Donegal MARCH 4, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,800 HOMES
“Anastasia” Will Bring Legend to Life BY CAT SHANNON
F
amily, identity, love and truth will all take center stage when Donegal Performing Arts presents the musical “Anastasia.” The show will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 8. There will also be a free preview for people age 65 and up at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 5. Based on the 1997 animated film of the same name, the musical focuses on a young woman with a mysterious past. Loosely based on historical events, the show adapts the legend of Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who was rumored to have escaped when the rest of her Russian imperial family, the Romanovs, were executed by Bolshevik revolutionaries during the Russian Revolution. Years later, a woman named Anya, who has amnesia,
townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
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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A Slam Dunk for Local Flavors BY CAT SHANNON
If you’re a basketball fan, you’ve no doubt heard of March Madness. Well, if you’re a foodie, get ready for Munch Madness. The Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce will host the first March Munch Madness throughout the month of March, encouraging members of the community to visit participating Chamber establishments, enjoy special offers and collect passport stamps for a chance to win Mount Joy Money. For the promotion, which began March 2, people may pick up a free March Munch Madness passport at the Chamber office,
Dan and Cheri Rittner sample some of the food available
Homescho oling can b e a worthy but lonely task. The Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) wants to help. The organization will host a stop on the CHAP Hometown Tour on Friday, March 13, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. at Hope Community Church, 1806 Harrisburg Ave., Mount Joy. “Most homeschoolers feel like they are on a bit of an island and feel like they are going about this enormous task alone. But they are not!” shared Ginger Wayde, CHAP board member. “There are many resources available for encouragement, connection and equipping. CHAP provides many resources to do all these things for the homeschooling family. If they are wanting a boost to get to the end of the school year, this is the place to be.” As Wayde explained, the Hometown Tour is a series of events hosted by CHAP designed to give homeschool families an opportunity to connect with other homeschoolers while simultaneously providing encouragement for their homeschool journeys. “This year’s speaker is Lauren Gideon, who is with Education Independence,” Wayde said. Education Independence is a network of advocates for education freedom that promotes parent-led, private-funded and state-independent education. Gideon will speak on the topics of “The ‘Well Done’ of Homeschooling - Beginning
See Flavors pg 2 through the Mount Joy Munch Madness promotion.
See Homeschool pg 3
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BY CAT SHANNON
Finding Fellowship on the Homeschool Journey BY CAT SHANNON
See “Anastasia” pg 8 Some of the cast of “Anastasia.” Photo by Cat Shannon
VOL LXVI • NO 18
Shine Bright at Hope Within 5K
VOL LXVII • NO 4
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