A bouquet on Lenox Lane filled with snapdragons, feverfew, bellflowers, and sage flowers.
Hey Loopers! I hope you are finding ways to get out and meet some new neighbors during this beautiful spring.
It was wonderful to spend time with many of you after last week’s Dinner Club.
Many thanks to Andre & Hi Fi Izakaya for hosting the afterparty.
The next Dinner Club is Thursday July 16th in downtown Lancaster and I’m cooking up an afterparty that’ll be a unique and fun experience.
See ya ‘round town!
-Ed
This week’s cover art is from Little Animal Botanicals, a woman-owned floral company. I met Rachel, the owner, at Cozendagen this past winter. Her locally owned Lancaster business sources exclusively from micro-local farms; that is, farms 10-15 miles or less from Lancaster City.
Above is her ‘Table Topper’ sized bouquet, of which she’s donating to one lucky reader.
For your chance to win a bouquet, participate in the poll below.
Little Animal Botanicals supplies fresh flowers to which local business from June thru October.
Want to get your Lancaster local business in front of 11,000+ readers who care about where they live and want to see their dollars support local?
Good vibes only - Let’s see if it’s a good fit with our Lancaster-local community.
LOOPER LEARNING & STRAWBERRIES
There’s the too often bland store variety and then there’s Lancaster-local, field-fresh strawberries.
One is bred for shelf life and appearance and the other for vine-plucked-to-in-your-mouth sweetness.
And the smell of a fresh-picked strawberry alone is worth every bit of finding yourself on at roadside stand around the county.
Here’s a list of local spots to grab or pick some fresh Fragaria x ananassa (the 18th-century hybrid cross between the North American wild strawberry and the Chilean strawberry we often consume today).
Act fast - the season runs roughly through mid-June.
‘Not far off the beaten path’: This Saturday the 13th at Market 8-12p is the Strawberry Festival. Live music, face painting, and a variety of strawberry-themed foods.
‘A little off the beaten path’: Best to call ahead and check on availability. Pick your own at Cherry Hill Orchard, Hoovers Farm, Shenk’s Berry Farm, and Brecknock Orchard
‘Fully off the beaten path’: Find ’em on your own. I can remember a time before the interwebs made life easy. To even find a yard sale you had to drive and discover random signs. So hop in your ride and head in the rough direction of Strasburg, Ronks, East Earl, Leola, Intercourse, Blue Ball, or anywhere you’ve seen a horse & buggy. Look for the little roadside signs directing you down a lane to some fresh strawberries.
Send me a picture of your adventure and I’ll include a collage in next week’s newsletter.
Lancaster Local Looper Learning
Last week I found myself on an executive tour bus riding from the downtown Marriott toward Strasburg. Faye Irene, the bus tour guide, shared stories, tidbits, and more on the Mennonite and Amish cultures. She’s a treat. I learned a ton and had a blast.
I even struck red gold, finding a pint of absolutely delicious strawberries from an off-the-beaten-path stand Faye Irene had directed us to.
Of course my brain immediately thought, “I need to put together a bus tour for Loopers.”
I’d plan the afternoon, secure our tour guide, Faye Irene, pick a spot for lunch, source drinks for the ride, and even include some rad bus ride surprises. Think a local-foodie or trivia guru.
Maybe there’d even be a random seat assignment for part of it to support neighbors meeting neighbors, and you’d get to see and learn a side to Lancaster not too often seen.
What do you think, want to jump on a bus and tour Lancaster with other Loopers?
Should I set up a bus tour of Lancaster County?
LANCASTER LOOP URL + IRL
Step # 1 is the “URL”. This weekly email for you, by me, to grow all of us.
Step # 2 is the “IRL” (in real life) Do rad stuff. Neighbors meeting neighbors.
Let’s Do Some Step # 2 Stuff
DINNER CLUB:
The next Lancaster Loop Dinner Club is July 16th @ 630p.
The 3rd Dinner Club was last week and good times and new friends were found.
Sign-ups are live.
Oh yeah, I’m cooking up another really fun afterparty - cue the fashion showcase?!
