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Dave Dravecky to speak at Cornerstone banquet BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Branle, who has been executive director of Venture Lititz since August of 2021. “It’s celebrating big wins with merchants. It’s watching this town become ever more alive with art, culture and community pride.” Her perspective matches that of Kristie Schmid, who has been executive director of the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce since March of 2021. “I love seeing our community respond to the revitalization in town, the increase in businesses and the new community events,” Schmid said. “It’s fulfilling to put your time into something and then see others have pride in it as well.”
In 1988, Dave Dravecky was on top of the world. The Major League Baseball pitcher was at the peak of his career when cancer was discovered in his pitching arm. Despite being told he’d never pitch again, Dravecky recovered and returned to baseball a year later. His victory was short-lived, however, and just five days after his return to the big leagues, he shattered his arm while throwing a pitch. His arm had to be amputated, and his baseball career was over. Dravecky could have wallowed in his sorrow and withdrawn from the public eye. Instead, he took the opportunity to turn tragedy into hope. Now a motivational speaker, Dravecky will give the keynote address at Cornerstone Youth Center’s 25th anniversary banquet. The event will be held at Mount Calvary Christian School, 629 Holly St., Elizabethtown, on Thursday, March 30. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the banquet will begin at 6 p.m. “I was a freshman in college when all of this happened with Dave Dravecky, and I was a baseball player at the time,” said Jim Bush, executive director of Cornerstone. “I read his book, and when I heard he was one of the people we were considering for our banquet, I was really excited.” In addition to Dravecky’s talk, the banquet will feature a catered dinner by Harvey’s Main Street BBQ, including stuffed chicken breast with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce, assorted pies and drinks. A silent auction will feature a variety of items, including a book and baseball autographed by Dravecky,
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Leaders of the county’s Chambers of Commerce include (front, from left) Ashley Zell, Heather Valudes, Denise Grove, (back) Jona Green, Kristie Schmid, Kerry Meyers, Rebecca Branle, and (not pictured) Liz Ackerman.
Taking a seat at the table argaret Thatcher once said, “If you want something done, ask a woman.” There’s a whole lot getting done in Lancaster County, because for the first time ever, all of the Chambers of Commerce in the county are led by women. Each woman brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to her role, but all of the leaders share a common goal: They want to make their community a great place to live and work. Denise Grove, who started her role as executive director of the Elizabethtown Area Chamber of
1,500 businesses, almost half of the county’s workforce. For Ashley Zell, who became executive director of the Mount Joy Chamber of Commerce in January, the job brings a chance to get to know her community. “The friends and connections made and the interaction with the Chamber members and community at our numerous different events are definitely the biggest rewards of this position,” Zell said. The women also remarked that holding the job offers a chance to see their communities thrive. “It’s seeing kids dancing at the farmers market,” commented Rebecca
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Commerce in February of 2022, said the job offers her a way to really connect with others. “As a lifetime resident of Elizabethtown, I had a strong desire to work where I could make a difference and be a part of strengthening our community,” she remarked, a sentiment shared by Heather Valudes, who has been president and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce since June of 2022. “I love Lancaster and the work that we are able to advance to make our employer community as strong as possible,” she said, noting that the Lancaster Chamber is countywide and represents nearly
Let us show you the difference a caring neighbor can make. Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Palmyra | 717-838-9211 Travis S. Finkenbinder, Supervisor
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Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory Elizabethtown | 717-367-1543 Thomas W. Ford, Supervisor
Fager-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Middletown | 717-944-7413 Alana A. Ace, Supervisor