A DANCE FLOOR IN THE SKY OCTOBER 2021
Kick Off Your Shoes & Dance! Preserving Farmland Over Breakfast
Wine & Dine at the Strasburg Rail Road
Hit the Road and Explore Museums
Should I Get a Second Opinion?
“SECOND OPINIONS are
common and highly recommended.” Perry J. Argires, MD, FAANS, FACS Brain and Spine Surgery
“ It just comes down to AWARENESS.”
Louis A. Marotti, MD, PhD, FAANS, FACS Brain and Spine Surgery, Voted Best Surgeon (1st Place)
The answer is yes. Never feel as though you are hurting the surgeon's feelings. Second opinions are common and highly recommended. If a surgeon takes offense, consider that a red flag. Also, if a surgeon tells you they cannot help you or that nothing else can be done to help you, you should certainly get a second opinion.
OUR OTHER MULTI-TALENTED DOCTORS...
Managed by
Steven M. Falowski, MD Nationally Recognized Brain and Spine Surgery
Jack Smith, MD Pain Medicine
Jarod B. John, MD Neurologist
160 NORTH POINTE BLVD., SUITE 200 LANCASTER (717) 358-0800 ARGIRESMAROTTI.COM Managed by
SMILES of all Shapes and Sizes
We love smiles, no matter where they come from.
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
Masonic Village Elizabethtown, PA 717-366-2466
Manheim
108 Doe Run Rd. Manheim, PA 717-879-9700
CONTENTS F E AT URE S
OCTOBER 2021 | VOLUME 35 | NUMBER 6
26.
ON THE COVER: Nick Gould photographed Connie Kaplan and Jimmy Borst as they swayed to the music on their “dance floor in the sky” that is part of a remodeling project that provided them with an expansive outdoor-living area that features a commanding view of the city of Reading.
24.
Dr. John Weierbach and Dr. Loren Genetti: Bonding a Professional Partnership
After operating his dental practice on a solo basis for 31 years, Dr. John Weierbach is joined by a new partner, Dr. Loren Genetti.
26.
Dance Floor in the Sky
Like many homeowners, Connie Kaplan and Jimmy Borst decided to update their home in Galen Hall with an expansive outdoor-living area. They partnered with Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders, who incorporated recycled and upcycled building materials into the project.
32.
Building? Remodeling? Patience is a Virtue
Despite long waits and escalating prices, consumers are remodeling their homes at unprecedented rates. Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders says the sky’s the limit as far as wish lists are concerned. If remodeling is on your to-do list, he advises you to be patient.
34.
Bobbi Nicole Bentzel: You Can Go Home Again
The owner of Glamour Room in Lancaster has seen her career take her from Manheim to Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles and back home again.
37.
Just Dance
It turns out that everyone – from brides and grooms to baby boomers – just want to be able to dance again!
38.
Tiffany Rupert: From Dress Whites to White Dresses
The owner of Tiffany’s Bridal Boutique is a Navy veteran who contemplated becoming an attorney. After managing a bridal shop, she knew she had found her lifelong career.
BE SCENE! Live music, theatre,
arts and craft shows, outdoor activities and fundraising events are beginning to once again dot the calendar. Visit our website, lancastercountymag.com, to make plans and order tickets for upcoming events.
2
Design/build: Cocalico Builders. Dress: Tiffany’s Bridal Boutique. Tuxedo: Men’s Wearhouse. Hair/makeup: Bobbi Nicole Bentzel/Glamour Room.
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
D EPA RT ME N TS
6.
The Long & Short of It
8.
Uptown & Down
Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of a photo shoot?
Michael Upton’s travels always include a museum or two. He shares some of his favorites that are perfect for day trips and getaway weekends.
12.
Gardening Journey
48.
Foodographer
52.
Table for Two
Honey bees begin to scout for pollen and nectar as soon as temperatures climb above 55. Dr. Richard Bitner shares some early-blooming flowers, shrubs and trees that can be planted now in an effort to help sustain honey bees in late winter and early spring.
Jordan Bush reflects on attending a breakfast hosted by Lancaster Farmland Trust and the Allgyer family that saw the organization preserve its 533rd farm.
The Strasburg Rail Road has become foodie central! Visitors can enjoy a bite to eat at Café 1832 or get items to go and head for one of the picnic groves along the train route. Another option is lunch or dinner in the dining car. Yet another is enjoying wine and cheese as the train heads for Paradise.
56.
It’s a Beautiful Day
Doug Price, who is the chair of the upcoming Civitas Lancaster Chicken Barbecue to benefit Long’s Park and other endeavors, describes his perfect Lancaster County day.
48. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTIONS
15.
Explore Lititz
41.
Fabulous Fall
Fall and holiday events are back on the schedule, shops are stocked with fashions and homedecorating essentials, restaurants are open and creative energy abounds. Welcome to one of America’s “coolest small towns!”
Whether you want to update your look, get organized, remodel your home or enjoy the season, the advertisers in this section are ready to help you.
SPECIALIZED CARE FOR BREAST CANCER Personalized for you. When you have breast cancer, you want a care team with the expertise to address your unique needs. At Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health’s Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, breast cancer specialists develop a plan to diagnose and treat your specific type of breast cancer. This may include targeted therapy, genetic testing, chemotherapy, fertility preservation, or breast reconstruction. The right treatment makes all the difference. Explore your options at LGHealth.org/Cancer. A few members of our breast cancer team
Aaron Bleznak, MD, MBA, FACS, FSSO Medical Director, Breast Program, Breast Surgeon
Marnie Kaplan, MD, FACS John Bast, MD Fellowship-trained Fellowship-trained Breast Surgeon Breast Reconstructive Surgeon
Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute
Pamela Boimel, MD, PhD Radiation Oncologist
Ami Jhaveri, MD Fellowship-trained Medical Oncologist
inspired pieces
for Inspired Spaces!
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
ADVERTISING INFORMATION 717-492-2525 SALES MANAGER Greg March Gmarch@engleonline.com ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Karen Stoltzfus Karen@lancastercountymag.com Christine Smolenski Christine@lancastercountymag.com
From classic comfort to sophisticated style, our large selection and complimentary design service is all here to help you create your perfect space!
PRODUCED & PUBLISHED BY Engle Printing & Publishing Co., Inc. PROUD MEMBER OF:
Lancaster County Magazine is published monthly. Statements and opinions are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of Lancaster County Magazine. Materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Suggestions welcome. Single copy price $2.95 (discounts available on quantity orders). Subscription price is $16.95 for 12 issues. Use address below. Lancaster County Magazine P.O. Box 500 Mount Joy, PA 17552
Liveyour yourstyle. style. Love Love your Live yourhome. home.
Lancastercountymag.com
3130 Columbia Ave. LANCASTER • interiorshome.com
FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFO: 717-492-2556
FURNITURE
4
free
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
DESIGN
MATTRESSES
RUGS
What’s your Life Lived Forward?
Willow Valley Communities offers residents almost limitless opportunities to pursue their passions. Professional dog show competitor and resident Bets Keen trains her two golden retriever therapy dogs regularly and keeps them healthy and happy. Miles of rolling trails satisfy Pride’s urge to cruise, while the community’s social dog parks indulge Ribbon’s love for playtime and connect Bets with like-minded friends. “There’s so much for the three of us to explore and learn together,” she said. “We are all living life forward!”
Find your Life Lived Forward. Explore Willow Valley Communities today. 800.770.5445 | WillowValleyCommunities.org | Lancaster, PA
T H E LO N G
& SHORT OF IT
Photo by Nick Gould
How often do you page through a magazine and wonder what inspired a photo spread or what went on behind the scenes of a photo shoot? I always have to laugh when I think back to one of my earliest photo shoots. Vogue magazine came to Lancaster in the early ’90s to photograph a huge spread about the latest style – minimalism. Apparently in the mind of Anna Wintour, the Amish best exemplify the look, so why not go to the source.
As
I was acquainted with the owner of the bed & breakfast where the crew would be based, she was able to get us permission to hang out and do behind-the-scenes photography that would run in Lancaster County Magazine in conjunction with the spread that was due to run in Vogue’s September issue. As it turned out, Vogue discovered its competition was preparing to unveil its own take on minimalism in its August issue, so they bumped the Lancaster piece to August. We had no choice but to stick with our September issue, which made us late to the party. Still, it was very exciting to be a fly on the wall. I still remember stopping by the B&B ahead of the arrival of one of that era’s supermodels and a makeup artist who complained non-stop about the quality of cell service in the Intercourse area. I mean, for gosh sakes, he had to get in touch with Madonna! Surveying the room in which nothing but black clothing from the likes of Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Jil Sander was being stored was mind-blowing!
6
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
In my naivety, I expected the photographers and staff to be running around in Chanel suits. That was not the case. They were all embracing the grunge look from head to toe! The supermodel spent all her downtime puffing away on cigarettes. It was sort of disillusioning to see the reality of a big-time photo shoot.
Which brings us to the summer of 2021. Think back to August and what do you remember? Rain and lots of it! We photographed this month’s cover story in two parts. Planning for it started back in March, when the project was simply a construction site that Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders invited me to see. The view from it was simply magical. Then again, I was only permitted to turn in my chair to see the view when darkness set in, which probably coincided with finishing off wine bottle number two (or, maybe it was three). Later, the wheels started spinning in my head. After watching one too many Hallmark movies, a Sex and the City marathon, blubbering through an episode of This is Us and hearing friends say
they can’t wait to go dancing again, an idea struck! We’d up the ante and take it beyond a typical home feature. In May, I presented my idea to Dwight and homeowners Connie Kaplan and Jimmy Borst, who were game to be a part of it. Bobbi Nicole Bentzel of Glamour Room and Tiffany Rupert of Tiffany’s Bridal Boutique agreed to style Connie for the shoot. Jimmy got a tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse. The cover premise would be they’ve arrived home from a black-tie benefit or wedding, kicked off their shoes and topped off the evening by dancing with the lights of Reading glowing in the background. Photographer Nick Gould was on board and devised a schedule that would accommodate his mid-August vacation as well as my late-month vacation.
On August 4, the weather was gorgeous – as in low 80s and no humidity – for the architectural shots. It was such a beautiful night that nobody wanted to leave. So, we sat and drank wine until 10 or so. Unfortunately, it was a totally different story a week later for the cover shoot and interiors. On the drive to Glamour Room, the sky was ominous. As we rolled up the driveway of Jimmy and Connie’s home in Galen Hall around 5:30 p.m., the sky turned black. About 30 minutes later – just as Nick and his assistant, Lexi, arrived – the wind began to howl, lightning lit up the sky, thunder echoed across the valley and the skies opened up. Everyone consulted the radar apps on their phones. It looked like the storms would be in the area for the next two hours. There went our schedule! The shot we had meticulously set up the week before would be impossible to get. Nick quickly came up with Plan B, which prompted a move from the outdoor dining area to in front of the fireplace. Furniture had to be moved and the floor thoroughly dried so that Connie’s dress wouldn’t get wet. Did I mention it was 95 degrees and 150% humidity? Or that Nick and I were on our hands and knees trying to dry the floor with towels? Despite her best efforts, Connie’s beautiful hair began to droop. Her makeup was sliding off her face. The weather showed no signs of cutting us a break. So, we moved on to Plan C – interior shots and the Cocalico Builders team. Then, about 8:15 p.m., a miracle happened. The sun began to shine. A rainbow arced over the city of Reading, where the buildings were now bathed in a golden glow. It got maybe five degrees cooler. We told Connie and Jimmy to get dressed, pronto! Despite darkness setting in, Nick got his shots. We all danced! We hit the road a little before 11 p.m., leaving the place a wreck. Poor Nick had to be in King of Prussia bright and early the next day for a job. I was in a state of exhaustion until Sunday. Despite Mother Nature not cooperating, it occurred to me that after all these years, I can still say, “I love my job!” – Suzanne Starling-Long
We deliver
sweetness in central Pa.
For more than 100 years, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital has been caring for women and their babies. And now that history and tradition of excellence has expanded to our UPMC hospitals in central Pa. UPMC Magee-Womens provides women access to quality obstetrical care and immediate referral to advanced services, such as maternal fetal medicine and genetics. And expectant mothers can take comfort in knowing we care for high-risk deliveries, with a direct connection to our Level III NICU at UPMC Harrisburg for leading-edge newborn medicine. To learn more about what UPMC Magee-Womens delivers for you and your growing family, visit UPMC.com/MageeDeliversCPA.
UPTOWN & DOWN And All Around
Taubman Museum of Art
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Nights for a Museum Whenever I travel with my family, we make sure to visit one or two museums. Whether it’s small, historic homes in colonial-era towns or grand testaments to architecture housing some of the finest art in the world, museums are as much part of how we travel as are dining, lodging or the weather.
A
TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL C. UPTON pparently, we are not alone in being fans of museums. According to the American Alliance of Museums, U.S. museums contributed $50 billion to the economy and generated approximately 850 million visitors in 2019. FYI: The three mostvisited museums in the United States that year were the National Air & Space Museum in D.C., the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the National Museum of Natural History in D.C. Whether you’re looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway this fall, here are four recommendations for museum-inspired travel all within a day’s drive (or less) of Lancaster County.
TAUBMAN MUSEUM OF ART Address: 110 Salem Ave. SE, Roanoke, VA Drive: 331 miles, 5.25 hours Web: taubmanmuseum.org On the way, stop here: Spelunker’s Burgers & Frozen Custard (116 South St., Front Royal, VA).
