Manheim Township FEBRUARY 4, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 15,990 HOMES
Council Aims to Improve Quality of Life BY JEFF FALK
P
overty, certifications, education, language skills, self-enrichment. All of those concepts and their implications are related and interrelated. All of those concepts and implications are relevant and intersect at the Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon. “I would add health to that list,” said Cheryl Hiester, who’s been the executive director of the Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon for 18 years. “There’s a correlation between literacy and health. The ability to read and write English and fully participate in today’s world can impact every single aspect of an adult’s life. You can’t be fully engaged in your child’s education if you don’t have those skills. Those are significant barriers.” The Literacy Council of Lancaster-Lebanon, which is located at 407 Lafayette St., Lancaster, is dedicated to enriching lives and helping individuals reach their full potential through adult education. Not only does the local nonprofit promote the concept of lifelong learning, it embraces it. “We’re an agency who serves adults,” said
assistant at Venture Lititz for two years. “You can feel the pride. Then add thousands of visitors, and we get to share that feeling with them. People will drive hours to come to Fire & Ice. Our small business owners believe in Venture Lititz and Fire & Ice. It’s this feeling of pride like we’re all doing it together.” This year’s edition of Fire & Ice, Lititz’s winter carnival, will be
Kathryn Davis is a staunch believer in serving her community and country. The 2024 Lampeter-Strasburg (L-S) High School graduate was crowned Miss Lancaster County last fall, earning the right to compete in the Miss Pennsylvania pageant in mid-June at the Appell Center for the Performing Arts in York. “I’m super excited to represent my hometown,” said Davis. The victor of the Miss Pennsylvania contest will advance to the Miss America pageant. “It’s something I’ve dreamt about since I was a little girl,” said Davis. “Right now, my focus is on Miss Pennsylvania. Whatever God has in store will happen.” She was enthroned as Miss Lancaster County Sept. 24 at Ephrata High School. “It was so unexpected,” Davis said. The competition was composed of a 10-minute interview, which was 30% of the total score; an onstage question about the contestants’ community service initiative (10%); talent demonstration (20%); a fitness competition in athleticwear (20%); and an evening gown walk (20%). Three titles - Miss Southern Lancaster County, Miss Heart of Lancaster, and Miss Red Rose City - were announced prior to Miss Lancaster County. Davis thought she had a better chance to win one of those crowns, but she tried to remain optimistic before the announcement of the
See Fire & Ice pg 3
See Davis pg 5
A tutor works with a participant as part of the Literacy Council
Fire & Ice Is Expression of Lititz’s Charm and Character
MTM
BY JEFF FALK
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Miss Lancaster County Puts Service Before Self BY GEORGE DEIBEL
See Literacy Council pg 5 of Lancaster-Lebanon’s initiative.
Ice sculptures transform Lititz into a winter wonderland.
VOL XLI • NO 36
Fire & Ice is welcoming. Fire & Ice is about community. Fire & Ice is energizing. Not unlike its host town. Fire & Ice epitomizes and reflects what Lititz stands for. It’s an event that truly captures the spirit of the venue. “When you’re in Lititz, there’s always a vibe,” said Alyssa Diehm, who’s been an executive
Heart Healthy Apples • Vegetables • Citrus • Pears • Fresh Cider • Bakery • Milk • Bread & More OPEN ALL WINTER! Mon.-Sat. 8-6
400 Long Lane at Marticville Road (Rt. 741 & 324) 717-872-9311 www.cherryhillorchards.com Follow us
R125128
15 Varieties 99¢ Lb.
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