CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

The Joy of Giving, Celebrated

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Members of some of Lancaster’s most historically significant families gathered for a catered private dinner, hosted by the winning bidders from a local fundraiser. As it turns out, the real winners are many and varied, linked by the powerful connections of sharing one’s abundance – and one’s self – with others.

The Guests

Charles and Beulah Frey and their guests express their appreciation for the delicious dinner Nino Elia and his family prepared.

Charles and Beulah Frey and their guests express their appreciation for the delicious dinner Nino Elia and his family prepared.

Among the families who have played significant roles in shaping the growth and success of Lancaster County are the Freys, who grew a small dairy and milk-delivery business into the nationally known Turkey Hill Dairy; the Highs, whose 1931 welding business spawned the multi-faceted corporation High Industries; and the Clarks, who were pioneers of the tourism industry in the 1960s, creating Dutch Wonderland and other attractions.

Members of each of these families recently gathered for a special evening: an intimate dinner for 10, prepared by a personal chef and held in a beautifully appointed Victorian-inspired  inn.

Charles and Beulah Frey were joined by “Bea’s” daughter and son-in-law, Dorine and Jerry Offenbaker, and daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Mike Landis. During the Great Depression, the hard work of Charles Frey’s father, Armor, laid the foundation for today’s Turkey Hill Dairy.

The Freys were joined by close friends Janet and Calvin High, who, along with his brother Dale, helped grow their father’s High Welding Company into today’s High Industries.

Also joining the dinner party were Guy Eshelman and Molly Clark Eshelman. Guy Eshelman devoted his life to agriculture, growing a successful business through the vegetables that took root in Lancaster County’s fertile soil. And the entrepreneurial spirit of Molly Clark and her late husband, Earl, helped to establish Route 30 East as the epicenter of Lancaster County’s tourism industry.

The sparkling evening was made possible because of the Freys’ philanthropic support of the Water Street Mission. At the organization’s annual Top Chef Dinner & Auction, unique dining experiences are the sought-after commodities, as guests bid during a live auction to capture a chef-for-a-day party with a professional chef, or dining at a Philadelphia restaurant via chauffeured limousine. Among this year’s highlights was a catered dinner at the Hurst House Bed and Breakfast, with table décor, flowers, menus and dinner service provided by the Top Chef’s planning committee.

The Venue

Hurst House sits high atop a hill in Farmersville.

Hurst House sits high atop a hill in Farmersville.

Tucked away in quaint Farmersville, between Ephrata and New Holland, the Hurst House is an elegant Victorian- style estate owned by Rich and Bert Hurst, whose family’s heritage includes another mainstay of Lancaster County – the one-of-a-kind Oregon Dairy supermarket and down-home restaurant. Rich was a homebuilder for 37 years, but he is hardly retired. He and Bert are the full-time, hands-on innkeepers, who take each guest’s comfort as a personal mission. Their warm hospitality is frequently mentioned as one of the highlights of guests’ experiences in the glowing reviews.

Located high atop a 17-acre property, Hurst House overlooks hundreds of acres of Amish and Mennonite farmland. Meticulously constructed in 2000, its five guestrooms and luxurious common areas are furnished and decorated with authentic antiques and amenities gleaned from their travels around the county and to international destinations such as Venice, Italy, and other spots.

Owners Bert and Rich Hurst made Hurst House available to the dinner party.

Owners Bert and Rich Hurst made Hurst House available to the dinner party.

On this special evening in early October, the dining room was decked in plum and gold linens, shimmering silver candelabras and fresh flowers abundantly overflowing their graceful vessel. As the guests arrived, the chef was putting the finishing touches on the first of his four-course Italian feast: a classic appetizer (antipasto) with sopressata, sharp provolone, stuffed grape leaves, olive, prosciutto-wrapped melon and artichoke bruschetta.

For information about the Hurst House, visit hursthousebandb.com. The Hurst House will be one of the 22+ inns open for this year’s Belsnickle Christmas Tour being held December 4 & 5. Visit lancasterbb.com for details.  

The Chef

The Elia family – Salvatore, Nino, Elizabeth and Francesco – worked in tandem to create the dinner that took its inspiration from Nino’s native Sicily. Here, they plate the third course: fillet of sole “oreganata” and sautéed spinach.

The Elia family – Salvatore, Nino, Elizabeth and Francesco – worked in tandem to create the dinner that took its inspiration from Nino’s native Sicily. Here, they plate the third course: fillet of sole “oreganata” and sautéed spinach.

Mafaldine Arriminati

a recipe by Chef Antonino Elia

Antonino Elia’s roots are far from Lancaster County. Emigrating from Sicily to the U.S. in 1972, Antonino’s family of two brothers, a sister and his parents settled in Harrisburg. His first American job in a pizzeria ignited his passion for food and defined his career. Later working side-by-side with his parents in their own pizzerias and restaurants, then traveling the mid-Atlantic and Florida as a chef, “Nino” honed his craft as he married Elizabeth and nurtured a family of six children. His two youngest sons – Salvatore and Francesco – who work in the restaurant hospitality industry, assisted him and Elizabeth in the Hurst House’s kitchen to create the multi-course dining experience.

“My mission has always been to showcase the Sicilian culture,” says Nino, as he prepares a pear and gorgonzola risotto for the “primo” course. “Sicilian cuisine has been influenced by many cultures –
Greek, Roman, Norman, Byzantine, Spanish and even the Germans. And throw in a little North Africa and Arabia, as well.”

As guests ooohed and aaahed over the risotto, Nino prepared a fillet of sole “oreganata” and sautéed spinach. “Sicily is an island, so there’s no shortage of seafood,” he explains.

“Sole – or sogliola – is a nice, light, delicate white fish. Oreganata is used on dishes like clams, shrimp and so on, using bread crumbs, oregano, which grows wild, and citrus like lemons, limes and oranges. When I went to Central Market that morning, I noticed some nice, fresh baby spinach and decided to incorporate it with the sole.”

The fish course was followed by a meat course of beef tenderloin with balsamic vinegar reduction and roasted asparagus. As Nino explains: “I used a beef tenderloin for its tenderness. The delicious balsamic vinegar is used in many Italian dishes – specially in Sicily – as agrodolce and in others as a reduction.”

In addition to creating in-home dinner parties and coaching struggling restaurants to success, Nino also teaches an “authentic Italian” monthly cooking class with his sister Maria Quaranta at Zest! in Lititz. “I have a visible passion for food that inspires every aspect of my culinary practice,” says the rotund chef, who brings “over 40 years as a chef, food historian, culinary educator and researcher of southern Italian and Sicilian cuisine” to the table. “My journey is one of passion and love,” he professes.

A dazzling fruit tart – provided by Nino’s friends at La Dolce Vita in Downtown Lancaster – finished the evening on a sweet note. “After such a meal, dessert calls for something light,” he explains.
The dessert was accompanied by the Italian tradition of espresso. Nino refers to his rendition as “stovetop espresso,” whereby individual pots are brewed, and the first (and strongest) part of the brew is whipped with sugar to create gremolata, which is a caramel-flavored paste that topped each guest’s demitasse cup of espresso. Authentic, indeed.

For information about Nino’s classes at Zest!, visit Zestchef.com. This month Nino and Maria will be hosting Feast of the Seven Fishes classes on December 14 and 15. Call 626-6002 for reservations.

CREDITS

Table Décor: Heather Colosi of Will Do For You Concierge

Centerpiece: Stacia McComsey of Petals With Style, and Robert Fenninger of Fenninger-Brown

Events Dinner Service: Tim Farrell and Bethany Woodcock of Water Street Mission, and Jill Brown of Fenninger-Brown Events

The Mission

Program Administrator Bethany Woodcock shares information about the projects she is involved with at the Mission with dinner guests.

Program Administrator Bethany Woodcock shares information about the projects she is involved with at the Mission with dinner guests.

Dinner conversation among the guests turned to what brought them together on this night – the Water Street Mission. Marking its 110th year, the Water Street Mission provides food, shelter and healthcare to the homeless, but holds a broader mission of transforming lives through rescue and renewal on both physical and spiritual levels. Over 400 lives are impacted every day. Multiplied over its 110 years in existence, it’s hard to imagine a local nonprofit entity that has wielded greater influence on those in need than the Water Street Mission. Likewise, the need is great for continued community support, particularly as Lancaster enters its coldest, cruelest months for the homeless.

The kitchen staff – the chef and his family and Water Street staff and volunteers – were invited to join the guests in the dining room to share the latest projects of the Mission and their own life’s work.
As guests said good night, Charles Frey summed up the spirit of the evening, observing, “When you make money and then you retire, you are able to see it is the giving that makes you happy. I used to think that the joy was in making money, but the greatest joy is giving.”

For information about the Water Street Mission, visit WSM.org.

Making Memories

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Time spent together may be the one gift everyone will remember.

If your home is anything like mine, Santa Claus (or his theological equivalent) does a pretty good job of making sure my children get what they want more than what they need. There are also the aunts and uncles, grandparents and doting best friends who spoil my kids rotten. By the time the end of the year rolls around, my house looks like the inside of a giant claw machine with colorful boxes, plush animals and games of all sizes occupying every inch.

As this has happened year after year, we’ve come to a realization: Spending some quality family time on an adventure – especially over the holidays – can last longer than any trendy piece of plastic. We’ve done Segway tours of Washington D.C., trips to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and National Aquarium, and staycations close to home. As we’ve discovered, Lancaster County has a great selection of memory-making locations. And, we’re just a short car ride away from Philly, New York, Baltimore and DC.

 

Sky Zone Trampoline Park

It’s no secret Lancaster now has a Sky Zone. The chain of indoor trampoline parks opened in the Greenfield Corporate Center last summer, and people have been talking about it ever since. I took this opportunity to check it out on my own.

The 28,000-square-foot indoor park consists of bouncy dodgeball courts, basketball hoops for spring-assisted dunking, and a general bounce area giving the option to fly into a sea of foam blocks. Angled trampolines allow friends to ricochet off the walls … all while being safe. Safety is emphasized at Sky Zone, and everyone who enters must complete and sign a valid Sky Zone waiver. Court monitors encourage guests to jump with people of similar age and size and master the fundamentals of a single trampoline before moving onto advanced skills like aerials or flips. All good things to know!

One of the most important things I learned is that a trip to Sky Zone is a workout. The company prides itself on being inventors of “fun fitness” and even offers classes like SkyRobics several times per week. Open Jump gives visitors full access to all Sky Zone activities, including the Main Court (free jump), the Foam Zone (freestyle jumping into foam), Ultimate Dodgeball and SkySlam. Open Jump is available during normal operating hours, and costs vary on how long someone wants to jump. Prices start at $12 for a 30-minute jump.

Sky Zone, 1701 Hempstead Rd #102; 208-8922 or skyzone.com.

 

Turkey Hill Experience

I practically grew up on Turkey Hill Iced Tea – back when there was one flavor and it came in a cardboard container – and thought it was quaint the first time I saw “Imported from Lancaster County” on a Turkey Hill Dairy product. Now people all over the United States know – and love – Turkey Hill products.

