Two Weddings, Lancaster-Style

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

There’s nothing quite like a summer wedding, and the two we are presenting are quite different, as are the stories of how the couples met and made their way to marriage.

Photo by Tea Ceresini

Jill Distler and Zachary Weire, who met in a college classroom, represent the notion of opposites attract, as the two had no shared interests but forged a common ground through animals and travel; however, they are still worlds apart where shoe fashion is concerned! They exchanged vows and celebrated with family and friends at the Distler family farm near Marietta in June.

Photo by Haley Timmons

As for Savannah Graybill and Ohio native, Chris Strup, the two literally sledded into each other’s orbit at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, New York. Their shared interests led to a love match that was celebrated on a Friday evening in July at the newly opened IronSpire Complex in Adamstown.

Savannah Graybill and Chris Strup: Sliding Into Marriage

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

A winter Olympic sport known as skeleton led Savannah and Chris to become members of Team USA. While they didn’t achieve their goals of competing in the Olympic Games, Chris and Savannah agree that they won gold when they became husband and wife on July 19.

Savannah and Chris stole away to take photographs at neighboring Stoudtburg Village.

Savannah, a graduate of Cocalico High School, was a heralded field hockey player who went on to play for American University in Washington, D.C. During her senior year at AU, representatives of the Winter Olympics came calling in search of athletes who were strong and fast. Field hockey players fit that criterion. Adventure awaited those who expressed interest, as they would initially train to become bobsledders. The prospect of becoming a part of Team USA and traveling the world appealed to Savannah, and she successfully applied to become a part of the program.

Pre-season training in Denver (PA).

Meanwhile, Chris, who had been a high school track star in his hometown of Defiance, Ohio, continued to climb the ranks of his sport at Loyola University in Chicago. After graduating, he learned that a friend of a friend had tried out for bobsledding. “I thought to myself, ‘I could do that,’” says Chris, who signed up for a combine event being held in Cleveland. “I missed being an athlete,” he says of the factor that motivated him to attend the recruiting event. So, accompanied by his father and grandfather, Chris made his way to Cleveland, where his successful showing resulted in an invitation to rookie camp in Lake Placid, New York.

Once at their respective rookie camps, the two were free to explore other sports. Both gravitated to skeleton, a sport in which a person rides a small sled (so named a skeleton) headfirst down a frozen track that winds and twists its way to the finish line, reaching speeds approaching 90 miles per hour. “I had to gain 20 pounds,” says Chris. Skeleton, which was developed in St. Moritz, Switzerland, is considered to be an offshoot of tobogganing. Skeleton was contested in the Games that were held in St. Moritz in 1928 and 1948. After that, it was deemed too dangerous a sport until 2002 (Salt Lake City), when it was permanently added to the Winter Games’ schedule.

Savannah competing in Lake Placid.

It was in Lake Placid that Chis and Savannah’s lives converged. One night they happened to be in the same bar when Chris took notice of Savannah. “She didn’t give me the time of day,” he recalls. Later, a teammate pointed out to the clueless Savannah that Chris seemed taken with her. “No,” Savannah replied.

The two continued to semi-ignore each other, although Chris wasn’t one to give up. In 2019, they were on separate tours, which gave Chris the idea to ask teammate Andrew Blaser to put in a good word for him, as he was on the same tour as Savannah. “I’ll think about it,” said Andrew on his departure. After playing a silly game in which Andrew came up with a “word” of the day, he finally told Savannah that Chris had asked him to plead his case.

Finally, in early 2020, Savannah agreed to go on a date with Chris. “Our first official date was scheduled for March, and you know what happened then,” she says, referring to the pandemic. The two departed Lake Placid for their respective homes in Pennsylvania and Ohio and began facetiming each other every night. At the end of May, Savannah visited Chris in Ohio, where he and his brother own a farm. “We decided to keep our relationship under wraps,” she says.

Chris takes off!

In 2021, Chris decided it was time for a change and left Team USA. At the invitation of Savannah’s parents, Dwight and Angela Graybill, Chris took up residence with the empty nesters and began working full-time for Breakthru Beverage Group, a national company whose portfolio includes premier wine, spirit and beer brands. Chris had interned with Breakthru while at Loyola and a sales opening in the company’s Philadelphia office prompted him to apply.

Meanwhile, Savannah continued her training regimen in Lake Placid. Her deep disappointment at not being named to the 2022 Olympic team prompted her to consider her future. She elected to retire and forge a life with Chris. They took that first step by buying a house in Lancaster City.

They agree that their time spent with Team USA was one they would always treasure, notably the opportunity they were given to travel to some of the most beautiful places in the world. (Chris names competing in St. Moritz for the first time as a favorite memory.) They’ve also made lifelong friends. “We don’t regret any of it,” says Savannah, who works in corporate communications at Zimmer Biomet. She’s also resumed playing field hockey in an adult league. “We learned a lot from skeleton and will always have wonderful memories,” she shares.

Popping the Question

In the summer of 2023, Chris did his due diligence and discussed the prospect of asking Savannah if she would marry him with her father. However, it was agreed that it would also be a good idea for Chris to discuss it with Savannah’s twin brother, Donny, who was stationed in California with the Navy at the time, as well as her brother, Ben, who lives locally in Reinholds. Of course, they all welcomed Chris to the family with open arms.

A pre-wedding photo shoot coincided with rehearsal.

As luck would have it, Chris was offered an incentive trip to Napa Valley just ahead of a trip they had planned to visit Donny and his family. It provided the perfect opportunity to propose. Chris had designed a ring with their mutual friend, Sarah Nguyen, of Sarah Michiko Designs, a jeweler in New York. “I had an idea of what she wanted,” he says.

Chris traveled to Napa and arranged to later meet Savannah in San Francisco. Poor Chris was so paranoid that the ring would be lost that he carried it with him throughout the Napa trip. Once in California, Donny’s wife, Suzy, was afraid her three children would spill the beans and encouraged Chris to propose sooner rather than later.

Taking a post-wedding stroll.

Taking her cue, Chris took Savannah to Fort Ord Dunes State Park, where a picnic basket awaited that held the ring and a bottle of Champagne. Following a walk along the beach, Chris popped the question and a shocked Savannah said yes to applause provided by Donny and his family.

Let the Planning Begin

Determining a date was the first project on their To-Do list, as an annual two-week family vacation in Stone Harbor in early July had to be accounted for. “We started looking at venues and loved IronSpire,” Savannah says of the Adamstown venue that was formerly home to the Black Angus and Stoudt’s Brewery. “It felt like home,” says Savannah, who grew up in nearby Denver. They settled on July 19, which was a Friday. “Friday weddings are totally underrated,” says Chris, who appreciated the fact that they had the weekend to spend with out-of-town family and friends, including a contingent of former teammates. The 110-person guest list consisted of friends and family who arrived from as far away as Monterey, Boise and Australia. July weddings can be iffy from a weather perspective, but fortunately the heat of early July dissipated, and the weather was perfect.

Apart from having Emily Ross on board as the day-of coordinator, Savannah and Chris planned the wedding themselves, along with the incredible help of family. For her dress, Savannah and her mother visited In White, where finding a simple, form-fitting gown was on Savannah’s mind. She found two dresses that fit the criteria and decided to sleep on it before saying yes to one of them. “I went back by myself and tried them on again and made my choice,” she recalls.

With the wedding, Chris officially became a member of the Graybill clan.

Green, white and gold became the color scheme of the wedding (Savannah’s attendants wore eucalyptus-hued dresses in various styles). Because of the greenery that beautifies the IronSpire Complex, they did not have to bring in an overabundance of florals and decorations.

Savannah and Chris also relied on the talents and the recommendations of friends and family to select vendors. In addition to Sarah Nguyen, they asked Haley Timmons, a high school friend of Chris’s from Columbus, to photograph the wedding. “She always told me that she wanted to do the photography when I got married,” Chris explains. Savannah asked her grandmother’s friend, Sharon Zimmerman, to do floral design for the ceremony and reception.

