May Day Tradition Will Bloom Again
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
As the weather warms up and we prepare for spring, students at Columbia High School are gearing up for a tradition that’s been around for decades.
The annual May Day festivities will take place on Saturday, May 2, in the high school gymnasium, 901 Ironville Pike, Columbia. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the ceremony will start at 7 p.m.
Students in grades seven through 12 will participate in the activities, with students in grades seven through 11 performing a traditional maypole dance.
“Alexis Phillips will perform vocal performances,” said Ava Broome, a junior who is coordinating the
See May Day pg 2
An
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Joe Bachman and the other men involved in Evolve Life Group want to celebrate the women in their lives. They’re hosting Celebrate the Ladies on Saturday, May 9, at Faith United Methodist Church, 126 E. Market St., Hellam. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and the event will begin at 6 p.m.
“We will be providing a delicious meal, including
chicken cordon bleu, mixed vegetables, baked potato, salad and dessert,” Bachman shared. “At 7 p.m., we will make our way upstairs to the sanctuary where the men will be providing entertainment.
The entertainment includes some musical acts from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s and also some classic commercials and television shows.”
Bachman said the group had held mother-daughter banquets in the past, and
Booked for Bargains at Kreutz Creek Sale
BY CAT SHANNON
With thousands of books for sale, the Friends of Kreutz Creek Library book sale is the perfect place to find your next read. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 24, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25. It will take place in the garage bays of the Hellam Township public works department, 45 Walnut Springs Road, York.
“The Friends of Kreutz Creek Library sale is a huge, well-organized event with books displayed on 75 tables,” said Brent Peterman, Friends president. “We will start Friday morning with over 22,000 books. Volunteers will keep organizing the tables throughout the sale Friday and Saturday. It’s amazing to see the diversity of books, including books that are out of print and not available in retail bookstores today. Book admirers are a great group of people, and it’s fun to shop and see what other folks are searching for.”
He noted that books will range from recently released fiction to classic stories and more.
“We divide adult fiction into format types like hardcover, paperback and large print,” Peterman shared. “We divide out large sections of romance fiction, inspirational fiction - Amish, Christian, etc. - and sci-fi and fantasy.”
In the children’s section, books are divided into categories such as board books, storybooks, junior chapter books and young adult novels.
“Nonfiction is separated into
Members of the 2026 May Day court are (front, from left) Makenzie Kuhn, Morgan Gamber, Sadie VanAulen, Reece Schaeffer, Delaney Burke, Brynn Bigler, Ella McCarty, (back) Kyovany Woodard, Gage Wolf, Troy Tillman, Avery Gamby, Parker Lutz, Ethan McNair and Luke Rupp.
The men of Evolve Life Group invite women to Celebrate the Ladies.
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event. “A dance will be performed by Gracelynn O’Dell. Myrah Baker will be performing a baton routine. The ladies of the court and their escorts will perform a waltz to the song ‘Open Arms.’”
The celebration will also include the presentation of the members of the May Day court.
This year’s members are Brynn Bigler, escorted by Ethan McNair; Delaney Burke, escorted by Parker Lutz; Morgan Gamber, escorted by Gage Wolf; Makenzie Kuhn, escorted by Kyovany Woodard; Ella McCarty, escorted by Luke Rupp; Sadie VanAulen, escorted by Troy Tillman; and the princess of the court, Reece Schaeffer, escorted by Avery Gamby.
includes elements of nature such as flowers and foliage, the crowning of a queen and the centerpiece of the maypole, a tall wooden pole often painted or decorated with flowers. People traditionally dance around the pole with long ribbons attached to the top of the structure.
The May Day celebration has been a tradition at Columbia High School for more than 80 years. Ava emphasized that the festivities rely on support from people beyond the school’s walls.
Hazardous Waste Collection Event Set
York County Solid Waste Authority (YCSWA) will hold a free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Event on Saturday, May 2, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held in the paved lot behind the YCSWA Recycling Drop-Off Center, 2685 Blackthorne Court, York.
