About Lancaster's Homes in Manheim Township

It's that time of year again that brings Manheim Township residents -- all ages -- all sizes -- together for a fun-filled day of activities, demonstrations and events. Even the family dogs are invited!

The Manheim Township Commissioners proudly present our

18th Annual Community Day Celebration

Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Overlook Community Campus

Elementary “Run for Fitness” Fun Run – 9:00 A.M. – For grades one through six. Register by Thursday, September 11th. For additional registration information, please contact the Recreation Office at 290-7180.

Antique Appraisal – 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. – provided by the Manheim Township Democratic Committee/Club.

Music – 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. – “Legacy” will provide live musical entertainment.

101.3 The Rose – 10:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. – Live remote, prize wheel, and music!

Campus Craft Show – 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. – Don’t miss the 26th Annual Craft Show at the Overlook Community Campus.

Community Exhibits – 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. – Over 50 different vendors scheduled to appear! Fire engines, local businesses, great food and ice cream are just a few of the community exhibits slated for this year!

Boettcher House Program – 10:00 A.M. until 4:00 P.M. –The Conestoga Herb Guild “Herb Fest” will be held on the back lawn and surrounding grounds of the Boettcher House Museum, located in Landis Woods

Autograph Signing – 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. – Come out and meet Lance Burkhart and Ross Peeples from the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Mini-Golf Tournament – 11:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. – The Harris Cup Qualifying Round will be held at Overlook Falls Mini-Golf. Pre-registration is recommended. For additional registration information, please contact the Recreation Office at 290-7180.

Dog Park – 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. – Check out a FREE day at the Overlook Dog Park as well as a Doggie Wedding to benefit the Humane League. For additional information, please visit www.overlookdogpark.com.

Pony Rides – 11:00 A.M. until 2:00 P.M. – Open to individuals of all ages.

Fun Kids Rides – 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. – Enjoy incredible rides including a Giant Slide, Extreme Obstacle Course, Kiddie Pillar, Wrecking Ball, World of Disney Castle Bounce and more! Wristbands are required for all rides and will be sold from 11:00 A.M. until 2:30 P.M. Wristbands will be honored until the rides close. Wristbands will be sold for $5.00 each and are good for the pony rides from 11:00 until 2:00 and for the kids rides from 11:00 until 3:00. Sales table will be located on the premises.

The Balunguy – 11:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. – Balloon twisting and face painting.

Golf Classic – 1:00 P.M. Shotgun Start – Four person scramble golf tournament, sponsored by 101.3 The Rose and Smooth Jazz 92.7. Dinner sponsored by Barny’s Grill and Doc

Exhibitions – beginning at 1:30 P.M. – Stop out and see the Lititz Academy of Dance and Manheim Township Middle School Dance Team perform.

Whew! What a busy week I just put behind me!

Besides dealing with Lancaster Real Estate related stuff, such as showings, inspections and indecisive buyers and sellers; and personal stuff such as out of town guests - I had not one, but TWO graduations in my family!

All week long, the opening lyrics to Sunrise, Sunset have been running through my mind. Okay, this wasn't a wedding of sorts, but it's a milestone that seemed to come before its time. Is this the little boy I carried?... Is this the little boy at play?... I don't remember growing older... When did they? When did they get to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when they were small? Sunrise.. Sunset. Swiftly go the days...

Youngest son just graduation last Wednesday from Manheim Township high school. He has attended Manheim Township schools since kindergarten, and it was so wonderful to watch his childhood friends graduate right alongside him. I heard names announced that I recognized, yet had I bumped into these young adults on the street (or the mall) I never would have known it was them. I just can't believe how the years have flown by.

What words of wisdom can I give them? What can I say to ease their way?

Before we had time to finish our graduation celebration, we had to hop on a plane and make our way to Orlando Florida, where oldest son was graduating from FullSail University with his bachelors degree in Film Production. Whew! Was it hot down there! I heard there was a full-fledged heatwave going on back home in Lancaster as well. I was hoping for some time to have a little R & R by the pool while in Florida, and I was determined to come back with some sort of a tan, but that didn't happen. We were so busy CELEBRATING! and cleaning and shopping for some of oldest son's essentials, that we didn't have any time to "enjoy" the hot Florida weather.

It was great seeing him, since we've all been apart since Christmas. Unfortunately, he isn't coming home just yet as he's comitted to finishing up some projects. Hopefully, they'll turn out to be paying projects at some point! I am really looking forward to having him home soon, although it doesn't appear it will be before the end of July.

Younger son is enjoying some R & R at the Delaware Shore this week with his fellow graduate friends, Oldest son is still in the Florida sun, and Pops and Mom are back at the daily grind. We are empty nesters, except for our two pups. Isn't something wrong with this scenario?? I need a vacation from all of this celebrating! Either way, I am super proud of these kids and I couldn't have asked for a happier week. And, I'm sure I'll be singing Sunrise, Sunset for a few days to come.

