Recently in School days Category

The USO, United Services Organization, in the York (Pa.) area was headquartered in the now-demolished York County Academy building. The USO's dance hall and eatery, the Pennsylvania Dutch canteen, operated out of its gymnasium during World War II. The old gym still stands in the northeast corner of its former lot, now a North Beaver Street parking lot. This photograph came from the "Art Work of York," W.H. Parish Publishing Co., 1893. Also of interest: Old gym bears signs of USO past and USO column attracts WW II-era memories and Yorkblog.com leads to reverse publishing.

A photograph of the old York County Academy, part of a rare "Art Work of York" collection, reminded me of the World War II-vintage USO that operated out of there.

I adapted a section from my "In the Thick of the Fight" to tell about how things worked in those days when York swarmed with men in uniform, defense contractors, women in coveralls and other war related activity:

The Springdale mansion was another casualty of the 1960s era in which many wonderful York County, Pa., architecture sites came down. Springdale, actually, was one of the first, demolished the 1950s. Today, its carriage house stands, and its footprint is covered by the Universalist Unitarian congregation. This photograph came from a rare 12-part collection: "Art Work of York," W.H. Parish Publishing Co., 1893. Also of interest: About Davy Crockett at Springdale in York: 'He is the biggest fool I ever saw' and Exploring ornate Springdale, sunken ballroom and all and Bucolic Outdoor Country Club started in busy York neighborhood.

A mixed bag of neat stuff ... .

The recent discovery of a capsule filled with 100-year-old mementos in a Codo property under renovation in York drew a memory from a York resident.

She remembers the burial of a time capsule in her time at Smith Middle School in the nation's bicentennial year, 1976... .

Russell W. Chapman was appointed to the York City School Board in 1967, the first black person to fill a seat on that board. Background posts: Thackston Park area connects to York's past and Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit and York's West Princess Street in 1950s: 'I knew there was something special about that area' .

Last night, I told a story about York City School Board member W. Russell Chapman's vote on a crucial issue - at a meeting moved to his home so he could make the vote - four days before his death in 1971.

Someone made the point at the memory-filled evening, "Reflections of Greatness,
a Journey Through West Princess Street," that the story shows that you can make a difference no matter now old you are, even on your deathbed.

Good point.

Enjoy the story, based on newspaper accounts, about Russell Chapman, one of the community's leaders in the middle part of the 20th century. See what lessons you can draw from it:

The 300 block of West Princess Street in York, Pa., seen in this 2001 photograph in the York Sunday News, was the childhood home of numerous achievers. Panelists at an upcoming Black History Month event will discuss growing up in the 1940s, 1950s and early 1960s. Also of interest: All black history posts from the start and On Second Saturdays: 'It's really cool that the Heritage Trust started this program' and Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit.

An evening for the public to explore what it was about life in the 300 block of West Princess Street in post-World War II York that produced so many achievers is set for Saturday, Feb. 27.

A panel of those who grew up in that predominantly black neighborhood will highlight the event, starting at 5 p.m., at the York County Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market St., York.

Judge Marie White Bell, featured in a Feb. 18, 2001, York Sunday New article, will be one of those panelists.

That story began:

This image of the York Valley Inn along the Lincoln Highway, later Route 462, is found in a file of artist Cliff Satterthwaite at the York County (Pa.) Heritage Trust. It was used as placemat or advertising piece with the boast: "One of South Central Pennsylvania's Most Comfortable Resort Motels." This landmark, chockful of memories for many Yorkers, fell into disrepair in the past decades and was demolished several years ago. Also of interest: York Valley Inn: 'What a mess.' and Olde York Valley Inn confused with historic predecessor and York Valley Inn: 'a building reduced to Stonehenge-like pylons'.

A mixed bag of neat stuff ... .

I had a delightful experience addressing the Avenues Neighborhood Association last week.

Some readers here might be interested to know such a group - representing historic northwest York in the general area between the old York Fairgrounds and Farquhar Park - is meeting and effectively and enthusiastically representing that area... .

A machete-wielding madman attacked teachers and students in a Red Lion Area School District in 2001. Three years later, a student shot Red Lion Area Junior High School principal Eugene Segro. Those violent acts brought York County's schools into the series of attacks in schools across the nation. Here, a memorial sits outside the junior high school in 2004. Also of interest: Check out this list of York County top news stories in 2009 and Major York County historical moments through the centuries and York County's top 10 news stories in 2006 and Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties?

York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Teresa Boeckel did a thoughtful, thorough job in her recent compilation of many of the big news events from the first decade of the 20th century.

It helped that this veteran reporter and Northeastern High School graduate covered most of these events, in full or in part.

Viewers can get the full details from Teresa's reporting at A decade in local news: The highs and lows of York County.

Here are the topics in her report of a decade that came of the heels of York County's hopeful 250th anniversary celebration in 1999 and started with the tensions of the so-called millennium bug, Y2K: ... .

Brittany Murphy, the young Hollywood actress who died recently, was a star of the movie 'Girl Interrupted,' filmed, in part, in southwestern York County, Pa.'s, Hanover. That serves as a reminder of another film 'For Richer or Poorer,' filmed, in part, in southeastern York County's Muddy Creek Forks. Both were produced in the 1990s. Here, a York Daily Record story tells about extras used in the Muddy Creek Forks' filming. The movie, featuring Tim Allen and Kirstie Alley, told about a high-flying husband and wife hiding among the Amish. At the time of the filming of the flop 'For Richer or Poorer,' real Amish people were just then moving across the Norman Wood Bridge from Lancaster County to southeastern York County and form a sizeable community today. Although York County is hardly a hotbed for Hollywood filming, a fair of York countians have gone on to stage or screen fame. Background posts: Who was Norman Wood (of bridge fame)?, Horse, buggy, one-room school make county comeback, Amish: 'We are making a commitment to forgive.'

A mixed-bag of neat history stuff ...

York County has long been known for its woodworking, particularly in the form of furniture making.

So, we often receive queries about people who have a prized piece of York County-made furniture that they want to know more about.

The fine work of Ebert Furniture, formerly of Red Lion, is one such maker.

This recent comment by Guy Bair on the post Red Lion's Ebert Furniture: From bedroom suites to gunstocks is typical:

The Children's Home of York stands along East Philadelphia Street shortly before its demolition in the 1970s. The stone wall stands today, fronting a strip shopping center. A plaque on the wall states that the home opened in 1867 and closed in 1972. It states: "Dedicated to all the children that called this home." Also of interest: Civil War affected women in York County - and vice versa and Isabel Small led procession of women who made wreath for Abe Lincoln's coffin and Samuel Small tops York, Pa. community contributor list.

A sign on the old Pine Street School has long noted its use as the Sylvia Newcombe Center.

Today, another sign appears there: the Children's Home of York, no doubt an adjunct to the home's Pleasant Acres, Springettsbury Township, headquarters.

That's noteworthy because the old school is across from the site of the original Children's Home of York, built in the post-Civil War era to house the orphaned children of Civil War soldiers.

The majestic home joined the York Collegiate Institute, York County Academy, York City Market and Helb Mansion as examples of wonderful architectural gems that fell to the wrecker's ball in and around the 1960s... .

Workers raise a beam as they build a barn in remote Washington Township in northwestern York County, north of East Berlin. A York Daily Record/Sunday News story (12/12/09) captured the barnraising, a replacement for a century-plus-old bank barn that burned after a lightning strike last summer. (For an additional photo by Daily Record photogapher Bil Bowden, see below.) How many Amish have crossed the Norman Wood Bridge from Lancaster to York County? and Horse, buggy, one-room school make York County comeback and Amishman: 'We are making a commitment to forgive' and Widely circulated Amish newspaper: 'Awhile ago Steve was up at Sam Peachey's for some lumber'

Ella Jane Hess responded to my recent column about a tour around southeastern York County with some insightful information.

She focused on my comments about the Conservative Brethren Church near Winterstown.

Here are excerpts from her letter:

Before today's west-end Hannah Penn Middle School was built, this school, also Hannah Penn, stood across from Penn Park. And before this York, Pa., school became a junior high, it was York High, replaced by today's William Penn High School in the 1920s. This building has been demolished, and its footprint serves as a parking lot for St. Patrick's Church. Others in a series of school namesakes: Who was Hannah Penn of York City middle school fame? and Who was Edgar Fahs Smith? and Who was Phineas Davis? and Namesakes of Devers and Goode schools often confused.

In March 2008, Yorkblogger Paul Kuehnel posted a video of an archaeological dig at Coulsontown, the Welsh miners village being restored in southeastern York County.

Just this month, a former a member of a family with Coulsontown roots commented on Paul's Greenmesh blog post.

"Funny how people "unearth" these videos," Paul wrote me in an e-mail. "Nice memory blip of Coulsontown."

The commenter, identified as Kandi Creamer, wrote: ...

Milkweed pods are opening about now around York County, Pa. They're largely ignored nowadays, but in World War II they were coveted. Also of interest: All World War II posts from the start and World War II torpedo, bomb loader, made in York, Pa., turns up in Tennessee museum and Explosions heard around York County after World War II-era 'experts' give canning advice.

For years - decades - York Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Bil Bowden has captured visual moments in and around York County.

In the last post, his work is displayed after he visited remote Wildcat Falls along the river road, north of Wrightsville.

Now he has grabbed a milkweed pod opening.

Of course, there is a story from history - World War II, to be specific - surrounding this little-noticed plant, and my "In the Thick of the Fight," gives a summary:

Participants in the York County, Pa. Teachers' Institute in the 1928-1929 school year received this notebook to write down insights gained in these city and county training sessions. (See additional photo below.) Also of interest: One-room school reunions preserve educational culture of thousands of York countians and Former Temple head product of York County schools and All school days category posts from the start..

The annual Teachers' Institute for York County city and county teachers was a longtime rite of fall.

With this multi-day in-service program for teachers came a booklet, courtesy of Dan Meckley's collection. The black-and-white notebook raises several interesting items of historical note.

First, the institute has separate dates for York City teachers and county teachers.

Part of the reason for this might have been relevant instruction for grade-level classrooms in the city versus country one or two-room schools in which all grades were grouped.

Advertisers were eager to get their messages to the recipients of the notebooks, teachers from the three-corners of York County... .

The York (Pa.) Daily Record/Sunday News and MediaOnePa has released a new York County area picture book, "Capture York." The book is packed with user-submitted photographs. Melanie Wallace took this cover photograph. For details, visit www.captureyork.com. (See additional photo below.) Also of interest: Horse, buggy, one-room school make York County comeback. and The Four YorkBloggers write and Postcards tell story of York County community .

Here's a chance to see an Amish school up close.

The GFWC New Holland Area Woman's Club is hosting its 11th Annual 'HOLIDAY TOUR OF HOMES' Nov. 14,10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Lancaster County tour includes 8 homes and an Amish School. Tickets are $10 in advance; $12 on tour day.

Proceeds benefit community and charitable organizations including ELANCO Library, Liberty Fire Co., New Holland Recreation Center, New Holland Park Summer Arts Program and the park playground, New Holland Rescue Squad, Garden Spot Soccer League, and Garden Spot Little League. For tickets and further information, call 717-351-9995.

- More neat stuff below. -

The Spring Grove (Pa.) Public School, left, was dedicated in 1898 and enlarged in 1921, right, as seen in this photo from "The Spring Grove Years." Who are the two luminaries in those round fixtures, photo at right, on this Dempwolf building's side, on either side of the arched entryway? Background posts: John Luther Long: Miss Saigon's York County connection and Each month, three free history presentations offered to York countians and York countians major makers of Kentucky, make that Pennsylvania, long rifles.

Recent posts have reviewed various sung and unsung sites in the Spring Grove-Hanover- McSherrytown area. (See Mining a rich vein of southwestern York County's religious history, Part 1 and Part 2.)

But the tour of southwestern York County that spawned those posts touched on non-religious questions as well.

Here are three: ... .

