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🌱 How Lancaster’s 1925 Christmas rush shaped today’s downtown traditions

Good morning Lancaster! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Lancaster’s 1925 Christmas rush shaped today’s downtown traditions
  • How can expenses jump 57% with no tax hike?
  • How $5 million in new tax credits will reshape Lancaster neighborhoods

Also on today's calendar: The Village Nightclub & Nitelook Presents Holiday Comedy Jam and 3 more events.

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Lancaster? Post it to Lancaster photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Cold with clouds and sun, with a high of 32 and low of 23 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly cloudy and not as cold, temps: high: 44, low: 23.
  • Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 49 and low of 42 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Remember When. Christmas preparations 100 years ago (lancastereaglegazette.com) — Lancaster’s own Christmas traditions take center stage in this look back at 1925, from a festively decorated firehouse to merchants pushing earlier holiday shopping downtown. The story ties those century-old scenes to today’s Destination Downtown Lancaster efforts, urging residents to keep the season bright by supporting local shops and enjoying decorated windows.
   

2. Lancaster Township's 57% increase in expenses for 2026 largely due to public works building renovation (lancasteronline.com) — Lancaster Township has approved its 2026 budget with no property tax increase, keeping the rate at 1.91 mills even as expenses jump 57% to fund a major public works facility renovation. Officials plan to tap reserves and possibly issue up to $6 million in tax-exempt bonds, while also locking in a three-year contract for township leaf collection.
   

3. Pa. tax credits to provide more than $5 million in support for Lancaster County nonprofits (lancasteronline.com) — More than $5 million in state neighborhood tax credits are heading to Lancaster County nonprofits, backing affordable housing, food access, and youth programs across Lancaster city and surrounding communities. Local groups like SACA, Tec Centro, Chestnut Housing, and YWCA Lancaster will use the money to renovate vacant homes, build new affordable units, expand workforce training, and support low-income families.
   

4. Lancaster County commissioners recognize descendants of Conestoga-Susquehannock Tribe (lancasteronline.com) — Lancaster County commissioners have formally recognized the Susquehannock-Conestoga Tribe as descendants of the Native people who once lived in Lancaster County, marking the county’s first such acknowledgment since the 1763 massacres in Lancaster city and Manor Township. Tribal leaders say the largely symbolic proclamation, presented at a Lancaster church, strengthens their push for official recognition and protection of heritage sites and artifacts.
   

5. Bike donations for Toys for Tots break record in Ephrata, Lanc. Co. (wgal.com) — A record-breaking Toys for Tots bike drive in Ephrata, Lancaster County, filled Main Street with more than a thousand donated children’s bicycles, far surpassing last year’s total. Police closed several blocks so volunteers, sponsors, and local students could line up and load the bikes into tractor-trailers bound for the Toys for Tots distribution center in Columbia.
   

📸 Around Lancaster

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Jolt: High Energy Kitten With a Big Heart and a Tiny White Patch 📍 Now at PetSmart on Fruitville Pike and ready to bounce into your life!
    True to his name, Jolt is a high-energy kitten who loves to run, jump, pounce, and play. He’s about 6 months old and has a sleek black coat with just… (Nextdoor Churchtowne)
  • This brother sister pair is ready for their forever home together.
    They are 5 months old. Peach is the orange boy. Mittens is the gray female. They are bonded as you can see and should be together. They seem to enjoy… (Nextdoor Sunnybrook)
  • Hospitality Softnet posted a job opening for Hotel Business Travel Rate Shopper in Lancaster. Apply here.
  • PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Produce Clerk - Part Time in Lancaster. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lancaster here.

Ok Lancaster! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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Stay in the loop with what's happening in Lancaster

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.

Stay in the loop with what's happening in Lancaster

Never miss out on local news and events that matter to you.