(9/2023) September brings a time to honor the American worker on Labor Day, September 4. On a sad note, September 11 is a time to reflect on the lives lost during a terrorist attack on our homeland on the morning of September 11, 2001. Nineteen militants hijacked four planes. Two planes hit the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York (2,606 victims). One plane hit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. (125 victims). And the fourth plane crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania (40 victims) because of the heroic efforts of the passengers. It was thought that the fourth plane’s target was the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. I encourage you to take a moment on September 11 to reflect on this horrible event and pray for the victims who died and their families, especially the children. Let us not forget!

The school term has started, which means school buses are on the road again. Let us partner with the parents, teachers, administrators, and transportation personnel to keep our young residents safe when they are transported to and from school. How do we do that? Follow the law. According to Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, when you meet or overtake a stopped school bus with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended, you must stop. You must stop when you approach an intersection where a school bus is stopped with red signal lights flashing and stop arm extended. You must stop at least 10 feet away from the school bus. You must wait until the red lights have stopped flashing and the stop arm has been withdrawn before moving. And most important, do not move until the children have reached a place of safety.

The Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank will hold a Blood Drive on Wednesday, September 27, from 1 to 6 p.m. in the Carroll Valley Borough Council meeting room. There are two ways to schedule your donation appointment. You can go to 717GiveBlood.org and click on DONATE NOW or call 800-771-0059. A form of ID is required to donate. You are strongly advised to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Appointments help the Blood Bank to improve your donation experience. Walk-ins are welcome; however, donors with appointments will be taken first, which may result in a significant wait time.

Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week runs from September 17 thru 23. Under Pennsylvania’s primary child passenger safety law, children under four must be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat anywhere in the vehicle. Children under two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the car seat manufacturer. Children aged four to eight must be restrained in an appropriate booster seat. Children aged eight to 18 must be in a seat belt. Please note that even when a child is out of a booster seat, they cannot legally sit in the front seat in Pennsylvania until they are 13.

Children will generally transition from a booster seat between ages 8 and 12. Before sitting in a booster seat, the child should be in an approved care seat. The State Police perform free inspections. Call 717.334.8111 for an appointment. If you have any questions, call the Carroll Valley Police Department for information. You should be aware that any person peddling, selling, soliciting, or taking orders for any goods, wares, or merchandise in the Borough must have a permit issued by the Borough. So, the next time a person knocks on your door and wants to sell you something, ask them to show you their permit.

Free admission! Join fellow residents on Friday, September 15, for a great time at Carroll Valley’s Movie Night in the Park! Remember to bring your blanket and chairs. The movie starts at 7:30.

Get ready for Fairfield’s annual Pippinfest! Head to Fairfield on September 23 and 24, 9 am to 4 pm, to enjoy arts and crafts exhibitors, music, and food. There are inflatable rides and activities for the kids. On Sunday, there is the Cruise-In Car Show. Be sure to see the Quilt Show in the town hall. There is plenty to do! For more information, go to www.pippinfest.com.

Fairfield Neighbors Helping Neighbors (FNHN) will have their clothing giveaway for Fall Clothing at Liberty Worship Center on October 21. We will be collecting and giving away Fall/Winter clothing only. Also collecting shoes to recycle and new this year; we are collecting to donate nursery items, high chairs, swings, etc. No car seats or recalled items, please. FNHN thanks you for your continued support to help our neighbors! If you have any questions, call Robin at 717.642-6578.

Covered Device Recycling will be held on October 14 from 8 to 11 a.m. at 39 Topper Road. More information on recycling computers, TVs, monitors will appear in the October issue.

Carroll Valley Borough meetings to be held in September are Planning Commission (September 5), Borough Council (September 12), and Public Sewer Advisory Committee (September 25). All meetings start at 7 pm. If you have any questions, call me at 301-606-2021 or MayorRonHarris@comcast.net. Please watch your speed on the trails.