LCM | December 2021 | The Holiday Issue

DECEMBER 2021

e g a t n i V a It’s ! s a m t s i r h C

Lighting Up Lititz Get Party-Ready With Charcuterie Books for Gardeners

AS 2 0 2 1 CO M E S TO A CLO S E

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU F O R A N O T H E R G R E AT Y E A R !

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

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

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

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

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COLD DAYS, WARM SMILES Nothing warms the heart like a smile.

And smiles mean more these days than ever.

At White Family Dental we will make sure your smile is healthy and your treatment is comfortable and safe.

So go ahead—share your smile and make someone’s day.

W W W . W H I T E F A M I LY D E N TA L . C O M Elizabethtown

100 Continental Dr. Elizabethtown, PA 717-367-1336

Elizabethtown

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Manheim

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CONTENTS

DECEMBER 2021 | VOLUME 35 | NUMBER 8

F E AT URE S

D EPA RT ME N TS

26.

Lighting Up Lititz

6.

Be Scene!

30.

Vintage Christmas

8.

Gardening Journey

For the second year, Lititz Springs Park is sponsoring a home decorating contest for residents of the 17543 zip code. Meet the winners of last year’s contest, Theresa and Dennis Cross, whose residence has always been a favorite with fans of lighting displays.

“New” is not a word that’s in Stacey Toomey’s vocabulary. Her home is filled with vintage furnishings and accessories – as well as DIY projects – that make it unique and inviting. Her love of vintage carries through to the holidays and winter season.

’Tis the season to celebrate! We’ve compiled a list of 15 must-do festivities that will make your holiday season merry and bright. For a full schedule of live music, theatre, art-andcraft shows and makers markets, museum happenings, outdoor activities and more, visit our website at lancastercountymag.com.

The arrival of winter doesn’t mean that gardening must come to a complete halt. At this time of the year, gardeners can curl up in front of a fire and read books that relate to their favorite activity. Dr. Richard Bitner offers his choices for the gardeners on your gift list.

38.

Foodographer

44.

Table for Two

Meet Bill and Missy McMahon, the owners of The Savory Gourmet in Lititz, and learn how charcuterie boards helped to save not only their business but many a party.

Rochelle Shenk visits Yorgos in Downtown Lancaster, where options are on the menu and range from pub fare on the ground floor to upscale selections on the second floor. The third floor is devoted to music, dancing and, at this time of the year, ushering in New Year’s.

48.

It’s a Beautiful Day

Julia Jones, who delivers the mail in the Chestnut Hill section of Lancaster, describes her perfect day.

38.

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

12.

Holiday Guide

Your guide to gift-giving ideas, entertaining essentials, home decorating needs, professionals in the building industry and more.

44.

30.

ON THE COVER: Kirk Zutell photographed Stacey Toomey’s dining room that exemplifies her talents for incorporating finds and DIY projects into her home’s décor.

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Walk-In Services at Lime Spring Open to all patients.

You do not need to be an established Penn State Health patient to use the Lime Spring walk-in services.

Visit our convenient Lancaster location: Penn State Health Medical Group – Lime Spring 2221 Noll Drive, Second Floor Lancaster

717-715-1001

No Appointment Necessary MONDAY-SATURDAY 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

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

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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

P H OTO G RA P H E R S

Dr. Richard L. Bitner Jill Brown Rochelle A. Shenk Michael C. Upton Kathleen Wagner

Jordan Bush Seth Dochter Nick Gould Kirk Zutell

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ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Karen Stoltzfus Karen@lancastercountymag.com

Lancaster County Magazine is published monthly.

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Kit Lu, MD Director, Clinical Trials Program, Central Pa.

More clinical trials for cancer.

And more hope for patients.

What is a clinical trial? It’s how we develop new and better cancer treatments. UPMC Hillman Cancer Center offers more than 570 clinical trials, giving patients access to the latest drugs, procedures, and therapies right here in Central Pa. As one of just 51 National Cancer Institutedesignated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is recognized for pioneering research to treat cancer in new ways—or even better, to prevent it from occurring in the first place. Learn more at UPMCHillman.com/CentralPA.

NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center

UPMC Hillman Cancer Center is proud to be part of UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside, ranked nationally for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report.

BE SCENE!

December To-Do List

15 Festivities

for the Holidays COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX

After last year’s scaled-down and canceled activities, Lancaster County is ready to celebrate the holiday season like never before. Residents started to decorate their homes as soon as Halloween was history and are itching to gather again for their beloved holiday traditions.

Following the indoor dining shutdown that occurred last holiday season, restaurants are eager to have their dining rooms bustling with reunited families and friends. The events that were canceled last year are back and bigger than ever. What follows is just a glimpse of ways to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year in Lancaster County.

1. Shop Local Skip the shipping fees and delays and opt instead for makers markets and local businesses.

Creatively Lancaster’s Makers Market (creativelylancaster.com) will be taking over the former Bon-Ton space at Park City Center on December 4, 11 and 18. Another option is the Local Makers Market at The Shops @ Rockvale (shoprockvale.com/makersmarkets) on December 4. On December 12, Lancaster Liederkranz’s Christkindlmarkt (lancasterliederkranz.com) will feature over 30 vendors alongside traditional German food and drink. During Lancaster Shops Late (December 9), retailers and restaurants will be staying open into the evening.

2. Ride the Rails with Santa A tradition for over 60 years, the Strasburg Rail Road offers a variety of experiences including Santa’s Paradise Express, Santa’s Christmas Trolley and The Night Before

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Christmas Train. For details, visit strasburgrailroad.com.

3. Go on a Christmas Cookie Tour On Fridays and Saturdays through December 18, you can visit with Amish families in their homes and learn about their heritage while sampling homemade cookies. You’ll leave with new friends, recipes and a greater appreciation

of another culture. Sponsored by The Amish Farm & House. For details, visit amishfarmandhouse.com.

4. Go Back in Time Local high school students bring history to life during the Ephrata Cloister’s

Lantern Tours (December 2730). Visit ephratacloister.org for details. The Lititz Candlelight Tour (December 10) provides guests with a guided tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House and a lesson in how Christmas was celebrated centuries ago by the early Moravian community of Lititz. For details, visit lititzhistoricalfoundation.com.

5. Celebrate in the City Downtown Lancaster’s holiday season will kick off on First Friday (December 3), with the arrival of Santa, the lighting of the community tree and entertainment from Big Boy Brass. For details, go to visitlancastercity.com.

6. Visit Dutch Winter Wonderland After taking a pause in 2020, this year’s Winter Wonderland – November 20-December 31 – will be the largest in Dutch Wonderland’s history. Enjoy themed rides, live entertainment, cookie decorating, pictures with Santa and over a million lights. For more information, visit dutchwonderland.com.

7. Give Back ’Tis the season for helping others and there are countless opportunities in our community, one of which is Gifts That Give Hope (December 12 at the Farm & Home Center), where you can give a charitable donation in honor of the special people in your life or shop the marketplace for fair trade and sustainable gifts. For details, visit giftsthatgivehope.org/lancaster.

8. See a Show The Trust Performing Arts Center (lancastertrust.com) will present a unique adaptation of the classic The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe (November 27-December 18). For those seeking a non-traditional holiday show, On the Naughty List (December 3-18) by Prima Theatre (primatheatre.org) will be a “mash-up between a holiday concert with a comedic and provoking TED talk,” says founder Mitch Nugent. The Fulton Theatre (thefulton.org) will present Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol (November 30-December 26), which revisits the classic holiday story from the perspective of Scrooge’s old business partner, Jacob Marley. Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre’s (dutchapple.com) production of Miracle on 34th Street (through December 23) is said to melt even the most cynical hearts. At the American Music Theatre, Winter Wonderland is on stage through December 30. This original production features sacred and secular music, gorgeous costumes and stunning sets. Visit amtshows.com for details. At the Ephrata Performing Arts Center (EPAC), the School Edition of the world’s second-longest-running musical, Les Misérables, will fill the stage December 3-31. The kid-friendly School Edition is a bit shorter in length, less violent and the lyrics of some songs are more PG. The cast is composed of youthful actors. For details, visit ephrataperformingartscenter.com.

9. Celebrate in a Small Town Christmas in Lititz Springs Park (December 3) will feature a unique holiday performance, a carol sing, the lighting of the Christmas tree and a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Also, don’t miss the Second Annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest in Lititz. Drive around to the various entries (beginning December 3) and vote for your favorites from December 11-24. For details, visit lititzspringspark.org/Christmas. “Friday” events will be held in Ephrata on November 26 & 27; Mount Joy on November 26; Columbia on November 26; Manheim (First Thursday) on December 2; Lititz on December 10; and Elizabethtown on December 10.

10. Watch Your Favorite Holiday Movies Grab a cocktail and watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (December 6) or It’s a Wonderful Life (December 16) at Zoetropolis Cinema Stillhouse (zoetropolis.com). At Penn Cinema, you can rent a “bubble,” which includes three hours in a private auditorium for 25 people and your choice from their holiday movie selection. For details, visit penncinema.com/movie/bubble-rental.

11. Be Awed by the Marietta Candlelight Tour of Homes On December 5, you’ll be able to stroll through private homes and historical buildings decked out for the holidays.

Outside Old Town Hall, find Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will light the community Christmas tree. For more information, visit mariettarestoration.org.

12. Celebrate the Winter Solstice During Lancaster County Parks’ Winter Solstice Around the World program (December 21), discover how

other cultures and religions celebrate the shortest day of the year. After the presentation, enjoy a campfire and hot chocolate at the Environmental Center.

For details, visit co.lancaster. pa.us/317/public-programs.

