Conestoga Valley townlively.com
JULY 28, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVII • NO 32
Historical Society Celebrates Stories BY ANN MEAD ASH
ean Kilheffer Hess, executive director of Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society (LMHS), could not help but share a “fun fact” when asked about the organization’s upcoming annual Storytelling Night. “No one knows what the storytellers will say ahead of time,” divulged Hess, who explained that neither the planners of the event nor the storytellers discuss story topics. “Interweaving of stories happens spontaneously,” noted Hess, adding, “Invariably it comes together in a beautiful way.” Storytelling Night, which was first suggested by an LMHS volunteer about 10 years ago, will be held on Monday, Aug. 9, at Mellinger Mennonite Church, 1916 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, at 7 p.m. Hess said the format is simple, but carefully prescribed. “The storytellers alternate and each tells a series of fourminute stories,” she explained, adding that the event has proven
County Treasures: Heritage Press Museum
“They have pursued very different professional work, but a common thread is caring for people and meeting their needs.” According to Hess, the goal of the evening is to provide an engaging way to learn about both everyday and exceptional experiences of local Anabaptists. This year, Jesus Cruz, who has served as national program director of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), and Myrna Smucker, former Lancaster Mennonite School teacher and author of “The Bird-in-Hand Story,” were chosen to speak. Hess explained that each was invited because of his or her contributions
to Mennonite communities. “Each brings rich life experiences,” she noted. “They have pursued very different professional work, but a common thread is caring for people and meeting their needs.” In addition to his work for MCC, Cruz has had a varied career, which includes being an associate pastor. His work in the financial services field has most recently led him to working as a consultant for a Lancaster organization that is opening a new credit union focused on underserved persons such as recent immigrants. Smucker earned her degree in education from Eastern Mennonite University before teaching English and German at Lancaster Mennonite High School. She is a freelance writer, and her book about Bird-inHand, which is subtitled “50 Years of Smucker Family Hospitality,
See Heritage Press pg 8
Myrna Smucker
honors everyday lived experiences of people in our communities.” She added that the event is a step toward the LMHS vision of “a world where people reflect on their own stories and learn to value the stories of others across boundaries.” Readers who would like to know more may visit www.lmhs.org.
Jesus Cruz
BY ANN MEAD ASH
On the afternoon of July 13, representatives and volunteers from four organizations met in the parking lot of the New Holland Mennonite Church. Piled in the parking lot were skids of food items, including a large quantity of chicken products provided by Tyson Foods.
BY ANN MEAD ASH
The Heritage Press Museum, 346 N. Queen St., Lancaster, has its roots in the Lancaster Cultural History Museum, once located in the Lancaster Trust Performing Arts Center. Ken Kulakowsky is one of the volunteers at the Heritage Press and a member of the .918 Club, a group dedicated to preserving the art of printing and named for the
1968-2018,” delves into the origins and growth of the Bird-inHand Restaurant and Hotel and other associated businesses. Hess noted that she hopes the event will change how attendees and viewers see their own stories. “Annual Storytelling Night helps people recognize the incredible gift of our stories,” she said. “It
Partnership Feeds 400 Local Families
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Servant Stage Revives Gospel Music Show . . . . .2 “Rocky Railway” VBS Posted . . . . . . . . . . .3 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .9 House Of Worship . . . . . .12
See Partnership pg 5
Volunteers stocked trunks with food when four organizations united to distribute food to 400 New Holland area families.
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popular for LMHS. The free presentation will also be livestreamed at www.bit.ly/AMN21. LMHS welcomes donations to support the event’s mission to preserve history through storytelling.
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