Lancaster County Magazine | September-October 2024 | Senior Lifestyles Issue

SENIOR LIFESTYLES!

Future Mosaic Residents: Steph Schreyer, Heather Vidal, Lizanne Ledbetter McClenon

Janice McClune, CRNP, joins Hyatt P. DeGreen III, DO, Lena Dumasia, MD, and Roxana Ramos, CRNP, to deliver unmatched quality medical oncology and hematology care at Lancaster Cancer Center, located at 703 Lampeter Road. A cancer diagnosis is overwhelming and can weigh on patients. That’s why we offer a team of dedicated cancer experts, personalized care plans, and integrated support services, from nutritional and well-being support classes to financial counseling, so patients can focus on themselves. New patients and second opinion appointments are available within 24 hours by calling 717.291.1313

Lena Dumasia, MD; Janice McClune, CRNP; Hyatt P. (Tracy) DeGreen III, DO; and Roxana Ramos, CRNP

PUBLISHER

Jocelyn Engle

EDITOR Suzanne Starling-Long Sue@lancastercountymag.com

ART DIRECTOR Ashley Kendrick Kennedy Ashley@lancastercountymag.com

SOCIAL MEDIA Shaun Lucas Slucas@engleonline.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

WRITERS

Dr. Richard L. Bitner Jill Brown

Rochelle A. Shenk

Michael C. Upton

Kathleen Wagner

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Jordan Bush Nick Gould

Kirk Zutell

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Features

26. Spotlight on Halloween

No, it’s not too early to think about Halloween! Lisa Bowman, who loves to decorate her city home for harvest and Halloween, shares some strategies for DIYers and Pinterest devotees.

44. A Change of Taste

Beth Alexander, a designer at Interiors Home, helps some long-time clients navigate the challenge of taking their style from Old World to contemporary.

52. A Mosaic of Residents

Willow Valley Communities’ latest project, Mosaic, taps into the popularity of urban living for older adults. The high-rise will offer an array of apartment floorplans and a plethora of amenities.

71. Pairing the Perfect Party

Michael Upton takes you to the dinner that beer enthusiast Bryan Campbell has been hosting for the past 25 years. It features a curated menu of beer, food and guests.

78. 2024 U.S. Women’s Open … Looking Back

Photographer Jordan Bush had the time of his life at the Open’s return to the Lancaster Country Club. Thanks to his Yashica Mat camera, he was afforded the opportunity to meet curious players, caddies, volunteers, Open personnel, golf fans and a retired weather forecaster.

Departments

10. Event-Full

Fairs, festivals and fundraisers signal that fall has arrived.

14. Life of a Party

Jill Brown takes you to the Junior League of Lancaster’s 100th anniversary celebration at the Fulton Theatre.

92. Foodographer

Last September, Jordan Bush was a first-time visitor to the West Lampeter Community Fair, which will be celebrating a century of agriculture and community during this month’s festivities.

On the Cover:

Nick Gould photographed future Mosaic residents, Steph Schreyer, Heather Vidal and Lizanne Ledbetter McClenon, in Willow Valley Communities’ Welcome Center’s model apartment.

98. Table for Two

Rochelle Shenk visits BierHall Brewing, whose menu celebrates traditional German brews and food, as well as favorite American pub fare.

104. Neighbors

After more than 30 years as the coach of the Mountville Indians youth baseball team, Bob Sauders strikes out for retirement.

Special Advertising Sections

18. Explore Lititz

Discover what one of the “coolest towns in America” has to offer in the realm of dining, shopping, services and seasonal events.

33. & 84. Fabulous Fall

Whether you’re looking to remodel or redecorate your home, update your wardrobe, dine out or simply enjoy the arrival of fall, the advertisers in this special section can assist you.

56. Senior Living

The communities and residents profiled in this year’s Senior Living Advertorial verify that retirement is a phase of life in which older adults can stay actively engaged with hobbies, projects and interests they’ve developed over a lifetime. And, with the luxury of having more free time, they can even explore new avenues.

Fall is in the air, which means fair season goes into full swing in Lancaster County. While farmers are finishing the harvest, theatres and musical organizations are kicking off their 2024-25 seasons. Community events and festivals dedicated to food, craft beer and music are also on the agenda for September, as are benefits for nonprofit organizations.

CASA Heroes

Gala & Benefit

Auction

September 7

Foundry 48

Hosted by CASA for Children of Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, this year’s benefit –

A Storybook Soiree – will honor the real-life heroes who help to change the stories of children. It will also celebrate the storybook heroes, literary characters and authors who have inspired us. Guests are encouraged to dress the part: think fairy tales, mystery, romance, superhero, a favorite author and even villains. Tickets include hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, a complimentary cocktail, buffet dinner, silent/live auctions and dancing. 6 p.m. 100 Millport Rd., Lititz. Information: Casalancleb.org.

Community Days/Air Show

September 7 & 8

Lancaster Airport

Lancaster Airport is hosting a weekend event filled with fun, food and entertainment. There will be a daily air show, aircraft on display, food trucks, a kids’ area and so much more. Come celebrate the world of aviation! 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. 500 Airport Rd., Lititz. Information: Lancasterairport.com.

One World Festival

September 8

Franklin & Marshall College

Organizations affiliated with Greek, Indian, Islamic, Jewish, Irish, Italian, African and Hispanic cultures are collaborating to celebrate the food, music, crafts, arts and dance traditions of the world. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 929 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster (Alumni Sports & Fitness Center). Information: Oneworldfestivallancaster.org.

Masterworks: Gershwin

Unleashed

September 13-14

Gardner Theatre

Lancaster Symphony’s 2024-25 season commences with a tribute to George Gershwin. The renowned Marcus Roberts Trio will bring the jazz element to such Gershwin favorites as Lullaby for Strings, An American in Paris and Piano Concerto in F. Fri., 7:30 p.m. Sat., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. 725 Hamilton Rd., Lancaster. Information: Lancastersymphony.org.

Trail Fest

September 14

Wizard Ranch

Nature Preserve Sponsored by Lancaster Conservancy, this new event was designed to celebrate the variety of ways we can connect with nature and experience the physical, mental and emotional health benefits that are gained from spending time outdoors. The 200-plus acre preserve is part of the more than 45 miles of trails (including two universally accessible trails and more in the works) and over 8,000 acres of natural lands that are managed by Lancaster Conservancy, which works to provide ample opportunities for everyone to explore our beautiful forests, meadows, wetlands and streams. The event will feature live music from the bluegrass band, Colebrook Road, beer from Collusion Tap Works, food from the Vampire Taco Truck, self-guided hikes, trailside chats, s’mores around the campfire and the chance to test your outdoor skills. 2-7 p.m. Tickets required. Accomac Rd., Hellam, York County. Information: Lancasterconservancy.org/trailfest/

Day Out

To learn of October events, visit our website, lancastercountymag.com, later in September. A full list of September events is also on the website.

of course, the pawpaw, which is regarded as the largest fruit that is native to the eastern U.S. The Pawpaw Festival, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, will officially be held Saturday, September 28 (9 a.m.-5 p.m.). It will feature tree vendors, orchard tours, pawpaw-themed merchandise, educational exhibitors and food made with pawpaws. Events on Thursday, Friday and Sunday include cooking classes, hikes, boat tours of the Susquehanna, farm tours, live music and even a tasting of “pawpaw cocktails, lavender indulgences and locally made wine.” Hours vary. 4945 Horn Rd., York. Information: Hornfarmcenter.org.

With Thomas

September 14, 15, 19-22

Strasburg Rail Road

Everyone’s favorite engine is visiting Strasburg this month. Thomas, who hails from the Island of Sodor, will be pulling trains during the 30-minute trips through the countryside. Don’t spin your wheels … tickets go fast! 301 Gap Rd., Ronks. Information: Strasburgrailroad.com.

Wild and Uncommon Weekend/ Pawpaw Festival

September 26-29

Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education

Lancaster Roots & Blues

September 27-29

Lancaster City

It’s back! Dozens of musical artists –including Chad Taylor & Friends, Jimmy Vivino, The Wild Hymns and Popa Chubby – will be performing at eight venues across the city. Information: Lancasterrootsandblues.com.

Windows, Doors, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Additions, & Exteriors

The Horn Farm Center is expanding its popular Pawpaw Festival in order to celebrate the region’s food, art, natural beauty and, 550 East Main Street New Holland, PA 17557

717-354-2003 choicehomeremodeling.com

The Denver Fair

September 10-14

Denver

Known for its competitions, food and emphasis on community, the fair is also heralded for its special events (this year’s include the Space Adventure Thrill Show, Wolves of the Wild and Rannels Rustics Chainsaw Carving demos). Music will be provided by The Uptown Band, Jess Zimmerman Band and Flamin’ Dick & the Hot Rods. There are fireworks, too! Times vary. 801 Main Street, Denver. Information: Thedenverfair.com.

Southern Lancaster County Fair

September 18-20

Solanco Fairgrounds

There’s also an expo through which businesses, churches and organizations acquaint visitors with the services they offer. The food is amazing! Special events include tractor pulls, an Iron Man competition, music from the Jess Zimmerman Band and a celebrity milking contest. Oh, and there’s a parade. Hours vary. Park Avenue, Quarryville. Information: Solancofair.org.

Ephrata Fair

September 24-28

Ephrata

This fair honors the tradition in which it was founded in 1950: fellowship, food and friendly competition.

In Ephrata, you get three extravaganzas in one: the festivities kick off with a massive parade, the downtown area is transformed into the largest street fair in Pennsylvania, and Thomas Grater Park becomes a tent city dedicated to all things agriculture. There’s plenty of competitions, a Family Fun Night, exhibits, live music (Jess Zimmerman Band and Easily Amused) and, of course, delicious food. Hours vary. Main Street and Thomas Grater Park. Information: Ephratafair.org.

in Lancaster County and beyond. We’ve grown from treating a handful of genetic disorders in 1989 to over 450 disorders today.

In April, we moved from Strasburg to Gordonville into a new, expanded facility, which allows us to keep our promise to care for families for generations to come. From participating in cutting-edge gene therapy trials to treating a common cold, we’re dedicated to providing compassionate, accessible, and affordable care for families facing rare genetic disorders.

Life of a Party

Junior League of Lancaster

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LANCASTER

CELEBRATES A CENTURY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Evolving from the early years of their whitegloved predecessors, the contemporary members of the Junior League of Lancaster are hands-on, results-driven community activists whose missions have launched and supported dozens of projects.

BY JILL BROWN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MIRANDA EORIO

THElist of accomplishments is long, the community impacts are vast and the energy of the 100-year-old Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) is indefatigable. The organization’s centennial was recently celebrated at the Fulton Theatre’s James Hagelgans + Gale Zorian Lobby that welcomed current and sustaining members to a reception of hors d’oeuvres, dancing and renewing scores of friendships.

Founded in 1923 by 55 Lancaster ladies – 22 years after the Junior League of New York City was established – the Junior League of Lancaster has consistently focused its volunteer efforts on identifying needs within our community and effecting change. In the process of community improvement, its members also benefit from the organization’s mission of providing a safe space for women to learn, grow and serve together. “I learned many of my leadership skills at Junior League,” says sustaining member, Nancy Randall, referring to such skills as running a meeting, time and project management and effective organization.

Women who are new to the area can find a welcome and shared sense of purpose. “I loved how Junior League was involved in so many goodwill projects in Lancaster, like Hands-on House,” notes sustaining member, Pam McDonald, who moved to Lancaster in 1992. “It allowed me to tap into women who have great work experience, life experience, and utilize their talents.”

Sarah Ganse, JLL’s 2017/18 president, agrees: “I returned to

The Fulton Theatre was the scene of the Junior League of Lancaster’s 100th anniversary celebration.

Debbie Chen-Sloan, Stacie Reidenbaugh (past president), Carrie McCullough, Karen Chesters

What a difference 100 years makes! An archival photo of the Wheatland Foundation Commmittee in 1936, and today’s members, Christine Johnson, Elizabeth Reidenbach, Hannah Funk (2023/24 president), Teresa Marino.

Aly Curtis, Susan Ketchum, Pam Hoffmaster (past president)

Mama Tried Band provided the dance music.

Sally McMinn, Joyce Nolt Past presidents

Sarah Ganse, Bunnie Buckwalter, Kate Lowry

Cracked Pepper Catering provided the menu for the event.

Lancaster County from Ohio, adding to my young family and looking for ways to get involved in the community. Junior League gave me a lens to see projects and meetings. Junior League gets things done. You surround yourself with that and absorb.”

“WE KNOW HOW to get things done” is a universal statement from both current and sustaining members. Anne Louise DeBord, a second generation JLL member and current chair of the Sustaining Advisory Board,

considers her fellow members as “such an amazing group of women – hardworking, smart and dedicated. I think they are the movers and shakers of our community.”

In 1934, they were indeed movers and shakers in that the Junior League was the force that initiated the purchase and restoration of Wheatland, the Lancaster home of President James Buchanan. Since then, JLL has partnered with Students Against Violence Everywhere (1996);

THE TABLE is set

THE LOMBARDO’S EXPERIENCE draws inspiration from many things— the old Italian countryside, the smell of simmering sauces, the meals shared around beautifully set tables. More than just excellent food, Lombardo’s is a place that has opened their doors and their hearts to share the art of classic Italian recipes since 1946. Discover an atmosphere that is both authentically Italian and uniquely Lancaster—where friends are family. TUESDAY – THURSDAY Lunch 11am-2:30 pm Dinner 4pm-9:30 pm

New Directions Employment and Counseling Center (1987); Habitat for Humanity Women Build (2004) and Deb’s House Crisis Nursery (1998). In addition, JLL contributed to the restoration of the historic Demuth House (1981), saved Historic Rock Ford from demolition (1950s) and established the Hands-on House, Children’s Museum (1987). More recently, the organization’s focus has been on assisting children who are aging out of the foster care system, promoting business- and STEMfocused opportunities to girls and, for the past three years, partnering with local organizations to address the estimated 50,000 Lancaster County residents who are forced to deal with food insecurity and nutrition accessibility.

When 21-year-old Jackie Brennan moved to Lancaster from Montreal in the 1960s, she recalls the Junior League having been a “big plus to meet like-minded women.” At that time, one had to be invited to join; now, one

FRIDAY & SATURDAY Lunch 11am-2:30 pm Dinner 4pm-10 pm Make your reservations online at lombardosrestaurant.com

applies for membership. And sustaining members who once were “retired” from service may now continue to support the organization’s volunteer efforts. Bunnie Buckwalter, who served as the League’s president in 1988/89, was one of the “founding mothers” of the Hands-on House, which she considers “a wonderful gift to the community,” and humorously describes the project as “my fifth child.”

Mingling among sumptuous hors d’oeuvres served by Cracked Pepper Catering, past and present members caught up on each other’s lives, as current League president, Hannah Funk, called the group to order, recognizing the 25 past presidents in attendance and saluting the League’s lasting mark on Lancaster, through “training thousands of volunteers to serve not only the League, but many other impactful organizations in the area.” The Mama Tried Band signaled it was time to rock the dance floor and, on a broader perspective, a member commented, “Our slogan says it all: ‘One woman can make a difference, but together we can rock the world.’”

Junior League of Lancaster welcomes all women 21 years and older. Email info@jllancaster.org or visit jllancaster.org for more information.

Owner of Jill Brown Publicity, Marketing & Events, Jill brings highlights of Central Pennsylvania’s social scene and special events to Lancaster County Magazine’s readers. Do you have an event that you would like to have covered by Life of a Party? Contact her at jillianbrown@live.com.

Katie Keister (past president), Julie Gotwald

Laura McGarry (2024/25 president), Susan Bowser (past president), Teresa Marino, Hannah Funk (2023/24 president), Melissa Esterly (president-elect)

Michael Hartley, Annie Hartley, Sarah Winkleman, Colin Heinie

Teddy Chairsell (past president), Jack Fulton, Ann Fulton

Pam McDonald, Ann Weaver (past president), Nancy Randall

Sandy Posey (past president), Jean Bednarski

Caitlin Fassnacht, Sam Besnoff, Noelle Fassnacht (past president), Amanda Funk

Shannon McMinn Rivera, Anne Louise DeBord

Lititz Explore Lititz

Special Advertising Section

Stop into THE SAVORY GOURMET in Downtown Lititz to sample flavors from around the world. This familyowned shop offers an extensive selection of international cheeses and unique foods. Exotic meats include venison, elk, lamb, Kobe-certified beef from Japan, alligator, boar, python and rattlesnake. Owners Bill and Missy McMahon, passionate foodies, can make suggestions based on your tastes and preferences. They also specialize in creating custom-made charcuterie boards, perfect for special occasions or gatherings. Whether you’re a culinary adventurer or simply looking to expand your palate, The Savory Gourmet has something to offer. For more information or to place an order, call 717-625-1949 or visit savorygourmetlititz.com.

At LUTHER ACRES , a Luthercare community in Lititz, older adults enjoy a healthy, active retirement with more time to do the things they love. Thanks to many on-site conveniences and without the worries of home maintenance, they’re living life to the fullest with a wide range of clubs, hobby groups, recreational activities, educational opportunities and planned travel excursions.

Charming Downtown Lititz is walkable from Luther Acres, and residents appreciate taking in the fantastic restaurants, quaint boutiques and unique community events. Look for Luther Acres’ chefs serving a sweet treat at the Lititz Chocolate Walk charity event on October 12.

Fall is always an exciting time at CLEMINTINES . Sweaters, jackets and fun tops are filling the shelves and racks. Pants and denim in many shapes and colors are arriving. Gold and mustard tones, shades of deep green and teal and rich hues of plum are all standouts this fall.

Accessories are essential to completing your look. Some staff favorites in jewelry include Sea Lily (made from piano wire), OC Jewelry (for that artistic statement piece) and Origin (a resin material that comes in an array of colors and styles). Clemintines has beautiful scarves and purses, as well.

Visit Clemintines and then enjoy the many other stores and restaurants that Lititz has to offer.

• Color Me Cotton • Clara Sun Woo • Lu Lu B • Foxcroft • Renuar • Tribal

Thomas Morton, of MORTON FINE FURNITURE , has been designing and handcrafting beautiful solid wood furniture in Lancaster County for over 50 years and is designated as a Lancaster County Heritage Craftsman. Morton’s designs belie the intricacy of classic joinery methods of dovetailing and mortise and tenon. Thomas works primarily with Pennsylvania Appalachian Cherry, Walnut, Maple and Ash. Natural oils are hand-rubbed into the pores to reveal the wood’s distinctive natural color and grain. Each piece is finished with a wax coating for protection. Morton’s furniture is uniquely crafted as inspirations, not as reproductions.

“When you see my signature, you know you have an original,” Thomas says.

What does an award-winning investigative television reporter do when he signs off and leaves New York? If you are Jim Hoffer, you return to your hometown (Lititz), buy a century-old building and transform it into a community gathering place that you name LITITZ SHIRT FACTORY. The concept also enabled Jim to delve into two of his

passions: music and beer, as musicians from across the country arrive to perform live shows, while Collusion Tap Works offers a menu of brews and food. Ah, but there’s more! The upper floor of the building can accommodate up to 150 guests for social and business events, while an art gallery plays host to exhibits and other art-related gatherings. Visit us at 5 Juniper Lane in Lititz.

MORAVIAN MANOR

COMMUNITIES is a truly unique place to pursue more from life and retirement. Located just steps away from Downtown Lititz, our walkable community boasts two inviting campuses. Find the place you’ve always desired with the region’s most diverse selection of residential home styles, first-class amenities, engaging community life, and comprehensive continuum of Life Plan options … all

by small-town living Pursue a lifestyle inspired

IT’S A BRIGHT NEW DAY and residents all around our two campuses are pursuing an inspired maintenance-free lifestyle in downtown Lititz. Small in size, the town is big on culture! Everything you could desire from dining, shopping, and more is an easy walkable distance from all of our residential homes.

IT’S A BRIGHT NEW DAY and residents all around our two campuses are pursuing an inspired maintenance-free lifestyle in downtown Lititz. Small in size, the town is big on culture! Everything you could desire from dining, shopping, and more is an easy walkable distance from all of our residential homes.

Speaking of culture, come enjoy our new selfguided metal sculpture walking tour that’s open to the public, complete with 23 pieces and audio narration. Check it out on our website, or stop by our open house in October!

Speaking of culture, come enjoy our new selfguided metal sculpture walking tour that’s open to the public, complete with 23 pieces and audio narration. Check it out on our website, or stop by our open house in October!

Explore Retirement Living Open House

Explore Retirement Living Open House

Saturday, October 19 10am — 4pm

Saturday, October 19 10am — 4pm

Call 717-626-0214 to plan a visit soon. But don’t delay... our wait list continues to grow!

Call 717-626-0214 to plan a visit soon. But don’t delay... our wait list continues to grow!

Residential Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Skilled Care & Rehab www.moravianmanorcommunities.org

Residential Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Skilled Care & Rehab www.moravianmanorcommunities.org

supporting active, vibrant aging. You also can rest easy knowing there is 24/7 support available to handle any emerging issues. Call 717-626-0214 to experience the warmth and hospitality of Moravian Manor Communities – where your best life awaits!

At BRICK GABLES , you can create memories that will last a lifetime! We’re a family-owned wedding-and-events venue in Lititz, Pennsylvania, that loves to see all your planning come to life. This special day will be remembered for years to come, and we cannot wait to host your celebration as you gather with family and friends. We’re located at 800 E. Newport Road in Lititz. Telephone is 717-627-0080.

If you would like a side of rock ‘n’ roll with your meal, head to PER DIEM at the Hotel Rock Lititz. The restaurant is located on the Rock Lititz campus, which is a one-stop shop for A-list artists who are preparing to go on tour. Starring fresh ingredients sourced from regional farms, foragers and producers, Per Diem offers dinner daily and brunch on Sunday. For dinner, choose from starters, salads, pizza and entrées. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are available. Signature cocktails, beer and wine are also offered. Be sure to leave room for dessert from their in-house pastry chef!

Lititz Events

There’s nothing like fall in Lititz. Festivals, a farmers market, 2nd Friday and holiday events fill the calendar. For details, visit lititzpa.com. SEPTEMBER

• 21: L’Italia Festival, Lititz Springs Park, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

• 21: Lititz Craft Beer Fest, TAIT, 3-6 p.m.

• 26: Fundraiser for the CARE Center at Penn State Cancer Institute with special guest, classical guitarist Francois Wiss. Lititz Shirt Factory, 6:30 p.m. Lititzshirtfactory.com OCTOBER

• 5: Lititz Artisans’ Parkwalk, Lititz Springs Park, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 12: Kiwanis Chocolate Walk, Downtown Lititz, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• 26: Apoca-Lititz 5K, Downtown Lititz, 9 a.m.

• 30: Lititz Lions Halloween Parade, Main Street, 7 p.m.

• 2nd Friday September 13 and October 11, Downtown Lititz, 5-8:30 p.m.

• Lititz Farmers Market Thursdays through October 17, Lititz Springs Park, 4 p.m.-dusk.

• Wolf Sanctuary of PA Special events include Full Moon Fundraisers on September 14 and October 19 (7:30 p.m.), and Wolf Awareness Day on October 26, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wolfsanctuarypa.org.

MARIE AND Z BOUTIQUE has expanded. We are now located at 11 Broad St. in Lititz. Stop in to shop more styles and new lines! We have cozy sweaters, jeans, blouses, casual dresses and more. “It is important to look for clothes that not only fit well, but also fit your lifestyle,” Denise says. “They should be comfortable, affordable and stylish. This is what each piece in my boutique brings and I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed selecting them.” Discover your style at Marie and Z Boutique. Open Tuesday, 1- 5 p.m. and Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. Follow us on Instagram @marieandzboutique for schedule updates, boutique specials and events.

CHERRY ACRES is a manufacturer and retailer of custommade furniture crafted primarily from reclaimed lumber. Cherry Acres specializes in tabletops and bar tops made from live-edge slab wood. Besides domestic species, Cherry Acres carries many exotic species imported from Costa Rica. Stop in and view the several hundred slabs at their store and warehouse.

One of the many popular specialties at WILBUR CHOCOLATE is their signature Wilbur Buds. They can be purchased in many different gift formats or in casual pouches for total chocolate Bud enjoyment! Other favorites include chocolate-covered fruit, triple-coated almonds and the kitchen-made Lititz Bark. Stop by the Lititz store today to find all kinds of sweet treats for yourself or the perfect gift for any occasion! Visit wilburbuds.com to find out more about their long and unique history or to shop for your favorites online.

The WOLF SANTCTUARY OF PA offers a lifelong safe haven for displaced gray wolves and wolf-dogs. At Wolf Sanctuary of PA, wolves are given back their dignity. The sanctuary provides natural wooded enclosures and a safe and enriching environment for them to live out their lives in peace.

Wolf Sanctuary of PA relies on your generous donations to continue

providing a lifetime of quality care and enrichment for all the wolves who live there. Visit for a guided educational tour or symbolically adopt a wolf to show your care and support for the Wolves of Speedwell throughout the year.

Spotlight on Halloween

Lisa Bowman awaits the arrival of trick-ortreaters on the front steps of her home in Lancaster. Halloween has always been her favorite holiday and that fact is reflected in the creative manner in which she decorates the exterior of her home.

Lisa Bowman has loved Halloween since she was a child. “It’s always been my very favorite holiday,” she notes. As an adult, she gained an appreciation for the history and traditions that encompass Halloween. She’s also embraced the creative aspects that the season provides.

BY SUE LONG | STYLING BY LISA BOWMAN | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

Iknow what you’re probably thinking. Isn’t it a little early for Halloween? Apparently not! I found myself out of luck when I perused the big home stores in search of a summery door mat in late May. Instead, the shelves were in the process of being stocked for Halloween! Stores of all sorts and sizes followed suit as soon as July 5 appeared on the calendar, as did online sources. It seems that Pinterestand Instagram-crazed members of the younger generation prefer to shop early so that they can swing into Halloween mode right after Labor Day and post pictures by the time fall arrives.

Just as with Christmas, we’re seeing Halloween decorations go up earlier every year. The two powerhouses – where consumer

spending is concerned – have formed a juggernaut that has taken on monikers such as Halloweenmas and Yuleoween. Last year, Halloween spending reached a record $12.2 billion. “The big picture is that Halloween is more popular than ever,” the National Retail Federation’s Katherine Cullen wrote in a 2023 blog that shared a record 73% of consumers planned to mark the holiday in some fashion. Interestingly, Halloween has become a big party night for adults; only New Year’s Eve and the Super Bowl out-pace Halloween.

“HALLOWEEN IS JUST FUN,” Lisa says. Like many members of the baby boom and Gen X generations, Halloween stirs up nostalgic memories for her. “So many memories,” she muses, saying that in her estimation,

Halloween was the “highlight of the kid year,” because it was “the only night when you were allowed to stay out after dark.” She also recalls all the planning that went into creating a costume. “Nobody went to a store for a costume,” she says. She remembers being mesmerized by It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, which made its television debut in 1966. She was also enamored of Dark Shadows, The Munsters and The Addams Family, which she credits for her love of anything Victorian and all things gothic. When Halloween approached, special desserts emerged from her mother’s kitchen. Another favorite memory centers on the family getting crafty and making decorations and carving pumpkins.

Pumpkins, lighting, bats, container gardens, swags of bittersweet and foliage are used to create the seasonal décor.

LATER, TELEVISION would help to elevate Lisa’s imagination in regards to Halloween décor, thanks to Martha Stewart, whose first primetime Halloween special aired in 2005. For Lisa, Martha Stewart Living (the magazine) became her bible. “The photography, the styling, it was just beautiful,” she remarks. In Lisa’s estimation, Martha “put holidays, as we now know them, on the map.” As for Halloween, she points to Martha as being the catalyst behind the revival of heirloom varieties of pumpkins and gourds. “She was the first to carve white pumpkins,” Lisa notes. “When I was a kid, the selection extended only to the orange pumpkins. Now, you can go to any farmstand or garden center and the selection is huge.”

LISA’S CREATIVITY and love of plants initially led her to become a floral designer. She credits her first employer, Nancy Gingrich Shenk, for teaching her how to decorate a Christmas tree. When she launched her own business, working with clients led her down other avenues. “When I started out, event planning was an unknown commodity,” she says. “I kind of backed into it by doing little things to elevate a client’s parties. When someone would say, ‘If I just had whatever,’ I’d run to my house and get it. I helped many a client with their Halloween parties.”

Lisa discovered that her “knack for anticipating” everything from lastminute needs to averting disasters added to her success in planning weddings and other events. “I was kind of an oddity,” she says of her yin and yang ability to combine creativity and managerial skills. “Being thanked for providing a family with the best day possible is a memory that will stay with me forever,” she says of the 20 years she spent designing florals and planning events.

NOW, LISA USES her home in Lancaster City as her creative outlet. Here, her interests in architecture, art, history, period furnishings, antiques, books, travel, nature and gardening are readily evident. At Halloween, the house especially comes alive. She loves the history and folklore that are connected to Halloween, notably the fact that the

Lisa credits Martha Stewart for creating a newfound interest in heirloom pumpkins and gourds.

Inspired by the decorated windows she saw in Europe, Lisa transformed her living room windows into tableaus that she fills with finds and mementos.

Visitors, including trick-or-treaters, come by the house on a regular basis during the season to see Lisa’s decorations. Lisa Bowman photo.

The bats recall a childhood spent crafting the winged creatures out of construction paper.

“Halloween is just fun”

A found mirror was used to create an optical illusion. It appears there are two pumpkins but in reality it’s one that has two faces, one of which is reflected in the mirror.

Marigolds pay homage to the Day of the Dead ceremonies that are held in the American Southwest (November 1-2 this year).

An exhibit of Japanese Kabuki masks prompted Lisa to create masks out of pumpkins by carving them lengthwise and hanging them on doors and windows. They can be illuminated with candles or battery-operated lights.

Irish and Scots brought the tradition of carving turnips at Halloween time to America and adapted to using pumpkins to mark the holiday. “People brought their customs here and they mixed and mingled to create an American phenomenon,” she says of modernday Halloween. She likes the fact that pumpkins once had a practical side in that they were grown to feed cattle and provide settlers with food ingredients that had staying power. Hence the need for a pumpkin patch, she points out.

LISA’S TRAVELS HAVE provided her with opportunities to experience Day of the Dead observances in the American Southwest and in Poland. The marigolds that decorate windowsills and other spaces pay homage to that tradition.

Trips to Europe, where people decorate their windows with treasures, inspired Lisa to begin creating tableaus in the windows of her living room. They are filled with things she has collected since she was a child, including the small shark jaw she begged her parents to buy when she spied it in a shop in Boston. Dried roses, seashells, antique glassware, antlers, a silver squirrel (Stephan) she bought at her favorite flower shop in Amsterdam, a piece of marble, green apples and two horse-like creatures she calls Victor and Hugo (purchased at a shop in Paris) fill the windows.

THE WINDOWS, like the exterior of the house, are illuminated with green string lights. “I love to use green lighting for Halloween,” she says. “As soon as Stauffers has them in stock, I’m there. I also like to use blue lights at Christmas.” She traces her fascination with green lighting to her favorite Disney movie, Sleeping Beauty. “The wicked witch, Maleficent, always had a green aura of light around her,” Lisa explains, noting that the green lighting effect was used in several Hitchcock movies of the ’50s and ’60s. The green lighting also helps Lisa to overcome the challenge of competing with the streetlights.

Lighting challenges are also overcome by using a theatrical trick Lisa discovered years ago. Gels, she explains, can transform and add interest to even the most mundane

Clockwise from top:

of spaces. “If the lighting isn’t good, you, your decorations and the table won’t look good,” she says of an event as grand as a wedding or as intimate as a dinner party at home. Gels are available in a wide range of colors and are relatively inexpensive. “You can buy them online,” she says.

Lisa also likes to employ the concept of using light and shadows to set the mood. Candles can convey everything from romance to eeriness. Candles can also be used to cast shadows. Lisa also relies on mirrors to bounce light around a room and to bring life to her tree-shrouded patio.

“Smoke and mirrors” is another ploy she relies on. Last year, she found a discarded mirror along a roadside and retrieved it. She turned the find into an optical illusion, as she

positioned a pumpkin (carved on both sides) in front of it. “Two pumpkins for the price of one!” was the result. The mirror also multitasks, as she uses it as a serving tray for entertaining. “Everything has to multitask when you live in a small house,” she reports.

AS FOR THE PUMPKINS she hung on the front door and windows, Lisa explains the idea of cutting a pumpkin in half lengthwise occurred to her when she visited a Japanese Kabuki mask exhibit at a museum. “I’m looking at them and all of a sudden it occurred to me I could do the same thing with pumpkins,” she relates. She went home and experimented and voila, unique Halloween decorations emerged.

The bats that decorate a portion of the house represent nostalgia. She

loved creating the bats as a child and enjoyed sharing the project with her now-adult niece and nephew. “They just bring back nice memories,” she says. Swags made from bittersweet and other natural elements provide the finishing touch. Lisa says the resulting décor pays homage to Halloween traditions, as well as the harvest aspect of decorating that Lancaster County has become known for.

Lisa likes the fact that people have made it a tradition to stop by and take in the decorations. “I think of it as my way of giving back to the community,” she says. Oh, and she was already contemplating her Halloween décor in mid-July. “I bought a giant owl to put in the dormer window,” she shares.

When decorating for a Halloween or harvest party, Lisa recommends that you “shop” your home and garden for items such as candlesticks, feathers, vintage items, foliage, statuary, etc. She also likes to fill glass containers with strings of battery-operated lights.

Fabulous Fall Fabulous Fall

Welcome to HEARTH AND HARROW , where friends can relax and families can gather for delicious food and a beautiful atmosphere. Hearth and Harrow is located at Pleasant View Communities in Manheim and is open to residents and the public alike. Brick-oven pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, salads and signature entrées are just some of what H&H is known for. Businesses or families can rent the dining room for events and parties, while the bistro area is a great place to grab lunch. Enjoy a cozy evening by the fire with a local wine or beer at the outdoor patio. There’s something for everyone!

Burgers, sandwiches, brick oven pizzas, salads, signature entrées, and more!

