LCM | January 2022 | The Wedding Issue

Toast the New Year with Kombucha New(ish) Event Venues PepperTheo for Dining & Events

JANUARY 2022

Ti m e l e s s

Weddings W ITH PIVOT TWISTS

Megan FitzGerald & Tommy Mandala

A Backyard Wedding

Ashley Goss & Matthew Bushong

10/31/20 and 10/31/21

H A P PY N E W Y E A R !

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Perry J. Argires, MD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon Specializing in Cervical Disc Replacement and Spine Care Voted as the Best Surgeon in Lancaster County LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

Louis A. Marotti, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon Specializing in Spine Care Voted as the Best Surgeon in Lancaster County LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

Steven M. Falowski, MD Neurosurgeon Specializing in Spinal Cord Stimulators LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurosurgeon

Managed by

Jarod B. John, MD Neurologist With a focus on elderly care and migraines LNP Reader’s Choice Favorite Neurologist

Jack Smith, MD Pain Medicine Managed by

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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Contents

JANUARY 2022 | VOLUME 35 | NUMBER 9

Features

14.

Two Times the Love

Ashley Goss and Matthew Bushong made a pivot and held their wedding ceremony on October 31, 2020, and hosted their wedding/anniversary reception a year later on October 31, 2021.

14.

20. A Photographer’s Life …

Margarita Stamatelopoulos Margarita’s journey began in Greece and continued to Ohio, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Learn how she came to photograph a twopart wedding in Lancaster that included her signature city backdrops.

26.

Wedding Wonderland

Megan FitzGerald and Tommy Mandala canceled their 2020 wedding in the city and made a pivot a year later to the backyard of her parents’ home, which was built by the original owners of Dutch Wonderland, the late Earl Clark and his wife, Molly, in 1971.

36. New(ish) to the Venue Scene Despite Covid, new event venues continue to open, while others have evolved.

Departments

4.

Foodographer

Jordan Bush visits Renewal Kombucha in Lititz and makes the case for this healthful beverage to be your New Year’s resolution.

34.

Table for Two

40.

Why We Love Lancaster

Be Scene! Live music, theatre, makers shows, outdoor activities, gallery/ museum exhibits and fundraising events are back on the calendar. Visit our website, lancastercountymag.com, to make plans and purchase tickets for upcoming events.

Rochelle Shenk visits PepperTheo, where owners Christine Hess and Joe Hess have created a dining and event venue that begs to be the scene of a Harry Potter-themed party.

Our last page has made a pivot of its own! This month we’re loving the artistic creations of Rosie’s Creative Cakes.

26.

Special Advertising Section

9. & 21.

Wedding Essentials

ON THE COVER: Perigee Photo Co. captured the happiness and joy of Megan FitzGerald and Tommy Mandala’s wedding day on July 24, 2021.

Details make a wedding memorable, and Lancaster’s professionals are ready to help you make your big day unforgettable.

34.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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Foodographer benefits of kombucha The purpose of the protective plaid blanket that encases the growlette is to “stop the clink” of glass bottles during transport.

A Toast to Your Health TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JORDAN BUSH

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

If your New Year’s resolution is to cut back on alcoholic, caffeinated and sugar-laden beverages, now might be the perfect time to explore kombucha.

WHAT IS KOMBUCHA? I love sparkling water and am always looking for fizzy, refreshing drinks without the sugar contained in soda. Kombucha certainly qualifies. Technically, it’s fermented tea, but everything you might associate with those two words should be temporarily set aside. Rather, think of fun flavors centered on fruits, herbs, spices or ginger that deliver tart, sweet, funky or floral taste sensations. Kombucha is also carbonated, which enhances the refreshing quality with a crisp finish.

While I enjoy kombucha almost exclusively for the flavor, there are purported health benefits that act as a primary driver for folks to seek it out.

The first among these is the inclusion of probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, which is fermented milk. They’re beneficial bacteria that aid in digestion. Kombucha is also rich in antioxidants, B vitamins, amino acids and polyphenols like those found in olive oil.

“Some people like to drink a cup of kombucha in the morning,” says Jessica Butzer, owner of Renewal Kombucha in Lititz.

• National Booch (kombucha) Day is January 15 • World Kombucha Day is February 21

“It’s routine.

They know how much they drink in a day.” (FYI: the Centers for Disease Control recommends limiting consumption to 4-oz. servings one to three times per day.)

Jessica also points out that kombucha is an “alcohol alternative, a casual drink” as it contains less than 0.5% alcohol. It can also be used as a cocktail mixer with gin or rum, such as in a mojito.

(Hence, it’s become a popular alternative to alcohol at bars and restaurants.)

Because of that, January would be a perfect time to add kombucha to your routine – the Dry January movement has gained popularity over the last eight years or so. Viewed as a way to make a clean break from the excesses of the holidays, health organizations such as the Cleveland Clinic tout the benefits – weight loss, better sleep, an improved immune system, healthier skin and less brain fog – of an alcohol-free month.

A LITTLE HISTORY It is believed that kombucha originated in Asia – more than likely China – as early

Purple Butterfly Kombucha is made with organic ingredients including butterfly pea flower, cane sugar, lavender, blueberries and kombucha culture. The naturally decaffeinated drink is a brilliant purple in color and offers a clean, slightly tart flavor.

The lavender does not overpower the flavor.

Hibiscus Mint Green Tea Kombucha is made with organic ingredients including green tea, hibiscus, peppermint, cane sugar and kombucha culture. The drink is delicate, with floral undertones, a little sweet and fizzy and finishes with a green tea note.

as 212 B.C. Its health benefits prompted it to be called the Tea of Immortality.

Legend also has it that centuries later, the Japanese emperor recovered from a serious illness thanks to a tea that a Korean physician by the name of Komu-ha prescribed.

Expanding trade routes allowed kombucha to be introduced to Russia, India and Japan. It was popular in Europe until the start of World War II, when tea and sugar shortages curtailed its availability. It enjoyed a European resurgence after the war and became popular in the United States during the latter part of the 20th century.

According to Grand View Research, global sales of kombucha reached $1.67 billion in 2019 and are expected to increase by nearly 20% annually through 2027. North America is the largest consumer of kombucha.

HOW KOMBUCHA IS MADE The process starts with steeping large bags of black or green tea, dried botanicals and herbs in hot water. The tea is added to a tank containing a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast). It looks a little alien, but the process isn’t too distant from brewing beer and it’s almost identical to making vinegar.

A familiar characteristic of kombucha compares to the tartness found in apple cider vinegar, which also uses a “mother” to produce the final product. (A vinegar mother converts sugars and oxygen from the air into acid in a similar fashion that a SCOBY produces kombucha.) Yeast feeds on sugar and bacteria to create the fermentation process. Because Renewal uses organic cane sugar, which is almost entirely consumed by yeast, only a few grams of sugar remain in the final product. They prepare batches from five to 50 gallons and draw only enough kombucha to keep the SCOBY healthy. There are backup batches in case something goes wrong to ensure consistency, and pH levels are checked regularly.

The process lasts for about 30 days before the kombucha is filtered and force-carbonated in a keg with carbon dioxide, again much like beer. Because the ingredients lack any added preservatives, it’s necessary to keep it refrigerated and enjoyed within about a week or two of filling a growler for optimal freshness.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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Clockwise: Signage outside of Renewal Kombucha’s tasting room on North Broad Street in Lititz.

Michelle Ibberson steeps a blend of organic ingredients to make Purple Butterfly Kombucha.

Tanks of fermenting kombucha at Renewal’s new production space.

Michelle Ibberson bottles Purple Butterfly Kombucha.

A healthy SCOBY in a large stainless-steel tank.

The dark spots are accumulations of yeast during fermentation.

Dried organic butterfly pea flowers used in Renewal’s Purple Butterfly Kombucha.

RENEWED VISION Established in 2015 by Jeremy Sayer, Jessica expressed interest in acquiring Renewal Kombucha in 2020. It wasn’t her first new project. Earlier that year, on a handshake agreement, Jessica agreed to buy Bruno’s of Lititz – a hoagie, salad and soup shop open for lunch – from Jedd Erdman “Then the pandemic happened,” she says.

Buying Renewal initially proved to be a bit intimidating. “I took off a day at work, came into Renewal, and decided I didn’t want to buy it,” Jessica recalls. “We didn’t know anything,” co-owner Michelle Ibberson elaborates.

Fortunately, Jeremy agreed to stay on to help in the transition, as did brewer Katie McGann.