13. Visit Stone Gables Estate From November 26 through December 30, the estate will offer a plethora of festivities to enjoy. Experience their Christmas Light DriveThru, take a ride on the Santa Express, catch dinner and a show or stroll through the new Star Barn Christmas Village. Don’t miss The National Christmas Center, which features 18,000 square feet of nostalgic Christmas décor, storefronts, toys and much more. Visit stonegablesestate.com for more information.

14. Enjoy Lancaster’s Many Dazzling Light Displays At the Christmas Spirit Light Show (christmasspiritlightshows.com) being held at Clipper Magazine Stadium through January 1, drive through the mile-long track and enjoy hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights synchronized to your favorite Christmas classics. During Brethren Village’s (bv.org) Bright Lights (November 29-January 2), the senior-living facility will feature over 150,000 lights on their campus. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane (hersheypark.com) will also feature more than 5 million twinkling lights throughout the park until January 2. If you’re looking for an exciting twist, you can zipline through Refreshing Mountain’s (refreshingmountain.com) holiday lights.

Longwood Gardens’ (longwoodgardens.org) display of half-a-million lights is always worth the trip to Chester County, as well.

15. Ring in the New Year With Your Community As 2021 comes to a close, towns across the county have boisterous celebrations planned, complete with fireworks, music and the countdown to the New Year. Some even have a “drop,” such as Haydn’s Jug Drop in East Petersburg and the Red Rose Drop in Downtown Lancaster.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

7

Gardening

JOURNEY

GIFTS FOR GARDENERS

Dig Into Some Gardening Books It may be winter, but that doesn’t deter avid gardeners from finding a way to stay connected to the natural world. Many turn to books and spend the winter reading about gardening. If a gardener is on your gift list this season, I’d highly recommend any of the following books.

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY DR. RICHARD L. BITNER

As

I inspect my wall of books that relate to gardening, it occurs to me how much the focus on the subject has changed in recent years. In the ’90s, gardening books were mostly by British authors who enthralled us with their five-foot-deep perennial borders displaying a succession of blooms during the high season. The emphasis was placed on concepts such as “color echoes” and “designing” with perennials. Because of our infatuation with the British style of gardening, tours of England’s celebrated gardens were always fully booked. It took years before we colonists realized that

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

our summers are vastly different and, furthermore, we don’t have 35 estate gardeners on staff to achieve that Englishgarden look.

Decades later, we’ve developed our own look that celebrates the diversity of American geography and climates. It is apparent that the focus these days is on naturalistic planting, plant communities and multi-season appeal – after all, we have a wonderful fall growing season that has an equally brilliant color palette. Furthermore, outstanding American writers have emerged. I’d recommend that you add them to your collection of gardening books.

Kelly D. Norris

New Naturalism: Designing and Planting a Resilient, Ecologically Vibrant Home Garden Cool Springs Press, 2021 ISBN 978-0-7603-6819-0 Kelly Norris is one of the nation’s leading young horticulturists. Currently an independent designer and lecturer, he was until recently director of the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. His passion is “planting at the intersections of horticulture and ecology.” This is his fourth book.

In it he advises that we plant our gardens with consideration of the reality of the landscape we have and the community of plants that will flourish there. In the wild, plants grow in populations of related individuals. We need to take a cue from how they grow there to inform us the growing conditions they need. Therefore, Norris urges gardeners to “embrace the nature of [your] place rather than to be on a constant quest to alter it.” The resources in our soil will favor some plants over others.

He suggests a combination of native, nearnative and non-native plants and describes a

...the more you know about ecological gardening, the more you recognize that it ’s still gardening but with different rules of engagement. In fact, engagement is the point.

– Kelly Norris garden as a dynamic system rather than a static collection of plants.

Chapters on such topics as groundcovers, mulch, structural plants and season-defining plants are offered in his conversational style. He is a wise teacher; the book is crammed with friendly advice but he is not hesitant to scold for mulching instead of planting a matrix of groundcovers or for tilling and over-cultivating the soil.

The second section of this welldesigned book, which has great photos by the author, is devoted to plant “palettes.”

The emphasis here is on making choices based on functional considerations rather than just ornamental value. Included are valuable lists of plants for evocative planting strategies to achieve a house within a garden rather than the ubiquitous “trimmed skirt” plantings around it. Yes, Latin names are used. Get over it.

Daniel J. Hinkley

Windcliff: A Story of People, Plants, and Gardens Timber Press, 2020 ISBN 978-1-60469-901-2 One of the most widely published and eminent plantsman of our time, Dan Hinkley has created two of the country’s most fabled private gardens and his extensive lecturing, writing and plant exploration have had a huge impact on horticulture.

His first garden and nursery – located in Kingston, Washington – was called Heronswood. (When his erudite catalogs of specialty plants arrived in my mailbox, all activity stopped.) The story of the sale of the nursery is briefly covered in this very personal book. Mostly it is a conversation relating to the development over the past 15 years of his new garden, Windcliff – undertaken with his architect-husband, Robert Jones – on a bluff on the Kitsap Peninsula overlooking Washington’s Puget Sound. Each year has informed the next as he outlines the joys and challenges in gardening where only 30 inches of rain falls in a year.

Like his lectures, this serious plantcentered book is sprinkled with wit and

admissions of failures. Make no mistake, I do not suggest this book is a good source of specific planting ideas – few of the featured plants can be found in local nurseries.

Keep in mind, he has explored all over the

There are more approaches, more tricks to the trade, undoubtedly as many as there are good gardeners. Yet the yearning for beauty, whatever that may be, is the same. It is not intentional nor is it fully accidental. There is no endpoint or possession.

– Daniel J. Hinkley world to find plants for his nursery and garden. Instead, it is a book to learn design principles and approaches to gardening on different sites. He is particularly interested in foliage and plants that provide movement, balance and repetition in the garden. He talks about “admiration points” and gardening in containers is not overlooked. The photographs are dazzling.

R. William Thomas

The Art of Gardening: Design Inspiration and Innovative Planting Techniques from Chanticleer Timber Press, 2015. ISBN 978-1-60469-544-1 Chanticleer, the 35-acre garden in nearby Wayne, Delaware County, has been called the most creative garden in the Northeast. I’d christen it a magical place. Strolling through it for a few hours is an escape into beauty and pleasure.

Indeed, Chanticleer labels itself a pleasure garden. It is not like any botanical garden or arboretum you have visited. Even a reluctant non-gardening travel partner will come away in a better mood! This is the place to get inspiration for ideas to try in your home garden but you’ll need to wait until spring, when it will reopen March 30 and maintain its Wednesday-throughSunday hours through October.

Each of the permanent year-round horticulturists has contributed a very personal essay to the book, which is divided into two sections. The first part, Design, discusses how to make the most of a site’s many features and integrate the structures, the garden and themes that tie its areas together. The second part of the book focuses on Plants and explores how they are chosen and matched to the sites and render the visual excitement that makes the garden so special and cohesive.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

9

Gardening is what we do because we must. We garden like it is our own and treat those who visit like personal guests. We hope to inspire others to garden more freely and passionately, as we do.

– The Chanticleer Horticulturists The seven horticulturists who contributed to the book are also woodworkers, metal workers and stone carvers. The bridges, plantlist boxes, water fountains and remarkable railings seen in the book were all constructed on-site during the months the garden is closed.

All the “handmade” items give Chanticleer a uniquely personalized sensitivity that is sculptural, practical and inspiring.

The photographs by Rob Cardillo are beautifully reproduced and, equally important, have informative captions.

Douglas W. Tallamy

The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees Timber Press, 2021. ISBN 978-1-64326-044-0

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

By now, almost all area gardeners have read this University of Delaware professor’s book, Bringing Nature Home. His discussion of plants that benefit insects and birds in suburban gardens has won many awards and is now in its second edition. Nature’s Best Hope continued his dialogue on the ways insects interact with plants in our everchanging planet.

In his new book, Tallamy focuses on a single genus: the oaks. The book chapters go through a year in the life of an oak, discussing wide-ranging topics – actually everything one would want to know about oaks and the life that depends on them.

Acorns, insects, birds, oak misconceptions, growth characteristics and diseases are all covered in Tallamy’s usual science-based but accessible prose. Included is advice on how to plant an oak (start with an acorn) and the best oak choices for our area.

Michael Pollan

This Is Your Mind on Plants Penguin Press, 2021.

ISBN 978-0-593-29690-5 Michael Pollan has been writing awardwinning books for three decades, beginning in 1991 with his still-relevant Second Nature.

He writes about the natural world and food.

Readers/gardeners might be familiar with The Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, as well as The Botany of Desire: A Plant’s-Eye View of the World. In 2010 he was chosen by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

...caffeine is a curse, addicting us to a regime that makes us more tractable and productive workers, speeding us up so that we may better keep pace with the manmade machinery of modern life.

– Michael Pollan In 2018 he wrote How to Change Your Mind – widely acknowledged as one of the 10 best books of that year. The book discusses the recently renewed, university-based research into the therapeutic potential of “psychedelic” plants that suggests they can help with depression, addiction, PTSD and the anxiety of terminal illness. It is written in a personal, easy-to-read style that may possibly change how you think not just about psychedelic drugs but also about the human mind. Pollan is a lecturer at Harvard and a co-founder of the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics.

This year he came out with This Is Your Mind on Plants. It is a lengthy, wellresearched account of three mind-altering plant derivatives: opium, caffeine (“the most popular psychoactive drug on the planet”) and mescaline. He asks big questions and discusses their effects not only on our brains, but our culture and policies.

Merlin Sheldrake

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures Random House, 2020.

ISBN 978-0-525-51033-8

was a recent exhibition about him at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, as well as two years ago at the German History Museum in Berlin. Energetic and charismatic, he was a polymath, explorer, geographer, naturalist and humanitarian.

