Donegal townlively.com
DECEMBER 13, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIV • NO 44
Cross Roads Church will offer free Christmas meal BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Darlene Love once sang, “Nobody ought to be alone on Christmas,” and the members of Cross Roads Church in Mount Joy take that message to heart. The public is invited to a free
meal on Christmas Day, Monday, Dec. 25, at the church, 800 Donegal Springs Road. Food will be available for dine-in or takeout from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “This is what Christmas is all about,” said Clare Funck, who is helping to organize the event. See Meal pg 2
A ride to benefit veterans will feature hundreds of motorcycles.
Riding in support of veterans BY CATHY MOLITORIS
auction yet.” Proceeds from auction sales as well as the sale of T-shirts and patches will also benefit the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Stumpf noted that the event has become much more than just a fun afternoon bike ride. “It’s really become a community event over the past 15 years,” he said. “Businesses and organizations support us, individuals participate, and people in the community come out to see all the motorcycles pass by. That’s got to be one of my favorite parts - seeing the people out along the route.” The ride is open to anyone who is interested in participating, and people may participate with any vehicle of their choice, including cars or trucks. “All of the proceeds for this event stay in our local area,” Stumpf said. “When you’re donating, you’re helping somebody you might know.” For more information on the ride, call Stumpf at 717-468-6197 or search for “Annual Frosty Balls & Frozen Susies Poker Run To Benefit Veterans” on Facebook.
Inviting people to a free Christmas meal at Cross Roads Church are Kendric Bert (left) and Clare Funck.
Welcome 2024 with a community celebration BY CATHY MOLITORIS
When it comes to celebrating New Year’s Eve, the folks at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabethtown like to do things a little differently. “We count down to the new year at 7 p.m., because that’s the time it’s midnight in Letterkenny, Ireland, which is the sister city of Elizabethtown,” said pastor A.J. Domines. “We also raise a lit star on a flagpole. Our claim to fame here is, everywhere else,
they drop something. We do not drop anything. We lift up the star, which is the symbol of Christmas and the Wise Men coming in a few days.” Welcome 2024 will be held in and around the church, 125 E. High St., Elizabethtown, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31. “We’ll start with a chicken barbecue from Kauffman’s BBQ,” said Phil Clark, a member of the event committee. The meal will be available to eat in or to go, with See Welcome pg 3
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ifteen years ago, Tyler Stumpf and his friend Jeff Andrews were sitting around “solving the world’s problems,” Stumpf recalled with a laugh, when they came up with an idea. “We said, ‘Let’s go for a ride on New Year’s Day,’” said the avid motorcycle rider. “A few other people heard about our plans, and we had 11 participants that first year.” The group decided to raise money with the ride, donating the proceeds to the Lebanon VA Medical Center. “I think we might have raised $400 that first year,” Stumpf said. “This event turned into much more than I ever could have expected.” He’s not kidding. Last year’s New Year’s Day ride featured the most participants ever - upward of 500 bikes and 600 people - and raised more than $32,000. So far, the group has donated more than $270,000 to veterans. This year’s ride will take place on
Monday, Jan. 1, with registration beginning at 10 a.m. at the Walter S. Ebersole American Legion Post 185, 255 W. Main St., Mount Joy. The ride will leave from the Legion at 1 p.m., and participants will follow a 25-mile route along the Susquehanna River, ending at the Elizabethtown American Legion Post 329, 240 N. Hanover St. Members of the ladies’ auxiliary will serve breakfast at the Mount Joy Legion before the ride, and a pork and sauerkraut meal will be served at the Elizabethtown Legion at the ride’s conclusion. Fun traditions at the event include Baby New Year, when a participant is chosen for the honor and must attend in a baby costume and sash. “Baby New Year will arrive at the Mount Joy Legion at noon,” Stumpf said, noting that this year’s honoree is Jeff Shultz. At the end of the ride, an auction will be held. “We’ll have items donated by local businesses and individuals,” Stumpf said. “This year is going to be our biggest