At CHERRY HILL ORCHARDS AND FARM

MARKET , the garden center is bursting with color and garden-refreshing ideas courtesy of hardy fall mums, pumpkins and other decorative items. The cool, crisp nights will soon produce the bright, shiny color on your favorite apples for picking. Every Saturday from mid-September through October, bring the whole family to pick apples and take hayrides and photos! Stop by the Orchard Farm Market for fresh-squeezed, “all natural” apple cider, cider donuts and many other specialty items. Visit cherryhillorchards.com and Facebook to learn about upcoming events and fresh fruit picking in the orchard.

Revitalize your windows with PHILLIPS PAINT & DECORATING CENTER ! Whether it’s energy-efficient blinds, custom draperies or cutting-edge automated shades, Phillips has the solutions to enhance your space. Trust their experts for precise measurements and seamless installations, ensuring years of troublefree service.

Experience the products firsthand at their showroom, where full-size displays allow you to envision the perfect look for your home. From stylish shades to luxurious window treatments, let Phillips Paint & Decorating Center transform your windows and make you fall in love with your home again.

Visit today and discover the latest in window décor for maximum convenience and energy efficiency!

Silhouette® Window Shadings

NewStyle® Plantation Shutters

Carole Fabrics Draperies

Vignette® Modern Roman Shades

With a breathtaking view of the Susquehanna River, locally sourced food and dedicated staff, JOHN WRIGHT RESTAURANT is an all-in-one location for your special occasion. As a full-service venue, they can accommodate bridal and baby showers, rehearsal dinners, corporate parties, weddings, and any other reason to celebrate. Large events can be held in the River Room, while smaller celebrations can take place in the main dining room. The outdoor dining room and the seasonal pizza patio are available during warm-weather months. John Wright Restaurant is proud to offer a wide variety of options to make your special event memorable and hassle-free.

GRAND OPENING WINDOWS & DOORS is a leader in window and door replacements in Central PA. We provide a fantastic selection of energyefficient windows and entry doors, in addition to our award-winning professional installation. Our pressurefree, in-home estimates are provided at no cost to

homeowners, resulting in a stress-free process. We also offer financing options, which allow you to get exactly what you want and meet your budget. We serve the entire Central Pennsylvania region.

Flooring plays a major role in the look and feel of your home. Whether you want classic hardwood floors for your living room or you need the perfect plush carpet for your bedroom, HERITAGE FLOORS can provide you with the flooring and installation you need to enhance the overall look and appeal of your home. With many years of experience, the team at Heritage Floors offers carpet, vinyl flooring, ceramic tile, luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, area rugs and window shades. Through in-store consultations, Heritage Floors can help you envision your desires and show you the best options for your home. Get in touch for a free estimate!

STOVES | FIREPLACES | OUTDOOR FURNITURE

BOWMAN’S

BOWMAN’S STOVE & PATIO is a 46-yearold family-owned business located in Ephrata that specializes in gas fireplaces, wood stoves, outdoor furniture and gas and charcoal grills. Over 40 burning displays of stoves, fireplaces and fireplace inserts are on display in the showroom. Bowman’s also has their own install crews that perform all installations.

Modern- and transitional-style gas fireplaces are gaining in popularity and now offer many other options - glass beads, river rock, driftwood, white birch logs, etc. - besides traditional log sets.

Bowman’s advises you to shop early if you want to have a new stove or fireplace installed before the cold weather arrives this winter.

PINNACLE DESIGN/BUILD REMODELING is celebrating 25 years of award-winning remodeling. With a commitment to quality craftsmanship and customer satisfaction, PINNACLE has earned an excellent reputation that sets them apart. The number of repeat clientele speaks volumes to this success, as PINNACLE strives to stay on-trend with innovative designs and amenities that provide better functionality and revitalize the dull and boring. Owner Eric Weaver notes: “As we mark this significant milestone, we thank our craftsmen, suppliers and employees who share our dedication to excellence and have collaborated in our vision to deliver projects that add value and enhance the lifestyles of our clients.”

A MODERN STORAGE SOLUTION

A beautiful backyard shed from FOX COUNTRY SHEDS is the perfect storage solution for many homeowners. The new Modern Studio shed offers contemporary appeal while providing a variety of uses, from backyard storage to a poolhouse or even a work-from-home space. Adding additional windows will create the perfect potting shed with contemporary appeal. Our website allows you to customize and view your ideas in 3D. You can even “place” your shed in your backyard virtually with the Augmented Reality feature. A “Fox Shed” is sure to add valuable storage space to your home while enhancing the exterior of your property, ensuring it remains both functional and appealing.

Established in 1989, COUNTRY LANE FURNITURE is a family-owned business that provides solid wood, handcrafted furniture that will last for years. By purchasing products from Country Lane Furniture, you are making a quality investment in a work of nature: the warmth and beauty of our genuine hardwood handcrafted furniture. Customers tell us we have the largest selections of Amish handcrafted furniture in the area. More than 60,000 square feet in one location. Along with the largest selections on display, we also specialize in custom designs and offer delivery/installation within 10 surrounding states and ship to the rest. Most items are available for immediate pickup or scheduled delivery.

Wood Species

Hutches, Servers, Tables, Headboards & More. Over 125 Entertainment Centers & Bookcases on Display.

75 Handcrafted Desks in Showroom. We Can Custom Build a Desk to Accommodate Your Work Flow.

Bedrooms in Showroom from Barnwood to Contemporary & Traditional. So many Choices.

Come & See our Huge Selection of Live Edge & Modern Rustic Dining Sets.

Large Variety of Hutches, Buffets, in a Variety of Solid Wood Species

Beautiful Dining Sets

Showroom, Locally Handcrafted.

98 Masonic Dr., #102, Elizabethtown Open Daily 8am-2pm 717-287-6381• THEWHISKCAFE.COM

Experience the ultimate breakfast and lunch destination at WHISK CAFÉ , Elizabethtown’s top spot for local, made-to-order cuisine. Our breakfast menu, which is served all day, boasts unique, fresh, seasonal options that will satisfy every foodie. The lunch menu includes a great selection of salads and sandwiches. On the run? Grab a freshly made baked good. Enjoy freshly brewed coffee, signature lattes or indulge in a cocktail for a memorable breakfast, brunch or lunch experience.

Specializing in window treatments, home décor and design, HERITAGE DESIGN INTERIORS can help you with your decorating creations. From new construction/renovation consulting to hourly consultations, they can coordinate every element of your project. Design services are customized to you. Need help dressing up your windows? They can

help with blinds, shades, shutters, sheers, draperies, valences and cornices, as well as motorized and room-darkening options. Custom bedding, pillows and shower curtains are also a specialty. Visit their retail store for home décor, artwork, mirrors, floral designs, lamps and more. Don’t miss their Holiday Open House that starts November 7. Life Well Styled!

Whether you’re a seasoned homeowner looking for better coverage or a first-time home buyer on a budget, UNRUH INSURANCE AGENCY can introduce you to better home insurance. Their agents will match you with a homeowners insurance policy that fits your needs. Plus, each policy can be customized with add-ons, giving you options for extra protection where you see fit. Unruh has two convenient locations: East Earl and Denver.

AChange of Taste

BY SUE LONG

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

The design of the first floor lent itself to creating a living room that makes a contemporary statement. The rug inspired the color scheme – blue, taupe and black – for the living area. Comfort was also important and was achieved with a power-reclining sofa and chair/ottoman (all from the company, Stressless), as well as a swivel chair. Hardwood covers the floors, while screen shades filter light and add an element of privacy.

Susan and Chuck Rabinovitz were ready to embrace the next phase of their lives and move to a 55+ community in Cornwall, Lebanon County. With that decision, Beth Alexander of Interiors Home was given the dream job of her career.

Inmoving to their new home, the Rabinovitzes were spared the headache of deciding what to take and what to part with. Instead, they did what many of us only dream of doing and started fresh. Natives of Baltimore, Susan, who is retired from the government, and Chuck, who is retired from teaching, had moved to Gettysburg when they were still working. They filled their period-influenced home with replicas of antiques and and other treasures. “It was very traditional, very Old World,” Susan says of her style at the time. They were also longtime customers (45 years) of Interiors Home, and when they remodeled the house in 2010, Beth helped them through the process.

Ten years later, they began to feel overwhelmed by the house and decided to start looking for a smaller home close to Hummelstown, where their son and his family live. “Three floors for two people were too much,” Chuck shares of what influenced their decision. They fell in love with a 55+ community in Cornwall called Alden Place and began making plans to build a house there. They contacted a realtor to begin the process of selling their Gettysburg home. “It didn’t even hit the market,” Susan reports. “The realtor knew someone who might be interested in buying it.” The buyer not only purchased the house, but all the furniture, as well. “When we moved to Cornwall, we didn’t even need a moving truck,” Susan adds. With the transaction completed, minimalism became their mantra. Contemporary became their style.

The only hiccup was a six-month period that existed between moving from Gettysburg and waiting for their home in Cornwall to be completed. They rented a converted springhouse for the duration. The lull allowed them to join forces with Beth and concentrate on furnishing the house. For Beth, it would

Left: The cabinet from Century demonstrates how one can bring a customized look to a room, as the case, door pattern, wood and finish can be the buyer’s choice. The mirrors add to the contemporary flair of the space beneath the staircase.

Below: The on-trend dining space adds a touch of opulence to the floorplan thanks to the velvet-cut chairs that tie into the color scheme. Note the gold lighting fixture.

Right: Black-and-white defines the open kitchen. The large, quartz-covered island is outfitted with a sink and offers plenty of storage. Beth maintained that because the kitchen is in the middle of the living space, the bar stools that surround the island “needed to stand out.” The patterned, cut-velvet fabric does exactly that.

be a “relatively uncommon route, as most people entering this phase of life tend to downsize and maybe buy a new piece or two of furniture to replace items they’ve had for 20 years. The plan is usually to combine old and new. It’s really unusual for someone to completely change their style and basically start over.” Beth found the

prospect of working on such a project to be exciting. “For a designer, it’s the sort of opportunity that doesn’t come along every day.”

A Born Designer

Beth, who grew up in Elizabethtown, has loved the world of design since she was a youngster,

always knowing she would gravitate in that direction career-wise. “I took an architecture class in high school and loved it,” she recalls. That prompted her to enroll in a homecorrespondence course. She then met the late Albert Newlin, who operated an interior design business in Mount Joy. “Al took me under his wing; I

learned so much from him,” Beth says. “Working with him was a wonderful experience.” That was 45 years ago. Since then, she has worked for other companies and joined Interiors Home in 1993. “I started in the Lancaster store and when Interiors expanded to the Harrisburg area, I moved to that store and now mainly work out of the

Camp Hill location, although I still have many clients in Lancaster.” Alluding to her long tenure, Beth laughs and says she is at the point in her career where she has redone the same rooms for clients several times.

Beth maintains that helping a client involves more than choosing a piece of furniture or a shade of paint.

“There’s a lot of psychology involved; you need to get to know them and their family, and they need to get to know you. In the beginning, it’s like a two-way interview process that reveals if we click. After all, they are trusting you to decorate their home in the manner they want.”

Clicking on All Cylinders

Fortunately, Susan, Chuck and Beth clicked from the outset. The couple’s desire to go in a new direction style-wise didn’t come as a complete surprise to Beth. She remembers back to 2010 and Susan telling her, “If I ever move, I’m going in a totally different direction.” Beth was also aware that Susan is a person who is not afraid of change and loves the design process. “With Susan, perfection is key … right down to the last accessory,” Beth notes. “It has to be right.” Again, working with someone with that degree of dedication (and

determination) represented a project that doesn’t come along very often.

Beth worked with the Rabinovitzes every step of the way. “Alden Homes was very easy to work with,” Beth says of the Cornwall-based builder, whose presence in Lancaster County is represented at Gables at Elm Tree in Mount Joy. The Rabinovitzes were able to take elements of two Alden models and create a custom design that entails an open floor plan in the living area, a home office, a guest loft and a primary suite that includes a bedroom, spa-like bath, a gorgeous closet area and laundry area. “We

also worked with Alden’s designers to determine placement of electrical outlets throughout the house, as well as the window placement in the living room area,” Beth recalls.

Beth also worked with the couple on design elements for the kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the lighting, flooring, paint, wallpaper, etc. The hand-knotted wool rug in the living room set the stage for the blue-taupeblack color scheme that defines the living areas. “Everything spilled off that rug,” Beth says. She appreciated Susan’s determination to find the perfect rug. “Not enough effort is put into selecting

The bench in the foyer is covered in a fabric that delivers a silverleaf-like finish. It’s complemented by contemporary artwork.

In the primary bedroom, taupe defines the paint color, while silvery tones embody the nightstands, rugs and linens.

Chuck and Susan Rabinovitz worked with Beth Alexander (right) to take their home in a contemporary direction.

A floating vanity in the first-floor powder room is enhanced with a wall of floor-to-ceiling tile that employs shades of gray, taupe and brown.

A laundry area is positioned between the closet area and kitchen.

The walk-through closet answered Susan’s desire to add a little glitz and glam to the primary suite.

rugs,” she notes. “Rugs can often serve as the artwork for a room,” she says of their importance in the overall scheme of things.

What to do with the windows also presented a challenge. “We needed sun control plus a way to create privacy,” Beth points out. “Draperies would not solve either issue.” In the end, they chose screen shades that in Beth’s estimation are perfect in that they filter the light, are simple in design and complement the minimalistic tone of the house. Best of all they operate via remote control.

Home Contemporary Home

Now that they are nearing the finish line, Susan says she will miss interacting with Beth. “I do enjoy the process and I’m sad we’re done,” she says. But, as she and Chuck discovered, the area offers lots of opportunities to create new interests. The community is home to a clubhouse that offers amenities such as a café, as well as a fitness center with an indoor pool. The Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail is a short

walk from their home. Mount Gretna is minutes away, while Lebanon, Hershey and Lancaster are close by. They enjoy living near their grandchildren. They’ve also launched new careers: Susan works on a part-time basis at Martin’s Floor Coverings in Myerstown, while Chuck dabbles in the antiques and collectibles market.

Bumping into Beth in the future is a real possibility. The Rabinovitzes’ son and his wife are now working with Beth on projects at their home.

Beth’s Observations

Are you contemplating making changes at your home? Beth shares what’s hot on the homefront.

Color is back (which thrills Beth).

Gold and brass are adding a metallic glow to homes, especially in kitchens and baths.

Traditional design is making a comeback.

Cotton prints are in vogue again.

Wallpaper is back with interesting nature-oriented designs.

Performance fabric continues to evolve to the point where it’s available in tight, durable velvets, as well as textured patterns.

Pets are part of the family; leather is a good cover option, although it can scratch.

The walls of the spa-like primary

are covered in a wallpaper whose style Beth describes as “modernized traditional.” Since baths are usually devoid of furniture, Beth maintains that they can be enlivened with paint color or a patterned wallcovering. The floating vanity features his-and-her sinks and storage. The basketweave tile floor adds another pattern element to the space.

Kitchen islands continue to grow bigger.

Dining areas, as opposed to separate dining rooms, are popular.

Gray is becoming much warmer and is going in a taupe direction.

For more information, visit interiorshome.com.

Opposite:

bath

Above: The home office features furniture covered in durable fabrics and shutters on the windows.

Left: The first floor’s color scheme took a more dramatic direction in the loft area that contains a sitting room, a bedroom and a bath. It’s become the domain of visiting grandchildren.

A Mosaic of Residents

Older adults are embracing this next phase of life by moving to communities whose amenities and residential options have helped to make Lancaster one of the country’s top retirement destinations. Mosaic, by Willow Valley Communities, is the latest lifestyle option for older adults in that its focus is on urban living.

Thechoice of where to spend your retirement years is ever-expanding. Besides traditional retirement communities

BY SUE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

(which offer anything but “retiring” lifestyles), Lancaster is home to an increasing number of 55+ communities. For those who wish to remain in their homes, many retirement communities are developing “at home” programs.

The newest focus is urban living, senior style. Willow Valley Communities has embraced that trend with Mosaic, a 20-story high-rise, which will exude what Maureen Leader, public relations and communications manager at Willow Valley Communities, terms as “quiet luxury” in the heart of Downtown Lancaster. For occupancy anticipated to begin in 2027, Mosaic residence reservations are underway now.

Mosaic’s 16 floorplans feature two- and three-bedroom apartments (ranging in size from 1,592-3,338 square feet), that include floor-toceiling windows, open floor plans, chef’s kitchens, primary suites, top-of-the-line finishes and superior craftsmanship. A design team will assist residents in making selections for their new homes.

Residents will be afforded amenities such as a restaurant; a rooftop bar and terrace lounge; a wine cellar and tasting room; a ballroom; a game room; a full-scale fitness center, indoor pool complex and cycle studio; a library and business center; a game room/lounge; a community garden; a spa and wellness center; and a dog

Three of Mosaic’s future residents, Lizanne Ledbetter McClenon, Heather Vidal and Steph Schreyer, became better acquainted during the photo shoot that was held at Willow Valley Communities’ Welcome Center.

park and salon. In addition, residents will be able to take advantage of the amenities, dining options, activities and events that are held on Willow Valley Communities’ campuses. Of course, the city’s shopping, cultural and dining opportunities are just a short walk away.

Envisioning such a lifestyle is made easy at Willow Valley Communities’ Welcome Center that is located on the Lakes campus. Visitors are welcomed to the center by a large and detailed model of Mosaic. They can then tour the model apartment that has been built within the center (complete with “views” of the city thanks to the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows). Introduction-to-Mosaic events are held on a monthly basis. Visit mosaiclancaster.com/events for details.

Getting to Know You

What is one topic of conversation that binds the baby boom generation? If you said “music,” that would be correct. Three future residents of Mosaic – Lizanne Ledbetter McClenon, Heather Vidal and Steph Schreyer –became acquainted with each other by sharing memories of the first concerts they attended. For Lizanne, it was Black Sabbath (with none other than Ozzy Osbourne). Heather named a Mott the Hoople concert at the Spectrum in Philadelphia as her first foray into the concert scene. As for Steph, she still has fond memories of seeing Shaun Cassidy perform in Hershey. The three also found common ground in pets, as Heather and Lizanne both have cats, while Steph is a dog mom.

Mosaic’s 16 floorplans will exude the concept of “quiet luxury,” which refers to the use of quality elements and materials. The term also relates to creating a décor that is truly personal and utilizes items that are meaningful and reflective of one’s interests.

They chose Mosaic for different reasons. Lizanne, who once worked for the world’s top mathematician at the University of Texas, was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and spent most of her adult life in Austin. “Austin was a great place to raise kids,” says the mother of three. “Lancaster seems to be similar in that respect.”

It was their children that prompted Lizanne and her late husband to move East. “I had friends at Willow Valley, so we got the grand tour of the area and really liked it,” she explains. “We were absolutely sold – the amenities are world class – and the kids were thrilled by our decision.” When Mosaic was announced, Lizanne was intrigued – “I love living in high

“Music helps to keep me young,” says Heather Vidal, who continues to perform locally and regionally. “The fact that I performed on the mainstage of the Roots & Blues Festival [in 2022] at the age of 65 still amazes me,” she marvels. “Now, I have more of a pick-and-choose schedule, which suits this stage of my life,” she says of being a newlywed.

Steph Schreyer loves to make plans. “I’m a planner,” she says. “I always need something to look forward to; it keeps me going.” Steph says making plans to move to Mosaic is exciting. “There’s always something going on downtown,” she remarks. “And, once I’m living downtown, I hope to explore volunteer opportunities.”

Lizanne Ledbetter McClenon doesn’t like to let the grass grow under her feet. “I feel like I’m still 25,” she says of her desire to stay active and engaged with all that life has to offer. “I want to live life to the fullest and try new activities and go on new adventures.” True to her word, Lizanne ventured to Scotland this summer and has an African safari on the schedule for 2025.

places,” she says – and made the decision to move downtown. As for Heather, that concert in Philadelphia obviously had an impact on her, as she became a singer and songwriter, sharing that Bonnie Raitt and Joni Mitchell are major influences. Having spent most of her adult life on a farmette in Dover, York County, Heather sold the property 10 years ago and moved to Lancaster, where she met Rick Price, who she married in June. It was Rick who suggested they explore Mosaic. “We both like the fact that Lancaster offers a walkable lifestyle,” Heather says. Rick and Heather, who continues to perform locally (and beyond), love city living so much that they became investors in the former Molly’s Pub, which is now known as The Corner at Musser. Steph grew up in Leola and now lives in New Holland. She has been employed by Cargas for the last 19 years, while her husband, Tim, works at Industrial Resolution. The two, who plan to “work their way into retirement,” saw Mosaic as a way to finally move downtown. “We practically live downtown,” she says of working, dining out and attending shows at the Fulton. “We plan to retire on our terms and saw Mosaic as an opportunity to make that a reality.” Having experience as caretakers, the Schreyers wanted to relieve their two children of that responsibility. “I know the toll that being a caretaker can take on a person,” she notes. They also liked the idea of having Willow Valley Communities’ Type A Lifecare. This financially wise contract entitles every Mosaic resident to short- or long-term care, if needed in the future, with no increase to the monthly fee because of the need for an enhanced level of care. “If we would need additional services, it’s a relief to know they are available,” Steph says.

For more information, visit mosaiclancaster.com.

Senior Living Home Creative Home

Moving to a senior living community may mean that tasks such as downsizing will need to be addressed, but it doesn’t signify that an interest in home decorating, DIY projects, crafting, collecting, hobbies or gardening must be curtailed. More than likely, you’ll now have even more time to devote to such interests (or develop new ones)!

Brenda and Lloyd Jacobson decorated their cottage at Luther Acres with family heirlooms and other treasures.

Kirk and Mary Reider’s cottage at Cornwall Manor is filled with Mary’s rughooking projects and Kirk’s woodworking, as well as mementoes of their travels.

Clarence and Marcia Spohn’s cottage at United Zion reflects their travels and interests in history, antiques and gardening.

Les and Faye Houck furnished their cottage at Pleasant View with family furnishings and heirlooms.

Vivian Doolittle and her husband, Don, are residents of Willow Valley Communities. The South Carolina transplants enjoy exploring Lancaster County.

Mim Mylin has incorporated some of her late husband’s cabinetmaking projects into her apartment at Fairmount Homes.

Pleasant View photo

Willow Valley Communities photo

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

Thanks to the very talented and creative residents of local retirement communities, you can learn how they navigated the challenge of downsizing, designed beautiful (and meaningful) living spaces using furnishings and décor from their previous homes, continued to pursue favorite hobbies and artistic endeavors and, most importantly, embraced this new phase of life.

Explore Retirement Living

October 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you or a loved one are contemplating making the move to a retirement community, put October 19 on your calendar. The annual tour will see 17

communities – many featured on the following pages – open their doors to visitors. Through the tour, you’ll understand why Lancaster County is regarded as a top place (#3 this year) to retire in the United States, per U.S. News & World Report. The results were based on such criteria as cost of living, taxes, superior healthcare, access to cultural activities and the happiness factor.

Visitors are encouraged to bring along friends and family members whose advice they respect. Plan to spend at least an hour at the communities you wish to visit. You’re also advised to wear comfortable shoes, as walking distances will vary. Questions are welcome and follow-up visits can certainly be arranged.

Be sure to bring your appetite! You will be invited to sample food and beverages along the way. No doubt, you’ll discover that Lancaster’s senior-living communities have upped the ante where dining out on campus is concerned. As a result, you’ll see gorgeous restaurants (many now open to the public), cozy cafés and coffee shops, plant-shrouded outdoor-dining venues, health-conscious take-outs and upscale wine bars.

Those who are health-conscious will marvel at the fitness facilities that exist on the campuses, offering swimming pools, classes, weight training, cycle studios and yes, pickleball!

You’ll also learn about the clubs, activities and cultural offerings that abound. If you don’t already have a hobby or area of interest, no worries! You’re bound to find new horizons to explore.

For details, visit exploreretirementliving.org.

Barbara and David Cross decorated their cottage at Quarryville Presbyterian with collections that represent time spent in England and Australia.

Jim and Linda Bear’s cottage at Homestead Village is filled with Jim’s decorative gourds. Together, they enjoy gardening.

Fred and Valerie Swarr’s carriage home at Moravian Manor mirrors their artistic and decorating talents.

Dottie and Roland Yoder’s apartment at Landis Homes reflects Roland’s artistic talents and their shared creativity.

Landis Homes photo

Luthercare Reflecting Christ’s Love Through Service to Others

Meet Brenda and Lloyd Jacobson

Prior to moving to Luther Acres two years ago, the Jacobsons had resided in Manheim Township for 33 years. They both took great joy in decorating their home with family heirlooms and treasures. In making the move to Luther Acres, a Luthercare community, the couple was prepared to downsize and start a new chapter in their lives.

They both agree that the transition was made easier with help from Beyond the Fork in the Road, a locally owned business that specializes in assisting older adults in downsizing or moving. A representative met with the Jacobsons to help determine how their furniture would make the transition to the new floor plan. “They measured everything, and they figured out what we could take with us,” says Brenda. The couple was thrilled to be able to bring pieces such

as their china cabinet, corner cupboard, a beloved grandfather clock and more to their new home. Except for purchasing a new sofa and a chair, they were able to furnish their cottage entirely from their former home. “At first blush, it’s overwhelming to think about the move, but then you get your head around it,” Lloyd remarks.

One of their first purchases as a married couple was a beautiful crystal chandelier for their dining room and, for sentimental reasons, they knew it had to make the move to Luther Acres! It now hangs in their dining room space and complements the china cabinet that displays Lloyd’s collection of martini glasses and Brenda’s collection of stemware purchased from an antiques shop in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the corner cupboard holds Lloyd’s grandparents’ china set, as well as crystal pieces collected by Brenda over the years.

The décor of their cottage includes

many nods to their past, including an antique steamer trunk that belonged to Lloyd’s grandfather; it’s filled with memorabilia from Lloyd’s childhood in Iowa and precious antiques passed down through his family. Many paintings done by Lloyd – he’s a landscape architect by trade who enjoys art as a hobby – hang throughout their home. Their hobbies are also well represented, including golf (Lloyd) and cooking (Brenda).

According to Brenda, she and Lloyd love “the wonderful people and community here.” They have found many ways to become active and involved at Luther Acres. Lloyd is the current Residents’ Council president and is taking a watercolor class being taught by a local art instructor. Meanwhile, Brenda, who has always loved thrifting and antiquing, volunteers with the resident-led “Attic Treasures” sales and continues to enjoy entertaining, cooking and baking.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), with locations in Lititz (Luther Acres), Columbia (St. John’s Herr Estate) and Lebanon (Spang Crest)

• Range of Services

Independent Living, Supportive Personal Care, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation and In-home Care

• Residential Options

Our communities feature comfortable and stylish Independent Living cottages and apartments that offer a variety of designs to suit tastes and budgets. We also offer beautifully updated private Rehabilitation rooms, private or companion Personal Care suites, and private and semiprivate Skilled Nursing rooms.

• Clubs

Residents can share their interests, cultivate hobbies or develop new pursuits at our communities. Clubs devoted to books, walking, computers, music, sewing, poker, billiards and much more are available. The water volleyball team, pickleball and drumline class are popular with residents. We also have an actor’s workshop.

• Population

Approximately 580 at Luther Acres, 170 at St. John’s Herr Estate and 90 at Spang Crest.

600 East Main St., Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-1171 • Luthercare.org Info@luthercare.org

The Luthercare

Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

Apartments range from 448-1,207 square feet. Cottages range from 740-1,592 square feet.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

While we have a list of standards, new residents can customize much of the space to suit their needs and preferences. Paint colors are available in hundreds of options. Two colors can be chosen, with additional colors considered to be an upgrade. Our standard floorcoverings include carpet and vinyl. Luxury vinyl plank flooring can be selected as an upgrade. In addition, cabinetry, hardware and countertops can be selected through our approved vendors.

Help with Downsizing?

We do not offer such services, but we do maintain a list of companies that can provide assistance.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

Residences are updated during the movein-selection process. In addition, they receive a 10-year refresh (typically for flooring and paint).

Contractors/Service Providers Policy

Luthercare’s contractors and subcontractors must be used for renovations and updates.

Senior-Friendly Amenities

Design features such as wider hallways, doorways and entries accommodate mobility issues. Soft-close cabinetry doors and soft-glide drawers make life easier for those with arthritis.

Technology

Apartment buildings are Wi-Fi-enabled.

Garden Access

Residents are welcome to maintain gardens within the beds at their cottages or at designated spots on campus.

Care-Free Living

We take care of everything from landscaping and snow removal to changing a lightbulb.

The Jacobsons’ large dining area accommodated their table and chairs, a china cabinet, a corner cupboard and the chandelier they purchased as newlyweds.

Cornwall Manor

The New Nature of Senior Living

Meet Mary and Kirk Reider

Residents since 2023, the Reiders love their home in the Gatehouse Lane area of the community. They found its size (1,900 square feet) and layout very accommodating to the furniture and heirlooms that are meaningful to them.

As New England is their favorite vacation destination, the décor in their home is reflective of their travels. Also in evidence is Mary’s talent for rug hooking, as she can display nearly all the projects she has completed over the years (something that was impossible in their previous home).

Kirk dabbles in woodworking and takes advantage of the unfinished basement to pursue his hobby. The loft, which provides space for guests and storage for rug-hooking supplies, is a cozy place for reading (another of Kirk’s interests), watching television, listening to music or working on the computer.

Prior to their move, the Reiders worked with Cornwall Manor’s marketing team to make changes such as bringing lighting fixtures from their previous home and adding wiring for speakers through the entire house.

Making the decision to move to a retirement community was not an easy one for the Reiders, but once they did, it was “full throttle ahead.” Everything they brought with them to Cornwall Manor has a memory or an association, which helped to make the transition an easy one.

The Cornwall Manor Lifestyle

Size of Residences

Homes: 1,000-2,600 square feet.

Apartments: 600-900 square feet (one bedroom) and 1,000-1,500 square feet (one bedroom/den or two bedroom). All are senior-friendly.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

While there are a few guidelines/standards, Cornwall Manor is amenable to discussing any personalization request a future resident may have and do our best to make it happen. Standard paint colors and floorcoverings are offered; residents can upgrade their choices (a fee would be involved).

Help With Downsizing?

We work with several companies that offer such services.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

Residences are renovated/updated every time they become available. In addition, residents who have lived in their homes for 10 years are eligible to have them updated.

Do You Offer Design Services?

Such services are not offered; however, we can provide a list of area interior designers.

Contractor/Service Providers Policy

Residents are encouraged to use one of the contractors that have been approved/vetted to work at Cornwall Manor.

Technology

Wi-Fi is available with more upgrades planned.

Garden Access

Residents of single homes may have gardens within designated areas, plus a community garden is available to gardeners.

Hobbies/Activities

Cornwall Manor offers a wide range of activities for residents who want to continue their hobbies or discover new possibilities. A

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community Continuing Care Retirement Community

• Range of Services

Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Care, as well as transportation, pharmacy service, etc.

• Residential Options

One- and two-bedroom apartments and single and duplex homes

• Fitness Opportunities

Health and wellness opportunities include an indoor pool, fitness center and exercise classes. Other offerings include pickleball, bocce, dance classes, putting green, billiards, table tennis, Wii, walking paths (including the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail). Residents can also volunteer at the Trailside Organic Farm that provides produce to our dining rooms and residents.

• Population 575

1 Boyd Street, Cornwall, PA 17016

717-274-8092

Cornwallmanor.com

Marketing@cornwallmanor.org

few of the offerings include woodworking, a craft room and an artist studio.

Care-Free Living

Cornwall Manor takes care of all maintenance services inside and outside. No more worrying about snow removal or grass cutting!

Mary and Kirk Reider relax in their second-floor loft that is decorated with Mary’s rug-hooking projects and mementos of their travels.

Fairmount Retirement Community

Dedicated to Faith, Family & Community

Meet Mim Mylin

Crest View apartment resident, Mim Mylin, had already downsized once, when she and her husband moved from their home of 47 years in Millersville to one in Mount Joy, where they spent another eight years. When Mim’s husband passed, she was sure about two things: not wanting to maintain a property by herself and wanting to move to Fairmount before winter arrived.

After choosing her fourth-floor apartment, Mim was faced with making decisions on which furniture she would bring with her. That was dictated by how the pieces fit into the graph-paper diagram her daughter had created that outlined the room dimensions of Mim’s apartment. Making these decisions more difficult was the fact that most of the furniture had been built by her late husband, a cabinetmaker. Mim chose one beautiful hutch to be the central piece in her new living room. It serves as a tribute to her life, as the top shelf is adorned with beautiful china from Morocco, where one of her children lived for 17 years, as well as mementos from the West Coast, where another child resided. Mim’s photo albums, contained in the hutch, combine her love of family, travel and scrapbooking.

Since moving to Fairmount, Mim enjoys frequent visits with family and friends, and maintains active correspondence with loved ones from her second bedroom, which she uses as her office. She also enjoys the evening music programs and never tires of walking on the scenic nature trails. Meals are enjoyed in front of her balcony doors, allowing her to take in the scenic landscape. Her fourth-floor neighbors have become friends, gathering regularly to do puzzles, play games or just talk. Mim says, “I am content, feeling close to both nature and God.”

The Fairmount Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

Our senior-friendly cottages range from 7781,732 square feet, while apartments offer 566-1,422 square feet of space.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

In most cases, new residents to Fairmount are greeted by homes that have been updated with new appliances, paint and flooring. Guidelines are provided, with design services offered to both new and established residents.

Contractors/Service Providers Policy

Our renovations team performs most of the work, but residents are permitted to use their own contractors, as long as they are licensed.

Technology

Wi-Fi is available campus wide.

Garden Access

Residents can connect to nature via garden plots and raised beds that are made available. They are also permitted to plant flowers/ vegetables around their cottages or groundfloor apartments.

Hobbies/Activities

Fairmount provides opportunities for residents to continue their engagement with hobbies and interests and even adopt new ones. For example, painting classes and a woodshop enable residents to express their creativity.

Care-Free Living

Fairmount offers a carefree lifestyle, as snow removal, appliance maintenance, lawn care, etc. are handled by our team.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

• Range of Services

Residential Living, Personal Care, Short-term Rehabilitation and Health Care/Skilled Nursing. Fairmount also offers a Plain Community Rehabilitation Program for those who do not have medical insurance due to religious beliefs.

