CELEBRATING LANCASTER COUNTY'S PEOPLE, SCENERY,

HERITAGE, STYLE & POINT OF VIEW SINCE 1987.

It’s a Beautiful Day with Wilson Pipkin

Imagine Covid doesn’t exist and you have a day off from work. You are free to spend the day doing exactly as you please. Inspired by U2’s It’s a Beautiful Day – “It’s a beautiful day, don’t let it get away” – we asked Wilson Pipkin to describe his perfect Lancaster County day. 

The Pipkins – Chase, Wilson, Hannah, Jennifer and Madison – at the U.S. Open in New York.

About Wilson 

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Wilson started playing tennis at the age of 5. “One day I grabbed a racket and just started hitting a ball against a wall,” he recalls. He ultimately developed a ritual whereby he didn’t allow himself to stop until he hit 100 balls in a row. Lessons followed and Wilson progressed to tournament play and became a member of his high school’s team. He was recruited to play at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas, and then at Arkansas State University. 

After spending two successful summers overseeing a tennis program at a country club in Peoria, Illinois, Washington Tennis Services then recruited Wilson for another assignment – the director of tennis at Four Seasons, which is now the Hempfield recCenter. 

The move to Pennsylvania in 1985 proved to be life changing in another way. It was a “love” match for Wilson and Jennifer Shiner, who was a lifeguard at Four Seasons. Married in 1989, they are the parents of Madison, who like her mother is a teacher in Lancaster County; Hannah, who is a studio director for the Philly Art Center, as well as a fine artist; and Chase, who is a producer at Freethink Media in Washington, D.C. All three grew up playing tennis and continue to play through the United States Tennis Association (USTA). “Jennifer was the last holdout,” Wilson says of his wife becoming a tennis player.  

Wilson shares that one of his greatest accomplishments in life came in 2019, when the Pipkins were named USTA’s National Family of the Year.    

Koser Jewelers Tennis Challenge 

In 2008, Wilson was approached by the USTA about the possibility of Hempfield hosting a warm-up tournament for women ahead of the U.S. Open – the last of the four Grand Slam events – that is held in New York in late summer. (Hempfield is one of 20 facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware that is deemed a USTA Premier Provider Facility.) With six indoor and 10 outdoor courts, as well as stadium seating for 1,200, Hempfield was more than qualified to host such a tournament. 

The first several tournaments were held in May. The purse was $10,000. It was up to Wilson and his staff to line up sponsors. “I’ll never forget the first time I met with Randy and Betsy Wolgemuth,” Wilson says of the owners of Koser Jewelers. “I was a nervous wreck about asking them to be a sponsor. I think the amount we needed from them was something like $1,000.” To his surprise, they immediately said yes. “It’s been a great collaboration,” he continues. “You need something and Randy jumps right in. He personally selects the awards – pieces of jewelry – the winners receive. Jewelry eliminates having to haul a trophy around,” says Wilson, alluding to life on the road for players. “The girls love it.” 

Several years ago, the prime date on the tournament calendar – mid-August – opened up. “The date was offered to us,” Wilson explains. “The purse increased to $60,000.” 

This year, USTA is upping the ante. The tournament, which will be held August 9-15, will have a $100,000 purse, which will undoubtedly attract higher-ranking players. “This is a primo tournament,” Wilson says. “Admission is free. We welcome people to come and watch some great tennis.” 

The Tennis Life 

Wilson loves being involved in a sport he views as a lifetime endeavor. “I’m living it,” he says of continuing to play tennis. While Jimmy Connors and Chris Evert “rank” as his all-time favorite players, Wilson gained a new-found admiration for Rafael Nadal when he had the opportunity to work in the player registration area at the U.S. Open three years ago. “Nadal ended up registering at my desk,” Wilson recalls. “He was the only player to go around the room, shake everyone’s hand and tell us how much he enjoys coming to New York. I was impressed.”  

He’s also become a fan and friend of Ons Jabeur, a player from Tunisia, who, as a teen, had to train on hotel tennis courts because of the scarcity of facilities in her homeland. She played in the Koser tournament three years ago and is now ranked 24th in the world. She is the first Arab woman to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament (Australia in 2020) and was named Arab Woman of the Year in Sports in 2019. “We talk about once a week,” he says. 

Speaking of Grand Slam tournaments, Wilson put together a trip to Wimbledon a few years ago for 22 Hempfield members. “That was so much fun. I’d love to do it again,” he says. He also arranges annual bus trips to the U.S. Open for the qualifying rounds, as well as the main draw.     

In His Own Words

Wilson’s Perfect Lancaster County Day 

I know I’m supposed to take the day off from work, but I love my job – It’s in my DNA – so I’d need to come to the office just to check in with everyone. If it’s Saturday, I’d then head for Central Market and grab some breakfast or lunch – Jenn helps out at the Central Market Juice Company on Saturdays. If it’s Wednesday, we’ll be joining some of our neighbors that evening for our weekly Wine Wednesday get-together that we’ve been doing for years. 

No matter the day, I’d like to pick up on something fun that Jenn and I did during Covid –
we went on an ice cream tour of Lancaster County and hit eight or nine places. Everyone told us we had to go to Fox Meadows, which we did. It certainly lived up to the hype – in fact, I wouldn’t mind going back there. I know there’s more to discover, so I’m “game” to sample more ice cream.

On my perfect day, the kids would be home. When they were all home during Covid, we really got into playing board games – we got some massive Rook games going! 

For dinner, we’d head for one of our favorite restaurants – Rice & Noodles or The Belvedere. 

I’d end the day by watching television – undoubtedly, something on the Tennis Channel. Needless to say, tennis is on TV a lot at our house!  

For more information, visit hempfieldrec.com. 

Lancaster is for Ice Cream Lovers!

If the heat and humidity are getting you down, cool off with summer’s favorite treat – ice cream! In Lancaster County, ice cream is regarded as a vital component of the Food Pyramid’s Dairy Group. From old-fashioned soda fountains to farms and all-American drive-ins, ice cream tops their menus! 

Photo by Brian Donnelly

The roots of ice cream extend back to ancient times, when crushed ice or frozen milk was made more flavorful with fruit juices. According to food writer Tori Avey, nearly every culture through the ages has developed its own take on an icy dessert, resulting in what we now know as gelato (Italy), sorbet (France) and sherbet (Middle Eastern countries). Immigrants brought the icy treats to America, where, what we now know as ice cream evolved. Avey shares that George Washington and Thomas Jefferson loved ice cream. Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary, made it a practice to host parties during strawberry season that always included homemade strawberry ice cream. Sundaes became a taste sensation in the 1880s, while the waffle cone made its debut during the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. 

The good news is that ice cream is staying on trend with today’s lifestyles and includes gluten-free, low-carb, sugar-free and vegan varieties. 

Oh, and there’s a new taste sensation that apparently is simply intoxicating – alcohol-infused ice cream. Specialty companies such as Bootleg Creamery (Denver, Colorado) and Arctic Buzz (based in Maryland) are livening up America’s favorite flavors with vodka, gin and other spirits. This summer, Coors introduced Orange Cream Pop ice cream that is infused with hard seltzer. You have to be 21 to buy what is being marketed as adult ice cream because apparently it does leave you with a buzz. It’s not available in Pennsylvania, but if you happen to visit a liquor store in D.C. or Maryland, look for it. It’s proven to be a hit at several MLB ballparks, as well. 

What follows are some of Lancaster County’s go-to places for ice cream. We’d suggest you check operating hours before taking a drive – because of Covid and manpower issues, hours remain in flux. Also, hours typically change once fall arrives. 

BOEHRINGER’S DRIVE-IN 

3160 N. Reading Rd. (Route 272), Adamstown

Information: 717-484-4227 or Facebook

Menu: Homemade ice cream, milkshakes, sundaes and other desserts comprise the menu, along with hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, cheesesteaks, subs and French fries. Flavors are not run-of-the-mill and could include chocolate almond amaretto, banana, black raspberry and pineapple. Try to snag a creekside picnic table and be entertained by the ducks. New this year: credit cards and Apple Pay are now accepted!  

COFFEE & CREAM

101 N. Front St., Columbia 

Information: 717-449-5488 or Facebook 

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream, as well as shakes, frappes, fruit smoothies, frozen cocoa and Italian cream sodas. Food menus include breakfast fare, sandwiches, paninis and more. Handcrafted coffee is available, as is latte, cappuccino, chai, tea, London Fog and Parisian Mist. The café makes its home in a former railway station and is just a short walk to Columbia Crossings and the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail.    

DOTTIE’S SNACK BAR

425 W. Fourth St., Quarryville

Information: 717-786-7274 or Facebook

Menu: Soft-serve ice cream and desserts, plus cheesesteaks, subs, burgers and French fries. Open since 1968, its namesake (and legendary) owner, Dorothy Tomlinson, passed away in March at age 88. Apparently Dottie considered ice cream to be her fountain of youth – she continued working until the age of 80! 

DOWN ON THE FARM CREAMERY

226 Gap Rd., Strasburg 

Information: 717-687-7829 or Facebook 

Menu: Brothers Jonathan and Daniel Lapp make more than two dozen flavors of ice cream (plus seasonal flavors) at the family farm on May Post Office Road, where they also operate a farm store. The Gap Road location is a new venture for them. The menu offers hand-dipped ice cream, shakes, Italian ice, sundaes, yogurt slurpees and soft pretzels. 

FOX MEADOWS CREAMERY & COUNTRY MARKET

2475 W. Main St., Ephrata

Information: 717-721-6455, foxmeadowscreamery.com or Facebook

Menu: Handcrafted ice cream made from farm-fresh milk, custom milkshakes and floats, affogato and café drinks. In the market, you’ll find pints and half gallons to go, as well as a large selection of locally made food products. There’s also an extensive lunch menu. The inventive ice cream menu includes such flavors as banana cream pudding, brown butter almond brickle, grasshopper, honeyed lavender, meadow tea sorbet, monkey bread and strawberry rhubarb crumble. One of their signature desserts is the Baked Fox: a hot-pressed outer shell made from brownies, cookies or shortcake and filled with your choice of ice cream.   

FREEZE & FRIZZ

2250 New Holland Pk., Lancaster

Information: 717-656-4491 or Facebook

Menu: Choose from soft-serve or hand-dipped (from Hershey’s) ice cream and other desserts.  Hamburgers, hot dogs, soups, sandwiches, barbecue and French fries are also on the menu.

GIGI’S ICE CREAM BAR

2 S. Second St., Bainbridge

Information: 717-278-8484

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream, sundaes, floats, shakes and a concoction called the Falmouth Banana Fudge Boat will tempt your sweet tooth. Hamburgers, hot dogs, wings, fried mushrooms, nachos and crab cakes are also on the menu at this nostalgia-filled destination that’s just two blocks from the Northwest Lancaster County River Trail.

GOOD LIFE ICE CREAM & TREATS

2088 Fruitville Pk., Lancaster

Information: 717-735-1999, goodlifelancaster.com or Facebook

Menu: Handmade ice cream, combos, sundaes, splits, shakes and floats and treats such as cakes, cupcakes, ice cream sandwiches and ice cream tacos are available. In addition to regular ice cream flavors, summer offerings have included dill pickle, watermelon, meadow tea, bubblegum and mermaid. 

GRECO’S ITALIAN ICES & HOMEMADE ICE CREAM

9 E. Kleine Lane, Lititz 

Information: 717-625-1166 or Facebook

Menu: Owner Mike Greger makes his own ice cream and Italian ice (inspired by the water ice he enjoyed while growing up near Philadelphia). Choose from hand-dipped ice cream, several soft-serve options, sundaes, Italian ice, flurry-blended desserts, floats, milkshakes, Italian-ice shakes, ice cream coffee drinks and ice cream sandwiches. Summer flavors have included Irish cream, mudslide, cappuccino chip, chocolate-covered cherry and caramel delight. 

HAYLOFT ICE CREAM TREATS & SOFT PRETZELS

95 S. Groffdale Rd., Leola 

Information: 717-556-8236, haylofticecream.com or Facebook 

Menu: Soft-serve and hand-dipped ice cream, sundaes, banana splits, cold-brew shakes, Barn Blasters, Italian ice, gelatis and more, plus soft pretzels and dips. Food menu also includes pretzel logs, sandwiches and soup. For the kids, there’s a duck-filled pond and and a playground. All profits benefit Allegany Boys Camp, a year-round residential wilderness camp in Maryland, for boys ages 9-15 who are struggling with home situations or school.  

 

 

ISABELLA’S ICE CREAM PARLOR

110 E. Main St., Lititz

Information: 717-627-1668, isabellasic.com or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (from Hershey’s), shakes, sundaes and floats. Summer flavors have included strawberry fields, mint Oreo grasshopper, salted caramel truffle and oatmeal cookie. 

