Elizabethtown townlively.com
AUGUST 2, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Gala will benefit Hope’s Haven Rescue & Youth Camp
VOL LXIV • NO 25
Summer fun at Summer Nights BY CATHY MOLITORIS
As John Travolta once sang, “Oh, those summer nights.” You can experience summertime fun in downtown Elizabethtown during the Summer Nights 2nd Friday event. It will be held on Friday, Aug. 11, from 4 to 8 p.m. The event will also feature a car show, which will run from 4 to 7 p.m. “We will be having our 2nd Friday scavenger hunt that is free to do and ends with a candy prize for all participants from The Candy Unicornium candy shop,” said Clint Gibble, who is organizing the event with Tony Gibble. He added that each participant will also be entered into a drawing with two winners chosen for gift cards to downtown businesses. “The scavenger hunt takes people on a tour of our downtown, getting to see various stores and businesses as they find the items they need to complete the challenge,” he explained. Activities, entertainment and food will be offered throughout the
Volunteers and participants at Hope’s Haven Rescue & Youth Camp BY CATHY MOLITORIS
ig out your denim and make plans to attend the Denim & Diamonds Benefit Gala for Hope’s Haven Rescue & Youth Camp. The event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 10 p.m. at The Star Barn at Stone Gables Estate, 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown. Tickets will include dinner and hors d’oeuvres by Food for Thought Catering, live music by The Black Tie and Group Therapy and complimentary wine provided by Waltz Vineyards. “This is our first benefit gala,” said Diane Gruber-Strickland, founder and executive director of Hope’s Haven. “The purpose is twofold: raise awareness about our youth program and to raise funds to grow our program.”
“Along with God’s hand and guidance, the Hope’s Haven program helps to heal wounded hearts and offers restored hope.” or conflicts in their lives is increasing,” Gruber-Strickland stated. “Hope’s Haven Rescue & Youth Program is designed to support youths during this time in their lives. Each year, the number of youths served and adults volunteering continues
to increase.” The organization is looking to expand and serve a larger number of youths and is currently seeking a larger facility. Along with food and entertainment, the gala will feature a presentation on the Hope’s Haven program as well as a silent auction. Proceeds from the gala will help grow the organization’s youth mentorship program, support regular care and maintenance of the horses and raise funds toward the future purchase of a permanent space. “We are 100% volunteer-run and offer all our mentorship services at no cost to families,” Gruber-Strickland shared, adding that more than 30 volunteers support the mentorship program, equine health and wellness and program administration. “Over the past five years, Hope’s Haven has demonstrated a
downtown area, all with a 1950s theme reflective of the time period of the movie “Grease.” A performance from E-Dance Center will also be featured, and custom stickers will be available for people to collect for the My Town E-Town Sticker Book. See Summer pg 3
Taking the field in Italy BY CATHY MOLITORIS
As a student at Rheems Elementary School years ago, Alyssa Hamilton noticed something that would soon become her passion. “I was on the playground, and I saw some girls playing softball,” recalled the Elizabethtown resident, who had been playing T-ball since she was very young. “I told my dad I wanted to be like them when I was older.” Alyssa, the daughter of Mike and Christie Hamilton, just returned from a trip to Italy where she played softball with an organization called Beyond Sports.
Currently a student at Lancaster Bible College, Alyssa graduated from Elizabethtown Area High School in 2020. In high school, she played outfield positions, including right and centerfield, and in college, she’s playing centerfield and is also a pitcher. Beyond Sports reached out to Alyssa’s college coach and invited four members of the team to go on the trip. Alyssa was the only one who chose to go, noting that it was an expensive venture. She raised the thousands of dollars needed to go by selling subs and accepting donations from family members and friends. Her grandmother also See Italy pg 5 R097321
See Gala pg 2
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Hope’s Haven, located in Bainbridge, provides equine therapy by pairing rescued horses with children who are going through trauma, abuse, loss or any type of conflict. “In today’s world, the number of youths who are dealing with trauma
Logan and Carter Bechtold are ready for Summer Nights.
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