Penryn Fire Company is celebrating a century of service to the community this year with the new book "Penryn Fire Co. No. 1, 1912-2012: The First 100 Years." The 150-page paperback, with 60 color and black-and-white photos, is a history of Penryn as well as the fire company.

"Penryn has changed a lot in the past 100 years. Back in 1912, it was a busy little town; today it's a bedroom community," author Richard E. Martin said.

It was a fire at the local hotel that prompted the decision to organize a fire company, he noted, and information about that event and the fire company organizers are included in the book. The facts will be woven into a script for a narrated horse-drawn wagon tour of Penryn that will be held June 16 as part of the centennial celebration, he said.

The book also details the fundraising activities of the fire company, including festivals, dinners, theatrical readings and performances, spelling bees and the annual March Mud Sale.

Martin knows the inside story, as he joined Penryn Fire Company 50 years ago and was an active member for more than 25 years, serving as a firefighter, engineer, treasurer, president, assistant chief and hazmat technician.

Martin's late father-in-law, Jim Gibble, was a Penryn chief. The book features photos of all the fire company chiefs.

"This book was a labor of love. I was able to combine two things I enjoy —learning about local history and helping the fire company," said Martin, who previously wrote "When Yankee Doodle Came to Town," about a Revolution-era military hospital in Lititz.

His new book is available at Longenecker's True Value, Manheim, and at Bomberger's, Lititz. Cost is $15. Proceeds will be used to fund the fire company's centennial celebrations.

For more information on the book and centennial events, visit the fire company's website: penrynfire.com.