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See Servant Stage
Servant Stage will present “Ragtime” at Lancaster Mennonite School, 2176 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, on three consecutive weekends, Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 16 to Oct. 2. Shows will be at 7 p.m. on Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturdays, and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
The musical follows three groups of people who are in New York state when the story begins in 1902. Coalhouse, a musician played by Josh Green, and Sarah, played by Kylie Jo Smith, are from Harlem. Tateh, a silhouette artist, played by Andrew Zahn, and his Little Girl, played by Kate Zahn and Lauren Watts, have recently arrived from Latvia. The third group is a wealthy New Rochelle family that has made money in fireworks. The family members are known only as Mother, played by Sarah Zahn; Father, played by David Diehl; Little Boy, played by Luke Stone and Julian Ford; and Mother’s sibling, Younger Brother, played by Tyler Hoover.
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Calderon noted that the story focuses on a specific moment in time and what lies ahead. “It follows these groups on their journeys when they are starting to intermingle,” said Calderon. “It’s a story about the last moments when these groups were so separate and so foreign to one another. It comes with a lot of sensitive issues, and the biggest challenge is communicating to the audience that it’s not something that only happened 120 years ago.”
Calderon called “Ragtime” “colorful,” noting that the show is mostly sung and includes historical figures such as Harry Houdini, vaudeville entertainer Evelyn Nesbit, and J.P. Morgan. “These characters are woven through the story to tell us these things actually occurred,” he said, pointing out that the Henry Ford character sings a song about conveyor belts that discusses how mass production has begun to speed up manufacturing. Even the ragtime music itself would soon be sped up into jazz.
The cast includes several children, and Calderon noted that this is intentional. “(The) children are sort of a representation of the new century in the things they say and the way they act,” he said. Although the groups represent different peoples and experiences, Calderon emphasized what they have in common. “All the parents relate to Tateh and his Little Girl and his fear of losing her, and they find themselves relating to Mother, who is feeling a pull to become something (more),” he said. “In the final picture, it shows members of each of those groups together and hopeful.”
Performances are paywhat-you-will, and donations are welcome. Reservations may be made at https://servantstage.org/ shows.
The award-winning duo Simple Gifts will kick off the Lancaster Church of the Brethren’s 2022 to 2023 Starlight Tea Concert Series on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 7 p.m. The church is located at 1601 Sunset Ave., Lancaster. Simple Gifts consists of Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon, players of a total of 12 folk instruments. The duo’s repertoire consists of Irish jigs, American reels, Roma melodies, Scandinavian twin fiddling, and original compositions. In keeping with the Starlight Tea tradition, tea and cookies will be served following the concert. Additionally upcoming Starlight Tea concerts will take place on select Saturdays, unless otherwise noted. Performers will be violinist Andrew Sords on Sept. 17; Ensemble Chaconne on Oct. 22; QuintEssentially Brass on Nov. 5; Lancaster Church of the Brethren’s choirs presenting their Epiphany concerts on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 7 and 8, 2023; The Elizabethtown College Concert Choir on March 25; and Silver, Wood, & Ivory on April 29.
Admission is free, and a freewill offering will be received at each concert.
For more information, contact planning committee chair Giny Mackey at 717-201-8450.
Simple Gifts
Pleasant View Communities has been holding a golf tournament fundraiser for more than a decade, and the event always receives positive feedback, said Aubrey Smith, community engagement and development coordinator for Pleasant View. “We have some people who have participated since the event started,” she commented. “Everyone says it’s a good time, and it’s very well organized. I love hearing people say this is one of their favorite tournaments of the year and knowing that golfers look forward to it every year.” This year’s tournament will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, at Overlook Golf Course, 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster. Registration will start at noon, and the tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The event will feature two meals, 18 holes of golf and a variety of prizes. “Lunch is provided by the Pleasant View auxiliary,” Smith noted. “They usually do hot dogs, chips and drinks, and then our dinner is provided by Nutrition Management Services and is a barbecue dinner.” Prizes will be awarded for the longest drive, the straightest drive, the top women’s team and the top men’s team.
