IN THIS ISSUE: NEW MEMBERS INVITED TO JOIN WOMEN’S GROUP page 3
Garden Spot SEPTEMBER 11, 2019
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LV • NO 41
EXERCISE CLASS
CrossNet Ministries will offer Zumba from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Mondays, Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16. The exercise class will be held at the CrossNet Youth Center, 110 W. Franklin St., New Holland. ALL ABOARD!
New Holland Area Historical Society will host a program titled “New Holland’s Railroad, the Forgotten Branch” on Thursday, Sept. 19. The program will be presented by Mark Hoffman from 7 to 8 p.m. at Garden Spot Village, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland. The public is invited to attend. ANIMAL BLESSING
Peace United Church of Christ, 37 E. Swartzville Road, Denver, will host a special service to bless animals on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 11 a.m. at the pavilion on the church grounds. All types of pets, including assistance and service animals, are welcome to attend. Special treats and certificates of blessing will be given to all. All pets must be leashed and/or contained. Photographs of ailing pets are welcome as well. Call 717-484-4400 or visit www.peaceunitedchurch.org. SEEKING DONATIONS
are seeking gently used gardening items to be sold at their annual plant sale, which is set for Saturday, May 2, 2020. Containers, garden tools, bird feeders, birdhouses, patio items, wind chimes, garden decor, and any usable item with a garden connection will be considered. Donors may bring items to the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster, on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will benefit Master Gardener programs. Items may be arranged for pickup at other times by contacting 717-575-1192 or lancastergardenshed@gmail.com.
By Ann Mead Ash
On the windowsill behind Rachel Weaver’s desk in her CrossNet office, 123 W. Franklin St., New Holland, are various children’s books. Among the selection are tales of Curious George and Pete the Cat. Weaver uses the books as part of the program she implements to help area children and parents to connect in ways that will help children realize their full potential. When Community Action Program (CAP) of Lancaster County placed Weaver, a family development specialist, at CrossNet in August 2018, the goal was to put her in a location that was already connected to the community. The placement means that CrossNet can better collaborate with the ELANCO School District to improve the district’s kindergarten readiness rating. “We are second to the bottom in pre-K
readiness (of 17 districts) in Lancaster County,” noted Meredith Dahl, executive director with CrossNet. Weaver works for CAP, but she is implementing the Parents as Teachers program in ELANCO through CrossNet. She has a CAP supervisor, as well as a CrossNet supervisor. “(Parents as Teachers) is an evidence-based home visiting program that works to promote optimal early development,” explained Weaver, who noted that her twicemonthly visits to a child’s home are focused on improving learning and health by encouraging parents and children to engage intensely for up to 90 minutes at a time. “The goal is for the program to create a model for (parents and children) that they can do as often as they can, with every day being (the) optimal (frequency),” said Weaver. Each time Weaver visits a child, her goal is to complete three components. See Kindergarten Readiness pg 9
Gifts That Give Hope Fair To Move To New Location By Chelsea Peifer
This year, the Gifts That Give Hope (GTGH) Lancaster Alternative Gift Fair is moving to a new location. The 12th annual event is set to take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Landis Hall at The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim. See GTGH pg 7
UPCOMING MEETING
The Lancaster County Parkinson’s Support Group will meet on Monday, Sept. 16, at 2 p.m. in the Westview Community Room at Landis Homes, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz. The meeting will feature informal discussion on topics important to caregivers of persons with Parkinson’s disease, followed by refreshments. Contact 717-509-5494.
Church Plans Hymn Sing pg 5
Poole Forge Day To Offer Family Fun pg 10
Improving Kindergarten Readiness
The Gifts That Give Hope (GTGH) Lancaster Alternative Gift Fair, founded by Jenn Knepper (third from right), will be held on Dec. 7 at The Junction Center in Manheim. Representing a sampling of the organizations that will take part in this year’s event are (from left) Feleen Nancarvis of Lancaster Meals on Wheels, Beth Weaver of AIM to Empower, Mustafa Nuur of Bridge, and Deb Becker and Carla Horn of Connection Ubuntu.
Rachel Weaver (left), family development specialist with Community Action Program of Lancaster County, demonstrates how she implements the Parents as Teachers program with help from Liam Dahl (right). Weaver, whose office is located in the CrossNet Ministries Resource Center in New Holland, works with parents and children in the ELANCO School District to help prepare youngsters to attend kindergarten.
For The Love Of Community By Ann Mead Ash
Steve Loewen feels a strong connection to St. Stephen Reformed Church in New Holland. “I go through the cemetery almost every day, and I look up at the church,” said Loewen. In the spring of 2015, Loewen was the first to sound the alarm when the 1801 church steeple was leaning. “I noticed it was (tipping) to the east,” recalled Loewen, who then helped raise funds to restore the steeple. Loewen feels a strong sense of connection to New Holland as a whole, as well. A 2010 Jefferson Award winner, he has served with a number of local organizations, including the New Holland Farmers Day Association, the See Steve Loewen pg 5
Steve Loewen has been an active community member and business owner in New Holland for more than 40 years. His devotion to the New Holland area is evidenced by the many organizations to which he has contributed time and effort.
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The Penn State Master Gardeners of Lancaster County
Spartan Boys Host Daniel Boone pg 14