Monday, January 16, 2023

Columbia caps 4-day basketball-fest with victory over Harrisburg in Hoops for Harmony event in Chambersburg

CHAMBERSBURG — Another day, another game for Columbia's girls basketball team, which has had quite the journey the last four days.

It all started Thursday with a road victory at Annville-Cleona, and continued Friday at home with a grudge-match setback against Lancaster Catholic. Saturday and Sunday, the Crimson Tide gassed up multiple vehicles — more on that in a second — and made back-to-back treks to Franklin County to play in the Hoops for Harmony event at Chambersburg.

After topping District 5 heavyweight Berlin Brothersvalley Saturday morning — just a couple of hours after falling to Lancaster Catholic the night before — Columbia wrapped up its four-day hoops extravaganza here Sunday afternoon with a convincing 61-30 win over longtime D3-6A contender Harrisburg.
MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/girlsbasketball/columbia-caps-4-day-basketball-fest-with-victory-over-harrisburg-in-hoops-for-harmony-event/article_b8fb53ae-951f-11ed-a848-bb85539ab85c.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

On this Day in History: Lancaster prints its first newspaper under the guidance of Benjamin Franklin – Uncharted Lancaster


Examining Lancaster County’s role in the Underground Railroad [column]

Some sources maintain that the term "Underground Railroad" was coined here by a person sent to capture a freedom-seeker; that person discovered that his quarry had disappeared as if on an "underground railway." (Note: The railroad was not established in our area until the 1830s and freedom-seekers passed through here at least two generations before that date.)

Wilbur H. Siebert, the first professional historian to research the topic, establishes a link to our area by repeating the narrative developed in 1883 by Robert C. Smedley in his book ("History of the Underground Railroad in Chester and the Neighboring Counties of Pennsylvania"). Smedley's book, in turn, likely drew on essays penned by local historian Samuel Evans in 1870. All of these early sources identify Columbia as the major entry point to the Northern states for freedom-seekers.

The reason why Columbia was so important is self-evident when one considers that before the Civil War, Columbia had the largest Black urban population in Lancaster County.

Seeking anonymity, freedom-seekers would naturally congregate in areas where there were others who resembled them. Also, a large number of Black Columbia residents were originally from the South: Between 1819 and 1822, Columbia's Black population of fewer than 30 inhabitants was reinforced by 156 emancipated individuals from Virginia plantations.

These new arrivals not only created a community for themselves by starting businesses and erecting churches, they also provided assistance to other members of their race seeking freedom.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/opinion/columnists/examining-lancaster-county-s-role-in-the-underground-railroad-column/article_80f4c8ce-92a8-11ed-beca-abb994da2eff.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Sunday, January 15, 2023

About Town - January 15, 2023

Recent photos of Columbia

(Click/tap on photos to see larger, sharper images.)


Keeping time on South 8th

Angel decked out for winter

Dead End at Shawnee Avenue

A two-family dwelling, pole barn, and septic tank at 3 Shawnee Avenue were demolished recently. Council voted unanimously last November to authorize the demolition, as Columbia Spy reported HERE.

Market magnet at North 3rd & Chestnut

A recently placed granite base at the Columbia Water Company, awaiting a plaque - or maybe a notice of a rate increase to pay for the water intake project (shown below):


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Pokémon Gallery on Union

Signs of gentrification on Union

It was cold this weekend.

Stater cruising through.

Awakened Properties LLC is requesting variance(s)/special exception(s) to use 732 Chestnut Street as a short-term rental. The issue will be considered at the January 25, 2023 Zoning Hearing Board meeting, as explained below:


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Insulated glass?

Steve Shetter of Total Exterminating Services, 30 North 4th Street has noticed that some residents leave mattresses outside. He said that those who do so should cut them, as well as any upholstered furniture, to discourage others from using them and spreading any possible insect infestation.


What's going on at the site of the former Twin Oaks Swimming Pool?

According to public records, Ryan W. Koser and Erin E. Koser purchased the 3.6-acre property in February 2022 for $120,000. 

Records also show that a single-family dwelling is planned for the site.



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Spools of wire seem to be popping up everywhere lately.

Backhoe ready to dig in front of the Masonic Center

Brett Miller replaces "Do-Nothing Dave" Hickernell as our PA State Representative, since Columbia, which was part of the gerrymandered 98th Legislative District, became part the gerrymandered 41st Legislative District due to redistricting. Miller is scheduled to appear at the January 24 Columbia Borough Council meeting, where there's sure to be a lot of glad-handing.

Here's his office's schedule and contact info.


What looks like an alien life form is just tree fungus at River Park.

The 9th Street entrance to Holy Trinity Cemetery was locked recently.

Yet another spool

DO NOT REMOVE DATA SHEETS INSIDE
(The ones right there out in the open.)

When you don't have a chock, just use a roll of wire.

What could go wrong?

Huh?

This drain pipe at Columbia River Park is part of an upcoming renovation project.

More barrels at the old airfield

No worries, it's just White Grape Juice Concentrate (?)

They're definitely not the barrels the mayor said are buried (along with medical records) on the property.

Not a good idea to breathe here.


Saturday, January 14, 2023

Theft of funds from West Chester Borough Parking department | West Chester Police Department

History of Columbia: 1795 William Wright Mansion – Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County

30 South 2nd Street
1795

In 1795, William Wright, financier of the first bridge across the Susquehanna and grandson of one of the founders of the community of Columbia, built a mansion next to his aunt, Susanna Wright's home, the Wright's Ferry Mansion. Both of these residences originally faced the Susquehanna River but as the town developed, the back became the front.

MORE:

https://hptrust.org/history-of-columbia-1795-william-wright-mansion/ 

Look what the Columbia Public Library did in 2022!