Pequea Valley townlively.com
JUNE 25, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 27
“Celebrate America!” Concert Planned Train Service to Event Added BY ANN MEAD ASH
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Winning Combination BY ANN MEAD ASH
BY ANN MEAD ASH
Mervin Beiler is always quick to greet visitors at Sunny Sunbeam located in Bart Township, a workshop that serves members of the Plain community with special needs. Sunny Sunbeam is one of several workshops found throughout Lancaster County. This year, Beiler’s friend Elmer Smucker joined Beiler in saying hello. The workshops, which provide socialization for adults with special needs and welcome respite for Work done by the participants at Sunny Sunbeam workshop includes
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STEM and technology, computers, and communication devices,” explained Blantz, who then simplified her role by adding, “In this situation, STEM is out-of-thebox learning.” Blantz set about creating life-enrichment units for Lighthouse working with fellow IU staff members Jen Bennett, Ketrina Walter, and Giovanna Chamberlain. In July of 2024, the IU staff members began working with Lighthouse staff members, including Swanson and program specialist Kaitlyn Deemer. “We did several training sessions with Lighthouse, and we planned (monthly) programs
See Lighthouse Vocational Services pg 2 ng Heati ns o i t u l So er y fo r E v t ! e g Bud
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making colorful and useful gift items (left photo), along with
A few years ago, Lighthouse Vocational Services was looking to enhance the educational services it offers to its clients. “Our previous quality assurance director wanted something more (for clients),” recalled Lighthouse program specialist Jen Swanson. The director had heard of the project-based learning programs being implemented for students being served by the Lancaster-Lebanon IU13. Enter Lori Blantz, instructional technology specialist with the IU. “I assist all our educators from preschool through age 21 with
See Benefit Auction pg 9 packaging items for resale (right photo).
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“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a medley of Irving Berlin tunes. Katrina King, accompanist for Perfect Harmony, will be featured on piano playing Billy Joel’s “Root Beer Rag.” “It will be a varied program,” noted Hughes, who added that the “1812 Overture” will be special this year with the choir singing the opening verse prior to the start of the aerial show provided by Schaefer Fireworks. A local radio station will be on-site, as will the Strasburg-Heisler Library, Southern L ancaster County C hamber of Commerce, and more area sponsors. Face painting will be provided by Paradise Station. There is a cost to park for the event, with limited parking at The Barn and overflow parking See “Celebrate America!” pg 6
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Celebrate America! includes a free concert and fireworks and will be held again this year at Paradise Station in Ronks.
n 2024, Kat Prickett of Perfect Harmony planned the first “Celebrate America!” concert on the lawn at Paradise Station. The free concert featured the New Holland Band playing a number of patriotic tunes, the vocal trio of Perfect Harmony, and fireworks in a special Independence Day event. This year, the event will be bigger than before. “We are doing more than last year,” said Fred Hughes, director of the New Holland Band. “Celebrate America!” will be held at The Barn at Paradise Station, 312 Paradise Lane, Ronks, on Thursday, July 3. Food Truck Alley, featuring vendors and activities, will open at 4 p.m.,
and the concert will begin at 7:30 p.m., with fireworks scheduled for 9:15 p.m. The rain date for the event will be Sunday, July 6. Food available for purchase at this year’s event will be provided by vendors including Joe on the Go Coffee Co., Penny’s Ice Cream, Old Road Pretzels, PA Boys BBQ, and Casey Jones’ Restaurant, with The Barn Bistro open for those wishing to purchase wine, beer, and specialty drinks. Perfect Harmony, which features Prickett, Ric Zimmerman, and Kathryn Williams, will perform, along with the 24-member Celebrate America Chorus. According to Hughes, new songs this year will include “For Good” and “Defying Gravity” from “Wicked,” along with patriotic favorites such as