Lampeter-Strasburg
National
Small Business Week
April 28-May 4 MAY 1, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
On the same team BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Barbecue will support Haitian communities BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
I
f you are a fan of any sport, you are likely familiar with the referees who oversee the games. These black-and-whiteclad envoys of ever y sport’s rulebook make sure that players and coaches alike abide by the official guidelines - even if they aren’t happy about it. But referees don’t just exist to wear iconic uniforms and make tough calls; they keep competing athletes safe, and they are often former players who love the game as much as the fans sitting in the bleachers. Steve and Wendy Hess of Strasburg are veteran referees. The husband and wife share a deep love for their respective sports; Steve frequently officiates wrestling matches, and Wendy referees field hockey games throughout the LancasterLebanon area. The couple met while attending Lycoming College, where Steve competed as a wrestler and Wendy played field hockey. Steve is a Penn Manor High School alumnus, and Wendy moved to Lancaster County with him in 1997. Wendy developed a love for officiating field hockey after her father became a referee in her home state of New Jersey, and Steve acquired experience as the head coach of Penn Manor High School’s wrestling team for 14 years. Steve also coached wrestling as a volunteer at Lampeter-Strasburg High School for six years before he became an official in 2018. “As a former wrestling coach, I thought I knew all the rules. But there are always some little details that you aren’t aware of,” Steve said. “I didn’t realize how some rules were applied when I was a coach. I became an official and I thought, ‘OK, that makes sense now.’”
Haitians Helping Haitians for Christ (HHH) will host its sixth annual chicken barbecue on Saturday, May 11. The fundraiser will be held at Lampeter Church of the Brethren, 1900 Lampeter Road, Lancaster, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meal
tickets are available to prepurchase online at https://tinyurl .com / HHHbbq , and me al s purchased in advance must be picked up by 1 p.m. on the day of the event. Purchased meals will include a quarter-chicken, a roll with butter, applesauce, chips, a whoopie pie and a beverage. See Helping Haiti pg 2
Haitians Helping Haitians for Christ co-founder Elage Estime (left) and vice president of the board Nate Kreider
Steve and Wendy Hess
“ You have a ver y different perspective when you’re officiating versus playing or coaching,” Wendy added. “Most people out there don’t know the book of rules, regardless of the level of play.” As referees, Steve and Wendy are no strangers to disgruntled fans and parents of players. As school sports have continued to become more competitive, the couple has had to navigate increasingly intense athletic contests and fierce contendors. “Things have changed tremendously as far as competitiveness; everyone is trying to get into collegiate sports,” Wendy said. “You can have unpleasant experiences as a referee, and you have to learn
to deal with that.” Since wrestling and field hockey seasons occur at different times of the year, Steve and Wendy often attend each other’s games to offer support from the sidelines. “I sit in the stands with a field hockey rulebook and say them out loud sometimes so people know (Wendy) made the right call,” added Steve. “I love field hockey, and I want to support the kids and the coaches. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing, and we’re all on the same team,” Wendy said. “Refereeing has been good to us. I’ve made lasting friendships with people from all over the country. It’s intimidating to get started, but it changed my life.”
Lancaster artist featured in Eagles’ art gala BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
JJ Roach of Lancaster doesn’t see the world in the same way most people do. The 20-year-old artist has a keen eye for complex patterns and intricate details, which he often quickly spots in what appear to be ordinary settings. In 2020, JJ began leaning into his unique instincts to create elaborate, large-scale drawings that spare no detail. Over the last four years, JJ has continued to hone his craft by expanding his portfolio and participating in art
shows and events in Lancaster County and beyond, including the Philadelphia Eagles Art Gala Charity Auction held in March. “Green Is the Heart Inspired” was held from March 25 to April 15 at Arch Enemy Arts, a gallery located in Philadelphia’s historic Old City. The art gala and auction, which benefited the Eagles Autism Foundation, featured 35 pieces created by artists from the greater Philadelphia area. JJ was among three of the featured artists who have been diagnosed with autism. See Lancaster artist pg 7
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