As March 2026 unfolds, communities in both Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and Whatcom County, Washington, are bustling with activity, from local government deliberations to a vibrant calendar of performing arts events. Each week, these regions demonstrate the unique ways local governance and culture shape daily life, offering residents opportunities to engage, participate, and celebrate their neighborhoods.
In Lancaster County, a flurry of township and city meetings is setting the stage for key decisions that will impact residents in the months ahead. The East Hempfield Township Board of Supervisors is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. on March 4, 2026, at its municipal building on Nissley Road in Landisville. Among the agenda items are the reduction of the Sheetz-Flory Mill Road escrow to zero, approval of invoices covering funds from February 19 to March 4, and the acceptance of minutes from the February 18 meeting. These routine but essential actions ensure that township operations run smoothly and transparently.
Meanwhile, the East Lampeter Township Board of Supervisors has a packed agenda for its 7 p.m. meeting on March 3, 2026, at the township office on Old Philadelphia Pike. The board will consider a variety of land development plans, including the Cocalico Creek project at 2331 Lincoln Highway East, stormwater management for Dutch Wonderland, and the Conestoga Valley School District’s Fritz Elementary plan. In addition to approving invoices and minutes, the supervisors will recognize Jason Dagen for his service to the township’s planning commission. A hearing for a liquor license transfer at 2133 Lincoln Highway East is also on the docket, as is ongoing deliberation over the Chick-fil-A land development, which has been tabled at previous meetings. The board will tackle new business such as the Lancaster Archery land development plan and a waiver request from Treehouse Foods. Discussions will also address topics like tow policy, false alarm fees, and strategies for cost savings to reduce deficit spending. The manager’s report highlights a busy month ahead, with a forecast meeting scheduled for March 4, a zoning amendment hearing for the Devon Creek development on March 16, and the first business improvement district board meeting set for March 10. Notably, Willow Road remains closed as of February 24 for a culvert replacement, a reminder of the constant infrastructure needs facing local governments.
Education remains a focal point in Lancaster County. The Lampeter-Strasburg School Board will convene at 7:30 p.m. on March 3 at the district administration building in Lampeter. The agenda includes personnel matters—such as resignations, new hires, and status changes—along with acceptance of the 2024-25 financial statements and audit, and approval of a special education plan. The board will also review updated policies and set the 2026 graduation date, underscoring its commitment to both fiscal responsibility and academic excellence. The next meeting is scheduled for April 7, giving the board time to implement new initiatives and respond to community feedback.
Other school boards are equally active. The Penn Manor School Board will meet at 7 p.m. on March 3 at Penn Manor High School in Millersville. The board’s agenda spans property tax rebate resolutions, grant applications for roof and chiller replacements at Manor Middle School, and co-curricular committee grant awards. Personnel actions, including staff employment and retirements for the 2025-26 school year, are also on the table. These decisions reflect the ongoing challenge of balancing educational needs with budgetary constraints—a familiar theme in school districts nationwide.
In Lancaster City, the City Council Committee will gather at 6 p.m. on March 3 in City Hall’s Nelson M. Polite, Sr. Council Chambers. The committee will approve minutes from the February 2 meeting and consider appointments to the historical architectural review board and the downtown investment district authority. A resolution is expected to appoint Kathryn Bresaw as an alternate to the planning commission. The finance committee will present a quarterly budget report for the fourth quarter of 2025 and discuss a bill authorizing acceptance of a Pennvest loan for lead water line replacement—an important step in improving public health infrastructure. The community planning committee will review historical commission recommendations for demolition and new construction at 444 West Lemon Street, while the committee of the whole will vote on resolutions for a Pride Month flag-raising and recognition of Women’s History Month, highlighting the city’s commitment to inclusivity and historical awareness.
Elsewhere in the city, the Historical Architectural Review Board will meet at 6 p.m. on March 3 to consider a proposal to replace thirteen vinyl windows with new wooden ones at 202 E. King Street. While seemingly minor, such decisions reflect ongoing efforts to preserve Lancaster’s architectural heritage. The Manheim Township Zoning Hearing Board will also meet on March 3 to weigh a variance request for a building addition at 800 Wilson Drive, demonstrating the constant negotiation between development and zoning regulations. Meanwhile, the Lancaster City Planning Commission’s March 4 meeting has been canceled, with the next session set for March 18.
Across the country in Whatcom County, Washington, the spotlight is on the performing arts. Dana Crediford, a veteran of the local theater scene, has curated a robust calendar of theatrical and dance events for March. Kestral Productions, a new company led by Lorraine Wilde and David Huss, is preparing to debut an all-woman version of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” at New Prospect Theatre from March 27 through April 12. The production honors Huss’ late wife and promises to explore themes of political instability and power—timely topics in any era.
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth will stage “Sweeney Todd: School Edition” on multiple dates between March 27 and April 5, giving young performers a chance to tackle one of Broadway’s most macabre musicals in an age-appropriate format. The Bellingham Theatre Guild’s Satellites program, in collaboration with New Prospect Theatre, will present two works by local playwright Sean Walbeck—“5 Micro Plays Near the End” and “Building Self-Esteem”—on March 19 and 20. These productions, featuring vignettes from the afterlife and a comedic exploration of personal growth, showcase the region’s commitment to original, locally produced theater.
High schools across Whatcom County are equally active. Squalicum High School will present “Urinetown the Musical” from March 1 to 8, while Bellingham High School offers “Sister Act: The Musical” on March 6 and 7. The Idiom Theatre’s schedule includes “The Plague” and “The Roommate,” while BAAY Pixies will perform “The Wizard of Oz” in a series of matinees. Other highlights include Vintage Rhythm’s “Seasons and Celebrations: A Calendar Cabaret,” BTG Satellites’ production of H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds,” and Mount Baker Junior High’s “The Hallmarks of Horror.”
Rounding out the month, Bellingham TheatreWorks and Options High School will present “Firebringer: A Rock Musical,” The Claire Theater will stage “The Play That Goes Wrong,” and Ferndale Middle School will offer “The Wizard of Oz (Youth Edition).” These productions, spanning genres from classic literature to contemporary comedy, reflect the region’s deep-rooted love for the performing arts and its commitment to youth engagement.
Whether it’s a township board wrestling with budgets and development plans or a theater troupe breathing new life into Shakespeare, the pulse of local life beats strong in both Lancaster and Whatcom counties. Residents have plenty of reasons to get involved, stay informed, and enjoy the richness their communities have to offer as March rolls on.