Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville

BY CAT SHANNON
With a focus on sustainability and an opportunity for community connection, several organizations are coming together to host “Go Green, Columbia!” The allday event will be held on Friday, April 25.
Organizers include Sahd Metal Recycling, LCSWMA, Columbia Borough, Columbia Borough Police, Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission, Columbia Park Rangers, Columbia Merchants Association and the Susquehanna National Heritage Area.
Activities will begin with the
Columbia Borough Police spring cleanup, which will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Columbia Borough employees and community volunteers will work together to clean streets, sidewalks and parks. A large appliance collection will also take place during the cleanup, with tags for sale at the Columbia Borough office, 308 Locust St. For more information on the cleanup, contact Pam Armold at 717-684-7735 or armoldp@columbiapd.org.
As this year marks the 20th anniversary of Sahd Metal Recycling’s Earth Day celebration and the 33rd annual Arbor Day observance in the borough, a
combined Earth Day and Arbor Day celebration will also be part of the day’s events. It will be held at Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., from 5 to 7:30 p.m. And the event coincides with Columbia’s 4th Friday as well, which will be held in the evening.
“Both Sahd Metal Recycling and the Shade Tree Commission realized we were doing separate events with many of the same participants, so we wanted to bundle it up and make a big town-wide celebration that could incorporate the town cleanup, 4th Friday Columbia and our event,” explained Dan Sahd,
BY CAT SHANNON
For a fun-filled, family-focused experience, head out to Egg Fest. The event, organized by Wrightsville Assembly of God, will be held in the parking lot of Eastern York High School, 720 Cool Creek Road, Wrightsville, on Saturday, April 19. It will run from 9 to 11 a.m.
The event is free and offers a new take on the traditional Easter egg hunting experience, said lead pastor Aaron McNatt, who noted that Egg Fest organizers are prepared for a big turnout.
Instead of a traditional egg hunt where everyone shows up at a certain time, egg collecting stations will be open for
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
Tom Ohlhaber could have moved anywhere after he retired.
He was so intent on volunteering at the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania that he chose to live someplace within driving distance of Strasburg.
In honor of his dedication and know-how, Ohlhaber, who resides in Wrightsville, was named the museum’s Volunteer
of the Year for 2025 by the Friends of the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s board of directors.
He will be formally recognized by the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission at a ceremony at Landis Valley Museum on Saturday, April 26, and during the annual Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s Members Day banquet on Saturday, Sept. 27. Ohlhaber was caught offguard by the news that he won
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
Like golfers who win the Masters Tournament and the green jackets tailored for them, Good Samaritan Services (Good Sam) and Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. (EPC) are ideally suited for one another.
The two communityminded organizations are once again linking up for
the 18th annual EPC Golf Outing benefiting Good Samaritan Services.
The charity event will be held Friday, June 6, at Crossgates Golf Club, 1 Crossland Pass, Millersville. There will be two sessions of golf. The first will tee off at 7:30 a.m., and the second will start at 1:30 p.m. A light breakfast and a chicken barbecue lunch will be served to the morning groups; the afternoon groups will receive a light café lunch and a chicken barbecue meal for dinner. The deadline to register is Friday, May 23. Go to https://epcgolfouting.com for more information and to register.
Individuals or businesses that wish to sponsor the event or provide prizes can visit the aforementioned website or email EPC marketing and communications director Dan Silva at marketing @engleonline.com.
“We want to be involved with the communities we serve,” said Jocelyn Engle, who is EPC’s publisher. “We know that some people just need an extra boost in times of need, and this was a perfect fit for us.”
Rachel Shelley, the director of marketing for Good Samaritan Services, agrees. “We love our partnership with EPC,” said Shelley. “Obviously, the funding that comes from the golf outing is helpful in supporting our mission (and) funding the work that we do in the community. Also, EPC is obviously so well-connected, and this is a great awareness-building event for us, too.”
Good Sam has locations across Lancaster and Chester counties and every day serves about 300 people who are in crisis. “Our mission is to respond with compassion to individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness,” Shelley said. Anyone who needs assistance from Good Samaritan Services can go to https:// goodsamservices.org. A Good Sam representative will conduct a screening via a phone call to determine if the organization can help.
