Conestoga Valley /townlively
OCTOBER 7, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 43 Seniors taking part in the Lancaster Mennonite High School production of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” are (front, from left) Isabella Astuto, Sarah Baak, (back) Rebecca Stoltzfus, Megan Esch, Josiah Esch, and (not pictured) Noelle Stringer.
LMHS Takes “Kindergarten” (The Play) Outdoors I Timothy 4:12 reads, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young.” Isabella Astuto, Lancaster Mennonite High School (LMHS) senior and a member of the cast of the school’s upcoming production of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” noted a main message of the play is to not disregard the knowledge of youths. “Just because children are younger, (that) doesn’t mean there aren’t also things that kids can experience that are worthwhile to learn and know,” she said, adding that a lot of the vignettes in the play reflect that theme. “Kindergarten,” based on Robert Fulghum’s books, examines the profound in everyday life. The show will be staged outside at the school , 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Oct. 15, 16, and 17, at
6:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. Attendees should bring lawn chairs and blankets. Play director Dean Sauder said that he chose the show for several reasons, including having produced it before, the set’s easy adaptation to an outdoor setting, and its compatibility with social distancing the ensemble cast. The series of vignettes includes characters such as a shy little boy who insists on playing “pig” in his class production of “Cinderella,” a man whose dream of flying carries him over Los Angeles in a lawn chair buoyed by weather balloons, a “mother of the bride” who has staged a perfect wedding until fate arrives, and a modern-day Greek philosopher who finds the meaning of life in a piece of a broken mirror from World War II. Because of his familiarity with the show, Sauder has encouraged the students to bring their own ideas to
the production. “I am enjoying watching them create,” he noted. In response, the students are enjoying the fun and rising to the challenges of “Kindergarten.” Josiah Esch noted that the stories are funny, especially one called “The Stuff in the Sink,” which he said is his favorite because of the exaggerated humor. Isabella noted that although the piece is silly, it also points out the value in each person’s experience. Cast member Megan Esch said that she sees value the individual vignettes. “They each have a purpose and teach lessons,” she said, noting that her favorite is “Problems and Inconveniences,” which features an older person looking back on irrational outbursts of the past. “(The person now) realizes the difference between a problem and an inconvenience,” she shared. The small cast size and adaptability to performing outdoors also
present challenges for the students. “We only have five weeks to get this together,” said Isabella. “It’s a struggle having to adapt to the times to be able to get this done.” Josiah agreed, noting that each actor plays a number of characters with distinct personalities. Sarah Baak noted that she has a monologue in the show, which is new for her. “It’s just me up there, and (it’s a challenge) to fill that space,” she said. Sarah sees the experience as a reflection of the theme. “As the title suggests, a lot of the lessons you learn in childhood show up in your everyday life as you grow older,” she noted. “The play reflects how you can get distracted from (what you learned when you were young).” Tickets to the show may be purchased by calling 717-740-2456, emailing boxoffice@lancaster mennonite.org, or visiting www.lancastermennonite.org.
Unique Fundraiser Planned BY ANN MEAD ASH
Entering the Bench Mark facility on East Liberty Street in Lancaster is a little like entering a secret club. A short hallway leads to a door that opens into a room filled with serious weightlifting equipment. The brightly colored walls are covered with graffitilike artwork paying homage to superheroes. According to founder and executive director Will Kiefer, the design is intentional. “We filled the space with color because we want it to be energetic,” said Kiefer. “We want it to be something that for (students who participate) feels very special,” he added, noting that the organization serves those ages 14 to 24. Most students are referred by a probation officer, therapist, or guidance counselor. Kiefer added that many students who come to Bench Mark to exercise are often See Bench Mark pg 5
INSIDE THIS ISSUE BENEFIT RIDE TO AID SMUCKER FAMILY . . . . . .3 HINKLEFEST, AUCTION SCHEDULED . . . . . . . . . .6 SPORTS . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 HOUSE OF WORSHIP . . . . . . . . .12 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . .15
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BY ANN MEAD ASH
Bench Mark: Lifting Youths Up
