Good morning, Lancaster!
This week we have pizza, buried treasure, famous faces, and weekend events—everything you need! In this newsletter, we’ll announce the winner of the Lancaster Pizza Playoffs. Then, if you haven’t heard of Uncharted Lancaster, this is your chance to learn about some engaging and educational treasure hunts throughout the county (think National Treasure meets local history) and the man who hides the treasure.
Here's what we have for you this week:
The winner of the Lancaster Pizza Playoffs
Buried Treasure and Hidden History: Uncharted Lancaster
Famous faces from Lancaster
This weekend's best events
So Good Lancaster Podcast
The Lancaster Pizza Playoffs
We want to thank all the pizza shops and everyone who voted in the first annual Lancaster Pizza Playoffs! We had over 5,500 total votes. There are so many great local pizza spots in Lancaster County, but four spots rose to the top of the rankings. We learned that some places have fans, and some places have FANS! The following four shops had over 600 votes and pulled away from the rest of the pack by a wide margin, earning them the honor of “Best of Lancaster.” Here’s the top four, listed in alphabetical order.
“Best of Lancaster”
CAVOLO! Pizzeria Bar
Dolce Vita Pizzeria & Grill
Palermo Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Pizzeria 211
And the winner of the 2026 Lancaster Pizza Playoffs, with over 1,200 votes, is Palermo Pizza & Italian Restaurant! Congratulations! We spoke with the owner, Frank, and asked him about his restaurant. “We’ve been here for 35 years,” he said proudly. Frank, whose first language is Italian, started at Palermo Pizza in 1991 at the age of 22 and has been there ever since. He runs the shop (located in New Holland) with his wife, Maria, and their son, Michael.
If you search for Uncharted Lancaster online, you’ll find self-guided scavenger hunts, books, podcasts, and over 800 local history articles all exploring the forgotten stories, local legends, and hidden places of Lancaster County. How did this one-of-a-kind history and adventure platform begin? What was the spark that set Uncharted Lancaster in motion? Find out how one conversation and a search for a local cemetery motivated a local technology education teacher to start something truly unique.
The Weekend Preview
Do you have an event that you’d like us to include on our website and in the newsletter? Click here to submit an event.
✅ Something for Kids
Day Off Camp - Feb 16 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Kids can spend their day off from school (President’s Day) at the Science Factory. The day includes a visit with live birds of prey from Hawk Mountain.
✅ Something Free
Fire and Ice Festival - Feb 13 - Feb 22
Starting Friday the 13th at 4 pm, Lititz will be glistening with freshly carved ice sculptures. Take a stroll, shop the shops, eat at our local restaurants, and see the sculptures.
✅ Something With Friends
And Then There Were None - Feb 13 @ 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
It’s opening night for this show at the Fulton! One of Agatha Christie’s most foreboding tales and a masterpiece of dramatic construction, this classic play’s growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension will keep you guessing to the very end.
✅ Date Night Idea
The Jane Austen Playlist - Feb 13 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Step into Jane Austen’s world for one unforgettable night at Steinman Hall.
The Jane Austen Playlist is a historical music project featuring narrated scenes from Jane Austen’s novels, paired with the music contained in the Austen Family Music Books.
✅ Live Music
Electric Starlite - Feb 13 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Stop by Southern Market to hear the smooth sounds of mainstream and vintage jazz. With a versatile repertoire spanning 1920s jazz, blues, R&B, and pop, the band delivers rich, soulful sets that create the perfect atmosphere for any event.
Hot Drinks In Cold Weather
Two great local businesses that we recently profiled were interviewed by Jason Mundok on the So Good Lancaster podcast! Nathan and Denise from Joe on the Go Coffee Co., and Heather from Pureblend Tea were interviewed on the “Hot Drinks in Cold Weather” episode. And since we recently wrote about these great people and businesses, Jason interviewed us as well. Thank you, Jason! Click on the link to hear us, along with Heather, Nathan, and Denise.
Famous Faces of Lancaster
If you follow us on social media, you may have already seen this. If not, here are a few famous faces from Lancaster County. If you are tuning in to the Winter Olympics, you may hear Johnny Weir on the broadcast.
Johnny Weir, who grew up in Quarryville, is one of the most recognizable figures in American figure skating. A three-time U.S. national champion and two-time Olympian, Weir became a prominent broadcaster, helping bring skating to a wider audience.
SNL and film star Kristen Wiig moved with her family to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the age of three, and attended Nitrauer Elementary School and Manheim Township Middle School until eighth grade.
Jonathan Groff, a Lancaster native, is also known for his roles as King George III in the original Broadway production of Hamilton, Holden Ford in Netflix's Mindhunter, and Jesse St. James on Glee.
The Innocence Mission is one of the most successful bands in American indie music. Their song “Bright As Yellow” became a defining track of the 90s.
Raised in Neffsville, Taylor Kinney became a household name as Lieutenant Kelly Severide on Chicago Fire, a role he held for more than a decade and over 200 episodes.
Brad Rutter is the highest-earning contestant in Jeopardy! history, winning more than $5 million across multiple tournaments.
Jim Furyk, long based in Lancaster County, is one of the most consistent and respected golfers of his generation. A U.S. Open champion and former world No. 1.
More Weekend Events
Thursday, February 12
Jardin d’amour (Garden of Love) - Build a petite garden love note with moss and mini plants.
Micro Beads & Epoxy Sculpt Jewelry Workshop - Create your own sculpted jewelry in this hands-on workshop at Southern Market.
Music Bingo - A high-energy twist on bingo at Southern Market, where matching the music wins the game.
Friday, February 13
Back in Black & Completely Unchained - AC/DC and Van Halen tribute bands bring arena-worthy rock energy to The Village Nightclub.
Saturday, February 14
Happy Valentine’s Day! 🌹
Kyle Hancock Trio - This high-energy trio delivers fresh takes on pop and rock favorites at Southern Market.
Victorian Valentines - Celebrate Valentine’s Day with vintage flair at this themed event in Lancaster.
Demuth Museum Guided Tours - Explore Lancaster’s artistic legacy with a guided tour at the Demuth Museum in downtown Lancaster.
Sunday, February 15
Cole Davis: Consider It! - Hi-Fi Izakaya hosts Cole Davis for a night of music and drinks, showcasing the influential bass player in an intimate Lancaster setting.
The Weekend Weather
Friday, Feb 13
36°
Sunny
H:36° L:23°
Saturday, Feb 14
48°
Mostly Sunny
H:48° L:28°
Sunday, Feb 15
46°
PM Showers
H:46° L:30°
Wrap Up
That's all for this week!
If you have an event for us to promote on the website or newsletter, get in touch! We will list your event for free. If you want to promote your business with us, send us an email! We would love to partner with you ([email protected]).
— Adam and Ben