What's Happening in Centerville?
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1/12/19
A report on some big changes on the way!
At WGAL online.
Discuss.
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10/25/18
Big shout out to the newest venture in Centerville-
the Bala Float Center!
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05/08/18
Another spring dawns. Deer are racing through our yards. Harleys are thundering down our highways. Late at night, windows open (at last!), the horn of a distant locomotive sounds like a ghost...
Discuss.
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12/23/16
The Christmas play at the middle school has been cancelled. I have no idea why.
Discuss.
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8/08/16
Repaving has been completed on Centerville Road from the Harrisburg Pike to Gloucester Street near the Middle School.
The only question is- why stop there? The quarter mile from there to Route 23 has always been the worst section. Ah, the mysteries of local government!
There's a new sign on Estelle Drive. It's hard to picture computer chip maker Broadcom opening an office here- further investigation is required.
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6/30/16
There's now a place to discuss all things Centerville. So what do you think about the idea of widening the bridge over Route 30? Will a partial fix be worth a year of snarled traffic? How about 2 years?
Anything you'd like to say, any pictures you'd like to share, visit Centerville17601 on Reddit.
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6/28/16
July 4 holiday coming up. The only fireworks in Centerville will be the kind people make themselves, but that will keep the cops busy. You can hear the fireworks from Lancaster and Mountville if you're on the ridge.
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6/25/16
Phase 1 of Centerville17601 is nearly complete!
There are over 200 separate listings, and a dozen or more information blocks.
Enjoy your visit.
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6/19/16

Happy Fathers day!
A good day for yard work.
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6/12/16
Sunny and warm. The expected storms did not materialize.
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6/6/16
Lots more added to the list of attractions over the weekend. Be sure to check out Foto Fun #1!
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5/27/16
There's a holiday weekend coming. There's nothing special going on in Centerville, so get out and have fun.
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5/22/16
Centerville17601 is now mobile-friendly! At least according to Google, and that's good enough for me.
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5/16/16
Beautiful, sunny weather today, a bit cool for May. Rhodies and azalias are in bloom, but the dogwoods have dropped their petals.
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5/15/16

It ain't all possums in Centerville. Some of the wildlife is beautiful.
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5/14/16

Happening this weekend at the HBIC.
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Two Centervilles

The northern half is residential and farmland while the southern half is industrial and retail.
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There's a McDonalds in Centerville. If you're eastbound on 30, the Centerville exit takes you right there.
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One place where it's possible to catch a view of the valley would be from a room at the Heritage Hotel
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If you pass through on Route 30 at night, you'll notice this.

It's the Air Products plant, lit up like some kind of space port.
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A prominant sight in the industrial zone is the Purina feed elevator.
Their checkerboard reigns o'r the skyline.
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Running near Route 30 is the Columbia Secondary, a branch of the Norfolk Southern.
There are many grade crossings, and high tension lines overhead.
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Donnerville Road is roughly the western boundry of the Centerville area.

Beyond this you're in Mountville.
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This is the entrance up to BJ's Wholesale Club #19. It's nearer to Columbia Ave than to Route 30.
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and also...
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Where's the Center?
There really is no center to Centerville. No post office, no train station, no Main Street with sidewalks.
Early maps locate Centerville just to the north of the intersection of Centerville Road and
the Marietta Pike. There is an old brick place (which may have been a schoolhouse), a church and a cemetery there, so it
could be the historic location of "town".
In our times, however, Centerville is wherever you
want it to be along a two or three mile stretch of highway.
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To the east of Centerville stands the Hempfield Bretheren in Christ church.

They host a TON of soccer programs.
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Centerville is roughly at the center of the tri-county area. Click the map below to see the growing list of local bands.

Then click through to visit their websites...
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Relax with a nice float!
(suit is optional...)
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The Hempfield School District has had a long presence in Centerville with their Middle School.

