Hempfield APRIL 1, 2026
SERVING OUR COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
REACHING MORE THAN 10,110 HOMES
Next New School Aims to Create PAYour Adventure Starts Here “Wonder”-ful Learning Experience
planning your vacation has never been more fun!
BY CAT SHANNON
Like many creative people, Emily Fritz comes from a crafty family. Her grandfather was a woodworker, but he died before she could learn from him. Eager to explore the craft, she wasn’t sure where to begin, and that experience inspired her to help others find their starting point. She is the founder and executive director of Lancaster Workshop + Tool Library, opening later this year. “Finding mentorship, tools,
“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.
See Tools pg 3
See Travel Fair pg 5
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
S
owmya Surapaneni considers Lancaster County her second home. The Mechanicsburg resident has made numerous trips to the Hempfield recCenter with her kids. W hen her children matriculated, Surapaneni elected to take a break from her 15-year career as a physician with Penn State Health. Her friend The Goddard School of Lancaster opened on Jan. 10. Leena Patel had a suggestion. “Leena said I should consider officially launched the first God- also owns The Goddard School of opening a Goddard School location dard School franchise in Lancaster York and The Goddard School of as a way of giving back to the com- County at 715 Indian Springs Drive, Philadelphia - Spring Garden. The Goddard School, which munity,” Surapaneni said. “I started Lancaster. The next-closest sites are in York operates year round, is for kids looking into options.” On Jan. 10, the two friends and Hershey, Surapaneni said. Patel from 6 weeks of age to 5 years old
9am-3pm at Lebanon Expo & Fairgrounds
Get information from great Pennsylvania destinations and attractions. Free kid’s activities, giveaways and more!
2 vacation giveaways SAVE THE SAVE THE DATE SAVE THEDATE DATE this year!
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Happy Valley Adventure Getaway & a Destination Gettysburg Getaway
See School pg 4
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Tools, Trades and a Place to Get Started
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BY CAT SHANNON
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22 VACATION GIVEAWAYS THIS YEAR! GIVEAWAYS THIS YEAR! 2VACATION VACATION GIVEAWAYS THIS YEAR! HAPPY VALLEY ADVENTURE GETAWAY FORFOR 4 PEOPLE HAPPY VALLEY ADVENTURE GETAWAY 4 PEOPLE HAPPY VALLEY ADVENTURE GETAWAY FOR 4 PEOPLE ANDAND A AND DESTINATION GETTYSBURG GETAWAY FORFOR 4 PEOPLE A DESTINATION GETTYSBURG GETAWAY 4 PEOPLE A DESTINATION GETTYSBURG GETAWAY FOR 4 PEOPLE
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SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2026
WHEN: 9 AM TO 3 PM pafamilytravel.com ravel.com WHERE: LEBANON EXPO & FAIRGROUNDS
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Get information from great Pennsylvania destinations and attractions. Planning your 2026 summer getaway has never ® ® been easier or more fun! yorkpa.org yorkpa.org • Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland Show at noon! • free kids activities • food on site
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Aidan Fife in the tool library side of the Lancaster Workshop + Tool Library. Photo by Cat Shannon
2 VACATION GIVEAWAYS THIS YEAR! HAPPY VALLEY ADVENTURE GETAWAY FOR 4 PEOPLE AND A DESTINATION GETTYSBURG GETAWAY FOR 4 PEOPLE
Amazing giveaways and door prize drawings throughout the event!
pafamilytravel.com
®
POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER APR. 1, 2026
yorkpa.org
2 Annual Easter Festival nd
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
R126782
Saturday, April 11
• no salesmen, pressure, or gimmicks • FREE information, goodies & giveaways! • friendly & knowledgeable vendors
VOL XLI • NO 51
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