LCM | November 2022 | The Best of Lancaster Issue

HONORED

TO BE VOTED BEST SURGEONS TO BE VOTED BEST NURSES

TO BE VOTED BEST PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS

Adam Truax, MHS, PA-C

Esther DiGiacomo, MMSc, PA-C

Brendan Garrett, MHS, PA-C

Nichole Beaty, LPN Neurology LEAD

Laurie Rice, LPN

Perry J. Argires, MD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon

Louis A. Marotti, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS Neurosurgeon

What’s your Life Lived Forward?

Willow Valley Communities o ers residents almost limitless opportunities to pursue their passions. Professional dog show competitor and resident Bets Keen trains her two golden retriever therapy dogs regularly and keeps them healthy and happy.

Miles of rolling trails satisfy Pride’s urge to cruise, while the community’s social dog parks indulge Ribbon’s love for playtime and connect Bets with like-minded friends. “There’s so much for the three of us to explore and learn together,” she said. “We are all living life forward!”

Find your Life Lived Forward. Explore Willow Valley Communities today.

PUBLISHER Jocelyn Engle

EDITOR

Suzanne Starling-Long Sue@lancastercountymag.com

ART DIRECTOR

Ashley Kendrick Kennedy Ashley@lancastercountymag.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Kaylee Rex Kaylee@lancastercountymag.com

MARKETING DIRECTOR Rachel Stebbins Rstebbins@engleonline.com

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

WRITERS

Richard L. Bitner

Brown

A. Shenk Michael C. Upton

Wagner

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Zutell

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

SALES MANAGER Greg March Gmarch@engleonline.com

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Karen Stoltzfus Karen@lancastercountymag.com Tracy Allison Tracy@lancastercountymag.com

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A Tale of TURKEY

Over the years I have eaten everything from free-range birds to frozen Butterballs. However, I’ve found that a locally raised bird provides that special element to the Thanksgiving table. Everyone seems to have an opinion on where to find the best bird and, as you will discover, Lancaster County has plenty of options.

BY MICHAEL C. UPTON

Thanksgiving lore is full of facts and fancies. On a trip to Richmond, Virginia, in 2021, my family –consisting of presidential history buffs –visited Berkeley Plantation, birthplace of William Henry Harrison, ninth president of the United States, and Benjamin Harrison V, signer of the Declaration of Independence. It was here I fully realized I may not have been given the entire truth about the history of Thanksgiving.

Starting in grade school I was taught the tale of Pilgrims and Native Americans who joined in friendship and peace over a meal. The imagery of a dressed turkey and tables full of bounty became iconic to the season. Ever mentioned was Plymouth Rock, where the English Puritan William Bradford and passengers aboard the Mayflower disembarked and formed a colony in 1620.

However, at Berkeley, I came across a sign while walking the majestic grounds overlooking the James River, 590 miles south of Plymouth, Massachusetts. An arrow pointed to a lane and the sign read, “To site of first Thanksgiving in America.” Down the lane in a small brick encasement stands a slab of granite inscribed with a brief recounting of Captain John Woodliffe and the passengers aboard the Margaret, which landed here in 1619. The charter for the new colonial settlement proclaimed: “We ordaine that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.”

Berkeley Plantation, near Richmond, Virginia, lays claim to being the scene of the first Thanksgiving in 1619, one year before the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a meal in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Historians debate which site provided the inspiration for the holiday that has been officially celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November since Abraham Lincoln was president. Many historians point to the Virginia event as being more prayer-oriented, while the one in Massachusetts was food-oriented. Add in the modern element of football and you have a thoroughly American holiday that entails family, food, gratitude and sport.

Helping You Celebrate Christmas Since 1972

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Some historians note the Berkeley Thanksgiving was merely a prayer gathering and not a feast. Yet some of those same historians speculate the first meal at Berkeley – thus Thanksgiving – consisted of bacon, peas, cornbread and cinnamon water. Either way, no turkey. Although the large wild birds freely roamed the continent and became a useful source of sustenance for early Americans, turkey did not start to make a regular appearance on the feast table until the 19th century.

Thanksgiving became an annual holiday during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and thereafter, patriotism – turkey, the great American bird, was even proposed as the national symbol by Benjamin Franklin, but lost out to the bald eagle – officially began to intertwine with the feast. Both early and modern American cooks were and are drawn to the bird because its size is big enough to feed an entire family.

What follows are some local sources to make your dinner special.

The TURKEY LADY

For The Turkey Lady, aka Tarrah Berrier, the start of the holiday turkey season begins about 60 days before Thanksgiving or about the time Lancaster Central Market hosts its annual Harvest Breakfast in early October. Since her space for whole turkeys is limited, you’ll need to order ahead of time. Otherwise, she sees a demand for legs, thighs and breasts among shoppers. One creative customer, says Tarrah, takes one of The Turkey Lady’s precooked, boneless turkey breasts, covers it in stuffing and then wraps it all in bacon!

Outside of the Thanksgiving season she sells a lot of turkey sausage; on Fridays, she displays approximately 20 different varieties. As for tourists, Tarrah reports that they gobble up the turkey sticks.

Lancaster Central Market, Stand 37, centralmarketlancaster.com

TURKEY FARM

Paradise, makes the claim to being the oldest turkey farm in America. With the seventh generation now working this family-owned-and-operated business, it is a fact in which I cannot find fault. No wonder they take pride in raising approximately 8,000 Broad Breasted White turkeys (the most widely bred domesticated variety) each year. Fresh, cage-free and hormone-free turkeys are available in sizes ranging from 10 to 30 pounds. Orders can be picked up at the farm, at Eden Resort & Suites or at Leisure

Thank You!

Lanes. Check their Facebook page for ordering and pickup details.

109 Esbenshade Rd., Ronks, facebook.com/EsbenshadeTurkeyFarm

Sensenig POULTRY

No, no, no, no! That means no preservatives, no growth hormones, no antibiotics and no animal by-products when it comes to Sensenig Poultry’s turkeys. All birds are raised and dressed on the nearby farm and sold at a retail store in Lititz. The great thing about this location is the variety of products. There are turkey burgers, breakfast sausages, jerky, ring bologna and more at this store that also doubles as a deli selling pre-made items like desserts and side dishes, as well as groceries. Sensenig’s starts taking orders for turkeys in October.

843 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, sensenigpoultry.com

Weaver’s

TURKEY FARM

When I moved back to Lancaster County, I knew I wanted to find a local source for my Turkey Day meal. Located in the farmland between Leola and Farmersville, the Weaver family has been raising and selling turkeys since 1960. Frozen turkeys are available year-round, but the majority of the 18,000 turkeys sold here over an average year leave the simple storefront for Thanksgiving. Weaver’s is also known for its capons, smoked or fresh, and provides portioned turkeys, as well. Advance orders are key. Call ahead to

reserve a hormone-free, veg-fed bird for Thanksgiving, as well as before stopping by during the “off season” of December through September.

154 W. Farmersville Rd., Leola, 717-354-9136

Livengood

FAMILY FARM

Starting in November, fresh turkeys are available at the closest turkey farm to Downtown Lancaster, Livengood Family Farm. Frozen ground turkey, half breasts, drumsticks and thighs are available throughout the year. In the ’90s, Dwain Livengood and his family helped develop the Certified Organic label in Pennsylvania, and have now “gone above and beyond organic certification standards.” Livengood turkeys are pasture-raised (and “guarded” by the family dogs) and are free of GMOs, soy, antibiotics and growth hormones. The Livengoods insist a free-ranging habitat leads to a tender and flavorful bird. Orders can be placed online starting in October and picked up at the farm in time for Thanksgiving.

1648 Morningside Dr., Lancaster, livengoodfamilyfarm.com

FYI: The National Turkey Federation estimated that 46 million turkeys graced dining tables in 2021.

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.

NOW MORE THAN EVER, ACCESS TO QUALITY CANCER CARE IS ESSENTIAL.

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THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY

We’re honored by the trust you place in us.

Being recognized by our community as a health-care leader is a great responsibility. We believe that keeping you, your family and our entire community healthy is our calling. That’s why improving the health and well-being of everyone in our community is the focus of everything we do. At Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, we continue to provide more advanced care and breakthrough treatments, bringing a world of possibilities to Lancaster.

#1 Hospital: Lancaster General Hospital

#1 Family Physician: Christopher J. Putney, MD, Family Medicine Strasburg

#2 Family Physician (tie): Andrea L. Stern, MD, Family Medicine Mount Joy

#1 Pediatrician: Stephen W. Tifft, MD, Roseville Pediatrics

#1 Cardiologist (tie): Neil R. Clark, MD, The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health; John P. Slovak, MD, The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health

LGHealth.org

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Lancaster

Holiday GuideHoliday Guide

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

THANK

’Tis the season of magic and wonder! Enjoy the holidays by shopping local, feasting on sweet and savory dishes and celebrating the most wonderful time of the year.

YOUR PLACE OR MINE PET SITTING is family owned and operated by Jessica and Matt Urban. With over 15 years of pet-sitting experience and more than 30 years of combined veterinary medicine experience, they provide quality care and comfort for pets and peace of mind for their owners. Every Your Place or Mine employee has a background in veterinary medicine and is required to pass a criminal background check. Your Place or Mine prioritizes having a flexible schedule to accommodate many types of pet-sitting needs, including drop-in visits, move-in services, medical visits and lodging in the Urban home. They can also transport pets to groomers and vet visits, provide them with baths and trim their nails. Learn more at yourplaceorminepet.com or by calling 717-330-6519.

