Your Life in Greencastle-Antrim, 2023 Edition

Thousands sweated in the sun at nearly high noon to be in the official Old Home Week picture.

Thousands endured a short soaking of rain to see a record number of entries in the Old Home Week parade.

And thousands packed the stands at Kaley Field to ooh and aah at the fireworks as the 43rd triennial Green castle-Antrim celebration drew to a close in August 2022.

The worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic were bracketed in 2019 and 2022 by the G-A tradition that’s been held without fail every three years since 1902, and people were ready to celebrate more than ever.

Life is returning to normal. And that’s something worth celebrating.

In Your Life in GreencastleAntrim you’ll find information on those normal day-to-day components that make this community unique –from history and local government to schools, businesses and recreation.

Shawn Hardy Echo Pilot reporter

Published annually by the Echo Pilot Your Life in Greencastle-Antrim is circulated to Echo Pilot subscribers and is also available at business locations throughout the area.

For information about participating in next year’s edition, contact us at sales@echo-pilot.com.

Contents © 2022 Gannett. Cover photo by Shawn Hardy.

PHONE NUMBERS

Allison-Antrim Museum 717-597-9010

Antrim Township 717-597-3818

Borough of Greencastle 717-597-7143

Frank L. Carbaugh American Legion Post 373 717-597-9954

Greencastle Exchange Club 717-597-4397

Greencastle Lions Club 717-597-8625

Greencastle Police Department (non-emergency) 717-597-9506

Greencastle Sportsman’s Association 717-597-9966

Greencastle TOPS 717-597-3009

Greencastle-Antrim Blue Leos Club 717-597-9196

Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce 717-597-4610

Greencastle-Antrim Christian Women’s Fellowship 717-597-2374

Greencastle-Antrim Homemakers 717-597-8371

Greencastle-Antrim School District 717-597-3226

Greencastle-Antrim Senior Women’s Club 717-597-2349

Greencastle-Antrim Women’s Club 717-597-3755

Harry D. Zeigler VFW Post 6319 717-597-8512

Jerome R. King Playground Association 717-597-8648

Kauffman Ruritan Club 717-375-2143

Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library 717-597-7920

Middleburg/Mason-Dixon Historical Society 717-263-1754

Mount Pisgah Lodge 443 717-593-0543

Shady Grove Ruritan Club 717-597-4602

State Line Ruritan Club 717-597-3005

General Information

The Greencastle-Antrim community is located in the southcentral section of Franklin County in Pennsylvania, which lies in the area known as the Cumberland Valley. It consists of Antrim Township with the Borough of Greencastle nestled in its center. The southern border of Antrim Township forms part of the Mason-Dixon line.

There are 69.5 square miles in Antrim Township, generally comprised of rural/suburban with industrial areas; and 1.57 square miles in the Borough of Greencastle with residential/ commerce/industrial areas.

The Greencastle-Antrim School District is the public education entity.

It is comprised of two municipalities, the Borough of Greencastle and Antrim Township

The area lies 585 feet above sea level.

The population of Antrim Township is approximately 15,800.

The population of Greencastle is approximately 4,000.

The area has an interstate highway (81) running through it, along with major state routes (11 and 16).

There is also railroad access and an airport just to the south.

The area is a manageable drive to a number of cities, including Harrisburg, Baltimore,Washington D.C., Pittsburgh and Philadelphia

The average temperature is 54 degrees and average annual rainfall is 40 inches.

The Native American names Conococheague and Taya mentasachta are clear indications of the first inhab itants of what we now know as the Greencastle-Antrim community. Just as telling are the names Green castle and Antrim to the origin of the Scotch-Irish settlers who first made their home in this area of Pennsylvania.

Villages of Shawnee and Seneca tribes of the Iroquois lived in this area before Scotch-Irish settlers came to what was first called the Conoco cheague Settlement. The settlement is dated at 1736. German settlers followed close behind the Scotch-Irish. The Cumberland Valley was a fertile and green area for the farmers who carved out a spot in the land. Religion came with the settlers with the first church at Moss Spring, a Presbyterian congre gation, founded in 1738 just northeast of the current Greencastle. Antrim was originally a county formed in 1741 and included most of what we know now as Franklin County.

Indian warfare plagued the area in the middle of the 1700s. There were two forts, Fort Allison and Fort Stauffer, built as fortification against attacks. Among the notable events of the period was the Enoch Brown Massacre in which Brown, the school teacher, and 10 of his pupils were clubbed to death and scalped at their school in the north west part of Antrim Township. A park exists today at the location of the 1764 massacre.

From the hands of William Penn there were four owners of the land where the Borough of Greencastle is located before William Allison transferred own ership to his son Col. John Allison in 1769. Allison laid out lots and founded Greencastle in 1782. It is thought to be named for a fishing station in Donegal County of Northern Ireland. A reported visit from President George Washing ton in 1794 is one of the early claims to fame of the town. Greencastle was part of Antrim Township until 1805, when the borough was incorporated.

Agriculture ruled life in Greencas tle-Antrim for the first half of the 19th century. Grist mills were prevalent during the time, along with distilleries.

One hundred and seventy years after it was built, drivers lined up for a chance to cross Martin’s Mill Bridge during Old Home Week in 2019.

Financial and unsuccessful attempts to bring local people into the fold led to the end of a Mormon Colony west of Green castle in the 1840s. While the dream of a settlement failed, the Mormons left a legacy in the area by bringing the first printing press to the community and starting the Conococheague Herald newspaper.

The Civil War left its mark on the Greencastle-Antrim community. Families lost loved ones and lives were changed forever. Abolitionist John Brown stayed at the Union Hotel on the southwest corner of Center Square while planning his raid on Harpers Ferry. The first Union soldier to die on Union soil was killed just north of Greencastle. A monument to Cpl. William H. Rihl stands at the spot where he died. Greencastle teen Dolly Harris waved the stars and stripes in defiance and in the face of the march ing Confederate soldiers. Union Capt. Ulric Dahlgren led a surprise attack on Confederate cavalrymen on the square, stopping the march and intercepting important information concerning a

coming battle — at Gettysburg.

Industry began to join agriculture as a stalwart of the Greencastle-Antrim community after the Civil War. Manu facturing ranged from grain drills and walnut gun stocks to wind engines. The era brought the erection of the iconic Town Clock in 1872 on the roof of the then-First National Bank, and the first public secondary education in the community. Social life continued to revolve around churches and extended to fraternal groups and included the construction of the Town Hall in 1890.

As the century changed, electric service arrived and civic life picked up steam in the Greencastle-Antrim community and one of the most unique events here or anywhere was born.

Greencastle native Professor Philip Baer, renowned opera singer, founded what is celebrated every three years as Old Home Week. The next week-long, community-wide homecoming celebra tion is in 2022 — the 41st such event.

Trolley service and a new passenger train station ushered in the 1900s. Edu cation saw the consolidation era with

the closing of one-room schools. A new reservoir was built. Automobiles arrived and the first airplane was seen. The Geiser Co. led a healthy industrial base. The Jerome R. King Playground was dedicated in 1923. Prosperity reigned, spurring the social and recreational life of the community.

The Depression and World Wars had a lasting impression on the Green castle-Antrim community. American Legion Post 373 was established in memory of Frank L. Carbaugh, killed in World War I. There were war bond sales and community drives for all sorts of items that could help a nation at war. The Greencastle Lions Club was founded in 1944. The Harry D. Zeigler Post 6319 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars came in 1946, named for the Greencastle sailor who lost his life in the World War II Battle of the Coral Sea.

Population and industry boomed fol lowing the wars. King Playground and the Teen Age Canteen were hot spots. The manufacture of Grove farm wagons that began in 1946 is now a world wide interest in crane manufacturing known as Manitowoc in Shady Grove, a major local industry and employer. The construction of Corning Glass, now World Kitchen, south of Greencastle in 1960 was just one of the industries and fueled the boom. Along with that came new people into the area and the need for more schools. Social and recre ational activities were heightened. The first major effort to preserve Martin’s Mill Bridge, built in 1849, was success ful in 1962, with similar preservations and restorations over the decades ensuring it remains a local landmark for future generations. The John L. Grove Medical Center was built in 1966 and the WellSpan Greencastle Health Center opened in 2019.

Technology began to make its mark in the last third of the 1900s. Indus try changed and agriculture is now undertaken by fewer people in the Greencastle-Antrim community. A service economy has emerged and the proximity to Interstate 81 fueled ware houses and distribution centers.

The first decade of the 21st century brought a renewed sense of patriotism following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

A monument stands at Enoch Brown Park in Antrim Township, site of the 1764 massacre of Brown, the schoolmaster, and 10 of his students.

People in Greencastle and Antrim Township were close enough to New York, Washington, D.C., and Shanksville to be personally affected and offended by the actions of the terrorists. Local citizens were among those deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in the ensuing years. Master Sgt. Benjamin Bitner of Greencastle was killed in Afghanistan in 2011. An obelisk erected in 1989 and the Veterans Memorial erected outside Greencastle Borough Hall in 2008 honor the 121 men from the community who have given their lives for their country from the Revolutionary War through Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The newest way to honor military service and sacrifice are the Hometown Hero banners, a combined effort of Harry D. Zeigler VFW Post 6319, Frank L.Carbaugh American Legion Post 373

Service and sacrifice are honored with the Hometown Hero banners lining Greencastle streets.

and the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce with the support of the Borough of Greencastle. Unveiled in 2020, there are now nearly 240 banners around Center Square and on Allison, Baltimore, Carlisle, Leitersburg and Washington streets and Ridge Avenue. Eras of service include World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War, Global War on Terror and peacetime.

Residential development exploded in the early 2000s and, with its easy access to Interstate 81, Antrim Town ship is booming as a warehouse, transportation and logistics hub.

Despite time’s passage, many things about this community, first known as the Conococheague Settlement, remain the same. The community remains vibrant. Storefronts don’t stay vacant for long. Children excel in academics, extracurricular activities and athletics. Longstanding traditions continue to draw people together — Sidewalk Days and Heritage Christmas, as well as Old Home Week.

