The Shopping News of Lancaster County

The Shopping News of Lancaster County Community Newspaper Serving Over 34,000 Homes! The Shopping News of Lancaster County was first published on April 14, 1965 as a 24-page half-tab issue.

It was mailed to 10,000 homes in the area. Today, The Shopping News publishes a full-tab paper and is delivered to 37,000 homes each week in and around Ephrata, Adamstown, New Holland, Stevens, Terre Hill and more! During the early 1960’s there were no free papers covering Northern Lancaster County. Publisher John Hocking had been thinking about starting a free paper for quite some time. At the ti

me, he was the founder and owner of Hocking Printing Co., Inc., which he began in 1953. The first location of his printing company was at 27 Lincoln Avenue Rear, Ephrata, in a small garage-type building. As the printing business expanded, John moved the business to his residence, at that time located at 119 E. Franklin Street, Ephrata. When that location proved too small, John purchased 24 E. Orange Street, Ephrata. It was at that location in 1965 that The Shopping News was first published. In 1972, John purchased the former East End Planing Mill on East Main Street in Ephrata. The building was renovated and was home to both the printing company and The Shopping News until 1986. On February 6, 1986, a fire completely destroyed the building. Due to the dedicated work of the employees and the help from friends and business associates, only one issue of The Shopping News was missed. The Shopping News has been recognized by a national free paper organization for its dedication to customer service and for printing a superior newspaper. Awards have been won in various categories few of the awards won from the Independent Free Papers of America (IFPA) and Mid-Atlantic Community Papers Association (MACPA) for many years. One of the most popular features of The Shopping News is the section that is produced each March called “Local Businesses, Professionals and Industries ... Meeting The Challenge.” This past year over 120 businesses were featured in the section with articles and photos of their businesses and employees. Visit our website at www.snews.com and view the current issue digitally! https://issuu.com/shoppingnews/docs

Look in next week's issue for our How-To Guide! Find informative articles to help you navigate life!
07/24/2025

Look in next week's issue for our How-To Guide! Find informative articles to help you navigate life!

National Archery Championship WinnerShopping News Photo by Donald ReeseLititz Area Mennonite School archer Kaylee Zimm­e...
07/23/2025

National Archery Championship Winner
Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese

Lititz Area Mennonite School archer Kaylee Zimm­erman recently com­peted in the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) Champ­ionship Tournament that was held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This tournament combines the top-qualifying archers from both the Western and Eastern Nation­al NASP tournaments. Kay­lee shot a 291/300, which was a personal best score and received an award for her third place finish in the Middle School Girls division at the NASP Bullseye Championships. She also placed eighth in the 3D Championship Challenge with a score of 287/300. Congratulations to Kaylee on her exceptional achieve­ment!

Summer Nature Program Features WildlifeShopping News Photo by Donald ReeseAs part of its free summer nature programs, Po...
07/23/2025

Summer Nature Program Features Wildlife
Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese

As part of its free summer nature programs, Poole Forge welcomed Raven Ridge Wildlife Center for a presentation on PA Raptors and Mammals. Tracie Young, Wildlife Rehabilitator, and her assistant Theta Grimaud, presented an up-close view of everything from turtles and snakes, to hawks and owls. Tracie provided lots of good information on how these animals live and why they are beneficial for our environment.

Shown in the photo is Wildlife Assistant Theta Grimaud as she moves through the audience with a peregrine falcon, which is the fastest animal on earth, reaching speeds of up to 240 mph while diving from altitude.

50 Years Ago!
07/23/2025

50 Years Ago!

Look on page 20B of this week's issue for our Family Fun Page! Next week's issue will feature a SPECIAL CONTEST! Don't m...
07/22/2025

Look on page 20B of this week's issue for our Family Fun Page! Next week's issue will feature a SPECIAL CONTEST! Don't miss your chance to win a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE!!

St. Paul’s E.C. Church 4th Annual Car, Truck And Motorcycle ShowShopping News Photo by Donald ReeseThe 4th Annual St. Pa...
07/22/2025

St. Paul’s E.C. Church 4th Annual Car, Truck And Motorcycle Show
Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese

The 4th Annual St. Paul’s E.C. Church Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show is scheduled for Saturday, August 2 at the Reamstown Memorial Park at 23 East Church Street, Reamstown. The show is sponsored by St. Paul’s E.C. Church of Reamstown. All makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome for a registration fee. All proceeds of the show benefit Align Life Ministries. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m., and the show runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Come out and vote for your favorite car, truck and motorcycle. Category awards and Pastor’s Choice awards will be given out around 2:30 p.m. The event is free for spectators, with live music by the Nomads, activities for kids and door prize drawings. Food will be available for purchase, including breakfast items, pork sandwiches, hot dogs, French fries, ice cream, drinks and more. For more information or to pre-register, visit their website at www.stpaulsreamstown.com/events, follow them on Facebook (St. Paul’s E.C. Car Show) or email [email protected].

Shown in the photo, (front, kneeling) is Lea Buffenmyer with his 1971 Benelli Mini Enduro; (back, left to right) are Tim Bollinger with his 1975 Plymouth Duster, George Kreider with his 1967 Chevy C-10 and Doug Mackley with his 1955 Chevy Bel Air.

Shown in the photo is an unknown speaker delivering an address at the dedication of the Ephrata Public Library, erected ...
07/22/2025

Shown in the photo is an unknown speaker delivering an address at the dedication of the Ephrata Public Library, erected at the northwest corner of Oak and West Fulton Streets in 1967.

If you are able to provide more details about this picture or identify any of the people shown, call The Historical Society of the Cocalico Valley at 717-733-1616. Future “Do You Know…” photos will be published in upcoming Shopping News issues. If a photo is identified, the information will be published.

Celebrating Family With A Day Of Cool Watery Fun!Shopping News Photo by Donald ReeseThe summer has been fairly warm so f...
07/22/2025

Celebrating Family With A Day Of Cool Watery Fun!
Shopping News Photo by Donald Reese

The summer has been fairly warm so far, and one of the best ways to beat the heat is to simply find a cool spot, either inside with the air conditioner on, or finding relief at your local pool or favorite swimming spot. Our photographer was out looking for summer scenes and happened to come upon this manmade pond that was bustling with a variety of water related activities. This pond is referred to as the Martin family pond and sits in an idyllic spot near Churchtown. This private swimming hole is used by the Martin family and all their extended family. There was no shortage of laughter as relatives enjoyed swimm­ing, jumping off the diving board, which by the way is probably the biggest wooden diving board you will ever see, as well as inner tube fun and kayaking.

Shown starting at the top going clockwise are Serena, Paige, Jenna, Ellie, Ava, Madison, Aleah and Ranessa as they join hands taking a giant leap of faith into the refreshing water; next Brooke, Claire and Karina float hanging on a dock while watching Trevor, Car­son, Nathaniel and Logan struggle to stand on a tube; next Ava, Ranessa, Ellie, Jenna, Madison and Paige do a little creative tube plunging; 3 girls, Aleah, Ranessa and Jenna carry three smaller girls, Madison, Aspen and Ellie, as they line up for a dip; and lastly Drake, Trey and Blake cruise by with a fishing rod as the girls all stand on a tube.

Address

Ephrata, PA

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+17177381151

Website

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