JURA is the innovation leader in automatic coffee machines, offering a true bean-to-cup experience that is freshly ground, not capsulated. For those who want the best, JURA machines produce the finest high-pressure-brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and more, cup by cup. Thanks to the introduction of Cold Brew Extraction Process, the new JURA Z10 is the first to prepare both hot and cold brew specialty coffees. Additional JURA innovations include Pulse Extraction Process (P.E.P.®), which optimizes extraction time to develop the full flavor of espresso, macchiato and cortado – plus the Intelligent Water System (I.W.S.®) and integrated cleaning and maintenance systems. JURA’s app, J.O.E.® (JURA Operating Experience), allows users to easily operate selected machines from their smartphones or tablets.

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Update your fall wardrobe at MARIE & Z BOUTIQUE , a one-stop shop for women’s fashion. Fall and winter styles are available now, including cozy sweaters, silky blouses and fashionable blazers and coats. Owner Denise Walling loves to help women discover their style. “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.”

Order online or stop by the shop at 79 East Main Street for some personalized shopping while enjoying the Downtown Lititz community. Hours are Tuesday, 1-5 p.m., and WednesdaySaturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information on boutique hour/ day changes, check out their Instagram @MarieandZBoutique or visit mariezboutique.com

Whether you are in need of a quick touch-up, glamorous blowout or blissful body treatment, a visit to GLAMOUR ROOM will make you feel brand new. Glamour Room is an Aveda salon featuring vegan and cruelty-free products. Located on North Duke Street in Downtown Lancaster, it is the premier salon for bridal and special occasion hairstyling, skincare, esthetic services and makeup. Update your look with the latest beauty trends, including balayage hair coloring, HaloCouture extensions or a lash lift.

Owner Bobbi Nicole Bentzel has been making people feel their best since 2004. “After going to school, taking extensive classes and working in Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia, I wanted to bring what I learned from the big cities back home,” Bobbi Nicole says. Visit lancasterglam.com to book your appointment or purchase a gift certificate to pamper a loved one.

ANCHOR LANCASTER , located within First United Methodist Church in Lancaster City, aims to be a good neighbor by providing hot breakfasts and warm showers to their guests every weekday. Voted the #1 nonprofit in Lancaster County, Anchor Lancaster served 19,000 meals and provided 2,500 showers in the first eight months of 2022.

Each weekday morning, a free breakfast is served from 8:309:45 a.m., featuring a nutritious menu including hot, proteinfilled food items, juice, milk, cereal, toast, fruit and coffee. Before and after breakfast, unsheltered guests are also welcome to take free showers. Anchor Lancaster supplies each shower guest with a toiletry kit, underwear and socks along with a fresh towel and wash cloth.

“The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” Spend the holidays with everyone’s favorite elf, Buddy. Come see Elf the Musical running November 18-January 8, 2023, at DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE .

Based on the 2003 hit movie, Elf is a hilarious tale that introduces us to Buddy, a young orphan who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s gift bag and is transported to the North Pole. Raised by elves his entire life, Buddy doesn’t know he’s actually human. When his enormous size and poor toy-making ability cause him to face the truth, Buddy journeys to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn’t even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Special

Celebrate the fall season at some of Lancaster City’s most revered restaurants!

THE BELVEDERE INN simply has it all – great food, creative cocktails, stunning décor, a knowledgeable staff, outdoor dining, musical entertainment and a touch of history. Open since 1998, The Belvedere Inn has focused on locally grown and raised ingredients since day one. Entrées include grilled lamb rack, braised short ribs, seared sea scallops, filet mignon and more.

C’EST LA VIE and JOSEPHINE’S DOWNTOWN are located in the heart of Lancaster City across the alley from Central Market. Inspired by European bistros, C’est La Vie offers a casually elegant atmosphere and the menu includes hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches, brick oven pizzas and entrées. Downstairs, Josephine’s offers a refined dining experience reminiscent of a swanky supper club. The menu features elegant French-inspired cuisine, including entrées such as duck à l’orange, brioche-crusted turbot and Chef LeBoon’s signature crab cakes.

Thank you for voting MANNING, ROMMEL & THODE ASSOCIATES as some of your favorite eye physicians! “We understand how important it is to have clear vision, and we realize you have many options available. We strive to treat all patients with the same personalized care and attention as we would for our own family members,” states administrative assistant Amy Warner. “We deeply value the relationships with our patients and the community we serve. For over 20 years, we have been committed to the highest standards of care, treatment and surgical innovation, and our doctors have performed thousands of surgical procedures for our satisfied patients throughout Lancaster County.”

Are you looking for a stocking stuffer, a gift for a loved one or even a treat for yourself? Make FESTOON your first stop for Christmas shopping this year. Festoon, located at 202 North Duke Street in Downtown Lancaster, is a one-of-a-kind boutique with an extensive collection of clothing, jewelry, accessories, self-care items and home décor. The carefully curated store is full of excellent Lancaster- and American-made gifts for the whole family. “We also boast the biggest and most beautiful holiday display, including hundreds of different kinds of ornaments,” says owner Kathy Frey. Festoon’s passionate sales team will tailor your holiday shopping experience to your needs and wrap it in style with a bow. Festoon is open seven days a week, as well as on First Fridays in November and December. Learn more at shopfestoon.com

MAEJEAN VINTAGE is an entirely online shop offering genuine vintage, antique and estate jewelry. The shop specializes in timeless heirlooms from the Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco and Mid-Century eras. Maejean Vintage is owned and operated by a team of sisters, Laura Mae and Amanda Jean, out of their studio located in the heart of Downtown Lancaster. Laura and Amanda have over a decade of jewelry industry experience and are graduates of the Gemological Institute of America. The sisters, along with their all-women team, bring knowledge, innovation and a modern flair to the antique jewelry industry. Looking for a one-of-a-kind gift this holiday season? Visit their website, maejeanvintage.com, to view their extensive collection of necklaces, earrings, engagement rings, wedding bands and more. Gift cards are also available.

Transport somewhere tropical with a trip to TOBIAS FROGG , a local restaurant offering Lancaster County favorites with a Key West twist. Located on Columbia Avenue, Tobias Frogg and their one-of-a-kind patio was voted the “Best of Lancaster” this year in the outdoor dining category. Even though the patio will be closing for the season soon, Tobias Frogg is still the perfect place to relax at the bar with friends or watch football in their new sports pad.

Their menu offers creative dishes from scratch, including a variety of appetizers, pretzel stromboli, soups, sandwiches, pasta, steak, seafood, stir fry and more. Enjoy happy hour on weekdays from 4-6 p.m. and boozy brunch on Sundays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, visit tobiasfrogg.com or call 717-394-8366.

WALTZ VINEYARDS ESTATE WINERY is a multigenerational, family-owned winery specializing in premium, European-style wines. With more than a decade of viticulture experience, owners Jan and Kimberly Waltz decided to pursue their dream and open a boutique winery on their sixthgeneration farm. Over the past 20 years, Waltz Vineyards has perfected the art of wine making and earned a reputation for exceptional products in the industry. Waltz Vineyards’ estate wines are created with their carefully selected premium fruit and the most modern wine-making technology imported from Italy.

Reserve a tasting and sip Waltz handcrafted wines at their stylish tasting room in Manheim, featuring local artwork, artisan cheeses, crackers and chocolates. In addition to their tasting room, bottle sales and tastings are offered at their wine shops in Kitchen Kettle Village and The Market at The Wilbur. Join their exclusive Wine Club or order wines to be shipped to your friends in 23 states across the U.S. For more information, visit waltzvineyards.com

Get in the Christmas spirit at STONE GABLES ESTATE ! The historic property is home to three exquisite venues – The Star Barn, St. Michael’s Vineyard and Ironstone Ranch – that sprawl over 280 acres of scenic vistas and trails.

During the holiday season, Stone Gables Estate comes to life with lights, family-friendly events and Christmas cheer. Enjoy a narrated train excursion on the Santa Express as it travels through Stone Gables Estate. Experience their 3-mile Christmas Light Drive-Thru, which features over 800,000 lights. Dine and enjoy live Christmas music in the beautiful Star Barn. Explore the National Christmas Center, one of the largest collections of Christmas memorabilia in the world. Stroll through the Christmas Village at Ironstone Ranch and enjoy fun activities and delicious treats. For more information on all that Stone Gables Estate has to offer this holiday season, visit stonegablesestate.com.

Offering two floors of current and vintage clothing and accessories as well as a great selection of antiques, art and home accents.

MAINMEN & MAINMENLADIES is celebrating five years on Main Street and is a must-see destination for guys! One of the largest shops in Downtown Lititz, MainMen offers two floors of current and vintage clothing and accessories. Find backpacks, messenger bags and slings, as well as a variety of hats and a great selection of antiques, art and home accents. The shop offers affordable holiday gifts for the guys under $20, including knit beanies, gloves, “MANdles” and Spirit Jar candles, fun graphic socks by Yo Sox, men’s soaps from Greenwich Bay and San Francisco Soap Co. and shaving products from The Holy Black. The shop also offers a large women’s department and affordable holiday gifts for her under $20, including Brit Knits and Adora hats, Laurel Burch handbags and totes and a large selection of current and vintage jewelry! May you and your family enjoy a wonderful holiday season!

Visit SPOOKY NOOK FARM for a perfect fall day in Lancaster County. Hang out with their many llamas and alpacas, as well as their Valais Blacknose sheep, and learn all about the beautiful creatures and how they are cared for. The farm breeds, shows and sells the animals, so they will be sure to answer any questions you may have. The farm offers tours of the property and llama walks. To visit Spooky Nook Farm, you will need to schedule an appointment, which they can personalize to your needs. They welcome schools and small groups, as well as special events on the farm. Be sure to visit their farm boutique, Pamela’s She Shed, for alpaca clothing, candles, fiber and yarn and much more! Call 717-459-3414 to schedule your visit and discuss how Spooky Nook Farm can make your experience unforgettable.