And the people of Greencastle-An trim continue to cooperate, face challenges and care for one another — qualities that have served this neck of Penn’s Wood well for more than three centuries. g

Ebbert Spring

Archaeological Preserve and Heritage Park

The newest feature in the Greencastle-Antrim landscape goes far, far back in the region’s past. The Ebbert Spring Archaeological Preserve and Heritage Park officially opened during Old Home Week 2019.

Located south of the Borough of Greencastle off U.S. 11 amid indus trial and warehouse development, the park encompasses 10,000 years of local history. It was created by The

Archaeological Conservancy to protect its archaeological, historical and environmental resources.

The conservancy calls the Ebbert Spring “one of the most important historical sites in Pennsylvania.” The late owner Al Bonnell opened the door for a new way of looking at history with what he found during amateur archaeological digs on the property, which is a rich resource for future excavation and research.

Bonnell found projectile points and other evidence of habitation dating back about 10,000 years and covering the paleo-Indian, archaic and woodland Indian periods. Previously, researchers thought prehistoric settlements were only along major waterways and not near freshwater springs.

The property is significant in the area’s more recent history, too. The large limestone house was built there in 1756 by William Allison Sr. and William

The springhouse at Ebbert Spring Archaeological Preserve and Heritage Park.

Allison Jr., the father and brother of John Allison, Greencastle’s founder. It is the only known structure built by the Allisons still standing today.

The spring, named for a family that once lived on the farm, has been an important water source for thousands of years. Pumping 600 gallons a minute, today it is part of the Greencastle Area, Franklin County, Water Authority’s system.

Kiosks along the trails through the park provide information on topics like prehistory, archaeology, flora and fauna, preservation and historic figures. The park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Pamphlets with information about the conservancy and the park, including a scavenger hunt can be found in boxes at the entrance sign.

For more information, visit www.americanacheology.org g

Information kiosks are located along the trails at Ebbert Spring Archaeological Preserve and Heritage Park.

Allison-Antrim Museum

Allison-Antrim Museum is a jewel in Greencastle. While it has been in existence only since 1994, it holds the history of the community since the founding days. The museum was established to preserve and display the history of the Borough of Greencastle and Antrim Township. The house was built by Alexander Irwin in 1860, and the property was called “Walnut Hill.” It was on 14 acres, which was part of Greencastle founder John Allison’s original tract that spread to Tayamentasachta. The museum purchased the home in 1998, its yard by then just one acre.

An 1860s German bank barn was discov ered near Chambersburg in 2003, purchased, dismantled , moved to Greencastle, reassem bled and put into operation as a storage facility and site for displays and programs. This was all accomplished by 2011, when heating and air conditioning were installed.

AAMI is under the guidance of a board of directors, and president Bonnie Shockey and husband Ken are the backbone of operations. Though volunteers, they are onsite frequently each week to handle correspondence with the public, select exhibits and inspect the property for maintenance issues.

The museum is located at 365 S. Ridge Ave. across the street from Greencastle- Antrim Middle School. It is open Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The museum hosts regular exhibits of local interest, from military memorablia and busi ness advertising pieces to baseball player Nellie Fox and ladies’ hankies, as well as a monthly speakers series.

AAMI is a non-profit organization supported by membership dues and donations. It also accepts artifacts for its collections.

Notable collections include history books given by A. Isabelle Barnes, a Greencastle native, and for whom the Barnes Library is named; American cookbooks given by native Michael Schnebly; and Pennsylvania German Society books useful for research given by museum member Tom Gerhart.

Other unique items held in trust by the museum are an iron slave collar once worn by Ben, who was owned by a farmer in Kauffman’s Station; paintings by local renowned local artist Walter Washington Smith; a piano of Green castle’s own concert singer Philip E. Baer; and a clover header from the late 1700s. The museum also houses the Pennsylvania governors’ sig nature collection of Dr. Thomas Brumbaugh,

Allison-Antrim Museum is housed in a home along South Ridge Avenue that was built in 1860.

Allison-Antrim Museum

which represents almost 50 percent of the scripts of the commonwealth’s 100-plus governors. Benjamin Frank lin’s John Hancock is part of the collection.

One room in the museum house contains memora bilia from Carl’s Drug Store, considered the oldest con tinuously running drugstore in the United States. The oldest artifact is dated 1825. Greencastle’s first telephone is also on display, and it was installed at Carl’s in 1896.

A piece of luggage that belonged to Greencastle’s Henry Prather Fletcher, who served as a United States ambassador, is also housed at the museum. The list of historical and engaging items are too many to name, but it is safe to say people interested in the Civil War, trains, farming, manufacturing, baseball, early businesses, Old Home Week, community leaders, period clothing, holidays, military history, archaeology and daily life will find fascinating materials at the museum.

For more information, call 717-597-9010 or visit: www.greencastlemuseum.org g

Middleburg Mason-Dixon Line Historical Society

The Middleburg Mason-Dixon Line Historical Society is devoted to the history of Middleburg, which sat on the state line. The village was founded in 1912. Middleburg is still in Maryland, but the area over the border is now State Line.

The association meets the third Thurs day of the month at 7 p.m. in the State Line Ruritan Club Community Building, with no sessions in July or August. Area historians frequently are guest speakers.

For more information, visit www. middleburgmasondixon

Borough of Greencastle

The Borough of Greencastle has a rich history, due in part to its convenient location in south-central Pennsylvania. The town sits in the Cumberland Valley in the shelter of the Appalachian Mountains. It is just north of the Mason-Dixon Line on the Maryland border. Two main roads intersect Greencastle’s main street, known within borough limits as Baltimore Street, and beyond as Route 16: U.S. 11 and Interstate 81.

Residents easily journey to Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., for work or pleasure, and return home to the comfort of a rural community in Franklin County.

Founded in 1782 by John Allison, Greencastle retains many historic and beautiful buildings. The Scotch-Irish founders chose the name Greencastle after a small town in Ireland. German immigrants also chose to settle here. The population now stands around 4,000 and the borough boundaries were established early at 1.6 square miles.

The Civil War touched Greencastle in a significant way, as Confederate troops marched through before and after the Battle of Gettysburg, and Union Capt. Ulric Dahlgren’s cavalry patrol engaged in a skirmish on Center Square.

Some businesses have served the residents for generations. Carl’s Drug opened in 1825, and the Echo Pilot has been sharing the news since 1849. The First National Bank of Greencastle formed in 1864, and is now BB&T. Atop its building is the Town Clock, a source of pride for residents.

Trains and trolleys met transportation needs before the advent of the automobile.

Passenger and freight trains ran down Carlisle Street, but in 1909 the high line station opened on Jefferson Street. The trolley lines took passengers to Pen Mar Park past Waynesboro, and to Red Bridge Park past Chambersburg. Service was abandoned in 1932. No public transportation has been successful in town since those days.

Greencastle is also proud of some of its notable citizens from the past. Philip E. Baer became a famous concert singer at the turn of the 20th century. Henry P.

The citizens thrive on tradition, especially gathering the first week of August every three years for Old Home Week. It began in 1902 at the suggestion of Baer, and draws thousands of people “back home” for a multitude of activities. The next celebration is Aug. 6 to 13, 2022.

Greencastle is governed by a borough council that meets at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month in borough hall. Borough hall underwent a half-million renovation in 2019 that enhances

safety, improves efficiency and meets Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

Water services are handled by Greencastle Area, Franklin County, Water Authority and sewer is under the supervision of Greencastle, Franklin County, Authority.

Greencastle is also served by a Planning and Zoning Commission, Civil Service Commission, Shade Tree Commission and Zoning Hearing Board.

For more information call 717-597-7143 or visit: www.greencastlepa.gov g

Fletcher was a U.S. ambassador in the early 1900s.

Greencastle Borough Hall is located at 60 N. Washington St.

Antrim Township

Antrim Township dates back to 1741, when it was part of the Penn’s Woods land grant from King Charles II of England. European set tlers, primarily Irish and Scotch, settled here. Germans followed later. The name Antrim came from a county in Ireland. The people had already founded Moss Spring Church, which was Presbyterian, in 1738.

The new residents met the Indi ans already living in the area and the encounters were not particularly friendly. Several attacks occurred, the most notable during the Pontiac Rebellion in 1764. The Native Ameri cans killed Enoch Brown and 10 of his students at a one-room schoolhouse. A park in Brown’s name now houses a monument honoring the deceased.

Antrim was also the site of the first Union soldier death north of the Mason-Dixon Line. The place north of Greencastle on U.S. 11 is marked for Corporal William H. Rihl of the First

New York cavalry regiment.

The municipality is now home to around 16,000 people, who live on farms and country lots or in subdivi sions and villages.

The government operates with a township administrator, Brad Graham, and five voting supervisors: Rick Baer, John Alleman, Chad Murray, Pat Heraty and Fred Young III. Meetings are the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 7 p.m. at the municipal build ing on Antrim Church Road.

The township also meets residents’ utility needs through the Antrim Town ship Municipal Authority, which owns the wastewater and water treatment plants.

Other panels tend to particular interests of the township, including a Planning Commission, Zoning Hearing Board, Park Committee and Landfill Citizens Advisory Committee.

Agriculture is a major business, and Antrim is happy to provide a home base for a number of industries, large and

small, as well as warehouses and other transportation and logistics facilities.

Recreation is considered important for citizens and visitors, so three parks are dedicated to play, relaxation and picnicking. Enoch Brown Park is just three acres with a pavilion, walking trails and a playground. Martin’s Mill Bridge Park is home to the historic 1849 covered bridge. It has been targeted for destruction and suffered the whims of Mother Nature on many occasions, but the people have always fought to preserve it. The township accepted the deed of dedication to the bridge in 2003. The scenic park along the Con ococheague Creek has a pavilion, grill area, picnic tables and restrooms. It is a primitive setting with the trees and babbling waters providing a peace ful backdrop. Up the hill is Antrim Township Community Park, 136 acres used for a wide variety of recreational activities.

