Today’s newsletter is brought to you by Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA
And into the forest I must go,
to lose my mind…
and find my soul.
I’ve got a jam-packed newsletter for you today.
I’m excited to do some fun things around Lancaster this weekend. Last weekend I found myself near Cowans Gap State Park. It’s about two hours west, the leaves were crunchy and the air was crisp. The three line quote hung in the off-grid cabin. I immediately thought Muir, but turns out it’s likely from Mariah Danu written in 2014. Either way, I’m grateful for the words and will be carrying them with me through our fall and winter seasons.
See ya ‘round Lancaster!
-Ed (connect on LinkedIn)
Today’s cover image is by local artist Aimee Weaver. She is the owner of White Gables Home, a shop where you can find handmade signs, custom artwork, home decor, and a garden house where she hosts events and private parties. She painted this mural at the Strasburg Creamery last week. Find more of Aimee’s art here.
LOOPER LOCAL LIMELIGHT
BARN BOY GAMES: Part 2
Pop Quiz…part 2
What happens when local supports local?
A Kickstarter by Lancaster local Barn Boy Games gets fully funded in the first 24 hours!
As of 7:17 am today, 221 backers have pledged a total of $18,634.
If you played the game in last week’s newsletter, you might remember that Ryan and Kerry and their game, Height Fight, was created right here in Lancaster County.
Many thanks to the Loopers who played the game in last week’s newsletter as well as those who supported them with the Kickstarter launch. They excitingly surpassed their goal of $15,000.
Three winners were chosen from last week’s game players. You’ll each be connected by email with Ryan and Kerry to claim your prize.
Fingers crossed we’ll showcase another Height Fight 5-card game in next week’s newsletter!
grab your own copy of the game or follow their journey on ig
LANCASTER TRAIN TRAVEL
POLL RESULTS
Elvis slept here…and so would you.
Last week’s newsletter showcased the Colonial Pullman Company’s private rail car, Colonial Crafts. It’s the exact same car Elvis rode home in after serving in the Army.
The corresponding poll asked if Loopers would enjoy a private train trip leaving Lancaster aboard the car. We had a travel agent chime in about group hotel rates and nearly 70 of you were split between a day trip, an overnight, and a final group who’d sell all their possessions and ride the rails into the sunset.
I’ll keep you in the loop as I dig in deeper to potentially pull(man) a chartered train ride together. And, the Looper local bus tour is still in the works.
So far, I’ve featured planes, trains, and automobiles (buses). Boats or a submarine may be the next logical Looper ride.
LANCASTER LOOP GAMES
Here’s something new I’m launching. Use your wits to learn about an upcoming local event.
From time to time, I’ll create a word scramble for you to solve.
This inaugural scramble has five words and when solved will point you towards an event to delight your auricles. Unscramble the first three words below to identify the local organization hosting the Festivals & Folklore event.
If you want a BIG hint or to know if you guessed correctly - click the below graphic to see the event listing.
Test Your Knowledge:
The mission of the Lancaster Loop is ‘Neighbors meeting Neighbors.’
The mission of BBBS is ‘to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth.’
I love the relational synergy between BBBS and the Loop.
This Friday, I’ll be jumping (rappelling) off an 18-story building in Harrisburg to raise money for BBBS of South-Central PA. Our three member Loop team will bravely go ‘over the edge’. The funds come back to Lancaster and support Lancaster youth.
All support goes directly to raising funds for BBBS.