KC’s ITALIAN ICE

617 W. Orange St., Lancaster

Information: 717-617-2912, kcsitalianice.com or Facebook

Menu: KC’s offers numerous flavors of their specialty frozen treat, including black cherry, mango, orange cream, peach, root beer float and many more. Quarts are also available.

LAPP VALLEY FARM

244 Mentzer Rd., New Holland

Lapp’s also operates a stand at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse 

Information: 717-354-7988

Menu: Handcrafted, small-batch ice cream is made using milk from the family farm. Waffle cones are made fresh. Milkshakes, frozen-coffee beverages, sundaes and more are also on the menu. Kids love seeing the cows and calves. 

LICKITY SPLIT

209 E. Main St., New Holland

Information: 717-354-4986, lickitysplit.info or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (from Leiby’s Dairy), Italian ice, sundaes, splits, sodas and floats are on the dessert menu, while soups, sandwiches, salads, wraps and appetizers comprise the lunch/dinner menu. Highlights include a Flight of Ice Cream, the Plowed Field Sundae (complete with gummy worms) and the Dissinger Family Favorite: seven scoops of ice cream, seven toppings, chocolate chips, bananas, whipped topping and cherries on the top. 

LITTLE DIPPERS ICE CREAM

432 W. Main St., Mount Joy

Information: 717-653-6664 or Facebook

Menu: It’s not unusual to see a line of cars winding through the parking lot of this small ice cream stand. The reason? Little Dippers has Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream on the menu, as well as selections from Turkey Hill. 

MAPLEHOFE DAIRY FARM STORE

799 Robert Fulton Hwy., Quarryville

Information: 717-786-3924, maplehofedairy.com or Facebook

Menu: Whether you are coming from hiking the Enola Low Grade Rail Trail or shopping at the many greenhouses/garden centers in the Southern End, a stop at this farm store will restore your energy. It’s ice cream central! The selection includes 40 flavors of hand-dipped ice cream (from Leiby’s Dairy), waffle cones made fresh to order, banana splits, sundaes, milkshakes and more. You can also pick up 56 oz. containers of Leiby’s to take home. 

MIESSE CANDIES & ICE CREAM PARLOR 

118 N. Water St., Lancaster 

Information: 717-392-6011, miessecandies.com or Facebook

Menu: The draw here – besides Miesse’s legendary candy selection – is Penn State Berkey Creamery’s ice cream, as well as sodas (10 syrups to choose from), shakes and egg creams. This is a bona fide ice cream parlor – the 12-foot soda fountain originally made its home in a York drug store and was completely refurbished to do duty at Miesse’s. 

OREGON DAIRY’S MILKHOUSE ICE CREAM SHOPPE

2900 Oregon Pk., Lititz

Information: 717-656-2856 or oregondairy.com/ice-cream-shoppe

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (homemade) and desserts with farm views are on the agenda at this family-friendly shop where you can indulge in an Ice Cream Flight or a Lancaster County Mud Pie Sundae (brownie, vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, mini-Wilbur Buds, whipped cream and a cherry on the top), as well as flavors such as cashew & raspberry, coconut almond fudge and magical unicorn.

PINE VIEW DAIRY

2225 New Danville Pk., Lancaster

Information: 717-872-5486, pineviewdairy.com or Facebook 

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (made on the farm), frozen yogurt, sherbet and desserts. Oreo lovers will want to sample the dairy’s espresso Oreo caramel, Oreo mint and Oreo cookie flavors. 

ROLLED COLD CREAMERY

24 E. Orange St., Lancaster

Information: 717-208-3805, rolledcoldcreamery.com or Facebook

Menu: Fresh cream and lactose-free milk from local distributors comprise the creamery’s ice cream base, which is made fresh in-house and is 100% free of corn syrup. Several of the flavors are gluten-free and vegan friendly. Here, the ice cream isn’t dipped but is sliced and rolled. The creamery also serves New Holland Coffee Company products, as well as smoothies, shakes, mocktails, frozen hot chocolate and waffles & ice cream. Signature ice cream flavors include s’mores, blueberry Earl Grey, cupcake, maple bacon and red rose, among others. 

SCOOPS ICE CREAM & GRILLE

312 Primrose Ln., Mountville

Information: 717-285-2055, scoopsgrille.com or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream and desserts, plus soups, sandwiches, burgers, wraps and cheesesteaks. Dare to try the Mountville Meltdown: 12 scoops of ice cream, four toppings and loads of whipped cream. Chocolate lovers will go gaga for the Death by Chocolate Shake: deep, dark chocolate ice cream swirled with chocolate chips and syrup and topped with whipped cream and Oreo cookie crumbs. Afterwards, you can play miniature golf.  

SON’S

319 W. Main St., Quarryville

1991 Miller Rd., East Petersburg

2 Miller St., Strasburg 

Information: Quarryville at 717-786-5665. East Petersburg at 717-569-0009. Strasburg at 717-687-5665. Sonsice.com or Facebook 

Menu: An amazing selection of homemade ice cream (soft-serve and hand-dipped), Italian ice, sundaes, shakes, avalanches and other frozen desserts. The catchphrase at Son’s – Ice Cream is Cheaper Than Therapy – is put to the test with their 96 oz. Banana Pig Split. If you can eat it in an hour, your money is refunded or you can opt to receive a gift card. Bring your pup along! Doggie Delight – vanilla ice cream topped with dog biscuits – is on the menu. Note: Hand-dipped ice cream is not available in Strasburg.  

SPLITS & GIGGLES

500 W. Lemon St., Lancaster

Information: 717-399-3332, splitsandgiggles.com or Facebook 

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (from Hershey’s), Italian ice, sorbet, sherbet, sundaes, shakes and banana splits, plus beverages such as latte, espresso, hot chocolate and cappuccino. Ice cream flavors include vegan chocolate chunk, no-sugar-added butter pecan, graham central station and cotton candy. Enjoy your treats on the flower-filled patio.  

STRASBURG CREAMERY, COUNTRY STORE & CAFE

1 W. Main St., Strasburg

Information: 717-687-0766, Strasburg.com or Facebook

Menu: Homemade ice cream – 140 flavors rotate on the menu throughout the year – sundaes, shakes and other frozen desserts. Waffle cones are made fresh. The adjoining café offers breakfast and lunch items. Please bring back your candy corn ice cream this fall!!!

THE LANCASTER SWEET SHOPPE

141 N. Duke St., Lancaster 

Information: 717-869-5955, lancastersweetshoppe.com or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (from Pine View Dairy), waffle and pretzel cones, sundaes, banana splits, milkshakes, floats and fruit smoothies, as well as the specialty of the house, the Stroopie Ice Cream Sandwich (a stroopie takes its inspiration from a Dutch Stroopwafel, a cookie that originated in Holland). Coffee and tea drinks abound. If you still haven’t satisfied your sweet tooth, chocolates from Groff’s Candies are available. 

THE SALTED SPOON 

2301 Harrisburg Pk., Suite 100, Lancaster 

Information: 717-693-0039, thesaltedspoonlancaster.com or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (from Pine View Dairy), sundaes, shakes and floats, as well as coffee and tea drinks. Owners Rebecca Mylin and her father, Mike, designed the modern/minimalist space to be a place where guests can “eat, meet and socialize.” Indeed a section of the space mimics a modern living/sitting room. 

THE SHACK RESTAURANT & MINI GOLF

662 S. Oak St., Manheim

Information: 717-664-2250, theshackmanheim.com or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (from Kreider Farms), sundaes, milkshakes and floats, as well as broasted chicken, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, platters, kids’ menu, sides, salads and other “great stuff.” Some ice cream flavors include Baron Von Nut, Irish crunch, snickershack and s’more please. The park-like setting makes a round of miniature golf all the more relaxing. 

THE UDDER CHOICE

1812 W. Main St., Ephrata

Information: 717-733-4300 or Facebook

Menu: Hand-dipped ice cream (homemade), sundaes with names such as Holstein, Guernsey, Jersey and more, banana splits and The Jigger, which honors the ice cream treat once served at Cox’s Drugstore in Ephrata. The Udder Choice also serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

TWIN KISS

309 S. Main St., Manheim

Information: 717-665-2897, manheimtwinkiss.com or Facebook

Menu: Soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, shakes, floats, root beer and banana splits, plus burgers, barbecue, chicken, cheesesteaks, sides, dinners, salads and soups.

TWIN KISS

901 N. Hanover St., Elizabethtown

Information: 717-367-1694 or Facebook 

Menu: Soft-serve ice cream, sundaes, splits, shakes and floats, as well as burgers, sandwiches, subs, sides, dinners and more. 

A Break from the Headlines: Matt Barcaro’s Suburban Garden

As a news reporter and anchor for WGAL, Matt Barcaro’s job can be intense at times. From being on deadline to covering breaking stories, television news is a fast-paced, high-pressure industry. Matt’s backyard garden provides a respite from work. It’s a place where he can recharge and enjoy some peace and quiet … and delicious, home-grown food, of course. “That’s a bonus,” he laughs.

Even though it can be a “pressure-cooker,” Matt loves his job. “I could never do a desk job. [As a reporter,] every day is different,” he reflects. “You leave each day doing something you never expected to do.” Matt currently works the morning shift, meaning his workday starts at 3:30 a.m. He then reports live during WGAL’s 2.5-hour-long morning show, running from 4:30 to 7 a.m. On weekends, he anchors the morning newscasts. “Getting to see the sunrise is a big benefit,” he remarks. 

When he’s off the clock, tending to his garden is one of his favorite ways to unwind. Matt has enjoyed gardening for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Montgomery County, his mother always had a garden each year. “There was always something to pick and eat,” he recalls. Even after he went out on his own, Matt would grow basil or other herbs on the windowsills of his apartments. 

When he moved to suburban Lancaster County with his wife, Jess, he started his own organic garden in the backyard. He installed his first raised bed two years ago and a second last winter. He also utilizes pots to grow herbs and container-variety vegetables on their deck. Vegetable gardening is Matt’s domain while Jess enjoys beautifying the yard with flowers. “She has a good eye for color, size and shape,” he says of the lovely planters and flower beds in their backyard. 

Tending to his garden is one of Matt’s favorite ways to unwind and recharge.

Trial and Error

Each year, Matt likes to try something new in his garden. “It’s a science experiment every year,” he says. He is conducting a few experiments this growing season. It’s the first time he’s started all his plants from seed – some of which were planted unintentionally. During the winter, Matt threw some cherry tomatoes into his compost. As spring arrived, the seeds began to germinate, so he transplanted them into a container to see how they would fare. 

Last season, he noticed the number of pollinators in his yard was lacking and his plants took longer to produce fruit. Matt planted a patch of wildflowers this year to attract bees and butterflies to the garden. 

This year, Matt grew all his plants from seed for the first time.

Garlic and a container-variety zucchini are also new this growing season. In November 2020, he separated a head of garlic and planted each clove in his raised bed. He was shocked to see green popping up out of the snow a few months later. Matt is hoping to harvest the garlic in late summer but is worried that his latest “nemesis” might get to them first.

As all seasoned gardeners know, each growing season comes with its own challenges. For Matt, this year the challenge is voles. He noticed tunnels forming in the garden, so he reached out to Penn State Extension to find the best way to prevent the critters from ravaging his garden. The organization recommended trapping them; Matt has caught one so far.

Matt emphasizes the amount of patience that gardening requires. He explains that gardeners must have the “willingness to get things wrong.” Each gardening season is different and there are a lot of factors at play that determine the success of your garden. It can rain too much or too little. Critters and insects can wreak havoc on your prized plants. Maybe you planted too early, or you didn’t weed enough. Whatever the case may be, Matt believes if you are able to learn from your mistakes and the circumstances outside of your control, you can be a successful gardener.

Matt’s gardening goal is to grow enough ingredients to make a full salad. This year, he is growing lettuce, spinach, kale, cherry tomatoes and several herbs.

A Dedicated Following

Following his own advice, Matt often googles his various gardening queries to learn how to make his harvest more successful. He also receives helpful tips from his faithful Facebook followers. Matt enjoys sharing pictures of his garden, the meals he cooks and most of all, the sunrises he often sees during his morning shift with his over 16,000 Facebook followers. “I try to make my page a positive space where we can share our hobbies and passions – and sunrises/sunsets, of course,” he wrote in a Facebook post this year. When Matt has a question about gardening, he often asks his followers for advice.

Matt loves to snack on peas while he gardens.

In May 2020, when he discovered rabbits snacking on his pea sprouts, Matt installed a chicken-wire fence. Unfortunately, the rabbits were still finding their way into his garden. So, Matt took to Facebook to find a solution. His dedicated followers chimed in with tips and tricks to keep the critters out. They recommended planting marigolds and installing a fence with smaller holes. So far, it’s worked! 

After stocking up at Rohrer Seeds for this growing season,  Matt couldn’t wait to start planting. He planted his peas just after St. Patrick’s Day. “I had to cover the beds with blankets twice when it got close to frost,” Matt recalls of the frequent-frost advisories this past spring. After starting his other seedlings indoors, he was eager to plant them in the raised beds. “Getting the timing right is tricky,” Matt says. In late April, he posted to his Facebook, asking his followers if it was too early to transplant the seedlings to the raised beds. His followers told him to wait. “Waiting is the hardest part,” he laments. He listened to their advice and planted the rest of his seedlings in mid-May. 

