Joshua Groh, Author at LebTown

Over 90 sweet years: How Wertz Candies became a downtown Lebanon staple

Joshua Groh — Mon, 13 Mar 2023 10:30:00 +0000

William Jr. at the storefront, prior to his decision to cut ties with Karmelkorn in the 1970s.

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/images.phillypublishing.com/lebtown/uploads/2023/03/wertz-feat.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/images.phillypublishing.com/lebtown/uploads/2023/03/wertz-feat.jpg?fit=780%2C439&ssl=1" />With Wertz Candies up for sale, LebTown decided to dig into the history of the shop. In between making batches of caramel corn, Charles “Chuck” Wertz spoke to LebTown about the business, its core treats, and the family that’s operated it over three generations.

Lebanon Valley Rail Trail breaks ground on Phase 6; city trail and park underway

Joshua Groh — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000

The completion of Phases 6A and 6B will include the John E. Wengert Memorial Park and a trail extension from Chestnut Street to South 22nd Street through Lebanon.

Thousands of migrating geese return to Middle Creek in yearly natural spectacle

Joshua Groh — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 11:45:00 +0000

It's that time of year: tens of thousands of snow geese migrating north for the warm months are once again stopping over at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in southeast Lebanon County.

Belated spotlight shone on the Lebanon High School Band’s 100th anniversary

Joshua Groh — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

Among the celebrations deferred when COVID-19 struck in 2020 was the 100th anniversary of the founding of Lebanon High School’s band program. Now, in 2023, the LHS Band is getting the attention it deserves with a special public display.

Domestic Violence Intervention announces new 2023 support group

Joshua Groh — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 11:45:00 +0000

A new support group for adult victims and survivors of domestic violence has opened for Lebanon County residents.

Pennsylvania Gourd Society to host Gourd Festival at the Expo Center

Joshua Groh — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 11:30:00 +0000

Gourd aficionados, take note – the Pennsylvania Gourd Society is visiting the Lebanon Valley to hold an annual celebration of all things gourd at the 2023 Pennsylvania Gourd Festival.

Mt. Lebanon Cemetery walking tour will highlight history, monuments and more

Joshua Groh — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 10:45:00 +0000

A popular historical tour of one of Lebanon’s best-known cemeteries is returning on Sunday, June 26.

Local author’s new book covers over 150 years of Coleman family history

Joshua Groh — Tue, 07 Jun 2022 10:15:00 +0000

James Polczynski's new book "Souls of Iron" examines the multi-generational Coleman iron dynasty, Lebanon County's most famous industrial family.

The real story of Robert H. Coleman, his Cornwall mansions, and St. Luke’s

Joshua Groh — Wed, 01 Jun 2022 10:15:00 +0000

It's long been said that the wealthy industrialist Robert H. Coleman ordered the demolition of an unfinished mansion in Cornwall and sent the remaining stones to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, but there's more to this local legend than is commonly known.

Salamander Books & Music plans relocation to downtown Lebanon

Joshua Groh — Thu, 19 May 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Previously located in Palmyra, Salamander Books & Music will move into downtown Lebanon at 701 Cumberland Street.

Chautauqua seeks to restore wood carvings in honor of two late residents

Joshua Groh — Mon, 09 May 2022 10:15:00 +0000

The Pennsylvania Chautauqua plans to raise money to restore two wood carvings owned by Gretna music lovers Peter Hewitt and Walter McAnney.

Neptune Fire Co. of Richland will host 100th Firefighters Convention in June

Joshua Groh — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 10:15:00 +0000

The parade is planned for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 18, and will celebrate the community fire companies that serve the Lebanon Valley. Almost $35,000 in prize money will be awarded to participants.

The backstory behind the new Norman Rockwell-inspired mural on 8th Street

Joshua Groh — Thu, 21 Apr 2022 11:00:00 +0000

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Northwest Elementary develops laundry program, with help from local business

Joshua Groh — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 10:15:00 +0000

Lebanon's Northwest Elementary hopes to promote student and family engagement with a new laundry program. Its organizers are currently looking for supply donations after being given a headstart thanks to Majik Rent-To-Own.