As for food, Catering by John Lowe handled that aspect of the wedding, which included passed hors d’oeuvres and a buffet dinner. “They make you feel so special,” says Savannah. “The food was delicious, and the service was incredible.” They also liked the fact that the company donates leftover food to charitable organizations. Dinner ended on a sweet note with a small wedding cake (red velvet) from La Dolce Vita and desserts from Costco. After dinner, the newlyweds and their guests danced the night away. The two did steal away for photos at the neighboring Stoudtburg Village.

Savannah and Chris thoroughly enjoyed their wedding. As she posted to Instagram a few days later, she will always remember the “joy, laughter and unforgettable memories” that made her wedding day one to remember.

On Trend

Savannah and Chris’s wedding included several trends that will carry into 2025.

Sentiment

According to The Knot, honoring grandparents, parents, siblings and friends who have passed away in a meaningful way has become a part of weddings. Savannah and Chris did so by honoring their late grandparents on their wedding day.

Sustainability

Chris and Savannah appreciated the greenery that IronSpire provided, which in their case, fit in beautifully with the color scheme. They also liked the fact that leftover food would not be discarded but shared with charitable organizations.

TGIF

There’s no rule that weddings must take place on Saturday. Consider that Friday-evening weddings take the party atmosphere up a notch, while Sunday weddings lend themselves to brunch, lunch or even backyard barbecues.

Intimate and Personal

Savannah and Chris’s guest list consisted of friends and family with whom they tend to interact on a regular basis.

Guest Involvement

At Savannah and Chris’s wedding, that began with a unique guest check-in that invited attendees to write endearing messages on Jenga blocks and add them to the growing tower of blocks. Guests could also engage in cornhole.

Credits

Photography: Haley Timmons/Haley Elizabeth Studios, Columbus, Ohio
Rings: Sarah Nguyen/Sarah Michiko Designs, New York
Venue: IronSpire Complex, Adamstown
Bridal Gown: In White, Lancaster
Hair/Makeup: Events by Youphoria, IronSpire Complex
Tanning: Iconic Tanning (mobile service)
Florals: Sharon Zimmerman, Ephrata
Catering: Catering by John Lowe, Berks County
Cake: La Dolce Vita, Lancaster
Desserts: Costco, Lancaster
DJ/Music: DJ J-Willz/Wilson Event Group, Lancaster
Day-of Coordinator: Emily Ross

Jill Distler and Zachary Weire: Opposites Attract

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

When Jill met Zach, she lived on a farm; doted on her horses, dogs and cows; worked for a veterinarian (her mother); attended college; preferred to wear Crocs and enjoyed traveling to far-off places. She could not believe that a man who loved designer shoes and never had a dog or traveled widely was open to being a part of what she calls “my crazy life.”

Jill and Zach pose with her horses, Bogo, Jman and Crete. The two were wed in front of a horse jump decorated by Jill Hoffines-Erb of Floral Designs of Mount Joy.

Jill, who is the daughter of Dr. Janet Distler and the late John A. Distler, began her life in Augusta, Georgia. The family later moved to Bucks County due to her father’s ill health and to be close to family. After John’s death, Janet and Jill settled in the Mechanicsburg area, where one of Jill’s aunts lived. Janet found employment with a veterinary practice in the area and Jill became a student in the Cumberland Valley School District. In 2018, the two relocated to Lancaster County, where Janet bought a Marietta-area farm and became the owner of the Elizabethtown Animal Hospital.

Jill, who has a degree in communications from Elizabethtown College, is the hospital’s practice manager. She dreams of becoming a veterinarian. It was at Elizabethtown College that Jill first set her eyes on Zach, who was intent on earning his MBA. “He was touring the college and sat in on one of my classes,” she explains. Talking together led to hanging out. When Zach accompanied Jill to the wedding of one of her friends, they ran into another one of her friends, who took one look at Zach and asked what he was doing there. It was obvious to Jill that the two had a history. A lightbulb went off. It suddenly occurred to Jill that “her” Zach was the same Zach that her high school friend dated and always talked about. “I never met him,” Jill adds.

Jill putting Rue through her paces at the National Dog Show in 2023.

Zach, who holds a BA in business from Millersville University and an MBA in data analytics from Elizabethtown College, is an E-commerce specialist with Apex Advertising in Lancaster. He became totally immersed in Jill’s life, even becoming what she calls the ultimate “dog dad.” Jill has always been a fan of working dogs and initially her pack was mainly composed of Australian cattle dogs.

Now, besides the two cattle dogs (Carnaby and Rigby), the two are pet parents to Rue, Lennon and Amstele, who are members of the Mudi breed; the herding dogs are indigenous to Hungary and were recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in late 2021. The AKC describes the medium-sized dogs as being intelligent, alert, agile and protective, which makes them excellent herders of sheep and cattle. They haven’t strayed far from their homeland (except for Finland, where they are being successfully used in search-and-rescue operations) and are a rarity in the United States and Canada, where they have proven to be adept at dogsports such as agility, flyball, Fast CAT and obedience.

Zach and Rue at the
Westminster Dog Show.

Rue hails from Flyaway Farm in Montana (Mary Mytych specializes in the breed). Zach mainly serves as Rue’s handler on the show circuit, but at the 2023 National Dog Show (which is hosted by the Philadelphia Kennel Club), Zach’s nerves got the best of him, and Jill had to take over. “I ended up on TV,” she says of the nationally televised show (NBC on Thanksgiving Day) in which Rue was honored with the Best in Breed award. Rue, who is currently ranked #3 Mudi, has also competed at Westminster.

Popping the Question

The two were engaged on June 15, 2022, during a trip to Greece that Zach had planned (only after getting the permission of Janet and Jill’s horses). That trip made Jill realize that Zach was truly one in a million.

Zach arranged for Jill to take part in one of Franklin Fezollari’s “flying dress” photo shoots in Santorini.

One of Jill’s favorite memories of her father entails a jewelry store in Augusta that they often visited. Knowing the special connection she had with Windsor Fine Jewelers, Zach contacted the store and worked with them to design an engagement ring (and later, their wedding bands). He also chose a gorgeous spot overlooking the sea in Santorini to pop the question and made arrangements with photographer Franklin Fezollari to capture the moment. He also arranged for Jill to take part in one of Fezollari’s famous “flying dress” photo shoots. “I’d always wanted to do that,” she says.

The proposal took place on June 15, 2022, in Santorini, Greece.

What happened next truly made Jill realize how much she loved Zach. She began receiving texts from the New Bolton Center animal hospital in Chester County, and learned that her horse, Jman, had to be rushed there for emergency surgery. Since Jill was linked to her mother’s texts, she saw what was happening. It was Zach who immediately said, “We need to go home.” In view of the fact that Zach had put so much work into planning the trip, Jill felt terrible that they had to cut it short. Fortunately, by the time they arrived home, Jman was on the mend and has since made a full recovery.

Jill’s engagement ring had a sentimental connection to her late father.

Let the Planning Begin!

There was no question where the wedding would be held. “I wanted all my animals to be there for the wedding,” Jill explains. The setting, therefore, would be Buttonwood Ridge Farm, where Jill and her mother settled after moving to Lancaster County. Located on the outskirts of Marietta, it was part of the Penn Grant and originally consisted of more than 100 acres. Today, it’s comprised of 11 acres. The farmhouse dates to the early 1800s and has grown in size over time.

There was no question where the wedding would be held: the Distlers’ Buttonwood Ridge Farm near Marietta.

Buttonwood Ridge is where Jill became a bona fide farm girl, recalling that she once bottle-raised a calf and entered the competition for queen of the Elizabethtown Fair. Competing with her horses and dogs is a passion of hers.

The date was also written in stone – June 15 – which meant if they wanted to be married on a Saturday, they had to do so in 2024 or wait until 2030. They chose 2024.

Jill was adamant that she wanted her horses and dogs to be involved in the wedding.