For more information, call 717- 5973818 or visit www.twp.antrim.pa.us g

The Antrim Township Municipal Building is located at 10655 Antrim Church Road.

Weather

Greencastle experiences the four seasons, with snow typical in the winter, and heat a part of every summer. The trees and flowers bud in the spring, and leaves fall in autumn. Nevertheless, extremes occur frequently enough to make life interesting, and cause people to watch the weather forecast to know how to plan their time. Robert Wertime, assisting his late father Rudolf, began recording weather data as a teenager in the late 1960s. By the mid-1980s they were serious with the pastime, and became valuable resources on weather conditions. Today Wertime continues the service, and is a media contact as well as a “ground-truth person” for the National Weather Service. NWS knows that Wertime knows what he is talking about.

A national organization that compiles weather statistics published average monthly temperature ranges for our area, with January the coldest month at 28 degrees and July the hottest at 74 degrees. On the moisture side, January and February average 2.7 inches of precipitation and May is the wettest at 3.9 inches.

Wertime watches temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover and visibility, organizing the information into daily, monthly and yearly charts. He is also a walking encyclopedia on weather highlights for the decades.

The Greencastle area was hit in February 1962 with a

dramatic thunderstorm, with the lightning display in shades of blue and orange. Sleet and hail also fell. The early 1960s were known for cold and snow.

“Electrically violent” thunderstorms occurred in the late 1960s into the 70s, and again in the 1990s. These made the summers exciting. Winters were particularly cold for about a decade starting in the late 1960s. They felt long and they were long! They were followed by mild winters in the 1980s, so people began to think about global warming.

But a few blizzards came along to jar the senses. In January of 1994 the temperature got to more than 30 degrees below zero, and snow lay 16 to 20 inches deep. Exactly two years later, January 1996, came 28 inches of snow, resulting in drifts of five to 15 feet.

Curiously, the wind left bare spots on the ground in some places. In January 2016 winter storm Jonas left 22 inches of snow in its wake. Other anomalies also kept people talking. Hurricane Agnes struck in 1972, but wind damage was not truly that great. It was a significant event in Greencastle, though, because Martin’s Mill Bridge was all but destroyed. The storm resulted in six to eight inches of rain within four days. That was not the heaviest to strike the area though. In August 1968 we received 3.2 inches in 20 minutes. If it had kept up for an hour, there would have been 10 inches of water flooding the area. And the heaviest rain ever is in very recent memory, in September 2011, with 11 inches over a few days. Many people who had never had wet basements before did then. The area was spared significant damage during Hurri cane Sandy on Oct. 29, 2012. Then the winter of 2013-14 never seemed to end.

The snow and cold caused school to be closed 11 days. At the other end of the spectrum, record dry weather took place in the summers of 1965 and ‘66, in 1998, and again in 2002 and ‘03. These rivaled the days of the Depression.

The 1990s were the wettest and most humid on record, Wertime discovered. And the first true tornados rolled through in April 1994. It is obvious Greencastle can be a lively place to live year ‘round. g

Villages

The Borough of Greencastle has the honor of being surrounded by unincorporated villages which are viewed as extensions of the community. State Line, Shady Grove and Kauffman are located in Antrim Township and as such are part of that governing body’s responsibility. The children in these communities attend the Greencastle-Antrim School District. Boundaries do not restrict interaction between residents of any of the com munities, though each has its own particular history.

STATE LINE

State Line was founded in 1812 and a sign explains it all. It reads “State Line Named Thus Because It Is On State Line.” The border is Maryland, with the City of Hagerstown situated

SHADY GROVE

To the east of Greencastle, just a few miles, is Shady Grove. It is on Route 16, with a Post Office handling mail from zip code 17256. Nearby is Kline’s Grocery. More businesses line the main road— including Manitowoc, where Grove cranes are manufactured — and the Shady Grove Community Center and Ruritan Club is tucked just to the south before leaving the village proper. Athletic fields are available on a first-come first-serve basis.

KAUFFMAN

Kauffman, sometimes called Kauffman Station, is north of Greencastle, between U.S. 11 and I-81. It also has an active Ruritan Club and Community Center. The club aims to meet the goals of “Fellowship, Good Will, and Community Service” and is known for the good food served at the many banquets held in the Community Center. It contributes to many charities, with donations of money or materials, or by sponsoring activities.

Kauffman is home to Brown’s Mill School, now a one-room schoolhouse museum. It was built in 1836, and used until 1921 as an elementary school.

The three villages are buffered by lush agricultural land, but busy byways make them easily accessible for residents of Greencastle and Antrim Township. g

nearby in Washington County. Interstate 81 is just to the west, and Mason-Dixon Road parallels the actual landmark demar cation line set by surveyors Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon between 1763 and 1767.

State Line has a mini-strip mall, with Earl’s Market and the Post Office daily drawing people to town. The zip code of 17263 is unique to the immediate area. Other businesses line the main thoroughfare, offering a variety of services and goods. Several churches are spread out along the main roads. Way back, the village was called Middleburg, and the Middleburg/Mason-Dixon Historical Society is active in pre serving the past. The members welcome contact with anyone who has ever lived in the village that straddles the two states, or even visited or passed through. They meet the third Thurs day of the month, September to June, at the State Line Ruritan Club Community Center. The club has a park that is open daylight hours for recreation.

Know Your Legislators

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

13th District REP. JOHN JOYCE

Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-2431 100 Lincoln Way East Suite B Chambersburg, PA 17201 Phone: 717-753-6344 Website: johnjoyce.house.gov

PENNSYLVANIA SENATE

90th District REP. PAUL SCHEMEL

1402 E. Main St. Waynesboro, Pa. 17268 Phone: 717-749-7384

Satellite Office: Antrim Township Building 10655 Antrim Church Road, Greencastle 717-895-3902

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday Capitol Office: Room 121B, East Wing P.O. Box 202090 Harrisburg, PA 17120-2090 Phone: 717-783-5218 FAX: 717-782-2903 e-mail: pschemel@pahousegop.com Website: repschemel.com

JOHN FLANNERY ROBERT ZIOBROWSKI

33rd District

SENATOR

DOUG

MASTRIANO

187 Main Capitol

Harrisburg, PA 17120

Phone: 717-787-4651

37 S. Main St., Suite 200 Chambersburg, PA 17201 Phone: 717-264-6100 Website: senatormastriano.com

MEETINGS:

Held Wednesdays at 11 a.m. (workshop) and 2 p.m. (approvals) Administration Building 272 N. Second St. Chambersburg 717-261-3812 www.franklincountypa.gov

DAVID KELLER

Greencastle and Antrim Township are served by two police agencies.

Greencastle has its own police force, with Chief John Phillippy in charge.

There are six full-time officers including the chief and about a half dozen part-time officers. They patrol the borough around the clock. The station is located at 60 N. Washington St., attached to borough hall. People should call 911 for emergencies, and 717-597-9506 for routine business. An emergency phone just outside the door to the police station automatically connects to the Franklin County Emergency Dispatch Center.

“The Greencastle Police Department strives to be an integral part of the community,” says Phillippy. “We try to be a resource to turn to during difficult times. While criminal investigation is a significant part of our job, we also try to solve problems in the community and to help those in need. To that end we respond to EMS calls in the borough and various other types of activities not normally associated with police efforts. We also have a co-responder who works out of our office and assists in arranging services and follow-up on contacts through the department.”

Officers connect with the community through a holiday food collection, Fish with a Cop, Coffee with a Cop, handing out Halloween goodies, speaking engagements and working with schools, youth groups and Scouts.

There is a drug take-back box in the lobby of the police station, providing local residents with a safe, environmen tally friendly way to dispose of unused, expired or unwanted medications.

The Greencastle Police Department offers forms online for bicycle registrations, emergency business contacts and vacant home checks and other links to resources on staying safe, getting involved in the community and learning about other agencies and services at www.greencastlepa.gov

A parking meter attendant and police officers periodically check if meters have expired while a vehicle remains in parking spaces in the downtown area.

Those tickets are paid at the borough office. Citations, either traffic or nontraffic, are handled at District Court 39- 3-05 with Magisterial Judge Duane Cunningham. The office is at 401 S. Washington St. The telephone number is 717-597-8581.

Antrim Township does not have a police force. Residents rely on Pennsylvania State Police for law enforcement services. The nearest barracks is in Chambersburg. The headquarters are at 3800 Black Gap Road. Lt. Alan Trees is the station commander.

The troopers cover Franklin County and respond to calls made to 911. Nonemergency calls may be directed to 717-264-5161.

The chief law enforcement officer for the county is District Attorney Matthew Fogal. His office is committed to protect ing the safety of the community at large by the prevention, investigation and prosecution of crime. Offenders needing to be separated from the general population are sent to Franklin County Jail on Opportunity Avenue in Chambersburg. g

Law Enforcement

Greencastle police officers Eric Kamoie and Mike Knechtel timed the Old Home Week bicycle races.

Rescue Hose Company

Greencastle and Antrim Township have a long history of being protected with a volunteer fire department. Today Green castle Rescue Hose Company No. 1 is dedicated to providing professional fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the borough, township and surround ing communities. Membership is open to men and women ages 14 and up. Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

On Oct. 1, 1831, it all began. The town council required every white male resident paying taxes to join the Green castle Fire Company. Each man had to provide “a good and sufficient bucket made of leather and a jacket.” Anyone failing to do so was fined 50 cents a day. The troops split up the duties, serving as engine men, bucket men or ladder men.

Service was uneven in the next decades, with different fire companies vying for power, and response to calls was inadequate. In 1896 the RHC No. 1 officially formed. An ambulance squad was added in 1967. Funeral directors donated equipment they had previously used to run the calls.

The first fire station is now the home

of borough hall. The next fire station was on South Carlisle Street, now home to Greencastle Church of the Brethren. The latest move was in 1998 to 842 S. Wash ington St., a familiar place, as it used to be South Antrim Elementary School.

