Historic Ephrata Cloister, 632 W. Main St., Ephrata, will host a lecture about the Ephrata Cloister Military Hospital on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. in the Visitor Center auditorium. Site administrator Bradley Smith will be the presenter.

In 1732, German pietists established a semimonastic, pacifist community that is known today as the Ephrata Cloister. In 1777, this quiet community was forever changed when the Continental Army established a hospital on the Cloister grounds. Smith will share never-before-told stories of the hospital and discuss the people it served or treated. The lecture will last approximately 60 minutes. A recording of the session will be made and sent out as a link to participants.

There is an admission fee, which will be waived for members of the Ephrata Cloister Associates. Registration is required for everyone. To register, visit http://www.storepatrailsofhistory.com/2/#/Admission or stop by the Visitor Center.

In addition, the Historic Ephrata Cloister will hold its annual apple dumpling sale on Friday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 10, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until sold out.

Proceeds will go to the Back to the Cloister Fund, which allows the Cloister museum to compete with private collectors and other institutions on the open market for original items made at the Cloister. Over the years, proceeds from the apple dumpling sale have been used to purchase one-of-a-kind furniture, rare music manuscripts, and the original 1739 deed to the historic site. More than 100 items have been purchased since the creation of the fund more than 40 years ago. Last year, the Back to the Cloister Fund purchased a Jacob Gorgas tall case clock that was made around the 1790s in the Gorgas shop in Ephrata. The clock is displayed in the Visitor Center at the Cloister.

The apple dumplings, made by Achenbach's in Leola, will be available for a fee per dumpling at the drive-through tent beside the museum store at the Historic Ephrata Cloister. The sale will take place rain or shine. Interested individuals are encouraged to make their purchases early. No online sales are available. Free delivery is available for orders of 20 or more dumplings delivered within 10 miles of the Ephrata Cloister; delivery orders must be placed by Wednesday, Oct. 7. Contact ephratacloister@gmail.com to make delivery arrangements or to ask questions or make special requests.

No admission to the museum is required to purchase apple dumplings.

The museum store, featuring locally made crafts, art, books, and one-of-a-kind items, will be open both days and will feature a selection of specialty goods.

For more information or to learn more about the historic site, contact the Ephrata Cloister at 717-733-6600 or visit http://www.ephratacloister.org.