In memory of Lebanon’s officers who gave their life in the line of duty

Joshua Groh — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 10:54:08 +0000

As we celebrate the life of Lt. William Lebo, so too we recall the lives of Chief of Police Aaron McCord and Patrolman Cyrus Shaeffer, whose names will all long endure in Lebanon County.

Cedar Crest swim team hosts food truck fundraiser with crafts, entertainment

Joshua Groh — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 10:30:00 +0000

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Between Hershey and Wilbur: A look at the chocolate industry in Lebanon County

Joshua Groh — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:15:00 +0000

The history of the chocolate industry in Lebanon County has often been overlooked thanks to its famous neighbors. Here's a short and sweet peek at a few businesses and chocolatiers that set up shop inside the county borders.

How a railroad rivalry spurred the creation of Penryn Park, Cornwall’s answer to Mount Gretna

Joshua Groh — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 10:45:00 +0000

The story of Penryn Park is one of 19th-century industry, breezy weekend getaways, baseball, thunderstorms, and the intense rivalry between two Coleman cousins and the railroad lines they managed.

Moravian Church of Lebanon celebrating its 275th anniversary

Joshua Groh — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:30:00 +0000

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Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery comes to a shelf near you; pub to open this summer

Joshua Groh — Thu, 17 Mar 2022 10:30:00 +0000

Brew house room.

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Lebanon Bicycle Recycle program offers repairs, donated bikes; open house soon

Joshua Groh — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 11:40:14 +0000

The Lebanon Bicycle Recycle program offers repair lessons, trade-in bikes, and more. (Provided)

" data-medium-file="https://i0.wp.com/images.phillypublishing.com/lebtown/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-239.png?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1" data-large-file="https://i0.wp.com/images.phillypublishing.com/lebtown/uploads/2022/03/Screenshot-239.png?fit=780%2C440&ssl=1" />With an official launch set for March 19, the Lebanon Bicycle Recycle program is gearing up to become a community resource for young cyclists.

Jack Paar and Betty White: Two late friends who both had area connections

Joshua Groh — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:15:00 +0000

The famed Tonight Show host and friend Betty White were two celebrities of classic television to have some ties to the Lebanon and Lancaster area.

Celebrating local roots in 2022: LebTown features, Historical Society events, and more

Joshua Groh — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 11:15:00 +0000

Thanks to the strong support of our members, the LebTown newsroom is excited to begin publishing longer historical features again beginning in March.

Annual geese migration at Middle Creek will peak soon, Visitors Center reopened

Joshua Groh — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 11:30:00 +0000

The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area just south of Kleinfeltersville is bustling with tens of thousands of snow geese and other migratory birds -- a seasonal spectacle that human visitors flock to as well.

A short history of Lebanon’s love affair with fasnachts

Joshua Groh — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 11:13:22 +0000

Fasnachts, the sugary, fried donuts customarily prepared and eaten on Shrove Tuesday, are a Pennsylvania Dutch staple in Lebanon County.

Eight of the best bicycle trails in and around Lebanon County

Joshua Groh — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 12:42:19 +0000

Between rolling fields, forest paths, and wide-open riverside trails, the Susquehanna region is hardly lacking in sights to see from the perch of a bicycle seat.

Campbelltown adds welcome signs to the neighborhood, celebrating completion of project two years in the making

Joshua Groh — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 12:12:12 +0000

Thanks to the work of the nonprofit Campbelltown Community Alliance, new signs welcoming traffic into the community have been installed by the side of Route 322 at either end of the village.

YMCA Camp Rocky Creek gets fall facelift thanks to Charter Homes

Joshua Groh — Fri, 12 Nov 2021 11:56:43 +0000

Though the summer season is long over, YMCA Camp Rocky Creek of Cornwall recently saw a bustling day of activity as employees of Charter Homes & Neighborhoods volunteered their time and effort in a number of maintenance and improvement projects.

