Donegal townlively.com
AUGUST 31, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIII • NO 29
Church Plans New Prekindergarten Program through Fridays year-round and will offer classes for children ages 3 to 5. Cindy Beyerlein, acting director, Fun and learning will go hand in hand when Chiques PreK opens at said the school is a natural fit for the Chiques United Methodist Church, church because it will further the 1215 E. Main St., Mount Joy. The church’s mission of community private school will operate Mondays interaction. “We were looking for opportunities to expand into the community,” she stated. “We wanted to increase our outreach and find new ways to connect with the community.” Plans began for the preschool in January, and Emmy Brenner was hired as the lead teacher. She’ll be joined in the classroom by assistant teacher Kathleen Geigley, along with church volunteers. Beyerlein noted that the teacher-to-student ratio will be 1 to 10. Brenner brings with her more than 15 years of experience as a preschool teacher, including working at Head Start. She describes the Chiques PreK curriculum as academic-focused, with an Welcoming students to the new Chiques emphasis on creativity. BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Stacy Emminger in the redesigned living room area of DSAA
A Welcoming Space BY CATHY MOLITORIS
hen people look around the room at Donegal Substance Abuse Alliance (DSAA) in Mount Joy, they might see art supplies, books, yoga mats, free clothing or just places to sit and relax. DON
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Stacy Emminger, executive director of DSAA, sees something more. “I want this place to have the feel of walking into someone’s living room,” she said. “I want people to feel at home here.” Thanks to a grant from Capital Area Behavioral Health Collabora-
A grant provided funding for DSAA to reorganize and renovate its space.
tive, Emminger has been able to transform the space into an even more welcoming spot. Since mid-June, she’s been busy putting the funds to use purchasing new furniture, laptops and a laptop cart, upgraded art supplies and more. “All of the furniture we had before was donated,” she stated. “It was wonderful, and I was very appreciative of it, but this was an opportunity to get new stuff, to make more efficient use of the space.” Storage bins now keep hygiene supplies organized, while a doorbell lets Emminger know if someone has come in. Clothing is now organized not just by items for men or women, but also by size and style. “Before, everything was sort of scattered around the room, and now there is a place for everything,” Emminger explained. “It feels like I have doubled my space.”
Taking On A Cycling Challenge BY CATHY MOLITORIS
This summer, teams of teens took to the streets on bikes as part of Lifecycles, a Christian-based organization that works to build young men and women of character. Five teams participated in Summer Challenge Rides, which took them on trips ranging from six to 14 days long. “This is the most Challenge Rides we’ve ever done,” said Lee DeRemer, Lifecycles director. “We had See Cycling pg 5
See Prekindergarten pg 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE ECHOS Will Hold Gala . . .2 Labor Day Auction To Support Hospice . . . . .6 Business Directory . . . . . .7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .13 House Of Worship . . . . . .16
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See Space pg 11
PreK are (from left) Emmy Brenner, pastor Michael Byrd and Cindy Beyerlein.
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