The RHC first due territory includes residences, truck stops, shipping and distribution centers, manufacturing and commercial facilities, and anything in-between. The response crews offer fire suppression, emergency medi cal services, rescue, extrication, and hazardous materials control. Training is rigorously conducted to assure the latest and safest methods of facing dire situations.

New members are always encouraged to join. Those who don’t serve on the front lines can help with fundraising events or offer expertise in other areas.

RHC has two engines, a rescue squad, a engine tanker, a brush truck and two trucks of particular pride and joy. The 1930 Seagrave Pumper was restored and the 1741 Hand Pumper is on display in the museum to the rear of the sta tion. The HOCO Museum is full of RHC memorabilia, from hoses to uniforms to photographs and company records. It is open to the public, and to make

sure someone will be present to answer questions, call the fire hall at 717-5978489 to schedule a visit.

An advanced life support unit from Medic 2 also is stationed at the Rescue Hose Co. and responds along with the ambulance squad to more serious medi cal emergencies.

Fire police are a vital part of the Rescue Hose Co. operation at accident scenes, fires and other emergencies. The fire police volunteers also spend a lot of time keeping people safe by con trolling traffic at community events.

Rescue Hose Company personnel have established a fundraising tradition in Greencastle that residents look forward to every year. The Hobo Enter tainers begin rehearsals in January, with performances in late February or early March. The show began in 1929, and with a few years interruption, has been entertaining audiences in what is believed to be the longest running hobo group in the United States.

The department has a rental facility available for banquets and parties, as an additional source of income. It is the multi-purpose room at the station.

For information, call 717-597-8489 or visit www.rescuehose.com. g

Members of the Rescue Hose Co. host an open house every October for Fire Prevention Week.

Greencastle-Antrim School District

FROM DR. LURA HANKS, SUPERINTENDENT:

The Greencastle-Antrim School District returned to learning this year ready to move forward in preparing students for this ever-chang ing, unpredictable world!

We continue to prioritize the health and safety of our students, staff and community, while also being unwaver ing in our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.

GASD expects that every student will experience success and positively impact the world. It is this vision that keeps us focused on what matters most for our students. Through diverse opportunities, our students learn within and outside the classroom walls.

Our educational program targets mastery of five core competencies that define the portrait of a GA graduate:

•Critical Thinking & Social Responsibility

•Creativity & Innovation

•Literacy & Communication

•Physical and Emotional Health

•General Knowledge & Academic Preparation

It is by design that upon graduation, our students will have had guaranteed opportunities to develop these com petencies that will prepare them to navigate their own course successfully. We want our students to be marketable in the workforce and continuing educa tion paths that are available to them.

The district covers 72 square miles in the Borough of Greencastle and Antrim Township. There are more than 3,100 students enrolled in grades K-12.

The district’s four buildings are situ ated on a 120-acre campus bordered by Ridge Avenue and Leitersburg Street. The primary school houses kindergar ten through grade 2; the elementary serves grades 3 through 5; the middle school is comprised of grades 6 through 8; and the high school includes grades 9 through 12. We also offer a fully virtual option for students through GA Virtual, powered by Franklin Virtual Academy.

In addition, Greencastle-Antrim

School District is also home to Tayamentasachta, the district envi ronmental center focused on outdoor education and supporting learning for all K-12 students.

PRIMARY SCHOOL

Our primary school prides itself on welcoming our youngest learners in the district. The early grades play a critical role in not only establishing a strong academic foundation for continued learning, but alsofostering a positive attitude and confidence for personal success.

Students in the primary school participate in language arts, math, science, and social studies, as well as art, music, library, STEM and wellness classes. Our primary STEM classroom gives every child regular opportuni ties to apply their learning through

integrated, hands-on design challenges and experiences.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Students in the elementary school continue instruction in language arts, math, science, and social studies. They also have regular instruction in art, wellness, and library. However, at this level, students are offered more inten sive music experiences through band and chorus with instrumental music in fifth grade. Our computer technology experience has also been expanded to dig deeper into integrated andinterdisciplinary application of learning through a STEM program that meets regularly for all students in grades 3 through 5. We continue to focus on the social and emotional wellness of our students by encouraging and reinforc ing character education.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Greencastle-Antrim Middle School is a place for our adolescent students to grow physically, mentally, socially, and academically as they become life-long learners. The vision at G-AMS is to provide an individualized educational program for all students that is sensi tive to each student’s developmental needs. The faculty collectively studies and implements the “best practices” of effective instruction demanding that students apply what they are learning to authentic learning experiences. Students begin to further develop their skills and fluency in language arts,

Ready for the first day of 2021-22 at Greencastle-Antrim Primary School.

Greencastle-Antrim Elementary School life skills students competed in the G-lympics.

Greencastle-Antrim School District

math, science, and social studies while also having opportunities to enhance their talents and appreciation for the arts, a variety of music opportunities, and media.

HIGH SCHOOL

Greencastle-Antrim High School is an active, vibrant community as students continue to learn and grow and begin to make preparations for life beyond high school. With a variety of pathways available, students are able to personalize their course selections and take advantage of the many co-curricular programs offered. Many of the students earn col lege credits through the Early-to-College and College Academy programs. Others participate in internships through the School-to-Work program. Students seeking a career in a technical field will benefit from the G-AHS STEAM Pro gram, as well as the partnership with Franklin County Career and Technology Center. CareerTech offers concentrations in construction, health sciences, sales and service, STEM/manufacturing and transportation. Extracurriculars, including music, arts, theater, and athletics are also important opportunities for our G-AHS students.

TAYAMENTASACHTA

Tayamentasachta is a 45-acre envi ronmental center with amenities that include a 19th century farmhouse and barn, natural spring, springhouse, log cabin, longhouse, pavilion and orchard, as well as walking trails, gardens, fields and woods.

It provides a backdrop for environmental education and cultural programs for district students, as well as community events.

GREENCASTLE-ANTRIM EDUCATION FOUNDATION

The Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization

The foundation has been around since 1997, but was re-energized in the summer of 2018. Its first big project – a new building housing restrooms, a ticket booth and concession stand at Kaley Field – was completed in August 2021.

The foundation is a regional affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and registration is ongoing for local children to receive a free book from Dolly Par ton’s Imagination Library once a month until they turn 5.

For more information, email: office@ gaefonline.org g

that supports academics, athletics and the arts in the Greencastle-Antrim School District.

The Greencastle-Antrim High School band performs during Greencastle‘s tree-lighting ceremony.

Tayamentasachta is the Greencastle-Antrim School District’s environmental center.

The Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation completed its first big project — a new building housing the ticket booth, concession stand and restrooms at Kaley Field — in 2021.

Health Care

Health care in the Greencastle-Antrim community has moved forward by leaps and bounds since the days when doctors made house calls.

The John L. Grove Medical Center has been located on Eastern Avenue for nearly half a century and in 2019, health care options expanded even more when the WellSpan Greencastle Health Center opened on Antrim Commons Drive.

The Grove Medical Center is home to Greencastle Family Practice, a counseling service, podiatrist, eye care center and dentist. WellSpan also continues to offer lab and X-ray ser vices in the building.

Urgent care, open seven days a week, is located on the first floor of the $15 million WellSpan Greencastle Health Center, which is the new location of Antrim Family Medicine, an OB/GYN practice, a physical and occupational therapy suite and additional lab and X-ray services. Specialty services are now convenient for Greencastle-Antrim residents, with occupational health, orthopedics, podiatry, digestive health, endocrinology, pain specialists, surgical specialists, urol ogy, behavior health and ENT and hearing practices in the 45,000-square-foot facility.

More WellSpan services are available across the county, including Chambersburg and Waynesboro hospitals. Area residents may also choose Meritus Medical Center in

John L. Grove Medical Center

DENTIST

Greencastle Family Dental

Brett Manlucu DDS Suite #108 717-597-7197

FAMILY PRACTICE

Greencastle Family Practice

Duane E. Sipes MD

Kent Copeland MD

Nathan T. Derstine DO

Michael S. Fitzpatrick DO

John C. Strickler PA-C

Mindy L. Barnhart CRNP Suite #135 717-597-3151

WELLSPAN

CHAMBERSBURG HOSPITAL

Lab-EKG-X-ray Suite #104 717-597-5537

OPTOMETRIST

Greencastle Eye Care Center

Sandra Fink-Freeman OD

C. J. Parsons OD Suite #107 717-597-7708

COUNSELING SERVICES

Paul D. Bitner MS, LPC

Diane R. Swan MS, LPC

Nancy Morton MSW, LCSW

Melissa J. Grove MS, NCC, LPC

Cheryl Sears MA, LPC

Kristin Holdaway NCC, LPC Suite #115 717-597-0095

PODIATRIST

Foot & Ankle Specialists of the Mid-Atlantic LLC

Adam G. Grahn DPM

Brandy H. Grahm DPM Suite #122 717-643-0795

Specialty care, family medicine and urgent care can all be found at the new WellSpan Greencastle Health Center.

Hagerstown, Md., and Fulton County Medical Center in McConnellsburg.

The Rescue Hose Co. Ambulance Squad responds to medical emergencies, with extra assistance from the Waynesboro Area Advanced Life Support Unit, also known as Medic 2, available for more serious calls.

There also are dental, eye care, chiropractic and physical therapy options and fitness centers elsewhere in the commu nity, and pharmacy services are offered at three drug stores in North Antrim Way.

Residents who want to take a different approach to their health may opt for a visit to The Center of Balance for reflex ology, Reiki, massage, hypnosis, coaching and wellness products or stop by Alternative Choices for natural food and other remedies for the mind, body and spirit.

A TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at Antrim Assembly of God Church. It offers support for people seeking to lose and maintain weight loss.

In conjunction with Fulton County, Franklin County runs a drug and alcohol program devoted to prevention and case management. The two counties also share programs for mental health, intellectual disabilities and early intervention.

Community health fairs are held periodically and regular events help fight deadly diseases — the American Cancer Society’s Greencastle Relay for Life in May on the Greencas tle-Antrim School District’s Kaley Field. g

Say the word Grove in Greencastle and most people automatically think of the massive Manitowoc Crane Group manufacturing facility on Route 16 in Shady Grove.

