By: RON REEDY Special to the Record, Staff Writer

Photo courtesy of Ron Reedy
World War I soldiers parade down North Broad Street.

The theme for the 195th Fourth of July celebration in Lititz Springs Park is "Our American Heroes." We look back historically to those Independence Day festivities in the Park which honored those who served in the Armed Forces. However, let us start at the beginning with the establishment of the Revolutionary War Hospital located in Lititz, followed by the early development of the Lititz Springs Park and the Fourth of July celebrations.

Revolutionary War Hospital

The most momentous event in Lititz ever known came when General George Washington commandeered the Brother’s House as a military hospital during the American Revolution. The first of the wounded soldiers were from the Germantown and Brandywine battlefields. They arrived Dec. 19, 1777, and soon others followed. Altogether, upwards of 1,000 wounded soldiers of the Continental Army, and a few Hessian prisoners of war, were attended to in the Brother’s House hospital.

Early development of

Lititz Springs Park

By: ROSALBA UGLIUZZA Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Lititz has many cherished Independance Day traditions, from queens on stage to babies on parade, but nothing holds a candle to the grand finale — the fireworks.

Each year, shortly after a queen is crowned, thousands flock to the field behind Lititz Springs Park to witness the beautiful bombs bursting in air, illuminating the night sky for miles around. It’s a continuing legacy that encompasses both power and beauty, in honor of the birth of America.

Organizers for the 195th annual Lititz Springs Park Fourth of July celebration have been busy preparing its show-stopper for next Wednesday night.

"Things are progressing very nicely. We are in the home stretch," said Ron Reedy, president and historian of the Lititz Springs Park Board. "Our fireworks are the best on the East Coast right now."

This is the fourth year that Lititz-based audio company Clair Global and Celebration Fireworks Inc. from Allentown have worked together to provide the 30-minute pyromusical display to this year’s theme, "Our American Heroes."

"Lititz is really fortunate to have an organization like that (Clair Global) because they provide all of the audio throughout the day and the lighting and staging," Reedy said.

By: NOELLE BARRETT Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Nicole Donatone

Nicole Donatone has been singing since she was four years old. By the time she was a teenager, she had done something many could only dream of — she opened for Willie Nelson.

That was one moment that helped Donatone realize how much passion she had for the music industry.

Since then, Donatone has taken advantage of every opportunity to perform that she could, and on July 4 she will perform in Lititz for the 195th Fourth of July celebration.

She may come from the small, rural town of Hackettstown, N.J., but she is still pursuing big things.

"My parents noticed I was musically talented. I sang in school choir and drama clubs, and my parents would be my promoter," Donatone said. "They got me involved in fairs, charity benefits, karaoke contests, and anything I could get involved in."

The venues started to get bigger as she became older.

She has opened for Connie Smith, John Michael Montgomery, Sammy Kershaw, Randy Travis, Tracy Byrd, Restless Heart, among others. She also performed at the AT&T Pavilion pre-show in Philadelphia before the Keith Urban and Jake Owen Concert.

Ever wonder what is the driving force behind initiatives such as the Lititz Farmers Market, Warwick Emergency Service Alliance (WESA), tourism, conservation or road improvements?

How does a community find equilibrium between a bustling, pedestrian friendly downtown, to providing jobs and affordable housing, to providing efficient connections to places, to the preservation of farms, water and resources? As you can imagine, community planning is a delicate balancing act and is reliant on its residents to get involved, whether by volunteering or sharing of ideas.

Economic development, housing, safety, sustainability are the types of issues that are a main priority in this community. In order to plan for the future and stay informed of trends and changes, community members gather every five years to discuss major topics that affect this community. Through this effort, goals and objectives are created, and compiled into a comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan is the community’s guide to the next five to ten years which provide an action plan for projects, based on a vision shaped by the community needs and wants for the future. These decisions are not just influenced by elected officials. Over 50 members make up the committee with partners that range from Warwick School district to primary employers in the area, including all fields of interest: retailers, hospitals, agricultural, design, industry, housing, retirement, as well as citizen representatives.

By: GARY P. KLINGER Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Lititz Borough Council voted Tuesday night to authorize the Lititz Police Department to begin the process of hiring a new police officer. While the move is characterized as one to replace an officer, Police Chief William Seace declined to comment on why the move was necessary or who was being replaced.

With council’s vote, Seace can now begin work with the Lancaster County Police Chiefs Hiring Consortium to consider candidates for the open position. He explained to council that in an emergency the department could still hire through the traditional civil service exam process. However, much of the initial screening and testing done through the consortium saves the department time, money and can yield a field of candidates who have already passed through an initial screening process.

"The consortium tests once a year, and all the departments in the consortium can then pick from the list of approved candidates," Seace said. "We then do the written tests and physical agility tests."

Lititz Borough Police joined the consortium in 2012 and pays an annual membership fee of $500. Seace explained that this membership represented a considerable savings to the department for the services received.

With the framework for thousands of candles in place, Lititz is once again ready for its signature event — Independence Day.

The three days of celebration opened this past Sunday with a special concert in Lititz Springs Park (see related story on this page), and will continue next Tuesday and Wednesday.

Some key information for those planning to attend:

? There is an admission cost for July 4 events, which includes entertainment and fireworks. Admission wristbands are available in advance and at the gate on the day of the event.

