Manheim Central townlively.com
MARCH 3, 2021
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXII • NO 6
Celebrating People With Special Needs at the LCBC Manheim Campus, 2392 Mount Joy Road. The following evening, a virtual Night to Shine was held to allow guests to celebrate in the comfort of their homes. “We had 195 guests registered for the event,” Ketcham remarked. “Each guest received a name tag that was taped to their vehicle, so we knew who was in there, as well as a swag bag that was filled with snacks and treats as they drove the designated route.”
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Pleasant View resident Darlene Shenk (left) gets Christmas caroling is a favorite activity for some assistance from Manheim Central students both students in Interact Club and residents of Adam D’Angelo (center) and Stefan Spohn during Pleasant View Retirement Community. a pre-COVID technology help night.
Partnership Brings Generations Together BY CATHY MOLITORIS
partnership between high school students and senior citizens has brought joy to both groups as students in Manheim Central High School’s Interact Club have made a connection with residents of Pleasant View Retirement Community in Manheim. “It’s really nice to connect with the community and bridge the gap between teenagers and the older generation,” said Emma Levitan, a 12th-grade student. “I love being able to bring joy to the residents, especially during a time like this past year.” The partnership began after former Interact adviser Lu Ann Wise approached the retirement community about bringing club members in for Christmas caroling a few years ago. “That was so well received, we started thinking, ‘What else could we do?’” recalled Wise, who is retired but volunteers as a club adviser. Soon, the club members were holding technology help nights twice a year. “Teens are really tech savvy, and a lot of our residents are new to technology,” said Aubrey Smith, community engagement coordinator for Pleasant View. “It was great to have the students help our residents with everything from their digital cameras to iPads to printing.”
“I love being able to bring joy to the residents, especially during a time like this past year.” A lot of it was really simple to help with, but some of it was challenging, too. I learned a little bit about flip phones because I didn’t know much about them before I went.” Interact Club has a mission of helping others, said Emmy Varner, club president. “We engage in community service projects,” she explained, adding that the group might clean up a roadside or babysit children during parent-teacher conferences. “This year has looked a little different for us, but we’re still finding ways to connect with other people.” This year, the club is focusing on a pen pal program with the Pleasant View residents, with a modern twist.
“(Club adviser) Lyndsey Rote suggested an idea to make connections with residents who are in quarantine and feeling isolated,” said adviser Amy Burdyn. “This prompted this idea of doing video pals, where club members get to visit with their new friend from Pleasant View by video chat.” In December, club members sent Christmas cards to residents, and at Easter each year, they typically have organized egg hunts for residents and their families. Larissa Stern, a senior at Manheim Central, said the partnership between Interact and Pleasant View has offered her a chance to connect with other people and spread happiness. “I have gotten to meet so many amazing people at Pleasant View, and you get to hear such incredible life stories,” she stated, noting that Christmas caroling is one of her favorite activities to do with the residents. “You can just see the joy on their faces, and it’s wonderful.” Smith said the club has been a welcome addition for the residents at Pleasant View, especially in a particularly difficult year. “The relationships between the senior citizens and the high school students is amazing,” she stated. “It’s meant so much to our residents, because they have been without interaction with other people for far too long.”
March
See Night To Shine pg 3
The Night to Shine “Shine-Thru” featured a drive-through event for guests, including Becky Box.
Vendor And Craft Show Will Spotlight Local Businesses
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Mitzvah Moms Give Back . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Free Fitness Hike Planned . . . . . . . . . .3
BY CATHY MOLITORIS
Participants Invited To Move For Life . . . . . . . . . .6
It may be winter, but spring is just around the corner. The Spring Roses Vendor and Craft Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, at the Manheim Community Farm Show Exhibition Hall, 502 E. Adele Ave. More than 25 vendors will offer a range of products and services, said Janessa Diffenderfer, host of the event.
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . .12 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . .12 Business Directory . . . . .16
See Craft Show pg 4
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Students were paired one-toone with residents, and participants soon realized both parties were benefiting from the technology nights. “I went to my first tech night two years ago,” said Emma Moyer, a junior at Manheim Central. “It was so much fun working with the residents.
For the past five years, the coordinators of Night to Shine, Lancaster Collaboration have had to change the location of the event to accommodate an ever-growing number of guests. This year, they had to completely revamp the celebration, but it still offered a fun night out - and in. The Night to Shine is an annual event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation to give people with special needs a prom experience. Typically, it’s an inperson event that pairs guests with a volunteer buddy for the evening, but this year looked a little different, said Joell Ketcham, event organizer. This year involved a twonight celebration, starting with a “Shine-Thru” drivethrough event on Feb. 11
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