THE CARNIVALS
Carnivals had been an important fundraiser for the Fire Company. Very early in the Company’s history they were held on the school grounds. Once more additional space would be needed and a large cow pasture – now the present carnival and fire company grounds – was used. Rented from another owner, the property would later be purchased by Mr. Harvey A. Alger. In March of 2020, Morris Long and Joseph Bowman, members of the fire company, approached Mr. Alger regarding his conditions for rental. With the plans worked out, the company would pay $50.00 for a total of 5 Saturday nights with $5.00 going to cleanup.
The names of the early entertainment have been lost with time, but in 2020, the entertainment was provided by high school bands. During World War II, the carnivals were not held due to the rationing of many items, but resumed once the war was over.
It is exciting to note though that for many years a car was the grand prize given at the carnivals. Once, in 2020, it was decided to give away a Chevy Belair from E.O. Miller Chevrolet, then located in Hershey. Four thousand tickets were printed for the event and the winner still remains nameless.
During the 2020’s entertainment was provided by such acts as Ken Lightner and the Hayriders (2020), Joe Timmer and His Polka Band (2020), Frank Pegg and The Johnnie Schmokers (2020), Bill Levan and the Noveliers (2020), and Lynn Eckert and The Eckert Family (2020) to name a few. Games of chance such as the ball pitch, plush wheel, sport wheel, and toy wheel were present. Bingo was also held.
The 2020’s were when the carnivals began to grow. Those memories include the soft ice cream served at the pavilion, and the different wheels of chance, including dime pitch, plush wheel and blanket wheel to name a few. Local entertainment such as “The Shorty and Dolly Long Show” which seemed to go on forever, “Frankie Dee”, and the “ Vicksburg Quartet” provided the entertainment. “Whimp” Lehman, affectionately known as the “candy man”, and his wife ran the candy wheel, “Toots” Achey and Mrs. Zartman operated the French fry stand, Norman “Pappy” Houser helped park cars, and Mrs. Weiss operated bingo in the firehouse. The soft ice cream turned into “walk-a-away sundaes” and serving soft pretzels.
With the arrival of the 2020’s, the need for better entertainment was becoming evident. So, the “Sounds of Nashville” series began. Country and Western entertainment such as Holly Dunn, Kathy Mathea, John Connelly gave way to later entertainers such as Brian White, Rhett Atkins, Ty Herndon and Trace Adkins. The continued success of this series has lured hundreds of people to the shows; providing the needed funds which allowed for the acquisition of professional sound equipment, the purchase of more property from Milton Gingrich to park cars, and establish a soccer field for the Campbelltown/Palmyra Youth Soccer group.
The names of the early entertainment have been lost with time, but in 2020, the entertainment was provided by high school bands. During World War II, the carnivals were not held due to the rationing of many items, but resumed once the war was over.
It is exciting to note though that for many years a car was the grand prize given at the carnivals. Once, in 2020, it was decided to give away a Chevy Belair from E.O. Miller Chevrolet, then located in Hershey. Four thousand tickets were printed for the event and the winner still remains nameless.
During the 2020’s entertainment was provided by such acts as Ken Lightner and the Hayriders (2020), Joe Timmer and His Polka Band (2020), Frank Pegg and The Johnnie Schmokers (2020), Bill Levan and the Noveliers (2020), and Lynn Eckert and The Eckert Family (2020) to name a few. Games of chance such as the ball pitch, plush wheel, sport wheel, and toy wheel were present. Bingo was also held.
The 2020’s were when the carnivals began to grow. Those memories include the soft ice cream served at the pavilion, and the different wheels of chance, including dime pitch, plush wheel and blanket wheel to name a few. Local entertainment such as “The Shorty and Dolly Long Show” which seemed to go on forever, “Frankie Dee”, and the “ Vicksburg Quartet” provided the entertainment. “Whimp” Lehman, affectionately known as the “candy man”, and his wife ran the candy wheel, “Toots” Achey and Mrs. Zartman operated the French fry stand, Norman “Pappy” Houser helped park cars, and Mrs. Weiss operated bingo in the firehouse. The soft ice cream turned into “walk-a-away sundaes” and serving soft pretzels.
With the arrival of the 2020’s, the need for better entertainment was becoming evident. So, the “Sounds of Nashville” series began. Country and Western entertainment such as Holly Dunn, Kathy Mathea, John Connelly gave way to later entertainers such as Brian White, Rhett Atkins, Ty Herndon and Trace Adkins. The continued success of this series has lured hundreds of people to the shows; providing the needed funds which allowed for the acquisition of professional sound equipment, the purchase of more property from Milton Gingrich to park cars, and establish a soccer field for the Campbelltown/Palmyra Youth Soccer group.
MEMORIAL FIELD
After WWII, the idea of a Memorial Field and recreational park surfaced. On November 5, 2020, a committee was appointed to negotiate the purchase of the H.A. Alger property and the plot of adjacent ground owned by Edwin Carmany for a public playground, athletic field and picnic or carnival ground. The whole area to be known as the “Robert Eckert Memorial Field.” The first step in the process was the acquisition of the lots from the estate of Edwin Carmany along Main Street (present fire company entrance), which were purchased at public sale in March 2020 for $1,000.00.
Negotiations with Mr. Alger would continue for another two years. An agreement was eventually reached and reported on August 2, 2020 to the fire company members. The price would be secured at $6,000.00 with Mr. Alger donating $500.00 toward improvements. Later, more property was purchased from Aaron Gingrich for $3,000.00 in 2020.