Voted among the best residential builders and remodelers in Lancaster County, EBERSOLE BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION is committed to using the right blend of innovation and tried-and-true building practices to create structures that last for generations. Whether you want to build a custom home from scratch, add an addition or update cabinetry, Ebersole Brothers can bring your vision to life. Construction projects have a reputation for being overwhelming, but Ebersole Brothers delivers stunning results without the stress by providing clients with a helpful project manager, a clean and professional job site and top-quality craftsmanship. They even provide a project-management app that gives clients 24/7 access to their project manager and other relevant information. Take the first step in creating your dream home by visiting ebersolebrothersconstruction.com or calling 717-653-2327.

MARTIN FURNITURE & MATTRESS ’ goal is to provide customers with furniture for every room at a variety of pricepoints to best fit your budget. Whether you are looking for the latest trends or local Amish-made furniture, Martin Furniture & Mattress is confident that they can meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Not sure which style you prefer? No problem! Their sales consultants have years of experience and are able to assist you with each step of the process, from design and room layout through completion. They also offer a line of mattresses, bedding and home décor. Martin Furniture & Mattress looks forward to the opportunity to serve you! Follow them on social media @martinfurniturepa to stay updated with the latest trends, design tips and giveaways.

Third Time’s a Charm

Remodeling a house – top to bottom – is a daunting undertaking. Do it three times – to the same house no less – and people will no doubt begin to question your sanity. “I get it,” says homeowner Nathan Mountain. “To be honest, I would never do this again,” he adds, referring to the latest remodeling efforts. Or, would he … after all, Nathan, who owns Mountain Realty ERA Powered, lives by the mantra, “Everything has potential.”

BY SUE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRK ZUTELL

While the layout of the living room wasn’t altered, water damage called for the floor, drywall and furnishings to be replaced. Nathan and Glenn also took the opportunity to enlarge the fireplace. Drywall and windows throughout the 5,000-square-foot house had to be replaced. As has become customary, Nathan and Glenn decorate the house inside and out for all the holidays.

Nathan and his partner, Glenn Taylor, maintain the nightmares they had to deal with are now but a distant memory. After all, they now have their dream home. Indeed, it’s the sort of property that one could come home to on a Friday night and not leave until Monday morning. It’s beautiful, comfortable and welcoming all rolled into one design.

The saga began in the late ’90s, when Nathan successfully negotiated the sale of a foreclosed property he had always admired in West Hempfield Township. The house (a Four Over Four, aka Pennsylvania German Double Door Farmhouse), barns and outbuildings had once been part of a large tobacco farm. Nathan learned that its owner sold it in order to finance his children’s college educations. Since then, the last vestige of the expansive property, a farmette, had fallen into disrepair.

Clockwise from left: The addition that holds the dining room was finished just before the house was damaged. Fortunately, the slate floor and stone wall were not impacted by the water damage. Nathan’s father crafted the furniture in the room. Here, the room was decorated and the table was set for Thanksgiving 2021.

The area that once held a much-smaller kitchen and was outfitted with French doors that provided entry from the courtyard was revamped to allow for a large kitchen and (below) an expansive storage/display area, with windows replacing the doors. The new entry is located between the kitchen and dining room and helps to eliminate traffic jams. “People would walk in and stop,” Nathan says of the kitchen area prior to remodeling.

Nathan and Glenn have china and tabletop décor for all the seasons and quite a few of the holidays.

Opposite: What had once been a very small kitchen grew considerably larger. The expansion was achieved by claiming space from what had been the dining room (which was located in the original portion of the house). Nathan designed the multifunctional islands to provide working space inside the parameters of the kitchen and storage along the outer edge. The openconcept design also enables him to simultaneously work and socialize with guests. The expanded space also allowed him to purchase a commercial-sized stove and refrigerator. Wall was eliminated to expand kitchen

Doors replaced with double windows and storage

In 1998, the property was his. Nathan was now the owner of a house that had been thoroughly trashed and had no running water. Outdoors, everything was overgrown. The barns and outbuildings had seen better days. “It was a mess,” he says. It was time to put the carpentry skills he inherited from his father to use. He spent the next year “gutting everything” in the house and building a large addition that contained an open-concept kitchen, living room and breakfast room on the first floor and a primary suite on the second. “People would stop and thank me for saving the property,” he recalls.

For the second go-around in 2013 –this time with Glenn – the layout was tweaked to include a new kitchen and a refaced fireplace in the living room. They removed all the carpet on the upper level and replaced it with reclaimed pine floors. Another addition was built that would hold a much larger dining room. Nathan and Glenn also refinished the original pumpkin-pine floors themselves. “Those

floorboards were over 100 years old,” he recalls. What began as a 2,000-square-foot house had grown into 5,000 square feet.

THE THIRD INSTALLMENT of remodeling began innocently enough. It was spring 2018. The roof was showing its age and Nathan and Glenn decided to replace it with a metal one. The contractor had removed all the shingles and covered the roof with synthetic tar paper.

One afternoon, a ferocious storm tore through the area. “The rain blew through the paper and under the boards,” Nathan recalls. All he and Glenn could do was watch torrents of water pour down through the interior of the house. Glenn compares the deluge to waterfalls. Ceilings came crashing down under the weight of the water. Walls collapsed. The floors became water-logged. Seals broke on the windows. Furniture was destroyed. The only elements that survived were the slate floor and the stone wall in the newly completed dining room addition.

Other than that, “everything was ruined,” Nathan says. “The insurance company considered it a catastrophe. We came very close to having it declared condemned.”

SERVICEMASTER ARRIVED and broke the news that the two had no choice but to vacate the premises, as the house was uninhabitable. So, they packed up their two dogs and birds and took up residence at the Eden Resort & Suites for the next six weeks. “That wasn’t going to work for the long term,” Glenn explains of having to face the reality that they would be out of the house for an undetermined amount of time.

Fortunately, a former employee at Mountain Realty knew someone who owned a converted barn in the Centerville area. Nathan and Glenn worked out a lease and took up residence in the barn for what turned out to be nearly two years. “We loved living there,” Glenn adds. “We were able to make it our own. It felt like home.”

Clockwise from top:

The addition that expanded the dimensions of the house after Nathan purchased it more than 20 years ago contains a sunny breakfast room that overlooks the property.

Dinner at Nathan and Glenn’s is always a treat – the food (prepared by Nathan) is beyond delicious and the tabletop settings and décor are enchanting.

Like every other room, the breakfast room had to be updated due to water damage.

The primary suite was updated with new flooring and a larger fireplace.

A wall was eliminated beside the staircase in order to create a wider entrance to the front of the original house, which had been divided into three separate rooms. Now, what had been the dining room is part of the kitchen, while the bulk of the open space is now an office (above).

Wall eliminated and staircase reconfigured

The crisscross pattern on the new staircase is repeated on the sides of the islands in the kitchen.

WITH THE QUESTION of where they would live in the interim solved, Nathan and Glenn began to look at the rebuilding process from a new perspective. Because the entire house had to be gutted, creating their dream home became their goal.

For example, Nathan, who is the consummate cook and baker, had always felt restricted by the parameters of the kitchen. He went to work designing his dream kitchen with the staff at Rojahn Custom Cabinetry in Dallastown, York County. The resulting custom design is twice the size of the previous kitchen and includes two large multi-functional islands. “We do a lot of entertaining, so a large kitchen was essential,” he says. They also were able to eliminate the

traffic jam that always occurred in the kitchen area by moving the back-door entrance so that guests now enter into a more foyer-like area – located between the kitchen and dining room – that includes a powder room and coat closet.

The front rooms of the original farmhouse were also addressed. The first remodel saw the area become dedicated to a dining room, an office and what essentially became a catch-all room. “It really didn’t work,” says Glenn of the divided spaces that were really too small for their intended purposes. Now it’s a wide open space that does triple duty as a sitting area, office and display area for Glenn’s expansive collection of nutcrackers. A fireplace adds to the ambiance.

Nathan also was given the opportunity to replace the staircase he never liked with a design of his own.

Upstairs, the ceilings in the guest rooms were vaulted in order to make

them look more spacious and feel more welcoming. “I always wanted to do that,” Nathan says.

Fireplaces throughout the house were also enlarged.

NATHAN AND GLENN also took green living into consideration. “All the insulation had to be removed and we replaced it with foam,” Nathan notes. “We also tried to recycle what we could.” Unfortunately, the pumpkin-pine floors could not be salvaged. However, original floor boards – circa 1900 – were able to be saved and were used on the ceilings. Original beams taken from the floors were transformed into fireplace mantles. The floors were replaced with rough-cut white pine that was milled in New England and installed using square-head nails and a tongue-oil finish.

Being only 15 minutes away allowed Nathan and Glenn to visit the house and check on progress several times a week. Finally, the day they had been looking forward to arrived and Nathan and Glenn were able to return to their home in summer 2020.

Since then, they’ve directed their attention to the barns and outbuildings. What had been a corn crib and wagon shed is now a garage. The milk house has been transformed into an orchid house and potting shed. Nathan and Glenn are both avid gardeners and have transformed the beds and gardens into works of art with help from Kelsey Skworch at Tudbink’s in Conestoga. “We overwinter a lot of our larger plants at Tudbink’s,” Glenn notes. Plans call for transforming another barn into a party barn, complete with a theatre, kitchen and wine cellar. The third barn is being eyed as a gym. Another item on their wish list is a greenhouse.

