Morning Lancaster, and happy MLK day! It looks like it’s going to be a very cold week still, but hopefully there’s not too much snow left this week. Had to plow a lot more than expected Saturday and Sunday. 

Onto today’s stories. 

Lancaster County residents are invited to begin Martin Luther King Jr. Day with reflection and community at the 38th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast, held Monday morning at Millersville University.

The annual event takes place at Ville Courts inside the Student Memorial Center, with registration opening at 8:00 a.m. The breakfast has become a long-standing MLK Day tradition in the county, bringing together students, educators, community leaders, and local residents.

This year’s featured speaker is Frederick Joseph, a bestselling author and nationally recognized speaker. His remarks are expected to focus on themes connected to Dr. King’s legacy, including leadership, service, and community responsibility.

Now in its 38th year, the MLK Breakfast continues to serve as a space for shared reflection and dialogue, offering attendees a meaningful way to observe the holiday before heading into the rest of the day’s activities.

The event is open to the public, and advance registration is recommended due to strong annual attendance.

See more here: https://caplanc.org/event/38th-annual-mlk-breakfast

Lancaster County residents have a unique way to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day today with the MLK Train Event, taking place in at the Strasburg Railroad.

The special train ride combines live music, spoken reflections, and community gathering as passengers travel through the countryside aboard a historic train. 

The event is designed as a commemorative experience, honoring Dr. King’s legacy through storytelling and performance rather than a traditional lecture-style program.

Onboard programming includes musical performances and short spoken segments centered on themes of unity, service, and remembrance. The moving venue offers a distinctive setting for the holiday, blending Lancaster County’s rail history with a day of reflection.

The MLK Train Event runs through today, making it a timely option for families and visitors looking for a meaningful and accessible MLK Day activity. Advance tickets are required, and rides typically fill quickly due to limited seating.

For many attendees, the event offers a quieter, reflective way to mark the holiday - pairing history, music, and community in a setting unique to Lancaster County.

Click here to learn more and grab tickets: https://www.strasburgrailroad.com/dr-martin-luther-king-jr-celebration-concert/

Artists across Lancaster County have an opportunity this week to share their work, gather feedback, and connect with fellow creatives when Critique Club returns to Lancaster Art Vault on Tuesday, January 20.

The monthly gathering takes place from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. and is open to artists of all experience levels, from beginners to established professionals. The goal of Critique Club is to create a welcoming, supportive space where participants can present their artwork and take part in thoughtful discussion and constructive feedback.

Rather than a formal review, the event emphasizes open conversation and shared perspectives. Artists are encouraged to bring one piece of work to allow time for everyone to participate, making the evening both focused and collaborative. Even those who prefer to listen and observe are welcome, as the discussions often provide insight into creative process and technique.

Critique Club is held on the third Tuesday of each month and has become a regular touchpoint for Lancaster’s creative community. While the event is free to attend, registration is required, and participants are asked to arrive on time, as doors are locked once the session begins.

For artists looking to ease back into creative routines after the weekend  -  or for anyone interested in Lancaster’s arts scene  -  Critique Club offers a low-pressure, community-driven way to engage with local creativity this week. 

See more here: https://www.lancasterartvault.com/shows-workshops-events/critique-club

Lancaster County is settling into a stretch of true January weather this week  -  the kind that reminds you winter is very much in charge, even if the calendar is inching forward.

MLK Day (Monday) starts off quiet and manageable. Expect a cold but mostly calm day, with temperatures hovering in the low 30s and a mix of clouds and occasional sun. It’s decent weather for getting out to a morning event or running errands, as long as you bundle up and don’t linger too long outside.

As the week moves into Tuesday and Wednesday, the chill tightens its grip. Daytime highs slip back into the 20s, and the air feels sharper, especially in the mornings and after sunset. Skies stay partly cloudy, and while widespread snow isn’t expected, a few flurries can’t be ruled out midweek  -  more atmosphere than accumulation.

By Thursday and Friday, there’s a slight break. Temperatures creep back toward the mid-30s and even low-40s in spots, making outdoor trips feel a bit more tolerable. It won’t be warm by any stretch, but compared to earlier in the week, it should feel noticeably better.

Looking ahead to the weekend, colder air may slide back in, with mostly cloudy skies and the chance of light snow returning. Nothing looks disruptive right now, but it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the forecast if you have travel or outdoor plans.

This is a week for layers, warm drinks, and indoor plans  -  with a few windows of decent weather to get out and about. Winter is doing what winter does best, but nothing on the horizon looks extreme or unmanageable.