Lampeter-Strasburg townlively.com
OCTOBER 23, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXI • NO 25
A little library with a big impact BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
I
n July, Aaron Freas of Lampeter officially opened a free community book station with the help of his parents, Al and Janene Freas. The small library, named Linus and Lucy’s Little Free Library, is located at the Freases’ home on Glebe Lane near Rockvale Road, and it is one of many ways 26-year-old Aaron connects with his local community. Many people in the Lampeter and Quarr yville areas know Aaron for his infectious positivity and love for meeting people in the community. Aaron uses a wheelchair and requires an augmentative speaking device to communicate, but it doesn’t stop him from handing out pins with his original artwork on them and shaking hands with everyone he meets. “Everybody has their own abilities to make a difference in the world,” Al said. “For some people,
making that difference takes more effort. But when Aaron makes an impact, it’s a lasting one.” In June, Al retired after teaching mathematics at George A. Smith Middle School in Solanco School District, but he said he and Aaron still have plenty of friends and know familiar faces in the Quarryville community. After Al retired from teaching, he began to brainstorm with Aaron and Janene to find a project to complete over the summer. Aaron and Janene had been toying with the idea of setting up a community book station for many years, and the family decided it was finally time to take on the endeavor. Once Al, Janene and Aaron purchased an outdoor bookcase, they had local utility companies check the property to ensure its safe installation, and Linus and Lucy’s Little Free Librar y officially opened on July 5. A aron ador ned the library with decorations, and he frequently scours yard sales and
Aaron Freas (center) opened a free community book station at his home in Lampeter with the help of his
See Little library pg 2 parents, Al (left) and Janene Freas (right).
Tricks, treats and traditions Of all the holidays traditionally celebrated around the world, Halloween is one of the most unique - and most peculiar celebrations of the year. When autumn ushers in the start of the holiday season, many people first think of Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas gifts as the colder months approach. But Halloween, a day that one might regard as the delinquent younger sibling in the family of holidays, has a long history of odd customs that set it apart from Yuletide and Easter, and residents of Lancaster County Three young Mountville residents donned superhero suits and See Halloween pg 3 ghoulish disguises for a night of trick-or-treating circa 2006.
Amish Made Furniture, Custom For You.
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
In 2020, nature preser ves, hiking trails and state parks across the United States saw a massive increase in visitors as Americans sought activities that were unaffected by COVID-19 safety restrictions. Outdoor escapes offered an alternative to social gatherings and indoor events that were temporarily placed on hold, and many people
found refuge in nature. Lancaster County is rife with lush parks and scenic hiking trails, but Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve in Holtwood became one of the most popular destinations for stir-crazy local residents to escape to. Four years later, Lancaster Conservancy has announced an expansion project that will increase the size of the park by 43 acres. After the expansion, Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve will encompass See Nature pg 8
2318 Beaver Valley Pike New Providence (1 mile north of Quarryville on Route 222)
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BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Conservancy announces expansion of Kelly’s Run Nature Preserve
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