Live Blog of the Barnstormers Tonight

By Sam Valentin-

I am at Clipper Magazine Stadium waiting for the start of the finale against the Somerset Patriots at 7pm. Already the fans are starting to trickle in, the smell of hotdogs, and cotton candy fill the air, while the green grass glimmers in the afternoon sunlight. Its a great night for baseball folks. And I will bring it to you live tonight from the press box.

The Barnstormers lost in shocking fashion last night to the Pat’s in the middle game of the three game series which concludes tonight. The Patriots scored seven… yes seven runs with their final four outs to stun the Stormer’s by a score of 7-6. Although Durbin pitched a no- no through six and two thirds innings.

Lineups-

Somerset

2B Freddie Bynum

LF Deangelo Mack

1B Freddy Sandoval

DH Jesse hoorelbeke

RF Aaron Mathews

3B Jeff Nettles

C Yusuf Carter

CF Johnny Drenned

SS Rex Rundgren

RHP Justin Cassel (0-1)

Barnstormers

CF Adam Godwin

LF Blake Gailen

1B Tommy Everidge

3B Terry Tiffee

RF Ryan Harvey

2B Brad Boyer

DH Fehlandt Lentini

SS Jaime Pedroza

C Emerson Frostad

LHP Rich Rundles (0-0)

7 pm- National Anthem and Stormers take field

Now play ball

Freddie Bynum up. He grounds out to short.

Now Deangelo Mack. He lines out to short.

Two down with Sandoval at the dish. And again the shortstop makes the put out.

Now the Stormers are up in the bottom of the first

Godwin flys out to center and Gailen grounds out. and now slugger Tommy Everidge struts to the plate to take his cuts with two down. He stays cold by grounding out to short

Three up three down for both teams

And now Hoorelbeke up. This guy can hit. He he showed it two nights ago.Well he grounds out to Tiffee. Mathews strikes out. Rundles first of the night. Two down. Nettles ends the inning with a ground out back to Rundles.

Now up Tiffee for the Stormers. He strikes out. Cassel’s first k of the night. And now up harvey. Harvey gets called out looking. Back to back strikeouts for Cassel. Boyer steps in. He grounds out to first to end the inning.

Carter digs in for the pats in the third. He gets the first hit of the game with a grounder up the middle. Drennen, Mr. frosty for the night steps up. Although Drennen gets rung up for the second k of Rundles night but Carter takes second. Rundren singles to left and Carter scores from second 0ff an error in left. Somerset up one. Now Bynum up again. He strikes out and then Rundles gets a line out to short from Mack.

So bottom of the third and its now 1 to nothing not in the Stormers favor.

Lentini up to lead off. He gets on with a very strong liner. Pedroza steps in. He strikesout giving Cassel his third k of the night. Frostad up with one down Lentinit on first. Frosty (yes I just gave him that nickname) hits into a 4-3 double play to end the inning.

Now the fourth inning and Sandoval is leading off. He flies out to shallow center. Hoorelbeke up who puts a frozen rope to left. one on first and one out for Mathews who puts a double into the gap in right, Both men in scoring position for Nettles who barely gets called out at first. Ends the inning no damage.

Now the home side of the fourth.

Godwin leads off. Godwin grounds to first for out number one. Gailen digs in and grounds out to first. Great defense from the Pats this inning. Everidge ends the inning with a strikeout.

Fifth inning now and score the same with the Pat’s up one.

Carter doubles to start the inning. Next up Drennen or Frosty who drops a sac bunt. Rundgren then hits a sac fly scoring carter to make the score two in the favor of the Pats. Stormers still nothing. The top of the line up with Bynum who gets on after a lengthy at bat with a grounder up the first base side. Mack up with two down and Bynum standing on first. Bynum now on second easily takes the base. Lightening just sighted in background folks could effect the game. Mack ends up striking out.

With the stormers down two Tiffe flies out to right. Harvey grounds out and Boyer strikes out to end that frame.

Now the sixth and Sandoval strikes out. And Hoorelbeke gets another base hit with a liner to left. Mathews up next at the plate with Hoorelbeke on first. And Mathews looks out but called safe at first. Rundles is at 83 pitches after he strikes out Nettles.

