Derry Township eNews - April 9, 2021
Current News
Derry Township Parks & Recreation Director Announces Retirement
After more than 27 years in his position, Derry Township Director of Parks & Recreation Matt Mandia has announced his retirement effective April 30, 2021.

Mandia came to Derry Township in 1994 as Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation and soon transitioned into the role of Director. He has led the Township’s parks and recreation services including the former recreation center on Cocoa Avenue, nine public parks that span 194 acres, more than 13 miles of walking/biking trails, and numerous events and recreational programs.

Read more about Matt's contributions on our website.
Township Shred-It Event for April 10
Derry Township invites its residents to bring personal documents that need to be shredded to its Shred-It Event, Saturday, April 10, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Derry Township Public Works Facility, 650 Clearwater Road.

Only sensitive documents that require shredding, including papers that contain personal information such as full social security numbers or credit card numbers, should be brought to the Shred-It event. Derry Township offers this service for residents to shred personal documents a few times a year.

Magazines, junk mail, telephone books, cardboard and glossy paper may be recycled by dropping them off at the Derry Township Recycling Center. You also may place newspapers and cardboard in your Waste Management Recycling Bin.

For a full list of what can be recycled in Derry Township, please visit our website.
Derry Township Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report Released
Greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are profoundly impacting climate change in our world and Derry Township is no exception. That’s why the Derry Township Climate Change Advisory Committee (CCAC) put together a report on the current situation in our community and what you can do to help be a part of the solution. 

The Derry Township CCAC is a group of citizen-volunteers who inform the Board of Supervisors on matters of Township planning that impact our community’s ability to adapt to and mitigate the negative consequences of climate change. The CCAC also works in conjunction with other community groups on projects that support the health and well-being of all that live in, work in, and visit Derry Township.

Read more in the Derry Township 2016 Inventory of Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions report, dated July 2020 at this link.
Public Works Seeks Seasonal Laborers
The Township of Derry Public Works Department has immediate openings for Seasonal Laborers. Work will consist of grounds and parks maintenance, leaf collection, and winter snow removal. Starting wage is $14.74 per hour. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a current valid PA Driver’s license. 

Applications are available at https://www.derrytownship.org

Contact Information
Attention Bob Piccolo, at (717) 533-2057, option 4 or mail your application to 600 Clearwater Road Hershey, PA 17033
Jonathan Eshenour Memorial Trail
Alternate Parking Options
In response to several pedestrian and vehicle safety concerns along Bullfrog Valley Road and Wood Road, the following parking alternatives and restrictions will be put into place in the coming days:

No Parking signs and split rail fencing will be placed in the grass area along Bullfrog Valley Road to restrict parking between Research Blvd. and Wood Road. Alternative parking is available at Shank Park and Bullfrog Valley Park. Parking is also available at the Hershey Center for Applied Research (1214 Research Blvd. - across from the Cocoa Beanery) Monday – Friday 4:00pm to dusk and all daylight hours Saturday and Sunday.

The Township appreciates your understanding as we continue to hold the safety of all users of our recreational facilities in the highest regard.
Township Events
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Township Meetings and Events Calendars
Join Us at The Library
Music with Ryan Yingst
Saturday, April 10 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Ryan Yingst: Songwriter. Performer. Producer. Hershey Native! Check him out at 2 pm on April 10th and at https://www.ryanyingst.com. Suitable for anyone age 14 and older. Please register online for a link to Zoom for this program. Sponsored by Friends of the Hershey Public Library.
Alan Hlad: The Long Flight Home
Sunday, April 11 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Please join us on Zoom to listen to Alan Hlad talk about his book The Long Flight Home. Alan Hlad is a corporate executive turned writer. He is a member of the Historical Novel Society, Literary Cleveland, and the Akron Writers' Group. Alan lives in Ohio with his wife and children. The Long Flight Home is his first novel. Please register to join this virtual Friends Adult Program.
Discovering Your Immigrant Ancestor presented by Sarah Gutmann
Monday, April 12 - 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Discover your ancestor(s) who came to America. Learn how to find and examine ship passenger lists, naturalization records, and other documents. This is a great program for people looking to find the town of city or origin of the immigrant ancestors. Please register to join this virtual Friends Adult Program.
Mirrors, Windows, & Sliding Glass Doors Family Book Group
Saturday, April 17 - 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Using a grant from Beanstack, the Hershey Public Library offers an opportunity for families to read and discuss books written by BIPOC authors and illustrators. Our goal is to celebrate our diverse community and to find joy in each other. Mommy's Khimar by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow is the book selected for this month's discussion. Books will be provided through the grant for families to keep.

