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IN THIS ISSUE: RAILROAD MUSEUM SLATES RAMBLES page 3

Octorara /townlively

FEBRUARY 19, 2020

SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954

VOL XXX • NO 4

MOVIE NIGHT

Moores Memorial Library,

IRISH STEP DANCING

Parkesburg Library,

OWA Sets Photography Contest pg 5

By Marcella Peyre-Ferry

Seventeen-year-old Thomas Mellema completed his Eagle Scout project with a public ceremony on Feb. 8 to dedicate a new 25-foot flagpole at Minch Park, Parkesburg. Thomas explained that the American flag placed on the new pole will be on view for those who take part in baseball games in the park. “I wanted another way for the community to honor the flag and the country, and (I wanted to) make sure the flag would be visible from the baseball field so when they (play the) national anthem, they have a place to look,” Thomas said. “I just figured Minch Park needed a flagpole.”

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

Pequea Presbyterian Church, Pequea EC Church, and Mount Culmen EC Church will host a community Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Pequea Presbyterian Church, 273 Cambridge Road, Gap. The event will feature a short service and the administering of the ash at the service’s conclusion. All are welcome.

Thomas Mellema of Parkesburg completed his Eagle Scout project by installing a flagpole at Minch Park. The flag was raised for the first time at a ceremony on Feb. 8.

SEWING GROUP

The Threads Group at Atglen Public Library, 413 Valley Ave., Atglen, will meet on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m. Individuals of all ages who are interested in garment construction, embellishment, quilting, cosplay, and more are invited to attend. Beginners are welcome. Start-up supplies will be provided. For more information or to register, call 610-593-6848 or visit www.atglen publiclibrary.org/events. FREE MEAL

The Mission Committee of the Leacock Presbyterian Church, 3183 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise, will host a free hot meal on Thursday, Feb. 27. The meal will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the handicappedaccessible Smith Fellowship Hall. The community is invited to attend. The menu will feature chicken and waffles, peas and carrots, cranberry sauce, applesauce, and dessert. Readers may call the church at 717-687-6619 for more details.

Building Healthy Relationships pg 3

Flagpole Dedicated In Parkesburg’s Minch Park

105 West St., Parkesburg, will present a St. Patrick’s Day Irish step dance demonstration on Saturday, March 7, at 11 a.m. Students from the Cara School of Irish Dance will demonstrate Irish step dancing. For more information or to register, call 610-857-5165 or visit www.parkesburglibrary.org.

A BIG Fundraiser

The U.S. flag was placed on the pole along with the black Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag. “I decided to raise the POW/MIA flag as a thank you to the VFW - my troop’s charter organization and our sponsor over the years. They’ve helped us both financially and by giving us a place to have our meetings every Monday. We’re always looking for ways to help them, to show our appreciation,” Thomas said during the dedication ceremony. “Most importantly, (the flag) is to remind the community of all of the service veterans have given our community and all those who have served us in the past.” VFW Post representatives and a color guard were on hand at the ceremony along with Parkesburg Mayor John Hagan. Thomas, the son of Karen and David Mellema of Parkesburg, joined Boy

See Flagpole pg 2

By Francine Fulton

By Ann Mead Ash

When Caleb Stiger opened the Baron Insurance Group (BIG) Gordonville office, he was looking for a way to reach out to the community. It was natural for him to consider doing a fundraiser that involved basketball. “I grew up playing basketball, and I still play a little bit,” said Stiger. “I thought this would be an easy way (to get involved) because it’s something that I know about, and I could See BIG Shots pg 2

Scouts of America as a Tiger Cub when he was 6 years old. He was recognized as a Life Scout at age 13 and began planning his Eagle Project. “At 13, he told me he needed to go to a borough council meeting. I assumed it was for a merit badge,” David recalled. At the public comment period, Thomas went to the podium and proposed his project to council. “I didn’t even know that he had that planned,” David said. To make the project possible, Thomas had the support of his troop, Troop 135, and the sponsoring organization, the Parkesburg VFW. Ladder 8 from the Keystone Valley Fire Department was used to install solar-powered LED lighting on top of the flagpole. Most of the materials for the project were donated, including all of the stone and slate for the base, provided by Brandywine Quarry. “I had tons of help. A lot of my troop came to help me, and

Association Promotes Art In Chester County

The Factory Partners For Third Free Throw Event

Participants shot free throws to raise funds for The Factory Ministries during last year’s BIG Shots Free Throw Competition (right photo). Emma Drouillard of Strasburg, who represented Alliance Custom Cabinetry of East Earl, completed 96 of 100 shots in 2019 (left photo). This year’s fundraiser will be held on March 6.

Classes, free workshops and exhibitions are some of the programs offered by the Chester County Art Association (CCAA), a nonprofit organization with the goal to “educate, inspire and connect” the people of Chester County through the arts. “(The CCAA) is all about promoting the arts, creativity and creative thinking,” said CCAA executive director Wendy Kershner. “I think our world always needs more creative thinkers and creative problem solvers. We are (providing) a really good service.” See Art Association pg 6

Marlene Miller, a senior at West Chester University and a spring intern with the Chester County Art Association (CCAA), invites the community to check out the CCAA Exton Square Studio Gallery, which offers a variety of items for sale made by CCAA members. Weekly art classes and specialty workshops are also offered at the site.

FEBRUARY 12th - 29th

EPHRATA 1717 West Main St. (2 miles West of Ephrata on Route 322)

717.721.3139

NEW PROVIDENCE 2318 Beaver Valley Pk. (1 mile North of Quarryville on Route 222)

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co

717.806.7373 With approved credit, see store for details. POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER FEB. 19, 2020

Postal Patron

OCC

YMCA Seeks Volunteer Coaches pg 8

• martinfurniturepa.com

R055399

9 W. Slokom Ave., Christiana, will host a free Family Movie Night on Friday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. Free popcorn and juice boxes will be provided. Attendees should bring their own chairs and blankets. For more information, including the movie title, readers may contact the library at 610-593-6683.


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