Donegal townlively.com
OCTOBER 16, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 36
Haunted Marietta to return BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Inviting seniors to SALT are (from left) Renee Haney, Nancy Shonk, Richard Vaughn and Tracy Miller.
Seniors invited to SALT ministry BY CATHY MOLITORIS
“It is important to be with people who understand your challenges, while sharing new ideas, thoughts and experiences.” conditions. A 2020 study by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine shows that nearly one-fourth of adults age 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. According to the CDC, social isolation can lead to a 50% increased risk of
dementia, a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. To combat those statistics locally, the members of Mount Joy Church of God hope SALT becomes a true community effort. Several leaders of local churches have joined the effort to promote the ministry. “The senior population in Mount Joy needs a place where they can congregate, socialize, share miseries or health conditions, meet new friends and not be lonely,” said Nancy Shonk, who attends Florin Church of the Brethren. Joining Shonk on the leadership is Renee Haney from Swatara Hill Church of the Brethren, who got involved because she understands the loneliness that seniors can struggle with. “So many seniors are lonely and don’t know how to connect with others with similar interests,” Haney shared. “I’m hoping SALT will be a place where they can make meaningful connections with others in their
See Haunted Marietta pg 4
Head out for Spooktacular Family Fun Night BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Things are about to get spooky on Main Street in Mount Joy. The Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mount Joy Borough Police Department will host Spooktacular Family Fun Night on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. Main Street will be closed from Barbara Street to New Haven Street so people can walk between businesses and organiz ations for the
trick-or-treat event. “If you have children and love Halloween, this is the place to be,” said Robert Goshen, chief of police. “We close down Main Street to enhance safety, and everyone hands out candy to those in costume. Local vendors and shopkeepers will be open, as well as our department and the fire department will be participating. We also will have several characters from Star Wars joining us again.” See Family pg 3
R111708
See SALT pg 5
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER OCT. 16, 2024
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
DON
F
or seniors, options to make connections in the community can be limited. The members of Mount Joy Church of God want to change that. The church is launching a new ministry called SALT - Seniors Are Living Treasures - open to anyone age 60 or older. There is no cost to attend the program, which will meet at the church, 30 E. Main St., Mount Joy, on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Church member Tracy Miller said the time is split between organized activities and unstructured free time. “We will provide cards, games, puzzles, adult coloring, conversation, etc. Even our church library will be open for anyone who wishes to check out a book,” she said. “We will also have different activities every week: bingo, ice cream social, classic movies and popcorn, crafts and more.” According to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), loneliness and social isolation in older adults are public health risks affecting a significant number of people in the United States and putting them at risk of serious medical
Haunted Marietta is back for another year, encouraging brave souls to experience some spine-tingling fun - if they dare! This year ’s event will take place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. on Fr id ay a n d S at u rd ay, Oct. 25 and 26, and will feature two attractions: a h a u n te d h o u s e a t t h e U n i o n People line up to experience Haunted M e e t i n g H o u s e , Marietta. 80 N. Waterford Ave., and a the attraction will feature thrills haunted corn maze and other and chills for adults throughout activities behind Molly’s Court- the interactive attraction. On yard Café, 17 E. Market St. Oct. 26, people are invited to From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. both join in a costume parade startevenings, the haunted house will ing in the square in Marietta at offer a less-scary option for chil- 5 p.m. and walking down to the dren, with no costumed actors. Union Meeting House for the From 7 to 9 p.m. each night, children’s hour.