5️⃣ The Hanover Five: April 3-9

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This week, I went to something new in Hanover. And I left thinking, we might be onto something here.

Andrew Smith hosted the first creative [noun] discussion series: presence is the point.

The first guest was Brian Shea.

I’ve met Brian before at a creatives luncheon, and if I had to describe him in one word, it would be magnetic. He has this way of leading a conversation where everyone feels seen, even the people who aren’t talking. At that luncheon, he guided our small group without forcing anything. He just… paid attention better than most people do.

At the event, he talked about improv.

Not in a “look at me on stage” kind of way, but as a skill. A practice. A way of communicating.

He said improv teaches you to listen at 100%. To respond clearly. To pick up on what isn’t being said.

And I thought, yeah. That tracks.

Because that’s exactly how he shows up.

He also said something that stuck with me.

Improv brings back play.

Not productivity. Not self-improvement disguised as a hobby. Just play.

Which, if I’m being honest, is not something I naturally make space for.

I love organizing things. Tracking things. Making lists about the things I’ve done, watched, experienced. Even my creative outlets can start to feel… structured. Purposeful. Useful.

Play feels different. Looser. Harder to justify.

My husband is much better at it. He builds, tinkers, rides bikes with our son. I’ll sit down to paint or use my oil pastels, but I almost have to talk myself into it.

And listening to Brian, it made me realize how easy it is to forget that play is where a lot of the good stuff actually comes from.

Connection. Joy. Expression.

For me, that shows up in a different way now. I used to do a lot of public speaking when I was active in recovery advocacy. I miss it sometimes, not just the speaking, but the feeling of being fully in it. Embodied. Present.

This newsletter has quietly become the written version of that for me.

And maybe that’s why this event felt important.

Because it wasn’t about being impressive. It wasn’t about being perfect. It was about being present.

Brian is open to bringing improv classes back to Hanover. He’s tried before. It didn’t quite stick. (In his words, “stop trying to make fetch happen.”)

But maybe this time is different.

If you’ve ever been curious, even a little, this could be your chance.

You don’t have to be funny. You don’t need stage experience.

You just have to show up. Be present. Be willing to play.

(If you’re interested, there’s a quick poll below. Let me know.)

A genuine thank you to Andrew and Brian for creating this and inviting people into it.

Both of them have been supporting Heart of Hanover from the beginning, and it means something to see them building spaces like this for the rest of us, too.

This wasn’t just a one-time thing.

There are three more conversations already planned this year:

Jared Reck (author) — Wednesday, July 29
Beck Ravenswood (Serpent’s Key) — Wednesday, September 2
Mary Moores (pastel artist) — Wednesday, November 4

If this first one was any indication, these are worth showing up for.

Thank you to our founding supporters:

Darlene · Brian · Holly · Andy · Kara · Justine

If you’ve ever used this newsletter to plan your weekend, discover a business, or feel less alone here… now’s the moment.

Become a Founding Supporter and help fund the next phase of Heart of Hanover. 🧡

First Friday Art Walk
📍 Downtown Hanover
📅 Friday, April 3 | ⏰ 5 PM – 8 PM
💵 Free

Downtown Hanover turns into one big, walkable art gallery tonight. The weather is beautiful today, so it’s the perfect outing.

From 5 PM – 8 PM, local shops, breweries, and cafés hand over their walls to regional artists, and you get to wander between them like you meant to be there all along.

This month’s lineup is stacked.

You’ll find everything from bold abstract work at Little Fox, to nature-inspired paintings at Aldus, to surreal collage at Sacred Heart Tattoo. The Hanover Area Arts Guild is opening its Spring Show with over 100 new pieces, and spots like Fat Bat and Serpent’s Key are highlighting artists whose work is rooted in real life, family, identity, and lived experience.

It’s not one vibe. It’s all of them.

And that’s kind of the point.

You don’t need to understand art. You just need to show up, walk around, and notice what pulls you in.

Start by grabbing a drink at Little Fox Coffee & Books to support Kiki’s hard work in organizing this event. Stay as long as you want.

Church of Satire
📍 106 Broadway

After hearing Brian talk about improv this week, I kept thinking about how rare it is to sit in a room where people are fully present with each other.

Comedy does that.

Different format, same muscle. Someone gets on stage, says something honest or ridiculous or a little too real, and suddenly a room full of strangers is reacting together in real time. No scrolling. No buffering. Just… being there.

Church of Satire has two shows this weekend and an open mic night on Monday.

