Manheim Central DECEMBER 18, 2019
IN THIS ISSUE: CHURCH PLANS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE page 14
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 50
CHRISTMAS CANTATA
The sanctuary choir at Zion Lutheran Church,
ASL CLASSES
The Lancaster Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (LCDHH), 2270 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, will offer beginner non-credit American Sign Language (ASL) classes from 6 to 8 p.m. from Tuesday, Jan. 7, through Thursday, Feb. 27. Students will meet once per week on either Tuesday or Thursday. There is a cost per student, plus a fee for books. All courses will be taught by instructors who are deaf. For details or to register, contact 717-207-9822 or lcdhh@bdhhs.org. Individuals may also stop by the office for an application.
Annual Volleyball Tournament Set pg 6
By Ann Mead Ash
Mindy Lapp, Jack Herr, and Sean High, founders of Ease the Burden (ETB), have created a brochure to help county residents understand the mission of the organization. “This is a flowchart we made to make it simple for people,” explained Lapp. “It’s a way to fund needs in the Lancaster community by filling in the gaps that might not necessarily be covered by most organizations,” added Herr. ETB was founded to help county residents who do not need help under normal circumstances, but who have come up against a hardship. “We are here for the working class who maybe by a few hundred dollars a year don’t qualify for help,” said Lapp. Hardships
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might include health care expenses, housing problems, or other expenses that could squeeze an individual or a family to the breaking point. “This is for the family that is doing everything right,” explained Lapp. “They’re not living beyond their means … (but) they are one furnace breaking down or alternator failing from going under.” To ease the burdens of those in need, ETB founders plan to form partnerships with churches and nonprofit organizations that know the needs of the local community and have the personnel to screen requests and distribute funds appropriately. These organizations would submit grant requests to ETB. “(The organizations) find the need, (do an intake,) and submit the request to us,” said High. See Ease The Burden pg 9
Founders of Ease the Burden, a new organization to help residents in the county in need, are (from left) Sean High, Mindy Lapp, and Jack Herr. The organization was inspired by Stumptown Mennonite Church members who reached out to help individuals facing serious financial situations.
Rec Center Slates Winter Programs Malmedy Massacre Survivor Lititz recCenter invites community members to participate in its winter basketball and swimming programs and holiday fitness programs. Each year, youth recLeague Basketball hosts 400 or more players in kindergarten through high school to compete on 40 or more teams for boys and girls. Swimming coaches Heather Fittery (left) and Mark The rec center expanded Daum are on deck at Lititz recCenter’s competition its gym space in 2015 to pool to kick off another winter swim team season. include three full-size Fittery coaches the Manheim Central swim team, basketball courts and and Daum coaches both the Warwick High School adjustable hoops to and Five Star Swim Club teams. meet the demand for this community program. Youth teams Tournament is hosted in March as the practice and play weekly at Lititz rec- culmination of the program. Across the building in the natatoriCenter from mid-December through the end of February. A youth 3v3 um, youth competitive swimmers from See Rec Center pg 2
Recognized On 75th Anniversary By Chelsea Peifer
Mount Joy Mayor Tim Bradley has proclaimed the week of Dec. 15 to 21 as Harold Billow Appreciation Week in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of the Malmedy Massacre, which took place on Dec. 17 during World War II. Billow, a longtime Mount Joy resident, is known to be the last living survivor of the Malmedy Massacre. On Dec. 17, 1944, during the second day of the Battle of the Bulge, German Waffen SS soldiers captured and disarmed United States service
personnel of the 285th Field Artillery Observation Batallion in the area of Malmedy, Belgium. Bradley’s proclamation details how following their capture, the U.S. soldiers were led into a nearby field and were executed with machine See Billow pg 8
Mount Joy resident Harold Billow is known to be the last living survivor of the Malmedy Massacre, which took place on Dec. 17, 1944. Mayor Tim Bradley declared Dec. 15 to 21 as Harold Billow Appreciation Week in honor of Billow’s military service and the 75th anniversary of the Malmedy Massacre.
La-Z-Boy Recliners $
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Mon., Dec. 23 POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER DEC. 18, 2019
Postal Patron
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815 Bruce Ave., Mount Joy, will offer its monthly free Breakfast Bowl on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. A coat giveaway will also take place. A variety of breakfast foods will be offered. Free parking is available at the lower end of the parking lot. Attendees may enter through the double glass doors under the drive-through. In addition to the breakfast, the church will collect and distribute coats for those who need them. A collection table will be set up inside the rear entrance doors for donations of gently used coats. Coats may also be donated to the church prior to Dec. 21. Reservations are not required. For more details, readers may call 717-653-1202, ext. 2.
Event To Welcome 2020 pg 3
Filling The Grain Bin To Ease The Burden
COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Florin Church of Brethren,
St. Paul’s UCC To Host Cantata pg 4
We’re Open Until Midnight ghtt with Special Sales!
stock only
EPHRATA ONLY! 1717 W. Main St. 717-721-3139
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2 S. Hazel St., Manheim, will present Lloyd Larson’s Christmas cantata “Joy Has Dawned” on Sunday, Dec. 22, at 4 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served following the performance.