Paul Bomba is an overnight sensation that was 50 years in the making.
Five decades after first thinking about writing a book about growing up in Asbury Park, N.J., Paul published a historical novel in June 2023, a story of civil unrest in his
hometown, titled “No Lifeguard on Duty.”
His debut work earned six awards, including the Benjamin Franklin Award for best first fiction book from the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) and a National Indie Excellence Award. Now a resident of Lancaster County, Paul will talk about his
book in his own neighborhood on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Strasburg-Heisler Library, 143 Precision Ave., Strasburg.
Paul said his presentation will answer three questions: “Why did I write a book? Why did it take me 50 years to do it? Why is the book 490 pages long?” Paul will also respond to questions from the audience.
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
Participants can try their luck navigating doglegs while supporting training for our furry friends.
The sixth annual United Disabilities Services Foundation (UDSF) golf tournament will be held Thursday, Sept. 11, from noon to 7 p.m. at Crossgates Golf Club, 1 Crossland Pass, Millersville.
Golfers can play in groups of up to four and enjoy activities like a hole-in-one contest to win a cash prize, as well as longest-drive and putting contests.
The fee includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, beer on the course and in the pavilion, use of the driving range and putting green, golf balls and tees, awards and prizes, and a New York strip steak dinner.
Check-in and lunch will begin at noon. A shotgun start with a scramble format will start at 1 p.m. Dinner and an awards ceremony will get underway at 6 p.m.
The event will be held rain or shine unless Crossgates representatives determine there is a danger to guests due to severe storms. Collared shirts and soft spike soles are required.
Go to https://udservices.org/ golf-registration/ to register. Golfers should register no later than Friday, Aug. 15, to be guaranteed a tournament shirt.
“The sixth annual golf tournament is our largest fundraiser specifically to raise funds for the service dogs’ program here at UDS,” said Lori Breece, who is the manager of the service dogs
Paul Bomba will talk about his book “No Lifeguard on Duty” at the Strasburg-Heisler Library on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Originally from Wilkes-Barre, Paul moved with his family to Asbury Park when he was 9, and he remained there until he attended Franklin & Marshall College. After working for The Hershey Company in southern Lebanon County for 27 years, he retired and moved to Strasburg.
While Paul’s book is fiction, the events that inspired it are real. Asbury Park was embroiled in riots in July 1970, which injured approximately 200 people and caused millions of dollars in damage. Paul still vividly recalls Independence Day that year. The light show was not caused by celebratory fireworks.
“I was in my bed, and I saw red lights on the ceiling and
heard sirens in the distance,” he said. Even before the riot, Paul had what he called a “naïve ambition” to pen a book. “I wanted to write a story of how cool it was to live in this town,” he said of Asbury Park. “I loved this place. I had moved from a declining coal town in Appalachia to the beach, ocean, boardwalk, concession, and rides. As a 14-year-old, it was easy to understand why I would love it. When I saw those lights on the ceiling and heard those sirens, I knew something was about to change.”
The general idea of writing a book stayed with him for the next 50 years. “I carried it around with me like sand in my sneaker,” he said. “It was always there. It was reminding me of those times, the way sand in your sneakers reminds you that you are at the beach.”
Over time, he realized he could still write about his hometown, but not in the way he first thought. “I started to think more about the events that led up to those riots and the aftermath of them,” Paul said. “I decided if I ever do write this book, it has to be more than just about kids on the beach. It needs to be about race and social class.”
Paul said he entered the process without an agenda to change anyone’s mind. “I used historical facts and the facts of lived experience,” he said. “I was there. I wasn’t in the middle of the riots, but I knew people who were impacted by it. … The language they speak and dialogue they have is real because I’ve heard those type of conversations.” A college professor referred to Paul’s work as a “fictionalized memoir.”
performed at The Stone Pony in the town during the 1970s. There are some references to Springsteen in “No Lifeguard on Duty,” and Paul said he included some “Easter eggs” for the rocker’s most ardent fans.
Paul stated that he originally had no intention of publishing his book. “I put the pages in a binder and gave it to friends,” he said. One of those friends, his college roommate John Conti, who still lives in New Jersey, responded two days after getting a copy. “John called and said, ‘You can’t throw this in a drawer. It’s too good,’” Paul recalled. “John is someone who loves me but also someone whose opinion I respect.”