In this York Sunday News photo from 1958, York (Pa.) Little Theatre's Jean Farlow makes noted screen actor Cameron Mitchell appear 40 years older for his part as the William Jennings Bryan character in "Inherit the Wind." A photo of the production was part of a York County Heritage Trust exhibit opening this week. Other posts of interest: Former York countian-turned-screen-writer Laurice Elehwany: How to make it as a writer and Young Alan Alda performed along the Codorus? Researcher checking that out and Many national stars first performed on YLT's stage.

Paper covers the exhibit cases that are part of the York County Heritage Trust's "From Artists to Athletes: A History of Entertainment in York County."

The Trust's Junior Curators, a group of budding exhibit overseers, will unveil their handiwork starting on Friday, with the exhibit running through Oct. 30.

But a label near one of the covered cases serves as a reminder about one of York County's leaders in the entertainment field - probably the most honored actor ever from the county... .

Sandra Smallwood-Stockton recently retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel. To reach that rank, she soldiered through much adversity. Background posts: Pioneering aviator Aline Rhonie another York native who made U.S. headlines and A short test of your York black history knowledge and York County WWII nurse: 'You know, it was the biggest war ever, and they needed nurses'.

In recent York Town Square posts, we've featured:

- York countians who have achieved in the military.

- York County grads who have accomplished much as civilians on the national stage.

- York's William Penn grads whose work has elevated them to that school's hall of fame.

Now comes Sandra Smallwood-Stockton - that's Lt. Col. Sandra Smallwood-Stockton - who attended William Penn but earned her high school degree in Maryland... .

Judge Emanuel A. Cassimatis, William Penn Senior High School class of 1944, is a member of the William Penn Hall of Fame. The retired judge of York County Court is among an elite group of achievers who are members of the hall. Background posts: York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and York County high school grads teach lessons in achievement on national stage and York County native Maj. Gen. David F. Wherley Jr. assumed major role in guarding post-9/11 D.C.

A recent post about an upcoming Smithsonian exhibit honoring pioneering Appalachian Trail through-hiker Earl Shaffer included an interesting fact

The most famous trail hiker in the world had to wait three years to be inducted into the William Penn Hall of Fame.

The hall takes one person a year and equally deserving candidates had been nominated before him.

That should show the quality of those who are members of the hall.

Who are others who have been so honored? ... .

Hal Colston, a York native who has become a leader in the anti-poverty movement in Vermont judges greens in a February 2008 cookoff. The event took place at Hannah Penn Middle School, where he attended before matriculating to William Penn Senior High School. Background posts: All celebrities posts from the start and All York County people posts and William Penn: People mag features York native Hal Colston as a 'Hero Among Us.'

The recent high school graduation season provided an impetus to gather links to national achievers who received their sheepskins from York County secondary schools.

These are just a few of hundreds and hundreds.

Just consider this a history lesson from the blogs:

Millard E. Gladfelter rose from teaching in York County schools to the rank of president of Temple University. Background posts: Christ Lutheran is oldest York church - but how old? and Glatfelter, Morgan Smith head industrial legacy list and Glatfelter family history is as clear as ... paper.

Millard E. Gladfelter, of the York County Gladfelters, hit for the cycle in the educational game.

He taught in one-room York County schools. He taught at West York High School. He served as principal there. And later supervising principal of West York schools.

And still later, he became president of Temple University.

Yes, that giant university in Philadelphia.

And he helped make it so.

He is one of many successful descendents of Casper Glattfelter, who came to York County in 1743.

His last name is spelled with a "d," different from the papermaking Glatfelters, but he's still a Glattfelter.

Millard Gladfelter died at the age of 95 in 1995.

His obituary, as distributed by Knight-Ridder wire service (2/16/09), tells about this popular, profoundly Pennsylvania Dutch educator, who never forgot his York County roots.

Excerpts follow:

In this 2000 photo, Spring Grove players workout in their former football stadium, with the Glatfelter paper plant looming large. The team now plays in new digs - Papermakers Stadium - located near the new high school. (See related photo below.) Background posts: Private, public interests built Lake Marburg for manufacturing, recreation and Worker saved key historical surveys from Glatfelter pulping machine and White Woman of the Genessee captured 250 years ago in York County.

Glatfelters have been making news around York County for, well, more than 250 years.

Perhaps the most prominent Glatfelter is the Spring Grove papermaker. And just in the past few days, that Glatfelter was in the headlines because of a wonderful piece of land the company donated in Adams County and an air tank that ruptured (no one was injured) at its mill.

When Harry Potter climbs back into the news, it's certain to bring back ties of the Glatfelter as the maker of the pages that people so devotedly turn.

But the descendants of Casper Glattfelter - Glatfelters, Gladfelters, Glotfeltys, Clodfelters and Clotfelters - are known for more than papermaking... .

Hannah Penn Middle School closed early this school year because of confirmed or prospective swine flu cases. Background posts: York community leader: 'We didn't have equal opportunity to achieve' and People mag features York native as a 'Hero Among Us' and 1967 William Penn senior class scored firsts.

Hannah Penn Middle School's place among those York City schools closed by swine flu may cause some to ask about the woman's name on the southeastern school's facade.

Hannah Penn (1671-1726) was the second wife of William Penn, who loaned his name to our state.

Actually, the middle school is the second such building to bear the name of this capable woman, who handled affairs of state for her husband after illness incapacitated him.

Here's a brief summary of York City's middle and high school buildings, according to Jim Rudisill's "York since 1741" and Jim Hubley's "Off The Record:"

York, Pa.'s, Edgar Fahs Smith Middle School is a favorite site for crowds to gather to watch July 4 fireworks at the York Expo Center. Background posts: York County ... 'A smorgasbord of architectural styles' and Smith students watched skies in WW II and Sports books focus on York High Bearcat boys.

Edgar Fahs Smith Middle School and McKinley Elementary School were the first two York City schools to close because of swine flu concerns.

The name of McKinley is easily traceable to the President William McKinley, who had York County roots.

But Edgar Fahs Smith. Who was he? ... .

Spring Garden's Hess School is seen after it was renovated into a private residence in the 1950s. The family of Col. William Beckner, prominent local Civil Defense coordinator during World War II, occupied the former Rathton Road schoolhouse at that time. (See additional photo below.) Background posts: Plaques offer historic insight into 'The Swamp,' before Sovereign Bank Stadium drained it and How one York County school district emerged from 1950s merger and One-room school reunions preserve educational culture of thousands of York countians.

York Town Square reader JoAnne Everhart appears to have answered the question of why the former Hess School in the 400 block of Rathton Road ceased to operate as a school.

Martin Beckner, who lived in the school after it became a private residence, had wondered what happened to the school between 1926 and 1936, the year it was renovated.

The short answer, according to Joanne Everhart: When the Springdale area was consolidated into York City, Hess School students started attending Jackson Elementary.

Here's Joanne's excerpted response, which includes wonderful insight about the lives of students in those days:

The Hess School on Rathton Road in Spring Garden Township is pictured here in 1926. (See two "after renovation" photos below.) Background posts: How one York County school district emerged from 1950s merger and Northeastern York County's Paddletown: Children paddled back and forth to visit grandma and All YT Square posts on one-room schools.

It's a simple equation.

Old schoolhouse + sweat equity = Lovely private residence.

Col. William H. Beckner of York purchased the old Hess School in 1936, and renovated it into a home in 1937.

The Beckner family sold the 416 Rathton Road building in the late 1960s

William Beckner's son, Martin, regrets that he did not talk to his father about the old school when the colonel was still alive.

Martin Beckner is looking for one piece of information, in particular... .

Students at the Second Arch Street Public School are ready to celebrate May Day in 1952. The old one-room school, then used as a church, was torn down to make way for the children's play area of Sovereign Bank Stadium. Background posts: Season 2 of York's long comeback campaign, York has Brooks Robinson statue. Where's Baltimore's? and Sovereign Bank Stadium posts from the start.

This walking tour highlights some of the rail-related and other historic sites that marked the stadium area.

For example, the outer stadium fence that parallels the outfield fence tells about: ... .

The William Penn Senior High School boys ....

... and York Catholic's state title runs are detailed in forthcoming York Daily Record/Sunday News' books. For details on these books or accompanying DVDs, visit www.inyork.com/booksales. Background posts: Will Autumn Lau gain top area basketball scoring record? It's possible. and Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee ranks as York/Adams Greatest Athlete and Other YAIAA-related posts.

A York Daily Record/Sunday News editorial put the recently passed local basketball season into perspective:

"This has been one of the best YAIAA hoops seasons in recent memory. Today, the York Catholic girls are playing for another state championship, potentially the team's fourth in a row. To reach the title game, York Catholic had to beat another YAIAA team, Delone Catholic.

Saturday night, the William Penn boys will play for a state title; the city team hasn't played for a state championship since 1949.

York County could have two state championship basketball teams, a remarkable achievement.

... We can all take some pride in the accomplishments of these student-athletes. And we can learn some lessons from them... .

York County Academy on North Beaver Street is seen in 1922. It was the earliest forerunner of York College of Pennsylvania. The historic building, which also served as York County USO headquarters in World War II, was demolished in the 1960s. Today, a parking lot across from St. John Episcopal Church covers the site, but the academy's old gymnasium still stands in the back corner of the lot. York County Academy and York Collegiate Institute later merged and their successor became four-year York College of Pennsylvania in 1968. Background posts: Old King's Mill-Smurfit Stone site giving way to information age and Central Pennsylvania histories make smart part of summer reading stack and New York College book provides insight into school, community.

YorkCounts: The percentage of high school students planning to attend postsecondary institutions is up in most York County school districts.

Background: With people often foregoing high school degrees historically, it follows that the percentage furthering their education after high school would be low.

That helps explain why York has never been considered a college town and the fact that no full college held classes here until 1968... .

In this 2000 York Daily Record file photo, a Dover Area High School student demonstrates the Empathy Belly. The 37-pound unit is designed to simulate a pregnancy, a preventative method to educate about teen pregnancy used in area schools. Background posts: High school graduation, YorkCounts quality-of-life indicator: Rising after a low start and York County quality-of-life groups seeking to regain magic cooperation of York Plan and Who will lead the York area in the future?.

Although York County's teen birth stats are falling, York City's figures have been at or near the top of Pennsylvania's list for years.

In 2006, for example, about 22 percent of the city's births were to teen mothers, top in the state, according to Pennsylvania Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy figures.

This sobering topic came up again when YorkCounts addressed the topic in a recent report.

The teen birth situation got so bad in the early 1990s that the pregnancy prevention officials implemented a plan that added a smile to a serious problem.

It was called the Great York County Sex Out, and it attracted international attention... .

John Wilkes Booth attended school in York years before he gamed infamy for assassinating Abraham Lincoln. Background posts: James A. Garfield: 'York was the capital of the United States when congress was on wheels' and Piece of John Wilkes Booth's body to be shown in Philly and Abraham Lincoln was here.

Those attending the recent Treasures of the Trust were treated to two photographs that served as a reminder of an infamous former resident here.

The photographs at this York County Heritage Trust-sponsored event captured John Wilkes Booth (a cropped version is shown above) and the school he attended in York for a short spell in 1853.

An exhibit booklet said this of Booth and his school: ...

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A new book will soon run off the press highlighting the West York football's district championship season in 2008. Background posts: Is West York's Brandon Real the best local running back ever? and Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee ranks as York/Adams Greatest Athlete and York athlete series: 'Arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen'.

"The story of the West York football program's coming of age began with a 57-13 loss back in November 2006.

"Those Bulldogs, under first-year coach Ron Miller, entered the District 3 Class AAA playoffs with a respectable 7-3 record and a formidable foe ahead of them: the Manheim Central Barons, owners of 15 District 3 titles since 1989.

"The result was not surprising. West York got whupped. Whupped good. The Barons outrushed West York 378 to 3.

"But the Bulldogs had received a great, up-close look at what they wanted to become."

That was how York Daily Record/Sunday News' sports editor Chris Otto began the introduction to the newspaper's latest book-length work "Friday Night Bulldogs."

What they would become is district champs... .

Conewago Township's Rudy's School, then a private residence, sustained damage in this 2006 fire. Education in these one-room schools ended before high school, contributing to low high school graduation rates years later. Background posts: One-room school days fascinate history fans and Little school house in Hanover: A story of the circus and coal room and 18th-century mines gave Ore Valley its name.

