The Derry Township Board of Supervisors held its regular meeting Tuesday, January 25th at 7 p.m. To listen to the recording, please click this link

The Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. Project Team, key stakeholder Steering Committee, Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, and representatives of municipalities within the study area completed a draft of the Routes 39 & 743 corridor study which is meant to address land use and transportation concerns. The corridor study is driven by the need to accommodate the growth of the surrounding communities while maintaining safe and efficient mobility for all modes of transportation. The transportation and land use recommendations have been developed to accommodate the growth with consideration to the values and concerns provided by public and regional stakeholders. Although Derry Township is not within the “study area”, it abuts the Township line along Route 39 and Route 743. It is beneficial to be afforded an opportunity to review and comment on the study. It is paramount that the local, county and state governmental organizations collaborate to adopt policies to properly plan for the future infrastructure needs and growth. The complete draft study can be viewed here https://www.hrg-inc.com/route-39-743-report/ and comments can be provided to publicoutreach@hrg-inc.com

With winter now in full swing we can expect to see more snow and, of course, cold temperatures. While we all do our best to stay warm during this time of the year, we may occasionally need a little extra help to keep ourselves, and our homes, cozy. This may mean using anything from a plug-in, portable space heater to, in the event of a severe storm, a portable generator.

Winter is no different than any other time of the year. And even though it may seem easier to take a shortcut when trying to stay warm, you should always keep safety top of mind. Follow this link for safe tips on using Space Heaters, Generators, and Electric Blankets & Heating Pads.

Come play the spaceship bridge simulator Friday, February 18, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Artemis is a role-based, starship bridge simulation. Each player takes on a role: Captain, Weapons, Helm, Engineering, Science, or Communications, and all work together to navigate fun and challenging missions. We play for two hours and some change depending on how things go. We have enough computers for two bridges, which is 10 people.

Click this link for more information and to register.

Visit our events calendar to register for Read Aloud programs for babies, preschoolers and more! We're also offering virtual read aloud programs that can be viewed live or on demand. Register online.

Strengthen your financial skills and learn new ones. This is a great family activity as well as an opportunity for personal growth. Start the year strong and register on Beanstack. Find the link at www.hersheylibrary.org Sponsored by Friends of the Hershey Public Library. 

As the opening of the new community center is fast approaching, we are looking forward to offering an exciting array of programs and amenities to members and patrons. Gift Cards and a Membership Special are now available for purchase at our website.

Questions? Check out the FAQs at the link above or Contact us at parkshelpdesk@derrytownship.org / 717-533-7138.

The Township of Derry Department of Parks and Recreation is currently accepting applications for Seasonal Concession/Facility Attendants, Fitness Attendants, Front Desk Attendants, Lifeguards, and Swim Instructors to provide for the overall general health, safety, and enjoyment of recreation programs in the brand new Derry Township Community Center with employment beginning May 2022.

Session #1 January 20^th – February 24^th

Session #2 March 3^rd – April 7^th

For more information and to register, click this link.

The Joy of Sports Foundation is calling on all Derry Township parents to be a part of the State of Play Survey to help create new opportunities for youth to be active. Over 2,200 students have completed the survey however feedback from parents is needed. It only takes 5-10 minutes to complete and will be compiled into a report that will be shared among community members later this year.

Residential electricity, heating & cooling are responsible for 16% of the Township’s greenhouse gas emissions, roughly 69,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent, into the air every year. When the time comes to replace a furnace or hot water heater, consider a heat pump. Heat pumps can save you money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This recent Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article is a great primer on heat pumps and when they might be right for your home.

The Derry Township Climate Change Advisory Committee is a citizen’s group that has been tasked by the Township Board of Supervisors with recommending strategies to help reduce our community’s impact on the environment. Get involved at HersheyClimateAction@gmail.com

We currently have recycling receptacles placed at the Hershey Public Library and Grace United Methodist Church (433 E. Main Street, Hummelstown). Recyclables include plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap, plastic shrink wrap, newspaper delivery bags, and similar products. This does not include plastic bottles nor other "hard" plastics. For more details on what can be recycled, please visit this web page from the recycler - https://recycle.trex.com/view/educate#materials1. We can obtain one bench every 6 months so long as we collect 500 pounds of plastic.

If you still have questions, please reach out to us on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/hersheylions.

Join the Hershey Symphony Orchestra on March 20, 2022 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. for its virtual fundraiser “Guilty Pleasures: A Night of Wine, Chocolate, and Opera.”

The cost is $75 per wine and chocolate box with all proceeds benefiting The Hershey Symphony Orchestra. Reservations may be made on the Symphony website at www.HersheySymphony.org

Hershey Area Neighbors & Newcomers Club (HANNC), will meet at the Hershey Public Library, 701 Cocoa Ave, Hershey at 10:15am on Thursday, February 10th.

For more information, visit their website: hannc.org

The Hershey Symphony Orchestra will present its second Masterworks concert of the 2021-2022 season on Friday, February 11, 2022 at 8 p.m. on stage at The Hershey Theatre. Due to the current health situation related to personnel and rehearsal timing, the concert program has been modified.

Pieces will now include: Vivaldi's Concerto alla Rustica in G Major, Percy Grainger's Irish Tune from County Derry, Offenbach's Barcarolle from Tales of Hoffmann, Puccini's O Mio Babbino Caro from Gianni Schicchi, Holst's St. Paul’s Suite, Lara’s Theme from Dr. Zhivago and originally scheduled soloists "The Reese Project" will perform My Funny Valentine, What are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life, KNMENI, And I Love You So and Genesis.

Attendance will be capped at 50 percent capacity to allow guests to socially distance from others if desired. The Hershey Symphony Orchestra kindly asks that guests wear masks inside the theatre during the performance.

Tickets range from $20-$29 and may be purchased on the Hershey Symphony Orchestra website at www.HersheySymphony.org.