Lentini leading it off. He gets on by way of an error by the shortstop. This brings up Pedroza who takes a long at bat and ends up with a stirke out which turns into a double play when Lentini is thrown out trying to steal second. Frostad comes up and grounds out to first.

Ching Lung Lo now pitching for Lancaster. Leading off for the Pat’s is Carter who flies out to shallow left. Next up Drennen who also flies out to left. Rundgren grounds out to end this side of the seventh inning to led us to our stretch.

After the stretch the top of the line up leads it off for the Stormer’s. Godwin gets on with a liner to center. This brings up Gailen who moves Godwin to scoring position with a ground out to first. Everidge back up to the plate and he is hitless on the night. He does move Godwin to third and this brings up Tiffee in a much needed RBI situation. And Tiffee comes up short when he smacks the ball to the left fielder.

Now the eighth inning. And fan favorite, Ross Peebles brought in for the stormers. Somerset’s top of the line up leads it off. So Bynum steps in and flies out to left for the first out and Mack walks which brings up Sandoval who gets rung up by Peebles. This leads to a pitching change by Hobson who goes with Pollok who gets Hoorelbeke to fly out to shallow right.

Now the pitcher for Somerset is Anthony Claggett who faces first Harvey who gets rung up. This brings up Boyer who goes deep to right center to finally put a tally on for Lancaster but they are still down one. Lentini up now who beats out a grounder to bring up Pedroza with one out and man on first. Pitching now is David Quinowski. Pedroza is seeing a plethora of pitches before he finally gets called out on strikes when it looked like a walk. Frostad to bat. Lentini finally steals second he has been tip toeing around all night. Frostad takes a stroll to first and the Pat’s bring in another pitcher in Josh Rupe. He gets a chopper down to load the bases for Gailen who has an opportunity here to tie or even take the lead for the Stormers. They have not led all game. And runners advance on a passed ball. Games tied at two with two outs in the bottom of the eighth. And the eighth finaally comes to end with Gailen popping up to short.

Mathews to lead off the ninth for Somerset. He is struck out. This brings up Nettles who flies out to center. There could be extra baseball here tonight. Carter strikes out and this could lead to a walk off for the Stormers. Lets hope so.

Leading off slumping, slugger Tommy Everidge who can not buy a hit right now. He grounds out to short for out number one. Tiffee up with the chance to be the hero. And no he grounds out. Here comes Harvey with the last out in regulation in the midst. Will he be the hero? The devils just took the lead by the way. Well he was no hero but stayed alive and fought for a blooper to center to get on to bring up the man who already homered once tonight, Boyer. Can he do it again? No he can not.

Extra baseball on the way.

Another call to the bullpen for Lancaster. They call upon Mike Johnston to face Drennen. And he knew what was coming and he crushed it to center his first hit of the night and he has two RBI’s on the night as well. The lead is now one by Somerset in the top of the tenth. Will he be the hero? Rundgren flies out to center for the first out and Bynum grounds out. And Mack grounds out to bring up the Barnstormers who really need to find there bats here.

Lentini will lead off the bottom of the 10th. He grounds out to short. One done for Pedroza at the dish now. He cracks one done the first base side that is gobbled up. Frostad with two outs needs to do something here. Down t there last out and Frostad get a single throw a hole between first and second. Brings up Godwin who puts away a fielders choice and somerset wins and takes the series.

The Stormers did eventually lose the series against the Patriots but it was a tough series. In game one the Stormers won easily with a score of seven to two. The game was never really in question. And then in game two even with Lancatser’s pitcher, J.D Durbin pitching almost seven innings of no hit baseball they allowed Somerset to score seven runs in their final four outs. And last night in the finale the Stormers never really got it going losing to the Pat’s in ten innings. Drennen, who also hit the game winning homerun two night ago delivered again when he  smacked a lead off homer in the tenth to secure the game and series for the Somerset Patriots.

