Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville townlively.com
OCTOBER 23, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 34
Youths invited to Elks Hoop Shoot BY CATHY MOLITORIS
W hen it comes to future success, one factor has a strong influence: grit. According to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, grit is a more accurate predictor of success than IQ, physical health, social intelligence or attractiveness.
Members of the ColumbiaMiddletown Elks 1074 have been promoting the power of grit for decades through the Elks Hoop Shoot. The event, open to anyone between the ages of 8 and 13, will be held this year on Sunday, Nov. 3, in the gym at Park Elementary School, 50 S. Sixth St., Columbia. See Hoop Shoot pg 2
Inviting people to the Columbia Mardi Gras Halloween Parade are grand marshal Jeff Groff (right) and his wife, Joan.
Mardi Gras Halloween Parade will roll through town
F
or 77 years, the annual M a rd i Gra s Ha l l o we e n Parade has rolled through the streets of Columbia, entertaining spectators and raising spirits. This year’s parade will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24. It will step off at 7 p.m. from 10th and Manor streets in Columbia and will proceed along a 1.5-mile route that includes sections of Manor, South Fourth, Union, South Second, Locust and South Sixth streets. The parade is sponsored by the Columbia Lions Club and Sunsnappers, a men’s service organization. This year’s parade theme is “Food Fiesta,” and both
participants and spectators are encouraged to wear costumes reflecting the theme. “This year’s parade is shaping up to be one of the biggest in years,” said John Grunden, Lions Club treasurer. “We already have more units registered than we did last year. It’s a great way for people to come together for an evening of fun with family and friends.” The parade will feature five divisions with at least one band in each division. The procession will include high school marching bands, emergency response units, baton twirlers, Scout troops, fire companies, floats, walking groups, businesses and a steam calliope as the final entry. Several
nonprofit organizations will sell food along the parade route. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three winners in various categories, including baton groups, floats, walking groups and individuals. Grunden explained that judges are anonymous and roam the parade route to rate entrants on their overall appearance and performance. This helps ensure that parade viewers get a fair representation of what each unit has to offer, including elements that might have been missed if the entrants were to save their best performance for a specific reviewing area. Jeff Groff, a lifelong resident of the Columbia area, will serve
Mount Bethel Pet Cemetery will provide place for eternal rest BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Whether they provide comfort, companionship, entertainment or unconditional love, pets are members of our families. The board members of Mount Bethel Cemetery agree, and now they have created a place to lay pets to rest. The Mount Bethel Pet Cemetery opened this summer, and lots are available to anyone in the community. The pet cemetery is located in the front of Mount
Bethel Cemetery, 700 Locust St., Columbia. A s b o a rd m e m b e r J o h n Hinkle explained, the 96 lots in the pet cemetery offer a way to honor our furr y friends. “We share so many memories with our pets, and for many of us, our pets are like family,” he said. “Honoring our pets through memorialization when a loss has occurred helps us to mourn that loss while providing an eternal resting place to visit and reflect.”
See Parade pg 4
See Pet Cemetery pg 2
• PUMPKINS
Pick Your Own APPLES
All Sizes • All Shapes All Colors
PYO Mon.-Fri. 9-4:30 • Sat. 9-3:30
Ready Picked at farm market 20 APPLE Varieties! • Veggies and lots more! POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER OCT. 23, 2024
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
C WM
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Winners from last year’s Hoop Shoot were (from left) Nick Boyer, Asher Detz and Noah Boyer.
• Pansies • Mums • Cabbages & Kales (Rts. 741 & 324S) • Corn Shocks & Lots More! 3 Miles S. of Lancaster Follow us on Mon.-Sat. 8-6, Closed Sunday • 717-872-9311 R111955 400 Long Lane At Marticville Road