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Willow Valley Communities, Celebrations, Decorations & Illuminations: It’s a Team Effort

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

At Willow Valley Communities, residents experience all aspects of the holiday season – the decorations, the festivities, the glow and the sweet treats – without having to do any of the work!

The expansive courtyard that is surrounded by Willow Valley Communities’ Manor North residences transforms from a favorite place to relax and socialize during the summer into a winter wonderland at holiday time.

Willow Valley Communities, a premier 55-plus community in Lancaster County, has always been known for the extraordinary lifestyle its residents enjoy. Award-winning amenities, hundreds of opportunities for clubs, entertainment, classes and other activities fill residents’ days as they choose. It’s their Life Lived Forward culture: residents enjoy maintenance-free and carefree lifestyles every day – and every season – all year round.

Perhaps it’s during the winter season when this is most apparent. Willow Valley Communities pulls out all the stops to transform its 210 meticulously landscaped acres into a gleaming and festive winter wonderland. Best of all, residents can enjoy it all without lifting a finger, getting on a ladder or fighting with frustrating tangled lights! Many residents agree that as much as they love holiday decorations, they don’t miss the work that was involved. Over the years it became a chore dragging all those boxes from the attic or basement and setting everything up. Climbing up on a ladder to install lights and other decorations could also get dangerous.

Dozens of towering trees decorate the buildings around the Willow Valley Communities campus, bringing holiday enjoyment to residents and their guests. Seen here is a tree in The Clubhouse.

Resident Marlyn Kinnamon, who has lived at Willow Valley Communities for 27 years, says that she does not miss the time-consuming job of decking the halls of her home herself. Marlyn says she appreciates not having to schedule the days to get it all done. “I need that time to work out with my personal trainer at Willow Valley Communities’ Fitness Center!” she chuckles.

Marlyn says she enjoys the decorations she sees at almost every turn. “Everywhere … they’re just fantastic,” she marvels. But, she does admit that she has one favorite place to sit to reflect on the beauty of the season – the Overlook Artisanal Coffeehouse and Wine Bar, which is located on the third floor of a building in the Manor North Community and overlooks the glass atrium that provides a panoramic view of the large outdoor courtyard.

The view from The Overlook Artisanal Coffeehouse and Wine Bar takes in the lights and water features of the courtyard.

At holiday time, the courtyard is decorated with hundreds of twinkling lights. A gazebo, with its outdoor kitchen as the go-to venue for summer cookouts, is transformed with numerous lights that glisten under a newly fallen snow once winter winds come blowing. Nearby is a small bridge over a pond, the scene of many a photograph, festooned with holiday greenery and even more lights. Sometimes, Marlyn chooses to just enjoy some quiet time to herself. “The lights are most beautiful right after a snowfall,” she describes. “I just love sitting there, relaxing, relishing in the fact that I can simply enjoy the wonder of it all. It’s so freeing to enjoy the beauty of the season without worrying about having to shovel a driveway or a sidewalk!”

The Transformation

Just how does all this glistening wonder happen at Willow Valley Communities? Rather than by Santa’s elves, maintenance managers, Dave Clingan and Tim Ryan, along with their teams, help create the holiday magic. They get straight to work after Thanksgiving by installing thousands of twinkling lights and hundreds of feet of greens, as well as setting up dozens of trees throughout campus.

Inside the glass-enclosed atrium, trees, poinsettias and other holiday decorations reflect the season.

Grounds Manager Joel Schock contributes significantly to the process and says his team begins planning months in advance, ordering poinsettias and the live trees. When the almost 400 poinsettias are delivered, they are quickly arranged around campus. Some of the live Christmas trees can be as tall as 13 feet. Joel says his team has a lot of experience picking out the perfect tree. “A lot of the trees are viewed on all sides, so we’ve become pretty expert!” he says of selecting perfect specimens.

Once all the trees are strung with lights, Willow Valley Communities’ resident life coordinators team with groups of residents to take over the decorating process. Resident Life Coordinator Michelle Murch notes that residents enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and holiday sing-alongs as the trees are decorated throughout campus – whether they are actually decorating or simply supervising!

The holidays are synonymous with sweet treats. At Willow Valley Communities, residents can call upon Kristin Yeager of Corner Sweets Bakery for their dessert and entertaining needs.

The winter holiday season is not only beautiful at Willow Valley Communities, but it is also delicious! Bakery chef, Kristin Yeager, of the Corner Sweets Bakery says, “I thoroughly enjoy creating new and delectable treats themed both in flavor and decoration to each holiday. The residents are a joy to bake and create for, and they give me a lot of creative freedom. And, afterwards, of course, I always look forward to hearing how they tasted!”

For more information, visit willowvalleycommunities.org.

Have You Heard!

Lancaster County was named the “Best Place to Retire” in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report’s latest survey. The rankings were announced in early November and are based on factors such as housing costs, tax rates, healthcare and happiness. It’s also notable that for the first time, Pennsylvania, with five metro areas ranking in the Top 10, outperformed the perennial winner, Florida. For details, visit usnews.com.

Holiday Home Tours Return

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

After canceling home tours and offering alternative activities such as outdoor lighting displays due to the pandemic, local organizations are once again hosting this favorite holiday activity.

Strasburg Holiday Home Tour

When: Saturday, December 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Hosted by: Strasburg Heritage Society

Ticket Info: Tickets are $20 through December 1 and can be purchased at Main Street Antiques and Speckled Hen. Online sales are available at strasburgheritagesociety.org. Day-of tickets can be purchased at First Presbyterian Church (101 S. Decatur St.) for $25.

Itinerary: This year’s tour will feature seven decorated homes that date from the 1700s to present day, as well as a barn that serves as an art studio. Paintings will be on display as will stage craft from Sight & Sound Theatre. In addition, lunch fare, craft vendors and a greens sale will be located at First Presbyterian Church. For details, visit strasburgheritagesociety.org.

About: The Strasburg Heritage Society was founded in 1972 with the intent to “preserve, collect and interpret the history” of the town. Over the last 50 years, the organization has amassed archives consisting of postcards, photographs, ephemera, furniture, artifacts, documents and more. It also owns three historic properties along South Decatur Street. The organization hosts a lecture series and annual tours of gardens and homes. New members are always welcome.

Marietta Candlelight Tour

When: Sunday, December 4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Hosted by: Marietta Restoration Associates

Ticket Info: Tickets can be purchased at local businesses through December 3 for $20 (visit the website for locations). Online purchases can be made at mariettarestoration.org. Day-of tickets can be purchased at Donegal Intermediate School, First National Escape Bank and Old Town Hall Museum for $25.

Itinerary: This year’s tour will feature eight private homes and various historic buildings, all decorated for the holidays. The home tour is the centerpiece of an annual community event that includes activities such as outdoor decorating, a tree-lighting ceremony, an artist showcase and more. For details, visit mariettarestoration.org.

About: Marietta Restoration Associates (MRA) was founded in 1965 with the intent of “preserving the cultural and architectural heritage” of Marietta. MRA takes pride in the fact that the tour of homes, now in its 56th year, is one of the oldest in the state. The quality of the tour and the generosity of homeowners continue to attract patrons from the Mid-Atlantic region. Proceeds are used to restore and maintain historic buildings in the Marietta area, including Union Meeting House, Musselman/Vesta Furnace, Old Town Hall/Museum, First National Escape Bank and the Marietta Theatre. New members are always welcome.

Manheim Holiday Tour of Homes

When: Sunday, December 4, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Hosted by: The Women’s Club of Manheim

Ticket Info: Tickets can be purchased from club members, as well as at Longenecker’s Hardware, Shaub’s Dry Cleaning and Divine Consign for $10. Day-of tickets can be purchased at tour stops for $12. For details, visit facebook.com/WomensClubOfManheim.

Itinerary: The tour will feature six homes, two businesses and the Hope Episcopal Church, where scenes from Sight & Sound’s feature film, I Heard the Bells (debuting in December), were filmed. The home tour is part of a weekend-long community event, Christmas in Manheim, that features local performers, caroling, Santa, food vendors, open houses at businesses, and a tree-lighting ceremony on Saturday evening. Visit facebook.com/WomensClubOfManheim for tour details and manheimchamber.com for other events.

About: The Women’s Club of Manheim, which is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, is comprised of Manheim-area residents whose goal is to support and carry out service projects for the benefit of the community. Proceeds from club activities are earmarked for Christmas gifts for families in need, scholarships, grants and assisting other organizations such as the local food bank. Women over the age of 20 are welcome to contact the club for membership information.

Decorate Lititz: The Holiday Decorating Contest

When: December 9-24 (daily until 9:30 p.m.)

