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2024 U.S. Women’s Open Championship: Looking Back

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

I was thrilled to be granted press credentials for this year’s 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship held at Lancaster Country Club (LCC) in June. I reveled in covering the 70th U.S. Women’s Open Championship hosted at LCC. Thanks to my trusty Yashica Mat camera (1958) and more than $25,000 in equipment on loan from Nikon, I had the time of my life at this year’s Open.

The U.S. Woman’s Open Championship returned to the Lancaster Country Club in June 2024, following its highly successful inaugural outing in 2015. The 403-yard third tee provides a spectacular view overlooking the Conestoga River.

It’s not every year the U.S. Women’s Open Championship comes to town. In fact, it rarely makes a return visit to a course within a 10-year period. However, there is one exception: Pebble Beach Golf Links. Having visited Pebble’s 18th green on the Monterey Peninsula, I must admit it’s breathtaking and its reputation as being the “the most famous finishing hole in golf,” is warranted. To have Lancaster Country Club appear in the same conversation as Pebble Beach is astounding.

2015 to 2024

It was immediately obvious that the club – and Lancaster – was well prepared to welcome the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Since the inaugural event, the club had undergone extensive renovations. Now, manicured landscapes and sweeping views opened up LCC’s course to faster-drying fairways. Native grasses and sand bunkers added to the course’s difficulty and charm. A new entrance and swimming pool complex (which were reserved for players) were part of the extensive renovation project that had been undertaken ahead of LCC’s 125th anniversary.

Early morning putting practice on the green by LCC’s clubhouse.

As in 2015, the course’s infrastructure was transformed into a temporary village. Dining experiences throughout the course were equipped with water, electric service, restrooms, scoreboards and massive air conditioning units. Data cables lined the fairways for connectivity and TV broadcasts that are aided by cameras that zip by overhead on wires, while lifts elevate TV crews above the trees.

The USGA Media Center equated to NASA mission control, as it hosted dozens of desks, massive video projections, exhausted staffers and a much-appreciated coffee bar. (I was told the media center at the men’s U.S. Open is even larger.)

Beyond golf, tremendous resources are invested into the host community, attracting businesses, spectators and world-class golfers to courses such as Lancaster Country Club. But with the passage of time comes change. Analog scoreboards are now digital, coupled with the USGA mobile app, providing real-time updates on the course. The television landscape has also changed, as the tournament was carried on NBC, the Golf Channel and NBC’s streaming service, Peacock. In 2015, In Gee Chun won the Championship and with it, $810,000. In 2024, the total purse increased to $12 million, with the champion receiving $2.4 million (closing in on the record $4.3 million payout to the 2024 U.S. Open champion, Bryson DeChambeau).

Golf fans embraced the opportunity to watch their favorite players in action, with many putting in miles of walking over the course of the tournament.

1958 Yashica Mat

Preparing to photograph the event, I was struck by how much cameras had evolved since 2015. DSLRs, which I still use, are less fashionable than mirrorless cameras that operate silently. A golf necessity, coming up with two mirrorless cameras would be a tall order.

Jordan Bush’s decision to bring his Yashica Mat camera (1958) to the Open created unexpected interactions with players, caddies, guests and tournament personnel. For instance, player Ai Suzuki (below) happily posed for photos while she was on the practice green. Another player, Yiu Kawamoto, and her caddy, Mirei Midorikawa, pointed at the camera and waved as they made their way to the 12th hole.

Photographing all week, I decided to document the event in a second storyline using a film camera. Film has never gone away; the aesthetic and process are as relevant as ever, intentionally approaching light, shadows and moments without a safety net. I might take thousands of digital photographs in one afternoon, and only two or three film photographs (or none) in another, looking for the right moment.

Ai Suzuki poses for photos on the practice green.

With several options, I chose my 1958 Yashica Mat, a twin-lens reflex camera (TLR). The top lens is for viewing, and the 80mm bottom lens is for exposing film. Compact and lightweight, it’s nearly silent. There are no additional lenses to carry. Operation is completely manual, devoid of autofocus, zoom or a light meter. The waist-level viewfinder displays in obverse: left is right, right is left. Larger, 6×6 cm square negatives comprise the iconic format Instagram used to build its brand. Unlike 35mm canisters, 120 film is wrapped in paper. Changing rolls would need to be well-timed. I took 10 rolls of Kodak Ektar 100 (speed) film, with several drop-offs at Perfect Image Camera for developing and scanning. Each click costs $3.50 total.

Yiu Kawamoto, and her caddy, Mirei Midorikawa

The People You’ll Meet

The Yashica first came out of the bag on Wednesday morning for the last practice round. Almost immediately, the first comment came from Joe Calhoun (recently retired from WGAL), who remarked, “Now that’s a beautiful camera!” I frequently photograph with the Yashica at Strasburg Rail Road, where most people walk in front of the camera, oblivious to its presence. I’m looking down into a waist-level viewfinder, not at a phone. Joe was astutely aware of the camera; otherwise, I expected the Yashica to go unnoticed.

Volunteers issue the “all quiet” signal as Yiu tees off.

Entering through security, camera equipment needed to be inspected. Each time, curious security guards wanted to look through the viewfinder. “Here’s the camera I told you about!” one said to another. Passing by crowds, and photographing along the course ropes, the camera’s attention grew. I tried to blend in, but the Yashica drew gazes constantly. What felt like every dozen people, someone commented. “Wow, look at that camera!” or incorrectly, “A [Kodak] Brownie! What is that doing here?” Teens asked if it took good photographs or occasionally, what film was loaded. After several days, I answered curious glances with, “1958.” Without fail, everyone replied, “That’s what I was about to ask.”

Nelly Korda finishes out the first round after a slog at the 12th hole.

The Yashica led to dozens of wonderful conversations with LCC members, USGA volunteers, marshals and security officers, not to mention friends and acquaintances, as well as people like Adrian Godoy, a writer with a journalism degree, who was instrumental in photographing the Women’s Open. Two weeks later, he would be working at the men’s 2024 U.S. Open in Pinehurst, North Carolina. I envied him for that assignment.

On Thursday, Ai Suzuki, an accomplished player legitimately famous in Japan, practiced in a sand bunker near the main gate. Able to “zoom with my feet,” this moment was made for the Yashica. Soon after, caddy Garry Johnstone walked over to me. Thinking he might be annoyed, Garry introduced himself and was enthusiastic about seeing a 66-year-old Japanese camera.

Ai’s trainer, Takemasa Kudou, followed suit. A conversation in Japanese unfolded with Garry translating. Thinking Ai might be bothered, she climbed out of the bunker, tapped the sand off her shoes with her club, and walked over to see the camera. Through Garry, I asked if Ai would pose for a portrait; she happily posed for two. It was a humbling, thrilling and unfamiliar moment. I desperately hoped the film would turn out well. I’d know the outcome days later. So, too, would Ai. She made the cut and finished Sunday, tied for 67th, earning $21,743. Not a bad week.

The scenic 7th back tee looks across the Conestoga River, famous for spectating kayakers around the bridge. Here, volunteer Drew Xentaras recalled a TLR camera that belonged to his father. He dug it out of storage and sent me a few photographs of a gorgeous 1950s German-made Rolleiflex, with plans to use it.

