Good Morning Lancaster! This is the Lancaster Loop, the newsletter that feels like a breath of fresh (wildfire-smoke-free) air.
Very Unhealthy, Moderate, Moderate, Moderate.
That was Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then yesterday - never have I ever looked up air quality stats so often. Mike Porto (the Loop’s resident Air Quality expert) recommends the EPA AIRNow app for a quick read at the air around town.
The air quality is almost back to Good and has improved as the wildfires in Ontario are now under control. So enjoy lungs full of a mostly smoke-free mix of N₂, O₂, Ar, and CO₂.
-Ed (connect on LinkedIn)
Today’s cover art is by Michelle Johnsen a Lancaster City based photographer. Her capture of the ‘Silent Symphony’ stopped me mid-scroll. Located at the corner of McGovern Avenue & N Duke Street - maybe you’ll find a sunset as powerful as the one Michelle found.
Last week’s poll found 73% of you “got lucky” in the storms, but 9% of took the “full wallop”. I hope your clean up is mostly over.
The collective spirit of our community is what makes Lancaster so special. My aim with the Loop is awareness and abundance of all the good in Lancaster. So this week (and likely never), no restaurant rankings and no ‘best of…’, lists.
Just one question, seeking our collective feedback…
If you had one last dollar (or a 20-spot) for a single Lancaster food item to enjoy, what gets it?
Click the first option and then drop your pick in the comments. Next week I’ll turn every answer into a word graphic. (But Ed, isn’t this just a selfish way to find all the good eats in the county? Guilty.)
What is one of your fave food items across Lancaster?
LOOPER LEARNING:
LANCASTER SLOW DOWN
Anyone else have the feeling of summer zoom these past few weeks?
I’ve been feeling it, so I did something radical: I went for a walk with my wife.
No podcast. No earbuds. Just us, moving at 3 or 4 miles per hour.
It’s easy to let the pace of 2026 feel like it’s the new norm. But thankfully, I remember that slowing down is almost always an option.
If you're feeling the same pull to downshift, here are three ways I'd do it:
Hit a river trail. The Northwest Lancaster County River Trail out of Marietta gives you the Susquehanna on one side and history on the other. Or take the Enola Low Grade Trail near Turkey Hill; both are flat, quiet, and the river views will pull you into the moment.
Sit by the river. Just sit. Columbia River Park at golden hour will fix things an app just can’t. Or climb up to the Chickies Rock overlook and watch the Susquehanna do what it's been doing for a few million years: taking its leisurely time. Want a bonus? Bring a pen & paper and write out any hurried thoughts.
Take a city walkabout. Next time you’re headed to Central Market, park at the Amtrak station and drift down North Queen Street just about 1.2 miles. No timed arrival pressure. Want an even quieter walk? Bump over a street to N Christian Street; more an alley than a street which parallels Queen and enjoy the shade as you pass under the hospital garage.
So here's my question for you: how do you slow down around Lancaster?
Hit reply...I read every one of your responses and they help shape this newsletter.
One more thing: I'm low & slow cooking up an evening designed entirely around this concept of intentionally slowing down: phones checked at the door, cash sales only, acoustic music, good food, good drinks, real conversation with real neighbors for a few hours. A purposeful unplug or digital detox.
Would you come?
Would you come hang out at an unplugged or digital detox night at a local eatery?