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Just the Facts:
Centerville (GNIS FID: 1171469) is a populated place located within the Township of East Hempfield, a minor civil division (MCD) of Lancaster County.
The elevation of Centerville is 525 feet. Centerville appears on the Columbia East U.S. Geological Survey Map.
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At the southern boundry of the Centerville area, route 462 was once part of the Lincoln Highway

A multitude of small motor courts along the route attest to this history.
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Before the CVS moved in, the corner of Centerville Road and Marietta Ave looked like this.
At one time this was an art gallery.
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What's the weather like in Centerville? There are several local reporting stations- this one's on the ridge.
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If you need groceries there are several options.

Giant #6029 is fully stocked, and open 24/7.
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Not closed! The Right Angle simply downsized.

Still hanging around in our house.
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There is no reason to suffer from tooth ache in Centerville!

There are many dental care services here.
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Wiley's Pharmacy is at Centerville Point, a mini-mall across from the middle school.
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A stones throw from route 30 you'll find a Rodeway Inn.

As little as $55/night.
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Then there is this...

I don't actually know if it's a real nice place to raise your kids up or not.
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This small church, recently remodeled, had lately been home to a Pentecostal congregation.
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Steeplechase, a development at the intersection of Centerville and Nolt roads.

Seems like the northern boundry.
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CVS

This went up in 2013. It saves the ten minute drive to the next nearest one.
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Just the Facts:
According to the U.S. Board on Geographic Names there are 10 populated places named Centerville in Pennsylvania alone!!!

I doubt that any are as interesting as Centerville 17601.
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My niece laughs when I say "the" Marietta Pike, but that's what route 23 is called on this side of town.

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Valley View Farm lies just north of 23.

They have midget goats and pygmy ponies.
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Nobody knows why, but there's a purple barn here on the Marietta Pike.

It's always been purple.
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A large church on the western edge of the Centerville area is Hempfield UMC.
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Sometimes in the wee hours of morning...

...rollbacks drop off repos at Wheatland Federal.
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This bank captures the essence of tree-lined suburbia.
Take a stroll through the drive thru.
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It's kind of spooky.

Drop in
some time.
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A remarkable place.

Art Research produces fine art castings here in Centerville.
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Pretty things.

Paul Jacobs has a photo studio on the Marietta Pike.
For a long time it was Charles Studio.
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There are no parks in Centerville. The only playgrounds are private or at schools.

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It's not a friendly place for walkers.

The only sidewalks are around the CVS, along Noll road, and at Santander Bank.
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Weibel Orthodontics could pass for just another home along route 23.

Well, a home with a parking lot in the front yard, anyway.
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Productivity is up, up up!
Business software programming.
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With so many dental services here...

...of course there's a dental office designer!
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Girls apparel from Kahn Lucas.

I don't think they sell to the public at this location.
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If you want to buy a house in the Centerville you'll find people here to help you with a mortgage.
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Just the Facts:
In the early morning of September 30th, 2015, an EF-1 tornado ripped through parts of Centerville.

No deaths or injuries were reported.
Tornadoes are uncommon here.
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These guys can get you cabinets.

They are called "knock-down" cabinets. They go together quickly.
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Now that you've found a home, you're gonna need insurance.
Barry Adams can help.
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If it's a mortgage you're looking for...

...Centerville is one place to go for it.
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Looking for a family dentist?

There's a couple here to choose from.
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The "aye's" have it in this building on Estelle Drive.
G.J. Palmieri D.D.S. is a dental surgeon.
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David Cioffi provides footcare.

He is the second doctor listed here whose name ends in an "i".
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The "third i" here is Dombrowski.
Appropriately enough, he is an eye doctor.

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In the world of finance, who advises the advisors?

TeraVerde, apparently.
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Oculoplastics is a service provided by Dr. Stuart H. Goldberg

It involves surgical procedures related to the eyes and face.
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Medical Cosmetics.
They are here to help you look your best.
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Maps? Directions? Who needs 'em anymore?

