Conestoga Valley
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JUNE 3, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
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VOL LVI • NO 25
CONGRATULATIONS,
CONESTOGAGRADUATES VALLEY 2020 & all students in the class of
War Memorial Association Distributes Funds Although Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) could not hold an awards night for the Class of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the
Upper Leacock Township War Memorial Association (ULTWMA) bestowed CVHS seniors with funds in the amounts of $1,000 each. Recipients were Grace Braught, Lindsey Mousch, John William Nissley,
and April Peles. Grace is the daughter of Charles Braught III, who served overseas in the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for six years and was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal. Charles was
deployed during Operation Desert Storm from November 1990 to April 1991. Charles received the Combat Action Ribbon, two Meritorious Unit Citation awards, the Presidential Unit Citation - awarded to Task Force Ripper
Grace Braught
Lindsey Mousch
John William Nissley
April Peles
By Ann Mead Ash
MHALC Offers Mental Health Support By Dayna M. Reidenouer
CON
A lot has been said lately about the importance of physical health as it pertains to the novel coronavirus. However, as
people stay confined to their homes or report to jobs where they might be putting themselves at risk of illness, mental health must not be forgotten. “It is just as important to take
protective action and precautions for your mental health as you would for your physical health. One cannot exist without the other,” advised Kim McDevitt, executive director of Mental Health America of Lancaster County (MHALC). “COVID-19 has changed the way we think about things. Where we had safety, we have insecurities. We are also conflicted with feeling anxious but also grateful for some of the gifts that we have received as a result of this crisis. The forced series of events and feelings associated with them can throw our equilibrium off.” MHALC’s mission is to promote optimal mental health through advocacy, education, See MHALC pg 3
Mental Health America of Lancaster County leaders, including (from left) president Tracey Lavallias, executive director Kim McDevitt, and vice president Julie Weaver, have worked together to ensure their organization is prepared to offer increased mental health support.
Not just in your mailbox...
elements - and the Kuwaiti Liberation Medal. In the fall, Grace plans to attend West Virginia University to major in history. Lindsey is the daughter of Keith M. Mousch, who served overseas in the USMC for five years. Keith was deployed during the Persian Gulf War as an aviation electrician and a member of a helicopter aircrew. Lindsey plans to attend Lebanon Valley College in the fall to study early childhood and special education. John is the son of Leslie SmithNissley, who served in the United States Army Reserves for eight years. In the fall, John intends to continue his education at Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, where he will study computer systems technology. See War Memorial pg 2
Sweet Pea Plants Virtual Garden Mother’s Day, which was held on May 10. A special part of the picnic is a chance to visit an area inside Dutch Wonderland that has been designated as a permanent Sweet Pea Project Remembrance Garden. “It has a big tree and hundreds of flowers, and our logo and sign is there,” said Cole, who noted that she is continually amazed at how the siblings flock to the garden during the picnic. “There’s pizza, ice cream, and roller coasters, and these (siblings) stop in the middle of this super fun day to plant a flower,” she said. “It has been the most meaningful part of our picnic.”
By Ann Mead Ash
More than 10 years ago, Stephanie Paige Cole, founder of Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, and her board members began holding a Sisters and Brothers Picnic for children who had a sibling who was lost during pregnancy or infancy. This year’s event was to be held on Saturday, June 6, at Dutch Wonderland. When the picnic was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cole wanted to re-create a part of the picnic in time for
See Sweet Pea pg 6
Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, has created a virtual flower garden that mothers and other family members may use to honor the child they lost. Although the virtual garden was created for Mother’s Day, it will be available into the future for those who would like to dedicate a flower to their child.
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