Hershey All Things Diversity Sessions Open Dialogue to Foster an Inclusive Community Culture

Hershey is already the sweetest place on earth, but it can be even sweeter if we create an environment that is free of discrimination where everyone feels equal and welcome.

The Hershey All Things Diversity Community Sessions offer members of the community the opportunity to discuss issues of discrimination. The discussions bring positive attention to our differences in an effort to create an understanding to encourage acceptance and inclusiveness.

Read The Sun's article, That's Life: An Inclusive Community, by Anne Reeves on the Hershey All Things Diversity Sessions. 

Also visit the Township's website to view the Resolution Commitment to Equality and Inclusion, order a Hershey All Things Diversity T-shirt, and register for the remaining sessions in March, Understanding Religious Differences, and May, Sharing Perspectives of Diverse Populations.

Work to Resume on Mariner East 2 Pipeline

Sunoco Pipeline entered into a consent order and agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that allows construction on the Mariner East 2 pipeline to resume.

Construction crews will begin mobilizing equipment in the coming weeks and preparing to set up horizontal directional drilling equipment in areas where the drills have not been completed.

Sunoco Pipeline reiterates that s afety is paramount for any energy infrastructure project that they do, for the safety of the communities in which they work and operate, the safety of their employees, and the safety of the environment. 

They express that they are committed to complying with

the DEP order, which includes following all permit requirements.   

Sunoco Pipeline reports that Mariner East 2 is critical to Pennsylvania’s economy, and resumption of construction

will put thousands of workers back on the job. The mainline pipeline construction is approximately 93 percent complete and horizontal directional drilling is approximately 64 percent complete for in-service.

Pennsylvania American Water Holds 16th Annual "Protect Our Watersheds" Art Contest

Pennsylvania American Water is accepting entries from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students that live in areas, or attend schools, served by PA American Water.

The contest encourages students to tap into their artistic talents to express the importance of protecting Pennsylvania’s water resources. The deadline for artwork submissions is April 13, 2018. Contest guidelines and entry forms are available on the company’s website at www.pennsylvaniaamwater.com, under “News and Community.”

A first, second and third-place winner will be selected from both eastern and western Pennsylvania. First-place winners will be rewarded with a $100 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Second and third-place winners will receive a $50 and $25 gift card, respectively. Awards will be presented in May as part of National Drinking Water Week activities.

Friends of the Hershey Public Library Present Banataba: The Circle of Celebration

The Seventh Principle will perform Banataba: The Circle of Celebration, a high-energy fusion of percussive dance, traditional music, and rousing call-and-response on Sunday, February 11, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hershey Public Library.

This children's program will demonstrate traditional African dance and modern African-American dance. Children will experience the respective cultures of both sides of the Atlantic and see how dance and music are infused into elements of everyday life in West African communities, and how the arts play an important role as an expression of cultural identity. 

Banataba: The Circle of Celebration connects children to the history of African dance and cultures, and celebrates the unique ability the art form has to bring people together around the world. No registration is necessary.

Kindergarten Registration Is Happening Now

Children who will be five years old before September 1, 2018 and plan to attend kindergarten in Derry Township School District (DTSD) this fall, can be registered now through Friday, February 23, 2018.

 

Pre-registration can be done at  http://www.hershey.k12.pa.us/Page/4481 

Register for  Second Saturday

Saturday, February 10, 1:30 p.m.

Second Saturday is a family program that is a part of the Hershey Public Library's literacy-based strategy. The program encourages reading, talking, playing, singing and writing.

The program will begin with a story read aloud and exploration of the story theme through learning centers, play areas and experiments to promote active engagement of parents with their children. There will be an opportunity to take related books home after the program.

The library is located at 701 Cocoa Avenue.

Friends Winter Film Festival Pays Tribute to

Roger Moore

"The Spy Who Loved Me" (1977, Rated PG) is the featured film this Saturday, February 10, at 2:00 p.m. at the Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Avenue.

See Roger Moore reprise his role as James Bond as he investigates the hijacking of British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear warhead, with the help of a K.G.B. Agent whose lover Bond killed.

All are welcome. Snacks are provided.

It's Time for Another Block Party Next Week!

Families with children three to six years old are invited to the library to play with universal wooden blocks and play sets from Lakeshore Learning on Friday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. There are over 300 blocks in 25 shapes!

Hershey Resident, Lesa Brackbill, Publishes Book 

Even So, Joy

There are times when we don't know how we will find the strength to survive devastation and grief. Lesa Brackbill shares a touching and inspiring story of the loss of her and her husband Brennan's baby girl, Victoria.

Read more about her uplifting message on gratitude and joy on Amazon.

