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Written by Lizzie Bailey, Downtown Organizations Investing Together Board Member
Who remembers the times when you would come into Shippensburg’s downtown district on a Friday night or Saturday to attend the movies at the Victory or State theatres, go to Burkhart’s restaurant to eat, shop at the many different stores and go to the banks which stayed open till early evening? Over the years main street Shippensburg has suffered a huge decline in merchants and shoppers.
A recent trip into Pague and Fegan Hardware store, where some local residents fondly referred to as the “bucket sitters” were reminiscing about more vibrant days in our town, brought about some interesting conversations. Jerry Lyons, owner of Pague and Fegan Hardware shared, “When I was a young boy and wanted to go down the street to the movies, I would pass hundreds of people till I got to the theatre.” Jerry Richardson of Richardson’s Wall and Floor Company added, “Over the years, discount stores opened in neighboring towns and it attracted the local residents to travel there to shop.” When listening to their stories, it becomes apparent that economic development and a shift in focus of people were part of the decline in our main street.
We don’t have as many shops as there was in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 70’s, but we do have stores and restaurants in Shippensburg that are being under-utilized by our community. As residents of Shippensburg would you be willing to make a commitment to your local businesses?
Recently, while researching main streets across America, a website was discovered called the 3/50 Project. The idea of the 3/50 project is that local people shift their focus back to their communities. The 3/50 project asks that you make a commitment to select 3 businesses that you will spend $50 a month. It doesn’t mean spend an additional $50 from your budget, but funds you are already spending. Shift your focus in keeping some of your dollars within in your community.
U.S. Department of Labor provides statistics that for every $100 spent at a local business, $68 stays in your community for such things as jobs, taxes, and other expenses. When you spend that same $100 at a national chain store they estimate that $43 remains in your community. The 3/50 project website adds that if you shop online, $0 is put to use in your local community.
The 2012 U.S. Census says that Shippensburg Borough has a population of 5,500 people. If half of the population would make the commitment to shop local for $50 a month, it would infuse the local economy with $1, 500,000 for the year. Imagine, if the 3/50 project expands into our local townships, where the population increases to an estimate of 25, 000 people, local businesses would be looking at upwards of 8 million dollars in our local economy!
So where does this project begin? It starts with you making the commitment, decide starting today to make the conscious effort to be part of the 3/50 project for Shippensburg!

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Lizzie's Words Blog

We were leaving the house on Saturday afternoon to go to a Kiss Concert and a carton had been just been delivered to our doorstep.  I just assumed it was something for our printing business and we set it inside and went on our way.  The next day I was sorting through mail and opened the package.  I was pleasantly surprised with an Energy Conservation Kit from First Energy.

Then I recalled that when I was online paying our bill last month, I had participated in a Home Energy Analyzer program.  All I had to do was gather up my last electric bill and sit down at the computer to answer a series of questions.    It didn’t take all that long, about 2o minutes.   I logged off and went on my way and totally forgot about getting a Free Energy Conservation Kit.

What First Energy sends you is a great little package that includes 2 smart surge protectors, 4 energy-efficient light bulbs and 2…

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I had written this many years ago, when my Dad passed away. I changed it some, and thought I would re-post it for Father’s Day, and his birthday on June 23rd.

Daddy, Daddy, where has the time gone?
When I sat on your lap,
And you held me in your arms.
I gazed up at you, you smiled at me,
I remember being as happy as I could be!

Daddy, Daddy, where has the time gone?
When we sat at the creek,
And fished all day long.
I squiggled, and squirmed, and I never sat still,
But you were patient, as you taught me to use my reel.

Daddy, Daddy, where has the time gone?
We used to sit on the porch for hours long.
People watching, and chatting,
Were the importance of the day.
Our favorite pastimes, I would have to say.

Daddy, Daddy, where has the time gone?
It has been 17 years since you’ve passed on.
There is not a week that goes by, that I don’t think of you.
My memories come to life in stories I share,
Of the importance of your loving care.

Daddy, Daddy, I just want to say
I know you once told me,
I was a gift from above.
But the gift was given to me,
As I was blessed to experience your love!

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<a href="http://” title=”Cumberland Valley Grange Turkey Corn Soup” target=”_blank”>

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We have had a very trying week, here at the Bailey house, Ziggy, one of our puppy dogs has been very sick.  (I call him a puppy dog, but he will be 5 yrs old this fall.) Our vet has been doing blood tests and thinks that he has Lyme’s Disease or some type of tick borne illness.  We are trying to make him as comfortable as possible, I’m hoping that he shows some improvement soon.

New Pet…

As I sit here this morning, wrapping him in a nice warm blanket and scratching his head in his favorite place, right behind his ears, I think back to 2007, when  I was working in Pittsburgh for an assisted living community.  One of the culinary employees was trying to find homes for a litter of puppies.  She brought the puppies to work to visit the residents and see if any of the staff would adopt them.  As we were having our morning meeting, the one little guy found his way over to me and was sleeping on my feet.  I picked him up and cuddled him the whole time through the meeting. He was conveniently placed in my office to entertain himself and he found his way to underneath my desk to resume sleeping on my feet.  When it was time to leave for the drive home to Shippensburg that afternoon, I grabbed a box and gathered up the puppy and off we headed home. Well, as my husband would say, “the rest is history!” We acquired a new pet.

Faithful Friend…

It didn’t take long for Ziggy to become my husband’s faithful companion, as I left for work on Monday mornings and didn’t return til Friday night.  Cliff and Ziggy bonded through the week and their schedules revolved around each other.   Ziggy has developed an internal clock and knows what time to be sitting at the living room window, peering outside, awaiting for his master’s arrival!  Ziggy get’s so excited, when Cliff parks the car into the driveway.  His tail is a wagging and he starts whimpering. When the back door  opens, that dog is right there to snoodle him with his nose and be the official greeter to say, “welcome home.”