Players and caddies make notes before starting the round.

The ominous 12th green brought unexpected moments. Canted towards a stream laying waste to dozens of golf balls, 12 was the destroyer of dreams. In the first round, it dashed the chances of favorite and LPGA World Ranked number-one player, Nelly Korda. I was there, reluctantly capturing the gutting moment. Two days later in the third round, a caddy walking down the same hill pointed at the Yashica and exclaimed something in Japanese. Caddy Mirei Midorikawa and player Yui Kawamoto smiled, waving at the camera as they passed. On Sunday, Kawamoto tied for 39th overall (five-way), earning $44,897.

Yuka Saso approaches the 18th hole in the rain during the final round, moments before winning the Championship.

Around the busy 18th fairway leading uphill to the clubhouse, I met Brad Peterson. A course volunteer from Elizabethtown, Brad mentioned he shoots film and used to work in a darkroom. In the stands, Manheim Township police officer, Michele Klinger, appeared from behind a camera that she brought for the fourth round. We met Monday morning near 16, discussing photography and the famed 1930s press photographer, Weegee (Arthur Fellig). There was a conversation with East Lampeter police lieutenant, Rob Eachus, who mentioned this is a years-long planning effort. He would retire when the Open concluded.

Lancaster’s favorite player and 2015 champion, In Gee Chun, practices on the putting green.

The most startling moment came in the final round. Following leaders Minjee Lee and Andrea Lee and hustling down the first fairway with NBC’s crew hot on our heels, another photographer asked, “Do you soup your own film?” Meaning, do I hand-develop my film? (Yes, black-and-white). He and another shooter said they photographed the Yashica in action throughout the week. I was dumbstruck.

All-In

Applying for a credential to the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship was on my calendar for nearly two years. Requests opened on March 7 (2024), and unfortunately, I was denied immediately. Likely due to my email address not being connected to our publisher, my appeal went unanswered. Two months went by. Editor Sue Long contacted the USGA on my behalf. Inspired by a conversation with chef Bushra Fakier of Flavors of Morocco, I appealed yet again. Twenty-nine minutes later, with three weeks to go, I was approved.

NBC’s Melissa Stark prepares to go on camera.

I not only had to prepare for the Open, but I had several commercial and magazine photography projects to complete. Procuring silent cameras was at the top of my To-Do list. A Nikon Professional Services member since 2011, Nikon offers paid tiers with equipment consignments. Upgrading my membership would cost hundreds, not thousands of dollars. With no guarantees, I requested two mirrorless cameras and a 400mm telephoto lens. Soon after, $25,249.80 in new gear arrived at my disposal for a week, ruining me for life.

Next, my USGA credential didn’t provide inside-the-ropes access that benefits larger media outlets. As crowds grew, I started missing shots. After two requests, on Sunday afternoon I was granted inside-the-ropes access. It was an emotional moment, and I went into overdrive.

A lift on the third green elevated live television coverage on NBC and Peacock.

No longer needing to camp out at the 18th green, I could follow the lead group for the final round. At hole 4, I ran out of water. Around the 7th or 8th hole, the leaderboard started to shift away from Andrea Lee and former champion, Minjee Lee, to another former champion, Yuka Saso. Rather than transiting the course to 9, I followed Yuka from nearby 12 to the finish. Needing water made the fortuitous decision easier.

Eventual champion, Yuka Saso, prepares to take her winning shot.

When Yuka stepped off the course at 18, two pairings remained, followed by a televised award ceremony. Photographing now for 12 hours, I was down to three film exposures and a 30% charge on one battery … between two digital cameras. Switching a battery is faster than changing lenses. Memory cards were also filling up rapidly. One camera had 100 frames remaining, while the other had 500 frames. Storage evaporates at 20 frames per second, so battery and memory were rationed. My last resort, an iPhone 14 Pro, had a 20% charge.

Honors for Asterisk Talley, Catherine Park and Megan Schofill, who tied for lowest-scoring amateur (Low Amateur), are announced by Mike Whan, USGA CEO. (Tied for 44th at +12 strokes, seven-way tie).

Yuka took her shot, and I took mine. Instead of $2.4 million, I brought home over 16,000 digital photographs and 100 on film. It took a week to organize several terabytes of data. Traversing 43 rolling miles with three cameras, all seven days were covered of the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Most were 10- to 12-hour shoots, the balance spent preparing for the next day. It’s difficult to explain, but I had to be there. It occurred to me that I was 30 years old at Lancaster’s first Women’s Open, and should it return, at the earliest, I’ll be in my 50s. I wouldn’t say the perspective triggered a midlife crisis, but it reminded me that life’s moments, great and small, pass by in a flash. Capture them however you can.

Yuka Saso, the winner of the 79th U.S. Women’s Open Championship. Born in the Philippines, she honored her Japanese father this year by playing under the Japanese flag. Her win elevated Saso to No. 6 on the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings. According to NBC’s Olympic bios, the 23-year-old Saso credits her win in Lancaster for giving her the confidence to successfully vie for a position on Japan’s Olympic golf team.

Pairing the Perfect Party

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Cars line the roads surrounding Bryan Campbell’s farmhouse. The circa 1868 home is part of the Lancaster County phenomena whereby an old building is saved as new construction springs up in the fields formerly surrounding it, and Bryan has taken on the task of maintenance and renovation. Like me, the occupants of the cars have arrived to take part in the area’s most epic beer dinner that will include tastings of 16 beers paired with cheeses, appetizers, a main course, dessert and an intriguing guest list, not to mention a cast of volunteer servers and kitchen staff. It is a night to remember!

“He’s cool, and he knows a lot about beer,” was the preface a friend provided before introducing me to Bryan. That evening, at my house, we spent hours recalling beer experiences and hashing out our most memorable brews, like Thomas Hardy’s Ale. Honestly, I like this obscure British ale because I favor the Victorian novelist. Bryan, however, is not only familiar with the beer, but he also has a definite opinion on which vintages are best, knows the history of the brewery, and has several bottles aging in his basement he will only crack open when in the company of one of his best friends.

Bryan brought a couple of stouts and Belgians with him. These have been aging for special occasions, and I soon learn this is just the tip of the beer iceberg. Bryan is a man driven by the history and culture of brewing, who relishes the unique characteristics of every beer and definitely enjoys the social aspect it helps create.

“I have a party every year …,” started Bryan. And I was in.

“There’s a little bit of social engineering going on. I try to connect or invite certain people, so they all end up talking.”
– Bryan Campbell, party host

PLOTTING THE EVENING

As we walked through Downtown Lancaster, talking about his annual event, Bryan explained, “I don’t know the start of the process. It might happen when I walk into a brewery or find a good beer and I will start thinking about the next party.” His approach makes sense, since he fell in love with beer almost by accident.

In 1994, he was in the process of building a guitar and one night while the glue was drying, he and his friend, Pete Bohling, headed to Russell’s Restaurant to kill some time. The now defunct eatery in Bloomsburg crafted a beer list requiring a three-ring binder. Seeing the array of options, Bryan became intrigued with and was soon entrapped in the world of import beers. For years, the friends made return visits. “We would go through the list and do vertical tastings because Russell’s had all these beers we had never tried,” recalled Bryan.