He is considered to be the first environmentalist. During his many years of exploratory travels, he declared respect for all cultures and firmly believed that colonization destroyed valuable cultural knowledge – and sometimes the culture itself. In 1804, after a five-year journey through South and Central America, he made a detour to the United States and

met with Thomas Jefferson. Darwin was an admirer and took Humboldt’s books along on the HMS Beagle. His writings influenced Thoreau and Whitman. Wulf’s book is the most engaging and enjoyable book I’ve read in years.

Many of these titles are available as e-books.

DR. RICHARD L. BITNER is a horticultural lecturer and photographer. He is the author of three books on conifers and teaches a conifers course at the Barnes Arboretum School at St. Joseph’s University. His website is ConifersForGardens.com.

The largest living organism on Earth today is a fungus in Oregon covering 3.7 square miles beneath the ground.

More than 90% of our plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi, which link them in shared relationships. This British author is a professor of biology and ecology at Cambridge University. His book is endlessly fascinating with science-based considerations of all the things you never knew about mushrooms. The illustrations and line-drawings and 100 pages of notes and bibliography add to this well-designed book. Also, his trailer about the book on YouTube is very comical.

Most plants – from a potted snapdragon to a giant sequoia – will develop differently when grown with different communities of mycorrhizal fungus.

– Merlin Sheldrake Andrea Wulf

The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World John Murray, 2015. ISBN 038535066X Eleanor Jones Harvey

WHERE FRIENDS ARE

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Holiday gatherings are our specialty–any time of year! Check lombardosrestaurant.com for hours and to make a reservation.

Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature, and Culture (published in conjunction with the exhibition of the same name at the Smithsonian American Art Museum) 2020 ISBN 9780937311875 Readers may not have heard of Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859), but he was the most celebrated scientist of his time. More things are named after him than anyone else who’s ever lived! There

Family.

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dinner Tuesday to Thursday Friday and Saturday 4–9:30pm 4–10pm

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

The Holiday Guide Special Advertising Section COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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.

JURA is the innovation leader in automatic coffee machines, offering a true bean-to-cup experience that is freshly ground, not capsuled. JURA machines produce the finest high-pressurebrewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino and more, cup by cup.

Thanks to the introduction of the Cold Extraction Process, the 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 and ristretto – 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.

Visit SPOOKY NOOK FARM for a perfect day in Lancaster County. Hang out with their many llamas and alpacas, as well as their sheep and horses, and learn all about the beautiful creatures.

The farm breeds, shows and sells the animals, so they will be sure to answer any questions you may have. Spooky Nook Farm is the first Lancaster County farm to breed 100% Valais Blacknose sheep, also known as “the world’s cutest sheep!”

The farm offers tours of the property and llama walks for all ages. To visit Spooky Nook Farm, schedule an appointment, which they can personalize to your needs. They welcome schools and small groups, as well as birthday parties and special events on the farm. Be sure to visit their farm boutique, Pamela’s She Shed, for clothing, candles and more! Call 717-459-3414 to schedule your visit and discuss how Spooky Nook Farm can make your experience unforgettable.

Z10 for hot & cold The new

coffee specialties

Freshly ground, not capsuled.

A world first, the groundbreaking Z10 prepares both hot and cold brew specialty coffees – freshly ground, not capsuled. At the touch of a button, it brews the full spectrum of hot drinks, from intense espresso to on-trend flat white. It also opens up a whole new dimension in coffee enjoyment with the introduction of cold brew specialties, thanks to the Product Recognizing Grinder (P.R.G.) that recognizes the chosen specialty and adjusts the grind accordingly. Experience a completely new way to enjoy coffee.

The JURA Hospitality Center is right here in Lancaster County. Family-owned and operated, it is one of the few places on the East Coast where you can experience the latest JURA machines first hand. You are welcome to stop in and enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee.

JURA Hospitality Center • 134 Shellyland Road, Building 6a, Manheim 717.492.4433

shopjura.com LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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Shop Now for Unique Gifts for Everyone on Your List!

462 Weidler Lane, Manheim, Pa. 17545 • 717-459-3414

W W W. S P O O K Y N O O K FA R M . C O M

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Come enjoy dinner and a show at the DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE. Since 1987, the Dutch Apple has been an entertainment favorite in Lancaster County. Guests enjoy top shows, professional entertainment and a delicious buffet dinner. Throughout the year, Dutch Apple presents one popular show after another, offering classic musicals and contemporary hits. Many of Dutch Apple’s cast members have performed in national tours. Visit dutchapple.com for their current show listings – you’re in for an enjoyable experience!

At MARTIN FURNITURE & MATTRESS, their goal is to provide customers with furniture for every room and a variety of price-points 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. Martin Furniture & Mattress also offers a line of mattresses, bedding and home décor. They look forward to the opportunity to serve you! Follow Martin Furniture & Mattress on social media to stay updated with the latest trends, design tips and giveaways.

The holidays are always an exciting time at CLEMINTINES. Warm 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

Welcome home.

Visit our showroom today and meet with one of our designers to schedule an appointment.

EPHRATA SHOWROOM

NEW PROVIDENCE SHOWROOM

1717 West Main Street, Ephrata, PA 17522 (2 miles West of Ephrata on Route 322) 717-721-3139

2318 Beaver Valley Pike, New Providence, PA 17560 (1 mile North of Quarryville) 717-806-7373

MartinFurniturePA.com

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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C

Plu s Si zes, too!

Clemintines A Unique Woman’s Boutique!

Shop here to add some

Holiday Cheer!

Monday through Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm

25 East Main Street, Lititz • 717-626-6688

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

tones, shades of deep green and teal and rich hues of plum are all standouts this winter.

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.

Over 40 years of pioneering in the Pennsylvania wine industry has allowed NISSLEY VINEYARDS to perfect their wines while offering guests individualized recommendations they appreciate.

Vice president Jonas Nissley invites you to “taste a variety of dry and sweet wines – including the Reserve Collection – at any of our retail locations, or visit the beautiful winery estate for a tasting or event.”

KBE DESIGN & BUILD is a full-service home renovation company nestled in Downtown Lititz. They are a design studio, working as a general contractor. Each renovation project is carefully handled by their award-winning designers and project managers.

KbE Design & Build specializes in functional space planning, making every inch of your space beautiful and useful. Their designers will guide you through the design and selections process to help build upon your specific taste and style. They see your

We help you love where you live.

Showroom 29 S Broad St Lititz PA 17543 Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm Evening and Saturday Appointments Available

717.627.1690 I kitchensbyeileen.com

Award winning service and design LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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221 West Walnut Street, Lancaster | 717-406-9681 | westendyogastudio.com

December

Holiday Hours Monday – Friday: 11am – 5pm, Monday – Friday: 9am – 11am

By Appointment Saturday: 9am – 1pm

717.664.4726 • 1592 Old Line Road, Manheim

YOUR ST YLE . OUR EXPE RTISE .

LE T ’ S C R E ATE A G R E AT S PAC E .

REFLECTING YOUR PERSONAL STYLE INTERIOR DESIGN • FURNITURE • ACCESSORIES WINDOW TREATMENTS • FINE GIFTS 1520 COMMERCE DRIVE, LANCASTER | 717.239.0501 INTERIORFANCIES.COM

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

project all the way to completion, giving you peace of mind from start to finish.

The Process: 1. Schedule a free consultation in their showroom with a designer.

2. They measure your space and put together floorplans for you to choose from.

3. They guide you through the selections process.

4. They see your project through to completion.

Call today at 717-627-1690!

WEST END YOGA STUDIO seeks to promote the health and wellness of the students they serve through the integration of artful yoga techniques and contemporary movement therapies, guided by teachers who are caring, sophisticated and innovative.

Through their classes, West End Yoga Studio provides a holistic approach to healing the body and mind. There is growing evidence that yoga helps to improve cognitive function, enhance sleep quality, reduce stress and anxiety, improve cardiovascular function, support management of chronic pain and support healthy aging.

The studio offers a variety of in-person and virtual classes, for both beginners and experienced yogis. Buy classes individually or become a Community Member for unlimited classes, local perks, open studio time and more. Learn more at westendyogastudio.com.

The INTERIOR FANCIES boutique transforms into a holiday wonderland during December. Ornaments, florals and evergreen stems are available to create the perfect tree. Browse their candleholders, tabletop décor, specialty gifts and more to complete your holiday decorating or gift checklist.

If you are considering a home or business design project for 2022, contact Interior Fancies to discuss how their team of gifted designers and craftspeople can bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity to transform your project. They create spaces that artfully balance form and function. Call 717-239-0501 or visit interiorfancies.com to discover how their Refined Living or Enhanced Living design service packages could complete your interior design needs.

Try Our Signature 3 Year Aged Cheddar!

Local, Gourmet, Artisanal Cheeses • Homemade Accompaniments and Crackers • Handcrafted Cutting Boards and Woven Baskets

Holiday Shopping?

Browse our Gift Baskets & Subscriptions!

We Ship Directly for You 814-383-0180 • W W W. G O O T E S S A C H E E S E . C O M

Looking for locally produced, gourmet-quality cheese? Take a look at the selection of cave-aged, all-natural cheeses offered by GOOT ESSA. In Pennsylvania Dutch, “goot essa” means “good food” or “good eating.” Goot Essa has been providing just that since 2001 when a group of Amish dairy farmers worked together to produce high-quality cheese with some of their milk. Today, their Amish family farms produce several types of cheeses – made with the milk from cows, sheep and goats – using traditional, old family recipes.

In addition to artisanal cheeses, they offer homemade accompaniments, such as crackers, condiments and fudge. All of their products are made by hand in small quantities, giving each batch their individual attention. Goot Essa also offers gift baskets for every occasion, presented with handcrafted cutting boards and woven baskets. Visit gootessacheese.com for more information.

