Columns

The shortest month of the year will keep you so busy that before you know it, March will have arrived! Groundhog Day! February 2 It’s mid-winter. Cabin fever has set in. Across Lancaster County, fingers will be crossed that the local groundhogs won’t see their shadows, which signifies an early spring. Lancaster County Central Park...

Jordan Bush discovers the many ways you can add balsamics to your menus.

A surprise party for Diane Dayton helps her celebrate (and embrace) her 70th birthday.

Cindy Lam has a head for business; a heart for service; and a respect for culture, heritage and community. Her gifts and talents, which have been recognized by the state, will be put to good use as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Affairs. Cindy Lam displays...

Vine Bar’s Downtown Lancaster tasting room features sustainable artisanal wines sourced from Italian vineyards. It also provides an opportunity to learn about wine via classes.  Justina Latura was introduced to organic wines through attending a wellness conference. Her partner, Craig Clark, provided the connection to Vine Bar’s focus on Italian wines. The couple spent two...

Strasburg is known for its railroading connection, its early Anabaptist settlers, and historic importance in early western migration. I’m referring to Strasburg, Virginia, a small city on the state’s western edge with striking similarities to our Strasburg here in Lancaster County.  Spring Valley Cottages can be found on the Brumback Farm. Amenities include quaint lodging,...

This year’s edition focuses on the variety of ways Lancaster’s senior living communities are helping residents lead healthy lifestyles and achieve optimal wellness. Participants include Willow Valley Communities, Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community, Moravian Manor Communities, Fairmount, Homestead Village, Pleasant View Communities, Luthercare, United Zion Retirement Community and Cornwall Manor. Explore Retirement Living October 18, 10...

In the opinion of many, October is the unofficial start of the holiday season, as it entails decorating, social gatherings, food and drink and plenty of activities that celebrate the season. As October is marked by a Friday the 13th date, this month we’re providing you with 13 events to check out.   Photo courtesy of...

Gardening season is not quite over. Fall is the perfect time to divide perennials and plant new trees and shrubs. It’s also a good time to tidy up your beds and prepare them for spring.  Fullmoon maple, Acer japonicum Should you need some additional motivation, what follows is a list of reasons why fall is the...

Isn’t it odd how green thumbs tend to be genetically predisposed in families? My sister and I trace our interest in gardening back to Grandma Starling, whose farmhouse in North Carolina was surrounded by blooming plants. Several of her 10 children – including our father – shared her passion for growing things, as do numerous...

’Tis the season … to Recognize Milestones Earlier this year we noticed a trend: 1972 must have been a very good year to launch a business, as quite a few are celebrating 50th anniversaries this year. Digging further, we discovered others are marking significant anniversaries, including us … Lancaster County Magazine is 35 years old...

About Julia  Julia was born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in York, Pennsylvania, where she graduated from William Penn Senior High School. She is married and is the mother of six grown children, who have provided her with 11 grandchildren. Julia is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. “I was fortunate...

While we continue to spend most of our time at home, the Lancaster Habitat ReStore, which is an arm of Lancaster Lebanon Habitat for Humanity, has been flourishing and transforming thanks to a steady stream of donations flowing in and out, as Lancaster residents have more time to purge unwanted possessions, as well as redecorate...

Since it’s the holiday season, I think we’re all deserving of some tasty treats. To tempt your taste buds, I’m sharing a few favorite sources that I rely on to add some sweet and savory flavors to the holidays. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, searching for a last-minute gift or are needing something special for...

Southwest Lancaster’s Culliton Park (formerly Farnum Park) has been the home of many community art projects that have culminated in the newly renovated public space on Water Street. The new park, which will be unveiled with a ribbon cutting November 20 at 2 p.m., includes artful installations, play and sport areas, a rain garden, as...

The tagline, “Say it with flowers,” encapsulates one of life’s special-moment necessities. Try to imagine a wedding without flowers. A prom without corsages or boutonnieres. A funeral without floral tributes. A hospital room devoid of bouquets of get-well wishes. Valentine’s Day without red roses. Mother’s Day, an anniversary or birthday without a surprise delivery of...

Weather has a decided impact on grapes. Poor weather early in the season can affect how the plants grow and ultimately impact the quality of the grapes. With the arrival of fall, vintners are praying for warm, sunny days and minimal rainfall during the weeks leading up to the harvest. I used to work in...

Whether you gather your family and friends around the table in a formal dining room or in a barn, Thanksgiving is a season for reflection. I don’t know about you, but I’m grateful to live in an area where the bounty is second to none. I’m sure you’ve been reading all the press regarding the...

More than 20 local and statewide organizations – nonprofit, for profit, religious, government and grassroots – have joined forces to tackle one of the world’s leading problems: hunger. Locally, a coalition of generous individuals has set a daring goal: guaranteeing access to three healthy meals a day for everyone in Lancaster County by 2018. The...

At a young age, Megan Sofilka Tomsheck – chairman of the 62nd Annual Lancaster Sertoma Chicken Barbecue – was always encouraged by her family to be involved in school, extracurricular activities and within the community. That encouragement has followed her throughout her life.Hometown: Megan was born and raised in Lancaster County and hails from the...