We had tons of fury fun putting together last month’s pet pages, so let’s keep it going with our next theme — Spring/Easter!

Send us your favorite photos that mark the season. Easter egg hunts, family gatherings, picking flowers, planting gardens, rainy days… anything that marks this time of year.

Deadline for photo submissions is next Tuesday, April 16, so don’t delay. And our spring pages will be published in our April 24 issue.

Send your high-resolution jpegs to Andy Fasnacht at afasnacht.eph@LNPnews.com. Photos can also be dropped off at our Ephrata office or mailed to P.O. Box 527, Ephrata, PA 17522.

When submitting photos, please include all necessary identifications and your contact information (in case we have any questions). Submitted information should include names of those in the photos, your local connection, where and when the photos were taken, and identity of the photographer.

Please limit the number of submitted photos to three per household.

By: BECKY ROWE Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Tom Natarian

Ephrata Borough’s Director of Operations is a new position that began the end of June 2012. Borough Manager Bob Thompson explained how the need for this position was determined.

"We had some organizational change in the last two years, and part of that was the thought of consolidating all the utilities under one person," Thompson said. "It just made sense to create this position.

Upon approval from Borough Council, the search for a candidate began.

"While there were multiple responses, no one had the qualifications of Tom Natarian," said Thompson. "He was passionate about providing quality service. He brought with him a mindset of efficiencies and doing things as cost effectively as possible."

Natarian, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering technology. Upon graduation in 1981, he moved to Lancaster County and worked for Armstrong World Industries in their Central Engineering Department.

An Ephrata landmark rarely visited or enjoyed by locals is opening its doors for a special charity event April 21. The Historic Smithton Inn has chosen to celebrate its milestone 250th Anniversary by hosting a community event benefiting music programs in the Ephrata Area School District.
The Jazz Brunch will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Inn, and visitors may park at the Ephrata Recreation Center.
“Music is such an essential element to a community,” said Rebecca Gallagher, owner of the Smithton Inn. “It can bring people together like nothing else can. This was especially true in the colonial days of 1763 when Ephrata was young and the Historic Smithton Inn was built. It seems fitting that hosting a Jazz Brunch Benefit be one of the ways we celebrate our anniversary while giving back to the Ephrata community.”
In addition, every guest who attends the event is asked to bring gently used books to be donated to the Ephrata Public Library. Each donation will be exchanged for a chance to win a free night’s stay at the Historic Smithton Inn.
Tickets for the Jazz Brunch are limited. Attendance is $10 for adults, $5 for children under 10 years old and free for children under 3 years old. Tickets may be purchased online at historicsmithtonjazz.eventbrite.com, over the phone at 733-6094 or in person at the Historic Smithton Inn.
For more details on the Smithton Inn’s 250th celebration plans, visit historicsmithtoninn.com/250Anniversary.html.
The Historic Smithton Inn is located at 900 W. Main St., Ephrata, at the intersection of Main Street and Academy Drive.

By: MIKE REVO Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Saint Boniface Brewery received approval from the Ephrata Borough March 20 after a 20-minute zoning hearing, in order to pursue a brewpub license from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. This will allow the brewery to eventually serve their beer in 12-ounce glasses and one-ounce samples in addition to the growler fills they currently offer.

Owners Jonathon Northup and Mike Price are still several months away from having the ability to serve their drafts in glasses, but the March 20 hearing was a step closer to that goal.

"I’d say 80 percent of our customers want to sit down and enjoy a beer," noted Price. Barring any major setbacks, that will be a reality in the coming months at Saint Boniface’s recently opened location at 1701 West Main St. in Ephrata.

The bar section of the brewery is still slated to open in early June, but that is dependent upon how quickly the PLCB moves in issuing their license — anywhere from three to six months. In the meantime, Mike and Jonathon need to hire a contractor.

"Preferably one who likes good beer," joked Northup.

Paul H. Weaver

Paul H. Weaver, 100, formerly of Akron and Ephrata, passed away Friday, March 29, 2013, at Landis Homes.

He was born in Bowmansville to the late Martin M. and Ellen (Horning) Weaver and was the husband of the late Norma (Landis) Weaver.

Paul was a member of the Metzler Mennonite Church, where he was a Deacon for 37 years. During his working years, he farmed and had a produce stand at the former Ephrata Farmers Market, and later was employed at the former Hollinger’s Market. He and his wife Norma volunteered at the Friendship Community from 1974 to 1975. He was very positive, always had a word of encouragement and was a peacemaker.

He is survived by his children: Luke, husband of Rodella (Kurtz) Weaver of Shade Gap; Miriam, wife of John Buckwalter of Lititz; Lois, wife of Elvin Martin of Kinzers; Jane Herr of Brownstown; Eunice, wife of Don Warfel of Waxhaw, N.C.; Esther, wife of Roland Shorter of Lancaster; 17 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Daniel Weaver, Isaac Weaver, Martin Weaver, Hettie Wenger, Lizzie Kreider and Ellen Weaver.

Ephrata students in grades five through eight rehearse for their April 4 and 5 performances of Disney High School Musical Jr. Tickets for the 7 p.m. shows cost $7 for adults and $4 for students. (Photo by Preston Whitcraft)

Student performers in grades five through eight at the Ephrata Intermediate and Middle schools will present Disney High School Musical Jr. April 4 and 5 at 7 p.m. in the Middle School Auditorium.

Disney High School Musical Jr. involves 60 students, both on stage and behind the scenes, all part of 528 Theatre.

The acting, singing and dancing will bring to life the well-known Disney High School Musical in a format suited for young students. Many of these students are participating in their first musical and have worked very hard to present a show that will both showcase their talents and thoroughly entertain the audience.

Tickets cost $7 for adults and $4 for students and will be available at the door.

Cast members include:

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

Nearly a month has passed since Ephrata Borough Council first considered hiring an outside consulting firm to work with the Ephrata Rec Center to address on-going financial concerns facing the Rec.

Now council stands poised to approve hiring Jennifer Silbert of Silbert Fund Raising at an expected cost of $26,000 to take a multi-pronged approach to reversing the Rec Center’s current financial challenges.

Rec Center Executive Director Jim Summers, along with several members of the rec board were present for Monday night’s meeting as a show of support for the proposed project.

Community Services Committee Chairman Tom Reinhold told council that the measure would be the biggest thing on his committee’s agenda for next Monday’s voting session. And he explained that if approved, Silbert Fund Raising would be working directly with the rec center for consulting services and for a professional viewpoint on raising funds.

Council member Bob Good voiced his support for both the Rec and the Silbert measure, but not before expressing regret that he could have perhaps expressed himself better in his previous comments on the proposed action.

By: GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

It seems one person’s alley may be another’s backyard.

A rare public hearing was held Monday night in Ephrata Borough Council chambers to consider a petition to officially open an alley between Ephrata Avenue and Penn Avenue from Second Street to Third Street. This neighborhood is just west of downtown, near Ephrata Community Hospital.

Currently the alley is grass with a small portion of paving at each end. Property lines for the alley run to the edge and not to the center line of the alley which was originally laid out in the 1930′s or 1940′s when the development was planned.

Under borough code, where a previously unopened alley goes unused and unopened for more than 21 years, residents can petition the borough to open it if the petition has at least 51 percent of the affected residents sign the petition. Fifteen lots with 14 separate owners border both sides of the proposed alley. Originally 12 of those property owners signed the petition in favor of the measure, however two have since dropped out.

Yet, while ten property owners signed the petition, those present at Monday night’s meeting were anything but supportive of the issue.