Donegal SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,800 HOMES
Interns Suit Up for a Summer of Service BY CAT SHANNON
O
n a recent Sunday morning, Ryan Shepard could be found wearing a suit of armor and holding a shield while a child nearby waved a (fake) sword. It might be surprising to discover where he was doing this: in church. Shepard, a 2024 graduate of Donegal High School who now attends Columbia International University, is one of five summer inter ns at Community Bible Church in Marietta. He donned the costume as part of a lesson he taught to children attending Sunday school at the church. “I want to go into ministry and work in a church or work overseas as a missionary in the future, so I wanted to get ministry experience learning how to serve within a church,” he explained. “I also really enjoy working with kids.” Community Bible Church has held a summer internship program since Community Bible Church interns and staff members.
townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
See Interns pg 2
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
Photo by Cat Shannon
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 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
COME TRAVEL WITH US...
Pigeon Forge, TN
August 4th-8th
• New England Rails & Sails Tour! July 21st-25th • Marvelous Coastal Maine Tour! September 1st-5th
Call For A Free 2025 Tour Menu 717-823-2086 or visit/book @ FUNCOUNTRYTOURS.COM
R118382
Smoky Mountain Summer Tour
Hope Shines in “Bright Star” BY CAT SHANNON
See Bookmobile pg 3
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUN. 11, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
When Susquehanna Stage presents “Bright Star,” audiences will discover a musical full of the ups and downs of human emotion. “It’s a beautiful show,” said Lakisha Welch, who portrays Alice Murphy, the woman at the center of the story. “There’s an element of fate in this show. It’s a show about being true to yourself and trying to right the wrongs of the past in the best way you know how. It’s about characters looking for redemption.” “Bright Star” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, July 25 and 26 and Aug. 1 and 2, as well as at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31, The cast of “Bright Star” includes (from left) Daniel Graf,
R120044
See Hope pg 8 Lakisha Welch, Zach Haines and Jordyn Johnson.
Our Apricots & Plums Bumper Crop
This is the Year to:
• Can • Freeze • Preserve Yes... Peaches & Nectarines too! *Market is full of summer’s bounty! POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUL. 23, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
DON
BY CAT SHANNON
VOL LXVI • NO 24
Hometown Hero Honored With Quilt of Valor BY CAT SHANNON
In the few years she’s served o u r c o u n t r y, C h r i s t i n e C . Emswiler has made a big impact. The 2022 Donegal High School graduate, now an Army corporal, was honored for her service with a Quilt of Valor presented by the Red Rose Quilters Guild in a ceremony organized in partnership with members of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 809 on the square in Maytown last month. More than 100 people came out for the ceremony, which was a surprise to Emswiler, home for a brief leave from duty. “The Red Rose Quilters Guild honored her with a quilt for her outstanding service. She served in nine foreign countries in three years,” said Sara Gutshall of the American Legion Auxiliary 809. “She is so deserving of this honor, and we want to thank her for her service.” While living locally, Emswiler demonstrated an early commitment to community service and impact. She received the American Legion Award in 2018 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Mount Joy Post 5752 Founders Award in 2022. While a student at Donegal, she was a member of the field hockey team that won the state championship in 2018, and she was inducted into the National Honor Society in 2021. S he achieved other local honors, including service as a Poppy Princess in Bainbridge, and she was a Girl Scout for 13 years, earning both her Bronze and Silver awards. “She has done a lot of local community service,” Gutshall shared. “She planted flowers at the square in Maytown for years. See Hero pg 4
Beautiful Flowers 400 Long Lane At Marticville Road (Rts. 741 & 324S) 3 Miles S. of Lancaster
10%-50% OFF • Annuals • Perennials • Shrubs
Mon.-Sat. 8-6, Closed Sunday • 717-872-9311 www.cherryhillorchards.com
R119972
JULY 23, 2025