Hempfield JANUARY 29, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XL • NO 43
Pennsylvania Rural Water honors HWA employee
More than man’s best friend
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Lester Zimmerman says he’s “not good at doing nothing.” There is a lengthy list of tasks at which Zimmerman excels. Evidence of these statements came Jan. 10 when the 39-year Hempfield Water Authority employee was presented the 2024 Guy E. Shaffer Lifetime Achievement Award by the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association (PRWA). “It’s a yearly award given to someone who shows dedication throughout their lifetime in the water/wastewater industr y,” said the PRWA’s Matt Bittner, who presented the plaque to Zimmerman during a surprise lunchtime get-together at the HWA office. HWA superintendent Steve Gohn had nominated Zimmerman for a different award, Water Treatment Plant Operator of the Year. “ We at Pennsylvania Rural Water thought he was more deserving of the lifetime achievement award because of all his years of service and dedication,” Bittner said. Gohn said Zimmerman is especially deserving of the accolade. “I’ve worked with him for 28 years, and the man can fix anything,” the superintendent said. “He has good ideas about how to improve things around here. He’s a big asset to our facility here.” Zimmerman had no inkling of what was to happen until he walked through the office door to find the door to the conference room closed. “I walked into Steve’s office, and he said, ‘ We’re ready,’” Zimmerman said. Zimmerman had no clue who
“Gary sent me over to see Rod,” Zimmerman recalls. “I liked what I did, but I was unhappy with the traffic. Rod interviewed me, and it wasn’t long after that, he said, ‘January 2, show up.’ I’m still here.” Zimmerman enjoys facing different challenges each day. “It’s not repetitious,” he said. “When you walk in the door, you don’t know which fire you’re going to put out first.” Any parts of the job he dislikes? “To tell you the truth, I really can’t think of any,” Zimmerman said. He has witnessed many changes in the HWA, which now has 92 miles of pipeline, six pumping stations, and six storage tanks throughout its system and
If you walk into the headquarters of United Disabilities Ser vices (UDS), located at 2270 Erin Court, Lancaster, you’ll find more than a few reasons that dogs are commonly referred to as man’s best friend. The nonprofit organization provides highly trained service dogs for clients throughout Lancaster County and its surrounding areas, and each UDS dog is equipped with a special skillset to meet its owner’s needs. In early January, an office on the second floor of UDS’ main building was temporarily converted into a kennel for a litter of young golden Labs. The six puppies were less than 3 months old and, like all new arrivals at UDS, adorable but unruly. After a 22-month training program, each dog will be obedient enough to accomplish tasks such as opening a door and picking up a TV remote from the floor. Outside the room of puppies, UDS volunteer Linda Rineer worked with CJ, a black Lab that is almost ready to be paired with a client. While a chorus of yelping and whining echoed from the temporary kennel, Rineer praised and encouraged CJ as he pulled a walker and opened doors on command. “ The key to successfully training a dog is food, food and more food,” said Rineer, a resident of the Buck who frequently travels to UDS’ facility to assist with training. “A lot of people think (service dogs) are working, but for them, it’s like playing ball all day.” UDS service dogs specialize
See HWA pg 4
See UDS pg 5
Lester Zimmerman (center) receives a lifetime achievement award from the Pennsylvania Rural Water Association’s Matt Bittner (left). Zimmerman was nominated by Hempfield Water Authority superintendent Steve Gohn.
was ready for what. He soon wits about me.” Zimmerman might not have learned the catered lunch for HWA employees was a ruse set gotten a job with the HWA if not for congestion on his commute up to surprise him. “ I w a s s p e e c h l e s s ,” s a i d to a previous job. After working for a machine Zimmerman, a shop that closed, water operator who per forms plant “When you enjoy Zimmerman found maintenance. “I what you’re doing, employment as a machinist in Lanhad no idea. I was it’s easy to come caster. It took only trying to think of 15 to 20 minutes different things (it to work.” for Zimmerman to could be). It’s been drive to work in the a good ride. It really early morning but almost an hour has. From the start to today.” He has no plans to retire any to return to his West Hempfield time soon. “When you enjoy what home in the afternoon because of you’re doing, it’s easy to come to traffic. Neighbor Gary Mitchell advised work,” Zimmerman said, adding he plans to continue working “as Zimmerman to speak with HWA’s long as I stay healthy and keep my then-boss Rod Ray.
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