Lampeter-Strasburg townlively.com
NOVEMBER 8, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 27
Southern End moms stick together BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
When Aubrie Fry of Christiana was pregnant with her son, she attended a Lititz Stroller Gang meeting with her friend Becca Leboon. The group comprises mothers from across the county who regularly gather to go for a walk and exchange mother-tomother support. Fry loved the idea, but she realized there was no equivalent to the Lititz Stroller Gang in the Southern End. In the months following the birth of her son, Fry found herself struggling with postpartum challenges, and she decided it was time for the Southern End to have its own support group for mothers. Fry reached out to Leboon and a few other friends to help with the logistics of creating the group and setting up its Facebook page. Fry also reached out to the leader of the Lititz Stroller Gang for advice. “She told me that if it was something God led me to, then people would show up,” Fry said.
Fry and her friends held their first meeting last July, calling themselves the Southern End Strollers. The group meets every Tuesday at 9 a.m., and the location the meetings alternates to include parks in different areas. The moms rotate through a list of parks that includes Daniel’s Den in Central Manor, Jaycee Park in Strasburg and Huffnagle Park in Quarryville. The location is coordinated by the Southern End Strollers’ members via the group ’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Since its first meeting, the Southern End Strollers’ number of members has been steadily increasing; the weekly walks are now attended by twice as many mothers as they were in July, and the Facebook group has grown to include more than 140 members. In addition to selecting the location, the Southern End Strollers’ social media features a member every week. The mom of the week is encouraged to share her story, favorite aspect of motherhood and her favorite Bible verse. “It’s important to have an outlet
Southern End Strollers members (from left) Becca Leboon, Mikayla Bitts and Savannah Funk meet for a weekly walk.
organize a bonfire to celebrate Thanksgiving with her fellow strollers in late November.
Jenn Knepper knows a good idea when she sees one. Sixteen years ago, Knepper read about a unique gift fair being staged in Harrisburg by a women’s group. She reached out to the group, and after some thought, she came to the conclusion that the concept would be something that could benefit the Lancaster County community as well. Fast forward to 2023 and the annual Gifts That Give Hope
(GTGH) alternative gift fair is alive, well and thriving. The event is known for its ability to bring nonprofits together, its unique approach to gift giving and its propensity for fostering hope. “We want people to think more about the things they buy and what goes into them,” said Knepper. “The gift fair is a connection point for people to find out about people who are working to make the world a better place. I describe it as a live version of a gift catalog, except you walk into the event. We want people
For more information, search for “Southern End Strollers” on Facebook or Instagram.
Fundraiser will support veterans and local small businesses Debbie Helm, owner of Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard. “People take pride in it; it feels good to purchase gifts locally instead of shopping online.” More than 25 vendors will set up throughout the property, and Atlas Assistance Dogs will sell holiday arrangements and decorations. The organization will retain 100% of its sales profits, which will support its efforts to expand accessibility to service dogs throughout the country. In addition to highlighting local vendors for Vines for Veterans, Britain Hill will host several local
BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD BY JEFF FALK
Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard, 790 Little Britain Road North, Quarryville, will hold its annual Vines for Veterans fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 25. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., the event will feature a variety of vendors, prize drawings and refreshments. The proceeds will benefit multiple nonprofit organizations that support veterans in the local area. “It’s a way for people to kick off the holiday shopping season while supporting a good cause,” said
See Gift fair pg 3
See Vines for Veterans pg 2
Exotic Travel Soap participated in last year’s fundraiser and will return to Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard on Saturday, Nov. 25.
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GTGH hints at true meaning of holidays
like this. It’s vital to have people in the same season of life as you for advice and encouragement and to know you’re not alone,” Fry said. Members of the group support each other through challenges such as miscarriages and infertility, offering words of encouragement and prayer to struggling mothers. The members also bounce ideas off one another on topics that include the best way to handle a toddler’s tantrum or successful methods of treating a child’s rash. Although many of the women are currently navigating the same stage of motherhood, the Southern End Strollers group includes mothers of all kinds: Some members have a newborn child, while others have children who are adults. On the first Tuesday of every month, Joe on the Go Coffee Co. donates coffee for the participants of the walk. In addition to the regular walks, the Southern End Strollers also meet for special events such as Moms’ Night Out, where group members meet at a restaurant for dinner. Fry plans to
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