Kerry Kegerise has breathed new life into a historic mill in Denver. Appropriately enough, as an events venue, Bear Mill Estate is where life’s special moments are celebrated.

Four years ago, Kerry bought the historic estate that dates to 1739. “It was originally called Bucher Thal, and at one time it stretched over 400 acres,” he explains. Several generations of Bears lived and worked on the property. In the early 1900s, the Eberly family became its owners. Then, a local doctor bought it, after which a couple from the Midwest, who operated an antiques business, owned it.

Kerry always loved the property. “I played there as a kid,” he says. And, he was appreciative of the fact that Denver’s residents have also maintained a special connection to it. Under the Eberlys’ tenure, the original grist mill served as an ice house, and many of the townspeople took advantage of the cold storage services the Eberlys provided. Additionally, the park-like grounds provided area residents with a place to picnic and enjoy nature.

Kerry opened a new chapter for the mill when he transformed it into a shopping destination that offered flowers on a portion of the first floor and antiques on the second floor.

At the invitation of Bill Donecker, Kerry had launched his floral-design business – Country Lane Flowers – at the Doneckers complex. Through Doneckers, he became involved in weddings and other special events. Now, as a seasoned floral designer and events specialist, Kerry noticed the area lacked venues that cater to smaller-scale events. He set out to fill that void and began scouting possible properties. The search was a frustrating one.

One day he looked across his front yard and viewed the mill in an all-new light. “I could do what I wanted right here,” he says of the lightbulb moment. He interviewed an architect and contractors and settled on Dwight Graybill of Cocalico Builders. “Dwight’s mantra – ‘It will build itself’ – was a little scary, but I learned to trust him,” Kerry says, at which Dwight interjects, “I almost lost him the first day.” According to Kerry, after day one, “We just really clicked.” Together, the two designed the venue (which would include a two-level, open-air addition) and the adjoining building that would house Kerry’s floral-design business, as well as a catering kitchen and restrooms.

Kerry implemented his idea to transform the mill’s first floor (half of which was once a garage) into a welcoming gathering place. The ceiling is lined with reclaimed pecky cypress. Two of the three posts are original to the space (Ben Graybill created the look-alike replacement). Kerry’s ploy obviously worked. Visitors to his home tend to end up at the mill. Note the reproduction Indian door and the original fireplace.

East Cocalico Township and Denver Borough approved the plans in October 2014. Kerry and Dwight established a May 1 target date for completion of the project. The first order of business was to open up the first floor of the mill (Kerry’s shop occupied one half, while a garage filled the other). Kerry’s vision was to have the first floor resemble a comfortable and welcoming living room. The bones were there, including centuries-old beams, posts and a fireplace. Refurbishing the walls and ceiling was critical to creating the right mood. In Dwight’s estimation, drywall and new wood wouldn’t cut it. “We thought about wainscoting, but that wasn’t the look we wanted either. We wanted it to look as if it had been there for 200 years.”

So, Dwight began working his “sources” and came across a supply of pecky cypress, which provides an aged look due to the long and narrow cavities that result from a fungal infection that disappears once the wood is cut. “I thought the guy was saying ‘piggy cypress,’” Dwight says of his Amish source. “So, that’s what we were calling it. When I went back for more, his son corrected me.” The wood was sourced from a chicken house in Lebanon County.

Dwight also worked his magic to create innovative enclosures for the mechanicals on both floors. Again, using aged wood, he designed enclosures that mimic period furniture. He also designed and crafted entries that resemble Indian doors, which once protected homesteaders from attackers. “Dwight also found all the specialty hardware and latches that were used throughout the mill,” Kerry points out. “The details are what define this project.”

The two-level, open-air addition is constructed of steel and concrete. It provides views of the pond, millrace and the creek that meanders across the back of the property. Dwight and his team completely rebuilt the walls of the millrace. “It was a mess,” Kerry recalls. “The walls had collapsed into the water.”

