Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is a Lancaster tradition of nearly 40 years, offering Broadway-caliber productions alongside an all-you-can-eat buffet—or on Thursdays, a four-course plated meal—that changes with every show.

Throughout the year, the theater presents eight major musicals and plays on its main stage, ranging from timeless classics to exciting new productions, along with additional concerts and family-friendly performances.

More than 150,000 visitors attend a show at Dutch Apple each year, from Lancaster theater regulars to out-of-town visitors drawn by the theater’s accolades, which include being named among the best dinner theaters in the country by USA Today.

And with no pillars or obstructions blocking views from any of the dining area’s 320 seats, there’s no bad seat in the house.

There’s never a shortage of things to cover in Pennsylvania, and that’s especially true in 2026. Between the midterm elections, affordability issues impacting our communities, America’s 250th birthday celebrations across the state, the World Cup putting Philadelphia on the International sports stage, and more, we’ll have plenty on our plates this year.

But we want to make sure we’re not missing anything, which is why we want to hear from you. We’re rolling out the Keystone Suggestion Box to give you a voice in what we’re covering. We will read all your suggestions and use them to shape our coverage plans.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson visited Erie’s Second Baptist Church on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, for an event stressing the importance of voting. (KEVIN FLOWERS/ERIE TIMES-NEWS via Reuters Connect)

Erie leaders and residents are reflecting on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson, recalling his charisma, activism, and lasting influence on civil rights and local community leadership. From pastors who met him at national conventions to organizers who worked on his presidential campaigns, many credit Jackson with shaping their commitment to ministry and social justice.

Even while ailing, Jackson traveled to Erie in October 2024 for a “Your Vote Matters” event just weeks before the election—a visit many described as powerful and symbolic. 

For those who met him, his legacy now carries a renewed sense of responsibility.

• A Centre County construction company that was once sued by Gov. Josh Shapiro for what prosecutors called the largest wage theft case in US history is now backing his political opponent. Recent campaign finance filings show company leaders and family members have donated to Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity’s gubernatorial campaign. Our Sean Kitchen has the details.

• Pennsylvania ranks third in the nation for layoff notices so far this year, with roughly 4,000 workers affected, according to WARN Tracker data. Major cuts include nearly 1,000 jobs at Amazon Fresh as it closes six Philadelphia-area stores and about 500 positions at GIANT. Read more.

• A Pa. lawmaker wants to offer drivers a discount for registering their vehicles for two years instead of one. Under a proposal from House Transportation Committee Chair Ed Neilson, the two-year registration would cost at least 10% less than paying annually. Get the details here.

• Seniors, widows and widowers, and adults with permanent disabilities may qualify for up to $1,500 back on rent or property taxes through Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program. Households earning $48,110 or less can apply online, by mail, or in person through June 30, 2026. Here’s who qualifies and how to apply.

Welcome to our weekly advice column, courtesy of Grace: She’s the big sister who shares her own mistakes so you can avoid making them, the coworker who builds you up to ask for the raise you deserve, and the friend who is always happy to listen.

We all need someone like Grace in our corner. Submit your own questions here. 

Dear Grace,

I have been with my soul mate for 4 years now. He is very traditional, so we took it slow…real dates, flowers, the whole thing. We met working in a restaurant, and he has said for years he wanted to marry me, but he wanted to save up for a real engagement ring. I was so impatient, but it was totally worth the wait! He finally asked me this year with the most beautiful ring.

The problem is that my family and a few friends keep saying he just wants to marry me for the green card (he came to the U.S. when he was 19 to work and send money home). It ticks me off when people say that because it’s not true. He works so hard, and I’m so glad that getting married will make his immigration status more stable, but I know that’s not why he wants to build a life with me. 

On top of the stress of planning a wedding and making sure he’s safe from ICE till we get his papers together, now I have to deal with people talking crap? How do I shut them up when they say that stuff?

— Fed Up in Fredericksburg

Dear Fed Up in Fredericksburg,

First of all, congratulations on your engagement! After four years of building something real together, you deserve to feel happy and proud—not defensive. You want your loved ones to get to know him as the amazing person that you fell in love with, not as some stereotype that has nothing to do with either of you. It’s painful when people around you treat the person you love with suspicion instead of warmth and curiosity. On top of wedding stress and worries about his safety, those comments can feel like one more unfair weight on your shoulders.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Patrick Berkery with stories from Kalena Tomhave, Sean Kitchen, USA Today via Reuters Connect, Galvanize Together, and Peter Hall and Ian Karbal of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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