L I T I T Z I S R E a D Y F O R a M E R I C a 'S 225T H

____________________________________________ TH URSDAY, June 28, 2001 ^ a r d - W i n ^ Lititz Record Express ^ u b l i catio 1^ 125TH YEAR 34 Pages - No. 10 LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA Two sections 3 0 C ents L ititz is ready for A m erica’s 2 2 5 t h Bressler headlines entertaining 189th Revolutionary July 4th celebration in the park War Hospital RICHARD REITZ___________ set to return Record Express Editor LITITZ — Entertainer John RICHARD REITZ___________ Bressler will celebrate the 225th Record Express Editor anniversary of American indepen dence in the town that has been LITITZ — For Revolutionary celebrating that event longer and War re-enactor Gary Myers of Li more consistently than any other titz, having the opportunity to community in the nation. bring to a real event that occurred Bressler, who has been the fea in his hometown is a genuine thrill. tured performer at the Lititz liftin g fímkmé Horn Myers, a Lititz resident, has been Springs Park Celebration several a Revolutionary War re-enactor times over the past decade, returns since he was first introduced to the this year as the master of ceremo hobby through a friend in 1976. “I nies, and will perform two ener 189th annual Fourth of July in Li went to a meeting in Lebanon, and gized shows that showcase his titz Springs Park with his first boy, was I hooked,” he said. skills as a pianist, songwriter, Band Shell performance set to showman, and his wit. During those 25 years since our begin at 1 p.m., one hour after nation’s Bicentennial, Myers has The entertainer will perform two gates to the park open. A full day shows in performance he describes of events continues through 11 learned quite a lot about the most as “Yanni on steroids.” Bressler p.m., including Bressler’s evening pivotal era in American history, sings, plays the piano and really performance that begins at 6:45 and about the soldiers who fought gets the audience involved. p.m. for freedom. He has performed all over the Tickets will be available at the Still, while he was aware that country and could be seen any gate for $7, but special advance there was a Revolutionary War where from VH-1 to The Grand tickets are available for $5 through Field Hospital in Lititz from De Ol’ Opry. Bressler has six albums June 30 at the Welcome Center, cember 1777 until August 1778, he and is currently working on num Bomberger’s Store, McElroy’s knew few of the details of that im bers seven and eight. Pharmacy, and Stauffer’s of Kissel portant period. “Lititz is one of my favorite Hill. Children 12-under are $1. places to perform,” Bressler said. That is, until Ronald Reedy, Commemorative T-shirts will be Participants in last year’s Baby Parade stroll toward the Band Shell, as spectators enjoy the crea “I don’t currently live there but I sold at the ticket locations for $15, chairman of the Fourth of July grew up in Lancaster County.” which will include an admission to tive efforts parents and their children put into their floats. Photographs like this one can be treasured Celebration Committee, approach This year Bressler is busy tour the Park. T-shirts will be sold until in a new limited-edition frame that will be available as a commemorative collectible of the Lititz ed him about coordinating a re-en ing the eastern U.S., from North July 3. Springs Park July Fourth Celebration. actment of the hospital, which was Carolina to Michigan, but he is conducted in the Brother’s House looking forward to kicking off the More FOURTH on Page ID-2 at the Lititz Moravian Church. Reedy, Myers and Thomas L. Three men and a Baby Parade Wentzel, historian at the Lititz Mo ravian Church, served as organ Women of Today add twist to the Judging of this year’s event izers of this event. Reedy was hoping to recreate RICHARD REITZ_______________ ___________ Joe Vulopas of Lititz is a teacher at Cocalico High what that hospital might have been Record Express Editor School, Lititz resident Charles Bingham teaches at like for those soldiers, and allow Seven Sorrows in Dauphin County, and Ken Jones is visitors to experience what solders LITITZ — Every year on the Fourth of July, par a teacher in Coatesviile. and townsfolk alike experienced ents find new and inventive ways to create floats for Parents and children are encouraged to design during the eight-months that Gen. their children in the popular Baby Parade, floats using this year’s theme, “Lighting Freedom’s George Washington comman i For the 12th annual Baby Parade, the Lititz