Mosaic at Stoever’s Dam Park dedicated as officials, artists reflect on the importance of suicide prevention

Joshua Groh — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 12:20:44 +0000

On Thursday, November 4, officials, artists, and community members gathered at the Remembrance Garden at Stoever's Dam Park to dedicate a mosaic in remembrance of those lost to suicide and in the hopes of future prevention.

‘Bologna Bowl’ fuels friendly rivalry between Northern Lebanon and Palmyra youth football programs

Joshua Groh — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 11:00:00 +0000

The series of games between the youth football programs of Palmyra Area School District and Northern Lebanon School District will kick off on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Camp Shand gains new name of “Camp Rocky Creek” as Lebanon County and YMCA celebrate major purchase

Joshua Groh — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 12:03:24 +0000

After Camp Shand was purchased by Lebanon County for $725,000 last year, the transfer of the Cornwall summer camp was celebrated on Wednesday with the new name of "Camp Rocky Creek."

The stories behind six lesser-known historical markers that can be found in Lebanon County

Joshua Groh — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 11:32:28 +0000

How many of Lebanon County's 32 roadside historical markers are you familiar with? From a Revolutionary War outpost to a unique renting arrangement involving roses, here are six that we're betting you haven't heard about before.

Union Center: How a 520-acre Coleman estate was converted into a “worker’s paradise” for 20,000 union members

Joshua Groh — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 11:52:43 +0000

In one of the most striking property transformations in the history of the Lebanon Valley, the lavish Gilded Age estate of John Percy Coleman Alden was transformed in the 1950s into a holiday complex for some 20,000 members of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers Union of America.

In remembrance of George Rentz, a Lebanon-born pastor who sacrificed himself for his men in World War II

Joshua Groh — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 11:41:08 +0000

Many American men and women have given their lives up for their country, displaying incredible fortitude and bravery in the face of war. Lebanon can claim one particularly extraordinary man among the country's heroes: Navy Chaplain George S. Rentz.

Root Beer Barrel at Cornwall Rail Trail reopens June 5, National Trail Day

Joshua Groh — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 11:30:00 +0000

The iconic barrel-shaped stand will open at 10 a.m. for the "grand re-opening celebration" and stay open until 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 5.

The College Hill Chix: How a star Fredericksburg baseball team rose to local acclaim and national attention

Joshua Groh — Fri, 28 May 2021 12:07:10 +0000

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How the vaudeville-era star singers the Trix Sisters went from Newmanstown to international fame

Joshua Groh — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 09:58:01 +0000

Helen and Josephine Yeiser, both hailing from Newmanstown in Millcreek Township, boasted wit and musicianship that made them international stars of vaudeville a century ago. Behind the stardom, though, the Trix Sisters' story is one of family.

Union Canal Days returning in May after last year’s cancellation

Joshua Groh — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 11:45:55 +0000

For 31 years, the Union Canal Tunnel Park hosted Union Canal Days in spring – a weekend of tours, food, music, and more. In 2020, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but 2021 will see the event returning to the park on the weekend of May 15 and 16.

The history behind the Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery, which survived a century of ownership changes – and Prohibition

Joshua Groh — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:42:46 +0000

Lebanon Valley Craft Brewery, 840 North 7th Street in Lebanon, is set to reopen, more than 60 years since the last beer was brewed at the address. The address's history as a brewery, however, begins over 160 years ago, at a time when breweries in Lebanon were a significant local industry.

Clarence Schock Memorial Park at Governor Dick celebrates new permanent art installation

Joshua Groh — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 11:46:55 +0000

The artwork, created as a collaboration between artist-in-residence Karen Beall and members of the community, is entitled "Forest Fable" and is composed of 20 clay tiles depicting tree species found in the park.