Conestoga Valley townlively.com
APRIL 24, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 18
Lancaster Mennonite golf benefit will defray costs of education BY JEFF FALK
Members of the Patriotic Stitchers for Veterans knit afghans for former servicemen and women in hospice.
For group of local stitchers, “veterans are patriotic” is blanket statement BY JEFF FALK
“We’re recognizing what our country means to us and how men and women have fought for our freedom.” veterans to know that they’re not forgotten. The women do this on their own time. Some do it on their own. Some meet in area parks or local churches or community centers and do it together. We give them everything they need to make the quilts, but they pick their own styles when they crochet or knit.” The live auction will include
more than 50 baskets filled with goodies, gift certificates and coupons for services donated by local businesses. The themed baskets will feature articles related to jewelry, various foodstuffs, artwork, baby items, gardening, wine and pets. The baskets can be previewed beginning at 4 p.m., and the live auction will start at 6 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be served. “I will talk about what the auction is all about and why we are having it,” said Summers, a resident of Leola. “It can be an evening of recognizing the needs of local veterans. We reach out to veterans and their families if they’re vulnerable. The blankets make them recognize that they’re not forgotten.” The Patriotic Stitchers for Veterans works with seven hospice providers, two Veterans Affairs hospitals and nearly 50 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion posts to connect with veterans. “On the back of each blanket
A golfer rolls in a putt during last year’s Lancaster Mennonite benefit golf outing.
competitively and suppor t extracurricular activities.” Lancaster Mennonite’s 28th annual benefit golf outing will be conducted on Tuesday, May 14, at See Lancaster Mennonite pg 5
Still barkin’ for life BY ANN MEAD ASH
In 2023, Sharon Groff, a member of the Misfits on a Mission Relay For Life team, coordinated a Bark For Life event in Ephrata. The fundraiser was so successful that Groff and her helpers are working to hold the second Ephrata-area Bark For Life, at New Life Fellowship, 420 E. Fulton St., Ephrata, on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free, dog-friendly event will be presented by Blue Ridge Communications and WIOV-FM. Attending dogs will take
See Stitchers pg 2
center stage if they participate in the Strut Your Mutt parade scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Dogs need not dress up to take part. Registration for the parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Wo r k i n g d o g s t h at h e l p humans will be featured at the event. Officer Bill Watt of the East Hempfield Township Police Depar tment and his K-9, Tundra, will demonstrate article search and obedience at 10:30 a.m. Pennsylvania Canine Search and Rescue (PACSAR) will give a demonstration at noon. PACSAR’s highly trained and certified volunteers provide See Bark For Life pg 4
Niagra Falls June 19th-22nd
Smoky Mountain Summer Tour Pigeon Forge, TN July 8th-12th
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he concept of patriotism can be defined by words like pride, honor, responsibility and appreciation. But actions speak louder than words. The Patriotic Stitchers for Veterans choose to live their freedoms every day. They exhibit their gratitude by knitting and crocheting blankets and quilts for veterans who are confined to hospice care. “Our men and women fought for us and the United States, and they ’re patr iotic ,” said Jean Summers, president of the Patriotic Stitchers for Veterans. “I think (knitting quilts) is a great way to recognize patriotism. They’re dedicated to the country. The pledge they took when they went into the service was for life. I’m very grateful.” The Patriotic Stitchers for Veterans is conducting an inaugural live basket auction on Saturday, April 27, from 4 to 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 429, 300 Cocalico St., Ephrata. The
purpose of the event is to raise funds for materials and patterns needed for the stitchers to perform their appreciative services for veterans. “It’s a fundraiser, but it’s also designed to raise awareness of our veterans and what we do for them,” said Summers. “We want
Golf is a fun game on a few different levels. But it takes on more meaning, more significance when it’s played with a purpose. Lancaster Mennonite School’s upcoming golf event is filled with meaning. Its purpose is to help provide affordable education options to local families. “Believe it or not, the cost of tuition is not the true cost of education,” said Aubrey Kreider, Lancaster Mennonite’s director of marketing. “We rely on support to meet the gap. We want the school to be accessible and allow families an opportunity to get a great, faith-based education. We want to prepare students to be world-changers. Some families are able to pay the full amount, but many can’t. We also want to be able to pay our teachers