“This event would not be possible to have without the help of our closeknit community,” she said. “We thank everyone that has helped to be a part of this long-holding tradition to keep it alive and running.”
She added that the festivities are fun, but that the celebration also serves to remind people of Columbia’s traditions.
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“The princess of the court, who is in ninth grade, is selected with a student body vote by grades seven to nine,” Ava explained. “The senior ladies of the court are selected by grades 10 through 12. The queen is then selected by a final vote by the 12th-grade class, and the queen is crowned at the event by the maid of honor.”
May Day is a holiday that traces its roots to Europe and ancient festivals to mark the beginning of summer. Celebrated around the world on or close to May 1, the holiday
“The ceremony is important to Columbia because it is a welcoming of spring and a historical tradition that holds character within the town, being one of the only places to still hold this event,” she said.
May Day is open to the public. There is an admission charge, with one price for adults and one for students and senior citizens.
Foraging Walks and More Set at Horn Farm
The Horn Farm Center, 4945 Horn Road, York, has planned several programs. There is a fee, and registration is required at https:// hornfarmcenter.org. For more information, call 717757-6441 or email educa tion@hornfarmcenter.org.
Greens Galore: MidSpring Foraging Walk will be held on Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will look for seasonal plants such as chickweed, stinging nettle, dead nettle, cleavers, and milkweed. Topics of discussion may include local ecology, alternative uses for plants through wildcrafting and medicine-making, and ethical foraging. Beginners and experienced foragers are welcome.
Mycology Meanderings: Spring Mushroom Walk
will take place on May 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. Forager and photographer Sarah LeTourneau will lead a walk through the fields and forests of the Horn Farm in search of spring fungi. Along the way, attendees will learn the basics of mycology, tips for identifying wild mushrooms and potential mushroom habitat, and common edible and medicinal species in the region. Samples of mushrooms will be available. The program is open to people who have any level of experience with mushroom foraging, including beginners. Elements of Survival: Wilderness Skills Series will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays, May 9, 16, and 23. People may register for
While attending the event, all participants must remain in their vehicles, and all collection materials must be in the trunk or bed of the vehicle, not the back seat. Materials will be removed from the vehicle trunk or bed by event staff. Smoking is not permitted at any time during the event.
Household hazardous waste includes products from the home that are corrosive, such as drain cleaners or bleach; flammable, such as gasoline; reactive, such as pool chemicals; or toxic, such as pesticides. The HHW Collection Event will benefit York County by identifying hazardous waste found in the home and providing an opportunity to manage these mate -
Fire Company Sets Chicken Barbecue
New Bridgeville Memorial Fire Company, 2870 Furnace Road, Red Lion, will host a drive-through chicken barbecue on Saturday, April 25, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or until sold out. Each meal will include a halfchicken, a baked potato, applesauce, and a roll with butter.
To preorder, call or text 717-495-8609 or send a message to the fire company on Facebook. A limited number of dinners will be available for purchase on the day of the event on a first-come, first-served basis.
rials in a safe and efficient manner. Visit www.ycswa .com/wp-content/uploads/ HHW-Event-Acceptable -Items-2026.pdf for a list of products that are and are not accepted at this event. All York County residents are eligible to participate in this event, but businesses, institutions, and government entities are not eligible. The program is funded by tipping fees collected at the York County Resource Recovery Center and a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. After collection, a licensed hazardous waste commercial hauler will transport and manage the household hazardous waste, recycling as much of the material as possible.
Registration is required. Online registration is available for residents at https://tinyurl.com/ YCSWA-HHW-2026. Space is limited.
Historic Preservation Award Winners Announced
The Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County has announced the recipients of the 2026 C. Emlen Urban Awards. The annual accolades recognize outstanding efforts in historic preservation and are named after noted Lancaster architect Cassius Emlen Urban.
Urban was born in Conestoga in 1863 and died in 1939 after an illustrious career. He designed structures such as the Southern Market; the Watt and Shand Building; the Griest and Hager buildings; Stevens High School; and other notable buildings in Lancaster, Reading, and Hershey.