Now the Barnstormer’s will prepare to battle the new team in the Atlantic League, the Sugar Land Skeeters. They have a three game weekend series with them. And then they have a mini series at home against Camden starting on Mondya before heading to Camden for two nights when next weekend they will end up back here in Lancaster against Southern Maryland.

Stormer’s start it up at home

By Sam Valentin- 

This time the Barnstormer’s did not have to wait until the ninth inning to produce runs.

Lancaster came out swinging last night in their home opener scoring four runs in the first inning. While in their previous two wins against the Blue Crabs they had to rally in the final frame.

John Halama picked up his first win in the home opener for the Barnstormers Tuesday night. Photo by Gabbi Bauman.

In front of a sellout crowd of 7,088, the stormers started off a very strong offensive night. In the first inning, Somerset pitcher, Doug Arguello had a tough outing not even retiring a batter before his night was ended. The Stormers bats came alive early to get four runs to make the score four to one.

They never looked back.

“I like when we can get off early like that,” ‘Stormers skipper Butch Hobson said.

Although Stormer’s starter, John Halama did give up an early run in the first, he only gave up another run. Only one was earned. Halama (1-1) earned the win for the Barnstormers, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) in a six-inning quality start. The bullpen combination of Beau Vaughan and Ching-Lung Lo pitched a no-no for the rest of the outing.

“The big thing is getting stretched out,” said Halama, who threw 84 pitches. “Hopefully, next outing I can get close to that 100-pitch count.”

The Barnstormers scored their final three runs in the fourth inning off of Somerset’s, Mike Solbach. Kody Kirkland blasted a solo shot to lead off the fourth. It was his second of the season. Adam Goodwin scored off a passed third strike to Terry Tiffee. Jesus Merchan who went two for five on the night doubled down the third base line to end the offensive storm.

The Pat’s scored another in the sixth off of a laser double by slugger Jesse Hoorelbeke. This ended the scoring for the night.

Lancaster will send J.D. Durbin (0-0) to the hill on Wednesday evening against right-hander Mike McDonald (0-0) for game two of the three game series with the Patriot’s. The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

In note: Leasean McCoy threw out the ceremonial first pitch to start off anpother baseball season in Lancaster. He was there promoting his foundation, the Lesean McCoy Foundation. His appearance was to raise money and awareness for ALS. McCoy’s grandmother recently succumbed to ALS and the LeSean McCoy Foundation is set up to help battle the disease. He will also be having a football camp at Penn Manor this summer through his foundation.

The Barnstormer’s recently signed outfielder, Brandon Haverman who has spent some time in the Mariner’s system after graduating from Purdue.

Also last years Freedom division MVP, Tommy Everidge recorded his first hit last night in the win.

Art Students Rally to Save Courses

By David Mohimani and Jay Jackson –

“In hard times, beauty can seem frivolous- but take it away, and all you’re left with is hard times,” said contemporary artist Paul Madonna.

That may sum up the situation of many in the high school art department who believe several classes will be cut from the curriculum for next year.  Students say they and their parents are concerned about possible cuts in art classes and say they will attend Monday night’s school board meeting to show their concern.

It is no secret Penn Manor has to make cuts to the budget, but many are hoping it’s not at the expense of art courses.

Junior Erin Henry detailed their plan of action,”(We are going) to attend the board meeting. (We are) trying to making it known (that art programs are being cut), by writing letters to the administration just showing that art is important to us and we don’t think it should be cut.”

The board meeting will be held May 7 at Manor Middle at 7 pm. Some of the classes students and teachers fear may be cut for the 2012-13 school year are photo II, watercolor, art independent study and fine art.

“I am really hoping that isn’t a final decision,” said Teri Hay, art department teacher who is retiring at the end of this school year.

“Students are being called down to guidance and their schedule is being changed,” said Hay, explaining why she believes specific classes are on the chopping block.  “As people leave (teachers retire) they won’t be replacing them. We don’t have a governor that is pro education so that means we don’t have one that is pro elective education.”

“To some students, they rely on art classes to get through the day, or even the school year,”said Rachel Shetler, a senior art student.

