Workers take down dying tree at Mount Bethel

Workers from Doug's Tree Service spent the afternoon sawing apart a rotted tree at Mount Bethel Cemetery. A few weeks ago, a large limb fell from the aging tree. Also on scene was a 120-foot crane from Bob's Crane. At $200 an hour, the crane allowed workers to reach extreme high points of the tree. A representative of the cemetery reckoned the tree's age to be about 100 years old. The bill from Doug's Tree Service is estimated at $1,900, in addition to costs of operating the crane. Several trees have been removed from the cemetery within the past year due to rot and storm damage.

Hundreds say good-bye to Mary Loreto

Cars line Union Street next to Saint Peters Catholic Church this morning.

Hundreds paid their last respects today to Mary Loreto, who passed away last Wednesday at the age of 91. A Mass of Christian Burial with five concelebrants was held at Saint Peter's Catholic Church this morning. Mrs. Loreto was buried at Saint Peters Catholic Cemetery on Old Chickies Hill Road.

River Town Hops rescheduled to next year

The Executive Committee for the Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce has conferred with local brewers and due to recent staff changes, everyone has decided that it is best to reschedule the River Town Hops event from August 5, 2017 to August 4, 2018.

Fire Safety program at Park School playground Monday, July 24

McGinness property to be discussed at special meeting

Columbia Borough Council will hold a special meeting to determine whether to move forward with acquiring real estate pursuant to an Agreement of Sale executed by and between the Borough and Peggy A. Knoll and James G. McGinness, Trustees, on Monday, July 24, 2017 at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers of the Municipal Building, 308 Locust Street, Columbia.

About Town

Recent pics from around town . . .

 Flags waving at the Catholic War Vets

 Sunlit moon flower

Lilies

 Nag, nag, nag!

 Sundial at Laurel Hill Cemetery

The quote, “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be..." is by English poet Robert Browning.

 Another view

 Apparently, the bar that the bird is supporting is called a "gnomon."

 Someone's been sitting at the window too long.

 Nasty habit, that! 

Littering, that is.

Even when it's placed in a baggie first.

Or thrown into a tree grate.

 We're ready for our closeup, Mr. DeMille.

 These juvenile black vultures were sitting on a condemned building in the 500 block of Avenue H. 

Seems fitting.

 Weather-seasoned outdoor sofa on the 100 block of Locust

 Really?!

 Take a closer look.

This is what's supporting the overhang?

At Columbia River Park - parking for vehicles with trailers only.

 Strictly enforced

 Yes really

 Hornet's nest on the 300 block of Walnut.

Don't stir it up.

 Horse galloping on the wind

 New OPEN flag at the municipal building

 There are plans for this building in the 600 block of Avenue H.

The owner hopes to put in 10 storage units on the first floor.

 Vehicles will need to back in here from the alley.

 There won't be any storage units on the second floor.

The matter will be discussed further at this week's meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board on Wednesday, July 26, at 7 p.m.

 Weed City USA?

 Painting the town - or at least a small part of it.

 L. Weber & Sons painting 462 Chestnut Street

Way up in there

 The remains of the night

 Maybe the sumac leaves help catch the signal, thus strengthening it.

 The message here?

 Bee-lieve you me, he got the point!

 More middle school modernism

 Sidewalk stove at Bootleg Antiques

It's a Keeley!

The Keeley Stove factory was opened in Columbia in February of 1883. By 1888, the company was producing 20,000 stoves per year. It survived until 1948.

 How about just until 2 a.m.?

Bicycle - minus the other wheel and handle bars

Overheard bit of conversation on the 400 block of Locust Street on Friday, July 21:

"At night time when the bed bugs come out you see 'em - like roaches."

Water main break at Columbia nursing home, 50-60 residents evacuated

BREAKING NEWS...SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 23, 2017 - FROM WGAL-TV: WATER MAIN BREAK AT SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER. 50-60 RESIDENTS EVACUATED, TRANSFERRED TO SPRING CREEK REHABILITATION AND HEALTH CARE CENTER, HARRISBURG