Penn Points Online

Combine a Van Gogh masterpiece, tiny bits of multi-colored glass and high school art students. What could that possibly amount to? Chaos? What about a multi-thousand dollar project to decorate a school wall? In this case, that’s precisely what you get.

Since last year, Penn Manor art teacher, Mrs. Teri Hay, has been diligently working to create the latest artsy addition to the high school. A mosaic mural of Vincent Van Gogh’s “A Starry Night” will decorate a retaining wall in the Penn Manor courtyard.

This mural is a rather pricey project and Hay has written proposals and received grant funds from the Penn Manor Educational Fund. Not only have supplies, such as the colored glass, needed to be purchased, but a consultant needed to be hired. In order to achieve a basic understanding of mosaic creation and mural creation, Mr. Mike Bovie, of Lancaster Stained Glass, was brought in. He was able to explain to Hay and her students how to create a substantial outdoor mural. The outdoor factor also added to the overall cost of the project, since the wall needed to be prepared to withstand the seasonal weather changes.

Last year, Hay’s art classes began and completed the design for the mural. They created cartoons (15”x10” panels of the design) for each section of “A Starry Night.” The classes selected shades of glass and began cutting it into the needed shapes. They were also able to get the first section, section A, up on the wall. Hay said the most difficult parts of these beginning processes were the organization and visualization of the finished product.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” says Hay.

Continuing where the classes of 2008-2009 left off, this year’s classes have started work on the mural as well. They have placed the glass pieces on the cartoons, really bringing the bigger picture together. Throughout this school year, each of Hay’s classes will get the chance to work on the project for a week.

Grace Gundel, a sophomore who has already had the opportunity to work on the mosaic, says that this project is “a great way to creatively bring together the art students of Penn Manor.”

Hay optimistically hopes for the project to be finished sometime in October 2010. Her secret to efficiently accomplishing this goal?

“Keep a positive attitude.”

By Sarah Schaeffer

Nowadays taking a simple stroll around the block on a brisk evening is comparable to stepping into a winter wonderland.

One step out the door and one may be blinded by the festive decorations littering neighbors’ yards.

Many know the right places to go to look at numerous light displays. One may just have to take a quick walk or drive down the street and enjoy a free view of pure holiday joy, while other times gazers will have to pay $20 for one spectacular light setup.

No matter where you live, you know the right places to look at all the best lights.

“It’s a Christmas wonderland,” Dylan Kurtz exclaims about the lights in the local Georgetown Hills neighborhood, right off Valley Drive.

Alyssa Thompson also says that she goes to Georgetown Hills to see Christmas lights. When referring to the same house as Kurtz, Thompson said, “That one house is like crazy.”

Here one can spot an assortment of lights including a blow up snow globe and Santa on a sleigh.

There is also a spot on Marietta by North School Lane that has a huge light display surrounding a large house. They feature a “peace on earth” sign, and quite a few angels.

Make a quick right off the end of Donerville Road. onto Stony Battery and your eyes will be amazed.

These few houses set up their lawns, just to create the temptation to walk right in.

“Sweet Lights,” is another place that is good to go light searching. It is what they call the lights at Hershey, by Hersheypark. The Sweet Light includes two miles and over 600 animated displays that you can view from your car for the price of $20.

Another favorite place to see lights is in Rocky Ridge Park in York right off Mt. Zion Rd. In its 26^th season, Rocky Ridge is striving to have even more wonderful displays, ones that you can walk through, drive through, and some that are even indoors.

The lights at Rocky Ridge range in cost from, $8 for adults, kids ages 4-12, $6, seniors & and ages three and under are free.

Around every bend there are lights to be seen, the beautiful sights are begging to be admired.

By Kimmy Bowman

Whether you’re nailing cakes to the door, blowing up scarecrows, or eating grapes, every country has their own way of ringing in the New Year.

Not only in the United States, but in other countries around the world, it’s tradition to have parties with your friends and families, drink champagne at midnight, and kiss your loved one.

Many people in the United States come up with a resolution they want to change or overcome in the following year.

A few of the typical New Year’s Resolutions for adults include working out, quitting tobacco or alcoholic products, learning something new or simply helping others.

PM math teacher, Kim Frey, said she “would like to exercise more regularly.”

