Warwick townlively.com
MARCH 29, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 4
Meet & Mingle seeks to bring Parkinson’s disease into focus BY JEFF FALK
arkinson’s is a degenerative neurological disease that physically, mentally, and emotionally affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States. The initial steps in treating it are awareness and education. That’s the goal of the Lititz recCenter’s fourth annual Parkinson’s Program Meet & Mingle. Planned as a way of teaching and breaking down barriers, the free event will be held on Saturday, April 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Lititz recCenter, 301 Maple St., Lititz. Visitors can meet Parkinson’s disease warriors and current participants in the Lititz recCenter’s Rock Steady Boxing program, as well as doctors, a speech therapist, a registered dietitian, and a massage therapist. The Parkinson’s Program Meet & Mingle will address challenges in motor skills, coordination and balance, nutrition and diet, and speech. “The goal is to spread the word about our boxing program,” said Erica Wolgemuth Johnson, coach of the Rock Steady Boxing program.
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“People are aware that Parkinson’s exists, but they may not be aware of how prevalent it is in the world or in the local community. What we’re doing in this class is not keeping it in the forefront as much in your daily life. Hopefully, we’re giving you a chance to have a higher-functioning life.” Currently, about 30 local residents, ranging in age from their early 60s to their early 80s, are enrolled in the Lititz recCenter’s Rock Steady Boxing program. Gene Dugger of Lititz catches his breath dur“They come from all ing a recent Rock Steady Boxing workout. walks of life - doctors, Symptoms of Parkinson’s disaccountants, schoolteachers, farmers, veterinarians,” said Johnson. ease may start slowly and can “Parkinson’s is not reversible, and it include tremors, loss of balance, gets worse over time. But one way stiffness in muscles and slurred to slow the progression of the dis- speech, and they can worsen over ease is exercise, and one of the exer- time. Because its cause is cises that works best is boxing.” She unknown, Parkinson’s disease added, “When you pair exercise can’t be prevented. “The thing with Parkinson’s is with a regiment of medication, you’re going to knock it out of the that everyone is different,” said Johnson. “There are broad symppark.”
Rock Steady Boxing coach Erica Johnson (left) instructs Bob Cummings of Millersville.
toms. There’s a saying that goes, ‘If you meet one person with Parkinson’s, you met one person with Parkinson’s.’ There’s really no known causes of (Parkinson’s), but there’s speculation about chemicals.” There exists strength in numbers. “If you’re somebody with Parkinson’s, there’s help and there’s a community here,” said Johnson.
“We have built a family here. What that means is that there’s a group of people who know what you’re going through. It’s a tough disease to manage.” For additional information about or to register for the Parkinson’s Program Meet & Mingle or the Rock Steady Boxing program, dial 717-626-5096, ext. 225, or email fitness@lititzrec.com.
Rotary ride to benefit Lifecycles … And Bingo was his name-o! UDS bingo event to support puppy program
BY JEFF FALK
WAR
BY ANN MEAD ASH
The sun on your back. The wind in your face. The open road at your feet. There are few feelings of freedom that can compare to the one you experience while riding a bicycle. Now imagine the exhilaration that comes from doing it for a cause. The community can experience just such an exhilaration by participating in the 19th annual Lancaster Sunrise Rotary Ride for the Community. It all goes down Saturday, June 3, at Manheim Township Community Park, 209 Petersburg Road, Lancaster. There is a cost to The Lancaster Sunrise Rotary Ride for the Community is a family event.
See Bingo pg 5
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See Rotary Ride pg 2
Lori Breece, manager with United Disabilities Services (UDS) service dogs, remembers the successful bingo event the organization held in 2019. “At that time that was our largest fundraiser to date,” said Breece, who noted that the event garnered funds to help raise the 16 puppies that are trained yearly to become service dogs. The average cost of the first year of training one dog is $3,000. The UDS bingo fundraiser will return to the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, on Sunday, April 16. Doors will open at
noon, and the first game will start at 1:30 p.m. Tickets, which are necessary to attend, will be discounted through Friday, April 14. Each ticket includes 20 games. Players must be age 18 or older, and tickets are limited. Food and beverage items will be available for purchase. Breece noted that the UDS fundraiser is a little different from some other bingo events. “We allow people to pick their own prizes, and I think that kind of sets us apart,” she said, noting that the option started years ago. “So if somebody wins and they want that Kate Spade bag, they can get it,” she shared. “That has been well received.”
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