Paul hired a firm to provide a cover design, as well as copy editing and proofreading. It was a big thrill when he received the first copy in the mail. “It was a great feeling,” he said. “I am very proud of it.”
Paul stated, “I would just say the book is more than a beach read, although it’s a very good beach read. He called the book “accessible,”
explaining, “You don’t have to get out your thesaurus. You don’t have to go and do research on Asbury Park to understand what’s going on in this book. You’ll get enough of it there. Although you might (look it up afterwards) because it’s interesting.”
Paul is working on a sequel, and he hopes to have it completed by next summer. “In the feedback I have gotten through my website, people have said the characters resonated with them, and they want to see resolution to the loose ends in the first book,” he said. “They became emotionally involved and want to see what happens.”
Paul’s wife, Flere, is a librarian at the Strasburg-Heisler Library. The couple’s daughter, Kelsey, is a manager of a bookstore in Santa Monica, Calif., and their son, Jared, is a journalist who resides in Brooklyn. “I guess we are a family of the word,” Paul said. Go to www.paulbomba books.com for more information or to purchase “No Lifeguard on Duty.”
“No Lifeguard on Duty” is centered around three friends who are living the beach life: a white, blue-collar, middle-class kid; a black, lower middle-class kid from the margins of the west side; and a young, wealthy tourist from New York City. The characters do not represent specific friends of Paul’s but are composite characters of people he knew.
Many people know Asbury Park because of its connection to Bruce Springsteen. The Boss’ debut album was called “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.,” and he regularly
Lancaster Company Offers Rebates to Flood Victims
Lancaster-based U.S. Boiler Company has introduced a rebate program to help victims of flood damage throughout Lancaster County.
The recent severe weather events experienced in the Lancaster area damaged many heating systems. From now through Tuesday, Sept. 30, U.S. Boiler Company is offering a special tiered rebate program for residents whose boilers were damaged by floods.
Homeowners who purchase a new cast-iron gas-fired boiler are eligible for a $300 rebate. Those who purchase a cast-iron oil-fired boiler are eligible for a $400 rebate, and res -
idential condensing boiler installations can receive a $500 rebate.
All rebates will be paid directly to homeowners at the address of installation.
Boilers must be installed by a licensed professional installer and registered in
Lancaster County.
Proof of purchase, installation and photos of the flood-damaged boiler are required for redemption. Installing contractors must purchase replacement boilers from a participating wholesale distributor.
LCAA Posts Ice Cream Day
The Lancaster County Art Association (LCAA), 149 Precision Ave., Strasburg, will host Ice Cream Day on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Saturday Concerts
Scheduled
A concert by Steven Courtney and the Suitcase Musicians originally scheduled for July 26 was postponed and will now take place on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 6:30 p.m.
The concert is part of the Sounds of Strasburg Concert Series at Strasburg Community Park, 151
Precision Ave., Strasburg. The Jess Zimmerman Band is slated to perform as scheduled on Saturday, Aug. 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Admission is free.
Attendees should bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. For more information, visit www.strasburg communitypark.org.
No online retailers are permitted.
This offer is valid for boilers installed and registered between July 15 and Sept. 30. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Participants should allow four to six weeks for processing of rebate request. This is a limited time offer. U.S. Boiler Company reserves the right to modify or end this rebate program at any time.
To find a local U.S. Boiler Company-certified installing contractor, visit www .usboiler.net/find-a -contractor.html.
Attendees can enjoy an ice cream treat and view the “Field of Dreams” addition to the “Summer Challenge-Media War” show. People may vote for their favorite piece of artwork and be entered in a drawing to win an original painting by Carol Herr. There will be activities for both adults and kids.
Additional hours to view the show are Thursdays to Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.
This summer, flooding has impacted Lancaster County.
Amelia Abrams with her painting “I Dream of Ice Cream”
homesummer
BY JEFF FALK
Conscientious consumers are economic engineers, thrifty spenders and financial stewards. They are also very much aware of where their money goes and whom it benefits.
Conscientious consumers know that money used for purchases at the ReStore is well-spent.
“The ReStore is a treasure hunt,” said Ben Mathus, who’s been the ReStore’s director for eight years. “Our savvy shoppers know our truck schedule. They want to see what new products are going to hit our floor. The savvy shoppers are in here regularly searching for gems. There are tremendous savings here.”