But... driving lessons!
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A great little place on 23.

Breakfast til 2:00 PM at The Pantry.
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For those times in life when you need to be...

...puttin' on the Ritz.
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Billiards Plus
New and used billiard tables, supplies, and service.
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"Turkey Hill Dairy, On the Susquehanna"

They have a corporate campus here on Centerville road.
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Just the Facts:
The railroad line that runs through the valley was once known as the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad.

This schedule is from 1837, making it one of the earliest in America.
The stop in Hempfield may refer to a location in Centerville. There are stories of passengers disembarking for lunch at a farm with an enormous plane tree, and fine well water.
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Tucked away on Estelle Drive

you will find the law office of Alaine V. Grbach, Esq..
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RHEMA Medical and Wellness, LLC. has a great view from the upper deck.
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Union Community Bank

It sits just north of the tracks.
It's a blast when a train approaches the crossing here!
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Not just your ordinary jiu-jitsu. It's Brazilian jiu-jitsu!
Gracie.

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Lincare Medical has supplies for respiratory therapy.

They're on Hempland road (but they didn't inhale)
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BA Athletics has a large facility in the valley.

They host the local Strongman contest here.
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Prosource of Lancaster

Floor coverings, wholesale.
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Does your business need swag?
Swag is their business.
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If you've got the assets,

Strategic Endeavors has the time.
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U-Pack

You pack your own trailer or pod, then they pick it up and deliver it to the next place.
Then, of course, U-Unpack.
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Material handling and lots of other things.

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The snack
is back.
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Everything marketing from soup to nuts.
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Interface Performance Materials Inc.

Special products tailored to special requirements.
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The Standard Group.

If it can be printed, they will print it.
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Boilermakers.
Surprisingly quiet around here.
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Gerbert Limited

Commercial flooring.
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Site One

Landscaping supplies for contractors.
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Pacific Pride

Fuel for fleets.
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The UPS store.

Packing materials, print, copy and FAX services, P.O. boxes-
It's like the post office without the zip!
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Foto Fun #1
Can you spot two things...

...missing in this picture?
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Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

They don't believe in the www?
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Thos. Somerville

Plumbing fixtures and supplies- and showroom.
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Roberts Oxygen

Gasses and cryo.
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York Technical Institute

With the training you get here, you could land a job in Centerville.
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One of Centerville's longest-running attractions.

That Fish (now, Pet) Place
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Moove In

Self-storage with a Holstein theme.
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Schwan Foods

Frozen treats.
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Dressel Welding Supply

Medical gasses and welding supplies.
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Printed material

for businesses and organizations.
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Serta

A huge mattress warehouse.
Tell 'em L'il Abner sent you.
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MPC Industries

Precision machining.
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the Lancaster Area Sewer Authority

L.A.S.A, come home!
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American Heritage Property Management

Managing in excess of 3,000 residential units.
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Fast Signs

More than fast. More than signs.
Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it?
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EZ Solution

IT and marketing services.
More than meets the eye.
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Team First Federal Credit Union
Locally grown.
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Centerville Point
Centerville Point is a unique bi-level strip mall across from Centerville Middle School.

Nestled between the levels is one of the old style Turkey Hill Minit Markets with a newer gas island.
The Nissley Road shops are on the lower level, and there are professional offices on the upper level, along Centerville Road.
The two are connected by a tall stairway.
Just to the northwest of the mall proper are buildings currently housing the Oasis Christian Fellowship.
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Classical Numismatic Group

Dealers in coins that Nero may have fondled.
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Heavy industry in the valley.
ITT Engineered Valves
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Paccar Parts Division

Big Wigs
in
Big Rigs
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Fessenden Hall
Wood products.

