DREAM
Plan to age with confidence
In your own home
SmartLife VIA Willow Valley is a long-term care program for older adults to take a proactive approach to stay in their homes. The program balances independence with lifelong security by offering high-quality services for future care. SmartLife delivers care coordination, companion services, personal and nursing care, all while safeguarding assets.
To stay independent, planning is essential. Your plan should include how and where you want to grow older. It should advocate for you, respect your choices, and help you stay healthy while remaining in your home.
To learn how SmartLife allows you to stay in your own home while benefitting from the security and support of a senior living community, we invite you to attend an upcoming information session.
Jay and Betty Ann, Members since 2023
8 TRENDING IN TOWN
Make your own candle at The Gleeful Candle Co.
10
SHOP IN STYLE
Get in the fall feels with these cozy and contemporary goods
12 16
PEOPLE & PLACES
Find style and sustainability at this shoppable cottage
LIVE WELL
How your voice can be a part of changing the community
24 20
FOODIE FINDS
Meet the local baker behind Elizabethtown’s sweet spot
DISH
IT UP
Level up your hosting with these recipes for a house party
40
FIVE THINGS
Five ways to make the most of your space
28 Departments Feature
DREAM HOME COME TRUE
This year’s dream home blends custom and contemporary together
ON THE COVER
An EGStoltzfus custom home, located in Lancaster’s Brooklawn neighborhood
by Karlo Gesner
Photography
The Home, The Sanctuary
A home is much more than a building you live in. It’s a sanctuary. A safe haven. Your piece of peace in a bustling, hectic world. A space to find sanity and solace, to slow down and to breathe when life is demanding you to go, go, go. A creative outlet and a place to gather with loved ones.
This issue is dedicated to the home. And we’re excited to reveal this year’s dream home, found in a quiet but lively Lancaster neighborhood. This contemporary mid-century modern home is a 3,260-square-foot custom build by EGStoltzfus and includes features like a spacious prep kitchen, sleek black cabinetry and a luxurious walk-in mosaic tile shower. On page 28, learn why the brilliant design and stunning details of this year’s dream home pick make it truly a dream home come true.
Turn to page 12, and you’ll read about how you can make your own home feel more like your dream home with MG Mercantile. Located in the heart of Mt. Gretna, MG Mercantile is a whimsical, shoppable
Katy Shero Editor | kshero@susquehannastyle.com
cottage that channels the town’s neighborly and vibrant spirit. You’ll find classy charcuterie accessories, innovative DIY cocktails and sustainable and eco-friendly products—all must-haves in the home.
Pair the mercantile’s goods with the recipes on page 21, and you’re ready for any house party—whether you dare to host one in your own home this season or are looking to bring something memorable and stand out as the life of the party at someone else’s.
For more inspiration to add the party to your space, flip to page 10 to find our favorite items curated from Gray Apple Market. Or, maybe you’re focusing on purging the home this fall and keeping it simple. If so, page 40 shares tips to maintain a tidy, organized and efficient space daily.
Whatever type of home you love or however you choose to utilize your space, what matters most is the memories made inside. It’s one of many people’s guilty pleasures to browse Zillow listings and Pinterest boards of “dream homes” and imagine what it’d be like to live in such a space. Ultimately, however, the dream home comes down to you. This season, gather. Organize. Create. Make your dreams come true. Your dreams start at home. The home is a sanctuary. It’s your sanctuary.
PRESIDENT/CEO
Paul Prass
VICE PRESIDENT/COO
Lisa Prass
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
Theresa Stoddard
EDITOR
Katy Shero
DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES
Mike Matuczinski
ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES
Sherry Bolinger, Kate Hunter
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Madison Eckert
CONTRIBUTORS
Rachel Curry, Diane McCormick, Kylie Stoltzfus, Alysha Yoder
PHOTOGRAPHER
Bill Ecklund, Karlo Gesner
PROOFREADER
Erin Cramer
ACCOUNTING
Donna Bachman, Kim Kressman, Sarah Varano
CONTACT US:
Editorial: Send your compliments, comments, story ideas and suggestions to: Editor, Susquehanna Style (ISSN# 1540-0875), 202 Butler Avenue, Suite 102, Lancaster, PA 17601; or tstoddard@susquehannastyle.com.
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AGING MYTHS
Blogger Deb Lynch discusses the myths and realities around aging
GARDENING THROUGH THE SEASONS
Tips to keep your garden thriving throughout fall and all year round
HOW DO I TEACH MY CHILD TO BE MORE ORGANIZED?
Professional organizer Mara Clements talks with a child psychologist about how to help children organize rooms, toys and academic work
FIVE WAYS TO COZY UP YOUR HOME THIS FALL
Welcome the season with these fabulous fall ideas for the home
Lifestyle
GOODS TO GATHER
Check out Mt. Gretna's new shoppable cottage, offering sustainable and memorable gifts. Read more on page 12.
Creating AND Crafting THE PERFECT CANDLE
“I’d like to take this moment to congratulate you,” Bianca Facendo said. “You’re all official candlemakers!” Cheers filled the room, and I felt accomplished. Customizing and labeling my own one-of-a-kind candle—well, I had some help with the label—is worth celebrating.
