USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lititz > Lititz, 1756-1956 > Part 5
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It presents an opportunity for the general public to become better acquainted with the teachers of their children, the school buildings in which the youngsters spend a large portion of their waking hours, and to assist in the operation of the educational system.
Socially, educationally, and financially, the P. T. A. here has become an important part of the school and community.
History of the Lititz Woman's Club
One Saturday morning in 1940, Miss Re- becca Sheaffer, President of the Lancaster County Federation of Woman's Clubs, and Mrs. Otter, Vice President of the State Feder- ation, came to Lititz to talk about the pros- pects of organizing a Woman's Club. At this meeting, held at the home of Mrs. Richard Heistand were Mrs. Frank Hunter, Mrs. Frank Longenecker, Mrs. B. M. Leaman and Mrs. John Hershey. Later, on May 13th, 1940, at the home of Mrs. John Hershey, the Lititz Woman's Club was organized for the purpose of developing the educational, civic and social interests of its members. From this small nu- cleus of six interested women the Lititz Wo- man's Club has grown steadily to a member- ship totaling one hundred fifty members in 1956.
One of the local projects with which the Lititz Woman's Club has indentified its in- terests from the very beginning is the Girl Scouts. All of the activities of the entire scout- ing program have received a share of the club's attention both in time and money.
Pioneering in another field, the Lititz Wo- man's Club held the first public meeting to discuss the value and procedure in securing the merger of the Elizabeth Township, War- wick Township and Lititz Borough School Districts. Recently another public meeting, on the subject of planning and zoning was called by the Woman's Club. Other service clubs, to- gether with the members of the Borough Council, were invited to participate. As a re- sult of the meeting, reccommendations were made that time and attention be given to the subject by the Borough Council.
Other local projects have included individ- ual and group assistance to needy and lonely persons as well as aid in organizing a Youth Program of activities for the community. The Lititz Public Library too has been the recip- ient of regular financal assistance, and book reviews are a frequent feature on club pro- grams. In addition, the club has supported many national charity drives.
To promote the educational interests of the members many of the programs have in- cluded topics on local history. Recounting of the traditions and customs and the origin of the present community have held the atten- tion of both the newcomer and original fam- ilies in the club. In keeping with Lititz' early history there has been a religious emphasis on numerous programs during the years. Music,
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too, which has always had an important place in the history of Lititz, has found expression for the club in a chorus organized in the fall of 1944. Many delightful programs were the result of the efforts of this group. The art programs have included talks on painting, stained glass and sculpture, and several pro- grams have imparted to members a knowledge of antiques, especially those of Pennsylvania Dutch origin.
Better national and international under- standing have been brought about through lectures by outstanding authorities and by informal talks by visitors from foreign coun- tries who gave clearer pictures of their coun- tries and how people live there. Members traveling abroad have given illustrated travel- ogues of the countries visited.
For entertainment of a social nature there have been informal periods following many of the meetings. Several groups of thespians during the years have delighted the mem- bers with their talents. Fashion shows, always facinating to a woman have been held at var- ious times.
To carry out many of these activities there was need for money; so through the years there have been definite projects for the pur- pose of raising funds. Among the means em- ployed have been lectures, an antique show, rummage sales, sales of food and other items, garden parties and fashion shows.
To conclude, the purposes of the club have been fully realized in the various programs and activites during the years since its incep- tion in 1940. There have been educational, civic and social projects made available for the purpose of developing and stimulating the interests of all the members. This has been and still is the purpose of the chib, which will. be continued under the new presi- dent Mrs. Martin Kutz.
Past presidents of the club include:
Mrs. Richard Heistand, Mrs. John Hershey, Mrs. Frank Longenecker, Mrs. Ellsworth Mc- Mullen, Mrs. Valentine Brobst, Mrs. Henry T. Muth, Mrs. Clair Rice, Mrs. Joseph Hess, Mrs. J. Lloyd Sheaffer, Mrs. Barton Sharp, Mrs. William M. Whitten, Jr., Mrs. Warren Diehm.
GIRL SCOUTS On my honor I will try To do my duty to God and my country To help other people at all times To obey the Girl Scout Laws.
This promise is the stimulus that has in- spired giris and adults to become a part of the National Girl Scout Program. It is de- signed for girls to arouse their interest in the world around them; learning and sharing new
skills in the out-of-doors in the home and in the arts; building better citizens for the com- munity and cementing relations with people of other nations.
Over a period of 19 years, scouting in Lit- itz has grown from a lone Troop to twelve troops. These twelve are part of The Rolling Hills Neighborhood, an organization to co- ordinate scouting activities in Lititz, Roths- ville, Brickerville and Hopeland.