NATHAN AND GLENN’S home is also known for its seasonal décor. By seasonal, I’m referring to every holiday on the calendar. The house is decorated inside and out. Fall kicks off with a back-to-school motif (Glenn is a former teacher), which is replaced by Halloween on October 1 and then transitions to Thanksgiving in early November. Christmas, which features eight themed trees indoors and four outdoors, takes over in early December and transitions to Winter in early January. Valentine’s and St. Patrick’s days provide the inspiration for February and March’s décor. Spring and Easter get their due in April and May, after which Memorial Day and Fourth of July are saluted. As for the decorations, the two are always on the hunt for the unusual. Their latest acquisition is a Columbia Wagon they spied at an antiques store in Columbia. Their pride and joy is a sleigh circa 1700s. “When in doubt, there’s always Amazon!” Glenn says.

THE TWO ALSO pull out all the stops for entertaining. “We love to host birthday parties for our friends and family,” Glenn says. Mention a theme and they are all in, planning the menu, choosing florals and setting the table. “We just enjoy having people here,” Nathan adds. “Oh, and the dogs have a birthday party every year,” he says of their two bulldogs.

Nathan and Glenn’s parents, who live out of the area, are frequent visitors. “We have all the holiday dinners here,” says Nathan, who plans the menu and prepares the feasts. For Thanksgiving, the menu always includes a traditional turkey, stuffing and his grandmother’s cranberry salad.

Dozens upon dozens of pumpkins, gourds, plants and finds decorate the porches and patios in October and November. Nathan and Glenn are always on the lookout for decorative items (for all the holidays) during their travels and name antiques shops as a favorite source.

“When in doubt, there’s always Amazon!” Glenn says of the turkey feathers he found on the website that can change a Halloween pumpkin into a Thanksgiving turkey.

Guests are Coming!

Nathan had always wanted to vault the ceilings in the second-floor guest rooms and was able to do so during the most recent remodel of the house. Glenn reports that his parents, who live in Montgomery County, love to visit, as do Nathan’s parents, who live in western Pennsylvania. Nathan and Glenn have taken over hosting duties for all the holidays and family gatherings. “We love having people in the house,” Nathan says.

1.

Delete. Furnish the room with only the necessities: a bed, a night table(s), a dresser, a comfy chair (or two) and a bench for luggage (empty the top of the desk and it can do doubleduty). Everything else can go.

2.

Welcome. You know what they say: a fresh coat of paint is the most cost-effective way to change the look or mood of a room. Maybe it’s time to bid adieu to that shade of ’80s mauve and go with a soothing coastal color. In this post-pandemic era, it’s probably a good idea to purchase bed and bath linens expressly for this room. Also, if the mattress is “iffy,” a plush mattress pad might atone for that.

With the pandemic in our rearview mirrors, family and friends will be arriving for holiday reunions and to see the sights. Is your guest room ready to welcome them?

The guest room. Often it’s that catch-all room whose door is kept closed. During the pandemic it became your home office or escape room. The question is, would you want to sleep in that room? According to several lifestyle gurus, that’s where you need to start in order to create a welcoming guest room – spend a night in your own guest room and see how you feel the next morning. Take note of the comfort factors. Has the mattress seen better days? Do the blinds/drapes provide adequate privacy and filter out the early-morning light? Can you hear conversations, a TV or music from another room? Is there adequate storage space for your clothing? You might be surprised by how unwelcoming your guest room is. If that’s the case, it’s time to remedy the situation.

3. 4. 5. 6.

Isn’t That Special.

Stock the bathroom with heavenly soaps and soothing creams/lotions. Be sure to provide a water glass and bottled water so that meds can be taken in privacy. Fill a basket with necessities (that might have been forgotten) such as tissues, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, hair products, etc. Add a plant (or two) or a vase of fresh flowers to the room. Provide extra blankets and pillows.

Give Them Space.

Nothing is more frustrating than opening the closet only to find it stuffed with clothing, sporting goods, seasonal decorations … Or, there’s plenty of space for your items but there are no hangers. Ditto for dressers; make a drawer or two available. Living out of a suitcase is not fun!

Let Us Entertain

You. A TV and reading material are always appreciated. A basket filled with snacks would also be hospitable. (Don’t forget a wastebasket.)

Tech. Check. Be sure to leave an outlet free (and easily accessible) for recharging devices. Place a note in the room (maybe beside the TV) that lists the WiFi code and instructions for operating the TV and remote.

7.

Let There be Light.

Nothing is more frustrating when you’re about to doze off than having to get out of bed to turn off an overhead light. Top the night table with a lamp. A nightlight that leads the way to the bathroom is a thoughtful addition.

Opportunity Knocks

After working in the restaurant industry and owning a retail shop, Nathan Mountain took Realtor Marilyn Berger’s advice and became a real estate agent in 2001. Nathan, who has owned Mountain Realty ERA Powered for the last 10 years, offers his observations on where the market stands.

It’ssaid that opportunity knocks but once. In Nathan’s case, he was fortunate to be given the opportunity to become associated with the ERA Realty Group the second time the offer was extended. The first time the offer was made was when Nathan was associated with Castellum Realty. Now, as the owner of his own company, Nathan saw the advantage of becoming associated with a nationwide company. “We’re powered by ERA,” he says of taking advantage of such services as training programs and expanding social media and Internet reach. The merger became official in the fall of 2021. “It’s gone really well,” Nathan reports. “We’re looking for a larger

office in Lancaster and the goal is to open offices in York, Reading and Maryland.”

Currently, 21 agents – many of whom are bilingual – are associated with Mountain Realty ERA Powered. Glenn serves as the company’s administrative assistant.

While the market has cooled somewhat, Nathan reports that buyers are still on the hunt and with the baby boomers downsizing – according to Nathan, 55+ communities are the hottest thing in the housing market – real estate is still sizzling. “The last two years have been crazy,” he says of the housing market.

“Buyers were offering sellers all kinds of incentives – sports tickets, vacations, dinner at an expensive restaurant – to get sales done. Now, with interest rates going up, the market has calmed down somewhat. More negotiating is taking place.” According to Nathan, time will tell whether or not houses continue to sell within an average of two weeks on the market and close within 30 to 60 days.

“It’s still a seller’s market,” he declared in mid-September.

WHETHER YOU’RE A buyer or a seller, Nathan has advice to make the process go as smoothly as possible.

Glenn Taylor (left) and Nathan Mountain (right) officially announced Mountain Realty’s association with ERA Realty Group in September 2021. A dinner that was held at Pepper Theo Café & Events served to introduce the Mountain Realty team to ERA officials. Photo by Molly Schlachter.

SELLERS: Nathan stresses that it’s imperative that you put your “best foot forward” and make certain that your home “presents well.” That means eliminating clutter – “clutter equates to small,” he says – as well as cleaning (thoroughly) and making repairs. “Today’s buyers are looking for move-in-ready homes,” he notes. Curb appeal is also critical. “Paint your front door,” he says, noting that a freshly painted door makes that allimportant first impression. “People notice things like that.”

BUYERS: Nathan says that buyers should by all means shop with preapproved mortgage commitments in their pockets. “One advantage to that is often times you can get a guaranteed rate lock,” he says of the fact that interest rates are on the rise. “And, shop around; everyone has different programs.” He also encourages buyers to deal with local mortgage brokers. “The local brokers have access to nationally recognized companies and programs,” he points out. For more information, visit eramountainrealty.com.

It is an honor to be recognized by the communities we serve. Customers are at the core of everything we do—with the goal of changing

for the

LANCASTER COUNTY A Place of Beauty

PHOTO BY DON SHENK

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

T he pandemic prompted us to venture outdoors and embrace the natural wonders of Lancaster County. We’ve come to realize how fortunate we are to have access to the parks, nature preserves and rail trails that skirt the river and dot the county.

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

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

We’re awestruck by the artful cuisine that is created in the kitchens of our

restaurants. The talents of our craftspeople and building professionals are aweinspiring. The gardens and landscaping that enhance our homes, businesses, retirement communities and medical buildings are eye-catching.

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

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

– Sue Long

PRODUCED BY KAYLEE REX

Esther DiGiacomo

Adam Truax

Penn Medicine

Casey Spacht

Brian Lehman

Don Shenk

Christian, First Responder, Photographer

Almost a year later, it still seems odd to open my Facebook feed or go to the Lancaster County Photography Facebook page and not see photographs posted by Don Shenk. On December 23, it will be a year since Don left us.

BY SUE LONG

Many people are known for their habits and in Don’s case, his involved a camera. He rarely went anywhere without one. “I always have a camera in my vehicle,” he once told me, explaining he never knew when a photo op would suddenly materialize and he wanted to be prepared. He estimated that 70% of his shots were taken from the driver’s seat.

Don, who was a graduate of Penn Manor High School (class of ’62), began

taking pictures as a junior high school student. In the late ’60s, Don became a freelance contributor to Lancaster Newspapers (now LNP). He also became a lifelong member of the New Danville Fire Company and used his photography skills to document traffic accidents, fires and other disasters for the company.

Don, who went on to graduate from Lancaster Bible College, served Youth for Christ Ministry in various capacities. (He was a long-time member of Central

That Best Describes Lancaster

Clockwise from opposite top left:

Don was making his way along a backroad on a snowy day when a buggy suddenly appeared.

The Pinetown Bushong’s Mill Covered Bridge off Route 222 is illuminated by Moravian stars at holiday time.

Don was a graduate of Lancaster Bible College and a longtime member of Central Manor Church of God. Because of the respectful way in which he photographed the Amish, they allowed him access to events such as barn-raisings.

Lancaster Central Market was probably Don’s favorite destination in the city and his portfolio contains a Who’s Who of standholders.