Bryan (left) and his brother, Tom, welcome their parents, Romaine and Tom, Sr., to the event. Mrs. Campbell always donates her crème de menthe brownies to the dessert course.

For his annual gathering, he starts by acquiring beers in volume. “At some point, I assemble what I think will be a good mix,” he explained. “I try and find a mix good for people who really know beer, but at the same time something for those who may find a beer that invites them into something new and different.”

COLLECTING THE BEER

A month before the party, Bryan and I ventured to the beer store to pick up the last cases. He is on a first-name basis with the folks at Shangy’s The Beer Authority, the epic beer store 70+ miles northeast of Lancaster, in Emmaus. For decades, before the rise in popularity of “craft beer,” when the little guys of brewing were still called microbreweries, Shangy’s was what its name implies: the authority. For beer fans, Shangy’s was (and still is) the home of something completely new, something hard to find. The over-sized beer mart boasts more than 4,000 cans and bottles in stock and claims to have been voted “America’s Finest Beer Store.” I cannot argue with this. Shangy’s turns the beer lover into a kid in a candy store.

In 2024, 16 beers comprised the tasting menu for host Bryan Campbell’s annual beer dinner that he has held for 25 years.

Bryan and I headed back to the walls of imports that are off to the left of the 60-tap tasting counter. With beers stacked floor to ceiling and separated by region, it takes us several minutes to even cover a few feet as we discuss different styles, compare similar brands and ultimately find a few things neither of us have ever seen – our selections go into a grocery cart. Meanwhile, a hand truck with a couple of cases appears back at the tasting counter. Bryan’s order begins to burgeon. On top of the cases from St. Bernardus, Trappistes Rochefort and Unibroue, sits an out-of-place 30-pack of Hamm’s. I am intrigued to see how this fits in with Bryan’s plans.

Cases of beer await their turn to be served.

After about an hour of perusing the aisles, adding a few more singles and six-packs to our cart, manager Matt Zehnder rounds the corner to find us. Bryan’s order – now requiring two dollies – is ready, but he wants to talk beer. And so, we do. Matt is eager to make some additional recommendations and welcomes us into the warehouse filled with seemingly unending rows of beer. Feeling like an entourage member with a VIP, I trail behind the two aficionados while they rattle off experiences, consider vintages, and ultimately find another case Bryan needs to add to his order. I have been writing about beer, wine and spirits for more than 25 years, but these guys live and breathe yeast, barley, water and hops! What they know, remember, and even have forgotten, is impressive.

ATTENDING CHEESE NIGHT

A couple of weeks before the party, Bryan assembles a core group of attendees at his house to taste a selection of cheeses and devise pairings with more than a dozen beers. By now, Bryan has whittled down his list of potential libations, but wants the eyes, ears and tastebuds of an esteemed few to put the menu in ink. Gathered on a Saturday night in March, Tom Campbell (Bryan’s brother), Evan Major (Bryan’s neighbor), Ray Dewar (Bryan’s neighbor and family friend), and Ben Weiss and Ella Usdin (owners of Susquehanna Sustainable Enterprises at Central Market) taste and talk cheese – and beer – around Bryan’s dining room table.

Bill Mandros is kept busy cutting and slicing cheese during the event.

The retinue for cheese night can change year by year, and in 2024 some key names are missing. “Eric Usner is a critical part of this. There are so many people who are important to this event. Ideas need to be created, tested and explored. And then they need to be executed. Eric is part of the group that creates the ideas, and he also helps make the evening happen,” explained Bryan. Also missing this year is Dan Mentzer, former owner of the house whose family had lived here for more than 100 years.

Most of the cheeses arrive with Bill Mandros, a party staple and “an enthusiastic collaborator,” added Bryan. Bill’s shop, Mandros Imported Foods on the corner of Lemon and Charlotte streets in Lancaster, handles between 125 and 150 diverse types of cheeses. A walking encyclopedia of fromage, Bill brings Michelin Guide knowledge with a working man’s disposition.

Bill Mandros (seated) regularly provides cheese for the event. Fifteen cheeses were on the paring menu, including varieties from as close as Lancaster, to as far away as Europe.

Fifteen cheeses, displayed on live-edge wooden planks across the dining table, hail from all over the world. The exercise in flavors allows the group to figure out how a smoked black lager from Germany is elevated by an English cheddar, or how a French sheep’s milk cheese bounces against the palate while drinking a Flemish red from Connecticut. The task of the evening is to consider guests’ palates, making sure not to “blow people out of the water” after the first of many pairings.

PAIRINGS IN ACTION

As soon as I arrive on party night, I check out the menu. There is the Hamm’s. It is beer number one of 16 for the evening’s tastings. The legacy brand’s Minnesota-born recipe is now brewed by powerhouse Molson Coors and serves as the evening’s opening salvo. Hamm’s is a beer recognized for its place in American brewing history, when the big producers were in fact regional brands appealing to the wants and desires of the blue-collar folks building the nation. Beer serves as a human connection in the annals of history, as well as here in Bryan’s Lampeter home. Blurring culinary contrasts, Bryan pairs Hamm’s with Alpenblumen from Bavarian cheesemakers Hofkäserei Kraus und Kaeskuche. Aged four months in a rind of dried wildflowers, the cheese immediately stirs chatter amongst guests noticing the colorful display making its way around the crowd.

The pairings begin after Bryan introduces new attendees and reviews the beer list.

Volunteers – friends, past invitees or even cheese mongers themselves – carry antique cutting boards and natural wood trays loaded with samples and weave their way through the sea of 50 to 60 people spread about Bryan’s first floor. Tonight’s server-volunteers are Andy Mellinger from Linden Dale Farms and Lindsay Gring, co-owner of Lancaster Pet Bakery. Cheese from Andy’s Ronks farm shows up in round four, after Intangible Ales’ (Enola, PA) Bad News Brew is paired with Le Fribourg A La Crème (Switzerland) and Plan Bee Farm Brewery’s (Poughkeepsie, NY) Tippette meets La Fermière de Méan Charmoix (Belgium).

Michael Upton (right) grazes the table filled with appetizers.

Bryan likes to age beers. His basement is a cellar, impressively stocked with cases from around the world in varying states of aging. Some are just for his own amusement and others for use at future parties. This year’s Bad News Brew has been aging since 2016. This treat from the depths of Bryan’s collection may be some of the last of its kind in existence. The now defunct collaboration-brew specialists officially retired Bad News Brew before the brewery ceased operations, and the tart, mixed-fermentation ale made with wheat, fresh turmeric and mangosteen is aging exquisitely. The flavors pop in the mouth, and I find myself hoping Bryan has a few more bottles of this stuff tucked away somewhere.

Next, the Tippette is a low ABV farmhouse ale, and the oak-aged brew with hints of lemon and yeast pair exceptionally with the soft, washed rind cheese from Belgium.

Lindsay Gring, co-owner of Lancaster Pet Bakery, is a volunteer server for the event. Serving the beer is Phil Bernot.