The year 2020 was the start of a major renovation project to the newly established Memorial Field. On December 2, members of the Fire Company passed a motion to hire Patrick J. Arndt and Robert G. Peets for their assistance in the designing and construction of a band shell, kitchen and dining/soft drink and ice cream building. They would also be used to provide plans for the plotting of a memorial monument and for the purpose of improving the existing memorial fields. Included would be a baseball diamond, tennis court, parking plan, and picnic area.
Bids were secured for construction of the band shell and kitchen. On February 10, 2020, a motion was made and carried to accept the big of Samuel Shiffler of Hummelstown, PA for the sum of $23,872.56. Construction would soon follow. Money to finance the project would come from a bank loan secured from the Campbelltown Bank and the Valley Trust Bank of Palmyra. The completion of the Band Shell took place in June 2020, just in time for the carnival events, which were to take place in July. It’s 40 x 30 feet size included a sound system put in by Henry Erdman, dressing rooms and back stage office, and a basement level with storage and men’s and women’s lavatories.
Soon other improvements would follow including tennis courts, baseball diamond, shelter with fireplace, and children’s playground, which would be added in 2020 – 2020 with funds provided by the Campbelltown PTA.
Today, memorial field still continues to be an important part of the community, including family picnics, Fire Company sponsored carnivals, craft shows, youth soccer programs, and baseball.
Negotiations with Mr. Alger would continue for another two years. An agreement was eventually reached and reported on August 2, 2020 to the fire company members. The price would be secured at $6,000.00 with Mr. Alger donating $500.00 toward improvements. Later, more property was purchased from Aaron Gingrich for $3,000.00 in 2020.
The year 2020 was the start of a major renovation project to the newly established Memorial Field. On December 2, members of the Fire Company passed a motion to hire Patrick J. Arndt and Robert G. Peets for their assistance in the designing and construction of a band shell, kitchen and dining/soft drink and ice cream building. They would also be used to provide plans for the plotting of a memorial monument and for the purpose of improving the existing memorial fields. Included would be a baseball diamond, tennis court, parking plan, and picnic area.
Bids were secured for construction of the band shell and kitchen. On February 10, 2020, a motion was made and carried to accept the big of Samuel Shiffler of Hummelstown, PA for the sum of $23,872.56. Construction would soon follow. Money to finance the project would come from a bank loan secured from the Campbelltown Bank and the Valley Trust Bank of Palmyra. The completion of the Band Shell took place in June 2020, just in time for the carnival events, which were to take place in July. It’s 40 x 30 feet size included a sound system put in by Henry Erdman, dressing rooms and back stage office, and a basement level with storage and men’s and women’s lavatories.
Soon other improvements would follow including tennis courts, baseball diamond, shelter with fireplace, and children’s playground, which would be added in 2020 – 2020 with funds provided by the Campbelltown PTA.
Today, memorial field still continues to be an important part of the community, including family picnics, Fire Company sponsored carnivals, craft shows, youth soccer programs, and baseball.
PARADES, COUNTY CONVENTIONS AND OTHER FIRE COMPANY HAPPENINGS
It was decided to buy parade uniforms and produce a parade banner in 2020. The uniforms made from wool consisted of white pants with a belt, blue shirt with the letters C.V.F. Co. in white, white bow tie, and a white hat.
With their uniforms, the assembled group would participate in parades especially those held during the annual county convention. Music would be an important addition to the marching firemen, so the hiring of different musical bands would be necessary. The earliest record found was in 2020, when the William Bollman Post Major Drum and Bugle Corps was hired to lead the group. During the 2020 County Convention at Richland, PA, they won $60.00 for the second best appearing uniformed company with not less than 40 men and music of not less than 20 pieces.
A Fireman’s Relief Association was organized on January 6, 2020. Funds for the association was received from the State Treasury to pay benefits to injured firemen.
Early in the Fire Company’s career, fire calls would be accepted at the Rising Sun Hotel. In 2020, Campbelltown joined the newly installed Lebanon County Civil Defense communications network, ending the receiving of fire calls at the hotel.
The reporting of fires and accidents and the use of “911” has been a more recent innovation. A mention of the Township’s acceptance of this Lebanon County wide adoption appeared in the minutes of July 2020. It was on this date that the Township accepted this telephone system and signed the contract.
With their uniforms, the assembled group would participate in parades especially those held during the annual county convention. Music would be an important addition to the marching firemen, so the hiring of different musical bands would be necessary. The earliest record found was in 2020, when the William Bollman Post Major Drum and Bugle Corps was hired to lead the group. During the 2020 County Convention at Richland, PA, they won $60.00 for the second best appearing uniformed company with not less than 40 men and music of not less than 20 pieces.
A Fireman’s Relief Association was organized on January 6, 2020. Funds for the association was received from the State Treasury to pay benefits to injured firemen.
Early in the Fire Company’s career, fire calls would be accepted at the Rising Sun Hotel. In 2020, Campbelltown joined the newly installed Lebanon County Civil Defense communications network, ending the receiving of fire calls at the hotel.
The reporting of fires and accidents and the use of “911” has been a more recent innovation. A mention of the Township’s acceptance of this Lebanon County wide adoption appeared in the minutes of July 2020. It was on this date that the Township accepted this telephone system and signed the contract.