Conestoga Valley /townlively
APRIL 15, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE: WEBSITE OFFERS ECONOMIC RESOURCES page 4
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Making Masks In Leola By Ann Mead Ash
Heather Marston is normally busy teaching 3-, 4-, and 5-year-olds at Leola Nursery School at Conestoga Church of the Brethren. On March 13, when it was announced that the day care center and schools were closed due to the COVID19 crisis, Marston went home to hunker down with her two Conestoga Valley High School teenagers and her husband. It was not very long before the avid seamstress was looking for ways to lend her talents to aid to those facing the crisis on a daily basis. When a neighbor told Marston about the need for masks, Marston began looking at websites for medical mask designs. Marston knew she could not create N95-compliant masks, but she heard that cloth masks could still help. “(The cloth masks) will not stop the virus,” said Marston.
“But (wearers) are putting these over the top of their existing masks to increase the longevity of those.” Marston originally was giving her masks to two local nurses to distribute to those who need them. “There are people who are working in the hospital systems who are required to wear masks, but they are not on the front lines,” she noted, adding that there are other vocations and venues where masks are now being required, such as food warehouses. Since Gov. Wolf recommended wearing masks in public places as of April 3, Marston has had requests for masks from more than 30 individuals. She is prioritizing distribution with medical staff receiving masks first, followed by the elderly and immunocompromised, and then essential workers. Before Marston began making
Sarah Marston (left photo) cuts out bias tape to make ties for masks. Her mother, Heather, began making the masks to donate to health care and other workers who need them shortly after schools were closed in March.
masks, she looked at a variety of websites and researched different designs, and she talked to friends across the country who also sew. She said that the original design was two layers of cotton fabric. “Then I learned that flannel is good to use,” said Marston, who See Masks pg 4
See Friends In Action pg 3
“Our mission must go on,” said Stacie Blake, chief executive officer of the YWCA Lancaster. “We are excited to provide a positive opportunity for our community to persevere and unite together virtually to take a stand against racism.” As a virtual race, the event technically began on March 25 at midnight and will run through Saturday, April 25, at 11:59 p.m. Those wishing to take part in the event are asked to run or walk 3.1 miles on a treadmill, trail, track, or road anytime before 11:59 p.m. on April 25. Those who complete the event will earn a commemorative T-shirt and See Race Against Racism pg 5
In response to COVID-19 restrictions, runners who choose to participate in the Race Against Racism sponsored by the YWCA Lancaster may do so virtually. Participants may complete the 5K distance at any time until 11:59 p.m. on April 25.
Not just in your mailbox...
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
New Takes On Education By Leah Sintic
You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of the areas experiencing a massive adjustment is the education system. Public school, private school, student, teacher, parent - no one is exempt from the farreaching repercussions after a statewide mandate closed schools in mid-March. School administrative teams across Lancaster County have had to adjust quickly, all while keeping the safety of students and the community at the forefront of their decisions. School districts countywide have ramped up their online communication portals, offering
Schools around the county have adjusted their educational methods as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many students, such as those from Mount Calvary Christian School, are doing their learning from home. educational resources, food assistance information, answers to frequently asked questions, and See Education pg 2
now the is online! Read all of our papers at:
townlively.com/read POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 15, 2020
Postal Patron
CON
Organization Uses Civil Engineering To Impact Eternity “It will stretch you and sometimes make you uncomfortable, but it will be a life-changing experience,” shared Jim Boyer, speaking about mission work with Friends In Action (FIA), such as his recent short-term trip to the Pacific island country of Vanuatu. Boyer, who is currently the president and managing principal at David Miller/Associates Inc. in Lancaster, has more than 30 years of engineering experience. With headquarters in Middletown, FIA supports mission work in areas of limited infrastructure worldwide by using construction projects and other practical service to spread the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people who have never heard it before.
Race Against Racism Goes Virtual The Race Against Racism, a fundraiser of the YWCA Lancaster that is believed to be the longestrunning consecutive race against racism in the country, announced on March 20 that the event will transition to a virtual race for 2020. The change is in alignment with guidelines from CDC health and government officials outlined to deal with the COVID-19 crisis and to prioritize the health and safety of runners and others.
VOL LVI • NO 18
Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. publications R057848