Lampeter-Strasburg townlively.com
JANUARY 3, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 35
How to be mindful of wildlife over the winter BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
I
f you reside in Lancaster County’s rural communities, you are likely well acquainted with the area’s wildlife. Whether you own a farm in the Buck or live among the scenic fields that surround Strasburg and Millersville, you have probably become familiar with the herds of deer that meander onto your property. Even those who live in the Southern End’s suburban communities are often visited by foxes and squirrels that want a snack from their bird feeders. The patterns of wild animals change during the cold months, however, and being mindful of their behavior can make the winter season safer for both you and your neighbors out in nature. Lisa Sanchez is a park naturalist with the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation. Every winter, Sanchez travels across the county to educate the public on the seasonal changes
that occur in nature. She also debunks several misconceptions about local wildlife. “This is a popular time of year for people to feed birds in their backyards. People always ask me how to get rid of the hawks who prey on the cardinals and chickadees who visit their bird feeders,” Sanchez said. “You can’t; it’s a part of nature, and hawks are protected by law. I always jokingly tell them, ‘Well, it’s still a bird feeder.’” Another common misunderstanding that Sanchez frequently addresses is the migration patterns of birds. Songbirds such as tree swallows, wood thrushes and red-winged blackbirds fly south for the winter due to a lack of mosquitos and other insects that make up their diet. Other birds have adapted their diet to rely on seeds and berries, making an annual migration unnecessary. Many years ago, robins were seen as a sign of spring’s return; today, these birds can be seen throughout the winter as they scrounge for
The rural landscapes of the Southern End are home not only to the usual farm animals, but also to wild
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
When many people hear the term “professional wrestling,” they picture the ostentatious getups and dramatic performances associated with companies such as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The professional wrestling promotion is notorious for hosting extravagant shows that combine athleticism with intense theatrics, the likes of which have turned eccentric
characters like Hulk Hogan into household names. Although most people view professional wrestling as nothing more than a display of impressive stunts, Lancaster residents Jesus Rodriguez and Chris Dreisbach see the art form as a means to impact the community in a positive way. Rodriguez has been active in the world of wrestling for many years, serving as both a wrestler and an announcer for organizations such as WWE and
Hearts to help families BY ANN MEAD ASH
Steven and Allycia Barr of Leola have a dream. Someday, they would like to own a farm with the space and facilities to bring in families that are dealing with addiction and teach vocational skills. The dream was born of a hard reality. When the Barrs’ son, Steel, was born in Philadelphia in May of 2019, the couple was homeless and addicted, living in the back of a box truck in a friend’s driveway. The hospital where Steel was born gave Allycia the opportunity to go directly to
a rehab program following his birth. “When (Allycia) left the hospital and went right to rehab, I was left in the box truck,” recalled Steven. “(I wish) there had been somewhere we could have gone together,” said Allycia, who believes treatment as a family wo u l d h ave l e d to h e a l i n g together more quickly. Allycia is several years clean, and Steven graduated from Restart Training Center Ministry in Strasburg in August of 2021. They now live in Leola - working and raising their Allycia Barr (left) and her son together - but the dream is husband, Steven, cooking hot dogs and starting conversations in
See Wrestling pg 2
See Restart pg 3 Kensington
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See Winter wildlife pg 8 animals, which may behave differently over the winter.