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JULY 2, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 28
Play Preparation for Pre-K
Join The
TROPHY WALL
BY ANN MEAD ASH
section of that area closest to West Franklin Street will be used for food storage. “These garage doors will be updated, and we can receive donations from Tyson or Central Pennsylvania Food Bank,” stated Edwards. The new Food and Nutrition Center, which will have its own entrance on West Franklin Street, will feature a commercial walk-in refrigerator and freezer. Edwards described the new market as a mini grocery store with its own restroom for shoppers, produce racks, nesting grocery carts, and a checkout counter. Behind the grocery store will be a commercial kitchen where lunches for the summer program
Angela Beck, family engagement specialist with Community Action Partnership (CAP) of Lancaster’s first Thrive to Five program and CrossNet Ministries in New Holland, has been holding seasonal Play & Learn gatherings for a while, but the summer series will be special. “Over the summer, we will do kindergarten readiness,” explained Beck, who noted that Jen Watson, assistant director and youth services coordinator with the ELANCO Area Library, will run the sessions, which will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Fridays, July 11 to Aug. 1, on the second floor of the library, 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland. “The Play & Learn in partnership with Parents as Teachers will focus on developing kindergarten readiness skills in ages birth to 5, from gross and fine motor skill development to color and letter recognition,” said Watson, who added that the aim is to “give participants hands-on activities to foster these skills,” as well as resources, which will help continue to develop the skills throughout early childhood. “Our goal is to promote early literacy in local children and support their success in kindergarten and beyond,” she said. Watson plans to provide a variety of educational opportunities at each Play & Learn, along with take-home activities for parents and caregivers. Activities generally include those that promote hand-eye coordination in young children, who also work on learning shapes and colors. “We do finger plays with rhymes such as ‘This
See CrossNet Ministries pg 9
See CAP pg 8
Carl Edwards, executive director of CrossNet Ministries, stands on the second floor of the nearly completed warehouse project at 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland.
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in September 2024 and are scheduled to be completed by the end of August with move-in projected for September. The purchase also included a smaller building at 134 W. Franklin St., which Edwards stated is currently being used for storage. “(134 W. Franklin St.) is slated for future growth,” stated Edwards. Because construction is ongoing, the tour does not begin at the front door, but rather at the west entrance, which will continue as a loading dock for the new facility. “All donations will come through one place,” noted Edwards, who listed backpacks, winter coats, and clothing among those. The
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he excitement that Carl Edwards, executive director of CrossNet Ministries, feels as he leads the way into the organization’s warehouse project’s donation center is obvious in his demeanor, but he puts words to it anyway. “We are thrilled! We are excited!” exclaimed Edwards. “It’s finally happening.” T he warehouse, located at 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland, was purchased by CrossNet in late 2022 in response to a need for space as programs and services offered by the ministry outgrew its facilities. Renovations to the property began
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BY ANN MEAD ASH