8
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
We always (and I mean always) stop for a Cavern Burger on a trip through western Virginia. Front Royal is a good stopping point heading to or from Lancaster County. TUCKED AWAY in plain sight in downtown Roanoke, the Taubman Museum of Art (recognized by its 77-foot glass peak atrium) is one of the finest small-city museums on the East Coast. This collection of American art is interspersed with fantastic traveling curations of world art. From tech-couture fashion to the photography of Ansel Adams, the museum’s changing exhibits highlight the best of the subjects they represent. During our visit we experienced the Jordan Schnitzer Family Foundation’s POP Power: From Warhol to Koons exhibit and were delighted to be up close and personal with work from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Takashi Murakami and Keith Haring. The Taubman’s permanent collection showcases art from realist Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins, portraitist John Singer Sargent, mixed-media artist Purvis Young, sculptor Petah Coyne and
composer turned visual artist John Cage. The museum is easy to visit in one day, leaving time for the many other activities around Virginia’s Blue Ridge region.
WORLD OF LITTLE LEAGUE MUSEUM Address: 525 U.S.-15, South Williamsport, PA Drive: 121 miles, 2.5 hours Web: littleleague.org/world-of-little-league On the way, stop here: Red Rabbit DriveIn (60 Benvenue Rd., Duncannon, PA). This American icon for burgers, ice cream and nostalgia is either closed or super busy; park if you can find a spot and enjoy the curbside service! THE WORD “WORLD” is essential when describing the World of Little League Museum. Visitors cannot help but realize baseball is an international language, where strikes and balls mean the same thing from Salunga to Singapore. The museum, located within walking distance
World of Little League Museum
from the Little League World Series’ Howard J. Lamade Stadium, underwent a massive re-envisioning prior to 2020 and plans to reopen this fall. The walk through Little League baseball history is highly interactive and keeps the attention of visitors of all ages. Traditionalists will love seeing Babe Ruth’s uniform from his 1934 tour of Japan and kids will love keeping up with interactive exhibits showcasing infield and baserunning skills. The museum is self-guided and takes an hour or two depending on the level of participation and interest. Tours can be scheduled for groups of 20 or more fans.
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS Address: 200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA Drive: 230 miles, 5 hours Web: vmfa.museum On the way, stop here: Occoquan, VA (10 miles south of I-495 Capital Beltway on I-95). This 18th-century riverside mill town is a step back in time and is filled with historic buildings housing more than 100 art galleries, shops and restaurants. AMERICAN WRITER Peter De Vries once said, “Murals in restaurants are on a par with the food in museums.” Unfortunately, De Vries was gone from the world before he had a chance to visit modern-day Richmond, with its collection of impressive and inspiring murals and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. This world-caliber museum’s collection spans fine art through the centuries, from predynastic Egyptian sculpture to modern photography of historic importance. The layout is a bit of a maze but we found helpful guides stationed throughout the wings, concourses and levels. My personal highlight was seeing Salvador Dali’s The God of the Bay of Roses; I would have spent the entire day in awe of this masterpiece but the collection of French Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture, the largest public collection of Fabergé and Russian decorative arts in an American museum, and European Baroque and Renaissance paintings beckoned us to continue. As a bonus, the museum is home to Amuse, where we could relax with some cocktails, beers and impressive fine dining and discuss what we had just experienced.
creating comfy spaces
SAVE on comfy cozy carpet! Sale ends Nov 13.
PA00591
Fivepointville • 717.445.7799 Lancaster • 717.290.7799 Wyomissing • 610.376.7799 martinsflooring.com
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
9
THE ROSENBACH Address: 2008-2010 Delancey Pl., Philadelphia, PA Drive: 80 miles, 2 hours Web: rosenbach.org
The Rosenbach (Photos courtesy of the museum)
SAME TRUSTED CANCER CARE IN A NEW LOCATION. We’ve officially moved into our new location and infusion center at 703 Lampeter Road. The new Center has been thoroughly planned with our patients’ comfort and wellness in mind and features a private, covered entrance, plenty of convenient parking, and a tranquil outdoor space. New patients and second opinions are seen within 24 hours, call 717.291.1313.
Afterward, stop here: Locust Rendezvous (1415 Locust St., Philadelphia). Grab a post-museum drink at this welcoming “no theme required” neighborhood watering hole, which attracts an eclectic mix of theatergoers, students, suits, construction workers and restaurant industry types. UNLESS YOU KNOW what you are looking for, this bibliophile’s dream museum near Rittenhouse Square would otherwise go unnoticed. Inside, the rowhome museum houses the collections of brothers Philip and Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach. The collections include rare books, manuscripts, furniture, paintings and sculpture. Standouts – in my opinion – among the thousands of priceless items include notes and outlines for Bram Stoker’s Dracula; a rare first edition of Don Quixote and documents in Miguel de Cervantes’ hand; and the largest surviving portions of the manuscripts for Charles Dickens’ The Pickwick Papers and Nicholas Nickleby. On a personal note, the museum has firstedition copies of novels by Thomas Hardy, which like many other classic items, are on display by appointment only and are freely accessed for research. June 16 is Bloomsday, the day fans around the world celebrate James Joyce’s Ulysses. Since it holds a rare, handwritten manuscript of the epic, The Rosenbach celebrates every year with a festival normally held on Delancey Place.
www.lancastercancercenter.com On-site Laboratory | Physician-Directed Dispensary | Support
MICHAEL C. UPTON works as
Hyatt P. DeGreen III, DO (Tracy) | Lena Dumasia, MD
10
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
a freelance writer specializing in arts and leisure covering subjects ranging from funk punk to fine wine. He graduated with a BFA in Creative Writing from the University of Maine at Farmington and is actively published by trade journals, specialized websites, and regional and national magazines. Upton lives in Lancaster County with his wife, Mel, and two youngest children, Halligan and Teagan. Tyler, his oldest son, is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America.
Don't forget t os
WWW.GOODSAMSERVICES.ORG @GoodSamServ
the ing
Providing shelter and housing support services
ood Sam ort G du p r up
Gardening
JOURNEY
FA L L P L A N T I N G
Hellebores (Helleborus orientalis) Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.)
Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis)
Crocus (Crocus spp.)
Daffodils (Narcissus hybrids)
Ways to Help Honey Bees Mild winters have been prompting honey bees to make an early appearance in our landscapes. When you’re adding new plants to your landscape this fall, be sure to include some nectar/pollen sources for the early-arriving honey bees. TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DR. RICHARD L. BITNER
H
oney bees (Apis mellifera) are struggling. Their numbers have been declining for decades. Several factors are responsible: fatal viruses (sound familiar?) carried by mites, pesticides, habitat loss from urban development (culture of the perfect green lawn is of no help to honey bees, either) and lack of plant diversity. In recent years almost half of the managed beehives in the U.S. have died. One recent report said that beekeepers have collectively lost 10 million hives. Bees visit flowers to find food in the
12
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
form of nectar or pollen. Pollen is a fine powder produced by male flower parts to ensure the next generation of plants, as it contains protein, fat and other nutrients that pollinators require. Nectar is the sweet substance composed of sugars, vitamins, salts, oils and nutrients that provides pollinators with energy. At least one-third of the world’s food crops and 90% of all plants require cross-pollination to thrive. As the honey bees make their way around the garden collecting nectar, they carry grains of pollen on their very hairy bodies. Consider this: pollination is key in one out of every three bites of a healthy diet: nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables. Animals and birds depend on many of these plants for survival, as well. Additionally, bees themselves are part of the food chain. Several dozen species of birds, including blackbirds and hummingbirds, will eat bees, as will spiders, dragonflies and praying mantises. Bees cannot regulate their body temperature. When temperatures drop, they slow down and become less responsive. The perfect hive temperature is 95 degrees F (35 C). When the outside temperature drops to 55 degrees F (13 C), they can no
longer fly. Bees are able to keep warm in the hive on cold winter days, clustered around their queen, but they will immediately start foraging again on any late winter days that see the temperature rise above 55 degrees in an effort to supplement their, by then, waning stores of honey. Keep in mind what the honey bees produce and store in their hives is for their own purpose – to feed their colony during the winter. Experienced beekeepers will know how much honey they can harvest during the summer so that the bees will have time to generate adequate stores to make it through the cold, nectar-less winter. Global climate change has caused some flowers to bloom earlier or later than usual. As a result, honey bees have a problem finding nectar sources when it turns unusually warm in January (or when the spring season starts early). Overwintering loss rates have increased to 30%. There are ways concerned Lancaster County gardeners can help the honey bee population. One way is to cultivate plants that flower in late winter and very early spring. While the earliest flowers are from bulbs, there are also some early-flowering shrubs available.
Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii) Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum)
Cherry blossoms (Prunus serrulata)
Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas)
BULBS AND OTHER PLANTS What follows are four foolproof, earlyflowering bulbs that can be planted now, before the ground freezes. Deer will not touch any of them and they should do fine under a walnut tree. All go dormant by late spring and can be interplanted with other herbaceous plants. They can also be planted in turf, provided the grass is not mowed until the bulb foliage has matured completely. The depth of planting is determined by the size of the bulb and directions will come with your bulb order. Consider planting near the kitchen window or garage where the flowers and their fragrance can be appreciated in late winter and you can watch for the first bees. All these bulbs should be left undisturbed once planted. Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.) are great bee attractants. Their delicate-hanging, sweetly scented flowers bloom as early as December or January (as soon as the snow begins to melt). They provide an early vital food resource. These easy-to-grow bulbs will gradually naturalize in small sweeps. The snowdrops in my garden were planted in the 1980s! Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) is the second rugged flower to emerge in my
Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia)
garden. The upward-facing, cup-shaped, bright-yellow buttercup-like flowers will pop up seemingly moments after the snow melts in a sunny spot. The basal green leaves emerge after the flowers and before long the plants go dormant. It naturalizes by seeds over time. Crocus (Crocus spp.) will also turn up as soon as the snow melts. The bees love them! I grow only one species, the “tommies” (C. tommasinianus). They are dazzling with their pale-lavender flowers and striking silver stems. Squirrels do not dig them up. Really! You can trust me on that. And, they seed around. Plant dozens of the bulbs now before the ground freezes and each year you will have an expanding display. Daffodils (Narcissus hybrids) are the mainstay of an early spring garden. They are tough and long-lived provided they have good drainage. They are available not only in the familiar yellow, but also in white, orange, pink and bicolors. Give the bulbs some space because they will fill in over time. Cut off the spent flowers but do not cut back the foliage until it browns. Daffodil enthusiasts have organized the cultivars into complex divisions based on the blooms, but even the most common variety serves as an announcement that another gardening year has arrived. More importantly, daffodils
Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei)
provide a welcome nectar source for the honey bees. A good source for daffodils is Brent & Becky’s Bulbs, which is based in the “Daffodil Capital,” Gloucester County, Virginia. In business since 1900, the 28-acre farm is owned by third-generation gardening enthusiasts, Brent and Becky Heath, who have spent the pandemic addressing garden clubs and horticultural organizations across the world via Zoom. Originally specializing solely in daffodils, the company now offers a wide selection of bulbs, annuals, perennials, tropicals and more. Education has also become part of the farm: eight acres are devoted to gardens that educate visitors about sustainable and chemical-free growing methods. As the farm is located amid Virginia’s waterways (including the Chesapeake Bay), the Heaths are passionate about sharing their knowledge with visitors. The farm hosts regular events such as monthly garden walks and seminars/ workshops conducted by master gardeners. They also celebrate National Honey Bee Day (in August) every year. For more information, visit brentandbeckysbulbs.com. Also of interest is the Gloucester Daffodil Festival that is held in late March/early April. The festival includes such activities as a daffodil show, a parade, a best-dressed pet contest, vendors and a self-guided driving tour of garden displays. For more LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
13
information, visit daffodilfestivalva.org. Note: Gloucester is a short drive away from Williamsburg, Yorktown and Virginia’s beaches, so make a weekend of it!
G E T R E A DY FOR WINTER
Readers of this column are probably aware of my fondness for Hellebores, often called Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis). There is everything to like about this plant. It’s semi-evergreen; deer won’t touch it; it flowers for more than a month in late winter and will self-seed if not mulched. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season and is very happy in partial shade. The flowers exhibit shades of white, but hybrids that produce dark colors are available. They will be covered with honey bees when temperatures climb above 55 degrees.
SHRUBS TO CONSIDER
KEEP PESTS FROM NESTING IN YOUR HOME
Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei) is usually the earliestflowering evergreen shrub in this area. The pendent racemes of bold yellow flowers jump out against the shiny holly-like evergreen foliage, which is too spiny for deer to browse. The flowers are followed by grape-like clusters of green fruits maturing to blue that the birds will scarf up. Mahonia does very well in shade. The earliest large shrub to flower is Winter Witch Hazel (Hamamelis x intermedia). The fragrant flowers appear as early as January or early February. Hybrids are available with yellow, orange or rusty-red flowers.
2635 COLUMBIA AVENUE, LANCASTER • 717-394-8838
An easy-to-grow vining shrub that flowers on bare stems is Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum). The vivid, bright-yellow flowers are displayed on bare green stems and the vine is best grown cascading over a tall stone wall. One of the earliest viburnums to flower is the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii). The intensely fragrant white flowers are irresistible to the gardener as well as the bees. Of course another first bloomer is the omnipresent Forsythia (Forsythia x intermedia). I won’t give it a space (even in my large garden) because it has only two weeks of interest and the rest of the year it is just a twiggy tangle. The bees, however, love it.
FALL IS A GREAT TIME TO PLANT TREES Actually, bees get most of their nectar from trees because they provide thousands of blossoms to feed on. The best tree choices for honey bees include: Willows (Salix sp.), Redbud (Cercis canadensis), Maples (Acer sp.), Serviceberry (Amelanchier), Crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia sp.), Sweetgum (Liquidambar), Black tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica), Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum), which is said to produce the finest honey, and Linden (Tilia sp.), which is a bee magnet! The first small tree to flower in this area is usually the Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas). The bloom time of the golden flowers is not the only reason to grow this dogwood. By summer it produces edible fruits that are relished by birds.
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.
