JANUARY   |  FEBRUARY   |  MARCH   |  APRIL | MAY | JUNE | JULY | AUGUST | SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER | NOVEMBER | DECEMBER

JANUARY 16

Researching Your Family Tree: Beginning Research at Mennonite Life, with Julia Wiker

Eastern Lancaster County Library  (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Ready to learn more about researching your family tree? Join Mennonite Life Archivist & Librarian Julia Wiker for an introduction to genealogy and history research! You'll learn how to use the Mennonite Life Library's online and onsite resources to research local Mennonite history and your own genealogy. Online resources include Find A Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/) and Family Search (https://www.familysearch.org/en/united-states/) and are accessible to anyone, anywhere. Onsite resources are available at Mennonite Life (2215 Millstream Road, Lancaster, PA 17602-1499), and include archival materials, Newspapers.com, and Ancestry.com. Julia Wiker is the Archivist & Librarian at Mennonite Life. She has a Master’s in Library Science from UNC-Chapel Hill. She is passionate about rare books, German translation, and connecting researchers with their heritage/ancestors/stories from family history.

JANUARY 23

Folded Book Art Class

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Join Jeannette Kolb, long-time library volunteer and book artist, for a folded book art class! Making folded book art involves marking and folding the pages of a book to create a three-dimensional sculpture, image, design, or word on the edge of the pages. Jeannette will introduce the craft, display some of her work, demonstrate basic techniques, and get you started on your own creation. The class is limited to 10 adults, and pre-registration is required. Learn to transform unwanted books into stunning works of art. All supplies will be provided. To register, please visit: https://calendar.lancasterlibraries.org/event/folded-book-art-class-91596

FEBRUARY 1

Read with Royalty!

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Did you know that New Holland has royalty? Well, we do, and all are invited to meet 2024 New Holland Farmers’ Fair Queen Genevieve Adamow at the library! Genevieve will provide an agricultural informational session featuring read-alouds and a craft. Event is best for children ages 3 to 9 with parent or caregiver, but all are welcome.

FEBRUARY 12

Birding 101

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Ever wonder what kind of birds are visiting your feeders? Are you interested in birding but don't know where to start? Join Miss Jen for this workshop for all ages and skill levels!

No registration required.

MARCH 15

Lunch & Learn for Homeschoolers: Intro to Online Learning

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Attention homeschool families! Did you know that ELANCO Library has a plethora of online resources that can help supplement your curriculum? These include:

• Reliable reference and information resources on science, history, social studies, current events, literature, and more
• Live, real-time, individualized online tutoring from experts!
• Tools to assist with learning a second language
• Test preparation resources to help your student get ready for their next steps in college, career, or military
• eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines that you can borrow for free with your library card

Please join us in the library’s Community Room for an introduction to these resources! Free pizza will be provided for those who do! To ensure that we have the proper amount of pizza, pre-registration is required. To register, visit: https://calendar.lancasterlibraries.org/event/lunch-learn-homeschoolers-intro-online-learning-92439 

Come prepared with your own personal questions, research inquiries, and individual library needs - there will be plenty of time for Q & A! For a preview and more information on the library’s online resources, see: https://elancolibrary.org/lynx-eresources-for-everyone/

MARCH 26

Researching Family History: Getting Started, presented by Aimee Caya, LancasterHistory

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

The program will give attendees guidance on how to begin compiling family histories, with a focus on researching ancestors in Lancaster County. 

Aimee Caya is the Director of Library and Research Services at LancasterHistory, where she helps visitors to the Research Center look for information about their Lancaster County ancestors or satisfy their curiosity about local history.

APRIL 5

Tech Tips for Seniors

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Bring your cell phone, tablet, or laptop to the library to get assistance with your perplexing technical problem! Learn how to use Libby to get free ebooks & eAudiobooks with your library card. Tips on how to optimize your devices for low vision will be included.

APRIL 9

GIANT Mini Chef Program

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Learn about healthy foods and make a healthy snack! Ages 3-8. 

Registration for this program is REQUIRED and will open March 15th! Please visit https://calendar.lancasterlibraries.org/event/giant-mini-chef-program-92386 to register. 

Presented by Charlotte Scheid, a dietician from Giant Foods.

MAY 10

The Extraordinary Gardener (A Longwood Gardens Community Read Program)

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
11:00 am – 11:30 am

Visit us for a special storytime read of The Extraordinary Gardener by Sam Boughton followed by an opportunity to plant your own seeds to take home with you! All ages welcome. No registration required. 

Part of the Longwood Gardens Community Read Program. For more information, please visit: https://longwoodgardens.org/education/community-read/community-read-2025 

MAY 17

Homeschool Curriculum and Book Swap

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Homeschooling families are invited to:

• Find good homes for books you’ve outgrown
• Collect new educational materials for free
• Connect with other home educators.

11:00am - 11:30am: Drop of your books and enjoy social time. 

11:30am - 12:15pm: Tour the library and learn about resources the library offers to homeschoolers. 

12:15pm - 1:00pm: Select and take home books. 

This will be a completely free exchange, without strings attached – materials are contributed without condition, and people take materials without charge or condition, on a first-come, first-served basis.

