The public is invited to attend the Derry Township Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m. This meeting will be held in-person at the Derry Township Administration Building

600 Clearwater Road, Hershey, PA 17033

A copy of the agenda can be found at 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

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.

Swing by after school and create a cute keepsake for yourself or a valentine. It's a great way to relax after a long day. Join us in the teen room and get wrapped up in the love of crafting. Register online.

Tune in for a morning full of fun tall tales from comedic storyteller - and five time winner of the WV Liar's championship - Bil Lepp! Snuggle into your couch and get ready to laugh your socks off! Sponsored by Friends of the Hershey Public Library. Register online for the Zoom link. 

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.

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.

Saturday April 2^nd – May 7^th, 9am-10:30am

This outdoor clinic will focus on form, skill games, court positioning, and strategy.

Click this link for registration details.

Spring Sessions begin March 28^th

This outdoor program will focus on form, footwork, fun skill games, and strategy helping kids improve their tennis game while having fun and playing a safe sport. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday options available.

Click this link for registration details.

Spring Sessions Begin Tuesday March 8^th, 6pm- 7pm

Gentle Yoga class is the perfect class to begin your yoga experience. You will learn the alignment of each pose, ways to modify to suit your physical needs, and how your breath is a tool for your practice.

Click this link for session and drop-in registration.

On Mon, Feb 7th at 1:00 pm horticulturalist George Weigel will present "GREAT GARDENING--LESS WORK!," sponsored by the Hershey Horticultural Society.

Register for this free event at hersheyhorticulturesociety@gmail.com. Zoom viewing can be done at the Hershey Public Library or at home. Masks protocol required at the library.

Cocoa Packs, a non-profit organization providing food assistance and additional services to more than 1300 children in our area, is holding its signature fundraising event, Heart 4 Hunger, on Saturday, February 19th at the Hotel Hershey beginning at 5:30pm. Online bidding for silent auction will be available to attendees and the general public at large.

For more information, to purchase tickets, and to sign up for online bidding, please visit https://cocoapacks.org/heart4hunger/

The Derry Township Climate Change Advisory Committee is working towards a recommendation of strategies that the Township can take to reduce our collective impact on the environment and make our community more resilient when dealing with the impacts of climate change. That recommendation will come in the form of a Climate Action Plan. You can see Climate Action Plan examples from the PA Department of Environmental Protection and other local communities at the PA DEP website.

Contact us to learn about upcoming meetings and get involved: HersheyClimateAction@gmail.com

During its January 2022 meeting, members of the Hershey Lions Club celebrated its citizenship and patriotism evening by recognizing members of the community which included first responders and an educator. This marks the 36th year that first responders have been recognized and the 20th year that educators have been recognized. The Hershey Volunteer Fire Company hosted the event.

Firefighter Owen Zarefoss of the Hershey Volunteer Fire Company, Officer Kevin M. Leiss of the Derry Township Police Department, and Amanda Ringenbach, 2nd grade teacher of the St. Joan of Arc School, received awards in appreciation of their outstanding and dedicated service to the community during 2021. All were nominated and voted upon by their peers. Annually, recipients of the Education Service Award rotate from among the local schools.

Pictured (left to right): HVFC Chief Pat Leonard, Firefighter Owen Zarefoss, Sister Eileen Marie McGowan of St. Joan of Arc School, 2nd grade teacher Amanda Ringenbach, Officer Kevin Leiss, and DTPD Chief Garth Warner.

Penn State College of Medicine presents its 23rd annual Mini Medical School, featuring a unique curriculum on the field of medicine and the College’s contributions to research and health care. This free, virtual event is open to everyone from high school students to retired seniors. It will take place on March 1, 8 and 15, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Learn more and register at med.psu.edu/mini-medical-school.

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.

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.