The Lebanon Valley Conservancy turns 25 in ’25. LebTown spoke with officials about the organization’s past, anniversary plans, and future vision.
James Mentzer
James Mentzer is a freelance writer and lifelong resident of Pennsylvania. He has spent his professional career writing about agriculture, economic development, manufacturing and the energy and real estate industries, and is the county reporter and a features writer for LebTown.
James is an outdoor enthusiast whose hobbies include hunting, Ultimate frisbee, disc golf, spikeball and pickleball, biking, traveling and attending live concerts for a number of bands, including moe., String Cheese Incident and Widespread Panic.
His published works include the books Pennsylvania Manufacturing: Alive and Well; Bucks County: A Snapshot in Time; United States Merchant Marine Academy: In Service to the Nation 1943-2018; A Century of Excellence: Spring Brook Country Club 1921-2021; Lancaster Development, Inc.: An American Story of Family and Infrastructure, and several other titles. He has also had business profiles published in Central Pennsylvania: Our Time Has Come, and an article in The Columbiad, a scholarly publication of Civil War Times Illustrated, concerning a little-known African American fort and battle along the James River in Virginia. Another book is currently in production for Morris Country Club in Morris, Illinois.
Posted inNews
Will it or won’t it happen? Historic Old Annville Day 2025 is up in the air
A denial of a traffic rerouting request for Historic Old Annville Day has called into question whether the event will be held this June.
Posted inNews
Dangerous intersection in N. Annville Twp. set for safety improvements in 2026
A projected $2.03 million, one-year roadway safety improvement project is slated to begin in North Annville Township at dangerous and heavily traveled intersection in late-September 2026.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County Commissioners certify 2025 ag preservation program funding
Lebanon County Commissioners certified the county’s contribution to the farmland preservation program for 2025 at their Jan. 16 meeting.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County’s VA office sees spike in number of tax exemption requests
Permanently and fully disabled wartime veterans are eligible for real estate tax exemptions via a statewide program.
Posted inNews
Old Annville Day no more? Waiver denial may end event, says township manager
There’s uncertainty if Historic Old Annville Day happens this year following denial of a traffic rerouting waiver that included a large truck exemption request.
Posted inPeople & Places
Animal welfare advocate Temple Grandin addresses Pennsylvania Farm Show
Animal and autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin spoke at the Pennsylvania Farm Show about her life’s work in animal husbandry and agriculture and how she used her autism to build her career.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
LebTown exclusive: Animal expert praises Bell & Evans poultry-handling
Innovative professor and best-selling author Dr. Temple Grandin spoke to LebTown in an exclusive interview during the PA Farm Show about her consulting work with local poultry producer Bell & Evans.
Posted inNews
North Annville Township supervisors reappoint Clyde Meyer as board chairman
North Annville Township held a reorganization meeting on Monday, Jan. 6.
Posted inNews
Bethel Township supervisors reappoint Rudy chairman at reorganization meeting
Bethel Township supervisors reorganize board, approve land use waiver request for Fireman’s Park renovation project at Jan. 6 meeting.
Posted inPeople & Places
Lebanon countians help ‘power’ 109th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm Show
LebTown spoke with numerous Lebanon County residents who were working to make the first day of the 109th edition of the Pennsylvania Farm show a memorable event for guests.
Posted inPeople & Places
LebTown photo gallery of the 2025 Pennsylvania Farm Show
LebTown strolled the Pennsylvania Farm Show complex looking for hometown connections to the eight-day annual agricultural extravaganza, now in its 109th year.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County Commissioners select Mike Kuhn as board chairman
Lebanon County Commissioners have a new chairman of the board following reorganization meeting on Jan. 2.
Posted inNews
Lebanon County chief detective admitted to ARD program for October DUI arrest
Lebanon County’s chief detective Jonathan C. Hess has been admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program following his October arrest for driving under the influence.
Posted inNews
Bethel Twp. supervisors table waiver request for Fireman’s Park renovations
Bethel Township supervisors table a motion to consider waiver request for Fireman’s Park project, take other actions at year-end special meeting.
