Conestoga Valley townlively.com
APRIL 30, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 19
LMS librarian puts fun in reading fundamentals BY JEFF FALK
L
ike most libraries, Lancaster Mennonite’s elementar y school library is an inviting place where kids can explore the topics that they are interested in. From the exterior, it might seem that Sarah Fichtner serves as the hostess of the space. But Fichtner is also a child advocate, a reading proponent and an igniter of imaginations. She has personalized her position as Lancaster Mennonite’s elementary school librarian and firmly placed her own stamp upon it. “I’ve always had a love of reading,” said Fichtner. “I was always the person with her nose in a book. Maybe I’ve been destined for this. Today’s society has so many distractions of screens. I like to spark the interest in books. Once (students) catch that fire,
it’s fun to see them want to check out the next book in the series.” Fichtner has been the Lancaster Mennonite elementary school librarian for 15 years. Some of her duties include checking books in and out, teaching reading skills and managing the library’s collection of books. Fichtner plays a key role in the elementary education process at Lancaster Mennonite, both serving as an educator and providing support for classroom teachers. “A librarian is an educator who helps students find books to read that they’re interested in,” said Fichtner, a resident of Millersville. “It has to interest them, or it will stay in their backpacks. I teach them basic librar y skills, the difference between fiction and nonfiction, how to look up a book and what the Dewey Decimal System is. I do consider myself an educator, See LMS librarian pg 2 LMS elementary librarian Sarah Fichtner instructs a class.
BY CAT SHANNON
For more than three decades, the Make-A-Wish Mother’s Day Truck Convoy has rolled through the county, lifting spirits and raising funds for local children battling critical illnesses. The 36th annual event will be held on Saturday, May 10. It will kick off at Manheim Pennsylvania Auto Auction, 1190 Lancaster Road, Manheim. While truck parking and driver registration will run from 6 to 10 a.m., the public is invited to a Family Fest
from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The convoy will depart at 1:30 p.m. In the past, the convoy has been held on Mother’s Day, but organizers made the decision to move the event to the day before the holiday in the hopes of improving attendance, enhancing volunteer availability and encouraging more participation from drivers and wish families. “Everything else that folks love about the event remains unchanged,” said Lori Dietrich, Make-A-Wish director of development for Lancaster County. See Make-A-Wish pg 8
Casting appreciation for veterans
Participants enjoyed last year’s Clear Water for Heroes fishing tournament. BY JEFF FALK
When he was 8 years old, Case Baccio had an inspired idea. Then, he brought that idea to life, committed to it and followed through with it.
Now, six years later, Clear Water for Heroes is still going strong. “I guess my motivation would be something between gratitude and joy,” said Case, an eighth-grade student at Manheim Township Middle School (MTMS). “My goal
isn’t to raise a large amount of money. My goal is for everyone to have a blast, for everyone to have a great time. I think part of it is the impact that the first veterans’ event I went to had on me. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget it. See Clear Water for Heroes pg 4
Saturday, May 3 9 am to 3 pm Spooky Nook Sports, Olympic Hall 75 Champ Boulevard, Manheim, PA
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