Features

Twelve years ago, when Derrick Robinson bought the house at 204 York St., he knew the yard had great potential. 

Like a true “yardener,” Robinson saw past the overgrown, 50-year-old azaleas that nearly covered the front windows. 

Robinson said he knew that if he could somehow replace them, he could make the York Street yard a showplace. 

Today, he has succeeded. 

He and his wife, Lana, have now been awarded Yard of the Month for April by the Lancaster Council of Garden Clubs. 

By lunchtime Friday, the 59 local Relay For Life teams were close to attaining their goals.

The $205,000 goal was is sight, with a little more than $170,000 turned in. 

The money is used to help fund cancer research and American Cancer Society wellness programs.

From Links of Hope and haunted junk yards to barbecues, yard sales and trial rides, all of the teams have been working  hard to raise money in tough times, said event co-chairwoman Donna Parsons.

Lancaster High culinary arts teacher Gregg Shipston wasn’t a bit surprised when Rachelle Campbell became the school’s first student to earn a ProStart certification.

“Since the class started, I’ve had close to 175 students,” Shipston said. “If I would’ve had my pick as to who would be our first certified student, it would be Rachelle. She’s very self-motivated.”

ProStart is a two-year, flexible self-pace career program for students interested in the culinary arts.

The focus of the Southern gospel trio, Greater Vision is clear.

They may have climbed to the top of the Christian music ladder by becoming the most celebrated trio in Gospel music history.

With numerous Top 10 and a stack of No. 1 Southern gospel hits, several songs of the year by the Singing News Fan Awards, this internationally-known trio has established a solid presence.

But the awards, accolades and hit songs matter very little, said Greater Vision founder Gerald Wolfe.

Several county churches will host special worship services this week. They include dramas, Maundy Thursday services, the Last Supper, Good Friday, and the crucifixion of Christ and His resurrection on Easter Sunday. Here is a look so you can make plans to attend.

Easter Sunday services

– Camp Creek Baptist Church, 998 Potter Road, will hold a sunrise service at 7 a.m. April 12. Breakfast will follow at 7:45 a.m., Sunday school is 9 a.m. and worship services are at 10 a.m. For details, call 286-9808 or 285-0645.

I stood in the living room of Granny Summers’ house early one Easter Sunday afternoon with my thoughts running wild. The window shades were pulled down and the front door was shut tight. 

After a covered-dish, resurrection day dinner that included just about any and everything that Granny, Momma and my five aunts could dream up, I was daydreaming until Aunt Judy’s voice brought me back into reality.

Sometimes I find myself sitting in front of a laptop at a kitchen table with two other adults who are also on laptops.

It’s probably the geekiest thing ever.

All three of us are likely catching up with friends, taking dumb quizzes or even chatting with each other online – yes, each other, even as we sit at the table together – on the social network – Facebook.

I tried the MySpace thing, but it didn’t take. I forgot my password and could never log on again.

The 2009 Relay For Life for Lancaster County is scheduled for 7 p.m. April  24 at Lancaster County Memorial Stadium. The annual American Cancer Society fundraiser brings teams of local volunteers together to support those diagnosed with cancer and cancer survivors.

But until then, the local 59 Relay For Life teams are working hard toward the $205,000 goal. The money is used to help fund cancer research and American Cancer Society programs.

For an April Fools Day prank your family won’t soon forget – get ’em when they least expect it – at the dinner table with this one-of-a-kind Baked Apples with SPAM Streusel recipe.