“I have basically taken art classes every single year and every semester,” said junior Trent Sheaffer an avid art student at Penn Manor who plans to go into the art field after high school. “Art always fascinated me ever since I was little.”

The guidance office isn’t calling this involuntary removal of classes a cut.

“It isn’t a cut. It just isn’t running,” explained guidance department head Melissa Ostrowski, “The art department decides which classes they want to run. It is a thing of economics.”

Ostrowski said that some classes just do not have enough people to run.

“The photography 2 class, I know they had enough students to run and it was my understanding that any class they were having, they had enough students to run,” said Hay.

Clearly there is a chasm between the two sides.

Either way the students are planning to make their voices heard.

A Facebook group has been created to attend the school board meeting and plead their case, the event has more than 700 hundred invited students.

Their hope is that the school will realize how important art is to them and keep the courses open to students.

In a recent speech, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan bemoaned the loss of art classes across the country in the wake of No Child Left Behind mandates.

“At more than 40 percent of our secondary schools, coursework in the arts was not a requirement for graduation in the 2009-10 school year,” reported Duncan in an Apr. 7 speech to educators in Washington, D.C. “Our high schools are doing too little to incorporate the arts as an expectation and component of career and college readiness for all students.”

He also said, “For a host of reasons, high-quality arts education is absolutely critical to providing all students with a world-class education,” said Duncan  “The study of the arts can significantly boost student achievement, reduce discipline problems, and increase the odds that students will go on to graduate from college.”

“It is dumb to cut art classes because it is a career that people [pursue],” explained Sheaffer.

Senior Cassie Braun put into perspective what she gets out of taking art classes.

“(It’s the feeling of) having something they can call their own.”

 

 

 

 

Steelers and Eagles Both Score Big In Draft

By Ian Noll-

With the 2012 NFL draft closing this past weekend, the Philadelphia Eagles finally have buffed up a defense that couldn’t hold a fourth quarter lead last year, even if Ryan Leaf was the opponent’s quarterback.

For the Steelers, they added depth to a line that had Ben Roethlisberger spending more time pulling dirt from his helmet then he did running an offense.

“It’s one of those things in the past where if they can’t keep Ben (Roethlisberger) upright, then they won’t be able to win the game,” said science teacher Matt Fox, an avid Steelers fan

But fortunately, both teams showed up big and selected players that were needed, not wanted.

The Pittsburgh Steelers finished with nine draft picks, drafting four offensive lineman total, with three in the first four rounds who, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, could start for a very long time. This year’s draft more than likely solved the Steelers’ woes at offensive line, which let up 42 sacks total in 2011.

DeCastro will add depth to a hurting offensive line. Photo from Triblive.com

Adding to an already potent offense, the Steelers picked up Florida running back Chris Rainey, Colorado wide receiver Tony Clemons and tight end David Paulson from Oregon. Rainey’s addition to the running back core can achieve his potential to be deadly with his speed and agility. He is also a threat on special teams which makes him even more valuable.

Expect a revived and explosive offensive package from the Steelers this year.

“By getting some of their lineman they are building for their future, they have a pretty young line versus what they used to have, which was very injury prone,” Fox said.

As far as defense goes, Pittsburgh drafted two defensive players, Sean Spence, a linebacker hailing from Miami and Terrence Fredrick, a cornerback from Texas A&M.

“I think they get beat too many times over, which turns them into a prevent D,” Fox said. “I think they will be able to put together some type of secondary that will be able to pass protect more then they did the previous year.”

Both players will assume backup positions behind current starters, which with the mentoring of current players could help this defense return to the days of the “Steel Curtain.”

The Eagles came out of this draft with their heads held high, bringing in what some call the best draft class under current coach Andy Reid.

Philly drafted four defensive players, something that needed to happen after last seasons troubles.

Added to the defensive line is tackle Fletcher Cox, from Mississippi State, and end Vinny Curry from Marshall.

Cox was a potential top-6 pick in the draft but had dropped to the Eagles at the 12 spot. Expect to hear a lot about him during the up and coming season.

Fletcher Cox looks to make a big splash in Philly. Photo by Blackenterprise.com

As far as the linebacker core and secondary goes, the Eagles drafted Mychal Kendricks, an inside linebacker from California, and Brandon Boykin, cornerback from Georgia.

Boykin will help fill a gap in the secondary after the Birds sent Asante Samuel down to the Falcons in Atlanta.

“I think they are still a little weak at the linebacker position but they will be able to fight through and win a super bowl,” junior Matt Hatch said.

Flip to the offensive side, the Eagles added five players across the already explosive run and gun style offense.

Nick Foles, from Arizona, will be fighting for a backup spot behind Michael Vick once camp starts. Foles was considered a risky pick by many, but with guidance from Vick could fulfill his potential.

For position players, they added to an already solid wide receiver core with the addition of Marvin McNutt of Iowa. Then at running back they added Kansas State’s Bryce Brown who ran a 4.3 40 at the combine.

Dennis Kelly (Purdue) and Brandon Washington (Miami) will be joining the offensive line this season too.

All in all, both teams came out strong from the draft, earning high B’s and A’s from experts rating their draft performances. Both teams will square off October 7 at Heinz Field.

Tune in and see who really is the best football team in Pennsylvania.

 

Penn Manor Teen In Jeopardy!

By Gabrielle Bauman

Morgan Flood may be on Jeopardy, but that doesn’t mean that she’s in jeopardy.

Flood, 17, was invited to participate in the Jeopardy! Teen Tournament earlier this year, and and now the air date of May 3 approaches for her episode of the Tournament. Flood, a Penn Manor junior, was both ecstatic and nervous to be on the program.

Flood relaxes with her 1063 Volkswagon Beetle.

“My hands were shaking,” she said.

To compete in the Tournament, contests must first take a practice test on the Jeopardy! website. If the score is good, then potential participants are invited for an interview. If the interview goes well, then the contestant goes to taping to compete.

The taping process actually goes over two separate sessions, the first session in the Los Angeles studio and the players that make Final Jeopardy! going to Washington, D.C. for the second round of taping.

Flood was mum about the results of the taping, “It’s part of my contract. I can’t say anything that might publish the results before the air date. Sorry, ask me all the questions you want, but I just can’t answer the ones about any hypothetical money I could have won.”

As much as Flood can’t say about her potential winnings, the past winnings are public knowledge. Currently, the winner of the Teen Tournament receives $75,000 plus their on-show winnings, first and second runners up earning $25,000 and $15,000, respectively. Semifinalists win $10,000, quarterfinalists win $5,000. Past winners have also won cars, computer packages, and the winners prior to 2001 were all invited to compete in the Tournament of Champions.

When Flood received the phone call that she had made the cut, she wasn’t at home, “My mom called me when I was at Model UN Ivy Leagues, and told me that we were going to L.A. over my birthday,” Flood said, “My dad was freaking out, and he never freaks out.”

The studio itself was ” really big, bigger than you’d think it would be,” she said, “They had this box behind the podium that you had to stand on so everyone looked to be the same height

Flood is also part of Penn Manor's Quiz Bowl and Model United Nations.

on camera.”

Just like athletes using good luck charms or eating a special meal before each game, Flood also came prepared with some good luck charms of her own. In addition to special knee-high socks that her family had bought her at a theme park earlier in the trip, “I had my CTY [Center for Talented Youth] lanyard on and my Flash Converse, which Alex Trebek complimented me on.”

The experience wasn’t just a trip to Los Angeles and the chance to compete on a nationally broadcasted game show — it also included the chance to meet Alex Trebek, the host, as well. “He was actually kind of hilarious. I didn’t get to see this, but apparently backstage he had a crick in his ankle and was dancing randomly around trying to get it out,” said Flood, “He was quoting Princess Bride afterwards with me, which was beyond awesome.”

“Beyond awesome” seems to be the general consensus about Flood’s experience in Jeopardy!

More from Gabie at: 4c3ofsp4des

 

Drug Testing Wait and See

By Brianna Kelly –

When a student attempts to join a club or sports team, they are usually given a paper that requires parental consent to a drug test.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) proclaimed this unconstitutional when this form was given to an 11-year-old girl who was attempting to play viola for her school orchestra in the Solanco School District. Her parents refused to sign the consent form and the girl, identified as M.M, was turned away from the position, according to the Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era.

