Lampeter-Strasburg /townlively
SEPTEMBER 30, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVII • NO 23
West Lampeter Announces Village Park Fundraising Campaign BY FRANCINE FULTON
Village Park in West Lampeter Township is currently being transformed into a sports complex, complete with fields for soccer, lacrosse, baseball, volleyball, football and softball. Also planned are a handicapped-accessible playground, butterfly gardens, a walking trail and parking lots. The West Lampeter Township Community Foundation, which was formed to raise funds for the $2.5 million project, recently announced the kickoff of the community fundraising phase for Village Park, titled “We’re Taking the Field.” A progress meter showing campaign contributions to date was unveiled at the site on Sept. 15 by campaign chairs George Desmond, Geoff Beers and Randy Moyer. As of late September, the progress meter at the entrance to the park shows that about $1.6 million has already been donated or pledged by West Lampeter Township, local residents, businesses,
foundations and organizations. Grant funding has also been secured from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Department of Community and Economic Development. According to township manager DeeDee McGuire, Village Park currently offers a softball field and serves as the host site for the Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA facility. The playing fields are being constructed in an open field at the site. “There was a playground there and a small softball diamond. It was OK for practice but not for real games,” she said. “Different sports groups would come and use it for years as is.” She noted that the new fields will give local teams a place to play and may also attract teams from other areas. “Now that we made improvements, and with the extra parking, we will see more activities like tournaments,” McGuire said. “Because the actual fields are being done professionally and completely, there should be more (organized) activities.” See Village Park pg 3
High View Welcomes New Pastor Community Meals To Begin BY DAYNA M. REIDENOUER
A lifelong member of Assembly of God (AG) churches, Mark Thiboldeaux never expected he would pastor a congregation in a different denomination, but the Lord has a way of surprising people. Mark grew up in north Philadelphia and earned a bachelor’s degree in Bible from Valley Forge Christian College. He held youth pastor positions in New Jersey and in Berwick See High View pg 2
Friends Group Announces Purchases For Police BY DAYNA M. REIDENOUER
The Friends of the Force group has supported the West Lampeter Township Police Department (WLTPD) since 2009. Through private donations, the Friends are able to support the purchases of equipment for public use. The annual fund drive letters were mailed prior to the stay-at-home order was announced in March, and contributions have continued to arrive. This year, the Friends funded the purchase of body shields, a subscription to PoliceOne Academy Training, a new automatic external defibrillator (AED), and the ongoing replacement of adult and pediatric defibrillation pads as well as the repair of the speed alert message sign. Additionally, the Friends assisted in outfitting a new patrol vehicle New body shields (right) were purchased by the with necessary equipment. Friends of the Force to replace the The speed alert message sign is used in the worn-out shields previously used by the West See Friends Group pg 2 Lampeter Township Police Department.
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Members of the West Lampeter Township Community Foundation (from left) Randy Moyer, Geoff Beers and George Desmond unveiled the progress meter for Village Park fundraising in West Lampeter Township on Sept. 15.