Manheim Township townlively.com
AUGUST 9, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXIX • NO 11
Covered Bridge Classic highlights the joy of riding BY JEFF FALK
he Lancaster Bicycle Club exists to promote the sport of bicycling, advocate for the safety of riders and provide members with cycling opportunities. Few events exemplify that mission better than the Covered Bridge Classic. On Sunday, Aug. 20, the 400member Lancaster Bicycle Club will stage the 44th edition of its annual Covered Bridge Classic at seven start/finish points across northern Lancaster County. Some 1,300 bicycling enthusiasts from points all along the East Coast will descend upon the county to celebrate the fellowship inspired by cycling. The event is being presented as a ride, not a competition. “The purpose is to draw in cyclists,” said Leslie Arnold, communications director for the Lancaster Bicycle Club. “It’s to offer a huge cycling event to the community. It’s an eclectic mix. Some are very serious cyclists. Some people do it because they are challenged by friends. Some make it part of their vacations. People want
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to see the covered bridges. That’s what draws people.” From the seven start/finish points, participants are treated to rides of various length - 35, 50, 65 or 100 miles - through the Lancaster County countryside in the areas of Warwick Township, Ephrata, Manheim, Stevens and Hempfield. The 100-mile trek incorporates 14 of Lancaster County’s covered bridges into its journey. All of the routes include rest stops, some of which feature mechanical support, parking and refreshments. “Lancaster is not flat,” said Arnold. “There aren’t steep, steep climbs, but we have climbs that are going to push you. The shortest course has the least amount of climbs, and the longest course has the most amount of climbs.” The Covered Bridge Classic also serves as a fundraiser. From its participation, the Lancaster Bicycle Club is hoping to raise more than $10,000, some of which will be put back into the club, some of which See Covered Bridge Classic pg 8
Cyclists are treated to a variety of Lancaster County terrain during the Covered Bridge Classic.
At Calvary Church, blood is the gift of life
Celebrating Aaron’s Acres When Risa Paskoff ’s children were small, she almost never got to read the Sunday paper, but on one Sunday in early 1989, Risa noticed an article about Janiece Seldomridge, who was raising her autistic son, Aaron. “I said to the kids, ‘Give me a second to read this story,’” recalled Risa, who specifically remembered one line from the article that read, “(Seldomridge) and a group of parents want to start a camp program (for their children with disabilities).” “I needed to find out about that,” Risa said. “That was my dream.”
Risa met with the group of parents several times and eventually became the director of Aaron’s Acres, an organization that bears the name of Seldomridge’s son and provides socialization and recreation for children and young adults with special needs. That first summer camp in 1989 welcomed children ages 5 to 9. Aaron’s Acres now offers both summer camp and school year programs for those ages 5 to 21. On Saturday, Aug. 26, starting at 1 p.m., the organization will hold Aaron’s Acres’ 25th anniversary celebration at Mickey’s Black Box, 101 Rock Lititz Blvd., Lititz. “It will
Blood is one of those rare gifts that’s just as much a blessing to give as it is to receive. Quite simply, it is one of the most important things one human being can give to another. On Friday, Aug. 18, Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, will conduct one of its reccurring blood drives. Sponsored by the American Red Cross, the event will accept individual donations of blood from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the
See Aaron’s Acres pg 2
See Blood drive pg 3
BY JEFF FALK
It typically takes about an hour to donate a pint of blood.
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