Hosted/sponsored by: Laurel Avenue Lights, Venture Lititz and Lititz Springs Park

Ticket Info: This is a free, drive-at-your-own-pace event.

Itinerary: Launched as a way to celebrate the holidays social-distancing style, the decorating contest provided those dealing with cabin fever a way to get outdoors and celebrate the holidays during the pandemic. This year, the three aforementioned hosts/sponsors are joining forces to continue the popular event. Homes and businesses in the 17543 zip code were welcome to participate. The itinerary will be unveiled online in early December. Winners will be announced December 26. For details, visit lititzpa.com.

About: Venture Lititz is an organization that aims to preserve the town’s unique character and history, while carrying it forward in a way that “honors its past and respects the people who live and work within its borders.” Donations and volunteers are always appreciated: lititzpa.com.

Lititz Springs Park, which is privately owned by the Lititz Moravian Congregation, continues to serve as a community hub and is probably best known as the site of one of the country’s longest-running Fourth of July celebrations. Donations and volunteers are always appreciated: lititzspringspark.org.

Laurel Avenue Lights has become a must-see destination at holiday time. Located at 659 Laurel Avenue, it is the creation of Rich and Wendy Motz, who have been decorating their home’s exterior for years. About seven years ago, visitors began gifting the Motzes with donations, which they in-turn donated to the Lititz Fire Company. The tradition continues each season. For details, visit facebook.com/LaurelAvenueLights.

Learning About the Amish … With a Side of Christmas Cookies

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Last December, I set out on a tour sponsored by The Amish Farm and House to learn about how the Amish celebrate Christmas. Eager for the opportunity to delve into Plain culture, I was skeptical about how familiar this tour might be. After all, I’ve journeyed these backroads on a bicycle for most of my life. Unlike with cycling, today there would be a destination – three, to be precise – and the promise of Christmas cookies!

Mini-Whoopies dipped in chocolate were baked by the Fisher family. The second stop took us to the Esh home, where sugar cookies and ornament treats were on the menu. The third stop – the home of a different Esh family – featured pecan cups, Santa confections and hot chocolate. Recipe cards for each cookie recipe (and others) were provided to visitors.

The Amish Farm and House

Each December, The Amish Farm and House in Lancaster organizes a guided cookie tour. It’s an opportunity to discover more about Amish culture and traditions directly and in a personal way. The event leads off with a guided tour of the site’s historic farmhouse, where Amish culture and traditions are discussed. The two-hour bus tour visits three Amish homes, with each stop featuring two different cookies prepared for visitors to sample. To ensure a range of flavors, none are of the chocolate-chip variety. Instead, we were treated to chocolate-covered whoopie pies, walnut thumbprints, sugar cookies, snickerdoodles, pecan cups and other confections.

The Fisher family also served walnut thumbprints, which are slightly doughy and wet like a molasses or shoofly pie.

Enroute to each destination, twisting and turning along the way, the bus driver offers insights into Lancaster County, the local Amish community and farmland. There are two daily departures from The Amish Farm and House; the multiple routes that each bus takes provide varied experiences. I found myself as the only local “tourist” among 13 people on the tour bus that day.

Tour guests peruse the additional baked goods available for sale at one stop on the tour.

Each home visit brings the opportunity to meet the host family, share a few minutes of conversation, ask questions and perhaps see an Amish buggy up-close. There is usually the opportunity to shop a selection of Christmas gifts, namely baked goods and handcrafted items that are often curated by the children in the family. The genuine opportunity, however, is making a cultural and personal connection. Of course, all of this takes place while sampling a cookie or two!

The Amish Community

On the tour, one host explained the Amish church in Lancaster County consists of approximately 240 bishop districts, each comprising 20 to 30 families. Church services are held every other Sunday and take place inside a family’s home or in a workshop area as space permits. This ensures that families host at least one service per year. Those participating in the service, which can last more than three hours, sit on benches provided by the church. (Since the benches are transported by a bench wagon, time is needed to move seating from location to location after each service.) Meals served after the church service are prepared by both the host and contributing families. The “cold” meal will typically consist of items like bread, spreads, cheese, pickles, finger foods, coffee and dessert. The idea behind the menu is that such items can be prepared beforehand so that no work occurs on Sunday. Of course, variations on the menu do exist.

The Fishers’ extroverted golden retriever, Chrissy, gleefully greeted visitors.

The in-between weeks are known as Visitation Sundays, with church service held privately at home. The day can also be spent visiting others, perhaps in a different district.

Generally, there is a desire to be disconnected from the “English” world in a literal or physical sense. One way that manifests that notion is in the form of power and communication. It’s rooted in the Bible, placing great emphasis on the first part of Romans 12:2 (KJV), which reads, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Twenty-two-dozen eggs were transported by true horsepower!

With that in mind, many assume Amish homes are sterile and will lack amenities beyond electricity and internet connectivity. The tour provided evidence that while homes can appear to be “plain,” they are warm and inviting. On the outside, an obvious difference is the absence of power lines. A deeper look reveals that Amish home construction often features a particular architectural style with obviously high quality to the workmanship.

I was surprised how modern Amish homes are. For example, large windows admit ample daylight, brightening spaces and bringing a sense of coziness to rooms. The natural light also serves to add a “green” aspect to Amish living.

Cookies were also available to purchase during the tour.

At a glance, the kitchen and dining rooms appeared similar to those in the “English” community. One has to look carefully for subtle differences. Kitchens, for example, are outfitted with wood cabinets that exhibit exceptional craftsmanship. Simple but attractive stone countertops are utilitarian in nature.

Then, you notice the Amish aspects of kitchen design. Propane gas-powered appliances, including stoves, refrigerators and water heaters, replace those often powered by electricity. While the walls are devoid of electrical outlets, pendant-style gas lights are able to be dimmed. Other popular lighting options are cordless decorative lamps that use rechargeable batteries from 12-volt power tools. Batteries can be charged using solar panels, gas or wind-powered generators.

For some reason, the atmosphere seemed to heighten the aromas of the Christmas cookies!

Amish Christmas Celebrations

As we learned, Amish children hold annual Christmas programs at their schools, often inviting neighbors from outside the Amish community to attend.

Christmas celebrations are often part of church services. What visitors will not see in an Amish home is a Christmas tree, which is considered an idol. Instead, decorations are simple yet festive, such as pine branches or hand-crafted items, perhaps displaying a kindhearted message or Bible verse.

The day’s take: cookie recipes and quilted potholders.

When it comes to Christmas gifts, they are often hand-made. Quilted potholders that were available for purchase on the tour are excellent examples of tailor-made items. Each potholder essentially consists of a square pattern that one might find on a quilt. Instead of a traditional Amish or Christmas star quilt pattern, the potholders offered to tourgoers employed winter-themed fabrics stitched together in a diagonal pattern.

At one stop, we also learned that the Amish and English share a common dilemma at holiday time. Here, the host family shared that like so many of us, coordinating holiday schedules is a challenge during the Christmas season. This is especially true where interstate travel must be arranged. Hence, some Christmas gatherings continue well into the New Year, sometimes as late as February.

Second Christmas

Perhaps my favorite takeaway from the day is the brilliant notion of a “Second Christmas.” Celebrated on December 26, this is a quieter day for the Amish to enjoy at home, perhaps with a special meal.

Second Christmas reminds me of Sunday, a day of rest, only one set aside for Christmas celebrations. I don’t know about you, but personally, December 26 is a day that usually leaves me feeling physically and emotionally depleted. The Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations that served as bright beacons to anticipate heading into winter are now fulfilled, only to be replaced with the slog of dealing with cold and snow. Another day to celebrate Christmas would help alleviate that sense while freeing up the social calendar.

Handcrafts for sale as seen at the second Esh family’s home.

Christmas Adam?

Apparently, celebrating Christmas among the “English” has expanded to creating a new holiday: Over the past decade, December 23 has become known as “Christmas Adam,” which refers to the Genesis story of Adam and Eve, where Adam’s arrival preceded that of Eve. (Get it? Christmas Adam comes a day ahead of Christmas Eve.)

Influencers and lifestyle gurus are weighing in and acknowledging that the day is filled with all sort of possibilities, many of which could be molded into family traditions for future generations. I took some of their suggestions and tweaked them (my suggestions are enclosed in the parentheses). For example, several suggest that you could reserve December 23 for family movie or game night (with cookies and popcorn as snacks). Or, maybe it could be a night to bond with your BFFs with a marathon of Hallmark holiday movies or ease into the College Bowl schedule with the Gasparilla and Independence bowl games. (Cookies would provide the perfect and necessary sugar buzz.)