If you want more of that feeling, here’s what’s happening:

Friday: Alan Massenburg
A Philly comic with national traction, regular TMZ features, and a style that’s sharp, current, and easy to settle into. Doors at 7:30 PM, show at 8 PM.

Saturday: Comedy Showcase
Four comedians, one stage, no filler. This is their strongest material, not a practice run. Expect a mix of seasoned and rising comics, including club regulars and touring acts.

Monday: Open Mic Night
This is where things get interesting. Some people are testing jokes for the first time. Some are surprisingly great. Either way, you’re part of the room that makes it work.

You don’t need a special occasion to go.

Just show up. Sit down. Be part of the room.

All shows are 18+ (16+ with a parent), and BYOB if you’re 21+.

Zodiac Donuts LLC
📍 Home Bakery in Hanover

To my gluten-free baddies, I owe you one. If last week’s Decked Out Donuts review had you feeling left out, this is your redemption arc.

Zodiac Donuts is a fully gluten-free, dairy-free home bakery serving vegan donuts and baked goods right here in Hanover. Finding something like this locally feels rare. Like four-leaf clover rare. (I find them often. My friends do not.)

A quick note: this is a home bakery with a separated kitchen for safety, but as always, use your own discretion if you have allergies or sensitivities.

Orders drop online in small batches. You’ll place your order, pick your pickup time, and then wait like the rest of us for your box of joy.

What I ordered:

If you’re gluten-free, you’re used to managing expectations. This is not that.

⭐⭐⭐ Emerson-Approved Greg-Approved

Judge me all you want, I did not share this brownie with my son.

He claims he doesn’t like mint chocolate. I’m not arguing. That just means more for me.

But I did share the brownie with Greg, since he loves mincho as much as I do. (Fun fact: “mincho” (민초) is Korean slang for mint chocolate. I’m currently teaching myself how to speak Korean. Hangul, the Korean alphabet, is no joke.)

I didn’t tell him it was gluten-free until after we finished it. He had no idea. Gave it a solid “3 stars…for sure,” which, if you know him, is basically a standing ovation.

Greg has a serious sweet tooth and is an excellent baker (credit to his mom, Darcy), so he’s not easy to impress. This passed.

Also worth noting, the packaging and branding are beautiful.

The brownie was rich and paired well with a glass of milk. We even had some leftover that held up well overnight. It was still soft and still delicious the next day.

Heart of Hanover Trails

You’ve likely noticed the little signs around town, but have you taken the full tour?

The Heart of Hanover Trails are a self-guided walking experience through downtown, connecting historical sites, local landmarks, and stories you’d probably never stop to read otherwise. It’s part history lesson, part excuse to get outside, part “oh wait, I didn’t know that happened here.”

You can follow the route intentionally using Main Street Hanover’s interactive map and itineraries, or just let yourself stumble into it. Either way, it gives your walk a little more meaning.

I’ll be honest, I needed a little extra push to get myself moving again, so I downloaded Pikmin Bloom.

It’s a free walking app (similar to Pokémon GO) that turns your steps into a game. As you walk, you plant flowers and grow little Pikmin companions just by…walking around. It sounds a little ridiculous, but it works.

You can add friends too, so of course Greg, Emerson, and my mom are all on it. I’d love to build a local Pikmin Bloom community.

You can download it on iOS and Android devices. Use my invite code: ZWMOYAFJN to add me as a friend anytime.

No shame if you need a tiny creature following you around planting flowers to get out the door. I clearly do.

The Community Collective
📍 Cultivated Essentials, 28 Frederick Street
📅 Saturday, April 4 | ⏰ 6 PM – 8 PM
💵 Free

If you’ve been wanting to meet people and do something that feels even a little meaningful, this is a good place to start.

A low-pressure, open-door gathering built around connection and action. Write postcards, make posters or buttons, or just sit and listen.

There’s an open mic if you feel like sharing, but no pressure to participate.

Homemade soup, light snacks, and a room full of people who showed up for the same reason you did.

Donations of nonperishable or essential items will be collected and shared with local organizations. Optional, but appreciated.

Hanover Parent Support Group (LGBTQIA+)
📍 Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 124 Broadway
📅 Wednesday, April 8 (2nd Wednesdays) | ⏰ 6 PM – 7:30 PM
💵 Free to attend (Registration required) | 🔗 Register Online

A monthly support group for parents and guardians of LGBTQIA+ kids, organized by the Rainbow Rose Center.

