Octorara townlively.com
JANUARY 25, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXII • NO 47
Octorara FFA Students Honored For Design Creativity BY FRANCINE FULTON
Even though it was the first time they have entered the Ag Mechanics competition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, members of the Octorara FFA captured an award for the log splitter that they designed and created. “This is the first year (the Farm Show organizers) have done (a log splitting contest). Before that it was restoring antique tractors, so (the students) decided to participate,”
explained FFA adviser Charles Graydus. The students were required to not only design and build a log splitter, but also to make a presentation to the Farm Show judges and create a video about their log splitter. The videos were posted on YouTube, and members of the public were invited to vote for their favorite. Local residents were encouraged to vote for the video, which was also posted at www.facebook.com/FFAOctorara. See Octorara FFA pg 5
Board members of the Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation include (from left) Jonathan Welch, Evelynn Coope, Donna McCool, Bryn Coope, Donald Henderson, Richard Keene, George Leyh, Dan Henry and John Girvin.
BY FRANCINE FULTON
he fifth annual Burns Night, held in memory of Scotland’s poet laureate Robert Burns, will be presented by the Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation on Saturday, Feb. 4, at Historic Beale Manor, 200 S. Church St., Parkesburg. The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m., when guests will be greeted by bagpiper Thompson McConnell, followed by a social time with music by fiddler Tom Knapp, founder of Lancaster’s Fire in the Glen, an Irish music trio. A traditional haggis ceremony, led by Donald Henderson Jr., will follow, ending with a toast of Scotch. A supper buffet will be served, which will include haggis, Angus beef, Scottish soup, salad
was built in 1813 by John Parke, founder of Parkesburg. It was reconstructed in 1896 by ironmaster Horace Beale. “It is the perfect place for this event,” said Donna McCool, foundation treasurer. “It has parqueted floors and fireplaces, high ceilings and nice woodwork.” The annual Burns Night is a fundraising event to help maintain and preserve historic Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Church. Located at 1188 Valley Road, Quarryville, the church was originally constructed in 1752 and is considered the oldest Covenanter church in America. The historic building is open for special events, including the foundation’s annual Scottish Festival in September. The Covenanter Church is also open the third Sunday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m.
Saving dogs in life-threatening situations is the goal of Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue, a nonprofit organization based in southern Chester County. All rescued dogs are provided with food, shelter and health care until they are adopted into permanent homes.
See Burns Night pg 8
See Animal Rescue pg 3
Greenmore Farm Animal Rescue Has A Life-Saving Mission BY FRANCINE FULTON
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Tax Preparation Services Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 House Of Worship . . . . . . .2 YGBW Plans Activities For Kids And Families . . . . . . .4 Community Calendar . . . .4 Business Directory . . . . . .5
Two Days to Choose from:
March 8th • 11th CALL TODAY 717-823-2086 For more info., visit
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
FunCountryTours.com POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JAN. 25, 2023
Postal Patron
OCC
T
and neeps and tatties, which are turnips and potatoes. For dessert there will be trifle, shortbread and cakes. After supper, guests will be invited to honor the life of Robert “Rabbie” Burns with speeches, readings and toasts. Charlie Zahm will present “A Tribute to Robert Burns.” Guests will be invited to gather around the piano to sing Burns songs to conclude the evening. Burns is best known for writing the words to “Auld Lang Syne,” which has become associated with New Year’s Eve. Visitors are encouraged to get into the spirit of the evening by wearing their tartans, but it is not required. Beale Manor was chosen as the venue because of its historic charm. It is a Victorian-style mansion that
The Octorara FFA members who designed the log splitter are (from left) Cyrus Stoltzfus, Mason Woodall, Merle Reyburn, Billy Miller and Dylan Colagreco.
Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .6
scan this code for more local news
Also, let eate the Tours cr tr n Fun Cou ipy for your school, tr perfect or family group. church, pportunities Limited o for 2023! remain
R092140
Celebrating Scottish Poet Robert Burns