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Members and friends of Penn Central Conference -
We would like to take this opportunity to update the conference on the sale of Hartman Center, our beloved church camp in Milroy, PA.
Settlement of the property was held today, Monday, December 20th. Shirley Keith Knox, on behalf of the conference, signed the final sales agreement and the property now transfers to its new owners - Benjamin Stoltzfus, Mervin King, John Stoltzfus and John Rodriques. They are located in Tyrone PA. The new owners will be adding RV sites to the property and will also provide conference, wedding and retreat type services to the public.
Under the leadership of your board of directors, Scott Owens was appointed to chair the sale committee. The committee included Ron Royer, Marvin Rudnitsky, Marilyn Meech, Phil Landers, Rev. Ann Graves, and Rev. Dr. Carrie Call. Initially, a local farmer/businessman was part of the group to share local issues related to the community and the area. We are so grateful to this committee for their commitment to this process, as they fully understood what this camp has meant to so many within the Penn Central Conference. We THANK THEM for their willingness to shepherd this piece of God's Creation into its next life.
The board of directors, via Scott Owens and High Associates, were regularly updated on the property and their work resulted in two offers. The property sold for $1,100,000 and the sale was managed by High Associates.
Since there was still work to be accomplished and conditions to be met, the board could not make the buyer's name public until now. Before settlement could occur, a number of issues were identified and were corrected with some not completed until this month. For example, we continued to deal with freshwater leaks in the sewer system which needed to be corrected. An old oil tank was found buried on the property and it needed to be removed and the soil tested prior to settlement. In addition, the buyer requested a full property survey which was completed by a local surveyor. The conference will be reimbursed for the expenses incurred from the sale. The remaining money will go into a fund established by the Board of Directors called the "Outdoor Ministries and Programming Investment Fund" for distribution of the money for outdoor ministry activities.
The paintings that hung in Michaux Lodge, done by German prisoners of war at former Camp Michaux, were given back to the PA Dept Conservation and Natural Resources, who will eventually display them at the Cumberland County Historical Museum as part of their exhibit about Camp Michaux.
As we say goodbye to Hartman Center, we appreciated the events that were held at the camp to enjoy it for one last time and to remember what this camp means to so many. Please join me in thanking the Hartman Center Sale Committee and your Board of Directors for their work towards the sale of the camp. We are so thankful that we have so many other opportunities with the Lutheran Camping Association and others to worship and play in God's wonderful creation. Stay tuned for more information about the Outdoor Ministries of Penn Central Conference!
Blessings,
Shirley Keith Knox, Moderator, Penn Central Conference
Scott Owens, Chairperson, Hartman Sale Committee
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