Donegal
IN THIS ISSUE: SENIORS WELCOME AT ANNUAL HOLIDAY MEAL page 2
DECEMBER 18, 2019
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 50
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Florin Church of Brethren,
TAIZE SERVICE
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1290 River Road, Marietta, will hold a Blue Christmas service on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. The service will include prayers and songs from the Taize religious community in France. While the service is geared for all who grieve and are ill, lonely, depressed, or experiencing economic difficulties, all are invited to attend and participate in the service as able. For details, visit www.zionmarietta.org or call the church office at 717-426-1884. “CHRISTMAS JOY”
Youths Create Cards For Veterans pg 4
By Chelsea Peifer
Mount Joy Mayor Tim Bradley has proclaimed the week of Dec. 15 to 21 as Harold Billow Appreciation Week in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the Malmedy Massacre, which took place on Dec. 17 during World War II. Billow, a longtime Mount Joy resident, is known to be the last living survivor of the Malmedy Massacre. On Dec. 17, 1944, during the second day of the Battle of the Bulge, German Waffen SS soldiers captured and disarmed United States service personnel of the 285th Field Artillery Observation Batallion in the area of Malmedy, Belgium. Bradley’s proclamation details how following their capture, the U.S.
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soldiers were led into a nearby field and were executed with machine gun fire. Afterward, German combat soldiers walked through the field executing anyone who still displayed signs of life. Some soldiers lay motionless, feigning death, and thus were able to survive and later escape. At least 84 American soldiers were killed. The event has been noted as the worst single massacre of American troops in World War II. “I … do hereby recognize the faithful devotion, dedicated service, and personal sacrifice Harold Billow has rendered to his country, community, and comrades, by proclaiming the week of Dec. 15-21, 2019, as Harold Billow Appreciation Week,” states Bradley’s proclamation. See Billow pg 6
Cross Roads To Host Community Christmas Day Meal
Mount Joy resident Harold Billow is known to be the last living survivor of the Malmedy Massacre, which took place on Dec. 17, 1944. Mayor Tim Bradley declared Dec. 15 to 21 as Harold Billow Appreciation Week in honor of Billow’s military service and the 75th anniversary of the Malmedy Massacre.
Mr. Donegal Competition To Support Four Diamonds
By Chelsea Peifer
The members of Cross Roads Church, 800 Donegal Springs Road, Mount Joy, invite area residents to join them for the 22nd annual community Christmas Day meal. People are welcome to stop in at the church on Wednesday, Dec. 25, to enjoy a hot turkey dinner. Doors will open at 11 a.m., and the meal will be served at noon. The event will wrap up at 1 p.m. All are welcome, and there is no cost to attend. Takeout options are See Cross Roads pg 3
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
By Chelsea Peifer
Cross Roads Church in Mount Joy, represented by (from left) Clare Funck and Denise Steck, will host a community Christmas Day meal from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 25. Everyone is welcome.
Donegal High School’s MiniTHON committee is currently running a fundraiser called Mr. Donegal. In November, the senior class voted to select eight senior male students to serve on the court. Each member of the court is tasked with carrying a bucket around See Mr. Donegal pg 7
Donegal High School seniors (from left) Will Small, Connor Ruhl, Patrick Summers, Ryan Zuch, Jake Shoemaker, Drew Bechtold, Noah Karichner, and Nathan Brubaker were voted by the senior class to be part of the Mr. Donegal court. Each contestant is competing to raise funds for Four Diamonds, and the one who raises the most funds will be crowned Mr. Donegal at the school’s Sadie Hawkins Dance on Jan. 4.
From The Finkenbinder Family To Yours! POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER DEC. 18, 2019
Postal Patron
DON
Students Make, Donate Toys pg 4
Malmedy Massacre Survivor Recognized On 75th Anniversary
Crown of Life Fellowship, 610 E. Main St., Mount Joy, invites the community to see the show “Christmas Joy” on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. The event will be a Christmas light show video and will offer an opportunity to sing along with traditional Christmas carols. Participating will be the dance and worship flag team, and there will also be soloists and children’s performances. After the show, attendees are invited to stay for a Christmas fellowship dinner and the church’s Christmas cookie extravaganza, which will feature hundreds of cookies. For more information, call 717-475-5048 or 717-6655841 or visit www.colfellowship.org.
Mount Joy Rotary Seeks Members pg 6
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815 Bruce Ave., Mount Joy, will offer its monthly free Breakfast Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A variety of breakfast foods will be offered. Reservations are not required. Free parking is available at the lower end of the parking lot. Attendees may enter through the double glass doors under the drive-through. In addition to the breakfast, the church will collect and distribute coats for those who need them. A collection table will be set up inside the rear entrance doors for donations of gently used coats. Coats may also be donated to the church prior to Dec. 21. For more details, call 717-653-1202, ext. 2.