Octorara FEBRUARY 4, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 3,720 HOMES
The Art of Quilting Thrives at Thrift Shop BY FRANCINE FULTON
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Pam Fredericksen displays some of the handmade quilts for sale. townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
hile Country Gift & Thrift Shoppe is known as the place where shoppers go to find bargains on gently used items, the building also houses an upstairs quilt room where quilts are displayed for sale and where local volunteers work on projects during select quilting days. Quilting days were held in January, led by quilt manager Pam Fredericksen of New Holland, during which 30 to 40 different Amish and Mennonite groups volunteered to quilt. “They volunteer the whole day (to work on) personal (quilt) tops that people can consign with me,” Fredericksen explained. “I follow (the customer’s) directions. I interview them for about an hour and we talk about what they would like to see (such as) if they want colored thread or binding. The person that owns the quilt tops pays, and that generates money for the store, and it all goes to missions.” Groups typically quilt during select days January through July, working on finishing products and stitching new quilts to sell in See Quilting pg 8
Photo by Francine Fulton
VOL XXXIII • NO 19
Golf Tournament To Support Animal House Project BY FRANCINE FULTON
on Monday, July 21, which will benefit Animal House Project Bellewood Country Club, an (AHP), a nonprofit organization exclusive golf club in North that serves pet owners in need. Coventry Township, will be the By operating a pet food pantry site of a charity golf tournament and offering veterinary services, See Golf Tournament pg 9
Partipants in last year’s event included (from left) race co-directors Pam Haas and Lynn Cronomiz, Freddie Henry and Lynne Bickta.
Paint the Town Purple Run/Walk To Benefit Alzheimer’s Association
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s part of an effort to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and in memory of her mother, Carol, who passed away from the disease in 2017, Lynn Cronomiz of Morgantown will again host the Paint the Town Purple 5K, with all proceeds supporting the Alzheimer’s Association. This year’s event, which will include a 5K run and 1K fun walk , will take place at the Zerbe Retirement Community, 2499 Zerbe Road, Narvon, on Saturday, June 14. Registration will open at 8 a.m., and the 5K and walk will begin at 9:30 a.m. Participants and attendees are encouraged to wear purple to the event. This is the third year for the
fundraiser. Paint the Town Purple began in 2023 at Historic Joanna Furnace. This is the second year it is being held at the retirement community. “We’re hoping to grow it this year. We are trying to attract runners from the L ancaster area (as well),” Cronomiz noted, adding, “The past two years we had beautiful weather. The 5K is professionally timed, and we accurately measured the course to be a 5K.” Nonrunners and walkers are also invited to attend to cheer on the 5K participants, but it is requested that they arrive by 9:15 am. due to a road closure. “The run goes out of Zerbe Mansion and down the hill on Zerbe Road and turns right onto Hammertown Road. The Caernarvon Township police will
have half of the road secured and the other half (open) to let out runners,” Cronomiz explained. “Then, they run up the hill about a half mile to the top of Zerbe Road and turn left. They will go along School House Lane, which is on the campus.” She noted that the walkers will stay on the campus on School House Lane. Retirement community residents are also involved in efforts to support the Alzheimer’s Association. “They did a bingo on May 19, and they raised $310,” she said. “The residents will also do a bake sale at the race.” There will also be an opportunity for attendees to win gift baskets through a random drawing. 5K participants will get five tickets, but the public may purchase tickets to win prizes, such as Wawa and Olive Garden gift cards.
Last year’s event drew more than 90 golfers.
MCC
In your mailbox & online BY FRANCINE FULTON
“It will be fun … like a treasure hunt,” said Melissa Harrop, AgConnect communications coordinator, when describing the Chester County Farmers Market Trail, which invites people to experience 10 different farmers markets across Chester County and collect a stamp at each one. Those who complete a Farmers Market Trail card will receive a special “Ag Swag Bag.”
“Sometimes vendors change, or what each vendor brings week to week may change depending on what their stock is,” Harrop added. “Going to a farmers market is a new experience every time you go. You never know what you are going to find.” During the first-time event, being presented by AgConnect, local families are invited to take fun road trips to the various markets throughout the county. Participating markets are See Farmers Markets pg 4
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See Run/Walk pg 2
Community Invited To Discover Chester County Farmers Markets
Spaghetti Dinner to Benefit Fire Company and CHS BY FRANCINE FULTON
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUN. 11, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
Ticket sales are underway for the third annual spaghetti dinner that will be presented by Christiana Historical Society (CHS) and the Christiana Fire Company on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the fire company, 214 S. Bridge St., Christiana. The all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner, which is a benefit for both groups, will include spaghetti with sauce, homemade meatballs prepared by fire company members, salad, garlic bread, beverages and desserts. Takeout meals will also be offered. It is recommended that dinners be purchased in Diners eat spaghetti at a previous event while enjoying
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WordUP to Offer Free Laundry Service, Soup and Sandwich Event BY FRANCINE FULTON
Based on the success of its initial participation in the Laundry Love program, WordUP Ministries will continue to offer the free service on the first Thursday of each month. As part of the initiative, those who visit the Gap Laundry, located at 5291 Lincoln Highway, on Thursday, Feb. 5, between 1 and 3 p.m. will be able to wash and dry their clothes free of charge. The program began on Nov. 6 and was held again on Dec. 4. “For the first one, we just had a couple of people,” reported pastor Buck Mowday, noting the December event was well attended, attracting about 15 people. “For the second one … we did 51 loads of washing and drying in a twohour period.” He noted that the church also provided free pizza for attendees and coloring books for children. In January, the event would have fallen on New’s Year’s Day, so the program did not take place. On Feb. 5, participants will be asked to sign in when they arrive, and they will be assigned a number. When they place their clothes in the washer and dryer, church members will provide the quarters. The number of loads washed and other information will be reported to Laundry Love, a national nonprofit organization. According to www.laundrylove .org, the organization’s mission is to bring dignity and hope to people by helping them wash their clothes and bedding through volunteer-run events across the United States. Participants do not
See Spaghetti Dinner pg 5 a slideshow of vintage photographs of Christiana.
See WordUP pg 8
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Philadelphia Flower Show
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER FEB. 4, 2026
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
OCC
BY FRANCINE FULTON
VOL XXXV • NO 49