Community First Fund Statistics

Since 1992, $60,000,000 has been financed and 1,140 loans were awarded through Community First Fund.

80% of loans were made to low-income individuals and made in low-income communities

• 4,723 jobs were created and retained

• 758 units of housing were financed in low-wealth communities

• 46% of loans were made to persons of color

• $10 million in loans were made to community social service organizations

• 35% of loans were made to women-owned businesses

• 1.9 million square feet of real estate was acquired and rehabilitated

• 3,768 children were enrolled in child care centers financed

• 98% of all loans have been successfully repaid

Source: 2013 First Community Fund Annual Report

PA Common Core: Myths vs. Facts

Myth: Adopting common standards means bringing all states’ standards down to the lowest common denominator. This means that states with high standards are actually taking a step backward by adopting the Common Core.
Fact: The standards are designed to build upon the most advanced current thinking about preparing all students for success in college, career, and life. This will result in moving even the best state standards to the next level. In fact, since this work began, there has been an explicit agreement that no state would lower its standards. The standards were informed by the best in the country, the highest international standards, and evidence and expertise about educational outcomes. We need college- and career-ready standards because even in high-performing states, students are graduating and passing all the required tests but still need remediation in their postsecondary work.

Myth: These standards amount to a national curriculum for our schools.
Fact: The Common Core is not a curriculum. It is a clear set of shared goals and expectations for what knowledge and skills will help our students succeed. Local teachers, principals, superintendents, and others will decide how the standards are to be met. Teachers will continue to devise lesson plans and tailor instruction to the individual needs of the students in their classrooms.

Myth: The standards will be implemented through No Child Left Behind (NCLB), signifying that the federal government will be leading them.
Fact: The Common Core is a state-led effort that is not part of No Child Left Behind or any other federal initiative. The federal government played no role in the development of the Common Core. State adoption of the standards is in no way mandatory. States began the work to create clear, consistent standards before the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which provided funding for the Race to the Top grant program. It also began before the Elementary and Secondary Education Act blueprint was released, because this work is being driven by the needs of the states, not the federal government.

Source: Common Core State Standards Initiative

Apple Country

The Apple of Tourism's Eye

By Karen Hendricks + Photography by Casey Martin

Good Intent Cider

“People are falling in love with our wineries & we hope they’ll fall in love with our cider makers as well,” says Carl Whitehill, director of communications for Destination Gettysburg. 

Whitehill says cider making fits in nicely with current niche trends such as wine and craft beer, as well as foodie tourism. He’s encouraged by the impact that Adams County’s cider makers have made so far and sees potential for additional growth. “We seem to be on the front end of the cider trend… we can tout it to our visitors, and it’s very trendy and impressive to tourists because our cider makers are doing a great job with it.” 

“The apple industry gives visitors a broader experience beyond the Civil War,” Whitehill explains. “The battlefield and Civil War will always be the big attraction, but the apple industry has provided us with a reason for visitors to do other things and lengthen their stay. It’s a great little break from history, to drive into the country and visit wineries.” 

Whitehill says Destination Gettysburg is reshaping and diversifying its marketing strategies as a result of Adams County’s successful wineries and cideries. “We are trying to market agri-tourism as an experience that links everything together. The Gettysburg Wine & Fruit Trail is an example. We want visitors to go into Northern and Western Adams County and visit farmers markets and wineries, to see the fruit and taste the wine…Adams County is a rural county, but we also have a lot of culture. The cideries and wineries are providing that culture.” 

To learn more about Adams County's apple cider producers, check out the September/October 2014 issue of Celebrate Gettysburg magazine.

Apple Cidery Events Schedule

SEPTEMBER 6

WHOOPIE PIE FESTIVAL

Hershey Farm Restaurant & Inn

240 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks, Pa.

whoopiepiefestival.com

SEPTEMBER 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28 & 

OCTOBER 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26

PENNSYLVANIA RENAISSANCE FAIRE

Mount Hope Estate & Winery

2775 Lebanon Road, Manheim, Pa.

www.parenfaire.com

SEPTEMBER 13-21

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS

Strasburg Rail Road

301 Gap Road, Ronks, Pa.

www.strasburgrailroad.com

SEPTEMBER 19-20

TAILGATING FESTIVAL

Kitchen Kettle Village

3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, Pa.

www.kitchenkettle.com

OCTOBER 4

26TH ANNUAL BRIDGE BUST

462 Veterans Memorial Bridge, Columbia, Pa.

parivertowns.com

OCTOBER 11-12

56TH ANNUAL HARVEST DAYS

Landis Valley Museum

2451 Kissel Hill Road, Lancaster, Pa.

www.landisvalleymuseum.org

OCTOBER 18-19 & 25-26

HAPPY HAUNTINGS

Dutch Wonderland

2249 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, Pa.

www.dutchwonderland.com

Haunted Hanover

Residents Surrounded by the Supernatural

By Brendan Raleigh + Photography by Noel Kline

One night, DeAnna Simpson felt a strong presence that she could not see on her steps, followed by the sound of running footsteps toward her. Suddenly, she felt a thrust of hands on her shoulders, and was pushed off the steps to the bottom ledge. She suffered a hairline fractured coccyx.

