The York County Heritage Trust will present the Stabler Series, a series of free workshops featuring hands-on sessions about history and the arts by local artisans from the York Town Craft Guild.

The series begins on Saturday, May 19, with Build Your Own Radio.

Other Saturday workshops are:
June 9: Hand-Built Pottery
July 14: Beaded Jewelry
July 21: Scherenschnite Paper Cutting
Aug. 4: Weaving
Aug. 11: Historic Tie-Dying

Classes begin at 11 a.m. at various YCHT locations.

Pre-registration is required. To register, email AIMREC@yorkheritage.org or call (717) 848-1587, ext. 301.

The Greater Dover Dance Academy will present its 15th annual spring concert featuring “The Princess and the Pea” story ballet on Sunday May 20.

The new children’s ballet is based on the classic, all-ages story by Hans Christian Anderson. It will feature Lauren Markle, 16, of York, as the Princess and Billy Emig, 18, of Dover, as the Prince. Other lead dancers include Rachel Yinger, 15, of Dover, as the British Princess; Anna Clarke, 18, of Dillsburg, as the Spanish Princess; Casey Bricker, 15, of York, as the French Princess; and Morgan Reimers, 16, and Jordann Smith-Kingston, 15, both of York, alternating the role of American Princess.

Performance hours are 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. at Dover Area High School. Each performance will include more than 100 dancers ages 3 to adult. After a brief intermission, “Dancing through the Seasons” will be presented including a variety of contemporary dances celebrating the four seasons.

General admission tickets are $14 for ages 10-64; $12 for ages 65 and older; $7 for ages 3-9; and free for ages 2 and younger. Tickets are available in advance at The Crafty Basket, 62 N. Main St., Dover, or at the door for an additional $1 charge.

For more information, call (717) 292-5216 or email info@greaterdoverdanceacademy.com.

The York County Astronomical Society will conduct a free public observing Starwatch, 8:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at the John C. Rudy County Park observatory.

View the May sky through one of the YCAS telescopes, with experienced members to guide you on a tour of celestial wonders, including stars, planets, nebulae, and the moon. You are also invited to bring your own telescope and share your experiences with other amateur astronomers. Star Charts are available to help your exploration of the nighttime sky. The event will only be held if it is clear or partly cloudy out.

If the weather is questionable, call (717) 578-9109 for notice of any late cancellation. If it is clear or mostly clear, the activity will occur as scheduled. If it is completely cloudy or raining, the event will be cancelled.

For directions, visit www.ycas.org/directions.htm. The observatory is inside the park, not at the park administrative headquarters.

Artists of all ages will transform Hanover’s sidewalks into colorful works of art during the second annual Chalk It Up Hanover, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 12. This year’s theme is Spring is a Bloomin’.

Artists may arrive to complete their art anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. All art must be completed by 3 p.m. Judging will be broken into six groups: ages 5-younger, 6-9, 10-13, 14-high school senior, adult and family/group. Recognition and monetary awards will be announced at 4 p.m. Participants do not need to be present to win.

Each participant will be given an assigned square of sidewalk, chalk and time to convert concrete into temporary art. Sidewalk spaces are approximately 4 feet by 4 feet. Artists may use any or all of the space. Participants can pick up their assigned space at the registration table, located in the fountain quadrant the morning of the event. More than 130 spaces are available.

The winners will be asked to reproduce their work on plywood to be displayed on the exterior walls of the Hanover Theater. More details will be provided at the event.

The rain date is Saturday, May 19.

Pre-registration is strongly recommended, but day-of registrations are also welcomed. For more information, sponsorship details and an artist application, call the Hanover Chamber at 637-6130 or visit www.hanoverchamber.com/downtown.html.

Soul R System band members are Jesse Colgan, Nick Lawrence and Riley Rager, all of Adams County.

Soul R System is comprised of 15-year-old local music sensations Jesse Colgan, Nick Lawrence and Riley Rager, who all sing and play multiple instruments. Entering their sixth year together as a band, the talented young trio from Adams County plays mostly classic and acoustic rock spanning five decades.

The band has already written a few of their own songs and two of the members are studying classical piano which is occasionally reflected in the band’s style. Having made the transition from opening act to a creative force on the local music scene, Soul R System puts on a high-energy performance featuring electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass, drums, three part harmony, and fun for people of all ages.

Tickets are $5, available from the center at (717) 637-7086 or online at www.theeich.org.

For more information about the band, visit www.soulrsystem.com.

The York County Astronomical Society will present three shows on Friday, May 11, at the York Learning Center planetarium, 300 E. 6th Ave., North York.

The first show, “The Planets,” begins at 7 p.m. It’s a tour through the solar system and recently-discovered sights, narrated by Kate Mulgrew, of “Star Trek Voyager” fame.

The second show, “StarWatch,” is at 7:40 p.m. Become a star watcher by exploring the current night sky, locating visible planets and constellations, and enjoying sky lore.

The last show, “New Horizons: The mission to Pluto,” begins at 8:20 p.m. It introduces mythology of Pluto and launches into a tour of the night sky from from the New Horizons spacecraft.

Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. Admission to any second or
third show is $1 each.

The North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School PTO will host a May Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5.

The event will feature games, food and a display of emergency equipment by the North Hopewell-Winterstown Volunteer Fire Co., including (weather permitting and barring emergency calls) a ballfield landing of a Stat-Medevac helicopter at 1 p.m. The fire company will also sell pit beef, turkey and ham sandwiches from 10 a.m. until sold out at the fire hall.

Memorial Hospital’s seventh annual Baby and Kids Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the York Expo Center.

Geared for expectant parents and families with young children, the event will feature exhibits, demonstrations, shopping, children’s activities, hands-on workshops and much more. Highlights are:

– Two performances by Steven Courtney and the Suitcase Musicians.
– Special 30-minute appearances throughout the day by Sesame Street’s favorite character, Walkaround Elmo, and Dora The Explorer.
– A diaper derby for children 13 months old and younger.
– Performances by Greater York Dance, One Step Magic and Eric Energy.
– Home Depot’s craft area.
– Critter Caravan.
– Soccer Clinic with UK Soccer.
– Face painting by Skeeta the Clown.
– Balloon art by The Balunguy.
– A Play Zone for children.

Parents may register for a $1,000 savings bond for their child.

For more information, visit www.mhyork.org.

York County Libraries has announced activities for the month of May. Call the individual libraries for more information.

Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, 32 Main St., Glen Rock; 235-1127

– Preschool Story Time and Craft,
11 a.m. Thursdays in May
For ages 3-5, caregivers must stay with children. Registration not necessary.

– Book and Bake Sale,
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday, May 6
Features a huge selection of books for both young and old … all priced to sell. Books will remain on sale through the month of May. All proceeds directly benefit the library.

– Music Night at the Huff
6:30-9 p.m. Friday, May 11
This evening will be an open mic format – a casual and inviting atmosphere to encourage all musicians – both young and old-with all levels of experience – to enjoy music. This will be for acoustic (no drums) and percussion-like instruments. Each participant will be given an opportunity to play up to three tunes in a coffee-house styled environment. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration not necessary.

– Dads and Donuts Open House
9-11 a.m. Saturday, May 19
Dads – grab a donut, book and find a cozy spot to sit and read to your child. Make it a special morning … show your child how important they are to you. We provide the donuts and the books, you do the rest. No fee required. Registration requested.

Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue; 927-9014