LOOPERS LEARN & PLAY MAHJONG:
We now have finalized dates for the long-awaited Mahjong reunion tour. 🤘
Mahjong 102 will be held at West Art on Tuesday, 6/23 from 6-8p.
This class is for people who’ve already had an introduction to the game or have some experience playing.
If you attended one of the first classes, this is a great follow-up for more practice and skill development.
Open play dates are scheduled for July 7th and August 4th at West Art.
For the Mahjong 102 & open play format, Danielle with The 717 Mahj Circle will be back on site with expert guidance, support, and encouragement!
Sign-up links will be live on West Art’s website shortly
LANCO HUNT:
Don’t Forget Your Father’s Day
Mike Porto (from Filtertracker) and I loved putting on the Mother’s Day scavenger hunt. So we’re launching one for the dads.
It’s your turn Pops.
This hunt will be a bit different. It’ll run from June 20th through June 28th.
The hunt begins at Lancaster BBQ Supply…
You’re welcome, fellas.
Head there anytime during open business hours and scan the LancoHunts QR code, which will lead you to a series of other locations and clues. Each correct answer is an entry into the raffle for some amazing prizes.
Think full backyard grilling heaven.
4 Grand Prizes.
Tons of gift cards.
As always, it’s free to play. Join this adventure in honor of Father’s Day.
Catch some early details and chances for extra raffle entries by signing up for the Conestoga Valley Roundabout platform, a new online community built to connect neighbors and a sponsor of the hunt.
Follow LancoHunts on Instagram, or catch all the updates check out the prizes on the LancoHunts website.
The 5Ws of Lancaster
Who / What / Where / When / Why
Courtney & Tyler Madenford are the new owners of Lancaster BBQ Supply.
I met them this week when I stopped in to discuss the ‘Don’t Forget Your Father’s Day Scavenger Hunt’ details . Tyler was finishing up one of their barbecuing classes which you can find on their site. I was treated to ribs, pork belly burnt ends, and a smoky & spicy corn casserole. Absolutely delicious!
Not only can they teach you how to master barbecuing, but they also sell everything from grills to smokers to pizza ovens and everything else BBQ-related. Find Lancaster BBQ Supply at 1920 Lincoln Highway E.
I loved walking through their shop surrounded by BBQ possibilites, and I’m excited to have them as a sponsor for the LancoHunts Father’s Day hunt.
Lancaster BBQ Supply
Featured Events
June 10 Summer Solstice Meditation Series 7-820p next 3 Wednesdays along with gentle yoga - come find spiritual alignment
- - - - -
June 9-13th Lancaster Water Week continues - variety of locations, events, learnings, and celebrations - all the events
- - - - -
June 13 Home Match of the Dutchland Rollers @ Overland Activities Center 6-930p - women’s roller derby match, and with team member names like KARADACTYL, P.R. NIGHTMARE, JUNIE BEAT JONES, and TERROR SWIFT it’s sure to be blast of a home game
Plan Ahead
July 6-August 4 Beer Alchemy @ F&M Learn to brew & the science of beer from Professor of Biology Rob Jinks open to 18+, brew two beers from homebrew to microbrew hop chemistry
Today - Tuesday June 9th
Colonial Inventions and Building @ Lanc Library 4-5p ages 5-12 learn how colonists built sturdy walls and roofs with simple machines
Wednesday June 10th
Bats Around Us @ Lanc Co Enviro Ctr 8-9p PA is home to 9 native bat species - come see & learn how to support bats
Backyard Corn Hole League @ Binns Park 5-9p food trucks & Rural City Beer Garden
Lecture @ HPT of Lanc Co 6-8p learn from Master Gardener Mike Cassidy on 19th century working gardens
Author showcase @ Barnes and Noble 10-1p Kyle Whary reads his book Shark Bites Bakery and book signing
Thursday June 11th
11-Year Celebration @ Platos Closet 9-6p thru 6/14 four days of prizes, giveaways and customer appreciation
Date Night @ Conestoga House & Gardens 5-8p byob & music by Ben Pierson bring a blanket
