Party no treat for neighbors

What a stupid letter. wa,wa,wa.

Actually, it's a good letter... even if veiled.

Nobody wants new neighbors who are noisy and beliggerent.
The new folks in Mt. Gretna should know how to behave, to avoid "disturbing the peace" of an otherwise calm and nice area.

Sidenote - to OTHER families in Mt. Gretna,
Put an end to your household teenage DRUGS and ALCOHOL, or at least be intelligent enough to keep them out of view of the police and courts, and out of danger to other drivers and teenage girls.

---- You know who you are. Time to DO IT.

Oh Spotter, you are being a pain again! Drugs and alcohol use in Gretna? How could that be...
And noisy new neighbors...I agree, and have the old neighbors be quiet as well. I am tired of my sleepus interruptus as the night wears on till dawn. God save the queen and her male servants.
Madam English Sexy Chatty Cathy

Great letter Mr. Blackburn, quite amusing. I agree with you sir on your complaints. If you hear music more than a quarter mile away, it's called disturbing the peace. If they didn't obtain a permit to host such an extravagant gathering, then they should be cited. Be vocal Mr. Blackburn. I live in city of Lebanon, I deal with noisy neighbors, underage drinking, pot-smoking, morons every night. Normally these Lebanon people are afraid to speak out tough against these thug types, I been doing it for weeks, and I haven't been assaulted yet, in fact, if the noise don't stop and the police continue to do nothing, I will be doing the assaulting!!!!!!

oh my gawd! a party and music in Gretna? say it aint so! Maybe the old uptight bitties should move over to the new alden place by cornwall manor for a more quiet and mature environment to live, where young people are forbidden to enjoy their american freedom in any way, shape or volume level.

What time of day or night did this take place. I hate loud and obnoxious neighbors too. If it was before 11:00 PM (I think) they were probably within their rights.

It happened at 2:30 pm on a Sat. afternoon.

I live in Mt. Gretna and was also very much aware of the loud music. Even inside my house, I had difficulty hearing a spoken conversation over the din. I don't think it would have been such a nuisance if the folks responsible had given their neighborhood notice prior to the party of the time involved and that their party NEEDED to be loud because their son is hard of hearing; anyone who might have been disturbed could then have left the village until the party was over and found something else to do. As it was, if folks were trying to host their own quiet gathering with guests of their own on their porch---it was an impossible situation.
( No notice was given to the neighborhood that all were welcome to stop by and "enjoy the party" as the letters implied.)

It is amazing to me that of the several hundred neighbors who were affected, only about 6 or 7 complained loudly and disrupted their celebration in person. Why, then, be so disappointed in the whole Mt. Gretna community???

Speaking from personal experience of my own, it is very difficult to love a place like Mount Gretna and treasure a history there, yet by design be misunderstood and have the worst thought of you.
The family maligned by H.L. Blackburn Sr. is not unlike my own, a family hoping to pass on the values of Mount Gretna with all of its history and sense of community, to our very young children.
I am a 39 year-old mom, and candidly just trying to raise my children to embrace roots and history, but of course, in the process of making thousands of decisions every single day ranging from life-or-death to birthday parties or how to check out of a rental cottage on time (which was cause of my heartbreak) young parents like me can stumble from time to time.
It is impossible to please everyone, and we will make mistakes. How those mistakes are handled are, admittedly to key to feeling accepted or rejected by a community.
I know the couple Mr. Blackburn Senior has referenced and they are a gracious and kind pair. The words used to describe their attitude in the senior Blackburn's letter do not reflect the people whose every dealing with our family have been friendliness and kindness.
So I need to respond and make an appeal to the long time residents of Mount Gretna. Give us young families a chance to learn the ropes here, and, although it seems like a lot to ask, please consider gentleness. Maybe you could assume we mean well and are trying our best to raise a new generation of those who love the sound of the wood thrush in the trees, and know the names of Kauffman, Coleman and Cilly, the way you do.

kume ba yah and a group hug is in order