JUNE 14

Flower Sale + Food Trucks Event

Lighthouse Vocational Services   (144 Orlan Road, New Holland)
8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Join us on Saturday, June 14 for our Flower Sale + Food Trucks Event. The flower sale starts at 8am with a huge assortment of lush flowers, hanging baskets, succulents and greenery. Hungry? Be sure to stop at the savory food trucks. Skip’s will be offering the famous crispy chicken sandwich. 

The mission of this event is to raise funds to empower persons with disabilities. Whether you are purchasing an annual, perennial or shrub, one hundred percent of the proceeds benefit the individuals who receive services at Lighthouse. Your purchases make it possible for the participants to learn job skills, creative skills and join in the community.

JUNE 20 and JUNE 23

Aaron’s Acres Summer Camp Visitors’ Days

New Holland Community Memorial Park   (400 East Jackson Street, New Holland, PA 17557)
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Aaron’s Acres provides recreational programs to children and young adults with disabilities in our community (ages 5-40). Join us for a tour of our Summer Camp on one of our Visitors’ Days. Tours begin at 10am and run for about 45 minutes. Please RSVP in advance to Kate Mullen at Aaron’s Acres: katemullen@aaronsacres.org

JUNE 23

Retirement by Design

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

This presentation illustrates how you can translate your vision for retirement into tangible goals. You’ll learn investment strategies to help design the retirement you want. We’ll also discuss how you can add flexibility to your strategy to help you handle unexpected events and how you can keep your strategy on track. Come prepared with your own questions, as there will be time for Q & A and discussion following the presentation. Presenter Allen Wessel is a Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years of experience. He currently works as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, New Holland. For adults.

JUNE 25

A Trip to the Seaside: A Summer Book Club for Adults Experiencing Dementia or Other Brain Changes

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Reading is a wonderful way to engage, make connections, and activate memories. People with dementia and brain changes can enjoy reading, which is a skill rooted in our long-term memories. Don’t miss an opportunity for your loved one to engage in a book club designed for people with brain changes. Book clubs can nurture social connections and deeper engagement with others dealing with brain changes. Research has shown that people with brain changes and dementia are severely underestimated in their ability to read. Being part of a book club is more than just a pleasant pastime. This book club allows people with brain changes to be lifelong learners and engage with others on a brain change/dementia journey. Come enjoy the book A Trip to the Seaside, written by Kate Chesters. This adult book is written and designed for adults with brain changes. Facilitated by Janie Martin, Dementia Educator and Consultant, ForgeWorks.

JULY 2

Cartooning Made Easy with Ed Klein

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Students will be instructed on the basics of cartooning so they can caricature the world around them and create original cartoons as well as draw their favorite cartoon characters. Ed has drawn for The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Studios, Don Bluth Animation Studios, Hanna Barbera Studios, Hyperion Studios, Filmation Studios, Ross Bagdasarian Productions, Calabash Animation Studios, K.C.M.P. Productions, and numerous independent and commercial studios in New York and throughout the country. For teens and tweens. Registration is required. Visit https://calendar.lancasterlibraries.org/event/cartooning-made-easy-ed-klein-106582 to register.

JULY 11, JULY 14, JULY 25, and JULY 28

Aaron’s Acres Summer Camp Visitors’ Days

New Holland Community Memorial Park   (400 East Jackson Street, New Holland, PA 17557)
10:00 am – 11:00 am

Aaron’s Acres provides recreational programs to children and young adults with disabilities in our community (ages 5-40). Join us for a tour of our Summer Camp on one of our Visitors’ Days. Tours begin at 10am and run for about 45 minutes. Please RSVP in advance to Kate Mullen at Aaron’s Acres: katemullen@aaronsacres.org

JULY 14

Retirement: Making Your Money Last

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

This presentation discusses ideas to help build a reasonable and sustainable strategy for managing income and expenses during retirement. We’ll explore how to address key concerns such as inflation, health care expenses and market volatility as well as ways to prepare for things that may not go as expected. Come prepared with your own questions, as there will be time for Q & A and discussion following the presentation. Allen Wessel is a Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years of experience. He currently works as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, New Holland. For adults.

AUGUST 9

Beginning Origami Workshop

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Origami has long been recognized for its ability to enhance concentration, reduce stress, foster creativity, and improve problem-solving skills! This workshop is sponsored by the Center for Creative Exploration at Pennsylvania College of Art & Design and presented by instructor Kerrin Barelli. We will delve into the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, using a single square of paper to create simple yet beautiful designs. No prior experience is required! Notes: This is a seated one-hour class. Please bring a notebook for taking notes. Supplies are provided for your use. For adults and teens aged 16+.

AUGUST 14

Social Security: Your Questions Answered

Eastern Lancaster County Library   (11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland)
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Social Security likely will be the foundation of your retirement income. We’ll discuss how Social Security fits into your retirement income plan, when you should start taking benefits, and tax considerations. Come prepared with your own questions, as there will be time for Q & A and discussion following the presentation. Allen Wessel is a Certified Financial Planner with over 25 years of experience. He currently works as a Financial Advisor at Edward Jones, New Holland.