Eat a Burger & support Best Buddies @ Shake Shack 10a-11p one-to-one connections between people with and without disabilities to build friendships
Friday June 12th
Midsommar Celebration @ Sweetish 3-7p Scandinavian tradition with pop-ups from several vendors at the start of summer
Front Porch Grilling @ S. Clyde Weaver 10-3p explore your way thru food samples
She Belongs Here @ People and Things 6-9p an intentional networking space to support black and brown women
Lanc’s Official Soccer Watch Party @ Binns Park 6-11p US v Paraguay, dances, DJ, p/up matches, beer garden, food trucks, for the truncated icosahedron
Saturday June 13th
1 Year Anniversary @ Hypnotic Pole Fitness 7-9p 18+ (21+ to drink) a curated tribute of dance and performances to the alter ego
Telephone Collectors Spring Show @ Farm and Home Center 9-2p sell, see, trade vintage phones
Morning Hike @ Lanc Co Enviromental Center 9-10a Naturalist Fisher Zban leads you on a journey of bird songs, rushing waters, and greenery
Fill a Dumpster by Conestoga River Club 9-12p land and wade in to clean the river
Cooking with Casey Cookbook Signing @ Heart Gallery & Market 12-2p WIOV FM Casey shares her 29th installment of recipes from pa
The Nomads @ Charles Frey Park 6-10p 50s, 60s, and 70s rock & roll and doo wop
Ladies Night @ Lanc Stormers 645p women’s businesses and vendors on the concourse vendors welcome
Peace in the Streets Block Party @ Culliton Park 12-4p SoWe’s biggest event and activities towards ending gun violence
Sunday June 14th
Summer Market @ John Wright Restaurant 10-3p local wares from 40+ Makers overlooking the susque
When the Declaration of Independence was News @ Historic Rock Ford 2-330p the story of those involved to spread the word
Bourbon Night @ Decades 5-11p 50¢ wings and wild turkey samples
Lanc Inferno @ Penn Med Park 7p home game Pro-AM women’s soccer - under 18 free if wearing a jersey
Puff & Poet Open Mic @ Hempfield Apothetique 6-9p spoken word, poetry, and book lovers unite
Monday June 15th
Line Dancing Class @ Lafayette Fire Company 6-730p four Mondays of instruction with raquel neighoff
SUPPORT THE LOOP
Your support stays local and keeps the Lancaster Loop alive and well.
The Loop will always be 100% free to read and independently written by a Lancaster Local guy who calls it his ‘to the grave’ place. Many thanks to you all. -Ed
Where’s Wal’Ed’o?
Many of you must have ice cream running through your veins.
Son’s Ice Cream was last week’s location, specifically the East Petersburg location. They also have oasis in Quarryville.
The owner, Jason, serves up happiness in a cone and was excited to donate cones to 10 individual winners, gift cards to 2 additional winners this week.
Cheers to all of you who guessed and congrats to:
Megan B.
Jason L.
Sharon S.
Jason S-G.
Heather D.
Lara L.
Laura T.
Kara R.
Melina O.
Jaelynn O.
Diosanny R.
Aaron Z.
You’ll see an email shortly connecting you with Jason to coordinate receiving your prizes.
Know a local shop you’d love to see featured in the Where’s Wal’Ed’o? Share it!
Bonus points if you can intro me to the owner or GM!
Feel free to forward this email; I welcome all introductions.
👇 Click the pic to guess this week’s “Where’s Wal’Ed’o?” location 👇
Click the Pic to Guess
Here’s a clue: As the crow flies, I'm 9,812 miles from the capital of the country that inspires this place.
As always thanks for staying… in the ‘Loop! -Ed
P.S. Property Peek is brought to you by Jeremy Ganse with RE/Max Smarthub Realty.
1/2 acre right on the Conestoga with 4 beds | 3 baths | 3300 sf paddle to Central Park
P.P.S. If you enjoyed today’s newsletter, forward it to someone who’s brave enough to get on a bus with 55 strangers for a tour of Lancaster
P.P.P.S. Last week’s poll asked where you enjoy your water time in Lancaster. 38% of you enjoy a pool, 29% of you head to the Susque', 18% are Conestogers, and the rest were a mix between creeks, conservation areas, Sickman’s Mill, and nearby lakes.