Octorara
LOOK INSIDE
A Creative Collection
2025
The popcorn bursts scarlet red, wait
make a festive
garland. To the
Memories that continuation of
garland they helped
in excited
Over and over,
and white are knotted
tree decoration
they’re making.
children’s children.
for us when we
faces that look
together to
so meaningful:
are a
I absorb them
with wonder as
something beautiful it is that
can generate something
To me, its
Memories that
were young. Now
illuminates little
upon the tree. How
and cranberries,
aroma. Cranberries,
counterparts. Children
two to one, respectively.
Lengths of red
the lives of my
mother created
Magic that is fleeting,
create is hung
simple, like popcorn
with its appealing
the tree?”
and cranberries;
nostalgic is created.
children its a Christmas
will carry on in
the ones my own
of view. a mother’s point
their white, fluffy
“Can we decorate
string the popcorn
until something
memories.
fills the kitchen
a pattern with
repeated requests:
Little hands help hands are busy
with a fury and
to be strung in
anticipation make
from
the
so incredibly
a heart full of lasting
memories.
Cowboy Tex
Surprise and the Christmas
he excited. Today Cowboy Tex was on the Bramble Ranch. of the cowboys and time on the Tangled Bill and Tori, and Davis, one hot chocolate It was Christmas his two kids and would have with Farmer John, wife, was staying at home tree. was going out the Christmas John Farmer John’s came home with Pretty soon Farmer into ranch. Mrs. Snoopy,waiting for them when they off Tex’s thoughts. through Cowboy Cowboy Tex wandered Christmas cookies Bill’s voice tore cut the tree down, He looked up and around and “Come on Tex,” tree. While they out a pretty fir a twig snap loudly. woofed again. and Davis picked and Tori. Suddenly, Tex heard worriedly. Tex and Davis were Bill Bill questioned Farmer Brown the woods with the matter, Tex?” woof. “What’s trees behind them. to tell us something,” Bill gave a warning a voice from the “Woah, Tex,” I think Tex is trying on kids?” came “What’s going a third time. “Dad, the trail, “Let’s go.” Tex growled. until Tex let tree. Tex woofed Finally, they waited motioned toward back from the Tex,” Farmer John Tex ran behind him and growled. said. “Come on a bit. toward the trail and Christmas Davis backed with hot chocolate As they talked, the Snoopy met them them go. in the kitchen. got home, Mrs. by the big window Bill marveled. “It was really When they finally They ate them him,” seen a had promised. what got into window Tex had cookies, as she “I don’t know Tex!” Out the was brought up. could do anything Tex growled. “Woah, ordeal with Tex Before anyone she John added. Suddenly, going on, Tex?” Bill asked. for the door. Then weird,” Farmer you all up in furs. “What’s Tori yelled, running “He was sensing person all bundled door. “I’ll get it,” Tex full of biscuits. a knock on the cookies and stocked more, there was They gave her “Gran!” screeched, praised. the time,” Tori
Kiki Martin Adult (18+) 110 New St. East
Earl, PA 17519
610-704-5881 kikers03@yahoo.com
seeing no She sighed, the window. peered out sister. Minna Walden went her older Eve in 1864, She asked Sighing, Minna for On Christmas Christmas?” year either.” in the kitchen home for father. come last sign of her War let Papa come he did not German Lebkuchen spilling “because “Will the spicy dough, said Helga, smell of traditional mixing the “Likely not,” sniffing the spicy Mama was maniacally any to eat!” sewing, Walden, won’t be back to her youngest cozy log cabin. bowl, there flour was spilled. Lena, the of table in their that dough in the comfort. the war of not a grain all over the safety in ingredients you don’t keep some mixing, making sure for their father’s “Lena, if slowed her in their bed, praying Minna prayed. immediately Helga lay said. Lena Minna and trying to fall asleep. come home tomorrow,”but without Papa. That night, and him I see him!” please let Confederacy, Merry Christmases, is there! against the with Papa, and please, was filled with yelped, “Belsnickel Lena was Day, “God be Christmas and suddenly Helga looked where morning, of the cabin, the cabin. The next Her younger out the window walking towards to meet him. Lena looked Santa Claus, was running out or Belsnickel, She exclaimed, That’s Papa!” I questions. pointing. now, and Belsnickel! him with I am well “That’s not showering leave. to asked, us had The girls a bunch of sisters followed. you get home?”of sickness and “How did back.” an outbreak “There was than happy to come safety.” more Lena. health and was actually Papa,” said Minna. God for your “I love you Said “and I thank “Merry Christmas!”Papa,” said Helga, Lord’s good will.” home, of the “Welcome “because said Papa, “Me too,”
Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. • townlively.com
DECEMBER 3, 2025
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 3,720 HOMES
VOL XXXV • NO 40
The Sound of Collaboration Musician, Author Join Forces to Create Christmas Song BY FRANCINE FULTON
ONLINE S WINTER EVENT CALENDAR
everal years ago, Jim Weagley of Atglen had a melody and lyrics in his head, but with no musical expertise, he could not find a way to bring them to life. That is when Lancaster County musician Juliana Lane came into the picture and together the two strangers produced a song, “Do You Believe? (The Christmas Story).” Weagley, who retired from the field of sports medicine, is the author of several books, including “Bet on the Turtle: My Long, Slow Journey of Faith.” After coming up with the tune, he searched online and found Lane, who is the worship leader at Manheim Grace Church. “I had the tune and lyrics and started looking on the internet to Juliana Lane Jim Weagley see if I could find a singer/songwriter and producer in the Lancaster area,” read music and I have no musical my voice, but to judge the song based and plays the piano on the recently released song. “I have been writing Weagley explained. “I love music, but ability. I sent me singing my song on what they think it could be.” don’t play an instrument and I can’t a cappella. I asked them to not judge Enter Lane, who provides vocals songs since I was 11 years old,” she
townlively.com/ events
See Christmas Song pg 2
OCC
Parkesburg Lions To Hold Holiday Decorating Contest
R123768
BY FRANCINE FULTON
Remembering Those Who Served Wreaths Across America Day Set for Dec. 13
Parkesburg residents are invited to participate in the annual Parkesburg Lions Club holiday decorating contest. As part of the tradition, local homeowners are invited to decorate their homes for the holiday season, which will be judged by a panel of judges, as well as community members. Lions Club members and students from the club-sponsored Octorara Leo Club from Octorara Junior-Senior High School will
BY FRANCINE FULTON
“ We started in 2019. This will be our seventh time placing wreaths,” noted Paula Diem of Gap, when describing the annual Wreaths Across America program during which volunteers place wreaths at the graves of veterans
See Decorating Contest pg 2 Last year’s first-place winner
See Wreaths pg 3
Picture Perfect
FRASER FIR 400 Long Lane at Marticville Road (Rt. 741 & 324)
717-872-9311
www.cherryhillorchards.com
• Trees • Wreaths • Garland • Greens
more for your decorating! PLUS lots Mon.-Sat. 8-6
R123750
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER DEC. 3, 2025
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