Manheim Central townlively.com
APRIL 10, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Four decades of Christ and community at WJTL 40 Fest
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
F
or four decades, WJTL has been a home for Christian programming, and the radio station wants to honor its legacy and longevity by giving back to the community. WJTL 40 Fest will be held on Saturday, May 18, at Cherry Crest Adventure Farm, 150 Cherry Hill Road, Ronks. The event will begin at noon and will wrap up with a headlining performance by Crowder, beginning at 8:15 p.m.
“We want everyone who listens to be encouraged, to find hope, and we believe all of those things are found in Jesus.”
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
The Manheim Historical Society marks its 60th anniversary this year, and you’re invited to the party. The organization will host a celebration on Sunday, April 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Manheim Railroad Station, 210 S. Charlotte St. Festivities will include tours of the museum, a panel discussion, and a presentation by Aimee Caya of LancasterHistory. “ T he panel conversation is titled ‘Past, Present, and Future.’ The goal is to illustrate the 60 years since the founding of the historical society, the ways in which the community’s and society’s overall goals have evolved and been adapted to the preservation of Manheim’s history, and the strategic goals that will enable us to better engage and inform the public about the people, places, and events that shaped Manheim, Rapho
Aimee Caya
Township and Penn Township,” explained Peggy Cunha, chair of programs and services and special events coordinator for the society. The Manheim Historical Society’s vice president, Wes Geib, will serve as moderator and will pose questions to the panel. Acting curator Linda Frey will discuss how the availability of computers has altered the
at 6 p.m.; Danny Gokey, who will play at 7 p.m.; and Crowder, who will close out the evening. “40 Fest will be a day of family fun and great music focused on celebrating 40 years of living out our slogan, ‘Christ. Community. Music.’ Cherry Crest Adventure Farm will have their spring attractions open,” Miller shared. “We’re planning an event that everyone can enjoy, whether you’ve listened to WJTL since 1984 or 2024. 40 Fest will provide a fun day for all.” WJTL’s story began in 1984, when the station was housed in a renovated chicken house across from Lancaster Bible College, recalled president Fred McNaughton.
“Dur ing this time, WJTL expanded its reach, going 24 hours and beginning to broadcast in stereo, while also engaging with the community through various events, including a popular weekly roller skate to contemporary Christian music,” he said. By the mid-1990s, WJTL had moved to a new location on Oregon Pike. “WJTL also began inviting local organizations to the morning show to share their stories and promote their events,” McNaughton said. In 2011, the station relocated to its current home at The Junction Center in Manheim. “The move to The Junction Center not only allowed WJTL to continue See WJTL pg 3
Feet Feat: Eve Kirchner is driving to Hawaii BY JEFF FALK
Heels, sneakers, dress shoes, boots, flats. All kinds of footwear. Eve Kirchner likes shoes just as much as the next young person. But recently the Manheim Township resident developed a new and deeper appreciation for them. Industrious Eve is waging her own personal shoe drive. It’s a mission whose nature is altruistic on a couple of different levels. “This involves a lot of work,
and she’s learning responsibility in general,” said Antonella Kirchner, Eve’s mom. “When we heard about helping people around the world needing shoes, it struck at both of our hearts. That’s a big part of it. But it also involves a lot of organization. It’s almost like she’s had to learn how to run a small business. If we don’t keep up with it, it can be overwhelming.” A homeschooled seventh-grader, Eve is collecting gently used shoes as part of a project that will raise money for See Shoe drive pg 2
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Celebrating 60 years of preserving history
See History pg 8 Crowder will headline WJTL 40 Fest.
“We wanted a day to celebrate our 40th anniversary and decided a festival lineup at an outside venue would create the type of event perfect for a celebration,” said Phillip Miller, event and facilities director. “I had been talking with Cherry Crest Adventure Farm since 2022 about using their facility for an outside concert, and we thought our 40th anniversary would be the perfect time to bring a great lineup of music to the property.” The lineup for the festival includes Behold the Beloved, which will perform at 3 p.m.; L eanna Craw ford, who will entertain at 4 p.m.; Rhett Walker, who will hit the stage at 5 p.m.; Cochren & Co, which will perform
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