BY DIANE MCCORMICK
ABOUT THE GLEEFUL CANDLE CO.
I was at The Gleeful Candle Co., Facendo’s unique boutique where guests step out of their daily lives for an hour and create their own scented candles. It’s a cheery little space that, since opening in June 2022, has added to Main Street Mechanicsburg’s bohemian charm. Facendo leads classes pumped full of energy. On this Wednesday night, seven workshop attendees launched our candle making journey to the beat of Sia’s “Cheap Thrills.” Facendo bounced forward to introduce herself and her infectiously good vibe.
“I love arts and crafts, creating something out of nothing,” she explained. “That’s magic.” During the pandemic, she found so much joy in candle making that she had to share it as a creative outlet for others. She had a good idea and a dream. She just needed to find a space and make it so. “And it really happened in that magical order,” she said. Her search led to Mechanicsburg, where she decorated an old storefront in calming pinks and ivories, stringing globe lights overhead.
Visit The Gleeful Candle Co. for yourself!
62 W Main St, Mechanicsburg, PA thegleefulcandle.com
CREATING THE CANDLE
On this night, mother and daughter Anne and Abbey shared my table, there to enjoy a Christmas gift card. “Sometimes, we don’t need things,” Anne told me. “It’s just fun to go and do.” Facendo guided us through each step. Our stations were stocked with materials. Seven-ounce candle jar with wick. Stirring stick. Notepaper headed “Scents I love here.”
Yes, the scents. The fun part. About 20 candle-specific oils lined the center of the table. They were clean and neutral, like Eucalyptus. Floral and fruity, like Lemon Lavender. Tropical, like Beachwalk and Pineapple. Facendo instructed us to sniff and note the ones we like.
“All we’re doing is sniffing and writing, sniffing and writing,” she said. “There’s no such thing as too many scents.”
Then we combined drops to find just the right combo of two or three oils. I landed on Seashore and Caribbean Nights. We filled a vial with 15 drops at a time of each chosen oil, carefully seeking the right balance. As my beachy ideal took shape, I added a hint of citrus surprise with a few drops of the popular Goji Tarocco Orange.
In the meantime, Facendo invited us to a set of hot plates, where we slowly stirred soy wax shards into liquid. “Soy wax produces less soot and is less irritating to the lungs,” she told us. Then we poured oil into the wax and the wax mixture into the glass. Finally, Facendo asked us to name our candle and create a label.
“Decisions, decisions,” said my tablemate Abbey. “From scents to names.”
“I could just name it Ralph,” I said. But I kept the beach vibe going. Beach Sunrise? Yoga on the Beach? Dolphin Watch?
THE END RESULT
Dolphin Days, I decided. Facendo then helped me draw a perfect dolphin, complete with splashing water, for the finishing touch, the label. When I reached Facendo a few days after picking up my candle, I told her I was still waiting for the ideal moment to burn it. I wasn’t alone. Many customers tell her, “I just love the aroma of it sitting on my coffee table.”
Her workshops always offer something new. Scents change to reflect the seasons. Themed workshops might feature coffee scents or a harpist playing. Parents and grandparents can bring kids ages 10 and up. Husbands and boyfriends arrive apprehensive and leave engaged and proud of their creations.
Facendo makes every customer feel welcomed with her buoyant personality. It’s all wrapped up in the name of her enterprise, which was her first leap into a brick-andmortar business. She settled on the little-used “gleeful” to “personify the actual candle.”
“I wanted to put energy toward the candles that we’re making,” she said. “It encompasses the experience and the candle that you go home with.”
YOU SET THE NARRATIVE
Incorporate comfort, contemporary style and class into your space and make any home a dream home with a handpicked collection of goods, found and new, from Gray Apple Market.
GRAY APPLE MARKET
2700 N Susquehanna Trail, York grayapplemarket.com
1. Fall Floral Stem, $6
2. Vintage Rice Wine Jar, $72
3. Fall Candle, $29
4. Wooden Ladder, $102
5. Fringe Throw, $42
6. Marble Coaster Set, $13
7. Hammered Brass Containers, $10 & $12
8. Ball Vase, $6
9. Crochet Pot Holder, $8
10. Vintage Gray Pot, $452
11. Faux Brown Hydrangea Stem, $20
12. Woven Leather Tote, $64
13. Faux Autumn Wreath, $250
14. Fabric Pumpkin, $31
15. Papier-Mâché Bowls, $30 & $40
16. Ravine Jug, $83
17. Fall Potpourri, $32
18. Table Runner, $28
For more furnishings, visit 100+ vendors at Gray Apple Market’s Fall Flea on September 14 and 15. 2950 Lewisberry Road, York
Goods to Gather
MT. GRETNA’S NEW SHOPPABLE COTTAGE INSPIRES COMMUNITY AND GATHERING THROUGH SUSTAINABLE GOODS AND MEMORABLE GIFTS
BY KATY SHERO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARLO GESNER
Homely front porches sit under cozy canopies of trees and whimsical string lights. They swell with laughter, chatter and liveliness whether it’s a Friday night or a Tuesday morning. The surrounding wooded wonderland is a soothing slice of seclusion to break away from life’s hecticness, yet the warmth and presence of others lingers. Pass by one of these porches, and it’s not unusual to get a welcoming “Hello” and an invite to join the party.