DeAnna Simpson’s house in Hanover is a far cry from the old, dilapidated mansions of today’s horror movies. Its cozy front porch and colorful, well-maintained garden make the small brick house the very image of your typical suburban home. However, the stories that emanate from the house are anything but ordinary.

Simpson, along with her husband Tom and their daughter, moved into the residence in 2007 without the slightest idea of the terror and anguish that it would exert on them over the next seven years. Though Tom was initially against buying the house, DeAnna’s inexplicable fascination with it led him to overlook his doubts and consent to the purchase.

While touring the house, DeAnna noticed that small, orb-like particles would repeatedly show up in the pictures she took of the house’s interior. Attributing these to dust particles from the curtains or hardwood floors, the Simpsons thought nothing of it. But, the experiences became stranger immediately after the purchase, first in the form of what DeAnna calls “the shadow man,” a dark, towering figure that showed up in her pictures directly after the move-in, and has continued to emerge time and time again since then.

While touring the Simpsons' home, photographer Noel Kline captured this flame, which was not visible when the photograph was taken, in the dark basement.

“We had just signed for the house, and I was in the home alone taking pictures to send to my family in Kentucky,” recalls DeAnna. “Later, as my husband and I were looking through these pictures, I noticed this man’s face looking through the kitchen door, looking at me. It started that quickly.”

Civil War Trust Seeks to Save Lee’s HQ

By Brendan Raleigh 

You’d think that the Headquarters of Gen. Robert E. Lee would be one of the top tourist attractions in Gettysburg. After all, the decisions made in that building significantly altered both the outcome of the Civil War and the future of the United States. But unfortunately, the charm of the historic building has been marred substantially by the commercial development surrounding it, preventing it from reaching its full potential as an historic landmark.

And that’s why the Civil War Trust, a Washington-based non-profit group, embarked on its quest to purchase the Headquarters, restore it to its 19^th century glory, and preserve it for future generations.

“The Lee’s Headquarters site is the most hallowed of grounds,” says Civil War Trust President Jim Lighthizer. “And the opportunity to preserve it is the best way to appropriately honor the legacy of those who gave the last full measure of devotion on that fateful July day.”

“The Headquarters are one of the most historically-significant, unprotected battlefield sites in Gettysburg, and possibly the nation,” agrees Jim Campi, the Trust’s policy and communications director. “It was the nerve center of the Confederate army for much of the Battle of Gettysburg.”

The neighboring Quality Inn and Appalachian Brewing Company are often perceived as disruptive toward the site’s potential for an authentic Civil War atmosphere. Since the two businesses declined to renew their leases this past year, the Trust was given its opening to purchase the Headquarters and four acres of battlefield around it.

Financially, it’s a pretty hefty undertaking: $5.5 million to purchase the building and another half-million to demolish the modern structures and restore the historic structure. However, with more than $4.4 already raised and committed thanks to the government grants, private sector dollars, and a sizable gift from FedEx Corporation, the people of the Civil War Trust are confident they will succeed in their endeavor.

“Within the first three weeks of the campaign, we had already raised 25 percent of our goal,” says Campi. “If the fundraiser is successful, we'll be able close on the property probably next year. And then we’ll be able to move forward with our goal of making it look as much as possible like it did on July 1, 1863.”

If the Trust purchases the site, they will first have to assess the historic site and the historic buildings before beginning the process of tearing down the non-historic structures and restoring the landscape. The current museum would remain, at least until the site is turned over to the National Park Service, as the Trust plans to do.

“To watch the property be transformed from commercial real estate to a restored historic site, a place of reverence and remembrance, will be a true privilege,” says Lighthizer. “We will all soon be able to stand on this ground and be transported back to those three days in July that shaped our nation so significantly.”

Civil War Trust has performed similar ventures in both Gettysburg and Antietam, but this undertaking is by far their most ambitious, and potentially their most significant. To donate to the Civil War Trust’s quest to save General Lee’s Headquarters or learn more about the cause, visit the fundraiser’s page.

Contributor Spotlight: Karen Hendricks

How do you celebrate Gettysburg?

I enjoy being an ambassador for this town, this national treasure. It’s an honor to live here and to celebrate the history, the tragedy, the story that unfolded in Gettysburg in 1863. Every time I have the chance, I invite friends or family to come here and spend time exploring Gettysburg’s past and present.