For round four, Andy provides a sampling of his Laughing Lindy cheese. I met Andy’s father years ago when I penned a story on goats for Lancaster County Magazine (September 2013), and I have been a fan of Linden Dale Farms cheeses (found at Central Market) ever since. Laughing Lindy is served on sourdough baked by attendee Janice Longer (who has been practicing law in Lancaster County for over 20 years) and is paired with Tynt Meadow by Mount Saint Bernard Abbey, where “beer should be liquid bread, not colored water.” And so go the pairings as the evening glides along, until the last of the cheeses – Rogue River Blue from Oregon – is offered with a vintage 2013 Gravitation from New Hampshire’s Smuttynose Brewing. After nine decadent beer samples and cheese tastings, incoming tables and chairs temporarily disperse the conversing crowd who eventually find seats for the main course.

HAVING DINNER …

“A whole lot of things have to be in place before the morning of,” says Bryan, when asked about planning dinner. “Depending on the recipe, I might have been cooking all week. I used to get up early Saturday morning and go to Central Market, where Steve Richardson [a friend from Bryan’s Camp Mack counselor days] or Pete would act like market sherpas – there were so many ingredients that needed to be carried around. I’ve gotten better at not having so much to do in the morning.” By late morning on the day of the party friends start showing up at Bryan’s. Someone brought lunch for the crew. Someone brought a nice bottle of bourbon. “I used to have to coordinate everything, but now things seem to run automatically; this group is so good at what they do,” he remarks.

The main course: Linden Dale Farm goat crepes topped with mushrooms, olives, veggies, feta and a Chardonnay-Marsala sauce.

His house – for one night – should draw the attention of the James Beard Foundation. In 2023, his kitchen served a Hungarian-inspired goulash that would make any Central European expat long for home. This year, chevon from Linden Dale Farm takes center stage. Slow roasted in Cabernet until fork-tender, the rich meat is lifted into a crepe with sauteed shiitake mushrooms and painted with a chardonnay-Marsala sauce. The succulent and light entrées are topped with feta and Kalamata olives.

Appetizers, each year provided by Bob Dewar, included items such as goose liver pate, smoked Canada goose and Speckgans, cured/smoked Canada goose breast prepared in the style of Germany’s Baltic coast.

Manning the crepes (one at a time), the sauces and all other things culinary, is a crew made up of Bryan’s friends. Hours before guests start to arrive, Dan, Eric and Tom join Bryan’s childhood friend, Doug Rider, and his brother-in-law, Phil Bernot, in the kitchen. “Those two guys and Steve are like the center of the kitchen,” Bryan notes.

… AND DESSERT

Staying true to the evening’s theme, dessert is mostly in liquid form. Big flavors begin immediately with offerings like Maiden by Lancaster’s Cartel Brewing & Blending – owner Adam Chamberland is here, roaming about, talking beer – and Imperial stouts from Estonia and Missouri. Three Floyds Brewing Company makes Trolls Trolls Trolls in Munster, Indiana, and has been bestowed with the honor of being paired with “Mom’s crème de menthe brownies,” which are the greatest highlight of my evening each year. Bryan’s parents are regular attendees and a source of inspiration. “As parents, they always took advantage of opportunities to expose us to the world beyond home,” recalls Bryan. “And at home, most of our food was homemade by Mom, even bread and pizza.” I have been known to sneak a couple of Mom’s brownies home in a napkin! The jig is up now, I guess.

Fifty to 60 guests typically attend Bryan’s annual event.

There are seven after-dinner beers. Most of these are from Bryan’s aging collection. At my table, where the guests have become jovial and splendidly opinionated on beers of their liking, the consensus favorite of the dark samples is Mephistopheles from Avery Brewing Company. Bryan dusted off a case he has been aging since 2016, right before the Boulder, Colorado brewery limited production of the malt-forward stout made with Westmalle Belgian yeast. But the biggest beer was saved for last. Dystopias from Free Will Brewing (Perkasie, PA) is a 20% ABV, barrel-aged strong ale. In 2022, Bryan picked up a couple cases of this beer from its first run and it now punctuates an evening filled with creative culinary selections and amusing merriment.

The kitchen crew kept track of the evening’s progress by following the pairing menu.

The beauty of Bryan’s celebration, beyond the uber-impressive beer list, is how it is not a “beer snob” event. Yes, this is an elevated beer party/dinner/pairing, but it is more of a testament to the relationships Bryan has curated over the years. He simply makes sure to gather us all together, which he has done for the past 25 years.

A chilly night calls for homemade chili. Ingredients in knowledgeable hunter Bob Dewar’s Critter Chili included pheasant, chukar, duck, goose and venison.

As we talked after the event, walking through Central Market on a random Saturday, Bryan adds, “And, I don’t drink any Thomas Hardy’s unless Pete is around.” Once again, Bryan shows how friendship is the keystone of any memorable occasion.

A Century of Agriculture & Community

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Taking in your community’s fair is a fall ritual in Lancaster County. Each one possesses a unique spirit that’s worth exploring. This year, that is especially true of the West Lampeter Community Fair, as it is celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The fair’s annual Tractor Parade features models both old and new.

Having grown up in New Holland, the arrival of fair season always prompts me to become nostalgic about carnival rides, fair food and doing my best to win Coca-Cola and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups at the game stands set up along Main Street. For kids (and many adults), fair week is the most anticipated seven days on the calendar. While I consider Ephrata to be my current home fair, I’ve gained an appreciation for all the local editions, including the West Lampeter Community Fair, which I attended last year for the first time. It represented a nice diversion from the carnival-like atmosphere that accompanies the fairs in Ephrata and New Holland. Having experienced it, I’m sure it won’t be the last time I venture to West Lampeter.

Roots

According to the fair’s website, students at the West Lampeter Vocational School are credited with starting what has become known as the West Lampeter Community Fair. Their purpose in 1924 was to host an event through which school projects could be displayed. The guidebook was comprised of four sheets of paper. The show was a hit and a year later, dairy judging was added to the itinerary. In 1930, it officially became known as The Community Fair, growing the following year to include tents that held exhibits and livestock. The grounds were purchased in 1948 and made their debut as the site of the fair a year later. Since then, the fair has grown to encompass a wide range of events and competitions.

The fair allows visitors to get an up-close view of what grows in the fields and gardens of Lancaster County through the exhibits that fill the tents at the fairgrounds.

As a first-time attendee, I noticed the West Lampeter Community Fair marches to the beat of its own drum. The first clue comes early in the fair book, a free resource released mid-summer, now spanning well over 200 pages. On page two, it is specified that West Lampeter’s is a “Strictly Educational Fair.” True to its word, the fair heavily emphasizes community and agriculture. It also has a shorter run than the other fairs, as it kicks off on Wednesday and concludes Friday evening. Admission is free and with a donation to the fire company, visitors can park in the grassy fields that surround the fairgrounds. Absent of rides and games (and the accompanying music, bells or sirens), the atmosphere is remarkably calm. Large tents line the fairgrounds, with the arena awaiting festivities later in the evening.

Food and Agriculture

True to its intent, agriculture is displayed front and center, celebrating home gardeners and farmers alike. On Wednesday morning, exhibits are judged before they open to the public at 1 p.m. Everything from baked goods and homegrown produce to floral arrangements, needlecraft and artwork are proudly displayed in the Exhibit Center. There are also exhibition categories for youth including baked goods, dioramas and the PA Preferred Junior Baking Contest.