It’s been a year since Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity relocated its ReStore retail operations from a 20,000-square-foot building at 155 Independence Court, Lancaster, to a 33,000-square-foot site at 1061 Manheim Pike, Lancaster. That anniversary was marked with a celebration on June 21.
“We had a great vibe going on that day,” said Mathus. “We had a line outside the front door. When we opened the doors, people rushed in. It was kind of a party atmosphere. We generated a lot of income for the house-building program.”
“We were at our old location for 25 years, and we just outgrew it,” Mathus added. “It was time for something newer, larger, something to support our growing mission. It’s a larger, brighter building, and it’s a better customer experience all the way around.”
A large portion of the ReStore’s inventory is made up of building supplies, household goods, home décor and do-it-yourself materials donated by companies, private estates and individuals. The ReStore sells new and used furniture, hardware, plumbing supplies, bathtubs, roof shingles, latex gloves, doors and windows, used appliances, filters, wall art and light fixtures.
In a typical year, the ReStore sells enough of those donated items to
fund two housing projects for Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, which renovates or builds safe, affordable homes for local low-income families.
“The ReStore is one of the fundraising arms of Habitat for Humanity,” said Mathus. “We are all about reduce, reuse and recycle and keeping materials out of landfills. We’re prioritizing materials. We are a retail outlet. Our mission is clear; we support our affiliate program.”
On the average, between 200 and 300 shoppers frequent the ReStore each day. The ReStore is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“My favorite part is seeing what comes in through our donation doors, seeing what kind of interesting items come in,” said Mathus. “We don’t have an inventory. We don’t get manifests of what’s coming in. It’s always different. It’s always unexpected.”
The ReStore employs 15 staff members. But the ReStore “really couldn’t do what we do” without the work of nearly 40 regular volunteers, Mathus emphasized.
“Everyone deserves a safe, dry, affordable house,” said Mathus. “Everyone needs a place to live. If it’s not safe, dry and affordable, it’s not a house; it’s not a home. Having a roof over your head affords so many opportunities. Housing is critical. We see it with kids’ grades. That stuff trickles down, and it affects the whole family. We want everyone to thrive and survive.”
Habitat for Humanity, an international organization, launched an arm in Lancaster in 1986. In 2015, the local branch expanded to include residents in Lebanon County.
Originally started in a location at 1520 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, the ReStore has been financially supporting the Lancaster-Lebanon Habitat for Humanity’s mission for 32 years.
“We’ve helped hundreds of people over that time, locally, in our region,” said Mathus. “We build new houses and remodel older homes. By preserving existing structures, we’re saving the soul of the city.”
For additional information, go to www.lancaster lebanonhabitat.org.
Shoppers scan shelves for items at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore location in Manheim Township.
For Lancaster AAPI, Diversity Is the Spice of Life
BY JEFF FALK
The world would be a pretty dull place if we were all alike, if we all did the same things and if we all thought the same way.
Lancaster Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (Lancaster AAPI) promotes diversity and celebrates all the things that make us different. But the social group also salutes the things we have in common.
In the process of acceptance, understanding and familiarity are essential early steps.
“That’s what it’s all about, finding people with whom we have things in common,” said Cindy Lam Guo, president and one of the founding members of Lancaster AAPI. “If you
don’t have that sense of belonging, it’s not home. I don’t want my kids to feel like they’re different. That sense of connection is what Lancaster AAPI is all about.”
Lancaster AAPI is civically minded and advocates for inclusivity, but the group does not conduct regular formal meetings in an office or a brick-andmortar building. Instead, the organization hosts four seasonal potluck meals each year - “breaking rice together” - and partners with similar nonprofits to advocate for the group’s interests through a handful of events held in various locations around Lancaster County, including Manheim Township and the city of Lancaster.
On Feb. 2, more than 3,000 individuals attended Lancaster AAPI’s Lunar New Year celebration at Ewell Plaza and Binns Park in the city.
Lancaster AAPI also sponsors a scholarship program as part of its youth outreach initiative.
“Part of us is a social group, but we do advocate for our community,” said Lam Guo, a resident of Manheim Township. “If there’s something we want to advocate for, we show up. But we never push anything on people. Within the Asian community, there are also different people.”
