By: RICHARD REITZ Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Photos by Preston WhitcraftUnited Nations Ambassador Ibiyinka Alao, of Nigeria, was at Linden Hall last week to address students about diplomacy through art.

"Art is frozen music."

That was how United Nations Art Ambassador Ibiyinka Alao described the power of art to Linden Hall students during his visit to the school on Dec. 3.

"Art embodies a message. Like a song, it tells a story from the artist to the observer," Alao said. Instead of lyrics, he uses strokes of the paint brush.

One of the most important messages Alao conveys in his bright, colorful artwork is that of peace and understanding. His tempera paintings with creative flair and rich detail are largely inspired by traditional images from his home country of Nigeria. But there’s something deeper in each painting.

"Every time I paint a picture, I am trying to fill a hole in my heart," he explained. "People have different ways that they feel this emptiness, and how they fill it."

Alao gained international prominence in 2001 when his painting, "The Perversity of Life (Girls and a Greener Environment)," was selected among artists from 61 nations as the winner of the bi-annual United Nations International Art Competition. He was the first winner from an African nation.

By: BRUCE MORGAN Ephrata Review Staff, Staff Writer

Photo by Preston WhitcraftManheim Central's Zach Schnitzler shoots the ball over Ephrata senior Evan Radcliffe during first-half action on Monday night.

The Ephrata boys needed to find a way to just calm themselves down playing in their first game of the season on Monday night.

Manheim Central, taking the court for the third time in four days, was trying to hang on for dear life after grabbing a big first-half lead.

In the end, the Mountaineers did relax a bit and put together an inspired rally to turn a 23-point first-half deficit into a nine-point game in the fourth quarter. But Central, paced by Evan Stauffer’s team-high 16 points, managed to escape with a 54-43 non-league victory in Manheim.

Although the Barons improved to 3-0 on the young season, including a championship in last weekend’s Hamburg Tip-Off Tournament, coach Chris Sherwood acknowledged that they were fortunate to survive the Mounts. Seniors Jacoby Brumbach and Colby Gatchell also scored in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively, but Central’s head coach said that as a team, they need to do a better job of concentrating for a full 32 minutes.

By: BRUCE MORGAN Record Express Sports Editor, Staff Writer

Photo by Cathy ChapisWarwick senior guard Tyler Stief takes the ball inside for two of his team-high 12 points against Donegal last Friday night.

As Warwick girls coach Amy Derr looked at the scorebook following her team’s season-opening game against Governor Mifflin last Friday night, her eyes were quickly caught by one of the statistics.

It was the one showing the Lady Mustangs shooting 21-for-29 from the foul line.

"They shot unbelievably," Derr said.

Although Warwick’s head coach liked the intensity and effort that her girls had, Governor Mifflin simply rode that hot shooting night to a 59-38 victory in the Berks Catholic Tip-Off Tournament semi-finals.

One night later, with the Lady Warriors looking to get in the win column in a battle against L-L rival Garden Spot, they came up a little short in a 42-33 setback in the consis.

GS junior Holly Schnader, who led her team with nine points in an opening-night loss, was held in check by Warwick senior Greta Weidemoyer, as she went just 2-for-6 at the foul line. But Katelyn Snader and Hailey Fricke led the way for the Lady Spartans with 12 and 11 points, respectively.

By: BRUCE MORGAN Record Express Sports Editor, Staff Writer

Record Express file photoWarwick senior heavyweight Tom Devenney (left), coming off a season in which he finished 36-5 and qualified for the PIAA State Tournament, will be one of nine seniors on the squad this year.

A year ago, the Warwick wrestlers went into the season dangerously close to giving up forfeits at a couple of weights.

They had to hold their breath a bit hoping that injuries wouldn’t deplete a roster that wasn’t very deep from the get-go.

Looking toward the 2012-13 season, that shouldn’t be a problem for the Warriors.

"It’s the best numbers we’ve had in probably six or seven years," Warwick coach Ned Bushong said. "They’re looking pretty good. We have good numbers, a good amount of experience coming back and a real nice group that’s coming up from the junior high team, so we’re feeling pretty good about the season."

That group of returnees includes a nucleus of nine seniors, led by returning PIAA State qualifier Tom Devenney, who was 36-5 last year. Others on that list include Donnie Erb (6-20), Tyler Esbenshade (5-2), Ryan Gray (17-13), Matt Mousetis (15-22), Ethan Quinn (14-20), Zach Sayevski (2-30), Colin Schnupp (24-17) and Steve Woolley, who spent last season at the Fishburne Military Academy in Waynesboro, Va.

By: TODD RUTH Record Staff truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Photo by Stan HallManheim Central junior forward Lauree Wiegand (left) blocks a shot attempt by Cocalico's Rebecca Grube in Monday's game.

There was an opportunity there for both teams.

With Cocalico’s Marissa Gingrich, arguably the Lady Eagles’ best player, fouled out with four minutes and change to go Monday night in Denver, visiting Manheim Central couldn’t have asked for a better scenario heading down the stretch.

Cocalico, on the other hand, had a chance to grow and take a giant step forward if it could hold onto the lead with its top scorer sitting on the pine.

As it turned out, both teams did what they had to do but it was the Lady Eagles who took control and went on to post a 52-35 victory in the first game played in their new gym. Behind a 9-for-13 performance from the foul line in the final four minutes, Cocalico closed out the game on a 19-5 run to salt this one away.