The glass elevator provides views of the pond and countryside. A newly constructed footbridge transports guests from the pond-side lawn area to the tree-filled backyard, where a farm-to-table (former White House Chef, John Moeller, provided the menu) fundraiser was held in late August to benefit the Ephrata Public Library.

The second floor serves as the venue’s ballroom. Artwork consists of implements that are original to the mill. Note the tin chandeliers crafted by Charles Messner. Claudia Himes of Special Occasions & Queen Street Linens is the exclusive linens supplier for Bear Mill. Rettew’s Catering is the preferred caterer for the venue. Note Kerry’s early-fall floral designs.

Recycling also played a role in the addition. Again, Dwight was able to “recycle” some steel he had bought (it was originally sourced from a tower that was taken down in Brooklyn, New York). The steel was then wrapped with barnwood in order to echo the period look. A glass elevator transports guests from one floor to the other. “That has proven to be a real hit with guests,” Kerry says.

The second-floor “ballroom” continues the mood Kerry set on the first floor. The red sandstone walls are complemented by hit-or-miss-style yellow pine floorboards. Overhead, Charles Messner’s handcrafted, punched-tin chandeliers dazzle. Artwork comes courtesy of finds that relate to the mill’s history. Milling implements decorate one wall, while 200-year-old clay roof tiles – set into a frame – define another. “Dwight surprised me with that one,” Kerry says.

Dwight’s next project for the space is to create custom farm tables. “We experimented with various table styles, and we feel the farm tables will best complement the style and period of the building,” Kerry says.

Clay roof tiles that are original to the property provide more artwork for the ballroom.

Decorating the mill has been a labor of love. The first floor bar is from the Mountain Springs Hotel in Ephrata. Stained glass is original to St. John’s UCC in Denver. Quite a few of the furnishings are from the nearby Black Angus, while others reflect purchases Kerry made during his travels. His grandfather’s paint ladder hangs from the ceiling in a corner of the first floor. “Townspeople have been giving me things, too,” Kerry reports. As has Bill Donecker. “He’s always calling and saying, ‘Kid, I found something you may like,’” Kerry notes. That Doneckers touch has prompted many visitors to note the feeling of being back at the iconic store. “I get ‘I feel like I’m at Doneckers’ a lot,” Kerry says.

There is already a change in the air. Kerry is phasing out his retail floral business in order to concentrate exclusively on floral designs for Bear Mill events. With space opening up in the cottage, he is going to be launching a private-label wine venture. “We’re going to become a Pennsylvania Wine Destination,” he says. “We’ll have limited retail space and will concentrate on supplying our events with wine. Plus, we’ll have wine tastings and food-pairing events throughout the year.” Fortunately, Dwight is a wine enthusiast and has built his fair share of wine cellars for customers.

“This has been an exciting project,” Kerry says. “Some days it was like Christmas around here: I didn’t know what to expect. I’m very proud of the fact that we used local businesses.” As for Dwight, he says this was one of those once-in-a-lifetime projects. “To have the same taste as the customer and to be given the opportunity to be creative and not have constraints is something you only dream about,” he remarks. “This has truly been one of the most enjoyable projects I’ve ever been involved in.”

The project will be honored later this month by the Historic Preservation Trust, which is presenting Bear Mill Estate with the Restoration/Adaptive Re-use award. Ninety-year-old Charles Messner will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement award.

Information: Bearmillestate.com, Cocalicobuilders.net.

Knowing I had to write about the trail, I thought it would be a good idea to walk it. So, on a gorgeous afternoon in late August, I asked Miss Paisley (my dog) if she’d like to go for a walk. Upon hearing the word “walk,” she made a beeline for the front door. Little did she know that our regular jaunt around the neighborhood was being replaced by a stroll along the river.

We arrived early in the afternoon to find parking at a premium. This was one busy place! I couldn’t help but notice how many people were negotiating the trail on wheels; the mode of transportation ranged from tricycles to wheelchairs. I was also struck by the number of young people – toddlers to millennials – on the trail. It was gratifying to know that Mother Nature still trumps cell phones and PCs.

Incredibly, I saw someone I knew. Jared Erb, a designer with the Custom Home Group, came whizzing by on his bike. It was his second time on the trail. “I didn’t even know it existed until I saw it on the website, traillink.com,” he explains of discovering it mid-summer. While he’s a fan of the Enola Low Grade that’s farther south, he finds the Northwest to be “the most interesting,” due to the variety it offers: river views, wooded areas, farmland, vintage photos, historical comment, and, of course, the White Cliffs of Conoy.

Jared also noticed the youthfulness of the trail’s users that day. “It is encouraging to see more and more young people out enjoying nature,” he says, adding, “I think it’s a wonderful use of tax money, and I’m glad to see the local municipalities investing in projects like this. I hope they finish it all the way up to Harrisburg.”

That is not inconceivable. Hopefully by year’s end, the entire length of the trail – 14.5 miles, stretching from Columbia to Falmouth – will be open.

The Conoy Township portion of the trail began welcoming visitors late in the summer of 2014. In anticipation of increased traffic, the American Legion’s Koser Park, where the trail can be accessed in Bainbridge, was given a facelift. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the river – or a picnic – before or after you tackle the trail. Ample parking is available and on busy days, an overflow lot is open.

The Back Story

Steve Mohr, who has been a Conoy Township supervisor for 28 of the past 30 years, grew up in Bainbridge. The river was his playground. The Mohr brothers, other family members and friends spent their free time fishing and hunting along its banks.

In the early 80s, Steve learned the bankrupt Penn Central Railroad was being ordered to liquidate its holdings. “I hated the thought of it becoming private property,” he says. “That would have ended our access to the river.” So, Steve approached his brothers and father with the idea of buying the stretch of land in Conoy Township that in places was only 80 feet wide. Initially, his father wasn’t receptive to the idea. “He wanted to know what the heck we were going to do with it,” Steve recalls. The younger Mohr explained they could share it with the public as a recreation area. His father was dubious, saying people were too busy to take the time to walk along the river. Still, he acquiesced, and the Mohrs bought the riverside acreage.

When Steve became a Conoy Township supervisor, he approached his colleagues, Bob Strickland and Joe Kauffman, with the idea of buying the riverfront that stretches north from Bainbridge to the Dauphin County line for recreational purposes. While they were receptive to the idea, they were hesitant, not knowing where the money would come from to pay for the purchase. “So, I approached [County Commissioner] Jim Huber,” Steve recalls. Commissioner Huber arranged for grant money. With the help of volunteers, a trail between Bainbridge and Falmouth was constructed. “It’s pretty primitive, but we’re going to start upgrading it next spring,” Steve says. “I’d love to see it hook a right and connect with the Conewago Trail that goes through Mt. Gretna.”

The Mohrs eventually sold their parcel to the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority, which in turn leased it to Conoy Township as part of the Northwest trail. “Solid Waste Management has been a good neighbor to Conoy,” Steve says. “They’ve helped us go from a poor township to one that is able to operate more freely.”

Walking Through History

The 10-foot-wide trail, which sits atop what had once been the Pennsylvania Canal (1833-1860), features a paved surface. In places, it’s immediately adjacent to tracks used by the Norfolk Southern Railway. The trail winds its way through woodland that was once the hunting grounds of the Shenks Ferry Indians, who lived in the area from the 13th to 16th centuries. Sweeping river views take in landmarks such as a series of rapids called the Haldeman Riffles. Also of note is the Haldeman Mansion, which was the boyhood home of naturalist and philologist Samuel S. Haldeman. At one point, the trail transitions into a bridge, under which the Conoy Creek spills into the Susquehanna.

