Downingtown/Exton DECEMBER 26, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE: NUTRITION EDUCATION WORKSHOPS SLATED page 7
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXX • NO 46
SPECIAL SERIES
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester Springs, will conduct a special series called “Catholics Coming Home” beginning Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at 7 p.m. The sessions are for Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning to the church. There will be informal sharing and an update on the Catholic faith. For more details, call deacon Barry Midwood at 610-321-1200. HALL OF FAME VOTE
The Tri-County Softball League will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, to select former players for the Tri-County Softball League Hall of Fame. All current and former players are invited to attend the meeting and vote on the nominees. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, 6170 Morgantown Road, Morgantown, at 7 p.m. Twenty-eight players have been nominated for the Hall of Fame. Fifteen players will be selected. For more details, readers may call Ernie Devlin at 484-624-2720. BINGO GAMES
The Marine Corps League,
LYME DISEASE TALK
Phoenixville Public Library, 183 Second Ave., Phoenixville, will host a free Lyme disease presentation on Monday, Jan. 14, 2019, at 7 p.m. Lindsay Smith, public health educator with the Chester County Health Department, will be the speaker. Topics will include prevention, how to choose a repellent, signs/symptoms of Lyme and what a person should do if bitten by a tick. Attendees will receive a Lyme disease book, tick lifter and tick identification card. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are required by visiting the Adult Events Calendar at www.phoenixvillelibrary.org or by calling 610-933-3013, ext. 132.
Initiative Aids Area Pets pg 2
Troop 216 Members Earn Eagle Award pg 4
Girl Scout To Host Dance Parties For Youths With Special Needs By Francine Fulton
Youths with special needs are invited to enjoy dance parties that will be held at Grove United Methodist Church, 490 W. Boot Road, West Chester. Dances will be held several times each month beginning on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019, from 10 to 11 a.m. The dance parties, themed “Everybody In,” are being presented by Lizzy Stahelek, who is organizing the event as part of a service project in conjunction with pursuing the Girl Scout Silver Award, the highest award in Cadette Girl Scouting. Lizzy, 13, is a seventhgrade student at Peirce Middle School and a member of Girl Scout Troop 4297, which meets at the school. “It will be a relaxed event that all people with special needs can attend and enjoy. Kids with special needs can dance their own way and enjoy the music in their own way,” Lizzy said. “The kids will not have to follow dance steps; it will be a dance party.” Lizzy’s 9-year-old sister, Ally, who has special needs, was the inspiration for the project. “My sister
likes a lot of music,” Lizzy said, noting that the family had previously attended a dance class for special needs students. “It was mainly (learning) a routine, and some of the steps were harder to follow. (For these dances), we wanted people to just have a party.” The girls’ mother, Margaret Stahelek, explained, “There wasn’t a place for someone like our daughter, so Lizzy wanted to create something where everyone can participate. I think it will be really fun.” Lizzy began planning for the dance parties this past summer, which included scouting for a handicappedaccessible location. See Dance Parties pg 3
Girl Scout Lizzy Stahelek (right), shown with her sister, Ally, will present a series of dance parties for special needs students at Grove United Methodist Church in West Chester. The dance parties, themed “Everybody In,” are part of Lizzy’s required community service project to earn the Girl Scout Silver Award.
Chester Springs Library Offers Tail Waggin’ Tutors Program
First Day Hikes Planned Locally
By Francine Fulton
Two certified therapy dogs were recently on hand at the Chester Springs Library as part of the Tail Waggin’ Tutors program. During the session, youngsters were invited to read to Paddington, known as Paddy, a Cardigan Welsh corgi that was brought to the library by her owner, Hilary Zee, and Lily, an English setter/border collie mix that was accompanied by her owner, Liz Alakszay. The goal of the program is to provide youngsters an opportunity to read in a nonthreatening and safe atmosphere.
A First Day Hike will be held on Jan. 1, 2019, at Marsh Creek State Park, Downingtown. Other local hikes will be also be held on New Year’s Day.
Mordekai Snouffer (right) enjoyed reading to Paddington, a certified therapy dog, during a Tail Waggin’ Tutors session at the Chester Springs Library. Paddington, known as Paddy, was accompanied to the library by her See Library pg 5 owner, Hilary Zee.
By Francine Fulton
As part of an effort to promote fitness and encourage people to explore the outdoors, First Day Hikes will be offered nationwide on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. People of all ages are welcome to
start the new year off on the right foot by taking part in a First Day Hike. Locally, a First Day Hike will be held at Marsh Creek Lake, 675 Park Road, Downingtown, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. During the guided hike, participants will learn about the history of the park. See Hikes pg 7
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430 Acorn Road, Downingtown, invites the community to attend bingo games on the first and third Saturdays of every month. The next scheduled event will be on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019. The kitchen serves home-cooked food beginning at 5:30 p.m. Bingo cards are sold starting at 6 p.m., and there is an early bird special at 6:30 p.m. The entrance to Acorn Road is on Chestnut Street.
Event Benefits Nonprofit Organizations pg 3
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