The 5Ws of Lancaster
Featured Events
July 24 to Aug 1 Indie Retail Week in Lanc City with 35+ participating businesses & lots of sales to shop
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July 25 Mini Stuff To Do Fair: ‘Culture & Community’ @ Binns Park 11-3p rain loc is Library - find clubs & social activities with community orgs & meet a new friend
Plan Ahead
October 9 Over the Edge with Big Brothers Big Sisters @ Mid Penn Bank on 2nd St in Harrisburg- You’ll harness up and then rappel down the side of an 18-story building to raise money for BBBS of South-Central PA donate or join the team
Tuesday July 21st
Community Yoga @ Lanc Medical Heritage Museum 10-11a movement & mindfulness with Tommy free or donate to the museum
Cousins Maine Lobster @ Cartel Brewing 4-8p order rolls ahead of time or on the spot & a second stop at Tanger Outlets on Friday 1130-7p lobster roll flight
Movie Night @ Historic Rock Ford 830p National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Trail Run @ Lanc Co Env Ctr 630p 3-5 miles of meeting some new woodsy friends
Wednesday July 22nd
Backyard Corn Hole League @ Binns Park 630-930p toss bags with Rural City Beer Garden brews
Lancaster PianoFest @ Barshinger Center (shows 7/22, 7/23, 7/24, & 7/25) culminates with an all Shostakovich Concert to close out the festival with faculty show
Summer in Provence Supper Club @ The Conway Room 630p multi-course highlighting French techniques and peak summer ingredients
Walk & Talk @ Overland Park 915a by Cool Moms find your crew
Bird Trivia @ Marion Court Room 7-9p can you identify the bird call avian experts
Thursday July 23rd
Lancaster REC Beer Garden @ Buchanan Park 4-10p (Thur/Fri/Sat) family & pet friendly with games, drinks, and food drinks under the open sky
Architecture, Art & the Meaning of Place @ Karen Anderer Fine Art 6-8p join the chat between Gregory Scott & Michael Bartmann on their C. Emlen Urban inspiration
Square Dancing w/JW and Friends @ Lanc Library 6-730p ages 18+ open to all beginner or pro
Blind Date with a Book @ Javateas Cafe & Old Republic Distillery 530-830p pick a wrapped book & read your surprise gem
Lititz Farmers Market @ N Broad St 4-730p grab a Scott’s Artisan Pizza for dinner
Thursday Night Throwdown @ Square One Coffee 6p Friendly latte art competition is free to watch or five bucks to enter send me a pic if you can make the loop logo
EDM Lancaster @ Tellus360 7p pounding bass, underground energy, and unapologetic self-expression come see the reboot
Friday July 24th
Latin Dance Night! @ West Art 7-10p monthly Salsa & Bachata lessons then high-energy Latin music mix
Blues Mojo @ Hillside Spirits 8-10p mix of blues, rock, and grooves
Meet Swoop @ Shops at Rockvale 5-8p celebrate summer and only 50 days until the start of NFL with food, cheerleaders, entertainment, and a bounce house
Community Blood Drive @ Park City Mall 8a-8p every donor receives car wash tix, Stormer tix, movie tix, and a t-shirt bleed for good
Free Outdoor Movie @ Binns Park 630-9p 2017 movie Hidden Figures
Fish Fry @ Stauffer’s Lititz, Lanc, & Mount Joy 11-7p under the tent with fish, crab, shrimp, and oysters
Scrapbook Convention @ Lanc Conv Ctr 9-5p (tmrw too) vendors, coupons, and scrapbooking classes
Saturday July 25th
Fossil & Mineral Show @ Farm and Home Center 9-5p (Sun 930-4p) 80 tables filled with gems, crystals, fossils, and a huge geology learning center for kids
Lancaster-based American Motors band @ West Art 8-10p duo show with Bed Maker - AM will soon drop their second lp
Songbird Coasters @ PA Guild 10-4p learn the historic art of hand-hooked art
Sweat & Social @ Marion Court Room 2p Pilates sculpt and body weight moves with Brooke before socializing
Blank Pages live music @ Belmont Shoppes 6-10p 4-piece rock band covering 60s to now
Swing Dance @ Iris Club 7-11p lesson with a DJ dance community style
Summer Fun in the Mud @ Buck Motorsports 7-10p watch the trucks make a mess and spectators dash for cash slippery & dirty
The Beach Boys @ American Music Theater 2p or 7p Mike Love and crew with over 100 million records sold
The Society of Curious Minds @ Urban Arts House 1130-230p guided conversations for deep, meaningful dialogue
Outdoors for All Day @ Reservoir Park 11-3p music, games, food, oh and nature
Breakfast & Yard Sales in the Park @ Terre Hill Park 7-10a food and deals
Christmas in July @ Decades 11-3p fundraiser for Arch Street Center Christmas-themed specials, decorate cookies, drinks, and a santa visit
Sunday July 26th