In another tent, farm-grown crops in the Grain and Hay category are judged. Varieties of corn bundled together on the stalk are displayed, as are glass jars filled with oats, wheat, winter barley, rye, sunflower seed and dry-shelled corn. Small bales of hay, 10-pound samples of silage (fermented green foliage stored in silos for fodder), and bundles of tobacco leaves on the lath are representative of other categories. The displays provide an opportunity to see what grows in Lancaster County’s fields up close.

The Bake Sale kicks off Wednesday at 7 p.m., with entries (including decorated cakes) auctioned off in a tent outside the Exhibit Center. With top bakers competing for the best Homemade Chocolate Cake, Blue Ribbon Apple Pie and Incredible Angel Food Cake (all qualifiers for the PA Farm Show in Harrisburg), there are delicious baked goods to bid on and if you’re lucky, take home.

Paisley Rankin’s winning entry from last year’s Junior baking contest.

The fair’s atmosphere is conducive to conversations; it feels more like a community picnic or local bake sale than a fair. Friends, neighbors and strangers gather to eat, converse and enjoy the fairgrounds. Asking folks what they thought of the food selection, one couple was gracious enough to offer me a bite of their funnel cake.

A fair staple: funnel cake.

By and large, local fairs offer fundraising opportunities to nonprofits, churches, schools and service organizations. West Lampeter takes a community-focused approach to supporting local groups, as there are no outside food vendors. Instead, Lampeter-Strasburg High School students, supporting organizations and volunteers handle food prep and vending. Groups then receive a share of the profit from respective stands. It’s simple, local and satisfying. For example, in 2023, the following groups offered fairgoers a taste the fair: Pioneer Marching Band (hamburgers and hot dogs); Strasburg/Willow Street Baseball & Softball Association (French fries and chicken tenders); Garden Spot Chapter of FFA (drinks, sausage sandwiches and ham loaf patties); Rawlinsville Camp Meeting (breakfast sandwiches, drinks, pit beef and chicken sandwiches, soup, hot dogs and whoopie pies); Lancaster South Rotary Club (funnel cakes); L-S Boys Lacrosse (pork BBQ, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, soup and fruit cup); L-S Interact Club (pizza, walking tacos and ham & cheese sandwiches); L-S Soccer Booster (waffles and ice cream, apple dumplings and subs); Lampeter Fair Directors (milkshakes, ice cream and root beer floats).

Antique Tractors

An antique tractor lines up for the parade.

The sound of the antique tractors firing up had to be my favorite part of the West Lampeter Community Fair. My grandpa, Glenn Overly, grew up farming in Greenbank with the aid of a steam engine, and later worked as a mechanic and welder. His stable of tractors changed over the years, but two stand out the most in my memory. There was the small red Farmall Cub that resided in the barn for many years, which I fondly remember started with a hand crank. However, the tractor that stands out the most was a 1950s John Deere 40T Tricycle. Because of the sweet sound that era of John Deere engines made, they’re sometimes referred to as a “Johnny Popper.” Watching dozens of antique tractors putting about in Lampeter during the Wednesday evening tractor parade, I couldn’t help but smile ear to ear. Such an event connects attendees with the heritage of local farmers bringing crops to harvest.

Show Animals

Youngsters are heavily involved in the fair and take pride in the animals they have raised. Here, Will Deamer tends his lambs.

Shows held throughout the fair feature market livestock: swine, lamb, goat, beef cattle and dairy beef. Friday features an All-Western Horse Show, calf roping and the FFA Youth Market Sale for goat, lamb, hog, dairy beef and beef. In 2023, there were 118 livestock exhibits featuring 240 animals (of the 1155 total exhibitors). Auction winners of the livestock sale have three options: buy and keep, buy back, or donate the meat to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank.

100^th Anniversary Events

In celebration of its milestone year, the West Lampeter Community Fair will be holding six days of festivities, with special events starting on Sunday, September 22. The fair itself opens on Wednesday, September 25, and closes on Friday, September 27. There is a public call to display vintage fair memorabilia such as photographs, ribbons, signage, hats and fair books.

Community organizations operate the food stands at the fair.

Sunday evening will kick off fair festivities with the annual Fair Queen Coronation, along with a bluegrass band and a fireworks show. Monday will see a larger-than-ever Tractor Pull, as well as a Pedal Tractor Pull and Baby Parade. Tuesday will see a Lampeter’s Got Talent competition take over the fairgrounds. Wednesday and Thursday will host the livestock shows and entertainment, including the Tractor Parade, Horse-drawn Hitch, Tractor Games, Barnyard Chase events and more! Friday will conclude the week with the All-Western Horse Show and livestock auction.

Visit WestLampeterFair.com for more information.

BierHall Brewing: An Accent on German Brews & Food

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick 1 Comment

BierHall Brewing will celebrate its first anniversary in November. “Opening a craft brewery and restaurant is a longtime dream for us,” says Jim Rommel, who co-owns the business with his brother, Chris.

Brothers Chris (left) and Jim Rommel are the owners of BierHall Brewing.

Chris, who serves as brewmaster, learned brewing techniques through attending a school in Germany over a decade ago. He then worked in the craft brewing industry for about 10 years (locally at Spring House Brewing, as well as at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond, Virginia), before launching BierHall. The brewpub’s name pays tribute to Germany and the biergartens or beer halls that can be found in nearly every community.

“In Germany, each small town has a biergarten/beer hall. It’s a place where people gather for food and drink and to socialize,” Jim explains. With that in mind, the brewpub plans to honor that tradition and host an outdoor event on Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29, to celebrate Oktoberfest. Jim, who is BierHall’s general manager, says the event will entail the release of a special fest beer. Food specials will also be on the menu for the event. Visit BierHall’s website and social media for details.

The menu pays homage to traditional German fare such as bratwurst, sausage and schnitzel, as well as American favorites such as burgers.

The Manheim Township restaurant and craft brewery is housed in the former Juke Box Nightclub, but those familiar with the site will find dramatic changes have been made to the building. Jim and Chris worked with Benchmark Construction Company to transform the space. “It was a major renovation; it was originally a house with a front porch that was later enclosed. We demolished two layers of drop ceiling and left the wooden ceiling exposed and restored the brick,” Jim explains. “We also added a lot of windows – we went for a clean, modern, industrial feel. A lot of people who had been here when it was a nightclub are amazed at the transformation – they’ll come in the door, look around and say, ‘Wow!’”

BierHall will celebrate Oktoberfest on September 28 and 29.

The renovation project created a large but comfortable space. The brewing equipment is visible at one end of the space, as well as from the building’s exterior thanks to the addition of large windows. “Craft brew fans focus on that space and visit shortly after entering. Some people visit the brewing area after they’ve finished their meal,” Jim notes.

Chris Rommel is BierHall’s brewmaster.

The brew pub seats about 150 indoors; seating is available at tables that accommodate up to six, as well as at long communal tables with bench seating. A bar constructed by Jim and Chris seats 12. “The communal seating area has been well received; it encourages people to talk with one another,” says Jim. An outdoor beer garden seats about 100. It’s festively lighted in the evening. Sails shade the area during the warm-weather months. There’s even a designated dog-friendly seating area for canine visitors and their owners.

