Lampeter-Strasburg NOVEMBER 20, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE: THANKSGIVING MEALS SET page 4
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 34
FUNDRAISING BONANZA
The Lancaster County Community Foundation will hold the eighth annual Extraordinary Give on Friday, Nov. 22. On that day, from midnight to 11:59 p.m., individuals may visit www.ExtraGive.org, choose from participating local nonprofit organizations, and make an online donation. All participating organizations will receive a prorated portion of the stretch pool, which will total at least $500,000. An additional $50,000 in prizes will be offered to nonprofit organizations throughout the day. A number of special events will be hosted by various organizations. Visit www.ExtraGive.org.
Pioneers Post District Win pg 10
Orchestra Slates Holiday Concerts pg 2
Community Choir Prepares For “Messiah” By Dayna M. Reidenouer
ALTRUISTIC SHOPPING
The 12th annual Gifts That Give Hope (GTGH) Lancaster Alternative Gift Fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, in Landis Hall at The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Road, Manheim. Individuals may make charitable gift donations to any of 30 on-site nonprofits in honor of loved ones. Additionally, vendors will sell fair trade items, and there will be a scavenger hunt for children. Food will be available to purchase from local vendors. New this year, the Giving Hope Food Tour, for a fee, will offer a taste of dishes from eight food booths. To learn more, visit www.giftsthatgivehope.org/lancaster or search for “Gifts That Give Hope: Lancaster’s Alternative Gift Fair” on Facebook. COMMUNITY MEAL
2723 Willow Street Pike North, Willow Street, will offer a free community meal on Tuesday, Nov. 26, in its fellowship hall. Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. The menu will feature meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn, fruit cup, salad, and pie. For details, call 717-464-3462.
Tom Berdos (far right) and a group of community members are rehearsing for a performance of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah,” which will take place at Memorial UMC in Quarryville on Dec. 15. Attendance will be limited to 300 people, and tickets are available now.
The annual Advent vespers service in historic Boehm’s Chapel, 13 W. Boehm’s Road, Willow Street, has been scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 1, at 3 p.m. While vespers is traditionally held between 4 and 6 p.m., the service at Boehm’s will be held at an earlier time
YULETIDE AT WHEATLAND
LancasterHistory, 230 N. President Ave., Lancaster, will present Yuletide at Wheatland: Christmas Below Stairs from Monday, Nov. 25, through Monday, Dec. 30. Tours will be provided on Mondays through Saturdays on the hour starting at 10 a.m., with the last tour at 3 p.m. The tour will take visitors “below stairs” to learn about German and Irish domestic servants and how they would have celebrated the holidays in the mid-1800s. Tickets are available at www.lancasterhistory.org/yuletide.
“They get started before I get to go in, and it sounds so good,” Merleen Troutman commented as she prepared to check in singers who were arriving at Memorial United Methodist Church (UMC) for a rehearsal of the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.” “I’m very excited (about the production). To me, it’s grand and big for the community. People traveling to come sing for us I’m just really amazed at it,” she said. Led by Tom Berdos and accompanied on organ by his wife, Deborah Berdos, the rehearsals on Wednesday nights have been a positive experience for everyone involved. Approximately 90 people from Lancaster and York counties have registered to sing in the production, which will take place on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. at the church, 101 S. Hess St., Quarryville.
“It’s been a great turnout from the community,” Tom said, sharing that he had hoped for 60 to 70 people. About 20 of the participants, including Troutman, are from Memorial’s choir. An additional 20 singers are expected to come from New Jersey, where the Berdoses previously lived and produced similar performances of “Messiah.” A full orchestra and professional soloists will also be part of the Dec. 15 production. “I think we’re doing well with it,” Tom said of rehearsing the music. “They’re working hard, and they’re having fun. We laugh at our mistakes and keep learning.” “It’s been very fun and exciting,” agreed John Rintz of Strasburg Township. A member of Mount Eden Lutheran Church, Rintz joined the group as a way of reconnecting with his musical side following a busy career and the recent death of his spouse. “The first See Community Choir pg 3
Boehm’s Chapel To Host Advent Vespers Water Street Mission Opens Providence Shelter for the comfort of attendees who prefer not to drive after dark. The service will include the a capella singing of traditional carols and the reading of the story of Jesus Christ’s birth as related through the Holy Scripture. Linda Krick, who is the director of music at Trinity Lutheran Church in New Holland, and cornet player Keith Wilson will provide special music. Following the worship service, guests will be invited to enjoy refreshments on the porch of the Tying Shed located next to the chapel. The program will be open to the public and suitable for people of all ages. A freewill offering will be accepted. Boehm’s Chapel is a heritage landmark of the United Methodist Church. Built in 1791, it was first Methodist church in Lancaster County. It remains the oldest existing structure built for See Boehm’s Chapel pg 3
Historic Boehm’s Chapel south of Willow Street will be the site of an annual Advent vespers service on Dec. 1.
By Dayna M. Reidenouer
“We call this the Water Street Marriott location and youth hostel,” Mike Burkholder, chair of the board of directors of Water Street Mission, 210 S. Prince St., Lancaster, joked to open his comments at the Nov. 13 ribboncutting ceremony for the mission’s new Providence emergency shelter. The facility was created by renovating 9,000 square feet of warehouse space into a comfortable, attractive place where individuals may receive immediate care, shelter, and the opportunity for a better life. “Several years ago, (we looked at how to) align our core values and what we believe God’s heart is for
our guests and our facilities,” Burkholder continued, noting that offering dignity, hope, and healing is part of the mission’s values. “(At Providence), guests See Water Street Mission pg 2
Water Street Mission president Jack Crowley (left) and Lisa, a guest of the Water Street Mission, cut the ribbon at the grand opening of the emergency shelter named Providence on Nov. 13. The renovated warehouse will provide safe, trauma-informed services for homeless individuals.
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Duo Plans Performance pg 3