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(Excuse the ad spot testing! This section is planned to be Lancaster Area Small Business only.)

Good morning, Lancaster.

So, you know Village Greens in Strasburg? The mini golf place that's been there since the Nixon administration? A retired MLB outfielder just bought it for $1.17 million. Travis Jankowski — Lancaster Catholic grad, current Texas Rangers coach — scooped it up to keep it from getting turned into a housing development. They're adding fire pits and a kids' play village. Mini golf is alive and well.

In today's Lancaster Ledger:

Let's do it.

— Collin

Travis Jankowski, a retired Major League Baseball outfielder and current Texas Rangers coach, just bought Village Greens Miniature Golf in Strasburg Township for $1.17 million. Jankowski — a Lancaster Catholic High School graduate who lives in Strasburg during the offseason — and his wife Lindsey purchased the 13-acre course, which is part of a larger 35-acre wooded tract, to keep it from being turned into a residential development. "Once it becomes developed, there's no undeveloping it," he said. "It's kind of a way of keeping Strasburg Strasburg."

The Jankowskis are planning some serious upgrades. The grand reopening is set for April 4, headlined by an Easter egg hunt with 4,000 eggs. Visitors will find three new outdoor patios with fire pits, a revamped snack bar with a full coffee bar, and a brand new "Tiny Tees Village" — an outdoor play area featuring miniature versions of Strasburg-area businesses, including a coffee shop, pizza shop, and barber shop. The sale ends a 50+ year run by the Petters family, which had owned and operated Village Greens since 1972. Love to see it.

Hummelstown-based Rubber Soul Brewing Co. is expanding to Lancaster. The brewery is planning to move into the Champion Forge Center, taking over the former home of Checker's Bistro at 398 Harrisburg Ave., Suite 700. Rubber Soul is currently seeking to transfer a restaurant liquor license to the property, which would let them serve a broader selection of cocktails and wines produced outside of the state.

If you're not familiar, Rubber Soul was started by Mike VanGavree and three partners after they purchased the original Maryland-based Rubber Soul's assets out of bankruptcy in 2019. They opened a brewpub at 136 S. Hanover St. in Hummelstown in 2020 and expanded with a separate taproom and brewhouse at 21 N. Hanover St. in 2024. They serve IPAs, lagers, stouts, sours, and pilsners, plus pizza, strombolis, sandwiches, and tacos. A spokesperson said "Lancaster has always been part of the RSBC vision and is our natural next step." Another good brewery headed our way.

Remember Zac Bauermaster? The Providence Elementary School principal who went viral for his over-the-top daily student greetings? He's been named the new principal of Solanco High School. He replaces Scott Long, who is leaving to take the executive director position at the Career and Technology Center. The transition has been described as a "strong handoff."

Bauermaster is a lifelong Solanco School District community member and Millersville University graduate — so this isn't some outsider parachuting in. He's been part of this community for years, and now he's stepping up from the elementary level to lead the high school. Going from greeting little kids at the door every morning to running a high school is quite the jump, but if anyone's got the energy for it, it's this guy.

If you heat with natural gas, heads up: your UGI bill just got bigger. Strong demand has pushed natural gas prices higher, and UGI's 4.2% increase took effect yesterday. The average residential customer's monthly bill rose from $119.67 to $124.72 — about five bucks more per month.

By law, the cost of natural gas is passed along to customers with no markup from the utility. But that's not the only increase on the horizon. A separate proposal to hike UGI's distribution rate by $99.4 million per year — which would boost a residential customer's bill by about 8.7% — is currently under investigation by the state Public Utility Commission. A decision on that request is due by October 29. UGI has about 75,000 residential natural gas customers in Lancaster County alone, so this one hits close to home.

Spring weather hit Lancaster County this weekend and people came out in force — including at the Chickies Rock overlook in Chicques. One hiker spotted the overlook while driving along Route 441, pulled over on a whim, and ended up with a gallery of gorgeous photos from the trail. The vibe out there? Pure Lancaster County spring energy.

And it gets better: someone witnessed a couple get proposed to right at the overlook the same day. Chickies Rock County Park is one of Lancaster County's most popular hiking destinations, with panoramic views of the Susquehanna River that make it pretty easy to understand why someone would drop to one knee up there. If you haven't been out yet this year, the weather's finally cooperating. Just be ready to share the trail.

You! Well, it could be powered by your business. Want to get your brand in front of hundreds of Lancaster County readers three times a week? We're keeping sponsorships exclusively for Lancaster-area small businesses. Reach out to learn more about our Anchor, Growth, and Starter tiers — all affordable, all hyper-local, all supporting this community.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. These are community events we think you'd enjoy. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) Viewing | A total lunar eclipse will be visible from Lancaster in the early morning hours. Penumbral eclipse begins at 3:44 AM, partial eclipse at 4:50 AM, and totality starts at 6:04 AM — but the moon sets at 6:37 AM, so the window is tight. Find a dark spot with a clear view to the west. | 3:44 AM - 6:37 AM | Visible throughout Lancaster County | Free

Lancaster Central Market | America's oldest continuously operated public farmers' market, with nearly 60 standholders offering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, and prepared foods. Also open Friday and Saturday this week. | 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Lancaster Central Market, 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free admission

7th Annual Central Pennsylvania Music Awards & Hall of Fame Induction | The "local Grammys" — an annual red-carpet event recognizing the best in central PA music. Sponsored by Members 1st Federal Credit Union. | 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check amtshows.com for ticket prices