If you’ve been looking for a space where you don’t have to explain everything from scratch, this is it.

Come as you are. Listen, share, or just sit with people who get it.

Easter Weekend at Second Chance Plants
📍 North Point Plaza (near Big Lots), 1150 Carlisle Street
📅 Friday, April 3 – Sunday, April 5
⏰ Fri 9 AM – 6 PM | Sat 8 AM – 6 PM | Sun 8 AM – 4 PM
💵 Free to browse

A pop-up garden center with spring flowers, planters, and plants from local growers (without the big box markup).

There’s also a free, all-day egg hunt for kids on Saturday and Sunday while you shop.

Skate With Roller Rabbit
📍 Magic Elm Skateland, 625 W Elm Avenue
📅 Saturday, April 4 | ⏰ 9:30 AM – 11 AM
💵 $8 admission, $3 skate rental

A morning skate session with Roller Rabbit, plus photo ops for the kids.

Hanover Historical Society Easter Egg Hunt (Ages 2–9)
📍 Warehime Myers Mansion, 305 Baltimore Street
📅 Saturday, April 4 | ⏰ 10 AM
💵 Free

Kids ages 2–9 can hunt eggs on the lawn of the Warehime Myers Mansion, meet the Easter Bunny, and check out baby lambs (which, let’s be honest, might be the main event). Bring a basket and bask in all the cuteness!

Rain or shine. No registration needed. Parking on-site.

Community Easter Egg Hunt
📍 Freedom Valley Church, 201 S 3rd Street, McSherrystown
📅 Saturday, April 4 | ⏰ 10 AM
💵 Free

A larger, high-energy egg hunt hosted in partnership with Life Discovery Church. Bring a friend and expect a crowd.

Hanover Historical Society TWILIGHT Easter Egg Hunt (Ages 10-18)
📍 Warehime Myers Mansion, 305 Baltimore Street
📅 Saturday, April 4 | ⏰ 8 PM – 9 PM
💵 Free (donations appreciated)

An egg hunt on the lawn of the Warehime Myers Mansion for the older kiddos… but make it nighttime! Arrive early (7:45 PM) so you’re not playing catch-up in the dark.

Your night also includes a walk-through of the first floor and the Hanover Area History Museum before things wrap at 9 PM.

Bring a basket. Bring a flashlight. And prepare to work a little harder for your candy.

Rain or shine. No registration needed. Parking on-site.

Easter Egg Hunt
📍 The Curious Little Playhouse, 1000 Carlisle Street, Suite 1225
📅 Sunday, April 5 | ⏰ 11 AM & 2 PM
💵 Included with admission

Two hunt times, golden egg prizes, and enough energy to burn off whatever candy was collected the day before.

Queer Craft Coven Collective
📍 The Serpent’s Key, 28 Carlisle Street
📅 Friday, April 10 | ⏰ 6 PM – 8 PM
💵 Free

A monthly arts and crafts night in partnership with the Rainbow Rose Center. Bring a project or start something new. No pressure, just a creative, welcoming space to make things (and maybe new friends).

Mocktails on Main Street
📍 Downtown Hanover
📅 Saturday, April 11 | ⏰ 11 AM – 2 PM
💵 $25 | 🔗 Get Tickets

A self-guided stroll through downtown with alcohol-free mocktails at local businesses. Comes with a souvenir glass, a map, and a solid excuse to pop into places you’ve been meaning to check out anyway.

Spring Clean-Up Day at Codorus State Park
📍 Codorus State Park, 1066 Blooming Grove Road
📅 Saturday, April 18 | ⏰ 9 AM – 12 PM
💵 Free (registration required) | 🔗 Register Online

Help get the park ready for spring with a few hours of hands-on work. Expect raking, mulching, and general cleanup. Bring gloves, water, and a friend if you can.

There’s a weird gap between knowing things exist in Hanover… and actually going.

I see it all the time. You bookmark it. You think, “that’s cool.” You mean to go. And then the weekend happens and somehow you’re back on your couch wondering where the time went.

This list is me trying to close that gap. For you, and honestly, for me too.

Because left to my own devices, I will absolutely stay home, reorganize something unnecessary, and call it a productive day.

So if you pick one thing from this and actually go, that’s the win.

Not five things. Not everything. Just one.

And if that one thing involves candy, comedy, or a tiny digital creature forcing you to walk outside… even better.

Happy Easter 🐣

XoXo,
Megan

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