Derry Township eNews - June 5, 2020
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Hershey Area All Things Diversity Town Hall Meeting
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On Wednesday, June 10th, 2020 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the Hershey Area All Things Diversity group will hold a virtual town hall meeting to discuss racial tensions within our society. Featured speakers are
Harrisburg NAACP President Reverend Dr. Franklin Hairston-Allen and Derry Township Police Chief Garth Warner.
Or if you only want to watch and listen you can catch the Live Stream on our
YouTube channel
.
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Derry Township Recycling Center Reopens
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The Township will open the Recycling Center on Friday, June 5th and it will follow the same hours as our Yard Waste Drop-Off (Monday – Saturday - 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.). We will continue this modified schedule for a few more weeks and then we will return to our normal operating schedule for both the Recycling Center and Yard Waste Drop-off. Residents are still required to wear masks and observe all social distancing requirements outlined by the CDC and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
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Derry Township Moves to “Yellow Phase”
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As you know, Derry Township moved to the Yellow Phase on Friday, May 29. For more information, including hours of operation at various Township buildings, please
visit our website.
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Demolition Continues on Site of New Community Center
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Construction crews completed the necessary abatement work inside the former Recreation Center and have begun to demolish the building. The demolition phase of the project is expected to take from two to four weeks to complete. For project updates and construction photos, please visit
www.HersheyCommunityCenter.org
.
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Board of Supervisors to Meet Virtually on June 9
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The public is invited to attend the next Derry Township Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 9th at 7 p.m. The agenda will be posted on the Township website later today. For instructions on how to join the virtual call, please
visit our website
.
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COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
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Derry Township has compiled a list of resources that may be useful for local businesses as they navigate recovery efforts in response to COVID-19. Visit our
COVID-19 Business Resources page
, which can be found under the “Business” tab on the Derry Township website. The page contains a variety of resources for businesses provided by government, organizations, and private industry.
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Events and Information from Market on Chocolate
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Derry Township to Consider COVID-19 Recovery Flexible Business Support Program
The Township of Derry is considering implementing temporary provisions in an effort to assist local businesses in responsibly reopening and resuming operations as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Flexible Business Support Program is intended to provide businesses with certain regulatory relief and eased restrictions to enable them to safely and effectively operate their businesses on their property in conjunction with implementing the Governor’s Office, PA Department of Health, and other agency and industry guidelines regarding social distancing, sanitation, and public health. The Township Board of Supervisors will consider passing a resolution and associated guidelines on Tuesday, June 9.
Zagster Bike Share System to Cease Operations
Citing financial difficulties, Zagster, the bike share provider that has served the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus and other locations in the Derry Township community since April 2017, informed Penn State Health representatives on May 27 that it is ending its ride sharing programs. The company had suspended its service in March due to COVID-19 concerns. Zagster will remove bikes and stations from the network over the next few weeks.
Market on Chocolate Opens June 6
Market on Chocolate returns to Chocolatetown Park in Downtown Hershey on Saturday June 6! The Market will run Saturdays through Labor Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Downtown Hershey Association is excited to welcome several new and returning vendors and we have been working hard with vendors and the Department of Agriculture to make sure your shopping experience is safe and comfortable. Here’s how we will do that:
✔️All vendors will wear masks and gloves.
✔️Customers are asked to wear masks.
✔️Booth spacing will be increased to aid social distancing.
✔️Some vendors will offer curbside options.
✔️Vendors will sanitize after every customer.
✔️We will have enhanced signage.
✔️Our group fitness and children’s activities will be postponed for a bit — but we’ll let you know as soon as they start back up!
✔️Our musicians will play for an extended time.
✔️We ask our high-risk friends to visit Market on Chocolate during the first hour.
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Derry Township Business Contact Information
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Derry Township is working to compile an inventory of our local businesses. Please provide us with some brief information so that we can keep you up-to-date on important news and happenings. By providing your information, you're authorizing us to occasionally email you with information pertaining to or affecting the Derry Township business community.
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Summer Day Camp Cancelled
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After careful consideration, the Township of Derry has decided to cancel the Summer Day Camp program for 2020. This decision has been based on the review of all issued health guidelines under both the Red and Yellow Phases, and guidance provided by the CDC, the Department of Health and the Governor’s Office. As a result of these guidelines, it has been determined that daily gatherings of our campers and staff would not be in compliance and could pose a health risk to both. Our commitment continues to be the health and safety of our community and our staff as we navigate the COVID-19 Virus. Thank you for your support and understanding during this challenging time and we look forward to seeing everyone back at our next Summer Day Camp Program.
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Township Meetings and Events Calendars
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Grab & Go Begins June 8th!