There was also no discussion about the color scheme. Purple, Jill’s favorite color, would be the focus of that, right down to the purple Crocs her attendants would wear under their gray purple-hued gowns. (Her bachelorette party included a trip to a Crocs emporium in New Jersey, to ensure all her attendants would be wearing the same style/color.)

Jill and Zach pose with their attendants and groomsmen.

As for her wedding gown, Jill decided to make “saying yes to the dress” eventful and made an appointment at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York (the location of the TLC show, Say Yes to the Dress). Her gown was truly a custom creation, as five elements of Martina Liana’s designs were combined into one. Ah, but Jill wasn’t finished. The completed gown was then sent to Alteria Garment Dying in Orlando, Florida, where it was dyed to achieve an ombré effect that extended from lavender at the top of the gown to purple at the bottom. “Purple is my color!” she states.

From start to finish, the color purple set the tone.

In planning their ceremony and reception, Jill and Zach worked to create a wedding that would serve as a reflection of their interests and lifestyle. On Friday, they invited guests to Farm Night, which ran from 3-9 p.m., and featured a rehearsal ceremony, a bonfire, games and food from Stoney’s Burgers & Fries (drinks were BYOB).

For the late-afternoon ceremony on Saturday, the 150 guests were asked to wear cocktail attire and gather in a seating area (along with 10 dogs) that took the shape of a horseshoe (for good luck). The two were married in front of a horse jump that was decorated by Jill Hoffines-Erb of Floral Designs of Mount Joy, who employed the bride’s favorite color (purple) and favorite flower (sunflowers) for the jump, as well as for the bouquets and table centerpieces. “She said the horse jump was a first for her,” the bride notes.

The aisle was lined with purple wildflowers.

Jill and Zach also painted the barn with the help of a few family members and strung lights in the trees. Getting the farm wedding-ready, was “truly a labor of love,” says Jill. “We didn’t have a backup for rain,” she reports. “We decided if it rained, we’d get wet.” (Still, she admits to reading six years’ worth of farmer’s almanacs to gauge the chance of rain for the date.) Fortunately, the day was cloud-free, breezy and 78 degrees. Jill and Zach did not recite traditional vows, but instead told stories about each other and their journey to the altar. “We wanted to incorporate humor into our big day,” says Jill.

Jill Hoffines-Erb of Floral Designs of Mount Joy worked with the bride to design a floral story that carried through from the ceremony to the reception, utilizing the color purple and incorporating sunflowers.

They also paid homage to Jill’s favorite band, The Beatles, as she walked down the aisle to the song Here Comes the Sun. (Many of the dogs in attendance had Beatles-related names.)

Jill and Zach pose with their mothers, Dr. Janet Distler and Vicki Nelson, and Zach’s grandmother, Linda Green.

They elected to forego a cake and instead had the Rita’s Mobile Fun Truck onsite. “It was just a fun day,” Jill recalls. “It turned out exactly according to plan.”

After the wedding, the two honeymooned in Amsterdam and Copenhagen. Over the July 4th holiday, they were off to Montana to pick up their new additions to the family, Amstele and Lennon.

Jill wore white Crocs, while Zach wore purple velvet shoes.

As for Zach’s love of shoes, Jill shares a story that relates to one of their first trips together that took them to Iceland. “He took along 10 pairs of shoes but not a jacket,” she says, shaking her head. “Who does that?!”

Jill’s gown was a custom creation from Kleinfeld Bridal in New York. It was then sent to a company in Florida for the dying process.

On Trend

Jill and Zach’s wedding exemplified several trends that will carry into 2025.

Personalization

Non-traditional vows, Italian Ice instead of a wedding cake, the presence of animals … it definitely wasn’t cookie-cutter!

Unexpected Venue

The family farm presented guests with a unique experience.

Friday Funday

The trend is to involve your guests in all the festivities, hence the staid rehearsal/dinner has evolved into a festive welcome party that includes the rehearsal, followed by a fun mixer that takes the shape of a barbecue, pool party, bonfire, etc.

Bold Color

Purple!

Non-Alcohol Beverages

At this wedding, lemonade hit the spot on a day in June.

Dress Code

While Jill and Zach specified cocktail attire, some couples are going as far as denoting a color code for guests.

Credits

Wedding Photography: Tea Ceresini, Elizabethtown
Engagement/Flying Dress Photography: Franklin Fezollari, Santorini, Greece
Bride’s Gown: Kleinfeld Bridal, New York, and Alteria Garment Dying, Orlando, Florida
Groom’s Attire: Central PA Tuxedo, Lancaster
Jewelry: Windsor Fine Jewelers, Augusta, Georgia
Florals: Floral Designs of Mount Joy
Food: Stoney’s Burgers & Fries, Lancaster, and Sir D’s Catering, New Cumberland
Dessert: Rita’s Mobile Fun, Elizabethtown
Videographer: Thomas Kuhkowski
Music/DJ: Sam Taggart Event Perfectionist, Lancaster
Fun: FX Photobooths, Elizabethtown

Dan Wecker: A Dutchman at Heart

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

In 1989, Dan and Donna Leigh Wecker took stewardship of an historic iron forge property that consisted of decaying buildings and 16 acres of land along the Patapsco River in Howard County, Maryland. The venture, a unique partnership between the Weckers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Patapsco Valley State Park system, allowed the Weckers to settle into a dream.

The Elkridge Furnace Inn dates to 1744.

Dan grew up playing baseball in the Manor Ridge area and went to school in the city at Sacred Heart. “I don’t have a single bad memory of my childhood growing up,” Dan says, leading me on a pre-dinner walk around the Elkridge Furnace Complex.

Returning to Lancaster County after serving in the Korean War, Dan’s father worked at Sperry-New Holland and Donnelley Printing before packing up Dan and his six siblings in 1970 and heading to a new job in Maryland. “I am Pennsylvania Dutch,” remarks Dan, who also notes that his great-grandmother was Amish. “There are a lot of things that we learned growing up in Lancaster County, like responsibility and work ethic. We had never been taught to be prejudiced about anything, and we all thrived.”

Donna and Lancaster native/chef Dan Wecker

He still has family members in Lancaster County, and he credits his aunt and uncle, who owned a small farm on Owl’s Hill in Lititz, for spurring his interest in cultivation. His restaurant, The Elkridge Furnace Inn, was farm-to-table before it was a trend. As we round the side of the building, he points toward a thin copse of trees and low bushes, reporting, “We have figs, raspberries, plums, persimmons, all grown using organic practices.” There are hothouses filled with greens and herbs, as well as a mushroom house with Pleuratus ostreatus (oyster mushroom) clinging to suspended bags of sawdust.

On-premise greenhouses provide year-round greens.

Steps away from the gardens, a soon-to-be bride and groom are planning their big day, which will be held here in a few weeks. Weddings are a forte of the Elkridge Furnace Complex, as are celebrations such as showers, vow renewals, engagement, anniversary and birthday parties, as well as corporate events.

HISTORY RESTORED

Dan and Donna met in their early 20s, and they have been a culinary and creative team ever since. “We were young enough and naïve enough to take on a project like this, to restore and maintain this building and the lands,” recalls Dan.

When the couple moved onto the property 35 years ago, the tavern (circa 1744) and manor house (circa 1810) were scheduled for demolition. Their task was to restore the buildings, upgrade the property, and create a successful restaurant and event space. Dan, Donna and their children lived on the property in a small country home now referred to as the Garden House. “This house didn’t look like this when we got here; it was boarded up. Donna could tell you lots of funny stories, but it was difficult at the start. We had no money, and it was a lot of work. But it’s a cozy little house,” says Dan.

The event space, which is steps away from the Patapsco River, can hold up to 250 guests.

The property, which was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Place in 1990, was first used for hunting and fishing by the Susquehannock people. It was explored by John Smith in 1608 and surveyed by James McCubbin (who built the original tavern) in 1744. The Wecker family took on the task of restoring the complex of Federal- and Greek Revival-style buildings and opened a catering facility in 1992, followed by a restaurant in 1994. The nature of their unique public-private venture does allow for some rent credit today, but the Weckers’ capital and “sweat equity” were used to restore the property on behalf of the state.

