INSIDE THIS ISSUE

by Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc

townlively.com FEBRUARY 10, 2021 SERVINGTHELOCALCOMMUNITIESSINCE1954 VOL LVII • NO 8

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS IN THIS ISSUE!

Garden Spot Village wood shop member Jim Rittenhouse (left) and associate director of development Allison Cuthie display items that will be sold in the upcoming annual Birdhouse Auction.

GSV Announces Expanded Birdhouse Auction For 2021

BY ANN MEAD ASH

Holding an auction in a retirement community is no easy feat under COVID-19 restrictions, but rather than being limited by the situation, Garden Spot Village (GSV) chose to safely expand the annual Birdhouse Auction that supports the community’s benevolent fund through the sale of one-of-a-kind items handcrafted by GSV residents.

This year, the auction will be structured using two separate platforms - the traditional indoor silent auction and an online auction. According to Allison Cuthie, associate director of development with GSV, about 50 items will be offered on each platform. The silent auction will be held in the Village Square Indoor Park, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland. The indoor auction opened Jan. 29, and it will end on Friday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. Those wishing to visit this auction will need to undergo a COVID-19 screening at the front door. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The online auction can be accessed at www.gardenspotvillage.org. Items went up for bids on Feb. 1, and the auction will end on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m.

Cuthie noted that the seasonal event gives all those involved a glimpse of the warmer months. “During the winter, there’s a blah feeling, and this is something to help us look forward to spring and birds and flowers,” she pointed out, adding that the items in the auction, known for being bright and whimsical, offer special variety this year. “With people staying inside (due to) COVID, it really brought out a lot of creativity,” she shared, recalling that the event that started with the wood shop now involves quilters, crafters, cross stitchers, and the art guild.

According to Cuthie, this year’s creations will not only be plentiful, but they will also exhibit originality. Birdhouses will range from traditional log cabins to those made of unusual materials, such as wine corks, along with those that are designed to be functional for certain types of birds. One creation

See GSV pg 6

Transitions: Petra Under New Leadership

BY ANN MEAD ASH

On Jan. 3, Petra Church, 565 Airport Road, New Holland, held a special service during which a new senior pastor took on the mantle of leadership. After nearly 40 years helming the church, senior pastors Lester and Erma Zimmerman retired, and Brian Coles became the new lead pastor. Brian and his wife, Tracy, first joined the Petra ministerial staff as student ministries pastors in 2016. Tracy now serves as Petra’s local outreach pastor, and Lester will move into an expanded role providing leadership and oversight to the Hopewell Network of Churches to which Petra belongs. See Petra pg 6

Pastor Lester Zimmerman (front, left) passes leadership of Petra Church to new senior pastor Brian Coles (front, right) during a special service held at the church on Jan. 3.

LCCS Plans Second Legacy Workshop

BY ANN MEAD ASH

When describing the thought process behind presenting Legacy Planning for Uncertain Times, a financial workshop to be held at Lancaster County Christian School (LCCS), Doctor Sandy Outlar, who works in community relations for the school, turned to John Wesley, Methodist Evangelist and famous theologian, for inspiration.

See LCCS pg 5