Warwick townlively.com
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 30
A high-flying show like no other BY JEFF FALK
ome of us are more in tune with nature than others. Cryss Stacey enjoys a direct connection to it. A graduate of Warwick High School, Stacey is a falconer and the owner of Edged Feather Experiences. Her passion and livelihood revolve around owning and caring for seven different species of birds of prey, but what she really is, is an advocate for nature. “Growing up, I was always an outdoorsy kind of kid; you couldn’t get me out of the woods,” said Stacey. “But I wasn’t always allowed to have my own pets. I’ve always been drawn to them; I’ve always wanted to work with them. I didn’t even know birds of prey was a thing. When I first saw it, I was consumed by it.” Edged Feather Experiences is one of the many unique attractions currently appearing at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope Estate & Winery, 2775 Lebanon
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Road, Manheim. Stacey stages three 30-minute shows each weekend day on the Ren Faire’s joust field, each featuring a different bird of prey or combination of birds.
“All of the birds are very much individuals. One of my birds gets so excited before shows. I’ve got another bird that just loves to be around people; he thrives on attention.” The entertaining and educational shows are designed to display each species’ skills and talents as hunters, and the last five minutes of each show are used for audience questions and photos. When Stacey’s birds aren’t performing, they can be viewed on the grounds of Mount Hope Estate & Winery. “I try to get the audience as close to the birds as possible, within reason,” said Stacey. “My goal is to give
(members of the audience) a better appreciation of the world around us. All of the birds are very much individuals. One of my birds gets so excited before shows. I’ve got another bird that just loves to be around people; he thrives on attention. They are absolutely performers. They know their jobs really well.” Stacey’s flock of hunters consists of Titus, a red-tailed hawk; Kasai, an African augur buzzard; Skyler, an African lanner falcon; Goose, an African tide crow; Wicket, a barred owl; Jack, a Harris’s hawk; and Sir Dante, a Eurasian eagle-owl. “It is a very one-sided relationship,” said Stacey. “If I were to drop dead, they’d eat all the food and fly off. There would be no mourning. But I care deeply for the birds. I can’t tell you how much I’ve dedicated to them. Their care requires a well-trained hand.” “It’s my job to give them as natural a life as I can - that they get to be birds,” added Stacey. “It’s also my job to make sure they’re well exercised See High-flying show pg 4
WAR
At Lititz Parkwalk, beauty is in the eye of the beholder BY JEFF FALK
The Lititz Art Association is expecting up to 3,000 visitors for its annual Lititz Parkwalk show.
Art comes in many different forms and takes on all shapes and sizes. Similarly, art shows come in many different forms and take on all shapes and sizes. The Lititz Parkwalk has its own distinct atmosphere, its own unique vibe. It’s also the next art show on tap at Lititz Springs Park, 18 N. Broad St., Lititz. The Lititz Parkwalk is a lot of artistic energy squeezed into a small package. Sponsored by the Lititz Art Association, the annual
Cryss Stacey has developed a connection with the birds of prey she handles, including Kasai, an African augur buzzard.
Turning houses into homes BY CATHY MOLITORIS
“This isn’t a handout,” said Amanda Reilly-Sokoli, executive director of the Pennsylvania Furniture Mission. “It’s a hand up. Our goal is to fill a hole and a need in the community. We work with existing organizations, and we support the whole family.” Pennsylvania Furniture Mission opened in June in a warehouse off of Chestnut Street in Columbia. “We provide a full household of furniture to people who need it,” said Pashk Sokoli, chief operating officer and Amanda’s husband. “People get to choose what they want. We have couches, tables,
chairs, dressers, mattresses, beds, lamps, small appliances. We give them the dignity of choice. Our goal is to convert a house into a home.” Although the 501(c)(3) organization is new to the region, its operating concept is well-established. Prior to relocating to central Pennsylvania, Pashk served as director of operations for the Chicago Furniture Bank, the largest furniture bank in the nation. An Albanian immigrant, he grew up in a family that at times experienced homelessness. He met Berks County-native Amanda when she was doing mission work in Albania, and they ultimately
See Lititz Parkwalk pg 3
See Houses into homes pg 2
Everything Fall
• Pick Your Own • Ready-Picked @ Market PYO Mon.-Fri. 9-5 • Sat. 9-4
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
• Plums • Pears • Squash • Berries
• Pumpkins • Bales • Shocks 400 Long Lane At Marticville Road • Mums • Pansies (Rts. 741 & 324S) • Cabbage & Kale 3 Miles S. of Lancaster
R100213
Mon.-Sat. 8-6, Closed Sunday • 717-872-9311 www.cherryhillorchards.com
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