Manheim Township townlively.com
SEPTEMBER 4, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XL • NO 14
Fall Sports Look Inside
Members of LCHS marching band grow as people BY JEFF FALK
O
ne of the benefits of extracurricular activities is the opportunity for personal growth. Within the Lancaster Catholic marching band, that goal is paramount. “We focus on being a person and working super hard,” said Kate Pekarik, who’s in her second season as the Lancaster Catholic High School (LCHS) marching band’s director. This year’s version of the LCHS marching band, the 30th edition in school history, is made up of 52 student members - 12 seniors, 12 juniors, eight sophomores, nine freshmen and 11 sev enth- and eighth-graders. The Crusaders are fronted by senior student director Margaret Bila, senior assistant student director John Martin, sophomore brass
section leader Oliver Parrish, junior woodwind section leader Samuel Parrish, senior percussion section leader Lain Weitzel, sophomore front ensemble section leader Helen Olmsted, junior color guard section leader Nicoletta Kiefer and senior feature twirler Alixandria Maumus. The Crusaders work hard, support each other and continually seek to get better. “This group of students is the most dedicated group I’ve ever seen,” said Pekarik. “They’ve gone through very hard times and only come out stronger and more compassionate. They’re dedicated to their friends in the band.” “We don’t compete anymore; we’re not trying to win a title,” said Margaret. “Our goal is to develop each other as musicians, put on a good show and represent our school.”
BY JEFF FALK
Beyond making services available to veterans, the Lancaster Vet Center (LVC) has a desire to make sure those benefits are being used. LVC wants to serve veterans in much the same way that veterans served others. “Some veterans will say, ‘Why me? Why do I deserve this?’’’ said Phil Grant, who’s been LVC’s director since February of 2022.
“The reason is because your service qualified you for these services. There’s no fee. There’s no cost. The eligibility doesn’t expire. They earned it through their time in the military.” “Our motto is ‘Connection, Camaraderie, Community,’” continued Grant. “We want to live up to that. When you come here, you’ll be able to connect with your vet community and build that camaraderie. That’s what See Veteran center pg 4
Fellowship Days is a show of Landis Homes’ heart BY JEFF FALK
It may indeed take a village to raise a child. But it takes fellowship to financially care for the elderly. Over the 52 years of its existence, Landis Homes’ Fellowship Days has forged an inspiring tradition revolving around community, aiding residents and friendship. For six days in mid-September, the community will come together to renew that tradition and create new meaningful memories.
Audience members bid on a quilt at last year’s Fellowship Days quilt
See Fellowship Days pg 5 auction.
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Through LVC’s help, veterans integrate into society
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See LCHS band pg 9 Members of the Lancaster Catholic marching band rehearse in preparation for the 2024 fall season.