Get ready to celebrate the Christmas season as we open our doors to the Village Christmas Market, Saturday, December 3, 2022, 10:00am–4:00pm.
Join Garden Spot Village for shopping, eating, entertainment, visits to the train room, and stamping workshops with Ned Bustard, author of Saint Nicholas the Giftgiver. As our guest you will enjoy a day filled with food, gift vendors, store shopping, entertainment, and fun activities for the whole family.
For more information visit g gsc.gl/christmasmarket
When will your best story begin? Marge and Hal Landis started their story when they moved to Garden Spot Village in April 2021. Their granddaughter, Corinne, loves to visit her Nana and Pa at Garden Spot Village.
Together, they plant flowers, take the neighbor’s dog for a walk, ride bike and visit the art studio. Garden Spot Village is a wonderful place to write stories to last a lifetime.
START YOUR BEST STORY AT GARDENSPOTVILLAGE.ORG OR CALL SALES AT 717.355.6000
Explore the abundant opportunities you have to live with purpose in community at Garden Spot Village.
WAYS TO LEARN MORE:
• Take a virtual tour at: gardenspotvillage.org/village-virtual-tour
• Attend a Look & Learn: gsvlookandlearn.org
• Read Destination Magazine online at: destination.gardenspotvillage.org
• Watch
• Like
Raquel Versoza, Garden Spot Village Future Resident
This podcast explores what it means to retire with purpose, live to your full potential and explore abundant opportunities to live with purpose in community.
LISTEN TO OUR PODCAST: gardenspotcommunities.org/podcast
At Garden Spot Village, our two-step approach to building community lets you determine how quickly you take your journey.
STEP 1
Submit an application with the $150 application fee in order to become a future resident.
STEP 2
Choose your housing style, make a down payment and join our Radar Screen, a community of people looking forward to calling Garden Spot Village home.
Read about Cindy & Denny's journey to Garden Spot Village on page 37.
FINDING JOY IN ADVENTURE Meet Garden Spot Village residents who love to discover adventure, near and far.
Positive work-life balance means that Garden Spot team members have time to thrive when they are off the clock. Discover the ways staff seek adventure during their time off.
CREATING A SPACE WHERE PEOPLE THRIVE The next phases of Sycamore Springs currently on the drawing board will elevate the neighborhood to an entirely new level.
Veronica Gingerich, a Garden Spot Village team member, enjoys mountain biking in the afternoons and on her days off.21
Jim & Rita Gribbell share their gift of hospitality.
24
Jim & Michele Cooper explore with their community.
26
Matt Stoltzfus records fishing adventures with his boys.
28
Jan Heller shares her favorite places in Lancaster County.
30
Meet Your Neighbor
David & Karen Stambovsky find intergenerational living.
34
The Artisans Corner and unexpected entrepreneurship.
ON THE COVER
Jane Huston and Ernie Werstler enjoy a summer campfire. OR Cindy and Denny McVey enjoy boating on the Susquehanna.
63 Lancaster Tastes of the Season: Four Delightful Pumpkin Recipes / 68 Chef’s Delight:
ON THE MOVE
37
Looking Forward
Denny & Cindy McVey connect with their community.
42
Real Estate Update A balanced market.
44
Downsizing Tips Room-by-room advice.
TIME WITH FAMILY 47
Bring the Family Make memories, locally.
51
Hugo & Val New Adventures
NEARBY & BEYOND
91
Bridges of Lancaster County
A history of local covered bridges.
94
On The Road
A cross-country road trip.
95
Discovering Lancaster Exploring Lancaster County.
96
Lynne Kokotiuk serves well.
98
Recipes
Tenderloin Medallions / 70 Restaurant Review with Fay: Lombardo's family recipes inspire community.
Community Spotlight Micah & Rebecca Durling
One of my favorite mugs proclaims in bold script, Chase Adventure
The words are encircled by feathers adorned with broadhead arrows. Life, to me, seems to be one big adventure—whether diving off the coast of Florida, visiting boutiques in Lancaster and Lititz or meandering the paths of the Legacy Garden and marveling at the beauty. This amazing creation in which we live holds so much wonder and promise.
Among the pages of this issue of Destination Garden Spot Village, you will discover ways in which Garden Spot Communities supports you in your quest for adventure and purpose as you define them.
It seems to me that as a society we are finally beginning to recognize that the idea of the exclusive promises of a “youth culture” are a myth. It is not unusual these days to live to 90 or 100, which means we have another 25 to 35 years after we hit 65. There is a lot of life yet to live.
As an “older adult,” I’ve enjoyed doing things I never had the time to do during my family-raising and career-building years. I graduated with a Master’s of Theology degree at the age of 64. People run marathons well into their 80s; I started running them at the age of 50, and we had someone run her first marathon with us at the age of 70. I got my Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) certification with my daughter when I was 54, and I have been at the bottom of the ocean with people who are well into their 70s. I started painting after I turned 60.
About two weeks ago, as I was arriving for work, a group of six residents had just returned to campus after an amazing hot air balloon ride. We’ve had 90-year-olds go for their first hot air balloon ride to check it off their bucket list. A picture hanging in my office says, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice.”
One of the reasons that people move to Garden Spot Village starting in their 50s, is because for the past 20 years an increasingly engaging culture of purpose and community has been taking shape here. An element of that culture is adventure. Other retirement communities are only now beginning to talk about purpose. As a result, it is becoming a buzzword. Garden Spot has actually been designing and planning for it, not for our benefit, but for yours, so you can live the life you’ve always wanted to live.
We invite you to check out the adventures highlighted in this issue of Destination magazine, keeping in mind that they are just a sampling of far broader adventures awaiting you at Garden Spot Village.
SCOTT MILLER Brand Editor & Chief Marketing OfficerPLEASE SEND COMMENTS OR ARTICLE SUGGESTIONS TO: info@gardenspotvillage.org
PLEASE SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: ccreek@gardenspotvillage.org
PUBLISHED BY: Garden Spot Communities VIEW ONLINE: destination.gardenspotvillage.org
Sustainably printed to reflect Garden Spot Communities' commitment to environmental stewardship.
ISSUE NO. 27 PUBLISHED BIANNUALLY
A special thanks to Fig Industries for providing the First Word photo of Scott Miller and to the Smeltz family for hosting our lakeside photo session.
BRAND EDITOR & CMO Scott Miller
EDITOR & STORYTELLER Juanita Fox
Art Petrosemolo, Kaiya Boll, Emma Burger
VISUAL DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Brandon Adams
The Premise Studio: Jeremy Hess, The GSC Creative Team: Brandon Adams, Sharon Sparkes
HUGO & VAL WRITER & ILLUSTRATOR Andrew Lytle
To learn more call 717.355.6000 or visit gardenspotvillage.org.
Visit WEAREGSC.ORG to explore all the career opportunities available at Garden Spot Communities.
e both enjoy preparing dinners to share with our friends,” Rita Gribbell says. “We work together to create a memorable experience for our guests.”
This passion for food and hospitality inspired Rita and her husband, Jim, to host a Gatherings at the Table dinner to benefit the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund in late August 2022.
During Gatherings at the Table, hosts like Jim and Rita open their homes and their hearts to members of their community, creating deeper connections and relationships. The hosts’ generosity inspire other residents at Garden Spot Village to purchase tickets for the event. The cost of the ticket is donated in full to the Benevolent Fund.
Jim and Rita moved to Garden Spot Village from Havre de Grace, Maryland, in March 2021. They offered a Marylandstyle dinner as their Gathering at the Table. They hosted the meal at the Poplar Commons common building near their home at Sycamore Springs. The menu included shrimp cocktail, authentic Maryland crab cakes, corn on the cob and additional sides. Dessert was the Maryland-renowned Smith Island 12layer chocolate cake. The evening ended with s’mores by the fire. Rita considered every detail of the evening—from the hand-carved-and-painted decoys and black-eyed Susan flowers (Maryland’s
state flower) that graced the tables to freshly purchased Maryland crab meat for the entrée.
The details resulted in a memorable evening of community as everyone enjoyed a shared experience and learned to know each other better.
Rita and Jim appreciate the community they have experienced since moving to Garden Spot. Their previous neighborhood featured homes on large lots that were distant from each other. “It was lovely but, for me, quite lonely,” Rita says. “It was tough to connect with our neighbors.”
Jim spent his career in the U.S. Army. After retiring from active duty, he worked for the Army as a civilian, completing his career at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, where he served as a Deputy Inspector General. Rita spent close to 40 years in the textbook publishing industry after being a teacher for the first 11 years of her professional life. She began her publishing career as a teacher trainer and that position took her to schools all over the United States as well as to some foreign destinations. Her last job in publishing was as a textbook sales representative for McGraw-Hill. Although her office was in her home, she spent lots of time in her car and on planes in service to her customers.
Rita was an active participant in the Harford County, Maryland, senior centers, where she participated in cardio classes and basket weaving sessions. She says, “Even though I met people, we all went our separate ways when class was over. At Garden Spot, it’s easy to
reconnect. If you meet someone in any venue, you know your chances are good of meeting them again at the Harvest Table or another Garden Spot event.”
Both Rita and Jim have connected quickly with their new community. Jim enjoys spending time in the Wood Shop. “All of the members are very nice. And, if I have any questions, all I have to do is ask and somebody will show me how to do what I need to do,” he says.
Rita volunteers with special events, such as helping to plan Labyrinth Day. She also serves as a volunteer Chaplain Visitor at the Lancaster County Prison, where she visits one woman each week. She enjoys basket weaving and has hosted an informal basket weaving class for her neighbors.
“We’ve never been so busy,” Rita says. “That’s what happens when you don’t have to mow the grass.”
“Now we get to enjoy traveling and we have time to play,” Jim adds with a smile.
Right: Jim and Rita Gribbell hosted an authentic Maryland-style dinner as a “Gatherings at the Table” fundraiser to benefit the Garden Spot Village Benevolent Fund.
“
Now we get to enjoy traveling and we have time to play! ”
When Jim and Michele Cooper settled on their home in the Sycamore Springs neighborhood at Garden Spot Village in November 2019, they planned to make a gradual transition to their new home. But, Michele says, “when we started to move in, our neighbors welcomed us like long-lost friends.
They had a giant whoopie pie that said ‘welcome.’
We were just astounded.”
“Before we knew it, we were living at Sycamore Springs full-time,” Jim adds.
twenty feet away from where Jim and Michele were standing.
They also traveled locally, enjoying day trips to Lancaster County from their home in Delaware. It was those day trips that drew them to consider retiring in New Holland. A quilter, Michele enjoyed the quilt festivals and fabric stores. After visits to Shady Maple Smorgasbord, the couple always took drives on backroads to see what they could discover. Roadside farm stands and the quieter pace of life enticed them to come back frequently.
As they were evaluating Lancaster County retirement communities, Michele was very interested in the quality of healthcare provided through the continuum of care. A large portion of her career as a physical therapist was spent in a nursing home, so she was very interested in skilled nursing. “The rooms at Garden Spot were very nice and the aides were always willing to smile and say hi. Also, the director of nursing answered every question we had,” Michele says.
Jim adds, “People were always around and made us feel welcome when we visited.” Because they wanted a singlefamily home, Sycamore Springs felt like a good fit. An artist, Jim wanted space for a train room as well as his pottery wheel and kiln.
Above: Jim & Michele Cooper enjoy a winter tour of Grand Teton National Park.
They became good friends with next-door neighbors Adam and Jerrene Zimmerman very quickly. Shared interests such as woodworking and traveling helped the couples to connect. In October 2021, the two couples traveled together to Canada with Jerrene’s sister and brother-in-law and Bob and Francine Coy, who recently joined the Radar Screen, to ride the Rocky Mountaineer Train.
“It was a trip we had on our bucket list,” Michele comments. “We thought it would be more fun to go as a group,” Jim adds.
The group enjoyed the camaraderie of traveling together. Just a few months later, the Coopers and Zimmermans headed to Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, to take in the holiday décor at the historic Vanderbilt mansion.
Jim and Michele traveled extensively before moving to Garden Spot Village. They enjoyed trips to Alaska, Hawaii, the Baltics, Norway, Sweden and more. Special trips included a trek through Yellowstone in winter and a Three Bears tour to Alaska, where they watched the salmon run. They actually saw all four types of Alaskan bears: brown, grizzly, black and polar. A highlight was watching grizzly bears feed on salmon, just
Michele uses the space they have on their third floor as a sewing room.
In addition to traveling with their new neighbors, they enjoy the connections they’ve made through Garden Spot’s micro-communities. Jim spends time in the Wood Shop and Train Room and Michele has connected with the Quilters and the Cat Owners.
Their deep connection to their community means they are available for their neighbors, just as their neighbors are available for them. “You just never know what you’re going to do each day. It’s a good thing,” Jim says.
Matt Stoltzfus, director of facility services, and his sons, Julians and Ziggy, have found a new passion over the last year: fishing and YouTube videos!
“My oldest son, Julians, went fishing with a friend last summer,” Matt explains. “He wanted to go fishing with me and we tried, but didn’t have any success.”
“I started watching YouTube videos to learn how to fish,” he continues. “Simultaneously, I bought my youngest son a GoPro. We recorded our first FISHONFISHOUT YouTube video on January 1. I never did anything like this before, so I was just figuring it out as I went. I also wasn’t going to share it with anybody. But we made a YouTube channel, told some people and had enough fun and good feedback that we decided to keep making videos. We’ve created one episode per week since then.”
The videos vary in content. Some include Matt’s solo fishing adventures, others include videos of Matt and his boys cleaning up trash along the creek bank, day camping, looking for lures and more.
The most important part for Matt? Getting his boys outside! “It changed me to be suddenly outside so regularly. We discovered things we didn’t know we cared about, like catch and release and waterway cleanliness,” he says.
“One day we’ll look back and be glad to have these stories,” Matt adds. “We were inspired by other people’s YouTube videos. We want other people to be inspired too. Our viewers tell us their kids want to do the same thing after seeing my boys fishing. That makes the effort and adventure worth it.”
As a father of young boys, Matt naturally perceives the needs of his kids. He responds and supports them with engaging activities like fishing and filming. As a director at Garden Spot Village, his management philosophy is to meet the needs of his staff, keeping their job fulfillment as a top priority.
“I feel as though I was meant to work in long-term care,” Matt explains. “I have a sense of calm that blends well with the residents and the team members.”
Matt attended the GSV business expo as a vendor for many years with his family’s business, The Rug Beater Cleaning Enterprises, Inc. He became well acquainted with the community and the residents. When he saw an opening for director of environmental services, he began to consider whether he might make a career change.
“As I reviewed the qualifications for the position, I realized it was everything I knew about,” Matt says.
Transitioning from the family business to Garden Spot Village made sense. “I had grown up in the family business and worked there for 13 years. Unfortunately, I was not interested in ownership and it was a good time to move on,” Matt explains.
He started as the director of environmental services in June 2016. Although his expertise was in floor care and cleaning, Matt excelled at managing people.
“The members of my team need to focus on the needs of the residents, so I focus on the needs of the staff. My philosophy is to support them; if they are happy and fulfilled in their work, they will serve the residents well,” he explains.
Above: Matt Stoltzfus and his sons Julians (left) and Ziggy (right) capture footage for a www.YouTube.com/ FISHONFISHOUT video.
Opposite: Matt, Julians and Ziggy explore a Lancaster County creek and share their adventures.
In August 2018, he transitioned to director of facility services and shifted his focus from floor care, cleaning and sanitation to the care of the Garden Spot buildings and internal functions such as heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, security and more.
Ienjoy meeting new people, plus it’s fun to let people know what Lancaster has to offer. Serving as a trip escort for Life Enrichment allows me to meet new people and introduce my community to what Lancaster County has to offer,” says Jan Heller, a Garden Spot Village resident since March 2021.
Jan loves to share her favorite places in Lancaster County. She takes her friends to shop and eat in downtown Lititz and elsewhere. She especially enjoys taking them to Slate Cafe, a coffee shop on Main Street in Lititz that her daughters, Anne and Laura, co-own.
As a volunteer, Jan has served as a trip escort for Life Enrichment trips to see Lancaster Symphony and Fulton Theatre performances. Her daughter Anne, an accomplished French hornist, often performs with the Lancaster Symphony and recently played in the pit for the Fulton Theatre’s performance of Cinderella. Anne also plays with the Allegro Chamber Orchestra, Manor Winds quintet, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra and the Lancaster Brass Quintet. Taking her friends from Garden Spot Village to Anne’s performances just makes sense to Jan!
Jan and her late husband, Larry, grew up in Ohio and moved to Lancaster County when Larry was hired by Sperry New Holland (now New Holland Agriculture) early in his career. They raised their family—two sons and two daughters—just a few miles from Garden Spot Village.
Opposite: Jan Heller shares her favorite spots in Lancaster with her friends and neighbors, Lois Brandt (left) and Karin Freimuth (right).
Jan worked as a nurse at a doctor’s office in New Holland, and the couple was active in the New Holland community. She enjoyed her membership at the Garden Spot Village pool and had friends who moved to the Garden Spot community. “Moving to Garden Spot Village was a natural fit,” Jan says.
Volunteer Services encourages residents to engage with their community through volunteering. “The best way to build relationships is by working toward a common goal,” says Daryl Groff, director of volunteer services.
Jan’s responsibilities as trip escort include meeting trip participants in the Apartment Suites Lobby, taking attendance and calling people who are running late. She serves as a hostess for the ride, ensures that everyone has a ticket for the event and, when the show is over, makes sure everyone gets back on the bus to go home.
Jan has found many other opportunities to volunteer at Garden Spot. She helped her neighbors complete the U.S. News & World Report Survey in November 2021, has served as a table hostess at Look & Learn and has volunteered to serve the monthly Community Meal at CrossNet Ministries, as well as helped at the 2021 Lancaster Balloon Festival and the Marathon.
“I love giving back to a community that gives so much to me,” she says.
“We want to give people opportunities for meaningful volunteering. If you see something you want to do, let us know. We will connect you with the appropriate department and encourage you to pursue volunteer opportunities that provide meaning and purpose for you.”
or the past 13 years, David and Karen Stambovsky have visited Karen’s mom and dad, Kathryn and Milton Horst, in their various homes at Garden Spot Village. In recent years, they have bounced between their home in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and New Holland and the family villa in Sarasota, Florida.
The pastor at Greater Grace Church of The Berkshires in Massachusetts for more than 30 years, David also worked as a chaplain for the
Connecticut Department of Corrections. Before recently retiring, he served in ten prisons over his career of 35 years.
David and Karen’s ministry took them all around the world as their small country church partnered with affiliate ministries in India as well as Europe, South America, Israel, Romania and other countries.
David grew up an Orthodox Jew in Springfield, Massachusetts, which was home to a large Holocaust survivor community. His father, a rabbi, was Russian and part of the Ashkenazi community. David attended public school and yeshiva; his parents longed for him to be a rabbi, or at least a good Jewish doctor.
Karen, in stark contrast, grew up in a conservative Mennonite home in New Holland and attended a two-room schoolhouse. Her father owned Penn Embryo and Horst’s Poultry Farm and Hatchery. He was a good friend of Victor Weaver, the visionary for Garden Spot Village. Milton served on the Earl Township Planning Commission during the time that Victor searched diligently to secure land, which would one day be Garden Spot Village.
David’s and Karen’s worlds collided just over 41 years ago on a flight from Florida to Boston. It was Friday the 13th and they were both wearing all black. David approached her and said, “I like your hat.”
“He also told me he was old, Jewish and rich,” Karen remembers with a laugh.
“Well, I was older and Jewish,” David admits.
The rest is history. They married two years, two months and two days later on May 15, 1983.
David became a Christian in the late 1970s. His parents disapproved strongly and the family ties frayed. When David left the family textile business to become a department of corrections chaplain and pastor at an inner-city church in Connecticut, the family connections were severed even further.
Years later, their children were pivotal in the family’s reconciliation; they were close to their Horst cousins and grandparents but wondered why they did not know their Stambovsky cousins. Through Karen and David’s loving care of his parents as they aged, God restored the family’s relationships.
“We traveled to New Holland to visit Karen’s parents and extended family once or twice a month for years,” David says.
“My mom was insistent that we join the Radar Screen, so that someday we could live at Garden Spot, near her,” Karen adds. “Because my parents were dependent on each other for their daily care, we knew that if Dad passed away first, then Mom couldn’t live by herself anymore.”
When Karen’s dad passed away in November 2021, Karen and David began to explore ways they could move to Garden Spot sooner rather than later.
They reached out to Kelly Sweigart, sales director, to see what their options might be.
At the same time, David and Karen were encouraging Kathryn to consider Meadow View, Garden Spot’s memory support community. Kathryn was hesitant as she thought about that option.
In listening to their needs, Kelly suggested they consider an independent living apartment connected to a suite at Meadow View.
When Karen mentioned it to her mom, she said, “Well, when are we going to go check it out?”
It was an answer to prayer. The one-bedroom apartment provides plenty of space for David and Karen when they are in New Holland, and Kathryn has the security of knowing that her children are nearby, as she adjusts to her new neighborhood at Garden Spot Village.
The three moved into Meadow View in March 2022. “There is nothing like Garden Spot Village; the care for Mom at Meadow View is off the charts,” David says.
Karen agrees, saying, “Garden Spot fits us perfectly.”
Today they continue to bounce between Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Florida, but they find more and more often that Garden Spot Village is home.
Above and left: Kathryn Horst (left) and Karen and David Stambovsky (middle, right), enjoy the beauty and freedom of their connected suites at Meadow View. Kathryn has the freedom to live in community while Karen and David have the freedom to spend unlimited, but supported, time with family when they are in New Holland.
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ustomers walk in and say, ‘This is the most unique store I have ever experienced. I’m coming back,’” says Alan Dinning, one of the founders of The Artisans Corner at Garden Spot Village. The creation of The Artisans Corner has been an ongoing journey of learning and new experiences for everyone involved.
Judy and Alan Dinning, residents of Garden Spot Village since November 2018, and Dave and Ruth Anne Starnes, residents since March 2018, were the creators of this idea. They were each involved in crafting and artisanship at Garden Spot and felt the need for an outlet for talented residents to sell their creations.
Serendipitously, a space became available after the former occupant moved out. The four entrepreneurs made their proposal to Garden Spot CEO Steve Lindsey, and after some conversations, it was accepted. “We all had immediate heart attacks–none of us had any retail management experience,” comments Judy.
Although each of them brought diverse experiences, none had ever fully managed a retail store. With the help of IT, Volunteer Services, their fellow artisans and many others
in the Garden Spot community, they quickly learned how to deal with the multiple challenges that retail operations present.
They started by hosting a meeting with other resident artisans. Each of the 25 people who showed up was vetted by the four organizers and invited to participate in the initiative.
As they were developing the business plan, Judy, Alan, Dave and Ruth Anne met on Sunday afternoons to figure out the next steps in the process. “It was like driving down the highway as we were paving the road. We would go down the road and then have to build the next part,” says Ruth Anne.
To share the responsibilities, they decided that Ruth Anne would be in charge of shop design and layout; Dave would work with the POS (cash register) training, computer communications and sales analysis;
Clockwise from left: Pottery in The Artisans Corner; Resident/Artisan Lloyd Ziegler; Resident/Artisan Sally Mittelstadt; Resident/Artisan Marie Diehl; natural wood boards in The Artisans Corner.
Alan would work in shop promotion and marketing; and Judy would be in charge of scheduling.
Artisans who sell their works in the shop also help with business operations, whether working at the register, on the computer, cleaning the store or making displays.
After many hours of hard work and planning, The Artisans Corner opened on November 4, 2021. In its first two months, the store generated more than $15,000 in sales and contributed more than $3,000 to the Benevolent Fund. “We are still learning as we go. We are all getting better at it all the time,” says Dave.
The Artisans Corner provides a lovely place to buy handcrafted art and replaces much of the need for crafters and artisans in the community to market their work at craft shows. It also demonstrates for future residents who are artisans that they have an outlet for their work. They can join a micro-community, such as the Wood Shop or the Art Guild, and then sell their art right on campus.
Even though the road was bumpy at times, everyone involved worked with one another to succeed on this wonderful, albeit unexpected, journey of entrepreneurship.
“ Customers walk in and say, ‘This is the most unique store I have ever experienced. I’m coming back!’
Through the summer, Denny and Cindy McVey, future Garden Spot Village residents, spend every weekend on the water.
Cindy laughs when she tells the story of their foray into boating. “Early in our marriage, Denny asked me, ‘Would you ever consider getting just a small little boat that we can use on the Conestoga?’ So we purchased Princess Cynthia I. It was an inflatable boat and on her third voyage she was shredded to pieces on the rocks. We immediately went out and purchased a 90-pound, hard-bottom boat. We took it everywhere—Speedwell Forge, Memorial Lake State Park, Codorus State Park, Muddy Run.”
After a few years, the couple upgraded to a 27-foot Monterey bowrider. Growing up, their four children loved to water ski and cruise around the Chesapeake Bay. “It was like being on vacation every weekend,” Cindy says. “We would visit charming little towns along the bay.”
The couple boated on the bay for more than 20 years. They were active with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years, and they both served as boating safety instructors and certified Vessel Examiners.
In 2014, Denny earned his Master Captain’s license, which allows him to provide on-water boating instruction, as well as to captain the Philadelphia Ride The Ducks tour vessels and the Chesapeake Bay cruise vessel, the Bay Breeze.
In anticipation of retirement and their move to the Sycamore Springs neighborhood at Garden Spot Village, they recently downsized to a 16-foot Tahoe bowrider, which they keep at Lake Clarke Marina on the Susquehanna River. Denny continues to teach on-water boating and the couple still enjoys every weekend on the water.
Above: Denny and Cindy McVey enjoy a day on the water near Wrightsville.
Opposite: Denny and Cindy enjoy cruising the Susquehanna River in their new boat.
Special thanks to: Susquehanna Yacht Club for their hospitality. Learn more at: SusquehannaYachtClub.org
Matt and Jen Martin for the use of their boat to capture images.
A chemical engineer with a Bachelor of Science degree from Drexel University, Denny worked in research and development at Johnson & Johnson for 22 years. He currently works in process engineering research and development for Lavazza, an Italian coffee company, in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Cindy established Happy Mare Equine Sports Massage Therapy in 2004. As the owner and operator of the business, she specializes in the treatment of thoroughbred racehorses. She has treated more than 500 racehorses, including the 2007 Triple Crown contender Hard Spun. Through Cindy’s connections, in 2020, Denny and Cindy purchased a portion of their first thoroughbred racehorse and established Happy Mare Stable. Today they own portions of several thoroughbred racing champions.
An accomplished violinist, Cindy has performed with the Lancaster, York, Schuylkill, Central Pennsylvania and Hershey Symphony Orchestras. She has played the violin since she was 5. Her cherished violin was made in 1780 by Peter Hornsteiner in Mittenwald, Germany. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in music education and music therapy from Elizabethtown College
and a Master’s Degree in elementary education from The College of New Jersey.
Cindy also enjoys volunteering. She volunteers at the Garden Spot Village Resident Services desk on Tuesday mornings and has enjoyed the opportunity to connect with her future community. She also volunteers weekly at the Lititz Museum, Wheatland, the Mennonite Life Visitors Center and the Ephrata Cloister. She enjoys sharing her love of Lancaster County’s Amish Country with tourists.
Cindy and Denny live in Leola, with their toy Manchester terriers, Eliza Doolittle and Sherlock Holmes, both of which are trained therapy dogs. Their four grown children have finished their graduate studies and are embarking on their own exciting adventures.
Cindy and Denny look forward to moving to Sycamore Springs in the next couple of years. Cindy says, “Garden Spot Village is the most picturesque retirement community we visited. When we visited, we felt a warmth and a kindness from everyone we met. That welcoming feeling from the community made a difference to us.”
The real estate market in Lancaster County remains strong. “Although inventory in Lancaster County has increased slightly, most sellers are still receiving multiple offers for their homes,” explains Carol Lehman, a local realtor with Hostetter Realty. In addition, while the average time a listed home remains on the market has ticked up slightly, most homes are selling within two weeks.
“We are moving toward a healthier, more balanced real estate market,” Carol adds. As the market moves in that direction, potential sellers need to be aware of some growing trends among buyers.
BUSY LIFESTYLES. Most buyers are busy, young professionals with families. Gone are the days of young married couples purchasing fixer-uppers. Instead, buyers want the home to be move-in ready.
EMOTIONAL PURCHASES. Buyers increasingly make emotional decisions about a potential home. Creating welcoming, uncluttered spaces where potential buyers can envision their future life is critical. Such spaces may feel very boring or empty
to the seller, but staging a home allows buyers to see it as a canvas where they can add their own touches and make it theirs.
EXPANDED BUYERS. As the market balances, buyers who have not been able to purchase a home for the last couple of years are finally able to make competitive offers. While cash offers and conventional mortgages are still prevalent, some firsttime homebuyers who qualify for government loans are seeing an opportunity to purchase.
These trends make connecting with a real estate professional sooner rather than later even more important. “A no-obligation consultation with me or any other real estate professional will help you to identify which mechanicals require upgrades and where you can make small improvements that will provide solid payoffs when you sell your home. Over the next 12 to 24 months, having your home prepared to sell will be more important than ever before,” Carol says.
“A professional consultation will not only get you the proper tools and provide confidence about your next steps, but will also remove so much anxiety about what to expect,” Carol adds.
READ MORE: hostetterrealty.com
THINGS TO PURGE, DONATE OR GIVE AWAY, ROOM-BY-ROOM
Downsizing can feel like an overwhelming chore, but approaching your home on a room-by-room basis and giving yourself plenty of time to work through the process can be a refreshing and energizing way to prepare to move.
As you work through your home, here are some items to consider in each room:
THE KITCHEN. Things to throw away include overused cutting boards, expired food, scratched pots and pans and old potholders. Things to donate include unused appliances like bread makers, stand mixers and air fryers, as well as old mugs and unnecessary utensils. If you haven’t used an item in six months, consider finding it a new home!
THE BATHROOM. Raggedy towels, expired medication and barely used or unopened lotions that have been taking up space on your vanity top the list of things to dispose of properly in the bathroom. Before moving, purchase a new mop, toilet plunger, drain stopper and bathmat.
THE OFFICE. Quickly find space in your office by discarding old papers (be sure to snap a photo with your phone if you think the document is something you will need someday), old pens and pencils, outdated calendars and planners and half-filled notebooks.
Trading in your filing cabinet for a flash drive or Google Drive will also save you space.
THE LIVING ROOM. Streaming music and videos is more simple and affordable than ever before. Discard outdated equipment like radios, DVD players and VCRs as well as the accompanying VHS tapes, DVDs and CDs. Donate old books, rugs and wall art to a local thrift store. Discard old magazines and broken or damaged furniture.
THE BEDROOM CLOSET. Donate any clothing you haven’t worn in the last year as well as extra jewelry. Throw away your old shoes and torn or stained blankets and sheets. Also discard excess hangers that are crowding your closet.
THE BASEMENT. If your basement doubles as a storage area, start working there first! Discarding or donating unused holiday decor, sports equipment and tools is a great place to start. Other items to consider discarding before moving day include mousetraps, bleach, laundry detergent and other potentially harmful chemicals.
If you are interested in downsizing or moving assistance, A Life Transition Service, based in Lancaster, offers full-service downsizing as well as moving, stuff removal and recycling services.
READ MORE: altslanco.com
YOU’RE ALWAYS THE PERFECT AGE TO ENJOY LANCASTER.
AS LEAVES BEGIN TO CHANGE and cozy wardrobe favorites are slowly re-emerging, there are still plenty of beautiful days left in the year for adventuring. It’s time to take a stroll and experience the culture that abounds in Lancaster City—we’re featuring five fall stops that you can enjoy with the whole family.
Bring the Family is a special section sponsored by our long-time partners and friends at Fig Lancaster. Fig celebrates independent businesses in the City of Lancaster. They love supporting local businesses and use their talents and creativity to change a community… for good.
Looking for a few ways to spend crisp autumn days with the family?
GARDEN SPOT VILLAGE team member Colleen Musselman and her husband, Mark, took their grandchildren to explore five spots you can add to your list for family fun.
Create something you can take home and save the memories at The BeadWorks. Their colorful collection of beads and materials offers endless options for everyone to create jewelry masterpieces.