A CULINARY EXPERIENCE

What do the French Ambassador to the United States, Liberace and Vice President Walter Mondale have in common? They have all eaten dishes prepared by Dan. But his culinary voyage started small. “My sister got me into the food service industry at age 14, working at the Columbia (MD) Ice Rink concession stand,” says Dan. In high school he worked at a local, fast-casual restaurant. He began to consider cooking as a career option and entered an apprenticeship under French chef Michel Beaupin in 1976. “I trained in every position of a traditional French kitchen – pastries, sauces, butchery,” says Dan, who credits Beaupin as an important influence.

“This is Dan’s signature dish,” says Donna, who has joined us at an upstairs table. “This is far superior to any cream of crab soup. It’s crab soup with a twist.” Chef Dan learned the recipe for his Cream of Baltimore soup from retired Charm City chef, Debbie Crabtree. The soup is based on two of the colors of the Maryland flag. Potato leek represents the white and sweet potato curry crab is the gold. “They are both good soups by themselves, but when you put them together, they become Cream of Baltimore,” explains Dan, as I sip from a complimentary sample portion … and wished I had more!

I realize as entrées arrive, the key to dining at The Elkridge Furnace Inn is taking time to enjoy the accoutrements of each dish. Meats like smoked duck breast, bresaola and veal pinenut salami are made in house, just like the cheddar cheeses, pickled vegetables and fragrant mustards. “All of our meats are butchered here, and all of our steaks are hand cut,” explains Dan.

Overall, the entrées appearing from The Elkridge Furnace Inn kitchen can be best described as localized, rustic French, somewhere between haute and provincial cuisines. The emphasis is on quality ingredients and seasonality, but there is a definite homage to necessity and invention.

“We are not really a trendy restaurant. We update the menu for each season,” says Dan, who eventually leaves me to the rest of my meal and heads back downstairs. A visit to Elkridge Furnace is definitely worth the trip!

The Elkridge Furnace Inn is tucked away in a quiet area of Howard County, where Chef Dan runs the kitchen and makes sure to visit with each diner. Donna is also on site, usually planning one of her popular tea events. For more information, visit elkridgefurnaceinn.com.

Growing Fruit With Climate Battery Technology

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Greenhouses are magical places, as they envelop you in warmth and provide visuals of lush plant life. This is what you’ll experience at Threefold Farm in Mechanicsburg. However, what’s growing in the greenhouses comes as a complete surprise, especially at this time of the year.

Katherine and Tim Clymer, owners of Threefold Farm in Mechanicsburg, stand among tropical plants that grow in climate-battery greenhouses.

There’s an opportunity in nearby Mechanicsburg for local growers and greenhouse owners to learn a new magic trick to extend growing seasons. While the mission of Threefold Farm is rooted in the Bible (“…make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands” 1 Thessalonians 4:11), its owner, Tim Clymer, is totally attuned to modern technology.

Meeting Tim in his orchard of “unusual fruits,” consisting of kiwi berry vines, pawpaw, fig and persimmon trees, you’d never guess he started as a software engineer. “My love for growing things, especially unusual fruits, wasn’t even a thought in my head when I was in college,” he says, referring to the Rochester Institute of Technology. “That passion began post-college, and my love of fruit trees and unusual fruits was probably birthed when we lived in Texas [2008-2010] and could plant citrus and fig trees outside. My love for design and order was influenced heavily by my education and initial career as a software developer.”

Because of climate-battery technology, Threefold is able to grow tropical plants and fruit during the coldest months.

In 2014, Tim and his wife, Katherine, bought their Mechanicsburg farmland after Tim left his tech job. They started by planting cover crops in 2015, followed by brambles and kiwi berries the next season. In 2017, they planted fig trees and started their first greenhouse. Their growing philosophy is rather straightforward. They utilize organic compost and fertilizers to help build soils that will support healthy plants and in turn, produce healthy produce. They also choose plant varieties that are disease-resistant and tend to require less in the way of sprays.

Star fruit, a tropical variety native to Southeast Asia, offers a texture similar to apples, but with the flavors akin to citrus, pears and grapes.

While the Clymers’ focus is on growing products for wholesale customers, their farm also offers a curiosity that is drawing the attention of engineering students and growers alike: Threefold’s greenhouses.

Greenhouses, The Pros and Cons

Tim and Bill Lauris of Off the Beaten Path Nursery in Lancaster, head for one of Threefold’s greenhouses.

Greenhouses are microclimates that foster plant life and stretch the growing season. Those that take the shape of a more permanent structure will usually require an additional heat source in order to provide warmer temperatures and humidity controls. Such houses are typically oriented south to maximize sunlight and warmth. Extra layers of cold protection – frost blankets and windbreaks in the form of a tree line or other structures – are often utilized.

An alternative is high tunnels, also known as hoop houses, somewhat less permanent structures that usually serve as unheated greenhouses and rely on sunlight for warmth.

There are inherent limitations and extra work required to operate a greenhouse. If frost blankets are placed over plants at night, they must be removed later to prevent mold and withering heat in sunny conditions. Heating a greenhouse over winter with gas or electric heat is expensive. Add in an unusually cold winter and escalating operating costs and you have the answer why the plants you buy each spring seem to grow more expensive.

Threefold Farm is home to two climate-battery greenhouses.

At Threefold Farm, warm-season temperatures in a greenhouse can reach “120 degrees if you keep it fully sealed,” says Tim. “You have to open something to flush out that excess heat and avoid baking your plants. But at night, when the sun starts to go down, you have to button it all up and then throw a bunch of propane heat or some kind of heat in it. You’re throwing out a ton of heat during the day, then you’re buying heat at night. It just doesn’t make sense,” he says. If only the mid-day heat could be removed, captured and released at night. Hmm.

Climate Battery

Tim landed on an alternative solution that enables problems to work together. Known as a climate battery, the basic idea is to regulate temperatures for heating (and cooling) by warming the soil with an underground radiator. “The goal of the climate battery is to push heat underground at the same rate it’s being produced by the sun,” he points out.

A plastic inflation fan is used to add air space for insulation between two layers of plastic in the greenhouse covering. Paired with a climate battery, the set-up reduces the amount of manpower that is needed to keep the greenhouse from freezing or overheating.

New construction is best utilized for climate-battery structures.

By using electric fans attached to an optimized system of pipes buried directly beneath the greenhouse, excess mid-day heat is removed from the greenhouse. As warm air circulates through the cool soil, the air temperature lowers as the soil warms. With the heat transferred to the soil, fans circulate cold air back at night through the warmer soil, raising the air temperature in the greenhouse without the expense of burning fuel. Win-win. How growers utilize that stored heat depends on their application and climate. While Tim doesn’t use a secondary heat source, one could be installed as a backup or for extreme winter conditions.

Tim was not the first to invent the idea of a climate battery; it was his goal to develop a more compact, efficient implementation that could be repeated. “I heard about some guys in Colorado who were doing this kind of battery, as well as another guy in Nebraska,” Tim explains, referring to Russ Finch, who was an early climate or “earth battery” pioneer and grows citrus, grapes, pomegranates and fig trees in an otherwise brutally cold region.

Finch’s “Greenhouse in the Snow” concept differs in that his greenhouses are built partially underground, with radiator pipes buried 8-feet deep and running in a large loop outside the foundation. That specific low-grade geothermal system creates a farming advantage: lower shipping costs. Citrus grown in Nebraska eliminates the need for products to be shipped in from a warmer climate hundreds of miles away.

Large drain culverts (with 24-inch fans) cycle air through the greenhouses. The air serves to cool the houses during the heat of the day and is stored for warming purposes on cool nights.

However it’s done, the installation is an investment, but the operational costs offset the expense in the long run. Climate batteries require less labor, deliver a longer growing season and save fuel costs. The point becomes clear when comparing energy use. “A propane heater has a burner attached, which is only so efficient at converting chemical energy to heat energy,” says Tim. “The higher ones are around 90%. It’s pretty good, but they also have distribution [fans] attached. They’re expending 800 or 1000 watts just pushing that heat out into the greenhouse. So, for 1,500 to 2,000 watts, I’m essentially doing the same thing. I’m extracting heat and pushing it around the greenhouses,” he says.