“Snowman Soup,” or hot chocolate kits, were available for sale at one home we visited.

You could drive around and look at the holiday lights (don’t forget to take cookies along). Caroling is a possibility (followed by hot chocolate and cookies). Another suggestion is to invite friends and family for appetizers (or dessert – cookies, of course).

Yet another suggests that December 23 is the night to reveal what’s in those Christmas stockings (with a plate of cookies to munch on). Or, it could be the day to gift family members with the PJs they’ll be wearing for those all-important social-media pictures on Christmas morning (props could include cookies and milk!). Of course, there’s the obvious: You could make cookies on December 23!

As for the Amish Cookie Tour, which just happens to end on December 23, I’d certainly recommend taking part in it yourself. I’d even revisit it myself – only next time, I’d take a thermos of cold milk along!

Recipes from the Amish Cookie Tour

For more recipes, click here.

The 2022 Christmas Cookie Tours run through December 23. A 30-minute guided tour of the farmhouse precedes bus departures at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. The Amish Farm and House is located at 2395 Covered Bridge Drive in Lancaster. Visit amishfarmandhouse.com/christmas-cookie-tour for details/reservations.

The Terrace at Longwood Gardens: Dine Amidst Garden and Holiday Splendor

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Longwood Gardens is filled with all the things that make the holidays special – festive trees, sparkling lights, magical water features, miniature trains, music, botanical splendor and opportunities for friends and family to share a special dining experience. While the holidays take the sparkle and splendor factor up a notch, Longwood is a year-round botanical delight.

“Green” is the theme of the décor at 1906, where the ambiance could be described as elegant farmhouse. The restaurant will offer special à la carte lunch and prix-fixe dinner menus during A Longwood Christmas, which runs through January 8. Courtesy of Longwood Gardens.

Located in the heart of the gardens, The Terrace features both a full-service restaurant, 1906, which takes its name from the year Pierre S. du Pont purchased the grounds that were developed into Longwood Gardens, and a family-friendly à la carte dining option, The Café.

According to Executive Chef Will Brown, The Terrace building was constructed in 1984; both dining venues underwent a refresh in 2018. The two venues expand during the holiday season with the addition of tented and heated dining areas – 1906 seats about 68 indoors and 60 on the tented patio, while The Café accommodates a larger number of guests. A Longwood Christmas opened November 18 and closes January 8.

A space in the Conservatory is always furnished and decorated to resemble a grand dining room. Photo by Sue Long.

As one would expect at Longwood Gardens, “green” is the theme at 1906 from a design perspective. Indoor seating is along a plush green banquette or at tables outfitted with chairs that are reminiscent of a vintage farmhouse kitchen yet are thoroughly modern due to their simple lines and gray color. Plants add yet another aspect of green to the space. The ambiance might be described as elegant farmhouse. The heated and carpeted tent that takes over the surrounding patio is equally as warm and inviting.

The Café offers a more modern and informal atmosphere as à la carte options are purchased at stations to enjoy at tables in one of several dining rooms or at outdoor tables on the tented brick patio. The indoor dining areas are bright and cheery thanks to the large walls of windows. The Café is a great spot to take a break, grab a quick bite and even “people watch.”

Longwood also offers yet another dining option – the Beer Garden, an outdoor area featuring pub menu items such as pizza, snacks and beverages including wine and local craft beer. It’s adjacent to The Café’s brick patio and shares its seating area. During the holidays, there are also several concession areas located throughout the gardens that serve tasty treats and warm beverages.

Longwood’s executive chef, Will Brown, who grew up in Kennett Square, works to procure locally sourced items for the menus at 1906 and The Café. He is part of the team that is designing the new restaurant and event space that are set to debut in 2024. Courtesy of Longwood Gardens.

Chef Will grew up in nearby Kennett Square. “This is my second tour at Longwood,” he explains. “I started here as a bus boy when I was 14 years old. Working here sparked my passion for cooking, so I went to culinary school.”

He then spent time as a sous chef at Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library (Henry Francis du Pont’s estate that is nearby), and then spent four years in Atlanta before moving back to the Philadelphia area to become a chef at the Kimmel Center. In 2011, Will returned to Longwood Gardens, first as catering chef and then as executive chef at The Terrace.

You can’t have lunch or dinner at Longwood Gardens and not order the soup or bisque that’s made with Chester County-grown mushrooms. Photo by Sue Long.

The Terrace’s signature dish is Kennett Square mushroom soup (The Café) and bisque (1906); both pay tribute to the local mushroom industry. “We put a lot of love into that soup,” chef Will says, “We have two 40-gallon kettles in the kitchen – during the holidays, one is for mushroom soup and one is for hot chocolate.”

In addition to mushrooms, chef Will says ingredients are locally sourced as much as possible. There’s also a focus on sustainability. For example, the mushroom omelet features both locally sourced mushrooms and cheese from local cheese maker, The Farm at Doe Run in nearby Unionville.

The Café features an array of soups, ready-to-eat sandwiches and salads, hot entrées such as Kennett Square mushroom pasta, apple-cider chicken and citrus-glazed salmon, as well as house-made desserts. Offerings change seasonally. Chef Will notes that The Café is responsible for over half of The Terrace’s food sales.

The Conservatory’s water features, lighting displays and towering glass ceiling combined to create a breathtaking scene during last year’s A Longwood Christmas event. Photo by Sue Long.

This year, during A Longwood Christmas, 1906 will offer a prix-fixe-menu dining experience. A sample menu posted in early November touched on items such as wild mushroom bisque, roasted beet salad, braised Wagyu beef short rib, olive oil-poached halibut and a Valrhona chocolate yule log. A full menu of cocktails, wine and beer is also available. The menu will change every two weeks. “We try to pair the menu in 1906 with the theme of A Longwood Christmas. This year it’s Botanical Splendor. For 1906, we’ll use special ingredients that tell a story,” chef Will explains. “At 1906 we like to deliver a high-end experience; at Christmas, people are celebrating and are often here for a special once-a-year experience.”

Because the Conservatory, which dates to 1921, is undergoing a major remodel and expansion, exhibit space has been reduced and therefore more emphasis is being placed on outdoor lighting displays. If you visit, be sure to dress for the weather. Photo by Sue Long.

For lunch, chef Will says 1906 is changing things up this year and is offering an à la carte menu. Reservations for lunch and dinner are recommended via Open Table or by calling 1906. A note of caution: Reservations do fill up early and may become difficult to secure, so make plans early.

Longwood Gardens is in the midst of reshaping a number of its areas and is in the middle of a major renovation. According to the website, the multi-year Longwood Reimagined project is a “sweeping reimagination of 17 acres of our Conservatory and grounds, opening in fall 2024.”

The Conservatory’s display of poinsettias and other florals is always beautiful, interesting (the colors!) and impeccably maintained. Photo by Sue Long.

One of the components of the project is a new restaurant and events space. Chef Will says he’s excited to be part of the planning for the new restaurant and event space. It too is expected to open in 2024. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he says of his involvement.

The Café provides visitors with the opportunity to design their own menus via food stations that offer everything from small plates, soups and salads to entrées and dessert. Courtesy of Longwood Gardens.

The Terrace is located within Longwood Gardens; gardens admission is required for dining. Hours during A Longwood Christmas (through January 8) are as follows. The Café is open daily, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; there’s a limited menu during the last hour of service. Beer Garden hours are Monday through Friday, 4-10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 12-10 p.m. (weather permitting). 1906 serves lunch daily from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Prix-fixe dinner is served Sunday through Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 5-8 p.m. Reservations are highly recommended for 1906 and may be made via Open Table or by calling 610-388-5290. For more information, visit longwoodgardens.org.

Why We Love Lancaster: Resiliency!

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

’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 this year!

As we prepare to usher in 2023, we’d like to say “Cheers” to the following businesses, organizations, churches and one individual that are marking milestone anniversaries in 2022.

