COLUMBIA SPY

The Department of Environmental Protection is asking residents of Lancaster County to do the following simple activities to reduce mosquito activity in their area: Dispose of cans, buckets, plastic containers, ceramic pots, or similar containers that hold water. Property dispose of discarded tires that can collect water.  Stagnant water is where most mosquitoes breed. Drill holes in the bottom of outdoor recycling containers. Have clogged roof gutters cleaned every year as the leaves from surrounding trees have a tendency to plug drains. Turn over wheelbarrows and plastic wading pools when not in use and don’t let water stagnate in birdbaths. Aerate ornamental pools or stock them with fish. Clean and chlorinate swimming pools not in use and remove any water that may collect on pool covers. Wear insect repellant during times of mosquito activity.  Aedes mosquitoes are active during daylight hours. Keep doors and windows tightly closed, or ensure that screens do no...

Dozens of area firefighters, EMS, and QRS personnel gathered at St. Paul's Episcopal Church this morning to pay their last respects and bid farewell to Joe Mohr, who passed away on August 20.  Joseph Michael Mohr was the Conoy Township Emergency Management Coordinator and previously served on the Standards Committee for new fire apparatus. Most recently, he worked at Masonic Village as a switchboard operator. His obituary is HERE .

Underground Hotel brought its brand of classic rock to Locust Street Park on Fourth Friday to the delight of hundreds present. The band performed for about an hour and a half, belting out favorites from the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s. Dave Grubb filled in for ailing lead guitarist Syd Bridgett, for whom vocalist Kevin Newcomer requested thoughts and prayers. Columbia's Kevin Newcomer   Bassist Rick Bender  Drummer Bill Swingler  Guitarist Dave Grubb Audience members listened intently to the sounds of Underground Hotel:

Columbia Spy is privileged to publish several articles by Columbia native Mike Clark, with permission of the author. The essays were previously published in The Globe Leader and 50-plus Senior News and will continue to be reprinted in the Spy over the next few weeks. It's Over So Soon By Mike Clark By now, most of us are back to our routine day to day. The Christmas tree stands lifeless in the corner of the room where, just days ago, it was imbued with a certain seasonal magic—a magic especially obvious at night when its lights glowed warmly, and the bright, shiny ornaments reflected the illumination in a colorful palette of red, green, blue, silver, and gold throughout the room. The electrical plug now droops over a bottom branch. Nobody notices; the lights remain cold. The tree has seen its best days, done its holiday duty, and will soon be stripped of its finery. The township mulch pile is the next stop for some trees. Others will be placed in giant bags and placed ...