Octorara MAY 13, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 3,720 HOMES
A Haven for the Hungry BY LOGAN MOYER
O
ctorara Area School D i s t r i c t ( OA S D ) social workers Jenn Davis and Dawn MacKale noticed a gap. Students were not getting the food and supplies they needed outside of the school setting , and local food banks could not match the demand. So, they came up with a solution that meets the students where they are. OASD recently launched “Brave Haven,” an initiative that brings a food and clothing bank onto school grounds to make it more accessible for students and their families. “Constantly, there were families who were asking Brave Haven brings a food, clothing and household essentials bank onto school for help,” said Davis. “Food, grounds. clothes, or household essentials. And until we started this, area, but we didn’t have anything to Learning Annex, which was formerly known as Octorara Elementary we didn’t really have resources to supply an immediate demand.” The new program is located School. The building also houses give them. We could send them to community organizations in the within two rooms of Octorara’s some extracurricular activities
townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
See Football pg 3
See Anniversary pg 4
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
Paint the Town Purple Run/Walk To Benefit Alzheimer’s Association
A
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 “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.”
A Brave Era of Youth Football
“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
BY LOGAN MOYER
See Farmers Markets pg 4
R118677
See Run/Walk pg 2
Community Invited To Discover Chester County Farmers Markets
BY FRANCINE FULTON
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUN. 11, 2025
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Braves Youth Football plays in the Red Rose Football League.
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OCC
BY FRANCINE FULTON
BY LOGAN MOYER
For years, Pequea Valley’s youth football program struggled to field teams. Octorara’s program didn’t do much better. “We had just enough to put a team together,” said Bryant Guilford, director of Braves Youth Football. “We’re talking maybe two or three subs at the maximum, and that’s for a whole football team.” Pequea Valley was faced with the threat of not having teams at certain levels in the 2025 season. That
BY FRANCINE FULTON
Partipants in last year’s event included (from left) race co-directors Pam Haas and Lynn Cronomiz, Freddie Henry and Lynne Bickta.
PPC to Celebrate 175th Anniversary Penningtonville Presbyterian Church (PPC) will celebrate its 175th anniversary on Sunday, May 17, at the church, 406 Main St., Atglen. The day will commence with a coffee hour at 9:30 a.m. before the worship service begins at 10:30 a.m. The service will be given by former PPC minister Jason Link. Current interim pastor Rev. Greg Hall and former congregation member Amy Wade, who now ministers at Doe Run Presbyterian Church in East Fallowfield, will also assist with the service. During the service, PPC will recognize 12 members who have been part of the congregation for over 50 years. The church’s new mural, painted by members of the congregation and the public, will be unveiled following the service. “We’re all going to walk out and have a bagpiper who will lead us out to the mural,” said Lisa Rudisill, a member of the celebration committee. “Then the bagpiper will lead us up to the park, and we will have a meal at the park.” Rudisill said that the mural represents generations of legacy at the church. Steve Wilson, the son of one of the 100th anniversary committee members, helped design the mural for the celebration this year. Invitations have been mailed to congregation members. “We are just so looking forward to the friendships and revisiting all of those memories,” Rudisill said. “We’re looking forward to a great celebration.”
See Brave Haven pg 6
VOL XXXIII • NO 19
Golf Tournament To Support Animal House Project
VOL XXXVI • NO 11