“It’s really a safe space,” she continued. “Our mission is to celebrate, connect, bring us together and let people know we have a
voice. We want to educate people and let people know who we are. It’s fun for us to all come together. But at
Doors
Doors
October 7, 2025
October 7, 2025
October 7, 2025 Doors
October 7, 2025
October
October 7, 2025
October 7, 2025 Doors Open @ 5:30pm | Fellowship Meal @ 6:15pm Shady Maple Banquet Center 129 Toddy Drive • East Earl, PA 17519 2025 RTCM Annual Fall Banquet
October 7, 2025
WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS OF GIVING LEVEL 1: ELITE SPONSOR $1500 or more 16 tickets in the designated area for you & your 15 guests. (2 tables)
• Special Advertising: Business logo will be included on all RTCM publicity.
• Special Event Booklet: Business logo/info in booklet for each guest at the event.
SPONSORED IN PART BY: Pastor Jaime Santiago and 5 Restart graduates share testimonies of God’s transforming work in their lives. Conrad Fisher is a singer and songwriter from Juniata County, PA. Conrad owns and operates Ragamu n Hall in McCoysville, PA where he makes a living as a studio musician, audio engineer, and songwriter.
• Includes 16 free Restart Ticket Prize tickets.
• Recognition on RTCM website with link to your business website.
• Recognition on all RTCM social media venues. Recognition on screen at event.
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• Recognition on special “Thank You Poster” at event.
SPONSORSHIP LEVELS OF GIVING LEVEL
• Includes 2 signed CDs by Conrad Fisher, RTCM 10th Anniversary tote & pen.
Business logo will be included on all RTCM publicity.
• Special Event Booklet: Business logo/info in booklet for each guest at the event.
• Includes 16 free Restart Ticket Prize tickets.
LEVEL 2: PLATINUM SPONSOR—$1200 or more
• Recognition on RTCM website with link to your business website.
• Recognition on all
• 8 tickets in the designated area for you and your guests. (1 table) Special Advertising: Business logo will be included on all RTCM publicity.
• Special Event Booklet: Business logo/info in booklet for each guest at the event.
•
• Includes 8 free Restart Ticket Prize tickets.
•
• Recognition on RTCM website with link to your business website.
• Recognition on all RTCM social media venues.
•
• Recognition on screen at event. Recognition on special “Thank You Poster” at event.
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•
•
•
• Includes 1 signed CD by Conrad Fisher, RTCM 10th Anniversary tote & pen.
LEVEL 3: GOLD SPONSOR $1000 or more
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•
•
•
• Includes a CD by Conrad Fisher.
Recognition on special “Thank You Poster” at event.
• 8 people per table included in sponsorship.
LEVEL
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• Includes a CD by Conrad Fisher.
LEVEL 4: SILVER SPONSOR $800 or more
Members of Lancaster AAPI gather for a group photo at a recent potluck event.
See Lancaster AAPI pg 6
Lancaster CPR Trains People To Save Lives
BY JEFF FALK
Knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is kind of like having insurance. You hope you never have to use it, but there’s a peace of mind associated with knowing it’s there if you ever do.
The act of CPR is also one of the highest forms of respect and empathy that one human being can display for another.
“Because the investment of time and energy that it takes to learn it is very small, everyone should know it,” said Ken Brennan, an emergency medical technician (EMT), a CPR and first aid instructor and the owner of Lancaster CPR. “Everyone knows someone who’s going to need CPR. I think a lot of people feel if they need 911, they’re going to get help in seconds. But that’s not true. If a patient doesn’t survive long enough, emergency medical services can’t do their job.”
Located at 1248 W. Main St., Suite L-1, Ephrata, Lancaster CPR offers instruction in the life-changing and life-altering practices of advanced cardiac support, pediatric advanced life support, first aid and CPR. In association with the American Heart Association, Lancaster CPR primarily trains health care professionals, but it also offers instruction to groups, churches, businesses, organizations and individuals.
“We predominantly provide the training that health care workers need to do their jobs,” said Ken. “They need to be recertified every two years. Obviously, if you work in health care, the odds are much
higher that you’re going to use it. Depending on what you do, you’ll probably use it twice in your life. For the general public, I’d say the odds are one in 100 that you’re going to use it. But when you’re dealing with a large group of people, heart attacks are going to be more common.”
Lancaster CPR offers first aid training at its full classroom facility three days a week. The organization also offers on-site training for corporations or nonprofits.
Typically, Lancaster CPR’s class sizes range from six to 30 individuals.