This is the spirit of Mt. Gretna, Pennsylvania's only Chautauqua community. It was founded on the Chautauqua movement of introducing art, culture and recreation into the community, aiming to inspire and unify people.
The core of Mt. Gretna is quite literally to gather (hence, the front-facing porches, encouraging conversation with passersby). And few things embody a quintessential Mt. Gretna get-together like snacking on a charcuterie spread, savoring homemade cocktails and swapping nostalgia of summers spent by the lake and in the ice cream parlor.
Tanya Mann has come to know this vibrant and neighborly spirit well. Six years ago, she bought a house with her husband in Mt. Gretna with no initial intentions to live in the town full time.
“At first, I was like, ‘This is not what I want at all.’ … We lived in a condo in Philadelphia … and I wanted a place out of the city, and I wanted to have like three acres, no neighbors … nothing,” she says. “My husband fell in love with the house we ended up buying, and it was the best decision ever because we have the most wonderful neighbors and a million friends. It was like one of those examples of not getting what you wanted was way better than what you thought you wanted.”
Now, Mann has fallen so in love with her community that she recently opened MG Mercantile. Located right in the heart of the town, she says the “village shop” is meant to encapsulate the same inviting and hospitable vibe of Mt. Gretna.
“The whole history of Mt. Gretna has been people coming together to enjoy being together, and I think that spirit just lives on for over the last 100 years,” she says.
In Mann’s “shoppable cottage,” guests enter through a garden followed by a front porch. The rooms inside replicate a foyer, pantry, kitchen, dining room, library and snug (a den-like room inspired by a pub that holds alcoholic and non-alcoholic spirits, unique garnishes and sweet rim sugars the mercantile offers for a DIY high-end cocktail).
Artisan Chesapeake Bay-seasoned linguine and health-conscious organic tomato sauces are found in the pantry. Locally farmed mango fire cheddar cheese and a selection of charcuterie meats are in the kitchen. Try allergen-friendly oat milk chocolate and a fifth-generation family-run Pennsylvania brand of candy in the dining room.
“For me, it’s like, ‘What are the curated items that would be a part of a nicely stocked pantry? What would be the hard goods I’d want in my kitchen? What would be the things I’d want on my dining room table?’ That’s how I select things,” Mann says.
There’s also Swedish dishcloths (which she got from Sweden herself while visiting her mother there), coconut husk cleaning brushes (inspired by a trip to Sri Lanka), and French sea salt.
Having moved around the world various times, with roots in places like Sweden, England (specifically London, her birthplace) and the United States, Mann says her travels have given her the privilege to see how communities all over the world live and shop.
“I think in the U.S., we have these really big shops that have so much variety, which is wonderful … but you also end up overwhelmed sometimes with choosing between hundreds of cereals,” she says. “Most of the world is not like that. I feel like I’ve been really influenced by visits around the world to just the little shop down the lane, down the street, that somehow has like everything you need and not more.”
Though the goods in each room are ever changing and cater to the season, Mann says their commonality is that they are high quality, sustainable and useful for any occasion.
“People like stories behind their products. If I buy a tea towel, I don’t necessarily want it to be from a big-box retailer. I want to know that it was like a British illustration turned into a tea towel,” she says. “We want [our goods] to be from a sustainable source, or hopefully they support a family or a good business … something that you care about. I think if you have prettier or nicer things, they are going to be reused and won’t be as disposable. It’s nice to know there’s more intentionality behind the products.”
A story lives in the literal walls of MG Mercantile, too. The building was formerly a bank, a real estate office and someone’s unfinished home project. Mann says people best remember the building as the former bank and love reminiscing every time they stop in. They remember where they got lollipops, opened their first safe-deposit box or even where they signed for the cottage they bought decades earlier.
“I think Mt. Gretna holds a lot of nostalgia and sentimentality for so many people, and people from Central PA, who have really fun memories of being here,” she adds.
Whether shoppers are year-round Mt. Gretna residents, short-term renters or day-trippers, Mann believes the mercantile can appeal to everyone, and there’s something to be said about a Chautauqua community and a life of gathering.
“Gretna is a convivial, social place, and it’s nice to gather and go to your neighbor’s house and bring a present,” she says. “Everyone who comes here has some story of why they came to Gretna, and I think that just makes it a special place. … And they want to bring home a little piece of Gretna with them, too. Everyone wants to have a little moment of feeling special.”
MG Mercantile
501 PA Route 117, Mt. Gretna, PA
717-675-9730
mgmercantile.com
@mgmercantile
Voices for Change
BY KATY SHERO
Black women have worse outcomes in cancer diagnoses than white women. The American Cancer Society is determined to figure out why, and is calling on the community for help.
The human race has been making remarkable strides in the sphere of health and health care for decades. Organizations, like the American Cancer Society, have spent hundreds of thousands of hours researching, studying and contributing to the communities we live in.
Population-based cohort studies are one part of these contributions. These studies follow groups of people over a long period of time and examine their characteristics, environments and outcomes. Such studies have led to impactful long-term changes, like a decrease in adult male smokers in the United States from 50% to today’s 15%, the enactment of smoke-free policies and the development of innovative therapies and programs for addictions.