Bangor Episcopal Church, Narvon

300 years

Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Petersburg

175 years

Lancaster Chamber of Commerce

150 years

J B Hostetter & Sons, Mount Joy

95 years

Stauffers of Kissel Hill, Lititz, Mount Joy & Rohrerstown

90 years

Millersville Lions Club

90 years

Women’s Club of Manheim

85 years

Charles F. Snyder Funeral Homes & Crematory, Lancaster, Lititz, Willow Street, Millersville & Strasburg

75 years

Koser Jewelers, Mount Joy

70 years

Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation, Lancaster

60 years

Ken’s Gardens, Smoketown & Intercourse

50 years

Eden Resort & Suites, Lancaster

50 years

Garman Builders, Lititz

50 years

Lancaster County Motors Subaru, Lancaster

50 years

Strasburg Heritage Society

50 years

Village Greens Miniature Golf, Strasburg

50 years

Lancaster County CROP Hunger Walk

50 years

Friendship Community, Lancaster

50 years

Joe Sanks, WGAL Photojournalist, Lancaster

40 years

Rainbow’s End Youth Services, Mount Joy

40 years

American Bar & Grill, Lancaster

35 years

Cravings Gourmet Deli, Lancaster

30 years

Field of Screams, Mountville

30 years

Warwick Education Foundation

25 years

Tangles Salon, Rohrerstown

20 years

Nick Gould Photography, Lancaster

15 years

Souvlaki Boys, Lancaster

10 years

Himalayan Curry & Grill, Lancaster

10 years

Zest!, Lititz

10 years

Mountain Realty ERA Powered, Lancaster

10 years

Pet Pantry of Lancaster County

10 years

MainMen & MainMen Ladies, Lititz

5 years

LCM’s Art Director, Ashley Kendrick Kennedy

We’d also like to acknowledge LCM’s art director, Ashley Kendrick Kennedy, for a job well done. Ashley was named one of Editor & Publisher (E&P) magazine’s 2022 Creative Visionaries. Needless to say, we are very proud of Ashley, who was lauded by E&P for her “visually colorful and stimulating” cover designs. In the article about her, Ashley shared that she sees herself as “the middleman” between writers, designers, photographers and, most importantly, the readers, and views it as her responsibility to “do my best to communicate each story in a visually impactful way.”

Looking Ahead to Spring

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

As gardening catalogues begin filling our mail and inboxes this month, we are motivated to think ahead to the spring planting season. Unfortunately, many of us will be faced with the chore of finding replacements for ash trees that have fallen victim to the emerald ash borer.

Regular readers might remember I reported on The Plight of the Native Ash Tree in the March 2020, Gardening Journey. Ash trees have fallen victim to the damaging small insect called the emerald ash borer, which arrived from Asia and was first identified in Michigan in 2002. Those of us who garden in rural areas have become aware of the seriousness of this pest, as the skeletons of dead ash trees are very evident during any drive though our beautiful county woodlands. The now prevalent loss of this tree species is tragic. Canopies that not long ago painted the fall landscape in gold and burgundy are dead. There is no practical treatment. One report estimated that Pennsylvania has 308 million ash trees to lose.

Our native ash trees (Fraxinus americana and F. pennsylvanica) are among the most common and widespread of our Pennsylvania forest trees. The wood is heavy and strong and has traditionally been used for tool handles, oars, paddles, furniture and interior room trim.

Ash trees are part of American culture and figure into the history of baseball. Babe Ruth preferred extra-large ash bats weighing 46 ounces. Ty Cobb reportedly had his ash bats specially made by a coffin maker. Ted Williams traveled to the factory of Hillerich & Bradsby, the maker of the Louisville Slugger, to select the lumber for his bats. Twenty years ago, the firm produced 800,000 ash bats a year. Today, production is split between northern white ash and maple varieties.

Ash trees that have fallen victim to the emerald ash borer can be seen in landscapes and woodlands across Lancaster County.

The tree is a multi-tasker, as the wood splits easily and has the ability to make a quick, hot fire with very little smoke and without being seasoned. The seeds provide food for many birds and small mammals. The leaves provide food for more than 100 species of butterflies and moths.

Studies are underway to identify individual trees that are resistant to the borer in order to develop breeding programs but hope is fading; in any event, it will certainly take decades.

Home Landscapes

Ash trees are also excellent choices as specimen yard trees for average home landscapes because they do well under a wide range of circumstances. The trees grow straight and tall in almost any soil and are often planted as street trees because of their ability to tolerate air-polluted conditions.

If time is of the essence, the dawn redwood is a perfect choice to take over an empty space on your property, as it grows as much as 4 feet per year.

The demise of ash trees has now become a reality in our home landscapes. While dead oaks or maples can often remain standing for several years, a dead ash collapses as its roots rot underground. As a result, utility companies are spending millions to take them down along streets and roadsides.

The situation has produced two issues for the home gardener: Removal and replacement of specimen trees on their property.

Removal

Damage inflicted by borers causes ash trees to split apart in sections, often in half, causing an ongoing chore of cleaning up debris after every episode of brisk winds. They eventually topple completely. Homeowners with a tree near a structure will have little choice but to remove it or risk inevitable damage because it will fall.

Don’t just call your cousin who has a chainsaw to remove it. Larger forked trees might require removal in sections. Climbing dead trees is hazardous. The use of cherry-picker equipment (properly called, I’m told, an aerial work platform) is often needed.

It is best to contact a certified arborist. As members of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), professionals must pass extensive examinations and keep abreast of developments by attending annual seminars. Visit their website, isa-arbor.com, to access the names of professionals in this area. When working with an arborist, ask for their ID to make certain you have the assistance of a recognized professional. Also, confirm that they are insured.

Replacement

In the June 2017, Gardening Journey, I provided important tips on selecting a tree at the nursery and essential advice on proper planting methods. I am now going to add to and modify the suggestions of replacement trees listed in the 2020 column. These trees will generally require the same space at maturity as your dead ash tree.

Red Maple Acer rubrum

Perfect for use as a lawn specimen tree. A moderately fast-growing choice for the widest range of growing conditions. It even tolerates wet sites. Many cultivars have been selected specifically for outstanding red fall color. This would likely be my choice if I could have only one shade tree. Not finicky, a red maple will grow!

The red maple tolerates a wide range of growing conditions, plus provides outstanding fall color.

Sugar Maple Acer saccharum

A beautiful and iconic shade tree but keep in mind it insists on rich soil with adequate moisture. It’s not a tree for stressful situations. The outstanding fall color display ranges from yellow to orange or red. It is the primary source of sap for production of maple syrup.

River Birch Betula nigra ‘Heritage’

Fast growing and nice as a specimen or in a grove, this cultivar has the usual bright-yellow fall color of birches. In winter, the bark is a major ornamental feature, as it sheds in papery sheets, revealing underlying shades of pink, cinnamon-brown, gray and white. It will grow along river banks or in generally damp areas. Be aware that this cultivar usually grows with multiple trunks, making it susceptible to storm/winter damage.

The bark of river birch trees becomes an attribute in winter; as the papery sheets are shed, underlying shades of pink, cinnamon-brown, gray and white are revealed.

American Sycamore Platanus occidentalis

This colossal tree is very adaptive to polluted urban areas and is among the fastest-growing of landscape trees. It is tolerant of wet soils and short-term flooding. The fall color is not showy but in all seasons the bark is eye-catching, exfoliating in browns, grays, greens, whites and creams.

**Thornless honeylocust Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis**

Some would say it is overplanted but that is because it is an ideal option for lawns and streets, as it is tolerant of salt, wind and summer heat. The finely textured foliage provides filtered shade and displays attractive yellow fall color. Insist on this cultivar to be sure it is thornless and produces few seeds.

Sweetgum Liquidambar styractflua

An easily grown tree tolerant of various soil types and wet conditions. The fall color at its best is a brilliant mixture of yellows, oranges, purples and reds. However, sweetgum is not appropriate as a street tree because the gum-ball fruits are a litter problem in urban areas. They are also a hazard to bare feet unless you select a fruitless cultivar of this magnificent tree like ‘Rotundiloba’.

Sweetgum trees tolerate a variety of soil conditions and moisture levels. The fall color is outstanding.

Tuliptree Liriodendron tulipifera

This large and stately tree is widespread throughout Lancaster County woodlands, but it is an admirable fast-growing landscape tree, as well. It prefers a moist, well-drained area. The showy, magnolia-like, orange-banded yellow flowers are usually hidden by the foliage. Expect dependable yellow fall color.

Bald Cypress Taxodium distichum

A magnificent specimen tree with a flat crown, bald cypress is one of the few trees that can grow in deep, permanent, standing water. It is tolerant of drought when established. A deciduous conifer with fine-textured foliage and bronze fall color. They can live for over 2,000 years.

The bald cypress can live as long as 2,000 years or more!

Dawn redwood Metasequoia glyptostroboides

Another deciduous conifer that is vigorous and will grow 4 feet a year. It has a very uniform habit, broad and conical with a single stem. The trunks become buttressed and irregularly fluted. It tolerates very wet soil and pollution. The fall color changes from a yellow-brown to pink, even apricot, then copper-brown. There is a golden cv. named ‘Ogon’.

The foliage of the golden dawn redwood.

American linden Tlia americana

A handsome large shade tree. Easily grown, although it will not thrive in urban pollution. It is notable for its showy ball-and-paddle flowers that appear in late spring and attract honey bees. Honey made from the nectar of these flowers is a prized gourmet item. The wood is highly desired by wood carvers.

