ABOUT ME

 The Laughman family has established a reputation for themselves in this community for a number of years. My grandfather on my mother’s side (who was a Lauchman) owned the general store across from the old Spring Grove High School. I heard many stories of area residents frequenting that store after getting out of class as students and teachers, and so many who shopped there on a weekly basis. My great grandfather worked for what is now the store in Menges Mills owned by the Myers family. Another relative owned the Laughman Sawmill near Porter’s Sideling. 

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My family lived above the Lauchman’s general store for a few years before moving to my grandfather’s farm at the corner of Old Hanover and Iron Ridge roads. This farm is still in our family today. It was a simple, sometimes challenging life, that taught me about appreciating what you have, hard work and the importance of family. I can recall many memories of riding on the tractor, fishing in the nearby creek, raising, picking and selling sweet corn, mowing a lot of grass and helping in the chicken house and packing eggs. I learned at an early age that farmers are the backbone of this country and because of my upbringing, today I am friends or have relationships with almost all the farmers in Heidelberg Township. 
 

In my teenage years, I was involved as a junior firefighter at Porters Fire Company. My wife was involved in 4-H and we met while she was volunteering for this organization at a tractor show in Juniata County, where she lived. I also just happened to be attending that same show and knew instantly she was “the one” for me. We dated long distance for a couple of years, later married and settled in this area. We have been married for 19 years and have eight (this is not a typo) children. I hope that many of them will settle in this area once they become adults. 
 

In 2012, we purchased a house and acreage down the road from my grandfather’s farm. We run a small farm and have a number of animals; dogs, cats, horses, chickens, guineas, ducks, turkeys, quail, and goats, to name a few. I also work full time for Columbia Gas, and my prior employment and experience includes P. H. Glatfelter as a water treatment operator and H & H Contracting, where I acquired knowledge of maintaining and operating heavy equipment. I have been on the Heidelberg Township Planning Commission for a number of years and was appointed to the Water Committee last year. I serve as chairman for both committees. 
 

Even though I already serve on two important committees, I feel that there is no better way to serve this great community than to be a township supervisor. I am committed to seeing this community stay the way it is…small, beautiful and rural. My family is rooted in this community and I would like to make them proud and have future generations experience what I have for so long!