Remember that book that was checked out from the library? If it’s sitting under the bed or on the bookshelf, it’s time to take it back. If not, there might be a call from a collection agency in the near future.

The Ephrata Public Library will be turning their overdue records over to Keystone Collection Agency April 1 and the consequences may be harsher than some people think. The first and second items are misdemeanors and the third item not returned could result in felony charges.

"Our goal isn’t to file criminal charges, it is to have people pay for the items they didn’t return," says library Executive Director Penny Talbert. "However, it’s an option." Those items, Talbert said, add up to over $100,000, an amount that could help the library at a time when funding is being cut from many sources.

"I think people are surprised that the library would take these steps. But the truth is, we are feeling the financial crunch and not returning a book is stealing. The misconception that it’s ‘only a library book’ is one we must dispel," said Talbert.

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

The Ephrata Area School District (EASD) reported at its Monday night board meeting that the district and the Ephrata Area Education Foundation (EAEF) have dissolved the position of their development director. This was a position held by Kati Farrer, who was laid off at the end of February.

Stephanie Gingrich, EASD communications director, explained the move.

"The elimination of the position and the timing of the decision were based on economic considerations," she said. "Money was not coming in. The district and the foundation will absorb the responsibilities."

The EAEF was founded in 2004 as a means to provide additional funding to the public schools in the Ephrata Area School District. It is a blending of community, business and school leaders to foster a positive educational environment throughout the district.

Through its considerable efforts, EAEF has been able to supplement the education Ephrata students receive through supporting teachers with equipment, student scholarships, even grants for programs which are so beneficial to the students but which might not find funding through the school district. This was important enough to inspire the start of the foundation. But as state and federal budgets continue to squeeze the local districts to do more through unfunded mandates but with less money coming from those levels of government, groups like EAEF become an especially important and integral part of the quality of local education.

By: MILAN VRACARICH JR. Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

A resident approached Akron Borough Council recently with a number of concerns, including a claim that her property was damaged due to her neighbor’s negligence and complaint about the borough manager.

Carolyn Williams stated that rainwater from improperly maintained gutters and a clogged drainage hole has caused significant damage to her front porch. She said she was forced to repair the porch at her own expense (approximately $12,000) but states that her problems will continue unless the borough intervenes.

"I want the borough to do some type of action to a) get my neighbor to fix his gutters; (and) b) get the borough to fix the hole that goes into the street," said Williams. "I’ve only repaired the symptoms to my property — I haven’t repaired the cause.

"My gutters aren’t causing the damage to my property. I can’t repair the neighbor’s gutters and I can’t repair the street. Those two (things) are the actual cause."

Williams said she attempted to research the issue with the help of the borough and borough manager Dan Guers since last summer. She claims Guers was not helpful and hung up the phone during her calls a number of times. Williams also claims the borough manager told her that he "get(s) calls from women like you every day."

David H. Burkholder

David H. Burkholder, age 90, left this earth for heaven praising the Lord after a brief illness.

He was the son of the late Noah N. and Martha Horst Burkholder. He was married to the late Edna Gehman Burkholder. David was born June 3, 1921. They were married 58 years.

David started the DeShopping Van, which consisted of stores on wheels. He then opened Ephrata East End Mart in 1966. This store is still operated by the family. In 1983 after retiring David started a personal Evangelism ministry. He visited retirement and nursing homes, shut-ins, hospitals and jails. He transported people to the doctor or hospital and helped the less fortunate with financial needs. David was a member at Carpenters Community Church in Talmage and Life Gate Church in Elizabethtown. He conducted many funerals, some weddings and was always preaching and teaching about Jesus Christ. David was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in evangelism by PTL Indian Bible College. In his later years he still found the business of the family store interesting and loved to visit the store and visit with the customers.

By: TIFFANY WOODALL Review Staff, Staff Writer

Jamieson signs autographs for fans on the red carpet during the March 12 premiere of 'The Hunger Games' in Los Angeles.

Ethan Jamieson is no ordinary 13-year-old, unless ordinary includes appearing in a major motion picture, attending a Hollywood premiere and mingling with celebrities.

