Lampeter-Strasburg JULY 9, 2025
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,190 HOMES
VOL LXII • NO 10
FFA’s First Safety Event Is Worth Repeating BY GEORGE DEIBEL
See Hirschy pg 2
See FFA pg 5
Midst the Noise performs at a previous Lampeter UMC event.
Midst the Noise Will Perform at Lampeter UMC BY GEORGE DEIBEL
• Seedless Watermelon • Eastern Lopes • Juicy Peaches • Fresh Sweet Corn • Local Tomatoes
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Township. Allan Dutton (guitar and vocals) and drummer Mike Egge both live in Manor Township. Genise Wade (vocals) hails from Conestoga Township, and Kevin Kresge (bass and vocals) is from West Hempfield Township. “It’s going to be so much fun,” Kortright said. “We especially love Lampeter UMC because of how much (it loves) the community and See Lampeter UMC pg 4
Hirschy Leaves Grace Church With Fond Memories 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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Charlie Hirschy will be the lead pastor at a Maryland church. Photo by George Deibel
Charlie Hirschy said he is experiencing all the feelings: happiness, excitement, and sadness. “We’re excited to go, but we’re very, very sad to leave here,” he said. Hirschy’s last official day as associate pastor at Grace Church at Willow Valley was June 15. He will begin his new job as lead pastor at Valley Grace Church in Hagerstown, Md., on Monday, July 14.
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Sweet Tastes of Summer!
econd Fridays at Lampeter United Methodist Church (UMC) have proven to be popular. The event that will take place on Friday, July 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. might be the biggest one yet. The band Midst the Noise will
perform patriotic songs and music from the ’70s to today at the church, 1101 Village Road, Lancaster. Attendees will be encouraged to sing along with the five-piece acoustic group that includes Tracie Kortright, who is also a member of Lampeter UMC’s praise band. Midst the Noise is composed of county residents. Kortright (vocals) is from West Lampeter
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“I have enjoyed working here,” Hirschy said in early June. “I love working here, but a couple of years ago, as I started thinking about where I was and who I am and how God has wired me, I talked with the elders.” He explained that he didn’t have a timeline in mind, but he had been considering becoming a lead pastor in the future. “They affirmed that and have been supportive,” Hirschy said. The process began last December.
The first Progressive Agricultural Safety Day was such a big success, Lampeter-Strasburg (L-S) High School’s Garden Spot FFA is already looking forward to the next one. Torrential downpours did not dampen the spirits of the 220 fifth-graders who attended the event at the West Lampeter Fairgrounds on May 9. “The students were having a really great time,” said L-S freshman Ashlynn Frey. “They were getting into the stations, and they were answering all the questions. They were very enthusiastic and enjoyed the hands-on activities.” K atie R anck , one of two Garden Spot FFA advisers, stated she was happy with the way all the students handled the soggy conditions. “The fifth-graders were troupers with the rain, and they were smiling ear to ear,” said Ranck. “We’re thankful for the teachers who led them over, and I am proud of the way everyone adapted to make the day happen.” She was also grateful to hold the event at the fairgrounds. “It’s a community space that’s very ag-based and rich in ag history,” said Ranck. “It was a neat way to see that all come together.” Garden Spot FFA also holds a third-grade holiday workshop and an ag literacy week in March for students in kindergarten through second grades. There is a middle school FFA program for students in sixth through eighth grades. “Fifth grade is a group we really haven’t talked to, so it was