WITNESSED (Seen and Heard)
Sunday July 15 was D-Day (departure day) for the mission tour troop –nineteen adults and teens -- an amazing number from a small church. Under the command of Pastor Tom, they headed for the North Country (upper New York state) in four vehicles, dressed for the hot sticky week of hard work ahead of them. They will be assigned repair work of living quarters for people who could not otherwise afford to have their dwellings prepared for harsh winter weather. The congregation watched them striding out (with some last minute hugs to family members) while singing the poignant hymn “Here I Am, Lord.” Many of the congregation were touched and inspired by these volunteers willing to undergo a lower living standard and menial work to help others. From beneath the floorboards, Colin Churchmouse (remember him?) was probably thinking that they should be surrounding the “big oak tree” as they did 230 years ago to see the militia off. !
Betty Groff has given the library a copy of her latest book, her fifth and last, she says. It is titled “Betty Groff Cookbook; Pennsylvania German Recipes,” published in 2001. Included are many of Betty’s childhood memories with numerous colored photos of food and Lancaster County farm scenes by award-winning photographer Blair Seitz. There are many wonderful basic recipes and all available to anyone because the book may be borrowed.
The Energizer Bunny can hardly compare to Judy Kay Bard, who in addition to providing a temporary home for several young people, and using her professional library skills for our archives and another library, has now signed on two days a week to help the Lancaster couple who recently had quadruplets. Judy Kay also led the effort to clean and restore our Hope House for temporary rentals, and helped serve the Donegal Society luncheon from start to finish. Oh yes, I believe she also was one of the Vacation Bible School teachers. What an example she is (like the Mission Tour volunteers and the ten Hope House cleaning helpers) for “getting in the game.”. Probably another outstanding example would be Polly Wardrop who was honored for having been a member of the choir for at least fifty years.
Don Betty was one of those who were very involved in the “Gathering of Eagles”-- Eagle Scouts, that is – at Camp Mack Scout Reservation, Saturday, July 14th. Don was one of more than 200 Lancaster County Eagle Scouts who attended this first reunion.
A high point of Donegal’s summer services is when the Schroll family attends as a group. Their roots are really at Donegal as two sets of grandparents lived adjacent to the church, and when one from each family, Roy and Jenny, married, they moved into our sexton’s house for several years. There the eldest of the next generation was born. Our sanctuary was well-filled for the July 9th service, and the large congregation joining together to sing several well-known hymns was a truly joyous and moving experience.
At the Donegal Society day, member Ed Miller, who is also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, offered to provide special “Betsy Ross” flags for all of the Revolutionary soldiers who are buried in our cemetery. His chapter has been doing that for both Derry and Paxtang Presbyterian cemeteries. They will give the flags to the Maytown American Legion, which decorates the graves each year before Memorial Day. Donegal has at least 40 Revolutionary burials, which now will have these special flags with the circle of 13 stars.
On the subject of cemeteries, many of us probably held our breath when hearing the news announcement that a Mount Joy area cemetery was vandalized, with nearly a hundred tombstones being overturned and broken. Thankfully, it was not Donegal. But what a terrible senseless and malicious act of destruction, willfully done by mindless delinquents!!
Regarding our spectacular new social area, more suggestions for names include “The Room with a View” and also” Donegal Hall”, or perhaps just the “social hall.” Any votes for any of these?
Mary Karnes
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Last Edited on
04/24/2009