Conestoga Valley townlively.com
MAY 7, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 20
A change of season and venue 5K moves to Leola BY ANN MEAD ASH
Back in 2018, a nurse on staff at the Clinic for Special Children, then located in Strasburg, suggested a 5K fundraiser. “Keturah Beiler, who was a runner, really spearheaded the effort to get the 5K started,” recalled Kelly Cullen,
marketing and communications manager for the Clinic for Special Children. The 5K became an annual event, and was even held virtually in 2020 when COVID-19 restrictions made it difficult to hold in person. In 2024, the 5K, which was traditionally held in September, See 5K pg 4
Auctioneers accept bids for items at last year’s Hope for Haiti benefit event.
Benefit auction to provide hope for Haiti
H
ope comes in many different sizes, in many different shapes and in many different forms. Hope comes from various origins, various places and various sources. Yes, there is hope for Haiti. It’s alive and well in Ephrata. “Haiti has been in the news, and it’s almost always negative,” said Kristen Hertzog, who’s visited Haiti 79 times over the last 30 years, many of which have been as missions of mercy. “It seems like there is constantly drama there. I’ve been asked, ‘Why do you keep going back for more?’ I think the reality is that when you’re on the ground and meet the people down there, it
gives it a different dimension.” Hertzog is also a board member for the Hope for Haiti Benefit Auction and a liaison between the fundraiser and the people of Haiti. This year’s edition of the annual
“We’re giving people we don’t know hope for a better life.” benefit auction will be conducted on Saturd ay, May 17, from 9 a.m. until everything is sold, at the one-room Metzler School, 535 Metzler Road, Ephrata. Admission to the Hope for Haiti Benefit Auction is free.
“It’s a typical country auction,” said Hertzog. “But every year it’s different, which is why people should come again. Our auction is unique because everyone is invited to volunteer and participate. You can come casually, or you can come to buy something.” Some of the items that will be made available for bids at the auction include collectibles, tools, sheds, furniture, gift cards, quilts, antiques, flowers, plants, outdoor items and locally made craft goods. There will also be a large food court offering homemade dishes; a children’s tent featuring games, activities and prizes; a Spikeball tournament; and a bake sale. “All of these unique groups are coming together,” said Hertzog. See Hope for Haiti pg 10
Veterans return to Bird-in-Hand BY ANN MEAD ASH
The Lancaster County Veterans Breakfast Club (LCVBC) met at the Bird-in-Hand Family Restaurant and Smorgasbord for five years until a fire temporarily shut down the restaurant in December of 2023. During the interim, the group met at the former Revere Tavern and then at a variety of local diners. During that time, LCVBC founder Bill Terry saw attendance shrink from around 100 to about 30 a month, but on March 29, 100 club members once
again breakfasted together when the group was able to return to Bird-in-Hand. “When I got the call that they could put us back in, we went from 30 to 100,” said a smiling Terry. “We are the only group that’s here (at this time). They wanted us back.” LCVBC meets on the third Saturday of every month. The breakfasts are free for veterans and spouses. Many of the breakfasts are paid for by sponsors, including local businesses. Attendees begin arriving at 7 a.m. See Veterans breakfast club pg 2
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BY JEFF FALK
The Clinic for Special Children 5K will move to Leola for this year’s event, which will be held in May.