Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville JUNE 17, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 6,480 HOMES
VOL LXVII • NO 14
Celebrating Columbia at 300 BY CATHY MOLITORIS
LOOK INSIDE
SUMMER GUIDE PROGRAM 23, 2026 JUNE 29-AUGUST
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SERVING
OUR COMM
1954
REACHING
MORE THAN
lot dollars is a thousand For d and fifty of a million bucks. it r wo hundre r, it’s a quarte Emily Stauffe of money; School senior Warwick High sum of money. ed,” said ering be a life-alt don’t know why it happen . Maybe it I still TO could g the lottery “Honestly, like winnin random thing I had of SPEEDS UP kind or one Emily. “It’s I mentioned ck, was one thing t at Warwi ding studen to attend done.” an outstan scholarship Recently, Emily, and. The 00 Dorsey d a $250,0 inster Maryl r’s underwas awarde e in Westm ck McDaniel Collegcover all or many of ,Stauffe and room will tuition books Scan to Che scholarship es, including lity someone graduate expens Availabi Emily. “As for four years. g. and board than generous,” said , it’s a blessin school l more is “It It allows medica expected. to explore would have constant who wants ing I never without the It’s someth h undergrad fashion. me to go througback my debt.” in surprising worry of paying of the windfall er pg 5 Emily Stauff Stauffer learned
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tions ’ Contribu Girl Scouts od as Gold Are as Go
BY JEFF FALK
R127379
tto “B e ut ing ’s momemb ers’ Girl S co symbo lizes Prepared” to help others and willin gnessto emergencies . That d to respon manif ested in Girl is . minds et Gold Award Scouting’s three members of Girl ly, in Lititz Recent D Troop 70539 gious Gold Scouti ng FAITH BASE the presti that OWNED receiv edfor servic e projec ts LOCALLY nity. Award their commu pg 3 improved s 299 review
4.9
s See Gold Award
rating
10-11
• NO 12
you June 3, 2026, s in how Beginning some change may notice community newspayour weekly ed as we continue per is deliverdistribution methevolving our our comm unitie s ods to serve responsibly. and n, effectively on your locatioue ding Depen contin aper may your newsp mail or be delivered ay, but in to arrive by your drivew directly to home deliver y may some cases no longer available. or may be reduced y methods While deliver itment to keepcomm ed vary, our unities inform ing our comm nged. Reade rs the same remai ns uncha ue to receivelocal conwill contin uality trusted, high-q come to expect have week. tent they tions each from our publica will remain teams ial Our editor sharin g hyperl ocal focuse d on nity events, school news, commu s, nonpr ofit ini, achiev ement business stories tiatives, local ones, and the possports, milesthappe ning within and suritive stories hometown both your nities. access rounding commu r how you itted No matte we are comm your paper, our public ations to ensur ing available to our remain readily edition will cononline at readers. Every accessible tinue to be m, allowi ng readanytim e townli vely.co conne cted ers to stay ere. In additi on, and anywh will be available and at printed copies at our office for pickup high-t raffic comconve nient, throug hout ns update d munit y locatio . A full and will be ns the region locatio list of pickup website. our posted on
BY JEFF FALK
or call us at 717-936-9807
VOL LXVII
iser Merchand Delivery Updates g nin gin Be June 3
People enjoy a previous year’s Thunder on the River.
ution pg 4 See Distrib
Sloan Dzurko
Rowan Dzurko
Emily Boltz
RUNS SUMMER RE BEGIN HE Shop Anytime
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ffer’s Emily Stau ays Off P Hard Work Way in Big MAY 27, 2026
See page 18
Start Your Engines
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MAY 27, 2026
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BY CATHY MOLITORIS
N
o matter what the weather conditions are on Saturday, June 20, it’s guaranteed to thunder in Columbia. More than 525 cars, trucks and motorcycles will roll into town for the 12th annual Thunder on the River. At
noon, all participants will fire their engines in unison, letting out a roar that will rumble through the streets like a summer thunderstorm. “We started this tradition several years ago, and it’s become something people look forward to,” said Paul Resch, president of the Columbia Lions Club, which
organizes the event. “When hundreds of engines roar to life at the same time, it’s a sound you feel in your chest. It’s one of those moments that makes this show unlike anything else in the area.” Thunder on the River will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine, on Locust Street between
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Riverfest Will Ignite History BY CATHY MOLITORIS
In June of 1863, outnumbered Union troops and local volunteers in Columbia set the wooden covered bridge spanning the Susquehanna River ablaze to prevent Confederate troops from advancing east into Lancaster County. The action forced the Confederates to retreat west, and two days later, the troops met Union forces at Gettysburg. For the first time since the 150th anniversary of the Civil War in 2013, all 26 bridge piers that remain from that bridge will be illuminated as the grand finale of Riverfest 2026.
R128973
See Riverfest pg 5 People participate in a previous year’s Riverfest.
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See Engines pg 2
“Columbia is a town full of history,” said John Reitzel, chair of the committee tasked with commemorating the town’s 300th anniversary. “I’m a lifetime resident, and I didn’t know all the history myself.” He’s hoping people will explore Columbia’s past and discover its present during multiple events and activities set to mark the milestone anniversary. In a year where attention is focused on America’s semiquincentennial, Columbians know their place in the countr y ’s past. “We were a community before there was such a place as ‘America,’” Reitzel said. “We’ve been an important part of Pennsylvania and the region for 300 years.” The opening ceremony for the 300th anniversary celebration will be held on Friday, June 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St. “We’ll have a few guest speakers, including state Rep. Brett Miller and state Sen. James Malone and Mayor Leo Lutz,” Reitzel said. “Old Columbia Public Grounds Company turns 200 this year, and they manage the park. They’re going to get a citation.” Fo l l o w i n g t h e ce re m o ny, Central City Orchestra will kick off the annual Music in the Park, an event sponsored by the Columbia Lions Club. “They are a great band, and they always draw a big crowd,” Reitzel said. “It’s going to be a really fun evening.” On Saturday, June 20, people are invited to explore Thunder on the River in downtown Columbia and the Last Ride and Macabre
400 Long Lane At Marticville Road
See 300 pg 3
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