Greater Hershey Area ALSO SERVING HUMMELSTOWN AND MIDDLETOWN
townlively.com
FEBRUARY 2, 2022
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXXIV • NO 30
Friends In Action Welcomes New Executive Director The new year marked a new chapter in the history of Friends In Action (FIA) in Middletown as members of the board of directors announced that Matt Durkee had been named executive director. FIA is a nonprofit organization supporting missionaries in six remote locations through infrastructure projects and practical service to enable more unreached people groups to hear the Gospel.
Durkee has extensive international project management, engineering, and ministry outreach experience. In 2008, he began his involvement with FIA through serving with The Water of Life project, which entails drilling water wells and supporting community outreach projects for West African missionaries and churches. Most recently, he was the organization’s See FIA pg 2
Mike and Betty Sweigard enjoy the Sweetheart Banquet at Middletown First Church of God.
Church To Host Sweetheart Banquet BY FRANCINE FULTON
ouples and singles alike are invited to attend the annual Sweetheart Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 12, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Middletown First Church of God. In addition to a meal, attendees will be treated to the church’s version of “The Newlywed Game.” This year’s menu will feature roast beef, salad, mashed potatoes and gravy and vegetables followed by dessert. “You get a nice roast beef dinner, appetizers and dessert. It’s all homemade,” said church member Patty Kuharic, one of the event organizers. “One of the ladies from the church cooks the meal.” The sit-down dinner will be served in the church’s fellowship hall, which will be decorated with a Valentine’s Day theme. A photo booth will be available for selfies. Child care will be provided for
FIA’s projects include well-drilling in West Africa.
Middletown Train Station Project Completed The Middletown train station project is complete and Amtrak-service passengers began using the new station on Jan. 10, and a grand opening celebration took place on Jan. 18. The new station on West Emaus Street at West Main Street provides ADA accessibility and improved multimodal connections while anchoring nearby mobility and redevelopment. See Train Station pg 3
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Hershey Women Plan Luncheon . . . . . . . . .2 House Of Worship . . . . . . .3 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .10 Museum Sets Drawing For Corvette . . . . . . . . . .12
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Middletown. Sunday worship is held at 8 and 10:30 a.m. A coffee hour is offered at 8:45 a.m., and religious classes for all people of all ages take place at 9:15 a.m. Wednesday Night Live, held in the church’s fellowship hall, includes dinner at 5:45 p.m., followed by classes and small group discussions at 6:30 p.m. The Sweetheart Banquet is open to anyone in the community, but tickets must be purchased in advance. Tickets will not be sold at the door. The deadline to purchase tickets is Wednesday, Feb. 9. Tickets are available after Sunday worship services or during Wednesday Night Live. For more information, contact the church at 717-944-9608 or mdtcog@comcast.net or visit www.middletowncog.org or www.facebook.com/middletowncog. The Facebook page also features daily Scripture readings offered by Shifler.
Let us show you the difference a caring neighbor can make. Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Palmyra | 717-838-9211 Travis S. Finkenbinder, Supervisor
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children age 10 and under. Kuharic said that the event is attended not only by couples but by groups of friends. “About 15 years ago, it started as a couples’ event. Now, it’s morphed into a whole bunch of people,” she shared. She pointed out that “The Newlywed Game” is the highlight of the evening. “We pick four couples that go up on the stage,” she explained. “Some are newlyweds, and some have been married for years. Our pastor (Kim Shifler) moderates it. She asks questions of the men and the wives come back to answer and we reverse it. It’s fun.” Kuharic noted that the event is not a fundraiser for the church. Rather, it is held as a community outreach and social event. “It’s a great night of entertainment,” she said. Middletown First Church of God is located at 245 W. High St.,
Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory Elizabethtown | 717-367-1543 Thomas W. Ford, Supervisor
Fager-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. Middletown | 717-944-7413 Alana A. Ace, Supervisor
