Columns

It’s November and the calendar is filled with activities that allow you to enjoy the waning fall season, support your community and welcome the holidays. Visit lancastercountymag.com for an expanded list. Our picks for December will be posted online later in November.    Joy to the World November 5-December 30   American Music Theatre The...

Meet Mary and Kirk Reider  Residents since 2023, the Reiders love their home in the Gatehouse Lane area of the community. They found its size (1,900 square feet) and layout very accommodating to the furniture and heirlooms that are meaningful to them.  Mary and Kirk Reider relax in their second-floor loft that is decorated with...

An ancient cereal grain that originated in Europe, spelt is growing in popularity. Versatile in its delicate gluten profile, it’s an excellent substitute for all-purpose flour while offering better flavor and nutritional value fit for sweet or savory recipes.  From Front Porch Baking Co. in Millersville, using spelt flour from Small Valley Milling (clockwise): Citrus...

From mansion museums to miniature horse farms, Lancaster County is full of nearly hidden gems that   satisfy a visitor’s demand to see something truly unique to this area.  Friends and relatives who live outside of Pennsylvania often come to visit Lancaster County. I regularly take on the mantle of unofficial county ambassador and tour...

Taking its name from its location adjacent to the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail and the fact that it’s a craft brewery, River Trail Brewing in Marietta will celebrate its second anniversary in August.  The peanut butter burger: toppings include jalapeños, cheddar cheese, bacon and peanut butter. It’s accompanied by fries and cole slaw. he...

Two innovative nonprofit organizations kicked off a new season of giving with a fresh way of celebrating their missions and patrons.  A blue, teal and yellow color scheme and vibrant floral displays enlivened the interior of the white tent with a summer vibe. Remember where you were one year ago? In all probability you were...

October 2020 The coronavirus lockdown has provided an opportunity for us to spend more time in our gardens. Weeding is an expected chore, obviously. But, analogous to a virus, some weeds are far more “contagious” than others. I’d caution you to be aware of several annual weeds that are attacking the resilience of our treasured...

I’m a sucker for weddings and have always enjoyed working on the January issue of the magazine. I’m a devoted fan of Say Yes to the Dress and have probably seen each episode at least five times. Interviewing the show’s Randy Fenoli (twice!) was a thrill of a lifetime. In doing research for this year’s...

During my annual trip to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I discovered my new favorite eatery: Duck Donuts. Who knew the company with the quirky name has a Central Pennsylvania connection? The idea for Duck Donuts began on the shores of the Outer Banks. Russ DiGilio and his family from Cumberland County regularly vacationed...

1 Through August 31 | Music in the Vineyards Nissley Vineyards If you appreciate music and wine, then you will want to attend this musical concert series. Bring a picnic (food vendors will also be on hand), buy some wine and dance the night away. The lineup for July is as follows: July 6: Vinyl...

Take one determined and talented young woman with a master’s degree in business, add a pinch of direct-sales experience, blend in a loving husband and business partner, mix into that the joy of serving an overlooked measure of consumers, and you have all the ingredients that make up Alisha Thomas’ online business, Mrs. Pound Cakes,...

Have you ever visited a beautiful winery and with a delicious sip of wine thought to yourself, “I would love to own a winery.”? I have – many times. My husband and I dream about what grapes we’d grow, who we’d court as investors, what our tasting room would look like and what we’d name...

Make tracks in the snow for a good cause this month by taking part in the Sierra Club–Lancaster Group’s fifth-annual Polar Bear 5K Trail Run/Hike on Sat., Jan. 17 starting at 10 a.m., with registration kicking off at 8:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded to the overall top three male and female finishers, as well...

I’m pretty sure that Hannibal Lecter wasn’t talking about beef, but all in all, he was on to something with his passion for liver, fava beans and a fine Chianti! Some of the most underrated types of meats are the offals, or organ meats. Granted, organ meats are sort-of icky looking, which may explain why...