A YorkCounts report indicates that most York County public school districts have shown gradual improvement in graduation rates.

Still, the 2000 Census shows that one out of five York countians do not have high school degrees.

Don't blame that entirely on the York City School District, where graduation rates fall in low 60-percent range (and improving.) ...

Phyllis Chisler's rendition of Hametown School serves as the focal point of the cover of Joseph D. Boose's book on the one-room school. The painting was entered in the York County Painter's contest of York County one room schools in 1963. Background posts: The Outhouse Rules - York County, circa 1935 and Northeastern York County's Paddletown: Children paddled back and forth to visit grandma and One-room school reunions preserve educational culture of thousands of York countians.

Gov. Rendell has called for the state's 500 districts to implode into 100.

This is not the first time a call for school consolidation has gone out.

In post-World War II York County, 32 districts merged into 15, according to the booklet "York County: An Overview."

What actually happened in the 1950s when all this consolidation took place?

Former Chief County Detective Becky Downing, shown here in her 1997 York City Police trading card, was a pioneering police officer. She's also an answer to this year's women's history quiz. Background posts: World War II propaganda posters raised spirits, women's wrath and York County WWII nurse: 'You know, it was the biggest war ever, and they needed nurses' and
A short test of your women's history knowledge, Part I.

March is Women's History Month, and to get folks warmed up, here is a quiz about female pioneers in York County. (Answers below.)

Who was the first ...

1. First Latino city school board president?
2. First Latino school board member?
3. First appointed female mayor of York?
4. First elected female mayor of York?
5. First city female police officer?
6. First black elected York County row officer?
7. First female county commissioner?
8. First female York County Common Pleas Court judge?
9. First female state legislator?
10. First black homecoming queen, William Penn High School?

Northeastern's Autumn Lau (42) celebrates after scoring her 2,000th point against Dover in early January. She has since become the leading girls' scorer in York County's basketball history. Background posts: York athlete series: 'Arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen' and Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee ranks as York/Adams Greatest Athlete and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News story told of Autumn Lau's record-breaking basket against West Perry last week in simple fashion:

"The Northeastern senior converted a bank shot in the paint from the left side to pass 2006 Fairfield graduate Lauren Beckley for the top spot on the YAIAA girls career scoring list. Lau put 20 on the board in the winning effort to increase her career total to 2,275 -- 17 points ahead of Beckley and 113 behind boys career leading scorer Jacob Iati, who set the record playing for York Catholic last season."

Will she pass Iati's mark of 2,388?

This video, part of the York Daily/Record Sunday News 'Remember" oral history series, provides memories of the Great Depression. Background posts: It couldn't happen in York County? Women were trampled in Depression-era labor unrest and Pre-World War II Thanksgiving holds lessons for York countians today and Destructive flood of 1933 struck York County 75 years ago.

Thirty-five years ago, Charles Bloomfield wrote what is still the most authoritative scholarly work on the Great Depression in York County.

Anyone who has dealt with the 1930s in any depth is familiar with Bloomfield's work, available for inspection (but not check out) at the York County Heritage Trust.

Who is Charles Bloomfield? ...

Community leader W. Russell Chapman earned that reputation for his work in public office - and in the private sector. Read below to find out his public service. Background posts: A short test of your York black history knowledge - Part I and Part II and 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts .

This blog's third annual black history quiz consists of names and achievements.

The following is the list of achievements.

Go to next page to find the names ... .

Who was the ...

1. First black city school board member?

2. First black female city school board member?

3. First black city school board president?

4. First black city school superintendent?

5. First black female city school superintendent?

6. First black city councilman?

7. First black candidate for mayor?

8. First black female candidate for mayor?

9. First black nurse at Memorial Hospital?

10. First black York County Court of Common Pleas judicial candidate?

Red Lion's Scott Fitzkee has been named the greatest prep athlete in York and Adams counties history. Background posts: Story answers much about great athlete Hinkey Haines, including origin of his nickname and Central York High School's Laura Beveridge: 'I certainly have not forgotten her' and York athlete series: 'Arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen'.

The votes are in, and former three-sport Red Lion star Scott Fitzkee reigns as York/Adams' Greatest Athlete, as put forth by the York Daily Record/Sunday News.

Readers placed Fitzkee, who went on to play football at Penn State and the NFL, at the top of their list, as did YDR/YN sportswriters Frank Bodani, Steve Navaroli and Sean McLernon. (Jim Seip listed him at third.)

Here is the vote of the readers:

Hanover's Eichelberger Performing Arts Center is the heir to Eichelberger Senior High School. Background posts:Historical marker may soon point to Jefferson square's famous visitors and York freedman Aquilla Howard chosen to honor slain Abraham Lincoln and Abandoned Codorus railroad not just any abandoned railroad.

This is a story with many connections, centering around a southwestern York County businessman by the name of Eichelberger and how history has considerably shortened his name.

Hanover Junction, about 10 miles south of York, is so named because the rail line to Hanover met the Northern Central Railroad there.

The Hanover Branch was the line Abraham Lincoln took on his way to and from Gettysburg where he delivered his famous address.

A force behind the Hanover Branch for many years was Abdiel W. Eichelberger, who some believed looked like Lincoln.

By the way, with a name like Abdiel, you can see why Eichelberger went by A.W... .

First Lady Barbara Bush gives high-fives outside Crispus Attucks Community Center. She visited in 1988 and 1992. 'These youngsters have had an experience that a lot of kids in this country wish they had ...,' CA Executive Director Bobby Simpson said, 'It's something they will remember the rest of their lives.' Background posts: In 2008, 8 top candidates or their families campaigned in York County and A short test of your women's history knowledge and Hillary Clinton apparently closer to middle than Obama in minds of York County Dems.

Many U.S. presidents or candidates for the presidency have appeared in York County since the 1790s.

But what about the First Ladies?

Just for starters, Hillary Clinton made it twice. First, as a prospective First Lady and then as a candidate herself.

Barbara Bush visited as prospective First Lady and then as actual First Lady.

Both times, she visited Crispus Attucks Community Center.

Both times, she visited CA's day care center.

In her 1988 visit, she viewed CA's many programs as a pilot that the rest of the country should emulate.

In 1992, she urged those in day care to set realistic goals and "never, ever, drop out."

Here's the York Daily Record's (10/6/08) account of that visit:

Lewis Miller captures York County forming a funeral procession in 1834 to commemorate the death of the Marquis de Lafayette, who died in France the month before. The marquis fought for America's independence from Britain's tyranny. In an ironic twist that suggests something less than equality, a York club named after the nobleman gained its first female member about 15 years ago and its first black member in 1998. (Drawing courtesy of York County Heritage Trust.) Background posts: 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive, Part I, Part II and Marquis de Lafayette captivates folks even today.

As perhaps the most prestigious private club in York, the Lafayette Club can serve as a bellweather of the community.

So it's interesting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the club's integration. And as I outlined in the York Sunday News column When the Lafayette Club was integrated, a fundraising event at the East Market Street club earlier this year to aid the William C. Goodridge Underground Railroad Museum spells a bit of redemption for the private organization... .

For years, the Ma & Pa's Taylor's Trestle has been forgotten between Red Lion and Yoe. Now a budding Eagle Scout wants to help restore it. Background posts: Ma & Pa rabbit trains: 'I hope they thoroughly hosed out the cars.', Ma & Pa Railroad, Muddy Creek Forks draw fans and Yo! More support for Yoe vs. Yohe.

The summary on the back cover of George W. Hilton's "The Ma & Pa" nicely describes the winding railroad:

"Connecting Baltimore and York, the line had everything needed to endear itself to local residents and rail enthusiasts: picturesque equipment, marvelous scenary, antique passenger trains, handsome small-scale locomotives, and enough curves - 476 - for a railroad many times longer than its 77 miles."

The writer could also have added in "curving trestles... ."

Jim Miller runs The Miller Carriage and Wagon Museum at his Codorus Township home. Its collection includes long years of collecting wagons, carriages and buggies. Background posts: Is mystery railroad the old Shrewsbury narrow gauge?, Vermont promotes Podunk, but York County has its Sticks and The Acme Tongue Carrier of Hanover, Pa.: Are there any around today?.

York County has long had a love affair with wheels.

As the first county in Pennsylvania west of the Susquehanna River, its borders would naturally contain roads pointing to all compass points, crossing and veering off by themselves.

With the roads, came wagons. Farm wagons. Conestoga Wagons.

With increasing affluence, came buggies. And carriages. And coaches

And to produce all these wheeled conveyances, came wagon makers - large and small.

And then automakers.

Jim Miller who name is given to Codorus Township's The Miller Carriage and Wagon Museum has been collecting wagons and buggies and carriages for years... .

Here's a hint to answer part of York County Smarts quiz, Part IV: This former York County legislator made history when she became the first woman elected to the General Assembly in the 1960s. (See additional photo below). York County smarts quiz, Part I, Part II, Part III.

Since its beginning, Pennsylvania has accomplished awesome results in the civilized arts -- more so than other areas of the United States of comparable size.

So says Philip Klein in his "History of Pennsylvania."

"Every region generates some creative people," he and co-author Ari Hogenboom wrote, "but Pennsylvania produced them by the hundreds."

Why?

Credit it to a diverse population, William Penn's quest for liberty and a varied, resource-rich geographic landscape.

Benjamin Franklin is Klein's Exhibit A of a Pennsylvania who showed original thought coupled with practical experiment.

All this could help explain why York countians have long made their mark on the state and national landscape... .

Scott Fitzkee graduated from Red Lion High School in 1975 and went on to play football at Penn State and the NFL. He was one of a number of York County athletes to play professional sports. Background posts:
York County has produced star NFL players, Ex-York countian, ex-Phillie Greg Gross: 'I'm jealous not to be sitting there in the dugout with them' and
Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties?.

"He was arguably the most talented three-sport athlete ever to come out of York and Adams counties."

That's how the York Daily Record/Sunday News' Greatest Athletes series describes three-sport Red Lion start Scott Fitzkee.

That selection is also certain to draw controversy, but the Greatest Athletes description makes the case for Fitzkee's accomplishments in football, basketball and track. He went on to play wide receiver for Penn State and then the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers in the NFL, before ending his career in the USFL... .

Educational publishing house WorldScapes has released a book on Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne called "In her Stride." Background posts: Vilma Garcia-Jones remembered as prime spokesman for Latinos in York County, Who were most prominent 20th-century sports heroes in York and Adams counties? and Stetler Dodge transition indicative of other York-area changes .

In a recent post, I suggested that horticulturalist and York Imperial Apple developer Jonathan Jessop should be placed on the list of York County luminaries begging for more research.

Now, I'll take one off.

Loretta Claiborne is one of the important people on that York Town Square list who has long deserved a book-length treatment of her life. The Special Olympian earned a Disney movie a few years ago... .

Eugene Ludwig, former comptroller of the treasury in the Clinton Administration, is one of three Rhodes scholars in York County's past. The most recent recipient, Gregory Lippiatt (see photo below), is also a York Suburban High School grad. Background posts: One-room school reunions preserve educational culture of thousands of York countians , PS Harrisburg grad school: 'Set my feet even more firmly on the path into the world of Fraktur' and York community leader: 'We didn't have equal opportunity to achieve'.

Gregory Lippiatt is York County's most recent Rhodes Scholar.

He was the first since fellow York Suburban grad Eugene Ludwig scored this prestigious honor in the late 1960s.

But the third Rhodes scholar from York County might be forgotten by many... .

Laura Carroll Beveridge is Central's all-time greatest athlete, according to the York Daily Record/Sunday News. She's also credited with breaking the racial barrier at Central. Background posts: Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit, 1967 William Penn senior class scored firsts and Scores in York mourn death of former Cat chief.

Jonathan R. Stayer graduated from Central York High School in 1978, the same year as Laura Carroll Beveridge.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News recently selected Beveridge as that school's all-time top athlete.

But Stayer, now head of the reference section at the Pennsylvania State Archives, remembers Beveridge as a trailblazer on the racial front.