EPC is carrying on a family tradition started by company founder Alvin Engle, who was Jocelyn’s grandfather. Alvin was involved with numerous philanthropic endeavors and
set the tone for the company going forward, Jocelyn said.
Since its inception, the golf outing has generated nearly $300,000 for neighbors in need. “We want to make the experience memorable for golfers and also make sure community members are aware of what Good Sam does,” Jocelyn said. “We want to (send the message) that everyone is included. We want to make sure (the golf outing is) affordable for everybody to take part. … I think what’s so neat about our event is we’ve had so many returning sponsors and golfers because it is
something people look forward to every year.”
Many of Good Sam’s 30 staff members will volunteer at the golf event. “Our staff loves coming to the golf outing,” Shelley said. “It’s such a cool day for our staff. A lot of them are working directly with the people we serve every day providing case management, and it’s a heavy job. It’s important, important work. It’s really important for our staff to come on the day of the golf outing and see the community support for the work that they’re doing.”
BY CAT SHANNON
“We’re helping girls get a sense of who they are,” said Laura Pepper, educational institute program coordinator for the Girls’ Leadership Camp. “A camp like this is important because girls don’t have a lot of in-person experiences with an allaround focus and an opportunity to connect their lives to the lives of other girls and get to know them in a meaningful way.”
The camp, which is organized by the PA Masonic Youth Foundation, will be held from Sunday, July 20, through Friday, July 25, at
the Patton Campus, 1244 Bainbridge Road, Elizabethtown. It is open to girls ages 10 to 14.
This is the third year for the
camp, which evolved from a brainstorming session to promote female leadership.
“We want girls to be able to take the lead in their lives, their community and beyond,” Pepper said.
resilience, and the camp will wrap up with sessions on aspirations and goals.
Good Samaritan Services
executive director Nate Hoffer will attend the outing. “His true passion for what he and his team members do has been fun for us to watch as an organization, because we know everyone is being taken care of by Good Sam,” said Jocelyn.
Only 3% of Good Samaritan Services’ budget is funded by the government.
“People have been generous and kind in supporting and believing in the work we do,” said Shelley.
Good Sam will be expanding its impact with two homes in Phoenixville. It will be the first time Good Sam will offer housing for women in Phoenixville. The homes will continue to provide safe housing for women facing homelessness, with the added resources of Good Sam.
Shelley stated Good Sam takes an individualized approach to caring for
clients. “Everyone in crisis has their own individual story,” she said. “They are on a unique path on how they are going to reach stability.”
Clients meet oneon-one with a resource coordinator, who provides case management with “bite-size goals” for them to work on, Shelley said. She added Good Sam team members “take this large problem of crisis and break it into sizable goals while walking alongside them in that journey and equipping them with tools.”
There are no quick fixes. The goal is to remove any barriers that might be in the way of clients achieving long-term housing stability.
Courtney and her 3-yearold daughter, Cherish, were the first family to move into Good Samaritan Services’ Lancaster city residence for women and children, which opened last year.
“Good Sam Services has gone out of their way to make sure I have everything I need and more,” Courtney said. “The opportunities I’ve received are truly a blessing. They helped keep me going when I could have quit, and I’m so grateful for their support. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can breathe.”
Each year’s camp has a theme, and this year will be focused on women’s history, with a specific daily emphasis. The first day will highlight female role models throughout history. Day two will spotlight leadership qualities. On day three, girls will discuss connections, friendships and social pressures. Day four will focus on courage and
Along with sessions where girls can meet and interact with local leaders such as small business owners, campers will enjoy arts and crafts, including creating tie-dye shirts.
“Girls like to sign each other’s shirt at the end of the week, sort of like signing a yearbook,” Pepper said.
Campers will also have opportunities to use the indoor, heated swimming pool, play games and participate in STEM activities.
Camp from pg 3
Girls’ Leadership Camp offers opportunity for fun and games, as well as personal growth.
Representatives from Samaritan Counseling Center will host mindfulness activities, and campers will learn to make and decorate French pastries with the owner of Elizabethtown-based Valosh Pâtisserie.
More than 40 girls attended the first year’s camp, and while enrollment was down slightly last year,
Pepper is optimistic about filling the spaces this year. The camp can accept up to 45 girls, and a few scholarships are available for families in need.