Last year, rabbits wreaked havoc on Matt’s garden. Thanks to his Facebook followers’ tips and tricks, he’s been able to keep the rabbits at bay.

As a lifelong foodie – “Other kids watched Saturday morning cartoons; I watched cooking shows on PBS,” he recalls – Matt often posts pictures of the dishes he cooks, and his followers love to learn his recipes. At the start of the pandemic, Matt was looking for a way to develop personal connections while being socially isolated. He decided to try his hand at his own cooking show and started Quarantine Cooking with Matt. Each week, he would go live on Facebook and welcome his followers into his kitchen. “God bless my wife for agreeing to hold a phone and record me for an hour each week,” Matt laughs. His followers loved the videos and even though he stopped making them last summer, they still ask when the series will return.

Foodie Paradise

“There’s nothing better than sitting out on the deck surrounded by your garden, eating what you’ve grown,” Matt emphasizes. His mother’s gardening goal each year was to grow enough ingredients to make a full salad. Matt also adopted this goal in his own garden and plants lettuce, spinach, kale and cherry tomatoes each year. Herbs, including basil and oregano, are grown in containers on their back porch. With the basil he grows, Matt likes to make pesto or basil butter, which he freezes in ice cube trays so he can easily enjoy the flavor of fresh basil throughout the winter. He also planted extra tomatoes this year in the hopes of making sauce. 

Whatever produce he doesn’t grow himself, Matt buys from local farmers through farm stands or his weekly visit to Lancaster Central Market. “For a foodie, [Lancaster] is the best place to be,” Matt emphasizes.

Work brought Matt to Lancaster County in 2008 when he started at WGAL. This year, he celebrates his 15th year with Hearst Television, the broadcasting company that owns WGAL. Prior to his arrival at News 8, he worked at a sister station in northwest Arkansas for two years. 

Matt’s suburban garden consists of two raised beds and a number of containers.

The food culture isn’t the only thing Matt loves about the Susquehanna Valley. As an outdoor enthusiast, Matt is amazed at the variety of experiences available in our area’s natural world. This spring, he started an Explore Outdoors segment at WGAL in which he highlights local trails and outdoor activities. He was amazed to discover the diverse ways people can enjoy the outdoors in Central PA, from disc golf and geocaching to creek snorkeling and beekeeping. 

Growing a Family

Like many couples who married in 2020, Matt and Jess had a very different vision for their wedding. Instead of the traditional wedding they originally planned, the couple decided to host an intimate ceremony at Lancaster County Central Park in July 2020. They were wed in the same spot where Matt proposed.

In May 2021, the Barcaro family became a party of three when Matt and Jess welcomed their first son, Grant Matthew Barcaro. Matt emphasizes how great fatherhood has been. “I didn’t realize until he was born how quickly and completely you can fall in love,” he wrote in a Facebook post announcing Grant’s arrival. 

“I do wish I could get more sleep though,” he laughs. Between his work schedule and caring for a newborn, creating a consistent sleeping schedule is no doubt a challenge. 

Matt can’t wait to have Grant out in the garden by his side. “I’m excited to share these experiences with him when he gets a little older,” Matt smiles. 

Follow Matt’s gardening journey on Facebook @MattBarcaroWGAL.

Lancaster Gets Growing: Community Gardens

According to Feeding America, the food insecurity rate for Lancaster County was 9% in 2019. This year, it’s estimated that the rate will increase to 10.2% as we continue to recover from the pandemic. Equipping people with the knowledge, experiences and space for gardening can work wonders to reduce food insecurity. Community gardens help to provide green space for city residents to grow their own food, reduce food insecurity and strengthen community bonds by bringing people of all ages, backgrounds, socioeconomic classes and skill levels together. According to the CDC, community gardens also beautify vacant lots, reduce carbon emissions and fuel consumption related to the transportation of food and reduce pollutants by absorbing carbon dioxide. Municipalities across the county see the benefits of community gardens and are opening their own.

Lancaster County Central Park Garden Plots

Gardeners at Lancaster County Central Park grow a diverse variety of fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Lancaster County Central Park, located on the southern edge of Lancaster City, receives the most visitors of any county park due to its convenient location and plentiful facilities and recreational features, including a community garden with 200 plots. Available from April through October, the garden plots are open to anyone in the county; however, due to its location, the park mostly sees gardeners from the city, says Parks and Recreation Administrator Paul Weiss. Three plot options are available for a seasonal fee, including 20-by-20-foot plots for $25, 40-by-20-foot plots for $31 and year-round organic 40-by-20-foot plots for $47.

A Rural Respite

The garden plots, located within an expansive field in the middle of the park, have always been an integral piece of Central Park’s history. Paul couldn’t find any documents about the history of the plots, but he knows they have been there at least since the mid-80s. “It may go back even before that,” he says. The land, which Paul believes used to belong to a neighboring farm, became park property around the late 1960s. The garden plot land is just one piece of the interesting mosaic that comprises the 540-acre park, which includes a former landfill, the Kiwanis Area, Historic Rock Ford, a Native American burial site and other pieces of farmland. 

Paul Weiss, the county’s parks and recreation administrator, oversees all nine parks, as well as the garden-plot program at Lancaster County Central Park.

Paul has been with the parks department for 21 years and oversees all nine county parks in Lancaster County. He stresses that renting a plot at the park is a big undertaking and responsibility. “It’s not something you can just stop by every other week. It requires upkeep almost daily or every other day. It’s definitely a challenge and a time commitment,” he says of the dedication gardeners show to their plots. Each year, the goal is to fill the garden plots as much as possible. Paul emphasizes that when there is “checkerboarding” plots, weeds start overruling the space and spreading into neighboring plots. 

Filling the plots has not been a problem the last two growing seasons, as the park saw an increase in interest due to the pandemic. When Covid first caused shutdowns, the majority of Central Park’s facilities and programs closed; however, the garden plots remained open. In fact, gardening was encouraged by PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding to help curb food insecurity in the face of food supply chain challenges. No doubt, people were also itching to get out of their homes and into nature. “The park has a way of making you feel like you are far away from the city, but really [the city is] just behind those trees,” Paul says as he gestures toward the northwest.

Due to abundant wildlife in the park, gardeners are responsible for installing their own fences to protect their plots.

Plot Practices

Gardeners at Central Park grow a diverse mix of fruits, vegetables and flowers. To avoid lugging their equipment and tools around, gardeners are permitted to drive through the grass, directly to their plots. A water spigot is available for gardeners off of Farm View Drive. No hoses are allowed, so gardeners often bring big barrels to fill and then let gravity feed the water into their gardens.

Wildlife abounds in the park, which is great for leisurely walkers on the park’s many trails, but less ideal for gardeners. Deer, rabbits and voles are regular visitors at the garden, so gardeners are responsible for installing their own fences, which must be transparent so rangers can easily see inside. In addition to fences, gardeners are permitted to customize their spaces with simple trellis structures or garden furniture, including small tables, lawn chairs and collapsible umbrellas. One gardener keeps a sandbox in her plot for her grandchildren to play in while she gardens. 

Many of the gardens are distinguished by creative and colorful entryways. The woman who maintains this plot added a colorful front door and furnished it with a playset and sandbox for her grandchildren who often accompany her to the park.

Many gardeners at Central Park donate some of their produce to food banks. Paul sometimes even gets fresh vegetables delivered to his office by gardeners with excess produce. Some organizations dedicated to food justice, including Discerning Eye Community Agriculture (DECA) City Farms, tend to plots at Central Park. The organization, led by Hawa Lassanah, offers CSA deliveries and is dedicated to equipping Lancaster residents with the knowledge and experience to grow their own food. In the past, the parks department held naturalist programs at the garden, including canning presentations and visits from Master Gardeners, but they don’t have any planned this year. 

At the end of the growing season, gardeners must remove all nonorganic material (fences, containers and other structures) so that the maintenance team can come through and plow the fields. As long as gardeners take good care of their plots and follow the rules, they are given right to first refusal for their plots the following year. 

Lancaster County Central Park is home to 200 garden plots, available to anyone in the county.

This fall, the parks and recreation department will be teaming up with the Chesapeake Bay Alliance (CBA) to create a pollinator garden located near the organic plots. The meadow will not only attract pollinators, but it will also help to reduce runoff pollution into the Susquehanna River, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. 

As for the other eight county parks creating their own community gardens, Paul doesn’t see it happening. “They just don’t have the right land for gardening,” he explains. “Central Park is just right.”

Lancaster County Central Park’s garden plots are located at 580 East Farm View Drive, Lancaster. For more information, visit co.lancaster.pa.us/345/garden-plot-rentals.

 

Wheatland Community Garden

While her family enjoys vegetable gardening, Rebecca Geiser loves to grow flowers and make bouquets.

Located on the edge of the West End, Wheatland Community Garden (WCG) offers Lancaster City residents with another option for growing their own food. The garden is situated on land owned by the School District of Lancaster (SDoL) and sits across from Wheatland Middle School and adjacent to the new Smith-Wade-El Elementary School. The garden offers over 50 10-by-20-foot plots for $20 a season. 

The community garden was established in 2012 when local entrepreneur, Charlie Crystle, who was a member of the SDoL school board at that time, negotiated a lease agreement with the district for a community garden. After Crystle was no longer involved with the school board or garden, Katherine Hopkins and several others renegotiated the same agreement and continued the community garden. They kept some of the same provisions that were instituted by Crystle, including donating 10% of produce to a food bank and providing free plots for educational purposes. 

A Family Affair

Philip and Hannah Geiser tend to one of their four garden plots.

For the Geiser family, gardening is a family affair. The Geisers live in the city just a couple blocks away from WCG and have rented plots for the past six years. This year, Rebecca and Philip rented four plots to share among the family. Their children, Stewart and Hannah, who are both in their teens, started out by each taking care of their own plant and gradually kept expanding until they each needed their own plots. 

Rebecca works for the city as deputy director in the Department of Community Planning and Economic Development. Philip is a high school math teacher at Lancaster Catholic and also coaches soccer at McCaskey High School, where Stewart plays on the freshman team as goalkeeper. Typically, they are at their plots once or twice a week to weed and check in on their plants. “This is our happy place,” Rebecca smiles.

Stewart Geiser harvests some lettuce. Rebecca has noticed that since they began growing their own food, Hannah and Stewart find eating vegetables more enjoyable.

Philip is the gardening authority in the family, whereas Rebecca enjoys working with flowers. Her plot is a tall meadow of blooming flowers, including coneflowers, Eastern daisies and coreopsis. She loves to cut and make bouquets for people. 

Hannah, who will be a sophomore at McCaskey, gave us a tour of their plots and the extensive variety of produce they grow, including peas, tomatoes, carrots, zucchini, onions, watermelon, cauliflower, purple bush beans, potatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach and several rows of corn. 

Cucumbers thrive in the Geisers’ garden.

Stewart, who will be in eighth grade at Wheatland Middle School, says his favorite food to eat from the garden is cucumbers. “It’s satisfying when the plants start producing and you get to see your work pay off,” Stewart emphasizes. “I also like that they go through phases,” he says of the changing growing seasons.

Changing Tastes

One of the best parts of gardening is getting to taste what you’ve worked so hard to grow. Philip is usually the one who crafts their family’s fresh-grown produce into meals. Rebecca loves to make sauce with their fresh-grown tomatoes if they grow enough.

Stewart’s favorite part of gardening is seeing his hard work pay off when the plants start producing.

Salads are big in the family. Rebecca attributes growing their own lettuce and greens to why the kids started to enjoy salads. Rebecca has noticed the same sentiment with other foods they grow, as well. “For example, Hannah has started to really enjoy radishes after she began growing them,” Rebecca says. “It’s been really fun to watch,” she says of their changing and expanding tastes. 

Common Good

Although most of the garden’s operations are overseen by Katherine Hopkins, all volunteers and plotholders work to maintain the garden. Each season, every gardener must complete at least two hours of community service within the garden, whether it’s mowing in between aisles or weeding common areas to keep the garden tidy. Water and tools are available and shared among gardeners. 

Hannah and Stewart started gardening by each taking care of a plant and gradually expanded until they each needed their own plot.

One of the cornerstones of the garden is giving back to the Lancaster community. All plotholders donate 10% of their produce to Lancaster Food Hub. Each week, a cooler is set by the front gate for gardeners to drop off their donations. Before taking it to the food bank, the cooler is weighed each week so they can get an idea of how much they donated at the end of the season.

On the west side of the garden, another fenced-in area is currently blooming with sunflowers. Stewart had a hand in the project, which was executed by Wheatland Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society. The organization spent hours in the garden planting seeds to help beautify the community. 

Hannah checks on the progress of the corn.