The company even has its own theme attraction. Part museum, part family fun center, the Turkey Hill Experience lets visitors learn every aspect of a dairy farm – without getting messy. Kids can milk mechanical cows, create a virtual ice cream flavor, and even star in a Turkey Hill commercial. The newest addition to the experience is the Turkey Hill Taste Lab, where visitors can make their virtual flavor a reality (reservations required).

Entrance to the Turkey Hill Experience and Taste Lab is $14.90 for adults (ages 18-61), $13.90 for juniors (ages 5-17), and $4.95 for children (ages 4 and under). Discounted prices are available for seniors, active military members and veterans. On December 12 and 19, from 10 a.m. until noon, kids can enjoy cookies and milk with Mrs. Claus.

Turkey Hill Experience, 301 Linden St., Columbia;  1-844-847-4884 or turkeyhillexperience.com.

 

Go ‘N Bananas

Lancaster’s newest attraction, which is tentatively slated to open this month, is the monkey-themed Go ‘N Bananas, a family fun center with tons to do. The massive space is separated into six locations where kids (and adults) of any age can find something they will enjoy.

Ke-Laah Island houses laser mazes (think Mission: Impossible), an arcade and Ballocity – a three-level indoor playground filled with thousands of foam balls to be used in blasters, vacuums, fountains and cannons. Ke-Laah, which translates to banana, is also home to Go ‘N Bananas’ mascot, a creative purple ape named Nano.

Switching to a chillier theme, adventurers can check out the Arctic Zone, where team-building fun can be had on the massive ropes course or at mini-bowling. Go ‘N Bananas says it’s “all the fun of bowling in a fraction of the space.” Guests 42 inches or taller can ride the Spin Zone bumper cars – they’re shaped more like flying saucers than traditional cars!

For the little ones, there’s Toddler Zone, which is located in the Discovery Forest. Go ‘N Bananas aimed to create a visually exciting, safe and fun adventure playground for the toddler set.
For the big kids looking for serious, competitive fun, Urban Quest takes laser tag to another level by utilizing 3,800 square feet of space filled with a two-level arena of haze-filled and black-lit obstacles.
Pricing at Go ‘N Bananas varies by activity, but Nano’s Deluxe Pass can be purchased for $29.99 and includes entry to all attractions, a $5 game card, and unlimited time in Ballocity.

Go ‘N Bananas Family Fun Center, 1170 Garfield Ave., Lancaster;  413-3118 or gonbananas.com.

 

New York and Radio City

UP_Music_HallFor those who want to schedule a holiday getaway, there is no place like New York! That’s where we’re heading for family-bonding experience this year. My wife has been itching to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular ever since we considered having children, and we figure now is the perfect time (with their ages being 6 and 10).

Radio City’s legendary dance troupe, The Rockettes, presents one of the most recognizable moves – their signature leg kick – in all of dancing history. Over the past two years, the show has incorporated new content while preserving its traditions. In 2013, the show introduced a new finale featuring GPS-enabled snowflakes. Last year the show presented a re-imagined “Rag Dolls,” a classic dance number from the 40s. (Santa’s North Pole toy factory serves as the setting for the tap routine, which features the Rockettes as rag dolls come to life.)

I’ve driven in the city before, and it is not as bad as depicted on television; however, this comes from the guy who drove the wrong way on Broadway in a moving van in the middle of the night! So, we’ve opted to take Amtrak, leaving the Lancaster station on a Friday and staying in the city for a Saturday show. The charm of train travel and the sights of the decorated city will make for one merry Christmas indeed!

Radio City Music Hall; 1260 6th Ave., New York, NY; Tickets, call Ticketmaster at 866-858-0008 or visit radiocitychristmas.com.

The Singing attorney

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At age 3, when most children his age were still learning to talk, Randy Miller was singing in front of a church audience. That was 58 years ago; today you can still find Randy singing gospel … and loving it as much as ever.

Randy remembers his father carrying him up to the front of their family’s church in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and saying, “Randy has a song for you.” The tot proceeded to sing I’ve Been with Jesus. Being able to sing at such a young age was remarkable in itself, but even more remarkable was the fact that Randy was a survivor of polio.

Sixty years ago, polio was one of the most communicable diseases among children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), at its height, the disease crippled 100 children a week. Adults were not immune either: Franklin D. Roosevelt contracted polio 12 years before becoming president. By 1979 – thanks to immunization – polio was eradicated in the U.S. Today, fewer than 10 countries report cases, and incidences of polio (worldwide) have fallen to fewer than 100 cases per year. Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only nations classified by the CDC and organizations affiliated with the United Nations as “polio-endemic.”

Part of the credit for the turnaround goes to Rotary International, which adopted the eradication of polio as a project in 1985. Randy supports the organization’s work. Last year he released a Christmas CD, Sweet Christmas; 100% of the proceeds from the CD are being donated to two children’s health charities, the Rotary Foundation PolioPlus Fund and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Raised in central city, Pennsylvania, Randy is the youngest of five children. At 10 months old, he had been walking for three weeks when polio struck. Doctors told his parents that if he lived, he would likely never walk again. Because of high fevers, they were also warned he would more than likely have brain damage.

Randy went on to prove the doctors wrong on both counts. He took his first steps with crutches at around five years of age. He excelled in school, graduated from college and law school and became an attorney – a job that uses 100% of the brain!  “Through the years, I went on to do a lot of things they thought I’d never be able to do. I also proved I was able to get into the same amount of trouble as any other kid my age. Only I’d blame it on my brothers,” he laughs.

Elizabethtown College lured Randy to Lancaster County in 1972. He met his future wife, Joanne, at an intervarsity fellowship meeting. “I like to tell people at my speaking engagements, I walked up to her and said, ‘Your prayers have been answered.’ But the truth is we were friends for a long time,” he explains. Friendship turned into romance, and the two were married in 1975. Together they have three daughters, Emily, Sara and Charity. They also have four grandchildren. Joanne, who taught at the Kraybill Campus of Lancaster Mennonite School for 14 years, helps Randy at the law practice, which is located in Elizabethtown.

Randy has always had a passion for gospel music. He recorded his first album, Because He Lives, at age 16. The cover of the album pictured a teenage Randy. Today, at 61, he has released his ninth recording. Its title, Still Singing, relates to a question that’s inevitably posed by friends he hasn’t seen in a while: “Are you still singing?” He proposed the title as a way to let people know he’s still at it and is still going strong.

Of the 12 songs on this CD, Randy has written six. It celebrates the 16-61 age connection (61 is the reverse of 16). The cover features the same picture of a teenaged Randy that was on his very first 33-1/3 LP album 45 years ago.

Many people are of the opinion that Randy sings a lot like Elvis Presley, while others say he has a style similar to that of Jim Reeves. Elvis was always a favorite of Randy’s, but he points to the famed gospel group The Couriers as his inspiration. “After I first heard them sing, I really felt their music,” he says. Randy was overjoyed when The Original Couriers graciously offered to sing background on Still Singing.
Over the years Randy has performed at churches, civic organizations, the Youngstown Fair in Ohio, outdoor concerts and many other venues across the U.S. During his performances, he often engages in dialogue with his audiences and shares stories about his life and his experience with polio. His main purpose is to “share the music,” and with it offer hope, as well as encourage and help people.
Randy maintains he’s not yet ready to retire from practicing law. But when that day does arrive, you can bet singing will be this man’s “second act.”

To inquire about obtaining a copy of  “Sweet Christmas” or other CDs, call 367-1318.

Lancaster Symphony Orchestra

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There is a low hum in the air. It’s the sound of bows gliding across strings to make certain they are in tune. It’s followed by the rumble of a pounding bass drum contrasting with the light, airy sound of woodwinds chirping. One last check before everyone takes his or her seat and the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra raises the curtain for another brilliant performance.

Now in the midst of its 69th season, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra has been under the direction of Maestro Stephen Gunzenhauser for more than three decades. Its official debut dates back to May 1, 1947. On that night, the symphony, directed by Louis Vyner, performed in the McCaskey High School Auditorium. Previous attempts to create a hometown orchestra were thwarted by two world wars and the Great Depression. But on that night, the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra played to a standing ovation.

The 2015-16 season opened in September with Hollywood Heroes and Villains, which served as a tribute to many of our favorite movie scores (the selection ranged from Batman to Star Wars). The very family-friendly event was held at the Winter Center at Millersville University. The musicians received roaring rounds of applause throughout the concert, as did the many pint-sized superheroes – in costume – who kicked off the show with a small parade up to the stage.

The excitement is rising to a “crescendo” – appropriately it’s the theme of the 2015-16 season – as we approach the holidays. There are three performances you will want to attend in December. Holiday Brass: It’s All About the Toys will feature holiday favorites (including Haydn’s Toy Symphony). The date is December 3 at The Ware Center. Harry Potter fans will want to experience Sounds of the Season: Christmas at Hogwarts. The dates are December 18 and 20 at the Barshinger Center for Musical Arts at Franklin & Marshall College. Finally, LSO will end the year/ welcome the New Year with Cirque Musica, through which the music of the symphony meets the theatrics of the circus. The date is December 31 (two shows) at the American Music Theatre.

If you’ve never attended a performance, the holiday season provides the perfect introduction (tickets also make great gifts). It’s a wonderful way to show your support for a local treasure, as they serenade you with their passion for classical music.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for February 6, when LSO presents The Godfather LIVE! (the orchestra will perform the film’s score as the movie is shown in hi-definition on the big screen at the American Music Theatre). On May 14, brothers Anthony and Will Nunziata will bring their best-selling concert, Broadway Our Way, to the Winter Center. The Classic Concert Series (with guest artists), which is held at the Fulton, continues with Monumental (January 16-17), From Bollywood to Concerto (February 20-21), Mozart Meets the Tango (April 2-3), and American Sampler (May 21-22).

You haven’t experienced Lancaster until you’ve seen and heard these unforgettable musicians.

For ticket information, call 291-4420 or visit lancastersymphony.org.

Spirited Dining

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This has been a banner year for husband-and-wife restaurateurs, Dave Zahm and Sherry Landis. Not only is Bully’s Restaurant & Pub celebrating its 15th anniversary, but the Inn at Bully’s is also celebrating more than five years in business. “Fifteen years went by so fast,” Dave observes.

Built in 1903 by A.G. Beattie, the building – originally known as the Union Hotel – served as a hotel-tavern for railroad and mill workers. According to owner Dave Zahm, the present-day building is 90% original. The bar and the chestnut/walnut/ oak back bar were hand-carved expressly for the Union Hotel by the planing mill owned by William Wohlsen of Lancaster City. The Victorian era-inspired décor also features a stained-and-beveled-glass entry door, black-and-white tiled floor, an exposed brick wall and an ornate tin ceiling that was installed when the building was renovated in 1987 by previous owners.

After a fire – started by a wayward firework – ravished the third floor of the hotel, renovations made by Dave and Sherry to the façade of the historic hotel were recognized by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County (C. Emlen Urban Award) in 2010. In creating the upper level Inn, Dave utilized his cabinetmaking skills and knowledge of construction while Sherry contributed her interior design talent.

Dave is not only proud of the milestones and accolades, but also of the fact that customers and the local community appreciate the attention to detail and service that Bully’s provides. “The Inn has really taken off. We offer the personal service and unique atmosphere that people who stay at inns and B&Bs are looking for,” he says, adding that a number of the Inn’s guests are referred by local businesses. Some are corporate clients while other guests may be students at the nearby National Watch & Clock Museum’s workshops. Still others may be cyclists using the nearby river trails. Visitors from outside the area, who are patronizing Columbia’s growing number of antiques shops, are also discovering the Inn. Dave says there’s also been an uptick in local residents indulging in staycations.

Dave notes the restaurant has undergone some personnel changes this year. Dave’s son, Adam, who had been the chef at Bully’s almost since the family came to own the casual dining establishment in 2000, switched careers in the spring in order to spend more time with his family. Therefore, a new chef, Robert Schoelkolf – who’s known to his friends as Chef Bobby – has joined the staff. Chef Bobby, who is a Columbia native and a graduate of Johnson & Wales, has ties to Bully’s; as a Columbia High School senior, he “shadowed” Adam.

“Adam and I worked really well together, so it was different not having him here,” Dave admits. “But Chef Bobby has brought his own brand of enthusiasm to the restaurant,” which Dave describes as “a destination restaurant – people come for the ambiance, consistency of the food and the historic building.”

Chef Bobby not only creates specials to augment menu items – which range from burgers to beef, fowl, pasta and seafood – but a number of the sauces he’s created utilize beer from Bully’s famed Beer Bible. He’s also offering several flavors of homemade ice cream that change daily. Dave says that like the sauces, some of the ice cream flavors are infused with beer; a recent example is ice cream made with Small Town Brewery’s “Not Your Father’s Root Beer.”

Bully’s beer bible, which offers a brief description of the brewing process, ingredients, beer terms and a glossary, as well as a listing of Bully’s beers, is also evolving. Updated about every 18 months, it was rewritten earlier this year. Dave says that at any given time – in addition to the 11 beers on tap – Bully’s has about 250 different bottled beers on the menu, most of which are craft brews. Some are year-round items, while others are seasonal and “limited edition” craft brews, as well as those offered in a cellar sale. “My focus is to offer the best selection of beer possible,” he says.

Bully’s also boasts a well-stocked bar that includes an extensive wine list and fine spirits. There are also a number of seasonal signature drinks available.

Bully’s Restaurant & Pub is located at 647 Union Street in Columbia. Dining hours are Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m. (kitchen open until 9 p.m.), and Friday-Saturday, 4 p.m.-close (kitchen open until 10 p.m.) Closed Sunday. Reservations are suggested for large groups and weekend dining. Bully’s is available for private events during lunch or on Sunday by reservation only. Call 684-2854 or visit bullys-restaurant.com.

 

Other destinations perfect for celebrating the “holiday spirit” include:

■ Pour, 114 North Prince Street, Lancaster. Located along Gallery Row, the focus of this cosmopolitan restaurant is glass-poured wine, an extensive wine list and high-end spirits. There are 12 different draft brews and about 50 craft (bottled) brews on Pour’s rotating beer list. The menu features a variety of small plate items (as well as plates to share) and charcuterie. Call 290-8080 or visit pouronprince.com.

■ The Railroad House Inn, 280 West Front Street, Marietta. This landmark restaurant and inn reopened in January under the ownership of Joey Bowden and Freddy States. The main level features three dining areas, while the lower level, which reopened in October as the Perry Street Cellar, boasts a speakeasy/pub vibe offering pub fare and “hard-to-find” craft brews. There are 12 crafts on draft; 60 craft brews are offered in bottles. The wine list features about 50 bottles. A gin-based drink called the River Flame is the signature drink. The cellar features a small dance floor and stage; live entertainment is planned for the future. Call 426-4141 or visit railroadhouseinn.com.

I Can Do That!

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Do you ever watch a movie or television show and think, “I could do that?”

My husband, Justin, and I love watching competitive reality television shows like “American Ninja Warrior,” “America’s Got Talent” or “The Voice,” (three very different shows, but still competitive in different ways). Every Monday night over the summer, we would watch these men and women compete on “American Ninja Warrior,” who have spent years of training in the gym, rock climbing, or whatever it is they do to keep physically fit, endure a grueling obstacle course.

Some areas of the obstacle course seem fairly easy, such as leaping or running across the Quad Steps and wrapping yourself around a giant log (Log Grip) as it descends down a slope. Of course, Justin and I say, “We could totally do that.”

Other areas of the course seem hard, but with enough training, we both think we could conquer those specific sections as well. For example, the Silk Slider, Devil Steps and Peg Board would cause us to work on upper body and grip strength.

We feel pretty good about our odds on the show until a contestant gets to the part of the course that would make Bruce Lee look like an amateur. These obstacles look impossible! With names like the Ultimate Cliff Hanger, Rolling Dice, Jumping Spider, Inverted Rock Climb and others, who would want to take them on?

What gets me is the back story on these contestants. You watch approximately 5 minutes of video about a certain individual’s background and the struggles they’ve faced to get to where they are today, and then he or she fails on the first or second obstacle. You have hope for them and then BAM … They fall into the water or ram their face into a gym mat, which means their chance to be the next American Ninja Warrior is over.

I enjoy the show. I even like working out. However, I don’t think I could completely devote a year or more of my life to be the next American Ninja Warrior. So, Justin and I will settle with eating popcorn while laughing at the television and telling the contestants where they went wrong in the quiet of our own home.