14
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
explore
Lititz Visit LITITZPA.COM
S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N | COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX
FALL IN LITITZ As we head into fall and the holiday season, Lititz is ready to celebrate! Shops and restaurants are open, people are out and about and best of all, the events that help to make Lititz one of the “coolest small towns” in America are once again on the calendar. UPCOMING LITITZ EVENTS: October 8, November 12, December 10
SECOND FRIDAYS Shops, eateries and other venues stay open late (9 p.m.) on the second Friday of every month. In addition, the streets are alive with music, dancing, entertainment and other activities that are suitable for the whole family. October 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
LITITZ ARTISANS' PORCHWALK Stroll through Lititz Springs Park and check out unique work from artisans of all media, including ceramics, wood, fiber, jewelry, painting and more.
MORTON
CUSTOM ARTISAN FURNISHINGS
– HANDCRAFTED –
Friday & Saturday 10-5 Mon-Thur by appointment
FINE FURNITURE
717-725-0600 | thomasmorton@mortonfurniture.com 61 E MAIN STREET, LITITZ | MORTONFURNITURE.COM
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
15
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
October 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
KIWANIS LITITZ CHOCOLATE WALK Enjoy chocolate samples from some of the region’s top chefs, bakers, ice cream shops and candy makers at 32 locations in downtown Lititz. Funds raised will support children-focused charities in the county. October 9, 7-10 p.m.
A NIGHT OUT WITH
VENTURE LITITZ AT THE FILM NOIR GALA Join Venture Lititz for a night of glamour and mystery held at the Brownstone Manor. October 23, 8-11 a.m.
has hosted this charitable event in Lititz. Funds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey. October 25, 6-9 p.m.
LITITZ LIONS HALLOWEEN PARADE
FRESHBURST 5-MILE RUN AND 5K WALK
The parade will start at Locust and Main Street and travel west to end at the square.
For the past 25 years, Johnson & Johnson
October 30, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
Inspired Designs For The Home Old Barn Wood Furniture & Home Decor Imported Pottery & Antiques Collectibles from Around the World Custom & Special Orders Always Welcome
VENTURE LITITZ/ APPALACHIAN BREWING COMPANY APOCA-LITITZ 5K Runners and walkers are welcome to this race that starts at ABC and heads out to the Warwick-to-Ephrata Rail-Trail and back. Costumes are encouraged. November 12-13
LITITZ ART ASSOCIATION HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW Located in Lititz Church of the Brethren, find unique, locally handmade gifts created by the members of the Lititz Art Association. December 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
CHRISTMAS IN LITITZ SPRINGS PARK Get in the Christmas spirit with carol singing and the lighting of the community Christmas tree. December 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CAROL SING At Lititz Moravian Church Square, join members of the community accompanied by the Lititz Moravian Trombone Choir as they sing holiday favorites.
Specializing in Live Edge Wood Slab Tables & Tops
December 10, 5-9 p.m.
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOUR
Old Barnwood
Furniture
www.cherryacres.com 23 East Main Street | Lititz, PA | 717-626-7557
16
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
Discover what life was like in the closed Moravian town of Lititz during the 1700s by taking a tour of the 1792 Johannes Mueller House by candlelight. For more information on upcoming events, visit lititzpa.com.
Lititz shopkeepers have prepared for the autumn season with the latest fall fashion trends, home décor, yummy treats and more! HOME DÉCOR
Make your house a home.
the
Main Street Peddler
CHERRY ACRES is a manufacturer and retailer of custom-made furniture made primarily from reclaimed lumber. Cherry Acres specializes in tabletops and bar tops made from live-edge slab wood. Besides domestic species, Cherry Acres carries many exotic species imported from Costa Rica. Stop in and view the several hundred slabs at their store and warehouse. From the moment you step inside the MAIN STREET PEDDLER, you’ll feel at home. Located at 22 East Main Street in downtown Lititz, this charming home goods and gift shop has four rooms of farmhouse, garden and vintage décor. Peppered with antiques, collectibles,
Hand selected collection of urban farmhouse decor & unique, collectible, inspiring gifts. 22 E. Main Street Lititz, PA 17543 | 717.627.4511
in historic downtown Lititz featuring beautiful clothing, wearable art, unique accessories and expert personal service. Fashions by Planet, Alembika, Oska, Dress To Kill, Eileen Fisher, Flax... Jewelry and accessories by Naot, Latico, Ed Levin, Simon Sebbag, French Kande, Suzi Roher...
Open Daily 10 am to 5 pm Closed Sundays 717-627-2244 49 East Main Street, Lititz, PA www.tigerseyelititz.com
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
17
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
We help you love Wewhere help you youlove live. where you live.
Showroom29 29S.S.Broad Broad St., Lititz Showroom LititzPA PA17543 17543 Hours: Mon Fri, 9am 5pm Hours: Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm Evening andSaturday Saturday Appointments Appointments Available Evening and Available
717.627.1690 II kitchensbyeileen.com kitchensbyeileen.com 717.627.1690
Award Awardwinning winning service and design
service and design
18
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
Walk-in & Reach-in Closets, Pantries, Linen Closets, Mudrooms Commitment to a Single Design. No High Closets, Pressure Sales. Walk-in No & Reach-in Closets, Pantries, Linen Mudrooms 29 S. Broad St., Lititz, PA
No Commitment to a Single Design. No High Pressure Sales. 717.553.7860 | sv@victoryclosets.com | pa.victoryclosets.com 29 S. Broad St., Lititz, PA 19 LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
o! , to zes i S s Plu
Color Me Cotton Clara Sun Woo Lu Lu B • Charlie B Renuar • Tribal
C
Clemintines A Unique Woman’s Boutique! 25 East Main Street Lititz • 717-626-6688 Monday through Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 4pm
The Scoop EMAIL NEWSLETTER Don't miss a beat. Get fresh stories and info on upcoming events delivered weekly to your inbox. Subscribe today and stay in the loop on all things Lancaster County.
S U B S C R I B E O N L I N E AT
LancasterCountyMag.com @LancCountyMag
20
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
books and lovely gifts, this shop has been in business for 27 years. Their friendly staff warmly welcomes you and are happy to help. You’ll be delighted as you tour each unique room of the shop. Every item for sale is hand selected. There you’ll find seasonal décor including florals, candles, Lori Mitchell (aka skinny-legged people), Byer’s Choice carolers and Nora Fleming stoneware. The shop’s home décor includes such items as pillows, blanket throws, tableware, gardening pots and tools, Woodstock chimes, picnic items, vintage tableware, as well as beautiful April Cornell linens. The Main Street Peddler has everything you need to make your house a home. Looking for handcrafted, custom furniture designed for generations of use? A piece from MORTON FINE FURNITURE will become the source of many cherished memories throughout your family history. Owner and artist Thomas Morton creates timeless, custom furniture that captivates the soul. Constructed from sustainable sources of premium American hardwoods from Pennsylvania and New York, each piece displays its own grain pattern and unique characteristics. Start from one of Thomas’ existing designs or create something completely new and original. The choice is yours! Gather inspiration for your project at Morton Fine Furniture’s showroom at 61 East Main Street, which is open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Monday through Thursday by appointment. Thomas will work directly with you to design your custom piece and communicate with you throughout each step of the build process. Be sure to check out one of his most popular items, the Tractor Stool! Browse his handcrafted pieces at mortonfurniture.com. Nestled in downtown Lititz, KBE DESIGN & BUILD has over 25 years of design experience. Each renovation project is carefully handled by their award-winning designers who specialize in space planning and design. They guide you through the design process to help build upon your specific taste and style. KbE’s team sees your project all the way to completion, giving you peace of mind from start to finish. They also offer a wonderful option for those who want the look and convenience of a custom closet without paying a skyhigh price. Their patented closet system, VICTORY CLOSETS, allows you to reconfigure your closet any time without tools, fasteners or support pins. Simply lift and move! With Victory Closets, organization has never been easier.
FASHION & BEAUTY Fall is always an exciting time at CLEMINTINES. Warm sweaters and jackets are filling the shelves and fun tops and tunics are being hung on the racks. Pants and denim in many shapes and colors are also available to fulfill anyone’s taste. Gold and mustard tones, shades of deep green and teal and rich hues of plum are all standouts this fall. Accessories are essential to complete your look. All it takes is that one special piece to pull your outfit together. Some staff favorites in jewelry include Sea Lily (made from piano wire), OC Jewelry (for that artistic statement piece) and Origin (a
resin material that comes in an array of colors and styles). Don’t stop at jewelry. Clemintines has beautiful, lightweight scarves and purses, as well. Visit Clemintines and then enjoy the rest of your day at the many other fabulous stores and restaurants that Lititz has to offer. TIGER’S EYE is a wonderful find in Downtown Lititz. They feature beautiful clothing and unique jewelry and accessories paired with outstanding personal service. Tiger’s Eye has been helping their friends and customers look their best for 25 years. This season, they are experiencing a strong presence of knitwear in cashmere and elevated loungewear in soft fabrics and easy shapes. They also notice a continuing trend toward dresses and tunics. Joseph Ribkoff, Planet, OSKA, Bitte Kai Rand, Alembika and Eileen Fisher continue to be the strong go-to designers for the Tiger’s Eye discriminating customer. Owner Nadine’s love for accessories is reflected in the stunning jewelry and scarf selection, featuring jewelry by Simon Sebbag, Phyllis Clark and French Kande, as well as accessories by Tilo, Suzi Rohrer, Dog & Boy, Latico and many more from around the world. A customer recently said the following: “The clothes and accessories at Tiger’s Eye are lovely and unique, but it’s the quality of service which brings me back. Thoughtfulness, kindness and artfulness are all qualities which set this shop apart.”
guidelines). All residents receive priority access to additional care if needed plus the safety net of a benevolent care program, ensuring your family member receives the care they require and won’t need to move out. Take advantage of their Reserve Now, Move Later program, which is available for a limited time only. Submit an application and $1,000 deposit to reserve a one- or two-room suite. After moving in, they will waive the $7,000 guest deposit. Call 717626-0214 for details and a personal tour.
FOOD & DINING Come visit America’s first commercial pretzel bakery, JULIUS STURGIS PRETZEL BAKERY, and take a familyfriendly tour (offered every half hour). The bakery’s hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Be sure to visit their website, juliussturgis.com, for tour times. Please call 717-626-4354 during business hours to make a tour reservation.
MORE MOMENTS AS A DAUGHTER… fewer as a caregiver! • Independence + access to care 24/7 • Supportive neighborhood • Life enriching activities to stay active, social & safe
SENIOR LIVING MORAVIAN MANOR COMMUNITIES, with continuing care options including assisted living and personal care, is the ideal place for a parent or aging family member to stay independent. In a home-like supportive neighborhood, they’ll have access to 24/7 care and life-enriching activities to stay active, social and safe. With Moravian Manor Communities’ five-decade legacy of caring, you can feel confident in the care your loved one receives there. The Life Plan Community offers a dedicated team of caregivers, health management programs, freshly prepared meals served in the dining room and scheduled activities (following CDC
RESIDENTIAL LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • PERSONAL CARE MEMORY SUPPORT • SKILLED CARE • SHORT-TERM REHAB 717-626-0214 • moravianmanorcommunities.org • Connect with us
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
21
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
General manager Kurt J. Van Gilder says, “We offer more than just pretzels. Check out our pretzel-themed gift items such as T-shirts, magnets, pencils and books. We also offer wonderful chocolate-covered pretzels, some drizzled with caramel or peanut butter.”
AVAILABLE IN OUR RETAIL STORE & ONLINE 45 North Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543
1-888-2WILBUR
WILBURBUDS.COM
One of the many popular specialties at WILBUR CHOCOLATE is their signature Wilbur Buds packaged in many different gift types or casual pouches for total chocolate Bud enjoyment! Other favorites include chocolate-covered fruit, triple-coated almonds and the kitchenmade Lititz Bark. Stop by the Lititz store today to find all kinds of sweet treats for yourself or for the perfect gift for any occasion! Visit wilburbuds.com to find out more about their long and unique history or to shop for your favorites online.
Please check website for hours
22
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
A vibrant lifestyle today. Peace of mind for tomorrow.
Available Now!
Available Now!
1-Bedroom Apartments in several designs
1- & 2-Bedroom Apartments & Personal Care Suites
Enjoy the fantastic amenities and on-site conveniences at Luther Acres, and the activity and charm of downtown Lititz.
Experience a healthy, active retirement at St. John’s Herr Estate, surrounded by friendly neighbors and a dedicated staff who stand ready to assist you.
www.Luthercare.org
Call today to learn about our move-in special!
717.626.8376 Independent Living • Personal Care Memory Care • Skilled Nursing Rehab to Home • Home Care 600 East Main Street, Lititz, PA 17543
717.449.5988 Independent Living • Personal Care 200 Luther Lane, Columbia, PA 17512
Luthercare complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Photo by Christian Hafer
DR. JOHN WEIERBACH AND DR. LOREN GENE T TI
Bonding a Professional Partnership When Dr. John Weierbach gained a business partner in Dr. Loren Genetti, the rumor mill went into overdrive. “I am not retiring!” he says, in the hopes of putting that widely circulating rumor to rest. “I love what I do – I love helping people. It’s my passion. And now with Dr. Genetti, we can provide double that enthusiasm.” Welcoming Dr. Genetti is allowing him to delve further into something else he is passionate about – teaching the art of dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr.
Weierbach wasn’t actively looking for a partner. He had done just fine practicing solo at Weierbach Prosthodontics for the past 31 years and even managed to add teaching duties at Penn to his schedule. A year ago, however, a tooth fairy in the guise of a dental rep who has a knack for matching dentists with each other, suggested that he meet Dr. Genetti.