Ashley Vazquez serves as BierHall’s chef. Jim describes the menu as a mix of authentic German and American pub-style food. Produce is sourced locally through vendors such as Brogue Hydroponics and Lancaster Farm Fresh. Bread products are made by Front Porch Baking Co. in Millersville. The Rommels hope to expand their reach and work with other local vendors.

Twelve beers are always on tap.

Popular menu items include house-made potato pancakes, the giant Bavarian pretzel that’s served with mustard (a house-made beer cheese is an optional upgrade), and the BierHall cheesesteak, which uses the beer cheese as a sauce. Appetizers include loaded fries that also incorporate the beer cheese, wings, nachos and roasted garlic hummus. Salads include Caesar and Cobb. Sandwiches range from a plant-based smash burger to bratwurst. Entrées (“plates”) include fish-and-chips, sausage (bratwurst, sweet Italian or Italian) and schnitzel (chicken or pork). Sides include German potato salad, sauerkraut and onion rings. To top it off, there’s apple strudel or strawberry cream cheesecake. The menu, which is reviewed and tweaked monthly, is augmented with weekly specials.

An outdoor beer garden features a dog-friendly area.

BierHall offers 12 beers on tap. The brewpub’s three flagship craft brews – ZugTruppe, a hefeweizen; Das Pils, a German pilsner; and Golden Crispy, a Helles bock – are always available. Tap selections also include seasonal brews and a guest cider, which is locally sourced from Levengoods of Lancaster, Ploughman Cider of Gettysburg or Wyndridge Cider Co. of Dallastown. The beverage list also includes cocktails, adult slushies and wine from such wineries as GlassHouse Wineworks in Manheim; Galen Glen Winery in Andreas; and Britain Hill Vineyard in Quarryville.

Long tables fill the interior of the dining area, while individual tables encircle the space.

BierHall Brewing is located at 1703 New Holland Pike, Lancaster. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 4-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-8 p.m. (The kitchen closes 30-60 minutes earlier.) Reservations are accepted for parties of 8 or more. For more information, visit bierhallbrewing.com and Instagram.

Junior League of Lancaster Celebrates a Century of Community Service

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Evolving from the early years of their white-gloved predecessors, the contemporary members of the Junior League of Lancaster are hands-on, results-driven community activists whose missions have launched and supported dozens of projects.

The Fulton Theatre was the scene of the Junior League of Lancaster’s 100th anniversary celebration.

The list of accomplishments is long, the community impacts are vast and the energy of the 100-year-old Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) is indefatigable. The organization’s centennial was recently celebrated at the Fulton Theatre’s James Hagelgans + Gale Zorian Lobby that welcomed current and sustaining members to a reception of hors d’oeuvres, dancing and renewing scores of friendships.

Founded in 1923 by 55 Lancaster ladies – 22 years after the Junior League of New York City was established – the Junior League of Lancaster has consistently focused its volunteer efforts on identifying needs within our community and effecting change. In the process of community improvement, its members also benefit from the organization’s mission of providing a safe space for women to learn, grow and serve together. “I learned many of my leadership skills at Junior League,” says sustaining member, Nancy Randall, referring to such skills as running a meeting, time and project management and effective organization.

What a difference 100 years makes! An archival photo of the Wheatland Foundation Commmittee in 1936, and today’s members, Christine Johnson, Elizabeth Reidenbach, Hannah Funk (2023/24 president), Teresa Marino.

Women who are new to the area can find a welcome and shared sense of purpose. “I loved how Junior League was involved in so many goodwill projects in Lancaster, like Hands-on House,” notes sustaining member, Pam McDonald, who moved to Lancaster in 1992. “It allowed me to tap into women who have great work experience, life experience, and utilize their talents.”

Sarah Ganse, JLL’s 2017/18 president, agrees: “I returned to Lancaster County from Ohio, adding to my young family and looking for ways to get involved in the community. Junior League gave me a lens to see projects and meetings. Junior League gets things done. You surround yourself with that and absorb.”

Past presidents Sarah Ganse, Bunnie Buckwalter, Kate Lowry

“We know how to get things done” is a universal statement from both current and sustaining members. Anne Louise DeBord, a second generation JLL member and current chair of the Sustaining Advisory Board, considers her fellow members as “such an amazing group of women – hard-working, smart and dedicated. I think they are the movers and shakers of our community.”

Debbie Chen-Sloan, Stacie Reidenbaugh (past president), Carrie McCullough, Karen Chesters

In 1934, they were indeed movers and shakers in that the Junior League was the force that initiated the purchase and restoration of Wheatland, the Lancaster home of President James Buchanan. Since then, JLL has partnered with Students Against Violence Everywhere (1996); New Directions Employment and Counseling Center (1987); Habitat for Humanity Women Build (2004) and Deb’s House Crisis Nursery (1998). In addition, JLL contributed to the restoration of the historic Demuth House (1981), saved Historic Rock Ford from demolition (1950s) and established the Hands-on House, Children’s Museum (1987). More recently, the organization’s focus has been on assisting children who are aging out of the foster care system, promoting business- and STEM-focused opportunities to girls and, for the past three years, partnering with local organizations to address the estimated 50,000 Lancaster County residents who are forced to deal with food insecurity and nutrition accessibility.

Aly Curtis, Susan Ketchum, Pam Hoffmaster (past president)

When 21-year-old Jackie Brennan moved to Lancaster from Montreal in the 1960s, she recalls the Junior League having been a “big plus to meet like-minded women.” At that time, one had to be invited to join; now, one applies for membership. And sustaining members who once were “retired” from service may now continue to support the organization’s volunteer efforts. Bunnie Buckwalter, who served as the League’s president in 1988/89, was one of the “founding mothers” of the Hands-on House, which she considers “a wonderful gift to the community,” and humorously describes the project as “my fifth child.”

Laura McGarry (2024/25 president), Susan Bowser (past president), Teresa Marino, Hannah Funk (2023/24 president), Melissa Esterly (president-elect)

Mingling among sumptuous hors d’oeuvres served by Cracked Pepper Catering, past and present members caught up on each other’s lives, as current League president, Hannah Funk, called the group to order, recognizing the 25 past presidents in attendance and saluting the League’s lasting mark on Lancaster, through “training thousands of volunteers to serve not only the League, but many other impactful organizations in the area.” The Mama Tried Band signaled it was time to rock the dance floor and, on a broader perspective, a member commented, “Our slogan says it all: ‘One woman can make a difference, but together we can rock the world.’”

Junior League of Lancaster welcomes all women 21 years and older. Email info@jllancaster.org or visit jllancaster.org for more information.

Bob Sauders: Leading the Mountville Indians One Last Time

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

There’s a reason why Hempfield High School excels in baseball and is this year’s PIAA state champions. Programs like the Mountville Indians youth (12U) baseball team provide the school with talented players coached by the likes of Bob Sauders, who has led the team since 1988 and will relinquish that role at the end of the season.

Bob Sauders rallies players on the Mountville Indians youth baseball team on game day. According to the team’s website, the stars on the boys’ caps (“Mountville Stars”) are awarded to players by the coaches based upon a player’s attitude, effort, improvement and execution of various game fundamentals. They are given to reinforce the techniques learned in practice, build confidence and promote team pride and unity.