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Have a hold waiting for you at the library? The library will check it out to you, and it’ll be available starting June 8 for pick up in the library’s front lobby. Patrons will be notified that their item is checked out either by phone or email, depending on how their notifications are set with the library. Items will be checked out for 5 weeks to allow plenty of time to pick up items. How to find your Grab & Go Pickup items? The bag will be labeled with a tag containing the first four letters of the patron's last name. All fines will continue to be waived and the library will issue liberal renewals while Dauphin County is in the Yellow Phase of reopening.
Lobby Grab & Go Pickup Hours:
Monday: 10-2 & 4-8
Tuesday: 10-2
Wednesday: 10-2 & 4-8
Thursday: 10-2
Friday: 10-2
Saturday: 10-2
The library’s lobby will be disinfected before and after each lobby pickup shift. All materials are quarantined for the CDC recommended timeline of 72 hours before being circulated back into the community. All lobby pickup patrons must wear a mask when entering the lobby. Exemption: Those with underlying health conditions and children age two and under. Please note that the library’s public restrooms will be unavailable to ensure that public access is limited to the front lobby. The library requests that no more than 3 patrons enter the lobby at a time.
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Sign Up For A Virtual Adult Program
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Bob Watson’s “The Nazi Titanic” Book Discussion. Saturday, July 11. 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join a virtual program with award-winning author and historian, Bob Watson, who has published over 40 books on topics in history and politics. He will discuss his book “The Nazi Titanic”. Please register
online
. You will be sent a Zoom link to attend the program after you have registered. No app or account is required to participate. Please contact Aly Tran at
atran@derrytownship.org
with any questions about adult programming.
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Sign up For Virtual Children's Programs
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Registration is now open for the following programs, and all will be held online. A Zoom link will be sent after registration. No app or account is required to participate. Please contact the Children's Librarian, Rita Smith, at
ritahuntsmith@derrytownship.org
with any questions.
Books & Babies
- A time for pre-walking babies (birth-12 months) and parents/caregivers to share in songs, simple stories, nursery rhymes, and action plays. The program is on Mondays at 9:30 am beginning on June 15. (6 occurrences.)
1, 2, Whee!
- A mixed-age program for ones and twos with a caregiver. Join Miss Rita in the Zoom room for songs, stories, dances, fun, and learning--all at the same time! The program is on Tuesdays at 10:00 am beginning on June 16. (6 occurrences.)
Chewsy Readers is a program for readers (registered children) to meet for lunch and share books.
Chewsy Readers
for children in grades K-2 and ages 5-8 is on Mondays at 12:15 pm beginning on June 15.
Chewsy Readers
for children in grades 3-5 and ages 8-11 is on Wednesdays at 12:15 pm beginning on June 17. (6 occurrences of both groups.)
Furry Tales
- Struggling readers in grades K-5 are paired with licensed therapy dogs and their handlers for an online reading experience. Readers sign up for a 15 minute time slot to read via Zoom with handler and animal. The program is on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm beginning on June 17. (6 occurrences.)
Lego Club
- Budding architects and LEGO fanatics ages 6+ are welcome to join the library's virtual LEGO Club. (Please register for each week your child will attend.) A Zoom link will be provided along with the week's challenge via email prior to the club meeting. We will share a short story or lesson and then participants will have the opportunity to share the creations they made to meet the weekly challenge. The program is on Thursdays at 1:30 pm from June 18 to July 23.
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Community News and Events
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Love your neighbors by donating items at our “Pop-Up Community Drive”!
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Date:
Saturday, June 6
Time:
9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location:
64 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, PA 17033 - First UMC upper parking lot and/or “porch” next to alley (rear of church)
The Coronavirus pandemic has greatly affected economies worldwide and Derry Township is no exception. We will serve our local community by collecting items for Hershey Food Bank and Love INC’s Personal Care Closet, both of which have seen increased demands.
Volunteers will wear masks. Participants will maintain social distancing and will have an option to make “drive-through” donations.
Pop-Up Community Drive Collections:
Hershey Food Bank
:
Collection of non-perishable food items. Most needed items: tuna, canned meats, baked beans, canned peas, peanut butter, canned pasta sauce, bagged rice, bagged noodles, and catsup.
Love INC Personal Care Closet (PCC)
: Collection of full-size toiletry items. Most needed items: body wash, dish liquid, dishwasher pods and liquid, feminine hygiene products, paper towels, hand soap, baby wipes and antibacterial cleaners.
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Penn State Health revises visitation guidelines to include family or support persons
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Penn State Health has revised its patient visitation guidelines to meet the emotional and spiritual needs of patients, while continuing to protect staff, patients and visitors. Now, COVID-negative patients may have a designated family member or support person accompany them under specific guidelines.
The revised visitation policy recognizes the important role of family within the patient care team. Family or support persons — defined as having a biological, legal or emotional relationship with the patient — are not considered visitors and will be allowed to be on-site to facilitate patient- and family-centered care. Family or support persons must be 18 years of age or older, unless they are the parent of a pediatric patient or the partner of a laboring patient.