Flame,” as their blueprint. deered the Brother’s House to car Women of Today decided to take a new and creative First, second and third place prizes, and honorable for the Revolutionary War approach to judging this year’s entries. mention ribbons will be awarded in four categories: wounded, primarily from the bat The criteria will remain the same, but according to “Most Humorous,” “Prettiest,” “Best Use of Red, tles of Brandywine and German Barb Gettle, the chairman for the club’s Fourth of White & Blue,” and “Best Representation of the town. July Committee, this will be the first time in recollec Theme.” tion that three men will determine which designs are From 6-9 p.m. on Monday, July The grand prize of a $50 U.S. Savings Bond, a 2, there will be candlelight tours of the best in this year’s parade. teddy bear and ribbon will be presented to the best “It’s always been women,” Gettle said of judges in overall entry. First prize winners receive a gift certifi the second floor of the Brother’s previous years. “So we have a twist this year.” The cate to Cheryl’s Place and a teddy bear. Second place House, Coffee Kitchen, Corpse Judges are all school teachers, and two are residents of Lititz. More BABY PARADE on Page ID-2 ' More HOSPITAL on Page ID-3 Lititz Record Express file photo John Bressler, shown here at last year’s celebration, will per form classic songs along with his own compositions during his dazzling, energetic and entertaining show on July 4th. Family Day returns for its second year Caboose to be dedicated at July 1 event Fourth keepsakes STEPHEN SEEBER_________ “It’s really a fun day... and it’s Record Express Staff all free,” said Family Day co-chair man Sue Dussinger. Photo frame, tile among items available LITITZ — The ducks are ready. “It’s a payback to the commu Family Day in the Park will be nity for their support of the park,” RICHARD REITZ___________ Gen. George Washington com an afternoon of pie eating contests, added co-chairman Cathy Gelatka. Record Express Editor mandeering the Brother’s House lo sack races, hot air balloon rides, “And, of course, the kids really like treat war wounded. barbecue and festive music... and the duck race.” LITITZ — Looking for a way to On Wednesday, when Liril/ cel to the delight of children every While the Fourth of July in Li remember this year’s celebration of ebrates America’s 225th birthda\. where, the return of the Quack/ titz is a celebration enjoyed by America’s independence at Lititz all visitors will receive a delailed Quack Race. families from miles around, Family Springs Park? program that outlines the daJ's During last year’s debut, the Day on July 1 is a function, in the Once again, the Lititz Springs events, and also offers a wealth ol challenge of placing a plastic duck tradition of the Sunday school pic Park Board has numerous possibil other interesting information about in the creek and seeing whose nic and old-fashioned reunions, ities that will be pleasing to any the oldest continuous Fourth ol could float to the finish line first that is geared more toward local one’s budget. July Celebration in America. proved to be a favorite. The families. Here’s what to expect: For those looking for the free A commemorative post card has Quack/Quack Race is back on Sun Cool Cars bies, there are a few. If you pay a also been printed for visitors, de day, July 1, along with all the From 2 to 3 p.m., the park will visit to the Revolutionary War picting the head-end of the Park other classic attractions that help be brimming with classic Model A Hospital re-enactment at the Lititz during a celebration of the Fourth. put the family in Family Day. and Model T Fords. Park-goers Moravian Church Brother’s House For a small fee, those interested Photo by Stephen Seeber The fun begins at 2 p.m. and will will be able to catch a glimpse of on Monday evening from 6-9 p.m., can receive an official commem conclude with a musical concert by what Park Lane might have looked orative postal cancellations during Bob Herzer with his pride and joy, the new Reading Caboose like on the Fourth of July 80 years participants will receive a wooden No. 92984, which will be dedicated as a local train history muse The Moonlighters at 6:45 p.m. C. commemorative coin, as well as a the event in the tent area, near the ago. um in Lititz Springs Park this Sunday, July 1, at 3:30 p.m., during William Dussinger will serve as replica of the 1777 letter written by master of ceremonies. More MEMORABILIA on Page ID-3 Family Day festivities.

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