Octorara townlively.com
MAY 28, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXV • NO 13
A world of wonder awaits inside the bookmobile BY JEFF FALK
It ’s more than books on wheels. The Library System of Lancaster County’s (LSLC) bookmobile delivers knowledge, creativity, inspiration and joy.
The bookmobile is kind of like a food truck serving up nourishment for the mind and soul. “Reading in general is very important,” said Audrey Lilley, the bookmobile’s driver, curator and full-time coordinator. “It’s See Bookmobile pg 6
Battle coordinators are (from left) April Brade, Bekkah Bitterman and Jennifer Grossman.
Battle of the Boroughs Food drive to benefit Octorara Area Food Cupboard BY FRANCINE FULTON
Battle of the Boroughs at our April meeting. It has happened very quickly,” Grossman said. “(Brade) had this idea, and she wanted to run with it.” “(Brade) approached our group ... and we are really excited about participating,” added Bitterman. “I feel like it is an easy way to give back.” The OAFC is currently seeking the following donations: pasta sauce and boxed pasta; canned fruit; noodle and rice side dishes; condiments, including ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise; canned beets; peanut butter and jelly; and baby items like diapers, wipes and baby food. In Christiana, food donations boxes are located at Moores Memorial Library, 9 W. Slokom Ave., and Sit Stay Play, 28 W. Bridge St. A one-day food collection drive will be held on Saturday, June 7, at Dutch-Way Farm Market, 365 Pennsylvania Route 41, Gap. See Food drive pg 3
Coordinator Audrey Lilley prepares for another trip on the bookmobile, which includes a stop in Christiana.
Parkesburg Lions dedicate bench BY FRANCINE FULTON
TREX benches, crafted from recycled plastic, are being placed in local neighborhoods by members of the Parkesburg Lions Club as a tribute to people who have served the community. Most recently, a bench was dedicated in memory of Nancy Ballner of Paradise on May 8 at Westminster Place at Parkesburg. Although she was not a club member, Ballner helped the Lions Club with many community projects, including its annual Breakfast with the Easter Bunny,
and with food drives for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC). “Nancy was a friend of the Parkesburg Lions. She helped us with fundraisers,” said Lions president Robin McKenna. “(She was) such a sweet lady.” The bench is located behind Westminster at 320 W. First Ave., Parkesburg. The Lions Club plans to continue placing benches in the community. Those who would like to donate plastics may find drop-off containers at the following locations: Parkesburg Free Library, See Bench pg 2
33 Years of Service
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h re e l o c a l b o ro u g h s Parkesburg, Atglen and Christiana - are coming together in a friendly competition to collect food for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard (OAFC). The large-scale food drive, titled “Battle of the Boroughs,” began on May 19 and will run through Friday, June 20. Battle coordinators are April Brade of the Parkesburg Parks & Recreation Committee, Bekkah Bitterman of the Christiana Parks & Recreation Commission and Jennifer Grossman, chairperson of the Atglen Parks & Recreation Commission. According to Brade, each borough will have collection locations around town where people can drop off unopened, nonperishable, unexpired food items. “Each week, they will take the donations over to the cupboard and
weigh in,” she explained, adding that a winner will be declared at the end of the competition. Brade came up with the idea for the first-time food drive to coincide with the end of the school year. “Now that food banks are really struggling, we felt there was no better time,” she stated. “And we wanted to get the food donations in before the summer months. With school ending for the year, many children will lose the breakfast and lunches they get at school.” “With Octorara being a Title I school, it provides breakfast and lunch, which is a huge benefit for low-income families in our area,” added Bitterman. “With that not being available over the summer months, the food pantry sees more families coming in. We want to boost donations and remind people of the need.” The coordinators said they were eager to join Brade’s effort. “We started talking about the