(5/2021) "Stop and smell the roses" was an expression I often heard in my life. It was often directed at me because I was always rushing around doing things or worrying about something I had no control over and never stopped to enjoy the moment. We as a community may be coming to the end of a pandemic. People are starting to get vaccinated. According to the Pennsylvania Department of April 19th, 43.4% of Pennsylvanians have received at least one dose, and 23.9% are already fully vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 39.9 % of the United States population has received at least one vaccine dose, and 23.3% have been fully vaccinated. We seem to be slowing the spread of this virus. So, I suggest to you that the theme for May is "Stop and smell the roses" – Enjoy the Nature around us. Nature is a resource we all can enjoy. While we still have a long way to go, practice those activities you have used to reduce the spread of the virus in our community and enjoy what we have around us today. Remember, getting people vaccinated is our best hope of ending this pandemic, and we need everyone’s help to convince people to do so.

Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors (NHN) donated flowers for Easter to 56 residents of 2 nursing homes, Comfort Care and Hillside Personal Care in Fairfield. Also, 10 Meals on Wheels recipients received a flower. Thanks to Linda McMullen and Susie Gills for making the deliveries. On April 10th, NHN had their clothing giveaway for anyone to shop for free clothing. They received some genuinely nice donations from the community and had about 50 people showed up to shop.

Appreciation to the following people for helping with set up, shopping, and packing up: Robin Dickens, Kathy Adams, Lori Spence, Gayle Marthers, Terrie Ferguson, Honey Strosnider, Liv Cliber, Carlos Wampler, Sue Pierotti, Deedee Mezger, Sue Strahler, Jim Richardson, Emily Wantz, Deb Kane, Tiffany and Haley Hebenton, Susie Gills, Jen Ford, Tammy Deardorff, and Nancy Brill. We are so lucky to have such a wonderful community willing to volunteer! The Electronic Recycling Event was held on Saturday, April 17th.

The number of cars that dropped by was 123. The breakdown by the municipality was: Carroll Valley: 69; Fairfield Borough: 18; Hamiltonban Township: 15; Liberty Township: 10; Highland Township: 8 and Freedom Township: 3. I want to extend my thanks to Jessica Kraft and her family for volunteering and Carroll Valley Municipal Service staff members Zack Miller and Ken Nicholls to work on a Saturday. The next Electronic Recycling event will be held on July 17th.

The Carroll Valley Library May online program segments videoed at 11 am and available to watch shortly afterward on the library’s Facebook page are Wednesday, May 5th. Spring Vegetable Gardening with host Master Gardener, Mary Ann; May 12th, the topic is Play-Doh Take-and-Make Craft. Make homemade play-doh! Pick up supplies at the library, and on May 19th, join science teacher Dani K. as she shows you fun science experiments that you can do with things you have at home.

We all enjoy Spring weather – performing yard clean-up activities, planting, pruning shrubs, and dealing with mulch. We also allow our family pets, especially our dogs, to run around in the yard freely. But we need to be careful. We want to make sure the dog is not running at large. Why? Because it is unlawful according to the Carroll Valley Borough Ordinance Chapter 2 (Animals), Part 1, Section 2-103. So, what does "running at large’ mean? This phase means the dog is off the premises of its owner, not under the owner's control, and is strolling on a public highway, street, ally, trail, park, or any other public land or property of another person other than the owner. Dogs are permitted to visit our beautiful park areas with you. But they must be always leash, and you are responsible for cleaning up after them and keep them under control.

Do not forget about the Pennsylvania state annual license requirement. Enjoy our beautiful community during nature’s reawakening. Please be aware that on April 27th, Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law took effect. This law requires drivers to slow down and move into a lane not next to an emergency response area when an emergency vehicle has its lights flashing and where road crews or emergency responders have lighted flares, posted signs, or try to warn drivers. If the driver cannot merge into another lane, the driver must reduce speed by 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. Fines are set at $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and a required 90-day license suspension for a third or subsequent offense.

The Pennsylvania Municipal Primary is May 18th. Remember, the last day to register before the primary is May 3rd. The last day to apply for a mail-in or civilian absentee ballot is May 11. All ballots including any mailed ballots must be received in the Election Office by 8:00 pm on Election Day, May 18th. Unlike the last Fall’s General Election, there is no grace period for mailed ballots received after May 18th, at 8:00 pm. Carroll Valley Polling place will be at the Borough Office from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm. If you have any questions, contact Angie Crouse, Director County of Adams Elections and Voters Registration Office, at 717-337-9832. Please vote.

Finally, ‘Movies in the Park’ will be coming back! Mark your calendar for the third Friday on May 21st at 7:30 pm. The movie has not been announced at the time of this writing. The event is sponsored by the Fairfield Parent-Teacher Organization PTO in cooperation with the Carroll Valley Borough Parks and Recreation Committee. I look forward to seeing you there. Watch your speed on the trails. If you have any questions, call me at 301-606-2021 or email MayorRonHarris@comcast.net.