The “Zig-Meister” can do no wrong. ..

As he was growing up, it didn’t matter that his daily diet included my Clark shoes, numerous articles of my clothing from the laundry basket, and a side chair to the dining room set!  We were living with a goat, who always ate my things!  Cliff would kindly remind me that I brought this dog home and that he would grow out of this phase eventually.  Ziggy was definitely sending me a message that he ruled and I came in second place!

For the love of a pet…

Ziggy is all nestled on the sofa resting this morning.  Cliff was scurrying around the kitchen, getting ready to leave for work.  Ziggy’s little ear’s perched up as Cliff came over to him and said, “I’ll be home a little bit later buddy”,  gave him a pat on the head. Ziggy’s eye’s flickered and shined a little brighter and he wagged his tail.  Cliff smiled.  Oh for the love of a pet!

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Ahoy ye mateys, Shipwreck me in Shippensburg anytime!!.

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Oh, I know, I hear you chuckling now, asking, “Lizzie how do you become Shipwrecked in Shippensburg when it’s only source of water is the little Branch Creek near the center of town?” My answer to that is very easy, “Follow the westward winds and run aground at 105 W. King Street, the home of the Shipwreck Pub & Inn!

From the time I entered the restaurant until I left, I felt like I was having lunch at home with friends! Lauren our waitress, greeted us with a smile and provided impeccable service. Our food choices were many and we decided to choose from the lunch specials menu! What a surprise when my turkey wrap arrived and I discovered it was actually roasted turkey and not luncheon meat! Several times staff checked on us and we had plenty of friendly conversation! What a wonderful experience we had at Shipwreck Pub and Inn!

There any many who look for treasures in faraway seas and I’m here to tell you, there are many gems to be found on our local shores…I have heard it said that Shippensburg is a diamond in the rough, but you know what? We are still a diamond! Everything requires a little polishing at times to make it shine just a little brighter!  Our local merchants and business people are comparable to no others, as they are unique!

Grab your periscope and set your sights to  run ashore in Shippensburg, Pa. to check out our treasures!!!

.

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When I was a child one of my favorite things was having popcorn balls for Christmas. I know that sounds like a simple little thing, but they are really so good to eat!  As I am preparing for a kid’s tea party tomorrow, I thought it would be nice to have popcorn balls hung on a candy tree for the kids.  Last year, I was able to buy popcorn balls at our local Weis store, this year they don’t have them hmmm. 

I was sitting in the kitchen telling my daughters about Weis not having popcorn balls.  They remembered that at Halloween they saw popcorn balls at Giant. So Rachel googles Giant’s number and I called and  asked the girl who answered if they carried popcorn balls.  The tone of her voice rose as she replied, “What, popcorn balls?  What are they?”!  She put me on hold to discover they only carry them at Halloween. 

I then called Walmart.  The young man who answered asked how he could help me.  I replied that I was wanting to know if they carried popcorn balls.  He asked me to hold and he would find out.  A few minutes had passed and still no answer. He then got back on the phone and asked me in a unknowingly strange voice, “Mam you just want to know if we carry them right?”,  I’m like well yes, but I would like to buy some!  lol  He finally said they don’t have them.

Third call was to our local Food Lion. When the call was answered the young man identified himself as the food manager.  I thought to myself this is good, he will know right away if they carry them. Well I said, “Do you carry popcorn balls?” and his reply was, “Yes, we have cheese balls!”  At this point I burst into laughter! I said, “not cheese balls, Popcorn Balls”.  He still proceeded to try to sell me cheese balls!

Three different stores, three young clerks and three phone calls…I’ve come to the conclusion popcorn balls must be close to extinction since no one seems to know what they are lol!

Thank goodness I have chocolate pretzel sticks to give the kids!

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     Mai and I had developed a friendship over the past several years as we were both interested in civil war history.  Mai’s ancestors, The Shirk brothers served in the 54th Mass. Infantry Regiment. (this regiment was portrayed in the movie, “Glory”)

     I had a few conversations with Mai, leading up to The Grand Review Ceremonies which were being held in Harrisburg a few weeks ago. I was after Mai to attend the Carnation Banquet; I really wanted to attend but not without Mai.  Because of Mai’s ancestors, she really belonged at the event and had reason to attend.  I was trying to persuade her and she’d just laugh and say, “Go and represent us”, which I wouldn’t do without her.  

     I reveled in Mai’s famous ancestors. I had researched my family tree for several years and the only thing I could come up with was, that my grandfather was known for having many kids and second,  he made homemade Moonshine!

     I ran into Mai at The Grand Review events and was able to sneak up and get her picture.  We talked for a few minutes about this and that and I shared with her family who were with her that ” I just loved her to pieces”. 

     This morning I was thinking about all of this, as today was Mai’s memorial service.  I started to wonder what does it exactly mean to love someone to pieces.  It literally means that if you were broken into a million pieces, I would love every one of them.  Everything that makes you, you.

     I then started to remember, the different conversations that Mai and I had.  I always thought there was a reverent eloquence about her. Many times, I would be driving on Orange Street and see Mai working in her yard or walking down the street.  She always caught my eye; she was such a beautiful person inside and out!

    I grew to love how humble Mai was about her family history and really about anything that she did or was involved in.  This morning I thought about our last chat at The Grand Review and wrote the following…

Had I known that day

Our conversation would be our last talk

I would have grabbed you by the hand

And asked you to take a little walk.

I would have asked you many questions

About the things you knew

Such things as your family history

And the many things that were important to you.

I do know that I am thankful

That in the last moments we shared

I was able to let you know

Just how much I cared.

Mai, my friend, “I love you to pieces”.