support us here
The 5Ws of Lancaster
Featured & Upcoming Events
October 9th & 10th 90/90 Art Challenge @ Lancaster County Art Association 130-8p and Saturday 930-4p artists are challenged to complete artwork in a 90 minute session in celebration of LCAA’s 90th anniversary
October 10th & 11th Harvest Days @ Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum 9-4p both days - cooking demos, exhibits, live music, taste heirloom apples, see them turn into butter & sauce, pick a pumpkin, wagon rides, and the Harvest Biergarten
October 10th 19th Annual Gifts That Give Hope Fair @ Farm & Home Center 10-3p start your holiday shopping and buy gifts that directly support 35+ nonprofits and 20+ vendors - plus take a food passport tour with eight food vendors
Plan Ahead
October 17th Candlelight: Tribute to Michael Jackson @ Barshinger Center 830p songs performed live by Listeso String Quartet including Rock With You, They Don’t Really Care About Us, Billie Jean, Man in the Mirror, Remember The Time, and more
Tuesday October 6th
Tumbler Tuesday @ Son’s East Pete all day each Tuesday in October - bring the tumbler of your choice and they’ll fill it with ice cream - 16 oz or less -$8, 20–24 oz -$10, 30–40 oz -$12 fill it up son
Autumn Hues Hike @ Silver Mines Park 530p with Movement & Co. a women-centered wellness hike on unpaved trails for 2 miles free like nature should be
Wednesday October 7th
Meet People Lancaster Trivia @ Southern Market 630p celebrate two years of trivia nights with free pizza - look for the high tops with MPL signs thirsty for knowledge
Boo-tiful Ladies Night Out @ Lancaster Cupcake 5-8p flash tattoos, permanent jewelry, photo-ops, diy shirt bar, charcuterie cart, and a few cupcakes
Make Paper @ Lancaster Environmental Center 630-730p fall-themed papermaking - create your own cards, booklet, or drawing paper
Thursday October 8th
Conversations on a Bench w/Jack Crowley @ Water Street Mission 3p to 3p tomorrow - 24 hour discussion around homelessness with the president of WSM
We Will Always Love You @ Tellus 730p A tribute to Dolly Parton by Cosmic Honky Tonk w/local talents and all proceeds going to Dolly’s Imagination Library
Friday October 9th
HS Football: Manheim Township vs Penn Manor Football @ MT Stadium 7p Blue Streaks + Comets or Northern Lebanon vs Lampeter-Strasburg @ LS Stadium 7p Vikings + Pioneers
The Biscotti Boys @ Marion Court Room 530-9p party-rock band from Chester Co
A Life With Ghosts @ Millersville Univ Student Center 630-9p exclusive footage, stories, historical details, and a live Q&A with Steve Gonsalves a voice in the paranormal
Tearing Through the Veil @ HyperSigil Media Studio 11a-10p a brand-new studio specializing in fantasy, horror, and dark beauty
Widening the Circle: Community Weekend @ United Metaphysical Church a weekend event of meditation and sound, mediumship, spiritual classes, and community meals
Leading AI Well: How is That Possible? @ The Square Halo Gallery by The Row House Forum 7-830p a talk with Q&A on how AI might be led well with author and a tech strategist
LoveNotes! @ West Art 7p a storytelling show of real people, real stories, and real love - eleven storytellers share with musical interludes
Kids Try Ice Skating or Hockey for Free @ Lancaster Ice Rink 615-715p equipment available to borrow ages 3+ - adults can skate Sundays 6-7a for breakfast club
Saturday October 10th
Lititz Chocolate Walk @ Downtown Lititz 10-4p visit over 25 locations with samples allowing you to eat your way across town - all ticket sales supports children-focused charities get warmed up for Halloween
StoudtoberFest @ Stoudtburg Village 12-6p Oktoberfest celebration with 3 live bands, traditional German folk dancing, eats & drinks, live music, Heidelberg Brass Band, and a stein hoisting competition
Lancaster Skepticamp @ Southern Market 930a Seven speakers on a variety of topics like, ‘Are We Alone In the Milky Way?’ and ‘The Ideomotor Effect’ by the Skeptical Inquirer a magazine for science and reason
Lancaster Fest @ Crystal Park 215-4p by Life in Christ Church - free meals, free bill pay assistance, free toys, free games along with an encouraging message
UNC Night w/Major Vibes & Ralph Real @ West Art 7-10p 21+ all the hits, throwbacks, and songs that were better back in the day