Here's his assessment in his own words from a recent e-mail:

West York's Brandon Real looks for running room against Littlestown this season.The senior holds several YAIAA rushing records. Background posts: Who is rightful owner of the area's basketball scoring record?, York County Tech sports: 'If they took something like that away it really would destroy the school' and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

Has West York's Brandon Real scored the best season ever for a YAIAA running back?

York Daily Record Sean McLernon has posed that question in a Line Up Card blog post.

Here's a quick look at Real's stats, according to McLernon and newspaper reports:

Vilma Garcia- Jones, working with U.S. Census in 2000, tosses goodies to school children outside the York Post Office as part of activities to raise public awareness about the census. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and A short test of your York black history knowledge - Part II.

The e-mailer was blunt.

On your list of firsts, why have you skipped over the name of Vilma Garcia-Jones, the first Latina to serve and be elected to the York City School Board?

First off, Vilma Garcia-Jones, who died in February 2002, was the major proponent in York County for the Latino community in the 1990s.

That was a time of great growth in the Spanish-speaking population in York, particularly those coming from Puerto Rico. And as the forceful exec at the Spanish American Center, Vilma Garcia-Jones was in the right position to serve as community spokeswoman for that community... .

York County School of Technology is not used to full houses at its home varsity football games. Here, a faithful few observe Vo-Tech's team as it faces off against Delone Catholic in October 2008. The program gained the spotlight for a moment in the early 1990s when two girls played football. (See below.) Background posts: Presidents visit York, alive and via funeral trains, Unusual valve gave steam whistle prominence in World War II and Northeastern last York/Adams public school to field football team.

Should perennial loser York County Technical School, known for years at York County Vocational Technical School, continue to field sports teams?

York Daily Record/Sunday News sports writer Frank Bodani probed that question as part of his 22-part Greatest Athletes series.

Tech athletic director Rob Caruso seemed to settle the question: ...

Adamsville United Methodist Church's Jon Butcher promotes the church's annual apple festival in this 2007 file photo. The church serves as the center of the York Township village of Adamsville. Background: Red Lion's towering Fairmont Park off the beaten track, York County cigars: 'They contained a vast amount of nicotine' and LBJ's, Lady Bird's visit a high point in Dallastown's history.

The village of Adamsville also has been called Pinch Gut and Arbor.

Its location, like its name, is also hard to pinpoint. Maybe it's near Red Lion. Maybe Dallastown. It's actually in York Township, somewhere between Route 24 and Route 214.

One hundred years ago - perhaps because it was near a lot of places - it was bustling with cigar factories and a dairy and a ballfield... .

Goldsboro's Greg Gross played for 17 seasons with the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies, ending his Major League Baseball playing career in 1989. He has strong coaching links with several Phillies playing in the World Series. Background posts: Adding to York baseball timeline: Revs ready for 'second helping', Sol and Brooks lead long York County sports parade and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

York County native Greg Gross reminds you of fellow county major leaguer Butch Wynegar.

Gross attended Red Land High School. Wynegar graduated from Red Lion. Their eventful major league careers overlapped... .

This "his and hers" outhouse, dated 1886, associated with a Myerstown, Lebanon County, home is a cut or two above those available to thousands of York countians before the day of indoor plumbing. Still the nearby house had running water. A cistern on the third floor caught rain to provide tap water within the house. This photo appeared in the York Daily Record/Sunday News' "Spaces" magazine. Background posts: One-room school reunions preserve educational culture of thousands of York countians, What's a privy? a woman asked. 'It's an outhouse,' came the answer., Imagine: 70-foot boat navigated York County's Codorus Creek and Wheatland Mansion tour: 'We don't know if President Buchanan used the tub.'

From the audience's point of view, the highlight of my recent presentation on one-room schools was not the one-room schools.

Their focus fell on one-room buildings of a different type.

Outhouses... .

The Indian Steps Museum, seen here in 2006, sits near the Susquehanna River in Lower Chanceford Township. The York County Conservation Society-run museum houses York County's most comprehensive exhibits about the American Indians. For details, call the museum at 717-862-3948. Background posts: 400 years ago, John Smith explored Chesapeake Bay, White Woman of the Genessee captured 250 years ago in York County and John Smith gave Susquehannocks their name.

Controversy over Lauxmont and Highpoint land brings York County's rich American Indian heritage into the spotlight.

Part of the Lauxmont land now in public hands covers the site of a Susquehannock Indian village.

A museum or some other interpretive center near the village would add to the scant offerings in York County devoted to Indian history... .

A performance of York County native Ken Ludwig's 'Lend Me a Tenor' marks the opening of York College's Performing Arts Center. The center is at least the third large-scale venue for such performances in the York area, joining Penn State York's Pullo Family Performing Arts Center and York's Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. Background posts: TV show box set 'Terry & the Pirates' to be part of a museum exhibit someday?, 20 questions and answers to prove your York County smarts, Part III and Add another to list of entertainers with York links.

The student theater troupe, The York College Players, will perform "Lend Me a Tenor," by York County native Ken Ludwig.

Actually, Ludwig is half of a duo from the same York Suburban School District family to make international headlines.

Just this week, brother Eugene Ludwig, former comptroller general under the Clinton administration and now in the private sector, testified before Congress on the nation's financial crisis.

And actually, York Suburban has produced another set of prominent brothers:

Springettsbury Township's Clair E. Wentz provided this photo of Newberry school students in 1946. Wentz started a school reunion in 1998 and the former classmates plus their counterparts from Roxbury and Beshore schools have been meeting every other year at Paddletown (St. Paul's) United Methodist Church's Christian Education Center. Background posts: Stetler Dodge transition indicative of other York-area changes , Smoketown a popular York County name a century ago and York County libraries offer serendipity - and have done so for decades.

My conversation with the woman scheduling me to speak at a Newberry Township one-room school reunion went something like this.

Reunion contact: Do you know where Paddletown is?

Me: I know about Paddletown Road, near Newberrytown.

Contact: It's at the Paddletown Church hall.

Me: What's the name of the church?

Contact: It's just known as the Paddletown church.

It was as if, everybody knows where that is. No further explanation needed... .

This Newberry Township home, seen in a 2004 photo, was once a one-room school. A sampling of those gathering at a Newberry Township one-room school reunion over the weekend could not identify the building. Can you? The stonework suggests the red sandstone of that region. This photograph appeared in the York Daily Record/Sunday News book "All in One Room." Background posts: Solo teachers in York County one-room schools assigned lots of assistants, 18th-century mines gave Ore Valley its name and Can you identify this mystery school, believed to be in York County?.

"You kind of feel sorry for those who didn't attend," a seasoned citizen commented at Newberry Township one-room school reunion on Sunday.

The sentiment that nothing can really better the education received in the 300 one-room schools in York County is part of the discourse at such reunions.

I spoke at the reunion of those attending Cly, River, Hay Run and Pleasant Grove schools in the Newberrytown region north of the Conewago Creek on Sunday. The afternoon at Paddletown United Methodist Church's community center brought forth revealing information about this educational culture that fell to jointures in the post-World War II years: ...

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The Stewartstown Railroad Co. and preservationists Friends of the Stewartstown Railroad are seeking to raise funds and preserve the historic southeastern York County rail lines and station. Here, Don Matthews of Stewartstown Railroad walks through a rail car earlier this year. Background posts: Freight locomotive 'telescoped' runaway railroad car, Ma & Pa Railroad, Muddy Creek Forks draw fans and Mystery of Glen Rock-area's Narrow Gauge Road deepens.

Preservationists seeking to return the Stewartstown Railroad to excursion service are continuing their work. (See: Stewartstown's historic rail station: 'Hopefully, we get things going soon')

The historical society in the Stewartstown area is presenting a program on the railroad that served Stewartstown, New Park and Fawn Grove to the east and linked to the Northern Central Railroad to the west.

Kurt Bell from the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania will speak at the event set for Nov. 19 at the Stewartstown Presbyterian Church... .

June Lloyd's "Faith and Famiy," informed readers about a type of Fraktur known as Taufscheine, ornately drawn Pennsylvania Dutch certificates of birth and baptism. The York County Heritage Trust converted her master's thesis at Penn State Harrisburg into this colorful 132-page book. Background posts: The four York County bloggers write; Noted Pennsylvania art historian dies and Want to know more about York County history?

For years, York countians have made the 45-minute trip to Penn State Harrisburg's campus to take American Studies master's courses.

June Lloyd, fellow blogger and former head of York County Heritage Trust's archives, did so. She turned her master's work into "Faith and Famiy," a book on a particular type of Fraktur.

Tom Schaefer, a local historical consultant, made the trip and later wrote "Patterns of Our Past," in connection with York County's 250th anniversary in 1999.

I earned a master's there and turned my work into "Never to be Forgotten,"which also was released as part of 250th anniversary festivities.

Ted Sickler, former York Daily Record/Sunday News assistant managing editor, earned his master's and is an ABD student in history at the University of Delaware.

And there have been many more traveling the American studies road.

Now, graduate students can continue graduate work toward their doctorate in American Studies at Penn State Harrisburg. An American Studies doctoral program information night is set for 6 p.m., Oct. 6, in the Morrison Gallery of the college library.

This shows a typical class schedule for a teacher covering multi-grades in a one-room building. Background posts: Reader identifies mystery school building, Hidden Loucks School reflects past way of York County life and Web site packed with life indicators.

One-room schoolhouse enthusiast Bob Weaver shared a class schedule for an unspecified one-room school. (See his previous submission involving rules for teachers: One-room school teachers of yore given limited time to court)

The confusing intersection of the various grades leads to the question: How did the teachers ever teach anything?

Pose that question to anyone who went to a one-room school, and you'll receive a ready answer... .

Voni B. Grimes graduated from York's William Penn Senior High School mid-year in 1942. This is his graduation photo. Background posts: New book gives insight into Voni B. Grimes, Who are York County's most influential people? and A short test of your black history knowledge.

Two images among many stand out after a recent walk with community leader Voni B. Grimes.

We walked from his boyhood home to the site of his segregated Smallwood school and back.

The first image came when we gazed across the College Avenue at the former all-white Noell school, now occupied by the Community Progress Council. This College Avenue-Susquehanna Avenue intersection was a dividing point between the best education York schools could offer white pupils and hand-me-down education for black students.

And then a second image... .

Teachers in one-room schools in the 1870s had tall orders inside and outside of their classroom. Background posts: Interesting Web site dedicated to country schools, Can you identify this mystery school, believed to be in York County? and Two tales of four schools teach about change in York County education.

Bob Weaver has done a lot of research on York/Adams one-room schools, those ubiquitous boxy buildings that dotted this region's countryside before World War II.

And somewhere the East Berlin-area history enthusiast dug up a list of teacher expectations from 1872.

The list is so demanding - and intrusive - that I've often wondered if it might be a spoof.

For example, getting shaved in a barber shop could bring frowns from school directors?... .

The demolition of buildings in 'the Swamp' part of York in August 2006 to make way for the stadium opened a view of Small Field, right, background, across the Codorus Creek. At one time, Small Field was a stadium site option. Background posts: 10 years ago, York's exclusive Lafayette Club became less exclusive, Part I, Old P.A. and S. Small building fit better than successors, Samuel Small tops list of community contributors and 1967 William Penn senior class scored firsts.

One of Bob Riese's questions about York County touched on Small Field - officially Small Field at the Meadow.

Why isn't it Small's Field? he wondered.

Discussion on that point (Reader doesn't understand some things about York County) led to an observation from another reader.

Luther B. Sowers, former assistant city schools superintendent, came across school board minutes showing the moment the field left the family of P.A. and S. Small and landed in the custody of the community... .

That's a display of a two-headed calf under inspection, part of a York Fair exhibit junior curators put together at the York County Heritage Trust, 250 E. Market St., York. Background posts: One image illustrates two long-neglected subjects in York area, All's Fair blog gives all kinds of insight about York Fair and Common genealogical query: 'Is there still anyone living ... related to this David Miller?'.

The York Fair is over for 2008, but it lives on in an exhibit at the York County Heritage Trust.

"A Fair of Our Own" will run through Oct. 24.