“Let’s say you find someone on the ground,” said Ken. “The first thing you
See CPR pg 12
Lancaster AAPI
from pg 5
the end of the day, we’re a minority group.”
Through steady growth since its founding, Lancaster AAPI’s membership now numbers 300 Lancaster County residents. Many of the members are second- or third-generation citizens who live in Lancaster County communities like the city and Manheim Township.
“In the Asian culture, there are a lot of traditions we value,” said Lam Guo. “We come from immigrant families. Our grandparents worked hard and tried to pave a way for us. We take part of that and try to make a way for future generations. We try to piece two worlds together. I think the biggest difference (between the two worlds) is that we don’t take a lot of things for granted. Things weren’t given to our grandparents. They came here with nothing. We recognize how hard we have to work for the
things we get because we saw how hard they had to work. That’s what binds us.”
It is estimated that the Asian American and Pacific Islander population in Lancaster County currently numbers more than 14,000 residents, or about 2.6% of the locale’s total population.
“On every corner and on every block and at every traffic light across Lancaster County, there is an Asianowned business,” said Lam Guo. “Some people aren’t as open-minded because it’s unfamiliar. But the Asian American community will continue to drive commerce in the county. There have been so many other contributions made. If you never take the time to learn about it, you’ll never know what’s beautiful about it. If (people) can understand it, there will be more appreciation for it. We need to start developing appreciations
for other cultures, and not just the Asian culture.” Lancaster AAPI was established in 2023.
“COVID was a really tough time for a lot of Asian Americans, and (Lancaster AAPI) was a safe space to come together,” said Lam Guo. “If we’re all separated, how do people know we have a voice? It has grown so much. Every single time we get together, it feels like there’s new people. When they join Lancaster AAPI, it feels like they’re home again.”
“We are here, and we are building a community,” Lam Guo continued. “We’ve extended our arms to welcome other communities, and we hope everyone will welcome us because this is our home as well. We hope everyone will take the time to see us, hear us and value us.”
For additional information, go to www.lancaster aapi.com.
Students at a Lancaster CPR course receive instruction about first aid.
Michael A. Smith See YMCA pg 8
Golf Tourney from pg 1
training program. “It takes about $35,000 to $40,000 that we invest in each dog. If you do the math, we have 30 dogs at any given time in the program, and that’s a lot of money that we have to raise. We really count on our fundraisers.”
ASCENSION LUTHERAN CHURCH: 600 E. Penn Grant Rd., (Mailing: P.O. Box 635, Willow Street, 17584) 717-464-5683 Pastor: The Rev. Maureen L. Seifried Worship w/Holy Communion: Saturday Eve. 6 pm & Sunday 9:30 am. Livestreaming Visit: www.ascensionws.org
BETHEL CHURCH: 3716 Main Street, Conestoga. Sunday worship at 10:15 AM. Pastor: Jake Farnham. For more info, call 717-872-6755.
BREAKOUT MINISTRIES: Senior Pastors Ron & Mary Buch; Sundays at 10am. Contemporary worship & messages of freedom, healing, deliverance and discipleship. Children’s ministry includes nursery through Sr. High. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting 7-8pm; Check our web site for scheduled home bible studies.; JA Jesus based recovery meeting Saturday 7-8:30p. Men and Women groups meet monthly. Family Fun Night bi-monthly 6:30-9:00, Jr. and Sr. High youth group meets alternating months. Local and International outreaches. Web site: www.breakoutministries.org or Call for details. 2400 Anita Court, Leola, PA 17540. Ph.: (717)656-8366
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF STRASBURG : 101 South Decatur Street, Strasburg. Services: Traditional 8:30am., Contemporary 11am., Sunday School 10am. Nursery Care available. Facebook.com/StrasPres, StrasPres.org 717-687-6030
GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF MILLERSVILLE 121 Walnut Hill Rd., Millersville. Sunday Worship at 8:30 am & 10:30 am. Phone: 717-872-4581 www.findgracehere.org
GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF WILLOW STREET: 212 Peach Bottom Rd., Willow Street. Pastor- Mike Sigman. Weekend Worship: 6pm Saturday, Contemporary; Sunday Worship: 8 a.m. Traditional; 9:15am & 11am Contemporary. Sunday Schl from infant-5th grade, meets simultaneously with the 6pm, 9:15 & 11am Worship Services. GCC Young Adults - Tues. 7 pm. Youth Ministry- Sun. & Wed. 6:30 pm. Numerous Small Groups. 717-464-5333 www.gccws.net info@gccws.net
HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH: IndependentBible Believing. Meeting at 211 Gap Rd., Strasburg, PA. Weekly Worship on Sundays at 11 am. Also meeting Wednesdays at 7 pm for weekly Bible Study & Kids Club. Phone: 717-938-8755. Visit us online at: www.hopeforstrasburg.com
LAMPETER UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 1101 Village Rd. Lampeter. Join us to worship our Lord during our in-person worship on Sundays at 8am (traditional service) & 10:30am (contemporary service). The 10am service is also livestreamed on our Facebook page. Sunday School for all ages at 9:10 am Ph: 717-464-4161 John Smith, Pastor E-mail: Lumcoffice@comcast.net Visit us online: www.lampeterumc.com
MT. EDEN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH: 1241 May Post Office Rd., Quarryville, (5 mi. South of Strasburg, 3 mi. North of 372). Rev. Margaret Rohnacher, Pastor. Sunday worship service 9:30 am. Limited handicap accessibility. 717-786-7565 mtedenlutheranchurch@gmail.com
PARKESBURG WORD OF FAITH CHURCH Sunday Service 10 am & Wednesday prayer at 7:30 pm - at 501 Lenover Rd., Parkesburg, PA 19365. Call 610-593-2277 www.parkesburgwordoffaith.org
PROVIDENCE CHURCH: 269 Cinder Road, New Providence. 717-786-5580. Family Worship Services at 9:00 & 10:45 AM led by Pastor Dwight Lefever. Handicapped Access. Visit us online at www.provchurch.net for more information and church updates. Livestreamed services during both worship hours.
REFTON BIC CHURCH: 110 Church St., Refton, Scott MacFeat, Jr. Lead, Pastor. Sunday Worship 10-11:15 am. We offer LIVESTREAM services via YouTube, search “Refton Church”. Clothing Room: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, 6:307:30pm. Rental Space available. Visit reftonchurch.org for more info. 717806-5812.
THE WAKEFIELD VINEYARD: 2292 Robert Fulton Hwy., Peach Bottom. Senior Pastors Mark & Pam Couch Join us on Sundays @ 10:15 AM For more info, call 717-955-0173.
WILLOW STREET UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST: 2723 Willow Street Pk., Willow Street. Pastor: Rev. Dr. Zachary C. Wooten. For more information: 717464-3462 or office@wsucc.com
Please Note: Updates can be made to your church’s listing for 1st issue date of each month only.
(Changes must be submitted by the previous Wednesday.)
For More Information On Church Listings And Rates, Call Justin at 717-492-2533
Breece noted that the tournament has continued to grow. “We really appreciate the support of the community since 2020, when we had our first golf tournament in the midst of a pandemic, and that didn’t stop anyone from wanting to come out and support the dogs,” she said. “We have been able to grow this year over year. We do have a lofty goal this year to raise $70,000. Last year, we raised $65,000, so it certainly isn’t out of the possibility that we can do that. But we really need the community to support this effort, and there are a lot of people that love golf.”
UDS previously held its golf tournament on a Friday afternoon in August. “We’re hoping that this change
elevates the event a little bit, and also as we continue to grow, we are looking into possibly holding two flights in the future,” said Breece. “We need to make this event add $100,000 to our bottom line. It’s really important that we get at least a fifth of our revenue goal from this fundraising event.”
Breece stated that UDS works with individuals who have mobility disabilities such as muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis and people who require assistance through a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair.
“Those are the type of clients that we’re able to help, because all service dogs will be trained to retrieve and deliver (items) to somebody’s lap,” she said.
UDS also provides facility dogs for school districts, therapy offices, and child advocacy centers. “The dogs are not just touching one life,” said Breece. “They’re touching hundreds of lives.”
UDS also supplies home companion dogs on rare
occasions. “We placed one a couple of years ago,” said Breece. “The dog’s sole duty is to open the back door so that a woman in the wheelchair can get outside on her deck every day without her husband having to come home. Now she has a better quality of life because she can go be outside.”
Breece pointed out the golf tournament is crucial in helping UDS offset the cost for individuals.
“Every year, consistently, we lose $300,000 to $500,000 because we can’t ask for the full cost from our clients,” Breece said.