24
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
The rep was so adamant that Dr. Weierbach agreed to meet her. Nonetheless, he had some reservations. “Seventy percent of partnerships don’t work out,” he explains. Still, he also was aware that he will one day need to pass his practice on to another dentist. “I want that person to be someone who shares my philosophy and whose goals are the same as mine in regards to taking care of patients, the practice and the team. It had
to be a good fit,” he emphasizes. From a personal perspective, he also thought it might be “nice to have someone to share the responsibility” of overseeing the practice. Upon meeting Dr. Genetti, he realized he had found someone special. “We just hit it off,” he says of finding common ground from the start. Both are from the Southeast Pennsylvania area – Dr. Weierbach is from Quakertown, while
Dr. Genetti is from Pottstown. “We both have small town values,” she shares. He earned his credentials from Penn, while she earned hers from Temple University and completed her residency at the University of Rochester. “We both came from families that valued education,” she adds, noting that her interests outside the office include music, art and sewing. “Oh, and I enjoy fixing just about anything,” she says. Having family in the area attracted her to Lancaster. “I love it here; it’s so welcoming,” she says. Dr. Weierbach’s interest and talents in art (notably sculpture) and the encouragement of a dentist he met at the tennis courts where he grew up playing tennis led him to dentistry. Always knowing she wanted to go into medicine, Dr. Genetti credits her engineer-father and an undergrad professor for steering her in the direction of dentistry. Dentistry proved to be a perfect fit for Dr. Genetti from both a personal and professional perspective, as it is fast becoming a woman’s domain. “I’d estimate that it was an even split – 50/50 – between men and women in my specialized classes,” Dr. Genetti notes. Dr. Weierbach reports that at Penn, “70% of the incoming first year dental class is comprised of women.” The stats point to the fact that “some patients just prefer a woman,” says Dr. Weierbach. “Now, we can provide that.” A year later, Dr. Weierbach views the partnership as a perfect match that is balanced by his experience and her knowledge of the newest technologies. “The patient is the big winner,” he observes. “Dr. Genetti is a very talented clinician.” DR. GENETTI JOINED the practice just after it reopened following Covid closures. “We were closed for nine weeks,” Dr. Weierbach explains, noting that according to mandates, he was only allowed to see patients who were in pain or dealing with an infection. When the office did reopen, it was business as usual as far as patient care was concerned. “We always wear gloves and masks and use HEPA filters, so that wasn’t new for us,” he explains. “Being in the medical field, we’re very aware of how viruses are transmitted.” The new element was a change in logistics, which they relied upon the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and American Dental Association (ADA) for guidance. “From what I’m hearing, dental practices nationwide have done a great job
of providing safe environments for their staffs and patients,” he notes. Team members are an integral part of Dr. Weierbach and Dr. Genetti’s practice. “We call ourselves a work family,” he says. “We really missed not seeing each other when we were closed. We’re so fortunate to have the team we do. They are talented people who want to be a part of something purposeful.” Susan Longchamp, the practice’s administrator, has been with Dr. Weierbach since “day one.” Other team members’ tenures range from 10 to 25 years. “We do things out of the office, too,” he relates. “We go out for dinner together on a monthly basis and once a year we do something special like go to New York to see a Broadway show. We go on a cruise about every four years, too.”
“ There’s nothing better than to be able to make a difference in the lives of your patients.” – DR. GENETTI
WHEN THE PRACTICE reopened in June 2020, Dr. Weierbach didn’t know what to expect. He was aware of the fact that people were postponing or canceling regular medical check-ups and tests and was prepared that patients’ hesitancy could impact his practice. To his surprise, his practice only got busier. “As soon as we reopened, people were here. I think they spent the quarantine re-evaluating so many aspects of their lives that they decided it was time to do something for themselves,” he theorizes. “Apparently they were sitting at home researching procedures and decided to finally act. They were having everything done – implants, veneers, whitening and Botox, which we use to address TMJ [jawclenching], headaches and gummy smiles. Now we’re using Botox to complement the dental work we do. We’ve been going through Botox like crazy and are averaging two Zoom whitening procedures per day. Business has increased 35%.” WHETHER YOU ARE contemplating aesthetic procedures or are making plans to resume regular dental checkups, the
doctors agree that taking care of your teeth benefits your overall health. “The mouth is the gateway to your body,” Dr. Genetti points out. “Infection can travel from your mouth throughout your entire body if you are not practicing good dental health. If you have periodontal disease, it can contribute to heart disease and make you seven times more prone to stroke.” Being conscious of a less-thanperfect smile also has a social impact. “It affects your entire life,” Dr. Weierbach says of having difficulty eating and becoming socially isolated because of your appearance. “Half the battle is getting in the chair,” he says. Dr. Genetti adds that their patient philosophy centers on the premise of “being a judgement-free zone.” The two maintain that communication and education are keys to developing a plan for lifelong oral health. “We meet with new patients for an hour and 20 minutes in order to establish their medical history and conduct a thorough exam,” Dr. Weierbach explains. “Then we develop a comprehensive plan – the patients know from the beginning what their options are and our plan of action.” Dr. Genetti adds that she recommends that parents begin to schedule dental exams for their children “as soon as the first tooth appears” in order to address problems sooner rather than later. GIVING BACK HAS ALSO become a part of practicing dental medicine. For a number of years, Dr. Weierbach has joined other dental professionals in traveling to such underserved areas as Honduras, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, Romania and the Dominican Republic to provide dental services. “Being able to serve others has an incredible effect on your heart and soul,” he says. “Seeing how appreciative people are to receive just the basic services brings new meaning to life. Some of us take our team members along and some bring family members. The experience provides a really valuable lesson to kids, who come away with a new appreciation for what they have back home.” THE TWO AGREE that the year seems to have zipped by. “It’s been a seamless transition,” Dr. Weierbach says. “It’s been a thrill,” Dr. Genetti concurs. “There’s nothing better than to be able to make a difference in the lives of your patients.” For more information, visit yourclassicsmile.com.
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
25
What had been a deteriorating second-floor deck was redesigned and transformed into a multifunctional outdoor-living area.
Like many homeowners, Jimmy Borst and Connie Kaplan have spent the pandemic making changes to their home. The most ambitious project centered on remodeling the multi-level outdoor-living area, which now provides them with areas for relaxing, dining, entertaining and yes, even dancing. Add a spectacular view of the city of Reading, and their new outdoorliving area can only be described as magical. BY SUE LONG PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE DRONE GEEK
26
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
A Dance Floor in the Sky
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
27
T
wenty-five years ago, Jimmy found nirvana high on a mountainside in Galen Hall. What attracted him to the split-level house – circa 1976 – that had a hint of The Brady Bunch attached to it? “Five acres and good bones,” he says in looking back at his decision to purchase the property. As he set out to make the house his own, it was also Jimmy’s plan to retain the hallmarks of ’70s styling, including wood and stone elements and, most importantly, the open-concept living areas that continue to define home design in the 21st century. The first level is home to Jimmy’s man cave and in-home gym, as well as guest rooms. The second level is devoted to an open-concept living room, dining room and kitchen, plus the primary suite.
28
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
The window-filled dining room is part of an addition project Jimmy designed and built several years ago. The kitchen was also updated. ONE OF THE FIRST projects Jimmy tackled soon after moving in was to add a two-level deck on the back of the house. The goal was to take advantage of the spectacular views that stretch well beyond the famed Pagoda atop Mount Penn in Reading. The design entailed cedar construction and stone-wrapped pillars. “Friends helped me with the pillars,” he says of the structure that ultimately became known as “deckzilla.” Twelve years ago, he added a swimming pool and spa that were built into a hillside, with the decking and walls
constructed from fieldstone. “It’s pretty unique,” he says of the pool and spa’s hillside perch. Built by Pebble Pools, Inc. of Royersford, Montgomery County, the pool placed second in a national contest the company entered. UNFORTUNATELY, the deck wasn’t very user-friendly. Because the upper level wasn’t covered by a roof, its use was essentially restricted to early morning or evening hours. “It could get pretty hot up there,” Jimmy notes of the daytime heat. Of course, if it rained, using the deck was next to impossible. Snow proved to be an issue, as well – the upper deck needed to be shoveled if a substantial amount of snow fell. The after-effects of snowfalls are what
Left: The underside of the standingseam roof was lined with wood that was salvaged from a former factory building in Reading. The elevated dining area/dance floor offers a beautiful view of Reading. Connie and Jimmy had nearly a dozen trees removed in the spring to further open up the view.
To see more photos, visit lancastercountymag.com.
Right: According to Dwight Graybill, lighting is key to creating ambiance for any outdoor space. Phase Two of the project – outfitting the lowerlevel poolside deck with an outdoor kitchen – is planned for next year.
prompted the couple to begin entertaining the idea of upgrading the deck. Exposure to the elements was prompting the wood to weaken and even rot in places. Additionally, snow removal was impacting the finish – the boards had become a mish-mash of mottled colors. “I always wanted a roof over it,” says Jimmy, who deemed the time had come for them to “go big or go home” and remodel the outdoor areas. The search for a building contractor commenced. AS THIS IS LANCASTER COUNTY, Jimmy’s cousin, Joe, knew someone who would be perfect for the job – Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders, whose outdoor-living projects typically entail recycled and upcycled building products such as old barn wood and beams, finds
from former landmarks and abandoned farmhouses and timbers that are centuries old. Jimmy and Dwight’s collaboration proved to be a match made in design heaven. Jimmy even jokes that the two found each other through Match.com. Actually, that’s how Jimmy and Connie found each other. She was a single mom living with her two children in Pittsburgh, while he was living close to his hometown of Reinholds. “We talked to each other via email and by phone for three months,” Connie recalls. When they finally met – Jimmy invited her to visit the area and see his home – she insisted that his parents be present. “You just never know,” she jokes. They continued their long-distance relationship for several more years. Then, with her kids embarking on their own lives –
her daughter now lives in North Carolina and her son in Alabama – Connie made her move to the Lancaster area 10 years ago. She works for a title appraisal closing company, while Jimmy, who retired from Steel Specialty Company, stays busy by flipping houses. After a 14-year courtship, Jimmy proposed to Connie in June. Have they set a date? “Oh, no,” Connie laughs. “We’ll probably wait another 14 years to get married. Jimmy always says good things take time.” In the meantime, they are having the time of their lives remodeling the house, going antiquing, exploring the region and indulging in their love of wine and beer. “Our tastes are pretty similar,” says Connie in regards to remodeling and decorating their home. They enjoyed adding their LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
29
The rear wall of the space is covered in siding that was salvaged from a 19th-century Berks County barn. Its expanse was broken up by faux windows (also salvaged) that are backlit. A large picture window and patio doors were also added, which help to bring natural light – and a view of nature – into the primary suite.
ideas for the outdoor-living area – it was Connie who thought of topping the roof with a cupola – and working with Dwight on its design. Now, there’s nothing more gratifying than coming home. “When you come up the driveway and see the illuminated cupola, lights, torches and fireplace, it’s just beautiful,” Connie says.
T H E P RO J E C T Jimmy and Connie initially met with Dwight nearly two years ago to discuss their ideas and goals. He then took them on a tour of similar design-build projects he had completed. “Jimmy loved the reclaimed-wood aspect of the projects I showed them,” Dwight recalls. Work got underway in early 2021 and outside of a few finishing touches, was completed in late July. While Dwight typically designs such projects, the size and intricacy of this one deemed that an engineer would need to be consulted. “My projects are usually works in progress, but since this would be the largest one I’ve ever done – 2,800 square feet on a 4,000-square-foot home – and included a standing-seam roof and massive timbers, we felt an engineer was necessary,” Dwight
30
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
says of consulting with Glyn Boone. “Still, we made some changes – his plans called for the chains that radiate from the center of the ‘room’ to go straight across it. Either way works, but the final design is better from an aesthetic standpoint.” The cedar floorboards were replaced by vinyl-composite decking, which is essentially maintenance-free. The rear wall of the structure is covered in wood that was salvaged from a 19th-century Berks County barn. “We didn’t touch the color,” Dwight notes. To break up the expanse of wood, Dwight inserted faux windows (which are backlit) that he salvaged from a farmhouse that was being razed. The decorative arches over them, as well as the corbels on the fireplace, were salvaged from a house that once stood beside the Stevens Feed Mill. “When I see a building being torn down, I stop and ask if I can have items that interest me,” Dwight explains. “Usually, they’re just so happy to have someone haul the stuff away that they say, ‘Help yourself.’” He hit the jackpot when the Mountain Springs Hotel in Ephrata was demolished. “I happened to drive down the street behind the property and saw piles of windows and doors waiting to be hauled
away. I asked if I could have them. They said to take what I wanted, so I immediately went back to my shop and got a trailer to haul it all away. I’m still using stuff I salvaged from the hotel in projects.” The soaring ceiling is lined with reclaimed wood, as well. “It came from an old factory building in Reading,” Dwight says. “The boards are filled with old nail holes; I just love that look.” Large, hand-hewn beams, which date to the early 1800s and were sourced in the Lancaster/Berks area, encircle the space. “Actually, we had some smaller beams ready to go when my source called to say I had to see some beams he just got hold of,” Dwight recalls. “They were gorgeous. Their size made them a better match to the scale of the project, so we made the switch. In fact, because of their massive size, I had to get a crane in to put them in place.” Dwight is of the opinion that no matter the size, “lighting is key” to any outdoorliving space. For this project, puck lights were inserted into overhead beams, while spots encircle the room at the roof line. Dimmers control their intensity. “All the beams were routed-out in order to hide the conduits and wires,” he notes. “I hate when those are visible.” A gas fireplace
and torches that top several of the pillars provide both light and ambiance. (The pillars were updated with stone veneer. The material also defines the fireplace.) As for the chains that radiate from the center of the room, they ensure that the beams stay in place and prevent any roof deflection. Framer Joel Keller had the idea to “anchor” them in the middle with a circular piece of steel, which Dwight then had fabricated. “Jimmy came home with a wagon wheel he had found on his travels and it fit inside the steel perfectly,” he notes. “It added the perfect finishing touch.” Chains that radiate Railings for the outer edges of the deck from a steelaccount for the final design element. “They wrapped wagon didn’t want the railings to interfere with the wheel help to keep the massive view,” Dwight explains. “So, we came up with timbers in place the idea of using horizontal stainless cables. and prevent roof The combination of stone, wood and stainless deflection. gives you the industrial-chic look that’s so popular right now.” Connie and Jimmy then took on the task of furnishing and decorating the area. Plush upholstered furnishings make the living area the perfect place to relax and entertain. Accessories include elements of Jimmy’s beer-stein collection, vintage hex signs, plants and other decorative items. He and Connie attended the public auction of Stoudt memorabilia and purchased some signage that will be added to the décor. A television not only provides viewing entertainment but also music. Connie and Jimmy’s decorating tastes Next year they plan to proved to be a match. address phase two of the The dining room’s project. The ground-level king-and-queen chairs are their most deck, which is adjacent to the recent find. pool area, is set to become an outdoor kitchen.
