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Hello Lancaster! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning.
In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Conestoga River of the year, Federal Donuts & Chicken arriving, and an Underground Railroad reenactment + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.
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📰 In the news
Waterway earns top recognition: The Conestoga River was named Pennsylvania’s 2026 River of the Year after a statewide vote, honoring the 61-mile river through Lancaster County and edging out Lower Schuylkill and Avalanche Creek — read the full story.
Beloved franchise expands footprint: Federal Donuts & Chicken is coming to College Row at Franklin & Marshall in 2026, bringing its first Midstate shop to Lancaster County and creating 8 to 12 local jobs — see when and where it’s opening.
All-in-one exterior services: Lancaster County-based Kinsmen Lawn Services announced on February 19 it is expanding for 2026, launching a pest control division and adding seasonal staff to meet growing demand — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Highlights this week:
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🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+
Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance
Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.
From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.
As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.
It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.
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🫶 We got your back
Tapas night, anyone?: Craving shareable bites without the Philly trek? At El Serrano, a legit small-plates lineup features Tapas de Pollo, Gambas al Ajillo, and crispy yucca, plus comforting Peruvian and Tex-Mex favorites. Perfect for sharing with a couple friends, this laid-back Lancaster classic invites leisurely grazing.
Ready to roll smoother: From quick tune-ups and flat fixes to helmets, lights, and that ‘guess I’m an e-bike person now’ feeling, Lancaster Bicycle Shop keeps rides smooth and gear dialed. Your trusty steed gets the love it deserves before the next sunny spin, and you roll away feeling ready.
Movie night, upgraded: Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse pairs great films with a real restaurant and house-made spirits, so you can settle in, eat well, and catch a movie in one cozy spot. Perfect for a low-key reset with friends, it turns movie night into dinner, drinks, and a show.
Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.
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📆 Fun for the whole fam
Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →
All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🏷 25th Annual Indoor Yard Sale @ Ruhl’s Church | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 AM – Nothing beats a good indoor yard-sale treasure hunt, especially when it’s the 25th annual one that Ruhl’s has down to a science. Over 30 standholders, real-deal homemade soup, and fresh baked treats, all supporting local missions and ministry. Skip the yard, keep the bargains.
🃏 Trading Card Show @ Farm and Home Center | Saturday (3/7) at 7:00 AM – Think your binder days are behind you? The Lancaster Trading Card Show corrals sports, Pokémon, graded treasures, raw pulls, sealed boxes, and oddball memorabilia, plus a BBQ truck to keep you fueled, and free admission. It’s cardio for nostalgia, minus the yard-sale awkwardness.
🥁 Drill & Drumline Competition @ J. P. McCaskey High School | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Grab a seat in the McCaskey bleachers for Round 2 of the Drill & Drum Competition, where snare lines snap, footwork flies, and the energy does not quit. It is culture, creativity, and community, with a side of hometown pride and pleasantly ringing ears.
🌟 Living the Experience @ Bethel AME Church | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – Skip the same old weekend routine and step into Living the Experience, an interactive Underground Railroad reenactment that spotlights our local abolitionists and the women who carried the movement. You get the journey, a Southern-style meal, and vendors, plus perspective that lingers.
🎲 Bingo @ Expressive Avenue | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Finally, a socially acceptable reason to yell at numbers, with Plant Bingo at 1 and Classic Bingo at 3 at Expressive Avenue. Five bucks buys ten games, with houseplants up for grabs early, and vendor-donated prizes later. Spots are limited, reserve early.
🔥 Introduction to Flameworking: Glass Pendants @ Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen | Tuesday (3/10) at 5:30 PM – Trade your usual errands for a beginner flameworking workshop where you’ll shape molten glass into pendants with instructor Phil Hackman. No experience needed, materials included, and yes, the fire part is supervised. Bring a teen, make something pretty, sign up at pacrafts.org.
🛍 Spring ’26 WeeUsables Consignment Event @ Spooky Nook Sports | Wednesday (3/11) at 10:00 AM – Ready to purge the playroom without a yard sale hangover? Lancaster’s spring mega kids’ consignment pop-up gathers 850+ local families under one roof, with clothes, gear, toys, and books priced for reality. Bring a bag, a stroller, and your patience, consignor spots open now.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.
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📻 Lancaster report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 55°F – Low: 45°F – Precip: 35%
Patchy fog before 8am, then a chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. North wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Southeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
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Tomorrow – High: 59°F – Low: 49°F – Precip: 80%
Rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 59. Southeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Later: Rain showers likely before 7pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Someone Googled you this week 👀
It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.
Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.
Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.
This house is wild
Perched on a ridge cul-de-sac in Manheim Township, this 6-bedroom home has 5 full and 2 half baths across 7,000+ square feet and adjoins 40 private wooded acres and Landis Woods trails. Highlights include a soaring two-story great room with arched windows, a gourmet island kitchen, an upgraded maintenance-free deck, a bar-and-gym lower level, and a private in-law suite.
Take a peek inside →
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