Grove Manufacturing was founded by local residents John L. Grove, Dwight Grove and Wayne Nicarry in 1947 to produce farm wagons, with the first crane manufactured for their own use. Today, the name is known around the world and Manitowoc is one of Franklin County’s largest private employers with a work force around 1,400. JLG, another company founded by John L. Grove and equally well-known for its lift equip ment, and Jerr-Dan, maker of towing and vehicle recovery products, both have locations in Antrim Township and part of Oshkosh Corp.

Those are the big names, but the Franklin County Area Development Corp.’s annual Industrial Directory lists more than 20 manufacturing and industrial operations in the Greencastle area, ranging from just a handful to hundreds of employees. The list is diverse and includes everything from

machine shops and concrete and stone products to commercial printing and engine repair.

Corelle Brands along U.S. 11 came to Greencastle-Antrim in 1960 under the name Corning Glass and the Food Lion Distribution Center located on Commerce Avenue in the 1990s and is now part of ADUSA Distribution LLC.

Together, they employee nearly 1,000 people and were at the forefront of the warehousing, transportation and logistics facility boom that is occurring today. The area around Interstate 81’s Exit 3 has exploded with development in recent years, thanks to a location that opens it up to all the major markets along the East Coast.

“For development potential, there’s not a better place on Interstate 81 in Pennsylvania than Exit 3,” according to L. Michael Ross, president of FCADC.

Recent projects have included Armada, Eldorado Stone, Staples, A. Duie Pyle, Gate 7 and NorthPoint. To the north along U.S. 11, the former Eldorado Stone building is the newly renovated home of APX Enclosures.

FCADC’s mission is countywide economic development “to create an atmosphere that nourishes planned growth and family sustainable employment opportunities.”

Its core strategies are the retention and expansion of existing businesses; selective attraction of new businesses to diversify the local economy; and the start-up of new businesses. g

The Food Lion Distribution Center, now part of ADUSA Distribution LLC, opened on Commerce Avenue in the 1990s.

U.S. Rep. John Joyce talked with APX Enclosures President Andy Papoutsis during a visit to the Antrim Township facility.

reencastle and Antrim Township are in ag country. No two ways about it. Drive three minutes in any direction (even allowing for traffic), and you will spot pastures, crop fields or a business related to farming. You will pass pickup trucks and livestock and stores carrying goods needed by or produced by farmers.

Antrim Township, the Borough of Greencastle, and the Greencastle-Antrim School District created a Comprehensive Plan, and it presents information on Antrim’s agricultural heritage. The township agricultural land designation is for areas “where agricultural activity is predominant and generally where highly productive soils are present. The purpose of the classification is to continue to promote agricultural activity, while allowing for some residential and other non-agricultural activities.”

Antrim has about 30,000 acres devoted to agriculture, which is 70 percent of its land mass. For Franklin County as a whole, 44 percent of the land is used for farming.

The county has somewhere in the number of 1,600 farms, and is second in the state in the production of milk, cattle, apples, peaches and corn for silage. And at last count, more than 120 family farms registered more than 16,500 acres in an agricultural land preservation program. The county itself has purchased agricultural conservation easements on more than 20 farms to protect the acreage for future generations.

Penn State Cooperative Extension serves Franklin County, so residents in our immediate locale also receive the benefits of the land grant college. While Extension offers programs for all ages and interests, its specialty is agriculture. Its mission in that regard is “to be a trusted agent of change, responding rapidly with researched-based solutions to challenges and opportunities.”

Educators interact with the public through hands-on sessions, research trials, newsletters, news columns (including a weekly one in the Echo Pilot), farm visits, websites (their home page is extension.psu.edu/franklin), telephone calls and publications. They are anxious to help farmers improve agricultural production.

The Extension educators focus on particular fields, includ ing integrated pest management, entomology, horticulture, 4-H youth development, tree fruit, sustainable specialty crop production, vegetables, dairy, the environment, poul-

try, composting, animal welfare, farmstead layout, family living, gardening and so much more. The first step to using their resources is just a phone call away at 717-263-9226. The physical address of the office is 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg.

The Franklin County Fair is held in July. It is held on the grounds of the Chambersburg Rod and Gun Club, Warm Spring Road. There people exhibit their best products, whether home grown, baked or assembled. Friends and neighbors gather for special events and activities throughout the week, to celebrate what is great about rural Pennsylvania. It is a time to be proud of country living. g

The Franklin County Junior Fair Board is in charge of the Baby Barnyard.

There aren’t any big box stores in the Greencastle-Antrim area, although they are just a short drive away in Hagerstown and Chambersburg.

However, that drive isn’t often neces sary because there’s not much you can’t buy right here at home.

Two large grocery stores, “dollar” stores, drug stores and home improvement centers are complemented in the community by a plethora of small businesses, selling everything from clothes and shoes to jewelry and flowers and from decorative items and furniture to coffee and soap.

Dining options also are diverse, whether you are in the mood for a fast food, homestyle, ethnic, tavern or upscale menu.

The Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce “promotes the economic growth and vitality of our community, providing the framework for member prosperity and thereby contributing to

the quality of life in our community.”

The chamber office is at 217 E. Balti more St., 717-597- 4610 and the website is greencastlepachamber.org

In 2021, the Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce formed a joint business partnership: the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance (CVBA). The partnership allows the Chambersburg and Greencastle-Antrim chambers to retain their individuality in their respective communities while fostering a stronger voice of business.

The two chambers remain governed by individual boards of directors, retain local offices and host events in their communities. In Greencastle, that includes Sidewalk Days and Heritage Christmas.

CVBA arranges business networking activities for the combined membership, delivers greater access to business resources and streamlines communication. g

Nick Searfoss trims Nick Kempen’s beard at The Dapper House on West Baltimore Street in Greencastle.

Vendors line the streets and local stores offer bargains during Sidewalk Days in Greencastle.

Echo Pilot

The Echo Pilot has been the ears and eyes of the Green castle-Antrim community for more than 170 years. While technology has had a dramatic impact, the mission of the hometown newspaper remains the same: to offer news, information and advertising exposure that is exclusive to the Greencastle-Antrim community.

The history of newspapers serving Greencastle-Antrim dates back to Sept. 19, 1849, when the first issue of the Conococheague Herald appeared under the proprietorship of Ebenezer Robin son, with J. Kelbourn and Robinson as editors.

The founders and publishers were both members of the Mormon colony, which had previously located on the McLanahan farm along the Conoco cheague Creek, west of town. Andrew Rankin, a native of Greencastle, succeeded Kilbourn and Robinson and issued the paper under the name of the Weekly Intelligencer in 1853. He was fol lowed by C.P. Martin and later by Elliott Detrich, as publishers.

In November 1855, J. W. McCrory obtained possession of the office and changed the name of the paper to the Franklin Gazette. McCrory continued the publication for two years, when B.B. Bonner, became associated with him and the new firm changed the name of the paper to The Franklin Ledger in 1857. In 1859, Conner withdrew and McCrory again became the owner. Forming a partnership with Snively Strickler, McCrory again changed the name, this time to The Pilot. “This pub lication,” wrote W.C. Kreps, “was known then and is remembered now as one of the brightest journals published in southern Pennsylvania.”

Strickler withdrew in 1861 and McCrory remained at the helm until 1864, when The Pilot passed into the hands of Robert and William Crooks. During the owner ship of the Crooks brothers William A. Reid was editor-in-chief.

In 1866, Rev. John R. Gaff purchased the paper and changed its name to the Valley Echo. After one year’s experi ence Rev. Gaff sold out to B.F. Winger, who employed M.D. Reymer as editor. Reymer was succeeded as editor in

The front page of the Echo-Pilot shows why the newspaper’s motto is ‘We have Greencastle-Antrim written all over us.’ Greencastle-Antrim news is available on the Echo-Pilot website: echo-pilot.com

1867 by Geo. E. Haller, who remained as editor until 1876, when he purchased the paper from Col. Winger. Haller contin ued as editor and publisher until 1889, when he sold it to George W. Atherton, who in turn sold it to Charles W. Gaff. Gaff sold the paper to Emmert F. Miller, who in 1893 sold it to William F. Kreps. In the same year Kreps purchased from J.H. Strine a new paper, The Pilot, which had been established in 1891 by Strine and Fred E. Palmer. Kreps consoli dated this paper with the Valley Echo, christening the consolidated paper The Echo Pilot. In reviving the name of Pilot, Kreps had in mind also the earlier Pilot, the title of which had been discarded by Rev. Gaff in 1866.

In 1901

Kreps sold The Echo Pilot to George M. Heilman and William J. Patton, who conducted it until 1908 when Patton became sole proprietor. Patton remained as editor and publisher until his death in 1925, his 17-year propri etorship having been the longest to that date in the history of the paper. On Nov. 9, 1925, the Patton estate sold The Echo Pilot to G. Fred Ziegler, who had been employed as local editor by Patton since 1922.

In 1876, Col. B.F. Winger, once owner of The Valley Echo, established another Greencastle weekly newspa per, known as the Greencastle Press

This paper was purchased in 1912 from the Winger estate by C.C. Kauffman Sr., who changed the name to Kauff man’s Progressive News. In August 1927, Kauffman sold the paper to Harry A. Grove and Warren R. Grove, who christened it the Greencastle Press and News. On Dec. 6, 1929, the Groves sold the paper to G. Fred Ziegler, publisher of The Echo Pilot, who consolidated both. Ziegler was the editor of the communi ty’s only newspaper for 47 years.

Prior to the purchase by Liberty Publishing (Gatehouse Media) in 2005, the paper was owned by Wayne and Sharon Baumbaugh for 20 years. After the Gatehouse purchase, the newspaper moved to computer-based pagination, was printed in full color for the first time and expanded to two sections. In 2014, the paper expanding to two issues per week, switching from Wednesdays to Tuesday and Thursday publication.

