Hempfield townlively.com
NOVEMBER 20, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XL • NO 33
I “ will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High.” Psalm 7:17
Supporting first responders, one beard at a time
EPHS invites community to celebrate the holidays and local history
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Bowermaster expanded Beards for Brothers to support other emergency service workers in addition to police officers. The initiative quickly grew into a county-wide fundraiser that police officers, firefighters and EMS clinicians in nearly every borough participate in every year. “We decided to open it up to (support) any first responder who has cancer. We all have an important role and support
Like many towns in Lancaster County, East Petersburg has a rich history and roots that are centuries old. Over the decades, the area has undergone many changes as it has evolved into a vibrant community that hosts music festivals and events that highlight local businesses, and the town has recently welcomed many new residents as it continues to grow. Amidst the steady growth and evolution of East Petersburg, the East Petersburg Historical Society (EPHS) is making an effort to preserve the history that made the community what it is today. EPHS is located at 1905 State St. in East Petersburg, where it hosts a variety of programs and manages the Daniel Wolf House year-round. The museum is the former home of Daniel Wolf and his wife, Polly, who founded what was then known as Petersburg in 1812. EPHS was established in 1976 with a mission to preserve memorabilia from East Petersburg’s past, and the group purchased
See Beards for Brothers pg 3
See EPHS pg 4
In 2019, Beards for Brothers began to support A Week Away Foundation through its annual No Shave November fundraiser.
for the month, after which the money was donated to the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute in Lancaster. The fundraiser, named Beards for Brothers, was officially registered as a nonprofit organization this year. In 2015, Watt teamed up with West Hempfield Township police officer Rich Bowermaster to expand Beards for Brothers. The two officers’ primary goal was to advocate for first responders
fighting cancer by offering them financial and emotional support, as well as raising awareness of cancer and urging other police departments to get involved. “(Watt and I) both work in adjoining departments, so we’ve known eachother for a long time,” Bowermaster said. “He reached out to ask if I wanted to join (Beards for Brothers), and of course, it was a no-brainer.” After the first year, Watt and
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v e r y No v e m b e r, m a ny Americans say goodbye to their boyfriends’ and husbands’ clean-shaven faces while men take part in the nationwide No Shave November movement. The annual tradition involves ditching the razor for one month, and it has been observed by men in the United States for over a decade. For many participants, the month is simply an excuse to try growing that Tom Selleck-inspired mustache they’ve always wanted to have. But for some men, including first responders in nearly every part of Lancaster County, the shaving fast is a way to support other emergency service workers who are battling cancer. In 2013, E ast Hemp f ield Township police officer Bill Watt was diagnosed with cancer and under went treatment. After personally experiencing the emotional stress and financial burden involved with treatment, Watt wished to create an initiative to support other people who are battling cancer. The following year, Watt asked East Hempfield Township’s chief of police to waive the department’s policy that prohibits officers from growing facial hair during November. For a minimum donation, officers were permitted to grow a beard