In partnership with YourLife Gym
Morning Loopers!
Lancaster County is officially between fairs. Elizabethtown's finished, Solanco and Denver are two weeks out, and we’re currently funnel cake-less again.
Good news: art season is quietly filling the gap. Studios, festivals, murals, and all the people who create things. It’s out there to be found this week. Go discover…or even better…make some art!
See ya ‘round the county…
-Ed (connect on LinkedIn)
Today’s cover art is by local artist Bill Cavanaugh. After retiring in early 2022, he’s created nearly 500 drawings of almost everything Lancaster.
Bill has donated a 5×7 print of his Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge that he's giving away to a Loop reader. It’s easy enough to win, just click a guess on today’s trivia poll and you’re entered.
Which county has more covered bridges than Lancaster County, PA?
Last week’s poll asked which German word means ‘May Sunshine’. 88% of you guessed Maienschein, which is the correct answer.
Cheers to Jill Hunt and Denise Drudy, who won a mystery bundle from the spring candle collection at Elswick Goods.
LOOPER LOCAL LAUNCH
Game Night - BYOG
Lancaster Loop + Lancaster Plays Games
Most adults could be better at making time for play.
Kids, however, approach it like it was their birthright. Mister Rogers said, “play is the real work of childhood”. But, I wonder what life might look like if we prioritized play in our adult days.
When I learned that local couple, Miranda and Kevin, were launching a board game night called Lancaster Plays Games, I jumped to support them. It’s a new, monthly board game night started by this husband-and-wife team with a simple idea…
Welcome people to a fun place, put games on the table, and remind us that life’s better when we slow down and play.
BYOG (bring your own game), borrow from Just Press Play’s, or LPG's libraries. Come with a friend or solo. Tap into your inner kid and go play a game with Miranda, Kevin, and some new friends!
The inaugural play night is this Thursday 9/3 from 530-8p at the Just Press Play Mega Store, 2007 Lincoln Hwy E.
LANCASTER PARK(ing) DAY
This Friday, a bunch of downtown parking spots stop being parking spots.
Park(ing) Day is a global project that Strong Towns Lancaster brings here every year. Businesses, nonprofits, and regular neighbors claim a curbside space and turn it into something else for a day…a tiny park, an art installation, a stage, or a couple chairs.
Even everyone’s fave authority…the Lancaster Parking Authority (r/sarcasm) is sponsoring the event.
Here's an interactive map of every installation. The open-to-all awards afterparty will be held at Hempfield Apothetique from 8-10p. Come see what concrete and pavement look like when they’re turned into community.
The Park(ing) Day showcase runs from 3-7p this Friday.
YourLife Gym set out to build community around being healthy.
Both physically and mentally.
Members get 24/7 access, top-tier Arsenal Strength equipment, dumbbells to 150 lbs, an InBody scanner, and weekly life coaching built into every membership. Add personal training or nutrition coaching when you're ready.
Friend of the Loop and co-owner, Tim Weaver, personally invites you to come by & see how YLG is different. It’s more than the equipment and hours. It’s community.
YourLife Gym
The 5Ws of Lancaster
Featured Events
September 5th Creative Release with Jo Davis @ The Candy Factory 10-12p FREE & open to the public & all ages - whether you have THE idea, maybe you’re halfway thru an art project, or you haven’t created art since 5th grade…this event is for you. Come with supplies or not, you’ll find your outlet and people here
September 4th Lancaster Print Crawl @ Multiple sites 5-9p PCAD, Larkstone, Steadfast Screen Printing, ForcePKG, Ware Center, Stevens & Smith Center, and a bonus location at Jimmy Juice’s new spot on W King print & sip
Plan Ahead
October 9 JOIN ME JUMPING OFF A ROOF raise money for BBBS of South-Central PA - support us donate or join the team here
September 26 Putt Putt For Lafayette @ Moser Roofing Solutions in Greenfield 10-2p Mini Golf takes over for a family-friendly indoor 18-hole golf course with all funds donated to the equipment needs of the Lafayette Fire Company - friend of the Loop and Fire Captain, Suzi Sutton, will have fire trucks on display - play 18 or have your company sponsor a hole
Tuesday September 1st
Ticket drop @ 12p for Read it & Eat Supper Club for dinner on 9/27 grab the book, cook a dish to share, and eat with neighbors September’s book ‘by Heart’
Quilting on the Line Retreat @ Eden Resort - runs thru 9/4 quilting together and continuing the craft
Wednesday September 2nd
Lancaster Cupcake Truck Visit @ Penn State Lime Spring Building 11-2p serving all the classics along with gluten-free and vegan options
Thursday September 3rd
Taste in Pennsylvania @ Railroad House Inn 6-8p celebrating the Chesapeake Bay watershed with live music and seasonal foods - largest fundraiser of the year
20-year Celebration @ Javateas 5-7p live music and light refreshments along with drinks to order
Shrek Night @ Decades 4-10p themed drinks and food, kids welcome, scavenger hunt, selfie station, and free stickers bring your little ogres
Lancaster Fringefest Forum @ Zoetropolis 6-8p network with other creators and catch a film
Friday September 4th
Long’s Park Art Festival @ LP Fri-Sun 10-6p - 200 artist booths across the park, 25 y/o and under are free, and proceeds support the Summer Music Series - cheat code: park at the mall and walk thru the tunnel
Durang Dance with Nomads & Natives @ Trust Center 6-830p free season opener event with double violins, musicians, storytelling, and ballet free cupcake to first hundred guests
Big Little Art Show @ West Art 5-7p all art is by 0-6 year old artists - drop your little Picasso’s art by for viewing and showcase their summer creations
