🌞 Hanover in Full Light

June is in full swing, and there’s a lot to celebrate. Pride events are happening this weekend in both York and Hanover. Whether you're attending a vigil, a storytime, or simply showing up in quiet support, I hope you find a moment that reminds you how good it feels to be part of a community that welcomes everyone.

As we head into the weekend, please take extra care on the roads. Hanover has seen a number of rollover collisions lately, and it’s a sobering reminder that even a short trip deserves your full attention. Be mindful of your speed, your surroundings, and your vehicle. The goal isn’t just to get there. It’s to get there safely.

Looking ahead, the Heart of HanoverLand Festival is almost here. The schedule is packed with local history, creativity, and community-centered events for all ages. If you haven’t made plans yet, this is your friendly nudge.

Wishing you a safe, beautiful start to summer and a joyful solstice. May these long, golden days be filled with sunshine, good company, and the kind of small moments that stay with you.

Thanks for reading. I’m so glad you’re here.

Love & Light,
Megan

Saturday, June 14 | 11 AM to 5 PM
📍 Downtown Hanover

This month’s Second Saturday is smokin’. Sample local barbecue, sip craft beer, browse street vendors, and enjoy live music as you stroll through downtown. Classic cars will be on display, adding a little vintage charm to your afternoon.

VIP ticket holders get early access and bonus bites. Designated driver tickets available at a discount.

🎟️ Grab your tickets from Main Street Hanover

Saturday, June 14 | 11 AM to 5 PM
📍 York Fairgrounds, 334 Carlisle Avenue

Celebrate love, identity, and inclusion at York County’s biggest LGBTQIA+ event. Hosted by Rainbow Rose Center, this free festival features speakers, live music, food trucks, vendors, and all-ages activities.

💵 Free admission. Everyone welcome.

Saturday, June 14 | 5 PM to 6 PM
📍 Begins at The Serpent’s Key (28 Carlisle St)
📍 Ends at Little Fox Coffee & Books (125 Broadway)

A quiet evening of remembrance and connection. This candlelight walk begins with a vigil honoring LGBTQIA+ lives lost and those who paved the way. Guests are welcome to bring a small item in memory of a loved one (you’ll receive it back at the end).

We’ll walk together down Broadway in a shared moment of reflection and solidarity. (Route length: 0.25 miles)

💵 Free and open to all.

Saturday, June 14 | 6 PM to 8 PM
📍 Little Fox Coffee & Books, 125 Broadway

An evening of queer voices, lived stories, and unapologetic expression. Whether you’re reading a poem, singing a song, sharing a memory, or simply listening, Out Loud is a space for truth-telling and community connection.

From joy to grief to delightfully awkward moments, every story matters. Newcomers, seasoned performers, and quiet supporters are all welcome. Come as you are. Speak if you’d like.

💵 Free and open to all.

Saturday, June 21 | 12 PM to 3 PM | Indoor Event (Rain or Shine)
📍 YWCA Hanover, 23 W Chestnut Street

Celebrate love, inclusion, and community at this uplifting Pride Day hosted by YWCA Hanover and Rainbow Rose Center. Enjoy games and activities for all ages, free snacks, local vendors, and opportunities to connect with organizations that support and uplift the LGBTQIA+ community.

You’ll find groups like Free Mom Hugs, Autism at Face Value, PFLAG, NAMI, Girls Loving Life, and many more.

💵 Free to attend. No registration needed.

A Celebration of Courage, Community, and the Curious Spirit of Hanover

Mark your calendars: June 26 to 28, the Heart of HanoverLand Festival is back. It’s bolder, braver, and more beautifully bonkers than ever.

This three-day, walkable wonderland takes over downtown with historical reenactments, live music, scavenger hunts, Civil War-era celebrities, comedy shows, and so much more. Think “living museum meets quirky block party” with just the right amount of magic.

The festival’s mission is to honor Hanover’s role in shaping American history while building a future that’s collaborative, creative, inclusive, and fun for every age and budget.

Whether you're in it for the folk tunes, the ghostly reenactors, or the spoken word poetry with a side of Taps, there’s something here for you, your kids, and your neighbor’s cat (okay, maybe not the cat, but we’re working on it).

Here are just a few highlights:

Want the full experience? You’ll find all the event listings and RSVP links here: Heart of HanoverLand Festival Schedule

This isn’t just a festival. It’s a living love letter to our town, stitched together with stories, spirit, and a whole lot of neighborly joy.