PERFECT HARMONY invites you to an original, free concert experience that is sure to be an unforgettable part of your holiday

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Handmade Polywood Furniture for Your Outdoor Living Space

“I am the fourth generation of the Lane Family and take great pride in continuing A. Lane’s heritage of providing great quality American-made furniture and excellent customer service.”

– Betsy Grady, 4th Generation Founder Handmade Polywood Chairs • Variety of Outdoor Furniture & Décor Chairs starting from $199 • Check our website for store hours

717-745-8356 • 1 South Market Street, Mount Joy

W W W. A L A N E L I V I N G . C O M season! Touring across Lancaster County from November 28 through December 29, this program features the stunning vocal harmonies of local favorites Ric Zimmerman, Kat Prickett and Sarah Poague.

Delight in gorgeous, original arrangements of your favorite holiday secular and sacred classics from Perfect Harmony, complete with live music! For more information about tickets and showtimes, visit weareperfectharmony.com or call 717-288-7942. The concert is sponsored by Air & Process Equipment Company (APEC).

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 across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as well as at the Dollywood Theme Park and the DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Trust A. LANE LIVING to refresh your outdoor-living spaces with quality polywood furniture, handmade in

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Pennsylvania. All products come in a variety of colors and are made from polywood, which is a low-maintenance wood alternative made from recycled plastic milk and detergent bottles.

Owner Betsy Grady grew up spending a lot of time in her family’s furniture store and learned the importance of strong work ethic and attention to customer satisfaction. Betsy parlayed those skills into opening A. Lane Living last year. Their storefront, located at 1 South Market Street in Mount Joy, opened in mid-August and offers a variety of outdoor furniture and décor. Browse their selection of tables, chairs, rockers, planters and more online at alaneliving.com.

Get in the Christmas spirit at STONE GABLES ESTATE! The historical property is home to three exquisite venues – The Star Barn, St. Michael’s Vineyard and Ironstone Ranch – that sprawl over 275 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

LIVING

IT STARTS OUTSIDE Gables Estate. Experience their 3-mile Christmas Light Drive-Thru, which features over 600,000 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 U.S. New this year, stroll through the Star Barn Christmas Village and enjoy fun activities and delicious treats.

For more information on all that Stone Gables has to offer this holiday season, visit stonegablesestate.com.

SHADY MAPLE prioritizes giving customers the freshest products, finest gifts, best recipes and the most outstanding service. Their goal is to do what it takes to satisfy customers’ needs, not just once but every time they visit.

The famous Smorgasbord offers over 200 feet of steaming buffets and made-toorder dishes that provide holiday fun for the whole family. The Gift Shop’s 44,000 square feet of jewelry, toys, memorabilia and fine goods ensure you’ll find the perfect gift for everyone on your list this holiday season. Providing 130,000 square feet of farm-fresh goods, the

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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f o w e F a r o f p o Sh . . s g n i h T e t i r o v a Your F At Shady Maple Gift Shop, the finer things are our specialty.

We have the perfect gift for everyone on your list with over 44,000 square feet of inventory, including jewelry, toys, fine gifts,

memorabilia, and much more. Our selection is sure to impress at any holiday event. Stop by and see what we have ready for you!

15

SHOP BETWEEN 11/12/2021 AND 12/18/2021 TO RECEIVE A COUPON FOR

% off

*

ANY GIFT SHOP ITEM IN 2022

Free Donut

AT THE FARM MARKET REDEEMABLE IMMEDIATELY

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

*$10 minimum purchase required to receive these offers. See website for details.

W W W. SHADY-MAPLE .CO M 129 TODDY DRIVE EAST EARL, PA 17519 | 717-354-8222

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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Monday-Wednesday 9:30am-5pm • Thursday-Friday 9:30am-8pm Saturday 9am-5pm • Sunday 12:30pm-5pm

105 Strasburg Pike, Lancaster • 717-299-0678 • O L D E M I L L H O U S E . C O M

presents

Live On Stage!

2425 Lincoln Hwy. Lancaster, PA 800-648-4102 | AMTshows.com

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Give to the World!

1054 S O UT H S TAT E S T R E E T, E P H RATA Shady Maple Farm Market brings food to your table for less, providing locally sourced produce hand-selected by staff.

Shady Maple believes you’ll have a great experience, make lasting memories and find new traditions. At Shady Maple, food is a destination.

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 mustsee destination. Be sure to check out their lighting showroom – voted “Among the Best” in Lancaster – which is filled with their own handcrafted period lighting fixtures. To learn more, visit oldemillhouse.com.

•

717-733-4934

Since 1997, AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE (AMT) has welcomed Grammy, CMA, Dove, Tony, Emmy and Oscar winners to its stage and hosted acclaimed original shows, national Broadway tours and one-of-a-kind Christmas spectaculars. On stage now through December 30 is AMT’s newest holiday celebration, The 2021 Christmas Show: Winter Wonderland. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of the season and transport to a wonderland of music and enchantment – from a Bavarian mountain village to the festive, holiday excitement at the North Pole. Winter Wonderland features the holiday songs you know and love, with all-live performances by a sensational cast of singers and dancers, as well as the remarkable AMT orchestra.

Bring the entire family and discover a new holiday tradition! With hundreds of performances spanning every musical genre each year, there’s something for everyone at AMT - Central Pennsylvania’s live entertainment destination!

•

R EU ZI TON STATE. OR G

At REUZIT ON STATE in Ephrata, shoppers can find gently used clothing, jewelry, furniture, household items, décor, toys, sporting equipment and much more.

The mission of ReUzit on State is to relieve poverty and assist those in need by selling merchandise – substantially all of which has been donated – and by providing funds to support the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). Since 1920, MCC has operated relief, development and peace programs around the world and here in the U.S. When you shop, donate or volunteer at ReUzit on State, you are helping to provide those in need with healthcare, emergency food assistance, clean water, education, agricultural items and peacebuilding trainings here and in over 50 countries through MCC. ReUzit on State is always looking for new volunteers and donations! For anyone on your gift-giving list, gift cards can be purchased at the customer service desk in any amount. For more information, visit reuzitonstate.org.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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Lighting Up Lititz

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

There are houses across Lancaster County that are must-sees at holiday time due to the elaborate light displays that often include elements such as inflatables, computer animation and synchronized music. One such destination is the home of Dennis and Theresa Cross in Lititz.

BY SUE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRK ZUTELL

T

he Crosses are native New Yorkers who followed Theresa’s mother to Lancaster County after Dennis retired from the New York Police Department in 1994. “We visited Lancaster a lot and just loved it,” Dennis says.

The wide-open expanse that defined their new yard in suburbia allowed them to indulge in their love for decorating … not only for Christmas but for all the holidays. “In New York, we lived in the Glendale section of Queens,” Dennis explains. “We didn’t have much of a front yard and couldn’t decorate too much.”

When the couple moved to their home in Lititz in 1995, they became regulars at Builders Square, a big-box home store that was located along the Fruitville Pike. They began buying decorations – ranging from lights to inflatables – for not only Christmas but for Halloween, July 4th, Easter, Memorial Day and Thanksgiving. “Thanksgiving is a little hard to find,” Dennis notes. Of course, the main events are Halloween and Christmas. “Last year we didn’t do Halloween because of Covid and the uncertainty about trick-or-treating,” Dennis explains. “Boy, did we hear it! People wanted to know why we weren’t decorated!”

The home of Theresa and Dennis Cross garnered the most votes for “Best Overall” display from the public and was declared the winner of Lititz’s first Holiday Home Decorating Contest in 2020. The contest is open to residents of the 17543 zip code.

For the Crosses, prepping for Christmas starts in early October. That’s when Theresa, who works for the Warwick School District, starts checking every string of lights for outages. “She works and works until she finds the bad bulb in a string,” Dennis says. Her least favorite chore is finding the bad bulbs in the light globes that hang in the trees. “My fingers get wrecked working with those,” she reports.

As the weeks pass by, the family room becomes filled with lights, extension cords and other necessities that are brought down from the storage space over the garage.

“It’s a lot of work but we know how much it means to people,” Theresa says. Because three of their four daughters are nurses at Lancaster General Hospital and the other works in dentistry, the Crosses are keenly aware of the impact the last 21 months have had on people.

“If this helps to make people happy, we’re glad LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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Dennis uses a rebar to create deep holes that ensure decorations – such as the snowmen that line the driveway – don’t become dislodged.

to be able to do it,” she says. “It’s rewarding to have people enjoy it. If we can make people happy for just a month, it’s worth it.”

After 25 years, the Crosses have their decorating routine down to a science. While Theresa takes charge of checking the lights, Dennis goes over the inflatables and other large decorations. “They just don’t make ’em like they used to,” he says. “The fabric is thinner, the strings are flimsy and the stakes are lighter.” He keeps his Builders Square purchases in working order with the help of a welder who fine tunes them each year. As a result, recycling has become part of the process – anything that is beyond repair is stripped of its reusable elements. “I have buckets of stakes stocked away,” he notes.

Halloween is dismantled on November 1 and by November 9, the trees are being strung with lights and a friend arrives to assist Dennis with installing lights on the highest rooftop. Theresa assumes the job of lining the lower rooflines with lights. Dennis, meanwhile, uses a rebar to create deep holes along the drive and walkways to ensure that the decorations that line them won’t become dislodged. As Thanksgiving Eve – the night of the big reveal – approaches, the inflatables take their place on the lawn.

“Except for the New Year’s baby – he comes out after Christmas,” Dennis says.

