By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Despite a prolonged and painful national economic slump, Downtown Ephrata Incorporated or DEI continues its attempt to adapt to the times and prove beneficial to the downtown business district.

This is quite the feat considering ever-increasing challenges groups like DEI, throughout the state, face as grant funds and other sources of operating funds have become stretched or dried up altogether. Yet, DEI tries to commit itself to acting as a role model for other organizations.

One such example was a recent decision for DEI to move from its location in the historic Train Station along Main Street. For the time being, the DEI board has decided to operate without a permanent physical address.

DEI’s Executive Director Marsha DiBonaventuro recently discussed the move.

“Like so many other businesses, opportunities to maintain revenues were dwindling, while costs, of course, were moving in the opposite direction,” said DiBonaventuro. “For any business, there are three main ways to positively impact the bottom line: identify ways to increase revenues, cut costs, and improve efficiencies.”

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

Hugh Good, a senior at Ephrata High School, is collecting financial contributions to provide the district's English language learners with books written in their first language. (Photo by Stan Hall)Hugh Good, a senior at Ephrata High School, is collecting financial contributions to provide the district's English language learners with books written in their first language. (Photo by Stan Hall)

As is the case in all Pennsylvania schools, students at Ephrata High School are required to complete a senior project in order to graduate. Though there are many students who view the project merely as one more assignment to check off their "To Do" list, one soon-to-be graduate is using the requirement as an opportunity to give back.

The project of Ephrata resident Hugh Good, entitled "Books for Everyone," aims to collect enough money to purchase foreign language translations of popular children’s books. The books will then be given to the Ephrata Area School District’s (EASD) four elementary schools for inclusion in their libraries. The hope is that the books will allow foreign language learners to retain their native language while continuing to learn and grow.

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent klingerglobal@gmail.com, Staff Writer

Regardless of what the local groundhogs may say, the signs of spring were more than present at Tuesday night’s Ephrata Township supervisors meeting.

Township Manager Steve Sawyer obtained approval to move forward on plans to extend the Community Park Trail Project.

Sawyer presented supervisors with three bids to add 280 feet of trail to connect the eastern side of the lake, where a rough fisherman’s trail is currently located, to the perimeter trail. Low bidder on the project was Zimmerman Excavating at $5,249 to construct trial and install 300 feet of silt sock filled with large wood trips to control silt formation. Since the trail will be within 30 feet of the large lake and lead to the small stream, the silt sock will be used to make sure there won’t be any sentiment running off site. Work to complete the trail extension will include removal of between two and three dozen trees.

Where possible, township crews will assist Zimmerman in order to help move the project along more quickly and at a lower cost.

Supervisors unanimously approved the bid, not to exceed $5,249. The project will get underway as soon as is feasible for Zimmerman Excavation.

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.