The honorees will receive certificates from the Historic Preservation Trust and recognition at the annual C. Emlen Urban Awards Ceremony. This year’s invitation-only event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 20, at the Hamilton Club of Lancaster.
The awards and their winners include the Adaptive Reuse Awards: Andrew and Jessica Morgan for the Daily Grind in Quarryille Borough, Allison Douglas-Snyder for the Martic Forge Ironmaster Mansion Clerk House in Martic Township, and Wohlsen Construction for the Clay Street Low Barrier Emergency Shelter at Otterbein United Methodist Church; the Community Revitalization Awards: Wohlsen Construction for the platform replacement and improvements at the Lancaster train station as well as for YWCA Lancaster’s YForward historic restoration and renovation; and the Haubert-Heisey Award: Jonathan Keperling of Keperling Preservation Services.
Also, the Landmark Property Rehabilitation Award: Lori Murphy from the Little Haus in Lancaster; Leadership Award: Valentino Palumbo, hon -
ored posthumously; the Master Craftsman Award: Mennonite Life for the Herr House roof at the 1719 Museum in West Lampeter Township; the Smedley Awards: Benton Webber, president of the Manheim Township
Historical Society, and Mark Stewart for his efforts with the William Wright House in Columbia Borough; and the Sustainability Awards: Vivian Abel for the solar energy project at Pheasant Run Farm Bed & Breakfast
in Pequea Township and Linda Mylin Ross of Marietta.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, whose mission is to preserve and protect
Lancaster County’s rich historic and architectural character through education, advocacy, and direct action. The organization is a member-supported, 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity. For more information, call 717-291-5861.
May Day
COURTYARD!
Mental Health Ministry Plans Workshop
The Columbia Catholic Mental Health Ministry will host a workshop on Wednesday, April 22, at 7 p.m. in the social hall at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, 121 S. Second St., Columbia. The topic will be “Care for the Caregiver.”
Guest speaker Matt Brown, a therapist at Ellie Counseling, will focus on those who care for someone with a mental, emotional, or other significant health issue and how it affects the caregiver. He will discuss how caregivers can fight burnout; work through guilt; incorporate healthy
self-care; and explore available local resources to help caregivers navigate their care-giving and selfcare journey.
Brown’s professional background includes extensive experience in aiding those grappling with behavioral and substance addiction, trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. His expertise is in creating lasting behavioral change and supporting individuals with co-occurring mental health concerns. For more information, email ccmentalhealth ministry@gmail.com.
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I host live “Moving On: Downsizing to Right-Sizing” seminars for seniors, and most recent attendees said they learned about the event through my ad in the Merchandiser. It outperformed all my other advertising efforts—postcards, social media, and other newspapers—proving how effective local print advertising can be in reaching my target audience. This is a valuable and effective local publication for connecting with readers for the audience I was seeking.
– Sue Gunselman, Smart Moves & Coaching with Sue
Mayfest Will Bring Colonial Maytown to Life
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Come to Mayfest on Saturday, May 2, and take a step back in time.
“We will be concentrating on Maytown in 1776 and what life was like here and who lived here,” said Mayfest chair Linda Good, who noted that the event will celebrate both the country’s 250th birthday as well as Maytown’s 266th birthday.
“Since Maytown is older than the USA, this year’s Mayfest will feature many activities that portray Maytown during the Revolutionary War period,” she stated. “Our historical scavenger hunt will focus on different houses in town and what they were used for. For example, there was a gunsmith, a house used for a prison, a tinsmith, etc. … Find out what Maytown was like in 1776!”
Mayfest will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“This year, Mayfest is being held in the square and the four blocks from the square each way,” Good said, noting that it
will encompass North and South River streets, as well as East and West High streets, which will be closed to traffic.
Mayfest will feature more than 70 vendors, along with food trucks, a display of pillowcases and blankets from the Donegal Intermediate School (DIS) sewing club, children’s Colonial games and crafts, a food stand to benefit the Maytown Historical Society, a wedding ceremony, songs and dances from second-graders, a first-grade art contest display, a penny candy store for kids, a cake walk around the square, live music, live art and the traditional maypole dance by DIS students.