To make the lighting process go smoothly – and not overload the electric 28

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

system – the Crosses have installed outlets throughout the front yard. “Outlets are at every tree and along the driveway,” Dennis points out. “In the early days, we couldn’t use electrical devices – such as hairdryers – inside the house when the lights were on,” Theresa recalls of having fuses blow. Such calamities led to the installation of a new electrical box and a new electric meter (courtesy of PPL). Seven switches were added beside the front door that allow the lights to be easily controlled from inside the house. “It’s easier to switch them on,” Dennis says. “We’ve probably bought millions of timers over the years.”

If you’re wondering about the electric bill, it’s not as bad as one might assume.

“The LED lights have really helped bring the cost down,” Dennis says. They’ve also learned to become thrifty shoppers. “I now know when stores put things on sale,” Dennis reports. “Each one has a different schedule.” He’ll also track things down online and then drive to the stores where they are in stock. “I like to be able to look things over,” he says. Theresa does her part by perusing garage sales for finds. “You’d be surprised by what you find,” she says.

The two admit that they don’t know how much longer they can physically handle the work of decorating to the extent they do.

Both of them postponed surgeries in order to decorate for the 2021 holidays. “People

will get the message when we decide to stop,” says Dennis. “I’m thinking the year we call it quits, we’ll only put up a grinch inflatable in the front yard.”

For the time being, they will continue to welcome those who love to take in lights at holiday time to come by their award-winning display. That honor came last year, when a home decorating contest that was sponsored by Lititz Springs Park and hosted by Laurel Avenue Lights (see sidebar) was held in the 17543 zip code area. Of the more than 1,000 votes that were submitted for “Best Overall” display, the Crosses’ home garnered more than one-quarter of them.

“They’re doing the contest again this year and when Rich [Motz] invited us to participate, I declined, telling him to give someone else the chance,” Dennis says.

While the Crosses’ home won’t be part of the contest, it will be part of the tour. “It’s fun to watch the people come by,” Theresa says. “All the retirement communities in the area bring their residents by,” adds Dennis. “And, the priest [at St. James in Lititz] always reminds people, ‘Don’t forget to see the lights.’”

Fans of lighting displays are welcome to visit the Crosses’ display at 583 Crosswinds Drive in Lititz. The display will be on view from November 24 through January 1. Hours are 6-10 p.m.

The Motz residence, aka Laurel Avenue Lights

Lititz’s Holiday Home Decorating Contest Another Lititz home has been a show-stopper for the last decade. Now referred to as Laurel Avenue Lights, the endeavor of the Motz family has taken on a life of its own, as it’s become a fundraiser for community efforts and serves as host of the Holiday Home Decorating Contest that is open to residents of the 17543 zip code.

The Crosses, who launched their collection of inflatables in 1995, love all the holidays.

Their home continues to be the gathering place for holiday dinners that include their four daughters and their husbands and nine grandchildren (another is on the way).

“We all live within a mile or so of each other,” Theresa says.

A local welder helps Dennis keep his inflatables in tip-top shape.

The contest – now in its second year – materialized when Lititz Springs Park canceled the Fourth of July celebration in 2020.

The idea to sponsor a patriotic-themed home-decorating contest was formulated. The contest was so successful that a holiday-themed event took root. More than 20 homeowners participated.

Sponsored by Lititz Springs Park, Laurel Avenue Lights serves as the host for the contest. Homeowners Rich and Wendy Motz have been decorating their Laurel Avenue home for years and began accepting donations six years ago that are earmarked for a community organization. For the last five years, their organization of choice has been the Lititz Fire Company. Thanks to corporate advertisers and public donations, the Motz family was able to give more than $3,500 to the fire company last year.

As was the case in 2020, while Laurel Avenue Lights doesn’t participate in the home-decorating contest, it is part of the tour and welcomes visitors to stop by.

Laurel Avenue Lights is located at 659 Laurel Avenue in Lititz.

The lights will be on from 5:30-10:30 p.m. daily from November 27 through December 31. Two 30-minute shows will alternate each evening. The choreographed music prompts the lights and props to move with the music.

For information about the homes participating in the contest (and tour) and to obtain a map, visit lititzspringspark.org beginning December 3. Voting (online) will take place December 11-24.

Winners – in four categories – will be announced December 26.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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At holiday time, the neutral color scheme that defines Stacey’s living room is accented with the color green – courtesy of various-sized trees, plants and greenery. The room is illuminated by candles, string lights, lamps and a vintage chandelier.

Vintage Christmas Stacey Toomey loves anything that brings what she calls “character” to her home. “I love old, repurposed and vintage … any and all of it,” she says. “I like that there are stories connected to old things.” Most of all, she loves “the thrill of the hunt.”

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

BY SUE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRK ZUTELL STYLING BY STACEY TOOMEY

for holiday Stacey’s strategy decorating centers

on formulating a plan that she describes as “Christmas but not necessarily Christmas.”

To carry out that strategy, she likes to use color, texture and lighting that not only convey the spirit of the holidays but keep her home looking warm and cozy throughout the winter months.

“Red is my favorite color lately, so that’s been a theme for the last few years,” she explains. Pops of red bring a seasonal note to the neutral color scheme that defines the interior of the house. “I’m just drawn to red when I’m shopping,” Stacey says of such finds as mid-century Skotch Koolers that were

once a picnic necessity, vintage thermoses, plaid blankets and throw pillows that add just the right amount of the color to the décor. Natural elements such as fruit (pomegranates and apples) and berries are also utilized. Texture is introduced via the plethora of faux trees – in all shapes and sizes – that add a holiday touch, as LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

31

To see more pictures, go to lancastercountymag.com.

Clockwise from left: A small sitting room/office at the front of the house is always the last to be decorated. “I use whatever I have leftover to decorate it,” Stacey says. Last year, the “dusting of snow” theme utilized flocked trees and wreaths, snowflakes, ice skates, white houses and a furry throw.

The door to the sitting room/office was a DIY project. The door was found in a friend’s shed, while the track was discovered in the basement of Stacey’s parents’ house. “It was a total freebie,” she says of the project.

Stacey formulates the ideas for DIY projects and Ron helps to execute them.

Opposite, top to bottom: An old church pew that Stacey painted holds textured throw pillows and a furry throw. The window sill is lined with poinsettias that echo the living room’s neutral color scheme.

Paper bag stars were a DIY project last year. (Plenty of tutorials are available online.) “They can also be cut to resemble snowflakes,” Stacey says. She so liked the results that she used pink and white bags to make decorations for a baby shower.

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

The staircase is lined with stockings Stacey’s mother, Debbie Rhoads, has made over the years for family members. “She’s an amazing seamstress,” Stacey says of her mother.

well as subtle sparkle throughout winter.

“Wherever there’s a gap, add a tree!” has become her mantra.

“This year, I’ve decided to decorate my potting shed for Christmas,” Stacey says of the she-shed her husband, Ron, built for her. “Ron’s creative in his own right,” Stacey shares. “I offer ideas and he knows how to make them work.” Well, make that with the exception of one idea. A few years ago, the idea occurred to Stacey that she could make her dining room more festive by bringing patio-style string lights indoors and have them radiate from the vintage chandelier. “He just didn’t get my vision and said it wouldn’t look right,” she recalls.

“He kept avoiding the subject, so, one day last year I came up with a plan and did it myself. He was surprised to see it done when he got home from work!”

Stacey, who works at Henrys’ Farm and Greenhouses in Holtwood, begins thinking about Christmas in October.

By the second week of November, she is in full decorating mode. “I really like to intermingle the seasons,” she says of having Halloween transition into Thanksgiving and Christmas blend into the winter season. By early February, she is ready to welcome Easter and spring.

Summer is devoted to the stunning gardens that define the property.

WHILE STACEY AND RON live in a modern-day subdivision, a first-time visitor would be taken aback once they pass through the front door. It appears you’ve stepped into a period farmhouse.

“Just about everything is thrifted or secondhand,” she points out. “I like that eclectic, cozy look.” By mixing and constantly editing her finds, Stacey has cultivated a design aesthetic that is anything but predictable.

She credits her mother, Debbie Rhoads, for her creative energy. “My mom loved to decorate. Christmas was a big deal at our house,” she says of the fond holiday memories she has from her childhood. Sewing was another of her mother’s fortes. “I just remember my mom always having something going on from a creative standpoint,” Stacey says.

Debbie still loves Christmas and uses her talents to create personalized stockings for new family members.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Left, top to bottom: This forest scene is composed of Stacey’s collections of vintage deer, bottle brush trees and houses. “I’ve been collecting houses for years,” she says. Birch elements, greenery and clear bubble lights complete the scene.

The open shelves in the dining room are filled with vintage Skotch Kooler items, thermoses and other finds that bring a touch of red to the room.

The table and chairs were Facebook Marketplace finds. Stacey gifted her son with the matching rattan table and subbed in the vintage rectangular table. The vintage green glassware and table settings add a festive touch to the tabletop, as does a furry table runner that’s topped with potted poinsettias and pinecones. The layered lighting includes candles, a vintage chandelier and string lights.

Right, top to bottom: Elements of red create a welcoming tone at the front entrance of the Toomeys’ home.

Stacey spray-painted a pair of old boots and filled a Skotch Kooler and Swiss letterbox with greenery, birch and pinecones. The stenciling on the floor of the porch was a DIY project.

The patio at the front of the house was decorated for the holidays with a faux fireplace that was positioned in front of a windowbox that Stacey filled with grasses and greens. The fireplace mantel was topped with clay pots filled with greens and berries. Stacey spray-painted the chair and added seasonal elements to the large container gardens.

As for creating new memories, this mom of three is following in her mother’s footsteps. In October, Stacey carried out the role of designing her son’s wedding that took place on a farm in North Carolina. As the wedding and reception employed a vintage theme, Stacey was in her element. “I spent a year collecting vintage glassware that we used on the dining tables,” she explains. She is looking forward to Christmas and making it special for her 1-year-old granddaughter. “It will be so fun this year!” Stacey says.