"Healthcare 101" to Be Presented at the Hershey Indivisible Team Meeting

The Hershey Indivisible Team will present a speaker at its February meeting to clarify and answer questions about Medicare, Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act (ACA). “Healthcare 101” will emphasize access to health care and explain its vital importance for coverage for all. 

The speaker, health economist Douglas Leslie, PhD, is director of the Penn State Center for Applied Studies in Health Economics. He is also professor of Public Health Sciences and Psychiatry and chief, Division of Health Services and Behavioral Research. He has extensive experience with managed care, quality of mental health care, health care service use and costs associated with autism. He possesses in depth knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid, the Department of Veterans Affairs and private health insurers.

The meeting will be held Thursday, February 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Avenue.    

Questions can be sent to  Info@HersheyIndivisibleTeam.org.

The Hershey Public Library does not sponsor or endorse this event nor any product or service offered.

Hershey Symphony Orchestra Heats Up February with Gypsy Passion



The Hershey Symphony Orchestra will warm you up at their next concert, “Gypsy Passion.” The concert will be performed on Friday, February 16, at 8:00 p.m. at The Hershey Theatre.

Joining the Hershey Symphony Orchestra once again will be violinist Odin Rathnam, performing Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen (Gypsy Airs), a characteristic work comprised of Hungarian folk melodies. In keeping with the themes of freedom, adventure and, especially, romance, the orchestra will perform Johann Strauss’s “Gypsy Baron” Overture, George Enescu’s Romanian Rhapsody No. 1 and the fourth movement of Arnold Schoenberg’s orchestration of Brahm’s Piano Quartet in G Minor, Op 25.

 

The Hershey Symphony Festival Strings and Hershey Symphony Powerhouse Strings join the orchestra for Verdi’s popular “Anvil Chorus” from Il Trovatore and 2017 Young Artist Competition winner Emily Chung performs the third movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor.  

Tickets can be purchased by calling the Hershey Theatre Box Office at (717) 534-3405.

WE MATTER Coalition to Cover Eating Disorders

The WE MATTER Coalition is sponsoring a free community forum, "How Much Do You Know About Eating Disorders?" for parents and children struggling with the complex issue of body image and food.

The event will take place on Wednesday, February 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Avenue, Hershey.

Dr. Rollyn Ornstein, M.D. and Emily Masciulli, MSW, LCSW, from Penn State Health will be the presenters. Attendees will learn how to recognize the emotional and behavioral signs of an eating disorder and how to seek help.

The presentation is suitable for adults and children. Please email wemattercoalition@gmail.com to register.

WE MATTER is an Outreach Coalition comprised of community stakeholders dedicated to suicide prevention and reducing the stigma associated with mental health needs. WE MATTER provides educational opportunities, training, parent and youth support so that we may better connect, equip, and empower our community.

Hershey Figure Skating Club Offers New Therapeutic Skating Program for Kids with Physical Challenges

Skating is great exercise, but can be especially beneficial to those with developmental disabilities, physical challenges, or who are recovering from an injury.

The Hershey Figure Skating Club is running Hershey Twizzles, a five-week therapeutic skating course for children ages 5 to 12. Classes run 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Mondays, February 26, March 5, 12, 19, and 26. The cost is $80 for the program and $16 for a one-time yearly Learn-to-Skate USA membership.

The first session will be held off the ice at the Hersheypark Arena. The remaining sessions will be on the ice at the Giant Center. 

Hershey Twizzles participants will have one-on-one assistance under the guidance of a United States Figure Skating Association certified coach. Skaters will be paired with their own volunteer "buddy," and work at his or her own pace. Skaters will work on a special therapeutic skating curriculum, earning badges along the way.

 

Skate rental is available for $2.50. It's recommended that skaters bring a bike or hockey helmet. Walkers will be provided for those who need it. Please visit our website for information on how a wheelchair-bound child can participate on the ice and for more information.

Hershey Baroque Chamber Ensemble to Perform Works by Bach, Vivaldi and Handel

The Arts Alive Cultural Series presents the Hershey Baroque Chamber Ensemble in concert on Sunday, March 4 at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary at Derry Presbyterian Church, 248 East Derry Road, Hershey.

Founded in 2017 by Dr. Sean McCarthy, Director of Music at Derry Church, the Ensemble will present “Baroque Palace,” a program featuring some of the greatest hits of the Baroque period. Selections will include audience favorites including Vivaldi’s Spring from The Four Seasons, Pachelbel’s Canon in D major , Handel’s Water Music, and Bach’s amazing Brandenburg Concerto No. 4.

A free will offering will be received. Handicapped parking and an elevator are available.