A Caution About Oaks

I would like to recommend any oak since their acorns support more wildlife than any other tree. I have planted several recently. However, there are reports of an oak wilt disease caused by a fungus; so far it’s mostly west of the Susquehanna and not widely spread in this area. Nevertheless, it is obviously of concern. Currently it appears to be most damaging to the red oak group (northern red oak, black oak, scarlet oak, shumard oak). The white oak group (white oak, chestnut oak, bur oak) seems to be more resistant.

White oak Quercus alba

White oak grows in forests over much of eastern North America, but makes an exceptional shade tree for a large space. It has good drought tolerance. Perhaps the slow growth rate has somewhat tempered its popularity, making it difficult to find in nurseries. It displays a rich-brown fall color. The acorns are very palatable to a wide variety of wildlife and, of course, it is an important hardwood timber tree.

Evergreen Conifers

Conifers live for hundreds of years. They are often among the more expensive trees at the nursery. Because of the current climate trends with warming due to human activity, it makes little sense to plant conifers that originate in colder elevations. For example, do not select Colorado spruces (Picea pungens), Douglas-firs (Pseudotsuga menziesii and not actually a fir) or true firs (Abies spp.). They will do well for a decade or so and then go into decline.

The Japanese-cedar features a graceful habit and beautiful foliage, plus it tolerates shade.

Japanese-cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’)

This is my very-most-favorite conifer. I value it because of its graceful habit, shade tolerance and beautiful foliage. It can be sheared into a hedge or screen. Always plant a cultivar like ‘Yoshino’, which has lush green foliage year-round and retains its branches to the ground. It will grow 12 to 18 inches per year.

The foliage of a Japanese-cedar.

Thuga ‘Green Giant’ is a vigorous, fast-growing arborvitae hybrid (grows 3 to 5 feet per year) with a regular pyramidal habit and attractive foliage year-round. It is exceptional as a specimen tree or can be pruned into a hedge or screen. It is not subject to damage from snow and ice. It is a far superior to another popular fast-growing conifer, the Leyland cypress.

The Thuga ‘Green Giant’ is a fast-growing – 3 to 5 feet per year – arborvitae hybrid.

Just a note of caution: Those other dastardly invasives, the spotted lantern fly, are known to frequent and dine upon birch, beech, linden, tulip poplar and sweetgum trees.

Rockin’ and Rollin’ with The Nomads

November 18, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick 4 Comments

Tommy Marion is a snowbird. The 74-year-old front man for The Nomads takes flight for Florida every October and usually will not peek his head north of the Mason-Dixon line until spring. That’s the routine, but he and the rest of the Lancaster-based rock ‘n’ roll band will never turn down a winter gig if nostalgic folks want to rock the night away to jukebox hits from the ’50s and ’60s.

The Nomads are (left to right): Ricky McCauley (drums, vocals), Donny Meckley (bass), Tommy Marion (lead vocals), Dave Seifert (guitar and vocals), Jake Law (keyboards), Bruce McComsey (guitar), Pete Souders (horns) and Chris Sherr (guitar).

“He rocks in the tree tops all day long / Hoppin’ and a-boppin’ and a-singing his song / All the little birds on Jaybird Street / Love to hear the robin go tweet tweet tweet”

Rockin’ Robin, recorded by Bobby Day and performed regularly by The Nomads

As an October chill set into Lancaster County, The Nomads had one last practice before their final show of the year. To prepare for it, members trickled into guitarist Bruce McComsey’s basement.

Lit by neon beer signs and strips of lights fastened to the drop ceiling, the spot has been a practice pad for a long time. The space feels like the “sounds of the oldies.” Vintage guitars and autographs to the band hang on the walls with pride. I almost expect to be offered a draft of Schmidt’s or Straub beer from the tap behind the bar.

After a couple minutes of tuning instruments and talking about their musical beginnings, the band rocks out the set list for their next show.

While the personnel for The Nomads has changed –
and gotten a little grayer – over the years, The Nomads have kept music lovers dancing to the oldies since 2004.

Like many great rock ‘n’ roll acts, the lineup for The Nomads has changed over the years. The band traces its beginnings back to 2004, when Donny Meckley on bass and three other musicians, including founder Bobby Jeffries, played for a birthday party. A year later, Ricky McCauley took over the seat behind the drums and they continued as a four-piece group for the next five years.

Ricky got his first drum set at the age of 6. From behind the drums Ricky sings Elvis’ An American Trilogy and a few other tunes at The Nomads’ shows. He may be one of the youngest members of the band, but other than Donny, is the longest active member.

Donny first picked up a six-string in his early teens. Fast forward about 35 years – he’s now 67 – and he began playing the four-string because the original Nomads lineup needed a bass player. At that time his brother, Butch, was the guitarist.

Lead singer Tommy Marion has been singing since he was 15 and has performed with such bands as the Roof Rockers and The Embers. One of his favorite songs to perform is Jay and the Americans’ version of This Magic Moment. Released in 1968, the song spent 14 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, climbing to No. 6 on March 1, 1969.

“And the rest of it is history,” says Ricky. The other members, now numbering eight, joined over the years as needed.

Leading the group of musicians in a Q&A around the practice space, I soon learn there is a lot of local history in these musicians. Most had a family member who inspired or cultivated their passion for music. Ricky’s father, for example, was a member of a Bucks County drum and bugle corps.

Bruce got a guitar, while his twin brother got a drum set for Christmas when they were 14. They started a “little band with the kids” from Cabbage Hill; the band, Modified Version, still gets together to play for fun. Bruce’s family is comprised of a long line of musicians dating back to the 1930s and his uncle helped start the Lancaster-based Roof Rockers in 1997.

Dave Seifert picked up the guitar at the age of 8. “I have to give credit to a man named Dale Blank. He played country and western, and he asked my mom if her son could go out in clubs and barrooms and play,” recalls Dave. As one would expect, his mother said, “No.” But as the weeks went on, Blank persisted and Dave’s mother eventually gave in – but only if he carried a permission note with him to the bar. From his time playing three-chord country as a kid until now, Dave has always played with bands around southeast Pennsylvania and sometimes with keyboardist Jake Law.

Bruce McComsey’s basement has been the scene of practice sessions for The Nomads for years.

Jake joined the band in 2009. He started playing Hammond organs – his brand of choice – when he was 10 years old; at the age of 15, he took a job as the skating rink organist at Overlook in Manheim Township. After serving in the U.S. Navy, Jake returned to Lancaster County in 1973 and has been playing in bands – like the now-defunct classic rock cover band Beechwood – ever since. He’s self-taught and plays by ear.

Pete Souders was in college in 1962, when he was approached to play horns in “Mr. Entertainment” Phil Long’s band, The Romans. He started on clarinet in fifth grade. “I added tenor sax in 10th grade and played in the usual school band stuff,” says Pete. He went on to play with several local road bands and was heavily influenced by New Orleans rocker, Lee Allen.

Chris Sherr is the new kid on the block, having only been with The Nomads for a year. He started playing trombone in school – jazz, concert and marching bands – and by his senior year “got a little more wild” and picked up the guitar. Twenty years later, he is the newest member of The Nomads.

As for Tommy, “I have an instrument right here,” he says, pointing to his throat. “And as long as it holds up, I’m not going to stop.” He is a natural front man, quick with the cheesy joke and witty with banter between himself, the band and the crowds packing into parks and clubs to see The Nomads. His 59-year career as a troubadour of doo wop, rock and chart toppers started when he was 15. He sang with the Roof Rockers, The Embers and several other bands Lancastrians might remember from over the years. “I don’t regret a minute of it,” he says.

The band’s playlist includes such hits as Up on the Roof, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again, Burnin’ Love, Daddy’s Home and many more.

A female voice can sometimes be heard singing with the band. Phyllis McComsey, Bruce’s wife, who runs the sound board for the band, recently started practicing with the ensemble and stepping up on stage to perform Proud Mary and Da Doo Ron Ron.

After the trip down memory lane, I wanted to know which songs are their favorites to perform. Ricky enjoys the harmonies of the Shep & The Limelites’ hit, Daddy’s Home, from 1961. Donny is into classic rock, so his favorite is Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. Bruce loves the power and beauty of Cara Mia, which was a No. 4 hit for Jay and the Americans (sung by Ricky when played by The Nomads).

Jake enjoys Rock and Roll is Here to Stay, which was originally recorded by Danny & the Juniors in 1958 and made famous by Sha Na Na in 1969. Pete claims Rock Around the Clock, since he has played with several members of Bill Haley’s bands over the years. Chris likes to play You’re Sixteen, first cut by rockabilly artist Johnny Burnette in 1960 but ingrained into the collective rock psyche by Ringo Starr.