Don Shenk began his life-long interest in photography in junior high school.

Don frequently captured the beauty of Lancaster County’s farmland.

Manor Church of God.) Later in life, he would parlay his outgoing personality into becoming a sales rep at J. H. Brubaker Lumber (now Lezzer Lumber). Following retirement, Don worked part-time at Cherry Hill Orchards, which provided him with more subject matter.

When he wasn’t working, Don was roaming the countryside of the Southern End, capturing the comings and goings of trains at the Strasburg Rail Road, or visiting his favorite place in the city, Lancaster

Central Market. His wide-ranging portfolio documents the natural beauty of the county (his tagline was “God creates, I capture”), a Who’s Who of Central Market standholders and provides a peek into the life of Lancaster’s Amish community.

Don had a special relationship with the Amish. The fact that he strived to capture them in their own environment – working the fields, maintaining their farms, supporting community events and even relaxing – provided a comfort factor. “The

Happening” (as the Amish refer to the events of October 2, 2006, that took place at the West Nickel Mines Amish School) had a profound influence on Don from several perspectives: as a Christian, a first responder and a photographer (he loved to take pictures in the area around Nickel Mines). He graciously allowed us to use one of his photos of Amish children making their way home from school in that year’s November issue. In fact, the photos seen throughout this month’s issue

Top to bottom:

Mud sales and other community benefits always attracted Don’s attention.

Don’s skills with a camera prompted him to be named the official photographer for the New Danville Fire Company.

The Strasburg Rail Road was another of Don’s favorite subjects.

also demonstrate Don’s giving nature. He gifted me with several files of photos and told me to use them should I ever need “filler” material. His work regularly appeared in Pennsylvania Magazine.

Retirement allowed Don to expand his horizons. He remained an active member of the Lancaster Camera Club (he was a charter member, served as president twice and chaired the club’s annual show on occasion). In 2016, he was named as a Fellow of the Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography.

Don was especially proud of realizing his dream of having a book of his photographs published. Seasons of Lancaster County (published by Schiffer Publishing in 2019), which chronicles the four seasons as they unfold, was dedicated to the five Amish girls who were killed at West Nickel Mines, as well as the five who were wounded and survived the events of that day. Don shared with writer Kathleen Wagner that the dedication he wrote for the book was meant to “prepare the reader for the honest and respectful photos that follow.” (The book is available through Schiffer and Amazon.) In the dedication, Don wrote that he “felt as one with the Amish, as well as the first responders, and prayed for them.” He also explained the Amish community’s ability to forgive with scripture: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14, NIV). The page opposite the dedication depicts a photo of Amish children during recess that was taken at West Nickel Mines Amish School in 1990.

Don also worked with Schiffer to publish Lancaster County: A Keepsake in 2019. Again, he was given the opportunity to choose all the photos that appear in the book.

Despite spending more than six decades taking photographs, Don never considered himself a professional. He would only go so far as to call himself an “advanced amateur who just loves to take pictures.” I can only imagine the fun he is having in heaven with his camera.

Holiday Guide Holiday Guide

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX

KITCHENS BY EILEEN (KbE Design & Build) has over 25 years of superior, award-winning design and construction experience. Each renovation project is carefully handled by their expert designers who specialize in space planning and design. Their project management team handles your job all the way to completion, giving you peace of mind from start to finish. KbE Process:

1. Schedule a consultation in their showroom.

2. Designer measures your space and designs floorplans for you to choose from.

3. Designer guides you through the selections process.

4. Project managers oversee your renovation from start to finish. They also offer an option for those who want the look and convenience of a custom closet without paying a sky-high price. Their patented system, VICTORY CLOSETS , allows you to reconfigure your closet any time without tools, fasteners or support pins. Simply lift and move! Visit their new showroom, located at 4224 Oregon Pike in Brownstown (next to Martin Appliance).

Looking for unique events to attend this holiday season? Look no further than LANDIS VALLEY VILLAGE & FARM

MUSEUM , which collects and exhibits Pennsylvania German artifacts and heritage dating between 1750-1940.

On December 9, Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum will host the Annual Holiday Bonfire from 6-8 p.m. This free event features music, carols and refreshments. Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Lancaster County Food Hub.

Discover how Pennsylvania Germans celebrated the holidays at The Belsnickel: Pennsylvania German Holiday Traditions

Beautiful, Versatile, Affordable Custom Closets & Storage Solutions

and the Winter Solstice on December 16 at 7 p.m. (adult-only event, tickets are $40) and December 17 at 1 p.m. (familyfriendly event, tickets are $30 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-7). Tickets and more information are available at landisvalleymuseum.org

Over 40 years of pioneering in the Pennsylvania wine industry has allowed NISSLEY VINEYARDS to perfect their wines while offering guests the individualized recommendations they appreciate. Vice President Jonas Nissley invites you to “taste a variety of dry and sweet wines at any of our retail locations, including our new Reserve Collection, or visit the beautiful winery estate for a tasting or event.”

Starting November 3, HERITAGE DESIGN INTERIORS is the perfect place to start your holiday decorating and gift buying. Heritage Design Interiors is located in an old historic inn. It is the perfect backdrop for holiday decorating. Five trees and five mantels are decorated in different themes, styles and colors. It is the perfect time to get decorating ideas and purchase new holiday décor for your home. Also, find a beautiful selection of ornaments, floral designs, wreaths, Santas, reindeer, candles and more! Their retail store is open all year with artwork, mirrors, lamps, silks, wreaths, accessories, candles and more!

Heritage Design Interiors specializes in window treatments and home décor along with design consultations, which they customize to your wants and needs. They offer custom-made

We can coordinate everything for a complete home look including room, walls and windows or just give you a few ideas.

We can coordinate everything for a complete home look including room, walls and windows or just give you a few ideas.

Stop in or call for an appointment:

We can coordinate everything for a complete home look including room, walls and windows or just give you a few ideas. Stop in or call for an appointment:

Stop in or call for an appointment:

Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

HOURS:

Friday 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday 12 - 4 p.m.

window treatments, blinds and shutters, bedding, pillows, shower curtains, upholstery, accent furniture and more. Check out their website and social media for more information about their products and services along with their upcoming Holiday Open House.

PLAYFUL PUPS RETREAT is a premier pet resort committed to providing a clean, healthy, fun and nurturing environment for your dog at their two Elizabethtown-area locations. Playful Pups Retreat offers dog boarding at their Milton Grove Road location and dog daycare and training at their Hershey Road location.

When you’re away from home, have peace of mind knowing that your furry family member will receive attention, love and high-quality care, as well as enjoy tons of fun at Playful Pups Retreat. Their team members are dog lovers who are chosen for their knowledge of dog behavior, dependability and exceptional attitudes. The Playful Pups team gets to know each dog and provides individualized care, enriching activities, socialization and of course, a lot of belly rubs and snuggles. For more information, visit playfulpupsretreat.com.

The COLUMBIA MARKET HOUSE is a treasure located in the heart of this historic river town. The plans for this structure originated in 1868 with Robert Crane, an engineer and contractor with the railroad and one of the men responsible for stopping the advance of the Confederate troops by helping to burn the covered bridge across the Susquehanna River. Opened on September 17, 1869, the market has served as an anchor for this community. The Borough funded construction of the Market House, an anomaly at a time when many of the market buildings in the state were privately funded. In 2019, after being closed for a few years, Columbia, in partnership with the state, once again invested in this building and on May 29, 2021, the Market House reopened with a restaurant, stand spaces and room for special events. While visiting, take a tour of the well-preserved dungeons from 1834 including a solitary confinement cell.

Looking for a new salon with great energy? ATTITUDES

HAIR & NAIL SALON , located in Grandview Plaza on New Holland Avenue, is excited to help you create a new “attitude” for the holidays and new year! Voted as one of the best hair and nail salons in Lancaster County for the last 21 years, Attitudes provides a friendly, comfortable atmosphere for all customers. The salon specializes in women’s and men’s haircuts, highlights, perms, hair color treatments, hair styling, makeup application and more. They also offer nail services including manicures, pedicures, hand wax, gel manicures, tips and fill-ins. You can also shop from their full line of high-quality hair-care products. The best way to schedule an appointment is to call the salon at 717295-0836. To see their work, visit attitudeshairandnailsalon.com

Transform your backyard into an outdoor oasis with the help of EAGLE WINGS BUSINESS NETWORK (EWBN). With over 30 years of industry experience and nearly 20 years in business, owner Reuben Stoltzfus and the EWBN team are experts in transforming regular spaces into fun and exciting places to relax and create memories with family and friends. As they have been serving Lancaster County for decades, along

Clemintines

with surrounding counties and states, EWBN knows how to create custom backyard structures that last.

EWBN can help to create your dream space by installing customized roof structures, new outdoor kitchens, patios, walkways, decks, fencing, firepits, basements and more. Assistance and industry-experienced advice are offered every step of the way to ensure your satisfaction. Because EWBN is committed to overdeliver, they never hesitate to give free consultations for any project. View their work at ewbn.net or call 717-355-0741 to get started on your outdoor-living project.

Fall is always an exciting time at CLEMINTINES . Sweaters and jackets are filling the shelves and fun tops are being hung on the racks. Pants and denim in many shapes and colors are also available to fulfill anyone’s taste. Gold and mustard tones, shades of deep green and teal and rich hues of plum are all standouts this fall.

Accessories are essential to complete your look. All it takes is that one special piece to pull your outfit together. 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). Don’t stop at jewelry. Clemintines has beautiful, lightweight scarves and purses, as well.

Visit Clemintines and then enjoy the rest of your day at the many other stores and restaurants that Lititz has to offer.

Isaac’s commitment to great taste continues with their new craft brewery concept, ISAAC’S CRAFT KITCHEN & BREWERY . Stop by their location in Downtown Lancaster or on Greenfield Road for specialty brews that bring out the best in the artisan sandwiches and made-from-scratch soups they’ve been perfecting for 39 years! Make your holidays extra “hoppy” and host a luncheon or office party at either of Isaac’s Craft Kitchen & Brewery locations. Their catering menu is perfect for all your holiday entertaining, and they offer delivery. Get your holiday shopping done early with their Holiday Gift Card Deal starting November 1. For every $30 in Isaac’s gift cards purchased you’ll get a free sandwich or salad card. Visit their website at isaacsrestaurants.com for all the details.

KOSER JEWELERS continues to be Lancaster’s favorite destination for diamond jewelry. A family-owned jewelry store since 1952, Koser specializes in premier bridal jewelry, including engagement rings and wedding bands.

From the moment you step in the door, you can expect to receive personalized service in a relaxing atmosphere. The team at Koser Jewelers believes that shopping for jewelry should be fun, not stressful. The staff of talented professionals strive to make your shopping experience as memorable and enjoyable as possible.

Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring, the perfect holiday gift or a treat for yourself, Koser Jewelers has something for everyone! You can expect to find a wide selection of the most stunning jewelry and premier brands on the market at the best value.

Koser Jewelers is honored to continue to serve the Lancaster community for the 70th year!

WEST END YOGA STUDIO provides a holistic approach to healing the body and mind through classes for all skill levels led by passionate, innovative teachers. Classes are diverse including Yin Yoga, Hatha, Vinyasa, Meditation, Tai Chi, Accessible Yoga and more.

The studio has expanded its class offerings to include

Photos by Shelah Riley

Sunday Morning Meditation, the Great Yoga Wall and many community offerings throughout Lancaster. Yoga Wall classes, which are unique to WEYS, offer a safe, supportive wall unit that utilizes straps for body weight. Practicing yoga on the wall provides added support and feedback to increase lengthening, a deeper awareness of supportive muscles, back pain relief, lymphatic system improvement and more.

Buy classes individually or become a Community Member for unlimited classes, local perks, a monthly bring-a-friend pass, open studio time and more. Membership is $45 for the first month and then $95 monthly. All are safe and welcome in the studio community. Learn more at westendyogastudio.com

“We’re so excited to announce our new website, logo and name! Gochenauer Kennels, as you’ve always known us, is now GOCHENAUER PET RESORT ! Same loving owners, staff and experience you’ve always expected since 1971, with some awesome updates and additions to give you and your pet the most amazing experience here!” says Jody Gochenauer.

For more than 50 years, Gochenauer Pet Resort, which is family owned and operated, has provided quality care for pets. Their professional staff is committed to giving your pet individualized care and attention to ensure it adjusts to its temporary home. At Gochenauer’s, your pet is always treated like family and provided with all the essentials to keep them

Award-Winning Care Since 1971

For more than 50 years, Gochenauer Pet Resort has been providing veterinarian-recommended pet boarding, daycare, and grooming for families throughout Lancaster, PA and beyond. Our multi-generational, family-owned and operated resort has proudly been chosen for over 50 people’s choice awards recognizing our outstanding services, advanced level of care, and attentive caregivers.

happy and healthy until you return. Request an appointment 24/7 at gochenauerpetresort.com or during normal business hours by calling 717-569-6151.

Since 1976, OLDE MILL HOUSE SHOPPES has been helping their clients furnish their homes and find unique gifts. Located on Strasburg Pike inside a restored bank barn and an 18th-century stone house, the shops are filled with furniture, rugs, quilts, florals, lighting, women’s clothing and much more. In the stone house, find countless decorating ideas in the different room settings. Their expert staff will assist you with all your décor needs and help to recreate the interior of any area in your home.

What started in two rooms of the owners’ home has now grown into a must-see destination. Be sure to check out their lighting showroom – voted “Among the Best” in Lancaster in 2021 – which is filled with their own handcrafted period lighting fixtures. To learn more, visit oldemillhouse.com

The moment you enter ZEST! in Lititz, you get the feeling that this is going to be fun. Zest! is a culinary experience created in 2012 by owner Sharon Landis at 30 East Main Street in Lititz. The Zest Cooking School, at 1180 Erbs Quarry Road, opened in 2018 and the Zest! Spice Shoppe was added to the store in 2019, featuring over 200 premium herbs and spices.

The store on Main Street features gourmet tools and gadgets, specialty foods and all the ingredients you need for

craft cocktails and mocktails. Sharon has made it a priority to support women-owned businesses across the U.S., as well as globally supporting fair-trade organizations, including handmade baskets from Mayan Hands in Guatemala and Sustainable Threads hand-stamped tablecloths from India. This month, Zest! will open an expansion to the main store at 30 East Main Street, featuring a “store-within-a-store” concept of Stonewall Kitchen products. Learn more on their website at zestchef.com.

CASEY JONES’ RESTAURANT in beautiful, historic Strasburg invites you to join them for the holiday season! Undoubtedly one of the most unique settings in Lancaster County, dine aboard one of their authentic P70 Coach Cars that once rode the rails of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Casey Jones’ Restaurant features delicious, affordable family-friendly fare with stunning views of the Lancaster County countryside and the Strasburg Rail Road. Check out their holiday entertainment events, featuring local vocal group, Perfect Harmony! Perfect Harmony is a dynamic vocal trio from Lancaster County, specializing in storytelling through music. With an impressive, combined experience, they are known for their stunning vocal blend and stellar harmonies in original arrangements and have performed at beautiful venues in Lancaster County including the historic Star Barn, as well as at The Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, Dollywood Theme Park and the DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, and most recently opened for Larry Gatlin of Gatlin Brothers fame. For an event schedule, visit caseyjonesrestaurantpa.com

Whether you’re preparing for next season or want to add a splash of color to your home, there’s no faster way to refresh a room than with a fresh coat of paint. Since 1988, VILLE PAINTERS has been revitalizing living, work and historic spaces. Their team delivers expert craftmanship, keen attention to detail and exceptional customer experiences. Whether you are going for a trendy look or hoping to preserve Lancaster’s historic essence, the ViP team can help to determine what color best characterizes your home and personality. Ville Painters offers a wide range of services including interior and exterior painting, historic preservation, wallpaper (installation/removal), drywall and plaster repair, decorative moldings and more. Visit villepaintersinc.com for more information.

Make your holiday meals extra special this year with a visit to MR. BILL’S FRESH SEAFOOD , the premier spot in Lancaster County for seafood year-round. Choose from their line of fresh and frozen seafood including a wide variety of fish, crab, oysters, shrimp, lobsters and more.

Don’t feel like cooking? Bring the taste of the beach to your home with take-out from FAT CRAB CAFÉ , located inside Mr. Bill’s market on Harrisburg Avenue. Treat your family to oven-ready appetizers, soups, salads and more. Visit mrbillsseafood.com for more information.

Happy Holidays!

bakery

A Piece of the Pie

There was a point in the notso-distant past when Meghan Young and Sebastian Schuck thought they would never again work in the restaurant industry, which had brought them together. The fact that Meghan baked for friends during the pandemic and wished them well with a note that accompanied the treat, opened the door to another way forward.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JORDAN BUSH

Passionate about baking and experimenting with ingredients and ethnic foods, coupled with a desire to be challenged by recipes, Meghan set out to earn her associate degree in baking and pastry arts from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Upon graduating, she worked at restaurants, cafés and bakeries in the city where, atypically, she embraced a combination of front and back-of-house roles.

In the fall of 2019, Meghan returned to her hometown of Lancaster to enroll at Millersville University. Working as a server in a local restaurant, she met Sebastian, a bartender with a specialty in all-things coffee.

Pre-pandemic, the two were aware of how challenging the restaurant industry can be, but came to experience its full fragility at the height of Covid. Unsure of what to do next, Meghan embraced the idea of opening a bakery. She was confident that together, she and Sebastian would be successful.

On the menu (clockwise from top): a classic Pecan pie, a Brown Butter Honey Sea Salt pie and a Burnt Honey Squash (think pumpkin) pie topped with artfully toasted meringue.

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: Meghan begins making a Brown Butter Honey Sea Salt pie by cutting the dough. The dough is then rolled. After placing the dough in the pie pan, the edges are crimped.

Meghan always par-bakes her dough to ensure the pie crust is flaky.

Making the pie filling starts with eggs. The honey/brown butter is whisked, while cream and sugars are added.

Wish You Well

In June 2021, Meghan and Sebastian opened Wish You Well Bakery in the North Queen Street space previously occupied by Harvest Moon Bagel Co. The bakery’s name relates to a phrase that became Meghan’s “calling card” during Covidrelated shutdowns. When she provided friends with baked goods, Meghan always included a notecard that closed with the salutation, “Wish you well.” Styled as more than a traditional bakery, Wish You Well also offers breakfast and lunch items for customers who are on the go.

With an affinity for exploring food from other cultures, some of the finds are welcomed additions, including a decadent chocolate babka made with yeast-risen sweet dough, spiced-chocolate filling, cookie crumbs and an orange-sumac glaze. Something as simple as chewy brown-butter snickerdoodles topped with cardamom cinnamon-sugar is transcendent.

Bagels made in-house from scratch are a true labor of love. They’re used in a signature sandwich – the Ruth Bagel Ginsburg – that serves as a nod towards equal pay (plus, Meghan’s middle name happens to be Ruth). It’s composed of smoked salmon, cream cheese, local mixed greens dressed with house-made lemon vinaigrette, pickled red onion, cucumber and capers. The late Supreme Court justice would be proud.