The Art of Upcycling: Thrifted Container Workshop | Upcycle up to 3 containers into living planters at this BYOB happy hour workshop. Plants 20% off. Extra fee for containers over 12 inches. | 5:30 PM | 320 N Queen St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $15

Vienna Boys Choir | Six centuries of purity of tone, distinctive charm, and musical artistry — the world-renowned choral group performs at AMT. | 7:30 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Tickets: $39, $49, $59, $69

Lancaster Improv's First Friday Free For All — Mocktail Mixer | A bevy of improv sets followed by an improv jam where you can take the stage. Part of Lancaster's First Friday celebrations. | 6:00 PM - 9:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free

Lancaster Central Market | Open again for your Friday market run. | 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Lancaster Central Market, 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free admission

Living the Experience Presents: Ladies First | An immersive Underground Railroad reenactment celebrating Women's History Month and the stories of women who helped shape the path to freedom. | 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM | 512 East Strawberry Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free - $42.50

Pressed Flower Frame Workshop | Craft a pressed flower frame masterpiece at Ken's Gardens in Smoketown. | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Ken's Gardens, 2467 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602 | $28.52

Kokedama Workshop | Get your hands dirty creating Japanese moss ball masterpieces at Ken's Gardens Intercourse location. | 11:00 AM | Ken's Gardens, 3552 W Newport Rd, Ronks, PA 17572 | Check eventbrite.com for pricing

Small Village Dish Garden Workshop | Create your own small village dish garden at Ken's Gardens in Smoketown. | 2:00 PM | Ken's Gardens, 2467 Old Philadelphia Pike, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check eventbrite.com for pricing

Pickleball Singles Mixer: Speed Dating | Fast-paced pickleball games, drinks, and social time — perfect for meeting people. Ages 25-45. | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM | RCW Athletic Club, 200 Running Pump Road, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $25

Saturday Night Improv: TourCo Home Game | Lancaster Improv's touring company shows off their talents at the home base — a smorgasbord of improv shenanigans. | 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $10 - $20

Saturday Night Improv: Peach Soda | A late-night improv show following the TourCo Home Game. | 8:30 PM | Lancaster Improv Players, 16 South Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $10 - $20

Lancaster Central Market | Last market day of the week. | 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM | Lancaster Central Market, 23 North Market Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free admission

Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None | A masterpiece of dramatic construction — one of Christie's most foreboding tales with unfaltering tension that'll keep you guessing to the very end. Final week! Performances: March 2 (2 PM), March 4 (2 PM & 7:30 PM), March 5 (2 PM & 7:30 PM), March 6 (7:30 PM), March 7 (2 PM & 7:30 PM), March 8 (2 PM). | Fulton Theatre, 12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Check thefulton.org for ticket prices

The Shark is Broken | The tumultuous making of JAWS takes center stage in this comedy about feuding costars Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider. Runs through March 22. Performances this week: March 4 (2 PM & 7:30 PM), March 5 (2 PM & 7:30 PM), March 7 (2 PM & 7:30 PM). | Fulton Theatre, 12 North Prince Street, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Check thefulton.org for ticket prices

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

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Monday High 41°F, low 16°F.
Tuesday High 40°F, low 32°F.

Open Mic Artist Sessions w/ Henry Devorick | Open Mic / Various | 7:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

Major Vibes: Friends-Days | DJ / Various | 8:00 PM - 12:00 AM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue

Houses In The Sky / Iara / 7 Hrs Ahead | Live Music | 7:30 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancasetr, PA 17602 | Check venue

3 West Duo | Acoustic / Various | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | South County Brewing Co., 26 W. King St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | Free

Mike Tramp (solo acoustic) plus Alex Warner | Rock / Acoustic | 8:00 PM (Doors 7 PM) | Phantom Power, 121 W. Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $30 ADV / $35 DOS

Corty Byron & The Light | Rock / Local | 8:00 PM | Tellus 360 (Tigh Mhary Pub), 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue

DJ Edge (raDiANCE) | DJ / Dance | 10:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue

Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and the Celtic All Stars | Celtic / Folk / Fiddle | 7:30 PM | Ware Center for the Arts, 42 N. Prince St, Lancaster, PA 17603 | $35

Brass Monkeys — Beastie Boys Tribute w. C-Smoke Williams | Hip Hop / Tribute | 8:00 PM (Doors 7 PM) | Phantom Power, 121 W. Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $20 ADV / $25 DOS

The Thompson Triplets | 80s Cover Band / Party | 8:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue

DJ Edge (raDiANCE) | DJ / Dance | 10:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Check venue

"GOLDEN": A K-POP KIDS PARTY | K-Pop / DJ / Dance Party | 11:00 AM | Phantom Power, 121 W. Frederick St, Millersville, PA 17551 | $18 Early Bird / $20 ADV / $25 DOS

Jam Session with Matt Wenger | Jam / Various | 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM | Tellus 360, 24 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Free

The Drifters, The Platters & Cornell Gunter's Coasters | Classic Vocal Groups | 3:00 PM | American Music Theatre, 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, PA 17602 | Tickets: $39, $49, $59, $69

If you made it this far, you're the real MVP. Share this with someone who needs to know that a Major League Baseball player is now running a mini golf course in Strasburg — because that's the kind of career pivot we can all aspire to.

Cheers!