Solanco FEBRUARY 4, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 11,250 HOMES
Solanco Students Excel in Drone Challenge
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MobilePack Hopes to Reach New Goal BY GEORGE DEIBEL
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
S
ome Solanco High School pupils are flying high after earning awards in the Student Drone Challenge. Robert Baxter finished first overall. Lucas Vilk was second among high school students, and Caleb Reed placed third in the high school contest. All three earned cash awards. Participants were tasked with being a drone pilot for a reconnaissance team conducting a realistic mission identifying potential radiological threats, the entrant form said. Students had to put together a 45-minute virtual presentation between March 20 and 26, 2025. Two of the goals were to learn how the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) might respond to a radiological threat and learn about the uses of UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and the basics
Solanco seniors Lucas Vilk (left) and Robert Baxter show the
See Drone Challenge pg 2 commendations they received from Rep. Lloyd Smucker. Photo by George Deibel
lowers Fresh Cut F e d Locally Maes Chocolat Florida ies Strawberr
Video Highlights History of Church BY GEORGE DEIBEL
1955 Beaver Valley Pike, just N. of Quarryville
(717) 786-4713 Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 8am-4pm
mecksproduce.com
Bill and Joyce Russell have completed an arduous and compelling task. The couple produced a 40-minute video detailing the nearly 300-year history of Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church. The church, located at 1199 Valley Road, Quarryville, isn’t waiting until the last minute to plan an anniversary celebration. The house of worship formed a committee on May 14, 2024, and will commemorate its tricentennial in 2027 with the theme “Foundation for the Future Through a Barry Girvin (left), Bill Russell (middle), and Debbie Hoover History of Faith.”
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are playing key roles in the celebration of Middle Octorara
See Video pg 9 Prsebyterian Church’s 300th anniversary. Photo by George Deibel
The need is immense; therefore, the goal is ambitious. You can help fulfill the lofty objective. The 11th Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) MobilePack will be held Friday, March 20, through Sunday, March 22, at Willow Street Mennonite Church, 399 E. Penn Grant Road, Willow Street. Packing shifts will be held Friday, March 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.,1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 4 to 6 p.m., Saturday, March 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., noon to 2 p.m., 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. “Some shift times are more popular than others and fill quickly,” said Lora Mangus Wenger, who is the FMSC Lancaster County MobilePack chairperson. Every individual who signs up for a packing shift is asked to contribute a minimum of $63. “This covers the cost of one box of packed meals (216 meals), which is the average amount a single volunteer packs in a twohour period,” Mangus Wenger said. “Basically, we encourage everyone to donate as they’re able. Whether a person can contribute 29 cents or $290, we welcome you to participate.” Registrations will be taken starting Friday, Feb. 6, and will be accepted up until the day people participate. Go to https:// tinyurl.com/2vezzzj9 to sign up. If it is your first time to register for a FMSC event, you will need to set up a username and password to register as an individual or for See MobilePack pg 4
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VOL LXII • NO 42