A Jim Schopf Christmas

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If you think the co-owner of Field of Screams is crazy about Halloween, it seems he’s even more infatuated with Christmas.

In 2000, just prior to their wedding, Jim and Andrea bought a small farm in East Hempfield Township. Dating to 1847, the farm had been owned by six generations of the Hottenstein family. Since purchasing the property, the Schopfs have completely renovated the house, built an addition, restored the barn, installed a pool and outdoor-living area, replaced the garage, added walkways and reconfigured the driveway. “Our first project was having the bricks repointed while we were on our honeymoon,” Jim recalls.

The property also enabled Jim to indulge in his love of decorating for Christmas. “I’ve always loved Christmas lights, and I never do anything halfway,” he notes, recalling the year he hung wreaths in every window of the house and another year when he positioned Santa and his reindeer on the roof of the house. Andrea reminds him of the year he ran lights from the top of the silo, turning it into a gigantic Christmas tree. “I had some of the kids from Field of Screams help me with that one,” he admits.

The silo has become a Hempfield landmark, as it is topped by a star that can be seen for miles around. “That was an early project,” Jim says. “Getting it up there was crazy. It took six or seven guys to get it done.” The star is unique in that it’s backed by a design that takes the shape of a cross. It illuminates the sky during the Easter season.

Jim then discovered icicle lights and hung them from every eave of the house. “They would drive me crazy,” he laughs. “I’d come home and find a section was out, and it would put me in a bad mood. I knew how Clark Griswold [played by Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation] felt!”

He also developed a habit of hitting the after-Christmas sales, which enabled him to add to his collection of lights and other decorations. It fell to Andrea, who is an artist and whose only request each year is to incorporate a manger into the display, to keep him in check. “Some years it bordered on gaudy,” she maintains. Jim defends himself, pointing out that he is yet to buy an inflatable Santa or snowman (which are not his style, he says).

During the renovation of the house, Jim incorporated some Christmas-related additions into the design. They included outfitting all the eaves with outlets that are tied into a timing system. (Timers were another nemesis for Jim, who says the prongs would either fall out or, in the case of an electrical outage, the lights would go on and off at haphazard times.) Now everything operates like clockwork. Jim also had all the windows hardwired for candles, which eliminated unsightly cords.

Last year Jim decided to make the switch to LED lights. “I did a lot of research online,” he remarks. “I don’t like the color and glow of a lot of them.” Satisfied he found the perfect candidate, he placed his order. “I didn’t have one problem,” he notes. “And, I noticed a big difference in the electric bill.” That’s a good thing, because Jim likes to keep the lights glowing through January. He adopted that custom as a result of snowmobiling in Quebec. “Everyone keeps their lights out all winter up there,” he says. “It makes you feel good to see them.”

 

From Our Kitchens … To Yours

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Like you, we lead busy lives. In addition to meeting our monthly deadlines, we also have to tend to our personal lives, which at this time of year means cooking and baking for family gatherings, open houses, cookie exchanges and office parties. So, we thought we’d share our favorite quick-and-easy dishes with you.

Butterfinger Cake

Briana W. Hess
Butterfinger Cake

Butterfinger Cake

Every time my birthday, Thanksgiving or Christmas rolled around, my “Granny” would always ask me what I wanted on the table. My answer was always the same: Butterfinger Cake. Now living almost 1,000 miles away, she still asks that question, but instead of birthdays and holidays it’s asked before I make my visit to Alabama. This cake is a hit with everyone in my family. (My younger cousin has followed in my footsteps and now asks for the tasty dessert for her birthday.) Not only is it easy to make, but it is also fun to make with young ones at home. The dulce de leche-like caramel sauce helps to make the cake moist while the light, whipped topping holds the Butterfinger crumbles perfectly on top.

Texas Caviar

Stephanie Musser
Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar is made with protein-packing, heart-healthy, nutrient-rich beans and colorful vegetables that look as good as they taste. Whether it’s served as an appetizer, side dish or a late-night snack, this versatile salad is a favorite of mine! It does need time to marinate, so it’s perfect to make the night before your event. Other than that, it couldn’t be easier to create. It’s perfect for holiday parties, relaxed gatherings, backyard barbecues or watching a football game or movie on television. Of course, you’ll want to serve it with crunchy tortilla chips! Leftovers keep well for at least a week (when chilled), but I guarantee you it won’t last that long.

Quick & Easy Heart-Healthy Salad

Susan Williams-Patton
FromKitchen_1

Quick & Easy Heart-Healthy Salad

Heart disease has always been a part of my life. My father had a heart condition, and my husband was born with a heart defect that affected his bicuspid aortic valve. As a result, I’ve become more aware of what I serve for parties and family gatherings and always include a few things that are heart healthy. This salad is a case in point. Guests always love it (it doesn’t matter whether they are watching their weight or sodium levels or not). The addition of berries provides natural sweetness, while the nuts deliver crunch. The swirl of colors is eye-catching, especially for holiday gatherings. Best of all, it’s simple to make, which is good for my heart! As for the dressing, take the easy route. We’ve found some tasty vinaigrettes at Panera Bread (low-sodium raspberry), Stauffers and Giant (Marzetti’s Simply Dressed Pomegranate).

