Warwick grad Meghan Beamesderfer has been selected to the U.S. Women’s National Team’s 18-player roster that will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the International Hockey Federation’s World League Round 2 tournament from March 4-10.

As the No. 10 ranked team in the world, the U.S. received an automatic entry to World League Round 2. The top two teams from World League Round 2 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will automatically advance to World League Round 3, slated for June 2013, and become one step closer to qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

The six-team round-robin tournament features No. 18 Chile, No. 19 Scotland, No. 27 Trinidad & Tobago, No. 50 Uruguay and No. 55 Brazil.

Another former Lancaster-Lebanon League star, Jill Witmer of Penn Manor, is also a member of the team.

Following her playing days at Warwick, Beamesderfer continued her career at the University of Iowa, where she started every game in her career and helped to lead the Lady Hawkeyes to three straight Big Ten Tournament championships (2006-08).

As a senior, she was named her team MVP, a Second-Team NFHCA All-American and a First-Team NFHCA West Region All American.

By: BRUCE MORGAN Record Express Sports Editor, Staff Writer

The frustration was visible on Tom Devenney’s face as he suffered a one-point loss to Solanco’s Bo Spiller last Saturday.

The Warwick senior’s dreams for a District Three Triple-A gold medal at 285 were dashed with a 5-4 loss in the semi-finals on the floor of the Hersheypark Arena.

But he didn’t dwell on it.

"What’s my next bout number?," Devenney quickly asked one of his coaches.

Remaining focused on the task at hand, he came back to win his final two matches and clinched a second straight District bronze medal, along with a berth in the PIAA State Wrestling Championships, set for March 7-9 at the Giant Center in Hershey.

Warwick freshman Devin Schnupp (39-4) showed that same kind of focus in his District debut, rallying to win three consecutive wrestlebacks on his way to a fourth-place medal in the 106-pound weight class and a return trip to Chocolatetown.

"We have two that qualified for States, which is not too bad," Warwick coach Ned Bushong remarked. "It’s a lot better than not having any. When we go to States, it’s a brand new week and if we’re healthy and everything is going good, we’re in good shape. I think we have two guys that are as good as most of the guys out there."

By: MICHAEL C. UPTON Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Warwick School District Tuesday approved a preliminary budget for the 2013-14 school year, which district officials said would change before final adoption in June.

The $64.4 million budget carries a 3.88 percent tax increase, resulting in a projected property tax increase of .72 mills, setting the millage rate at 19.29 percent. The resulting $122 tax increase on a home with the average assessed value of $170,000 would raise total property tax paid to $3,279 annually.

"I just want to reiterate … the budget we passed tonight — there is a key word in that — it’s called preliminary for a reason. A lot of work has gone into it so far. A lot more work will be done," said school board president Dr. Timothy Quinn.

Quinn stressed that board meetings and budget discussions at both the Committee of the Whole and Finance and Legal Committee meetings are open to the public.

"There will be a lot of discussion about (the budget). Remember that word, ‘preliminary,’" he said.

By: ROCHELLE A. SHENK Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

An artist with DiMartino Ice works on one of seven large sculptures in downtown Lititz.

What makes Lititz cool? A downtown streetscape featuring 76 ice sculptures is a pretty good example.

Chainsaw-wielding sculptors at seven locations were among the many highlights during the block party kick-off for Lititz’s Fire & Ice Festival. This year’s evening of ice expanded into Lititz Springs Park and includes colorful illuminations.

"Originally, we created the block party to bring people downtown on a Friday Night. We wanted people to see that we really are a cool little town with a variety of businesses, and we wanted to have the community come together as neighbors," said event coordinator Dawn Rissmiller. "We’ve been really successful, and what’s happened over the years is that the party attracts people not only from Lititz and surrounding areas, but also from other towns in our region and neighboring states."

And despite wet weather making its presence felt as the evening unfolded, the streets were packed with people for what has become a premiere attraction here.

By: LAURIE KNOWLES CALLANAN Record Express Correspondent, Staff Writer

Photo by Stan HallMichelle Fleming and Dennis Zeigler dig in at the chili cook-off.

What’s it take to be a chili cook-off judge at Fire & Ice?