Citrus growing inside the Blue climate-battery greenhouse.

Elaborating on the efficiency, Tim uses a term called the “coefficient of performance” (COP) or a “ratio of energy out to energy input.” Therefore, a COP above one means that you’re getting more energy out of the system than you put in. “A space heater, for example, is one-to-one, as it perfectly converts electrical energy to heat energy,” Tim explains. “Heat pumps essentially extract heat energy from the air outside, they’re [achieving an] efficiency of two or three to one. Geothermal is better, maybe they’re at four or five in terms of the coefficient.” For the climate battery, “We did some early calculations and it’s certainly north of 10 to one. I think it’s somewhere like 30 to one,” he says.

Gray & Blue Houses

Threefold Farm has two greenhouses equipped with climate batteries that represent different design generations. “I come from the software world where the cost of iteration is very low,” Tim points out. “If I want to change a couple of lines of code and see what it does, seconds later I can test that. The feedback loop is immediate,” Tim continues, noting that technology moves at the speed it does due to software. “There’s not that luxury here,” he adds.

Each of Threefold Farm’s greenhouses gains roughly two USDA Zones in the wintertime. That protected climate is similar to Florida’s Zone 9A and 9B, growing tropical varieties and tender perennials, but in Pennsylvania. Working in conjunction with the climate battery, fans are programmed on a thermostat to automatically vent excessive heat during peak hours in the summer, lowering the time and labor commitment to manage the greenhouse.

Tim inspects a rare fig tree variety named “Threefold Variegated” that exhibits partially variegated leaves, fruit and lignified branches.

“The Gray House is the first iteration [2017] and is the one that contains all the tropicals and has the windscreen. The Blue House [34×96 feet in size] is the second iteration [2018] but was done before we knew what we were doing tubing-wise,” Tim explains. “Both required large rocks to be excavated. The Blue House also uses over 2,000 watts now with the addition of new fans and booster fans. The Gray House uses something like 1,800 watts and is a more efficient design but by no means is it perfect.”

After taking a trip to Florida, Tim was inspired to begin growing tropical plants in the Gray House. It’s here that avocado, starfruit, lychee, banana plants, jackfruit, eucalyptus, lemons and limes grow. Inside the house, 24-inch fans and 18-24-inch-diameter drain culverts cycle the air 15.63 times per hour using 1,100 watts. By comparison, a central air conditioner for a 2,000-square-foot residence might use several thousand watts.

Figs grow in the Gray House, where the climate battery is equipped with smaller (6-inch) manifolds. A double cordon-and-spur training method is used to allow for branches to grow horizontally.

Fig trees grow as well, using a double cordon-and-spur training method unheard of in northern climates. This method is similar to espalier pruning used in vineyards to maximize space, light, airflow and grape yield. Avoiding dieback every winter, the fig tree trunks are abnormally large. Two massive branches extending 16 feet in diameter grow horizontally a few inches above the soil. Using thinning cuts, the branches are spaced to grow vertically every 12 inches.

Where to Find Threefold Fruit

Crates of persimmons and figs await delivery to customers.

Talking Breads Bakery, Mechanicsburg, talkingbreadsbakery.com
Basehore Farm, Mechanicsburg, basehorefarm.com

Where to Start

Tim underscores that the most efficient implementation takes place in a greenhouse before construction, not retrofitting established greenhouses. Having access to a backhoe will lower installation costs.

Through a separate company, Atmos Greenhouse Systems, Tim sells climate-battery blueprints. Installation is up to the grower and a build sheet is included with estimated costs for project planning. Tim also offers a separate consultation service to consider more specific growing needs. Plans are available for standard greenhouses at 24- and 30-feet-wide by 48-, 72- or 96-feet- long.

The climate inside the greenhouses resembles Florida’s Zone 9.

“I try to be genuinely helpful to people who want to learn more about these systems,” says Tim.“I’m convinced it’s a really promising solution for a lot of people.”

Visit threefold.farm and atmosgreenhouse.com for more information.

Lincoln Shoe Co: A Reimagined Event Venue Gets a Vintage Vibe

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Like a spunky old man, the building that was home to the Badorf Shoe Company worked hard in its day, refusing to conform to modern-day comforts and fancy-schmancy updates. That’s exactly what drew Melody and Chris Strayer to the 1929-era shoe factory at 101 West Lincoln Avenue in Lititz.

Chris and Melody Strayer are the new owners of the former Badorf Shoe Company building in Lititz. The 95-year-old building has been reinvented as Lincoln Shoe Co. The event venue opened last August.

“We saw the ‘good bones’ of the building,” says Melody. “On our late-night walks through Lititz, we kept coming back to it, talking about how we could possibly afford to take on the project. I was starry-eyed,” she laughs. “When I look back at the before photos, I didn’t realize how extensive the transformation would be.”

The lounge near the bar offers guests a quiet place to converse.

All you need is love. And money. And creative vision. And elbow grease. And more money. OK, so you need a lot more than love to transform an old factory into an events venue. For the Strayers, the love part was easy. Their 20-year marriage has survived the entrepreneurial stresses of building a thriving business as Stray Production Services, raising three daughters and working side-by-side on a daily basis, with Melody as president and Chris as a very hands-on CEO.

The former Badorf Shoe Company has been transformed into an events venue. Inside, original exposed brick and plaster walls create a texture-rich background. Pendant lamps were added to create an authentic vintage vibe.

The Strayers’ combined talents resulted in a vintage-inspired space with a distinctively retro edge. With enough space for 175 seated guests, or 150 seats and a dance floor, the Lincoln Shoe Co is perfectly sized for intimately sized weddings, business gatherings and life’s celebrations. “This is an accessible, affordable space,” says Melody, whose eye for décor leans to the nostalgic. She remained true to the building’s 1929 era by adding suspended pendant lighting that features blown glass from molds of that time, locally sourced from Olde Brick Lighting of Lititz. Even the functional exit signs are charmingly vintage.

The recent wedding of Rachel and James Geissel featured a charming bride-and-groom’s table. The space is perfect for an intimate wedding. “Gathering is important,” says Melody. Shelby Lynne Photography

Deconstructed plaster blends with brick walls and the original rock maple flooring for a rustic backdrop to the bentwood black chairs and couches that invite guests to settle into a comfy spot. “People want an elevated space with a cool bar, lounge areas and lots of natural light,” Melody notes. The bar area is indeed cool; its back wall is decorated with dozens of shoe lasts from the building’s previous life. The ceiling’s fiberboard was removed to expose the pipes and ductwork, now painted industrial-chic black.

Live music welcomed guests to the grand opening of Lincoln Shoe Co. The private reception held for local business associates, friends and family served as a thank-you. Melody praises the Lititz community with “rallying around us with its support,” from zoning board to vendors to neighbors. “This community collaborates instead of competes,” she notes.

A storage closet full of lanterns, brass candlesticks, arches, linens and glass votives is also available to clients for their décor needs. “Not everyone can afford elaborate florals. It’s nice to have those ‘fillers’ available,” she adds.

Those “fillers” are constantly being added to under the talented eye of venue manager, Leah Zubik. Having planned events for many years with Melody for Stray Productions, Leah is in sync with Melody’s carefully curated sense of style. “It’s such a pleasure to have the role I have,” she says. “It’s fun to brainstorm; it feels like play with Melody.”

A nod to the shoe factory’s past is seen in the copper-topped bar’s back wall that is decorated with shoe lasts, once used to shape and size the children’s shoes in the manufacturing process.

Leah enjoys seeing prospective clients’ eyes light up when they enter the space for their first tour. Recent corporate clients quickly changed their party theme from fire-and-ice to the 1920s when they saw the potential.