Sundown Salsa Sundays @ MamboJaz Studio 3-8p family friendly Salsa, Bachata, and more open dance lesson for the whole family
Reading Nature’s Signs @ Lanc Env Ctr 2-330p learn what animals are present, how to navigate in directions, and find how healthy water is all on a nature hike
English Country Dance @ Historic Rock Ford 3-5p no exp needed with recorded music and a live caller
Sunday Women’s Swap Series: Summer Theme @ Buchanan Park 1-145p bring 12 items - all the same or a mix - around a summer theme
Summer Music @ Long’s Park 730p live music by New Breed Brass Band w/food truck options while jammin to a mix of funk, jazz, soul, and Caribbean influences
Community Backpack Giveaway @ ConnectUs Church 9-12p free backpack, supplies, pictures, snacks, and a foam cannon
YPOC’s Brown Sugar Brunch @ Crispus Attucks Comm Ctr 1-5p brunch, drinks, and live entertainment and dress in shades of brown
Monday July 27th
Good night for a hike, a sit, or a city walk-about…
The Loop is independently and locally written by a guy who loves Lanc. All support is welcome - the biggest compliment you can share is forwarding this email to a friend & asking them to subscribe. -Ed
📣YELL at the Loop (or tell me something on your mind)
LOOPER EVENTS
DINNER CLUB:
Lancaster Loop Dinner Club #4 landed last Thursday. 9 restaurants across Downtown Lancaster filled with neighbors meeting neighbors. The next one will be September 17th and two improvements will happen. First, look for name tags or a Loop button to help know who’s who at the after party. And secondly, I’m working on another behind-the-scenes style after party in the city.
MAHJONG:
August 4th @ West Art - Danielle from The 717 Mahj Circle returns for Mahjong open play.
Open play focuses on playing & enjoying the game, with Danielle on-hand for guidance and support! sign-ups are live
LOOPER AUCTION:
Along with PCI Auctions and Mediatwist, I’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime experience for one lucky winner.
We’re auctioning off a custom painting with ALL of the proceeds benefitting the Morgan Wallen Foundation whose mission supports youth music and sports programs.
The artist?
Luke Rice, touring bassist, painter, and the creative behind this painting titled, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, measuring 54”×48”×2.5”. When Luke isn’t on stage playing bass on one of country music’s biggest tours, he creates art with a paintbrush.
The winning bid includes a Certificate of Authenticity and a signed backstage laminate. The winner and their guest will pick up the painting from Luke in person backstage at one the tour’s Philly concerts on 7/31/26 or 8/1/26 at Lincoln Financial Field. Then you’ll enjoy the show.
Bid on the painting and come home with your very own backstage story that I’ll want to hear every detail on.
Where’s Wal’Ed’o?
Last week I found my way to the Rocky Springs Carousel Association Gallery on N Water Street. Find it by walking down the left side of the building at 118 N Water and you’ll see the entrance with double glass doors. Visit any Tuesday or Friday from 10-3p or on First Fridays 10-7p where volunteers will greet you.
Congrats to Rachel Bucaro and Pattee Kissinger - you both won a holiday ornament I picked up from the RSCA.
The future home of the restored carousel is slated for Strasburg in partnership between the RSCA and the Choo Choo Barn Foundation. My vote would be towards a hail mary plan that could keep it in the city. But, any which way it spins to life again will be a great outcome.
Know a local shop you’d love to see featured in Where’s Wal’Ed’o? - shoot me a reply.
Bonus points if you can intro me to the owner or GM.
Feel free to forward this email to them as well.
👇 Click the pic to guess this week’s “Where’s Wal’Ed’o?” location 👇
Click the pic to guess and win
Here’s a clue: These two grown up ‘old’ Eagle Scouts met after one of us posted a video of a kid riding a bike to Instagram. Not only does Rob brew, he spreads good vibes across Lancaster. Where am I?
As always thanks for staying… in the ‘Loop! -Ed
P.S. Property Peek
3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,844 sf all-brick Cape Cod from the 1930s with modern feel and private backyard for $360,000
P.P.S. If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, forward it to a friend who would probably ride the carousel on their birthday every year (& you should join them).
P.P.P.R. The ‘R’ stands for randomness; Today is National Junk Food Day. Do with that what you will. But also save room…this festival is only 53 days away.