Fall Open House @ Maejean Vintage 4-8p new vintage, antique, and estate jewelry along with refreshments and vintage shopping
Zeal Night @ Legacy Church 7-9p church community built around examining a culture that pushes performance, distraction, and striving
Mid-Century Mod & Beyond Art Show @ Lanc Art Vault 530-830p opening night reception and art by previous Loop cover artist Ann Benton Yeager mid-century modern
Central Market Flowers turns 5 @ CMF 5-8p birthday treats, prizes, build a bouquet workshop, and of course…flowers
Saturday September 5th
Marietta Woods Trail System Grand Opening @ Endo Collective Marietta 10-2p two new trail loops opening & bicycle playground - guided rides, local vendors and food trucks bring your bike
Final First Saturday @ Ephrata Chalk the walk 11-4p and evening event 430-8p decorate then rock the plaza with live music and food vendors
Living the Experience @ Bethel AME Church 11-3p interactive reenactment of the Underground Railroad - experience seeking freedom in Lancaster in the 1800s
Flourish Makers Market @ Tanger Outlets 10-3p food trucks and over fifty curated vendors
Red Rose Coin Club @ Farm and Home Center 9-3p operating since 1958, join their annual coin show
Lancaster Pride Royale Pageant @ West Art 530-9p drag pageant competition, special performances, and crowning the winner
International Vulture Awareness Day @ Columbia Crossing 11a vendors and food to change negative perceptions and associations towards vultures - meet Baron Von Vulture resident black vulture
Heart of Lancaster Arts & Craft Show @ Roots Market 10-4p artists and craftsmen showcase handmade items along with a variety of food & treats
Flower Festival @ Cherry Crest 10-7p sunflower and zinnia fields open along with craft vendors, face painting, balloon art, live music, food and drinks pick a flower
Labor Day Auction to support Hospice @ Solanco Fairgrounds 730-5p and Mon 9/7 730-5p Hospice supports those with life-limiting illness or loss eat, bid, repeat
Sunday September 6th
Brunch & Bachata @ South County Brewing 12-4p last one of the series beginner-friendly with feel good Latin mixes for a Sunday dance reset
Women of Lancaster Hiking Trip @ Middle Creek 8a low-pressure nature time with kindred folks
Annual Ice Cream Social with The Eighties Club @ Lititz Historical Foundation 5-8p come dressed as your fave 80s character and see a Back to the Future DeLorean we don’t need roads
Monday September 7th
Speed Jigsaw Puzzling @ Our Town Brewery 7p teams of four compete for the fastest puzzle completion & you keep the puzzle not a corner piece
Baking Demo @ Historic Rock Ford 10-4p Chef Justin from Half Crown Bakehouse and resident baker at GW’s Mount Vernon showcases period-correct bread making
The Loop is written weekly right here in the county by a guy who ♥️s Lancaster.
Any and all support is welcome - the biggest compliment is forwarding this email to a friend & asking them to subscribe. -Ed
LOOPER EVENTS
LANCASTER LOOP DINNER CLUB
ORDER UP! The next Dinner Club is just over two weeks away on September 17th. It’ll be another great evening of neighbors meeting neighbors. And folks taking small risks to create forever memories.
Here’s how it goes…
• Take a quick quiz on food prefs and what types of folks you are looking to meet
• You’ll be matched with five other Loop readers based on your answers
• Receive a text/email the morning of the dinner to discover your restaurant
• At dinner receive a text/email with the secret location of an afterparty
• The afterparty is optional, but makes for a much better story
MAHJONG OPEN PLAY
The September Mahjong Open Play night is postponed. We’ll be back in October. Your tiles might need their fall blazer by then, but we’ll have another fun evening back at West Art in PSL season.
OUR TOWN UNPLUGGED
The first Unplugged was a huge hit. 120+ people voluntarily checking their phones at the door and going full analog for the night.
Round 2 is coming up Monday, September 14th back at Our Town Brewery. The candles are on standby, the TVs & lights will be off, and the invitation is to slooooow dooooown.
You’ll experience life like it’s June 28th, 2007…(the iPhone came out the next day). $5 cover goes to the acoustic musicians providing some jams. Enjoy a digital detox.
Where’s Wal’Ed’o?
Last week’s crunchy spot was the Lancaster Pickle Company on N Queen in Lancaster City.
The new husband and wife owners, James & Brittnie, took over the business in January, with this entire store themed around pickles. Grab a stuffed toy “emotional-support” pickle or tasty real pickles. If it’s a pickle, it’s here.
Brittnie & James are kindly donating a pint of pickles to 10 guessers from last week.
Congrats to: Stacey Maghan, Terry Finch, Jason Schaeffer-Griffith, Diann Holder, Molly Miller, Lucilia Trickett, Cathy Lucas, Anita Kelly, Chloe Sensenig, Sharon Eshleman.
I'll pair you with Brittnie over email. Pop past to pick your preferred pint of pickles. Say that 10 times fast.
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 a starter.
👇 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: Two words - 🌽🚜 or 🌽🛒 or 🌽📦 …how is there not the actual emoji I need?
As always thanks for staying… in the ‘Loop! -Ed
P.S. Property Peek
$500k up for Auction | 3,914 sf main home | 5 Bed - 3 Bath | This Quarryville homestead will give you primo star-viewing opportunities minus A/C and electricity
P.P.S. If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, forward it to a friend that should subscribe to the Loop and who’d buy an off-grid home and throw a heck of a backyard party…
P.P.P.R. The ‘R’ stands for randomness; Lancaster (and Earth) takes an unusual shower this time of the year. And Hunter Deibler from Lititz captured 29 meteors on August 12th during our annual Perseid meteor shower