Donegal townlively.com
JUNE 4, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Marigolds and Mud Make Learning Fun
Strawberry Festival Will Offer a Sweet Way to Give Back BY CAT SHANNON
Celebrate Dad a day early or bring your friends out for a sweet time when Saint Luke Episcopal Church hosts its annual Strawberry Festival. The event will be held at the church,
BY CAT SHANNON
S
tudents at Donegal Primary School (DPS) have been getting their hands dirty literally - and learning as they dig in the dirt. As part of a project between kindergartners and their firsta nd s e co nd - g rad e b ud d i e s , the students recently planted flowers at the school, located at 1055 Koser Road, Mount Joy. Jenna Gorski, who teaches first grade, and Karen Miller, who teaches second grade, often pair
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209 S. Market St., Mount Joy, on Saturday, June 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. “This is a time to gather with family, friends and neighbors to enjoy a delicious, affordable meal together,” said senior warden Lynn McCleary. “Strawberry shortcake or other varied See Strawberry pg 3
their students with kindergartners in Kim Garner’s morning and afternoon classes for hands-on activities and fun. “We were brainstorming ideas for the spring and were reminiscing about our days together at Maytown Elementar y and how we always planted flowers around the school and bulbs in the Nature Center,” Garner recalled, noting that the project was really a full-circle moment. “I had been Jenna’s kindergarten teacher, and Karen had been her second-grade teacher.” The planting project not only beautified the school grounds. It also helped the students apply what they learned in class to a real-world situation. “Students have learned about plants and livings things in our science curriculum,” said Gorski. “On this day, we taught
Inviting people to the Strawberry Festival are (from left) Judy Funk, Gail Fridy, Lynn McCleary, Scott Fair, Kris Fair and Nancy Kiser.
Bringing Deep-Rooted Faith to Mount Joy BY CAT SHANNON
Each student planted a marigold.
the children how to transplant the greenhouse-purchased marigold plants into the ground. The children first weeded the flower beds. Next, they planted the marigolds, mulched around their flower and finally watered their flower.” The f lowers now grace the space in front of the school and the district office. “ We p l a n t e d a l m o s t 1 0 0
marigolds,” Miller remarked. “The children were careful and respectful of the flowers their peers had already planted as we took turns.” All three teachers commented on the students’ behavior, noting that the project required active skills such as planting but also passive skills such as waiting. “The children were cooperative and patient as they worked
W hen Thrive Community Church opens in Mount Joy, it will bring decades of history and a strong foundation in faith to its new home. The church, w h ich b e ga n i n L a nc a s te r city and is currently renting space from Faith EC Church at 2124 Old Philadelphia Pike in Lancaster, is in the process of renovating space at 610 E. Main St. in Mount Joy with a full opening in mid to late fall.
Daryl Thomas, worship leader and head of outreach and evangelism, noted that the church initially formed under a different name. “Formerly First Baptist Church of Lancaster, we changed our name to Thrive Community Church in 2023, nearly 150 years into our history,” he said. The new name more accurately reflects the church’s passion and mission - lifting up the community. “ We’ve felt a draw to the
See Marigolds pg 2
See Faith pg 2
Beautiful Flowers
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“We planted almost 100 marigolds.”
400 Long Lane At Marticville Road
Our Strawberries Delicious! • PYO
Mon.-Sat. 8-6 • Ready Picked (Rts. 741 & 324S) 717-872-9311 3 Miles S. of Lancaster www.cherryhillorchards.com Follow us on R118371