Yet, despite the advancements made, there are still significant gaps in health care equality and major disparities in health outcomes for Black communities—in particular, for Black women.
“We know that for Black women, if they are diagnosed with breast cancer, as an example, they are actually 40% more likely to die of that breast cancer diagnosis than a white woman, and we don’t fully understand why,” Dr. Alpa Patel, senior vice president of population science at the American Cancer Society, says.
Patel, along with the American Cancer Society, is determined to change that. The organization has been doing large population studies for more than 70 years, and now, she’s co-leading one of their most pivotal ones yet: VOICES of Black Women.
VOICES of Black Women is a groundbreaking study “calling on Black women from all walks of life” to participate in figuring out why Black women have worse outcomes in cancer diagnoses and improving the health of Black women overall.
“There’s a lot we need to understand about how disease develops in Black women, what’s leading to differences in the types of diseases that are presenting in Black women, and then how to intervene, so we can actually change what those outcomes are,” Patel says. “That was really the motivation for us.”
The study is calling on Black women between the ages of 25 and 55 who have never been diagnosed with cancer (with the exception of basal cell carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma) and live in one of the 20 selected states that contain 90% of Black women living in the U.S.
One of these states is Pennsylvania, home to around 1.4 million Black residents (male and female) who make up almost 13% of the state’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Susquehanna Valley is home to a flourishing population of Black women, and Dauphin County has the third highest percentage of Black residents overall in Pennsylvania, at 20.7%.
“We want to be able to capture women from all different geographies. … We’re looking for women who are motivated to help us understand how to improve the health of their community, the health of other Black women, today, and in the future, because the information we glean from this study will give us actionable ways to change what health looks like,” Patel says.
She adds that the goal is to enroll 100,000 Black women in the study and observe their lives and journeys over the next several years.
“We want our study participants to share about how they live, work and play, about their family medical history and other information through completing surveys,” she says. “We’re not asking you to take any sort of interventional medication. We’re not asking you to take a pill or go to clinic visits or do anything
different than what you already do. What we want to understand is what your lived experiences are.”
Patel says VOICES of Black Women is important for communities like the Susquehanna Valley because of the population of Black women that resides in all six counties, and inequalities in health negatively influence everyone whether you identify as Black or not.
“I continue to see shock when I rattle off some of these statistics about the disparities that exist as it relates to cancer, but these health inequalities aren’t just limited to cancer. We know that they exist for maternal mortality … diabetes and cardiovascular disease and a lot of other health outcomes,” Patel says. “This is just a part of the health equality work we do at the American Cancer Society.”
Patel encourages any Black woman who meets the criteria to sign up and enroll in the study. She says participants will first fill out a consent form explaining what the study is, as well as a lifestyle and medical survey that takes around an hour. After the initial enrollment, all participants need to do is fill out one 30-minute-long survey every six months.
And if you have any Black friends or loved ones, she says, make sure to spread the word and do your part in helping to eliminate cancer and health disparities from all communities.
“This is an opportunity to honor someone in your own life who has been affected by cancer. That may be a family member, and that may be a friend or a coworker. There are not many of us who have not seen someone in our circle who has been affected by cancer. This is really an easy way to honor those individuals,” Patel says.
To participate in the study or learn more about it, visit voices.cancer.org. To learn more about cancer, resources, and how to join the fight to eliminate cancer from your community, go to cancer.org
VOILÀ VALOSH!
A taste of France right in the Susquehanna Valley.
Read more on page 20.
Eat & Drink
Voilà Valosh!
VALERIA GARCIA IS PERFECTING PÂTISSERIE IN THE HEART OF ELIZABETHTOWN
BY KYLIE STOLTZFUS | PHOTOGRAPHY
BY BILL ECKLUND
If you walk by Valosh Pâtisserie on a Saturday morning, the buttery and decadent smell of freshly baked croissants is enough to pull you right into the shop. Behind the pastry case filled with rows of intricately assembled pavlova, macarons and tarts, you’ll find Valeria Garcia in the kitchen, prepping, piping and perfecting every last detail of the treats she’s crafted.
Garcia’s baking career began at a pastry school in Puerto Rico, where she grew up.
“I grew up with a family that cooks [because] in Puerto Rico, it’s very cultural to eat good food,” she says. “Dessert-wise, I kind of started from a cake from a box mix.”
After graduating high school, instead of launching directly into a baking career, Garcia pursued a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
“I always said since I was a kid that I wanted to have my pastry shop next to my accounting office. That was a dream of mine,” she says.
A couple of years into that journey, she transferred to a pastry school and fell in love with the art of pâtisserie. After finishing her degree, she craved more training and preparation, so she traveled
to France to dig deeper into classical French techniques. From there, Garcia moved to the United States to find a job in the pastry industry, working with chefs in New York, serving at restaurants and returning to her accounting roots working at a bank. With a pandemic unfolding, she decided to prioritize her love of baking, quitting her job and selling pastries from home. One year later, Garcia opened Valosh Pâtisserie in Elizabethtown—her flagship bakery, named after a nickname she received from classmates during her internship in Paris.
Valosh Pâtisserie is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., but Garcia works every day behind the scenes to prepare for business hours, with a multiday preparation process. Each delicate cream, custard and filling is prepared at the beginning of the week, with the following days consumed by the creation of tart shells, pâte à choux and pavlovas. Finally, everything is filled, assembled and ready to be enjoyed.
From traveling and experiencing new ingredients to sipping a juice that has a unique flavor combination, Garcia draws inspiration for her pastries from everyday life. But her greatest inspiration are the memories she carries with her.
Celebrate With Us!
A Quar ter Centur y of Excellence
Life is lived through our experiences. Experience our location. Experience our lifestyle. Experience opportunities. Visit Freedom Village Brandywine–where experience is everything!
Call 484-776-7179 or visit our website FVBrandywine.com to learn more about the incredible lifestyle that has been keeping our residents thriving for a quarter of a century!
“Most of the pastries that we do at the shop, they’re specifically done with a low sugar taste, but then there’s a story behind them as well, with flavors. Everything I bake, I [am] emotionally attached to it,” Garcia says. “Having the time and [the] space to create it, that works wonders for me. Instead of following a recipe or having something that stays the same, I love switching the menu.”
Whether she is making a cake with a recipe passed down in her family over four generations or intentionally pairing flavors like strawberry and rhubarb because they remind her of time spent in France, Garcia curates a selection of pastries that aim to evoke the same feelings within her customers.
“Especially the croissants … we serve them hot [and] bake them early in the morning, right at 7:30, before people come in,” she says. “They will take that first bite and [they] roll their eyes, and they’re like, ‘This tastes like France. … I was transported.’”
Valosh Pâtisserie is an open-concept bakery, with pastries being made right in front of the guests.
“Right when you enter, you will see the kitchen,” Garcia says. “When I was looking for a space, I wanted people to be able to see where we work so they can see how we work [and] so they can trust what they were eating.”
Beyond serving delicious pastries in Elizabethtown, Valosh Pâtisserie has set out to educate people on the basics of pastry. Twice a month, Garcia opens her bakery to the public, teaching pastry lessons that aim to make intimidating techniques more accessible.
“Sometimes people think that [baking is] a hard thing to do,” she says “Learning online sometimes can be hard, but if you’re like a more visual person and you see that someone just did that right in front of you, people feel comfortable.”
From hands-on pastry lessons to the conversations that happen while customers select which pastries they want to savor, Garcia treasures the relationships she’s developed with the regulars who visit her shop each weekend.
“There’s a couple clients that have [been] loyal since day one,” she says. “Since it’s a small town, the vibe is literally like family.”
Valosh Pâtisserie
23 E High St, Elizabethtown 717-608-2224
tastevalosh.com @tastevalosh
The Price is Right Live! with celebrity host Todd Newton October 11
Charlie Berens Good Old Fashioned Tour
Todd Rundgren ME/WE
Béla Fleck
Life of the Party
Start the fall season by gathering with loved ones and enjoying these stunning and sensational recipes you can make whether you’re hosting a get-together in your own home, attending a housewarming party or just looking to celebrate!
RECIPES AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY A-YO KITCHEN
Tip
• Try this recipe with other fruit juices as well! You can pick a juice to match your party’s theme colors.
TART CHERRY FRENCH 75
A twist on the classic French 75. This is almost like an adult Shirley Temple!
4 oz gin
2 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed
2 oz grenadine
2 oz tart cherry juice
12 oz dry champagne (like brut)
Optional Garnishes: Fresh cherries or maraschino cherries, lemon twist or wedge
Instructions
1. Combine all ingredients but the champagne in a large shaker with ice.
2. Strain and divide into four champagne flutes. Top with champagne.
3. Serve and enjoy immediately.
Alysha Yoder is the photographer, food stylist, blogger and recipe developer behind A-Yo Kitchen. With a passion for all things food, many of her recipes are inspired by her worldly travels, her many cooking classes abroad and all the veggies and fruits her home gardens produce. She has been a photographer for 15-plus years and previously worked in the corporate food sector for almost 10. She now is a small business owner running her studio, A-Yo Kitchen, out of York, PA, where she serves not only local clients, but those worldwide as well. ayokitchen.com, ayokitchen@gmail.com, @ayokitchen
Tip
• For the best crème brûlée topping, use turbinado or demerara sugar!
ESPRESSO CRÈME BRÛLÉE
Adding espresso to your crème brûlée creates a creamy dessert all of your guests will love!
2 cups heavy cream
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped out ½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp espresso powder
½ cup sugar, divided
5 egg yolks
Pinch of salt
Sugar for topping
Optional Garnishes: Fresh berries, fresh mint
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. In a saucepan on medium heat, bring cream, vanilla, espresso powder and half of sugar to a simmer.
3. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 10 minutes. While cream is cooling, whisk together egg yolks and other half of sugar until light yellow in color and smooth.
4. Once cream mixture has cooled so you can touch it, strain, and slowly add and mix into egg mixture.
5. Once combined, divide into four 6-ounce oven-safe ramekins. Put in a high-rimmed tray. Fill tray with boiling water until it reaches about halfway up the ramekins.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the centers are set but still a little jiggly.
7. Remove from oven and cool completely.
8. For the crème brûlée shell, place about a teaspoon of sugar evenly on top of each crème brûlée. Use a torch to caramelize, or place under broiler until sugar melts or browns (2-4 minutes).
FIG AND PROSCIUTTO CROSTINI
A perfect appetizer for all of your fall parties! Not only does it look beautiful, but it tastes delicious as well.
1 baguette
2-3 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
4-6 fresh figs, sliced into 5-6 pieces each
4 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
8 oz log of goat cheese
3-5 Tbsp honey
Rosemary, chopped, to taste
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. Slice your baguette into thin slices. Lay out on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Remove and allow to cool.
5. Spread each crostini with even amounts of goat cheese, prosciutto and a slice of fresh fig. Drizzle with honey, and top with chopped rosemary.
6. Serve and enjoy!
Tip
• You can easily prep the crostini the night before so you just have to add your toppings the day of!
EGStoltzfus Custom Homes made contemporary mid-century modern come to life in Lancaster.
DREAM HOME come True
BY RACHEL CURRY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KARLO GESNER
In the context of today, mid-century modern architecture and design isn’t actually modern. It reflects the style that grew popular in the middle of the 20th century (think Don Draper’s apartment, complete with a conversation pit and leggy furniture). This style has grown popular in the 21st century, particularly among younger generations for whom the novelty has yet to wear off.
On the contrary, contemporary mid-century modern design brings a whole new fit and finish to the style, taking what could potentially feel kitschy and instead making it clean, cohesive and comfortable. An example of this can be found in Lancaster’s newest addition to the Brooklawn neighborhood, a 3,260-square-foot residence where low-slung roofs, warm-yet-contrasting colors and strong linear lines mesh with lush amenities for one confident home born and bred for entertaining.
A SPACE THAT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Lancaster’s EGStoltzfus Custom Homes is an expert in one-ofa-kind custom creations. They had an opportunity to design a custom home for buyers who wanted nothing more than it to be a central place for their friends and family. Perhaps the most apparent touch that feeds this dream is the addition of a scullery, or prep kitchen, beside the main kitchen.
“The prep kitchen is where the owner can do the heavy lifting, make their morning smoothie, whip up cake batters, cookie doughs,” says Stephanie Lachance, design studio consultant at
EGStoltzfus. “Keeping the unsightly mess tucked away to be dealt with at a later time.”
In the kitchen area, including both the main and prep kitchens, Craig Smoot, new home sales specialist at EGStoltzfus and Realtor at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, is fond of “the black cabinetry— which, for whatever reason, is not the least bit heavy because of the light.” He adds, “There are little bits of impact all over the house.” Bright quartz countertops and smart window placement contribute to the weightlessness.
Just beyond the breakfast area is an outdoor patio space that can turn almost any morning into an alfresco adventure.
And just across the way, the living room behaves as a conversation piece all its own. “We designed a unique fireplace with builtin shelving,” says Adam Coe, design-build specialist at EGStoltzfus. “The floor of the living room continues up onto the wall of the fireplace and then gets some relief with painted lap board and wood floating shelves.”
Lachance agrees that the fireplace accent wall is the most unique touch in the home, citing its use of negative space and weight to create a visually pleasing media wall. In the broader living space, she remarks on the thoughtfully curated staging, saying, “We introduced soft touches and color with the furniture pieces, such as the round tables, the green velvet dining chairs, and the burntorange accent chairs in the family room.”
From a big-picture perspective, the 9-foot ceiling plus 8-foot door height on the first floor set the stage for grandeur, a feeling that is brought down to earth with complementary earth tones on the different planes of the flooring and walls. This harmonious blend of scale and color creates a welcoming, balanced environment that feels both expansive and cozy.
While a contemporary mid-century modern appeal is apparent in the space at large, it’s not unchangeable. Owners can easily switch out trends without changing the home’s foundational character simply by altering coloration and materials. “In general, trends change,” says Abby Young, Realtor at Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage. But today, changes are far from necessary.
ELEGANT IN THE EXTREMITIES
The home’s charm goes well beyond the primary entertainment area, with a separate dining area featuring elongated windows, and a home office space with a view to the front side of the property, both adding to the utility of the first floor.
The open stairway leads to the second floor, on which the EGStoltzfus team matched the stair treads to the hardwood flooring and finished it off with a simplistic railing and metal baluster. The second floor houses four bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, including one jack and jill setup connecting two bedrooms. Each of the connected bedrooms has their own sink and vanity but shares a tub and toilet, with pocket doors separating each vanity and picket-style tile giving color to the space. These bedrooms are ideal for children or guests.
Even without getting into the owner’s suite, anyone upstairs can enjoy the second-floor laundry room that eliminates the need to carry loads up and down the stairs. But curiosity gets the best of any visitor, and the owner’s suite is a space that sparks interest for good reason.
Abby YoungREALTOR
OWNING IT
The owner’s suite deserves a section all its own. Featuring dual closet spaces and a large bathroom that includes a freestanding tub and majestically oversized shower, it manages to include all the fixings any couple could want. All the while, the space avoids an overexpansive feeling, instead maintaining a sense of intimacy. The recessed tray ceiling contributes to this cozy atmosphere.
