There was no shortage of good news that was shared in the Community Courier in 2023. Readers were introduced to charitable people in the community, and they learned about special events and activities by nonprofit organizations.

In 2023, readers met Chester County resident Natanya Sortland who, despite her fear of heights and visual impairment, annually takes part in Eye Drop, a fundraiser for VisionCorps where participants rappel 10 stories down from the roof of the Holiday Inn in downtown Lancaster to raise funds for the organization.

A team of Chester County residents joined Sortland for Eye Drop 2023 during which Sortland dressed as Lady Liberty to symbolize how VisionCorps has given her the freedom to live a normal life despite being visually impaired

Another local woman who was spotlighted in 2023 was 2nd Lt. McKayla Mickel, who graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy on June 1 and was recognized for her accomplishments by Atglen Borough Mayor Darren Hodorovich. Mickel, a 2019 graduate of Octorara Junior-Senior High School, is stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.

Local organizations that were active in 2023 included the Parkesburg Action Committee (PAC). PAC started the first Parkesburg Farmers Market in July, and it continued on the second Saturday of each month through October. Held outdoors at Parkesburg Borough Hall, the market offered items such as fresh produce, flowers and plants, jewelry and furniture. Plans call for the farmers market to continue next summer. PAC also holds a Final Friday street fair throughout the summer, and most recently, PAC held Christmas on Main, a holiday shopping event.

Everybody Plays! continued its work to create a playground in Parkesburg's Minch Park that would be accessible to children of all abilities. The group continues to fundraise and plans to hold a groundbreaking for the new playground at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025.

Members of the Christiana Historical Society were also busy in 2023 renovating the Brinton House, which is the site of its future headquarters. It held several events on the grounds of the new location, including an Easter program in March and a holiday program as part of Christmas in Christiana. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Dec. 9. Once completed, the building will be used by the society to host its meetings and showcase its artifacts and memorabilia. In addition, it will provide additional space for its annual open house on Sept. 11, which commemorates the Christiana Resistance. 

A groundbreaking ceremony was held in July by members of Freedom Life Church at a vacant property along Route 41 and Zook Road in West Sadsbury Township. The ceremony officially launched the construction of a new church facility. The building plans include an auditorium with 630 seats, a gymnasium, an indoor playground, six classrooms, a cafe and meeting spaces. The church hopes to move into the new facility next summer.

The Parkesburg Lions Club also held several events, including its annual Halloween Parade, holiday lighting contest and Christmas soldier project, collecting items for military personnel. The club also dedicated several benches in the community that it earned through the TREX recycling program.