“The wedding will be a renewal of the vows of Anthony and Kathie Eshleman,” Good said. “They will be attended by their three grandchildren.”
Good noted that in 1776, Maytown was a busy place, home to many businesses.
“Mayfest will feature many historical demonstrators and educators sharing their crafts and knowledge for all to see and experi -
COLUMBIA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH: 360 Locust St. in Columbia, Rev. David C. Powers, phone: 717-684-6271, Sunday Morning Worship 10am. Handicap accessible. 4th Street Cafe Coffeehouse 1st & last Sunday @5pm with community meal. Free Clothing Bank Mondays 9-11am & Tuesdays 5-7pm.
COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCH: welcomes you to Love God, Love Others, and Reach Out with us! Join us for worship on Sundays at 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 a.m. We’re located at 331 Anderson Ferry Road in Marietta (off Rt 441 on Rt 772). Learn more at cbcpa.org.
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH: Sixth & Locust St., Columbia. Pastor: Rev. Richard Whitesel. In-Person Worship Schedule: Wed. 10:15 am, Sun. 10:15 am. Sunday service is also available on Facebook live & YouTube. Holy Eucharist at all services. Handicap accessible. Meals on Wheels ministry 717-684-4244, church office 717-6842763. www.stjohnscol.org
ence,” she said. “A unique family scavenger hunt will help you discover the location and information about a place where Hessian prisoners were held, Maytown fur traders, a place where medical procedures were performed, a musket maker, a blacksmith, a flintknapper and more - all of them in Colonial Maytown.”
Good explained that the scavenger hunt will be history-themed, with trinkets to collect at each stop. People are encouraged to take the trinkets to the
Trading Post for prizes and trading.
Mayfest is an annual event organized by and to benefit the Maytown Historical Society.
“Proceeds are used for storage needs for our new archive building and for general museum upkeep,” Good said.
Parking for Mayfest will be available outside of the aforementioned closed streets and at Legion Park, 20 N. King St., Maytown. For more information, visit https://maytown history.com.
Horn Farm from pg 2
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FAITH BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH: 151 Donnerville Rd., Lancaster (one block south of Columbia Avenue). Pastor: Keith M. Long. 8:45 am Sunday School (with nursery and classes for children, youth and adults); 10:15 a.m. SundayWorship Service (with nursery and children’s church). Wed.: 6:30 p.m. AWANA Clubs (K6); Wed.: 6:30 pm Youth Group 717-285-1900. www.faithbfc.com
TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH: 243 Hellam Street in Wrightsville. (717-252-2417) Sunday morning service at 9:15am with Holy Eucharist. Handicap accessible. We can be found on Facebook.
Attend Church this Sunday
Please Note: Updates can be made to your church’s listing for 1st issue date of each month only. (Changes must be submitted by the previous Wednesday.) For More Information On Church Listings And Rates, Call Justin at 717-492-2533
individual days or the whole session. The series will teach practical techniques for thriving outdoors, including building a shelter, making fire, and finding and purifying water. It will blend practical make-andtake projects with outdoor instruction. While geared toward a mature audience, the program is also open to students age 12 and up who are accompanied by an adult.
A Women’s Foraging and Herbal Self Care Mini-Retreat will be held on Saturday, May 16,
from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Calyx of Northern Appalachia School will be the presenter. Attendees will learn the essentials of foraging and practice nature observation during a short hike. They will also learn about stress management, self-care practices, community care, and herbal preparations for wellness. The program will conclude with meditation. A lunch with farm-to-table and foraged ingredients will be provided, and vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available.
Simms Earns Degree
Alliyah Simms of Columbia was among the more than 1,000 students who graduated from Valdosta State University at
the end of the fall 2025 semester. Simms earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education.