After more than three decades, Bob Sauders has announced that this season will be his last time serving as the coach of the Mountville squad, which competes in the Lancaster County Youth Baseball League, various elite tournaments in the mid-Atlantic region and an annual 104-team tournament in Cooperstown, New York. As he closes out his career, players, parents and members of the local baseball community are saluting Sauders for his unwavering dedication to the program and teaching young athletes on the sandlot. Think about it, some of the boys Sauders originally coached are nearing the age of 50 and probably have children who have played for him. “Sometimes you just get the sense that it’s the right time,” Sauders says of the decision he made last fall. “You don’t want to hang on too long. I’m sure I’ll miss it when I get out, but you want to stop while you’re still enjoying it.”

Although he had always been fond of baseball and gained some experience coaching in the instructional baseball program beforehand, Sauders reports he never planned to become a coach for the Indians. He explains that he stepped up to the plate when his son, Rob, became old enough to join the team, which was looking for someone to put at the helm. “I guess I wasn’t paying attention and they picked me,” Sauders jokes. “I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy the coaching aspect of it.”

Despite coaching for multiple decades, Sauders says he’s still learning as he wraps up his final season with the Indians. His coaching method focuses heavily on the strategy of baseball and his practices have often incorporated simulations of different scenarios players could find themselves in out on the diamond. “I really want to teach players the game of baseball, not just hitting, throwing and catching,” Sauders notes. “I try to push them a bit in that regard and teach them to expect the unexpected.” Through the years, he’s also stressed to his players that baseball is a team sport. The team’s website succinctly states that philosophy: “I believe that no play or player can win or lose a game for us.”

Sauders credits the duration of his career to the abundant support of parents, players and other members of the youth baseball program in Mountville (including the Mountville Youth Athletic Association), as well as the encouragement from his wife, Deb. “I’ve been very fortunate. You couldn’t coach this long without that kind of support,” Sauders says. Deb, who writes a blog on the team’s website, shared an observation earlier this summer that explains why Mountville’s Indians have been so successful for so long. “Over the years, Bob and I have been surprised to hear time and time again that landing a spot on the Indians team is something many of our community’s young ball players dream of from an early age. And we’re told they don’t just dream about it. For years, many work on improving their baseball mechanics to better their chances of making the team when the time comes. Many forego other opportunities hoping to make their dream become reality.”

Bob Sauders’ Box Score

Coached an undefeated season (51-0) in 2003
Reached 500 wins with the Indians in 2007
Coached 1,000 games as of 2012
Reached 1,000 wins with the Indians in 2021
Lancaster New Era Tournament winner 11 times
Named Volunteer of the Year by the Lancaster County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018
Has coached the Indians in the Cooperstown NY Dreams Park Tournament since 2002

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

Senior Living:
Home Creative Home

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick 1 Comment

Moving to a senior living community may mean that tasks such as downsizing will need to be addressed, but it doesn’t signify that an interest in home decorating, DIY projects, crafting, collecting, hobbies or gardening must be curtailed. More than likely, you’ll now have even more time to devote to such interests (or develop new ones)!

Thanks to the very talented and creative residents of local retirement communities, you can learn how they navigated the challenge of downsizing, designed beautiful (and meaningful) living spaces using furnishings and décor from their previous homes, continued to pursue favorite hobbies and artistic endeavors and, most importantly, embraced this new phase of life.

Explore Retirement Living

October 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

If you or a loved one are contemplating making the move to a retirement community, put October 19 on your calendar. The annual tour will see 17 communities – many featured on the following pages – open their doors to visitors. Through the tour, you’ll understand why Lancaster County is regarded as a top place (#3 this year) to retire in the United States, per U.S. News & World Report. The results were based on such criteria as cost of living, taxes, superior healthcare, access to cultural activities and the happiness factor.

Visitors are encouraged to bring along friends and family members whose advice they respect. Plan to spend at least an hour at the communities you wish to visit. You’re also advised to wear comfortable shoes, as walking distances will vary. Questions are welcome and follow-up visits can certainly be arranged.

Be sure to bring your appetite! You will be invited to sample food and beverages along the way. No doubt, you’ll discover that Lancaster’s senior-living communities have upped the ante where dining out on campus is concerned. As a result, you’ll see gorgeous restaurants (many now open to the public), cozy cafés and coffee shops, plant-shrouded outdoor-dining venues, health-conscious take-outs and upscale wine bars.

Those who are health-conscious will marvel at the fitness facilities that exist on the campuses, offering swimming pools, classes, weight training, cycle studios and yes, pickleball!

You’ll also learn about the clubs, activities and cultural offerings that abound. If you don’t already have a hobby or area of interest, no worries! You’re bound to find new horizons to explore.

For details, visit exploreretirementliving.org.

Quarryville Presbyterian

Pleasant View

Homestead Village

Landis Homes

Willow Valley Communities

Luthercare:
Reflecting Christ’s Love Through Service to Others

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Meet Brenda and Lloyd Jacobson

Prior to moving to Luther Acres two years ago, the Jacobsons had resided in Manheim Township for 33 years. They both took great joy in decorating their home with family heirlooms and treasures. In making the move to Luther Acres, a Luthercare community, the couple was prepared to downsize and start a new chapter in their lives.

The Jacobsons’ large dining area accommodated their table and chairs, a china cabinet, a corner cupboard and the chandelier they purchased as newlyweds.

They both agree that the transition was made easier with help from Beyond the Fork in the Road, a locally owned business that specializes in assisting older adults in downsizing or moving. A representative met with the Jacobsons to help determine how their furniture would make the transition to the new floor plan. “They measured everything, and they figured out what we could take with us,” says Brenda. The couple was thrilled to be able to bring pieces such as their china cabinet, corner cupboard, a beloved grandfather clock and more to their new home. Except for purchasing a new sofa and a chair, they were able to furnish their cottage entirely from their former home. “At first blush, it’s overwhelming to think about the move, but then you get your head around it,” Lloyd remarks.

One of their first purchases as a married couple was a beautiful crystal chandelier for their dining room and, for sentimental reasons, they knew it had to make the move to Luther Acres! It now hangs in their dining room space and complements the china cabinet that displays Lloyd’s collection of martini glasses and Brenda’s collection of stemware purchased from an antiques shop in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the corner cupboard holds Lloyd’s grandparents’ china set, as well as crystal pieces collected by Brenda over the years.

The décor of their cottage includes many nods to their past, including an antique steamer trunk that belonged to Lloyd’s grandfather; it’s filled with memorabilia from Lloyd’s childhood in Iowa and precious antiques passed down through his family. Many paintings done by Lloyd – he’s a landscape architect by trade who enjoys art as a hobby – hang throughout their home. Their hobbies are also well represented, including golf (Lloyd) and cooking (Brenda).

According to Brenda, she and Lloyd love “the wonderful people and community here.” They have found many ways to become active and involved at Luther Acres. Lloyd is the current Residents’ Council president and is taking a watercolor class being taught by a local art instructor. Meanwhile, Brenda, who has always loved thrifting and antiquing, volunteers with the resident-led “Attic Treasures” sales and continues to enjoy entertaining, cooking and baking.

