The Conestoga Valley Zip Code Show

Kevin Ressler - Lancaster Meals on Wheels

Kevin M. Ressler, M.Div., serves as Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Lancaster. He is a co-founder of the Doplic Project, Lancaster Action Now Coalition, and Black Lives Matter 717. Kevin is a frequent public speaker at justice rallies and corporate events focused on social responsibility, and an ecumenical guest preacher across the faith continuum. He recently ran for Mayor of Lancaster City and serves on a variety of non-profit boards focused on economic development, social equity, and the Mennonite community, including the boards of ASSETS Lancaster, Friends of Mennonite Theological College of East Africa, Conestoga Valley Education Foundation, Atlantic Coast Conference of Mennonite Church USA, and the Everence Federal Credit Union.

Howard Hershey & John Latschar - Fire Departments

Howard Hershey and John Latschar both grew up in Conestoga Valley, still live here, and have long records of service with Lafayette and Witmer Fire Companies. In this episode they talk about how Conestoga Valley has changed, and as a result how volunteer fire fighting has changed in our community. Through their selfless service, these two have given countless hours to the community, and thus they bring a unique viewpoint. Want to learn what our zip code is like? Listen in! If you want to learn more about getting involved in these local fire companies visit their websites: https://lafayettefire.com/ [https://lafayettefire.com/] and https://witmerfire.com/ [https://witmerfire.com/]

Matt Hess - East Lampeter Police

Matt Hess is a Lieutenant with the East Lampeter Police Department, where he has served in a variety of roles in his nearly 15 year tenure, including School Resource Officer with the Conestoga Valley School District. In this episode, Matt describes our community from the vantage point of the local police who are called upon to address everything from people who snow-blow too close to their neighbor's property to administration of overdose drugs for people who are on death's door and to rescuing sex slaves at local hotels. If you want to learn more about the important work ELP visit: https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/eastlampeter/9004 [https://lancaster.crimewatchpa.com/eastlampeter/9004]

Carla DiClemente & Katie Reiff - CVSD Social Workers

Joining me on this episode of the podcast are the Conestoga Valley School District's social workers, Katie Reiff and Carla DiClemente. Katie and Carla share their CV stories, and talk about the diversity and concerns they see everyday as they interact with a wide variety of families in our school district: those struggling with homelessness, English as a second language, cultural diversity, and more. Listen in and visit their Facebook page for more ways you can get involved: https://www.facebook.com/CVCareandConnect/ [https://www.facebook.com/CVCareandConnect/]

Sally Bredeman - Smoketown Elementary

Dr. Sally Bredeman, principal of Smoketown Elementary School (Conestoga Valley School District) joins us to talk about her experience in the CV Community. Smoketown serves 650 students, supported by about 50 teachers and 50 staff. As Sally describes for us, education in 2019 has transformed well beyond the days of students showing up in classrooms where teachers communicate content. What does education look like in our school district? You might be surprised! (Visit Sally's Principal's Page on the Smoketown website for more info: https://www.conestogavalley.org/domain/213) [https://www.conestogavalley.org/domain/213)]