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In this Update:
Fredericksburg Fire Company Celebrates New Banquet Hall at Fireman’s Park
The Fredericksburg Fire Company recently marked an exciting milestone with the official ribbon cutting for their brand-new banquet hall at Fireman’s Park. The timing couldn’t be better, as the community prepares for the annual Hinkelfest celebration. This new banquet hall will serve as a valuable addition to the community, offering space for events, fundraisers, and gatherings for years to come. This project was made possible through the generosity of Scott Sechler and Bell & Evans, who financed the construction. Their support reflects a deep commitment to Fredericksburg and the surrounding region, reinforcing the importance of strong local partnerships. For those unfamiliar with the festival, “Hinkelfest” translates to “Chickenfest” in Pennsylvania Dutch. Founded by Bell & Evans, the event celebrates the area’s poultry farms in North Lebanon and Northern Berks Counties while supporting local Fredericksburg organizations. This year’s Hinkelfest kicks off Friday, September 12, and runs through the weekend at Fireman’s Park. Visiting Royal Oaks Farm with the Lebanon County Farm Bureau
I had the pleasure of joining the Lebanon County Farm Bureau at Royal Oaks Farm for their annual legislative farm tour. This family-owned farm, operated by the Ziegler family, offers a unique “pick-your-own” flower experience and is a great example of agri-tourism in our region. During the visit, we had meaningful discussions on several issues affecting agriculture, including agri-tourism opportunities, sales tax challenges, and food processing residuals. I’m grateful to the Zieglers for their hospitality and for allowing us to explore their beautiful property, as well as to the Farm Bureau for continuing to highlight the importance of agriculture in our community. Concealed Carry Seminar on Sep 25 at Cabela’s
There’s still time to sign up for my Concealed Carry Seminar with Rep. Jamie Barton (R-124) on Sep. 25, 6-8 p.m. at Cabela’s, 100 Cabela Dr, Hamburg. The event will feature information about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws, the Castle Doctrine, reciprocity laws, and how to safely interact with law enforcement while carrying a firearm. Berks County Sheriff, Mandy Miller, will lead the discussion and answer questions about Pennsylvania’s concealed carry laws. This is a great opportunity to become better informed and ask questions in an educational setting. We hope to see you there! You can RSVP online at https://senatorgebhard.com/psrc-events/ccs-092525/ or call 717-274-6735. Eliminating Waste and Fraud in State Government
Reforming the way state government operates includes removing barriers to creating good jobs and preventing fraud and waste of taxpayer dollars. This year, we passed legislation to implement stricter oversight to block regulations that will cost employers or taxpayers more than $1 million, and require automatic review of these kinds of regulations after three years to ensure they remain in the public interest. Other bills passed by the Senate require the Department of Human Services to prevent fraud in public assistance, prevent dead people from receiving benefits and ensure unemployment compensation benefits don’t go to claimants who try to avoid work. To reduce the risk of data breaches in taxpayer-funded systems, we passed legislation requiring all state IT contracts to meet national cybersecurity standards. You can review all the notable bills we’ve passed in 2025 here. Jobs Available with PennDOT’s Winter Maintenance Program
The coming end of summer means job opportunities for those with the skills to maintain and clear Pennsylvania’s roadways in the winter with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). Positions and hourly pay include CDL equipment operator ($23), dispatcher ($17.38), diesel and automotive mechanic ($24.97 – $28.37 based on title), tradesman helper and semi-skilled laborer ($18.46), and more. These temporary positions could be a pathway to a permanent PennDOT career. You can find more background information and links to job openings here. Help for Caregivers: PA CareKit
Caring for a loved one is a selfless act that strengthens family bonds but can be difficult for the caregiver. The PA CareKit can be a great help. From the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, the PA CareKit is a collection of tools and information to help you manage stress, navigate the health care system, stay connected and find support. Topics include the First Five Steps, Understanding Your Needs, Key Caregiving Terms and Concepts, and Caregiving Resources. If you’re a caregiver, I hope you find this information useful for this challenging but lifechanging role. Learn Skills with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps
Residents ages 15 to 25 can learn new skills, gain job experience and improve public lands with the Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps. Skills-building and training opportunities include infrastructure maintenance, habitat restoration, CPR and first aid and more. Interested individuals can learn how to get paid fixing trails, planting trees and more here. National Crime Prevention Week
A key role as lawmaker is passing legislation to combat crime and keep our communities safe. We rely on police to enforce those laws and the justice system to impose punishment when appropriate. National Crime Prevention Week is a reminder of the role citizens play in keeping their neighborhoods safe. The National Crime Prevention Council offers these crime prevention and personal safety tips to help you and your community outsmart potential lawbreakers. Local Events
Thursday, September 4-8: Bethel-Tulpehocken Public Library Book Sale Friday, September 5-6, 9am-6pm: 29th Annual Chile Pepper Food Festival Saturday, September 6, 9am-2pm: Berks County Farm Market and Festival Saturday, September 6, 2:30pm-8pm: Mainspring of Ephrata’s First Saturday Saturday, September 6, 12pm-8pm: Lancaster MusicFest Saturday, September 6, 1pm: Mohnton Cumru Lions Club Music Festival Saturday, September 6, 9am-3pm: North Cornwall Township Community Event: Support First Responders Saturday, September 6, 9am-3pm: Lebanon Valley Fall/ Craft Fair Saturday, September 6, 8am: Berks Kid Closet Consignment Sale Saturday, September 6, 10am-1pm: Fall Festival with Penn State Extension Tuesday, September 9-13: The Denver Fair Wednesday, September 10, 6:30-9:30am: United Way 2025/26 Campaign Kick-Off Breakfast Friday, September 12-14: Hinkelfest
*Please do not reply to this email, as that mailbox is unattended. To better serve the constituents of the 48th District, I have set up a contact form on my website. Please email cgebhard@pasen.gov if you would like to send me a message. If you are not already subscribed to this newsletter please sign up here. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or visit https://senatorgebhard.com/ |
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