Today's Features

Nestled in the woods of Van Wyck, Carol Leedy weaves a basket in the shop across the driveway from her home.

For nearly 30 years, the 68-year-old Ohio native has been handcrafting reed baskets – from extra-small key holders to a three-basket storage unit – with homemade black walnut stain, her own dyes and embellishments like buttons and feathers. Her prices range from $12 to $100.

“Busy hands are happy hands,” Leedy said. “It’s a stress-breaker, and it keeps me from kicking the dog. I’ve always been very crafty.”

From release
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the oldest African American service organization for professional women in the U.S. It was founded at Howard University in 1908.

The Lancaster chapter, Iota Theta Omega, was chartered in 1972. The sorority’s legacy of sisterhood, education, service to humanity and support of numerous non-profit organizations continues today. The local chapter has given over $100,000 in scholarships to local youth.

Ginger Petty
Special to The Lancaster News

In July 2011, here in Lancaster, residents started seeing fund-raising jars for a little girl with “Saving Baby Susan” etched on them, not knowing the whole story behind the girl or those jars.
Well, here is that story from her mother’s words and heart.

On Dec. 16, 2010, Susan, or “Bean” as she was known by family and friends, was a healthy and normal 18-month-old child.

When it comes to decking the halls in advance of a holiday party, there’s nothing quite as festive as creating homemade decorations with the family.

From handmade ornaments to shimmering trees, your party guests will catch that holiday spirit when they see the special décor created just for the event.

To help get you started, the inspiration experts at the Jo-Ann Craft Stores have shared the following holiday craft ideas.