A squad of junior curators assembled the display from scratch, using whatever artifacts met their standards and could fit into a small area.

A York Daily Record/Sunday New story (8/30/08) tells about the exhibit:

Students watch the Electric Map at the former Gettysburg National Park Visitors Center in its final months of operation. Background posts: Gettysburg's vaunted Electric Map to soon stop blinking, Gettysburg Cyclorama, with new shape, set for Sept. display and Shrink wrapping in Electric Map's future; Gettysburg tooth heads south.

The Electric Map, so familiar to visitors of the old Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors Center, is collecting dust in its familar room awaiting the carving knife and storage.

That is, unless one of several groups that have asked about this Gettyburg artifact successfully acquire it.

Seems like this is the last opportunity for someone to acquire it for public use before it is sawed into sections and mothballed... .

This box set features star and former York countian John Baer, top right. Background posts: East Yorker David Levin became exemplary elder, Actor John Baer among achievers in York High's Class of 1941 and Pearl survivor: 'We need to prevent attacks of that nature'.

The York County Heritage Trust will soon receive an unusual artifact - a box set of the early TV series "Terry & the Pirates."

John Baer, William Penn High School Class of 1941, starred in the series.

In addition to the local connection, the series played on a historical theme.

Here's what the jacket to the box set says: ...

Jen German heads the list of all-time best Dallastown Area High School athletes. Where does she rank on list of greatest York County prep athletes? Background posts: Who is rightful owner of area boys' basketball scoring record?, Northeastern last York/Adams public school to field football team and 'When people are looking back into Pa. basketball history ... it's great'.

A current 22-week York Daily Record/Sunday News series story opines about Shannon Bortner Werner, Dallastown Area High School class of 1998: "She is arguably the best girls' volleyball player the area has ever seen." ...

York educator Victoria Lyles achieved much, and one of her lasting legacies is her involvement in the founding of York Twinning. Background post: YLT + YSO + 75 years = A1 entertainment, Many national stars performed on YLT's stage and 'Weekly Reader's' founder Eleanor Johnson.

York Little Theatre's Julie Aiken is finishing up work on a book marking York Little Theatre's 75th annversary being celebrated this year.

She came across a woman who seemed to be making things happen across the community in the 1930s through 1950s - Victoria Lyles.

Among other things, Julie found that Victoria Lyles worked with Rabbi Alexander Goode on teaching tolerance in York City schools and was instrumental in desegregating York's schools.

"Do you have any further information about this amazing woman?" she wrote... .

Northeastern Football Association president Joe Griffith is a prime reason why Northeastern Senior High School will field a football team this fall. 'We were the largest school in the commonwealth not to have a football program. That's not a title to be proud of,' he said. To view a four-day series on how Northeastern football came to be, see York Daily Record/Sunday News reporter Sean McLernon's Finally in the game. Background posts: Big Conewago separates Northeastern School District into two, Wolf Man, Wolfchester. No the village of Mount Wolf and New Weekly Records tell about community life.

Northeastern Senior High School will become the 22nd York Area Interscholatic Athletic Association team when the football is teed up on Friday, Aug. 29.

York Daily Record/Sunday News coverage of the addition of this costly sport in tight budgetary also showed that the YAIAA has more than doubled from its nine original teams in 1960.

The following YAIAA chronology, certain to be of interest, was part of that coverage:

Camp Ganoga athletic director Don Roehm leads Boy Scouts in exercises in 1921. Scouts trooped about three miles into the isolated camp on the bank of the Big Conewago Creek near Strinestown after disembarking from the trolley in Manchester. This York County Heritage Trust photo was published in the book "On My Honor, 70 Years of Scouting in York & Adams Counties." The Big Conewago is the symbolic divide between northern York County and the other two-thirds of the county. Background posts: Monica Goodling proves that all roads lead to York, Part of Elm Beech still visible and Northern York area strawberry part of Neapolitan county.

Monica Goodling, in the news recently for her practices in hiring federal prosecutors, lived in a region where northern York County met southern York County.

In a forthcoming York Sunday News column, I tell about the Conewago Creek region where she lived and how at least intra-county cultures met on its banks.

The column follows:

Concert organizer Chris Huber attributes the success of the 1960s northside teen hangout White Oak Park to The Del-Chords. The first night the band played at The Oaks the line never ended. The Del-Chords are associated with southside hangout Shady Dell as well, playing on the jukebox there, according to a new Web site specializing in The Dell. Background posts: Shady Dell was home away from home , Shady Dell: 'It was like family' and The Oaks: 'I would often look up there ...'

Tom Anderson is a native of York County and an avowed Shady Dell enthusiast.

The mention of that teen hangout in Violet Hill, located just south of York Hospital before it closed in the early 1990s, stokes memories, and Anderson has captured those years on his new Web site Shady Dell Music & Memories.

Tom views the site as part personal diary and part tribute, honoring the memory of its owners, the late John and Helen Ettline... .

This World War II air raid siren sat atop the Yorktowne Hotel in York for years. York County Heritage Trust preservationists will soon begin work to restore it to working order. Background posts: Air raid siren discovered atop Yorktowne Hotel, York County stood firmly behind Allies on all fronts in World War II and Unusual valve gave steam whistle prominence in World War II.

Preservationists eyeing the rusty air raid siren that sat atop the Yorktowne Hotel for 65 years believe the air raid siren was never fired up for the real deal.

Indeed, no account exist of enemy flyovers above York County... .

The Shady Dell was a south side hangout for decades before closing the early 1990s. The building is now privately owned on Starcross Road, south of York. Background posts: The Oaks: 'I often look up there ... and think about how nice it was', Stadium will be site of Oaks music reunion, The Four bloggers write.

The Shady Dell was Tom Anderson's home away from home when growing up in the York area in the 1960s.

The 1967 Dallastown Area High School grad now living in Lakeland, Fla., e-mailed some memories of that hangout.

Here are some excerpts from Tom's e-mail (shadell6667@msn.com):

An Associated Press photographer captured Whitney Metzler of Dallastown during the women's 400 Individual Medley event at the 1996 U.S. Olympic Trials. Metzler went on to finish in eighth place at the Olympics. Metzler is now an attorney in York. (See photo below.) Background posts: Lineup full of stars with York County links, Olympic gold medalist Scott Strausbaugh another achiever with Dover links and Who were the most prominent York County athletes of the 20th century?.

York County has produced many star athletes, but not that many Olympians in recent years.

There were those decades that weightlifters from York Barbell were kings of that sport. About 40 lifters, coaches or trainers with ties to York Barbell went to the Olympics, and earned 11 gold medals.

And, according to the York Daily Record/Sunday News sports department, Hans Gerhard Boetzelen won a silver in 1932 in rowing (double sculls).

And Robert Sohl won a bronze in 1948 for the 200-meter breastsroke.

And Linda Myers picked up a fifth and seventh places in 1972 and 1976, respectively.

Recently, the county has produced two medalists.

Scott Strausbaugh picked up a gold in canoeing in the 1990s.

And the most recent participant, Whitney Metzler, finished eighth in swimming in 1996.

Now, Whitney Metzler is back in York... .

'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:

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... .

Tom Trout, worker for the contractor that demolished the Ore Valley school in June 2007, grew up a half-mile away from the school, at the corner of Springwood and Camp Betty Washington roads. 'It's kind of sad to see it go, but you can't stand in the way of progress,' he said. The passing of the school is indicative of change taking place in York Township's Ore Valley. Background posts: One-room school memories flow from reader fingertips, One-room schools: 'That's when things were good.' and Where did Camp Betty Washington Road get its name?

York Township's Ore Valley is known to be one of the fastest-growing parts of York County.

And its growth has only just begun.

Bridgewater, a 537-unit mixed use development that could be phased in over 15 years, is moving along. It will be built on Springwood Golf Course land.

Ore Valley could someday be called Ore City.

But where did the "ore" come from in this bucolic former farming area? ...

Hands still bandaged, Principal Norina Bentzel embraces prosecutor Edward A. Paskey after a York County, Pa., judge sentenced William Michael Stankewicz to 132 to 264 years in prison. Stankewicz was sentenced for his Feb. 2, 2001, machete attack on Bentzel, members of her staff, and students at North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School. (See photo of assailant below.) Background posts: All school posts from the start and York County's most notorious crimes and 16 York County Good Samaritans honored with Carnegie Medals since 1906.

Heroic former Red Lion Area School District principal Norina Bentzel appeared on nationally televised Biography Channel's "I Survived ..." this week.

Bentzel fended off the machete-wielding madman William Stankewicz in 2001, minimizing an attack that left two teachers and 11 children injured, but none killed.

East King Street's Aquilla Howard School, named after the early black leader of York, was one of two segregated elementary schools opened in 1931 to educate Southern black people who had come north for jobs in industrial York. Smallwood School was the other. It was sold in 1962 and later demolished. Background posts: A short test of your black history knowledge, Freedman Aquilla Howard kisses earth as canal boat passed Mason-Dixon Line and York, Pa.'s Crispus Attucks Center scores intriguing start.

Shirley Proctor Poindexter, SPPoind1171@aol.com, wrote with questions about Aquilla Howard, the freedman, honored as York's representative to place flowers on the bier of Abraham Lincoln's funeral train, and a longtime superintendent of York's A.M.E. Zion Church.

He came to York in about 1856 and died at the age of 87 in 1923... .

This photo shows the York County Academy, a forerunner to York College of Pennsylvania, in 1922. A recent book about York College is recommended summer reading. (See additional photo of academy's gym below.) Background posts: Two 'connectors' would make list of York County's most influential, Striking architecture lined York's South Duke Street, Cuban expert Jim Higgins: 'He was just another journalist ... with opinions', From Manchester to St. Augustine .

My York Sunday News column dealt with the importance of reading, including reading books that help explain the area in which we live.

I put forth the following titles as possibilities for your summer reading list. See what you think. ...

Theresa Krout with New Hope Fissel's United Church of Christ holds a petrified, severed human finger and several teeth found during renovations in 2002 of an old stone home located on church grounds. Many items were unearthed during renovations of the Shrewsbury Township farmhouse: Egg cartons store old belt buckles and girdle clips, baby food jars hold nails, yogurt containers carry broken china and a coffee can has pottery pieces. 'We kept looking for that pot of gold, but it never came,' Krout says of the items found. Background posts: Two York County union churches vestiges of bygone era, Parade Music Prince Roland Seitz: From Shrewsbury to Friday Night Lights and The things you learn reading local history.

The discovery of the interesting photo of Fissel's one-room school places a spotlight on that area surrounding Susquehannock High School.

Where did name Fissel's, as nearby New Hope United Church of Christ is called, come from?

And what is the story of the severed pinkie finger founds during renovations to an 1823 house about six years ago?... .

Notice the stained glass window in this photo of what is believed to be a one-room school. Perhaps that will aid in the identity of this unknown school. Background posts: No church/school conflict here: Manchester church to shore up deteriorating school, Reader identifies mystery building, Two tales of four schools teach about change in York County education.

Tammy Naylor of Yoe submitted this photo for publication in the soon-to-be-released York Daily Record/Sunday News' book on one-room schools.

Trouble is, she found it in a book she acquired at a yard sale, and she can't identify the school... .

Voni B. Grimes plays his trademark harmonica at a York Revolution game in the team's inaugural season in 2007. Background posts: Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories, At the blind center: 'The bees have been enjoying this garden, too.' and Articles of Confederation don't get no respect.

Borrowing from Time magazine, the York Daily Record/Sunday is compiling a list of York County's most influential people.

The names of philanthropic industrialists and businessmen no doubt will make the list.

Borrowing from Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," I put forth in my Sunday column the names of two 'connectors' - Luther B. Sowers and Voni B. Grimes - for that list... .

Georgjean Fells, known in her performing days with the Quintones as Jeannie Crist, died recently. Her death comes two years after fellow York, Pa., group member, Phyllis A. Carr, passed away. Background posts: The Oaks in York: 'I often look up there ... and think about how nice it was', York Soul group Magnificent Men come to age on big screen and York's Sovereign Stadium will be site of The Oaks music reunion.