Henry “The Fonz” Winkler complimented The Nomads on their “cool music.”

“It wouldn’t be fair for me to pick just one, but if you’re going to put me in the corner, I’d have to say This Magic Moment by Jay and the Americans,” says Tommy, to which Dave agrees.

Now that winter has arrived, Tommy is relaxing in the Florida sun, maybe working on some new jokes. He will be back this spring, unless someone calls in need of an oldies rock ‘n’ roll band for their New Year’s Eve party. One of their first public gigs is always at New Holland Community Memorial Park, where the dance floor is always packed with baby boomers who are more than happy to share their twist, calypso and shag techniques with the younger generation.

For more information, visit thenomadsrock.com and on Facebook.

Best of Lancaster Spotlight: Teacher Brad Miller finds inspiration in memory of late student

November 17, 2022 by Kaylee Rex 2 Comments

Brad Miller, a second-grade teacher at Landisville Primary Center, was voted the best teacher in Lancaster County in our Best of Lancaster Readers’ Survey this year. “It is very difficult for me to take affirmation, because there are so many incredible teachers out there in Lancaster County,” Brad explains. While reflecting on his 24-year career as a teacher, Brad points to one student in particular who continues to inspire him to this day.

Ben’s drawing of Brad during a No Shave November fundraiser. Students donated coins into the jars of their favorite teachers. The male teachers who won the most had to cut their beards into wacky designs. Photo courtesy of Brad Miller.

In August 2018, Benjamin Reinhold and his twin sister, Olivia, started their second-grade year in Brad’s classroom. “They both were so excited to learn and enjoy life,” Brad remembers. “Ben always wanted to help other children in some way and make them smile.”

Shortly after the start of their second-grade year, Ben was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). The rare and aggressive form of brain cancer primarily affects children, with most diagnoses occurring between 5 and 7 years of age, according to dipg.org. Currently, there is no cure, and unfortunately, fewer than 10% of children survive two years beyond diagnosis.

Following his diagnosis, Ben and his family traveled to Philadelphia for chemotherapy for about 30 consecutive days. In October, Ben returned to the classroom and attended class almost every day up until his passing in March 2019. “Not once did he ever complain to me about his pain or suffering,” Brad recalls. “Ben lived life like you should: laughing, happy and smiling.”

During Ben’s seven-month battle with DIPG, the entirety of Landisville Primary Center’s staff and student body united to support Ben and his family. On one occasion, the school came together just to put a smile on Ben’s face. With the help of Complete Weddings + Events, the school community created a music video set to the song High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco. The video featured teachers and students performing Ben’s favorite dance move, the “floss.” “The whole faculty was supportive, and it was an awesome opportunity to bring the school together for Ben,” Brad recalls. He also commends school counselor Mike Resh and principal Ron Swantner for their support for Ben and all the students while dealing with grief.

Nearly four years later, Ben’s memory continues to serve as inspiration for Brad. “[Ben’s] compassion, drive, love and most of all humor is none like anyone I have ever met,” Brad reflects. “I wanted to [thank] Ben for making me a better teacher, person and dad.”

Learn more about DIPG at chadtough.org, and read more about Ben’s story at chadtough.org/meet-the-kids/Benjamin-Reinhold.

Top 10 To-Dos for November 2022

October 27, 2022 by Kaylee Rex Leave a Comment

1 Greek Food Bazaar | November 5-6

Photo courtesy of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Enjoy authentic Greek cuisine at this 64th-annual fundraising event. The church will offer a traditional platter, which includes chicken in traditional Greek sauce, pastitsio, spanakopita, Greek salad and a roll. A variety of homemade Greek pastries and desserts and traditional frozen Greek food will also be available for purchase. To place your order, contact the church office or order online by 10 a.m. on November 5. A third of proceeds will be donated to various philanthropic organizations that benefit the Lancaster community. The event will be drive-thru only. Hours are Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Information: annunciation-greek-orthodox-church.square.site or 717-394-1735.

2 Home for the Holidays | November 8-December 30

Photo courtesy of American Music Theatre.

American Music Theatre

Get in the holiday spirit with this live, original musical experience. Even before the show starts, immerse yourself in Christmas cheer as you enter the theatre’s festive lobby decorated with Christmas trees, garland, natural wreaths and more. Kids will also receive a special holiday gift. The show is inspired by warm, cherished memories of family Christmases spent with loved ones. From scenes set in Santa’s Candy Factory to a “midnight” candlelight service, enjoy fresh set designs and costumes while listening to holiday favorites accompanied by the theatre’s orchestra. The show is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Information: amtshows.com or 717-397-7700.

3 Taste! Lancaster Festival of Food, Wine & Spirits | November 11-12

Photo courtesy of Taste!

Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square

Indulge in a day of award-winning wine, beer, spirits and cuisine from the best chefs and restaurants in the region. The festival showcases a variety of food-centric exhibits, hands-on seminars and celebrity personalities, including Chef Ben Robinson from Bravo’s Below Deck and singer G. Love. Three sessions are offered: 6-10 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets can be purchased here. Information: phillytastefest.com or 609-398-4450.

4 Veterans Ceremony and Brick Dedication | November 13

Photo courtesy of the Jenna Carroll Collective.

Marietta Community House

The Marietta American Legion Post #466 and the Marietta Community House invite all to attend and honor those who served our country during a Veterans Day ceremony featuring local speakers, patriotic music and information regarding the Hometown Heroes banners around town as well as a recently unveiled mural of veterans. In conjunction with the Community House’s Buy-A-Brick program, the event will also feature a dedication of bricks that have been donated in honor of both living and departed loved ones. The ceremony starts at 2 p.m. and will be followed by a brief reception with refreshments and tours of the property. Information: mariettacommunityhouse.org or 717-426-4317.

5 Extraordinary Give | November 18

Photo courtesy of Nick Gould.

Various Locations

During this 24-hour fundraiser, join thousands of people across the community as they donate to more than 400 local organizations that directly impact the quality of life in Lancaster County. The Extraordinary Give is considered Lancaster County’s biggest day of giving, raising $15.8 million last year. Many participating organizations will host their own fundraisers and celebrations throughout the day (A list can be found here). From 8 p.m. to midnight, the Lancaster Marriott and Lancaster County Convention Center will host ExtraGive Fest, a free celebration featuring live music, photo opportunities and more. Information: extragive.org or 717-397-1629.

6 Pop-Up Ice Skating Rink | November 18-February 26, 2023

Photo courtesy of Flight On Ice.

Park City Center

This winter, the former Bon-Ton parking lot at Park City Center will be transformed into a 60-by-100-foot ice skating rink, featuring festive music, food and beverages, free parking, affordable skate rentals, heated hospitality tents for private events and more. Special family-friendly events will also be offered, such as Free Movie Nights on Wednesdays and Saturday Night Socials for local school students. During peak holiday season (December 16-January 2), admission tickets are $12 and skate rentals are $10. During all other sessions, admission is $10 while rentals are $8. Tickets and rentals are available at the box office, but online reservations are recommended. The rink will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m., Fridays from 4-10 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Information: flightonice.com or 610-627-2100.

7 Root’s Christmas Show | November 19

Photo courtesy of Root’s Country Market.

Root’s Country Market

Peruse over 300 vendors and find unique holiday gifts including holiday décor, wreaths, hand-made toys, hand-knitted items, pottery, jewelry and more. Also enjoy food vendors, listen to live music and visit with Santa. This is a kid-friendly and dog-friendly event. The market will be open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Information: Facebook or 717-898-7811.

8 Dutch Winter Wonderland | November 19-January 1, 2023

Photo courtesy of Dutch Wonderland.

Dutch Wonderland

Decorated in thousands of lights and holiday ornaments, Dutch Winter Wonderland offers Christmas festivities for the whole family. Voted the #10 Best Theme Park Holiday Event last year by USA Today 10Best, the park features 20 rides, family shows, seasonal treats and more. Santa will also be available to listen to kid’s Christmas wishes. Information: dutchwonderland.com or 866-386-2839.

9 Candlelight Open House | November 26

Photo courtesy of Ephrata Cloister.

Ephrata Cloister

Step back in time and explore the original buildings of Ephrata’s first settlement. Walk along the lantern-lit paths where the first residents of Ephrata walked hundreds of years ago. Inside, discover craftspeople, musicians and spinners at work, as well as a letterpress in operation. Also, find locally made treasures for those on your gift list in the Museum Store. Admission is $7 for everyone age 3 and above. 5-8:30 p.m. Information: ephratacloister.org or 717-733-6600.