CREDITS • Design-build: Dwight Graybill, Cocalico Builders • Electrical Contractor: Fichthorn Electric • Framing: Joel Keller • Cupola: Cupola Creations, Lititz • Decking: Red Run Structures • Roofing/cables/hardware: A. B. Martin • Crane service: Stoner Industrial • Furniture: Bowman’s Stove & Patio • Consulting Engineer: Glyn Boone, Myer Hill Consulting • Hardscaping: Sauders Hardscape Supply, New Holland • Décor: Mary’s Gift Shop, New Holland • Décor: Cornfields, New Holland Jimmy bought the ’70s era house 25 years ago and made it his own by remodeling and adding on to it. LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
31
The Cocalico Builders team members who worked on the Galen Hall project include, left to right: Harry “Butch” Hainley (stone mason), Roger Page (man of many talents), Lori Lorah-Sauder (project coordinator), Ben Graybill (site supervisor) and Sebastian Baringer (multi-tasker).
Building? Remodeling? Patience is a Virtue Dwight Graybill has owned Denver-based Cocalico Builders for 23 years and had worked for its previous owner as a high school and college student. “I’ve never seen or experienced anything like this,” he says of doing business in the age of Covid. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD
A
ccording to Dwight, Covid has added a monkey wrench to an already perfect storm of issues that are affecting the industry. Of course, inklings of a labor shortage have been circulating for the last few years. “Kids just aren’t going into this line of work,” he says. (Fortunately for Dwight, one of his three children, Ben, is following in his footsteps and is assuming more responsibilities.) “I just don’t understand it,” he says. “The building industry offers so many opportunities to people with all kinds of interests and talents.” A new wrinkle has surfaced: workers are seeing an unprecedented demand for their abilities and view it as an opportune time
32
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
to start their own businesses. At the other end of the spectrum are the baby boomers, who are exiting the workforce to retire. “I don’t know what’s going to happen to this industry when it loses people like Butch [Hainley],” Dwight says of his stone mason. “It’s almost impossible to find that kind of talent right now. Who knows what the future will hold.” Add another component – illness – and small companies that are already lean must scramble to stay on schedule. “We were incredibly fortunate to work for a homeowner like Jimmy [Borst],” Dwight says. “Because of his construction background, he was able to pitch in and help us out on the job site. We were also
grateful that he was around to do things like run errands for us. That was a huge help.” Lori Lorah-Sauder, who is Cocalico Builders’ project coordinator, echoes those sentiments, explaining that she now spends a great deal of time contacting subs in the hopes they would be available to work on one of the company’s projects. She reports that subs who once could typically work for a few weeks now say they can spare a day or two. “The Amish have proven to be lifesavers,” she says. INCREDIBLY, sticker shock – the cost of building materials and lumber has skyrocketed – isn’t deterring homeowners from remodeling or updating their homes. “They’ve been sitting at home for the last 18 months watching HGTV, looking at magazines and surfing the internet. They see what’s out there,” Dwight says of consumers. “They’ve decided their kitchens or bathrooms are outdated and need to be remodeled. They want their basements turned into entertainment areas. They want outdoor kitchens. They want to add in-law quarters. They’re dreaming up specialty areas like wine cellars, cigar rooms, canning
and brewing kitchens and craft rooms. You name it and I’ve gotten requests for it. The list is endless for what people want. I’ll look at my phone one minute and three hours later, see that 30 or 40 messages are there. The office phone constantly rings. People are thinking big and with interest rates so low, they are going for it!” What does that mean for a small business owner such as Dwight? “I’ve been working 16, 18 hours a day, 24/7, since the beginning of the year. I figure you need to make hay while the sun shines,” he explains. “I’ve been on the other side, when you wonder where the next job is coming from.” WHAT CONSUMERS are discovering is that instant gratification is no longer an option. Production and supply-chain issues have greatly impacted all facets of the industry. For example, ordering furniture (notably custom pieces) has become a waiting game due to the fact that factories are being impacted by Covid, resulting in labor shortages and worst-case scenarios, plant closures. Additionally, materials such as fabric, foam and lumber have been in short supply. As a result, the wait time for custom orders of furniture can be as long as nine months. Ditto for appliances. “The price of lumber is starting to come down,” Dwight reported in late August, noting that plywood, which is typically priced at about $25 a sheet, climbed to a high of $96, but has been decreasing as of late. However, wait times for everything from siding to landscaping supplies continue to lag. Lori now finds that she is devoting much more time to tracking down needed supplies. “In the past, I’d call one or two suppliers but now I’m reaching out to five or six,” she shares. As a result, Cocalico Builders has adopted a new scheduling policy – jobs are only scheduled once all the needed materials are on-hand. Dwight has also added a caveat to estimates. “Before Covid, the estimates included weather and oil shortages as things that were beyond our control. Now, we’ve added ‘pandemic’ to that list.” What is Dwight’s advice to homeowners who are contemplating upgrades for their homes? “All I can say is be patient,” he urges. “We’re all working as hard as we can. Getting it done yesterday is just not going to happen anytime soon.” For more information, visit cocalico-builders.com.
Dwight Graybill has owned Cocalico Builders for 23 years. His favorite projects entail those that allow him to incorporate recycled and upcycled finds into a design. Two of his projects won C. Emlen Urban awards from the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
33
Bobbi Nicole Bentzel You Can Go Home Again How does one go from prepping and primping sheep for Farm Show competitions to doing hair and makeup for Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence? For Bobbi Nicole Bentzel, the owner of Glamour Room, it was a career path that started in Manheim and took her to Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles and back home to Lancaster County. PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD
B
obbi is simply a delight to talk to. First off, while she loved working with Jennifer Lawrence for an awards show, her all-time in-awe client was Johnny Depp. “Oh, my, gosh … I just love him,” she says. “I kept the brushes I used for him and never used them again.” While working on a photo shoot for fashion designer Michael Kors, she met the man himself. “What I really liked about that project were the shoes one of the models wore. I ended up buying them,” she says of the feathery stilettos she wore for our photo shoot. “I just love shoes!” she says. Let’s get back to those sheep. “Their
34
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
names were Glitz and Glamour,” she says of the duo she showed on the fair circuit and helped her to win Grand Champion honors at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg. “I was so excited to be on WGAL!” she says of the news coverage she and her sheep received. To this day, she thinks the secret to her success on the show circuit entailed grooming – the sheep’s beauty routine included a dusting of sparkle before they took to the show ring. Bobbi always dreamed of bigger things and after graduating from Manheim Central, she set her sights on Philadelphia. “I loved living there,” she says. She
enrolled at the Jean Madeline Aveda Institute and after completing her courses, went to work for a salon in Rittenhouse Square. “That was a learning experience in itself,” she says of working with the salon’s wealthy clientele. “I wasn’t used to dealing with people who were accompanied by maids and drivers! Some days I’d find myself holding a dog while I styled its owner’s hair.” NEXT, THE AMBITIOUS BOBBI headed for New York. “I figured there were more opportunities there,” she says. Her intuition was spot on. She prepped models for New York Fashion Week, which
Opposite: Bobbi Nicole Bentzel transformed a former doctor’s office in the city into a salon that reflects her love of glitz, glam, Marilyn Monroe and the color pink. Right: Bobbi works extensions from HaloCouture into Connie’s hair. For Connie’s makeup, Bobbi’s plan was to create a dewy, sun-kissed look that extended to rosy lips. The softened smoky eye was enhanced with false lashes. Connie reports that people often tell her she looks like Erika Jayne, one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Photo by Sue Long. Connie’s completed hairstyle was a combination updo/high-ponytail. Photo by Sue Long. Bobbi’s stock of Aveda’s plant-infused products has proven to be beneficial for post-Covid clients dealing with hair issues.
ultimately provided her with a ticket to France for Paris Fashion Week. Her work also took her to Miami and Los Angeles for such projects as the Golden Globes, the Victoria’s Secret Angels fashion show, the Nike Kids event, as well as Hollywood galas. “It was very exciting!” she says. Motherhood prompted her to return to her roots. “My kids needed a babysitter, so I called my mother and said, ‘Mom, I’m coming home.’” Back home, she parlayed her experience into styling the hosts and models at QVC in West Chester. OPENING HER OWN salon was always in Bobbi’s playbook. Three years ago, she found a perfect location on the 400 block of North Duke Street. “It was formerly a doctor’s office,” she explains. “I spent nearly a year remodeling it. I had very specific ideas about how I wanted it to look,” she says of the salon area that was inspired in part by Bobbi’s heroine, Marilyn Monroe. “It’s a little bit Hollywood,” she says of the design. “And, it’s a little bit me,” she says of the touches of pink and glitter – her two favorite colors – that accent the space. Down the hall are two rooms that are devoted to skincare. A year after opening, Covid arrived. “We were closed from March to July [2020],” she explains. “I was so worried! But, we made it through. Aveda was so helpful – they guided us through all the steps we needed to take to reopen and stay safe. I’m continuing to follow their guidelines. We were busy when we reopened. I credit that to social media – I kept our name out there and stayed in touch with clients through posting how-to videos that focused on trimming hair and touching up root growth. We rebounded nicely.” Despite her tutorial efforts, Bobbi remembers that during her first month back in operation, most of it was spent in repair mode. “Hacked hair, waxing disasters and color fiascos kept coming through the door!” she recalls, adding that she spent considerable time remedying LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
35
Bobbi’s career path, which began in Manheim, has taken her to Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles and back home again.
“colors gone crazy and leopard spots.” Women who stopped dying their hair and went naturally gray during the quarantine had second thoughts and turned to Bobbi for help in restoring their preferred hues. “It was a wild ride!” she says. THEN, SOMETHING UNEXPECTED occurred. Clients who had recovered from Covid began to notice alarming changes in their hair. “I’d estimate that 95% of my clients who had Covid experienced hair loss,” Bobbi shares. “Others noticed that their hair post-Covid was dry, brittle and dull. I started doing research and suggested they take supplements such as vitamin E-biotin and regularly treat their hair with a conditioner. Bleaching and perms were no-nos.” Because Glamour Room is located just a short walk from Lancaster General Hospital, Bobbi’s clientele includes quite a few nurses and other frontline workers. “Their skin has definitely shown signs of stress,” she notes. “It’s really irritated. They’ve been dealing with breakouts for the first time in a long time. Part of that has to do with wearing masks for as long
36
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
as they do.” Clients who are not in the medical field but were wearing masks for extended periods also began to notice similar issues with their skin. To remedy the situation, she recommended they use her favorite Aveda products, treat their skin with steam and use generous amounts of moisturizer. Services such as facials are therapeutic from both an aesthetic and mental standpoint. Stephanie Collman, Glamour Room’s skin specialist, has been so busy with facials and the must-have treatment, micro-needling, that an expansion is on the drawing board. WITH COVID restrictions lifted, one service that has made a comeback is hair and makeup for special events. “Weddings are back with a vengeance,” Bobbi notes. Because weddings are in catch-up mode, she reports they have been “happening every day of the week.” Glamour Room has been helping bridal parties look their best by providing services in the salon or on-site. “All the venues now have wonderful getready facilities,” Bobbi has come to discover. What’s trending? Bobbi, who also devotes her time to styling models for
commercial shoots, fashion shows and other projects, says self-styling tools continue to improve. She raves about the new Dyson dryer that is a brush and dryer in one. “It’s really quiet and comes with interchangeable brushes,” she notes. “It’s going to be my Christmas present to myself.” The new color trends for hair include fantasy or hologram (think of the rainbow) and twilighting, which is a combo of balayage and baby lights. Probably the service generating the most interest is hair extensions. “They are all the rage,” Bobbi says. “I bet I do two to three a week.” She used a HaloCouture product to create Connie’s combination updo/high-ponytail for the cover shoot. It blended so well that it was difficult to differentiate Connie’s hair from the extensions. As for makeup, the dewy, glossy, sunkissed look is in vogue. For more information, visit lancasterglam.com.
Jimmy does his best Hugh Jackman impression dressed in a classic tuxedo from Men’s Wearhouse. The glass-enclosed, gas-powered torches top the pillars in the dining area. Photos by Nick Gould.
Just Dance
Ask a baby boomer what it is they want to do post-Covid and the answer is often: “I just want to go dancing.” Ask a couple what they hope for as their wedding day approaches and they will say they want their guests to be able to dance and have fun. After all, what’s a wedding without dancing? Pretty boring.