The Gardening Craze

Prior to Covid, there would usually be several empty plots where volunteers would have to plant cover crops and manage weeds. Over the past year, the garden has seen an uptick in participation. In both 2020 and 2021, the garden has been fully rented and even had to implement a wait list. “The gardens looked so great last summer because everyone was here so often,” Rebecca laughs, noting, “There wasn’t a weed in sight.” 

Rebecca explains that they see gardeners of all skill levels and she was happy to see that a lot of the new gardeners from last year came back again in 2021. “Everyone is really friendly,” Rebecca emphasizes. “Especially last year – we had a really great community develop.”

The Geiser family has rented garden plots at Wheatland Community Garden for six years. It’s their “happy place.”

Wheatland Community Garden is located at 950 Hamilton Park Drive, Lancaster. For more information, visit wheatlandgarden.org.

Kids & Gardening

Stewart and Hannah represent a growing number of young people showing interest in gardening. The National Gardening Association found that a record number tried their hands at gardening during the pandemic. Involving children in the garden helps to encourage healthier diets, reduce screen time, burn off extra energy, develop fine motor skills and learn responsibility and delayed gratification. Local school districts are taking notice of these benefits; gardening and outdoor programs are popping up at schools across the county. 

Photo by Paige Cody, Unsplash

At the School District of Lancaster’s Wharton Elementary, students can get their hands dirty and learn about gardening through a burgeoning outdoor classroom. Teachers use the area for classroom instruction, as well as summer and afterschool programs where students can get hands-on experience in the garden. Students work together to prepare the soil, plant, water, harvest and eat what they grow. They also learn about the different varieties of plants they grow, many of which are different from those typically found in a grocery store. “Students are encouraged to eat right from the garden since we don’t use any chemicals, pesticides or herbicides,” says Carmalena Stoltzfus, who heads the Parent Garden Committee. “We often hear things like, ‘I didn’t know kale is good!’ and ‘I never liked tomatoes before!’”

While school was held virtually during the pandemic, participation in the garden pivoted to an Adopt-A-Week program. Carmalena and other garden volunteers coordinated with the school’s Student and Family Resource Coordinator to give excess produce to families that were experiencing hardship. During summer break, the Adopt-A-Week initiative is continued to keep the garden thriving. Families choose a week to care for the garden, and they get to enjoy fresh produce during their volunteer time. 

“I think that connecting kids (and their caregivers when we can) to the whole process of what it takes to grow food can inspire them to make healthier choices in the future,” Carmalena says. “I also think that there is so much satisfaction that can be had when working with our own hands to grow what we then can eat.”

The school is looking to expand the garden program in the future. Members of the PTO and Wharton staff developed a plan to take more learning outdoors and provide teachers with resources to teach outside in a non-traditional environment. The expansion project, currently called the Wharton Wonder Garden, plans to increase their tree canopy, establish a native plant and pollinator garden, add a second edible garden, build an outdoor classroom and create a mindfulness circuit. 

Wellness in a Bottle

How to make the best use of the bounty of produce that is available in August and early fall is a dilemma many of us deal with each season. One solution is juicing, a process that removes juice from fruits and vegetables, thus providing a refreshing and delicious way to quickly absorb vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants and enzymes. 

Yellow Lily is my favorite juice from Juisibox and entails such ingredients as “plump pineapple balanced with pear, sweet mango, hearty yellow pepper, squash and hints of lemon, lime, orange and ginger.”

I got into juicing several years ago – along with some friends and coworkers – after watching the 2010 documentary, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. It tells the story of Joe Cross, an Aussie who set out on a journey to better health through juicing fruits and vegetables for 60 days. Thanks to taking such a journey, Cross was able to eliminate many of the autoimmune medications he was taking and lose 100 pounds, which he’s kept off. Having seen Cross’ health rewards, a few of us purchased Omega auger juicers – also known as masticating juicers – and started our own journeys to better health. 

The key to a juicer’s value is that it slowly crushes fruits and vegetables at a speed of approximately 80 revolutions per minute, so as not to cook or oxidize the juice. It yields a high volume of juice since the strainer removes seeds, pulp and skin. Some soluble fiber does get through, which separates if left to sit or it can be stirred in, if desired. Another attribute is that most juicers are quiet, enabling you to prepare juice any time – early or late – without waking up the whole house. 

Tropical Almond, a thicker, creamier smoothie, is made with almonds (for added protein), berries and bananas. It’s great as a meal replacement on the go.

The downside of a masticating juicer is that it can take longer to yield juice as compared to other types such as a centrifugal juicer. Regardless, the final product yielded by any type of juicer outshines those produced by a blender or food processor.

If you’re intrigued, it might be worth your while to get started by purchasing prepared juices. Then, if you find yourself a juicing convert, take the next step and invest in a juicer (a word of warning: they can be pricey). 

Once you’ve purchased your juicer, a world of possibilities awaits! The wealth of farm stands and markets in Lancaster County, plus the popularity of home gardens, makes juicing accessible and economical. For example, produce that is bruised or irregularly shaped and is often sold as “seconds” is perfect for juicing. After all, the fiber is going to be pressed into a pulp; what matters is the quality and nutritional value of the liquid. Cucumbers and apples are full of juice and can be bought in large quantities. Depending on your preferences and what you want to add to your diet, the options are endless and could include celery, carrots, lemons, grapefruit, ginger, kale, beets, peppers, radishes, spinach and even herbs.

Tips for Healthy Juicing

Safari is “loaded with green pepper, hearty squash, clean celery, fully-grown apple, juicy pear, rich orange, tangy lime and subtle wheatgrass.”

Buy Local: Get acquainted with local fruit/vegetable growers and markets. Nothing tastes better than local, seasonally available produce. Better yet, visit an orchard that allows you to pick your own.
While local, seasonal produce is preferable, grocery stores are doing an admirable job in keeping their produce departments stocked with the colors of the rainbow throughout the year. Sometimes that comes at the cost of an artificial process that allows for items to be shipped long distances. Apples and cucumbers, for example, are often coated in a wax preservative that’s food grade and functions as a fungicide while adding an appealing shine protected during shipping. However, the waxy shine can be off-putting. To remove the wax before juicing simply remove the peel – the wax can be difficult to wash off – and you’re ready to go. 

Explore Local Natural Food Stores: Wheatgrass, which is dense in minerals and vitamins, is often referred to as a superfood. A little goes a long way. Flats of wheatgrass can be ordered from Miller’s Natural Foods in Bird-in-Hand, typically with two days’ notice. Another option is to grow your own: Rohrer Seeds offers packets filled with 500 seeds. Wheatgrass stays green only for a few days so don’t delay in using it.

Get Into a Routine: Preparing juice on demand is the best bet, but refrigerating fresh juice in glass jars for a day or two can also work. Juicing at home does involve prep work, so if you’re in a hurry, preparing fresh, homemade juice in the morning might not fit into your routine. It might be more prudent to prepare something the night before. However, juices shouldn’t be prepared too far in advance, as they’re not pasteurized, which could lead to a growth in bacteria. Fresh-pressed juices have a short shelf life and can oxidize quickly. 

Experiment: To find flavor combinations you like best, try juicing individual fruits and vegetables and place them in separate containers. Then develop blends that suit your taste. Keep in mind that sweeter fruits, while high in vitamins, are typically high in sugar and calories, which can be offset by juicing a higher proportion of vegetables or by choosing more fruits lower in sugar. Joe Cross recommends juicing by the 80/20 rule (80% vegetables and 20% fruit). He also recommends that 50% of your veggies should be of the green variety in order to have better control over sugar content. To learn more, visit rebootwithjoe.com. 

Juice alone is also protein-deficient, which can lead to muscle loss if approached as a long-term substitute. Add a serving of nuts on the side or mix whey protein powder into juices with water or Greek yogurt to improve the consistency. 

Meal Replacement: Personally, I find the addition of fruits and vegetables to my diet through juicing to be energizing. Substituting the occasional meal or starting the day out with juice usually replaces something less healthy, like coffee and a donut. 

Juisibox Juices

Juisibox owner, Nyisha Hammond, displays some of her current fruit and vegetable juices.

If you’re looking for convenience, a local option also exists. I first met Nyisha Hammond, owner of Juisibox Juices, at the now-closed Lancaster Marketplace. A large, slow-press juicer caught my attention, crushing produce at reduced speeds to cause less oxidization or heat for a crisp flavor. “My menu changes every season,” says Nyisha, who uses small batches of unpreserved, never-frozen produce, often sourced locally. The blends of juices Nyisha prepares are complex and refreshing. As it turns out, she started the venture by turning lemons into a lemonade of sorts.

Nyisha’s journey to juicing started in 2010, when her grandmother bought her a juicer. The real significance of the juicer, however, came to fruition six years later, when Nyisha survived a car accident on Route 222. Swerving to avoid hitting an unsecured wheelbarrow that had fallen from the vehicle ahead of her, she ended up in a head-on collision with a semi-truck. The resulting collision put her in rehab for speech, occupational, physical and cognitive therapies. Prior to the accident, she was working as a counselor; afterwards, she became a graduate student at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., focusing on rehabilitation counseling.

Juisibox’s centrifugal juicer slices produce with blades; the liquid is separated through spinning. Seeds and fiber are removed without adding heat.

Only a year later, fate struck again, when a second automobile accident put Nyisha in an ICU for 30 days, followed by another 30 days of rehab. Suffering a double compound fracture in her tibia and fibula, Nyisha initially thought she would lose her leg. After enduring multiple surgeries she had to learn to walk all over again. 

She also devised a holistic treatment plan. “I began juicing to heal myself and to decrease the pain from fibromyalgia and the fractures and surgeries on my leg,” she explains. “I had to take a holistic approach.” The medications she was prescribed only worsened many of her symptoms. “We live in this world where doctors treat you with a pill. Food is my medicine. I was always the woman who had a smoothie in her hand,” says Nyisha. “I was healthy before my accident and I think that’s why, at 32 [years young], I could recover. You have to have your body ready before something catastrophic happens. After the second accident, I juiced every day, five times a day. It was a pick-up-and-go drink that has nutrients in it. It’s wellness in a bottle.”

Having previous experience in the food and restaurant industry, Nyisha felt she was prepared to start selling her juices in March 2019. Participating in a health fair convinced her she was on the right career path; she sold out of all of her juices in the first hour. She found further direction through working with Bright Side Opportunities Center in Lancaster. Her next step saw her launch Juisibox at Lancaster Marketplace. Despite the pandemic, her business continued to grow and in March of this year, Juisibox relocated from the Hawthrone Centre to Foxshire Plaza on Fruitville Pike, where juices, smoothies, wellness shots, vegan soups, fresh salads and vegan snacks are available.

“Be the best you,” is Nyisha’s mantra. “Constantly educate yourself. Do the impossible.”

Juisibox is located at 1919 Fruitville Pike (Foxshire Plaza). Call 717-333-4194 or visit juisibox.com. 

YWCA Lancaster accepting nominations for Women of Achievement Awards

Do you know a woman in the Lancaster community who exemplifies leadership, excellence and dedication to social justice?

YWCA Lancaster is currently accepting nominations for their fifth annual Women of Achievement Awards. The award is bestowed to four deserving women in the community who exemplify excellence in their careers while also raising awareness for YWCA Lancaster’s mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice and dignity for all in their workplaces and communities. These women are business leaders, educators, medical professionals, public servants, artists, volunteers and other accomplished women who serve as mentors and role models in the community.

New this year is the addition of the Cheryl Gahring Young Woman Achievement Award, which will recognize a deserving young woman between the age of 16-25 who demonstrates qualities of leadership and excellence. The award honors the legacy of the late Cheryl Gahring, who served at YWCA Lancaster for over 14 years in a variety of roles, including chief impact officer.

Nominees are evaluated by an independent committee based on how their activities and accomplishments tie into YWCA Lancaster’s mission, their commitment to community and their efforts to advance the success of others.

YWCA Lancaster recognizes women with this award because of their historic contributions to the growth and strength of Lancaster County in countless recorded and unrecorded ways, including by constituting a significant portion of the labor force, working inside and outside of the home, providing the majority of the volunteer labor force of the county and establishing early charitable, philanthropic and cultural institutions, including YWCA Lancaster in 1889.

Honorees will be celebrated at the Women of Achievement Awards on Friday, October 15 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Hotel in Lancaster.

YWCA Lancaster will be accepting nominations through July 26 at 5 p.m. To learn more or to make a nomination, visit ywcalancaster.org/womenofachievement.

Rappelling to Raise Awareness for VisionCorps

Do you think you could rappel down a 120-foot building? What if you couldn’t see?

Jesse Miller will be doing just that at VisionCorps’ Eye Drop event on July 9. Jesse, who is legally blind, will be going “over the edge” of the 10-story Holiday Inn Lancaster to raise money for the nonprofit. After Jesse lost his vision in 2018 due to a medical emergency, VisionCorps helped him adapt to living independently without sight. Now, Jessie works at VisionCorps on their manufacturing team. Eye Drop 2021 will be Jesse’s second time participating in the event.

Another participant, Natanya Sortland, is also legally blind. After she lost her sight in 2014 from a medical condition, Natanya had trouble finding support. She felt hopeless, often accidentally injuring herself while cooking and unable to read emails or pay her bills. Finally, she was connected with VisionCorps and received support that helped her adjust to living without sight. Now, she can safely cook in her kitchen, use her computer and confidently walk down the street. Natanya is planning to rappel in a Lady Liberty costume to symbolize how VisionCorps provided her with the help and services she needed to live independently.

All participants have been fundraising over the past couple months. No climbing or rappelling experience is necessary to participate in the event. In 2019, their youngest participant was 15 and their oldest was 84. Participants commit to a fundraising minimum in exchange for the opportunity to rappel down the Holiday Inn overlooking downtown Lancaster while passersby cheer from the street below.

All proceeds help fund VisionCorps’ mission of providing the tools and training necessary for people living with low vision and blindness to live as independently as possible. Legal blindness is defined as having a visual acuity of 20/200 or worse in the better-seeing eye with correction (glasses or contacts) or having a visual field less than 20 degrees (extreme tunnel vision). VisionCorps provides services such as prevention of blindness, rehabilitation services, support and educational services and training in access technology. Through Eye Drop 2021, VisionCorps hopes to raise $200,000.

 

To learn more about VisionCorps, click here.

Manheim Twin Kiss: A Hometown Tradition

Manheim Twin Kiss has been a favorite destination for families, first dates, sports teams and ice cream lovers since 1952. 

The quintessential summer indulgence: a burger with all the fixings, French fries and a milkshake.

Jennifer Rettew Bushey, who represents a third generation of ownership at the Twin Kiss, is especially proud of the family aspect of the business. “I grew up in the business,” she recalls. “When I was a little girl, I helped by washing the trays that people used to pick up their food orders.” Twin Kiss manager, Mark Murr, is almost family – he has been with the business for nearly 30 years. For countless  generations of teens, the Manheim Twin Kiss has been a home away from home, as many got their first jobs there. 

The Twin Kiss also holds a soft spot in the hearts of many Manheim residents, as it’s been the scene for quite a few first dates and subsequent anniversary celebrations. “We’ve had people come back to celebrate the anniversary of their first date or mark other special occasions they had here,” Jennifer says with a smile.   

As for its history, Manheim Twin Kiss was started by Chet Ruhl as a seasonal business selling ice cream. Jennifer’s grandfather, Ned Rettew, who was a teacher, worked in the business over the summer; he became a part-owner in 1959. “It was originally an ice cream stand – a drive-in where people would order ice cream at the window and take it back to their cars and eat it,” Jennifer explains. “A few years later, someone began selling food at a small stand beside it. Over the years, the stands were joined together and then enclosed. We have old photos on the wall inside the restaurant showing the evolution.” 

The ice cream menu includes milkshakes and the iconic Twin Kiss cone, as well as floats, banana splits, fudge boats and sundaes.

Jennifer’s father, Bruce Rettew, joined the business in 1973 and eventually took over ownership. He made a number of changes including the addition of a dining area and an enlarged kitchen. 

Jennifer, who earned a degree from Penn State University in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, and her husband, Steven Bushey, who is from Califon, New Jersey, and is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, became its owners in 2019. One of the first things they did was add a drive-up window. “We wanted to make it more convenient for our customers. Last year, we were glad we had it – the drive-up window got lots of use during the pandemic,” she acknowledges.

Twin Kiss ice cream stands began to pop up all over America in the early 1950s. In Lancaster County, Twin Kiss stands could be found in Manheim, Mount Joy, New Holland, Elizabethtown and other locations. Manheim and Elizabethtown are the only two still operating.  According to some internet sites, Twin Kiss was the first to debut soft-serve ice cream. Twin Kiss is also regarded as the first to offer a vanilla/chocolate combo. Root beer was also a specialty of the house. “We’re known for our frozen mugs of root beer, as well as the ice cream,” Jennifer says. “The ‘Twin Kiss’ in the name refers to the combination of vanilla and chocolate ice cream that are swirled together on a cone and topped with the signature curlicue. When we serve cones or dishes, we make sure there’s a curlicue – it makes people smile to see that.”  

Other ice cream-related treats include milkshakes that are made with real ice cream (10% premium cream), floats (Pepsi, root beer and Orange Crush), banana splits, fudge boats and sundaes such as hot fudge, dusty road and CMP (chocolate, marshmallow and peanuts). “Our ice cream menu is like a trip back in time – we have all the favorites that delight today’s kids as well as their parents and grandparents,” Jennifer says.

As for the food menu, customer favorites include crispy fried chicken, house-smoked pulled pork (sandwiches, sliders), the Hollywood burger, fries, homemade soups and chili. Another favorite is chicken pot pie, which is available on Wednesdays, October through March. (Crispy fried chicken, homemade soups and chili, pulled pork BBQ, creamy slaw and soft-serve ice cream are available to take home in bulk. Party platters are also available.) 

Jennifer Rettew Bushey’s father, Bruce Rettew, and her nephew, Isaac, enjoy lunch at the Manheim Twin Kiss.

There’s also a catering side to the business – Rettew’s Catering. Jennifer says the catering business, which dates to the late ‘80s, was an outgrowth of the Twin Kiss. “People would ask my dad for food for their picnics and it just grew from that. Now we do a lot of weddings and corporate events,” she remarks. “We are professional caterers – we help clients think through their event and then execute it from start to finish.” Menu items are made with the freshest and finest ingredients and, as part of customer service, Rettew’s has a pastry chef on staff. 

Jennifer and Steven recently launched a new venture. In May, they purchased Tony’s Mining Company Restaurant in Cornwall, Lebanon County. Open since 1974, the restaurant was known for its atmosphere (copper-topped tables) and classic menu. The restaurant closed in April due to the owner retiring. The Busheys’ initial plans include adding a patio or deck and designing a bistro menu. Other details will be finalized in upcoming months.

The Manheim Twin Kiss, which dates back to 1952, grew out of two seasonal stands that offered ice cream and food.

Manheim Twin Kiss is located at 309 South Main Street in Manheim. Hours are 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Take-out and party platters are available. Online ordering is available via manheimtwinkiss.takeout7.com. For more information, call 717-665-2897 or visit manheimtwinkiss.com and on Facebook. Information about Rettew’s Catering is available at rettewscatering.com.

   

It’s a Beautiful Day: Carole & Terry Sheffield

This month we’re switching it up a bit and asking former Manheim residents, Carole and Terry Sheffield, where the road has taken them (North Carolina), what they miss about Lancaster, and don’t-miss spots for visitors from Lancaster County to see in their new home state.  

About Carole and Terry 

Carole, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, moved to Manheim around the 7th grade as a result of her father being transferred for work. She is a graduate of the Lancaster School of Cosmetology and the Pennsylvania College of Art & Design. She owned and operated New Image Salon and Spa in Manheim, as well as Caramia Design. She is currently a real estate broker with BlueCoast Realty Corp. in Wilmington, North Carolina. 

Terry, who was born in Granbury, Texas, is a graduate of Fairfield University in Connecticut. He works in finance for Amerifund.

The two met in Pennsylvania and were married in 1995. They raised two children, Brent and Erin. “We lived in town on Laurel Street near Manheim Central High School, so we could be close to schools and Manheim activities,” Carole says of the house she completely remodeled (inside and out) and decorated. Erin and her husband, Justin, still live in Lancaster and are the parents of Brody, 8, and Chase, 5. Brent and his wife, Jessica, live in Raleigh, North Carolina, and are the parents of Mack, who will soon be 2 years old. 

What Took You to North Carolina? 

According to Carole, “We wanted to live near the coast and beaches and Terry has always wanted to live on the Carolina coast. We visited Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach and fell in love with the weather, the lifestyle and the people.”  

Is Real Estate as Crazy-busy in Your Area as it is Elsewhere? 

“Real estate is beyond crazy,” Carole concurs. “Our area offers such a variety of options: historic downtown Wilmington with the River Walk along the Cape Fear River; beach vacation destinations; University of North Carolina Wilmington; and the Intracoastal Waterway for boating and boat travel.”

What Do You Miss Most About Lancaster? 

“I miss family and friends and the beautiful farmland and countryside that Lancaster County has to offer,” she shares. “Being from Manheim, we can’t help but miss Farm Show Week. Manheim has always been a place where you would run into so many friends from the past.

“Fortunately, we still own a commercial property in Manheim, so between visiting family and overseeing the property, it brings us back often.” 

If Someone from Lancaster was Planning to Visit Your Area of North Carolina, Name Some Don’t-miss Places You Have Discovered. 

  1. Historic Wilmington and the River Walk along the Cape Fear. 
  2. Airlie Gardens is a must! It is 67 acres of formal gardens and wildlife,10 acres of lakes, more than 75,000 azaleas, a seasonal butterfly house and the tall Airlie Oak tree (southern live oak) that dates back to 1545. Airliegardens.org. 
  3. Another must is Epic Excursions Wrightsville Beach Boat Cruises and Adventures. We have so many uninhabited outer islands off the Carolina coast and you can only get there by boat, so this excursion is a great way to see those beaches and hang out for the day. Epicexcursionsnc.com. 
  4. If you love to fish, Hot Ticket Fishing Charters is an absolutely fun day! Hotticketsportfishing.com. 

Describe Your Perfect North Carolina Day. 

For us, living on the Carolina coast offers such an active outdoor lifestyle. Our perfect day is always filled with boating, beaches and, of course, our needy rescue dog, Lulu. 

Terry and I both work from home, so our typical workday can start as early as 7 a.m. and end as late as 9 p.m. We both love what we do and are perfectly fine charging hard during the week so we can enjoy a relaxing weekend. 

The weekend is approaching, and we are already checking the weather, wind and tides. Saturday has finally arrived and we are up early to enjoy a nice cup of coffee on the patio and discuss which outer island we will go to today. Swimsuits go on, bags are packed for the beach and today the waves look good, so we are taking the surfboard along. We jump in the truck and have about a five-minute drive to Motts Channel Marina where our 21.5-foot Tidewater boat is in a wet slip.

Today we are heading out to one of our favorite spots – a private island off the North Carolina coast called Masonboro Island Reserve, an 8.4-mile-long barrier island/nature preserve that can only be reached by boat. We’re sure to see lots of friends on the island along with families and dogs running around. Since it is a private island, there is no leash law so Lulu can run and play. 

After spending a day relaxing, surfing and walking Lulu around the island, we take a leisurely boat ride back to the marina and decide that tonight is an “at home” seafood dinner night! Motts Channel Marina is not only where we keep our boat but it also has one of Wrightsville Beach’s best fresh seafood markets. Once docked, Terry cleans the boat as I walk to the fish house and see what has just been brought in by the fishermen. Tonight’s dinner will be clams, shrimp and fresh-caught grouper. On the way home, we call some friends to invite them to dinner and to hang out by the pool. Our day ends full circle – on the patio with the firepit going, a glass of wine and great friends. 

Manheim Gets Creative

Visit Manheim and the energy is palpable! Creativity – with a nod to history – is helping to take the borough in a new direction. There’s also another precedent at work – many of the business enterprises are owned and operated by husband-and-wife teams. 

The steel sans serif numbers are from Timber Made Design Co., a husband-and-wife duo (Derek and Chelsea) whose work can be seen at Prussian Street Arcade.

I dragged photographer Jordan Bush all over Manheim during a two-day period in May. The New Holland native admitted he had never really ventured to this area of the county. “I never had a reason to come to Manheim – not even for a football game,” he shared. After leaving SUPPLY, he made a telling observation. “I feel like I’m in another state,” he said. On day two, he requested that we revisit Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café. After visiting with Willie Wrede at ARTifice Ales & Mead, he announced, “I’m definitely coming back here.” 

 

Celebrate Manheim 

1st Thursdays 

Municipalities across Lancaster County have been enticing people to visit their downtown areas by hosting monthly “First” events, so why not Manheim? That’s exactly what members of the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce were asking, so a group was put together to explore the options, which led to the development of 1st Thursdays. “We thought we’d stay away from Fridays,” says Jason Horst of Horst Arts, who is involved in the event. “We’re excited!” So, it seems was everyone we talked to in Manheim. 

The monthly event kicked off June 3, with nearly 30 participants, including downtown (and outlying) restaurants and businesses. Going forward, plans call for the event to feature food trucks, live music, activities for the kids, a walking tour and special events in Market Square. The next First Thursday is July 1. 

1stThursdays.com   

 

Suzanne and Barney Reiley, owners of REO Manheim Marketplace.

Chipping in to Develop a Creative Environment

REO Manheim Marketplace 

Barney and Suzanne Reiley could have called it a career after selling the three environmental related businesses they owned. Instead, the couple decided to pursue a business venture that would help to get Manheim moving in a new direction. They formed a development company –  Staudt McGovern Holdings, LLC – and began attending workshops and seminars that focus on turning small-town downtowns around. Then, they began to actively look for an underutilized property and give it a new purpose in life. 