10 Small Business Saturday | November 26

Various Locations

Towns and small businesses across the county are preparing fun promotions and events to get feet in the street this Small Business Saturday. In Columbia, receive a punch card and have it marked at participating locations for the chance to win a prize. In Mount Joy, explore the town and embark on the Downtown Elf Hunt (offered through December 17). In conjunction with Small Business Saturday, Mainspring of Ephrata will also support local crafters by hosting a Holiday Market from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Whistle Stop Plaza.

For more information on local events, click here!

2022 Best of Lancaster

October 24, 2022 by Ashley Kendrick 3 Comments

Lancaster County … A Place of Beauty

Over the past two-plus years we’ve come to appreciate what a beautiful and endearing place Lancaster County truly is.

The pandemic prompted us to venture outdoors and embrace the natural wonders of Lancaster County. We’ve come to realize how fortunate we are to have access to the parks, nature preserves and rail trails that skirt the river and dot the county.

The beauty of our farmland constantly reminds us how fortunate we are to live in a place where farmstands, farmers markets, orchards, butcher shops and other local purveyors are just a short drive – or walk – away from our homes.

Beauty is also found in the inspiring art galleries and architecture that define the city and the county’s small towns.

We’re awestruck by the artful cuisine that is created in the kitchens of our restaurants. The talents of our craftspeople and building professionals are awe-inspiring. The gardens and landscaping that enhance our homes, businesses, retirement communities and medical buildings are eye-catching.

Finally, the multi-cultural fabric of this place we call home adds to the beauty of Lancaster County.

Taking all of the above into consideration, I thought of the late Don Shenk, whose love for Lancaster County shined through in each and every image he captured with his camera, whether it was along the farm lanes of rural Lancaster County or the streets of Lancaster City. It’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words and Don’s shots explain the reason why those who completed this year’s Readers’ Survey named “Scenic” as the best word to describe Lancaster County.

– Sue Long

RESTAURANTS

Breakfast

1. Gracie’s On West Main

2. Rachel’s Café & Creperie

3. Gus’s Keystone Family Restaurant

Weekend Brunch

1. Gracie’s On West Main

2. Rachel’s Café & Creperie

3. Square Mile Public House

Lunch

1. Isaac’s Restaurants

2. Tomato Pie Café

3. Rachel’s Café & Creperie

Dinner

1. The Belvedere Inn

2. Gibraltar Restaurant

3. Horse Inn

Celebrating/Special Occasion

1. The Belvedere Inn

2. The Log Cabin

3. Josephine’s Downtown

Casual Dining

1. Loxley’s Restaurant

2. Trio Bar & Grill

3. (tie) Annie Bailey’s Irish Public House and
Cabalar Meat Co.

Buffet/Smorgasbord

1. Shady Maple Smorgasbord

2. Miller’s Smorgasbord Restaurant

3. Dienner’s Country Restaurant

Take-out

1. Frisco’s Chicken

2. Two Cousins Pizza

3. Café East Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar

Outdoor Dining

1. Tobias Frogg

2. Loxley’s Restaurant

3. T.J. Rockwell’s

Hotel Restaurant

1. The Exchange and Plough – Lancaster Marriott

2. John J. Jeffries – Lancaster Arts Hotel

3. Arthur’s Terrace and Garfield’s Restaurant – Eden Resort & Suites

Pub/Bar

1. Bulls Head Public House

2. Quips Pub

3. Stubby’s Bar & Grille

New Restaurant

1. Norbu

2. (tie) Blue Collar Restaurant, Bar & Catering and
Queen Street Bistro

SPECIALTIES OF THE HOUSE

Steak

1. Johnny’s Bar & Steakhouse

2. The Log Cabin

3. The Belvedere Inn

Seafood

1. Kyma Seafood

2. Gibraltar Restaurant

3. Mr. Bill’s Seafood/Fat Crab Café

Barbecue

1. Harvey’s Main Street BBQ

2. Rocky’s BBQ

3. Hess’s Barbecue Catering

Burgers

1. Cabalar Meat Co.

2. Horse Inn

3. Route 66 Restaurant

Sandwiches

1. Isaac’s Restaurants

2. Cabalar Meat Co.

3. Caruso’s

Pizza

1. Two Cousins Pizza

2. Caruso’s

3. LUCA

Wings

1. American Bar & Grill

2. Beanie’s Bar & Grill

3. Stubby’s Bar & Grille

Tacos

1. Cocina Mexicana

2. House of Tacos

3. Walk-O Taco

Sushi

1. Ginza Sushi

2. Oka Asian Fusion

3. Yuzu Asian Cuisine

Vegetarian/Vegan

1. Root

2. Taj Mahal

3. Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar

Italian/Mediterranean

1. Ciro’s Italian Bistro

2. Lombardo’s Restaurant

3. LUCA

Mexican/Latin American

1. El Serrano

2. Cocina Mexicana

3. Fuego Latino Restaurant & Catering

Chinese

1. Hong Kong Garden

2. Yang’s Restaurant

3. Café East Asian Cuisine and Sushi Bar

Asian-Fusion

1. Oka Asian Fusion

2. Eastern Palace

3. Yuzu Asian Cuisine

Indian

1. Himalayan Curry & Grill

2. Taj Mahal

3. Namaste Restaurant

PA Dutch

1. Shady Maple Smorgasbord

2. The Restaurant at Oregon Dairy

3. Dienner’s Country Restaurant

Beer Selection

1. Funck’s Restaurant

2. The Fridge

3. Bulls Head Public House

Wine/Spirits Selection

1. The Belvedere Inn

2. Horse Inn

3. (tie) Harvest Seasonal Grill & Wine Bar, John J. Jeffries and LUCA

Dessert

1. Bistro Barberet & Bakery

2. (tie) The Belvedere Inn and
Fox Meadows Creamery

FOOD/DRINK

Grocery/Food Store

1. Stauffers of Kissel Hill

2. Giant

3. Weis

Prepared Food

1. Stauffers of Kissel Hill

2. Oregon Dairy

3. Giant

Farm Market

1. Lancaster Central Market

2. Root’s Country Market

3. Green Dragon Market

Coffee/Tea Shop

1. Coffee Co.

2. Mean Cup

3. New Holland Coffee Co.

Food Truck

1. Walk-O Taco

2. Gourmet Julie’s Way

3. Chellas Arepa Kitchen

Bakery

1. Achenbach’s Pastries

2. Front Porch Baking Co.

3. Lancaster Cupcake

Specialty Cakes

1. Oregon Dairy

2. Lancaster Cupcake

3. Scratch Bakes

Catering

1. Vigi’s Parties

2. Hess’s Barbecue Catering

3. Cracked Pepper Catering

Pretzels/Snack Foods

1. Hammond’s Pretzels

2. Philly Pretzel Factory

3. Auntie Anne’s

Candy

1. Evans Candy

2. Wilbur Chocolate

3. Sweetish

Ice Cream

1. Fox Meadows Creamery

2. Pine View Dairy

3. Son’s

Winery

1. Nissley Vineyards

2. Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery

3. Grandview Vineyard

Brewery

1. Lancaster Brewing Company

2. Mad Chef Craft Brewing

3. Spring House Brewing Company

THINGS TO SEE & DO

Live Music Venue

1. Tellus360

2. American Music Theatre

3. Long’s Park

Performing Arts

1. The Fulton Theatre

2. Sight and Sound Theatres

3. American Music Theatre

Art Gallery

1. Liz Hess Gallery

2. Red Raven Art Company

3. Freiman Stoltzfus Gallery

Museum/Heritage Site

1. Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum

2. North Museum of Nature and Science

3. LancasterHistory

Golf Course

1. Crossgates Golf Club

2. Overlook Golf Course

3. (tie) Meadia Heights Golf Club and
Lancaster Country Club

Family Fun

1. Dutch Wonderland

2. Go ‘N Bananas

3. Hersheypark

Pick-Your-Own Produce/Flowers

1. Cherry Hill Orchards

2. Country Joy Flowers

3. Brecknock Orchard

Park/Recreation Area

1. Long’s Park

2. Lancaster County Central Park

3. Overlook Park

Special Occasion Venue

1. The Star Barn Village

2. Melhorn Manor

3. Excelsior

Fair/Festival

1. Ephrata Fair

2. Elizabethtown Fair

3. The Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire at Mount Hope Estate

Art/Craft/Maker Show

1. Long’s Park Art Festival

2. Lititz Rotary Craft Show

3. Mount Gretna Outdoor Art Show

SHOPPING

Clothing Store/Boutique

1. Festoon

2. (tie) Knock Knock Boutique and
Filling’s

Vintage

1. Space

2. The Scarlet Willow

3. Maejean Vintage

Consignment

1. Fashion Cents Consignment

2. (tie) Next to New Fine Clothing and
Stock Swap Furniture Consignment

Thrift Store

1. CommunityAid

2. Main Street Closet

3. Re-Uzit Shop of New Holland

Jewelry

1. Koser Jewelers

2. (tie) Ream Jewelers and
Brent L. Miller Jewelers & Goldsmiths

Car Dealership

1. Lancaster County Motors

2. Jones Dealerships

3. (tie) Hondru Auto Group and
Lancaster Toyota

AESTHETICS

Hair Salon

1. Attitudes Hair & Nail Salon

2. Luxe Salon & Spa

3. Tangles Salon

Barber Shop

1. The Black Comb

2. Gary and Joel’s Barber Shop

3. Elizabethtown Barbers

Tattoo Artist

1. Wes Schulz – Dreams Collide Tattoo

2. Jazmin Santiago – Sacred Yes

3. (tie) Chris Hall – SkinTonz,
Josh Constein, Steve Lowery – Transcending Flesh
and Vinny Romanelli – Dreams Collide Tattoo