D
ancing might be described as the perfect exercise, as it’s good for the body, mind and soul. No matter the style – ’60s dance steps, ballroom, country line dancing, Latin or hip-hop – the benefits are substantial for people of all ages. Dancing is also a way to stay socially connected. If you’ve watched television over the last 18 months, you’ve probably noticed that our longing to dance has been addressed by just about every Hallmark movie – the best ones combine stargazing and dancing – and the fan-obsessed family saga, This is Us, on NBC. In one of the last episodes of Season 5, viewers watched as Beth Pearson is in the process of closing her dance studio because of Covid. Her husband, Randall, arrives and she tells him she doesn’t want to hear another word about loans, grants or his pie-in-the-sky ideas to keep the studio open. He tells her he is not there to do any of that. He is simply there to dance with her. She looks at him as if he’s gone off the deep end (which a friend said would be his wife’s reaction if, out of the blue he would suddenly ask her to dance). Randall pulls out his phone, cues their favorite song – All My Life by K-Ci & JoJo – and they begin to dance. According to Facebook fan sites, women (and probably a few men) across America
instantly burst into tears at Randall’s sweet gesture and continued to cry for hours. This is Us, which is due to begin airing its final season early in 2022, will do that to you. I think the element of surprise catches viewers off-guard and emotions go into overdrive. But even before Hallmark and This is Us, there was Sex and the City. What did Carrie Bradshaw and Mr. Big do on one of his last nights in New York before moving to Napa? Incredibly, they danced in Big’s empty living room to Henry Mancini’s Moon River as sung by Andy Williams. It was sweet and sad at the same time. Later, as Carrie made fun of the sappy song (which actually won the Best Original Song Oscar for Breakfast at Tiffany’s, as well as two Grammys), Big explained it took him back to his youth – his parents always danced to the song before they went out on the town. A contrite Carrie apologized and marveled to Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda the next day that Big had let his guard down and shared something very personal with her. WHEN COVID restrictions were eased in late spring, it meant that live music could return to the parks, outdoor venues and vineyards of Lancaster County. Popular oldies bands such as Party of Five, Cheeze Brothers & Sisters, Pocketful O’ Soul, The Nomads, Vinyl Groove, Uptown Band and others took to the stages and
gazebos across Lancaster County. People were so glad to be able to spend a Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening out that some actually took to the “dance floor” and danced solo. Others happily danced in large groups. IT LOOKS LIKE the dancing will continue. One of the newest venues is Acorn Farms in Mount Joy, where its owners turned an outdoor area into a music venue in late spring. Bands playing oldies, rock and country music kept fans dancing throughout the summer. The season continues this month with Party of Five (October 8) and Pop Scotch (October 22). Visit acornfarms.net for details. As of mid-August, tentative plans called for live music to return to two popular dance spots – the American Legion Post #34 (Arcadia Road) and the Amvets Post 19 (Fairview Avenue) – in early fall. Check their websites – al34.com and amvetspa.org/lancaster – and social media for updates. Another popular dance event is hosted by Vickie’s Angel Foundation, which aids people with cancer in paying living expenses, etc. The foundation, which is based in New Cumberland, aids recipients in nine counties, including Lancaster. As of late August, tickets were still available for An Evening of Heart & Soul (November 22), with the bands, Pocketful O’ Soul and Soul Solution. Visit vickiesangelfoundation.org for details. LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
37
Top to bottom: Tiffany Rupert and her co-worker, Ralphie. Lace retains its reputation as a wedding classic.
Walking through the door of Tiffany’s Bridal Boutique is like entering a small jewel box. Several of the walls are awash in an appropriate color – Tiffany Blue – while a crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling. Wedding gowns from Maggie Sottero, Christina Wu and Eddy K provide the shimmer and sparkle. PHOTOGRAPHY BY JORDAN BUSH
“M
Tiffany Rupert From Dress Whites to White Dresses
38
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
ine is an unconventional story,” says Tiffany Rupert of becoming the owner of a bridal salon. Having grown up in Denver, the Lititz Christian School graduate went on to earn an associate degree (paralegal) from Berks Technical Institute. Wanting to widen her horizons, Tiffany enlisted in the Navy. “I didn’t want to be stationed on the East Coast and got my wish – I was assigned to San Diego,” she relates. After four years of service, she returned to Lancaster County in 2008 and enrolled at Central Penn College, majoring in criminal justice, with an eye on attending law school. Then, fate stepped in. Tiffany was working at a local gym, when she met Ann Stout, the owner of Fancy Schmancy, a bridal boutique in Ephrata. Ann offered Tiffany a job. Soon, Tiffany was working full time at the boutique, eventually becoming its manager. “I loved it!” she says. When Ann decided to close the shop, Tiffany worked her way through a series of jobs. “Nothing stuck,” she says of her stalled career path. Her husband asked what it was she really wanted to do career-wise. She shared that she was at her happiest when she worked at the bridal shop. “Find a store and I’ll put in the lights,” her electrician-husband told her. IN FEBRUARY 2016, Tiffany opened her boutique along North Reading Road, just south of Adamstown. “I was pretty much winging it,” she admits. Offering bridal and special-occasion fashions from Maggie Sottero, Christina Wu and eventually Milan-based Eddy K and other labels, as well as all the needed accessories, she relied on social media and newspaper coverage for marketing and publicity purposes. She attended her first international show in the bridal mecca of
Connie loved the fact that the bondedglitter-jersey gown from Faviana was comfortable for dancing and had pockets.
Brides are embracing color.
the world – Barcelona – where she met the ultimate confidence booster, Randy Fenoli of Say Yes to the Dress. Slowly, she began to attract the attention of brides, prom-goers and women in need of specialoccasion dresses. The dress Connie wears on the cover is from a fun line of special-occasion dresses by Faviana. Tiffany calls them “mock dresses” because of their resemblance to the gowns you see on awards shows and other high-profile events. Connie loved the fact that the lavender, bonded-glitterjersey A-line gown has pockets, which has been trending in bridal for a few years. “Best idea ever!” Connie said, noting the pockets in the dress were roomy enough to hold essentials such as tissues, lip gloss and a phone. TIFFANY’S LOCATION has proven to be a boon for business. “Because I’m so close to the turnpike, it’s easy for people from Philly, New York, New Jersey and Maryland to find me,” she explains. “I’ve even had people from the Carolinas make appointments.” Imagine her surprise when a familiar face walked through the door in July. It was Dianne Barbarro from Say Yes to the Dress, who visits the area regularly and took notice of Tiffany’s shop. That Saturday, the bridal consultant from Kleinfeld’s made an impromptu stop to say hello. She also couldn’t resist helping Tiffany with her appointment. “I was in shock,” Tiffany admits. “I never expected in a million years that Dianne would walk through my door.” TIFFANY’S HAS ALSO gained attention for its participation in a bridal event called Operation Wedding Gown, which is sponsored by the nonprofit organization, Brides Across America (BAA). Based in Massachusetts, BAA partners with shops nationwide to provide military women and first responders or the fiancées of military members or first
Tiffany was shocked when Dianne Barbarro from Say Yes to the Dress popped into her shop in July. Photo courtesy of Tiffany Rupert.
Photo by Nick Gould
responders with free wedding gowns. This year, healthcare heroes were welcomed to the ranks. Typically held in conjunction with the Fourth of July and Veteran’s Day, gowns are distributed to participating shops. Brides are invited to make appointments and select gowns for their weddings. Since Operation Wedding Gown began in 2008, more than 26,000 brides have received gowns, which are secured through donations from previous brides, as well as designers and manufacturers. Monetary donations also help BAA to purchase gowns for the events. Being a veteran, Tiffany was determined to participate. “I’ll be participating again in November but it will be after Veteran’s Day – one of my friends is getting married that weekend and I don’t want to miss it,” she explains. In 2019, she welcomed 15 brides to the shop and in 2020, 12 brides visited. “Everyone left with a dress,” she reports. OF COURSE, Covid impacted Tiffany’s business. “We closed in March [2020] and reopened in June,” she recounts. When she reopened, Tiffany instituted a byappointment-only policy that remains in effect. Last year, she found herself having to comfort many a bride whose big day was canceled/postponed or looked nothing like she had planned. “Now, I’m getting a lot of calls from women who went ahead and got married and now want a dress for their upcoming anniversary and vowrenewal events.” She’s also fielding calls and emails from brides who are anxious to get a head start on their 2023 weddings. “I understand that many venues are already booked through 2023, so it’s not too early to get started,” Tiffany says. While supply-chain alarms sounded in 2020, Tiffany says her orders have been fulfilled on a timely basis throughout the pandemic. Still, to be safe, she encourages brides to place their orders no less than
10 months ahead of their wedding dates. “I used to say nine months, but because of possible shipping issues, I feel 10 months is safer,” she says. What defines bridal style at the moment? “It’s all over the place, although lace remains a classic,” Tiffany reports. “The big thing is comfort – brides want to be able to dance and enjoy their receptions.” That may be an indication why strapless and corseted designs have lost favor. Sleeves, ranging in length from cap to long, seem to be making a comeback and Tiffany credits that influence to recent royal weddings and celebrity sightings. She also notes that white is no longer the definitive color for wedding gowns. “Color is huge!” she remarks. “Brides are being drawn to colors such as ivory, champagne, blush, misty mauve and blue.” For more information, visit tiffanysbridalboutique.com. For more details about Brides Across America, visit bridesacrossamerica.com.
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
39
VALANCES • DRAPERIES • SHEERS • BLINDS • SHADES • BED ENSEMBLES • PILLOWS
S
pecializing in Window Treatments & Home Decor!
We can coordinate everything for a complete home look including rooms, walls and windows or just give you a few ideas. Stop in or call for an appointment:
JOIN US FOR OUR
717-354-2233 Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
November 4-14, 2021 Special Hours: Friday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. / Sunday 12 - 4 p.m. Visit www.HeritageDesignInteriors.com or follow us on facebook for details.
1064 East Main St. (Rt. 23) | New Holland, PA Located one block west of the interstection of Routes 23 & 322 in the town of Blue Ball.
APARTMENTS
Comfort
And
Security
Homestead Village is the only CCRC in Lancaster whose apartments are dual-licensed for independent retirement living and personal care. This means residents can receive extra help if needed, without the extra move! Select apartments available now. Enjoy living in a safe, friendly, and engaging community setting. Call Shaun at 717-874-4404 to request a brochure or schedule a personal tour. Virtual tours also available on our website. 1800 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster 17603
40
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
|
Homesteadvillage.org
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Fabulous Fall COMPILED BY KAYLEE REX
Fall is here, which means it’s time to decorate our homes with gourds, colorful leaves and pumpkins. Gather those scarves and indulge in pumpkin spice everything. Lancaster County businesses are also preparing for fall with the latest trends, information and tips for your home, health and happiness. Visit SPOOKY NOOK FARM for a perfect fall 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 excited to announce that they are now 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 much more! Call 717-459-3414 to schedule your visit and discuss how Spooky Nook Farm can make your experience unforgettable.
• FARM STORE • PRIVATE EVENTS • FARM TOURS • LLAMA WALKS 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 LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
41
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Looking to upgrade your kitchen, bathroom or office space? NOAH F. BOYLE CABINETS, located in Elizabethtown, has been manufacturing and installing their custom cabinets since 1993. Noah F. Boyle has the ability to create quality kitchen and bathroom cabinets that complement any budget and style. From design to installation, Noah F. Boyle provides excellent customer service and attention to detail through every step of the project. “The cabinets are a work of art,” says one satisfied customer. Call 717-944-1007 to find out how Noah F. Boyle Cabinets can help create your dream kitchen or bathroom.
YOUR DREAM KITCHEN Is JustIsWeeks Away! Here!
Improve the value & beauty of your home with quality craftsmanship.
Get your estimate!
717-944-1007
3043 Steinruck Rd | Elizabethtown, PA 17022
In 1954, the late George Grove Sr. started what later became GEORGE J. GROVE & SON, INC. The business moved from George Sr.’s home to a shop on Cabbage Hill, incorporating in 1973. Five years later, it moved to its present location on the Manheim Pike. George J. Grove Jr. had joined the business at a very young age, assisting with installations; in keeping with family tradition, George Grove III also became involved in the business. The Groves have built their business on a firm belief in a quality product and installation and in maintaining professionalism, integrity and fairness in their relationships with their customers. George J. Grove & Son, Inc. provides all types of home improvements. Their product lines include windows and doors, roofing, vinyl siding, spouting, gutter protection systems and patio enclosures. They also carry skylights, shutters, railings and retractable fabric and metal awnings.
Let Everything For Your Home’s Exterior
Fall On Us!
• Windows • Doors• Siding • Roofing • Soffit • Fascia • Spouting • Gutter Guard • Awnings • Railings • Posts • Shutters
#1 Specialty Contractor
BUILDING TRUST SINCE 1963
Expert Craftsmanship • Lifetime Guarantees • Family Owned Experienced, Licensed & Bonded Contractors • Competitive Pricing FREE ESTIMATES
#2 Roofing
#PA962
Visit our showroom: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-1
6 MONTH 0% FINANCING IS AVAILABLE • 26% FEDERAL TAX CREDIT ON SOLAR SKYLIGHTS • VETERANS & SENIOR DISCOUNTS
717-393-0859 • 1219 Manheim Pike, Lancaster • georgejgrove.com
42
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES & A NEW LSO Join us as we celebrate our 75th Anniversary Season and invite four incredible guest conductors to Lancaster! Meet Our Music Director Finalists
Jayce Ogren
Delta David Gier
Michael Butterman
October Masterworks
November Masterworks
April Masterworks
Chelsea Gallo
May Masterworks
Dates & Times:
Dates & Times:
Dates & Times:
Dates & Times:
Sibelius Finlandia James MacMillan The Confession of Isobel Gowdie Mozart Flute Concerto in G Major David DiGiacobbe, Flute Sibelius Symphony No. 7
Roberto Sierra Sinfonietta for Strings Roberto Sierra Sinfonía No. 4 Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2
Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Copland Appalachian Spring Suite (1945) Barber Knoxville: Summer of 1915, Op. 24
Friday, October 15 (7:30pm) Saturday, October 16 (3pm & 8pm)
Friday, November 12 (7:30pm) Saturday, November 13 (3pm & 8pm)
All concerts this season will be held at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Lancaster
Friday, May 6 (7:30pm) Saturday, May 7 (3pm & 8pm)
Friday, April 8 (7:30pm) Saturday, April 9 (3pm & 8pm)
Max Richter “Spring” Recomposed from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Luigi Mazzocchi, Violin
Brahms Symphony No. 2
Respighi Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 1 Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2, “Little Russian”
Additional performances & special events all season long!
Help us select our next music director by submitting a vote and your impressions after each performance.