Tony Eshleman (back, left) and Kathie Eshleman (middle) will renew their wedding vows at Mayfest, attended by their grandchildren (continuing clockwise) Blythe Eshleman, Clara Eshleman and Charlotte Carbaugh.
over 10 topics that allow shoppers to browse their areas of interest,” Peterman remarked. “Some of the favorite topics include biography/memoirs, arts, history and politics, nature, hobbies and sports. It’s fun to find entire books on unusual subjects like Japanese watercolor techniques or the birds of Malaysia.”
And while it’s technically a book sale, the event will feature opportunities to purchase other items as well.
“There will be tables of baked goods full of treats including cookies, brownies, loafs, jam and cakes,” Peterman said. “The tables will be well stocked through the two days so shoppers can also snag some delicious treats for the weekend.”
A wide variety of movie DVDs, music CDs and puzzles will also be for sale.
“There are more puzzles than usual available at this sale,” Peterman said. “Over 500 puzzle boxes will be displayed by piece count. There will be offerings from less than 100 pieces to over 1,000 pieces for puzzlers of all skills and levels of patience.”
New this year, the sale will also include a wide
variety of plants for purchase.
“Most are perennials ready for spring planting in your garden,” he shared.
On Saturday from noon to 3 p.m., shoppers will be able to fill a bag of books for one low price, and special pricing will be available on puzzles.
“Customers that bring their own bags are appreciated, but we will have bags as well,” Peterman commented. “We’d like to thank Susquehanna Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Wrightsville for donating shopping bags for the sale. Our shoppers can quickly collect more books than they can carry. The bags are a great help.”
Proceeds from the sale support operations of the Kreutz Creek Library.
“The Friends group funds 23% of the library’s operating budget through our fundraisers and donations,” Peterman explained. “We also support programs and resource purchases above and beyond the operating budget.”
The group is always seeking new members.
“There are lots of ways to participate by volunteering to help with our fundraisers, participating in monthly
planning meetings, sorting books for the sales or advocating for the library with local groups and businesses,” he said. “Anyone interested in learning more about the Friends group or volunteer opportunities can email us at Friends.KCL @gmail.com.”
Peterman added that when the sale opens, early birds can expect a crowd.
“We usually have a line of over 100 customers Friday at 9 a.m., ready to get in and start shopping,” he said. “But there is plenty of space and books for everyone to spread out.”
He encouraged people to show their support for the library by attending the sale.
“Supporting your community library is about much more than loaning library books,” he said. “Kreutz Creek Library transforms and enriches individual lives by supplying information, providing recreation, promoting literacy, encouraging lifelong learning and serving as the hub of our community.”
The library accepts book donations year-round, with specific donation dates listed in the library’s newsletter and on social media. Peterman noted that the Friends will also arrange an appointment for anyone not able to bring books during the donation days.
he thought it was time to bring a similar event back.
“It seems like in the world today we need more laughter and fun,” he remarked. “The ’60s through ’80s were just, in my opinion, the best generations where you could have wholesome fun and laughs.”
He explained that the event has two purposes.
“First and foremost is to celebrate ladies,” he said. “Whether you are a mother, daughter, stepdaughter, cousin, aunt or just a good friend, we want to celebrate all the ladies in our lives. We didn’t want this just to be a mother-daughter banquet because there’s so many women that do so many amazing things that aren’t a mother or a daughter to us.”
The men will serve the meal and provide the evening’s entertainment.
“The idea is that you
don’t have to get out of your chair unless you want to,” Bachman commented. “The entertainment is for you to simply sit back and relax and laugh and have a good time. We hope that there will be audience participation and that you’ll get up and enjoy some fun time.”
Beyond entertainment, the event is a fundraiser for an organization that serves women.
“We wanted to be very intentional about it being for women since this is all about celebrating the ladies,” Bachman said. “We decided on New Life for Girls in Dover. This organization helps women to a new way of living. We’re also excited that they are going to provide some entertainment for us as well.”
Bachman created Evolve Life Group in 2023.
“We are a 45-yearand-older life group,” Bachman said. “We have three core values of serving ourselves, which we consider mental health; serving others, which we call friendship; and community service. We are excited that this event captures all three!”
He hopes that women will come out for the celebration to enjoy a relaxing and fun event.