“There’s no way you can ask $30,000 from our vulnerable citizens, so we ask for $5,000. That’s a fraction, and it barely covers
the cost of the first year of training or the vet care or even purchasing the puppy. We are investing $35,000 to $45,000 into each puppy.”
Golf sponsors include WellSpan, Primitives by Kathy, Alert Medical Alarms, Personal Wealth Advisory, Rineer Renovations, MI Windows & Doors, Bill and Kit Gamber, SN Lombardo Capital, Donegal Insurance Group, Simon Lever, Keller Bros. Ford, Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre, ELA Group, Weis Markets, and Hines Insurance Services.
Sponsorships are available until Aug. 15 in various categories. For additional information, contact Breece at 717-847-0445 or lorib@udservices.org.
YMCA from pg 7
marketing, and IT. Prior to this role, Smith served as director of operations in Lancaster and as branch executive director in Shrewsbury. Smith previously worked as executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of York & Adams Counties and held fundraising positions within the United Way system.
and together they are raising three children. He is an active community volunteer and youth sports coach, and he has served on several local nonprofit boards. Grounded in his Christian faith, Smith views his work with the YMCA as a calling to serve others and strengthen the community.
Born and raised in York, Smith earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from York College of Pennsylvania. He is married to his wife, Alesha,
Smith brings a steady, mission-focused leadership style, with a strong emphasis on team-building, operational effectiveness, and long-term sustainability.
Charlie (top, left), Noah (top, right), and Akers (bottom) take a break during last year’s UDSF golf tournament.
Family Oriented
BY ANN MEAD ASH
According to Matthew Waltman, adopting children was a “staple” with his family of origin. “My sister is adopted from China,” he said. “(We were part of) a community with other families adopting internationally, and there were play groups and get-togethers specifically to celebrate adoption and make (the adoptees) feel special for what made them different,” Matthew shared.
With that background, it was only natural for Matthew and his wife, Nicole, to opt for adoption with their own family. “I knew that was something I wanted to do for sure,” said Matthew. With Nicole and their 4-year-old daughter on board, the Waltmans decided to pursue private adoption, and they are currently working through that process.
Adoption is not an inexpensive endeavor. Unlike with biological children, there is no insurance that covers part of the cost. To offset the expenses, Matthew and Nicole have organized a night of music featuring food and help from family members. The event will be open to the public.
Music at The Homestead will be held at 3700 Holly Drive, Gordonville,
on Sunday, Aug. 10, from 5 to 9 p.m. There is an admission charge to enjoy the live music of three acts. Food trucks will be present selling a variety of items. Yard games will be set up for attendees to enjoy, and beverages will be available by donation. A silent auction will be held as well.
“Music is something that I love,” shared Nicole, who has lined up bands of different genres to play at the event. “I have a lot of family members and friends who are musicians.”
The Peach Bottom Boys is a bluegrass group made up of Nicole’s cousins. Ryan and Alyssa Mayersky will play country music at the event. “(Alyssa is) my sister, and my brother-in-law (is Ryan),” said Nicole. “He is an up-and-coming country musician.” Members of the third band are related to Matthew. “30 East is Matthew’s cousin’s band,” explained Nicole. “They all do gigs on the side.”
Food at the event will be offered for purchase by Nano Burger, The Eggroll Lady, and Joe on the Go Coffee Co. For dessert, Penny’s Ice Cream will be onsite. “Penny’s is a favorite at The Homestead,” shared Nicole.
The silent auction will feature a variety of donated items. “We will have a large
gift basket from the Speckled Hen,” shared Matthew. Other items that will be up for bids will include artwork, pottery, and a professional photography session. Nicole shared that a spa package from Darla’s Hair Care and Spa and a consult and adjustment by a local chiropractor will be auctioned off, as will a massage.
More information about the event may be found at https://tinyurl.com/ bp64cv3w. Organizers request that those planning to attend register ahead.
The Waltmans hope to raise $10,000 from the event. They noted that The Homestead is a family-owned business and that family members will be playing the music and family and friends
PUBLIC AUCTION
will donate items for the auction. “It’s family, and it’s personal,” explained Nicole. “But I want the community to come out and support us and enjoy an evening of music and for it to be an enjoyable time for everybody.”
Railroading Merit Badge Workshops Set
The Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 Gap Road, Strasburg, has announced on-site railroading merit badge workshops for Saturdays, Sept. 20 and Nov. 15.