Please register to join Aly Tran and Rita Smith for this virtual Family Program.
Community News and Events
Raise a Glass and Take a Virtual Trip with The Hershey Symphony Orchestra
Join the Hershey Symphony Orchestra on May 23, 2021 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for a virtual trip to Austria, Italy, France, and the United States to enjoy wine and cheese pairings with Sommelier Carrie Elliott. At each stop, Hershey Symphony Music Director Dr. Sandra Dackow will share the musical impact that these countries’ composers have made. Participants will enjoy musical samples by composers from each country performed by members of the Hershey Symphony Orchestra. 
 
Participants will pick up their special wine and cheese boxes in Hershey the day of the event. Instructions for pick up and a link to access the event will be sent after registration. The cost is $75 per person with all proceeds benefitting The Hershey Symphony Orchestra. Reservations are limited and may be made on the Symphony website.
Hershey Artfest
We missed you in 2020 but we’re ready for 2021!

The Hershey History Center is pleased to announce Hershey Artfest will return on Saturday, May 8, 2021, at the Cocoa Beanery and Englewood Barn complex in Hershey, PA.

Mark your calendar to participate and help us celebrate fine art, artisans, music and food on Mother’s Day Weekend, nestled among the green spaces of the kid and pet-friendly Cocoa Beanery and the new entertainment venue and brewery, Englewood Barn.

This is the same event you have grown to love, kicking off the spring art festival season!

Guests will experience a variety of fine art and guild craftwork for both the serious and casual collector, represented by as many as 150 artists and artisans.

Applications for vendors are live at hersheyartfest.org.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call us at:
(717) 520-0748 or email us at info@hersheyhistory.org
We look forward to seeing you again in 2021.
Hershey Area Playhouse Offers Summer Camps for Students in Grades 1 to 12
Hershey Area Playhouse is pleased to offer several summer camps for students in grades 1 to 12. The June Performance Camp will run from Monday to Friday at the Playhouse, from June 14 to 25 with evening performance on June 25. The Gardens Summer Theatre Camp will run Monday to Friday at the Hershey Gardens and the Playhouse from July 12 to 23 with a performance on Friday, July 23 at noon.

Registration information
Registration information can be found at the Playhouse website www.hersheyareaplayhouse.com in the Theatre Academy section. The appropriate age group is based on the grade the student will be going into in the fall. Cut off for registration is May 21 or when the classes are filled.
Cocoa Packs
Cocoa Packs is excited to announce that they will once again be a distribution site for round 5 of the USDA Food Boxes. Those in need may stop by our drive thru on Mondays & Wednesdays anytime from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. at Spring Creek Church 335 East Areba Ave in Hershey through April 28th. Please contact Christine Drexler at cocoapacks@gmail.com
Hersheypark In-Person Job Fair
Register now for the Hersheypark Hiring Event at GIANT Center on April 13 from 3-7 p.m., https://www.hersheyjobs.com/events/details.php?id=15940. Positions are available in the Park's culinary, rides, safety & security, lifeguard, games, and retail departments.
Pollinator and Water Conservation Planting Volunteer Opportunity
The Derry Environmental Action Committee or DEAC and the Hershey Trust are working together for the sixth season to continue developing the Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Conservation Area along Cocoa Avenue in Hershey. If you would like to take responsibility for preparing, planting, weeding and watering a plot of native plants at the area for this coming season, please call either Chuck Gassert at 717-566-5058 or Carol Gisselquist at 717-533-2364. Or if you just want to volunteer to help for one work day, please join us on Saturday, May 1 from 9 to noon by registering at Penn State Extension: https://extension.psu.edu/pollinator-and-water-conservation-planting-volunteer-opportunity or call 877-345-0691. Due to COVID restrictions and social distancing requirements, only 60 people will be allowed to participate. Please register as soon as possible to ensure your place at the event.
Township Publications
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Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes 
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