For the first three months, Jessica worked a full-time job, plus put in hours at Bruno’s and Renewal. As for Michelle, she was working as a carpenter at TAIT when the pandemic hit. She was laid off and when she was asked to return to work in the spring of 2021, she decided that helping to get Renewal off the ground would offer her more opportunities, even in the midst of a pandemic. “The time gave people the opportunity to grow, to take chances that maybe they would never take,” says Michelle. “TAIT will still be there and they’ll continue to grow.”

TRADING PLACES In the fall of 2021, Renewal Kombucha and next-door neighbor, The Savory Gourmet, traded adjacent locations. Facilitated by the property owner, the trade offered Renewal a smaller tasting room with an opportunity to take on additional production space in a separate building. It was a win-win, with The Savory Gourmet adding to their retail space.

“When I did decide to buy the business, we needed to separate the taproom from manufacturing,” Jessica explains. “We have 100% made it our own. The recipes are the same – moving forward we’re going to invent some of our own.”

According to Katie, Jessica was adamant about not changing any of the recipes for the first 12 months in order to ensure consistency for current customers. Consistency would also enable her to learn the inner workings of the business, with the idea of improving the production process.

Her past work training included that of

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For more information on Penn State Health Lime Spring, visit PennStateHealth.org/Lime-Spring.

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Bottles of kombucha are available for sale at Renewal’s tasting room and a variety of locations, including a new addition, Stauffers of Kissel Hill.

Michelle Ibberson and Jessica Butzer are the co-owners of Renewal Kombucha.

Lean Six Sigma, a method made famous

by Toyota for relearning and improving processes within a business. Jessica applied those tools to Renewal, with the goal being to improve efficiency and make it their own. Katie taught Jessica and Michelle the processes and standards and together they redefined their workflow in their new production space. “She came in and said, ‘We’re going to change this and this and this,’” says Katie. “It’s not just talk. You know she has this vision, so you go with it.” Jessica gave Katie the freedom to come up with new production and workflow ideas. “It was a very collaborative time, and it still is,” Katie notes. “The solution has to involve all of us,” says Jessica.

CONSIDER THE SOURCE For a while, I bought kombucha at a big-box store. The flavors tended to be the same. I also discovered that the six-bottle boxes go quickly and tend to be expensive. Touted with a longer shelf life, widely distributed kombucha also tastes different. When it comes to massproduced kombucha, producers “ferment tea then add flavors after,” Katie explains.

“It could ferment in the shipping process, it’s harder to control quality. We ferment all of the ingredients, so it has a much more mild flavor.”

Getting people to try kombucha can

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

be a real challenge. “It’s converting people with bad experiences with kombucha, and convincing people who have never had it to try ours,” says Katie. “I try to gauge flavors to find what they like, like fruity or ginger, then get them to try other flavors.

People try brewing it themselves, which can be dangerous,” says Katie. “It’s just like canning – it can go bad and you can get sick.”

Throughout the process, sterility is critical to keep the kombucha from contamination of mold or even fruit flies. As with sauerkraut, the acidity from fermentation must be high enough to destroy bacteria. Since kombucha is fermented and often unpasteurized, start with a trusted source, and begin by trying a small portion to see how your body reacts, if at all.

VISITING RENEWAL KOMBUCHA Experiencing Renewal Kombucha’s tasting room in Lititz is like going into a brewery, only it’s devoid of alcohol. They offer free tastings to experience their mainstay and seasonal kombucha brews.

Bottles are available for purchase. My preference is growler refills: a 64-oz. refill costs $15, while a 32-oz. growlette refill costs $9. I keep growlers in both sizes stored in a collapsible crate in the car.

RECENTLY, Stauffers of Kissel Hill has started carrying a selection of Renewal’s bottled flavors in their stores. In addition to Stauffers, it’s available at this growing list of area locations: • Ancestor Coffeehouse & Creperie, Lebanon • Green Ridge Acres, Harrisburg Market • Harvest Lane Farm Market, Lititz • Kari’s Tea Bar, Lancaster Central Market • Leg Up Farmers Market, York • New Holland Coffee Co., Lancaster and New Holland locations • Pharma-Free Remedies, York Central Market • Sarah’s Snacks, York • Slate Café, Lititz Renewal Kombucha is located at 53 N. Broad Street in Lititz. For more information, visit drinkrenewal.com.

Jordan Bush is a commercial photographer. His work has allowed him to discover and document cultures and food across five continents. A graduate of Garden Spot High School and Millersville University, Jordan and his fiancée, Jessica, reside and cook together in Ephrata.

Wedding Essentials Special Advertising Section COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX

Planning a wedding is already stressful enough before adding in the ongoing effects of a pandemic. Between supply chain issues, a backlog of couples waiting to wed and continuing concerns over new Covid variants, finding vendors you trust is more important than ever. Fortunately, Lancaster County is a wedding destination cascading with local retailers, floral designers, caterers and more wanting to help make your special day the most memorable occasion of your life.

Wedding cakes are the heart and soul of ROSIE’S CREATIVE CAKES. Award-winning decorator Rosie Rohrer has been creating custom-designed wedding cakes since 1989.

Rosie draws inspiration for her designs from nature, fashion and your vision and input. She desires to help you choose a cake that embodies your vision and leaves your guests with a mouthful of deliciousness.

Planning a stress-free wedding means that you have put the time and energy into choosing people you trust to bring your dream wedding to life. Rosie’s Creative Cakes takes great pride in creating cakes that not only capture the essence of each happy couple but will be remembered long after the wedding is over. For more information, call 717-898-9156 or check out Rosie’s work at rosiescreativecakes.com.

Whether you are in need of a quick touch-up, glamorous blowout or blissful body treatment, a visit to GLAMOUR ROOM will make you feel brand new. Glamour Room is an Aveda salon featuring vegan and cruelty-free products.

Located on North Duke Street in Downtown Lancaster, it is the premier salon for bridal and special occasion hairstyling, skincare, esthetic services and makeup. Update your look

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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with the latest beauty trends, including balayage hair coloring, HaloCouture extensions or a lash lift.

Owner Bobbi Nicole Bentzel has been making people feel their best since 2004. “After going to school, taking extensive classes and working in Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia, I wanted to bring what I learned from the big cities back home,” Bobbi Nicole says.

Visit lancasterglam.com to book your appointment or purchase a gift certificate to pamper a loved one.

JOHN A. ZERN & SONS BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR offers beverage setups for weddings, parties, banquets and other special events. The family-owned-and-operated business has been serving Manheim and the Lancaster County region since 1948 when John Zern moved to Manheim and purchased the business. Eventually, his two sons, Tom and Joe, became partners in the operation. Today, Tom and his partner, Garrett, continue to run the business with the same principles and dedication to friendly, personal service that John built the business on.

John A. Zern & Sons Beverage Distributor delivers to a number of venues in Lancaster County and surrounding areas. Their products include domestic, imported and craft beers, as well as seltzers, ciders, flavored malt beverages and non-alcoholic drinks. If you desire a beer they don’t carry, they will get it for you! Check out their storefront located at 202 Charlotte Street in Manheim. To learn more about their services, visit zernsbeverage.com or call 717-665-2233.

EVENTS Keg Setups with CO2 and Cold-Plate Boxes Beer by the Case on Ice Delivery Service to Lancaster County and Surrounding Areas Contact Tom or Garrett for setup information at 717.665.2233 info@zernsbeverage.com

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

JOHN A . ZERN & SONS BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTOR

WEDDING SHOWERS • ENGAGEMENT PARTIES REHEARSAL DINNERS • WEDDINGS We offer customized events of all sizes.

Please reach out to railroadhouseevents@gmail.com for more information for your event.

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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INSURANCE AGENCY INC

Built in 1823, THE RAILROAD HOUSE INN is a historical property along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Marietta.

The historical buildings and beautiful setting make The Railroad House Inn a popular wedding venue.

The Railroad House Inn has specialized in micro-weddings even before they became a pandemic necessity. During the Covid shutdown, the property was given a makeover and now features additional spaces that can be customized for events of all sizes.

The renovated, climate-controlled carriage house features a soaring ceiling, window-filled walls, wrought-iron chandeliers, private bathrooms, a bar and a lovely garden patio. The fullservice venue also offers beautifully manicured gardens, on-site catering, a summer cottage for rehearsal dinners, the Perry Street Cellar for themed parties and lodging accommodations in their eight-room bed & breakfast. Visit railroadhouseinn.com or reach out to railroadhouseevents@gmail.com for more information.

ACHENBACH’S PASTRIES, INC. has been doing business since 1954 “with our made-from-scratch original recipes,” shares the company’s executive vice president, Sharon Redcay. “What sets us apart from most bakeries is the ‘no preservatives’ in our products.”

Achenbach’s most popular item would be their Long Johns.

“After all, we are trademarked ‘The Home of the Long John.’ We also make Long John all-occasion cakes and Long John wedding cakes by special order only.” Sharon adds, “Trending wedding cakes are the naked cake and the textured icing with a spiral look.”

How does getting married affect one’s life insurance, auto insurance and other policies? The team at UNRUH INSURANCE AGENCY explains that “marriage presents another side of insurance that most newlyweds don’t think about. There are many present and future considerations that come with marriage, including purchasing or renting a home, planning a family and protecting what is important to you.”

Now is the perfect time to review coverage and consider combining auto policies; combining makes couples eligible for lower rates.

At LEDGEROCK GOLF CLUB, guests can experience unparalleled service, captivating views and amenities brimming with distinction. As one of the region’s premier private clubs, LedgeRock’s breathtaking grounds and modern clubhouse provide an ideal setting for those seeking an event that feels worlds away with the convenience of a centralized southeastern Pennsylvania location.

Take Care of ONE ANOTHER Better Life Insurance at unruhinsurance.com

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

Offerings include: • A skilled chef specializing in seasonal cooking with locally sourced ingredients and flavorful dishes that appeal to all ages, dietary needs and culinary desires.

• Modular floor plan accommodations with the option of an expansive, elegant dining room or warm, inviting library.

• Flagstone patio and firepit overlooking 200 contiguous acres.

• Kohl Lodge, a tranquil four-bedroom on-site residence, is available for couples or limited groups and features beautifully appointed furnishings, a wood-burning fireplace and customized conveniences.

To learn more, visit ledgerockgolf.com.

1 GREENBRIAR DR, MOHNTON, PA 19540 LedgeRockGolf.com

Experience a venue like no other. Nestled in Southeastern Pennsylvania’s rolling hillside, LedgeRock Golf Club provides a private, idyllic setting for weddings of up to 75 guests.

LedgeRock’s chef specializes in locally-sourced ingredients and the masterful creation of flavorful dishes. Amenities include an exquisite clubhouse; intimate event spaces; flagstone patio; private, onsite cottage; and bucolic grounds that span over two hundred contiguous acres.

To learn more, visit LedgeRockGolf.com.

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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Matthew Bushong and Ashley Goss were married on October 31, 2020, at the home of her parents and hosted their wedding/ anniversary reception a year later on October 31, 2021.

Because they love the city, many of their photos – from both dates – utilized scenic and historic backdrops. For example, this shot was taken at the Shreiner-Concord Cemetery, which is located at the corner of Mulberry and Chestnut streets.

Two Times the Love

BY SUE LONG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARGARITA STAMATELOPOULOS

“Covid changed our plans quite a bit,” says Ashley Goss. “We knew we couldn’t have the large wedding we had originally envisioned, unless we wanted to delay it further. We weighed our options and decided we couldn’t wait any longer to officially tie the knot,” she says, referring to her and Matthew’s 10-year-long relationship. A celebratory reception would have to wait.

When Ashley Met Matthew

Ashley, who is a branch manager for Lanco Federal Credit Union, met Matthew at a party some co-workers were having to mark the end of summer. Matthew, who is a children’s library assistant at Lancaster Public Library, had tagged along with Reid Cummins, one of Ashley’s friends and co-workers. “That was 10 years ago,” she says.

The two discovered they shared a wide range of interests, including a love of snow days. “One of our favorite things to do on a snowy day is to explore the cold, quiet, snow-filled city,” she explains. On a snowy day in March 2018, Ashley and Matthew went for a walk that ended atop the Penn Square Parking Garage. That’s where Matthew proposed. “It was a perfectly romantic moment that ended in an amusing snowball fight,” she recalls.

Not wanting to rush into things, the two decided they would take their time in planning their wedding. Finally, after a few months, they shared the news of their engagement with family and friends, announcing the wedding would be held at Mulberry Art Studios on October 31, 2020. They lined up their vendors and waited for their big day to arrive.

“Little did we know that Covid would cause our plans to change quite a bit,” Ashley says.

Pivot �ime

As 2020 progressed, it became obvious to Ashley and Matthew they would need to alter their plans. “We contacted our vendors to determine what would happen with our contracts,” Ashley explains.

“Fortunately, they all basically gave us the ability to cancel the contracts or reschedule.” Ashley and Matthew considered their options and decided to get married on October 31, 2020, and postpone their reception to October 31, 2021. “We really wanted to get married and we really wanted to have the opportunity to celebrate with our friends and family once Covid settled down, so we planned a ceremony for 2020 and a reception for 2021,” she explains.

Their new plan called for moving the ceremony and a small family gathering to the home of Ashley’s parents, Marcia and Robert Goss, who reside in Conestoga. The festivities were livestreamed via Twitch to family and friends who could not attend in person. The couple also announced that a wedding celebration would be held at Mulberry Art Studios on October 31, 2021.

Ashley Goss and Matthew Bushong

October 31, 2020 and October 31, 2021

Halloween? Think Again

In Mexico and other Central American countries, October 31 through November 2 is celebrated as Día de los Muertos. Many mistakenly assume it’s the Mexican version of Halloween. Instead, it’s a holiday that pays homage to those who have passed from the Earth.

The rituals connected to Día de los Muertos date back thousands of years, predating the Aztec and Mayan civilizations. The Aztecs, for example, believed that death was a process through which the deceased must travel though nine challenging levels before their souls reached Mictlān, or the final resting place. Loved ones would help the departed LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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reach their final destinations by providing them with food, water and other necessities during Nahua ceremonies that were held each August.

Centuries later, the arrival of Catholicism and the influence of Spanish culture combined with the ancient rituals to create Día de los Muertos, which coincides with two Catholic observances, All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Because of the growing Mexican and Latino populations in the United States, Día de los Muertos has become a part of American culture in places like Texas, the Southwest and California.

While Día de los Muertos shares similarities with Halloween, it remains rooted in ancient beliefs that hold that beginning at midnight on October 31 and continuing through November 2, the border between the spirit world and the living world dissolves, allowing the departed to reawaken and return to their loved ones (children on November 1 and adults on November 2) for 24-hour periods.

The ritual of welcoming back the dead takes place in cemeteries – where graves are laden with food and drink, candles and flowers – and in homes, where altars (or ofrendas) are filled with photos, food, candles and other mementoes of the departed.

Marigolds create colorful paths through cemeteries – it is believed the dead rely on their color and scent to lead them home.

Skulls and skeletons – some exhibiting vibrant colors – are part of the costumes and parades that accompany the event.

Monarch butterflies, which are believed to hold the spirits of the dead, also play a role, as their return to Mexico typically begins on November 1.

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

ASHLEY AND MATTHEW have embraced Día de los Muertos because of Matthew’s Mexican roots. The two erect an ofrenda in their home and, because of the state of the world, thought it would be a meaningful gesture to incorporate the concept of remembering the deceased into their October 31 wedding. “We both love that the holiday represents a time to remember those loved ones who have passed and take the time to celebrate them even though they are no longer with us,” notes Ashley.

The holiday provided Ashley and Matthew with a canvas for designing the look of their wedding. The color scheme took its inspiration from the vibrant color palette that accompanies Día de los Muertos.

Warm tones of gold, yellow and orange were paired with shades of purple, maroon and red through florals such as marigolds and chrysanthemums and even fallen leaves.

Ashley’s dress and shawl reflected Día de los Muertos’ colorful backdrop.

Ashley’s bouquet tied into her and Matthew’s love for exploring the city, which was commemorated with a pre-wedding photo shoot with their photographer, Margarita Stamatelopoulos, who was a classmate of

Opposite, clockwise from top left: Matthew and Ashley included a First Look moment on their October 31, 2020, wedding day.

Family friend, Holly Palacios, created a cake for the 2020 wedding that complemented the color scheme and evoked Matthew’s Mexican roots.

Ashley and Matthew exchanged vows through conducting a self-uniting ceremony that is permissible in Pennsylvania. Such ceremonies are often referred to as “Quaker weddings.”

Matthew’s Mexican heritage prompted the couple to embrace the tradition of celebrating Día de los Muertos as the theme of their 2020 wedding and 2021 reception.

Their ofrenda (altar) paid tribute to family members and friends who have passed away.

Here, clockwise: Matthew and Ashley re-enact his proposal that was delivered atop a city parking garage on a snowy day in 2018.

Ahead of their wedding ceremony, Ashley and Matthew visited Lancaster Central Market, where they composed a bridal bouquet with help from Central Market Flowers.

Despite not having a reception in 2020, the two danced along West Chestnut Street.

Guests who witnessed Ashley and Matthew exchange their wedding vows included their dog, Pablo.

Matthew’s at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

“We thought that rather than have a bouquet made for me, why not create one at Lancaster Central Market and have Margarita photograph the event,” Ashley explains. The two turned to Central Market Flowers for help and loved the results. “The photos Margarita took of us picking out the flowers are some of my favorites from the whole day!” Ashley reports.

Ashley and Matthew utilized the same theme for their October 31, 2021, reception (in the industry, such events are being referred to as anniversary receptions), which included a video of the festivities from 2020.

The Unique Factor

Upon returning to her parents’ home from the photo shoot, Ashley and Matthew performed a self-uniting ceremony. “Only certain states allow such ceremonies,” she explains. “Because of the state’s strong Quaker heritage, Pennsylvania is one of them.

In fact, they are often referred to as ‘Quaker weddings.’” She goes on to explain that such a ceremony entails the bride and groom announcing their love for one another and their intention to marry. Such a ceremony must be conducted in front of at least two witnesses. The witnesses are afforded the opportunity to “speak their peace” and offer their support or objections. Once the couple and the witnesses sign the marriage contract, the union is declared official.

Ashley and Matthew did practice their vows beforehand. “The first time we shared our vows, it was in private. I’m so glad we did because I bawled,” Ashley recalls. “They were happy tears but Matthew wasn’t so sure at first. I would not have wanted my friends and family to see those reactions!” Practicing their vows together provided Ashley and Matthew with the confidence that what they had written was on the right track. “I believe we both made a few edits,” she reports.

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Ashley and her parents, Robert and Marcia Goss.

To see more photos,

VISIT LANCASTERCOUNTYMAG.COM. Colorful skulls that are associated with Día do los Muertos celebrations served as decorations for the reception.

Matthew and his parents, Matt Bushong and Irma Bushong, who lives in Edinburg, Texas, and was unable to attend the 2020 event.

A year after their wedding, Ashley and Matthew held a wedding/ anniversary reception at Mulberry Art Studios in Lancaster.

Right, top: A Día de los Muertos ofrenda (altar) paid homage to family members who are deceased.

As is typical, the ofrenda included photos and food (skull-shaped cookies) that welcomes the deceased back during the period, October 31-November 2.

Right, bottom: Courtney Wooters’ cupcakes complemented the reception’s color scheme.

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Favorite Memory

The October 31, 2021, reception, held at Mulberry Art

Ashley and Matthew have several, including the fact that despite hosting a very small wedding, it had some large ramifications. “I adore that we were able to vote [they dropped off their ballots at the courthouse], marry ourselves and celebrate my birthday [Halloween] and Día de los Muertos all in the same day!” says Ashley, noting that October 31 has gained another reason for celebration – their wedding anniversary – in the Goss-Bushong household.

Despite having to forgo a large wedding – for the time being – Ashley discovered a small wedding can be just as meaningful. “Being able to spend the day with our families and close friends in the familiar setting of my parents’ house and being able to share that intimate moment of uniting ourselves in marriage with them and those watching via Twitch was very meaningful,” she says.

However, the larger reception did have its rewards. “It was so nice to finally get to do our first dance,” she says.

Studios, included elements that were missing from their 2020 wedding day, including attendants for Ashley, groomsmen for Matthew, dinner and dancing. Carryovers from 2020 included the color scheme and the Día de los Muertos theme.

ONE ASPECT of the wedding is still on hold.

Their honeymoon! The two snow lovers want to experience Quebec’s Winter Carnival, which is held the first two weeks of February.

Now that the Canadian border is open again, they are making honeymoon plans!

Credits

October 31, 2020 and 2021 • Photographer: Margarita Photography, Baltimore (margarita-photography.com)

Ashley and Matthew invited their attendants and groomsmen to choose their own attire for the reception. In the case of Ashley’s female attendants, each was assigned a color.

• Videographer: Rob Goss, Goose Media, Philadelphia • Groom’s Suit: Online from StudioSuits.com • Florals: Central Market Flowers • Makeup: Oui Cosmetics & Glam Studio, Pittsburgh October 31, 2020 • Bridal Gown: Online from torrid.com • Hair: Luxe Salon & Spa • Caterer: Lancaster Dispensing Company • Cake: Holly Palacios October 31, 2021 • Bridal Gown: Online from Azazie.com • Hair: Ego Trip Hair Salon • Venue: Mulberry Art Studios • Catering: Catering by John Lowe • Cupcakes: That Awesome Little Bakery/Courtney Wooters • DJ: Jim Marlin

For their official first dance, the couple chose to dance to Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time.

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A Photographer’s Life …

Margarita Stamatelopoulos Q. Trace Your Travels … how did you go from Greece to Baltimore?

A. My father’s cousin was the first family member to move to the

United States – she told everyone about the opportunities, how beautiful it is and how life is easier. So, my father and his immediate family decided to make the move to Ohio. My parents met when my father made a trip back to Greece. They got married in Greece and eventually had me. Almost a full year after I was born, my mother and I immigrated, as well.

I very much disliked growing up in Ohio (Canton to be exact) and knew that I wanted to leave as soon as I could. So, I only applied to out-ofstate schools for college. I attended The Art Institute in Pittsburgh, where I

studied photography. It was far enough away to experience something new and gain full independence but close enough to where my parents lived, which made the change easier on them.

I graduated in early 2011 and worked a lot. While living in Pittsburgh, I worked multiple jobs at the same time to make ends meet. I always had at least one job that was photography-related, from a location scout for Rue 21’s photography to photographing vacuum parts for a company’s catalog. Pittsburgh is a wonderful place to get that “city experience” at a miniature level.

After spending about seven years in Pittsburgh, I felt I was ready to move somewhere new again. I had two choices in mind – either Austin, Texas, or Baltimore, Maryland. I had friends in both. I decided to visit Austin during the hottest month of the year to test it out. Ugh! It was a really cool city with lots to do, but I didn’t think I could live like that.

Baltimore’s weather was better, plus it was still within driving distance from my parents. It felt like home pretty quickly. I discovered that once you put roots down in a neighborhood, the people really champion you and want to help and see you succeed. It was a new but welcomed experience. I’ve been in Baltimore for almost seven years now.

Q. What prompted your interest in photography in general and wedding photography specifically?

A.

My mother always told me this story about the day I was born.

Back then, you were in a room with multiple other patients. My mother took a lot of photographs of me while we were in the hospital. One of the other patients asked why she was taking so many photos of me. And, she replied, “So she can look back at these and see the best day of my life.

Who knows, maybe she’ll become a photographer one day herself.”

My mom was always documenting everything when I was growing up; I have a ton of photos from my childhood and it really is amazing being able to have all these memories at hand to look back on. At some point when I got old enough, my mom started handing off the camera to me and I just became the documenter. But, I don’t really remember making the choice of wanting to be a photographer until well into high school.

I was taking an AP art class and my teacher introduced me to a more advanced camera. I ended up excelling in that class and figured since it was something I was good at, I’d try and pursue it.

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY didn’t come into my radar until after college while I was living in Pittsburgh. My original focus was on photojournalism.

One day I got home from a job and saw a notice that a wedding photographer needed help for a wedding that day. I figured since I wasn’t doing anything I’d step in. She really liked me and asked me to work with her again. I quickly went from being just an assistant to a photographer.

We photographed almost 50 weddings together over a year’s time. Then, I decided to try it myself. I wanted to grow it slowly because weddings take a lot of back-end work to ensure everything goes smoothly.

Q. Where does your work take you?

A. It hasn’t taken me very far yet, mostly just the DMV (D.C., Maryland

and Virginia) and Pennsylvania. Ashley and Matthew’s wedding and reception brought me to Lancaster for the first time. I photographed a wedding in Jamaica a few years ago. I will be heading to Texas for a wedding this year and I’m really excited about that. My goal is to move back to Europe and build my business there.

Q. What prompted you to begin using cityscapes as the background for your wedding photography?

A.

I really felt that it was important to include a wedding’s actual setting. It’s another aspect of the day and it’s another memory to keep. Places change all the time – they get built up or even sometimes destroyed. I want couples to be able to look back and remember how everything looked on their wedding day.

Margarita-photography.com

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Wedding Essentials

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TFB CATERING is a full-service food, beverage and catering company with locations in Lititz and Downtown Lancaster. They offer services at your desired location or at one of their own, including Annie Bailey’s Irish Public House, Conway Social Club, Per Diem and Gravie Kitchen + Commons.

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

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STONE GABLES ESTATE is home to Ironstone Ranch, The Star Barn Village and St. Michael’s Vineyard. The three exquisite venues sprawl over 275 acres of scenic vistas and provide endless options for your special day.

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Photo by Brittney Kreider Photography

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LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

LANCASTER COUNTY MAGAZINE | JANUARY 2022

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Megan FitzGerald and Tommy Mandala • July 24, 2021

Wedding Wonderland

BY SUE LONG | PHOTOGRAPHY BY PERIGEE PHOTO CO.

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After departing the island where the ceremony took place, Megan and Tommy made their way down the aisle to the applause of their 270 guests.

Megan FitzGerald and Tommy Mandala were set to get married in the summer of 2020.

Covid restrictions changed all of that. After postponing their plans, the two then entrusted their future to fate and faith, believing that the wedding of their dreams would eventually become reality.

F

ate actually began working its magic six years ago, when Megan’s parents, Tracy and Brian FitzGerald, took a walk through their neighborhood and noticed a house for sale.

Curious about the price, Tracy tried to google the property. Instead, information about another house popped up. No matter what she did, the mystery house kept appearing on her computer screen.

Intrigued, she did more research.

The mystery house turned out to be a nearby home that was built by the late Earl Clark, the founder of Dutch Wonderland, and his wife, Molly, in 1971. “It’s a special property,” Tracy says of the acreage that is bordered by Mill Creek. Like the theme park, the house built by the Clarks included many unique touches such as a foyer that resembles a miniature Versailles and a hidden “speakeasy” in the lower level. Outdoors, they installed an island in the middle of Mill Creek and added a pond to the backyard, as well as a swimming pool.

The FitzGeralds, who were not looking to buy a house, nonetheless fell in love with the property and made an offer. They also became fast friends with Molly. “I think she was pulling for us to get the house,” Tracy says.

The property was special in another way – it was the scene of the weddings of the Clarks’ daughter and granddaughter, as well as the daughter of one of Molly’s best friends. When Molly, who now lives nearby, learned that the property would be the site of Megan and Tommy’s wedding, she arrived for a visit with wedding scrapbooks in hand.

When Megan Met Tommy

Megan and Tommy, who is from Staten Island, met on the first day of their sophomore year at the University of Delaware, where they were peer mentors for a leadership program for incoming freshmen. It was the beginning of a close friendship.

In November, they attended a conference in Orlando, Florida, and realized their relationship was moving beyond friendship. In December 2013, after her last final, Tommy decided he wanted to make their relationship “official” and surprised Megan with a bouquet of flowers and a note that read: “If you still want to take a leap of faith with me, I’d love to.”

Following graduation, the two maintained a long-distance relationship, as Tommy was working on his doctorate in physical therapy, while Megan was in the process of earning her master’s in speech-language pathology from Penn State. Upon completing her degree, she moved to New York, only to have Tommy decide to return to Delaware to do a residency in sports physical therapy.

In July 2019, Tommy lured Megan back to Delaware under the guise of needing help to vacate his apartment. One day they strolled around campus and reminisced about college. When they arrived at the apartment where he had asked Megan to be his girlfriend, another bouquet awaited her. The note that was attached was short and sweet and simply said, “Will you marry me?”

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Clockwise from top left: During the First Look photo session, Megan presented Tommy with journals that chronicled the progression of their relationship.

Tommy and his groomsmen got ready for the wedding by lounging around the pool and playing billiards at the FitzGeralds’ home.

June Reynolds helped her granddaughter get ready for her big day.

A wall of flowers that exemplified summer decorated the Mill Creek island that served as the ceremony site.

Brian FitzGerald walked his daughter down the aisle and to the bridge where Tommy awaited Megan’s arrival. The headpiece Megan wore represented “something old” as it was worn by both her grandmother and mother.

Megan with her attendants, who wore champagne-hued dresses that varied in style.

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Peter Emr, a deacon in the Catholic Church, served as the officiant for the ceremony.

Because of Covid, dispensations were given that allowed for Catholic ceremonies to be conducted outside of a church building.

Tracy was escorted down the aisle by her sons, Kevin and Joseph.

Let the Planning Begin!

Megan had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding. But, because she was employed by the New York City Department of Education, a mid-summer wedding would best fit her schedule. “I’ve been to so many outdoor weddings in July and August and have this memory of the weather being the major topic of conversation – and not in a good way,” she says of the East Coast’s notoriety for hot and humid conditions during the summer months. “I didn’t want that to happen with our wedding, so we decided to do a church wedding at St. Mary’s and hold the reception at the Penn Square Marriott.”

Because so many guests would be coming from out of the area, Megan and Tommy viewed their plans as being convenient from a logistics standpoint. The date was set for August 1, 2020.

Megan began shopping for a dress.

She found exactly what she was looking for at POSH Bridal in Lancaster, but living in New York, she felt she had to experience the allure that is Kleinfeld’s. Not finding the dress of her dreams, her consultant began taking elements from dresses that Megan did like in order to meet her expectations.

Megan said “Yes to the Dress,” only to realize that she had “designed” a dress

that looked like the BECCAR gown she had seen at POSH. In the end, she canceled the Kleinfeld dress and returned to POSH. Megan’s wedding dress was a gift from her grandparents, Jay and June Reynolds.

Gowns were ordered for her attendants, as were tuxes for the groomsmen. An all-white color scheme was established and discussions about florals and linens commenced. Other vendors were lined up, as well. All there was to do now was wait for the big day to arrive when Megan and Tommy could celebrate with family and friends.

Making a Pivot

Of course, we all know what transpired in early 2020. Covid arrived. Megan describes living in New York as “surreal.”

Taking walks became a major source of entertainment and exercise. “Seeing Times Square empty was so odd,” she recalls. She and Tommy, who is a physical therapist and the founder of All in ACL, escaped to Lancaster as often as they could.

Of course, they couldn’t help but worry about their wedding plans. Ongoing restrictions meant that the guest list would have to be drastically pared back.

Megan would have to wear a mask for her walk down the aisle. Family members had concerns about traveling during Covid. “We had a lot going on and a lot to consider,” she

explains. In the end, they decided it would be best to postpone the wedding until summer 2021. They were disappointed but resolute.

Despite putting their wedding on hold, Megan and Tommy held a celebration of sorts on August 1, 2020. Instead of trying to ignore what was supposed to be their wedding day, the two decided to spend the weekend with family in Fenwick Island, Delaware, and meet up with their photographer, Sarah (from Perigee Photo Co.), for a sunrise photo shoot on the beach.

“I found Sarah through Instagram,” Megan explains. “I loved that her photographs were very artistic, organic and natural. Sarah made it a fun morning – we loved the pictures,” Megan says of commemorating what was supposed to be their wedding day.

AS 2020 TRANSITIONED to 2021, things remained in limbo. “As of February [2021], nothing had changed at the Marriott,” Megan says of Covid restrictions on room capacities. The couple then decided perhaps another pivot was in order and began to look at properties that offer outdoor options. “They had capacity restrictions, too,” she recalls.

Then, during a late-winter vacation in Tampa, Florida, Megan and Tracy came up with a Hail Mary-style plan – the wedding could be held in the FitzGeralds’ backyard; their home sits on more than six acres,

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To see more photos,

visit lancastercountymag.com.

which would provide plenty of social distancing space for nearly 300 guests.

Let the Planning Begin … Again!

Megan and Tommy loved the idea. “It immediately felt very personal. It felt like us!”

Megan explains. A new date was chosen: July 24, 2021. It was as if the stars aligned! The Clarks had built the house 50 years ago in 1971, and Tracy and Brian were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in 2021.

With five months to alter plans and recruit more vendors – namely a caterer and a tent supplier – Tracy says revamping Megan and Tommy’s wedding became an “all-handson-deck” effort. “We decided to tackle any and all home-improvement projects we had planned for the next 10 years and get them done [before the wedding],” she says, still wondering how it was all accomplished.

Tracy, who’s a realtor, and Brian, who is the vice president at Jay R. Reynolds, Inc. (a mechanicals contractor in Willow Street), spent all their spare time working on the wedding plans and sprucing up the new backyard venue. Megan’s younger brothers, Kevin and Joe, aided their parents’ efforts and endured plenty of wedding talk. The FitzGeralds called on numerous tradespeople they knew in order to get the projects accomplished. “One day I came home and seven trucks were in the driveway,” Tracy notes. “We were in full wedding mode!”

Tracy even found herself begging for help at one point. “I discovered the road in front of the house was supposed to be paved the week of the wedding, so I called the roadmaster and asked him to please not pave that week,” Tracy recalls of averting a disaster. “Thankfully, he agreed to it.”

THERE WAS STILL one very big hurdle that needed to be cleared. Megan and Tommy wanted to be married in a Catholic ceremony, which is typically conducted inside a church. From the time she was a young girl, Megan always knew that would be a deterrent to being married outdoors.

It just so happened that because of Covid, special dispensations were being given that allowed for marriage ceremonies to be conducted outside a church. In this case, Peter Emr, a family relative who is a deacon in a Catholic church in New Jersey, performed the ceremony.

Tracy points to Ephesians 3:20 for all the blessings they received: “God can do far more than you can ever imagine, guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us.”

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Opposite: Megan and her attendants cross the bridge to the ceremony site. A month later, storms would cause serious damage to the bridge and bring flooding to the backyard.

Tracy and Brian with special guests, Molly Clark and Guy Eshelman. In 1971, Molly and her late husband, Earl Clark, built the home in which the FitzGeralds now live.

Here, clockwise: A large contingent of FitzGeralds arrived from the Midwest for the wedding.

Megan and Tommy pose for pictures in front of her parents’ home. The two honeymooned in Sicily and Malta.

Entertainment included yard games such as corn hole.

Guests were welcomed to the wedding at the front entrance to the house, where a gallery of wedding photos from both families were on display and refreshments were provided.

Megan and Tommy pose with their parents, Tracy and Brian FitzGerald (right) and Vincent and Joan Mandala (left).

Sentimental Journey

The FitzGerald and Mandala clans were excited that members of their extended families would finally be meeting each other. For example, 40 members of Brian’s family would be traveling to Lancaster from Kansas City. “He’s one of nine children,” Tracy explains. An equally large contingent of Mandala family and friends would be coming from New York. The couple’s college friends would be arriving from all over the country. “Our guests showed up for us when we postponed, when we replanned and then in full force on our wedding day,” Megan remarks.

“We wanted it to be a wonderful wedding,” Tracy explains. “We wanted everyone to feel the love, live in the moment and enjoy our home here in Lancaster.” Megan and Tommy, who wanted their wedding to feel “warm, vibrant and joyful,” made their intentions clear in the invitations and on their website: the dress code was wear what makes you comfortable, hence guests wore everything from black tie and cocktail dresses to shorts and sundresses. That sentiment applied to Tommy and his groomsmen: they went from wearing tuxedos to more casual blue suits.

As for Megan, her wedding-day look definitely drew from the custom of wearing “something old.” In her case, it was the veil/headpiece that had been worn by her grandmother, June Reynolds, and then by her mother.

The cake also added to the sentiments of the day. It was from Staten Island’s Alfonso Pastry Shoppe, whose owners are friends of

the Mandala family. “It was their gift to us,” Megan says.

There was also a very special guest at the wedding – Molly Clark was on hand to witness the fourth wedding take place at her previous home.

It Takes a Village

Above: The wall of flowers was removed from the ceremony site and repurposed to frame the couple’s sweetheart table at the reception.

Here: The tent was aglow with light from candles and patio lights.

Knowing they would need help in having things go smoothly on the day of the wedding, Tracy and Megan recruited Planned Perfection to serve as the wedding planner and day-of coordinator. “Danielle Boyer was great and provided the calming effect that we appreciated,” says Tracy.

Finding a tent was also a priority.

“Because of Covid, we wanted to find the largest one available,” notes Tracy. A dance floor was also a necessity. Hess Tent Rentals provided the largest one they ever put inside a tent: 28-by-28 feet. “There were so many people dancing that we could have used a larger one!” Megan shares. Another tent was secured for the catering firm, The JDK Group. They built an entire on-site kitchen. “We received many compliments about the hor d’oeuvres and the dinner,” Tracy reports.

Petals With Style helped Megan make the transition from a white color scheme to one that featured summery tones via florals (and table linens) that, in Megan’s estimation, “beautifully complemented the deep greens of summer.” That was especially evident with the wall of flowers that brought a pop of color to the island, where the ceremony was conducted.

As guests arrived – many via motor coaches that were contracted to provide transportation between the city and the FitzGeralds’ home – they were greeted at the main entrance to the house with refreshments and a display of wedding portraits from the two families. After signing the guest book, they made their way to the backyard and the seating area that was located beneath towering cypress trees and provided a stellar view of the island, where the 5 p.m. ceremony would take place. After the ceremony, cocktail hour was held along the banks of Mill Creek.

Yard games, such as corn hole, dotted the landscape. Then, it was on to the tent for dinner and dancing. Guests could also enjoy a bonfire in a wooded lounge area that was illuminated by twinkle lights.

Favorite Memories

Megan and Tommy’s First Look photography captured the bride presenting the groom with a special gift. Megan, who

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had journaled about their relationship from the beginning, presented the journals to him and read aloud a letter she had written to him in 2015. Tears were shed!

They’ll also remember the speeches Megan’s father, her maid of honor (Mae Ledva) and Tommy’s best man (James Mandala) made in their honor. “They were phenomenal!” Megan says.

Finally, she will always remember the party wrapping up with the song, Shout.

“Everyone was dancing! I remember looking into all the faces of our closest family members and friends and feeling so beyond loved and supported,” she shares.

Then, following an after-party around the FitzGeralds’ pool, the newlyweds departed for Downtown Lancaster at 12:45 a.m. for last call at Tellus360 and socializing with guests at the Marriott. The whole wedding party, with Megan still in her gown and Tommy with his shirt half off, received lots of cheers as they walked around downtown. Megan and Tommy finally called it a day at 5 a.m. “I’d been up for 24 hours!” Megan says. “But, I didn’t want the day to end!”

AND, YES, GUESTS did talk about the weather. As fate and faith would have it, the temperature on July 24 was in the low 80s and there was no trace of humidity. “It was a dream come true!” Megan says.

Credits

Note: All vendors are based in Lancaster, unless otherwise noted • Photographer: Perigee Photo Co. (Harrisburg), perigeephotoco.com • Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Danielle Boyer, Planned Perfection • Bridal Gown: POSH Bridal • Attendants’ Gowns: Online from Show Me Your Mumu • Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse • Hair/Makeup: Envy Salon • Floral Design: Petals With Style • Catering/Linens: The JDK Group • Cake: Alfonso’s Pastry Shoppe (Staten Island) • Band: The Bachelor Boys (Washington, D.C.) • Tents: Hess Tent Rental • Landscaping/Yard Care: Clean Cut Landscape Design • Container Gardens: Tracy FitzGerald • Rehearsal Dinner: Yorgos Restaurant & Lounge

Clockwise from top left: Candle-filled étagères dotted outdoor areas.

Tommy and Megan survey the tent from the dance floor ahead of the reception. Their first dance was to Shelter From the Storm by Bob Dylan.

Each layer of the cake featured a different flavor. The cake was a gift from Alfonso’s Pastry Shoppe, whose owners are Mandala family friends.

As fate would have it, Alfonso’s was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The beautiful weather allowed guests to enjoy the outdoor areas that were set up for socializing.

The JDK Group worked out of a tented on-site kitchen.

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Table for Two

PepperTheo makes its home in Dietz Refectory on the campus of the Lancaster Theological Seminary. In addition to maintaining lunch and dinner hours, it specializes in hosting social and corporate events.

PepperTheo Café & Events

A Dining Experience Awaits PepperTheo is an intriguing name for a restaurant. Launched by Joe Hess and his business partner, Christine Hess, in December 2019, the two also operate Cracked Pepper Catering. Hence, the “Pepper” part of the name. As for “Theo,” that references the fact that the café is located in Dietz Refectory on the grounds of the Lancaster Theological Seminary.

The

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

restaurant’s setting simply oozes character. Dietz Refectory, which dates back to 1916, was built in the Tudor Revival style and features timber roof trusses, as well as two large fireplaces whose mantels boast original Mercer tiles crafted by the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown. The windows, which are embellished with stained-glass medallions, were made from green glass that was repurposed from Belgian greenhouses damaged during World War II. Joe and Christine (who are not related) have spent a combined 50-plus years in the hospitality industry. They opened Cracked Pepper Catering in September 2016. They both credit the late Bob Fenninger for helping them achieve success and cherish the “Z” that was gifted to them when the FENZ sign was removed from the restaurant’s exterior following Fenninger’s death.

As for opening PepperTheo, “We call this our COVID-19 journey,” says Joe,

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who always admired the space. When the opportunity to open a café there arose, he was excited, but was aware the space needed a new kitchen, which he says a donor to the seminary provided.

Plans called for PepperTheo to open in March 2020, but then the pandemic hit and its debut was pushed back to October 2020.

“We started with lunch and then added dinner hours,” Joe explains. Christine adds, “Initially, we focused on outdoor dining in the courtyard outside the building. We made the decision to close in December 2020, when we could no longer seat people outside.” PepperTheo reopened in May 2021.

JOE DESCRIBES PepperTheo as having a rustic, classic supper club feel thanks to the setting. “We want our guests to have a great dining experience. It’s interesting to see people’s reactions when they step through the door,” Joe remarks. “We had a young adult guest approach the entrance with his head buried in his phone. When he

crossed the threshold, he looked up from the phone and got this amazed look as he took in the room.”

PepperTheo can seat just over 100 guests. Seasonal outdoor dining is available in the adjacent courtyard. The lunch menu features traditional fare such as sandwiches, soups, salads and sweets. Dinner features a four-course prix fixe menu that changes weekly with a price range of $40 to $50 per person. Weekly menus are posted online and on social media. “Our chef, Zach Blair, shops Central Market for his ingredients, so we can provide fresh, local fare,” Joe explains.

Seating for dinner is by reservation, and menu items are made to order. “When you call to make a reservation, our staff asks about dietary restrictions or special requests,” he says. “We maintain information about our guests’ preferences and dietary restrictions, so they don’t have to provide it to us every time they make a reservation.”

Since the menu changes weekly there’s

Clockwise from top left: Christine Hess and her business partner, Joe Hess, bring more than 50 years of combined experience in the hospitality industry to their newest venture, PepperTheo Café & Events. The two have operated Cracked Pepper Catering since 2016.

PepperTheo’s courtyard is open to lunch/dinner guests during warm-weather months and is perfect for cocktail hour preceding a social event.

Dinner features a four-course, prix fixe menu. Smoked eye round steak with whipped potatoes, red wine bordelaise, baby carrots and pearl onions was a November offering.

The venue’s fireplaces are covered in original Mercer tiles from Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown.

The November Petite Sweet offering: chocolate-fudge cake with vanilla custard, nutter butter, cacao nibs and sea salt.

no signature menu item. However, there is a signature sweet – a dark-chocolate bark created by Miesse Candies. It’s available exclusively at PepperTheo.

Note: PepperTheo is BYOB. PEPPERTHEO ALSO uses the space for private events such as rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, birthday parties, holiday gatherings, anniversary celebrations, corporate events and small weddings.

“We do a lot of second weddings,” Joe reports. For such events, the space can accommodate approximately 100 for a seated dinner and 127 for cocktails. “The look of PepperTheo really lends itself to a Harry Potter-themed party,” Christine observes. “We hope to host such a party in the near future.”

PepperTheo Café & Events is located in Dietz Refectory on the campus of Lancaster Theological Seminary, 555 West James Street, Lancaster. Lunch is available 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday through Friday. Dinner is available starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Reservations are required for dinner seating and can be made via phone or text. PepperTheo also has private event space. For more information, call 717-341-6565 or visit peppertheocafe.com, Facebook and Instagram.

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Drumore Mill on Harmony

Railroad House Inn

Twin Brook Retreat

IronSpire Complex River’s Edge at Long Level

The Mill at Manor Falls

Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard

Warehouse 100

Osbornia Farm

New(ish) to the Venue Scene Lancaster has become a bona fide wedding phenomenon! Locals and out-of-towners alike are in search of venues that will fit their style and provide guests with an unforgettable experience. Despite the ramifications of Covid closures and restrictions, new venues have continued to open, while others have evolved. What follows are a few we’ve discovered during our travels.

Warehouse 100 100 W. Franklin St., New Holland • Warehouse100venue.com If industrial chic is your style, head for New Holland, where the husbandand-wife team of Taylor and Brandon Holmes transformed what had been the home of a metal fabrication business (and before that it was part of Case New Holland) into an event venue. The transformation started when Taylor needed a place to park her food truck and the building’s owners offered her the space. The entrepreneur took one look and her creative juices started flowing. Remodeling began in 2019 and was finished in time for the couple’s own wedding in late 2020. Warehouse 100 opened to the public in January 2021.

River’s Edge at Long Level 1829 Long Level Rd., Wrightsville • Riversedgell.com Owned by Dave and Sharon Kline, who operate the adjacent Long Level Marina, the venue is actually the brainstorm of general manager, Jordan

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Woodworth, who watched as boaters gathered on the lawn and deck of the property after a day on the river to linger by the water’s edge and enjoy food and drink. That observation prompted him to envision the property as an event venue. The Klines grasped his vision. In 2019, the property was transformed into a venue (capacity is 150) that offers a large patio, lawn area, pavilion-style tent, an indoor dining facility and best of all, a gorgeous view of the Susquehanna River.

Britain Hill Venue & Vineyard 790 Little Britain Road, North, Quarryville Britainhillvenueandvineyard.com Ken and Debbie Helm launched their dream of operating a vineyard/ winery and event venue five years ago when they purchased acreage in Southern Lancaster County. Ken, who has a construction background, built a bank barn that can accommodate up to 185 guests. The large deck offers unsurpassed views of the vineyard and the rolling hills. The vineyard/ winery offers a full range of wines. The Helms recently expanded the venture with the acquisition of The Livery, which is located in Lampeter.

Osbornia Farm 74 Clendenin Rd., Quarryville • Osborniafarm.com History abounds here. Dating to the 1800s, the farm was once part of the Robert Fulton Birthplace. Owned by the Osborne family since 1934, it features a 19th-century farmhouse and a barn that has been repurposed for use as an event venue. Making its debut two years ago, the venue also features beautiful outdoor areas, including a grove of chestnut trees near the barn. While the venue can accommodate 200 guests, it offers unique Micro-wedding and Elopement packages for up to 25 guests.

In the Neighborhood IronSpire Complex 2800 N. Reading Rd., Adamstown • Ironspirecomplex.com Open since mid-June, the former Stoudt’s complex has been refurbished and reimagined as an event venue that features an open-air banquet hall, a cozy courtyard and a covered garden. Unique to the complex are shops overseen by vendors that specialize in weddings. Columbia Kettle Works is the new brewer in town, as it operates a taproom on the premises; future plans call for CKW to open a full-service brewpub in the complex. Yes, the antiques venue is still on the premises.

The Mill at Manor Falls 380 Old Blue Rock Rd., Millersville • Themillatmanorfalls.com A mill has been located at this site that’s just outside of Millersville since 1771. During the Civil War, flour made at the mill helped to sustain Union troops. More recently, the mill was the site of a popular French restaurant that opened in the early ’70s and closed in the mid-80s. It sat vacant until 2012, when the current owners began restoring it. Open since 2018, the site features the climate-controlled mill building, gardens, waterfalls and a bridge.

Twin Brook Retreat 5697 Strasburg Rd., Gap • Twinbrookretreat.com Owned by Merv Beiler since 2015, Twin Brook Retreat makes its home on acreage that was originally part of the Penn Grant and more recently was home to a winery. Beiler, who is a contractor, purchased the property, intending to “create an environment where people can glorify God and experience His presence.” The grounds were excavated and the buildings were restored and updated. The 18th-century barn on the property can accommodate up to 120 guests, while the outdoor environs can expand that number. The property also has four apartments. In addition to weddings, Twin Brook makes itself available for church retreats, family reunions, business meetings and social events.

Drumore Mill on Harmony 1658 Harmony Ridge Rd., Drumore • Facebook.com/DrumoreMill Six years in the making, this gorgeous property will appeal to history buffs and nature lovers alike. The first record of a mill being built aside Fishing Creek dates to 1734. Remnants of a mill add to the atmosphere at Drumore Mill, whose amenities include a farmhouse, a barn that offers get-ready spaces and ample space for a ceremony/reception, a unique creekside indoor/ outdoor reception area, a secluded chapel, paths that meander through stands of ferns, wild cabbage and pawpaw trees, waterfalls and views of woodland. As for history, the property is believed to have served as a lookout during the Civil War and as a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Railroad House Inn 280 W. Front St., Marietta • Railroadhouseinn.com The Railroad House has always hosted weddings but over the course of the last two years, owners Joey Bowden and Freddy States have worked to make it a wedding and special events destination. The property has been transformed inside and out. The most ambitious project saw the carriage house become a venue that can seat up to 60 guests. In addition, it boasts a patio surrounded by gardens. The original summer kitchen also received a makeover and can now accommodate up to 20 guests for a private event. The inn’s guest rooms were also updated, as was the Perry Street Cellar. Finally, the patio and gardens adjacent to the inn were refreshed.