Beyond that you’ll spy the remains of a once-thriving industry that entailed the production of limestone and dolomite. In 1846 John Haldeman launched a limestone quarrying business. Farmers purchased the burned limestone for fertilizing, whitewashing and plastering purposes. Steel factories utilized the dolomite to remove impurities in the metal.

In 1895 the quarry was sold to John E. Baker and George Billmyer, who added limestone crushing to the business. A company town soon took root. Called Billmyer, the town eventually grew to 1,000 residents, due in part to the fact that dolomite was in high demand during World War I. Out of that demand, the White Cliffs of Conoy emerged. Waste material from the processing of the limestone and dolomite was dumped along the river banks. “We just might be the only recreation area in the country that’s built atop an industrial waste dump,” Steve says. The trail travels along what had been Billmyer’s Main Street. Remnants of the factory (razed and salvaged in 2004) and the town – row houses, a church, a school, a store and a post office – can still be seen. Like many company towns, Billmyer didn’t have the best reputation. Still, Steve and his brothers frequently passed through Billmyer on their way to the river. “It was one of those places that if you weren’t careful, you’d find yourself in trouble,” he recalls.

Steve reports that one of the quarry’s last employees, Norman Tyson, who just celebrated his 101st birthday, now lives near the trail’s Decatur Street access in Marietta. “He often rides the trail on his scooter,” Steve says.

Billmyer’s water-filled quarry, which until recently was home to the Bainbridge Sportsmen’s Club and the Bainbridge Scuba Center, has been sold to the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority. The 93-acre parcel includes the 27-acre quarry. “I’d love to see it used in some recreational capacity,” Steve says.

Further downstream are a picnic grove and a clearing from which you can study eagle activity on an island in the river. A short walk then delivers you to Shocks Mill Bridge, an arched, stone, low-grade railroad bridge that was built in 1903. “It was critical to the war effort during both World Wars,” Steve says, noting that it served as this region’s Midwest connection to the East Coast. “Because of that, it was protected by armed guards during both wars,” Steve explains. In 1972, its center section was destroyed by Hurricane Agnes and was quickly replaced, enabling train traffic to continue using it. Today, it serves as a major route for transporting oil from North Dakota to points east. “It required some engineering to get the trail under and through the bridge area,” Steve remarks. “It took major cooperation and blessings among Conoy, LCSWMA, DEP, NCNR and Norfolk Southern.”

Priceless Benefits

Steve says the trail reflects the best of what government and private interests can achieve when they work together. He points to a 200-acre tract of land in East Donegal Township that was critical to the development of the trail. “We partnered with them to buy it,” he notes.

But, according to Steve, he derives the most satisfaction from seeing people use the trail. “We get visitors from all over the place, as far away as Minnesota,” he says of people he’s met over the last year. “And, it’s not just on weekends, but throughout the week. You see the same faces using it every morning and evening. I wish my mom and dad had lived long enough to see it,” he muses. He points out that last year’s frigid weather created a new venue for fans of winter sports. “We didn’t clear the path, so cross-country skiers used it, as did a person who has a dog sled.”

Local businesses are benefitting, too. “We installed bike racks, so people can leave their bikes if they want to walk over to the Bainbridge Inn or up to Gigi’s,” he says. “You know, one night I was down here, and the pavilion in the park was filled with people eating ice cream,” he says of Gigi’s specialty.

Kathy Wagner, who lives in Bainbridge and writes the Second Act column for this magazine, notices that bike riders are coming off the trail to explore the town. “A lot of people stop me to ask questions about our town,” she says. “I think it’s nice that they’re interested.”

Best of Winners List

Winners from each of our survey categories are highlighted.

