Octorara JULY 1, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 3,720 HOMES
CHS to Hold “Saturdays on the Porch” Event on Fourth of July
Find Your America250 Adventure
See 250 pg 5
See Concert pg 2
The event will feature live music by the Christiana Singers, an a capella and four-part harmony group that are all alumni members of the LanChester Chorus.
t’s an uncharted Saturday for the Christiana Historical Society (CHS). CHS, which has held a “Saturdays on the Porch” program every first Saturday of the month from April through November since 2024, will hold a special edition of the program from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 4, at the Brinton House, 17 Green St., Christiana, which is the group’s headquarters. “It’s been around the Fourth of July, but this is the first year that it’s actually on the Fourth of July,” said CHS member Patti Shrom. “So that kind of makes it extra special for us.” Along with this iteration of the program falling on America’s birthday, there are two anniversaries being celebrated this year that give the event extra meaning. This year is the 175th anniversary of the Christiana Resistance, the successful armed escape of four slaves that helped ignite the Civil War. It is also, of course, America’s 250th birthday this year. The event will feature many of the activities of a typical Saturday on the Porch, including live music, See Porch pg 4
OCC
Parkesburg to Host 250th Celebration BY LOGAN MOYER
whereandwhen.com R129326
BY LOGAN MOYER
Enterprises of Cochranville, will described the carnival as having “all anchor the event, running from the big rides.” It will run from 6 to 10 Wednesday to Saturday. Organizers p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and
I
Scan QR code to read the digital issue
UPC to Host Annual Patriotic Organ Concert Union Presbyterian Church (UPC) is adding a little extra f lair to its annual patriotic organ concert this summer. Always a big event at the church, located at 5637 Street Road, Kirkwood, the concert carries extra weight this year with the widespread celebration of America’s 250th birthday. “It’s a little bit special this year,” said Martin Greenleaf, a member of the church’s ministry of music. “(The concert) isn’t very religiously oriented. It’s more toward patriotic items.” The show will take place on Sunday, July 5, at 6:30 p.m., one day after the Fourth of July. The concert is free to attend, but a freewill offering will be accepted to benefit Solanco community organizations. T he organist will be Bob Tr imble, a renowned local organist who performs two shows at Union Presbyterian annually - the summer patriotic concert and the Christmas organ concer t, held in December. Trimble will be assisted by Rick Rineer and Glenn Hough, two other local organists. Greenleaf said that Trimble’s organ shows usually draw between 90 and 200 people, ranging from locals to people from out of state. “He plays patriotic songs, pop songs and classical show tunes,” he said. “There’s even some songs where he asks people to sing along.” The big difference between Union Presbyterian and other organ concert venues is the church’s rare, restored 90-yearold United States Pipe Organ
BY LOGAN MOYER
For the first time in a decade, fireworks will light up the night sky at Minch Park in Parkesburg on Friday, July 3, as part of Parkesburg’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. Parkesburg’s massive five-day celebration of the country’s birthday will commence on Wednesday, July 1, and run through Sunday, July 5, at the park, 111 West St., Parkesburg. A carnival, provided by Houghton
VOL XXXVI • NO 18
Attendees enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Parkesburg VFW, one of Parkesburg 250’s fundraisers.
R129289
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUL. 1, 2026
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron