Bette Lou Epler is the cover artist for the Southern Lancaster County Historical Society's 2026 calendar.

The calendar can be purchased on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon at the historical society's archives, 1932 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, and during business hours at Quarryville Agway, 27 E. Fourth St., Quarryville; Maplehofe Dairy, 799 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville; and Kreider's Market, 2396 Kirkwood Pike, Kirkwood.

It is the first time one of Epler's works has appeared in the calendar, which is in its 42nd year. "I do mostly acrylic painting and hadn't done pencil drawings in a long time," said the East Drumore Township resident, whose artwork depicting May Post Office also appears on the July page.

Epler and her friend Jessie Crotti were both asked to contribute. "(Crotti has) been an artist in the calendar for many years," Epler said. "She said, 'Well, you could do a pencil drawing instead of pen and ink,' so then I said, 'OK.' They gave me two photos. That particular post office bounced around to different places over the years, because of the fact when somebody was appointed postmaster, it was usually a store owner, like in an old-fashioned country store. The store owner would be appointed postmaster, and then it would move to his store."

This iteration of May Post Office is not located on May Post Office Road. The building is still standing on the corner of Dry Walls Road and Pumping Station Road.

Epler did not expect to have her drawing selected for the cover. "I was really surprised, because I know the artists that are in here, and I was thinking my stuff is not nearly as good as their work."

Stan White, the historical society director who does the calendar layout, said, "They were both very nice pictures taken by Mike Roth, and she couldn't decide which one she wanted to do, so she did them both. At that point it became an easy decision. They were both lovely, and we asked her if she wouldn't mind applying color to one of them."

Other artists are featured in each month of the calendar.

January features Martie Brown with artwork of Reynolds/Brabson Farmhouse. Brown is a self-taught artist who specializes in colored pencil and watercolor. She is a member of the Lancaster County Art Association (LCAA) and was president at the Southern Lancaster County Historical Society through 2025.

February is Marie Nickle, who highlighted Winter Hill School. She taught art for several years with the 4-H and was a member of the LCAA.

March features Fry's Store at McCall's Ferry by Joleen D. Furches. Furches is a lifelong resident of southern Lancaster County and a Solanco graduate who studied art and science. She received a Bachelor of Arts in art and was awarded the Howard Ager Memorial Prize upon graduation for outstanding achievement in the studio arts. She is now an art teacher in Cecil County, Md.

April is Mark W. Phillips with artwork of the H. C. Harnish House. Phillips is a retired art teacher from the George A. Smith Middle School, having served Solanco for 44 years. One of his illustrations graces a military monument that he designed for Memorial Park in Quarryville.

May spotlights Linda White's work of the Norman Wood residence. She studied in New York at Traphagen School of Design and took classes at Cooper Union. White is a former LCAA member and a member of the Octoraro Art Association.

June features Wesley Bard with art of New Providence Mills. Bard, a sophomore at Solanco High School, is the youngest contributor to the calendar artwork. He has received a number of art awards, most notably in Scholastic Art and at the Solanco Fair.

August is Amy Mueller with art of the A. L. Stively Store. Mueller attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art in Newark, N.J. After her husband, Karl, retired in 2007, they moved from New Jersey to East Drumore Township. She is a member of the Octoraro Art Association.

September is Marsha Stiles with art of Quarryville National Bank. Stiles has attended classes at the LCAA in Strasburg and is currently a member of the Octoraro Art Association. In addition, she has been an active member of the Solanco Historical Society, having served as secretary and a member of the board of directors.

October spotlights Christiean Sensenig's work of Dr. David Ramsay's Birthplace. A Solanco graduate, Sensenig resides in Holtwood with her husband, Terry. In addition to her husband, her family includes sons Mark and Chad; Chad's wife, Beth; and grandchildren Grayson and Scarlett.

November features Jessie Crotti with art of the Centerville Store. She graduated from Solanco High School and trained to be a beautician. Jessie and her husband, Tom, reside in Quarryville.

December is John Esworthy with art of the Joseph Swift Barns. Esworthy is a member of the LCAA and the Octoraro Art Association, having served as president of the latter. He currently teaches art at Tel Hai and Garden Spot Village, and holds classes in his studio. He has won many senior awards for his art.

A December fundraiser was a big success. "The Southern Lancaster County Historical Society would like to thank all the people that supported our greens sale this year," White said.

The proceeds from the calendar and greens sales help the historical society maintain the archives and the Robert Fulton Birthplace, which is across the street from the archives.