Belvedere Inn

“Seventeen years. I can’t believe it,” owner Dean Oberholtzer says of the Belvedere Inn’s recent anniversary. While the menu is the drawing card for patrons – unlike many restaurants, the Belvedere still makes its desserts in-house – Dean turns the tables and says the best thing about his job is “definitely the people.” Seen here are short ribs with tomato salsa and mac & cheese. The dessert is S’mores Chocolate Mousse, which entails layers of chocolate mousse, graham cracker crumbs, shaved dark chocolate and marshmallow meringue. Red wine is the perfect pairing for the entrée and the dessert.

Left to right: Michael Long, Ruth Thomas and John Stoner

Central Market

Two hundred seventy-five years is a remarkable run. That’s how long Central Market has been sustaining its fans, making it the oldest farmers’ market in the land. Inside this iconic building, you’ll find some market stands that have enjoyed incredible tenures of their own. Stoner’s Homegrown Vegetables is the title holder at 120 years (or thereabouts). The current standholders, John (aka Captain Arugula) and Ethel, fortify customers with farm-grown heirloom tomatoes, bok choy, Brussels sprouts and more. Holding the second-longest spot is Thomas Produce at 80 years. Ruth and Wilmer raise their produce on a 65-acre farm in Northern Lancaster County. They also sell starter plants, eggs from neighboring farms and homemade granola. And, it’s hard to miss the standholder with the third-longest record: Long’s Horseradish at 60 years! The stand may be small in size, but the impact is mighty! You’ll undoubtedly get a whiff of the offerings – ranging from freshly grated horseradish to Horseradish Barbecue Sauce – long before you arrive at the stand.

Ryan and Jo Miller

Brent L. Miller Jewelers & Goldsmiths

Tiffany & Co. will make you dream big. That’s the effect the storied New York jeweler had on Ryan Miller, who after joining the family business, realized he had a lot to learn. So, he headed for New York, where he worked for Tiffany’s for two years. “When he came back, he immediately had his eye on a building that sat along the Manheim Pike,” recalls his mother and business partner, Jo Miller. Ryan had a vision for the building that once housed a machine shop. Their new jewel of a store – Jo calls it “a dream come true” – is sleek and modern. Blue – not that blue – takes its cue from sapphires. An entire section – probably larger than the original store on N. Queen Street – is dedicated to watches. Engagement rings beckon from stylish cases. Precious gems twinkle. Pandora entices. It all equates to Ryan naming “sharing a customer’s special moment” as the best part of his job.

Joel Buch/Joel’s Painting & Contracting

Joel buch not only won the Painting-Paperhanging category, but he also placed second in the Community Volunteer category. Joel, who launched his career at age 16 by working for his uncle, intended to go in another direction and enrolled at a bible college in Oklahoma. But painting lured him back home in 2001. He subsequently launched his own company – Joel’s Painting & Contracting – and in the process hired his uncle, mother, father, brothers and cousins. “It’s truly a family business,” he says with pride, noting the best aspect of his job is “working with the public” and seeing his employees “take pride in a job well done.”

An interest in helping the youth of Lancaster prompted Joel, who grew up in Elizabethtown and now lives in the city, to become a youth pastor. He not only mentors young people, but he also steers them toward careers in painting and other trades. “A willingness to learn is a character trait that makes for a good employee,” says the father of three.

Now his mentoring extends to toddlers. A few years ago, he began donating a “painter for a day” to the Lancaster Day Care Center’s Night on the Town benefit. Upon visiting the center, he noticed it could use a splash of paint. A grant enabled the center to hire Joel, who was able to deliver a “fresh and fun” look via dynamic colors. Next thing he knew, he was a board member.

He is proud to be affiliated with an organization that is much more than a day care center. Education is being provided between play time and naps. For our photo shoot, Joel put his finger-painting skills to the test with a group of 2-year-old boys who were simply amazing. Before they posed for the camera, they were working their iPads like pros. Afterward, they sat as Joel read from their favorite book, No, David! In answer to Joel’s questions, they correctly identified colors, supplied the names of fruits and vegetables that adorned the pages, and explained the scenarios in which David was involved. No doubt, an artist might emerge from the group, as well as some computer programmers (and I would guess a football player or two).

