Donegal SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,800 HOMES
Help Needed to Plant Community Garden BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Sprpriing EVENT CALENDAR townlively.com/ events
riends of Donegal is gearing up for another season of feeding the community, and the organization can use your help. A planting event will be held at the nonprofit’s community garden, located at Donegal Presbyterian Church, 1891 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 16. “This is a kid-friendly event,” said Andrea Riefenstahl, president of Friends of Donegal, noting that people of all ages are invited to help with the planting. “This is a 3.5-acre space that Friends of Donegal uses to provide free fresh produce to our community members with food insecurity challenges.” People are encouraged to bring their own gardening tools to plant vegetables and flowers. “Friends of Donegal is providing a free pair of garden gloves to
Residents of senior apartments in Mount Joy prepare plants for the Friends of Donegal community garden.
everyone who comes out that day,” Friends of Donegal began about Riefenstahl shared. four years ago with a mission to supPeople will help with bed prep- port members of the community. ping, planting and some mulching. “Our three free programs are See Garden pg 5
DON
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Celebrate community and history while enjoying some delicious food at a Cinco de Mayo Dinner. The event will be held at Saint Luke Episcopal Church, 209 S. Market St., Mount Joy, on Tuesday, May 5, from 4 to 7 p.m. The meal will be available for dine-in or takeout. “Each meal will include two mouth-watering tacos, either chicken or beef, on your choice of a hard or soft tortilla,” said Lynn McCleary, a member of the church’s hospitality committee. “Guests will garnish their own tacos with fresh veggies, cheese, sour cream Inviting people to a Cinco de Mayo Dinner are (from R127547
See Cinco de Mayo pg 2 left) Joan Kester, Linda Mamourian and Geri Corll.
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
M ETN
Faith and Fun for the Whole Family BY CATHY MOLITORIS
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ONLINE
VOL LXVII • NO 12
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
For 49 years, Kraybill Mennonite School has invited the community out for its annual Benefit Auction and Pig Roast. The fun will continue this year on Friday, May 8, and Saturday, May 9, at the school, 598 Kraybill C hurch Road, Mount Joy. Friday’s festivities will run from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday’s activities will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday’s events will begin with a preview of auction items and bidder number registration at 4 p.m. A pig roast dinner will be available for eat-in or takeout from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The menu will include pulled pork, a sandwich roll, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, coleslaw, applesauce and water. A children’s tent will feature activities such as inflatables, face painting, games and a dunk tank from 4 to 8 p.m. At 7 p.m., a seventh-grade vs. eighthgrade relay on an inf latable obstacle course will be held. A family-friendly movie will be shown at 7:15 p.m. At 5 p.m. on Friday, the auction will begin, featuring home décor and household goods, including gift baskets. At 6 p.m., class projects will be spotlighted in the auction. “Every class makes an auction item/basket to sell. The entire class helps out,” said Suzanne Snyder, administrative assistant. “Some baskets include self-care coffee basket, art made by the class, flower garden items, pickleball items, play-dough sets, movie-night basket, kitchen See Faith pg 3
R127548
APRIL 29, 2026
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 29, 2026
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