As for weddings, Melody has sensed a shift in couples’ priorities post-covid. “People don’t value the same things now. They are more intentional with their money and their circle of guests. This venue is a great fit for that. The space is classic and can be decorated but it’s also pretty on its own.”

For more information about the Lincoln Shoe Co, visit Lincolnshoe.co.

Decades: A Mix of Food, Fun & Events

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

“This space has so much history,” says Jonathan Yeager, who is a partner in the venture along with Chris Trendler and Adam Ozimek. “It served as the armory and as a place to host dances and community events. We’re continuing the tradition of being a gathering space for the community.”

The mezzanine, which overlooks the full complex, is perfect for small wedding party gatherings. There are a variety of spaces at Decades that can hold 20 to 300+ guests for wedding events.

The three have known each other since childhood and, after graduating from Hempfield High School, they set off on different career paths that led to hospitality (Chris), graphic design (Jonathan) and economics (Adam). Their shared Interests in food, beer and wine prompted them to launch Joycat Events in 2012, with their first collaboration being the Lancaster Craft Beerfest in 2013. (it returned in 2024 after being sidelined due to Covid and construction in Ewell Plaza). Jonathan credits Adam for dreaming bigger and envisioning something with a bowling alley and retro arcade. That inspired the idea of building “a community space where people can come and play games and enjoy camaraderie and food,” Jonathan explains.

Six full-sized bowling lanes are complemented by a lounge area.

The trio looked at a potential space in 2016, but that didn’t work out. In 2017, they found the vacant Stahr Armory building on North Queen Street. The building, which had been constructed in two phases in the 1920s and ’30s, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The National Guard left the space in 2010, after which it served as the performance venue for Theater of the Seventh Sister for several years.

With its wide-open interior and soaring ceiling, the partners deemed it a perfect fit for their purposes and set about transforming it. Preserving original elements of the building was important, which is reflected In the wood flooring on the main level (once the armory’s gymnasium), as well as the tiles along the lower portion of the walls. Metalwork and other features were also preserved. “The historical aesthetic blended with our intentional designs makes it a great, elevated space for wedding events,” says Jonathan.

Decades boasts six full-size bowling lanes and a lounge area that can accommodate about 40 people. Bowling is $10 per person per hour, including shoes. The bowling lounge is a full-service area, so bowlers and their friends can enjoy food and drinks.

Wedding-related parties are a popular way to entertain guests before or after the main event.

There are also 40-plus retro arcade games, including four full-size Skee-Ball lanes (in keeping with the retro feel, wooden balls are used for Skee-Ball). For the comfort of guests, small drink stands, which were custom-made, are positioned near each game, as well as between the Skee-Ball lanes. Arcade games use Decades tokens, which are 25 cents (most games use one or two tokens).

The arcade lounge area also features casual seating in front of a fireplace (with a TV/N64 gaming console within the mantel), and at high-tops. A 44-foot bar and back bar that were custom-built for the space by Denver-based Bench Dogs, fills a side wall. To the rear of the space are two confined dining areas that seat 30 and 50 guests.

Props – including sparkling chandeliers – were procured from the Netflix show, House of Cards, when production ended.

If you’re a fan of the Netflix series, House of Cards, you may recognize a number of décor items from the show at Decades, including chandeliers, lighting above the bar and the bowling desk, the fireplace mantel in the arcade area and a telephone booth in the entry way. Jonathan reports that another high school friend was part of the House of Cards production team and when the show ended, set props, which were stored in a warehouse in Maryland, were slated to be sold at auction. Knowing his friends were in the process of launching Decades, he let them know about the treasure trove of items that was available. “We walked into this warehouse that was filled with items from the show and were able to find some things that worked for Decades,” Jonathan explains.

Besides bowling, Decades offers 45 retro arcade games, as well as Skee-Ball.

“Elevated casual” is Jonathan’s description of Decades’ food. “We try to be approachable. We focus on good quality ingredients, and the menu includes many house-made items.” Customer favorites include fried soft-pretzel bites, burgers (including the signature Decades Cheeseburger) and wings (available in 12 flavors). Other menu items include brisket fettuccini, Caesar salad, Decades cheesesteak, BBQ vegan chick’n sandwich and Decades tacos. Taste-tempting desserts are on rotation throughout the seasons, including brownies, cheesecakes and ice cream.

Crafted cocktails are a Decades’ specialty.

There’s a curated beer menu with 24 craft brews on tap. A variety of wines are available by the glass (6 oz. pour) or bottle. Decades also has an extensive craft-cocktail menu (with some tasty mocktails, too). Several of the cocktails are served in pouches. “We’ve had people describe the cocktail pouch as an ‘adult Capri Sun,’” Jonathan remarks. “It was created during Covid by our bar manager, when restrictions only allowed us to sell cocktails ‘to-go.’ After the restrictions were lifted, we liked the pouch idea, so we kept it for in-house sales. The pouches work really well for guests playing arcade games,” he adds.

Twenty-four craft beers are on tap.

Decades newest venture is the mezzanine, which was unveiled in January 2023, and provides a great overview of the space. It’s outfitted with foosball, air hockey and a retro arcade game or two, as well as a dining area.

Because of the expansive space Decades offers, Jonathan reports there have been as many as three events going on at the same time. The option to rent the entire space is also available. A catering menu is available for private events.

Decades has also been the scene of wedding proposals.

“We’ve hosted business events, birthday parties, bridal showers, bachelor and bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners and wedding after-parties. We’ve even had a wedding ceremony,” Jonathan says, noting that Decades is a “great ice-breaker place, which is really helpful for our events business.”

Jonathan reports that the partners aren’t quite finished providing Decades with amenities. Their next project entails transforming the front exterior of the building into an outdoor dining area (complete with games such as cornhole, of course.)

Having celebrated Decades’ fifth anniversary over the past year, the team is proud of the challenges they’ve overcome and the accomplishments they have achieved. “It truly does feel like a gathering space for anyone and everyone – friends, couples, first dates,” says sales and marketing manager, Tony Gorick. That sentiment was substantiated in October, when Chris and Jonathan accepted the 2024 Rising Star Award that is presented by the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association. The award honors emerging leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry who demonstrate “exceptional growth, notable industry involvement and strong leadership potential.”

Decades is located at 438 North Queen St., Lancaster. Hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 12 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday,12 p.m.-12 a.m. Take-out food is available and can be ordered via the website. Private parties and special events welcome. A catering menu is available. Call 717-282-1421 or visit decadeslancaster.com or Facebook.

Scouting Out Mount Joy’s History

December 19, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Tristan Bair may only be a high school senior, but of late he’s been thinking about people and places much, much older than he is. Tristan, a member of the Donegal High School Class of 2025, recently completed his Eagle Scout project for the Mount Joy Area Historical Society.

Tristan Bair installs a sign with help from friends as part of his Eagle Scout project.

For his project, Tristan chose 10 locations within Mount Joy, and then created an outdoor sign for each that contains a brief description of the building’s history, along with a QR code that can be scanned. “The QR code will take you to the historical society’s web page and give further information about the location, as well as some pictures of what the building used to look like,” he explains.

Some of the locations featured in Tristan’s project include Cemetery Road Schoolhouse (120 Fairview Street), now used by the Mount Joy Area Historical Society; Central Hotel and Bube’s Brewery (102 N. Market Street); the Gerberich-Payne Shoe Company (240 W. Main Street), now home to a senior-living complex; and Beanie’s Bar & Grill (78 W. Main Street).

Tristan Bair earned his rank of Eagle Scout in November.

Tristan got the idea for his project after talking to his grandmother, Kim Bair, who is active with the Mount Joy Area Historical Society. He has been a junior member of the society for the past few years, as well. “I wanted to do something that would last for many years and mean something to the town I grew up in,” he states. “I know the historical society has been wanting to expand its connections beyond its physical location, so I thought I could help do that.”

A member of Troop 349 in Mountville, Tristan joined Cub Scouts when he was 6 years old. He is currently a Life Scout and earned his Eagle Rank on November 4, which happened to be the day before his 18th birthday. He is the son of Diane Bair and Justin Roberson of Mount Joy.

