Good morning, Lancaster County.
Forty years and more than 285 homes later, Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity is telling the story of how it all began in Lancaster.
In today's Lancaster Local:
How a church group started Habitat in Lancaster, and its first $10,000 house
A self-guided shopping tour of 44 "secret" county businesses, starting today
Wolves, pumpkin painting and live music at the Wolf Sanctuary in Lititz
Johnny Cash's songs, played in a Lancaster cinema
COMMUNITY NEWS
It started with a $10,000 house on South Queen Street.
Forty years ago this month, on October 1, 1986, the newly established Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity was officially recognized by Habitat for Humanity International.
It began with members of Highland Presbyterian Church. "We knew we wanted to do something useful, but we didn't know what," co-founder Mike Mumma says in a 40th-anniversary history the group just published.
He founded the affiliate with Reverend Jim Hanna, Dick Peacock and Jake Toews, after a group from the church went to hear Habitat co-founder Millard Fuller speak in York.
They knew it wouldn't be strictly a Highland project, so they reached out to other churches.
"I think we spoke at every church in Lancaster.
Maybe in the county," Mumma says.
In August 1986, the group bought its first home, on South Queen Street in Lancaster, for $10,000.
The following April, the Rosario family was chosen as the first partner family, and they lived in that home for many years.
Since then, what is now Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity (the Lancaster and Lebanon affiliates merged in 2016) says it has built more than 285 homes and served more than 300 families.
"It's not a handout," Toews says of the homeownership model. "It encourages people to take that next step."
EVENTS
🛍️ Lancaster County's Best Kept Secrets Tour — 44 stops across Lancaster County.
Today, Thursday, October 8, through Saturday, October 24. Shops open Monday through Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Set up like a home or garden tour: you drive yourself from stop to stop, at your own pace, among 44 tucked-away businesses.
Your ticket comes with a guide booklet and map, coupons, and entries to win more than $1,000 in gift cards, and it's good for the whole tour.
Amish businesses will be closed on Saturday, October 10.
Tickets are $12 each, and each person needs their own. $1 from every ticket goes to Lighthouse Vocational Services.
🎀 Pink Party Celebration — Kitchen Kettle Village, 3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse.
Saturday, October 10, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Free.
The village's annual Pink Party raises awareness and support for people affected by breast cancer.
Wear pink, enter to win a $400 gift basket, and vote for your favorite employee's pink outfit.
The Reading Hospital Mammogram Truck will be there from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. offering free mammogram screenings, each taking about 10 to 15 minutes.
🐺 Wolf Awareness Day — Wolf Sanctuary of PA, 465 Speedwell Forge Road, Lititz.
Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
A fundraiser with self-guided wolf tours, pumpkin painting, artist and craft vendors, food trucks, and music from singer-songwriter Kevin Neidig.
Chuck Rineer, author of Wolf Sanctuary, will be signing his book.
Proceeds from admission and gift shop sales benefit the wolves.
Book ahead or pay on arrival.
🎸 Pearl Jam & Nirvana Tribute Night — Mickey's Black Box, 101 Rock Lititz Boulevard, Lititz.
Saturday, October 10. Doors 7:00 p.m., show 8:00 p.m.
The Ledbetters play Pearl Jam, and Live & Unplugged recreates Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance as a full-band acoustic tribute.
General admission standing room and reserved balcony and mezzanine seats are all $32.65 plus fees, with $5 added to day-of-show purchases.
All ages; 21 and up with valid ID to drink.
🎉 Millersville Homecoming Parade & 'Ville Block Party — Millersville University, Millersville.
Saturday, October 17. Parade 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.; block party 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The block party is free.
The parade comes down George Street with marching bands, floats, vintage cars and dancers.
Then the free, family-friendly block party fills a stretch of campus with food trucks, giveaways, local businesses, nonprofits and student clubs.
🤠 Corty Plays Cash — Zoetropolis, 112 N. Water Street, Lancaster.
Saturday, October 17. Doors 7:30 p.m., show 8:00 p.m.
One night only: Corty Byron plays a solo acoustic set spanning Johnny Cash's 50-year career.
He's performed at Sun Studios in Memphis and at the gates of Folsom Prison.
$20 in advance, $25 day of.
Still collecting: Where's the best whoopie pie in Lancaster County?
One name is all we need.
Hit reply.
We may print a few answers with your first name and town.
Sunny today, with a high near 75 and gusts as high as 23 mph.
Tonight is clear and down around 51.
Friday is sunny and 71, and Saturday is mostly sunny and 75.
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Have a good Thursday.
— The Lancaster Local