Morgantown/Honey Brook DECEMBER 26, 2018
IN THIS ISSUE: CITIZEN SURVEY RESULTS POSTED page 7
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL XXVI • NO 49
UPCOMING HIKE
The Berks Strollers will hike at Angelica Creek Park, 700 Arlington St., Reading, on Saturday, Dec. 29. The group will meet at 10 a.m. at the park on Route 10, just a short distance past the Brentwood Industries parking lot. For more information or directions, readers may call Susie, the hike leader, at 610-451-6715. SPECIAL SERIES
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 100 Fellowship Road, Chester Springs, will conduct a special series called “Catholics Coming Home” beginning Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, at 7 p.m. The sessions are for Catholics who are seeking answers to questions about returning to the church. There will be informal sharing and an update on the Catholic faith. For more details, readers may call deacon Barry Midwood at 610-321-1200. BOOK CLUB
The Boone Area Library, 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro, will host a meeting of the Cliffhanger Book Club on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, at 6 p.m. The group will discuss “The Wife Between Us” by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen. For more information, readers may call 610-582-5666 or visit www.facebook.com/boonearealibrary.
Dance Parties Scheduled pg 5
Event Benefits Nonprofit Organizations pg 4
Christmas Display Open Through Dec. 30 pg 6
Student Creates Yarn Wigs For Young Cancer Patients By Francine Fulton
While students in the Confirmation class at the Church of St. Benedict in Mohnton collected yarn to be donated to the Magic Yarn Project, a nonprofit organization that provides princess yarn wigs and superhero beanies free of charge to children with cancer, student Katy Stoutenger took the project one step further. Katy crocheted 26 beanies and yarn wigs with the help of her great-grandmother Rita Agasar. Katy, a seventh-grade student at Twin Valley Middle School, explained that her great-grandmother taught her to crochet at the age of 8. “I already knew how to do basic crochet (stitches), and I looked at the (tutorial) video to do the specific hat stitches,” Katy explained. “I thought it would be cool to do because it was something the little boys and girls would like.”
According to www.themagicyarn project.com, the beanies and yarn wigs are designed for children undergoing chemotherapy whose scalps are too sensitive for traditional wigs. The crocheted beanies feature various characters and the wigs are designed to replicate the hairstyles of Disney characters. Seventh-grade students in the Parish Religious Education Program (PREP) Class at St. Benedict’s who are preparing to receive the sacrament of Confirmation were encouraged to participate in the service project by Valerie Christo, director of religious education, who showed the class a video about the project. “They (saw) that this mission project is changing kids’ lives and bringing smiles to their faces by giving them a time to play, enjoying their childhood,” she said. Students and parish families were invited to donate various colors of soft yarn during October and See Yarn Wigs pg 6
Katy Stoutenger (left), who is in the Confirmation class at the Church of St. Benedict in Mohnton, and her great-grandmother Rita Agasar made yarn wigs and beanies for the Magic Yarn Project, a nonprofit organization that provides the head coverings to children with cancer.
BREAKFAST BUFFET
3433 Hay Creek Road, Robeson Township, will host an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, from 7 to 11 a.m. There will be separate prices for adults and children ages 6 to 12. Children under age 6 may eat for free. For more information, readers may call 610-286-6481 or visit http://geigertownfireco.com.
First Day Hikes Planned Locally Therapy Dog Provides A First Day Emotional Support And More Hike will be held on Jan. 1, 2019, at French Creek State Park, Elverson. Other local hikes will be also be held on New Year’s Day.
HALL OF FAME VOTE
The Tri-County Softball League will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, to select former players for the Tri-County Softball League Hall of Fame. All current and former players are invited to attend the meeting and vote on the nominees. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn, 6170 Morgantown Road, Morgantown, at 7 p.m. Twenty-eight players have been nominated for the Hall of Fame. Fifteen players will be selected. For more details, readers may call Ernie Devlin at 484-624-2720.
By Francine Fulton
As part of an effort to promote fitness and encourage people to explore the outdoors, First Day Hikes will be offered nationwide on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. People of all ages are welcome to start the new year off on the right foot by taking part in a First Day Hike.
Locally, a First Day Hike With Your Pet will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Antietam Lake Park, 230 Angora Road, Reading. The hike, sponsored by the Berks County Parks and Recreation Department, will be about two hours long, with some hills. Dogs are welcome, but they must be on a leash and good with other dogs. Attendees should See Hikes pg 8
By Francine Fulton
Local nursing home residents, young library patrons and college and elementary school students have all benefited from visits by Lily, a sweet English setter/border collie mix, who is a certified therapy dog and the wellness and stress relief dog for Chester County. Lily, 5, is accompanied to the sites by her owner, Liz Alakszay, who is the staff development and advocacy coordinator for the Chester County Library System and a member of the board of the directors at the Dog Training Club of Chester County (DTCCC). “(Lily) is my second therapy/stress relief dog; my last one passed away at 15,” Alakszay explained. As part of an employee wellness program at the county level, Lily visits with employees at the Chester County See Therapy Dog pg 2
Liz Alakszay and Lily, a certified therapy dog, visit sites throughout Chester County, including nursing homes, schools and libraries.
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