Conestoga Valley AUGUST 5, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 13,770 HOMES
Ryan Bomgardner NEWS, EVENTS, Competes With Himself for Top Billing & MORE! BY JEFF FALK
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yan B omgardner is a comedian, a ventriloquist, a speaker, a musician, a storyteller and a funny guy. Ryan and Friends is a one-man show - well, sort of. “I find in life that there are a lot of people who have different preferences,” said Bomgardner. “We all have different perspectives. If I could bring everybody together and point out to people that we have more in common than we are different, then it’s worth it. I want to be a blessing.” A native of Ephrata and a 42-year-old resident of Lititz, Bomgardner is the Ryan part of Ryan and Friends. There are about ten figments of his imagination - portrayed by puppets -
that make up the friends portion of the act, including 8-year-old Jeffrey; old married couple Harold and Irene; fragrant Ardy the Skunk; giggling teenager Tiffany; and Randy the Rooster, who is completely terrified of Colonel Sanders. “Jeff is a little boy who says things I wouldn’t say as an adult,” said Bomgardner. “Kind of like, ‘I can’t believe you said that.’ Harold and Irene have been married for 60 years. There’s a lot of comedy that can come from being married that long. “My grandfather’s name was Harold,” added Bomgardner. “I had a fun voice from that. The rest of the characters are just out of my imagination. Sometimes I’ll have an idea and think, ‘There’s got to be some great comedy in there.’” See Ryan pg 4 Ryan Bomgardner makes friends easily.
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Family Fun Day Is Wet, Wonderful, Wholesome BY JEFF FALK 1954
REACHING
MORE
VOL LXII •
HOMES THAN 13,770
For Power
NO 20
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SERVING
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BY JEFF FALK
active keep kids Power Camps r. Power Camps people over the summe to meet new. Power allow kids new friends and make kids discover sports, are unners Camps help skills and foster self-motivated. improve athleticgames. s athlete a love for their also establi sh run and Power Camps relatio nships When they t h e i r age to and encour e n te r i n zones, and with God. compet itive feelmind, body area an “It’s about runners reportation Diana Roth, hip of soul,” said ings of exhilar of Fellows n. representative s (FCA) and a and jubilatiofeelings Athlete They are Christian of the New Holland only be co-director “There are so many that can by runPower Camp.in sports. Athletics expand ed feelth th lessons. life lessons ning for others, be felt you so many can teach to get outside, move ings that will er & Clinic for Ark Encount good we’re the so lly, It’s during n’s 5K. fun. Hopefu being Creation Museum Children wn, KY and have Specia l Childre Williamsto for Special a love for 5K. “But when year’s Clinic develo ping upcoming Childre n. line at last intent here of the for Special FCA’s the starting “It’s people said physical.” ting the the atmosp edition of Runners exit g,” in suppor I think of family. We’re This year’s Camps will be on runnin interested the I think of event. It for the are a .m. to annual Power seri- event, family- friendl y .” Renny Magill, We’re d from 9 , June 15, develop ment n. “But mission usly, we have some very s we serve. condu c te directo r of l Cullen, a Monday “Obvio a Special Childre of physica may be familie s,” said Kelly 3:30 p.m. from June 18, on the Clinic for almost a sense of ous runner ting and commu ni- welcom ing a variety ay, of 11 also pg people Thursd to there’s See 5K and inside rd . Some are family the marke for the Clinic th a manag er athleti c fieldsian Fellow ship, family reunion suppor t of who cations Holland. Petra Christ Tour runnin g in Road, New Power They ’re people Fruiter Yooper c Island 565 Airport membe r. Mackina ent of the Michigan: Peninsula ted from A later installm & Upper be presen , Camps will p.m. from Monday nd 9 a.m. to 3:30Thursd ay, July 16, July 2 Thursday, July 13, to Brethren in Christ Pirates im Pittsburgh Phillies Road, at Manhe phia N. Penryn at Philadel Church , 54 Manheim. costs involved with There are camps, and lunch BY JEFF FALK fits, the the of nonpro of the attending d as part rce (LHCC) mental world provide Comme develop of be er will In the period Hispanic Chamb n. But in a short upon experience. r, go to https:/ / Lancaster ; it’s a newbor foundation To registe x . c o m / 2 0 2 6 is in its infancy has laid a stable gfo FCA.re of time, LHCCcan be nurtured. er. e tion are public come • Recharg newhollandpow which growthfor continued matura t. Once it does camper s to Relax • Refresh “We want ng more about Essenti al nity suppor es to those in t and commu t resourc away knowithe main purpose,” vice presiden awareness will connec potential of the locala (from left) of Myers ic 8 Jesus. That’s blossom, LHCC of LHCC includeMyers, owner ter County Camp pg Finanta; the econom Members See Power dez; Danell branch manager of cash need, unlock nity and make Lancas Erica Hernan Lee Colon, Rivera, s; Shirley Latino commu y; and Wanda beginning s 1st. people are founder Wellnes t Esther DeWood place to live. visit but Member better Code, at presiden dy, the baby stages, Scan QR ment officer rs.com “It’s in its said Esther DeWoo pg 6 manage FunCountryTou -2086 See LHCC to reach out,” or call 717-823 2026 for a FREE Tour Menu!
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Singer/songwriter Paul Simon would have us believe that the more you near your destination, the more you’re slip sliding away. Members of Zion Lutheran Church Leola are taking a bit of an opposite approach. The way they see it, slip sliding is a way to near their destination. “At Zion, we strongly believe in the commandment of loving your
neighbor,” said Keith Shetter, one of the organizers of the church’s upcoming Family Fun Day. “One way we can do this is by connecting with the community through events like Family Fun Day. Our hope is to create a memorable event for everyone who attends.” Zion Lutheran Church Leola will stage this year’s edition of its annual Family Fun Day from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, on the church’s grounds
A rider enjoys an inflatable slide at last
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VOL LXII • NO 33
Lancaster Leaders Make Everyone Around Them Better BY JEFF FALK
Not everybody is a leader. But almost all of us have some leadership skills. Leadership Lancaster’s role in the community is to uncover leadership abilities, foster them and help others to make the most of them. “A leader is someone who sees potential in either another person or they see potential in an idea,” said Sarah Kemble, program director for Leadership Lancaster. “They kind of bring everyone together to achieve goals. It’s never about themselves. They are people who put their egos aside.” A community nonprofit located at 115 E. King St., Lancaster, Leadership Lancaster accomplishes its mission through training, exchanges of ideas, connection and collaboration and four key programs - college core class, core class, executive class and encore class. That range of classes allows Leadership Lancaster to bring out the best in individuals, regardless of their experience or their standings in the community. “One of the things we ask our participants is ‘When did you first consider yourself a leader?’” said Kemble. “ What it boils down to is that leadership is about caring about people you’re working with in the community, realizing your own unique set of skills and wanting to contribute to something bigger than yourself. At the end of the day, it’s about being your best self and achieving something great with people. See Leadership pg 2
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