School drug testing is being questioned "Source: kingstonprogressive.blogspot.com"

The Fourth Amendment of the U.S Constitution: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Solanco school district is now fighting the ACLU law challenge and Penn Manor school district officials say they are keeping a close watch since they have their own voluntary drug testing program for students.

“We’re not trying to violate students’ rights,” said Phillip B. Gale, Principal of Penn Manor High School “We’re just trying to be proactive in the student’s best interests.”

As of right now, Penn Manor schools are just watching the case. If Solanco must drop their drug testing, Penn Manor will take a closer look at their policies.

No statement is available from the Solanco school district until the lawyers finish the case review, said Keith Kauffman, the Solanco school district spokesman.

Girls Soccer Aiming to Clinch Playoff Spot

By Daulton Parmer –

Comet Field was the site of a girls soccer showdown this week.

A win would move the Comets to leagues for the Penn Manor Girl’s Soccer team. The top two teams move onto league playoffs.

The third place Comets, with a season record of  10-4-1, took on the Cedar Crest Falcons standing in second place at 9-7-0.

Unfortunately, the Comets couldn’t pull through.

The game had perfect weather and the players were really confident going into the game.

“I feel really good about our defense right now,” said senior captain Sara Bennis, “We’ve been practicing really well and hopefully our play will rub off from our last game against Manheim Township.”

Bennis led the defense in a crucial win against Manheim Township previously in the season, giving up zero goals and just a few looks at the net.

Defense wasn’t the problem for Penn Manor this time, they allowed the same type of results as the game against Township, zero goals, in 100 minutes.

But offense really hasn’t been the strong part for the Comets this year.

For multiple games this season, the girls just couldn’t find the back of the net.

Logan Kramer(17) and Erin Patterson(2) fight with Cedar Crest player for ball photo credit by Lebanon Daily News

“Without dominating junior Lindsay Hutchinson, the Comets need more people to step up offensively,” said Assistant Coach Sara Scheid.

“We just weren’t clicking, everything was forced and we just couldn’t get lucky,” said senior and captain Logan Kramer.

Unlucky wasn’t just the name for the offense, freshman Goalie Abby Schlegelmilch injured her leg coming down from a save. Which kept her from finishing the game. Another freshman, Carolyn Weber, came in goal for the second half of overtime.

The game ended 0-0.

Doesn’t end the chance at leagues.

Doesn’t make a change at leagues.

“We have to beat Hempfield Thursday,” said Scheid.

Beating number one Hempfield Thursday on their Senior Night is the first priority. After the win they still would need Cedar Crest to lose against Mccaskey. If they both win, the word going around is a play in game for playoffs.

Last match up against Hempfield finished with a heartbreaking loss in overtime.

Only time will tell the future for the Lady Comets.

 

 

 

Commercial Development may be Coming Comets Way

By Jay Jackson –

Once, twice, third time’s a charm.  At least the Penn Manor School Board and administrators hope so.

After Lancaster Township rezoned a piece of land owned by Penn Manor this month, the gate was finally open for the district to sell a corner of Comet Field in a deal that has been stalled since the 1990s.

The development will be a one-time boost to the school district budget, a convenience for the locals and a benefit and bane to some neighbors. The student body is excited  for these changes that could be just around the corner.

“I like it and it is close to Comet, and it’s better than going to Turkey Hill,” said Kevin Reinhart, a Penn Manor student. “It will be really busy because the kids will go there after their sports.”

The land in question is on the corner of Route 741 and Barbara Street. Some of the proposed deals over the years included a plan for a Wawa convenience store in the 1990s, a Turkey Hill in 2006, and now possibly a complex that includes a Sheetz, a bank, and a restaurant.

Lines painted on the road for the new plans at the corner of Barbara St. and 714. Photo credit by Jay Jackson.

Penn Manor is aiming to finally break through and get the deal done.