First of all, you have to like chili, and lots of it – 17 cups in about 20 minutes. And chances are, you’re probably a local celebrity in what is now the Coolest Small Town in America.

That means you might be on the school board, borough council, or maybe you’re a police officer or firefighter, or perhaps the superintendent of schools. If you’re a Penn State alumnus who played football with the New England Patriots, that would probably qualify. And if you helped create the festival that plays host to the chili contest, that might give you an inside track to the judging table as well.

In the case of Karen Weibel, being president of the board of decision-makers known as Lititz Borough Council gave her a clear bipartisan edge in judging Saturday’s spicy showdown. When asked to critique these culinary delights, she immediately accepted.

"I like chili," she said.

Qualification #1, check.

Deadline has passed for "Love is in the Air," our next All About You community photo page theme. Look for your neighbors’ snapshots in next week’s Record Express.

Tired of driving to Ephrata to drop off press releases and news photos?

Bring ‘em to Editor Stephen Seeber next Friday, March 1, while he’s working at Cafe Chocolate, 40 E. Main St., from 9 to 11 a.m.

Join Steve for a cup of coffee, discuss the hot news items of the week, share your tips and suggestions for stories we should be covering, remind him that he looks much younger without his beard.

In the coming weeks, Steve will be holding office hours at various locations throughout town, bringing the Record Express office to you.

If you have any questions or suggestions, give Steve a call at 721-4423 or send an email to sseeber.eph@LNPnews.com.

See you soon.

Ronald "Moose" Young passed away at his home in Florida on Sept. 18, 2012.

He spent most of his life in Lititz.

He is survived by his children: Jeff Young, Wendy Long and Kelly Henk. He is also survived by three granddaughters: Bailey and Morgan Long and Etta Henk; his mother: Elizabeth Young; sister: Lois; and brother: Steve.

The family will be holding a memorial on Sunday March 3, 2013 at Speedwell Heights Brethren in Christ Church at 12 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

John B. Zahn, 97, of Lancaster, passed away Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 at Moravian Manor in Lititz.

He was the husband of the late Pauline M. Hoffman Zahn, who passed away in 1980. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Parke V. and Kathryn Bishop Zahn.

John had been a senior aircraft instrument mechanic for the U.S. Civil Service, working for 28 years at the former Olmstead Air Force Base in Middletown, until his retirement in 1969. After his retirement, he worked for nine years at Millersville State College. He enjoyed golf, playing into his early 90s.

He is survived by his daughter: Mary Z., married to Lynn E. Kister, of Lancaster; two grandchildren: Kyle Bishop Kister and Morgan Trente Kister; and his cousin: Willard F. Zahn, MD of Long Beach, Calif. He was preceded in death by his grandson: Hart Bishop Kister, and his siblings: Richard B., Parke B. and Elizabeth H. Zahn.

Funeral services were at St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery on Feb. 20. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his memory to the American Heart Assn., 610 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603; or to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.

Marion H. Snader, 104, of Manheim, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 at the Pleasant View Retirement Community.

Marion was the loving wife of Isaac M. Snader, who died in 1984.

Born in New Holland, she was the daughter of the late John S. and Ella Parmer Hillard.

In her early years, Marion was a telephone operator for the Bell Telephone Company in Lancaster. She was a longtime faithful member of the Salem United Methodist Church in Manheim. Her interests included gardening, traveling, reading, playing bridge and discussing politics. She had a life-long passion for her family and she loved drinking coffee and eating lots of chocolate.

Surviving is a daughter: Joan S., wife of Byron W. Sprock, of Manheim; a son: John H., husband of Janet J. Snader, of Newark, Del.; seven grandchildren: Donna Hlavacek, Katherine Stehman, Gail Billips, Carolyn Basilone, Karen Degler, Susanne Spitsbergen, John Snader, Jr.; seven great-grandchildren: Andrea Stehman, Mark Stehman, Erica Moyer, Lee Billips, Zoe Basilone, Jake Degler, Emily Degler; two sisters: June, wife of Harold Witmer; and Ruby Evans, all of New Holland. Preceding her in death are two brothers: Jack and Edwin Hillard; and two sisters: Anna Martin and Irma Talbot.