Subscriptions & Single Tickets On Sale now! For subscriptions, tickets, or additional information, visit www.lancastersymphony.org or call (717) 291-6440 43 LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Black
Fall leaves aren’t the only change to be seen these days. Live music has returned to the LANCASTER SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (LSO) with a season featuring new faces. The LSO welcomes four finalists to the podium as its music director search enters its last stages. Finalists Jayce Ogren, Delta David Gier, Michael Butterman and Chelsea Gallo will present and conduct eclectic, compelling and soul-soothing programs of their design. Each candidate brings vast national and international conducting experience and a unique vision for the LSO’s artistic and educational offerings. Audiences won’t want to miss the opportunity to interact with the candidates and submit their votes and impressions after each performance. When the season concludes, and with great anticipation, the LSO will name a new music director! Additional concerts and special events are planned for this unforgettable 75th anniversary season. Come celebrate new beginnings with the LSO. For tickets or more information about the season, visit lancastersymphony.org or call 717-291-6440.
L ANCASTER’S FINEST SELEC TION OF
stoves, fireplaces & patio furniture
STOLL & WOLFE DISTILLERY Tasting Room proudly serves craft cocktails, featuring its award-winning PA Rye, Small Batch Bourbon and Rye Whiskeys, Vodka and Gin, as well as PA craft beer and wine. Owner and distiller Erik Wolfe says, “As the weather turns crisp and the leaves begin to change, guests look for fall-flavored cocktails featuring local apple, pumpkin, pear, ginger and allspice. Classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Sazerac and Manhattan are also the perfect way to take the chill out of fall evenings.” Erik says that while he’s always partial to his hometown, there’s something extra special about fall in Lititz. “Watching multiple generations gather downtown for the Chocolate Walk, Beerfest and Halloween Parade with residents and visitors, it really does feel like America’s Coolest Small Town.”
O ve r 10 0 Pa t i o Fu r n i t u r e S e t s o n D i s p l ay A l l Ye a r S I N C E 197 7
10 6 0 D i v isi o n H i g hw ay (R o u te 322) | Ep h r at a , PA 717-733 - 4973 | w w w. b ow m a nss tove. co m
44
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
BOWMAN’S STOVE & PATIO is a 44-year-old familyowned business located in Ephrata that specializes in outdoor furniture, gas fireplaces, wood stoves and gas and charcoal grills. They have over 100 patio furniture sets on display all year and over 40 burning displays of stoves, fireplaces and fireplace inserts. Bowman’s also has their own install crews that perform all installations. Modern and transitional-style gas fireplaces – such as linear gas fireplaces, which are much wider than they are tall – are gaining popularity. Gas fireplaces now have many other options besides traditional log sets. You can now choose from glass beads, river rock, driftwood, white birch logs, etc. Bowman’s advises you to shop early if you want to have a new stove or fireplace installed this winter. Worldwide raw material shortages and shipping delays are causing many products to have longer lead times than normal.
PRECISE BUILDINGS is based in Lancaster County, central to an area rich in heritage and timeless estates. Precise provides distinctive equestrian structures, as well as fully custom renovations. Their goal is to not only meet but exceed your expectations with your investment. With over 25 years of success in design and construction, their highly skilled craftsmen
Gather with Kindred Spirits at Our Tasting Room & Bottle Shop in Downtown Lititz, PA. Sample our Award-Winning Small Batch Whiskey, Vodka & Gin or Experience a Classic Cocktail Featuring our Signature Spirits. Proudly serving PA Craft Beer & Wine.
35 N. Cedar Street Lititz, PA 17543 717-799-4499 Check Site for Seasonal Hours | w w w. s t o l l a n d w o l f e . c o m
Building Your Dreams; Preserving Your Legacy
Custom Buildings At Precise, we have been building custom garages and completing full restorations for over 20 years. Contact us today to get started on your dream project.
717.768.3200
precisebuildings.com
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
45
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Your Taste. Your Lifestyle. Your Budget.
Your Total Flooring Solution.
717-687-7906 60 N. Ronks Road, Ronks, PA 17572 heritagefloorspa.com #PA062387
Add a Loft, Workbench or Handy Pegboard to Your Shed!
BRING THE
TO YO U R BAC K YA R D
12 x 20 Heritage Garage
• Sheds • Garages• Gazebos • Pavilions • Playsets • Poly Furniture • Site Prep • Custom Options • Standard Delivery Included
10 x 20 Farmhouse Shed
537 E. 28TH DIVISION HWY., Along Rte. 322 in LITITZ, PA | OPEN DAILY: MON.-SAT.
717-626-9560 | CUSTOMIZE & ORDER ONLINE AT WWW.FOXSHEDS.COM
46
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
pay attention to all the details to make your finished project unique to you and your property. Creating your vision is a process that begins with a team. They will work with you to precisely plan, design and construct your dream facility. Your requirements and ideas added with their experience and knowledge will make it reality. Precise Buildings will build your dreams and preserve your legacy. View their work by visiting them online at precisebuildings.com or give their design team a call today at 717-768-3200. Flooring plays a major role in the look and feel of your home. Whether you want hardwood floors for your living room or you need the perfect carpet for your bedroom, HERITAGE FLOORS can provide you with the installations you need to enhance the overall look and appeal of your home. With many years of experience, they offer carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, luxury vinyl plank, hardwood, area rugs and shades. Through in-home consultations, Heritage Floors can envision your desires so that they can show you
the best options for your home. Heritage Floors takes pride in their service and your satisfaction is their number one goal. Get in touch for a free estimate! With so many challenges presented over the past year and a half, where to put your “stuff” shouldn’t be one of them. Juggling new responsibilities, such as working and schooling from home and exploring new gardening or home-gym hobbies, can take up valuable space in your home and on your property. The addition of a backyard shed from FOX COUNTRY SHEDS, available in a variety of sizes and styles (and budgets), can solve not only your storage needs but also some of these new challenges. A new shed can easily be converted into a home gym or a quiet home office, just steps away from the bustle of the household. The Rancher Shed’s extra-tall height is the perfect storage solution for your new garden tools, or even pool equipment for that staycation your family has been enjoying. Whatever your current storage needs are, adding an attractive “Fox Shed”
will not only add valuable storage space to your home but will enhance the exterior of your property, as well. As fall arrives, trust A. LANE LIVING to refresh your outdoor-living spaces with quality polywood furniture, handmade in Pennsylvania. All products come in a variety of colors and are made from polywood, which is a lowmaintenance 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 new 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. Check out their website for new store hours!
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
ALANELIVING.COM
LIVING
IT STARTS OUTSIDE
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
47
FOODOGR APHER Lancaster Farmland Trust
Saving Farmland Over Breakfast 48
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
August 7 was a big day for the Lancaster Farmland Trust (LFT). That morning, the organization hosted a breakfast at ‘Til Hollow Farm in Narvon, the 533rd farm preserved by the organization. I attended the event in an effort to discover more about the stewardship of our community’s landscape and the agricultural resources it provides in often unexpected ways. TEXT AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY JORDAN BUSH
History
The roots of the Lancaster Farmland Trust extend back to 1980, when the Lancaster County Commissioners appointed a nine-member Agricultural Preserve Board whose mission was to preserve Lancaster County farmland. According to LFT’s website, as guidelines and policies were developed, it became obvious that the program was not effectively reaching Plain Sect farmers. Amos Funk, whose family operated a farm market and garden center in Millersville and is known as Lancaster County’s “father of farmland preservation,” became the president of the newly created Agricultural Preserve Board. He in turn engaged with fellow preservationist, Marilyn Ware. Both were aware of the need for a private organization to help Plain Sect farmers preserve their land, which led to the formation of a new organization called Friends of Agricultural Land Preservation. The first meeting was held on November 13, 1985. Three years later, the organization was renamed Lancaster Farmland Trust. Since then, LFT has developed into a dynamic and influential organization. Because of the efforts of LFT and the county’s Agricultural Preserve Board, Lancaster County has been able to preserve more than 115,000 acres of farmland. Such success has brought national recognition to LFT, which is now regarded as a leader in private farmland preservation.
Conservation Easements
“Access to fresh local food starts here,” says Jeff Swinehart, chief operating officer at LFT. “We’re the first link in the chain to a healthy food system and food security in our community.” The process of preserving farmland includes great due diligence, working with attorneys and appraisers. Essentially, the boundaries and value of land are appraised before development rights are extinguished by a conservation easement. Some landowners donate those rights to LFT, while others sell their rights to the organization, paying up to a certain percentage for those rights. That donor-based investment typically helps to LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
49
Lancaster Farmland Trust held a sell-out breakfast event at ‘Til Hollow Farm, hosted by the Allgyer family, who signed a conservation easement establishing their farm as LFT’s 533rd preserved farm.
stimulate a farm’s sustainability while it makes the transition from one generation to the next. Preserved farmland may be sold or passed onto heirs at any time, but the easement continues with the land – forever. LFT is often involved in the sale of preserved farmland, ensuring the purchasing party understands what it means to own preserved farmland.
Farmland Conservation
“Easements require that land has to be available for agricultural use in the future, making sure the farms are viable to grow food for people,” says Jeff. That means conservation work must be enacted to ensure the farm will be sustainable now and in the future. LFT works with any farm in Lancaster County on conservation efforts, whether their land is preserved or not. “How farms were designed 200 years ago are different than today,” Jeff notes. Alongside farmers, LFT will work to develop and implement a conservation plan using practices such as crop rotation, contour farming, manure management and no-till farming so as not to disturb topsoil and decrease erosion. Another practice involves more than farms, but watershed areas, whereby fencing along streamlines is installed and grass waterways are created. “We’ve
50
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
recently taken a stream approach, [starting with] the headwaters of the Pequea Creek in Salisbury Township and making our way to the Susquehanna,” Jeff reports.
The Allgyer Farm
The Allgyers were kind enough to invite those who support the work of LFT to their farm for the August 7 event. The family’s spokesperson, Benuel Allgyer, shared a bit of perspective on why they’ve made the decision to preserve their farmland and with it, its history. “God gets the honor,” said Benuel of the land he obviously loves. “My family moved here in 1957 and rented [the farm] for five years,” he explained, taking pride in the fact that its “roots” extend back to the 18th century. “Around 1748, John Plank landed in Philadelphia and was told there was prime land here,” Benuel recounted. “He decided – with the Lord’s leading – to walk here from Philadelphia.” Plank ultimately purchased 400 acres from William Penn. The land remained in the care of the Plank family for just over 200 years. “I’ve lived here all my life other than two years,” Benuel told his guests. “It’s important to me that the farm remains in the family,” he said, referring to its residents that range from his 90-year-old father to three younger
generations of Allgyers. Benuel acknowledged that financial margins in farming have gotten much tighter over time. As a result, in 2007 the farm refocused its efforts away from solely being a working dairy operation. The reasons leading to diversification were two-fold and included “financial circumstances and poor dairy herd health,” Benuel explained. Since selling the herd, the Allgyer farm has adapted and diversified by growing cash crops such as corn, hay and produce, as well as decorative produce including pumpkins and gourds. There are still a few dairy cows on the farm for the Allgyer family’s personal use. In addition, their home garden yields a bountiful harvest. Benuel now works in wholesale produce, with the next generation of Allgyers looking ahead to the day when they will manage the farm. FOLLOWING A TASTY farm-style breakfast, Benuel and Sylvia Allgyer granted a conservation easement for their farm, which states their “… desire that the agricultural and open space character of their farm be preserved and protected forever and further desire and intend to transfer those rights and responsibilities of protection and preservation of the farm to Lancaster Farmland Trust.” The language of the easement includes a particularly notable line regarding stewardship, which
reads, “… for the purpose of protecting the agricultural, scenic, natural, wildlife habitat, open space and water resource values forever.”
Weighing Our Values
For farmers, connected farmland is highly valued, facilitating moving equipment from field to field at planting and harvest and for driving livestock from one area to another efficiently and safely. For land developers, it also makes sense to take advantage of joined spaces where infrastructure is already present. Access to key roadways and established public utilities such as water mains, gas lines, sewer systems and electrical and communication lines, help to minimize costs. This general perspective was included in a comprehensive plan chock full of research called places2040, adopted by the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners in October 2018. For those of us who are neither farmers nor home builders, there exists a less prevalent consideration that affects your household: tourism. Discover Lancaster cites that “An estimated 8.85 million visitors to Lancaster County directly spent $2.24 billion in 2018, creating a total tourism impact of $2.91 billion in the county.” What’s particularly relevant is the benefit of that generated tax revenue, which
saves “each Lancaster County household from paying an estimated $1,060 annually in such taxes to maintain current services.” I don’t know about you, but that amount buys plenty of groceries in a year. Setting aside jokes about slow drivers, tourism is one of our best resources, and experiencing large swaths of the countryside – notably farmland – is key to a visitor’s Lancaster County experience. They want each visit to feel the same as the last, tapping into nostalgia from when they were kids. Too many changes can feel jarring. Consider your favorite vacation destinations and imagine seeing the quaint bayside neighborhood your family visited for years turned into a hotel, or a neighboring property at the mountains completely stripped by logging. Forever is a long time, and some may argue that it’s presumptive to permanently limit the use of large swaths of land. A potential supporting argument is a circumstance where a small parcel might have an arguably better use outside of farming and possibly benefit the farm in a land trade. If surrounded by development, is a farm more or less valuable to preserve? How important is the history? What are the gains of progress? Keeping a green space open as a bit of respite versus concentrating development in one area and preserving a complete section of land elsewhere?
Clockwise from top left: A ceremonial Grant of Conservation Easement signed by Benuel J. and Sylvia Ann Allgyer with G. Donald Hess, chair of the Lancaster Farmland Trust. Whoopie pies and homegrown produce available after the breakfast event at ‘Til Hollow Farm. Goodie bags were provided by Lancaster Local Provisions, which offers weekly home deliveries of local produce and goods. The company “has partnered with Lancaster Farmland Trust to raise money and awareness for the preservation of farmland in Lancaster County.” Livestock at ‘Til Hollow Farm, a former dairy that sustains itself by growing hay, corn and decorative fall produce.