Under the revised policy, adult patients who are inpatient or having outpatient surgery will be permitted one family or support person per day. Patients who require moderate sedation and a responsible driver for outpatient procedures will also be permitted one family or support person to accompany them. Due to space limitations, family or support persons will not be permitted to be with adult patients in Emergency Departments. Outpatient clinic space limitations and guidelines for social distancing may not allow for a family or support person at some locations. Patients may contact their appointment locations for information.
Pediatric inpatients are permitted one parent or guardian per day. Additionally, one parent or guardian may accompany the pediatric patient for all outpatient surgeries and procedures ― except for within the operating room ― as well as Emergency Department and outpatient clinic visits. For labor and delivery, one support person is permitted per patient for the entire duration of the stay.
All family or support persons who wish to enter any Penn State Health facility will be screened; no one with COVID-19 symptoms will be permitted to enter. Everyone entering the facilities will also be required to wear a mask and maintain appropriate social distancing guidelines.
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The Kiwanis Club of Hershey/Hummelstown is again selling Blueberries this year. Due to an increase of cost from our supplier, the price is $32 for a 10 pound box.
Proceeds from our sale helps to support these local groups:
- Hershey High School Community Service Award
- Hershey Little League - Challenger Team
- Hershey Girls Softball
- Derry Township Fishing Derby
- Book Bag Project
- Santa Luncheon
- Cocoa Packs
- Derry Township Police Department's National Night Out
- Hershey Intervention Program
- Hershey Food Bank
- Hummelstown Food Bank
- Caitlin's Smiles
An order form with a phone number can be found at
this link.
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Hershey Area Playhouse Offers Summer Camp
for Students in Grades 1 to 12 Online
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Hershey Area Playhouse is pleased to offer their summer performance camp for students in grades 1 to 12. The camp will run from June 15 to 26, with daily classes held virtually.
The camp, scheduled for June 15 to 26, will offer professional teachers leading campers in learning the actors' tools and techniques. Each class will meet Monday to Friday for two weeks.
Performances will be recorded and sent to participating families. The class for grades 1 to 3 will include storytelling, character creations, and games both new and favorite. Activities for grades 4 through 12 will include games and exercises with group interaction, auditions, rehearsals and character development. Grades 4 through 6 grade will be performing the one-act play
V.I.L.L.A.I.N.S.
, by Lavinia Roberts. Grades 7 to 12 will perform
Stranded: Views from Quarantine
(a monologue play), by Stage Partners Playwrights.
Drama students will meet at the following times from Monday to Friday each week:
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Grades 1-3 from 9:30 am to 10:15 am
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Grades 4-6 from 10:30 am to 12 pm
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Grades 7-12 from 1-3 pm
With limited spots available, families are encouraged to register early. A waiting list will be available when the classes are full. Requirements for the class are a computer for each child, good internet and ability to participate in Zoom meetings and a space with limited interruptions. Costumes will be readily available at home or provided by the Playhouse.
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Hershey Symphony Orchestra Independence Day Concert Cancelled
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In order to comply with health and safety guidelines set forth by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Hershey Symphony Orchestra and Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center have agreed to cancel this year’s Independence Day concert scheduled for July 3, 2020.
“The health and well-being of our community members, orchestra members, and Hershey Medical Center patients and staff is our number one priority,” said Paul Metzger, executive director of the Hershey Symphony. “We look forward to celebrating together next summer, when we presume it will be safe to be together again in large groups.”
The annual free concert held on the front lawn of the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center features patriotic and popular music performed by the Hershey Symphony Orchestra. The event typically attracts thousands of people, and has grown into one of the biggest community musical events in central Pennsylvania.
Hershey Symphony Orchestra was established as a chamber ensemble in 1969 by a group of Hershey Medical Center physicians and staff. For more information about the orchestra, visit
HersheySymphony.org
.
Learn more about Hershey Medical Center at
hmc.PennStateHealth.org
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Bar Association Offers Riverfront Chats to Help Community
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The Dauphin County Bar Association is offering a series of free
Zoom Events to help the community deal with legal issues involving COVID. (See attached flyer for “Top 10 Tips for PA Workers’ and Unemployment Compensation” on
June 12 at Noon).
The
one-hour
lunchtime Zoom events are geared for all Dauphin County residents and small businesses. Each event video will also be posted on our website for future viewing along with additional information.
Click the image to the left to view the flyer.
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Derry Township Newsletters
Sign up to receive the library's monthly newsletter directly
here
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Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes
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If you have a community news event that you would like to share in the township eNews, email it to
eNews@derrytownship.org
Please note that listings should be related to local events. Submissions should be no more than a few sentences and include a link to a website with more information.
Events determined to be discriminatory, controversial, negative, or offensive to other persons or organizations, or which promote organizations engaging in such conduct will not be included.
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