They found exactly what they were looking for along Main Street in Manheim – a 1.4-acre property that had once been home to an auto dealership, garage and a snack food company. The venture, which they named REO Manheim Marketplace, would tap into their previous business experience, as it would create a new “environment” for a complex of buildings that was languishing. The project, which benefited from the talents of Steven Funk of LeFever Funk Architects, entailed razing two (of six) buildings and updating the factory spaces to create an industrial-chic look for what is now the Prussian Street Arcade. The former dealership and garage is now home to Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café and two short-term rental apartments, while another building hosts ARTifice Ales & Mead. The last space has attracted the attention of other potential tenants and the Reileys hope to have it filled and operating by year’s end. “Just this complex alone has created more than 60 jobs in Manheim,” Barney notes. 

According to the Reileys, the premise of REO Manheim Marketplace is rather simple: A rising tide lifts all ships. That theory is apropos to the experience that awaits: You could spend an entire day here, beginning with breakfast/lunch at Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café, shopping at Prussian Street Arcade and ending it with dinner (and some relaxing axe-throwing) at ARTifice Ales & Mead. And, that doesn’t even take into account all the other attractions that Manheim now has to offer. 

Even the Reileys are a little taken aback by the instantaneous success of REO Manheim Marketplace and its ability to weather the Covid storm. “Last fall, we had a doctor from New York reserve one of the REO Suites,” Barney explains. “She had worked non-stop from March to September and just wanted to get her kids out of New York. We told her Lancaster was still kind of shut down, but she didn’t care. She just wanted to get out of New York. They had a great time and the next thing we know, we’re getting reservations from other front-line workers and first responders. We stay booked.”  

The Reileys view their enterprise as a way to give back to their adopted hometown and credit their neighbors, Michele and J.P. Perron, the owners of The Booking House, for encouraging their creative energy and channeling it in a direction that would benefit Manheim. The Reileys, in turn, hope their venture will inspire others to invest in Manheim. “You know, Manheim has always been a crossroads of sorts. People would come through Manheim on their way to other places,” Barney says of Lititz, Lancaster, the PA Renaissance Faire and Mt. Gretna. “There was no reason for them to stop here. We want to change that. We want Manheim to be the best Manheim it can be. We’re not Lititz, we’re not Columbia and we’re not Lancaster. We’re Manheim, and we’re proud of that.” 

It seems that the success of REO Manheim Marketplace has rallied the troops and caused others to take notice. “Change builds change and fortunately Manheim has some really good things going for it,” Barney says. “We have a great local government,” he says of Mayor Scot Funk’s leadership. “We have new blood in town,” he says of the investors who recognize Manheim’s potential and are buying and repurposing properties. In turn, new investors and business owners are helping to grow the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce. “Its membership has grown from 135 to more than 200 businesses,” Barney reports. “And, those businesses are community-minded – they are the businesses that support local events and your kids’ sports teams.” Finally, like other small business owners, Barney and Suzanne are indebted to residents of the Manheim area for the support they have provided to make REO and other new businesses thrive in daunting times. “They really come out and support small business,” he says. 

Suzanne also has kudos for people like Holly DeKarske of Venture Lititz and Kelly Withum of Mainspring of Ephrata who have been very supportive of Manheim’s efforts. “Lancaster County is such a supportive place,” she says. “You can call anyone with questions and they are there to answer them and provide you with their support.”   

51 N. Main Street
reomanheimmarketplace.com

 

Susan and Michael Ferrari, the owners of Prussian Street Arcade, love being partners in life and business. “We’re so happy to be here,” says Susan. “It still feels very new to us.”

Making It

Prussian Street Arcade 

When the redevelopment of the Bickel’s Snack Foods property got underway, Susan and Michael Ferrari, who live nearby, couldn’t help but to notice … and dream. The entrepreneurs, who have stepped back from their other businesses in order to oversee Prussian Street Arcade on a full-time basis, envisioned the former factory as the perfect place to launch a marketplace where makers, collectors, artists, designers, traders and curators could display and sell their items without having the overhead of a stand-alone shop or gallery. “There are no stipulations about [vendors] having to be here a set number of hours or days,” Susan explains. “We’re here to help makers and others grow. The plan allows them to do what they do best – make things – and for us to take care of selling them.” Essentially, Prussian Street Arcade operates according to the old adage of finding strength in numbers. 

Suzanne and Barney Reiley liked the concept – in fact, it mirrored exactly what they were looking for – and the Ferraris were in business. Prussian Street Arcade opened in November 2019 with more than 100 makers, artists and other micro-businesses filling spaces of various sizes. From the outset, Prussian Street was a hit. Business during the 2019 holiday season was beyond the Ferraris’ expectations.     

Welsh Mountain Candle Co.’s display area has grown three times since becoming a vendor at Prussian Street Arcade.

Now, almost two years later, Prussian Street Arcade continues to thrive and grow. “Lots of stars aligned,” says Susan of launching the ambitious venture. “You know, I think we approached this with the right combination of ignorance and arrogance to make it fly,” says Michael. 

How did their dream become a reality? Susan, who has been a maker for years, says the idea for Prussian Street was inspired by the maker community she discovered online. “A real kinship exists there,” she adds. That online community sparked a movement that has given way to the introduction of large and small pop-up events as well as venues such as Prussian Street Arcade, all of which provide shopping experiences that emphasize handmade, vintage, curated and collected items. “I always enjoyed visiting Building Character in Lancaster,” Susan says. “Plus, we’ve been shopping at vintage markets for what seems like forever.” 

Fiber art on view at Prussian Street Arcade.

Still, Susan’s vision deviated from what she was seeing take place across the country. “My vision was boutique-like spaces that would really showcase a vendor’s artistry or creativity,” she explains. The airiness of the space would only lend itself to the atmosphere they hoped to create. Indeed, the whole industrial-chic vibe – a white backdrop, eye-catching displays, the right soundtrack, high ceilings and lots of windows – prompts you to slow to a stroll and take in the countless items you never knew you needed or wanted but now must have. With bag in hand, you’ll find yourself hurrying to get home and find places for your new-found treasures. 

Of course, Covid presented its challenges. “Four months in and we had to close. We were terrified,” Susan recalls. “Especially when it became obvious that Covid would be more than just a three-week thing,” Michael adds. “There was no handbook to guide you through something like a pandemic.” 

So, they got “creative” and began emphasizing online sales. They introduced shopping by appointment in May (2020). Susan began to fill baskets with vendor items and sell them through social media sites. They created theme displays in the vestibule of the building to bring cheer to visitors. “Revamping the vestibule every month made us feel better, too,” Susan notes. With fall’s arrival, traffic returned and the holiday season was better than they expected. Now, it’s back to full steam ahead. 

 The creative energy that pulses through the building is invigorating and inspiring. “I didn’t know what to expect when we announced we were looking for makers to fill the space,” says Susan. As it turned out, she had no reason to worry. The space filled in no time and now accounts for nearly 120 vendors. “The vendors sold it for us – word of what we were doing spread quickly,” Michael recalls. “We now have a waiting list,” Susan reports. 

Need any more encouragement to schedule a visit? Photographer Jordan Bush says he now “gets” why his fiancée, Jessica, loves to shop at Prussian Street. “This isn’t at all what I was expecting,” he says. “I could see myself coming along with her on occasion.” 

49 N. Main Street
prussianstreetarcade.com 

 

A “Slice” of Manheim History

Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café  

Open since February 2019, Mill 72 is owned and operated by Melanie and Brian Miller and their daughters McKayla, Taylor, Morgan and Payton. “The neat thing about doing this as a family is that each member has something to contribute,” Melanie shared in an earlier issue of LCM. 

On the menu at Mill 72 Bake Shop & Café: a chicken salad wrap and frozen chai.

Located in a “slice” of Manheim history – the REO Manheim Marketplace – Mill 72 took over the space that once served as a showroom for an Oldsmobile dealership and a garage. Now, it’s a light-filled café that, according to Melanie, invites guests to “connect, unwind and enjoy delicious food.” By connecting, she means face-to-face or virtually. The dining area that mimics a living room – fireplace and comfy furniture – is always filled with guests. 

The delicious food comes courtesy of Morgan, who loved to help her mother in the kitchen as a child – “We baked lots of cupcakes,” she recalls – and took advantage of the food program offered by Lancaster County Career & Technology Center as a high school student. Breakfast (baked oatmeal, breakfast sandwiches, quiche, bagels and parfaits) and lunch (soups, salads and sandwiches) items are available all day. 

One of Mill 72’s dining areas resembles a cozy sitting room.

The beverage list is extensive – we visited two days in a row to order Frozen Chai. Jordan said it might even surpass his favorite beverage at the legendary Café du Monde in New Orleans. 

When you visit, be sure to save room for dessert – the cupcakes, pies, cookies, brownies, macarons and other sweet treats are delectable! 

45 N. Main Street
mill72.com  

 

ARTifice Ales & Mead makes its home in a building that once served as Bickel’s packaging/shipping department.

A “Honey” of a Business

ARTifice Ales & Mead

Willie Wrede warned us when he greeted me and Jordan at the front door of ARTifice Ales & Mead that he can wax poetic about mead all day long. Then, he offered us samples of his honey mead. Jordan was leery, explaining the only mead he had ever tasted was so sweet it made his teeth hurt. “That’s the thing about mead,” Willie explains. “Everyone makes it differently. You have to keep tasting it until you find what you like.” With that in mind, we sampled Willie’s mead. Jordan’s eyes lit up. “Now, this is good,” he marveled. Walking back to the car, we tried to come up with an apt description of what we had tasted. It was crisp but not cloying. It almost had the consistency of lemonade. “A shandy,” Jordan offered. No matter what, we declared it to be refreshing and very tasty – the perfect summer drink.  

ARTifice Ales & Mead owner, Willie Wrede, taps a honey mead.

Ah, but according to Willie, mead is much more than a summer thirst quencher. “Mead is for all seasons,” he points out, noting that you can drink it cold, at room temperature or hot (it’s perfect for making holiday glogg). And, like wine, there is a mead to pair with whatever cuisine – “Pizza to 5-star,” he says – you may desire. Willie also advises that if you are a fan of craft seltzer, give mead a go. Mead also makes for a good mixer in cocktails. “A Mead Mule is gluten-free,” he points out. 

How did Willie become a fan of mead? Always a devotee of fantasy fiction, Willie  immediately became aware that a libation called mead or “honey wine” often plays a role in the stories. He notes that mead was prominent in ancient mythology. He also relates that mead just might be the oldest alcoholic drink in the world. “Every culture had a brewing tradition,” he explains, noting that in the beginning, brewing was women’s work. He tells of the Romans, who upon invading the British Isles, made copious records that told of all the honey that existed. They also studied the lifestyle and diets of the people and noted their longevity. “The only thing they could attribute it to was the availability of honey and with it, mead,” Willie elaborates, adding that with the passage of time, honey became a trade commodity. “It was widely used for medicinal purposes,” he adds. 

Willie, who had experimented with crafting his own beer in the early 2000s, was curious. Fortunately for him, a craze for mead was developing. “I kept hearing and reading that mead was going to be the ‘next big thing’ in the craft brewing world,” he says. He tasted his first brew at the PA Renaissance Faire, but found the drink to be too sweet for his palate. The bar wench solved the problem by mixing what was left of the mead with a stout beer to create braggot. Willie liked what he sampled and began crafting his own small-batch concoctions and entering them in competitions. 

Then, the former Marine, Army reservist, helicopter mechanic and independent government contractor, took the next step – a huge one – and became part of a niche market by opening Meduseld Meadery in Lancaster in 2017. “The writing was on the wall that I was going to be losing my job and I started looking for a new venture that would allow me to stay home and support my family,” he says of launching Meduseld, which is named after a mead hall in Olde England. 

When a neighboring business vacated the building, Willie was offered the space. Not knowing what to do with an extra 3,500 square feet of space, he took notice that axe-throwing was becoming a thing. He and some friends checked out a venue in Philadelphia and came away convinced that axe-throwing would be the perfect complement to mead. “We had a blast,” he recalls. While patrons in Lancaster were developing a taste for Willie’s mead, the buzz about axe-throwing really helped to put Meduseld on the map. 

Willie, who is a resident of Manheim, took notice of what the Reileys were doing and initially approached them about leasing production space. However, they were looking to bring in a restaurant or brewpub and passed on his idea. Willie began to mull his options and realizing that a void for breweries existed in Manheim, went back to the drawing board and presented a new concept to the Reileys that would incorporate brewing and food. “Through the Army reserves and as an independent contractor, I traveled the world,” he explains. “I really got into the street food I discovered in Korea, Europe and Central America. I wanted to bring that concept to Manheim.” 