Doo-Woppers The Quintones, from William Penn High School and York, Pa., drew national attention in the late 1950s with their "Down the Aisle of Love."

Their hit reached No. 18 on Billboard and sold almost a million copies.

They played on American Bandstand.

They performed at the Apollo Theater.

Their hit became a well-known song at weddings... .

Roland F. Seitz (1867-1946) was a York County, Pa., native and composer of marches who is remembered today. One of the pieces he wrote and arranged, 'Grandioso March,' appears on the 'Friday Night Lights' soundtrack. Background posts: Long Level and Pleasureville fielded bands?, York County (Pa.) community bands played on and The night the furnace 'blew'.

Roland F. Seitz is internationally known as the "Parade Music Prince".

His "Grandioso," "Salutation" and "Brooke's Chicago Marine Band" are well-known pieces.

He's an achiever may be better known nationally than in his native York County, where he grew up on a Shrewsbury Township farm.

That said, local community bands continue to play his pieces... .

Students are silhouetted against pictures of Civil War-era residents at the York County Heritage Trust as Justine Landis, right, describes the people of York from that period. People looking to understand their community to serve it better often avail themselves of programs and exhibits at the Trust and numerous other local historical groups dotting York/Adams. (See separate educational iconic photo below.) Background posts: Mayor of York, Pa.: 'We are no longer unprotected' - 15/31 iconic photos, Interesting Web site dedicated to American country schools and Looking for a local history research topic?

Two more photos in York Town Square's series of iconic images - images that tell a story about York County and its history:

Children enjoy the playground equipment at Campus Park in York. Campus Park is one of 23 city parks. It takes its name from York Collegiate Institute, a forerunner of York College, that occupied the South Duke Street and College Avenue site until 1962. That's Voni B. Grimes Gym to the left, formerly the school's gymnasium. College Avenue takes its name from the collegiate institute. Background posts: Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories, Growing off-peak trolley ridership: Build a park and Great Balls of Fire, Memorial Park to spin back to 50s.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News has published a neat Web map with informational windows showing York's 23 parks.

It even includes the city's newest park - Renaissance Park - at the corner of East Princess and Prospect streets in the Old Towne East neighbhorhood.

The following is a story accompanying the map telling about the new park:

The Spring Grove Public School, left, was dedicated in 1898 and enlarged in 1921, right, as seen in this photo from "The Spring Grove Years." Its successor building, the Spring Grove Area High School along old Hanover Road, is in its final days as secondary school. Background posts: Spring Grove museum displays horse gas mask and more, 'Persons should not be too modest' and Glatfelter family history is as clear as ... paper .

The Spring Grove Area High School building, vintage 1953, that will give way to a brand new school next year is actually the second, secondary building.

The first building, vintage 1898, stands in Spring Grove and made the news on V-J Day, after news of Japan's surrender marked the end of World War II... .

Ginny Lehr will raffle off a quilt to raise money to refurbish the Center Square School in Roundtown. The century-old Manchester Township schoolhouse is in need of repairs, estimated at $50,000. Background posts: Interesting Web site dedicated to American country schools, Roundtown. Where did that come from? and Pottery put the other Foustown - the one in Manchester Township, Pa. - on the map.

Many York County public schools began in church or Sunday school buildings before they moved to the one-room schools that thousands of county residents remember today.

Some schools were built for religious and public education. For example, the "Spring Grove Years, 1882-1982" states that the log Spring Grove school, built before 1850, was constructed "for the only use as a school house and for school purposes, of holding religious worship in the building by members of the Methodist Episcopal Church ... ."

And, of course, some churches met in schools before building their own houses of worship. That is happening today... .

Arcadia Publishing has produced an interesting book, largely filled with pictures, about York College of Pennsylvania. Carol McCleary Innerst authored the 128-page book, available at www.arcadiapublishing.com. The cover shows the York Collegiate Institute building, demolished in the 1960s. Background posts: Striking architecture lined York's South Duke Street, York USO column attracts WW II-era memories, and The things you learn from reading York County (Pa.) history.

Arcadia's "York College of Pennsylvania" promises to be a well-referenced history of the college since its founding in 1787.

It has the important information on founding and expansion date, photos of presidents, and names of some of the community leaders who had been educated in its halls.

And it has interesting tidbits: ... .

The York Daily Record/Sunday News book, 'All in One Room,' is in production and will be available in June. The hardcover book will explore the memorable one-room schools spread throughout York County until mid-20th century. The book will contain class photos, photos of the schools themselves and memories of those who attended these small schools during a simpler time. The book can be ordered at a pre-sale price of $24.95 plus tax until May 9. For details, call 767-6397 or visit http://www.ydr.com/schoolhouses. The cover photo shows the Myers School in Monaghan Township, Northern York County. Background posts: Little school house in Hanover, Pa., Horse, buggy, one-room school make York County, Pa., comeback and One-room schools evoke multiple memories.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News staff's work on one-room schools has put us into contact with the Country School Association of America.

That group's goal: "Dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the country school experience. For those who are involved in one-room school preservation, history or re-enactment." ...

The Cottage Hill College, north of the Codorus Creek in York, Pa., served as a woman's school for about 30 years starting in 1849. The building is believed to have been leveled about 1900. But a vestige of the ornate structure remains - Cottage Hill Road. Jim Rudisill writes in "York, Since 1741" that tuition cost $25 in 1856 and five months of board cost $55. Background posts: Little Jimmy's someday might draw big crowd, Girls touched down in York, Pa., to touch up and Fairmount fit for Roger, Anita and Pongo, Perdita.

The north side of the Codorus Creek has always fascinated me.

Officials continue to peck away at improving that area, overlooking the Northwest Triangle project.

Little Jimmy's Park is being renovated. The Fairmount area of North Beaver looks a lot better. Habitat for Humanity has rehabbed houses near the Jefferson School... .

The two presidential candidates meet at Messiah College, only a few hundred feet from York County. At least two bridges connect York and Cumberland counties on the Messiah campus, a relocated covered bridge (the last of its kind in York County) and a pedestrian bridge, successor to a swinging bridge. Background posts: Picturesque steel bridges going way of covered predecessors and When the bridge over the Codorus moved.

When Democratic presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spoke at Messiah College Sunday night, I wondered if they would unwittingly bring their campaigns to York County.

All it would have taken was for either candidate to walk across the covered bridge connecting the Cumberland County part of the campus to the York County part... .

This J.David Allen & Son photograph shows the differences a century makes in school construction. It pits a one-room school, complete with outhouse, against the BASCO Associates' designed Susquehannock Junior/Senior High School, background. This photo of the southern York County, Pa., schools appeared in Buchart-Horn, Inc./BASCO Associates' 50th-anniversary book: "Breaking Ground." Background posts: Little school house in Hanover: A story of the circus and coal room, Horse, buggy, one-room school make county comeback and York County's, Wellsville's one-room schools, by the numbers.

This photo of two schools could have been part of our 20 iconic photos series. It speaks loads about the progression of school types and educational models.

But another comparison - this one in text - tells about schools in 1876 and 50 years before... .

The Brownstone building, seen here in 2004, was incorporated into the Martin Library's renovations in 2005. The York, Pa., library is part of the York County Library System, which has an ever-improving Web site, including a section for researchers and genealogists. Background posts: Genealogists find mother lode in York County, Martin Library leaves microfilm behind and Availability of microfilm and oft-asked question.

At some time in the past, those answering the phones at libraries throughout the York County Library System must have tired of answering calls with requests for research.

The system, incorporating libraries throughout York County, offers a site titled Genealogy and Local History.

The site offers one-stop shopping for sources that researchers can use... .

York County's Margaret E. Bier remembers the little school house in Hanover, even the stool and dunce hat in the corner. (See more of her memories below.) Margaret does not remember the name of the school? If you know, comment below. Thousands of York countians have memories of these small schools, dotting the county's landscape. The York Daily Record/Sunday News is planning a book on these nostalgia-producing little buildings. Background posts: One-room school days fascinate history fans and One-room schools: 'That's when things were good'.

The Daily Record/Sunday News is looking for photos, such as that submitted by Margaret Bier, of one-room schoolhouses and the classes that attended them.

Did you attend or teach at one? Do you have photos to share?

These photos may be used in various publications as part of our continuing series on one-room and small-room school memories. One planned publication is a book set for release in June... .

Here's a hint to answer part of York County Smarts quiz, Part III: This York County native starred with Brad Pitt in "A River Runs Through It," a 1992 film about two brothers who grow up in Montana. Background posts: Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick born here, Prominent actor Craig Sheffer hails from overlooked Windsor Park,
That's Windsor Park, not Windsor ..., and York City's Eberts Lane actually winsome country road.

OK, another part of a York County Smarts quiz (see Part II) taken from a 1990s orientation exercise used by the York Daily Record to bring new employees up to speed.

See how you do:

Abe Amoros, president of the York City Little League Board of Directors, is seen during groundbreaking ceremonies in 2005 for two regulation Little League fields at York's Allen Park. Amoros recently assumed temporary executive director duties for the state Democratic Party. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit.

Gov. Ed Rendell made York resident Abe Amoros an offer he could not refuse.

Would Amoros temporarily take over for the state Democratic Party's regular executive director, who is on leave to head Hillary Clinton's campaign in Pennsylvania?

Amoros' affirmative answer propelled him to the water's edge facing the political storm that is starting to wash across Pennsylvania as Clinton and Barack Obama vie for Dem votes... .

On one festive occasion, the grandchildren of Roundtown's Helena and Lester Crone surprised their family by donning aprons and serving as dishwashers. Background posts: Emigsville's Web site tells tales of community's past and Two union churches vestiges of bygone era.

In probing Manchester's Township's past in the recent post Pottery put the other Foustown - the one in Manchester Township - on the map, Roundtown's name popped up. That's the village between Foustown and Emigsville, kind of.

Roundtown?

The Stewartstown Railroad, operational in 1885, helped businesses in villages along its path get their products to market in the way that an interstate helps grow businesses around its interchanges. Hungerford, south of Shrewsbury, was one such town. The railroad, operating as an excursion line, closed in 2004.Background posts: Often forgotten: Achievements of people named on building facades and Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony'.

But it could have enjoyed a connection with the Northern Central Railway in its downtown... .

Ella J. Robinson was one of the pioneering teachers at Smallwood School, a black elementary school in York. Background posts: Autobiographies contain valuable golden nuggets, Black history on display throughout York County and Black playwright earning place in history.

Who was Aunt Jo, of York's Aunt Jo Lane fame?

And who was the Wrightville native to become secretary of the New York YMCA?

That is some of the information imparted in the our black history quiz, part II... .

Steve McKee's "My Father's Heart, A Son's Story" is a multi-faceted book that is more than a memoir about heart disease. It explores the complex relationship between father and son and the painful aftermath of a loved one's death. And it's a story about growing up in the York area in the 1960s. McKee, a York Catholic graduate, will sign his book at 7 p.m., March 13, at Borders on Whiteford Road in York. Background posts: East Yorker David Levin became exemplary elder and Upcoming events should attract York/Adams history buffs.

I had the good fortune of reading part of "My Father's Heart" manuscript, specifically the sections that touch on York and its history.

Author Steve McKee and I have a lot in common. Pretty much the same age. Grew up in the same years. Both newsmen. Steve is an editor at the Wall Street Journal.

In reading the manuscript, I thought how this work mirrors a chapter in David Levin's "Exemplary Elders," a story about growing up in the 1920s and 1930s. Levin thrived as a Jewish boy in Lutheran old East York. About three decades later, McKee moved to nearby Haines Acres, a Roman Catholic outsider in a Protestant community... .

Taken from microfilm, this is the first edition of The Pennsylvania Gazette published in York Town - York County's first newspaper. The weekly newspaper published from December 1777 to June 1778 before packing up and moving back east when the British evacuated Philadelphia. After the press left York Town, nine years passed before another newspaper was printed in the county. Bartgis and Roberts began publishing The Pennsylvania Chronicle and York Weekly Advertising in 1787. Solomon Meyer began publishing Die York Gazette in 1796, the first German-language newspaper in York and the first time two newspapers were published at the same time. The Pennsylvania Gazette was circulated to information-hungry readers throughout the 13 states. Background posts: Newspaper's founding date h ard to pin down and Journalism goes back to the future.

