Voni Grimes greets a small crowd standing in a pouring rain at a diversity and peace rally in April 2006 in York. During the event, York Mayor John Brenner praised Grimes for his efforts to unite the community. Background posts: Two 'connectors' would make York County's list of most influential, A short test of your York black history knowledge and 10 tips to write a book-length project.

This photo did not make it into Voni B. Grimes just-published memoirs, but it typifies the man, who perhaps knows more York countians than any other person.

There's the Bamberg, S.C., born/World War II vet/retired Penn State administrator standing in the rain on a Saturday morning. Only a few turned out for this diversity rally.

A few here and a few there and pretty soon you change hearts. That's how Voni Grimes would see it.

So via his memoirs "Bridging Troubled Waters," this man, who knows so many people, can himself be known... .

Posted in Black history Books & reading Events Explanations/controversy For photo fans Genealogy/research God & York County Local journalism & Web Nostalgia & memories People War World War II York Town Square

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York County's borough of Windsor shortened its name from the Windsor Township village of Windsorville when it was incorporated in 1905. The sleepy town today bustled 75 years ago with trolley traffic and cigar factories. Background posts: York County cigars: 'They contained a vast amount of nicotine', That's Windsor Park, not Windsor ... and Research offers insight into York County's trolley.

A statement in Windsor borough's history book "Windsor Borough, The First One Hundred Years" caused me pause: "The town is dotted with stately old houses that may appear to be miniature castles."

Castles? In Windsor, that younger valley-dwelling brother of hillside neighor Red Lion?

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Ed Beck of the Manchester area saw recent York Town Square photos of a trolley car crossing the Conewago Creek, submitted by kinsman Ed Beck of York Township. He put forth this drawing, part of an old flier designed to sell a home on Conewago Summit, near trolley destination Cold Springs Park. Conewago crossing near Manchester hot spot for years, Starbucks roasting plant tucked into corner of York County and Wolf Man. Wolfchester. No, the village of Mount Wolf.

Old Cold Springs Park near Manchester has long been known as a trolley or electric park, built to enhance trolley traffic during off peak times.

For Ed Beck, who has lived near the former park for years, it was known as Atlantic City... .

Finish reading 'Conewago crossing near Manchester hot spot for years - Part II' »

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Tourists looking at downtown York's many sites may wistfully view winding steps leading to the closed-down Continental Square comfort stations.

Up to 1978, these underground restrooms, nearing their 80th birthday, were consistently open.

Since then, they've been closed, opened and then mostly closed, depending, in part, on the financial condition of the city.

But these restrooms are grounded in history... .

Posted in Explanations/controversy For photo fans Genealogy/research Local journalism & Web Local landmarks Nostalgia & memories Unsung/obscure sites War World War II York Town Square

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Charlotte Halpin and others from C.B. 'Red' Klinedinst's bike shop pose outside the store at 113-117 S. Duke St. in York, circa 1950. Now it appears the shop's days are numbered. Background posts: Cyclist uses legs on York County rail trail, York County rail trail extension to follow canal towpath and Downtown thrived in post-World War II York.

York County's rail trail system has revived interest in local cycling.

But county residents were taken to cycling 100 years ago, as evidenced by the establishment of C.B. "Red Klinedinst's" shop, still in operation.

Those were days when bike races on the track at the York Fairgrounds were well attended.

Back then bikes meant bicycles, not Harleys... .

Posted in Explanations/controversy For photo fans Genealogy/research Local journalism & Web Local landmarks Nostalgia & memories People Wheels of York Women's history York Town Square

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'All in One Room,' a 100-page book on one-room schools in York County and beyond, is back from the printers. To order the $34.95 book, call 717-767-6397, stop by 1891 Loucks Road or York Borders or check on the Web at http://www.inyork.com/schoolhouses. Background posts: Can you name this mystery school?<, No church-state separation here and One-room schools fascinate readers.