Focusing on the owner’s bathroom, the ceramic tile features a fabric texture that adds to the complexity. The black cabinetry and quartz countertop extends
into the space, just like in the kitchen, promoting continuity throughout the home. Two vanity sinks, plus a generous soaking tub alongside a luxury walk-in mosaic tile shower with a glass panel and rain showerhead, make for plenty of space for the owners to go about their lives in comfort and ease.
The toilet is tucked away in its own water closet for added privacy. Black plumbing fixtures paired with a gold light fixture above the vanity finish off the clean lines and classy appeal of the suite, creating a sophisticated and elegant bathroom atmosphere.
“
IT’S
Reminiscent
, BUT WITH A NEW TWIST TO IT
”
Craig Smoot
NEW HOME SALES SPECIALIST & REALTOR
BEYOND THE PLOT
Homes are more than just the materials they’re made of. They’re even more than the land they’re built on. A home also includes the space surrounding it. In other words, the neighborhood plays a crucial role.
Over the years, Smoot has noticed changes in the priorities of buyers. One such change? A heightened focus on the community around them.
“Everybody that comes here wants to know about community,” he says. “People made these dramatic moves because they could. They work from home, and they started to realize that where they live is important.” That’s why new developments such as Brooklawn put a greater emphasis on walkability. Over time, this home will be interconnected with the older neighborhoods that surround it through
methods like a bridge and sidewalks, creating a greater sense of cohesiveness (and more routes to switch up your daily walks to get your steps in).
Young says the design is nontraditional for Lancaster County. “It’s reminiscent, but with a new twist to it,” she adds. Despite that, the home manages to fit into its surroundings while establishing a character all its own, blending contemporary elements with the charm of the local architecture.
Home Industry Experts
Whether you’re looking to transform your current house or searching for the perfect new home you’ve always wanted, we’ve got you covered. Our home industry spotlights are a chance to discover some of the creative home experts in the Susquehanna Valley.
PARTNERING IN EXCELLENCE: CRAFTING BEAUTIFUL AND FUNCTIONAL SPACES
At Carlisle Design, we believe that exceptional design stems from both creative material combinations and the experience to ask the right questions. This approach ensures that we capture our clients’ desired style and functionality. For over 15 years, our firm has specialized in designing kitchens, bathrooms, remodels and new constructions, consistently delivering luxury experiences our clients deserve.
One of our esteemed partners, Heirloom Cabinetry, consistently delivers beautiful, high-quality products. We deeply value the expertise of all trades involved, recognizing that their skills bring our designs to life. Understanding material options and how and when to use them allows us to showcase products in the best possible way, ensuring vendor satisfaction.
Our curated group of vendors collaborates to achieve professional excellence in every project. Inspiring collaborations with them enhance the overall design process, making it enjoyable and rewarding for everyone involved.
23 Ashton St, Carlisle, PA 717-448-9074
ELEVATE YOUR SPACE WITH RINEER DESIGNS
Elevate your space with Rineer Designs, where award-winning and licensed designer Heather Rineer brings her expertise to every design challenge. Heather and her team are passionate about creating bespoke environments that seamlessly blend practicality, elegance and innovative design.
From transforming homes to commercial projects, every detail is carefully planned, starting with the kitchen, their specialty. Picture a space where every element serves a purpose, enhanced by modern home tech that simplifies daily life.
Rineer Designs aims to create spaces that stand out, reflecting each client’s unique style and enhancing their lifestyle. Experience the difference their attention to detail and innovative designs can make—contact Rineer Designs at 717-332-1619 to start your journey toward exceptional design. Elevate your environment with Rineer Designs today!
Elevate your home’s style
Call now for a consultation
TRANSFORMING SPACES, ENRICHING LIVES
At Creative Building Concepts (CBC), we're not just renovating spaces. We're transforming lives. As a leading design and build firm in home and commercial renovations, we pride ourselves on our innovative and dedicated craftsmanship.
Our passion is providing services from whole-home transformations and historical renovations to kitchen remodels and the creation of vibrant bars and restaurants. Every project is a testament to our team's expertise, creativity and meticulous attention to detail.
“At Creative Building Concepts, we see each project as a unique opportunity to reflect our clients' personalities and aspirations,” says Ross Garner, Owner of CBC. “We build close relationships with our clients, listening to their needs and desires, and crafting designs that not only enhance functionality but also create lasting impressions.”
Our award-winning projects blend aesthetics, functionality and durability seamlessly. We ensure client satisfaction, transparent communication and high-quality materials for a smooth and rewarding renovation experience.
Visit www.buildsomethingcreative.com or call 717-386-5310 to schedule a consultation and discover the CBC difference. Let's turn your dreams into reality together.
COUNTYWinner Best Interior Design Firm in York County
BUILT FOR THE WAY YOU LIVE
Garman Builders does more than build homes—they build community. As a family-owned and operated home builder, Garman Builders has earned its reputation as a company built on high quality, integrity, craftsmanship and trust.
The Garman Builders story began more than 50 years ago when Ivan and Charmaine started the company and built their first home in 1972. Now under the leadership of sons Shawn and Jason Garman, Garman Builders has grown to offer more than 60 unique floor plans in 27 desirable communities throughout seven counties in South Central Pennsylvania.
