Good morning, Lancaster County.
A repair fair, a comforter-sewing project and a garden that grows food for neighbors are among the 20 winners of Lancaster County's first Weaver Awards.
In today's Lancaster Local:
Twenty neighbors honored for weaving the county together
Parade night at the Manheim Community Farm Show
Live owls after dark at the Lancaster Science Factory
The Lancaster Symphony opens its 80th anniversary Masterworks season
COMMUNITY NEWS
Twenty neighbors who keep Lancaster County stitched together.
The Lancaster County Community Foundation has named the first 20 Lancaster County Weaver Award winners: everyday neighbors and small groups who, in the Foundation's words, are "building trust, nurturing belonging, and weaving the social fabric in our community."
They were chosen from 160 nominations, and each receives $2,500 to grow their local impact.
The Foundation launched this four-year effort with the Lancaster County Local Journalism Fund, in partnership with Weave: The Social Fabric at the Aspen Institute.
A few of the winners:
Repair Fair Lancaster (Rachel Factor) hosts free, volunteer-led events that match people who have items in need of repair with neighbors who have the skills to mend them.
Terre Hill Area Senior Connections (David Kling) brings older adults together across northeastern Lancaster County.
Stitching for Hope (Phyllis Stuckey) gathers volunteers at Moravian Manor Communities to make handmade comforters for people in need.
Sprouts for Peace Garden (Ray Hurst) grows fresh food for children and families at a New Holland early learning center and for community food programs.
Friends of Reservoir Park (Megan Martin) brings neighbors together to care for Lancaster's Reservoir Park.
Drink & Draw (Lee Shannon) is a weekly, low-pressure gathering at West Art for anyone who wants more creativity in their life.
Know someone who belongs on the list?
Nominations for the next 20 open in 2027.
EVENTS
🚜 Manheim Community Farm Show Parade — Manheim.
Today, Wednesday, October 7, 7:00 p.m. Free.
Parade night at the 72nd Manheim Community Farm Show, which runs through Friday, October 9, at 502 Adele Avenue, next to Manheim Central High School.
Admission and parking are free all five days.
There's no rain date, so check the Farm Show's Facebook page for parade updates.
🥕 Lititz Farmers Market — Lititz Springs Park, 24 North Broad Street, Lititz.
Thursday, October 8, 3:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Seasonal produce, handcrafted goods, treats and live music.
The market runs every Thursday through October 15, so there are just two left this season.
🦉 Night Owls — Lancaster Science Factory, 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster.
Friday, October 9, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
An evening of science after dark.
Raven Ridge Wildlife Center brings live owls, Horus and Khonsu, for presentations at 5:30, 6:15 and 7:00.
You can also examine real owl pellets to see what an owl has been eating.
General admission is required ($13 ages 3 and over, free for 2 and under and for members).
Owl presentation tickets are $3 more per person, and advance tickets are recommended.
🎻 Festivals & Folklore — Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Gardner Theatre at Lancaster Country Day School, 725 Hamilton Road, Lancaster.
Friday, October 9, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 10, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 11, 2:30 p.m.
The Symphony launches its 80th anniversary Masterworks season with folk-inspired music from Scotland to Norway to Russia: Anna Clyne's PIVOT, Grieg's Piano Concerto with Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Jon Nakamatsu, and Stravinsky's Petrushka.
Jeri Lynne Johnson guest conducts.
Tickets run $25 to $105.
The concert runs about two hours, with intermission.
🐐 The Grateful Gathering — Strasburg Community Park, 151 Precision Avenue, Strasburg.
Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The first annual fall festival from The Grateful Stead, a Lancaster County nonprofit animal rescue and sanctuary: live music on the amphitheater stage, food trucks, local makers, bounce houses, face painting, and some of the Stead's furry friends.
$7.50 per person, and kids 5 and under are free.
Every paid ticket includes a raffle entry, and admission helps support the animals.
🚒 Touch-A-Truck Food Drive — Oregon Dairy Corn Maze, 1289 Creek Road, Lititz.
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The fifth annual event brings more than 45 trucks and first responder vehicles, plus a candy scramble at 12:30 for kids 10 and under.
Bring canned goods or other non-perishable food, or buy a $5, $10 or $20 food drive bag, and you get a coupon for $2 off the corn maze and pumpkin patch.
Last year's event raised more than $28,000 and 5,000 pounds of food for Power Packs Project, Arch Street Center and Blessings of Hope.
Day-of food drive donations and purchases are cash only.
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 71.
Tonight is mostly clear and down around 52.
Thursday is sunny and 77, and Friday is sunny and 71.
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Have a good Wednesday.
— The Lancaster Local