Proceeds from the golf tournament will benefit the benevolent care fund at Pleasant View. “This fund helps pay for residents who live here at Pleasant View who have exhausted all of their financial resources,” Smith explained. “The fund is supported by donors who keep it replenished for anyone who needs it.” She said Pleasant View provides $3 million in support to residents annually through the benevolent care fund, noting that memory care at the personal care level can cost upward of $300 a day. The benevolent care fund supplements or funds entirely care for approximately 25% of personal care residents and close to 50% of skilled nursing residents’ care.
In addition to entry fees from the tournament, funds will also be raised through a basket giveaway at the event. Basket items include Vera Bradley bags, art, gift cards for local establishments and a handmade charcuterie board created by a Pleasant View staff member, Smith said.
She noted that people may register for the golf tournament individually or by group of four and that people may attend the dinner only at Overlook for a separate fee. The registration deadline is Friday, Sept. 2. For more information or to register for the tournament, contact Smith at 717-664-6288 or asmith@pvcommunities.org.
Proceeds from the Pleasant View golf tournament will support the community’s benevolent care fund.
Overdose Awareness Event Planned
Hospice & Community Care’s Pathways Center for Grief & Loss, 4075 Old Harrisburg Pike, Mount Joy, will host an event to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, Wednesday, Aug. 31. International Overdose Awareness Day aims to acknowledge the grief felt by families and friends of those who have died from a drug overdose and to reduce the stigma of a drug-related death.
The Pathways Center’s event will be held on Aug. 31 from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and it is open to anyone regardless of whether their loved one was served by Hospice & Community Care. The event will feature keynote speaker Dr. Bonnie Milas, who lost both of her sons to opioid use disorder. Milas is now an advocate for those with opioid use disorder as well as an educator of naloxone overdose rescue with www.reviveme.com. She will talk about the power of voicing lived experience.
There is no cost to attend the event, but registration is required. To register, visit www.HospiceCommunity.org /oad or call the Pathways Center at 717-391-2413.
The Pathways Center for Grief & Loss is a free resource to the entire community, regardless of whether a loved one was a hospice patient. Its mission is to support and encourage people’s ability to heal and discern new paths on their journey through grief. The Pathways Center specializes in helping people cope with serious illness or loss after death.
Dementia Seminar Posted
Steve Klotz, coordinator of Dementia Friendly Lancaster, will present a community awareness seminar titled “Understanding Dementia and Learning How to Become Dementia Friendly” on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. The seminar will be held in the Spirit Café of Hempfield United Methodist Church, 3050 Marietta Ave., Lancaster.
The event is free and open to the public. Preregistration is encouraged at www.hempfieldumc.org /dementia, but walk-ins will be welcome.
Indie Retail Week Posted
The fourth annual Lancaster City Indie Retail Week kicked off on Aug. 19 and will continue through Saturday, Aug. 27. This year, 78 independent retail stores are participating, and each will offer a special promotion such as a gift with purchase, a discount, or an in-store event. The stores will follow their regular hours, but they are also encouraged to stay open later.
For more information, including a list of participating stores and their promotions, visit www.lancindie retail.com.
Health Screening Slated
As part of its effort to provide patients with comprehensive health care services, the Allergy & Asthma Center, 2445 Marietta Ave., Lancaster, will offer a free screening program to test for alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency, sometimes called Alpha-1. Screenings will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Individuals should call the office at 717-393-1365 to schedule an appointment.
Alpha-1 is a rare genetic (inherited) condition. It may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age, and it is the No. 1 known genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Alpha-1 testing is recommended by the American Thoracic Society (ATS), the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST), the COPD Foundation, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Patients who might consider this screening include those with COPD, emphysema and chronic bronchitis; asthma that does not respond well to treatment; a family history of AAT deficiency; or a family member with one of the previously listed diseases.
