By: ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Trying out Denver's new Skate and Bike Park are some of the approximately 40 students who entered the new facility right after the ribbon was cut at the dedication on May 17. (Photo by Alice Hummer)

Denver Borough Council learned on May 14 that over $22,000 worth of repairs to the flood damaged Denver Skate Park are finished and decided to open the park on May 17 following a brief ceremony.

Denver Borough Manager Mike Hession noted that with the "string of 70 degree days we’ve experienced, it would be good to open as soon as possible."

Types of equipment allowed in the new park include skateboards, BMX-style bicycles and scooters. The name changed to Denver Skate and Bike Park.

"This is a big deal for the Cocalico area," councilman Rodney Redcay said.

Skateboarders from all municipalities in the Cocalico School District, not just Denver Borough, use the skate park. After the September flooding of the park, a Schoeneck area Cocalico High School student, representing about 30 skateboarders, asked council if and when repairs to the skate park would occur.

The local communities will bring in the patriotic holiday with several events open to the public.

Denver

On May 28, the Denver area will celebrate Memorial Day with the annual parade and services in the Denver Memorial Park.

The Memorial Day parade will start at 9 a.m. at the Denver Fire Company Hall, located at North Fourth and Locust streets. The Centerport Band again will lead the march with any other group that would like to fall in line. As last year, a short service of tribute will take place alongside the cemetery at North Fourth Street with a special hymn dedicated to the veterans buried there. A representative from the Denver Woman’s Club will place a floral tribute on the grave of a veteran representing all veterans buried in our cemeteries.

For several weeks now, we have been asking you to send us your photos of veterans past and present.

The response was overwhelming.

Somehow we were able to fit it all into a special full-color, eight-page, third section in this week’s Review.

This section officially kicks-off our salute to you the reader, which is the "All About You" campaign publicized over the past few weeks. We start by saluting, honoring and remembering, some of our finest friends and neighbors in this Memorial Day edition.

The population of the Ephrata area is rich with veterans who have protected this country during war and times of peace. Local men and women have fought for the American ideal of freedom since the Revolution.

In this special commemorative section, we salute local veterans through photos and information submitted by you, the community. With Memorial Day just a few days away, we find ourselves thinking about our neighbors, past and present, who gave their lives for this country. In this special section, we honor those heroes, along with veterans honored with your submissions.

Capt. Jay Ostrich

In a joint effort by the American Legion Post #429, VFW Post #3376, BPO Elks Lodge #1933 and Amvets Post #136 a Memorial Day program will be held at the War Memorial Field in Ephrata on May 28 from 9 to 10 a.m.

Opening remarks will be done by Sean Brennan, and invocation and benediction will be made by Father John McLoughlin of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Church.

Included in the ceremony will be a salute to the military branches and a flag presention to the Ephrata War Memorial Association.

The guest speaker will be Capt. Jay Ostrich, currently serving in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard’ 193rd Special Operations wing, Middletown, where he is the chief of public affairs. Recognized as Feature Writer of the Year for the USAF in 2008 and three times by the National Guard Bureau in 2006, 2008 and 2010, he has personalized the stories of soldiers and airmen. In his civilian life, Ostrich is the director of public affairs for the Commonwealth Foundation. He and his wife, Joelle, have a daughter, Harper.

By: LESLIE PENKUNAS Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Shown is Dr. John Grant's 1944 photo of his 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Regiment, 4th Marine Division. Dr. Grant, on the right in back row. was Sergeant Squad Leader.

Former Ephrata resident John Grant, 91, does not like to talk about the war; it was too horrific. Instead, he prefers to focus on the men with whom he served.

Sitting in his kitchen in the Landis Homes Retirement Community in Lititz with Nancy, his wife of 63 years, by his side, he pointed to an old photograph. Pictured were the Marines who fought under his leadership in the Pacific Theater 68 years ago. Grant was Sergeant Squad Leader of the 12 men comprising the 2nd Squad, 3rd Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Regiment, 4th Marine Division.

