Deadline has passed for "Love is in the Air," our next All About You community photo page theme. Look for your neighbors’ snapshots in next week’s Ephrata Review.

Ronald Mark Boltz

Ronald Mark Boltz of Akron passed away on Friday, Feb. 15, 2013 at the age of 68. Five years after being diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the illness claimed his life but never his spirit. He was the husband of Joan Gilardone Boltz for 43 years.

Ron was a graduate of Ephrata High School, where he was president of his class, and Elizabethtown College. He was president of Bareville Garment Corporation, and served on the board of G.R. Kleinfelter Underwriters, Inc.

Active in his community, Ron was a member of Akron Borough Council, where he served as Chairman of Parks and Personnel and also as vice president for the past eight years. During his time on council, he was instrumental in the development of the Rails to Trails project and the improvement of Akron’s park system. He also helped to form the Akron Youth Soccer Club and coached the sport for 15 years.

Ron was member of LCBC, Manheim, and an active participant in the church’s Men’s Fraternity program. Previously, he was a member of First United Methodist Church in Ephrata.

By: LUCY RICCOMINI Review Staff, Staff Writer

Pictured are (left to right) Congressman Joe Pitts, 1st Sergeant Ron Gentry, USMC (Ret.), First Sergeant Kuss. (Photo by Stan Hall)

On Feb. 19, a local veteran received a long-delayed bronze medal at the Armed Services Recruiting Center in Lancaster.

Ephrata resident 1st Sgt. Ron Gentry, USMC (Ret.) received a Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for heroic actions in Vietnam in 1966.

Though many years had passed before Gentry received his medal, it was clear that his proudest moments came from protecting his country during combat and not about receiving the award.

"It got lost in the shuffle. But that’s OK," Gentry told The Review. "We’re not there for that reason.

"When you’re in Vietnam, paperwork is in place for different awards, but sometimes they get lost," continued Gentry. "During conflict, these things can happen."

Gentry was nominated by Lt. Col. Hancock during his time in the service, but the medal was never processed and awarded to Gentry. In the meantime, Lt. Col. Hancock left his position and a new officer replaced him. But Gentry and Hancock stayed in touch and remained good friends. As time went on, Lt. Col. Hancock asked Gentry about the medal.

The Museum and Library Committee of the Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley recently acquired an original oil painting on canvas of the Ephrata Cloister by the obscure Lancaster artist Gustav Demuth. Demuth, who was not related to the famous Lancaster artist Charles Demuth, was born in 1890 and died May 22, 1940. The painting, which dates from about 1925, measures 20 inches by 16 inches and retains its original gilt molded plaster over wood frame. The painting features the Cloister’s Almonry, Saron (sisters’ house) and Saal (chapel) as viewed from the entrance to God’s Acre Cemetery, prior to the historic sites’ restoration. The Saron is depicted with a bell tower on its roof; the tower was placed on the building by Joseph Clarence Zerfass (1893-1919) in the second decade of the twentieth century and removed sometime following his death. The painting is signed "G. Demuth" in the bottom left corner.

Gustav Demuth was born Gustav Demuthchek in 1890 in Vienna, Austria, the son of John and Marie Schavell Demuthchek. According to the 1930 U.S. census he emigrated to America in 1921. He was married to Margaret Toisel (born about 1894 in Austria); the couple had one daughter, Marion G. Demuth (born about 1918 in Austria). Marion G. Demuth later married Spencer Griffith who worked for Hamilton Watch Co., Lancaster, before moving to Ohio in 1955. According to the 1930 U.S. census Margaret Toisel Demuth and her daughter emigrated to America in 1922.

Cocalico's Shannon Hoeveler (2) and Kathleen Lawver (4) celebrate a goal during a game earlier this season. Tuesday afternoon, the Lady Eagles made history, winning the school's first-ever soccer section title with a 2-1 clinching win at Donegal. (Photo by Michele Walter)

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By: MICHAEL C. UPTON Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Since opening a storefront in 2008, The heART of Friendship Art Gallery has held an annual auction hoping to raise funds for the program, which enables people with disabilities to create art. This year is special because it will be the last held in Ephrata. Friendship Community Events Coordinator Joy Ashley hopes this year can be a major success, not just because it’s the last in Ephrata — since the gallery will move to Lancaster City later this year — but it may be the best auction yet.