Interesting name-
Mr. Hall preferred it to Bill.
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Ultra-Herley

Makers of electronics for avionics.
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Santander Bank

Located just off Columbia Ave in the Western Corners strip.
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Ohh La La Boutique

Classy consignments on the southern shores of Centerville.
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Arby's
One of several fast food chains in the valley.
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Berkeys Jewelry Box Inc

My precious.
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Cherryhill Villas

118 units ranging from studios to tri-level townhouses.
Plus a large yard for kids.
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Oasis Christian Fellowship

Church functions.
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Atwater Malick
Financial advice for individuals.
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One of the longest running retailers in Centerville.
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Deli Dining

This was the first of many suburban branches.
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Located in the Centerville Point complex.
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Modern Nails

They're somewhere in
Sycamore Court...
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Answer to Foto Fun #1

The sign is missing a part of the frame on the left side
and the first "I" in "Industrial"
The two people walking in the background are not missing.
They have been found and returned.
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You know what you're getting, unless someone is having a conference and orders lunch for 150 people.
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Grand Central Bagel

Not just for breakfast.
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With Fillings, one of the big names in dry cleaning around here.
Then they merged.
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State stores get fancy.

They now deliver.
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You can order online.
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Cards, gifts, notions.

Especially notions.
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Bonnie and Clyde shopped here.

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Frank Tunis

Commercial photography, websites.
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Right across Centerville Road from their arch rivals.
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Right across Centerville Road from their arch rivals.
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The Southernmost bank...

...in the Centerville area.
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Giant to Go

Here's where you redeem the points earned by shopping at their grocery store.
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Tileology.
Tile sales and installation.
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Family Behavioral Resources

Providing in-home aid.
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Chartwell Staffing Solutions
Nursing, tech, finance, HR and business.
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Sycamore Court
Sycamore Court went up between 1986 and 1988.

Located just to the South of the rail crossing on Centerville Road, there is a light at Old Tree Drive that actually allows a right on red- one of the few to do so along this stretch of highway.
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Quality Digital Office Solutions

Copiers sales and service.
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Sprint.
Newer than new.
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Chesterbrook Academy

Private preschool.
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Cafe East

Asian cuisine and sushi bar.
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Mysterious Centerville

On a hillside just to the west of Centerville Square lies what appears to be the base of an abandoned pyramid.
The spiral pattern in the middle is sort of Celtic though, so it's probably not of Egyptian origin.
Then there are the four "ventilation shafts", which seem to indicate a vast underground complex.
The road it's on is marked "DEAD END".
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Kindercare

Kids stuff.
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Cake and ice cream.
Have a party.
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David B. Shelley D.M.D.

Family dentist.
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Heather House
Send flowers.
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Keystone In-home
Care

The most intriguing logo, at the point.
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One long cooler!
Have a party.
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The little sweet shop...

...on the corner.
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Melange
Hair
Studio

Get some spice in your life.
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Centerville Nails

On the strip in the square.
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Rabbit food- and lots more.
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Centerville Cleaners

Aptly named.
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Moe's

Get some salsa in your life.
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Synatek

Wholesale groundskeeping supplies.
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It's a glass, man.

Replacement auto glass suppliers.
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Re-Bath

Bathroom remodeling.
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Salon Enso

Hipper hair.
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Historic Centerville

This plane tree (aka sycamore) is one of the largest in Pennsylvania. A good third of it- on the left in the picture- is missing, due to a lightning strike last century.
Over 300 years old, it lends its name to streets, courts
and malls in Centerville.
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One of three large feedmills along Hempland Road.
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Hubbard Feeds

One of three large feedmills along Hempland Road.
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Vector Security
Home security headquarters.
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Red Rose Arena

Hockey and soccer year round, since 1993.
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Ironstone Building Materials.
Open to the public.
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Snyder Appraisal Associates

Farm and rural property appraisers.
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Snavely's Architectural Millwork and Drywall

Materials distribution center.
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gsm Industrial

Metal fabrication and installation.
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Fabral

Metal wall and roof panels
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Transply Inc.