Manicure/Pedicure

1. Attitudes Hair & Nail Salon

2. Back Room Nail Bar

3. Modern Spa & Nails

Day Spa

1. Luxe Salon & Spa

2. The Spa at Leola Village

3. Visage a’ Visage Day Spa & Salon

Med Spa

1. Blossom Med Spa

2. Face Forward Skin Care Center

3. James Street Med Spa

Cosmetic Dentistry

1. White Family Dental

2. Sieger Family Dentistry

3. (tie) Weierbach & Genetti Prosthodontics and
Silvaggio Prosthodontics

FITNESS

Fitness/Rec Center

1. Universal Athletic Club

2. YMCA of the Roses

3. Lititz recCenter

Yoga/Barre/Specialty Studio

1. Evolution Power Yoga

2. West End Yoga Studio

3. Blaze Yoga

Dance Studio

1. Encore Dance Center

2. Lititz Academy of Dance

3. E-Dance Center

Pool

1. (tie) Lititz Springs Pool and
Stars & Stripes Swim & Splash Club (Conestoga)

2. Millersville Lions Club Pool

Bicycle Shop

1. Martins Bike Shop

2. Lancaster Bicycle Shop

3. Green Mountain Cyclery

Biking/Hiking/Jogging Trail

1. Northwest Lancaster County River Trail

2. Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail

3. Silver Mine Park

HOME & GARDEN

Residential Builder/Remodeler

1. Metzler Home Builders

2. (tie) Ebersole Brothers and Garman Builders

Kitchens/Baths

1. GR Mitchell

2. TK Building & Design

3. Bomberger’s Store

Roofing

1. Joyland Roofing

2. (tie) Choice Home Remodeling,
Klausmair Construction and
Greenawalt Roofing

Flooring

1. Martin’s Flooring

2. Bomberger’s Store

3. Bloom FLOORist

Windows/Doors/Exteriors

1. Choice Home Remodeling

2. GR Mitchell

3. Zephyr Thomas Home Improvement

Interior Design

1. Interiors Home

2. Heritage Design Interiors

3. David Lyall Home & Design

Window Treatments

1. Interiors Home

2. Martin’s Flooring

3. Heritage Design Interiors

Lighting

1. Yale Lighting Concepts

2. The Lighting Gallery

3. Interiors Home

Painting/Paperhanging

1. Ville Painters

2. Two Dudes Painting Company

3. Joel’s Painting & Contracting

Plumbing/Heating/Cooling

1. Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical

2. Neffsville Plumbing & Heating Services

3. New Holland HVAC

Electrical Work

1. (tie) M. Goodman Electric and
Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical

2. Hawthorne Electric

Carpet Cleaning

1. Certified Carpet

2. Martin’s Flooring

3. The Rug Beater Cleaning Enterprises

Furniture/Home Accessories

1. Interiors Home

2. Heritage Design Interiors

3. Always Never Done

Paint/Wallcovering Center

1. Grauer’s Paint & Decorating

2. Bomberger’s Store

3. GR Mitchell

Appliance Center

1. Martin Appliance

2. Brubaker Inc.

3. K & A Appliance

Hardware Center

1. JB Hostetter & Sons

2. GR Mitchell

3. Bomberger’s Store

Security

1. Yarnell, B Safe and Choice Security Systems

2. Reed’s Lock & Access Control Systems

Garden Center/Greenhouse

1. Stauffers of Kissel Hill

2. Ken’s Gardens

3. Esbenshade’s Garden Centers & Greenhouse

Landscape Design

1. C.E. Pontz Sons

2. (tie) Landscape Impressions and
Stauffers of Kissel Hill

Lawn/Yard Maintenance

1. Northeastern Landscape

2. Tomlinson Bomberger Lawn Care, Landscape & Pest Control

3. Landscape Impressions

Outdoor-Living Center

1. Stauffers of Kissel Hill

2. Bowman’s Stove & Patio

3. Penn Stone

Floral Design

1. Floral Designs of Mount Joy

2. Royer’s Flowers & Gifts

3. Central Market Flowers/Perfect Pots

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Accountant

1. Brian Rosenberg – Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz

2. Brad Rauch – Cloister Group

3. Kyle Lin – Acuity Advisors and CPAs

Gregory Hirtzel

Anthony Georgelis

Attorney

1. (tie) Gregory Hirtzel – Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding and
Anthony Georgelis – Georgelis Injury Law Firm

Insurance Agent

1. Lee Kennedy – State Farm

2. Bart Ziegler – Olweiler Insurance Agency

3. Craig Rothstein – State Farm

Real Estate Agent

1. Craig Hartranft – Berkshire Hathaway Homesale Realty

2. Tony Zook – Re/Max Pinnacle

3. Hanna Klausmair – Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty

Bank/Credit Union

1. Fulton Bank

2. Belco Community Credit Union

3. Members 1st Federal Credit Union

Photographer

1. Richard Waine – Richard Waine Photography

2. Jeremy Hess – Jeremy Hess Photographers

3. Rachel Horst – Hosh Posh Photography

PETS

Pet Store

1. That Fish Place – That Pet Place

2. Keystone Pet Place

3. Woof ‘n Tails

Pet Sitter/Dog Walker

1. Your Place or Mine Pet Sitting

2. Gabrielle Walleigh

3. Once Upon a Tail

Groomer

1. Pat’s Pet Grooming

2. Gochenauer Pet Resort

3. Keystone Pet Place

Pet Boarding/Daycare

1. Gochenauer Pet Resort

2. Canine Country Club

3. Oscar’s Pet Resort

Veterinary Practice

1. Manheim Pike Veterinary Hospital/Metro Pet Vet

2. Neffsville Veterinary Clinic

3. Companion Animal Hospital

Rescue Organization

1. Pet Pantry of Lancaster County

2. Humane Pennsylvania

3. Organization for Responsible Care of Animals (ORCA)

HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Hospital

1. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Hospital

2. Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

3. WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital

Family Physician

1. Dr. Christopher Putney – Penn Medicine LG Health Family Medicine Strasburg

2. (tie) Dr. Andrea Stern – Penn Medicine LG Health Family Medicine Mount Joy,
Dr. Bruce Waskowicz – WellSpan Family Medicine Terre Hill and
Dr. Lorin Hirsch – Lancaster Family Practice Associates

Physician Assistant

1. (tie) Esther DiGiacomo – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster,
Adam Truax – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster and
Brendan Garrett – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster

Nurse

1. Jill Edgell

2. Laurie Rice – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster

3. (tie) Nichole Beaty – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster and
Amy Eastep – Masonic Village

Pediatrician

1. Dr. Stephen Tifft – Penn Medicine LG Health Physicians Roseville Pediatrics

2. (tie) Dr. Pia Fenimore – Lancaster Pediatric Associates,
Dr. Katherine Sanchez-Maldonado – Penn State Health Lancaster Pediatric Center,
Dr. Katherine Kereshi – Penn State Health – Elizabethtown,
Dr. Judy Hipple – Eden Park Pediatrics and
Dr. Nathan Keller – Eden Park Pediatrics

Surgeon

1. Dr. Perry Argires – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster

2. Dr. Carl Becker – Westphal Orthopedics

3. Dr. Louis Marotti – Argires Marotti Neurosurgical Associates of Lancaster

Cardiologist

1. (tie) Dr. Sunil Patel – UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute,
Dr. John Slovak – The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health and
Dr. Neil Clark – The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health