Tristan began working on his Eagle Scout project in May. He attended Mount Joy Borough meetings to get approvals, and he discussed his project with the historical society to obtain feedback on the sites where he planned to install the signs. “The most challenging part of this project was definitely the steps it took to prepare and the amount of time each of the individual steps along the way took,” he notes.

The best part of his project, he says, was installation day, when friends helped him post the signs. In addition to his grandmother, Tristin also credits Carper Signs, which agreed to make the signs for him, and Linda Eberly of Eberly Designs for helping him with the project.

Now that his project is complete, Tristan is looking forward to hearing feedback from the community, and he hopes his efforts will boost interest in local history. “A project like this is important to me because I think it could potentially open a gateway for people to connect more within the community,” he says. “I am hoping that this will bring more interest from the community to learn more about Mount Joy’s history. I am hoping it is a way to have others become more involved with our historical society. I feel like not a lot of people are aware of the really cool things that they do for our town.”

A complete list of properties featured in Tristan’s project can be found at mountjoyhistory.com/places-of-interest.

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

January Resolve!

December 18, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Even though the winter gloom is upon us, don’t laze January away. Resolve to get out and make new discoveries!

Lancaster City Scavenger Hunt

Select Dates in January

Downtown Lancaster

This interactive scavenger hunt is brought to you by Unique Lancaster Experiences. Visit 18+ local shops and historical sites, where each location will host a fun and engaging hands-on activity perfect for all ages. All you need to do is follow the prompts in the scavenger hunt app to find each activity in this race against the clock. The more missions you complete, the more treats and goodies you will collect from local vendors! Of course, you will learn some Lancaster history along the way! Dates/times vary. Note: the tour is held year-round. Information: experiencelancasterpa.com

We the People First Fridays

January 3

Ware Center

Millersville University hosts a community-centered event each First Friday that is designed to showcase Lancaster’s diversity from an artistic and cultural perspective. Each First Friday features an art exhibit in the Regitz Gallery and a performance in Steinman Hall. This month, Joseph Strider, a Texas-born Native American singer/songwriter who has produced four albums of original music and performed throughout the U.S. and Canada, plus has been nominated for numerous awards, will take the stage. Expect an evening of eclectic and original acoustic music with accompaniment by violinist and Millersville alum, Liz Mallin. The Regitz Gallery will host Stolen Views II – New Lancaster Scenes, an exhibit of plein air paintings by a group of artists who gather each week to paint. (The exhibit will be on view through January 31.) 6 p.m. 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster. Information: Artsmu.com/ware-center

Winter Hike in the Woods

January 4

Welsh Mountain Nature Preserve

A wintertime walk in the woods delivers a magic all its own. The Lancaster Conservancy-led hike will take participants through the oak forest of Welsh Mountain, whose overlook offers spectacular views of the countryside. You can also expect to see sightings of wildlife, including deer, fox and birds. This is a 3-mile loop hike on a rocky trail with mostly flat terrain. Recommended for ages 10+; participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Bring water and a snack if desired. 1 p.m. 835 Gault Rd., New Holland. Registration required. Information: Lancasterconservancy.org

Pennsylvania Farm Show

January 4-11

Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center

Now in its 109th year, the Pennsylvania Farm Show celebrates the state’s agriculture industry through showcasing nearly 4,000 animals, over 12,000 competitive events and exhibits, 245 commercial exhibits and hundreds of educational and entertaining events. The 2025 Farm Show will feature such fan favorites as the 1,000-pound butter sculpture, the famous Farm Show Food Court, youth showmanship, sheep-shearing competitions and cooking demonstrations at the PA Preferred^® Culinary Connection. Visitors can explore the more than 1 million
square feet of hands-on agricultural education opportunities and engage with the people who power Pennsylvania’s agriculture industry.

This year’s theme, Powering Pennsylvania, was announced in September by Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding during an appearance at Oregon Dairy. “Agriculture powers Pennsylvania,” said Secretary Redding. “We hope you’ll join us in January to kick off your 2025 with people like Oregon Dairy’s Hurst and Forry families, who power our families with nutritious food every day. Thousands of farm families join them in powering our economy, supporting 593,000 jobs and pouring more than $132.5 billion into our communities every year, and increasingly producing green energy that literally keeps lights on and businesses running. The Shapiro Administration is proud to support Pennsylvania agriculture and the innovative Pennsylvanians who power our daily lives and make us a national leader.”

The setting for the announcement was a Lancaster County success story. Since 1952, Oregon Dairy has grown from a mom-and-pop dairy farm to an innovative dairy destination that includes a full-service supermarket, bakery and restaurant. It also provides community education and entertainment programs and is a tourism hub that fosters an understanding of sustainable food production. It’s also a modern-day working farm that is powered by solar panels, recycling and a manure digester that turns waste into energy.

Admission to the Farm Show is free, but parking at the complex is $15. Regular hours are 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily (closing January 11 at 5 p.m.). In addition, the Food Court will be open January 3, 12-9 p.m. 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. Information: Farmshow.pa.gov

Cabin Fever Hike

January 5

Lancaster County Central Park

Naturalist Rachael Albright will introduce participants to the beauty of nature that defines the cold-weather months. Dress for the weather and bring a warm beverage along. Appropriate for all ages. 11 a.m. Meet at the Environmental Center, 3 Nature’s Way, Lancaster. Information: Co.lancaster.pa.us

Suburban Pennsylvania Home Show

January 11 & 12

Lancaster County Convention Center

It’s time to start thinking about spring and those home remodeling projects you’d like to tackle. This home show will inspire you with ideas, products and feedback from the industry professionals you’ll meet. Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 25 S. Queen St., Lancaster. Information: Lancasterhomeshow.com

Full Moon Walk

January 13

Lancaster County Central Park

The Wolf Moon is upon us. Senior naturalist, Lisa J. Sanchez, will lead a walk in the meadow, along the creek and through the woods with the full moon leading the way. Learn about and listen closely to what is howling and hooting at the moon. 6:30 p.m. Meet at Ballfield #1 parking lot, 539 Golf Rd., Lancaster. Registration required. Information: Co.lancaster.pa.us

Pretty Woman: The Musical

January 14-19

Hershey Theatre

Based on one of Hollywood’s most popular rom-coms of all time, the musical version of Pretty Woman is the work of a creative team led by two-time Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots and Legally Blonde). It also features an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (Summer of ’69 and Heaven) and a book by the movie’s legendary director, Garry Marshall, and screenwriter, J. F. Lawton. Of course, Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s hit song, Oh, Pretty Woman, is featured. Pretty Woman the film, which starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, which was released in 1990, went on to become an international sensation. Times vary. 15 E. Caracas Blvd., Hershey. Information: Hersheyentertainment.com

Strings of Passion

January 17-18

Gardner Theatre

The Lancaster Symphony Orchestra will present a passionate program that will feature violinist, Juliette Kang, and the symphony’s incredible strings. The concert’s diverse line-up will include Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, Marjan Mozetich’s Affairs of the Heart, Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite No. 3, and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. 725 Hamilton Rd., Lancaster. Information: Lancastersymphony.org.

Polar Bear 5K Trail Run/Hike

January 18

Lancaster County Central Park

Now in its 14th year, the event is the Sierra Club-Lancaster Group’s largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds are used to support local efforts to ease climate change, notably through the group’s “green project” program that awards monetary grants to organizations seeking to make positive environmental changes (95 such organizations have benefited over the past nine years.) Proceeds also assist the club in providing outdoor activities and educational programs that are free to the public. The Lancaster branch of the Sierra Club is one of 10 in the Pennsylvania Chapter and has 1,500 members. Leashed dogs are welcome to participate. Awards will be presented, as will special door and dog-participant prizes. Registration/check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Event begins at 10 a.m. Pavilion 22 (Kiwanis Lodge) in the park. 1050 Rockford Rd., Lancaster. Information: Lancastersierraclub.org

Dancing With the Stars Live!