52 North Queen Street | 717.490.6551 | thebeadworks.com
Escape. On Queen
This article is presented in cooperation with
There’s beauty to be seen inside and out at the Demuth Museum. Their rotating exhibits can be a wonderful introduction to art for growing kids, and their outdoor garden will enchant the whole family.
120 East King Street | 717.299.9940 | demuth.org
Introduce the sweets-lovers in your family to treats from across the pond at Sweetish. Their recently expanded storefront is stocked full, and the pick-n-mix wall will make everyone’s eyes widen with delight.
301 North Queen Street | 717.621.2920 sweetishcandy.com
From concerts to theatrical performances to art exhibits, the Ware Center’s programming upholds its mission to foster creativity, learning, and understanding. Gather the family and find something that piques your interest or try something new.
It’s a race against the clock at Escape. On Queen, and their adventure-inspired rooms will have the whole family working together to follow the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape in the nick of time. (The minimum age to play is six years old.)
43-45 North Queen Street | 717.435.8049 | escapeonqueen.com
42 North Prince Street 717.871.7018 | artsmu.com
GARDEN
• When you are adventurous, you accept change more easily! You welcome uncertainty and like when things are changing.
• Being adventurous boosts your confidence. When you are successful and accomplish new things, you feel better about yourself.
• When you are “in the zone” with an adventure, your brain emits dopamine, which helps you feel better all around.
• Pursuing adventure provides a sense of fulfillment. When you pursue adventure with a friend or family member you create memories to last a lifetime.
Information adapted from The Health Benefits of Being Adventurous, According to Psychologists, published on shape.com.
TAKE TURNS ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS WITH THE CHILDREN.
• What is your favorite memory of an adventure we took together?
• What is your favorite memory of a holiday we celebrated together?
• Who are the people you remember spending time with?
• How did they make you feel?
• What is an adventure you would like to take?
Ticket
fun way to capture memories.
memory box creates lasting memories.
You don’t buy shirts two sizes too big, and you definitely wouldn’t buy a pair of shoes three sizes too small. So why settle on a recliner that doesn’t fit your size?
supplies the largest selection of recliners ranging in styles and sizes all at an affordable price. Choose the style that fits you.
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A mix of textures makes this a delightful appetizer; enjoy toasted bread paired with creamy avocado and crunchy seeds.
Creamy warmth and rich flavors make this soup a delightful treat for a crisp autumn evening.
This savory pizza pairs the unique textures of bacon, pumpkin and apple for a delicious autumn entree.
Baked pumpkin custard paired with a crunchy sugar topping equals the perfect encore to a fall-inspired dinner.
Recipes on page 70.
top left clockwise Loren Bender, Michaeline Rogers, R. Fred Groff III & Randy Stoltzfus
Located at 216 Harrisburg Avenue in Lancaster, Lombardo’s offers an upscale, authentic Italian dining experience in downtown Lancaster.
Family and friends have gathered to celebrate and enjoy delicious, fresh-from-scratch Italian food at Lombardo’s for more than 75 years.
In 2020, Sam Lombardo, the third-generation owner, completely renovated the restaurant.
His goal was to give it a modern facelift while preserving the restaurant’s rich history. He gutted the building, installed a new kitchen, and added walls of windows to reflect modern designs. Photos of Sam’s grandparents, who established the restaurant in 1946, as well as of his aunts and uncles who grew the establishment’s reputation through the 1960s and 1970s adorn the walls.
On my recent visit, I was so thankful to see that Sam’s vision for a new generation of Lombardo’s guests was a success. I remember the first time I met the Lombardo family. Bobby Baldori, a co-worker at UGI Corporation, was the grandson of Saverio Lombardo, who opened the restaurant in 1946.
Saverio’s daughter and Bobby’s mother, Toddy Baldori, warmly welcomed me into her home and made the most incredible Italian dishes for the meals we shared. I watched in awe as she created her sauces from scratch, without a recipe.
Over the next forty years my husband, Bob, and I visited Lombardo’s frequently. We were always welcomed as friends and family by the Lombardo family. We frequently brought friends with us from Reading, where we lived at that time. Everyone loved Lombardo’s.
In addition to being welcomed as family, I always enjoy the delicious food. The freshly made Italian bread, delicious salads and generous portions are wonderful. Lombardo’s lasagna includes Italian sausage, pepperoni, meatballs, mushrooms and the special Lombardo sauce that I watched Toddy make so many years ago.
Sometimes I purchase a quart of the sauce to take home and use in my pasta recipes.
Another one of my favorite entrees is the linguine and clams. The white wine sauce is rich and delicious. The clams are fresh and the linguine is made from scratch—it’s a perfect choice!
Although Lombardo’s offers incredible desserts like tiramisu, affogato and cannoli, the generous portions mean I’m always too full for dessert!
Lombardo’s is open Tuesday through Thursday, 11am–2:30pm and 4:00–9:30pm; and Friday and Saturday, 11:00am–2:30pm and 4:00–10:00pm. The restaurant offers an adjacent parking lot. While reservations are not required, I always make a reservation before I go and encourage you to do the same.
READ MORE: lombardosrestaurant.com
Fay Strickler holds a Master of Science degree in Agriculture and Extension Education from Penn State University. Through the course of her career she was very involved in training restaurant staff on food safety as well as serving as a food judge in fairs across Pennsylvania. She offers recommendations for local Lancaster County restaurants on the Garden Spot Village website.
CHECK OUT FAY’S RESTAURANT REVIEWS: gsc.gl/restaurants
Photo provided by Lombardo's
Whether you are looking for a romantic couple’s getaway or a shopping adventure with friends, the Inn & Spa at Intercourse Village provides wonderful accommodations for an unforgettable time away.
Monday-Saturday: 7am–9pm Sunday: 8am-5pm
Monday-Thursday: 6am–7pm Friday-Saturday: 6am-8pm Sunday: 10am-2pm
Makes 4 servings
1 teaspoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
12 oz. avocado halves, frozen
10 oz. sourdough loaf, fresh baked
1 1/3 tablespoons sunflower seeds, shelled
1 1/3 tablespoons pumpkin seeds, shelled
1 1/3 tablespoons hemp seeds
2 oz. pickled sport peppers
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cut sourdough loaf into 1-inch thick slices. Place slices on oven-safe tray, coated with vegetable oil spray. Toast in a pre-heated oven for 6 to 7 minutes or until slices are light brown and crisp.
3. Mash avocado with lemon juice. Spread mashed avocado on sliced toast.
4. Evenly top each piece of toast with sunflower, pumpkin and hemp seeds, sport peppers, olive oil and sea salt.
5. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings
6 cups baking pumpkin, seeded, skinned and cubed safflower oil to coat (see procedure)
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper, ground
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup sweet onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored and diced
3 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon orange blossom honey
1 teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped fine
1/4 teaspoon ginger, freshly grated 2 oz. goat cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream pinch of nutmeg, freshly grated (plus more for garnish)
sour cream for garnish roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Toss pumpkin with enough safflower oil to coat, then with the kosher salt and white pepper. Spread pumpkin on a sheet tray and roast for 30 minutes or until the pumpkin is soft and mashable.
3. In a stockpot over medium heat, melt butter and add onion, garlic, and apple. Cook for 5 minutes or until everything is soft, but not browned.
4. Add roasted pumpkin, vegetable broth, honey, thyme and ginger to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes or until all the produce is very soft.
5. Remove stockpot from heat and, using an immersion blender, puree the soup. As the blender is running, add the goat cheese and stream in the heavy cream.
6. Grate in the nutmeg, taste, and season with additional kosher salt and white pepper as desired.
7. Divide the soup between 4 serving bowls.
8. Gently place a dollop of sour cream in the center of each bowl.
9. Top each sour cream dollop with roasted pumpkin seeds and a pinch more of the fresh grated nutmeg.
10. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings
CRUST
1 whole wheat pizza dough for a 12” pizza
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
1 head roasted garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 strips thick-cut Applewood smoked bacon, cut into pieces
1/2 pumpkin, peeled and diced
1 green apple, diced 4 cups arugula
1/2 small red onion, sliced
1 cup shredded mozzarella, asiago or parmesan cheese
1. Preheat oven to 500 degrees.
2. Stretch the dough to make a 12” pizza. Place dough on a pizza stone sprinkled generously with cornmeal and set aside.
3. Remove each of the roasted cloves of garlic from the head and use a spoon to smash them into a paste. Stir in salt and ricotta until completely combined. Spread out on pizza dough as the sauce.
4. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon to desired level of crispiness; do not drain fat.
5. Add pumpkin and cook for 5 minutes. Add in the green apple and cook for five minutes. At this point the pumpkin should be soft, but still a little crunchy.
6. Place arugula on top of the garlic-ricotta sauce. Carefully spread out the hot bacon, pumpkin and green apple mixture on top of the ricotta. Add the red onion and shredded cheese.
7. Place the pizza in the oven and bake for 17 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown, the onions are caramelized and the crust is baked.
8. Remove, slice and serve immediately.
1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Combine heavy cream, 1/3 cup sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, cloves and ginger in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Combine egg yokes and 1/3 cup sugar in a medium bowl. Add 1/3 of the hot cream to egg mixture, whisking constantly. Add the egg mixture back into the remaining hot cream, whisking constantly.
4. Gently whisk in pumpkin.
5. Pour pumpkin mixture evenly into five (4 oz.) ramekins. Bake in a water bath in the center of oven until slightly set in the center or approximately 40 minutes. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature. Refrigerate when fully cooled.
6. Immediately before serving: preheat oven to broil. Place 1 tablespoon brown sugar on top of each custard in a thin layer. Place the ramekins under the broiler until the sugar is caramelized to a golden brown. Watch carefully as color will change very quickly under the broiler.
7. Serve immediately.
Makes 4 servings
1 boneless pork tenderloin, about 1 lb
1 3/4 cups seasoned flour (includes 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper)
2 oz. olive oil
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3 cups apple slices
1 cup pecan pieces
Makes 5 servings
2 cups heavy whipping cream
2/3 cup sugar, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
10 egg yokes, beaten lightly
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar
1. To prepare the seasoned flour: Add one tablespoon kosher salt and 1 teaspoon black pepper to flour. Mix well.
2. To prepare the pork: Cut the pork into 2 oz. medallions. Heat the oil to 145 degrees. Dredge the pork in seasoned flour. Brown the pork on both sides, holding the pork down for 15 seconds on each side.
1. To prepare the chutney: Place all ingredients in pot. Simmer on low heat for 20 minutes or until reduced by half. Hold warm until ready for serving.
2. To serve: Place browned pork medallions on a serving dish and garnish with apple pecan chutney and fresh apples. Serve immediately.
HHow do you define adventure?
For Garden Spot Village residents, adventure can be defined as overnight backpacking in central Pennsylvania, exploring Paris, participating in a Poetry as Prayer retreat, exploring new corners of the community with grandkids or weekly trips to golf with friends and neighbors.
The most important component? Involving community. We invite you to discover the ways Garden Spot Village residents explore adventure in community.
Garden Spot Village residents since April 2021, find joy and purpose in backpacking and hiking in addition to trail maintenance in central Pennsylvania.
Garden Spot Village residents since April 2020, thrive on travel. In this photo from April 2022, they pose at Pont du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that dates to the first century.
Garden Spot Village resident since May 2019, visits labyrinths around the world. In this photo from June 2022, she walks the oceanside labyrinth at Mercy by the Sea Retreat & Conference Center in Madison, Connecticut.
Garden Spot Village resident since June 2019, participated in a hot air balloon adventure in May 2022 with four dear friends and neighbors: Evelyn Hershey, Garden Spot Village resident since August 2019; Kay Blackburn, Garden Spot Village resident since May 2015; Elaine Parvin, Garden Spot Village resident since August 2020; and Carol Hammond, Garden Spot Village resident since January 2020.
Village resident since June 2019, experienced her first international mission trip when she went to Nairobi, Kenya, in February 2022.
Garden Spot Village resident since June 2013, coordinates weekly trips to Foxchase Golf Club in Stevens, Pennsylvania, where Garden Spot Village golfers enjoy refining their game in community.
Garden Spot Village resident since April 2021, and her granddaughter Corinne enjoy everyday adventures at Garden Spot Village.
Garden Spot Village residents since April 2021, attended the PowWow at Odanak (Pierreville), Quebec in July 2022. A member of the Odanak band of Abenaki Indians, Rita enjoyed this family reunion again this year.
Garden Spot Village resident since June 2012, loves to travel! In 2022 she went to Kenya and Iceland and took three road trips in the U.S., visiting Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Michigan.
Garden Spot Communities encourages team members to live with purpose—at work and at play. In the next few pages, you will get a glimpse of the adventures our team members enjoy when they are off the clock.
LORI
laundry specialist & motorcyclist
ALBERT VEGA director of environmental services, and daughter, Adriana, extras in the Season 3 episode “The Feeding of the 5,000” for The Chosen
STEVE MULLER
Also pictured, top right, with his son (middle) and AJ Vega (right), wellness maintenance associate.
ALLISON CUTHIE
ForgeWorks waymaker and European traveler (with her family)
The next phases of Sycamore Springs currently on the drawing board will elevate the neighborhood to an entirely new level. As you may expect, placemaking is at the top of the agenda.
Placemaking is a discipline that creates intentional, welldesigned spaces that draw people in and invite gatherings, conversation and natural community. The homes and spaces are stunning, but what really sets everything apart is the vibrant sense of community and neighborliness.
Envision a Main Street with shops, studios, galleries and eateries with living flats above them. Imagine these buildings surrounded by parks and unique, contemporary apartments and townhouses. Visualize walking out your front door and stepping
into a vibrant community bustling with neighbors and guests from nearby communities.
Sycamore Springs South will be a place where people greet you on the street, a place where you can step out your back door into a lively natural setting where birds flit about, flowers bloom, nature thrives and horses graze in the restored streambed winding through the property.
Imagine a blend of contemporary living and vibrant community bordered by nature and all it has to offer, and you will start to get a picture of Sycamore Springs South. The new expansion will be as unique as the first phases.
The first phase of Sycamore Springs emerged after 15 years of thoughtful research and intentional design. The future phases will leverage and transcend that early work, with continuing research on the most appealing examples of modern community development that preserve and enhance the environment.
Sycamore Springs continues to add to the overall appeal of Garden Spot Village with more dwellings, eateries, engaging spaces and contemporary living settings in order to provide greater opportunities to live with purpose in community.
VISIT: gardenspotvillage.org/sycamorespringssouth
“I WANT TO LIVE HERE!” is what people of all ages most frequently say when they first visit the Sycamore Springs neighborhood at Garden Spot Village. The neighborhood’s unique layout, front-porch living and winding walking paths encourage community in a unique way.
Story by Art Petrosemolo Photos by David Givens
Bitzer's Mill Covered Bridge on Cats Back Road spans the Conestoga River.
In the early 1800s, bridges in the United States were constructed with roofs and sidewalls. Early settlers built bridges this way to protect the trusses and decks from rain and harsh winter weather. By the 20th century, only about one in ten of these bridges had survived. Today, they are a subject for photographers, novelists and tourists.
Unless you grew up in Pennsylvania, Indiana or Vermont, you may have been introduced to covered bridges in the acclaimed 1995 Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood film, “The Bridges of Madison County.” We’ve all probably seen it once in the theater and several other times on Netflix or Prime Video.
The hand tools used in the 1800s made building bridges labor intensive. The bridges needed to last more than a decade or two so the practical immigrants copied a design that was first used in Switzerland in the mid-1700s.
More than 12,000 covered bridges were built in the United States over two and a half centuries; many of those still standing today have survived more than a century. Once
common in many states, covered bridges are now rather rare.
Pennsylvania is home to more than 200 of the estimated 500 to 600 covered bridges still standing in the United States. Lancaster County is home to 26 of those bridges, which help draw tours and tourists to the area, where they are introduced to farm country and the Plain Communities of Amish and Mennonites.
Sadly, if you grew up here or lived here for work (as I did early in my career), you rarely think about the covered bridges and the work it took to build them. You take their functional beauty as part of the landscape.
