Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville townlively.com
APRIL 30, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXVI • NO 9
Join the fun at Spring Fling Bingo BY CAT SHANNON
For an afternoon of fun, fellowship and fundraising, make plans to attend the inaugural Saint Paul Episcopal Church Spring Fling Bingo. The event will be held on Saturday, May 17, at the Millersville VFW, 219 Walnut Hill Road,
Millersville. Doors will open at noon, and regular bingo will begin at 1:30 p.m. An early bird blackout bingo game with a cash prize will be held at 1:15 p.m. for an additional cost. “ We h ave g re at pr iz es Michael Kors purses, a fire pit, a raised-bed garden, a fishing rod, See Bingo pg 2
Members of the 2025 May Day court are (front, from left) Laynssa Parker, Riley Schaeffer, Isabelle Redding, Sydney Droege, Madelyn Redding, Taylor Williams, Eva Fanous, Sehrena Finks-Garcia, Breanna Young, (back) Alexymahr Whitley, Luke Rupp, Owen Brady, John Buzzendore, Jadin Perez, Loudon Rupp, Charlie Vasquez, Gage Wolf and Miguel Aviles.
F
or decades, a unique celebration has been held in Columbia to welcome the change in season and bring the community together. “This year’s event marks the 80th year the town of Columbia has held this special ceremony,” said Ella McCarty, a Columbia High School junior who explained the history of May Day. “This ceremony is a welcoming of spring and a historical tradition that holds character within the town, being one of the only places to still hold this event.” The May Day festivities will take place on Saturday, May 3, in the high school gymnasium,
901 Ironville Pike, Columbia. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. “Students in grades seven to 11 will perform a maypole dance,” Ella shared. “Alexis Phillips will
“This event would not be possible to have without the help of our close-knit community.” perform vocal performances. A lyrical dance will be performed by Reece Schaeffer and Halie Rineer, and the ladies of the court and their escorts will perform a waltz to the song ‘Open Arms.’”
The celebration will also include presentation of the members of the court. Members of this year’s court are Sydney Droege, Eva Fanous, Sehrena Finks-Garcia, Laynssa Pa r k e r, I s a b e l l e R e d d i n g , Madelyn Redding, Riley Schaeffer, Taylor Williams, Breanna Young, Miguel Aviles, Owen Brady, John Buzzendore, Jadin Perez, Loudon Rupp, Luke Rupp, Charlie Vasquez, Alexymahr Whitley and Gage Wolf. “The princess of the court, who is in ninth grade, is selected with a student body vote in grades seven to nine,” Ella explained. “The senior ladies of the court are selected by grades 10 to 12. The queen is then selected by a
Find your next adventure at the PA Family Travel Fair BY CAT SHANNON
“If you’re looking for a getaway that’s within driving distance of home, this is the perfect place to find it,” said Wendy Royal, organizer of the PA Family Travel Fair. “Come here and see what’s right in your backyard.” The PA Family Travel Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Spooky Nook Sports Complex, 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. The event will feature free entry and free parking. Organized by Where & When
Pennsylvania, a free seasonal travel magazine, the PA Family Travel Fair will spotlight more than 50 vendors. “ We will have destination marketing organizations from all over the state,” Royal shared. “Probably the farthest one is VisitErie or Warren County, but we have representatives from across Pennsylvania, from nor theast Pennsylvania to Bucks County and the Laurel Highlands.” Several of the vendors have participated in the fair since its inception in 2018, while others
See May Day pg 4
See Travel Fair pg 3
Beautiful Gardens Start Here! Butterflgybird in & Hummrites! Favo
delicious
Awesome Selection!
• Annuals • Vegetables • Herbs • Perennials • Shrubs • Strawberry & Raspberry Plants & Lots, Lots More!
Strawberries 400 Long Lane At Marticville Road
Containers = Our Best Potting Soil, Proven Results!! POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 30, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
C WM
BY CAT SHANNON
A recent service at Saint Paul Episcopal Church in Columbia
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Celebrate 80 years of tradition at May Day