The Echo Pilot has also expanded into the digital world with a website (Echo Pilot.com) and Facebook. g

NEWS INFORMATION AND INQUIRIES can be directed to Shawn Hardy, associate editor, at news@echo-pilot.com.

FOR DISPLAY ADVERTISING, email Daniel Gray at sales@echo-pilot.com or call 410-810-4454.

FOR CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING, contact The Record Herald at classified@therecordherald.com

FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS, contact The Record Herald at circulation@therecordherald.com or call 888-448-5905.

G. Fred Ziegler

WRGG 93.7 FM

We are G-A” is the motto of WRGG and the station has something for everyone because that’s what community radio does.

People tuning in to 93.7 might laugh at the banter of “The Morning Show” with Greg Hoover and Mike Bock, cheer a Greencastle-Antrim High School sports team or tap their toes with Lanny Carbaugh on the “Bluegrass Connection.”

“If you really like local, it’s right here,” said Hoover, the director of operations.

Greencastle’s low-power, nonprofit FM station went on the air on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, but its radio roots go back decades, especially to Greencastle’s WKSL. That station was sold about 20 years ago and bringing radio back to Greencas tle came up periodically at reunions.

Wade Burkholder, Hoover and Ben Thomas Jr., whose father owned WKSL, were central to fostering the idea and getting WRGG on the air.

They’ve received a lot of help and support, including start ing under the umbrella of the Greencastle-Antrim Education Foundation and a grant from the Shockey Family Foundation.

“A lot of things fell into place and a lot of good people helped us,” Hoover said.

The roster of volunteers behind the microphone and behind the scenes stands at more than three dozen, some of whom have been on board since the beginning.

“We fill a niche corporate radio stations don’t fill,” said Burkholder, president of Good Companion Radio and development director for WRGG, whose wife, Linda, is finance manager and handles countless other tasks.

Good Companion was formed when, as planned from the beginning, the station became its own independent nonprofit separate from GAEF in 2018.

“We go back to a time when radio was really local. We’re hyperlocal,” said Hoover, citing high school sports, local news and live remotes for events like Old Home Week and Relay For Life. “We talk about things that are happening in Greencastle.”

That talk helps make the Morning Show popular as people tune in to hear what Hoover, Bock and a regular set of other hosts have to say. Weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m. they chat about anything and everything.

“It morphed into people sitting around taking about what’s happening,” said Hoover, who described the mornings as “entertaining and informative, with serious guests and not-so-serious guests.”

“We’ve just kind of organically grow. Programming is way beyond where we thought it would be. There’s something for everybody,” Hoover said. “That’s what community radio does.”

For more information, call 717-597-5460 or visit: wrgg.org g

Faith E

ven in an ever-changing and challenging environment for religion in the 21st century, faith in the Greencastle-An trim community runs strong and deep.

“Throughout local history, the reli gious life of the people has been an important part of community life from the first church of the Scotch-Irish Presbyterians to churches formed in recent years,” wrote William J. Conrad in “Conococheague A History of the Greencastle-Antrim Community.”

The East Conococheague Congrega tion of the Presbyterian Church is the oldest known established church in the Greencastle-Antrim community. Now located at 52 W. Baltimore St., the church was founded in 1737. A log meet ing house was built in the northeast part of Greencastle near Moss Spring where services were originally held. The first building constructed at the present location was called the “Red Meeting House” sometime between 1750 and 1767.

The second church to be established in the community was on the other side of the square. Grace United Church of Christ, now located at 122 E. Baltimore St., was founded as a German Reformed congregation in 1748. Preaching was originally done at a farm outside the then Conococheague Settlement (Greencastle). Records show Greencas tle’s founder, John Allison, drew a deed in 1786 for a tract on South Carlisle Street for the German Reformed Con gregation of Greencastle. In 1853 the church moved to the present site.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church (1775) and the Evangelical United Brethren (1797), now the First United Methodist Church, arose in the late 1700s. Services at the Lutheran parish were conducted in German until 1832. One of the oldest Sunday Schools in Franklin County originated in the Lutheran congregation.

Churches began to be established in the outskirts of the settlement with the union church (now Trinity United Church of Christ) in State Line in 1883, Middleburg United Methodist in 1843, Brown’s Mill Church of the Brethren in 1855, Montgomery Brethren in Christ

in 1863, Hades Church of the Brethren in 1869, Shank’s Church of the Brethren in 1872 and Shady Grove Church of the Brethren in 1877. Post Civil War saw the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal founded in 1867 near its present South Carlisle Street location.

The Brethren presence was strongly cemented in the area in the late 1800s with the founding of Otterbein, Ebenezer (formerly Guitner’s), Mace donia, Hollowell, Antrim, Trinity and Pleasant Hill. The first Mennonite church, Cedar Grove, was built in 1905 and the faith base of the community spread to include Roman Catholic,

Pentecostal and Baptist. The Church of the Brethren in town was founded in 1927, an era that also saw second Lutheran and Mennonite congregations, along with the rise of independent churches such as Foursquare Gospel and churches that include the names Bible and Community, and most recently Praying Time Ministries, Church of God, Crossroads, River of Life, The Life Center, and The Storehouse Community Church. There are also two Assembly of God congregations.

The Greencastle-Antrim community is also home to two regional religious destinations. The Rhodes Grove Camp and Conference Center in Kauffman has been the site of religious gatherings since 1880. In 1974, Camp Joy-El near Williamson grew out of the Children’s Bible Mission and continues to develop today as a Christian retreat center and overnight camp.

Clergy from various Greencastle-Ant rim congregations have met collectively for many years with the current organi zation called the Greencastle- Antrim Ministerium.

The Greencastle-Antrim Christian Women’s Fellowship sponsors monthly gatherings with devotions, prayer, music and speakers at the Evangelical Lutheran church. The purpose of the group is: to lift up Jesus Christ in our community; to provide settings for fellowship and inspiration; to be alert to existing needs in the community; to encourage prayer for those in need. Annually the fellowship sponsors commemoration of the National Day of Prayer in the Greencastle-Antrim community.

Pastor David Rawley played piano for the Greencastle-Antrim Ministerium’s virtual Palm Sunday service in 2021.

Local residents come together in May for National Day of Prayer.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP

ANTRIM ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 11192 Bemisderfer Road, http://100843. agchurches.org, Renee Berkey. SUNDAY: 9 a.m. - Sunday School; 10 a.m. - Morning Worship; 6:30 p.m.Evening Worship. WEDNESDAY, 6:30 p.m. - Adult Bible study.

ANTRIM BRETHREN IN CHRIST, 24 Kauffman Road, Chambersburg, Casey Hurst, pastor of congregational care; Adam Meredith, preaching and life groups pastor; Rob Gowing, pastor of worship and administration. SUNDAY: 8 a.m. - Worship in the Sanctuary; 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages; 11 am. - Worship in the Family Life Center.

BEREAN BIBLE FELLOWSHIP, South Young Road, W. Bruce Dick Jr., pastor. SUNDAY: 9:30 am. - Worship service; 7 p.m. - Worship service. WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m. - Bible study and prayer time.

BETHEL AME CHURCH, 245 5. Carlisle St., Rev. Lillie B. McMullen. SUNDAY: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. - Worship.

CEDAR GROVE MENNONITE, 12175 Williamsport Pike, Dennis Stutzman, Pastor. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - Worship. WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m.-Family Bible Study and prayer.

CHURCH OF GOD, 4480 Buchanan Trail West, Rev. Floyd E. Myers. SUNDAY: 9:30 am. - Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - Worship, 6:30 p.m. - Evangelistic Service; WEDNESDAY: 7:30 p.m. - Prayer and Bible Study.

CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, 36 S. Carlisle St., Fred Keener, pastor. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:35 a.m. - Worship service. TUESDAY: 6:30 to 8 p.m. -God’s Angels/Pioneer Club, three years of age through 12th grade.

COMMUNITY GRACE CHURCH, 5441 Buchanan Trail W., 830-2260, greencastlegbc@gmail.com. SUNDAY: 9:30 am. - Bible Fellowships for all ages; 10:30 a.m. - Worship and teacher service; 6:30 p.m. - The Flow Youth Ministry. WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m. - Prayer Encounter.

CORNERSTONE BIBLE CHURCH, 350 W. Madison St., Greencastle, www. cornerstonebiblepa.org, 717-5934615, Pastor Jeff Ehko. Main Service, 9:30 a.m.; Sunday School/ABF, 11:00 a.m.

CROSSROADS CHURCH, Pennsylvania Avenue, State Line, Walt Roberts, Pastor. SUNDAY: 8:30 a.m. - Classic Praise, 10 a.m. - The Edge 1, 11:15 a.m. - The Edge 2. www.crossroadshagerstown.org

EBENEZER UNITED BRETHREN, 3661 Williamson Road,

www.welcometoebenezer.com www.faithinfocusradio.org Pastor David Grove. SUNDAY: 9:20 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:20 a.m.Sunday Worship, Tuesday Morning Bible Study: 9:30 a.m., NITRO Youth: Wednesday Evenings: 6:30 p.m.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN, 130 N. Washington St., www.elcgreencastle. org, Rev. Martin H. Horn. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages; 10:15 a.m. - Worship (Summer at 9:30) SATURDAY: 5 p.m. - Informal Holy Communion Worship Service.

FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, 525 E. Leitersburg St., Josh Fowler, pastor. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:30 am. - Morning Worship. WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m.- Adult Bible Study, Youth Service, Children’s Ministry. * Nursery provided for all services

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 45 N. Washington Dr. John Irwin, Pastor. fumcgreencastle.orgTraditional Service at 9 am. Contemporary Service at 11 am Sunday school for all ages at 10 am Aftershock Youth Group Sunday evenings starting at 6:30 from Sept-May

GRACE BIBLE CHURCH, 2327 Hoffman Road, Spencer Smith, pastor and youth pastor. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. –Morning Worship, Nursery, Preschool, Junior Church, 10:45 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages, 6 p.m. – Evening Worship. WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m. – Family Night, classes for all ages.

GRACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 128 E. Baltimore St., Rev. Mark Ruzicka. Blended Worship, 10:00 a.m.

GREENCASTLE BAPTIST (SBC), 2377 Buchanan Trail West, 1.4 miles west of Greencastle on Rt. 16. SUNDAY: 9:40 a.m. Sunday School for all ages; 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship, Nursery, Pre-school and Children’s Church; WEDNESDAY: 7 p.m. Prayer meeting. (Business meeting second Wed. of month.)

GREENCASTLE FOURSQUARE GOSPEL, 236 Tyrone St., Pastor: Harry Miller, Sr. SUNDAY MORNING: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - Worship/Sermon. WEDNESDAY NIGHT: 7 p.m. - Classes for Adults, Teens, Kids @ 7 p.m. Live on Facebook on Greencastle Foursquare Church page every Sunday @ 10:30 a.m.

GREENCASTLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 57 W. Baltimore St., 717-597-8333, www.visitgpc.com, Rev. Dr. Robert Cook, interim pastor. Worship Service, Holy Communion first Sunday of the month, 10 a.m., live-streamed on YouTube, followed by coffee and fellowship; Youth Group, 6 p.m.; Prayer Group, 9 a.m. Wednesday; Daily reflection on Facebook by Rev. Dr. Cook.

HOLLOWELL BRETHREN IN CHRIST, 14807 HoIlowell Church Road, Pastor Blaine A. Lougheed. SUNDAY: 8:45 a.m. - Christian Education Hour, 10 a.m. - Worship and Celebration. WEDNESDAY: 6:30 p.m. - Kid’s Klub Night; 7 p.m. - Youth Group for Jr. and Sr. High.

MACEDONIA UNITED BRETHREN, 11887 Worleytown Road, Pastor

Brian Black SUNDAY: 9 a.m. - Sunday School, 9 a.m. - Worship- 10:00 a.m.

OTTERBEIN UNITED BRETHREN, Leitersburg Street, Rev. David S. Rawley. SUNDAY: 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. - Worship services, 9:50 a.m. - Sunday School.

PLEASANT HILL UNITED BRETHREN, 3664 Coseytown Road, Pastor Douglas Sandman. SUNDAY: 9 a.m. - Early Worship Service, Little Carpenters Ages 2 to pre-kind., Promise Builders Kindergarten - fifth-grade; 10:10 a.m. - Gathering of Disciples (Sunday School) for all ages; 11 a.m. - Pursuit 153 Service (Light refreshments), Pursuit 153 kids (Bible Explorers); Nursery provided for infants to age 2 from 9 to noon ; 6 to 8 p.m. - Pursuit 153 Youth. Several small groups and Bible studies meet throughout the week. Listen on line at www.phubc.org

PRAYING TIME MINISTRIES CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST, 300 S. Carlisle St., Pastors Carl and Cloretta Grice. SUNDAY: 8 - 9:30 a.m. - Morning Manna, 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 11 a.m. - Worship service, 6 - 7 p.m. - Praise and Healing Service (second and fourth Sundays), 5 p.m. - WJAL-TV broadcast (first and third Sundays). TUESDAY: 7 p.m. - Prayer and Bible Study. FRIDAY: 7 p.m. - Prayer and Bible Study.

RIVER OF LIFE MINISTRIES, 842 S. Washington St., Pastor Jeff Rankin. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:10 a.m. - Worship service.

SALEM RIDGE COMMUNITY, Pensinger Road, Pastor Brian Emery, SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - Worship.

SHANK’S CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN, Shank’s Church Road, John Shelly, Moderator. SUNDAY: 9:30 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:30 a.m. - Worship.

STATE LINE UNITED METHODIST, 287 East Ave., Ruth Hollister is our Pastor. SUNDAY: 9 a.m. - Sunday School, 10:15 a.m.-Worship Service. Statelineumchurch@gmail.com

ST. MARK the EVANGELIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 385 S. Ridge Ave., Father Walter Guzaman. MONDAY through FRIDAY: 9 a.m. - Daily Mass. SATURDAY: 5 p.m. - Mass. SUNDAY: 8:30 a.m. - Mass.

THE LIFE CENTER, North Carlisle Street, David and Cathy Pence, pastors. SUNDAY: 10 a.m. - Worship.

THE STOREHOUSE COMMUNITY CHURCH, 3845 Buchanan Trail West, John Bartlett, pastor. SUNDAY: 10 a.m. - Worship Service, 11:15 a.m. Learning Groups/Sunday School. (Nursery & children’s classes provided both times.)

For more details, visit www.exploreshc.com

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1186 Jason Drive, Rev. Barbara Barry. Worship, 10 a.m., Service also available on Facebook Live and later downloaded to tlcgreencastle.org and YouTube.

TRINITY UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, State Line, 597-0585, Irene Pouliet, pastor. SUNDAY: 9 a.m. - Worship, 10 a.m. - Sunday School.

Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library

The Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library is located at 305 E. Baltimore St. in Greencastle.

Greencastle is home to a vibrant library, which is busy every hour it is open. The Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library at 305 E. Baltimore St. was gifted to the community by Calvin Besore in memory of his mother. He established a trust fund for “A Friendly Library in a Friendly Town.” It was built in 1963, to replace the circulating library which was headquartered downtown.

Besore is dedicated to growing and developing its services right along with the growth and development in Green castle. While the shelves are filled with books, the library these days offers so much more — movies and audio books, computers for public use, meeting rooms, test proctoring by appointment, research assistance, community service opportunities, local history resources, and programming for all ages.

The library also has a unique respon sibility. It accepts applications for passports, as an official U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility. The service helps with fundraising, since $25 of each applications stays with Besore, and is used for new book purchases and programming.

Besore is part of the Franklin County Library System. As such, the main office in Chambersburg develops a master plan that supports community libraries. It keeps abreast of new technologies and seeks funding to keep its six branches viable. It also dedicates its resources to meeting the needs of patrons in tradi tional and ever-changing ways. It also takes care of materials, programming and staff salaries.

Literacy is always of prime importance so Story Time for youngsters is on the calendar weekly at the Greencastle library. Besore also hosts a book club, computer training, current list of fiction and non-fiction bestsellers, a read-todogs night, and out-of-the-box activities such as craft night, a chess club, a knitting club, and other special interest sessions. Call 717-597-7920 to find out what’s going on.

The library is a community center, and at any time of day casual visitors may be surprised at how many people are in the facility. Patrons may be reading a newspaper with a cup of coffee in hand, browsing the bookshelves, or surfing the internet.

During the warmer months, library

programs can now move outdoors thanks to a recent courtyard project. Dedicated during Old Home Week 2019, the courtyard has a small stone amphitheater along South Ridge Avenue surrounded by green space. A brick wall topped with a wrought-iron look borders the courtyard, which also features a raised grassy area forming a small stage on the east side. The project also expanded the parking area to better accommodate library patrons.

Greencastle also is home to numer ous Little Free Libraries. The Little Free Libraries are made possible by the Greencastle-Antrim School District’s Literacy Task Force. Community mem bers are encouraged to visit the Little Free Libraries and “Take a Book, Return a Book!” Locations include the Jerome R. King Playground, True Value on South Washington Street, in the lobby of Blue Heron Events Center on South Wash ington Street, outside the shop on East Baltimore Street, outside the Presbyte rian Church on West Baltimore Street in the lounge at Antrim Way Honda on South Antrim Way and across from Greencastle-Antrim High School on South Washington Street. g

Old Home Week. Those three words have so much meaning to folks connected to the Greencastle-Antrim community. The triennial celebration founded at the beginning of the 20th century continues to grow and is a cherished and vibrant event eagerly embraced by thousands well into the 21st century.

Hot weather and good times greeted those who enjoyed the 41st Triennial Old Home Week in August 2022. With the red, white and blue banners that covered the town put away until 2025, those new and established in the area may find the origins of the homecoming event interesting.

In September 1901, Professor Philip E. Baer, then a noted concert singer, wrote to local papers suggesting that an “Old Boys’ Reunion” be held Aug. 10 through 20, 1902. In another letter, dated April 3, 1902, Baer suggested a program for the gathering. The date originally suggested was changed to Aug. 8 of that year, and at that time between 50 and 60 “old

E. Baer

boys” arrived for the big affair.

The first year’s reunion program included a tour of the town, a chicken dinner in the old town hall, a picnic along the Conococheague Creek, a minstrel show and speeches and band concerts from a platform erected in the Public Square. The committee in charge

included E.E. Davison, chairman, T.M. Goetz, Pitt F. Carl, Leander V. Brendle, C.C. Kauffman, George Ilginfritz, W.C. Kreps, R.C. Prather, William J. Patton, H.E. Petrie, James Shirey, George S. Heck, H.K. Schafhirt, J. Adam Carl and John H. Hostetter.

That first parade included an invita tion for all to join in following the Junior Band as the walk was made around the town’s streets. The procession included residents of the town, “the old Rescue fire engine, over whose brakes so many of the visitors have sweated in former days,” and other town organizations. Prof. Baer was the marshal of the parade.

The banquet included a “tempting spread” arranged for by the Hon. Wm. C. Kreps who would act as toastmaster. Following the banquet, the remainder of the evening would be spent in the hall with brief speeches made by a number of visitors.

The picnic, stag, would include a number of athletic events including a baseball game between the town

More than 2,000 people gather on Center Square for the official Old Home Week picture.

Philip

team and a team of visitors. Scheduled to play were Alf Talhelm, catcher on the old “Peculiar” team; A.E. Shirey, pitcher for the same team; Francis Skeggs, catcher for the old “Red Star” team; Frank Lear, Ed Shillito and Al Appenzellar, of the same team; Harry Appenzellar of the Kangaroos, and “King” Pittinger, of the Boston National League team.

The first reunion proved to be such a complete success, that it was decided to hold another in 1905, and the custom of a triennial reunion was established.

