Lampeter-Strasburg APRIL 15, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,190 HOMES
VOL LXII • NO 50
Historic Rock Ford Plans Presentations, Regency-Era Ball H
Hanging Baskets Planters Geraniums Gerbera Daisies and more!
See Rock Ford pg 5 “The Duke’s Ball.”
Students Invited to Audition for Orchestra Ensembles
Church Cherishes Its History, Focuses on the Future BY GEORGE DEIBEL
1955 Beaver Valley Pike, just N. of Quarryville
(717) 786-4713 Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 8am-4pm
mecksproduce.com
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Willow Street Church UCC’s Marty Durham (left), Linda Overly (middle), and Sue Myers stand in front of the original altar. Photo by George Deibel
Willow Street Church UCC is commemorating its past while looking to the future. The church, located at 2723 Willow Street Pike, is observing its 150th anniversary and recently launched a d ay t i m e c o m m u n i t y program called WeConnect. WeConnect is held the third Thursday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. “ W hile it was created
with older adults in mind, it is open to anyone seeking social connection and community, and the program focuses on bringing people together in a welcoming, inclusive environment,” said Marty Durham, Willow Street Church’s community communications director. The program is free, and a light lunch is provided. Registration is appreciated but not required. To register, call the church office at 717-464-3462.
Allegro Orchestra’s Nextgen Yo u t h M u s i c p ro g ra m h a s opened registration for auditions for the high school Overture and Allegretto ensembles for the 2026-27 season. Overture is a full symphonic orchestra for students in grades eight through 12. T hrough
See Church pg 2
See Auditions pg 8
Create Beautiful Gardens!
Stop in, treat your senses!
Perennials • Plant Now! Cool Season Veggies Azaleas • Lilacs • Evergreens Berries • Shrubs • and Lots More! POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 15, 2026
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400 Long Lane At Marticville Road (Rts. 741 & 324S)
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Large Selection
istoric Rock Ford, 881 Rock Ford Road, Lancaster, will hold several upcoming events. On Sunday, April 19, at 2 p.m., Historic Rock Ford will host Matthew Dodd as he presents “Songs and Stories of the American Revolution.” Dressed in Colonial garb, Dodd will take audiences back in time to the days of the American Colonial settlement and the American Revolution. He will use period songs and stories that put the songs into the context of the time to bring to life the days of 1776. A retired teacher and now a full-time musician, Dodd sings and plays the guitar, banjo, and mandolin. The presentation will be held in the Langmuir Education Room located on the first floor of the Rock Ford barn. Visitors may park in the area located behind the barn. Prior to the lecture, attendees may visit the Snyder Gallery and the 2026 Focus Exhibit. On Wednesday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m., Kenneth Sensenig will present “The American Revolution and Mennonites: A Crisis of Conscience” as part of Historic Rock Ford’s Untold Stories of the Revolution Lecture Series. In 1777, during the defense of Philadelphia, the peaceful Ephrata Cloister became an unlikely battlefield of conscience as wounded soldiers were brought there for nursing. Sensenig will tell the story of John and Anna Baer, Mennonite pacifists who faced an impossible dilemma: how to care for wounded soldiers Actor Joshua William Green will portray Sebastian, the Duke of Broadleigh, at