He also envisioned what his mead hall would look like and worked with Duane and Michelle Gingrich of DMG Building Solutions in Manheim to redesign the exterior and interior spaces of what had been the packaging/shipping department of Bickel’s Snack Foods to achieve an old world-modern look for ARTifice. 

Willie, his wife Julie, his sister Jeanette Soler and her husband, Alfonso, and friend Duro Rajkovic – “He’s been my brewing buddy from the beginning; in fact, we experimented in his kitchen,” says Willie – have created a gastropub where pairing the international-inspired menu items with the selection of mead, ales and craft beer is the new game in town. Speaking of games, fans of Meduseld will be happy to know that axe-throwing has made the move to Manheim. 

55 N. Main Street
artifice.beer 

 

Ashley Martin, owner of Boutique 1780, is a Prussian Street Arcade alumni who opened her own Manheim storefront in April.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Boutique 1780 and Horst Arts 

It seems the Reileys’ wishes are coming true – one of Prussian Street’s tenants, Ashley Martin, moved across Main Street and opened her first Boutique 1780 storefront in April. It was Suzanne Reiley who alerted her to the fact that a salon would be vacating the building in order to move to a larger space. Ashley toured the space and deemed it a perfect fit. 

It was only a few years ago that Ashley launched her fashion enterprise – clothing, accessories and gift items – in her garage and then took it mobile via a Winnebago (for pop-up events) before moving to Prussian Street Arcade (she continues to maintain space at Artisan Mill Co. in Lititz). 

While the selection covers the size spectrum – small to 3X – Ashley’s buying strategy is motivated by a particular customer – moms. “I still remember that feeling of nothing fitting right after I had my second daughter,” she says of moms being the catalyst for stocking the shop with clothing that is both “comfortable and fashionable.” Her social media sites also reflect her mission to be inclusive, as models represent all body types. “Some of them are customers,” she notes. On the drawing board is a coffee bar whose proceeds will benefit Hope Inspire Love, which addresses sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. 

Another REO neighbor is Horst Arts, which is owned and operated by Jason and Katherine Horst, who have called Manheim home since 2010. Katherine is from the Pottstown area, while Jason hails from Robesonia. The two met through attending the same church in Lancaster. Initially they shared space in another building along Main Street. When it was sold, they began searching for a space that would allow their talents – and visions for the future – to collaborate and expand. 

Jason and Katherine Horst share art and design spaces and a maker’s classroom at Horst Arts.

Friends connected them with a building near REO Manheim Marketplace that dates to 1910. Jason spearheads the graphic design and web development aspect of the business, while Katherine, who is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Art & Design, has her fine arts studio in the front room, where she creates mixed-media collages using everything from paper to greeting cards, newspaper print, sheet music and magazines in her designs. “Paper is my thing!” she says. 

Together, the Horsts host maker’s events that are typically held on weekends. “I have so many ideas on what we can do with our space that sometimes I get ahead of myself,” Katherine admits. “That’s the beauty of working with your spouse – he or she can encourage your ideas or make you slow down and think about them. This isn’t a 9-5 kind of business – we’re constantly thinking of ideas and bouncing them off each other. We support each other in this crazy idea of ours!” 

The maker’s events are held in the space that separates Katherine’s domain from Jason’s. It’s furnished with a unique handcrafted round table that is perfect for both collaborating and social distancing. “We’ve been hosting lots of private events, as well as events that are open to the public,” Katherine explains. In addition to the maker’s space, the Horsts offer those hosting private events the use of a kitchen and a patio. 

Boutique 1780: 24 N. Main Street, boutique1780.com 

Horst Arts: 17 N. Main Street, horstarts.com     

 

The Hot Spot in Town

Stiegel Glassworks 1976

Two blocks from where Henry William Stiegel’s glassworks once stood, you’ll find a small building in the vicinity of the train station – now the home and museum of the Manheim Historical Society – in which glass objects are once again being made. Launched in the 1960s by a group of Manheim-area businessmen as a way to carry on the tradition started by Stiegel prior to the American Revolution, this modern version of glassblowing took center stage during the Bicentennial celebrations that were held in Manheim in 1976.  

Hallie Krebs and Jeremy Friedly at work at Stiegel Glassworks 1976.

Forty-five years later, Stiegel Glassworks 1976 represents more than an art form, as it is an organization whose survival depends on the support of local businesses, the Manheim Historical Society, the borough, volunteers and the art-loving public. For example, the glassworks’ latest acquisition, an electric furnace, was purchased with the help of the borough. On the day we visited, Jeremy Friedly and Hallie Krebs were hard at work creating glass rosette paperweights for the upcoming Festival of the Red Rose at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

Jeremy, a local artist whose passion for creating glass objects began at HACC’s Harrisburg campus more than 15 years ago, manages the operation. Jeremy found the medium to be so interesting that at the age of 17, he began working at Ryan Blythe’s glassmaking studio in Lancaster. He went on to become a fixture at such studios as Through the Fire in Columbia, GoggleWorks in Reading, and Jewell Gardens in Skagway, Alaska. Art is in his genes – his father, Milton Friedly, has been an art professor at Elizabethtown College since 1987 and is an award-winning fine artist, potter and sculptor, as well as a curator and a sought-after judge for art shows.  

As for Hallie, the New Hampshire native has been involved in flameworking for nine years, first in Philadelphia and now in Manheim. “Glassblowing is what took me to Philadelphia,” she explains. “Covid is what brought me to Manheim,” she says of choosing to quarantine here in order to be close to her sister. “It’s so great to have this here,” she says of Stiegel Glassworks 1976. “I never went back to Philadelphia.”   

Jeremy says he loves the art form for several reasons. First, he appreciates the discipline that is needed to create glass. “Glass demands discipline – something I lacked as a kid – and determination. It’s both a technical and physical craft. It makes me focus.” He also appreciates that the process involves heat that burns so intensely (2,400 degrees) that the glass initially takes on a water-like appearance. “It’s going to do what it’s going to do,” he explains. “It’s the human element that creates art.” He also marvels at the fact that glass is both fragile and enduring. After all, shards of glass dating to ancient times can still be found. 

As the president of the organization, Jeremy is also charged with marketing the glass objects that are created on the premises. In addition to Stiegel Glassworks 1976’s studio, glass art is available at the Prussian Street Arcade and at Longenecker’s True Value Hardware Store in Manheim. He also has been taking Stiegel Glassworks on the road to area arts and craft shows. Tours of the studio and “Create Your Own” sessions are also available. 

When I remarked that his stemless wine goblets would be perfect for gift giving – notably weddings and house warmings – Jeremy smiles and says he has regular customers who think along those lines. Once he accomplishes the Festival of the Red Rose assignment, he says he will turn his attention to fall. “Glass pumpkins are a big seller for us,” he says. 

210 S. Charlotte Street
stiegelglassworks.org 

 

As seen at the Manheim Historical Society’s museum: Stiegel glass.

History Lives!

Manheim Historical Society 

Several years ago, I attended Christmas events in Manheim, one of which was an open house at the Manheim Historical Society. I never forgot seeing the Society’s collection of Stiegel glass. Unfortunately, Covid caused the Society’s museum to temporarily close its doors. I really wanted to include photographs of Stiegel glass in this issue, so I went online, completed the contact form and crossed my fingers someone would respond. 

The next day, Wes Geib Sr. came to our rescue. 

“I have exciting news,” Wes shared as he unlocked the door to the museum. “We are going to be adding to the collection.” The new acquisition, which is being purchased from a collector, is due to arrive at the museum this summer and includes Stiegel glassware, stove fronts and paper artifacts. “The thing about Stiegel glass is that he didn’t sign any of the work,” Wes explains. “We have to rely on the experts to identify Stiegel glass.” 

Founded in 1964, the Society’s mission is to “collect, examine, interpret and catalog the documents and artifacts” that relate to Manheim, as well as Penn and Rapho townships. It’s also the Society’s goal to “engage and educate the public on the people, places and events” that helped to shape and create that area of Lancaster County. 

The centerpiece of the Society’s holdings is the former train station, the interior of which appears to be frozen in time. Built in 1881, it is believed that Frank Furness, who did work for the Reading Railroad, designed the building. It became a thriving place from both a shipping and social standpoint. When rail traffic began to wane in the 1950s, the station began to show signs of neglect. In 1976, it was closed. Vandals caused more disrepair. 

Fortunately, the building had good bones and at the behest of a young girl named Melissa Boyer to save the building, the Historical Society and other interested parties went to work. The $40,000 that was needed to buy it was raised, while grants were secured for the restoration work. Today, it’s filled with furnishings, equipment and other items that convey the heyday of the station. History lives here!

The Manheim Historical Society also oversees the Heritage Center (research center), the Fasig House (a restored log house that dates to the 1700s) and the Keath House (another restored log house). It is integral to the operation of Stiegel Glassworks 1976. It played a major role in the restoration of the Birney Trolley Car #236 that once traveled between Manheim and Lancaster. It also played a role in acquiring the Town Clock and moving it to the park on Market Square in 1994 and restoring it in 2009. 

Despite being closed for the past year, its members – 600 strong – have been busy behind the scenes. A new website will soon be making its debut. Plans are underway to reopen the museum this summer and resume activities such as the popular Folk Art Show that is held in early December. And, a walking tour is being designed as part of First Thursdays activities. “You have to remember, this is an all-volunteer organization,” says Wes, who serves as vice president. 

88 S. Grant Street
manheimhistoricalsociety.org

“Bridging” Fun and Agriculture

Manheim Community Farm Show 

Peruse the farm show’s Facebook page and it’s immediately obvious that Manheim is raring to go. Fundraisers driven by barbecued chicken, pulled-pork sandwiches and a golf tournament are being held to raise “seed” money for Lancaster County’s final fair of the season, which is scheduled to take place October 4-8.  

Manheim’s farm show has faced its “fair” share of challenges over the last decade, including torrential rains, flooding and of course, a pandemic. Last year, organizers held out hope that the show would go on but in the end, Manheim’s annual event followed the fate of countless others and had to be cancelled. 

This year’s show promises to include all the pageantry, animals, crafts, competitions, fair food, creative talents and blue ribbons that make it one of Manheim’s most anticipated events. Yes, the show is fun and educational and celebrates agriculture, but Manheim likes to think that “community” is the secret ingredient that makes it special. 

Shearer’s Covered Bridge, which was originally built in 1847, now serves as a foot bridge and is the symbol of the Manheim Community Farm Show.

In Manheim, “community” is a multifaceted word as far as the farm show goes. The mission of the show – to promote agriculture, crafts and competition in a friendly environment – embodies the town’s community spirit. Volunteers donate approximately 5,000 hours of their time during Farm Show Week. Visitors donate to a food drive that is conducted for the benefit of the Manheim Food Bank, while livestock exhibitors support the Central PA and Manheim food banks with donations of protein. All food stands are operated by area nonprofits, hence proceeds are inevitably earmarked for community projects. 

Community pride is also evident in the farm show’s symbol – Shearer’s Covered Bridge, which was built in 1847 by Jacob Clare and rebuilt in 1855. It was moved to its present-day location – Manheim Veterans Memorial Park – in 1971. It’s remarkable in that it is the only covered bridge in Lancaster County to be painted entirely red (inside and out). It is one of three in the county to have horizontal side boards. While vehicles no longer cross over it, the bridge sees plenty of foot traffic, as it is used by students on their way to and from school and farm show visitors who utilize satellite parking lots on the other side of Chiques Creek. Tourists love its picturesque accessibility. 

Eight years ago, the bridge was in need of a new roof and the Farm Show Committee, along with the school district, the borough and members of Manheim FFA and Manheim Young Farmers, came together to pay for and install one.     

502 Adele Avenue
manheimfarmshow.org 

 

Kim and Jan Waltz walk through the vineyards of their farm. Waltz Vineyards began in the Waltzes’ garage in 2000 and today includes a state-of-the-art winery, three tasting rooms/shops and 35 acres of grapevines.

A Farm of a Different Varietal

Waltz Vineyards 

Jan Waltz is a sixth-generation Lancaster County farmer. The view from high atop a hill on the farm takes in acres upon acres of grapevines and is so intoxicating that you can almost imagine yourself being in Northern Italy or Central France. Actually, Manheim does have something in common with those two regions – a continental climate that provides optimal growing conditions for grapes. On top of that, Manheim’s micro-climate is complemented by well-drained soil and good air flow. 

Convinced he was on to something, Jan and his wife and business partner, Kimberly (both are graduates of Penn State, as well as wine aficionados), began handcrafting wine in their garage in 2000. With each passing year, the couple perfected their fermenting and blending techniques and began devoting more acreage to growing grapes. Seven varieties of grapes – three reds and four whites – are now grown on 35 acres. A buzz about what was transpiring in Manheim began to swirl. 

The garage has grown into a state-of-the-art winery that employs the latest wine-making technology from Italy, a French oak aging system and the expertise of Italian enologist Goffredo Agostini. Waltz wines have won awards on state, regional, national and international levels. Its European-inspired tasting room begs you to relax and savor the wide variety of wine (be sure to order the cheese, cracker and chocolate accompaniments, all of which are locally produced). 

