I’ve been living in Lancaster County for a little over 14 months now, and what I’ve learned is …
- It’s not pronounced Laancaaaster. I was warned way before I moved here of its pronunciation. The way I try to remember it is to say it like this, “LanKISSter.”
- We push buttons here. We don’t “mash” them. And, we carry things, not “tote” them.
- I have acquired a taste for ham loaf.
- Toboggans are known as sleds here, not knit caps like we call them back home (or as I always called them “boggans”).
- Your car must be inspected EVERY year.
- People are just as friendly here, if not more friendly, as people are back home.
- Home grown, buy local, farm to table.
- You cannot buy beer at a gas station.
- There are more Giant stores than there are Wal-Mart stores.
- If it’s below 35 degrees, DO NOT try to clean off your windshield by using your wipers.
- A road will continue on for miles with no stops, but the name of that road will change about five times.
- Liquid pig manure is the worst smell on earth.
- Small, family-owned businesses, shops and boutiques make me happy.
- When the weather is in the 50s, it’s considered a heat wave after a cold winter.
- Speaking of winter, Lancaster’s definition of winter is a lot different from Alabama’s definition of winter.
- The various towns and cities go all out when decorating for the different seasons/holidays.
- Fastnachts sound funny but taste yummy.
- I’m still trying to figure out what “scrapple” is.
- There is some form of a park or trail in every town/borough/city.
- It would be nice to be able to live in a Senior Living community.
- The fairs are fun and family-friendly to attend.
- The area is one of the best kept secrets in the U.S.
- I enjoy calling it home.