Good morning, Lancaster County.
Showers today, mainly before 11 a.m., with a high of only 62 and a northeast wind gusting to 23.
A quarter to a half inch of rain is possible, most of it early.
The Ephrata Fair opens today, and the midway opens at 11 — which is roughly when the rain is forecast to quit.
Bring a coat anyway.
In today's Lancaster Local:
The Lancaster Symphony opens its 80th season Thursday with a Queen tribute and rock lighting
A Disney and Warner Brothers cartoonist sketching at the Quarryville library Saturday
Candles and herbal salts with a farm artisan tomorrow
A TikTok crochet trend, in Columbia, tonight
COMMUNITY NEWS
Rock royalty, with a 20-minute intermission.
On Thursday, September 24 at 7:00 p.m., the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra opens its 80th anniversary season — and it opens it by playing Queen.
That is not the programming choice you would predict from an orchestra turning eighty.
It's at the Lancaster County Convention Center, 25 S Queen Street, and the show is billed as "a symphonic rock spectacular."
Here's what that means in practice.
MiG Ayesa sings — a performer the symphony describes as a Broadway and London West End star. Brent Havens guest conducts.
Behind them is a full rock band: Dan Clemens on bass, Powell Randolph on drums, George Cintron on guitar, Adam Michaelson on keyboards.
All four also sing backing vocals.
And then there is the detail that tells you what kind of evening this is meant to be — the symphony promises rock concert lighting.
Run time is about two hours, including a 20-minute intermission.
There's a reason for the timing beyond the season opener.
The symphony notes the concert falls in the month of what would have been Freddie Mercury's 80th birthday — the same number as their own anniversary, which is either a nice coincidence or a well-chosen one.
If you want to keep going afterward, there's an add-on called "Don't Stop Me Now: The Afterparty." In their own directions, you descend one floor to Commons on Vine for dancing, drinks, and an English supper built around Freddie's favorite foods.
And birthday cake.
One practical note: ticket prices are not listed on the concert page. You can buy through the symphony's site, or call the box office at (717) 291-6440 — which is the number they give for questions or phone orders.
EVENTS
💻 Computer... Help! — Manheim Community Library, 547 N Penryn Road, Manheim.
Today, Tuesday, September 22, 1:15 to 4:30 p.m.
Drop-in IT help.
Setting up a social media account, untangling your email, or whatever the computer is doing that it shouldn't.
Tuesday afternoons.
No registration.
🧶 Crochet with Kasey — Chaos Blanket — Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th Street, Columbia.
Today, Tuesday, September 22, 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
They're doing the TikTok chaos blanket — you pick five colors, number them one to five, and the pattern decides the rest.
The result is meant to surprise you.
Bring your five colors and keep a record of which number you gave each one.
You'll need it all the way through.
Registration closes at 6:15.
📱 BookTok Buzz Book Club — Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th Street, Columbia.
Today, Tuesday, September 22, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Two books this month: Heather by Caitlin Mullen and Rewrite the Stars by Lindsay Hameroff.
Registration closes at 6:15.
🕯️ Candle Making and Salt Blend Workshop — Manheim Community Library, 547 N Penryn Road, Manheim.
Tomorrow, Wednesday, September 23, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Olivia from Pleasant View Farms running a hands-on hour: you make a custom scented candle, then blend farm herbs with premium salts.
Both come home with you.
🩺 Medicare Review with PA-MEDI — Manheim Township Public Library, 595 Granite Run Drive, Lancaster.
Thursday, September 24, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Free, unbiased help from the state's Medicare counseling program — eligibility, enrollment, Part D, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, comparing plans, appeals, savings programs.
These are individual, confidential appointments, so call 717-299-7979 to book one rather than turning up.
✏️ Ed Klein, Cartoonist — Quarryville Library, 357 Buck Road, Quarryville.
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 to 11:45 a.m.
Ed Klein spent his career at Warner Brothers and Disney.
He'll be in the Story Corner sketching the characters you grew up with, and selling the drawings to support the library.
No registration and no purchase required — the listing says you're welcome to just watch him work.
📗 The Classics Club — Columbia Public Library, 24 South 6th Street, Columbia.
Wednesday, September 30, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
This month: The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough.
All are welcome.
Registration closes at 5:45.
🔥 Colonial Candle Making and the Evolution of Light — Adamstown Area Library, 110 W. Main Street, Adamstown.
Thursday, October 1, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. For adults.
Candle artisan Ginny Good on how colonial candles were actually made, then you make one.
Part of their America 250 series.
Note the cutoff: registration closes the evening before, Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
🧯 Fire Extinguisher Training — Ephrata Public Library, 550 South Reading Road, Ephrata.
Thursday, October 1, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Ages 16+.
Hands-on training with an experienced fire captain — extinguisher types, the PASS method, and a live demonstration.
Registration is required and currently open.
🧘 Lunchtime Yoga — Quarryville Library, 357 Buck Road, Quarryville.
Friday, October 2, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
All levels.
Bring a mat or a bath towel, a hand towel and water.
Two bits of admin: register for each class separately, and first-timers must print, sign and bring a waiver.
Drop-ins accommodated as space allows.
Registration closes at 11:15.
🌆 Open Late for First Friday — Lancaster Public Library, 151 North Queen Street, Lancaster.
Friday, October 2, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Downtown stays open late on First Fridays, and the library joins in — browse the stacks, visit the Juliana Bookstore, or just find somewhere quiet to sit while the city gets loud.
Showers today, mainly before 11 a.m., high near 62, northeast wind around 13 with gusts to 23.
Tonight, showers likely before 8 p.m., down around 51.
Wednesday keeps a 30 percent chance early, then mostly cloudy and 65.
Thursday is mostly cloudy and 65 — dry for the concert.
Have a good Tuesday.
— The Lancaster Local