By: KIMBERLY MARSELAS Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Christmas in March: Denver Borough is looking to sell 18 antique holiday ornaments retrieved after more than a decade in storage. (Photo by Kimberly Marselas)

If Denver Borough opens its municipal meeting room to the public, it likely will be only to sanctioned non-profit and government-related organizations.

During a meeting Monday night, council members discussed the creation of an official policy governing use of its chambers, which were expanded following a major renovation of borough hall two years ago. Last month, council narrowly denied a request by two state Republican candidates to hold a meet-and-greet event in the meeting space because the borough had no guidelines on such requests.

This week, council members gave borough manager Mike Hession their input on a prospective policy. Member Michael Gensemer said he "opposed opening a window that doesn’t need to be opened" by allowing any group to use or rent the meeting room. But council members were open to the idea of allowing groups with ties to Denver — including sports and philanthropic organizations — to use the space when it was vacant.

Free bluegrass and gospel music and old-time country music dancing will be featured at the Denver Fire Hall from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 1, May 6 and June 3.

Musicians, singers and groups are welcome. Audience participation is encouraged. Donations will be appreciated.

For more information, call 330-6789 and 665-2557.

The trout season opener for the 18-county region of Southeastern Pennsylvania kicks off Saturday with first lines hitting the water at 8 a.m. The rest of the state’s 850,000 anglers won’t see trout season until the statewide opener April 14.

Trout must be a minimum of 7 inches long from closed mouth to slightly compressed tail points, and the creel limit is five fish.

If you happen to have a large or unusual catch, please send us your photos for possible publication in an upcoming issue of the Review. Email to: truth.eph@lnpnews.com.

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Fact is, the Garden Spot girls don’t lose very many dual meets in track. So when it does happen, it truly is a big deal.

Such was the case Monday afternoon as Ephrata pulled off a stunner in the 2012 season opener in New Holland.

Led by junior jumper Mary Witmer, as well as freshman sprinter Kelly Liebl, the Lady Mounts got out of the gates quickly and never looked back en route to an impressive 88-62 victory over the Spartans.

Witmer secured four wins on the day, including a record-setting performance in the 100 meter hurdles where her time of 15.3 eclipsed the previous school record set by Courtney Beiler (15.5) in 2004. Liebl added three wins and anchored the victorious 4 x 100 relay to help hand the Spartans just their second team loss in the last 11 seasons.

"To be honest, I had my eyes on this meet since mid-winter," Ephrata Coach John Keller said when asked about the win. "With the additions of sophomore Nicole Wilkerson, as well as freshmen (Liebl), Andrea Castillo, Madison Fox and Erica Voigt, I knew going in we could compete. We just had to get past the Garden Spot mystique."

Cocalico’s Mike Carty (22) goes up for the kill shot during action Tuesday at Manheim Central. (Photo by Dennis Bicksler) The Cocalico boys volleyball team dropped its first dual of the season Tuesday evening at Manheim Central, losing 3-0 to the host Barons.

Led by Josiah Hershberger, who collected 22 kills and eight blocks, the Barons needed just three games to defeat the Eagles 25-11, 25-14 and 25-9.

Phillip Yang led the way for Cocalico with six kills on the night. Luke Parson chipped in with four blocks while Mike Carty served up an ace for the Eagles.

Ephrata also opened regular-season play Tuesday night with a home match vs. McCaskey. Unfortunately, the Mounts ended up on the losing end as well as the visiting Tornado scored a 3-1 victory.

After the teams split the first two games 25-19 and 21-25, McCaskey took control with a pair of tight wins (28-26 and 25-20) to capture the victory.

Logan Kopp and Jordan Schultz each collected 14 kills to pace the Mounts. Kopp added three aces while Adam Witmer blocked nine shots.

Both local squads will be back in action Thursday as Ephrata travels to Hempfield while Cocalico heads home to face Garden Spot.

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

Ephrata’s Tyler Sensenig (22) splits the CV defenders and goes on the attack for the Mounts during Monday’s 15-1 victory over the Buckskins at Mountaineer Field. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft) Thirty-two to five.

That’s the combined score for the first two games of Ephrata’s season which both resulted in lopsided victories in boys lacrosse.

It should come as no surprise, considering the Mounts return virtually their entire team from last year’s squad which advanced to the League finals and into District play.

While strong defensive play has been always been its staple, what could make the difference this year for a possible title run for Ephrata is its scoring depth. In the two wins, nine different players have found the net led by senior Josh Frey, who has netted nine.

"I’m pleased with the way they are playing," Mounts Coach Kevin Pletz said Tuesday. "The things I was concerned about they’ve shown a lot of improvement in and played well overall as a team which is one of the things we’ve been stressing."

By: TODD RUTH Review Sports Editor truth.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

With nine starters back in the mix, the Cocalico girls soccer team has legitimate title hopes this spring.

If the Lady Eagles can avoid injuries and play up to their potential the Section Three prize might indeed be well within their grasp come early May.

"We have the potential to compete with all of the teams in our section," Cocalico Head Coach Dan Hogan said Tuesday. "If we stay healthy and focused we hope to be in the mix for a section title at the end of the season. We also need to find the right mix of reserves to give our starters rest so we are still strong at the end of the season."

They’ve certainly been strong in the early going, knocking off District qualifier Manheim Central, 4-1 in the opener before blanking Lebanon, 3-0 on Monday.

The win in Manheim was especially impressive, as the Lady Eagles broke open a 1-0 lead with three goals in the second half to clinch the victory. Sophomore middie Nicole Zwiercan notched a pair of goals while Brooke Burkholder and Shannon Hoeveler also found the net. Kathleen Lawver, Brittany Simmons, Hoeveler and Lea Dungan added assists for the winners.

Patricia M. Steckel, 77, of Ephrata, died Saturday, March 24, 2012 at Hospice of Lancaster County, Mt. Joy.

Born in Annville, she was the daughter of the late Harold A. and Mary Stoner Matz. She was the wife of the late Robert "Bob" K. Steckel, who died in 2006.

She was a food demonstrator at Oregon Dairy and a member of Salem Evangelical Reformed Church. She was active in her church and a member of the church choir. She enjoyed walking, gospel music, socializing with family and friends and loved her grandson Tate. She was a graduate of Annville High School class of 1952.

She is survived by a son: Andrew R., husband of Celene E. Steckel, of Westminster, Md.; a stepdaughter: Robin Haubert, of Philadelphia; a grandson: Tate Steckel; and a brother: William A., husband of Doris J. Matz, of Georgetown, Del.

She was preceded in death by a stepson: Charles Steckel.

The funeral will be held March 29 at 11 a.m. at Salem Evangelical Reformed Church Hellers, 2555 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster. Memorials may be made to Salem Hellers Memorial Fund, 2555 Horseshoe Road, Lancaster, PA 17601.

For more information, visit furmanfuneralhome.com.