A request from a local student for information on the York Daily Record/Sunday News and its predecessors reminds me of favorite quotes attached to newspaper patriarch Solomon Meyer.

Meyer, started Die York Gazette in 1796, a German-language newspaper that the Daily Record lists as its earliest ancester.

Meyer had a weakness that undermined many great men - a love for power and politics. His anti-Federalist views gained him a military patronage post... .

During the winter, southpaw Triple A pitcher Robert Rohrbaugh trains in Littlestown. Here, he lifts weights at the Littlestown YMCA. 'He's knocking on the door of the big leagues,' said Greg Hunter, the Mariners' director of player personnel. 'He's adjusted to every level he's been at.' Background posts: York County sports a miniature Cooperstown and Baseball's Methuselah played for White Roses.

Several years ago, Hanover-area left-hander Mark Phillips scored a big contract with the San Diego Padres. But his career so far has gone nowhere, falling far short of the majors. Last summer, Phillips labored in the Central League before landing a pitching slot in the Atlantic League.

But now comes another Hanover-area southpaw - Robert Rohrbaugh - one of the Seattle Mariners' top minor league prospects... .

This undated postcard view, from a recent Codorus Valley Area Historical Society newsletter, shows a busy block of York's South Duke Street. The City Market's tower is central in this photograph and York Collegiate Institute's is at right, background. Background post: York Market House No. 2 - The architecturally striking City Market and Samuel Small tops community contributor list.

The postcard view above shows a bustling block where South Duke Street met College Avenue.

That block played host to the City Market house, the largest and most ornate of York's five market houses, and York Collegiate Institute, forerunner along with the York County Academy, of York College.

Imagine today how that neighborhood could be different if those two buildings, gone for decades, remained.

Hanover native and Delone Catholic grad Pat Flaherty, right, is seen with his twin brother, Mike, center, before a Giants-Bears game in 2007. Pat Flaherty, offensive line coach for the New York Giants, received kudos for his line's play in Sunday's Super Bowl. Harry Hiestand, the Flahertys' brother-in-law and offensive line coach for the Chicago Bears, is at left. Background posts: Susquehannock grads make national sports news, Lineup full of stars with York County links and Wiki profiles eight with national status bearing Hanover roots.

Sunday's Super Bowl announcers were lavish in their praise of the New York Giants' offensive line.

They used the normal cliches: 'kept Eli Manning upright," "not big names," and "underrated."

At one point, they named the offensive line coach: Pat Flaherty... .

The cover of "The River and the Ridge," (Gateway Press, 2003) shows a Peach Bottom slate quarry pit that opened about 1900. The book's jacket states: 'The cable hoist was used to move blocks of good slate and waste slate out of the quarry. The logs protected the steam pump that was used to move water out of the quarry. The bell-ringer's shanty at upper left was usually occupied by a young boy. He sent signals to the cable hoist engineer because the engineer could not see over the edge of the pit.' Background posts: Coroner responds to quarry calls and
Pinchgut vs. The Gut and Black soldiers from York County served in 'Glory' unit - Part I.

Anytime someone asks about the Delta area, (see Wanted: One slate-roofed privy from Delta, Pa., I immediately refer him or her to the massive local history of that area, "The River and The Ridge."

The book is among the best histories written about a township or section of York County. (See post on another well-done history: West Manchester book contains valuable gold coins... .

Gladys Rawlins demonstrates the Green Circle Program. It is used in some York County schools. She is buried in Lebanon Cemetery in North York. Background posts: Mildred and Russell Chapman, Part I and Roy Borom, Part II

Gladys Rawlins is internationally known as the founder of Green Circle, the educational program that promotes racial understanding.

But it's not as widely known that she stayed in York County for extensive periods and is buried here... .

Crispus Attucks Community Center's Mildred Chapman told girls that they should care about the way they looked. 'You can be poor,' she said, 'but you don't have to look bad, or smell bad.' She and her husband, Russell W., (see photo below) were among the top leaders in York's black community in the middle of the 20th century. Background posts: Thackston Park area connects to York's past and Civil rights heroes stand out at Bradley exhibit.

Everyone in York's black community - heck, everyone in York - knew Mildred and Russell W. Chapman... .

Katharine Haviland-Taylor wrote more than 20 books of light fiction, and actors such as Marion Davies, Lionel Barrymore and May Robson performed her work. She was one of 50 women achievers in York County honored by AAUW in 1984. (See complete list of other achievers below). Histories attempt to fill blanks in women's, black history and York County Civil War hero grandmom of Gore Vidal.

For the past 5 years, the Daily Record/Sunday News has been updating the bios of women profiled in AAUW's "Legacies: Remembrances of York County Women."

We're at it again this year, choosing a handful of the 50 women on the roster of the 1984 booklet and making their bios current and available to the public.

So far, we've published five of their bios here, in addition to today's look at Katharine Haviland-Taylor: ...

Calvin Weary, drama teacher at York's William Penn High School, portrays William Johnson in an upcoming Discovery Channel documentary about the Gettysburg Address. Background posts: York County has its own Lincoln photo debate., Goodwin cites York countian's story to tell about Gettysburg Address and Abe's smallpox story has been told before.

Calvin Weary is making York proud by landing the part of William Johnson, a black man who travels with Abraham Lincoln, in a Discovery Channel documentary.

And that's just not because he's another local person starring nationally on the big or little screen... .

Readers love to talk - and write - about one room schools. Here, Pat (Grove) Goodling of Dover sent this photo of her class in Chanceford Township's Clearview School in 1951. She attended the school for seven years. Her teachers through the years were Evelyn Johnson, Lowella McLaughlin and Pauline Trout. 'I have a lot of good memories of my school years at Clearview,' she said. Pictured are, front row from left, Joyce Walker, Judy Runkle, Joan Waltemyer, Elaine Miller, Robert Miller, John Tallarico, David Miller, David Markle, Perry Enfield and John Walker; and back row, Goodling with Carolyn Walker, William Runkle, Frank Tallarico, Robert McDermott, Earl Miller, Max Enfield, Florence Markle and Betty Tallarico. The teacher, Lowella McLaughlin, is also pictured. Background posts: One-room memories flow from readers fingertips, West Manchester book contains valuable gold coins and York County's, Wellsville's one-room schools, by the numbers.

Few topics capture the interest of local history enthusiasts more than the topic of one-room schools.

In fact, the York Daily Record/Sunday News created a Web section All in one room for readers to share their stories and photographs... .

And they're doing so in great numbers, as evidenced by the following samples:

York Catholic girls' basketball player Megan Stewart, facing, leaps into the arms of teammate Kelly Rhein during the postgame celebration at Gettysburg Area High School in March 2007. Catholic girls went on to win the state championship. Background posts: Who is rightful owner of area boys' basketball scoring record? and Lineup full of sports stars with York County links.

York Catholic girls' success on the basketball court has people all over Pennsylvania scouring the record books.

The state champs' target appears to be 68, and it took some digging in Philadelphia Public League vaults to arrive at that... .

Jacob Iati has signed his national letter of intent to play Division I men's basketball at North Carolina's High Point University. Background posts: 71-year-old basketball player returns to home court and Susquehannock grads make national news.

When York Catholic's Jacob Iati passed the 2,000-point mark in December, the question surfaced again about who owns the leading point total in YIAA basketball history... .

"My Weekly Reader," that children's newsletter so familar to millions was the brainchild of a York County educator, Eleanor Johnson. Background posts: Katharine Beecher, 'Legacies', Delma Rivera, 'Legacies' and One-room memories flow from readers' fingertips.

In the 1920s, York County educator Eleanor Johnson was concerned that students did not know what was happening in the world - "not a flicker."

That was the seed that started the children's newspaper "My Weekly Record."...

Judy Weber of the Wellsville Area Histocial Society 'teaches a lesson' about the borough's one-room school house. The building is undergoing restoration. Background posts: 'Yesteryears' southern York County sites - Part II, Hidden Loucks School reflects past way of York County life and One-room schools: 'That's when things were good'.

One-room schools so fascinate readers that the York Daily Record/Sunday News has set aside room on its Web site, http://www.ydr.com/schoolhouses for articles and photographs on these icons of York County.

The most recent school profiled is Wellsville's. Here are some vital statistics about one-room schools, including Wellsville's: ...

Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall awaits his helmet before riding in a NASCAR race car at the Richard Petty Driving Experience before taking laps at the Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. in this Associated Press photograph. Edsall and his brother, Duke, a former Atlantic Coast Conference basketball referee, graduated from Susquehannock High School. Background posts about other York sports achievers: Butch Wynegar ranks bright among York's sports stars and Lenny Moore has strong links to York.

Two brothers from Glen Rock have made it big on the national sports scene.

Duke Edsall has called 20 NCAA tournaments, including one Final Four, as a basketball referee.

His younger brother and fellow Susquehannock High School grad has just coached University of Connecticut's football team to its best Division I season.

There just seems to be no end to people with York County roots making national headlines ... .

Dr. Maulana Karenga, widely known as the creator of Kwanzaa, graduated from York's William Penn High School. The widely published author was known as Ron Everett during his York days. Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating black unity. Background posts: Amanda Berry Smith: 'God's image carved in ebony' and Black playwright earning place in history.

Families gathering during the holidays sometimes like to show off their York smarts.

So we've included a quiz on York County's black history, followed by some inspirational quotes from achievers with York roots.

Look for an additional post on general history in York County on Monday:

Good luck in stumping your loved ones!

The class of 1915 poses outside Cedar Valley School in Fawn Township. Notice that this school, as many southern York County schools, integrated well before the Supreme Court mandated such in 1954. A sizable black population lived in southern York County, sitting on the Mason-Dixon Line. (This comes from the Neal DeVoe collection.) Background post: One-room memories flow from readers' fingertips.

The Stewartstown Area Historical Society's "Yesteryears in Southern York County" is full of 200 or more photos submitted by readers.

And it boasts some unusual human glimpses of that section of the county not always seen in postcard-filled picture books that tend to focus on officials or institutions.

We published a few more photos showing women at play and work below as examples:

This is the touch screen of a computer at the Agricultural and Industrial Museum that links eras of York County's history with rings on May's Oak, the giant tree that fell in Emigsville in 1997. The exhibit enthralled second-grade students during a recent visit to the museum.

I explained in a recent York Sunday News column that a group of second-graders from Lincoln Intermediate Unit's migrant summer school were energized by the hands-on exhibits at York County Heritage Trust's Agricultural and Industrial Museum.

Plaintiff Tammy Kitzmiller, seen with fellow plaintiff Steve Stough, is the Kitzmiller in the Dover ID case caption, 'Kitzmiller v. Dover.'

The Dover Area School Board added a mention of intelligent design to its ninth-grade biology curriculum in October 2004.

About three years later, and with an exploration of the case by PBS' "Nova" on the horizon, it's easy to forget the wording of that mention.

So, as a refresher, here is the statement read to classes that caused the internationally famous Dover ID trial:

The e-mails bearing memories of one-room schools continue.

Karen Van Bibber remembers the now-demolished Ore Valley school, followed by Jay Cannon's memories of the Springdale school in Foustown, standing but deteriorating:

This one-room school stood at the corner of Springwood and Camp Betty Washington roads until it was demolished to make way for a highway improvement project this week. At one time, York County played host to about 300 one-room schools, tops in Pennsylvania. See photograph of demolished school below..

Sixteen one-room schools operated in York Township before post-World War II consolidation spelled their demise.

Many became private residences or businesses after that. Now, one such former private residence is no more.

The Ore Valley School, forerunner to the mammoth Ore Valley Elementary School, was torn down this week to make way for improvements to a treacherous intersection.

A York Daily Record story quotes former student Karl Schaefer: ...

Greg Vojtanek brings acting experience to his role with the York Revolution. Central York High School's Mark Zortman is keeping a running list of those with national acting credits. Background posts: Hanover native Ann Roth explains how she designs costumes for Hollywood and Many national stars first performed on YLT's stage and York native Steve Zirnkilton's 'Law & Order' voice known to the world and Cameron Mitchell, Craig Sheffer, Dixie Chick born here .

