Octorara townlively.com
MARCH 1, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXII • NO 52
Wagontown Chapel sets Sportsman’s Event BY FRANCINE FULTON
Brodie Swisher, a world champion game caller, will be the guest speaker at Wagontown Chapel’s Sportsman’s Event, to be held at the church on Saturday, March 18, beginning at 12:30 p.m. In addition to the presentation, the annual event will include light refreshments and a chance to win hunting-related door prizes.
Members of the Girls Run the World Club prepare to walk the runway.
Octorara to present prom showcase BY FRANCINE FULTON
he Girls Run the World Club (GRTW) at the Octorara Junior-Senior High School will hold its annual Dress to Express Positive Prom Showcase on Friday, March 10. During the event, club members will model some of the prom dresses and suits that are available for students to “purchase” from Kacie’s Kloset in exchange for donations of nonperishable food items for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard. The showcase will be held in the high school auditorium during the school day for juniors and seniors. A second show, open to the entire community at no charge, will be held that evening beginning at 6 p.m. in the junior high MPR room. Betsy Gillan and Tracey Polito from Kacie’s Cause will be on hand to provide information about the nonprofit organization, which promotes awareness of and education about drug abuse. The charity is named for Kacie Rumford, who died at the age of 23 from an overdose. Together, Kacie’s Cause and GRTW run Kacie’s Kloset at the high
are, and they learn about having healthy relationships. O’Connor believes that walking down the runway is something that should be celebrated, and she encourages the community to attend the showcase. “It is important for the community to attend that night,” she said. “Your attendance and support can help fuel those feelings of acceptance and confidence. Being embraced by the community builds strong leaders and reduces the likelihood of chemical dependency.” In addition to O’Connor, volunteers who will contribute to the effort include professional photographer Shelly McKenna, who will take photos of each of the girls; Experience Positive Therapy intern Lauren Thatcher; Kelsey Demsky, who will provide dress alterations; and Kate Dill, the Octorara guidance counselor. Hair and makeup will be provided by several community salons. Octorara Junior-Senior High School is located at 226 Highland Road, Atglen. For more information about Kacie’s Cause, visit www.face book.com/KaciesCauseParkesburg.
See Sportsman’s Event pg 6
Brodie Swisher
VITA offers free tax preparation services BY FRANCINE FULTON
As tax filing season approaches, Chester County residents are reminded that their taxes can be prepared free of charge through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which is offered locally by Life Transforming Ministries (LTM). “VITA is an amazing program offered by the IRS to partners, such as LTM. (It gives LTM) the opportunity to offer free federal and state tax preparation for low- to moderateincome households in our
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communities,” said Donna Laird, LTM VITA administration support. “By low, we mean those making around $70,000 or less, yet our goal is to offer service to anyone who needs help. Tax returns are electronically prepared and filed at no cost to the taxpayer. Every site is run by volunteers who are trained and certified by the IRS.” LTM’s VITA program began in 2004 in Coatesville. “We did 15 paper returns that year,” Laird said. “Last year, we were able to put $5.4 million back into the community by submitting over 2,600 tax returns.” See VITA pg 7
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school, offering a wide assortment of donated prom gowns in all sizes and styles. Also offered are shoes, purses and a small selection of tuxedos. “Kacie’s Kloset is important for (students) because it’s a fantastic way to ‘purchase’ a formal gown or suit for dances, homecoming and prom,” said Tina O’Connor, GRTW adviser, a licensed professional counselor from Experience Positive Therapy in Parkesburg. “These garments were donated through Forever Formals, a dress shop, and the local community.” Modeled after a boutique, dresses in Kacie’s Kloset are sorted by size and displayed on racks. There are also separate shelves containing shoes and accessories. Dress donations from the community are added to the room on an ongoing basis. O’Connor explained that GRTW is an after-school mentoring program that meets on Mondays from September through March. Topics discussed during the meetings include building self-esteem and confidence. “(We encourage them) to live their best life,” said O’Connor, noting that the girls also work on accepting themselves as they
Swisher, the winner of the Great American Game Calling Challenge World Championship, holds hunting and game calling seminars throughout the United States that feature hunting adventure videos. Swisher is also an outdoor writer with articles appearing in magazine and internet columns, including www.bowhunting.com. He also has a podcast, “Hunting Roots.” Upon arrival, guests will be able to view displays by a variety of hunting-related vendors. “We will have 15 or 16 vendors this year, and there will be a hunting video playing,” said pastor Tim Crans, a resident of Atglen, noting that one vendor will sell works of art made with painted turkey feathers. While lunch will not be served, there will be an assortment of snacks available to enjoy. “We will have homemade baked goods like cookies and brownies and chips (donated) by Herr’s,” Crans noted. Swisher’s presentation will begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by the awarding of door prizes.
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