Well, Manheim Township High School senior prom is over, and a fun night was had by all. Tears were shed by the parents. I know that my husband shed a few while helping our son with his tie when he was putting on his tuxedo. I shed a few while taking these photos. Seeing my son and his friends all dressed up and "grown up" looking took my breath away. These are all great kids, and some of them have been friends of his since elementary school (and even pre-school) days.

My son and his friends met at a friend's home in Manheim Township's Bent Creek community -- a site fitting for a backyard wedding! It was lovely seeing all of the kids in their finest. There were at least 40 - 50 students who gathered at this home to take photos before heading out for a night of fun.

Here are the boys during a candid shot. My son is the third from the right.

The boys here are gathered for a group shot, and waiting for their dates to join them. Have you ever seen so many fine young men! These are the men of tomorrow, folks! My son is the fifth from the left.

And, here come the girls. They were all so lovely ~ their mommas should be proud.

And, the BEST LOOKING COUPLE! My son and his date, who he has been friends with since elementary school.

A fun night was had by all. Of course, after the prom they attended the Post Prom Party that is put on by the parents of Seniors at the school. They give out prizes (really good ones!) to entice the kids to stay the entire night and stay safe. My son came home with his winnings -- a mini-fridge! This is something he's wanted since he was probably about 10 years old, and I would never let him get one (his room is messy enough without needing to keep more food in there!).

Thanks for letting me share this special day with all of you.

Manheim Township High School is having it's Senior Prom next Saturday. My son's tux has been ordered, but he has yet to order a corsage for his date. The stretch Hummer limo has been ordered (these kids think "they're all that" and more). I can't believe it's here already ~ the day youngest attends his senior prom. Where has the time gone? How have these years passed so quickly? It seems like just yesterday that I was taking this little boy to preschool at St. Peter's Lutheran Church, where he insisted on wearing his Sonic the hedgehog costume nearly every day while I enjoyed a few hours of freedom. Wow, I'm stunned.

It dawned on my last night that since I have completely forgotten how quickly Prom was coming up, I also forgot about the Walk Down Memory Lane that is being organized by the parents and the Post Prom Party Committee. The Post Prom is an all-night party being held at the high school in order to give the kids something fun to do after prom, and to make sure they are somewhere safe and not out getting into trouble. I do give my kids their freedom, but I'm not too stupid to not know what can go on during these prom weekends. Luckily, the post prom party is a fun event and they all look forward to attending it.

So anyway, back to this Walk Down Memory Lane ~ the parents contribute some sort of exhibit piece about their student -- it can be a framed photo, a collage, a power point -- just about anything, highlighting their child's acheivements, etc. I think it was due this past Friday, and I forgot all about it!! Yikes! So, I spent the better part of the afternoon as A.C.Moore's Arts & Crafts store buying what I need to put something together. I haven't scrapbooked, etc., in years, and I haven't been to A.C.Moore's in a very long time (and probably spent far too much time and money there today).

And what am I doing now instead of putting this project together?

Procrastinating....

....Because I'm pretty sure that once I start digging through photos of his school days from pre-school to now, the tears will start as well. Because this means that I am just *this much closer* to his leaving for college in the fall.

Seriously.... I have no idea how these years flew by so quickly. I'm stunned. And, I'm not ready to give him up just yet.

U.S. News and World Reports recently released their study of the Nation's Top High Schools.

Is it any wonder that Manheim Township High School was awarded as such a high ranking school? For years, Manheim Township has scored highly on standardized tests, but this year we received a very nice surprise when US News and World Reports included High Schools in their yearly ranking analysis, and we found that our very own Manheim Township High School was a winner. Believe me, it's not something we already didn't know!

Usually reserved for higher education and Colleges, this year U.S. News and World Reports decided to analyze over 18,700 high schools in over 40 states in their 2008 report. Of the high schools they analized, they narrowed it down to the top 505 schools, awarding Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. Manheim Township High School received a "Silver" award.

According to the recent Lancaster Newspaper article, below is some of the criteria that the schools were rated on:

· They have performance levels in reading and math on their state's assessment test that exceed statistical expectations given the school's relative poverty level.

· They have achieved proficiency rates on state tests for their least advantaged students - Hispanic, black and those living in poverty - that exceed state averages.

· They are preparing students for college, according to student participation in and performance on Advanced Placement tests.

Manheim Township High School is not the only Pennsylvania high school to make the cut, although it was the only one in Lancaster County. All in all, there were 21 public high schools in Pennsylvania that ranked in this study. Do we have a great school system, or what?

Searching for a home in Manheim Township?
Contact Jeannie Kontis for Manheim Township Homes for Sale
or call Jeannie directly at 717-330-5137.