Lampeter-Strasburg APRIL 1, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 9,190 HOMES
VOL LXII • NO 48
Next PA Magic Will Be in the Air Your Adventure on April’s Second Friday Starts Here BY CAT SHANNON
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
G
EASTER FLOWERS Locally Made Easter Candy
See Second Fridays pg 11 Second Friday events. Photo by George Deibel
Diane Smith Puts Others Ahead of Herself, In and Out of Water
OPEN GOOD FRIDAY
BY JEFF FALK
1955 Beaver Valley Pike, just N. of Quarryville
(717) 786-4713 Mon.-Fri. 8am-6pm, Sat. 8am-4pm
mecksproduce.com
Diane Smith is leading her best life. It is a rich, fulfilling existence in which volunteering plays a major role - and not just because doing good and helping others is important. Smith has the heart of a Susquehanna Valley Team River Runner, and she is following her heart. “I think everyone has a time in their life when they might need someone or need something from someone,” said Smith. “I want to be that person who can help, even if it’s a small gesture. Mental health is such a
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See Diane Smith pg 7
Diane Smith (front) navigates a whitewater kayaking challenge.
2 Annual Easter Festival
See PA Travel pg 8
Friday • April 3 • 10am-4pm Saturday • April 4 • 10am-4pm
• Easter Egg Hunt • Hayrides • Highland Cows • Goats
• Foods & Games • Photo w/Bunny • Straw Maze
12.99
$
Ages 2 And Up
400 Long Lane, Lancaster, PA 717-872-9311
(Rt. 741 & 324)
www.cherryhillorchards.com Follow us
Easter Flowers
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Tulips - Hyacinths Daffodils - Pansies
et some of the famous homemade pizza served by volunteers from the Lampeter United Methodist Church (UMC) before it disappears. Magic by Jonathan will perform at the church’s Second Friday event on April 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the tabernacle, 1101 Village Road, Lancaster. Magic by Jonathan noted that he has been performing for 33 years and uses magic to entertain people at birthday parties, reunions, banquets, churches, schools, and libraries. “My show consists of mystery, laughter, surprise, audience participation and good, wholesome, family fun,” he said. “I connect very well with my audiences.” He added that the show is made up of silent routines done to music and several routines using audience participation. In addition to pizza, a staple at Anne Reinert (left) and Sheila Moore help organize Lampeter UMC’s
“I like to call this event ‘the most fun you’ll have planning your vacation,’” said Wendy Royal, event coordinator for the PA Family Travel Fair. “It’s free to attend. You can go around, get all kinds of information visitors’ guides, brochures and information about things only the locals know.” The eighth annual PA Family Travel Fair will be held on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lebanon Valley Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon. It will feature more than 50 vendors and exhibitors showcasing destinations and attractions from throughout the state. “They are there to hand out free information. There’s no selling,” Royal said. “You can talk to the vendors, and they can answer any questions you have. Nobody knows their area or their attraction better than they do.” Vendors will represent all corners of the state, providing ideas for summer getaways, day trips or longer vacations. Participants will include amusement parks; campgrounds; museums; and visitor bureaus, including the PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau. “People love the outdoors in Pennsylvania. One of our new vendors is the Keystone Elk Country Alliance,” Royal said, adding that the Elk County-based group will have lots of information on the elk herds that populate the region. “They’ll have information on the best times to see the elk, and they’ll give people lots of ideas of things to do in the area.” New this year, the PA Family Travel Fair will feature two grand prize giveaways.