The rezoning was essential for the selling of the five-acre plot, which was mostly in Millersvile Borough but had a corner in Lancaster Township.  The property in the Lancaster Township was classified as open space and there could be no commercial use for the land.

This property is estimated to sell for approximately $1.7 million which could help Penn Manor with their financial situation.

“I am afraid that will not erase our projected deficits. Remember, when you are selling land it is like selling a personal item like a car,”  said Mike Leichliter the superintendent at Penn Manor.  “It is a one-time sale and does not add money to your budget on a yearly basis.  Will the extra money help reduce the problem for a year or two?  Certainly?  Will it correct a budget that is projected to be in a continual deficit?  No.”

This land has been sitting next to Comet Field for years just collecting weeds since the mid 80’s until the Blackford Development came through with an offer.

The students in Penn Manor, especially the student athletes who use Comet field regularly, seem to be excited about this new addition to their “Field of Dreams” but some neighbors have mixed feelings about this new plan, some are split even in the same household.

The Barbara St. residents that have different opinions about the up coming changes that may happen. Photo Credit Jay Jackson.
The Barbara St. residents that have different opinions about the up coming changes that may happen. Photo Credit by Jay Jackson.

“I am not happy with all of the changes. I don’t want the noise and traffic. The road is so busy anyway. It is going to get crazy,” said Darla Hoke, a long time Barbara Street resident, who also noted her husband is for the project and the conveniences it will bring.

“I am concerned that it will affect my property value,” explained Hoke. “We have been shocked.”

“I always felt like this was the Millersville bypass. It really gets busy,” said Drema Huber another neighbor and  Hoke’s mother. “It is going to create a lot of trash. It has draw backs. Seems like there is enough banks around”

“They can white wash anyway they want but there is going to be more traffic,” said her husband Elwood Huber.  “It will be easier to get gas and there (may) be side walks as well.”

However other Barbara Street natives aren’t up in arms.

Another couple directly across from the proposed development couldn’t have been more welcoming of it.

“We have lived here for 60 years and raised our four kids here and I don’t think it would bother us,” said Bill Helman. ” We would rather see this then a housing development.”

“I am old. How long are we really going to be here?” Margaret Helman, Bill’s wife, asked jokingly.

“Germany has the Autobahn and Millersville has Barbara Street,” explained Bill, “We have all the traffic we can get already.”

Although is does seem like this deal will happen. There is still no timeline yet to the parcel of land.

“There are still several hurdles that need to be overcome before we can complete the sale,” explained Chris Johnston, the business manager for the district.  “After that, the developer would be a better source as to the timeline.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toto, I Don’t Think We’re in North Carolina Anymore…

By Brianna Kelly –

First day. New school. Senior year. Mid-year. What could possibly go wrong? I came from small town Concord, North Carolina. When I heard that I was moving to a school that was four times the size of my school, I panicked. It had taken a long time to become a Robinson Rowdie and it was a drastic change to try and call myself a Penn Manor Comet.

Jay M. Robinson High School (Source: cabarrus.k12.nc.us)

When I first walked into Penn Manor, I could feel everyone’s eyes on me – even though nobody was looking. I was just another face without a name. It made me claustrophobic. No story to tell, aside from being a small town girl. I slowly started to melt in and not feel so “different.”

Then I noticed the real changes.

I went to a high school where everybody knew everybody. Our parents all knew each other. My history teacher taught my parents when they were in high school. A girl in my math class was my mom’s best friend’s daughter. I’d known my best friend since preschool. Our senior class was something like 150 students. Our overall student body was 1500 students – give or take. Nobody was mean to anybody. What I never thought about at the time…what I never HAD to think about back then was how nobody really bullied anyone else.  If they did, they would have the rest of the school to deal with and the bully’s aunt Mary would have called him and in one afternoon, that would have been the end of it – if it had started at all.

But Penn Manor has a couple thousand more students than Robinson and nobody is supposed to wave at people they don’t know.  Even your friends have a different idea about what constitutes “nice.” There is trash talking behind your “best friend’s” back and you laugh and don’t do or say anything about it.

Brianna Kelly at home.