This middle school hockey player landed a role in "The Hunger Games," a film that grossed $155 million in its debut last weekend.

Ethan is the son of former Ephrata resident Lori (Imhoff) Jamieson, who graduated from Ephrata High School in 1981. Lori later married and moved with her family to Raleigh, N.C., where they currently reside.

Based on a series of books by Suzanne Collins, "The Hunger Games" depicts a future society where the country is divided into 12 districts, and every district must be represented by a boy and a girl (called tributes) who compete in a televised competition. Each competition is essentially a death match as only one child can win. Ethan was cast as the boy tribute for District 4.

The Ephrata Main Theatre will be showing the Easter-themed movie "Hop" to raise money for local charities.

All showings are at noon and open to the public on the following dates:

? Saturday, March 31, benefits The Ephrata Cloister

? Sunday, April 1, benefits Ephrata Area Social Services

? Friday, April 6, benefits Ephrata Post Prom

? Saturday, April 7, EPAC

? Easter Sunday, April 8, benefits the Ephrata Public Library

? Monday, April 9, benefits the Ephrata Women’s Club

All tickets are $5 at the door, and $1 from every ticket sold and 10 percent of the concession sales will go directly to that day’s charity.

The funding is especially crucial for the Ephrata Post Prom committee, which is currently looking for more volunteers for the event (Memorial Day weekend). Help is needed with set-up and clean-up the night of the post prom. Any time would greatly be appreciated. It takes many to put on an event such as this.

Lancaster County has been a top tourist destination for decades, seeing no signs of waning. According to the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau, about 11 million visitors come to Lancaster every year, spending almost $1.8 billion. In 2009, Forbes Magazine named Lancaster County as one of the Ten Best American Town to Visit by Car. But ask most retailers and they will confirm that the northeastern end of Lancaster County does not see a significant part of this market. Downtown Ephrata, Inc. (DEI) believes the area can realize a greater impact from tourism with a coordinated, focused marketing strategy. Thus, the idea of a comprehensive, multi-town visitor guide was born.

Executive Director Marsha DiBonaventuro explains. "The strategy is simple. Instead of each tourist destination and attraction marketing to the visitor individually and separately, why not market the whole area as the destination. The individual cost of advertising is lower because much of the overall costs are shared. In addition, visitors are looking for a variety of things to see and do, with limited time to spend. They do not want to work hard to figure out how to get to all these places, or worry that they are too far away from each other. Gas prices may be shooting up to record highs this summer, so a marketing piece that motivates the tourist to make the drive from somewhere else is imperative."

Lancaster County has been a top tourist destination for decades, seeing no signs of waning. According to the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau, about 11 million visitors come to Lancaster every year, spending almost $1.8 billion. In 2009, Forbes Magazine named Lancaster County as one of the Ten Best American Town to Visit by Car. But ask most retailers and they will confirm that the northeastern end of Lancaster County does not see a significant part of this market. Downtown Ephrata, Inc. (DEI) believes the area can realize a greater impact from tourism with a coordinated, focused marketing strategy. Thus, the idea of a comprehensive, multi-town visitor guide was born.

Executive Director Marsha DiBonaventuro explains. "The strategy is simple. Instead of each tourist destination and attraction marketing to the visitor individually and separately, why not market the whole area as the destination. The individual cost of advertising is lower because much of the overall costs are shared. In addition, visitors are looking for a variety of things to see and do, with limited time to spend. They do not want to work hard to figure out how to get to all these places, or worry that they are too far away from each other. Gas prices may be shooting up to record highs this summer, so a marketing piece that motivates the tourist to make the drive from somewhere else is imperative."

Supporters of Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (DVGRR), Reinholds, have come through once again for the animal welfare group by gaining it a $1,000 prize in the first round of voting in The Animal Rescue Site and Petfinder.com’s $300,000 Shelter+ Challenge of 2012. The rescue group consistently has won prizes during the challenges.

Over 13,500 Petfinder.com members, all animal adoption groups, are eligible to participate. Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue posts its adoptable pets on Petfinder at petfinder.com/shelters/PA379.html. It is a volunteer non-profit group that rescues unwanted golden retrievers and places them for adoption, operating primarily in Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and New York.