Motors, bearings and drives.
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Prestige Gymnastics

Gymnastics training, competition- and birthday parties.
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CPT Consolidation and Distribution

Central Penn Transportation.
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Just the Facts:
Neighborhood Scout compiles demographics.

They call this large residential area Centerville/Chestnut Ridge.
The geological feature that here is called Chestnut Ridge extends east into the Rohrerstown area, and west to the Susquehanna river. It's still wooded enough that deer are comfortable roaming along it. Sadly, they often attempt to cross route 30 near the Running Pump Road overpass. They should use the bridge!
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Steinmetz Coins and Currency
Numismatic expertise since 1974.
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Sunoco

Fuel up north of 30.
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Family dentistry from a family of dentists.
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Huttig Building Products

Residential
and light commercial.
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Anderson Material Handling

Dock equipment.
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My Power Clock LLC

A part of AKA Worldwide.
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Cardtique Ltd

Suppliers of cards and notions.
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Gerhart Coffee

An area institution.
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Marchwoods Pet Resort

Pet grooming and boarding.
North of 23.
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Dart Container
A company warehouse.
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AKA Worldwide LLC

Ventures.
The best name!
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Healthy Lifestyle Properties LLC

Another venture.
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Hating It:

Visitors can get caught in the light cycles on their way to one of the many attractions in Centerville and become hateful and embittered by the experience.
This is mostly caused by traffic entering the area from westbound route 30, and more specifically, traffic turning left from that ramp. It's a long ramp, and it's not uncommon to see traffic lined up all the way along the exit.
The state has a project. "Centerville Road Bridge on SR 4057 (Centerville Road T-408) over US 30 involves widening the bridge to 5 lanes". This project is currently in the study phase.
It is to be hoped that those studying this issue realise that unless a full cloverleaf interchange can be constructed, traffic will continue to be routed southbound on Centerville Road from 30 W inefficiently, and that the problem isn't caused by a lack of lanes on the bridge, but by traffic turning left at the light.
It is also hoped that the study recommends sidewalks-
and bike lanes?
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Vitamins, supplements.
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Centerville Elementary

Nearly 500 students in attendance.
Don't be tardy!
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Phillips Paint and Decorating Center

Located in the Woods Edge plaza.
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Aroogas

Drinks and dining south of 462.
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OneMain Financial

Loans, south of 462.
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Representing the theater arts.
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Pizza

In the square.
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Lancaster Velo

Speaking of bike lanes, these guys would love 'em.
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They love their pizza in Centerville.
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Zips Dry Cleaners

They love their dry cleaners in Centerville.
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Edward Jones

Investment advice.
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Bulbs too.
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Historic Centerville:

from "An Authentic History of Lancaster County: In the State of Pennsylvania"
By Jacob Isidor Mombert
...an old woman named Mary Ditcher, [who] used to go through the country making what was then known as improvements- a few sticks piled together, a fire kindled, and a pot hung over it, constituted a first right... This old Mary Ditcher seems to have been a rather singular personage. She is described as wandering through the woods, leading an old horse, her only property, with her knitting in her hand, and clad in a garment chiefly of sheepskin. This was called Hempfield Township, from the great quantity of hemp raised there.
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funny.

Now, if they had said Symposium...
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A nice view from the treehouse.
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Hershey Paper

Boxes and containers and more.
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Two wheels offroad.
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Access Centerville:
Not everyone drives to Centerville. There is a regular bus service- Red Rose Transit route 17- but it's a little strange.

Westbound, the bus leaves 462 and enters Centerville via Running Pump Road and Old Tree Drive.

