Elizabethtown townlively.com
JULY 17, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXV • NO 23
“When We Climb Trees” explores allure of gaming and screentime BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Catch the world premiere of a youth musical, “When We Climb Trees,” at the Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim. The show will be performed at 2 and 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 21. “When We Climb Trees” tells
the story of a tight-knit group of friends who struggle with the conflict between sharing real-life adventures and succumbing to the draw of gaming devices and screentime. “This show is really about finding balance between time to play, pretend, be a kid and be with friends with the ever-present See Youth musical pg 7
People enjoy a previous community picnic at Rissers Mennonite Church.
Rissers Mennonite Church will host community picnic
F
learn more about these helpers,” Heistand commented. The picnic will include additional activities for people of all ages. A bounce house will be set up, along with face painting and yard games. Both children and adults are invited to participate in bingo games as well. All food and activities at the picnic are provided free of charge. With a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, the picnic helps members of the congregation reach out and connect with the greater community, Heistand shared, noting that the church members emphasize the importance of community relationships. Hosting a community picnic is a time-honored tradition at Rissers Mennonite Church, with some families returning year after year
for the festivities. People should bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the picnic, and everyone is welcome, Heistand said, adding that organizers hope to see familiar faces from past picnics as well as newcomers. “We enjoy the opportunity to invite our neighbors to this picnic,” she stated. “Hopefully, there is a chance for many to meet a new friend.” Rissers Mennonite Church holds services on Sundays beginning at 9 a.m. with Sunday school for adults and children, followed by worship at 10 a.m. In addition to the picnic, the church holds other community-focused events throughout the year and hosts Bible2School classes for children in grades two and three during the school year.
Toys for Tots’ Touch-A-Truck is vehicle for enhancing young lives BY JEFF FALK
Lancaster Toys for Tots continues to do amazing things in our community. But it’s work that can’t be done alone, or without the support of many generous donors. Lancaster Toys for Tots’ latest venture, Touch-A-Truck Family Day, looks to build off that altruistic spirit and take the organization’s work to a whole different level.
“We’re helping kids in Lancaster County, and there’s a big need in Lancaster County,” said Gil Bixler, Lancaster Toys for Tots’ coordinator for the last 37 years. “I’ve got a fantastic team of volunteers who just enjoy doing it. That’s what it takes to make it all happen. They work harder than I do.” Associated with the United States Marine Corps Reserve, Lancaster Toys for Tots’ Touch-ATruck Family Day is a brand-new, See Toys pg 2 R108505
un, fellowship and food will be the focus of the annual community picnic hosted by Rissers Mennonite Church, 8 3 6 0 E l i z a b e t h to w n R o a d , Elizabethtown. The picnic will be held on Saturday, July 27, beginning at 4:30 p.m. The event will start with a meal featuring chicken from Peters’ BBQ , said Arlene Heistand, connections/outreach committee chairperson. The theme of the picnic is “Commun i t y Hel p ers ,” a nd picnic activities will reflect that topic. At 6 p.m., first responders will be on-site to greet guests. “There will be various emergency and other vehicles on display to view and for an opportunity to
Let us show you the difference a caring neighbor can make. Rothermel-Finkenbinder Miller-Finkenbinder Fager-Finkenbinder Smedley-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Funeral Home & Crematory Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Palmyra | 717-838-9211 Elizabethtown | 717-367-1543 Middletown | 717-944-7413 Marietta | 717-426-3614 Travis S. Finkenbinder, Supervisor Kala M. Smith, Supervisor Alaina A. Ace, Supervisor Megan S. Waters, Supervisor
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUL. 17, 2024
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
ETN
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
The cast rehearses for “When We Climb Trees.”