“If you are a lady and would like to be pampered for an evening, this is the event for you,” he shared. “While it is a freewill offering, we encourage you to donate to New Life for Girls in Dover.”
To reserve a ticket for Celebrate the Ladies, call 717-424-1136 with your last name and the number of tickets you’d like. There is no admission charge for the event, but an offering will be received.
Flags Across Commonwealth Journeys Through Lancaster
BY JEFF FALK
Scouting America’s current flag offers a fresh, clean look that features a small image of an eagle and the colors of our country. It symbolizes the morals, commitment and tradition that Scouting America stands for.
In this particular instance, the passing, raising and lowering of that Scouting America flag represents the role that Scouting has played in the history of our nation.
“There are pride and meaning attached to all flags, and I think that’s true of the Scouting America flag,” said Logan
People browse books at a previous Friends of Kreutz Creek Library sale.
Ladies from pg 1
VisionCorps Posts Call for Artists
VisionCorps is seeking a qualified artist or team of artists to paint a mural on its headquarters building located at 244 N. Queen St., Lancaster, as part of its 100th anniversary celebration. VisionCorps is located on North Queen Street between West Walnut and West Chestnut streets. The brick wall space for the mural measures approximately 1,000 square feet and is intended to wrap around the southeast corner of the building with frontage on both Queen Street and above the driveway entrance.
This commission is open to all professional artists, or a team of artists. Applicants must be age 18 or older, and they preferably should reside in or near Lancaster County. Painting would ideally occur in some capacity on Friday, June 5, to coincide with VisionCorps’ signature fundraising rappel event, Eye Drop 2026.
The mural’s aims include highlighting VisionCorps’ services and celebrating those in the community who are blind or have vision impairments. The design themes should include empowerment, independence, equity, and inclusion, and visual elements could include a white cane, a unique path, and the natural beauty of the landscapes of the five counties served by VisionCorps: Adams, Chester, Lancaster, Lebanon,
and York. Full specifications for the mural are available at https://tinyurl.com/ VisionCorpsMural.
To be considered, artists must submit a statement of interest, including contact information, their résumé, and three to five images of previous artwork relevant to the project scope. Requests for consideration must be submitted to Molly Kirchoff, City of Lancaster Office of Public Art, at mkirchoff@cityof lancasterpa.gov by Sunday, May 3, at 11:59 p.m. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed. For more information, contact Kirchoff at the previously mentioned email address or 717-847-0285.
VisionCorps is a nonprofit agency that began in Lancaster. Over time, its footprint expanded into southcentral and southeastern Pennsylvania as a resource for individuals with vision loss to learn to live independently. In addition to rehabilitation and preventative services, VisionCorps offers and encourages employment for individuals who are blind. Services for clients, from birth to age 100, are provided at no cost and are made possible through community support. A timeline of VisionCorps’ history can be found at https://services.vision corps.net/about/history/.
YWCA Opens Award Nominations, Sets Race Against Racism
YWCA Lancaster has opened nominations for its 2026 Women of Achievement Awards. People are invited to nominate women in Lancaster County who are leaders creating a stronger and more equitable community through lasting change. Members of the community may also submit nominations for the Cheryl Gahring Young Woman of Achievement Award, given to a young woman ages 16 to 24 who is already making an impact in the community. This may be a young woman who is leading a student initiative, uplifting her community, or showing courage in the face of challenge.
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To submit a nomination, visit https://ywca lancaster.org/nominate. Nominations will be open through Sunday, May 10. The 2026 Women of Achievement Awards will take place on Thursday, Oct. 29.
YWCA Lancaster will hold the 28th annual Race Against Racism on Saturday, April 25, at Musser Park, 135 N. Lime St., Lancaster. A kids’ fun run will be held at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K run/walk will begin at 9 a.m. To register, visit https://runsignup .com/Race/PA/Lancaster/ YWCALancasterRace AgainstRacism. Day-of registration will also be available.
