Lancaster County Magazine

25/05/2026

22/05/2026

Hammer Creek Renovations transformed a family’s unfinished basement into a fully customized living space, creating a multifunctional lower-level retreat that blends family entertainment, wellness and comfort.

Learn more about Hammer Creek Renovations’ 2025 Pillar Award entry - https://www.lancastercountymag.com/pillar-award-best-basement-remodel-hammer-creek-renovations/

21/05/2026

According to Kennett Square-based Garden Media Group’s 2026 Garden Trends Report, pet-friendly gardens are making an impact on our landscapes. Whether you call it dogscaping or barkiture, creating a garden that is both human and pet friendly is one of the biggest trends for 2026. After all, 70% of gardeners also happen to be pet owners.

In the past, pet parents would simply give up on having a beautiful yard due to the havoc pets can cause, but that has been changing thanks in part to garden centers, landscapers and architects becoming more knowledgeable about the subject. Monty Don, for example, designed a pet-friendly garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2025. Lowe’s has a blueprint called PETio that can help you design outdoor spaces that are both pet and human friendly.

Several years ago, our garden writer, the late Richard L. Bitner, addressed the subject of dogscaping. As many of you will be working on your gardens this weekend, we thought it would be appropriate to give the column a rerun - https://www.lancastercountymag.com/dogscaping-plants-to-avoid/

20/05/2026

Vehicle owners know where to go to purchase accessories for their cars, trucks and motorcycles. But, have you ever wondered where the Amish go to purchase accessories for their buggies and horses? We discovered the go-to place is Fisher’s Harness Shop on Hartman Bridge Road in Strasburg. The shop provides a fascinating look at what is needed to equip a buggy and its horsepower.

The shop represents a family-owned business whose craftsmanship has been handed down through the generations (a teenage boy proudly reported he is learning the trade from his father). Beyond horse-and-buggy needs, the shop is filled with handmade leather goods such as belts, bags, dog collars/leashes and holiday decorations.

20/05/2026

EDIT: This event has been cancelled due to inclement weather.

The Memorial Day Flea Market at Amos Herr Park is the perfect place for thrift-lovers to spend their day off! The flea market will feature over 100 vendors and multiple food trucks, with proceeds benefiting Hempfield recCenter's “Everyone Belongs” financial-assistance program.

See more details about the event - https://www.lancastercountymag.com/event/memorial-day-flea-market/

19/05/2026

On May 1, The Thaddeus Stevens & Lydia Hamilton Smith Center for History & Democracy debuted with grand-opening celebrations. The center pays homage to two of Lancaster’s greatest citizens in its long history, also representing 15 years of planning and construction.

“Democracy by the People” from our latest issue details the new center and its creation - https://www.lancastercountymag.com/democracy-by-the-people/

📸 Nick Gould Photography 📸

15/05/2026

Keystone Custom Homes focused their Single Family 2025 Parade of Homes entry on capturing the dream of escaping to a luxury spa retreat, coming together with a cathedral celling, a focus wall of marble, a soaker tub, gold-washed split vanity and a walk-in tiled shower.

Learn more about the project - https://www.lancastercountymag.com/parade-of-homes-single-family-division-4-best-of-show-winner-keystone-custom-homes/

📸 Photography courtesy of the Building Industry Association of Lancaster County 📸

14/05/2026

Reminder that it’s time to show your love for Lancaster County! Cast your vote in the 2026 Best of Lancaster County Readers’ Survey today 🎉

https://www.lancastercountymag.com/vote26/

13/05/2026

May is National Pet Month and in Elizabethtown, Charlamay the dog lives a rather charmed life. “She’s the queen of Elizabethtown!” says store personnel at Charlamay's Trinkets and Treasures. By day, the beagle-corgi mix stays busy by greeting customers. When she tires of that, she climbs into her favorite chair for a nap or a bed that’s positioned in one of the shop’s front windows and checks out what is happening along Market Street.

By night, she’s writing children’s books with author Abby Lynn. Or, she’s busy designing her own calendar or coming up with special stickers that have become a Second Friday tradition (both of which feature her). Charlamay is one busy – and beloved – pup.

12/05/2026

Shawn Hyson’s bungalow-sized home is surrounded by an amazing collection of plants, container gardens, art, shrubs and trees. Plus, the collection serves as a reminder that Mother’s Day weekend is regarded as the cut off point for frost, meaning it’s now safe to plant your summer flowers.

“Styling a Garden” from our latest issue showcases the garden and its creation - https://www.lancastercountymag.com/styling-a-garden/

📸 Jordan Bush Photography 📸

10/05/2026