Two of the wines are named for Henry William Stiegel, including Baron Red, a dry, red blend and, from its Estate collection, Stiegel Rosé, which is created via the French method, siagnée, and is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc grapes. It’s simply delicious! 

Ah, but the story doesn’t end there. Waltz wine-tasting dinners have become a staple at several area restaurants. Waltz’s first satellite shop in Lititz relocated from Main Street to The Market at Wilbur two years ago and is now known as Waltz Wine Room. Six years ago, a tasting room and wine shop debuted at Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse. 

Covid, of course, presented challenges unlike any they have experienced. From March to June (2020), the Waltz tasting rooms were closed. The company pivoted and began offering curbside pickup to customers, as well as shipping and delivery options. “We shipped three times our usual amount in 2020,” says Jan. Kim says it was all-hands-on-deck in the shipping department during 2020. When the Manheim tasting room was able to resume its hours, a reservation system was developed in order to meet state guidelines for occupancy. Fortunately, the Manheim location boasts an expansive outdoor area. “That proved to be a bonus last summer,” Kim notes. “We learned a lot from doing business during a pandemic,” says Jan. “Some practices we’ll retain, others we’ll do away with.”  

Jan and Kim are excited by what the future holds. The newest enterprise is growing grapes at Kissel Hill Farm on East Oregon Road, near Lititz. Work began in spring 2015, when an acre was devoted to growing Chardonnay grapes. The inaugural harvest (fall 2017) was used in the production of a Waltz fan favorite, Fusion. In 2018, another acre was cultivated and dedicated to growing Cab Franc grapes. Two months ago, the Waltzes released Kissel Hill Farm’s first small-batch Chardonnay to its wine club members. “It’s been a learning experience,” Jan says of the differences in weather and soil composition between Manheim and Lititz. 

The Waltzes are supportive of the new direction Manheim is taking. “So often, visitors to the tasting room will ask for suggestions on what else is available to do in this area,” says Kim. “Now, we can send them into town. We are promoting each other – we send visitors to Manheim and they send people here.”

The Waltzes are thrilled that a new generation – their son, Zach – has joined the family business as director of operations in viticulture and enology. “Zach is bringing education and experience to the business,” Jan says of his son’s degree (Bachelor of Science: Viticulture and Enology) from Cornell University and his work experiences at Gallo in California, and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates in Washington State.      

1599 Old Line Road
waltzvineyards.com 

 

J.P. and Michele Perron transformed a warehouse into a special events venue and won a C. Emlen Urban Award for adaptive reuse.

A “Marriage” of Old and New

The Booking House 

About 10 years ago, J.P. Perron was looking for storage space to accommodate his growing construction company. A friend suggested he check out a warehouse on S. Penn Street in Manheim. Built in 1884, the imposing brick building was used to produce cigars for 50-plus years. After that, it was used by a succession of companies for storage purposes. The building would suit Perron’s needs and he and his wife, Michele, purchased it in 2012. When they showed it to friends and associates, they all made the same observation: it would be a perfect venue for special events such as weddings. The Perrons had to agree with that assessment and by the following year, plans were being developed to give the building a new lease on life. 

The Perrons viewed the adaptive reuse project as their opportunity to give back to the community and add another unique venue to Lancaster’s fast-growing reputation as a premier destination-wedding locale. 

The goal was to retain the charm and patina of the original construction (exposed brick, massive chestnut beams, wood floors, etc.) and add modern-day amenities (new restrooms, an elevator, a new heating/cooling system, handicap accessibility, etc.) to the building. A fireplace, crystal chandeliers, a bridal suite and The Crow’s Nest (cigar lounge/man cave) were added, as well. 

Work began in January 2014 and was completed that summer. Later that year, The Booking House was honored with the Historic Preservation Trust’s C. Emlen Urban Award for adaptive reuse.

How did The Booking House get its name? In cigar lingo, it’s a cigar-making technique whereby the roller layers the filler leaves on top of one another (like the pages in a book) and then rolls them up in a scroll. Booking is quicker than other rolling methods but it can create issues with a cigar’s draw if not done properly.

210 S. Penn Street
thebookinghousemanheim.com    

 

Mindi Bruckhart of Cool Spring Garden. Kelly Belousov/Golden Co. Photography.

A Flowering Career

Cool Spring Garden 

Mindi Bruckhart was in search of a new career that would enable her to be a stay-at-home mom to her five children. Fortunately, that dilemma was solved when Mindi and  her husband, Jared, moved their family to Cool Spring Farm near Manheim. Jared grew up on the 200-year-old farm that was now the home to new generations of Bruckharts. 

Living on a farm got Mindi’s creative juices flowing and it occurred to her that she could parlay her love of the outdoors, nature and tending to plants into a career. The latter was a genetic gift – her mother, Jean Horst, maintained a large cutting garden at the family home in Ephrata. As a child, Mindi was permitted to cut flowers and create her own floral arrangements. No doubt, readers are assuming Mindi became a floral designer. You would be wrong. Mindi became a physical therapist. 

Mindi began tending to strawberries, gourds and pumpkins and launched her business venture in 2014 with a table she placed along the roadside. Encouraged by the positive reception it received, Mindi added peonies to the mix the following year. Customers went gaga over the selection of blooms. 

Confident in her career pivot, Mindi began growing her own flowers – sunflowers,  zinnias, garden roses, dahlias – as well as specialty blooms such as ranunculus, anemones, poppies, lupine, etc. Essentially, you name it and Mindi grows it. The roadside table grew into a country-chic self-serve stand (complete with convenient off-road parking).  

Mindi’s new career path veered in a number of directions. She returned to design and now creates arrangements and bouquets for weddings and other occasions in her barn studio. She offers flower lovers a floral version of a CSA. Other floral designers and event planners have become customers. She also offers workshops (both private and open to the public) throughout the year. (The next one is July 21.) 

The farm stand, which is open April through December continues to flourish. In fact, it was a career-saver during Covid. While her wedding work nearly vanished, Mindi was kept busy creating arrangements that customers ordered for themselves, as well as for friends and family. “Flowers just make people happy,” she says. “I think last year’s gardening craze points to that. Flowers provided a way for people to stay connected,” she theorizes. 

489 Doe Run Road
coolspringgarden.com 

18,000 Square Feet of Zen

SUPPLY 

Launched in 2016 by a “couple” of friends – Bryan and Heather Zeamer and T.J. and Brooke Mousetis – the SUPPLY building was an industrial warehouse in need of some serious love. Built in 1952 – in a part of Manheim I never knew existed – it was home to a succession of owners and satisfied a number of industrial uses, the last being a recon center. 

Today, you would never guess what its past once entailed. Now, it’s an 18,000-square-foot study of total Zen, thanks to soaring ceilings, pristine white backdrops and expansive  windows –
all courtesy of the Scenic Ridge Construction Company and Plant + Fig Design. Vinnie DePaul, SUPPLY’s building manager, describes Plant + Fig’s Lori Oberholtzer as the “brains behind all the design and décor work” you see throughout the building. 

The premise of SUPPLY is rather simple and straight forward: to offer individuals and teams a place to do business and share spaces such as meeting and conference rooms, an outdoor seating area, a kitchen, etc. According to Vinnie, photographers from all over the region utilize the photo studios that are available for short-term use. 

SUPPLY has also been the scene of many micro-weddings – even before they were cool or became a Covid necessity. The minimalistic backdrops and outdoor patio/balcony are perfect for micro-weddings.   

280 S. Oak Street
supplymanheim.com  

A Drink for the Ages 

Mount Hope Estate & Winery 

Several years ago, I attended Gourmet Gala, a long-held benefit for the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County. I sampled some cider from Lancaster County Cider, which I learned was part of the Mount Hope Estate & Winery umbrella. Oh, my gosh, was that cider tasty! I bet I visited the stand a half-dozen times that afternoon. 

Fast forward to May 2021. Jordan and I were doing photography for the July cover. He looked at the cans of Lancaster County Cider I had brought along and said he wasn’t crazy about cider but admitted he based his opinion on the products of an industry giant whose products are frequently advertised on television. I took a sip of the Sweet Cider and nirvana set in. Jordan sampled it … and sampled it again. He changed his tune. “This is good from start to finish,” he proclaimed. 

Lancaster County Cider is one of nearly 60 cideries in the state (pre-Covid). Washington State, which ranks as the top producer of apples in the United States, is home to nearly 80 cideries. Lancaster County Cider was launched in 2016. Its hand-crafted products are made from locally sourced apples and other natural ingredients. In addition to its signature dry and sweet ciders, the company makes special/seasonal ciders that are tinged with fruit such as blueberries, pineapples, cranberries and blood oranges. Pumpkin cider is a fall sensation, as is salted caramel. In addition to shops affiliated with Mount Hope, it is distributed by Kirchner Beverage. 

A restored barn at Mount Hope Winery that is used for special events features a creative chandelier made from wine bottles. Nick Gould Photography.

You might say that cider – the fermented variety – is as old as the hills. Throughout the 13 original colonies, hard cider was the beverage of choice. According to National Geographic, cider made sense – it was simple to make, was cost-effective and the ingredients were plentiful. 

As you might guess, cider also became a “wonder drug” as it was said to aid digestion and prevent rheumatism, gout, bladder stones, colic and the list goes on. It was also believed that cider aided longevity. Legend has it that John Adams always started his day by drinking a tankard of cider and he lived to be 91. 

It was also said that cider fueled the American Revolution. Ethan Allen preferred a concoction of cider and rum that gained the name, Stonewall. Legend has it that the Green Mountain Boys’ bravado came courtesy of the drink in the hours leading up to the capture of Fort Ticonderoga. 

Prohibition spelled disaster for cider. Like other alcoholic beverages, cider was banned. Temperance advocates went so far as to burn and destroy apple orchards in order to ensure cider couldn’t be made. Unfortunately, in their zeal, an untold number of heritage varieties of apples were forever lost. When Prohibition was repealed, cider failed to stage a comeback – beer became the preferred beverage. Most people came to know apple cider as the brown-colored beverage that has become the buzz-free mainstay of fall festivals and harvest celebrations.  

The craft-brewing movement that got underway in the early 2000s began with beer and grew to include seltzer, mead and cider. Penn State even has a cider authority on staff in Carla Snyder. The craft movement also helped to foster small distilling companies and boutique wineries. 

Interest in cider steadily climbed through the last decade in the United States.  According to a study by Penn State (conducted before Covid), hand-crafted cider enjoys a solid following, which has prompted the growth of cideries and tasting rooms, food pairing events, cider-based cocktails and research by fans into apple varieties. Interest in cider is also being driven in part by demand for gluten-free and low-alcohol beverages. With Asian markets embracing cider, sales and market share are expected to increase internationally.  

You say you’ve driven by Mount Hope a gazillion times but unlike the 200,000 visitors to another business under its umbrella – ever hear of the PA Renaissance Faire? – you’ve never stopped? Believe me, there’s a lot to discover. First, though, a little history is in order. 

The property was purchased in 1779 by Peter Grubb, who built an iron furnace there in 1784. His son, Henry, built the estate’s Federal-style mansion over a five-year period beginning in 1800. Formal gardens also took root. Succeeding generations of Grubbs used the estate as a summer home. 

It wasn’t until Daisy Grubb (1850-1936) moved to Mount Hope that it had a permanent resident. She enlarged the house in 1895, bringing it to 32 rooms and adding Victorian elements to its design. Following her death, the estate was subdivided and sold. After a succession of owners, Chuck Romito purchased the property in 1979, with plans to transform it into a vineyard and winery. A year later, he welcomed guests to Mount Hope Estate & Winery. 

In order to attract visitors, Romito held special events, including a jousting tournament staged by members of a club in Maryland. The success of the jousting event prompted Romito to hold a one-day Renaissance Faire in a parking lot on the property. The rest is history. The PA Renaissance Faire has grown into a 13-week extravaganza that is held weekends, August through October. You might describe it as the area’s largest dinner theatre, as it entails food, drink and entertainment spread over 35 acres. 

The Ren Faire has been owned by Scott and Heather Bowser since 2005. Prior to that,  the couple owned a restaurant in Manheim (Summy House), where Scott established a small brewery – Swashbuckler Brewing Co. At Romito’s invitation, Scott established a small brewery at the Ren Faire in 2000. He also became the president and CEO of the Ren Faire’s food and beverage division. 

Mount Hope has grown exponentially over the last 15 years. In addition to its wine, beer and cider operations, a distilling company joined the lineup. A restored barn now hosts weddings and other special events. The mansion is the scene of theatrical, musical and comedy productions. Theme festivals dot the calendar. Satellite shops can be found throughout the county, as well as in Gettysburg and Shrewsbury. And, a drive-in movie theatre will be in operation once again this summer. 

2775 Lebanon Road (Route 72)
mounthope.estate