Welcome back Loopers - I see so many outdoor events this week, what a beautiful time of the year to find yourself in the sunshine. There are several hikes, walks, and reasons to be in nature. I hope you forward this to a neighbor or friend and say ‘let’s go do this thing together…’
Thank you for reading and look forward to seeing some of you at West Art tonight for Loopers Learn: Mahjong! If you’re registered check your email for an early invite note.
-Ed
This week’s cover art, Ski Lititz, is by Lynn Hocker, a Lancaster-based artist. He welcomed me into Whispering Creek Studios sharing his story and creative process. I’ll be sharing more of Lynn’s work in a future newsletter. Find his paintings here.
Have a Lancaster local business that pours into the communty & have an interest in partnering with the Loop?
STEVENS & SMITH CENTER : GRAND OPENING
This weekend marks a milestone for Lancaster with the official open of the Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History and Democracy.
Last year, I took a tour of the Stevens & Smith Center while it was under construction.
I was surprised to learn the Convention Center was designed and built around these rowhomes to preserve them, instantly reminding me of the Disney movie “Up”!
Located at 13–15 E. Vine St., these restored historic properties, once home to Thaddeus Stevens and his business partner, Lydia Hamilton Smith, have been transformed into a state-of-the-art museum. Think innovative and interactive exhibits showcasing the complex realities of slavery, freedom, and the pursuit of equality. Highlighting Lancaster’s role in the Underground Railroad and abolition movement.
The celebration kicks off Friday morning, May 1, at 8a with the official ribbon cutting ceremony. Doors open early for coffee and it’s free to the public.
Saturday, May 2, from 12-6p launches a Community Block Party for History. East Vine Street will be closed & packed with local artists, live music, and plenty of food options. Decades, Souvlaki Boys, Mezcla, Scott’s Artisan Pizza, and Nano Burger.
On top of that, the Center is offering free, timed entry throughout the day on Saturday.
Whether you're a history buff or just looking to meet a new neighbor, this is a place to celebrate all the beauty of Lancaster.
The 5Ws of Lancaster
Who / What / Where / When / Why
From spring projects to full additions to commercial…you’ll speak directly with Roy @ Byler Build
Featured Events
May 2 Lanc Living Poetry Museum @ Zoetropolis 7p - 19 poets in live theatre as one-person shows. Come meet Skakespeare, Hughes, Silverstein, Ali, Jewel, Earhart and more on stage
May 3 Small Group Mystery Hike w/Lancaster County Day Hikes 1-3p, first Sunday’s in Jun/Jul also - location to be announced, moderate hike 3.5 miles of mystery
May 3 Gallery Reading by Sacred Alignment w/ Heather @ West End Yoga 1-3p guidance from spirit
submit your events and/or have them featured
Today - Tuesday April 28th
Bootcamp & Beer @ Binns Park 5-830p free HIIT session & afterwards a beer garden
Crochet w/Kasey @ Columbia Library 630-8p red, white, and blue blankets for vets
Wednesday April 29th
Line Dance @ Garden Spot FD 6-930p all ages with boot scootin becky
Jigsaw Puzzle night @ Columbia Library 530-730p play, borrow, or swap
Spring Garden Party Dinner @ Harvest Grill 630-930p spring inspired menu w/lavender cocktails
Thursday April 30th
Gardening w/native plants @ Lanc Conservancy 6-8p from site analysis to planted
Una Noche en Casa Blanca by Lanc Women for Good 6p Latin inspired dancing, dinner & bevs
All-Love Spiritual Healing @ Renewell 6-8p shenu meditation release
Friday May 1st
First Friday in Lanc City 5-9p w/the trolley back in action eight free stops
HBD to 2 years @ Nooks Books til 8p treats & chances to win - bring a donation for CWS pantry
BBQ equipment auction @ Meadow Creek BBQ Supply 9-5p grills, smokers, trailers
30 years of Zoe @ Zoetropolis full weekend of events from Simpsons trivia to fantastic fungi
Jo Saggira music @ Urban Arts House 5-8p w/homemade pepperjack tomato soup
The Prom auditions w/Popovsky Arts 5-7p and Sat 11-2p be the star
We Love Our Pets art show @ Mulberry Arts 5-8p funds for animal rescue
A Broadway Melody by Servant Stage shows thru Sunday pay what you will tix
Jimmy Juice Takeover @ PJs 6p free samples and win passes to sickman’s mills
Food Truck Friday @ Country Lane Gazebos 6-2p Divine Grind, Cousins Lobster, Old Road Pretzels come rain or shine
Saturday May 2nd
Ephrata Rhythm & Brews @ Grater Park 12-5p live music, brews, & food + drifters spiral hotdogs
Tribe Walks @ Chevere Cafe 1130a 2-miles & brunch to strengthen ladies & community
Pancakes on the Deck @ Oregon Dairy 7-11a - a huge serving for six bucks
Bluey & Bingo Character Meet @ Lanc Cupcake 930-1230 cupcakes for brekkie
Women’s Punch & Brunch @ Jinji Boxing 10-12p beginner friendly no black eyes
Stone Tool Whittling Workshop @ Zimmerman Center 11 or 2p strike tools from flint or obsidian
Mini Golf for a Mission @ Friendship Community 8-2p 18 holes, food trucks, raffles and $20 for four players
Park Bar opening w/Mark DeRose Trio @ South County 3-6p live jams