Eastbound, the bus returns to 462 via Centerville Road without retracing its outbound route. If you don't know this, you might end up waiting for that bus home a long time.
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Spicer Systems Assembly Division

Central tire inflation systems.
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Wells Fargo Bank

Conveniently located near other banks.
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Clark Filter

Filter manufacturer.
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Oyster Point Family Health Center
Oyster Point is nearly Centerville.
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Salon Centric

Salon products distributer.
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Just Press Play

Gots game.
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They really love pizza in Centerville.
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Cadmus

Printers of scientific journals and such.
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Central PA Bloodbank

Give.
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Interiors Home

A really big furniture store.
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Leisure Lanes
Since 1959
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Planet RYO

Tobacconist.
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modeling
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Hair at Western Corners.

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Vive

Facial and bodyworks.
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Reliable Industries LLC

Recycling, reselling.
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Over Our Heads:
There are times when it seems there is a continuous stream of aircraft heading west high above Centerville. Here's proof that it's not just an illusion.

The dots indicate aircraft, in this case at 10:40 AM Eastern Time. The orange oval highlights one such stream of air traffic, mostly from JFK in New York, westbound above the area.
Click through for animation...
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David Miller Associates

Landscape architecture, civil engineering.
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Holiday Hair
Give your hair a vacay.
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Sun Hing

Chinese food.
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Verizon Wireless
At Western Corners.
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Nissin Foods

Feeding millions, one cup at a time.
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wholesale
fertilizer
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One Hour

Heating and Air Conditioning
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pump it up
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Careering.
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On cold winter mornings, the smell of cherry twizzlers carries for miles.
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Kegel's Produce

Another of the respected old area names.
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Hodge Tool Co

High speed precision machining.
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Sharing caring:
Karen Alderfer M.S.
Carol Gingerich LCSW
Daniel F. O'Neill Psy.D.
Beverly Fornoff M.AC.
Guinevere Crescenzi, M.AC.
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In the Manor West Commons complex
on 462
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True Precision Plastics

Injection molding.
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GG Schmitt and Sons
Accoutrements for boats.
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Electron Energy Corp.

???Answers to magnetic mysteries???
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Waste Management

Refuse removers
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Access Centerville redux:
Centerville is so extensive from North to South that two bus routes run through it. Red Rose Transit Route 18 officially ends at an Amtrak station in Elizabethtown, but on the way there it passes through Centerville on route 23.

If your destination is North of route 30, Route 18 probably involves the least walking.
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Racquet Club West

Indoor and outdoor tennis.
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Proficient Foods

Food distribution for big chains.
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Miracles Consignment Shop

No telling what you'll find.
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Tree of Life Health and Wellness Center

Balancing your actus et potentia.
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"Sweepstakes cafe"
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Skyline Rent to Own

Buying time.
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B S Wholesales

Discount clothing.
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Centerville Diner

Locals eat here.
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Bird-In-Hand Woodworks

schoolroom furnishings
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Civil engineering.
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Frantz Financial Services

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quality paper
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Ultrahealth Chiropractic

chiropractic service
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New, ultra modern banking.
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T-A-H Construction

They'll build it.
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Primerica

Financial matters.
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Candlewood Suites

the new Inn in town
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Why be in the dark?
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Compass Network Group

dental technical services
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Redwing

Work boots.
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Lacy Nails

In the Woods Edge plaza.
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Ed Grzybicki

Insure.
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Kimber

Accounting
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Head on in.
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Texture Walls and Painting Co.

Painting & pressure washing.
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Play Therapy

Looks like fun!
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Down on the farm.
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Dr. Silverstein and Associates

The G.P's.
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Aqua Solutions
+

Water treatment.
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Lancaster Chiropractic Clinic

He's got your back.
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Labosh Publishing

Help with autistic children.
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Insurance agent Eva Alexander.
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The Finished Line

Cosmetic tattoos.
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All-Penn Lawn Sprinklers

For a beautiful lawn.
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Iredescent Images Gallery

Original artwork.
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Edgeworth Insurance Group

Retirement planning.
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Performance Computing

Computer services.
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Website design and more.
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Audio recording, website design and such.
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