Let’s show up for it.

A note for the summer solstice

Next Friday, June 20, marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. The sun will hang a little higher, the shadows will stretch a little longer, and for just a moment, the world might feel like it’s standing still.

Solstices have always been a quiet invitation. To pause. To notice. To remember that time isn’t just passing. It’s layering. You are not the same person you were last summer. And that’s a good thing.

Maybe you’ve grown roots. Or grown out of something. Maybe you’re still figuring it out. Either way, the light is still growing, and so are you.

So here’s your permission slip to wander barefoot, eat something cold and sticky, stay outside a little too long, or do nothing at all. You don’t have to make it productive. You just have to be present.

The rest of the year will ask you to hurry. Let this day ask you to notice.

Happy solstice, Hanover.

📍N. Franklin Street, Park Avenue, High Street

This one’s made for toddlers. The equipment is low to the ground, the whole play area is fenced in, and there are picnic tables inside the gates so you don’t have to decide between eating your snack and watching your kid. You can do both. Imagine that.

Some folks on neighborhood Facebook pages love to warn about “shady activity” here, mostly because local teens play basketball. If that makes you uncomfortable, stay close to your little one. But let’s be honest, teenagers deserve safe places to hang out too, and a public park is a good start.

Bathrooms are a short walk away at Royal Farms. Bonus points for being close to downtown if you want to turn your park visit into a morning adventure.

📍West Hanover Street & Forney Avenue

If you’re the kind of parent who still climbs the jungle gym “just to show them how it’s done,” this is your spot. Union Park has fresh energy, updated equipment, and wide open space for all the cartwheels, scooter races, and grass-stained knees your heart can handle.

The short walking loop is perfect for bike practice. There’s a small basketball court, plus tennis and pickleball courts if you want to sneak in some grown-up movement while the kids play.

This place used to sit quiet. Now it’s full of laughter, sidewalk chalk, and kids who don't want to leave. Perfect for families who like to play together instead of just watching from the bench.

📍 Moul Avenue (between Ridge Avenue & Grant Drive)

If your kids have energy to burn, bring them here. There’s a big open field for soccer, tag, and running like wild animals, plus a multi-purpose playground that works great as a pit stop during ball games.

It’s especially ideal for baseball and softball families. While one kid is at bat, the others can climb, swing, or roll around in the grass. If the fields are empty, bring a kickball and make your own game. There’s plenty of space to spread out a blanket, read a book, or sneak in a quiet moment in the sun.

Parking is easy and bathrooms are available, which earns it bonus points in the parenting world.

📍 Elm Avenue & Eichelberger Street

This one feels like childhood. The kind where you scraped your knees, climbed too high, and didn’t want to come inside. The playground equipment has been here for decades, but it’s still solid, safe, and surprisingly fun.

There’s a small hill next to the play area that’s perfect for rolling down or setting up a picnic. You’ll find a shaded pavilion with picnic tables, and the tennis and basketball courts are close by if your kids want to switch gears.

There’s no restroom here, so plan ahead before you settle in.

Family fun that’s free or affordable, creative, and just the right amount of history.

Thursday, June 26 | 11 AM
Friday, June 27 | 10 AM
Saturday, June 28 | 10 AM
📍Starting at COB51, 51 Carlisle St.

Pick up your clues at COB51, then search for hidden painted rocks near Hanover’s historical trail markers. When you find one, head back to the studio to paint your own Art Heart and take home a free gift.

Designed for kids ages 5 and up (with an adult), but fun for grownups too.

🗺️ Trail info: Heart of Hanover Trails

Thursday, June 26, 10 AM - 4 PM
Saturday, June 28, 10:30 AM - 12 PM
📍 Bare Center, Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Pl.

Step into the past with hands-on crafts inspired by Civil War history. Kids, couples, and families can create Union hats, color cavalry flags, explore vintage photos, and snap some old-timey pics of their own.

It’s part art project, part history lesson, and all-around fun.

Friday, June 27 | 3 PM
📍 Bare Center, Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Pl.

Shake hands with history. President Abraham Lincoln, Congressman Thaddeus Stevens, and General Ulysses S. Grant come to life through the talents of local reenactors. Hear their stories, ask questions, and learn about their vision for the United States.

This is a great way to spark curiosity in young minds and bring American history off the page.

