Manheim Central townlively.com
JULY 12, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 24
Highlighting local history
Using a river for recovery
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Team River Runner offers kayaking and other paddle sports to veterans and people with disabilities.
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“Using a sport like kayaking helps them do that in a disciplined way, providing structure and way for a veteran to dip their toe in the water of getting back into the community.” An Operation Desert Storm combat veteran, Butler knows firsthand what it’s like to return to civilian life after service. He returned from war with 80% disability and has difficulty walking or climbing steps. “You put me in a kayak, and I’m completely transformed,” he stated, noting that he’s seen the same transformation in the participants of TRR, many of whom become instructors themselves after going through the program. See River pg 4
Jack Brubaker
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here’s something therapeutic about paddling in a kayak out on the water, said Bill Butler, chapter secretary for Susquehanna Valley Team River Runner (TRR). The sport helps participants hone motor skills, requires focus and instills discipline. It also might save lives. Founded in 2004, TRR has a mission to provide health and healing for injured military personnel, people on active duty, veterans and disabled members of the community. “Team River Runner literally started in an elevator in Walter Reed Medical Center,” said Butler, a Manheim resident
who helped start the Susquehanna its mission is much broader. “The kayak is just the tool we’re Valley chapter in 2015. “Our executive director, Joe Mornini, was visiting a using,” he said. “The whole point friend of his who had been wounded of this program is to get our veterin combat.” Mornini, a special educa- ans who are having difficulty adjusting to life tion teacher, had used after serving out kayaks to help children to improve motor “You put me in a into the community coordination and tack- k a y a k , a n d I ’ m with people who are le emotional issues, c o m p l e t e l y like-minded and enjoy the sport.” and he invited the vet- transformed.” Noting that 22 eran he was visiting to veterans a day die by try it out. The organization quickly grew to almost 70 chap- suicide, Butler said TRR is working to address that concern. “We’re ters across the country. Butler emphasized that while the hoping to reduce that number by program revolves around kayaks and getting veterans re-engaged with other forms of adventure paddling, the community,” he remarked.
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BY CATHY MOLITORIS
In 1763, a camp of peaceful Conestoga Native Americans was attacked by a band of armed men called the Paxton Boys. By the end of the conflict, 20 people, including women and children, had been massacred, effectively wiping out the tribe. Local journalist Jack Brubaker takes a look at the event and its aftermath in his book “Massacre of the Conestogas: On the Trail of the Paxton Boys in Lancaster County.” He will talk about his book and have copies for sale at a program at the Manheim Historical Society. The program will be held on Sunday, July 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the society’s historic railroad station, 210 S. Charlotte St. Brubaker’s talk will begin at 2 p.m. “This is a bit of local history I didn’t know much about, so I’m really looking forward to hearing about it,” said Susan Williams, president of the historical society. “We haven’t done programs on Indians in the area, and this sounded like a very interesting topic.” In addition to Brubaker’s talk, the event will feature local historic artifacts from the Lower Susquehanna Archaeological Society Chapter 28 as well as