Michael A. Amico

Michael A. Amico, of Lititz, passed away Friday, May 17, 2013 at Hospice & Community Care.

Born in Lancaster, Mike was the son of the late Michael Alphonso and Susan Amico. He was a graduate of J.P. McCaskey High School and served in the Philippines during his time in the Air Force.

Mike was a buyer at Hager’s Department Store in Lancaster, then Merchandise Manager at Hess’s Department Store both in Allentown and Lancaster. In 1972 he and his wife, Edith, purchased Galens of Ephrata which for 40 years was Mike’s passion until they retired in 2012.

Mike was a longtime, active member of the Sertoma Club of Lancaster and the Lancaster Elks Lodge #134. He loved traveling with friends and family and enjoyed working ar

By:

GARY P. KLINGER Review Correspondent

, Staff Writer

As it passed a tentative budget for 2013-14, the Ephrata Area School District took a look even further down the road, detailing what appears to be a rather rocky financial ride over the next four years.

The preliminary budget passed at the May 13 school board meeting calls for a 2.06 percent increase over funding levels from 2012-2013. This also calls for a .40 mil increase in taxes.

But the news gets worse. With projected cuts in funding, coupled with increases in district obligations all coming together concurrently, district leaders are planning for the future by projecting an average 2 percent increase in taxes for each of the next four years. Despite this increase in revenues, district projections take the school system from a budget surplus of $448,097 during the current school year to a budget deficit of $398,976 in 2013-2014. And that $847,073 swing from black ink to red only grows wi

Brigadier Gen. â?¨George M. Schwartz

In a joint effort between the American Legion Post No. 429, BPO Elks Lodge No. 1933, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 3376 and the Amvets Post No. 136, a Memorial Day program will be held beginning at 9 a.m. May 27 at Ephrata War Memorial Field.

Opening remarks will be made by Dave Groff and the invocation will be given by the Rev. John C. Miller. John Bottomly will perform on the bag pipes.

The Ephrata High School Band will also perform the national anthem and Taps.

The featured guest speaker is Brigadier Gen. George M. Schwartz, who is a career combat arms officer with a record of success leading mounted warriors. He is dual-hatted as an Assistant Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard and as the