Rich, Flaky Pies

You could say that Thanksgiving is Meghan’s time to really shine. She describes the process of baking pies as being nostalgic, sharing that she started helping her mother bake pies for family holiday gatherings when she was a toddler. “Of course, in those days we never made pie crust from scratch,” Meghan remarks. “When I was old enough to follow recipes, I started making crust from scratch. Learning how to properly work with pie dough in culinary school was a gamechanger,” she says.

LEARNING TO SCALE, Meghan ran the pastry department for Urban Outfitters Headquarters at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, directing the production of over 600 Thanksgiving pies in 2017. Now developing recipes for Wish You Well, she describes the magic ingredients behind her beautiful and tasty creations. “I use three different types of flour, including whole wheat, to achieve the desired

texture and flavor,” says Meghan. “All butter, no shortening.”

As for crowd pleasers, she reports that “customers go crazy for the Salted Brown Butter Honey pie, but we’ve sold more Pumpkin [Burnt Honey Squash] than anything else. My favorite is Pecan; it’s the first pie I ever made entirely from scratch for my family, and I’ve made it every year since 2004!”

The Cost of Local

When it comes to sourcing ingredients, Meghan likes to shop at local farms, markets and producers on her days off. However, she is not always guaranteed to find local sources for items such as conventional eggs and butter and must rely on other purveyors. While the quality of those ingredients is high, so, too, are their costs, which skyrocketed during the pandemic and have remained so in these inflationary times.

Comparing invoices from the same provider from over the course of the last two years provides insight. In November

2020, for example, 15 dozen conventional large white eggs (used for baking) cost $24. In September 2022, the cost had risen to $46.05. Over that same time period, 36 pounds of unsalted butter doubled in price, increasing from $71.64 to $146.88.

Local products produced on smaller scales are even more costly. For example, 15 dozen pastured eggs (used as an ingredient in sandwiches) from a local supplier now cost $56. Fifty pounds of all-purpose butter from another supplier cost $17.39, versus $45.18 for a locally produced product.

No Tipping, Please

One key difference at Wish You Well is that tips are neither requested nor accepted. While it might seem strange to attempt to offer money to a business and have them decline, there’s considerable experience behind the decision. “If a restaurant is asking for tips it’s because their employees are counting on that as part of their pay,” says Meghan. Customers, however, “think it’s extra,” she says.

Wish You Well co-owners, Sebastian Schuck and Meghan Young, met through working at a local restaurant. Baking for friends during pandemic-related shutdowns convinced Meghan that opening their own bakery would allow them to operate a business on their own terms.

Instead, starting pay at Wish You Well is $15 per hour.

“I worked at [a local café] managing a coffee program; my tips in an average week would be $20,” says Sebastian of the practice that saw tips pooled and split evenly among baristas each week.

“I also don’t think it should be the responsibility of the guest to decide what the worker should earn,” Meghan elaborates. “Since we’re not a full-service restaurant, we would [only] have to pay regular minimum wage [$7.25]… but we could still pay less than we are. I know that if we took that approach, the tips we would draw in probably would not bring our team up to $15 an hour.”

The minimum wage in Pennsylvania for tipped workers – enacted into law in 1977 –is still set at $2.83 an hour. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the real median household income that year was $13,570. In 2021, that figure was $70,784, more than a five-fold increase.

“I want to set an example for the industry,” says Meghan. “I want to show other small food-business owners that

Meghan has been making her signature Pecan pie for nearly 20 years. Her interest in baking was sparked by helping her mother prepare pies for her family’s holiday dinners.

we can make a change; there’s no reason why our industry should operate in this way,” she says. “A lot of establishments have tried this in the past and haven’t lasted. It’s something I know is going to become a difficult adjustment if it ever goes industry-wide, but if we can be one small part of that change, to me, that means something.”

INDEED, RESTAURANT PATRONS are starting to question the upcharges, service charges and the tip options that now appear on receipts, especially in the case of take-out. Journalist Michelle Singletary (The Washington Post, September 16, 2022) addressed the growing controversy; the article prompted hundreds of responses, with many voicing their displeasure over the cashless payment systems that default to including a tip – for take-out – that ranges from 15% to 25% on average. (One person shared they now make it a practice to pay for take-out with cash and thus avoids the pressure to mark one of the percentage boxes and instead tips as they see fit.)

Still others questioned why a person who simply hands you a bag should earn a tip. Some felt it was fine to tip for take-out if it is being shared with the kitchen staff or if the order included special requests and substitutes. Some shared that they were confused by the double whammy of the cashless option coupled with a “tip jar.”

There’s also a new wrinkle. Per the October issue of Washingtonian magazine, restaurants in larger cities are replacing

the word “tip” on the automated receipts with “service charge.” The service fees are being used for any number of purposes including tip pools, rainy day funds, health insurance … In such cases, tipping individual servers is also acceptable, again leading to confusion for guests.

On the other end of the spectrum, responders said they commiserate with the low wages that restaurant industry workers earn and are happy to tip them. Some went so far as to say if you can’t afford that extra 15% (or more) for the convenience of takeout, perhaps you should stay home and cook for yourself.

Regardless of where they stood, a majority held the opinion that if tipping is to continue, it’s time to return to the pre-pandemic practice – notably in the case of restaurants – of rewarding a server for excellent service and not feeling pressured to provide a tip that is not warranted. Quite a few said they would be comfortable with higher-priced menus – in order to provide employees with a living wage – and eliminate tipping altogether. Many pointed out that tipping is not a custom in many European countries and reported that service is on par or exceeds that of American restaurants.

“FOR US, A FAST-CASUAL FOOD service and retail bakery, a lot of people wouldn’t think about tipping 20% in the first place,” says Meghan. “It doesn’t bridge the gap. Restaurant owners benefit from this system – they only have to shell out $2.83 an hour for [tipped] employees, and they’re relying on customers to pay the

Wish You Well is located at 47 N. Queen St. in Lancaster. Hours are Thursday through Monday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Pie orders are accepted online. For more information, visit wishyouwellbakery.com.

think that’s fair. It’s contributed to the unsustainable, unhealthy environments in restaurants. It’s contributed to the exodus of restaurant workers changing careers because the pandemic gave us a chance to step back and say, ‘Wow, I don’t know why I put myself through that.’ If we didn’t have the bakery, I don’t know that either of us would be working in the industry anymore,” says Meghan. “No,” says Sebastian in quick agreement.

Fair Pay

Many restaurants have taken various approaches to pay staff equitably, including adding a percentage charge to checks, which is earmarked for back-of-house staff, like chefs, managers or expeditors, line cooks and dishwashers. Front-of-house staff, such as hosts, servers and bartenders, usually work for tips.

Meghan and Sebastian, have worked on both sides of the equation. “It’s not as common to be drawn to both aspects of it,” says Meghan. Pivoting between the two positions became a balancing act of managing social energy in the front of the house or the pressures related to the back-of-house. Each came with different methods of earning income, which in itself could require a role change to make ends meet. “We’ve seen both sides. We know that there’s a pay disparity between the front and backof-house,” she remarks. “Towards the end of working for other people, I was drawn to environments where I could still bake and interact with guests. I get stimulated by those interactions.”

“WE’VE CREATED THIS romantic idea of what it’s like to work in a restaurant kitchen, that it’s okay to keep treating people this way because everyone’s been through it and this is how you earn your opportunities,” says Meghan. “I remember my first job out of pastry school – it was awesome to get hired out of pastry school,” she says of working for a restaurant in Philadelphia. “But, it wasn’t awesome to realize I got hired part-time for 40 hours a week at $12 an hour; then they offered me the opportunity to become full-time, 60 hours a week, for a salary of $27,000 a year, which worked out to minimum wage, plus the overtime hours I was working.”

“After five months, I could not afford to work there,” she continues. “I couldn’t pay my bills, my bank account was empty. I had to quit.” Looking back, she calls her tenure there as, “The most enriching experience I’ve ever had in a kitchen, and I hated to leave it. I loved what I was learning. I was working with people who inspired me, who were getting recognition on a national level. I got to bake things that were photographed for magazines, but I felt taken advantage of and it was something I couldn’t continue [doing].”

Fortunately, Meghan and Sebastian found another way forward, together. As a bonus, she is still baking delicious pies that are being photographed for a magazine.

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Meat Co.

Lancaster’s favorite burgers! From Cabalar Meat Co., the Sweet Heat burger (left), which features jalapeño jam and spicy Fresno aioli. On the right is the BBQ Bacon burger, whose kick comes courtesy of sweet onion jam. Brews from Mad Chef Craft Brewing complement the burger, sandwich and sides menu.

BURGERS, SANDWICHES, CRAFT BEER AND MORE

Located among the eclectic shops of the 300 block of North Queen Street in Lancaster, Cabalar Meat Co. is not only a restaurant – and home to this year’s favorite burger per LCM’s readers’ survey – but it’s also a butcher shop.

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

STEVE CABALAR opened the business with his wife, Lianne, in 2018. Steve is a classically trained chef, while Lianne is a pastry chef. The two, who originally met as students at the Culinary Institute of America, opened a catering business in South Philadelphia, with an emphasis on corporate events. A visit paid to Lancaster prompted them to shift the focus of their business and lifestyle. “We visited Lancaster and liked the county,” he explains, noting that Lancaster Central Market also proved to be part of the allure. They also came away convinced that

Lancaster “is a great place to raise a family.” Upon making the move, their career path transitioned to operating a neighborhood butcher shop and restaurant. (Steve did an apprenticeship with a butcher in Brooklyn, New York, in order to learn the trade.) Cabalar Meat Co. works directly with farms such as Mirror Image in Bainbridge, which supplies Steve with half-hogs, and Myer Springdell in Strasburg, which provides grass-fed and grass-raised beef. “I’ve developed a relationship with the farmers and their families over the past few years,” Steve says.