The idea of scouting in 1956 is essentially the same as in 1937 when Miss Mabel Hull assisted by Mrs. Frank Miller, Miss Alice Hull, and Miss Arlene Beck, proceeded to register a troop of 19 girls which met in The Trinity Evangelical Congregational Church.
Today, there are 338 registered in scouting in Lititz, 250 girls and 88 adults. According to age, these girls are divided among five Brown- ie Troops, four Intermediate Troops and three Senior Troops. Weekly meetings offer the girls an exchange of ideas and group responsibili- ties. The out-of-doors is opened to them thru troop camping and hikes. This is furthered by the county-established camp at Furnace Hills and by a Neighborhood Day Camp. For the past seven years, the Day Camp has been operated in The Lititz Springs Park for one week after the close of school.
'The result of this training is reflected in the three Lititz girls who were selected with a group of 30 city and county scouts to rep- resent Lancaster County at The National Senior Round-Up Camp to convene this sum- mer at Pontiac, Michigan.
The troops have cooperated with the com- munity by: distributing Community Chest fly- ers, acting as escorts for the Baby Parades, participating in the annual Halloween and Memorial Day parades, and beautifying the Lititz Springs Park. The Senior Scouts have been aides in the Lancaster General Hospital, Heart Haven, The Lancaster Public Library and The Landis Valley Museum.
Money collected from Cookie Sales, Fat and Rag Collections, plus Bake Sales enables the troops to be self-supporting.
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Scouting in Lititz owes much of its success to the untiring efforts of volunteer leaders and committee women, cooperation of the girl .. and the sponsorship of The Lititz Woman's Club. The initial purpose of the sponsor is to secure meeting places and leaders but the group has gone one step further by sending adults to Camp Edith Macy, a National Train- ing Camp for leaders.
As Lititz can feel proud of the Girl Scouts, a virtual workshop for building better citizens, so can the scouts feel proud of Lititz for en- thusiastically accepting their program.
History of the Boy Scouts of America in Lititz
"I started the first Boy Scout Troop in 1911 in the basement of Fellowship Hall", stated the late Reverend E. S. Hagen.
Lititz has had the Boy Scout Program ever since that first troop was organized but not in one continuous unit. As far as can be learned, the first troop lasted until 1916 .. It has been related that the Lititz Troop camped at Colebrook. They rode the train to Man- heim; from there they went by train to Mt. Hope; then they hiked the rest of the dis- tance. They had a vigorous hiking program, making use of picturesque six foot Scout staffs which are little used today.
Just before the first troop expired, Troop 2 was started with John Leonard, 2 school teacher, as Scoutmaster. One interesting ac- count was that of an overnight hike to Hope- land in formation, in an effort to start Scout- ing there. The Scouts were fed in the homes of the townspeople and slept in tents in the park. The Scouts were very active with a
membership of about 80 boys. This meant that practically every boy in town was a Scout. The troop was active in service work during World War I, selling Liberty Bonds, garden programs, and among other things, making and tending of fly traps. Contests were held for the best fly trap, catching the most flies, and so forth.
Howard and Homer Hackman became the first Eagle Scouts in the county outside of Lancaster. The rivalry was high and the Scoutmaster inserted an item in the Lancaster Paper stating that "Lititz has two Eagle Scouts and Lancaster has only one." Three more Eagle Scouts soon followed in Lititz. There were only 219 Eagles awarded in the entire country in 1917.
Between 1918 and 1922, Leroy Bare headed a troop of Lone Scouts.
'The troop was so large in 1927 that Floyd Hackman, commissioner, split the troop and
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organized Troop 3 with Clarence F. May as Scoutmaster. It was also in 1927 that the Boy Scout Cabin was built by the Scouts in the park. In 1928 after participating in a camp- oree, Troop 3 was awarded a Silver Cup in the New Holland Bi-Centennial Parade for the "best appearing troop in line" in compe- tition with many of the county's troops. This was achieved by wearing the uniform shirt over sweaters on that cool day.
About 1929 another Troop 1 was organ- ized with Dr. Lockhart as Scoutmaster. This number was changed to 44 in 1933 when troops were numbered on a county basis.
Troop 3 expired in 1934 and Troop 42 was started in 1939 by a boy, Lester Miller Jr., with Charles Regennas Jr. as Scoutmaster. In 1944, Troop 43 was started with the aid of Troop 12. Fred Hall was the Scoutmaster. Then came Cub Pack 142, Jack Esbensheid, Cubmaster. A month later (old) Cub Pack 144 started with James Kready, Cubmaster. Pack 144 expired about two years later soon to be followed by Troop 44.
