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The Digest
Elizabethtown board votes to renovate high school, build middle school addition
The Elizabethtown Area school board voted 6-3 on March 24 to go with a "hybrid" building plan: renovate the problem-plagued high school and construct a new middle school addition. The price tag? Somewhere between $119.2 million and $143.6 million, according to RLPS Architects. Construction is expected to start in May or June 2028.
Board members Stephen Lindemuth, Danielle Lindemuth, Menno Riggleman, Tina Wilson, Lynda Shrum, and Melody Yoder voted for the hybrid option, while Liza Bazarian, President Kelly Carter, and Vice President James Gilles wanted a brand-new high school/middle school complex instead. The board also unanimously approved a voluntary retirement incentive for teachers and support staff aged 59 and older with at least 10 years in the district — $10,000 plus health insurance until 65, or $20,000 without insurance for those already Medicare-eligible. That's a significant investment in the district's future, no matter which way you look at it.
Norfolk Southern to finally fix Running Pump Road railroad crossing
If you've driven Running Pump Road in East Hempfield Township in the past year, you know the pain. Potholes have been multiplying around the industrial rail spur crossing, and complaints to Norfolk Southern have gone basically nowhere since February 2025. Drivers, local officials, and even state Rep. Brett Miller have all been pushing for a fix.
Well, it's finally happening. Norfolk Southern will close Running Pump Road on April 6 to repair and resurface the crossing, with plans to reopen by April 10. During repairs, the road will be closed from Marietta Pike to the traffic circle at Old Tree and Noll drives, with limited local access for nearby businesses. Over a year of complaints and it took getting state officials involved. But hey — it's getting done.
Dutch Wonderland opens 2026 season with new hotel and spring celebration
Dutch Wonderland kicked off its 2026 season on March 28 with the Eggcellent Celebration — and this year, there's a big addition to the property. The brand-new Dutch Wonderland Inn features 155 family-friendly rooms, four suites, an outdoor pool with a water slide and splash pad, and an indoor pool that's open year-round. There's also a new on-site restaurant, Penley's Kitchen, which opened Friday at 5 p.m. for dinner and will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner to hotel guests and the general public.
The Eggcellent Celebration runs Saturdays and Sundays through April 12 (with bonus days on Friday, April 3, and Easter Monday, April 6), featuring cookie decorating with mascot Tuft the Bunny, juggling workshops, character storytelling sessions, and a Royal Egg Hunt throughout the park. Season passes are up to 40% off during the opening sale. A hotel AND a restaurant? Dutch Wonderland is not messing around.
What's happening
Tuesday
Trivia Night at Tellus360 | Weekly pub trivia night | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street | Free
Wednesday
Friends of the Tanger Arboretum Annual Dinner | Free annual dinner open to the public, no registration needed | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street | Free
Trivia Night at Southern Market | Challenging questions, great drinks, and prizes | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street | Free
Thursday
The Simon & Garfunkel Story | Theatrical concert celebrating the legendary folk-rock duo | 7:30 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East | $39-$69
Music Trivioke | Music trivia followed by karaoke with $1 off beer and wine | 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Southern Market, 100 South Queen Street | Free
Randy's Cheeseburger Picnic | Trailer Park Boys' Randy performs live (21+) | 8:00 PM | Phantom Power, 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | $30-$130
Friday
Dutch Wonderland Eggcellent Celebration (Bonus Friday) | Cookie decorating, juggling workshops, Royal Egg Hunt, and character meet-and-greets | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Highway East | Season passes up to 40% off; single-day tickets vary
Strasburg Rail Road Easter Bunny Train Rides | Ride through farmland with the Easter Bunny, candy drops on the hour | Various departures | Strasburg Rail Road, 301 Gap Road, Strasburg | Varies by car class
Gallery Grow 1 Year on Queen Street Celebration | Anniversary celebration with 20% off plants and a Golden Egg Hunt with prizes | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Gallery Grow Plant Bar, 320 North Queen Street | Free
First Friday Hours at Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum | Extended evening hours to explore the city's medical history | 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Lancaster Medical Heritage Museum, 410 North Lime Street | $5
Geneviève Bérubé Functional Ceramics Pop-Up | First Friday ceramics pop-up with bold, artful work | 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Third Story, 44 North Christian Street | Free
Lancaster Improv Players at The Ware Center | Comedy games and improvised scenes based on audience suggestions | 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM | The Ware Center, 42 North Prince Street | Free
Lancaster Improv's First Friday Free For All | Two bite-size improv shows plus an improv jam | 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street | Free
Comedy Night at Columbia Kettle Works | Live stand-up comedy night | 7:00 PM | Columbia Kettle Works IronSpire Taphouse, Reinholds | $25
Organic Reflections: Palms to Passion Organ Concert | Good Friday organ concert featuring Cesar Franck's 'Piece Heroique' | 8:00 PM | First Reformed Church, 40 East Orange Street | Free
Saturday
Dutch Wonderland Eggcellent Celebration | Spring celebration with Royal Egg Hunt, character meet-and-greets, and more | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM | Dutch Wonderland, 2249 Lincoln Highway East | Season passes up to 40% off; single-day tickets vary
Community Easter Egg Hunt at Holy Trinity Lutheran | Refreshments, crafts, and an Easter egg hunt for the community | 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 31 South Duke Street | Free
Live music
Monday
Open Mic Artist Sessions w/ Henry Devorick | Open Mic/Variety | 7:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
Wednesday
Major Vibes (DJ) — Friends-Days | Electronic/DJ | 9:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
Friday
Corty Byorn & The Light | Indie/Rock | 8:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
Slick Rick w. Shaw Calhoune and more | Hip-Hop | 8:00 PM | Phantom Power, 121 West Frederick Street, Millersville | $35
High Fever: Wig Out | Rock/Dance | 8:30 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
raDiANCE with DJ Edge | Electronic/DJ | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
Sweet & Savory | Rock/Variety | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
Saturday
raDiANCE with DJ Edge | Electronic/DJ | 10:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
The Thompson Triplets | Rock/Cover | 10:30 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free
Sunday
Bluegrass Jam Session with Jordan Rast | Bluegrass/Jam | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Tellus360, 24 East King Street, Lancaster | Free