Pequea Valley /townlively
IN THIS ISSUE: OLD PHILADELPHIA PIKE SURVEY ANNOUNCED page 3
APRIL 22, 2020
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LVI • NO 19
Clear Water For Heroes Planned
Working Together To Feed PV By Ann Mead Ash
Once it was announced that Pennsylvania schools would be closed effective March 16 due to COVID-19 restrictions, it did not take long for Cathy
Koenig, director of student services for Pequea Valley School District (PVSD), to connect with Adam Nagle, director of The Factory Ministries. “I asked him, ‘How can we partner to get lunches out to families (in PVSD)?’” recalled Koenig.
“He said, ‘Let me talk to my team.’” According to Koenig, two hours later, a plan was in place, and PVSD contacted families electronically to let them know about the availability of lunches for all students in the district.
Koenig worked with Karla Neff, director of PV elementary advocacy at The Factory Ministries, to devise a plan that originally passed out lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning March 19. The program soon switched to a single distribution on Wednesdays. Lunches, which can simply be picked up by all families with children in PVSD, are See Working Together pg 6
Volunteers working at the drivethrough lunch distribution at the Together Community Center include (from left) Andrea Esh, Hilda Zook, Michelle Fisher, and Hope Fisher. The effort is the work of a partnership between Pequea Valley School District (PVSD) and The Factory Ministries. Multiple lunches are available to any PVSD student on Wednesdays from noon until 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
LMS Changes Auction Format Benefit auctions are a beloved tradition in Lancaster County. While stay-at-home orders may have caused most public auctions to be postponed
By Ann Mead Ash
Bucher Elementary third-grade student and Cub Scout Pack 93 member Case Baccio likes to fish, and so do his friends. “A lot of people I know love to fish,” said Case. After attending a Warrior Weekend to Remember in Milltown, Ohio, in July of 2019, Case had an idea. The gathering, which is sponsored by Blue Skies for the Good Guys and Gals (BS3G), the nonprofit arm of the Fastrax sky diving team, is held to honor veterans, Purple Heart Warriors, and families of fallen heroes. The event includes enriching experiences that facilitate friendships and encourage emotional healing. Inspired by the gathering, Case decided to combine his love of fishing with a See Fishing Tournament pg 2
Retreat Center Makes Adjustments
or canceled, Lancaster Mennonite School (LMS) has adopted a different format for its annual fundraising events for its New Danville and Locust Grove campuses. The two auctions are typically held on different days and have diverse features, but LMS has combined the auctions and moved the single event online, with plans to host the associated components later. “(We decided to) postpone the barbecue and kids’ activities until another time when we can gather together safely in person,” said LMS creative director Carrie King. The online auction will be hosted by BiddingOwl.com and run from 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24, to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 1. As of April 6, a total of 137 items had been uploaded to the auction program. These include artwork from local
By Dayna M. Reidenouer
Like so many other organizations, Black Rock Retreat, 1345 Kirkwood Pike, Quarryville, has had to adjust its operations. The Christian camp and retreat center has canceled all retreat groups that
had been scheduled for the next few weeks. The shutdown has resulted in a loss of income, and executive director Peter Fiorello noted that Black Rock depends upon retreat revenue, summer camper fees, and donations to pay staff members and to maintain operations. “As groups cancel, we have had to trim our staff, which stretches our ability to prepare for summer and the future,” Fiorello said. “We as a team continue to pray for wisdom and seek God’s help during these times. We are diligently planning for summer and how we can best serve our campers and families, if God gives us the opportunity to do so.” In addition to working on ideas, Black Rock has also been involved in practical activities. “In an effort to support our staff through this challenging time, especially for those See Retreat Center pg 4
See LMS pg 7
The fundraising auctions for the New Danville and Locust Grove campuses of Lancaster Mennonite School will look very different this year. Instead of two large gatherings of students and supporters, a single online auction will be held from April 24 to May 1.
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Black Rock Retreat kitchen manager Bill Pitcher handed a box of food and supplies to guest services staff member Julia Libby as part of the Christian camp and retreat center’s efforts to support its employees during the shutdown.
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By Dayna M. Reidenouer
Fishing Tournament Set For May 17
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