Elizabethtown JULY 16, 2025
JULY 26
BY CAT SHANNON
11:00 A.M. TO 2:30 P.M.
AUG. 9 PLEIN AIR QUICK DRAW Presented by Mount Joy Area Historical Society
8:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.
OCT. 24 DOWNTOWN SPOOKTACULAR Presented by Mount Joy Area Chamber of Commerce
5:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
DEC. 6 WINTERFEST
2:00 P.M. TO 5:00 P.M.
VISIT
Mount Joy
Lifting up Local Students BY CAT SHANNON
is not degenerative, meaning brain cells are not dying, and there is hope even for older individuals if curative approaches can be translated to humans,” she noted. “There are currently gene therapy clinical trials underway for Rett syndrome, and several other potentially curative genetic medicine approaches are being pursued.” Zoey was diagnosed with Rett See Light pg 8
See Students pg 5
Zoey Adair
foods. Since losing that ability, she has had to be spoon-fed pureed foods. She does have a feeding tube for supplemental nutrition and hydration.” The good news, Deanna said, is that Rett syndrome is known to be caused by a mutation in only one gene, and the syndrome has been cured in mice. “It is a progressive disorder, but
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The members of Christ Church United Church of Christ (UCC) in Elizabethtown believe in making a difference in their community. When they saw a need among students in the Elizabethtown Area School District (EASD), they acted. The second annual Threads and Treads event will take place Saturday, July 19, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 247 S. Market St., Elizabethtown. All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase clothing and shoes and supply other basic needs for students in the district through a special fund set up by the church. “This fund supports students who otherwise would have fallen through the cracks,” said Nadinne Ziegler, event chair, noting that the inaugural Threads and Treads raised more than $10,000. “For 2024-25, we helped 40 students from 20 families by providing essential resources such as clothing, winter gear, shoes, school supplies, household necessities and hygiene products. We served students across all grade levels from kindergar ten through grade 12.” The fund also supported five students who are homeless, she said. “More importantly, despite these students’ difficulties, they felt the care, love and compassion from Christ Church UCC and the community of Elizabethtown,” Ziegler remarked. Threads and Treads will feature music by DJ Jimmy Jam, games, a bounce house and giant slide, balloon art, face painting, a bake sale, basket giveaways and other
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ike other 10-year-olds, Zoey Adair loves music, swimming and animals. She also loves to be around people, said her mother, Deanna Adair. “Zoey is a very happy girl with a great sense of humor. She has very expressive eyes,” Deanna shared, noting that her daughter also enjoys adaptive skiing and plans to try adaptive surfing this summer. “She is a thrill seeker and enjoys activities like zip-lining and amusement park rides. She loves having the wind in her hair.” Unlike her peers, however, Zoey faces a challenge: She has Rett syndrome, a neurological disorder caused by a random genetic mutation. July is Disability Pride Month, and Deanna shared Zoey’s story to raise awareness of the condition and underscore the importance of support for children with disabilities. Because of the gene mutation, children with Rett syndrome regress developmentally between 6 and 18 months, often losing hand function, speech and mobility. Many experience seizures, scoliosis, heart problems, feeding and sleep issues and apraxia, leaving them “trapped” in their bodies, though eye gaze technology can help them communicate. “Zoey is fortunate not to have seizures or heart arrythmias at this time, but she has never walked or talked, has had several orthopedic surgeries, including spinal fusion and bilateral hip reconstruction, and she uses a BIPAP machine for sleep apnea,” Deanna explained. “Prior to her regression, she was able to use her hands to feed herself solid
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