Pistachio Fruit Salad

Sue Long
Pistachio Fruit Salad

Pistachio Fruit Salad

I first tasted this versatile “salad” in 1979 at a cookie exchange/brunch one of my neighbors in Lake Ridge, Virginia, hosted. Fortunately, she always sent us home with a book of recipes. That Christmas I tested the recipe out on my family, and they loved it. Since then, it’s been a go-to dish for the holidays. It’s also perfect for office parties, potlucks and bridal/baby showers. It’s simple to make. Feel free to improvise. Add fresh fruit or fruit you preserved/froze. Apples, bananas and nuts are great additions, too. Lately, I’m into using pomegranate and fresh berries to garnish the salad. I like to serve it in “memorable” pieces such as the Champagne glasses (seen here) my parents received as a wedding gift in the 40s. I’ve also served it in my grandmother’s Haviland China tea cups, the Waterford wine glasses I received over the course of several Christmases from my sister, and whatever else I may find.

Noodle Cookies

Joanne Thomas
Noodle Cookies

Noodle Cookies

Growing up we were always encouraged to learn how to do things. I learned how to sew by making Barbie Doll clothing and how to cook by making desserts and easy side dishes. I always looked forward to Christmas, which meant I could help make cookies. The cookies pictured here are more of a cross between a cookie and candy. They’re so easy to make; the recipe is foolproof.

 

Gift Idea

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Tis the season for gift giving! Sure you have the big things covered: Your kids and spouse have been dropping hints since July. It’s the other gifts that have you stumped: gift exchanges at the office and Secret Santa among your friends. Then there’s the family gift exchange; you’ve pulled the name of your third cousin, who you’re lucky to see once a year (at Christmas). Oh, and you need gifts for your kids’ teachers, the babysitter, and all those other people who make life easier. And, if you have parties on your schedule, hostess gifts will be needed. As you will see from the sampling we’ve gathered – nearly everything is $50 or less – the county is brimming with gifts that will leave recipients in awe of their Secret Santas!

For the Cook

Almost every family gathering centers around food, which means there are a few great cooks in the family. Olio Olive Oils & Balsamics in Lititz knows a thing or two about family. This family-owned-and-operated store offers an enormous variety of seasonings, salts, lotions, soaps, balsamics, oils and more. Some great gift ideas include the Tuscan Herb Olive Oil for $19; the $25 medium dipping bowl paired with two balsamic vinegars and two olive oils; the $40 large dipping bowl paired with three balsamic vinegars and one olive oil; or a lovely gift set consisting of the family’s best-selling, thick, traditional balsamic vinegar with their best-selling olive oil from Cilento, Italy, for only $42.50.

41 S. Broad St., Lititz. 627-0088 or oliooliveoil.com.

For the Old Soul

From pocket watches and old compacts to antique lockets – the original mobile device – and brooches, Lancaster County is known for its one-of-a-kind antiques shops. T. Blaszczyk Antiques, Vintage, & Collectables carries an impressive array of all-things antique: photos, jewelry, typewriters, license plates, purses, cameos, mechanicals and more. Behind every vintage or antique item is a story waiting to be told. Prices start at $15.

25 N. Prince St., Lancaster. 869-6914 or tblaszczykantiques.com.

For the Glass Lover

In colonial times, Stiegel Glass, which was made in Manheim, was renowned and revered. The tradition was revived during the 1960s, when local businessmen launched a glassworks through which demonstrations of glassblowing were offered. Now known as Stiegel Glassworks 1976, the thriving enterprise led to the creation of Artist’s Alley (in Manheim’s Railroad Station complex), where artists and artisans come together on designated weekends to demonstrate and sell items such as pottery, paintings, stained glass and, of course, blown glass that is made on the premises. The next open house will be held December 5 & 6 (10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) as part of Manheim’s holiday celebration. (You can see examples of Stiegel Glass, circa 1760s, in the Railroad Station’s museum.) Stiegel Glassworks’ gift shop will be brimming with glass ornaments, votive candle holders (pictured) and other gift ideas that start at approximately $15. Custom orders are also accepted.

210 S. Charlotte St., Manheim. 940-1382 or manheimdowntown.org.

For the Teacher

Most teachers have enough mugs and bath products to last a lifetime. Like you, these people are busy. Like you, they often eat on the run or indulge in take-out. So, why not say “Happy Holidays” with a gift card from a restaurant or deli like Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches, which supports local school organizations (and other nonprofits) through their Community Night fundraisers and Gift Card sales.

For locations, visit isaacsdeli.com.

For the Book Lover

We’ve all seen the unique signs that define rural Lancaster County. You know, the homemade ones that advertise everything from horse blanket washing services to homemade root beer. Writer and photographer Tana Reiff, who moved to the county in 1973, found them to be intriguing and began documenting them during her travels. Now she has written a book (Schiffer Publishing) that serves as an ode to this quaint tradition. In her introduction to Signs of Lancaster County: A Photographic Tour of Amish Country, Tana explains the signs are more than advertising vehicles as “they represent the culture, cottage industries, and trades of this area.” Signed copies are available through tanareiff.com for $19.99 + tax and shipping. The book can also be purchased through Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble, Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society, Bird-in-Hand Restaurant and Lancasterhistory.org.

Tana will be hosting a book signing at History.org (230 N. President Ave.) on December 11, 3-6 p.m.

For the Fashionista

Gloves may seem like a typical holiday gift, but a nice wool blend glove that is fashioned with technology in mind makes ordinary gift giving extraordinary. These stylish Sayami gloves with touchscreen technology can be found at Sonia Rose for $35. Need a matching accessory? A Fraas confetti scarf pairs nicely with any color for only $30. Arrive at your next dinner party warm and in style.

50 N. Queen St., Lancaster. 394-3700.

For the Home Decorator

LCM_Stills_011One really can’t go wrong in the gift-giving department if he or she purchases something that falls under the home décor category. Sprucing up one’s home (or garden) is always in vogue. We found these decorative Oriental Danny rabbits – priced at $22.50 each – while strolling through Gehman’s Furniture & Interiors, Inc., in Mount Joy.

