Garden Spot townlively.com
JANUARY 5, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVIII • NO 2
Making An Impact 2021 BY ANN MEAD ASH
ver a year of working on several weekly papers, a feature writer completes hundreds of stories. Among the chicken barbecues, annual events, and accomplishments of each year’s crop of articles are those that stand out because they spotlight the lives of people who make up the fabric of a small town like New Holland. Among those who made a special impact on this writer in 2021 are the ones who saw an opportunity to serve and stepped in to help, often because they realized that grassroots efforts can make a big difference. Others simply exercised an artistic passion that brought delight to those who witnessed it. N i c k i a n d C h a d M a r t i n : At the Evangelical United Methodist Church (EUMC), on the corner of Main and Dillerville, the Martins stepped up when they saw an opportunity in a few vacant rooms in the church. Since Nicki is a receptionist with CrossNet Ministries, she was aware of how often area
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residents called to donate furniture to those in need. The couple reported that the church wanted to do more to help in the community, and so it seemed natural to offer the space for a furniture bank, which the the Martins now oversee, handling pickups and deliveries and recruiting help as needed. Carla and Tom O’Neill : Over in East Earl, the O’Neills have given back to the community many times over the years by organizing motorcycle rides to raise funds. In the spring of 2021, the O’Neills decided to honor Tom’s twin brother Mike who died suddenly five years ago. The new ride would bear Mike’s name with the O’Neills intending to make the fundraiser an annual event. Recognizing areas of need in the community, the organizers chose to have the first ride raise funds to benefit the families of Rodney Shirk and Sharon Anderson; both families were battling financial circumstances brought on by health issues. The ride attracted more than 200 motorcycles, and Carla noted that
Local Author Visits School BY ANN MEAD ASH
When New Holland author Shelleen Weaver spoke at Lancaster Mennonite School’s Locust Grove Campus, 2257 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, on Dec. 6, she brought along her friend Love Bird, the title character from her first book in a series on the biblical Fruits of the Spirit. Principal Miles Yoder took on the persona of the mockingbird, handing out bookmarks and candy to more than 100 children in prekindergarten through fifth grade, See Locust Grove pg 6
away in the spring of 2021, but his widow, Heather, together with his siblings, made the decision to share Diener’s creations with others who might find delight in them. In October 2021, the structures were moved to the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown where they became part of the venue’s Christmas display to be enjoyed by thousands. A writer for a local newspaper in a town the size of New Holland is
blessed to come in contact with the lives of many good people. Each year, I meet Eagle Scouts, church pastors and members, and staff and volunteers at local organizations that oversee a variety of ministries, ranging from food pantries to youth centers. Continually, I am impressed by the ways they give of themselves to help others, and I am honored to share their stories. I look forward to meeting more of you in 2022. Happy new year!
Nicki and Chad Martin
Carla and Tom O’Neill
John Diener
One Of The Few BY ANN MEAD ASH
Sarah Ames, sergeant at station 39-1 with Garden Spot Fire Rescue (GSFR), first became interested in firefighting when she was 18 years old and living in Christiana. Now, she is the first female officer at GSFR, earning her sergeant rank in January 2020. The Coatesville High School graduate had always felt the urge to serve. “I felt it was my responsibility to give back Garden Spot Fire Rescue Sgt. at station 39-1 Sarah Ames is the first female officer in the history of the fire company.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
somehow,” stated Ames. “I was able-bodied, young and willing, and I had time.” When she moved to Christiana, Ames lived close enough to the firehouse to be able to jog there. “I would see the guys that were running there and hear the house siren,” she recalled. “And I was sitting doing nothing.” Ames soon became a volunteer in Christiana and immediately fell in love with the work. “I was there about two and one-half years, and I finished up my Fire One (training) while I was there,” she recalled. See GSFR pg 12
Christmas Tree Mulching Program Posted . . . . . . . .7 Farm Show To Offer Potato Fare . . . . . . . . . . . .7 House Of Worship . . . . . . .7 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .9
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Food For Thought
the community was very generous in its contributions. J o h n a n d H e a t h e r D i e n e r : Off Red Well Road, tucked back in the woods along the ridge between ELANCO and Pequea Valley school districts, mason John Diener had been working for years to create local buildings in miniature. Diener began working on his tiny village in 2012, turning his front yard into a wonderland for both children and adults. Diener passed