Adults: $9 in advance, $10 at the gate

Children 2-10: $4

Under 2: free

Advance wristbands are available at the Lititz Welcome Center, Lititz Public Library, McElroy Pharmacy, and Stauffers of Kissel Hill (Lititz location only).

? This Saturday is the last day for children 10 and under to submit posters for the poster contest. Posters should be 11×17, and the theme is "Our American Heroes." Drop off completed posters at the train station by Saturday. Prizes will be handed out around 4:30 p.m. on July 4.

Todd Sangrey of Lititz is the winner of this month’s "It’s All About You" photo contest. His Kung-Fu Prom picture caught the eyes of the judges, and as a result he will receive a $25 gift certificate for the Lititz Family Cupboard & Bakery.

Todd’s photo, along with all other school-related photos we received over the past month are published in this week’s issue. Check them out on pages B5-7.

You can be next month’s winner; just submit your favorite summertime photo (picnics, reunions, pool parties, vacations, etc.) for our next edition of "It’s All About You." Deadline is July 17 and the photos will be published in our July 26 issue.

Send photos, identified for July All About You, to Stephen Seeber at sseeber.eph@lnpnews.com. They can also be dropped off at our Ephrata office or mailed to P.O. Box 527, Ephrata, PA 17522.

In the meantime, we will continue to give out weekly awards. This week’s winners are:

? Ray Heagy, Lititz, $25 Home Depot card from CRS Kitchen Rehab & More

? Marsha Watson, Lititz, $25 gift certificate for goods or services from Gochenauer Kennels

By: JANET SCOUTEN Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Photo by Angela Gregg
The Air National Guard Band set the patriotic tone for this year's Independence Day.

As a preamble to one of the oldest continuing Fourth of July celebrations in the United States, the Lititz Springs Park Board hosted a free concert Sunday evening by the Air National Guard Band of the Mid-Atlantic as a "thank you" to the community for its support of the park.

Kicking off the well-attended concert with toe-tapping marches and patriotic favorites, the band fulfilled its stated mission to "instill patriotism, maintain tradition and represent the militia heritage at its finest." The posting of the colors and the patriotic musical pageantry served as a fitting start to the Lititz community’s 195th Independence Day celebration.

With patriotic sentiment running high, the Air National Guard Band then turned the show over to its contemporary ensemble, "High Altitude." This group, which specializes in a wide range of popular music including rock, country and jazz, belted out hits like the B-52s’ "Love Shack," Lynyrd Skynyrd’s "Sweet Home Alabama" and recent chart-topper "Stereo Hearts" by Gym Class Heroes. The ensemble even treated the audience to the unusual spectacle of a guardsman in uniform rapping like GCH frontman Travie McCoy.

Jack L. Turner, 74, of Lititz, died peacefully following a brief illness Saturday, June 23, 2012 at the Lancaster General Hospital.

Born in Cleona, he was the son of the late Elmer and Violet Kreiser Turner.

He was the loving husband of Nancy L. McKinney Hibshman Turner and they observed their 44th wedding anniversary in September of last year.

For over 40 years Jack worked for the former Raymark Industries, in Manheim, until his retirement. Following retirement, he was employed for the Manheim Auto Auction for 12 years. He served in the Pennsylvania National Guard for eight years.

Jack was a faithful member of the Lititz United Methodist Church and volunteered his time with mission trips through Appalachian Service Projects and in helping with general church maintenance.

He was a real outdoorsman and had a passion for hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. He especially enjoyed camping trips to Potter County and attending Penn State football games.

Surviving in addition to his wife is a son: Michael R., husband of Sylvia Heffelfinger Turner, of Myerstown; two stepsons: Galen R. Jr., husband of Pam Sweigart Hibshman, of Lititz; and Richard S., husband of Cynthia Body Hibshman, of Shermansdale; one granddaughter: Sonya Kantner; four step-grandchildren: Amanda, Desiree, Stormie and Nicholas Hibshman; and two brothers: Gene, husband of Ruth Turner, and Elmer J. Turner, all of Lebanon.

Ruth K. "Dolly" Remley, of Lancaster, passed away Sunday, June 17, 2012 at Moravian Manor in Lititz.

Born in Lancaster on Jan. 25, 1917, she was 95 at the time of her death.

She was the daughter of the late Philip A. and Ruth S. Kerchoff Kirchner, and the wife of the late J. Frank Remley Jr., of Lancaster, who died in 2008.

Ruth graduated from Lancaster Catholic High School in 1936. She worked briefly at the Hamilton Watch Co. along with her husband, who spent his career with Hamilton. Together, they made their life-long home in the Hamilton Park area of Lancaster and devoted themselves to raising their sons. She was an avid reader and a frequent visitor of the Lancaster Public Library and other area libraries.

Surviving are two sisters: Regina K. Garreth, of Lancaster; and Corinne K. Ortega, of Chicago; and one brother: Lawrence Kirchner, of Lancaster; as well as sister-in-law: Dorothy Kirchner, of Lancaster; her sons: J. Frank Remley III, of Newbury, Mass., husband of Cheryl E. Remley; and Dennis M. Remley, Lancaster, husband of Edith L. Remley; four grandchildren: Jonathan F. Remley, husband of Dr. Laura Avery, of Boston, Mass.; Anne J. Remley, Newbury, Mass.; Dr. Michael J. Remley, of Clarkston, Mich.; and Joshua Remley, of Lancaster; and two great-grandsons: William F. and Jonathan O. Remley, of Boston, Mass.