But each bridge has a story, and David and Elizabeth Givens, Garden Spot Village residents since 2018, are capturing those stories in digital images by visiting and photographing all of the County’s bridges in different seasons and in different light settings. They have their own favorites and have put together, for this story, a list of covered bridges they recommend visiting.
Dave grew up in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Cairn University, where he met his wife, Liz. He also has a graduate degree from Temple University. Dave and Liz
coordinated media projects for SEND International—a global evangelical missions organization headquartered in Farmington, Michigan—for nearly 40 years. About taking on the covered bridge photo project, Dave says, “I lived the first 18 years of my life here, and when I left for college, Lancaster was in my rearview mirror. By God’s grace, I’m back living in what I believe is the most beautiful part of Lancaster County. Through photographing the covered bridges, we’ve been exploring the county in a way that I never did when I was growing up here.”
Dave has the tools for the project and has been interested in photography since borrowing his first film camera while in college. He started shooting images with classic Kodak black-and-white Tri-X film, and took the skills he developed with him around the world, preparing marketing and development materials for SEND International.
Eventually, black-and-white film projects turned into color slide images and multimedia presentations that then turned into video presentations. He focused exclusively on SEND work in the 1980s and 1990s. He moved to preparing a range
Left: Erb’s Bridge on Erb’s Bridge Road in Lititzof digital projects before he retired from full-time work in 2013. After retirement he and Liz continued to teach English in China until their program was closed in 2018. The camera was a vital tool in preparing materials for teaching English and recruiting volunteers for their program.
“SEND International is not affiliated with any denomination; it is a faith mission operated solely on gifts, grants and funds raised from marketing efforts,” Dave says. “My wife and I were fortunate to be able to tell the stories of people serving people throughout the world, who helped change lives and communities, which brought new global workers and donors to the organization.”
In retirement, in addition to photographing the covered bridges, Dave also uses his photography skills to explore nature, landscapes and wildlife in and around Pennsylvania, as well as on longer trips. “I have simplified my photography equipment, which makes my camera bag a lot lighter,” Dave says. “I use a digital camera and find the Nikon D750 suits my needs with a full-frame (25 mp) image. I have three lenses for it but my favorite lens for almost anything is a 24-120mm medium zoom with a fixed f-stop of 4.0. This allows me to shoot without artificial light from dawn to dusk and take advantage of the changing light, especially with the bridges.”
It didn’t take Dave long to start photographing the iconic Lancaster County bridges, most of which were constructed by members of the Plain Communities. “My research told me there were 26 bridges in the county and most were fairly close to New Holland. My first bridge photographed was the Pinetown Covered Bridge, when a couple of students asked me to take their engagement photo there many years ago. Since moving here, I discovered the Hunsecker Bridge nearby.”
During the past four years, the Givenses have visited each bridge multiple times during different seasons and at different times of the day. “With most of these structures spanning creeks,” Dave says,
“I was literally fishing for the right setting—season and light—to capture the artistic beauty of the structure, sometimes even shooting up from under the bridge.”
Dave has learned one of the problems with historic covered bridges in the 21st century: modern, wide farming equipment has difficulty negotiating their narrow width. “Heavy farming equipment takes its toll on the 100-year or older wood trusses,” he adds.
Many covered bridges on well-traveled roads have been replaced by modern, two-lane, uncovered steel and cement structures. Some of the historic covered bridges are preserved and remain at tourist locations, such as the Poole Forge Bridge in Narvon, Pennsylvania, off of Route 23, about six miles east of Garden Spot Village. It is now the centerpiece of the historic Poole Forge complex, which is open to the public and a popular site for couples to take engagement and wedding photos.
Lancaster County can’t claim the oldest covered bridge in the country. That honor goes to Cooperstown, New York, where the Hyde Hall Covered Bridge, built in 1825, still stands in Glimmerglass State Park. And if you are wondering about the covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa, made famous by the film, six of them remain, combining the rustic and romantic charm of another era with feats of engineering that have withstood the test of time.
Among the Givenses’ favorite Lancaster County covered bridges are six within close driving distance of Garden Spot Village:
• Bitzer’s Mill Covered Bridge on Cats Back Road spans the Conestoga River. Built in 1846, this is the oldest in-use covered bridge in the county and the closest covered bridge to Garden Spot Village.
• Erb’s Bridge on Erb’s Bridge Road in Lititz lies in an open area of farmland where you can hike up a hill to take in the entire panorama.
• Hunsecker’s Mill Bridge on Hunsecker Road. At 180 feet it is the longest singlespan bridge in Lancaster County. The Givenses cross the bridge frequently on their way to church.
• Pinetown Covered Bridge is near the intersection of Butter Road, Pinetown Road, and Bridge Road, not far from Route 272. In the woods nearby is a lovely old stone arch bridge.
• Poole Forge Bridge at 131 South Poole Forge Road, Narvon, is located in a beautiful park. It is no longer used for the main flow of traffic, but you can drive through it in the park.
• Weaver’s Mill Covered Bridge on Weaverland Road in East Earl is not far from Poole Forge Bridge. It is nestled among gracious farms and has an 85-foot span across the Conestoga River.
Above: Weaver’s Mill Covered Bridge on Weaverland Road in East Earl
On March 27, 2022, Ed and Linda Wyckoff, Garden Spot Village residents since May 2016, loaded up their GMC Sierra pickup truck and headed south to Chapin, South Carolina. It was day one of a five-week, 7,300-mile adventure across the country.
Their first stop was Chapin, where they spent several days with Linda’s sister and her family at a villa on Lake Murray. They then headed west, with the goal of seeing the southwestern part of the United States.
For Ed, a road trip from New Holland, Pennsylvania, to Nevada was a breeze. A retired truck driver and safety instructor, Ed was recognized for two million safe driving miles before he retired.
Along the way, the couple enjoyed the beauty and rich history of the United States. They stopped in Shamrock, Texas, Williams, Arizona and other small towns. Highlights of their trip included a four-hour, chartered helicopter ride through the Grand Canyon, with views of Lake Meade and the Hoover Dam. In Las Vegas, Nevada, they enjoyed a Vegas Mob Tour, on which they learned about the history of the city, including stories about the people who built Las Vegas and the homes where movie stars lived.
In Tombstone, Arizona, a historic stagecoach tour included history about the wild, untamed western town. Tucson, Arizona, found them exploring the Pima Air and Space Museum and finding history at every turn. “We were like kids in a candy store,” Linda says. “It was our first trip since COVID and we just couldn’t wait to explore as much as we could.” A shortcut suggested by the GPS found them on a fourwheel-drive road that even the locals won’t use!
For Linda, the trip brought back vivid memories of a cross-country trip she and a friend had made 50 years ago. As young professionals, the women arranged for a leave of absence from their nursing jobs and took seven weeks to drive across the country. That 9,000-mile adventure included visits to as many national parks as they could find and found the girls on the West Coast, exploring San Diego and San Francisco before they returned home to New Jersey. “I’m so glad I had that experience,” Linda reminisces.
In addition to encountering so much history, Ed and Linda were encouraged by the feeling of community they experienced as they drove across the country. “We found people to be congenial and very nice everywhere we stopped,” Linda comments.
They celebrated their 40th anniversary in Moriarty, New Mexico. Because it was a Sunday, no other restaurants were open, so they had dinner at Lisa’s Grill, a small restaurant in a truck stop. “It was so appropriate,” Linda laughs, “you know, with Ed being a truck driver for most of his career.”
When they needed an oil change for their truck, they stopped at a GMC dealership in Tucson. As they were conversing with the staff about why they were traveling and why they had chosen that particular dealer, Ed explained that he worked for Turner GMC in New Holland part-time, so of course they would visit a GMC dealership for service. “When it was time to pay the bill, they offered us an employee discount. They treated us like we were family,” Linda says.
They returned to Garden Spot on Saturday, April 30. “It was a wonderful adventure,” Linda says. “It was an opportunity to recenter our priorities. We listened to The Message on SiriusXM all 7,000 miles and tried not to listen to the news. It was the best thing we could have done.”
As locals and visitors both know, escaping into the great outdoors of Lancaster County is one of the best ways to experience various breathtaking landscapes. It’s truly fresh-air fun!