Whatever we decide, we’re stewards of this beautiful countryside. In the words of William Penn, “I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness or abilities that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” 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 | OCTOBER 2021
51
TA B L E
Café 1832 is located along the platform of the Strasburg Rail Road.
for T W O
STRASBURG RAIL ROAD The fall menu for dining aboard the train includes entrées such as braised short ribs accompanied by seasonal vegetables.
Chef Phillip Ponticelli brings 24 years of Disney World experience to the Strasburg Rail Road.
A l l A bo a r d f o r C a f é 1 8 3 2
The Strasburg Rail Road provides the perfect way to see the countryside as it makes the transition to fall. Why not make a day of it and enjoy a meal at Café 1832, which is situated on the platform, aboard one of the trains or at one of the picnic groves.
O
BY ROCHELLE A. SHENK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK GOULD
pen since November 2020, Café 1832’s name is a nod to the year the railroad was chartered. Thanks to a history spanning 189 years, the Strasburg Rail Road is regarded as America’s oldest continuously operating railroad, offering guests a 45-minute ride to Paradise through the county’s verdant farmland. As you’ll discover, dining on the rails has become a popular experience at the Strasburg Rail Road. Last fall it took yet another step forward with the debut of Café 1832, whose culinary staff is headed by chef Phillip Ponticelli, who is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, and brings 35 years of restaurant experience – including the South Pacific and Washington, D.C. – to Strasburg. He joined the Strasburg Rail Road late last year after working with Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for 24 years. “I learned a
52
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
lot working with Disney,” he says of playing a role in opening several restaurants and serving as chef de cuisine at the property’s Oak Country Club, where he experimented with growing his own vegetables and herbs, started a charcuterie program and even ventured into beekeeping. “We came here because we love the area,” explains the New Jersey native. “My wife fell in love with the area. There’s a strong sense of community here.” Ponticelli’s team includes sous chef Jeffrey Merrill, who began working with the railroad in September 2020. Two of his brothers also work with the Strasburg Rail Road – one is in the railroad’s freight department, while the other is a train master. “I grew up in Mechanicsburg, and my parents would bring us here as kids. We would ride the train and have a picnic at the picnic area,” he recalls. “I enjoy learning about new foods and cultures.”
CHEF PONTICELLI DESCRIBES Café 1832’s menu as scratch-cooked comfort food with a bit of a twist. “Guests visit the café either before or after a train ride, so we offer freshly made items that are quick,” he explains. He notes that quality, fresh, locally sourced ingredients such as Kunzler’s bacon are used as much as possible to prepare menu items. Burgers are a blend of chuck, brisket and short rib. “I keep it simple and straightforward and offer guests what they want to eat – it’s important to know your audience,” he says. “The idea behind everything here at Café 1832 and Strasburg Rail Road is to create memories that will last past the meal or the ride.” The café’s menu, which focuses on sandwiches, wraps and salads, includes fries and sweet potato fries; sandwiches such as pulled pork BBQ and grilled chicken caprese; wraps such as grilled
Lunch and dinner are served aboard the train in the dining car on designated days.
vegetable hummus and turkey bacon avocado; and the smash burger (two 4-oz. beef patties with caramelized onion, garlic mayo, Cooper American cheese and pickles). Desserts include brownies and chocolate chip cookies. The kid’s menu features a cheeseburger, chicken tenders and fries, and an all-beef hot dog with fries. Lunch-to-go from Café 1832 can also be enjoyed at one of the railroad’s two picnic areas – Groff’s Grove and Leaman Place Grove, which are generally open April through October. Guests can let the trainman know they wish to disembark and then pick up a later train to return to the station. The needs of the local community are addressed, as well. “We have five parking spaces out back for curbside pickup or grab & go items – such as meatballs or chicken parmesan – which make it easy for the local community to do take-out,” Ponticelli points out. CHEF PONTICELLI AND HIS TEAM also prepare the food that’s served on-board the train. Lunch (available Wednesday through Sunday) and dinner (Saturdays at 7 p.m.) are served in the dining car. The three-course dinner menu includes appetizer, entrée and dessert. The fall menu features a choice of shrimp chowder or roasted butternut squash salad; choice of Thai sweet-chili-glazed salmon, grilled bone-in pork chop, braised beef short rib or creamy herbed polenta and roasted Lancaster County mushrooms with stewed tomatoes. Dessert is apple cider crème brûlée. Yet another option is the Wine & Cheese Train, which operates Friday and Saturday evenings and features wine from Waltz Vineyards Estate Winery in Manheim, as well as cheese, fruit and charcuterie. Craft beer from nearby Bespoke Brewing may be available in the near future. Strasburg Rail Road also offers some seasonal trains such as the upcoming Legacy of Sleepy Hollow, which is a Halloween-type experience, and several holiday train experiences, some of which will offer dining options.
A grilled bone-in pork chop accompanied by seasonal vegetables is another option on the fall menu.
Café 1832 is located along the platform of the Strasburg Rail Road, 305 Gap Road, Ronks. Hours are Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Dine-in and take-out are available. Call 717-687-6242 or visit cafe1832.com. Reservations for lunch/dinner/wine & cheese on the train can be made via the website, strasburgrailroad.com. The industrial-modern dining area resembles a train station. to L A N C A S T E R C O U N T YVintage | O C Tphotos O B E R 2relating 021 trains decorate the walls.
53
The B U S I N E S S A D V A N T A G E Beverage Distributor
Dining
JOHN A. ZERN & SONS BEVERAGE
HONG KONG GARDEN CHINESE RESTAURANT
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.
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.
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)
Fashions NEXT TO NEW FINE CLOTHING 1920 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. 717-299-2924. Consistently voted one of the BEST consignment shops in Lancaster County year after year, Next to New Fine Clothing Consignment has something for everyone’s style, taste and budget. This one-stop shop offers women’s apparel, shoes, accessories, jewelry and more. Sizes 0-3x. Closed Sundays. Follow Next to New on Facebook @NextToNew1920.
Flooring CERTIFIED CARPET 1855 Columbia Avenue, Wheatland Shopping Center, Lancaster. 717-393-3001. Certified Carpet is the complete carpet and flooring center for home and office. We feature a full line of name brand carpet, hardwood, ceramic tile and luxury vinyl tile with friendly, personalized service from a highly experienced and knowledgeable staff. “When it’s Certified, you’re satisfied!” (#PA024067)
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)
Experience First Fridays
IN LANCASTER CITY VisitLancasterCity.com/First-Friday
54
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
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 2020. 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)
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.
Lancaster’s Flooring Experts.
MOUNTAIN REALTY, LLC www.certifiedcarpet.com
2938 Columbia Avenue, Suite 602, Lancaster. 717-390-8701. Mountainrealtyllc.com. Offering superior real estate service to anyone relocating to or moving within the garden spot of Lancaster County. The people of Mountain Realty, LLC are extremely knowledgeable about the county and would love to share their expertise. You will find them pleasant and friendly, but totally professional.
Flooring • Cleaning • Mats
“When It’s Certified,™ You’re Satisfied!” LancCoMagAd_Nov2020.indd 1
11/17/2020 9:15:29 AM LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
55
It’s a Beautiful Day WITH DOUG PRICE
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 Doug Price to describe his perfect Lancaster County day.
About Doug
Born and raised in Lancaster County, Doug is a graduate of Hempfield High School, which is where he met his wife, Beth. Doug continued his education at Pennsylvania State University. After graduating, he and Beth moved to Las Vegas, where he worked in the healthcare industry for the next two years. Upon returning to Lancaster, the two married – they live in Strasburg and are the parents of two boys, Jackson and Cooper – and Doug began working for a physical therapy practice as the practice administrator, eventually becoming a partner. After the practice was sold to a regional physical therapy practice, Doug spent 4.5 years as the CFO of Orthopedic Associates of Lancaster. He then joined American Insurance Administrators (AIA). After leaving AIA, he became a system consultant at Cargas Systems, implementing Sage Intacct, a cloud-based ERP software that provides business process consulting to companies across the country. He is currently a manager of Cargas Systems’ consultants, as well as an employeeowner at Cargas in downtown Lancaster. Doug shares that he has “a passion for the community and volunteering,” as is evidenced by his positions on the national board for National Association of Rehab Agencies, as well as local boards, including Lancaster Business Group on Health and Lampeter-Strasburg YMCA. He’s especially proud of the fact that he is currently serving as president and 2021 barbecue chair of Civitas Lancaster. He also takes pride in serving as the scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 56 in Strasburg, and that his son, Jackson, has earned his Eagle Scout award.
Civitas Lancaster Chicken Barbecue Information Date: Saturday, October 16. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
History: The first chicken barbecue was held in 1953. This is an annual event that is held on the third Saturday in May – except in 2020, when it was canceled, and 2021, when it was postponed until October due to Covid. Major Sponsors: Blessings of Hope, Turkey Hill Dairy, Kingsford Charcoal, Herr’s Snacks, Unique, Hershey Company, Pepperidge Farms and Wegmans.
56
LANCASTER COUNTY | OCTOBER 2021
Ticket Pricing and What’s Included Prior to October 16, tickets are $10. Day-of tickets, which can be purchased in the park, are $12. One meal includes: ½ chicken, Herr’s chips, Unique Splits pretzels, Hershey Twizzler nibs, Turkey Hill drink and ice cream, a Pepperidge Farm roll and Wegmans applesauce. How to Purchase Tickets You can purchase tickets through the website, civitaslancaster.org, or connect with any Civitas member. Why the Switch from Sertoma to Civitas? According to Doug, “Our mission has always been to support the Lancaster County community. Being part of Sertoma’s national organization took some of the focus away from our mission, which is why branching out on our own was the right move. Being on our own enables us to invest 100% of the money back into the Lancaster community. By stepping away from Sertoma, we needed a name change. We chose the name Civitas Lancaster – Civitas means citizenship in Latin – allowing our members to band together to continue to support our local initiatives of Long’s Park, at-risk teens and feeding those in need.” Who Benefits from the Proceeds? Doug shares that “Long’s Park is the primary beneficiary of the barbecue proceeds. Our support helps with the cost of park maintenance and beautification and funding for capitalimprovement projects. This year a portion of the proceeds will go to our co-sponsor, Blessings of Hope, which is a food distribution center for other food banks in the area. They also directly help people and families in the community who are in need of food.”
In His Own Words
DOUG’S PERFECT LANCASTER COUNTY DAY
I wake up and the air is crisp. The dew on the grass that gathered from the night before makes it smell like fall. The weather is as close to perfect as you can get – 75 degrees, sunny, with no humidity and almost no chance of rain. I’ve
lucked out because today is the day I’ve planned and prepared for all year long – the annual Civitas Lancaster (formerly Sertoma) Chicken Barbecue. The barbecue is held at one of Lancaster County’s most beautiful parks, Long’s Park. It won’t be a quiet day, but it will be a satisfying day filled with excitement, laughter, camaraderie and a strong sense of community. I will reunite with over 400 other Civitas barbecue volunteers and we will work toward one common goal – serving 15,000 chicken dinners to the community in one day. For some volunteers, the day begins as early as 1 a.m. That’s when we fire up the coals and prepare the grills for barbecuing. As dawn turns to daylight, more volunteers roll in and start performing their given tasks. It may seem like organized chaos from the outside, but for those of us behind the scenes, we are confident that after 68 years, we have this event down to a science. If you are a first-time volunteer, one event is all it takes to keep you coming back as a volunteer year after year. It’s personally fulfilling for me to see friends and neighbors come together to support the community. Most people don’t realize that 100% of the proceeds from this one-day barbecue goes directly back into Long’s Park and the Lancaster community. Civitas was able to donate $150,000 toward the new playground that was built in Long’s Park in 2018. Proceeds also benefit the Lancaster community by funding programs for at-risk youth and other local nonprofit organizations. When I think of my perfect day, it ends with me being tired but satisfied knowing how well we worked together and that the strength of our community means we can accomplish anything!
MEET OUR FRUIT FARM KAUFFMAN'S FRUIT FARM OFFERING AN ABUNDANCE OF DELICIOUS FRUIT, INCLUDING PEACHES, APPLES, PLUMS, AND CHERRIES. OTHER FAVORITES INCLUDE SWEET APPLE CIDER AND APPLE BUTTER.
TUESDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY 6 AM 3 PM
- ALECIA ALECXIH Patient of over 30 years and avid rider
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS FROM A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE What was going on? My teeth had always been less than perfect, but when my bite and speech were affected I knew it was time for a “mid-century tune up.”
What was the game plan? For over 30 years, Dr. Weierbach has been my choice for a variety of treatments. The most recent included fine-tuning my bite after braces, a dental implant, a permanent crown; then teeth whitening and the addition of a laminate to complete the overall appearance of my smile. My case needed the collaboration of several specialists. I was 100% confident that Dr. Weierbach would quarterback the team and the various aspects of the plan to stellar completion. My smile is amazing!
What was it like to work with Dr. Weierbach? Dr. Weierbach blends extraordinary professionalism with a genuinely caring, friendly demeanor. Beneath his easy-going manner is a results-driven perfectionist who is never satisfied with less than the best. I joked that his staff were “my new best friends.”
And the result? I am so happy to be talking without clanking my teeth together and my confident smile is the perfect icing on the cake – more than justifying the investment of time and resources. I recommend Dr. Weierbach and Dr. Genetti’s practice to anyone. The discerning and particular will find a welcome result! American Dental Association (ADA) - recognized specialists in restoring and replacing teeth for a timeless display of confident beauty and Members in the American College of Prosthodontists.
Specialist in Cosmetic, Restorative & Implant Dentistry
160 North Pointe Boulevard Suite 203 / Lancaster, PA 17601 717.560.9190 YourClassicSmile.com