Garman Builders’ specialty home design categories include: Signature Single-Family Series, Estate Series, Designer Townhomes, 55+ Communities and Custom Homes.
From timeless, trending designs and carefully constructed layouts to energy-efficient innovations, Garman Builders considers every detail, using only high-quality materials to create homes built for the way you live.
Shawn Garman, Co-owner Jason Garman, Co-owner
Garman Builders’ 33,000-sq.-ft. in-house design studio
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND YOUR MORTGAGE: PROS AND CONS OF AN EARLY PAYOFF
You might know someone who paid off their mortgage early, and you are questioning if you should do the same. In making the decision, you should consider your overall financial situation, risk tolerance and long-term goals.
Paying off your mortgage early has benefits, like allowing you to build home equity more quickly, which can be beneficial if you need to access funds in the future. It also offers financial freedom, potential interest savings and peace of mind.
Early payment of your mortgage also has drawbacks. For instance, the money used for prepayment could yield higher returns if invested elsewhere, especially in a strong market. Other drawbacks include liquidity concerns and potential lost tax benefits and prepayment penalties.
If you’re considering this decision, it might be beneficial to speak with a financial advisor.
F&M Trust’s Wealth Management team strives to provide practical advice, and we continue to build relationships and solve complex problems for our clients. Helping you to protect your investments so you have something to pass on is our job.
F&M Trust also provides a full range of trustee services, from financial powers of attorney to guardianships and special needs trusts.
Give us a call or stop into a nearby location. Our website also offers a wealth of information about investing based on where you are in your life’s journey. Learn more about how we have been defining what it means to be a community bank for more than 115 years at fmtrust.bank
Your home is your sanctuary. It’s your peace in, and a piece of, the busy world around you. There’s few feelings better than coming home at the end of a long day, kicking off your shoes and unwinding in a tidy, calming space. However, the chaos of that busy, buzzing world often spills into the home as well and leaves a mess. Check out these five organizational tips for keeping your space relaxing and efficient.
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2 3 4 5
Ways to Make the Most of Your Space 5
BY KATY SHERO
CREATE A RIPENING BIN
A ripening bin sounds like it’s some sort of way to store fresh fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator, but don’t be fooled by its name. A ripening bin is a bin or box set aside for all of the items you have around the house, rarely touched and collecting dust, that you may be unsure of keeping or not yet ready to dispose of. Consolidating all of your “maybe” items into one box clears up space, and the ripening bin gives you time to think about what you want to keep, donate or toss while inspiring accountability. Write a reminder to yourself or set one on your phone for how long you’re willing to let items sit in your ripening bin.
SWAP FOR SWEDISH DISHCLOTHS
You more than likely have way too many drawers in your kitchen packed with way too many dish towels. And don’t forget the paper towel rolls taking up space under your kitchen sink and on your counter. Ditch the paper towels, donate the old dish towels, and swap them for Swedish dishcloths. Washable, reusable and stylish, Swedish dishcloths are better for the environment than paper towels—just one can replace up to 17 paper towel rolls. They are also thin and flexible, making them easy and convenient to store anywhere in the kitchen.
TRY MINI BINS IN DRAWERS
Packing cubes are gaining popularity thanks to how convenient they’ve made it to sort and locate clothes and accessories squeezed in your suitcase while on vacation. Mini bins in drawers are the home equivalent. Try different-sized bins in your drawers to better organize and utilize the space and to ensure nothing gets lost. Use them in the bathroom for makeup, toiletries and medications. Test them in the living room in the media stand, to hold remotes, movies and games. Add them inside of a kitchen cabinet to organize spices or cooking tools.
DIY DECANTING
Decanting is the organizational method of removing items from the original packaging and storing them in different containers. We’ve all seen those Pinterest-pretty pantries filled with cereals, snacks and spices stored and labeled in reusable glass containers. Now, it’s your turn to get organized and get decanting. The benefits of decanting include decreased visual clutter, maximized storage space and items that are better preserved and easier to keep track of.
FILE FOLD CLOTHES
If you struggle to close your dresser drawers, file folding your clothing and linens is the way to go. File folding, a Marie Kondo technique, means folding clothes into small rectangles and placing them into rows, instead of on top of each other in drawers. This leaves all of your garments visible and easily accessible. Shirts, towels and, yes, jeans can be file folded, creating space for more garments than you ever imagined could fit into your dresser. File folding is also known as the KonMari folding method, and a quick search online will provide tips for how to fold each different type of clothing article. It may be confusing to master at first, but after a few practices, you’ll be an expert in no time!
For those who desire 55+ living to be anything but ordinary, we present Mosaic, Willow Valley Communities’ expansion into culturally rich Lancaster City, PA. Mosaic will o er the very best in 55+ active adult living with 146 exceptional residences, premier amenities, plus the peace of mind of Type A Lifecare.
An elegant home in the heart of a vibrant, walkable city. The superb hospitality that Willow Valley Communities is known for.
Activities that engage your mind, body and spirit. And the comfort of knowing your future is secure. What’s not to love about that?
We invite you to join us for a casual introduction to Mosaic to learn more.
mosaiclancaster.com/explore 888.893.1423 Apartment reservations are available now at
