York County's second female state legislator has decided to call it quits in Harrisburg.

Bev MacKereth, a four-term Republican legislator, is taking a position as the executive director of the York County Human Services Department.

Interestingly, in a legislative world of long terms, York County's first female state legislator also served a relatively short time.

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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 medalist, Whitney Metzler, won a medal in swimming in 1996.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Brad Smith, dressed as a Confederate corporal, took part in the 2005 dramatization of York's surrender to rebel forces in June 1863. The re-enactment is scheduled again this year, along with a panel presentation on the occupation of York and other Patriot Days activities. Background posts: The Four Bloggers write, Panel to explore pre-Gettysburg rebel occupation and Pro/Con: Should York's leaders have surrendered to the rebels?

The York-area's link to the Civil War has been the topic of extensive research and writing in the past five years.

For decades, the best book-length references on York County in the Civil War - and particularly Jubal Early's occupation of York in the pre-Battle of Gettysburg days of 1863 - came as chapters in W.S. Nye's "Here Comes the Rebels!" and Edwin Coddington's "The Gettysburg Campaign."

So in preparing remarks as moderator for Wednesday evening's panel discussion on Confederate occupation of York (7 p.m., June 25, York County Heritage Trust), I inventoried some of the work done on the Civil War since about 2002.

There's a lot... .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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This is one of hundreds of propaganda posters designed to raise morale and reinforce defense themes during World War II. Many were colorful and attractive, undertaken by name-brand artists. But this one caused a stir. Background posts: "Little Johnny" helped win the war, The bomb: 'And yet it helped win the war', and Katharine Beecher made candy in World War II.

Propaganda posters appeared in York County and across America in high-traffic areas during World War II - schools, factories, offices and store windows.

As I stated in my history of York County in World War II, "In the thick of the fight," these posters reminded Americans why they were fighting and what the fight was for.

The posters were designed to raise morale. But this particular poster "Wanted! For Murder," raised a ruckus... .

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Loretta Claiborne long jumps in Special Olympics competition in York in 2007 - the competition which launched her achievements.

Someone recently nominated Loretta Claiborne as one of York County's top 25 most influential people, in a sampling conducted by the York Sunday News.

The York Sunday News named Claiborne in the top 10 sports achievers in 20th-century York County.

Though only in her 50s, she already has her name on the side of a building on South George Street in York.

But those are just local accolades... .

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The York Sunday New rated Bob Hoffman, founder of York Barbell, at the top of the top 10 York and Adams counties sports figures in the 20th century. Background posts: Lineup full of stars with York County links, Author muscles way into York's body building world and Richard Nixon's visit to his namesake park sparks memories.

The York Daily Record/Sunday News publication of the 25 most influential people in York County sparked much community discussion.

The same was true in 2000 when the York Sunday News issued its list of the 20th-century's top 10 sports people.

Bob Hoffman headed the list on the strength of his role as five-time Olympic weightlifting coach and his founding of York Barbell.

His selection - and others in the top 10 - brought accord and also disagreement... .

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Abe Amoros, York's first Latino city councilman and a top official in the Pennsylvania's Democratic Party, is seen in his role as president of the York City Little League Board of Directors during groundbreaking ceremonies in 2005 for two regulation Little League fields at York’s Allen Park. Background posts: Delma Rivera, 'Legacies,' Part II, York Spanish Council organized 33 years ago and First York City Latino councilman temporarily state's top appointed Dem.

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

Posted in Explanations/controversy Farms & fields For photo fans Genealogy/research Iconic images Local journalism & Web Small-town life Women's history York Town Square

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