(11/2016) As of November 1st, we are 24 days to the unofficial or official start of the holiday shopping season. I guess if you want to make it seem like it is a longer period, you could always say you have 576 hours or 34,560 minutes left before you start shopping on Black Friday. If you are wondering why it is called Black Friday it is because it relates to businesses recording their losses in red ink and gains in black. I don’t think that helps. One good thing though and that is this year we turn back the clocks and say goodbye to Daylight Saving Time during the overnight hours heading into Sunday, November 6th. That means an extra hour of sleep and at my age I need all that I can get. You always could use that extra hour to go online and shop. It is also a good time to check your smoke alarms.

Election Day is November 8th. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The two polling locations are separated into two districts. The District #1 voting location will remain the same, the Carroll Valley Borough Office. The new parking area will be temporary open for voters. The District #2 voting location has changed from the Ski Liberty Children’s Learning Center to the former ACNB/Ski Liberty Sales Office on Sanders Road. The address is 104 Sanders Road. Be sure to go to your correct location. If you have any questions regarding the election, contact Ms. Monica Dutko, Adams County Director of Elections and Voter Registration at 717-337-9832. A sample of the Official General Election Ballot can be seen at www.adamscounty.us.

On November 10th, our nation celebrates the 241st birthday of the United States Marine Corps. On November 11th, we honor all Armed Forces veterans who have served our country. As they do each year, Fairfield School is holding a "Veteran’s Day Breakfast" on that day from 8 to 10 a.m. in the Fairfield High School cafeteria. All veterans as well as their spouse or guest are invited to attend. However, RSVP’s are necessary by November 4th. You can call the office at 717-642-2045 or email fasdvets@fairfield.k12.pa.us. As a 20-year veteran, please accept my heartfelt appreciation. We celebrate Thanksgiving this year on November 24th.

A question has been asked about vendors selling their wares door to door in Carroll Valley Borough. The official term is "Transient Retail Business". In my day, it was called a "Door to door salesman". The term is defined as to engaging in peddling, selling, canvassing, soliciting or taking orders either by sample or otherwise, for any goods, wares or merchandise, upon any street, alley, sidewalk or public place, or from house to house, within the Borough. So, what is the law (ordinance). No person shall engage in any transient retail business within the Borough without first having obtained from the Zoning Officer, Dave Baker, a license, for which a fee as established by the Borough Council, shall be paid. So, the next time someone appears at your door step selling something, ask to see their Borough license. Remember if you become uncomfortable speaking with a solicitor, decline what they are offering and close your door. If you see suspicious persons knocking on your neighbors’ doors or ringing their doorbells and then leaving, call the non-emergency number 717-334-8101 or 911.

Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve is hosting their Annual Twisted Turkey Trail Tussle on November 12th. They bring together runners and walkers of all ages, a challenging set of 5K, 10K, and 15K trail run courses & 10K powerwalk is offered that day. The location of this event is at Strawberry Hill Nature Preserve located in the Michaux State Forest. This fun fall event is designed to offer runners a chance to experience miles of trails in the Blue Ridge Mountains, while giving families the perfect opportunity to enjoy the colorful autumn foliage. For more information, please visit www.strawberryhill.org or call 717-642-5840. Funds raised from this event will continue to support their environmental education programs.

The Carroll Valley Citizens Association (CVCA) will be having a Winter Wonderland Dinner Dance on Friday, December 9th from 6 until 11 pm in the Highland Lodge at the Liberty Mountain Resorts. The cost is $35 per person which includes a delicious buffet dinner that will be served at 7:00 pm. Music will be provided by a DJ for your listening pleasure during dinner and afterwards for dancing. Reservations are required by prepaid ticket purchase. Tickets will be available at Mountain View Realty, Jester’s Computer Services, and by call Mary at 717-642-6654, or Marie at 642-8343.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Senator Richard Alloway for securing a $1 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant to be used for the construction of our Greater Carroll Valley Community and Education Complex building. It is difficult to express the level of our appreciation of what this means to all of us in Carroll Valley. As Dave Hazlett, our Borough Manager said "We can’t possibly thank Senator Alloway enough." I agree.

If interested, you can view the pictures taken at Pippenfest, Fairfield Fire and EMS Open House, and CVCA Yard Sale at www.ronspictures.net. Based on the results of the October 10th Finance Committee review of the Carroll Valley draft 2017 Budget prepared by our borough manager, Dave Hazlett, the current Borough tax rate will remain at 2.45 mills or .00245 of assessed value of land and buildings – meaning No Tax Increase. The next steps – Council approves the advertisement of the budget for public review at the November 15th meeting and will sign the ordinance at the December 13th meeting. The Borough Office will be closed November 8th (Election Day), November 24th and 25th (Holiday). Please reduce your speed to make sure you, your loved ones, your friends and neighbors will be safe. If you have any questions call me at 301-606-2021 or email MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Happy Thanksgiving folks!