Pequea Valley townlively.com
FEBRUARY 7, 2024
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LX • NO 7
PVHS to present “Newsies”
“T
his show is high e n e r g y,” s a i d Nathan Bankert, who is music director for “Newsies,” which is currently in rehearsals at Pequea Valley High School (PVHS). “The music is fun and exciting.” Bankert noted that members of the PVHS cast, especially Maddie Heverin, who plays Katherine, have been hoping to do the show for some time. Fellow director Mindy Lapp said that the show calls for a large number of roles with a cast of more than 50 student actors. “We had a big talent pool,” said Lapp. “ This was the year (to produce ‘Newsies’),” added Bankert. “Newsies - The Broadway Musical” will be produced at the school, 4033 E. Newport Road, Kinzers, on Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7 p.m.; Friday,
Feb. 23, at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, Feb. 24, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at https://pequeavalley.home townticketing.com/embed/ all?depts=4 or at the door 30 minutes prior to curtain time. According to Nick Ammon, who plays Jack Kelly, the show takes place in 1899 in New York City. “This group of newsies (newspaper sellers) are just living their everyday lives,” said Ammon, who noted that the newspaper, called The World, suddenly raises prices to the detriment of the newsies. “The newsies (organize) a strike,” said Ammon, who added the idea for the strike comes from Davey, played by Landon Waters, who recently began working as a newsboy and who has more education than his fellow paper sellers. During the strike, Katherine, a cub reporter, meets Jack
a nd t he y b e come “st a rcrossed” lovers, according to Ammon, who pointed out that Katherine’s true identity adds a twist to the tale. “(Katherine and Jack) form a connection over the strike and the story she is writing,” said Ammon, who noted that the newsies, including Crutchie, played by Alex Powell, meet Teddy Roosevelt, played by Spencer Groff. Challenges of staging the show include the large cast, many of whom appear in almost every musical and dance number. Choreographer Katie Adams is working to bring to life showstoppers such as “Carrying the Banner” and “Seize the Day.” There are several heavily choreographed fight scenes as well, and Waters, who has displayed his gymnastics ability in previous PVHS productions, is working to add some flips and other See PVHS pg 5
Members of the cast of “Newsies” are rehearsing to present the musical at Pequea Valley High School.
Horses helping heroes
Agency seeks diaper donations Cornerstone Reproductive Health (formerly known as Pregnancy Resources at Cornerstone) is currently in need of diaper donations. Especially needed are sizes 4 to 6, but all sizes are welcome. Donations can be dropped off at the Cornerstone office, located at 5280 Lincoln Highway, Gap. “People are asked to call and schedule a time to drop off donations on Mondays through Thursdays Olivia Imchen has announced that diapers between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. are needed to stock the baby boutique.
We can schedule appointments around our clients,” explained Olivia Imchen, Cornerstone’s director of client services and advancement. The diapers will be used to supply Cornerstone’s baby boutique, which is currently running low. “When (clients) are involved in our parenting program, they can get diapers, wipes, formula and clothes from our baby boutique,” Imchen explained. Free diapers and formula are also donated to community members who are not involved in the program. “I have a list of
BY ANN MEAD ASH
“The overall long-term objective is to give people in these fields the opportunity to stay in their fields,” said Jennifer T. Rummel, executive director with Greystone Manor Therapeutic Riding Center (GMTRC) stables, of the new Heroes and Horses program, an unmounted equine-assisted intervention for frontline workers and first responders first held in October of 2023. GMTRC pro gram director Steph Fleck reported that the free six-week program, which meets for two consecutive hours each
See Cornerstone pg 2
King’s Pet
week, attracted five participants who represented the fields of social work, mental health, nursing, and hospice. Although the program has a 10-member capacity, Fleck said she was pleased it started with a smaller group so that the feedback might be more meaningful. Prior to starting the program, GMT RC sur veyed the local first-responder community to find out what daily struggles might be leading them to consider a new career path. “We found a lot of ties to mental health (and) burnout,” said Fleck, who noted that GMTRC responded with See GMTRC pg 6
FREE TO ROAM. LLC.
3867 Old Phila. Pike, Gordonville, PA 17529 Store Hours: Mon.-Wed.: 8-4:30, Fri: 8-7 Sat.: 8-12. Closed Thurs. & Sun.
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER FEB. 7, 2024
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
Postal Patron
PEQ
BY FRANCINE FULTON
SAFE AT HOME. Create a secure environment for your pet to run, explore and play with our electronic fencing systems. They’re safe and effective for dogs of all sizes.
Call King’s Pet LLC (717) 614-9484 • www.KingsPetLLC.com • Follow us on
R103749
BY ANN MEAD ASH