My slight southern twang to my voice is the first thing that irritated people. People thought it was funny.  They laughed and made me say things over and over to get a giggle.  My twang gets really pronounced when I’m angry. One group of students saw the worst of it when I caught them making fun a student: “What’s the point of ya’ll’s bullying? What release are ya’ll gettin’? Ya’ll know it bugs her so why keep up with the crap?” The group was shrinking away from me before long.  Was it my red face, my angry voice with its southern lash or just the overall vibe coming out of me from a girl they’d never seen before? One bully even went and apologized to the girl.

So I’m in my new school and learning a bunch of new things everyday. I’ve learned to watch what I say, who I talk to, even how I act around people. I don’t want to be that center of attention of people that I don’t know. Some just want a laugh and look for the most vulnerable person they can find. I’ve made sure that I’m not that person. I’ve stood strong about who I am and have stayed true to my way of life – respecting those who respect me and taking care of the weaker person, even if it’s me.

Someone to “Krow” About

By Jake Shiner and Alex Cummins –

Krow. It’s not a typo. It’s the last name of Penn Manor’s most celebrated substitute teacher, Mr. Don Krow.

The district’s renowned teacher of almost any subject imaginable has been subbing here since the spring of 1994 and he continues to stimulate minds and remain a “favorite” of many students.  However, most don’t know his personal story.

“I graduated in December of ’93 and just never got a full-time job,” says Krow.

He’s referring to the fact that for as long as he has been an educator, he’s been non-permanent, and has just decided to stick with subbing.

That doesn’t mean he doesn’t want to teach fulltime.

“One part of me feels really disappointed that I didn’t get a full time job, but I almost hesitate saying that because I just love subbing so much,” said Krow.

Krow isn’t the happiest about his circumstance in obtaining a full time teaching job. In fact, Krow even regrets it, calling it his “biggest disappointment in life.” The biggest problem is “The money isn’t steady enough”.

The fact that Krow hasn’t had a full time job doesn’t make sense when you consider his educational career.

After high school Krow attended classes at the prestigious Franklin and Marshall college. He then stopped going to school at  F&M and obtained a job working with ICS (International Signal Control), but the place turned out to be “crooked” and was closed down, according to Krow.

Krow then went to Millersville University where he graduated at the age of 42.

“I graduated with high honors and a double major,” said Krow, who is certified in social studies.

From there Krow went on to subbing.

“I love Mr.Krow, he’s involved in the community and he’s really outgoing and super funny,” stated senior Penn Manor student Emily Eddowes.

“He is probably one of the wisest people I know,” said Dylan Weber. “He is my favorite substitute and probably the most experienced.”

“He’s an awesome substitute and he’s very personal and tells a lot of good stories,”stated junior, Brandon Stone. “He’s not like other boring subs, he makes sure the work for the day gets done but everyone still has fun throughout the duration of class.”

Although Krow has never realized his goal of becoming a full time teacher, he still enjoys his job very much and is appreciated by students.

“I like working with kids,” said Krow. ” (And by subbing) I’ve been fortunate enough to get to know everybody.”

He also says there is a positive to being a substitute.

“The good thing about being a sub is if I have some bad classes I only have to be with them for one day,” Krow joked.

Krow teaches solely for Penn Manor nowadays and primarily works in the high school and sometimes middle school.

He only subs for Penn Manor because he’s, “used to it.

“I know the routines, I know the kids, it makes it easier,” he said.

“Sometimes I like the energy of middle school and sometimes I like the maturity of high school,” said Krow.

“(Middle school students) They say some funny things to you,” said Krow. One kid was “trying to be nice” and said that if Mr. Krow died everyone would be at his funeral.”

All humor aside he says his favorite subject is U.S. history but, “I can’t think of anything I haven’t subbed for,” said Krow.

When he isn’t teaching, Krow performs other jobs.

Krow said, “I paint at HACC part time during the school year and full time over the summer. I see a lot of Penn Manor graduates there.”

Krow doesn’t just work though. He also maintains several hobbies.

“I like to read, love U.S. history. See minor league baseball games in the summer. A lot of kids here see me at F&M basketball games; every home game.”