Greg Vojtanek, marketing manager for the York Revs, is bringing Hollywood experience to make each home game an event.

Vojtanek appeared in "Princess Diaries II," as George, the lip reader. He was also in a deleted scene (available on DVD) in "Raising Helen," as a security guard/stage manager. He had a brief walking scene with Kate Hudson.

He has appeared in commercials and soap operas before switching to promotions in organized baseball.

"I just said, 'I think I want to work in baseball.' I don't know why. I have no idea what came over me," he told the York Daily Record in a recent story.

He is another in a long line of people with York links to work as actors on stage or screen.

Mark Zortman of Central York High School keeps a running list of those who have gone on to big things... . (This supplements past posts on this blog.) ...

Curt Goodling of Dover provided this photo, taken March 10, 1952, of Hoover School in Dover Township, under direction of Harvey Linebaugh. One-room schools closed during the 1950s as consolidation created new multi-room buildings.

It's a sure bet that if we ask for memories of one-room schools, York Daily Record/Sunday News readers deliver.

We did so again recently for the article Memories of one-room schools and received way more than we could run in the newspaper. We'll post them on our one-room school section of our history site, www.ydr.com/history.

The fact is that one-room schools touched scores of York countians living today. The county led the state in one-room schools before World War II with 285. A large population -- and a large but scattered rural population away -- contributed to this. So did the enticement of plentiful farm and factory jobs, which did not demand high school education. (For additional discussion, see way of life.)

To give a sample of a yet unpublished letter, here are Richard Snyder's memories of the still-standing Raab's School in York Township (His last sentence refers to corncob college. Somehow one-room schools, privies and the lack of toilet paper in those days always emerge from memories):

Monica Goodling, a graduate of Northeastern High School, is at the center of an international story. Background posts: Monica and 'The Bachelor' , Clinton, Obama at Messiah College: Still stopping short of stepping on county soil, About Monica Goodling: 'She'll come through this.'.

Well, we've established in the York Town Square posts on the long trumpeter at the Preakness, the woman who won "The Bachelor" and the mayor of Braddock, Pa., that all roads lead to York County.

Now, today, Monica Goodling, a former York Haven-area resident, is in the public spotlight for her testimony under immunity in the firing of federal attorneys.

Goodling might have lived for years in York County, but she left a light footprint here.

The York Charrette gets high billing in the mural "Civil Rights Heroes of York" . Some believe the 1970 charrette headed off a third summer of violence forecast by a series of stabbings at William Penn High School.

When it comes to school violence, York County history immediately points to a machete-wielding madman and a troubled teen who launched attacks in separate incidents in Red Lion schools.

But school violence hit the county long before these 21st-century assaults, elevated again because of the assault this week at Virginia Tech.

In early April 1970, William Penn High School and all city schools shut down. The closure occurred after the stabbings of three students at the high school... .

The old Jamison school.

Dolores Krick recognizes the photo above, queried by a reader.

It's the old Jamison School, and it's on her property.

She supplied information on the school, responding to an earlier post mystery building:

Helen Reeves Thackston reads to children at Crispus Attucks Early Learning Center, which she headed from 1932-1964. A park in York is named in honor of Helen Thackston. Thackston Park. Thackston deserves a place in any history of York County.

In a column Sunday, I outlined three York Daily Record/Sunday News special sections that tell about the history of undercovered York County communities:

-"Making history," the story of Crispus Attucks Community Center.
- "Black History," profiles on achievers with links to York County.
- "Women's History," short stories on up-and-comers and veterans from the county's past.

Ten thousand copies of each are being distributed to classrooms participating in Newspapers in Education. For details, see my column: York's words of wisdom, and much material from the publications is available at www.ydr.com/history.

To give a flavor of some of the content of the publication, the following three poems come from "Making history":

Any insight into this old structure? (See photo from another angle below.)

Robert Creech has a question.

"Could someone help me out with this? My wife and I travel York County backroads alot, taking pictures of the countryside and such. We were on Frosty Hill Road in York and came upon the attached building (pictured above).

It appears to be a church or school, but I am not sure. I was wondering if there is anyone who could give me any information about this building? ...

William Penn Senior High students view a trailer of 'This Magnificent Moment,' a documentary of the 1960s soul band The Magnificent Men, compiled by social historian David Zang of Towson, Md. The short film included samples of the all-white band's music and interviews with band members who played black venues in Philadelphia, New York and Detroit.

The Mag Men was one of the most successful bands with ties to York in the 1960s.

They scored a recording contract with Capitol records. They played soul music in venues where black musicians were denied. And they played locations where black musicians were accepted including the Apollo Theater in Harlem, including a set backing James Brown.

Now, those seeking to restoke memories of the soul band can see a trailer of an upcoming documentary on the group at mag men. (If you want to discuss the group and trailer, see exchange.)

Dave Bupp and Buddy King, homegrown members of the group, were inducted into the William Penn High School Hall of Fame. Bupp, 64, graduated in 1960, and King, 59, graduated in 1965.

A York Daily Record story on their induction into the William Penn High School Hall of Fame in 2006 follows: ...

The York theater group Dreamwrights' current production contains brief historical observations about Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. http://www.dreamwrights.org/index_files/NightBefore.htm

Unless I missed it in the rapid-fire dialogue in "The Night Before Christmas," the actors covered the fact that Maulana Karenga founded Kwanzaa, but never mentioned that he was from York.

Then known as Ron Everett, Kwanzaa’s founder graduated from William Penn High School in 1958... .

David Rusk was not the only provocative speaker at the York City Human Relations Commission's 25th Annual Frederick D. Holliday banquet this week.

Retired York City Schools administrator Julia Hines-Harris stated point blank that Holliday, former city schools superintendent, did not commit suicide inside a Cleveland school in 1985.

After his seven-year stint in York, Doc Holliday, respected by many in York, left Pennsylvania to head schools in Plainfield, N.J., and then Cleveland.

Harris provided several arguments to support her view, including:

The Moving Wall provide a moving moment for many during its recent stay in Fawn Grove.

The half-size replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial reminded visitors of the 101 York countians who went but did not return. About 11,500 York countians who served during the war in Southeast Asia.

Perhaps the most poignant glimpse at York countians' sacrifice came in “Life" magazine's June 1969 roll call of those killed in the Vietnam War in one week. Thomas R. Bliss of York was one of those pictured. So was Jeffrey A. Richardson of Red Lion... .

Monica Sattazahn, a Red Lion letter writer, reinforced the achievements scored by William Penn High School’s Class of 1941 :

"I truly, truly have to say how much I enjoyed the re-print of “The Remarkable Class of 1941, William Penn". What a beautiful tribute to the “Greatest Generation". I don’t believe I saw it the first time it appeared ten years ago. We must all stop and recall how many classes of 41 – 45 will be celebrating their anniversaries over the next four years. We must not forget these wonderful people who shaped our nation in the last half of the 20th century. Thank you again for calling to mind their gifts and sacrifices that have given new generations a better, stronger nation."

That guest column from June 4, 2006 follows:

Autobiographies should be part of a person's reading list.

Sometimes in passing, they provide memorable moments that add to understanding.

I had one of those wonderful flashes in reading Carrie H. Ford's "Service to His Glory." Ford, longtime French teacher in the York City School District, became better-known for following her late-in-life second calling -- that of a missionary to Liberia for 17 years.

In 1994, the North Carolina native wrote about graduating from York's William Penn Senior High School in 1930.

She graduated as an honor roll student, she wrote, the first black student to do so. And she was the first black person to speak at York High's commencement.

Shiny golden nuggets there... .

In the antebellum period, rich Southerners customarily would send their daughters north of the Mason-Dixon Line to finishing schools.

Many did not make it very far north of the line, stopping 15 miles from the Pennsylvania-Maryland border at the Cottage Hill Academy on York’s north side. (See previous post, "Little Jimmy's someday might draw big crowd").

Did you know Richard Nixon's brother went to school in York County in a military uniform?

Gold coins such as this can be found everywhere in York County's past.

My past two posts tell of a couple precious moments in the county, specifically in West Manchester Township.

The township enjoys a book telling the story of one-room schools and trolley cars, better than those literary resources found in most other parts of York County.

A committee overseeing the 200th anniversary of the township in 1999 put forth one of the best of all municipal history books: "A History of West Manchester Township, York County, Pennsylvania, 1799-1999."

The thick book is packed with hundreds of photographs and stories from a township that always seemed to be in the middle of things, possibly because it is somewhere near the center of the county and straddles key transportation routes... .

Over the years, someone with excess white paint camouflaged the 1880s-vintage red brick Loucks School. That plus other alterations has made the West Manchester Township building hard to identify as a former one-room school

That’s not the only way the building and its surroundings have changed.

YorkCounts' new Web site earns accolades as York Town Square's noteworthy Web site of the fortnight, or as often as I bestow this award. www.yorkcounts.org

This local group has packed its site with quality of life indicators in graphic form that tell how York County's doing.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News is publishing these indicators each week, probably on Saturdays.

This past Sunday, the indicator measured voter turnout in gubernatorial races from 1994-2002. Glass half full: Voter turnout increased slightly between 1998 and the 2002 elections. Half empty: Less than half of the county's registered voters cast ballots in each election.

One graphic in the YorkCounts list continues to fascinate: According to 2000 census figures, one out of five York countians does not hold a high school diploma. The numbers in all regions of the county are up since 1990... .

The explosive Adhesives Research fire a couple of weeks ago near Potosi brings a question about how the Springfield Township crossroads got its name.

Fifty years ago, John D. Kilbourne, Historical Society of York County director, put forth an answer.

He had received an inquiry from a Wisconsin resident, who was trying to link mining with other towns in the Americas called Potosi. Kilbourne wrote back that iron ore mining occurred in the 1880s in the township, and the Potosi Post Office was established there in 1901.

A gratifying part of doing journalism and history is pulling past research from the file and putting it into play today.

I had researched the York charrette, a major community forum in 1970, for a paper as an American studies graduate student at Penn State.

The paper compared the York Gazette and Daily’s and The York Dispatch’s coverage of the charrette.

The Gazette was coming at it from the left and the Dispatch from the right. Interestingly, both newspapers, in coverage and in opinions, treated it as a major event which wasn't perfect but brought forth good things.

I suppose it wasn’t surprising that the newspaper found merit in the eight-day assembly. York was riddled with racial woes and faced a third summer of unrest, unless someone put forth a solution.

My conclusion was that the Dispatch liked the charrette, and the Gazette and Daily liked it a little better.

My York Sunday News piece on the charrette follows:

Our editorial board believes that recent state tourism efforts to highlight York County black history on the Web were sparse, so we provided some additional possibilities in the editorial in the York Sunday News on Dec. 4.

In researching the editorial, I spent a delightful hour confirming some of the material I would write about.

I visited North York’s Lebanon Cemetery, the largest black cemetery in the county. I wanted to confirm that prominent physician Dr. George Bowles was laid to rest there, and a car tour was more interesting than calling the Heritage Trust for the information. I’ve been to the cemetery several times before and thought I remembered his marker.

A trip through Lebanon provides a lesson in black history. One sees markers for prominent families — the Kearses, Montouths, Chapmans and Sweeneys. Gladys Rawlins, the founder of Green Circle, was laid to rest there.

I then drove to Crispus Attucks Community Center to view the beautiful artwork posted there. It had been six months since I was last there, so I wanted to make sure the photographs, drawings and paintings were still on display.

During my visit, I ran into CA President Bobby Simpson, and he told me about big plans for a celebration of the organization’s 75th anniversary in March.

I frequently take little tours of noteworthy sites in Central Pennsylvania. There’s nothing like viewing these sites first hand. The tour last week was an hour well spent and added to the following editorial:

Mark Noll set an American record for shortest field trip this week.

The Dallastown Area High School history teacher did not let a fire drill impair precious instructional time.

To help folks understand the concept of reporter's privilege - at issue in the Dover intelligent design trial - we put forth a column of explanation. I hope this makes the concept a little clearer: