For additional information, go to www .childrensdyslexiacenter oflancaster.org.
a dinner roll. Desserts will also be available for purchase.
Presales must be picked up from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; walk-ins will be accepted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To purchase tickets in advance, call 717-944-6181.
A regional organization associated with the Scottish Rite of Masons of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, CDC operates more than 40 centers in 13 states in New England, Pennsylvania, Ohio and parts of the Midwest. Since being established in 2002, CDC of Lancaster has helped more than 260 kids with dyslexia, 150 of whom
A student works with an instructor on reading at Children’s Dyslexia Center of Lancaster.
The Barnyard patio at Hershey History Center
On the road again: Tips to help seniors travel safely
Travel was once a key component of the picture that working professionals created of their ideal retirements. While the COVID-19 pandemic put many retirement travel plans on hold in recent years, jetting off to distant locales is once again on retirees’ radars.
Eagerness to get back on the road, in the air or on the high seas could make it easy to overlook some principles of safe travel. Such an oversight could lead to complications that could make it hard to enjoy time away from home. The following tips may reduce the likelihood that seniors encounter trouble while traveling.
- Determine if any health issues are affecting the planned destination. The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention offers an online resource that provides the latest travel health notices for a multitude of travel destinations, along with recommendations of vaccinations that travelers should have. To access the resource, visit www.cdc.gov/ travel/page/travel-vaccines.
- Speak to a physician. A pre-trip consultation with a physician can uncover any issues that might arise during a trip. Health conditions may be easily managed for domestic travelers who are not planning to visit any especially remote locations, but some issues may not necessarily be as easily navigated when traveling overseas. Physicians can also recommend vaccinations or other measures to protect one’s health while traveling.
In addition, a pre-trip doctor visit is a great time to refill prescriptions that will be needed during a vacation.
- Take financial precautions as well. Of course, not all travel-related concerns are medical. Finances also require attention prior to a trip. Inflation has caused a sharp spike in the price of various commodities since the start of 2022, so travelers should study up on the cost of food and attractions at their destination to ensure they take enough money. Baggage costs have risen significantly in recent years, so seniors traveling on a budget may want to pack less and do laundry while traveling in an effort to save money. In addition, the unpredictable nature of travel since the onset of the
pandemic has underscored the utility of travel insurance. Seniors can look into travel insurance that could reimburse them in the case of delays or cancellations.
- Privately share the trip itinerary. Prior to departing, travelers should share their itinerary with friends and family members. They should avoid sharing the itinerary on social media platforms, which can make them a target for criminals at home and at their destination. The itinerary should include where travelers are staying, the dates they will visit certain locations and the dates of activities they will be engaging in on the trip.
Seniors rediscovering the joy of traveling can take various measures to make their trips more safe.
Operation Christmas Child announced
Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, from Monday, Nov. 18, to Monday, Nov. 25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations will be available across the country.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child - a project of Samaritan’s Purse - has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who are experiencing war, poverty, disease, or disaster. Operation Christmas Child aims to reach another 12 million children in 2024 with the Gospel.
Shoebox packing is an activity suitable for individuals, families, and groups. A step-by-step guide is available by visiting https://samaritanspurse .org/what-we-do/opera tion-christmas-child/ and clicking “How to Pack.” The project partners with local churches around the globe
to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can donate a set amount per shoebox online and receive a tracking label to discover each box’s destination.
Participants can visit the aforementioned website to find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.
Civil War Roundtable to meet
What different types of noises may indicate about your vehicle
Automobiles have come a long way since their introduction more than 100 years ago. The cars of today are technological marvels, which has made both driving and maintaining a vehicle simpler in certain ways. For example, built-in diagnostic systems can now alert drivers when something is wrong with their car. Although that feature is undeniably useful, drivers can still benefit from learning to recognize issues by ear. Many problems that can affect a car or truck produce unusual sounds, and learning what certain noises may indicate can help drivers detect problems as soon as possible.
- Rattling sound in a wheel well: Many people have mistakenly placed clothing in a dryer without realizing the clothing had spare change in the pockets. That mistake is immediately apparent once the dryer starts thanks to the unpleasant noise of coins bouncing off the interior of the machine. Drivers may hear a similar sound when behind one of their car’s wheels and wonder what’s behind it. Such a sound often indicates that there’s a loose lug nut inside the hubcap. This issue can arise when drivers don’t secure the wheel tightly after changing their own tire or if mechanics make the same mistake when rotating or replacing tires during a routine maintenance session.
versal joint, often referred to as a U-joint, is part of the system that enables the rotating crankshaft in the engine of a vehicle to transfer that rotating motion to the rear wheels. U-joints get a workout whenever vehicles are driven, so they require maintenance, and a squeaking sound is one indicator that the U-joint needs to be addressed immediately.
- Squealing sound: A high-pitched squealing sound typically means the vehicle’s brake pads are worn out. However, Cars. com notes that if such a sound is only present when a car is first driven in the morning, it could just be surface rust being scraped off the rotors. After a few initial applications of the brakes, the sound might disappear. If it doesn’t, the vehicle will likely need new brake pads.
The Hershey Civil War Roundtable will meet on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 542, 8000 Derry St., Harrisburg. Guest speaker Scott Hartwig will present “Antietam: The Soldiers’ Experience.” The program will also be livestreamed via Zoom and Facebook, and the recording will be posted at www.hers heycwrt.org after the meeting.
Although soldiers on both sides had already experienced hard fighting in the Seven Days Battles and Second Manassas Cam-
paign, the Battle of Antietam still shocked those who took part in it. Hartwig will tell the story of how the soldiers, both enlisted men and officers, experienced the battle. He will discuss not just the shooting part, but the mental and physical preparation for combat and how some withstood the frightful shock of battle while others crumbled.
The meeting is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact Ricky Hollis at rickyhollissr@gmail.com or visit the aforementioned website.
- Squeaking sound: The auto insurance experts at Geico note that rearwheel or four-wheel drive vehicles may produce a rhythmic squeaking sound when an issue arises with the universal joint. JD Power notes that the uni-
- Scraping on the windshield during rain: The scraping sound on a windshield when the wipers are in use should not be taken lightly or be interpreted as a sign that the rain is only falling lightly. In fact, that sound indicates the wipers are worn out, which means they’re not effectively clearing the windshield. In addition, the wipers could be scratching the windshield each time they produce this sound, ultimately necessitating a costly windshield replacement. Wiper blades can be replaced in a matter of minutes, so address this issue promptly.
Learning to recognize the sources of various vehicle noises can help drivers nip problems in the bud before they compromise the automobile and the safety of the people inside it.
Dance group plans event
Harrisburg USA Dance 3009 will host a dance on Sunday, Nov. 17, at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. The event will kick off with a country two-step lesson by Fred Shipley at 2 p.m.,
followed by three hours of dancing to music by Jane Wolf. Dancers with any level of experience are welcome.
There is an admission fee, with discounts for members and students.
Enhancing long-term cognitive health
Cognitive health is not something to take for granted. Although a certain level of memory loss can be expected as people age, when the ability to clearly think, learn, and remember is compromised, those changes can affect an individual’s ability to perform daily activities and are a cause for concern.
Brain health should be a priority for everyone.
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) says brain health is an umbrella term that encompasses a host of factors, including cognitive health, which is how well a person thinks, learns, and remembers; motor function, or how movements are made and controlled; tactile function, which is how a person feels sensations; and emotional function, or how a person interprets and responds to emotions.
Individuals can safeguard brain health - particularly cognitive health - by taking the following steps.
Be more health-conscious. People should get routine screenings, manage chronic health problems, limit or avoid alcohol and nicotine products, and get the recommended amount of sleep each night.
Manage high blood pressure. All chronic conditions cause longterm repercussions, but the NIA indicates that observational studies show that having high blood pressure in mid-life increases the risk of cognitive decline later in life. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk for mild cognitive impairment and possibly dementia.
Challenge your brain. Harvard Medical School says nurturing social connections, engaging in stimulating mental activities like reading and doing puzzles, seeing new places, and learning new things can help keep the
Open house set at Fort Indiantown Gap
Arborist course planned
brain in top form.
Manage stress. Stress can take its toll on the body, and there is reason to believe that it may adversely affect cognitive health as well. Make every effort to reduce stress, whether that involves exercising, meditating, laughing with friends and family members, taking vacations, or engaging in other relaxing activities.
Get enough vitamin D.
Vitamin D is linked to a host of health benefits, including its potential to promote a healthy brain.
Individuals can spend more time outdoors to get vitamin D naturally from the sun and eat foods rich in vitamin D. If doctors find that vitamin D levels are exceptionally low, supplements can help.
Pay attention to hearing loss. At least one type of hearing loss has been linked to cognitive decline, says Healthline. Researchers in Italy concluded that people with central hearing loss had a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment than those with no hearing loss or peripheral hearing loss.
Individuals with central hearing loss are urged to speak to their physicians to determine if they can take preventive action to stave off further decline.
Cognitive health should be a priority, and adults can employ various strategies to reduce their risk of cognitive decline as they age.
The Pennsylvania National Guard invites the public to Fort Indiantown Gap for an open house on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will feature live demonstrations, fly-overs, displays of military equipment and vehicles, food trucks, live music, a visit from Miss Pennsylvania, and resources for veterans and military families.
The festivities will take place along Clement Avenue, near the Fort Indiantown Gap Community Club and on the southern portion of Muir Army Heliport. Visitors should plan to enter Fort Indiantown Gap through the main access control point near the intersection of Fisher Avenue and
Biddle Drive.
Vehicle drivers will need to show a driver’s license or government-issued photo ID to enter the installation. They will then be directed to parking areas.
The open house is free of charge. For more information, visit www .ftig.ng.mil/Community /2024-Open-House/.
The event is a joint effort between the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and other tenant organizations at Fort Indiantown Gap.
For more information, contact Maj. Travis Mueller at 717-639-5990 or travis.k.mueller.mil@ army.mil.
Church to host Family Strong Event
Victory Christian Fellowship, 695 E. Ridge Road, Palmyra, will hold a free Family Strong Event on Wednesday, Nov. 20, through Friday, Nov. 22, at 6:30 p.m. Offered will be free homework help, free
dinner and free child care. Free Thanksgiving meal supplies will also be offered. For more information and to register, visit www .vcfpa.org. The registration deadline is Sunday, Nov. 17.
Penn State Extension will offer the Arborist Short Course Series from Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, to Friday, Feb. 7.
Designed to increase working tree knowledge and professional arborist skills, the course aims to prepare participants for the Certified Arborist exam through the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), as well as improve their
marketability. The course is designed to allow participants to view lectures live or via recordings and take the required quizzes to complete the course and receive a certificate of completion and ISA CEUs, if requesting them.
Topics will include tree biology; tree planting and establishment; tree identification and selection; tree pruning; protecting trees during construction;
See Arborist pg 8
At North Museum, curiosity stokes imagination
BY JEFF FALK
There exists a specific group of people who frequent museums merely to satisfy their curiosity. They don’t go to intentionally learn, but the learning happens organically, naturally.
Perhaps it’s not important to know exactly what type of learning goes on at the North Museum, only that the place simply promotes learning.
“It’s the joy of discovery, and it draws you in,” said Scott Downs, the North Museum’s director of development and strategic partnerships. “That’s what happens at a museum. As you wander around the museum, you discover things. You stumble into things. Who knows what you’ll find? You don’t know what to expect. It’s a fascinating place.”
For the curious of all ages, there is plenty to find and discover at the North Museum of Nature and Science, which is located at 400 College Ave., Lancaster. The North Museum is three floors of exhibits, informational displays, stories and memories in the making - more than 500,000 objects in all.
“Without learning, I don’t think any of us survive,” said Downs. “Humans have been learning since we first populated the Earth.
The North Museum prides itself as a leader in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The natural sciences are important. We’re really proponents of curiosity. It’s terribly important to foster that interest.”
An independent, nonprofit regional facility once associated with Franklin & Marshall College, the North Museum of Nature and Science is home to all sorts of interesting exhibits, like a live animal room, a dinosaur hall, rock and mineral collections, a planetarium, a nature gallery, an art gallery and an ornithology collection. It’s a wonderful space to uncover things you didn’t know.
“The North Museum is committed to the community,” said Downs. “We are committed to being an
educational resource for everyone in the community. Science is ever changing. We’re not constrained to a fixed number of topics. It can be anything and everything. It’s living.”
The North Museum hosts more than 35,000 visitors annually, the majority of whom come from within a 100-mile radius of Lancaster. The North Museum has become a popular destination for field trips and bus trips alike.
“It’s genuinely inquisitive people,” said Downs. “They are people who are passionate about the museum because we have been doing it for so long. When parents bring kids to the museum, it’s an opportunity to explore together. It’s not just mom and dad bringing kids and letting them roam around the museum.”
Tips to simplify holiday cooking
Food is an important component of the holiday season for millions of people around the globe. Many a holiday host has wrestled with what to serve at a gathering and how to prepare meals while still finding time to spend with loved ones. Hosts can consider several tips to simplify holiday cooking this year.
They may utilize shopfrom-home services. Supermarkets can be particularly busy around the holidays, and shopping from home can save time and reduce stress. People may find that the fee involved for this service may be worth it.
Hosts may also scale back on the sides. Some hosts feel an impressive dinner spread is one with plenty of options, but serving many sides may
require a lot of time and money. Additionally, guests might fill up on rolls, potatoes and salads, leaving little room for the main course.
Offering fewer sides may create more time for hosts to mingle with guests and ensure everyone gets enough of the main course.
Hosts who do not want to reduce the amount of food available but may not have time to make everything themselves might ask guests to bring a small contribution to the spread. Guests may help to fill out the options for appetizers, sides, desserts, and beverages.
When preparing food, sticking to familiar recipes may be best. A major holiday is seldom the right time to experiment with a new, labor-intensive dish, and
“For me, the best thing is when I hear the noise of the kids,” Downs continued. “I hear kids teaching each other, discovering things and having a great time. It reminds me of why I do it. I’m with an organization that preserves the past, looks to the future, and we sell education and fun.”
The North Museum, which was established in 1953, employs nine full-time staffers and 12 part-timers. The facility is funded through donations, sponsorships, government grants, admission fees and paid programming.
“I like to call us the Little Museum Who Could,” said Downs. “There is no shortage of big ideas and big accomplishments here. We continue to change and evolve. There’s always something new and fresh to see with us. We partner with so many different organizations throughout the community. We also help bridge the gap between education and industry.”
“We really try to create access for everybody and create opportunities for everyone,” added Downs. “That’s a big part of our mission too.”
For additional information about the North Museum of Nature and Science, go to www.north museum.org.
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familiar flavors may appeal to a greater number of guests.
Purchasing a few prepared dishes rather than only serving homemade fare may also lighten the burden on hosts.
A buffet may be a good option for a holiday meal. Sitdown dinners require careful timing to ensure all foods are set out hot and ready to eat, while a buffet-style meal
involves preparing trays of food in advance and then setting them to heat in chafing dishes until meal time. This approach involves less strategizing with meal preparation and frees up time for hosts to spend with guests.
Holiday meals require a lot of effort, but a few strategies can enable hosts to spend ample time with loved ones.
Church to host rummage sale, soup sale
Hummelstown United Church of Christ, 104 E. Main St., Hummelstown, will have an indoor rummage and soup sale on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All kinds of treasures will be for sale, along with soup and other goodies. Proceeds from the church’s rummage sale table and food sale will go toward building repairs.
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A father and his son explore a narwhal tusk display, part of the North Museum of Nature and Science’s Shallow Seas exhibition.
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Sports complex adds staff member
In The Net has announced the addition of Jeff Evans as baseball director for ITN Academy and the Central Penn Renegades.
Evans comes to In The Net with more than 25 years of high school coaching experience in three states, leading Wilmington Christian Academy to a North Carolina 2A State Championship. From 2016 to 2022, Evans coached collegiate baseball and was head coach of the Quakertown Blaze, a team in an MLB-sponsored College Summer League, in 2021 and 2022.
“I am extremely excited to be the director of baseball at In The Net,” Evans stated. “I am looking forward to providing the best opportunities for baseball players who want to develop their skills and become an elite baseball player. The facilities are some of the best I have ever seen for player development. We will help baseball players reach their goals to be the best they can be.”
Some of his offerings will include top-notch instruction, arm care, long toss, speed and agility programs, the use of technology for players to improve
their game and college showcases.
In addition to developing and providing programs, Evans will be the head coach of In The Net’s 9U Central Penn Renegades team and co-head coach of the 12U Central Penn Renegades. He is planning monthly Renegades-only clinics, open hitting sessions, winter training sessions and sports performance training. He will work closely with the other Renegades coaches to be sure that players will be taught baseball skills the same way at every level so as they move up through the organization, they will be able to reach their full potential.