"We totally outgrew the facility (in Ephrata) and the need to move elsewhere became more and more apparent," said Ashley.

The answer to Friendship Community’s needs appeared when Landis Homes purchased 118 North Water Street in Lancaster and decided to turn the upper floors into senior living condominiums. Steeple View Lofts was born. Landis Homes presented a plan to Friendship Community allowing The heART of Friendship Gallery to reside in the lower level. The official move-in date is fluid, and the gallery could start taking shape as early as May with an opening scheduled for summer.

By: ROSALBA UGLIUZZA Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Shown at the ribbon cutting of the new Village Post Office are (left to right) Cheryl Lorenz, librarian; Penny Talber, library executive director; Vicki Sullivan, retail manager for Central PA District of U.S. Postal Service; Kevin Moyer, postmaster of Ephrata Post Office; Gil Sager, president of library board; George DiIllio, Ephrata Borough Council; and Rebecca Zinner, library public program assistant. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

Fridays are back and the Village Post Office has arrived.

These are just two of the reasons the year is off to a great start at the Ephrata Public Library.

But there is even more excitement on the way in the coming months as library visitors and users will be able to scour the building in a galactic way.

Beginning Saturday, May 18 until July 11, the library will host a science traveling exhibit called "Discover Earth." Thanks to a grant received by the American Library Association, Ephrata is the only library in Pennsylvania hosting the grand exhibit.

"This project will be the largest that we’ve ever done at the library," said executive director Penny Talbert. "I am expecting in those six weeks to see 60,000 to 80,000 people come to see the exhibit."

By: LUCY RICCOMINI Review Staff, Staff Writer

Affenpinscher Banana Joe poses proudly with his handler, Ernesto Lara. (Photo by Lisa Croft-Elliott)

Banana Joe, an Affenpinscher from The Netherlands, gallivanted through Madison Square Gardens with his head held high for the judges at the 137th Westminster Kennel Club Dog show on Feb. 12. It was his final chance at winning Best of Show before retirement.

And dog gone it — he did it.

His handler, Ernesto Lara, who lives in Bowmansville and works for Peter Green at Greenfield-Yarrow Kennels, couldn’t be more proud.

"That’s the most important dog show in the world and one of the most prestigious," said Lara. "And you see the best of the best. Everybody wants to win that show."

Originally from Mexico City, Lara moved to the United States to pursue his dream of becoming a dog handler. It began as a hobby and then in 1994 he had an opportunity to work for Green.

"He’s the most famous dog houser in the world. He’s won four times best of show at Westminster," said Lara.

Members of the cast are (front sitting, left to right) Jared Sumar as Victor Frankenstein and Josh Koch as Professor Waldeman; (second, l-r) Grace Hutchinson as Ernestine Frankenstein, Olivia Voler as Justine, Kolby Hunt as Delacey, Laura Sensenig as Elizabeth Lavenza, Vanessa Binkley as Felicity, Abby Kierzkowski as Henrietta; (top, l-r) Steven Gagliano as the monster and Tyler Weidman as Captain Robert Walton. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

The Cocalico Middle School is proud to announce the performances of this year’s production of "Frankenstein."

The show takes place on March 7, 8 and 9 in the Cocalico Middle School auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

"Frankenstein" is the play adaptation of the classic novel written by Mary Shelley in 1818. While the movie is one of the greatest monster stories ever told, this production will focus on the drama and tragedy of the original story even as it incorporates lighter elements found in some of the "Frankenstein" film spoofs.

Captain Robert Walton rescues a weakened Victor Frankenstein near the North Pole and nurses him back to health. He then learns the fantastic tale of Frankenstein’s early fascination with discovering the secret of life. This obsession leads to the creation of a monster that seeks companionship but ultimately settles for revenge. Told in both a dramatic and comical style, this production, while not intended for small children, is sure to delight audiences both young and old.