Lampeter-Strasburg /townlively
APRIL 8, 2020
IN THIS ISSUE: GROUPS LAUNCH COUNTYWIDE RESPONSE FUND page 5
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 52
HE IS RISEN! Thank You A Sincere
To Our Community Of Heroes!
Stay Connected And Support Your Local Businesses! • Purchase a gift card to be used at a later date • Order takeout • Tip a little more than usual • Take advantage of curbside pickup/drop-off services
Support For Single Moms In December last year, Melanie Underhill, a four-year veteran of single parenting, announced that she had created Single Moms, a support group for single mothers. The group started out meeting in person once a month at First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 S. Decatur St., Strasburg, but with the sudden changes to everyday life recently, meetings have been augmented. “I am holding our single moms support group online now every Friday on Zoom,” Underhill said. “The response … has been incredible. We are meant for community, and the moms are finding support and validation sharing their stories and struggles with those who understand fully. It’s also wonderful to see friendships form and the sharing of child care, resources and information.” The formation of Single Moms could
See Single Moms Group pg 7
Staving Off Cabin Fever
• Use credit or debit cards (cut down on the germs from cash and coins) By Ann Mead Ash
• Say thank you • Stay home if you’re sick • Sign up for virtual community experiences/ activities
Since Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf ordered a statewide shutdown on March 16, those who found themselves at home - with or without children - may be struggling to fill the hours in quarantine. Mary Bauer, founder of Lucky Dawg Animal Rescue, based in Chester
It’s often said that every challenge is an opportunity - an opportunity to grow, to encourage, to be compassionate, to give, to make others smile. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we at the Advertiser have noticed countless community members embracing this concept, and we’d love to see more! We’re giving you an opportunity to share your joy by submitting ways you or others are figuratively turning lemons into lemonade. What fun activities have you done with your kids? What made you smile today? What constructive hobbies have you found to help you adjust to recent life changes? What has someone else done - knowingly or unknowingly that has blessed you or encouraged you? Tell your experiences at www.face book.com/townlively. Pictures and videos are welcome! Some stories will be chosen to be highlighted in a future issue of the Advertiser and on townlively.com.
County, has not hesitated to see the value in the hours. “Take advantage of the quarantine and get some fresh air and exercise with your dog,” said Bauer, who recommended throwing a ball or flying disc or working on basic training techniques. Those without pets to play with also have a variety of options for staving off See Cabin Fever pg 5
By Leah Sintic
You’d be hardpressed to find anyone who hasn’t felt the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one of the areas experiencing a massive adjustment is the education system. Public school, private school, stu- Schools around the county have adjusted their educational dent, teacher, par- methods as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandement - no one is ic, and many students, such as those from Mount Calvary exempt from the far-reaching reper- Christian School, are doing their learning from home. cussions after a statewide mandate the community at the forefront of their closed schools in mid-March. School decisions. School districts countywide have administrative teams across Lancaster County have had to adjust quickly, all ramped up their online communication while keeping the safety of students and portals, offering educational resources, See Education Updates pg 3
See us for all your
400 Long Lane At Marticville Road (Rts. 741 & 324) 3 Miles S. of Lancaster Mon.-Sat. 8-6 • 717-872-9311 www.cherryhillorchards.com
R057576
Easter Items!
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 8, 2020
Postal Patron
LSA
• Share a positive experience/review on social media
Melanie Underhill
An Opportunity To Share Joy
New Takes On Education
Ethan Lawrie, age 10, son of Mandy Leggett of Conestoga, displays a puzzle he and his family have worked on completing. Activities that are fun and educational can help keep children busy and encourage the making of family memories.
• THINK LOCAL FIRST! Shop local online
• Be patient
not have come at a more crucial time, Underhill noted. “In these uncertain times, single parents may feel more isolated and alone than ever,” Underhill explained. “Fear of losing their job or income may plague their thoughts, and limited food, basic necessities, child care, and emotional support may mount up to overwhelming anxiety. Often, too, a stressful event may trigger PTSD or bring up past trauma.” Parenting is difficult, but doing it alone when social and practical supports are no longer available can be especially challenging. Underhill offered some encouragement to single parents, saying, “Know that you are strong and resilient, having faced difficult times before and emerging wiser yet.” Taking care of one’s self can help parents stay strong, Underhill said. She noted that catching up on sleep (if children allow
Matthew 28:6