Gatsby Swing Dance @ The Old Moose Theater Etown 6-10p food, dancing and 1920s jams by the manheim melodians
Outdoor Sketch Session @ Ephrata Cloister 10-12p BYOA supplies
Muhlenberg Botanical Society nature walk @ High Family Preserve 9-12p 1.5 miles explore spring plants
Smoked Saturday @ Moo-Duck Brewery 12-830p smoked style sloppy joes
MayFest 2026 in Maytown 10-4p 50+ vendors, food trucks, & music
Butterfly Trail 10k & 5k @ Lanc Co Park 730-1p raising money for kisses for eb
Master Gardners Plant Sale @ American Legion Post 34 8-12p green heaven
Phenology Hike @ Welsh Mountain Preserve 9-1130a ages 13+ bring a notebook & help collect data
Nature Sketching by Lanc Conservancy @ Welsh Mountain 1-3p 1 mile hike art of your choice
Grateful Yoga Grand Opening in Landisville tmrw as well - intro offers & pricing - stretch to jerry & bob
Sunday May 3rd
Fairy Garden Tea Party @ Tiny Town Lanc 10-5p face painting, gardens, treats, and real fairies
Brunch & Bachata @ South County Park Bar 12-4p dance instruction
Birch Bark Canoe storytelling @ Eicher Arts Ctr 2p Robin shares his Canadian Bush building & paddling
Let’s Make this Quick @ Hempfield Apothetique Lounge 7-10p musicians have 15m to write & perform a song based on a storytellers tale
Alloy SC v Jersey Shore Boca match @ LBC 6p head to Funk Field
Bridgerton Inspired Brunch @ 10 North Venue 11-2p tea, bites, & immersive moments
Monday May 4th
Mindful Monday @ Binns Park 530-730p family friendly movement & meditation
May the 4th Be With You @ The Tatted Toy Guys 5-8p Star Wars characters, galactic scavenger hunt, and silent auction
Mechanical Bull @ El Rodeo 4-8p food, drinks, fun & free rides
SUPPORT YOUR LOOP
All your support goes directly towards keeping the Lancaster Loop alive and well.
The Loop will always be 100% free to read while being independently and locally written.
It’s a one human operation, supported by my beautiful wife of 22 years…she’s my not-so-secret editor & partner. So…technically, ‘one human’…+1. Many thanks to her & all of you -Ed
LANCASTER LOOP URL + IRL
Step # 1 is the “URL”. A weekly orchestrated email for you, by me, to grow us.
Step #2 is the “IRL” (in real life) Neighbors meeting neighbors.
DINNER CLUB
June 4th 630p Lancaster City various restaurants
Take the quiz, get paired with 5 other Loop readers, receive your restaurant invite the morning of June 4th, pay your way and enjoy your meal with neighbors. If the first two dinner clubs lend true, I bet you’ll even make some new friends 😉.
Click the pic to find your tablemates!
LOOPERS LEARN MAHJONG: Bonus Perk for Round 2 tonight 4/28: If you’ve signed up for the second sold out event, check your email & text for a fun update to the event this evening!
Open play for Mahjong starts Tuesday, May 5th, at West Art.
LOOPERS LEARN : SOCIAL STUDIES
Classes will soon be in session! With a resounding 97.3% the idea for a Lancaster Loop supported Social Studies meetup was approved in last week’s poll.
Quick recap: I’ll source a topic expert, find a local haunt to house the gathering, and sort out the logistics. You’ll show up, learn a bit, enjoy a bite or brew, and meet some neighbors. Think Mike Rowe & Dirty Jobs, but less dirty and just as ‘learny’.
I’ll start having conversations with experts in various fields, local professors, and other subject matter experts. I’d love to see what topics you are interested in. The topic range is as wide open as the Susque’ in Harrisburg (nearly 1 mile across).
See we’re already learnin’.
Drop your desired topic in the comments after clicking to vote and/or even better if you’re an expert or know one…shout it out in the comment section as well.
What are a few topics you'd like to see put on for Social Studies?
Where’s Wal’Ed’o?
Penn Cinema was correctly identified by nearly every Looper who guessed last week.
With an IMAX and Mick’s All American Pub there’s something for there everyone. On Wednesdays find their Tappy Hour with 50% off all taps 4-8p.
Congrats to Monica Kirchner, Rachel Valmonte, and Gregg Horst all winners of a Penn Cinema gift card. Check your email later today, grab a friend and catch a flick.
Know a local shop you’d love to see featured? If you know a great business, shop, or restaurant reach out to me. Bonus points if you can intro me to the owner! Just forward this email to the owner or GM - I welcome the introduction.
👇 Click the pic to guess this week’s “Where’s Wal’Ed’o?” location 👇
↑↑↑ CLICK THE PIC TO GUESS & WIN ↑↑↑
(nerdin’ out in my new Waldo inspired hat)
Here’s a clue: Icarus would have appreciated this place.
As always thanks for staying…in the ‘Loop! -Ed
P.S. Property is brought to you by Jeremy Ganse with RE/Max Smarthub
2 bed | 2 bath condo living in the Old Lancaster Press Building & on top of 401 Prime
P.P.S Today is National Superhero Day, created in the 90s by employees at Marvel Comics. It’s a celebration of fictional and real-life heros. You’d probably make someone’s day by telling them they’re your hero.
And you’d definitely be mine if you forwarded this email to your hero friend!
P.P.P.S. Did you guess it’s a tobacco plant in the section dividers this week?