🎟️ Free to attend. Register here

Saturday, June 28 | 9:30 AM - 11 AM
📍 Hanover Market House, 210 E. Chestnut St.

Visit Hanover’s historic market for a special meet-and-greet with Civil War reenactors in full costume. Kids can chat with President Lincoln, Congressman Stevens, General Grant, and others dressed in era attire. Don’t forget to grab a photo before you go.

Great for history buffs, curious kids, and families looking for something memorable.

💵 Free and open to all.

Hanover has seen four rollover vehicle collisions in the last two weeks. That’s not just a spike. It’s a reminder.

There are no accidents, only collisions. And rollover collisions are among the deadliest. Though they make up just 2.2 percent of all crashes, they are responsible for nearly one-third of highway fatalities and injury costs.

So why do rollovers happen, and why are they so dangerous?

In short, when a vehicle’s center of gravity shifts too far during a turn or impact, it can flip. Taller vehicles like SUVs and trucks are especially at risk. These crashes usually fall into two types:

Tripped rollovers, caused by external forces like curbs, soft ground, or side-impact crashes

Untripped rollovers, caused by internal forces like speed, sharp turns, or loss of traction on a slope

Speeding is a major factor. So is overcorrection, aggressive driving, bad road conditions, and vehicle defects. Driving while exhausted also plays a significant role. Studies show that sleep deprivation can impair your reaction time and judgment in ways similar to drunk driving.

And while you may be driving safely, remember this: just because you are mindful of your speed and distractions does not mean other drivers are.

Hanover’s population is growing, and our infrastructure is outdated. More cars, more congestion, and the same old roads mean a higher risk for everyone.

What can you do?

Let’s look out for one another. Stay safe out there, Hanover.

Featuring Brittaney DeArmond of Adelynn Claire Photography

For Brittaney DeArmond, photography isn’t just about beautiful lighting or perfect poses. As the lead photographer and co-CEO of Adelynn Claire Photography — and a proud queer business owner — it’s about trust, connection, and making sure every family feels safe and celebrated in front of the lens.

She also reminds us that family photos aren’t just pictures. They’re the bookmarks of our lives.

To help you feel confident and prepared for your next session, Brittaney created a free style guide for Heart of Hanover readers. It includes tips on choosing outfits, finding the right location, and easing any photo-day nerves.

🔗 Follow Adelynn Claire Photography on Facebook

Happy Pride, Hanover. Here’s to love that looks like yours — and photos that honor it.

Submitted by Michelle Durange

We couldn’t agree more, Michelle. A good haircut can change your day. But a stylist like Tammy? She changes your whole outlook.

My family also loves Diversified Cuts. My husband, Greg, has always been happy with Rob’s work. And as for me, I didn’t let anyone touch my hair for years. It grew out nice and long, but it didn’t look great. When I finally went to see Sarah, she gave me the refresh I didn’t know I needed. I walked out feeling like myself again.

The team at Diversified Cuts knows how to make people feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. Hanover is lucky to have them.

To the stranger with the truck at Royal Farms — thank you.

This week’s letter is a little different. It’s not just a thank you. It’s a search.

That message was sent by my friend Kaylee, who is safe and recovering. And she is so deeply grateful for the kindness of this stranger who stepped in without hesitation.

If you know who this mystery hero might be, please reach out. And if we can’t find him, at least let this serve as a small but sincere spotlight on what it means to show up for one another.

This week reminded me how much good still lives in this town. From the man who stepped in to help Kaylee during a medical emergency, to the stylists who listen as well as they cut, to the artists who create safe, beautiful spaces for every kind of family — these are the stories that matter. And they’re happening right here in Hanover.

As Pride events unfold in Hanover and York this weekend, I hope you show up in whatever way feels right for you. Celebrate. Listen. Support. Make someone feel seen.

And please, drive safely. We’ve had more rollover collisions in the last few weeks than I can count on one hand. Be mindful of your speed, your focus, and your vehicle. Getting there safely is the only goal that matters.

The summer solstice is just around the corner. The light is long, the days are full, and this season is yours to enjoy. Wishing you peace, joy, and a reason to laugh in the sunshine.

See you next week.

— Megan

P.S. Come back next week for a deeper dive into the Heart of HanoverLand Festival, fresh details about Snacktown Street Fair, Fourth of July fun, and some easy summer crafts that are genuinely fun for all ages. Yes, even yours.