Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville
townlively.com
AUGUST 2, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 23
Driving for Drama will benefit theater booster club BY CATHY MOLITORIS
roceeds from the show benefit the drama booster club at Columbia High School, and the show has been held on the school grounds for the past several years. “We ran out of room at the high school last year, and there was literally no room to park,” Weaver
P
said, noting that the show attracted close to 300 vehicles. The church property will offer more room for the vehicles and activities that accompany the show, he stated. Trophies will be awarded for a variety of categories, including a 72-inch-tall Best of Show trophy. Winners in the major categories will be selected by professional judges, See Drama pg 4
Carolyn Livingston (fourth from left) with volunteers at St. John’s Herr Estate
Providing beauty with native plants BY CATHY MOLITORIS
uring the height of the pandemic, Carolyn Livingston was inspired to make a difference in her community. “I started thinking, ‘What is this world going to be like for my grandchildren? Is there anything I can try to do to make a change?’” recalled the resident of St. John’s Herr Estate in Columbia. When she received money from COVID relief funds, she decided to act. “I put my money where my mouth is,” she stated. “Why just talk about doing something if you’re not actually going to do it?” Carolyn spearheaded an effort to transform an unused space at the retirement community into a garden full of native plants. She hoped the project would not only beautify the grounds of the facility but also inspire other people to consider planting native plants. Carolyn reached out to Elyse Jurgen, owner and founder of Waxwing EcoWorks Co., a Lancaster-based organization with a mission of promoting ecological gardening
“Native plants pack the greatest punch for regenerating habitats and struggling wildlife populations.” Gwen Livingston and Susan Staugaard - gathered at St. John’s to plant 1,500 “plugs” or small plantings, all of which are native to this part of Pennsylvania. Jurgen selected 15 native species, including coneflowers, asters, wild petunia and butterfly weed. “The native species that were selected for this plant palette were chosen based on the stark site conditions of the site,” Jurgen said of
the garden that abuts an exterior wall of St. John’s personal care wings. “Given that it is a south facing slope, against a brick wall, the space is very dry and sunny. This makes for the perfect site conditions to grow a low-growing little bluestem meadow.” Carolyn noted that the garden is always evolving, featuring new colors and flowers seasonally. “The residents love it,” she said. “They tell me they love to watch it because it keeps changing.” Along with plants, the garden features several bee boxes, and Carolyn has noticed many varieties of bees pollinating the plants. That’s one of the many benefits of using native plants in a garden. “Native plants pack the greatest punch for regenerating habitats and struggling wildlife populations,” Jurgen noted, adding that the monarch butterly is among these populations. “Indigenous plants to this region have co-evolved with treasured wildlife - birds, butterflies, etc. - so they can recognize it as a nutritional food source or as a
Inviting people to the Driving for Drama Benefit Car Show are (from left) James “Boomer” Weaver, Dave Kinser and Shane Kinser.
Carnival will offer low-cost family fun BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Don’t underestimate the power of a penny. That’s all it takes to have fun at the Summer Food and Fun Extravaganza Food Truck and Penny Carnival. The event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Water’s Edge United Methodist Church, 471 Abel’s Road, Wrightsville. This is the third year for the event, which offers a variety of family fun, said Lisa Miller, outreach coordinator. “ This year, we have some new games, and we’re going to
have a 22-foot slide from 3 Monkeys Inflatables,” she shared. “We’re also going to have a bubble machine, because kids love bubbles.” Charming Balloons will provide balloon artistry, and face painting by Funny Faces will also be offered. Fun-E-Faces will feature caricatures, and the Craley Fire Department will on hand with equipment for kids to explore. Food options will include The Kilted Griller, Maine Course Mobile, Dandelion Thyme, Premium Shaved Ice and ice cream from the East Prospect Lions Club.
See Beauty pg 8
See Carnival pg 2
Our Peaches • Ready Picked • Pick-Your-Own Blackberries
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
*Call for Pick-Your-Own info & hours to pick POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER AUG. 2, 2023
Postal Patron
CWM
D
experiences, and she recruited a team from St. John’s as well as two of her grown children to help with the project. In early fall 2021, the group - which included residents Anita Perrone and Audrey Hibner, St. John’s staff members Steve Weisser and Ed Rodriguez and Carolyn’s daughters
Caterpillar Candy
*Host Plants
400 Long Lane At Marticville Road (Rts. 741 & 324S) 3 Miles S. of Lancaster
Help the Butterflies!
Mon.-Sat. 8-6, Closed Sunday • 717-872-9311
R098430
www.cherryhillorchards.com