Public Input Wanted for Route 222 Overhaul in Manheim Township

The Digest

Public Input Wanted for Route 222 Overhaul in Manheim Township

PennDOT is gearing up for a major reconstruction of Route 222 in Manheim Township — and they want to hear from you before they break ground. The three-year, $75 million project will rebuild a 2.9-mile stretch of the highway from just north of Eden Road at Stoner Park to just south of Bushong Road, adding a lane in each direction for 1.8 miles using the existing grass median.

By 2030, Route 222 will have three lanes in each direction from Route 30 to the Oregon Pike exit. The highway currently handles 66,000 vehicles per day, and the underlying pavement has reached the end of its useful life. A public plans display is available online starting today, with an in-person open house scheduled for 5-8 PM on Wednesday, March 31, at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road. Comments are accepted through April 30. If 222 is part of your daily commute, this is your chance to weigh in.

Reflections Restaurant Becomes Wayside Public House

Brothers Dino and George Papazekos have purchased the historic Reflections Restaurant at 1390 E. Oregon Road in the village of Oregon, Manheim Township, and they're rebranding it as Wayside Public House. The name is a nod to the property's deep roots — it dates back to 1775, when Samuel Bear opened the Catfish Wayside Inn on the site.

The property has housed a revolving door of restaurants and taverns over the centuries, including the Oregon Hotel. The new owners have been updating the space as part of the transition. A 250-year-old building getting a fresh start from two brothers who clearly respect its history? Love to see it.

Lancaster's “Sunday's Bloody Mary Mix” Wins People's Choice at NYC Festival

Sunday's Bloody Mary Mix — the small-batch craft mix founded right here in Lancaster in 2020 — just took home the People's Choice award at the 8th Annual Bloody Mary Festival in Brooklyn. The event drew over 900 attendees to BKloft26 on March 21, where roughly 15 NYC bars, restaurants, and artisanal mix brands went head-to-head, including Morgan's Brooklyn Barbecue, Crif Dogs, and Filthy Diamond.

The Bloody Mary Festival is billed as the largest bloody mary event in the country and tours six U.S. cities each year. Sunday's has also won three consecutive Platinum Medals at The Drunken Tomato Awards. A Lancaster-born brand beating out the NYC competition on their home turf? We'll raise a glass to that.

What's happening

Wednesday

Let's Get Mossy! Spring Kokedama Workshop | BYOB workshop where you create your own Japanese moss ball | 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 North Queen Street, Lancaster | $25

Trivia Night at Southern Market | Test your knowledge with great drinks and prizes | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street, Lancaster | Free

Thursday

Spring Fashion Show at the Stevens School Ballroom | Local boutiques showcase spring fashion in the historic ballroom | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM | The Stevens School Ballroom, 355 West Chestnut Street, Lancaster | $40

Cat in the Hat — Live on Stage! | Dr. Seuss's beloved character comes to life at AMT | 6:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster | $29-$59

Habitat Advocate: Powerhouse Native Plants for Wildlife | Learn about native plants that earn wildlife's 5-star review | 6:00 PM | 102 Chester Street, Lancaster | Free

Back to the 90's Music Trivia | Travel back in time with 90s music trivia, no registration required | 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street, Lancaster | Free

Friday

Spring Renewal with Ryan Bright: Sound Frequency Healing | 90-minute immersive session with gongs, harmonicas, and voice | 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM | Inspire Wellness Collective, 226 North Arch Street, Lancaster | $20

Saturday

4th Annual Community Easter Egg Hunt | 5,000+ eggs, free food, books, and prizes for 250+ kids | 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Culliton Park, 200 South Water Street, Lancaster | Free

Seeds Starting Indoors Workshop | Learn how to get a head start on your spring garden | 11:00 AM | Ken's Gardens, 2467 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster | Free

Story Time with Author Jessica Yoon | Children's author reading and storytelling at Nooks | 10:30 AM | Nooks, 112 North Prince Street, Lancaster | Free

Spring Fling: A Day with Schiffer Craft Publishing | Try-before-you-buy crochet and watercolor with 20% off craft kits | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 North Queen Street, Lancaster | Free

Rails & Ales 2026 | Craft beer tasting among historic trains in the Rolling Stock Hall, 21+ | 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 Gap Road, Strasburg | $40 GA, $50 VIP, $15 DD

2026 Cheers for Education Brewfest | Craft beer and wine festival benefiting Cocalico Education Foundation | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM | IronSpire Complex, Adamstown | $40 GA, $50 VIP (sold out), $15 DD

Comedy Night at Columbia Kettle Works | Touring stand-up comedians bring 13 years of laughs to Columbia | 7:30 PM | Columbia Kettle Works, 40 North 3rd Street, Columbia | $25

Black to the Future: A Legendary Round Table | Improv comedy with historical figures in a meeting of the minds | 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street, Lancaster | $15

CPOSC 2026 (Central Pennsylvania Open Source Conference) | Tech conference for students, pros, and open source enthusiasts | 8:00 AM | Ware Center for the Arts, 42 North Prince Street, Lancaster | Free-$95.75

Sunday

Spring EggStravaganza | Easter celebration designed for toddlers with relaxed egg hunts | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Tiny Town, 533 Janet Avenue, Lancaster | $34

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Live music

Wednesday

Major Vibes (DJ) — Friends-Days | Electronic/DJ | 9:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Thursday

The Wild Hymns with Huey and Jacob Kynard | Indie/Folk | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Check tellus360.com for tickets

Friday

Leo DiSanto & Friends | Rock/Variety | 8:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Tuck & Friends | Alt Rock/Jam | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street, Lancaster | Free

BIG ROOM VIBES with Major Vibes (DJ) | Electronic/DJ | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Saturday

Boat House Row | Rock | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Rumba Night: Special Edition | Latin/Rumba | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

The Oak Ridge Boys | Country/Gospel | 7:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster | $39-$69

Corinna Joy | Singer-Songwriter/Soul | 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street, Lancaster | Free

Heated Rivalry Dance Party (DJ) | Electronic/DJ | 8:00 PM | Phantom Power, 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | $17-$25

raDiANCE with DJ Edge | Electronic/DJ | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Y2Kids | Rock/Cover | 10:30 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free

Sunday

The Oak Ridge Boys | Country/Gospel | 2:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster | $39-$69

Jam Session with Matt Wenger | Bluegrass/Jam | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free