JOHN A. ZERN & SONS BEVERAGE John A. Zern & Sons Beverage specializes in beer and beverage sales and service and has been serving the Lancaster region since 1948. They provide beverage setups for weddings, banquets and other events and work with a number of venues across Lancaster County and surrounding areas.

202 South Charlotte Street, Manheim. 717-665-2233.

Zernsbeverage.com.

CASEY JONES’ RESTAURANT All aboard! Join us in our two original P-70 80-ton dining cars that once rode the rails of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Featuring 175 seats, this unique property offers indoor dining, outdoor deck seating with train and farmland views, and take-out. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, Casey Jones’ Restaurant is a one-ofa-kind experience for all ages!

312 Paradise Lane, Ronks 717-687-5000 CaseyJonesRestaurantPA.com

D’VINE WENCH

Wine Consulting, Tasting & Education D’Vine Wench will provide wine/liquor consulting, education and wine/ liquor tastings for your events; from parties and weddings to corporate events. Call for reservation of dates and events for 2022. Christine is a Certified Sommelier educated at the Le Cordon Bleu Wine School affiliated with the Miami Beach School of Culinary Arts in Florida.

899 Winter Hill Road, Strasburg christine.smolenski@gmail.com 717-239-9586

ATTITUDES HAIR & NAIL SALON For over 20 years, our mission is helping you LOVE your hair and nails! We specialize in trendy and traditional hair design, refreshing color, brightening highlights and perms for added style. Rejuvenate your hands and feet with relaxing manicures and pedicures. Thank you for trusting us to help you look and feel your best and voting us ‘Among the Best’ salons in 2021.

798A New Holland Avenue, Lancaster. 717-295-0836.

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In the Neighborhood HONG KONG GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT

DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE

Our chefs have been serving Lancaster Countians their favorite entrées for 41 years. To add variety, they are always creating new and exciting specials. Vegetable entrées and children’s menu available.

We offer lavish lunch and dinner menus, made with quality, fresh ingredients, for dine-in or take-out.

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre allows patrons to enjoy both dinner and a Broadway-worthy show all in one experience! Head chef, Alex Rosario, plans a wonderful buffet to correspond with each show. On Thursday nights, Alex and his staff prepare superb served-to-yourtable dinners of soup, salad, entrée, and dessert for each guest to enjoy.

1807 Columbia Avenue, Wheatland Shopping Center, Lancaster. 717-394-4336.

510 Centerville Rd, Lancaster 717-898-1900 • Dutchapple.com

CERTIFIED CARPET

MOUNTAIN REALTY ERA POWERED

A local family-owned flooring company in business for over 70 years, Certified Carpet has earned the trust of their clients. “When It’s Certified, You’re Satisfied!”

Broker and Owner Nathan Mountain, along with the entire Mountain Realty ERA Powered staff, offers SUPERIOR real estate services to their clients whether they are relocating to or moving within the Lancaster County area or outlying areas. Our goal is to be an ADVOCATE for you through the entire real estate process of Buying, Selling or Investing. Contact Mountain Realty ERA Powered for ALL of your real estate needs.

• New flooring sales and installation • In-home carpet and furniture cleaning • Oriental and area rug cleaning • Entrance mat sales and service www.certifiedcarpet.com

2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 602, Lancaster 717-390-8701 www.eramountainrealty.com nathan.mountain@ eramountainrealty.com

Simply the BEST Chinese Food!

Family-Owned and Operated for 41 Years!

At Hong Kong Garden, you’ll find consistency in taste, generous portions, a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere and excellent service. We offer lavish lunch and dinner menus, made with quality, fresh ingredients, for dine-in or take-out.

Gift Certificates Available

Hong KongChinese Garden Restaurant

WHEATLAND SHOPPING CENTER • 1807 COLUMBIA AVENUE, LANCASTER • (717) 394-4336

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In the Neighborhood TWISTED EASEL ETC. Twisted Easel Etc. offers unique painting and crafting experiences for all ages. With many creative projects to choose from, Twisted Easel Etc. is perfect for date nights, bridal or birthday parties, team building exercises or a girls’ night out. Gift certificates are available.

Twistedeaseletc.com.

717-951-7834.

1 South Market Street, Elizabethtown.

GALEBACH’S FLOOR FINISHING, INC. Galebach’s Floor Finishing, founded in 1924, is the oldest floor finishing company in Lancaster County. We specialize in residential wood floor refinishing and have extensive experience with historic restorations. Our dust containment system keeps your home as clean as possible while our workers are on-site sanding and finishing. (#PA019030) 202 Main Street, Landisville 717-898-9680 Galebachsfloorfinishing.com

HALDEMAN MECHANICAL INC.

Service Since 1939 PLUMBING HEATING COOLING WATER CONDITIONING

717.665.6910

Sales and 24-Hour Service 1148 Old Line Rd., Manheim www.haldemanmechanical.com

PA7777

Celebr ating 83 Years of Serving the Community HALDEMAN MECHANICAL INC. Founded in 1939, Haldeman Mechanical Inc. has been providing plumbing, heating, cooling and water conditioning services to residential and light commercial customers for three generations. We are a certified Rheem ProPartner offering sales and 24-hour service as well as service agreements to keep your equipment running at peak efficiency. Free estimates are available by calling 717-665-6910 or visiting our website at haldemanmechanical.com.

(PA#007777)

Let’s Get Local.

Follow us on social media and stay in the loop on all things Lancaster County. @LancCountyMag

LUSK & ASSOCIATES

Sotheby’s International Realty Anne M. Lusk has over 25 years of real estate experience. Anne’s mission is to provide world-class service to each and every one of her clients. Supporting local charities allows her the chance to be a difference-maker in the lives of others. By collaborating with some of the finest agents in the area, Lusk & Associates was formed with the goal of bringing a shared vision for world-class service to a broader base of homeowners and buyers.

100 Foxshire Drive, Lancaster 717-291-9101 • AnneLusk.com

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Why We ♥Lancaster

A “Rosie Cake” After the dress, guests at a wedding are anxious to see the cake. Lancaster County is fortunate to have so many talented and creative bakers who help to make celebrations all the more festive!

O

ne of those talented bakers is Rosie Rohrer, who works out of a farmhouse that sits along a country road near Manheim and bears a small, rather nondescript sign that reads Rosie’s Creative Cakes. In business since 1989, Rosie has made a pivot this year, deciding that she will be concentrating solely on what she calls “the heart and soul” of her business: wedding cakes.

Art and design have always been a part of Rosie’s life – she just chooses to express her artistry through flour and sugar. As you can see, art and baking have found common ground. Some cake-painting techniques, as seen top right, deliver a watercolor effect.

The technique seen on the cake on the left is called buttercream palette knife painting

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and takes its inspiration from palette knife painting: oil paint is applied to canvas or wood and is transformed into textured and multi-dimensional shapes such as flowers, leaves, shells, etc. Confectionary artists use tools such as forks, knives and spatulas to transform the surfaces of cakes into works of art.

Rosiescreativecakes.com

4 Questions for Rosie 1. First Job As a high school student, she worked in the bakery of a family-owned grocery store in Manheim, assembling birthday cakes and keeping the refrigerated case filled with decorated cakes.

Rosie and her husband, Dwight Rohrer.

Photo by LDT Foto.

2. Who Does She Admire From the Industry?

Earlene Moore, a cake designer from Texas, who is known for her lace work and gum-paste flowers. “I had the privilege of taking one of her classes,” says Rosie.

3. Largest Cake She Ever Made A pre-Covid bride asked Rosie to create a wedding cake “just like her mother had.” It consisted of 10 tiers – four in the center, two two-tiered cakes on either side and two satellite cakes. And, a fountain also figured into the design.

Rosie remembers someone from the catering staff commenting, “Now, that’s a wedding cake!”

4. Her Favorite Cake Flavor Rosie loves anything chocolate. In regards to cake, she names chocolate mocha chip – with Kahlua buttercream and chocolate ganache – as her “ultimate favorite” choice.

The

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