(4/2021) It is April, and we made it through 2020 and all the winter wind. It also has been a year and a month since we first heard the words coronavirus, COVID-19, and in March 2020, the word pandemic by the World Health Organization in reference to COVID-19. The question is, when will we return to some normality? And what form will that normality take? Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said, "If 75 percent to 80 percent of Americans are vaccinated, then by the end of 2021, we can reach a degree of normality." This new norm is yet to be defined and experienced.

To assist with the COVID-19 vaccination effort, Adams County has partnered with WellSpan Health to administer the COVID-19 vaccine at the Adams County Department of Emergency Services building at 230 Greenamyer Lane in Straban Township. WellSpan’s appointment scheduling has been activated on a rolling basis through MyWellSpan. You do not have to be a member of WellSpan to make an appointment. Appointments are based on supply. The light at the end of the tunnel is getting larger. As more vaccine supplies become available and you are eligible, please consider getting vaccinated.

To schedule an appointment, call 855-851-3641. If you need a free ride to a COVID vaccination site, you should contact rabbittransit at 800-632-9036 no later than noon the business day before your appointment. Rabbittransit staff will assist you in the reservation process. At the time of this writing, WellSpan has already administered over 12,000 doses in the county and is currently administering over 2,000 doses per week. I also understand that WellSpan is planning to add a waitlist option to their scheduling appointment website. Thank you, Commissioners, for designating the Adams County Department of Emergency Services building as an Adams County Massive Vaccination Site.

From the PA Department of Health, the following changes take effect on Sunday, April 4th; restaurants may resume bar service; alcohol service will be allowed without the purchase of food; curfew for removing alcoholic drinks from tables will be lifted; indoor dining capacity will be raised to 75% for those restaurants currently self-certified and those that undergo the self-certification process. This involves agreeing to strictly comply with all public health and safety guideless and orders, including the cleaning and mitigation protocols and other operational requirements; occupancy limits for other businesses also will be increased, including moving personal services facilities, gyms, and entertainment facilities such as theatres, malls to 75 %; occupancy limits for indoor events will increase to 25% of capacity and outdoor events to 50% with the 6-foot physical distancing requirement. The requirement such as mask-wearing and social distancing are unchanged.

On March 11th, a Blood Drive was held in the Carroll Valley Borough meeting room. The Blood Bank reported 35 donors, and 27 pints of blood were collected, which will result in saving 81 local lives. Thanks to all who took the time to help others. Your precious blood gives another new life. The next Blood Drive will be held on June 10th. April is the month we pay our taxes. Not so this year. On March 18th, the PA Department of Revenue announced the deadline for taxpayers to file their 2020 Pennsylvania personal income tax returns and make final 2020 income tax payments is extended to May 17. This means taxpayers will have an additional month to file from the original deadline of April 15. The Internal Revenue Service also announced it would extend the federal filing deadline to May 17. Please note property tax dates are not affected by this extension.

The April Carroll Valley Library Program consists of the following: April 7th @ 11 a.m. – Virtual Yoga. Join our yoga enthusiast, Elizabeth, for virtual yoga; April 21st @ 11 a.m. – Galaxy Jars. Make a fabulous Galaxy Jar with the Library’s friend, Brookelynn, and pick up the supplies at the Carroll Valley Library. And on April 28th @ 11 a.m. – Flying Gliders. Teen pilot Ross Clements teaches you the basics about flying gliders. The dates shown are the date the video will premiere on the Carroll Valley Library Facebook page and the Adams County Library’s YouTube channel. These videos will be available to watch any time after the premiere date. If you have any questions, call 717 642-6009.

Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors will be donating flowers to the local nursing homes and Meals on Wheels for Easter, thanks to some local individuals and churches. We will be having a Spring Clothing and Sports Equipment Donation and Giveaway Day on Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Carroll Valley Borough Pavilion at 5685 Fairfield Road, Fairfield. If you would like to volunteer to help that day, please let Robin Dicken know so she can sign you up! Robin can be reached by phone at 717-324-1613 or by email at dickenrobin@gmail.com. The Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors want to thank the community for their kindness and support during this time of need.

The 2021 Electronic Recycling Schedule will kick-off on April 17th. This year Carroll Valley Borough will be the host. You will be able to drop off your electronic stuff from 8 - 11 a.m. at the Carroll Valley Municipal Service Building located in the Ranch Section, 14 Ranch Trail. This event is for current Park’s Garbage Service customers in Carroll Valley Borough, Fairfield Borough, Freedom Township, Hamiltonban Township, Highland Township, and Liberty Township. Items to drop off include computers, monitors, laptops, peripherals, TVs (they must be removed from any cabinetry in which they were contained), printers, keyboards, copiers, scanners, and cell phones, stereo equipment, telephones, modems, and routers. For further information, contact Carroll Valley Borough at 717-642-8269 or check the website at carrollvalley.org. Mark your calendar; the Fairfield Opening Day Baseball Parade will be held on April 24th at 9 a.m.

Keep well. When driving through our communities, watch your speed. More people are walking our trails.