However, many younger Americans would rather get a job, be happy more often, get into a good college, maybe even Harvard, or just save money.

“I want to do my best in school,” says junior, Jessen Smith.

Some people don’t put as much thought into their resolution, and decide upon something wacky and new.

Sophomore, Tim Deubler, said, “I plan on wearing all the clothes in my closet.”

“Eat more mayonnaise,” jokingly said math teacher, Jarod Staub.

In the United States, there are many other traditions.  Watching the ball drop in Times Square, New York City, is one way many Americans celebrate.  At midnight, lots of noise is made, champagne is drunk, and people kiss their significant other.

A classic Lancaster County tradition is on New Year’s Day is to continue to celebrating, by eating a dinner full of pork and sauerkraut, for good luck throughout the coming year.

New Year’s Eve and Day are celebrated differently all over the world, but the tradition each person has is special to them, in each and every way.

By: Brittany Burke and Sarah Nagy

For some, the holidays can be the lonliest part of the year, especially if you have no one to share it with.  Senior citizens particularly can relate to this.  It may be because of the loss of loved ones or they themselves may be ill or even bedridden.

One organization that works to combat the sense of loneliness and isolation some seniors feel at the holidays and all throughout the year is Meals on Wheels.  About five or six years ago, seniors citizens who were receiving Meals on Wheels in the Millersville area, started not only receiving a warm meal but a warm welcome as well.

Penn Manor Assistant Superintendent, Ellen Pollock, began taking sixth graders with her every Friday as she personally volunteered with the Meals on Wheels program.

 “The kids are always excited for this,” said Pollock.

Pollock, Lisa Roth-Walter (Hambright Elementary School Teacher) , Beth Wagner (Hambright Elementary School Teacher), and Bill Southward (Hambright Elementary School Teacher) are the ones who thought up and have been putting in motion this plan, but are also the structure beneath the smiles of every senior who receives a meal every Friday from a different group of three 6^th graders.

Fridays in December and January are especially important because of the holidays and Pollock was mindful of this when she picked up her young volunteers.

“You’re job is to be really cheerful!” Pollock told three 6^th graders Zedan Rahwan, Daniel Wolf, and Wynn Kanagy.

“It’s a blessing to have this service,” said Pauline Webb, a Meals on Wheels beneficiary “I think the children are wonderful.”

It’s clear the sixth graders are benefiting from the experience, too.

“I thought it would feel good to help someone out.” said Wolf.

“I always enjoy helping people in need.” said Kanagy.

“I thought it be cool to help out too.” said Rashwan.

The first stop after picking up the Hambright helpers, was the First United Methodist Church in Millersville. From there,  the students and Ms. Pollock picked up the meals and set off for the first food recipient. On average there are about 10-11 homes on the Meals
on Wheels route that
receive a hot and cold meal. The kids took turns navigating and getting the meals out for the next stop.

“I love it!” exclaimed Helen Young a Meals on Wheels beneficiary also.

Ever since the first year of the program, sixth graders have come back with such stories as the “Pencil Lady” (also known as Ms. Helen Young) and the “din-dong-ditch house”(where Agnes Perry resides) have been passed down from previous helpers to current or soon-to-be helpers.
                                                     (Daniel Wolf, Helen Young, Wynn Kanagy, and Zedan Rashwan)

“My favorite part was the ding dong ditch house.” said Wolf

“My favorite part was the Pencil lady,” said Kanagy

“The Pencil Lady was my favorite too.” said Rashwan.

As the helpers returned to Hambright after their last delivery and dropping off boxes at the church, they looked back and reflected on what they learned.

“I learned it’s good to be helpful, especially because I’ll want people to help me when I’m older.” said Wolf.

“ I learned how good of an experience this is,” said Rashwan “I like helping people in need.”

“I learned a lesson about helping others when they’re in need.” said Kanagy.

“If I could give the kids one thing it’s the thought that they can make a difference.” said Pollock.

To see a personal account from those involved on what happened during their experience, go to blogs.pennmanor.net/mealsonwheels. Ms. Pollock who is now on the Meals on Wheels board says hopefully this program between the elementary school and Meals on Wheels will go on forever. And judging by the enthusiastic look on both the faces of the sixth graders and the seniors, it will be going on forever.

By: Robert Henry