(12/2024) The Carroll Valley "Trunk or Treat – Halloween Spooktacular" was a tremendous success with over 550 children in attendance, of which 125 children participated in the Halloween costume contest, and 30 trunks were elaborately decorated for children to challenge the costumed proprietor with the words "Trick or Treat"? The Carroll Valley Council, Recreation Committee, Borough staff, and maintenance crew were involved in planning and managing this special occasion.

The Best Decorated Trunk was the Lynzie Zeller Family (Monsters Inc.); Best Costume: Drew Kober (Little Mermaid); Most Original: Ayana and Nori Young (bee w/beehive) and Ellie Goodno (Clifford) Scariest: Axel Boger (wolf) and Nova Palmer (zombie); Silliest: Christine Fitz (rock) Daniel Fetter (Fred Flintstone); Cutest: Sophia Amspacher (Little Red Riding Hood) and Madox McLeroy (fireman) & Adeline McLeroy (dalmation). The costume judges were Miss Kaas, Miss Kapfhammer, Dr. Kane, Mrs. Gibbon, Mrs. Goetz, and Miss Temple. Lyla Putt won the Halloween quilt that Laura Mathews created and graciously donated. To see the pictures, go to ronspictures.net.

Cliff Weikert, Chief of Carroll Valley Police Department, reported that on October 26, 2024, the Drug Take Back program brought in 14 boxes weighing 279 pounds of drugs. Liberty Township Police and Collaboration for Youth assisted the Carroll Valley Police Department. The drugs were taken to Harrisburg and are scheduled for incineration.

Thanksgiving is behind us, and now on to December. The start of winter, also known as the "winter solstice," is December 21. Winter solstice is the shortest day of the year. Hanukkah starts at nightfall on December 25, and ends at nightfall on January 2. National Chocolate Covered Anything Day is celebrated on December 16. I had to include this one for those chocolate lovers (me, me, me) who need an excuse to have a piece of you know what. Christmas is on Monday, December 25; the first day of Kwanzaa falls on December 26 and ends on January 1.

Neighbors Helping Neighbors will continue with the tradition of a little gift bag of toiletries, etc., to help brighten the day for residents of local nursing homes, Meals on Wheels, and students. If you want to donate to our neighbors, click the link: www.signup.com/go/oEeGqjp and mark your donations. Thank you in advance for your continued support of our community. If you have any questions, you can call Robin at 717-253-7507. If you have glass bottles you want to get rid of, then you might be interested in dumping them off at the new Glass Recycling Center at the Department of Emergency Services building site, 230 Greenamyer Lane, Straban Township. The center is open the first Saturday of each month through the winter.

The Borough of Carroll Valley’s Parks and Recreation Committee, along with the Council, committees, and staff, are collecting the following items to make Holiday Meal Kits for local families in need: turkeys, roasting chickens, instant mashed potatoes, canned yams/sweet potatoes, canned vegetables (corn, green beans), canned cranberry sauce, stuffing mix, desserts (non-perishable or mixes), and dinner rolls. Drop off donations at the Borough Office, 5685 Fairfield Road, or cash donations are also accepted. Please make checks payable to the Borough of Carroll Valley.

Ruth’s Harvest program is about feeding hungry children. It is a volunteer program that provides hungry children with a backpack for food when they are not getting school lunches. They receive individually packed servings of food to cover seven meals and two snacks for Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday. There are three ways to help: donate food, make a monetary contribution, and/or volunteer your time to distribute the food packages. A Ruth’s Harvest collection box in the Borough’s lobby contains a brochure that describes all food items needed, where a check can be sent, and the point of contact person for volunteering. If you have any questions, contact Gayle Marthers at 717-752-0063.

On November 28th, when our local young residents visit the Carroll Valley Borough building, they will be excited to see a life-size red Santa Mail postal box in the lobby. Santa letters dropped in this special mailbox are guaranteed to be delivered directly to Santa. The last day to drop a letter and expect a reply written by Santa is noon, December 21st. On December 7th, at 11 you can have cookies with Santa at the Liberty Worship Center. On December 9th at 7 you can see the Traveling Santa.

The Fairfield Community Fire Company will transport Santa Claus from the Fairfield Post Office parking lot through Main Street – Fairfield to the Carroll Valley parking lot. Breakfast with Santa Claus will be held at the Fairfield Community Fire Company on Saturday, December 14th. The doors open at 8 and close at 11. Santa arrives at 9. All meals (adults & children) are $5 per person. For more information, call 717-642-8842 – No reservations needed! Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 22nd; the Fountaindale Volunteer Fire Department plans to chauffer Santa through Foundaindale and portions of Carroll Valley. Check their website for the latest route and time information.

I wish you all a Happy Holidays. Be careful driving in the evening, especially in our neighborhood. We are not surprised if we see a deer on the trail or standing in our driveway when we get home. Understanding when you’re most likely to see deer on the road can help keep you and them – safe. Deer are most active at dawn, dusk, and for a few hours after the sun sets. They are more prevalent during mating season, which runs from October to January. If you see a killed deer on the side of the road, slow down. Deer travel in groups – others could be nearby. If you have any questions, please email MayorRonHarris@comcast.net.