Octorara OCTOBER 22, 2025
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 3,720 HOMES
Creating Comfort One Stitch at a Time BY FRANCINE FULTON
townlively.com
JUNE 11, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
BY FRANCINE FULTON
Chester County Connect Care (CCCC), a nonprofit medical care pregnancy center, will present its annual 5K Run/Walk for Life, on Saturday, Nov. 8, rain or shine, at Hibernia County Park in Coatesville. In addition to the 5K, this year’s event will include a fun run/walk, a Pup Station for dogs, a Diaper Derby for toddlers and a petting zoo. Race-day registration will open at 8 a.m., followed by a welcome at 8:30 a.m. The Diaper Derby
Community members are w e l c o m e t o v i s i t Wo r d U P Ministries on Sunday, Oct. 26, when the church will host a chili cook-off. The complimentary lunch will also include grilled cheese sandwiches, desserts and beverages. Activities will take place at 11:45 a.m., immediately after the 10:45 a.m. church service. Visitors to the first-time event will be able to taste a number of chili dishes made by church members. “ The ladies of the church are putting this together,” said pastor Buck Mowday, noting that the event will take place in the church’s café. “We will have at least seven different pots of chili. We will have little sheets of paper (where people can vote) for their favorite.” He noted that chili that may spicy will be clearly marked. The latest activity is part of the church’s effort to promote camaraderie among church members and the community. “We are always trying to figure out ways that WordUP can be involved in our community,” said Mowday. “Our café opens at 10 a.m. There will be snacks that morning and coffee before the service. We do that every Sunday. On the first Sunday of every month, we have a breakfast, and that is open to (the community) at 9:45 a.m. And it not just sandwiches. It could be
See CCCC pg 9
See Chili pg 2
Sew Much Love members include (front, from left) Sheila Williamson, Wendy Kennel, Sarah Nafziger, (back) Grace Doirin, Lourdes Doirin, Mary Frederick and Julia Joyce. Photo by Francine Fulton
is to create pillowcases, featuring Hospital in Hershey. “We get the kid-friendly fabrics, for patients at fabric, and I cut (it to size), and difPenn State Health Center Children’s ferent people sew them together,” See Sew Much Love pg 5
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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
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 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.”
CCCC To Present 5K Run/Walk for Life
“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 FRANCINE FULTON
See Farmers Markets pg 4
R118677
See Run/Walk pg 2
Community Invited To Discover Chester County Farmers Markets
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JUN. 11, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
R122550
About 300 runners took part in last year’s event.
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER OCT. 22, 2025
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
OCC
BY FRANCINE FULTON
A Time for Chili and Grilled Cheese WordUP To Host Complimentary Lunch
W
hat started out as an effort by church members at Parkesburg Mennonite Church to teach people how to sew has evolved into Sew Much Love, a group that creates handmade items for various charities, including prayer shawls, comforters and pillowcases for hospitalized children. All are welcome to attend the Sew Much Love gatherings, which are held on the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon in the church’s fellowship hall. Sewers of all experience levels are welcome, as well as those with no experience. “We have people with various skills,” said Sheila Williamson, one of the group’s founders. “If you can tie a knot, you are welcome. We have people who just come to knot comforters.” One of the group’s main projects
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