Garden Spot /townlively
IN THIS ISSUE: ONLINE LIBRARY PROGRAMS SCHEDULED page 4
MAY 27, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 24
Honor And Tradition Garden Spot Plans Commencement Exercises By Ann Mead Ash
A letter to parents and guardians of members of the Garden Spot High School (GSHS) Class of 2020, dated April 29, acknowledged the challenges of the school year, which ended in March under COVID-19 restrictions. The letter, which was written by Dr. Matt Sanger, secondary campus principal for grades seven to 12, also expressed hope, pointing out the “unique opportunities� presented to members of the class. Sanger’s letter said that, working with a team of staff members and utilizing student input, the ELANCO School District had devised a plan that would both honor and celebrate the GSHS Class of 2020. “We think it’s important, as a rite of passage, to allow our students to experience that walk across the stage and receive their diplomas,� said Sanger. “That’s very important. We are trying to
give (students and families) a commencement ceremony that is as traditional and normal as possible.� In accordance with the plan, Class of 2020 members and their families came to the school by appointment during the week of May 11. Each student walked across the stage as his or her name was called to pick up a diploma while being videotaped. Speeches by Dr. Bob Hollister, superintendent of ELANCO, and Sanger were recorded, as were speeches by Hannah Hostetler and Deanna Phillips, who were chosen to speak by a panel of GSHS staff members. Hannah of Bowmansville is the daughter of Stacey and Mark McCreary and Justin and Valerie Hostetler. She has titled her speech “To Those Who Shaped Our Lives.� In the speech, she gives credit to teachers, parents, and others who have influenced students, saying, “You didn’t make it this far on your own. You’ve had 13 years’ worth of people that have surrounded you and pushed you to this point.� In the fall, Hannah plans to
Deanna Phillips attend Rochester Institute of Technology, where she will major in biochemistry with a focus on
Hannah Hostetler molecular biology. Deanna is the daughter of Todd and Rose See Garden Spot pg 2
Sweet Pea Plants Virtual Garden More than 10 years ago, Stephanie Paige Cole, founder of Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, and her board members began holding a Sisters and Brothers Picnic for children who had a sibling who was lost
during pregnancy or infancy. This year’s event was to be held on Saturday, June 6, at Dutch Wonderland. When the picnic was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, Cole wanted to re-create a part of the picnic in time for Mother’s Day, which was held on May 10. A special part of the picnic is a chance to visit an area inside Dutch Wonderland that has been designated as a permanent Sweet Pea Project Remembrance Garden. “It has a big tree and hundreds of flowers, and our logo and sign is there,� said Cole, who noted that she is continually amazed at how the siblings flock to the garden during the picnic. “There’s pizza, ice cream, and roller coasters, and these (siblings) stop in the middle of this super fun day to plant a flower,� she said. “It has been the most See Sweet Pea pg 3
Sweet Pea Project, an organization that offers comfort and support to families that have experienced the death of a baby, has created a virtual flower garden that mothers and other family members may use to honor the child they lost. Although the virtual garden was created for Mother’s Day, it will be available into the future for those who would like to dedicate a flower to their child.
New Director Hopes To Speak At Churches By Ann Mead Ash
In 2018, Lititz resident Jennifer Martin began sharing her testimony in local churches. At New Life Fellowship in Ephrata, her testimony was recorded, and her parents, Jay and Rosene Hurst, showed the tape to their friends Drew and Cindy Metcalf, founders of We Help Children, a ministry with workers in several locations, including the Guatemala and the U.S. The organization works with children in orphanages and trains workers who serve in orphanages, among other efforts on behalf of traumatized children. Drew and Cindy immediately noticed a correlation between Jennifer’s testimony and the children they help. They also saw her desire to help children who have suffered emotional traumas. “Drew felt my story tied in well with what they do,� said Jennifer. In the summer of 2018, Drew approached Jennifer about becoming the U.S. director for the ministry. Jennifer was expecting See New Director pg 2
Jennifer Martin (left), U.S. director for We Help Children, has worked with children in Guatemala and Haiti. In her new role with We Help Children, she will build relationships with area churches by giving her testimony and speaking about the organization.
MARTIN’S FLOORING OUTLET
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By Ann Mead Ash
A Desire To Help Hurting Children