Jasmyn's Buddy Bench helps students find friends

Jasmyn "Jazzy" Smith

Thanks to the combined efforts of family members, school officials, and students, lonely children now have a place of refuge on two Columbia school playgrounds. Jasmyn's Buddy Bench, a specially lettered and painted wooden bench, is a sanctuary of sorts that alerts classmates and others to students in need of a friend. Inspired by "Christian's Buddy Bench," a similar project in York County, Jean Phiel enlisted the aid of several people in the project in memory of her granddaughter Jasmyn "Jazzy" Smith, who passed away suddenly at age 11 in August 2012. (Information on last year's Jazzy's Day event can be found HERE.)

Last fall, Mrs. Phiel read about Christian Bucks, a Roundtown Elementary School second-grader, who suggested a buddy bench for his school for students who feel as if they've been picked on, bullied, or not asked to play.  The affected student can then sit on the bench, signaling that something is wrong, to invite others to interact positively. According to the Christian's Buddy Bench website: “The buddy bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground.”

With the cooperation of Park and Taylor Elementary School principals, Mrs. Phiel coordinated the project with Maintenance Director Mike Miller, who ordered the materials. Tom DeLallo, Columbia High School's wood shop teacher, involved his classes in constructing the benches and attaching them to steel frames. In the process, they carved the title "Jasmyn's Buddy Bench" on each one.  Jasmyn's two sisters, Jailyn and Jada, and Jailyn's friend Gabe Grove, then painted the letters.  The first bench was installed at Park School the day after Memorial Day, and the Taylor bench was installed the day after that.
Both benches were paid for with funds raised through the Jazzy's Day program.

Mrs. Phiel recollects a story she says brings tears to her eyes. On the first day the benches were used, her son-in-law was stopped at a traffic light at Lancaster Avenue and Cherry Street and saw a student sitting on the bench. He then saw another person walk over and hold out a hand to the student - an invitation to play.

Jasmyn's Buddy Bench at the Park Elementary School playground

Detail of the above, showing the carved and hand-painted letters

Taylor Elementary's buddy bench

2nd motorcyclist struck by car in Route 30 crash Sunday has died

,The second motorcyclist struck by a car on Route 30 in West Hempfield Township on Sunday has died.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/nd-motorcyclist-struck-by-car-in-route-crash-sunday-has/article_af58c6fa-126b-11e4-a9f1-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

UPDATE: Columbia man, 39, dies in fall from third-floor bedroom window

A 39-year-old man died when he fell from a third-floor window of his home in Columbia Wednesday morning, police said.

MORE:
http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/update-columbia-man-dies-in-fall-from-third-floor-bedroom/article_852a8bcc-1269-11e4-939d-001a4bcf6878.html?mode=jqm

Yard waste pickup date changed

Fatal accident near Malleable Road this morning

Screenshot of Lancaster County-Wide Communications (LCWC) page from this morning

Early morning LCWC page

A vehicle accident with entrapment and ejection occurred Sunday morning on Route 30 near Malleable Road.  According to Susquehanna Fire and Rescue Co. #4, the accident involved three motorcycles. The Lancaster County Crash Team is conducting an investigation. So far, one fatality has been confirmed.
(Photos submitted by Phil Shirk.)

The Mystery of the Market House Trust

In response to citizens' questions submitted to this website, as well as the veil of mystery shrouding the workings of the Columbia Historic Market House Trust, I've uncovered the following information. 

Board members are as follows:

Chairman Cleon Berntheizel

Vice-Chairman Don Haines

Secretary Rebecca Murphy

Treasurer Elaine Beckley

Member (nonvoting) Ed Schopf

Member Jodie Eck (nonvoting)

Member (nonvoting) as of yet unnamed

Historically, the Trust has met at the Mount Bethel Cemetery Superintendent's House, but reportedly now meets at Cafe Garth, or the residence of its owner, Cleon Bertheizel, on Second Street.

The following "Rules of the Columbia Historic Market House" document (from 5/10/2012) has been distributed to all vendors.
(Click on the image for a larger view.)

A contact address for the Trust can be seen on the above document:

CHMHT, P.O. Box 688, Columbia, PA 17512

The Market House's website can be found HERE. Its Facebook page is HERE. 

Recently, Vice-Chairman Don Haines posed for the photograph shown above with the Market House's new bistro-style furniture.  The removal of the previous furniture was discussed at last Monday night's Columbia Borough Council meeting and was thought to have been removed without authorization.  The furniture is considered borough property, and the matter is under investigation.

An article about the Trust appeared in Lancaster Newspapers last year.

Recently a "Notice of Violation" was presented by the Trust to vendors who signed a petition to abolish the entity. Vendors had presented the petition to borough council amid accusations of mismanagement by the Trust.

 Recently, one vendor had been closed down by the Trust for two days due to operating an allegedly unclean stand.

Currently, most of the vendor stands available sit empty.  One estimate puts vendor occupancy at less than one quarter of the Market House.

Columbia council sets April 1 date for fire company consolidation

http://m.lancasteronline.com/news/local/columbia-council-sets-april-date-for-fire-company-consolidation/article_94424b6a-0ec5-11e4-9728-0017a43b2370.html?mode=jqm