"We were all young kids," said Grant. "We were neophytes, too." He explained that in the heat of battle they had difficulties discerning their targets. "We couldn’t even see one another. I swear sometimes I think we were shooting right at each other," he said, laughing at the memory. None got hurt by the friendly fire, but one morning, one mortar shell would claim three of their lives.

By: TIFFANY WOODALL Review Staff twoodall.eph@lnpnews.com, Staff Writer

With the assistance of the Ephrata Borough Electric Department, photographer Preston Whitcraft was able to capture an overall shot of the new Ephrata Community Pool complex. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

Get ready to make a splash at the new Ephrata Community Pool this weekend as the $2 million complex finally opens the gates for its debut season. Kids are just three days away from zipping down winding slides into the crisp blue water and munching on Lily’s Poolside goodies.

But kids aren’t the only ones looking forward to Saturday. This project has been in the works for nearly 10 years, and one man involved in its planning and execution is excited about the finished product.

"Being a part of the recreation community full time for over the past 34 years and in fact having my first job at the Ephrata Community Pool in 1968, I look at this latest pool project as another gem in the crown of our great community," said David Lloyd, executive director of the Ephrata Recreation Center.

The "All About You" campaign officially begins this week in The Ephrata Review, with the printing of an eight-page special veterans section, and the kick-off of a local weekly prize contest.

Focusing on you the reader, The Review will showcase your submitted photos and stories, as well as continuing its nearly 134-year history of being all-local, all the time with its news and sports coverage. Look for the "All About You" logos within local news, feature and sports stories each week.

In addition to the news coverage and "your" pages once a month, The Review would also like to announce the start of "The All About You" prize contest (full details and sponsors can be found on page A-4 this week)

There will be three weekly prize drawings with a value of at least $25. Winners will be announced on the front page (and called) the following week.

At the end of the 12-week contest, a grand prize winner will be drawn (from all entries) for a $500 value Weber Gas Grill. Winning one of the weekly prizes does not keep someone from winning the grand prize.

Katelyn Jewel Zimmerman, stillborn daughter of Kevin R. and Sharon K. (Weaver) Zimmerman, of Denver, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at her home.

In addition to her parents, Katelyn is survived by two brothers: Connor and Bryce Zimmerman, both at home; paternal grandparents: Lester, husband of Joan (Horst) Zimmerman, of Stevens; maternal grandparents: Melvin, husband of Alma (Martin) Weaver, of Ephrata; paternal great grandfather: Clarence, husband of the late Ellen Zimmerman, of Stevens; paternal great- grandmother: Alice (Eberly) Horst, wife of the late Paul Horst, of Ephrata; and maternal great-grandparents: Titus, husband of Lizzie (Hurst) Weaver, of Ephrata.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents: Lewis and Nettie (Zimmerman) Martin.

A graveside service was held on May 18 at the Springville Mennonite Cemetery, Weaverland Conference, with Bishop Melvin Martin officiating.

Kindly omit flowers.

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

Katelyn Jewel Zimmerman, stillborn daughter of Kevin R. and Sharon K. (Weaver) Zimmerman, of Denver, passed away Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at her home.

In addition to her parents, Katelyn is survived by two brothers: Connor and Bryce Zimmerman, both at home; paternal grandparents: Lester, husband of Joan (Horst) Zimmerman, of Stevens; maternal grandparents: Melvin, husband of Alma (Martin) Weaver, of Ephrata; paternal great grandfather: Clarence, husband of the late Ellen Zimmerman, of Stevens; paternal great- grandmother: Alice (Eberly) Horst, wife of the late Paul Horst, of Ephrata; and maternal great-grandparents: Titus, husband of Lizzie (Hurst) Weaver, of Ephrata.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents: Lewis and Nettie (Zimmerman) Martin.

A graveside service was held on May 18 at the Springville Mennonite Cemetery, Weaverland Conference, with Bishop Melvin Martin officiating.

Kindly omit flowers.

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