January 19

American Music Theatre

TV’s hottest dance competition show is on tour across America this winter and it’s making a stop in Lancaster, providing fans with the opportunity to see the best ballroom dancers in the business perform live. This all-new production showcases ballroom and contemporary dances from ABC’s hit show Dancing With the Stars, including sizzling group numbers, intricate duets and over-the-top original pieces. Packages offer an array of perks including preferred seating and photo ops with the cast. 3 p.m. 2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster. Information: Amtshows.com

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

January 20

Millersville University

Acclaimed author and activist, Ijeoma Oluo, will headline the 37th annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and share her thoughts on Dr. King’s enduring impact and the continued fight for equity and justice. Oluo is a Seattle-based writer, speaker and social media commentator whose first book, So You Want to Talk About Race, was published in 2018 and earned #1 on The New York Times bestseller list. She has been published in major newspapers and magazines and has appeared on network and cable news shows. This year’s theme, Unity in Diversity: Our Single Garment of Destiny, draws inspiration from Dr. King’s Nobel Prize acceptance speech. The event will also feature vibrant performances, inspiring writing from local students and the presentation of the Essence of Humanity, Ruby Payne Cook and Crispus Attucks Legacy awards.

Tickets are $75 for in-person and $25 for livestream. To make the event accessible to all, there is also a pay-what-you-will, in-person ticket option. Registration begins at 7 a.m. Breakfast buffet will be available from 7:30-8:15 a.m., at which time the program will begin. Millersville University Student Memorial Center, 113 Shenks Lane. Information: Caplanc.org/MLK

Lititz Martial Arts Showcase

January 19

Mickey’s Black Box

Are you interested in finding a new workout regimen and are curious about martial arts? Here’s your chance to see it in action. Lititz Martial Arts, which is owned and operated by Brennan Ganteaume, who has been a member of the World Tang Soo Do Association since 2003, specializes in the instruction of Tang Soo Do, a Korean martial art. Lititz Martial Arts offers classes for all ages (4 to adult) taught by certified and experienced instructors. 2 p.m. 101 Rock Lititz Blvd. Information: Lititzmartialarts.com. Tickets: Mickeysblackbox.com

Lancaster Archery Classic

January 23-26

Spooky Nook Sports

Regarded as the largest indoor tournament of its kind on the East Coast, the Lancaster Archery Classic offers one of the most exciting archery tournament formats in the world, with a 60-arrow qualification round, followed by head-to-head matches that culminate in a shoot-your-way-to-the-top grand finale that offers every finalist the chance to take home the top prize in their division. Competitors include youngsters, collegians, adults and Olympians. Times vary. 75 Champ Blvd., Manheim. Information: Lancasterarcheryclassic.com

Stepping Into the Holidays

December 18, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

The big news in this area of Pennsylvania (and for garden and plant lovers everywhere) is that Longwood Gardens’ most ambitious project to date, Longwood Reimagined, was unveiled just prior to the opening of the annual extravaganza, A Longwood Christmas. Indeed, it is something to behold!

Be prepared to get your steps in when visiting Longwood. A friend and I visited a few weeks ago, and, to our surprise, we put in more than 14,000 steps … and we probably only walked half the property! Covering 17 acres, Longwood Reimagined entails new features such as the West Conservatory; an outdoor, gallery-style Bonsai Courtyard; new spaces for workshops and classes; a reconfigured Cascade Garden building; and a greatly enlarged dining complex. Still to come is a much-enlarged water garden in which Longwood’s famous water lilies and lotus will bloom.

The West Conservatory is decidedly different from Longwood’s original conservatory, which dates to 1921. The modern glasshouse is flooded with light and appears to be floating atop water. The plantings are inspired by areas such as the Mediterranean and the American Southwest. The color palette emphasizes soft and silvery shades of green. The plant selection inspires the idea of meeting climate change head-on in your own garden through using plants that thrive in hot and dry conditions. Here, Christmas is conveyed through simply decorated trees that seem to float atop the waterways that flow through the building. Exiting the conservatory, you’ll take note of a towering grove of London plane trees that are now being given their due, thanks to blue uplighting and illuminated snowflakes that shine against the night sky.

As always, the holiday décor in the original conservatory is stunning and includes trees that are awash in hues such as blue and turquoise. Silvery strands of lighting cascade from the ceilings. At the entrance, two structures that are reminiscent of elaborate holiday-inspired wedding cakes frame the large tree that sits in the distance.

In another area of the conservatory, a 30-foot-tall white “tree” shimmers with more than 900 geometrically shaped ornaments, all of which are reflected in the pool of water that surrounds it. Yet another area features a towering tree that is complemented by smaller trees that float above the manicured “lawn.” The color scheme here is silver and gold.

The conservatory’s Music Room is always a must-see and this year it is a vision of sweets, gingerbread houses, nutcrackers and three glowing trees. Next door, the Ballroom is filled with trees that have been decorated by local schools and arts organizations.

At the Peirce-du Pont House, visitors are greeted by a large tree that is hung with hand-painted ornaments that deliver an Old-World vibe to the house. The museum-house is located at the intersection of several pathways that treat visitors to displays in which trees are intricately wrapped with lights, waterways sparkle with oversized, star-shaped ornaments and boardwalks are lined by lighting that mimics gumdrops. As if that’s not enough, the light tunnel is perfect for selfies, while the dancing fountains atop the Fountain Gardens make for gorgeous videos.

Dining Reimagined

Longwood Reimagined also took dining into consideration. The 1906 Restaurant has moved to a space that spans the two conservatories. (It also shares the area with a dining room that is used for special events.) Its oversized windows provide a birds-eye view of the Fountain Gardens. Elsewhere, the café has taken over the entire building it formerly shared with 1906. A Beer Garden operates during warm-weather months.

Chef George Murkowicz heads the kitchen at 1906. Known for his dedication to using seasonal and sustainable ingredients, he brings restaurant experiences in California and Arizona to Longwood.

The four-part menu takes its inspiration from Flora (obviously Longwood); Funga (honors the area’s mushroom-growing prowess); Fauna/Ocean (an ode to neighboring Delaware); and Fauna/Pasture (Lancaster County plays a role here). In the realm of Flora, don’t miss the Sunflower Seed “Risotto” that’s made from ancient grains, cranberries and a poached egg. Funga features a bisque comprised of Hen of the Woods, Chanterelle and Black Trumpet mushrooms. The highlight of the Fauna/Ocean portion is a Seafood Tower comprised of Maine lobster, scallop ceviche, oishii shrimp and East Coast oysters. The star of Fauna/Pasture is a whole-roasted chicken that comes courtesy of Green Circle, a group of Lancaster-area Amish and Mennonite farmers who raise the heritage-breed chickens for D’Artagnan. It’s roasted with lavender and wildflower honey.

Inventive cocktails, yummy mocktails, beer and a robust wine list … what’s not to like! The dessert menu is taste-tempting, as well.

A Longwood Christmas will be held through January 12. Timed-entry tickets are required. Visit longwoodgardens.org for details.

Popping the Question

Let the Planning Begin

On Trend

Sentiment

Sustainability

TGIF

Intimate and Personal

Guest Involvement

Credits

Popping the Question

Let the Planning Begin!

On Trend

Personalization

Unexpected Venue

Friday Funday

Bold Color

Non-Alcohol Beverages

Dress Code

Credits

HISTORY RESTORED

A CULINARY EXPERIENCE

Greenhouses, The Pros and Cons

Climate Battery

Gray & Blue Houses

Where to Find Threefold Fruit

Where to Start

Lancaster City Scavenger Hunt

We the People First Fridays

Winter Hike in the Woods

Pennsylvania Farm Show

Cabin Fever Hike

Suburban Pennsylvania Home Show

Full Moon Walk

Pretty Woman: The Musical

Strings of Passion

Polar Bear 5K Trail Run/Hike

Dancing With the Stars Live!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast

Lititz Martial Arts Showcase

Lancaster Archery Classic

Dining Reimagined

Proud Members of: