Thoughts Before The Alarm Sounds

     . . . now it's official. We beat out 923 other towns in the contest sponsored by Budget Travel. So what is it about Lititz that makes it so cool? Wilbur Chocolate – Wilbur Buds are the very best chocolate candy available. Sturgis Pretzels – Hand-made pretzels. Think it's easy to twist a pretzel? Stop by the factory and give it a try. Unique shops – Within a five block area over 70 shops, with products ranging from antiques to unique foods, display not only their wares, but also a “Miracle On 34th Street” attitude. If one doesn't have what you want, the proprietor will suggest a competitor who just might be able to satisfy your request. Outdoor Farmers' Market – From spring through fall over 20 booths display the finest local produce. You can be sure that everything is fresh. 4th of July Celebration – 2012 marked the 195th consecutive celebration of our nation's birth with a parade, daylong performances in beautiful Lititz Springs Park, and a fireworks displ...

An unusual story has appeared in the local newspaper during the last couple of weeks. While not unprecedented, it is unusual, and although it's not fumy, it is difficult to avoid making some macabre jokes. But I'll try. It all started with a Sunday News story on January 27. The family of a man who died the previous month was having a hard time getting his death certificate and ashes from the mortuary. His obit had not appeared, so his mother had it printed at her own expense. The certificate and ashes finally turned up three weeks later. Other similar stories turned up – loss of ashes, obits not printed, Social Security not notified, etc. In one case a family ordered one large urn and four small ones for their loved one's ashes. Finally the large urn arrived, but the small ones remained on backorder. When the family went to pick up the large urn, the funeral director waved a baggy with the remaining ashes at them, and asked if they wanted him to keep them until the oth...