Volunteers are also needed to help with the camp, and people can help out for a day or all week. About half of the campers return each year, a good
See Camp pg 9
from pg 1
the entirety of the event. Rather than racing to collect eggs, kids can visit the different stations and pick out eggs. Families can come at any point between 9 and 11 a.m., and kids are guaranteed to come home with candy-filled eggs, he said.
Along with the egg hunts, Egg Fest will feature a bounce house, an inflatable obstacle course, a flower farm, kids’ activities and free family photos with the Easter bunny. Food will be available for purchase from local food trucks, including Savory’s Funnel Cakes, Café 301 and Pappy’s BBQ. With the exception of the food, all activities at Egg Fest will
kids crying tears because they didn’t get any eggs at the egg hunt - and we’re avoiding that catastrophe by having kids get a map and go to egg stations where they can collect eggs at five different stations at the event,” said McNatt, explaining the inspiration behind the event’s unique setup. “So every kid will go home with a bag full of eggs and will have a great day on the inflatables and at the flower farm and doing the other activities!”
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“A lot of people have had the experience of
*Child care services are available for children aged five and under during all Holy Week services except for the 8:30 a.m. service.
17 APR. MAUNDY THURSDAY
In this service, we will commemorate the Last Supper and the events of Jesus’ last hours on earth, leading up to the crucifixion. 7:00 P.M.
18 APR. GOOD FRIDAY
7:00 P.M.
On Good Friday, Christian believers take time to remember the crucifixion. This service of readings and music will remind us of what Jesus endured on our behalf.
20 APR. EASTER SUNDAY
Join us as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 8:30 A.M. 10:00 A.M.
We are a community of followers of Jesus Christ who know Jesus as Savior and Lord. We worship together to glorify God as His people. We welcome, value, and accept people from all backgrounds. We care for one another in mutual love. We grow together in our ability to respond to God’s Word. We serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.
Wrightsville Assembly of God has been holding community Easter events for many years. Over time, the festivities outgrew the church’s space, so organizers moved the activities to the high school, where even more people could enjoy the event.
McNatt noted that community events such as Egg Fest are important to the congregation. “Our church logo is a bridge, and our mission is ‘leading people from where they are to where God wants them to be,’” he stated. “Events like Egg Fest are important to us because they are bridge-builder events. It’s often been said, and I believe, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. And so we love opportunities like Egg Fest where we can just show the love of Christ to our community and bring smiles to their faces.”
Wrightsville Assembly of God will also hold Palm Sunday and Easter services at Eastern York High School’s Performing Arts Center. The Palm Sunday service will take place on April 13 at 10 a.m. On Easter Sunday, April 20, there will be services at 9 and 11 a.m. For all Sunday services, nursery, preschool and kids’ ministry will be available for families with young children.
For more information, visit www.wrightsville church.com.
team leader at Sahd Metal Recycling, noting that the festivities will be “a celebration of sustainability in a beautiful setting displaying why sustainable living is so important.”
Additional activities throughout the day will include booths with local vendors and organizations, environmental education opportunities, food and music.
The first 300 people who register for the event through Sahd Metal Recycling will receive a free dinner from Rocky’s BBQ. The meal will include a sandwich, chips and a soda.
People will also have a chance to win a free ice cream sundae from Coffee and Cream by being among the first 100 submissions in an Earth Day Challenge.
“Ice cream is for that event day only,” Sahd explained, noting that people may complete the challenge at https://recycleyourmetal .com/earth-day/earth-day -challenge/. “The Earth Day Challenge was created to help people of all ages learn a bit more about sustainability.”
At Columbia Crossing,
activities will include an Arbor Day ceremony, where each year a Columbia High School senior is chosen to read the poem “Trees” by Joyce Kilmer. This year, Loudon Rupp will read the poem. Loudon, the son of Scott and Kari Rupp, is a three-year member of the Columbia High School football team. He served as captain for the 2024 season. He also earned 100 wins as a four-year member of the varsity wrestling team, played for four years on the varsity baseball team, is a member of both the National Honor Society and Student Council and serves as president for the Class of 2025. After graduation, he will attend Alvernia University to study criminal justice and has committed to join the wrestling team.
The annual Arbor Day celebration honors Columbia Borough’s designation as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation.
