With few physical reminders of its existence, trolley car transportation in Lebanon County is now all but forgotten. But trolley cars played a key role in Lebanon becoming what it is today.
Jeff Falk
Jeff Falk is a seasoned journalist based in Lebanon, PA. He's a graduate of Cedar Crest High School, Penn State University, and a lifelong resident of Lebanon, born and raised. Currently, he is a feature writer for Engle Publishing in Lancaster, the editor of LebCoSports.com, sports director at WLBR 1270, a contributor to TheBurg, a former photographer and writer for Go Local magazine, a correspondent for The Lebanon Daily News, and a freelancer for LebTown. Formerly, he was a sportswriter at The Lebanon Daily News, the publisher of LebanonSportsBuzz.com, a writer for Harrisburg magazine, a news and sports correspondent for Lancaster Newspapers, a contributor to OnThePulse News, and a freelancer for The Hummelstown Sun. Jeff is married to Lori Messersmith-Falk, he's the father of three grown children, and he enjoys traveling, reading, theater, movies, music, sports, and history.
Posted inPeople & Places
Local clock repairman Henry Smith would like to see downtown clocks keeping time
Henry Smith is a local clock repairman whose passion for clocks produces strong opinions about them. Not only does Smith find clocks aesthetically pleasing, he also sees their functionality as beautiful.
Posted inPeople & Places
Few places epitomize the history of Lebanon County better than Shirksville
Surrounded by fertile farm land, Shirksville is situated in Bethel Township, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. But there are very few markers that acknowledge this small town’s existence.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Jubilee Ministries expands its mission to Berks County through Wernersville store
On Monday, Jan. 18, Jubilee Ministries opened its seventh thrift store, in Wernersville. Jubilee views the opening as a way to expand its ministry into Berks County, and as an opportunity to do even more good.
Posted inPeople & Places
PA National Guard is a great way to help others, while helping oneself
The Pennsylvania National Guard, which is headquartered at Fort Indiantown Gap in Annville, currently boasts a force of about 19,000 personnel, 3,500 of whom are serving full time and 15,500 who are part-timers.
Posted inPeople & Places
In downtown Lebanon, time stands still
There exist three public clocks in downtown Lebanon — none of which work.
Posted inPeople & Places
Phase Six of Lebanon Valley Rail Trail will connect urban to rural, town to country
Originally, Phase Six was forced to leave the former railroad bed because it could not obtain the required rights-of-way.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Lebanon Sheetz store on Route 72 scheduled to reopen in February
The Lebanon #370 store is one of two Sheetz locations in Lebanon County. The other is situated at 811 East Main Street in Palmyra.
Posted inHistory
Memories are all that remains of Mount Gretna’s Million Gallon Pool
There was a time when Mount Gretna was home to a Million Gallon Pool. But it seems like a million years ago, and its creation may not have been a million dollar idea.
Posted inBusiness & Nonprofits
Gamer Pal provides a practical, positive, and personal application for video games
Gamer Pal is a collaborative financial venture by Lebanon siblings Kate Foley and Max Foley. The concept came from their mom Stacy Foley, but it was born from the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inPeople & Places
At Christmas, wreaths were best way to honor veterans’ service
Originally, Loy had received 756 wreaths through donations to the Wreaths Across America program, but a last-minute windfall provided her with enough wreaths for every veteran’s grave at Ebenezer.
Posted inPeople & Places
Sharon Zook’s on a mission to revitalize the South Sixth St. playground
$6,500. That’s how much is still needed to completely refurbish the outdoor basketball court at the South Sixth St. playground, at the northeast corner of Elm St. in the city.
Posted inPeople & Places
After taking a break this year, Bologna Fest will return in 2022 better than ever
Last month, the Lebanon Bologna Fest and Winter Carnival was cancelled due to the pandemic. But the Lebanon Rotary Club recently vowed to continue staging it after the pandemic relents, hopefully in 2022.
Posted inHistory
At the turn of the century, Valley Glen Park was the place to see and be seen
It was called ‘Valley Glen Park’, and it was one of Lebanon County’s only and earliest amusement parks. What is not known about it shrouds it in mystery, legend, and lore.
Posted inCommunity Shoutouts
By localizing It, Bonnie Loy has taken Wreaths Across America to the next level
Inadvertently, Bonnie Loy’s actions have produced another great local Christmas story.
