Lampeter-Strasburg townlively.com
APRIL 23, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 51
Martin Meylin OM team makes memories, friends BY GEORGE DEIBEL
M
ar tin Meylin Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind (OM) team left nothing to chance this time around. The Martin Meylin squad eighth-graders Asha Lindskog, Lucy Gochnauer, Emma Cowan, and Aubrey Hikes; seventh-grader Avery Kalasinsky; and sixth-graders Sam Hughes and Judah Diffendarfer - took matters into its own hands. After advancing to states the previous two years by winning a lottery for third-place finishers, the current team took did not need to rely on the luck of the draw. Instead of advancing to states through a lottery, this year’s squad earned an automatic berth to the state competition by placing second in the East Central PA Region at Millersville University on March 8. “This was a good one,” coach Tracey Harber said. “We were
happy about this one.” The gifted education teacher noted that the lottery is conducted by pulling names out of a hat to fill open slots. “This year they earned it on their own,” she said. Team members didn’t know what to think while they
“Teamwork is a huge part of OM. We did a lot of team bonding.” anxiously awaited the results. “I looked over at Emma and I said, ‘So we either cooked or we’re cooked,’” Avery recalled. Aubrey said, “They called third (place) and I thought, ‘Oh, we either didn’t do it, or we actually did pretty good.’ Then they called Martin Meylin (for second place), and I said, ‘What? What?’” “You should’ve seen the look on our faces,” Avery said. The prompt at regionals was
to retell the story of three constellations using a shooting star that changes appearance and positioning and a theatrical lighting effect. To retell the story, the Martin Meylin team created an aquarium that houses a fish that turns pink when it’s sick and is clear when healthy. A u b re y, w h o h a s b e e n a member of the OM team for three years, is impressed by the current version’s organizational skills. Busy with other responsibilities, Aubrey was recruited to join the OM team four days before the regional competition. She assisted with the production of the shooting star, which was composed of recyclable items, including hangers, a spool, a wooden pole, and a pulley system made of cardboard. “And a lot of hot glue,” Asha added. “Hot glue was our best friend.” The shooting star was an integral part of the presentation. “We had to get really creative with it,” Asha said. “It is in four scenes, Martin Meylin Middle School’s Odyssey of the Mind team members (front, from left) Asha Lindskog, Sam Hughes, Judah Diffendarfer, and you can’t hide it.” (back) Lucy Gochnauer, Emma Cowan, Avery Kalasinsky, and Aubrey
BY CAT SHANNON
“If you’re looking for a getaway that’s within driving distance of home, this is the perfect place to find it,” said Wendy Royal, organizer of the PA Family Travel Fair. “Come here and see what’s right in your backyard.” The PA Family Travel Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at Spooky Nook Sports Complex, 75 Champ
Blvd., Manheim. The event will feature free entry and free parking. Organized by Where & When Pennsylvania, a free seasonal travel magazine, the PA Family Travel Fair will spotlight more than 50 vendors. “ We will have destination marketing organizations from all over the state,” Royal shared. “Probably the farthest one is VisitErie or Warren County, but See Travel Fair pg 4
Homefields Care Farm will tell visitors about its mission BY GEORGE DEIBEL
Homefields Care Farm, 150 Letort Road, Millersville, will hold its annual Open Farm event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 27. “It’s the one day we open our farm and our grounds to the community and welcome anyone in the community to come and see what we do, learn about our mission, learn about opportunities to volunteer, and learn about Homefields Care Farm staff members (from left) Cristian Phibbs, the CSA (community-supported Allison G. Hawthorne, Sarah Earp, Dominique Didier, Andrew Phillips, See Open Farm pg 9 Tony Beers, and Carol Welsh
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Find your next adventure at the PA Family Travel Fair
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See OM team pg 3 Hikes