About Town - January 22, 2023

 Recent photos of Columbia

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

Rockin' out

A fire in the east?

No, just heavenly histrionics at sunrise last Tuesday.

The infamous Twisted Tea of video fame

Underside of last week's tree fungus

Big ball of concrete

At the former Poplar Street School

Don't even think of trespassing or loitering here.

Snake trap?

Yup, that's what is says.

DANGER: MAY CONTAIN LIVE SNAKES INSIDE!!!

Multi-colored flags

Star bolts to tighten the brick wall

Hopefully, it gets good reception.

This will never go flat.

N. Second River Rot . . . ?

So that's where the City No1 Inlet is.

(North 2nd & Chestnut)

For Sale

Check your energy.

NOW ENROLLING

Just around the corner

This emaciated Cupid apparently could use some Valentine's Day candy.

Lot at 750 South 9th that's in the process of being sold

Here's the info:

Holy Trinity Parish Hall

Someone put ruts in the grass

Someone laid rubber in the parking lot.

Someone did donuts.

To report suspicious activity . . .

Fenced-in fence

Puddle Alley

Looking down 4th Street towards Poplar Street, where that hedge continues to block the line of sight.

Empty mortgage office - Was it foreclosed on?

Moonlight catcher

Gentrification numbers

Is home ownership on the way out?

Entrance at the former Eichhorn's

At the Haitian Maranatha Church on Locust

A detail of the building

Flowers in the window

Air conditioner in an ex-window

Siamese on 2nd

Chipped steps

Social Security statement deliberately ripped to shreds at the North 5th & Chestnut clock plaza.

Off-center yet centered

Forgotten scarf

Almost not here

Dead leaves and fur

Toxic

CHEM-TEX

New to town

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their beer deliveries.”

Pizza and beer

Another detail from the Poplar Street Shcool

Another look at that house across the river

Lights

More landlords should post their contact info like this.

At least that old couch is good for something.

Hawk surveying Columbia River Park Saturday morning

Columbia outlasts Eastern York in Battle of the Bridge | ABC27

https://www.abc27.com/sports/local-sports/columbia-outlasts-eastern-york-in-battle-of-the-bridge/ 

Daezjon Giles, aka Tookie, helps Columbia run past Lancaster Mennonite in boys basketball

Tookie is a jack-of-all-trades on the court. He's a 6-foot-2 forward who plays like a guard. The senior's versatile skills were on display when Columbia ran past Lancaster Mennonite 66-41 in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Four game at the Tide's Kreiser Gym on Friday night.

MORE:

https://lancasteronline.com/sports/highschool/boysbasketball/daezjon-giles-aka-tookie-helps-columbia-run-past-lancaster-mennonite-in-boys-basketball/article_5eb39bb6-9940-11ed-a594-671580a94c21.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share 

Pa. police department says scammers are spoofing their number

"The NLCRPD main phone number of 717-733-0965 has again been spoofed by scammers calling out of the Texas or southern state areas. Remember, if the NLCRPD is trying to reach you by phone the police officer will clearly identify themselves and be able to provide very specific reasons for the call. If you receive a scam call using our phone number, feel free to report it to us at the number above or you may call the county non-emergency dispatch center at 717-664-1180 to request to speak with an officer."

MORE:

https://www.wgal.com/article/northern-lancaster-county-regional-police-department-scam-warning/42589023 

Columbia Public Library Finishes 2022 with Encouraging Numbers - Year-over-year stats underscore post-pandemic strength and success

(Columbia, PA — January 23, 2023) The value, impact and health of a small-town public library can easily be overlooked when there is so much more to occupy our day-to-day thinking. Rarely do we stop to consider who uses a library, how they use it, and how often it is used—especially at a time when libraries “compete” with so many sources of information and entertainment. Which is why, at a time when thousands of libraries in America are struggling to remain relevant (and in some cases open), the success story of the Columbia Public Library is one worth telling.

The number of library members rose by an impressive 9% in 2022 to more than 5,000—healthy growth by any measure. However, the manner in which the local community utilized library resources in 2022 was truly impressive:

• 26,493 people visited the Columbia Public Library in 2022…an increase of 39% over 2021.

• 10,980 library patrons borrowed 46,760 items in 2022…up 19% and 22%, respectively, over 2021.

• 10,688 children and adults attended community programs and events…56% more than in 2021.

“Given the dedication of our staff, the range of our services, and the flexibility that enables us to respond to emerging trends and challenges, we know we make a positive impact,” says board President Steve Sherk. “However, sometimes that impact can be difficult to quantify. I think these numbers not only underscore our value to the community, they also tell you that Columbia is a place where people understand the value of a resource like the library.”

Library Administrator Lisa Greybill says that the library’s electronic footprint also proved to be a vital engagement tool.

“We circulated over 4,167 ebooks last year”, Greybill reports, “and more than 5,000 library visitors utilized our wifi and computers. Our webpage, columbiapubliclibrary.org, had 20,725 visits in 2022, and the total number of its page views was more than 35,000. Folks of all ages are embracing technology and the library is evolving to keep up with that trend.”

Roughly a quarter of the funding required to run the Columbia Public Library comes from state, county and municipal sources. The rest is supplied by local businesses, charitable organizations and personal donations, as well as the fundraising efforts of library staff and volunteers.

“We are able to do what we do—and do it well—because people have been incredibly caring and generous with their money and time,” Sherk confirms. “People understand that the nature and function of the small-town library is changing all over America. It is no longer just a place where you check out a book. Years ago, we recognized our role in the future of Columbia would be as a community resource. That means different things to different people, which is why we work so hard to provide something of real value to everyone.”

[Source: Columbia Public Library]

Land Bank issues RFBs for demolition of two South 5th Street properties

The Lancaster County Land Bank Authority has issued a Request for Bids for the demolition of attached structures on two contiguous properties in the Borough of Columbia, Lancaster County. The properties are located at 154 and 156 S. Fifth Street, the attached structures are severely fire damaged. The structure at 154 S. Fifth Street is attached on one side to another structure which must be ensured structural stability and repaired as needed throughout the demolition process.

The Land Bank Authority staff will be holding a site visit on Wednesday, January 25th, and bids are due no later than 4:00 pm on Monday, February 6th. Submissions and questions should be directed to Sean Krumpe, at skrumpe@lchra.com or 717-394-0793 Ext. 232.

Community Safety Officer starts at Columbia School District Hill Campus | Columbia Borough Police Department

https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/columbiapd/10552/post/community-safety-officer-starts-columbia-school-district-hill-campus