What's the best part about living in (or working in) Adams County?

It’s a fascinating mix of contrasts: past history blended with present contemporary life; peaceful, pastoral beauty in gently rolling landscapes, contrasted with charming downtown centers such as Gettysburg and New Oxford. Plus a fascinating mix of residents with diverse backgrounds and talents!

What aspect of Gettysburg/Adams County’s history do you most admire?

The words written and delivered by Abraham Lincoln during his November 1863 Gettysburg Address are beautiful and stunning in their simplicity.

What or who inspired you to become a writer/photographer? Why?

It all started with my high school journalism teacher, Miss Maureen Shields, and my high school radio club advisor, Mr. Gary Spohn, at Spring-Ford High School in suburban Philadelphia. I feel very blessed and thankful to have worked alongside wonderful mentors through the years who helped me develop the writing skills needed for my career in the media. In terms of journalism ethics, Mr. Dick Hoxworth at WGAL-TV (Channel 8) was the consummate professional. He impressed upon me the importance of seeing all angles to a story, ensuring that every story is fair and balanced—skills that I still use every day.

What's your favorite story you've written about or photographed for Celebrate Gettysburg and why? 

All of them! It’s an adventure every time! I invest myself into each one of my articles, taking great care to honor the words and stories entrusted to me. I know this might sound crazy to some people, but I feel as though the writing process is much like giving birth. Every story is like a new “baby” to me.

What one aspect of your craft do you enjoy the most?

Definitely the people! It’s a joy to meet people who entrust their stories to me—and it’s an honor to be able to retell and share those stories with the public. I especially enjoy trying to figure out what makes people “tick,” how they’ve overcome adversity in their lives, or what they’re doing to help others. I am constantly reminded that there are good, kind people in the world who are doing such positive, selfless, and caring deeds.

What's the biggest misconception people have about writers/photographers?

The biggest misconception is also a pet peeve of mine: people sometimes assume that we’re going to get it wrong. They think writers just write what they want, make up quotes, or aren’t really listening during interviews. People love to tell me about other writers who “got the facts wrong” or “completely misquoted me.” While writers are human and mistakes do happen, I take pride in my work and strive to be completely accurate, as nearly all writers do. Recently, after one of my stories was published by Celebrate Gettysburg, one of my sources called to thank me, saying, “Every time I’m interviewed for a story, there are mistakes and problems with the story. I’ve read and re-read your story and can’t find a single thing wrong with it. This is the first time this has happened so I just had to call and thank you!” That message is still on my phone!

Do you have any lifelong goals as a writer/photographer (i.e., winning a certain award, covering a specific event, etc.)?
I would love to travel the world, write for national or international publications, and continue to interview fascinating people. Writing is in my blood, and I can’t imagine doing anything else!

What aspects of the Gettysburg/Adams County area do you think make it so special and worth capturing?

Adams County is multidimensional. Although the hallowed Gettysburg Battlefield is our major attraction, Adams County has much more to offer—quaint, small hometown settings; a beautiful agricultural and orchard landscape; plus unique shops and restaurants. It’s an interesting blend of contrasts—Adams County’s tranquility vs. her Civil War past—and all in the shadow of major urban areas such as Harrisburg, Frederick, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.

What is your favorite hidden treasure in Adams County? Why? (This can be a restaurant, shop, location, etc.)

It’s hard to pick just one, so here’s my top five:

1. Foxxy Moxxy – Bobbi Becker’s artist studio and gallery is nestled in the woods between Gettysburg and New Oxford, and if you haven’t discovered or visited yet—you must!

2. Visiting nearly any of the farmer’s markets or roadside markets, although Hollabaugh’s is my favorite. Going to pick blueberries at Hollabaugh’s or cherries at Boyer’s are wonderful family experiences.

3. Attending events or classes at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg. The arts enrich our lives in countless ways!

4. There are signature dishes that stand out at a number of restaurants: the Aubergine Pesto sandwich at Café St. Amand, sweet potato fries at the Avenue Restaurant, sushi from Ping’s, pizza from Deliso’s, lasagna at Olivia’s…and the list could go on and on!

5. Visiting the Eternal Light Peace Memorial on the Battlefield.

How has your perception of Gettysburg/Adams County changed since you began working with Celebrate Gettysburg?

I have a deeper appreciation for people from all walks of life. It’s so fun to put yourself in others’ shoes—to “walk a mile in their shoes” and live through their stories and experiences.

Where can we find you online?

Twitter: @karenhendricks9

Instagram: KarenHendricks9

Facebook: Hendricks Communications

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/pub/karen-hendricks/10/368/b86

Blog/Website: HendricksCommunications.com and OfftheMerry-Go-Round.com