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LOOK INSIDE Cultivating Future Generations 1954-2025
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SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
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VOL LXVI • NO 30
Sometimes Misunderstood, Reptiles Are Forgotten Friends
BY JEFF FALK
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See Reptiles pg 2
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Members of the Manheim Summer Swim Team
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he Manheim Summer Swim Team wrapped up a very successful season last month, going undefeated in its competitions. But for head coach Sarah Griffith, the sport is about much more than winning. “My focus for the team is to have fun and make memories,” she said. “For a lot of our kids, swimming isn’t their main sport; however, they enjoy the social community we’ve created. Since it’s summer, I want low pressure for the kids. I want them to get exercise and improve their swimming, but I equally want them to laugh and make memories with their friends.” Griffith knows what she’s talking about. “The space there has given me
so many positive memories and friendships when I was a kid swimming on the same swim team,” she said. “I still have those friendships today. In fact, the assistant coach and I grew up swimming together at Manheim and have been close
“My focus for the team is to have fun and make memories.” friends for more than 30 years. The summer swim team is what started that friendship. I want to create an environment to do the same for others.” There were 107 kids on the team this summer, mostly students from the Manheim area. The season ran
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for about 10 weeks, from mid-May through the end of July. “The unique thing about the summer swimming program is kids ages 5 to 18 all get to be on the same team,” Griffith shared. “It’s fun to see all the ages cheer each other on at swim meets. My favorite part of the swim meet is during the relays as the last event and kids from both teams line the pool cheering on their relay teams. As a coach, seeing that, is in my opinion a win no matter the score at the end. Again, it goes back to the focus of making positive friendships and supporting each other.” The sense of camaraderie is important to Griffith. “I think that’s one of the reasons for our success this year. There is no doubt we have some really talented swimmers who have
Knowledge is empowering and emboldening. Information can open minds and lead to understanding that produces empathy and curiosity. Some people who come to know reptiles come to love them. Those people have given reptiles a chance. “Imagine if someone told you there’s this magical, mysterious world that’s existed all of your life,” said Jesse Rothacker, a 2000 graduate of Warwick High School, a herpetologist and the president of Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary. “That’s the reptile world, and it does exist. It’s a very complex world. Maybe if you hear that, you think, ‘I wonder if I can learn a little bit about it and see what all the excitement is about.’ That’s when you fall in love with these animals.” Rothacker operates Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary from his home in Rapho Township. The organization includes a rescue/ adoption program and provides the foundation for Rothacker’s engaging, entertaining and educational reptile shows. “Half of what everyone knows about reptiles is not true,” said Rothacker. “Everyone thinks every snake is a copperhead. Once you understand that they’re not, you can learn new things about reptiles. If you can get past the fear, then you can unlock the fascination.” Rothacker stages more than 300 45-minute reptile shows each year, both public showings and private performances. He teaches audiences about his forgotten friends at community
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