Contemporary Ballet of PA (COBALT) will present an original dance program featuring the music of Beethoven, Bach, Vivaldi, and Saint-Saens at the Winter Center for Visual & Performing Arts on the campus of Millersville University, Saturday May 18 at 7:30 pm and Sunday May 19 at2:30 pm.

The latest works from Artistic Director Shari Vegso-Wilson and choreographer Kristin Pontz, both of Lancaster, are presented in a program of classical and modern dance titled “Viridiana.”

The program will include “Prism,” a new work by Vegso-Wilson that evokes the changing
patterns of daylight crossing a room and is danced on-pointe to the passionate first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B Flat, known as “The Archduke.” It will feature 11 dancers, four of whom are graduating company seniors. Bach’s lively Brandenburg Concerto No 3 in G, Saint-Saens’ playful “Carnival of the Animals,” and Vivaldi’s glorious “The Four Seasons” round out the program of music and dance choreography.

By Kathy Matheson, Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kids who clamber around a novel playground at the Philadelphia Zoo might suddenly find themselves at eye level with a monkey. Or even with a stair-climbing goat.

Aiden Shepherd, 1, interacts with goats at the petting area in the KidZooU section of the Philadelphia Zoo, in Philadelphia. The nation’s first zoo opened its new $32 million exhibit for children featuring a travel and exploration system that offers animals more room to roam. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) — ( Matt Rourke Photo)

It’s one of many features at the new $32 million KidZooU that’s designed to help youngsters develop compassion for animals and look at ordinary creatures in different ways.

The space opened this month and replaces a children’s zoo that had not been significantly updated since its creation in 1957. Also, the old exhibit — which closed late last year — did not have an indoor area, making it difficult to enjoy in bad weather.

“It was really due for a complete reinvention,” said Andrew Baker, the zoo’s chief operating officer.

Nearly two years in the making, KidZooU features many rare breeds of ducks, sheep, fowl and ponies among its outdoor denizens. An indoor education center includes tropical fish, butterflies, rats and an ant farm, as well as hands-on exhibits about habitat conservation and classroom space.

By Maureen Leader, Special Features Writer

In the Rychener family there are no “woman” jobs, no “man” jobs and no “kid” jobs. There are just jobs that have to be done in the home, and everyone has to help. But of course, that’s the way it has to be in a family with four children and two fulltime working parents.

Mom of the Month Kristen Rychener with her children.

“We work together as a family,” says Mom of the Month, Kristen Rychener. “We work hard and we play hard!”

“And,” she adds, “I have a husband who does house work!”

Ken and Kristen Rychener are the parents of Landon, 11; twins, Megan and Jenna, 9; and Lindsey, 5. Ken is an airline pilot and is often out of town. Kristen is a full-time third grade school teacher at Bucher Elementary School in Lancaster. Kristen has wanted to be a school teacher since she was in the second grade. When the Rycheners were trying to start a family, they were told it might be impossible. Rychener knew being a teacher as a career would be difficult for her if she couldn’t have her own children.

“But things changed,” she says.

Obviously!

As you can imagine, the family’s schedules are crazy. Still, Rychener says her family is in that “Golden Stage” of “no babies and no teenagers.” That stage when, she says, “everything can be fixed with either a band aid or a kiss.”

But, of course, with a family of four children with lots of activities and two full-time working parents, it isn’t always that easy. Everyone has to pitch in.
And in the Rychener household, they do.

Oreo and Squeakers will add to the fun at the 20th Annual FEST

Get ready for Friendship Community’s 20th Annual FEST & Auction on Friday,  May 10 and Saturday, May 11. This two-day extravaganza is held rain  or shine under large tents on the grounds of Friendship Community at 1149 E. Oregon Rd., Lititz, and benefits Adults with developmental disabilities.

Friday night’s events include a delicious chicken BBQ eat-in or take-out dinner starting at 4:00, activities for the kids, tethered hot air balloon rides and the entertaining antics of Al Grout, professional juggler, magician, and comedian.

Saturday kicks off at 7:00 a.m. with a pancake and sausage breakfast. A huge country auction begins at 10:00 a.m. featuring hundreds of items, including a reconditioned car or two, gift certificates and specialty baskets. Children’s activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, barrel train rides, bouncy houses, facepainting, the ballooning high jinx of clowning couple Oreo and Squeakers, and more.

The large plant tent features hundreds of florals, bushes and planting accessories for purchase. The heART of Friendship ART Gallery will have a large inventory clearance sale. Original artwork will be greatly discounted to assist in its relocation efforts to downtown Lancaster this summer.

Clifford the loveable storybook character from author Norman Bridwell’s book, “Clifford, Rhe Big Red Dog,” will visit local public libraries in April to celebrate National Library Week and 50th Anniversary! Listen to classic Clifford stories, enjoy fun activities and be sure to bring you camera for a picture with Clifford himself.

The Clifford series includes more than 70 children’s books and was designed to teach children life lessons through reading. Clifford was the runt of the litter, and was chosen by a city child named Emily Elizabeth Howard as her birthday present. No one expected Clifford to grow, but Emily Elizabeth’s love for her tiny red puppy changed Clifford dramatically.

Before long, he was over 25 feet tall, forcing the Howard family to leave the city and move to the open spaces of Birdwell Island.

Please contact libraries listed to register for program.