Garden Spot townlively.com
NOVEMBER 29, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LIX • NO 49
Reaching for the goal ELANCO Library to hold fundraisers BY ANN MEAD ASH
oming out of the ELANCO Library Autumn Jubilee, fundraisers are $2,000 away from the $20,000 match the organization has been offered. Plans are to use the funds to renovate the children’s area, turning a storage closet into an education space for preschoolers, and to close the area in early 2024 so construction may begin. To continue the fundraising efforts, organizers are planning a number of events for Saturday, Dec. 2. “(It) will be a big day at the library because the Friends of the Library will have their book sale upstairs for adults and children,” said library director Anna D’Agostino. On the main level, a yard sale will be held. Both the book sale and yard sale will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the lower-level board room, a music and movement story time for preschoolers will be held at 10:30 a.m., and Pepper, a trained Labrador retriever READ dog, will visit at 2 p.m.
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The book sale, which will feature books of all types for people of all ages, is the Friends of the Library’s biggest yearly fundraiser. The yard sale was born when a decision was made to replace toys in the new preschool area. “(Library staff members) were cleaning out the toys and games, and most of them are in really good shape,” said Susan Burke, a member of the ELANCO Library fundraising committee, who added that riding toys will be among the items to be sold. Burke noted that holiday-themed items, some of them new with tags, will also be included in the yard sale. D’Agostino pointed out that original works of art by local artists, including paintings of landscapes, will be featured in the sale. Beginning in November, the library has an ornament giving tree on display. Those wishing to donate may remove an ornament and take it to the front desk. Ornaments are designated in three nominal amounts. “It can pay a children’s book fine or contribute for children’s materials,” said Burke, who added that the
Anna D’Agostino (left) and Susan Burke display items that will be available for sale at an upcoming ELANCO Library fundraiser.
fundraiser is designed for those who want to give but may prefer not to attend a gala or other event. The library will also be giving away a children’s bicycle. The bike is a 20-inch Batch children’s bike with easy-to-steer handlebars and an
adjustable seat. A Bontrager helmet will be included. Tickets for the giveaway may be purchased at the library. The drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 18. “At this point, our focus is the renovations and the furnishings
100 years in the making
Divine inspiration “This is the fourth year in a row we have a new scene,” said Adam Fox, program director at Woodcrest Retreat. “If you came (to Journey to Bethlehem) five years ago, the script is 80% different (now).” The 13th presentation of the Journey to Bethlehem event at Woodcrest Retreat, which takes visitors on a trek through the woods of Woodcrest to a live Nativity, will aim to make the experience real for attendees. To that end, each year, fresh creativity is poured into the project.
BY ANN MEAD ASH
This year’s Journey to Bethlehem will be held at the retreat center, 225 Woodcrest Drive, Ephrata, on Fridays, Dec. 8 and 15, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays, Dec. 9 and 16, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly and wear appropriate waterresistant shoes on the hourlong trek. Although the event is family-friendly, strollers and those with mobility issues cannot be accommodated because of the rugged landscape. As in the past, the event will give participants the opportunity to become part of the Christmas story See Woodcrest Retreat pg 2
Brenda Hurst (left), pastor Dawn Ranck-Hower (center), and Steve Lantz have been helping New Holland Mennonite Church to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
On Nov. 19, the congregation of New Holland Mennonite Church, 18 Western Ave., celebrated 100 years of existence. Church historian Brenda Hurst said that the event was the conclusion of a year of looking back into the history of the congregation and that in addition to centennial Sunday, the church held a covenant renewal. Pastor Dawn Ranck-Hower noted that the celebration finished with a fellowship meal and cake. “The first Mennonite worship service in New Holland was held at what was called the New Holland See Church pg 4
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13th Journey to Bethlehem planned BY ANN MEAD ASH
(for the new preschool space),” said Burke. “We can’t do it piecemeal, so we decided, ‘Let’s just do it and do it right and fundraise for it.’” More information about the ELANCO Library may be found at www.elancolibrary.org.