Donegal SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,800 HOMES
Where Art Meets the Outdoors
ONLINE
Spring
BY CAT SHANNON
EVENT A CALENDAR
rtist Marita Hines and other members of Marietta Art Alive want people to appreciate the outdoor world. In 2021, they organized the first River Towns Plein Air event, named for the style of painting outside. This year’s event will take place from Saturday, April 18, through Sunday, May 3, in and around Marietta, Columbia and Wrightsville. The festivities will begin on April 18 with an Artist Quick Draw competition, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m. “ T his year ’s quick draw is sponsored by the Marietta Area Business Association and will take place during the Annual Cherry Blossom Festival on Front Street in Marietta,” Hines explained. The competition invites the public to see the Cherry Blossom Festival from an artist’s perspective. Artists age 18 and older will be
townlively.com/ events
See Art pg 5 An artist paints outside at a previous year’s plein air event.
DON
IU13’s Transition Programs Prepare Students for Life
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BY JEFF FALK
especially important,” said Gina Guatta, who’s been the supervisor of IU13’s Lancaster secondary transition programs for 12 years. “For some, they’ve been told they can’t work. They feel proud when they make a contribution. Part of it is growing up, going to school, going to work and taking the next step.” Lancaster-Lebanon IU13, which is located at 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, sponsors four
Employment is not just about a paycheck. Jobs can affect our self-worth, our relationships and our confidence. Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit (IU) 13 is in the education business, and at least two of its programs are specifically designed to prepare young people for the workforce. “For these students, work is
Conestoga Valley High School student Derrick Herr cleans as part of his housekeeping internship at Moravian Manor through IU13’s See IU13 pg 8 work immersion program.
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
ETN
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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
VOL LXVII • NO 10
Healing Is the Point of Acupuncture BY JEFF FALK
It’s natural, nontraditional and minimally invasive. It uses tiny pains with the goal to lessen, treat and even cure big pains. But perhaps the most important element to know about acupuncture is that it aims to unlock the sometimes-underestimated strength of the body’s own healing powers. “ The body itself is pretty incredible. The body is very smart,” said Dr. Ashley LeClair, a Pennsylvania licensed acupuncturist who operates Lititz Acupuncture, 1555 Highlands Drive, Suite 103, Lititz, with her husband, Dr. John Marino. “We meet the patient where they are to help them feel better when they walk out of here.” The physical act of acupuncture involves inserting between four and 12 thin needles - about three hairs in diameter - into a relaxed patient in an inclined position. Sometimes the needles are inserted into the areas being treated, and other times they are inserted in different parts of the body. The regularity and frequency of the treatments are important. LeClair’s acupuncture sessions last between 45 minutes and an hour and can be administered once a week for periods of four to 12 weeks. “After a long intake, conversation and a pattern diagnosis, we choose the points and have the patient in a position where t he y ’re com for t a ble ,” s a id LeClair. “We want you to relax as best you can. We have to create points that help that purpose in that moment. It’s detailed to every individual. The pain doesn’t last; once the needle is See Healing pg 3
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