That first gathering was entirely male, however, the second included women, and the third, held in 1908, was extended to include all former resi dents of Antrim Township as well as the Borough of Greencastle. A reunion of the 126th Regiment of Pennsylvania Volunteers of the Civil War was held in connection with the 1908 Old Home Week.

The fourth triennial, the largest and most successful to date, began with an opening program on Saturday, a parade and a union church service, held for the first time. Monday eve ning there was a reception in the town hall on the corner of South Washing ton and East Baltimore streets, and vaudeville performances were given on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings on the Square.

Burgess J.R. Metcalf presided on Wednesday morning at a public meet ing on the schoolhouse grounds at the corner of South Washington and East Franklin streets, when 10-minute addresses were delivered by Watson R.Davison, the Rev. Jacob L. Diehl, John D. Degolly, Joseph R. Conrad and Philip E. Baer. Band concerts, a picnic, a smoker and firemen’s reunion were other features of that year’s program.

In the course of the 1920 reunion, the old boys, who, since 1911, had been working in more or less unorga nized fashion, decided that Old Home Week was worthy of perpetuation and organized the Greencastle-Antrim Old Home Week Association with J. Gilmore Fletcher as president. The wisdom of this policy was shown by the tremen dous success of the triennials that followed.

Prior to 1911, it had been the custom of the town to meet all expenses of the celebrations. The 1911 program proved somewhat of a burden on the commu nity and, in a letter written in 1914 by John M. Easton, it was suggested the old boys themselves take charge of the triennial. As a first act as an organi zation, the leaders of the Association presented and dedicated a memorial fountain that would be located on the southeast section of the Public Square. (It is now found near the ball field at the playground.)

The 1923 celebration, over which Fletcher again presided, marked the dedication of the Jerome R. King play ground, a gift to the town from David D. King in memory of his brother.

In 1932 the sesquicentennial of the Borough of Greencastle was celebrated in connection with the 11th triennial Old Home Week. In 1938, a pageant was introduced for the first time and proved

a popular addition to the program - it has been part of the plans ever since.

The 1941 Old Home Week included an addition to the playground, a gift of land from Mrs. W.D. Nelson, enlarging the now 95-year-old park area.

The 1944 celebration, as the 1917 triennial, was marred by a world war. The reception and dance usually held on Monday were advanced to Saturday so that a few of the visiting service men and women, who might be in town for the weekend, could attend.

Every three years since, the schedule of activities has grown. Tours of the town and township are planned, a pag eant written and rehearsed, a parade route set, reunions slated and activities for all ages promoted. More than 100 years of cleaning and painting, welcom ing friends and family and reminiscing, highlight Greencastle- Antrim’s tradi tion of Old Home Week.

Get ready for August 2025. g

The USA Day Committee saluted Greencastle-Antrim’s Hometown Heroes in the Old Home Week parade.

Parks & Recreation

When it comes time for outdoor fun, there are lots of options in the Greencastle-Antrim area, whether your idea of recreation is taking a nice long walk, hitting a few balls or just sitting on a bench enjoying the fresh air.

JEROME R. KING

PLAYGROUND

Due to generous donors, Greencas tle has a community park that is not maintained with tax dollars, but offers a large parcel of land for many types of recreation. The Jerome R. King Play ground is located at 240 N. Carlisle St., with its origins dating to 1922 when David D. King, a Greencastle native living in Chicago at the time, gave the little town $5,000 in memory of his brother Jerome. The idea he had was to develop a playground for the children of the community. This generous donation was used to purchase five acres of land and with additional donations from residents a play area was ready for the 1923 Old Home Week celebration.

In 1941 Jesse McLanahan Nelson donated a wooded plot of land just south of the original playground as a tribute to her son Daniel. This area quickly became a favorite picnic area for the community and in 1946 a large rustic pavilion was constructed and named after the family. In this immedi ate area a band shell was constructed in 1956 as a memorial to the veterans of the Greencastle-Antrim community.

Another expansion of the playground occurred in 1962 as land to the north of the original five acres was purchased with funds donated by Mrs. Frances Winger Davison as a memorial to her late husband William R. Davison Esq. On this tract of land Mrs. Jesse Spiel man Omwake donated funds to erect a large picnic pavilion in memory of, and named for, her late husband J. Edward Omwake, who served as the fifth presi dent of the playground.

The final acquisition came in 1973 with the purchase of approximately two acres of land next to the Edwin Bittner Bridge that connects to U.S. 11. This land was purchased from Penn Central

Corp. with public donations and a grant from Greencastle Borough Council.

Today the Jerome R. King Playground is comprised of 15 acres, with three large picnic pavilions, three separate children’s play areas, newly renovated tennis courts, basketball courts, softball field and the original baseball diamond. The playground is open year-round from dawn to dusk, but people can stay later for scheduled events, such as the new movie series, which drew an aver age of 225 people to the park on three nights in the summer of 2022.

Barkdoll Field is part of the original five-acre playground. In 1999 it was named after Charles “Whitey” Bark doll, who was active in Greencastle baseball his whole life, and for many years served in various capacities on the playground board. The field is home to the American Legion Post 373 team, GABSA senior league and other area

organized baseball teams. It also is host to the OHW old-timers game and various weekend baseball tournaments. The iconic wooden grandstand provides shade from the sun as spectators enjoy America’s favorite pastime.

The playground is managed by the Jerome R. King Playground Associa tion, a small group of volunteers that maintains, makes improvements and additions to the playground.

It seeks to provide a safe, clean and welcoming environment for family picnics, athletic events, children’s play time and traditional get-togethers for the residents of Greencastle, Antrim Township and outlying communities. The playground is in walking distance for many people, and a short drive for the rest. There is something for every one, absolutely free.

Anyone interested in reserving a pavilion may call 717-597-8648. As a

Jerome R. King Playground is within walking distance for people who live in Greencastle.

Parks & Recreation

reminder, the association sends out an annual spring fundraising appeal but donations are welcome at any time as this serves as the primary source of income to keep the playground a beauti ful recreational asset to the community.

ANTRIM TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY PARK

Antrim Township Community Park (ATCP) is the largest of three parks in the township. It is located on Grant Shook Road with 136 acres of open space.

Since the land purchase in 1999, the board of supervisors has worked hard to develop the land into a park for people with many recreational interests. The work was completed in phases, using township money and grants.

The park features paved walking and biking paths, playground equipment, trails to the nearby Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge Park, pavilions, soccer/multi-use fields, softball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts. An access road runs through the entire park, and multiple parking lots have been installed. Woods line two sides of the park to remind visi tors of the rural setting.

A most unusual feature of ATCP is Whispering Falls Disc Golf Course. The 717 Flying Disc Club (named after the area code) proposed the idea in 2006, and was actively involved in its cre ation. It has 27 holes winding through the wooded area, and players of all abilities are encouraged to try the sport. The goal is to land a flying disc, slightly more high-tech than a Frisbee, into bas kets perched on poles. The club hosts tournaments and draws large crowds to Antrim Township each year.

A popular feature is the dog park, which has separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.

The park is open from 8 a.m. until sunset.

The fields and pavilions may be reserved for a fee by filling out a form, which is available at the township office at 10655 Antrim Church Road, or online at www.twp.antrim.pa.us.

Antrim has a park committee which analyzes needs and makes recommen dations for features and improvements.

Martin’s Mill Covered Bridge, built in 1849 over the Conococheague Creek, was restored in 1965. In 1972, the bridge was severely damaged by Hurricane Agnes and, once again, rebuilt.

A parks director manages Antrim’s parks. Part-time employees open and close the park, and do some mowing.

In addition to the Antrim Township Community Park and nearby Martin’s Mill Bridge Park, the township also owns Enoch Brown Park.

Located as the site of the 1764 mas sacre of schoolmaster Enoch Brown and 10 of his students, the park features a common grave and monument in their memory. Its 3 quiet, wooded acres are improved with walking trails, play equipment and a pavilion.

OUT AND ABOUT

Recreation is important for people of all ages. The Greencastle-Antrim community has several outlets for play, both serious and amateur. People may participate in many activities through out the year.

Summer is a popular time to exercise by having fun. Swimming is one such outlet. The Moss Spring swimming pool is for members only, but they are allowed to bring guests. Anyone inter ested in purchasing a membership may leave their name at the pool. The season runs from Memorial Day weekend

through Labor Day weekend.

Lakes are in short supply in the immediate area, but many people don’t think twice about running up to Cowans Gap for an afternoon of swimming and lounging. The manmade lake of 42 acres was built by the Civilian Conser vation Corps during the Depression, and has been a respite on hot summer days ever since.

Closer to home, rafting, kayaking and tubing on the east branch of the Cono cocheague Creek in Antrim Township are a popular warm-weather activity. Locally, the Conococheague in known as “the Jig” and floating the Jig” is a summertime rite of passage.

Greencastle Golf Club is a 200-acre, 18-hole golf course with a Par 72 layout on 6,900 yards. It may be a difficult course for some, with lakes and ponds on 10 holes, but avid golfers love the challenge. With Pennsylvania weather, the course is open year round. There are a number of other golf courses nearby, including Whitetail near Mercers burg, which is just down the road from Whitetail Ski Resort for winter fun.

The young are not neglected as far as sports opportunities. Youth athletic leagues are sponsored by community organizations, with soccer, baseball, softball and football in particular reach ing many boys and girls. The sports are played on school property or at area parks or on private fields.

Parents volunteer as coaches, help with fundraisers, and transport their kids to practice and games. The activi ties develop early skills for the players, and the programs feed the high school teams.

People who put the rubber to the road have many chances to compete in fun runs or walks. Various organizations sponsor events, usually to raise money, but athletes register for the love of the sport. The Greencastle Flyers Turkey Trot in November attracts 500 people for a 5K run and a 1K kids race and the Kaley Run in August has been going on for 30 years.

And as always, people can just stroll through their neighborhoods or care fully along country roads, taking in the scenery as they get in some exercise. g

Community Snapshots

Old Home Week Paint in the Park

Tree-lighting ceremony

Memorial Day

Greencastle Lions Club Easter egg hunt

Greencastle-Antrim High School commencement