About Town - November 12, 2023

 This week's photos of Columbia

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

November 11 was Veterans Day.

Thank you to all who served!

At Tollbooth Antiques

Columbia's mayor once said. "The future of Columbia lies in its past." True. In many ways, Columbia is stuck in the past.

A welcome feature of the downtown 

Some people have a head full of real estate.

A garage door that doubles as a blackboard

This is what happens when you cut corners.

The bloom is off the rose.

"Here be dragons."

"Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble."

Looks like something out of one of the Terminator movies.

Stag, ready for the party

A new Christmas mural at Fragments of the Past

(Artist: @anndope)

And there's Santa trying to muscle his way in already.

But this turkey says, "Wait your turn, Fat Man!"

A few glances at the DAC . . . 

Only two of the Crimson 5 moms for liberty gained seats in last Tuesday's election, so, by and large, the board has held strong. Many voters voted for Mike Burke, whom they thought was Coach Mike Burke, but was not - so the joke's on them.

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Still bent

Missing and fractured numbers, kind of like the borough budget

Peppers in the wild

The McClintock clock at the Watch & Clock Museum

Here's how it looked in 2018.

On track

Tough duck hood ornament

The bridge inspectors were out again this past week.

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Sad story:

This heron with a broken wing was spotted in West Hempfield. The bird was captured and transported to Raven Ridge. Unfortunately, his injury was beyond repair, and he had to be euthanized.

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This town needs a real HE-MAN to take care of business.

Coupla guys futzing around down by the railroad

The corn's been harvested at the ol' airfield.

Is this part of a test pit? If the ground's not contaminated, why does it need to be remediated?

Anyway, there's a load of corn in this truck.

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The borough might have the Cycle Den "sheriffed" due to nonpayment of liens.

At the Wright's Ferry Mansion: The front roof is just about done. Now, on to the back.

Lancaster Distilleries on North 4th plans to open its doors soon.

Cherub and a Grecian urn

Bamboo patch

Another smidge of the bridge

OK, let's see it.

Habitat update on South 5th

Go Eagles!

The Columbia Park Rangers cleaned up along Route 441 on Saturday morning.

Jesus, outstanding in his field.

(York County)

What happened to the Smoke & Chill sign?

Taking down the flags Saturday evening

Is that street-legal?

Still not a good name for a drugstore

Zach Lape and others worked out on a hose on Sunday morning at Columbia River Park as part of a 16-hour (two-day) training session that included personnel from West Hempfield and Mountville.

The double murder and suicide that shocked Columbia

On Tuesday, November 8, 1949, a husband and wife and their seven-year-old daughter were found shot to death at 305 Perry Street in Columbia.

Police Chief Eugene H. McManus identified them as Amos Arndt, 39, an employee of the Zimmerman foundry in Marietta, Vernice Barley Arndt, 34, and seven-year-old Patricia Ann.

According to McManus, Arndt apparently shot his wife and daughter with a 30-30 rifle and then shot himself. McManus said there was no evidence of a struggle and theorizes Mrs. Arndt and the girl were shot while asleep by Arndt who then shot himself by placing the muzzle of the rifle in his mouth.

McManus said that Mrs. Arndt previously had her husband arrested for disorderly conduct. Arndt paid the fine and costs of the charge a week previous. Two rifles and a shotgun were taken from Arndt at the time of the arrest, but were returned to him.

The police chief and other local officers were called to the home at about 6 p.m. when a neighbor noticed the daily newspaper hadn't been retrieved and a light was on in the house.

Police forced their way into the house through a window and found the body of Mrs. Arndt on a downstairs sofa, with a bullet wound through her left temple. 7-year-old Patricia, in pajamas, was found in an upstairs bedroom with two bullet holes through the back of her head. Arndt's body, with the rifle by his side, was found at the foot of the bed. The back of his head was blown off.

Dr. I. L. Moyer, deputy coroner of Columbia, issued a verdict of double murder and suicide and determined the shootings occurred about 2:45 a.m.

Private services were held at the Daniel Leber Funeral Home, Eighth and Locust Streets, with Rev, H. J. Behney officiating.

The bodies were interred in a single grave in the Sheaffer Cemetery in Elizabethtown.

[Source: Lancaster Intelligencer Journal]  

A tiny house now sits on the lot at 305 Perry Street, where the original house once stood.

Veterans Day

Every year on November 11, the United States honors and celebrates the bravery and sacrifice of its military veterans. Veterans Day is a day to remember and thank the men and women who have served in the U.S. armed forces, whether in times of peace or in times of conflict. It is a day to recognize the courage, loyalty, and selflessness of these individuals, and to express gratitude for their service to the nation.

Originally known as Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first celebrated on November 11, 1919, to mark the first anniversary of the end of World War I. The armistice, which ended the fighting between the Allied nations and Germany, went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In 1954, after the end of World War II and the Korean War, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill into law officially changing the name of the holiday to Veterans Day, to honor all American veterans.

Restaurant Inspections - Columbia Borough - November 10, 2023

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, 866-366-3723, uses a risk-based inspection reporting process for restaurants and other food handlers.

On the Bun, 15 S. Third St., Columbia, opening, Nov. 4. Pass. No violations.

Stover's News, 24 N. Third St., Columbia, Type 3 follow-up, Nov. 2. Pass. No violations.

Union Station Grill, 171-173 S. Fourth St., Columbia, Nov. 2. Pass. Wet-wiping cloths at the cook line not being stored in sanitizer solution. A box of sweet potatoes stored directly on the floor in the kitchen area rather than 6 inches off the floor as required. Deeply scored cutting boards not resurfaced or discarded as required. Old food residue on the inner rim of the slicer. Food crumbs and grease buildup on the floor beneath the char broiler.

Park Elementary School, 50 S. Sixth St., Columbia, Oct. 31. Pass. No violations.

Kristen's Katering, 301 Cherry St., Columbia, Oct. 31. Pass. No violations.

[Source: LNP/LancasterOnline]