51 E. Main St., Mount Joy. 653-1488.

For the Men in Your Life

Whether you’re searching for your husband, father, son or a friend, a flask is an ideal gentlemen’s gift. This handmade, needlepoint flask is available at Brent L. Miller Jewelers & Goldsmiths. While the flask is trendy, it also evokes memories and is a true keepsake, which is why it is a popular gift for a groomsman, too. If the needlework finish doesn’t suit your taste, you can elect to have the stainless steel flask engraved with a name, date, initials or a special message. Price: $65.

1610 Manheim Pike, Lancaster. 569-5450 or brentlmiller.com.

For Those Who Live Green

Kathy Frey Terkeltaub, owner of Festoon, is proud to be the exclusive source of a limited-edition tumbler that is a collaboration of Kevin Lehman (potter, glassblower and founder/director of the Lancaster Creative Factory) and Christina Maser (whose soy candles are 100% natural and biodegradable, with no colors or dyes added; plus the wicks are made from paper or cotton). Once the candle is gone, the tumbler takes on a second life as a one-of-a-kind drinking glass. Price: $39.

202 N. Duke St., Lancaster. 299-2232. 1183 Erbs Quarry Rd., Lititz. 560-6509. Shopfestoon.com.

For the Wine Lover

From Nissley Vineyards: Fans of Pinot Noir will like Cabernet Franc, a dry, light-bodied red that is perfect for the holidays, as it pairs well with turkey and pork, as well as Swiss and cheddar cheeses. Price: $16.90. Country Cherry is one of Nissley’s fruit wines. Made from fresh cherries, this sweet wine is good for sipping and pairs nicely with chocolate and cheesecake desserts. Price: $13.90. Nissley also stocks glassware, nifty wine accessories and eye-catching wine bags.

Winery is located at 140 Vintage Dr., Bainbridge. 426-3514 or nissleywine.com. Shops are also located at Rockvale Outlets and Park City Center (Fountain Shops).

Giving Thanks

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Whether you gather your family and friends around the table in a formal dining room or in a barn, Thanksgiving is a season for reflection. I don’t know about you, but I’m grateful to live in an area where the bounty is second to none.

I’m sure you’ve been reading all the press regarding the disappearance of the formal dining room. Our affinity for going casual has prompted homebuilders to totally skip the room, designate it a flex room or incorporate the footage into the kitchen, thus making the breakfast room more of an all-purpose dining area. I’ve even read articles that encourage homeowners to think outside the box and haul their dining room furniture into the great outdoors for the ultimate al fresco dining experience.

Photographer Helen Norman used that premise to produce a feature story for Southern Living magazine’s October 2013 issue. The farm she owns, just over the Maryland line in White Hall, served as the setting for a harvest-themed dinner. Fortunately, she asked me to collaborate on the project.

Twenty years ago, when Helen and her husband, Mark Elmore, bought Star Bright Farm, it was in a total state of disrepair. Today, it is beautiful. The 150-year-old weathered-wood and stone structures and farmhouse have all been restored. Gardens abound. The fields yield organic fruits and vegetables. The acreage is part of Maryland’s Agricultural Land Preservation program.

The 130-acre farm serves a new purpose as it’s become a “studio” for Helen, other photographers, ad agencies, film studios, etc. It’s probably been seen in every lifestyle magazine in the country. It’s also served as the backdrop for print and television ads and catalogues. I’ve had the great pleasure to work with Helen over the past few years. Despite the pace of the work, spending any time on her farm can give you plenty to reflect on. Talk about a peaceful place!

The family also loves to share the farm and as a result, it’s been the scene of numerous farm-to-table dinners, fundraising events, lectures and social events such as weddings.

When Thanksgiving rolls around, Helen’s most treasured guests don’t have far to travel. Her brother, Drew Norman, and his wife, Joan (along with their family), operate the adjacent One Straw Farm – a certified organic operation that counts many restaurants and foodies (through its CSA program) as clients. The Normans are also standholders at several of Maryland’s farmers’ markets. Their favorite place to toast the end of the harvest is in one of Star Bright’s barns. “We like to say our dining room is wherever we choose to gather,” Helen told Southern Living.

The menu, which celebrated the bounty of the harvest, could easily translate into Thanksgiving. You might call it a last hurrah before we transition into the holiday season. Thanks to the multitude of farm-fresh ingredients I had at my disposal (from both Star Bright and One Straw farms), I chose to take the menu in a rustic and simple direction, which truly allows the no-fuss flavors to shine.

And, as I’ve often said before, the cooking gods will not strike you dead if you don’t serve a turkey for Thanksgiving. Yes, leftovers are a thing of beauty, but if you’ll be traveling that weekend, they’ll  just end up going to waste. So why not prepare what you’ll need and skip the stress? A free-range chicken (or other bird of a feather) is equally as tantalizing. Sides make the meal interesting, and an old-fashioned dessert provides the perfect finishing touch.

 

Apple-Onion Soup topped with Cheese Puff Pastries

Fall Salad with Beets and Apples

Fall Salad with Beets and Apples

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sautéed Mushrooms

Root Vegetable Mash

Root Vegetable Mash

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Candied Roasted Squash

Candied Roasted Squash

Molasses-Brined Roasted Chicken with Jus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apple Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy Créme Anglaise

Apple Bread Pudding with Apple Brandy Créme Anglaise

 

 

 

 

NOTE: This month’s recipes were originally published in Southern Living magazine, October 2013

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