CABALAR MEAT CO. has evolved since its opening. Initially its focus was on the butcher shop and, therefore, only offered 14 seats in the restaurant area. “We realized that the food was what resonated with people, so we decided to expand the seating area. We’re now more of a restaurant/sandwich shop, but we do still sell out of the case,” Steve notes, adding that business picks up at this time of the year, as customers order special items for holiday meals. Lianne initially made some pastries and desserts, but that’s changed too. “She’s stepped back from the business to focus on family.”

Steve soldiered on during the pandemic and his burgers and other offerings became favorite take-out treats for many Lancaster residents.

Cabalar Meat Co. is housed in the Keppel Building, which was designed by Lancaster architect, C. Emlen Urban. The building, which dates to 1913, was once the home of the Keppel Candy Co. Cabalar Meat Co. is located on the building’s first floor. Walk up the short flight of steps and one enters the seating area, which is open to the kitchen area. Antique metal cow waterers serve as planters for greenery on an exposed brick wall in the seating area. The opposite brick wall has been painted white. The lofty ceilings and exposed ductwork provide a bit of an industrial vibe.

Seating for about 60 consists of a mix of high wood-topped tables, a few regular tables and an eating bar that faces large windows that infuse the restaurant with natural light. There’s also seasonal outdoor sidewalk seating for about 22.

MENU OPTIONS INCLUDE a variety of burgers and melts; among them are Sweet Heat (with jalapeño jam and spicy Fresno aioli), BBQ Bacon (with sweet onion jam) and the Classic (toppings include Cooper sharp, ketchup, pickle mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and onion). The burgers have a 70:30 lean-to-fat ratio. “My philosophy is to use the whole animal. We cut, cure and smoke everything ourselves, so we do dog treats, use bones to make

Clockwise from top:

It’s a busy Friday lunch rush at Cabalar.

The career path for Steve Cabalar and his wife, Lianne, began at the Culinary Institute of America and then progressed to Philadelphia, where they operated a catering business, before moving to Lancaster in 2018.

An outpost of East Petersburg-based Mad Chef Craft Brewing is located at Cabalar Meat Co.

Steve’s whole-animal butchering philosophy results in creating products such as dog treats.

Burgers are made with the trimmings of various cuts of beef. The goal is to create a 70:30 leanto-fat ratio.

LANCASTER

Top to bottom:

The butcher shop sees business increase in the fall and winter months when holiday dinners and parties call for something special on the menu.

A full complement of beers from Mad Chef Craft Brewing is available at Cabalar. In addition to the North Queen Street eatery and butcher shop, Cabalar launched a food truck over the summer that stayed busy thanks to private events, gigs at Sickman’s Mill and partnering with Mad Chef on a beer hall that operated in a city warehouse on Friday and Saturday evenings in July and August.

stock, do pork rinds and render lard. For burgers, we use the trimmings of various cuts, but we try to stick to that 70:30 ratio, so the burger is juicy. The rest of the menu evolved from the whole-animal philosophy,” he explains.

Sandwiches range from Pastrami Reuben and Spicy Chicken to Bahn Mi and Falafel. The menu also features snacks such as wings, fried pickles, beef tallow fries and poutine (the Canadian version of gravy and cheese fries), which is made with cheese curd from Caputo Bros. Creamery in Spring Grove, York County. Other treats include milkshakes and ice cream floats. There is a small children’s menu, as well.

Cabalar serves as a satellite location for Mad Chef Craft Brewing. “We have been partnering with a craft brewery for some time. Originally it was Voodoo Brewing [headquartered in Meadville, Crawford County], but it was too difficult to make that work during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, we welcomed Mad Chef, which is closer to home,” Steve says of the East Petersburg-based brewery.

CABALAR ALSO NOW operates a food truck, which maintained a busy schedule over the summer thanks to stints at Sickman’s Mill and a warehouse-turnedbeer hall (Mad Chef) on Ruby Street that operated Friday and Saturday evenings during July and August.

The food truck offers a special smash burger. Steve explains that the 3-oz. burger is available as a single or a double (two 3-oz. burgers). Instead of a patty, a smash burger begins as a ball shape and then is pressed into the grill. Cabalar’s smash burger features onions that are pressed into the top of the burger. It’s topped with Cooper sharp cheese and served on rolls sourced from Commons Commissary Bakery in Lancaster, which also provides sourdough and rye breads. Steve says he also works with several other local bakeries.

Cabalar Meat Co. is located at 325 N. Queen St. in Lancaster. Hours are 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday and Sunday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday. (Closed Monday-Wednesday.) For more information, call 717-208-7344 or visit cabalarmeatco.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

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Why

PET PANTRY OF LANCASTER COUNTY

stored in co-founder Melody Sanders’ living room, soon took over her garage and eventually, additional storage units. Fortunately, That Fish Place/That Pet Place offered its help by donating warehouse space to the cause.

It Takes a Village

The services provided by this respected nonprofit organization no doubt contributed to Pet Pantry being voted the best rescue organization in our “Best of Lancaster” survey.

The pandemic created a phenomenon that saw animal shelters nationwide realize a goal that was once deemed all but impossible – animals adopted in record numbers, which, in some instances, led to empty shelters. Two-plus years later, the trend is shifting. With adults returning to the office and kids back in school, the question of how to work pets into busy schedules is being posed. Add in record inflation and the cost of owning a pet is further stretching the household budgets of many pet families.

Sadly, pets are being returned to shelters or, worse, are being abandoned. Peruse social media sites such as Nextdoor and you’ll become aware of the number of cats being left to fend for themselves, which is only adding to the feral cat problem in many communities. Unfortunately, good Samaritans are learning there is no room at the shelters. Shelters, in turn, are frustrated that they cannot provide assistance to all involved.

History

Interestingly, the idea for the Pet Pantry materialized during another time of crisis – the Great Recession. In 2011, its three founders took note of the alarming number of pets being surrendered to shelters because of the economic downturn. The threesome began conducting pet food drives for families in need. Initially their efforts were focused on 12 families. As word spread, they were quickly overwhelmed by the interest shown in their food drives. The donated food, which was originally

The Pet Pantry team also noticed a need existed for affordable veterinary services. As the idea for a veterinary program began to take shape, the team recognized a larger, more visible and permanent location would be needed. In May 2014, the Pet Pantry moved to its current location on Millersville Road in Lancaster, which not only provided the space for veterinary services, but also for an animal rescue, as well as an on-site thrift shop filled with just about anything a pet owner would need.

If you are unable to adopt a new furry friend, there are still plenty of other ways to support the animals and families that the Pet Pantry aids.

In addition to monetary gifts, the Pet Pantry is happy to accept donations that range from cleaning supplies to toys, beds, blankets, towels, carriers/crates and food. You can also buy supplies from their Amazon Wishlist or Chewy shopping registry. The Pet Pantry is also happy to receive new or gently used pet items for the thrift shop, with all proceeds directly supporting their programs.

Volunteers are essential to the Pet Pantry. They help to clean the shelter, feed animals, answer phones, work in the thrift shop, distribute food, represent the organization at community events and more. Online applications can be accessed through the website, petpantrylc.org.

The Pet Pantry also is in need of foster homes for both cats and dogs. Again, online applications are available through the website.

Extra Give and Light the Way

Feed, Fix and Rescue

Ten years later, the Pet Pantry continues to focus on “meeting the need” through three initiatives: feed, fix and rescue. “Food insecurity is the biggest reason for pet surrenders,” states Lindsay High, who is the development director of the organization. In an effort to keep pets with their owners, the Pet Pantry hosts monthly food distributions for the families they serve.

“As much as we love the animals that come through our shelter, we want to keep pets in their loving homes,” Lindsay explains. The Pet Pantry currently provides 250 families with food assistance. Last year, 71,000 pounds of food were distributed to Pet Pantry families.

To reduce overpopulation, the Pet Pantry offers low-cost spay/neuter services. Trapneuter-return (TNR) services for feral cats are also made available. Vaccinations and microchips are also offered.

Lastly, the Pet Pantry strives to find loving homes for cats and dogs that are looking for a second chance in life. Due to a lack of space, they rely on foster homes to house dogs that come through the rescue. Because of this, Pet Pantry isn’t able to coordinate as many dog adoptions and therefore the shelter’s main focus is on cats.

Of course, fundraising is the lifeblood of organizations such as the Pet Pantry, which hosts and participates in fundraising events throughout the year. The next big event on the calendar – and it is a biggie – is the Extraordinary Give on November 18. Launched in 2012 by the Lancaster County Community Foundation, the ExtraGive has become Lancaster County’s biggest day of giving. For details and to donate to your favorite organization(s), visit extragive.org.

On December 3, the Pet Pantry will host Light the Way at its headquarters. The evening (5-8 p.m.) will feature a grand illumination of the building (the lighting display honors loved ones – including pets – who have passed, as well as pets that “light up” our lives), tours of the facility, food trucks, a beer garden (courtesy of Spring House Brewing Co.), wine tastings (courtesy of Britain Hill Vineyard), a holiday market and photos with Santa. (Visit the website to make a donation towards the lighting decorations.)

Pet Pantry is located at 26 Millersville Road in Lancaster. For more information, visit petpantrylc.org and on Facebook and Instagram.

Melody Sanders is a co-founder of Pet Pantry and serves as its CEO and board president.

Cats are the focus of Pet Pantry’s rescue efforts.

Thank You For Voting Us #1 In Lancaster BEST

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AMONG THE BEST

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