Donegal
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Spring Sports MARCH 11, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,800 HOMES
VOL LXVII • NO 5
Cooking Up Breaking Barriers With Hope at ONLINE Relay For Life Humor and Hope Spring
EVENT W CALENDAR
hen Drew Beekler takes the stage at a special event for T he Janus School, he won’t just deliver punchlines. He’ll share a powerful story of perseverance, creativity and what can happen when you embrace the way you learn. The school will host “Breaking Barriers: A Night of Humor and Hope With Drew Beekler” on Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at its campus, 205 Lefever Road, Mount Joy. The idea for the program came about after Beekler’s mother, Julie Barker, came to an event at the school last year and was struck by the hardworking students she met. “ S he was reminded of the challenges her own son endured throughout school and thought that Drew’s story would resonate with our students,” recalled Brenda Keller, director of academics at The Janus School. Soon, Keller realized Beekler’s message would appeal
townlively.com/ events
Drew Beekler
beyond the students, so the school decided to host a night for the community. “Drew’s message of perseverance and following your passion is universal,” Keller said. “Had he
accepted the limits others put on him, he likely would not be where he is today. We can’t wait for him to be here to share his story with our students as well as the larger community. It will be an inspiring experience for anyone who attends.” After spending time with the students and staff during the school day and addressing them in an assembly presentation, Beekler will start the evening with a brief family-friendly comedy set. “He will then share his story and perspective of being a student with learning challenges, including dyslexia, and his experience of discovering his artistic talents,” Keller said. “Drew will share more about how he embraced those differences and was able to empower himself with strategies and tools that would give him the confidence to pursue a successful visual arts career and now stand-up comedy.” Barker will also speak at the event, sharing her perspective and how significant a role support and resources See Barriers pg 5
DON
Donegal Cheer Takes the National Stage
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BY CAT SHANNON
Three years ago, competitive spirit cheerleading at Donegal High School was officially recognized under PIAA rules, opening the door to district and state competition. But for head coach Kellye Herbert, that milestone was only the beginning. “I was determined to grow this program beyond that to the regionals and nationals stage,” Kellye shared. “The team attended a regional qualifier called the Keystone Regionals at Santander Arena in Reading back in December. The team placed a second-place spot, earning them a bid to attend the National High School Cheer Championship.” The Donegal High School cheerleading team and coaches See Cheer pg 2 at the national competition
townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXVI • NO 18
Shine Bright at Hope Within 5K BY CAT SHANNON
Support a local nonprofit, enjoy beautiful surroundings and get some exercise all at the same time by participating in the Hope Within Ministries’ Let Your Light Shine 5K Walk/ Run. The event will be held on
Saturday, July 19, beginning at 8 a.m. at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. “The idea came about as a means to represent what Hope Within Ministries is - a health care, dental and counseling center,” said Laurie Reichert, 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 BY CAT SHANNON
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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
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 quality of life by working with them on personalized. “The program is different for activities of daily living that have everyone, as the trainer cus- become difficult for them.” MS FitEffect is open to anyone tom-designs the program for the particular participant,” he stated. with MS or any demyelinating
The historic Star Barn will be one of the sights to see along the route of Hope Within Ministries’ Let Your Light Shine 5K.
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 read-
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
In your mailbox & online
BY CAT SHANNON
About 25 years ago, Joan Schaum learned about Relay For Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, through her employer, and she joined a team. She didn’t know that the organization would touch her personally in the future. Years later, her mother-in-law, Jackie Immel, moved in with Joan and her husband, Jeffrey, to their home in Columbia. While living with the Schaums, Immel was diagnosed with several types of cancer. The Schaums took Immel to the Lancaster Relay For Life, which was then a 24-hour event focused on walking laps around a track to raise funds for cancer research. “She loved walking around the track,” Joan recalled. “When she couldn’t walk around the track anymore for the survivor lap, we put her in a wheelchair and pushed her around the track. She thought it was awesome that all these people were clapping for her and cheering her on, and she had no idea who they were.” In 2016, Immel passed away from kidney failure. The loss prompted the Schaums to take action in Immel’s memory. “We thought it would be nice to honor her, and she liked the Relay so much, we decided to start our own team,” Jeffrey said. Recalling how much his mom liked the survivors’ dinner part of Relay For Life, he had an idea. “We thought, ‘Why don’t we start a survivor breakfast?’” Jeffrey said. “Growing up, any time we had big events, my mom cooked. We thought, ‘What a great way to honor her by cooking for the cancer survivors and their caregivers.’” They named their team The Breakfast Crew, and they served See Relay pg 3
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BY CAT SHANNON
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