The Columbia Tree Society is currently in the midst of its 2025 membership drive, raising funds as the auxiliary of the Columbia
Borough Shade Tree Commission. Residents are encouraged to support the effort to plant street trees, as well as trees in yards, parks and public spaces.
Each year, the tree society selects a distinguished resident of Columbia to serve as honorary chair for the drive. This year, Amy Evans has this honor. She and her husband, Justin, joined the effort to maintain trees in the borough when they moved to the area in 2008. Amy served as chair of the Shade Tree Commission from 2016 to 2023.
Wrapping up the events of “Go Green, Columbia!” the Columbia Merchants Association will host its monthly 4th Friday event. Activities will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. throughout the downtown area and will include specials and promotions at numerous locations.
Although this is the first year for “Go Green, Columbia!” organizers are optimistic about its reception.
“‘Go Green, Columbia!’ will provide opportunities for community members to connect and support local organizations and green
initiatives and will serve as a great resource for those who are interested in finding ways to get involved and volunteer,” said Julie Lehmer, chair of the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission.
Sahd agreed, adding that hosting the event in a rivertown adds to the impact of the event.
“It’s free family fun, and there’s no better way to expose your kids to sustainability than with hands-on exhibits at one of the largest Arbor Day celebrations in the state,” he said. “We’ll have contests, prizes and the ability to take in Columbia’s 4th Friday with a free trolley ride to the shopping district.”
For more information and to register for the giveaways, visit www .ticketleap.events/tickets/ sahd-metal-recycling/ go-green-columbia. For more information on the Columbia Borough Shade Tree Commission, visit www.columbia pa.net/government /boards_commissions _committees/shade_tree _commission.php.
the award. He had been nominated before, but he said it was an unwritten rule that members of the board were not selected. “Then people forget that you’re even there anymore,” he joked. “So it was a surprise to me.”
Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania director Patrick C. Morrison said, “Tom is a team player who is eager to learn and to impart his knowledge to others. I have always been impressed by Tom’s amazing generosity and resourcefulness, especially when it comes to serving our visitors and advocating for our museum. He is a singular wit and a studious interpreter who is willing to lend a hand whenever and wherever his services are needed.”
Ohlhaber’s infatuation
with railroads began when he was a child in Chicago and lived three blocks away from the North Western Railway and the Chicago Elevated, known as the “L.” His uncle lived near a major railroad yard.
“Chicago is the railroad capital of the country,” Ohlhaber said. “Everything goes through there, all the major railroads.”
His family owned a car, but it was only used by his father to travel to his job in the suburbs. Otherwise, the family took rapid transit. Ohlhaber discovered if he hurried aboard, he could ride in the special seat in the front, next to the
motorman, where he would be able to peer out of the front of the train.
His love of trains took a seat in the caboose during his distinguished career as a physicist.
By the time they leave, I have given them (knowledge) they can take home with them. That’s very important to me.”
After earning a master’s degree in physics from Northern Illinois University, Ohlhaber taught math and physics at a Detroit high school and then became a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, a uniformed service with a similar rank system as the military.
Following a 20-year career working in Maryland, Ohlhaber retired from the U.S. Public Health Service and returned to the Chicago area to take a job in private industry for 14 years. He returned to the D.C. area and worked another eight years in the D.C. suburbs before retiring in 2011. Ohlhaber desired to leave the D.C. area and was determined to stay busy during retirement.
“I knew I needed to have something dramatic to do that would keep me busy, something different than physics. I enjoyed my career immensely, did some wonderful things, but I didn’t want to do that as a consultant for the rest of my life.”
He researched railroad museums before deciding on the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania because he liked the laid-back atmosphere and freedom given to volunteers.
One of his jobs at the museum is allowing visitors to sit in the engineer’s seat and showing them how to operate the engine.
“Most of the stuff we have at the museum I’m pretty knowledgeable about after all these years,” said Ohlhaber. “I can open virtually any of those pieces and take people up there and keep them entertained. …
We get a lot of people who don’t know anything about railroads for the most part.
He also helps with merit badge workshops, maintains some of the equipment, and leads tours of the restoration shop on Sundays. His physics background gives him a greater appreciation of the technology used by railroads. “I’m a scientist. I have curiosity about things,” said Ohlhaber, who with his wife, Karen, has two grown daughters and two granddaughters. “We have all these huge pieces of equipment that have technology in them. Railroads were technology leaders. The signal systems they used. The way they communicated. All these things were state-of-the-art when they were done.”
Railroad Museum volunteer coordinator Elizabeth Myers said, “Tom has the ability to take very high concepts and topics that would maybe be intimidating to the layperson and really break it down in an easily digestible way. Tom works so well with kids, with young people, with older and retired people. We get the whole gamut of ages at the museum, and to be able to talk about the technology and history in a way that’s easily translatable to all those demographics is actually very difficult, but Tom makes it look easy. He has a wonderful, easygoing spirit, which makes him an integral part of everything we do.”
Grace Baptist Church of York, 3920 East Prospect Road, has posted its Easter season events.
The children of the church will present an Easter musical on Sunday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. The production is “The Best Ending Ever!” In the show, a group of kids at Miss Tex’s Donkey Dude Ranch compete in a fishing tournament while waiting for an afternoon donkey ride. The children learn stories involving a donkey and some fish.
A Good Friday service will take place on April 18 at 7 p.m.
The Easter Sunday festivities on April 20 will
begin at 7 a.m. with an outdoor sunrise service. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the sanctuary.
A buffet breakfast will be served in the multipurpose room following the service. Reservations are required by contacting the church office at 717-7550091 or gracebaptistyork @comcast.net.
Sunday school classes for people from infants to adults will be held at 9:30 a.m. A worship service featuring Communion will occur at 10:45 a.m. For further information, visit www.gracebaptist york.com or call the aforementioned number.
Hannah Bost of Columbia was named a Scholar Athlete for the fall 2024 season.
Bost attends Wilson College, Chambersburg, in the United East Conference.
In order to be selected as a Scholar Athlete, a student-athlete competing in
a fall conference-sponsored sport must have achieved a grade point average of 3.2 or greater for the fall semester and must have been in good standing on his or her team. Wilson had 63 honorees, a record for the school’s fall sports.
Our community papers (Merchandiser, Advertiser, Pennysaver and Community Courier) had a strong showing at the Mid-Atlantic Community Papers Association (MACPA) 2024 awards competition. MACPA is an association of publishers in Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Our 2024 awards include the following:
Community Service Section/Guide: Southern Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce
Timely/Themed Section or Guide: Legacy & Innovation
Small Ad - Black/White: American Legion Post 662
Salesperson: Justin Geibe
Graphic Designer: Wendy Stahl
Small Ad - Color: Ebersole’s Vacuum
Salesperson: Paul Homick
Graphic Designer: Jeremy Knaub
Original Writing - News Story: Hudson Rice Has A Heart For Helping
Writer: Jeff Falk
Original Writing - Feature Story: Book Provides Meaning, Perspective
To Unimaginable
Writer: Jeff Falk
Community Service Section/Guide: Christmas in Manheim
Restaurant/Entertainment Ad:
C. R. Lapp’s Family Restaurant
Salesperson: Ina Bunnell
Graphic Designer: Jeremy Knaub
Original Writing - News Story: Creating Blankets Of Comfort
Writer: Francine Fulton
Original Writing - Feature Story: Yurick Hopes To Inspire Others With New Podcast
Writer: Francine Fulton
Community Service Section/Guide: Lititz recCenter Fall
Timely/Themed Section or Guide: Lancaster Family Spring/Summer
Grocery Ad: John Herr’s Village Market
Salesperson: Paul Homick
Graphic Designer: Wendy Stahl
Timely/Themed Section or Guide: AgCulture
Timely/Themed Section or Guide: Gift Local
Restaurant/Entertainment: Laudermilch’s Meats
Salesperson: Darry Yocum
Graphic Designer: Jeremy Knaub
Original Writing - Feature Story: Café Is Purrfect Blend Of Coffee And Adoptable Cats And Kittens
Writer: Francine Fulton
Original Writing - Feature Story: Saying Goodbye To Bus Number 5
Writer: Ann Mead Ash
LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sixth & Locust Streets Columbia, PA 17512 Rev. Richard Whitesel
MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE
*Thursday, April 17th, 7 p.m.
GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
*Friday, April 18th, 7 p.m.
VIGIL OF EASTER
Resurrection of Our Lord
*Saturday, April 19th, 7 p.m. EASTER DAY
Resurrection of Our Lord
*Sunday, April 20th, 10:15 a.m.
*Events listed here will be live streamed on Facebook & will be available to watch on “Saint John’s Lutheran Columbia, PA” YouTube Channel after the live event.
•
• INFO FROM PA DESTINATIONS & ATTRACTIONS
• FREE KIDS’ ACTIVITIES
• REPTILE SHOW
• EXHIBITOR GIVEAWAYS
• FOOD TRUCKS
• MASCOTS
• MASCOTS
• ONE ATTENDEE WILL WIN A VACATION IN POTTER/ TIOGA COUNTIES FOR 4 VALUED UP TO $2,000!
It’s the most fun you'll have planning your vacation!
It’s the most fun you'll have planning your vacation!
JOHN BONFIELD ELEMENTARY GYM
BY CAT SHANNON
Each year, the Make-AWish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy travels through the county, bringing smiles to the faces of people along the route and raising funds for children facing life-threatening illnesses. You can be part of the fun by joining the event as a Make-A-Wish clown.
Participating as a clown is a fun and easy way to support the effort, said Amy Nolt, whose clown name is hArMonY.
“Pretty much anybody can be a clown,” she said. “I used to be very introverted, but I love doing this.”
• ONE ATTENDEE WILL WIN A VACATION IN THE ENDLESS MOUNTAINS FOR 4 VALUED UP TO $2,000! OUR SPONSORS
OUR SPONSORS
To help people get into clown character, Amy holds classes at her Lititz home.
“We teach people how to put on makeup, how to choose their clown name and outfit,” she said. “We teach them clown etiquette and give pointers on how to interact with people.”
Clown opportunities are available for people of all ages, she said, and no special skills are required.
“Some people do magic tricks as they walk around. Some people do balloons. We had an acrobat last year, but you don’t have to be able to do anything other than be available to walk around, talk to the kids, take pictures with the Wish kids,” she said. “Some people like to hand out stickers or little
items to give away.”
This year’s Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy will be held on Saturday, May 10, at the Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 1190 Lancaster Road, Manheim. A family fest will begin at 9 a.m., and the truck convoy will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Since 1990, almost 12,000 trucks have driven in the convoy, and the event has raised more than $9.2 million, granting wishes to more than 900 children in the Susquehanna Valley.
Amy and her husband, Mark, have been organizing the clowns for about 10 years. Amy has been involved with Make-AWish for almost 30 years.
“I started in college as part
COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 360 Locust St. in Columbia, Rev. David C. Powers, phone: 717-684-6271, Sunday Morning Worship 10am. Handicap accessible. 4th Street Cafe Coffeehouse 1st & last Sunday @5pm with community meal. Free Clothing Bank Mondays 9-11am & Tuesdays 5-7pm.
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH: welcomes you to Love God, Love Others, and Reach Out with us! Join us for worship on Sundays at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 a.m. We’re located at 331 Anderson Ferry Road in Marietta (off Rt 441 on Rt 772). Learn more at cbcpa.org.
FAITH BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: 151 Donnerville Rd., Lancaster (one block south of Columbia Avenue). Pastor: Keith M. Long. 8:45 am Sunday School (with nursery and classes for children, youth and adults); 10:15 a.m. SundayWorship Service (with nursery and children’s church). Wed.: 6:30 p.m. AWANA Clubs (K6); Wed.: 6:30 pm Youth Group 717-285-1900. www.faithbfc.com
OPEN DOOR MISSION MIRACLE LIFE
CHURCH: 201 S 2nd St. Wrightsville Bridging gaps, Uplifting Lives, Revealing God's Love. Pastor Stephen Rambler Sundays 10:30AM & 6:30PM ODMMLC.COM 717-854-1220
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH: Sixth & Locust St., Columbia. Pastor: Rev. Richard Whitesel. In-Person Worship Schedule: Wed. 10:15 am, Sun. 10:15 am. Sunday service is also available on Facebook live & YouTube. Holy Eucharist at all services. Handicap accessible. Meals on Wheels ministry 717-684-4244, church office 717-6842763. www.stjohnscol.org
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH: 243 Hellam Street in Wrightsville. (717-252-2417) Sunday morning service at 9:15am with Holy Eucharist. Handicap accessible. We can be found on Facebook.
Please Note: Updates can be made to your church’s listing for 1st issue date of each month only.
(Changes must be submitted by the previous Wednesday.) For More Information On Church Listings And Rates, Call Justin at 717-492-2533
of a clown ministry,” she said, noting that when the previous clown organizer found out Amy had clowned in college, he invited her to help out with the convoy. For her character, Amy dresses in a rainbow-striped outfit covered in music notes. Her husband, whose clown name is Teed Off, dresses as a golfer.
Clowns pg 9
Senior Commons at Powder Mill, 1775 Powder Mill Road, York, hosts a dementia education and support group that offers informative topics to support the well-being of older adults with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia and their family care partners. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month beginning at 6 p.m. The next meeting on Thursday, April 17, will focus on “The Dementia Action Plan” and the “Seven Steps to Take in the Face of Dementia.” Attendees will learn the basics of the who, what, where, when and why of dementia care in the present and future. By utilizing the seven simple steps, people will have the potential to make a lasting impact on their ability to successfully navigate life as a caregiver, partner or as someone living with dementia.
Attendees are asked to register by Wednesday, April 16, by calling 717741-0961 or emailing dadams@powdermill.com.
Members of Lancaster’s Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Jesse Jones Squadron 304 participated in Aviation Career Day held at the Lancaster Airport in Lititz on Feb. 25. Aviation Career Day, known as Flightpath, attracted about 100 local high school students who are interested in pursuing aviation careers. Hosted by the Lancaster Airport, the event featured a panel of industry leaders that was led by John Sibole of Eastern Mennonite University. The panel included experts such as an aviation engineer, an airport manager, avionics specialists, airplane mechanics, charter and commercial pilots, life flight helicopter pilots, and air traffic controllers. They provided information about their careers, the education required to pursue those careers, and ways to fund that education. The CAP cadets from Squadron 304 contributed to the event by hosting interactive flight simulators and engaging with students in discus -
from pg 8
The clowns entertain the crowd before the truck convoy departs from the Manheim Auto Auction and then walk along the convoy route, spreading joy as they go.
“We try to cover the entire 26-mile route, but we need help to do that,” Amy said. “We had 14 clowns last year, and that was a big number for recent years. In the past, we’ve had as many as 40 clowns. Trying to cover 26 miles with a few people is a little daunting.”
When she says people of all ages can participate as clowns, she means it. “We take any age,” she said. “Our oldest clown last year was 85. Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by a parent
sions about aerospace and leadership.
Jesse Jones Squadron 304 meets each Monday except holidays at 7 p.m. in the Venture Jets hangar, which is located at the Lancaster Airport near the intersection of Lititz Pike and Millport Road. Visitors are welcome.
The Civil Air Patrol is the all-volunteer U.S. Air Force auxiliary. To learn more, visit www.gocivilairpatrol .com or www.cap.news.
from pg 4
or other responsible adult.”
If people are interested in supporting the fundraiser but don’t want to dress up as clowns, there are opportunities to walk the route as a non-clown as well, she said.
Clown classes are held on an as-needed basis, and Amy said she’s available to teach a class on any Saturday or Sunday in April, except for Easter Sunday, April 20.
“I invite anyone who is interested to come to a clown class and learn more,” she said. “The clowns just add a little more fun to the convoy.”
For more information on volunteering as a clown, call or text Amy at 717-587-9841.
sign that the program is making an impact, Pepper said. All of the campers in the past have come from Pennsylvania, but the camp is open to any girls in the age range.
“We want the girls to get to know themselves better and to think about their future,” Pepper stated, noting that the target age for the campers is intentional. “This is a great age for girls to begin to get a sense of themselves and what direction they want their lives to go in.”
The Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation is headquartered in Elizabethtown. The organization hosts several youth groups for girls,
including Job’s Daughters, Rainbow for Girls and the Ruth Mitchell Tucker Girls Youth Department.
The Girls’ Leadership Camp provides opportunities for girls to learn leadership skills, make friends and have fun, Pepper said.
“Our mission is to serve and advance opportunities for youth, as they are our future leaders,” she noted.
