Solanco townlively.com
MAY 28, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXII • NO 6
Solanco sixth-graders National competition enjoy chance to beautify community reinforces flutist’s love of music BY GEORGE DEIBEL
People who appreciate recent beautification efforts around Q u a r r y v i l l e m i g h t h ave a Solanco School District sixthgrader to thank.
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
See Community Day pg 4
Solanco School District sixth-graders spread mulch at Memorial Park.
Union Presbyterian to hold Strawberry Social BY GEORGE DEIBEL
Christian schools earned Joelle a spot in the national event. S he was not planning on attending college before visiting Bob Jones University this spring. Joelle had been there twice before when her older sister, Anne, finished second in the high school flute competition in consecutive years.
Counseling Center and Solanco Neighborhood Ministries. Union volunteers will arrive at the kitchen at 9 a.m. to begin preparing beef barbecue sandwiches; hot dogs; and sides such as potato salad, macaroni salad, and baked beans. Potato chips and pretzels will also be available. The star of the show will be strawberries purchased from a local Amish farm, and ice cream will also be supplied. Weather permitting, outdoor See Social pg 2
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Joelle Russell finished third in a national flute competiton.
out for the school band. Joelle earned the honor of being the first chair for flute. Despite late notice, Joelle was able to enter and win first place in the Maryland Association of Christian Schools (MACS) competition March 14 at Harford Christian. That victory over flutists from Maryland and Pennsylvania
Union Presbyterian Church is promising attendees a berry good time. Union’s annual Strawberry Social will be held Saturday, May 31, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the church fellowship hall, 5637 Street Road, Kirkwood. There is no fee to attend or for the food. A freewill offering will be accepted, with any proceeds going to two local organizations the church supports - New Hope
See Flutist pg 3
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oelle Russell’s trip to South Carolina was both affirming and potentially life-altering. The Quarryville native finished third in the flute at the 47th annual American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) national competition held April 9 at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C. Joelle performed “Meditation From Thais” by Jules Massenet. “I felt like I couldn’t have performed better under nervous circumstances,” she said. “I feel like the Lord helped me with that.” Joelle initially wasn’t certain what those in attendance thought. “You always know what your best performance is, so I was kind of feeling like I didn’t make any note mistakes but thought maybe I didn’t put enough emotion into it,” Joelle said. “But at a master class a day later, a lady came up and told me I played flawlessly. That was sweet. That gave me some reassurance.” The judges concurred with the lady’s assessment. “I was really excited and surprised,” said Joelle. “I didn’t know what to feel. I couldn’t believe it, really. I wasn’t expecting to win anything there, but that was the Lord’s plan.” Joelle and her twin sister, Joy, who both turned 18 on April 21, started homeschooling a year earlier than usual and each earned a high school diploma last spring. Joelle and Joy, who also plays the flute, took elective courses at Harford Christian School this year, which enabled them to try
A total of 200 students and 28 teachers from Solanco’s two middle schools combined to spruce up the grounds of 14 locations. “I think it’s nice because we get to help out our community,” said