York Weekly Record editor Joan Concilio noticed the stirring of intense interest when handling print and Web stories involving one-room schools.

She created a one-room school Web section that just served to generate even more interest.

Then she floated an idea: Why don't we do a one-room school book.

That concept became reality, and the York Daily Record/Sunday News' "All in One Room" returned from the printers today.

And it contained the following introduction by Joan Concilio with a poignant story about John O'Keefe, who was in a one-room school most of his long life:

Posted in Books & reading Explanations/controversy Farms & fields For photo fans Genealogy/research Local journalism & Web Local landmarks Nostalgia & memories People School days Small-town life Unsung/obscure sites York Town Square

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The Big Mount house in Paradise Township where Confederate Gen. Jubal Early stayed on June 27, 1863, was up for sale when this photo was taken in 2004. The next day, the three rebel brigades accompanying Early tramped through along the countryside on Canal and other roads, including those in the Admire and Davidsburg area of Dover Township before hitting the Carlisle Road at Weigelstown. Background posts: Owner seeks info on old turnpike toll house, York County photo collection adds to historical record, Jubal Early heard booming of Battle of Hanover's guns.

The 145th anniversary of the Confederate occupation of York County brings to mind the fortunes of those villages in the path of the rebel horde.

Dover Township's Admire is one of those settlements that Gen. Jubal Early's men marched through on their way to York. Like most villages in York County, Admire has interesting stories attached to it.

It was originally known as Slabtown and then Newport.

According to historian George Prowell, when storekeeper Swiler Kunkle was selected postmaster, Voltaire was selected... .

Posted in Books & reading Civil War Explanations/controversy Farms & fields For photo fans Genealogy/research Local landmarks Nostalgia & memories Small-town life War York Town Square

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McCrory's was one of leading five-and-dame stores in downtown York in the 20th century. Murphy's, at the left of this picture, was perhaps the most visible on the corner of York's Continental Square. McCrory's longtime Springettsbury Township warehouse will soon have new tenants. Background posts: York County: '... A smorgasbord of architectural styles', Declaration signer's marker mounted in obscurity and Sears: From top dog to hot dogs ... .

McCrory's was one of downtown York's premier five-and-dimes during the city's downtown heyday.

Those stores included Murphy's, Woolworth's, Grant's, Green's and Kresge's.

But McCrory's enjoyed a special relationship with York after Meshulam Riklis purchased the company in 1960 and moved its home office and distribution center to York County in 1963... .

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Linda Woodward is feted as William Penn High School's homecoming queen in 1967. She was the first black person crowned as homecoming queen at York High. Background posts: York's first Latino councilman temporarily state top Dem, Last dance. Spring Grove High School building filled with history and Tales of four schools tell about changes in York County education.

The graduation season just passed brings to mind the year 1967 and the firsts scored that school year.

The William Penn High School's senior class elected Linda Woodward as the school's first black homecoming queen.

She headed a parade caravan to Small Field for the homecoming game against Steel High... .

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On the evening of Aug. 14, 1945, York County residents joined a massive national V-J celebration, marking the war's end. The largest county assembly occurred in York's Continental Square. Here, holding a special V-J edition are, from left, L. Allen Wolfgang, Richard E. Wolfgang and Lloyd E. (Pud) Wolfgang. Paul S. Wolfgang, who provided this photo, is at far left. Background posts: The first in (World) War (II), Perhaps the last in (World) War (II), 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part III

The World War II Battle of Okinawa ended 63 years ago on Saturday.

And we're somewhere near the midway point between the often forgotten V-E Day - May 8 - and V-J Day - August 14.

So, here are 20 questions to focus us on York County's contributions to the war that spawned the Greatest Generation:

Posted in Black history Books & reading Events Explanations/controversy For photo fans Genealogy/research Local journalism & Web Made in York Nostalgia & memories People Quizzes & (fun) tests Small-town life War Women's history World War II York Town Square Yorkco

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