Garden Spot townlively.com
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 8
Building a bridge between school and community Garden Spot names athletic director BY ANN MEAD ASH
K
Keith Blackwell encouraged school spirit at a November 2023 Garden Spot High School pep rally.
eith Blackwell, who is presently a technology education teacher at Garden Spot Middle School (GSMS), has experience in a variety of areas. His talents as a musician are well known in the community, and he currently serves as a co-pastor at Summit View Brethren in Christ Church. He’s also announced Garden Spot High School football games and boys’ varsity basketball games for several years. However, it is Keith’s experience building relationships that he feels will be among the most important skills he brings to his new role as athletic director for the ELANCO School District. Keith was officially named to the post at a school board meeting on Jan. 13. “My goal is to (build a) bridge between the community and the school district through
Calling all hunters When Kevin Ressler, one of the organizers of the Ephrata Area Churches’ annual New Holland Sportsman Banquet, learned that Eddie Salter was being considered as the 2025 speaker, the turkey hunter’s name was not familiar. “I had never heard of him before,” stated Ressler, who noted that the event had hosted deer hunters as speakers for the last several years. “We wanted to try something different,” Ressler pointed out. “(Salter) deer hunts, but he’s big into turkeys.” The family-friendly banquet,
which was first held in 2005, will take place on Friday, March 14, at Yoder’s Restaurant, 14 S. Tower Road, New Holland. Attendees can view about 10 vendor stands, which will include hunting and fishing gear as well as other local businesses, such as a car dealership, when doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served at 6:15 p.m. According to Ressler, the event will again feature a number of door prizes, which are provided by banquet sponsors. Ressler noted that the pr izes will not necessarily be related to hunting and fishing. “We will have free car washes, maybe a See Ephrata Area Churches pg 3
“This is my community. … I am passionate about ELANCO.” earned his teaching degree in technology education from Millersville University in 2010. In the fall of 2010, Keith began a long-term substitute position at Manheim Central High School, and he later taught at Red Lion Area Senior High School, but all the while, he continued to
live in the EL ANCO district. In 2016, he applied to teach at GSMS. “I have always wanted to work in our district,” stated Keith. “When the opportunity became available … I jumped on it. This is my home.” In the fall of 2024, when Keith learned that the position of ELANCO athletic director was open, he had a feeling he should apply. “I have always been involved in athletics,” Keith stated, noting that he played in youth leagues and bowled and played football at GSHS. “I am passionate about sports and athletics,” he said. He shared his interest in the position with his wife, Stephanie. “Through prayerful discernment, we decided that whatever doors opened, we would walk through them,” recalled Keith. “If this wasn’t the plan for our family, then the doors would close.” Keith met with ELANCO superintendent Michael Snopkowski to learn See ELANCO School District pg 4
It’s your move: Village Library offers Chess Club BY FRANCINE FULTON
“Not everyone can play soccer, football, (do) karate or play basketball, but everyone can do this,” said Joe Cress, who leads the Chess Club at the Village Library of Morgantown. The Chess Club began at the library in the fall of 2024, and after a hiatus, it returned on Jan. 18. It will be held every Saturday at 10:30 a.m. through March. Joe, who learned the game as a youngster, has been playing for
Joe (left) and AJ Cress enjoy a game of chess at the Village Library of
See Chess Club pg 4 Morgantown.
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BY ANN MEAD ASH
athletics,” said Keith. “Through my experience as a pastor and a teacher, I have lots of experience at building relationships with people.” Keith was raised in New Holland. He graduated from Garden Spot High School (GSHS) in 2006, and he