"We cut it to three, but they are a good basketball team. It was in their gym and they found a way to answer," first-year Manheim Central Coach Dan Cotchen said.

By: BRUCE MORGAN Record Express Sports Editor, Staff Writer

Trailing by 21 points in the first quarter against Donegal in Friday’s opening round of the Indians’ Tip-Off Tournament, the Warwick boys could’ve gone one of two ways.

Start thinking about West York in the consis or continue to fight.

They did the latter, and although Warwick eventually fell 62-44, they actually outscored Donegal 31-25 in the second half.

Besides closing the gap versus the Indians, the Warriors also created some momentum for themselves heading into their showdown with the Bulldogs on Saturday night. This time, it was Warwick that got the quick start, and then after West York came back to take a seven-point lead late in the fourth, Colby Weit’s 3-pointer with 10 seconds to go proved to be the game-winner in a 43-42 victory in Mount Joy.

"(West York coach Bill Ackerman) said he sat behind our bench Friday night and he said, ‘You ran into a buzzsaw, but you’ve got to be happy with the way your kids fought all night and never quit,’" Warwick boss Jeff Landis recalled. "That’s the way I felt and I think it carried into (Saturday) night’s game … We came out aggressive and played much better out of the shoot."

Talking Sports By

Bruce Morgan With my son Brooks competing on the Warwick junior high wrestling team this year and going to practices early Saturday mornings (yes, 8:30 a.m. is still early in my book), my plans were somewhat sketchy following a Friday night of covering hoops.

A handful of current and former baseball stars were going to be at the Valley Forge Convention Center on Saturday and Sunday, an event that Brooks would certainly want to attend, but with his commitment to the wrestling team, I wasn’t sure if it would fit into our schedule.

Then on Friday night, it turns out that he suffered an injury and was subsequently excused from practice the next day. Although I hadn’t said anything to him about the show prior to that point, we talked about it on Saturday morning and decided to go. Upon looking at the list of signers, Brooks decided that yes, he’d like to get an autograph from Phillies’ second baseman Chase Utley.

In turn, I took a look at the price tag involved and took a big gulp. For the opportunity to have maybe half a minute with one of the stars of the Phillies’ 2008 World Championship team and get his signature, it would cost three digits … before the decimal point.

Robert C. Dennis, a.k.a. Bob Getz, died Dec. 2, 2012 at Hershey Medical Center following a long battle with leukemia.

He was born in Chicago, Ill., on Sept. 23, 1954. His grandparents were Erla Schmuck Dennis and George Dennis, 75 Front St., Lititz. His father was Robert Dennis, Sr., Lititz and Carlisle, all deceased. He was raised by his Aunt and Uncle, Harriet Dennis Getz and Victor S. Getz, 343 Front St., Lititz, deceased. Their daughters, Benay and Peggy, were his siblings.

Bob attended Lititz schools. He was employed by various companies including Manheim Auto Auction. He excelled at carpentry, electrical work, plumbing and auto and other engine repair. He had lived in Manheim and then obtained a house in Schaefferstown, which he enjoyed renovating.

He is survived by Benay Getz Moyer and Peggy Getz Zeigler and his friends and a multitude of extended families: Dennis, Erkens, Fasnacht, Geiger, Getz, Keath, Krushinski, Masey, Miller, Morgan, Myers, Oberholtzer, Pettyjohn, Reedy, Schmuck, Weidman, Yohn, Zeigler, Zekany, and Zimmerman.

Services will be at the discretion of the family.

To send an online note of condolence, visit: reynoldsfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements entrusted to Reynolds Funeral Home, Quarryville.

Bonita K. "Bonnie" Wike, 71, of Lititz, passed away Dec. 6, 2012 at Luther Acres.

Born in Lebanon County, Bonnie was the daughter of the late John and Edith Binkley Wike.

A 1962 graduate of West Chester University, she formerly owned and operated the Sandstone Manor Gift Shop in Ephrata. She will be remembered as an excellent framer. She also worked in the Aircraft Industry in California and taught Health and Physical Education, in addition to coaching, at Warwick High School.

She was a member of the Audubon Society and was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels. She was an expert woodworker and gardener and loved to hike, especially taking her Jeep to the Rocky Mountains.

She is survived by two sisters: Diana, wife of Richard Castor, Horseheads, N.Y. and Louise, wife of Robert Trump, Newmanstown; nine nieces and nephews; and three great-nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her brother: Roger Wike.

A Celebration of Life to honor Bonnie will be held in the spring of 2013. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, PA 17543.

Joan Gilchrist Vetter of Ocean City, N.J. passed away Monday, Oct. 22, 2012 at her home.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was formerly of Lititz. She was also a volunteer for the Shore Memorial Thrift Shop, in Ocean City.

Joan and her husband Richard owned and operated the General Sutter Inn, Lititz, from 1979 to 1997. After selling the inn, the Vetters retired to Ocean City.

Surviving are her husband: Richard Vetter of Ocean City and five children: Deborah Weller (Robert) of Richmond, Va., Marcia Vetter of Denville, Janet Webster (Richard) of Charlotte, N.C., Jean Striegl (Steve) of Pittsburgh, Richard Vetter, Jr. of Lancaster; 13 grandchildren; and 12 great-grand-children.

Memorial donations in her memory may be made to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956-3505.

To leave a condolence for the family, please visit godfreyfuneralhome.com

This obituary was originally published in The Press of Atlantic City on Oct. 24, 2012.