“We are thrilled to have Jeff join our team; his resume both on and off the field speaks for itself,” said Brad Frye, operations manager for In The Net. “Jeff’s passion for the game and dedication to player development is second to none.”
Evans will start organizing and planning this upcoming season now and be at the facility full time by Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. For more information, visit www.inthenet.com.
Issues older cars may face
Modern cars have much longer life spans than one may expect. Not too long ago, drivers often commemorated the milestone of their vehicles reaching the 100,000-mile mark. However, data from Car and Driver indicates the average vehicle now lasts around 12 years or roughly 200,000 miles. More advanced electric or hybrid vehicles may be able to go even farther, with some capable of reaching as many as 300,000 miles.
Thanks to advancements in technology, cars are more durable than ever, but that doesn’t make them immune from breakdowns or the need for repairs. A report from AAA found that more than two-thirds of service calls were for vehicles a decade or older. Here’s a look at some of the problems that can affect older vehicles.
Among the problems older vehicles face are battery issues. The average car battery lasts between three and five years, according to Auto Zone. Batteries tend to show signs of wear at the four-year mark on average. Corrosion or dirt on
battery terminals also can affect battery performance.
Older cars may also experience electrical system problems, caused by anything from burnt-out car fuses to bad or faulty electrical connections and contacts. Corroded or loose screws, nuts and wires can cause electrical issues, which may be more common in older vehicles that have significant mileage on them.
Vehicles may also have trouble with their suspension system, which consists of springs, tires, shock absorbers, struts, antisway bars and other parts that connect the vehicle to the wheels. Suspension systems regulate the amount of bouncing in the vehicle while on the road and make it manageable. Eventually, all suspension systems wear out, and parts need to be serviced or replaced.
Evaporative emissions are another challenge. The evaporative system consists of a network of hoses, canisters and valves, and it helps vent pressure in the gas tank. An older vehicle may end up with a cracked hose that can cause a fuel leak. Hoses also may be compromised elsewhere in vehicles, so these points should be checked during routine maintenance.
Hershey Primary Care opens in downtown Hershey
Hershey Primary Care, a membership-based medical practice, has officially opened its doors in downtown Hershey, offering patients a fresh, personalized approach to health care. Focused on patients age 18 and older, the practice emphasizes direct access to doctors, ensuring a patient-centered experience with convenience and care.
visits tailored to help patients lead healthier lives.
As with other moving parts on a car, the brake system wears down over time, and parts need to be replaced. Squealing, squeaking or a soft brake pedal are indicative of braking system issues and should be looked at by a mechanic promptly.
Modern vehicles are increasingly being controlled by computers. These computers handle a variety of features, including navigation and pairing to mobile phones, among others. Over time, systems may no longer work if there are no computer updates available. That means Bluetooth pairing may no longer function, or maps may not be current for GPS systems.
Due to technological advancements, cars and trucks have longer life spans than they used to. However, age is still a factor in the deterioration of vehicle systems.
At Hershey Primary Care, members enjoy the benefits of a health care model designed to make life easier and healthier, such as direct phone, text and email access to their doctor, including after-hours, weekends and holidays for urgent issues; same-day or nextday appointments, always with the patient’s personal doctor; longer, unrushed visits that start on time; free in-office testing; no copays or surprise bills; and lifestyle medicine
Dr. Lauren Doliner is the founder of Hershey Primary Care. She is a board-certified internal medicine physician with a passion for preventative and lifestyle medicine. She completed her medical education and internal medicine training at New Jersey Medical School and the George Washington University and has additional education in lifestyle medicine. She is an active member of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
Hershey Primary Care offers free meet-andgreet sessions for those interested in learning more about the membership-based model. To schedule a visit or for more information, visit www.hersheyprimary care.com.
Arborist from pg 5
cabling, bracing, and lightning protection; tree insect and disease diagnosis and management; soils; water relations; tree nutrition; and urban forest management.
To register by Friday, Jan. 3, visit https:// extension.psu.edu/ and
search for “Arborist Short Course Series.” The Extension recommends that participants obtain the ISA Certification Study Guide for the course, and a discount code is available; more details will be provided after registration.