Many people especially love to get out onto and along the Susquehanna River, Lancaster County’s western border. From hiking and biking trails to varied levels of rock climbing to kayaking and paddleboarding its sparkling waters, the mighty Susquehanna offers many options for outdoor activity. Plus, a plethora of restaurants along the river offer postactivity food and drink options.
Another beautiful and relaxing water-based activity is heading to Sickman’s Mill and tubing down Pequea Creek. Upon your return to the mill you can enjoy food and entertainment at Jimmy’s Place. Lancaster County also offers great fishing and boating at places like Speedwell Forge Lake, the Conestoga River and Muddy Run Park.
If exploring terra firma is more your thing, there are hiking options throughout Lancaster County’s 2,000-plus acres of parkland, whose features and terrain are many and varied. You can also hike and bike along numerous area trails, such as the Warwick to Ephrata Rail Trail and the Enola Low Grade Trail. The Enola Low Grade Trail includes an incredible view of the recently opened Safe Harbor railroad trestle.
Amazing views are the specialty of Refreshing Mountain Retreat & Adventure Center as well. Refreshing Mountain’s
campus includes tree canopy zipline courses and different combinations of an elevated obstacle course that can incorporate up to 22 challenge elements. Other outdoor adventures at Refreshing Mountain include horseback riding, archery and swimming.
Another not-your-everyday touring experience that will take you plenty high up in the air is a flight with Lancaster Balloon Rides. There’s nothing like a hot air balloon to give you a panoramic sense of the beauty of Lancaster County’s farmlands.
Closer to the ground but still a unique tour is any of the many themed guided rides provided by Strasburg Scooters (with an additional location in Bird-in-Hand). Prefer to explore on four legs rather than two or three wheels? Head to Stone Gables Estate for an easygoing horseback ride through their gorgeous property with an experienced equestrian guide.
Whatever your recreational interest or pleasure, you’ll likely find it in Lancaster County. So get planning and then simply get out! Your choices are as wide open as our countryside. Plan your Lancaster County adventure at www.discoverlancaster.org.
Edward Harris is President and CEO of Discover Lancaster, the county’s official destination marketing organization for the tourism industry. Prior to joining Discover Lancaster, Harris served as Chief Marketing Officer at the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board, as well as held brand management roles at Nike Inc. (Converse), eBay, Under Armor, and Timberland.
On any given Saturday afternoon, Lynne Kokotiuk can be found at Shady Maple Smorgasbord, where she works as a hostess to thousands of people. Her shifts alternate from 8am–2pm and 2pm–8pm. And she loves it!
“I’ve always had a job where I can help people or provide a service for them. Helping people is very fulfilling for me,” Lynne, a Garden Spot Village resident since November 2014, explains. “As a hostess at Shady Maple, my job is to make sure the customers feel welcome. People travel far distances to experience Shady
Maple. One day I met a couple who had traveled all the way from Michigan to eat there. They enjoyed their meal thoroughly and said Shady Maple was well worth the trip.”
Lynne started working at Shady Maple in October 2021. Her good friend and fellow Garden Spot Village resident, Anne Treadwell, spoke highly of her job at Shady Maple, so Lynne applied.
Lynne appreciates her supervisors and co-workers. “It’s like working with friends,” she says. She enjoys working with peers, as well as high school students. Her supervisors provide training and support. They are always available to answer questions, provide solutions and are open to suggestions.
She is very impressed with her high school co-workers. They are always pleasant, motivated and very responsible. She also appreciates the leadership team at Shady Maple. “Phil Weaver, the owner, is an excellent employer, who is hands-on and knows the operations inside and out. He is fair, generous and provides many benefits to all his employees,” Lynne comments.
As guests are finishing their experience at Shady Maple, Lynne follows up with them by asking, “Did we meet your expectations?” When they answer with an enthusiastic yes, it makes her day!
Main
Sales: 717.354.8808 Service: 717.354.8505
Keystone Quality Motors, a family-owned business, offering complete vehicle service and pre-owned vehicle sales. Call today to schedule your appointment.
The Keystone Advantage Includes:
• Free Courtesy Vehicles
• Free Pickup & Delivery
• Digital Vehicle Inspection
• State-of-the-art Alignment
• Sales Warranty
• Repair Insurance
• ASE Certified Mechanics
• AAA Certified Repair
• Custom Vehicle Search
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even if one of them needs memory support. To
more or schedule a tour, call 717.355.6271.
he truth is, video is here to stay and I think it’s important that we do it well,” says Micah Durling. Micah owns M.R. Sterling Productions, a full service media company with his wife, Rebecca Durling.
Together, the Durlings do a variety of videography projects such as promotional videos, testimonials and television commercials. Rebecca also expanded her work into real estate photography, and coowns Vivid Home Real Estate Photography.
M.R. Sterling uses videography to promote storytelling, because video is a compelling resource to generate powerful responses and actions from viewers. In this respect, one of Micah’s favorite types
of projects are legacy videos, which record and share people’s life stories to preserve them for current and future generations. As Micah says, “So much is lost when we lose a loved one. Video is a powerful tool in this regard. Because it’s digital, it captures the stories permanently; the smiles remain bright and the voice doesn’t fade.” M.R. Sterling ensures the longevity of each video by offering quality archival storage guaranteed to last for a full one hundred years.
The Durlings prize their relationships with their clients, and they work hard to ensure quality customer service every time. For them, it is very important to begin each project with a foundation of trust. Videography requires flexibility, and having that basis of trust makes
overcoming challenges much easier. Says Micah, “We want clients to know that we’re willing to go the extra mile for them; we feel strongly that that kind of reliability is important.”
For Rebecca, branching into real estate photography was a natural transition from the work she was doing with M.R. Sterling. “There is an ever-increasing need for video in the real estate marketplace,” she says, “and adding photography to our business was a logical step to better serve our customers.”
Photography gives her the opportunity to build relationships with both homeowners and real estate agents, as well as with builders, contractors, Airbnb owners and more. Photos in each of these situations influence the selling price significantly; Rebecca wants to give her clients the best foot forward so they can attract potential buyers and sell their homes quickly, and for a good value.
M.R. Sterling and Vivid Home Real Estate Photography are both located in New Holland and provide booking information online.
READ MORE: mrsterlingproductions.com vividhomephotos.com
15 Saturday Evening Concert Series
George Wesner, Radio City Organist. For residents and the public.
A free community meal at CrossNet Youth Center.
For the public.
21 Saturday Evening Concert Series
Brenton McGee, soloist. For residents and the public.
A free community meal at CrossNet Youth Center. For the public.
Linden offers the latest trends with distinctive apparel, jewelry, and unique merchandise, as well as greeting cards, local foods, frozen treats and grocery essentials.
19 Saturday Evening Concert Series
Auscultation Brass. For residents and the public.
Train lovers of all ages can enjoy model train layouts Saturdays in November and December.
Open House dates also include December 3, 10, 17, 21, 23 and 30. For residents and the public.
Discover handcrafted wood items, stained glass, pottery, paintings, quilts, jewelry and more—all made by talented craftsmen who live at Garden Spot Village.
A free community meal at CrossNet Youth Center.
For the public.
Join us for family-friendly events, handcrafted gifts, a Train Room Open House and a tree lighting.
Enjoy New Holland’s Christmas on Main festivities as well!
For residents and the public.
18 Saturday Evening Concert Series
Susquehanna Slide Express. For residents and the public.
22 Look and Learn
A luncheon to learn more about life at Garden Spot Village. Visit gsvlookandlearn.org to learn more and register. For the public 55+
A free community meal at CrossNet Youth Center. For the public.
18 Saturday Evening Concert Series
Inspiration in Perfect Harmony. For residents and the public.
24 Kids Fun Run
Join the cheering crowd as children ages 6-12 compete in a Fun Run. For residents, guests and the public.
25 Garden Spot Village 1/2 Marathon & 10K
Share & Care Thrift Shop offers an ever-evolving collection of lightlyused furniture, housewares, jewelry and home decor.
Mainliners Barbershop Chorus. For residents and the public.
A free community meal at CrossNet Youth Center. For the public.
Visit gsv.run for more information. For residents and the public.
The above schedule is subject to change. For current listings, visit gardenspotvillage.org/events or contact Resident Services at 717.355.6000
For additional information and store hours vist: gardenspotvillage.org/shopping
Beth Ann Vulopas, Managing Principal
