Conestoga Valley townlively.com
JUNE 14, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LIX • NO 25
Steps to Success dedicates playground BY ANN MEAD ASH
efore the dedication of the Steps to Success Memorial Playground at its new home at Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola, on May 30, Michelle Harbaugh, director of Steps to Success, referred to the event as “an open house celebration of the playground.” The
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celebration included a dedication with Zion Lutheran pastor Karen Larson officiating, refreshments, and a chance for the Steps community members to see and enjoy the relocated equipment. According to Harbaugh, the playground was accessible to the community while it was being built at Zion in 2021, but a fence was put in
Pastor Karen Larson spoke at the dedication of the Steps to Success Memorial Playground.
to meet local requirements, and the event was an opportunity to visit again. “The playground is locked when we aren’t here,” she noted. The original fenced playground was built at the prior Steps to Success location at 26 Hillcrest Ave., Leola, in 2007. Harbaugh said that funding had been given in honor of a retired teacher who was also a student’s grandparent. “It was built in memory of Anne Persons Robinson,” reported Harbaugh, who said that between 2015 and 2017, the organization raised funds and Steps received more funds to expand the playground donated in memory of grandparents. “(The toddler playground) had a poured rubber surface and donated playsets,” she pointed out. That playground, which was dedicated in April of 2018, was built in memory of Grace Eicher and Lee Rowland, grandparents of students at Steps. The name of the Rev. Irvin E. Straw, Jr., a board member and supporter from 1995 to 2019, was added to those names on the dedication plaque. See Steps to Success pg 6
Small ambulance company has BIG heart Yearly institute offers local EMT training All the ambulance company volthe ELANCO area. “They may work in a hospital, but on their off time, unteers were honored during the “Our folks love giving back to the they volunteer on our trucks.” organization’s Family Safety Day on community,” said EMS Chief Darrell Fisher noted that registered nurses May 6 by the Pennsylvania DepartFisher of New Holland Ambulance, and a nurse practitioner are among ment of Health and the Pennsylvania Emergency Health Services Council which covers Leola in addition to the regular volunteers. with the Small EMS Agency of the Year award. Fisher explained that small agencies complete fewer than 5,000 calls per year. “It’s kind of a once-in-a-lifetime achievement,” he said, noting that multiple nomination letters were sent on behalf of the company and that state representatives audited the organization’s response times to evaluate them for the prize. Fisher noted Students studying for EMT certification at New Holland Ambulance must take written and practical tests to complete the course.
Special needs benefit auction planned BY ANN MEAD ASH
Each Tuesday, 15 men ranging in age from 19 to 75 gather at Caring Hearts, one of several centers in Lancaster County that serve members of the Plain community. On Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the converted barn where the group meets hums with activity. According to Chris Glick, who, along with Sarah Glick, oversees Caring Hearts on those days, the men who participate spend time in worship, singing hymns, and hearing a Bible story. Work time
includes counting out 100 screws and then transferring them to boxes. “We pack Tapcon screws for hardware stores and screws and small bolts in assortments,” said Chris, who noted the men also put washers on bolts and lags for swing set shops. At 11 a.m., the group stops for lunch, followed by some game time, which often includes cornhole. Work starts again at 1 p.m., and another break is offered at 1:30 p.m. “(The men) usually play a memory game then, which is good for the mind,” said Chris.
See New Holland Ambulance pg 3
See Special needs pg 2
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BY ANN MEAD ASH
Area children had a chance to enjoy the playground during the dedication.
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