The Lancaster Day Care center, which is located on S. Queen Street and provides services for 100 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years,  is observing a milestone in 2015. This year marks its 100th anniversary. According to Executive Director Nina Maragne, the center might be the oldest non-religion-based day care provider in the United States. The anniversary will be celebrated at the Lancaster Country Club on November 7, when the annual Night on the Town benefit is being observed as Night of the Century. Call 392-7413 or visit ldcc.org for ticket information.

Doug Rebert and Pete Slaugh

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

In Pete Slaugh’s estimation, “When you like what you do, it’s not a job.” Doug Rebert echoes that by saying, “It’s exciting to come to work every day.” As the co-founders and managing directors of the Homesale Reality Family of Companies, which provides one-stop shopping for everything from mortgages to property management, the partners say the best part of their jobs is serving as “talent scouts” in an effort to provide the company with top-notch agents and employees. Over the past 12 years, the company – affiliated with Berkshire Hathaway since June 2014 – has closed 131,663 real estate transactions, creating a sales volume of $23.9 billion. As a result, it is ranked by REAL Trends magazine as the 24th most successful real estate company in the nation.

Left to right: Cathy Lewars, Terri Gildea, Krysten Willits, Megan Onofrey and Peaches Gehman.

Oregon Dairy

You could say wedding cakes designed by Oregon Dairy’s bakery have the power to aid orphans in Africa and benefit the world at large via renewable energy. Since 2011, Oregon Dairy has been generating its own electric power through a roof-top solar program that was developed by Lancaster-based Horizon Energy, LLC (and installed by MVE Solar of Ephrata). Horizon “invests” their profits – through the Horizon Initiative – by creating micro communities (each generally consists of an orphanage, a school, a farm, a medical clinic and perhaps several microbusinesses) in Africa.

Oregon Dairy’s bakery ovens operate non-stop; in addition to the regular lineup of pies, cookies, breads, whoopie pies and other items, at least 200 orders are placed each week for special-occasion cakes. “We design and make seven to 10 wedding cakes a week,” reports Cathy Lewars, who says the best aspect of designing a wedding cake “is helping to make someone’s big day perfect.”

Lancaster General Health  |  Penn Medicine

What is the prognosis when a nationally recognized, not-for-profit community healthcare system partners with a world-renowned, not-for-profit academic medical center? For Lancaster County, the partnership of Lancaster General Health and the University of Pennsylvania Health System (Penn Medicine) is taking healthcare to an all-new level, as residents will be afforded unprecedented access to advance treatments, more than 4,000 physicians and advanced clinicians, and hundreds of facilities, including seven hospitals, three of which are among the top five in the state (according to U.S. News & World Report). The diagnosis is cost-effective, high-quality healthcare.

Lisa Landis Blowers

You might say Lisa embraces life … with gusto. She also faced death as a result of contracting a deadly flesh-eating bacterial disease. She credits her saving grace to the thousands of prayers that were sent her way. Two years later, she’s almost back to her normal routine, which includes hosting the Get Up and Go Show weekday mornings on WJTL, as well as Saturday morning’s Kids Cookie Break that often takes her on the road.
The road has also taken her around the world, thanks to organizations such as the Mennonite Central Committee. And, she pops up at benefits throughout the county, snapping photos of fundraising events. She also does voiceover work at WGAL.

But her favorite roles are wife and mom. “I met my husband in 7th grade,” she says of John Blowers. Son Alex is making plans for the future, as he will graduate from Dayspring Christian Academy this spring. Lisa says culinary school is his goal.

What’s the best part of her job? Lisa says it’s the power of radio – she calls it a personal medium. “People tell me that I motivate them to get up and get going in the morning, or I help them get through the day,” she explains. “Still others thank me for a certain song that ‘speaks’ to them.”