The courtroom for Magisterial District 02-3-06 has been located at 745B E. Main St., New Holland, since 1984. Judge Richard Reeser was the first to preside at the bench, followed by Judge Carl Good and then Judge Rod Hartman, who began his judgeship in 2000. "I took over in 2018, and we did a court expansion and remodeled (at that time)," said Judge Jonathan W. Heisse.

The judge's bench, however, remained unchanged. "I knew what I wanted to make it look 21st century," said Heisse, who pointed out the screens that had been added to update courtroom technology. He also wanted the top of the bench lowered for a better visual of the courtroom over which he presides.

In 2022, Heisse spoke to Bob Winegardner, who was then chairman of the Garden Spot Village (GSV) Wood Shop operating committee. "(Winegardner) made a commitment to the judge to update his courtroom," said Larry Knepper, who joined forces with fellow GSV Wood Shop member Rolf Fehrenbach to complete the desk. In mid-summer of 2023, Knepper, who was manager and operating chair of the GSV Wood Shop at that time, and Fehrenbach met with Heisse in the courtroom. "(Judge Heisse) wanted it to look more modern," recalled Knepper. He and Fehrenbach took photos of the dark brown paneled bench.

"They had the vision," said Heisse. Fehrenbach created a sample of the paneling with an added top section painted gray so that Heisse could envision the finished desk. The design used lighter-colored paneling, lowered the top section by two inches, and extended the bench on both sides.

In early December 2023, when Heisse left for a southern vacation, Knepper and Fehrenbach used their skills to complete the design, working sometimes full days for the entire week. "We put paneling over the existing desk," said Knepper, who noted that Fehrenbach completed much of the prep work in the wood shop so that it only needed to be installed over the old desk. Fehrenbach also finished the painting of the top section. Members of Heisse's staff sent a photo of the completed desk to Heisse before he returned from vacation. "(Knepper and Fehrenbach) did a fantastic job," said Heisse, who first used the desk to sign papers on Dec. 9, 2023, and presided from the improved bench a few days later on Dec. 11. "It's exactly what I wanted." Additional updates to the courtroom included Winegardner and Gordon Lash refurbishing tables that came from the county court.

Heisse explained that the building where the court is located is rented from Vernon Martin, so any changes are negotiated and covered by the landlord.

Heisse also pointed out that he expected to be pleased with the update. "I had nothing but confidence in these guys," he said.

More information about GSV is available at http://www.gardenspotvillage.org.