If there is going to be a Reamstown Days celebration this year, additional volunteers are needed to help plan the event. A planning meeting has been scheduled for Leap Day, Feb. 29 in the Reamstown Community Center, 23 E. Church St., at 7 p.m.

If enough people "leap" at this opportunity to show support for a community tradition, Reamstown Days, the event will continue as in previous years, this year set for Sept. 7 and 8. provided there is sufficient interest. Call 336-5520 or send an e-mail to ken@3cat.us with questions.

Those who were disappointed by the canceling of the 2011 Denver Fair due to flooding will be happy to hear that the fair is definitely coming back this year — stronger and better than ever. The dates to mark on calendars for the event are Sept. 11 through 15.

This will be the 32nd year for the fair. For more information, visit thedenverfair.com.

By: JACQUELINE WATSON Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Twenty-two officers with the newly-formed Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department took their ceremonial oath of office during a meeting in Clay Township last Thursday night. (Photo by Stan Hall)Twenty-two officers with the newly-formed Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department took their ceremonial oath of office during a meeting in Clay Township last Thursday night. (Photo by Stan Hall)

Twenty-two police officers in one room; that doesn’t happen often.

While the new Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department — representing Warwick, Penn and Clay townships — has been up and running since Christmas, the public oath of office ceremony wasn’t held until Feb. 9, during the department’s monthly meeting at headquarters in Clay Township. Judge Joseph Madenspacher officiated.

"I don’t know about everybody else, but I feel pretty safe right now," Madenspacher said. "It is the police that are not just protecting us, but basically creating order where there would otherwise be lawlessness and anarchy."

Friends and family, along with Aiko from the K-9 unit, were in attendance.

By: BETH KACHEL Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Lori Biechler with her beloved dog Abigail, who passed away in October.Lori Biechler with her beloved dog Abigail, who passed away in October.

Lori Biechler is an inspiration to many.

Born without ear drums, she is deaf, suffers from severe arthritis and has limited vision in one eye, yet she has not allowed these challenges to stop her from leading a positive and productive life.

"I feel that I’m not any different from anyone else, because it is a part of me," explained the longtime Lititz resident, "When my sister and I were born, they told us both that we should be put in an institution. The doctors had told my mom that my sister and I would never walk. I wish the doctor was here today because we’re both strong."

Strong indeed. Biechler not only learned to walk, she graduated high school and went to college, got married and works full-time as a medical billing professional.

After overcoming so much, Biechler currently faces two hurdles that she cannot jump on her own.

By: GARY KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

At separate municipal meetings, both Ephrata Borough Council and the Ephrata Township Board of Supervisors were briefed by Ephrata Chief of Police William Harvey on the operations of the South Central Task Force (SCTF).

Ephrata resident and vice chairman of SCTF, Randy Gockley, was also on hand for the briefing of Ephrata borough officials at its Feb. 13 voting session.

SCTF is one of nine such regional task forces established across the state of Pennsylvania to cover all "hazards" events which might otherwise exhaust the resources and capabilities of local emergency responders such as fire, police and EMTs. This regional task force covers eight counties, including Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Franklin, Adams, Dauphin, Perry and Cumberland. By grouping resources in the shared mission of preparing the region for a wide range of hazards, from hurricanes and floods to terror-type incidents, the outcome provides for greater security without greater cost.

"SCTF is not an organization but a vehicle for mutual collaboration and solutions and regional training exercises," explained Harvey.

By: ANGELA CABEZAS Review Staff acabezas.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Ryan TrellaRyan Trella

Three Ephrata graduates will help battle childhood cancer this weekend during the 39th annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, or THON, a fundraiser that benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.

Though much of THON focuses on the 46-hour dance marathon that will be held Feb. 17-19 at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center, THON is actually a year-round effort to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancers. Each student group that participates sponsors one or more families of children with cancer, and this year around 15,000 students will take part, either as fundraisers, planners or dancers. Among those students are Vanessa Fetter and Caitlin Eckman of Akron, who graduated from Ephrata High School in 2011, as well as Ryan Trella of Ephrata, a 2008 graduate.

For Trella, a senior engineering science major, this will be his third year participating in THON. In the past he’s helped raise money as a member of The Society of Engineering Science, but this year he will represent the organization as a dancer.

Stella M. Zimmerman, 41, of Ephrata, passed away Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 at Ephrata Community Hospital.

She was born in Narvon to Norman Waltz and the late Stella (Kohl) Waltz and was the wife of Lee Zimmerman.

Stella enjoyed spending time outdoors.

In addition to her husband and father, Stella is survived by five daughters: Brittaney Waltz, of Florida; Cierra Waltz, of Leola; Brooke Waltz, of Alaska; and Abby and Anna Waltz, both of Paradise; two sons: Brandon Zimmerman, of Narvon, Jentzen Zimmerman, of Paradise; a sister: Silvia, wife of Barry Getz, of Narvon; three brothers: Ray Waltz, of Narvon, Terry, husband of Cindy Waltz, of Narvon; and Bill Waltz, of Reading; and grandchildren: Mason, Jaylin, Izzy and Emma.

She was preceded in death by a brother: Norman Waltz.

A memorial gathering was held on Feb. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Stradling Funeral Home, Ephrata. A private interment will take place at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are being made by Stradling Funeral Homes Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.

Clara P. (Parrish) Wertz, age 91 years, widow of Robert Irwin Wertz, of Caernarvon Township, formerly of Birdsboro and Morris, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012 in Ephrata Community Hospital, where she had been a patient for one day.

Born in West Chester, she was the daughter of the late Byron Spencer and Elizabeth (Martin) Parrish.

She had been employed as a sewing machine operator for the former Valley Forge Flag Company, Baumstown, for 22 years, retiring in 1985.

Clara is survived by two sons: Robert N., husband of Cookie Wertz, of Birdsboro; and Dennis C., husband of Aileen Wertz, of Allenwood; five daughters: Barbara Ann, wife of Earl L. Wertz, of Morgantown; Sondra L., wife of Eugene White, of Denver; Florence E., wife of Dale Sinclair, of East Earl; Sharon M., wife of James Jumper, of Wellsboro; and Joyce L. Falatovich, of Birdsboro; 23 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 7 at the Dengler Funeral Home Inc., Birdsboro. Interment took place in Forest Hills Memorial Park.

Dengler Funeral Home, Inc., Birdsboro, PA is in charge of the arrangements.