The Luthercare Lifestyle

Size Range of Homes/Apartments

Apartments range from 448-1,207 square feet. Cottages range from 740-1,592 square feet.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

While we have a list of standards, new residents can customize much of the space to suit their needs and preferences. Paint colors are available in hundreds of options. Two colors can be chosen, with additional colors considered to be an upgrade. Our standard floorcoverings include carpet and vinyl. Luxury vinyl plank flooring can be selected as an upgrade. In addition, cabinetry, hardware and countertops can be selected through our approved vendors.

Help with Downsizing?

We do not offer such services, but we do maintain a list of companies that can provide assistance.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/Updated?

Residences are updated during the move-in-selection process. In addition, they receive a 10-year refresh (typically for flooring and paint).

Contractors/Service Providers Policy

Luthercare’s contractors and subcontractors must be used for renovations and updates.

Senior-Friendly Amenities

Design features such as wider hallways, doorways and entries accommodate mobility issues. Soft-close cabinetry doors and soft-glide drawers make life easier for those with arthritis.

Technology

Apartment buildings are Wi-Fi-enabled.

Garden Access

Residents are welcome to maintain gardens within the beds at their cottages or at designated spots on campus.

Care-Free Living

We take care of everything from landscaping and snow removal to changing a lightbulb.

Overview

Type of Community
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), with locations in Lititz (Luther Acres), Columbia (St. John’s Herr Estate) and Lebanon (Spang Crest)
Range of Services
Independent Living, Supportive Personal Care, Memory Care, Skilled Nursing, Rehabilitation and In-home Care
Residential Options
Our communities feature comfortable and stylish Independent Living cottages and apartments that offer a variety of designs to suit tastes and budgets. We also offer beautifully updated private Rehabilitation rooms, private or companion Personal Care suites, and private and semi-private Skilled Nursing rooms.
Clubs
Residents can share their interests, cultivate hobbies or develop new pursuits at our communities. Clubs devoted to books, walking, computers, music, sewing, poker, billiards and much more are available. The water volleyball team, pickleball and drumline class are popular with residents. We also have an actor’s workshop.
Population
Approximately 580 at Luther Acres, 170 at St. John’s Herr Estate and 90 at Spang Crest.

600 East Main St., Lititz, PA 17543

717-626-1171 • Luthercare.org

Info@luthercare.org

Cornwall Manor:
The New Nature of Senior Living

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Meet Mary and Kirk Reider

Residents since 2023, the Reiders love their home in the Gatehouse Lane area of the community. They found its size (1,900 square feet) and layout very accommodating to the furniture and heirlooms that are meaningful to them.

Mary and Kirk Reider relax in their second-floor loft that is decorated with Mary’s rug-hooking projects and mementos of their travels.

As New England is their favorite vacation destination, the décor in their home is reflective of their travels. Also in evidence is Mary’s talent for rug hooking, as she can display nearly all the projects she has completed over the years (something that was impossible in their previous home).

Kirk dabbles in woodworking and takes advantage of the unfinished basement to pursue his hobby. The loft, which provides space for guests and storage for rug-hooking supplies, is a cozy place for reading (another of Kirk’s interests), watching television, listening to music or working on the computer.

Prior to their move, the Reiders worked with Cornwall Manor’s marketing team to make changes such as bringing lighting fixtures from their previous home and adding wiring for speakers through the entire house.

Making the decision to move to a retirement community was not an easy one for the Reiders, but once they did, it was “full throttle ahead.” Everything they brought with them to Cornwall Manor has a memory or an association, which helped to make the transition an easy one.

The Cornwall Manor Lifestyle

Size of Residences

Homes: 1,000-2,600 square feet. Apartments: 600-900 square feet (one bedroom) and 1,000-1,500 square feet (one bedroom/den or two bedroom). All are senior-friendly.

Guidelines for Personalizing Homes

While there are a few guidelines/standards, Cornwall Manor is amenable to discussing any personalization request a future resident may have and do our best to make it happen. Standard paint colors and floorcoverings are offered; residents can upgrade their choices (a fee would be involved).

Help With Downsizing?

We work with several companies that offer such services.

How Often are Residences Remodeled/Updated?

Residences are renovated/updated every time they become available. In addition, residents who have lived in their homes for 10 years are eligible to have them updated.

Do You Offer Design Services?

Such services are not offered; however, we can provide a list of area interior designers.

Contractor/Service Providers Policy

Residents are encouraged to use one of the contractors that have been approved/vetted to work at Cornwall Manor.

Technology

Wi-Fi is available with more upgrades planned.

Garden Access

Residents of single homes may have gardens within designated areas, plus a community garden is available to gardeners.

Hobbies/Activities

Cornwall Manor offers a wide range of activities for residents who want to continue their hobbies or discover new possibilities. A few of the offerings include woodworking, a craft room and an artist studio.

Care-Free Living

Cornwall Manor takes care of all maintenance services inside and outside. No more worrying about snow removal or grass cutting!

Overview

Type of Community
Continuing Care Retirement Community
Range of Services
Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Care, as well as transportation, pharmacy service, etc.
Residential Options
One- and two-bedroom apartments and single and duplex homes
Fitness Opportunities
Health and wellness opportunities include an indoor pool, fitness center and exercise classes. Other offerings include pickleball, bocce, dance classes, putting green, billiards, table tennis, Wii, walking paths (including the Lebanon Valley Rail-Trail). Residents can also volunteer at the Trailside Organic Farm that provides produce to our dining rooms and residents.
Population
575

1 Boyd Street, Cornwall, PA 17016

717-274-8092

Cornwallmanor.com

Marketing@cornwallmanor.org

Fairmount Retirement Community:
Dedicated to Faith, Family & Community

August 27, 2024 by Ashley Kendrick Leave a Comment

Meet Mim Mylin

Crest View apartment resident, Mim Mylin, had already downsized once, when she and her husband moved from their home of 47 years in Millersville to one in Mount Joy, where they spent another eight years. When Mim’s husband passed, she was sure about two things: not wanting to maintain a property by herself and wanting to move to Fairmount before winter arrived.

The centerpiece of Mim Mylin’s living room is the hutch her late husband, a cabinetmaker, made. It holds treasures such as the many scrapbooks Mim has assembled that chronicle the lives of her children and grandchildren. The apartment also offers a stellar view of the countryside.

After choosing her fourth-floor apartment, Mim was faced with making decisions on which furniture she would bring with her. That was dictated by how the pieces fit into the graph-paper diagram her daughter had created that outlined the room dimensions of Mim’s apartment. Making these decisions more difficult was the fact that most of the furniture had been built by her late husband, a cabinetmaker. Mim chose one beautiful hutch to be the central piece in her new living room. It serves as a tribute to her life, as the top shelf is adorned with beautiful china from Morocco, where one of her children lived for 17 years, as well as mementos from the West Coast, where another child resided. Mim’s photo albums, contained in the hutch, combine her love of family, travel and scrapbooking.

Since moving to Fairmount, Mim enjoys frequent visits with family and friends, and maintains active correspondence with loved ones from her second bedroom, which she uses as her office. She also enjoys the evening music programs and never tires of walking on the scenic nature trails. Meals are enjoyed in front of her balcony doors, allowing her to take in the scenic landscape. Her fourth-floor neighbors have become friends, gathering regularly to do puzzles, play games or just talk. Mim says, “I am content, feeling close to both nature and God.”