STACEY’S OTHER IDEA of fun is shopping for vintage décor and accessories for her home and garden.

She names Facebook Marketplace as her go-to source for just about anything. For in-person shopping, she loves to stroll through Tollbooth Antique Marketplace in Columbia. “I find so many treasures there,” she says.

In October, a friend invited her to go to the famous Lucketts Spring Market in Berryville, Virginia, that features more

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

35

Left: Greenery, a basket filled with pinecones, miniature houses and bowls filled with fruit (including red and Granny Smith apples and pomegranates) provide the kitchen with holiday colors and seasonal warmth.

Right: Even the powder room receives the holiday touch with the addition of a faux tree, a seasonally scented candle and a framed vintage greeting card that reads, “May Santa Claus be good to you this Christmas.”

than 200 of the best “vintage hip” vendors on the East Coast. The market, which is held in the spring but was postponed until fall this year, is an outgrowth of The Old Lucketts Store, which is home to more than 35 dealers specializing in vintage. A Holiday Design House is held in November/December as well. “I’ve been wanting to go for years and a friend happened to have an extra ticket,” she says of her good fortune. Also on her radar are the Brimfield Antique Market in Massachusetts and The Original Round Top Antiques Fair in Texas.

Oh, yes. There is one more goal on her to-do list. “I’d love to buy an old house,” she says.

Follow Stacey on Instagram @Stac.2me.

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Good Samaritan Services provides housing and support to families like Niya and Brayden every single day!

Good Samaritan Services has a $50,000 match this year for The ExtraGive, thanks to Ephrata National Bank and Master’s Advisors.

W W W. G O O D S A M S E R V I C E S . O R G

@GoodSamServ

Sounds of the Season

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17 - 7:30 PM SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18 - 3:00 & 8:00 PM FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF LANCASTER

For Tickets and More Information Visit www.lancastersymphony.org or call(717) 291-6440

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

37

FOODOGR APHER The Savory Gourmet

What’s on the Board?

FIVE CHEESES 1. Secret de Scey (fruity, supple, mild, creamy flavor; from France) 2. Mimolette (Edam-like; from France) 3. Red Dragon (a wholegrain mustard seed cheddar from Wales) 4. Grevenbroecker (a superb and balanced new blue; from Belgium) 5. Intergalactic (a buttery-smooth cheese with hints of herbs, minerals and green olives; from Perrystead Dairy in Philadelphia)

OTHER SELECTIONS • • • • • • • •

38

Salami Nuggets • Dried Apricots • Dried Cherries • Honey (from Greece) • Raincoast Crisps (from Canada) • Grapes Cornichons • LOlives ANCASTER COUNTY

Mixed Nuts Candied Ginger Candied Lemon Peel Dried Orange Slices Dried Hibiscus Flowers Dried Fava | Beans DECEMBER 2021

Charcuterie

Saves the Holidays …

And a Business With the holiday season in full swing, you might find yourself needing options for a drop-in open house or a last-minute party. A quick and easy solution comes in the form of charcuterie boards, a spread of food typically presenting various cheeses, fruits, cured meats, olives and nuts. More than an appetizer of preserved foods rich in flavor, charcuterie boards helped to save a local business and can help you save a party.

TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JORDAN BUSH

The Savory Gourmet Every time I walk through the door of The Savory Gourmet in Lititz, Bill McMahon cannot help but exuberantly share the shop’s latest cheese additions. Bill and his wife, Missy, are usually on hand to assist customers with their purchases. The shop not only offers cheeses from all over the world, but it carries a substantial range of unique meats, including venison, elk, lamb and Kobe-certified beef from Japan, as well as exotic selections such as alligator, boar, python and rattlesnake meat.

The husband-and-wife duo purchased the 13-year-old business from John Peris in 2017.

“Missy had the vision,” says Bill. “I came home from work one night and she said, ‘The Savory Gourmet is for sale. Let’s buy it.’ I said, ‘What!

Are you crazy? I already work!’ She said, ‘Let’s think about it.’ We went to bed that night, got up the next morning and she said, ‘What do you think about it?’ I replied, ‘What do I think about what?’ She said, ‘The Savory Gourmet!’ Then,

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

39

Owners Bill and Missy McMahon outside their store, The Savory Gourmet, at 51 North Broad Street in Lititz. The McMahons traded spaces with next-door neighbor, Renewal Kombucha, in order to gain more retail and display space.

I made the mistake of saying, ‘Let’s go talk to John.’ It was the equivalent of taking your 6-year-old to go and see a puppy,” says Bill.

To see the McMahons in their element – their exuberance is as though someone forgot to tell them they’re at work – is a sight to behold. “It’s just fun,” says Missy. “The people are fun. Nobody comes in cranky. They’re coming into a cheese store; they know you’re going to feed them samples. If it’s a good day, we’re pouring them something to drink to go along with those samples.”

The world of cheese has also provided the McMahons with an education. “What surprises me is just how complex the cheese world is,” says Missy. “Nobody will ever live long enough to taste every cheese but I’m trying, I’m really trying! Not only do we love the international cheeses, but there is stuff to be found in this country that you would not believe. There’s cheese from Indiana that’s off the charts.

We have so many talented farmers and cheesemakers in this country. Give it a chance, it’s gorgeous,” says Missy.

Saving the Gourmet

Bill and Missy recently swapped spaces with their next-door neighbor, Renewal Kombucha, in order to gain more retail space.

Twenty-one months ago they would not have dreamed of needing more space. In March 2020, when COVID-19 arrived in the United States, The Savory Gourmet faced uncertainty.

According to Missy, “We were shut down for about two or three weeks at the very beginning, and Bill was like, ‘We’ve got to find a way to make this work.’ The first week, we dropped cheese off at the police department, the hospital and with EMS workers,” Missy recalls. “We didn’t want it to spoil. After that, he came up with the cheese board idea. That was all him. That was the solution to staying alive during the pandemic.” Bill credits the idea to “desperation,” explaining, “Mission one was to get rid of it. Mission two was solving the question, where do we go from here? We needed some kind of take-out option.” Thus, the idea of the cheese board, whose popularity caught on instantly.

A common thread among businesses pivoting during the pandemic has been the repackaging of established goods and services in new ways. On paper, these changes might not look drastically different but a small shift can have brilliant results. With a tremendous selection of cheeses, meats and side items for pairings, all of the ingredients were already there for Bill and Missy to use. They found their answer at the intersection of everything they do in creating a charcuterie board. In that act of desperation, they formulated a new product offering, a service that provides new food experiences for their customers. “They’re here to stay,” Bill reports. “People order them

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

for graduations, birthdays, gatherings and for dinner.” According to Missy, survival also relied on pick-up and delivery options. “We did curbside, we did deliveries – we still do deliveries,” she notes.

When the shop could welcome customers, parameters were put into place.

“The hardest part was the six months [this year] we didn’t have sampling. Trying to describe what a cheese tasted like without being able to say, ‘Try this, it’s amazing,’ was frustrating,” says Bill.

“We want customers to taste [the food],” says Missy. “You can’t buy good cheese without trying it. Can you imagine if you spent money on good cheese and then you hated it?

I want you to walk out of here with something you are excited about.”

Dessert Charcuterie Boards

A charcuterie board might seem bestsuited as an appetizer but swap out savory foods like prosciutto and olives for sweets and you have a marvelous dessert course. If you’ve never tried it, give it a go. Yet again, it requires nominal preparation once everything is procured, allowing guests to graze on small bites that will allow them to experience a wide range of flavors at their leisure.

For the holidays, you could opt to assemble a board using an apropos color palette: bright pomegranates, dried cranberries, figs or dates, lingonberry jam, almonds, dark and milk chocolate morsels, chocolate-covered pretzels or nuts, wafers, caramel corn and a garnish of fresh or toasted rosemary. Sweet biscuits, notably biscotti, are a Savory Gourmet inclusion I find to be a brilliant option for a dessert board. They carry Enrico Biscotti Company’s biscuits. Based in Pittsburgh, the company’s owner delivers them personally to Lititz.

Some cheeses are inherently ready to serve as dessert, too. For example, Lemon Baked Ricotta from Italy, might as well be cheesecake! Pair honey with funky cheeses – like a strong blue cheese – and you have a savory-sweet revelation.

Enjoy a cheese course with a glass of wine, an espresso or my favorite, small pours of amaro (an after-dinner digestif), and the experience becomes richer.

Bill and Missy’s 1950 Dodge half-ton pickup truck can often be seen parked in front of the shop and at events around town.

Assembling your own charcuterie board starts in the kitchen – who doesn’t have a board or oversized plate stashed away? Hint: Boards, such as those available at The Savory Gourmet, make great gifts.

The larger space has allowed Bill and Missy to expand their inventory of cheese-related products.

Elevate Your Experience To experience the fullest flavor, let the cheese warm to room temperature. Cold cheese is devoid of subtle nuances, making it an utter waste of expensive cheese. The Savory Gourmet recommends letting a charcuterie board sit out of refrigeration for at least 45 minutes, but even longer durations may be beneficial. For dessert purposes, pull

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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cheeses or an assembled charcuterie board from the refrigerator as dinner starts and you should be set for the last course.

I encourage writing the names of each cheese on a folded card or small piece of paper that can be displayed on or by a cheeseboard. For those who want to research cheese or make note of it for the future, labels make deciphering a name, country and milk of origin easier than fumbling with crumpled stickers on discarded plastic wrap. Especially among folks curious about food (such as yours truly), there are always questions about the origins of cheeses, honey, nuts or fig jam, so it’s easy to lose track.