• Residential Options

Presently, we have 52 cottages, all with garages and most with two bedrooms/two baths. Planning is underway to build 16 additional cottages in 2024/25.

• Spiritual Connection

Fairmount remains a strong community of faith and we remain rooted in our faith-based mission. We welcome those from all denominations and walks of life to join us at Fairmount.

• Population 400 across all levels of care.

333 Wheat Ridge Drive, Ephrata, PA 17522

717-354-1800 • FairmountHomes.org

Mailbox@FairmountHomes.org /FairmountHomesRetirement

The centerpiece of Mim Mylin’s living room is the hutch her late husband, a cabinetmaker, made. It holds treasures such as the many scrapbooks Mim has assembled that chronicle the lives of her children and grandchildren. The apartment also offers a stellar view of the countryside.

Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community

Providing for the spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs of our residents.

Meet Barbara and David Cross

The Crosses have lived in our residential living neighborhood, Great Rock, since 2022. Before making their move to QPRC, they lived in Australia (1970-1981), Carlisle, Cumberland County (1981-1992 and 2011-2022), and England (1992-2011). Having relocated internationally several times, these retired missionaries were experienced movers and were prepared to do some downsizing. Using the floorplan of their home at QPRC, they decided which furnishings would work and marked each piece’s destination for the movers.

The Crosses had the pleasure of having some church friends visit when they moved in; those friends helped them hang pictures and curtains. (Quarryville provides two hours of complimentary maintenance for projects such as this.) Their home is decorated with treasures they’ve collected through the years, including Aboriginal weapons, Barbara’s collection of tea cups/ saucers and other serving pieces, and porcelain figures of buildings and historical sites that bring back memories of England.

As they have settled into their new home, Barbara has developed a big interest

in biblical archeology and enjoys reading, television specials and YouTube videos. David continues his interest in gardening and tending to his houseplants.

The Quarryville Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

Quarryville offers an impressive choice of sizes, styles and layouts. Apartments range in size from 424 (efficiency) to 1,901 square feet (den, 2 bedroom, 2 bath). Cottages in Great Rock range in size from 1,401-3,207 square feet.

Senior-friendly Amenities

All residences offer wheelchair-accessible doorways and comfort-height toilets and vanities. Most units offer soft-close kitchen cabinet doors/drawers.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

Residents are encouraged to personalize their living spaces with artwork, photos, plants, etc. Quarryville is home to people who have led fascinating lives. Their variety of experiences and home décor reflect their extraordinary lives. New residents can

typically make changes to flooring and paint colors, some of which are standard, while others are available as upgrades.

Help

with Downsizing?

We do not offer downsizing services in-house; however, we can suggest local professionals for such services.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

Each time a residence is vacated, it receives new flooring and paint (at a minimum). Current residents can customize their homes with new flooring and paint. Sometimes residences are eligible for new kitchens (cabinets, counters and flooring).

Are Design Services Offered

Our director of sales works with new residents to make selections, some of which are available in-house, while others can be obtained through local vendors.

Contractor/Service Providers Policy

Residents generally work with our experienced team members/contractors who can accommodate most requests. Otherwise, contractors/service providers must be approved.

Barbara and David Cross decorated their home with mementos of the years they spent in Australia and England. The two are aficionados of tea and have continued the custom of enjoying afternoon tea. Barbara’s extensive tea cup collection is reflective of her fondness of tea. The Aboriginal weapons are a souvenir of Australia.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), offering all levels of care on campus

• Range of Services

Residential Living, Personal Care, Memory Support and Skilled Nursing Care, as well as Rehabilitation/Respite Care. Services related to podiatry, auditory and therapy are provided. We also provide transportation to appointments, and have a salon, bank, general store, and chaplain on campus.

• Residential Options

The final phase of our Residential Living cottage community, Great Rock, is under construction, and offers five models.

• Fitness Opportunities

Our wellness program offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with pneumatic strength-training machines, ellipticals, bicycles, treadmills, rowers, balance/agility devices and more. Quarryville also has an aquatic center, indoor walking track and an outdoor sports court. Our fitness team offers a full range of land and aquatic programs.

• Population Approximately 430

625 Robert Fulton Highway, Quarryville, PA 717-786-7321

Quarryville.com

Qprc_contactus@Quarryville.com

Technology

Residences are high-speed wired and offer wireless Internet. Each home is provided an iPad that enables residents to stay current with notices, activities, events and menus. Our IT department is available to help with tech issues.

Garden Access

Residents may plant flower gardens in the existing beds that surround cottage homes. Raised garden beds are available for residents in various locations on campus. Residents have access to a community garden shed, as well as a greenhouse for overwintering plants.

Hobbies/Activities

A wide variety of interest groups are geared to hobbies and recreational activities, including board and card games, birding, fishing, bocce, Bible memorization, creative writing, pickleball, trains, woodworking and much more.

Care-Free Living

All home-maintenance needs – lawn mowing, weeding, raking, snow removal, appliance repairs, etc. – are taken care of at Quarryville, enabling you to truly “Retire the Ordinary and Live the Extraordinary” life you deserve.

Homestead Village

Thrive Where You Are.

Meet Jim and Linda Bear

Spying a bear-inspired decorative gourd at her brother’s house about 8 years ago, Linda shared how much she liked it, prompting Jim to try crafting one of his own. Even though he didn’t have the correct tools, he successfully created a “bear” gourd that now resides with them in their cottage at Homestead. Since then, Jim has acquired the tools, paints and stains that he needs to create intricate designs that celebrate the various seasons and holidays. He says his creative outlet is simply for the enjoyment of family and friends. “It’s an avocation and not a vocation,” he says of his hobby.

The Bears moved to Homestead from nearby West Hempfield. They were pleased to receive a brand new kitchen they were able to customize with colors and selections of counter tops, cabinetry and appliances. They chose to turn their sunroom into a dining area that provides easy access to their covered patio, where Jim often works on his gourds. Their garage allows ample space for their vehicle, as well as storage and a workbench. They love that Homestead’s location allows them to be close to their favorite grocery stores and shopping, healthcare and, most importantly, their grandkids. As a former teacher, Linda loves taking her grandchildren for walks at Rader Park at Homestead Village, which features a scenic walking path along Brubaker Run, a fish pond, gazebo and other areas of interest.

The Homestead Lifestyle

Size Range of homes/Apartments

Apartments range from studios to 1,300 square feet in size. The new Townstead Apartments range from 1,100-1,597 square feet. Cottages, villas and carriage homes range from 750-3,700 square feet.

Design Services

We offer a refurbishment after 10 years of residency. New incoming residents work with our renovations manager and in-house renovations team.

Contractor/Service Provides Policy

Outside contractors can only be used with written permission of our facilities director, and only for select projects or requests.

Senior-friendly Amenities

Homestead Village works to follow universal design guidelines to ensure all homes are accessible, functional and beautiful.

Garden Access

Residents are welcome to work in their own gardens and create beautiful spaces around their homes. Our Environmental Action Resource Committee has provided resources and educational training to residents to encourage native plantings and pollinators. Our Soil for the Soul garden club is a favorite of many of our resident gardeners.

Care-free Living

We even wash windows!!

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

• Range of Services  Residential Living, Personal Care, Memory Support, Short-term Rehabilitation, Skilled Nursing Care, Home Care and more!

• Residential Options  A wide variety of cottage, villa and carriage home styles are available. Residential apartments are also licensed to provide personal care.

• Clubs

Homestead Village has over 40 clubs and groups that are driven by residents’ interests such as woodworking, wellness, music, books and HAM radio. There’s even the Environmental Action Resource Committee. Our residents are active and engaged in the community around them and love to make a difference.

Jim Bear’s

hobby made a smooth transition to Homestead Village, where he and his wife, Linda, have surrounded their cottage with flower beds that are filled with art Jim creates from concrete.

Moravian Manor Communities

Pursue More From Life

Meet Valerie and Fred Swarr

The Swarrs, who both grew up in Manheim, lived in Mount Gretna for 18 years before moving to the Warwick Woodlands Campus at Moravian Manor Communities. “We loved it there and truly thought we’d spend the rest of our days there,” says Valerie. “But then we heard about Warwick Woodlands. We made an appointment to learn more and before we knew it, we were making preparations to move.”

In preparing for their move, the Swarrs rented a storage unit close to their new home, where necessities (outdoor items, Fred’s art studio furniture and supplies, personal wall art, household goods, etc.) were stored. Other items were assigned to a local auctioneer. While their home was being built, they purchased blueprints of the house so that they could “place” the furnishings they were taking and create spaces for conversation, dining, etc. within the open floor plan. It also helped the movein process, as the Swarrs were able to direct the movers to where each piece would go.

Valerie reports that the biggest challenge in moving was finding the perfect area for Fred to set up his art studio. They chose the second bedroom and adjoining bathroom for that purpose. The morning light pouring into the room was perfect for an artist. In designing the studio, the Swarrs placed the furniture in such a way that Fred’s work table could be replaced by an inflatable bed to accommodate any overnight guests.

When it came to decorating, Fred’s artistic talent and Valerie’s interior design capabilities combined to create a colorful and exciting living space in their “forever” home that is even outfitted with a “Mount

Gretna room.” The Swarrs love living in the Woodlands. “We never looked back with any regrets,” notes Valerie. “We only look forward to enjoying our retirement together.”

The Moravian Manor Communities Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

Cottages, carriage homes and townhomes range from 1,400-3,200 square feet. Apartments range from 790-1,944 square feet.

Senior-friendly Amenities

Aging-in-place features include barrier-free showers, comfort-height toilets/vanities, ample lighting and easy-to-reach microwaves.

Technology

Ample electrical, telephone and cable outlets are provided. Sound systems and upgraded technology require prior approval.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

Residents choose from a variety of finishes and upgrades, plus are welcome to personalize their homes with furnishings, art, etc.

Help With Downsizing?

Our Move-In Coordinator can provide references for those services and more.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

Residences are renovated prior to the arrival of new residents (the extent depends on the age of the home, but always includes carpet and paint).

Are Design Services Offered?

Outside of working with our Move-in Coordinator, residents can work with a local designer or one they have worked with in the past.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community

Not-for-profit Life Plan Community

• Range of Services

Residential Living, Assisted Living, Personal Care, Nursing Care, Memory Care, Respite Care, Physical/ Speech/Occupational Therapy

• Residential Options

Apartments, cottages, carriage homes and townhomes

• Clubs/Activities

We offer activities that focus on hiking, biking, woodcarving, model trains, music, poetry, reading and much more.

• Population 600 plus

300 West Lemon St., Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-0214

Moravianmanorcommunities.org

Info@moravianmanor.org

Garden Access

Those living in cottages/carriage/townhomes can add plantings to the beds surrounding their homes. Community garden plots are available.

Care-Free Living

At Moravian Manor Communities, home maintenance, grounds keeping and snow removal are handled by our teams, allowing residents to focus on living their best life.

Valerie and Fred Swarr’s carriage home at Moravian Manor Communities reflects their artistic and design talents. The second bedroom holds Fred’s art studio, while the den has a Mount Gretna theme.

Pleasant View Communities Perspective of Purpose

Meet Les and Faye Houck

After living in the house they built and loved for 32 years, the Houcks made the decision to move to Pleasant View in 2022. After 57 years of marriage, they had accumulated a lot, so their strategy was to tackle one room at a time and sort items into four categories: keep, sell, donate and discard. For them, the most important items to bring to Pleasant View included family photos and furnishings such as the dining room table that had once belonged to Les’s parents. While Faye has always preferred country décor, as of late, she has gone in a more minimalistic direction. The Houcks also had to become accustomed to a new lifestyle, as transitioning from living in the country to being surrounded by neighbors was an adjustment. Despite the changes, the Houcks say they are enjoying their new home and lifestyle and have made many new friends. “You make these moves what they are, you don’t let them make you,” is Les’s philosophy. “Enjoy what you have and appreciate it.”

The Pleasant View

Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

Apartments range in size from 575-1,700

square feet. Cottages range from 1,1991,850 square feet.

Help with Downsizing?

Pleasant View has partnered with a local realtor who can offer suggestions/guidance.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

Residents are welcome to decorate their homes to suit their style and comfort. Prior to moving in, they choose paint colors, finishes, flooring and more. Upgrades can be made at an additional cost.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

Residences are remodeled every 12 years.

Garden Access

Cottage residents can beautify their homes by adding plants to beds or by maintaining container gardens on patios/balconies.

Hobbies/Activities

Residents can engage in a wide range of activities and hobbies, including woodworking and crafts. A cultural center is currently under construction that will offer a Makers Space for crafters.

Care-Free Living

Carefree living extends to not having to worry about snow removal, maintenance issues, etc.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community Life Plan Community/Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

• Range of Services

Independent Living, Personal Care, Memory Support, Skilled Nursing Care and Rehabilitation Services

• Residential Options

Pleasant View offers 145 apartments of varying sizes, as well as 52 cottages. An additional 86 cottages will be built in the coming years.

• Fitness Opportunities

PVFIT offers various strength and cardio machines, personal training, group classes, heated pool, pickleball and other outdoor recreational games. A walking trail encircles the campus.

• Population 400 across all levels of living.

544 N. Penryn Road, Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445

Pleasantviewcommunities.org

Info@pvcommunities.org

United Zion Retirement Community

Your Story Matters Here

Meet Clarence and Marcia Spohn

Before moving to United Zion Retirement Community, the Spohns resided in a Victorian home in Lititz for 29 years. Their home reflected Clarence’s love of history and their shared passion for collecting antiques and mementos of their travels, especially those made to Germany.

The challenge in making a move to United Zion Retirement Community centered on their individual mindsets. While Clarence was ready to move, Marcia was reluctant to leave her beloved home. Working together and supporting one another through the process, they scaled back their collection of antiques, keeping what they purchased as a couple over the years. Although parting with many items through auction was difficult, it brought them peace knowing that a new generation of collectors would become the “stewards” of those well-loved treasures.

United Zion is happy to report that despite Marcia arriving with a high level of skepticism, she and Clarence both love their new home and can’t imagine living anywhere else. They continue to pursue their passion for travelling and collecting antiques, too!

The United Zion

Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

One-bedroom apartments range from 350-840 square feet. One- and two-

bedroom cottages range from 780-1,200 square feet. Coming in Fall 2025, Cedar Heights apartments will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments ranging from 725-1,170 square feet.

Help With Downsizing?

We can refer future residents to individuals/ companies that provide such services.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

We want you to feel right at “home,” so we’ll work with you to select finishes to complement your desires and your lifestyle.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

We renovate each home before a resident moves in. Once a resident has moved in, we follow a 13-year guideline for renovations.

Contractors/Service Providers Policy

United Zion has an approved contractor list for renovations.

Garden Access

Residents are permitted to add plantings to the flower beds surrounding their cottages. Raised flower beds are available for apartment residents.

Hobbies/Activities

A new woodworking shop will open soon, plus there are a wide range of clubs, activities, live entertainment, celebrations and lectures offered on-campus. Residents also enjoy participating in outings, local events and more.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community Nonprofit Life Plan Community

• Range of Services

Independent Residential Living, Personal Care, Long-term Skilled Nursing Care, Short-term Rehabilitation

• Residential Options

Cottages and apartments for Independent Living (Cedar Heights apartment building will open in Fall 2025). Private single rooms and two-room suites for Personal Care. Firestone Healthcare Center offers private rooms for Long-term Skilled Care and Short-term Rehabilitation.

• Spiritual Connection

A chaplain oversees the spiritual programming at United Zion. Daily devotions and Sunday services are held in our community chapel. Bible study and a prayer group are offered. Catholic Mass is held monthly.

• Population

160

722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, PA 17543

717-626-2071

Uzrc.org

Marketing@uzrc.org

Care-Free Living

The only thing United Zion residents need to think about is their personal schedules. We take care of everything else!

Willow Valley Communities Life Lived Forward

The Willow Valley Communities Lifestyle: Right-Sizing

Willow Valley Communities residents don’t use the term “downsizing” when discussing their move to the 55+ premier community in Lancaster. Instead, they say, “right-sizing.” That’s because getting rid of unnecessary belongings and clutter to live a carefree, worry-free life just feels right –especially when it’s part of an engaged, active, and richly fulfilling lifestyle.

When those aged 55 or more decide to “right-size,” they have a plethora of lifestyle choices at Willow Valley Communities. Residents can choose from over 100 different floorplans, as well as different neighborhoods in either a suburban or urban setting.

The Doolittles: Making Passions the Priority

Don and Vivian Doolittle, from Charleston, South Carolina, chose Willow Valley Communities’ suburban campus, 4 miles outside of Lancaster City. The Doolittles wanted to spend their lives pursuing their passions rather than working at maintaining

a home. “At Willow Valley Communities, we live in an apartment where everything is conveniently right here,” explains Vivian. She means award-winning amenities like a 30,000-square-foot Clubhouse with an outdoor pool, tennis courts, bowling alleys, golf simulator, and vintage arcade; and an 80,000-square-foot Cultural Center with fitness and aquatic centers, Day Spa, 500-seat Performing Arts Theater, dozens of culinary venues, and more – all located outside the Doolittles’ residence door on Willow Valley Communities’ meticulously manicured 210 acres. The couple quickly learned that a consummate life at Willow Valley Communities is not limited to inside their own four walls.

The Schreyers:

Lancaster City is Their Backyard Playground

Tim and Steph Schreyer, who currently live in Lancaster County, are future residents at Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities. Mosaic is the next generation of extraordinary residences from Willow Valley Communities, rising 20 stories above vibrant Lancaster City. The Schreyers are set

to retire to the vibrant city where they have grown up, played, worked in and love.

Referencing a New York Post article that called Lancaster “the New Brooklyn,” Tim says, “Lancaster is like a miniature version of the best of New York, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. You have the architecture, the activities, the culture, the food, and the community. Except it’s all in a 10-square-block area. You don’t have to take the subway – you can walk everywhere and really ingrain yourself in the culture.”

Tim and Steph love the arts and Gallery Row, are season ticket holders at the Fulton Theatre, and attend performances at the Ware Center and the Trust Performing Arts Center. They also enjoy baseball at the Lancaster Stormers’ Clipper Magazine Stadium and can’t get enough of Lancaster’s award-winning restaurant scene. By living at Mosaic, the couple will be able to do all the things they already love to do, and more, right outside their front door.

Steph is also excited about the volunteer opportunities that are within walking distance of her future residence at Mosaic. Whether it’s volunteering at the YWCA, any of the local museums, or the library, “The possibilities are endless,” she says. “Living at Mosaic will give me more opportunities to be

Vivian (center-left) and Don Doolittle, who relocated from Charleston, South Carolina, to Willow Valley Communities, have devoted their time to enjoying Willow Valley’s amenities and exploring Lancaster County.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community 55+ premier Lifeplan Lifecare community located in Lancaster, consistently ranked as a top place to retire.

• Range of Services

Located 4 miles from Downtown Lancaster, Willow Valley Communities offers award-winning amenities, dozens of distinctive culinary venues and a plethora of world-class entertainment, presentations, classes, lectures and more. All residents receive the financial peace of mind of a Type A Lifecare contract. This means if an enhanced level of care is ever needed in the future, the monthly service fee does not increase because of that need.

• Residential Options

Willow Valley Communities offers over 100 different floor plans that range from studio apartments to spacious townhomes. Mosaic by Willow Valley Communities will be a 20-story tower located in the heart of Lancaster City, where residents will enjoy a truly extraordinary urban senior lifestyle.

• Population Willow Valley Communities is home to 2,600 residents who hail from some 40 states across the country. Our diverse population represents all walks of life.

involved in the community. I can throw on my coat, grab my backpack, walk out my front door, and go help out.”

600 Willow Valley Square, Lancaster, PA 17602

717-464-6800

WillowValleyCommunities.org Info@willowvalley.org

“Lancaster has the arts, the food, the baseball, the festivals, the events, the parades – it’s the perfect small, great American city,” Tim says. “We just can’t wait!”

Peace of Mind

Donald and Vivian Doolittle and Tim and Steph Schreyer, like all residents, enjoy Willow Valley Communities for the exceptional residence and lifestyle choices in either a suburban or urban setting. But they also enjoy the peace of mind of the

Type A Lifecare that applies to all residents. Lifecare means that if they ever need an enhanced level of care, their monthly service fee will not increase because of that need. That’s in marked contrast to other models in which fees can spike if care is needed later. Willow Valley Communities is the only exclusively Type A Lifecare community in Lancaster County.

To learn more, visit: WillowValleyCommunities.org.

Be sure to make Willow Valley Communities a must-see stop on this fall’s Explore Retirement Living Open House Tour on October 19: willowvalleycommunities.org/ERL

Landis Homes Enriching Lives, Together

Meet Roland and Dottie Yoder

For 44 years, Roland and Dottie Yoder lived in Montgomery County, Pa., where they pursued their respective vocations. In moving to Landis Homes, the Yoders furnished and decorated their home with cherished items from their travels, including pottery and wood carvings from overseas. Many of Roland’s paintings hang on the walls of their apartment and in public areas. He also crafted much of the furniture. Dottie enjoyed making window treatments for their new home.

As residents of Landis Homes, they find they now have more time to pursue their hobbies and interests. They stay involved and engaged mentally and physically through various activities, including the many environmental-impact groups on campus. Outdoors, Roland and Dottie plant flowers in several locations on campus that are enjoyed by many. They also grow vegetables in the community garden.

The Landis Homes Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

The Standard Suite is our smallest accommodation at 225 square feet, and the largest is a Hybrid Home at 1,636 square feet.

Senior-Friendly Amenities

There are many features that allow residents to age in place like comfort-height toilets and ample lighting to name a few.

Guidelines for Personalizing Spaces

Residents have the option to have Graceful Transitions (part of Landis at Home and Landis Communities) assist with organizing

indoor spaces, downsizing and designing furniture layouts.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/ Updated?

Homes are renovated for every new resident based on their preferences. Standards include quartz counters, tile backsplashes and luxury vinyl plank flooring.

Are Design Services Offered?

Our Residency Planning team, who have design experience, assist with the option selection process. For existing residents, renovations occur every 12 years.

Contractor/Service Provider Policy

Landis Homes has a team of contractors who strive to accommodate specific upgrade requests. There are only rare instances when an outside contractor needs to be brought in.

Technology

There is a special app that keeps residents updated on campus happenings including activities and menus. An exclusive resident e-mail group allows residents to connect with fellow residents. The emergency alert system works on the entire campus and provides peace of mind.

Garden Access

Many residents enjoy having their own individual plots in the large community garden. They also plant flowers around patios and in containers on balconies. There are also raised flower beds on campus.

Care-Free Living

Landis Homes provides ongoing maintenance in all of the homes, including appliances and grounds (mowing and snow removal, etc.), twenty-four hour security, all utilities and scheduled shopping trips are some of the additional services included in the monthly fees.

OVERVIEW

• Type of Community Type C - Continuing Care/Life Plan Community

• Range of Services

Residential Living, Personal Care, Dementia Care, Rehab, Home Care, Adult Day Services and and Healthcare. The campus also features amenities such as a general store, pharmacy, bank, hair salon, library and much more.

• Residential Options Appartments, cottages, hybrid homes and suites

• Clubs/Activities

Special group activities include local trips to the Fulton Theatre and to further destinations like the Finger Lakes. Clubs focus on the environment, art, model railroading, and walking to name a few. Landis Homes hosts the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning® program that is available to Lancaster County residents age 55+ to engage in educational, cultural enrichment and service opportunities.

• Population 850+ residents 62 and older

1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, PA, 17543 717-569-3271 • Info@landis.org LandisHomes.org

Landis Homes photo

Roland and Dottie Yoder’s apartment at Landis Homes is filled with beautiful paintings and pottery that were created by Roland along with other art collected from their world travels.

Cars line the roads surrounding Bryan Campbell’s farmhouse. The circa 1868 home is part of the Lancaster County phenomena whereby an old building is saved as new construction springs up in the fields formerly surrounding it, and Bryan has taken on the task of maintenance and renovation.

Like me, the occupants of the cars have arrived to take part in the area’s most epic beer dinner that will include tastings of 16 beers paired with cheeses, appetizers, a main course, dessert and an intriguing guest list, not to mention a cast of volunteer servers and kitchen staff. It is a night to remember!

PAIRING THE Perfect Party

BY MICHAEL C. UPTON PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN BUSH

“He’s cool, and he knows a lot about beer,” was the preface a friend provided before introducing me to Bryan. That evening, at my house, we spent hours recalling beer experiences and hashing out our most memorable brews, like Thomas Hardy’s Ale. Honestly, I like this obscure British ale because I favor the Victorian novelist. Bryan, however, is not only familiar with the beer, but he also has a definite opinion on which vintages are best, knows the history of the brewery, and has several bottles aging in his basement he will only crack open when in the company of one of his best friends.

Bryan brought a couple of stouts and Belgians with him. These have been aging for special occasions, and I soon learn this is just the tip of the beer iceberg. Bryan is a man driven by the history and culture of brewing, who relishes the unique characteristics of every beer and definitely enjoys the social aspect it helps create.

“I have a party every year ...,” started Bryan. And I was in.

“There’s a little bit of social engineering going on. I try to connect or invite certain people, so they all end up talking.”

– Bryan Campbell, party host

PLOTTING THE EVENING

As we walked through Downtown Lancaster, talking about his annual event, Bryan explained, “I don’t know the start of the process. It might happen when I walk into a brewery or find a good beer and I will start thinking about the next party.” His approach makes sense, since he fell in love with beer almost by accident.

In 1994, he was in the process of building a guitar and one night while the glue was drying, he and his friend, Pete Bohling, headed to Russell’s Restaurant to kill some time. The now defunct eatery in Bloomsburg crafted a beer list requiring a three-ring binder. Seeing the array of options, Bryan became intrigued with and was soon entrapped in the world of import beers. For years, the

In 2024, 16 beers comprised the tasting menu for host Bryan Campbell’s annual beer dinner that he has held for 25 years.

Bryan (left) and his brother, Tom, welcome their parents, Romaine and Tom, Sr., to the event.

Mrs. Campbell always donates her crème de menthe brownies to the dessert course.

Bill Mandros (seated) regularly provides cheese for the event. Fifteen cheeses were on the paring menu, including varieties from as close as Lancaster, to as far away as Europe.

friends made return visits. “We would go through the list and do vertical tastings because Russell’s had all these beers we had never tried,” recalled Bryan.

For his annual gathering, he starts by acquiring beers in volume. “At some point, I assemble what I think will be a good mix,” he explained. “I try and find a mix good for people who really know beer, but at the same time something for those who may find a beer that invites them into something new and different.”

COLLECTING THE BEER

A month before the party, Bryan and I ventured to the beer store to pick up the last cases. He is on a first-name basis with the folks at Shangy’s The Beer Authority, the epic beer store 70+ miles northeast of Lancaster, in Emmaus. For decades, before the rise in popularity of “craft beer,” when the little guys of brewing were still called microbreweries, Shangy’s was what its name implies: the authority. For beer fans, Shangy’s was

(and still is) the home of something completely new, something hard to find. The over-sized beer mart boasts more than 4,000 cans and bottles in stock and claims to have been voted “America’s Finest Beer Store.” I cannot argue with this. Shangy’s turns the beer lover into a kid in a candy store.

Bryan and I headed back to the walls of imports that are off to the left of the 60-tap tasting counter. With beers stacked floor to ceiling and separated by region, it takes us several minutes to even cover a few feet as we discuss different styles, compare similar brands and ultimately find a few things neither of us have ever seen – our selections go into a grocery cart. Meanwhile, a hand truck with a couple of cases appears back at the tasting counter. Bryan’s order begins to burgeon. On top of the cases from St. Bernardus, Trappistes Rochefort and Unibroue, sits an out-ofplace 30-pack of Hamm’s. I am intrigued to see how this fits in with Bryan’s plans.

After about an hour of perusing the aisles, adding a few more singles and

six-packs to our cart, manager Matt Zehnder rounds the corner to find us. Bryan’s order – now requiring two dollies – is ready, but he wants to talk beer. And so, we do. Matt is eager to make some additional recommendations and welcomes us into the warehouse filled with seemingly unending rows of beer. Feeling like an entourage member with a VIP, I trail behind the two aficionados while they rattle off experiences, consider vintages, and ultimately find another case Bryan needs to add to his order. I have been writing about beer, wine and spirits for more than 25 years, but these guys live and breathe yeast, barley, water and hops! What they know, remember, and even have forgotten, is impressive.

ATTENDING CHEESE NIGHT

A couple of weeks before the party, Bryan assembles a core group of attendees at his house to taste a selection of cheeses and devise pairings

Lindsay Gring, co-owner of Lancaster Pet Bakery, is a volunteer server for the event. Serving the beer is Phil Bernot.

with more than a dozen beers. By now, Bryan has whittled down his list of potential libations, but wants the eyes, ears and tastebuds of an esteemed few to put the menu in ink. Gathered on a Saturday night in March, Tom Campbell (Bryan’s brother), Evan Major (Bryan’s neighbor), Ray Dewar (Bryan’s neighbor and family friend), and Ben Weiss and Ella Usdin (owners of Susquehanna Sustainable Enterprises at Central Market) taste and talk cheese –and beer – around Bryan’s dining room table.

The retinue for cheese night can change year by year, and in 2024 some key names are missing. “Eric Usner is a critical part of this. There are so many people who are important to this event. Ideas need to be created, tested and explored. And then they need to be executed. Eric is part of the group that creates the ideas, and he also helps make the evening happen,” explained Bryan. Also missing this year is Dan Mentzer, former owner of the house whose family had lived here for more than 100 years.

Most of the cheeses arrive with Bill Mandros, a party staple and “an enthusiastic collaborator,” added Bryan. Bill’s shop, Mandros Imported Foods on the corner of Lemon and Charlotte streets in Lancaster, handles between 125 and 150 diverse types of cheeses. A walking encyclopedia of fromage, Bill brings Michelin Guide knowledge with a working man’s disposition.

Fifteen cheeses, displayed on liveedge wooden planks across the dining table, hail from all over the world. The exercise in flavors allows the group to figure out how a smoked black lager from Germany is elevated by an English cheddar, or how a French sheep’s milk cheese bounces against the palate while drinking a Flemish red from Connecticut. The task of the evening is to consider guests’ palates, making sure not to “blow people out of the water” after the first of many pairings.

PAIRINGS IN ACTION

The

crew kept

As soon as I arrive on party night, I check out the menu. There is the Hamm’s. It is beer number one of 16 for the evening’s tastings. The legacy brand’s Minnesota-born recipe is now brewed

Clockwise from top left: Cases of beer await their turn to be served.

Adam Chamberland, the owner of Cartel Brewing & Blending, was on hand. Two of Cartel’s beers made the tasting menu.

Michael Upton (right) grazes the table filled with appetizers.

kitchen

track of the evening’s progress by following the pairing menu.

by powerhouse Molson Coors and serves as the evening’s opening salvo. Hamm’s is a beer recognized for its place in American brewing history, when the big producers were in fact regional brands appealing to the wants and desires of the blue-collar folks building the nation. Beer serves as a human connection in the annals of history, as well as here in Bryan’s Lampeter home. Blurring culinary contrasts, Bryan pairs Hamm’s with Alpenblumen from Bavarian cheesemakers Hofkäserei Kraus und Kaeskuche. Aged four months in a rind of dried wildflowers, the cheese immediately stirs chatter amongst guests noticing the colorful display making its way around the crowd.

Volunteers – friends, past invitees or even cheese mongers themselves –carry antique cutting boards and natural wood trays loaded with samples and weave their way through the sea of 50 to 60 people spread about Bryan’s first floor. Tonight’s server-volunteers are Andy Mellinger from Linden Dale Farms and Lindsay Gring, co-owner of Lancaster Pet Bakery. Cheese from Andy’s Ronks farm shows up in round four, after Intangible Ales’ (Enola, PA) Bad News Brew is paired with Le Fribourg A La Crème (Switzerland) and Plan Bee Farm Brewery’s (Poughkeepsie, NY) Tippette meets La Fermière de Méan Charmoix (Belgium).

BRYAN LIKES TO age beers. His basement is a cellar, impressively stocked with cases from around the world in varying states of aging. Some are just for his own amusement and others for use at future parties. This year’s Bad News Brew has been aging since 2016. This treat from the depths of Bryan’s collection may be some of the last of its kind in existence. The now defunct collaboration-brew specialists officially retired Bad News Brew before the brewery ceased operations, and the tart, mixed-fermentation ale made with wheat, fresh turmeric and mangosteen is aging exquisitely. The flavors pop in the mouth, and I find myself hoping Bryan has a few more bottles of this stuff tucked away somewhere.

Next, the Tippette is a low ABV farmhouse ale, and the oak-aged brew with hints of lemon and yeast pair exceptionally with the soft, washed rind cheese from Belgium.

Top to bottom:

The pairings begin after Bryan introduces new attendees and reviews the beer list.

Fifty to 60 guests typically attend Bryan’s annual event.

Appetizers, each year provided by Bob Dewar, included items such as goose liver pate, smoked Canada goose and Speckgans, cured/ smoked Canada goose breast prepared in the style of Germany’s Baltic coast.

For round four, Andy provides a sampling of his Laughing Lindy cheese. I met Andy’s father years ago when I penned a story on goats for Lancaster County Magazine (September 2013), and I have been a fan of Linden Dale Farms cheeses (found at Central Market) ever since. Laughing Lindy is served on sourdough baked by attendee Janice Longer (who has been practicing law in Lancaster County for over 20 years) and is paired with Tynt Meadow by Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, where “beer should be liquid bread, not colored water.” And so go the pairings as the evening glides along, until the last of the cheeses – Rogue River Blue from Oregon – is offered with a vintage 2013 Gravitation from New Hampshire’s Smuttynose Brewing. After nine decadent beer samples and cheese tastings, incoming tables and chairs temporarily disperse the conversing crowd who eventually find seats for the main course.

HAVING DINNER …

“A whole lot of things have to be in place before the morning of,” says Bryan, when asked about planning dinner. “Depending on the recipe, I might have been cooking all week. I used to get up early Saturday morning and go to Central Market, where Steve Richardson [a friend from Bryan’s Camp Mack counselor days] or Pete would act like market sherpas – there were so many ingredients that needed to be carried around. I’ve gotten better at not having so much to do in the morning.” By late morning on the day of the party friends start showing up at Bryan’s. Someone brought lunch for the crew. Someone brought a nice bottle of bourbon. “I used to have to coordinate everything, but now things seem to run automatically; this group is so good at what they do,” he remarks.

His house – for one night – should draw the attention of the James Beard Foundation. In 2023, his kitchen served a Hungarian-inspired goulash that would make any Central European expat long for home. This year, chevon from Linden Dale Farm takes center stage. Slow roasted in Cabernet until fork-tender, the rich meat is lifted into a crepe with sauteed shiitake mushrooms and painted

Top to bottom: Bill Mandros is kept busy cutting and slicing cheese during the event.

A chilly night calls for homemade chili. Ingredients in knowledgeable hunter Bob Dewar’s Critter Chili included pheasant, chukar, duck, goose and venison.

with a chardonnay-Marsala sauce. The succulent and light entrées are topped with feta and Kalamata olives.

Manning the crepes (one at a time), the sauces and all other things culinary, is a crew made up of Bryan’s friends. Hours before guests start to arrive, Dan, Eric and Tom join Bryan’s childhood friend, Doug Rider, and his brother-inlaw, Phil Bernot, in the kitchen. “Those two guys and Steve are like the center of the kitchen,” Bryan notes.

… AND DESSERT

Staying true to the evening’s theme, dessert is mostly in liquid form. Big flavors begin immediately with offerings like Maiden by Lancaster’s Cartel Brewing & Blending – owner Adam Chamberland is here, roaming about, talking beer – and Imperial stouts from Estonia and Missouri. Three Floyds Brewing Company makes Trolls Trolls Trolls in Munster, Indiana, and has been bestowed with the honor of being paired with “Mom’s crème de menthe brownies,” which are the greatest highlight of my evening each year.

Bryan’s parents are regular attendees and a source of inspiration. “As parents, they always took advantage of opportunities to expose us to the world beyond home,” recalls Bryan. “And at home, most of our food was homemade by Mom, even bread and pizza.” I have been known to sneak a couple of Mom’s brownies home in a napkin! The jig is up now, I guess.

There are seven after-dinner beers. Most of these are from Bryan’s aging collection. At my table, where the guests have become jovial and splendidly opinionated on beers of their liking, the consensus favorite of the dark samples is Mephistopheles from Avery Brewing Company. Bryan dusted off a case he has been aging since 2016, right before the Boulder, Colorado brewery limited production of the malt-forward stout made with Westmalle Belgian yeast. But the biggest beer was saved for last. Dystopias from Free Will Brewing (Perkasie, PA) is a 20% ABV, barrel-aged strong ale. In 2022, Bryan picked up a couple cases of this beer from its first run and it now punctuates an evening

filled with creative culinary selections and amusing merriment.

THE BEAUTY OF Bryan’s celebration, beyond the uber-impressive beer list, is how it is not a “beer snob” event. Yes, this is an elevated beer party/dinner/pairing, but it is more of a testament to the relationships Bryan has curated over the years. He simply makes sure to gather us all together, which he has done for the past 25 years.

As we talked after the event, walking through Central Market on a random Saturday, Bryan adds, “And, I don’t drink any Thomas Hardy’s unless Pete is around.” Once again, Bryan shows how friendship is the keystone of any memorable occasion.

Michael C. Upton works as a freelance writer specializing in arts and leisure covering subjects ranging from funk punk to fine wine. He graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maine at Farmington and is actively published by trade journals, specialized websites, and regional and national magazines. Upton lives in Lancaster County with his wife, Mel, and two youngest children, Halligan and Teagan. Tyler, his oldest son, is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America.

The main course: Linden Dale Farm goat crepes topped with mushrooms, olives, veggies, feta and a Chardonnay-Marsala sauce.

2024 U.S. Women’s Open Championship Looking Back

The U.S. Woman’s Open Championship returned to the Lancaster Country Club in June 2024, following its highly successful inaugural outing in 2015. The 403-yard third tee provides a spectacular view overlooking the Conestoga River.

I was thrilled to be granted press credentials for this year’s 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship held at Lancaster Country Club (LCC) in June. I reveled in covering the 70th U.S. Women’s Open Championship hosted at LCC. Thanks to my trusty Yashica Mat camera (1958) and more than $25,000 in equipment on loan from Nikon, I had the time of my life at this year’s Open.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS

BY JORDAN BUSH

It’snot every year the U.S. Women’s Open Championship comes to town. In fact, it rarely makes a return visit to a course within a 10-year period. However, there is one exception: Pebble Beach Golf Links. Having visited Pebble’s 18th green on the Monterey Peninsula, I must admit it’s breathtaking and its reputation as being the “the most famous finishing hole in golf,” is warranted. To have Lancaster Country Club appear in the same conversation as Pebble Beach is astounding.

2015 to 2024

It was immediately obvious that the club – and Lancaster – was well prepared to welcome the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Since the inaugural event, the club had undergone extensive renovations. Now, manicured landscapes and sweeping views opened up LCC’s course to faster-drying fairways. Native grasses and sand bunkers added to the course’s difficulty and charm. A new entrance and swimming pool complex (which were reserved for players) were part of the extensive renovation project that had been undertaken ahead of LCC’s 125th anniversary. As in 2015, the course’s infrastructure was transformed into a temporary village. Dining experiences throughout the course were

equipped with water, electric service, restrooms, scoreboards and massive air conditioning units. Data cables lined the fairways for connectivity and TV broadcasts that are aided by cameras that zip by overhead on wires, while lifts elevate TV crews above the trees.

The USGA Media Center equated to NASA mission control, as it hosted dozens of desks, massive video projections, exhausted staffers and a much-appreciated coffee bar. (I was told the media center at the men’s U.S. Open is even larger.)

Beyond golf, tremendous resources are invested into the host community, attracting businesses, spectators and world-class golfers to courses such as Lancaster Country Club. But with the passage of time comes change. Analog scoreboards are now digital, coupled with the USGA mobile app, providing real-time updates on the course. The television landscape has also changed, as the tournament was carried on NBC, the Golf Channel and NBC’s streaming service, Peacock. In 2015, In Gee Chun won the Championship and with it, $810,000. In 2024, the total purse increased to $12 million, with the champion receiving $2.4 million (closing in on the record $4.3 million payout to the 2024 U.S. Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau).

1958 Yashica Mat

Preparing to photograph the event, I was struck by how much cameras had evolved since 2015. DSLRs, which I still use, are less fashionable than mirrorless cameras that operate silently. A golf necessity, coming up with two mirrorless cameras would be a tall order.

Photographing all week, I decided to document the event in a second storyline using a film camera. Film has never gone away; the aesthetic and process are as relevant as ever, intentionally approaching light, shadows and moments without a safety net. I might take thousands of digital photographs in one afternoon, and only two or three film photographs (or none) in another, looking for the right moment.

With several options, I chose my 1958 Yashica Mat, a twin-lens reflex camera (TLR). The top lens is for viewing, and the 80mm bottom lens is for exposing film. Compact and lightweight, it’s nearly silent. There are no additional lenses to carry. Operation is completely manual, devoid of autofocus, zoom or a light meter. The waist-level viewfinder displays in obverse: left is right, right is left. Larger, 6x6 cm square negatives comprise the iconic format Instagram used to build its brand. Unlike 35mm canisters, 120 film is wrapped in paper. Changing rolls would need to be well-timed. I took 10 rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 (speed) film, with several drop-offs at Perfect Image Camera for developing and scanning. Each click costs $3.50 total.

The People You’ll Meet

The Yashica first came out of the bag on Wednesday morning for the last practice round. Almost immediately, the first comment came from Joe Calhoun (recently retired from WGAL), who remarked, “Now that’s a beautiful camera!” I frequently photograph with the Yashica at Strasburg Rail Road, where most people walk in front of the camera, oblivious to its presence. I’m looking down into a waist-level viewfinder, not at a phone. Joe was astutely aware of the camera; otherwise, I expected the Yashica to go unnoticed.

Entering through security, camera equipment needed to be inspected. Each time, curious security guards wanted to look through the viewfinder. “Here’s the camera I told you about!” one said to another. Passing by crowds, and photographing along the course ropes, the camera’s attention grew. I tried to blend in, but the Yashica drew gazes constantly. What felt like every dozen people, someone commented. “Wow, look at that camera!” or incorrectly, “A [Kodak] Brownie! What is that doing here?” Teens asked if it took good photographs or occasionally, what film was loaded. After several days, I answered curious glances with, “1958.” Without fail, everyone replied,

“That’s what I was about to ask.”

The Yashica led to dozens of wonderful conversations with LCC members, USGA volunteers, marshals and security officers, not to mention friends and acquaintances, as well as people like Adrian Godoy, a writer with a journalism degree, who was instrumental in photographing the Women’s Open. Two weeks later, he would be working at the men’s 2024 U.S. Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina. I envied him for that assignment.

On Thursday, Ai Suzuki, an accomplished player legitimately famous in Japan, practiced in a sand bunker near the main gate. Able to “zoom with my feet,” this moment was made for the Yashica. Soon after, caddy Garry Johnstone walked over to me. Thinking he might be annoyed, Garry introduced himself and was enthusiastic about seeing a 66-year-old Japanese camera.

Ai’s trainer, Takemasa Kudou, followed suit. A conversation in Japanese unfolded with Garry translating. Thinking Ai might be bothered, she climbed out of the bunker, tapped the sand off her shoes with her club, and walked over to see the camera. Through Garry, I asked if Ai would pose for a portrait; she happily posed for two. It was a humbling, thrilling and unfamiliar moment. I desperately hoped the film would turn out well. I’d know the outcome days later. So, too, would Ai. She made the cut and finished Sunday, tied for 67th, earning $21,743. Not a bad week.

The scenic 7th back tee looks across the Conestoga River, famous for spectating kayakers around the bridge. Here, volunteer Drew Xentaras recalled a TLR camera that belonged to his father. He dug it out of storage and sent me a few photographs of a gorgeous 1950s German-made Rolleiflex, with plans to use it.

The ominous 12th green brought unexpected moments. Canted towards a stream laying waste to dozens of golf balls, 12 was the destroyer of dreams. In the first round, it dashed the chances of favorite and LPGA World Ranked number-one player,

Above: Jordan Bush’s decision to bring his Yashica Mat camera (1958) to the Open created unexpected interactions with players, caddies, guests and tournament personnel. For instance, player Ai Suzuki (top) happily posed for photos while she was on the practice green. Another player, Yiu Kawamoto, and her caddy, Mirei Midorikawa, pointed at the camera and waved as they made their way to the 12th hole.

Left: Volunteers issue the “all quiet” signal as Yiu tees off.

Yuka Saso approaches the 18th hole in the rain during the final round, moments before winning the Championship.

Early morning putting practice on the green by LCC’s clubhouse.

Players and caddies make notes before starting the round.

Sand bunkers old and new increased the course’s difficulty.

Lancaster’s favorite player and 2015 champion, In Gee Chun, practices on the putting green.

A lift on the third green elevated live television coverage on NBC and Peacock.

NBC’s Melissa Stark prepares to go on camera.

Nelly Korda finishes out the first round after a slog at the 12th hole.

Nelly Korda. I was there, reluctantly capturing the gutting moment. Two days later in the third round, a caddy walking down the same hill pointed at the Yashica and exclaimed something in Japanese. Caddy Mirei Midorikawa and player Yui Kawamoto smiled, waving at the camera as they passed. On Sunday, Kawamoto tied for 39th overall (fiveway), earning $44,897.

Around the busy 18th fairway leading uphill to the clubhouse, I met Brad Peterson. A course volunteer from Elizabethtown, Brad mentioned he shoots film and used to work in a darkroom. In the stands, Manheim Township police officer, Michele Klinger, appeared from behind a camera that she brought for the fourth round. We met Monday morning near 16, discussing photography and the famed 1930s press photographer, Weegee (Arthur Fellig). There was a conversation with East Lampeter police lieutenant, Rob Eachus, who mentioned this is a years-long planning effort. He would retire when the Open concluded.

The most startling moment came in the final round. Following leaders Minjee Lee and Andrea Lee and hustling down the first fairway with NBC’s crew hot on our heels, another photographer asked, “Do you soup your own film?” Meaning, do I hand-develop my film? (Yes, blackand-white). He and another shooter said they photographed the Yashica in action throughout the week. I was dumbstruck.

All-In

Applying for a credential to the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship was on my calendar for nearly two years. Requests opened on March 7 (2024), and unfortunately, I was denied immediately. Likely due to my email address not being connected to our publisher, my appeal went unanswered. Two months went by. Editor Sue Long contacted the USGA on my behalf. Inspired by a conversation with chef Bushra Fakier of Flavors of Morocco, I appealed yet again. Twenty-nine minutes later, with three weeks to go, I was approved.

Golf fans embraced the opportunity to watch their favorite players in action, with many putting in miles of walking over the course of the tournament.

Honors for Asterisk Talley, Catherine Park and Megan Schofill, who tied for lowest-scoring amateur (Low Amateur), are announced by Mike Whan, USGA CEO. (Tied for 44th at +12 strokes, seven-way tie).

Eventual champion, Yuka Saso, prepares to take her winning shot.

I not only had to prepare for the Open, but I had several commercial and magazine photography projects to complete. Procuring silent cameras was at the top of my To-Do list. A Nikon Professional Services member since 2011, Nikon offers paid tiers with equipment consignments. Upgrading my membership would cost hundreds, not thousands of dollars. With no guarantees, I requested two mirrorless cameras and a 400mm telephoto lens. Soon after, $25,249.80 in new gear arrived at my disposal for a week, ruining me for life.

Next, my USGA credential didn’t provide inside-the-ropes access that benefits larger media outlets. As crowds grew, I started missing shots. After two requests, on Sunday afternoon I was granted inside-theropes access. It was an emotional moment, and I went into overdrive.

No longer needing to camp out

at the 18th green, I could follow the lead group for the final round. At hole 4, I ran out of water. Around the 7th or 8th hole, the leaderboard started to shift away from Andrea Lee and former champion, Minjee Lee, to another former champion, Yuka Saso. Rather than transiting the course to 9, I followed Yuka from nearby 12 to the finish. Needing water made the fortuitous decision easier.

When Yuka stepped off the course at 18, two pairings remained, followed by a televised award ceremony. Photographing now for 12 hours, I was down to three film exposures and a 30% charge on one battery … between two digital cameras. Switching a battery is faster than changing lenses. Memory cards were also filling up rapidly. One camera had 100 frames remaining, while the other had 500 frames. Storage evaporates at 20 frames per second, so battery and

memory were rationed. My last resort, an iPhone 14 Pro, had a 20% charge.

Yuka took her shot, and I took mine. Instead of $2.4 million, I brought home over 16,000 digital photographs and 100 on film. It took a week to organize several terabytes of data. Traversing 43 rolling miles with three cameras, all seven days were covered of the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Most were 10- to 12-hour shoots, the balance spent preparing for the next day. It’s difficult to explain, but I had to be there. It occurred to me that I was 30 years old at Lancaster’s first Women’s Open, and should it return, at the earliest, I’ll be in my 50s. I wouldn’t say the perspective triggered a midlife crisis, but it reminded me that life’s moments, great and small, pass by in a flash. Capture them however you can.

Yuka Saso, the winner of the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Born in the Philippines, she honored her Japanese father this year by playing under the Japanese flag. Her win elevated Saso to No. 6 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. According to NBC’s Olympic bios, the 23-year-old Saso credits her win in Lancaster for giving her the confidence to successfully vie for a position on Japan’s Olympic golf team.

Fabulous Fall Fabulous Fall

Advertising Section

There are so many reasons why you should visit LANCASTER CENTRAL MARKET in Downtown Lancaster. History is one: established in 1730, Central Market is regarded as the oldest continuously operated public market in the United States. The current market house dates to 1889. Of course, the food

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GR MITCHELL has been Lancaster’s local go-to for home maintenance and remodeling for over 50 years. With over 50,000 items stocked in the aisles of their hardware store, gardeners, grillers and diy’ers alike are prepared to take on any task. But if you’re undertaking a larger remodel, GR Mitchell has you covered with a huge assortment of windows and doors, beautiful cabinetry with in-house designers ready to help, the best prices on in-stock decking and railing and much more. Learn more about Lancaster’s favorite buildingmaterial supplier by visiting their Willow Street headquarters or online at GRMitchell.com

KEYSTONE GUN-KRETE, LLC specializes in lifting sunken concrete slabs of all sizes. Owner Richie Zook says, “If you’re looking at a sunken pool deck, patio or a section of sidewalk at your home or business, the cost savings to have it lifted instead of replaced can be huge. Plus, it’s done in hours instead of days and without the mess.” Keystone Gun-Krete

simply drills small holes through the slab and injects their expanding foam below to raise the concrete back to its original location. The holes are then filled with mortar, so the concrete is ready for foot traffic immediately.

KREIDER’S CANVAS SERVICE, INC. has been installing awnings in Lancaster County for over 40 years. Leslie Kreider shares that Kreider’s Canvas offers an option that makes outdoor areas more useful and comfortable. “We developed a ‘Roof Vent System’ that can be used on the flat back wall of a deck or patio canopy. This increased venting area provides more air flow and minimizes trapped hot air,” Leslie says.

What’s trending? “There has been an increased use of clear drop curtains around porches and pavilions to block the cold, wind and rain when needed. The clear inserts in the curtains block the cold, but not the view,” he notes.

In 1954, the late George Grove Sr. started what later became GEORGE J. GROVE & SONS, INC. The family-owned business, now in its third generation, is built on a firm belief in quality products and installation and in maintaining professionalism, integrity and fairness in their relationships with their customers. George J. Grove & Son, Inc. provides all types of home improvements. Their product lines include windows and doors, roofing, vinyl siding, spouting, gutter protection systems and patio enclosures. They also carry skylights, shutters, railings and retractable fabric and metal awnings.

Throughout 2024, the LANCASTER COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION will be celebrating its 100th anniversary by partnering with individuals, organizations and communities to invest in Lancaster County for the next 100 years. They’ll be hosting free public celebrations, partnering with local businesses to surprise and delight you, and activating more than $1 million of additional funds in the community. Whether

you’re dreaming big or starting small, 2024 is all about catalyzing what you care about and making it grow. Lancaster County - and philanthropy –is for everyone. Together we can build a resilient, inclusive, and vibrant community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

WEST END YOGA STUDIO has been serving our community for over 10 years with authentic and diverse practices for all paths. Meditation now thrives along other weekly practices, including Hatha, Yin, Vinyasa, Hatha, Meditation, Chair, Pranayama, Great Yoga Rope Wall and more. Our passionate, attentive and educated instructors authentically share their presence with all paths. Meditation classes are accessible for beginners to the seasoned, as are accessible financially breaking barriers by donation. Membership options provide perks such as local discounts, guest passes, workshop discounts, virtual classes and more in addition to pass options. Free, off-street parking with ramp accessibility is available at 221 W. Walnut Street in Lancaster.

Photos by Shelah Riley

Foodographer

West Lampeter Community Fair

A CENTURY OF Agriculture & Community

Taking in your community’s fair is a fall ritual in Lancaster County. Each one possesses a unique spirit that’s worth exploring. This year, that is especially true of the West Lampeter Community Fair, as it is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JORDAN

BUSH

Having grown up in New Holland, the arrival of fair season always prompts me to become nostalgic about carnival rides, fair food and doing my best to win Coca-Cola and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups at the game stands set up along Main Street. For kids (and many adults), fair week is the most anticipated seven days on the calendar. While I consider Ephrata to be my current home fair, I’ve gained an appreciation for all the local editions, including the West Lampeter Community Fair, which I attended last year for the first time. It represented a nice diversion from the carnival-like atmosphere that accompanies the fairs in Ephrata and New Holland. Having experienced it, I’m sure it won’t be the last time I venture to West Lampeter.

ROOTS

According to the fair’s website, students at the West Lampeter

Vocational School are credited with starting what has become known as the West Lampeter Community Fair. Their purpose in 1924 was to host an event through which school projects could be displayed. The guidebook was comprised of four sheets of paper. The show was a hit and a year later, dairy judging was added to the itinerary. In 1930, it officially became known as The Community Fair, growing the following year to include tents that held exhibits and livestock. The grounds were purchased in 1948 and made their debut as the site of the fair a year later. Since then, the fair has grown to encompass a wide range of events and competitions.

As a first-time attendee, I noticed the West Lampeter Community Fair marches to the beat of its own drum. The first clue comes early in the fair book, a free resource released midsummer, now spanning well over 200 pages. On page two, it is specified that West Lampeter’s is a “Strictly Educational Fair.” True to its word, the fair heavily emphasizes community and agriculture. It also has a shorter run than the other fairs, as it kicks off on Wednesday and concludes Friday evening. Admission is free and

with a donation to the fire company, visitors can park in the grassy fields that surround the fairgrounds. Absent of rides and games (and the accompanying music, bells or sirens), the atmosphere is remarkably calm. Large tents line the fairgrounds, with the arena awaiting festivities later in the evening.

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

True to its intent, agriculture is displayed front and center, celebrating home gardeners and farmers alike. On Wednesday morning, exhibits are judged before they open to the public at 1 p.m. Everything from baked goods and homegrown produce to floral arrangements, needlecraft and artwork are proudly displayed in the Exhibit Center. There are also exhibition categories for youth including baked

The fair’s annual Tractor Parade features models both old and new.

goods, dioramas and the PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest.

In another tent, farm-grown crops in the Grain and Hay category are judged. Varieties of corn bundled together on the stalk are displayed, as are glass jars filled with oats, wheat, winter barley, rye, sunflower seed and dry-shelled corn. Small bales of hay, 10-pound samples of silage (fermented green foliage stored in silos for fodder), and bundles of tobacco leaves on the lath are representative of other categories. The displays provide an opportunity to see what grows in Lancaster County’s fields up close.

The Bake Sale kicks off Wednesday at 7 p.m., with entries (including decorated cakes) auctioned off in a tent outside the Exhibit Center. With top bakers competing for the best Homemade Chocolate Cake, Blue Ribbon Apple Pie and Incredible Angel Food Cake (all qualifiers for the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg), there are delicious baked goods to bid on and if you’re lucky, take home.

THE FAIR’S ATMOSPHERE is conducive to conversations; it feels more like a community picnic or local bake sale than a fair. Friends, neighbors and strangers gather to eat, converse and enjoy the fairgrounds. Asking folks what they thought of the food selection, one couple was gracious enough to offer me a bite of their funnel cake.

By and large, local fairs offer fundraising opportunities to nonprofits, churches, schools and service organizations. West Lampeter takes a community-focused approach to supporting local groups, as there are no outside food vendors. Instead, Lampeter-Strasburg High School students, supporting organizations and volunteers handle food prep and vending. Groups then receive a share of the profit from respective stands. It’s simple, local and satisfying. For example, in 2023, the following groups offered fairgoers a taste the fair: Pioneer Marching Band (hamburgers and hot dogs); Strasburg/Willow Street Baseball & Softball Association (French fries and chicken tenders); Garden Spot Chapter of FFA (drinks, sausage sandwiches and ham loaf patties); Rawlinsville Camp Meeting (breakfast sandwiches, drinks,

The fair allows visitors to get an up-close view of what grows in the fields and gardens of Lancaster County through the exhibits that fill the tents at the fairgrounds.

Paisley Rankin’s

entry from last

A fair staple: funnel

Fair food is the

Youngsters are heavily involved in the fair and take pride in the animals they have raised. Here, Will Deamer tends his lambs.

The aroma of food wafts through the Lampeter area when the fair is in session.

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.

Clockwise from top left: An antique tractor lines up for the parade.

winning

year’s Junior baking contest.

cake.

best!

The ribbons have been awarded.

pit beef and chicken sandwiches, soup, hot dogs and whoopie pies); Lancaster South Rotary Club (funnel cakes); L-S Boys Lacrosse (pork BBQ, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, soup and fruit cup); L-S Interact Club (pizza, walking tacos and ham & cheese sandwiches); L-S Soccer Booster (waffles and ice cream, apple dumplings and subs); Lampeter Fair Directors (milkshakes, ice cream and root beer floats).

ANTIQUE TRACTORS

The sound of the antique tractors firing up had to be my favorite part of the West Lampeter Community Fair. My grandpa, Glenn Overly, grew up farming in Greenbank with the aid of a steam engine, and later worked as a mechanic and welder. His stable of tractors changed over the years, but two stand out the most in my memory. There was the small red Farmall Cub that resided in the barn for many years, which I fondly remember started with a hand crank. However, the tractor that stands out the most was a 1950s John Deere 40T Tricycle. Because of the sweet sound that era of John Deere engines made, they’re sometimes referred to

as a “Johnny Popper.” Watching dozens of antique tractors putting about in Lampeter during the Wednesday evening tractor parade, I couldn’t help but smile ear to ear. Such an event connects attendees with the heritage of local farmers bringing crops to harvest.

SHOW ANIMALS

Shows held throughout the fair feature market livestock: swine, lamb, goat, beef cattle and dairy beef. Friday features an All-Western Horse Show, calf roping and the FFA Youth Market Sale for goat, lamb, hog, dairy beef and beef. In 2023, there were 118 livestock exhibits featuring 240 animals (of the 1155 total exhibitors). Auction winners of the livestock sale have three options: buy and keep, buy back, or donate the meat to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

100 TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

In celebration of its milestone year, the West Lampeter Community Fair will be holding six days of festivities, with special events starting on Sunday,

September 22. The fair itself opens on Wednesday, September 25, and closes on Friday, September 27. There is a public call to display vintage fair memorabilia such as photographs, ribbons, signage, hats and fair books. Sunday evening will kick off fair festivities with the annual Fair Queen Coronation, along with a bluegrass band and a fireworks show. Monday will see a larger-than-ever Tractor Pull, as well as a Pedal Tractor Pull and Baby Parade. Tuesday will see a Lampeter’s Got Talent competition take over the fairgrounds. Wednesday and Thursday will host the livestock shows and entertainment, including the Tractor Parade, Horse-drawn Hitch, Tractor Games, Barnyard Chase events and more! Friday will conclude the week with the All-Western Horse Show and livestock auction.

Visit WestLampeterFair.com for more information.

Table for Two BierHall Brewing

An Accent on German Brews & Food

BierHall Brewing will celebrate its first anniversary in November. “Opening a craft brewery and restaurant is a longtime dream for us,” says Jim Rommel, who coowns the business with his brother, Chris.

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

Chris,

who serves as brewmaster, learned brewing techniques through attending a school in Germany over a decade ago. He then worked in the craft brewing industry for about 10 years (locally at Spring House Brewing, as well as at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond, Virginia), before launching BierHall. The brewpub’s name pays tribute to Germany and the biergartens or beer halls that can be

found in nearly every community.

“In Germany, each small town has a biergarten/beer hall. It’s a place where people gather for food and drink and to socialize,” Jim explains. With that in mind, the brewpub plans to honor that tradition and host an outdoor event on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, to celebrate Oktoberfest. Jim, who is BierHall’s general manager, says the event will entail the release of a special fest beer. Food specials will also be on the menu for the event. Visit BierHall’s website and social media for details.

The Manheim Township restaurant and craft brewery is housed in the former Juke Box Nightclub, but those familiar with the site will find dramatic changes have been made to the building. Jim and Chris worked with Benchmark Construction Company to transform the space. “It was a major renovation; it was originally a house with a front porch that was later enclosed. We demolished two layers of drop ceiling

and left the wooden ceiling exposed and restored the brick,” Jim explains. “We also added a lot of windows – we went for a clean, modern, industrial feel. A lot of people who had been here when it was a nightclub are amazed at the transformation – they’ll come in the door, look around and say, ‘Wow!’”

The renovation project created a large but comfortable space. The brewing equipment is visible at one end of the space, as well as from the building’s exterior thanks to the addition of large windows. “Craft brew fans focus on that space and visit shortly after entering. Some people visit the brewing area after they’ve finished their meal,” Jim notes.

The brew pub seats about 150 indoors; seating is available at tables that accommodate up to six, as well as at long communal tables with bench seating. A bar constructed by Jim and Chris seats 12. “The communal seating area has been well received;

The menu pays homage to traditional German fare such as bratwurst, sausage and schnitzel, as well as American favorites such as burgers.

it encourages people to talk with one another,” says Jim. An outdoor beer garden seats about 100. It’s festively lighted in the evening. Sails shade the area during the warm-weather months. There’s even a designated dog-friendly seating area for canine visitors and their owners.

Ashley Vazquez serves as BierHall’s chef. Jim describes the menu as a mix of authentic German and American pub-style food. Produce is sourced locally through vendors such as Brogue Hydroponics and Lancaster Farm Fresh. Bread products are made by Front Porch Baking Co. in Millersville. The Rommels hope to expand their reach and work with other local vendors.

Popular menu items include house-made potato pancakes, the giant Bavarian pretzel that’s served with mustard (a house-made beer cheese is an optional upgrade), and the BierHall cheesesteak, which uses the beer cheese as a sauce. Appetizers include

loaded fries that also incorporate the beer cheese, wings, nachos and roasted garlic hummus. Salads include Caesar and Cobb. Sandwiches range from a plant-based smash burger to bratwurst. Entrées (“plates”) include fish-and-chips, sausage (bratwurst, sweet Italian or Italian) and schnitzel (chicken or pork). Sides include German potato salad, sauerkraut and onion rings. To top it off, there’s apple strudel or strawberry cream cheesecake. The menu, which is reviewed and tweaked monthly, is augmented with weekly specials.

BierHall offers 12 beers on tap. The brewpub’s three flagship craft brews – ZugTruppe, a hefeweizen; Das Pils, a German pilsner; and Golden Crispy, a Helles bock – are always available. Tap selections also include seasonal brews and a guest cider, which

is locally sourced from Levengoods of Lancaster, Ploughman Cider of Gettysburg or Wyndridge Cider Co. of Dallastown. The beverage list also includes cocktails, adult slushies and wine from such wineries as GlassHouse Wineworks in Manheim; Galen Glen Winery in Andreas; and Britain Hill Vineyard in Quarryville.

BierHall Brewing is located at 1703 New Holland Pike, Lancaster. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-8 p.m. (The kitchen closes 30-60 minutes earlier.) Reservations are accepted for parties of 8 or more. For more information, visit bierhallbrewing.com and Instagram.

Brothers Chris (left) and Jim Rommel are the owners of BierHall Brewing.

Twelve beers are always on tap.

An outdoor beer garden features a dogfriendly area.

BierHall will celebrate Oktoberfest on September 28 and 29.

Long tables fill the interior of the dining area, while individual tables encircle the space.

Chris Rommel is BierHall’s brewmaster.

Shopping at ReUzit

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STRONG:

At

Celebrating

BOB SAUDERS

Leading the Mountville Indians One Last Time

There’s a reason why Hempfield High School excels in baseball and is this year’s PIAA state champions. Programs like the Mountville Indians youth (12U) baseball team provide the school with talented players coached by the likes of Bob Sauders, who has led the team since 1988 and will relinquish that role at the end of the season.

BY ADRIAN ESCHENWALD

After more than three decades, Bob Sauders has announced that this season will be his last time serving as the coach of the Mountville squad, which competes in the Lancaster County Youth Baseball League, various elite tournaments in the mid-Atlantic region and an annual 104-team tournament in Cooperstown, New York. As he closes out his career, players, parents and members of the local baseball community are saluting Sauders for his unwavering dedication to the program and teaching young athletes on the sandlot. Think about it, some of the boys Sauders originally coached are nearing the age of 50 and probably have children who have played for him. “Sometimes you just get the sense that it’s the right time,” Sauders says of the decision he made last fall. “You don’t want to hang on too long. I’m sure I’ll miss it when I get out, but you want to stop while you’re still enjoying it.”

Although he had always been fond of baseball and gained some experience coaching in the instructional baseball program beforehand, Sauders reports he never planned to become a coach for the Indians. He explains that he stepped up to the plate when his son, Rob, became old enough to join the team, which was looking for someone to put at the helm. “I guess I wasn’t paying attention and they picked me,” Sauders jokes. “I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the coaching aspect of it.”

Despite coaching for multiple decades, Sauders says he’s still learning as he wraps up his final season with the Indians. His coaching method focuses heavily on the strategy of baseball and his practices have often incorporated simulations of different scenarios players could find themselves in out on the diamond. “I really want to teach players the game of baseball, not just hitting, throwing and catching,”

Bob Sauders rallies players on the Mountville Indians youth baseball team on game day. According to the team’s website, the stars on the boys’ caps (“Mountville Stars”) are awarded to players by the coaches based upon a player’s attitude, effort, improvement and execution of various game fundamentals. They are given to reinforce the techniques learned in practice, build confidence and promote team pride and unity.

Sauders notes. “I try to push them a bit in that regard and teach them to expect the unexpected.” Through the years, he’s also stressed to his players that baseball is a team sport. The team’s website succinctly states that philosophy: “I believe that no play or player can win or lose a game for us.” Sauders credits the duration of his career to the abundant support of parents, players and other members of the youth baseball program in Mountville (including the Mountville Youth Athletic Association), as well as the encouragement from his wife, Deb. “I’ve been very fortunate. You couldn’t coach this long without that kind of support,” Sauders says. Deb, who writes a blog on the team’s website, shared an observation earlier this summer that explains why Mountville’s Indians have been so successful for so long. “Over the years, Bob and I have been surprised to hear time and time again that landing a spot on the Indians team is something many of our community’s young ball players dream of from an early age. And we’re told they don’t just dream about it. For years, many work on improving their baseball mechanics to better their chances of making the team when the time comes. Many forego other opportunities hoping to make their dream become reality.”

Bob Sauders’ Box Score

• Coached an undefeated season (51-0) in 2003

• Reached 500 wins with the Indians in 2007

• Coached 1,000 games as of 2012

• Reached 1,000 wins with the Indians in 2021

• Lancaster New Era Tournament winner 11 times

• Named Volunteer of the Year by the Lancaster County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018

• Has coached the Indians in the Cooperstown NY Dreams Park Tournament since 2002

Adrian Eschenwald writes for the community newspapers –Merchandiser, Advertiser and Pennysaver – that are published by Engle Printing & Publishing. Townlively.com.

IT TAKES A TEAM

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Actual Patient of Dr. Genetti