“We’re gently allowing girls to experience a lot of different areas, become informed about their own lives and really connect with other girls in person.”
The registration deadline for the camp is Monday, June 30. To learn more or to register, visit https://pmyf .org/girls-leadership-camp.
Local nurse Megan Foltz, who also has a podcast titled “The Renewed Nurse,” has announced the release of her new book, “Anatomy of Holiness.”
“The Renewed Nurse” podcast and community began in 2021, giving listeners a chance to learn about the various aspects of the nursing profession, find renewal and balance, and learn about Jesus.
Four years and 180 podcast episodes later, Foltz decided to write a devotional. “Anatomy of Holiness” was released right before Christmas in 2024. She describes the work as a book of “daily devotions to hear God’s heartbeat” and poetry, which combines the anatomy of the human body alongside spiritual concepts.
The new author is cur -
Megan Foltz
rently speaking at conferences and workshops, hosting retreats, working as an RN and serving coffee from her coffee truck, Character Coffee.
For more information, to connect with Foltz or purchase a copy of her book, visit www.holyground healthcare.com.
The Lancaster Chapter Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) will hold a general membership meeting and dinner on Thursday, April 17, at the Meadia Heights Golf Club, 402 Golf Road, Lancaster. The social hour will begin at 5 p.m. with dinner and the meeting to follow.
Retired Army 1st Sgt. David G. Wiker will speak about his experiences serving in the Army Reserve’s 1185th Transportation Terminal Unit. The unit
supported the loading of Army personnel onto watercraft deploying to the Persian Gulf prior to and during Operation Desert Storm.
All current and past military officers are invited, and reservations are required. To make reservations by Monday, April 7, contact Dennis Benchoff at 717-560-1260 or banzhafdl @gmail.com.
For additional information about Lancaster Chapter MOAA, visit www .moaalancasterchapt.org.
CAREGIVERS NEEDED: CNA'S, HHA's & care assistants, make a difference in the life of a senior & put your caregiving experience to work. All shifts available. Visiting Angels at 717-393-3450.
Call 717-478-5993 Grace Construction
One of Lancaster County’s premier auction companies is accepting applications for the following position: FT/PT SET UP/HAULING TEAM MEMBERS
Opportunity to work with a fun and experienced team to select, set up and/or remove treasures from clients' homes, deliver to our auction facility, and help w/any other tasks that keep an organized work environment. The ideal candidate should have strong customer service skills as they will deal with the clients in their homes, the ability to lift heavy items while working in varying climates, attention to detail and flexibility. Valid PA DL necessary & exp. pulling small trailers is a plus. Ultimately, a successful Hess team member should have a desire to work with others, crave a fast-paced work environment, & help to grow relationships with clients. Please apply via mail, or email to: HESS AUCTION GROUP 768 Graystone Rd, Manheim, PA 17545 Email: scott@hessauctiongroup.com
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A&L TRIMMING, Interior Trimming, Cabinet Installations, Install New Flooring, Install Replacement Windows. 717-405-9545 Leave Message
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New • Repairs • Replacement 30+ yrs. exp. Call: 717-224-8603
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Drywall Instl./Repairs, Lite Carpentry. Wallpaper Removal. Cabinets. PA032157. We take the pain out of painting for you! Call Damien 717-940-5912
By Steve, 717-892-7411
AMISH MOVING COMPANY AMISH CLEANOUTS
Will move households (will go out of state). Fair prices for Clean Outs of Attics, Basements. 717-442-3301
ANDY’S DRYWALL
Interior Remodeling, Hanging, Finishing, Framing, Painting, Basements, Additions, Insured. PA 022669. 717-587-4102
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Floor Plan Changes • Framing • Drywall Trimming • Painting • Flooring Trubuild Construction | 717-869-3204
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JACUZZI BATH REMODEL can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Call 1-844-826-2535
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MOBILITY SCOOTERS FOR RENT Lancaster/York Co. Day, week, or monthly rates. Drop off/pick up available. Also Disabled Driving Controls 717-449-0089
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717-989-7938, leave message.
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DON'T LET THE stairs limit your mobility! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1-833399-3595.
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Classic,
GUTTERS, GUTTERS Clean, Repair, Gutter Guards. Property Maint. by Steve. 717-892-7411
&
Cars Jeff Gast, 717-575-4561