Donegal FEBRUARY 4, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,800 HOMES
Preserving a Soldier’s Story BY CAT SHANNON
D
uring her senior year at Donegal High School in 2012-13, Sarah Brallier learned the story of Harold Billow’s experience in World War II. She and her classmate Laura Hess created a documentary based on the Mount Joy resident’s memories of the Malmedy M a s s a c re , a k e y m o m e n t i n t h e Sarah Brallier (left) and Liz Lewis speak at a Rotary Club of Mount Joy meeting about a Battle of the Bulge documentary on Harold Billow and the Malmedy Massacre. Photo by Cat Shannon when 87 people were executed in Brallier and Liz Lewis, the teacher memorial to commemorate the 10 a snowy field, gunned down by who mentored the students as they Lancaster County residents who created the project for National were part of the massacre. Five were German soldiers. killed that day in December 1944, On Jan. 13, members of the History Day. It’s the perfect time to share and five survived, coming home to, Rotary Club of Mount Joy were treated to a showing of the docu- Billow’s story, as the Rotary Club in Billow’s case, ensure no one ever mentary, as well as remarks from is working to raise funds for a forgot the traumatic day.
townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
See Story pg 5
VOL LXVI • NO 18
Shine Bright at Hope Within 5K BY CAT SHANNON
Saturday, July 19, beginning at 8 a.m. at Stone Gables Estate, Support a local nonprofit, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. enjoy beautiful surroundings “The idea came about as a and get some exercise all at the means to represent what Hope same time by participating in Within Ministries is - a health the Hope Within Ministries’ care, dental and counseling Let Your Light Shine 5K Walk/ center,” said Laurie Reichert, Run. The event will be held on director of development for the See 5K pg 2
2024 MS FitEffect participants and trainers with program director Mark Mueller (far right)
MS FitEffect Puts Strength Into Motion explained. “We have sessions there are no two people who available Monday through Sat- share the same set of symptoms urday in the morning, afternoon at the same intensities with the and some evenings. It is based same presentation of symptoms.” While specifics vary for each on the participant’s and trainer’s participant, the program focuses availability.” on strength, stamina and stability for all sessions. “ We use a combination of “We meet each stretching, relaxation techniques, participant where they weight training, cardiovascular training, balance and gait training are at and move them and functional training,” Mark forward from there.” said. “We meet each participant where they are at and move them forward from there. We focus on As Mark shared, MS FitEffect is helping them achieve a better qualpersonalized. ity of life by working with them on “The program is different for activities of daily living that have everyone, as the trainer cus- become difficult for them.” tom-designs the program for the MS FitEffect is open to anyone particular participant,” he stated. with MS or any demyelinating “MS is different for everyone; disease.
The historic Star Barn will be one of the sights to see along the route of Hope Within Ministries’ Let Your Light Shine 5K.
In your mailbox & online ETN
M
ark Mueller and his wife, Jackie, took a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and turned it into an opportunity to help others. Jackie was diagnosed with MS in 1998, and the couple sought to treat the disease as naturally as possible, without medication. They experimented with nutrition and exercise to see what worked and what didn’t, and their research led to MS FitEffect, a free, 10-week program for people with MS. The next session will run from Saturday, Sept. 6, through Saturday, Nov. 15, at Elizabethtown Fitness Club, 626 S. Market St. “Each participant selects a time with their trainer for their private one-hour weekly session,” Mark
A World of Wonder Awaits Inside the Bookmobile
BY JEFF FALK
It’s more than books on wheels. The Library System of Lancaster County’s (LSLC) bookmobile delivers knowledge, creativity, inspiration and joy. The bookmobile is kind of like a food truck serving up nourishment for the mind and soul. “Reading in general is very important,” said Audrey Lilley, the bookmobile’s driver, curator and full-time coordinator. “It’s important for kids to be reading. It’s important for them to
See MS FitEffect pg 5
be able to pick up a book and see characters who look like them. Reading can be inspirational, and with retirees, it kind of comes full circle. I think retirees can find comfort in reading. For all people in between, it’s a way to relax and unwind.” W h e n n o t o n t h e g o to multiple locations all across Lancaster County, Lilley parks the bookmobile at LSLC’s main office at 1866 Colonial Village Lane, Suite 107, Lancaster. The bookmobile is a 22-foot-long box truck with a single entrance See Bookmobile pg 3
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It’s Never Too Late to Get Moving BY CAT SHANNON
If the word “exercise” makes you think, “That’s not for me anymore,” Juniper Village at Mount Joy wants you to think again. Its new SilverSneakers fitness program is designed specifically for older adults, with gentle movements and certified instructors who understand aging bodies. The program is focused on what is possible, rather than what is not. SilverSneakers is a nationwide fitness program, supported by
People participate in a SilverSneakers program at Juniper Village at
See Moving pg 6 Mount Joy.
Parenting Kids in Uncertain Times BY CAT SHANNON
“There is the African proverb ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’” said pastor Adam Swarr, director of family ministries at Mount Joy Church of God. “We want to give parents and other influences around children the tools to be a key part of a child’s village.” With that in mind, the church will host “On-Purpose Parenting in Uncertain Times,” a talk with Walt Mueller, founder and president of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU). The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the church, 30 E. Main St., Mount Joy. CPYU is a nonprofit organization serving schools, churches and community organizations across the United States and throughout the world in their efforts to strengthen families by helping those who know and love children and teens to understand today’s ever-changing youth culture. Mueller’s background includes more than 40 years of experience working with young people and families, and he has appeared on numerous media outlets internationally to discuss teenagers and their world. Mueller writes on youth culture and family issues and is the author of 10 books, including his newest book, “A Student’s Guide to Navigating Culture.” He also regularly contributes to magazines and journals; writes a blog; and provides commentary and analysis on youth culture through CPYU’s daily radio program, “Youth Culture Today.” See Parenting pg 2
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BY CAT SHANNON
VOL LXVI • NO 52