New Year’s Day in Lancaster County

 

New Year’s traditions in Lancaster County don’t stop with the party hats and champagne on New Year’s

Eve. New Year’s Day also brings its own opportunities for setting the stage for an auspicious 2014.

A Great New Year Ahead – It’s all in the eats!

Traditionally, the PA Dutch eat pork and sauerkraut for dinner on New Year’s Day to ensure good fortune throughout the New Year. Served with sides of mashed potatoes and apple sauce, what could be a luckier start to 2014? If you’re local, slow-cooking pork loin with sauerkraut in a crock pot is a fine way to go. If you don’t feel like toiling in the kitchen, or if you’re visiting the area, you’ll find many restaurants throughout the county serving up delicious New Year’s Day pork and sauerkraut meals. You can find a seat at one of the casual local diners or enjoy one of the New Year’s Day dinners that raise funds for local organizations. Here are a few featured on Lancasteronline.com that are within a short 15 minute drive or less of the Historic Smithton Inn...

The Schoeneck Area Lions Club 2nd Annual Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner 
10 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 1 at the Reinholds Banquet Hall, 156 W. Main St., Reinholds, PA
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5 to 12, and free for children under 5
Proceeds benefit the Lions Club.

All-You-Can-Eat Pork and Sauerkraut Benefit Dinner
11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan 1 at Zion Lutheran Church, 18 Quarry Road, Leola, PA
Cost: $10 for adults, $7 for children 7 to 12, $5 for children 3 to 6, and free for children 2 and under
Proceeds benefit Zion's young adult and youth mission trips and events.

Akron's Pork & Sauerkraut Dinner
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan 1 at Akron United Zion Church Fellowship Center, 29 S. 10th St., Akron, PA
Cost: $10 for ages 11 and over, $5 for ages 4-10
This event is one of the church's mission projects.

Whether you decide to dine out or dine in on New Year’s Day, I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2014!

Rebecca Gallagher

Image courtesy of Apolonia / FreeDigitalPhotos.net