Conestoga Valley APRIL 8, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 13,770 HOMES
VOL LXII • NO 16
Lancaster Railway Society Celebrates 90th Anniversary BY FRANCINE FULTON
The Mennonnite Children’s Choir of Lancaster
We Invest in What We Know Best
At Church Concert, Exuberance of Youth Will Serve
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M
usic is contagious. Because the joy for singing that the Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster exudes is so impactful, it is naturally and powerfully transmitted to
“I think there’s a direct correlation between the choir and the audience,” said Chuck Book, who’s been the communications director at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd for more than 20 years. “A singer who enjoys singing brings joy and conveys it to the See Church Concert pg 7
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Scouting America’s current flag offers a fresh, clean look that features a small image of an eagle and the colors of our country. It symbolizes the morals, commitment and tradition that Scouting America stands for. In this particular instance, the passing, raising and lowering of that Scouting America flag represents the role that Scouting has played in the history of our nation. “There are pride and meaning attached to all flags, Members of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council of and I think that’s true of the Scouting America flag,” Scouting America and local dignitaries gather around See Scouting America pg 2
the flagpole at the Lancaster County Courthouse.
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its audiences. Audience members can’t help but experience the joy of singing on a whole other frequency. The Mennonite Children’s Choir of Lancaster will bless the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd with that joy for singing at the church’s upcoming event.
T h e L a n c a s t e r C h a p t e r, National R ailway Historical Society (NRHS), which aims to preserve history and railroad artifacts, as well as educate the public about railroading and its history, is in the middle of celebrating its 90th anniversary. According to a histor y of the Lancaster Chapter, NRHS, provided by chapter historian Linda Himpsl, it began in 1934 when a few young railroad and trolley enthusiasts met in an old trolley in Neffsville, forming the Lancaster Railway & Locomotive Historical Society. In 1935, the group merged with the Interstate Trolley Club and other organizations to form the NRHS. The Lancaster Chapter was the first charter organized in the NRHS, launching on Oct. 13, 1935. Today, chapter meetings are held in the 1882 freight station in Christiana, which was restored by the chapter in 1998. Members, who come from various backgrounds, all share a love of railroading. “Most people have an interest in railroads, history or just trains in general. Very few of us actually worked for the railroad,” noted Steve Himpsl, second director. “Some have model trains. They are avid collectors.” “Some have fathers or grandfathers who worked the railroad,” added Linda. Last October, chapter members and invited guests celebrated the milestone during a chapter meeting at the freight station where they enjoyed cake and ice cream and a display of See Railway pg 8
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