Lampeter-Strasburg townlively.com
NOVEMBER 22, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 29
train A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity Model fundraiser BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
n Saturday, Nov. 25, Abby Calderwood of Strasburg will travel to Radio City Music Hall in New York City to be part of the Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular. Abby, age 6, will be accompanied by her mother, Kim Calderwood, and grandmother, Debbie Mexdorf, who will perform with a barbershop choir that comprises singers from across Lancaster County. When Kim and Debbie’s choir performs “Silent Night,” Abby will join the vocalists on stage to provide a translation of the lyrics for the audience in American Sign Language. “We are exceptionally excited to represent Lancaster on one of the most historically significant stages in the country,” Kim said. “This is extraordinarily special for our family as three generations will be together performing to music, which is something that is a foundation of who we are as a family.” Every year, a group of singers from Lancaster County is invited to perform in the annual holiday series at Radio City Music Hall. After Kim and Debbie were invited to join the group this year, Abby wished to join her mother and grandmother for practice so she could watch. At the rehearsal, the organizers of the show offered Abby the opportunity to play her own role as a sign language interpreter. Although she did not yet have any experience with the language, Abby took on the challenge of learning the lyrics for the song. While Kim and
will benefit local food banks BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD
Abby Calderwood, age 6, will serve as a sign language interpreter during the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular on Saturday, Nov. 25, in New York City.
local residents by choir director, pianist and Lancaster native Darla Bair. In 2016, Bair was asked to bring her children’s choir to Radio City Music Hall to participate in
the show, and she has returned with various singers almost every year since. For more information, contact Bair at musictohealour world@gmail.com.
For many families, the return of the holiday season is accompanied by unique traditions and timehonored festivities. Some people enjoy caroling through their neighborhood, and others share a plump ham on Christmas morning. However, local residents Al Strausner and his grandson Matthew Palmeri prefer to celebrate the season by taking a different track - literally. Every December, Strausner and Palmeri travel to West Willow United Methodist Church, 118 West Willow Road, Willow Street, where they join forces to assemble model train displays. The display is then made available to view until the end of the month, during which time Strausner and Palmeri receive monetary donations and nonperishable food items for local food banks. This year, the two locomotive enthusiasts will collect donations for Solanco Neighborhood Ministries in Quarryville and Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services in Lancaster; each organization operates a food bank in its respective area. Last year, Strausner and Palmeri collected See Train display pg 3 EPHRATA
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Debbie have been rehearsing over the last few months, Abby has been hard at work watching instructional videos and honing her skills in preparation for the show. “It’s only been a few months, but she’s developed a love for it,” Kim said. Abby and her family have a strong connection to music. Kim studied as a music major at Messiah College, and Debbie regularly competes as a member of another choir, which won fourth place in an international competition at the beginning of November. This show may be Abby’s first time playing the role of a sign language interpreter, but she is an experienced performer just like her mother and grandmother; she has previously joined the cast of Popovsky Performing Arts Studio’s production of “Annie,” and she had her first piano recital on Nov. 19. Additionally, Abby began performing in dance recitals when she was 2 years old. “This will be the biggest thing she’s done yet, and I’m excited for her,” Kim said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Abby is a first-grade student at Lampeter Elementary. Beyond her passion for music, she enjoys gymnastics, horseback riding and working with other kids to complete projects in the area for Mitzvah Kids. Abby said she is looking forward to seeing New York City, where she will go ice skating with Kim and Debbie on the day of the Christmas Spectacular. The opportunity to open for the Rockettes’ show is annually offered to