The programs will offer an opportunity for boys and girls ages 11 through 17 who are involved in Scouting to learn by working with historic artifacts and model trains. The daylong workshops will feature various railroad-themed activities, including tours, demonstrations, and a G-scale model railroad simulation. All requirements will be fulfilled in a single day. A unique Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania “Railroading Merit Badge” patch is
an extra reward for participants who complete the workshop at the museum. Scouts must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The workshops are capped at 25 Scouts each and will be filled on a firstcome, first-served basis. People may purchase tickets for one Scout and one accompanying adult for a set fee or tickets for three Scouts and one adult for a discounted fee.
For more information and to register, search for “Railroading Merit Badge Workshop” at www .eventbrite.com.
To learn more about the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, visit www .rrmuseumpa.org or call 717-687-8628.
AUGUST 8 & 9,
• Quarryville, PA
ANNIVERSARY
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), a worldwide ministry of Anabaptist churches, shares God’s love and compassion for all in the name of Christ by responding to basic human needs and working for peace and justice. MCC envisions communities worldwide in right relationship with God, one another, and creation.
PUBLIC AUCTION
Waltman family members (from left) Matthew, Joanna, and Nicole will benefit from an adoption fundraiser to help add to their family.
Bird Club Posts Meeting, Field Trip
The Lancaster County Bird Club (LCBC) will meet on Thursday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area’s Visitor Center, 100 Museum Road, Stevens. Mike Moore will present “Unconfusing Fall Warblers: A Practical Birding Program to Prepare You for Fall Migration!”
Moore will discuss warblers and how they are not as confusing as they may appear, and he will explain how to identify warblers in the fall. He will cover all of the warblers commonly seen in the mid-Atlantic area.
Moore is a retired biology professor and a past president of Delaware Ornithological Society. He started birding in middle school and has had a lifelong passion for birds, which included completing his doctorate at the University of Washington on the field endocrinology of White-crowned Sparrows. He served on the biology faculty at Arizona State University for 27 years and then moved to the University of Delaware, where he retired after 11 years. He has been funded throughout his career by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health and has published nearly 100 papers in scientific journals. He also has a passion for dragonflies and serves as a vice president for the Dragonfly Society of the Americas.
The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call 717-8563851 or 717-725-2717.
The LCBC will also offer a field trip to Clark Nature Preserve in Pequea on Saturday, Aug. 9, starting at 7 a.m.
Participants will explore the meadow and woodlands for summer birds such as buntings, vireos, and tanagers. Attendees must register by 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, by contacting trip leader Sarah Gotwols at 717-940-3804 or sarahann71880@gmail.com.
For more information about the club, visit www.lancasterbirdclub .org, www.facebook.com/ lancasterbirdclub and www.instagram.com/ lancasterbirdclub.
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have to do is make sure it’s safe for you. Then you tap the person on the shoulder, and if they don’t respond, you call for help, get someone to call 911 and try to get an AED (automated external defibrillator). You might check their breathing, and you might check their pulse. If you have to, start doing compressions on their chest, and decide if you want to give breaths.”
“It’s easy to learn,” continued Ken. “What it comes down to is doing compressions on the chest. If you’re doing something that resembles compressions, the person’s chances are better than zero. If you’re learning the basics of CPR, it only takes a half hour. But not everyone wants to learn to do this.”
One of the keys to successfully administering CPR is immediacy and a sense of urgency.
“There’s a very short window of opportunity, usually two to three minutes when someone goes into cardiac arrest,” said Ken. “The more people who know CPR, the more likely we’re going to be able to save lives. It should take less than 20 seconds to determine if CPR is necessary.”
“Among the general public, about one in 500 people have taken a course,” added Ken. “But if someone has been trained in CPR in high school, they don’t really know anything now. That’s why it’s important to update it.”
Ken originally started teaching CPR at Lancaster General Hospital. After he left the hospital, he began offering CPR instruction on his own, before he and his wife, Ashley Brennan, founded Lancaster CPR in 2015.
“There was a lot of demand not being met, and that’s sort of how we got started,” said Ken. “I started doing it myself on the side. The classes were relatively successful, and we just went from there. The business success hasn’t changed because we were in the right place, at the right time, at the right location, under the right circumstances.”
For additional information, go to www.lancaster cpr.com.