During World War II, Scouts collected tin cans, clothing, paper (as much as 15 tons a month) distributed literature and posters, and maintained Victory Gardens along with their regular services.
About 1946, Explorer Post 342 was organ- ized with Robert Reidenbaugh as Advisor. This set apart a program for Senior Scouts who had been active in the Troops.
About 1952 a new Cub Pack 144 was organ- ized with Lester Hess as Cubmaster, followed in 1953 with a new Troop 44 with Daniel Reitz as Scoutmaster.
Prior to 1933 Scout Troops were sponsored by groups of citizens banded together for the sole purpose of operating the Scout Program. Although it is still possible to organize that way, since the above date units in Lititz have been sponsored by civic organizations and churches, The Lions Club, Lititz Fire Com- pany, Lutheran and Moravian Churches,
Today there are 164 boys and 78 men and women (Den Mothers) in the Boy Scout Pro- gram in our community. The boys ranging in age from 8 to 18. They are distributed in the following units:
Troop 42, Pack 142, Post 342-sponsored by the Men's Bible Class of the Moravian Church School.
Troop 43-sponsored by the Lititz Fire Co.
Troop forty-four, Pac 144,-sponsored by the Brotherhood of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Outstanding Awards
Eagle Scouts-Homer Hackman, Howard Hackman, William Nelson, John Fasnacht, Harvey Bachman, Robert Longenecker, Bert Kauffman, Carl Foltz, Robert Herr, Howard
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TROOP 3, 1928
Richardson Jr., Elliot Krane, Kirk Garber, James Witinyer, Rudd Henderson, Bruce Horne, James Swarr.
Gold Quill (journalism) -Elliot Krane. Religious Awards -. James Witmyer, Pro Dei et Patria; Rudd Henderson, God and Country; Jack Losensky, God and . Country.
Silver Beaver-Charles Regannas Jr. Harry Regennas.
MORAVIAN HOME
The Moravian Home for Aged Women of Lititz was opened for guests in 1908, and since that time it has provided a home for over one hundred women whose home ties have been broken.
It was begun through the interest of Miss Juliana Shoenlein, one of the last remaining sisters from the Sister's House, who gave a bequest of one hundred dollars for the establishment of a Home, if it was begun within ten years from the time of her death.
Miss Shoenlein passed away on May 12th, 1892 and on May 12th, 1896, (May 12th was also her birthday), thirteen interested women of the Moravian Church met and formed the Home Association. These ladies discussed the advisability of buying or renting a property for a Home and then requested from the Trustees of the church, the building on the Church Square, known as the old Lyceum building.
A Church Council meeting was held and the matter presented and with the consent of Council the building was sold to the As- sociation for the nominal fee of one dollar and the ladies set about having it removed so the present structure could be built. It houses about twenty five guests.
Miss Sophia Bricker was the first permanent president of the board of Managers. She was elected in 1905 and served until 1944. The present Board includes: Mrs. P. F. Snyder, president; Mrs. Harry E. Bender, first vice- president; Mrs. C. Eugene Long, second vice- president; Mrs. Chester Keith, recording sec- retary; Mrs. Abraui Beck, corresponding sec- retary; Mrs. Arthur Kling, treasurer. The other members of the Board are: Mrs. Graybill Bit- zer, Mrs. Norman Badorf, Mrs. Harry Gorton, Mrs. Charles Pfautz, Mrs. W. Martin Muth and Mrs. Arville Burkholder.
LITITZ ROTARY
The Lititz Rotary Club was chartered in 1925 and was listed as Club Number 2188 in Rotary International. Its initial membership was twenty five. Mr. Claude Marble, who was instrumental in the organizing of the Club, was its first president. The present member- ship is fifty-one.
True to its slogan, "Service above Self", the club has been most unselfish and has been ac- tive in sponsoring or supporting the many worthwhile activities listed below:
Crippled Childrens' Work, Boys' Welfare Movement, Boys' Work Activities, Safe and Sane Fourth, Has paid hospital bills of the needy, Burial grounds for the Revolutionary Soldiers, Boy Scouts, Visiting Nurse help, Fire Company, and Kiddies Christmas Party, Lititz Outdoor Activities in Springs Park, has aided Park fund, Marble Champ, Community Chest, Fire Company, Red Cross Flood Relief, Youth Program, Boys' Work activities, "Old Ironsides" Program, Student Loan Fund, Brethren Or- phanage Christnias parties, Institute of Lect- urers, and aided students in competition for prizes and scholarships.
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LIONS CLUB
The Lititz Lions Club was organized and chartered March 6, 1941. The sponsoring or parent club is the Warwick Township Lions Club.
The following Lion members served as presidents in the past:
1941 Raymond Reedy
1942 Harry R. Way
1943 David Wright
1944 John W. Keehn
1945 Lester G. Balmer
1946 Paul F. Diehm
1947 Samuel Nuss
1948 John Steffy
1949 Chester L. Wertsch
1950 A, B. Beck
1951 John S. Witmyer
1952 Charles W. Dussinger
1953 Clarence K. Herr
1954 Raymond Pettyjohn, Sr. 1955 Elvin Good
The Lititz Lions engage in many activities which are beneficial to their fellow man both in physical help as well as financially.
One of the projects is sight conservation and the supplying and fitting of eyeglasses. They also sponsor two local blind people on a two week vacation to Beacon Lodge located in Central Pennsylvania.
A pancake breakfast is also held annually; the proceeds of which are turned over to the Lititz Recreation Center to help defray costs.
Last year the Lions supplied uniforms for the local midget football team. They also maintain and equip a local playground for the children.
A public auction is also held annually; the profits thereof go to many and varied activi- ties in which the Lions are engaged such as:
The annual Easter egg hunt.
The distribution of baskets at Christmas
time.
The annual Father, Son, and Daughter night.
The annual Christmas party for children from broken homes; and many others.
A. B. C.
The Lititz Chapter of A. B. C. was founded in April of 1954 with the help of our parent clubs, the two Lancaster Chapters.
Chapter night was attended by representa- tives of A. B. C. from most of the chapters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. President for the first year was Albert Ebbert.
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA 1956
It was decided at this meeting to hold our regular meetings at the Hotel Sutter on the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month.
During our first year we initiated a farm show stand and a fruit cake sale, the proceeds of which were given to the Recreation Center.
During the last half of our first year and the beginning of our second year, the project committee was very active with a labor survey which was conducted with the help of the seniors of Lititz and Rothsville High Schools. The results of the survey were tabulated on I. B. M. cards so that prospective industrys could find available information about labor in town.
Our president for the second year was Ger- ard Evenwel, and again during our second year, we had both a fruit cake sale and farm show stand for the benefit of the Recreation Center.
In August of 1955 we held a "Field Day" for the children of Lititz. Over 91 boys and girls participated in the various events and the day was considered a success for all. .
Under the guidance of our new president, William Scatchard, this year should be a banner one for Lititz A. B. C. Our latest pro- ject is the obtaining of an ambulance for use by the Lititz community.
YOUNG MEN'S BUSINESS LEAGUE
The Young Men's Business League of Lititz was organized April 21, 1914 by a group of citizens whose aim was to have a town organi- zation that would cultivate a better acquain- tance among its citizens, to develop social and mutual interest, to gather statistics of business and encourage all, matters of interest which would be for the welfare of Lititz Borough and the County of Lancaster.
The first elected Board of Directors and Officers was as follows:
President, G. Graybill Diehm; Vice Presi- dent, Harry Eby; Secretary, E. E. Habecker; Treasurer, J. H. Breitigan; other members of the Board were H. J. Pierson, Dr. C. E. Lane, Dr. M. H. Yoder, S. C. Hassler and William H. Muth.
The following Charter members are still active: Senator G. Graybill Diehm, Dr. M. H. Yoder, Dr. Harry Bender, Norman Badorf, Paul Badorf and Paul Bomberger.
The Constitution and By-Laws were adopted May 12, 1914. The League immediately be- came active in civic affairs and took over work generally done by a Chamber of Com- merce. Before the League was six months old they were making surveys on the cost of light
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and power in Lititz compared to our surroun- ding Boroughs. As a result of this survey they petitioned Borough Council to investigate the advisability of purchasing current from com- petitive sources and transforming and distrib- uting the same.
In 1915 a committee visited Reading and in- vestigated The Dile Motor Company, a manu- facturer of fine roadsters. The same year the League was instrumental in having The Stif- fel-Freeman Safe Company move from Phila- delphia to Lititz, and it was the League that subscribed for the first stock in this company.
The needs of destitute families were also taken care of by the League at Christmas and at other times when needed.
Bands were secured and programs were ar- ranged by the League on holidays, such as Decoration Day, Labor Day and July 4th. Activities of community interest were carried on by the League until the Chamber of Com- merce was incorporated in 1928.
The present home of the League was se- cured in 1916, and a Charter was granted by the County on June 24, 1916.
At the present time the League has a membership of 145. The present Board of Directors and Officers is as follows: President, Harry Hershey; Vice President, Marlin Wolf; Secretary, M. C. Demmy; Treasurer, John Kel- ler. Others members; Roy Long, Dr. C. A. Landis, Elmer Bomberger, Morris Rosenberg, Edwin W. Bear and A. C. Fleckenstein.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Lititz Chamber of Commerce was or- ganized June 5, 1928.
The first officers and directors were Harry R. Wertsch, President; Lewis N. Moyer, Vice President; Wayne G. Fahnestock, Secretary; Hiram H. Diehm, Treasurer; James H. Breit- igan, Elmer Eby, J. W. G. Hershey, Charles K. Keath, Joseph B. Wissler. Dues were set at $25.00 per annum and membership was held in the State and National C. of C.
After several years of service to the com- munity it was agreed to merge with the Young Men's Business League, inasmuch as both or- ganizations had similar ultimate goals. Con- solidation proved unsatisfactory and the Cham- ber again resumed its responsibilty to the local welfare.
During the early years of the depression the Chamber made frantic efforts to enlist the development of new industry and was di- rectly responsible in persuading one manu- facturing concern not to move out of the state. An employment bureau was set up to
LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA 1956
ease labor problems. A retail Committee was formulated, a shop-in-Lititz campaign was instituted, Saturday night Band Concerts were sponsored to attract shoppers, and Red Tag Days were offered. A drive to better the street lighting along the business area resulted in erection of modern light standards.
The first. Community Chest was organized under Chamber of Commerce sponsorship. Clean-Up Week observance was enacted. The Lititz Community Show was given support and held from disbandment. Support was or- ganized for the U. S. Government Memorial for Revolutionary War Soldiers buried at the east end of town.
The Chamber disclosed thought for
a modern Hotel in Lititz, and was instrumental in developing the General Sutter Hostelry. In 1937 the Chamber was wholly responsible for erection of Beck Memorial Band Shell and the Comfort Stations in Lititz Springs Park. Christmas Street lighting is an annual feature of the C. of C. program.
A plaque honoring General Sutter
and commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Sacramento was sent to the Cali- fornia- city with a representative for dedica- tion. During World War II, the Victory Garden project was sponsored. One of the Chambers outstanding members deeded the Recreation Center Building to the Chamber. Trusteeship by the Chamber was held until responsibility was assumed by the Recreation Directors.
On July 15, 1954 the Chamber instigated the organization of a general committee for the observance of the 200th anniversary of the founding of Lititz. All civic, fraternal, patriotic and religious bodies were requested to send a delegation of two. The Chamber gathered information and assisted otherwise in the location of the newly constructed $4 million Warner-Lambert plant. It aided in the ground-breaking ceremony and spon- sored a gigantic Dinner-Reception for its offi- cers and management. A brochure showing pictorial Lititz and outlining its historical and commercial background has been produ- ced.
The Chamber of Commerce has a member- ship of 85. During the past twenty eight years the Chamber has been served by four presi- dents: Harry R. Wertsch, Elser Gerhart, M. C. Demmy, Paul F. Diehm. Present officers and directors are: Paul F. Diehm, President; Rob- ert J. Hanna, Vice President; Raymond S. Recdy, Secretary; Sidney Long, Treasurer; Floyd Hagy, Wallace E. Lausch, R. William Spacht, Harry K. Wagaman, Fred Weaver and James H. Yerger.
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LITITZ, PENNSYLVANIA 1956
JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Lititz Junior Chamber of Commerce was founded March 17, 1948 with forty-seven charter members. The purpose of the organi- zation is to help young men between the ages of twenty one and thirty-five learn civic con- sciousness through constructive action. A Jun- ior Chamber of Commerce is a supplementary educational organization wherein the, young men of a community may join together in a friendly spirit to inculucate civic consciousness in its membership by means of active partici- pation in constructive projects which will im- prove community, state, and nation. The Jun- ior Chamber of Commerce is organized into state, national, and international organizations as well as locally. "Jaycees" as members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce are called, call be found in all corners of the world.
Locally, since the founding of the Lititz Junior Chamber of Commerce the major por- tion of their projections has been in oue way or another for the benefit of the youth in Lititz. Projects like Youth Day in Govern- ment, Voice of Democracy, and the Commun- ity Picnic for children have proven so success- ful that they have been repeated year after year. Not all the work of the Jaycees is with the youth of Lititz however. They have pro- moted zoning and planning for the borough; they were instrumental in getting garbage collection in the borough; they have conduc- ted Get out the Vote campaigns at elections; and many other similar projects. The Jaycees have also procured a ceiling projector which is available to anyone confined to bed. The projector enables one to read books from the ceiling while lying flat on his back.
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