Tasting journals from 33 Books – including topics such as cheese, wine and hot sauce – elevate a shared tasting experience and make excellent gifts for food enthusiasts.

Cheese Tasting Journals

If you are looking for a fun stocking stuffer or dinner party gift with an experience attached, check out 33 Pieces of Cheese. These tasting journals, which are produced by 33 Books in Portland, Oregon, are printed on recycled chipboard paper and cover such topics as wine, whiskey, cigars, hot sauce, beer and even donuts. A foodie friend turned me onto these with their coffee version a few years ago and I was thrilled to see them at The Savory Gourmet.

Bill McMahon, cheesemonger, offers samples to curious customers at the counter.

Below, internationally procured cheeses are available to sample and take home individually or as part of a charcuterie board.

Charcuterie Order Information

When ordering a single cheese board, 24-48 hours’ notice is requested. They come standard with a selection of five cheeses based on your preferences, starting at $12 a person, with a minimum serving for four people ($48). The Savory Gourmet is located at 51 N. Broad Street in Lititz. Visit savorygourmetlititz.com for details.

Zest’s Date Night:

Charcuterie Board Building DECEMBER 3, 6-8 P.M.

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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.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Participating couples will be given a 20% discount at The Savory Gourmet to purchase three cheeses prior to this hands-on class. Zest will provide the other elements. Chef Hannah will provide instructions on building the ultimate charcuterie board, as well as for some fun and fancy fixings to make it a meal. BYOB. For details, visit zestchef.com/cooking-classes.

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Homestead Village is an exceptional Life Plan Community that emphasizes active living among our residents.

Our 90 beautiful, tree-lined acres are just minutes from the trendy and vibrant shopping, dining, and cultural opportunities of downtown Lancaster.

Schedule a tour or request a brochure today by calling 717-923-5532.

1800 Marietta Avenue Lancaster, PA 17603

info@hvillage.org 717-923-5532

www.HomesteadVillage.org

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

43

TA B L E

for T W O

In 2017, an eight-month renovation project transformed both the interior and exterior of the building the Katsaros family purchased in 1989.

Y O R G O S R E S TA U R A N T & LO U N G E

Opa! Options Abound!

BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD

’Tis the season to celebrate!

If a holiday dinner is on your schedule or you feel like welcoming the New Year with music and dancing, this downtown destination offers three floors of dining and entertainment under one roof.

T

he family-owned-and-operated business opened in 1989, when George and Ekaterina Katsaros purchased the iconic Zimmerman’s Family Restaurant at the corner of Orange and Queen streets in Lancaster. A second generation, including sons Antoni “Tony” and Gus, have made the business a family affair. “I grew up in the business doing whatever I could, like washing dishes,” Tony recalls.

Not only are there two generations involved in the business, but its customer base extends across several generations, as well. “We have a lot of long-time customers; some have dined with us ever since we opened,” George says. “We have some customers who came here with their parents and now they’re coming in by themselves or with their families.”

OVER THE YEARS, the restaurant has gradually evolved via several renovations and expansions. The 2007 renovation included a name change

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

from Zimmerman’s Family Restaurant to Yorgos Restaurant & Lounge. The name Yorgos is a nod to the family’s Greek heritage. Yorgos is the Greek form of George, making it a fitting choice when the family renamed the restaurant. During that renovation the first floor dining area was completely gutted and revamped.

Hardwood floors and a U-shaped bar were installed. Several large-screen TVs are scattered throughout the area.

The restaurant closed for eight months in 2017 for extensive renovations that resulted in adding second and third floor dining areas, including the rooftop deck. The kitchen was also shifted to the lower level and an elevator was installed to provide access to all of the floors.

In the past year, a carry-out bottle shop was added to the rear of the firstfloor restaurant and lounge, and a set of folding glass doors, which open to a few sidewalk tables, was added to the front of the restaurant. “The glass doors really open up the restaurant. I wanted to add them for a while; I’m glad we finally did it,” George says.

EACH OF THE TWO dining venues – Yorgos Casual Pub on the first floor and Kefi Mediterranean Taverna on the second floor has its own atmosphere and menu.

Tony says Yorgos, which seats 50 at the bar, high-tops, tables and a banquette, is more casual, with the menu’s focus being

pub fare. Kefi is more upscale and the menu emphasizes Mediterranean cuisine.

It seats about 70 and has its own bar. The third element – the rooftop venue, Little Mykonos – features indoor/outdoor dining and seats about 60 inside and 30 outside.

It’s also home to music and dancing and is serviced by its own bar. “There’s an incredible view from the rooftop area. It’s great for parties,” Tony says of holiday gatherings, rehearsal dinners, showers, small weddings and other special celebrations that are held in the space.

It’s also a great spot to watch Lancaster’s fireworks and New Year’s Eve activities.

Last year’s pandemic regulations prompted outdoor dining to be extended into the winter months. At Yorgos, guests could dine on the rooftop in heated “bubbles.” George says the bubbles will be in service again this year. “They create an intimate dining space,” Tony says. “It’s really a different experience to be in one of the bubbles when there’s snow on top of them,” George adds of the ambiance the bubbles create.

YORGOS’ PUB-STYLE MENU features soups, appetizers (starters), burgers made with Certified Angus Beef, paninis and sandwiches, flatbreads and entrées such as fish and chips and pasta primavera.

Greek salads and entrées are available, as well. There’s even a kid’s menu. Breakfast is served daily until 1 p.m.

Pan-seared Chilean sea bass (with sautéed mushrooms, grape tomatoes, capers and Kalamata olives) is simmered in garlic and white wine. Accompaniments include rice pilaf and fresh broccoli. From bartender Chris Hess: A Blue Citrus Crush martini composed of whipped vodka, lime, lemon and orange juices and Blue Curacao.

Above: The restaurant’s founder and namesake, George Katsaros (right), with his son, Tony, who grew up in the business. Kefi’s color scheme pays homage to the Aegean Sea and other elements of Greece.

Below: The ground floor’s pub-style atmosphere makes it a favorite destination to enjoy an after-work drink.

Left: The rooftop “bubbles” that debuted last year will be back in service this winter.

Photo courtesy of Yorgos.

Right: Broiled crabcakes are accompanied by a cocktail Chris calls a Yorgos Hennessey. “We put our own spin on the classics,” he says of the restaurant’s specialty cocktails.

Kefi’s menu features salads (including a grilled Greek salad), appetizers such as fried eggplant and fried calamari, and entrées such as pasta, steak, fish and seafood. Greek specialties such as Psari Plaki (baked halibut), Paidakia lamb chops and Mediterranean chicken also define the menu.

“We’re known for our Greek items. We use family recipes and recipes we’ve developed over the past 32 years,” Tony says.

One of Yorgos’ and Kefi’s signature items is avgolemono, a classic Greek soup made from chicken, lemon and rice.

George says it’s been made in-house by Ekaterina since the restaurant opened.

Another Greek favorite is saganaki, a Kefalograviera cheese flambé that’s made table-side. Desserts include a Greek favorite, baklava.

The Greek fare pairs well with Ouzo

(an anise-flavored apértif), Greek wines or beer. The cocktail list is expansive.

The beverage menu and carry-out bottle section also offers a variety of beer, craft brews and flavored malt beverages. Adult slushies are also available to-go.

A second-floor storage area was transformed into a Greek-inspired taverna, while the third floor was reclaimed to function as a music and entertainment venue.

Yorgos Restaurant and Lounge is located at 66 N. Queen St. Yorgos’ hours are 8 a.m.-2 a.m. daily. Kefi’s hours are 4-10 p.m., Monday through Sunday. Little Mykonos’ hours are 5 p.m.-close, Monday through Sunday.

Reservations are suggested and can be made online via the restaurant’s website or through OpenTable. Carryout is available. For details, call 717394-6977 or visit yorgoslancaster.com, Facebook and Instagram.

LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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The D I N I N G G U I D E & The B U S I N E S S A D V A N TA G E BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT THE SHOPPES AT BELMONT 1573 FRUITVILLE PIKE LANCASTER, PA HARVESTSEASONAL.COM

FROM OUR LOCAL, FARM-TO-TABLE MENU TO PRIVATE EVENTS & OUR DECEMBER GIFT CARD SALE, LET HARVEST HANDLE

YOUR HOLIDAY

season

GALEBACH’S FLOOR FINISHING, INC. Galebach’s Floor Finishing has been sanding and refinishing wood floors since 1924, when the owner at that time, John K. Galebach, bought one of the first electric drum sanders. He had seen it advertised in a magazine and decided to give it a try. It arrived by train to the Manheim Station (the one across from The Cat’s Meow Restaurant), and that was the beginning of the business. No more hand-scraping floors.

Today, the business is owned by Karen Galebach-Haldeman and is still in the family, Left to right: David Nauman, John Landis, Jim three generations later. Refinishing wood floors Carpenter, Karen Haldeman, Carl Long and Joe in residential settings is what they do – not a Crowell. Not pictured: Luke Housner. sideline. Galebach’s can resurface your living room, bedroom, kitchen or stairway to look fantastic again! Their dust control system is extremely effective – the employees don’t even need to wear dust masks anymore.

Galebach’s team performs custom staining to match other floors in your home that are not being refinished, or they can change the color completely. Finishing is still done the old-fashioned way, brushing by hand, which makes for a superior job.

Call today for a free quote in the Lancaster County area, and they will advise you on the best way to move forward with your wood floors and how to properly clean and maintain them.

Visit their website at galebachsfloorfinishing.com or give them a call at 717-898-9680.

Beverage Distributor JOHN A. ZERN & SONS BEVERAGE 202 South Charlotte Street, Manheim. 717-665-2233. Zernsbeverage.com.

