IN THIS ISSUE: REC CENTER TO HOST OPEN HOUSES page 5
Hempfield
JANUARY 1, 2020
VOL XXXV • NO 43
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
BLOOD DRIVE
YWCA Lancaster and the American Red Cross will hold a community blood drive in the Maureen Powers Community Room at YWCA Lancaster, 110 N. Lime St., on Tuesday, Jan. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Readers may call 800-REDCROSS or visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter “YWCA” to schedule an appointment. Attendees will be entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the championship football game in Miami. Details are available at www.rcblood.org/SuperBowl.
Church To Present Epiphany Concert pg 2
Tree Recycling Initiative Slated pg 3
GiGi’s Playhouse To Open In Manheim Township By Ann Mead Ash
ORGAN CONCERT
Jessica Kinsey, a board member with GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster, wants families with children who have Down syndrome and other disabilities to know that a support system is available. “I would have loved to have had this once we had our prenatal diagnosis,” said Kinsey. “We want to educate (the community by providing) more information (for families).” A huge step in raising awareness of the positive impact people with Down syndrome and other disabilities can have will take place on Saturday, Jan. 11, when GiGi’s Playhouse, a Down Syndrome Achievement Center, will open at 2503 Oregon Pike, Lancaster. An open house to celebrate the grand opening will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.
First Reformed Church, 40 E. Orange St., Lancaster, will host an “Organic Reflections” concert on First Friday, Jan. 3. Larry Hershey will play on the vintage 1958 analog Allen organ. The concert is titled “Winter Lights” and will include works by Bach, Bedard, Durufle, Krebs, Lubeck and Purcell. The concert will conclude with an organ solo transcription of the “Hallelujah” chorus from Handel’s “Messiah.” The concert is part of the First Friday series, a gift to the Lancaster community from First Reformed Church, a center-city congregation of the United Church of Christ. All concerts are 30 minutes in length and begin at 8 p.m. each First Friday. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call 717-397-5149.
DVS Holds Holiday Shopping Event pg 2
Looking forward to the open house and ribbon cutting to be held at the new GiGi’s Playhouse on Oregon Pike are Jen Voshell (far left), holding Jacob, and Jessica Kinsey (far right), holding Nathaniel. The open house will be held on Jan. 11, beginning at 1 p.m. GiGi’s Playhouse in Lancaster will be the first facility of its kind in Pennsylvania serving children and adults with Down syndrome and other disabilities.
Although the open house is a drop-in event, Jen Voshell, who is also a board member, said that specific activities are planned. Self-guided tours of the facility, which includes a large room, two small rooms, a kitchen, and a family room, will be available from 1 to 2 p.m. At 2 p.m., Nancy Gianni, who founded GiGi’s Playhouse in 2002 and named it for her daughter GiGi, will speak, as will GiGi’s Playhouse president Kim King. “Some of our families will talk about what GiGi’s Lancaster means to them,” said Voshell. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held, and refreshments will be served. Gianni, who founded GiGi’s in Chicago, was inspired to start the program after holding a support group meeting for families of children with Down syndrome in a room made available in a local hospital. “She took it upon herself to create GiGi’s Playhouse,” said Voshell. “She became well known and was able to help other communities open their own playhouses.” GiGi’s Playhouse Lancaster is the 47th playhouse to open in the United States. See GiGi’s Playhouse pg 2
PROGRAM FOR YOUTHS
Social Justice Training Workshop Planned GOTR Schedules Free Film About Technology YWCA Lancaster will host the Racial Equity Institute, Part I (REI-I), formerly the Racial Justice Institute, at its offices, 110 N. Lime St., Lancaster, from Friday to Sunday, Jan. 17 to 19. This intensive two-and-a-half-day workshop represents YWCA Lancaster’s
core social justice training program. It aims to give participants a common understanding of racism and related concepts. YWCA Lancaster views REI-I as a foundation for working toward dismantling institutional and systemic racism. See Training pg 5
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Families United Network, 412 S. Angle St., Mount Joy, invites the community to foster parent orientation sessions on Thursdays, Jan. 9 and 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. To register for a session, contact 800-722-0136 or email Holly at htanner@families4kids.org.
Local residents are invited to register for the Racial Equity Institute, Part I, YWCA Lancaster’s core social justice training program. It will take place from Jan. 17 to 19.
OPEN ALL WINTER
By Ann Mead Ash
The trailer for the film “LIKE - A Documentary About the Impact of Social Media on Our Lives and the Effects of Technology on the Brain” ends with the daunting question, “Are you using technology or is it using you?” Girls on the Run (GOTR) of LancasterLebanon hopes to start a conversation around that question when the organization presents the film on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster. The event is free to members of the public age 10 and up. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and the film will be shown at 7 p.m. Sarah Yohe, development director See Free Film pg 3
Our APPLES Taste Better!
Girls on the Run (GOTR) of Lancaster-Lebanon invites area residents to view the film “LIKE” on Jan. 31 at the Ware Center in Lancaster. The event is free to members of the public age 10 and up, but reservations are requested.
& Mon.-Sat. 8-6
www.cherryhillorchards.com
Long Lane At Marticville Road (Rts. 741 & 324S)
3 Miles S. of Lancaster
R053532
will kick off at Mount Joy Mennonite Church, 320 Musser Road, Mount Joy, on Monday, Jan. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. The program will continue to be held each Monday. Harbor 180, hosted by a core group of leaders, has been developed in response to the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and other issues. It is designed to be a safe and confidential place for youths in sixth through 12th grades to express themselves and learn necessary tools to find victory over their pain. The goal is for students to find true healing as they work through Christ-centered principles among a community of peers and adult leaders. For more information, call Gail Hoover at 717-330-3753.
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER BY JAN. 1, 2020
Postal Patron
HEM
Harbor 180