Light the Night For Hope @ Penn Med Park 5-8p an evening of remembrance, connection, and hope around a special luminary walk - door prizes, concessions, vendors on a candlelit walk
Sewing 101 @ Lancaster Creative Reuse 3p three classes sewing machines, hand sewing, and basic clothing repair pins and needles
Catholic War Veterans of Lancaster @ St Leo the Great 530p in process of forming a new post and creating short & long term goals all veterans welcome
Christie & Christy Co. Pop-Up @ behind Tomato Pie Cafe 10-3p one-of-a-kind vintage vessel candles & other vendors hand-poured light
Longsword Workshop @ Kline’s Run Park 10-4p learn to use the longsword with the Lancaster Historical European Swordsmanship club en garde
Lancaster Swing Dance @ Iris Club 7-11p bring a friend and dance the night away
Sofar Sounds @ Lancaster 730p two artists, R&B, soul, singer-songwriter cozy mix of soft seating in a location revealed 36 hours before the show
Sunday October 11th
Fall Cider Celebration @ Historic Rock Ford 530-9p lecture on the history of cider from William Penn to commercial makers today followed by live Colonial era tavern music - enjoy eating a ‘cider apple’ and then wash ‘em down with cider samples
Antique Cars & Coffee @ Lancaster Workshop + Tool Library 10-1p see the workshop, meet the people, get involved, and sip around the antiques
Puff & Poet Open Mic @ Hempfield Apothetique 6-9p poets, spoken word artists, and book lovers come and share your good words
Millersville Lions Club Car Show @ Comet Field 10-2p benefits Blue Rock Fire Company
Apostles Academy Concert Series @ Apostles UCC - The Malta Band of Lancaster 3p experience one of Lancaster’s oldest concert bands
Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop @ Painting w/a Twist 1-4p no knitting experience needed & leave with a handmade blanket to enjoy for the next six months
Monday October 12th
“Creature of the Pines” @ Penn Cinema 6p network with a creative community, watch the film then join a live Q&A with the directors
Design Your Own Tote Bag @ Ware Center 6p learn the art of printmaking at an entry-level workshop using linoleum block print
The Loop is nearing our one-year anniversary. The first November 18th, 2025 edition landed in a total of 6 inboxes. (Hi, Mom!) Each week it’s researched, written, and sent by one local human (👋).
I find all the good of L🌹nc🌹ster and share it with you.
Always free, always local.
If the Loop has earned your weekly read, make a contribution of any size and receive my eternal gratitude and a high-five or hug at a future IRL event. Every dollar goes back into growing our community. Can’t or don’t want to? I still ❤️🤍 you.
Where’s Wal’Ed’o?
Last week I was standing in front of the Landisville location of Coffee Co Cafe.
Coffee Co opened in 1983 and has grown to six locations: New Holland, Ephrata, Lititz, Lancaster Shopping Center, Mill Creek Square, and Landisville. I appreciate that they source from local farms to create their menu.
My go-to is the Lancaster Breakfast...add one egg...over medium with Steel-Cut Oats as my backup.
Their new menu arrives tomorrow October 7th!
You may unsubscribe for this one, but I’m a firm believer coffee should only be served hot.
Their latte always delivers.
Congrats to Diana Daigle, who will likely enjoy a Jammy Sammy with her gift card.
Know a local shop you’d love to see featured in Where’s Wal’Ed’o? Shoot me a reply or an introduction to the owner. Feel free to forward this email to them as an introduction.
👇 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: Whether it’s 7:17 am or 2:36 am, I’m hanging out where the guards never sleep at the gate, the menu reads like a full-length novel, and your plate arrives within minutes. No matter how late the wander goes, the neon is always on at this castle-front diner stop.
As always, thanks for staying… in the ‘Loop! -Ed
P.S. Property Peek 4 beds | 6.5 baths | 4,582 sf | 1/2 acre - this carriage house property in Lancaster City’s Chestnut Hill neighborhood was built in 1892 first sale in 30 years
P.P.P.R. The ‘R’ stands for randomness; Lancaster native Kate Springer published a great article about Lancaster City on CNN