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Ginder, the marketing and membership coordinator of Scouting America’s Pennsylvania Dutch Council. “It represents Scouting and the state of Pennsylvania. I think it’s important just because we are Scouting America, and we’re one of the largest youth programs across the country. Scouting America has been present for a long time, and the mission hasn’t changed: for youths to become leaders and members of communities and for instilling ethics into our youths.”
By all accounts, Scouting America’s recent Flags Across the Commonwealth event celebrating this year’s 250th anniversary of the United States of America’s independence was a success. The local Pennsylvania Dutch Council of Scouting America, which serves youths in Lancaster and Lebanon counties, participated in the celebration during a 45-minute ceremony at the Lancaster County Courthouse, 50 N. Duke St., Lancaster, on Feb. 17.
“It was designed to unite the 67 counties in Pennsylvania,” said Ginder, “and celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and Scouting’s commitment to our community. Community pride was the vibe, and it came at a time when it may be more important than ever to show community pride. There was also a little bit of national pride involved.”
During the ceremony, members of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council raised and lowered the Scouting America flag at the flagpole at the Lancaster County Courthouse. The celebration also included addresses and remarks
from local dignitaries and government officials.
About 30 individuals attended the Flags Across the Commonwealth ceremony, including members of Scouting units Pack 93 of Lititz, Troop and Pack 76 from Quarryville and Troop 56 of Strasburg.
“It was definitely a special event for the 250th anniversary of our country,” said Ginder, a resident of Elizabethtown. “It’s not something we do every year. What it should mean to the Scouts is a sense of pride in their organization.”
As part of the Flags Across the Commonwealth program, the Scouting America flag’s journey began in Philadelphia on Feb. 8, the birthday of Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. After it was received in Lancaster and signed by participants at the local ceremony, the Scouting America flag was passed on to Pennsylvania Dutch Council members in Lebanon, who conducted a similar local service at the Lebanon County Courthouse on Feb. 18.
“What we’re hoping for with the whole event across
the state is to celebrate our enduring ideals of freedom and civic pride,” said Ginder. “We’re reaffirming values that continue to strengthen the United States. Hopefully, the takeaway from the Scouts is that it’s important for them to be a part of their communities. It’s a celebration throughout the state, so we hope they felt like they were part of something larger.”
In 1776, the United States was established when 13 original colonies broke from British rule. In 1910, Boy Scouts of America was formed in Washington, D.C.
“We provide Scouting programs to any and all youths in Lancaster and Lebanon counties,” said Ginder. “We’re preparing youths to make ethical decisions through Scouting values.”
One of 20 in the state, the Pennsylvania Dutch Council was chartered in 1971. Currently, more than 2,000 youths - boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 17 - are involved with Scouting America in the Pennsylvania Dutch Council.
“They’re members of our community,” said Ginder. “They’re youths we strive to serve through our programs. They’re our Scouting family.”
“Scouting is alive and active in our communities,” he added. “Some people don’t realize we’re still out there. We haven’t fallen by the wayside. We’re still a very prominent program.”
The Pennsylvania Dutch Council, which is headquartered at 245 Bloomfield Drive, Suite 212-218, Lititz, is funded through the generosity of donors, partners and business sponsors. The local council employs 11 workers, some of whom are part time, and benefits from contributions from 1,200 volunteers, many of whom work directly with Scouts.
“(Scouting is) constantly growing and changing,” said Ginder. “They’re adding more programs and more merit badges. Our facilities are being updated on a regular basis. They’re more effective programs for our youths. Our end goal is to provide quality programs to the youths in our council.”
Jazz Ministers Big Band to Perform
Mountville Church of the Brethren, 60 Clay St., Mountville, will host a concert by the Jazz Ministers Big Band on Sunday, April 26, at 2:30 p.m.
Founded in 2000, the Jazz Ministers Big Band consists of 20 musicians who present a varied repertoire emphasizing hymns and gospel songs. The members perform in a variety of bands in the Lancaster area.
Jazz Ministers Big Band
Members of the Pennsylvania Dutch Council of Scouting America and local dignitaries gather around the flagpole at the Lancaster County Courthouse.