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

Carpet Cleaner CERTIFIED CARPET 1855 Columbia Avenue, Wheatland Shopping Center, Lancaster. 717-394-3731 or 1-800-479-9258.

Certified Carpet can make your soiled, dirty carpets and furniture look like NEW again!

Year after year, Certified Carpet is voted No. 1 BEST carpet-cleaning company by the readers of Lancaster County Magazine. Locally owned and operated since 1949. “When it’s Certified, you’re satisfied!” (#PA024067)

Dining HONG KONG GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT 1807 Columbia Avenue, Wheatland Shopping Center, Lancaster. 717-394-4336.

Our chefs have been serving Lancaster Countians their favorite entrées for 41 years. To add variety, they are always creating new and exciting specials. Vegetable entrées and children’s menu available. We offer lavish lunch and dinner menus, made with quality, fresh ingredients, for dine-in or take-out. Hours: Sun., 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m; closed Mon.; Tues.Thurs., 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri., 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sat., 12-10 p.m.

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

Flooring CERTIFIED CARPET 1855 Columbia Avenue, Wheatland Shopping Center, Lancaster.

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GALEBACH’S FLOOR FINISHING, INC. 202 Main Street, Landisville. 717-898-9680. Galebachsfloorfinishing.com.

Galebach’s Floor Finishing, founded in 1924, is the oldest floor finishing company in Lancaster County. We specialize in residential wood floor refinishing and have extensive experience with historic restorations.

Our dust containment system keeps your home as clean as possible while our workers are on-site sanding and finishing. (#PA019030)

Hair & Nail Care ATTITUDES HAIR & NAIL SALON 798A New Holland Avenue, Lancaster. 717-295-0836.

For over 20 years, our mission is helping you LOVE your hair and nails!

We specialize in trendy and traditional hair design, refreshing color, brightening highlights and perms for added style. Rejuvenate your hands and feet with relaxing manicures and pedicures. THANK YOU for trusting us to help you look and feel your best and voting us ‘Among the Best’ salons in 2021. Call us to schedule your appointment.

Plumbing & HVAC HALDEMAN MECHANICAL INC. Founded in 1939, Haldeman Mechanical Inc. has been providing plumbing, heating, cooling and water conditioning services to residential and light commercial customers for three generations. We are a certified Rheem ProPartner offering sales and 24-hour service as well as service agreements to keep your equipment running at peak efficiency. Free estimates are available by calling 717-665-6910 or visiting our website at haldemanmechanical.com. (PA#007777)

Lancaster’s Flooring Experts. www.certifiedcarpet.com

Real Estate LUSK & ASSOCIATES SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Anne Lusk represents the area’s finest properties and gives unmatched customer service for all your real estate needs from start to finish, ensuring a smooth transaction every time. Call Anne and her team at 717-291-9101, or stop by her office at 100 Foxshire Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601. Annelusk.com.

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Offering superior real estate service to anyone relocating to or moving within the garden spot of Lancaster County. The people of Mountain Realty ERA Powered are extremely knowledgeable about the county and would love to share their expertise. You will find them pleasant and friendly, but totally professional.

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11/17/2020 9:15:29 AM LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

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It’s a Beautiful Day WITH JULIA JONES

Imagine Covid doesn’t exist and you have a day off from work. You are free to spend the day doing exactly as you please.

Inspired by U2’s It’s a Beautiful Day – “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away” – we asked Julia Jones to describe her perfect Lancaster County day.

About Julia

Julia was born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in York, Pennsylvania, where she graduated from William Penn Senior High School. She is married and is the mother of six grown children, who have provided her with 11 grandchildren.

Julia is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. “I was fortunate to have been stationed in North Carolina, Hawaii and Japan,” she notes of where military service took her. When it became increasingly difficult to juggle both the Marine Corps and motherhood, Julia was voluntarily and honorably discharged. “I applied to work for the United States Postal Service upon learning that I could carry over my military service toward their retirement system,” she explains.

“This January, I will have been employed in Lancaster for 26 years for a combined 35 years of total federal service.”

Neither snow nor rain nor heat …

“I enjoy being a letter carrier,” says Julia.

“To begin with, I actually get paid to exercise!

Secondly, I come in contact with all sorts of interesting people from various walks of life, many of whom I regard as family. Lastly, I have the distinct pleasure and benefit of marveling in God’s handiwork in nature. I am fortunate to witness firsthand the subtle changes that take place each season as the year progresses.”

Julia has been on her current route for six years, serving the Chestnut Hill section of the city. As for the exercise perk of the job, she walks anywhere from nine to 13 miles a day!

During her 26 years on the job, Julia can’t recall any real challenges that she’s faced while delivering the mail. “My military training has instilled in me the ability to adapt and overcome with ease,” she explains. That philosophy extends to encountering dogs.

“My strategy when it comes to dogs is to stay clear and give them the automatic right-ofway!” she notes.

While the last 20 months have been filled with their share of challenges, Julia prefers to stay positive. “The nicest thing I observed this past year was that a customer

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LANCASTER COUNTY | DECEMBER 2021

of mine offered to make masks for me free of charge,” she recalls. “I asked instead that if I identified the seniors and disadvantaged on my route, could she make masks for them and I would pay her.

She refused payment and made them for me to distribute. It was satisfying to observe humanity at its best. She is a true hero for sure!”

Get Those Cards and Packages in the Mail … Early!

The pandemic, of course, has placed added pressure on the postal service due to the fact that consumers continue to take advantage of the ease of online shopping. “What they once purchased at the grocery store, they now have shipped to their homes,” she says of necessities such as toilet paper, paper towels, laundry detergent, etc. Add in the fact that December is the busiest time of the year for the post office and Julia recommends that you mail cards and packages early. “The sooner you mail cards and packages to loved ones, the better the chance they will reach their destinations by Christmas,” she says.

In Her Own Words: Julia’s Perfect Lancaster County Day

The perfect day for me would begin after a full eight hours of continuous sleep without any bathroom breaks! I would then commence with an hour of Bible study.

Fellowshipping with the Lord helps me to stay grounded in the positive. Breakfast consisting of a western omelet, home fries, sausage gravy and biscuits, as prepared by Kountry Kitchen Family Restaurant in Manheim, would be a great way to kickstart my day.

My morning would be filled by spending time with my grandchildren. We usually engage in chaotic fun! They love when I actively entertain them, whether it’s reading a story, playing tag or visiting our playground.

It is pure joy to converse with them and watch them learn. The things that come out of their mouths! I am gratified by their innocence and laughter. On this day in particular, we would visit the Hands-on House Children’s Museum of Lancaster. This would give them the opportunity to earnestly participate in fun hands-on activities. Next, we would enjoy the horses and go for a ride at AAA Buggy Rides.

After returning them to their parents, I would take a leisurely nap, which is a pleasure that I rarely get to relish.

Since I have no talent at all, I believe that God gave me the gift of appreciation. I am the world’s biggest cheerleader. I love watching people achieve. Any event would do: music (Broadway, concert or play), art (museum) or sport (football, basketball or track).

Following a scrumptious dinner at The Belvedere Inn, my evening would be spent at the Sight & Sound Theatre, where I would be amazed by a brilliantly performed show.

I would love to end the night with either chocolate or ice cream. Since it’s my perfect day, I think I’ll have both!

spirit of the season!

Tuesday0 Tuesday0 riday0

riday0 and and Saturday Saturday 6 6 AM AM -3 3 PM PM The Standholders at Lancaster Central Market are in the spirit of the season. Market will be bustling with shoppers choosing the best in fresh & local for their holiday celebrations.

Listen for holiday concerts on the mezzanine every Saturday in December as we herald this magical season and count our Christmas blessings.

CHRISTMAS week holiday hours Tuesday Tuesday 6 6 am am -3 3 pm pm •• Thursday Thursday 6 6 am am -3 3 pm pm •• Friday Friday (Christmas (Christmas Eve) Eve) 6 6 am am -3 3 pm pm •• Christmas Christmas - CLOSED CLOSED

new year's week holiday hours Tuesday Tuesday 6 6 am am -3 3 pm pm •• Friday Friday 6 6 am am -3 3 pm pm •• New New Year's Year's Day Day - CLOSED CLOSED

COSMETIC DENTISTRY

Linda’s beautiful smile is her calling card - reflecting her confidence, warmth and natural beauty.

You can invest in gym memberships and new wardrobes, but according to world - renowned makeup artist Bobbi Brown, THE best way to take 10 years off your appearance - improve your smile!

Q: But I’ve seen crowns and veneers that don’t look natural -how can I be sure mine will?

Over 30 years, we’ve learned how translucency, depth and radiant beauty work together to create a classic and natural-looking smile. For instance, there are different kinds of porcelain-layered feldspathic porcelain, lithium disilicate and zirconium ceramics.

Each has its advantages, but we need to account for the inherent differences in hue, chroma and value.

Which one we utilize is determined by what you need for your own smile improvement plan. The fine art of shade matching, aided by our state-of-the-art digital approach, assures your teeth complement your adjacent teeth and skin tone.

Q: Will I like my smile when it’s finished?

We work together to create the smile you want.

The first step? We listen to you. Before treatment begins, it’s important we have a specific vision of the smile you hope to achieve. Then, we will show you an actual preview of that smile and fine tune the appearance so it looks great when talking, smiling or laughing. After all, when considering this investment, you should absolutely love the final result.

Q: How do I get started?

Schedule an appointment by calling or through our website. While on our site, be sure to check out the before-and-after video of actual patients treated and their perspectives on the experience. See how great your smile can be.

- LINDA DANG Vice President Commercial Banking Relationship Manager Univest Bank

160 North Pointe Boulevard Suite 203 / Lancaster, PA 17601 717.560.9190 YourClassicSmile.com